In Faith and Love,
Sharon Volp
MOTHERS' LUNCH
Tickets are selling fast! Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the 2025 MSM Mothers’ Lunch. Book now to avoid disappointment. This event provides an opportunity for Mothers to indulge in a beautiful lunch and support the MSM Foundation’s Light the Way Capital Campaign through our raffle with some great prizes up for grabs!
Ticket sales will close on Friday 8 August, if not sold out prior.
This event is open to all MSM Mothers and bookings are essential
CAN YOU HELP WITH A PRIZE DONATION?
If you, your business or family can support this event in donating valuable products and services, the Mothers’ Lunch Committee would love to hear from you.
The funds raised at the 2025 Mothers' Lunch are directed to the MSM Foundation's Light the Way Capital Campaign to assist the enhancement of new educational facilities for our MSM students.
For more information, please contact pandfevents@msm.qld.edu.au
FATHER'S DAY BREAKFAST
We are delighted to invite Year 5 students and their fathers to a special Father’s Day Breakfast and Liturgy on Wednesday 3 September from 7:00 to 8:15am in the Sophia Centre. Join us for this memorable occasion and enjoy a delicious breakfast and the lovely company of fellow Year 5 dads, in a pre-Father's Day gathering. Tickets are $25 per person, with bookings closing on Monday 25 August at 5pm.
Congratulations to our wonderful Year 11 students who recently completed their Residential Leadership Retreat “Creative, Courageous Leadership”. Across two very full days, and against the backdrop of Coolum Beach and migrating whales, our students shared their reflections on their MSM journey, celebrated the unique gifts of their cohort and discerned the call to servant leadership. On the final day, they began to plan for their senior year and considered the legacy they wish to leave and how to enact this. The retreat signals the formal commencement of the leadership discernment process for our Year 11 students.
We sincerely thank our Year 11 Pastoral Leader, Mrs Paula Brydon, and the following staff: Ms Wiseman; Ms Klowss; Ms Rapisarda; Ms Conway; Ms O’Neill; Ms Emblem; and Ms Taran; who accompanied the students, and me, on this retreat. Please hold our students in your prayers as they continue in their discernment.
On Friday, we celebrated both the 100th Anniversary of the Sisters of Charity in Queensland and the opening of Mt St Michael’s College. It is a time of celebration and thanks for the mantle of Charity that was started by Mary Aikenhead and the Sisters of Charity in Ireland and that has now extended across the world. The Sisters have made it their life’s mission to seek out and serve the poor and forgotten in every corner of the world. As a Mary Aikenhead Ministries College, we are honoured to continue her work today.
To commence our Mary Aikenhead Day celebrations our students participated in a variety of service learning activities during the morning session. Year 5 made morning tea gift packs for distribution to farming communities by Downs and West Community Support. Year 7 traversed the length and breadth of the campus, completing a scavenger hunt that told the story of Mary and the pioneering Sisters. Year 8 and Year 11 made beautiful gifts for St Vincent’s Hospital and residents of St Vincent’s Aged Care; Year 9 sewed hearts as part of the 1000 Hearts kindness project for St Vincent’s Hospital; Year 10 packed emergency birthing kits for women in developing countries; and Year 12 produced graduation gifts for graduates from Red Hill Special School. My sincere thanks to our hardworking and capable staff for their dedication in supporting our students in their work.
Our Centennial celebrations continued in the afternoon with a joy-filled Mass, presided over by Fr Gerry Kalinowski. We were blessed to be joined by a number of special guests, several of the Sisters, Trustees of Mary Aikenhead Ministries, members of Mary Aikenhead Education, student Alumni and past and present MSM families.
Held at Riverlife, the Mass commenced with a beautiful centenary Drama Reflection written by our Director of Arts Mrs Linda Statham and performed by the students from Drama Club. During the mass we gave thanks for the gift of a Charity Education, prayed for the Sisters as they continue in their ministry, and asked for God’s blessings as we continue to shape the evolving MSM story. Our celebrations concluded with acknowledging the significant contribution of our staff, with presentation of 10 years, 20 years, and 25 years Service Awards. We also witnessed the presentation of legacy pins to our Year 5 students to signal the new chapter in the history of Mt St Michael’s College.
I thank the many students who took part in our Mass, generously using their talents to read; sing; dance; play music; and perform. Their gifts bring such a rich dimension to our Eucharistic Celebrations.
Special thanks to the Centenary Mass Planning Committee; our hard working staff; co-curricular liturgy dance and drama teachers; School Officers – particularly my assistant Ms Harman; our Maintenance Team; our Communications Team; and our IT Team – for making this special day run so smoothly.
We are well and truly in the throes of Term 3 and the energy in the Year 5 classrooms continues to buzz. Already this term, students have been diving into engaging learning experiences – both inside and outside of the classroom.
House Choir
Our Year 5 students enthusiastically joined their House groups this week to rehearse for the upcoming House Choir Competition. Students in each House from Years 5 to 12 will be performing (with singing and choreography!) a song for the College community. I extend a huge thanks to Ms Lennon and the Year 12 students for their leadership and support of Year 5 student participation in this experience.
Year 5 Legacy Pins
At the College Centenary Mass last Friday, the Year 5 cohort was gifted with a legacy pin to wear proudly on their uniforms. This week, these pins were distributed individually to the students as part of a special gathering of Year 5 students and Junior School staff.
Book Week
Book Week will be celebrated at the College in Week 6 of this term. On Tuesday 19 August, students in Year 5 are encouraged to dress as a book character or in an outfit you wear on an adventure as part of our Book Character Parade. We are looking forward to celebrating all things reading-related later this term!
Junior School Positive Behaviours for Learning Awards
Congratulations to the following students for receiving Positive Behaviours for Learning Awards at our Year 5 Assembly this week:
Hannah (5H) - For your diligent application to learning in Science. Hannah, you approach each lesson with curiosity, offer considered responses, and are eager to complete our investigations. Your written responses are thorough and display your super Science knowledge and skills. Keep up the great effort.
Audrey (5H) - Congratulations on being a top contributor to our class discussions. Your consistent willingness to share your understanding and take risks in your learning is truly commendable. This sets a great example for your peers and enriches our classroom environment. By engaging so thoughtfully, you not only deepen your own understanding but also inspire your peers to think critically and participate more actively. Well done.
Audrey (5L) - Audrey, your respect and inclusiveness for others in the classroom truly stands out in 5 Love. You consistently demonstrate kindness and empathy, making everyone feel valued and included. Your positive attitude and thoughtful approach to learning and teamwork sets a wonderful example for others. Keep up the fantastic work!
Adele (5L) - Adele, your perseverance in the face of challenges is inspiring to all. You have started this semester with a “Can Do” attitude, particularly in Mathematics. You seek feedback and are not afraid to ask for help when needed. Your ability to work through times of productive struggle has developed beautifully. Keep up the great work!
Katie Jordan
Head of Junior School
Students from Year 5 all the way through to Year 12 gathered to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Moon Landing with curiosity, laughter, and a little friendly competition.
Organised by our UQ Science Ambassadors: Ayla; Chloe; Keira; Lani; and Sophie; the lunchtime event was all about raising awareness of science through fun. Students watched original footage of the 1969 Moon Landing, then battled it out in a high-energy Kahoot trivia quiz that tested knowledge of astronauts, rockets, and lunar facts. Winners were rewarded with the ultimate prize, a Milky Way (the chocolate kind)! The biggest competition, however, came from the classic party twist Pin the Landing Site on the Moon, where students took some very creative guesses.
It was a fantastic celebration of science history, student leadership, and school spirit, proving once again that science isn’t just for the classroom. It’s for lunchtime too.
MSM Year 7 and 8 students took part in an Eyes Open Social Media - Cyberbullying presentation, last week, as part of our Positive Education Program.
In February 2021, the eSafety Commissioner released their report on the digital lives of Aussie teens. They found that although teenagers’ ability to use technology offers various benefits concerning connectivity and research of topics of interest, there are negative areas they are continuing to experience.
Given these findings and our own commitment to enhancing student digital safety and awareness, this session provided awareness to students of the primary risks and dangers on social media sites, to ensure they are more informed about their use of social media to promote a positive online experience.
We welcomed back two of our wonderful MSM Alumni, Meg Rees and Abby Hewett (class of 2020), who generously gave their time to speak with our Year 12 students. Their session focused on Women in Agriculture, but the messages they shared went far beyond that - offering inspiration, reassurance and real-work advice about navigating life after school.
Meg and Abby shared their personal journeys highlighting the diverse pathways that exist within the agricultural industry, from tertiary study to hands-on and on-the-job learning, A huge thank you to Meg and Abby for their time and generosity. It was a powerful reminder that our alumni community continues to uplift and empower the next generation of MSM students.
This year’s theme highlighted the challenges many Australians face in accessing reading—from socioeconomic barriers to limited resources and evolving literacy needs.
Libraries play a vital role in breaking down these barriers. Through initiatives like Freedom to Read, anti-censorship efforts, and support for literacy, digital inclusion, and multicultural engagement, libraries empower communities.
At MSM Library, students explored these issues through a thought-provoking Banned Book Display, encouraging advocacy for the right to read.
Harry Potter’s Birthday Trivia
On Thursday, 31st July, MSM Library transformed into a magical hub to celebrate Harry Potter’s Birthday with a themed KAHOOT trivia challenge. Students gathered in teams of up to five to test their knowledge in two exciting rounds, Book Trivia and Movie Trivia.
The event was a great success, with enthusiastic participation, friendly competition, and plenty of laughter. A big thank you to everyone who joined in and made the celebration truly magical!
As part of the 2025 Book Week theme Book an Adventure, MSM Library invites students to share their real or imagined journeys.
Whether you’ve hiked the Daintree or discovered Atlantis, your story belongs on a postcard!
How to Enter:
Collect a blank postcard from the library. Submit your entry by Tuesday, 12th August at 3pm.
Prizes:
- Best Written Entry
- Best Illustration
At the regional final this week, they played a very tough opponent in St Therese’s Catholic College and although they fought hard the entire game, the skills and experience of the St Therese’s team were too good for us on the day.
Well done to our senior team in their effort and the joy in which they competed in the QSchools competition. We were proud to watch you play with such joy and passion!
During term 3 all MSM aerobics teams competed in the FISAF State Championships. Four of our teams have progressed through to the National Championships where they will compete against the best in the country. MSM teams “Courage”, “Power” and “Love” and our individual competitor (our Athletics Captain) Annie Jenkins, will compete at the end of August and continue to train in preparation for this National Championships. Best of luck girls!
Our ISSA team played a hard fought game against Somerset College, but unfortunately we were beaten 1-0. Our team performed incredibly competitively and should be commended on their effort in the first season for many of them.
Best of luck to our Uhlsport team who will play their elimination final against West Moreton Anglican College on Monday 4/8. A win will see them progress through to the semi finals.
Mila O recently competed in the Queensland Representative School Sport Cross Country State Championships.
Mila’s relay team proudly ran for their region and delivered an outstanding performance, winning the gold medal at the event - State Champions - 12 years!
Our sincere congratulations to Mila – we are so proud of her gold medal achievement!
Asha continues to make MSM pround with her hard work and success in swimming.
Congratulations Alicia!
Recently, MSM Year 12 student, Caitlin R and her horse, Trumby, competed in the QLD Inter-school State Equestrian Championships across Combined Training and Showjumping classes. Fellow MSM student, Elsa L, and her horse, Fabio, also attended for Combined Training.
Both girls represented MSM with grace, grit and great sportsmanship. They came away with some top 10 placings, competing in very large classes. We offer both girls congratulations for taking part so competently in the competition.
Thank you to our MSM families who have purchased a heart in support of our Light the Way Capital Campaign.
Funds raised will be used to support college initiatives, ensuring that future generations of Mt St Michael’s students can receive the very best education.
All donations are tax-deductible and heart plaques will be mounted and blessed on Mary Aikenhead Day.
Please note there has been a change to the 2025 Fee Schedule.
A fee of $20 including GST is charged for all failed payments on a payment schedule.This fee will apply to both the initial failed payment and any retry payments. This is a fee charged by School EasyPay.
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
67 Elimatta Drive
Ashgrove, QLD 4060
Australia
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