Co-curricular Corner

This year, we congratulate the following students on their captaincy positions within the Co-Curricular space. Our Captains have shared a little bit about their goals for the year below. 

Hailey Cathcart - Choir Captain

Hi Mount Alvernia College Community, my name is Hailey Cathcart, and I am the 2024 Choir Captain. 

My goal this year is to grow our Choirs and increase participation as music and singing can have such a positive impact on learning and education.

Lizzie Christian - Debating Captain 

I hope to bring a community sense to all the teams, a place to grow and learn even if you’ve never participated before.

Sienna Jakovich - FCIP Captain

As an FCIP member for most of my schooling life, I have seen the great potential the program has in shaping young people through music. My primary goal for the year is to bring more awareness towards the program, particularly for our Mount Alvernia community. To complete this goal, I wish to show the community the amazing talent of our girls as events occur throughout the year, in hopes of inspiring the new students of 2024 and incoming students of 2025.

UN Youth QLD State Conference 

Last weekend, Mount Alvernia sent three Year 10 students to the Gold Coast to participate in the United Nations Youth Queensland State Conference. These students, Samira, Heidi and Elisabeth, spoke at assembly about their experience and will bring their new knowledge of Model United Nations back to Mount Alvernia in our upcoming events. Hear more about their experience below:

“Over the weekend, we attended the UN Youth's State Conference, where students in years 9-12 from all over Queensland came together to discuss crucial global issues and collaborate on finding innovative solutions. It was an incredibly enriching and transformative experience. This conference provided us with a unique platform to engage in meaningful discussions, interact with passionate individuals, and explore the pressing global issues that shape our world. 

For those of you who are not familiar with Model UN, it is an educational simulation where students simulate the roles of diplomats in the United Nations. Representing Paraguay, Costa Rica, and South Africa, we gained a deeper understanding of global issues and developed the ability to collaborate, negotiate, and find diplomatic solutions that fulfilled the beliefs of our delegated countries. We discussed topics ranging from women's and children's rights to poverty and land ownership. At the conference, we witnessed the diversity of ideas and perspectives that exist in our world.

We also participated in a crisis stimulation. The scenario involved Norfolk Island's quest for independence, complicated by the presence of a terrorist organization and the revelation that the Australian government was involved in oil theft. We were assigned different roles, such as diplomats, government officials, or representatives for our designated groups. We were required to craft strategies and make decisions under pressure. We were faced with the difficult task of balancing the aspirations of Norfolk Island's desire for independence with the need to maintain stability and security in the region. Unfortunately, the terrorists won.  

In conclusion, our state conference was a resounding success, as we not only gained valuable knowledge and skills, but also formed lasting friendships with delegates from all over the state.”

Keep an eye out for more information regarding our next MUN at Mt A event. 

Lord Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council & Lord Mayor’s Young Environmental Leadership Network

At assembly this week, I addressed the Senior students around the role they have as both sources of inspiration and keepers of the future. In line with this, we congratulate the following students who have been selected as representatives of Mount Alvernia College for the following Youth Council Networks: 

Lord Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council: Charlie Battisti

“The Lord Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council aims to develop young people as leaders and is specifically designed to provide an opportunity for young people in Brisbane to identify issues and engage with each other in a public forum… The delegates work with their peers to generate and share ideas regarding initiatives that fulfil environmental, social, creative, economic, diversity and inclusive aspirations of young people in Brisbane.” (Brisbane City Council, 2023). 

Lord Mayor’s Young Environmental Leaders Network: Milla Barker, Gemma Holmes and Imogen McKenna

"The Lord Mayor’s Young Environmental Leaders Network is a unique learning and leadership program that directly engages and supports schools to be cleaner and greener. Through a project-based, active learning model, students are empowered to create positive environmental change in their school and community.” (Brisbane City Council, 2023).

We wish our students good luck for their first workshops next week in the City! 

School Clubs are back! 

Last week we saw awesome numbers at our lunchtime clubs! Whether it was costume and make up design, Choir practice or origami in Japanese Club, our students showed up and engaged in Co-Curricular life at Mount Alvernia. 

It’s never too late to sign up to our weekly Clubs, head to the Co-Curricular tile for more information!

Private Vocal Lessons

As always, Ms Hayley Marsh, our Showcase Chorale coordinator with a wealth of knowledge and experience, is open for students who wish to have one-on-one vocal coaching. This private tuition aims:

• To achieve the student’s personal goals
• To promote healthy singing technique
• To develop vocal confidence and musicianship skills
• To build life skills such as mindful listening, critical thinking and presentation

For more information about signing up for these lessons, please complete the online form here or get in touch with Ms Marsh who will provide you with more details around times, cost and any other questions your family may have. 

Ms Hayley Marsh 

marsc@staff.mta.qld.edu.au