As this leading Kedron college celebrates seven decades of educating girls, its rich history is now paving the way for a brand-new era.
In 1956, the Missionary Franciscan Sisters opened the doors of Mount Alvernia College with just ten students and a courageous vision. Seven decades later, 2026 marks a momentous 70-year anniversary for the Kedron-based school. Now educating close to 1,000 young women, the College’s story is a remarkable testament to steady growth, community warmth and an enduring commitment to values-based education.
For Queensland parents choosing a secondary pathway for their daughters, finding a school that balances academic innovation with deep character development is paramount. Over 70 years, Mount Alvernia has built a trusted reputation for doing precisely that — helping generations of young women step into the world with confidence, purpose, and compassion.
The Missionary Franciscan Sisters opened Mount Alvernia College in 1956 with just ten students.
Values that stand the test of time
While educational tools, technology and classrooms have transformed radically over the past seven decades, the core philosophy at Mount Alvernia remains beautifully steadfast. Grounded in the Franciscan tradition and enriched by the spirituality of Saint Francis, Saint Clare of Assisi and the founder of the Missionary Franciscan Sisters, Elizabeth Hayes, the College guides students through four cornerstone Gospel values:
Courage: Cultivating spirited learners and leaders who possess the resilience to tackle complex challenges and the conviction to call out injustice.
Joy: Fostering a hope-filled, optimistic outlook that recognises the presence of good in all things and approaches life with enthusiasm.
Respect: Honouring the dignity of every individual through authentic inclusion, while maintaining a deep reverence for our environment and shared home.
Service: Encouraging young women to use their individual talents with compassion, taking meaningful action to create positive change in local and global communities.
These timeless values ensure that while students achieve academic success, they also develop the emotional intelligence, integrity and social conscience required to navigate a complex, fast-changing world.
Students in Mount Alvernia’s science labs in the 1980s.
Building for the future with The Canticle
Celebrating a major 70-year milestone offers a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the past, but Mount Alvernia is equally focused on what lies ahead. Representing a landmark investment in contemporary education, construction is underway for the College’s newest development: a state-of-the-art four-storey learning precinct named The Canticle, set to open its doors in early 2027.
Inspired by Saint Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures, the project has been designed in close collaboration with M3 Architecture, Burrundi Design Studio, staff and students. Built on a foundation of deep respect for Country, the architecture incorporates natural materials, spatial mapping and indigenous knowledge to honour the history of the land alongside the school’s Franciscan heritage.
“The Canticle is guided by four key principles — Connection, Country, Collaboration, and Curiosity — shaping an inclusive, light-filled space where learning feels exciting, hands-on, and future-focused.”
Mount Alvernia College combines its rich Franciscan heritage with a future-focused approach to education.
A look inside the four-storey precinct
Designed as a vibrant hub where students are encouraged to explore big ideas, The Canticle seamlessly integrates contemporary technology, peaceful study zones and green outdoor spaces:
Ground level: Opens onto an expansive learning terrace and outdoor educational area before leading into a modern college library, complete with a dedicated fiction collection, a multimedia recording studio and flexible breakout spaces for group work.
Level one: Features interactive learning classrooms alongside a specialised “Cabinet of Curiosities” — an inspiring gallery space designed for discovering museum artefacts, exploring literature and sparking new research interests.
Level two: Dedicated entirely to senior pathways and academic success, housing the Senior Study Hub. This space provides older students with a collaborative environment designed to mirror tertiary learning and prepare them for life beyond school.
The Canticle’s Senior Study Hub will provide older students with a collaborative environment designed to mirror tertiary learning.
Level three: Home to a spectacular 200-seat lecture theatre featuring a constellation dome alongside general learning classrooms and small-group breakout rooms.
The Canticle’s Level Three will feature a 200-seat lecture theatre with a spectacular constellation dome.
Experiencing the Mount Alvernia community
As Mount Alvernia College celebrates 70 years of educating young women, the creation of The Canticle reinforces a promise made seven decades ago: to provide an inspiring, nurturing environment where girls can learn, grow and thrive.
For parents seeking an education that combines academic momentum with
genuine care, experiencing the campus culture firsthand is the best place to start. Families are warmly invited to attend an upcoming Principal’s Tour or book a personalised visit to see how the College is preparing today’s students to become tomorrow’s confident leaders.
To learn more about upcoming campus tours or explore enrolment opportunities for your daughter, visit mta.qld.edu.au.
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