MSPC Newsletter - Term 3, Week 2, 31st July
Principal
Assistant Principal - Mission
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT REVIEW
This four-day Review concludes at 4pm this afternoon 1st August with the expert panel members feeding back their findings and recommendations to staff. The written report will be sent to Mr Dykes in a few weeks’ time. Then the process of informing students, parents and the wider community about the recommendations and our priorities in addressing them begins in order to make Mount St Patrick College an even better school. So far, the feedback from the four-member panel has been positive and affirming of the good things that are already happening at the College.
Thank you to those parents who answered the questions posed to them by panel members with honesty and insight, last Tuesday during the Year 7 – 10 Parent/Teacher/Student conferences.
BEST WISHES TO OUR TRAVELLERS IN WEEK 3
Year 9 students are very excited about their upcoming week-long excursions to either the snow or Moreton Island. We hope they all keep safe and well and look after the generous teachers accompanying them.
Many Year 11 students are preparing for their upcoming visits to the Solomon Islands or Maningrida at the end of next week. We assure them of our thoughts and prayers as they embark on these life-changing adventures.
Mary-Anne McShane
Assistant Principal: Mission
MINISTRY
Term 3 Highlights – Upcoming Faith & Formation Events
Welcome back to Term 3. We have an exciting few weeks ahead filled with meaningful experiences for our students. Here’s a look at what’s coming up:
Thank you Year 9 students and RE teachers
A big thank you to all the Year 9 students who attended their Retreat Day on Wednesday 23rd July with special guest Chris Doyle. It was a fantastic day filled with fun music, games, laughter, and meaningful activities that helped us reflect on who we are and how we can be kind and supportive to one another.
Your positive energy and participation made the day a great success – well done!
Week 4 – Feast of the Assumption Mass
On Friday, 15 August, our College community will come together to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption with a special Mass. This is a significant day in our Catholic tradition, and we look forward to celebrating it as a community.
Week 5 – SHINE Gathering
Students in our Year 9 and 10 Youth Ministry classes will attend the SHINE Gathering on 21–22 August. This event brings together young people from across the diocese to be inspired in their faith and leadership. It is always an uplifting and energising experience! Students will arrive at school as normal at leave about 9am with Miss Molloy, Mrs Cripps and Mr Windhorst and return Friday late afternoon. Students will need to be collected from the College. We will also make two stops at Yelgun Rest Stop and Mooball. Students will just need a note and a parent present to collect them.
Week 6 – Year 8 ‘Catch the Wave’ Retreat Day
On Friday, 29 August, our Year 8 students will participate in the ‘Catch the Wave’ Retreat. To make the day more meaningful and manageable, the cohort will be split—half attending in the morning, and the other half in the afternoon. This retreat helps students explore their faith and identity in a supportive environment. Retreats are an important part of life at MSPC, offering students time to reflect, grow in their faith, and build stronger connections with their peers in a supportive environment. Attendance is expected as it is a compulsory school day. Students will also have the opportunity to submit expressions of interest to join the Youth Ministry class for 2026. We will send out more information closer to the date.
Week 10 – Graduation Week
It's not long to go! We are already preparing for our Year 12 Graduation Mass and Assembly on Thursday 25th September. This is a special time for our Year 12 students as they reflect on their journey and prepare to step into the next chapter of their lives. More details to come soon!
Week 10 – IGNITE Conference
A small group of students from Years 8–11 will travel to Brisbane for the IGNITE Conference on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 September. This is a dynamic and faith-filled event that offers students the opportunity to grow spiritually, connect with others, and be inspired.
Just a reminder to families of students attending IGNITE:
The Catholic Schools Office generously subsidises the full cost of the conference. The student contribution is only $390, which offers fantastic value for this incredible experience.
Please ensure this amount is paid in full via Compass. Notes need to be returned to our College Youth Minister Thomas by the end of this week.
We look forward to sharing stories and photos from these events in the coming weeks!
Miss Grace Molloy
Leader of Evangelisation
Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
TERM 3 UPDATE FROM “THE BEST SCHOOL IN THE UNIVERSE”
Welcome Back to Term 3!
Term 3 has begun with energy and enthusiasm! Students are engaged in their learning and buoyed by school spirit following a brilliant Athletics Carnival. Year 12 Trials begin today, this is a pivotal assessment phase for many subjects. Best of luck to Year 12 your dedication through holiday tutorials is admirable, and we hope feedback helps you sharpen your focus for the HSC ahead.
Year 11 Achievements & Opportunities
Congratulations to Year 11 for yesterday’s Academic Excellence certificates recognising first place in subject and Academic Merits for effort and improvement. Well done to everyone for proudly attending in full formal uniform and celebrating success together. As major projects near completion and final exams approach, Year 11 have a busy and exciting term ahead.
Parent–Teacher–Student Conferences
Thank you to all parents, students, and teachers who participated in Tuesday 29th July’s conferences. Strong partnership between home and school makes a meaningful impact. Your input matters. Please give us some feedback so we can continue to enhance the experience.
Event Highlight: BIG DAY OUT – August 28th 2025
Our annual BIG DAY OUT tradition was unveiled at this week’s assembly by Year 12 leaders. Themes are being planned, and everyone’s excitement is building. Expect stalls, live performances, activities, Touch Footy finals, and the classic Staff vs Year 12 match. All proceeds support Bishop Epalle’s December visit.
Year 11 Immersion Trip
We’re sending 30 Year 11 students on the Solomon Islands/Maningrida Immersion next week. Safe travels to all involved—we can’t wait to hear about the experience of a lifetime when you return!
Have a productive and enjoyable term
Narelle Sherrah
Assistant Principal: Learning and Teaching
Pastoral Care
📱 Digital Wellbeing: Why Less Screen Time Might Mean More Peace of Mind for Teens
Dear Parents & Guardians,
Smartphones are part of everyday life—for us and especially for our teens. But how much is too much? A recent study offers important insights into how cutting down on smartphone screen time can benefit mental health—and it might encourage your family to hit the digital "pause" button.
🔬 What Did the Study Find?
In a 3-week research project involving university students aged 18–29, participants were asked to reduce their smartphone screen time to under two hours a day. At the end of the trial, those who cut back on phone use reported noticeable improvements in:
- Depressive symptoms
- Sleep quality
- Stress levels
- General wellbeing
These changes were measured using established mental health tools, and the results were consistent and significant. Importantly, these improvements happened in just three weeks.
While screen use returned to higher levels after the experiment ended, the study suggests that screen time reduction—not just monitoring—has a real, measurable impact on young people’s mental health.
📉 How Much Screen Time Are Teens Getting?
On average, teens are spending over 3.5 hours on their phones every day—and many exceed 5 hours. While phones can help teens stay connected socially and even provide helpful distractions, excessive use is now clearly linked to reduced wellbeing.
The research also highlighted that over 2 hours per day of general phone use can negatively affect mental health, especially when the purpose is entertainment or passive scrolling.
🌿 So, What Can We Do?
As a parent, you don’t need to ban phones—but helping your teen set gentle limits and reflect on their habits can make a difference. Here are a few tips:
- Co-create screen time goals: Try a family challenge to reduce screen time together.
- Encourage tech-free zones: Bedrooms, mealtimes, and homework hours are great places to start.
- Promote healthy alternatives: Encourage sport, art, reading, or downtime outdoors.
- Use built-in tools: Many smartphones now offer weekly screen time reports or limit settings.
❤️The Takeaway
Reducing screen time—even for just a few weeks—can improve sleep, reduce stress, and boost your teen’s overall wellbeing. While phones are here to stay, encouraging mindful use can help your child build healthier habits for life.
Let’s work together to support a positive balance between digital life and real life.
Warm regards,
Lara Thompson
Leader of Pastoral Care
Curriculum
Term 3 is off to a busy and productive start. It is a particularly significant time for our Year 12 and accelerated Year 11 students as they prepare for their upcoming Trial Examinations in Weeks 3 and 4.
This week, students in Years 8 and 10 will complete the first stage of the subject selection process, where they will indicate their preferred subjects in order of priority. This information will be used to determine which subjects will be offered. We will meet with students again in the coming weeks to continue with the next stage of the process.
During the assessment block, Year 12 students are only required to attend school when they have a scheduled examination. On arrival at the College, students must sign in at Presentation House and sign out upon departure. This period provides a valuable opportunity for revision, and students are encouraged to make the most of it.
Students must wear full school uniform, either dress or sport uniform, when attending assessments. As examination durations vary, students should consult their timetable via the Assessment Portal and ensure they arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start of each task. Assessment venues are also listed on the timetable.
A reminder that a summary of the Assessment Policy is available on the front page of the Assessment Portal, accessible via the MSPC Moodle page. Detailed Assessment Handbooks can be found on each year group's page within the Portal.
PLEASE NOTE: The following is an assessment overview for Weeks 9 and 10 of Term 2. Students should check their assessment calendar on the portal for accuracy and to ensure that changes have not been made since publishing this guide.
A summary of the Assessment Policy can be found on the front page of the Assessment Portal via the MSPC Moodle Page. Information Handbooks are on the Portal.
Illness / Absence - Assessments: Years 7, 8 and 9
If a student is sick and unable to complete an assessment on the due date, Years 7, 8 and 9 (see below for Year 9 Accelerated) require an email or a letter from a parent / carer to the class teacher, detailing the student’s circumstances for non-completion of an assessment task.
Illness / Absence - Assessments: Year 9 Accelerated and Year 10 and Year 10 Accelerated and Year 11.
For Year 9 Accelerated and Years 10 and 11, a medical practitioner or pharmacist 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. Important: Year 9 Accelerated and Year 10 - a family event or holiday will not be accepted as a reason for absence and therefore an extension or exemption will not be granted. See Year 11 Accelerated (HSC) requirements below.
Year 11 Accelerated and Year 12 students require a Medical Practitioner 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. Important: a family event or holiday will not be accepted as a reason for absence and therefore an extension or exemption will not be granted.
Illness Procedure - Years 10 Accelerated, 11 and 12: If student is sick on the day of the assessment:
- Phone the Front Office to advise of illness (02) 6672 2340
- Student to email Mrs Joanne McDonald to advise of illness and to organise a catch up session during the assessment block.
- Year 11 Accelerated and Year 12 require a Medical Practitioner to complete the Mount St Patrick Assessment Variation Illness Application Form. This can be accessed on the Year 12 page on the Assessment Portal.
Jo McDonald
Leader o Curriculum
Faculty News
In Year 8 Religious Education this term, students have been learning about Jesus as a teacher. We have explored the parables of Jesus and his message for all people — to treat others the way you would like to be treated (the ‘Golden Rule’).
As a practical response to this, our Year 8 students have been working together to create hampers for the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal, supporting those in need within our local community. It is amazing to see our students “Walking the Talk,” bringing their learning to life by showing compassion and care for others. Students generously donated non-perishable food items, toiletries, warm socks and other essential winter supplies to help those doing it tough during the colder months. It was heart-warming to see the level of thoughtfulness and compassion shown by our students, as they worked together to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
We would like to extend a huge thank you to all Year 8 students and their families for their generous contributions, and to our RE teachers for guiding the initiative. Special thanks to Denise Banner from Murwillumbah and Fran Blashak from Kingscliff/Cabarita, who kindly collected the hampers on behalf of St Vincent de Paul.
Your donations will bring hope, comfort and practical support to those in need this winter. Well done to everyone involved!
Angela Finkel
Leader of Learning: Catechesis
FROM THE SPORTS DESK
COLLEGE ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
It was a cloud free Friday that greeted all in attendance at Walter Peate Oval on Friday 25th July. The sun was out and the energy was high as the games began.
Congratulations to Ignatius House who were declared carnival winners
Full results below including new record breakers.
CHAMPION HOUSE
NEW RECORDS 2025
Last year’s Sports Person of the Year Chloe Martin was on hand (and measured) the jump of Erin Lanyon which took her previous record for Open Girls long jump by 1cm
AGE CHAMPIONS
The Diocesan Athletics Carnival will now be held on Tuesday 2nd September. A compass notification will be sent this week. If your child does not intend to attend please select the decline options at your earliest convenience as transport arrangements need to be finalised. Thanks in advance.
ATHLETIC SUCCESS
Cain Twomey recently was honoured to be selected to compete internationally in athletics—specifically in discus, shot put, and hammer throw. Cain toured Canada to compete and during his 19-day stay he participated in two international competitions. The first was the Jack Brow Memorial in Kelowna, where he achieved the following results:
1st place in hammer throw
2nd place in discus
2nd place in shot put
4th place in javelin
He then competed at the BC Championships in Vancouver, where he earned:
3rd place in discus
3rd place in shot put
This was an outstanding opportunity for Cain to gain international experience, train alongside athletes from around the world, develop new skills, and build lasting friendships.
NRCC SOCCER
U14 Girls
Last Tuesday 29th July our U14 girls headed down to Byron Bay for the NRCC Soccer Gala Day and they couldn’t have asked for better conditions. With clear blue skies and a mild 20 degrees, it was the perfect day to take the pitch.
With six games lined up, the girls knew it was going to be a big day. For all 6 games, they gave it their all, playing with determination, grit, and exceptional sportsmanship. Their efforts saw them secure 2 strong wins and 3 hard-fought draws, placing them second after the regular rounds and earning them a well-deserved spot in the final against Xavier College.
Having drawn 0-0 against Xavier earlier in the day, we knew the final would be a closely contested match… and it was. Despite dominating much of the game and creating several close scoring opportunities, the girls were unlucky to concede a goal in the final two minutes, finishing with a narrow 1-0 loss.
Every player should be incredibly proud, not only for their skill and effort on the field, but for the way they represented the school throughout the day. Coaches and staff from other schools praised their sportsmanship and positive attitude.
Well done girls, taking home silver is a fantastic achievement, and we’re already looking forward to chasing gold next year!
Harriet Withers
U14 BOYS
The U14 NRCC Soccer Gala Day was an exciting day of soccer, with Mount St Patrick College showing great effort. They started with a 2-1 win against St John's College Woodlawn followed by a loss 3-0 to the eventual winners, Trinity Catholic College. A close 0-0 draw against St Joseph's Banora Point showed their strong defense, but they fell 6-0 to Xavier College Ballina in the last pool game.
Undeterred, Mount St Patrick College regrouped for the third-place playoff, facing Xavier College Ballina again. In a far more competitive rematch, the team pushed their rivals to the limit, only conceding a late penalty to fall 2-1. The team’s hard work and improvement made their coaches and fans proud.
Dean Bressan
AFL Q Schools Cup
Our Year 9/10 Boys started well to be only 6 points down at quarter time. With a slight wind advantage in the second quarter, All Saints kick four goals to our one, further extending their lead in the second half to run out comfortable winners. All Saints 15 goals 6 behinds 90 points to Mt St Pats 6 goals 4 behinds 50 points.
The boys played good hard footy throughout the game but were outclassed in the end by a team boasting more AFL experience. The team played in typical MSPC spirit displaying good sportsmanship at all times while giving their best.
Better Players: Lachy Adams, Lawrence Kee, Sunny Waters, Finn O’Donnell and Riley Young.
A special thank you to Kade Brennan Yr 9 (Goal Umpirez) and Mr Matt Aitchison (Runner)
Rick Van Den Driest (Coach)
SCHOOL SPORT AUSTRALIA (SSA) HOCKEY
Lillian Corby from Yr 10 recently competed with the U15 NSWCCC team in a tri- series event in early June against teams from Combined High Schools and Combined Independent Schools. Lillian performed exceptionally well at these Championships and was named in the NSW All Schools team and will now compete with the NSW team in the SSA Championships to be held in Canberra the week beginning August 2nd. It is a week-long tournament which will conclude on August 9th.
If you are interested in watching any games, below is a link to the SSA Hockey website and there are live stream links available. We wish Lillian all the very best in these Championships. Avid readers of “From the Sports Desk” will know this is Lillian's second year in this team and she scored a very influential goal in extra time in last year's final. SCHOOL SPORT AUSTRALIA HOCKEY
NSW ALL SCHOOLS CROSS COUNTRY
Orlando Wood Yr 7 competed in Sydney last week at the event and managed to run himself into the top 10 finish.
A fantastic result in a quality field. Orlando returned to school the next day to run the 1500m event and he managed to take that out as well. Is there no stopping him?
Tim Whitney
Sports Co-ordinator
UPDATES FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT
BIG DAY OUT- BUSKING STAGE
At our annual Big Day Out in Week 6 there will be an opportunity for students to perform outside the Gilbey Basement. This is a well- loved aspect of the day and greatly enjoyed by the students and staff. If you are interested in performing on the busking stage please talk to one of the music teachers.
YEAR 9 PERFORMANCE EVENING
On Wednesday Week 5 of this term, the Yr 9 Elective Music Class will hold an Evening Performance starting at 6:30pm in M22/M23. Please save the date if your child is involved or you would like to come and support these talented students.
Katilyn Rennes-Nadal
Leader of Creative Arts: Music
College News
PURCHASING UNIFORMS FROM THE COLLEGE
Leading up to the 2025 school year there were changes to the purchasing of our school uniforms. Sports uniforms are now sold from the College and the formal uniform available to try-on with purchasing through the Perm-A-Pleat website. We understand that this change has created some pressure for families and College staff.
In response, we are currently reviewing the operating hours of the School Uniform Shop to better align with our office staff availability. Our goal is to ensure we continue to provide an efficient and supportive service for our entire school community.
As part of this review, we are proposing the following new opening times for school uniform purchasing and try-ons effective Monday 1st September.
Tuesdays: 8:00am – 11:30am
Thursdays: 1:00pm – 3:30pm
We value your input and invite you to share any feedback or concerns regarding this proposed change. Please contact Roxanne Gell at roxanne.gell@lism.catholic.edu.au by Thursday 15th August.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
2025 KOKODA CHALLENGE
Congratulations to all involved in last weekend’s Kokoda Challenge. MSPC had three teams enter and compete as well as a support group. It was a great challenge and shows initiative by all teams who represented the College with pride. Showing grit, determination and community spirit.
48 Kilometer Kokoda Trail - Team 1
We had a team of 3 Year 10 students Marley Dee, Inge-Marie Kolominskas and Yasmin Van Rosi took on the 48km track with Marley's dad Grant as their leader. This year we also had 3 MSPC students volunteer to be the support crew - Mya Andrews (Yr 10), Lexie Dee (Yr 9) and Ebony Dee (Yr 7).
48 Kilometer Kokoda Trail - Team 2
On Saturday 19th Ms Kendrick, Zoe Gray, Hannah Windhorst, Ava Brookes and Giselle Boot all embarked on the 48km Kokoda Trail with a good mix of excitement and trepidation. They left at 10.20am to a fanfare of trumpets and soldiers mounted on horses to commemorate the struggles that soldiers went through in the past. The girls completed the first half and steepest section of the walk before sun down, climbing impossible hills and battling with the mud before meeting Mrs Webster at the Little Clagiraba reserve where they had a short rest and a good spread of pasta and lollies provided by the amazing Renae Brookes who provided morale support and sustenance as our unwavering support crew.
The girls then walked beneath the beautiful stars, accompanied by Zoe’s pumping Spotify list for the remainder of the walk, marvelling at the Gold Coast lights that could be seen for miles from their mountain top view points. The girls’ stamina was relentless, even putting on an impressive sprint in the last 5km to finish at 11.30pm, which was over an hour earlier than we had predicted to finish. The girls should be congratulated on their outstanding team work as they rallied together to make sure that we all finished together. Their physical and mental toughness is both impressive and unwavering and I am so proud of them for finishing and for their positive attitudes.
Natalie Webster
Kokoda Challenge 96km Team
At 7:00am on 19th July Flynn Jones, Joachim Kolominskas, Sanjay Nix, Jack Thornton, and Mr Corey Nix set out from Mudgeeraba to take on the 96km Kokoda Challenge, aiming to beat the team’s 2024 time.
By the 48km mark, the team was on track to improve their time by more than two hours. Unfortunately, Mr Nix began to experience dehydration and was forced to withdraw after completing 60km. Many thanks to Mr Greg Jones and Mr Chaim Kolominskas, who generously stepped in to support the team through the final stages.
Sanjay Nix also had to withdraw at the 78km point due to an ankle injury. Despite these challenges, Flynn Jones, Joachim Kolominskas, and Jack Thornton pushed through and completed the mountainous 96km course in an outstanding time of 28 hours and 9 minutes—four minutes faster than their 2024 effort. An incredible achievement and a testament to their resilience and determination.
Mr Corey Nix
Community News
