Mount St Bernard College eNewsletter

Principal

Term 3 has been a busy time for staff and students with so many memorable experiences.

Year 9 Expedition

In a world driven by individualistic pursuits, fostering teamwork, outreach, and genuine friendships has become more important than ever. The Year 9 Expedition at Mount St Bernard College has been a remarkable example of how young minds can come together to not only learn and explore but also embody the values and characteristics of the Sisters of Mercy, who are known for their compassion, service, and commitment to making a positive impact on society.

The Year 9 Expedition is not just a typical school trip; it's an immersive experience designed to challenge students and encourage personal growth. As the students embark on this journey, they are met with a carefully crafted blend of adventure and self-discovery. The expedition serves as a platform for students to put into practice the principles of collaboration, empathy, and resilience.

Throughout the expedition, teamwork is not just encouraged; it's essential. Students are grouped into teams that reflect diverse backgrounds, interests, and abilities. This deliberate mix fosters an environment where they learn to appreciate each other's strengths and differences, while also realising the significance of working together harmoniously.

Whether it's conquering physical challenges during outdoor activities, collaborating on problem-solving tasks, or supporting one another during long hikes and outdoor adventure activities, the students quickly grasp the idea that together they can achieve much more than they could alone. These experiences plant the seeds of lifelong collaboration and help them develop valuable skills for the future.

While the expedition focuses on teamwork and outreach, it also creates a fertile ground for forging genuine friendships. The challenges, shared experiences, and the bonding moments throughout the journey create strong connections between students. They learn to appreciate and respect one another, fostering a sense of camaraderie that extends beyond the duration of the expedition.

By modelling the characteristics of the Sisters of Mercy, the Year 9 Expedition teaches students the importance of empathy, selflessness, and making a positive impact. It demonstrates that these values are not just abstract concepts, but principles that can be integrated into everyday life.

In a world often dominated by individual pursuits, initiatives like the Year 9 Expedition exemplify the potential of young people to come together, support one another, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. As these students return from their journey, they carry with them not only memories and lessons but also a commitment to embody the spirit of teamwork, outreach, and friendship that the Sisters of Mercy have exemplified for generations.

Celebrating 20 years of Service in Catholic Education

In an era characterised by rapid changes and fleeting commitments, it's truly heartening to come across individuals who stand as pillars of dedication and commitment. Among these exceptional individuals is Andrew Valese, a name synonymous with integrity and devotion at Mount St Bernard College. The College recently gathered to honour Andrew's remarkable 20 years of service, a feat that speaks volumes about his unwavering commitment to the leadership of the cleaning team and his management of the college’s sewage treatment plant.

Bill Dixon, the esteemed CES Executive Director, led the celebrations, paying tribute to Andrew's two decades of service that have left an indelible mark on the college's journey. The event, marked by a special morning tea, was a testament to the significance of this milestone, both to Andrew and to the institution he has diligently served. One cannot help but applaud Andrew not just for the number of years he has invested but also for the quality of those years. It's not just the work, but also Andrew's unique sense of humour that has endeared him to everyone he interacts with. Laughter, as they say, is a universal language, and Andrew's ability to infuse his surroundings with humour has undoubtedly been a source of motivation and light for those around him. His genuine laughter and infectious positivity have the power to turn even the most mundane tasks into enjoyable moments. Andrew commenced his time at the College under the guidance of the Sisters of Mercy and he remains a pillar of our community.

Youth Mass

The youth-led mass at St Joseph's Church in Atherton was a wonderful and joyous event. Having 15 students, one parent, and six staff members in attendance is quite a turnout, and it's heartwarming to hear that our students presence and leading of the readings was appreciated and commented on by those who attended.

Special thanks should go to Sinevah, Yasserie, and Mary for confidently serving as Ministers of the Word. Their contributions likely added a meaningful and spiritual dimension to the mass, and it's always commendable to see young individuals taking on important roles in their faith community.

Events like these not only strengthen the bond within the church community but also provide valuable opportunities for youth to actively participate and grow in their faith. It's wonderful to see the support and involvement of both students and adults in such gatherings.

NAIDOC Day

August 31st marked the Mount St Bernard College’s annual NAIDOC DAY Celebration. NAIDOC is a time for all Australians to come together, acknowledge, and celebrate the contributions of our First Nations people. It is a day to reflect on First Nations Peoples achievements, resilience, and deep connection to land and community. MSB is proud to be a part of this celebration, as we value the importance of unity, respect, and understanding among all cultures. This day provides us with an opportunity to learn from each other, to share stories, and to strengthen the bonds that hold us together as a diverse and inclusive community.

As we gathered on the land of the Jirrbal People we extended out gratitude for their custodianship of the land and their deep connection to this environment reminded us of the importance of sustainability, respect for nature, and the significance of passing down wisdom from one generation to the next.

We embraced our NAIDOC celebrations with open hearts and open minds, fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding. By doing so, we continued to uphold the values that underpin our college community and model the mercy, justice, respect and compassion of our founding Sisters of Mercy.

Flag Ceremony

During the NAIDOC Day opening ceremony we acknowledged and celebrated the remarkable dedication and commitment of our students participating in the Army Cadets and Emergency Services Cadets programs. They raised not only the flags that represent our identity and unity but also our hopes for a harmonious future built on the foundations of reconciliation. Our cadets exemplified the values of discipline, selflessness, and leadership. Their commitment to the safety and well-being of our community is truly commendable.

In raising the flags, we displayed homage to the diverse tapestry that is our nation and our college. The Aboriginal Flag and Torres Strait Islander Flag are symbols of the First Nations people, reminding us of the significance of acknowledging and honouring the land on which we stand. The Australian Flag reminds us of our shared identity and values as Australians. The Queensland Flag representing our connection to this beautiful state, rich in history and culture and our very own Mount St Bernard College Flag signifying the unity and spirit that define our educational institution.

This Flag Ceremony held an even deeper meaning for us. It was a demonstration of our college community working together towards reconciliation, understanding, and harmony. It was a pledge that as a collective, we embrace the importance of acknowledging the past while forging a future that is inclusive and respectful of all cultures. Our college stands as a beacon of the broader society we wish to create – looking ahead with hope and determination. We are encouraged to learn from the past, acknowledging both its triumphs and its challenges, as we march forward towards a brighter future. Together, we can be the architects of change, the champions of inclusivity, and the bearers of compassion.

Thank you to all the students, staff, and guests who have joined us on our NAIDOC Day Celebration. We will continue to work together, standing united under these flags, as we strive for reconciliation and hope for the future.

Enjoy the Term 3 Holidays

Term 3 holidays are here! It's time to relax, enjoy precious moments with your family, and prioritise safety above all else. We can't wait to welcome you all back for an exciting and productive Term 4.

Narelle Hunt - Principal

Deputy Principal Curriculum & Admin

Dear Parents and Guardians

It is that time of the academic year when we come together to discuss your child's progress and achievements. We are excited to share important information about your child's academic progress this term and invite you to participate in our upcoming Parent-Teacher Interviews.

Student Reports:

We are pleased to inform you that your child's mid-semester progress reports will be distributed this week. These reports will provide you with valuable insights into your child's progress in their current subjects and highlight areas of success and potential growth. We encourage you to review these reports carefully and use them as a basis for our upcoming discussions during the Parent-Teacher Interviews.

To access your child’s reports, you will need to log in to the Parent Portal. If you have not set up your account, please see below for instructions on setting this up.

Parent-Teacher Interviews:

Parent-Teacher Interviews will take place on Tuesday 10th October from 3:30pm to 6:00pm. During these interviews, you will have the opportunity to meet with your child's teachers individually to discuss their progress, strengths, challenges, and any other concerns you may have. These conversations are crucial in fostering a collaborative partnership between parents and teachers to support your child's academic and personal development.

Here are some questions you may wish to ask teachers:

1. What is my child learning?

2. How are they doing?

3. How do you know (how they are doing)?

4. How can they improve?

5. What support can I provide if they are struggling?

To schedule your Parent-Teacher Interviews, please follow these steps:

1. Please note, our booking system will not open until Monday 18th September.

2. Visit our school's online scheduling system via Parent-Teacher Online - Link to PTO

3. Log in using your credentials.

4. Select the teachers you would like to meet with and choose available time slots.

5. If you are unable to make a face-to-face meeting, feel free to book a time and send an email to the teachers to arrange a phone conference.

6. If you encounter any difficulties with the scheduling process or have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our school office, and our staff will be happy to assist you.

We believe that effective communication between parents, teachers, and students is essential for the success of your child's education. We look forward to meeting with you and discussing your child's progress and goals for the remainder of the academic year.

Thank you for your continued support, and we are excited to work together to ensure your child's success. If you are unable to attend the scheduled interviews, please contact us to arrange an alternative time for discussion.

Kieran Ryan - Deputy Principal – Curriculum and Administration

Parent Portal Invitation MSB

Acting Deputy Principal Residential

Naidoc Day

We held our NAIDOC day on August 31. Dancers from various parts of the Cape as well as each region of the Torres Strait joined our local Jirrabal dancers to celebrate the culture of our First Nations students. Almost 600 people were in attendance. A great day was had by all.

TSI Consultative Committee Visit

The TSI CC visited the college twice this term. Once when the students returned from holiday then again in the week leading up to NAIDOC day. The members of the TSICC joined our staff to prepare for this great event.

Female Rugby League

Under 18 girls made it to the Grand Finals this year. Our girls played well and could well participate in the NRLW league in the future. Girls in the Under 16 divison also played well but just missed out on participating in the Grand Finals.

Male Rugby League

Our Under 18 Boys played for Atherton Roosters this year. The boys played well but were unable to make it to the grand final. Under 14 and 12 boys also missed the cut for the grand final. However, the Under 16 boys played an outstanding match and were able to win the grand final. Many of the boys received club trophies for their excellent efforts.

Basketball

On Saturday 9th September Naomi, Amanda, Shyamah, Emma and An-Toni played in the U14 Tablelands Tigers Team (Atherton Basketball Assn) at the Top of the North Carnival held at the Atherton State High School. Teams from Port Douglas Heat Basketball Club, Mareeba Basketball and Mulgrave Magic attended the carnival. The girls played well with their 1st game a tie and second game a win. Well done girls!!

Athletics

Reem Sam and Margie Aruba have been selected to represent Peninsula in the State Trials in the coming term. Reem will participate in the Javelin and High Jump events and Margie will run the 100 and 200 m races. We wish them well for their respective events.

Malcolm Fahey - Acting Deputy Principal Residential

Assistant Principal Mission

Mission Matters

On Sunday 27 August, 15 students, one parent and six staff members attended the youth-led mass at St Joseph’s Church in Atherton. Thank you to Sinevah, Yasserie and Mary for confidently serving as  Ministers of the Word. The joy our students brought to the celebration was appreciated and commented on by those present. “Thank you to all from MSB that attended our Mass by young people. Please pass on our special thanks to the readers. The attending students were a credit to the college and themselves.”

This Thursday, we formally welcome Franklyn Hilla into the Catholic Church through the sacrament of Baptism. The liturgy will be help in our college chapel with Fr Matthew presiding.

I hope you all have a wonder-filled break with your loved ones and may God’s mercy continue to shine upon us all!

Janet Wigan

Season of Creation 2023: Let Peace and Justice flow

Every year, Christians around the world, from across denominations, commit the month of September as a season to celebrate God’s beautiful Earth, and renew our shared commitment to preserving and restoring that beauty.

“But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!”  (Amos 5: 24).  

Season of Creation: Common Grace Join us this Season of Creation as we commit to taking action together in hope, joining our voices with Christians across the world, as part of a mighty river of peace and justice calling for the protection and flourishing of God’s beautiful creation. Explore this site to find resources, events and ways to engage and take action this Season of Creation.

Season of Creation: Jesuit and Ignatian Spirituality Australia

This Season of Creation you are invited to pause and immerse yourself in the sacredness and interconnectedness of all God’s creation. With six weekly complimentary contemplations to help heal and sustain your relationship with Earth, and with God in Earth. Contemplations to help us work together on behalf of all Creation. Each week you will receive a contemplation to your inbox which will focus on a different dimension of Nature. Register here to receive your complimentary contemplation in your inbox each week during the Season of Creation – from 30 August to 4 October 2023.

Religion

Students have been busy completing their Term 3 assessment.

Year 7 have examined the two Creation Stories in Genesis and considered how these sacred texts reflect the audience, purpose and context of their human authors.

Year 8 have been learning about initiation rites and are fortunate to be able to witness a baptism this Thursday!

Year 9 have reflected on how St Mary MacKillop fulfilled the roles of prophet, priest and king throughout her life.

Year 10 have looked at the ways in which the Church has responded to a range of emerging threats to human and environmental ecology, and created responses to contemporary moral questions.

Year 11 RAE students chose a First Nations person and explored 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.

Year 12 RAE students shared sacred stories that have personal meaning to them in order 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. In their last module, Year 12s are learning about and experiencing a variety of ways of developing their personal spirituality.

Janet Wigan - Assistant Principal Mission

Religion Term 3 2023

We have been extremely lucky to welcome Tim Tewhare and Sherie Miller-Freeman into our wellbeing team this term. Tim comes to us as a Wellbeing Officer and Sherie is our new Indigenous Liaison Officer. We also welcomed Jodie Jackson our new Guidance Counsellor last week. We now have two Guidance Counsellors, two Wellbeing Officers and two Indigenous Liaison Officers. The extra staff are extremely valuable for our students, and we are now able to run more programs and interventions in term 4!

Term 3 will be my last term here at MSB as my family and I are relocating to Cairns. Stephen Godfrey will replace me in Term 4, coming from the Cairns Diocese, he has spent time here with our students and is familiar with MSB .

I have enjoyed working at MSB for the past 3 years and value the connections that I have made with staff, students and families.

Nikki Symons - Acting Assistant Principal Wellbeing

New Acting Assistant Principal Wellbeing Term 4 2023

NAIDOC DAY

During Term 3 2023 we had our NAIDOC celebrations. Everybody had a blast what and a great day with over 600 people turning up to help celebrate NAIDOC this year. With 200 families, many travelling from the Torres Straits and the Cape all merging on MSB for the biggest NAIDOC celebration to date. Students gave powerful speeches and cultural dance like there was no tomorrow, some of the students showed off their musical abilities in the band with their parents, and in solo acts, staff put on an amazing BBQ and parents cooked up a cultural feast to appease the gods. Thank you to all the staff, parents, stakeholders and stallholders who participated in this day and made it all possible see you all next year...stay deadly!!

Kenny O'Brien - Indigenous Liaison Officer

NAIDOC DAY 2023

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. 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

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

Maths & Science

Students have been working hard across their Maths and Science lessons to finalise their assessments for the term, showcasing the great progress they are making in their learning.

Junior Maths

In the Maths world the junior school, year 7, 8 and 9 have been learning Measure and Algebra, the year 10s are learning this plus financial maths. Three year 9 students were lucky enough to be chosen to go onto a Maths residential camp this week (Grace Hart, Analise Donohue and Crystal-Lee Linnell) due to their aptitude for the subject. They spent week 10 partaking in activities where maths meets technology.

Maths Camp Term 3 2023

Year 12 General Maths and Math Methods have now finished all their internal exams and have started preparing for their external exam in October. Please see the exam timetable on the QCAA website. Essential Maths has one more internal exam in term 4.

Maths & Science Term 3 2023

Our junior scientists have been studying Chemistry, Biology and Physics across years 7-10. Year 9 have been continuing their journey with Chemistry. They've studied the differences between acids and bases, as well as chemical reactions and balancing chemical equations. They've completed their assessment and most students have worked really hard to get some great results. Well done team!

Year 10 has delved into the world of Darwin's important Theory of Evolution and the Origin of species. We battled it out in the great 'Battle of the Beaks' - students each have a different 'beak' type (aka spoon, tweezers, scissors or peg) and were timed for 1 minute to compete for different foods (ranging from rubber bands to macaroni). This practical was done to help students with the idea of natural selection and competition. In another practical, Students were lucky enough to compare six replicas of fossilised hominid skulls and make inferences about how we - Homo sapiens - came to be. Well done Year 10s!

This is just one of many practicals that our teachers run with our students.

Senior Science

Year 12 Sciences have now completed all their internal assessment and have started preparing for their external exam in October. Senior Biology students got to express their understanding in a different way this term by re-enacting a virus invasion using toy soldiers! This was a great way to consolidate their learning this term.

Senior Agriculture

The 11/12 Agriculture class has done some fantastic work this term. Whether it is planting, transplanting, taking cutting, propagating seeds, completing theory work, moving soil and building garden beds and habitats for bees, our wonderful students can achieve great things. We have also been taking care of our 6 MSB chickens which requires students to really take responsibility for the needs of another life. Without hesitation our students jump into action to clean out and replace the hay, the food, and the water for our chickens. The old hay which is mixed with chicken manure is placed into our garden beds which nourishes and improves the soil by encouraging microbes and fungi to thrive.

Many of our students are capable of naming over 30 different species of plants and their needs and we definitely have some future agricultural/environmental champions in our midst. The best advice for parents and carers is to get your kids to help out in the garden, planting, watering, harvesting and then in the kitchen to cook some of your own produce. Every single organic vegetable or herb that we can grow ourselves is a win for sustainability, independence and resilience and teaches us to respect and love the Mother Nature in all her beauty. Get out there and get growing!

Stem Academy

This term brings about a new student to the STEM Academy. Yindali Sharp has been accepted into the Academy after receiving great grades and great feedback from her teachers. Yindali will get her own Mentor, funding for resources that will help with her schooling, funding for educational excursions/camps and support all the way to getting a career. To be eligible the student must be an Indigenous girl who is achieving a C grade in English, Maths and Science, with a good attitude toward learning.

Nikki Chambers - Acting Maths & Science Middle Leader

English & Humanities

Humanities

On Tuesday, 22 August, Year 9 students visited Cattana Wetlands in Cairns as part of their Geography unit on biomes. Students learnt how Cattana Wetlands started out as a sugar cane farm and sand mining quarry and has since been rehabilitated to form an 80 hectare nature conservation park filled with abundant plant and birdlife. Blessed with beautiful weather, we completed the circuit around Jabiru Lake, Jacana Pool and the feather palm forest to collect data for students to complete their assessment on the wetlands biome.

Write a Book in a Day

In Week 10, a group of nine dedicated writers and artists from Years 10-12 spent 12 hours writing, illustrating and publishing a book. This yearly event is a much-anticipated challenge that involves getting a set of diverse parameters at the start of the day and creating a story around them. This year, we had to include an athlete, a tailor, a bull and a golf course. Our final book tells a story of a party disastrously gone wrong, friendship and the importance of not judging people by stereotypes. Congratulations to all our participants for a fantastic day’s work! The finished book will be in the library for people to read, with our previous years’ entries too.

Sarah Riber - English & Humanities Middle Leader

Write A Book In A Day 2023

The Arts

This term has been a whirlwind of excitement, students from Year 7-12 have been working on developing final artworks that communicate meaning. The juniors played with clay and made vessels. Year 10s worked on a response to Charles Blackman’s ‘Blue Alice’ for an opportunity to enter a competition to attend the Gallery of Modern Arts 3-Day Residency Program in Brisbane, with all expenses paid. They also completed activities in their "I Am" Booklet to develop their Visual Arts Diaries.

Seniors journeyed into Lino-Printing Techniques with Ms Cazita-Mazaeud and Year 11 Visual Art completed a project based on the concept Art as Code. Year 12 Visual Art are preparing for their Exam on the 1st of November 2023, best of luck everybody.

I am going on Long Service Leave in Term 4. We are very pleased to announce that, Fine Arts University-trained teacher, Sarah Cortis is moving to Herberton from Cairns to take my place for the term. I know that our staff and art students will make her feel very welcome. As a bonus, Ms Mecki (local Potter) is also coming to help with the Ceramic Unit for Senior Visual Arts in Practice. I look forward to hearing about the end of year success. I wish the Year 12s my heartfelt thanks for all your hard work, it makes my job easier. I will miss you all at school next term.

Traylea Sexton - The Arts Middle Leader

Art Term 3 2023

BLA Cairns Career Expo

The BLA Careers Expo is a great opportunity for student to learn more about possible careers in areas from apprenticeships, to University courses and even the movie industry. This year MSB was able to take students from Yr 10, 11 and 12 – 74 students in total to the expo. The students were able to talk to industry representatives from the Defence Force to Rio Tio and many more, and University representatives and University Colleges where they could stay next year. The students had a great time, talking to these important representatives and dreaming of their future.

MSB Pathways Expo

On Monday the 28^th of August MSB held a very successful Pathways Expo. The Pathways Expo allows students to meet with people from different industries and career pathways to help inform students on different career options. The expo also gives students the opportunity to talk to staff members about subject selection options. This year we were lucky to have representatives from the Defence Force, Police Force, TAFE, JCU, CQU and other career pathways. Of course, all our fabulous subjects were represented; our subjects include Maths Methods, Chemistry, Physics, English, Drama, Digital Studies and an amazing display from the Agricultural Department, just to name a few.

TAFE provided so much information about courses that students can take for just the year, such as engineering which will take place at school. Next year we are also working with TAFE to try and have students attend the TAFE campus in Cairns, so students have a wider range of subject options.

To was important for our Year 10 students to attend this expo so they could ask questions and get more information about the different subjects they might want to take. The benefit for the Yr 11s was that they could re-focus their learning, it might now include subjects that are being offered at TAFE on the Cairns Campus. Year 12s were given the opportunities to talk to industry representatives and Universities to help them with their after-school futures.

All the stalls were amazing, and a huge thanks needs to be extended to all teachers and industry representatives who attended the event. Students impressed these people with their beautiful manners, and insightful questions. Thanks to everyone for a great Expo!!!!

Debby Small - VET & Careers Middle Leader

Careers and Pathways Expos

Hi, I’m Rachel Brown. I am currently in the role of Middle Leader – Diversity. My role encompasses liaising with teachers, students and parents regarding students who need additional support or intervention to be able to access the curriculum and be successful learners.

I was born in England and moved to Australia when I was 11. In my life I have lived in various parts of QLD, as well as the world, but have made the Atherton Tablelands my home for the last 8 years. I love the Tablelands and believe it is a wonderful place for my two children to grow up. I have been a teacher for over 13 years, and am looking forward to getting to know the students and parents at MSB.

Rachel Brown - Diversity Middle Leader

Business & Technologies

It has been a busy term for all our students across the year groups

Food and Fibre Technologies

Year 7 Food Tech students with excellent attendance, were rewarded with an additional, fun cake icing session; we made cupcake with three different toppings Chocolate Ganache, purple butter icing and Marshmallow fondant.

Year 8's final cooking practical, where they learnt how to make Indian Food, On the menu was Butter Chicken, Rice and Naan Bread, for part of their Around the World cooking unit.

And for NAIDOC Day, Year 9 made 650 Beef and Kangaroo sausage rolls! We hope you had the chance to taste these on our fabulous NAIDAC Day celebration!

Kerry Winslett - Food and Fibre Technologies Teacher

Food and Fibre Technologies Term 3 2023

It has been another fantastic term in the MSB workshops. Year 7 Design and Tech (DT) have been working on their joinery skills building their turtle pot stands. This requires them to use a vast range of tools including a marking gauge, set square, rule, chisel, mallet, pyrography tool and coping saw. Students build confidence every lesson and their faces light up with joy as they create something they are proud of.

Year 8 are putting the final additions on their Desk Tidy made from meranti timber, which requires them to practice the design process to create the shape of their project. We have some wonderful artists at MSB with unique and creative designs. Building with timber is all about building resilience and persistence even when it becomes difficult. At MSB we have some students with real grit which pushes them to strive when the work is challenging.

The year 9 class is building a folding camping chair, which is made up of three varied materials: Kwila timber, canvas, and metal strapping. They also learn how to make one of the most widely used joins in cabinet making, the mortise and tenon join. Students need to make sure their mortise and tenons join up correctly, which is a real test in accuracy and patience. Several of our students have already created excellent works of art.

Year 10 students are putting their final changes on their timber graphics cases with some lovely designs coming out of the woodworks. This has been a challenging project, which again has required elevated levels of accuracy for their finger joins. Students have been improving their machinery skills using a router and biscuit joiner to join their timber.

In year 11/12 Industrial Technology Skills our incredible students have been creating a bedside cabinet. This has required them to first go through the design process creating front, side, top and 3D drawings with dimensions of their cabinets.  Students have absolutely thrived with this task and have been working hard to create their dream bedside cabinets which they will take home next term. We have had some unique and creative designs which are both practical and aesthetically pleasing.

Get ready world, we have the next generation of carpenters and engineers just waiting to build our future world in a sustainable and thoughtful way. And remember, if you can dream it, you can build it!"

Nathan Unwin - Industrial Technologies Teacher

Industrial Technologies Term 3 2023

Mahalia has been creating some magnificent work for her Year 11 Design folio, with the design challenge of marketing for a food truck.

Traylea Sexton - Design Teacher & The Arts Middle Leader

Digital Technologies

Year 7 and 8 will start printing their 3D models this week! Still in progress, but some fantastic designs again this term.

Senior ICT Applied students have been making apps, with some fun creations for their final projects.

Saffron Belkessa-Wood - Digital Technologies Teacher

Technologies and Business Middle Leader & Senior Studies Middle Leader

Community Engagement

Please welcome Mel Lennard who has joined our Teaching staff this term.

Hi! My name is Mel Lennard. I moved to the Tablelands with my husband and two kids to escape the Snowy Mountains (and close proximity to Victoria.) We are still getting used to living in a cloud in Atherton though as we thought we were moving to Mareeba's 300 days a year of sunshine.

My background is originally in electrical engineering but I retrained as an English and Maths teacher. I much preferred getting paid to talk to teenagers than having to account for billable hours in an office!

I'm really enjoying the students at Mount St Bernards.

Mel Lennard - Teacher

TABLELANDS NAIDOC YOUTH AWARD

Congratulations Year 8 student, Yindali Sharp, on being awarded the Tablelands NAIDOC Youth Award for her outstanding achievements in the performing arts and being accepted into the STEM academy for young indigenous women. This award was sponsored and presented by Mamu Health Service.

The Pormpuraaw State School Boarding Readiness Program was a huge success.

The five x Year 5 students and two staff, Mr AJay & Miss Katie, Althea & Laura from TSS all enjoyed their time and experience at MSB. The program flowed beautifully from:

Meet & Greet with Leadership and Ms Deb (Community Engagement Officer) with Goodie Bags in Lourdes
Acknowledgement to Country/Prayer in the Chapel/ Yarning Circle/Health Centre to meet Nurse Tanya/Mercy Trail/Labyrinth with Miss Andrea & Ms Janet
College Tour/Trade Training Manual Arts/Agriculture seeing the chickens & Rhideen's garden/Top Oval/Morrissey - Bernards seeing Boarding pods/Science Lab. Miss Julie Student Reception with Miss Andrea
Library Experience - games/Mad Magpie Story/colouring in with Ms Nelson
Cooking & making their own coloured pasta/spaghetti bolognese with Ms Winslett
Morning Tea & Lunch with Boarders/Play in Main Hall
Science Experiment Marble Maze with Mrs Waugh, Ms Chambers and Year 8 class
Art making clay squidgy faces with Ms Traylea and her Year 9 class
Special thanks to our MSB Pormpuraaw Students - Rhideen, Kathalina, Desley and Jerese that assisted in the day making it very comfortable and special for the visiting students.

All students embraced the experience and were engaged in the program for the entire day. When asked what the highlight was they couldn't pick one as they loved it all.

Andrea Gower - Transition & Engagement Officer

Pormpuraaw State School Boarding Readiness Program

Community News

MSB STUDENTS AT HERBERTON MAGPIES PRESENTATIONS 2023

The Magpie’s Junior Rugby League presentation took place yesterday. The under 12’s were each presented with a trophy by their coach, Chantal and manager, Dylan.The under 14’s each received a trophy to take home by their coach Kendra.Anton Coleman took home Best Back, Denzel Leo the most improved and Ashton Robinson took home Best Forward and Player of the Year for the club.The under 16’s each took home a trophy after winning this year's grand final against the Atherton Rooster’s. Gariam Noah was awarded Best back, Izion Waradoo most improved along with the Matty Lewis shield and Nathaniel Ghee was the coaches choice. A huge congratulations to all the player’s this year for your incredible growth, dedication and hard work.

Kendra Robinson - Herberton Magpies Coach & MSB Learning Support Officer