SMC NEWS 2025 - Term 4, Week 1
Week Ahead


College Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,
Thank you for your support as I return from Professional Renewal Leave to the College this week. My time away from the College was filled with learning, reflection and some rest and I am ready for the challenges that Term 4 will inevitably bring.
A Thank you - Ms Samantha Parle
In my absence, the College was fortunate to be left in the safe hands of Ms Parle, the College Deputy Principal. St Mary's College is indeed fortunate to have an experienced group of leaders to drive the education of your sons and I want to thank Samantha for her skilled leadership over the past few weeks which culminated in a smooth end to the term.
Leadership Changes
I'm sure you will all recognise and appreciate the contribution that Ms Angela Harris has made in the last twelve months, as a teacher, a colleague and a leader. Ms Harris' work as AP - Curriculum and more recently, Deputy Principal, has been significant and very much appreciated, especially at this crucial time in the construction of the 2026 timetable. In addition, Mr Russell Baldock has contributed to the smooth running of the College through the end of Term 3, including confirmation and reporting, while holding the AP - Curriculum role. Thank you to these outstanding staff members
This week, we also welcome back Ms Jade Love to her role as AP - Curriculum, returning at a busy time of year for assessment and reporting - an area in which she is highly experienced.
Staffing
In Term 4, we welcome Ms Morgan Prior to the Primary teaching team. Morgan will be taking on a Year 5 class to allow Mr Zach Smith to move into teaching secondary classes. We are excited to be adding Ms Jun Imaki to our School Officer - Classroom Support team. Mr Henry Logan is our new Guidance Counsellor and will begin at SMC on Monday 3 November. Henry will be finishing up with his current schools in Week 2 and then taking some parental leave before joining the staff here.
Cultural Showcase
What a delight it was to sit back and watch the talent on stage in the ERCC on the last Tuesday of Term 3. Each year, the showcases shines a light on our talented young men in the Music, Art, Drama and Media spaces of the College. In between acts, a short walk through the Art Gallery in the foyer was another eye-opener. We truly have so many talented young men here and the Cultural Showcase was a wonderful snapshot of this. I realise also, that this is reflective of the teaching, mentoring and guidance of an impressive Arts staff. To each and every one of our dedicated teachers in this area, thank you.
Primary News
We have successfully applied to Toowoomba Catholic Schools to add an additional Year 6 class to the College in 2026. This will mean that our Primary classes in 2026 will be three Year 5 classes and four Year 6 classes, reflecting a significant growth in enrolments and interest in the College.
Thank you Mr Brendan Duerloo - Carnival of Flowers
Thank you to Brendan Duerloo and grounds staff for the preparation of the College grounds for the Carnival of Flowers. Many of you will be aware that SMC was runner-up in the schools award (!) and there was much interest from the community in the College over the holidays. Thank you Brendan, Mr Troy Smith and Mr Dave Beauchamp.
Year 12 and External Exams
This is the sixth year that ATAR scores 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.
Reflection: The Catholic Rosary
October is the month of the Rosary. Many of the world's religions use a type of prayer known as a mantra. This involves a repetition of a word or phrase. The idea is to still the mind so that the heart can focus. It has been one of the areas I have been trying to improve on in my time away from the College - to still my own mind.
The Catholic Rosary is a bit like that. Each decade of the rosary involves saying an Our Father, followed by ten Hail Marys and finally the Glory Be. Each decade focuses on an aspect of life of Jesus or of his mother, Mary. The constant repetition of simple and familiar prayers allows a particular mystery to take hold of a person more deeply.
At the College, every Thursday morning in the College chapel, we say a decade of the rosary to remember some important moments of the week past, or to look forward to the week ahead.
Indeed, enjoy your week in the St Mary's College community.
Brendan Stewart
College Principal
stewartb@stmaryscollege.com
Deputy Principal

Having watched the school year cycle through for more than thirty years, I can confidently say that Term 4 is my favourite. Summer is coming and the Year 12s are about to burst with the anticipation of it all finally being done! The next nine weeks are filled with a string of key events and I am excited to see you all at the College, supporting your sons and the SMC community. Kicking us off in Week 3 is the 2025 Presentation Night – Thursday 23 October 6pm – 8pm – our big night of praise and recognition for the efforts of the boys in so many different fields. If you are a family that is new to the College, I can assure you that Pres Night at St Mary’s is not your usual school awards night. We pride ourselves on delivering a fast-paced and entertaining evening, with a strict 8pm finish line. The trybooking link has gone out to families so please book your seats and make sure you get there early – the place fills up!
Other key events that will occur in the next weeks will be –
- 2026 Student Leadership Induction, inc the Yr 12 Tie Ceremony
- Year 5 Leadership Day
- Year 12 Final Assembly and Clap Out
- Year 6 Graduation
So much to be excited about!
Inclusive Community

At Assembly this week, I spoke to the boys about the ‘word of the week’ – tolerance. And while tolerance is desirable, it would be the minimum expectation in our community. If we are to be a truly inclusive community, we all need to do much more that ‘tolerate’ others. I also spoke about the tendency at the moment for high profile people to turn their disagreement into hate. While disagreeing with others is normal and healthy, hating another person because you hold a different opinion or perspective leads to division, a ‘them and us’ mentality and sometimes violence. I encouraged the boys to be critical consumers of the information that comes their way and be alert to the ways that they might be manipulated.

Traffic and Parking
The College is located within the city zone, making traffic a constant issue and parking a challenge. If you are visiting the College for an appointment or to speak to someone at the Office, please use the visitor carparks on West St (in front of the Primary Building). Parents should not use this space as a pick-up zone.
Dropping off and collecting students makes the College streets extremely busy. Some areas that are used for drop-off and pick-up are
- Stadium carpark
- Hill Street 10 minute zone
- Maragaret Street, west of the bus zones
- Helen Street
- For older boys – a short walk to a more accessible zone
For parents collecting on Margaret and Hill Streets, make sure that you are not interfering with the safe use of the crossings. Both are staffed by crossing supervisors, who are also highly valued members of the SMC community.
If you are picking up on Margaret Street, please ensure that you are not interfering with the movement of school buses.
At all times, we ask parents to prioritise the safety of our students, and your children. You may be in a rush, you may have had a long day, you may be frustrated by someone else’s selfishness – but your decisions when driving around the College can have serious consequences. And none of us want to see that.
Samantha Parle
Deputy Principal
parles@stmaryscollege.com
Identity

It’s hard to believe that Term 4 is upon us already, and that the leadership journey of our Mission and Identity leaders for 2025 is almost complete.
I would like to pay tribute to the hard work of Connor Leeson and Ben Moore who have led prayer and ritual at assemblies and liturgies for the entire year. They have done a wonderful job of putting a relatable face on spirituality for the boys in our community.
The roles of Mission and Identity leaders for 2026 will be filled by Ryan Reeves and Noel Binto. I look forward very much to working with them over the next year.
As well as the M&I leaders, I have also very much enjoyed working with our 2025 Justice Leader, Jeramy Skeels and our 2025 Sustainability Leader, Stephen Shindano. These roles were new in 2025 and both boys achieved much in their first year to promote our touchstones of Inclusive Community and Justice and Solidarity, and to forward our commitment to the goals of Laudato Si. Well done boys!
I welcome working with our Justice Leader for 2025, Aengus Graham-Smith, and our Sustainability Leader for 2025, Benjamin Otto.
Leadership Induction Mass
The year 12 Induction Mass is on Tuesday 21st October. This begins at 8.45 in the Edmund Rice Cultural Centre.
This is an important rite of passage where our new Year 12s are formally inducted into their role as senior leaders in the college.
All of our new Year 12 cohort will receive their senior ties at this ceremony.
It is important that all new year 12 students have their full academic uniform including blazer for this event.
Year 5 Retreat Day
On Monday Week 3, our year 5 boys will participate in their annual retreat day to prepare themselves for the leadership of the primary in Grade 6, and the opportunities and challenges for growth this brings. This will take place in the Bonyi Bonyi room.
All students are asked to bring some food for a shared morning tea, and to wear sports uniform.
Hike for Homeless
Hike for Homeless takes place again this year at Jubilee Park, East Toowoomba on Saturday October 18th. Last year we had a team of staff and students take part for the second time. It’d be great to build on this in 2025 if we can. Families are more than welcome to enter as part of the St Mary’s Team. The link to join or donate is below.
All proceeds for this event go to BASE Services. BASE Services inc. is a Toowoomba-based, not for profit, community development organisation, that works with individuals and families in need in the Toowoomba community including men and women of all ages, from diverse cultural backgrounds who are homeless or at high risk of homelessness.
Supporting this cause is very much in line with who we are as a community and reflects our Touchstones of Inclusive Community, Justice and Solidarity, Gospel Spirituality and Liberating Education. Please consider joining our team!
Robyn Chantler Pink Day Friday 24th October
We encourage all boys to celebrate SMC annual "pink day" on Friday Week 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 in week 3.
Let's show our support and get behind this important cause.
Blessings,
Kevin Murphy
Assistant Principal Identity
murphyk@stmaryscollege.com
Curriculum

It is with great enthusiasm that I return to St Mary’s College following my maternity leave. I would like to extend my thanks to Ms. Angela Harris for her leadership and dedication in the role of Assistant Principal Curriculum during my absence. I would also like to acknowledge Mr. Russell Baldock for his valuable contribution in the second half of Term 3, 2025, supporting the curriculum team and ensuring continuity in our academic programs.
Year 12
As we begin Term 4, our Year 12 students are entering a crucial phase of their academic journey. SWOTVAC masterclasses will take place in Week 3 for students studying General Subjects. The schedule has already been shared with students and families. These sessions provide an important opportunity for students to consolidate their learning and prepare thoroughly for final assessments.
I would also like to congratulate the Year 12 students who participated in the EEPP program over the September school holidays. Your initiative and engagement in this enrichment opportunity reflect your dedication to achieving your best, and we are proud of your efforts.
Term 4 Assessment Calendars
I encourage students in Years 7 - 11 to check their assessment calendars early and plan ahead. Being proactive in preparation helps reduce stress and ensures tasks can be approached with confidence and clarity.
Thank you all for your continued commitment to learning and growth. I look forward to a productive and inspiring term ahead.
Jade Love
Assistant Principal - Curriculum
lovej@stmaryscollege.com
Student Engagement

Year 12
As our Year 12 students head into their final week of classes at St Mary’s, it brings a mix of emotions and reflection. This milestone marks the end of their journey through secondary schooling—a time filled with growth, challenges, friendships, and unforgettable memories.
Throughout their time at St Mary’s, these students have demonstrated resilience, leadership, and a commitment to learning. Whether in the classroom, on the sporting field, or through service and co-curricular activities, they have left a lasting impact on our school community.
As they prepare for their final exams and begin to look ahead to life beyond school, we encourage them to take pride in all they’ve achieved and to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. We also extend our gratitude to the teachers, support staff, and families who have guided and supported them along the way.
To our Year 12s—thank you for the energy, spirit, and character you’ve brought to St Mary’s. We wish you every success in the weeks to come and in the exciting chapters that follow. Finish strong boys!
Student Leadership Induction and Senior Ties
It’s such a busy and exciting time of the year with a number of wonderful celebrations ahead. The Year 11 boys – our incoming leaders – will transition to our college Leaders in a few weeks’ time and we will see them around the college with their Senior ties.
Our new Student Leadership Team will also be inducted in Week 3 of this term and will have the opportunity to be involved in service to the college in the days following, including supporting key events, mentoring younger students, and contributing to initiatives that strengthen our school culture.
Merit Trip 2025
Every year, St Mary’s College acknowledges the positive efforts, exemplary behaviour and attendance consistently displayed by students and invites them to attend a Merit Trip. The Merit Trip involves students having the chance to spend the day at a theme park.
Semester 1 and Term 3
This reporting data (Semester 1 and Term 3) will be used to determine attendance at the end of year Merit Trip, with regard to the following criteria.
Report Criteria
- All Good and Very Good for behaviour learning attributes
- No Ns for any learning attributes
Attendance and Suspension Data
The following data will be taken into account in determining attendance at Merit Trip
- Attendance 90%
- No Suspensions
Once eligible students have been confirmed, families of invited boys will be asked to purchase their son’s ticket to Merit Trip. Merit Trip take place in the final weeks of the Term, further information regarding this event will follow.


World Mental Health Day
St Mary’s SchoolTV SPECIAL REPORT: World Mental Health Day
https://stmaryscollege.qld.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-world-mental-health-day-au
World Mental Health Day is marked every year on 10 October as a reminder of the importance of mental health to our overall wellbeing. It is a day that encourages families, schools, workplaces and communities across the globe to start conversations, reduce stigma and highlight the support available for those who may be struggling.
Mental health challenges can affect anyone: children, teens, and adults alike. Recognising this helps us create more compassionate and supportive environments. Whether its helping children find balance between school, technology, and rest; encouraging open conversations about feelings; or modelling healthy coping strategies ourselves - small steps at home can make a big difference.
Year 12 Timeline of Events – Term 4
Term 4 is upon us, and it is a very busy term for all families, please note the information below.
Further detailed information regarding Week 7 has been sent via Broadcast and has been attached below. Please note the dates in your diaries and make plans to celebrate your son’s achievement and success.


Matt Draper
Assistant Principal - Student Engagement
draperm@stmaryscollege.com
Primary and Middle School Curriculum

Academic Awards
At the beginning of Term 4, we will be able to recognise and celebrate students' academic success and engagement at our High Achiever & Commitment to Learning ceremonies. Students who have met the criteria, based on their Term 3 Academic Reports, have now received an invitation through email. Our criteria for the awards are below:
Awards Criteria:

These events will occur on various dates throughout the first few weeks of term, to ensure that the boys do not miss critical curriculum time.
We are looking forward to recognising and celebrating our student's dedication towards their students at these events.
Absences for Assessment or Exams
If you are planning an absence this term, please email paulis@stmaryscollege.com if your student is in Years 5-9 so that we can work with you to ensure that assessments and exams can be completed. This way, we can work with your family to ensure that all assessment is completed before departure and inform teachers so that we can plan appropriately for the absence, especially with practical subjects.
Shari Pauli
Director of 5-9 Curriculum
paulis@stmaryscollege.com
Head of Primary

Respectful Communication at St Mary’s College Primary
At St Mary’s College, we value respectful relationships between staff, students, and families. Open and courteous communication helps us support student wellbeing and learning together.
We ask that all interactions with staff—whether in person, by phone, or online—reflect our shared expectations:
- Communicate with respect and courtesy in all interactions, whether in person, by phone, or online.
- Raise concerns calmly and respectfully, including making appointments at mutually convenient times and focusing on solutions.
- Support the College’s ethos, policies, and practices, including our commitment to a positive learning environment.
- Maintain trust and confidentiality, especially when discussing sensitive matters.
If you have a concern about your son’s experience:
- Listen to your son and validate his perspective with relevant staff – class teacher in the first instance.
- Follow the College’s procedures for raising and resolving a grievance or complaint.
- Communicate respectfully and constructively to the class teacher, including making appointments at mutually convenient times.
- Refrain from discussing other students or families inappropriately.
- Avoid approaching other students directly — instead, as stated previously, refer concerns to the class teacher for follow-up.
Email is often the most effective way to reach teachers, as they are unavailable during class time.
In turn, our staff will:
- Listen respectfully and maintain confidentiality.
- Respond fairly and promptly.
- Work towards positive resolutions in line with College procedures.
Together, we can continue to build a community grounded in empathy, cooperation, and mutual respect.
Read the full Parent Code of Conduct here: https://www.twb.catholic.edu.au/media/5761/tcsparentcodeofconduct.pdf
Refer also to our Complaints Policy: https://www.stmaryscollege.com/our-college/reports-guidelines-policies/
Year 6 Camp – K’gari
In Week 10 of Term 3, our Year 6 students enjoyed a four-day camp to K’gari (Fraser Island), designed to foster environmental awareness, leadership, and teamwork. From the moment they boarded the ferry at River Heads, the adventure began—exploring bush tucker, mangroves, and local ecosystems with expert guides. Staying at K’gari Beach Resort, students heard from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service about the island’s cultural significance and sustainability challenges. Over the following days, they swam in Lake McKenzie, walked through ancient rainforest at Central Station, and visited iconic sites like Eli Creek, the Maheno Shipwreck, Champagne Pools, and Lake Wabby. The 4WD tours gave them a close-up look at the island’s stunning landscapes, while evenings were filled with games and storytelling. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to connect, reflect, and celebrate their final term of primary school with memories they’ll carry into Year 7.


Mission and Identity
Year 6 Graduation
The Year 6 Graduation Liturgy will be held in the ERCC at 5.30pm on Wednesday, November 26th – Term 4, Week 8. Further information and invitations will be sent out soon.
Year 5 Retreat and Leadership Nominations
The Year 5 Retreat will be held on Monday 20th October – Week 3. This is a special time of reflection, as we focus on the theme of ‘Heroes’ and our transition to leaders of the Primary school. Students will be required to wear their sports uniform on this day.
Leadership nominations will then be taken the following day before selected students are given the opportunity to give a speech on their suitability for a leadership position. These speeches will be presented on Thursday 30th October. Suitable students will then be interviewed by Mr Stewart and Mr Coren before positions are announced.
Year 6 Retreat and Graduation
The Year 6 Retreat will be held on Monday 27th October – Week 4. This retreat will be a reflection of primary school and the transition into the secondary. Students will be required to wear their sports uniform on this day.
Day for Daniel
On Friday, 31st 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 also ask the students to bring a gold coin donation for the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.
Music – Mrs Peters
The End of Year Primary Music Concert will be held on Wednesday the 12th of November, during Primary Music. The Year 5 instrumental students, Year 5 and 6 soloists and Momentum ensemble will perform. The Concert Band and Vernados Choir may also perform.
On Wednesday 26th November we will also have the Community Xmas Performance happening in the morning – more info to come.
Primary Sport
Friday Interschool Sport kicks off in Week 4 and will run through to Week 8. In the lead-up, students will participate in sport activities at school during Periods 5 and 6 each Friday. Touch Football teams will also be competing in SWQ All Schools on Friday 24th October, and QLD All Schools from 31st October to 2nd November. Swimming lessons for Years 5 and 6 will be held in Weeks 7 and 8 at Glennie, with further details to be shared closer to the date.
Learning Support
This week, our Learning Support team is encouraging Primary families to continue building strong home-school partnerships that support student learning. At this stage of primary school, routines like nightly reading, practising times tables, and using planners can help students feel confident and organised. These small habits at home complement the work happening in classrooms and give students a consistent foundation for success. If your child has specific learning goals or adjustments, checking in with their teacher can help ensure everyone is working together to support progress.
Stephen Coren
Head of Primary
corens@stmaryscollege.com
Business Manager

Welcome to Term 4!
As we begin the final term of the year, I’d like to remind all parents and guardians to review their current fee statements. It’s important that all fees are either paid by the due date or that your payment plan is on track to be finalised by the end of term. This helps ensure the smooth operation of our school and allows us to continue providing high-quality resources and support for our students.
You should have received your latest statement via email. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We offer several convenient payment options, including phone payments, bank transfers (details are on your statement), and in-person payments at the school office during business hours.
We’ve recently implemented a new phone system at the school. We appreciate your patience as we adjust to the changes.
Please also note that the staff carpark on Helen Street now has an automatic gate. This area is strictly for staff use. If you park there for school pick-up, there is a risk of being locked in.
On a positive note, we’ve installed chilled, filtered water bubblers with bottle refill stations around the college. We encourage students to bring their own reusable water bottles to take advantage of this new feature—it's better for the environment and saves on buying bottled water from the tuckshop.
If you need to reach us, please contact the school office on 07 4631 7333 or email us at accounts@stmaryscollege.com.
Patrick Wilson
Business Manager
accounts@stmaryscollege.com
Community Updates
