Deputy Principal

Remembrance Day

Observed on the 11 November each year, Remembrance Day commemorates the end of First World War hostilities on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month in 1918. It allows us to not only acknowledge the loss of life in the Great War and in all wars in which Australians have fought, but to also commit ourselves to the cause of peace in our world today.

Next Tuesday, the College will observe this day by pausing for one minute’s silence. Our RSL Student Liaisons will also represent the College at the Kedron-Wavell RSL Sub-Branch Commemorative Service from 10.30am.

Let us pray:

God of the living and the dead,  

we bring our thanks for the peace and security we enjoy,  

that was won for us through the courage of those who gave their lives in times of war.  

We pray that their labour and sacrifice may not be in vain,  

but that their spirit may live on in us and in generations to come;  

that the freedom and justice that they sought to preserve 

may be seen and known in all nations.  

This we pray in the name of the one who gave his life for the sake of the world,  

Jesus Christ our Lord.  

Amen.

Mt A, Padua & ICB Activity Day

On Wednesday 22 October, Padua College, Mount Alvernia College and the Islamic College of Brisbane continued their long-term partnership of interfaith and intercultural dialogue by hosting an activity day for a small number of students in Year 8. As part of this day, students shared information about their school communities and connected through games and a shared lunch. Such experiences honour the long history of interfaith dialogue in the Franciscan tradition that began with the famous meeting between Saint Franics and the Sultan of Egypt, al-Malik al Kamil, in the city of Damietta over 800 years ago. Thank you to the students who took part in the day. 

LMYELN 

Each year, secondary schools across Brisbane are invited to participate in the Lord Mayor’s Young Environmental Leadership Network (LMYELN). This program run by Brisbane City Council’s Green Heart Schools team, supports student representatives to select, plan, implement and report on an environmental project in their school. 

This year, our 2025 student representatives, Addy Clifton and Ava Withers, identified awareness of the College’s many sustainability initiatives ad services as the focus for their project. 

There is much that the College does to live out its Franciscan charism in our care for the earth and respect for all of creation such as our extensive waste recycling program (including battery recycling), stationery and uniform recycling projects, composting system and use of solar energy. This year, Addy and Ava have highlighted these through their presentations on assembly, news items and posters displayed around the College.  

On Wednesday, Addy and Ava presented their project at the LMYELN Graduation Showcase. I congratulate Addy and Ava on their efforts over the year. They have been wonderful representatives.  

Minjerribah Cultural Excursion

Yesterday, students participated in a cultural excursion to Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island). Facilitated by Aunty Evelyn Parkin, this excursion deepened students’ understanding of the histories, cultures and spiritualities of the Traditional Owners of Minjerribah and highlighted the importance of Country for First Nations peoples. Thank you to the students for their respectful engagement with the program and to Ms Flux for accompanying the students for the day. 

Saint Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers

During Term 4 each year, each Homeroom group is asked to prepare a grocery hamper and purchase a modest Christmas gift for families in our local area who are doing it tough. This charitable venture has been a special part of the Mount Alvernia College community for many years and we value the partnership that we have built with the Saint Vincent de Paul Kedron Conference during this time. 

Each Homeroom has received some generic information (gender and age) about each family member they are supporting and a list of items required for each hamper. By now, all students should know what item(s) they need to contribute. Students may be asked to contribute a small sum of money towards the purchase of gifts for the family. 

Students can contribute these items to the cardboard box in their Homeroom up until Wednesday 26 November. The hampers will be formally presented to representatives from Saint Vincent de Paul at our Christmas liturgy on Thursday 27 November. Thank you for your generous support. 

Collection for Stationery Aid

As we approach the end of the academic year, please remember that we are a collection site for Stationery Aid. This organisation collects donations of new or unused stationery and used stationery in good condition. These donations are packaged up for students whose families struggle to provide the educational resources needed for school. Stationery Aid is seeking donations of the following items:

- all types of pencils

- crayons

- pencil cases

- rulers

- erasers

- sharpeners

- unused exercise books/note pads/scrapbooks

- highlighters

- pens

- glue

- paints and paint brushes

- maths equipment (protractors, compass, etc.)

- staplers and staples

We cannot accept ring binders or lever arch folders.

Donations can be placed in the small blue wheelie bin located on the Ground floor of the Anthony Building (near Reception and the lift). Thank you for your generous support.