Year 9 Pastoral Guardian

Term 3 has been another busy, successful, and valuable part of your daughter’s educational journey.  This was particularly relevant for the Year 9 cohort, as they attended SET Plan interviews with their Home Room teachers. Together, important decisions regarding their futures were discussed and subjects were chosen - based on their interests and expected future career paths - for the final year in Clare School. This was not an easy task and a decision that most of them did not take lightly. Setting goals and high expectations is an important part of this process, and students need to ensure now these are set that they are followed and adapted into their senior years. 

The highlight of the term was certainly attending camp. I always value this time as it allows me to be outdoors in the fresh air and gives me the opportunity to spend time with the Year 9 cohort away from school. Over the four days, I enjoyed observing all students as they worked collaboratively, facing challenges positively and enthusiastically and, most importantly, having fun. All students proved they have the courage to step outside their comfort zone, foster relationships, and work collaboratively with students outside their friendship group, while building resilience and tolerance. 

Throughout the term, Year 9 students must be congratulated for their ongoing positive attitude and dedication, not only to their studies, assessments, and NAPLAN tests, but also their overall participation in the many cocurricular opportunities offered within the College.

Difficult as it is to believe, we only have one more term remaining in 2022. This final term is an opportunity for our students to continue to set goals and plan how they will achieve them. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves – perhaps by becoming involved in the many cultural, outreach, and sporting opportunities that are offered at the College.  These are most rewarding for students and allow them to develop further skills that cannot be taught in the classroom. As parents, you can support your daughter by knowing her goals and encouraging her to persevere and not give up or make excuses. Failure to commit 100% in all aspects of school life is not an option as they progress into Year 10.

This week Year 9 students showcased their SPIRIT.  Throughout the week, they accessorised in the different daily themes planned by our Spirit Captain – from silly socks, vacation wear, house colours, and crazy hair or nails. It has been a pleasure to see so many Year 9s involved in Cultural Festival heats and performances - whether as a solo or duet performance, a dance, or Home Room presentation. Well done to you all for enthusiastically and confidently finding the courage to have a go.  

Holidays are a perfect time for students to wear the extra set of earrings, necklaces, and rings and paint their nails in their favourite colours. However, can we remind our girls that from day 1 in Term 4, they must continue to abide by college procedures. This applies to all accessories that are not permitted to be worn when in the college uniform and ensuring their mobile stays locked in their locker all day. Although blazers are not required next term, the college formal hat must still be worn when travelling to and from school.

Please read the School TV article for this week: SPECIAL REPORT: Building Belonging Post Pandemic | Mount Alvernia College (schooltv.me). 

I would like to wish you and your family an enjoyable mid-semester break. This is a chance to relax, revive, and recuperate after a busy term. I am looking forward to seeing your daughter ready to tackle Term 4 challenges after a well-earned break. 

Year 9 Student Reflections  

Petra Falcnik

The Year 9 cohort all came into Term 3 dreading the schoolwork ahead. Although, as soon as we walked into the gates, it was over before we knew it. It’s time to reflect on the term we just experienced as a strong, resilient, courageous cohort.  In Week 4, we took upon the journey of Year 9 Camp, which was our last one. The girls all enjoyed the experience at camp a lot and took home some great morals and values. In leading up to Week 6, the CASSSA girls were busy preparing for the CaSSSA athletics carnival and were hoping for a good placement in the competition. To our surprise we finished in fourth place; congratulations to the girls who participated and all your hard efforts. After CaSSSA all anyone could talk about was Cultural Fest. Practice after practice, homeroom and assembly time were dedicated to preparing for the big day. In the last two weeks of term everyone was really excited about Cultural Fest and the heats began. The heats are everyone’s favourite part about Cultural Fest. Singing, dancing, acting, and instrumental performances from students in every year level provided entertainment for the whole college. After being swarmed with exams and assignments, which was a challenge for all of us, we didn’t let that dampen our Year 9 cohort spirits. After all that hard work the girls have put into this term, Spirit Week is a time for everyone to relax and enjoy the last week of the term.  We dedicated every day of Week 10 to a different theme - Monday: crazy socks, Tuesday: vacation day, Wednesday: house colours, Thursday: crazy hair and nails, and Friday being the big hoorah the day everyone is waiting for - Cultural Fest! This term was exciting, to say the least, and was a successful term at Mount Alvernia for all of us. 

Chelsea Blake

Term 3 was a term I won’t forget. Through our last camp, touch trainings/games, and lead- up to Cultural Fest it has been a busy but fun term. Although we had the best time at camp, there was a bit to catch up on. However, our teachers' support and motivation took us to the finish line. I can truly say the cohort's hard work and dedication made to our studies and exams have been so motivating to pull through the term and finally celebrate the long-awaited Cultural Fest!! I hope all the staff and students have a great break over these holidays and return pumped for Term 4!