Deputy Principal

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”  Proverbs 27:17

How good leadership and right relationships grow a thriving community.

I love a British royal wedding, trooping the colour, a miltary tattoo...anything where pomp and pageantry are front and centre. The precision of the horses, the lockstep march and the red coats with shiny buttons and polished shoes...what is not to love?! In a world where the cost-of-living crisis is in every corner, some might suggest this a wasteful use of government funding when so many are going without. I think it would be sad to scale it all back. There are decades – perhaps centuries – of tradition, art and meticulousness on show each time the uniforms are put on and the carriages depart. EVERYTHING is executed to such a high standard. To scale it back, the craftsmanship may be lost forever. Gone! Like many of the beautiful old buildings in Brisbane with pressed metal ceilings, cast iron lacework and ornate stonework, finding tradespeople to preserve our history is getting more difficult each year.

When I think about the execution of high standards, I am drawn to the book of Proverbs in the Old Testament. Proverbs 27:17 declares, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” This verse illustrates the shared benefit of mutual improvement and accountability using a metaphor from metalworking that implies strengthening, honing, and sharpening. Two pieces of metal side by side without connection become dull and useless. When struck together, they are a force. A lot like the groups who form the pomp and pageantry at these world events.  They rely upon each other to give their best. They inspire each other. They work together. 

To not commit to the standards - the uniform, the precision, their team - it would look out of place, a detraction, to the crowds and to their peers. 

This simple proverb illustrates an important biblical principle: God expects us to live and serve in a community, fostering and strengthening positive relationships with others. It is insightful and relatable wisdom from a very ancient book.

Mount Alvernia College is in an age of excellence. We see it everywhere and in every domain:  academics, sport, our musical, debating, art, our ‘Communi-Tea’ publication and our student leaders. May all our students, in their pursuit of excellence, continue to guide and sharpen each other. 

This week, we welcomed six Year 7 students into our Student Representative Council that we call ‘Consiglio’.  52 Year 7 students applied for this position! The appetite for leadership at Mt A is very strong and our newest students have continued this tradition. 

Student voice has always been important at Mt A and our Consiglio formalises this. We survey students every year in November to ask about their Mt A experience, academics, friendships and wellbeing. Student voice informs our policies, personal best programs and Educational Wellbeing strategies.

As we welcomed our newest members at our College Assembly to offer their voice, we reminded them, and our entire Mt A Community, of two other senses that are equally important for a thriving College community:

Student ears: Opening our ears, hearts and minds to diverse thinking is the job of every student – in school and life. We are all entitled to the opinions in our heads.  When we take the time to express them out loud, there is a responsibility to ground them in facts; have the capacity to explain them to others; and change our view when better evidence emerges. A change of heart in these circumstances is never a sign of weakness but indicative of growth.

Student eyes: Acknowledging and accepting the rich diversity within our community; taking notice and finding joy in the great things we see in each other; and calling out unkind behaviour that detracts from the community of respect we work so hard to foster.

Finally, I congratulate Chelsea Blake, Portfolio Captain Liturgy & Outreach, and her fellow Captains for their execution of a Mt A tradition, Colour Week.  The Captain Collective chose ‘white’ for 2025 – a colour that represents power for women and one of the colours of The Butterfly Foundation. 

I refer to the newsletter item from our Heads of House this week to find out more about why positive body image is important in a girls school and especially Mt A.  The Butterfly Foundation’s mission is to work to prevent eating disorders and body image issues from occurring, to ensure that the best possible treatments are available, and that appropriate care and support is there for those affected.  If you wish to support your daughter in developing positive body talk, this page is an excellent resource: Boosting body image - Butterfly Foundation

May this weekend be a joy filled time for our mothers and the many women who offer care in our families as we celebrate Mother’s Day.

All the very best,

Michelle Licina

Deputy Principal Student Development and Wellbeing (Acting)