Dear Parents and Carers,

It is hard to believe we are already approaching the end of another school year. What a journey it has been.

First and foremost, heartfelt congratulations to our Year 12 students who have now completed their external examinations and, as of Thursday this week, formally graduated. It was a joy to witness this milestone and to celebrate their accomplishments with families at our Graduation Mass at Little Flower Church, Kedron, and our Graduation Dinner at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre.

In my address to the graduating class, alongside acknowledging the exceptional young people they have become and the joy-filled leaders they have been for us at Mt A, I reflected on the theme of “Taking the scenic route” in life. I share an excerpt below:

“To our graduating class of 2025: never underestimate the power of your words, actions, and deeds. Your individual agency - the ability each of you has to do good and to be good - can lead to extraordinary things. It may be a kind word to a stranger, a courageous question around a boardroom table, or the ideation for Australia’s next medical breakthrough or green energy source. There is a vast world beyond Gympie Road, and I encourage you to take the scenic route!

The scenic route - much like St Francis’s own wandering path - is more than a way of getting somewhere. It is a way of being in the world: choosing presence over haste, curiosity over convenience, wonder over efficiency. In a world that often demands speed, choose depth. In a world that demands distraction, choose noticing. On the winding paths you will find life’s true beauty.

Travel widely. Read broadly and critically. Seek experiences that stretch you. Encounter people who differ from you. Know the positive impact you have in this world. Remain vigilant against misinformation and be nourished by what is good. Become your own positive algorithm-so that you may nourish others…..”

We sincerely wish our class of 2025 the very best for the days, months and years ahead and trust that the Franciscan education that they have received will position them well for their future. Our 12’s have been a tour de force this year and such strong role-models for our younger students. We will miss them!

In the interests of sharing more broadly, some of my concluding messages for the year, I did also want to convey for you some particularly important words that I offered at our final Year 7-11 assembly. These words coincided beautifully with the installment of our Consiglio de Studenti for 2026 in our Year of Courage.

These reflections are not only central to our identity as a Franciscan school; but they shape the kind of community we aspire to be: one where every student feels safe, included, and respected. In 2025, I have asked our girls to continue to have the Courage to Disrupt. It is a longer excerpt, but I encourage you to read to the end.

“It is easy to stand by when someone else is targeted. It is easy to scroll past, to walk by, to laugh it off, or to think, “It’s not my problem.” But real courage asks more of us. It asks us to disrupt the pattern and to be the person who says, “That’s not who we are here.”

Sometimes, that might mean confronting a friend.
Sometimes, it might mean reporting something that has been said or done.
Sometimes, it might simply mean choosing kindness when others don’t.

The Australian Human Rights Commission reminds us that, “Every voice matters in creating a culture of respect.” That voice - your voice - matters in your classrooms, on the courts, in your clubs and activities, and in your online spaces beyond these walls. So let us ask ourselves: Who do we want to be, as a community? Do we want to be a school that looks the other way when someone is vilified, discriminated against, humiliated, or excluded? Or do we want to be a community where courage is contagious — where every person knows, and more importantly feels, that they belong? Because real change does not happen through policies or posters.

It happens through people.
It happens through you.
And it happens through all of us.

If you see or hear something that degrades and dehumanises another person, and you stay silent - you are saying that it’s okay.

But when you speak up - with calm, courage, and respect - you remind others of our shared humanity.

And if you truly believe you cannot do that, if you feel you are not willing to uphold that standard, then it is possible…..Mount Alvernia College may not be the right school for you?

From today, and into the new year, I ask each of you to:

Be brave enough to be kind.
Be strong enough to stand up.
And be proud enough to protect the dignity of others.

Because that is what a real community looks like.

That is what justice sounds like.

And that is the kind of world I know each of you is capable of helping to build. This message this morning, is just the beginning of the work that we need to continue to do together into 2026 in building cultural safety and inclusion for all. I am grateful and hope-filled for the important work our Consiglio and College Captains will play in helping us to cultivate this culture with us next year.”

While the vast majority of our students consistently act with integrity, kindness, and respect and stand up for what is right, we can never be complacent when it comes to racism, sexism, discrimination, or exclusion. These matters sit at the heart of human dignity, our charism and our obligations legally. We know we have your unwavering support in this, and I thank you for your further support and reinforcement in the home.

In 2026, our staff will also undertake important professional learning in this area to further strengthen our culture of inclusion and safety for all. As parents, we also ask you to continue to reach out to us if there are ever important and/or sensitive matters that require a conversation. Public commentary on social media is often unhelpful and can be harmful to our students, staff or community more broadly – we always welcome dialogue and partnership in all that we do.

As we move toward the final days of the school year, I thank you for your partnership in the values Mt A hold, these are what make our community so strong. We are really looking forward to our final week together, and in my final Christmas Farewell next week - I look forward to updating you all on our exciting building project.

During this Advent time, even for a moment,

Let’s step aside from our incessant

coming and going, our journeying here and there.

Let’s find space for God the unimpeded pilgrim

venturing deeply into the heart of our very being.

In holy stillness we open our hearts to God with us and come to know the healing,

liberating and life-giving mercy of God.

Ordinary us. Everyday us. Holy us.

Peace and all good,

Samantha Jensen

Principal

Homestay Families Required