Mercy Messenger Week 2 Term 4 – Friday 17 October 2014

Mercy
Messenger
Week 2 Term 4 – Friday 17 October 2014
Contents
Principal .......................................................................... 1
Date Reminders
October
Mon 20 ............................................................................ Pupil Free Day
Do kids sit down too much in class? ........................... 1
Thu 23 ............................. Maths Tutoring (Yr 10 only) 8.00am Rm D12
(What is executive function?) ..................................... 1
Thu 23 ......................................Maths Tutoring 3.00 – 4.00pm Rm D12
Changes Ahead – relevant to parents of students in
Years 7 & 8……................................................................. 2
Thu 23 ...................................... English Tutoring 3.00 – 4.00pm Library
State changes position on external exams ................. 2
Assistant Principal Mission ............................................. 3
Thu 30 ............................. Maths Tutoring (Yr 10 only) 8.00am Rm D12
Thu 30 ......................................Maths Tutoring 3.00 – 4.00pm Rm D12
Thu 30 ...................................... English Tutoring 3.00 – 4.00pm Library
November
Mercy Day ................................................................... 3
Mon 10 ...................................................... Speech Night 7.00pm MECC
Street Rosary................................................................... 5
Fri 14 ...................................... Sports Night 6.00pm Mercy College Hall
Building Progress Report ................................................ 5
Wed 26 ..................................................................... Yr 10 Semi-Formal
Our new cooking room… ............................................ 5
Formal Uniform............................................................... 5
Thu 27 ....................................................... Yr 7/8 2015 Orientation Day
Fri 28 ............................................................. Year 10 Graduation Mass
Science Department ....................................................... 6
Mass Times – Southern Cluster Parishes
Amendments to the assessment calendar ................. 6
Book Club ........................................................................ 6
Second Hand Uniform Shop............................................ 6
Science Quiz Questions:.................................................. 6
Careers & VET Department............................................. 7
St Mary’s
St Francis Xavier
St Patrick’s
St Therese’s
St Michael’s
Saturday 6.00pm
Saturday 6.00pm / Sunday 9.00am
Sunday 7.00am
Sunday 7.00am
Sunday 9.00am
Student Wellbeing Committee ....................................... 7
Blue Knot Day.................................................................. 7
St Vinnie’s Committee .................................................... 8
Did you know?? .............................................................. 8
Science Quiz Answers: .................................................... 8
Music Ministry
2014 Yearbooks .............................................................. 9
Students are invited to lead the music ministry at St
Mary’s Church, 6.30pm every second Saturday of the
month.
Sport.............................................................................. 10
Sports Night Celebrations ......................................... 10
The Pyjama Foundation ................................................ 11
Student Travel Rebates ................................................. 12
Cook’s Corner................................................................ 13
Tuckshop ....................................................................... 14
Community Notices ...................................................... 15
Front Cover: Students performing at Eisteddfod.
L-R: Annabelle Morgan, Dominique Poots, Emma
Carroll, Taylor Hayes, Ashleigh Phillips, Chloe Mengel.
Please come along and sing on Saturday 25 October
and 8 November.
Be inspired….
The essence of leadership is taking responsibility
for something that matters to you.’
-
Julian Weissglass,
Professor of Mathematics,
University of California-Santa Barbara,
USA
Galoot (guh-LOOT) Noun
Slang - an awkward, uncouth, or foolish person.
Sentence: Only
the galoot still looks ready for an argument,
and Harry almost hopes they will argue.
Source: Dictionary App
Principal
Do kids sit down too much in class?
(What is executive function?)
Dr John Medina, brain researcher from the USA, was a keynote speaker
at the recent National conference of ACEL (Australian Council of
Education Leaders).
He recounted the famous marshmallow
psychology test from the 1950's now replaced by the equivalent
'cookie' test for young children. Put simply, it was about delayed
gratification and impulse control. The young child was provided with
one cookie on a plate and told that if they waited 10 minutes before
eating the cookie they could have two instead. The researcher left the
room and the child was observed attempting to resist the temptation.
Unsurprisingly only 28% of prep-aged students are successful in
resisting, gradually improving to 62% of Year 6 students.
When we talk about behavioural qualities such as self-control, we are in the area of cognitive science known as executive
function (EF). This quality of communication between two critical regions of the brain has vital implications for success in
life, relationships and learning. Executive function coordinates the mid-brain (reptilian) / emotional centres and the
frontal cortex responsible for conscious decision making. Collaboratively they determine the success in learning. Hence,
the broad correlation between infantile/ adolescent behaviours and eventual educational success requiring focus, long
term commitment and persistence. Developing EF is worthy consideration for parents and educationalists alike, given
that it's not just genetics that determines a young person’s abilities in this vital area.
According to Dr Medina, people with high EF are more emotionally stable and better at maintaining relationships. They
are less moody, better at anger management and less prone to substance abuse. In general, they are better at setting
clear goals, work better in teams, are more productive and function better in a crisis situation. People with self-control
are rated more highly by peers and superiors. Self-control is the best prediction of college grade scores (better than
chance). Also better than IQ. Also in our modern high stress environments, persons with high EF appear more resistant
to depression and generally earn higher salaries. Much of the above would not be surprising for a person more able to
regulate and utilise their emotional reactions, but what may be of real novelty to most people, is what can be practically
done to stimulate growth in a young person’s abilities to improve EF.
A hint in regard to what conditions we should expose developing young people to, was in the opening statement by Dr
Medina –
"We know the conditions under which the brain functions best. The brain has developed to solve problems in an
outdoor setting, in variable environment while in motion".
The body / brain system in primates has evolved over vast periods of time. In doing so, modern day science and education
must have greater appreciation of the need to, in some ways, mimic the way we have learned to survive and thrive.
Movement has a critical role to play in early childhood, adolescence and indeed through life. This understanding of the
need for regular and purposeful movement is now being reflected in the increased importance of Health and Physical
Education in the National Curriculum, but in schools it's the long periods of sitting that may well be an issue.
It would appear that research findings are quite unequivocal. According to Dr Medina the best way to improve EF is
through aerobic exercise. Moderate exercise specifically boosts EF and buffers against the negative effects of stress. In
addition it improves memory (after several years) along with spatial abilities and reaction times. We need to get kids
moving. Although some struggle with the behaviours evident in good EF the often obvious need for kids like this to move
their bodies should be facilitated not resisted. The classroom is a universal model to mass education but it imposes
limitations that need to be understood.
The last piece of the puzzle explaining as to why the brain needs the stimulus of movement to develop the crucial
connections for good executive function, lies in the concluding statement of Dr Medina.
"The brain is not interested in learning, it is interested in survival."
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This in part explains why EF is improved by aerobic exercise. If you feel safe you learn better. If you have a good
relationship with the teacher you will learn better. The ability to move, learn rapidly and form supportive social bonds is
the brains strategy to survive. Schools that are mindful of the brains development origins will promote EF and accelerate
learning.
Footnote: The conference keynote included the capacity to tweet comments. One tweet caught my attention. "The
Greeks were right after all".
Changes Ahead – relevant to parents of students
in Years 7 & 8……
State changes position on external exams
Source: The (Australia) - 25 September, 2014 Author: GINA RUSHTON
FOR 40 years, Queensland has looked down on the rest of the nation with
school systems that set external exams for Year 12 students.
But the school-based assessment system Queensland teachers have held
dear will undergo a major transformation under recommendations to the state government to introduce external
Year 12 exams and drop its Overall Position system for university entrance.
An independent review conducted by the Australian Council for Educational Research over the past 12 months
recommends students in Years 11 and 12 sit four assessments in each subject, three set by schools in line with
statewide guidelines and one external exam set by the states’ curriculum body.
The report recommends student assessment be separated from university admission, and that universities be
responsible for selection procedures to tertiary courses.
Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the current system needed to change to properly cater to the
needs of modern students.
“The OP system has served Queensland well ... but is becoming less relevant as education evolves,” he said.
Universities have used the system to decide whether school leavers are eligible to enrol in courses since 1992
when about 80 per cent of Year 12 students received an OP. But in 2013 this figure had dropped to just 54 per
cent.
Mr Langbroek said most Year 12 students today combined a range of academic courses and vocational
qualifications.
In 2009, 57 per cent of Queensland’s Year 12 students finished a vocational education and training qualification
and by 2013 it was 67 per cent.
The government is expected to respond to the recommendations by the end of the year, and Mr Langbroek said
it would not mimic any other state’s system.
“We want Queensland to be at the forefront of the best education practices nationally and internationally and to
achieve this we must have a modern tertiary entrance system that reflects the needs of students,” he said.
Independent Schools Queensland director David Robertson said there was little support from educators for the
current OP system.
Mr Robertson said a proposal to introduce external assessment for Year 12 while maintaining a school-based
assessment would provide the foundation of a rigorous and equitable future assessment system.
The government plans to release a draft response to the review by the end of this year, but Mr Langbroek said
there would be no changes to the OP system before 2016.
Back to home
Mr Jim Ford, Principal
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Assistant Principal Mission
Mercy Day
Mercy Day – September 19, 2014 – presented myself with
a unique opportunity. Having accepted our invitation,
Sr Denise Hinton joined us in celebration.
To the assembly, she presented a thoroughly engaging
recollection of her past, and more recent undertakings
with the Sisters of Mercy.
A local for much of her life, Sr Denise was born and
raised in Mackay. As a youth, she attended St Patrick’s
Convent High School River Street. With its closure, the
land was acquired by the adjacent St Patrick’s
Christian Brother’s College. She continued to explain
that, over the years the River Street block had been
occupied by the St Patrick’s College Hall and other
buildings that comprise the secondary campus.
She went on to discuss her early work in St Mary’s
Parish which included a play group. (Sr Denise was
united with a few former participants of hers prior to
the Mass.) Moreover, she talked with the assembly
about her motives and personal experiences which
encouraged her to become a Sister of Mercy.
In a highly detailed manner, Sr Denise shared her
ventures as a Sister of Mercy. This, an ongoing
journey, has lasted 48 years.
Quite eye-opening, yet inspiring, was her work in
recent years. Last year she travelled to Derby in the
Kimberly Region WA where she worked closely with
Asylum Seekers being held at the Curtin Detention
Centre. She told of their unjust treatment at the
facility, and how many of the detainees would prefer imprisonment because they would know
a date to be released. She returned to Curtin Detention Centre again this year and found
that many of those whom she’d met the previous year remained in detention.
“Their faces lit up when I arrived,” she said. “I was a
familiar face.”
Sr Denise expressed that Asylum Seekers had since been moved to another centre near Perth
as Curtin Detention Centre closed at the end of August.
“I was quite honoured to be involved with the Mercy Day Mass. It was especially a privilege to be given the
opportunity to conduct an “interview” of someone with so very much to tell. Her journey with the Sisters of
Mercy, founded by Catherine McAuley, is something to be admired and proud of. I, on behalf of the College,
would like to thank Sr Denise for accepting our invitation to join our Mercy Day celebrations.”
Brock Thomas, Year 9 student
Lord, no one is a stranger to You and no one is ever far from Your loving care.
In Your kindness watch over refugees and asylum seekers, those separated from their loved
ones, those who are lost, and those who have been exiled from their homes.
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Bring them safely to the place where they long to be, and help us always to show Your
kindness to strangers and those in need. Amen
(Adapted by the Australian Social Justice Council)
Mrs Jeanette Refalo, Assistant Principal Mission
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Street Rosary
On Saturday 25 of October "Street Rosary" to pray for peace, reclaim the public square; pray
for persecuted Christians and make up for blasphemies.
Where: St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, River Street.
Time: 9:30am - 10:30am. Meet at the front steps of St Patrick's Church.
Please bring Rosary beads (spares will be available), a hat and water bottle. Come and pray for
peace during the month of the Most Holy Rosary. Please help spread the call to pray by
contacting others who may be interested in joining us. This event has the support and
encouragement of our Parish Priest, Fr. Rod
Building Progress Report
Our new cooking room…
for our budding Master Chefs!
We are excited to share these photos of the brand new kitchens installed in our Home Economics room,
providing a terrific work space for our students.
Mr Adam Skoczylas, Assistant Principal Administration
Formal Uniform
It is time again to check every student’s formal uniform with the end of term drawing near. Some
of the reasons other than maintaining our high dress standard, are also to prepare students for
Speech Night, Orientation Day and Year 10 Graduation which will involve all students. These are
all formal occasions and every student must finish how they started.
Our formal uniform will be checked on Wednesday 29 October during Homeroom and all Year 10
students will be required to be formally dressed for their senior photo which will be taken during
this time. If students have sport during the day they can change into their sport uniform for their
lesson.
Parents please take this opportunity to have a discussion with your child on the importance of
wearing their formal uniform and maintaining it as you will be fully supported by the College.
Mr Chris Sorbello, Assistant Principal Students
Back to home
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Science Department
Amendments to the assessment calendar
SC746- Chemistry exam was due week 13, its now due week 15.
SC735- Windmill report was due week 14, its now due week 16.
SC742 – Multi Modal was due week 12, its now due week 15.
Mrs Teresa Hackney, Head of Department, Science
Book Club
Congratulations to Mackenzie Bowman who was the winner of the Term
3 Book Club competition. All students were given a question each week
to guess the author of a popular series read by many. The questions
began with difficult clues leading to easy ones by the end of the term.
Students were only given one chance to correctly answer. While many
answered with the name of the series, Mackenzie winning entry named
the author. Mackenzie has won a movie voucher.
Term 3’s mystery lead to Derek Landy: author of the Skulduggery
Pleasant series.
Mrs Lorraine Specogna, Teacher Librarian
Second Hand Uniform Shop
Great news!!!
There will be a second hand uniform shop opening at the College
in 2015.
If you have second hand uniforms in good condition that you
would like to give away or sell, please contact Cassie Deas on
4969 4177 or email cassie.deas@mercymackay.qld.edu.au
Mrs Kathy Makin, Office Manager
Science Quiz Questions:
1. How many milligrams are in a gram?
2. Is the cerebrum the largest part of the human brain, or the smallest?
3. Which of these has the longest wavelength? Is it a) UV b) visible light or c)
microwaves?
4. Which species of penguin is the smallest?
5. Which continent are piranha fish native to?
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Careers & VET Department
Outstanding work experience forms need to be finalised and given to your
student’s teacher urgently for processing.
Mrs Susan McKay, Head of Department Careers & VET Department
Student Wellbeing Committee
Mindfulness Challenge #5 invites use to notice how many times a day our
mind is distracted.
Blue Knot Day
Blue Knot Day is ASCA's (Adults Surviving Child
Abuse) national awareness day. It will be celebrated on
Monday 27 October, 2014 and activities will be held in
the week from October 27 to November 2. On Blue Knot
Day Australians are asked to unite in support of the 5
million Australian adult survivors of childhood trauma.
This year Blue Knot Day will focus its attention on the
education and training urgently needed for health
professionals and organisations working with
survivors. For further information please go to:
http://www.asca.org.au/blue-knot-day.aspx
Student Wellbeing Committee
Back to home
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St Vinnie’s Committee
Photo: Bryce Thompson (Argos 2),
winner of the giant Toblerone
raffled by the St Vincent de Paul
Committee, raising funds for
Mercy Works
Did you know??



Science Quiz Answers:
1.
2.
3.
4.
There are 1000 milligrams in a gram.
The cerebrum is the largest part of the human brain.
C), Microwaves have the longest wavelength.
Little penguins, also known as blue penguins, fairy penguins or Kororá are the
smallest species of penguin.
5. Piranha fish are native to South America, and are famous for their sharp teeth.
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2014 Yearbooks
Your dedicated Yearbook Students have been busy designing this
year’s fantastic, colourful yearbook.
…………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………..
STUDENT NAME:____________________________________________ YEAR 8/9/10
HOMEROOM: _______Number of Yearbooks:______Money Enclosed: ___________
Please choose from the following three options:
1. Deliver the Yearbook to student/sibling’s homeroom.
HOMEROOM: __________________
2. Deliver to my Year 11 student at St Patricks College.____________________
3. I will collect the Yearbook in February 2015 from the Front Office.
If so, please supply email address or phone number so we can contact you when
the yearbook is ready for collection.
EMAIL:__________________________________________________________
PHONE NUMBER:_________________________________________________
Back to home
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Sport
Sports Night Celebrations
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The Pyjama Foundation
Back to home
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Student Travel Rebates
STUDENT TRAVEL REBATES
Semester 2, 2014
Bus Fare
Assistance
Students with
Disabilities
 Does your child attend a school
outside the Brisbane City Council
boundary?
 Does your family spend more
than $25/week* on fares to and
from school (* $20/week if you
hold a concession card)?
 Does your child travel on a
publicly available bus not owned
or associated with the school?
 Does your child have a
verified disability that requires
transport assistance to and from
school?
 Has your school’s learning
support teacher assessed your
child’s travel capability rating as
‘semi-independent’ or more
dependent?
Visit our website to see if you qualify for financial assistance to
help with the cost of transport and
apply at www.schooltransport.com.au by 31 October 2014.
Late applications cannot be accepted.
Back to home
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Cook’s Corner
Money Bags
Ingredients
100g Chicken Mince
1 slice ham
½ Spring onion
¼ Celery stick
20g Bamboo shoots
1 Tbsp Soy sauce
1 Garlic clove
1 tsp Fresh ginger
12 Wonton papers
Fresh chives for decorating
Oil for deep frying
Method
1. Finely chop the ham, spring onion, celery, bamboo
shoots, garlic, ginger and place in a bowl with the
chicken and soy sauce.
2. Working with one wonton wrapper at a time, place 2
tsp of filling in the centre, gather the corners and
pinch together to form a pouch.
3. Cut chives in half and place in heatproof bowl with
boiling water. Let sit for about 1 minute then rinse and
drain.
4. Deep fry money bags in hot oil for 4-5 minutes until
crisp and golden brown. Drain on absorbent paper.
5. Tie a chive around each moneybag.
6. Garnish with curled red capsicum or green spring roll
leaves.
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Tuckshop
Monday 20 October
Tuesday 21 October
Wednesday 22 October
Thursday 23 October
Friday 24 October
Shirley Butler, Tracy Symonds, Mickaila Dobbie, Assunta Di Francesco
Patricia Anderson, Fiona Bragg, Annamaria Cappello
Selina Bowgett, Judy Orr, Robyn Moschino
Amanda Tomerini, Mariaanne Sondergeld, Jade Johnson, Kerry Gallaway
Warvie Preston, Annette Sammut
Monday 27 October
Tuesday 28 October
Wednesday 29 October
Thursday 30 October
Friday 31 October
Sue Shannon, Stacey Brazil, Janet Van Vuren
Deanne Bartolo, Karen Bezzina, Mary Borg
Tracey Davies, Robyn Moschino, Christine Weller
Lorraine Marino, Madonna Blackburn, Lynette McCall
Lisa Clifford, Nicole Sanders, Katrina Dunbar, Michelle Simpson
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Community Notices
The Mackay West Rotary Club Annual Christmas Fair is on Friday
and Saturday, 24th and 25th October at Col Story Rotary Park, the
City Gates starting at 6 pm.
This is the first Fair of the Christmas season and a fun night out for
the whole family.
The Club has been running the Christmas Fair for over 35 years (since
1978).Attractions include Ham Wheel (full size hams), Meat Tray
Wheel, Cent Sale, Pick of the Shelf, Bottle stall, Lucky Dip and lots
more.
The kids will love the merry-go-round, steam train ride, jumping
castle, RSPCA animal farm, giant slide and face painting. Santa will
give away a bike each night to some lucky child.
Entry forms available at the Fair or in The Daily Mercury on Friday
and Saturday. Food and drinks available as a cake stall.
The Mercy College Band will perform on Friday night and The Mackay
City Band on Saturday night.
Rotary is a community service organisation and all proceeds go
to local charities. Rotarians work on a voluntary basis. This is the
largest fund raising event for the Rotary Club.
Come and join the festivities and support your local community by
supporting the Christmas Fair.
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