MSPC Newsletter - Term 1 Week 9, 1st April 2022

Principal

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

Mount St Patrick Taster Days

We started our taster days last Friday and I know that Mrs Sherrah and Mrs Chaffer had a great time with the Mount St Patrick Primary students. Some of our senior students are involved with the days and the Primary students had broad grins as they were toured around the College. Other feeder schools and interested students will be given the opportunity today and next week. We hope that the students from the local primary schools will have a great time seeing our fantastic College in action and will want to join us for 2023.

Flood Disruptions
We have, once again, been affected by the flooding. I would like to thank parents and students for their understanding as we had to close the College due to localised flooding. Thankfully, the College has not been damaged. Our prayers are with those communities that have been adversely affected.

Trinity Catholic College, Lismore has been devastated by the recent flooding. It has been flooded for a second time this week. Mount St Patrick Primary and the College have a strong link with Trinity, the original Presentations sisters came via St Mary’s Lismore to found the school. We have four former teachers of Trinity as past principals: Sr Margaret (Betty) McKerrow (1978-83), Alan Cocks (1990-93), Ross Tarlinton (1993), Richard Sidorko (1994-98), and I am a past Trinity graduate. I would ask that you keep their school community in your prayers, as they have major restoration work ahead of them.

ANZAC Day
Term 2 starts with ANZAC Day on Monday, a Staff Development Day on Tuesday and students return on Wednesday 27th April (Day 13 of the timetable). It would be wonderful if a large contingent of students represented Mount St Patrick College at the march. Further details with times, uniforms, etc are included in the newsletter. I hope to see you there to commemorate the many brave Australians who have served our country. 

Holidays\Easter
Students and staff head to the holidays and a well-deserved break.  Easter is the culmination of everything we believe as Christians and the virtue of Easter is hope. Pope Francis reminds us, “it is best not to confuse optimism with hope. Optimism is a psychological attitude toward life. Hope goes further. It is an anchor that one hurls toward the future, it’s what lets you pull on the line and reach what you’re aiming for and head in the right direction. Hope is also theological: God is there too. Hope is what Mary, Mother of God, sheltered in her heart during the darkest time of her life: Friday afternoon until Sunday morning. That is hope: she had it. And that hope has renewed everything.”

I wish you all a Holy Easter and a happy and rejuvenating break.

Be the Good and God Bless,

    Paul Reidy
    Principal

Assistant Principal - Mission

YEAR 6 TASTER DAYS
Two groups of happy Year 6 students left the College on Friday 25^th and Thursday 31^st, respectively, following a shortened timetable of Science experiments, tours, games and making items in the TAS workshops. Luckily students from Mt St Patrick Primary and St Anthony’s Primary, Kingscliff were able to navigate recent school closures in order to attend. There are two more Taster Days next Tuesday 5^th April and Wednesday 6^th April followed by a Parent Information Evening on Thursday 7^th April. 

YEAR 7 2023 PARENT INFORMATION EVENING
This meeting will be held in the Sacred Heart Church from 6.30pm next Thursday 7^th April. There will be light refreshments to follow in the Learning Hub located next door to the Church. We look forward to meeting you on this evening.

ID/PORTRAIT PHOTOS ON THURSDAY 7^TH APRIL
All College students will have their ID photo taken next Thursday 7^th April in a timetable based on year groupings. All students are to have their dress uniform shirt on for the photo. So if a student has prac PE or Sport timetabled on this day, Day 9, they need to bring their dress uniform shirt for the photo. The photo is a head and shoulders shot only.

Group and sibling photos will take place in Term 2. We are using a new company this year called Advanced Life. Order envelopes were given to all students on Monday 21^st March to take home, although the orders can be done online. Advanced Life says that photographs can be purchased by following the link below or by returning the order envelope with your payment to our photographer on school photo day. You can make your order of pay in the following ways:

1. Latitude Pay – Click on the link below, set up an account during the online order process and split your payments across 10 weeks with no interest or fees, if you pay on time
2. Visa, MasterCard or PayPal
3. Cash – complete the envelope supplied and return to our photographer on 7^th April

Or visit: www.advancedlife.com.au and enter online order code: B8V DPW 9YB

advancedlife would like to express our appreciation to Mt St Patrick College for placing your trust in us. Please remember we offer a 100% money back guarantee on our products to ensure your peace of mind. We would also love to receive your feedback or resolve any issues you may experience as fast as possible, to ensure your satisfaction. If you have any questions, comments or feedback relating to your advancedlife experience please contact us at: www.advancedlife.com.au/contact
     Lola Ruiz Diaz (Client Coordinator)

ANZAC DAY MARCH
After a hiatus the annual Anzac Day Murwillumbah March and Ceremony will go ahead in 2022 on Monday 25^th April. Marching in a College corps has been a tradition of our school for many years, usually with our Marching Band leading the parade. Unfortunately this year, our band is in a ‘re-growth phase’ which was not helped by all of the drumline gear floating in the sea of water at the bottom of the College on Monday 28^th March!

All College students are encouraged to meet at the Murwillumbah Post Office in full dress uniform, including the College hat, at 10.15am on Monday 25^th April. The march begins at 10.30am and we arrive at the Cenotaph near TRAC for the 11am ceremony which is usually concluded by 11.45am. I encourage all students to attend as a sign of respect to those who have suffered and died in war that we might enjoy freedom in Australia.

TERM 2 CALENDAR 
Next term’s calendar is available in this Newsletter. Please note that the first day of attendance for students is Wednesday 27^th April, Day 13 of the timetable.

    Mary-Anne McShane
    Assistant Principal: Mission

MINISTRY

YEAR 10 RETREAT
A huge thank you to the staff and students who attended the Year 10 Retreat at Camp Bornhoffen from the 16 -18th March. Luckily we had fine weather! It was wonderful to hear such positive feedback from both staff and students about their experiences. 

Austen’s Testimony
Hey everyone, I’m Austen. Most of you probably know me by now. I was looking forward to this retreat, a fun getaway. Although I was most excited about spending time with my friends. Through this retreat I’ve seen my fellow students and teachers open up and share their own personal experiences with us. It showed courage and bravery and I am inspired by them.

I tried my best to participate in every single activity and talk to people I don’t usually hang out with. The activities helped us open up and come out of our comfort zone. I’ve grown stronger bonds with people I used to barely know. 

My experience on this retreat has been an amazing opportunity. I was really impressed and surprised by the teachers who fully opened up and shared personal information and experiences. It really showed me that stuff happens in life to everybody, and this shows my belief in hope for all people. And with support and love you can get through any situation.

Thank you
Austen Capner - Year 10

LEAD CONFERENCE
Just another reminder that students have until next Monday 4th April to submit their interest to attend the LEAD conference which will be held at McAuley Catholic College, Grafton on the 19th-20th May. The cost is $20. LEAD is about gathering with other young people from across the Lismore Diocese for a common experience - encountering faith and the Church. Students will be equipped for ministry and empowered to impact the Church and the world. See Miss Molloy or our YMOs for more information.   

YEAR 11 RETREAT/LEADERSHIP DAY
Year 11 will be having their Retreat/Leadership Day next term on Friday 6th May, here at the College. It will be run by the Passionist Youth Team. This is a compulsory school day! Year 11 may wear their College sports uniform.

HAPPY EASTER
As the Lenten season draws to a close, we acknowledge all those who have reached out to help others in our school, parish and local communities. This year Lent has definitely been about creating good things and helping the poor and the needy whilst being kind to people and much much more. 

Prayer for Easter: Dear Lord, we lift up our hearts to you. May we come together in unity knowing that you are with us. As we appreciate the wondrous sunrise, let it remind us of your promise. Amen

Wishing you all a very happy and safe Easter break. God bless.

    Grace Molloy
    Leader of Evangelisation

Welfare

STUDENT WELFARE

Dear Parents and Students

Students appear to be travelling along ok for the most part, despite this being a very disrupted term. Please let the College know of any issue we can assist you with. 

Below is an article about self control that could be useful when talking with your child. Also the paragraph written by one of our school counsellors (Louise Christie) about looking after ourselves may help us after the last few weeks.

“Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.” – CHARLES GLASSMAN

I don't know about everyone else but the challenges that our community has had to face recently has felt relentless. The struggle is real. Here is an exercise that can give us a basic awareness of our body at this moment.

Wherever you are, as you are reading this, take a slow deep breath in and make yourself as comfortable as you can. As you breathe out slowly, simply notice any tension that is being held in your body.

Now, notice how your body contacts the chair or whatever surface that is supporting you. Sense your skin and notice the way that your clothes feel. Now, sense underneath your skin – what sensations do you notice?

With kindness, gently remember these sensations, and ask yourself – “How do I know that I feel comfortable? What physical sensations contribute to my feeling of comfort?”

Does becoming more aware of these sensations make you feel more, or less, comfortable? Does this change over time?

Sit for a moment and enjoy the felt sense of being comfortable.

Good!

This exercise is a gentle reminder that comfort emerges from a felt sense within, and not the chair or whatever surface is supporting you. We may not be able to control the weather but we can have an influence on the climate of our internal environment and this can start with a deep breath. 

Be kind to yourself
Louise Christie     
Counsellor           

    Louise Shields
    Leader of Pastoral Care

Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching

As we finish Term 1 I hope that students have settled into their classes and are adapting to the disrupted learning due to floods. Although we all probably feel like just giving up I am so impressed by the resilience of the students to continue on their learning journey.

Most 7-11 Assessments became formative tasks which will provide beneficial feedback to staff and students to help modify learning tasks in the future. Year 12 commence their formal assessment block today and it is important that they do their best but please inform the College if they have been severely impacted upon by the the weather events. A sense of normality is needed to help students continue on their learning path.

This year at the College the Learning and Teaching team continue their focus on improving writing for all students. We move into the second year of the learning collaborative framed by Lynn Sharratt’s work “Clarity”

The work revolves around 14 parameters to improve student learning. Last year we focused on parameter 1:

    A    Students can achieve high standards given the right time and right support

    B    All teachers can teach to high standards given time and the right assistance

    C    High expectations and early and on going intervention are essential

    D    All teachers and students can articulate what they do and why they lead, teach and learn the way                that they do.

Mt St Patrick College is renowned for knowing our students and believing that all students can live up to the high expectations that we set for all teachers and students. We ask parents to share these high expectations and support our initiatives.

I hope everyone can have a well-deserved rest and stay safe over the holidays. We look forward to an uninterrupted Term 2.

    Narelle Sherrah
    Assistant Principal: Learning and Teaching

Curriculum

In many ways, Term 1 has been a very difficult time for students but they have shown resilience and courage and we applaud them for their focus on their studies. Despite the challenges, this past fortnight has students’ learning culminating in a range of formative assessment tasks for Years 7 to 11. It has been wonderful to witness students hard at work in their classrooms and the pride they take in showcasing their work. Our Year 12s start their assessment block this week and our thoughts and prayers are with them as many have been impacted again by the terrible weather.

At MSPC we actively support students in their reading through our DEAR program (Drop Everything and Read). With the holidays fast approaching, students are encouraged to use the break to enjoy reading for pleasure. Reading for pleasure is associated with numerous benefits — “from improvements in reading achievement and comprehension, writing, vocabulary, and general knowledge to improved empathy, understanding of oneself and others, and wellbeing. The more you enjoy reading, the more you read. The more you read, the better you become at reading. The better you become, the more you read — a virtuous cycle.” - J. Buchan: https://natlib.govt.nz/blog/posts/keeping-teens-reading. There is another interesting article that details the many benefits of reading: enhanced brain activity, improved vocabulary, developing critical thinking, increased ability to understand others, reducing stress, and improving performance at school.  It details strategies that parents can use at home to help enhance their child’s reading comprehension. For example, parents could try different reading materials that suit their child’s learning style, such as graphic novels, comics and audio books. This can help to build confidence in a reader’s ability. - The take home message is that reading is enjoyable. Week 9 is an opportune time for students to visit the Library Hub and take home some fabulous books to read over the holidays.

Planning ahead for Term 2, a reminder students can access all information regarding their assessments via the Assessment Portal which is found on the MSPC Moodle Site .

PLEASE NOTE: The following is an assessment overview for Weeks 1 and 2 of Term 2. Students should check their assessment calendar for accuracy and to ensure that changes have not been made since publishing this guide.

Jo McDonald
Leader of Curriculum

Faculty News

FROM THE SPORTS DESK

BILL TURNER CUP

The Under 15s Boys Soccer team played in the first round of the Bill Turner Cup Competition on Wednesday 23rd March against Kingscliff High in very hot and humid conditions. They played an impressive style of football, coming away winners 6-0.

Notably there were six different goal scorers which reflects the team effort that it was. Some great combinations were displayed between players who have not played together before. The game was played in a positive spirit and displayed good sportsmanship. Sam Hynes of Year 8 was awarded Player of the Match, amongst many good performances on the day. It’s great to have interschool sports happening again.

The boys will now move to Round 2 of the Competition, which will be played against either Murwillumbah High or St Joseph’s Banora. Due to the recent rain Round 2 has been postponed until early next term.

Mr Stewart Grant (Coach)

NSWCCC SWIMMING

Next Wednesday 6^th April, six Mt St Patrick students will attend the NSWCCC Swimming Championships in Homebush, Sydney.

Myla Naylor, Jack Bourke, Ethan Fitsimmons, Stephan Pelikan, Alex Wellm and Jack French will represent the College in the Lismore Diocesan team. We wish them the best of luck at this event.

POSTPONED EVENTS

With the recent rain event more sports events have had to be postponed. A few dates have been set and others are yet to be confirmed. A list of these is given below. Most disappointing was the NRCC Netball event that had to be cancelled on Monday 28^th March. We were sending our first boys teams to this event.

• Dio Open Individual Football trials on 1^st March now set for 5^th April at Coffs Harbour, this has a backup date of 27^th April if Term 1 trial does not take place.
• Dio Tennis Championships on 1^st March now set to take place 28^th April
• Dio North Football on 29^th March now set to take place 28^th April
• Girls League Tag on 17^th March now set to take place 2^nd May

CROSS COUNTRY

The College Cross Country event will take place on Monday 4^th April. This is a brand new format for this event. The race will be run on the beach at Kingscliff.

Here is the outline of the day for parents:

• Period 1 & 2 lessons as normal.
• Students collect their College hat and a water bottle and board buses to kingscliff.
• Once on the beach, competitive runners will be asked to move to the first “wave” of runners. 11.50am
• Non-competitive runners will be started 5 minutes after (11.55am). These runners/ walkers will need to complete the 5km course in 55minutes to gain 1 point for their House.
• At the completion of the event, the SRC members will be holding a sausage sizzle and students will be given a sausage sandwich and a bottle of water.
• At 1.45pm students will need to move to House groups and find their homeroom teachers and board the buses. Buses MUST be rolling back to school by 2pm.

I would ask that all students travel to and from this event on the buses provided. We would ask that no parents arrange to collect your child from Kingscliff as space on the buses will be at a premium and we have asked that students do not take their bags, so they will not have their bags.

TERM 2 DATES

With so many postponed and rescheduled events, here is a list of some activities and their dates as it stands now.

Week 1:
Wednesday 27^th April    Junior Q Schools Cup Aussie Rules Byron Bay
Thursday 28^th April        Diocesan Tennis Championships Arkinstall Park
                                   Diocesan North Football Gala day MFC Complex Murwillumbah
Friday 29^th April            Senior Q Schools Cup Aussie Rules Byron Bay.

Week 2:
Monday 2^nd May           Girls League Tag Murwillumbah
Wednesday 4^th May       (If Open soccer teams wins previous week) Dio North soccer v Dio South Team
Thursday 5^th May          NRCC Rugby league Casino

Week 3:
Wednesday 11^th May     Catholic Cup Open League Woodlawn

Week 4:
Thursday 19^th May        Dio Open Basketball Coffs Harbour
Friday 20^th May             Diocesan Cross Country Grafton

Week 5:
Tuesday 24^th May         NRCC Touch Football Ballina
                                   Country Cup 13,15 & Open League Dave Burns Field Sth Tweed

Week 6:
Monday 30^th May – Wednesday 1^st June       NSWCCC Hockey Championship Bathurst
Thursday 2^nd June       Cochrane Cup U14 Rugby League Woodlawn

Week 7:
Tuesday 7^th June         NSWCCC Cross Country Eastern Creek
Thursday 9^th June        Dio Junior Football Gala Day Coffs Harbour (Boys 7-10, Girls 7-9)

Week 10:
Wednesday 29^th June  College Athletics Carnival Walter Peate Oval Kingscliff.

    Tim Whitney
    Sports Coordinator

College News

Awards

CO-ORDINATOR'S, PRINCIPAL'S AND COLLEGE AWARDS

Lisieux Co-ordinator’s Awards

Year 8:  Samantha Crowley, Amelia Andrews, Cain Twomey, Tulleelah Murphy, Dougall Hughes, George Fisher, Samuel Hynes, Amity Page

Year 9:  Xavier Palmer

Year 10:  Ella Harman

Year 12:  Lucy Jones, Oluomachukwu Malu, Rose Hampson, Zach Simpson

Lisieux Principal's Awards

Year 8:  Amelia Andrews, Tulleelah Murphy, George Fisher

Year 9:  Xavier Palmer

Loreto Co-ordinator’s Awards

Year 7:  Nate Butler, Jada Coughran, Stephan Pelikan

Year 8:  Darcy Irby, Ewan Gale, Mahlia Goldsworthy, Elissa Hawkins, Olivia Bagnall, Rinrada Khamkaew, Taya Oates, Clancy Greenbury, Chloe Shoobridge, Cooper Lynch, Sachin Smith

Year 9:  Sunny Tonks, Ella Ewing, Joshua Hawkins, Sienna Bice, Kiani Byrnes

Year 10:  Chloe Martin, Jaxon Johnson

Year 12:  Darcy Greenbury, Halle McClymont

Loreto Principal’s Awards

Year 8:  Mahlia Goldsworthy

Year 9:  Ella Ewing, Joshua Hawkins

Loreto College Awards

Year 9: Joshua Hawkins

Lucan Co-ordinator’s Awards

Year 8:  Ivy Piticco, Luke Leach, Brayden Drabowicz, Oliver Buchanan, Lachlan Scifleet, Olivia Northeast, Milla Hartwig-Costello, Oliver Brown, Zoe Gray, Tilda Hewett, Cian Nugent, Menzie Tucker

Year 12:  Billy Walton, Darcy Wills, Holly Roberts, Maximilian Schreer, Samuel Brown

Lucan Principal’s Awards

Year 8: Brayden Drabowicz, Zoe Gray, Menzie Tucker

Year 12:  Holly Roberts, Maximilian Schreer

Lucan College Awards

Year 12:  Holly Roberts, Maximilian Schreer

Nagle Co-ordinator’s Awards

Year 8:  Jack Murray, Ky Scott, Liam Thomas, Isabella Ouwerling, Maxwell Hunt, renten Sasse

Year 10:  Jacob Lanyon

Year 12:  Aidan Laybutt, Angus Ward, Ruby Waters

Nagle Principal’s Awards

Year 12:  Aidan Laybutt

Nagle College Awards

Year 12:  Aidan Laybutt