A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?
Please find below a statement from the Board of Mary Aikenhead Education Ltd (MAEL) regarding its position on the voice to parliament referendum. It is the hope of the MAEL Board that this statement will contribute positively to community discernment in relation to the referendum.
2 Corinthians 5:14
This is the beating heart of every Mary Aikenhead Education college.
At the heart of Catholic colleges conducted under the stewardship of Mary Aikenhead Ministries lies a renewed animation of the spirit of Venerable Mary Aikenhead and the tradition of the Sisters of Charity of Australia. Our inheritance is the gift of the charism and ministry of Venerable Mary Aikenhead passed to us by the Sisters of Charity of Australia for faithful stewardship under Mary Aikenhead Ministries.
As an education ministry we are obliged to read the signs of the times in light of the Gospel through discerning where we are being called to ministry, particularly through a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable; a considered and effective response to the needs of others and our world; and a demonstrated commitment to our Catholic faith by enlivening the Gospel values of justice, hope, compassion, and love.
When Mary Aikenhead founded the Sisters of Charity in 1815, she included a fourth vow – that of service of the poor. This vow, which was to distinguish her Sisters and their work in the world, also provides a distinctive focus for a Mary Aikenhead Education college.
Understanding that the love of Christ impels us to be of service to the poor through recognising and responding to the human vulnerability of all whom we meet is at the core of our work in education.
Today our colleges understand this imperative as a call to awareness of, and a practical and active responsiveness to, the vulnerability in all of humanity and the world. It places us in relationship with those who lack, or are barred from, access to what is fundamental to the development of full human potential and the recognition of individual dignity.
In the spirit of Venerable Mary Aikenhead, and in line with the values of Mary Aikenhead Ministries, our commitment to preferential option for the poor summons all in our colleges to right action to address disadvantage, including vigorous and rigorous advocacy – to provide a voice for those who have been silenced and oppressed; to seek solutions which embed justice and mercy in social structures and relationships; and to pursue change which creates opportunity and encourages engagement. Effective advocacy requires the ability to listen carefully and with an open heart to what is needed rather than deciding what is wanted. In fidelity to this imperative, as members of a Mary Aikenhead Education community, each of us is called to individually reflect deeply upon situations which marginalise and exclude, and to seek ways to address injustice and inequality.
The upcoming referendum on the voice to parliament provides each of us with the opportunity to search our hearts to discern how we will bring to life the hopes of our tradition through being people who listen intently to the dispossessed, to address past wrongs, to walk with the excluded, and deliver practical responses and structures to empower and include. It is an opportunity to live the values and mission of our colleges, to be bold in the pursuit of justice and to be faithful to the lives and living actions of Mary Aikenhead and the Sisters of Charity.
Recognising that the Australian Bishops support the Uluru Statement from the Heart which includes a voice to parliament, Mary Aikenhead Education supports a YES vote in the forthcoming referendum.
May we always try to act with justice and truth.
Mary Aikenhead.
Sharon Volp
We look forward to celebrating the sporting success and significant contributions of our MSM students at our annual Sports Celebration Breakfast on Friday 13 October, 6:45am. Invitations have been forwarded to award recipients and their parents/caregivers. Last chance to purchase tickets - bookings close 9pm tonight.
Welcome back to the final term of the year! Next week, as our Year 12 students enter their final week of classes and prepare for External Exams, we keep them in our prayers. I am confident that all of our Year 12 students have a balanced study schedule that includes time for rest and physical activity.
Next week, we will congratulate and acknowledge individual achievements and participation of students across our diverse co-curricular program. It is a celebration of commitment, resilience, competency and leadership in the areas of Service, Academic, the Arts and Sport. We will also acknowledge our current leaders of the co-curricular groups and commission the leaders of co-curricular groups for 2024.
We are looking forward to MSM Celebrates, which will be held on Thursday 19 October in the Sophia Centre from 5.00pm to approximately 7.30pm. An email will be sent to the parents/caregivers of the students receiving an award with a link to confirm your attendance and reserve your seats in the Sophia Centre. The event will also be live streamed, and parents/caregivers will be emailed the link closer to the event in week 3.
Award recipients for MSM Celebrates will be announced Thursday 12 October.
Sanctuary
A warm welcome back to you all for this, our final term for 2023. I have just returned from a wonderful period of long service leave, spent in the highlands of Scotland, Ireland and the South of France. While I was in Ireland, I visited the spectacular valley of Glendalough in County Wicklow, home to the ruins of an early medieval monastic settlement founded in the 6th Century by St Kevin.
Like many of the religious of his time, St Kevin retreated into the forest and established the settlement at Glendalough to escape the noise, turmoil and distractions of the wider world. There, in the peace of the valley and the beauty of nature, St Kevin found peace and connection with God. As I wandered through the ruins of the medieval buildings, I was struck by the profound peace that I experienced, and I had some sense of what drew St Kevin to settle there all that time ago.
A few days later, as I wandered through the halls of the National Gallery of Ireland, I found a remarkable portrait of an Irish Sister of Charity, notable human rights campaigner Sr Stanislaus Kennedy. Sr Stan, as she’s more commonly known, is the founder of Focus Ireland, a charity that supports and empowers homeless people and The Immigrant Council of Ireland, and has been instrumental in advocating for refugee rights.
It struck me that while St Kevin found peace by retreating from the world, Sr Stan and the Sisters of Charity, find peace by leaning in to the world, never deterred by the messiness, complexity and frailty of the human condition. Certainly, to retreat and to rest is very important, but it can’t be to the detriment of service, compassion and love.
Prayers for our Year 12 Students
This week’s Leadership Commissioning Ceremony, where we blessed our 2024 Student Leaders, signifies the beginning of the end of the high school journey for the class of 2023. Term 4 will be full of many milestone moments for our graduating seniors, and I ask that you hold them in your prayers as they prepare for their final exams and graduation season.
I’d like to share with you a special blessing prayer that we used to close the Year 12 Residential Retreat this year. We hold each graduating student in our hearts at this time:
Beloved pilgrim,
As you continue on your journey
May your heart be open to surprise.
On every step along the way,
May hidden goodness come to meet you.
From unexpected places in your life,
May blessings anoint you.
As you walk the memory road,
May it become a path of transformation.
In claiming the beauty of your life,
May you recognise the One
In whose image you were created.
Go on with our love, and with our blessings. Amen.
I would like to welcome all students back for Term 4 and hope that they had a relaxing break! As we prepare for the final term of the year, there are a few reminders that I would like to offer.
Semester 2 Assessment Calendars
Term 4 is our shortest term of the year, and it is important that your daughter checks her Semester 2 Assessment Calendar this week to allow her to start planning her study commitments for the next six weeks. Mrs Kean, Program Leader – Senior School, and Ms Larkings, Program Leader – Middle School, spend an enormous amount of time ensuring that assessment tasks are placed at the best possible time with the due date identified clearly on the assessment calendar. It is always a good idea to print a copy of the assessment calendar and place it somewhere prominent in the household, such as on the fridge.
Year 12 Independent Study Week and External Examinations
Our Year 12 students have their final day of official classes next Friday, 13 October. In week 3, they embark on their Independent Study Week in preparation for their External Examinations. Year 12 students are still able to contact their teachers via Teams or email if they have questions in the lead up to their External Examination. If they come on campus to meet with their teacher during the timetabled lesson time, they need to sign in through Student Reception and be in full formal uniform.
I strongly encourage all Year 12 students to ensure they are aware of the equipment they require for each of their External Examinations and wish them all the very best for these important examinations.
Unit 3 Commences for Year 11 Students
Year 11 students have commenced with their Unit 3 studies this term. All assessment from this point forward in general subjects will potentially contribute to a student’s final ATAR calculation. For this reason, students are no longer able to change subjects across Unit 3 and 4. I am aware that there are several Year 11 students who do not have the required equipment for Unit 3. Parents are reminded that they can find the Unit 3 & 4 Stationery and Booklist requirements under the Resources for Parents link on the College website. If you have any questions about the required equipment, please do not hesitate to contact me.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP COMMISSIONING
The College community warmly welcomed the 2024 Student Leadership Team in our Commissioning Assembly. These exceptional students accepted the honour and challenge to serve MSM. We encourage the 2024 SLT to share wisely and generously of their time, talents and energy. Go. Lead. Inspire.
STUDY OF RELIGION
Year 12 SOR students enjoyed their final lesson of Term 3 playing ‘Exam Revision Jenga’! Each piece removed from their towers revealed a key term from the SOR syllabus. Students aimed to provide a clear and detailed explanation of the terms to their teammates as a way of consolidating their knowledge and understanding. The towers were impressive, but not as impressive as students’ exam responses will be on November 9!
MIDDLE SCHOOL ASSEMBLY
MSM Year 7-9 students enjoyed a wonderful display of culture at their Middle School Assembly at the end of Term 3. Our Year 7-8 Choir who were recently awarded a Silver Award at QCMF performed “Kusimama” and our Year 9 Dance students showcased their strong choreographic work produced this term. Year 8 Drama entertained with a comical melodrama act. Our Year 9 French students showed-off their fabulous French language during a role play and Year 9 Japanese provided interesting insights into the Japanese culture with a focus on the Japanese Summer Festival. So many amazing talents shared in one morning.
THE ARTS
AUSTRALIAN HONOURS ENSEMBLE AND STATE HONOURS ENSEMBLE
Students from 201 schools across Queensland and Australia, came together at the end of the September holidays for three days of intense music making at the QLD Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University. Six lucky and talented MSM students represented the College with pride. Here are some of their reflections:
“I really enjoyed my experience at SHEP this year in the Malcolm Williamson Vocal Ensemble (SATB), conducted by renowned operatic baritone Jason Barry-Smith. Participants were from schools all across Queensland, and while rehearsal was tiring, our effort resulted in performing some beautiful pieces. I learnt a lot from our conductor that I will be able to take with me into other areas of singing.” (Bridget Locke, 11, Soprano; Also attending, Phoebe Campbell, 12 Alto)
“SHEP was a fun four days spent meeting new people and gaining an opportunity to sing with people all over Queensland in the Colin Brumby Vocal Ensemble (SATB) , and learn from a new conductor different techniques that I will take with me throughout my singing co-curricular activities.” (Sophie Grocock, 11, Soprano; Also attending, Adelaide Miller, 11, Alto)
“At the Isolde Schaupp Guitar Ensemble at SHEP, I developed my skills as a musician and I enjoyed meeting other young musicians with the same passion for Guitar.” (Celeste Murphy, 10, Guitar)
Our MSM families are warmly invited to attend.
For further details, please see the flyer below and click here to register.
Term 4
P&F AGM & Meeting Monday 6 November 6pm
Why not get involved in 2024?
We welcome members of our parent community to contact Paula Ovenden, Community Engagement Officer to discuss the roles, responsibilities and time commitment in further detail. Email: povenden@msm.qld.edu.au for a confidential discussion.
Nominations for 2024 Committee Roles will open next Monday, 9 October. Visit our website here for more information.
Term 2
Monday 17 April – Friday 16 June
Term 3
Monday 10 July – Friday 15 September
Term 4
Tuesday 3 October – Friday 24 November (Years 7-11)
Click here to view the 2024 term dates.
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
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 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
67 Elimatta Drive
Ashgrove, QLD 4060
Australia
Add us to your address book
