MSB Messenger Friday 10th June 2022

Acting Principal

“The Holy Spirit will never tell you that on your journey everything is going just fine. … No, he corrects you; he makes you weep for your sins; he pushes you to change, to fight against your lies and deceptions, even when that calls for hard work, interior struggle and sacrifice,”

This is an excerpt from Pope Francis’ homily on Pentecost last Sunday.  Pentecost is a celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles and other disciples which also marks the beginnings of the Christian church’s message to the world. 

Pope Francis acknowledged in his homily last Sunday that the Holy spirit challenges us to be better.  This is a message that we have been advocating at Mount St Bernard College over the last two weeks.  We have had a specific focus for our last two weeks of learning:

Week Seven:  Making Good Choices;

Week Eight:  Staying in Class; Maximising our Learning Time. 

All of our students can recognise and acknowledge the importance of a good education.  We all, have to overcome personal struggles and make sacrifices to ensure that the education provided at MSB provides desired outcomes for our entire community.  Our staff are passionate and driven to find and develop  the potential in all of our students and meet the expectations of our families.  In such a culturally rich community, with fantastic support and rapport with all of our families, we are confident that we, together will overcome our obstacles and create a better future for our children.  Pope Francis in the same homily asks us to collectively look at the good, engage in the positive and work together to achieve our desired outcomes – something that I am confident we can achieve at MSB. 

“The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, urges us never to lose heart and always to start over again. … Get up! How? By jumping right in, without waiting for someone else. And by spreading hope and joy, not complaints; never envying others, never — envy is the door through which the evil spirit enters — but the Holy Spirit leads you to rejoice in the successes of others,” 

Glenn Carpenter,

Acting Principal

Deputy Principal - Curriculum & Admin

Over the last several weeks we have seen a multitude of events across the college and a true indication of the holistic opportunities our college and staff offer our students. We saw a number of students participate in the Reconciliation Day Liturgy, Dare to Dream Jute Theatre Programme, Athletic competitions, excursions to Tinaroo Dam, Herberton Historic Village, Saltwater Creek and many more.

As a Catholic school we promote service and solidarity in all we do.We continue to be involved in ‘Rosies’ Friends on the Street Outreach Program this year, providing support and friendship to those in need.  Thank you to those students involved and good luck for future trips with the ‘Rosies Team’.

Assessment is becoming more prominent as the term progresses. Our Senior School Middle Leader – Ms Nikki Symons is continually checking in with teachers to ensure students are meeting checkpoints for assessment pieces. Students are able to attend Senior Study Sessions if they need assistance (Wednesday’s 3.15 - 4.15pm) and we also have Academic Detention each week for students who miss checkpoints or due dates. Students can attend ‘voluntarily’ Academic Detention to seek support from teachers who are in attendance. Assessment Calendars are available on the school website and the Parent & Student portal. I wish all students luck as we head into the assessment phase of Semester 1.

Deputy Principal Residential

Dear Friends and Families of MSB

I write to remind all families about the importance of returning on time for the start of term. Covid has severely impacted the learning opportunities for all boarders over the past 18 months. We finally reached a point a few weeks ago where all boarders enrolled at MSB were on site. It was amazing to see over 100 students back in boarding and focussing on learning.

We hope and pray that all students stay healthy and well over the holiday break and can return to MSB on time. Each and every day missed at school makes the journey harder for students to catch up. MSB is committed to closing the gap for all First Nations students and encourage all families to support and improve the attendance and retention of their student.

If for some reason your student is not able to start on the first day of Term 3, please send us written notice explaining their absence. Written notice helps us to explain to all key stakeholders that your student is still enrolled at MSB.

We thank you for your support with this vital matter.

Scott Whitters - Deputy Principal Residential

Assistant Principal Wellbeing

Year 11 and 12 students engaged in the messiness of Stress through a Stress Talk on Tuesday 31^st May with Mrs Rachael Evans from Re:Connect. Students learnt that stress is normal; if we didn’t have stress in our lives, we wouldn’t achieve very much. The trick is to manage the stress so that it doesn’t manage us.  E-Stress is the ‘sweet spot’ where we are running optimally. Eustress is optimal stress; distress is when our stress levels are out of control. Eustress is what we are aiming for.

Often young people feel overwhelmed with stress and don’t realise that it is a normal part of life. As our lives have more commitments to juggle along with our studies, we can wonder what to do to get some balance. It is important to use our time well, reach out to others, have other interests that bring joy and to be physically active- these along with getting a good night sleep are stress busters.

The following websites are filled with great information on managing stress.

https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/3-stress-and-its-impact-on-you.pdf

https://www.headspace.com/articles/how-to-relieve-stress

https://www.uac.edu.au/media-centre/news/5-steps-to-managing-hsc-stress#:~:text=Stress%20and%20anxiety%20are%20incredibly,support%20when%20things%20become%20overwhelming.

https://www.batyr.com.au/sign-posts-how-to-know-if-someone-is-struggling-and-how-to-best-support-them/

Ms Sharon Boyd - Assistant Principal Wellbeing

Reconciliation Week

All Australians understand and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous cultures, rights and experiences, which result in stronger relationships based on trust and respect and that are free of racism. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Australia’s colonial history is characterised by devastating land dispossession, violence, and racism. However, over the last half-century, many significant steps towards reconciliation have been taken.

Reconciliation is an ongoing journey that reminds us that while generations of Australians have fought hard for meaningful change, future gains are likely to take just as much, if not more, effort.

Here at MSB we are leading the charge!!

Andrea Gower - Transition & Engagement  Officer & Kenny O'Brien - Indigenous Liaison Officer

Reconciliation Week Liturgy 2022

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The Push Up Challenge

A group of students at the college are currently doing The Push Up Challenge! The Push Up Challenge was designed to raise awareness for Mental Health. The challenge runs from the 1st to the 24th of June. The aim is to complete 3,139 push ups over 24 days to get fit, have fun and learn about mental health. 

During lunch times we come together in small groups or individually to complete part of the daily total. Some students choose to do a few push ups each day, while others have done up to 50! We have a dedicated group of Year 8 Students who doing 20 push ups every day!  

Over the past 8 days students involved in the challenge have completed a total of 646 push ups as a team! I am so proud to be a part of their team! 

Please head over to our fundraising page to help us support the incredible mental health organisations!  

https://www.thepushupchallenge.com.au/fundraisers/msbstudents/the-push-up-challenge  

Kieren Waugh - Middle Leader Junior Years 

Residential News

3 Weeks to go 

We have had a busy few weeks in boarding with sports, birthdays, special dinners and crafts. 

 Ladies FNQ Rugby League 

As promised I said I would fill you in.  The girls are having a great time playing on the weekends.  Weekend of 28th May they played Innisfail and had a great day with a win in the end 36 - 20.  

They then played again on 4th June.  Melinda did not get a run,  her time to sit off for the day but Tayiesha did and had a great game, played hard and strong.  Play against Yarrabah, unfortunately the Tablelands team lost. 

Birthdays 

We have celebrated a few Birthdays this last fortnight. Our wonderful staff in the kitchen make each and every student a spectacular cake to help celebrate with their friends. A special touch for our boarders. 

Yarning Circle 

Students have been enjoying some chill time at our Yarning Circle with a fire, toasting marshmallows, yarning and enjoying each others company. 

Leadership Dinner 

We had two special dinners recently. One for our male leaders in the College and one for our female leaders of the College. 

Both groups enjoyed a lovely dinner out with the Leadership Team. 

Candle Making 

Miss Sam who is a new boarding supervisor, shared her crafts of making floating candles with the girls. We had so many girls who enjoyed this craft that Miss Sam may need to do another session.  The girls really got involved and loved creating their own floating candles in their own colours and designs. 

Religion News

This week we celebrated Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit that Jesus had promised he would send to be with us and help us.  

Year 7B have been learning about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Courage, Understanding, Knowledge, Right Judgement, Reverence, Wonder and Awe. At Monday’s liturgy, they gave each home form class a dove for their prayer table to remind them to use these Gifts every day.  

This feast day also marks the end of the Easter Season. We now move back into Ordinary Time – named because the Sundays are ordered (1st, 2nd, 3rd …) not because nothing important happens!  The liturgical colour for this time is green.  With the help of the Holy Spirit, it is a time for us to grow and to spread the Good News – to be Jesus in our world. 

Come Holy Spirit and make us Pentecost people. 

Let your Wisdom and Right Judgement guide our decisions. 

Let Knowledge and Understanding increase our capacity for empathy and compassion.   

Let Courage enable us to act justly. 

Let Reverence and Awe fill us with gratitude and respect for all of creation. 

Through and with and in Jesus Christ, we pray. 

Amen! 

Janet Wigan - Religion Teacher 

7B Religion Term 2

Mathematics News

Essential Mathematics is all about numbers, data, location and time, measurements and finance. Exhausted yet? These topics are “essential” to being an adult but can be so hard for students to engage with. However, at MSB the Senior Essential Mathematic classes have been eating Pythagorean theorems and Box Plots for breakfast. The key skills students are learning this week have been around measurement, scales and data. These skills will help students if they go on to work in trade, industry, business or community services. I found two very different and interesting applications of these skills; comparing the weight of children being born within different communities will help them improve the health and life outcomes of those within a remote community; and finding the perfect sized and shaped water storage system depending on the space available and the required volume of water. Still with us? If you ever wanted to feel more pride for the students at MSB, can I share that the Senior Essential Mathematic students will attempt a question like the one below at 9 am in the morning on a Monday or at 1:30pm on a Friday without a blink or batter of an eye. The Essential Mathematics Seniors are crunching the numbers and making the time for their very bright futures.

Malcolm Fahey - Middle Leader Mathematics

English & Humanities News

DARE TO DREAM 

In Week 7, Year 8B students had a fantastic opportunity to spend four days working with Jute Theatre on their Dare to Dream program. The residency began with the company presenting a hilarious and poignant production about having big dreams in a small community. The students were in stitches laughing at the realistic and relatable characters and situations. After this exciting introduction to the program, our students were raring to go and spent the next few days engrossed in drama games, improvisation and production planning. On Thursday, they presented their own drama to staff and students, impressing everyone with their courage, talent and focused performances skills. We were delighted to finish off the week with a community performance, welcoming local residents and family members into our school to enjoy the show. 8B returned to their classes with new confidence in their creativity, speaking, and group work skills and the school community knows that these young people have a wealth of talent, passion and energy to share.  

Sarah Riber - Middle Leader English & Humanities

Year 9 - Herberton Historical Village

This term, Year 9 have been studying the Industrial Revolution and how it changed the world.  At MSB we are very fortunate to have one of the best museums for studying this era, the Herberton Historical Museum, right on our doorstep! So last week we walked down the road to this magical museum and were able to see what life during the Industrial Revolution was actually like. We saw a working steam engine, sat in the first motor cars, and watched a blacksmithing display.  The highlight was finding out what school was like in those days - complete with a demonstration of the cane. Ouch!  All in all, a very educational and fun-filled day at an amazing place. 

Louise Kimber - English & Humanities Teacher

Year 7 - Excursion to Lake Tinaroo

On Wednesday of week 7, our grade 7 students all got to go on an excursion to Tinaroo Dam. Over the course of the term, the grade 7 cohort has been learning about ‘water in our world’, learning about different forms of water, what accessible water looks like around the world, the different types of water cycles and how we access and store water, among many other things. Having looked at dams as a form of collecting and storing water, Tinaroo Dam was the perfect opportunity for the students to go and see first-hand how the water is stored, collected and monitored. Students also got to see many of the different forms of wildlife that the dam supports and how it is an important part of our ecosystem. Overall it was a fantastic day and the students had a blast!

Taylor Bitossi - English & Humanities Teacher

Art News

Dragon Dreams Sculptures  

In Semester 1, 7A have conducted a pre-study into Chinese and Mythical Dragons. They designed their own imaginative dragon by focusing on five sections: head, neck, body, legs, wings and tail. They discussed the dragons they already know about, from literature and movies. In two lessons, students used sun-dried clay to create their own sculptural dragon based on their prior knowledge. These sculptures will be spray painted and displayed at the art exhibition on NAIDOC Day. Everybody looked like they were having fun.  

Traylea Sexton - Middle Leader The Arts

Year 7 Dragon Dreaming 2022

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Senior ICT & Design News

Senior ICT and Design students have been working on two exciting projects in ICT and Design this week.   

After filming last week, 11 and 12 ICT Applied students have been compiling the footage from their fieldtrip.  

Students have been selecting shots and planning how they will communicate to their audience the usefulness of teenagers getting out into nature to de-stress.  

Students have been selecting technologies to use and considering how to make their videos enjoyable and watchable by people their age. These students are excited about using these skills for their own projects so look out for the next great videographer in your area making videos.  

Senior Design students have been busy working on improving the enjoyability of MSB’s NAIDOC day celebrations. All students have been showing great passion in trying to understand what the MSB community needs and wants to see improved with our NAIDOC day celebrations. They have been interviewing experts and creating questionnaires to collect data from students about their ideas.  

The senior students show great passion towards their community and feel empowered to make improvements based on the needs and wants of the people they are designing for. A special thanks to the staff who gave their time up to come and speak with these students about what needs to be done to make MSB’s NAIDOC day celebrations more inclusive, enjoyable and accommodating to all who come. 

Paul Clarke – Technologies Teacher

Junior Years (7 - 9) Middle Leader

Hello everyone,  

What a term it has been!  

In recent weeks we have had Jute Theatre company visit our Year 8’s and the Year 7’s have been on a geography excursions. We also started award assemblies on a Friday to recognise the achievements of students throughout the week. I am really impressed by the Year 9 students who put their hand up to be Junior Leaders and assist with these assemblies. They did a great job presenting awards at their first assembly, on very short notice! 

During the last couple of weeks, students across all year levels have been engaging in a range of interesting assessment tasks. It is great to see students enthusiastic about their assessment tasks!  

Here is a snippet of a few tasks students have been creating in their classrooms. 

• In HPE, Year 7A & 7B are creating a healthy snack for their food truck brochure. 
• In English, Year 8’s are creating persuasive advertisements  
• In English, Year 9 students have been writing persuasive speeches about topics they feel strongly about within a school context. 
• In HPE, Year 8 students are creating an interactive game where they have to make decisions for their characters before moving forward in the story.  

Kieren Waugh - Junior Years Middle Leader

Junior Awards

Community – Jahara Richards

Mercy – Melinda Burns, Eugene Logan, Tessa Linnell, Nancy Anson

Respect – Naomi Tomsana-Sam, Mary Kyle-Smith, Liyana Korkatain, Maddison Blair, Caitlin Murray, Tyler Morriss, Grace Hart

Excellence – Kiri Tucker, Reem Sam, Lincoln Fitzgerald, Nicholas Dugri, Grace Hart

Wisdom – Isabella Booth, Dakota Dunford

Senior Years (10 - 12) Middle Leader

On Friday 3rd June we commenced senior years award assemblies in the chapel during home form. We are looking to celebrate students for their efforts, in particular the Mercy values of MSB. Award categories are:

Community – living and giving gracious hospitality in the spirit of family,
Mercy – acting justly with a compassionate heart,
Respect – valuing self, others, environment and the purpose of school,
Excellence – striving towards personal best, and
Wisdom – gaining life enhancing knowledge and skills.

Week 7 award winners 

Year 10

Lizikerah Luffman  - Always giving 100% to her work.

Shandrella Pilot - Pushing herself on her assessment work and going above and beyond in class.

Year 11

Franklyn Hilla - Works at pace in every subject accepting feedback to improve his work.

Tae Dempsey - Diligently working towards her creative goals. Completing work during morning tea & lunch. High standard.

Sophie Jonsson - Puts 100% into her academic tasks and manages her time effectively.

Tia Dewley- Vokes – Volunteering with Rosies Friends on the Street Outreach Program

Sinevah Mari - Striving for personal best in all areas of school and her future. For always being the first to submit applications and embracing opportunities. She is independent, self driven and self motivated.

Year 12:

Alfred Passi - across multiple subjects.

Joseph King - Sharing his love of cartooning art with junior boarders and showing them how to begin to learn how to draw.

Jonomick Lui - Always staying back at the end of lessons and taking the time to clean up the classroom, even if it's not his mess.

Francis Ghee - Looking out for other students

Ellie Ward – Design

Steven Peterson - Design

Emmy Riber - Puts 100% into her academic tasks and manages her time effectively

Haedon Tuhoro – Volunteering with Rosies Friends on the Street Outreach Program

Emmy Riber – Volunteering with Rosies Friends on the Street Outreach Program

Quentin Shortjoe - Pushing himself to do better in class and taking the initiative to improve his work.

Quentin Shortjoe - Looking after the younger kids

Year 11 students voted last week on the design they wanted for their 2023 Senior shirts. Congratulations to Caitlyn Jones-Collins who won the best design. Well done to all students who put the effort in to designing a shirt, they were all very impressive! We have given the shirt design for Leadership approval and will be able to show it off soon!

Year 12 student have been very busy fundraising this term with a milkshake sale and a frozen popper sale! All funds will go towards our formal in October. A huge thank you to Miss Julia Cazita - Mazeaud and her year 12 Business class who create some advertising and do a lot of the background planning. Also a massive thank you to Mr Paul Clarke who provides the music for our fundraising events! Year 12s will be selling a variety of snacks and refreshments on Athletics day this Friday.

Nikki Symons - Senior Years Middle Leader

Careers & VET News

Recently there has been an increased interest in the Defence Forces from many Senior students. Below is a good starting point to explore different sites.

Defence 2023 Gap Year opportunities

A gap year with the Airforce, Army or Navy is a great way to trial a career in the ADF and you get paid to do it! Jobs have different closing dates so visit the website for information about available GAP year jobs, closing dates and:

• Defence Force roles
• Frequently asked questions
• Eligibility and joining
• Lifestyle, pay and leave
• Life after ADF Gap Year

How do I apply for the Defence Force?

The ADF recruitment process is designed to ensure you have the qualities needed, while helping you identify the ideal role in the Navy, Army or Air Force. Visit the Defence Recruitment website to find out if you are eligible to join and to access the six steps in the recruitment process. Each step has a video that explains what happens during the step. The six steps are:

1. Apply online with your personal details, academic achievements and job preferences (if you have them)

2. Attend virtual YOU (Your Opportunities Unlimited) Session

3. Attend Assessment Session - medical assessment, psychological interview, ADF interview

4. Attend Officer Selection (if you are wanting this pathway)

5. Take a Fitness Test

6. Attend Enlistment and Appointment day

On the site you will also find information videos that will answer many of your questions along with information on:

• Quick eligibility check - use this tool to see if you can join
• Health and fitness - learn how fit you must be
• ADF entry methods - choose the way you want to join
• Help centre - have your questions and queries answered

Adrian Baranyi - Middle Leader Careers & VET

Staff Profile

MICHELLE DAVIES-GRIFFITH

I started Working at MSB in 2018, firstly as a Learning Support School Officer, then as RTR Coordinator. Since the beginning of the year, I have had the privilege and pleasure of working as the College’s Student Wellbeing Officer.  My current role provides me with the opportunity to assist students develop strategies to better deal with academic, personal, parental and social pressures. 

I have been working with young people since I was 19 years of age as a sports coach, mentoring young athletes with a range of social and emotional issues.  In the past, I have taught others how to coach young people from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and also those with physical and intellectual disabilities.  I am a Diploma qualified Youth Worker, who has also been employed as a School Chaplain.  In the past, I have been a small business operator, and have also been heavily involved in retail management, particularly in the context of developing the skills of young employees. It is a pleasure to serve the MSB family.

Community News

Well Women’s Clinics

(These clinics are available to Medicare eligible clients)

Service includes Cervical Screening Tests (Pap Smears), Sexual Health Screening, Breast Awareness, also info on Contraception, Continence, Menopause, Lifestyle Issues, Bowel Health, Domestic Violence, etc.

All services are provided by a specially trained Women’s Health Nurse.

Malanda Health Centre       Wednesdays 29^th June & 27^th July      Ph:  4096 5339

Atherton Health Centre       Tuesday 19^th July                             Ph:  4091 0263

Upcoming Events

Term 2 - 2022

Senior study sessions Wed 1 June, 8 June, 15 June

In Library 1 - 3.15 - 4.15pm - Afternoon tea available 

Fri 10 June - MSB Athletics Carnival

Wed 15 - Fri 17 June - Year 8 Camp

Thurs 23 June - Students end Term 2 @ 3pm

Fri 24 June - Boarders Travel Day

Winter School Holidays

Fri 24 June - Mon 11 July

Term 3 - 2022

Mon 11 July - Boarders Travel Day &  MSB Office Re-Opens

Tues 12 July - All Classes Commence Term 3