MSPC Newsletter - Term 3, Week 8, 13th August 2024
Assistant Principal - Mission
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 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.
‘Parenting Teenagers in a Digital World’ Presentation
Guest speaker, Chris Hudson, will be at the College Learning Hub this 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
Assistant Principal- Learning & Teaching/ Curriculum
It is a special time for Year 12 as they complete their last three weeks of lessons at the College. On Thursday we held our important Senior Honour Awards Assembly to celebrate the many and varied achievements of our seniors. Year 12 were acknowledged for their academic achievements, college spirit, community service, leadership, performing arts, religious contribution, and sporting prowess.
For the rest of the College, Term 3 is a busy time. Year 11 are about to begin their Term 3 assessment block on Monday 16 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 reminder that 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 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.
Upcoming assessment blocks are as follows:
Jo McDonald
Acting Assistant Principal: Learning & Teaching
Welfare
This newsletter features Item 8 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: Trolling
Trolling involves deliberately posting or commenting online to provoke arguments or emotional reactions. This may include saying things solely to cause drama or discredit others. Individuals or groups can be targeted based on their race, culture, religion, gender, or disability, sometimes encouraging others to join in.
People who exhibit trolling behaviour commonly use fake names or anonymity to avoid accountability, making it challenging to identify them. Additionally, they may downplay the impact of their behaviour by dismissing others' reactions as overreactions or suggesting it was just a joke, which can exacerbate the emotional distress of those targeted.
What should I encourage my young person to do if they are being trolled?
- Don’t feed the trolls. Resist the urge to respond. As tempting as it may be, getting involved in an online argument just gives them the reaction they want, so they are likely to step up the behaviour.
- Collect evidence, report and block. Online services and platforms have a responsibility to ensure people can use them safely. If the trolling is starting to feel harmful, collect evidence so you have proof – this can include screenshots or recordings of the abusive comments. Then you can report and block the troll in-app – you can find how to do this on common platforms in The eSafety Guide .
- If this does not help, report to eSafety . If someone is threatening or harassing you online, contact the Police.
- If your child is feeling bad about what’s been happening while online, make sure they talk about it with someone they trust. They may want to discuss this with a school counsellor, a school leadership member or an online counselling service .
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.
Read more at eSafety Trolling.
Louise Shields
Leader of Pastoral Care
Faculty News
A NOTE FROM THE SCIENCE DESK
Dear valued readers (I love Bridgerton). Last week Year 9 Accelerated Science students and Year 11 students from Earth and Environmental Science and Catholic Faith in Action participated in a sustainability excursion.
Our first port of call was the ‘Repair Café’ in Mullumbimby. What an amazing initiative to witness volunteers serving the community not only to fix electronic equipment, but timber products and clothes, instead of sending them to landfill. Personally, my favourite part of the day was getting on the tools.
Following that, Year 11 students visited an aquaponics company and learnt about the value of this type of regenerative farming. Year 9 students visited Woodland Valley Farm and Soil Co. to learn about sequestration and regenerative agriculture. As we transition into an unknown future of climate change, it is so important for students to learn about businesses that are climate aware and regenerative in nature and practice.
Jackie Tilsley
Assistant Leader of Learning: Science
ART
WOLLUMBIN YOUTH ART AWARD
The Wollumbin Youth Art Award (WYAA) is a biennial award for young artists aged 5 to 18 years. It is held in conjunction with the Wollumbin Art Award. Congratulations to the following students who were selected as finalists for the 2024 WYAA.
13-15 years
Raj Dunn (Year 7) and Mietta Stevens (Year 10)
16-18 years
Myles Aggebrink-Jones (Year 11)
Sophie Forsyth (Year 11)
Haylen Fox Duong (Year 11)
Makaylah De Jonge (Year 11)
Naomi Jeffrey (Year 12)
India Keeling (Year 12)
This is a fantastic achievement for our students whose submissions were of a very high calibre. In addition, Myles Aggebrink-Jones’ graphite drawing ‘Self portrait tonal’ features in the Tweed Regional Gallery’s Spring 2024 program. The students work can be viewed at the Gallery until 24 November. The MSPC community is proud of you.
Clara Cahill
Leader of Learning: CAPA
MUSIC
Intensive rehearsals for Choir and Band as the Year 12 Graduation Mass draws near
As Term 3 builds to its exciting culmination, the band and choir have each been working hard to prepare for the Yr 12 Graduation Mass. During our full day rehearsal intensives, students had the opportunity to polish, and teach new members the graduation repertoire. Thank you to the students and teachers for their commitment and positive attitude in making these days a success.
Crowning of ‘Spes Mea Royalty’
The Spes Mea College Choir also held its annual choir celebration (complete with crowns being flown in by our super hero’s ‘Super Spes’ and ‘Mighty Mea’) to farewell the graduating Year 12’s and ‘pass down the crown’ to its new leaders who will carry on the traditions of the choir. Leaving Year 12 members are: Emily Simpson, Mia Axford, Amelia Keyes, Bryce Wilson, Sunny Godbee and Hannah Millar. They will be missed. Our newly crowned junior leaders are Izzy Biersteker and Maddy Shackell. Well done girls.
College Students as Mentors for Primary School Band Day
This Friday 13th September, students from our College Band will have the opportunity to act as mentors in the ‘Primary School Big Band Day Out’. This fun and exciting initiative aims to build skills, experience and confidence in the young players whilst building a strong musical relationship with the primary school instrumentalists from around the area. We hope this initiative will mean that more students continue playing their instruments when they get to high school and feel excited, instead of nervous, about playing alongside older students. The College Band will perform for the students and then work in small groups to practice new pieces, imparting their advice and expertise as they do so. We wish our eight College Band Mentors all the best. Pictures to follow in our next newsletter.
Flute Mentors: Milly Simpson, Kate Wemm, Eva Brzoson
Clarinet Mentors: Clara Aitchenson, Eliza Sonter
Trumpet Mentor: Elijah Jones
Alto Saxophone Mentor: Raph Connor
Tenor Saxophone Mentor: Austin Rockwell
MSPC College Musical 2025
There is word spreading that the MSPC College Musical is soon to be announced! They are not wrong! Stay tuned for more information in upcoming newsletters. Auditions will be held early next term.
Join a Rock Band!
High school musicians, this is your chance to perform, record, and elevate your musical talents!
Offering discounted performance and recording opportunities for students eager to rock out. Work towards completing band sets, prepare for festivals, and enter the Battle of the Bands competitions.
This is an after-school Rock Band program from 4-5pm. Starting in Term 4, each Monday at the College.
Perfect for young artists looking to grow and experience the thrill of being part of a band.
For more details, email aliciacguitar@gmail.com
Private guitar lessons with Alicia are still available on Monday’s so get in quick by contacting the email above!
Drum, Guitar, Bass Guitar lessons & Lunchtime Rock Band Mentoring also available with Mikey Minh Tuesday to Friday.
Katilyn Rennes-Nadal
FROM THE SPORTS DESK
DIOCESAN ATHLETICS
On Monday 2nd September 43 athletes travelled to Coffs Harbour for the Lismore Diocesan Athletics Carnival.
Accompanied by Mr O’Brien, Mr Van Den Driest, Mrs Finkel and Kharis Birney, athletes ran, jumped and threw their best in perfect conditions.
Congratulations to the 12 athletes who qualified for the CCC Athletics Carnival. Mt St Patrick College finished 8th overall of the 12 Diocesan schools.
High achievers on the day included:
Mrs Angela Finkel
Team Manager
NRCC NORTH TOUCH FOOTBALL
JUNIOR GIRLS
The Under 15s Girls were a talented and enthusiastic group, who worked well together. They unfortunately went down in their first game of the day 3-4 to Trinity. After this the girls were determined not to lose another game and deemed this one their ‘warm up’ game. After their 19-0 win against St Mary’s Casino in the next game, they were feeling confident and ready for the rest of them. They won three of their next games and drew with Xavier College in tries scored. As Xavier had the first try, they claimed the win for this match and took home the U15s trophy for the day. A great effort overall from the ladies, especially considering they had to play 6 games with minimal breaks in between!
Coach: Kaitlyn Judd
JUNIOR BOYS
The under 15s Boys went into the day with only 2 subs after several late withdrawals. This didn’t stop them as they took the first two matches of the day with classy victories.
Lachlan Thomas snared 2 tries in the first match to take the score 11-6 versus a well drilled Trinity team. Noah Hunt managed a hat trick in the second match, narrowly securing a 12-11 win against St Mary’s, Casino.
Sunny Waters was in amongst the tries all day, adding to his tally in the third match versus St Joseph’s. Unfortunately, a last minute try by the opposition sealed a tight victory 10-9 after we had led the whole game.
The next game against Xavier was a tough affair as both teams got in the grind. Fatigue began to play its role as the fresher Xavier team was able to grasp a 7-6 victory, only winning by scoring the first try (worth 3). Zane Godbee continued to be an attacking weapon and Harry O’Brien got in on the try scoring action this game with a quality piece of work.
Game 5 versus Woodlawn the boys bounced back with a try scoring feast, winning 9-2. Most impressive in this game was the defensive effort from the team, led strongly by multiple efforts by Reuben Levings and Rylan Hall.
Our final game was against McAuley College, Grafton and was always going to be tough with the opposition coming into the game undefeated. Our team lifted early, getting the first try thanks to a marvellous piece of work from Miki Gronholt. Miki was the team’s captain and rock all day. However, McAuley were too strong and classy in the end as they took the game 12-7.
The effort and sportsmanship from the entire team was a standout and something the boys should be proud of.
Coach: Michael Forrester
OPEN BOYS
The Open Boys Touch team made their way to Grafton for a fun filled day of Touch Football on Tuesday 10th September. With plenty of passion and spirit the team was able to hold their own against some strong opposition.
The day started well with a strong win against Trinity Catholic College, Lismore 7-2. Next up was a closely fought content again Casino which ended in a 8-7 loss for the team from MSPC. From here the matches only got tougher with losses to Joey’s Banora 9-4, Woodlawn 11-4 and Grafton 14-7. A notably mention should go to Harry Bugg for scoring a hatrick in game 1.
Although the day’s results were not the ones the team was after, the game was played in the right spirit throughout the day and the boys were great representatives of MSPC for both the junior teams and the wider community. Well done to all involved.
Coach: Sam Priddis
Tim Whitney
Sports Coordinator
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