As part of this, Catholic Earthcare and Caritas Australia held the Season of Creation Convocation 2024 . The theme for the gathering was Wonder, Weave, Heal. We were delighted that MSB students were invited to attend as part of the School Sector Forum, presenting the initiatives students lead at the College. MSB Year 12 students Kate and Jessica did a fabulous job showcasing some of our students' wonderful work in this space. It was incredible to watch them present and see the wide range of ways our Bennies community works to Care for Creation and work for justice for those impacted by climate change.

This week, we also participated in the Good Samaritan Foundation's Virtual Immersion program, which offered students a unique opportunity to explore the programs set up by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. Students virtually visited several of the projects and were able to hear first-hand from those involved. Our students were delighted to see the Kinder School in the Philippines performing a song, especially for our Good Samaritan schools. The Immersion gave us valuable insights into our House Partners. We are grateful that the Good Samaritan Foundation recorded the immersions so that we can continue to share and learn about our College's House Partners.

Last week the College community focused on creating awareness around the plight of refugees, In recognition of Refugee Week, activities for students fostered advocacy, raised awareness of the challenges refugees face and recognised the valuable contributions refugees make to our society. Ms Jacqui Clark from House of Welcome spoke at Assembly about the clients they support and shared information about the astonishing number of people who are displaced across the globe. House of Welcome is a community partner of the College and we are proud to be support the work they do through regular food drives and our annual Christmas Hamper program. The Mission Team were privileged to join House of Welcome for a community lunch this week. The work that House of Welcome does with such limited resources is just incredible. Their staff asked that we pass on to the MSB community how thankful they are for the College's support.

Kerry Bailey
Acting Dean of Mission

“Have you ever solved a crime?”

“No? I didn’t think so. They don’t tend to trust kids with that sort of thing.”

These two lines derived from the first page of the “Forensic Science Camp” application page, was what intrigued me to participate. Sometimes, maturity can shorten our sighting of creative perception, because it creates a strict mindset on what is correct and what is not. Creativity and the curiosity of a “kid” that knows no bounds might be the ideal element of solving a crime.

In amidst watching the “Unsolved Mysteries” from Netflix within the comfort of your couch, have you ever found yourself pondering the possible suspects that may have been responsible for such perplexing disappearances, appalling murders and paranormal encounters?

Well, the Forensic Science Camp 2024 sparked an opportunity for me, to pour in the same thinking skills for when I’d contemplate the suspects of unsolved crimes in my home. My experience at the camp left me, and my teammates struck in awe by how realistic these crime scenes seemed, starting from a well-articulated series of events and shocking evidence, as we further immersed into believing that WE were the actual forensic police, investigating a case. These thrilling six days of our lives was like a dream.

During the first day of Tuesday, I set foot into the hovering gates of the Armidale School , full of expectation. One of the most dazzling sightings we encountered, was the complex architecture of the school, with towering buildings that was almost identical to the one you’d imagine Hogwarts from Harry Potter would look like if it were a reality.

What was more exciting about the whole experience at the camp, was the prospect of strengthening social skills. Through occasional karaoke sessions and short breaks where we’d walk outside along the oval, we were able to interact with diverse teachers and students. We were given various opportunities that day to contribute to competitions that consisted of games and brain teasers to work on with other groups of students from various other schools. This friendly competitive atmosphere the camp offered us, gave us an enthusiastic approach to make new friends that may last a lifetime.

The next four days were dedicated to working with our teammates to solve the allocated, unsolved crime we received. I still remember the growing expression of shock as our crime case began to grow worse, starting with property vandalism, to a kidnapping, to three counts of murders. With each evidence we’d receive each day, me and my teammates would go to the science lab to test for any visible fingerprints, analysing the patterns of the print, testing for any DNA or fibre left by the perpetrator, and various other interesting science experiments that aided us in connecting the dots to our final suspect.

On the sixth and final day, we were to present our finalised results for our committal hearing in front of a judge. After writing a search warrant, and submitting the arrest warrant, we concluded the case with a suspect we confidently believed was the assailant responsible for the crimes.

Overall, the Forensic Science Camp was an experience that enabled me and my teammates to step out of the boundaries of our comfort zone. Throughout the entirety of the camp, we were urged to participate in many social activities that involved talking in front of a large mob of people, being able to express our opinions, and to strengthen an everlasting bond with my teammates. All these took courage.

Through this journey, I was able to bring the pivotal aspect of courage to life, which helps in oneself development, and the confidence to contribute to any opportunity life bestows to you.

Sewool S
Year 8 Student