From the Principal

I trust that you all enjoyed a wonderful Spring break and were able to enjoy valuable time with your families in the beautiful Southeast Queensland sunshine. As we embark upon Term 4, the final chapter of this academic year, I extend a very warm welcome back to our students, staff and parents. This term promises to be filled with a mix of dedicated learning, final assessments and the joy of final celebrations and rituals. The last day of Term 3 was just a warm-up. This term is action-packed!

Over the September term break, I had the privilege of attending the AHISA Biennial Conference in Wellington, where Principals from across Australia and New Zealand gathered to discuss pivotal topics including; the neuroscience of learning, the power of storytelling, and the essence of human connection. This experience was both professionally fulfilling and personally rejuvenating – with many learnings and ideas I have brought back. 

Whilst in NZ, I took the opportunity to explore the stunning Marlborough Sounds and completed one section of the Queen Charlotte Track - a walk that has been on my bucket list for some time. It was a truly inspiring and awe invoking experience – including ‘white knuckle’ crossing of the Cook Strait via the Interislander.

As we approach the end of formal learning for our Year 12 cohort, I want to acknowledge the dedication of our senior students, who have spent much of their holiday period rigorously preparing for their final examinations and finessing and consolidating their learning of the past 2 years. Their commitment to academic excellence sets a remarkable example for our entire community. Standing beside them has been a remarkable team of Year 12 teachers and parents and carers who have been their greatest cheerleaders, every step of the way. Good luck Year 12 students for the weeks ahead!

Naturally, our Mt A student achievements extend far beyond the classroom, I acknowledge our students who represented the college over the holiday in the 2025 CBSQ – Basketball. A huge thank you to our dedicated staff coaches, James O’Gorman and Sean McInerney and team manager Emma Boswood and the Sports Department for showcasing our talent and teamwork. 

Equally commendable is the involvement of those students and staff who volunteered their time at the Sony Foundation Camp. These were truly memorable days for the campers and their families. Thank you.

At Assembly this week, we celebrated the instalment of our Captains Elect for 2026. A very exciting time for all of us, as we look forward to their leadership. Equally, this time of year highlights a series of ‘bittersweet farewells’ to our 2025 captains and cohort, whose contributions in our year of JOY have been deeply felt and appreciated. 

At our Assembly we also celebrated the outstanding achievements of our Mt A Sportswomen and Teams, recognising individual excellent, commitment and teamwork, spirit and our premiership teams. I extend my gratitude to our sports department, led by Charmain Ferguson, for their extraordinary efforts in cultivating, a culture of outstanding participation and a ‘team’ spirit that is unprecedented. 

As Ms Ferguson so aptly described in her assembly address to us all; in an era where international data continues to reflect high dropout rates in sports participation for girls, Mt A continues to defy the norm. Thank you to our Sports Department for the huge role you continue to play in fostering wellbeing, teamwork, health, participation, leadership and self-belief.

Looking ahead to next week, we are excited to host two Principal Tours on Tuesday – with increasing waitlists now in many year levels! We welcome once again our Year 7 2026 students and families for our Transition Twilight and top it all off with our Art Showcase - Arti, next Friday evening. I encourage you all to come along and see the amazing talent of our students!

As we enter into our final quarter, I once again seek partnership with all our parents and carers to ensure that our students ‘finish well’. This includes but is not limited to; detailed attention to the wearing of our correct College uniform, adhering to all aspects of our student code of conduct and respectful relationships, and strong attendance to the very last day (every minute of learning counts!).  We thank you for the role that you play in ensuring our girls are finishing well.

Public Service Announcement – BCC Transport - Ethical Conduct

A disappointing message to end on, however, an important one. Sadly, we have been notified of some Mt A students abusing the system and refusing to ‘pay their way’. More disappointingly, this is not the first time we have had to make this message public. We ask those students who take BCC Buses to ensure that they are tapping on and off when travelling. Not doing so, amounts to theft. I would encourage all parents who have daughter’s currently taking public transport to 1) ensure that their travel cards are financially viable, 2) reinforce for her the Franciscan values that we share together in relation to ethical and public conduct and our civic responsibilities. 

Tonight, I look forward to experiencing our FOTH Choral Showcase! It promises to be a night of exceptional talent.

As a final homage to my recent travels, I offer this beautiful Māori Karakia (Prayer)

Come forth from above,

below,

within,

and from the environment

Vitality

and wellbeing,

for all

Strengthened in unity

Peace and all good,

Samantha Jensen

Principal