MSPC Newsletter - Term 4 Week 6, 17th November 2022
Principal
Dear Parents\Caregivers,
Teenage Alcohol Consumption and Adult Supply
Australia has a mixed history of alcohol consumption. It is a ubiquitous presence when we celebrate or commiserate and therefore is seen as part of adulthood. Our young people want to be adults as quickly as they can and participate in adult behaviour before they are ready mentally and physically. Studies show that while young people in Australia are less likely to consume alcohol than previous generations, when they do, they are more likely to binge drink, which is very dangerous.
You may be wondering why I am writing this. Concerned parents contact me occasionally about their children being offered alcohol (and drugs) by parents of their children’s friends. The College has no jurisdiction over these actions, but we care for our community, therefore I felt it important to highlight health and legal issues around this secondary supply of intoxicating substances.
From a legal perspective NSW calls supplying alcohol you have bought to a person under 18 as secondary supply stating It’s illegal to supply alcohol to people aged under 18 years in a private home unless it is supplied by: the young person’s parent or guardian an adult who has approval from the parent or guardian. Clearly, supply of drugs is illegal in any context.
Please note I am not recommending that you as adults do or do not consume alcohol, I am highlighting that you are models for your children and they take on many of your behaviours, because they see those as normal. I would also recommend that you do not supply alcohol to minors because it is bad for their health and can affect them reaching their potential which is what we would love them to be able to achieve. Adverse health effects include: memory problems; learning difficulties; mental health issues and dependence.
If you are hosting young people at your house, please speak to the parents of those attending and consider the legal and health implications of your actions.
The information I have quoted comes from the Alcohol and Drug Foundation and Police NSW. You can click on the links for further details.
Be the Good and God Bless,
Paul Reidy
Principal
Assistant Principal - Mission
Year 12 Formal 11th November
What a great night! A huge array of vehicular arrivals and splendid outfits worn by the graduating students, their parents and teachers. The band had everyone dancing in between the serving of three courses of the tasty meal interspersed with speeches and award presentations.
Thanks to the College Parents and Friends Association, led by Mary-Ann Thackray, who ran the bar for the evening in a very efficient and professional way. The Ticket Sellers were parents Gundi Newland, Belinda Glazebrook and Sally Corby. The Bar Staff were ex-students Cooper Leslight, Kiara McCarthy, Alyssa and Jared Carney, Lia Newland and Catherina Cripps. Tracey McCarthy, Mary-Ann Thackray, Sheree and Emma Loughman helped with the purchase of drinks and the bar set-up.
CSDA Debating Success 11th November
Well done to our Year 7, 8, 9, 10 and Senior Debating teams who were involved in the NSW CSDA Debating Competition which culminated in the Finals event last Friday 11th November. Mr Bailey, Ms Pinkstone, Ms Starr, Ms Marshall, Ms Keogh and Ms Serone and the Senior Team have worked with, and accompanied, all the teams throughout the competition.
The Year 7, 9 and Senior Debaters made it to the Finals held last Friday 11th November. Due to unpredictable weather events and flooding, occurring around Sydney, in Central and Western NSW, the organizers decided that the Finals would be held via zoom. This was quite a strange experience for all the debaters and Mr. Bailey, who was an adjudicator.
The Year 7 Debating Team were NSW Country Runners Up after a close debate against Edmund Rice College, Wollongong. Well done to Rosie Stewart-Walker, Charlotte Brown, Sienna Lockwood and Holli Hines. The Senior Team of Isobel Gresham, Grace Kelly and Tabitha Stratton were Country Champions and State Runners Up to All Saints College, Liverpool.
The Year 9 team defeated Edmund Rice College in the country Finals and then went on to defeat Marcellin College, Randwick in an epic State Final. Congratulations to Makayla De Jonge, Flynn Jones and Estella Wong.
Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 21st November
This is the day celebrated by the Presentation Sisters around the world, as their feast or founding Day. It celebrates the time, recorded in the scriptures and featured in many religious art works, when the young child Mary was taken to the temple by her parents Anne and Joachim for a blessing, which was customary for Jewish girls at that time. Lucan House celebrates this Feast Day and they will make a prayer presentation at next Thursday’s College Assembly.
Launch of New Houses in Long Lunch /Shave for a Cure/Mufti 22nd November
It is all happening next Tuesday 22nd November. We have a mufti day with students asked to wear a shirt/shorts in the colour of their new House, i.e. Loreto – blue, Lisieux – Red, Romero – purple, Ignatius – orange, Assisi – aqua, Lucan – green, Doyle – magenta (pink), Nagle – gold. They will be asked to make a $2 donation or give a small bottle with lollies or a small gift in it for the bottle stall at the Christmas Carnival. At lunchtime some Year 11 students are having their locks shaved to raise money for cancer research via ‘Shave for a Cure’. The ‘long lunch’ will be followed by games on the fields with the new House groups.
Christmas Carnival and Tableau 26th November
Save this date in your diary. The Carnival begins at 4.30pm and the Tableau is staged in the Gilbey Hall at about 7.30pm. There is a Monster Raffle with great monetary prizes. You can purchase tickets (online) or volunteer to help using the links found later in this newsletter.
Mary-Anne McShane
Assistant Principal: Mission
MINISTRY
Festa Christi
On Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th November eleven Year 8 students participated in the Festa Christi Retreat. Our students were wonderful and enjoyed their time thoroughly, meeting new people and exploring their faith through nature and discussion. It was an absolute privilege to accompany these wonderful students!
Student comments:
I enjoyed meeting new boys, playing games with them like Touch and Basketball. I really enjoyed talking and singing at the campfire with music playing, and toasting marshmallows under the stars. I am grateful for the experience of where I got to go beyond my limits and push myself. I am thankful that I now have a stronger connection with God and understand that there are people heading on the same journey that I am. I loved the activities, especially the creeking, it was an amazing, beautiful time spent with our group in and out of water holes and even under a waterfall. Swimming out to that waterfall also challenged me because I could not feel the bottom and didn't know what was there, but I safely ended up having a fantastic memory that I will always remember. Thank You Miss for taking time out of your life to make this happen, I would very much like to do something like this again. - Luke Leach.
I enjoyed laughing with new friends and getting to know people I would never have known before. The highlights for me were meeting new friends and doing the high ropes. This is because they were all very kind and funny, especially in the high ropes when the horse fly was chasing them. I felt connected to God through my friends, how they were kind and accepting. I got a lot of memories out of this retreat, how it was fun and active. - Dannielle Kee
I enjoyed meeting new people and making new friends. The experience was really fun. I loved making new friends, facing my fears of heights, stepping out of my comfort zone to attend. My relationship with God has grown, and I can't wait to strengthen the relationship more. I learnt new things that me and God have in common. Therefore I would like to do something like this again. - Taleishia Robinson
I really liked playing sports with the other kids from the different schools. It was a fun way to meet some people that are like minded to me. I also really liked the activities that we did (creeking especially). Also realised that I shouldn’t be embarrassed about what I believe in. I saw how good it was to be outside away from everything and to have no distractions, except for my friends. I definitely felt connected to God when we were under that waterfall. I realised that all around me is God’s creation. That is how I feel connected to God(by being outside). It was a really fun time away with my friends and it definitely strengthened some friendships. Thanks for taking us Miss. - Clancy Greenbury
I had lots of fun meeting new people and old friends from primary school and from other retreats. I loved doing problem solving games with the other people in my group and the feeling of accomplishment when we achieved something was awesome. I think that this retreat helped show me that God can be interpreted and worshipped in many different ways. - Leo Egan
Parish HSC Prayer Sponsors thank you!
A big thank you to all the wonderful parishioners, Mary-Ann Thackray, Beth Gorton and Barbara Grant who prayed for our Year 12 students during their HSC exams. This has been a time-honoured tradition at the College and we appreciate your efforts, prayers and good wishes for our students. We wish Year 12 2022 all the best for the future.
God bless,
Grace Molloy
Leader of Evangelisation
Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
Last week I had the privilege of travelling to the Solomon Islands with Mr Morosini to visit our Sister School, Bishop Epalle. The trip was aimed at re-establishing connections and determining whether it is safe following the pandemic, for our immersion program to be reactivated and a group of Year 11 students return to the Solomon Islands. Mr Morosini and I attended classes, ran workshops had numerous meetings and spent time in Visale which is the first Catholic Mission in the Solomon Islands.
In Visale we visited the retired nuns in their nursing home who had been very isolated during the pandemic. They were happy to sit and tell stories of their very interesting lives dedicated to the mission of Jesus Christ. Miss Eadie Sherrah represented St Joseph’s, South Murwillumbah and spent time in the classrooms. She presented donated books from each class at St Joseph’s to the reciprocal class at Bishop Epalle. The primary school students were very interested to look at the photos of the St Joseph’s students in the books and appreciated the donations. How generous of St Joseph’s who themselves were severely impacted upon by the flood but could consider the plight of a school in a developing country.
We look forward to taking Year 11 students in 2023 and welcoming Bishop Epalle students to Mt St Patrick College.
On returning from the Solomon Islands I then enjoyed watching our amazing Year 12 students graduate from the College. The past 6 years have been a struggle for Year 12 and they are to be congratulated on their resilience and dedication. They started Year 7 in 2017 with a flood and fires, this was followed by COVID 19 and the trials of blended learning. They then finished Year 12 with yet another flood and the impacts of COVID. The formal was a fitting celebration for Year 12 and we wish them all the best for their future endeavours. Congratulations to the award winners but you are all winners for doing your best at Mt St Pat’s. We look forward to seeing you all on 15th December at 11:00am for morning tea at the Gilbey with the staff to celebrate your HSC results.
Narelle Sherrah
Assistant Principal: Learning and Teaching
Welfare
Wellbeing focus this week is Positive Emotion and Gratitude and the Character Strength is Social-Intelligence.
Louise Shields
Leader of Welfare
Curriculum
Week 5 saw our Year 7 and 10 students complete their Semester 2 examinations. We have been impressed by their quiet focus in preparing for and completing these tasks.
Meanwhile Years 8 and 9 are completing their exams this week and Years 11 and Accelerated 10 students have been gearing up for their upcoming HSC assessments in Week 9. Students have been notified of their assessment blocks as follows:
Term 4 Assessment Blocks:
- Year 8 assessment block is scheduled for Week 6, commencing 14/11/22 to 18/11/22.
- Year 9 assessment block is scheduled for Week 6, commencing 14/11/22 to 18/11/22.
- Year 11 (Year 12 HSC) and Accelerated Year 10 assessment block is scheduled starting Week 9, commencing on 05/12/22 to 09/12/22.
Assessment Policy: A copy of the Assessment Policy can be found on the Assessment Portal. If students require a variation to assessment, they should complete the online Assessment Variation Application Form for each subject.
Students can access all information regarding their assessments via the Assessment Portal which is found on the MSPC Moodle Site. Students can access the site using their school email and log in: https://moodle.mursclism.catholic.edu.au/
For Years 10 - 12: If students are absent on the day of the assessment, a Medical Practitioner must complete the Mount St Patrick Assessment Variation Illness Application. This can be accessed on the student’s year page of the Assessment Portal. A zero will be awarded if the completed document is not provided. NOTE: A signed statutory declaration will not be accepted. * Please note that a family social event or holiday will not be considered a valid reason for an extension or exemption.
Years 11 and 12 should refer to their Senior Handbooks for the MSPC Assessment Policy relating to Stage 6. Years 11 and 12 should be conversant with the NESA HSC Rules and Procedures Guide. All students entered in an HSC course must read the HSC Rules and Procedures Guide. The weblink can be found on the year page of the Assessment Portal.
Students are encouraged to be proactive with their learning and assessment preparation. This is important for building confidence and assessment readiness. Students will be provided with study guides and revision materials by their teachers. If students are unsure of expectations, they should seek advice from their teachers. There are many helpful online resources that can also assist parents to help their child to be organised, confident and assessment ready. Implementing a balanced home study routine can play an important part in this process.
Below is the schedule for assessment tasks for Weeks 7 and 8:
Jo McDonald
Leader of Curriculum
Faculty News
FROM THE SPORTS DESK
DIOCESAN JUNIOR WATER POLO
Boys
The boys had a great start to their day at Alstonville on Thursday 10th November, playing St John’s Woodlawn first up. New to the game, their transferable skills in swimming and ball sports bolstered them as they played their first game of Water Polo. Alex Whelm scored the only goal against Woodlawn with great positioning and assists by Jack French.
In the second game, against St John Paul College, Coffs, they went down 3:1. However, their positioning and spacing on the field improved dramatically. Jack Bourke provided a strong defence.
Their third game against Trinity resulted in a tie. Ben Hendrikse set the boys up well for the defence and brought the team together as they stood up against the Trinity offence. Consistent mid-field defence was supplied by Stephan Pelikan, Ryan Stuart and Kye Thierjung. Zen Giannoni provided an amazing assist for Jack French to score a goal.
MSPC sporting teams consistently represent the College proudly and are ‘stand outs’.
Lauren Frankham (Coach)
Girls
The Junior Girls Water Polo team showed great comradery and improvement at the gala day in Alstonville on Thursday 10th November. The girls were up against older and more experienced teams, but they didn't let this stop them. They lost their first game 7-0, however they learnt a lot from this and in their next game they drew 1-1. They then had a playoff for the Finals where they put on some excellent defense. However, just lost the game 2-0. It was a great day and all the girls are already excited for next year!
Kaitlyn Still (Coach)
BERG SHIELD CRICKET
Congratulations to our junior team who successfully beat St Joseph’s College, Banora. Sam Acret and Rishab Lashand put on a tremendous 319 run partnership to amass a total of 329 runs in twenty overs. We skittled the St Joseph’s batters and now play St Mary’s Casino tomorrow Friday 18th November with one eye on the next game, if successful, against Woodlawn.
DOWNIE TROPHY CRICKET
On Friday 4th November our Open Boys cricket team travelled to Lismore for a Round 2 game against St Johns, Woodlawn. After being sent in to bat our team made a promising start before a late collapse saw us all out for 105 after 39 overs. Captain Nathan Pryke (37), Will Harris (25) and Menzie Tucker (14) were the main contributors to that total.
Knowing that we needed a fast start to have any chance, early wickets from our opening bowlers Nathan Pryke (2) and Sam Acret (1) saw Woodlawn rocking at 3/20 but that was the end of the joy as Woodlawn consolidated to reach 3/110 after 21 overs and win the match.
It was a commendable effort from our MSPC boys who applied themselves well against a very strong opponent. Their conduct was immaculate and they represented the College with pride and distinction. Thanks to Mr Whitney and Mr Gresham for their organisation and support and to Mr Battese for umpiring our Trial and Round 1 games.
Michael Acret (Coach)
DIOCESAN INDIVIDUAL TOUCH TRIALS 2023
Any interested u15 or open touch player who wishes to be considered for the Dio trials at Sawtell next year need to register at the Lismore Dio Sport webpage.
https://sport.lism.catholic.edu.au/?doing_wp_cron=1544140477.4038619995117187500000
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Diocesan Golf Coffs Harbour - 22nd November
- NRCC Boys Cricket - 30th November and 1st December
- College Swimming Carnival, TRAC - 3rd February 2023
Tim Whitney
Sports Co-ordinator
ENGLISH
DEBATING SUCCESS; MT ST PATS STATE CHAMPIONS!
NSW CSDA Regional and State Finals
On Friday 11th November Mt St Patrick had 3 teams qualifying for the finals. Years 7, 9 and Senior teams.
For the first time the debates were via zoom, which was particularly challenging. Thankfully Shaun Tonks was there to help out in times of trouble.
Our Year 7 team were NSW Country Runners Up after a close debate against Edmund Rice College Wollongong. Our Senior team were Country Champions and State Runners Up to All Saints College Liverpool. This was the second time they have been Runners Up and were unlucky to lose in a tight contest.
Our Year 9 team defeated Edmund Rice College in the Country Finals then went on to defeat Marcellin College Randwick in an epic State Final.
Congratulations to everyone involved especially: Milly Keogh, Shaun Tonks and Amanda Starr.
Year 7 Team: Rosie Stewart-Walker, Charlotte Brown, Sienna Lockwood, Holli Hines
Year 9 Team: Makayla De Jonge, Flynn Jones, Estella Wong
Senior Team: Isobel Gresham, Grace Kelly, Tabitha Stratton
Paddy Bailey
Debating Coach
College News
Awards
Lisieux Co-ordinator’s Awards
Year 7: Lawrence Kee, Max Mathews, Shiloh Hart, Sophie Buckley, William Harrop, Ava O'Toole, Oriana Greensill, Sonny John
Year 8: Ayla East, Giselle Boot, Cain Twomey, Elijah Keyes, Samuel Hynes, Ava Brookes, Elliza Campbell, Willa Hoffmann, Amity Page, Tara O'Donnell
Year 9: Isabella Millar, Chase Adams
Year 10: Olivia Mason, Alexander Crowley, Filippos Mackney
Year 11: William Quantrill, Milla Pearson
Lisieux Principal’s Awards
Year 8: Giselle Boot, Elijah Keyes, Samuel Hynes, Elliza Campbell
Year 9: Isabella Millar
Year 10: Olivia Mason, Alexander Crowley, Filippos Mackney
Year 11: Milla Pearson
Lisieux College Awards
Year 10: Olivia Mason
Year 11: Milla Pearson
Loreto Co-ordinator’s Awards
Year 7: Mason Staples, Nate Butler, Charlie Devoy, Jada Coughran, Chelsea Kill, Floyd Usher, Chloe Trute, Millie Ewing, Nathan Bray-Verdich, Shanaye Hodges, Xavier Albertini, Liam Monaghan, Abe Kirk, David Adams, Evie Nolan
Year 8: Darcy Irby, Luca Stuart, Maddison Shackell, Olivia Bagnall, Gypsy Arnaud-Gower, Tyler Follett, Georgia Biskup, Marley Abbott, Skye Ayres, Tully Fitzpatrick, Chloe Shoobridge, Sanjay Nix
Year 9: Ella Ewing, Trisha Sharma
Year 10: Bronson Hockley, Alexis Pelikan
Loreto Principal’s Awards
Year 7: Mason Staples, Charlie Devoy, Chelsea Kill, Chloe Trute, Abe Kirk
Year 8: Tyler Follett, Georgia Biskup, Chloe Shoobridge
Year 10: Alexis Pelikan
Loreto College Awards
Year 8: Chloe Shoobridge
Lucan Co-ordinator’s Awards
Year 7: Billy Miller, Georgia Lever,Oliver Barrett, James Wemm, Lucia Perkins, Myla Naylor, Ruby Milligan, Max Lever, Ruby Bowley, Telia Behan, Lulu Lackey, Zane Godbee, Sunni Pearson, Zara Anglim.
Year 8: Elliott Gracie, Ethan Riolo, Brayden Drabowicz, Oliver Buchanan, Grace Johnston, Lachlan Scifleet, Hunter Chapman, Kaulana O'Farrell-Carter, Oliver Brown, Zen Giannoni, Xavier Elliott, Luca Szandala, Menzie Tucker
Year 9: Sophie Forsyth, Billi Hutton, Harrison Daley, Tex Mikkelsen, Samuel Daley
Year 10: Jude Livermore, Tom Logan, Kai Mumford, Harrison Lever, Chloe Zambelli, Caitlyn Moore
Lucan Principal’s Awards
Year 7: Max Lever, Ruby Bowley.
Year 8: Grace Johnston, Lachlan Scifleet, Oliver Brown, Zen Giannoni, Xavier Elliott
Year 9: Sophie Forsyth
Year 10: Jude Livermore
Lucan College Awards
Year 8: Grace Johnston
Year 9: Sophie Forsyth
Nagle Co-ordinator’s Awards
Year 7: Summer Benard, Bon Lang, Katinka Howard, Maximus Karlos, Jack Jarman, Sienna Cleak, Skylar Dow, Mya Andrews, Xavier Gee, Ephaedra Jennings-Mckay, Ricky De Vellis, Sunny Waters.
Year 8: Arturo Molinari, Faith Vosotros, Hugo Portus, Cooper Leeson, Jack Murray, Abigail Gilson, Echo Rawson, Cranney, Quinn Smith, Tiarna Hall-Tosh, Kerala Richards, Maxwell Hunt, Charlotte Macdonald, Ryan York
Year 9: Claudia Larkin
Year 10: Emily Williams, Jacob Lanyon, Savarna Wheatley, Kiah McCarthy, Ava Browning, Maya Rogers
Nagle Principal’s Awards
Year 8: Cooper Leeson, Tiarna Hall-Tosh, Ryan York
Year 10: Jacob Lanyon, Savarna Wheatley, Ava Browning, Maya Rogers
Nagle College Awards
Year 8: Cooper Leeson, Tiarna Hall-Tosh, Ryan York
Year 10: Maya Rogers
Community News
