News
Queen of Peace Band Tour
On Wednesday 14 November, MSJ Voices had the amazing opportunity to showcase our singing skills to a primary school audience at Queen of Peace. MSJ Voices had been prepared for this moment from the start, and we were so excited to encourage young children to take the path in Music. It was great to see the involvement of other ensembles that performed, such as the String ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, Jazz Cats, Flute Duo, Saxophone Quartet as well as MSJ Voices.
Seeing the faces of these students and enthusiasm as soon as the music began, made me realise the importance of music, especially for primary school students to see the musical opportunities they will have in the future. You could really see how much the students loved the performance and see all the instruments, as they also got involved in the song ‘Come So Far.’ The nerves kicked in as we were up next, but once we were warmed up, MSJ Voices were ready to raise the roof and show them what we got! We had huge smiles on our faces throughout the entire performance, and the laughter amongst all the staff and students when doing a vocal warm-up of “My mother makes me mash my mini M&M’s on a Monday morning,” and to see all of Queen of Peace having a go.
This tour has brought up my confidence as well as MSJ Voices vocalists altogether, especially putting in the hard work to perform ‘Siyahumba’, ‘When You Believe’ and ‘Come So Far'. The ensembles that performed truly showed the amazing hard work all the musicians have put in, to put an on a show for Queen of Peace. A huge thank you to Mrs Ambrose, Mr Burcul, Mrs Fichera, Mrs Hills, Mrs Laird, Mr Smith and Mr Tresize for making this opportunity possible.
By Olivia Massarany
(Year 8)
VCAL Getting Active
The Year 11 VCAL students were given the opportunity to plan their own end of year activity as part of their Personal Development Skills class, and they chose to sweat it out at a disco spin class. While researching trendy new fitness classes, the students found Bodhi & Ride – a spin studio that features an urban Melbourne lifestyle.
After independently navigating their way to-and-through the CBD for a shared lunch at the Emporium, the students got their cycling shoes on and participated in a dance party full-body workout. While brutal, the girls left feeling energised and happy, and some even made plans to return. Thanks to Bodhi & Ride for the private tutorial and for participating in the girls’ RnB Friday music requests.
VCAL's Cooking for a Cause
As part of the Year 11 and 12 Headstart program, the VCAL students have come together to cook for a cause and give back to the community. The Year 11 VCAL students spent Wednesday 21 November baking and decorating sweet treats which they will later drop off to Joseph's Corner. Joseph’s Corner is a not-for-profit charitable organisation that assists drug and alcohol addicted families, and has a long-standing partnership with MSJ.
The Year 12 VCAL students also spent Wednesday 21 November in the kitchen but for a different cause. These students, who already know their way around the kitchen through their Food Studies unit, worked to prepare the 2018/2019 VCAL staff and student lunch.
The VCAL lunch provides an opportunity for the 2018 VCAL staff and students to celebrate a successful year, and introduces the 2019 VCAL staff and students to one another ahead of what hopes to be a successful year in VCAL.
A big thanks to Bianca Stafrace, Jane Sammut, Michelle Saccoccio, Leanne Azzopardi and Jane Azzopardi for their guidance and support of the Cooking for a Cause program.
2019-2020 Building Program
The College is planning for a major development from mid-2019 to early 2020. The works will improve access to the Learning Resource Centre and provide a student cafeteria and amenities on the lower level of the Finucane Building. The Pierce Building will also be refurbished and extended.
Artist’s impression of the new cafeteria
Artist’s impression of the new open learning area in the Pierce Building
As a result of works, there is expected to be disruption to the main quadrangle over 2019 / 2020. Accordingly, works will commence soon on development of a new garden in the area between the oval, buildings and Mary MacKillop Centre that will be completed in early 2019.
To provide the best outcome, a number of trees in this area will need to be removed to allow works to proceed.