Term 3, Week 2 - 20.07.2021
Principal News
COVID Update and Requirements
I am writing this mindful that our parents and carers are welcome at St Mary’s College at any time; however, given the emerging pandemic situation down south, I thought it was an opportune time to remind everyone of some guidelines in respect of COVID safety at the College. The safety of your son at the College is paramount and therefore we are asking for your co-operation with a change to the sign-in expectations at the College.
Given the lingering situation in Australia with COVID, we now expect parents, carers and other members of the community who wish to enter the school grounds, to sign in at the front office using both our QR Code and sign-in system (if you wish to stay or attend a meeting). We understand that this is an extra level of administration, but our expectations line up with Toowoomba Catholic Schools (TCS) Guidelines for the College.
Please do not just walk through the College property, for any reason, without first signing in through the front office. We are happy to answer any of your questions while you are here.
Except when there are lockdown restrictions in place, parents and carers are welcome onsite. Adults, however, should avoid congregating in or around the school, at drop-off and pick-up time, in the car park, outside classrooms and at the school gate.
St Mary's will continue to ensure physical distancing and high standards of health and hygiene are practised on site in accordance with Queensland Health advice. Our boys and staff are receiving regular reminders about this at the school level, especially at places such as assemblies and other formal gatherings at the College.
If there comes a time when there are restrictions in place that require the wearing of face masks that impact on the community, I will send out further information regarding this through the normal channels.
Excursions and Sports to Brisbane
You will be aware that the COVID situation in Brisbane is constantly under review. Just to reassure you, we again take our lead from our own TCS head office who will direct our expectations in regards to travel to South-East Queensland, including Brisbane, and both Coasts.
One of the advantages of living in Toowoomba is its proximity to Brisbane for excursions and sports. These activities will continue in the coming days, unless the health advice changes. Please keep an eye on your emails and texts from St Mary's College for any change of policy or cancellation of events. One of the disappointing aspects of the pandemic is that we are getting used to events being cancelled at the last minute, but we will try to maintain participation if at all possible.
Currently, we are looking forward to the completion of the schools Rugby League competition (including the Open Boys' Langer Cup), as well as the start of the schools Rugby Union competition this term. A big thank-you to Mr Russell Craymer, Mr Stephen Sowter and Mr Paul Grealy for their work with the Rugby Union teams. They started the season with a clean sweep of Faith Lutheran College. Well done to our players and we look forward to more positive results as the season progresses.
Athletics Day
A big thank-you to Mr Scott Cowan and the Sports Department for their handling of our 2021 Athletics Carnival. Thank-you to our wonderful support from parents and carers on the day also. Our boys competed extremely well, and there were many smiling faces spotted on the day. Scott is still relatively new to St Mary's, and he is doing a superb job at re-imagining our carnivals, while at the same time giving a "nod" to what has been achieved with various carnivals in the past.
We can look forward to photos and video snippets from the day on social media and in magazines in the near future. Your feedback around these events is always welcome, so please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any suggestions for the carnival moving forward.
Reflection for the Week
Keeping a piece of “lockdown”
Dare we believe that things are returning to "normal"? For some of us, it feels like it is still too far away. For others, the vaccines seem to be doing their job. Infections, hospitalisations and (most blessedly) deaths are down. Our world and lives are very slowly re-opening. We’re starting to feel “normal” again.
Yet, for some of us, that’s not an entirely happy prospect.
Make no mistake: no one wants to go back to being shuttered in our homes, terrified of physical contact with loved ones, spending our days in front of computers and Zoom cameras or juggling face masks and hand sanitiser.
But...
Stephanie Paulsell of the Harvard Divinity School writes in an essay in The Christian Century [May 19, 2021] that while her university looks forward to fully opening up next month, "I've heard from a few students that they’re dreading a little the return to the intensity of busyness, the social pressures, the competing events. They have found things to like in their online classes. They’ve had more face time (Zoom is nothing if not face time) with their professors, more control over their own participation. They’re nervous about what a return to ‘normal’ will mean . . .
There’s so much to look forward to in a post-pandemic world: hugs, unmasked faces, gathering in churches. But our worries about how to re-enter the world of offices are reminders that the post-pandemic world also looms up as a challenge. As the world re-opens, how will we find our way in it? We have an opportunity to do more than go back to the way things were — a chance, even a responsibility, to do better. How can we rise to it?
The pandemic has made it impossible not to know what needs to be done; the injustices fracturing our world have been laid bare for all to see. As I heard a student ask in a presentation on the structural inequalities revealed by COVID: will we still care when the pandemic is over? Will we stay dissatisfied enough to keep looking for new ways of living that cherish every life?”
The challenge of the past year and a half required us to live our lives in new ways: a new emphasis on family, less obsessiveness about our jobs and careers, rediscovered gratitude for the simple, ordinary things of life that we had taken for granted. In some ways, this time has been a “deserted place” to recalibrate our lives; it’s been a time to rediscover love and friendship, empathy and joy in the things of God. So, while we’re happy to move beyond this horrible pandemic may we continue to preserve the “deserted” places and times it afforded us to escape the demands of our calendars and things-to-do lists in order to re-centre our lives in the compassion and grace of God, to hear again the voice of Christ the Shepherd calling us to lives of joyful gratitude and fulfilling service.
Peace,
Mr Brendan Stewart - College Principal
Student Engagement
In a perfect world, your son wakes up each morning with a smile on his face, he makes his breakfast, gets dressed and makes his way to school. At home, he keeps his belongings organised, contributes to the life of the household and occasionally gives affection to his parents without prompting. At school, he gives his best in class, knows where all of his equipment is and develops warm and respectful relationships with his teachers. If you can tick off half of these – well done! But seriously, sometimes life for your son is smooth sailing. And sometimes it’s not. In today’s newsletter, I wanted to give families some options for support when things aren’t going so well.
Contact the College
Normally, the first person to make contact with would be your son’s Mentor Teacher. Other people to contact might be his Head of House or even one of his favourite teachers. We know that the relationships boys form in their years here are the key to engagement and success. Please don’t think that you are ‘bothering us’ with small issues. If it is important to your son, and to you, then it is important to us.
Academic Pathways
If your son seems a bit lost, or perhaps isn’t coping very well with the classroom requirements, there are a number of people here who can help. The Careers Team – Mrs Ball and Mr Barber – can help boys to explore their plans and identify pathways. The Academic Support Office – Mrs Hannam, Mrs Love and Mr Glass – are the people to talk to about subject choices (which are coming up soon) and about academic questions and concerns.
College Support Systems
While every boy has a Mentor Teacher and a Head of House, there are further supports available to boys and families if they are needed. We have two qualified psychologists at the College every day who support boys in their school life. Referral to the Counsellors is done via the Head of House.
Mr Ryan Baines is the College Chaplain. “Bainesy” is on campus on Mondays and Tuesdays and works closely with our retreat and camp program as well. With a range of connections in the community, Mr Baines is a friendly, supportive and positive presence for boys and their families.
Stymie
Stymie is a service that the College subscribes to which allows young people to report any situation that concerns them. The Stymie reports are sent directly to three members of staff.
Stymie empowers young people with options to take action when they feel alone, or if they see or experience harm. They can ask for help and make a notification as a bystander for someone else.
Stymie provides online reporting for schools, clubs and associations. Encrypted, anonymous notifications are delivered within seconds, to authorised recipients who respond according to their well-being framework. The notification provides the option to include screenshots or images that validate the notification.
Suicide ideation, discrimination, anxiety, depression, bullying, self-harm, physical fights, sexual assault, family violence and illegal activity are reported using Stymie.
Our purpose is to support psychological safety by empowering people in communities everywhere, with the self-belief that they can speak up. #saysomething
Samantha Parle, AP Student Engagement - parles@stmaryscollege.com
Subject Selection Evening
Parents and carers of students in Year 9, 10 and 11 in 2022 are invited to attend the Subject Selection Evening on Monday 26th July in the ERCC.
Please see below times:
Year 8 (Year 9 in 2022) - 6.00pm
Year 9 (Year 10 in 2022) - 6.45pm
Year 10 (Year 11 in 2022) - 7.30pm
Students are encouraged to attend with their parents to learn about their subject choices to make informed decisions in the coming weeks.
An email will be sent to parents with more information.
Mr Mark Watson, AP Curriculum - watsonm@stmaryscollege.com
Year 5 to 9 Curriculum
Year 9 Subject Changes
If students in Year 9 would like to request an elective subject change, they will need to see Mrs Love in the Curriculum Office. All Year 9 subject changes must be finalised by the end of Week 2.
Mrs Jade Love, Year 5-9 Curriculum Leader - lovej@stmaryscollege.com
Primary News
Year 6 Camp (Week 4)
Please ensure that you have completed the required medication form (emailed last term) and returned to Mrs Dyne dynet@stmaryscollege.com if your son has any medication requirements at camp.
Term 3 Specialist Lessons
5B – Mr Gregson | 5G – Mrs Crank | 5W – Mrs Pauli | 6B – Mr Steer | 6G – Mrs Dyne | 6W – Ms Pilkington | |
Library | Mon | Thurs | Thurs | Tues | Tues (W1) Mon (W2) | Tues |
Band | Tues | Tues | Mon | Mon | Thurs | Thurs |
Instrumental | Wed | Wed | Wed | Wed | Wed | Wed |
L.O.T.E. | Thurs | Mon | Tues | Thurs | Tues | Thurs (W1) Fri (W2) |
P.E. | Mon | Mon | Mon | Mon | Mon | Mon |
Homework
Year 5 will continue with the weekly homework grid. Year 6 will be transitioning to secondary style homework. Their teachers will set tasks that will be recorded in their diaries and will be due the next day that they have that subject. This is to help the boys with the transition to secondary school.
Parents on Campus
Reminder that any parents who are on campus must first present to the Office and sign in. This includes dropping off and collecting your son. For after school collections, we encourage you to arrange a meeting point and your son can meet you there at the car. This is to help build their responsibility and independence.
Mrs Terese Dyne, Head of Primary - dynet@stmaryscollege.com
Sport News
Rugby Union - De Vere Cup
Under 13
St Mary's College with 20 points, defeated Faith Lutheran on 5 points.
A great first game for our U13 Rugby Union side. The difference a year can make is remarkable! This time last year the boys were grasping at straws against the Faith Lutheran side. Now, with some experience behind them they really came together in a great team display! At one stage the boys retained the ball and went from goal post to goal post. Our ability to maintain possession and our attacking flair brought us home. Great effort lads!
3 Points and Man of the Match: Chevy Ryan
2 Points: Graidy Tomlinson
1 Point: Finn Crockett
Under 15
St Mary's College with 38 points defeated St Peter Claver College on 8 points.
Another strong performance from the Blue and White in their round 3 clash with St Peter Claver College, in the De Vere Cup. The boys travelled and warmed up exceptionally well, which helped them perform strongly in the 1st half with a convincing 28-4 lead. Half time hurt our momentum; the boys becoming overconfident and moved away from our processes. The full-time score was 38-8 with excellent performances from Mitchel Clem, Oscar Kelly, and Noah Rogers. We play Stretton College in our final round game next week in a top of the table clash. Good luck to the boys in their away trip.
3 Points and Man of the Match: Mitchel Clem
2 Points: Oscar Kelly
1 Point: Noah Rogers
Opens
St Mary's College with 10 points defeated Faith Lutheran on 5 Points.
Darling Downs Cross Country
Four Students from St Mary's represented the Darling Downs at the State Championships at Limestone park in Ipswich over the weekend.
Congratulations to Jackson Carney, Hayden Delaney, Ronan Delaney and Fletcher Tate-Roche on your selection in the Darling Downs Team.
Fletcher succumbed to a knee injury during his race. He was devastated he couldn’t finish.
The boys didn’t place but had a great time and tried their best!
From left: Jackson Carney, Ronan Delaney and Hayden Delaney
Absent: Fletcher Tate-Roche
Great work Jackson Carney!
College Careers
St Leo’s Residential College - Open Day
If you are considering studying in Brisbane next year, then living at St Leo’s Residential College may be for you!
St Leo’s College Open Day will be held on Sunday 1st August from 9.00am to 3.00pm.
All of their great facilities will be open to view.
St Leo’s accepts students from UQ, QUT, Griffith, ACU, CQU and USQ. For those unable to make it they have virtual tours on their website: http://www.stleos.uq.edu.au/live-on-campus/accommodation/
Alternatively, please contact them on (07) 3878 0600 or email registrar@stleos.uq.edu.au.
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Year 12 Early Offer Scheme
The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Year 12 Early Offer Scheme can provide certainty about your future options, with an offer to study at QUT before receiving your ATAR, IB Diploma or VET Diploma. If eligible, you'll receive an offer for your QTAC first preference the day you complete Year 12.
The scheme includes more than 50 single and double degrees from a wide range of study areas including business, creative industries, engineering, health and science.
Submit your QTAC application by 15th October listing one (or more) of our eligible courses in your top three preferences and you’ll receive an invitation to apply.
For more information please visit their website HERE.
Bond University
Bond University is accepting early applications from year 12 students via the following link - https://apply.bond.edu.au/.
This application is completely free, will take 10-15 minutes and you could receive an offer for university study in 2022. There is no obligation to accept this offer – this is just an opportunity for you to put another option on the table alongside your QTAC etc. offers and decide later in the year.
Bond also has a range of scholarships available which we’d encourage you to have a look at. The first scholarship deadline is approaching on 1st August.
Scott Williamson is St Mary’s designated contact at Bond University, and if you have any questions please contact him directly on 0419 483 340 or email swilliam@bond.edu.au.
School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeship Sign ups
Lucas Doherty (Year 11) with Michael Smith of M & J Smith Builders. Lucas has been successful in commencing a Certificate III in Carpentry school-based apprenticeship.
School Based Apprenticeships/Traineeships
SBA | Year Levels | Business/Location | Closing date |
Certificate III in Hospitality OR Certificate III in Business | 10 and 11 | City Golf Club, Toowoomba More information HERE | Friday 23rd July |
School-Based Apprenticeships & Traineeships
If you are interested in an SBA, please contact the Career Support Officer, Mr Barber via email at barberp@stmaryscollege.com or visit the Careers Centre in DUHIG 21.
You will need to complete an SBA referral form and have a current resume and cover letter.
Gentlemen, you have access to resume templates and information to assist you on the Careers CANVAS page.
School Psychologists
Internet Image Safety Webinars for Secondary Students
If you are interested in attending a free webinar for parents and carers of secondary school students, please click here https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars.
1 in 3 young women and 1 in 5 young men have experienced online sexual harassment. When young people experience this type of online harassment and abuse it can have serious impacts. This webinar is designed for parents and young people to attend together to learn how to report and where to go for support.
Visit esafety.gov.au for more information and to register.
App Safety Webinars for Primary and Secondary Students
Free webinar for parents and carers of primary and secondary school students
Understand the risks when using apps like Tik Tok, Snap Chat, YouTube and Instagram. This webinar also covers strategies for staying safer on social media and how to report if something goes wrong.
Visit esafety.gov.au for more information and to register.
Loe Stanford, College Cousellor (Psychologist) - stanfordl@stmaryscollege.com
You're Invited
Library
This year we will be celebrating CBCA Book Week in Week 6, Term 3 2021, beginning with our Bigger, Brighter Better presentation to the primary students. The presentation will take place on Monday, 9th August 2021 in the ERCC, where all students will be invited to dress up as their favourite Book Character. Prizes will be given to the best costumes on the day!
Celebrating the CBCA Book Week 2021 theme: Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds, this interactive and educational musical adventure is a fun filled and energetic celebration of CBCA Book Week 2021 and brings together all the elements of great storytelling - a hero, a mystery, a quest, and an exploration! Please see an excerpt below about the presentation.
BIGGER, BETTER, BRIGHTER!
One day a girl named Marley woke up to discover that ‘Something’ was missing… and so begins a quest that will lead Marley through destinations that are strange and challenging but often oddly familiar. However, first she must determine what it is that has disappeared from her life that is causing such a sense of emptiness. Fortunately, her story has a narrator to help her. The thing is Marley sometimes has her own ideas as to how the story needs to be told. There are books around to provide clues and directions which is a great help –if you can figure out what they mean. Marley is determined to sort it out no matter where she travels or what she encounters. One thing is certain - once the ‘Something’ is recovered, everything will become Bigger, Better, Brighter!
Join Marley and characters from a selection of The CBCA 2021 Shortlisted Books, as she seeks to discover what it is that is missing and how best to recover it.
Australia Reads 2021
This year, the SMC Library will celebrate the Australia Reads event by partaking in the Australian Reading Hour on Wednesday, 15th September 2021. This event will take place in the SMC Library during sport. The Australian Reading Hour is where students and staff are invited to share and celebrate the joys of reading by picking up a book and reading quietly for an hour. Whether they’re picking up a book for the first time or are regularly reading from the library, there will be plenty of incentive to read! Further information will be provided closer to the date.
Overdue Library Resources
Please remind your son to keep up-to-date with library loans. Students are able to manage loans through the Library Web App, where they can see their overdue items. Students will also receive a weekly overdue reminder via email each week. If you received a bill for an overdue library item over the holidays, your son is able to return it to the library for a refund by 30th July, 2021. Your help with this is much appreciated!
The Library Team - library-staff@stmaryscollege.com
Tuckshop Menu
Visiting the College
Given the lingering situation in Australia with COVID, we now expect parents, carers and other members of the community, who wish to enter the school grounds, to sign in at the front office using our QR Code and sign-in system.
Please do not just walk through the College property, for any reason, without first signing in.
Please socially distance at all times.
Thankyou for your co-operation and we look forward to working with you during Term 3.
You're Invited to the P&F Race Day
Tickets are limited! Visit https://www.trybooking.com/BSIWI to secure your spot.
If you are interested in supporting this event, please email tracydann3007@icloud.com to obtain a sponsorship package. We will also be accepting donations for raffle prizes and auction items.
All funds raised will go towards supporting St Mary's College boys!
