The Literacy Society Launch

On Sunday 19^th March, 250 members of the Mount Alvernia College Community attended the 2023 International Women’s Day Brunch. At this launch event of The Literacy Society, the College welcomed Australian of the Year 2023, Taryn Brumfitt as the keynote speaker.

It was a wonderful morning enjoying brunch in a beautiful setting and listening to Taryn, the passionate thought leader behind the Body Image Movement, Director of the inspiring documentary Embrace seen in over 190 countries, and a four-times bestselling author speak to our community.

What is the Literacy Society?

The Literacy Society is an initiative to support the literacy development of students at Mount Alvernia College. We all know how important it is that we are strong readers and writers but in our contemporary world, literacy is much more than mastering reading and writing. It also includes information literacy, media literacy, digital literacy, and visual literacy. Being literate, means you can use these environments and create in them. But it also means that you can critically evaluate the messages being pushed at you from these environments – and you then have control of the impact of these messages rather than be manipulated by them.

The Literacy Society will host events that give students the opportunities to read, experiment with technology, meet authors, innovators and change makers, and participate in creative workshops and more. Some of these events will be ticketed and cost money and some will be free. Some will be during school time, and some will be on afternoons, evenings, and weekends. All the events will be super interesting and a lot of fun.

Why was Taryn the perfect person to speak at the launch?

To launch the Literacy Society, we had the idea that Taryn Brumfitt would be the perfect person to have as a keynote speaker. Taryn is the master of literacy. She has made two documentaries, written four books and told her story through public speaking events so powerfully that she has reached millions of people and is considered a national change maker and as we know, this year was named The Australian of the Year!

What’s next for the Literacy Society?

Double Booked: Parents and Students are invited to participate in a combined book club called Double Booked. The club will meet once each term and a set book, chosen by the iCentre team will be discussed at each meeting. Meetings will be facilitated by Helen Stower (Head of Library and Digital Services) and held in the iCentre from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm. The 2023 dates are: Wednesday 26 April, Wednesday 19 July, and Wednesday 11 October. Places will be limited for this book club and will be offered on a first-in basis. Please email stowh@staff.mta.qld.edu.au by Wednesday 29^th March to express an interest in attending the club.

Tech Week: In Week 4 of Term 2, the Literacy Society will host Tech Week 2023. The tagline for the week is “we own the future”. During this week a range of activities are planned so that students can get hands on with the latest and greatest gizmos, talk to tech giants, make wearable tech, and much more. A full schedule will be released in Term 2 – keep an eye out!

You can read more about this event on the college website.