From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

What a wonderful couple of weeks we have had here at the College - days of welcome and transition, days of art, days of excellence, days of camp, and days of farewells! It’s fair to say, a huge mixture of emotions - but all of them joyous and underpinned with pride.

Finishing Well Part 2 (the details matter!)

Thank you to all our students who continue to shine by example in their conduct, their kindness and their presentation. We acknowledge and commend many students who continue to do the right thing. In these final weeks of our academic year can we please ask our parents and carers to work in partnership with us in helping to ensure that your daughter arrives to school on time, with full (and correct) uniform. We note that of late, excess jewellery is appearing and this is not in keeping with our uniform standards. We are reminding students that necklaces, bracelets and additional earrings and/or earrings that do not comply with our school code are not part of the uniform and are not permitted. I encourage you read the salient words of Ms Licina (Deputy Principal of Student Development and Wellbeing) in this week’s newsletter on this theme further. We appreciate your ongoing partnership and support of us in maintaining our standards until the last day of the academic year.

Where were you on Friday 11 October? 

Mt A was the place to be, the hottest ticket in town!

Our Transition Twilight last Friday was a resounding success. At this event we welcomed all our new Year 7’s for 2025 and their families into the Mt A fold. I take this opportunity to commend the outstanding mentorship and care given by our 2025 Year 11 Student Ambassadors, who will play the role of a big sister and mentor for our newest students over the next 2 years. Similarly, we thank our magnificent 2025 College Captains for their participation and leadership alongside the brilliant leadership of Simone Roche Dean of Middle Years, the Heads of House, Faculty members and support staff who assisted throughout the twilight event. It was wonderful to welcome so many new Mt A families to our community and to enjoy conversation and refreshments together on our rooftop terrace.

But wait there’s more! As our new Year 7’s and their families spilled out from the San Damiano Centre, we were treated to a sensational gallery of creativity - ARTI – our newly named Annual Art Show – which was sensational! I commend all of our artists on the standard and quality of the work exhibited. The level of sophistication and technique evident in the works was impressive along with the wonderful showcase of FCIP musicians and vocalists. We acknowledge all of our students who were acknowledged in the People’s Choice and Principal’s Awards and extend our congratulations to our 4 Senior Students who were shortlisted as part of the Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visualt Art and recently exhibited at the Brisbane Metro Arts. This is a record number for our College! Well done; Sienna Muir, Ella Chu, Grace Walker and Amelie Francey. Our thanks go to Head of Faculty Arts and Technologies; Nicole Bradford, Skubi Testa (Arts Technician) and the art teachers; Sharon O’Leary, Eve Longley, Emma Maya, Jane Martens (currently on parental leave) and Justine Hawkins for their ongoing mentorship and assistance on the evening.

Celebration of Excellence

And if this wasn’t enough to be proud of, our Annual Celebration of Excellence was this year a triumph. Each year, the stage continues to fill with the wonderful achievements of our students across all dimensions of College life; Academics, Sport, The Arts, Leadership, Service and Spirit. Thank you to all staff who worked tirelessly to make the evening such a success and in particular to our Deputy Principal (Staff Development and Organisation) Kerry Jell, who coordinated the evening and to all parents and special guests who attended with us.

As the Year 12 students are set to embark upon their external examinations next week, we pause to wish them all the very best. Our Year 12 Staff and Student Farwell Assembly, Hat Toss and Garden Party was a poignant acknowledgment and celebration of their unique spirit and a retrospective tribute to their journey with as all at Mt A. We were also reminded of the words of Ms Little, that the “The Souffle has not yet risen!”. Our Year 12’s continue to work extremely hard, we are all 100% behind you. You’ve got this!

Thank you to Mr Rogusz Deputy Principal (Identity and Religious Life of the College) for his leadership in coordinating these final rituals for the students and families and to our brilliant College Captains who gave a superb address alongside Ms Jeni Barlow and Mrs Annette Butterworth representing the teachers.

Peace is the Way

As the horrific suffering in Gaza and Lebanon continue, we look to the daily appeals made by the United Nations, Unicef and other humanitarian agencies and the words of Cardinal Pizzaballa who appealed to Catholics in the Holy Land, to have a day of prayer, fasting and penance for 7 October.

His message read in part:

“The realisation that for the past year the Holy Land, and not only, has been plunged into a vortex of violence and hatred never seen or experienced before. The intensity and impact of the tragedies we have witnessed in the past twelve months have deeply lacerated our conscience and our sense of humanity.”

Since 7 October, this unfolding escalation of violence and human suffering in the region has only escalated further. We must all speak even if our voice shakes. Ceasefire now. As Catholics who follow the way of St Francis of Assisi, we must act for peace always.

Peace and love and all good,

Samantha Jensen

Principal