Mount St Bernard College eNewsletter

Principal

On behalf of the staff at Mount St Bernard College, I am happy to welcome you to the 2024 school year! Whilst it has been a challenging Christmas break for many of our families, you have all been in our prayers and we hope you are safe post Cyclone Jasper.

Dear Lord,

We pray for those who have been devastated by recent natural disasters. We remember those who have lost their homes so suddenly. We hold in our hearts the families forever changed by Cyclone Jasper. Bring them consolation and comfort. Surround them with our prayer for strength. Bless those who have survived and heal their memories of trauma and devastation. May they have the courage to face the long road of rebuilding ahead.

Help us to respond with generosity in prayer, in assistance, in aid to the best of our abilities. Keep our hearts focused on the needs of those affected, even after the crisis is over.

We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen

College Board and Parents and Friends Association

I would personally like to invite parents and carers to join the College’s Parents and Friends Association and/or the College Board. These meetings occur once per term. For our remote families, zoom links can be arranged for these meetings so you can join us from afar. Please email Hillary O’Brien hobrien1@cns.catholic.edu.au if you would like to join this group.

2024 Leadership Structure and New Staff

In 2024 we have introduced a new Leadership structure to assist us to achieve our strategic goals:

Senior Leadership:

Principal - Narelle Hunt

Deputy Principal Curriculum and Administration - Kieran Ryan

Deputy Principal Residential - Malcolm Fahey

Assistant Principal Wellbeing - Stephen Godfrey

Assistant Principal Mission - Janet Wigan

Curriculum Middle Leaders:

Instructional Leader Learning Culture and Growth - Daniel Jenkins

Middle Leader Curriculum, Pedagogy, Assessment and Reporting 11/12 (C.P.A.R) - Saffron Belkessa-Wood

Middle Leader Curriculum, Pedagogy, Assessment and Reporting 9/10 (C.P.A.R) - Nicola Chambers

Middle Leader Curriculum, Pedagogy, Assessment and Reporting 7/8 (C.P.A.R) - Kieren Waugh

Middle Leader Diversity - Rachel Brown

Middle Leader Vocational Education and Careers - Debbie Small

Pastoral Leaders:

Instructional Leader Behaviour, and Engagement - Emma Sheppard

Pastoral Leader Behaviour and Engagement - 11/12 Doris Cuda

Pastoral Leader Behaviour and Engagement 9/10 - Maria McGinnity

Pastoral Leader Behaviour and Engagement 7/8 - Alex Hinchliffe

We also welcome Daniel Jenkins, Alex Hinchliffe and Christopher Cawley to the teaching team this semester.

We’d like to welcome all new and returning students and we look forward to helping them “Let their light shine!”

2024 Strategic Improvement Plan

The College has reviewed our Strategic Directions and will focus on the following goals for the 2024 school year:

MyCE Parent App

MyCE Parent App

This year the MyCE Parent App will be available to all our families. This can be downloaded from the app store. This app is user friendly and will improve communication between the college and families. Please open the attached information sheet outlining details about how to download and use this new app.

MyCE Parent & Carer User-Guide V2

Welcome to the Year 7s and new students to the College

A special welcome to our Year 7s and new students joining the College in 2024. These students undertook our transition program to help them prepare for life at the College. With clear outlines of school wide expectations and an opportunity to meet their peers and make new friends, these students have settled in well and are preparing themselves to become involved in a range of school activities throughout the year.

School News or Initiatives of Interest

Nulung Kyan Kasi

The Cairns Catholic Education First Nations Directorate hosted the Nulung - Kayn Kasi event on January 30 to welcome First Nations student leaders to the Dioceses. The title Nulung-Kayn Kasi was gifted to the event: Nulung: A Gimuy Walubara Yidinji word for Leader and Kayn Kasi: A Kalaw Kawaw Ya word for young shoot. Each student was presented with a leadership pin by the Executive Director Bill Dixon. First Nation student leaders, their families and members of the College Leadership Team had a wonderful evening acknowledging our amazing 2024 student leaders. The College looks forward to nurturing the leadership potential of these young leaders throughout 2024.

Commencement Mass and Student Leader Investiture

We concluded the second week with our Opening Mass.  This was a wonderful celebration, officiated by Fr Matthew.  This was a momentous occasion where we were able to welcome our new Year 7 students, returning students and introduce our 2024 Student Leaders to the community. Thank you to all whom attended and joined in this important celebratory occasion with us.

Our Student Leaders for 2024 are: 

College Captains  – Mahalia Jones and Limferd Lui

Mercy Leaders  – Amora Krnjacki and Lizikerah Luffman

Residential Leaders  – Mary Kyle-Smith, Shandrella Pilot & Tony Harry

Sports House Leaders  – Nathaniel Ghee, Lataia Petersen, Alyssa Catanzariti, Megan Trezise, Billy Bourne and Ella Christie.

Student Representative Council Leaders – Teri-Lee Sheppherd, Clementine Barker, and Nathan Wagner

We have implemented new Student Leader positions for 2024 to provide greater opportunity for student agency. The Leadership Team looks forward to working with our Student Leaders throughout the year to assist us in achieving our 2024 strategic goals.

Mercy Reflection

The Sisters of Mercy and Catherine McAuley hold significant historical and spiritual importance for Mount St Bernard College. Reflecting on the Sisters of Mercy and Catherine McAuley brings to mind the dedication to compassionate service and social justice. Catherine McAuley's vision was deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, emphasising mercy, love, and care for those in need. Her emphasis on education as a means of empowerment is a noteworthy aspect of her legacy. The staff at MSB aim to model their commitment to teaching, just as the Sisters of Mercy did, to empower students to foster intellectual growth and personal development.

I look forward to working in partnership with you all this year in supporting your students at the College.

Narelle Hunt - Principal

Deputy Principal Curriculum & Admin

Welcome to 2024.

It was wonderful to see so many students returning for the start to the year, MSB’s wonderful atmosphere is created by our students and seeing the grounds full of happy, smiley faces as students reconnect with friends and family was great to see.

I am delighted to announce that 100% of last year’s graduates received their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) or their Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA). Every student departed the college with a formal qualification which is an outstanding achievement. This recognises the arduous work from our staff who have been dedicated to their students achieving these outcomes, including the relentless work of Saffron Belkessa-wood, who monitored, tracked, and supported our Year 12 students through their Senior Studies.

Our new Year 7 students showed their resilience and leapt into their orientation with enthusiasm. The cohort were quick to show they were keen to get to class and are settling in well. During their first 3 days at the College, they spent time getting to know the College, each other, and their teachers. A huge thank you to Kieren Waugh for planning the Year 7 Orientation Program. We welcomed 20 new students from Years 8 -12 join our college community. They spent their first day with Andrea Gower ensuring they were set up and ready to enter class. Thank you to Andrea and the administration team for supporting the new students in the background, making sure they have everything required to settle into MSB smoothly and efficiently.

Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) are currently being undertaken in Maths & Reading for all new students in Years 7 to 10, and those who did not undertake PAT in 2021. The PATs are designed to help determine the level of achievement for students in Maths and Reading comprehension and assists us in providing targeted learning for students.

Later in Term 1, Years 7 and 9 will sit their NAPLAN tests, beginning on Wednesday 13th March. This data will be used by teachers to adapt their lessons to our student’s needs. A broadcast has been sent to all families and keep an eye out for more correspondence regarding NAPLAN in the coming weeks.

We will also continue to implement the work of Lynn Sharratt from her book ‘Clarity – What Matters Most in Learning, Teaching and Leading.’ A fundamental part of this work is the 5 questions for students, parents, and teachers. We encourage parents to ask their students:

1. What did you learn today?

2. How did you do?

3. What did you do if you did not understand?

4. How can you improve on your learning?

5. What are you most proud of?

As our students settle back and reacquaint themselves with school routines and expectations, consistent focus posters have been displayed called, the MSB Three. Students are encouraged to take ownership over their learning by setting goals, developing strategies to improve their outcomes, asking questions, and reflecting on not only their progress but their behaviour.

We look forward to the many exciting challenges Term 1 and beyond may bring.

Kieran Ryan - Deputy Principal Curriculum & Administration

Naplan Parent Information

Deputy Principal Residential

Cyclone Jasper and Kirrily

Welcome back to another awesome year at MSB. We started day one with 58 of our anticipated 103 residential students, mainly due to cyclone Jasper and Kirrily. Most students have returned, to promote the best learning habits, we strongly encourage parents to plan for any students who have not returned so that we can get them started as soon as possible.

Weekend Leave

Each term there are two exit or free weekends per term. This is in line with all other boarding schools across the country.

Designated exit weekends will be at the end of week 3 and week 6 each term. Students will be dropped off at Atherton, Mareeba and Cairns. The bus will arrive at Cairns Central, McLeod St Entrance about 5.45 pm. The students will be picked up at Cairns Central at 3pm on Sunday. Any student who does not make this bus will require their host to return them to MSB at their earliest convenience.

Please contact the College if your student misses the bus or is late for other reasons. All families are aware that whilst a student is on weekend leave, they are completely responsible for that student. Only in exceptional circumstances will MSB staff be available to collect a student from the bus stop in Atherton.

Please ensure all leave applications are completed and sent to MSB by Wednesday 4pm prior to the designated exit weekend.

I thank you for your understanding and cooperation with this procedure.

“Big Sista “Program

This year, in addition to our usual school leader’s programs, we have created an opportunity for our residential Year 10 and 11 students to mentor some of our younger students and generally try to enthuse them. So far this has created a calming influence and the Year 7 ,8 and 9 have a sense of peace.

The “Big Sistas” do activities with the students in their PODs to build a sense of community, the photos below show a recent Sunday afternoon activity when the students decided to make brownies.

Malcolm Fahey - Deputy Principal Residential

Assistant Principal Mission

Mission Matters

On Friday 2 February, we celebrated the Opening of the College year with a Mass led by Rev. Fr Mathew Kochuveettil. It was a wonderful liturgy with the whole college participating reverently. We formally welcomed new staff to MSB and gave them a college candle to remind them to Let their Light Shine! Our 2024 College Captains and Student Leaders received their badges and pledged their commitment to their roles.

Student Leaders 2024

College Captains – Mahalia Jones and Limferd Lui

Mercy Leaders – Amora Krnjacki and Lizikerah Luffman

Residential Leaders – Mary Kyle-Smith, Shandrella Pilot and Tony Harry

Sports House Leaders – Nathaniel Ghee, Lataia Petersen, Alyssa Catanzariti, Megan Trezise, Billy Bourne and Ella Christie.

Student Representative Council Leaders – Teri-Lee Shepherd, Clementine Barker, and Nathan Wagner

Last week Stephen Godfrey and I had the pleasure of accompanying some of these students to an evening at St Monica’s College in Cairns, to celebrate First Nations student leaders from all over the diocese. It was wonderful that families were able to come and support these young people. Thank you to Harry Lui, Torres Strait Island Consultative Committee member, for his words of wisdom.

This Friday all our student leaders will attend a GRIP conference in Cairns to help prepare them for their important roles in the college this year.

Much of our Religion learning this term centres on the liturgical season of Lent, and the practices we try to follow during this time – Praying, Giving and Fasting. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 14 February. We will be hosting Mass in the chapel at 2pm if anyone would like to join us, just please sign in at the front office. Each Lent, MSB raises money to support Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion. Year 11 are learning about Social Justice, and they will be the driving force behind our fundraising efforts this year. Keep an eye out for activities you can support! The first of these will be pancakes next Tuesday!

Janet Wigan - Assistant Principal Mission

Mission Matters Week 3 Term 1

Assistant Principal Wellbeing

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are excited to share such a promising beginning of the new school year with you. We welcome back our returning students, parents and staff from the Christmas and New Year break and give a warm welcome to our new year 7 students as well as our new students in years 8, 9, 10 11 and 12. Thanks to the dedication of our College's staff and the invaluable support of families like yours, our students have transitioned well into this new year. The Well-being team is committed to assisting in your child's positive school experience.

We understand that adolescence can present unique challenges, and our College's Well-being team is ready to provide essential support for your child during this crucial phase. The Wellbeing team are:

Clinic: Nurse Tanya Davis, Laura McLellan.

Counsellors: Sara Gorring, Kayleigh Smith

Wellbeing Officers: Michelle Davies-Griffith, Jess Mason, Tim Tewhare 

Middle Leader Wellbeing:

Years 7 – 8 Alex Hinchliffe

Years 9 – 10 Maria McGinty

Years 11 – 12 Doris Cuda

Instructional Leader Wellbeing: Emma Sheppard

Assistant Principal Wellbeing: Stephen Godfrey

For enquiries on Wellbeing please contact the Middle Leader Wellbeing that you child is in, this team member will be able to assist you.

Our major focus for start of this term are.

Attending classes
Being ready to learn
Engaging in learning
Setting Goals
Staying safe online

Your continued support is invaluable, and we express our heartfelt gratitude for it. We eagerly anticipate this term to be nurturing and empowering your children, helping them make safe, respectful, and responsible choices, celebrating their achievements, and fostering a strong, supportive community.

Stephen Godfrey - Assistant Principal Wellbeing 

Business Manager

It has been a very busy Christmas period for our College. Our region experienced extremely high rainfall due to Cyclone Jasper. Luckily our College experienced no significant damage and we were well prepared. In readiness for the 2024 school year, the team have worked hard to prepare classrooms for the return of students and to enable teachers to have their own dedicated classrooms. Other works have included safety upgrades to the upstairs area around the courtyard, new administrative spaces, air-conditioning of offices and meeting rooms and the installation of safety glass to windows. MSB operates its own Sewerage Treatment Plant for the entire campus. The plant is currently undergoing an upgrade with new tanks increasing our capacity at the intake stage and the inclusion of a back up generator. These works are expected to be complete in Term 1 and will not result in any disruption to students or boarders. Mercy Hall has been fitted with additional electrical points to enable the installation of an upgraded sound system for performances.

There are some new faces in the Business Services Team:

Lisa Caldwell – Business Manager. I started at MSB mid-way through the 2023 year. I manage and oversee financial services including budgeting and reporting, governance, safety/risk management, strategic planning, grants management, dining and catering, facilities and maintenance projects, tenancies and accommodation.

David Pitcher – Facilities and Maintenance Manager. David is a qualified plumber and gas fitter and manages grounds, building maintenance, fleet, cleaning and laundry services.

Sharon Negri – Finance Team Leader. Sharon is a qualified accountant and manages all accounting and finance aspects of the College including payables, receivables, billing, student fees and bus subsidies.

As we enter the end of our financial year, the finance team will be very busy closing off 2023 and setting up 2024. We have been successful in gaining funding from the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) to enable upgrades to Bernard’s Boarding House including painting, CCTV upgrades and enhancing the safety and comfort of our boarders. These works will be completed throughout the 2024 school year and are planned to ensure minimal disruption to boarders. Other works planned throughout the year is the replacement of the Chapel Roof, a classroom furniture trial, repairs and relining of sewerage and storm water draining systems, compactus for the library, a nutritional review of the dining menu and upgrades to our alarm and evacuation sound systems. A busy and exciting year ahead.

Lisa Caldwell - Business Manager

Year 7 Orientation

We’re here. Orientation (O) week was a great start to high school. We got to know each other with activities with the wellbeing team, we learnt how to breathe properly, made a map of where everyone is from and played ukeleles. We thought these activities were fun!

We made time capsules to open at the end of Year 7. We painted our feet or traced them onto the front of the envelopes. Inside, we put in worksheets, string that measured our height and added information about ourselves. At the end of the year, we will see how much we have changed and learnt. We think we will be smarter, taller, more amazing and have new skills.

The best part was;

The hula hoop train
Meeting new friends
Seeing my primary school friends
Getting to now people better
Playing the ukelele
Playing with friends
Making new friends

Thank you Mrs Waugh and all the staff who organised our activities.

Year 7 2024

My First Day of High School

Enrolment applications for 2025 close next month on 29 February 2024. Please apply online now at www.msb.qld.edu.au/apply-online-now/ Scholarship applications for 2025 are available at www.msb.qld.edu.au/scholarships/ We'd appreciate you advising your family and friends if they wish to enrol for 2025 and beyond. 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

Deborah Booth- Communications & Community Engagement

Enrol Now

Seniors Tour and Information Session

We are hosting a year 10 and 11 open afternoon on Thursday 22 February. It will be held from 4.00 to 5.00pm and is open to any year 10 and 11 students and parents who are considering applying for enrolment in 2025.

We will provide a tour of the college and discuss subject offerings and the Seniors scholarships that are available.

Please RSVP to PH: 4096 1485 if attending

Deborah Booth- Communications & Community Engagement

School Photo Day - Tues 27 February

Your child has received a Photo Order Form in home form or Residential.

Preference is to order and pay online, correct cash in envelope will be accepted.

NB: We are unable to provide change and photos may not be placed onto your College account.

Go to www.advancedlife.com.au. Enter CODE 9A4VCJ9QY in the 'order and download' box.

Place your order (including option for sibling photos) and pay with Visa, Mastercard or PayPal.

Please discuss your photo choices with your child. Sibling order forms are available at Student reception and Residential.

Orders placed after 8th March will incur additional charges.

All ordered photo packages will be returned to the College in Term 2 where they will be mailed to families unless you advise otherwise.

Formal uniform must be worn

Girls - College Blouse – white tailored cut, includes tie. College Skirt: blue/tartan – below knee length or College Dress Trousers: navy blue
Boys - College Shirt: blue, College tailored, striped and a College tie. College Dress trousers: navy blue with black belt.
Girls and Boys - Shoes: black, leather, lace up. Socks: College navy socks, worn above the ankle.

Hair: Students are expected have hair of a natural colour, neat and tidy and worn off the face. Long hair is to be tied back with plain blue, black or white ties.

Jewellery: All students may wear - a watch; one small ring; one plain neck chain with a Christian religious medal or crucifix attached, tucked into shirt/blouse; a medic alert; one small plain sleeper or stud less than 5mm in diameter in each ear; no other visible studs allowed. Facial piercings are not permitted.

Please phone the College if you require any further assistance.

Deborah Booth - Communications & Community Engagement

Transition Support

Hello, a very special welcome to all our new students & families, my role is to support your child settle in at MSB and transition into the College. It is wonderful to see so many new faces. We have 38 new Year 7’s and 20 new Year 8 to 11’s.

Boarding families – Just reminding you that you have three support visits a year! ABSTUDY funded.

If you feel your child is homesick or needs extra support please contact me to organise a support visit.
If you would like to attend a special event such as Swimming Carnival, Athletics Day, Cross Country, NAIDOC Day or Presentation Evening
Families of Year 12 students please remember your support visits go towards Graduation and Formal.

Please contact me on 0408 074 962 or agower@cns.catholic.edu.au

Andrea Gower - Transition Support Officer

Library

Hello! It is so lovely to welcome all the beautiful faces of the Mount St Bernard family after the long summer break, and although most students don’t admit to missing school and the library, many are openly happy to be here. In particular, the library has instantly become a thrumming centre of strategy and teamwork at recess and lunch times, with the Minecraft Gaming group expanding to include some of our new students and our keen year 7 gamers too!

We have already begun advertising local and national competitions which students are encouraged to entre. The first of which is celebrating Queensland School Library Week. The theme of the competition is ‘Our heart, our stories’ with the beautiful promotional artwork by Indigenous artist and author Gregg Dreise. Entries close Tuesday February 27th. Please see Miss Nelson in the library for details.

Finally I would like to give a quick reminder to students about our Library suggestions box. Students and staff are encouraged to give feedback on books, or ideas that they would like to see happen in the library in 2024. Watch this space to see what we come up with!

Rachel Nelson - Teacher/Librarian

Instructional Leader Behaviour, and Engagement

Welcome back, everyone! It has been such a blessing to see students from Years 7 to 12 returning to school. There have been many reunions of friends and stories about holidays. As a team in wellbeing, we are helping our students settle back into the school routine and reminding them about how to be safe, respectful and responsible. At a school level that might look like wearing shoes (being safe), using polite words (being respectful) and attending class (being responsible).

I’m looking forward to seeing the growth of all MSB’s students this year.

Emma Sheppard - Instructional Leader Behaviour and Engagement

Pastoral Leader Behaviour and Engagement 7/8

The Year 7’s had an excellent start to the term, participating whole heartedly in a 3 day transition program aimed at relationship building within the year group, and development of our procedures and routines here at Mount St Bernard College. The program also included an introduction, through a series of ‘bitesize’ sessions, to the school’s wellbeing programs that run throughout the year; supporting our student’s social and emotional learning.

Last Friday our new Year 7’s looked immaculate in their formal uniform as they joined the rest of the College in Mass in Mercy Chapel with Fr Matthew. A wonderful experience topped off by a shared lunch in which the whole school community were invited to the dining hall to share fajita wraps – delicious!

Look out for further information on the Year 7 camp, planned for Week 7 - more information to come in the following weeks.

Alex Hinchliffe - Pastoral Leader Behaviour and Engagement 7/8

Pastoral Leader Behaviour and Engagement - 11/12

Welcome back to 2024.

As the Senior Pastoral Coordinator for Years 11 and 12, I am honoured to take on the crucial responsibility of fostering a supportive and enriching environment for our students during their final years of secondary education. With a deep commitment to the holistic development of each individual, I am dedicated to ensuring that our students not only excel academically along with Miss Saffron, but also navigate the challenges of this pivotal stage in their educational journey with resilience and confidence. Through collaborative efforts with educators, parents, and the broader school community, my aim is to create a nurturing space that empowers students to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially, preparing them for the exciting opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

We start the academic year with Year 11s designing their future Senior Shirt for Year 12. While Year 12 are busy finalising their academic pathways and coming up with themes for their school formal to be held later this year on November, 9th.

It’s always busy here, and this week is no different. The students were commissioned for leadership. I would like to introduce this year’s College Captains – 2024. Limferd Lui and Mahalia Jones.

Hi my name is Limferd Lui. I was born on Thursday Island in 2006 to Harry and Florence. I am the second son to a traditional Torres Strait Family. I grew up in Warraber and went to Warraber Primary School. I started my secondary education at Tagai High School and then transferred to MSB for Year 8 and have been here ever since. My best memory is when my Uncles took me hunting turtle and crayfish. The sea has a special place in my heart. I swim and fish everyday. My totem is the Hammerhead Shark. My brother Janomick came here in Grade 10 with me. I played for Herberton Magpies, and one of my best memories is when we beat Atherton Roosters U16. My academic focus for this year is to get the skills I need to work in the mining industry. My goal as a school leader is to assist and serve all here at MSB in whatever way I can.

My name is Mahalia Jones, I am one of MSB"s school captains for 2024. I am currently studying Art, Design and Modern History at MSB and can see a future within them. I work part time at a local cafe and because of this have achieved my goal of purchasing a car and planning for my future. After school I plan on attending university to study film or art and have valued the pathway this school has set for me so far.

So together, let us embark on a journey of growth, empowerment, and success for our Years 11 and 12 students.

Doris Cuda - Pastoral Leader Behaviour and Engagement - 11/12 Doris Cuda

Instructional Leader - Learning Culture and Growth

As the Instructional Leader - Learning Culture and Growth, my job in the College is to work with curriculum middle leaders to maintain a dynamic and coherent 7 to 12 educational programme, supported by high quality teaching practices, which provides students with a positive learning experience and authentically prepares them for life beyond school.

Throughout 2024, students will continue to be actively engaged in their subjects, responding creatively to academic challenges, participating discursively in class and working with teachers to steer their courses of study.

Another area of focus for the College is to make greater use of teaching and learning data such as NAPLAN, PAT Testing and internal assessment results, at both the school and individual level, to ensure that we are providing the best solutions for students and helping them to maximise their strengths and positively address any weaknesses.

I thoroughly look forward to working with students, staff and parents in what will no doubt be an exciting and enriching year of educational achievement.

Daniel Jenkins - Instructional Leader - Learning Culture and Growth

Middle Leader Curriculum, Pedagogy, Assessment and Reporting 7/8 (C.P.A.R)

My name is Kieren Waugh and I am the CPAR for Years 7 and 8. This means that I will be working with our amazing teachers regarding curriculum, assessment, reporting and teaching practices for our junior students.

I would like to welcome our new students to the college. It has been such a pleasure to get to know you all and I look forward to seeing your growth personally and academically over the next couple of years. Welcome back to our previous MSB students. It has been fantastic hearing about your holidays and seeing the enthusiasm you are bringing into the classrooms.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s curriculum needs, please don’t hesitate to contact me at the college or via email kwaugh@cns.catholic.edu.au.

I look forward to working alongside you on your child’s educational journey!

Kieren Waugh - Middle Leader Curriculum, Pedagogy, Assessment and Reporting 7/8 (C.P.A.R)

Middle Leader Curriculum, Pedagogy, Assessment and Reporting 9/10 (C.P.A.R)

Year 9 Curriculum Highlights

In English, students are studying a unit on narrative writing, which extends the narrative writing skills they have learnt in Years 7 and 8. They are also reading a class novel and complete weekly NAPLAN practice.

In Humanities, students are studying a new History unit this term, called “Making and Transforming the Australian Nation”. Throughout the term they will learn about the movement of people across the world from 1750; European colonisation of Australia and its impacts on Indigenous people; and significant events such as the Myall Creek Massacre, Eureka and Federation.

In Maths, students have been working on calculating surface area and volume. Last week students calculated how much lacquer  was required for a bottle top table as well as how much resin was required to set the top. They discovered the value of drawing nets to document their thinking and the relevance of measurement in everyday life. They learnt how to use their knowledge of surface area into something practical like working out the volume of paint on the Bunnings website. 

In Science this term, students are looking at how energy transfers and how we view light in our universe. The students will be dissecting a cow's eye in a few weeks and will be writing a report on a bionic eye. 

 In Business students have begun visioning the business that they would feel comfortable investigating.

In Sport and Recreation, students are engaging in a coaching unit. Students will learn what it means to be a good coach and implement it with their classmates. They will finish the term by designing their own game. 

In Digital Technologies, students are learning video editing software, which they will use to document some data logging and analysis.

In Religious Education, students will consider Catholic social teaching, the three forms of penance (prayer, fasting and almsgiving), Scripture, celebration of the Sacraments of Healing (Penance and Anointing of the Sick), and personal and communal prayer experiences as sources of inspiration, strength and guidance for believers today.

Year 10 curriculum highlights

In Engineering, students have been listening to podcasts and discussing the huge range of professions leading from Engineering, especially in Quantum Computing.

History in year 10 is offered as an elective for students. This term, students are studying World War II and will learn about the causes of World War II; significant events of the war; Australia’s involvement in the theatres of war; and the significance of World War II for Australia’s international relationships.

In Food, Technology and Design (FTD) students are focusing on Food Technology. They are looking at Indigenous perspectives; we have made kangaroo and beef sausage rolls and are examining why kangaroo is healthier to eat than beef. We are also going to plant, grow and examine ingredients growing.

In English, students are either studying the play “So Much to Tell You” and learning analytical essay writing skills or are studying Science Fiction, and are excited to be watching the movie 'The Martian' and preparing to do a persuasive presentation on why we should colonise Mars. 

In Science, students are learning about genetics and the different theories of evolution.

In Maths students are learning Statistics and probability this term. The focus is showing if two variables have a relationship using scatter graphs. We are going to investigate the human body and if characteristics have a relationship. We will then move onto designing and conducting chance experiments that involve compound events.

In Drama, students are studying lighting techniques for the theatre stage and how different lighting choices create desired moods for a performance. Students are also undertaking a character study based on one of their favourite characters from film and television. This is in preparation for students acting a 2-3 minute scene with each other on stage in week 7 this Term, showcasing a scene of their choice from screen acting and applying their character study practically.

In Music, students are growing their technical instruments skills this term in preparation to be able to play an increased repertoire of musical material. Students currently undertake studies on guitar, drums, keyboards, bass guitar and experience exposure to performance techniques on a musical stage.

In Health & Physical Education (HPE) students are completing a first aid unit, learning how it is important that as many people as possible know first aid. They are also doing a practical unit on striking sports (Cricket, baseball, etc). 

Careers is offered in year 9 and 10 and is an amazing subject which completes the Vocational EDucation & Training (VET) Unit ‘Work Readiness’,  this will be preparing students for Work Experience at the end of the year by completing resumes and applying for tax file numbers. The subject also introduces students to the QCE system and subject selection for senior school.

In Religious Education, students will identify and describe how the mystery of God in the Old Testament can be named, encountered and better understood. They describe how humans express an understanding of God or the ‘Other’ as revealed in creation.

Nicola Chamber - Middle Leader Curriculum, Pedagogy, Assessment and Reporting 9/10 (C.P.A.R)

Year 10 Science Week 3 Term 1

Middle Leader Curriculum, Pedagogy, Assessment and Reporting 11/12 (C.P.A.R)

My name is Saffron Belkessa-Wood. This will be my 10th year of teaching at MSB, so I know most of the students in our school, having taught them Technologies or Maths at some time in their secondary schooling.

My role is the Middle Leader of Curriculum, Pedagogy, Assessment and Reporting for Senior – year 11 and 12.

In 2023, 100% of our students gained their QCE or QCIA, and 100% of students passed their General subjects – fantastic efforts all around.

I look forward to working with teachers and supporting our 2024 Seniors in achieving their best across the range of subjects we offer.

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

Below is an overview of the Senior subjects we offer at MSB in 2024, and the topics for Term 1.

*For further information on VET Certificate courses, please contact the teacher direct, or Middle Leader of VET and Careers Debby Small.

Saffron Belkessa-Wood - Middle Leader Curriculum, Pedagogy, Assessment and Reporting 11/12 (C.P.A.R)

Art Excursion to the Herberton Historical Village - https://www.historicvillageherberton.com.au/

Year 11 & 12 Senior Visual Arts students visited the Herberton Historical Village this week. This was a stimulus for their research investigation. They recorded their experience through research, drawing and photography. The concept ‘Art as Knowledge’ will encourage students to focus on ‘people, places and unusual objects’ found in and around the village. Students were delighted to step back in time, to a classrooms with no lights, fans or air-conditioning , no technology, very strict rules and the dreaded cane. They even discovered how to write letters on an old slate.

The new Movie Theatre was unbelievable, with state of the art technology, air-conditioning and a documentary about the early pioneering years of Herberton. It was called ‘Herberton, The Heart of the North’ and was narrated by the iconic Australian actor, Jack Thompson. Mary and Megan also enjoyed some damper.

Traylea Sexton - Visual Arts Teacher

Year 11 and 12 Visual Art Excursion

Diversity

The Diversity team has seen the addition of two new learning support officers this week, with another set to start next week. We would like to extend a warm welcome to Tania Bolger, Shannon Day and Catherine Hunter. We are looking forward to having you in the classrooms working with our students to ensure each student is achieving success.

In other news, we have been busy testing each new student to MSB to check their eligibility for our reading intervention program, Macqlit. This program runs three times a week. Sessions are 50 minutes long and are capped at 3 – 4 students per group. We have had great success with this program in previous years and have seen a dramatic improvement in reading ability of all students participating. We are looking forward to getting these sessions started in the following few weeks and getting to know the students involved.

Rachel Brown - Diveristy Middle Leader

VET & Careers

The VET and Careers Space is a diverse area covering all aspects of transiting students into the workforce, or to future studies.

Students had the opportunity to go to Summer Camp at Melbourne’s University Trinity College, just before Christmas. It was a wonderful opportunity to experience dorm life at the University and to explore Melbourne.

Some of our success stories include Sinevah Mari obtaining an apprenticeship in Engineering Fabrication (Boilermaking) in Cairns with NQ Engineering and Fabrication!! Mary Kyle-Smith starting her school-based Traineeship with Tablelands Hardware while completing her Certificate II in Retail which will give her an additional 4 QCE points. Congratulations to both Sinevah and Mary such great work!!

This week the Certificate II in Engineering course commences, where TAFE comes up from Cairns every Wednesday for the year. The course gives students great skills in the engineering area such as welding and provides the students with 4 QCE points for this one-year course.

Debby Small - VET & Careers Middle Leader

MSB Work Experience Report 2023