Mount St Bernard College eNewsletter

Principal

As we reach the end of Term 3, I want to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the collective efforts and achievements of our school community.
This term has been one of significant growth, not just academically, but also in terms of the relationships we’ve continued to build with students. Our students have shown resilience, and this would not have been possible without the unwavering support from you—our parents and community members.
Whether it was supporting us to encourage class attendance, promoting respectful behaviour or encouraging the students with homework and assignments, your involvement has played a crucial role in helping us nurture the school community. We’ve seen students take on challenges with confidence, engage in enriching extracurricular activities, and work towards their academic goals with a sense of purpose.
As we move forward into the final term of the school year, we are excited to continue this journey together. We remain committed to providing the best possible educational experience for our students and ensuring that they are well-prepared for the future.
Thank you once again for your ongoing support, encouragement, and partnership. Together, we are helping our students to not only succeed but to thrive.
Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable break.

Narelle Hunt - Principal

Highlights of Term 3

QATSIF GRADUATION

On Tuesday 16th July, 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 and Sannah Pearson.

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.

NAIDOC DAY

July 26th marked 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 our 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. This years theme was "Keep the fire burning ~ Blak, Loud and Proud." This theme celebrates the strength, resilience, and pride of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It reminds us to keep the spirit of First Nations cultures alive and to listen to truth telling, learn, celebrate, and appreciate the rich history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. By honouring and respecting the theme of this NAIDOC Day, 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.

BISHOPS ORDINATION

The ordination of Bishop Joe Caddy was a monumental occasion for the Cairns Catholic Diocese. The event was attended by many, including representatives of all the Principals and School Captains in Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Cairns, Staff from the Cairns Catholic Education Services, parish representatives, and Mount St Bernard College Principal and Student Leaders Mahalia Jones, Limferd Lui and Terri-Lee Shepherd.

The ordination of a Bishop in the Catholic Church is a deeply reverent and significant ceremony, rooted in centuries of tradition and theological importance. It represents the conferral of the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders, which enables the new bishop to lead a diocese, teach the faith, sanctify the church community, and guide the faithful in their spiritual journey. School Captain, Mahalia Jones, had the distinct honour of officially welcoming Bishop Joe to the Cairns community. This event marked a significant moment in the Diocese's history, symbolising unity and spiritual leadership.

CONTINUED FOCUS ON ATTENDANCE AND BEHAVIOUR

As we move into Term 4 a continued focus on attendance and behaviour will remain in place to ensure students have every opportunity to achieve academic success. Term 4 is always a busy time with pending assignments, exams, graduation and the annual awards night. Whilst these activities showcase the incredible work our students do, it is crucial that the students make the most out of every learning opportunity available to them. Catherine McAuley would say, "We should be as shining lamps, giving light to all around us." She reminds us of the importance of being a positive influence and spreading goodness in the world. We ask for your continued support in encouraging your children to arrive at class on time and remain in class for the entire lesson, ensuring they demonstrate appropriate and respectful behaviour throughout each lesson and break time.

Staffing

As the term concludes we farewell two of our teaching staff, Traylea Sexton and Brett Kondratiew and I’d like to thank them for the work they did whilst at the College and wish them all the best for their future endeavours.

I am fortunate to announce the arrival of new staff:

Stuart Whitby – Visual Arts

Trent Newcomb – Maths and Science

I am still seeking a second Maths/Science teacher and an English/Humanities teacher with interviews coming up over the next few weeks ready for a Term 4 commencement.

TERM 4 STUDY TOUR

I will be on leave for the first 2 weeks of term 4, undertaking a Study Tour in Scotland and Singapore. This incredible opportunity will allow me to join a team of Cairns, NSW and SA Principals to work with international education experts to explore schooling systems overseas, how they work to embed inclusive practices to enhance educational outcomes for students and also explore teacher and school leader training and formation programs. I am looking forward to returning to the College in Week 3 of Term 4 filled with new ideas and energy for positive improvements for MSB.

National Parent Survey

The CSPA 2024 Parent Survey on Student Wellbeing and Learning is seeking your

perspective as parents/carers of children who attend a Catholic School in Australia.

You are invited to share your views on existing and emerging affirmations and/or

challenges in relation to your child/children’s wellbeing and learning. Please consider

completing this anonymous, confidential, and completely voluntary online survey.

More information about the study, how to participate, and how to have questions

answered, can be found on the flyer below. The survey is open and will close on 11 October 2024.

End of Term Prayer

Loving and Merciful God,

As we come to the close of this term, we pause to give thanks for the many blessings we have received. We are grateful for the opportunities to learn, grow, and serve one another in the spirit of Mercy.

We thank You for the dedication of our teachers and staff, who have guided us with wisdom and compassion. Bless them for their tireless efforts and renew their spirits as they prepare for the final term ahead.

We lift up our students, each uniquely gifted, and ask that You continue to nurture their minds and hearts. May they carry the lessons of this term with them, not only in their studies but in their daily lives, living out the values of kindness, respect, and integrity.

Lord, we ask Your forgiveness for the times we have fallen short, for the words left unspoken and the actions not taken. Help us to learn from these moments and to approach the next term with renewed determination to do better.

As we transition into a period of rest and reflection, may we find peace in Your presence and return refreshed, ready to continue our journey together. Keep us safe during the break, and may we return with a deeper commitment to living out the works of Mercy in all we do.

We pray this in the name of Jesus, through the intercession of Catherine McAuley, and with the inspiration of all those who have gone before us in the spirit of Mercy.

Amen.

Deputy Principal Residential

Safety on the internet

All parents are asked to take the time to learn about safety on the internet. Information about safety can be found at https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars These webinars tell parents what to say to their children to help to keep them safe on line.

Activities this term

Our aim in the residential space of MSB is to keep our students active so that they don’t miss home too much. Below is a series of photographs taken over the past few weeks.

Malcolm Fahey - Deputy Principal Residential

Acting Deputy Principal Wellbeing

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Friends,

As Term 3 comes to a close, we are excited to share some highlights and updates with you. This term has been a productive period of learning and achievement, and we deeply appreciate your continued collaboration in fostering a positive school experience for every child.

This term, we remained focused on the MSB Student Expectations Matrix, which outlines the behavioural expectations across all College settings. By emphasising the importance of Being Safe, Being Responsible, and Being Respectful, we have created an environment where all members of our community can thrive.

Our key focus areas this term included:

Acting safely in all situations
Taking responsibility for one’s actions
Attending classes consistently
Being prepared and ready to learn

We are delighted to report that most of our students not only met but regularly exceeded these expectations. To support them, our College staff utilised various Tier 1 pedagogical and behavioural approaches, including:

Implementing Trauma-Informed Practices to create a consistent and predictable environment
Applying the 10 Essential Skills of Classroom Management to enhance learning, such as:

Encouraging body language—smiling, nodding, gesturing, and maintaining proximity.
Descriptive praise—acknowledging positive behaviour.
Redirecting focus—prompting students to stay on task.

For students who found it challenging to meet these expectations, we offered a range of Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions, including:

Morning check-ins
Check-In and Check-Out Monitoring
Restorative practices
Attendance tracking
Assistance with transitioning into class

We are pleased with the progress many of our students have made and are eager to continue this positive work with them.

This term, our College community also took part in several major events:

NAIDOC Week: July 7–14
MSB NAIDOC Day: July 26
Catholic Education Week: July 21–27
Year 8 Enrichment Day—Rainforest to Bush Cultural Experience: August 23
Police liaison visit: August 30
Year 9 Enrichment Day—Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway: September 9
R U OK? Day: September 12

These events are of great significance to our college and our reconciliation journey, highlighting the ongoing need to build respectful relationships with each other, our history, and our environment.

We bid a heartfelt farewell to Jess Mason, our Wellbeing Attendance Officer. During her time with us, Jess made a lasting impact by forming positive, consistent, and supportive relationships with students, parents, and staff alike. Her inspirational, friendly, and efficient approach, coupled with her highly reflective practice, made her an invaluable member of our College community. We were truly blessed to have Jess as part of our team, and her contributions have left a lasting impression on all of us. Jess will be greatly missed, and we extend our deepest gratitude for her dedication and hard work.

Looking ahead to next term, we are excited to introduce two new initiatives aimed at encouraging and rewarding positive behaviour and attendance.

The Positive Rewards System will be launched, designed to support, encourage, and reward consistent good behaviour. This system has two key components:

Merit Awards: Teachers will recognise students for consistent effort, good attendance, and demonstrating safety, respect, and responsibility. These electronic merit awards will accumulate towards bronze, silver, and gold certificates, which will be presented at College assemblies, celebrating each student's achievements.
Participation in Activities: Students who maintain high attendance, complete their schoolwork, and exhibit good behaviour will be invited to participate in extracurricular activities, including excursions and incursions. The excursion policy includes an appeals process to ensure that all students can attend events offered by the College.

We look forward to working closely with you and your children next term. Your unwavering support is invaluable to us, and we sincerely appreciate your efforts in encouraging your children to attend classes, complete their work, and make safe, respectful, and responsible choices. We eagerly anticipate celebrating their successes and strengthening our supportive community.

As we approach the holiday season, I wish you and your family a blessed, joyful, and safe break. We look forward to continuing this educational journey with your child in Term 4.

As always, I encourage everyone to ‘Let Your Light Shine.’

Stephen Godfrey - Acting Deputy Principal Wellbeing

Assistant Principal Mission

Mission Matters

A real blessing of working in a Catholic setting is the opportunity to attend professional development of a spiritual nature. At the Assistant Principal Religious Education retreat in Port Douglas we reflected deeply on the motif of light. This powerful symbol reminded us of our call to illuminate the world with faith, hope, and love, echoing our College motto, "Let your light shine." The retreat was an opportunity for me to renew my commitment to illuminating my part of the world with the light of Christ in all that I do.

Recently, I had the privilege of attending the ordination of Bishop Joe Caddy, alongside Narelle Hunt, our College Captains, Mahalia Jones and Limferd Lui and our Mercy Captain Teri-Lee Shepherd. It was a memorable occasion, steeped in ritual and tradition, that highlighted the strength and unity of our Catholic community in the Cairns Diocese. We hope to welcome Bishop Joe to MSB in the near future.

Season of Creation: A Time to Reflect and Act

The Season of Creation is the annual Christian celebration that calls us together each year to pray and respond jointly to the cry of Creation: the ecumenical family from around the world comes together to listen to and care for our common home. The “Celebration” begins on September 1st, the Feast of Creation, and concludes on October 4th, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology beloved by many Christian denominations.

As we enter the Season of Creation, it is a wonderful opportunity for us to reflect on our responsibility as stewards of God’s creation. This special season, inspired by Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato si, calls on all of us, whether Catholics or not, to care for our common home. It challenges us to see the Earth not just as a resource, but as a sacred gift from God that we must protect and cherish.

This message of Laudato si' means finding ways to integrate environmental stewardship into our daily lives. It’s about more than just recycling or reducing waste—it’s about cultivating a deep respect for the environment as an expression of our spirituality and commitment to future generations. At Mount St Bernard College, we are committed to fostering this mindset in our students, encouraging them to let their light shine by taking active steps in caring for the world around us. Together, we can make a positive impact and live out the values of our faith in a way that honours the Creator and all of creation.

Janet Wigan - Assistant Principal Mission

Acting Assistant Principal Curriculum & Administration

Exciting Updates from Our School Community!

As we near the end of another vibrant term, we have several important updates and milestones to share with our school community.

Year 10 Students Complete Senior Subject Selection

Our Year 10 students have reached an important milestone as they have now completed their senior subject selection process. This is a significant step in their academic journey, marking the transition from general studies to more specialised learning. We are proud of their thoughtful decision-making and excited to see them embark on this next chapter. The selected subjects will equip them with the knowledge and skills needed for their future careers and higher education pursuits. To support our students, our dedicated academic advisors have provided valuable guidance throughout this process, ensuring that each student is on the path that best suits their interests and aspirations.

NAPLAN Results Published

We are also pleased to announce that the results for this year’s NAPLAN assessments have been published. These results provide insightful feedback on our students’ literacy and numeracy skills and highlight areas where we can further support their learning journey. Our educators are analysing the data to tailor our teaching strategies and ensure that all students continue to receive the support they need to excel. We commend all our students for their hard work and dedication, and we appreciate the ongoing support from parents and guardians in fostering a positive learning environment.

Enrolment Interviews for Year 7 in 2025

Looking ahead, we are continuing enrolment interviews for students entering Year 7 in 2025. These interviews are an opportunity for prospective students and their families to learn more about our school community, academic programs, and extracurricular activities. We encourage interested families to book an appointment and discover all that our school has to offer. Our team is eager to welcome new students and ensure a smooth transition into our school environment.

As always, we thank our entire school community - students, parents, teachers, and staff for your continued support and engagement. Together, we are committed to providing an enriching and supportive educational experience for all our students.

Stay tuned for more updates and upcoming events, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need further information.

Warm regards,

Debra Fish - Acting Assistant Principal Curriculum and Administration

Instructional Middle Leader Behaviour & Engagement

Dear MSB community,

As we approach the end of Term 3, it's a great time for parents to support their children in meeting one of the school's focusses: "taking responsibility for one's actions." This value is fundamental for developing self-discipline, maturity, and a strong sense of accountability. Parents can play a vital role in reinforcing this principle at home by encouraging open communication. Engage in conversations with your children about the importance of not only owning their actions, but more importantly learning from them. Creating a safe and non-judgmental environment allows students to express their feelings and reflect on their behaviour, helping them understand the consequences of their actions.

Another effective way to foster responsibility is by involving students in setting realistic goals and expectations for their schoolwork and personal behaviour. Encourage them to create a plan for completing assignments and managing their time effectively, and check in regularly to provide guidance and support. When young people feel involved in decision-making, they are more likely to take ownership of their choices. Reinforce the idea that mistakes are opportunities for growth by praising efforts to correct behaviour or make amends, rather than focusing solely on the error itself.

Finally, modelling responsible behaviour is key. Young people learn a great deal by observing the adults around them. Demonstrate accountability by sharing examples from your own experiences, whether it's admitting a mistake at work or following through on commitments at home. Show them that everyone, including adults, are continuously learning and growing.

By working together as a team, we can ensure that our students finish the term strong, with a deeper understanding of what it means to be responsible.

Looking forward to working with you all as we move into the final term of the year.

Emma Sheppard - Instructional Middle Leader Behaviour & Engagement

Police Liaison visit

Last week, Acting Senior Sergeant Lachy Chamberlain and Acting Senior Constable Brian Nolan, visited the College. The officers spent time in classrooms speaking with students about physical and verbal assault, making a complaint, consequences of drug offences and the role of the police in the community. Students were fascinated by the items, and weight of the equipment carried by police officers (12 kgs).

It was great to hear so many students thank the officers for keeping their communities safe.

We look forward to more visits to by the Qld Police Service personnel during term 4.

Michelle Davies-Griffith - Student Wellbeing Officer

P & F Association

The Parents & Friends Association met on 27 August 2024 with our parents providing valuable advice and comments. A Financial Report with details of available funding for consideration was reviewed and the following proposals were discussed:

A proposal to equip an additional Music Rehearsal Room: the Music program is rapidly growing in quality and student intake. As we can’t sustain growing numbers due to lack of resources and space, two storage rooms have been made available to refurbish as rehearsal rooms. With the additional rehearsal spaces comes the need for equipping them with sound equipment, ceiling fans, power points and instruments.  The summary of costings was reviewed and the P & F approval granted the expenditure of $10,955.26.
A proposal to purchase and install a Public Address System Microphone: the Fire Alarm System was recently updated to ensure that there are no dead spots that cannot hear the alarm tone in the case of a fire or evacuation. We could benefit from a PA Microphone at the reception desk for general announcements and lockdown management. This would be integrated with the fire alarm system to ensure the entire College could hear the announcements. The quote from AVLX was reviewed and the P & F approval granted for the expenditure of $3448.99.

A proposal for financial support to enable three students to attend the Queensland Youth Parliament. This project is partially funded by the Hill, Traegar and Cook Electorate Offices. The summary of costings was reviewed and the P & F approval granted for expenditure for airfares in April and September.

The members also discussed some ideas for future funding proposals. We welcome new ideas for proposals to utilise the funds for activities and resources that benefit our students. One idea to be considered is the introduction of an annual senior student overseas or interstate camp.

Parents requested a focus on a commitment to equity of opportunity and access with clear rules and expectations for all future funding proposal requests. Avenues for opportunities for students are to be shared. The review of student eligibility should include attendance and involvement in school activities.

The College Board Meeting followed after this meeting with a report presented by Principal Narelle Hunt.

Parents and carers are invited to consider becoming a member of the P & F Association or College Board. The next meeting is scheduled for 19 November 2024. Queries can be directed to Hillary O’Brien at hobrien1@cns.catholic.edu.au

Hillary O'Brien - Office Manager

Library

It has been an incredibly eventful Term 3 in the library! Recess and lunchtimes have been buzzing with students engaged with board games, chess, puzzles, reading, and gaming as well as an extremely popular crocheting workshop hosted by Janet Wigan. Lego Club has also continued with seeing some larger builds coming together. It has been fabulous to watch students work together to follow the instructions and create the more intricate builds.

Early in the term, the Grade 9 & 10 Readers Cup Teams worked extremely hard. Grace Hart, Tahli Mays, and Tyler Morriss are to be commended on their efforts in the 2024 Readers Cup! With one team member down, the team had a red hot go at the competition on Wednesday 31st July at Smithfield State High. The students worked well to try to fill in the gaps, and Tyler Morriss gave a correct answer to win our library a prize of a new book from Scholastic. Congratulations!

Olympic fever hit MSB hard, and the library proved to be a hub for students to catch-up on the latest medal tally for both the Olympic and Paralympic games. Students took immense pleasure adding up the new medals overnight and highlighting Australia’s strong, consistent positioning on the leader’s table. There was also some healthy discussion about the incredible feats and more controversial moments that the 2024 Games brought. Immediately after the Olympics, the library helped the Science team celebrate Science Week with a display exploring some of the diverse and incredible scientists across the world.

Following on from Science Week was the library’s week of weeks with the exciting Book Week! The 2024 theme, Reading is Magic, meant that the library was transformed into a magical space with elements of Harry Potter’s Platform 9 ¾ and the escapism that comes with reading! Grace Hart was a valuable helper in creating some of the amazing displays.

A special mention should be made to recognise a team of dedicated, creative, crafty, and theatrical individuals who hosted the library’s first ever Escape Room! As part of the Reading is Magic theme, Meena Riber, Maya Hutton, Tahli Mays, and Clover and Laverda Charlton gave up their valuable time to plan and execute a scenario based problem-solving, code cracking experience set in an abandoned library. The girls were the haunting hosts or games masters and were in their element guiding the different groups through the experience. For those who have not heard of an Escape Room, it is a problem-solving scenario where a team are locked in a room, and they must work together to decipher a series of clues to escape. We had a total of 8 teams, including one teacher group take part in the experience. All who entered came out buzzing with excitement. Reviews stated ‘That was the BEST EVER! We were so scared; it was really haunting,” and “I loved how atmospheric it was,” “The challenges were really creative, and they used the space so well!” and “I didn’t think I’d ever get out!”

As well as the heavily booked Escape Room, the week was busy with a popular Book Trivia session on Monday, while Thursday saw the presentation of the winners of the Reading is Magic poster competition with a first-place tie between year 8’s Supreet Kaur and year 11’s Laverda Charlton. Friday was the big finale with the Book Week Dress Up Parade! Staff and dedicated students really went above and beyond with some magical characters such as Cruella De Vil, Thelma the Unicorn (complete with a sprinkle of glitter), Bilbo Baggins, Dorothy, and Maleficent, as well as some more general Harry Potter, Pirate and Fantasy book characters.

I would really like to thank all the staff and students who have helped make this year's Book Week truly magical! The 2024 theme really inspired me to take things up a notch and I genuinely appreciate the effort and support from those who are already incredibly busy! These students really loved having the opportunity to have some fun and we are already looking forward to next year!

The final couple of Library events for the term include: Indigenous Literacy Day on September 4^th where we acknowledge the fundamental part that literacy plays in building comprehension and understanding. This day recognises the lifelong impact that access to learning literacy skills and resources has on students, especially students in remote communities. Lastly, the library will be supporting the MSB Wellbeing Team by hosting events for RU OK Day 2024 on Thursday September 12^th to promote kindness and mental health wellbeing in the school.

And that is a wrap for Term 3 in the library! Phew! See you all for Term 4!

Rachel Nelson - Teacher Librarian

Term 3 in the Library 2024

PCYC Emergency Services Cadets

Term 3 has seen our MSB student Cadets involved in a wide variety of activities, some include - the Nth Qld Cadet games held in Townsville, breathing apparatus training, road rescue training, Cadets march at MSB NAIDOC Day and hazard reduction in Herberton.

These programs are run by local community volunteers who we sincerely thank for providing these opportunities for our students.

Deborah Booth - Communications & Community Engagement

Term 3 PCYC Emergency Services Cadets

MSB students, Meenakshi Riber, Maya Hutton & Tahli Mays will be performing in this exciting, funny, family friendly show along with Flynn Cortis as their lighting operator. Tickets available at Tableland Books & AthertonPerformingArts.com.au. Book Now!! https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1273468

ENERGY ART EXHIBITION

We have five MSB students exhibiting at this event - Eleanor Banu, Maya Hutton, Clementine Barker, Ebony K & Mahalia Jones. Our young artists share their creative energy and insights in this annual student exhibition, bursting with innovative, high-quality works that will engage and inspire you. When: Sat 24 Aug - Sun 29 Sep Launch: Fri 13 Sep, 6pm Tank 4, Tanks Arts Centre https://bit.ly/CFEnergyExhibition

Cairns Diocesan News Mid-Year Edition

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this edition, which is now available on our website www.cairns.catholic.org.au

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

https://online.fliphtml5.com/xgvmy/gdin/#p=1

NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION WEEK 1 - 7 Sept

The webinar program is now live! In 2024, the message that ‘Every child in every community needs a fair go’ will be complemented with the theme ‘Every conversation matters’. The webinars have been designed to extend the conversation through thoughtful discussions with innovative thinkers. To register for the webinars, go to: https://www.napcan.org.au/final-official-program-webinars...

Year 12 Formal Tickets

IMPORTANT - YEAR 12 FORMAL TICKETS

Only 1 week left for ticket sales. All payments due this term, by Friday 13th Sept, 2024.

Adults: $85 per person

Children (4 - 12 years): $40 per person

Children under 4 years: Free

Please call Julie Titlow at Student Reception to arrange payment asap Ph: 4096 1445

ENROL TODAY

ENROL TODAY FOR 2026 & 2027

~ Enrolment applications are now open for 2026 & 2027

~ 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: 40 961 595

Transition Support

We are continuing to conduct interviews for 2025 which is very exciting for new students and current family groups.

Year 6 into Year 7 Transition is in the planning stages, and we look forward to meeting our 2025 Year 7 cohort in Term 4 when we present our day school and boarding transition programs. Please see advertisement for further information, your child must be enrolled to attend the Transition days.

Thank you to all the families travelling to the college for support visits this Term, by working together it helps support both the students and staff. Safe travels to all our students, enjoy the holidays!!

Andrea Gower - Transition Support

Sports

The Tableland District Athletics trials took place in Mareeba this year. This was a wonderful opportunity for our students to showcase their natural athleticism. Our students pushed themselves and performed well with many of them qualifying for the Peninsula Regional trials at Barlow Park in Cairns. Thank you to the staff members for attending the trials and for being officials.

Congratulations to the successful students who made Peninsula Regional trials: Emma Goff-Jensen, Zanthe Foster, An-Toni Savage, Tara Bevan, Nyiah Sam, Toby Sailor, Tyler Everett, Bailey Jarman, Yindali Sharp, Caitlin Murray, Dekierim Schrieber, Tony Harry, Nayita Joseph, Javahn Kanak, Ella Christie, Limferd Lui, Rose Mene, and Rosie Aruba.

A special congratulations goes to Javahn Kanak who was the District Under 17’s Age Champion.

The Peninsula Regional Athletics trials took place at Barlow Park in Cairns this year. It was great to see so many schools coming together to support our students who had made it to this level. A lot of talent was showcased, and the competition was tough. Our students gave their best effort and three of our students were able to place in separate events.

Congratulations to Nayita Joseph who placed 2nd in Shot Put for 17-year-old females and Rose Mene who placed 1st in the 18-year-old females age group. A special congratulations goes to Margie Aruba who will be competing at the State trials which will take place in Brisbane. Margie placed 2nd in the 100m sprints and 3rd in the 200m sprints. Good luck Margie!

Kendra Robinson - Sports Co-Ordinator

PENINSULA DISTRICT ATHLETICS 2024

Tablelands District Athletics 2024

AFL Cape York Trip to Bamaga

2024 marked our 8th year with AFL Cape York which involved participation in the Chris Johnson and Angie Nadredre Cups in Bamaga. Students had a great time travelling up to the tip of Australia whilst camping along the way, which was a first-time experience for some students. It was awesome to see students getting involved in the whole experience and showing their AFL talents. Some highlights included taking a photo at the tip of Australia, an afternoon colour run with the Bamaga community, playing AFL and a refreshing swim at Fruit Bat Falls. This is an experience these students will never forget. Well done to all students and staff supporting this event. A special thank you goes to Kendra Robinson for joining the trip and supporting our female students. All students were able to show off their talents, develop skills, teamwork and they had plenty of laughs along the way. We look forward to seeing them develop their skills further in AFL next year.

Ryan Mawdsley - Teacher in Charge

Year 8 Outdoor Enrichment Excursion

On Friday 23 August, Year 8 went on a tag-a-long tour with Rainforest to Bush Cultural Experiences. Students experienced cultural activities, demonstrations, heritage and artefacts across the Atherton Tablelands.

Year 8 Outdoor Enrichment Term 3 2024

The Year 11 band "WeHateLoveSongs" played a fantastic concert at Cairns Festival's Main Stage on Saturday August 24th, consisting of all original music. They were one out of only eight youth acts under the age of 25 from Far North Queensland chosen to play there. Their recent exposure has enabled them to land a further local gig in September.

We are very proud of the students' rapid achievements while pursuing their craft in Music performance and recording. Well done, Becky Purt, Caitlin Murray, Nathan Wagner and Maya Hutton.

Tobias Moldenhauer - Music Teacher

Geography

Year 10 students were involved in a field trip to observe the Baal Gammon mine which is situated on Jamie Creek within the water catchment of the upper Walsh River near Watsonville, Atherton Tablelands, Far North Queensland. The objective of this study was to provide students with an understanding of the concepts involved in Environmental Change and Management. Students conducted pH and conductivity tests to measure the water quality at various study sites. Additional research involved the creation of field maps demonstrating the study sites and relating this data to the Walsh River and Mitchell River Catchments. Field observations assisted students in developing an appreciation of the importance of healthy ecosystems and how the scale of human induced activities may cause environmental change which impacts the sustainability of an environment. A special shout out to Ms Angela Lunny who shared her extensive knowledge on the area and supported the group with all our scientific testing, we would have been lost without her!

Joe Twidale - Year 10 Geography Teacher

Term 3 Geography Excursion 2024

Senior ICT Excursion: Blue Spaces - Exploring Our Natural Waterways

Students embarked on an educational adventure to explore and film the stunning beaches, rivers, and lakes in our region. This excursion was part of their Blue Spaces assignment, aimed at understanding the wellbeing benefits of spending time at waterways. Equipped with a variety of digital cameras, students were ready to capture the beauty and diversity of our natural waterways.

First, we stopped at Lake Eacham, nestled amidst lush rainforest. Here, the students captured the tranquil beauty of the lake and discussed the significance of this natural waterway for the local community and tourists. We continued to Lake Barrine, taking a lakeside walk through the forest to learn about the twin Kairi pines, the crater lake formations and the importance of protecting these vital water sources.

Next, we visited Ross and Locke, a perfect spot for students to explore the freshwater river that makes the site popular for camping. They filmed the clear waters, surrounding flora, and even spotted some fish and birds. The students were particularly interested in how rivers play a crucial role in providing habitats for wildlife and supporting human activities. The last stop was the serene Palm Cove, where students filmed the gentle waves, pier, and beach before enjoying a group BBQ and time relaxing on the beach.

Throughout the excursion, students were encouraged to reflect on their observations and experiences. Many expressed a newfound appreciation for Blue Spaces and agreed that being by water had a calming and relaxing effect on them.

Saffron Belkessa-Wood, Sherie Miller-Freeman and Rabah Belkessa

Design & Technologies

As another fantastic term in the MSB workshop comes to an end, we must recognise our incredible students who are working to reach their full potential.

In the Junior school the year 7, 8 and 9 students are working well on their projects. The year 7 students are making a tool ‘carry all’ with the option to use a pyrography pen to draw their name or a logo on to their project. The year 8 students are finishing off their pencil case holders, with some students choosing clear plastic for a lid. By introducing another material, students expand their skills and building repertoire. In the woodwork area, our year 9 students are finishing their portable camping chairs which uses timber, metal, and canvas. In the metal work area, students are working hard to complete their toolboxes. Our year 10 students have created some amazing pieces of practical and aesthetically pleasing projects. They are working hard sanding and finishing them ready to take home.

The Senior students are working well to complete their projects and assessment. They are creating a variety of bedside cabinets and shelving units using fine joinery skills such as; dado, mortise, tenon, dowel, and biscuit joins. Some students are creating incredible works of art using pyrography to burn cultural designs on to their shelves. Expect great things to come home with our students these holidays. We are fortunate to have very capable and productive students who are creating beautiful pieces of furniture.

Nathan Unwin - Design & Technologies Teacher

Design & Technologies Term 3 2024

Year 8 Design students learned about infrastructure and homelessness issues this term. This is an important topic given that remote Queensland has seen a 30% increase in homelessness, this year. We investigated how to provide shelter to people who had not used a tent before. We looked at a design that is advertised as a “fast up”. Students, Bryce Tomarchio, Thomas Turner and Flossy Banu attended a hands-on practical lesson, with the support from a year 10 student expert, Dekierim Schrieber. The packing up of the tent was much faster than the set up. Students also watched a discussion on what it’s really like to be homeless. It was a valuable learning experience into how students can help the homeless.

Julia Cazita-Mazeaud - Teacher

Careers

Drilling Course 3 Day Camp

Year 11 and 12 Students have had the opportunity to take part in Certificate II in Resources and Infrastructure. This course is a very practical course which prepares students for mining and construction industries.

Ergon Energy Excursion

Several students volunteered to attend the Ergon Depot in Cairns. While there, the students went through the innovations lab and were shown solar systems and how the energy was fed back into batteries to store for later use. We also explored the engineering elements required in Ergon and what it’s like to work on the lines.

The apprenticeship program was then explained to students and all of the other ways they can access Ergon, such as work experience and the pre-apprenticeship program. The students really enjoyed their day at Ergon and we hope to do it again next year.

BLA Cairns Career Expo

Years 10, 11 and 12 students recently attended the Cairns Career Expo. The Cairns Career Expo is a wonderful event that brings together a large cross-section of vocational providers, apprenticeships as well as Universities including University lodgings and the ADF. This is a great opportunity to introduce our students to this information, as there are so many options available for future careers.

Work Experience

In term 4, 21 – 25 October, Year 10 students will be completing Work Experience. Students will be receiving their work experience placement at the end of term 3, after contacting the employer, students will begin Work Experience early in Term 4. This is a great opportunity for students to start exploring different work options and for many students this will be the first opportunity that they have to be a part of the work force.

Debby Small - VET & Careers Middle Leader