MSPC Newsletter - Term 1 Week 6, 4th March 2021
Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
YEAR 12 RETREAT
I had the privilege to attend the Year 12 Retreat at Bornhoffen in Week 4 and to lead a small group. This other dimension that we offer to students will benefit them greatly as they head towards the pressures of the HSC and life outside of school. I am very grateful to the students for their openness to engage in the varied activities on retreat. The manner in which they came together is a credit to them. I am sure I speak for parents and students in thanking staff that give up time with their own families to offer these experiences to students.
VAPING
Currently, there is quite a lot of talk about the prevalence of vaping amongst young people. As a subset of the broader community Mount St Patrick College is not immune to this issue.
Vaping is the use of e-cigarettes (vapes). E-cigarettes are devices that deliver an aerosol by heating a solution that users breath in. The aerosol is commonly referred to as ‘vapour’. There are numerous health concerns about the use of e-cigarettes. More information regarding these issues can be found at the Department of Health website.
We are concerned that young people see these items as a safe option, which they are not. As well as being unsafe, it is illegal for a person under the age of eighteen to purchase e-cigarettes.
As with any illegal and unsafe activity the College takes vaping very seriously. Students found with e-cigarettes will be suspended from the College for three days and a re-entry interview will be required with parents/caregivers prior to their return.
AFTERNOON DETENTIONS
This year College afternoon detentions have changed from Wednesday to Monday afternoons to avoid a clash with Staff Meetings and Professional Development which is now held on Wednesdays.
Be the Good and God Bless.
Paul Reidy
Principal
Assistant Principal - Mission
YEAR 12 RETREAT A GREAT SUCCESS DESPITE CYCLONIC WEATHER CONDITIONS
The three-day Year 12 Retreat began on Wednesday 17th February, and while the weather outside was wild there was plenty of deep reflection, personal growth and bonding taking place inside Camp Bornhoffen. This is one student’s reflection on their experience:
"The Year 12 Retreat was an amazing, emotional and overwhelming 3 days. I’m so grateful for the opportunities we were all given to come to know and appreciate those we wouldn’t normally talk to by being placed in smaller groups to complete activities together. Being able to spend quality time together as a grade and having opportunities both to thank the important people in our lives and apologise to those we have hurt was really liberating and healing. I feel so lucky to have been part of such an introspective and challenging experience."
LENT - PROJECT COMPASSION (CARITAS)
The Lenten season, which begins with Ash Wednesday, is a period of forty days where we are asked to look at ourselves and see how we can be more loving. It is also a time of almsgiving for those in need. College students, probably through you, have been very generous in filling the Project Compassion boxes in homerooms. Thank you and may it continue until Holy Thursday (the last day of term).
SPORTING EVENTS RETURN
This week we have had three different sporting excursions take place. There was Junior Boys and Girls AFL on Tuesday, the Diocesan Swimming Carnival at Lismore today and the Senior Boys and Girls AFL tomorrow.
BREAKFAST CLUB
Covid-safe Breakfast Club begins tomorrow Friday 5th March at the Gilbey Centre. All students are welcome to attend.
YEAR 10 RETREAT
Next week all of Year 10 will be attending their 3 day, 2 night Retreat at Camp Bornhoffen. We wish them, and the generous teachers supervising, fair weather, great discussion and fun. We pray that it will be a highlight of their time at Mt St Patrick College.
Mary-Anne McShane
Assistant Principal - Mission
Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
Thank you to all the parents who attended the Year 7 Parent Information night last week and/or the Year 11 and 12 Information evening last night. Both meetings were well attended and are important opportunities to inform parents so that they can work in partnership with the teachers to ensure the students get the best education possible. The informal chats between teachers and parents provide valuable insights. A link to the powerpoints will be provided to both sets of parents to enable you to refer to the information.
Some relevant emails are-:
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching - narelle.sherrah@lism.catholic.edu.au
Assistant Principal Mission - mary-anne.mcshane@lism.catholic.edu.au
Leader of student wellbeing - louise.shields@lism.catholic.edu.au
Leader of Curriculum - joanne.mcdonald@lism.catholic.edu.au
Leader of Careers- keeley.serone@lism.catholic.edu.au
Please do not hesitate to contact any of these people with concerns or suggestions.
STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Staff have been very busy attending various meetings and professional learning opportunities. Last week I attended the Lyn Sharratt Learning Collaborative meeting in Coffs Harbour with Narelle Chaffer, Simon Holder and Joanne McDonald. This program is designed to improve the writing of our students through a full school initiative. Writing across Australian schools in general has been declining since the increased use of computers.
We look forward to learning more and implementing the program.
THE GONDWANA FESTIVAL
On Monday night I attended the Year 11 and 12 Earth and Environment Excursion which was great to accompany the students to the opening event of The Gondwana Festival. The students listened to various speakers about care for the land and were treated to a traditional feast cooked by a group of Torres Strait Islanders. Brandy and Tayah, our two Idigenous Education Officers, were there to support the students in understanding the history of the indigenous culture in caring for our common home.
ASSESSMENT
Students will have been notified about their first assessments and have been shown the new assessment portal where all assessment information is available. Parents can assist the students by asking your children to show you the portal and to be aware and interested in what they are working on at present. I hope the students can attempt the assessments calmly and just do their best.
Narelle Sherrah
Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
Curriculum
ASSESSMENT PORTAL (NEW)
Students have been introduced to our new assessment portal which is found on the MSPC Moodle Site (link attached below).
Students can access the assessment portal using their student login. Assessment tasks, calendars and the assessment policy have been uploaded to this one portal for all year groups. Students should take the time to familiarise them self with the Assessment Policy which can be found on the first page of the portal.
PLEASE NOTE: The following is an assessment overview for the next fortnight. Students should check their assessment calendar for accuracy and to ensure that changes have not been made since publishing this guide.
HOMEWORK
Homework is intended to be a positive experience that encourages students to consolidate their learning. At MSPC we assign homework to help students review, apply, and integrate what has been learned in class; to consolidate their understanding of topics studied and to help students prepare for their upcoming lessons and assessments. Homework is not just about mastering content. Learning has many facets and requires many skills that students have to build on their learning journey. Homework can help students to:
☑️ acquire effective habits of self-discipline and time management
☑️ Develop initiative and learn to work independently
☑️ Gain a sense of personal responsibility for learning
☑️ Develop research skills, such as locating, organizing, and synthesise their learning.
Students are encouraged to develop regular, independent study routines. In preparing for their assessments and planning to submit their best work, it is important that students allow enough time to plan, draft, proofread and edit their responses.
2021 MEDIA INTERNSHIP PROGRAM - Years 10 and 11
Australian Catholics is offering the chance for Year 10 and 11 students across Australia to apply for a media internship program in 2021. This is an exciting opportunity for students interested in a career in journalism, communications, media or publishing. Details can be found on the Australian Catholics website
Jo McDonald - Leader of Curriculum
Welfare
On Monday parents will receive their child’s first Beacon report for 2021.
Below is a description about what the Beacon report is.
The wellbeing focus for this week is Health and Strengths. The character strength is perspective.
All parents should have received a letter from the school around the issue of vaping this week. To help us address our concerns about vaping in young people, our students have (or will) cover the dangers and laws around this issue in their wellbeing class. This will allow the opportunity for discussion about the facts which will be presented and why the school has necessary consequences concerning vaping at the college.
The following reading may also help parents discuss relevant issues with their child.
From the Leaders of Wellbeing
LISIEUX
My hearty congratulations, firstly to the 2020 Lisieux House cohort for once again bringing home the Champion House Trophy and, secondly, to the 2021 cohort for not only winning the participation competition at the annual Swimming Carnival but also the competitive competition. It was awesome to see the number of Lisieux students swimming for both prizes, and a great day was had by all – well, until I began suffering from heatstroke, but that’s another story. Well done to Ella McKnight and Darcy Hannah for their encouragement and leadership, and to Ryder Johnson and Edie Hampson for their assistance. Next year we hope to see a significantly increased number of Year 11s turn up – Year 11 2021, who will be in Year 12 in 2022. We missed your company this year!!!!
Well done also to the College Award winners so far this year. Lisieux recipients are: Austen Capner, Amelia Keyes, Anja Griffin, Kaleb Boddie and Blake Cracknell.
Finally, I would like to welcome Year 7 to the wonderful Lisieux cohort. We are gradually getting to know one another and it is apparent most Year 7s are settling in well, despite the busyness of the first few week. Hopefully they did, and will, enjoy their Tree Tops experience.
Welcome also to our new students in Years 8 – 12.
Marg Baldini – Leader of Wellbeing: Lisieux
Faculty News
MINISTRY
LEAD CONFERENCE AND STUDENT DISCIPLESHIP
As part of Proclaim Lismore, a comprehensive continuum of Intentional Student Discipleship Programs has been developed for students from Year 5 to Year 12. These gatherings aim to bring Catholic secondary students together to encounter like-minded peers and to celebrate and meet with other young people who practice their faith.
LEAD is a Student Leaders Conference that enhances School Youth Ministry Teams of Years 11 and 12 students to be equipped for ministry in their schools, by nurturing their own faith and developing them into supportive communities. Returning from LEAD, these students will be encouraged to meet regularly to support each other and to facilitate Youth Ministry Initiatives within their own school communities and at regional events such as SHINE. It will take place on 11th – 12th March, 2021 at McAuley Catholic College, Grafton
The gathering will include:
- Dynamic keynote speakers
- The Lismore Diocese Youth Ministry Officers as part of the CSYMA Youth Ministry Australia (YMI) Team
- SHINE-style rally on Thursday night
- Mass
- Small Group Discussions
- Seminars and Interactive workshops to provide formation and equip with Youth Ministry Skills
Student participation in this year’s LEAD will include any Year 11 and 12 students who are interested in being active in Senior Youth Ministry in Schools.
YEAR 10 RETREAT 2021
The Year 10 Retreat will take place next week in two groups from Monday 8th March to Friday 12th March (Week 7, Term 1) at Camp Bornhoffen. The large numbers of Year 10 students has meant the division into two smaller groups to ensure an effective retreat experience. This is an important opportunity for students to reflect upon their lives in a very busy year, especially their relationships with family, friends and God. A letter regarding details (eg cost $210.00) has been emailed and students received their requisites list in this week. Students should have returned their permission notes to the College Office already.
The retreats are seen as integral to the philosophy and ethos of the College and therefore the retreat is compulsory for all students. It is also an essential part of their holistic development. If students are unable to go for any reason, they should see our principal Mr Paul Reidy or myself. Parents are asked to ring the College if further clarification is needed.
Michael O’Donohue - Leader of Evangelisation
PDHPE
Dear Parent / Guardian,
Year 7 PDHPE classes have, as part of the curriculum, a compulsory Pool Aquatics Program. These pool sessions have been scheduled to take place during PDHPE double practical lessons during Term 2 and 3 and a double lesson of Waterpolo has been booked for each class for Term 4.
Students will meet their teacher at the start of these lessons in the basement with their required equipment (modest swimwear and a towel; goggles would be an advantage), and be walking to the Murwillumbah Regional Aquatics Centre where lessons will be conducted in the indoor pool. For sessions running in period 5-6 students will be able to take their full school bag packed so they can be dismissed for the end of period 6 from the front of the school.
The program will include instruction on: Water Entries, Survival Swim Stroke, Reach to Rescue Techniques cold water immersion and emergency scenarios. Students will not need to be strong swimmers to complete these activities. Students will be assessed and put into ability groups and instructed by AustSwim qualified instructors at a ratio of 1:8. Students will need old clothes on their second session to wear in the water.
Your son or daughter will receive an information note to go home with the dates and times of their swimming sessions from their PDHPE classroom teacher.
If you have any queries in regard to these sessions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the College on (02) 66722340.
Yours sincerely, Ms Simone Kendrick - Leader of Learning PDHPE
HSIE
AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHY COMPETITION
Geography students from MSPC tested their geographical skills and knowledge against students from all around Australia in the 2020 Australian Geography Competition. Over 65,000 students from all around Australia entered the competition, which presented different questions according to year level. A number of MSPC students have performed at a very high level, as the results below will testify. The actual test was held late due to the disruptions of last year, and the results were held over until recently. Certificates, including for Participation, will be given out in class. Students are reminded that it is really good to develop a regime that shows that you are the type of person who willing participates in extracurricular activities. The certificates can be included in a student’s resume.
Congratulations to the following students:
High Distinction - Oliver Webb – top 1% (Year 10, Corey Grossman, Declan Seckold (Year 12), Zatalia Gumm, Sophie Martin, Amelie Ogg (Year 11), Jack French, Leon Morgan, Alice Simke Hetherington (Year 8).
Distinction - Thomas Littlewood, Emma Hanley (Year 12), Max Morrison (Year 11), Joshua Hawkins, Petros Mackney, Sierra McDonald (Year 8).
Credit - Taryn Gale (Year 12), Jessica Johnson (Year 11), Sienna Bice, Molly Dean, Jamie Howitt, Flynn Jones, Ty Lockwood, Phoebe Piticco (Year 8).
YEAR 7 GEOGRAPHY
Year 7 Geography classes have been visiting the Tweed Regional Museum to view the "Land, Life, Culture" exhibition as an introduction to the Landscapes and Landforms topic.
FROM THE SPORTS DESK
SPORT IS BACK!
It has been almost a year to the day but we sent our first sporting teams away on Tuesday just been. The Junior and Senior Aussie Rules teams and our Diocesan swimmers have had events this week. A full report will be in our next newsletter.
ELECTRONIC PERMISSION FORMS
Another reminder to parents of sporting kids who are making College teams. The decision has been made to send electronic permission notes to parents. This simply will entail you completing a google form, excursion and payment details are all on the form for you to read and start the planning process. We have encountered a few teething problems with the process, our biggest hurdle is that the emails being sent from our 2021 sport Trainee, Miss Shakyra Gillard, in some circumstance have made their
way to a spam folder. Other permission notes have had the visit being paid for and returned within minutes of being received. The emails are sent to the email address that you have supplied to the College at the time of enrolment. Please, if you have changed email providers can you let the College know as soon as possible and this will make the process even smoother.
DIOCESAN TOUCH TRIALS POSTPONED
MSPC have 8 students who were successful in their application to attend the Diocesan Trials. These were meant to be held this week in Coffs Harbour, but they have had more rain than us and their Council have shut the fields. The backup trial date is Wednesday March 17th at a venue in Grafton, yet to be decided.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Week 7:
9th March Dio Winter Sport Trials for Rugby League and Football – Lismore
9th March Diocesan Tennis – Arkinstall park
11th March Girls League tag – Murwillumbah
Week 8:
17th March Rd 1 Bill Turner Cup Soccer
18th March Titans 9’s Rugby League – South Tweed
Week 9:
23rd March Dio North Open Soccer – Lismore
25th March Dio Open Basketball – Coffs AHrbour
Week 10:
29th MarchRd 1 Bill Turner Trophy (Girls Soccer) – Kingscliff
30th March NSW ALLSchools Triathlon - Penrith
TAS
MULTIMEDIA
Year 9 100 Multimedia learning about lighting a subject using three point lighting in order to make our hero shots for our websites - Natalie Webster
College News
VINNIES
SHROVE TUESDAY
On Tuesday 16th February the Vinnies crew held a Pancake Stall to raise money, and awarness, of Shrove Tuesday. Thank you to Sonia Graham, Mrs Carroll-Bennett, Mrs Sam Lewis and the many Food Tech and Year 12 Hospitality students for cooking the pancakes. Much appreciation also to all the teachers and students who bought on the day and supported this important organisation.
This initiative was a huge success and we are proud to say that we have raised $337.70 all of which will be donated to the St Vincent de Paul Society. On top of this, the pancakes, ice-cream and maple syrup were a delicious treat!
Our next fundraiser will be next term for the Winter Appeal.
We welcome any new members to all meetings.
MSPC Vinnies Team
LEARNING HUB
LEARNING HUB OPENING TIMES
The Learning Hub will be open to all students until 4.45pm on Thursday 4th March and Thursday 25th March. It will also be open from 7.30am on Tuesday 23rd March. Year 12 students who would like a quiet space to study prior to their assessment block are advised to speak to Mr Lill if they would like to arrange additional times.
The Learning Hub will be open every Thursday until 4.45pm from Term 2.
Mr Michael Lill
KALEIDOSCOPE
SEEKING STORYTELLERS, SINGERS AND MUSICIANS
Mt St Patrick College has received an Arts Grant following a successful application to fund an exciting multi-modal project. Entitled, ‘Kaleidoscope’, the project will involve students drawing inspiration from both the narrative and instrumental worlds. Acclaimed author, artist and musician, Matt Ottley will run workshops for up to ten students from Years 8, 9 and 10. Matt is an internationally acclaimed and multi-award winning artist, working equally across the fields of literature, visual arts and music. He is considered one of Australia’s most popular children’s author/illustrators and has been published in several different languages around the world.
‘Kaleidoscope’ will involve students creating a written and visual narrative. Matt will then work with the students on techniques to transform their stories into original musical scores. Commencing in late Term 2, the Project will run for ten weeks, each Thursday afternoon from 3.30-5pm. The Project will culminate in a showcase presentation of the completed works on World Literacy Day on Wednesday 8th September.
The College is seeking expressions of interests from students who enjoy writing stories. They must also be able to read music and have at least an intermediate level of music playing or singing ability. Students must be willing to commit to the ten Thursday after school workshops commencing on 3rd June.
If you are interested in this unique opportunity, please email an expression of interest to Miss Pinkstone, Mrs Star, Miss Molloy or Mr Lill by Friday 19th March.
Mr Michael Lill, ‘Kaleidoscope’ Coordinator
Puzzle Corner
An old miser has 925 candle stubs. He can make one whole candle from 7 ends.
What is the highest number of candles he can possibly make if he carries on burning and recycling?
Can you solve this puzzle?
If you think you have the solution, please see Mrs Bevan. The first 10 correct answers will receive a prize.
Solution to the puzzle from the last Newsletter: 10
Congratulations to: L.Szandala, B.Matlock, S.Waters, A.Molinari, K.Warren, I.Purser & J.Devoy.
Awards
CO-ORDINATOR'S, PRINCIPAL'S AND COLLEGE AWARDS
LISIEUX CO-ORDINATOR'S AWARDS
Year 7 - Amelia Andrews, Dougall Hughes, Zachary Jones, Amity Page, Ryan Stuart, Keesia Close.
Year 8 - Van Johnson, Ethan Johnston, Rylan McGovern, Cooper McKnight, Hiwot Nardi, Matthew Ryan, Lara Willis.
Year 9 - Kaitlyn Antonelli
Year 10 – Brayden De Jonge, Morgan O’Connor, Isaac Gibson.
Year 11 - Hamish Forsyth, Edith Hampson, Ryder Johnson.
Year 12 - Darcy Hannah, Travis Lavender, Ella McKnight.
LISIEUX PRINCIPAL'S AWARDS
Year 8 - Ethan Johnston, Cooper McKnight, Hiwot Nardi.
Year 9 - Kaitlyn Antonelli.
Year 10 – Isaac Gibson, Morgan O’Connor.
Year 11 - Hamish Forsyth
LORETO CO-ORDINATOR'S AWARDS
Year 8 - Murray Burnett, Kiani Byrnes, Gian Kendrick-Morosini, Reef Kidwell, Charlotte Kilgariff, Arlo Kirk, Lachlan Maclean, Honey Royle, Jack Shackell, Trisha Sharma, Ava Singh, Delilah Teague, Rishabh Lashand, Leon Morgan.
Year 10 - Dylan Gale, Toby Bevis, Will Harris, Elizabeth Warne.
Year 11 – Chris Biskup, Lily Higgins.
LORETO PRINCIPAL'S AWARDS
Year 8 - Gian Kendrick-Morosini, Charlotte Kilgariff, Lachlan Maclean, Trisha Sharma, Ava Singh, Rishabh Lashand.
Year 10 – Elizabeth Warne
Year 11 – Lily Higgins
LUCAN CO-ORDINATOR'S AWARDS
Year 7 - Kieran Forsyth, Luke Leach, Kaulana O'Farrell-Carter, Annabelle O'Grady, Ivy Piticco, Chloe Ryan, Oliver Stephens, Hunter Chapman, Charlie Gear, Grace Elliott, Milla Hartwig-Costello.
Year 8 - Taylor Barton, Freda Biles, Jai Brennan, Samuel Daley, Jade Folkers, Norm Fraser, Billi Hutton, Hunter Leslight, Jaxon McAuliffe, Lucy McTaggart, Sky Morton, Ava Mutton, Zade Spratt, Lakota Sutcliffe, Emelia Thompson, Jesse Barrett, Bailey Buchanan, Annalise Cardillo, Sophie Forsyth, Phoebe Piticco, Emelia Thompson.
Year 9 - Olivia Adams, Gabrielle Flood, Harrison Lever, Caitlyn Moore, Tom Logan, Ned Walsh.
Year 10 - Zali Belcher, Isaac Douglas, Aidan Hamilton, Chloe Stephens, River Walker, Piper Adams, Joseph Ditmar, Elinor Litvin.
Year 11 - Alexandra Daley, Rory Flynn, Isabella Hodgson, Maximilian Schreer, Piper Rigney, Michael Todd, Noah Walsh.
LUCAN PRINCIPAL'S AWARDS
Year 8 - Freda Biles, Jai Brennan, Jade Folkers, Norm Fraser, Billi Hutton, Hunter Leslight, Sky Morton, Jesse Barrett, Annalise Cardillo.
Year 9 - Harrison Lever
Year 10 - Isaac Douglas, Chloe Stephens, River Walker, Elinor Litvin.
Year 11 - Alexandra Daley, Isabella Hodgson, Piper Rigney.
LUCAN COLLEGE AWARDS
Year 8 - Jesse Barrett
Year 11 - Isabella Hodgson
NAGLE CO-ORDINATOR'S AWARDS
Year 7 - Tiarna Hall-Tosh, Jamie Garrett, Maxwell Hunt, Cooper Leeson, Jack Murray, Tyler Seaton, Miley Field, Willo Fletcher, Kye Thierjung.
Year 8 - Ronin Berkman, Isabelle Biersteker, Isiah Doevendans, Uriah Gilson, Jamie Howitt, Zarli Hughes-Davies, Beau Johnson, Sienna Prendergast, Indiana Wadley, Benjamin Wilson.
Year 9 - Imogen Andrews, Amanita Barnaby-Bowe, Jack Gardner, Summer Gibbons, Jesse Martin, Jordan Scanlan, Alyssa Templeton, Lily Yates.
Year 10 - Lily Darby, Rosie Davis, Alex Johnston, Elyce Kuhnell, Kiana McCabe, Punwatsa Phattharapraphakorn, Kiana McCabe.
Year 11 - Hannah Whitney, Nic Appert.
NAGLE PRINCIPAL'S AWARDS
Year 7 - Tiarna Hall-Tosh, Jamie Garrett, Maxwell Hunt, Cooper Leeson, Jack Murray, Tyler Seaton.
Year 8 - Isabelle Biersteker, Sienna Prendergast.
Year 9 - Imogen Andrews, Summer Gibbons, Lily Yates.
Year 10 - Lily Darby
Year 11 - Hannah Whitney
Canteen Roster
