From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope this message finds you all well and ready for a damp Spring weekend ahead. As we embark upon the last week of term, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all our students for their outstanding efforts in their recent assessments and co-curricular engagement. I am particularly thrilled to announce that our Year 7 cohort achieved an astonishing 100% attendance rate for their mathematics exam! I believe this might be a national record. This remarkable accomplishment is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and I commend each student for their commitment to their studies. We are looking forward to excellent attendance right up until next Friday, which, importantly marks our Easter Liturgy and Cross Country Carnival. Always a day of high spirits, participation, and joy! Parents and carers, I urge you, please do not fall for the ‘we aren’t doing anything important’ on the last day. Educational wellbeing is expressed in a variety of ways here at Mt A and we ask you to help us ensure student attendance and engagement for the last week is high.

I would also like to express my gratitude to everyone who attended our International Women’s Day High Tea held in the Ballroom at Victoria Park Function Centre. Not even Tropical Cyclone Alfred could stop this event! It was truly an inspiring morning, filled with meaningful conversations and connections. Our keynote speaker, and world record holder- surf ski paddler- Bonnie Hancock inspired our audience with tales of six metre swells, shark, and crocodile encounters. Her emphasis on the importance of a ‘support team’ in our aspirations and dreams was especially meaningful.  Our community’s support for this initiative helps to empower our students and reinforces our commitment to fostering a girls’ school who strives to shape strong, confident young women and leaders.

Student and Workplace Safety on the Campus

As we continue to prioritize the safety of our students, as per my communication earlier this week, I remind all parents and caregivers to sign in at reception prior to attending arranged meetings with teachers or college staff. A copy of our Communications Procedures and Protocols is available on the Policies and Procedures page of MyMtA. 

Similarly, we ask again that parents and student drivers take extreme caution during the morning and afternoon Kedron traffic ‘event’. This includes careful attention to speed limits, pedestrian crossings, parking and pulling in and out of the drop off zones (Cremorne and Somerset). We thank you for your cooperation in continuing to keep our students, staff and parents safe.

Future Enrolments at Mount Alvernia College 

The phrase ‘careful what you wish for!’ is certainly feeling very relevant for us all at Mt A. With record breaking applications and enrolment interviews for our incoming Year 7, 2028 cohort and waitlists now extending for the next 3 years – we are urging any families in our community who have not made an application for a younger sibling to do so! Applications for 2029 have formally opened and will close in January 2026, with interviews held from Term 4 this year into February and March of 2026. 

In keeping with our commitment to ensure that all of our students are a known as a ‘name and not a number’, we prioritise meeting with and assessing the individual needs and strengths of all students. Thus, all younger sisters of current students are still required to complete the application process with all relevant paperwork included. This will be followed by an interview, held towards the end of Year 3 and early in Term 1 of Year 4. Interviews will not take place where documentation is incomplete or missing. Please do not risk the additional anxiety of missing the processing deadlines to ensure a confirmed enrolment for your daughter. We want sisters to be here together, where this is a family preference!

The need for this public service announcement, in a high demand context, is a testimony to the exceptional learning culture and community we contribute to and share in at Mount Alvernia College. Thank you for your partnership.

Please contact our Enrolments Registrar Sally Clarke enrolments@mta.qld.edu.au if you have further questions in relation to future enrolment for your younger daughter(s).

I am confident that while you have been enjoying watching Mt A on the SWAP (we were in the Top 10 TV shows in Australia!) some of you have also had the opportunity to preview the UK Drama Series “Adolescence”. It is a harrowing and sobering reminder of the world which our young people are growing up in. I urge you this week to read Michelle Licina’s (Deputy Principal – Student Development and Wellbeing) reflections. 

Reflection

During our Lenten period, we are reminded of the broken world that surrounds us:

“National boundaries are simply arbitrary lines and mean little in the eyes of God: “The nations of the earth are like a drop on the rim of a pail, they count as a grain of dust on the scales…. All the nations mean nothing in God's eyes. They count as nothing and emptiness” (Isaiah 40:15, 17). The New Testament puts it in a more positive way, “Our true citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20) and “we are mere pilgrims and nomads on this earth” (Hebrews 11:13). St Francis of Assisi loved to quote this passage from Hebrews to his friars, and how I wish we could hear it spoken with passion in our time……” Richard Rohr, Centre for Action and Contemplation, 21st March, 2025.

Lent is a time for introspection, growth, and compassion. Thank you to all of our students and families who have given generously to our Caritas Appeal.  I encourage you to continue to engage in acts of kindness and service within our community and to consider ways in which you may help others in Palestine, Ukraine, Sudan and other war-torn environments beyond our national boundaries. The people of Gaza are now into their 4th week without food, aid or water due to the blockades. We must do more.

In 2025, the Holy Month of Ramadan coincides with Lent. In our Franciscan spirit of interfaith dialogue, peace and love, we also extend to all of our Muslim families peace and goodwill in the lead up to Eid-al-Fitr.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead as we lead into our final week of the academic term for T1!

Peace and all good,

Samantha Jensen

Principal