MSPC Newsletter - Term 2, Week 4, 24th May 2024.
Principal
At our last assembly I spoke about the importance of our school theme, “better together” and I explored the notion of how we not only need to be “better together” but sometimes we can be worse together. I spoke about a couple of examples, more recently of the behaviour from some of our students on our buses and at the bus stops and how that impacted our relationship in the community, as well as our reputation and how the behaviours of a small number of students impacts a large number of us.
I challenge our students to call out that behaviour. If they couldn't do it publicly then do it privately by sending emails or messages or contacting staff anonymously to tell us who and what's been going on.
Conversely, I spoke about how “better together” we can be and a really good example was our Year 12 students' donations to the blood bank which was inspirationally led by Mrs. Tilsley, staff and the students, who are 18 or above. Many attended the blood bank to donate, and when I went with them, one of the nurses there commented that she'd never seen anything like this, seeing students in uniform in large numbers coming from a school to donate blood. She talked about how amazing and wonderful that our school could do that and that each of these units of blood would help save lives and I, as Principal, was very proud, but not surprised as these were the real reflections of our students in our school. That is who we are, and that is who our true identity is and that reflects on us being “better together”.
Gavin Dykes
Principal
Assistant Principal - Mission
Tell Them From Me Survey
Thanks to the many parents, students and staff who completed this survey which will provide us with valuable feedback. The survey window closes at 4.30pm today and we should soon be able to share the aggregated data.
Term 2 Staff Development Days 28/5/24 5/7/24
Next Tuesday 28th May is the Staff Proclaim Day where all Murwillumbah Catholic school staff are required to be at St Joseph’s College, Banora Point for the day.
Friday 5th July is a Staff Spirituality Day.
On both of these days’ students are not required to be in attendance at the College.
Parish/House Mass and Morning Tea Sunday 9am 16th June
Loreto and Doyle Houses invite all members of the College community to share Mass and Morning Tea from 9am on Sunday 16th June. Wear blue or pink (the colours of Loreto and Doyle).
Feast Day of Mary Help of Christians (of the Southern Cross)
Mary, the mother of God, was chosen early in the life of the Catholic church in this country, as the protector or patroness of Australia. She is also the patron of Loreto House and her Feast Day is celebrated today 24th May. The following prayer was prayed in homeroom time this morning.
Loving God,
Deepen in our hearts our love of Mary, Help of Christians.
Through Her prayers, and under Her protection, may the Light of Christ shine
over our land and may your blessing remain with us always. Amen
Mary Help of Christians, pray for us.
Mary-Anne McShane
Assistant Principal: Mission
MINISTRY
Street Retreat 2024
Thank you to all the Year 11 students who applied to attend Street Retreat this year. It was really heartening to have so many students apply. We wish we could take you all. Congratulations to Fynn Jones, Jesse Barrett, Elise Page, Crystal Vernon, Rhys Johnston and Indiana Wadley who will be attending Street Retreat later in June. Thank you also to Mrs Webster who will be attending with our group this year. Street Retreat is a valuable experience for our students and gives them the opportunity to serve others and give back to those less fortunate.
Festa Christi Year 8
In 2024, two groups of seventy-four, Year 8 students (divided into male and female groups) from across the Diocese are invited to attend Festa Christi, a two-day retreat experience with activities that focus on ‘walking in another person’s shoes’, having the students overcoming their fears and gaining a greater awareness of social justice. The program will also include time for prayer and reflection and conclude with the celebration of the Eucharist. This year students will travel to Coffs Coast Adventure Centre, Bonville
The Boy’s Retreat will be on Tuesday 6th – Wednesday 7th August, 2024.
The Girl’s Retreat will be on Thursday 8th – Friday 9th August, 2024.
If Year 8 students would like to be considered to attend, please come and see Thomas McGhee our College Youth Minister to get an Expression of Interest Form. Students will be notified if they have been selected. This year we can only take 6 boys and 6 girls.
Weekday Mass opportunity for students, parents and staff
Each Thursday morning Fr Peter Wood says mass for staff, students and parishioners in the Sacred Heart Church beginning at 8:15am. This is a short mass and finishes before homeroom. Students and parents are more than welcome to attend if they wish. They are free to sit wherever they please and to enjoy the mass before school begins. If you would like more information about this, please come and see Miss Molloy.
Upcoming House Mass - Loreto and Doyle House Mass
Last year we began a wonderful new initiative in which students and staff from our eight college houses prepared a weekend mass for the parish and served morning tea or dinner for parishioners and guests.
This year we are continuing to have these masses, which began with Ignatius and Romero House earlier in the year, which was a great success.
Loreto and Doyle House will celebrate with the parish at the 9am mass on Sunday 16th June and provide morning tea following mass. Please save the date if you are in these houses. As always, all students, staff and parents are welcome. It is such a wonderful opportunity to come together as a school and parish community. More information to come.
God bless,
Grace Molloy
Leader of Evangelisation
Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
Mt St Patrick College has an outstanding reputation for preparing students for academic success at their level. The goal is for each student to learn how to prepare for examinations and assessments to demonstrate their learning. Term 2 at the College has a focus on students preparing and completing assessments in a block of time. Each year group has been allocated an assessment block where they will complete an assessment task for most of their subjects.
The idea of the assessment blocks is to give the students the experience of focussing on all subjects. During the block, the students will be allocated time for studying and completing the tasks. Feedback from these tasks provides teachers with the data to direct learning in the future and let students know where they are in their learning.
The assessment blocks are-: Week 5- Year 8 and 10, Week 6- Year 9, Week 8- Year 12 and Week 9- Year 11. Year 7 continue with their more informal assessment tasks and do not have assessment blocks until semester 2.
The students are encouraged to prepare for the assessments and to do their best without undue stress. We have found that this process allows students to gradually develop examination and assessment skills from Year 7 to Year 12.
The Year 11 and 12 Reports have been sent home and parents are invited to schedule a parent/student/teacher conference on Wednesday 29th May to discuss the student's progress. These conferences are an important ingredient in ensuring the student’s success. The conferences focus on identifying strengths and addressing concerns. The partnership between the school and the home is integral in supporting student learning. The conferences can be booked online through COMPASS.
Year 10 have commenced their preparation for deciding the next exciting chapter of their educational journey. In careers classes, Mrs Flood and Ms Simpson have been guiding students through possible career pathways. Students are guided through the different possible pathways both at the College and outside. On 5th and 6th June, the students will attend a round robin where teachers will outline the subjects that are on offer at Mt St Patrick College.
An important information meeting for parents will then take place in the Gilbey Centre on Thursday 13th June where parents will be informed about possible pathways and the subjects on offer at the College. We look forward to guiding the students and parents through this next phase of their education.
Narelle Sherrah
Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
Welfare
Online Safety Essential Conversations: Consent for Sharing Photos and Videos
Teaching young people about the importance of consent when sharing images is crucial in today's digital age. It's essential for them to understand that sharing someone else's images without their consent is not only disrespectful but also potentially harmful.
Start by discussing the concept of consent in general, emphasising that it applies to all aspects of life, including digital interactions. Explain that just as they need permission before entering another person's personal space, they also need consent before sharing someone else's image online.
Encourage open and honest conversations about the potential consequences of sharing images without consent, including legal ramifications and damage to relationships. Emphasise the importance of respecting others' privacy and boundaries, both online and offline.
Provide practical tips for obtaining consent before sharing images, such as asking for permission directly from the person in the photo or video and respecting their decision if they decline. Remind them that it's always better to err on the side of caution and respect others' wishes regarding their personal information. You can also model respectful practices within your own family by asking your child’s permission before posting pictures of them online.
Important tips to discuss with your young person from eSafety
- Always ask before taking a photo or
- Always ask before sharing photos or videos of
- Always check and follow any special rules set by your school, sports team or other groups you’re involved with when using social media.
- If someone asks you to remove a photo or video of them, do
- Call out bullying or other abusive behaviour online. If you’ve seen someone post a photo or video to humiliate or make fun of another person, you can choose to support the person being bullied – this makes you an upstander.
Read more at eSafety Consent for sharing photos and videos
If you have any concerns about your young person please contact the school. It is important for the school to know any wellbeing issues that may impact on learning and behaviour at school.
Louise Shields
Leader of Wellbeing
Curriculum
As Years 8 to 10 students are moving towards their assessment week, they should be revising the content they will be assessed on as part of their home study routine. Students are encouraged to be proactive with their learning and if they are unsure of expectations, they should seek clarification and discuss this with their teacher.
Students can access all information regarding their assessments via the Assessment Portal which is found on the MSPC Moodle Site. Students need to use their school log in to access this.
Year 12 students and Year 11 Accelerated students have been advised that the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has published the 2024 HSC Timetable and this is available on their website, along with information for practical and performance subjects and language oral examinations. Students can find important information and web links on the year page of the MSPC Assessment Portal.
PLEASE NOTE: The following is an assessment overview for Weeks 5 and 6 of Term 2. Students should check their assessment calendar on the portal for accuracy and to ensure that changes have not been made since publishing this guide.
Upcoming assessment blocks are as follows:
The Assessment Policy is detailed on the front page of the Assessment Portal which can be accessed on the MSPC Moodle Page. Information Handbooks are on the Portal.
Illness / Absence - Assessments: Years 7, 8 and 9
If a student is sick and unable to complete an assessment on the due date, Years 7, 8 and 9 (see below for 9 Accelerated) require a letter from a parent / carer or email to the class teacher, detailing the student’s circumstances for non-completion of an assessment task.
Illness - Assessments: Years 9 Accelerated and 10, 11 and 12
For Years 9 Accelerated, 10, 11 and 12 a medical practitioner is required to complete the MSPC Assessment Variation Illness Form. A copy of this document can be found on the student’s year page of the Assessment Portal.
Jo McDonald
Leader of Curriculum
Faculty News
ENGLISH
International Women’s Day Writing Competition
Over three newsletters we are sharing the winning entry and runners up of the International Women’s Day Writing Competition. We hope you enjoyed reading Alexis Pelikan’s winning entry in the last Newsletter. This week, please enjoy reading a runner up entry by Sophia Drew (Year 8).
Nana
She folds,
She talks,
She smiles,
I smile,
This is my Nana.
With an elegant whoosh the clothes are folded,
Her gaze would never even resemble a smouldered
fire in which coals burn,
Ice cream in a forever churn.
Pancakes and up and go’s,
Her unending love always shows,
In every single thing she does,
an elegant swan, a flying dove.
Her favourite animal? A kookaburra,
One of her sons moved to live in Canberra,
The other moved over here to Tweed,
not a follower, but a lead.
The final one stayed where he grew up,
but she left them, to really shake up,
her life and live in a caravan,
make use of these beaches and get a tan.
Then she got skin cancer,
a quickly spreading chancer,
black veins spread along her chest,
lay down for her final rest.
Then she got treatment,
continued to be benignant,
got up and running again,
now I visit her almost every weekend.
She is basically one of the goddesses,
At the place she works she sells bodices,
It's a really fancy place just like Caba
Yes! She loves her job at Saba.
For my tenth birthday she took me to high tea,
A thing she's been wanting to do since I was tiny,
we had cute little cups and tiny little snacks,
of my birthday it was the climax.
This is my Nana,
she works at Saba,
she makes me smile,
her kindness is in the first percentile.
Courage to Care
Dear parents and caregivers,
I am delighted to share with you the remarkable experience our Year 9 students had on Wednesday15th May. We had the privilege of hosting Courage to Care, a not-for-profit organisation that travels to schools spreading awareness of the importance of being an upstander in society rather than a bystander, using the Holocaust as their framework. We heard from an extraordinary survivor, Judy, who, along with her mother, endured unimaginable hardships in her home country of Hungary during the Second World War. Judy shared her harrowing story, specifically focusing on three instances where individuals acted against the Nazi regime to save her and her mother’s lives. This visit left an indelible mark on our students and the teachers who attended the event: Mrs Shoobridge, Ms Molzow, Miss McHugh, Mrs Barone, Miss Larkin and Miss O’Hare.
Our Year 9 students engaged in thoughtful conversations about the importance of standing up against injustice and the consequences of remaining silent. The stories they heard fueled a desire within them to be active participants in their communities, to challenge prejudice, and to extend a helping hand to those in need. Witnessing such growth and empathy in our students was a testament to the profound impact of firsthand accounts and the power of storytelling.
I would like to express my gratitude to the Year 9 students for their attentiveness, compassion and engagement, during this learning experience.
It is my hope that the lessons our students learned from Judy and the other presenters will remain with them throughout their lives.
Katie Pinkstone
Leader of Learning: English
A NOTE FROM THE SCIENCE DESK
From Monday 13th to Wednesday 15th May, Mt St Patrick Year 12 students, teachers and our Principal donated blood at the Life Blood bus outside Sunnyside Mall. A decision to donate blood can save three lives, especially if your blood is separated into its components – red cells, platelets and plasma – which can be used individually for patients with specific conditions. As blood stores on the eastern seaboard of Australia are running very low this was an important community event. If you would like to donate blood, the Red Cross Donation website is below.
MATHEMATICS NEWS
Year 7
Towards the end of Term 1, Year 7 were working through Topic 2: Understanding fractions, decimals and percentages. The concepts covered in this topic are the building blocks for so many future topics that the students will study while at high school. For that reason, the wonderful teachers at MSPC go above and beyond, offering students engaging learning experiences that aim to promote a high level of conceptual understanding for all students. Mrs Cathy Cripps delivered a fantastic lesson in which students used concrete materials (playdoh) to strengthen their understanding of decimal place value. I am sure it is a lesson that the students will not forget and I thank her for generously opening up the classroom to some of the other members of the Mathematics faculty to witness the lesson and build upon their own teaching skills.
Year 7 are now currently being introduced to Algebra! This is always an exciting time as it is a branch of mathematics that is associated with being a high school student. At the end of this topic, the Year 7 classes will be rearranged and I will provide both students and parents with more information about this when it happens.
Year 7 & Year 8 collaborative problem-solvers!
At the beginning of this term, some of our Year 7 and Year 8 students participated in the Bebras Challenge. Bebras is a fun and engaging computational thinking challenge for students in Years 3 -12. It is an international challenge that involves over 2.9 million students from 60 countries.
Lithuanian for beaver, Bebras was the name chosen by the founder of the challenge, Professor Valentina Dagiene from the University of Vilnius, in honour of the animal’s collaborative nature and strong work ethic.
The students appeared to relish the opportunity to work collaboratively with one another, solving problems that were quite different to those experienced in the traditional Mathematics classroom. Some examples of problems similar to those which the students worked on can be found here.
Collectively, our students achieved the following results:
- 8 certificates of Participation
- 13 certificates of Merit
- 21 certificates of Credit
- 5 certificates of Distinction: Hazel Egan, Xander Hoade, Max Pollard, Shanti-Rose Smyth, Wren Webster
- 1 certificate of High Distinction: Harry Fitzmaurice
Well done to all involved and it is hoped that we can offer this excellent experience to the rest of our students, when Round 2 of the challenge takes place at the beginning of Term 4.
I would like to thank Mrs Michelle Delaney and Mrs Ashlie Pinter for helping to facilitate this experience for their classes.
Dan Anderson
Leader of Learning: Mathematics
FROM THE SPORTS DESK
NRCC HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS
BOYS - Joint winners
On Tuesday 14th May our Open Boys hockey team travelled to Lismore to compete in the NRCC Championships. With just 11 players in the team we knew we would be in for a tiring day, but spirits were high.
We had 4 games during the day and results were as allows:
MSPC 2 - XCC 1
MSPC 2 - WOODLAWN 1
MSPC 0 - TRINITY 0 (This was a massive effort by the team at the end of the day)
MSPC 7 - CASINO 0
Brilliant leadership from our Captain Vann O’Keefe led his team around the park, some players new to the game and others with years of experience gelled beautifully as the day progressed. Solid efforts in game 1 & 2 had us peaking for the tough Round 3 game against Trinity. Both teams had several chances. TCC could not get past our keeper Zane Booth who repelled several shots.
When the final whistle blew, we knew what we had to do and defeating Casino decisively gave us a chance for the overall title. We needed 7 goals to tie TCC and with 2.7 sec left in the match a short corner was awarded which we converted after the final siren to get our 7th goal. This meant the team finished on 11 points with Trinity, both had a for / against goal differential of 9 and because of our drawn game, we were awarded joint winners. A fantastic result. Well done boys.
Tim Whitney
L to R: Simon Smith, Luca Stuart, Samuel Acret, Tully Fitzpatrick, Isaac East, Ben Hendrikse, Ty Loughman, Vann O'Keefe, Harrison Harvey, Martin Smith and Zane Booth (Goal Keeper)
GIRLS
Our girls team played well in Lismore, utilising their games against the other schools as training for their upcoming NSWCCC matches.
Without a goal keeper for the first game, it didn't take long until St Joseph Banora found the back of net through a strong short corner configuration. With more talk from behind, the girls were able to find positions to cover more in defence, to pull through with a 2-1 win.
After more familiarisation with each others’ speed and strengths, the girls contested well against Woodlawn but the Woodlawn midfield and defence proved strong, holding us to a 1-1 draw.
The hardest game of the day, was set to be Trinity Catholic College Lismore who we continue to play off against at State Championships. Some fantastic saves in goal from Bree Puntigam, kept us in close contest with a draw until Trinity slipped another one in close to the end. Stepping away with a 2-1 loss.
The girls displayed great sportmanship in Lismore and we wish them all the best down in Bathurst, as the continue to grow and develop as a team.
Ellen Seller
DIOCESAN CROSS COUNTRY
On Friday 17th May, 37 keen MSPC students made their way to Grafton to compete in the Diocesan Cross Country event. Despite travelling through heavy rain, we were greeted with blue skies, albeit a wet and muddy track.
Our 17 year girls, Amali Moore and Chloe Martin, were first up. They both expertly handled the 4km track and finished strong in 2nd and 5th places, respectively. The runners who followed did not disappoint, putting in incredible efforts to finish either the 4km course (16 year, 15 year and 14 year) or the 3km course (13 year and 12 year). At the conclusion of the event a total of 7 worthy MSPC runners had earned their place as representatives of the Lismore Diocese at the NSWCCC Cross Country Carnival to be held at the Sydney Equestrian Centre on 5th June 2024:
17 years girls
Amali Moore (2nd)
Chloe Martin (5th)
15 years girls
Hannah Windhorst (4th)
15 years boys
Stephan Pelikan (6th)
13 years girls
Ellie Durrington (2nd)
12 years girls
Mila Matson-Warren (4th)
Mia Collier (6th)
The entire group showed incredible school spirit, cheering each other on from the sidelines throughout the day. We even had a past student make the journey down to Grafton to show his support!
Ashlie Pinter
Tim Whitney
Sports Coordinator
College News
CAPA SHOWCASE
In Week 7, for one night and one night only, MSPC will hold the 2024 Music & Art Showcase. Doors open at 5:30pm 12th June, in the Gilbey Hall. Students, parents and friends are welcome to attend, free of charge and enjoy the talent and hard work of students from Yr 7-12.
Offering an art exhibition followed by a range of musical performances starting at 6pm, there will surely be something for everyone! Not to mention delicious food and drinks from our Cafe Signo team, led by Nick Rimmel, available in the Gilbey Foyer. So please save the date, and we hope to see you there!
Community News
