Dear Parents and Carers,

As we come to the close of Term 3, I want to take a moment to pause and acknowledge the extraordinary achievements, energy, and spirit that have filled our college community over these past months. Together, we have celebrated successes, navigated challenges, and remained true to our Franciscan values of joy, service, courage and respect.

There is no greater manifestation of our identity and spirit than our Feast Day Mass and Cultural Festival today, a true celebration of our identity and community – the Eucharist grounding us in faith, and the cultural festival radiating the joy and diversity of our College. I thank all staff, students, special guests and families who contributed to making this day such a vibrant and memorable expression of our Franciscan JOY. It is simply the best way to end our Term together!

As we look beyond the college gates, we give thanks for our colleagues Jeni Barlow and Michelle Licina, who will soon embark upon Pilgrimage to Italy with Franciscan Schools Australia – visiting Rome, Assisi and other sites of Franciscan significance. Their journey will be a deeply spiritual encounter with the life and mission of St Francis and St Clare, in this year of Jubilee. We pray for their safe travel and blessed experience. We also hold in our prayers the students and staff who will be participating over the holidays in this year’s Sony Foundation Camp with Marist College Ashgrove. Their commitment to serving others through this program reflects the very heart of our mission and is an inspiration to us all. A heartfelt thanks to Richard Rogusz and 2024 Graduate Dominque Van Zyl for their coordination and leadership in the program this year. We also thank our parent partnership panel, who have generously donated to the program again on behalf of all our parents.

I am also delighted to share with our community, the significant work that occurs each and every day in the area of Educational Wellbeing. For us, this epitomises the ‘whole package’ of a Franciscan education. A nurturing of the whole person – academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually – so that every student may belong and thrive. We invite you to explore our recently developed interactive overview of the structures, programs, supports and opportunities that are already in motion here at Mt A, and to see how these will continue to shape the future of learning and wellbeing at our college. I thank Emma Velthuis, our Head of Engagement, Marketing, Communications for her creative conceptualisation of this resource and the College Leadership Team and Staff for their input into this wonderful artefact – an interactive, that so cleverly, and succinctly captures the intertwined breadth of work we continue to do in support of our students - your daughter(s).

Also visit our Educational Wellbeing Page on MyMtA - MyMtA - Educational Wellbeing

On a recent flight back to Brisbane, a few days ago, I started reading the first of my earmarked ‘holiday reads’ – a book I am now unable to put down - so I leave you with some words from Murriyang, Song of the Stars by Stan Grant – a reminder of our place in the greater story of time and creation:

"We are but a moment in the song of the stars, yet in this moment we are called to walk gently, to love deeply, and to know joy."

I wish every family a safe, restful, and joy-filled holiday, and recognise the tireless work of our staff this term – may they also enjoy a time of rest and rejuvenation with family and loved ones. Thank you all for the gift of your presence in our community this term – it has been a true blessing.

Peace and all good,

Samantha Jensen

Principal

FOTH Choral Showcase