We have just completed Week 5 of Term 4. Our centenary year is rapidly coming to a end! We continue to pray for our Year 12 students who have seven days of external exams to go (not that they would be counting!) We are looking forward to celebrating the graduation of the Class of 2025 on Wednesday 19 November.
On Monday, we look forward to welcoming our second cohort of Year 5 students when they participate in their Orientation Morning. Thank you to Ms Katie Jordan (Head of Junior School) Mrs Kate Marsh and Ms Kate Toohey (Year 5 Teachers) and Mrs Jen Roberts (Junior School Support Officer) for their organisation of the morning. Thank you also to Mrs Devenish-Meares for her work in preparing our Year 8 students to meet their “little sisters”.
MusicFest 2
Congratulations to Ms Townsley (Program Leader – Co-curricular Music), the Music staff and students on a wonderful MusicFest 2 last night.
The theme was Toy Stories – providing the opportunity for us all to relive some of those wonderful childhood memories. The program opened with a lively set performed by the Concert Band “Barbie Girl” by Aqua, arrangement by Paul Murtha and “Rubber Duckie” from Sesame Street by Jeff Moss, arrangement by Dr Michal Rosiak. The College Choir sang in fabulous harmony as they performed “March of the Electric Toys" by Mark Burrows and a moving rendition of “When She Loved Me” from Toy Story, by Mac Huff.
The program continued to impress with the String Orchestra playing “The King’s Fiddlers” by Keith Sharp, arranged by Bob Lipton and a personal favourite from my own childhood “Teddy Bear’s Picnic”, by John W Bratton. The Middle School Choir performed delightful renditions of “What I was Made For” by Mark Brymer, “Pirate Story” by Dean and Jen Perry and a stirring performance of “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” from Mary Poppins.
The MSM Singers sang a stunning rendition of “Homeward Bound” by Marta Keen, arranged by Jay Althouse. There was also a hint of Christmas with an uplifting performance of the “Little Drummer Boy”. There was a special guest appearance by some Year 5 students who added to the entertaining performance by the Guitar Ensemble of “Bell Games”.
The Senior Strings jazzed up the evening with their performance of “Satin Doll” by Duke Ellington, arranged by Keith Terrett. The toe tapping “Happy” by Pharrell Williams, arranged by Larry Moore was a crowd pleaser. This was followed by two energetic performances by the Percussion Ensemble “Waltz for Anna” by Stuart P O’Neil and “Who” by Matthew Curley.
The evening closed with two pieces showcasing the incredible talents of our students and testament to the strong relationships that they have formed with our music staff throughout the year. The Combined Senior Strings and Percussion Ensemble showed their versatility by performing the lighthearted piece “Toy Symphony, Movement 1” by Mozart/Haydn. “Nutcracker Jingles” by James Peirpont, was a clever and majestic finale performed by the Combined Choirs and Orchestra with lyrics from "Jingle Bells" accompanied by music from “The Nutcracker Suite” by Tchaikovsky, arranged by Chuck Bridwell and our very own Miriam Townsley. A reminder that Christmas is just around the corner!
Thank you to our students and families who supported the event. I am sure that you agree that we were treated to a great evening of entertainment that would not be possible without the hard work of our students and staff. Thank you to Mrs Linda Statham, Director of The Arts, and Ms Laura Danby for their support of the music program. I would also like to express my gratitude to Mr Adam Watson, ICT Officer – Audiovisual, whose expertise is truly valued. Thank you to our maintenance team for assistance with the preparation and clean up of the Sophia Centre.
Finally, a huge “well done” to our music students. You are awesome!
Staffing Update
Thank you to Mrs Debra Koning, for her valued contributions as College Receptionist. This week we welcomed Mrs Emelia McCarthy as our new College Receptionist.
In Faith and Love
Sharon Volp
We’re delighted to announce that our 2026 International Women’s Day High Tea will take place on Sunday 8 March from 2pm to 4pm in the beautiful Marquee at Victoria Park.
Join us for an elegant afternoon featuring a delicious high tea service. Guests will be welcomed with a glass of sparkling (for parents) or a soft drink (for students), with a variety of juice, tea, and coffee available throughout. It’s always a memorable occasion—mark your calendars now! Tickets go on sale in January 2026.
Have you bought your tickets in the Foundation Raffle? A limited 1,000 tickets are on sale starting at $20 each – there is no limit to the number of tickets an entrant may purchase. Assuming all tickets are sold, each ticket has a 1 in 1,000 chance of winning! 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.
Last Friday was World Teachers' Day. This is an opportunity to thank and celebrate the contributions of teachers and the important work they do. This year’s theme, "Recasting teaching as a collaborative profession” emphasises that teaching is a collective effort that works best when educators collaborate and learn from each other. It is also a call to create education systems that empower teachers to connect and innovate together, recognising the value of partnerships and shared expertise to achieve quality education for all.
As we celebrate with our teachers, we want to acknowledge the extraordinary dedication and care they bring to our College community every day. Our teachers inspire, nurture, and guide our students, making a lasting impact on their lives and shaping the future of our society.
We are also proud to recognise Dr Caroline Taran, who was recently honoured with an Award for Excellence in Teaching. This prestigious award was presented along with thirty other outstanding educators from across Queensland last week.
Let us continue to celebrate and support our teachers, not just on World Teachers' Day, but every day.
The service work of our students is personal and often unsung, but the numbers here speak for themselves. Across 2025:
- more than 240 students (28% of the College) and 12 staff have been involved in a CAN Group
- an average of 118 students (13.7% of the College) have a role in each end of term liturgy - as readers, dancers, musicians and performers.
- 50 students completed the Year 11 Rosies' Outreach Program
- 38 students participated in the Year 9 Sleepout
- more than 300 students (34% of the College) and 22 staff participated in community events such as Ashgrove ANZAC Day March, Teralba Park Sorry Day and the Luminous Lantern Parade.
Across the year we have provided material support, donating hundreds of items to: St Vincent de Paul, the Romero Centre, Micah Projects, Share the Dignity, Catholic Mission, Caritas, Birthing Kits Australia, St Vincent's Health and Aged Care, Red Hill Special School and Downs & West Community Support.
Like the Sisters who came before us, we continue to act justly and serve courageously, bringing hope and peace through our actions. I thank and congratulate every student who shared her time and gifts to serve others.
Here is a snapshot of some of the recent happenings in our Service and Outreach program:
Year 11 Rosies' Visits Conclude
Last week, our Year 11 students completed their final outreach for 2025 to Rosies' Youth Outreach. Across this year, fifty students and twelve staff have given up an evening to offer coffee and conversations to people experiencing homelessness in Brisbane. Rosies' has been a beloved service fixture for our Year 11 students for many years, and each year our students return from their outreach profoundly affected by the experience. I offer my sincere thanks to each student who volunteered in 2025, and my heartfelt gratitude to our attending staff and to Mrs Devenish-Meares and Ms Townsley for their coordination of this outreach program.
Our Social Justice Council welcomed guest speaker Professor Cam Parsell to MSM recently. Dr Parsell is an expert on the social and structural causes of homelessness. His presentation was hope-filled and informative, and touched on real stories of his experiences of working with people experiencing homelessness in Brisbane. Thank you, Dr Parsell, for inspiring our community to continue to advocate for the poor and marginalised.
We thank and congratulate our Social Justice Council leaders Kate C, Madeleine C and Elsa L for their superb organisation of this visit, and to Mr Beavon, who capably supports our SJC students in all of their endeavours.
Congratulations to our Year 5 students and their Year 9 Sisters for recently completing a fundraiser for Catholic Mission's Socktober. The students accepted the challenge to wear odd and unusual socks for the day, to the joy and delight of our wider community! Organised with great enthusiasm by our MSM Cares students, this event raised an impressive $149 for Catholic Mission.
It has been wonderful to see the way that our Year 5 students have embraced the service heart of our College community, offering excellent leadership and wholehearted support of our mission programs in their first year at MSM. Thank you to Ms Jordan for her mentorship of this group across 2025.
Vinnies Christmas Appeal Reminder
Our Missions of St Vincent Elves have been busily collating the wonderful donations that have arrived for our Vinnies Christmas Appeal, and we are so grateful to all families who have given so generously. This appeal will continue until 21 November. We invite students to bring any non-perishable donations and place them in the baskets in their homerooms, with a particular focus on the following areas for year level groups:
- Year 5: Christmas treats (e.g. fruit cake, fruit mince pies, chocolates, lollies, seasonal treats)
- Years 7 & 8: toiletry items (e.g. hair products, deodorant, razors, body wash, soap, dental care etc – for women and men)
- Years 9 & 10: non-perishable pantry items (e.g. tinned goods, pasta, rice, coffee, tea, biscuits, crackers, cereal, sauces etc)
- Year 11: Christmas decorations & Christmas treats (e.g. Christmas crackers, Christmas decorations, table decorations, serviettes, fruit cake, fruit mince pies, chocolates, lollies, seasonal treats).
MSM and Marist Leaders – Building Connection
In recent years, we have been working to build a stronger connection with our Marist neighbours through events which support an open dialogue and shared understanding of the issues associated with respectful relationships. These forums offer the opportunity to socialise with purpose and intent to affect positive change for both Marist and MSM students. As always, our beautiful students represented the College, our values and themselves with integrity and character. Below is a summary from one of our 2026 College Captains, Freya O.
College Captain Reflection:
Last Thursday a few of the MSM seniors for 2026 had the privilege of being invited to attend a leadership event called “Starting the Conversation” at Marist College Ashgrove. The afternoon was a social and fun yet eye-opening and empowering experience where we participated in discussions about gender-related issues. This conversation focused particularly on male attitudes towards women both inside and out of the workplace. Hearing different perspectives and stories helped us understand how deeply these issues affect both genders, and how important it is to challenge stereotypes and biases in hopes for a better and more equal future. The conversations between both students and staff were interesting and inspiring, helping us realise that small actions and open discussions can create real change. These conversations helped people feel seen and understood as well as motivating the younger generations to continue to play an active role in promoting equality and respect in everyday life.
Freya O
Year 12 External Examinations
This week marks the completion of the second week of external examinations for our Year 12 students. As examinations continue into next week, I encourage all students to maintain their focus and continue giving their best effort as they complete these final assessment tasks.
I have been impressed by the dedication, perseverance, and resilience demonstrated by our Year 12 students throughout this period.
Year 11 Unit 3 Examination Block
The Unit 3 examination block for Year 11 students will commence on Monday, 17 November. All students are strongly encouraged to revise course content regularly to ensure they can confidently demonstrate their knowledge and understanding.
These summative assessments are the first internal tasks contributing to students’ final ATAR calculations and Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) attainment. I wish all students every success and am confident their commitment will be reflected in their results.
Subject Confirmations for 2026
Subject confirmation information for the 2026 school year has been published today in both Student Café and Parent Lounge under the Academic Reports section. If students have any questions about their subject allocations or wish to request a change, they are encouraged to contact me promptly. Booklist information for 2026 is also included in the same correspondence.
Year 5 2026 Orientation Day – Reflections from Current Year 5 Students
This coming Monday, we will welcome our Year 5 2026 cohort for their Orientation Morning. In preparation for this, we asked the current Year 5 students to reflect on what they think is really important for the new Year 5 students to know about MSM. Here are some quotes from the students:
Everyone is so kind. Don’t be afraid to reach out to other people and make new friends. (Lyla)
MSM is a wonderful place. It is so fun. (Neve)
My Big Sisters are so nice. If you ever feel alone or need advice, you can go to them. (Sahana)
Know that you can trust the people around you. (Crissy)
You will make friends quickly. Even when you come to MSM with your friends, you are going to make new ones. Everyone is kind and supportive. (Sienna)
There are lots of fun co-curricular activities you can try. (Amelia)
We have been heartened that many Year 5 students have expressed their strong sense of belonging and connection to the College in the first year of their MSM journey. We are confident that our Year 6 2026 students will be wonderful leaders and role models for their Year 5 peers in the Junior School.
Day for Daniel – Child Safety Messages
To raise awareness and encourage conversations about child safety on Day for Daniel, our College Counsellor, Milena Barbagallo, led a session with Year 5 students. Milena emphasised the importance of:
🟥 Recognising when something doesn’t feel right (body clues)
🟥 Reacting by moving away or saying no (in an unsafe situation)
🟥 Reporting by telling a trusted adult who can help
Students also traced the outline of their hands to identify five safe and trusted adults they could approach if they ever felt unsafe or worried.
Fitness Workshops with Year 10 Students
The Year 10 students who have completed their Certificate II in Sport and Recreation are working with the Year 5 students for two sessions of fun physical activities this term. In the first session this week, the Year 10 students put the skills they have learned from their course into practice by planning and preparing age-appropriate (and competitive!) fitness rotations for the Year 5 students. We thank Mrs Mulligan and Ms Atkins for co-ordinating this opportunity. We are also grateful to these Year 10 students for their leadership in these sessions.
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:
Matilda (5H) - Tilly, your determination and willingness to take on a challenge in your learning are inspiring. You show curiosity and a growth mindset, making you a truly valuable member of 5 Hope. Congratulations on your diligent work habits in the classroom and active engagement in all aspects of school life.
Olivia (5H) - Olivia, you have much to be proud of in your first year at MSM. You have embraced new opportunities with openness and grace. Your exemplary work habits and respectful interactions with your teachers and peers have enabled you to thrive in Year Five. Keep up the super effort.
Sarah (5L) - Sarah, you are demonstrating exceptional diligence in completing tasks and taking special care to ensure all work is copied with accuracy and attention to detail. Your commitment to precision and perseverance sets a wonderful example for others. Your effort does not go unnoticed — keep up the great work!
Olivia (5L) - Olivia you are developing in your commitment to being a respectful and responsible learner. You consistently accept challenges in your learning with a positive attitude and are making great strides in becoming more organised with your books and belongings. Your efforts to improve and your respectful approach to learning are commendable — keep shining!
Katie Jordan
Head of Junior School
Year 7 classes visited St Finbarr’s church recently to explore the features of a Catholic church. During their visit, students discovered how elements of the church’s design reflect the liturgical season, sacraments and the culture of the community who gather there. We are very grateful to Jubilee Parish for this annual opportunity to visit the church.
Our Year 11 Biology students swapped the classroom for the great outdoors at the UQ Ecology Experience, led by the ever-inspiring Dr Gurion Ang from the UQ School of the Environment. Students dove into a hands-on workshop designed to sharpen the skills needed for their Student Experiment IA, followed by a field experience where they applied real ecological techniques to gather data. From species surveys to ecosystem analysis, they were immersed in the kind of science that gets your shoes dirty and your brain buzzing!
The rain held off just long enough for some serious science in the field. The students walked away with not just data, but a deeper appreciation for ecology and the scientific process. A huge thank you to Dr G (aka @gurionang) for his energy, expertise, and for making science come alive!
Recently, students studying Japanese in Years 8 – 11 enjoyed a delicious obento meal together. The most popular choice was the karaage chicken. Totemo oishikatta desu (Very yummy!).
During dedicated year level activity time, the Year 7 cohort wrote letters to the Year 7 students of 2026, which they will receive on their first day of school next year. They provided words of reassurance, guidance, and advice to alleviate any nerves our new students may feel next year.
Recently, Year 8 students took part in an inspiring workshop with Bring a Plate Dance Company — a collective committed to breaking down barriers and celebrating inclusivity through movement. A big thank you to Erika and Zoe for sharing their creativity, expertise, and energy. They provided valuable strategies and sparked enthusiasm in our students as they now begin developing their own community dance project this term.
Year 9 students engaged in some Pos-Ed enrichment, including a lesson focusing on positive relationships, led by College Psychologist Brenda Hughes. The presentation explored self-regulation, empathy, and the importance of being an upstander- empowering students to foster respectful, supportive connections and to confidently stand up for others in challenging situations. This experience supported our ongoing commitment to student wellbeing.
Students in Year 9 participated in interactive workshops delivered by Elevate Education, designed to enhance their study skills. These sessions provided practical strategies such as notetaking and concept mapping, equipping students with tools for their academic journey now and into the senior years of schooling. This workshop supports our commitment to equipping students with effective learning habits.
Congratulations to our five MSM teams who competed in Round 2 of the Queensland Association of Mathematics Teachers- University of Queensland Year 7 and 8 Mathematic Quiz. Our Round 2 Regional winning team included Ava R (Year 7), Sophie N (Year 7), and Alice A (Year 8). This team’s overall point score qualifies them to compete in the QAMT-UQ Year 7/8 Quiz State Final on 6 November 2025. We wish them well! Congratulations to all students for their commitment to this extension program.
Tricia Munn from Eyes Open Social Media spoke with our Year 7 and 8 students to provide additional information on the new social media laws and being safe online. She provided them with steps to help students make informed, confident choices about their online presence and wellbeing.
Last Friday, MSM students wore a red ribbon to support Day for Daniel — a special day that reminds us how to stay safe and look out for one another. Day for Daniel honours Daniel Morcombe and helps raise awareness about child safety across Australia.
The QFES presented a Road Attitudes and Action Planning presentation to our Year 11 students to educate them on understanding the increased level of risk of the Fatal 5: Speeding, Seatbelt, Inattention, Fatigue, and Alcohol and other substances. Through firsthand accounts they experienced the inevitable ripple effects of poor choices and actions, and how to plan ahead if driving or as a passenger to avoid them.
SHEP brings together some of Queensland’s most talented student musicians to rehearse and perform under the guidance of nationally and internationally renowned conductors. There are three major Brisbane-based events at the Conservatorium’s South Bank campus over the weekend with a grand finale concert:
- SHEP South-East QLD (SEQ) – held in Term 2, for students from Years 5–10 who are at AMEB levels 2–4. It includes band, string, guitar, and choral ensembles.
- SHEP Brisbane (BNE) – held in Term 3, for students from Years 6–12 who are at AMEB levels 4–6 , and features Wind Ensembles, Guitar Ensemble, String Ensembles, and Vocal Ensembles.
- SHEP Queensland – held in October, this is the flagship state-wide program that brings together students from across Queensland from Years 7–12 who are at AMEB level 4 and above or equivalent. It features Symphony Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, String Orchestra, Big Band, and Vocal Ensemble. The images are the online program from the 2025 Finale Concert.
Congratulations to the following MSM students who attended in 2025:
- Freya H, Year 9 – Flute (SEQ)
- Gemma P, Year 10 – Clarinet (BNE, QLD)
- Sienna T, Year 10 – Guitar (BNE)
- Isabela C, Year 11 – Flute (BNE)
- Ruby O, Year 11 – Violin & Viola (SEQ, QLD)
We applaud Ruby who “received an invitation to SHEP Gala Concert directly from the Conservatorium” on Saturday 6 December 2025. This will be the grand finale performance for senior SHEP students.
Our Light the Way legacy wall illuminates our valued donors who are assisting us to light the way for future generations of MSM students through the enhancement of new educational facilities.
Find out more about securing a permanent spot on our Light the Way Legacy Wall by visiting our College website.
2026 Next Step Year 12 Completers Survey
Year 12 students, please check that your contact details are correct in your learning account with the QCAA student portal, https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/. In March 2026, you will receive a letter from the Minister for Education and the Arts inviting you to participate in the Next Step Year 12 Completers survey, following up on your activities after graduating. You may also receive an email or phone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office. Your feedback helps our school improve services for future students, and you can win a laptop for participating. For more information visit www.qld.gov.au/nextstep.
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
Add us to your address book
