MSPC Newsletter - Term 3 Week 4, 12th August 2022
Principal
Dear Parents/Caregivers,
Camps and Excursions
The HSC Trial Examination period allows us some freedom in regards to staffing large scale camps and excursions. The Year 9 Snow and Burleigh trips have traditionally run during this period and this year they were held for the first time since 2020. The logistics of the Snow trip, in particular, are very complex and Mr Whitney organises this trip with great care and attention to detail. The Burleigh trip is unfairly seen as the lesser option, but it also takes our students outside their comfort zones, albeit closer to home. We are in the process of reviewing these trips and have had excellent feedback from students, parents and staff about their worth to the overall educational experience of a Mount St Patrick College student.
This year we added a Year 10 Outdoor Education Camp at Mount Tambourine as the two years of COVID restrictions have reduced this cohorts experiences. I was lucky enough to attend this camp as one of the teachers. The terrific group that Mr Tom McTaggart and myself were part of are pictured below, just before our Mountain Biking.
We were blessed with beautiful weather and fantastic activities and instructors. It was one of the best camps I have ever attended and I am sure that our Year 10 students would have grown due to the experience. There were certainly some moments on the high ropes that had my knees knocking!
As parents you can be very proud of the manner in which our students conducted themselves in these activities. I do think it is because we believe in the little things: creating good habits; doing your best; being humble in success in all that we do at the College, that sets us apart.
Be the Good and God Bless,
Paul Reidy
Principal
Assistant Principal - Mission
TELL THEM FROM ME SURVEY
All schools in the Diocese have been provided with a well-developed survey tool to get a ‘once a year’ snapshot of how Mount St Patrick students, staff and parents are feeling about the College. Mr Reidy has already informed parents about the Survey and the fact that all responses are de-identified to protect individual’s privacy and that parents can withdraw their student/s from completing the Survey.
We are looking at the staff completing their Survey on Wednesday 17/8; the students on Thursday 25/8. Parents will be emailed a link to the Survey early next week which must be completed by 29/8. We only have the window of 1st – 31st August to complete all the surveys for the College. Three days after the survey window closes we will be given access to a report/analysis of the aggregated Staff, Student and Parent data. Thank you, in advance, for your time in completing the Tell Them From Me Parent Survey.
FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY
Will be celebrate this special day next Monday 15th August with a Mass for all staff and students at 12 noon in the Sacred Heart Church. This will be our first opportunity to celebrate together as a whole community in the Church for a very long time. We are looking forward to singing, getting ourselves ready for the upcoming Year 12 Graduation Mass (22nd September) and presenting a donation to the local St Vincent de Paul Conference of money collected last term for their Winter Appeal.
BREAKFAST CLUB
This free student-driven initiative will resume on Friday morning 19th August in the Gilbey Foyer.
BIG DAY OUT
This fun and fund-raiser event is scheduled for Friday 26th August. Students will dress in their homeroom’s chosen theme and will make a gold coin donation for the Solomon Islands Immersion Project. In the afternoon there will be food stalls, games and activities for students to enjoy and spend their ‘pocket money’ on.
Mary-Anne McShane
Assistant Principal: Mission
MINISTRY
SHINE EVENT
SHINE is fast approaching and unites Youth Ministry students in Catholic secondary schools in the Lismore Diocese Lismore. Our Year 9 and 10 Youth Ministry classes will be attending, along with some members of our Senior Youth Ministry team. Senior Ministry Team members will be involved as small group leaders, testimony givers and workshop facilitators.
SHINE is a two-day event and combines elements of praise and worship, inspiring keynote speakers, student testimonies, small group discussions, interactive workshops, prayer, Eucharistic Adoration and Mass.
An integral part of the Proclaim Lismore Student Discipleship Continuum, SHINE will again be held
at St John Paul College in Coffs Harbour on Thursday 18th – Friday 19th August, with over 600
participants expected. Students will be travelling by bus down to Coffs Harbour and will be emailed a packing list and final information this week. Please join us in praying for its ongoing success and all our MSPC participants.
MINYMA RETREAT AT ST JOSEPH’S PRIMARY SCHOOL
A big thank you to Mrs Angela Finkel and her Year 10 Youth Ministry class for attending and facilitating the Minyma Retreat on Thursday 28th July at St Joseph’s Primary School, South Murwillumbah. Our students were outstanding helpers on the day, running a variety of activities! Full report to come in the next newsletter.
Grace Molloy
Leader of Evangelisation
Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
It is great to see so many activities taking place again in the College and the students being provided with lots of opportunities. This week Year 10 finally got to attend camp and Year 11 are off to their Leadership adventure to Fingal. In Week 6 on 26th August we will see the return of the Big Day Out after a 3-year hiatus due to COVID. All of these activities contribute to our vision of all students developing the skills and wisdom to embrace life and live it to the full.
The Big Day out is an opportunity for students and staff to come together as a community and have some fun. Each class comes dressed in a theme and organises a stall or activity for students to join in on the day. There will be lots of food stalls to provide lunch and culminates in the Staff Vs Students Touch Game. We look forward to the fun. Each student is asked to make a gold coin donation on the day which will raise money for our sister schools in the Solomon Islands.
REPORTING
Due to our move to COMPASS our reports have changed in line with the latest educational recommendations. There is a move to reporting on what skills and knowledge the students have learnt rather than what mark they achieved in a task. A survey has been constructed to gather input from parents about further development of our reports. Please take the time to fill in the survey so that these reports can be improved. A link is provided below.
YEAR 12
Year 12 are currently finishing their trial Examinations. They then respond to the feedback from the Trials and work towards the final HSC exams. In past years we have seen a huge improvement in understanding between the Trials and HSC. We wish the students luck and good health in the last 6 weeks of their education at Mt St Pats.
Narelle Sherrah
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching
Welfare
Wellbeing focus this week is Accomplishment + Optimism and the Character Strength is sense of Meaning
Louise Shields
Leader of Pastoral Care
Curriculum
Friday 12th August is the last day of our Year 12 Trial Examinations. We commend our seniors on the calm and mature manner in which Year 12 and Year 11 Accelerated students have approached these important exams over the past two weeks.
A reminder for Year 10, 11 and 12 parents and carers regarding illness and assessments. If students are sick and unable to attend an assessment, they should complete the Assessment Variation Application Form that can be found on the Assessment Portal. They should also have a medical practitioner complete the Assessment Variation Illness Form. I emailed this information to parents and carers in Week 2 and attached a copy of this form for a medical practitioner to complete. Students have been informed that if this documentation is not provided a zero grade will be awarded, as per the Assessment Policy. On their return to school, students should give the medical certificate to Mrs Swift at the Front Office.
The Year 11 Assessment block begins on Friday 9th September and concludes on the following Friday 16th September.
Please see below for assessments scheduled for the next two weeks.
Assessments Term 3 - Weeks 5 and 6: The following table details assessments for:
Jo McDonald
Leader of Curriculum
Faculty News
ENGLISH
AUTHOR VISIT
Last Friday, our Year 7 students were treated to a visit by accomplished Young Adult Fiction author Tristan Bancks, author of novels such as ‘Detention’ and ‘Two Wolves’. Through his engaging presentation, students developed insights into the writing process, the path to publication and cover design. The presentation has been an excellent complement to our in class Novel Study.
Tristan’s energy and enthusiasm has inspired many of our Year 7s to engage in reading outside the classroom. It was great to see students purchasing Tristan’s novels. Parents have until this Friday, August 12 to purchase novels from Tristan’s website https://www.tristanbancks.com/book-store using the code MOUNTSTPATRICK22 to provide free shipping.
We look forward to seeing the benefits of a renewed love of reading in our classrooms.
Some reflections from Year 7 students:
The experience was inspiring, with Tristan explaining the details behind the creation of his books. It really makes you appreciate the books that authors create for our enjoyment.
Charlotte Brown
Tristan Bancks is a fantastic author with the humour of a jester. His amazing novels’ Detention’ and ‘Two Wolves’ were the key topics of the day, and his story of creation and process was inspiring. The day was an overall explosion of wonder.
Harrison Wood
Katie Pinkstone
Leader of Learning - English
SCIENCE NEWS
Two weeks ago 7M accompanied Mrs Tilsley on National Tree Planting Day to plant primary source Koala trees. The purpose of this was to increase the amount of habitat suitable for our local Community of Koalas and to provide food trees to Currumbin Sanctuary for the Koala vaccination program in Pottsville.
FROM THE SPORTS DESK
UPCOMING EVENTS TERM 3
Tuesday 16th August NRCC Junior Aussie Rules at Byron Bay*
Tuesday 23rd August NRCC Intermediate Aussie Rules at Byron Bay*
Wednesday 24th August Diocesan Athletics at Coffs Harbour
Wednesday 7th & Thursday 8th September Diocesan Netball at Port Macquarie
Monday 12th September CCC Athletics at Sydney
Tuesday 13th September NRCC Hockey at Lismore
- It was disappointing not to get College girls teams for NRCC Aussie Rules. Meetings were held 3 times in Week 3 and once in Week 4 and the coaches were extremely underwhelmed by the response. Students are reminded that all notices are delivered via the Compass newsfeed which you should check each morning
LOOKING FORWARD TERM 4
Friday 14th October Diocesan Volleyball at Coffs Harbour
Tuesday 25th October Diocesan Gymnastics at Grafton (please contact me if you have a gymnast interested in attending this event)
Thursday 10th November Diocesan Junior Water Polo at Alstonville
Tuesday 15th November Diocesan Golf at Coffs Harbour
Thursday 17th November Diocesan Senior Water Polo at Alstonville
CRICKET
The cricket season is upon us very soon. Players will soon be called to meetings to express their interest in playing in the following competitions. Be sure not to miss the meetings in the compass newsfeed and attend if interested.
Berg Shield (Yrs 7 – 9 boys)
Downie Trophy (Yrs 10 – 12 boys)
Lyn Larson T20 (7-11 girls)
Phelps and Gilchrist T20 (Jnr & Snr boys)
YR 9 SPORT
Parents are reminded that during Term 3 all Year 9 students will be participating in three weeks of Hockey. Development officers from Tweed Border Hockey will be leading sessions. I flagged last year a perfect Christmas present would be a mouth guard for your son or daughter, as they are required to participate. The College has recently replaced all its hockey equipment lost in the flood and now also have shin pads for all participants, which is also required for participation. Students will need long socks to insert the shin pads. Of course, if they have their own they can bring their own. Please remind them of this and if you don’t have a mouth guard it may be wise to purchase one very soon.
Tim Whitney
Sports Coordinator
College News
REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT
BALLET – Jada Coughran
We are so incredibly proud of Jada who has been accepted into the Royal Ballet School summer intensive in London this August. She was selected to attend after auditioning against ballet dancers from all over the world. It is a remarkable achievement.
The Royal Ballet School is one of the world’s greatest centres for classical ballet training.
Jada will board at the the Royal Ballet School and attend the Intensive Course.
The intensive is a unique opportunity for young dancers to experience the highest levels of coaching from faculty members of The Royal Ballet School, The Royal Ballet Company and renowned international teachers.
Jada is such a dedicated and hardworking ballerina and we are just so proud and happy for her making her dreams come true.
YEAR 9 CANBERRA/SNOW EXCURSION
Students from Mount St Patrick College have recently undertaken, an education tour of the National Capital. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy. The group visited attractions including the Australian War Memorial, ANZAC Parade, Parliament House and the National Film and Sound Archives.
The Australian Government recognizes the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the National Capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. In order to assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding of $90 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program toward the costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.
During our bus ride toward the National capital our group even received a phone call from our Federal Member Mrs Justine Elliot. Minister Elliot was excited to see a visit to New Parliament House from, not only a school in her electorate, but also the school she sent her son to, that she made time in her day to meet with the students from Bus 1 on the steps inside Parliament House. One of the many highlights of the trip.
A student’s perspective:
Last week, the majority of Year 9 students went on the Snowy Canberra trip. This was an amazing, yet challenging, experience for both teachers and students. At 4:30 am , everyone met at the airport to catch a flight to Sydney, which was followed by a 3 hour bus trip to Canberra. Whilst in Canberra, both buses participated in expeditions though the National War Memorial, or the old and new Parliament Houses.
Tuesday was filled with blue skies and no wind, meaning these were perfect conditions. Students were split into groups of snowboarders and skiers, based on ability (Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced) and were able to refresh their skills or learn the basics such as turning and slowing down.
Wednesday was windy, and there was some rain. All students went skiing or snowboarding in the morning and some stayed during the afternoon. Unfortunately, we were not able to go to the slopes on Thursday because of bad weather conditions, so instead students and teachers went to Jindabyne for a few hours to go shopping. Later that night, we had a trivia night and an “award ceremony”.
On the final day, everyone jumped on the bus and either went to the New Parliament House or the War Memorial. After spending a little over an hour in these locations, both buses went to a shopping centre to have lunch. Once finished, we took the bus to the airport to get on our plane at 7:20pm.
The entirety of the snow trip was an absolutely amazing experience, and both students and teachers had a great time. Thank you to all the teachers for taking time away from their families so they could accompany us on our trip, and especially, thank you to Mr. Whitney for taking the time and effort to organise such a spectacular trip that everyone enjoyed (even if it was just for him to show off his moves).
Claudia Larkin (Yr 9 Snow tripper)
Awards
Lisieux Co-ordinator’s Awards
Year 7: Aiden Jones, Sienna Lockwood, Charlotte Brown, Holli Hines, Murphy Evans
Year 8: Max Palmer, Ciara Dwyer, Tara O’Donnell
Year 11: Asha Hynes
Lisieux Principal’s Awards
Year 8: Max Palmer, Ciara Dwyer, Tara O’Donnell
Loreto Co-ordinator’s Awards
Year 7: Evie Ginn, Rosaria (Rosie) Stewart-Walker
Year 8: Mahlia Goldsworthy, Maddison Shackell, Zane Booth, Alexander Wallace, Benji Tunnercliffe, Hugh Robinson, Eden Petrie, Sanjay Nix
Loreto Principal’s Awards
Year 8: Benji Tunnercliffe, Sanjay Nix
Lucan Co-ordinator’s Awards
Year 8: Luke Leach, Mahli-Summer Abbott, Brody Johnson, Kaulana O’Farrell-Carter, Xavier Elliott, Kieran Forsyth, Stephanie Mayne
Year 11: Sunny Hewett
Lucan Principal’s Awards
Year 8: Mahli-Summer Abbott, Kaulana O’Farrell-Carter
Lucan College Awards
Year 8: Kaulana O’Farrell-Carter
Nagle Co-ordinator’s Awards
Year 8: Ivy Eadsforth, Faith Vosotros, Hugo Portus, Marley Ferguson, Abigail Gilson, Echo Rawson Cranney, Taleishia Robinson
Nagle Principal’s Awards
Year 8: Hugo Portus, Abigail Gilson
Nagle College Awards
Year 8: Abigail Gilson