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." 1 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 2 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. 3 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 4 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 5 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? 6 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 7 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. 8 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 9 Sport Sports Night Celebrations 10 The Pyjama Foundation Back to home 11 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 12 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. 13 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 14 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. 15 16