Welcome Back to Term 3

As we begin a new term, I extend a warm welcome back to all students and families. I hope the holiday break provided opportunities for rest, renewal and quality time with loved ones. I was fortunate over the break to spend a short time in Melbourne, where I visited the Botanical Gardens Lightscape Festival. This year's experience incorporated Indigenous storytelling, culture and connection to Country through a series of illuminated installations and immersive experiences. It was a wonderful way to begin NAIDOC Week and a timely reminder of the power of stories, culture and community in shaping both identity and belonging.

This year's NAIDOC Week theme, "50 Years of Deadly", celebrated five decades of recognising and honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, achievements and voices. It acknowledged the strength, resilience and leadership of First Nations peoples and invited all Australians to reflect on the stories, contributions and perspectives that continue to shape our nation.

As a Franciscan community, we are called to recognise the dignity of every person and to value the richness that diverse histories, cultures and perspectives bring to our shared story. The themes of connection, belonging, respect and community that sit at the heart of NAIDOC Week resonate strongly with our Franciscan tradition and our commitment to walking alongside one another with understanding, compassion and hope.

As a College community, we will acknowledge and celebrate NAIDOC Week during our first whole-school assembly next week. As we return to Term 3, this provides a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the relationships, values and shared story that continue to shape Mount Alvernia.

Relationships at the Heart of All We Do

At the conclusion of last term, our staff gathered for professional learning and formation centred on a simple yet powerful Franciscan truth: relationships are at the heart of all we do. We reflected on how the Franciscan charism that has shaped Mount Alvernia for 70 years continues to be lived each day. While traditions and symbols remain important, our values are most powerfully encountered through the everyday experience of College life - in the way students are welcomed, supported, challenged and encouraged.

When students experience genuine care and a strong sense of connection, they develop the confidence and character to contribute positively to the world around them. This is central to our work as a Franciscan College: forming young women who understand the importance of compassion, integrity, respect and service to others.

Supporting Every Student to Achieve Her Personal Best  

As we welcome students and families back for Term 3, this commitment remains central to who we are. This week, our Homeroom Mentoring and SET Plan conversations provided an important opportunity to strengthen the partnership between students, families and staff. These conversations are among the most significant moments in our school year, allowing us to reflect on progress, celebrate growth, discuss aspirations and work together to support each student's future pathway.

At Mount Alvernia, we believe every student deserves to be known, understood and supported as an individual. While academic achievement is important, success looks different for every young person. For some, it may mean striving for academic excellence; for others, it may involve building confidence, exploring future pathways, developing leadership skills, strengthening wellbeing or pursuing a passion. These conversations are about much more than subject selections, academic results or future careers. They help us understand each student's aspirations, identify the next steps in her learning journey and ensure she has the encouragement and support needed to grow in confidence, capability and purpose.

Thank you to the staff and families who participated in these meetings over the past few days. Your partnership plays a vital role in supporting student growth and success, and together we can continue to help every young woman achieve her personal best.

Learning Beyond the Classroom 

Before looking ahead to the opportunities of Term 3, I would like to acknowledge and thank the many students and staff who represented Mount Alvernia so proudly over the holiday break. Their commitment, enthusiasm and generosity reflect the very best of our community and remind us that learning, leadership and growth extend far beyond the classroom. These experiences reflect the richness of a Mount Alvernia education, but they do not occur by chance. They are made possible by dedicated staff who willingly give their time beyond the school term because they believe in opening doors, nurturing potential and helping young women discover what they are capable of achieving.

Our Open Netball Team proudly represented Mount Alvernia College at the QISSN Netball Carnival during the first week of the holidays, finishing third in Division 4 against some of Queensland’s strongest school programs. This achievement reflected not only the talent, determination and teamwork of our students, but also the dedication of coaches and staff who supported them throughout the competition. A special thank you to our dedicated Sports Team, QISSN Coordinator, Emma Boswood, Head of Sport, Charmaine Ferguson and Sport Coordinator, Kat McMain for their leadership and care of our students throughout the week. 

We also congratulate Year 12 students Monica M, Ava C and Imogen M, who travelled to Canberra to participate in and present at the Australian Conference of Economists. This was an extraordinary opportunity for these young women to engage with leading economists and experts from across Australia. As they shared their International Trade research, they demonstrated intelligence, courage and authenticity, engaging thoughtfully with complex ideas and real-world economic challenges. They represented Mount Alvernia with remarkable maturity and professionalism, contributing confidently to discussions and responding to questions with insight and care.

Reflecting on the experience, Economics teacher, Ms Jen Clark spoke of how impressed she was by the way the students presented themselves throughout the conference. Their willingness to share their learning, challenge ideas and engage meaningfully with others left a lasting impression on those around them. In many ways, they reminded everyone present that, in an age increasingly shaped by technology and artificial intelligence, our greatest advantage remains the distinctly human qualities of curiosity, empathy, courage and connection - our Human Edge. We thank Jen Clark for creating and supporting this exceptional opportunity and accompanying these girls to Canberra over the break.

Both our Senior and Junior/Intermediate FCIP Camps took place during the recent holiday break, at Brookfield and Coolum respectively. A highlight of the year for many FCIP students, these experiences provide valuable opportunities for personal growth, connection and reflection, while strengthening the sense of community that sits at the heart of the Franciscan Colleges Instrumental Program. We extend our sincere thanks to Director of Music, Mr Trevor Beyer, together with Mount Alvernia teachers, Ms Daniella Curcuruto, Ms Kathryn Arenas and Ms Rasika Flux, for their generosity in supporting these experiences and accompanying our students. Their commitment helped create an environment where students could further develop their musical skills, grow in confidence as performers and strengthen the friendships that underpin successful ensembles.

Staff Achievements

Finally, congratulations to Science and Biology Teacher, Ms Leah Heath, who was selected as a Fellow of the ICGS Global Leadership Institute and represented Mount Alvernia at the 2026 International Coalition of Girls' Schools Conference in Toronto. Following twelve months of preparation, Leah presented her Leadership Experiment Action Project and represented our College with distinction on the international stage. Joining Leah at the International Coalition of Girls' Schools Conference was our Head of Learning Enhancement and Support, Ms Mel McCabe and our Principal, Ms Samantha Jensen. As part of her sabbatical leave, Ms Jensen has also recently completed a Short Course in The Philosophy and Ethics of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Oxford. We look forward to welcoming Ms Jensen back to the College in August and sharing in the new learning and insights gained through these experiences.

Closer to home, congratulations also to History Teacher, Dr Kirk Graham, who presented Teaching "Resistance" at the History Teachers' Association of Australia Conference held at the State Library during the holiday break. Both achievements reflect the expertise, passion and professional generosity of our staff and the valuable contribution they continue to make both within and beyond our College community.

I wish students every success for the term ahead. Thank you to our families for the trust you place in us and for the partnership we share in supporting the growth, wellbeing and aspirations of your daughters. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the College at the start of this term, and I look forward to working alongside students, staff and families as we continue to build upon the many opportunities and achievements that make Mount Alvernia such a special community.

Peace and all good,

Kerry Jell  

From the Futures Hub

Head of Futures, Partnerships & VET- Richard Braithwaite

Futures Hub Newsletter