MSPC Newsletter - Term 4 Week 4, 28th October 2021

Principal

Dear Parents/Caregivers

COLLEGE CAPTAINS

Last Thursday Year 11 student nominees for College Captain presented their vision to the College via zoom. All students represented themselves, and the College, in an excellent manner. I had previously had the opportunity to meet with each of them and was inspired by their passion for Mount St Patrick College.

I am pleased to announce the Mount St Patrick College Captains for 2022 are Lucy Jones and Darcy Greenbury. We congratulate Lucy and Darcy confident that they will lead the College admirably.

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL APPRAISAL

Later on this term on Monday 15th November, Mary-Anne McShane will be involved in an Assistant Principal appraisal process as part of her contract conditions with the Catholic Schools Office. 

The appraisal process seeks information from a variety of people associated with the parish school. The process aims to highlight the positive aspects of the Assistant Principal’s performance and identify areas for further development. 

A timeline will be constructed to suit the needs of the parish school community. A panel consisting of the school Principal as Chair, a School Service Consultant and a staff member from Human Services at the Catholic Schools Office will conduct the appraisal. 

The full Assistant Principal appraisal process involves: 

• a survey and self-appraisal statement completed by the Assistant Principal 
• surveys of parish school staff, Catholic Schools Office personnel 
• an interview with the Principal 
• input as arranged with the Parish Priest 
• interviews with parish school staff 
• interviews with any parents who wish to present 
• a formal interview with the Assistant Principal by the panel 

Any parents who wish to make contact with the panel are welcome to do so by contacting the  Principal before the appraisal date. 

Thank you for your support of the Mt St Patrick College's leadership team. 

Be the Good and God Bless

Paul Reidy
Principal

Assistant Principal - Mission

Year 12 Morning Tea

Year 12 students and staff enjoyed a delicious Morning Tea yesterday Wednesday 17th October which was prepared by Year 11 Hospitality students and Mrs Carroll-Bennett. It was great to see all the students together.

Year 12, and Accelerating Year 11 students, begin their HSC Exams on Tuesday 9th November and finish on 2nd December. The Year 12 Formal and Presentation Evening will take place from 6pm on Friday 3rd December at the Gilbey Centre for Year 12, their parents and staff.

Next Monday 1st November will be a Staff Development Day at the College and students are not required to be in attendance on this day. This day is also the Feast of All Saints and All Souls Day is celebrated on 2nd November. This year the latter feast coincides with the running of the annual Melbourne Cup!

Today we had the Year 7 2022 Nagle and Lucan students visit the College. Lisieux and Loreto students will have their Orientation Day on Thursday 4th November. Unfortunately, we are unable to have an ‘in person’ Parent Information Evening in the Gilbey Centre due to COVID restrictions.

Year 7 and 10 Exams being on Tuesday 2nd November and Years 8 and 9 on Tuesday 9th November. Year 7 – 11 parents will receive their student/s Beacon Results on Monday 8th November.

The mobile Dental Health van will be visiting the College in Week 6 beginning with the students who have made bookings on Monday 8th November. 

Year 7 HPV 2nd Dose and catch up injections are scheduled for Wednesday 10th November at the College. I have included a letter from NSW Health outlining the need for students who are receiving these injections to be aware that if they have had, or have booked COVID injections, then there are suggested waiting times between injections. 

 Mary-Anne McShane
 Assistant Principal: Mission

MINISTRY

PRAYER SPONSORS FOR YEAR 12 HSC STUDENTS

Prayer Sponsors have been proposed for the Year 12 students of Mt St Patrick College during their HSC exams. A prayer sponsor is someone who prays for another person at specific times with a specific intention in mind.  When someone is sponsored they know that someone else is praying for them at that time.

A strong aspect of our Catholic and Christian Faith is the efficacy of prayer (i.e. prayer does make a difference).  At the same time the injunction “Pray as if everything depended on God; work as if everything depended on you” has its own wisdom.

I appeal to parents, family and friends of our Year 12 HSC class to make themselves available as a prayer sponsor.  Knowing that someone is praying for you at a difficult time is a source of great strength and consolation.

If you are interested in being a Prayer Sponsor for a Year 12 student from Mt St Patrick College, please phone during office hours (66722340) and leave your name, address and name of student (if specific student wanted) with Lesa or Jan at the office. The following prayer may be of use.

Today I wish to remember _________________________from Mount St. Patrick College.

During her/his HSC Exams, give them the strength to complete the exams to the best of her/his ability. Help them to remain calm and to think and write clearly so that they remember the things which they have learned and studied.

Give them the opportunity to show what they know and to have acceptance of her/his efforts after the exam.  Fire up in them the determination of St. Paul who ran the good race till the end and who proclaimed 'If God is for us who can be against".

We pray this through Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

  Mick O'Donohue
  Leader of Evangelisation

Welfare

YEAR 7 2022 ORIENTATION

Today is the first of our Yr 6 Orientation days. Students in Nagle and Lucan Houses for 2022 enjoyed the taste of highschool life. Whilst nervous to start, they quickly settled into learning about our routines and experienced art and PDHPE lessons. They met their Yr 10 buddy’s who played games with them and got to know them during recess and lunch. The buddy’s also took them on a tour of the College to familiarise them with the outlay of the school. Hopefully today has been a day where the student’s nervousness morphed into excitement and hope for the future and where new connections have been made that will last a lifetime. Pattie’s is a great community to be part of. Our hope is that all students and families feel a sense of belonging and connection to our College.

UNIFORM AND BEHAVIOUR STANDARDS

Uniform and behaviour standards are important to us at MSP. As we approach the end of the school year we ask that the students' hair and uniform expectations are maintained.

The parent information that relates to the student Wellbeing diary for this week is below. It may provide you with a topic to speak to your children about.

  Louise Shields
  Leader of Student Welfare

Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching

Mt St Patrick College students are all working hard at the moment preparing final assessment tasks for the 2021 academic year. Year 12 and Year 11 accelerated students are focussing on revision activities in preparation for the HSC. Today the College gathered in a COVID approved Guard of Honour to show our support for Year 12 students. We wish all the students well in their exams and hope they can do their best on the day.

 On Monday 1^st November the Staff at the College will be involved in a Professional Development Day aimed at providing the staff with skills and knowledge to continue to improve writing at the College. The staff continue to develop strategies which will help all students to reach their potential.

SOLOMON ISLANDS IMMERSION PROGRAM

Unfortunately, our Solomon Island Immersion program has been on pause for the past 2 years due to COVID. However, we have found a way to keep the connection with our Sister School. Teachers’ Aides Eadie and Brodie have been delivering a Reading Intervention Program through zoom to Year 7 students in Bishop Epalle Catholic School. Year 9 Mt St Patrick students are now being trained to deliver the program to Year 6 students at Bishop Epalle. The computers and internet access has been provided through a grant obtained by Australian Catholic University. We are so proud to see these students making a difference in the world.

Some great connections are being forged between the 2 schools.

Hopefully at some stage we will be able to continue our inter-school visits.

  Narelle Sherrah
  Assistant Principal: Learning and Teaching

LEARNING SUPPORT

Dear Students, Parents and Caregivers,

During Week 5 and 6, students in years 7, 8,9 and 10 are completing their end of year examinations. Those students who have been granted a provision for the exams will need to go to the Learning Hub (Library) at the start of the allotted time of the examination as this will be where the provisions for the exams are to be held. 

Please note, due to Covid restrictions there is a limited number of volunteers who can provide the provision for the exams so therefore students may have to wait to complete their exams.

If you have any questions please let me know

Mr Ed Hodges 
Learning Support Co-ordinator

Curriculum

Well, mid Term 4 is now in full swing. As mentioned in my last post, Years 7 to 10 have been very busy preparing for their upcoming assessments. Assessment blocks have now been scheduled as follows:

Week 5 - Years 7 and 10

Week 4 - Years 8 and 9

While the majority of assessments will be completed during the assessment block, some subjects will not be assessed during this period, depending on the nature of the subject/task and where students are at with their learning. Notification of assessments are posted in the MSPC Assessment Portal and students can access this remotely using their school email and log in: https://moodle.mursclism.catholic.edu.au/

A reminder to Year 10 students. If you should become ill during an assessment or examination, an ‘MSPC Illness Application Form’ will need to be completed by a medical practitioner. Students can access  documents on the Year 10 page of the Assessment Portal. 

Assessment Term 4 - Weeks 5 and 6:  The following table is an overview of assessments:

  Jo McDonald
  Leader of Curriculum

Faculty News

MATHEMATICS

MATHEMATICS COMPETITIONS

This year we had students enter in two different Mathematics competitions. It is wonderful to see students willing to participate in opportunities like this that allow them to sharpen their problem-solving skills against others around the state and country. Certificates will be presented to these award winners in the coming weeks.

NEWCASTLE MATHEMATICS ASSOCIATION

The Newcastle Mathematics Association conduct a competition each year aimed at students studying the Stage 5.1 course in Year 10. This year, the following 21 students participated:

Distinction:  Dylan Bath-Dunne

Credit:  Dylan Lewis, Ayla Teague, Nathan Pryke, Isaac Douglas, Lachlan Shoobridge, Ben Parsons, Punwatsa Phattharapraphakorn, Felicity Noble, Cameron Hilder, Liam Ferguson, Logan Heath

Pass: Nicholas Gordon, Ella Rainford, Elyce Kuhnell, Anchitta Khamkaew, Paige Rochford, Hollie Arthur, Grace Acret, April Parnaby, Logan Priest

AUSTRALIAN MATHEMATICS COMPETITION (AMC)

The AMC was participated in by a large group of students from the College. Congratulations are extended to the following students:

Year 7

High Distinction: Alex Wellm

Proficient: Sanjay Nix

Participation: Stephanie Mayne, Dannielle Kee

Year 9

Credit: Amelia Keyes, Olivia Adams, Anja Griffin

Proficient: Chloe Martin

Year 10

Distinction: Will Quantrill, Elizabeth Warne, Mahalia Ashforth, Tashi Masterman

Credit: Michael Lack, Darcy Nankivell, Grace Kelly, Mason McInerney, Brayden De Jonge,Lucia Alexander, Dylan Gale, Sophie Buchanan, Charlotte Foster, Isobel Gresham, Rhiannon Nolan-Stiens

Proficient: Tabitha Stratton, Sasha Hendrikse, Cooper Shields, Lily Van Den Driest, Maya O’Callaghan, Kaleb Boddie

Participation: Taliesin Faranda, Morgan O’Connor

Year 11

Distinction: Amelie Ogg

Credit: Alicia Strickland, Tenika Twomey

Participation: Zatalia Gumm

 Dan Anderson 
 Leader of Learning: Mathematics

RE 

YEAR 7 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION- STEWARDS OF CREATION

Throughout Term 2 Year 7 RE classes explored ways in which we are all Called to be Stewards of Creation.  Mr Kelly from the Catholic Schools Office spoke to the classes about some of the damage people have caused the planet, and students investigated ways they can be stewards of creation within our own school community.  

Groups from each PBL class were chosen to pitch their ideas to all of Year 7, with Mr Core and representatives from the School Environment Group to decide on a winning group, where $500 could be spent to make their project happen.

The teams that presented on the day were:

7B & 7C- Frog Hotels by Ryan, Shaylee, Sam and Giselle

7B & 7C- Wind Turbines by Minnow, Chloe, Toby and Max

7B & 7C- Bamboo Dish Scrubs by Amelia, Tyler, Kieran and Lara

7D & 7G- Flyin’ Fox Ice Blox by Sam, Bryan, Jack and Zoe

(The Canteen are going to trial these for us)

7D & 7G- Living Walls by Maddie, Xavier, Elliott and Gypsy

7M & 7O- Refillable Whiteboard Markers by Ryder, Sunny, Fascia and Milana

(Mrs Finkel bought these and loves them!)

We congratulate Amelia, Tyler, Kieran and Lara for their 2021 initiative to have bamboo dish scrubs, compostable sponges and environmentally friendly cleaning sprays and dish soap in the Hospitality Room and Staff kitchens.  We thank parents,Renee Andrews and Scott Geer for providing a discount on these products from their online store, Earthtown.  

Check out their amazing products at https://www.earthtown.com.au/cleaning

Thank you to the fabulous Year 7s and their teachers for all the wonderful ideas they came up with on how we can be stewards of creation.

    Mrs Angela Finkel
    Leader of Catechesis

ENGLISH 

Building intercultural solidarity through Indigenous story-telling in Year 7 English

Honey Spot - Cultural discussion with Brandy and Tayah

This article has been written on Bundjalung land by Sarah Ellison and Jamie Harvey.

We would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the country on which we gather today and pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We would like to acknowledge and and all Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander people here today. The land we are on now, the land we live, work, breathe, eat and sleep; always was and always will be Aboriginal Land. May we walk alongside the custodians of this country as we seek Voice, Treaty and Truth.

Indigenous people in Australia are comprised of multiple First Nations, spanning complex cultural boundaries. Indigenous Australians are not a homogeneous group in the same way that not all Europeans are French.There is a wide diversity of First Nations peoples, each of  whose cultures spans thousands of years. Those cultures are ancient and long-standing traditions which are important to recognise, to better understand the history of the Australian continent (land, seas and waters).

The richness of Australian culture can only be understood when it incorporates the ancient culture of its indigenous people along with its more recent past. That is why it is important, and a privilege, to incorporate indigenous worldviews because it helps us to understand who we are in our entirety, the Country on which we reside and what it means to be Australian. Indigenous connection to Country can better help us connect to the true value the Australian landscape presents to us all.

Grade 7 English has an exciting opportunity to connect with the ideas of reconciliation and cultural identity through their study of the play ‘Honey Spot.’ This text by Indigenous playwright Jack Davis, follows the developing friendship of 12-year-old Peggy and 13-year-old Indigenous boy Tim. As Peggy and Tim grow closer Peggy comes to learn more about Tim’s cultural values, beliefs and practices. But can their friendship withstand the racist views of the local community, including Peggy’s father?

To help Grade 7 gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous culture Mt St Patrick College’s Indigenous Education Workers Tayah Logan and Brandy Atanasoff-Baker spoke with the cohort about their heritage and connection to land and Indigenous culture. For the students, this was an invaluable experience and an opportunity to learn more about Indigenous Australians.

I was able to better comprehend Honey Spot's story and culture with the help of that talk. Hearing Brandy and Tayah talk in-depth about their Indigenous culture really made me understand how valuable Indigenous culture is for all of us here in Australia.

    Luca Szandala

I learned that different people have different totems and also that the paint the Aboriginals wear is painted on them differently to each other.

    Ewan Gale

One of the things that I learned was that the Aboriginals had permanent houses/huts that the elders would stay in while the rest of the tribe went out to get food.

    Marley Ferguson

I learned that the Aboriginals spell it ‘Lore’ and not law. I also learned about how some simple things can be really disrespectful to them and the hairy man and the devil dog can come after you.

    Tyler Follett

I took from this experience a feeling of belonging for the Aboriginals and how they have a culture much broader than my own, and it even made me think how cool it'd be to learn a bit of their language.

    Eva Barlow

Something I took away from yesterday's English lesson was that we need to respect the land and not take things without permission.

    Charlie Gear

[I learned] that only men could climb Mount Warning and that women couldn't, which I found interesting.

    Lukas Bain

Next steps, let’s learn how to say “Acknowledgement of Country’ in the traditional language of this area. Let’s learn it and it will be such an asset to us and we then can truly appreciate the presence we have in this place.

In line with the global initiative - A Decade of Action of Indigenous Languages - let us learn to value the continuing tradition of indigenous understandings alongside the more recent elements of history. Coexisting and appreciating our differences and similarities are essential to moving forward in harmony. We have so much to learn from each other...

LANGUAGES

Year 10 Japanese film ‘The Garden of Eden’ a contender in the 2021 MLTANSW Linguafest Competition 

Year 10 Japanese students: Maya O'Callaghan, Bailee Pedlow, Zara Cranage, Angel De Los Angeles and Isabella Anderson successfully produced the short film ‘The Garden of Eden’ in Japanese, just under the wire as Lockdown hit. The film was submitted in the 2021 Modern Languages Teachers Association of NSW Linguafest Competition and has been selected as a finalist.

Following the format of the Tropfest competition, students were required to create a short film in the language they are studying and convey the theme, “a choice” and include “a piece of fruit” as the signature item. Year 10 student Maya O’Callaghan said: “Our group decided to approach the task in a humorous and light view; in a snow white-esque twist and plot, we had two members paint their faces, dress up as, and completely embody an apple, and a banana. Though at times it was a challenge to act in Japanese, the final product was clearly a success that we think definitely deserves the win.” 

The film will be screened via Zoom on Friday 26 November 2021 by the MLTANSW committee. Winners will be announced at the screening with prizes and certificates presented virtually on the day.

We look forward to the screening and congratulate these students on an incredible effort and achievement, in the face of Covid.

Ms Ellison (Erison Sensei)
Japanese Teacher

TAS

YEAR 8 ENGINEERING

RACE DAY!
Year 8D Engineering were able to test the speed of their Dragsters down at the Dalton Technology Building. Some great results from initial testing; Ava P had the quickest recorded time of 0.998s across the 20m track - that is 72km/h! Great work students, the designs look great. 

Tom O'Shea
TAS Teacher

College News

WELCOME TO COMPASS

Beginning in Term 1 next year, we will be implementing a new administration system at MSPC – Compass. Many of you may already be familiar with the system through your children’s primary schools; but for those who are not, we are hoping to make the changeover as painless as possible.

Over the next few weeks, we will provide more information about the implementation of Compass within the school and the benefits of the new Parent Portal, including access to the iOS and Android apps; to ensure we are all ready to go on the first day next year.

In the meantime, for further information, watch the video below.

    Ms Michelle Gill
    SRT Leader

YEAR 12 FORMAL VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers needed - Bar & Cashiers for Year 12 Formal Friday 3 December 2021

Helpers required to set-up from 3:30 pm. Cashiers needed from 4:30 pm - EFTPOS machines & a ticket system will be used. Bar staff from 4:45 pm till late - must have a current RSA. Food and drinks will be provided for our volunteers. If you can help, please contact P&F Bar Coordinator, Mary-Ann Thackray,        E| mary-ann.thackray@lism.catholic.edu. M| 0413 277 700  

P & F MEETING

Save the Date - final P&F meeting for 2021 to be held Tuesday 16 November  at 5:30 pm.  Zoom link will be shared prior to the meeting date.

Puzzle Corner

Can you solve the puzzle below?

What number is missing from this series?

5   7   12   ?   31   50

If you think you have the solution, please see/email Mrs Bevan. The first 5 correct answers will receive a prize.

Last week’s solution : 10 triangles

Awards

CO-ORDINATOR'S, PRINCIPAL'S AND COLLEGE AWARDS

LISIEUX CO-ORDINATOR'S AWARDS

Year 7: Zachary Jones, Dannielle Kee.

Year 8: Jimmy Keogh, Petros Mackney, Sierra McDonald, Rylan McGovern, Amali Moore, Hiwot Nardi, Eliza Wightley

Year 9: Billy John, Olivia Mason

Year 10: Grace Acret, Sasha Hendrikse, 

Year 11: Lara Wegemund

LISIEUX PRINCIPAL'S AWARDS

Year 7: Zachary Jones

Year 8: Petros Mackney, Sierra McDonald, Rylan McGovern, Eliza Wightley

Year 9: Billy John

LORETO CO-ORDINATOR'S AWARDS

Year 7: Taya Oates

Year 8: Alexia Adams, Mohan Aldred-Sutherland, Rhys Charman, Alexander Dowling, Ava Every, Kathryn Warren

Year 9: Elise Albertini, Caitlyn Bice, Gabrielle Stella

Year 10: Finn Byrnes, Jack Devoy, Will Harris, April Parnaby

LORETO PRINCIPAL'S AWARDS

Year 8: Alexia Adams

Year 9: Elise Albertini

Year 10: Jack Devoy, Will Harris, April Parnaby

LORETO COLLEGE AWARDS

Year 10: Will Harris, April Parnaby

LUCAN CO-ORDINATOR'S AWARDS

Year 7: Kate Pryke, Luca Szandala

Year 8: Taylor Barton, Freda Biles, Bailey Lofts, Ava Mutton, Zade Spratt, Lakota Sutcliffe

Year 9: Jade Ashton, Maya Wheeler

Year 10: Jamie Cotelli, Joseph Dittmar, Taliesin Faranda, Kirrily Leach, Jayda McDermott

LUCAN PRINCIPAL'S AWARDS

Year 8: Bailey Lofts, Zade Spratt, Lakota Sutcliffe

Year 9: Maya Wheeler

Year 10: Joseph Dittmar

LUCAN PRINCIPAL'S AWARDS

Year 10: Joseph Dittmar

NAGLE CO-ORDINATOR'S AWARDS

Year 7: Tiarna Hall-Tosh, Kye Thierjung

Year 8: Ronin Berkman, Denzel Browning, Sean Farrelly, Haylen Fox-Duong

Year 10: Georgia Lollback, Layla Marr, Kiana McCabe, Maya O'Callaghan

NAGLE PRINCIPAL'S AWARDS

Year 8: Denzel Browning, Sean Farrelly, Haylen Fox-Duong

Year 10: Georgia Lollback, Kiana McCabe, Maya O'Callaghan

NAGLE PRINCIPAL'S AWARDS

Year 8: Isiah Doevendans, Benjamin Wilson

Year 11: Bryce Matlock

Canteen Roster

The following roster will only come into affect if restrictions remain lifted and we allowed to return to the College. If we are in lockdown due to COVID 19 and restrictions are in place then no volunteers will be permitted onsite until further notice. Thank you for you support.