MSPC Newsletter - Term 3, Week 2, 2nd August 2024.

Principal

Welcome everyone to the start of Term 3. I hope that you all had a lovely break over the two week holidays and have come back refreshed ready for the second half of the year.

We've hit the ground running our Year 12 are preparing for their trials. An email went out to students and families regarding the end of term celebrations for our Year 12 students so please make sure you read that and get ready for what will be happening in the coming weeks.

This week is NAIDOC Week and as a College community we had a number of events that were used to celebrate such an important part of our community. An assembly was held on Wednesday, where we had parents Keith Close and Shannon Kitchener, come to address the College. There were community awards that were presented to students who had excelled, followed by lunch for our special guests. There is a League Tag game for the students between the Indigenous All-stars versus the Non-Indigenous at lunchtime today and a NAIDOC breakfast this morning. So a great series of events to celebrate our relationship with our Indigenous brothers and sisters.

We had our Ignatius Assembly last week, and it was well led by Mrs Evans and the Ignatius House students we recognized St Ignatius and the important work that he and the Jesuit fathers and  brothers have contributed to education over nearly 500 years. Ignatius House is an important part of our wider community and we thank them for the work that they've done in that space.

Following on from the end of last term, we are going to have a parent night coming up on Social Media and Cyber Safety. So keep your eye out for that. We hope you can all attend that event. Yesterday I spoke with the male students regarding a number of issues that we are concerned about and would like to see changed regarding our behaviours and we've asked for our senior students to show leadership so that we can ensure that we continue to be the great community that we are.

Moving forward we have the Year 9 Snow Trip and Lennox Head Camp coming up as well as the Solomon Islands Immersion, we wish all of those people involved a great time away. I also, am lucky enough to be on the Solomons trip so I'm looking forward to seeing how that happens and working with our amazing Year 11 students who will be attending.

Finally on the point of Solomon Islands we wish Isabella Millar all the best as she commences her Olympic events. If you have the chance on the weekend to watch her, Isabella is racing the 50-metre freestyle in the 3^rd heat, lane 5, Saturday at 7pm.

We wish her and the Solomon Islands all the very best as part of that.

Thank you and have a great weekend.

    Gavin Dykes
    Principal

Assistant Principal - Mission

Welcome back to Term 3 which has begun with a flurry of activity and winter chill. During the first two weeks there have been: Reflection Days; subject selection meetings for Year 10 and 8 students; Year 7 and 9 Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences; boys and girls Basketball, Rugby League and Rugby Union carnivals; a Careers Expo for Year 10 and whole school NAIDOC celebrations.

NAIDOC Week fell during the recent school holidays so we decided to celebrate during this week with a range of activities. The highlight was an outdoor assembly for the whole College with local Elders addressing the community; our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students leading the assembly and an indigenous dance/music group sharing their stories. Tayah Logan and Madi Van Rosi, our young Aboriginal Education Workers, did a great job of organizing the events which included guest speakers, ochre painting, an inaugural NAIDOC League Tag game and a Cultural Wellbeing Workshop.

A message from the NAIDOC Week Committee

This year’s theme of ‘Keep the Fire Burning: Blak, Loud and Proud’ provides an important opportunity to reflect on the strength of First Nations leadership and ways that we can all be involved in keeping the fire burning for justice, truth and hope.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10: 23-25

We are inspired by the resilience and tenacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Their encouragement to not give up, to engage, and join their efforts to bring urgent change through justice, truth-telling, treaty and genuine relationship.  Non-Indigenous Australians can support by showing up, by listening, learning, and amplifying First Nations voices - this is how we add logs to the fire. 

The HSC Trial Exams for Year 12 and Accelerating Year 11 students began today and will continue until Friday 16^th August. Year 9 students have their much-anticipated activity week next week. Our Year 7, 8 and 10 debaters will travel to Port Macquarie on Monday 5^th August for the Regional Debating Finals and a group of Year 11 students, and teachers will begin their Solomon Islands immersion experience very early on Saturday morning 10^th August. We wish them all well.

    Mary-Anne McShane
    Assistant Principal: Mission

MINISTRY

Welcome back to Term 3. There is lots happening in the world of ministry at MSPC this term.

Festa Christi Girls Retreat
Thanks to those Year 8 students who are attending the Festa Christi girls retreat with Miss Molloy next week, Thursday 8th - Friday 9th August at the Coffs Coast Adventure Centre. Miss Molloy will send students out final information via email next week. This will include when we are leaving on Thursday 8th.

 SHINE Conference
A reminder that Shine Conference for Year 9 and 10 Ministry students is on Thursday 22nd to Friday 23rd August at St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour. More information will be emailed to students closer to the date.

IGNITE Conference
The IGNITE Conference is happening again this year from Thursday 19th - Sunday 22nd September. Students who are attending have been given a note to complete as well as the online compass payment and consent. We apologise for the quick turnaround time. Parents/carers are asked to complete both the Compass and paper permission note and return to school no later than 9am tomorrow Friday 2nd August.

This year, one of our Year 10 students, Olivia Bagnall will be dancing in some of the performances and we are very excited. Olivia has worked hard auditioning and rehearsing for the event. 

Year 8 ‘Catch the Wave’ Retreat Day
Year 8 will be having their retreat day this term on Thursday 29th August in the Gilbey Hall. Students can wear sports uniforms on the day and recess and lunch will be at normal times. This year, the Proclaim Wildfire Retreat team will be running the day for our students. The day is a fun day of games, music, reflection and an opportunity to further explore faith. The day is a compulsory school day for Year 8 students.

Thank you
Thank you to the Year 7 and 9 students and their RE teachers for their great participation in the reflection days last week. Students and staff had a great few days engaging with students and participating in games, music, reflection, dancing and Mass for Year 7. A big thank you to Thomas McGhee, our College Youth Minister, for all his organising and planning for the days. Thank you also to Fr Peter Wood for narrating mass for our Year 7 students and to the parents who attended.

    Grace Molloy
    Leader of Evangelisation

Assistant Principal- Learning & Teaching

Year 12 Trial Examinations 
Our best wishes are with our Year 12 and Year 11 Accelerated students as they prepare for their upcoming Trial HSC Examinations. Our seniors have put in the ‘hard yards’, and now it's their time to shine in their Trial assessments. As always, we encourage students to stay focused, stay confident, and give each exam their best. - “You've got this Year 12!”

Year 10 Theatre Performance 
Year 10 had an excellent start to the term with a performance by Brett Hunt from Troubie Theatre, entitled, “Vietnam: Dusted Off”.  Students were very moved and engaged by Brett’s one-man performance. As the son of a Vietnam veteran, Brett provided a mix of voices from the time period interfused with lyrics and playing the guitar, providing students  with an insight into the biography of Brett’s father as a Vietnam War Veteran.

Year 8 and 10 Subject Selections
It is an exciting time for Year 8 and Year 10  students as they move through the process of selecting their subjects for the following year. 

Year 10 into 11 subject selections
Teachers met with Year 10 students and their parents in Week 1 to discuss their senior course choices. Mr Nix will met with Year 10 this week and the lines will be created from the choices that students make. Mr Nix will then email students again with what subjects are being offered and students will select a subject on each line. A reminder that this process is time stamped. Any concerns can be directed to Mr Corey Nix or myself.

Year 8 into 9 subject selections
The Year 8 selections have been completed for 200 hours. Students met with Mr Nix this week and will be notified shortly as to which subject they have been allocated from their choices. It is impossible to satisfy every student’s first choice. However, if the student is disappointed with their allocation they can send an email to Mr Nix corey.nix@lism.catholic.edu.au and should there be any changes made to other subjects creating vacancies, students can be considered from the waiting list.

    Jo McDonald
    Acting Assistant Principal: Learning & Teaching

Curriculum

Year 12 Trial Examinations
Students have been asked to check their timetable. The Trial block is scheduled to begin tomorrow Friday 2nd August until Friday 16th August, Term 3. Some timely information and reminders regarding the upcoming Year 12 Trial Examination block have been emailed and students are reminded to monitor their emails for pertinent information.

Year 12 students are not required at school during an assessment block period except when they have an assessment / examination to complete. Students will sign in on their arrival at the College at Presentation House and sign out on their departure. Study rooms will be available at the College each day during the assessment block period.

Students should make the most of this valuable opportunity to revise during this time. Students are expected to attend their assessments in school uniform, either full dress or sport uniform. Examination lengths vary and students should check their timetables on the MSPC Assessment Portal and be at the College 15 minutes prior to the commencement of an assessment task. The venues for assessment tasks are on the timetable.

Illness and Assessment
If a student is sick on the day of an assessment, they should:

1.  Ring the College office by 8:30 to advise absence: (02) 6672 2340
2. Have a Medical Practitioner complete the Mount St Patrick Assessment Variation Illness Application Form to cover the days the student is absent due to illness. A copy of the form is attached. Students have been informed that if this documentation is not provided a zero grade will be awarded, as per the Assessment Policy. On their return to school, students should give the medical certificate to Mrs Swift at the Front Office. A copy of the form is attached.
3.  Email Mr Nix to organise a catch up assessment: corey.nix@lism.catholic.edu.au

Year 11 accelerated students are reminded that they need to sign in and out at the front office and require a parents’ signed note to leave early.

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 3 and 4 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.

     Corey Nix
     Acting Leader of Curriculum

Welfare

This newsletter features Item 5 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: Sextortion
As technology continues to evolve, so do the challenges our children and young people face. The sharing of inappropriate images can have serious and lasting consequences, both legally and emotionally. Not only is it a violation of privacy, but it can also lead to cyberbullying, harassment, and even legal repercussions.

We urge you to have open and honest conversations with your young person about the importance of respecting themselves and others in the digital realm. Encourage them to think critically about the consequences of their actions online and to seek help if they ever feel pressured or uncomfortable.

Sexual extortion or ‘sextortion’ is a serious form of online blackmail. The process of sexual extortion can happen on any interactive service, including image and video sharing, instant messaging or social media apps. Offenders may even attempt to capture nude or sexual images of a young person while they’re on live stream or video, which is often then used as part of extortion.

Tips for parents from Think U Know

If your young person is being sextorted:
1. Take screenshots (keep the evidence).
2. Cut off all contact and block the offender.
3. Report it to any platforms or services where the blackmailer contacted you. You can also report here: Report Cyber. For more information, visit eSafety Sextortion . The Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre has a 24/7 Hotline: 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371). Immediate support ring Triple Zero (000).

Read more at Kids Helpline Sextortion
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.

Vaping is an issue that is a problem in society and also in schools. We want to consistently educate our students about the dangers of this activity. Below is the final article of a three part series that you can read and use to discuss the issue of vaping with your children.

Vaping: How to Support my Child if they are Vaping
Although advertising and peers can heavily influence your teen’s decisions, the impact you have as a parent, carries enormous weight. Research has found that parental involvement and a positive outlook can make a significant difference in healthy decision-making, both now and in the future.

Take a Health Approach
If you discover that your teen is vaping, address it as you would any other risk to your child’s health. Try to resist the urge to lecture, yell or punish your child. It is important to keep the lines of communication open and show your child that you are concerned about their health and safety.

Although purchasing vapes containing nicotine without a prescription is illegal in Australia, many vapes labelled as nicotine-free do contain nicotine. Your child may need support to stop vaping as nicotine is very addictive. The more your child vapes, the more both the brain and body will get used to having nicotine, and the harder it is to go without it. When a person stops vaping, even for a short period, they can experience withdrawal, including strong cravings, irritability, fatigue, headache, sleeplessness and difficulty concentrating.

Conversation Starters
Make sure your child recognises how much you care about them and that the conversation is coming from a place of unconditional love, support and concern for their wellbeing. Use the conversation starters below to understand if your child may be continuing to vaping to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Do you continue to vape even though you want to stop or think it’s hurting you in some way?
Do you feel anxious or irritable when you want to use your vape but can’t?
Do thoughts about vaping interrupt you when you are focused on other activities?
Do you vape at school? How often?
Have you ever tried to stop vaping but couldn’t?
Do you feel like you have lost control over your vaping?

Support to Quit Vaping
Read this helpfulinfographic for suggestions about how to support your child to quit vaping.

    Louise Shields
    Leader of Pastoral Care

Faculty News

INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY

FROM THE SPORTS DESK

OLYMPICS HONOUR FOR ISABELLE
Mount St Patrick’s own Isabelle Miller had the tremendous honour of holding the Solomon Islands flag in the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.

What a tremendous experience and the whole MSPC community will be watching as your Olympic journey continues in week 1 of the swimming program.

COLLEGE ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
Friday 26th July turned out to be a glorious albeit windy winter’s day. The opening day of the Olympics coincided with our carnival. All eyes however, at least for 6 hours, were on Walter Peate Oval in Kingscliff. Congratulations to all who turned up and competed. It was a wonderful day of competition with the “Red Army” of team Lisieux once again flexing their muscle to win the Fr Michael Alcock Trophy and ring the bell for 2024. Results as follows:

COUNTRY CUP RUGBY LEAGUE FINAL
Last Thursday our Under 15’s Boys Rugby League team travelled to Coffs Harbour to compete in the Country Finals.

The first game was against St Joseph’s Catholic College, Aberdeen, who made a quick start off the back of two costly penalties and streaked away to 12 - 0. A good set of six and a sharp offload near the line from Zane Godbee put Mason Staples over for a try to get our team on the scoreboard. Sunny Waters then took the game into his own hands with a brilliant grubber kick through the defensive line where he regathered and scored next to the posts taking the half-time score to 12-10.

The second half was back and forth in a defensive battle. St Joseph’s capitalised first without converting and we struck back shortly after through a beautiful Sunny Waters cut-out ball to Elijah Byrnes on the wing. A Zane Godbee try late in the game converted by Max Palmer, took us to a 20-16 lead. However, in the final minute, St Joseph’s struck back to share the points and take the final score to 20-20.

Our next game was against a red hot All Saints, Maitland team. The first half was reminiscent of the third state of origin as both teams engaged in a tough back and for grind for field position. Mason Staples was in the action, making a try saving tackle late in the half to keep the scores 0-0. The second half continued where the first left off without either team able to break through. Finally, All Saints found a way through weary defenders and take the wind out of our sails. A smart field goal and a try on full time took the final score to 13-0 in favour of All Saints.

Our last game was a 20-0 win due to a forfeit by St Joseph’s Port Macquarie. Despite the tight loss and tough draw, our boys had every reason to be proud. The effort, toughness and mateship on display from the team was a testimony to their Pattie’s spirit.

Michael Forrester and Brendan Campbell

RUGBY UNION 7’S
Under 16 Boys
The U16 boys Union team made their way to Evans Head for a big day of 7’s Rugby on Thursday 25^th August. After a few late withdrawals, the team was placed in a pool with Maclean High School and Ballina Coast High School. They played each team twice.

The fixtures against Maclean were a good introduction for the team to the game of Rugby, with most players coming from a League background. The first game ended up 5 tries to 2 to MSPC. The second match ended up 8 tries to 0 to MSPC. Notable mentions go to Jack Perry and Riley Monaghan who led from the front.

The fixtures against Ballina Coast were a different story with the boys being taught a lesson in how to play 7’s Rugby. The first match ended in a 8 tries to 0 loss and the second match ended 6 tries to 1. Special mention goes to Arthur Jackson who showed great character to run over the top of a defender and steam away for a fantastic try in the second match.

Despite the up and down results the boys played the game in the right spirit and represented the college well on the day. Congratulations to all players involved.

Sam Priddis

Under 14 Boys
The U14’s Boys had a very successful Gala Day with 2 wins against Woodlawn and Lindisfarne, 1 draw against Maclean and a loss against St Mary’s, Casino. They came up against some tough competition but were able to use their speed and agility to score some great full length tries. 

Some standout performances were: outstanding leadership shown by Wyatt Greenhill and Seth Leeson; lightning speed from Isaac Buchanan; and Super Coach George Healy. 

All the boys should be very proud of their efforts and are to be commended on their sportsmanship and the level of support shown to all our school teams. An enjoyable day all round! 

Lisa East

Under 14 Girls
A skilled display of flowing rugby was on display at Evans Head on Thursday 28^th July. The girls played beautiful rugby in their first game led by Piper Boddie. She skillfully set up many attacking raids on the opposition. Our forwards tackled, rucked and set the platform for our “go forward”.

Easily accounting for all our opponents at the Gala Day we are really looking forward to returning next today for the competition phase event where a spot at the State Finals is on offer in Sydney

Coach: Miss Kharis Birney

NSWCCC OPEN HOCKEY REPRESENTATIVE
Vann O’Keefe from Yr 11 travelled to Newcastle on Tuesday 23rd July to be part of the NSWCCC Open Boys Hockey team to play teams from CHS and CIS in what is dubbed the Tri Series.

Results: 
NSWCCC 2 defeated CHS 1
NSWCCC 1 CIS 2

Vann has been playing exceptional hockey over the past two years and missed selection in this team last year. It is an example of his resilience and determination to achieve his goals that he worked hard to overcome the disappointment of 2023 and improve his game to get this call up. Well done Vann!

SCHOOL SPORT AUSTRALIA HOCKEY

Lillian Corby from Year 9 is competing this week in the School Sport Australia Hockey Championships on the Gold Coast. Lillian was selected in the team due to her outstanding performances at the Tri Series against CIS and CHS teams late last term. The event will last all week. We wish her the best of luck.

KOKODA CHALLENGE 2024

MSPC Girls
Three very motivated girls from MSPC put a team together over the holidays to participate in the charity event - Kokoda Challenge 48km hike on the 13th July. Marley Dee, Mya Andrews and Inga-Marie Kolominskas registered their school team MSPC girls and raised over $500 for the Kokoda Youth Foundation Charity.

They organised and trained every Sunday for months leading up to the event and crossed the line in under 13 hours accompanied by Marley's dad Grant as their team leader.  The girls showed great resilience, determination and did themselves and the school proud on crossing that finish line.

Also competing in the challenge was a team accompanied by Mr Nix, Flynn Jones, Josh Muddle, Jack Thornton and Sanjay Nix

Hopefully it is something the school can get behind next year and put a few team together to participate.  You never know with a little encouragement the girls may take on the 96km challenge next year!

MSPC Boys
The Team of Flynn Jones, Joshua Muddle, Sanjay Nix, Jack Thornton plus Mr Corey Nix completed the 96 km Kokoda Challenge during the holidays on the 13th and 14th of July.

The Gold Coast Kokoda Challenge needs little introduction. Since 2004, the 96km course has attracted thousands of teams all eager to go face to face with the ‘big 5’ mountains that accumulate over 4,000 metres of elevation, plus the multiple creek crossings and walking through the night in the ferocious cold.

This event is not for the faint-hearted, it is designed for those who want to achieve something extraordinary and prove to themselves that they are capable of extending themselves far beyond their perceived limits. While it may seem like a physical challenge, it is ultimately a mental game.

But this is not a personal challenge, it has been dubbed Australia’s toughest TEAM endurance event for a reason, traversing the entire journey with your team. Hiking all through the day and the night, stopping to replenish food and water at 4 crewpoints.

Many thanks must go to the amazing Support Crew of Caitlyn Bice, Gretel Jones, Lucy Jones, and Tracee Nix. With 39 hours maximum time limit many physical and mental barriers were faced and defeated by this sensational team before Flynn Jones, Joshua Muddle, Sanjay Nix and Jack Thornton completed an amazing effort as the 23rd school team in 29 hours 15 minutes.

‘The reason they succeeded comes down to the four values of the Kokoda Spirit; courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice.’ Well Done!

Team Leader: Corey Nix

    Tim Whitney
    Sports Coordinator

CAPA

Updates from the Music Department 

As the Music Department prepares for another busy Term 3 we would like to remind students and parents of the many exciting opportunities heading their way.

This week a small group of Yr 10 students took part in a guitar workshop with our talented new guitar teacher Alicia who has joined the MSPC peripatetic team. 

If you would like to book lessons with Alicia or have any questions please email her at aliciacguitar@gmail.com

Looking further ahead, in Week 6 MSPC will hold the 2024 “Big Day Out”, an afternoon of fun to build College Spirit. We set up a Band Stage for individuals and bands to perform. Please contact kaitlyn.rennes-nadal@lism.catholic.edu.au or mitchelrice@lism.catholic.edu.au if you would like to perform at this event.

Shortly after in Week 9, the Year 12 Gala Night will be held at the local Regent Cinema. This growing tradition has been a highlight of many students' final years and is an opportunity for the Year 12 music class to perform their HSC pieces in front of friends, family and teachers.

Finally, our term will culminate with the Year 12 Graduation Mass, an event for which the College Band and Choir have already begun preparations. We will run an intensive day for Choir (Monday Week 6) and Band (Wednesday Week 5) to work on the repertoire. Any students not already on our radar who would like to be involved in choir or band for the Graduation Mass should get in contact. Likewise, any Year 12 students who would like a solo in the Graduation Mass.

We look forward to your participation and support for another exciting term!

College News

LEARNING HUB

Young Change Agents Inspire Year 7 and 8 Students

Late last term, the Learning Hub was abuzz with excitement as 38 students from Year 7 and 8 participated in a full-day workshop hosted by Young Change Agents. Young Change Agents is a not-for-profit social enterprise helping youth from all backgrounds see problems as opportunities, through social entrepreneurship.

In a "hackathon-style" format, students worked in teams of 4-5 to identify and tackle community issues centred around food. The workshop focused on three key themes: food scarcity, healthy food options, and fostering joy and connection through food. With guidance from the Young Change Agents team, the girls engaged in ideation, validation, prototyping, and pitching their innovative solutions.

The day began with an inspiring introduction to the importance of food in our lives. Students brainstormed ideas, crafted prototypes, and refined their solutions with enthusiasm and creativity. The highlight of the day was the pitching session, where each team presented their ideas to a panel of judges. Proposals ranged from sustainable urban gardens to apps promoting balanced diets and community events centred around cooking and sharing meals. The judges were impressed by the creativity, passion, and practicality of the solutions presented.

Throughout the day, students developed essential skills such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, problem-solving, and storytelling. They practised decision-making, pitching, leadership, design thinking, budgeting, and managing time. This workshop not only equipped students with valuable skills but also highlighted the significance of social entrepreneurship in addressing community issues. It was a day of learning, creativity, and inspiration, leaving everyone eager for future opportunities to make a difference.

Natalie Webster and Amanda Starr

Soundwaves: Amplifying student voices at MSPC

Last term, the Learning Hub launched a podcasting program, Soundwaves: Amplifying Student Voices. This program engaged students from Years 8 to 11 in a dynamic, four-week series of workshops. Each week students had the opportunity to learn from distinguished professionals in the podcasting field, honing skills that will serve them well in future endeavours.

Week 1: The Podcasters' Toolbox with Sally Brandon The program kicked off with Sally Brandon, a renowned digital media expert, university lecturer, and seasoned podcaster. Sally's session, "The Podcasters' Toolbox," introduced students to the essential tools and techniques required to produce high-quality podcasts. Her expertise and enthusiasm set the tone for the program, inspiring students to dive into the world of digital storytelling.

Week 2: Crafting Captivating Tales with Ben Gilmour and a Q&A session with Nathan McKittrick. In the second week, celebrated author Ben Gilmore took the reins, guiding students through the art of creating captivating narratives. Ben shared his secrets on effective storytelling and questioning techniques, encouraging students to develop their unique voices and perspectives. This session was instrumental in helping students understand the power of a well-told story. Following Ben was structured as a Q&A session, where seasoned podcaster Nathan McKitrick shared his expertise on building a successful podcast from scratch. With eight years of experience, Nathan provided valuable insights on turning a hobby into a professional podcasting venture.

Week 3: Vocal Training with Tiffany Richmond Week three brought a highly interactive session with vocal artist Tiffany Richmond. Tiffany's engaging workshop focused on voice modulation, clarity, and expression—key elements in delivering compelling audio content. Students had a blast experimenting with their vocal techniques, gaining confidence and poise in their delivery.

Week 4: Editing, Production, and Publishing with Sally Brandon The final week saw Sally Brandon return to lead a comprehensive session on editing, production and publishing. Students learned how to refine their recordings, add professional touches, and distribute their podcasts to a wider audience. This hands-on experience provided them with the technical skills necessary to bring their creative visions to life.

The motivations for joining the Soundwaves program were as diverse as the students themselves. Some were eager to podcast about their special interests in drama and history, while others aimed to extend the reach of college clubs, such as the book club. Notably, the Year 9 accelerated science class plans to collaborate with the community initiative Regen2484, podcasting their progress in designing and implementing innovative solutions to climate impacts. Shanti Smyth, a student in Year 8 reflected on her involvement in the program, “I have really enjoyed this experience, as I have had the opportunity to learn how to use podcasting equipment and improve editing skills. I can already tell that this is going to benefit multiple parts of my daily life.”

Thanks to a generous CSO Arts and Innovation Grant, the Soundwaves Podcasting Program was a resounding success. These programs play a crucial role in equipping students with essential skills for the future, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and technical proficiency. Science teacher Lauren Frankham shared her insights, “What an incredible opportunity for our students! As our young people explore their many gifts and abilities, podcasting has proved to be an area of increasing interest for our students and to have experts join us over the last month to share their skills and passion has been unbelievable for the MSPC student community. I have loved seeing the students learn new skills to communicate their ideas and have more ways to use their voice in the community. I think we may have captured some budding future podcasters!”

We look forward to hearing the incredible podcasts our students will produce and seeing how they continue to grow as storytellers and innovators. Stay tuned for more exciting projects and initiatives!

    From The Learning Hub Team

Community News