The end of the 2021 school year is rapidly approaching.  Next week our Year 12 students enter their final days of external examinations and we commence their graduation celebrations on Wednesday. Students in Years 7 – 11 are participating in their final lessons for the year and preparing for assessment items.   

Planning for 2022 is also underway. Earlier in the year, MYP Corporation was engaged to conduct a confidential survey with parents/caregivers of students in Years 8-12 to provide feedback on the operation and effectiveness of the College. The survey provided us with very rich data which we are still working through.  

Responses were received from 433 out of a total of 854 eligible respondents, representing a 50.7% response rate.  MSM recorded an overall satisfaction score of 79%.  

Please find below a summary of the data: 

Thank you to those parents/caregivers who took the time to provide us with this valuable feedback.  You are assisting us to identify areas which we need to continue to work on and inform our future planning.  

In faith and love,

Sharon Volp
Principal
Be in it to win it! WIN a Term's Fees at MSM or a $1500 Cash Prize*. A great prize either way leading into Christmas!  

Have you bought your tickets in the College Fees Raffle?  A limited 1,000 tickets are on sale starting at $20 each – there is no limit to the number of tickets an entrant may purchase. Assuming all tickets are sold, each ticket has a 1 in 1,000 chance of winning!

Proceeds are directed to the Mt St Michael’s Scholarship Fund supporting the Sisters of Charity Scholarships.


Ticket sales close Tuesday 23 November with the winner to be drawn on Wednesday 24 November at 10am AEST. 

*Terms and conditions apply 
 

MSM Foundation Year 7 Father-Daughter Breakfast
 
Last Friday we welcomed Year 7 students and their fathers for the annual MSM Foundation Year 7 Father-Daughter Breakfast. Thank you to our special guest speaker, award-winning journalist, author and mother of two daughters, Madonna King for sharing her valuable insight, advice and anecdotes with our guests. Thank you to all members of the MSM community who joined us, including, newly appointed MSM Foundation Chair, Dr Sarah Pollock. A wonderful morning was had by all.
MusicFest2 - "Songs of Revolution"
 
MusicFest2 “Songs of Revolution” concert last night was well-attended by a keen audience despite the heavy downpour just prior percussively battering the roof during our final soundchecks. Due to the concert date falling on Remembrance Day, 150 students and staff wore a black and red colour-scheme, with commemorative poppies. Thanks to The Gap RSL for enabling the sale of these in our community. The performance repertoire explored themes such as conflict, peace, people power, protest music, and the history of people bringing about political and social change.

Congratulations to the students for their commitment and enthusiasm and thank-you to Music Captain Isobel Jones -compere extraordinaire. In the words of Karen Elliott, the Brisbane composer of “A Perfect World”, sung by Senior Vocal Ensemble, “In a perfect world, there is no war, … but until that day, we salute the brave who brought us peace on earth”.
Remembrance Day Reflection
Year 10 Business and Enterprise Christmas Markets
 
The Christmas Spirit is alive and well at MSM! The atmosphere was electric at the Year 10 Business and Enterprise Christmas Markets. Students worked exceptionally hard to produce a wonderful array of products for the Christmas Markets that were guaranteed to sell out fast! All profits will be donated to our Term 4 Charity, Days for Girls.
Year 8 Kindness Challenge
 
The Year 8 students have just finished a four week Kindness Challenge which saw them engage in authentic acts of kindness each week. The students had a chance to share their experiences today and hear from their teachers about the positive effects of Kindness to themselves and those around them. The challenge finished with linking together notes of gratitude to symbolise we are all connected. 
INTERACT

Interact members gathered in the arts precinct to construct items to be sold at this term’s CAN Market Day to be held on Friday 19 November. The girls’ painted pots and decorative keyring chains are just a few items that will be going on sale to raise funds for Days for Girls – a not-for-profit organisation that works to increase access to menstrual care and education.
Year 11 Biology Excusions
 
Year 11 Biology students ventured into the field last week to enhance their practical skills and further their understanding of measuring biodiversity. Day One was hosted by The University of Queensland as part of their “Experience Ecology” workshops, learning practical fieldwork skills from university students and the complexities of biological data analysis and scientific writing. The second day was a trip to Shelly Beach in Caloundra where despite the wind and a few spots of rain students put their ecological surveying and species identification skills into action to assess the biodiversity of the rocky shore ecosystem and its abiotic characteristics.
Languages
 
Year 10 Japanese students enjoyed a visit to the Japanese Consulate to learn about career opportunities in Japan and Australia for Japanese speakers. The girls were also interested to learn about the role the Consulate plays in Queensland and they were quizzed about their knowledge of Japanese culture.
Year 9 Japanese students recently shared hot pot (sukiyaki) at Bishamon Japanese restaurant. After a staff demonstration, the girls enjoyed cooking their own food at the table and interacting with the friendly staff.
We are excited to announce that a new subject at MSM was introduced this week - French Extension. Olivia and Cate commenced reading a French play and throughout this course they will further enhance their analytical, creative and critical thinking skills in the French language.
Music Soiree
 
Last Tuesday evening’s performance of  Soiree 4 delighted our audience with small group performances from Wind and Brass Ensembles to solos and duets in Voice, Piano, Euphonium, Flute and Guitar. It is wonderful to encourage these young performers in providing opportunities for them to play and sing to a supportive, public audience.
Positive Education with Year 8

In Positive Education, MSM Year 8 students have investigated and discussed the sleep requirements for essential healthy growth for teenagers. They kept a sleep diary for a week and compared their own sleep habits to those of the National Guidelines (5-13 years require 9-11 hours of uninterrupted sleep and 14-17 years require 8-10 hours of uninterrupted sleep. We then discussed the impact of caffeinated drinks, screen time and a consistent routine on their healthy sleep habits.
MSM Alumni set sights on 2024 Paris Olympics

Congratulations to MSM Alumni and current MSM water polo coaches, Tabitha Jones (Class of 2018) and Sophie Milliken (Class of 2017) on being named in Water Polo Australia’s Paris Olympics and Beyond Squads. These squads recognise the best talent across Australia and our national programs as we move towards Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. We are #MSMPROUD of these two tremendous athletes as they continue to work towards their inspiring dreams.
MSM College Community Groups
Please keep up-to-date with changes to meeting formats.
 P&F Meetings: Please check the Mt St Michael's College App for meeting update notifications.
Alumni Meetings: Please visit the MSM Alumni Association Facebook page for updates.
Parents and Friends Association
Meetings


Stay tuned for the 2022 meeting dates.

For more information about the
MSM Parents and Friends Association,
please click here 

Follow the P&F on Facebook
Alumni Association
Meetings


Monday 29 November - 6pm

For more information about
MSM Alumni Association,
please click here 

Follow our Alumni on Facebook
P&F Association
2022 Committee Executive
Nominations Now Open 

The P&F Association is seeking interest for the President and Secretary Executive Committee positions for 2022. Our P&F supports the College Leadership Team and our students and provides a vital role in bringing our community together. If you are interested and have the capacity to volunteer in one of these positions for 2022, we would love to hear from you. 

To read more and to download a nomination form, please visit the College website - https://www.msm.qld.edu.au/our-community/parents-and-friends. Please send your nomination to pandf@msm.qld.edu.au  
Notices

Supporting our Community -
Ministry Care Programme

Our College is aware that there are students and families within our community who, from time to time, are in need of support due to a variety of factors. As a community, we respond through preparing meals for families experiencing difficult circumstances. If you would like to contribute to the Ministry Care Programme and support those who are going through difficult times, please contact Stephen Campion: scampion@msm.qld.edu.au
Help Support the MSM Environment Group

Support the MSM Environment Group by donating your eligible containers! Bring your containers to school or use our scheme ID when returning to your local depot. Your donations will go towards funding our current and future environmental initiatives.

Mt St Michael's College scheme ID: C10333591
Now available on the College APP!
Mt St Michael’s College is pleased to bring to you the MSM Business Directory. Accessed through our website and APP, this online portal, profiles businesses and provides opportunities to connect with the wider MSM community to promote your services, sales and special offers. 

Many business owners profiled in the MSM Business Directory are long-term friends of the College. They include current and past parents, local businesses and alumni who, together show a commitment to Mt St Michael’s College and support for MSM events, fundraisers and initiatives. 

If you would like to be included in the online MSM Business Directory, simply email msmnews@msm.qld.edu.au

For more information please click here
2021 Term Dates
Term 4
Tuesday 5 October - Friday 19 November - (Year 12 students)

Tuesday 5 October to Friday 26 November - (Years 7-11)  (concluding at 12:30 pm)
Parents are reminded, for the safety of everyone, to DROP students off in the LOADING ZONE area outside the Ionian Centre and avoid areas marked with yellow lines which is against road safety rules. This is dangerous as it blocks other driver’s visibility and obstructs cars from moving around.
Onsite parking in the College grounds; Grantuly, undercover in the Ionian Centre and within the campus near the Sophia Centre is only permitted for staff. In consideration of our neighbours, please refrain from parking across driveways, adhere to the 40 km speed limit and be considerate of those living around the College when dropping and picking up students. Please do not drop off or pick up students within the College grounds.

In consideration for our neighbours, where possible please avoid leaving your motor running, especially when parked outside a home.
Important Links
Copyright © 2021 Mt St Michael's College, All rights reserved.
Mt St Michael's College - MSM News

Our mailing address is:
Mt St Michael's College
67 Elimatta Drive
Ashgrove, QLD 4060
Australia
Add us to your address book
Follow Us On
For archived copies of the Spirit Newsletter
Click here