Deputy Principal 

Dear Parents/Carers, 

When I saw a Deputy Principal job at Mount Alvernia College advertised two years ago, I thought it was an omen. I had attended Mount Alvernia as a student and it was a place that held many fond memories for me. I imagined returning to the school community, and the local community where my family still live, and this prospect filled me with much excitement and anticipation. The fact that I lived on the Gold Coast didn’t deter me! And the fact that the position was aligned to student development and wellbeing sealed it for me, and so I applied.

Fast forward to my first day in the job and I noticed the significant changes that had taken place at Mount Alvernia – the building works, the technological advancements and the beautiful gardens (that I have looked at every day for almost two years from my office). Great changes these were, enabling successful teaching and learning as well as providing a place for positive interaction, the feel of the place – the charism of St Francis, the emphasis on simplicity and humility, and the kindness emanating from the people who reside inside – remained very much the same.

Two years on, and I have learnt a lot, made connections with a vast number of students and parents, developed strong relationships with the staff and I hope I have had some impact as a result of the work that I have been doing. I have watched as students have received their leadership badges, seen the benefits of some of the speakers we have engaged for students and parents, worked alongside the Parent Partnership Panel, been able to reflect on student wellbeing and the impact of mental health through a number of presentations, and worked with the Heads of House to refine our Personal Best Program. I have also sat next to students who were struggling, liaised with external clinicians to support our students along with our College Counsellors and other key stakeholders, managed students when they have mis-stepped, written policies that demand high expectations of our students and excellent behaviour, and I have had to manage a variety of difficult conversations. It is never a dull day, and often not an easy day, but I wouldn’t take any of it back. The very best things have been seeing our students be rewarded for their hard work, enjoying themselves at school events, learning new information, having a laugh at lunch time, playing the piano, overcoming obstacles, embracing change and learning life lessons. I have been blessed to be a part of it all.

Unfortunately, I have had to make the difficult decision to leave Mount Alvernia, not because I don’t love what I am doing, but because I need to find better work/life balance, particularly given the long drive I am doing every day. And it was important to me that I could continue to give 100% to every part of my life. Ironically, I had to give myself the very same advice I would give to any one of our students.

I do want to take this opportunity to say how much I have enjoyed being part of the College Leadership Team – a group of people who are passionate, emboldened and faith-filled. They want the very best for our students and the wider school community, and have worked hard to create an environment of high support, high challenge, which is enacted by the Educational Leadership Team and the entire College staff. In particular, I want to thank the College Principal, Ms Samantha Jensen, for having my back, encouraging and inspiring me, and sharing her wisdom and experience with me. I also want to acknowledge the Wellbeing Team with whom I have worked very closely. The Heads of House and College Counsellors are second to none, and parents/carers can be assured that our young people are in very safe hands; going forward this will be with Ms Michelle Licina at the helm, to whom I wish all the best.

As I sign off, I want to wish our young people all the very best in life. You are perfectly poised to lead a great life! I will miss you but I do plan to stay in touch as a Mount Alvernia alumnae and will be curious to hear what life holds for each of you.

Kathryn Dendy

Deputy Principal Student Development and Wellbeing