MSPC Newsletter - Term 1, Week 2, 8th February 2024.

Principal

I would like to welcome everyone back for the start of the 2024 school year, especially our new Year 7 students and their families. This is my first opportunity to communicate with you all via the college newsletter and I thank the MSPC community for my lovely welcome to Murwillumbah. Many of you will be aware that I have spent the last 11 years as principal of Xavier Catholic High school in Albury, which was a beautiful school community in its own right, and there are lots of similarities here at MSPC. My wife and I have four children, three who have finished school and one still studying. I look forward to working with you all into the future. Feel free to come and say hello if you see me around, or come in and see me at school.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank Mr Paul Reidy who preceded me in the role for generously sharing his time and knowledge of MSPC with me in the Term 3 holidays. I also want to acknowledge the great work of Mrs Narelle Sherrah who was Acting Principal in Term 4 2023. She did an excellent job in the very busy final ten weeks of the school year.

At our recent assembly the 2023 Year 12 cohort were welcomed and congratulated for their exceptional efforts as a group, and individually, in last year’s HSC. Amongst the many award recipients, our Dux William Quantrill (who received an ATAR of 99.45) spoke to the assembled community reflecting on his time here at MSPC. He spoke passionately about two principles for success in the HSC: the importance of staying calm under pressure; and building great relationships with his teachers. Following the assembly, a number of the Year 12 award recipients stayed behind to share their tips, tricks and strategies for navigating the last three terms of their HSC year with Year 12 2024.

New and returning staff were also introduced to the students at the first assembly. New staff members are Samantha Moffitt (Inclusion and Diversity), Amy Pascoe (Term 1 Business Studies & HSIE),Thomas McGee (College Youth Minister), Harriett Withers (Sport), Belinda Birney, Isobel Gresham, Kassandra Rice, Sophie Kirk (Teacher’s Aides), Layla Marr (IT Trainee) and Kharis Birney (Sport Trainee). Mitchel Rice returned from a year’s leave to be the Leader of Wellbeing for Lisieux and also teach Music. Lauren Bristow returned from Maternity Leave to teach HSIE and RE and Mackenzie Pinkstone returned to Financial Administration. Some familiar faces returned to the college after taking on new positions. They are Ashlie Pinter (Maths), Jess Whitelum (Counsellor), George Healy (Sport), Justine White and Matthew Aitchison (Teacher’s Aides). We wish them all a great year at MSPC.

At the assembly the new theme for the year “Better Together” was revealed. It was a collaborative effort from student leaders and school leadership. We like the reference in the theme to community and putting other people's needs ahead of your own, and working together to achieve great things. I gave an example of how our experiences of COVID 19 as a school community alienated many of us educationally, spiritually and impacted our well being, as we were not able to be close to some friends and family.

My final remarks to the students as they began a new school year was to try and set goals, and work hard to achieve them. I reminded them of the quote popularized by NBA basketballer Kevin Durant,  It is not necessarily about your ability or talent, it is always seeking to improve and to give your best.

So let’s be better together as we start this 2024 school year!

    Gavin Dykes
    Principal

Assistant Principal - Mission

Welcome Back to the 2024 School Year

College Swimming Carnival

The Carnival held last Friday 2^nd February was a great success despite the intense heat on the day. House Spirit was on display with Romero House winning the competition. Well done to all those who attended and those who competed in the array of events.  Thanks to the generous parents/students who donated delicious items for the P & F Cake Stall.

Opening College Mass

The student leaders for 2024 were inducted at today’s Inaugural College Mass celebrated by our Parish Priest, Fr Peter Wood. Parents of the leaders attended the Mass along with all the students and staff of the College. It was a great celebration of being ‘better together’.

Year 7 2024 Parent Information Evening

Parents and carers of Year 7 students are invited to an information evening to be held in the Gilbey Hall on Wednesday 14^th February from 6.30 – 7.45pm. Students do not need to attend.

Year 7 Treetops Challenge, Currumbin

All Year 7 will be attending the Treetops Challenge at Currumbin either on Friday 16^th February or Friday 23^rd February. Information has been sent home with students.

College School Photos

These photos will take place on Wednesday 28^th February. All students are to be in their full dress uniform on this day, even if they have a practical PE lesson on this day. Photo envelopes from ‘advancedlife’ were given to all students in homeroom on Thursday 8^th February to be taken home to parents. The whole ordering and payment process can be completed by parents online.

     Mary-Anne McShane
     Assistant Principal: Mission

MINISTRY

Welcome back to all our students and families for 2024. We especially welcome our Year 7 cohort for 2024, new students and staff. It will be another exciting and busy year for the ministry team with lots of events and other experiences happening. My role as Leader of Evangelisation is to provide all students with the opportunity to experience the Catholic faith. It is such a privilege to guide them on this journey, no matter where they are at and I am always happy for students to come and chat to me any time if they have questions or want to be part of any ministry events here at Mount St Patrick College.

Year 7 Transition Days in the Sacred Heart Church

From the first day of attendance, all our year 7 classes have had the opportunity to come and visit our beautiful Sacred Heart Church and meet Father Peter Wood. It has been very exciting to introduce Year 7 to our faith community and let them explore the church. Year 7 had an “access all areas” pass to the church and were able to explore the altar, sacristy, aisles, confessionals and many other things. I encourage you to ask your students about the experience and see what they can tell you. Our College Library was originally the Sacred Heart Church (opened in 1896). Our Gothic brick Sacred Heart Church, which is where we hold all our school masses, was opened in 1937. The altar and tabernacle are made of Italian marble and the church itself is dedicated to St Therese of Lisieux. Relics of hers reside in a small niche in the altar.

Year 7 completed their experience in the church by singing the song ‘All are Welcome’ which we will use at todays opening mass.

Year 12 Retreat

Just a reminder that the Year 12 Retreat is fast approaching. Year 12 will be at Camp Bornhoffen, Springbrook from Wednesday 21st February - Friday 23rd February. Students will travel via bus to and from the venue. All Year 12 have been emailed a packing list as well as some other information about dietary requirements. Parents/carers are asked to complete the compass online consent and payment by Monday 12th February. Attendance at this retreat is compulsory.

Year 10 Retreat

Parents and carers of Year 10 are asked to complete the online compass payment and consent form for the Year 10 Retreat 2024. Parents are also asked to read the additional information for some extra instructions. Attendance at this event is compulsory for Year 10 students. This year we are going to Tyalgum Ridge Retreat for the first time. The dates for this retreat are Wednesday 3rd to Friday 5th April. Students will travel via bus to and from the retreat. Students will be emailed a packing list and a dietary requirements form. Further information will be distributed to students and parents closer to the event.

Great Leadership Opportunity - LEAD Year 11 and 12 Students

The aim of LEAD is to promote school evangelisation and catechesis in a way that engages the passion, imagination and commitment of students to live as Christian disciples within the Catholic Community.

LEAD is about gathering with other young people from across the diocese for a common experience – encountering Jesus Christ and the Church, experiencing dynamic faith, being equipped for ministry and living the Christian life; empowered to impact the Church and the world.

When: Thursday 21st - Friday 22nd March, 2024

Where: McAuley Catholic College, Grafton

Travel: Students will leave school with Grace Molloy at (departure time - TBC) on Thursday 21st March and will return the following day to school at a time to be confirmed.

Cost: $20 per student

What to bring: You will be sleeping in classrooms like SHINE. Bring a sleeping bag, pillow and a camping or blow up mattress (if you would like a little comfort).

Any students interested in attending need to see Miss Molloy in the next few weeks.

Wishing everyone a wonderful 2024.

God bless,

    Grace Molloy

    Leader of Evangelisation

Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Welcome to the 2024 school year. The students have commenced the year with great enthusiasm and I hope they all set individual goals to grow in their learning.

Opening College Assembly

Our opening assembly recognised the extraordinary achievements of the HSC class of 2023. Once again Mt St Patrick College was the top performing school in the Tweed area. The College was ranked 140 in the prestigious Top 200 schools list. This is the 15th time we have been named on this list since 2006. This is an amazing achievement for this little school in this little town. We are proud of the fact that we mix it with the selective schools of Sydney and out perform many high fee paying schools. Congratulations to the students, the teachers and the parents as it is a team effort. These results do not happen by accident, they are the exit ticket for a well planned curriculum that sets up a culture of success for all students to achieve their best.

College students received 74 Band 6 results which is a mark over 90 in a subject.10 of the Band 6 results were achieved by Year 11 accelerated students who now have the advantage of having completed a HSC course 1 year ahead of their cohort.

Alexander Wellm achieved a Band 6 in Mathematics as a Year 9 student which is absolutely outstanding. 20 of our students received an ATAR over 90 which ranks them in the top 10% of the HSC cohort of NSW. 23 of our students achieved a Certificate II or III in VET subjects.

William Quantrill was presented the DUX trophy of 2023 with an ATAR of 99.45. Elizabeth Warne achieved second aggregate and Anja Griffin was placed 3rd. William addressed the assembly about his charismatic approach to life and advised the students not to stress and find the joy in subjects so that study is not an onerous task. He implored students to start early and not to be a crammer.

Dylan Gale was presented with an award for his outstanding achievement of being placed 5th in the state in Industrial Technology: Multimedia. Dylan’s major project was selected in the Inshape exhibition which is an exhibition of outstanding major works. Brayden De Jonge, Cashlin Townsend (Multimedia) and Sasha Hendrikse (Art Express) were also successful in being nominated for their major works.

HSC Forum

At the conclusion of the assembly the successful students addressed Year 12 2024 in a forum to pass on their experiences. The main advice was start early, don’t stress and do your best and help each other.

The cohort of 2023 were exceptional. They involved themselves in all aspects of the College and thoroughly enjoyed the comaradery of encouraging each other. We wish Year 12 all the best in their exciting future and hope they keep in touch. Please remember that you may no longer attend Mt St Pats as a student but you will always be a Patty’s kid. Thank you.

Nepal Trip

Thank you to Lily Van Den Driest who reflected on the Nepal trip organised by Jim Smith for Year 12 students at the conclusion of their studies. The 11 students toured, trekked and performed community service in beautiful Nepal. Lily recommended this trip as an amazing experience for the cohort of 2024 to consider.

Welcome to Year 7 and our new students in other year groups. I would like to quote staff member Kath Swift who said to a new student “I hope you love Mt St Pats as much as I do”.

We look forward to supporting you on your journey of enjoying learning at “The Best School in the Universe”.

Year 7 Information night 14^th February, 6.30pm in the Gilbey Centre

 Year 7 parents are encouraged to attend the Year 7 information night on Wednesday 14th February at 6.30pm in the Gilbey Centre. At this night parents will meet the teachers of each learning group and be informed about the various aspects of education at Mt St Pats. This is the commencement of the important partnership between the College and home in the education of your child. Year 7 students are not required to attend with their parents.

    Narelle Sherrah

   Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Welfare

Welcome back to 2024. This year sees our eight houses gain even more momentum after a successful launch in 2023.

The student leaders, the whole student body and the staff, have started with the bar raised high. Our swimming carnival had fantastic attendance and participation. House Spirit was on show with lots of colour and fun. Congratulations to Romero House who were victorious on the day.

Each Head of House (Leader of Wellbeing) will be in touch with you soon, if they haven’t already, to introduce themselves as a key person in the social, emotional, spiritual and academic wellbeing of your child/ren. This will hopefully be the start of a positive relationship that will build over this year and beyond, to create a productive partnership to best assist your children.

At Mt St Pat’s we take pride in maintaining high expectations in attendance, behaviour and academic outcomes. To achieve this, sometimes we are required to challenge students. To make conversations easier, we are introducing simple language linked to our College Pillars, to guide these conversations. These pillars are based around three core principles, that if followed, help students thrive at MSPC. The three principles are: safe, respectful and engaged. Teachers will use these words in conversations with students and parents this year and beyond. We encourage you to do the same with your children.

    Louise Shields

    Leader of Student Welfare

Curriculum

Dear students, parents and carers

The start of a new year is always an exciting time. We commenced the year with a wonderful College assembly which celebrated our 2023 Year 12 cohort on their excellent HSC results. We are so proud of their efforts, determination and their many sterling achievements.

‘The philosopher Will Durant once sagely observed, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”  A tribute publication entitled, ‘Year 12 Excellence’ has been uploaded to the College website under the ‘Year 12 Excellence page’. The publication aims to acknowledge the breadth of excellence our Year 12 students have consistently demonstrated. We are so very proud of each and every one of them and wish them every happiness and success for their future endeavours.

Starting the year in a positive manner is very important and we encourage students to be organised and ask questions  if they are unsure of expectations.

A helpful checklist to assist students being organised includes:

* using the online Compass diary on a daily basis.

* ensuring the right books and materials have been packed for each lesson the night before.

* keeping track of deadlines and important dates and updating personal calendars.

* ensuring that assessments are planned for. Students are encouraged to use the assessment and study guide planners on the Assessment Portal.

* reviewing notes after class.

* finishing any incomplete work studied that day.

* established a workable home study routine and sticking to it.

* completing homework as it is due in a quiet designated space.

Assessment Notification

In the next newsletter I will publish a fortnightly overview of assessment tasks. Students can access assessment tasks and their assessment calendars via the Assessment Portal from the main MSPC page (see screenshot below).

Once they have settled in, Year 7 and new students to the College will be shown how to access the Assessment Portal. Students use their school email account and log in to access it.

On the Assessment Portal students can access:

• Assessment Rules and their Handbook. A summary of this can be found on the main page of the Assessment Portal.
• Assessment calendars.
• Assessment tasks in subject folders.
• Handbooks that contain important information: eg. homework and assessment policies.
• Exam timetables will be uploaded here.
• Study planners.
• Assessment Variation Application Forms.
• Senior Subject Change Application Form.
• Important weblinks for seniors.

I wish all students an exciting and focused start to their 2024 learning journey.

    Jo McDonald

    Leader of Curriculum

Faculty News

FROM THE SPORTS DESK

SWIMMING CARNIVAL REPORT

 A scorching hot day greeted all last Friday 2nd February for our annual College Swimming Carnival. A massive congratulations to team ROMERO - “Purple Reign” on their win.

A full list of the Carnival results follows, as well as a link to all male and female times.

Swim Times (click on the link)

GIRLS SWIM TIMES - 2024

BOYS SWIM TIMES - 2024

DIOCESAN INDIVIDUAL TOUCH FOOTBALL REGISTRATIONS (OPEN NOW)

As first mentioned in our last newsletter of 2023, the registration portal on the Lismore Diocesan Sport site, https://lismsport.schoolzineplus.com/ , has been opened for this event. Any representative level player can register for this invitation only event now. Details below

Any talented Touch football players who wish to apply to be considered to attend the Lismore Dio Trials for U15’s and Opens are asked to click the link below to complete the online registration form.

This is only a nomination form to be considered to attend. Diocesan coaches will sift through all applications and invite the top 30 players to trial. If successful the Lismore team will play in the NSWCCC trials on the Central Coast in week 11 of Term 1.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemSIs9X5RyZZ3gfBcZ9aMdnnamQ2FTzuUZlbTMw4qnW2n-xA/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0    

If successful with their application, students will be invited to attend the trials. If selected the NSWCCC event is on the Central Coast this year.

NSW All Schools Triathlon - close date 7 February 2024 - Championship date - Wednesday, 21 February at Sydney International Regatta Centre, Penrith - More information https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc-secondary/triathlon

JUNIOR SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR.

In a new initiative for our College we will now be awarding a Sports Person of the Year to a student in Years 7 - 10. Points will be allocated to all representation levels as well as Carnival performances. Coaches will also be asked to award a best and fairest for a team upon the completion of the pathway. At the end of the year in early December, winners will be announced and presented a certificate during the awards ceremony.

Points allocation will be given as follows:

1 Point       Winning an event at a school carnival (Athletics, Cross Country, Swimming)

5 Points     Representing the school at a NRCC event.

10 Points   Winning a NRCC Competition

                  Representing the College at a Diocesan carnival

20 Points   Best and Fairest in a NRCC / representative team

                  Age Champion at a College carnival

30 Points   Winning an event at a Diocesan carnival (Athletics, Swimming, Cross Country)

Representing the College at a statewide championship in a team / individual  sport in the CCC pathway

40 Points   Winning a medal at the CCC championships in any sport

                  Being selected in a NSWCCC individual or team sport

                  Dio Age Champion in any sport

50 Points   Winning a gold medal or the competition at NSWCCC level

60 Points   Winning a medal at NSW all schools championships

                  Being selected in a NSW all schools teams or individual

70 Points   Winning a gold medal at a NSW all schools championship

80 Points   Winning a medal at a National championship

90 Points   Winning a gold medal at a National championship

100 Points Representing Australia in any sport

DIO WINTER SPORTS TRIALS - TUESDAY 5TH MARCH

Applications are now open for any interested students from the College to register an expression of interest to attend the following sports:

• Open Boys and girls Football (soccer) - Thistles Football Club (East Lismore)
• U15 and Open Rugby League boys - St John’s College Woodlawn
• U16 and open Rugby League girls - St John’s College Woodlawn

 Registration can be completed by parents at the following web site. All applications will be sent to appointed coaches. These coaches will inform each school's sports coordinator of successful students they would like to invite to the trials.

Applications close Feb 16th.

Lismore Dio Sport Registrations

BOYS U15 AUSSIE RULES TRIALS

Northern NSW trials are on Tuesday March 26 and will be held at Feighan Oval, Warners Bay (near Newcastle).

To be eligible, you MUST be born in 2009 or 2010 ONLY. Expressions of interest for 2024 Boys AFL close on Friday 16th February, 2024. Please note - you must attend this trial, (if successful), to be considered for selection

Register here:

Lismore Dio Sport Registrations

PARENTS OF YR 9 STUDENTS

Your child will be involved in Hockey sessions for sport in Term 3 next year. All students require a mouthguard for the weekly visits. Some Health insurers offer a mouthguard a year depending on coverage level, some do not. Guards are available at most local chemists for approx $15. All students will be required to have their own mouthguard during these sessions.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Girls League Tag
• Diocesan Individual Touch Football
• Diocesan Open Basketball
• Diocesan Tennis

    Tim Whitney

    Sports Co-ordinator

College News

Awards

Mount Saint Patrick College HSC 2023

Distinguished Achievers – Band 6

Top Atars

William Quantrill

Kaleb Boddie 

Jamie Cotelli

Rosie Davis

Dylan Gale

Anja Griffin

Sasha Hendrikse

Tashi Masterman

Jayda McDermott

Rhiannon Nolan-Stiens

Maya O’Callaghan

Tabatha Stratton

Elizabeth Warne

Mia Page

Brayden de Jonge

Shana Kussrow

Sunny Hewitt

Cooper Shields

Isobel Gresham

Isaac Gibson

Jarrah Fitzpatrick

Top Achiever

Dylan Gale – Industrial Technology: Multimedia

5^th in the State

Top Achiever Nominations

Brayden De Jonge – Industrial Technology

Cashlin Townsend – Industrial Technology

Sasha Hendrikse – Art Express

All Rounders

William Quantrill

Elizabeth Warne

MSPC Perpetual Trophies

3rd Aggregate:  Anja Griffin

2^nd Aggregate:  Elizabeth Warne

DUX:  William Quantrill

Community News