SMC NEWS 2025 - Term 4, Week 3
Week Ahead
College Principal
Dear Parents and Carers
Last week featured an outstanding final week of lessons, for our Year 12 students. They termed the week "Spirit Week"!
Our 2025 12 Students
My appreciation to Matt Draper, Kerrie Connolly, Terese Dyne, Simon McKeiver, Tim Marsh, Rob Glasby and our Year 12 leaders for what was an outstanding week last week. The final week of formal lessons at the College for our Seniors was well organised and supported by the SMC community throughout. This type of "spirit" week is only possible with an excellent group of Year 12 leaders and Charlie Barnes and George Yeo did a wonderful job. Our Year 12 students, as a whole, have been wonderful ambassadors for the College and we wish them well in the important upcoming final ATAR and VET assessments in the coming days.
Presentation Night
As we move again into a very busy phase of the term, I wanted to recognise those students Thursday night this week who are receiving awards. Learning is our core business at the College and we recognise this in so many ways. This coming Thursday night, Presentation Night spotlights those achievers who have excelled in various pursuits during the 2025 year. I look forward to recognising these wonderful College representatives on Thursday night in what should be another wonderful event for the College community. And yes - your normal expectations of a fast-paced entertaining night should be met!
Our Learning Programs - Aerospace
Our SMC Aerospace Program continues to go from strength to strength. This year, in addition to hosting the Gateway to Industry Aerospace conference in the Edmund Rice Cultural Centre, a number of students and staff from our program have been nominated as State Finalists for the Aerospace Gateway program in 2025. The awards are announced in Brisbane each November. The finalists are as follows:
Alex Druce – Aeroskills Scholarship
Louis Whittaker – Young Aviator Award
Marty Hollis – Teacher Excellence Award
A big thank you to Mr Marty Hollis and Mr Jake Weise who continue to bring new life to the program each year. All the very best gentlemen, for the upcoming Awards.
EEP - TCS External Exam Preparation
Year 12 students in the Diocese have been fortunate for a number of years to learn under the guidance of very experienced teachers in a range of ATAR general subjects during the September school holidays. St Mary's College had three outstanding educators as part of this program - Mr Russell Baldock, Ms Tamara Cooper and Mr Paul Martin. Thank you Russell, Tamara and Paul for your outstanding work with students across the Diocese and for being involved in this program. Young men and women from the Diocese benefit from this outstanding mentorship in a key period in the lead-up to final External Exams.
Reflections over the last fortnight
Congratulations to Ms Ash Sowter and our First Nations students and community for their wonderful recognition of Bonyi Bonyi and the First Nations awards last week. Staff who attended were amazed by the engagement of the families who attended. Well done to all of our boys who were recognised - a wonderful night!
Thank you to Mr Scott Cowan, Ms Tracey Corbould, Mr Noah Gierke and Ms Samantha Parle on the organisation of the final Sports Awards during assembly last week. This format has worked very well the last 2 years and your feedback has been quite positive. A big thank you again to our volunteer coaches for their time and energy in 2025.
I was privileged to attend with Jacob Taylor Year 9, and his family, the Mayor's Achievement Awards held at St Ursula's College last week. Jacob was a medallist at this significant event. A big thank you to Ms Emily Docherty-Rub who nominated Jacob. These awards are unique to Toowoomba and the stories each year are inspiring from our young people in the community. Well done Jacob!
My conclusion on seeing so many students recognised over the past fortnight is that we have a very talented community! However, "it takes a village to raise a child" and we appreciate any support that parents and carers can provide their sons in striving for their goals each year. Thank you all for your continued support.
Brendan Stewart
College Principal
stewartb@stmaryscollege.com
Deputy Principal
Home – College Communication
Families would be aware that maintaining good communication between home and school is essential if we're going to ensure your son reaches his potential during his time at St Mary’s College. There are a range of ways that families can make contact with the College –
- Using the app
- emailing teachers or reception
- calling College reception or
- popping in for a visit
As you can imagine schools are busy places and the staff that you wish to speak to may not always be available when you call or visit. Therefore, email is generally the most effective way to contact the College.
While we would like to be able to respond to your questions in real time, we're also conscious of protecting our employees and their work-life balance. As is the case in many organisations, St Marys College staff have the right to disconnect from technology when they're not at work. This means that staff will not always be responding immediately to parent emails. At St Marys College, our staff have agreed that they will be connected electronically to the workplace between 7 am and 4 pm on each working day. In addition, the expectation of staff is that they would respond to a parent email inquiry within 48 hours of receiving it. While this might represent somewhat of a delay, we need to take into account that most of our staff have a full teaching load and extracurricular commitments.
Co-curricular Activities
Our boys are very fortunate to have a wide range of co-curricular activities that they can engage with at various times throughout the year. There are options to be involved in chess, science extension, volleyball, board games, rugby league, basketball, music ensembles or any number of other activities. It's important for boys and families to remember all of these activities are undertaken by staff in a voluntary and honorary capacity. In simple terms, that means that our teaching staff volunteer their time in addition to their normal job. In order to take a volleyball team for example, teachers are generally giving their time to an after school commitment and in some cases commitment to an overnight camp or tournament.
If you speak with any of our staff, they will tell you how much they enjoy this time with your sons -seeing them outside of the classroom, teaching them new skills, coaching them through resilience sometimes and ensuring that they get the very most out of their school years. However, at this time of the year I thought it would be appropriate to offer a very big thank you to all of those staff. While other schooling systems are in a position to pay their staff for extracurricular duties, we are not and I realise very much so that the opportunities is given to our boys rest solely on the generosity of our staff. A little gratitude goes along way.
Building Works
From the end of November, we will again have extensive building works occurring at the College. The end result will be a new toilet block in Centenary Court – providing clean and safe toileting spaces for all of our boys. However, the process will cause significant disruption to our usual College life. The boys in the primary classes will be closest to the action and we will need to allocate them some different spaces for their breaks. Temporary toilets will also be brought in to provide for the boys’ needs during construction. There may also be occasional changes to the West St Carpark. Please keep an eye on the newsletter, the app and the Edsmart so that you can remain fully informed.
Footy Tipping Wrap Up
The winners of the whole school tipping comp were given their prizes at the Sports Assembly in Week 2. The winning staff member was Mrs Mellony Utz and her prize was access to the Principal’s Carpark for the rest of the year. And she is very much enjoying this unique privilege!
Samantha Parle
Deputy Principal
parles@stmaryscollege.com
Identity
Term 4 continues apace with lots of activities and service opportunities for our boys.
We also have some important end of school rituals for our Grade 12s.
Rosies
Rosies is a Catholic organisation dedicated to supporting those experiencing homelessness and hardship. Every second Friday, a group of our students, accompanied by staff members joins the Rosies team to lend a helping hand.
The group meets at St Thomas More’s in Centenary Heights at 4:00pm before heading to Chalk Drive, where our boys prepare and serve a BBQ, along with tea and coffee. More importantly, they offer warmth and companionship through conversation with those doing it tough in our community.
Please ask your sons to look out for information on daily notices on this and to consider volunteering.
The remaining dates for this term are:
Week 3 – Friday 24 October
Week 5 – Friday 7 November
Week 7 – Friday 21 November
Year 6 Retreat Day
On Monday Week 4, our year 6 boys will participate in their annual retreat day to prepare themselves for the challenges and opportunities of grade 7 and high school. 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.
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.
Blessings,
Kevin Murphy
Assistant Principal Identity
murphyk@stmaryscollege.com
Curriculum
External Examinations
Our Year 12 students are currently in the final stages of preparation for their external exams. I have detailed instructions for the boys below:
Start times: Scheduled start times for exams are 9:00 am for morning (am) sessions and 12:30 pm for afternoon (pm) sessions. Students are expected to arrive at the exam room at least 30 minutes before the scheduled exam start time. There is no requirement for students to sign in and out of the College as a roll will be marked in each exam.
Exam Locations: All exams will be held in the Edmund Rice Cultural Centre (ERCC).
Absences: If your son is unable to attend an exam due to illness or misadventure please contact Mrs Love as soon as possible. A medical certificate must be provided for all absences due to illness.
The exam timetable and equipment lists have been emailed to all students.
myQCE – Student Access
All Year 12 students must ensure that they can login to the myQCE website. The link is below. They login with their email and password. The email used must not be their school email as they will not have access to this after graduation.
https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/your-qce-pathway/student-portal-and-learning-account
Any student with questions or concerns should see me asap.
Year 11 students are also encouraged to login and check their QCE progress.
Subject Changes – Year 11
Year 11 students have now commenced their study of Unit 3 & 4. These 2 units are joined together, and students must complete both units in their entirety for credit to be banked. Changes in subjects cannot happen throughout these units. Any Year 11 student who is considering moving subjects for Unit 3 & 4 must come and see me before the end of Week 4. No changes will be made after this date.
Jade Love
Assistant Principal - Curriculum
lovej@stmaryscollege.com
Student Engagement
Student Leadership Induction
This week we were witness to the very important ritual of inducting our new leadership team and the transition to Senior ties for our Year 11 students. The process was summed up by our newly appointed School captain for 2026 Max Murphy as he stated “St Mary’s isn’t just a school—it’s a brotherhood. And it’s a brotherhood where we all belong”.
2026 Motto
For the 2026 cohort I’m proud to announce the motto, as brothers we strive, together we thrive. Let’s lead with courage, serve with heart, and make 2026 a year we’ll always remember. With faith, we’ll support each other, make good decisions, and stay true to what we stand for. With excellence, we’ll push each other to be our best, no matter what that looks like for each of us.
With action, we’ll lead by example—starting with mentoring the younger boys and building a legacy of connection and support. And with integrity, we’ll stand up for what’s right and call out what’s not—both in and out of the classroom.
The Power of Attendance
“Consistent school attendance is a cornerstone of academic success”. Research by John Hattie shows that time on task and teacher-student relationships—both dependent on regular attendance—are among the most powerful influences on achievement. John Hattie is a globally renowned education researcher from New Zealand. https://visible-learning.org/john-hattie/
Our college has had two terms consecutively with attendance at over 90%. While we celebrate and acknowledge the work in achieving this together, we are looking to maintain this as our norm.
#Parent Approved Absence
Please note keeping your child away from school for birthdays, family trips, visiting family/friends, sleeping in, working on assignments, unauthorised workdays or routine appointments such as haircuts negatively impact your son’s attendance rate.
St Mary’s SchoolTV SPECIAL REPORT: School Refusal School Refusal | St Mary's College - Toowoomba. Click on the link to access award winning resources and cutting edge
“School refusal is a complex issue as there’s rarely a single cause. It may be linked to separation anxiety, worries about leaving home, a phobia, depression, social problems or learning difficulties. It can start gradually or happen suddenly.” Dr Michael Carr-Gregg
Formal 2026
We are excited to announce the 2026 Year 12 Formal will be held in Week 9 of Term 1, Thursday 26th March 2026. The venue for the formal is the Edmund Rice Cultural Centre, 80 Hill Street, Toowoomba.
Eligibility to attend the Formal requires #90% attendance or higher. The attendance data used to determine eligibility will be taken from this term - Term 4 2025
Spirit Week
What a wonderful way to end the final week of classes with our Year 12 students. The aptly named Spirit Week designed by College Captain Charlie Barnes with George Yeo College Vice Captain captured the hearts and imagination of the college.
Many highlights of the week emerged as a result of the joint planning and collaboration with willing staff and students. To mention a few were the numerous staff students sporting matches, the students v student Rugby League match played with spirit and our theme days.
Memorable themes of the week showing our boys imagination and keenly honed sense of humour were “dress like a teacher day”, “dress in your junior uniform day” and “anything but a bag day”.
House Breakfast
An important date claim for all our boys is Monday 17th November 2025. A Try booking link will be shared very soon with our boys and staff. Please keep an eye out for registration to attend this last House event. Breakfast to be served from 7am, with staff and students enjoying breakfast together at local venues. There is no requirement for the boys to attend college after breakfast.
Matt Draper
Assistant Principal - Student Engagement
draperm@stmaryscollege.com
Primary and Middle School Curriculum
Celebrating Commitment to Learning at SMC
Last week, we proudly celebrated the outstanding achievements of our Commitment to Learning students. These young men have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their education, achieving over 90% attendance in Term 3 and receiving all “Goods” and “Very Goods” for their learning attributes last term.
The ceremony was a wonderful occasion, recognising the consistent effort and positive attitude these students bring to their learning every day. Their commitment sets a powerful example for their peers and reflects the values we uphold at SMC.
To mark the occasion, we shared a celebratory cake and took a moment to acknowledge the hard work and perseverance that led to this success. It was wonderful to see the boys enjoying the recognition they so richly deserve.
Congratulations to all the students involved — your achievements are a testament to your dedication and resilience. We look forward to seeing your continued growth and success in the
Shari Pauli
Director of 5-9 Curriculum
paulis@stmaryscollege.com
Head of Primary
On Monday, 20 October, our Year 5 students participated in their Retreat Day, an important part of our Spirituality Program. The day gave the boys time to pause and reflect on the theme ‘Heroes’, as they prepare to step into leadership roles in 2026.
Students explored the qualities that make someone a hero and discussed how they can show courage, kindness, and responsibility in their own lives. Through group activities and quiet reflection, they considered the heroes who inspire them and how they can be a positive influence on others.
It was a valuable day of connection and growth, and we look forward to seeing these young men continue to develop as leaders in our community.
Year 5 Leadership Dates
Leadership speeches: Tuesday, 28 October
Leadership interviews with Mr Stewart and Mr Coren: Thursday, 30 October
Leadership positions announced: Monday, 3 November
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 tuckshop this week.
Let's show our support and get behind this important cause.
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. Invitations have been emailed to families.
As part of our preparations for the 2025 Year 6 Graduation Liturgy, we are asking families to share a special memory from the boys’ early years of Primary school. If you have a photo—preferably digital—of your son in Prep or Year 1, please email it to corens@stmaryscollege.com by Friday 31 October.
Please note that food will not be served after the Graduation Liturgy, as many families have indicated they will be enjoying special meals together to celebrate this occasion.
Thank you for helping us make this a memorable celebration for our Year 6 students. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Year 6 Retreat
The Year 6 Retreat Day will be held on Monday, 27 October, here at the College. Retreat days are an important part of the St Mary’s College Spirituality Program, and all Year 6 students are expected to attend.
This day provides a special opportunity for reflection as the boys explore the theme for 2026, set by our seniors: “As brothers we strive, together we thrive.”
Together, we will focus on building brotherhood, preparing for the challenges ahead as a united group, and welcoming new students into this brotherhood next year.
Students are asked to wear their sports uniform and bring the following items:
- Swimmers, sun shirt, and towel
- Pencil case containing pens, coloured pencils, glue stick, and eraser
- Something to share for morning tea (please ensure containers are clearly named for return)
- Their second lunch as normal
The day will begin at 8:30 am with Morning Mentor for roll marking and conclude at 3:05 pm.
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.
On Wednesday 26th November we will also have the Community Xmas Performance happening in the morning.
A reminder to all Year 5 students:
Please bring your instrument to the College every Wednesday for your Instrumental Lessons.
Instruments must go home with you on Wednesday so you can continue practicing at home.
Congratulations Ollie! – Year 6
Ollie Hardy performed recently at the McLagan’s Accordion Festival, showcasing his talent and passion for music. Congratulations, Ollie, on this wonderful achievement!
Looking ahead, Oliver will also be one of the featured performers at our Primary End of Year Music Concert, where he will play the piano accordion. He will be joined by an impressive lineup of young musicians:
- Jacob Teepa – Drums
- Will Pott – Drums
- Liam Postle – Trumpet
- Noah Fitzpatrick – Trombone
- Hudson and Cooper Knauth – Bagpipes and Drum Duet
- Charles Angus (Year 5) – Piano
Primary Sport – Mr Cowan
As we dive into a busy and exciting Term 4, there are plenty of opportunities for our primary students to get active, compete, and grow through sport.
Primary Swimming Lessons – Weeks 7 & 8
Swimming lessons for all primary students will commence next month. These sessions are compulsory and come at no cost to families. Please ensure your son is prepared with appropriate swimwear, towel, and water bottle on the following dates:
- Week 7:
- Monday, 17th November
- Tuesday, 18th November
- Thursday, 20th November
- Week 8:
- Monday, 24th November
- Tuesday, 25th November
These lessons are a vital part of our curriculum and a great way to build water confidence and safety skills.
Friday Night Basketball Begins
Our Friday Night Basketball competition tips off this week! We’re excited to see our teams in action:
- White Team (Div 1) vs Middle Ridge
@ 5:00pm – St Mary’s Court 1 - Blue Team (Div 2) vs TCC
@ 4:15pm – St Mary’s Court 2
Come along and support the boys as they represent the College with pride.
Touch Football Development & SWQ All Schools
Last Friday, our primary touch football teams were fortunate to participate in a Queensland Touch Football Development session, gaining valuable insights and skills from experienced coaches.
This Friday, 24th October, our White, Blue, and Gold teams will compete at the Southwest Queensland All Schools Touch at Kearney Springs. This event serves as a fantastic lead-up to the Queensland All Schools Championships, taking place from Friday 31st October to Sunday 2nd November.
We wish all three teams the very best as they take the field!
Interschool Sport Returns – Week 4
Friday Interschool Sport returns in Week 4 (commencing 31st October). This term, we will be fielding teams in:
- Cricket
- Touch Football
- Chess
- Mountain Biking
Team lists will be confirmed on Monday, and we hope to have draws available early next week. We’re looking forward to another term of great competition and teamwork.
Library
Our start to Term 4 has been nothing but go, go, go! With our Teachers vs Students Chess Competition underway, it has been fantastic to see our primary students doing the best they can to take on the high schoolers. Those chess lessons with Mr Carter are paying off!
We have also organised a new shipment of books to come our way, and we can't wait for them to hit the shelves when they arrive. For now, here's a book from our current collection that you will love.
The Adventure is Now by Jess Redman
Sometimes it's hard to be Milton P. Greene. He says all the wrong things, and everyone at school avoids him because of the super embarrassing Bird Brain Incident. But when Milton plays the video game Isle of Wild, he becomes Sea Hawk, the brilliant explorer. When Milton swaps his game for the remote Lone Island for the summer, he discovers that it is chock-full of spectaculous species. Can he become a brave explorer himself and meet some fellow adventurers? But Lone Island is in peril, and the only thing that can save it is a guide of cryptic clues. So, Milton and his new friends set off on a race to solve the mystery in a wild and thrilling adventure.
Learning Support
Helping Boys Love Reading: Practical Tips for Families
Recent international research highlights a consistent trend: boys often show lower reading engagement and achievement compared to girls. But the good news is that families can make a big difference! Here are some positive, practical strategies to help boys develop a love for reading and improve their results:
Let Them Choose
Boys are more motivated when they read about topics they enjoy—think action, humour, sports, or real-world facts. Visit the library together and let them pick books that spark their curiosity.
Be a Reading Role Model
Boys benefit from seeing men read. Dads, grandads, uncles, and older brothers can make a big impact by sharing what they’re reading—whether it’s a novel, a magazine, or even an interesting article. Talk to them about what you are reading.
Make Reading Social
Turn reading into a shared experience. Read aloud together, take turns with pages, or discuss the story over dinner. Boys often thrive when reading feels active and connected.
Use Short Bursts
Not every reading session needs to be long. Ten focused minutes a day can build confidence and stamina without feeling overwhelming.
Connect Reading to Real Life
If your child loves building, try books about inventions. If they’re into sports, find biographies of athletes. Linking reading to their passions makes it meaningful.
Reducing Screen Time Helps Too!
Too much screen time can crowd out reading and make books feel less exciting compared to fast-paced digital content. So:
- Set Clear Limits: Agree on daily screen time boundaries and stick to them.
- Create Screen-Free Zones: Keep bedrooms and dining tables device-free.
- Swap Screens for Stories: Replace some screen time with shared reading or audiobooks.
- Model the Balance: Let kids see you choosing a book over a screen.
Remember: The goal is to make reading enjoyable, not a chore. Celebrate effort, not just results, and watch their confidence grow!
Stephen Coren
Head of Primary
corens@stmaryscollege.com
Business Manager
Important Updates for Parents and Guardians
As we approach the end of the school year, please take note of the following important updates regarding school fees, accounts, and campus facilities:
1. Payment of Overdue School Fees: We kindly remind all parents and guardians to settle any outstanding school fees as soon as possible. Timely payment helps us continue providing high-quality education and resources for all students.
2. Finalising Accounts: Our accounts team is currently reviewing outstanding balances for the school year. Please check your latest statement and ensure all fees are paid in full. This will assist us in closing the year smoothly and preparing for the next academic year.
3. 2026 School Fees Announcement: We expect to finalise the 2026 school fees by early November. Once confirmed, they will be published on our school website. Please keep an eye out for this update and plan accordingly.
4. Staff Carpark – Helen Street: Please do not park in the staff carpark on Helen Street. An automatic gate has now been installed, and you risk being locked in until a staff member is available to assist. Helen Street becomes highly congested during school pick-up times, creating safety risks as staff attempt to exit while parents try to enter. Thank you for your cooperation.
5. Chilled, Filtered Water Stations: We’ve installed additional chilled, filtered water bubblers and bottle refill stations around the college. Please encourage your child to use these instead of purchasing bottled water from the tuckshop — it’s better for the environment and saves money.
For any queries or assistance, please contact our accounts office:
- Phone: 07 4631 7333
- Email: accounts@stmaryscollege.com
Thank you for your cooperation and support.
Patrick Wilson
Business Manager
accounts@stmaryscollege.com