Co-Curricular Corner

QDU Year 9 Debating – Round 2 Finals 

It was the Battle of the Franciscans on the Hill on Wednesday night with our Year 9 QDU Debating Team taking on Padua in the second round of the finals. You may have peeped the Mount A Instagram post this week with the team channelling courageous combatants going into war. 

While we put up a good fight with incredible speaking skills and ideas, Padua was unrelenting in battle and took the victory. We are so proud of the Year 9 team this year, both debuting in the QDU competition and making it to the second round of the finals is no easy feat. They are already ready and raring for next year’s competition! 

Along with all our Mount Alvernia debaters, we thank Emma, Imogen, Milla, Samira & Stephanie for their commitment to debating this year.

If you are interested in joining the Debating teams at Mount Alvernia in 2024, keep an eye on emails regarding Term 4 sign ups. 

Senior Public Speaking

Our final participant of the English Speaking Competition, Sienna Jakovich in Year 11, competed last week in the Senior Heats. Supported by her Head of House, Ms Michelle Licina, as well as her family, Sienna was one of 9 students who addressed the audience with their interpretation of Nelson Mandela’s quote: “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world”. 

Sienna spoke proudly about her own education, particularly the opportunities that she has taken in the world of STEM, and how it has opened doors for her. We are very proud of Sienna, as well as our other entrants for the Junior and Intermediate competitions. Again, we thank Ms Maria Conway who helped students continuously on their journey. Public Speaking will be back next year at Mt A! 

State Honours Ensemble Program

Over the holidays, five of our outstanding young musicians were selected to participate in the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University State Honours Ensemble Program, Brisbane. While Hailey Cathcart, Jessie Chripczuk Morales and Chloe Nettle represented Mount Alvernia in the vocal ensembles, Sarah Chew and Caitlin Wallace took part in the wind ensembles. This required them to rehearse with conductors and staff and perform to an audience over a few days. While this was a short time frame to achieve so much, the organisers noted that students accomplished a lot, both musically and socially.

 Below are some insights from our students about their experience:”

“To be totally honest, I was slightly more nervous than excited when I found out I got into SHEP, because I didn’t know many other people participating, or what music to expect. However, it was really rewarding to put on a concert with only a few days of rehearsal. I got along really well with the people sitting next to me and I would definitely do it again next year.” – Sarah Chew, Year 9 

"Being at the vocal ensemble at SHEP was daunting at first because I didn't know anyone there and didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised to see that there where students from other schools who were in a similar situation and I quickly made friends. The music directors were super friendly and very knowledgeable, and I learnt so much. It was the best time!" – Jessie Chripczuk Morales, Year 12

Reader’s Cup

What is your book count for 2023? The National Reading Survey by Australia Reads found that 75% of the general Australian population read ONE book A YEAR. At Mount Alvernia, our Reader’s Cup teams have gone way above average, in fact – about four times the average. Over the past few months, they have delved into the worlds of FIVE different books by various authors to prepare for the 2023 Reader’s Cup North Division. Students were lucky enough to be joined by one of the authors of the selected books, A.J. Rushby, who treated the teams to a Q&A about writing fiction novels and getting a head start in the writing industry. 

Our students’ knowledge was as boundless as the number of books in the iCentre as they tackled each challenge with the speed of an avid reader racing through a thriller! And to prove it, they took out a clean sweep, placing first and second in the competition. For many of our students, this was their first Reader’s Cup and they were new to the precise level of specificity in the questions. Their ability to win, despite experience, shows that their reading and comprehension skills, as well as their note-taking and revision skills, are very developed. 

Well done to our Year 10 team, who placed first, Chelsea, Hannah, Kathleen, Milly and Yashvi and our Year 9 team who followed them up in second place, Emma, Isabella, Madi, Samira and Stephanie.

We wish our Year 10 Reader’s Cup team all the best for their State Finals in a few weeks’ time!