High Notes Vol. 53 Issue #17

From the Principal

Contribution to Marist

Outstanding Contribution to Marist Education

Marist College North Shore like all Marist schools exists because of the hard work, dedication and commitment to faith displayed by the Marist Brothers, inspired by St Marcellin Champagnat, to ensure that there is always a sound Catholic education for boys, and girls in some cases, across Australia. Whilst acknowledging the heritage and traditions of our Charism and all it has brought to create Marist College North Shore, we must also pay tribute the work of the lay staff who over the years have worked alongside the Brothers to continue the tradition. The staff, consisting of our classroom teachers, coordinators and support staff, work tirelessly to provide a quality holistic education, supporting boys in the classroom, encouraging and promoting extra curricular activities through the arts and sport and providing opportunities for the boys to develop their sense of justice and service through involvement in the many Solidarity activities.

The College has a long history of service amongst its teacher's and support staff, a testament to the enduring family and collegial culture that permeates through the school. From time to time it is important to stop and recognise, acknowledge and appreciate staff contributions to Marist Education. Each year, Marist Schools Australia acknowledges staff members in the Marist Schools across Australia with an award for Outstanding Contribution to Marist Education. Last Friday evening, I had the great pleasure of reading a citation for a staff member who has truly contributed to the fabric of MCNS. Mrs Joyce Kelly was nominated for, and received this award, presented by Br Peter Carroll fms Provincial of the Marist Brothers in Australia and Dr Frank Malloy, MSA National Director. This award was presented to Joyce in recognition of her 25 years of service to MCNS. Congratulations Joyce.

“In 1991 while her son was still attending Marist College North Shore, Joyce Kelly applied for the position of Assistant Accounts Clerk. Her principal in 1994 described Joyce as ‘among the most loyal and competent people you would ever hope to meet’. In 1995 Joyce took on the role of Headmaster’s Secretary. This was a role that she maintained for 16 years through until 2011. In 2012 she took on the role of Curriculum Support Officer which she continues today.

As Headmaster’s Secretary Joyce gave her absolute support to each of her Brother Headmasters. She was the quintessential support for each of these men. She has a strong connection to Marist and to the Marist Brothers having worked closely with many principals.

Joyce has a genuine care for staff and students at the school. Behind the scenes she has created many, many certificates for assemblies and graduations. In her time, Joyce completed the vast amount of secretarial, administration that is required in running a busy school. Joyce embodies the Marist Charism of Love of Work. She has always worked with grace under pressure and with a steadfast commitment to quality, excellence and hard work. She has been described as caring, friendly and as a most community-minded woman. Joyce has strong understanding of family spirit, being a wife, mother and grandmother with care and love for her family.

I believe it is this personal understanding of Family Spirit that has been present in her work with and for Marist Education at Marist College North Shore.”

Rick Grech
Acting Headmaster

From the Assistant Principal

Positive Relationships and more

Positive Relationships

One of the most impressive characteristics of our College community is the positive relationships that are built between students, teachers and parents. Like any relationship, we need to to be consistently working on them so that they continue to flourish. Relationships are built on respect, trust, love and honest and strong communication.

Every member of our community has the right to feel happy and safe. A right to be able to excel and a right to express themselves without fear of ridicule. As a College, we are working hard to ensure that this continues to be a reality. Of course, we cannot achieve this on our own. We have done, and will continue to work with you as parents to ensure that your sons maximise their full potential.

We have been focusing on positive relationships a lot in recent weeks. In the junior years, we have been meeting with students and surveying them on issues around their wellbeing. We have been reminding the students of the many ways in which they can seek assistance and advice if they have any concerns. We have emphasised the importance of respect: Respect for each other, respect for women, respect for learning, including sport; respect for faith, respect for the environment and respect for the uniform.

Teenagers will make mistakes, and of course, actions have consequences. However, as I have said to the boys many times in the last week, it is the learning that we make through our mistakes that builds our character. It is how we move forward that counts. We need to work towards ensuring that these errors in judgement do not occur again but we also need to ensure that any breakdown in relationships are repaired as well.

We are blessed to have here at Marist a wonderful Pastoral Care Team. The House coordinators, working in conjunction with the College Leadership Team, the Counsellors, Leaders of Learning and all staff provide a network to ensure that your son is cared for at school. They too work to ensure that positive relationships are maintained in our community.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus is tested on his knowledge of the Law. When asked by the lawyer “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus replies“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Mt 22:34-40). Let’s continue to show love of God and neighbour through our daily interactions with each other, building those positive relationships in this wonderful community that is Marist College North Shore.

Anthony Munro
Acting Deputy Headmaster

Faith Formation

World Youth Day

Invitation to World Youth Day

World Youth Day (WYD) is the largest gathering of young people the world has ever seen, from 500,000 in Sydney, 2008 to over 4 million in the Philippines, 1995. Through its size, vibrancy and ambience, it can be a life-changing event for those who attend. Young people flock from all corners of the globe to join Pope Francis in celebrating the faith and love of God for us.

In 2019, our students are invited to take the pilgrimage to Panama in Central America where they will celebrate with millions of young people. The festival theme can be considered very Marist, as it focuses on the words said by Mary when she said, “I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to her world.” (Luke 1:38)

This is an invitation to our current Year 9, 10 and 11 students to begin their journey to Panama and to be moved by the spirit of WYD and the greater church community. You do not have to be Catholic to join, but you do have to have an open mind and heart.

If your son has an interest in being part of such a wonderful event, please download an Expression of Interest Form from the link below and email it to michael.delacruz@syd.catholic.edu.au or print, complete and hand the form to me during school hours.

For more information on the packages available there will be a WYD Information Night on Wednesday, 15th of November at 6:30pm open for both students and parents (please ensure you have submitted your Expression of Interest Form before then). I look forward to meeting with you then.

Michael Dela Cruz
Youth Ministry Coordinator

Expression of Interest Form
http://tinyurl.com/yam3ta5o

RSVP WYD Information Night Google Form
http://tinyurl.com/mcnswyd19infonight

Promotional Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxbbYl-uOno&t=53s

Image Below
http://wydtours.com/systems/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/panama2019.jpg

Science

Young Scientist Award

I recently undertook a science research project called Spectralite, where my aim was to investigate how different combinations of mirrors, LED lights and daylight affected the brightness and temperature of water. I was looking for the light source that would maximise the brightness of the water without putting in too much heat. The results from this experiment would help in the next stage of my project, allowing me to determine the most appropriate light source for a proposed photobiological hydrogen plant.

Although I initially intended to include this experiment as part of my bigger project, given time constraints, Mr Wells encouraged me to submit my experiment as a project to the Young Scientist Awards (YSA). The YSA is a state competition run by the Science Teacher’s Association of NSW (STANSW) that celebrates the intriguing experiments and innovations created by NSW students from Kindergarten to Year 12. I submitted my project, and several weeks afterwards, I was surprised to be notified that the judges had selected me as a prizewinner for the awards! However, the details of this prize were left a mystery until the actual awards night, which took place at the University of Wollongong on Wednesday 1 November.

The presentation ceremony was preceded by some light refreshments, along with the opportunity to observe some of the projects that were on display. However, the real excitement began when the official proceedings commenced. Footage from the 2017 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), a yearly international STEM competition held in America, was shown. This established the mood amongst the students, as those who entered the best overall projects would win an all-expenses paid trip to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for the 2018 Intel ISEF competition. After a few opening addresses from the coordinators of the event, the prizegiving began!

Those from Kindergarten to Year 12 who submitted investigations were the first to receive their awards. Winning projects amongst the junior years included experiments such as the impact of static electricity on USB drives, and whether fabric softener makes sleepwear more flammable. Investigations from Years 7 to 12 included how reward in a game influences an individual’s likelihood to lie, a system that helps people with muscle deterioration to walk, and my own project. After moments of intense waiting, I received 3rd in Physics in the ‘Scientific Investigations’ category. Considering the nature of my project, I was extremely elated to receive this award!

The proceedings continued with the presentation of the ‘Models and Innovations’, ‘Working Mathematically’, and ‘Most Promising’ awards. There were also sponsored awards given, along with a keynote presentation and a speech by the NESA Science Inspector, who gave some information on the future Extension Science course. And finally, the major awards were announced, with winning projects including a self-sustaining solar powered system that produces sterile water and a robotic window cleaner.

The Young Scientist Awards ceremony was an extremely exciting and worthwhile experience that allowed me to witness the fascinating projects conducted by other students, as well as motivating me further to continue my project. However, it would be remiss of me to not acknowledge Mr Wells’ role in shaping my project and helping me win an award. He has given up countless hours outside of school, especially during Science Club, to provide ideas, stimulate my thinking and guide my progress. Without his assistance and support, I doubt that my project would have been as successful as it ended up being. I’d also like to thank my parents for their continued support throughout my project.

I would definitely encourage all students interested in completing a science project (particularly from Years 7 – 10) to come to Science Club and explore options. This experience is wholly worthwhile, and provides knowledge and skills that are pertinent to all science courses, and exposes you to the multitude of projects created by many talented students in the state.

Frederick Krisman
Year 11, Chanel 6

School Notices

Parent Partnership Meeting

Other

Saxophone Champion

Just prior to the last school holidays, Zac Coleman of Year 7 competed in the East Coast of Australia Saxophone Championships.

Zac played well and won the Under 15s Slow Melody and later in the day won the Under 19 Saxophone with a wonderful rendition of the "Finale to Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto".

Dare to Be Launch

MCNS VISION FOR LEARNING - DARE TO BE

Throughout 2017 MCNS has worked together and with the University of Southern Queensland to create a School Wide Pedagogy using a process called IDEAS. A school-wide pedagogy represents teachers’ agreement regarding preeminent teaching, learning and assessment processes for their school; reflects the school vision and extends it into the life of the classroom; and provides a vehicle to enable teachers to develop heightened connectivity in the learning experiences of students across year levels and subjects.

The first step in creating the school-wide pedagogy at Marist College North Shore was to create a Vision for Learning. Through a number of workshops and in consultation with small groups of students, the College has looked at themes, values and aspirations that we want for Marist student in their learning.

Common themes such as courage, effort, challenging, aspire, risk taking, critical and creative thinking and deep thinkers became evident. It is necessary to create a vision that is true to the 129 years of history at Marist and also in the hope that this vision will be around for the next 129 years.

As a staff we were able to collect all these ideas in a vision that was memorable, aspirational, future oriented, contextualised and motivating. Encapsulating all these characteristics came down to three simple words

DARE TO BE

This Vision is a call to action for learning and has no set suffix. There are a number of ways that students will DARE TO BE in their classes everyday. The beauty of the open interpretation is that there is a challenge for all students in this Vision.

If you have time, talk to your son and ask how he understood the launch at Assembly, the Vision for Learning and how DARE TO BE relates to him.

Now that we have our Vision for Learning settled, the College staff will begin working on the framework of a school-wide pedagogy ensuring each student at Marist is challenged in their learning and as learners DARE TO BE.

Please see below some images from our launch of the Vision for Learning at Assembly this morning. I will continue to update as the school-wide pedagogy comes together over the next few months. If you have any questions about the IDEAS process, our Vision for Learning or school-wide pedagogy, please feel free to contact me at the College.

Mr Mark Heiss
Director of Innovation and Learning

Year 11 Awards

Study Skills

Study Skills at Marist College North Shore

The College’s focus on a Growth Mindset where students strategically set goals and implement effective strategies to achieve their goals. Many students in their goal setting strategies have identified improving their study skills for examinations. To support the Year 7 and 8 students in their preparation for their examinations in Assessment Week (Term 4, Week 7) and Year 9 students (Term 4 Week 6), the Pastoral Care Team of House Coordinators, Mr Grech and the Director of Diverse Learning have prioritised time for Study Skills lesson for the students to revise, reflect and implement effective study strategies and a conducive home study environment. These lessons have been designed to help the students to prepare to the best of their ability and to alleviate any anxiety issues through effective study strategies for their upcoming examinations in their Assessment Week.

The Year 8 Pastoral Care lesson conducted on Wednesday 25 October involved a staff member who mentored the students through a Study Skills Booklet designed to inform, evaluate and set goals for their upcoming examinations. Each student and Year 8 parent received a copy of the Study Skills Booklet to assist building strong home/school partnership which is a key foundation for the students academic success and well being. The teachers informed the students of what will be required for study in each of their exams in an Assessment Notification Sheet to assist in the early preparation of the Assessment Week tasks. The Study Skills Pastoral Care lesson for Years 7 and 9 will occur on Wednesday 8 November. Year 7 and 9 parents will be emailed a copy of their son’s Study Skills Booklet on the day to help support their sons in their study skills.

Year 11 (2018 Year 12) students have been encouraged at their Goal Setting meeting and at the Year 11 Prize Giving and HSC Information Evening to access the Academic Resource Center at the College for a hub of learning and study. The Academic Resource Centre can assist all students with supervised study, helping to organise their study notes and mentoring students with effective study skills. The Academic Resource Centre is open to all students for their study and examination preparation and it is an excellent resource for learning under the guidance of Ms Tracey Dunne. The Academic Resource Centre is open after school on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3.15 - 4.30pm.

Study skills has been a focus of the College throughout 2017 with Study Skills Seminars with Dr Prue Salter for Years 11 and 12, and also with Year 7 and their parents. The aim of the College is to forge strong home and school partnerships where we address the student’s needs to achieve their potential and to develop life long learning and study habits. It is hoped students take advantage the many opportunities available to them so they can achieve their goals.

Carolyn O’Brien
Director of Diverse Learning