SMC NEWS 2025 - Term 3, Week 1
Week Ahead
From the College Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
If you had a chance to have a break, I hope it was a wonderful time with your children over the past 2 weeks. Term 3 brings exciting opportunities for our students at the College again and we are looking forward to starting the journey with you here in this newsletter.
Firstly - Over the holidays
There were a number of important events over the school holidays and I'm grateful for the work of several staff.
Many of you would have followed the 2025 Confraternity Rugby League Carnival in Rockhampton and our players represented the College with pride. A big thank you to our staff coaches Mr Aidan Watterson, Mr Todd White, Mr Jake Weise, Mr Steve Coren and SMC Old Boy and team physiotherapist, Mr Patrick Collins for their time and efforts with the players and families. A wonderful week for all involved.
I would also like to acknowledge the excursion to the Abbey Medieval Festival in Brisbane last week. Mr Chris Parker, Ms Tyla Parker and Mr Dave Nugent took 38 students to the festival last Friday and from all reports, the students enjoyed the experience.
Mr Nugent also was head coach for the Liverpool FC coaching camp over the holidays held jointly at St Mary's College and St Ursula's College as part of our Football partnership. Interest in the sport is strong at both Colleges, and I want to thank staff from both schools and Head Coach Mr Joe Jones, for their work in this camp.
Capital Works
Work has almost been completed for the Drama Room Amenities Block. In the coming days, College leadership will explain our expectations for the use of these bathrooms for various year levels. Now that this project is nearing completion, we are very keen to keep capital projects moving forward at the SMC in the coming years. To this end, Patrick Wilson, Samantha Parle and myself will be travelling to Brisbane on Monday 4 August to see other modern Learning Resource Centre's and their various design feathers, to help us with our current Master Planning.
Professional Renewal Leave (PRL)
I have been granted PRL leave for the last 4 weeks of Term 3, 2025. As a result, Ms Samantha Parle will be Acting Principal from Monday August 25 until Sunday 5 October, and will attend the Australian Catholic Education Conference in Cairns while I remain here at SMC for the week beginning 11 August. I know the College will be in very safe hands in my absence. This will mean further backfilling of leadership positions at the College for Term 3 2025 and more details will be communicated in the coming weeks.
Other Staffing News
This week, we welcomed Mr Julian Booth (Maths and Music) in a permanent teaching role and Mr Adam Patching (Acting Principal PA and Special Projects) to the staff at the College. We are fortunate to continue to attract experienced staff in their areas of expertise to the College.
In recent weeks, Mr Hugh Sedger advised that he is resigning from SMC. Hugh has recently returned from overseas and moved into personal training in Toowoomba. Ms Sienna Anning, our Teacher Librarian has also resigned to pursue an opportunity in an Australian book company. We wish Mr Sedger and Ms Anning all the very best in the future.
Reflection - Liverpool Football Club: RIP Diogo Jota
I was a bit reluctant to mention anything in this space but some of you will be aware that Liverpool FC lost a current player Diogo Jota (and his brother), due to a tragic car accident in Spain.
Jota had been married only 10 days before the accident and contributed to the club winning its 20th Premier League title only a few weeks ago. I have been contacted by a number of students over the school holidays who wish to acknowledge the tragedy, given that St Mary's College is a LFC International Academy partner school here in Australia. We aim to do this on assembly this week. Liverpool FC, a Premier League club in England have decided to retire his jersey number 20 - a first for the famous club.
As we remember Jota's passing, we reflect on his contribution to the club and as a father of 3, husband, brother, son, and remember how fragile life is and understand that we need to make the most of every day we have with our family and friends.
Vale Diogo Jota 20 - SMC
All the very best for a wonderful Term 3,
Brendan Stewart
College Principal
principal@stmaryscollege.com
Deputy Principal
Building update
The College continues to grow and improve – and in the physical sense that means buildings and renovations. The new toilet block will be ‘handed over’ this week and available for student use next week. I know that the boys are keen to have a modern, fit-for-purpose, private and clean toilet facility. This design is one that will be used in the larger block that will eventually go into Centenary Court – a big step towards modernizing the facilities available here for our boys.
Over the holidays, the Hub underwent a small renovation that includes the installation of some office space for our Inclusive Education teachers. This will allow a more productive space for meetings and staff collaboration. Part of this renovation includes a de-escalation room which will ensure that the boys who need a space for emotional regulation can access that in a private and dignified manner.
Parent teacher interviews next week
We look forward to seeing many of your in the ERCC next Monday evening for our second round of Parent-Teacher Interviews. As always, the partnership between families and the College is the foundation for success and we are very grateful for the ongoing support we receive from families.
Some reading …
As clear evidence that I’ve been on holidays, over the last two weeks I’ve had the time to do a bit of reading. Two of the articles I enjoyed are also shared here and I hope that you might find them useful and/or interesting.
I spoke with staff this week about the power of words and this article speaks to that idea as well. As language changes, we adults need to ‘keep up’ as much as we can. A challenge, but so very important if we are to understand the world our boys live in.
Why Kids Saying 'Good Boy' in School Is Not a Good Thing
This second article comes from Daniel Principe, who visited us at the College a few years ago. An amazing young man who is doing such crucial work in the space of masculinity, consent and the influences on boys these days. My advice to parents in this space is to open the conversation. As a parent, you may not have all the answers, but opening the conversation means that your son has a safe space to visit these challenging topics. And yes, it may not be the world you grew up in, but it is the one they’re navigating now.
How the 'manosphere' is fuelling teen misogyny inside Australian schools
Samantha Parle
Deputy Principal
parles@stmaryscollege.com
Identity
Welcome to Term 3!
Each term. we focus on one of the Touchstones of Edmund Rice Education. In Term 3 this year, we concentrate on Gospel Spirituality and we think about what it means to be a “gospel” person, to live the message of Jesus. Essentially, this is about kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. We also remember how the message of Jesus calls us to the margins of society to lift up those who are often passed by on the other side.
Term 3 also contains Catholic Education Week, and its themes of Faith, Hope and Love- all Gospel values.
From July 27 to August 2 this year, the spotlight is on Hope. There sometimes seems to be a lack of hope in our world. Human nature and the news agenda often marginalises hope, so this theme is timely. We pray it resonates deeply within our college and the broader community to uplift us in our lives and work.
This year’s focus also aligns with the global Church’s Jubilee Year theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” reminding us that hope is not just a feeling, but a journey we take together.
As part of our celebrations, we will have a special assembly in Week 3 with the Spirit of Catholic Education Awards, which honour students who embody the values of Catholic education in their daily lives.
Friday of Week 3 will be a pupil free day for Bishop’s In-Service Day, to allow all staff of the Catholic schools of the diocese to come together to refocus us on our unique mission as Catholic educators.
Blessings,
Kevin Murphy
Assistant Principal Identity
murphyk@stmaryscollege.com
Curriculum
Subject Selection Evening
On Monday 28th July, we will hold our Subject Information Evening. This event will provide further information regarding our subject offerings for 2026 and future career pathways.
During the evening, three sessions will be held according to each year level:
- 5.00pm - Year 9 in 2026
- 5.45pm - Year 10 in 2026
- 6.30pm - Year 11 in 2026
Venue: Edmund Rice Cultural Centre (ERCC), Cnr Hill & Helen St, Newtown.
If any Year 9 or 10 students wish to discuss their subject selections, they can speak with me in the Curriculum Office, where I can assist them. Alternatively, parents can reach out to me via email. Students in Year 8 are to speak with Mrs Shari Pauli regarding their subject choices.
Students will receive access to their subject selection portal on Monday 28th July. Selections are due on the 1st August.
Semester Two subject changes
Any student wishing to change elective subjects will require parental permission and will need to visit the curriculum office at a lunch time before the end of Week 2. Mrs Pauli is currently on leave and therefore all subject changes can come through my office.
Angela Harris
Assistant Principal - Curriculum
harrisa@stmaryscollege.com
Student Engagement
WELCOME BACK TO A NEW TERM
Welcome back to a new term! We hope you had a restful and rejuvenating break with your family. This term brings fresh beginnings, exciting learning experiences, and further opportunities for success.
As stated so aptly by Robert Collier “success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. As a college we will continue to build on the success by encouraging our boys to live out our values of Gospel Spirituality, Justice and Solidarity, Inclusive Community and Liberating Education.
Together, we’ll make this term one of growth, connection, and achievement.
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 celebrating-naidoc-week
As a college we celebrated NAIDOC week through dance and sport, with the final of the Burojin Cup (a traditional Indigenous ball game), showcasing the agility and coordination of players. This special assembly was introduced by a celebration of First Nations dance, greatly enjoyed by all.
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
2026 LEADERSHIP SELECTION PROCESS
The Leadership Selection Process for 2026 will get underway this term. I have addressed all Year 11 students regarding the Leadership Selection Process. The following graphic outlines the process for the selection of 2026 Secondary leaders.
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.
STUDENT PLANNER - YEAR 5 – 10
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 needed.
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
Matt Draper
Assistant Principal - Student Engagement
draperm@stmaryscollege.com
Head of Primary
Important dates for Term 3
- Friday, 19th July – Training for interschool sports
- Friday, 25th July – Interschool sport begins
- Monday, 28th July, 5.30pm – Year 6 Camp Information Evening, Dunne 11.
- Thursday, 31st July – Primary Netball and Touch Football Carnivals (more information to come)
- Monday, 18th August – Readers Cup Competition (at school)
- Tuesday, 19th August - 5:30pm-6:30pm Boys, Books & BBQ
- Wednesday, 20th August – Primary Book Week Door Display Judging
- Thursday, 21st August – 9-10am Primary Book Week Parade, ERCC
- Friday, 29th August – Interschool sport concludes
- Thursday, 4th September – Fathers’ Day Breakfast, 6.45am, ERCC
- Friday, 12th September – Year 6 Camp Medication handed to Mr Coren
- 16th – 19th September – Year 6 K’Gari Trip
Primary Sport
Interschool sport begins next week, Friday 25th July. The sports that students have nominated for are the sports they will be playing, ie soccer, rugby league or chess.
We will be training for these sports tomorrow. Protective gear and boots are recommended but not required.
Equipment required for sport this term includes:
Soccer – Sports shirt, multipurpose sports pants (available at the SMC Uniform Shop), football socks (available at HANNAS), shin pads and boots.
Rugby League – Rugby league shorts (available at the SMC Uniform Shop), football socks (available at Hannas), mouthguard (cannot play without one) and boots.
Chess – none.
Uniform Shop hours of operation during the school term:
- Monday: 7.30am to 9.30am
- Tuesday: 2.30pm to 4.00pm
- Thursday: 8.00am to 9.00am
Year 6 Camp Jumpers
The Year 6 camp jumpers have arrived and been distributed to students. The shirts should be arriving in August. Please note that the jumpers and shirts are not to be worn to school as part of the uniform.
Stephen Coren
Head of Primary
corens@stmaryscollege.com
Business Manager
It’s been lovely to enjoy a few sunny days—perfect timing for our Athletics Carnival on Wednesday! However, we suspect winter isn’t quite finished with us just yet.
With Term 3 in full swing, we’re reaching out to parents and grandparents who might be interested in volunteering in our wonderful tuck-shop during Term 3 or 4. Whether you can spare just a few hours or more, we’d love to have you join our friendly team in a fun and welcoming environment. If you're interested, please contact me via email at wilsonp@stmaryscollege.com.
All families should have received their Term 3 invoice last Friday. If you haven’t received yours, please contact our finance team and we’ll investigate. The July statement was also sent out this week—please take a moment to review it carefully to ensure all transactions are correct.
If you have any questions, our friendly finance team is here to help. You can reach us via email at accounts@stmaryscollege.com or by phone on 07 4631 7333 (Option 3). Fee information is also available on our website.
Just a reminder: our standard policy requires payment within 14 days of fee issuance, unless you have a direct debit, credit arrangement, or an approved payment plan in place. Timely payments help us continue providing the high-quality education your children deserve.
Thank you for your attention and ongoing support. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance.
Patrick Wilson
Business Manager
accounts@stmaryscollege.com