From the Principal
Samantha Jensen
Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been a very big and action-packed couple of weeks at Mount Alvernia College. Our Celebration of Excellence on Monday evening was an exceptional showcase of student achievement and talent. My warm congratulations go to those students who were awarded on the evening, all of them, most worthy recipients. My thanks also go to our FCIP musicians, Musical Cast and Showcase Chorale who performed beautifully on the night and to the team of many who worked tirelessly (some all-day Sunday!) to ensure that the evening was a resounding success.
In my Principal’s address on the evening, I also wanted to acknowledge all students who were not present on the evening, but show up, everyday to do their personal best and contribute richly to our College.
We see all of you! In 2023, Mount Alvernia College can feel very proud of our achievements together.
We also wish our Year 12 Students the very best as they commence their external examinations on Monday. Whilst the ‘Final College Assembly’ may have felt like the end, there is still one final (and very important) push to go! Keep going, you have got this.
As I write this entry, we have 2 of our Tournament of the Minds Teams competing at the INTERNATIONAL finals in Melbourne! Good luck teams, we cannot wait to hear. Our sincere thanks to Ms Claire Hatchman and Mrs Colleen Goodin for accompanying the students on this wonderful journey.
We also look forward to hearing of the adventures of our Year 9 Campers and our Year 10 Reflection Day held this week. It is all happening here folks!
For those who were able to visit our 2023 Arts Fest last Friday and Saturday, I think you will agree that the standard of student work continues to grow and strengthen. There are certainly some very talented artists at Mt A, with equally talented and committed teachers. Concurrently, on Friday night we also welcomed our 2024 Year 7 Parents “Transition Twilight” for a welcome reception on the Rooftop Terrace, followed by an information session.
Our incoming Year 7’s enjoyed time with their Year 11 big sister ambassadors and Heads of House. A fabulous evening was had by all. My thanks go to Victoria Nicolas (Dean of Middle Years) and to the Heads of House, Head of Learning Enhancement and Support and all staff who were present on the evening to assist in this invaluable program. We cannot wait to welcome our new Year 7’s into the Mt A family.
It has been a very unsettling couple of weeks in our world, in turning to our own backyard, in our path to reconciliation, the words of Richard Rohr this week have really resonated with me.
Richard Rohr's Daily Meditation Responding to the Gaps, 17 October 2023 - From the Center for Action and Contemplation
Responding to a gap is not about starting everywhere but about starting somewhere. Wherever we find ourselves, there are gaps. The gap can be as small and near as people in our own family, town or congregation. The challenge is for each of us to be faithful to discern and respond to the gap God puts before us….
Leaders respond to a gap without knowing the way. They belong to the gap to such an extent that they share in its suffering. This is as far as some leaders take the journey. But this is not far enough. While many leaders bear the signs of the world’s death and suffering in their body, engaging the world’s suffering does not necessarily lead us into redemption. We are just as likely to be transformed into bitterness as into new life.
There are many casualties in the journey of responding to the gaps of the world. Many leaders end up bitter and angry. They become despairing and sometimes even destructive….
Many warriors for justice become steeped in the skills of protest and resistance. Yet they never learn the equally critical skills of pursuing new life in the gap. One of the distinguishing marks of the gentleness that communion requires is this: leaders are ones who learn to absorb pain without passing it on to others or to themselves.
At Mount Alvernia College, I will continue to work in finding new ways to continue to respond meaningfully to these gaps. As a College community, we remain more committed than ever to a process of healing and reconciliation. To our sisters and brothers in the Middle East right now, we watch in horror and dismay, we see a suffering and pain that is inconceivable. As a Catholic community, we continue to pray for peace in the region. A reminder of the fact sheet released earlier this week from the esafety commissioner (that was also sent on the College App) to assist in managing the media exposure for our young people. Please take a look if you haven’t already.
For those who are able and willing, there are several very worthy organisations working to assist families affected by the atrocities. These are just a few.
Also, links to support Caritas/Unicef/doctors without borders.
As I sign off, I am reminded of just how meaningful, poignant and relevant our Franciscan tradition is right now.
Peace and all good,
Samantha