While this is undoubtedly not what we had planned, we are committed to ensuring the continuation of learning and college activities. Excursions and other events have resumed to restore some much-needed structure and rhythm.

I have spoken with some or our new staff about their experiences transitioning to MSM under these atypical circumstances:

Jeni Emblem – Science Teacher 
MSM is a very welcoming, supporting, and caring college, with an outstanding leadership team that reached out to me during the floods. The Science department is very responsive to my contributions and extremely collegial. Students are highly dedicated to their studies, which is aided by the most helpful and inclusive learning team I have ever seen.

Maria Conway -Teacher of English, Religion, and the Humanities.
Staff and students made my transition to the new school year a pleasure. I was awed by the community's outreach in the online environment at the start of the year. Students are very helpful, kind, and polite always willing to reach out and support. 

We look forward to a continuation of routine in the remaining weeks of Term 1.

Project Compassion 

This week we look at the use of ‘Concrete Examples’ as a strategy to reinforce new learning. This is a skill that would be used quite often in classrooms from Year 7 – 12 when a teacher explains a new concept and is characterised using specific examples to assist in understanding abstract ideas.

In terms of a study technique, students should develop concrete examples of an abstract concept, once it has been discussed in class, so they are able to solidify the learning in their own mind. Abstract ideas can be vague and difficult to grasp, as the human brain is designed to remember concrete information better than abstract information. Therefore, when learning abstract and complex ideas, students should aim to create their own specific and concrete examples. Students should then check their example with their teacher for accuracy, correct any parts that are not quite right and then look to find another example. This practice should assist their brain to frame their understanding of these concepts with concrete, easy to remember, examples.

 

Mathematics Tutoring

The MSM Maths Tutorial booking system has been launched this week. Students in Years 7 – 12 are welcome to book a 10-minute session to focus on a particular topic or question that they may need additional support with. Bookings are available between 7:30am – 5:00pm and are to be made at least 12 hours in advance. Students need to ensure that they are in their MSM uniform when chatting to a Mathematics teacher on Teams. The link to the booking system can be accessed by clicking here.

Attendance at School

Regular attendance at school is critical for your daughter’s learning and development. If your daughter is going to be absent during the term, parents need to request approval for this absence in writing from Ms Volp. While the value of a family vacation is accepted, as is the occasional need for attendance at events in term time, priority must be given to regular school attendance. This is particularly the case if your daughter’s absence will involve missing end-of-term assessment.

Extension requests

There are circumstances that arise where your daughter can apply for an extension to an assessment deadline. Please note that, as per QCAA guidelines, family holidays during term time are not valid reasons for an extension. If your daughter falls behind in her studies, generally through illness or misadventure, then she is entitled to apply to modify her assessment deadlines. If your daughter feels that she may need to negotiate her deadlines, then I strongly encourage her to have a conversation with either Ms Lilley, Program Leader Middle School, for students in Years 7 – 9 or Ms Howe, Program Leader Senior School, for students in Years 10 - 12. Ms Lilley and Ms Howe are in the best position to ascertain whether your daughter will meet the requirements for adjustments to be made.  Please note that any request must be made at least 48 hours before the due date.

Absences when assessment is due

If your daughter is absent on a day when she has assignment due, your daughter is still expected to submit her assessment digitally using the process required for the specific subject. If your daughter is absent on the day that she is scheduled to sit an examination, please note that she will be required to complete the examination when she is back at the College either in a catch-up session during the school day or at a curriculum catch up on Thursday afternoon. Students will be expected to complete their missed examination as soon as practicable.