MSPC Newsletter - Term 2 Week 8, 10th June 2021
Principal
Dear Parents/Caregivers
COVID REMINDER
With Victoria again experiencing lockdown it is an opportune time to remind everyone of the importance of following due process and care in regards to COVID-19. As we are now in winter and colds tend to be more prevalent, I would ask that students not come to school if they are unwell. As per NSW Health advice, people displaying symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, dry cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, headache) are advised to get tested and should not return to school until a negative result is returned.
VAPING AND OTHER RISKY BEHAVIOURS
I have previously advised about the College concerns about vaping. It appears to be a problem that is stretching across Australia. Below is a short video from the Today Show clearly explains why we are so concerned. I would encourage you to speak to your young person about the risks of vaping. We are trying to make Mount St Patrick College a safe place for all.
A conversation about risky behaviour that young people may be participating in can be difficult. As parents and carers, we may not be aware of what our young people have access to. This can range from the physical risks such as vaping and drugs to online risks with access to such things as cyber-bullying, pornography and peer pressure for selfies. Even though I deal with students every day, I am still surprised at what is easily attainable for them. Although these conversations can be difficult, if you make the time, they will respond to you showing an interest and care. That does not mean you allow risky behaviour, but it will give you an “in” to be part of the conversation with them as they navigate many difficult situations.
DUSTY SHOES
Argentinian Jorge Mario Bergoglio was the parish priest of an impoverished community. He enlisted some seminarians to assist him, to walk the neighbourhood, meet everyone, churchgoers or not, see what was needed. When the seminarians returned from the walks, Bergoglio would check whose shoes were dusty, who was meeting people where they were, who was doing the work. He wanted to know how the Church could help, to make a difference to these people. When he was elected Pope, Francis said, “Our life is a journey, and when we stop moving things go wrong”. As a priest, bishop and pope he has been relentless in his pursuit of encountering all, true to his Ignatian spirituality to “find God in all things”. Our College theme this year is to Journey Together and this may mean our shoes will get dusty.
Be the Good and God Bless
Paul Reidy: Principal
Assistant Principal - Mission
Mary-Anne McShane: Assistant Principal- Mission
YEAR 11 STREET RETREAT
This will take place from Thursday 17th to Sunday 20th June where some of our Year 11 and 12 students will work with a range of social justice initiatives/ ministries in Brisbane. This will bring together approximately seventy Catholic secondary students (from the Lismore Diocese) to be with like-minded peers and to celebrate and meet with other young people who practice their faith. We wish Jordynne Riccuiti, Emma Loughman, Lucy Jones and Matteo McDermott, as well as Mrs Finkel, a fantastic experience and pray that it will be one that encourages them to continue to use their faith in practical ways.
NOVO
This is a Youth Ministry Program open to all students and takes place a few times a year in the Gilbey Centre. The night involves sharing a meal, games/challenges, media, student/staff speakers who explain their story in the light of the theme and of course lots of fun. On Friday 4th June approximately 40 students and 4 staff enjoyed each other’s company and engaged with the theme of ‘Living a Life of Service’.
This focussed on the idea that each of us is free to live the type of life we choose, yet we are called and challenged to become the best person we can. This involves thinking about others and following the example of Jesus. After Cooper Leslight and Emma Loughman shared their reflections on this, students were given some quiet time to think about how they might do this in their lives. The night finished with some very creative dancing. Thanks to our YMO’s Cooper and Breeanna, as well as Emma Wilkinson and Bethany McTaggert for organising and facilitating the night’s activities. Also thanks to Mrs Cripps, Mr Levick and Miss McShane for helping on the night. We hope to have another NOVO in Term 3.
Michael O'Donohue: Leader of Evangelisation
Welfare
With technology and devices now being readily available to children and teenagers, access to inappropriate and misguided information is a concern. What is considered “normal” by teenagers seems to be shifting. As parents and teachers, we have a responsibility to try to educate our young people so that they can grow into responsible, respectful and caring adults.
Below is a link that may provide an opportunity to help our awareness regarding pornography.
This fortnight's Wellbeing forcus for the week is Meaning and Purpose. The character strength is Creativity.
Below is a resource that as parents, may help us.
Louise Shields: Leader of Welfare
Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
The Learning and Teaching Team has continued its focus on the improvement of writing for all students. The team has begun a series of Learning Walks to gather data about what is going on in the classrooms. Paul Reidy, myself and Narelle Chaffer will be visiting classrooms over the next two weeks and asking students two questions-:
What are you learning? Why?
- Do they talk about what they are learning or what they are doing?
- Can they articulate what they are learning?
How are you going? How do you know?
- Are students aware of this (assessment capable)?
- Do they make reference to success criteria or another tool?
These questions will inform us if we are making progress in our goal to create visible learners.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
As the students complete their first semester of learning and assessment,the College has been recognising each year group and rewarding students for Academic Excellence and Academic Merit at assemblies in front of the College. It is important that students are recognised and that the whole school celebrates their success. Academic Excellence is awarded to students who achieve first place in a subject. An Academic Merit is awarded to one or two students in each class and is awarded by the teacher for a variety of reasons. These reasons could be improvement, diligence or cooperation. I congratulate all those students who received the awards and challenge all students to strive to improve as we enter the second semester of learning.
Year 12 and Year 11 Accelerated Students are currently completing assessments. The students will then receive feedback and begin preparing for their final assessment task in Term 3 - The Trials. I wish them well and hope they are rewarded for all their hard work. During the term break a variety of tutorials will be offered by teachers to assist the students in their preparation for the final assessment tasks.
YEAR 7 - 10 REPORTS
Year 7 - 10 reports will be emailed home in the last week of term. We ask parents to discuss the reports with their child and contact teachers if they have concerns. This is an important step in building the partnership between the College and the home in your child’s education.
Narelle Sherrah: Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
Curriculum
Week 8 has been a busy week all round at the College. Year 7 have now completed an array of assessment tasks and have begun working on new topics in various subject areas. In particular, Year 7 have begun their Project Based Learning Assessment: Stewards of Creation for Religious Education. This is an exciting project and students, in their assigned groups, have impressed their teachers with their enthusiasm and innovative ideas. Their brief is how they could improve the environment at MSPC, to make it a more sustainable and environmentally friendly place for all living creatures.
Years 8 to 10 have now completed their Half Yearly Examinations. This type of assessment provides students with an important opportunity to reflect on what they have done well and areas they could improve to move their learning forward. A lot is learned from this experience.
Year 12 have nearly completed their Term 2 Assessment block and Year 11 are readying themselves for their assessments which begin on Monday of Week 10.
The following table details the upcoming assessments for Weeks 9 and 10:
Of special note, the College is very proud of Year 11 student, Amelie Ogg, who was one of eleven students selected across Australia for the Australian Catholics Scholarship Media Internship Program. This was a wonderful opportunity for Amelie to hone her writing skills and gain insights into the profession. Amelie has written about her experiences.
Jo McDonald: Leader of Curriculum
Media Internship - Amelie Ogg
During Week 4, I participated in an online media internship run via Zoom by Jesuit Communications Australia. The JesComm team are behind several well-known publications including Eureka Street, a news site which aims to open up conversations about issues in our world, and Australian Catholics, a magazine about Catholic faith and communities which is distributed to over 100,000 homes around Australia. The internship involved 11 students in Years 10 and 11 from all over the country working together to help design and produce the 2021 spring edition of the Australian Catholics magazine, the theme for which is “faith in the future”. We spent the week brainstorming ideas for the magazine and each choosing 2 articles to write, which will then be published in the magazine in September.
We interviewed journalists from a range of fields including freelance, news, feature, opinion, investigation, politics, and overseas correspondence, as well as people working in social and digital media communications. This provided valuable insight into what it’s like working on the inside of the media and journalism industries. We also received helpful advice about how we can go about starting a career in these areas. It was extremely interesting listening to various peoples’ experiences in the media industry, and entirely changed my perspective on journalism. But above all that, it was a rare chance to hang out with people my age around the country and make new friends with similar interests. We were able to have fun conversations, including several passionate discussions about Star Wars movies and Hogwarts houses, while working collaboratively. It was a great experience and I’m very glad I was given the opportunity to participate in such an amazing week.
If you have any interest in journalism, TV news, managing websites and social media, magazine design and production, or any form of writing and communication, I highly recommend applying for this program next year.
Amelie Ogg - Year 11 student
Faculty News
FROM THE SPORTS DESK
NSW ALL SCHOOLS SWIMMING
Willa Hoffman in Year 7, represented NSWCCC Swim team in the recent NSW All Schools event which took place in Sydney. She came 7th in the 50m Fly at All Schools with a new personal best. An athlete cannot do any better than performing on the big stage as Willa did and swim the fastest she ever has. Well done on a fantastic swim season Willa!
COLLEGE ATHLETICS CARNIVAL REMINDER
A friendly reminder to all families in our College community to once again think about our Athletics Carnival next Term Tuesday 20th July. Students will be allowed to be dropped off at Walter Peate if it is convenient from around 8am as there will be staff there to supervise and set up the Carnival.
Also in week 10 this term a google form will be sent to all families regarding intentions of students on Carnival day.
If the student:
- needs to catch a bus to and from Carnival.
- will be dropped off at Walter Peate oval in the morning but needs a bus back to Murwillumbah.
- needs a bus to the Carnival but a parent will be picking them up at 2.30pm and taking them home.
EQUESTRIAN UPDATE
Willo Fletcher YR 7, competed at the weekend in Toowoomba proudly representing our school in the IOR RURAL 2021 DARLING DOWNS & SOUTH WEST QLD INTERSCHOOL REGIONAL CHAMPS (15 & 16 May, 2021). Unable to 'place' at the event due to being out of region, Willo rode 3 x Show Jumping events HC (Hors Concours) in the Secondary School competition in the 80cm AM5, Super 2 Phase and A2 classes.
Willo's results with her Australian Stock Horse 'Ducky' were: 3 x CLEAR 'time and fault' rounds, earning them a qualifier for the 2021 Interschools State Championships next month, where again she will be representing MSPC!
Willo and Ducky were competing against schools with large experienced equestrian teams such as Fairholme, Glennie and Scots PGC comprising mostly of Year 10, 11 and 12 students. We are very proud of Willo and Ducky's achievements, and grateful to her parents Hayley and Steve for supporting both them and the College.
Commencing this year competing in Eventing (Show Jumping, Dressage and Cross Country), Willo has moved her focus more recently toward refining her and Ducky's Show Jumping skills.
Their next Interschools Show Jumping Competitions will be in Warwick for the Scots PGC Extravaganza, followed by Fig Tree Pocket for the Somerville House Event, then onto the Interschools State Championships in Caboolture. Great work Willo and Ducky, thank you for being a proud and successful ambassador for the College.
NSWCCC FOOTBALL SELECTIONS
Elizabeth Warne, Asha Pearson and Darcy Wills recently attended the NSWCCC Football selections in Sydney were they played for the Lismore Open girls and boys teams. This 3 day event is used to select the NSWCCC Teams to compete in the NSW ALL SCHOOLS Championships later in the year. Both teams got a few wins but did not make the finals. The standard of play at this level is quite exceptional. All our representatives still have a few more years of representing opportunities with Elizabeth and Asha in Year 10 and Darcy in Year 11.
NSWCCC CROSS COUNTRY
The following students attend the NSWCCC Cross Country event at Eastern creek: Stephanie Mayne, Sam Hynes, Amali Moore, Elijah Keyes Elise Devery and Eva Barlow.
We will have a full list of results in the next newsletter.
DIO JUNIOR SOCCER
Boys
Three days out from the Dio Jnr Football Championship our squad of 16 players received their uniforms. Why? the boys had an unfriendly 8;30am game. Come the morning of the comp and sickness and illness had claimed 4 of our squad, 12 players were left to challenge the rest of the Diocese. A tough ask indeed.
Game 1 developed into a stalemate against Xavier Catholic College. They had all the ball, but our back line had all the answers. Until a low penetrating shot used the early morning due to skim along the ground to elude our keeper. A hard fought loss, but we were in the game.
Game 2 against a much larger Kempsey team. Flynn Jones and Jake Shackell were snapping at the oppositions heels and thwarting attack after attack. Rylan McGovern did not give an inch and the attackers got tired of his physical dominance. Although saving several powerful shots over the last line of defence, Jacob “the wall” Lanyon could not stop a raid on goal. Kempsey with a late goal for the win.
Game 3. Two teams desperate for a win. Woodlawn, a much taller side but our team’s skill, agility and teamwork stopped ongoing attacks. Sam Hynes never stopped running all day and demonstrated exceptional back line skill and tenacity. “The wall” (Jacob Lanyon) again made save after save to completely frustrated Woodlawn who were unable to score. Nil-nil was a great result for a group of tireless workers.
Game 4 Trinity needed a win to advance to the finals, we wanted to deny them any opportunity to progress. And so it was the same story, Trinity dominated possession, each and every player was committed to making Trinity really earn a win. In our best display of possession football, we managed to control the ball. A few unforced errors and turnovers led to Trinity's shot on goal, but the full time whistle sounded and it was another nil-nil result.
What a great day of soccer. Our young team will be so much better by playing up an age group against, at times, much bigger bodies. Many positives came out of the day that once more go to the prospects of next year’s comp.
Girls
It was 4:30am, Wednesday 2nd June. 13 girls piled onto the bus out of the freezing cold, eager to play some soccer.
The first game was against Trinity Catholic College, and after taking a little time to gel our girls started to playing really well. Sienna Bull held the midfield strong along with Imogen Andrews, the girls making some great tackles and breakaways. Maddison White played a great game as goalie making some really good saves. Trinity were able to make a breakthrough the girls last line of defence and slot a goal however the girls didn’t make it easy for them.
The girls fought hard and had a few nice shots on goal but Trinity's goalie was working hard keeping our team from putting points on the scoreboard. The full time whistle was blew and the score was 1-0 to Trinity.
The girls had just enough time to have a drink of water and then they were back on the field playing a back to back game against St John’s, Woodlawn. With a quick change of goalie from Maddison to Chelsea Templeton the girls went out and played again.
Some great passes were made down the sideline by the midfields and backed up by the strikers, unfortunately Woodlawn stopped the girls from scoring. The girls played a great defensive game from start to finish.
After a break the girls were taking their positions on the field. With new positions established the girls were off to a strong start. A nice ball glided perfectly up the sideline and Sienna Bull received it and placed a powerful shot on goal and slotted the ball in the back of the net. Isabelle played a strong game in defence and Skye Waters made many great passes through the midfield. Marly Kuramochi had an excellent game as the new goalie making many great saves. Unfortunately, the Woodlawn’s goalie kept saving all the girls shots on goal leaving the score 1-3 to Woodlawn.
The girls last game was against Xavier College, Ballina. Grace Farrell made some great clearing shots from her defensive position while Marley played another blinder in the goals. Another back to back game had the girls tiring but they kept pushing till the end whistle was blown making great passes up the sideline and some great tackles. The girls had fun, played a strong game in both attack and defence and progressively got better as the day went on.
TERM 3 ELECTIVE SPORTS
Parents, please discuss with your child their option for Term 3 sport from the list below.
Students will be sent an email next Monday 14th June and they will be asked to select three options in preferential order. Please be aware of the costs involved in some of the sports. Students will be informed of their chosen sport on Monday 21st June, last week of this Term and they will only be able to make a change (if available) during that week, Week 10.
UPCOMING DATES
Term 2
Week 10
Tuesday 22nd June NRCC Touch Football – Ballina
Term 3
Week 2
Tuesday 20th July College Athletics Carnival – Walter Peate Oval Kingscliff
Wednesday 21st Diocesan Touch Football Carnival – Saunders Oval Ballina
Friday 23rd July Regional Finals Queensland school Aussie Rules Streetsmart Cup – Ipswich
Week 4
Tuesday 2nd & Wednesday 3rd August Diocesan Junior Basketball - Coffs Harbour
Week 5
Monday 9th August NRCC Junior Aussie rules – Byron Bay
Thursday 12th August Diocesan Athletics – Coffs Harbour
Week 6
Monday 16th August NRCC Intermediate Aussie rules - Byron Bay
HSIE
AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHY COMPEITION 2021
Mt St Patrick College Geography students from Years 9 to 12 tested their geographical skills and knowledge against students from all around Australia in the 2021 Australian Geography Competition. Geography teacher Mr Pat Weetman is very pleased with the results obtained by the volunteer students, who were competing with over 73,000 students from 727 schools Australia wide. Some of the outstanding results included:
Year 12: Corey Grossman - Distinction
Year 11: Amelie Ogg - High Distinction
Year 9: Anja Griffen - High Distinction ( Top 1% of Year 9 students in Australia); Amelia Keyes - High Distinction; Caitlyn Moore - Distinction; Alyssa Templeton - Credit.
Well done to all students!
Chris Core: Leader of Learning - HSIE
YARNING CIRCLE
Year 7C & 7D Geography enjoyed participating in a Yarning Circle with our Indigenous Liaison Officer Brandy, sharing culture and learning some Bundjalung words. They also learned about some of our local sacred Indigenous sites such as:- Mt Wollumbin, - The Dreaming story of Javreen,- How Fingal came to be called "Mynjung Booning", meaning Place of the Echidna, with the shape of the basalt outcrop of rocks that form Fingal Head mirroring its shape.
Sharon Foyster: HSIE Teacher
College News
P & F News
The next College P & F meeting will be held on Tuesday 15th June (Week 9) at 5:30 pm in the College Library. Everyone is very welcome to attend.
Come and support our new P & F Executive elected at our AGM last month: Sheridan Hargreaves - President; Sheree Loughman - Vice President; Lesley Van Rosi - Treasurer; Mary-Ann Thackray - Secretary.
VINNIES
Launching the Vinnies Winter Appeal 2021
Can you feel the chill in the air? Winter is almost here! Vinnies are currently preparing for a Winter Appeal to meet the needs of thousands of Australians, including children currently without a home, and will struggle to stay warm this winter.
Mt St Patrick College is again fundraising on behalf of Vinnies NSW. We can make a real difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness and disadvantage. Funds raised and items donated by our College can be designated to support a local St Vinnies conference.
We are asking all students to please bring in non-perishable items to add to the Winter Appeal box in their Homeroom. This will be ongoing until the last day of this term. In need are items such as tinned foods, tinned/packet soups, toiletry items, second-hand clothing and blankets.
In addition to the Winter Appeal Boxes, MSPC will be having a PJ-themed mufti day where all students are being asked to wear their pyjamas to school - all in the name of the Winter Appeal of course. Gold coin donations for all students not wearing uniform will be collected during HR on the day. The date for this Pyjama/Free Dress day will be next Wednesday 16th June (Week 9).
Keep warm this winter everyone and thank you for supporting others doing it tough.
From The MSPC VInnies Team
Puzzle Corner
How can you drop a lightbulb from a height of 4 feet and be certain it will not break?
Can you solve the puzzle above?
If you think you have the solution, please see Mrs Bevan. The first 10 correct answers will receive a prize.
Congratulations to the winners form the puzzle in the last edition of the newsletter : Bryce Matlock, Sam Anderson, Joseph Fitzgerald, Darcy Hannah, Ty Banbury, Joshua Lees, Miranda Quantrill, Ysabella Purser, Harrison Sharp
Answer : 32 people in the circle
Awards
CO-ORDINATOR'S, PRINCIPAL'S AND COLLEGE AWARDS
LISIEUX CO-ORDINATOR'S AWARDS
Year 7: Jack Bourke, Dougall Hughes, Samuel Hynes, Dannielle Kee, Max Palmer, Cain Twomey, Alexander Wellm, Annie Butt, Keesia Close (2).
Year 8: Eliza Wightley, Samuel Acret, Patrick Corby, Cale Graham.
Year 9: Phonika Gumm
Year 10: Neo Willis, Cameron McLean, Darcy Nankivell, Kelsey Wyborn.
Year 11: Jamal Woods
LISIEUX PRINCIPAL AWARDS
Year 7: Keesia Close
Year 8: Samuel Acret
Year 10: Neo Willis, Cameron McLean, Kelsey Wyborn.
LISIEUX COLLEGE AWARDS
Year 10: Kelsey Wyborn
LORETO CO-ORDINATOR'S AWARDS
Year 7: Marley Abbott, Olivia Bagnall, Georgia Biskup, Grace Farrell, Darcy Irby, Sanjay Nix, Taya Oates, Elissa Hawkins, Maddison Shackell.
Year 8: Rhys Charman, Gian Kendrick-Morosini, Payten Nash, Alice Simke Hetherington, Delilah Teague, Rachel Devoy.
Year 9: Zayne Chisholm (2), John Dunbar, Saskia Gray, Joshua Wharton, Enya McCarthy.
Year 10: Dylan Gale, Isobel Gresham (2), Tahu Aldred-Sutherland, Grace Kelly.
Year 11: Levi Van Rosi
Year 12: Louis Staunton
LORETO PRINCIPAL'S AWARDS
Year 7: Grace Farrell
Year 8: Alice Simke Hetherington
Year 9: Zayne Chisholm
Year 10: Grace Kelly
LUCAN CO-ORDINATOR'S AWARDS
Year 7: Charlie Gear, Milla Hartwig-Costello, Luke Leach, Cruz McAuliffe, Milana Mutton (2), Kaulana O’Farrell-Carter, Arielle O’Leary-Hume, Mahli-Summer Abbott, Stephanie Mayne, Annabelle O’Grady, Ivy Piticco, Lachlan Scifleet,.
Year 8: Jesse Barrett, Jack French, Hunter Leslight, Jaxon McAuliffe, Cody Taylor, Stella Taylor, Emelia Thompson, Lachlan Tuckwell.
Year 9: Lillian Gibb, Finlay Purnell, Maya Wheeler, Ava Price, Isaak Sherington, Lily Swan.
Year 10: Taliesin Faranda, Ruby Van Den Driest.
Year 11: Kye Haywood, Jayde Shultz.
LUCAN PRINCIPAL'S AWARDS
Year 7: Charlie Gear, Luke Leach, Milana Mutton, Annabelle O’Grady, Ivy Piticco.
Year 8: Jesse Barrett
Year 9: Lillian Gibb
Year 10: Ruby Van Den Driest
NAGLE CO-ORDINATOR'S AWARDS
Year 7: Matilda Dunnachie, Ivy Eadsforth, Abigail Gilson, Jack Peters, Hugo Portus, Kye Thierjung (2), Taleishia Robinson.
Year 8: Denzel Browning, Ava Browning (2), Molly Dean, Nitchanan Siripiboon, Koby Skinner, Benjamin Wilson.
Year 9: Hunter East, Summer Gibbons, Kiana Tyack.
Year 10: Angel De Los Angeles, Maya O’Callaghan, Katie Macdonald, Layla Marr.
Year 11: Miranda Larkin, Lilly-Anne Crawford, Fiona Laybutt.
NAGLE PRINCIPAL'S AWARDS
Year 7: Jack Peters, Kye Thierjung
Year 10: Angel De Los Angeles
NAGLE COLLEGE AWARDS
Year 10: Angel De Los Angeles
Canteen Roster
Community News
Council wants to hear from young people, about what YOUth want!
Register for a Youth Co-design Workshops throughout June (face-to-face and online options)
Registrations for the four co-design workshops are now open!
Be part of designing new outdoor youth spaces, recreation facilities, events and activities. At the workshops young people, industry experts and Council will co-design what these should look like, what should be included and how they should be designed to be more youth-friendly and inclusive.
The four workshops (see flyer attached)
To register and for more information visit yoursaytweed.com.au/youth-voice