One of beautiful traditions of MSM that keeps us well connected to the Sisters of Charity is that the Sisters write letters to the new students when they begin their journey at MSM. The Year 7 students receive their letters early in Term 1 and this year the Year 5 students received a special prayer card that was designed by Sr Anne Taylor.
When I commenced as Principal of the College in 2017, a copy of the letters that the Sisters provided to our Year 7 students was shared with me. Two of the letters were from Sisters who were MSM Alumni, Sr Anne Crowley and Sr Margaret Mines. As the “new” Principal the letters helped me to understand some of our precious history and most importantly what these Sisters wanted our students to receive from their education at MSM; to make the most of every opportunity offered, develop strong friendships and foster a strong sense of connection to the College. I will be reflecting on this as I watch the CaSSSA Cross Country team compete today.
Sadly, both remarkable women have passed in very recent years, but their legacy will live on. I humbly share these letters with our community as we continue to reflect on 100 years “In faith and love”.
Dear New Year 7 Student,
Welcome to Mt St Michael’s. I hope your years at the college will be as happy as mine were when I was a student there more than sixty-seven years ago! Soon after the Sisters of Charity came to Brisbane at the invitation of the Archbishop in 1925 to work in the new parish of Ashgrove, they began teaching in the newly built St Finbarr’s primary school. They also set up a classroom in the convent, the beautiful old house ‘Grantuly’ which is now used by the college administration. The sisters taught secondary classes there until 1942 when Mt St Michael’s was opened in the building that faces Elimatta Drive. To swell the student numbers, the college for the first year only enrolled a Grade Six class. Most of the students were from St Finbarr’s. I was one of them and so became a pioneer student of MSM. Some years after leaving school I became a Sister of Charity and on two occasions, twenty years apart I lived at the convent while teaching at Mater Dei, Ashgrove West. To see what a great and happy college MSM has become delights me. I hope you find it so and enjoy your studies, make pleasing friendships and use all the opportunities the college offers.
May God Bless you
Sr Anne Crowley RSC
Sr Anne Crowley passed away on 21 October 2023. She was a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity Australia for 69 years.
Dear New Students at Mt St Michael’s,
It is many years since I was a student at Mt St Michael’s. At that time the College was much smaller in every way. The wonderful old building “Grantuly” is now the Administration Centre for the school, but then it was the Convent where the Sisters of Charity lived. Until last year I lived in a house behind the college. I now live in at Enoggera. The building on the corner of Aloomba and Elimatta Drive was our only building then, and now it is dwarfed by the wonderful constructions that have since been erected. We were few in number, compared to the many girls who are now amongst the wonderful group who will welcome you to Mt St Michael’s, and who will mentor and befriend you as you find your way in this great new adventure of community and learning at Mt St Michael’s in 2017. “Our Class” are still in contact with each other after sixty-seven or so years, and at least once a year we meet to have lunch and chat about what has been happening in our lives since we last met. Friendships are treasured over the years, and I feel sure you will be delighted with the new friends you will meet in the next little while. Not long after I left Mt St Michael’s, I became a Sister of Charity, and have taught in many schools in Sydney and Melbourne, but dearest to my heart were the years I taught at St Finbarr’s, Ashgrove and at Mater Dei Ashgrove West. During those years I lived in beautiful Grantuly, and felt very much at home, watching the progress of Mt St Michael’s as it grew and expanded. It has been a great joy to me to come to various events at the college and I always feel part of the Mt St Michael’s Community. Quite often, I meet people in different walks of life, who when they hear my name and that I am a Sister of Charity they ask if I know Mt St Michael’s. They are proud to tell me of their time at school, and how they loved their time there, and how well their studies and co-curricular activities prepared them for their future life. Like them, I hope you will enjoy the years ahead as you now start this exciting time of discovery, of exploration, of possibility, and of promise. May you be blessed in your time at Mt St Michael’s.
Sr Margaret Mines RSC, OAM
Sr Margaret Mines passed away on 12 June 2021. She was a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity Australia for 69 years.
In Faith and Love
Sharon Volp
2025 YEAR 5 GRANDPARENTS' MORNING
We look forward to welcoming Grandparents of our Year 5 students for a very special Grandparents’ Morning on Wednesday 4 June. This event is an occasion for our Junior School students to share their new school environment with their beloved grandparents and create treasured memories together.
MSM CENTENARY GALA DINNER
Have you purchased your tickets for the MSM Centenary Gala Dinner on Saturday 26 July at The Star Brisbane? Take the opportunity to celebrate this momentous milestone and indulge in a sumptuous two course dinner, dessert, five hour drink package, live entertainment and more for a night to remember. Book your tickets now!
MSM FOUNDATION PRESENTS CAREER CONVERSATIONS BREAKFAST WITH MSM ALUMNI BREAKFAST
Tickets are on sale NOW for the MSM Foundation Career Conversations with MSM Alumni Breakfast on Wednesday 18 June, 6:45 – 8:15am. Join MSM Alumni for a light breakfast and gain insight into their personal journey from MSM to their chosen career pathway. Throughout the morning you and your student will be given the opportunity to speak to several Alumni from varied industries in a speed networking format. This event is open to all MSM students, regardless of year level. Bookings are essential and ticket sales will close on Friday 13 June at 4pm.
MSM CENTENARY MASS - SAVE THE DATE
Save the date! We warmly invite all members of the MSM community, past and present to join us for the 2025 MSM Centenary Mass on Friday 25 July to celebrate 100 years of educating in faith and love.
The recent Dance Showcase held in the Sophia Centre was a shining example of creativity, dedication, and teamwork. Students delivered captivating performances across a diverse range of dance styles, blending technical precision with heartfelt emotion. It was truly inspiring to see how dance united students from across our school community, culminating in a memorable and inclusive celebration of talent.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to the Dance teachers, Ms Paterson and Ms Humbler, as well as the coaches, for their outstanding efforts. We also extend our gratitude to the parents who came along to support the performers, and to the staff members - Ms Statham, Mr Watson, Ms Danby, and the maintenance team whose hard work ensured the evening’s success.
This year’s Da Vinci Decathlon once again challenged and inspired students with its multidisciplinary academic competition. Teams competed in 10 disciplines, including engineering, art and poetry, ideation, and creative producers, showcasing their ingenuity and teamwork.
We are proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our students in the recent competition:
- Year 8: First place in Ideation
- Year 9: First place in Creative Producers
- Year 10: Third place in both English and Engineering
- Year 11: Second place in Creative Producers and third place in Legacy
Thank you to their coach, Dr Blackburn, for guiding the teams to success, and to Ms O’Neill and Mrs Desailly for supporting the students throughout the competition and for their contributions in marking school team results on the day.
This has been a week of reflection for the people of Australia. On 26 May, we pause for National Sorry Day, acknowledging the pain and loss to families caused by the government policies that led to the Stolen Generations. As I reflected on the enormity of the harm caused by loss of culture, the fracturing of families and the loss of autonomy, I was deeply moved by a powerful art installation organised by Brisbane Catholic Education's Wynnum Office.
National Sorry Day is a day for mourning, but it is also a day to acknowledge the resilience of our First Nations people, and for all of us to commit to reconciliation work. This year, a number of our Year 12 students and members of our Social Justice Council proudly attended the Teralba Park Morning Ceremony on National Sorry Day, where they heard the stories of survivors and laid a wreath on behalf of the College at the Stolen Generations memorial.
Double Denim Dress Up Day for Project Providence
Congratulations to our Year 12 students for organising a very successful dress up day to raise funds for Project Providence. MSM was a sea of blue-on-blue as staff and students donned double, triple and even quadruple denim! Our community raised an impressive $1,041 for Project Providence - enough to cover the costs of one full year of education for one of the girls we are supporting.
MSM Chop
Our Community is counting down to next week's MSM Chop. We thank and congratulate our Year 12 students who have been growing their hair in preparation for this event, and the wider Year 12 cohort who are planning a special market to support this event. If you would like to show your support for our students, please consider donating via our College Website payments portal. Donations can be made until the end of this term.
Sisters of Charity Centenary Display
We congratulate the Sisters of Charity on opening their special Centenary Display chronicling their ministry in Queensland. The Sisters officially opened their display on 24 May, and it is open to visitors until the end of July. You can visit the display on Level 2 of St Vincent's Private Hospital, Kangaroo Point.
Centenary Mass: Save the Date
Preparations are underway for our special Centenary Mass, to be held as part of our Mary Aikenhead Day celebrations on Friday 25 July. The Mass will be held in the auditorium at the Riverlife Centre in Seventeen Mile Rocks. This larger venue allows us to accommodate a limited number of family members and alumni. As seating is limited, family members and alumni who wish to attend will need to register for a free ticket. Further information about this Mass and the process for booking tickets will be sent to families via email next week.
On Saturday 17 May, our Year 12 cohort and their partners attended the annual MSM Charity Ball. This year we celebrated the occasion at The Rydges Hotel Southbank which provided a sophisticated and to quote one of our students, ‘boujie’ venue which was only trumped by the elegance and glamour of our girls.
All guests were impeccably behaved and proved to be supportive partners when it came to navigating the stairs in stilettos. The dancefloor was a hive of activity and was only vacated to enjoy meals and for the official proceedings of the event.
As a Charity Ball, each year our students donate a percentage of their overall expense for the night to a designated charity. This year I can proudly announce that our Year 12 students raised $1,852 for Project Providence which will contribute to funding the education of two girls in Africa who would otherwise not have the opportunity. The evening was a beautiful expression of how MSM girls acknowledge their privilege as a companion to responsibility.
I would like to thank the staff who gave up their Saturday evening to attend the Charity Ball and support our students to have a night of celebration. I extend the deepest appreciation to:
Ms Nicola Crawford
Ms Dom Cawood
Mr Bryn Hughes
Ms Jess Garrahy
Dr Colleen Robertson
Miss Ella Cartensen
Ms Paula Brydon
Mrs Madonna Kelly
Ms Ros Collier
Ms Sharon Volp
I must especially acknowledge Ms Olivia Lennon, the Year 12 Pastoral Leader for her tireless efforts in managing all aspects of this event with enthusiasm and grace at all times.
Year 11 2026 Subject Selection Evening – for current Year 10 Students
📅 Monday 2 June
🕔 5:00pm – 7:00pm
📍 Sophia Centre
This essential evening introduces the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) system and outlines the senior pathways available at the College. Students and families will be able to attend subject-specific information sessions to support decision-making for Year 11 and 12 study. All Year 10 students and their families are strongly encouraged to attend.
Year 10 2026 Subject Selection Evening – for current Year 9 Students
📅 Tuesday 15 July
🕔 5:00pm – 7:00pm
📍 Sophia Centre
This evening gives Year 9 students and families the opportunity to consult with Curriculum Leaders and subject teachers to support informed subject selection for Year 10. Further details will be provided by the end of term.
Year 7 & 8 Elective Presentations – 2026 Planning
In Term 3, students in Years 7 and 8 will hear from Curriculum Leaders about elective options for 2026. These sessions will help students understand the opportunities available and support their decision-making process.
SET Planning – Year 10 Students
From the start of Term 3, Year 10 students will begin the Student Education and Training (SET) Plan process, an essential step in selecting suitable senior subjects.
SET Plan Interviews
📅 Tuesday 16 July – Wednesday 6 August
⏱️ 25-minute interviews
🔗 Bookings via Parent Lounge
📅 Opens: Wednesday 3 June, 8:30am
📅 Closes: Tuesday 14 July, 3:00pm
To complete the SET Plan, students and parents will attend a meeting with either Ms Anna Webb (Program Leader – Career Pathways), Mrs Ellen Kean (Program Leader – Senior School), or Sally Crothers, Dean of Teaching and Learning. Participation in this process is a compulsory requirement of senior schooling.
Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments (AARA)
Mt St Michael’s College is committed to providing equitable assessment conditions for all students. In line with the Disability Standards for Education (2005) and QCAA guidelines, AARA supports students who face barriers due to:
- Permanent conditions
- Temporary illnesses or injuries
- Intermittent conditions or circumstances
To apply for AARA, families must submit medical documentation that includes:
- Diagnosis and date of onset
- Description of condition and impact on assessment
- Recommended adjustments
Please note:
- Middle Years: documentation must be updated annually
- Senior Years: documentation may need to be updated every six months, depending on the nature of the AARA provision
- AARA does not automatically carry over between semesters or assessment units
Ms Alison Larkings – Program Leader, Middle Schooling
Mrs Ellen Kean – Program Leader, Senior Schooling
Post-Schooling Q&A with Staff – Inspiring Future Pathways
On 20 May, Academic Captains Lucy Delbridge and Sarah Kumaru hosted a Post-Schooling Teacher Q&A where teachers from a range of disciplines who shared their diverse professional journeys before entering education — from town planning to scientific discovery.
The session offered students insights into the diverse pathways available after school, demonstrating that career discovery often involves unexpected opportunities, changes in direction, and overcoming challenges. Ultimately, it encouraged students to embrace uncertainty and remain open to new experiences along their journey.
Students seeking further guidance regarding post-school options and subject selection are encouraged to reach out to Ms Webb, our Program Leader for Career Pathways.
Elevate Education – Term 2 Parent Webinar Series
To complement Elevate Education’s student workshops for Years 7 - 9, parents are invited to attend a free webinar series offering practical strategies to support learning at home.
📅 Upcoming Webinars:
- How You Can Support Your Child During Exams
Tuesday 4 June | 6:30pm (AEST) - Ask Me Anything (Live Q&A)
Tuesday 18 June | 6:30pm (AEST) - How to Help Your Child Alleviate Stress
Tuesday 2 July | 6:30pm (AEST)
The Junior School has been a busy, vibrant space over the past fortnight! Along with continuing with our engaging units of learning, Year 5 students have been involved in a variety of exciting curricular and co-curricular experiences.
Queensland Cup Netball Competition
Ten of our students eagerly participated in the QC Netball Competition on Monday 19 May. The girls trained hard in preparation for the event, and it was pleasing to hear how well they worked as a team when playing against other primary-aged students. Thank you to Mrs Kay Roy, Ms Jane Tesch and the girls’ coach, Sophie, for their encouragement and support of our young netballers.
National Simultaneous Storytime
Last Wednesday, our Year 5 students participated in the National Simultaneous Storytime event, which is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association. Every year, a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in schools, libraries, bookstores and homes across Australia and New Zealand. This year, the picture book was “The Truck Cat” by Deborah Frenkel and Danny Snell. After reading the book, the Year 5 students engaged in a follow-up activity that has become part of a colourful visual display in the College Library. We extend our thanks to Ms Rita Archard and the Library staff for their preparation and support of this event.
On Tuesday, a team of Year 5 students competed in the All Hallows’ Year 5 and 6 Girls’ Maths Tournament, alongside 250 other students from 15 schools. These students demonstrated excellent collaboration, resilience and tenacity as they tackled challenging problem-solving tasks. It was thrilling to witness the joy on the students’ faces as they discovered solutions!
Congratulations to the following students for receiving Positive Behaviours for Learning Awards at our Year 5 Assembly this week:
Sienna (5H) – For your diligence and commitment in all learning tasks. Sienna, you consistently address challenges with perseverance and care, demonstrating a remarkable dedication to your work and progress. It is wonderful to see you enjoying the learning opportunities and challenges you are offered at MSM.
Asher (5H) – For your consistent application to your work and the exemplary behaviour you demonstrate each day. You produce work of a high standard, seeking feedback to ensure progress. Asher, you are a true asset to our class. Your warmth and friendship are valued by many in 5 Hope. Keep shining bright.
Jojo (5L) – This award is presented to Jojo for her commitment to kindness and inclusion. Jojo, you consistently make an effort to ensure that everyone feels valued and welcome, creating a supportive environment for your classmates. Your thoughtfulness and ability to look out for others make you a true MSM role model.
Abigail (5L) - Abigail, your perseverance in the face of challenges have been truly inspiring. You approach learning with determination and resilience, never letting obstacles hold you back. Not only do you strive to grow academically, but you also demonstrate exceptional social skills—building positive relationships, showing kindness, and uplifting those around you. Your hard work, resilience, and people skills are amazing!
On the weekend of 24-25 May, around 70 MSM music students gathered for our annual Music Camp, held at QCCC Brookfield, surrounded by lovely gum trees and fresh air — the perfect backdrop for a weekend of music-making, creativity, and connection. Students rehearsed in Camp Choir, String Orchestra, Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble and Guitar Ensemble.
A full orchestra rehearsed an exciting repertoire including "The Planets", "In the Hall of the Mountain King", and "A Charlie Brown Christmas", while the Combined Choirs prepared music for the Mary Aikenhead Day Mass, such as "10,000 Reasons" and "Faith in the Future". The extra workshops offered fun and exciting ways to learn including Camp Choir with Dr Anthony Young; Musicianship Games with Mrs Kate Tyson; Drama Games with Mrs Statham; Mrs Emi Scott’s “Intro to Percussion” workshop and of course, Camp Idol was a hilarious and heartwarming celebration of MSM spirit.
A big thank you to our supervising staff: Mrs Linda Statham, Ms Miriam Townsley, Ms Caroline Taran, Ms Jo Desailly, and Mrs Emily McLaughlin, Ms Katie Jordan, and our First Aid extraordinaire Mrs Francene Power, for making the weekend smooth, safe, and unforgettable.
YEAR 10 GEOGRAPHY EXCURSION - INVESTIGATING HUMAN IMPACT ON MORETON BAY
Year 10 Geography students recently explored Moreton Bay as part of our Human Impact on Moreton Bay unit, gaining firsthand insight into environmental challenges facing this important local ecosystem.
Aboard The Inspiration, a 12-metre catamaran, students worked closely with educators from the Moreton Bay Environmental Centre and our Ms Mcmaster and Ms Brydon, to examine key environmental challenges affecting the region. Equipped with scientific instruments and guided by expert insights, they collected vital data on water quality, marine biodiversity, and human-induced pressures on the bay.
We look forward to seeing how their research informs future discussions and inspires action towards the protection of Moreton Bay.
DRAMA CLUB PERFORM AT SISTERS OF CHARITY CENTENARY EXHIBITION
On Saturday 24 May the Drama Club students performed at the Sisters of Charity 2025 Centenary Exhibition at St Vincent’s Hospital. They performed three of the vignettes, unique to Mt St Michael's College that will be part of the Mary Aikenhead celebration in July.
Sr Cate O’Brien described the launch of the Exhibition Ceremony as very moving, 100 years to the day, and the exhibition itself far surpassed anything she had imagined.
Year 10 Art students explored the theme of Transformation in the 21st century, guided by Glen's approach to working with visual metaphor. Students will utilise this experience to develop works from 2D to 3D media.
Congratulations to Year 11 student Bayla, who competed in the Gymnastics Senior State Championships last week at Level 7. Bayla competed well and had a very successful meet achieving silver for her floor routine, 5th place on balance beam and 6th place overall.
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.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: SISTERS OF CHARITY CENTENARY EXHIBITION 24 MAY-6 JULY
Are you passionate about history and sharing its stories? We’re looking for volunteers with a connection to the Sisters of Charity and an interest in history to assist with the Sisters of Charity Centenary Exhibition at St Vincent's Private Hospital, 411 Main Street, Kangaroo Point.
The exhibition will run from 25 May to 6 July, between 10 AM and 3 PM (3-4 hour shifts). If you’re interested in being part of this meaningful event, we’d love to hear from you.
Email Lisa Eastment : lisa.eastment@svha.org.au
Thank you for your support!
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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