SMC NEWS 2025 - Term 2, Week 9
Week Ahead
From the College Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
The Arts - Lord of the Flies is here!
I can't wait to attend the Lord of the Flies play which begins this Thursday 19 June in the Edmund Rice Cultural Centre and runs until Saturday night this week. Many thanks to Ms Eylece Blaikie (Director), Mr Jack Hickey and Ms Leanne Peters for their incredible work so far. Now, I am tempted to use the good luck phrase in the Arts which is "break a leg" to the cast and crew. However, I'm a little worried our boys may take that literally!
Students and staff have been in rehearsals for many months.
Can I encourage all parents and friends to consider attending this week to support these wonderfully talented young men and staff. All the very best for a wonderful show!
Year 12 Retreat
It is difficult to put into words the pride that I felt during the Annual SMC Year 12 Retreat, held last week at Alexandra Headland Conference Centre. Like many spiritual experiences, there was a moment about half-way through the retreat where the conversation could have taken us down a different outcome for the experience. But as they had done the whole retreat, the Year 12 leaders stood up and took charge and made the retreat a truly memorable experience for all. A special thanks to Mr Kev Murphy and Ms Lucia Armstrong for their preparation for this very unique opportunity.
Exams this week - Years 7 - 10
Please be aware of the exams your sons are completing this week at the College. Even if you, as parents, may feel a little helpless at time at not being able to assist them in their schoolwork, it makes an enormous difference to your boys that you are staying connected with them during this important time and know when and where exams are. A few simple reminders:
- Have a consistent place and time where your son does his studies
- Split up revision and study time depending on the amount to be covered or what needs to be done
- Every exam is important! Don't let your son let you believe that 1 exam is "easy and does not need attention.
A Reflection - The Passing of Coby Fechner
Long-standing friends and staff of SMC will remember 2019 SMC Old Boy Coby Fechner. We received the very sad news on Year 12 retreat that Coby passed away suddenly last Thursday night in Roma.
Coby was at SMC before my time, but I have been told he was much-loved here at SMC and a proud member of the First Nations community. We are reaching out to 2019 Old Boys this week to offer SMC as a gathering spot for these young men if they wish. As you can see from the photos below, Coby was Waterford House Captain in 2019 and a highly-talented Rugby League player. Fans of the NRL will note Rhys Walsh Broncos LHS (Keebra Park) and Toby Sexton Bulldogs RHS (Palm Beach Currumbin) with Coby proudly wearing the Blue and White of SMC.
Eternal rest grant to him O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
Please enjoy the last fortnight of the College term.
Brendan Stewart
College Principal
principal@stmaryscollege.com
Identity
GRADE 12 RETREAT
“Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him”
Last week, the Grade 12 cohort had an amazing three days on retreat at the Sunshine Coast.
The above quote is from the Emmaus story, found in Luke’s Gospel. This is the key scriptural text in our retreat.
In this story, two disciples of Jesus are fleeing Jerusalem after the crucifixion. They are aware of the stories of Jesus’ resurrection, but as the authorities bear down on followers of Christ, they are getting out of town in fear of persecution.
On the way to their first overnight stop, a village called Emmaus, they are joined by Jesus, who we are told, that they are kept from recognising.
They explain their story, and Jesus begins to teach them about himself as prophesied in Jewish scripture.
They reach their destination, and the two insist that their new companion stay the night.
As they sit to eat, Jesus breaks bread and hands it to them. In this action, his true nature is revealed and the two reflect on how their hearts burned within them as they talked on the road.
Strengthened by this realisation, they return at once to Jerusalem, where the resurrection is confirmed by the Apostles there.
Encounter, dialogue, breaking bread, being present to each other and being strengthened for what challenges lie ahead. All of this and more, is what the our seniors and staff experienced last week.
Genesis 1:27 tells us that we all have something of the divine within us. Our great hope is that the Emmaus story, and this retreat experience, helps us to see this inherent dignity in each other, and in ourselves that little bit more.
Blessings,
Kevin Murphy
Assistant Principal Identity
murphyk@stmaryscollege.com
Curriculum
External Examination Preparation Program (EEPP)
The EEPP program is an established initiative that convenes senior students from various schools within the Diocese to facilitate their preparation for external examinations. Students will attempt specific questions, unpack exemplars and develop a plan of attack for their examinations. Past students have strongly endorsed the program.
This year EEPP is being conducted in the second week of the September school holidays from Monday 29 September through to Friday 3 October. The venue for the event is the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office in Toowoomba (opposite St Saviour's Primary School).
There is a cost to students to cover the provision of resources, learning guides and snacks for breaks during sessions.
Subjects offered: English*, Study of Religion, General Maths, Maths Methods, Specialist Maths**, Chemistry, Physics**, Biology**.
All Year 12 General Students will receive more detailed information regarding the program in the coming week.
Angela Harris
Assistant Principal - Curriculum
harrisa@stmaryscollege.com
Student Engagement
WINTER UNIFORM
In lieu of the colder months, St Mary’s College uniform provides students with winter options.
Please refer to our college Uniform Policy on page 12 for more detail.
Beanie:
- Students are permitted to wear a plain navy-blue beanie with their academic or sport uniform during the winter months. There should be no print or markings on these items.
Scarf:
- Students are permitted to wear a plain navy-blue scarf with their academic or sport uniform during the winter months. There should be no print or markings on these items.
Warm Clothing
- During cold weather, students can wear layers under their college jumper that cannot be seen.
Not Uniform
• Hoodies are not part of the college uniform and are therefore not permitted
ATTENDANCE
Help us reach our college Term goal of 90% attendance
Attendance Procedures
Should your child need to be absent from school for a whole or part day (late arrival / early departure), please use the SMC App or alternatively email reception@stmaryscollege.com
SMC App
Please download and log in to the SMC App – this is a great resource for families. From here you can easily register your son’s absence, check the College calendar, and receive communications.
Concerning absences, please be aware that you can log your son’s absence ahead of time if events are coming up in your family life, which will mean that he will be away from school.
HAT and DIARY CHECKS
This week our mentors will be checking that all students have a hat in good order. Students who have no hat or whose hat requires repair, or replacement will be asked to rectify this by the start of Term 3.
Student Planner Year 5 – 10 (Diaries)
The college diary forms part of our Ready to learn routine for Years 5 – 10. Please note that any diaries no longer in working order or unable to be located will need to be replaced. Further information to follow from your son’s Mentor as required.
The diary serves multiple purposes including:
- Home/college communication
- Record of assessment and tasks
- Record of Homework to be complete and or important dates
- Leave pass – to be carried when out of class during class time
DIGITAL REPUTATION
I encourage all parents to take full advantage of cutting-edge resources and speakers in our School TV section of St Mary’s Website. This week’s focus is a SPECIAL REPORT on Digital Reputation.
Social media has become such an integral part of a teenager’s life that it can cause anxiety and lower their self-esteem. Modern teens are learning to do most of their communication whilst looking at a screen instead of another person. They are missing out on very critical social skills.
Depending on what they are communicating online, it can affect their digital reputation. Friendships, relationships and even future job prospects are all at risk. As a parent, It is very important that you are aware of what picture they are painting of themselves online.
Dr Michael Carr-Gregg
CHARACTER STRENGTH OF THE WEEK – SPIRITUALITY
This week, we concentrated on the character strength of Spirituality as part of our intentional 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 building a strong faith that governs behaviour and helps to shape our life in the pursuit of serving others. This habit truly builds St Mary’s Men for Tomorrow.
Matt Draper
Assistant Principal - Student Engagement
draperm@stmaryscollege.com
Primary and Middle School Curriculum
Celebrating Academic Excellence:
As we wrap up Term Two, I’m excited to share some upcoming events that applaud the remarkable academic strides our students made last semester. In Term 3, we’re looking forward to our Academic Awards Ceremony, High Achiever Morning Tea, and Commitment to Learning Awards.
Academic Award Ceremony:
In Week 4 of Term 3, we’ll host the Semester One Academic Award Ceremony. This special event brings our school community together to acknowledge and celebrate our students’ impressive academic progress. It’s a chance for us to applaud their hard work, commitment, and development over the semester.
During the ceremony, we’ll present the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Academic Awards. It’s worth mentioning that students who earn an Academic Award in both Semesters One & Two within a year also receive an academic badge at our Semester Two Academic Awards, held in Term 1 the following year. It’s always a joy to see many of our students wearing their academic badges on their uniforms, a symbol of their exceptional dedication, top-notch grades, and true love for learning.
Commitment to Learning Award Criteria:
Throughout Term 3, our Commitment to Learning and High Achievers Awards will honour students who show dedication and outstanding academic performance. These students will be celebrated on the front lawn of the Brothers House with a cake for the Commitment to Learning awardees and an afternoon tea for the High Achievers awardees.
Shari Pauli
Director of 5-9 Curriculum
paulis@stmaryscollege.com
Head of Primary
Term 3 Friday sport
Term 3 Friday sport will include rugby league, soccer and chess running from Weeks 2 to 7. All students will receive an online nomination form early next week to select their preferred sport. Please encourage your child to submit their choice promptly so teams can be finalised.
Year 6 Camp Parent Information Evening
The Year 6 Camp to K’gari (Fraser Island) will be held from 16th to 19th September (Week 10, Term 3). To help families prepare, we will hold a Parent Information Session on Monday 28th July at 5:30pm (Week 3) in Mr Coren’s classroom – Dunne 11. This session will include key details about travel, accommodation, packing lists, and student expectations. Information will also be sent home after the meeting for those unable to attend.
Stephen Coren
Head of Primary
corens@stmaryscollege.com
Business Manager
Navigating School Fees at St. Mary’s College
At St. Mary’s College, we take pride in our diverse student body, which represents various walks of life. Our mission is to shape young boys into men of faith, integrity, action, and excellence. We believe that education plays a crucial role in this transformation, and we strive to provide a modern and exceptional learning environment.
Affordability and Fairness
We understand that affordability is a significant concern for families. Therefore, we are committed to ensuring that our school fees remain fair and equitable. Here are some key points about our approach to school fees:
Affordability: We recognise that each family’s financial situation is unique. Our fee structure is designed to strike a balance between maintaining excellence and affordability. We want every student to have access to quality education.
Budgeting: To achieve our objectives, we operate on a tight budget. This allows us to continue offering exceptional facilities while planning for necessary refurbishments and additions. Our Strategic and Master Plan guides these efforts.
Timely Payments: We require all families to pay their school fees promptly. Timely payments contribute to the stability of our institution and enable us to provide the best possible educational experience.
Support During Financial Hardship
Life can present unexpected challenges, and we understand that temporary financial difficulties may arise. In such cases:
Communication: If your family encounters financial hardship, please reach out to our finance team at the earliest opportunity. We are here to listen and explore options together.
Solutions: Solutions can always be found when families work with us. Whether it’s adjusting payment schedules or exploring financial assistance, we are committed to supporting you.
Debtor Policy
While we encourage collaboration, we also have measures in place to ensure accountability:
Debt Collection: Families who ignore their fees risk being referred to our independent debt collection agency. We take this step only after exhausting other avenues.
Your Next Steps
We invite you to review your fee statement carefully. If you have any questions or need assistance, our finance and college team is here to help. Together, we can ensure that your college fees remain manageable.
Thank you for being part of the St. Mary’s College community. Your commitment to your child’s education is valued and appreciated.
Patrick Wilson
Business Manager
accounts@stmaryscollege.com