Mr Ian Margetts

Principal Principal’s Report 21st August 2020

For many of our students coming to Mount St Bernard College it is a ‘big invitation’.

Whether students are local or from the very remote areas of Queensland and the Northern

Territory, going to high school and even more so, becoming a boarder, can be a huge

challenge and requires a ‘yes’ to the uncertainty, worry and nervousness. Fortunately, we

have many support mechanism and people in place to make this as smooth as possible.

It reminds me of a poem by Christopher Logue:

“Come to the edge,” he said. “We’re comfortable back here,” they said. “Come to the edge,” he said. “We’re too busy,” they said. “Come to the edge,” he said. “It’s too high,” they said. “Come to the edge,” he said. “We’re afraid,” they said. “Come to the edge,” he said. “We’ll fall,” they said. “Come to the edge,” he said. And they did. And he pushed them. And they flew.

And at Mount St Bernard College we certainly help students to ‘fly’, or as our motto says, ‘Let Your Light Shine’. We do this academically, socially and spiritually with optimal learning and wellbeing as our goal.

We have been fielding 2021 enrolment applications for some time now. Apply now for 2021 by visiting http://www.msb.qld.edu.au/documents/ enrolment.html . Families are also most welcome to book in a school tour by appointment – contact Hillary

O’Brien at the College by phone – 07 4096 1444 or email hobrien1@cns.catholic.edu.au

Mount St Bernard College is proud to be a Community of Mercy. Mercy Communities are

very historically rooted in devotion to Mary. Last Saturday saw the feast of Mary, the Feast

of the Assumption.

The Feast of the Assumption originated in a sixth century feast of the Dormition or ‘Falling

asleep of Mary’. By the seventh century the feast became known as the Assumption of

Mary. The date of this feast commemorated a very ancient harvest festival towards the end

of summer, which gave thanks to the Earth Mother for her fertility in producing the

harvest. The feast of the Assumption commemorates the glorification of Mary, chosen by

God, to be the mother of Jesus. (Stories and Seasons: Saints and Feasts for Catholic Schools

and Parishes by Kevin Treston)

Mary took a chance, she said “yes”. Yes to a big invitation, an encounter that she could

have never anticipated.

Centuries later the context is different, but the story remains.

Ian Margetts - Principal

Does my child have to be Catholic?

Your child does not need to be Catholic to enrol at a Catholic school and there has never

been a defined percentage of Catholic and non-Catholic students that a school must enrol. In

fact, Catholic schools in the Cairns Diocese have large numbers of students from non-

Catholic backgrounds and are welcoming to all who seek and support their values.

When should I apply?

Apply now for 2021 – to apply visit http://www.msb.qld.edu.au/documents/enrolment.html

School tours available any time by appointment – contact

Hillary O’Brien at the College by phone – 07 4096 1444 or email

msb.enrolments@cns.catholic.edu.au

Are Catholic schools expensive?

Catholic schools remain an affordable option for most families, and Catholic schools in the

Cairns Diocese are surprisingly more affordable than some may realise.

Catholic school fees are comparable with, if not less than, kindy fees and compare very

favourably with other non-government / private schools in Far North Queensland (and also

Catholic schools in some other parts of Australia).

Fee discounts for siblings and country areas apply and there are generous.

There is also automatic fee concessions for those in genuine financial difficulty.

What if I can’t afford it?

Don’t let this be a barrier. Catholic schools balance the need to charge fees with their

historic role of providing access to quality schooling for all. For those who can’t afford to pay

school fees, discounts and concessions are available so that no child is denied a Catholic

education based on their family’s financial situation.

The Keys to Success…

It can seem crazy sometimes when you notice people around you doing

really well in school. Maybe you are not. So let’s take a look at the things

that successful students do well in order to achieve success.

Dan Niemerg - Assistant Principal - Student Wellbeing

Assistant Principal - Student Wellbeing Report

Mr Dan Niemerg

1. Get Organised. Making a plan for what you’re going to do and when you’re going to do it will make sure you’re always ahead of the

curve. LITERALLY.

2. Don’t Multitask. Multitasking is physically impossible...no matter what anyone else says.

3. Divide it up. Studying isn’t fun to begin with and forcing yourself through a study marathon will only make it worse. Divide your

work into manageable chunks and reward yourself when you finish each chunk will make it more fun!

4. Sleep. Don’t underestimate the importance of those eight hours of zzzz’s every night! Get a good nights sleep and refrain from

minding your craft or texting your besties into the wee hours of the morning.

5. Set a Schedule. Do you work better right after school or after you’ve eaten dinner? Are you more productive in 90 minute blocks or

half hour spurts? Find a schedule that works for you, and stick to it.

6. Taking Notes. Taking notes will not only keep you more engaged during class, but will also help you narrow down what you need

to study when exam time rolls around. It’s much easier to re-read your notes than to reread a textbook.

7. Study. This one is obvious. Review your material several days in advance in small chunks. Don ’t try to cram the night before a test.

8. Manage your Study Space. Find a place that will maximise your productivity away from the TV, phone and other distractions.

9. Find a Study Group. Sitting down with a group of people who are learning the same things as you is a great way to go over

confusing class material or prepare for a big test. Quiz each other, reteach material and make sure everyone is on the same page.

10. Ask Questions. You’re in school to learn, so don’t be afraid to do just that! Ask for help from a teacher, tutor or your friends.

Mr Scott Whitters

Dear Parents and Friends of MSB,

Last newsletter we profiled our two Assistant Heads of Boarding. This week I wish to introduce two of our Lead Supervisors

in Morrissey House. Both these ladies have been at MSB for a while and have a wealth of knowledge in residential care for

adolescents. Lead supervisors run all aspects of the boarding house in the absence of the Assistant Head of Boarding.

They have to be responsible, reliable and proficient and managing both staff and students. Lead supervisors manage

emergencies and other important concerns related to student health and wellbeing. I encourage all families to make an effort to get to know

our staff and learn about their specific roles. We will profile more staff over the coming weeks.

Thank you to all those families who make regular contact with their student throughout the week. It is important for young adolescents to

hear from family and friends. Please continue to encourage positive behaviours and support the College expectations.

Name: Margaret Freeman

Position: Senior Supervisor

What interests do you have outside of school:

Reading, spending time with family. As a local elder, I also organise and attend camps for young offenders, taking them back to country and teaching traditional knowledge.

How long have you been at MSB: I have been employed at MSB for 5 years.

What do you love about your job: I love working with the students and seeing them grow and develop into future leaders in our communities.

A memorable moment: One of my fondest memories was the dedication of our yarning circle in Miss Jude Koehler’s name.

A funny thing that has happened: A group of girls and I once went looking for tamarinds. We found a tree at Battle Creek and we were happily picking the fruit, when a dog started barking at us from a nearby yard. The girls and I did not realise there was a fence and we all started running back to get in the bus. As I tried to get in Chloe Claude (the littlest one of us all) beat me to the front seat and I could not get in. Luckily, the dog was on a runner and could not get out of the yard. All girls and I laughed at how Chloe had beaten me and I couldn’t get in.

Your dreams for MSB: My dream for MSB is to welcome students from around Australia and continue to educate future generations and leaders for another 100 years.

Name: Joanne Bull

Position: Senior Supervisor/Admin-Sports Co-ordinator. This term I am also working in the day school 2 days a week as a Learning Support School Officer What interests do you have outside of school: Stockcar Racing, Fishing, Camping, Basketball, Travelling How long have you been at MSB: Started February 2014 What do you love about your job: Interactions with the girls, learning about their cultures, being their mentor/positive role model in the absence of their parents. The variety in my role – bus driving, supervising, admin work, LSSO A memorable moment outside of school: Having my daughter Amy who is now 16yrs old A funny thing that has happened: Due to COVID during 2nd Term, staff were given alternate tasks to complete. Who knew you could have so much fun repairing the wrought iron fence down the front of the school and also getting to know staff in a different capacity. Lots of laughs and staff bonds were formed. Your dreams for MSB: To see the girls graduate and hoping that the influence I’ve had on their lives mattered. I look forward to seeing their younger siblings come through the ranks at MSB also.

Scott Whitters - Assistant Principal - Residential

ENGLISH NEWS

Mr Ray Pearson

Poetry Unit 9C English with Mr Pearson

This Term 9C are studying forms of poetry and various poetic devices that help form poetry including repetition, rhyme,

assonance, alliteration and rhythm.

The students are really enjoying the activities and putting their poems, whether individual or personal, on a Power Point

presentation.

The students will print this out for assessment but they can also take it back home to show the folks there.

I have read the Prologue to Archie Roach’s autobiography and when he was at school his English teacher often

commended him on his brilliant poems. The students were very interested in his background.

So poetry is important to help students get a sense of rhythm and fun and string verses together for meaning.

Ray Pearson - 9C English Teacher

I saw a wombat climbing a tree

I saw an echidna eating a bee

I saw a hippo stalking a shark

I saw a tomato sitting in a park

I saw a mouse chasing a cat

I saw a crocodile kissing a bat

I saw a cow going miaow

I saw Batman striking a “POW”

I saw a man who saw these too

And said though strange they all were true!

Mr Brendan Akers

Brendan Akers - Middle Leader Business & Information Technology

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGIES NEWS Students in Digital Technologies have been busy creating and programming for their projects this term. Our Year 8 class are hard at work designing monsters for the 3D animated film, Monsters University. They are using light-boxes to help trace details for the monster designs.

The Year 9 students are programming games and robots for their projects. They are learning how to control devices using block code to complete tasks. Griffin and Franklyn are having a great time designing their spaceship game in Game maker 2.

The Year 10 students are designing 3D figurines that will be 3D printed using melted plastic. The dolphin in the picture is the work of Danielle Rice.

Finally, the single Year 12 student, Hamish Burnett, completed his major design project this week. You can see the relief. I hope everyone looks forward to the completed projects at the end of term.

MATHS AND SCIENCE NEWS

Mr Malcolm Fahey

This week we started revision for Maths General and Biology. This process requires students to review all topics covered from throughout the year as well as having a good general knowledge of the work covered in 2019. This process will culminate with the administration of an External Exam . This exam will be supervised by two teachers who do not teach the subject, as well as two people who do not work for the school. Both of these exams are worth fifty percent of the marks awarded for the year so they are very important.

To help prepare younger students for these exams in year twelve, we have modified our practices in years nine and ten so that exams cover longer periods of learning. In year nine we cover ten weeks or a term’s work, in year ten we cover a semester or six months work.

To be successful over these longer periods of time students are encouraged to study regularly . Parents can help this process by encouraging year nine students to study for an hour a day, year ten 1.5 hours, year eleven 2 hours and year twelve 2 to 3 hours a night.

Malcolm Fahey - Middle Leader - Maths and Science

Year 9 Science Students, this term, are investigating The Atom and it’s Structure. On Wednesday afternoon, 9B were able to get time in the

bottom lab, to test elements, observing the reactions undergone by different atoms, when heated. Ms Angela and Ms Cazita were with them

as they used correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and followed instructions on safe use of bunsen burners. The opportunity to work

in a laboratory and study the nature of science is one that is rarely had, unless students attend a college such as Mount St Bernard’s with up

to the minute equipment, facilities and staff.

ART NEWS QATSIF AWARDS

For the past three years, our talented Mount St Bernard College artists and musicians have been

awarded prizes in the QATSIF Creative Arts Competition.

QATSIF (Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation) currently supports

3000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across the state with their senior studies. Each year, they run a

creative arts competition to recognise Queensland’s best secondary Indigenous artists.

Mr Michael Nayler, the QATSIF Secretariat Director said, “Mount St Bernard College has had the most creative arts

entries of any Queensland school each year for the past three years. I always look forward to seeing the deadly ef-

forts of your talented Mount St Bernard students. It is a credit to your school community that you can nurture so

many talented young artists”

Congratulations to Tahnee Stewart for 1st Place in Senior Wearable Art and also a Highly Commended in Year 11

Visual Art.

Traylea Sexton - Middle Leader—The Arts

Ms Traylea Sexton

Special shout out to Tanisha Vincent Year 12 for her Highly Commended award, we look forward to seeing you soon.

Highly Commended Year 8 Visual Art : River Nelson,

Zahdein Pearson-Bowie, Lataia Petersen & Jack Sharkey

Highly Commended Year 11 Visual Art : Zoe David-Sabatino,

Stacey Edwards, Annatania Escott, Anita Richard,

Sheniele Roughsey & Tahnee Stewart

Highly Commended Year 12 Visual Art : Tanisha Vincent

1st Place Senior Wearable Art : Tahnee Stewart

FOOD & TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Ms Karren Waring

Year 9 Food & Technology students are seen in the images with their gourmet sandwiches. This has been part of their

studies in Present & Prepare simple dishes.

HEALTH NEWS

DOES YOUR BODY NEED WATER:

Feeling tired?

Is your skin dry?

Do you feel hungry?

Is your urine (wee) dark?

Do you have a headache?

DRINK MORE WATER!!

All the above are signs that your body needs

more water. You should be drinking at least 8 cups

of water a day!

Nurse Stef

Careers and Vocational Pathways News

Careers

JCU VIRTUAL OPEN DAY

The countdown is on. We look forward to seeing your students at our Virtual Open Day next week - 20 and 22 August. Not only can they have all their questions answered about studying at JCU, but they can also take part in online activities for the chance to win some fantastic prizes.

CAREER SPOTLIGHT

Interested in being a police officer?

Visit the Queensland Police Recruiting website to begin your exploration.

Click on Entry Pathways and them New Recruit for information about the

entry requirements and how to prepare yourself for a police ca-

reer. When they start up again, attending an information session is also

very useful (click on Info Sessions & Events) as you get an opportunity to

ask questions about the job. The FAQs will answer many of your

questions.

Vet News

What qualifications will I get at the end of Year 12?

On 19 December 2020, you will be able to log into your QCAA Student

Portal to see your final subject results located in your learning account.

Senior education profile – Students completing Year 12 in Queensland

from 2020 will be issued with a senior education profile. Included in this

profile could be:

Senior Statement - this is a transcript of a student's learning account. The

Senior Statement shows all QCE contributing studies and the results

achieved that may contribute to the award of a QCE. If a student has a

Senior Statement, then they have satisfied the completion requirements

for Year 12 in Queensland.

Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) - The QCE is Queensland's

senior school qualification, which is awarded to eligible students, usually

at the end of Year 12.

Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA) - The Queens-

land Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA) recognises the

achievements of students who are on individualised learning programs.

Want an apprenticeship in 2020? Begin your search now!

Year 12s, don’t wait until you finish school in November to start looking for an apprenticeship. Start now as many employers begin to recruit for 2020 from this time of the year. The first thing you need to do is decide on the type of apprenticeship you want. The Queensland Training Information Service website has a list of apprenticeships currently available in Queensland. Click on the apprenticeships you are interested in for more information about the job. You can also talk to people already in the job and/or do work experience to help you with your decision. The following websites have useful steps to gaining an apprenticeship: Apprenticeships Info (click on ‘Start an apprenticeship or traineeship’)Australian Apprenticeships Pathways.

LOCAL APPRENTICESHIP VACANCIES

Carpentry | Apprenticeship Opportunity -Atherton Tablelands. For

David Stokes Building it is about finding the right person. You may be

a school leaver finishing this year or an adult wishing to try a new

career. If you have the right work ethic and desire to be a builder,

then we want to talk to you. We are open to considering anyone if

you can show us that you.

• Enjoy being hands on and practical

• Are willing to attend trade school and apply your study to work

We will accept applications up until the 4 September 2020.

Cabinetmaking | Looking for a keen young person that wants an

apprenticeship in cabinetmaking ASAP in Tolga. Phone 0407 954 988

SCHOLARSHIPS

Aurora Education Foundation: Indigenous Scholarships

In addition to helpful guides for Going to Uni and How to Get a

Scholarship, The Aurora Education Foundation provides a

dedicated Indigenous Scholarships Portal that lists scholarship

opportunities for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

Australians across universities, TAFEs or private institutions.

SAVE THE DATES - IMPORTANT DATES IN 2020

Term 3 2020

Thurs 27 Aug (Week 7) - BLA Youth & Careers Expo Years 10 –12 Cairns Showgrounds

Fri 4 Sept (Week 8) - Student Free Day for QCAA Confirmation Process Day

Fri 4 - Sun 6 Sept (Week 8) - Boarders Leave Weekend

Mon Aug 31 - Thurs 3 Sept (Week 8) - Rural Operations Training Block

Thurs 17 Sept (Week 10) - Term 3 ends at 3pm

Fri 18 Sept (Week 10) - Boarders Travel day home—MSB Office closes for School holidays

Well Women’s Clinics

(These clinics are available to Medicare eligible clients)

Service includes Cervical Screening Tests (Pap Smears), Sexual Health Screening, Breast Awareness, also info on Contraception, Continence, Menopause, Lifestyle Issues,

Bowel Health,Domestic Violence, etc.

All services are provided by a specially trained Women’s Health Nurse.

Atherton Health Centre Tuesday 25th August

Ph: 4091 0263

Malanda Health Centre Wednesday 26th August

Ph: 4096 5339