SMC NEWS 2024 - Term 4, Week 3
Week Ahead
From the College Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we move again into a very busy phase of the term, I wanted to recognise those students this week who are receiving academic awards. Learning is our core business at the College and we recognise this in so many ways. This coming Thursday night, Presentation Night spotlights those achievers who have excelled in various pursuits during the 2024 year. I look forward to congratulating and recognising these wonderful College representatives on Thursday night in what should be a wonderful event for the College community.
Year 12 and External Exams
As we move into Week 3, I want to acknowledge our Year 12 students who performed the now ritual pool jump last Friday. The pool jump is a signal of the end of "formal" lessons at the College. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our year 12's, who have been a wonderful group to teach and lead this year. The leadership group, led by Ethan Payne, have been truly outstanding, and we look forward to seeing their progress as adults and potentially leaders in the wider community. Well done to all Year 12 students, and we will keep them in our thoughts and prayers for their final assessments in the coming days.
On Monday 21st October, we reach another significant milestone - the External Exam phase for Year 12 begins. External Exams will end the week beginning Monday 14 November. Students who do not complete ATAR subjects will be completing other assessments during this time. The College is responsible for the outcomes of our boys, both academically and pastorally until Friday 15 November.
This is the fifth year that ATAR's will be awarded in Queensland. St Mary's College has a well-earned reputation for excellent Senior results, and we look forward to further building on that reputation this year. Our ATAR predictions are certainly looking promising for our Year 12 students.
In addition to ATAR scores, each and every one of our students, whether striving for an ATAR or an alternative pathway, will be ensuring that they complete requirements for their QCE. At the time of writing, it is possible for St Mary's Year 12 students to have 100% QCE successful completion rate this year. This result is one of our basic aspirations and I strongly encourage all students to finish the work required to complete the QCE.
Deputy Principal (DP) Review - Ms Samantha Parle
Our Deputy Principal, Ms Sam Parle, is in her fifth year of Senior Leadership at St Mary's College. Toowoomba Catholic Schools conducts a standard review process for leaders in their 5th year, and this will happen at the College on Tuesday, 22 October, for Ms Parle. Please check your emails - if you have been sent an email to participate in Sam's review as DP at the College, could you please respond. If you have not been sent an email and wish to participate, could you please let the College know. We look forward to a successful outcome for Ms Parle with your support in completing these surveys this week.
Reflection: The Catholic Church Synod 2021 - 2024: Communion, Participation, Mission
Our Faith - Synod on Synodality
Many of you would have heard of the Synod the Catholic Church is currently conducting - a four year process. The aim of this synodal process is not to provide a temporary or one-time experience of synodality, but rather to provide an opportunity for the entire People of God to discern together how to move forward on the path towards being a more synodal Church in the long-term.
A basic question prompts and guides us: How does this journeying together allow the Church to proclaim the Gospel in accordance with the mission entrusted to Her; and what steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow as a synodal Church?
The synod process has reached its final stage of the journey and the report on the 4 year process is about to be drafted. We look forward to hearing about the outcomes and the ways that we can journey together with the Church in the future.
Adapted From https://www.synod.va/en/the-synod-on-synodality/what-is-the-synod-about.html
Sincerely
Brendan Stewart
College Principal
principal@stmaryscollege.com
Deputy Principal
Student Absences
If your son is not going to be attending school, the most effective way to let us know about that is to note his absence in the SENTRAL PARENT PORTAL. Here, you can log his absence and provide a reason which then moves directly to his attendance. This system ensures accurate and timely communication with the Sentral system and is the preferred method for absence notifications.
If you are having difficulties accessing the Sentral Portal as a parent, please call the College Reception and we can assist you.
Emailing and leaving a message on the College phone are alternative options if the Sentral Portal is not available. Thank you for your support in this.
Stormy Weather
As we approach the spring/summer storm season, now is a good time to give some consideration to your family plans. Many of you would have heard famous SMC Old Boy Jonathon Thurston in the current Qld government campaign, encouraging Queenslanders to prepare for the weather. While we have a range of action plans in place to ensure that the College remains a safe place during weather events, some contingency planning in families would also be a good idea. While you may have a fairly reliable pick-up plan in place for your boys, it would be a good idea to discuss a backup. What does your son do if you aren’t there by the usual time? If the weather is storming, is there a safer place for him to wait? If he walks from school to you, is there a safer route? Or should he delay until the weather passes?
While many of our boys have phones, and families use this means to manage unexpected events, it would be good practice to have these conversations with your son. If your son does have a phone, you may want to look at the app Life 360 which can help busy families keep track of each other.
Samantha Parle
Deputy Principal
parles@stmaryscollege.com
Identity
Lots of things are happening in the space of Mission and Identity in term 4!
Robyn Chantler Pink Day Friday 18th October
We encourage all boys to celebrate SMC annual "pink day" this Friday in memory of late staff member, Mrs Robyn Chantler.
Boys may wear pink socks, a pink tie or bow tie to show our support for Breast Cancer research.
Ties and bow ties are priced at $5 each and the pink footy socks are $10.
These are available from the tuck shop this week.
Let's show our support and get behind this important cause.
Hike for Homeless
Hike for Homeless takes place again this year at Jubilee Park, East Toowoomba on Saturday October 19th. Last year we had a team of staff and students take part for the first time. It would be great to build on this in 2024 if we can. Families are more than welcome to enter as part of the St Mary’s Team.
https://www.mycause.com.au/events/hikeforhomeless
Desmond Tutu Courageous Leadership Award (EREBB)
This year, we are combining our Edmund Rice Beyond Borders project with the Desmond Tutu Courageous Leadership Award.
This year have been teamed up with Schools across Australia, South Africa and Zimbabwe to work through the modules and link up over teams.
This allows our students to share their views on sustainable development with Edmund Rice students with a view to building a shared approach.
This project is aimed at years 10 and 11 (new year 12), but places are limited to 10 students.
Students should get in touch with me ASAP if they are interested in this exciting opportunity.
More information is below
The Tutu Courageous Leadership Course (thinkific.com)
Kevin Murphy
Assistant Principal Identity
murphyk@stmaryscollege.com
Curriculum
External Examinations
Our Year 12 students are currently in the final stages of preparation for their external exams. I have detailed some basic instructions for the boys below:
Start times: Scheduled start times for exams are 9:00 am for morning (am) sessions and 12:30 pm for afternoon (pm) sessions. Students are expected to arrive at the exam room at least 30 minutes before the scheduled exam start time. There is no requirement for students to sign in and out of the College as a roll will be marked in each exam.
Exam Locations: All exams will be held in the Edmund Rice Cultural Centre (ERCC) with the following exceptions. Exams for Japanese, Spanish, Music, and Film Television & New Media will be held in COP13.
Absences: If your son is not able to attend an exam due to illness or misadventure, please contact Mrs Harris as soon as possible. A medical certificate must be provided for all absences due to illness.
The exam timetable and equipment lists have been emailed to all students.
myQCE – Student Access
All Year 12 students must ensure that they can login to the myQCE website. The link is below. They login with their email and password. It is important that the email used is not their school email as they will not have access to this after graduation.
https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/your-qce-pathway/student-portal-and-learning-account
Any student with questions or concerns should see me asap.
Year 11 students are also encouraged to login and check their QCE progress.
Subject Changes – Year 11
Year 11 students have now commenced their study of Unit 3 & 4. These 2 units are joined together, and students must complete both units in their entirety for credit to be banked. Changes in subjects cannot happen throughout these units. Any Year 11 student who is considering moving subjects for Unit 3 & 4 must come and see me before the end of Week 4. No changes will be made after this date.
Angela Harris
Assistant Principal - Curriculum
harrisa@stmaryscollege.com
Student Engagement
Last Friday was not only the last day of scheduled general classes for all Year 12 students, but it was also an opportunity to share hallmark moments with your sons, who were the guests of honour at their final House Assembly.
The final House Assembly provided the platform for mentor staff to celebrate your son’s contribution to the college, their character and the life they have brought to our community. Relationships built at the college were reflected in speeches and letters exchanged.
Pool Jump
Our 12’s enjoyed the final moments on site with a pool jump led by our college captain Ethan Payne.
Yr 12 Expectations – Week 7 Celebratory Events
Students have worked hard to have met the criteria to attend these celebratory events, and we want to share in these events with your sons. Uniform standards apply as part of the criteria for taking part in the celebrations. Uniform expectations are unchanged as per our uniform policy.
Standards: Uniform and Appearance
Throughout External Exam block and Week 7 it is expected that students returning to the College meet expectations outlined below. Please note the embedded letter for further detail.
This week’s St Mary’s SchoolTV special edition is focused on “managing overwhelm”. It contains insightful responses from experts in the field.
https://stmaryscollege.qld.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-managing-overwhelm
Merit Trip - Invitations
Every year, St Mary’s College acknowledges the positive efforts and exemplary behaviour displayed by students and invites them to attend a Merit Trip with students who have met the necessary criteria.
Mentor staff have worked with the boys last week to assist them in identifying if they are eligible to attend. Once lists have been confirmed, families of invited boys will be asked to purchase their son’s ticket to Merit Trip. Please keep an eye out for further information regarding this process as the term rolls on.
Matt Draper
Assistant Principal - Student Engagement
draperm@stmaryscollege.com
Primary and Middle School Curriculum
At St. Mary’s College, we are deeply committed to nurturing a culture of academic excellence. As we progress through Term 4, we would like to take this opportunity to highlight some key components of our academic integrity process and share how you can support your son in staying on top of his assessments.
Assessment Calendars
Our assessment calendars will soon be accessible on both the College Website and the College app under the ‘Links’ section. We strongly encourage you to sit down with your son and review these calendars together. This collaborative approach will empower him to keep track of assignment due dates across various subjects, ensuring he is well-prepared and confident as deadlines approach.
Academic Integrity Centre (AIC)
If your son receives an AIC notification, it may indicate an incomplete draft submission or a failure to submit a draft assessment altogether. Students need to submit thorough and complete drafts for teacher feedback. The Academic Integrity Centre operates on Wednesday afternoons and serves as an invaluable resource for students to catch up on any assessment tasks that may be pending or incomplete.
While some students might view the AIC as a disciplinary measure, we want to emphasize that it is, in fact, an opportunity for them to address unfinished work under the guidance of a supervising teacher. This environment not only aids in keeping students organized but also instils essential life skills, such as time management and meeting deadlines.
At St. Mary’s College, we prioritize academic success and are committed to fostering the essential skills that will help our students thrive in a safe and encouraging environment.
For your convenience, we have included an AIC flow chart to further clarify the process and support your understanding.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership in your son's education.
Shari Pauli
Director of 5-9 Curriculum
paulis@stmaryscollege.com
Head of Primary
Year 6 Retreat Day - Rescheduled
The Year 6 boys will participate in a transition to Secondary school retreat run by Mr Kevin Murphy on Tuesday 22nd October. This day is a great opportunity for the boys to reflect on their journey so far as a cohort and to celebrate the successes they have seen individually and as a group. They will also reflect on how these successes can assist them in their transition into the Secondary school.
Year 6 2025 Leadership Process
Student Leadership is a very important aspect of life at St Mary’s College. Developing the leadership skills of our boys begins in Year 5. The 2025 Primary Leadership selection process will begin on Monday 28th October with a Leadership Retreat Day. This will be a day where we focus on developing the students’ leadership skills as both individuals and as a group. From there, the following process will be followed:
- Year 5 Leadership / Retreat Day - 28th October (Week 5)
- Interested boys in positions for 2025 will write a letter addressing the selection criteria provided at the Retreat - Due Thursday, 31st October (Week 5)
Boys are shortlisted based on their alignment to the criteria
- Shortlisted boys to prepare speeches to present to Primary students – Tuesday 5th November (Week 6)
- Primary boys vote - Week 6
Boys shortlisted based on votes
- Shortlisted boys to be interviewed by Principal, Head of Primary & AP Welfare/Identity - Week 7
- Announcement of successful candidates – Week 8
I look forward to announcing the 2025 Primary Leaders in Week 8.
2025 Primary Leaders Shirts
It is time to order the Year 6 Leader shirts for 2025. These shirts are compulsory for Year 6 students and will arrive in the first few weeks of Term 1, next year. This is a one-off order, and the online ordering system will be available until Friday 25th October.
An Edsmart with all the information will be sent this week, and we will have sample shirts for the students to try next week if required. It is recommended that the students size up, as this shirt will be worn until the end of 2025.
Daniel Morcombe Day
Held annually on the last Friday of October, Day for Daniel honours the memory of Daniel Morcombe. On this very special day, all Australians are asked to wear red, educate and donate. On Friday, 25th October, the Primary students are asked to wear something red to be worn with their uniform. Red shirts over sports shirts, red socks or red material on hats are encouraged. We will be fortunate to have police officer Chris Rogers talk to the students about personal and cyber safety. We also ask the students to bring a gold coin donation for the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.
DD Track and Field
Congratulations to Billy Bishop, Frankie Webster, Kase Walters, and Mason Morris (Year 7), who represented Darling Downs in the recent State Track & Field Championships. Mason placed 6th in the 800m and 7th in the 1500m finals. Frankie placed 6th in the 1500m final. Billy competed in the 100m, while Kase (before he moved to Houston in the US) ran the 800m and was 11th in the 1500m final. A great effort, boys.
Friday Sport
Interschool Friday sport will begin next week, Week 4, and conclude in Week 7. The sports being conducted are:
- Mountain Biking (Year 6 students only)
- Touch football
- Chess
- Cricket T20 Blast
The students are aware of their sports for the term.
Good luck to our basketball teams who begin their competition tomorrow night.
Primary Swimming
A reminder that the Primary students will be having swimming lessons at the Glennie School’s Aquatic Centre starting in Weeks 7 and 8. Students of all skill levels can fully participate and benefit from this experience. Please note that this is a compulsory component of the academic curriculum. Students will change into their swimming gear at school before walking to Glennie for their lessons. They will change back into their uniform at school.
Relevant Dates:
Week 7 - Monday, 11th November, Tuesday, 12th November, Thursday, 14th November
Week 8 - Monday, 18th November, Tuesday, 19th November
Times:
Year 5B, 5W and 5/6M: 9.15 – 10.00am
Year 6B, 6W and 6G: 10.00 – 10.45
Stephen Coren
Head of Primary
corens@stmaryscollege.com
Business Manager
Dear Parents and Guardians
As we swiftly move through Term 4 and approach Week 4, I would like to share some important reminders to ensure a smooth end to the term and a seamless start to 2025.
Statements and Payments
Statements will be sent out this week. Please review them carefully to ensure all payments have been correctly receipted. If you have any queries, do not hesitate to contact us. Term 4 fees were due on October 16th. Your account balance should be zero unless you are on an agreed payment plan. If you have any financial concerns, please contact our accounts team as soon as possible to discuss options. We follow a robust debtor process in cases of non-payment of school fees.
Outstanding School Fees
Please note that school accounts must be up to date (fully paid or on a payment plan) for students to participate in paid extra-curricular trips. This policy will be strictly enforced in 2025. We ask that you consider this when deciding if your child can attend paid extra-curricular excursions.
2025 Fees and Schedule
The 2025 fees, fee letter, and fee schedule will be released this month. We have endeavoured to keep any increases to a minimum while ensuring we continue to deliver an outstanding education at St Mary’s College. Our goal is to keep our fees as inclusive as possible, allowing you to budget with confidence and avoid surprises during the year.
Contact Us
Our friendly accounts team is here to assist you in any way we can. You can reach us by email at accounts@stmaryscollege.com or by phone at 07 4631 7333 (option 3).
Patrick Wilson
Business Manager
accounts@stmaryscollege.com