We have reached the conclusion of a very busy first term, which has included numerous community events and experiences. Our community has welcomed new staff and students, hosted Year 5 & 7 Parent Welcome Evenings, and conducted a Year 11 Information Evening. Our Year 11 students enjoyed their Semi-Formal, and our swimming team bonded and prepared for the CaSSSA swimming competition. Fathers enjoyed the Foundation Year 7 Father-Daughter Breakfast, while mothers and daughters gathered for the Foundation International Women's Day High Tea. Year 11 and 12 Hospitality students served tapas to their parents and staff members, and students have participated in various sporting competitions, performed in Music Soiree 1, and experienced success in debating.

Last week, we acknowledged our students who have borrowed and read the most library books. Congratulations to Year 5 students Adele (28 books), Sahana and Evie (23 books), and Isobel (19 books), as well as Year 7 students Olivia (18 books), Alice (11 books), and Ellie (10 books), and Year 8 student Alice (13 books).

As we bid farewell to Term 1 and embark on a well-deserved break, I extend my sincere thanks to our dedicated staff for their unwavering commitment and tireless efforts. I also thank our students, families, and the wider community for their continued support and collaboration.

As we prepare to commemorate the culmination of our Lenten journey, may this Easter be a time of joy, reflection, and rejuvenation for all. We eagerly anticipate the return of our refreshed and eager students on Wednesday 23 April, and look forward to cheering our students on during our postponed MSM Cross Country on Thursday 24 April, from 11 am to 3 pm.

Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Easter filled with peace and happiness.

Year 5 Retreat
Last week, our Year 5 students enjoyed their inaugural Retreat day at the Queensland Tennis Centre, Tennyson. Using the story of Moana the students reflected on what it means to be a person of courage and hope, giving thanks for the rich connections forged during their first term at MSM and celebrating the many people (parents, grandparents, teachers, friends… and quite a few pets!) who have helped them to grow.

The students worked together to create a series of fabric squares, each telling part of their personal story. These will be stitched together to form sails and added to the special classroom prayer boats that Mr Mark Donaldson (Maintenance) is making for each classroom. The SS Hope and the SS Love will be a permanent reminder in our Year 5 classrooms of the special lessons learned at Retreat.

To finish our day together, the students participated in a special liturgy of welcome, where each student was called by name and had a handmade lei placed over her head. I would like to sincerely thank Ms Katie Jordan (Head of Junior School), Ms Kate Marsh, Ms Kate Toohey, Ms Jen Roberts and Ms Milena Barbagallo for their work on this special day.

Easter Liturgy
As is tradition at MSM, we closed our first term with a beautiful Easter liturgy that traced the final footsteps of Jesus. Powerfully brought to life by our readers, dancers, drama students and musicians, more than 170 students worked together to create a reflective and meaningful liturgy.

As we continue to reflect on our College theme, we find in Easter no better example of enduring hope. At our liturgy, we reflected on the story of the grieving women who visit Jesus’ tomb and are astonished to find that the stone has been rolled away.

Pope Francis says:
The stone marked the end of Jesus’ story, now buried in the night of death. He, the life that came into the world, had been killed.
There are times when we may feel that a great stone blocks the door of our hearts, stifling life, extinguishing hope, imprisoning us in a tomb of our own fears and regrets.

But the Gospel says that when the women looked up, the stone had been rolled away. This is the peace of Christ, the victory of life over death and the rebirth of hope amid the ruins of failure. It is the God of the impossible, who rolls away the stone forever!”

Special thanks goes to Ms Linda Statham (Director of the Arts), Ms Miriam Townsley (Program Leader Music), Ms Megan Paterson (Dance Teacher) and our Performing Arts staff for their work in supporting our students.

ANZAC Day
When we return from the Easter break, our community will pause to mark ANZAC Day. This day is of particular significance for us, given the number of Defence families who are part of the MSM Community and our proximity to the Enoggera Barracks.

We will hold a MSM ANZAC Day ceremony on Thursday 24 April at 8:50am in the Sophia Centre. And on ANZAC Day, our students and their families are warmly welcome to join us at the annual RSL Ashgrove ANZAC Day March and Service.

Students who wish to march will meet College Staff at 7:15am on ANZAC Day morning near St Finbarr’s Catholic Church, on the corner of Waterworks Road and Betheden Terrace. The march will move through the streets of Ashgrove, finishing in Ashgrove Memorial Park, where the RSL will hold an ANZAC Day Service. Further information can be found in the letter that has been emailed home to all families.

MSM Chop
Our Year 12 students are busily preparing for the 2025 MSM Chop. This year 43 students will chop or shave their hair, and the whole cohort will prepare a special fundraising market day for our community. All funds raised from this event will be donated to Project Providence, as we seek to provide two education scholarships for female students in Malawi and Nigeria. The hair will be donated to the Cancer Council to make wigs for people undergoing treatment for cancer.

Please consider donating to this worthy cause and showing your support for our students. Donations can be made via the secure Westpac payment portal on the College website here (please select MSM Chop from the menu).

Centenary Art Competition:
To celebrate our Centenary year, the College is hosting an art competition that is open to all current staff and students. We are seeking artworks that tell the story of our College, in response to one of three categories:

• MSM Stories
• Mary Aikenhead and the Sisters
• Love, Hope, Justice and Compassion

Winners will receive a Westfield Gift Card ($150 for Grand Prize Winners and $50 for Highly Commended), and all competitors will receive a certificate. More information can be found on Year Level Teams Channels. The competition closes at 5pm on 20 June. 

Timely and Friendly Reminders
As the holiday season approaches, it is important to ensure that your daughter's totes are both presentable and functional. If they do not meet these criteria and she wishes to continue using a tote, we kindly ask that you purchase a replacement from the Kaf at your earliest convenience. Please note that laptops and laptop bags should not be carried in totes, as any damage incurred will not be covered under our policy.

Please be advised that any new or existing piercings, apart from one earring in each ear lobe, must be removed prior to returning to school. Current small hoops must fit within the diameter of a five-cent piece and should not exceed the width of 2mm. While stylish options like tear drop or diamond alternatives may be appealing, they do not comply with our uniform and presentation guidelines.

Embracing Holiday Time: A Guide for Parents
As the school term draws to a close, we find ourselves amidst a whirlwind of excitement and exhaustion, all while navigating the challenges of assessment tasks. Our students are fully engaged in this moment, with their sights set firmly on the finish line. For many families, time holiday time serves as a cherished opportunity to reconnect with loved ones and friends. However, it can also bring about its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to guiding our children in how they choose to spend their free time and with whom.

Rest assured, you are not alone in facing these parenting hurdles; we all encounter them from time to time. Current insights from family and adolescent psychologists offer valuable advice:

1. Be Present: Your daughters may not openly express it, but they genuinely desire and need your quality time.
2. Be the Parent: It is perfectly acceptable to have differing opinions from your child; they require guidance, advice, and clear boundaries.
3. Be Consistent: Boundaries hold little significance if they are not regularly reiterated and reinforced.
4. Be Persistent: Teenagers may forget, make errors, and naturally test limits; continue to uphold the boundaries you have established.

Lastly, remember to practice kindness towards yourself. Parenting can indeed be a challenging journey, but it is also one of the most rewarding experiences. From one parent to another, I wish you the best of luck during the Easter break!

As the term draws to a close, I extend my sincere gratitude to the teachers at MSM for their professionalism and dedication. Their commitment enriches the lives of all students at the College.
 
Teachers play a vital role in each student's educational journey, and it is essential that students appreciate their expertise. Through years of education and training, teachers have become specialists in their fields, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience that helps students learn and grow in ways they may not have imagined. Beyond the classroom, they dedicate countless hours to lesson preparation, providing feedback on draft assessments, grading final submissions, and offering ongoing support to students. Recognising and respecting their dedication is crucial.

Teachers also provide valuable insights and guidance to help students navigate their academic journey. So, how can students show respect for their MSM teachers' expertise in the classroom? Here are three practical ways:

1. Come to class prepared and ready to learn. This includes completing homework and bringing all necessary materials.
2. Ask questions without hesitation. If a concept is unclear, teachers are there to support student learning and want to see them succeed.
3. Communicate with respect. This means treating teachers with kindness and consideration, being polite in interactions, and avoiding disruptive behaviour in class.

By valuing teachers' expertise, we foster a positive and productive learning environment that benefits everyone.
 
Year 7 – 12 Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences for students in Years 7 – 12 will take place on the following dates next term:

• Tuesday, 22 April (8:30 am – 4:30 pm, online via Teams). Please note this is a student-free day.
• Tuesday, 6 May (3:30 pm – 7:00 pm, face-to-face in the Sophia Centre).

These conferences provide a valuable opportunity for parents and caregivers to connect with teachers, gain insights into their child’s academic progress, and discuss strategies for further development. They also serve as a forum to address any concerns related to learning, engagement, or wellbeing. Students are encouraged to attend these conferences alongside their parents and caregivers.
 
In the event of any teacher cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances, parents will be notified via email. Detailed instructions on accessing the online conferences on April 22 have been sent to all families and can be found here.
 
As we enter this sacred season, I wish all students and their families a joyful and restful Easter break, filled with renewal, hope, and the blessings of Christ’s resurrection.

Affirming and Celebrating Term One
As Term One comes to a close, we have spent some time this week reflecting on the successes we have experienced this term. We have also acknowledged the special people in our lives who have supported us this term by writing ‘thank you’ letters to them. Yesterday, the students in each Year 5 class wrote personalised, affirming messages to their peers in the other Year 5 class. These messages were written on the back of a decorated Easter egg, which were then hidden in the Convent Lawn for each student to find (Easter egg hunt-style). The girls were delighted to find their Easter eggs and special message from their peers!

Year 5 Parents 'Twilight Drinks' Event
It was lovely to see a number of Year 5 parents and caregivers at the Twilight Drinks event last Thursday. The purpose of the evening was to provide an opportunity for parents in the cohort to develop positive connections with one another. We hope that those who attended had an enjoyable evening! 

Junior School Positive Behaviours for Learning Awards
Congratulations to the following students for receiving Positive Behaviours for Learning Awards at our Year 5 Assembly this week:

Sadie (5H) – For your diligent application to your learning and your compassion for others. Sadie, you complete all tasks with care and consideration, always striving to do your best. Your work is beautifully presented, and your writing is carefully composed. You also make a positive contribution to our classroom community in the way that you demonstrate care and compassion for your classmates.  You are a true asset to 5 Hope.
Esther (5H) – For your demonstration of respect and resilience in all you do at MSM. You consistently show care and kindness to your classmates, fostering a positive learning environment in 5 Hope.  You are commended for the respectful way that you interact with teachers and peers.  Esther, you should be very proud of the way that you approach challenges with a growth mindset, and for embracing all that MSM has to offer in your first term at the College.  Keep up the super effort. 
Sarah (5L) – You are a respectful and compassionate learner who always finds ways to support those in need, especially through your involvement in the MSM Cares Group. Your enthusiasm for all aspects of school life is contagious, and it brings a sense of joy and energy to our classroom. I genuinely appreciate how you express gratitude every day by saying, 'Thank you for teaching me!' Keep up the fantastic work—you truly make our classroom a brighter place!
Olivia (5L) - You are a resilient learner whose positivity, courage and dedication to grow shine through. You greet all teachers with a smile and enthusiasm, and your willingness to try new things can be seen in all the co-curricular activities you are involved in. Keep embracing challenges with that same resilience and enthusiasm—you're setting a fantastic example for others and creating a bright path for yourself. Keep being awesome!

Thank You
My sincerest thanks go to the Year 5 teaching staff, Mrs Kate Marsh and Ms Kate Toohey, along with our Junior School Support Officer, Ms Jen Roberts, for their dedication and enthusiasm this term. Their professionalism has been unwavering, and has ensured a smooth transition to the College for our youngest students. 

I also wish to thank the Year 5 families for their support this term. It has a been a pleasure to work in partnership with you as the girls have commenced their MSM journey.
Wishing you a safe and happy holiday!