SMC NEWS 2024 - Term 1, Week 9

Week Ahead

From the College Principal

Dear Parents and Carers, 

As this will be our final newsletter for the term, I wanted to offer a very sincere thank you for your continued support of the College.  Thank you for supporting your son in their education and it goes without saying that your son benefits from the family and College working together to help him to be the best young man he can be.  Many of you will be looking forward to a family break during the school holidays - I hope the Easter break period provides a time of rest and reflection with your family this year.

Master Planning Update

As part of our "Men for Tomorrow" strategic plan, we have updated our Master Plan.  The purpose of a Master Plan is to provide some direction for our building and development works in the years ahead. 

The next project as part of the plan is the construction of a Primary Playground and new toilet blocks at the College.  We hope to have this work completed by the end of June this year.   A Primary Playground is consistently the improvement that parents would like to see over several surveys in my time at the College.

Following this, we are also beginning plans for a new Learning Resource Centre at the College, in the footprint of the current Library or T.P. O'Brien Hall.  This is a major project that we are very excited about.  Plans for this centre will be released before the end of 2024.

Be That Teacher

I would like to congratulate Ms Jo Irwin and Mr Hector Peralta who have been chosen by College leadership to offer their professional journey as part of the "Be That Teacher" project.  "Be That Teacher" is a joint Australian, state, and territory government initiative that aims to showcase the value and importance of teachers and encourages Australians to consider a career in teaching.  Jo and Hector are both inspiring role models at SMC and we wish them all the best as they continue their journey!  Read their stories at https://www.bethatteacher.gov.au/

Nic Plowman - Artist in Residence

I have the great pleasure in letting you know that Old Boy, Nic Plowman, has agreed to be our Artist in Residence in 2024 on July 15 and 16 at SMC.  Nic is well known to the SMC community and I had the great privilege of taking Nic on a tour of his old stomping ground in early January.  He is looking forward to returning to work with our students this year.  You can see more of Nic's work at https://www.nicplowman.com/

Reflection for Lent

(From thekidsbulletin.com)

With the commercialisation of Easter, it is easy for us to forget what it really means.  At a Catholic School, we tell the story of Jesus death and resurrection - the story of Easter - through the Stations of the Cross.  I hope you enjoy this reflection of the stations this week.

Have a wonderful Easter,

Mr Brendan Stewart
College Principal

Deputy Principal

School and Home Connection

As we reach the end of the first term, I would like to take this time (and printing space) to talk about the connection between school and home. While these are two very different locations and environments, the young people that you are raising and that we are teaching learn so much in both spaces. From the last 30 years in education, I can tell you without a single doubt that the best outcomes are achieved when schools and families work together. At a basic level, we would hope that the values held by the College are a close match to those found in your families and households. I imagine that this match in values is one of the main reasons that you have chosen St Mary’s College as the educational facility for your son. In the detail of everyday life, however, we appreciate the support that families provide for the many rules and expectations that go with running a school for 900 boys.

As parents, we are often facing the challenge of managing ‘screen time’ and navigating a social world that is quite different to the one we grew up in. The reliance on digital devices is both a gift and a curse. As a College, we have determined that teaching boys to be disconnected from their phones for a period of time is important. At home, we recommend that you manage some time for your son to disconnect, especially overnight to protect sleep patterns. 

This article was published over the weekend about the same topic – please click through the link to read the full text:  

Nomophobia is the fear of being without your phone. And many of us have it - ABC Everyday

As this will be our last newsletter before the holiday break, I hope that you manage to find some time to connect with family. Take the time to hear about the highs and lows of your son’s term, especially if it is his first here at SMC. If you ask your son the question “What were the top three moments of Term 1?”, I’m pretty sure he won’t tell you about a time he was staring at his phone.

Mrs Samantha Parle
Deputy Principal
parles@stmaryscollege.com

Identity

Holy Week

Our final week of Term coincides with Holy Week, the final week of Lent.

Holy Week is the most significant week in Catholicism. Spanning from Palm Sunday to Holy Saturday, it marks the final stretch before Easter Sunday, the celebration of Jesus' Resurrection.

During this week, Catholics reflect on the profound journey of Jesus’ suffering, sacrifice, and victory over death. It starts on Palm Sunday, a day that commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.

Holy Thursday celebrates the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist while Good Friday reflects on Jesus’ death by crucifixion.

Throughout this week, we reflect on the emotional intensity of Jesus' Passion, contemplate His boundless love and mercy, and anticipate the joyous hope of His Resurrection. On the Tuesday Assembly in Week 10, we will have our usual Holy Week Liturgy. This is a powerful evocation of the solemnity of Holy Week.

Next week also culminates our Lenten Fundraising for Caritas’s Lenten appeal, Project Compassion. We have some special fundraising events happening which we hope will be a great success.

Easter Raffle

All this week, our Primary students will be selling raffle tickets for the prize of an Easter Hamper. The raffle draw will take place during our final assembly of the term. Tickets cost 50 cents each.

Fish and Chips Fundraiser

On Tuesday Week 10, Mr Muller has organised a Fish and Chip fundraiser. Fish and Chips will be sold from the canteen at the ERCC for the bargain price of just $5.00 Chips will be available for $2.50, and soft drinks will also be on sale for $3.00. EFTPOS and cash will be accepted.

Free Dress Day

On what is shaping up to be a big Tuesday in Week 10, students can wear free dress for a gold coin donation. The theme is “Dress as your future self”. No matter what career boys are thinking about, they can get themselves in the gear they may see themselves wearing for a good cause.

Staff and Student Mass

Staff and student masses will take place this year in the Chapel in the Brothers' House.

This will be celebrated most Thursdays subject to the availability of Father Ray Crowley. Information on this will be made available for students on Sentral daily notices.

All students are welcome!

Mr Kevin Murphy
Assistant Principal Identity
murphyk@stmaryscollege.com

Curriculum

Celebrating NAPLAN Success

Congratulations to all our students who have diligently completed the NAPLAN testing. This year, our students in Years 5, 7, and 9 have demonstrated remarkable dedication and commitment throughout the testing and preparation process. Their efforts are truly commendable, and we are immensely proud of every one of them for bringing their best to each testing session. 

Special thanks are due to Mrs Shari Pauli for her outstanding work in administering and organising the NAPLAN testing. Her dedication and professionalism have ensured a smooth and efficient testing process. We are incredibly grateful for her contributions to our school community. 

Academic Reports Coming Soon 

As we approach the end of Term 1, I would like to remind parents that report cards will be issued to families through Sentral on Thursday, 28th March. Report cards provide an essential opportunity for students to reflect on their achievements and progress throughout the term. 

Encouraging Reflection and Goal Setting 

Report cards serve as a valuable tool for students to set goals and identify areas for improvement moving forward. We encourage parents to take the time to review the report cards with their children and engage in meaningful discussions about their academic journey. 

At St Mary's College, we believe in the holistic development of our students, nurturing their academic, spiritual, and personal growth. We are committed to providing them with the support and resources they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom. 

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in your child's education. Together, we can continue to inspire and empower our students to reach their full potential. 

Mrs Jade Love
Assistant Principal - Curriculum 
lovej@stmaryscollege.com

Primary and Middle School Curriculum

NAPLAN

The scheduled sessions for NAPLAN have successfully concluded, and we are proud to share that our students performed well. Throughout the testing period, we witnessed high levels of engagement and commitment from our students, which is a testament to their hard work and dedication.

I would like to express my appreciation to all the students who participated and gave their best effort during the NAPLAN sessions. Your focus and perseverance have truly paid off, and I commend you for your commitment towards your education.

In the upcoming week, I will be conducting catch-up sessions for students who were absent during the NAPLAN testing. Our goal is to ensure that all eligible students can complete the assessments and receive their results.  

College Diary

The College Diary is a valuable tool for staying organised and informed. The College Diary serves as a central hub for students to keep track of assessments, exams, and other important dates as the term progresses, especially during heavy assessment period such as the last few weeks of term.

As parents, you can play a vital role in supporting your child's effective use of the College Diary. Here are a few ways you can contribute:

1. Encourage your child to bring the College Diary to school every day and record all the necessary items for each day. This habit will help them stay organised and prepared.

1. Take the time to explore the assessment calendar on the College App together. By writing down the due dates of assessments in the College Diary and having conversations about assessments at home, you can help your child prioritise their tasks and manage their time effectively.

1. Support your child in creating a study schedule and prioritising their tasks. Help them allocate sufficient time for homework and revision, ensuring a balanced approach to their workload.

Please note that our mentor teachers conduct regular checks of the College Diary each week to ensure that it is being utilised effectively for school purposes. By instilling the habit of using the College Diary effectively, I am confident that your child will experience improved academic performance and develop lifelong skills that will serve them well beyond their school years.

We appreciate your ongoing support and partnership in your child's education. Together, we can ensure that every student achieves their full potential.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Mrs Shari Pauli
Program Leader - Primary and Middle School Curriculum 
paulis@stmaryscollege.com

Student Engagement

Phone Policy

All families are reminded that the College Mobile Phone Policy has been aligned to that of Education QLD. As of January 2024, students are required to have their phone away for the whole school day. That means that all phones will be stored in lockers from the 8:10am bell and not be used or carried by a student until the 3:05pm bell in the afternoon. All of our boys are allocated a locker and provided with a combination lock – this ensures that their belongings can be secured safely throughout the school day.

Formal

As the College formal draws near, excitement builds for a night of grace and friendship. High hopes are raised for a magnificent evening this Friday complete with beautiful décor and sparkling lighting. We look forward to celebrating this milestone with our students and their partners looking their best and hearing lots of laughter and vibrant discussions. Every aspect of the event, from the delicious food, engaging music, has been carefully thought out to guarantee a remarkable night. We hope that this evening will create memories that will last a lifetime.

Arrivals

The venue at Picnic Point opens at 5pm and all boys must be inside and seated by 7pm. This allows a two-hour window for arrivals. Students’ arrival will be staggered with their house groups.

Bowdler from 5pm – 5:30pm, McGoldrick from 5:30pm – 6pm, Purcell from 6pm – 6:30pm, and Waterford from 6:30pm – 7pm. The arrivals will be live streamed to our Facebook page.

Photography

There will be an opportunity for boys to have professional photographs taken during the evening, however, this will be limited to the boys and their partners. The College takes a photo of each boy and his partner as they arrive, and the Chronicle photographers will also be present at arrivals. Once the students and partners have arrived at the Formal, they are under the supervision of St Mary's College staff. As such, no student may leave the ticketed area until 10:30pm.

Character Strength of the Week - Honesty

This week, we concentrated on the character strength of honesty as part of our deliberate character development program to develop our boys into men of faith, integrity, action, and excellence.

My specific focus from this is to encourage our boys to take every opportunity to develop into fine young men by prioritising honesty in all their interactions.

St Mary’s men are genuine and truthful, they do not seek to deflect responsibility; rather accept accountability for their actions. These characteristics truly build Men for Tomorrow.

Mr Matt Draper
Assistant Principal - Student Engagement 
draperm@stmaryscollege.com

Business Manager

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we approach the conclusion of Term 1, we kindly request that you settle any outstanding account balances before the term ends.

March Statements

There has been a delay in sending the March statements which will be sent in the next 7 days, please review them carefully and don't hesitate to reach out with any queries.

Your prompt attention to account settlement helps ensure seamless operations within our school. We're here to support you with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your statement.

Thank you for your cooperation and ongoing partnership.

Mr Patrick Wilson
Business Manager
wilsonp@stmaryscollege.com