Mount St Bernard College eNewsletter

Principal

Welcome back to Term 3

It’s great to see all our students returning for Term 3 after a restful Semester 2 break.  Staff spent the Student Free Days participating in Professional Learning in Encounter, First Nations Perspectives, Engagement and Capabilities, with a specific focus on the Term 3 MTSS focus. Term 3 will have a strong focus on attendance, respectful relationships and improving outcomes for students.

Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. (Proverbs 1:5)

Term 3 is shaping up to be filled with an array of activities that will encourage all of our staff and students to Let Their Light Shine. Highlights of this term include the acknowledgement of MSB Athletics Day Age champions and runner ups, a visit from the Torres Strait Islands Consultative Committee, the Reconciliation Action Plan meeting, celebration of Catholic Education Week, QATSIF Graduation Ceremony at JCU, a visit from the Executive Director of Cairns Catholic Education Mr Bill Dixon, NAIDOC Day Celebrations, a visit from Pompuraaw Primary School and Indigenous Literacy Day. Alongside these key celebrations will be a variety of excursions to enrich classroom learning and extra-curricular activities.

Staffing Changes for Semester 2

The College is farewelling and welcoming a number of staff this term:

Commencing:

Lisa Caldwell has commenced as Business Manager

Malcolm Fahey – Acting Deputy Principal Residential

Emma Sheppard – English, Humanities and Religious Education Teacher

Laura McLellan - Health Centre Administration

Kyra Howlett - Boarding Administration

Victoria Sullivan – Learning School Support Officer

Gemma Winter – Cleaner

Gap year Students – Alexandra Habba, Amelia Elburn, Franziska Fleiche, Jannik Rugge and (Mo) Muhamad Al Delemi

Resignations:

Scott Whitters - Deputy Principal Residential - 28 July 

Leah Whiting – Middle Leader Diversity - 28 July

Sonya Frost – Boarding Administration - 8 August

Leisha Tibbs – Health Centre Administration – 3 August

Moira Detori – Finance – 3 August

Bradley McKenna – Maths, Science and Music teacher – July 16

Emily Caferra – English, Maths teacher – 18 August

Acting Positions

Nicola Chambers – Acting Middle Leader Maths/Science – Term 3

Whilst there is movement in staffing, Kieran Ryan has been working diligently behind the scenes to finalise the timetable to ensure consistency in the classroom for students.

This Semester we will also be introducing additional staff to the Wellbeing Team. Through the First Nations Boarders grant we are currently interviewing for an Indigenous Liaison Officer, Wellbeing Officer, and School Counsellors to increase the support in assisting our First Nations Boarding students to improve engagement at the College.

Whilst change can be unsettling, the recruitment process is providing the College with opportunity to find expert practitioners who will work with the Leadership team to promote quality learning, wellbeing, and engagement for our students.

Muti Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Term 3 School Improvement Focus

MTSS is the school wide approach to improve academic and behaviour support for all students. Utilising data-driven decisions to identify the appropriate types of support required, three levels of support are delivered:

Tier 1 – universal, high-quality instruction for all students.

Tier 2 – targeted intervention, including small group intervention programs.

Tier 3 – intensive individual interventions.

MTSS has a clear objective to care for and meet the needs of students.

During Semester One the Leadership Team worked with staff to develop and clarify processes for the transition to MTSS. MTSS is now fully embedded at the College and each term there will be a whole school focus on behaviours/engagement we seek to improve as well as providing the appropriate Tiered Levels of support to adequately support students. This term there will be a continued focus on improving attendance as well as strengthening consistent practices for teachers. Agreed practices for term 3 are:

Students lining up outside the room before lessons.
Teachers greeting students at the door.
No laptops opening until requested by the teacher.
Address disrespectful language/behaviour.

Students have stepped up and met the higher expectations being set consistently across the College.

Catholic Education Week

This week marks the annual Catholic Education Week. To celebrate Catholic Education the College held a whole school liturgy. Students lead the welcome, reflection, readings, and prayers under the guidance of the AP Mission, Janet Wigan.

QATSIF Graduation

QATSIF is a Senior Education Scholarship that recognises the value of completing secondary education for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Congratulations to Beau Hart, Jimmy Billy, Lahsade Sailor-Mosby, Leandra Baira, Sinevah Mari and Yasserie Kyle-Smith for your leadership and commitment to your studies as part of the QATSIF Scholarship. The QATSIF Graduation was held at JCU on Thursday 17th July. It is such a wonderful acknowledgement of these students’ hard work during their time at MSB.

Capital Works

Two significant capital works projects commenced during the school break. The F Block roof has been replaced and the stairs outside the Dining Hall are currently being rebuilt. Thank you to all our staff and students who are navigating their way around the fenced off construction site to get to their classes.

2024 and 2025 Enrolments

A new enrolment timeframe will come into effect from the start of 2024:

~ Enrolment applications for 2024 close in Term 3, 2023.

~ Enrolment applications for 2025 close in Term 1, 2024.

~ Scholarships for 2024 close end of Term 3. For Scholarship applications - go to https://www.msb.qld.edu.au/scholarships/

Apply online now at https://www.msb.qld.edu.au/apply-online-now/.

To enquire, book a tour or require more information visit our website at www.msb.qld.edu.au , Email - msb.enrolments@cns.catholic.edu.au or PH: 40 961 485.

FEEDBACK SURVEYS

This year's Feedback Surveys (previously known as Satisfaction Surveys) are now available to parents and staff. It should take around 30 minutes to complete.

You will receive an email containing a link to the survey. It will expire on Friday 4 August.

We will use the information and opinions to help us further develop and refine all aspects of our operations and offerings. It also helps us gauge the wellbeing of our students, parents, and staff and to determine strategies to improve this. 

We look forward to receiving much useful data from the surveys and will report the broad results in due course.

Please take the opportunity to let us know what you think.

The Queensland Government is developing a new Queensland Vocational Education and Training (VET) Strategy to maximise outcomes from the government’s investment in skills and training.

Employers, industry groups, training providers, schools, job seekers, students, parents, apprentices and trainees are invited to have their say to ensure government investment is delivering the best outcomes for Queenslanders, employers and communities.

A discussion paper and online survey are now live at www.qld.gov.au/qvetstrategy.

Forums and focus groups are also being held online and in locations across the state to gather the views of stakeholders and users of the VET system as follows:

25 July – VET sector stakeholders - Townsville
1 August – VET sector stakeholders - Rockhampton
2 August – VET students, apprentices and trainees - Online
8 August – Registered training organisations – Online
8 August – VET in schools stakeholders – Online
10 August – VET sector stakeholders – Cairns
15 August – VET sector stakeholders – Toowoomba
17 August – Industry and employer groups – Online
17 August – Employers (small and medium businesses) - Online

You can register your interest to attend a forum or focus group here.

Organisations involved in skills and training are encouraged to contribute to this discussion to ensure our VET system is delivering the right outcomes for all Queenslanders.

Promotional materials including a poster, postcard and social media content are available for you to promote consultation across your channels and networks.

To learn more about the consultation process, visit www.qld.gov.au/qvetstrategy. Consultation will be open until Friday 18 August 2023.

Deputy Principal Curriculum & Admin

NAPLAN 2023 - Results

Back in term one, year 7 and 9 students sat the ‘National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy’ (NAPLAN) tests. NAPLAN is a nationwide measure through which parents/carers, teachers and schools can determine whether their students are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community.

NAPLAN results allow parents/carers and educators to see how students are progressing in literacy and numeracy over time – individually, as part of their school community, and against national standards.

NAPLAN is made up of tests in the 4 areas (or ‘domains’) of:

reading
writing
conventions of language (spelling, grammar, and punctuation)
numeracy.

As a college, these tests have shown some fantastic achievement and progress across all areas tested. Some highlights below.

In year 7:

35% of students achieved ‘Strong’ or ‘Exceeding’ in the reading test.
50% of students achieved ‘Strong’ or ‘Exceeding’ in the spelling test.
40% of students achieved ‘Strong’ or ‘Exceeding’ in the grammar and punctuation test.
The current year 7 cohort scored higher, on average, in every test domain in comparison to the last 5 years.

In year 9:

40% of students achieved ‘Strong’ or ‘Exceeding’ in the reading test.
51% of students achieved ‘Strong’ or ‘Exceeding’ in the spelling test.
On average, the year 9 cohort has shown good growth, in comparison to the state average.

I would like to congratulate all students who participated and thank staff, parents and carers who have supported students in achieving such great results.

The students' results and reports have now been uploaded to the parent portal and a hard copy has been mailed in the post. If you have any questions regarding your students' results, please feel free to contact me.

Kieran Ryan - Deputy Principal Curriculum & Aministration

Acting Deputy Principal Residential

Term Three has begun smoothly with 80% of students returning on time. I am pleased to report our students have settled back into a good routine with positive attitudes and a willingness to learn. I am most impressed with the students who consistently wear the correct uniform and follow instructions from staff at all times.

The only concern that interrupts boarding life is the misuse of social media. All parents and carers need to understand that if you endorse your child to have a mobile phone and hence a variety of social media accounts, you are then responsible for how they use it. Staff at MSB go over and above to educate students on the safe use of social media, however, we are not responsible for dealing with issues that arise from misuse of their device or accounts.

I ask all families and carers to keep a close watch on your child’s social media use. There are numerous ways to limit or prevent access to social media. We constantly send information related to workshops or online programs and events that educate parents and carers on how best to manage social media with your child. Please take the time to investigate what is happening in this critically important space.

Our staff at MSB are well equipped to support students with conflict and social issues, however, we do not have the personnel or resources to investigate every social media complaint. This is the role of the parent or carer. If your child has received threats on social media, please report this to the police and immediately block the perpetrator.

Residential students know this and should be well equipped to talk to their parent or carer about what needs to happen in order to stay safe online.

I am looking forward to a positive and productive term three in boarding.

Malcolm Fahey - Acting Deputy Principal Residential

CYBER SAFETY RESOURCES

1. Safe On Social https://www.safeonsocial.com/

2. E Safety Young People https://www.esafety.gov.au/young-people

The Australian Government esafety commission has a has a dedicated section for our young people to keep safe online. One section is on Being an Upstander.

Be an upstander - An upstander is someone who chooses to support the person being bullied and takes action. If you feel safe and comfortable to do so, there are different ways to be an upstander.

What is an upstander?

If you see something that is not OK, like bullying behaviour online, you have a choice: support the person who is being bullied, or sit back and do nothing.

Not doing anything, and choosing to keep scrolling can feel like the easier option. Some people may feel they don't have the courage to step in, or are concerned that they’ll be attacked for speaking up. But there are different ways to support someone being bullied, and help them feel less isolated, while keeping yourself safe. Deciding to take action to support others is called being an upstander.

For more information on how to be an Upstander follow the link

https://www.esafety.gov.au/young-people/be-an-upstander

Assistant Principal Mission

Mission Matters

What a wonderful way to start Term 3!

Every year Catholic Education Week is an opportunity for all 313 Catholic schools in Queensland to celebrate and promote their distinctive mission and ethos. Our students and staff entered into the spirit by “putting themselves in the picture” to highlight MSB as a community of Faith, Hope and Love. We celebrated as a whole college with a student led liturgy in the chapel.

Last Monday, 27 students from The First Junior High School, Tokyo University of Agriculture, spent the morning visiting the college. They created some art, cooked ANZAC biscuits with lemon myrtle, met the chickens and had a look around the students’ gardens. After morning tea, Yasserie, Mary, Lawrence and Rashali made us proud by confidently dancing for our visitors who reciprocated with a traditional Japanese dance. Thank you to students: Sinevah, Lauren, Blossom, Tamara and Ciara, and staff: Kerry Winslett, Traylea Sexton and Nathan Unwin for the effort they made to make these visitors feel welcome.

Over the holidays I spent 5 days on Waiben / Thursday Island as part of the CES Encounter: In Country Kaurareg Experience. It was a wonderful opportunity to listen to the local elders and learn about some of their history and culture. I am delighted to be part of the MSB team who will be visiting the Torres Strait next week and look forward to meeting many of our students’ families!

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

Janet Wigan - Assistant Principal Mission

CEW 2023

The First Junior High School, Tokyo University of Agriculture visit 2023

Heavenly Father, Bless us as we live our lives filled with faith, hope, and love. Send the Spirit of Jesus into our hearts, to guide us in what we do, for the good of all. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Acting Assistant Principal Wellbeing

Zones of Regulation

This term we will be rolling out the Zones of Regulation with all staff and students. The Zones of Regulation is a framework to help students gain skills in self-regulation.

It is defined as the best state of alertness of both the body and emotions for a specific situation. For example, when a student plays on the playground or in a competitive game, it is beneficial to have a higher state of alertness. However, that same state would not be appropriate in the library. The lessons and learning activities are designed to help the students recognise when they are in the different Zones as well as learn how to use strategies to change or stay in the Zone, they are in. In addition to addressing self-regulation, the students will gain an increased vocabulary of emotional terms, skills in reading other people’s facial expressions, perspective about how others see and react to their behaviour, insight into events that trigger their behaviour, calming and alerting strategies, and problem-solving skills.

Having awareness and using Zones language in and around the home creates a comfortable and supportive environment for our students to practice self-regulation skills.

It is important to note that everyone experiences all the Zones. All the Zones are expected at one time or another. The Zones of Regulation are intended to be neutral and not communicate judgment. Please see the attached images to learn more about the Zones, and check on the next newsletter.

If you would like any further information or resources to use at home, please do not hesitate to contact Kayleigh Smith, College Counsellor via PH: 4096 1515 or EMAIL:ksmith16@cns.catholic.edu.au

Nikki Symons - Acting Assistant Principal Wellbeing

Bell Shakespeare Work Experience

Congratulations to Meena Riber for her acceptance into this prestigious and exciting work experience opportunity with Bell Shakespeare. Meena was selected from a large number of applicants around the country. We our very proud and look forward to hearing from her experience later this year.

Bell Shakespeare Work Experience 2023

Transition Support

QATSIF GRADUATION

It was an absolute honour to celebrate the success of our QATSIF scholarship graduates for 2023: Congratulations Jimmy Billy, Lahsade Sailor - Mosby, Leandra Baira, Sinevah Mari, Yasserie Kyle- Smith, Beau Hart, Ciara Pitt and Millianna Whap. 

Mount St Bernard College received special thanks for art achievement across all year levels. Four artworks were selected for the presentation '10 words of wisdom from the Elder's.'

QATSIF wished all graduates to be proud of themselves and how we are all very proud. To remember that the spirits of Elders and Ancestors will continue to walk with them always. May they go forth, strengthened with a spirit of hope for a bright future.  Let your light shine! 

QATSIF Graduation 2023

A great way to finish off term 2 for eight of our year 12 boarders who participated in an after school life skills program creating a personal email and mygov accounts. Once this was created they learnt to link their medicare, centrelink and the ATO. We have partnered with Martin from Indigenous Services Australia in Cairns to assist us with teaching these important life skills to our Year 12 students.

More great news: Our team will be looking to initiate a learner driver program that will enable students to attain their own road hours.

Andrea Gower - Transition Support Officer

Life Skills Program Term 2 2023

Residential News

Miss Sonya is leaving MSB

It is with great sadness and excitement that I announce to you all that after 13 and half years, all in boarding, I will be leaving MSB. It was not an easy choice to make but sometimes a change is as good as a holiday.

My time at MSB has been amazing, I wouldn't have been here this long if it wasn't.

I've met so many people through staff, students and their families on my MSB journey and I thank each of you for your kindness and friendship.

I have been through lots of changes within this time, some better than others but I have certainly learnt to go with the flow and to make changes work for myself and boarding.

Lots of lessons have been learnt along the way from other staff, from time and experience and even from students.

Sudents past and present have been why I come to work every single day. You may not know it students but you have been a huge part of my life and I thank each and every one of you, past and present. MSB will be forever in my heart because of their students.

It is hard to sum up 13 and half years in one newsletter article but just know if you are reading this you have been a part of my journey.

My last day at MSB will be Tuesday 8th August but there will be a new Miss Sonya to look after you. Please be patient while they learn the ropes. You will also still have other familar staff in boarding.

Where to from here for Miss Sonya?

With that said, our Croydon families, I'll be seeing more of you guys. (Lucky you).

I will be moving to Croydon shortly after leaving MSB to be with my husband who has recently starting working for local government there.

I'll be the new face in the Croydon Visitor Information Centre. Most may not know this but I have a Diploma in Tourism Management so it will be a lovely change. I'm excited for the change and really looking forward to it.

Please feel free to come in and say hi if you are ever passing through Croydon.

In conclusion, I thank you all for being a part of my MSB journey. And if you see any families from the past 13 and a half years who may not see this article, please thank them from me for being a part of my journey.

Lots of Love to all,

Miss Sonya Frost - Residential Administrator

ENROL NOW for 2024 & 2025

2024 Enrolments

Spaces are filling fast for 2024. If you are intending on applying please do so as soon as possible. Enrolment interviews will be finalised in term 3. If you know of any family or friends who wish to apply please let them know as well.

2025 Enrolment Timeframes

Our enrolments for 2025 will be finalised in Term 1, 2024. Offers of a placement will be advised on the same day as all other Catholic schools in the Diocese in Term 2, 2024.

TO ENROL

Visit: www.msb.qld.edu.au/apply-online-now or phone Enrolment enquiries on (07) 4096 1485
Email: msb.enrolments@cns.catholic.edu.au
For a Tour or more information – Phone (07) 4096 1444 or email msb.enrolments@cns.catholic.edu.au

Tours will be available on Naidoc Day, Thursday 31st August. There will be three tours done throughout the day.

If interested please email dbooth@cns.catholic.edu.au - Limited spaces available

2024 Scholarships

Mount St Bernard College has a long tradition of educating children from diverse backgrounds and has established scholarship programs to support students and their families.

We are fortunate to be able to offer a range of Scholarships and Bursaries for entry to Years 7 – 12. Many of these awards have been established due to the generosity of the Sisters of Mercy, Colleen & Frank Sims and Mount St Bernard College.

Scholarships may be full or partial awards towards the cost of tuition.

All scholarships and bursaries are subject to specific terms and conditions. Scholarships will commence in 2024, and, subject to the conditions detailed, the offer letter will generally continue for the duration of the student’s enrolment at Mount St Bernard College until graduation from Year 12.

Please forward completed applications by the end of Term 3, 2023 to the Enrolments Officer – msb.enrolments@cns.catholic.edu.au

Applications are available on our website at https://www.msb.qld.edu.au/scholarships/

For further information please Ph: 4096 1485

Deborah Booth - Communications & Community Engagement Administrator

Engineering Without Borders

What a fantastic fun filled day MSB students had with Engineers Without Borders (EWB). We were lucky to have two students from the University of Queensland in Brisbane come all the way to MSB to run a workshop and tell their stories about studying engineering and what opportunities it provides.
In groups, students created a floating structure out of various materials including ping pong balls, pool noodles and straws and tested them on how much weight they could hold. Students also created a water filter from plastic bottles, sand, gravel, rocks and cotton balls. In both activities students had a limited budget for materials and in the water filter activity, students were given different countries with different budgets to reflect the reality of the inequalities of our world. Everyone had a great day, practicing their teamwork and creativity, and it was clear that we have some aspiring engineers and critical thinkers at our school.

Nathan Unwin - Teacher

Engineering Without Borders 2023

Launching straight into learning, the Library has already been visited by most junior English classes to borrow wide reading novels for the classroom this term. The students have been enjoying our question of the day, the answers often provoking more and more questions to research!

On Wednesday August 2nd the MSB Year 9 & 10 Readers Cup team travelled down to Cairns for the 2023 Reader’s Cup Competition. The readers: Meenakshi Riber, Clementine Barker, Crystal-Lee Linnell, and Melinda Burns have worked hard from week 9 Term 1 reading and familiarising themselves with the four set novels. The team worked exceptionally well and placed 11th out of the 18 teams involved. We are very proud of their engagement and efforts!

The Library Art Competition is starting to wind up and we have announced three more winners across four genres: Meenakshi Riber for Plays, Jack Jones for Vikings and Historical Fiction, and Mary Kyle-Smith with her painting for the genre of First Nations.

Rachel Nelson - Teacher Librarian

Rainy Days in the Library

Years 9 & 10 Readers Cup Team 2023

LIBRARY ART COMPETITION WINNERS

Religious Education

To coincide with Catholic Education Week, the Year 7s have been exploring what Faith, Hope and Love can mean, even during times of challenge and sadness in our lives. They will examine the two Creation Stories in Genesis to consider how sacred texts reflect the audience, purpose and context of their human authors.

Year 8 are learning about the significance of initiation rituals in the Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam), and will investigate commonalities in the ritual of Baptism in the Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran churches. They will also experience the traditional Catholic prayer of The Liturgy of the Hours.

Year 9 will analyse the causes and effects of events and developments in the Church from 1750 CE – c. 1918 CE and draw conclusions about their importance. They will also analyse perspectives in the writings of various religious and lay leaders at that time. This is a wonderful opportunity for them to learn about Australia’s first named saint, Mary MacKillop as well as the beginning of our Mercy Sisters in Australia.

In Year 10 students are learning how humans express an understanding of God or the ‘Other’ as revealed in creation. They will look at the ways in which the Church has responded to a range of emerging threats to human and environmental ecology, and create responses to contemporary moral questions. A variety of prayer experiences will include prayers for justice, peace and the environment; and meditating with the help of nature.

In their RAE module, Year 11 students are exploring the importance of Aboriginal peoples’ and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ personal life story in establishing identity, their connections to and relationship with country/place, and country/place as a spiritual experience. We were blessed to listen to Uncle Harry Lui’s wisdom as he shared some of his story with us, and look forward to our other First Nations guest speakers.

Year 12 RAE students are looking at how sacred stories are shaped by culture, gender, family, society, religion, beliefs, and ethics. They are using the 3 Worlds of the Text to explore the role of sacred stories in conveying a community’s beliefs about the value of life and people’s ethical responsibility to support these values.

Janet Wigan - Assistant Principal Mission

English & Humanities

Bell Shakespeare performance

On the 21st July, MSB was thrilled to host the Bell Shakespeare Players. These talented and energetic actors brought a short but action-packed version of Romeo and Juliet to our school. Students in Years 9-12 were riveted as the Players brought Shakespeare’s language and timeless characters to life. Only three actors played the entire cast, with lightning-fast costume changes and sometimes the challenge of playing two different characters in one scene. We all gasped at the realistic knife fights, sighed at the romance and nearly fell off our chairs laughing at the comic scenes. Year 9 are now excited to start their unit on Romeo and Juliet, and the other students and teachers were delighted with this fresh approach to a classic play. We hope that the Players will return next year with another Shakespeare production.

Sarah Riber - English & Humanities Middle Leader

Bell Shakespeare 2023

The Maths and Science faculty are happy to welcome back their students, celebrate their successes from last semester and begin to prepare them for their new topics this semester.

In the Maths world the junior school, year 7, 8 and 9 are learning Space and Measure, the year 10s are learning this plus financial maths. For invited students there will be a Maths quiz (year 7 and 8) held this term and a Maths residential camp for year 9. Teachers are providing exciting environments for students to learn in by doing many practical activities with them such as, measuring ingredients to make scones, taking their maths outside in the real-world calculating perimeters and areas and seeing how maths is utilised in computer games.

In the science world, year 7 and 8 are learning about the Physical world, year 9 are studying the wonder that is Chemistry - looking at atoms and their subatomic particles (electrons, neutrons and protons), the formation of the periodic table of the elements, ions, ionic bonding and half-life of radioactive decay. Students spent time during their lab lesson drawing different elements, watching a voltameter separate water molecules into its separate compounds - hydrogen and oxygen, and doing a hydrogen 'pop' test after making hydrogen gas by reacting hydrochloric acid and magnesium together. Students have been engaged and enjoying time learning about the universe's smallest particles.

Year 10 Science, we are taking a different route, studying genetics in biology. Students have learned what traits, chromosomes, and DNA are, and how they create the unique selves that are you and me. We've looked at mitosis (cell division of body cells) happening under microscopes, and general cells of different organisms. Students will go on to study the science of inheritance, and the genius that is Darwin's Theory of Evolution. We look forward to a wonderful term.

Regarding students enrolling in the Young Indigenous Women in Stem Academy, we have more students that are eligible due to great grades in Semester 1 with those already accepted applying to attend a space camp in America! I have been delighted to see such great attitudes from our students this term, keep it up!

Nikki Chambers - Acting Maths & Science Middle Leader

The Arts

Year 7 & 8 Visual Art students are experimenting with activities that will build on their visual art diaries.

Sinevah has been exploring the concept of Art as Alternate to develop a final body of work that explores climate change. In these pictures Sinevah is making aesthetic choices about how to display her work. She is incorporating spoken word and video over the top of a mixed-media artwork.

Traylea Sexton - The Arts Middle Leader

Health & Physical Education

District Athletics

This Thursday & Friday, 3 & 4 August was our District Athletics Carnival being held at St Stephen’s Catholic College in Mareeba.

We had approximately 60 students attend, and they proudly represented the College by doing their best on the day. Below is list of students and the Track & Field events they nominated for.

Results will be published on Social Media and our next newsletter edition.

Andrea Goetze - Health & Physical Education Middle Leader

District Athletics MSB Students 2023

VET & Careers

I’m Debby Small and I would like to introduce myself to you as the new VET and Careers Middle Leader. This role covers organising work experience, school-based apprenticeships, Qld Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) submissions and so much more.

Year 10 students will be completing Work Experience at the beginning of Term 4. Work experience is great for students to get a taste for the real world. Many students have already started with many students completing their resumes and all of the Year 10 students having interviews to help select their best fit for Work Experience. Vocational Partnerships Group (VPG) who conducted the interviews were very impressed by how mature and responsible the students were. If you are interested in your child completing additional work experience at home over the holidays, please let me know.

It is also the time of year for our Year 12 students to start thinking about what to do after school. We are going to be meeting every Friday 2^nd lunch in the library to answer questions about after school options with a focus on QTAC applications.

The Year 10 students are starting their senior journey, with subject selection (SET Planning) coming up. I will be holding meetings for Year 10 students, or anyone else who is interested in Qld Certificate Education (QCE) options, work experience, resume writing, TAFE courses, apprenticeships or any other topic, every Tuesday 2^nd lunch.

So many apprenticeships and traineeships have been added to the schools notices on the Parent Portal, which is available for parents, please have a look through these to see if any positions are interesting to you or your child.

Coming up this term will be a trip to the Cairns Career Expo which will show case possible future career opportunities. If your child doesn’t attend the Cairns Career Expo the school will be running a Career Expo here at MSB.

If you have any questions about VET and Careers, please contact me on dsmall1@cns.catholic.edu.au

Debby Small - VET & Careers Middle Leader

2023 Subject Selection Pathways Expo

RSVP FOR NAIDOC DAY

Parents & Carers are requested to advise if you intend to come to MSB on Thursday 31 Aug 9am - 3pm to attend our Naidoc Day celebrations.

RSVP by 14 August to msb.office@cns.catholic.edu.au or call Hillary O'Brien on 4096 1485.

Community News

Cairns Diocesan News Mid-Year Edition

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this edition. Now available on our website www.cairns.catholic.org.au

Alternatively, please click on the link below and it will take you straight to the flipbook.

https://online.fliphtml5.com/xgvmy/kixt/

LAURA DANCE FESTIVAL

What a wonderful experience to see the Dancers in Action!

In Early July, a few staff from MSB found themselves in the hands of the Ang-Gnarra people, as the people held their 2023 version of “The Laura Quinkan Indigenous Dance Festival”. The festival is Australia’s longest running cultural festival and the most recent site was established in the 1980’s.

The 3-day festival is held at the Ang-Gnarra site, home of the original Bora grounds and is the ideal place to host this bi-annual event providing a unique Indigenous experience. The grounds there are a respected and wholly sacred site. Here, people from communities located across Cape York gather to share and celebrate music, dance, singing and cultural performances. Representing the band, Coloured Stone, Bunna Lawrie’s daughter, Yirgjhilya Lawrie, entertained the campground with songs in her own language, on Saturday night.

This year, there were only 8 teams able to compete, and Pormpuraaw, from the west coast of Cape York, were handed the winning shield from the Lockhart River Team. Pormpuraaw community is about 500 klm from the tip of Australia, just south of the Edward River, and their teams used to come in the back of a truck, when the festival started. Pormpuraaw is the home of the Thaayore, Wik, Bakanh and Yir Yoront People. This year, all teams used their tribal names to support the recovery of lost languages. They also won the business award at Cairns Indigenous Arts Fair Business Award.

Laura Festival is an event where families meet, exchange and pass on their history and cultural lore. What a lovely surprise to see some of our students, with their families, continuing this integral tradition, strengthening clans, when strength can feel missing. (One elder commented on how hard it is to be practicing shake-a-leg, while all around Sorry Business is making life just that bit more difficult.) Congratulations to all who made the effort to journey to this incredible cultural space.

MSB Calendar - Upcoming Events

SAVE THE DATE - YEAR 12 FORMAL - Sat 11th November 2023

Thurs 2 - Fri 4 Aug - District Track & Field - St Stephens Catholic College Mareeba

Fri 4 Aug - National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Day

Mon 7 - Thurs 10 Aug - MSB Staff Engagement Visit Torres Strait Islands

Mon 14 - Fri 18 Aug - MSB AFL Bamaga Excursion

Thurs 24 Aug - Cairns Youth & Careers Expo 2023

Sun 27 Aug - World Youth Day Mass - 5pm Atherton Catholic Church in Mabel St PH: 4091 1125

Mon 28 Aug - MSB Careers Pathways Expo for Years 9 - 12 in Mercy Hall

Thurs 31 Aug - MSB NAIDOC DAY

Fri 1 Sept - STUDENT FREE DAY

Fri 1 - Sun 3 Sept- Exeat (Free) Weekend

MSB Messenger Friday 4th August 2023