The MSM Foundation Raffle is on again! This is your chance to WIN $2,500 credit towards tuition fees or $1,500 cash prize*.  

Tickets start from $20 and can be purchased via the link below.  Proceeds will be directed to the Light the Way Capital Campaign, assisting the College to light the way for current and future generations of MSM students through the enhancement of new educational facilities. Tickets are limited so the odds are on your side. 

Ticket sales close Tuesday 25 November with the winner to be drawn on Wednesday 26 November at 10am AEST.

*Terms and conditions apply.

Welcome to Term 4
It is a pleasure to welcome all families back to Term 4. I trust that you enjoyed a restful and rejuvenating holiday break. As we embark on this final term of the year, we enter a season of both celebration and reflection within our school community.

Over the coming weeks, we look forward to several significant events, including the Co-curricular Celebration Assembly on Tuesday, 14 October, the Sports Celebration Breakfast on 17 October, and MSM Celebrates on 23 October. These occasions provide us with wonderful opportunities to come together and acknowledge the achievements and contributions of our students and staff.

As our Year 12 students approach their final five days of classes next week, we extend our very best wishes to them in preparing for their external exams.

Excellence in Teaching Award
We are delighted to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr Caroline Taran (Biology and Science teacher), who has been honoured with a Queensland College of Teachers Excellence in Teaching Award. This recognition celebrates Dr Taran’s outstanding commitment to enriching science education through real-world projects and her leadership in advancing evidence-based teaching at a national level. Dr Taran is one of 31 distinguished award winners who will be recognised on 31 October, World Teachers’ Day. 

Prayer for Year 12 Students
Welcome back to Term 4. As the springtime azaleas around Grantuly begin to fade, the jacarandas on the Convent Lawn have started to bloom. Summer is almost here, and our thoughts turn now to graduation. Today, our Year 12 students and their mothers gathered beneath the purple canopy to celebrate the first of our graduation events. As the Class of 2025 finishes classes and begins final preparations for external exams, we hold each student in our prayers:
 
Loving God,
Like the jacarandas that bloom on our campus,
May our Year 12 students:
maintain deep roots of integrity 
stand tall in adversity 
shelter the needy 
and shine gloriously for all to see.
 
Bless and keep each one, 
for they are precious to us. 
 
In faith and love, we pray
Amen 
 
Project Providence Concludes
I am delighted to announce that Project Providence has been one of our most successful major fundraisers to date. This week, the College donated an extraordinary $16,411.58 to the Religious Sisters of Charity in Ireland, allowing them to bestow two education scholarships to female students in Nigeria and Malawi. The funds raised exceeded our initial goal of $15,000 and will fund the total cost of a secondary education for two young women who would otherwise not have the opportunity to go to high school. The Sisters are delighted and very touched by the generosity of our community, and the legacy of this project will live on for many years. 
 
I would like to sincerely thank every person who so generously donated funds to this life-changing project. Particular thanks must go to our College Captains Ellen and Ava and Mission Captains Tully and Sophia for their exceptional leadership. 

Term 4 Interact Project
With Project Providence now concluded, we will use Term 4 to raise funds and awareness for our Interact Group's project. This year, Interact is raising funds for Zephyr Education, a Queensland based charity that provides emergency education supplies to young people affected by domestic violence. 
 
Each year, hundreds of children in Queensland are forced to flee their homes and seek emergency shelter in Queensland, often needing to leave quickly and without any possessions. For school-aged children, leaving a violent home also means that a change of school is required. Zephyr assists these young people by providing school uniforms, stationery, electronics and school essentials so that they can begin at their new school with dignity. We are very proud to support this hope-filled work, and will raise funds throughout Term 4.
 
Year 12: $5 for Final Five 
As a way of supporting Project Zephyr's life-changing work, the College is inviting our Year 12 students to donate $5 to participate in the dress up fun of Final Five Week. This is one final opportunity for the Class of 2025 to show the spirit of Charity by supporting young people in need. Cash donations can be given to Year 12 homeroom teachers on the first day of the Final Five, or students may make a card donation by seeing me. 
 
Coming Soon: Vinnies Christmas Appeal
Our Missions of St Vincent group is busily preparing for our annual Christmas donation drive for Vinnies. This wonderful, long standing tradition makes a meaningful difference to local families. Missions of St Vincent will share some updates with homerooms in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, please consider dropping a few extra grocery or Christmas items into your trolley to donate to families who are facing a difficult Christmas. 

Student Leadership Change of Guard
A very warm welcome back to school for our final term of 2025. On the last day of Term 3, we celebrated the Commissioning of the 2026 Student Leadership Team and followed this up with our SLT Farewell Assembly on Tuesday, where our 2025 Student Leadership Team shared stories of challenges and triumph and expressed their gratitude to their mentors. We also facilitated a SLT handover where our 2025 leaders shared their wisdom and expert tips with their 2026 counterparts. We are looking forward to a busy and rewarding year of student leadership at MSM from now and into 2026.

Uniform Reminders
Upon the return to school after the holidays, it is always a good time to ensure we get the ‘little things’ right. To this end, I am encouraging girls to check that they have all the required uniform items, and that they have their names clearly marked on each item…. especially hats!

A reminder that skirts are to be knee length, that only the College (not team) sports shorts are to be worn for HPE classes and that plain white socks (not branded) are uniform regulation. The formal uniform is to be worn to and from the College, and students are required to change into and out of their sports uniform for HPE or Dance classes either at the end of the lesson or during the nearest break time.

Please assist your daughters in organising for the school week and ensuring that there is a washing routine that enables them to wear the appropriate uniform each day.

Lost Property
As we begin the new term, it is an opportune moment to remind everyone about the lost property that is currently displayed outside Student Reception. Many items, including uniforms, water bottles, and books, have been collected over the past term. We encourage students to check the lost property area for any of their missing belongings. Please take a few minutes to reclaim your lost items and help us keep our school environment organised and tidy.

Late Arrivals
Our Pastoral Leaders have been working hard to monitor and address the number of late arrivals at the College each day. Although we understand that there will be anomalous circumstances whereby a student may be late, there are an increasing number of unacceptable ‘reasons’ given. In terms of routine and effective engagement with their learning, it is essential that students arrive at the College in advance of the 8:30am homeroom start time.

All late sign ins must be accompanied by a parent note in the diary, phone call or email to Student Reception. Any other ‘lates’ will be followed up, and students will need to make up the time that they have missed. It is essential that we work in partnership to support your daughters to meet this expectation and develop positive time management skills that will serve them well now and in the future.

For the Love of Totes
At MSM we have a strong attachment to our tote bags, and they serve the wonderful purpose for girls to carry their books and stationery between classes. Unfortunately, some of our totes are put under undue pressure with additional items and quickly end up in disrepair. I would ask that girls with very worn tote bags replace them to ensure their items are not falling out the bottom or that shoulder straps are not fraying or broken. It is also important to note that under no circumstances are laptops to be carried in tote bags as they do not provide any protection from weather or activity and laptop damage caused by this will not be covered by insurance. I understand the MSM passion for the tote, however in order to protect its longevity students must restrict its use to the intended purpose.

Thank you for your support in all of the above, it is very much appreciated.

Welcome Back to Term 4 
Welcome back to Term 4! I hope all students and families enjoyed a restful and refreshing break. It is hard to believe we have reached the final term of the school year — a time that always brings a wonderful mix of focus, excitement, and celebration. As we begin these busy weeks ahead, I’d like to share a few reminders to help everyone start the term with confidence and clarity.

Semester 2 Assessment Calendars
Term 4 is our shortest term, so planning ahead is key. I encourage every student to take some time this week to look over their Semester 2 Assessment Calendar and map out their study commitments for the next seven weeks.

A great deal of care goes into preparing these calendars — Mrs Kean (Program Leader – Senior School) and Mrs Larkings (Program Leader – Middle School) spend many hours ensuring that assessment dates are well balanced and clearly communicated. Students can find their individualised calendars in their eDiary on Student Café, and I encourage them to check these regularly to stay organised and on track.

Year 12 Independent Study Week and External Examinations
Next Friday, 17 October, marks a significant milestone — the final day of classes for our Year 12 students. The following week, they begin Independent Study Week, preparing for their external examinations.

As the Class of 2025 prepares to take their final steps at the College, we wish them every success in their examinations. Their dedication, persistence, and spirit throughout the year have been inspiring, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements in the coming weeks.

Commencement of Unit 3 for Year 11 Students
Our Year 11 students have now begun their Unit 3 studies — an exciting new stage in their academic journey. From this point forward, assessment in General subjects will contribute towards their final ATAR result, so consistent effort and organisation are essential.

A reminder to parents and caregivers that the Unit 3 & 4 Booklist and Stationery Requirements are available under Resources for Parents on the College website. Please ensure your daughter has the necessary materials for each subject so she can engage fully in her learning.

Welcome back to Term 4, our final term of the school year. I hope the holiday break provided your family with time to rest, recharge and enjoy special moments together.

Term 4 is always an exciting and busy time in the life of our College. Alongside the continuation of engaging teaching and learning in the Year 5 classrooms, we look forward to many upcoming community celebrations. In particular, over the next three weeks, we look forward to events that will highlight the talents and achievements of our Junior School students, including the Co-Curricular Assembly, MSM Sports Breakfast and MSM Celebrates ceremony.

Term 3 MSM Cares Project – Nude Food Day
Our Term 3 MSM Cares Project Team (Eva, Sophia and Amelia) invited all students in the College to participate in Nude Food Day on the last Thursday of Term 3. The day highlighted the importance of reducing single-use plastics and caring for our environment.

The students in Year 5, along with students in other year levels across the College, embraced the challenge by bringing their snacks and lunches in reusable containers. The two Year 5 classes tallied the number of non-reusable food wrappings, with 5 Hope winning the prize for having the lowest number of wrappers on the day. Each student who brought a ‘nude food lunch’ presented their lunchbox to our MSM Cares volunteers, and received a raffle ticket for a nude food prize. Congratulations to Charlee in 5 Love for winning the raffle!

Stay tuned for further information about our Term 4 MSM Cares project!
 
Year 5 Term 4 Excursion – ‘Eureka Excursions’
As a culminating experience for our recent learning in HASS, we are very excited to attend a full-day interactive learning program at Eureka Excursions. The program is set in a simulated New South Wales goldfield township of 1854. Students will be immersed in Australia’s history and culture through role-plays, tent making, observation and mapping activities.

Parents and caregivers, we ask that you please give permission for your daughter to attend this excursion via Parent Lounge.

Junior School Positive Behaviours for Learning Awards
Congratulations to the following students for receiving Positive Behaviours for Learning Awards at our last Junior School Assembly of Term 3:

Neve (5H) - Neve, you are a respectful learner in our MSM community. The kindness that you demonstrate towards other students has a positive impact in our classroom each day. You interact with teachers and staff with courtesy, respect and a sense of gratitude.  It is evident that you are proud to be an MSM student through your actions and words.  

Claudia (5H) - For your active engagement in our learning, particularly in Maths groups this term. Claudia, you have shown a keen interest in demonstrating your knowledge and skills. It is fantastic to see you engage with increased confidence and application to your work. Keep up the great effort. 

Anna (5L) - Anna demonstrates respectful learning by actively engaging in group tasks and contributing thoughtful ideas. Her collaborative spirit and willingness to listen and share make her a valued member of the 5 Love classroom. It was particularly great to see her share her skills with the group in our soccer fun day. Well done Anna on showing such positive learning behaviours!

Mila (5L) - Mila, it has been awesome to watch you gain both courage and confidence this year. Each term you have become more engaged and focused in your learning, and the results are showing. You truly are a resilient learner who is making the most of every opportunity. Congratulations, Mila!

Katie Jordan
Head of Junior School