From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers

As we approach our much anticipated “Spirit Week” and Cultural Festival next week, we reflect on the term that has been and all that we have achieved together. As staff, students, and parents we can feel extremely proud of all that we are shaping here at Mt A. Whether it be in the classroom, on the sports field, on the stage or in service to others – we continue to embrace a spirit of mutual support and respect for one another as a Franciscan community. But we must not be complacent! - our work is never done – we need to constantly check ourselves and ask the questions: could I have acted with more kindness in that moment? Did I actively listen? Was I fully present for another? Did I speak out for someone who couldn’t?  Have I alienated or excluded someone in my words or actions? There is certainly more work to be done with our students in this space and whilst we have robust programs delivered throughout the year to help cultivate these dispositions in our young people – we, as the adults in their lives are always their greatest role models. So together, let’s become the living example we wish for all our students. 

Time, Place and Spirit

Last Friday marked the first day of Spring and thus began the Season of Creation. It is a true joy to experience this so fully in the natural manifestation of La Foresta in bloom each year - it is a true reminder of how ‘place and spirit’ are so inextricably linked. I will certainly experience this in abundance shortly, for on the 16th of September, I will be one of a privileged group of Mercy Partners Pilgrims travelling to Rome/Assisi/Dublin and Cork to be immersed more deeply in the charism of our beautiful tradition. I look forward to sharing with you my travels and contemplations when I return. Stay tuned for the impending slide show that will be sure to follow.

A Showcase of Talent

For those of you who were privileged enough to have attended the recent Franciscan Colleges Instrumental Program (FCIP) Intermediate Showcase, you will have been astounded, as I was,  by the exceptional standard of musicianship demonstrated by our students. I warmly congratulate all our students and the FCIP staff on such a wonderful evening. 

We look forward next term to Chorale Showcase, Senior Showcase and Junior Showcase performances. 

We also extend a huge congratulations to our Readers Cup finalists who achieved equal third place in the STATE FINAL! This is a phenomenal achievement, and we are so incredibly proud of our participating students. In further news of outstanding effort and achievement, our 2 Tournament of the Minds Teams have reached the state finals, to be held this Sunday. Best of luck to our teams!

Staffing News and Some Farewells

This term we will also farewell a couple of our colleagues: Acting Head of Arts Monica Willoughby whom we thank for her tremendous contribution to leading and supporting the Arts at Mt A in 2023 and to Kimberley Green who will be taking parental leave and whom we will welcome back later in 2024 – we look forward to hearing of the safe arrival of bub. In other exciting (albeit bittersweet) news, we also congratulate Kate Pacey (Dean of Senior Years – Transitions and Outcomes) on her appointment as Assistant Principal (Pathways) at Holy Spirit College for 2024. This is a tremendous opportunity for Kate who has contributed so much to the Mt A story over the past 15 years. She will be greatly missed by all of us and will be formally farewelled by our community at the end of the year.

Parent Partnership Panel 23 August – AI in Education Panel

I would also like to extend my immense gratitude to the 12 Parent Partner Panellists, that joined members of the CLT along with Jane Martens - Head of Digital Pedagogy and Innovation who shared with everyone, the wonderful (trailblazing work) currently being undertaken in the area of AI in Teaching and Learning her at Mt A. This presentation included the opportunities and challenges that lie therein and the wonderful resources that have been developed for staff and students alike in this area. There are certainly some exciting times ahead (buckle up everyone!) and we look forward to connecting more with our parent panellists on a variety of strategic areas moving into the future. Your input, support and ongoing feedback is so valued by us all.

Year 7 2024 Welcome Day

A tremendous day was had on the first day of Spring, welcoming our Year 7 cohort for 2024. Representing 39 different feeder primary schools - it was a day of connection in getting to know you/getting to know us. Whilst educational testing was a feature of the day, there was fun to be had - including a trivia quiz and dance off to the Macarena led by our incoming Captains!  It was fabulous to witness contact details being exchanged at the end of the day, the seedlings of friendships forming in that special moment. These are friendships, many of which, will endure a lifetime. A new chapter awaits these delightful new students at Mt A – they will be the graduating class of 2029! My thanks to Dean of Middle Years (Transitions and Outcomes) Victoria Nicholas and to all of the supporting staff for their warm mentorship of our new students.

And finally, together in prayer we ask;

Dear Lord,

In this season of creation

Open our ears to your creative, reconciling and sustaining Word that calls to us through the book of Scripture and the book of creation. 

Bless us once again with your life-giving waters so that the Creator Spirit may let justice and peace flow in our hearts and overflow into all creation. 

Open our hearts to receive the living waters of God’s justice and peace, and to share it with our suffering brothers and sisters, all creatures around us, and all creation. 

Bless us to walk together with all people of good will so that the many streams of the living waters of God’s justice and peace, may become a mighty river all over the Earth. 

In the name of the One who came to proclaim good news to all creation, Jesus Christ. 

Amen.

May our spirits soar high this coming final week of term.

Peace and all good

Samantha Jensen

Principal