Deputy Principal

READINESS & AGENCY – COMMENCING AT THE SCHOOL GATES

Mount Alvernia College’s Teaching and Learning Frameworks are underpinned by five learner attributes: readiness, aspiration, persistence, agency and scholarship. When they are realised, our graduate vision is possible for every girl.

Readers of my newsletter and my students know my love of the book, Atomic Habits by James Clear. Starting a new habit, maintaining that habit or setting a goal is difficult and takes practise. Clear says it best:

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.Your goal is your desired outcome. Your system is the collection of daily habits that will get you there.

Spend less time focusing on outcomes and more time focusing on the habits that precede the results.”

James Clear, Atomic Habits

Helping our students create the system of daily habits that allow success in their studies and personal development is at the heart of everything we do. Readiness and agency are highlighted here.

Readiness is many things.  Ready for school. Ready for class. Planner at hand. Homework completed and ready for review with the teacher. Charged laptop. Arriving at school in plenty of time to get to a locker, place the bag away and prepare equipment for Homeroom, Period 1 and Period 2. Greeting the Homeroom Teacher to have the morning roll marked. 

Likewise, agency is the self-motivation to take control of all these aspects of a school day.  It is not up to someone else. It is up to me. 

Our uniform values create a sense of readiness. It’s a system or daily habit that allows the student to recognise they are physically and mentally ready for a school day at Mt A. The sign that has been displayed at both Cremorne and Somerset entrances is more than a reminder of how to wear the uniform. It’s a reminder of the system. When students have their hat in place, blazer on, headphones/air pods out and phone away, they are ready to engage in conversation with peers and prepare for a day of learning at Mt A.  It’s how they should look when they alight the bus or leave your car…even if it is a short walk from the footpath to the gate. 

When families and school have the same expectations of our girls in how they wear their uniform – with pride and in readiness for a day of school – we are helping them create a system of positive habits that we know will help them with their studies.  We ask for your partnership in ensuring they are wearing their uniform correctly from the ground up and in line with our values before the kiss and hug goodbye. From time to time, our staff are at the school gate to welcome students and to correct choices that are not in line with our values. It is for good reason. It is a reminder of applying Clear’s system of readiness and agency for success.

Announcement of the Senior Leadership Team for 2026

College Captains 

Monica & Niamh

Academic Captain

Sarah 

Cultural Captain

Kiara 

Environment Captain

Samira

Liturgy & Outreach Captain

Miranda 

Spirit Captain

Amelia 

Sport Captain

Ava 

Belle Prairie House Captain

Madi 

Greccio House Captain

Gemma 

Perugia House Captain

Daniela

Rieti House Captain

Molly 

Spoleto House Captain

Amelie

Villa Spada House Captain

Ryley 

Thank you! Outstanding feedback from attending parents at Dr Judith Locke’s Parent Information Session

Each day, we are receiving overwhelming feedback from the parents who attended the Parent Engagement Evening with Dr Judith Locke, Clinical Psychologist, on Monday evening 18th August. ‘Helping your teen become confident and capable in their high school years’ gave our families evidenced-based advice on helping their children cope better with the demands of school, exams and friendship issues. With an appropriate mix of expert advice and humour, Dr Locke’s presentation encompassed the role families need to play in ensuring their child is an active contributor at home and school as preparation for life at school, beyond school gates and at university and work. Her books sold out and Dr Locke stayed back to speak to families for quite some time at the conclusion of the event. Our parent information sessions commenced in 2024 and are a combined effort of Padua College’s P&F and Mount Alvernia College’s Parent Partnership Panel. 

Would you like to hear from an expert and have someone in mind? Please contact me at licim@staff.mta.qld.edu.au . We are keen for the events to continue in 2026 and hope more families can join us in this initiative designed to bolster the partnership with schools and families in the development of the young people in our care.

Every blessing,

Michelle Licina

Deputy Principal Student Development and Wellbeing