MSB Messenger Friday 26th July 2024

Principal

Dear members of the Mount St Bernard College community,

Welcome back to Term 3.  I hope you had a restful break and are recharged for the exciting term ahead. As we embark on Term 3, we look forward to continuing our journey of learning and growth together. Here are some highlights and important information for the upcoming term:

Key Dates and Events

• NAIDOC Day – 26 July
• Catholic Education Week – 22 – 27 July
• College Careers Expo – 30 July
• Ordination Ceremony for the Bishop – 15 August
• Student Free Day (Staff Professional Learning Day) – 30 August
• R U Ok Day – 12 September
• Students travel Day 13 September

Staff Welcomes

I am happy to announce we have a number of new staff joining us at the College in Semester 2:

• Debra Fish – Acting AP Curriculum and Administration
• John Doolan – Middle Leader 9 & 10 CPAR
• Joey Twidale - Pastoral Leader 9 & 10 Engagement and Behaviour
• David Stephens – Pastoral Leader 7 & 8 Engagement and Behaviour (commencing later in term 3)
• Trent Newcombe – Maths, science and Chemistry – (commencing 29 July)
• Ryan Mawdsley – returning from leave
• Nathan Unwin – returning from leave
• Natascha Herrington – Enrolment and Travel Officer
• Aidan Prowse – Boarding supervisor
• Vassa Jacobsen – stepping in to cleaning supervisor role
• Mae Dela-Vida – cleaner
• Britt Spence – maintenance officer
• Kayleen Buck – kitchen attendant
• Scarlett Sparks – cleaner
• Dan Hunter – grounds/maintenance officer (now permanent)

These new staff will enable us to provide great consistency for our students. 

Strategic Focus

Term 3 will see the continued focus on student attendance.  I’d like to emphasise the crucial role that regular attendance and active participation in lessons play in a student's academic success and overall development. 

1. Academic Success Regular attendance ensures that students do not miss out on essential instruction, class discussions, and activities that are fundamental to understanding the curriculum. Each lesson builds on the previous one, and missing classes can lead to gaps in knowledge, making it challenging to keep up with the coursework.
2. Skill Development Active participation in lessons helps students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. Engaging in discussions, asking questions, and collaborating with peers fosters a deeper understanding of the subject matter and enhances the ability to apply knowledge in real-world situations.
3. Consistent Learning Routine Attending school regularly establishes a routine that promotes discipline and time management skills. This routine is essential for balancing academic responsibilities with extracurricular activities, hobbies, and personal time.
4. Social and Emotional Growth School is not just a place for academic learning; it is also a social environment where students develop friendships, learn to work in teams, and build social skills. Regular attendance allows students to form meaningful connections with their peers and teachers, contributing to a supportive and enriching school experience.
5. Preparedness for Future Challenges Consistent attendance and active participation prepare students for future academic and professional endeavours. Universities and employers value individuals who demonstrate commitment, reliability, and the ability to engage actively in their work. These habits, developed during secondary school, set the foundation for future success.
6. Avoiding Learning Gaps Missing lessons can lead to significant learning gaps that may require additional time and effort to close. Regular attendance ensures continuity in learning, making it easier to keep up with new concepts and assignments without falling behind.
7. Enhanced Understanding and Retention Active participation in class discussions, group activities, and hands-on learning experiences helps reinforce concepts and improve retention. Engaging with the material in various ways ensures a more comprehensive understanding and long-term retention of knowledge.
8. Support and Resources Teachers provide valuable support, guidance, and feedback during lessons. Regular attendance allows students to benefit from these resources, ask for help when needed, and receive timely feedback on their progress.

I’d like to thank parents and carers for your continually support and partnership in supporting the improvement of student attendance.

Academic Focus

This term, our academic focus will be on creating innovative curriculum. Our teachers have planned engaging and challenging lessons to ensure that every student reaches their full potential. We encourage all students to stay committed and seek help whenever needed.

To ensure students can reach their full academic potential is important for them to arrive at class on time, engage in the learning activities throughout the lessons and actively participate in completing set tasks.  The skills students learn in the classroom prepare them for their future.

This will be an important term for future planning.  The subject selection process will commence on July 30 and this is an opportunity for students to commence planning for the 2025 school year.  Year 10s and 11s will undertake SET Planning to commence examining their study needs to prepare them for their Senior education.  To assist students, Debby Small, the Careers Advisor has also arranged a range of career based activities and excursions to ensure our students are well informed about their options.

Extracurricular Activities

We have a variety of extracurricular activities lined up for Term 3. From sports to arts to academic clubs, there's something for everyone. Participation in these activities is a great way for students to explore new interests and develop new skills. 

Athletics Day

Term 2 concluded with the Annual Athletics Carnival. This was a great day for the Sports Houses to come together in healthy competition.  There was an abundance of talent and participation on the day with some incredible skills demonstrated and even a number of long-standing records broken.  Thanks you to the parents and families that were able to join us for the day to be part of such a fabulous sporting event.

Congratulations to all of the house champions and runners-up:

Mercy Day

Mount St Bernard College celebrated the much-anticipated Mercy Day on June 19, a time-honoured tradition that commemorates the founding values of compassion, mercy, justice, and service that define our community.

The day began with a beautiful Mercy Day Mass, officiated by Father Matthew, with the presence of the esteemed Mercy Sisters. The Mass was a special occasion as the newly reformed Mount St Bernard College choir performed, adding a soulful and uplifting atmosphere to the service. A heartfelt thank you goes to Jo Langtree from St Monica's for her dedication in workshopping and preparing the students for this significant event. We also extend our gratitude to Sarah Riber and Janet Wigan for their exceptional leadership of the choir on the day.

Following the Mass, students enjoyed a shared lunch, fostering a sense of community and togetherness. Additionally, a special gathering was held for the choir, the Sisters of Mercy, and the Senior Leadership Team, allowing for meaningful interactions and reflections on the day's significance.

The afternoon was filled with engaging activities designed to build community spirit and creativity. Students participated in social games, mural and rock painting, and other community-building exercises. These festivities provided a perfect way to honour our founding Sisters of Mercy, celebrating their legacy through unity and joy.

The Mercy Day celebration was a wonderful occasion that brought our school community together, highlighting the values of mercy and compassion that are at the core of our identity.

Health and Safety

The health and safety of our students and staff remain our top priority. With the flu season upon us we ask students to stay home if they are unwell to prevent the spreading of viruses.  We will also be encouraging students to wash their hands regularly, and sneezing/coughing into their elbow to prevent the spread of airborne germs.

Right to Disconnect

The right to disconnect is an importance staff wellbeing initiative that has been developed in the latest enterprise bargaining agreement.  This initiative supports school staffs' right to disengage from work related issues when not at school.  The College’s Local Consultative Committee have formed a school policy to address our staffs' right to disconnect.  Day school staff will respond to emails between 8 – 5pm.  When a teacher receives an email a response will be completed within 2 working days, this is to provide time for the staff member to gather the necessary information to ensure a detailed response can be provided.  Parent/carer communication is highly valued by the College and encouraged and the right to disconnect policy ensures there is clarity regarding staff response times. 

Communication

We believe in maintaining open lines of communication between the school and home. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the College on 40961444.

Looking Forward

We are excited about the possibilities that Term 3 holds and look forward to seeing our students thrive. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

Narelle Hunt - Principal

Deputy Principal Residential

Term 3 is here, and our students are busily working on their assessments, especially year 12. It is very important that parents and guardians support their children during this busy time as many of our students feel the stress and pressure. 

This term is also NAIDOC time. Our students are busily practicing their songs, dance and art. It is great to see so many of our students are willing to share their culture and respect each other in the process. 

In addition, to our usual focus on homework and study, this term we have implemented several weekend activities. Each week on Tuesday afternoon, Senior Supervisor, Jo Bull meets with a group of senior girls to sort out what activities are going to be offered. Activities include going to the beach, to local markets,  bushwalking and fishing. 

Last weekend the male boarders went to Mission beach to collect coconut palm leaves, as well as spend some time fishing . They caught a few but not enough for a feed. However, the female boarders went fishing at Tinaroo, where they caught two eel tailed catfish.  

Malcolm Fahey - Deputy Principal Residential

Acting Deputy Principal Wellbeing

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

We are thrilled to share the promising start of the term with you. We welcome back our returning students, parents, and staff from the long mid-year break and extend a warm welcome to the new students and staff members joining our community. 

We are excited to introduce Joe Twidale to the wellbeing team. In addition to his teaching role, Joe brings a wealth of skills and experience to the Year 9-10 Wellbeing Middle Leader position. We look forward to collaborating with Joe and enhancing our support for students. 

During the first week of this term, the College staff engaged in a variety of professional learning opportunities, including First Aid and CPR training, positive behaviour approaches, and unpacking the latest ACARA Version 9 Junior Curriculum and QCAA Senior Curriculum. We also focused on writing assessment and unit plans with inclusion in mind, approaches to wellbeing, and exploring the College's Mercy Charism. With the invaluable support of families like yours, our staff is well-equipped to assist students in their transition into term three. 

We understand that the teenage years can present challenges, and our College’s wellbeing team is dedicated to providing essential support for your child during this sensitive phase. The wellbeing team members are: 

Counsellors: Sara Gorring, Kayleigh Smith 

Wellbeing Officers: Michelle Davies-Griffith, Jess Mason, Jade O’Shea, Tim Tewhare  

Middle Leader Wellbeing:  

Years 7 – 8: Covered by Emma Sheppard and Stephen Godfrey 

Years 9 – 10: Joey Twidale jtwidale@cns.catholic.edu.au  

Years 11 – 12: Doris Cuda - tcuda@cns.catholic.edu.au  

Instructional Leader Wellbeing: Emma Sheppard - esheppard2@cns.catholic.edu.au  

Acting Deputy Principal Wellbeing: Stephen Godfrey - sgodfrey@cns.catholic.edu.au  

For any enquiries regarding your child's wellbeing, please contact the Middle Leader Wellbeing for their year level using the provided email addresses or the College phone number at 07 4096 1444. 

This term, we will continue to emphasise the MSB Student Expectations Matrix, which outlines behavioural expectations across all College settings. By focusing on Being Safe, Being Responsible, and Being Respectful, we aim to communicate our College norms and expectations to the entire community, fostering a positive learning environment. 

Our focus this term will be on: 

• Acting in a safe way 

• Being responsible for your actions 

• Attending class 

• Being ready to learn 

We are pleased to report that the majority of students are meeting and often exceeding these expectations. To support our students, the College staff will employ various Tier 1 pedagogical and behavioural approaches, including: 

• Developing trust through relationship building 

• Utilising the 10 Essential Skills of Classroom Management to enhance learning, such as: 

• Establishing expectations 

• Providing descriptive encouragement 

• Redirecting to the learning 

For students who find it challenging to meet these expectations, we offer a range of Tier 2 and Tier 3 supportive interventions, such as: 

• Mentoring 

• Goal setting 

• Check-In and Check-Out Monitoring 

• Co-development of cultural plans with Indigenous liaison officers 

• Counselling 

• Wellbeing support 

• Restorative conversations 

• Establishing a wellbeing garden 

We are thrilled by the progress and achievements of our students and look forward to continuing this positive work with them. 

This term, the College community marked several significant dates: 

• NAIDOC Week: July 7 to July 14 

• MSB NAIDOC Day: July 26 

• Catholic Education Week: July 21 to July 27 

These dates serve as important milestones in our Catholic education year and our reconciliation journey. They emphasise the need for ongoing efforts to build respectful relationships between all Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

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

Stephen Godfrey – Acting Deputy Principal Wellbeing  

Assistant Principal Mission

At the end of Term 2, we honoured our heritage as we celebrated Mercy Day. We remembered the Sisters of Mercy, who left Ireland to continue the dream of Venerable Catherine McAuley. We began by celebrating mass with Fr Mathew and five Sisters of Mercy! It was a joy to have the chapel filled with beautiful singing from the choir – thank you to Jo Langtree and Sarah Riber for preparing them. Thank you also to Tania Bolger and Benita Cairns for organising a delicious high tea for our special guests. In the afternoon we all enjoyed choosing from a range of activities. Thank you to Traylea Sexton for designing the beautiful freshwater eel mural, one of the Jirrbal totems, and everyone who added their special touch to complete it. 

It's been a busy start to Term 3.  

On the first day back, I had the honour of attending the QATSIF Graduation Ceremony at JCU in Cairns. Congratulations to scholarship graduates Amora Krnjacki, Eleanor Banu, Limferd Lui, Makala Harries-Spinnler, Rhideen Wason, Sannah Pearson, Shania O’Brien, Terri-Lee Shepherd and Tony Harry. Our Torres Strait Islander Dance Troupe and Year 9 student singer/songwriter Yindali Sharp made us proud as they performed for Elders, special guests and graduates.  

On Monday, Terri-Lee Shepherd, Amora Krnjacki, Nathan Wagner, Limferd Lui and Nathaniel Ghee, Mrs Hunt and I represented MSB at the Queensland Catholic Education Week Opening Mass at St Monica’s Cathedral in Cairns. As part of the celebrations, CES organised for musicians to visit schools throughout the Diocese. Last Friday Gen Bryant performed for us in Mercy Hall. Although she has sung for many audiences, including Pope Francis and millions of people at World Youth Day in Portugal, Gen told me that MSB was one of her favourite experiences! The theme for CEW is a community of Faith, Hope and Love which students, staff and family members have been demonstrating as prepare for our NAIDOC Day this Friday. 

May God’s mercy continue to shine upon us! 

Janet Wigan - Assistant Principal Mission

Mercy Day 2024

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Acting Assistant Principal Curriculum & Adminstration

As the cold winter months start to set in and the excitement of semester 2 fills the air, we are thrilled to welcome you back to Mount St Bernard College! We hope you had a restful and enjoyable break, and we can’t wait to embark on this academic adventure with all of you.

A Warm Welcome Back

To our returning students, welcome back! We hope you’re as excited as we are to dive into a final semester of learning, growth, and discovery, especially our year 12 students. To our new students, a big, hearty welcome to the MSB family! We are so excited to get to know you and support you as you start this exciting new chapter of your educational journey.

Naplan

2024 Naplan results have arrived and will be mailed to Parents and carers in the near future. 

Introducing Our New Curriculum Team

This semester, we are excited to introduce a dynamic new Curriculum Team who will be working diligently to enhance our educational programs and bring fresh, innovative approaches to our classrooms. Our team is passionate about creating engaging and effective learning experiences for all our students, and they can’t wait to meet you!

We are confident that this talented team will make a significant impact and help us achieve new heights in our educational mission.

Let’s Make This Semester Unforgettable

As we prepare for the start of the semester, we want to encourage everyone to come with an open mind and a positive attitude. Together, we will work hard, support one another, build on attendance and engagement to make this semester the best yet.

Debra Fish - Acting Assistant Principal Curriculum & Administration

CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK

COMMUNITIES OF FAITH, HOPE & LOVE

Faith - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2: 8

Hope - We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain. Hebrews 6: 19

Love - This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

John 15: 12

GEN BRYANT CONCERT @genbryant

Thanks to Cairns Education Services for organising a series of musical experiences for all schools as part of Catholic Education Week. On Friday, we were thrilled to have Gen Bryant perform in Mercy Hall. Her engaging storytelling, and the participation of both staff and students on the dance floor created a delightful atmosphere for all. Her exceptional musicianship left a lasting impression on everyone present. We look forward to celebrating Catholic Education Week with you all and enjoying the wonderful activities planned.

Gen Bryant Concert

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CELEBRATING & HONOURING STAFF DURING CEW

Docemus Award Nominees

Congratulations to Kendra Robinson - School Officer category and Dr Emma Sheppard - Secondary teacher category for your nominations in the annual Docemus awards. The Docemus awards are being held in Cairns this Friday 26 July. Congratulations and good luck to you both. 

Spirit of Catholic Education Award Nominee

Congratulations to Lorraine Muckan who was nominated for the Aunty Joan Hendriks Reconciliation Award.

Catholic Education Week 2024

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QATSIF

On Tuesday 16th July, the first day back for Term 3 staff, Janet Wigan,  Andrea Gower, Traylea Sexton & Bernadette Killen attended the QATSIF Graduation Ceremony at James Cook University in Cairns. 

Congratulations to our 2024 QATSIF scholarship Graduates: Makala Harries-Spinnler, Limferd Lui, Shania O’Brien, Amora Krnjacki, Eleanor Banu, Terri - Lee Shepherd, Tony Harry, Sannah Pearson and Rhideen Wason. 

Mount St Bernard College was also very proud to have our Torres Strait Islander Dance Troupe, and Year 9 student singer/songwriter Yindali Sharp, perform for Elders, special guests and graduates.  Yindali wrote a song called ‘Fire in my Heart’ based on the 2024 Naidoc theme ‘Keep the fire burning ~ Blak, Loud and Proud".

Harry Lui, father of our College Captain, and QATSIF graduate, Limferd Lui, was invited as a guest speaker and made us all very proud with his inspirational speech.

Andrea Gower - Transition Support

2024 QATSIF GRADUATION

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Diversity

As we begin another term, I'd like to update you on our ongoing efforts in the Diversity department. Our Macqlit literacy program continues to be a priority, with a strong emphasis on punctuality, respect for peers, and a commitment to learning. These values are fundamental to creating a supportive environment where every student can thrive.

This term, we have adjusted our groups to better cater to the specific needs of our students. Additionally, we are continuing our practice of recognising students who consistently demonstrate dedication to learning with weekly and mid-term rewards. These initiatives not only celebrate academic progress but also encourage positive behaviours that contribute to our school's inclusive community. Thank you for your ongoing support in creating a nurturing environment where diversity is celebrated and learning flourishes. 

Rachel Brown - Middle Leader - Diversity

Library

It’s been a chilly start to Term 3, though there is a warm and welcome change to our beautiful library! The long-sighted planning and petitioning of MSB’s retired Teacher Librarian Chris Weedon, has finally paid off! During the holidays, a wall was moved, reconstructed and a beautiful and spacious compactus has been installed! This is part of the Library’s strategic plan to bring together the textbook and novel class sets into to the library space to free up two rooms which will become music break out rehearsal rooms.  

The start of the term has also seen the year 9 & 10 Readers Cup team warming up for the competition on July 31st. If you see our team members: Grace Hart, Annika Feher-Holan, Tahli Mays and Tyler Morris wish them luck! 

Lego club is back for Term 3 and we are putting together a couple of large pieces for the upcoming Book Week Display. Think Harry Potter and Encanto for the magical and magnificent! Pictures to come! 

Speaking of Book Week, the theme for 2024 is Reading is Magic! Occurring in week 6 (17-23 August), the Library will be hosting events all week finishing on Friday August 23rd  with a fabulous dress up competition based on ‘Reading is Magic!’ So get your magical book themed costumes ready and dress to impress!

SUCCESS | MSB would like to congratulate year 7 student Hayley Baker for her incredible efforts going above and beyond for her GPA project. Students were asked to create a magazine for a primary school aged audience. Hayley created two magazines that are linked and interactive. These are available for perusal in the library. To celebrate Hayley's success she won a book prize from her favourite series Warriors. Well done Hayley!

Athletics Carnival

Term 2 ended with our annual sports carnival. In the weeks leading up to the carnival the students had the opportunity to compete in High Jump, 800m and 1500m events. All students received support from their peers during these events, which continued into the athletics day.  

All hands were on deck as the day unfolded. Reem Sam and Silas Baira broke records in field events such as Discus and Long jump, much to the amusement of on lookers including some parents. Congratulations boys! 

After the field events had wrapped up it was time to start sprints. Most of the students were involved with this either competitively or just for fun, which was great to see.  

Following the sprints, war cries took place and house Rush was announced the winner. This is the second sporting event that house Rush has won this year as they took home the win at the swimming carnival in term 1.  

Many of our students will now proceed into the District School competition which kicks off on the 1st of August in Mareeba.  

 The sportsman ship and encouragement offered by the students and staff at MSB was outstanding and made an enjoyable day for all. A huge thankyou to all involved in helping this day to run smoothly, and we look forward to the Athletics Day next year! 

 Kind regards

Kendra Robinson - Sports Co-Ordinator 

2024 AGE CHAMPIONS & RUNNERS UP

Athletics Carnival 2024

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Athletics Carnival Presentation

Instructional Leader– Learning, Culture & Growth

I warmly welcome all students back to the second half of the academic year.  It is wonderful to see students smiling faces, reuniting with friends and talking to staff about their holidays. It is great to walk past classrooms and hear students engaged in learning. I look forward to seeing what this half of the year brings as we learn and grow together. With many new, experienced staff, our educators are working hard together to improve the learning opportunities and outcomes for all our students.

Research shows that higher student attendance is associated, on average, with higher student academic achievement. Attending school daily also helps build social and emotional skills such as communication, teamwork and resilience.

It would be amazing to see all our students attend school above the 90% attendance rate (less than one day off per fortnight). Absenteeism can significantly impact student learning and well-being. Research tells us that when children are absent for more than ten days per semester (below 90% attendance) they are at much greater risk of academic and social disengagement. To improve each student’s attendance, we need families to help us.

10 things families can do to help:

• encourage high standards from your child
• positive talk about learning
• discuss what your child is learning about at school with them
• provide a space at home for learning and study
• support their social and emotional health
• frame learning and school in a positive way
• engage positively with your child’s teachers
• respond to requests for support from the school
• engage in school communication about your child’s progress and achievement
• engage in school forums to help parents navigate their child’s education

 More information about family and school partnerships can be read here:

https://www.education.gov.au/supporting-family-school-community-partnerships-learning/resources/factsheet-parent-engagement-learning

Kind regards

Jodie Jackson - Instructional Leader – Learning, Culture & Growth  jjackson@cns.catholic.edu.au

VET & Careers

Work Experience Interviews

Yesterday was a big day for the Year 10 cohort with interviews for their work experience.

Work Experience is an opportunity for the students to spend a week with an employer in the industry of their choice. This gives students the ability to have a taste of the different industries available and for some students their first step into the workforce. The students were required to write a resume and an application form. They then met with the lovely ladies from Vocational Partnerships group (VPG) who interviewed the students. VPG is the company that finds the workplaces and help support the students through this process. It is valuable to have an outside company involved in this so students can practice talking to new people, which can be a very scary concept.

Work Experience is a great opportunity for students to help them focus on future careers and select their subjects to support these choices.

SET Planning for Year 10 Students

Year 10 Students are starting the SET planning process. SET planning is when students select their subjects for Year 11. This is an important process as students need to identify their interests for Year 11 and 12 and possibly into the future.

The first step is that students must earn 20 QCE points, these points can be completed in many ways. These points can be earnt by finishing VET Certificate Courses, Applied Subjects or General Subjects. Certificate II in VET courses are normally worth 4 QCE points and normally only take 1 year, Applied Subjects and General Subjects also earn 4 QCE points over a 2 year period.

Students then take their second step, which is deciding if they wish to follow an ATAR pathway which leads to University, or they can focus on entering the workforce. Students can enter the workforce in many different ways, via trades, mining or VET courses.

All of these big decisions are starting for the Year 10s now in Careers. So please talk to your children about their futures and these big decisions.

Mount St Bernard College Career Expo

On the 30^th of July Mount St Bernard College will host a Career Expo. This is where students will have the opportunity to talk to teachers about different subjects that they might be interested in taking. This is very important to students in Year 10 who are starting on the SET plan journey.

The College has also invited many industry representatives to come and talk to the students at the stalls. Some of the industry representatives include JCU University, TAFE, the Defence Force, the Fire Service Department, ATW – which is a mining company who employ apprentices, MGT – which is another apprenticeship firm, just to name a few. This is an amazing opportunity for students who are in Year 12 and are thinking about their futures and wanting to start making plans.

Debby Small - VET & Careers

Curriculum, Pedagogy, Assessment & Reporting Year 7 & 8

Hello everyone,

Welcome back to another exciting term! I hope everyone had a restful break and are ready to dive into Term 3 with enthusiasm and dedication.

Our Year 7 and 8 students have a thrilling line-up of subjects and activities planned for this term, with a mix of core subjects and electives designed to engage and challenge them in new ways. Below, you'll find an overview of what our students will be exploring in their classes.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at the College or via email mweiss2@cns.catholic.edu.au should you have any queries relating to Year 7-8 curriculum matters.

Mary-Anne Weiss - Curriculum, Pedagogy, Assessment & Reporting Year 7 & 8 Middle Leader (CPAR)

YEAR 7

YEAR 8

Curriculum, Pedagogy, Assessment & Reporting Year 9 & 10

Hi everyone, as a new person on staff, I am just getting my head around the systems at MSB. The curriculum team has been spending a lot of time, over the last few weeks, creating, organising and publishing the unit plans, assessment tasks and activities for the various classes. We hope to have something out to all members of our community soon with details and dates of assessment and our activities.

In the meantime, if you have any questions about Year 9 and 10 curriculum, please feel free to contact me at jdoolan1@cns.catholic.edu.au.

Here is to a successful term ahead.

John Doolan - Curriculum, Pedagogy, Assessment & Reporting Year 9 & 10 Middle Leader (CPAR)

Herberton Military Weekend

Alvin Wilson-Simpson, Meshach Friday and Ramona Yellub represented MSB at the Herberton Military Weekend on Saturday 20^th July, while other students from our college participated as cadets or just came along to experience the day. They welcomed a historic train to commemorate the return of troops in WWII and joined the parade to the War Memorial where they laid a wreath. The community event drew a big crowd, many in period costume, as we remembered the many people from the local Herberton community, and our diverse home communities, who had served in the war.

Sarah Riber - History Teacher

Herberton Military Weekend 2024

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Music

Music Department successes

Last term’s start to Music studio recording has yielded great successes for some of our Music students.

Year 9 student Yindali Sharp had recorded her Naidoc-themed song “Keep the Fire burning” in the Music room, submitted it to the 2024 QATSIF song writing competition, and was asked to perform at the 2024 QATSIF graduation ceremony in Cairns on 16^th of July. Congratulations, Yindali.

Our Year 11 Music students formed a band early this year and wrote a few songs together. They did live recordings of two songs last term and used them to apply to perform at the 2024 Cairns Festival. They were successful and selected to be one of the featured bands to perform! This involves two full rehearsal days on 21^st July and 11^th of August, as well as the performance at Cairns Festival on 24^th August, all at Cairns finest and prestigious Live Music venue, the Tanks Art Centre.

Well done Becky Purt, Nathan Wagner, Maya Hutton, Caitlin Murray and Chelsea Webb. This will be a fantastic opportunity for our students to perform at a grand venue as well as networking with other musicians.

 We look forward to hearing all these and our other musos in the making perform at MSB’s Naidoc Day, Friday Week 3.

Tobias Moldenhauer - Music Teacher

QATSIF performance by Yindali Sharp

The Arts

Sculpture Culture Term 2 - Fired prototypes

In term 2, students explored public art and sculpture. They considered ‘people, place or object’ to generate thoughtful plans and designs for a public art sculpture on a large scale in their community, like the Big Pineapple, Big Prawn, etc.

 Naidoc Art Exhibition - School Holidays

The residents of Farnorha were so happy and proud of the students from Mount St Bernard College, for their contribution to our Cultural Display “Naidoc 2024”. We have several Torres Strait residents who enjoyed the exhibition which bought back memories of their past. Residents, family and friends enjoyed the exhibition and said it was very powerful, the colours were amazing, the stories were strong and put a positive message out to the community.- Nicky Mifsud

Traylea Sexton - Art Teacher

Sculpture Culture

Naidoc Art Exhibition - School Holidays

Visual Arts Excursion - Cairns

Curriculum, Pedagogy, Assessment & Reporting Year 11 & 12

Congratulations to all our Senior students for completing their first units of the year!  We are over the mid-year hump already!  Please contact the school as soon as possible if, for some reason, you did not receive Semester 1 reports.

Below is an overview of what is taking place in Senior subjects term 3.  Look out for the senior assessment calendar, to help plan your term 3.

Keep up the hard work and effort Seniors! 

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any queries relating to Senior subject matters. 

I am usually in L1 classroom, in the library building, or contactable via email: sbelkessaw@cns.catholic.edu.au

Saffron Belkessa-Wood - Curriculum, Pedagogy, Assessment & Reporting Year 11 & 12 Middle Leader (CPAR)

Instructional Middle Leader - Behaviour & Engagement

Welcome back for another term of 2024.  Term 3 can be a challenging time in the year; amongst the hard work it is also important to remember to take care of your own wellbeing. Being responsible for yourself means planning ahead, and making sure you have a balance between your tasks and your time to relax. When you know what’s coming up, you can manage your time better and make sure you are not overwhelmed.

One effective way to do this is by planning out your weeks. Start by listing all the tasks and assignments you need to complete, then break them into smaller, manageable chunks. For example, if you have an assessment due at the end of Week 4, work on it a little each day rather than trying to finish it all at once. This way, you can avoid last-minute stress and ensure that you have enough time to do your best work.

In addition to managing your school tasks, it is crucial to set aside time for self-care. This could be anything that helps you relax and recharge, like reading a book, playing a sport, or spending time with family and friends. By balancing your responsibilities with activities that you enjoy, you can maintain your wellbeing and stay happy and healthy. Remember, taking care of yourself is the key to doing well in school and enjoying life to the fullest!

Emma Sheppard - Instructional Middle Leader - Behaviour & Engagement

Pastoral Leader Behaviour and Engagement - 9 & 10

I hope everyone has had a great start to Term 3!  As a new face in the school, I thought the newsletter would be a perfect opportunity to introduce myself to the wider school community.  My name is Joey Twidale and I have moved to MSB from a large high school in Toowoomba.  Toowoomba sits across three traditional custodians’ lands including the Jarowair, Giabal and Western Wakka Wakka peoples.  During my time at my old school, I worked in the areas of engagement, HPE and Business and sometimes coached one of our rugby league academy teams.  I have taken up the position of Middle Leader Engagement – year 9/10 and am really looking forward to being able to support our students to achieve the best possible outcomes they can.  From my initial interactions with the year 9 and 10 cohort they seem to be a very talented group of young people that I believe can do great things in Term 3 and Term 4.  An event I am really looking forward this term is MSB’s NAIDOC Day celebrations which I have heard is a fantastic day.  This day will also provide me the chance to meet some of our parents and carers so feel free to come and say hi. 

 Kind regards, 

Joey Twidale - Middle Leader Behaviour and Engagement – 9 & 10

Pastoral Leader Behaviour and Engagement - 11 & 12

Dear Parents and care-givers,

As we enter Term 3, we are excited to share the progress and achievements of our senior students as they continue their journey toward the end of another academic year.  Please keep these important dates in mind.

2025 Senior Shirts:   Year 11s voted for their 2025 Senior Shirt Design at the end of Term 2. Congratulations to Griffin Banu, whose creation was chosen for next year's Senior Shirt. We also extend our gratitude to Hayden Cairns, Sarah, and Nathan Wagner for their unique submissions.  Parents and caregivers are asked to assist with ORDERING by communicating preferred size requirements to Julie at STUDENT RECEPTION by August 31^st, so shirts will be ready for day one of 2025.

Presentation Evening: Thursday, 7 November, at 6 PM in the College Main Hall to celebrate academic, sporting, residential, Mercy, and other special awards for all MSB students 7 – 12.

Year 12 Graduation Liturgy: Friday, 8 November. Families of our graduates are invited to share in a special ceremony to celebrate and acknowledge our graduating class of 2024.

Year 12 Formal: Saturday, 9 November, at Pullman Reef Hotel Casino. Most students have already nominated their guest lists.  Parents are invited to assist with creating the guest lists and are encouraged to finalise these lists in collaboration with their child as soon as possible.  Each student can invite a maximum of 10 guests, not including themselves or their partner (12 seats in total – student + partner + maximum of 10 guests). Guest lists need to be finalised by 15^th August.  Ticket sales and payments need to be finalised by no later than 1 October 2024 with Julie at STUDENT RECEPTION.  

Finally, to support your child's success, we encourage you to ensure consistent attendance. Being present for the full duration of each class helps students receive the essential support and guidance needed to excel in their studies.  The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority has strict rules regarding subject assessment deadlines, so students need to be mindful of these dates.

There are times when out-of-school issues can impact a student’s ability to fully participate. Please do not hesitate to inform us if there is any personal or family issue, we should be aware of. Your input as parents and caregivers provides us with the important information to offer an optimal learning environment.

In the interim, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me through Julie at Student Reception. 

Blessings,

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

YEAR 12 FORMAL

Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians,

We are excited to announce the details for the much-anticipated 2024 Year 12 School Formal! Here is all the information you need to know to ensure this special event is unforgettable.

Event Details

• Where: The Reef Hotel Casino, Cairns 
• When: Saturday, 9th November, 2024
• Arrivals: From 5.30pm seated by 6:15pm
• More information to come

Ticket Pricing – payment required by end of Term 3 -  Friday, 13^th Sept, 2024

• Adults: $85 per person
• Children (4 - 12 years): $40 per person
• Children under 4 years: Free (Please note that the use of a highchair counts as one guest for the nominated table.)
• Phone payments : Please call Julie Titlow at Student Reception to make payments for tickets Ph:40961445

Special Arrival Arrangements

If you are interested in booking a Hummer Limousine for your child's arrival at the Casino, please contact Julie at Student Reception no later than Friday, 26th July. Ph: 40961445

Guest Attendance and Travel Information

Due to the processing requirements, all travel requests need to be submitted in advance. Please ensure that details regarding guest attendance and travel plans, including name, CRN number, date of birth, relationship to student and accomodation sharing preferences are communicated to our Enrolments and Travel Officer no later than 24th August,2024.

Each student is allowed to bring up to 10 guests. An excel spreadsheet has been emailed to all students to record the names of their 10 guests. Parents are asked to look at the ‘preferred’ guest list and modify this with their child. All guest lists must be finalised and submitted by Friday, 24th August, 2024.

We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring all details are accurate and submitted on time. This will help us meet the required deadlines and make the event run as smooth and enjoyable as possible for everyone.

We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you and creating cherished memories at the 2024 Year 12 School Formal!

Feel free to reach out to the school office for any further information or assistance. We look forward to seeing you there!

Year 12 Formal Committee

Communications & Community Engagement

PENINSULA CROSS COUNTRY

Congratulations to Oscar Wosomo for his selection in the Peninsula Cross Country team. Representing the Peninsula Region at the State Championships in Brisbane from 12 - 14 July. We congratulate you on your sporting achievements and wish you the best of luck!

PENINSULA TOUCH FOOTBALL

Congratulations to Lochlan Dalgety for his selection in the Peninsula Touch Football team. Lochlan represented at the State Championships late last term. Congratulations on your sporting achievements!

Deborah Booth - Communications & Community Engagement

PENINSULA RUGBY LEAGUES TRIALS 

Congratulations to the following students who were selected to represent the Tablelands District team in girls rugby league for ages 11 & 12 and 13 & 14 years. Our students represented the College with pride and enthusiasm. Well done girls on your sporting achievements.

11-12yrs - Rianna Banu, Taylor Daley, Emma Goff-Jensen, Zarah Marama, Jaysha Salee, & Nyiah Sam.

13-14yrs - Binzella Anson, Vera Dau, Sina Manuesina, Emma Nawia, An-Toni Savage and Kathalina Williams.

Peninsula Rugby Trials Girls Yr 11 & 12 and 13 & 14

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MSB GIRLS RISE

MSB students Analise Donohue, Mia Prior, Tara Bevan and FNQ Rise Captain, Megan Trezise shone brightly playing for the FNQ Rise team at the curtain raiser in Townsville before the Women's State of Origin game in the holidays. FNQ Rise won 12 - 6 against Townsville Rise Team. A huge thank you to MSB staff member, Tania Bolger and all Atherton Junior Rugby League volunteers for making these events a possibility for our youth.

AARON PAYNE & KAREN MURPHY CUP

Congratulations to College Captain, Limferd Lui, Nayita Joseph and past student, Megan Trezise on your selection at efforts in the Aaron Payne & Karen Murphy Cup.

Limferd Lui and Nayita Joseph are participating in the Mareeba State High School Rugby League Engagement Program.  This opportunity allows these students to play in the national school's competition - Aaron Payne Cup and Karen Murphy Cup which is being held between June and August.  Games are played against schools in Cairns, Townsville and Mackay with 6 rounds - 4 games in Townsville, one in Mareeba and one in Cairns.  There is only two rounds left with one this week in Townsville, 25th July, and the other on the 31st July in Cairns.

The following is from their coach/manager, Clinton Cifuentes - " Limferd and Nayita are wonderful kids. They are so polite and respectful all the time and are very talented rugby league players. They have both slotted in well in their respective teams, with Nayita’s side still undefeated in the competition and improving each week. Limferd has been a stand out in his two games at the Aaron Payne Cup level and will be an important member of our side going into our last two matches against Mackay and Saint Augustine’s. I am looking forward to seeing them continue their development over the next two weeks."

Thanks Clinton for your support of these students and also to Pauline Motlop, Torres Strait Island Consultative Committee member for the photos.

2024 Tablelands District 10 -19 Years Track and Field Carnival 

MSB students will participate in the Tablelands District Athletics Carnival. 

Where : Mareeba State High School

When : Thurs 1 & Fri 2 August

Attached are the days programs and map of Mareeba State High School

Good luck to team MSB !!

WELCOME OUR NEW STAFF

MSB HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

During the winter school holidays our Mercy Chapel roof replacement has commenced and will continue into Term 3. Our PA and Alarm systems had an upgrade. new furniture arrived for a trial in two classrooms, new furniture in Bernard's, pest control, data cabinet update in our administration area and finally our new Library compactus. Thanks to staff from Catholic Education Diocesan Services, Cairns & MSB for the many hours of planning to make these updates happen.

ENROL NOW FOR 2025 & 2026

ENROL NOW FOR 2025 & 2026

Enrolment applications for Round 3 close on 6 September 2024

~ Scholarship applications for 2025 are available at 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

Community News

The North Queensland Championships remain the premier regional athletics event in Australia. This year, we're back in Townsville, promising a bigger and better experience on the  27-29th of September! Competition starting on the 27th at 10am, our draft time table will be out in the following two weeks, keep an eye on our socials for that!

Event Registration Pricing:

​10 years and above

• Early Bird Special: Register by August 31st for just $17 per event with a $30 competition fee.
• Regular Rate: From September 1st to September 15th, the registration fee per event is $20 per event.
• Late Registration: After September 15th, a $20 late fee will be added to all registrations.

Kids 9 and Under:

• Register for a flat rate of $30 (covers multiple events).
• After September 15th, a $20 late fee will be added.

Take advantage of the early bird rates and save $$ by registering before August 31st! Register now via the link below:

https://www.athleticsnorthqld.org.au/nq-championships-2/

2025 PDR SCHOLARSHIP

Peninsula Developmental Road Scholarships are available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students for education expenses, as part of the Peninsula Development Road Indigenous Land Use Agreement within the Cape York Region Package. 6 scholarships are available in 2025, 4 scholarships are available for students completing Year 10 in 2025. Scholarship holders will receive $2,250 to spend on education expenses and 2 scholarships are available for students continuing or commencing tertiary studies in 2025.Information on how to apply - https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/.../peninsula-developmental... Applications close at 11:59pm, Friday 16 August 2024.

JCU OPEN DAY 

JCU: James Cook University, Australia is opening its doors to the public at their beautiful Cairns, Nguma-bada campus, Smithfield next Saturday, July 27 from 10 am to 2 pm. Whether you’re looking to study, a parent, partner or friend of someone looking to study, or simply want to check out the campus and activities, come along to the Open Day. There is plenty to do for the whole family so be sure to check out the program and register for this epic day out: https://www.jcu.edu.au/openday

MY QCE GIVEAWAY

The QCAA is hosting a competition to encourage Year 10–12 students to engage with myQCE resources and the Student Portal It runs from Monday 8 July to Friday 13 September, and offers students a chance to win one of three prizes: a MacBook Air, an iPad Air with Apple Pencil, and a pair of AirPods Max headphones.We’ve designed a social media graphic and a printable poster to help you promote the myQCE competition to your students. You can find them here https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/get-motivated/get-involved.Students can enter and find more information below https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/get-motivated/get-involved.

MSB Calendar

Term 3

Fri 26 July - MSB NAIDOC DAY

Sat 27 & Sun 28 July - Exeat Free Weekend

Tues 30 July - MSB Careers & Pathways Expo - Years 10 - 12 @ 11am Mercy Hall

Thurs 1 - Fri 2 Aug - Tablelands District Athletics Carnival - Mareeba SHS

Tues 6 Aug - Year 11/12 ICT Blue Spaces Excursion 

Tues 6 Aug - Cert II in Resources & Infrastructure Excursion

Wed 14 Aug - Years 7 & 10 Immunisation Clinic 

Sat 17 & Sun 18 Aug - Exeat Free Weekend

Fri 30 Aug - Student Free Day