MSB Messenger Friday 28th April 2023

Principal

Welcome back to Term 2. 

Welcome to Term 2! I hope you all had a happy Easter. As Catholics this is a special time of the year for us to reflect on the significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus and an opportunity to reflect spiritually.

Congratulations to all students on the way in which you have returned to school for Term Two, it was lovely to see the Chapel almost full for our first assembly.  We also welcomed our Torres Strait Islander Consultative Committee to the College for the first two days of term.  Numerous meetings and classroom visits filled their time.  We received helpful feedback which the Leadership team will review in the coming weeks.

Leadership Changes for Term 2

Changes have occurred in the Leadership Team:

• Business Manager – Warren Thomson departed the College in Week 7 of Term 1
• Business Manager position recruitment process is underway with the aim for a new Business manager to be appointed in the next few weeks.

Assistance during this transition:

• Paul McArthur and Luke Saunders – CES – assisting with finance and budget
• Moira Dettori – reclassified to Level 6 as a Finance Team Leader
• Narelle Hunt – leading operations with the support of Andrea Bryan (Maintenance), Andrew Valese (Cleaning/Sewage treatment Plant) and Vicki Taylor (Kitchen).

Middle Leaders:

• Increased time release for Kieren Waugh (Year 7 – 9 Middle Leader) and Nikki Chambers (Acting Year 10 – 12 Middle Leader) – to support with the implementation of the MTSS-E engagement framework.
• Introduction of a Principal Appointment for a Staff Professional learning Leader – staff induction, mentoring and promoting Professional Learning opportunities that align with the Strategic Annual Plan.

The focus of this new Middle Leader structure is to support the implementation of the MTSS-E to enable the College to achieve the Engagement Strategic Goal.  This goal focuses on Tier 1 strategies in learning and behaviour management and the time release for the Middle Leaders will ensure adequate support for staff and students to lead to a successful and consistent implementation.

TEACHER CHANGES FOR TERM 2

Departing Staff:

• Arjun Handa – family commitments

New Staff

• Deborah Small – Mathematics and Science
• Maria McGinnity – Mathematics, Science and Religious Education

Term 2 Strategic Focus

Throughout this term we are continuing our focus on:

• Encounter Catholic Identity:

• Strengthening our Catholic Identity and understanding of the Encounter Framework (Respect, Reflect, Connect and Embrace)
• Curriculum Program Development

• First Nations Perspectives:

• Development of the RAP
• Community Visits

• Engagement:

• Build staff capacity in learning adjustment and differentiation
• Implement the MTSS-E

• Workforce Capacity:

• Introduce the Staff Professional learning Community Coordinator
• Leadership Learning Walks
• Finalise the Masterplan: Capital Works, Maintenance and ICT.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent Teacher interviews are being conducted on Tuesday 2 May between 3.30pm – 5.30pm.  Interviews are available in person for local families and via the phone for remote families.  All families are encouraged to participate in this important process as it is a valuable aspect of building the partnership between school and home for their student.  If you haven’t viewed your students report, it is available online through the parent portal.  Instructions in how to access reports in the parent portal are in the below hyperlinks:

Parent Portal Login Presentation

Parent Portal Presentation Instructions

ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day, April 25, is a national day of remembrance that commemorates all Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian and New Zealand service men and women who served and died in the Gallipoli Campaign during World War 1, all proceeding wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.

Australian and New Zealand soldiers shared the common characteristics of courage, mateship, fairness, persistence, integrity, humour, initiative, endurance, determination, ingenuity, respect and the selfless spirit of ANZAC, making ANZAC DAY one of Australia’s most important commutative occasions.

Anzac Day Services 2023

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Athletics Carnival

The Annual Interhouse Athletics Carnival will be held on Thursday June 22^nd. Participation in the Athletics Carnival helps students develop important life and employability skills such as: cooperation, teamwork, responsibility, commitment, resilience, sportsmanship, leadership among students and positive engagement.

Students will have the opportunity to participate in a range of competitive track and field events as well as have some fun in novelty events.  We look forward to the examples of sportsmanship and our students encouraging each other to achieve personal bests.

Remote Visits

Kieran Ryan (Deputy Principal Learning) and Andrea Gower (Transition Officer) will be commencing the Remote Visits in Week 4 of Term 2.  These visits are an opportunity to provide progress report feedback to parents, promote the College to prospective enrolments and strengthen partnerships between the families and College. 

Implementation of the Multi-Tiered System of Support - Engagement (MTSS - E)

The Multi-tiered Systems of Support-Engagement (MTSS-E) was implemented with students at the commencement of Term Two. 

Teachers undertook training in Tier One strategies during the Student Free Days.  Truancy is the first engagement behaviour being targeted for improvement.  To provide some external motivation for students a rewards system has been put in place.  During the first week of the Term students will receive a stamp each time the arrive at class on time and remain in class for the entire lesson.  A new behaviour focus will be targeted each week with the aim to work to improved student engagement in the classroom.

Parent Invitation to become a P & F and Board Member

All parents are invited to join the College’s P & F and Board.  Meetings occur on the Tuesday evening of the first week of each term.  Please contact Hillary O’Brien (hobrien1@cns.catholic.edu.au) with your expression of interest.  Remotely located parents are welcome to be part of these groups.  We are happy to add a zoom meeting to make it more accessible to parents who live outside the Tablelands region.

Happy Mothers Day to all mothers

I wish Mothers and those who fulfil the role of Mother a very Happy Mothers’ Day on 14 May. 

Narelle Hunt - Principal

Deputy Principal Residential

Dear Parents and Friends of MSB, 

It is with great joy that I can report most students have returned on time to begin term two. This was one of the most successful starts to a term for a very long time. With only a handful of small travel concerns to deal with, we saw over 90% of boarders make their respective connections and arrive at school in time for day one. I wish to thank all families and carers for supporting their young people to prepare for school, especially the TSI Consultative Committee Members who travelled with all TSI students. 

The TSICC were once again involved in an intensive program working with various departments within the College to better enhance opportunities for all students. The committee made several recommendations for the College to consider relating to the education of First Nations people. They were also heavily involved with the Reconciliation Action Plan and supporting the Wellbeing Team to look at increased student engagement. 

Through various discussions with staff, TSICC, Football Staff and families, a decision has been made to prevent students from taking part in sporting activities if they have not been following expectations at school or in boarding. This is a difficult decision to make, however, we have some students who are not engaging in learning or have been disrespectful to staff, therefore they will lose the privilege to take part in extracurricular activities. 

Students who are repeatedly making poor choices in dorm will also be placed on Saturday School which is a form of detention that focuses on supporting the young person to identify and improve inappropriate behaviours. The most common infringement in boarding is often related to being out of bed after bed-check. This is non-negotiable in any boarding environment. Unless a student is going to the bathroom, they should remain in their room once lights out has been reached. Any student who is unwell or distressed through the night will always have access to a house parent for support. 

Research on our behavioral data at MSB indicates that those students who have the most infractions in dorm are also those with the least amount of family contact. We have seen a deterioration of behavior in students who move from regular contact with their families to almost no contact. The education of our young people at MSB is a partnership between home and school. This partnership is crucial to on-going social and emotional growth of adolescents and is essential to supporting them to make appropriate decisions at school. 

For all boarders to successfully navigate their way through boarding school, family contact is critical. Can I please encourage all parents, guardians and caregivers to regularly touch base with their young people and also speak regularly with boarding staff about current progress. 

Yours sincerely, 

Scott Whitters - Deputy Principal Residential

Deputy Principal Curriculum & Admin

Thank you to those families who have booked Parent Teacher interviews for next Tuesday, 2 May 2022 (Week 3 Term 2) from 3.30-6.00pm. At MSB we understand it’s not always possible or convenient to attend in-person, phone interviews can also be arranged. Information on how to book using Parent Teacher Online (PTO) has been sent out via email for most and by post for those without email.

Kieran Ryan - Deputy Principal Curriculum & Administration 

Assistant Principal Mission

Happy Easter! Yes, Easter Sunday was weeks ago but we are still in the liturgical season of Easter.  This season goes for fifty days, until Pentecost Sunday which falls on 28 June this year.  The word Pentecost actually comes from Greek pentecostē, meaning “50th day”.  The stories we read at mass during this time tell of various encounters the disciples had with the resurrected Jesus. For some reason, they didn’t recognise him at first and only realised it was Jesus after he had said or done something.  So, this Easter Season let us, through our words and actions, make visible the Risen Christ to all those we encounter. 

Thank you to the MSB students, staff and community members who helped commemorate ANZAC Day, both at our college and at services throughout the Tablelands. It was wonderful to see our army cadets participate with reverence and pride.  

We have a number of exciting things happening in the Mission space this Term.   

Our Student Representative Council (SRC) have met for the first time.  The SRC consists of junior and senior students from each of the nine Homeforms along with our College Captains.  As well as being a channel for ideas and information between students and MSB Leadership, these representatives will also learn valuable communication and leadership skills. 

Friday 9 June is Mercy Day at MSB! This day will celebrate our Irish heritage and the links we have with the Sisters of Mercy and their founder Venerable Catherine McAuley. The SRC is helping to organise activities that reflect our Mercy values of Community, Respect, Excellence, Wisdom, and outreach to those in need. 

MSB is entering a social team in the Great Wheelbarrow Race being held on May 12, 13 and 14.  We have 12 students who have nominated to be part of this historic event.  Permission forms and more information will be sent home shortly. 

Please find information below on Diocesan events that may be of interest to you or your family. 

May God’s Mercy continue to shine upon us all! 

Janet Wigan - Assistant Principal Mission 

“Reach has been operating since 2016 and is a youth ministry that is supported by Seville and the Sisters of Mercy and the Diocese of Cairns.  Reach is about inspiring ordinary youth to be extraordinary in loving others, caring for the poor in our midst, and making a difference in the world. Through their engagement with Reach we hope that the young people find meaning and God’s purpose for their lives and grow to be confident and generous citizens willing to take on responsibility and challenges in the future. Reach is about reaching into the Spirit within us, reaching out to each other and reaching out to the community.” Priscilla O’Brien, Director, Reach Youth Ministries Inc. 

Catholic Mission is once again inviting you to honour Mother Mary during the month of May through praying the rosary online.   

Religion 

I was surprised and delighted by the responses from Year 11RAE students to an activity last week.  When asked “How to people show they are religious? How can you tell if someone belongs to a particular religion?” all the answers were about how that person acts and not what they look like.  Responses included being respectful, loving, kind, honest, caring and helpful. 

This Term Year 7 students will be investigating the beginnings of the Christian faith and looking at some ways in which Christianity shares common beginnings with the other monotheistic religions - Judaism and Islam. 

Year 8s will be learning about how words and images are used to represent the mystery of the Trinity. They will look at Old Testament covenant narratives and the actions and messages of some Old Testament prophets.  

Year 9 will explore Biblical criticism as a way to help them understand and interpretate Old Testament and New Testament texts. They will also look at the different understandings the monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) have of God (YHWH, God, Allah).  

In Year 10 students will identify different representations of God from a range of sacred texts by various human authors in different historical, social and cultural contexts and evaluate their relevance for a modern Australian context.  

Year 11 RAE are investigating the major religions of the world i.e. Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism, using the framework of Ninian Smart's Seven Dimensions of Religion. Students will investigate the key beliefs and practices of the major world religions, as well as sacred spaces and times, places, events, people, texts, signs and symbols of the religions, respecting similarities and differences. 

Year 12 RAE are exploring civil, political and social citizenship through a religious lens. They are identifying how to act as a citizen of global and local communities and investigating how different religions take responsibility for addressing human rights issues.    

Acting Assistant Principal Wellbeing

After a delayed delivery, we have introduced the College diaries this term. The diaries have been a hit with students and we have received positive feedback. Along side the introduction of the diaries we have started the rewards program again. Some of the benefits to rewards systems include;

• Provides students with positive feedback.
• Students respond to positive reinforcement best.
• Helps reinforce positive behaviours and expectations.
• Provides incentive.
• Increases motivation, buy-in, and effort.
• Produces a challenge with a pay-off.
• Creates incentive.
• Improves behaviour and academics.
• Increases on task and attending behaviours.
• Produces immediate and quick results.
• Provides a visual concrete reason for students to work toward behavioural and academic goals.

We are using the positive rewards system to ‘catch students doing the right thing’ and each week teachers and students will be given a positive behaviour focus that aligns with our college values; safe, respectful, responsible. The diaries have a section in them for teachers to stamp and sign when students meet these behaviours. The first 2 weeks we have been focussing on ‘being responsible’ and teachers are giving students stamps for being in class on time. There are … levels that the students can achieve with each level having different prizes. We have already had the pleasure to give out many level 1 prizes this week! The wellbeing team will also be sending home Student certificate each time they receive 50 stamps.

Nikki Symons - Acting Assistant Principal Wellbeing

Library

Already in full swing, the Library continues to be a safe and comfortable space for students to share. Communal puzzles continue to be a huge hit, and the graphic novels are flying off the shelves, the most popular borrowed being the Amulet series by Kazu Kabushi. It is only week 2 and we have already had well received book displays to celebrate Shakespeare’s Birthday, and to commemorate ANZAC Day, displaying our wonderful collection of non-fiction, fiction, and picture books on the topics.

The first winner of the Library Art competition is to be announced on Friday April 28th. This original piece of art will be made into the Fantasy book divide and the spine stickers to identify books in that genre. The competition continues with artworks for genres such as First Nations, and Science Fiction being popular. Entry is still open for many genres so please see Miss Rachel in the Library for details.

The Library received generous book donations to commemorate ANZAC DAY 2023. The Herberton Lions and Lionesses donated a beautiful hardcover Avatar - The way of water The Visual Dictionary by Joshua Izzo which is already proving to be very popular. The Royal Australian Airforce donated two stunning hardcover books on behalf of Wing Commander Matthew Green, Senior Australian Defence Force Officer No.27 (City of Townsville) Squadron RAAF Townsville. These books are Forces of Nature by Professor Brian Cox and Andrew Cohen, and Pearls of the Southern Skies, A Journey to Exotic Star Clusters, Nebulae and Galaxies by Dieter Willasch and Auke Slotegraaf. An additional stunning picture book Rachel's War The story of an Australian WWI nurse by Mark Wilson was donated by the Herberton Lions Club. On behalf of Mount St Bernard College Library, we are very grateful.

The Childrens Book Council of Australia’s Reader’s Cup Competition is under way, and I am proud to say we have both a year 7 & 8 team, and a year 9 & 10 team. Good luck to the readers who will be reading at least one book each and competing against other schools in the competitions in June and August.

Rachel Nelson - Librarian Teacher

Junior Year 7 - 9

Welcome back everyone!  

It has been amazing to see so many students back on time to start Term 2. It was great hearing what everyone did on the holidays.  I hope everyone had a restful break.  

It is disruptive start to the term, with our many public holidays, so it is important that students are in class and ready to learn! This means arriving on time to class, waiting patiently for your teacher and having everything you need for the lesson.  

This term we will be sending our Year 8’s off to camp. Please keep an eye out for the parent slip which will be sent in about 3 weeks.  

We will also be participating in the push up challenge in the month of June. During this challenge we will be doing 3144 push ups as a school over a 21-day period. It is such a challenging task but so rewarding when you finish. Stay tuned for more information!  

If you have any questions and/or concerns, feel free to email me (kwaugh@cns.catholic.edu.au) or contact the school to speak to me (4096 1444).  

Kieren Waugh - Junior Years 7 - 9 Middle Leader

Senior Years 10 - 12

Welcome to Term 2!  

It is great to see so many students in years 10, 11, and 12 have returned on time to school and have put their best foot forward by being engaged in the classroom. Our leaders in year 12 have been taking their roles very seriously and setting a great example for our younger students.  

Year 12 are beginning to look to the end and are working hard to organising fundraising events for their formal so keep your eyes peeled for our events.  

Year 11’s have settled into their senior positions and we have our eyes on some prospective new leaders emerging which is great to see.  

Year 10’s will be going on their expedition this term, a popular trip amongst our students. They will have the opportunity to kayak, abseil and hike around the beautiful Lake Tinaroo. The parent slip was sent on the 19th March; please could you respond if you have not done so already.  

If you have any questions and/or concerns, feel free to email me (nchambers@cns.catholic.edu.au) or contact the school to speak to me (4096 1444).   

Nicola Chambers - Acting Senior Years 10 - 12 Middle Leader

Senior Studies

Our year 11 senior students are settling into their chosen subjects, and many have recently submitted their first senior assessment which would have been a challenge, due to the depth needed in senior assessment and the fact that many topics are completely new to students.  Term 1 of year 11 is a transitional period, and now is a good time for students to reflect on their subject selections. 

Many year 12 students’ term 1 assessments have been sent away to the exam board, and we look forward to sharing confirmed grades with students in late May.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any queries relating to Senior subject matters.  I am usually in L1 classroom, in the library building, or contactable via email: sbelkessaw@cns.catholic.edu.au

Saffron Belkessa - Wood - Senior Studies Middle Leader

Below is an overview of the Senior subjects we offer at MSB;

English & Humanities

As the weather becomes cooler, it’s a perfect time to get out and about on a Geography excursion. This term the Year 7 students will be investigating liveability in Herberton and other diverse communities, and the Year 8 students will be doing a field study on landforms in the local area. The Year 11 Geography students are excited to be going to Fitzroy Island for their field study, to collect data on the impact of tourist development on the reef. 

In English lessons, students have been completing their unaided writing assessment for Semester 1. It has been great to see students enthusiastically composing stories and I have been impressed with their writing stamina and their dedication to completing an entertaining narrative. This test allows us to monitor the development of their writing skills each year and improve the way we teach writing to classes and individuals. Our data from previous years has informed our whole school approach to teaching sentence structures this term. This is an initiative across curriculum areas that will target specific skills and help our students to develop effective and sophisticated writing styles.  

Year 9 students have been excited to start their new unit on the novel The Hunger Games and are working hard exploring the text and discovering the power of literature to transport you to new worlds. 

Sarah Riber - English & Humanities Middle Leader

Mathematics & Science

Year 9 Science students will be excited to go on an excursion this term. To consolidate their studies on Growth and Reproduction, and Ecosystems, students will be travelling to Cairns to visit the aquarium. Miss Brewster and Mrs Goetze are also planning several engaging learning experiences within the laboratory. Some students will be honing their skills in dissections. 

In the Maths/Science department, I would like to welcome Miss Maria McGinnity, who has migrated all the way from Perth to teach at Mount St Bernard College. She will be teaching 8C Maths, 9A Maths, 7A Science and 8B Science. Already, she is bringing her knowledge and expertise while preparing interesting and exciting lessons for her students. 

It’s been a great start to the term, and I encourage all students to continue to value the importance of their mathematical and scientific studies as ways of opening doors to new pathways. 

Wendell Majer - Mathematics & Science Middle Leader

The Arts

Wow, what a start to Term 2 Art. Students are already designing in their visual diary. Mahalia has already finished a painting on a canvas. Keziah has been experimenting with patterns for her zentangle on the white board and all of year 10 are focused on building their portfolios based on the concept ‘I AM”. Nayita has been painting her Ceramic Hybrid. Well done.  

Traylea Sexton - The Arts Middle Leader

Health & Physical Education

Welcome back to a new term of school sport and HPE, with our weather getting cooler it is the best time to get active! 

This term in HPE all classes will be working on developing Athletics skills in preparation for our Athletics Carnival coming up on Thursday 22 June. 

In Year 7 the focus this term is on making safe choices around cigarettes and vaping. They're looking at the impacts of these activities on the developing young body and shining a spotlight on how the tobacco and vaping industries target our young people through media.  Our students will develop protective and help-seeking strategies when faced with these choices. 

The focus area in Year 8 will be decision-making around consumption of alcohol,  including the short and long term consequences of alcohol consumption and the impact these choices have on relationships and personal well-being.  Students will assess the risk factors associated with teenage drinking and how to make informed decisions to keep them safe. 

Year 9 students will be investigating scenarios where they may be faced with decision-making about recreational drugs.  They will discuss the risks and possible strategies to manage these situations. 

Fitness for life will be the key topic for Year 10 students.  They will learn about the components of fitness, investigate nutrition in sport and obesity in teens.  Barriers to life long participation in sport will also be investigated. 

District Cross Country 

On Wednesday of Week 3 this term our Mount St Bernard Cross Country Team will compete at the District Cross Country Carnival at Tinaburra.  We wish our team the best for this competition. 

MSB Cross Country Team - Kura David, Kaiden Douglas, Taj Cathro, Thomas Turner, Reem Sam, Oscar Wosomo, Lochlan Dalgety, Gariam Noah, Izion Warradoo, Nathanial Ghee, Lahsade Sailor-Mosby, Patrick Bonner, Eugene Logan, Rashali Schrieber, Lacey Wyatt, Amanda Relph, Naomi Tomsana-Sam, Tara Bevan, Yindali Sharp, Keziah Warria, Meenakshi Riber, Miren Garate, Laila Maas, Kasmin Logan and Micfreda Kiwat. 

Business & Technologies

Term 2 sees the rotation of  students in Junior Technology classes, allowing students to have a taster of a range of specialisms within technologies and business.

Below is an overview of what our students learn in Business and each Technologies specialism.

I look forward to sharing snippets about their progress and learning on Facebook and in the next newsletter.

Saffron Belkessa - Wood - Business & Technologies Middle Leader

VET & Careers

Welcome to another term! During Term 2 we are preparing for a few more inspiring guest speakers including mindset experts and sports stars!! Our Year 10s are starting to prepare for their Work Experience opportunity happening at the end of term with some work readiness training in their classes so if any local businesses are looking for a part-time worker, our students will shortly be ready for interviews! Early next month we are excited to be invited to attend a 'Young Leaders' breakfast for aspiring leaders at MSB who have been nominated by teachers. Shortlists have been done and the final nominations are to be announced shortly! 

So it is going to be another busy one! I look forward to sharing pictures of the events and activities in upcoming weeks! Onwards and upwards,

VET & Careers 

Diversity

Personalised Learning

Personalised Learning requires attention to the unique needs of all students and abilities, acknowledging that each have different learning needs. Schools have a responsibility for maximising the learning outcomes and wellbeing of all students and for providing access to a high-quality education that is free from discrimination. All children are entitled to quality education experiences. Students should feel that they are included in an environment of high expectation where they are both able and enabled to learn.

A Personalised Learning Plan (PLP) can be developed to provide educators with a holistic view of the student including disability/learning difficulty, strengths, interests, the impact of the disability on learning, and adjustments to support access and participation in education on the same basis as peers.

PLP’s can be developed for a range of diverse learners including:

• students with a disability
• students who live in out-of-home care
• students who have an additional Curriculum Plan
• Students for whom English is an Additional Language or Dialect, and require English language support

A PLP may also include a:

• Positive Behaviour Support Plan
• Health Care Plan
• Risk management Plan
• Environmental Access Plan
• Curriculum Plan
• Educational Support Plan

One of the most important aspects of a PLP is that it is developed using a consultative and collaborative approach. It is essential that Parents/Carers and the student themselves are involved in the personalised learning and support process. Other stakeholders may include therapists, Inclusive Education Consultants, Consultants First Nations, and external agencies. PLP’s are monitored and reviewed regularly with the planning team.

For more information about Personalised Learning please contact the myself at the College.

Leah Whiting - Diversity Middle Leader

Community News

Schoolzine - SZapp's latest update

There is a new version of SZapp available for Android and IOS Devices. Please ensure that you have updated to this version to assure you receive communications from the school.

If you are using an Android Device, you will need to uninstall the old app and install the new version.

IOS Devices (iPhones) will be able to update without requiring a re-install.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but we are confident that the improvements in the new version will make it worth it.

An online guide on how to install and register/login to SZapp is available on the Schoolzine Website here:

Click here to view the Installation Instructions

If you experience any difficulties with completing this process, please reach out to Schoolzine using support@schoolzine.com. To assist with your query, they ask that you provide a description of the issue you are facing, the email address you are using when facing this issue and a screenshot of the issue.

MSB Calendar - Upcoming Events

Term 2 2023 - April

Sat 29 & Sun 30 April - Exeat (Free) Weekend

May

Mon 1 May - Labour Day Public Holiday 

Wed 3 May - District Cross Country Trials at Tinaburra

Fri 5 May - MSB's Got Talent - 6-7pm Mercy Hall - Community welcome to attend

Tues 16 - Fri 19 May - Year 10 Expedition

Tues 23 May - Year 11 First Aid

Sat 27 - Sun 28 May - Exeat (Free) Weekend