SMC NEWS 2024 - Term 2, Week 5
Week Ahead
From the College Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
Mother's Day
Our Mother's Day Breakfast last Friday morning showcased the best aspects our St Mary's College community! We were visited by over 500 Mums, carers and their boys for a wonderful morning. The feedback from you about the event was amazing and very positive. Thank you one and all for supporting the College at one of our biggest events this year. My thoughts also go out to those in our community who have lost their Mum – I hope being surrounded by other family brought you comfort over the weekend.
Additionally, thank you especially to two of our hardest working SMC teams – Tuckshop and Events. Sue Dunsdon, Lynelle Lyons and Barbara James-Hilton (Tuckshop) and Tyhla Roper, Jack Hickey and Petra Barnes (Events and Communication) created a wonderful environment on Friday morning. It was a great show of our SMC spirit! Many thanks also to the 30 other St Mary's College staff volunteering their time at the event.
Visitors to the College
Thank you to Parents and Carers who are showing support for the College and their boys by coming to the College for a variety of events. Could I please ask all who are coming to the academic campus to sign in through Administration in the Brothers' House first. You will then receive a sticker to carry for the duration of your visit to the school.
Although parking is very limited at the College, please feel free to park in the visitors area of the College on West Street. It is important not to park in the staff parking area near student reception as College vehicles move freely during the day in this area.
125 Years - Basketball, Pie in a Bun Day, Old Boys' Ball and Staff Event
Finally, a big reminder this week about the Old Boys vs Students Basketball Game, Pie in a Bun Day and Old Boys' Ball on Saturday 15th June. These events are celebrating 125 years of St Mary's College. It would be wonderful to have a big presence this year. All parents, community members, and Old Boys in some way connected with the College are welcome to this celebration of everything St Mary's! Click here to view more information on our website.
Also don't forget the Staff Past and Present Function on Friday 14th June at 6pm at the Royal Hotel. Tickets are only $20 and partners are welcome. All staff, past and present, are welcome.
Inquiries please to our Director of Marketing and Communications, Tyhla Roper, on 07 4631 7333.
A Reflection for Mothers
Finally, at this time of reflection for Mothers, please join me in saying a prayer. As you pray these prayers, take a moment in your humility; put aside anger, resentment, stress, and distractions.
Please consider praying for:
…the mother who is anxious.
…the mother who has suffered loss of a child(ren).
…the mother who is estranged from her own mother.
…the single mother.
…the mother who feels alone in her motherhood.
…the mother who has had miscarriage(s).
…the mother who is scared.
…the mother who is experiencing homelessness.
…the mother who is in an abusive relationship.
…the mother who has had an abortion.
…the mother who has healthy children.
…the mother who is sad.
…the step-mother.
…the mother who is worried.
…the mother who is the breadwinner.
…the mother who has addictions.
…the mother who forgets about her own self-worth.
…the mother who is struggling.
…the mother who is without faith.
…the mother who is doubting herself.
…the newly-pregnant mother.
…the mother who is working.
…the mother who stays at home.
From <https://www.catholicapostolatecenter.org/blog/mothers-day-reflection>
Mr Brendan Stewart
Principal
Deputy Principal
Student Attendance and Illness
From a holistic perspective, the College would like to see all students with a 95% attendance rate and we hope that this is something that all families aim for. However, the reality of life is that your sons will pick up any number of illnesses during their schooling years. In this space, it is important to strike the balance between prioritising attendance and prioritising community health and wellbeing. In particular, there are government guidelines that come into play if your son is diagnosed with whooping cough, RSV or Covid-19.
Whooping Cough
Recommend that students stay at home until they have had five days of antibiotics. As this illness is most contagious in the early days, families are asked to be aware of the symptoms in order to achieve a quick diagnosis.
More information available at Whooping cough (pertussis) | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)
RSV
More information available at Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) | Communicable disease control guidance (health.qld.gov.au)
Covid-19
Recommend that students stay home until:
- acute respiratory symptoms have eased
- at least 24 hours since fever
- at least five days has passed since onset or testing positive
More information available at First steps if you have COVID-19 | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)
All of these illnesses can have significant repercussions for the young, the aged, and those with underlying health conditions.
In general, please encourage your son to practice these behaviours:
- Cough or sneeze into the elbow
- Wash hands regularly, and for several minutes
- Wear a mask if symptomatic and around other people
Families are asked to keep sick children at home as per the guidelines above, and we appreciate your efforts to ensure that the vulnerable in our community are protected as much as possible.
Road Works – Margaret and West Streets
Parents who drive their boys to school will have seen that the works have begun at this key intersection. Please consider the ripple-effect of this work and perhaps rethink your normal driving patterns around the College. It would be very helpful if parents can make arrangements to lessen the traffic around the College at drop-off and pick-up.
And addition to that, families are encouraged to discuss the concept of road safety with their sons. It seems so simple to just ‘duck across the road’ but the ongoing impact of small decisions like this can be significant. There are two automated traffic lights (Margaret & West and Herries & West) and two staffed crossings (Margaret St and Hill St). For the sake of a few hundred metres, please ask your son to use the safest means possible when crossing roads.
Mrs Samantha Parle
Deputy Principal
parles@stmaryscollege.com
Identity
“Maybe it’s simply lucky to be born at all. The odds are so ridiculously small, that for the rest of our lives, we wouldn’t be able to count the blessings. To breathe the air. To see a blue sky. To eat an apricot.” - James Altucher
I stumbled across the quote above a few weeks back, and it has been reverberating with me since.
When we see all the conflict going on in the world, aren’t we lucky to be where we are? In a country of relative peace, stability, and prosperity.
We are often told that making time for gratitude is an important part of looking after our mental health. Gratitude is worthwhile!
Next Friday, being Edmund Rice Day, we will take time as a College to be grateful for our founder’s vision of a liberating education in an inclusive community of justice and solidarity. We’ll remember that these are supported by Gospel Spirituality, which was the inspiration for Edmund Rice in Waterford all those years ago.
Edmund Rice Day
Friday next week (24th May) is Edmund Rice Day. This is a day where we commemorate the vision of our Founder, Blessed Edmund Rice who saw the need for a liberating education for the boys of Waterford, Ireland in the early 19th Century.
Edmund Rice Day at St Mary’s College starts with a special liturgy and is a day of fun and brotherhood where boys celebrate and enjoy our special charism.
A famous quote from Edmund Rice is “Give to the Poor in Handfuls” and this is also part of our day. There will be many opportunities to do this in our partnerships with Vinnies and Rosies.
As one of our main charity drives on Edmund Rice Day, we will be asking students to bring in a new pair of socks, a scarf or a beanie to donate to those in poverty who will be feeling the cold this winter. Another option will be to bring in some non-perishable food items to donate to Vinnie’s pantries. UHT milk is in particular demand at the moment.
In exchange for these donations boys will receive an ice cream! Boys can donate their items at Centenary Court on the day.
Also, in support of Caritas, Edmund Rice Day will be a jersey day. Boys can wear their favourite team jersey from any sport- professional or amateur- along with their sport uniform. Please remember a gold coin donation.
Mr Kevin Murphy
Assistant Principal Identity
murphyk@stmaryscollege.com
Curriculum
Year 12 ATAR Predictions
This week, all ATAR-eligible Year 12 students will participate in individual ATAR prediction meetings. These meetings are a crucial part of their academic journey as they prepare to complete their remaining Year 12 assessments, including external examinations.
The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a numerical score used for university admission in Australia. It represents a student’s relative academic performance compared to their peers. Here’s how it works:
- Subject Scores: Throughout Year 12, students study various subjects. Their performance in these subjects is assessed, and each subject receives a scaled score.
- Scaling and Moderation: The ATAR calculation takes into account scaling and moderation. Scaling adjusts subject scores to account for differences in difficulty between subjects. Moderation ensures consistency across schools and assessment methods.
- Tertiary Entrance Aggregate: The ATAR is derived from a student’s top four scaled subject scores. Bonus points (such as for completing certain subjects) are also factored in.
- ATAR Calculation: The final ATAR is a percentile rank, ranging from 0 to 99.95. An ATAR of 80 means the student performed better than 80% of their peers.
Purpose of ATAR Predictions:
- University Admission: The primary purpose of ATAR predictions is to provide students with an estimate of their final ATAR. Universities use ATARs for admission, and knowing their predicted score helps students make informed choices about course preferences.
- Goal Setting: ATAR predictions allow students to set realistic goals. Whether aiming for a specific course or considering alternative pathways, having an estimated ATAR helps them plan their next steps.
- Motivation: Anticipation of ATAR predictions motivates students to perform their best during their final exams. It encourages diligence and commitment to their studies.
- Career Aspirations: ATAR predictions prompt students to reflect on their career aspirations. They can explore courses aligned with their interests and strengths.
Remember that ATAR predictions are just that—estimates. The actual ATAR may vary slightly due to final exam performance and scaling adjustments. Nevertheless, this information empowers our Year 12 students as they embark on their post-school journeys.
If you have any questions or concerns about ATAR predictions, please feel free to reach out.
Mrs Jade Love
Assistant Principal - Curriculum
lovej@stmaryscollege.com
Primary and Middle School Curriculum
St Mary's College and the NAP-CC Test
St Mary’s College recently participated in the 2024 Naplan Assessment Program - Civics and Citizenship (NAP-CC). This test is designed to measure students’ understanding of civics and citizenship, including their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours.
The students of St Mary’s College demonstrated their commitment to academic excellence throughout the assessment. They used this opportunity to display their deep understanding of societal engagement and their dedication to being informed and active citizens.
Around 12,000 students from Year 6 and Year 10 participated in this study. The data collected from the NAP-CC 2024 assessment will be used to compare student performance nationally, across states, and within territories. This will provide valuable insights into the overall trends in our nation’s curriculum.
The results of this study, expected to be released in 2025, will measure student achievement against national proficiency standards. They will also provide a longitudinal view of student performance, as these tests have been conducted every three years since 2004.
As we await the detailed reports of our students’ achievements, we are immensely proud of their success. This reflects St Mary’s College’s commitment to providing a holistic education that empowers our students to become responsible individuals and future leaders. Well done, boys!
Mrs Shari Pauli
Director Year 5-9 Curriculum
paulis@stmaryscollege.com
Student Engagement
Tips for Managing Social Media
Recently our counselling team presented to our Senior boys on understanding the impact of social media; with a specific focus on tips for managing socials.
Social media can play a positive role in our lives, allowing us to connect with others, share experiences, and access information. However, it's essential to recognise the potential negative impacts of social media, such as comparison, cyberbullying, and excessive screen time.
Tips for Managing Your Socials
- Set boundaries: Establish limits on your social media usage, including designated screen-free times and avoiding scrolling before bed.
- Curate your feed: Follow accounts that inspire and uplift you and unfollow or mute accounts that cause negativity or stress.
- Review privacy settings: Regularly review and update your privacy settings to control who can see your posts and information.
- Be mindful of what you share: Think before you post and consider the potential impact of your content on yourself and others.
- Take regular breaks: Schedule time away from social media to recharge and focus on offline activities.
- Practice mindfulness: Be present and mindful of your emotions and reactions while using social media and take breaks if you feel overwhelmed.
- Foster positive interactions: Engage with others respectfully and thoughtfully and use social media as a platform to spread kindness and positivity.
- Support others: Reach out to friends or followers who may be struggling and offer support and encouragement.
Parent Night Invitation
St Mary's College invites you to attend our Parent Information Evening with headspace Toowoomba, Monday 27th May 2024 from 5.30pm - 7.00pm. This important event will be held in the Edmund Rice Cultural Centre, Hill Street, Toowoomba.
headspace is Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing early intervention mental health services to 12–25-year-olds. With the focus on early intervention, headspace works with young people to provide support at a crucial time of their lives – to help get them back on track and strengthen and their ability to manage their mental health in the future.
Light refreshments will be served, and drinks will be available for purchase for a donation to the Waterford Fund. For catering purposes RSVP using this Trybooking link:
https://www.trybooking.com/CRING
Student Expectations Framework
This week at assembly I unpacked what “Justice and Solidarity” looks like “in practice”. The “in practice” elements are found in the College diary on page 6. The practice we expect of our students is that they will live out the following elements.
The purpose of the college Student Expectations Framework is to provide clear guidelines around what is expected at St Mary’s College. The framework is grounded in the Edmund Rice Touchstones, the College Values Statement (2015-2022) and the College Strategic Plans (past and present). It reflects our current practices and encompasses the expectations of families and, more broadly, the society in which we live.
Character Strength of the Week - Humility
This week, we concentrated on the character strength of humility 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 becoming men of action who allow their actions to speak for themselves not needing recognition.
Mr Matt Draper
Assistant Principal - Student Engagement
draperm@stmaryscollege.com
Business Manager
Dear Parents and Guardians
I hope this message finds you well. June is just around the corner, bringing cooler weather and a reminder that we’re halfway through Term 2.
The May statements will be sent this week, please note that the 2024 Term 2 fees should now be paid unless you have a payment plan in place.
If you are on a payment plan, your account is zero or in credit there is no action required, though would ask you to check transactions on your statement to ensure everything is correct.
As always, if you have any queries or concerns, please contact our friendly accounts team.
Business Manager
accounts@stmaryscollege.com