MSPC Newsletter - Term 3 Week 4, 10th August 2023

Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Presentation Charism

I recently attended the Nagle Education Alliance of Australia (NEAA) biennial conference. The NEAA is a coming together of the Presentation Sisters’ schools from across Australia. The goal being to continue to nurture and grow the Presentation charism. What does this mean?  Saint John Paul II said “The mission of the Catholic school is the integral formation of students, so that they may be true to their condition as Christ’s disciples and as such work effectively for the evangelization of culture and for the common good of society”. A charism is a lens through which we see Jesus’ teachings. The Presentation charism is grounded in Nano Nagle’s values of compassion, perseverance, courage and of a love of God. The practical and selfless nature of Nano seeing a need and attending to it, despite the cost to her health and potentially being imprisoned, shows as an example of a fulfilment of Saint John Paul II’s words many years later. Nano’s lantern shining as a beacon of hope is a simple but powerful symbol that our community can identify with. The work of Nano and the Presentation Sisters who followed is effective if it takes us to the message of Jesus. It cannot stop at Nano.

Across my schooling, I was taught by Marist Brothers, Presentation, Mercy and Josephite Sisters. Our current students do not have the immediate connection to these religious orders as people of my generation. They are not, by and large, Catholic in the same way as previous generations. I understand that many families choose our schools due to the quality all round education that we provide. I am sure that we can agree that the goal of common good of society is a worthy one to aspire to. Students attending our schools should seek to further our community and themselves. I often speak to the students about us rather than you. At the conference I was privileged to spend some time with Sister Gabriel, a Presentation sister, who is still active in education and pastoral care of the community. It was a great opportunity to reinforce the marvellous legacy of these sisters.

I want to thank you for trusting your young people with Mount St Patrick College. We aspire to go beyond providing quality education and provide an avenue for families of the twenty-first century into Jesus’ teachings, continuing the work the Presentation Sisters began in Murwillumbah in 1904.

Be the Good and God Bless,
    Paul Reidy
    Principal

Assistant Principal - Mission

Well Done …..      Debaters and Basketballers

Our Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 debating teams travelled to Port Macquarie on Monday 7^th August to compete in the Lismore Regional Catholic Schools Debating Association (CSDA) Final. All 12 speakers acquitted themselves well and were a credit to the College. The experienced Year 10 team, Makayla de Jonge, Flynn Jones and Estella Wong, won all of their debates, and therefore the Year 10 Finals, and will now progress to the next level in the CSDA competition.

Ten of the debaters, and 3 accompanying staff, ended up having an ‘extra’ unexpected night away from home when the College bus broke down on Tuesday afternoon 10km south of Macksville. Staff were lucky to secure the last 6 rooms at the Mandarin Motel and both the staff and students showed great resilience in managing the changed circumstances.

Three teams of boys and girls junior Basketballers also travelled to Port Macquarie on Monday 7^th August, with 3 generous staff members, to compete in the Diocesan Junior Basketball Championships. All teams played well although one student told me that they were outdone by the boys from Xavier College who towered over them!!

Fortunately, the Parsons bus with the Basketballers on board, was able to pick up the stranded debaters and staff at about 12.30pm yesterday, and they all arrived safely in Murwillumbah at about 5.30pm, much earlier than we’d previously anticipated. A very good outcome

Houses Parish Mass/Brunch     9am Sunday 20^th August, Sacred Heart Church

Assisi (Aqua) and Ignatius (Orange) Houses invite the College community to join them on Sunday 20^th August for the 9am Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Murwillumbah followed by an al fresco brunch. All are welcome to attend. Please come dressed in either, or both, house colours.

Year 11 Leadership Camp    

As I write my article 35 Year 11 students interested in embracing leadership opportunities in the College, along with 2 staff members, have boarded the bus for Fingal. We look forward to hearing of their exploits.

     Mary-Anne McShane
     Assistant Principal: Mission 

MINISTRY

Well done and thank you!

Thanks to our 12 Year 8 students who attended both the Festa Christi Boys and Girls Retreats last week. The students were challenged in lots of different ways and had a great time meeting new people, exploring their faith and completing some outdoor challenges. A BIG thank you to Miss Mary-Anne McShane and Mr Carl Windhorst for accompanying the students to their respective camps. Photos to come in the next newsletter.

SHINE - Week 6

The Youth Ministry Students from Years 9 and 10 as well as some of our senior leaders will be attending SHINE in Week 6 on Thursday 24th and Friday 25th August. Bus information and packing lists will be sent to students closer to the date.

God bless,

    Grace Molloy
    Leader of Evangelisation

Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Mount St Patrick College is a good school because we offer a range of learning opportunities. It is an exciting time for Year 8 and 10 students at the moment as they are moving through the process of selecting subjects.

Year 10-

The lines have been created from the choices that our students have made. These lines will be sent to the students this week and then students will have a week to deliberate over which subject they would like to select on each line. Any concerns can be directed to Mrs Joanne McDonald or myself.

Year 8-

The Year 8 selections have been completed for 200hrs and now students will be notified about which subject they have been allocated from their choices. It is impossible to satisfy every student’s first choice. However, if the student is disappointed with their allocation they can send an email to Mr Nix corey.nix@lism.catholic.edu.au  and if there are any changes made, they can be considered for a different selection.

Year 9 –

Year 9 will be informed this week about an opportunity to select a subject on the Year 10 100 hr line to study coffee culture. The Cafe Skills course delves into the intricacies of coffee making, non-alcoholic drinks, and customer service.  Students will embark on a journey where they will learn real world skills which will prepare them for working in the dynamic Hospitality industry.  As part of the course, students will gain knowledge from local industry businesses such as Bastion Lane Espresso and Ben’s Patisserie. Whether students envisage a future as a barista in a high-end café or simply seeking to learn something new, this course is the gateway to a world of delicious possibilities.

The current curriculum reform is aimed at providing students with credentials other than the ROSA.

    Narelle Sherrah

    Assistant Principal: Learning and Teaching

Curriculum

Friday 11th August will be the last day of our Trial Examinations and we commend our seniors on the focused and mature manner in which Year 12 and Year 11 Accelerated students have approached these important exams over the past two weeks.

The Year 11 Assessment block begins on Friday 8th September and concludes on Friday 15th September. Year 11 are not required at school during an assessment block period except when they have an assessment / examination to complete. Students will sign in on their arrival at the College at Presentation House and sign out on their departure. Study rooms will be available at the College each day during the assessment block period. Students should make the most of this valuable opportunity to revise during this time. Students are expected to attend their assessments in school uniform, either dress or sport uniform. Examination lengths vary and students should check their timetables on the MSPC Assessment Portal and be at the College 15 minutes prior to the commencement of an assessment task. The venues for assessment tasks are on the timetable.

A summary of the Assessment Policy is detailed on the front page of the Assessment Portal which can be accessed on the MSPC Moodle Page. Assessment Handbooks can be located on the year page of the Assessment Portal.

If a student is ill and unable to complete an assessment on the due date, Years 7, 8 and 9 require a letter from a parent / carer detailing the student’s circumstances for non-completion of an assessment task. This is to be given to their class teacher. It is the students responsibility to organise and complete a catch up assessment.

For Years 10, 11 and 12 a medical practitioner is required to complete the MSPC Assessment Variation Illness Form to cover the period the student is absent for the assessment and any subsequent days. A copy of the illness variation document can be found on the year page of the Assessment Portal.

    Jo McDonald

    Leader of Curriculum

Welfare

   Louise Shields
   Leader of Welfare

Faculty News

ENGLISH

Writing Improvement

Literacy is the very foundation of student learning. Students need to be able to read, write, and communicate in a range of forms, not just for their education, but for the workplace, and life outside of school.

It has become evident over the past few years that students’ ability to write effectively for a range of audiences, contexts and purposes has generally declined. The exact reason for this is unknown, but we do know what we can do to reverse this alarming trend.

We have a focus on writing improvement at the College which is evidence-based, strategic, and inter-disciplinary, so that all staff have an awareness of, and accountability for, the improvement of our students’ writing skills. At the heart of this focus is ensuring that students can recognise and construct correct simple, complex, and compound sentences.

This may sound simplistic, but by aiming to improve students’ knowledge of sentence structure, and how and when to use the correct sentence types, we can improve the effectiveness of written communication overall. It’s a back-to-basics approach that has already started to yield results.

Teachers in all disciplines (subject areas) have received professional learning around sentence types and sentence construction strategies in recognition of the shared understanding that teaching writing is not solely the responsibility of the English teacher. In each discipline, students require specific knowledge and skills that only that subject teacher can impart, but with a collective understanding of how we enable students to communicate that learning through writing, we can have a greater impact overall. Students also regularly receive explicit instruction about sentence types and sentence construction strategies, to ensure there is a consistent understanding of what is needed to write effectively.

Every term we assess a sample of Year 7 and 8 students’ writing in one of their subject areas. Teachers of these students then spend time going through a rigorous process of professional learning and moderation, using a tool known as the National Literacy Learning Progressions, to monitor student progress and identify areas of need for future teaching and learning opportunities. These results are then shared with all relevant staff, making the entire process beneficial for the learning outcomes of each student.

We acknowledge that writing is an extremely demanding task to master, and appreciate that significant amounts of instruction and practice are essential if students are to learn to write well. Writing is also an important tool for learning, as it helps consolidate students’ understanding in ways in which they cannot through other means of communication.

We firmly believe that these strategies will create a robust foundation for your child’s writing skills, setting them up for success not only in their academic journey but also for their future beyond school. We invite you to partner with us in this endeavour by encouraging your child to embrace writing as a valuable skill worth mastering. In future newsletters, I will share with you some specific strategies that you can use at home to help assist your child on their writing improvement journey. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions in the meantime.

    Simon Holder

    Leader of Literacy

CSDA Regional Debating Finals

Twelve MSPC debating students represented the College in Port Macquarie this week in the Northern NSW Regional Finals. Our four teams, Years 7, 8, 9 and 10, had one prepared debate and two impromptu debates!

The Year 10 team of Estella Wong, Flynn Jones, Makayla de Jonge, won all their debates and the Regional Final. 

The Year 7, 8 and 9 teams performed well, each team winning two debates but they all lost one of their debates. It was very close but they needed to win all debates to be regional finalists.

Our travel plans fell into disarray when the College bus driven by Mr Van Den Driest broke down on the freeway about 10km south of Macksville. Ten students and three staff spent an extra, although very pleasant, night at the Mandorin Motel and were picked up by the Parsons Basketballers bus at 1pm on Wednesday to arrive in Murwillumbah at 7pm.

Thanks to the twelve debaters on their excellent behaviour and representation of the College. Ms Milly Keogh and Mr Rick Van Den Driest proved to be amazingly resilient in a crisis!

    Nathan Jones – Debating Coach

MATHS

Australian Mathematics Competition

Congratulations to the following students who recently participated in the Australian Mathematics Competition. It is an excellent opportunity provided by the Australian Mathematics Trust which gives all students the chance to demonstrate their problem solving skills. Students receive a certificate upon completion which can be used as a wonderful addition to a portfolio that could be used when applying for part-time jobs or even University scholarships. Well done to the following students:

Year 7: Golda Biles, Hazel Egan, Cooper Fitzsimmons, Will Grant, Yashika Hurry, Scarlett Mills, Clancy Nankivell, Claire O’Donnell, Olive Ostila, Shanti-Rose Smyth

Year 8: Charlotte Brown, Georgia Brown, Connor Edwards, Stone Foster, Mikkel Gronholt, Lawrence Kee, Inge-Marie Kolominskas, Reuben Levings, Max Mathews, Billy Miller, Ryder Simmonds, Lachlan Thomas, James Wemm, Harrison Wood

Year 10: Joachim Kolominskas, Archer Szandala

Year 11: Jaxon Johnson

I look forward to being able to present these students with their certificates of achievement when they arrive later in the year.

Trial HSC Examinations

Our Year 12 and Year 11 accelerated students have been completing their HSC Trial Mathematics Examinations this week. We had 104 students complete an examination on Monday in the Gilbey Centre and the Trial Examination block will conclude on Friday afternoon with 11 students completing the Mathematics Extension 1 examination.

It was great to see such a large number of students applying their skills and knowledge whilst persevering with what are usually quite challenging examination questions. We are very proud to have such high participation rates in the Mathematics courses at the College, especially the more challenging calculus based courses. It is testament to the hard work and dedication shown by all faculty members as they develop and foster a willingness amongst students to challenge themselves and strive to achieve their very best. A breakdown of the number of students attempting HSC Trial Examinations is set out below:

Mathematics Standard 1  - 11 students

Mathematics Standard 2  - 49 students

Mathematics Advanced    - 40 students (including our Yr 11 accelerated class)

Mathematics Extension 1 - 11 students

Mathematics Extension 2  -  4 students

    Mr Dan Anderson - Leader of Learning: Mathematics

HSIE

HSIE Happenings

Hello students, parents, and staff! We're excited to share some recent and upcoming events that have been keeping our school community engaged and intellectually stimulated.

Zoom Conference on Conservation of Pompeii and Herculaneum with Estelle Lazar

On Tuesday 18th July, our Year 11 and 12 students had the remarkable opportunity to participate in a Zoom conference with renowned expert Estelle Lazar. The conference revolved around the captivating topic of conserving the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Through her extensive knowledge and engaging presentation, Ms. Lazar shed light on the challenges and strategies in preserving these historically significant sites. Not only did our students learn about the architectural marvels of the ancient world, but they also gained insights into the meticulous efforts required to ensure their longevity. This session also proved beneficial for our Year 12 students in preparation for their trial exams, as it provided them with valuable contextual understanding to enhance their studies.

Upcoming Excursions to the EKKA and Legal Studies Conference

We're gearing up for some exciting off-campus experiences in the coming weeks. Our Year 10 Commerce and Year 11 Business Studies students will be visiting the EKKA on Monday 14th August. This excursion promises to be a wonderful opportunity for students to observe real-world applications of their academic studies, exploring the world of commerce and business.

For our Year 12 Legal Studies students, an enriching Zoom conference awaits on Friday 18th August. Hosted by the LSA (Legal Studies Association), this conference will delve into the complexities of the legal field, offering students a chance to engage with experts and deepen their understanding of legal concepts beyond the classroom. This event comes at a crucial time, as Year 12 prepare for their HSC examinations in Term 4.

Upcoming Incursion: "Feared and Revered - Women of the Ancient World"

Our commitment to delivering diverse and insightful educational experiences continues with an upcoming incursion for our Year 11 Ancient History students. On Monday 21st August students will be transported to the past through a Zoom conference with the National Museum of Australia. Titled "Feared and Revered - Women of the Ancient World," this session promises to explore the pivotal roles that women played in shaping ancient societies. From rulers to warriors, priestesses to philosophers, the presentation will showcase the multifaceted contributions of women in history, allowing our students to gain a fresh perspective on the ancient world. If you are a Yr 10 student who is looking to undertake Ancient History next year please contact Ms Blazek, as you are also invited to attend.

Year 9 Geography Coastal Management Excursion (Thursday 31st August)

A hands-on learning experience awaits our Year 9 Geography students. This compulsory excursion to Kingscliff and Cabarita will provide you with practical insights into coastal management and fieldwork. Expect to engage with real-world environmental challenges and discover how geography plays a crucial role in addressing them.

This event is currently on Compass, and caregivers are asked to confirm your young person's attendance, along with payment for transportation.

These events not only enhance our students' academic journey but also foster a deeper appreciation for history, culture, and real-world applications of their studies. We're proud to offer a well-rounded educational experience that extends beyond the classroom and equips our students with knowledge and insights that will serve them well into the future.

Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to engage with the past, the present, and the world around us. As always, we're committed to providing a holistic education that empowers our students to excel in their chosen paths.

    Aimee Blazek

    Leader of Learning: HSIE

Youth Incubator at SCU, Lismore

Our students from 7C and 7G had an exciting opportunity to partake in the Transforming Transport Program alongside Young Change Agents and Southern Cross University. Geared towards creating a transport system that benefits both people and the planet, the program was a thrilling experience for all involved. Under the mentorship of Young Change Agents' facilitators, our students collaborated in teams to tackle challenges related to the theme. They came up with ingenious ideas such as disability-inclusive train carriages; a device that harnesses energy from cars for EV charging; an app for accessible transportation; and eco-friendly car care products.

Beyond the innovative solutions, this experience nurtured social entrepreneurship, design thinking, and 21st-century skills in our students. We are incredibly proud of their creativity and believe this endeavour will inspire them to become proactive agents of positive change in their communities.

Two teams from the challenge have been selected to participate in a two day Youth Incubator at Southern Cross University in Lismore. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to Young Change Agents and Southern Cross University for this invaluable opportunity.

    Zoe Boxshall

    HSIE Teacher

HSIE News

Youth Parliament is the Y NSW's flagship youth leadership and engagement program and has been operating for 20 years in NSW. This year, Mahalia Ashworth, one of our Year 12 Legal Studies students successfully applied for the program - here are her thoughts on how it went:

“This year I had the privilege of participating in the Y NSW Youth Parliament program. I represented the state electorate of Tweed and was lucky enough to be sponsored by the Hon. Janelle Saffin as our school is in the Lismore electorate. The program is based in

Sydney and involved a three day ‘training’ camp in April where I met all the other representatives, participated in mock debates and learned about parliamentary behaviour and etiquette. The College P and F also gave me a $150 grant towards travel expenses.

Between April and July, a hybrid period allowed my committee (Energy, Environment and Climate Change) to create a Bill of our own choosing. With the help of youth volunteers, affectionately known as ‘Taskies’, we wrote a Legislative Bill titled ‘A Just Transition to Sustainable Energy’.  Bills created by other committees explored issues including mental health services, teacher’s rights, maternity care for regional and rural NSW, the right to protest and cyber security. In the July holidays, a 7-day ‘residential’ camp saw us present and debate these bills in the NSW Legislative Assembly.

This program was an incredible experience. This opportunity is available for students in Years 10-12 and I encourage students who are interested in YP to speak to Mr Acret about applying. The program is entirely apolitical and not affiliated with any political parties. “

Mahalia

    Michael Acret

    HSIE Teacher

MUSIC

Upcoming event: Year 10 Performance Evening – 6pm Wednesday 23^rd August, College Music Room

The Year 10 Music class would like to extend an invitation to one and all to attend their Performance Evening in Week 6. The evening starts at 6pm and will be in the Music Rooms. Enter by the block gate behind the church, head down the ramp and follow the signs to enjoy a wonderful evening of quality performances.

    Kaitlyn Rennes-Nadal

    Leader of Music / Drama

Last week, Year 11 Music class braved the early morning rain and travelled together with Ms Bub-Connor to experience live performance of the Australian piece ‘Heartland’.

We met at 5am, and drove to Burleigh Beach to be met with rain, darkness, and fire pits dotting the beach as a quiet, and sleepy audience gathered.

Led by Kalkadunga man William Barton and violinist Véronique Serret, ‘Heartland’ is a moving blend of traditional songlines, poetry and didgeridoo. The musical duo transport you to their meditative sound world, inspired by the Australian landscape. With soaring vocals and featuring poetry by William’s mother, Aunty Delmae Barton, ‘Heartland’ leaves you with a deep connection to country.

The rains lifted in a suitably timed manner as the music swelled and the sun rose over the ocean, and we were all enthralled by the deep, heartfelt sounds emerging from the musician’s instruments.

Students were able to experience first hand how Australian music sits (literally) in our modern landscape, and to witness the performance technique of one of Australia’s finest musicians, in Mr William Barton.

This is a performance event that will stay with all for a long time!

A response from one of our students:

William Barton’s and Véronique Serret’s “Heartland” was a very interesting piece to listen to. Featuring aspects of Indigenous Australian Music, I believe the piece tells a story of the Australian landscape in particular, with traditional songlines sung very beautifully by Barton’s mother, Aunty Delmae. Overall the 4am start was well worth it for this outstanding performance at Bleach.

    Helen Bub-Connor

    Music Teacher

FROM THE SPORTS DESK

DIOCESAN JUNIOR BASKETBALL

Three College teams, Junior Boys, Intermediate Boys and Girls travelled to Port Macquarie earlier this week to compete in the Diocesan Junior Basketball Championships. Junior boys, Intermediate Boys and Girls. The competition was a 2-day event and finals did not conclude until Wednesday afternoon 9^th August so a full report will be in our next newsletter. There will be an update on the College Facebook, so you can keep up to date there.

DIOCESAN NORTH TOUCH FOOTBALL

Touch teams will be selected this week for the upcoming event in Ballina on Friday 18^th August. Students have been asked to attend meetings as an expression of interest and selection and training sessions will begin.

DIOCESAN ATHLETICS

All athletes who will attend the upcoming Diocesan Athletics Carnival in Coffs Harbour have been asked to indicate if they will attend this event by Wednesday this week (9^th August). The team will then be finalised to attend the Carnival on Wednesday 23rd August.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• NRCC Aussie Rules Juniors - Tuesday 5th September
• NRCC Aussie rules Intermediates - Thursday 7th September
• Diocesan Volleyball Friday 13th October (Week 1 Term 4)
• Cricket (Berg - Juniors, Downie - Seniors NRCC teams meetings coming up)

    Tim Whitney
    Sports Co-ordinator

College News

Nepal immersion 2023. It's back!

December 4- 21, 2023.

Open to current Year 12 students and post Year 12 ex-students.

Volunteering in a Children's Home and a village school. 

Plus a low altitude, 6 day trek and sightseeing in Kathmandu!

Contact Mr. Jim Smith jim.smith@lism.catholic.edu.au if interested.

Community News

Temporary Cleaners needed at Mount St Patrick College, Murwillumbah as follows:

Work Hours: 8 hours per week divided into 2 x 4 hour blocks on different school days (start time and days negotiable).

Job Status: Temporary

Time frame required: Monday 21st August until Friday 22nd September, 2023

Must have current Working With Children Check

Work Hours: 35 hours per week divided into 5 x 7 hour blocks on school days (start time negotiable). Would suit a couple sharing the work each day, i.e. 3.5 hrs each

Job Status: Temporary

Time frame required: Term 4, 20023   Monday 9th October to Wednesday 20th December

Must have current Working With Children Check

Contact: Mary-Anne McShane (Assistant Principal: Mission)  Ph: 0419431630