We’ve had a very busy start to 2024!
At our AGM in March, myself, Kate Taylor (Secretary) and Alice Spies (Treasurer) were re-elected, along with Judy Sheehan (Class of 1971) and new committee member Venny Sarmiento (nee Ikonomou, Class of 1988). We look forward to serving our community in the year ahead.
There’s already been three very successful reunions for the Classes of 1974 (50 years), 1984 (30 years) and 1994 (20 years). It was our biggest reunion tour day yet and a lot of fun. Enjoy the photos of their return to the College.
And there’s still three reunions to come –
20 years for MSM Class of 2004 on Saturday 5 October. Book here
10 years for MSM Alumni - Class of 2014 on Saturday 2 November. Book here
And after the success of last year, we’ll be holding another “vintage alumni” light luncheon on Friday 8 November for those who finished school 50+ years ago. Book here
We’ve already started contacting alumni with milestone reunions in 2025, which is the centenary year of the Sisters of Charity and education at the Mt St Michael’s campus. If you’re in one of those cohorts, please check for your Facebook group below. We’ll also welcome back the Class of 2020 for a 5 year reunion. More details to come about our Back to MSM day – but block out Saturday 22 March in your calendar now.
The IWD High Tea Alumni guest speaker this year was Katerini Manolatos (Class of 1996). Katerini has enjoyed over 20 years as a vocal coach and music therapist. One of the messages she shared was “Do what makes your heart sing. Do what you love!” and she clearly is!
In this edition, you’ll also read about alumni who’ve returned to the College to speak with current students about their careers. This is an area we’d like to grow, so please fill out MSM Alumni Inc - Keep In Touch so we can contact you to be involved. In fact, scroll down to see an added incentive for updating your details.
It was an honour to represent the Class of 1986 at the blessing of hearts for the Light the Way legacy wall. Our cohort purchased two hearts in memory of classmates we’ve lost. If you’d like to organise a similar tribute, please email alumni@msm.qld.edu.au.
I hope you enjoy this edition of Fide et Amore – please share it around.
Yours In Faith And Love,
Anne O’Keeffe (Class of 1986)
President
SHARE YOUR STORY
As we prepare to celebrate the College’s Centenary in 2025, we invite all members of our community, past and present to share in the stories that celebrate our rich past, delight in the present and imagine the possibilities that await.
Journey with us to mark our rich history and traditions, honouring each and every person who has walked the Mt St Michael’s College path in Faith and Love.
We invite all current and former students, staff and families of Mt St Michael’s to share your story or your favourite or lasting memory of Mt St Michael’s College for consideration in our Centenary History Book – 100 Voices in Faith and Love.
Please submit your story and image/s . A selection of stories will be published on our website and shared in our history book.
Keep the news coming! Whether it’s special news from an Alumni, reunion updates or something you would like to see featured in our Alumni newsletter – we’d love to hear from you! Email: alumni@msm.qld.edu.au
CAREER INFORMATION SESSION
MSM Year 11 students had the pleasure of hearing from accomplished Alumni, Grace Egan (Class of 2015) and Hannah Ashford (Class of 2007) during their Career Information Session. Grace, a Physical and Financial Trader at Shell Global shared her experience in her trading career and emphasised the incredible opportunities available for young women in STEM as a vital importance of women’s representation in the transformative finance sector.
Hannah, who works in International Law & Space Diplomacy shared her career journey to where she is today as a non-profit director and lawyer working to promote the cooperative potentials and positive uses of space technologies for life on Earth. Hannah enlightened students on her role where she interfaces with the major space agencies, companies and initiatives of the world, including NASA, and provides recommendations to various forums including the United Nations. She spoke about the importance of problem-solving and advocacy skills as well as the need to be curious to succeed.
Both Grace and Hannah had fantastic messages for our Year 11 students, and we thank them for taking time out of their busy schedules to share their career journeys and valuable advice.
Career Conversations Breakfast with MSM Alumni
On Friday 12 July MSM Alumni from various career fields including architecture, law, nursing, psychology, project management, marketing and communications, environmental management, IT and business services presented to current MSM students and their parents and caregivers at our annual MSM Foundation Career Conversations Breakfast. Students and families were able to converse with the MSM Alumni about the wide range of pathways they have followed since graduating from the College. The diversity in careers allowed current MSM students to reflect on their academic journey so far and consider what the next few years could look like. Our sincerest thanks must go to the alumni who so generously gave of their time to join us for the morning.
What is the Career Conversations Breakfast?
The College in partnership with the MSM Alumni Inc launched this event in 2023 with the aim of connecting our past students with our current students. The concept of the event is a mentoring Career Speed Networking format where we welcome you, our Alumni to share your valuable insight for your chosen industry with our current students. The event involves tables set up for our students (and their accompanying parents) and an alumni at each table for a set time (approximately 5 – 10 minutes) before a bell sounds prompting a rotation of alumni from table to table around the room for the duration of the breakfast.
We look forward to hosting this event in 2025 and we welcome interested speakers to reach out via alumni@msm.qld.edu.au.
Milestone Reunions in 2024
If you graduated in 1964, 2004 or 2014 you are celebrating a decade-milestone this year! Find out what is happening for your year level!
Alumni Class of 1964, join us at the College for our 50+ years 'Vintage Luncheon' on Friday 8 November from 11:30 - 1:30pm. Bookings are essential for catering purposes.
BOOK NOW!
Find out more and reconnect with your graduating class today!
Alumni Class of 2004, join your fellow Alumni at The Woods Bar at Mitchelton on Saturday 5 October from 7pm to celebrate this milestone. Bookings are essential.
BOOK NOW!
Find out more and reconnect with your graduating class today!
Alumni Class of 2014, join your fellow Alumni at The Osbourne Hotel on Saturday 2 November from 2pm to celebrate this milestone. Bookings are essential.
BOOK NOW!
Find out more and reconnect with your graduating class today!
Milestone Reunions in 2025
If you graduated in 1965, 1975, 1985, 1995, 2005 or 2015 you are celebrating a decade-milestone in 2025 - our Centenary year! Join us on Saturday 22 March 2025 for our 'Back to MSM' Reunion Day. More details to follow.
Reunions are a fantastic way to reconnect with your Mt St Michael’s College classmates. When was the last time you made your way back to Mt St Michael’s College? Last year? Last decade? Not since graduation? Although your school years may be far behind, the friendships that began at MSM still remain, or are waiting to be rediscovered.
Stay up-to-date with details of this special celebration. Join the MSM Alumni community: https://www.facebook.com/MtStMichaelsCollegeAlumni
We warmly invite you to join us at our Alumni meetings held at 6pm in the Chapel, Mary Aikenhead Building, MSM.
Please find a list of our 2024 meeting dates below:
Monday 30 September
Monday 18 November
Principal's Honours Assembly
Earlier this year, we were delighted to welcome back to Mt St Michael’s our 2023 MSM Honour Students, to present them with their ‘Principal’s Honour Award’, for their excellence in achievement and commitment to their studies in their chosen pathway; either ATAR or Vocational Education. These graduates have truly demonstrated Competence, Confidence, Compassion, Conscience and Commitment throughout their educational journey, and we were proud to acknowledge their achievements at our annual Honours Assembly.
Charlie Marcus, 2023 Dux of the College in her address expressed her gratitude, thanking the dedicated teachers at MSM who guided her through her goals and the obstacles encountered throughout her academic journey. Charlie looks forward to studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) / Master of Engineering at UQ. A special thank you to our Honour Students who addressed the audience and shared their own reflections on their journey to excellence.
International Women's Day High Tea
What an incredible afternoon we had at our 2024 MSM Foundation IWD High Tea - a celebration of women in our community and globally. Our MSM students and their mothers/caregivers gathered for a delectable high tea and enjoyed an alluring performance from the MSM Senior Strings. This year we were joined by MSM Alumni, Katerini Manolatos (Class of 1996) as our guest speaker. Katerini is a Registered Music Therapist, Neurologic Music Therapist, Vocalist and Vocal Coach and fondly recalled her days performing and singing at MSM. We were treated to a wonderful presentation by Katerini who delved into her journey to success, offered words of advice including to ‘take a moment’ and ‘follow the thread’, and shared her remarkable voice with the audience.
The College thanked and acknowledged the ongoing support of the MSM Alumni for the generous donation of the delicious cookies shared at the event. MSM Alumni Treasurer, Alice Spies (Class of 2011) introduced Katerini and delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of all guests present, including Jonty Bush MP and members of the MSM College Board. A wonderful afternoon was shared by all!
In 2024, Mt St Michael's College is working in partnership with the Sisters of Charity Foundation, established in 2009 to continue the charitable works of the Sisters in Australia, and the Salvation Army to address the issue of modern slavery in Australia. Funds raised through our major fundraising project "Raise the Roof" will be used by the Sisters of Charity Foundation to help to liberate one person living in Australia from modern slavery.
Read more about the College's Project "Raise the Roof" in The Catholic Leader feature below.
Every member of the Mt St Michael’s community, past and present is invited to purchase a heart on our Light the Wall Legacy Wall and help us light the way for future generations.
Our Light the Way wall will proudly recognise past or present students, celebrate a graduate, commemorate your family or a loved one and leave a legacy for years to come. This beautiful art installation will remind us that the future is bright at MSM.
All heart purchases are a tax-deductible donation to the Mt St Michael’s College Foundation and the funds will be used to support the continued advancement of buildings for future generations of the College.
Click here to secure a permanent spot on our Light the Way Legacy Wall.
2025
Year 5 - Waitlist Open. APPLY NOW
Year 7 – Waitlist closed. Waitlisted applications will be reviewed mid 2024.
2026
Year 5 – Accepting applications. APPLY NOW
Year 7 – Waitlist Closed. Waitlist applications will be reviewed mid 2024.
2027
Year 5 – Accepting applications. APPLY NOW
Year 7 – Applications closed.
2028 and beyond
Year 5 & 7 - Accepting Applications. APPLY NOW