MSPC Newsletter - Term 2 Week 10, 29th June 2022
Principal
Dear Parents/Caregivers,
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT
The teaching profession is one that encourages self reflection and peer evaluation to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our students in the best possible way. In the past few weeks we have been able to see and discuss methods and approaches of other schools and systems. This allows us to see outside the box we operate in and reflect on whether what we have seen can improve outcomes for Mount St Patrick College students. In Week 1 of Term 3, the College will be reviewed by the Australian Council for Educational Research and Lismore Catholic Schools Office using the National School Improvement Tool. This will occur over four days and the results will be used in forming strategic planning for the next three years. I thank the parents who have indicated their wish to be part of this process which will ensure that Mount St Patrick College continues to operate at a high standard for our community.
PARENT AND STUDENT INPUT- YEAR 9 SNOW TRIP
The first thing I need to say is that the 2022 trip is going ahead. We will be reviewing the trip in order to make decisions for the future. I will be emailing a survey to students and parents regarding the Year 9 snow trip which, prior to the pandemic, had become an annual event. I have had conversations with students and parents about the trip and wish to receive a wider variety of views in order that we may make an informed decision.
HOLIDAYS
It is not an understatement to say that the first half of the year has been challenging. The floods were of course the worst event to occur for us as well as the ongoing risks related to Covid-19. Mixed in with these challenges has been a welcome return to cultural, spiritual and sporting events both at the College and further afield. By the time you read this, the College Athletics Carnival will have been held with the usual College gusto. Student reports will be coming soon and I hope they provide suitable feedback to the progress of your Mount St Patrick student. I am very proud of how staff and students have handled whatever has come their way, while still maintaining the high standards of which Mount St Patrick College is proud.
Hopefully everyone is able to relax and re-charge for the second half of the year. Thank you for your ongoing support of the College.
Be the Good and God Bless,
Paul Reidy
Principal
Assistant Principal - Mission
WE’VE MADE IT!
Yesterday’s College Athletics Carnival was a great way to end Term 2. The day was
a great success, despite a little rain, with many fine performances on the track and in
the field. There was a great spirit of participation and house pride led by our senior
students. Lisieux House won the Carnival, closely followed by Loreto House. These
Houses’ success is based on the participation of the majority of their students in
multiple events. Thanks to Mr Van Den Driest for stepping in in the last days to run
the Carnival on Wednesday 29 th June and Mrs Finkel and the Kingscliff Little
Athletics Club for their generosity with their facilities, expertise and assistance.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL WINTER APPEAL
Thanks to those students/families who made donations of blankets and/or cash (to be
converted into vouchers) for this worthy appeal. They have been handed over to the
local MacKillop St Vincent de Paul Conference for distribution to those in need in our
local community.
YEAR 7/YEAR 8 CATCH UP HPV/BOOSTRIX INJECTIONS
The 2 nd HPV Dose and catch-ups will be given next term on Wednesday 27 th July.
They will take place in the Gilbey Hall beginning at 9.30am.
YEAR 10 MENINGOCOCCAL INJECTIONS
Information Kits regarding this free vaccination programme have been given to Year
10 students to take home. Parents who want their student/s to take advantage of the
programme are asked to return the signed Consent Form, via their student’s
homeroom folder by Friday 22 nd July. The injections will be administered by trained
nurses on Wednesday morning 27 th July which is the second week of Term 3.
TERM 3
The new term begins for all students and staff on Monday 18 th July which is Day 1 of
the timetable. A Term 3 Planner is available in this Newsletter to assist your
planning.
Have a safe, relaxing and enjoyable break from the normal routines!
Mary-Anne McShane
Assistant Principal: Mission
MINISTRY
NOVO NIGHT
Thanks to our YMO’s Emma and Mikayla, for organising a great first NOVO night last Friday 24th June. Thanks to all the students who attended: Jordynne Ricciuti, Zatalia Gumm, Noami Jeffery, Lindsay Robinson, Mya Andrews, Tahlia Males, Bryce Wilson, Conan Twomey, Charlotte Mathewson, Elsie Wilkinson, Lachlan Thomas, Yasmin Van Rosi, Nate Butler, Austen Capner and Saskia Gray.
A big THANK YOU to Mr Smith, Mr Levick, Miss Molloy and Miss McShane for coming and joining in the fun!!!
The students had a great night of games, testimonial talks and getting to know each other!
Novo Reflection by Saskia Gray and Austen Capner (Year 10)
On Friday 24th of June, 15 students from grades 7, 10 and 12 attended our first Novo night of 2022. It was a night filled with laughs, games, food and reflective activities that focused on the Novo theme, LIFE. Two beautiful testimonies were shared by our amazing YMOs about how their lives have changed throughout their life journey. We learnt about making hard choices that would affect the path our life is going down. We had discussions as a group about what we want in our lives and reflected about how everyone's life is very different. Dinner was made by Mr Smith and Miss Molloy, pizza, pies, sausage rolls and ice creams for dessert. We would like to thank our YMOs, Emma and Mikayla, Miss McShane, Mr Levick, Mr Smith and Miss Molloy for such an amazing night!
YEARS 7, 8 AND 9 RETREAT DAYS TERM 3
A reminder that Years 7, 8 and 9 will have their Retreat Days in the first week back of Term 3.
Year 7 - Tuesday 19th July
Year 9 - Wednesday 20th July
Year 8 - Thursday 21st July
Each year level retreat day is compulsory and will commence at 9.00am (after the students have reported to Morning Administration) and finish at 3.00pm. Students do not need to take any materials with them. The usual canteen facilities will be available, or students can bring their own recess and lunch. Students are required to wear their College sports uniform. The retreat days will be held in the Gilbey Multipurpose Centre and run by guest facilitators.
STREET RETREAT
Last Thursday 23rd - Sunday 26th July, six Year 11 students travelled to Brisbane to participate in ‘Street Retreat’. Well done and thank you to Elijah Kirk, Anja Griffin, Leo Molinari, Lily Van Den Driest, River Walker and Ruby Van Den Driest for their wonderful work at Street Retreat from last Friday to Sunday. A BIG thank you to Mrs Angeal Finkel for accompanying the students. A full report with photos will be provided in the next College Newsletter.
A big thank you to all those staff and students who have participated in Ministry events this term.
Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable holiday!
God Bless
Grace Molloy
Leader of Evangelisation
Welfare
Thank you all for your support of the College’s expectations. A reminder of what we ask of our students in terms of uniform and presentation is below. Please be mindful of these so that they don’t pose a problem for students at the start of next term.
- The length of girls’ skirts is to be just below the knee when the wearer is standing upright.
- Eye make-up, false eyelashes and foundation are not permitted
- Dress uniform shoes are to be polishable traditional black leather lace-up shoes with hard toes, ridged sole and a raised heel
- No extremes in hair colour, cut or style (The College Executive has the discretion to determine what is “extreme”)
- All students with hair extending beyond their collar are to have it tied back at all times
- All boys are to be clean shaven
- Facial piercing, including nose rings, keepers and band aid covers are not permitted
- False nails (including natural colour) and nail polish are not permitted
- Quality joggers with cushioning of the sole and good ankle support are required for sport and PE. Skate shoes, Vans, flat-soled and slip-on canvas shoes are not acceptable as they do not provide support and stability.
Stay safe and enjoy a well earned holiday.
Wellbeing focus this week is Accomplishment & Optimisim.
Louise Shields
Leader of Pastoral Care
Faculty News
FROM THE SPORTS DESK
UNDER 13 COUNTRY CUP REGIONAL FINALS
A full squad of 19 players travelled to Ballina on Tuesday 28th June to play in the Regional Finals of the Country Cup Competition. Fresh on the back of an inspirational NSW win in game 2 of State of Origin, the team channeled their inner Nathan Cleary, Brian To’o and Matt Burton to take on Ballina Coast High in the first game.
In cold, blustery conditions the boys pictured below held a 6-0 lead at half time and never dropped their effort or intensity during the second half. Extending their lead to 10 – 0 before BCHS crossed in the dying seconds to make the score a respectable 10 – 6.
Game 2 was played against a quality outfit from Maclean High School. Some questionable birth certificates must have been issued at Maclean Hospital somewhere between 13 and 16 years ago because our opponents in the Final had considerable size about them. But, as sport so often proves, a good team can outplay a few good players.
From the kickoff no one took a backward step. Hit ups were run with fantastic line speed and the boys from MSPC had numbers in each tackle, wrapping up the ball and nullifying any attacking raids. With two tries in the first half, the boys in blue and yellow held a 12- 4 half-time lead. The attacking brilliance continued in the second half with MSPC extending their lead to 18-4 and then holding on with some dogged defence forcing Maclean into mistake after mistake. The final score was 18-10.
Coffs Harbour here we come!
Brendan Campbell- (Coach)
Brodie Palmer- (Manager)
NSW ALL SCHOOLS SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Alex Wellm from Yr 8 recently attended the NSW ALL Schools Championships at Homebush in Sydney. After swimming exceptionally well at Dio level to make the Lismore team, Alex swam again at Homebush at the NSWCCC Championships winning two bronze medals in his specialty event – Breastroke. On Friday 3rd June he again made the trip to Sydney to represent NSW CCC to swim in the ALL Schools Championships. Here Alex was swimming in the 50 and 100m Breastroke, making Finals in both events. You can ask no more of an athlete to perform his best on the big stage and Alex swam a Personal Best of 34.52s placing him 9th in the 50m and backed it up with another Personal Best in the 100m in a time of 1.16.91s finishing in 8th spot.
Two swims, two PB’s can’t do much better than that. Well done Alex !
Tim Whitney
BASKETBALL NATIONAL UNDER 16 CHAMPIONSHIPS – PERTH
Our Mt St Patrick community extend their best wishes to Ethan Johnston from Year 9 who in these holidays will travel to Perth to compete in the National Under 16 Basketball Championships. This is the culmination of two years of trials, training, competition, more selection trials, high performance squads and many trips down the Pacific Highway to play in Sydney. The competition begins on Sunday 3rd July and concludes on Thursday 7th July. If you’re interested, the event will be broadcast on Basketball Australia’s youtube channel : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW8q-gFQLQCAMbe9ePxSQYA and also on KAYO freebies. Tune in, I know this interested spectator will be.
Tim Whitney
TERM 3 SPORT OVERVIEW
Week 1:
Monday 18th July – Queensland Schools Cup Aussie Rules Rules Regional finals – Springfield Queensland
Week 2:
Tuesday 26th July – Dio Touch Football – Ballina
Please note that due to the clash with the Year 9 Snow trip and activities week we are unable to send teams to the Dio basketball event.
Week 5
Tuesday 16th August – NRCC Junior Aussie Rules Gala Day – Byron Bay
Week 6
Tuesday 23rd August – NRCC Intermediate Aussie Rules Gala Day – Byron Bay
Wednesday 24th August – Dio Athletics – Coffs Harbour
Week 8
Thursday 8th September – Dio Netball – Port Macquarie
Week 9
Monday 12th September – NSWCCC Athletics – Homebush
Tuesday 13th September – NRCC Hockey – Lismore
Tim Whitney
Sports Coordinator
LITERACY AND NUMERACY
MINIMUM STANDARDS TESTS 2022: YEARS 10,11,12
Students need reading, writing and numeracy for everyday life after school.
As such, all students are required to meet minimum standards in literacy and numeracy in order to be eligible for their HSC at the end of Year 12. Starting when they are in Year 10, students have up to four opportunities each year in which to meet these minimum standards through online tests in Reading, Writing and Numeracy.
Students in Years 10, 11 and 12 who have not yet sat the Minimum Standards Tests, or who are yet to demonstrate the minimum standard, will be given opportunities to do so early in Term 3. They will be given more information about the tests, as well as how they can be supported to meet the minimum standards, before they sit the tests.
Should you have any questions, please contact us at the College, or follow the link below to information from the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)
https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/hsc-minimum-standard
Kind regards,
Simon Holder Cathy Cripps
Leader of Literacy Numeracy Coordinator
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