11th November 2011 Principal: Mr Luke Reed Assistant Principal - Mission: Ms Janette King Assistant Principal - Curriculum: Mrs Janine Conolly Head of Boarding: Ms Veronica Loudon Business Manager: Mr Mark Goulston Office Manager: Mrs Sue Wegert Dear Members of the MSB Community The last weeks have provided us with a number of events that demonstrate the true character of our school community and the calibre of the young people and adults who constitute it. Our yearly highlight is MSB’s Annual Presentation Evening; this year being the 91st. Such events acknowledge and celebrate quality outcomes right across the life of our College community. Well over 90% of individuals were acknowledged for their participation, consistent efforts and quality achievements in academic, service & leadership, sporting and cultural spheres. The three top awards celebrated these qualities and achievements at the highest levels. The Mercy Award, Principal’s Award and College Dux Award were presented to Raina Tomsana, Teressa Cross and Emma-Lee Wood, respectively. These three fine young women, on the verge of graduating from our College, embody the character, commitment and excellence that we would hope all graduates of MSB epitomise to a high degree. Congratulations to these ‘golden girls’ and through them we applaud the success and achievement of all of our students.

We would be forgiven if we assumed that after an event like Presentation Evening it would be understandable if people sat back and rested awhile; not at MSB. The following day 15 students and staff regrouped to participate in the Cancer Council’s Relay for Life, raising significant funds and awareness as well as commendably representing our College community. Congratulations to all participants who worked so cooperatively with Ms Leanne Standen in putting in place arrange-ments and fundraising events in a short time frame.

“Hope” is a theme that has linked these recent events. Hope is far more than wishful thinking; in our Christian tradition ‘hope’ is a firm belief that is underpinned by deliberative action. The Cancer Council’s hope for a cure to this disease and belief that life has meaning and dignity despite illness and suffering is given substance by the work it and its supporters undertake; not least of which is an event like Relay for Life. Similarly, our students and families hope that access to a quality education, like offered at MSB, would lead to opportunities which create a positive, enriching and fulfilling future. This sort of hope is most real when, with the support of family and school commu-nity, students commit to positive and substantive engagement in their own education. Hopefulness without the corresponding activity on our part can be misleading and end in a disappointment. Hopefulness is a fundamental Christian characteristic. The scripture readings this weekend (Matthew 25:14-30) for the penultimate Sunday of the liturgical calendar remind us not to take salvation for granted. Though we live in the knowledge that God’s love for us ultimately triumphs over all adversity, we are not to rest on our laurels; we are called to use all the resources at our disposal to support a way of life that offers dignified meaning, purpose and direction to ourselves and others. Oftentimes this is diffi-cult to see, particularly when we are in the midst of hardship and disappointment. However it is hope-fulness that lifts our eyes beyond the horizon of despair, and empowers our feet to move forward one step at a time. It is not coincidental that the very next story in Matthews’s Gospel is the account of the ‘final judgement’ where the honoured of God are those who provide food, shelter clothing and support to the ‘least of these brothers and sisters of mine’. Let our hopefulness always find expression in good works and, in the context of our school community, a commitment to all the tasks of learning and growth, so that we might become the people our God created us to be. God bless! Luke Reed - MSB College Principal

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - CURRICULUM

Year 12 students Remember –Year 12 results are available online via your student learning account. You can access your OP results before they arrive in the post. Check your results online in your Learning Account, all you need is your LUI and password, which you have been issued. If you are unsure, please come and see me so that I can re-issue you with your LUI. Results will be released in your Learning Account on Saturday 17th December. Log on to www.studentconnect.qsa.qld.edu.au and enter your LUI and password, then click on the results tab. QSA will post your results to your home address from Friday 17th December. Depending on postal delivery times, you can expect to receive your results in the mail from Monday 20th December. All students should have planned their QTAC preferences so that their 1st and 2nd choices are their IDEAL COURSES, 3rd and 4th choices are their REALISTIC COURSES, and their 5th and 6th choices are their FOOT IN THE DOOR choices. You are still able to change your QTAC preferences after you have received your OP. Yr 10 & 11 students: The Learning Account service is an individualised, online service offering information to help young people and their parents map a pathway to a Queensland Certificate of Education and beyond. It’s a one-stop shop with information on careers, what, where and how to study, writing resumes and a link to online job vacancies. It’s also where you view your learning account to see enrolments and results, and track progress towards a Queensland Certificate of Education. All yr 10 students have been issued with their LUI and initial password, and walked through the website, yr 11 students have this information from last year. www.studentconnect.qsa.qld.edu.au It is essential that all year 10 and 11 students access this site to check that their Learning Account has the correct enrolments and results listed. MSB can only access Learning that is provided through the school – it is the student’s responsibility to track their own progress. Please see me if you require your LUI number. Exam Blocks are as follows for senior students, timetables have been disseminated, and students require signed parental permission if they wish to access study leave for the first block 10-14th November: 11/12 EXAM SCHEDULE: Year 11 will have classes as normal on Thursday 10 November, and Exam Block on Friday 11th and Monday 14th. Yr 12 will have the full three days as exam block.

11/12 SOR exam (1.5hr) will be held during the class double on Wednesday 9th November.

Thursday 10/11 Friday 11/11 Monday 14/11

8.55-10.30am 12 Maths B – KAPS (1.5hr) 12 Maths A – KAPS (1.5hr) 11- All classes as normal

8.30-11am 12 Maths B – MAPS (1.5hr) 12 Maths A – MAPS (1.5hr)

8.55-11am – Common Rm 11/12 Graphics –Prac 11/12 BCT Prac Exam 11/12 Tourism (1hr)

11.00-12.40pm 12 Legal Studies (1.5 hr) 11 – All classes as normal

11-12.40pm 11/12 Recreation Studies – Boat Li-cence – remainder of Day 11/12 Home Ec – Practical (H Ec Rm) 11/12 Visual Art – Practical (Art Rm)

11.00-12.40pm 11/12 Assignment completion & Study – Seminar Room

1.30-3.00pm 12 Assignment completion & Study – Seminar Room 11 – All classes as normal

1.30-3.05pm 11/12 Recreation Studies – Boat Li-cence – remainder of Day- cont. 11/12 Home Ec / Vis Art Prac to con-tinue as required.

12.30-3pm 11/12 Modern History (2.5hr) -start 12.30pm 12 PE (1.5hr) – start 12.30pm 12 Creative Art – Prac (Art Rm) 12 Ind. Tech – Prac ( Man Arts)

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - CURRICULUM Cont’d

Year 11 FINAL EXAMS: All students are required to be in attendance for both days of Final Exams.

Congratulations to all who have worked hard during the year, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavours. Presentation Evening was a fantastic celebration of the achievement of many. For all students completing their final assessments, believe in yourself and your abilities, and put in your very best efforts to achieve well. Janine Conolly Assistant Principal - Curriculum

TERTIARY EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS

APPLY DECEMBER 2011

The Far North Queensland Youth Assistance Fund can assist with scholarships for those commencing their tertiary studies in 2012. The scholarship applications are assessed by a “merit and means test” process and are provided to assist youth to achieve their goals in their chosen field. Applications can be obtained from the Fund’s website at www.fnqyaf.org.au. Alternatively, enquiries can be directed to the Fund’s Office on 40516590 (9am – 3pm Mon-Fri). Applications close 31st December 2011.

Monday 21/11 Tuesday 22/11

9-10.30am 11 Maths B – KAPS (1.5hr) 11 Maths A – KAPS (1.5hr) 11 PV Math – Assessment completion/study (Seminar Room)

8.30-11am 11 Maths B – MAPS (1.5hr) 11 Maths A – MAPS (1.5hr) 10.1 (Mr Jamieson) Math (1.5 hr) 11 PV Math – Assessment completion – F1.1

11.00-12.40pm All 11s – Assessment completion/study (Seminar Room) 12.00-2.30pm F2.1 11 Physics (2.5 hr +5 Perusal) 11 Biology (2 hr)

11-12.40pm 11 Legal Studies (1.5hr) All remaining 11s – classes as usual P3&4

1.30-3.00pm All 11s – P5&6 – Classes as usual 11 Creative Art – Prac (Art Room) 11 Industrial Tech – Prac (Manual Arts)

1.30-3.05pm 11 Assignment work completion (Seminar Room)

Year 8 Expedition 2011

Koombooloomba Dan... A report from members of Year 8

On 24th October, 2011, Mount Saint Bernard’s Year 8 class prepared to adventure beyond the bounda-ries of normal horizons. We left for Koombooloomba Dam by bus at 6.30am on Monday morning. A four kilometre walk, with 5 – 10 kg packs on, led us to our camping site. By then it was 10am and we were exhausted. We cleaned up the rubbish from the previous campers and set up our tents.

Group 1 went to practise Canoeing Basics while group 2 did Health and Safety. ‘One of the funniest things was when we were canoeing, the girls were bragging about how they hadn’t capsized yet. After a while I got sick of them bragging, jumped out of my canoe and capsized them, so they would be quiet, and also for the fun of it.’ Miss Standen and Renatta held the record for the most capsizing out of everybody. On Tuesday group 1 did the 6 km canoe trip, while group 2 did it on Thursday. This was the most fun activity for the whole camp, especially trying to dodge some of the trees that were sticking out of the water. But most of them we just rammed. Some would fall over, but others just stayed still while we were pushed to the side. We canoed all the way round the dam, stopped at islands and saw a waterfall. When we all leaned to one side we would capsize. We played Battleships where all the canoes fought and rammed each other.

Meanwhile group 2 went on a 12km hike up the Misty Mountains to Rhyolite Pinnacle. This hike was painful. It was man versus wild. The leeches were thick. Several people were stung by stinging nettles and nearly everyone else got tangled and twisted in wait-a-while. It was a fun walk apart from these minor irritations. On the way back there was a tree down over the track. Sean went to climb over it, but his foot got caught. As he fell he put his hand down to stop the impact, bent his wrist back and broke it. Sean was tough about it, but unfortunately had to go home.

Wednesday was a free day where we played some fun games with the NET Team and went swimming. On Thursday it was time for group 1 to do the rainforest walk where you literally had to crawl under or jump over a lot of dead overhanging trees. By the time we reached the top we either didn’t have the energy to complain or were just stunned by the fact there was barely a leech for the whole walk.

The last day of camp was both, good and bad; good because we would be able to go home and sleep in our own beds, but bad because we had to pack up everything and walk out. All in all it was a fun and exciting way to experience new things.

NET TEAM REPORT This year MSB has hosted it’s very own NET Team. NET Teams are Catholic Youth Ministry teams made up of volunteers giving up a year of their lives to serve the Church in ministry. This year’s MSB NET Team have been Paul

Shakhovskoy, Justine Cumbo, Laurent Dubois, Megan Schick and Laura Partridge. Some of our highlights from this year have been:

1. The NAIDOC Week Mass and Celebrations were absolutely breathtaking, and it was amazing to see the Indigenous and Islander students get up and share their culture with their fellow students and with us through dance, music, family and even food!

2. A consistent highlight of this year has been our Switch Youth group for the boarders, held weekly on Thursday nights. It’s been such an inspiration to see the young people grow in their faith throughout the year and have a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith.

3. The many travels we have had around the Cairns Diocese, from Mossman to Innisfail, Mareeba to Ravenshoe, Cairns and Tully; we have spread the Good News to young people in all the differ‐ent areas of the Cairns Diocese

4. Our consistent RE classes throughout this year with the MSB students, exploring topics includ‐ing: God’s Love, Social Justice, Sacraments, the Saints, World Youth Day, the Lenten Journey and many others.

Upcoming Events Thursday 10th-Mon 14th November Year 11/12 Block Exams Wed 16th Nov Year 12 Fitzroy Island Excursion Thurs 17th Nov Year 12 Community Day @ MSB Thurs 17th Nov Year 12 Graduation Mass 6pm followed by Supper 7pm Friday 18th Nov Year 12 Final Day 8.30-9.30am Dance Practice 10-10.50AM Final Assembly 11am - 6.30pm With Family for Formal Preparations 6.30pm Formal @ The Lodge Tinaroo Resort Mon 21st-Tues 22nd Nov Year 11 Final Exams Thursday 24th Nov Students End Term 4 Friday 25th Nov Boarders Travel Day Friday 9th Nov MSB Office Closes

FREE Well Women’s Clin- ics Service includes Pap Smears, Sexual Health Screening, Breast Awareness, also info on Contraception, Continence, Menopause, Lifestyle Issues, Domestic Violence, etc. All services are provided by a specially trained Women’s Health Nurse. Millaa Millaa Health Centre Tuesday 22nd Nov 2011 Ph: 4097 2223 Malanda Health Centre Wednesday 23rd November Ph: 4096 5339 Herberton Hospital Thursday 24th November Ph: 4096 2222 Atherton Community Health Friday 25th November

Students inspired to stay safe

Award-winning injury prevention program, the Spinal Education Awareness Team (SEAT) inspired students at our school to stay safe recently. Run by the Spinal Injuries Association and accredited by Education Queensland, SEAT has a proud 24 year history having reached more than 1.4 million students and counting! At the heart of the program are the 18 volunteer presenters based throughout Queensland, who all have a spinal cord injury and use a wheelchair. Because there’s no cure for a spinal cord injury, they’re committed to educating young people on how to avoid it happening to them. Most spinal cord injuries could have been prevented, and statistically young people between 15 and 30 are most at risk of sustaining paraplegia or quadriplegia. SEAT presenters emphasise that a split-second decision such as getting into a car with a drunk driver or being pressured into doing something dangerous like jumping off a jetty can cause them to be paralysed for the rest of their lives. Simple precautions including wearing a seatbelt, walking into any body of water to check its depth, not giving into peer pressure, and not texting while driving can save them from a lifetime of using a wheelchair. Thanks to the generous major sponsorship by BHP Billiton Cannington Mine, the program is free until 30 June 2013. The Mine’s assistance, along with the support of other sponsors – the Queensland Government, the Motor Accident Insurance Commission and the RBSM Foundation – means the SEAT presenters are on track to speak to more than 100,000 children throughout the state this year alone.