MSPC Newsletter - Term 3, Week 6, 30th August 2024
Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to the end of Week 6, and I apologise that I was not able to make a contribution to the last newsletter, as I was very fortunate to be part of our Year 11 Solomon Islands immersion program.
It was an amazing experience to be part of, and I was particularly taken back by the way our students responded to the challenging and amazing circumstances that they were presented with when they arrived at the Solomons. The Solomon Islands is a beautiful place, a beautiful island in the middle of the Pacific, and the people are even more beautiful than the location itself. However, like a lot of places in the Pacific and in Southeast Asia, they experience poverty, which we don't see here on such a wide scale, and they manage to deal with that poverty in a way that challenges us here in Australia. They are very happy with their life and they struggle to make ends meet, but they believe powerfully in community, faith and their prayer is a very important part of that. So we have a lot to learn here in our very comfortable lives in Australia.
I'd like to thank Narelle Sherrah for her great work that she's done in leading these immersions over many years. Also, Tiziano Morosini, who also has worked closely with Narelle to support this program. We are fortunate to have the Solomon Island visitors from Bishop Epalle come to our school late in Term 4. We will keep you posted as to what this may involve from the College community in terms of support.
The next piece of information I think is important for families to be aware of, is that Work ‘N’ Country Gear have decided they will not be stocking the items for Mount St Patrick College or for the Primary School from this year on. They have decided for a number of reasons that they can't stock school uniforms at all, so we are currently looking for a provider. In the meantime, we have been talking with a number of uniform suppliers, and we hope to have an answer in the next few weeks. Obviously this is a big change to our policy and practice and we are trying to get something together so that families have access to uniforms in preparation for back to school in November to January.
We are currently interviewing for the School Captains for 2025. They spoke at last week's assembly and all 10 candidates are exceptional leaders and witness to Mount St Patrick College culture. On Monday, we will announce the 2025 School Captains, it's the culmination of a process that involves the speech, interviews, but also, importantly, the voting from staff and students. We wish all the candidates the very best and congratulate them all for an exceptional effort this year.
You will see that we are advertising some meetings for parents around social media that are coming up. We are looking at other options and opportunities for our families and for our students over the next few weeks and term to build better education for our community around the responsible use of social media.
Gavin Dykes
Principal
Assistant Principal - Mission
Lisieux and Ignatius Parish Mass and Morning Tea
Thanks to all those who attended a lively parish mass on Sunday morning 25th August at Sacred Heart Church. College students read the scriptures and Leaders of Wellbeing, Mr Rice (Lisieux) and Mrs Evans (Ignatius), spoke about their Houses’ charism.
Father’s Day Breakfast
Thanks to the dads and grandads who attended with their children on Friday 30th August. Mr Rimmel and his Year 10 Baristas provided first class beverages and Mr Rice, Mr Dykes and Jesse Barrett cooked up the ingredients for egg and bacon rolls. Best wishes to all fathers for this Sunday’s acknowledgement.
Budding Historians
Murwillumbah RSL Sub-Branch is inviting interested Year 9 – 11 College students to take part in a World War 1 Research Project. This will take place at Murwillumbah RSL from 4 – 5pm on Monday 9/9, 23/9, 7/10, 21/10 and 4/11 in order to create a digital honour roll to be showcased on Remembrance Day 11/11/24 at Murwillumbah Services Club. Please see Mrs Blazek or Miss McShane for an Application Form.
Save the date for ‘Parenting Teenagers in a Digital World’
Guest speaker, Chris Hudson, will be at the College Learning Hub on Wednesday 18th September. We will begin with refreshments at 6pm with Chris to begin at 6.30pm. Chris’ biography and the registration details are included in this newsletter.
Mary-Anne McShane
Assistant Principal: Mission
MINISTRY
SHINE Conference
Thanks to our Year 9 and 10 Ministry classes and our senior ministry leaders for attending SHINE Conference 2024. Our students were exceptional ambassadors and participants at the event and had a great time. Thank you especially to Mrs Cripps, Mr Windhorst and Mr Thomas McGhee for accompanying our students to the event. Thank you also to Fr Peter Wood who also attended SHINE.
A special thank you to our leaders, Jesse Barrett and Crystal Vernon for leading small groups on their first SHINE, and a very special thank you to Saskia Gray and Tahlia Males in Year 12 who are SHINE veterans and have been attending for many years. I thank them for their contribution and enthusiasm as Year 12 leaders on their last SHINE.
Student comments:
"I absolutely loved SHINE; I always do. However, this year's workshops were far better than last year's. I had a blast! I loved all three workshops I attended, which were 'Building a Cross,' 'Porn Kills Love,' and 'Yeah the Boys.' I’m keen on tomorrow’s 'Catch the Wave,' and I also loved Adoration. The silence and music brought me to tears as it allowed me to fully mourn one of my dogs, who was sadly put down three weeks ago due to stage five cancer. That time of silence was really good because it felt good to cry. Overall, I loved SHINE, especially the mosh pits. I highly recommend it to anyone attending next year!" - Luke Leach, Year 10
“I thoroughly enjoyed Justine's talk about how she has been courageous in her journey with God. The music was great and everyone was really nice”. - Maddison Shackell, Year 10
“SHINE was really fun! I especially liked hanging out with my friends and the concerts/mosh pits. Overall I would 100% go to SHINE again”. - Isabelle Bice, Year 9
“I absolutely loved Adoration. I found it really peaceful and calming. I also loved the mosh pit and hanging out with my friends”. Amelia Andrews, Year 10
"SHINE 2024, with the theme of BURN, was an amazing opportunity for us students to deepen our faith and grow new friendships with people our age within the Lismore Diocese. Through rallies with Wildfire, student testimonies, and breakout sessions, we enjoyed two days focusing on the important things in our lives and our personal faith journeys." - Saskia Gray, Year 12
Ignite Conference
A reminder that the Ignite Conference is on again this year. Thank you to those students who will be attending. Please make sure you have all registered.
Ignite is about gathering with other young people from across this corner of the world for a common experience – encountering Jesus Christ and the Church, experiencing dynamic faith, being equipped for ministry and living the Christian life, and empowered to impact the Church and the world.
When: Thursday 19th - Sunday 22nd September, 2024
Where: St Laurence’s College, South Brisbane
Students will be emailed final information and leaving times closer to the date.
Grace Molloy
Leader of Evangelisation
Assistant Principal- Learning & Teaching
On Tuesday 27th August the College celebrated ‘Big Day Out’ and students enjoyed participating in a myriad of games, activities and running stalls. Mrs Tilsley’s ‘Swap Meet’ of pre-loved clothes was a huge success again this year. Each of our eight houses participated in dressing up in their themed costumes and raised money for the Solomon Islands. Great fun was had by all. Photos of the event will be uploaded to our Facebook page and are included in this Newsletter.
Year 12 and Year 11 Accelerated students have now completed their Trial Examinations and there are many exciting events for them to look forward to. Year 12 will celebrate their achievements at our upcoming special Senior Honour Awards Assembly on Thursday 12th September. Our seniors have worked hard and we encourage them to remain focused on their studies. Now is an important time where students can continue to grow and consolidate their knowledge, skills and understanding of the complex texts, content and concepts they have studied. HSC students should continue to work closely with their teachers, complete past exam papers under timed exam conditions, attend scheduled lessons and tutorials, and be proactive in seeking feedback to refine their revision notes and materials.
Term 3 is a busy time for all students at the College. The following are some timely reminders for all year groups of the steps needed for being prepared for assessments. 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.
Jo McDonald
Acting Assistant Principal: Learning & Teaching
Curriculum
Year 11 Final Examinations
As we enter Week 7 of Term 3, it is vital to remember that the Year 11 final examinations are just around the corner. During the recent curriculum meeting, students have been briefed on the essential procedures to ensure a smooth exam period. It is imperative for students to regularly check the assessment portal for up-to-date information, including the detailed assessment schedule. Staying organised and informed through this portal will help in managing study time effectively and ensuring all requirements are met. We wish everyone the best of luck as they prepare for these important assessments.
Academic calendars - Assessment Portal
Students can access their academic calendar on the Moodle page under Calendar at the top, then the appropriate year group. Also on Moodle is the link to the Assessment Portal that is the ‘one stop shop’ for assessment and contains information regarding: Assessment Rules, Assessment Handbook, Assessment Calendar, Assessment Tasks, Study Planners and NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority).
Preparing for Assessments
Allowing time to prepare for assessments is crucial for students to be able to perform to the best of their ability. Assessments serve as an important milestone in a student's academic journey and preparing for assessments helps students develop good study habits, time management skills and effective revision strategies, all of which are essential for supporting a student’s progress in their studies.
Allowing time to prepare for assessments helps students identify their strengths and allows time to address areas for development. Students are encouraged to be proactive in preparing for assessments as part of their homework study routine. This can boost a student’s confidence, enhance their learning experience and equip them with the necessary skills for success in their studies.
Years 7 - 12 Upcoming Assessments - Term 3
The following is an assessment overview for Weeks 7 and 8 of Term 3. Students should check their assessment calendar on the portal for accuracy and to ensure that changes have not been made since publishing this guide.
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 year page of the Assessment Portal.
If a student is sick and unable to complete an assessment on the due date, Years 7, 8 and 9 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.
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.
Mr Corey Nix
Acting Leader of Curriculum
Welfare
This newsletter features Item 7 of our Online Education on pressures our children face from social media.
Please read the information below and openly speak with your children so we can keep them informed and aware. If any issues arise that you would like support with, please contact me at the College.
Online Safety Essential Conversations: Online hate
In today's digital era, guiding children and young people through the online landscape is imperative for parents. It's crucial to assist them in evaluating and reflecting critically on the content they come across online, as well as to emphasise the significance of their own online interactions and their potential effects on others.
Online hate encompasses any derogatory content targeting individuals or groups due to their race, religion, ethnicity, disability, or gender.
Talk to your young person about online hate. Do not wait for an incident to happen before discussing online hate. Initiate conversations about respectful online behaviour regularly, and use real-life examples or news stories to illustrate the impact of online hate.
Tips for parents from Internet Matters
- Model and encourage your young person to treat others as they want to be
- Advise your young person not to spread hateful or threatening content online but report
- Encourage your young person to have an open attitude and honest curiosity about other people because some instances of hate speech are based on ignorance or false information.
- Be attentive to terms that might creep into your young person's vocabulary. Sometimes they use harmful terms without realising.
- Expect that they will respect other online users and to think before making a comment, sharing an image or sending a message.
By engaging in open and honest conversations with your young person about online hate, you can help empower them to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly while promoting kindness and respect online.
Read more at eSafety Online hate.
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 Pastoral Care
Faculty News
COMMERCE
Year 9 Commerce - Goes to Movie World
On Friday 23rd August, our Year 9 Commerce (200 hour) students had the exciting opportunity to visit Movie World as part of their travel unit. The day was filled with engaging activities and insightful learning as the students participated in the Tourism Today & Tomorrow program.
Throughout the program, students explored various aspects of the tourism industry, including sustainable tourism practices implemented by Village Roadshow Theme Parks. They learned about the importance of understanding consumer needs, marketing strategies, motivation, decision-making, and customer satisfaction. The program also covered sales and marketing, highlighting the growing role of social media in promoting tourism.
In addition to the educational sessions, students discussed current issues affecting the tourism industry, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the industry has adapted to these challenges. The importance of supporting tourism workforces was also emphasised, giving students a broader understanding of the complexities involved in the travel and tourism sectors.
After the informative sessions, the students had the chance to experience the thrills and excitement of Movie World's iconic rides. The adrenaline-pumping DC Rivals HyperCoaster, the high-speed Superman Escape, and the adventurous Wild West Falls were among the highlights of the day. These thrilling rides not only provided a fun break but also allowed the students to experience firsthand how theme parks create memorable experiences for visitors, which ties into their learning about consumer satisfaction and the travel experience.
Overall, it was a fantastic day of learning and fun, providing our students with valuable insights into the world of tourism and equipping them with knowledge that will benefit their studies and future endeavours.
Ms Zoe Boxshall
Commerce Teacher
MARINE STUDIES
Stage 6 Marine Studies: Open Water Diving
At assembly last week, Peter and Liat Commerford from Tweed Sea Sports presented members of the 2023 and 2024 Yr 11 Marine Studies classes with PADI Open Water Diver Certificates. Completing the Open Water Diver course requires students to study SCUBA diving theory in class and pass a battery of tests related to that theory. The practical part of the course requires the completion of 5 dives.
In 2023 the weather played havoc with our plans and the class only completed the dives in November. The class of 2024 fared a little better and we had all the dives completed early in Term 2.
Big thanks goes to Peter, Liat and all the instructors at Tweed Sea Sports who once again were so professional. They all showed great knowledge and patience as they helped turn our nervous novices into certified Open Water Divers.
Mr Dan Keogh
Marine Studies Teacher
A NOTE FROM THE SCIENCE DESK
National Science Week
Week 4 was National Science Week. The school celebrated with three webinars: “Our oceans, our future”, “What can dinosaurs teach us?” and “Our survival depends on theirs”.
These webinars were interactive and taught the students about the value of biodiversity.
Mrs Jackie Tilsley
Earth and Environmental Science Teacher
FROM THE SPORTS DESK
NRCC AUSSIE RULES
INTERMEDIATE BOYS (Mr Hetherington)
Mount Saint Patrick College had an impressive showing at Byron Bay on Tuesday 20th August at the Cavanbah Centre, navigating extremely wet and muddy conditions with skill and determination.
The day started strong with a 34-16 win over Trinity College. Though we faced a setback with a narrow 2-8 loss to McAuley College Grafton, our team quickly bounced back. They went on an impressive winning streak, defeating Woodlawn 16-0, Casino 41-2, and Saint Joseph’s College 51-1 leading to their overall victory taking home the NRCC Intermediate Boys Shield.
Notable performances came from Sam Hynes, Dougall Hughes, Xavier Elliott, and Ky Scott, whose exceptional play was key to our success.
Despite the tough conditions, the MSPC team’s resilience and skill shone through, making Byron Bay a memorable and successful event. Congratulations to everyone involved!
Game day results below:
INTERMEDIATE GIRLS (Miss McHugh)
The NRCC AFL team had an outstanding performance at the School Gala Day on Tuesday 20th August, making it all the way to the grand final. The day kicked off with a strong win against Woodlawn (27-6), with Charlotte scoring 2 goals, and Tilda and Sienna each adding one. Although we faced a tough match against Grafton, narrowly losing 13-18, the team bounced back with an impressive victory over Trinity, winning 31-7. Tilda led the charge with 4 goals, supported by Tara’s goal.
In the grand final, NRCC showed true grit, facing off against Grafton once again. This time, the team emerged victorious, winning 19-9. Tilda secured 2 goals, and Matilda added another, sealing our well-deserved championship win! Congratulations to the entire team for their determination and sportsmanship!
Game day results below:
JUNIOR BOYS (Mr Van Den Driest)
The Yr 7 and 8 boys travelled to the Cavanbah Centre in Byron Bay to contest the annual NRCC Junior AFL Day along with 5 other Catholic Schools from our Region on Thursday 22nd August. We defeated Trinity College Lismore by 10 points in our first game and followed this with a resounding win against Grafton in Round 2.
We then proved too strong for Woodlawn, winning by 2 goals and continued our good form with a narrow victory over the powerful St Mary’s Casino. Our unbeaten run put us in the Grand Final against St Joseph’s Banora Point who were also undefeated. Unfortunately, we had our chances, but they proved too strong resulting in our boys going down by 10 points.
All participants played in the right spirit and were a credit to the College - displaying good sportsmanship at all times. The following players deserve special mention: Wyatt Greenhill, Bohdi Barton, Kade Brennan, Skooda Walle, Zac Stewart, Asher Staunton.
JUNIOR GIRLS (Mrs Evans)
Last Thursday 22nd August, 18 Year 7 and 8 girls competed in the annual NRCC Junior AFL day. It was a beautiful day with the girls representing MSPC proudly. The team had a mixture of girls who played regularly at club level, or who used to play, or those for their second time playing, to those who had never played before.
We played three round robin games winning all of these games against St Joseph’s College Banora, Woodlawn and Casino. The final game was between 1st and 2nd on the ladder and on a count back we played Grafton. This game was hard fought with tensions high on the field, however the girls came away with a 2 point win. The girls are pumped and ready to return next year and are hoping to be victorious in the QCup.
I want to acknowledge every girl who came on Thursday, you all put in 100% effort and supported each other on and off the field, what great team spirit. Special mention goes to Tylah who made sure the water was ready to go each game and to Paige, Clancy, Stella and Harper who were standouts on the day leading the team on and off the field. Thank you to the organisation of Tim Whitney, AFL QLD and our umpires Abbey and Tara for enabling the day to go ahead.
U14 GIRLS (Miss Birney)
On Monday, the U14 girls played in the NRCC Volleyball Competition in Casino. The girls had a fun day. Although the girls finished with no wins, their skills improved throughout each game.
The girls showed good sportsmanship and played well together.
U16 GIRLS (Mrs Dykes)
Under 16 Girls definitely enjoyed finishing on a high. The last game was a great one, winning easily. During the game Chelsea led the team, as she landed multiple winning shots. Ayla was our consistent server, placing the ball where opponents found it difficult to return. Charlize was strong everywhere on the court and Maddy was determined at the front of the net. Tara scored a winning point, with a ball from the boot and Steph with a flick over the net.
Our six, eight minute games over the day were over quickly and the girls showed good sportsmanship and confidence in themselves and each other. Well done.
U14 BOYS (Mr Priddis)
On Monday 26th August the U14 Boys team got their opportunity to represent the college at the NRCC Volleyball Tournament in Casino. After a few underwhelming training sessions the boys were able to showcase their team spirit and volleyball skills throughout the day.
The team played St Mary’s Casino (24-13 loss), Woodlawn College (24-18 loss), McAuley College (22-11 win), Trinity College (17-15 win) and St Joey’s Tweed (17-17 draw).
After what was a slow start to the day, the team was able to combine well together well for some fantastic play and finish the day off on a high. All players should be commended on how they approach the day and represented the college in true Patty’s fashion.
U16 BOYS (Mr Forrester)
The Under 16s boys were hoping to go one better this year as they headed to Casino for the NRCC Volleyball competition. A slow start meant the boys were playing catch-ups for most of their first game. Some solid serving from Ryan Stuart wasn’t enough as the team went down 15-12 to a more energetic St Mary’s team.
Game 2 saw a lot more energy as the boys charged away to an unassailable lead early. Excellent discipline was shown in this match as the boys worked as a team to win 18-8 vs Woodlawn. Game 3 was always going to be the trophy match of the day versus McAuley College Grafton. Despite plenty of grinding points with long rallies, we found ourselves down 10-2 around the halfway mark. Finally, the momentum swung and the team valiantly fought back to bring the scores to 14 apiece. However, McAuley edged in front as the siren went to take the win 15-14 and put them in a commanding position to take the competition.
Game 4 was a tough affair as Trinity fought for every point. Some quality volleyball by Isaac Rose and Simon Smith assured we came away with the win 15-13. Game 5 was our final game and a battle for second place. St Josephs made us work for every point but in the end some classy work from the team and brilliant touches from Brayden Drabowicz meant the boys ran away to a comfortable 15-9 lead and a second place finish.
Well done to the team on their sportsmanship and camaraderie throughout the day.
Tim Whitney
Sports Coordinator
College News
YEAR 8 PARENTS - ACTIVITY WEEK 2025
Dear parents and guardians of Year 8 2024,
Year 9 have just successfully navigated an activity week which always occurs during Week 3 of Term 3. Families can decide on the two options available to them which are:
- Camp Drewe Lennox Heads 4 nights 5 days or
- Snow Trip to Perisher 5 nights 6 and ½ days.
All students in the cohort are expected to attend one of these activities.
This year the total cost of the Snow Trip was $2535. An accurate costing for the 2025 snow trip can not be given at this stage but it is expected to rise, hopefully not too much.
The cost to parents for the Camp Drewe excursion was $520.
It is important that we canvas the Year 8 cohort now to try and determine how many students are interested in attending both trips so that planning can get underway.
For this reason, all Year 8 families will receive a Compass event which will ask for a $200 expression of interest in attending the Snow Trip in 2025 to be paid by the end of Term 3 2024. After this date we will have an accurate list of names interested in attending the Snow Trip and subsequently those wishing to attend the Camp Drewe excursion.
Please keep in mind that the maximum number of students we can take on the Snow Trip is 104. If there are more than 104 students who express interest than a waiting list will be created.
Tim Whitney
LEARNING HUB
Book Week 2024: Reading is Magic!
The Learning Hub was spellbound last week, celebrating ‘Book Week 2024’. The week began with the excitement of the 'Write a Book in a Day' initiative, where students from Years 7-11, collaborated to craft original stories, showcasing their creativity and teamwork.
Daily book riddles challenged students' literary knowledge, and homerooms battled it out in the ‘Match the Staff Member with Their Favourite Book’ Competition, adding a fun and competitive edge to the week.
The Learning Hub featured a captivating 'Reading is Magic' display, highlighting the top magical reads that inspired many to dive into new adventures. Both the Junior and Senior Book Clubs embraced the magic, holding engaging discussions about their favourite fantasy novels and reminiscing about beloved books from their childhoods.
Book Week 2024 reminded us of the incredible worlds that books can open. A heartfelt thank you to all who participated and made the week a celebration of reading! Borrow your next read from the Learning Hub or online with SORA.
Our “Book Riddle” Winners: Darcy Holder (pictured below), Daniel Gommers (pictured below), Isabella Buckley and Louis Beaumont.
The winning homeroom, Romero M25 in the ‘Match a Staff Member with the Favourite Book’ Competition. Did you guess correctly? The answers are below.