Student Formation and the Importance of Rituals PLUS Keeping the Adult Conversations with the Adults

Depending on what time of day you read our newsletter, it is ‘Buongiorno’ or ‘Buona Sera’ from me after returning last week from a pilgrimage from Rome to Assisi with Franciscan Schools Australia. Travelling with Jeni Barlow, Head of Belle Prairie House, what a privilege it was to walk in the cathedrals, basilicas, cobblestoned streets and footsteps of St Francis and St Clare in a jubilee year. Their story is still relevant 800 years later: their care for the poor and vulnerable; the non-discriminatory way they offered their welcome, love and support; their call for peace; and their choice to free themselves from ‘stuff’ for a joy-filled life of simplicity. We have good patrons for our girls! I have written more about this experience in the 2025 Yearbook. It is one of the most amazing experiences I have encountered, and I thank our College Leadership Team and Franciscans School Australia for this lifetime opportunity. It has affirmed my choice for a career in a Franciscan school.

In this shortest and final term of the academic year, we have purposely placed formation experiences for many year levels. Formation or rites of passage are vital experiences for our young people as they mature to young adults. It keeps them on a right path and connected to their peers and families.

We are learning all about the importance of rituals in Year 8 Religion. Rituals play a very important role in human communities. Rituals help reduce individual and collective anxieties, especially when we ourselves, our family, or our whole community is facing uncertain times or crisis. Research shows that when we do purposeful things together, we feel connected and supported and our anxiety is reduced. Rituals also help reduce anxiety by allowing us to feel control over our surroundings. They bring people together to celebrate or otherwise mark important life milestones. Births, graduations, marriages and deaths are all marked by rituals and traditions across the globe. These events provide a time and place to gather and encourage people to renew their bonds with friends and family. (Langley 2022)

Formation commenced last Friday with our newest cohort welcoming our Year 7 2026 cohort to meet their Head of House and ‘Big Sister’ – the current Year 10 student who will guide them through Years 7 and 8. Known as the ‘Ambassador Program’, this connection aligns to our five learner attributes: readiness, aspiration, persistence, agency and scholarship. During Homeroom and other House moments, Big Sisters will assist their Little Sister with organisation, signing up for clubs and activities, campus logistics, giving their best and taking ownership of their secondary school journey. This program also helps prepare our Year 11 Students for their College leadership journey that will commence in Term 4 2026. I thank our Heads of House for the warm welcome they offered our newest students and to Erin Moffat for the upskilling of our Year 10 students to lead them.

On Tuesday, we said goodbye and good luck to our senior cohort at a College Farewell Assembly with all staff and students in attendance. This event was preceded by ‘Pink Day’ last Thursday with House Farewells and the longstanding tradition of the pool jump. Prior to the Assembly, Seniors shared a meal with their Homeroom one last time. The Assembly commenced with a House walk from ‘Cremorne Gate to Somerset Gate’ to symbolise their Mount Alvernia journey. Their families were able to watch them walk by and watch the event via livestream in our La Verna Building. The speeches were filled with memories of friendships, classrooms, camps and calamity, there was lots of laughter and lots of tears. Through a guard of honour provided by their Little Sisters (Year 8), they made their way to the oval for the Hat Toss followed by a garden party celebration above La Foresta. So much love in the room for this cohort to say goodbye – for now – as they prepare for their external exams and valedictory in November. I thank Tamara Richardson and Richard Rogusz for the preparation and execution of this event.

Our Year 9 students headed to Noosa North Shore this week for their outdoor education experience. I thank Courtney Daniec for her leadership of this camp. The students have designed and worn a white T-shirt for this camp. The purpose is two-fold: it reduces the anxiety for young girls about what to wear for fear of judgement and they have all committed to ‘bringing the boom’ – excitement, energy, persistence and positivity. How appropriate in our year of joy! A united cohort contributes positively to school culture. It is our hope that this camp experience and the lessons learned over the three days follow them through their years in senior school. How good to have a sea of white tees on both staff and students the morning of departure. We cannot wait to welcome them back.

Finally, today our Year 10s come together for their Reflection Day. Aged and staged from the Year 9 experience and themed ‘Leadership as Service’, the timing is purposeful at the end of this preparatory year for senior school to ensure they are both academically and emotionally ready for the rigour of their final years at Mount Alvernia College. They are encouraged to balance the rigour with a healthy commitment to serve those in our community and outside the walls.

Keeping the Adult Conversations with the Adults

The education and raising of young people requires a positive partnership from families and school. In any relationship, there are sometimes differences of opinion and conflicting ideas. To preserve our relationship with your child including respect for each other and dignity of the human, we ask that if you have any concerns with your daughter’s education, they are discussed with the staff member appropriately and out of listening range of your daughter. Similarly, if you need to discuss the outcome of a decision with your daughter, you do not paint a picture of the College or the staff member in a negative way. We work very hard to build positive rapport between staff and students. Student voice is important to us and is formalised through avenues like Consiglio, Tell Them From Me Survey and direct access to staff via email, MyMtA and visiting staff rooms. Our College works best when the dignity between staff and student is maintained and staff wellbeing is prioritised.

Most importantly, phone or across-table conversations are preferred when there are major concerns and tend to have a better outcome for all than pointed emails. Please pick up the phone and preferably in a place that allows a private conversation to occur. I thank you for your understanding of the spirit this message is intended.

All the very best,

Michelle Licina

Works cited:

Langley, M. (2022, December 27). Rituals have been crucial for humans throughout history – and we still need them. The Conversation. https://doi.org/10.64628/AA.hvfpqvxaf

Year 9 Camp!