Our Class of 2024 has graduated! External examinations finished last Friday much to the relief of our students. I was delighted to hear that after each examination, students actively sought out their teachers to let them know how the examination went. This exemplifies the strong relationship between our students and staff. Many staff (teaching and non-teaching) support our students in many different capacities during the external examination period and I thank them for walking alongside our students to the very end. I would like to extend my gratitude to Mrs Ellen Kean (Program Leader – Senior School) and Ms Sally Crothers (Dean of Teaching and Learning) for coordinating the administration of the exams and to the staff that assisted with the supervision. I also acknowledge the work of our IT Team who worked behind the scenes to ensure that any examinations relying on technology ran smoothly. I also thank the Library Staff for vacating the library during the examination period so that we could provide a quiet space while the students were sitting their examinations.
Yesterday we celebrated “Graduation Day”. The Graduation Assembly included the 2024 Student Leadership Team presenting speeches of gratitude to peers, students, staff and their families who have supported them throughout their time at MSM. Under the guidance of Year 11 Pastoral Leader, Ms Olivia Lennon, the Year 11 cohort developed a theme based on the topical Taylor Swift “Eras” Tours. The morning was a lovely walk down memory lane as we said “farewell” to the Year 12 students. At the conclusion of the Assembly, our students formed a guard of honour throughout the College as the Year 12 students made their way to the Convent Lawn.
In the evening approximately 400 guests joined with staff and the Year 12 students in the Sophia Centre to celebrate our Graduation Mass. This was followed by Graduation Dinner in at City Hall. Thank you to Ms Emily McLaughlin, Year 12 Pastoral Leader, for her tireless efforts in organising graduation. I also thank all staff, teaching and non-teaching, who have been involved in the preparation and delivery of the suite of graduation activities. Thank you to our MSM community for working together to create a special experience for our Year 12 students and their families.
Finally, congratulations to the Class of 2024! I am incredibly proud of their accomplishments, but more importantly proud of the beautiful, caring young adults that they have developed into. They have inspired us and encouraged us to Aspire to Be More in 2024. We hold them in our prayers as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. May they carry with them hope that fuels their dreams, justice that strengthens their resolve, love that connects them to others, and compassion that binds us all.
Introduction of Year 5 in 2025
I am delighted to share the news that our application for our Junior School (Years 5 and 6) has been approved by the Non-State Schools Accreditation Board, so MSM is officially a Years 5-12 College. We will be making the appropriate changes to our website to reflect this change over the next couple of weeks.
We look forward to welcoming our 50 Year 5 students on Monday for their Orientation Morning.
In Faith and Love
Sharon Volp
MusicFest2 – An evening of wonderful performances and unforgettable music.
MusicFest2 was a night to remember, showcasing the incredible talents of our co-curricular music groups leaving the audience with a lasting impression of the power and beauty of music. The theme of "Fire" was masterfully explored through each performance, culminating in an unforgettable finale that celebrated the artistry and passion of everyone involved.
The Concert Band began the evening with two powerful performances, followed by the College Choir who graced the stage with their harmonious vocals bringing a sense of warmth and intensity resonating deeply with the theme. The Guitar Ensemble then took the spotlight with a piece composed by director Mr Joel Woods “Rainbow Bird, Crocodile and How People First Got Fire”. Our Middle School Choir brought youthful energy and enthusiasm to their spirited performances and MSM Singers continued the fiery theme with their powerful vocals. Senior Strings, String Orchestra and Percussion Ensemble delivered skilful playing and emotive interpretation of the theme, leading to the finale where all groups combined to perform “Burn” by Ellie Goulding and others, arranged by Miriam Townsley.
Thank you to our music directors Dr Michal Rosiak, Mrs Donna Langford, Mr Joel Woods, Mrs Kate Littlewood, Mrs Alice Buckingham and Mrs Emi Scott. Well done to our 2025 Student Leaders, Music captain, Taylor B and Cultural Captains, Max H and Lily W who led the evening. Thank you to Mr Adam Watson for IT support and our Maintenance Team for set up. Congratulations to all music students for wonderfully demonstrating your love of music.
Graduation Eucharist
Each November in Queensland follows a predictable rhythm:
- the purple haze of the jacaranda fades, replaced by the rich fragrance of the frangipanis and vivid brilliance of the crimson poincianas,
- the night sky is cut by flashes of lightning, as the cooling summer storms break the humidity of the day,
- “good fruit” begins to appear… mangoes, passionfruit and other tropical delights, much to the delight of local possums and fruit bats!
As the season changes, so to does our College, for it is in November that we farewell our senior students. After six years in our care, they must now go and take their place in the wider world. To borrow a line that is about to become very popular with the imminent release of Wicked (timely, given that our Year 12 Retreat used imagery from the Wizard of Oz), “because we knew them, we have been changed for good.” Every student who passes through our halls leaves a part of themselves in our community, and we, in turn, leave an imprint on them. This imprint is the mark of Charity. It is the tug at the conscience, the opening of the heart to another, the generous instinct, and the belief in the goodness and capacity of all people.
At our Graduation Mass, where our graduates and their families gathered to give thanks for time spent in learning and friendship, we heard these beautiful words of challenge from St Paul’s Letters to the Philippians:
“Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me – put it in to practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
(Philippians 4:8-9)
I can think of no finer message to give to our graduates. We hold each young person in our hearts as they embark on this next part of their journey and pray that they might take the gift of their MSM Education and use it For Good.
God bless you, Class of 2024. Go now, knowing that our God of Charity will walk with you all the days of your life.
This week we farewelled an amazing group of women who have blessed our community with such wonderful leadership in 2024. We had a day of wonderful celebrations, and I would like to extend my gratitude to the Pastoral Leaders especially, Ms Emily Mclaughlin (Year 12) and Ms Olivia Lennon (Year 11), who worked tirelessly to ensure the Graduation Assembly and Dinner were events to remember. There were words of kindness and wisdom, tears and embraces and most importantly the true spirit of MSM in the enthusiastic singing of Fide et Amore. Thank you to all who participated and made this day so memorable.
Despite this excitement, the show must go on and our remaining students continue to toil with finalising assessment and battling fatigue. The girls are in various states of study and stress and are undoubtedly focused on the finish line. For many parents, the holiday period is a special time to reconnect as a family and with friends. It can also present challenges in supporting our children in how they spend their leisure time and with whom. Please be assured that you are not alone in this and yes, we all experience parenting challenges from time to time. The current advice from family and adolescent psychologists in brief is:
- Be present. Your daughters may not tell you, but they really do want and need you to spend quality time with them.
- Be the parent. It is okay to disagree with your child, they need guidance, advice, and boundaries.
- Be consistent. Boundaries have little value if they are not constantly restated and reinforced.
- Be persistent. Teenagers forget, make mistakes, and have a natural urge to push boundaries, keep insisting on the limits you set.
Year 12 students and families were all advised this week that Unit 3 & 4 Transcripts are now available in Parent Lounge and Student Cafe under Academic Reports, detailing the results achieved for each internal assessment instrument completed in general and applied subjects. QCAA will release final subject results to all students from 9am on Wednesday 11 December via the myQCE portal. ATARs will be released from 9am on Friday 13 December via the QTAC ATAR portal.
2025 Textbooks & Stationery
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. Our textbook and stationery supplier for 2025 is Campion Education. Most of our textbooks are in a digital format. If physical copies of textbooks are required, this will be indicated on the booklist. The textbook lists can be accessed using the following weblink: www.campion.com.au Please note there is a four-character code needed to access the 2025 resource lists – QYXF. Orders need to be placed with Campion Education by Wednesday 11 December 2024 for guaranteed delivery for the 2025 academic year.
2024 Semester 2 Report Cards
Semester 2 Report Cards for students in Years 7 – 10 will be available in Student Café and Parent Lounge from Friday 6 December. Progressive reports for Unit 3 internal assessment tasks for Year 11 students will be made available early next year.
Take care and God bless.
STATE HONOURS ENSEMBLE PROGRAM
The State Honours Ensemble Program offered by the QLD Conservatorium of Music (Griffith University) is a choral and ensemble extension musical activity for students who show high levels of interest and skills on their instruments. The SHEP South-East QLD Program and the SHEP Brisbane Program were offered to MSM students Isla (Year 7), Sofia (Year 9), Georgia (Year 9), Lani (Year 10) and Ruby (Year 10). These students benefited from this enriching educational program.
YEAR 10 SCIENCE EXCURSION
This term, Year 10 Physical Science students studied space science, completing a research investigation on the characteristics of different stars in the Milky Way. As part of this unit, students visited the planetarium, where they explored the exhibits and had a session in the Cosmic Skydome. They watched the show ‘Passport to the Universe’, which was a journey from Earth to the edge of the observable universe. After the show, students were shown planets, stars and constellations to look for in the current night sky, as well as other key features of our galaxy which they have studied.
Rush House were courageous as they worked together to remember and give thanks for the sacrifices veterans made for our freedom and peace by making poppies during their house activity. Students created poppies and wrote messages of reflection including "Thank you for your courage and sacrifice." "In honour of those who gave everything for our freedom." and "In memory of those who served, and in hope for a peaceful world." The students enjoyed the activity and were proud to be a part of creating poppies for Remembrance Day.
MISSIONS OF ST VINCENT CHRISTMAS APPEAL
ATHLETICS
Congratulations to MSM students Ashleigh (Year 9), Laura (Year 9) and Jessica (Year 11) who competed in the All Schools Athletics Championship at QSAC. Ashleigh competed in the Under 16s Discus resulting in a PB and Jessica competed in the Under 17s Shot Put. Well done to Laura who won the 2000m Under 15 Girls Steeplechase and is now the state champion, qualifying her for Nationals in this event.
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.
- “Back to MSM” Alumni Reunion Day – Saturday 22 March at MSM.
We look forward to welcoming back all MSM Alumni for this day of celebration.
- Mary Aikenhead Day Mass – Friday 25 July at 12noon.
All members of the MSM Community are invited to join us for this very special mass to be held at Riverlife Baptist Church.
- Centenary Gala Dinner - Saturday 26 July.
More details to come!
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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