Assistant Principal - Curriculum

‘We are prophets of a future not our own’

Archbishop Romero

Certainly an interesting concept to reflect upon as we go about our daily tasks in

education, and one to not lose sight of.

A reminder to all Year 10, 11 and 12 students to check your Learning Account – it contains

details of all of your subjects, and any VET you have enrolled in. You are encouraged to check

this account regularly to ensure that all of your details are correct, you are maintaining QCE

eligibility, and for Year 12 students – you can access your final results.

For online career and job information visit:

Department of Education – www.jobguide.dest.gov.au

My Future website – www.myfuture.edu.au

Qld Dept of Employment & Training Jobs and Careers website–

www.trainandemploy.qld.gov.au/client/jobs_and_careers/

QTAC – www.qtac.edu.au

This is my last week as Assistant Principal at Mount St Bernard College, as I have been offered a

role at Catholic Education Services in Cairns. I have very much enjoyed my many years serving

this community, and look forward to continuing to assist the College in my new role.

Thank you to all Staff, Students and Parents/Carers for the many positive interactions

throughout the years, I have certainly learnt a lot and enjoyed my time with this great

community - Mount St Bernard College will travel with me in my prayers. I would also like to

take the opportunity to welcome Mr Ian Margetts, who will be filling the Deputy role from

Monday 10th August. Mr Ian Margetts comes to us from St Andrew’s Catholic College in Cairns,

and has a lot to offer our community.

7th August 2015

Principal: Mr David Finch

Assistant Principal - Curriculum/Admin: Mrs Janine Conolly

Assistant Principal - Mission: Mr Paul MacCallum

Acting Head of Residential: Ms Jenny Rossiter

Business Manager: Mr David Osborne

Office Manager: Mrs Sue Wegert

QCAA’s Learning

Account -

www.studentconnect.

qsa.qld.edu.au – you

will need your LUI and

password that you

received in grade 10.

Year 10 students will

receive their Learning

Account information

this term.

As Archbishop Romero reminds us, as educators, we are but a step along the way for our

students. I wish our students all the best in their future endeavours, and encourage them to

build upon the solid foundations laid at Mount St Bernard College.

Many thanks,

Janine Conolly

Mr David Finch

Another busy week in the life of Mount St Bernard College.

We have had some special visitors and presentations this week.

Below is pictured David Johns, Ann Rebgetz, Diarmuid O’Riordan and Bernard Dobson who have been busy completing our External Validation of the College.

We also farewelled Janine Conolly and wish her all the best in her new position at Cairns Catholic Education Services.

With regards—David—Principal

Farewell

Presentations for

Janine Conolly

departing Assistant

Principal—

Curriculum and

Administration

Janine Conolly - Assistant Principal Farewell

As I sit here writing this, I can hear the sound of beautiful singing accompanied by a guitar

coming from the Junior girl’s common room. Miss Carla is taking the opportunity of spending

this valuable group time with the Year 7 and 8 girls as they have supper and get themselves

calmed ready for bed. Down in the boys dorm, I have heard that Mr Stan sometimes walks

through playing country songs on his guitar. These are just two of many examples of the caring

support provided by our residential supervisors.

We understand that it is difficult for many families to have their young ones living so far away.

Please don’t hesitate to contact a member of our team if you have any concerns or would like

some further information about how they are going.

It is an exciting time for the male boarders as

extensions to Bernards’ Dorm near completion. Along

with additional sleeping pods, there is a new large

common room and additional office space for the Lead

Supervisor and Indigenous Liaison Officer. When you

visit the College take the opportunity to have a tour of

these facilities. The views from the top pods will make

them prime real estate.

Last Wednesday, students joined with staff in wishing

Principal, Mr Finch a very Happy Birthday. Kitchen staff

made a wonderful cake which was shared during dinner.

There have been some exciting developments with our study

program in the past two weeks. New staff member, Miss Tess

Weedon, has put together an interesting rotation of activities for

students who have no set home work during study.

If a student has home work set by their teacher they must

complete this first.

If they have no set work then they must work on the

activity for that night.

Activities include: Literacy, Maths and General Knowledge.

General Knowledge usually involves watching a

documentary and completing an associated writing task.

At the end of the compulsory study period, students write

in their study journal outlining the work covered that

night.

Journals are reviewed by Miss Tess on a weekly basis.

Teaching staff, Mr Pay Pearson and Mr Will Trueman continue to

work with students during study time.

Jenny Rossiter Head of Boarding

(Acting)

Woolworths ‘ Earn and Learn is on again.

We are excited to be taking part in the Woolworths Earn & Learn program again this year. You can help our school by collecting Woolworths Earn & Learn Points. Just collect Woolworths Earn & Learn Points when you shop at Woolworths between Monday 15 July and Tuesday 8 September 2015. We will redeem these for awesome educational resources for our school. For more information go to: woolworths.com.au/earnandlearn

You don’t have to use the Woolworths Earn & Learn Points Sheet . Just bring or send your tokens to school or drop it into the MSB Collection Box at the Woolworths in Atherton.

The more we collect, the more we can redeem. There are thousands of products available through the Woolworths Earn & Learn program, and we'd like to get lots of new gear! Products in the range include resources for mathematics, English, Science, art & crafts, through to sports gear, library supplies and more. We are grateful for your support and look forward to a successful program but please don’t feel obligated to shop at Woolworths. It is entirely up to you to participate or not. If you have any questions, please ask for Chris Weedon at the MSB Library. Phone 4096 1444

2015 James Cook University

Legal Studies Conference

Senior Legal Studies students attended the 2015 JCU Legal

Studies Conference this term. Head of Law at JCU, Ms Mandy

Shircore welcomed 200 students from the region to a full day of

lectures and discussion. Keynote speaker Hugh de Kretser talked

about community law and social justice. Kate Galloway lead dis-

cussion in Indigenous People and the Law and Malcolm Barrett

addressed students on topics surrounding International Law and

the law of armed conflict.

Other workshops included Criminal Law and Environmental law.

An engaging Q & A style forum involving notable legal and media

personnel including Justice Henry, allowed students to ask the

experts. MSB students submitted four searching questions on

film which were all comprehensively debated by the Panel.

Well done, legal students for your active participation in this

event. Our thanks to organisers and JCU for a relevant and

interesting day of legal learning.

Chris Weedon - Legal Studies Teacher

Fergus, Olivia, Chloe and Siyesha attended the

conference at JCU

Right: Legal Studies students work on the intricacies

of the law of contract. Sometimes a computer screen

is just not big enough.

Senior Agriculture Report

Last term senior Agriculture students constructed the fencing for our

new vegetable paddock. During the first two weeks this term they have

installed a watering system and planted strawberries, grape vines,

tomatoes and capsicums. Fruit trees including oranges, mandarins,

apples and paw paw have been planted on the adjacent hill. In a few

months time their efforts will bare fruit so to speak!

Bibrah Sands, Evelyn Lyall and Thelma

Bani hard at work completing the fencing.

Year 11 Agriculture students gather ready to assemble

the last run of fencing in the new vegetable paddock.

The unit being studied this term focuses on

poultry production and the uses of meat from all

beasts. One end of the paddock has been

dedicated to rearing chickens. A mobile coop has

been assembled and our chooks will arrive in the

near future. As well as fruit and vegetables we

will soon have a supply of fresh eggs.

Jaylin Fobister and Dylan Fitzgerald

bury the base of the new fencing.

Our studies of meat are being put in to practice.

The students have just manufactured their first

batch of homemade sausages. Diversity is the spice

of life so we made four different types of sausage

to cater for all tastes. We are about to make our

first batch of salami. Our sausages as well as the

wine and cheese we have made will be available for

parents to sample during our NAIDOC Day

celebrations.

Will Trueman - Agriculture Teacher

The Year 11 girls plant our new orchard.

Chyanne O’Keefe swings the mattock

while Maree Higginson watches on.

MATHS DEPARTMENT

John Hattie is a current researcher in education that has collated a lot of research from other people in education. He has looked at how different items help student learning. In his interpretation, he gives a score (effect size) of 0.38 being standard learning. This means a student has been at school for 6 months and learnt 6 months of material. Looking through the list that Hattie has developed, the item titled “Parental involvement” had a score (effect size) of 0.51 and “Study skills” had a score (effect size) of 0.59.

Looking at these long term and widespread research numbers, it means these scores that are over 0.38 imply students can learn effectively while doing home study. Some tips in study skills may include:

Study for 45mins and have a 10 min break.

If technology is not needed, do not have it near the study area.

Have water at the study desk and drink every 15mins.

Set achievable goals, and if the goals are achieved, students should give themselves a reward (grab a bit of fruit or have a play with the dog).

A timetable is effective (30 minute allotments).

Music is a distractor.

Diary use.

Ben Smith - Middle Leader Mathematics

HOMEWORK CLUB

Homework Club has started. It was great to see students in Years 7, 9, 10, 11 and 12 present for the first session. If there are any questions regarding how it operates please contact Mr Ben Smith. Typically there will be one teacher from the Math/ Science departments and one teacher from the English/ Social Science/ Religious Education departments. Students are required to bring their own work with them with the teacher providing guidance.

Remember two special pieces of information:

(1) Homework Club is for all students, both day students and boarding students.

(2) Attending day students are able to have a snack from the dining room on Wednesday afternoons.

Key information

Time: 3:15pm to 4:15pm

Day: Wednesday

Location: MSB library

Ben Smith - Middle Leader Mathematics

bsmith@msb.qld.edu.au

In 9.2 Maths, we are learning about Probability, or as it is usually

called, chance. We have looked at things that are certain, like the

sun rising tomorrow, through to the impossible. As part of our

learning, we did experiments to find the probability associated

with, rolling dice, tossing coins and choosing a counter of a

particular colour. Here are a couple of photos of us in action.

Romatu

chooses a

counter from

the box held by

Simone

Lyn-Sue rolls

a dice.

Probability

Well Women’s Clinics

(These clinics are available to Medicare eligible clients)

Service includes 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 Wed 19th August Ph: 4091 0263

Atherton Midin Mon 10th August Ph: 4091 6103

Malanda Health Centre Thurs 27th August Ph: 4096 5339

Year 10 Geography

By Mr Kirk Morley

This term Year 10.1 and 10.2 are focussing on Geography. In particular we are studying Environmental Change and Management. This unit takes an in-depth look at current issues that have developed through our (humanity) interactions with our environments. We have just finished looking at our ecological foot print and the enhanced greenhouse effect due to human activity.

To help students gain a greater understanding of the issues presented in the unit, some field studies have been planned. The first field study has been done and was a great success. This week the Year 10s visited the Herberton Transfer Station to examine what happens to our waste after we throw it away. The students discovered that: up to 70% of our waste is recyclable; wet waste is dried to reduce methane gas emissions, and, the various precautions the transfer station uses to prevent toxic run off and leaching into the surrounding water ways. The next field study is planned for week four and will investigate the water quality of the Wild River at Wondecla.

The unit’s overall intention is to have students inquire about and

examine the interactions of environments, particularly changes

over time to one environment and its flow - on effect on other

environments.

Many thanks to Nick at the Herberton Transfer Station for his

time, patience and knowledge.

MSB NAIDOC DAY SHIRTS FOR SALE$50.00

PH: 40961 445 TO ARRANGE PAYMENT & DELIVERY

Upcoming Events 2015

Thurs 20th Aug Feast of St Bernard

Fri 21st Aug MSB Naidoc Day

Fri 21st from 3pm - Sun 23rd Aug Boarders Free Weekend

Sun 23rd - Mon 24th Aug Peninsula Athletics - Barlow Park Cairns

Thurs 27th Aug Deadly Australians Presentation @ MSB

Tues 1st & Wed 2nd Sept QCS Tests

MSB Naidoc Day

Is coming Friday 21st August

Naidoc Day is fast approaching.

The College will provide a Bus Service from Cairns on the morning of Friday 21st August and return to Cairns in the afternoon.

This will coincide with the Boarders free weekend.

Please note we are unable to provide any accommodation at the school.

Bus Pick up points are , 1st, Gordonvale followed by, Stockland Earlville, Cairns Central, Smithfield & Mareeba.

These will be central pick up points not residential addresses.

Please advise college if you will require this bus service asap.

Limited seats available.

The Naidoc Program will be running all day from 8.30am - 3pm.

Program includes Liturgy, Cultural feast and of course our famous dancers.

More details to come about other exciting events.

Naidoc shirts will be for sale. Cost $50.00

All family are welcome to attend.

RSVP no later than Tues 11th July.

If you have any further queries

PH: 40 961 444

We look forward to seeing you.