At Mount Alvernia College, Principal Samantha Jensen leads with a Franciscan spirit, blending academic excellence, environmental stewardship, and holistic student wellbeing to nurture confident, compassionate young women.
Returning to her Brisbane roots after a decade interstate, Ms Jensen brings a rich educational background and a passion for the Franciscan Catholic educational philosophy. Previously Deputy Principal at Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak, her return to Brisbane was more than a professional move – it was a homecoming.
Her appointment as principal at Mount Alvernia College, an independent Franciscan Catholic secondary school for girls in the Brisbane suburb of Kedron, in 2021 came during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a unique recruitment experience where she was interstate and not physically able to visit the school.
Asked to characterise her leadership style, she places a strong emphasis on collective achievement, consistently using “we” instead of “me” to underscore her collaborative approach.
Ms Jensen’s vision extends beyond traditional educational metrics. She has overseen a significant academic transformation, with the school’s median ATAR rising from an equivalent OP 62 to 91.85, reflecting her belief in students’ potential. Her strategic focus on educational wellbeing integrates pastoral care with academic excellence, creating a holistic learning environment.
A passionate advocate for sustainability and student development, she has also championed initiatives including the school’s Year 7 digital literacy program to teach students about safe and ethical digital media use.
As Mount Alvernia College approaches its 70th anniversary in 2026, she’s poised to lead the institution into a future of growth, innovation, and meaningful education.
Philosophy
Mount Alvernia College’s philosophy is rooted in Franciscan Catholic traditions, a connection that resonates with her.
“It’s a Franciscan Catholic school established by the Missionary Franciscan Sisters in 1956,” she explains, tracing the school’s rich heritage.
The school’s philosophy is built on two fundamental principles that Ms Jensen finds transformative: “relationships with each other and relationships with Earth.”
She was particularly drawn to these values, seeing them as critical for contemporary education.
“I believe these two tenants are really important right now,” she says. “The school’s philosophy and my personal beliefs; it was a perfect marriage.”
“There’s nothing really more important in terms of a call for action for young people and for everyone to be paying attention to that.”
This philosophical commitment manifests practically through innovative spaces like La Foresta, the college’s extensive garden.
Designed to be both a working garden and place for contemplation, reflection and peace, La Foresta has 25 garden beds that contain a range of produce used in La Cucina, the college’s café, and by hospitality students.
“It is filled with produce and beautiful established trees,” Ms Jensen explains. “It’s our largest classroom in the school, used for science, art, and curriculum purposes.
“It’s a centre of wellbeing in its own right.”
Ms Jensen says La Foresta reflects the Franciscan philosophy of communion with the earth and provides a tangible, therapeutic learning environment.
Leadership
Leading a school of nearly 1,000 students across years 7-12, plus 80 teaching staff and 56 support staff, Ms Jensen describes her leadership style as a blend of authenticity, presence, and deep relational engagement.
“I’m pretty hands-on in the operations of the college,” she explains, emphasising her desire to be actively involved in the school’s daily life.
Her leadership philosophy – centred on vulnerability and transparency – means she’s “happy to share in the good stuff and the hard stuff”.
“I think people need that in their leaders. Gone are the days of a leader in an ivory tower.”
This approach challenges traditional leadership models, creating a more relational and human-centered leadership approach.
The core of her leadership is captured in her mantra: “We, not me.” It’s more than just a catchphrase; it’s a fundamental philosophy.
Part of her leadership involves ensuring the wellbeing of those in her charge. Wellbeing is not just a buzzword, but a comprehensive, integrated strategy. “We know that excellent learning happens when students are well,” she says. This philosophy manifests in multiple innovative initiatives.
Student wellbeing is approached holistically through what Ms Jensen calls “educational wellbeing”.
“We’re not looking at pastoral programs in a silo,” she explains. Instead, the college conducts regular mentoring meetings that address comprehensive student needs.
“We talk about how they’re going academically, their wellbeing goals, co-curricular activities, even their sleep hygiene.”
For staff, the approach is equally effective.
“We’ve been doing work with PeopleBench, taking pulse surveys on staff wellbeing and resilience twice a year,” Ms Jensen says. “We analyse the data and build programs to assist our staff.”
This data-driven approach allows for targeted support and continuous improvement.
PeopleBench is a school workforce improvement company based in Brisbane. In 2017, it launched a research project to investigate the relationships between workforce variables and student outcomes, drawing on data from 22,000 students and nearly 3,000 staff across schools of varying sizes, locations and demographics. Two years later, it opened its doors to all schools across Australia.
Easing staff administrative burden is another priority at Mount Alvernia College, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to workplace efficiency and staff support.
“We’re enhancing AI capabilities to reduce administrative load,” Ms Jensen notes.
“We know that students thrive when they have happy, healthy, capable educators in front of them.”
Her style represents a modern educational leadership model: transparent, holistic, technologically aware, and deeply committed to the wellbeing of both students and staff. Her approach goes beyond traditional management, creating an environment of mutual support, continuous learning, and collective achievement.
Digital literacy
Mount Alvernia College’s approach to digital literacy and social media is comprehensive, proactive, and collaborative, with Ms Jensen taking a clear, strategic stance on technology use that prioritises student protection and ethical digital citizenship.
The school’s mobile phone policy is unequivocal.
“Mobile phones are not allowed on a student person during the course of the day,” Ms Jensen says. “They’re placed in their lockers.”
Students can use phones before and after school hours, but during school time, use is strictly prohibited. The enforcement is straightforward: “If a phone is confiscated, there’s a detention. Most students, once they’ve done that once, don’t do it again.”
She recognises the challenges posed by social media, particularly for teenagers.
“The social media hours from 3:00pm through to the next day are a real challenge for our students and for parents,” she acknowledges.
“This is an ‘us’ challenge – school and home.”
She advises parents to delay social media introduction for as long as possible, viewing it as a service to their children’s development.
The school’s commitment to digital literacy is most evident in its innovative Year 7 digital literacy passport program, which comprehensively teaches “how to use digital media and devices safely, ethically”, she says. This program goes beyond basic technology skills, covering critical areas like the appropriate use of AI in academic contexts.
“We are also fortunate to have an outstanding Head of Digital Pedagogy and Innovation leading this space, ensuring our approach remains future-focused and responsive to the evolving digital landscape.”
A pivotal moment came during a year 7 parent introduction, where Ms Jensen’s candid approach about digital risks was met with overwhelming support. “There was a standing ovation,” she recalls, indicating parents’ hunger for guidance in managing digital challenges.
The school has engaged external experts to support this mission.
“We’ve had Susan McLean and other experts in this field come and talk to parents and students,” she notes.
Ms Susan McLean is Australia’s foremost expert in the area of cyber safety and was a member of Victoria Police for 27 years. Widely known as the ‘cyber cop’, she was the first Victoria Police Officer appointed to a position involving cyber safety and young people.
Despite the school’s multi-layered approach to digital education, Ms Jensen is pragmatic about the limitations of legislative approaches. “We know [legislation] is not a silver bullet,” she states, “but we have to be doing everything in our power to protect our young people online.”
The underlying motivation remains: student mental health and wellbeing. By working collaboratively with parents and providing structured digital literacy education, the school aims to equip students with the skills to navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape.
“We’re intentionally trying to build an integrated curriculum of educational wellbeing,” Ms Jensen says. This approach sees digital literacy not as a standalone topic, but as an integral part of holistic student development.
Her approach demonstrates a nuanced understanding that technology is not inherently problematic, but requires careful, informed management. “We have to be on the front foot as much as we can be,” she says, encapsulating the school’s proactive stance on digital citizenship.
By combining strict technological boundaries, comprehensive education, parental collaboration, and a focus on ethical digital use, Mount Alvernia College is developing a sophisticated model for managing digital literacy in the modern educational landscape.
Marking a milestone
In 2026, Mount Alvernia College will be celebrating its 70th anniversary. Looking back to when the College began with an enrolment of 29 students, to its current student population that now has a waitlist, there is much to commemorate.
Ms Jensen’s reflection on memorable moments and future plans for the College is rooted in transformation, growth, and celebration of educational achievement.
“Since my appointment, the memorable moments have been simply seeing the college and the students’ progress,” she says, highlighting a remarkable academic journey.
The school’s median ATAR score has dramatically improved from 62 during the COVID-19 pandemic to 91.85, a transformation she describes as “seismic.” However, for Ms Jensen, this isn’t just about numbers.
“What underpins that is this growing sense of self-belief and participation in our students,” she says. Her pride stems from the school’s collective approach to progress. “We have really leaned into the fact that if we have self-belief, we are capable of tremendous things.”
The upcoming anniversary is a significant milestone for the school. “We’re connecting with our community and our alumni,” Ms Jensen says, “really celebrating the journey from a small school in the northern suburbs of Brisbane in the 1950s.
“We’re going to have lots of wonderful events planned, including a captain’s table dinner bringing together all school captains.”
A particularly poignant aspect of the celebrations is reconnecting with the founding Sisters. “Many of them are now in their 80s and 90s, and they’re in aged care facilities,” Ms Jensen says. “But they still come to assemblies and other events. They’re very connected with the college.”
The planned celebration will honour these pioneering educators who established the school seven decades ago. “To do something really special in that 70th year is going to be a wonderful opportunity,” she says.
The anniversary represents more than just a historical commemoration. They’re a testament to the enduring Franciscan values that have guided the school since its inception.
“We want to really celebrate with the broader community and the founding sisters the incredible school that they created 70 years ago,” Ms Jensen says.
Her leadership approach ensures that while celebrating the past, the school remains forward-looking.
Alongside the anniversary celebrations, the school is embarking on a significant building project – a new library.
The project symbolises the school’s commitment to continuous improvement and creating inspiring learning environments. It’s part of a broader vision of educational innovation and student empowerment.
As Mount Alvernia College approaches its 70-year milestone, Ms Jensen stands prepared to lead the institution into a future of continued growth, innovation, and meaningful education, honouring its rich heritage while embracing new possibilities.
