Synergy - Newsletter 

News

College Renovations Commencing July 2017

The College will commence renovations to the Giovanni and Administration buildings in early July. Reception and administration will be located in the Wellness Centre (former Convent building) from the start of term 3 until renovations are complete. 

 

Access During Building Works (Term 3)

From the start of term 3, access via Reception will be changed. The following gates will be accessible:

  • The gate between TWLC (Science) and O’Brien (Performing Arts),
  • The gate next to O’Brien (Performing Arts), and
  • The gate to the Wellness Centre that will house Reception during building works.

At the end of Pastoral each morning, the only access from 8:55am onwards will be via the gate to Reception.

Noel Kennedy

Business Manager

Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart

On the 23rd of June some very lucky Year 7 students got the chance to celebrate a Mass for the Feast of the Sacred Heart with the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart at the Heritage Centre in East Melbourne. After the train ride, we went into a small, beautiful chapel, and sat down waiting for mass to begin. St Joseph’s chapel at the heritage centre is the same Chapel Mary MacKillop would have prayed with the Sisters. It was a great opportunity for us to connect with God, and meet some of the Sisters who are very important to our MSJ community. We then had a quick bite to eat, and a chance to talk to the Sisters about the College. We would like to thank Mrs Fairthorne for organising this special event for us and giving us an opportunity like this! 

By Isabel Vella 7 Penola

Year 9 Program - Exploring The West Excursions

On Tuesday the 27th of July, Year 9s ventured off to different areas of the West.  Each of the 6 excursions were designed by the Year 9 students.

 

Some the experiences the Year 9 students were involved in included:

  • Vietnamese banquet at Thien An in Footscray
  • Ferry to the City via Williamstown
  • Yoga in Yarraville
  • Visit to The Food Bank
  • Vist to The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
  • Visit to Science Works and Planetarium
  • Sports workshops lead by Year 9 to Grade Preps, 1 and 2 at St. Mary’s Primary School, Altona.
  • Visit to Train Museum in Newport
  • Talk at the Altona Council Chambers
  • Walk through the Altona Homestead
  • Talk at St Joseph’s Corner in Yarraville
  • Tour of Historical sights in Williamstown

The Year 9 students are to be commended on the excursions that they designed and how they participated on the day.

 

We all look forward to many more excursions as part of the Year 9 Program.

 

Katherine Anastasi

Learning Leader Years 9 & 10

What is on in the MSJ Learning Resource Centre

 

There is always lots happening in the LRC: 

Pageturners Book Club - Mondays

Chess Club - Wednesdays

Study Buddies - Wednesdays

Makerspaces - Fridays

Homework Club

Every night in the LRC students meet for Homework Club and Study Buddies  from 3:10 - 4:30pm. Students from all year levels receive guidance to complete homework and assignments or gain assistance to understand specific subject based content, such as during Maths Help on a Thursday afternoon.

 

Students say they take advantage of the extended opening hours in the LRC because they are able to focus on their studies in a relaxed, familiar setting where they can receive one to one support from their peers, teachers and education support officers every night of the week.

 

Students also say that they enjoy finishing their homework in an environment that differs from the home environment, one where they have access to high speed Internet, printers and IT support.

 

Have a read of the Academic Portfolio in the WAAM report to hear more about Homework Club and Study Buddies.

 

The LRC opens at 7:55am for Year 12 students each weekday and 8:15am for all other year levels. The LRC closes at 4:30pm each weekday.

Chess Club

Our club meets every Wed at lunchtime in the LRC. We learn Chess by playing the game.  Our aim is to hold a tournament by Term 4. We follow online games and games played by students in other schools who share their games on Tornelo.

 

Chess helps to develop our thinking, our memory, it improves concentration and our ability to think mathematically and it is fun! Challenge yourself daily with a chess game on any of the ten sets in the LRC.

Makerspaces in the LRC

Every Friday we offer a different activity that captures your imagination and engages us in ways we thought not previously possible. Today we created amazing cards that we will sell at our fundraising events for Caritas and some to give to friends and family. We are not finished so this Makerspace continues next Friday. 

 

In Term 2 we are teaching ourselves how to use connective thread with LED lights to create a cross-stitch that glows. Our knowledge of conductivity and scientific principles will surely be honed as we design a circuitry and try to be creative at the same time.