Yesterday at the Interhouse Athletics Carnival we were blessed with a magnificent winter’s day. It was wonderful to see so many students demonstrating "house spirit” with their costumes and their cheering. I always enjoy watching the students support each other as they participate in the various track and field activities – there is usually lots of words of encouragement, congratulations and the occasional hug. Thank you to Ms Roy and Ms Page for their organisation of the Carnival and to the staff who assisted in running the event and accompanying students on the buses to UQ.
Being together in community is so important. It is finally starting to feel like we a moving into a time that is transitioning to being “more normal”. Today’s Indigenous Reconciliation Liturgy is another event where we gather in community more formally. Thank you to Ms Simpson and all who were involved in this special liturgy. For me a very significant and moving moment was when the students proceeded in with the copy of the Uluru Statement from the Heart to “A Song of Hope” by Katie Noonan.
Today we also farewelled three staff members who have made significant contributions to MSM.
Mrs Jan Woods has been the College Receptionist for more than 30 years. In this role she has been the first person that many parents and students have encountered when they enter the College. Mrs Woods has demonstrated deep love of MSM and she has always strived to give the best of care to our students. I have been privileged to be the fourth Principal to have worked with Mrs Woods and on behalf of the MSM Community I wish her all the best for her retirement.
Ms Juliette Bentley has been a teacher at MSM for more than 20 years. As a teacher of Religious Education and English, Ms Bentley has cared for her students with warmth and enthusiasm. Her legacy is the Writers Club which she established and has brought together hundreds of our students on Friday afternoons to share their love of writing. We wish Ms Bentley best wishes as she begins the next chapter of her life.
Ms Kath Page has worked in the sports department for the last 8 years. She has been integral to the success of our sporting program. I cannot recall a sporting event where Ms Page has not been on the sidelines. As a member of our Alumni she is acknowledged as “MSM’s greatest supporter”. We wish her all the best as she embarks on a career change.
We also thank Mr Andy Bertram as his contract as Teacher Assistant in the Innovation Centre concludes.
We have four staff taking leave in Term 3:
- Ms Sissi Lilley (Program Leader - Middle School) is taking long service leave for Semester 2.
- Ms Kate Sargent (Curriculum Leader - Senior School Mathematics) is taking long service leave for Term 3.
- Ms Hayley McMahon (College Psychologist) – is taking parental leave expecting her first child in August.
- Mrs Liz Caddaye is taking long service leave for Semester 2.
Next term we welcome back to MSM Ms Deb Machen who has been enjoying long service leave.
I wish all of our students, staff and their families a safe and happy holiday as you enjoy a well-deserved break.
In faith and love
Sharon Volp
Principal
Congratulations to current MSM parent, Pari who is the winner of our Term 2, 2022 College Fees Raffle. Pari will receive $2500 credit towards her daughter’s tuition fees.
Thank you to the entire MSM College community for generously contributing to our raffle in support of the Sisters of Charity Scholarships.
Spirit Of The Arts Festival
Wednesday 31 August
5 - 8pm
Mt St Michael's College
Mothers' Lunch
Friday 19 August
11:30am - 3:30pm
Rydges South Bank, Brisbane
Further information and ticket release dates available in Term 3.
A reminder that our Vinnies Winter appeal will continue until the end of week 2 of next term. As the winter weather envelopes Brisbane, and our days become shorter, we remember those who struggle to clothe themselves, those who live in insecure or unsafe accommodation and those who are hungry. Your donations of food items, toiletries and warm clothing will go directly to local families in need.
Our Social Justice Council proudly represented the College at two significant community events recently: the rescheduled Teralba Park Sorry Day dawn ceremony and Multicultural Australia’s Luminous Lantern parade at Southbank Parklands.
The Teralba Park Ceremony was a deeply moving event. It was wonderful to see past MSM pupil Jasmine Armstrong, who delivered a powerful message on behalf of First Nations children in Canada who were also victims of abuse, harm and forced removal at the hands of Canadian Authorities. Our students laid a wreath at the Teralba Park memorial in memory of all who were stolen from their families.
Multicultural Australia’s Luminous Lantern parade was a wonderful, hope-filled community event signaling welcome to refugees and asylum seekers who now call Queensland home. Our students worked with our art department to create beautiful lanterns and were proud to march with thousands of Queenslanders to promote solidarity and inclusion.
We concluded our term with a powerful Indigenous Reconciliation liturgy, focusing on the enduring wisdom of our First Nations people and their strong connection to country. Our First Nations students were joined by more than 150 readers, dance, drama and music students to create a moving and challenging prayer Liturgy. My thanks to our incredible performing arts staff for their generous support of our Liturgy program. As we approach NAIDOC week (3 – 10 July), I share with you this prayer from our Indigenous Reconciliation Liturgy:
God of the Dreaming, our ancient heart,
For thousands of years, you have spoken wisdom to the people of this land: teaching them, guiding them, and helping them to care for the land and each other.
Today our nation needs your wisdom and your guiding hand more than ever.
Here, we hold the wisdom of the oldest continuing living cultures on earth. Help us to listen – to really listen – to your voice spoken through theirs.
May your blessing be upon all Elders who keep the song lines strong.
May your blessing be upon all young people, who are growing strong in culture.
And may your blessing be upon all who work for Reconciliation and justice.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
The Rosies Student Engagement Program is underway for 2022. Rosies is a not-for-profit organisation run by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, an Order of the Catholic Church which spends time with the marginalized, abandoned, isolated and lonely members of our community. MSM Year 11 students have shown their enthusiasm for taking up the challenge to step outside their comfort zones and attend the outreach. Rosies is about social inclusion, and offers a drink and a chat, providing patrons with a sense of inclusion increasing self-worth, directly impacting their physical and mental wellbeing.
Four groups have undertaken the outreach, with six groups still to attend. While our students are a little apprehensive on their way to the Rosies headquarters, they thoroughly enjoy engaging with the many patrons, some homeless, and many marginalised, and listening to their stories. The girls come home filled with a new appreciation for all the things that many of us take for granted – food, shoes, warm clothes, security and a social network.
Year 11 Homerooms have been collecting various donations for Rosies including share packs of food, sugar and toiletries, while the staff have been collecting socks.
Thanks must go to the teachers who have volunteered their time to accompany the girls on each outreach. The opportunity to volunteer for this outreach encourages the development of empathy, self-esteem and leadership and helps the students to embrace the Rosies motto, ‘Rosies…Friends on the Street’.
Why will some public spaces be accessed by many people, and yet other spaces are not? As part of their studies regarding the challenges facing Brisbane, MSM Year 11 geography classes spent the day in the Brunswick Street Mall gathering data related to the issues facing this space. Using the field work data relating to pedestrian numbers and use, traffic surveys, site maps, urban transects and conflicting land use, and a Crime Prevention Through Design audit, the Senior Geography students will define what specific elements makes the mall less attractive to the general public and decide what strategies can be implemented to transform the Brunswick Mall into a quality public space.
Year 9 Dance investigated Popular Dance this term! Students were busy working away adapting their own So You Think You Can Dance Routine in a genre of their choice. Hip-hop, contemporary, lyrical, and jazz – the students selected a vast array of genres to develop their technical and expressive skills. Well done, Year 9 Dance!
This term in Year 7 Religious Education, students have learnt about ancient Old Testament narratives and patriarchs of the Christian tradition, such as Noah, Abraham and Moses. They explored how stories of these patriarchs have also influenced beliefs in Judaism and Islam. To do this, students explored sacred texts like the Torah as well as Jewish Holy Days like Passover. Students also had the experience of trying a date, an ancient fruit from the Arabian Peninsula, that plays a big part in Islamic festivals. Many students had not tried dates before but were tempted by the Aussie twist of a chocolate coating and 100s and 1000s!
Congratulations to MSM Year 11 student, Hannah who has been selected in the 2022 Junior Dolphins team. We wish Hannah all the very best with her preparations for the FINA World Junior Swimming Championships in Peru in August.
Click here to read more on the success of Shelby's team tour.
Well done to Year 11 student, Elise who was selected in the U19 QLD team, named at the conclusion of the event. The team who finished in fifth place overall was grateful for the motivating and encouraging support they received from team Manager and MSM teacher, Miss Lanigan.
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
Next Meeting - Monday 15 August, 6pm
Please click here for information on 2022 meeting dates and to find out more about the MSM Parents and Friends Association.
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Meetings
Next Meeting - Monday 20 June, 6pm
Please click here for information on 2022 meeting dates and to find out more about the
MSM Alumni Association.
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Term 1
Monday 31 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)
Help support the Downs & West Community Support Appeal - Click here to make a donation.
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 [email protected].
For more information please click here
Cold weather is coming and we have the answer to keeping warn on those windy, cold days - Downs & West Community Support charity stall! Yes, we are back again on Tuesday 28th June to Friday 1st July at Brookside with a variety of beautiful, handcrafted winter woollies including items for sale for children and babies. Our crotched rugs are amazing.
The stall will be at the Brookside Shopping Centre, Mitchelton and will be located outside Terry White Chemist and T.K.Max from 9am to around 4.30pm except on Friday 25th when we close at 1.30pm. For any further information please see Sr Christine Henry on 0414324682.
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
Australia
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