News
Clean Up Australia Day 2017
On the 5th of March, the Cresser Reserve car park was quickly filled with students and teachers who would soon participate in collecting rubbish as part of national ‘Clean Up Australia Day’. Within the first three hours of cleaning up Cresser Reserve, students, teachers and other community members had completed the assigned task. We were able to gather lots of rubbish including some unique items such as thongs and bricks. We quickly filled the official ‘Clean Up Australia’ bags. After completing the task, MSJ welcomed the students, staff and other community members who participated in the event to collect a free sausage and a well-earned drink.
Thank you to Mrs Devic and Miss Snooks who helped organised the event and to the other staff members who helped out on the day.
By Sarah Peart Year 9 - Joseph
Year 9 Program BRAIN DAY
Students were fortunate to have clinical psychologist, Dr David Collins explain how the human brain functions. Students took part in interactive activities, which explained how the ‘open brain’ works in the classroom. Dr David Collins' presentation was very informative, and allowed all Year 9 students to reflect on how they learn.
Later, Ms Jolly expanded on what Dr Collins had previously taught the Year 9s. The Year 9s then broke into pastoral groups to complete their ‘brain cap’ and to revise what they had learnt into a short visual presentation.
Towards the end of the day, students broke into groups to participate in various mindfulness activities, such as mindfulness colouring, mindfulness art, mindfulness meditation, mindfulness gardening and mindfulness activity. It was a great day of learning.
By Sarah Peart Year 9 - Joseph
MSJ Student and her family show true Josephite spirit
"Never see a need without doing something about it" (Mary MacKillop)
A MSJ student and her family recently came to the rescue of stranded drivers recently. Read more in this article....
Rotary Camp Rypen 2017
On Friday the 17th of March, my sister Masa and I (Mada) set off after school on a two-hour ride bound for Doxa Malmsbury Camp, to participate in Rypen's Leadership Camp, sponsored by the Altona Rotary.
When we first set foot on the campsite, the welcoming energy was overwhelming. We felt as if we had known this place for a long time. After a delicious dinner, everyone gathered and was divided into four coloured groups, and the outline of the day was recited. Before heading off to our beds, each group met with its leaders and discussed the five main types of leadership. The discussion was very engaging and it ended with great energy as the group came up with its call off.
The next day, the string of engaging leadership and team-building activities carried on. During the day, a guest speaker arrived and did a workshop full of self-reflection and appreciation. This workshop allowed everyone to see that we all have our bad days, which bonded us more and made us recognise each other’s importance and uniqueness. In the afternoon, outside activities like crate building and blindfolded trust activities strengthened each team’s bond with its members and helped everyone to learn more about how to work effectively in a team. A fun and informative quiz competition was had in the evening, where the teams showed outstanding encouragement for each other.
On the last day, the bond between everyone on the campsite was stronger than ever. With an entertaining hour of getting everyone’s numbers and snapchat usernames, we departed the camp feeling like we were leaving a community of brothers and sisters. This was an authentic experience that we will never forget. The spirit of encouragement and love we received from everyone is indescribable and we are so grateful for this informative and engaging experience.
By Mada Aldeeb Year 10 - Senior McCormack 2 and Masa Aldeeb Year 10 - Senior McCormack 3
Career & Pathway News
MSJ Pathways website contains a wealth of Career and Pathways information. Here you can research career information, higher studies information with links to all the universities and news about the latest courses, work experience information and make appointments with our Learning Leader - Careers & Pathways, Mr. Jay McMillan.
Don't forget to also visit the MSJ Pathways Facebook page!
Year 12 Physics - Luna Park
On Tuesday the 7th of March the year 12 physics class went to Luna Park to take part in their physics exhibition week. There, we were able to go on the rides and gain a deeper understanding of forces, gravity and motion. One of the rides that went on the Body Rock, on this particular ride, we applied what we had previously studied in class about orbital forces and the attractions of gravity toward a central object. I can genuinely speak for the whole class and myself that this experience was very beneficial and a way to go above and beyond to apply the things we have learnt, helping us achieve our full potential.
By Helya Baghaie Year 10 - Senior Kincumber 2
What is on in the MSJ Learning Resource Centre
There is lots happening in the LRC.
Chess Club - Wednesdays
Pageturners Book Club - Mondays
Study Buddies - Wednesdays
Makerspaces - Fridays
LRC Homework Club
Every night in the LRC students meet for Homework Club and Study Buddies. 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 and 8:15am for all other year levels and closes at 4:30pm.
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.
Active April - Olympian Visit
On March 28, Mount St. Joseph Girls' College was honoured with a visit from 400m sprinter and Olympian Morgan Mitchell. Morgan came to the College to talk to us about her journey as a successful athlete and to promote 'Active April'. With her bright and down to earth nature, we found out what it was like to become a professional athlete from diet to training and the sacrifices that needed to be made. Sharing a few jokes with us, Morgan offered us some helpful advice in regards to striving and achieving our dreams. She stressed that visualisation and goal setting is a crucial part of growing up and achieving our dreams, inside or outside of sport. She told us not to believe anyone that told you "you can't".
On behalf of the MSJ community, I would like to thank all of the students who signed up to Active April which made this experience possible, I would especially like to thank Morgan for giving up her time to come and talk to us.
By Gemma Srijan Year 10 - Senior Solomon 2