Term 2, Week 2 - 27.04.2021
Principal News
NAPLAN
An introduction to NAPLAN Online 2021
After a solid start to the year academically, the time has come for the College to turn its attention directly to NAPLAN. NAPLAN Online will be conducted in Years 5, 7 and 9 in 2021.
Through a variety of strategies, St Mary's College has been preparing our boys directly and indirectly for the test since the beginning of the year. This includes a focus on Writing in all year levels through our Write that Essay project, high quality Maths and English teaching and dedicated practice lessons for Years 5, 7 and 9. Our students will use their iPads to interact with the exams. Please support us by ensuring your son's iPads are operating correctly and well maintained in the lead-up to the exam period.
Please be aware of the testing dates and expectations previously sent by our NAPLAN leaders, Mr Mark Watson and Mrs Jade Love (Marinelli) to best support your son in the test itself and in this crucial lead-up period.
The Online Test
If your son is in Year 5, 7 or 9, he will do the NAPLAN tests online this year. Federal, State and Territory education ministers agreed that all schools will gradually transition from the current paper-based NAPLAN to NAPLAN online to provide a better and more precise assessment that is more engaging for students. State and Territory education authorities determine when their schools move online. St Mary's College, Toowoomba, decided at the beginning of 2018 to transition to the online format. Due to COVID, this is the first opportunity that the school has had to engage in the online version of the test.
One of the main benefits of NAPLAN Online is tailored (or adaptive) testing, in which the test presents questions of higher or lower complexity depending on a student’s performance. Tailored (or adaptive) testing is designed to assess a wider range of student abilities and to measure student achievement more precisely. Your son should not be concerned if they find questions more challenging than usual; they may be taking a more complex test pathway. A student’s overall NAPLAN score is based on the number and complexity of questions they answer correctly.
Why do students do NAPLAN?
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in the annual NAPLAN tests in reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. The assessment provides parents and schools with an understanding of how individual students are performing at the time of the tests. NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process – it does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance. NAPLAN also provides schools, education authorities and governments with information about how education programs are working and whether young Australians are achieving important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy.
What does NAPLAN assess?
NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the St Mary's College school curriculum - aligned with the Australian Curriculum. Students are assessed on the same literacy and numeracy curriculum content, regardless of whether they complete the tests online or on paper. Results for both formats can be reported on the same NAPLAN assessment scale. To find out more about NAPLAN Online, visit nap.edu.au.
What can I do to support my child?
On its own, NAPLAN is not a test that can be studied for and students are not expected to do so. You can support your child by reassuring them that NAPLAN is just one part of their school program, and by reminding them on the day to simply do their best. ACARA does not recommend excessive preparation for NAPLAN or the use of services by coaching providers. Ensuring students are familiar with using devices, typing on them and navigating through programs is a part of student learning and a requirement of the Australian Curriculum from the first year at school. NAPLAN Online is not a test of keyboard skills. There are variations in how fast and well a student can type – just as there are variations in how fast and well a student can write by hand. Teachers will ensure students are familiar with the types of questions in the tests and will provide appropriate support and guidance. See the types of questions and related functionalities available in the NAPLAN Online assessment at www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site
Participation in NAPLAN
All students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are expected to participate in the annual NAPLAN assessment. Students with disability may qualify for adjustments that reflect the support normally provided for classroom assessments. You should discuss the use of any adjustments for your child with Ms Kerrin Cridland (Learning Enhancement Leader). A student with a disability that severely limits their capacity to participate in the assessment, or a student who has recently arrived in Australia and has a non-English speaking background, may be granted a formal exemption.
Please contact Mr Mark Watson, AP Curriculum, if you believe your son falls into this category.
What if my child is absent from school on NAPLAN days?
Where possible, schools may arrange for individual students who are absent at the time of testing to complete missed tests at another time during the school’s test schedule. The assessment window for NAPLAN Online is nine days instead of the three days provided for the paper test. This is to give schools flexibility in scheduling and accommodate schools that may have fewer devices. The NAPLAN Online assessment window starts on Tuesday 11 May and finishes on Friday 21 May 2021. The online test scheduling requirements are detailed in the table below. More details, however, on the St Mary’s College schedule will be shared by Mr Watson shortly.
Ozanam Leadership Program
Congratulations to the following St Mary's students. The four boys pictured below were successful in their application to the Ozanam Leadership Program with St Vincent de Paul Society. These young men are already at work preparing a campaign for the St Mary's Winter Appeal and will now meet regularly to develop their outreach leadership skills with the team at Vinnies Youth. The boys will work with Ryan Baines, College Chaplain, to update the community at forthcoming College assemblies about Social Justice initiatives.
I know you will join me in congratulating these fine St Mary’s representatives.
Lachlan Debel
Hamish Earl-Jones
Lachlan Moore
Robert Hales
My reflection for this week:
Fourth Sunday of Easter
This week the Gospel relates the idea of the Good Shepherd. When hearing this Gospel, I try to reflect upon and understand the meaning of the Good Shepherd and the qualities he or she may have. As parents or carers, at times, we are asked to reflect a calm and patient presence to teach our sons a sense of purpose under pressure. At these times, the Good Shepherd is there to guide us to safety.
The following story reminds me of this idea:
A minor miracle that literally stops traffic on a busy city street: an elderly man and woman wait at the corner. They are incalculably old — white hair and bent over, with shaking hands and unsteady limbs. They move cautiously toward the kerb, then step down together. The man takes the woman’s arm, holding it closely and tightly as she shuffles into the street, despite his own unsteadiness.
The light changes before they make it across. Cars begin honking. But the man never wavers, never takes his eyes or his arm from his wife. He carries her and supports her, even though his own legs are not as sure or as steady as he would like.
And she leans on him with total faith and confidence, as if he were the very rock of safety itself. Her trust makes him stronger than he realises. Together they make it across, through the traffic, buoyed up by each other and their faith in each other’s love.
The impatient drivers and preoccupied passers-by miss the miracle that has taken place in their midst: perfect trust and steadfast love right there before them in the couple’s linked arms and shaking hands.
Peace
Mr Brendan Stewart, College Principal - stewartb@stmaryscollege.com
NAPLAN
Curriculum
Share your views on new QCE system processes
Following the initial implementation of the new QCE system in 2019 and 2020, the QCAA is conducting a post-cycle review of its processes and procedures. Current Year 11 and 12 students and their parents/carers are invited to have their say by completing an anonymous online survey by Friday 7th May 2021. The survey can be accessed by clicking here.
Mr Mark Watson, AP Curriculum - watsonm@stmaryscollege.com
NAPLAN Online
In 2021 St Mary’s College will continue to be involved in NAPLAN Online. We are fortunate to have been one of the first schools to have transitioned to NAPLAN Online in 2018. Moving the testing online brings many new opportunities for students and teachers that are limited or not possible with paper-based tests.
When is the NAPLAN testing?
NAPLAN testing is being conducted during the testing window in Weeks 4 and 5 this term (11th – 21st May) using the boys’ iPads.
Why do students do NAPLAN tests?
NAPLAN is the measure through which governments, education authorities, schools, teachers and parents can determine whether or not young Australians are meeting important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy. The tests provide parents and schools with an understanding of how individual students are performing at the time of the tests. They also provide schools, states and territories with information about how education programs are working and what areas need to be prioritised for improvement. St Mary’s College also has many other standardised tests to track your son’s learning.
What will be tested and how?
NAPLAN tests the sorts of skills that are essential for your son to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. NAPLAN Online utilises a variety of question types such as multiple-choice, check box, short answer, draw lines, drag and drop and hot text. Questions are multiple-choice or require a short-written response. The writing task requires students to write a text in response to a stimulus. To give you an idea of what the tests look like, sample questions and a sample writing task are available on this website.
Who will administer the tests?
NAPLAN tests will be conducted in the Edmund Rice Cultural Centre (ERCC) for Years 7 and 9 students and in regular classrooms for Year 5. The tests will be administered by College teachers.
How will tailored testing work?
During the test, students are presented with sets of questions based on their performance. Many of these questions are of mid-range complexity for each year level, but some are of higher or lower complexity. For example, students who struggle with questions early in the test are directed to questions that are less complex. Students performing to a higher level in the test will have an opportunity to answer questions that are more complex.
Will students be completing the same test?
NAPLAN questions have always assessed a wide range of difficulty. What differs from student to student in the online test is targeted questions of either higher or lower complexity, depending on the student’s performance. These targeted questions are designed to provide more focused, detailed results that can be used to target teaching.
What happens if my son is absent from school on test days?
Where possible, the College will organise for individual students to complete missed tests at another time during the testing window. Individual students are not permitted to sit tests after Friday 21st May 2021. As per normal procedure, please contact the College office to notify them of your son’s absence over these test days.
How can I help my son prepare for the tests?
The College is already preparing students with test strategies; however, there are some simple suggestions which you can use to provide further support to your son’s NAPLAN preparation:
- Encourage your son to have a go at every question.
- Encourage your son to read the whole question before deciding on an answer.
- Encourage your son to view the tests as another learning experience rather than something to be feared.
- There will be questions that are difficult, so encourage your son not to stress, rather step through them and do his best.
- Ensure your son has the necessary tools needed for the test (e.g. pencils, pens, eraser – for working out and planning).
- Each question is worth one point so encourage your son to do all the questions he can do first, then to go back and work on the others - the test does not have to be done in order.
- If your son tends to stress easily, talk about relaxation (e.g. deep breathing).
- Make sure your son is well-rested and well-fed.
How is NAPLAN performance measured?
NAPLAN is not a pass-or-fail type test. Individual student performance is shown on a national achievement scale for each test. Each test scale has 10 bands and all year levels are reported on the same scale. Six bands are reported for each year level for each test. One of these bands represents the national minimum standard for students at each year level. A result at the national minimum standard indicates that the student demonstrated the basic literacy and numeracy skills needed to participate fully in that year level. The performance of individual students can be compared to the average performance of all students in Australia.
Will I receive a report on my son’s performance?
A NAPLAN report will be issued by the College later in the year. The College will notify you when the reports are being sent to you.
Where can I get more information?
More NAPLAN Online information can be obtained by:
- Contacting the College
- Accessing the NAPLAN website (www.nap.edu.au)
- Accessing the My School website (www.myschool.edu.au)
- NAPLAN Online Public Demonstration Site (https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/naplan-online/naplan-online-public-demonstration-site)
Calculators are NOT permitted in the numeracy test in Year 5. In Years 7 and 9, your son will be required to use the NAPLAN Online calculator for some questions, and in other questions, this functionality will be disabled as it is a non-calculator question.
Mrs Jade Love, Years 5-9 Curriculum - lovej@stmaryscollege.com
Student Engagement
Formal
At the end of Term 1, I was privileged to welcome each of our Year 12 boys and their partners to the Year 12 Formal. I know that many people in the SMC community (and beyond) enjoyed the arrivals via the College Facebook livestream. The Year 12 Formal is an opportunity for the boys to prepare for and experience a formal event – an important life skill that is complex and difficult to prepare for without real practice and experience. This important occasion gives us an opportunity to speak with the boys about topics such as dressing for the occasion, table manners, being considerate of your partner and the tricky task of introductions. I was very impressed with the Year 12 boys and I know that they enjoyed a wonderful evening at Picnic Point.
I would like to thank The Oaks – and in particular, Louise McGinty (parent of Connor and Jake) – for hosting the parent event, where parents and families could gather in a comfortable location and watch the livestream on the big screen there. All reports indicate that this was a great success!
Uniform
As we start to move into the colder months and the other schools in town transition to the ‘winter uniforms’, I would like to clarify the uniform expectations for boys at St Mary’s during cooler weather. St Mary’s does not set a date for transition to winter uniform – the boys can wear their long pants and long-sleeved shirts at any time. The academic uniform (navy pants and blue shirt) can have the College jumper or blazer (or both) added for extra warmth. If this is not sufficient, boys are allowed to add extra layers UNDER their school shirt on the condition that none of these items can be seen. Therefore, wearing a hoodie under the College jumper, but with the hood hanging out the back, is not acceptable. Some boys are continuing to push the boundaries in this area and Heads of House will be following up on this.
The spray jacket as a general rule is to be worn only with the sports uniform. The only exception to this is when it is raining. If it is actually raining, boys are permitted to wear the spray jacket with their academic uniform. For Year 12 students, the Senior Jersey is only to be worn on Wednesdays, with the sports uniform.
Hats – the College hat is to be worn to school every day. The College cap does not provide sufficient protection from the sun and is to be worn only during sport, when the larger hats are not practical. Some boys are coming to school on Wednesdays (sports day) with just their cap, which is not in line with our expectations.
School shoes – the black shoes that are worn with the academic uniform are required to be ‘school shoes’. The description on the College website reads:
Shoes – polished black, clean, lace-up leather shoes to be worn (not permitted shoes: jogger style, canvas, boots, pointed, skate shoes, slip-ons).
It has come to our attention that Vans have released a ‘school shoe’ which is black, lace-up and leather. Please be aware that these shoes are not in line with the intention of the College Uniform Policy, and will not be allowed at St Mary’s. The same intention applies to the sports shoes that the boys wear on Wednesdays/Fridays.
The way that our boys present themselves in public and at school events is an important means of demonstrating their belonging to the SMC community. We are thankful to parents for supporting us in this area. If you have any questions regarding uniform, please direct them to your son’s Head of House, or to me.
Mobile Phone Policy
While the full policy can be found on the College website, the following points provide a summary of the College expectations regarding students and their mobile phones.
- Once students arrive at school, phones are to be in their bags and in their locker
- Students are not to access their mobile phone through the school day
- Students who use their phones through the school day can expect that it will be confiscated
- Phones that are confiscated are stored in the College safe
- Phones are confiscated until 3pm on the following school day ie. Phones are kept at the College overnight
- Students are expected to complete a reflection about mobile phone use before they are able to collect their phone the next day
In some circumstances, teachers will request that students use their phones – to take photographs on an excursion for example – but this is not the norm.
If your son needs to communicate with you or someone else, we are happy to accommodate that. If, for example, your son needs to check his phone for a message from work, or call you during the day, he can speak with his Head of House or with me to make those arrangements.
If your son is feeling unwell, it is essential that he reports that to his teacher and speaks to Mrs Donaldson at Student Reception. Boys are not to message their parents directly if they aren’t well.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the College policy on Mobile Phones, please raise these with me or with your son’s Head of House. This policy is one that will be reviewed this year and I will be seeking parent input into that process. Please keep an eye out for emails regarding this.
Mrs Samantha Parle, AP Student Engagement - parles@stmaryscollege.com
Primary News
The Year 6 Camp will be here before we know it! Traditionally we have always offered optional apparel for parents to purchase for their son to wear at camp. These items are not part of the regular College uniform, therefore can't be worn in that manner upon our return.
This year we are offering the opportunity for parents to purchase any of the following items. Please remember that none of these are compulsory:
- Hoodie - $41.00
- Jacket - $45.50
- Bucket Hat - $20.00
I have samples if you wish to see the product or would like your son to try one on.
We will only be placing an order for those that have been submitted via the link and paid for by 9.00am, 14th May. Due to ensuring that the supplier can provide the product on time, we will not be able to extend this timeframe.
If you wish to place an order please click here.
Mrs Terese Dyne, Head of Primary - dynet@stmaryscollege.com
College Careers
Griffith University Parent and Student Information Webinar
If you are in Year 11 or 12, Griffith University invites you and your family to get clarity and advice about transitioning to university at their Parent and Student Information Webinar on Thursday 29th April from 5.30pm - 7.00pm. At this event, you'll find out about the experiences, opportunities and support available to Griffith students, hear from QTAC on the application process and how to make the most of your preferences, and get your questions answered during a Q&A session. Reserve your place here.
Hastings Deering 2022 Apprenticeship Intake Program
If you are in Year 12 and are looking for a full-time apprenticeship for 2022, then Hastings Deering has an opportunity for you to apply for the following apprenticeships:
- Engine Reconditioner
- Auto Electrician
- Boilermaker
- Diesel Fitter
- Mechanical Fitter
At Hastings Deering you will have the opportunity to work with world-class Caterpillar machinery and learn about the repair, servicing and maintenance of a large range of equipment, engines and power systems.
Applications open on 3rd May, 2021 and will only be open for one month. This will be a very competitive process so if you are interested in applying then please contact the Careers Centre before applications open to ensure you are prepared with an up-to-date resume and cover letter.
Further information about the process can be found here.
Fun and Relevant Quizzes for Apprentices and Trainees
The Australian Apprenticeships Pathways website has literacy and numeracy quizzes for a range of careers. They can also be accessed via our School Careers Website > Post School Options > Apprenticeships and Traineeships.
These general industry-based quizzes indicate the levels required when undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship qualification. The quizzes give you an idea about the aptitudes needed for the jobs in the industries listed below:
- Automotive and Boating
- Building and Construction
- Business, Clerical and Financial Services
- Electrical, Electronics and Utilities
- Food and Wine Processing
- Gardening, Farming, Animals and Environment
- Health, Care and Community Services
- Hospitality, Travel and Tourism
- Information Technology and Telecommunications
- Manufacturing and Production
- Metal and Engineering
- Property Maintenance and Management
- Resource Mining and Processing
- Retail, Sales Marketing and Customer Service
- Sport, Recreation, Hair, Beauty and Services
- Transport, Logistics and Warehousing
- General and non-industry based
If you are interested in an Australian apprenticeship or traineeship and don’t know where to start, the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways website is a great place to visit.
School-Based Apprenticeships & Traineeships
SBA | Year Levels | Business/Location | Closing date |
Certificate III in Floristry | 10 | Westridge Florist, Toowoomba For further information click here | Friday 30th April |
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.
The Hub
Support is available to all students who require assistance with homework, assignments or reviewing current class work.
Support is available with Mr Roy in the Hub every morning before school from 7.30am and at both lunch breaks each day.
There will also be an after school support session every Thursday afternoon from 3.05pm until 4.00pm.
Should special circumstances occur, times can be varied according to need. Please contact Mr Dave Roy on 07 4631 7333 so a suitable time can be negotiated.
Year 12 Retreat Information Evening
To ensure this is a memorable experience for your son we ask that parents of all boys (no students) attend a compulsory Information Evening on Wednesday 12th May from 6.00pm until 7.00pm at the Edmund Rice Cultural Centre. All details relating to the retreat will be explained. It is most important that at least one parent attends this information evening.
Chess Coaching
The St Mary's College After-School Chess Coaching Sessions will commence in Term Two on Friday 30th April. The sessions are scheduled for Friday afternoons this term and will be led by Coach Troy who will introduce chess tactics, endgame strategies and develop a deeper appreciation for the game.
To register, parents need to email Ms Pilkington (pilkingtons@stmaryscollege.com).
Ms Pilkington will still be in attendance while Coach Troy guides students through a series of lessons that will improve their skills. The participants will still meet at the school library from 3.20pm until 4.50pm.
Fees for the 8-week course (30th April - 18th June) will be $120.00 per student. A discount of $20.00 will be offered if the student is registered for chess during the Wednesday or Friday afternoon sport. We do need a minimum of 10 students for the sessions to commence.
St Mary's College Open Day
St Mary’s College is the leading Toowoomba boys’ school that provides an 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.
