Deputy Principal

Helping Mt A students find their voice.

This week at assembly, we commissioned 24 students into the 2025 Consiglio degli Studenti or Consiglio for short.  Our Student Representative Council has been renamed to reflect our Italian heritage and Franciscan Tradition. Our College commenced Student Representative Council this year. There were two driving forces for this. Student voice has always been important at Mt A. We survey students regularly. 

We are purposeful with small Homerooms to create connection and dialogue. A robust public speaking and debating campaign, championed by Ms Hatchman, ensures the voices we hear are considered, thoughtful and on the mark. Also, we have noticed over the last two years that the appetite for leadership opportunities at Mt A is high and the calibre of our leaders is getting better with every appointment. So, with a yearning for their voices to be heard and the opportunity to tap into the leadership potential across all year levels, a student council was created.

Our Consiglio consists of our 14 senior captains and a member from each year level within each House. Our Year 7 2025 members will be invited to join in Term 2.  We meet up to three times a term to discuss a range of year level or College-wide issues brought to the council. It is a highlight of my term to sit with these students and listen to the passion in their voices and their collegiality with one another.

The International Coalition of Girls Schools, of which Mt A is a member, often writes about the importance of girls finding their voice. In their recent podcast, Empowering Girls to Disagree with Confidence and Civility, the episode advised that equipping girls with skills for civil discourse is more critical than ever.  Girls often hold back from sharing valuable insights due to self-doubt and societal expectations to be “polite.” (National Coalition of Girls Schools, 2024) Consiglio is one way we can help girls unlock their voice by encouraging them to engage confidently, challenge stereotypes, and contribute meaningfully in any setting. 

Sometimes we need to start small to think big.  The process can begin with managing small disagreements among peers which can build the foundation for tackling the larger societal issues. We also know that young women are innately good listeners, and listening is a powerful tool for understanding. A student who is a good listener allows for confidence in their own views while remaining open to the views of others.

 Mount Alvernia College agrees and has made investments in this area to nurture student voice. Ms Claire Hatchman, Head of Student Engagement and recent recipient of the 2024 Bonaventure Exceptional Practitioner Award at our Celebration of Excellence, has ensured Mount Alvernia College is represented everywhere!  QLD Debating Union (QDU); Lions Public Speaking Program; Model United Nations; Tournament of Minds…the list is endless!  Not only are we participating, we are excelling with wins and podium finishes at every turn. I urge you all to locate the page in the 2024 College Yearbook, when published, with the photograph of our debaters…we needed extra risers for the photo due to the unprecedented number of participants.

Claire Hatchman, through extra-curricular clubs, activities and public speaking circuits, is helping our students find their passion and spark. When students find these, the ‘soft skills’ grow. Our goal is always to teach and guide our students on their academic pathway. However, we do not stop there. We lead our students to the activities and programs that develop their soft skills – interpersonal skills for harmonious relationships in school, work and life – to ensure Mt A graduates are career and world ready.