Halloween is a tradition that seems to have grown in popularity around the streets of Brisbane, but have you ever wondered where Halloween started?

The tradition originated with the Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the 8^th century, Pope Gregory III designated 1 November, as a time to commemorate all saints in heaven and incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The liturgical celebration on the day before the feast became known as Hallowed evening or Hallowe’en. All Saints Day is a time to consider the example saints offer us and to reflect on how we can imitate their lives. As Pope Benedict XVI said, All Saints’ Day calls us ‘to see the Church….as Christ wanted it, that is, as the communion of saints.’

Debating
During our assembly on Tuesday, we congratulated our Year 9 debaters: Sofia C, Emily L, Matilda M, Olivia W, and Lyla W. and Year 11 debaters: Eloise B, Tully C, Lucy D, and Ella S who successfully reached the Queensland Debating Union finals. Their debating ability has been recognised by the State Team Coach, who has invited these students to challenge and extend themselves by trialing for the state team. What an incredible opportunity and we wish our students all the best for the chance to represent the state at the National Schools Debating Championships. I would like to sincerely thank Mrs Aura Parsons who has coordinated the debating teams this year.

Australian Space Design
Congratulations to Taylor B, Lani M, Julia S, and Emily R who have qualified as invited team members for the Australian Space Design National finals. The finals occur in mid-January 2025 at the University of Queensland. We wish our students all the best and sincerely thank Dr Aranza Blackburn who has been preparing our students for this event.

Book Nook
Book Nook in A11 has been a very popular place to be during the breaks, while year 12 exams are occurring in the Library. Thank you to our Learning Support team who have been supporting our students during this time.

Feasts of All Saints & All Souls
The first two days of November are of particular significance for Christians, as we celebrate the feasts of All Saints and All Souls. On these days, we give thanks for all the saints – declared and undeclared – who have lit the path to holiness with their own humble examples of faith and love. On All Souls’ Day, we have an opportunity to acknowledge the precious people who have loved and shaped us.

We hold in our hearts this season all members of our community who are grieving. Grief is the price we must pay for the privilege of love. Each person’s journey through grief is different, and for young people, who may be experiencing loss for the first time, the journey can be confronting. We can support them in their grief by:

• Providing a listening space where they can talk about the person they have lost, giving them opportunities and permission to share memories, funny stories and their own feelings about death and the afterlife,
• Establishing safe harbours. Support from family members, family friends and trusted adults can be critical. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and that village needs to wrap its arms around a young person in grief!
• Recognising that expressions of grief can vary. Some people withdraw, while others crave connection. Grief can manifest as shock, numbness, guilt, anger, humour and a myriad of other emotions, and emotions and responses can change unexpectedly,
• Being patient. Changes to appetite, behaviour, sleep patterns and concentration are all very normal, and these may take some time to resolve. Sunshine, exercise, good food and regular social contact will help them to navigate this season,
• Looking after yourself. More often than not, if a young person is grieving, so is their family. It’s ok to reach out for help from family, friends and experts, and it’s also ok for your young person to see that this is happening. This can be a powerful teaching moment about the way to grieve, and a special way to create stronger bonds as you navigate your grief as a family,
• Knowing that help is available. Our community is here to support you and your family in seasons of grief and loss. Please contact me or your daughter’s Pastoral Leader if your family experiences a death so that we can provide practical support for her here at school. We have a wonderful team of psychologists who can provide initial support, and should the need arise, further assistance can be sought from your family’s GP.

I commend to you this beautiful poem from Mary Wickham, a Sister of Mercy from Melbourne. It poignantly captures the tender love that is revealed in moments of profound loss.

Building a Stronger MSM Community Through Restorative Practices
In today's educational landscape, fostering a positive and inclusive college environment is more important than ever. One effective approach to achieving this is through restorative practices, which focus on building and maintaining healthy relationships within the MSM College community. These practices are not only beneficial for students and teachers but also play a crucial role for parents. 

What Are Restorative Practices?
Restorative practices are a set of formal and informal processes that promote a culture of kindness, respect, responsibility, and justice. They emphasise the importance of trusting relationships as central to building community and repairing relationships when harm has occurred. Instead of focusing on punishment, restorative practices encourage individuals to reflect on their actions, take responsibility, and make amends.

Why Are Restorative Practices Important for Parents?
Parents are integral to the College community and play a vital role in supporting their daughter's education and wellbeing. By engaging in restorative practices, parents can help create a supportive and collaborative environment that benefits everyone. Here are some key reasons why restorative practices are important for parents:

1. Building Positive Relationships: Restorative practices help parents build stronger relationships with their children, teachers, and other parents. This sense of community fosters a supportive network that can address conflicts and challenges more effectively.
2. Promoting Inclusiveness: These practices promote inclusiveness and ensure that every member of the College community feels seen, heard, and respected. This is particularly important for creating a welcoming environment for all students and their families.
3. Encouraging Responsibility and Reflection: Restorative practices encourage students to take responsibility for their actions and reflect on the impact of their behaviour. Parents can support this process by reinforcing these values at home and working collaboratively with teachers to address any issues.
4. Enhancing Communication: Effective communication is at the heart of restorative practices. Parents can learn valuable communication skills that help them navigate conflicts and build stronger connections with their daughter’s and the College community.

How Can Parents Get Involved?
There are several ways parents can get involved in restorative practices within the College setting:

• Collaborate with Teachers: Parents can work closely with teachers to address any behavioural issues and support their daughter's development. This collaboration ensures a consistent approach to restorative practices both at home and in school.
• Model Restorative Practices at Home: By modelling restorative practices at home, parents can reinforce the values of respect, responsibility, and empathy. This helps young people understand the importance of these practices and apply them in their daily lives.

Restorative practices offer a powerful approach to building a positive and inclusive college community. By involving parents in these practices, we can create a supportive environment where every member feels valued and respected. Together, we can foster a culture of kindness, responsibility, and justice that benefits everyone.
 

Year 12 External Examinations
This week our Year 12 students have completed the second week of external examinations. As the External Examinations will run for another week, I urge our Year 12 students undertaking these examinations to continue to put their best foot forward as they complete their final assessment tasks. I have been very impressed by the studious approach our Year 12 students have adopted, along with the resilience they have demonstrated throughout the external examination period thus far.

Year 11 Unit 3 Examination Block
With Unit 3 exam blocking commencing on Monday 18 November, all Year 11 students are strongly encouraged to be revising the content they have covered in class across the term on a regular basis to ensure that they can demonstrate their knowledge to the best of their ability. These summative assessment instruments represent the first internal assessment tasks in Unit 3 that will contribute to their final ATAR calculation, whilst also contributing to their QCE certification.

I wish all students the very best for their upcoming assessment. I am sure that their studious efforts will allow them to demonstrate what they know and can do.

Subject Confirmations for 2025
Families have all been sent subject confirmation information for the 2025 school year. If your student has any questions about their allocated subjects or needs to request a change, they are encouraged to contact me as soon as possible. Booklist information was also contained in this information letter but can also be accessed on the College website, under the ‘Resources for Parents’ link.