From the Acting Principal

Sharing Our Light Through Learning, Service and Connection

As Catholic Education Week draws to a close, I have found myself reflecting on this year's theme, Share Your Light, Inspire Others. Over the past fortnight, I have seen so many examples of our students, staff and families doing exactly that, often in ways that may seem ordinary but have a powerful impact on the life of our community.

One of the most inspiring examples was the extraordinary response to this year's Ponytail Project. A record forty-nine students and two staff members chose to participate, so far raising an incredible $34,450 for the Cancer Council. Beyond the impressive fundraising total lies something even more powerful: the willingness of our young women to act with compassion, courage and generosity in support of others. Their commitment reminds us that making a difference often begins with a simple decision to use our gifts in service of a greater cause.

The spirit of Catholic Education Week was also evident as students and staff from Mount Alvernia College, Padua College and St Anthony's School joined parishioners at Little Flower Church to celebrate Mass together. It was a beautiful reminder that we are part of something larger than ourselves, united by a shared faith and a commitment to serving others. Our College Choir, led by Ms Daniella Curcuruto, contributed beautifully to the celebration, sharing their talents in a way that enriched the experience for all who attended.

Across the College, the theme Share Your Light, Inspire Others has been evident in many aspects of school life. From Pi Approximation Day and Maths Trivia to the outstanding work displayed in the Senior Visual Art Studio Gallery, students have demonstrated that there are many different ways to shine. What has stood out most is not only the talent on display, but the enthusiasm, curiosity and confidence with which students have embraced these opportunities. Each student brings something unique, and together they create a community that is vibrant, inspiring and full of possibility.

This week we were also delighted to celebrate our Semester One Achievement and Improvement Award recipients at our Academic Assembly. In particular, we recognised 68 students across Years 7 to Years 11 who achieved Gold Awards and many students who have made significant improvements between 2025 and 2026. While these achievements are certainly worthy of celebration, what inspires me most is the perseverance, commitment and growth that sit behind every result. Achievement is important, but as our Deputy Principal: Teaching and Learning, Simone Roche, reminded us at this week's Academic Assembly address, character is what sustains success and ultimately shapes the impact we have on others.

Our recent cultural exchange with students from our Franciscan sister school, Nigawa Gakuin in Japan, also highlighted the importance of connection, hospitality and global understanding. The friendships formed, experiences shared and memories created will remain with students long after the visit concludes. These opportunities remind us that some of our most valuable learning occurs when we step beyond our familiar surroundings and seek to understand the experiences and perspectives of others. Thank you to the students and families who hosted our Japanese visitors and to our Enrolments Registrar, Sally Clarke, for her organisation of this important exchange.

Together, these moments tell a powerful story. They remind us that the light we share is expressed through service, learning, achievement, creativity, faith, friendship and generosity. As Catholic Education Week draws to a close, we give thanks for the many ways our students, staff and families continue to share their light and inspire others.

While these achievements and experiences are certainly worthy of celebration, they also remind us of something deeper. Behind every act of service, every academic success, every creative endeavour and every new opportunity is the gradual formation of character. It is through these everyday moments that young people develop the courage, compassion and resilience that will shape not only their success at school, but the kind of people they become.

Building Character in the Everyday

Earlier this term, alongside several Mt A colleagues, I had the privilege of attending the Franciscan Schools Australia Symposium, where educators from Franciscan schools across the country gathered to reflect on what it means to live and lead through our shared values. One message that stayed with me was that the person we become is shaped less by extraordinary moments and more by the choices we make every day. This connected strongly with the message shared by Deputy Principal: Teaching and Learning, Simone Roche, at this week's Academic Assembly. Simone encouraged students to reflect on the qualities that underpin lasting success: courage, perseverance, humility, kindness and integrity.

Another theme that particularly resonated with me was "Belonging before Believing". Before people can flourish, they need to feel welcomed, valued and included. Each of us has the opportunity to create that sense of belonging here at Mt A every day through the way we speak, listen, respond and care for others. I was also struck by the idea of celebrating “Ordinary Goodness”. These are the quiet acts of compassion, encouragement, respect and generosity that may not attract attention but help shape the culture of our College. This might be a student including someone who feels left out, a teacher encouraging a learner, a family supporting behind the scenes, or a young person choosing to do the right thing when no one is watching.  

These moments may seem small, but they often have the greatest impact, shaping both our community and the people we become. When we choose kindness, inclusion, courage and generosity in our daily interactions, we strengthen not only our own character but the culture of belonging that makes Mt A such a special place. These moments also remind us that growth begins when we are willing to step beyond what is comfortable and have the courage to give something a go.

The Courage to Have a Go

One of the qualities I admire most in people is the courage to have a go.

Courage is not always about doing something dramatic or extraordinary. More often, it is about taking the first step, even when we are unsure of the outcome. It is putting your hand up in class when you are not entirely certain of the answer. It is auditioning for a role, trying out for a team, entering a competition, presenting your work, taking on a leadership opportunity, or introducing yourself to someone new.

Over the past few weeks, I have seen countless examples of Mt A students demonstrating this courage. From the students that have participated in the Ponytail Project, performed at Mass, hosted visiting students from Japan, showcased their artwork, engaged in academic and creative challenges, or embraced a range of opportunities across College life. Each of these experiences began with a simple decision to step forward and give something a try, even when they didn’t feel confident. 

What many people do not realise is that confidence rarely comes first. We often think we need to feel confident before we try something new, but in reality, confidence is usually built through action. Every time we step outside our comfort zone, we learn something new about ourselves and discover that we are capable of more than we first imagined. Of course, not every attempt leads to immediate success. Sometimes things do not go to plan. Sometimes we make mistakes. Sometimes we discover that something is harder than expected. Yet these are often the moments where resilience, perseverance and growth are developed. As a Franciscan community, we encourage our students to embrace opportunities, take positive risks and be open to new experiences. Whether the outcome is a success, a lesson, or something in between, valuable growth occurs every time we find the courage to have a go.

As we move toward the second half of the term, I encourage each student to ask herself: What is one thing I have been hesitant to try? Perhaps this is the moment to take that first step. You may be surprised by what becomes possible when you do.  After all, when we have the courage to try, the character to persevere and the generosity to share our gifts with others, we become a light for those around us.

A Final Word of Thanks

On Tuesday, we look forward to welcoming back our Principal, Samantha Jensen, following a well-deserved period of rest and renewal. We are delighted to have Ms Jensen return to the Mt A community and look forward to hearing about her experiences and reflections from this special time away.

As my time as Acting Principal comes to a close, I would like to sincerely thank our students, staff and families for your support over the past month. It has been a privilege to connect with so many members of our community and to spend time in places and spaces around the College that I do not always have the opportunity to visit.

These moments have provided a wonderful reminder of the energy, generosity, talent and spirit that make Mt A such a special place. The strength of our College is found not only in its achievements, but in the people who bring it to life each day. Thank you for allowing me to witness that so closely.

Peace and all good

Kerry Jell