Deputy Principal - Identity and Religious Life of the College

Remembering Elizabeth Hayes

On 6 May, we commemorated the 127th anniversary of the death of Elizabeth Hayes. Elizabeth Hayes was a teacher, an Anglican, a convert to Catholicism, a novice in training in Glasgow with the Franciscan Sisters, and a missionary in Jamaica, Europe, and the USA.  She was also an outstanding pioneer Franciscan journalist.  Part of Elizabeth’s charism was her extraordinary faith and courage.  She had a bold, broad vision and the energy and determination to follow through to the end, despite challenges and obstacles. She passed on to her followers a desire to face the realities of life in helping to bring about God’s mission.  Her commitment to service was evident in her ministries in education, foreign missions, assisting migrants, and reaching out to the poor and needy.  We give thanks for the work of the Missionary Franciscan Sisters worldwide and here in Australia, and extend our sincere appreciation, especially to the Sisters in Kedron. 

West End Community Pantry

A big thank you to everyone who has contributed to our Elizabeth Hayes Week charitable project by donating to the West End Community House Pantry.  The West End Community

House supports people who are experiencing homelessness and people at risk.  As you know, especially given the current circumstances, so many people are doing it tough. Donations or non-perishable items (see list below) can be delivered to the Carceri until Wednesday 26 May.  In the spirit of Elizabeth Hayes, let’s extend God’s compassion to the people in our community in need of a hand up. 

Pyjama Day

Tomorrow, Friday 21 May, students are invited to participate in Pyjama Day by dressing in pyjamas.  This activity marks the beginning of the Saint Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal that will conclude on Monday 31 May.  By wearing pyjamas tomorrow, we seek to bring attention to those who do not have such luxuries.  As the weather turns cooler, we can count our blessings if we have warm clothes to wear, a roof over our head, and a bed to sleep in.  Sadly, this is not the case for 1 in 200 Australians who experience homelessness each night of the year.  This includes over 25,000 children who are homeless and experience its emotional, health, and educational effects.  Students and families can donate to Vinnies in two ways: 

• Bring in your second-hand blankets and winter clothing items (jackets, jumpers, beanies, and scarves).  Donations can be left in the Carceri from Friday 21 May until Monday 31 May.
• Make a donation online to the Vinnies Winter Appeal:

Some ground rules:

• Clothing must be appropriate for a school day.  If students do wear pyjamas, these should be of a long length - nothing too short, too tight, or too sheer.
• Students should consider wearing their pyjamas over shorts and a t-shirt.  Pyjamas can be worn over the college sports uniform.
• If they prefer, students can wear a tracksuit rather than pyjamas.
• Senior jerseys are not permitted as there are already days scheduled for the wearing of these.
• Students are to wear appropriate footwear (enclosed stable shoes).  This is especially important if students will be in classes that require suitable protection (kitchens, labs, tech rooms).
• If students are being transported to and from school in a private vehicle (eg a parent/carer drives the student to school or the student drives to school), they may wear their free dress to school.
• If students are catching public transport to or from school (including the school buses), they are to wear their sports uniform and change into their pyjamas at school.
• Pyjamas cannot be worn in public places (such as on public transport, Coles supermarket, or Westfield Chermside).

Thank you for your support of this day and Saint Vincent de Paul.

It’s been a huge start to the term…

The term commenced with gusto, and students have been busy representing the College at a number of events.  I would like to acknowledge some of these past events and those events that are upcoming: 

• Sunday 25 April: Over 60 students represented Mount Alvernia College at the Kedron-Wavell RSL Sub-Branch ANZAC Day Dawn Service, March and Morning Service.
• Friday 30 April: The third scheduled inter-cultural exchange of the Together for Humanity Project between Mount Alvernia College, Padua College, and the Islamic College of Brisbane.  Student representatives from Years 11 and 12 participated in an Iftar dinner.  They fasted for the day, observed prayer, and broke the Ramadan fast with a shared meal.

• Saturday 8 May: The Z Club assisted with the service of food at the Mother Daughter Celebration.
• Sunday 16 May: College Captains, House Captains, and members of the Liturgy and Outreach Committees volunteered their time at the College’s Open Day.
• Friday 21 May: At the Catholic Mission Mass, Jessica Chripczuk Morales will be commissioned as the Mount Alvernia College Mission Ambassador for 2021.
• Monday 24 May: Jemima Bishop (Year 11) and Sofia Poy (Year 10) will represent the College at the National Mass at St Stephen's Cathedral to celebrate 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia.
• Tuesday 25 May: Student representatives from Year 12 will attend the Social Justice Forum on Human Trafficking at All Hallows’ School.
• Wednesday 26 May: Student representatives will attend the Sorry Day services at Teralba Park and Kalinga Park.
• Thursday 27 May: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students will attend the Reconciliation Week celebration hosted by Brisbane Catholic Education.

Congratulations to all these students for the leadership and spirit they have shown in volunteering or committing their time to these events.

National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week

This coming week is a significant one for our nation as we mark Sorry Day and the commencement of National Reconciliation Week.  National Sorry Day, held on 26 May each year, acknowledges the Stolen Generations.  It marks the date, in 1997, that the Bringing Them Home Report was presented to Parliament and revealed the sad and painful stories of the removal of thousands of Aboriginal children from their families. National Reconciliation Week falls between 27 May and 3 June, two other significant dates in the relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians: the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum, and Mabo Day, the anniversary of the 1992 High Court judgment in the Mabo case.  The theme for this year, More than a word. Reconciliation takes action urges the reconciliation movement towards braver and bolder action.  It reminds us that every one of us has a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, and cultures.  Our prayer focus in Home Room and on Assembly will focus on the significance of these days for each of us and our nation.  All students will be invited to contribute to a community mural that asks them to commit to an action for national Reconciliation. 

House Masses

A big thank you also to students and families of Belle Prairie and Perugia Houses who have attended the first two House Masses for this year.  Our final Mass for this term will be for Spoleto House on Tuesday 1 June.  House Masses will continue next term for Greccio, Villa Spada, and Rieti.  Everyone is most welcome.  The House Masses commence at 6.00pm at Little Flower Church, Turner Road, Kedron.

Term 2

Spoleto, Tuesday 1 June

Term 3

Greccio, Tuesday 20 July

Villa Spada, Tuesday 27 July

Rieti, Tuesday 17 August

The Mt A Gratitude Wall 

The Outreach Committee, under the very capable leadership of Hannah Lowe (Year 11), has been working hard to create the Mt A Gratitude Wall.  Over the past two weeks, students have been invited to stop, reflect, and express gratitude for the gifts in their lives.  It has been uplifting to read the gratitude expressed for family, friends, pets, education, and food, in a world where many go hungry and gender rights are denied to so many.

Fundraising for Franciscans International

This term we will continue to raffle four passes to Broncos home games.  Tickets for the raffles can be purchased by students using their student ID card from Break 1 Monday 31 May.  Tickets can also be purchased online.  Tickets are $2 each or 3 tickets for $5.  The winners of the draw for the Broncos v Rabbitohs game will be announced on Friday 4 June. 

Encounter Program

This term, the Encounter team will host its afternoon kick-ons at the College every Thursday in Laverna 001 from 3.00 to 4.30pm.  These afternoons provide opportunities for students from Mount Alvernia and Padua Colleges to connect with the Encounter team and each other in a safe and welcoming space.  Students can register for this activity via the Encounter Kedron Instagram page.  Students are also required to submit a parent permission form that has been emailed to all students.

Richard Rogusz