The Centenary year is finally here! We’ve already had a hugely successful event and will be part of more in July. The MSM Alumni Inc is proud to be the Platinum sponsor at the Centenary Gala Dinner, an evening of celebration with MSM Alumni taking to the stage to provide entertainment for the night. We are excited to have Katerini Manalotos (Class of 1996) and her band Girl from Greece and Kitty Gatling (Class of 2011) as DJ for the event. It's going to be a fabulous night! Further details are further down.
At our AGM in March, Alice Spies (Treasurer) and I were re-elected, along with Judy Sheehan (Class of 1971) and Venny Sarmiento (Class of 1988). We are incredibly grateful to outgoing executive and committee member Kate Taylor (Class of 1990) who has stepped away after 8 years of service. Thank you Kate. It’s not too late to join the committee or even come along to a meeting. Dates are on the MSM Alumni website.
Our 'Back to MSM' reunion day was a glorious gathering of almost 300 past students, teachers, Principals Mrs Mullins and Ms Terrey and Sisters of Charity. There were milestone reunions for the Classes of 2020, 2015, 2005, 1995, 1985, 1975, 1965 and even 1955. We were chuffed to have College Captains from these cohorts there too. It was also an opportunity for those from other years to meet up with former classmates. Thanks to those who travelled long distances and rallied their cohorts. A great deal of gratitude goes to those who worked behind the scenes and on the day to make this a very special, once in a century event. Enjoy the photos below.
There was lots of interest in the uniforms, memorabilia and class photos from years gone by. We’re keen to bolster the Archives, so if you have anything to contribute, please contact archives@msm.qld.edu.au. If you’re not ready to part with items yet, please let your family know to pass them on to the College, when the time is right.
We are also compiling a virtual Honour Board to recognise those who’ve been involved in the Alumni in its various iterations over the years. If you have been part of the Executive or Committee, please confirm your years of service via alumni@msm.qld.edu.au.
We’ve already started contacting alumni with milestone reunions in 2026, including my own, the Class of 1986. 40 years, how did that happen? If you’re in the Class of 2016, 2006, 1996, 1986, 1976, 1966, 1956 - please check for your Facebook group below. Block out Saturday 21 March 2026 in your calendar now.
We’re looking forward to again supporting the Career Conversations Breakfast with MSM Alumni in June. Please make sure we know what you’re up to in your career to by filling out MSM Alumni Inc - Keep In Touch.
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
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 Conversations Breakfast with MSM Alumni
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 where we have a full program. Current MSM students will hear from MSM Alumni from various industries including, dentistry, town planning, science, disability services, HR, marketing, engineering and law. Whilst our schedule is full this year, we welcome interested speakers for future career events to reach out via alumni@msm.qld.edu.au.
Below are photos from our 2024 event where we welcome nine esteemed Alumni from multiple industries.
Milestone Reunions in 2026
If you graduated in 1966, 1976, 1986, 1996, 2006 or 2016 you are celebrating a decade-milestone in 2026.
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 2025 meeting dates below:
Monday 14 July
Monday 1 September
Monday 13 October
Monday 24 November
Principal's Honours Assembly
Earlier this year, we were delighted to welcome back to Mt St Michael’s our 2024 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. As people of commitment and competence, these graduates have shared their gifts generously, and we are richer for their contributions. We were proud to acknowledge their achievements at our annual Honours Assembly.
In her address, our 2024 Dux recipient Audrey expressed her gratitude, thanking the dedicated teachers at MSM who guided her throughout her academic journey. Audrey looks forward to undertaking Provisional entry into Doctor of Medicine with undergraduate study of Bachelor of Biomedical Science 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 2025 MSM Foundation IWD High Tea as we marched forward together to celebrate women’s achievements within our networks and globally. We were fortunate to be joined by guest speaker, Tracey Porst, owner of The Fair Trader, who provided insight into the significance of safe and ethical practices of goods and services and how this supports communities of women all around the world. Tracey spoke about the correlation between empowering women and girls through education and finding employment opportunities to end the entrenched poverty. She shared the story of how Kenana Knitters was founded in 1998 to give income to the rural women of Njoro, Kenya through their spinning and knitting skills.
A beautiful high tea was shared throughout the afternoon, whilst attendees enjoyed a performance by our MSM Senior Strings. As we #MarchForward in our Centenary year, current MSM students paraded our uniforms across the decades, providing an element of entertainment for the afternoon.
The College thanked and acknowledged the ongoing support of the MSM Alumni for the generous donation of the delicious cookies shared at the event.
We thank Dr Sarah Pollock (Class of 2001) for joining us at this event in her capacity as MSM Foundation Chair and for graciously accepting the cheque for $14,675, the sum of the proceeds from the 2024 Mothers’ Lunch Raffle, to be directed to the MSM Foundation’s Light the Way Capital Campaign.
While education is a right that we all enjoy, it’s easy to forget that many of our sisters in other parts of the world are not so fortunate.
For more than 60 years, the Religious Sisters of Charity from Ireland have been working in Nigeria and Malawi. They have opened many schools and hospitals and continue to bring hope and the promise of a better future through their ministries. The data on girls education in Nigeria and Malawi is sobering:
· In Nigeria 43% of girls have never been to school. Of those who do, most only receive a few years of primary school education. Fewer than 6% of girls get to go to university.
· In Malawi 51% of girls finish primary school, despite it being free for all children. Fewer than 20% go to secondary school and most do not finish their studies. 47% of girls are married before the age of 18, and education is a protective factor in the quest to end child marriage.
Through Project Providence, MSM will partner with the Religious Sisters of Charity in Ireland to fund a special project focused on girls’ education. Our fundraising goal is $15,000. This money will be used to provide scholarships to two female students – one in Nigeria and one in Malawi. The money we raise will cover the total cost of 6 years of secondary education for both students, including tuition fees, uniforms, text books and travel costs… everything she will need to stay in school and complete her education.
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.
2026
Year 5 – Waitlist, please contact the College prior to submitting an application.
Year 7 – Waitlist closed.
2027
Year 5 – Accepting applications. APPLY NOW
Year 7 – Waitlist closed.
2028
Year 5 – Accepting applications. APPLY NOW
Year 7 – Waitlist closed.
2029 and beyond
Year 5 & 7 - Accepting Applications. APPLY NOW