Last week we enjoyed a wonderful series of activities to celebrate the graduation of the Class of 2021. On Wednesday 17 November Fr Gerry Kalinowski from Jubilee Parish celebrated our Graduation Eucharist with our 131 Year 12 students and their families present in the Sophia Centre. Special thank you to the members of the College Choir and the Year 8 and 9 Choir for sharing the gift of their voices which added to the sacredness of the occasion.
In my address I referenced the beautiful prayer card that was organised by Sr Anne Taylor on behalf of the Sisters of Charity designed especially for the Graduands of 2021. There are two images on the prayer card; the first is of a surfer carrying a surfboard and the flip side has a strong, magnificent wave. I used the waves as a metaphor for their journey at MSM. The Graduands of 2021 were able to “ride the wave” in the watchful presence of our God.
When you surf, you don’t make a wave. You don’t know when the wave’s coming – it just happens, it moves and once you’re on it, it’s got a power of its own. You don’t manipulate it – you just get on it and go along for the ride.
We congratulate the Class of 2021 on their achievements and thank them for their contributions to MSM. You rode the wave and “Got IT done in 2021!”
Go out in joy, as you celebrate your achievements here.
Go out in compassion, with kindness and blessings to give away
Go out in hope, knowing that the love of God will lead your way.
Congratulations to the Year 11 Students who produced a wonderful walk down memory lane in their “This Is Your Life” farewell tribute to the Year 12 students.
As I reflect upon another year that has been disrupted by COVID, I am grateful for the amazing staff of MSM, teaching and non-teaching. We have had to continue to be flexible, responsive, and creative in so many ways this year. THANK YOU!
At the end of the year, we also farewell staff members who are leaving our community. I would like to thank and acknowledge the following staff for their valued contributions to the MSM community.
- Mr Stephen Campion
- Ms Lucia Del Vecchio
- Ms Tania Gallen
- Ms Kitty Gatling
- Mrs Sharmila Kulkarni
- Ms Fiona Mackie
- Ms Natarsha Moloney.
Today students will have received the 2021 College Magazine “Voices”. Thank you to all who have contributed articles. A huge thank you to Ms Fleur Kelly and Ms Danielle Ferris for the countless hours that they have spent producing this fantastic record of the activities of 2021.
Our last activity of the year is our Advent Liturgy. It is wonderful to gather in a prayerful way for our final activity for 2021.
May you have the gift of FAITH, the blessing of HOPE and the peace of LOVE this Christmas.
Have a safe and relaxing holiday and see you in 2022!
In faith and love,
Sharon Volp
Principal
Our celebration was focused on our preparations for the coming of the Christ child in our midst and our prayer filled celebration was gloriously enhanced by our College Choir, our Year 7 and 8 Choir, our College Band and our Liturgical Dancers.
Environment Group Presidents Isabelle (2021) and Alice (2022) were honoured to represent MSM at the WasteSmart Brisbane awards ceremony at City Hall. MSM was selected as finalists in the School’s category in recognition of our successful Waste Hub program, launched in January 2021. Not only did the judging panel select us as winners of the school’s category, but we also won the People’s Choice award! The People’s Choice award considered all finalists from all categories, and was selected by public vote. The People’s Choice award is particularly meaningful for the Environment Group as it shows that the wider MSM community supports and appreciates the work we are doing to improve environmental sustainability at MSM. Thank you to everyone who voted and congratulations Environment Group!
In 2020 MSM House Captains set themselves a challenge. Their goal was to increase the connectedness and house spirit for all students at MSM. Their aim was to provide students with a small house family within their larger MSM family, so that they could feel a sense of belonging and pride within their house. COVID significantly interrupted their plans in 2020 so they challenged this years (2021) House Captains with this task.
Our House Captains in 2021, Ainslea, Jasmine, Lucinda and Holly accepted this challenge with open hearts and they agreed that alongside the captains who had come before them, they would make house spirit their legacy. The House Spirit Cup was born from their enthusiasm.
From this year the House Spirit Cup will be an annual award given to the house that throughout the year embraces spirit through participation at various house events, whose students show continual effort and enthusiasm to represent their house through colour and voice and who display an impressive and obvious pride and sense of belonging to their house.
The captains this year have done a wonderful job in rallying their house sisters! The house points this year were awarded to each house from Swimming Carnival stands, the Athletics Carnival stands, the Cross-country fun run, the Year 8 Handball Competition, Year 8 Crazy Sock Competition, Mary Aikenhead Day, Term 1 Cheer Competition and the Easter Egg Hunt.
On Thursday 18 November as we farewelled our 2021 Seniors, we got to also crown our inaugural House Spirit Champion House – Aikenhead. Congratulations to Ainslea and the entire Aikenhead family.
Year 9 Business students have enjoyed actively participating in The School’s Sharemarket Game - an online resource designed by the Australian Securities Exchange for students across Australia and the Pacific to play and learn about making decisions the stock/shares, company structures and industries and the factors that influence their volatile pricing. Students in Year 9 Business played the game in syndicates or individually and went through processes of research and making decisions. The market during the game in Term 3 and Term 4 was very volatile – prices were constantly trending upwards and then downwards very quickly.
There were four students (2 in a syndicate) who have the opportunity to accept a small prize from Business Teachers for showing diligence in their decisions and working with either their initial gut feelings about the market; or researching diligently to make their great choices.
The goal was to stay above the red line – a lot of syndicates were able to achieve this goal. The four students who were at the top of the Mt St Michael’s Leaderboard were:
Syndicate JEZ (Jenah and Ynez)
GOD – (Charlie)
Nina – (Nina)
Well done Year 9 Business students for having some fun and working with the game and all its complexities.
from the Mt St Michael's College Community
The College administration closes on Friday10 December and reopens on Monday 17 January 2022.
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.
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
Meetings
Stay tuned for the 2022 meeting dates.
For more information about
MSM Alumni Association,
please click here
Follow our Alumni on Facebook
Nominations
The P&F Association is seeking interest for the role of Secretary to support the Executive Committee for 2022. The P&F Association provides a vital role in bringing our community together. If you are interested and have the capacity to volunteer in 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
Term 1
Tuesday 25 January – Friday 1 April
Term 2
Wednesday 20 April – Friday 17 June
Term 3
Tuesday 12 July – Friday 16 September
Term 4
Tuesday 4 October – Friday 18 November (Year 12)
Tuesday 4 October – Friday 25 November (Years 7-11)
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
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
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
Slow down!
The Brisbane City Council, in coordination with The Gap Ward Office, recently erected an additional 40 km/h school zone limit and traffic signs facing incoming traffic along Elimatta Drive and Aloomba Road following a request from Mt St Michael’s College to investigate the traffic management in the school vicinity.
A safety project endorsed by Mt St Michael’s College’s Work Health and Safety (WHS) Committee.
In consideration for our neighbours, where possible please avoid leaving your motor running, especially when parked outside a home.
Mt St Michael's College - MSM News
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Mt St Michael's College
67 Elimatta Drive
Ashgrove, QLD 4060
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