From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we approach Mother’s Day, I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible mothers, grandmothers, and mother figures within our Mt A community. Your unwavering support, love, and dedication form the backbone of our students’ success. Our wonderful Liturgy on Thursday this week was a testimony to this love, and we thank our College Captains for the beautiful reflections they shared with our student assembly. To our women of Mt A, we hope you have a beautiful day on Sunday filled with love and appreciation – and if you are heading along to our Mother Daughter Movie night this evening, enjoy! We sold out 2 cinemas this year! Thank you to our wonderful Parent Partnership Panel for this fabulous event.

A chapter closing, end of 2026…..

It is with mixed emotions that I personally share with you that I will be leaving Mount Alvernia College at the end of 2026 to take up the Principalship at Somerville House.

This has not been an easy decision and was certainly not on my bingo card for 2026. My time at Mt A has been a profoundly meaningful one both spiritually uplifting and professionally satisfying. I feel a deep sense of gratitude, pride, and, understandably, much sadness as I begin to contemplate this transition. The heart of this College has always been our students, remarkable young women who bring courage, kindness, and spirit to this place each day. It is they, above all else, who make Mount Alvernia College so special.

In speaking with our students this week, I reflected on the nature of change. Change can feel unsettling; it can bring uncertainty, questions, and even a sense of loss. Yet it is also an essential and natural part of growth. I shared with the girls the image of life as a river - sometimes calm and familiar, and at other times bending in unexpected ways. It is those bends that carry us forward, opening new pathways and possibilities. Without them, the river would simply stand still.

This moment represents one of those bends for me, and in some small way, for our community. What gives me great confidence is knowing that the values we hold dear - our Franciscan spirit, our human edge, our commitment to relationship, our courage, and our care for one another - are enduring. They are not tied to any one person. They live within each of our students and staff, and they will continue to shape and strengthen this community into the future. Just as our founding sisters 70 years ago also believed!

For our Year 12 students in particular, this year marks a shared milestone. Having commenced at Mt A when they were in Year 7, it has been a privilege to witness their growth into the fine young women they are today. In many ways, it feels as though we will be graduating together, and I carry immense pride in all they have become.

Principalship, to me, has always been a role of custodianship - the privilege of caring for a community for a time, and then entrusting it to others to continue that work. I do so with complete confidence in the strength of this College, and in the exceptional leadership and staff who will continue to nurture and guide our students.

Please know that I remain deeply committed to Mount Alvernia College for the remainder of the year. There is still much to celebrate, to achieve, and to enjoy together. I look forward to continuing this journey with you, and to taking every opportunity to connect with our students, families, and staff in the months ahead.

Thank you for allowing me to be part of your story. It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life.

Thank You - Strategic Planning – MMG Survey

I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to those who have participated in the recent MMG survey. Your insights are invaluable as we continue our commitment to ongoing improvement and future-focused planning. Your voice plays an important role in shaping the next chapter of Mount Alvernia College and we encourage you, if you have not already done so to contribute – the confidential survey sent by MMG will remain open until Sunday 24 May 2026.

Careers Expo and Immersion

Sincere thanks to our Head of Futures, Partnerships and VET Richard Braithwaite, our VET Administrator Shelley Halverson, and their team for the fabulous planning and organisation that went into our Careers Expo and Immersion held last Friday. The San Dam was buzzing with students imagining the possibilities of their post-school lives. We were so grateful to host an exceptional array of panellists, speakers and industry experts who volunteered their time to speak with our Year 10’s.

The Canticle Update #4

As we continue to enhance our learning environment, I am pleased to share the ongoing development of The Canticle in our Construction update below. 

We thank all our families for their continued support of the Mt A Way and for helping uphold our high standards of uniform, grooming, punctuality and attendance. We have noticed some slippage in these areas this term and would greatly appreciate your continued partnership in reinforcing these expectations with your daughters. Thank you for the care you show our community each day and for continuing to instil in your daughters a sense of pride in themselves and in our College.

This week being our annual Colour Week, we acknowledge the Founder of the Missionary Franciscan Sisters – Elizabeth Hayes, a woman of considerable strength, courage and character. Her work was led by the love and grace of God: “I saw and felt it was from God that all the good came, not I who did anything.”

Peace and all good,

Samantha Jensen

Principal