Term 2, Week 1 - 20.04.2021

Principal News

Welcome Back to Our Students

Smiles, energy and activity - this is what characterised our boys/your sons in my first walk around this morning for Term 2.  The beginning of term brings hopes for improvement in all walks of school life and in Toowoomba, cooler weather!  Together, we look forward to working with our students to build on their Term 1 results.  If there is one conclusion that we have come to during this COVID phase of our lives, it is that we can continue our studies and concentrate on achieving the goals that we set ourselves as learners at the start of the year.

Reports and reflections

To that end, I wish to make a couple of comments about the recent school reports.  It was pleasing to see the large number of students who made a wonderful effort in their studies in Term 1.  At St Mary's College, we truly believe that academic improvement is possible for everyone.  A student's sustained, patient and gritty efforts are the most common way that this improvement occurs.  We will recognise those students who consistently demonstrate high-level learning behaviours on assembly in the coming weeks.

A student's goal for Term 2, whatever the year level, should be to build on the results from Term 1 and aim for better results where possible.  We can then celebrate progress!  Our teachers are responsible for showing students how this is to be done.  In the coming weeks, and partly through the parent-teacher interview process, teachers will spend time with students on this question.  Through our intentional College goal of improving writing, many students will achieve improvement through the standard academic expectations of a St Mary's College classroom.

Overall, as a school, we have made a positive academic start to the school year and we commit to persist with the strategies we have put in place.  I look forward to "hearing" about many positive learning conversations in the coming weeks based on our parent-teacher interviews being held on Tuesday 27th April.

Staffing update

I would like to bring you up to date with some staffing news at the College.

Our Learning Support admin officer, Petra Barnes, had a healthy baby boy on Good Friday - Harry Mitchell Clark Barnes.  Congratulations to Petra and her family.

Congratulations also to our Year 5 - 9 Curriculum Leader, Jade Love (previously Marinelli) and Samantha Dibley (previously Wearing-Smith), who were married over the break. 

We are excited also to be welcoming back Ash Sowter and Brett Harkins to our teaching staff in Term 2.  I know, having spoken to others, that both Ash and Brett were sorely missed and we look forward to working with them during Term 2 and beyond.

Unfortunately, I received news recently about 2 staff members leaving St Mary's.  Sue Osborne, a Learning Support Teacher, has been with us since the beginning of the year.   Melanie Joyce, our Senior Geography, Middle School Humanities teacher, has been with the College for a number of years.  We thank them for their service to the Community and I will have news about new staff in the coming weeks.

Additionally, Stephen Connolly has been seconded to Assumption College, Warwick, for a teaching position in Term 2.  We wish Stephen all the best.  This allows us to welcome back Pip Nicol who acted in IT support for Stephen in Term 1.

Facilities update

Thank-you to our Property and Services team led by Tony Buckle.  Tony with Dave and Mick have put the finishing touches on the old gym space, which can now be booked out by staff for large gatherings of students with staff.  This would include year groups, house gatherings, messages to sports teams etc.  The space is very usable and was an idea of our teachers to facilitate communication with students in the College. 

Additionally, the grounds look "a picture" around the campus at present.  I know from speaking to Tony and the team that they take an immense amount of pride in the presentation of the College grounds.  Clearly, this is a reflection of the pride that the team holds in being members of the St Mary's College community.

Learning Potential App

I am a firm believer that Parents and Carers are a child’s first and most important teachers. Let’s face it – the amount of time most of our boys spend at home is greater than the time spent at school.  Of course, as educators, we have a key role in the P-12 learning journey.  When scouring the web to find some inspiration for this article, I discovered that the Australian Government has created a useful app which compiles a list of hints, tips and strategies to help enhance the learning journey with your sons and daughters.

Learning Potential is a free app for parents, families and carers packed with useful tips and inspiring ways you can be more involved in your child’s learning.  It is available for download on smartphones and can also be accessed on the Australian Government website.  Most of us would be aware that researchers agree about the positive outcomes that occur when parents and carers are involved in our child’s learning.  The app is designed to help you to be part of their learning and make the most of the time you spend together, from the high chair to high school.  Take a minute this week to download this to your smartphone and see if there is an idea or a project that appeals to you and your son!

Some of the articles and tips that I found useful include (there are dozens like these…)

• 5 tips to help your teen get ready for school in the morning (!)
• Exam time – preparing for success.
• Cyberbullying
• Does music help with study?
• Holiday challenge – 10 things to do with your teen
• What subjects star for ATAR?

Visit www.learningpotential.gov.au to find out more about this excellent, free Australian Government resource.  Maybe you can kick-start Term 2 with a conversation about the app with your son.

Primary News

Welcome back to Term 2! Hopefully you have all had a chance to relax and are refreshed and ready for another jam packed term. It is really important that you are reading the newsletter each week, not just the primary section. You will find other important information and dates.

This weekend is ANZAC Day. As a College we encourage the students to be involved in their local services or join the mid-morning march. There has been parent paperwork sent out regarding this march. It would be great to see lots of the primary boys there in school uniform paying respect to those who have fought in wars over the years.

In Term 2 there will be no interschool sport on a Friday afternoon, instead boys will participate in athletics training and house competition games. The boys will all be required to wear their sports uniform on a Friday as usual.

As part of Year 6 Camp we offer optional apparel. These items are not part of the College uniform and cannot be worn as part of the regular uniform. There will be a link emailed to parents to order and pay for these. The closing date for orders will be firm to ensure that we get delivery on time.

We are looking forward to another great term working with you to ensure that your son gets the best out of his time at St Mary’s College.

Mrs Terese Dyne, Head of Primary - dynet@stmaryscollege.com

College Careers

UQ Medicine Information Evening

Year 12 students and parents are invited to register to attend the University of Queensland (UQ) Medicine Information Evening scheduled for 21st April from 6.00pm - 7.30pm.

If you are interested in attending in person or online, then please register HERE.

REMINDER: UCAT Bookings deadline 10th May

The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) is a 2-hour computer-based test that assesses a range of abilities identified by universities as important in practicing in the fields of medicine, dentistry, and clinical sciences. The UCAT is required for entry to Medicine and Dentistry at certain universities, but not all.  UCAT will be offered on a choice of dates throughout the month of July and early August 2021. UCAT bookings are open now and the deadline for bookings is 10th May, 2021.

• Students should be aware of important dates
• Students are encouraged to browse University Clinical Aptitude Test to find out more
• Browse details about the UCAT test format
• Read the essential Practice Tips to become familiar with the test before preparation
• UCAT practice tests are to assist students familiarise themselves with the type of questions they can expect to see in the test
• Completing practice tests is a vital part of preparation for the UCAT
• Another excellent link to browse is iCan Med - Resources

If you require assistance navigating through the UCAT process, then please see the Careers Centre as soon as possible.

Year 12 students Careers Meetings

All Year 12 boys and their parents will be invited to a Careers Meeting with either Mrs Jenny Ball, Mr Kris Glass or Mr Paul Barber.  These appointments will occur in Term 2 and Term 3.  The appointment will discuss pathway and transition options for each student, determining possibilities and identifying aspirations, and the practical ‘what needs to be done’ aspects.  The individual appointment invitation will be sent to both the Year 12 students’ school email and the parent email address.  Please RSVP as soon as possible. Parents are invited to attend in person, via Microsoft Teams link or by phone.  There is limited ability to manoeuvre most appointment times, but please let us know as soon as possible if the dedicated time presents a difficulty.

Queensland University of Technology Information session – Year 9 and 10

Year 9 and 10 students are invited to A quick guide to QUT: information session for Year 9 and 10 students.

The webinar will be held on Wednesday 28th April from 5.30pm – 6.30pm, and will provide students with tools to help make course and careers decisions and advice about subject selection.

Click on the link above to register for the webinar.

REMINDER: Year 10 Work Experience Applications now overdue

Year 10 Work Experience – 21st - 25th June 2021

As part of the boys’ career development and understanding of post-school options, all Year 10 boys will be undertaking work experience from Monday 21st - Friday 25th June 2021.  This is a valuable opportunity for students to experience industries in which they have initial interest.  They will also experience employer expectations, work conditions and interact with adults who they may not know personally, which for many will be a growth experience. Some students actively find workplaces where they may be able to gain part-time work, school-based traineeships and/or ascertain whether this is the industry or occupation that they wish to continue into further study.  The benefits are far reaching and measurable.

What to do:

• The boys need to make contact with employers as soon as possible, either in person or by phone, to ask if they can complete work experience at these workplaces.
• The boys need to make this initial contact, supported by parents and teachers but not actually completed for them. Employers much prefer having students use their initiative.  This will be a valuable learning experience for some boys.
• Ultimately, this is a week to gain experience working with other adults and locations that they cannot normally access, so wasting this opportunity on ‘an easy to organise but not an area I am interested in’ option is NOT recommended.
• All boys intending to work on a Construction site require attaining a Construction Industry White Card (school session planned for 26^th May – see Mr Glass for more information)
• All boys who already have a school-based apprenticeship/traineeship can speak with their employer about working for this week instead.

Registration

• To register their Work Experience placement, boys need to go to: Work Experience Application form link (click here) and complete the form. This should be submitted AS SOON AS POSSIBLE as it is now overdue.
• Some workplaces and occupations are very competitive to gain a work experience placement, so early employer contact is highly recommended.
• Full details are available in the Work Experience Student Handbook 2021 (click here)

All Year 10 boys have now attended information sessions in their Skills lessons.  We are certainly happy to assist the boys approaching potential employers and can support them by providing potential employer lists and enabling use of the Career Centre phones to make calls. Please visit the Careers Centre this week if you still need assistance gentlemen.

Thank you to those boys and parents who have already submitted applications. The Careers Team will be confirming all work experience placements over the next couple of weeks and then the boys will be provided with a formal work experience agreement form to get signed and return to the Careers Team. More information will be provided in the coming weeks.

Year 10 Career Profiling

Year 10 students will have the opportunity to complete a ‘Career Avenues’ career profile on Thursday 3rd June. Career profiling is a great way to understand how you are different, identify your strengths and preferences, stimulate your thinking about career ideas and help you start to formulate your own career action plan. More information will come out in the next few weeks.

School-Based Apprenticeships & Traineeships

If you are interested in a School-Based Apprenticeship, please contact the Career Support Officer, Mr Barber via email at barberp@stmaryscollege.com  or drop in to the Careers Centre in DUHIG 21.

You will need to complete a SBA Expression of Interest Form and have a current resume and cover letter.

Resume templates and information to assist are available on the Careers Canvas page, link below.

School-Based Apprenticeship & Traineeship Sign Ups

Sport News

We will be holding a Cross Country for competitive runners only on Wednesday 28^th April (Week 2) during extended mentor and into period one.

If your son would like to compete in the Cross Country, please fill out this form: https://bit.ly/3ekNkjD

Entries are due by Monday 26^th April at 9.00am.

This is a result of the COVID-19 shutdown. Unfortunately, a date could not be matched to the venue availability.

A Fun Run will be held on the oval at first break. All students will be encouraged to run a lap of the oval to gain a point for their house.

Chocolate, chips and soft drinks will be available for sale on the day in the Tuckshop.

Pricing below:

• Sausage in bread $2.00
• Soft drinks $2.00
• Chocolate & chips $1.00

Mr Scott Cowan, Head of Sport - cowans@stmaryscollege.com

Library News

Welcome back to Term 2!

Term 2 is another busy term with the library celebrating some very important events, beginning with remembering our ANZACs and all servicemen and women, both past and present, on 25th May with library displays. We also celebrate Mother's Day on 12th May, where we recognise the important role of mothers at St Mary’s College. Following this, we have SMC Open Day on 23rd May, where the library will be open to the wider community.

Light up the Dawn on Anzac Day

This ANZAC Day, we are invited to unite safely, and honour and thank our nation’s veterans on Sunday 25th April 2021. Light Up the Dawn was an idea which originated within the Australian community, and was supported and promoted across Australia in 2020, a year of great challenge and change. As dawn broke across the nation, our country stood united – in uniforms or pyjamas, wearing medals, poppies and sprigs of rosemary, carrying candles – to let Australia’s veterans know that their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Due to the tremendous community response to this initiative, we are asked again to come together in 2021, on our driveways, balconies, or in our living rooms to commemorate Australia’s deeply held ANZAC traditions. Please check the RSL website for more information and participation kits to use on the day. The SMC community are welcome to view the ANZAC Day display in the library over the following weeks

Overdue Library Resources

Please remind your son to keep up-to-date with library loans through the Library Web App, where he can see overdue items. Students are emailed their overdue loans weekly and we ask that this be actioned as soon as possible. Students can either renew or return their overdue library items. Any overdue library items, that were billed during the last week of term, may be returned to the library by Friday 30th April 2021 to receive a refund. Your help with this is much appreciated!

Mrs Gemma Tracy, Teacher Librarian - tracyg@stmaryscollege.com

St Mary's College Open Day

St Mary’s College is the leading Toowoomba boys’ school that provides a holistic Catholic education in the Edmund Rice tradition. At St Mary’s College, we empower students to be men of faith, integrity, action and excellence.

Join us for our 2021 Open Day on Sunday 23rd May.

There will be two guided tours. The first session is from 10.00am to 12.00pm and the second session will be held from 12.00pm to 2.00pm.

The tour will commence in the Edmund Rice Cultural Centre on the corner of Hill and Helen Street.

What can you expect:

• Listen to the Principal’s address
• Understand how we focus our learning to the way boys learn best
• View our outstanding facilities
• See our clear academic focus with interesting demonstrations and curricular displays
• Understand the care give to each individual boy
• Enjoy our Music, Art and Drama programs
• Understand the wonderful sporting opportunities on offer

We look forward to seeing you there! Bookings are essential. Register now on our website.

Jesus Christ Superstar

We would like to wish the cast and staff behind Jesus Christ Superstar all the best for the Opening Night performance this evening.

This production has been postponed twice due to COVID-19 and everyone involved has worked incredibily hard over the past 12 months. We're so excited to see it come to life.

Break a leg!

Lech Blaine 'Car Crash' Book Launch

In 2009, Old Boy Lech Blaine survived a fatal head-on collision. Car Crash: A Memoir is about the mateships that he grieved and created in the aftermath of a tragedy. It also covers the details of a young man’s recovery from depression.

On 23rd April, Lech will be launching the book at the St Mary’s College Cultural Centre. Melissa Keogh has also been on a journey of grief since the accident, and was a keen reader as Lech finished the manuscript. She will officially launch the evening, before Lech has a long conversation with Archie Hamilton. Archie Hamilton – AKA Clancy Overell from The Betoota Advocate – has family scattered throughout southwest Queensland. Archie has turned the storytelling and sense of humor that Lech grew up around in country pubs into a national phenomenon.

Archie is travelling back to Toowoomba for a more sobering conversation about Lech's first book Car Crash, and the important issue of men’s mental health in country Queensland. There will still be plenty of laughs, as Archie probes the story of Lech's mediocre rugby league career at St Mary’s, and the eclectic bunch of life-changing mates that he made from Downlands College.

Tickets to the launch will be free, but bookings are essential.