MSPC Newsletter - Term 3 Week 8, 7th September 2023

Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Students being downtown before school

You should have received a Compass notification asking if you give your child permission to be downtown before school. I am asking all parents to complete this regardless of whether your child walks, is dropped off or arrives via bus. We are seeking to remove confusion and inconsistency. Currently, the only students who are allowed to be downtown in Murwillumbah before school begins, are those who are dropped off by a parent downtown or who walk to school.  Students who come via bus are not allowed to go downtown before school. This at times causes some disagreements between staff and students/parents. It also encourages students who want to go downtown to take unnecessary risks crossing the road in dangerous locations so they won’t be detected.

In order to have a more consistent approach for all students, we allow students to be downtown provided the following is adhered to;

• Consent has been granted by parents via the Compass notification sent on 31st August. Please note this does not mean that your child has to go downtown before school everyday, in fact we would not expect them to, but it would allow them to do so as required. Consent only has to be given once. If you wish to revoke this, please contact the College.
• Students will meet all College expectations regarding behaviour and uniform.
• Students will be on time for homeroom at 8.47 am.
• Once entered students will not leave the College grounds. Therefore, if I am exiting a bus I am heading straight downtown and not entering school grounds and then leaving.

We believe that we are trusting our young people to do the right thing and that they will be responsible for representing the College in the community and for being on time and prepared for their learning.

Leadership

At our recent assembly we had the students nominated for College Captain speak to the assembly. We will also have students who wish to be House Captains speaking to their houses regarding positions on Tuesday 5^th September. The Big Day Out was an example of how students can display leadership with or without a badge. The students engaged in the day in a terrific manner. The themed homerooms were fabulous and congratulations to all involved in those homerooms in achieving such a wholehearted participation. I was invited into Mr Bressan’s Doyle D12 homeroom who participated as Survivor and I was voted off the island!

In our leadership model, students in younger years are encouraged to display leadership by participating in the organisation of some of the many activities that their House runs. This will provide them with the experience to be a formal leader in Year 12.

When looking for leaders we are seeking people who:

• Challenge and support each other
• Have integrity
• Lead by example
• Motivate others
• Have vision
• Recognise success in others
• Empower others
• Make hard decisions
• Communicate

These are qualities that we would like to see in everyone involved in our community, again showing that we all have the opportunity to lead. They also are qualities that involve and affect others, it is about the us as a community.

Be the Good and God Bless,
    Paul Reidy
    Principal

Assistant Principal - Mission

Father’s Day Breakfast a Success   

It was good to speak with many fathers, grandfathers and male mentors of our College community at this special breakfast held on Friday 1^st September. Thanks to those who came along to celebrate and those who provided the delicious treats – Hospitality and barista staff Mrs Lewis and Mrs Carroll-Bennett, and a small group of Year 9 Food Technology students; Mr Anderson on the BBQ with two ladies from the College P & F.

Parents Save the following date!            Tuesday evening 24^th October, 2023

The Diocesan Parent Assembly and the College P & F are supporting an evening of information, refreshment and discussion from 6 – 8pm on Tuesday 24^th October in the Learning Hub. The agenda will include the online ‘Wellio’ wellbeing program used in Year 7 – 12 Wellbeing lessons in the College and an update from Sgt Brad Foster about using online social media platforms for good purposes. All are welcome. Flyer to come.

Yr 12 Graduation Mass, Luncheon, Farewell Assembly Thursday 21^st September

On 23^rd August all parents were sent 2 communications regarding these upcoming special events. One outlined attendance requirements for Year 12 over their final weeks of formal schooling and the other was a RSVP google from asking about attendance at the 3 events that will occur on Thursday 21^st September. Please contact the Front Office if you have not received these communications.  So far we have only had RSVPs from approximately 55 families and there are 104 students in Year 12.

     Mary-Anne McShane
     Assistant Principal: Mission

MINISTRY

Ignite - Week 10

The Ignite Conference is fast approaching. Thanks to those students who are attending this exciting and fun few days. Ignite runs from Thursday 21st to Sunday 24th September in Brisbane.

Students will leave by bus on Thursday from the College at approximately 1pm with Miss Grace Molloy and Mrs Cathy Cripps. As this is our Year 12 Graduation Mass Day students will need to wear their dress uniform that morning to school and change, before we leave, into smart casual clothes. Students need to keep an eye out for more information via their school email about where to meet, leave their bags and what to bring.

Ignite is a dynamic and contemporary Catholic conference for adults, teenagers and children. Since it began

in 2001, it has grown to become one of the largest Catholic youth events of its kind in Australia. The Ignite

experience gets bigger every year and now regularly attracts over 1,500 young people, ministry leaders,

priests, religious and parents from across our nation and beyond.

G.O.A.T - attention Year 10 Boys!

 In 2023 we are pleased to announce G.O.A.T., the newest addition to the Student Discipleship Continuum provided by the CSO. G.O.A.T. is a two-day retreat experience for Year 10 male students that focuses on inspiring the participants to embrace their purpose and passion as young Catholic men.

G.O.A.T. is designed to provide students with a transformative faith experience as they embark on their journey through manhood, guided by the life of Jesus, the saints and the teachings of the Catholic Church. The retreat will emphasise their capacity to become a gift of service to others by living out a radical adventure as a young Catholic man.

Year 10 boys have been sent a google form to apply for this experience. There are only 8 places available.

Students will be notified if they are successful. Please encourage them to apply.

    Grace Molloy

    Leader of Evangelization

Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Mt St Patrick College is a Good School because it offers so many opportunities for a diverse group of students. The past week has been a continuous showcase of our practical subjects. Last Wednesday evening 30^th August was the first TAS showcase exhibiting the work of students from all subjects offered by the Technology Department. Over 200 parents and friends braved the bad weather to admire the work of the students.

On Tuesday evening 5^th September another 200 people were entertained by the creative Arts Faculty along with the viewing of the Multimedia, Design and Technology and Timber HSC class’ projects. The standard of projects and performances were outstanding. The night at the Regent Theatre has been an annual event organised by Mrs Natalie Webster. The practical subjects allow students to ‘find their tribe’ of like-minded students and allow their creativity to be displayed.

Thank you to all the teachers of the HSC practical subjects that go above and beyond to enable the students to produce the best projects possible and to find their passion.

The recent Big Day Out held on Tuesday 29^th August was an amazing display of school spirit. Each class dressed in a theme and the standard of the dressing up was amazing. We started the day with a parade of the class costumes, I am proud to say that every staff member and student made a huge effort.

Year 12 lead the way with their enthusiastic display of school spirit all dressed as the Bull Pits. Pictured below are Mrs East’s range of Barbie Dolls.

Lunchtime was a conglomerate of food stalls, bands and activities for everyone to enjoy. Sadly our staff vs student Touch Football game was abandoned due to lightning but we displayed adaptability with everyone moving to the Gilbey Centre where Mr Nix, Olivia Bagnall and Chelsea Templeton ‘shaved for a cure’.

Thank you Mt St Pats for an awesome display of school spirit.

    Narelle Sherrah

    Assistant Principal – Learning and Teaching

Curriculum

Term 3 is a busy time for all students at the College. Year 11 are about to begin their Preliminary Final assessment block on Friday 8th September and we wish Year 11 and our Accelerated Year 10 students all the best in their final assessment preparations.

The following are some timely reminders for all year groups of the steps needed for assessment readiness. Students should:

• check dates on the Assessment Google Calendar
• read carefully the details required for an assessment. This can be found on the MSPC Assessment Portal, along with other important information regarding assessments. Students can access this using their school login and password
• Additional resources / details may be resourced in Google classrooms as directed by the Classroom Teacher.

In preparing for assessments, students should:

• set up a quiet space at home where they can focus and prepare for their assessment
• practice writing under timed conditions where this is a skill required for an assessment
• keep a copy of assessment answers. This can be a photograph or a scan of written work and can be uploaded to a student’s Google Drive for safe keeping.

If students are unsure of what is expected, they are encouraged to be proactive and ask for help from their teacher or the Leader of Learning for that subject.

I wish students all the best with their studies and encourage them to stay focused and to do their best.

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.

The following table details the upcoming assessments for Weeks 9 and 10. Students should always check their assessment calendar on the Assessment Portal, to ensure changes have not been made since this publication.

    Jo McDonald

    Leader of Curriculum

Welfare

More and more students and parents are annoyed with bullying which either involves themselves, friends or the wider school population. They are speaking out and want the students involved, held to account.

We need to be promoting a safe environment for our children.

Standing up to bullies can be difficult but it's important to assert yourself and protect your well-being. Here are a few tips to help you navigate such situations:

1. Stay Calm: Keep your emotions in check when facing a bully. Staying calm helps you think more clearly and react appropriately.
2. Assertiveness: Be firm and direct in your response, clearly stating that you won't tolerate their behaviour. Use confident body language and a strong tone of voice.
3. Seek Support: Talk to trusted friends, family members, or teachers about what you're experiencing. They can provide advice and support, and sometimes having someone intervene on your behalf can be effective.
4. Document Incidents: Keep track of any bullying incidents, including dates, times, and details of what happened. This documentation may be helpful if you need to report the bullying to a higher authority.
5. Report Bullying: If the situation persists, inform an appropriate authority figure, like a teacher, leader of wellbeing or principal. They can initiate further action to address the issue.
6. Build Confidence: Engage in activities that boost your self-confidence, such as pursuing hobbies, sports, or other interests. Confidence can help you feel empowered when confronting bullies.
7. Safety First: It's essential to prioritise your safety. If you believe your safety is at risk, remove yourself from the situation and seek help immediately.
8. Practice Self-care: Take care of your physical and emotional well-being by engaging in activities you enjoy, talking to supportive people, and practising relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation.

Remember, it's a brave step to stand up to bullies, but you don't have to face it alone. Reach out for support when you need it.

Together, let’s call out behaviour that’s unacceptable at Mt St Pat’s and unfair and damaging to our students. The “snitch” tag is not in line with our values. It’s a cop out to allow bullying and poor behaviour of others to occur.

    Louise Shields

    Leader of Student Welfare

Faculty News

HSIE

EKKA Excursion

On Monday 14th August our Year 10 Commerce and Year 11 Business Studies students attended the EKKA (the Royal Brisbane Show). The EKKA is Queensland’s largest annual event and brings the city and country together in a celebration of agricultural and commercial enterprises.

It was a very warm day and so busy (a public holiday in Brisbane). Accompanied by teachers Mr Weetman, Ms Boxshall and Mr Acret the students’ main focus was the marketing and promotion of different products at the Exhibition. In addition, they were able to enjoy the strawberry sundaes, dagwood dogs, free food samples, crazy rides, woodchopping, lots of animals and of course the showbags - something for everyone! This is the unique experience of the EKKA.

The students conducted themselves impeccably - deadlines were met, worksheets were submitted and we were able to get home at a reasonable hour - an enjoyable day for all!

    Michael Acret

    Assistant Leader of Learning: HSIE

DRAMA

YEAR 12 DRAMA

The outstanding work ethic, tenacity and talents of the Year 12 Drama class culminated in the submission and performance of their Individual and Group Projects. The students should feel incredibly proud of the work created. This year was the most diverse range of Projects ever created and included a Set Design, a Video Drama, a Script, a Promotion and Publicity Design Project and four individual performances. I feel incredibly blessed to have shared the last two years with this ensemble. Their kindness, integrity and good humoured temperaments will serve them incredibly well in their post-school lives.

    Michael Lill

FROM THE SPORTS DESK

DIOCESAN ATHLETICS REPORT

On Wednesday, 23^rd August, the Athletics team embarked on their journey to Coffs Harbour in the early hours. The dedication and active involvement of our athletes on this day was outstanding! It was amazing to see many students taking part in events that may not have been their primary focus, showing their willingness to challenge themselves and support their school. Our students exhibited exceptional enthusiasm and were cheering the loudest for their team throughout the day.

Congratulations to all the athletes who competed on the day, especially to Erin Lanyon, breaking the Junior Girls Triple Jump record at the end of the day with a massive jump of 10.81m (previous record 10.56m). 

Well done to Chloe Martin - 16 Girls Age Champion, Aila Martin - 12 Girls Runner Up Age Champion and Yohanna Uhlmann - 13 Girls Runner Up Age Champion.

NSWCCC ATHLETICS

After fantastic performances at Diocesan Athletics in Coffs Harbour, the following 8 students will be representing MSPC as part of the Lismore Diocese at the NSWCCC Athletics Championships to be held in Sydney on the 9th September. We wish them the best of luck:

Erin Lanyon, Elijah Keyes, Yohanna Uhlmann, Sam Hynes, Amali Moore, Seth Moore, Aila Martin and Chloe Martin.

NRCC AUSSIE RULES

This week saw MSPC teams compete in the NRCC Aussie Rules Gala Days at Byron Bay. Our juniors competed on Tuesday (report below) and our intermediates competed on Thursday 7th September, a report of their efforts in our next newsletter.

NRCC JUNIOR GIRLS - CHAMPIONS

The NRCC Junior AFL girls had a triumphant day at the GALA Day on Tuesday 5^th September, winning three games and playing to a thrilling draw in another. Their remarkable performance showcased their talent and teamwork. Led by standout performances from players like Paige, Marnie, Charlotte and Harper, the team consistently delivered on the scoreboard. The day was a testament to their skill and resilience, leaving a lasting impression on all who witnessed their achievements. Congratulations to the NRCC Junior AFL girls for their outstanding performance and remarkable success on the field!

    Coach: E McHugh and M Aitchison

NRCC JUNIOR BOYS

Mount Saint Patrick College showcased exceptional talent at the Junior AFL Q Gala Day in Byron Bay, despite challenging hot and windy conditions. While we lost in the semi-final to the eventual winner, McAuley Catholic College from Grafton, our students' performance was nothing short of impressive and they represented the College extremely well.

Best Players for the day included Lachlan Adams, Jake Pollard and Miki Gronholt.

    Coach: J Hetherington

    Tim Whitney
    Sports Co-ordinator

College News

Year 8 Parents activity week reminder.

Parents are reminded that time is running out to secure a place on the Year 9 (2024) Snow trip for activity week in Term 3 Week 3 2024. All students received a letter of explanation, and parents received the electronic Compass notification, which asked for a $200 deposit to secure a place on the trip if you are interested. Places are limited to 104 students and are filling. Please, if you are considering this as an option for your child, make contact with the finance team for the College and make your payment to secure a spot before they run out.

    Tim Whitney

Please click on the link below to view footage of the 'Write a book in a day' project.

Thank you again to all of the staff and students who entered the first MSPC FOTP Pet Photo Competition. Lucan had so much fun choosing the winners! What a fun lunchtime that was!!! Entries were exceptional and we cannot wait to see what photos you have in store for the competition next year.

A huge congratulations also to Sonia Trichter (FOTP president) and all of the dedicated volunteers at FOTP Tweed. Last week at the Tweed Business Awards, FOTP was acknowledged as a finalist in the charity section.

Please don’t forget, FOTP needs PEOPLE POWER! Please follow and like them on Facebook and Instagram. They need as many people as possible, seeing and sharing the weekly posts of cats and dogs available and in need of a new home.

Website https://friendsofthepound.com/ 

FB https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofthePound

INSTA https://www.instagram.com/friendsofthepound/

    Susan Waters - Leader of Lucan

Community News