Term 3, Week 7, 24.08.2021

Principal News

Multicultural Week 2021

This week we celebrate Multicultural Week, which highlights the many cultures that we have at St Mary's.  As a Principal, I am proud to represent a school that has given opportunities to a diversity of families to be enrolled at the College.  This week's activities are a token of our appreciation at the school, and a representation of what our boys bring to St Mary's.  In short, our diversity is our strength!

I want to thank Ms Tyhla Roper (Public Relations) and Ms Kerrin Cridland (Learning Enhancement Leader) for the work that they have put into place to keep the week moving whilst acknowledging the current COVID conditions at play.

As an example of our activities at the College, our inaugural Futsal Multicultural Cup (running Monday - Thursday) contains eight teams of varying cultures and backgrounds.  Each team consists of players with a connection to that culture at St Mary's College. 

We intend on this being an annual event and I will highlight the results of the competition next week.

The eight teams competing this week are:

1. Australia
2. The Indigenous team
3. Sudan
4. India
5. England
6. Scotland
7. Spain
8. Germany

In addition to Futsal, the College has organised a range of other activities for the week.  We are interested on extending on this work next year and your feedback is important to us.  Can I please encourage you to get involved and participate,where possible.

Tuckshop

In addition to the usual Tuckshop menu, the following items will be available to purchase at first and second break next week:

• Monday - Sushi (Japanese)
• Tuesday - Sri Lankan Curry cooked by Mr Baines and our College Chaplain
• Wednesday - Reuben Sandwiches (North American)
• Thursday - Bahn Mi (Vietnamese)
• Friday - Pizza (Italian) 

Wednesday Sport (Secondary)

Students who normally play Red Ball Tennis, Badminton, Table Tennis and Rugby League will be divided into four groups and will participate in the following sports on a rotation:

• European Handball (Europe)
• Gridiron Touch (America)
• Gaelic Football (Scotland)
• Softcrosse (Native America)

Cookbook

We are also preparing a cookbook to distribute to families. If you have a recipe you would like to share, please email Mrs Tyhla Roper at ropert@stmaryscollege.com today. In the email please include the list of ingredients, the method and a photo of the prepared dish (if you have one).

Multicultural Inclusion

Fostering multicultural inclusion is essential to ensuring a vibrant and prosperous school community in which everyone is welcomed, feels safe and is supported to participate. St Mary's College plays a critical role in strengthening multicultural inclusion in our community by providing an environment where acceptance of diversity, knowledge of other cultures and an understanding of global and local issues may be developed.  All school parents and carers, staff and students are strongly encouraged to be involved in shaping multicultural inclusion in our school community.

Human rights education

Human rights recognise the inherent value of each person.  Multicultural Week at St Mary's shines a light on our diverse cultures and encourages an attitude of understanding of basic human rights.  Human Rights are based on principles of dignity, equality and mutual respect.  Through Multicultural Week, we intend to extend on our education about Human Rights.

A Multicultural Queensland

Queensland is now a highly multicultural state.  I have attached a fact sheet below which highlights the changing nature of our population (From the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs website, accessed 23 August 2021):

Identity

Inclusion in Action

This week as a College community we are celebrating Multicultural Week, with food, sport and colour. This year’s theme is “inclusion in action” – this really reflects our Edmund Rice touchstones: all are welcome and becoming men of action.

Constantly, I am moved by the individual actions of members of our College community. They quietly and consistently work behind the scenes, making a difference in the lives of students. The P&F Association have established an initiative called Helping Hands, to support families when they need it; having cooked meals, or lunches ready for families to assist them to deal with the curve balls thrown their way. Due to COVID restrictions and food preparation regulations we have had to move to a donation-based support for the meals, rather then a provision of meals for distribution.  These donations now enable the ladies in the Tuckshop to cook the meals and have them ready to distribute. In two weeks, we have received donations totalling $2,000.00. Wow! We promise to report the progress of this initiative and your support.

A small community of practice has evolved over the last two terms of 2021, where approximately 7 teachers meet every two weeks to attend a course called Cornerstones conducted by Broken Bay Institute of Theology.  Cornerstones has 8 topics, for 8 terms, and so far as a group we have studied Catholic Social Justice Teachings, and now the Old Testament. It is a lively group where we learn, think, study and reflect and write our reflections each week. The sign of a vibrant community, I believe, is peppered with these small communities of practice, where individuals come together for support in enhancing the life of our College. This week we learnt that the Hebrew word for compassion is roughly translated to mean that we hold the pain of another in our heart. I think this is what we do well in our community, hold that pain, and then act on that pain.

Celebrating the life of Brother Kevin Dwyer

Our College Captain, Xavier Va'a and Vice-Captain, Joseph Doljanin represented us well at Old Boy Brother Kevin Dwyer’s funeral in Brisbane last week. The beautiful floral cross that was placed on his simple coffin was from the St Mary’s College community and was made by some of our mothers. 

May we have compassion at this time for those who are different. This week be humble, listen and be open to one another.

Let us pray...

Almighty God, through your Holy Spirit you created unity in the midst of diversity;
We acknowledge that human diversity is an expression of your manifold love for your creation;
We confess that in our brokenness as human beings we turn diversity into a source of alienation, injustice, oppression, and wounding.
Empower us to recognise and celebrate differences as your great gift to the human family.
Enable us to be the architects of understanding, of respect and love;
Through the Lord, the ground of all unity, we pray.

Live Jesus in our hearts,

Forever.

Student Engagement

Year 11

As we reach the end of the school year, I have started the conversations with the Year 11 group about their move into their Senior year. The new QCE system means that our current Year 12 leaders, hand over their leadership at the end of Week 3 in Term 4.

The Year 11 group have been busy over the last few weeks selecting a design for their Senior Jersey, a significant outward symbol of their status as leaders of the College. Unfortunately, the recent COVID-19 lockdown meant that the Year 11 Leadership Camp was cancelled, but we are persevering with the other steps towards achieving their status as College Seniors of 2022.

Student Leadership for 2022

All students currently in Year 11 are invited to apply for a leadership position for the 2022 academic year, as determined by their own strengths, interests and talents. They have been emailed with the position descriptions, as well as the application form. At St Mary’s College, we see that student leadership positions should be made based on merit, skills and experience and we expect that – like any other job – students will apply for leadership positions.

The student leadership group at SMC consists of:

• College Captain and Vice-Captain (2)
• House Leaders (4)
• Leaders for specific areas – Identity, Academic, Sport, Culture and Mission (5)
• College Prefects - (number to be determined by ELT – up to 6)

If your son is in Year 11 and looking to apply for a position, the key dates are as follows:

• Application paperwork available 17^th August
• Applications close 9.30am Tuesday 24^th August
• Captain and Vice-Captain shortlist determined and announced by Fri 27^th August
• Assembly speeches 31^st August – format of ‘speeches’ to be advised
• Interviews with Mr Stewart and Mrs Parle

The aim is to have appointed the Student Leadership team by the end of this term, all things going to plan.

The process in the Primary school is similar, but runs on a different timeline due to their smaller numbers. Mrs Dyne will be in contact with families regarding this in the near future.

Uniform Reminders

The Student Engagement team conducted a whole school inspection today with a focus on boys wearing dark coloured socks with their long trousers.

Those boys who were not wearing the uniform correctly were provided with black socks and were reminded of the College expectation. Thank you to all of those families who support us in this area. I realise that another argument with your son is often the last thing that you want to add to your already busy days.

We do hold a firm line with regard to uniform.

On the surface, it is a means of ensuring that the College is presented well to the public, and it also sends messages to the boys about presentation, pride and attention to detail. These are life-long habits, and they are starting to build them now.

Father's Day Celebration

St Mary's College students and fathers/carers, please join us for a Father's Day Celebration on Thursday 2nd September 2021.

The event will commence at 4.00pm with an outdoor liturgy on the steps of the Edmund Rice Cultural Centre.

After the liturgy, drinks and a sausage sizzle will be provided. All are then welcome to play a game of cricket on the oval.

Please book a ticket for all St Mary's College students and fathers/carers attending by clicking here. Tickets will close on Monday at 5.00pm for catering purposes.

College Careers

Year 12 Careers

In Term 2 and 3, we have conducted individual career focused meetings with all Year 12 boys and their parents. The aim of these meetings is to assist the boys with their transition planning for 2022, whatever their chosen pathway. Should boys or parents have any queries, please contact the Careers Centre via email at smc-careers@stmaryscollege.com.

QTAC Applications

Many universities offer guaranteed entry to ATAR eligible boys, with the addition of supporting documentation from the College through their early offer programs.

Please see each universities websites for details, deadlines and application processes:

 ACU Guarantee – Closes 24th September

Griffith University (GU) Early Offer – Closes 15th October

James Cook University (JCU) Early Offer – Closes 19th November

Southern Cross University (SCU) STAR Early Offer – Closes 10th September 

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Early Offer - Closes 15th October

University of New England (UNE) Early Entry  - Closes 17th September

University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Early Offer - Closes 17th October

University of Sunshine Coast (USC) Early Offer  - Closes 11th October

We will be holding a QTAC Application session in Week 10 this term, to assist Year 12 boys submitting their QTAC applications. Once the boys have submitted their application, QTAC application numbers will then be generated and will be available to submit with scholarship applications. Dates for scholarship applications will vary and can be found on relevant university websites.  More information to come regarding scholarships.

For more assistance, please contact the Careers Centre via email at smc-careers@stmaryscollege.com.

Primary Rural Fire Brigade Visit

Last Friday, the Southbrook Linthorpe Rural Fire Brigade visited the College to put on a display for our primary students. The team talked to the students about first response and wildfires/bushfires prevention as part of the students’ Natural Disasters topic in Science.

Year 12 students, Angus Morris and Kaleb Reynolds are volunteers for the Southbrook Linthorpe Rural Fire Brigade and were on hand. To volunteer for a local rural fire brigade, you must be at least 16 years of age, be willing to give back to the community and successfully apply to a local brigade.

Australian Defence Force Information Sessions

Toowoomba Defence Force Recruiting are holding several information sessions in September for any students interested in joining the Defence forces.

Thursday 9th September: Toowoomba: Army Careers Information Session

Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm

Register: https://www.defencejobs.gov.au/events/event/3VTUAYK

Tuesday 14th September: Toowoomba: Parent & Teachers Information Session

Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm

Register: https://www.defencejobs.gov.au/events/event/AWSQ01P

Tuesday 28th September: Toowoomba: Defence Careers Information Session

Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm

Register:  https://www.defencejobs.gov.au/events/event/T26SGEC

School Based Apprenticeship or Full-Time Apprenticeship Opportunity

IntraFine Ceilings and Partitions are offering one of the following opportunities:

• School Based Apprenticeship (Wall and Ceiling Lining) – For current Year 11 students 
• Full-Time Apprenticeship (Wall and Ceiling Lining) – For finishing Year 12 students

IntraFine are commercial interior linings specialists that specialise in suspended ceilings, steel frame partition walls and interior and exterior linings. See their website by clicking here.

Please contact Rod Morgan on 0499 555 321 or send your resume to rod@intrafine.com.au.

School Based Apprenticeships/Traineeships  

If you are interested in an SBA, please contact the Career Support Officer, Mr Barber 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. 

Students have access to resume templates and information to assist you on the Careers Canvas Page.

Sport News

Some of the St Mary's boys enjoying their time at All Stars Gymnastics last Wednesday during sport.

Primary Basketball 

St Mary's College with 45 points defeated Allstars with 29 points.

• 3 points and Man of the Match - Ty Khomenko 
• 2 points - Adol Adol 
• 1 point - Tayt Jackson

With two weeks off from competition, St Mary's College hoped to continue their undefeated season going up against 2nd place, Allstars. This game certainly showed signs of what could be the finals matchup.

With a slow start, trailing by 9 points going into the 2nd quarter, intensity lifted on both ends of the court, seeing SMC back in charge up 4 points at the half. The momentum flowed on in the second half, outscoring Allstars 24 - 14. This result pushes the team further ahead on the ladder going into the last game before finals.

Term 4 - Mrs Chantler's Pink Day

Library

Book Week

Book Week is on next week! Year 5 and 6 students have been asked to dress up following the theme, Old Worlds, New Worlds and Other Worlds on Thursday 2nd September.

Costumes will be judged and there will be fantastic prizes for the winners. The library will be open to all Year 5 and 6 students first break for those who wish to participate in the activities we are running next week, there will be prizes for those who attend.

We are very excited to see all the wonderful costumes and hope the students enjoy Book Week 2021.

Miss Sienna Anning, Teacher Librarian - annings@stmaryscollege.com

The Hub

Support is available to all students who require assistance with homework, assignments or reviewing current classwork. Support is available with Mr Roy in the Hub every morning before school from 7.00am and at both lunch breaks. Support will also be available after school on Thursday afternoons from 3.05pm until 4.00pm. If you would like further information, please contact Dave Roy on 07 4631 7333.

Friday Lunch - Fundraiser

The St Mary's College CBSQ Basketball teams have organised lunch for Friday 27th August.

Please click here to place your son's lunch order. Pre-order is preferable to ensure you don't miss out. Pre-order will close Wednesday 25th August at 9.00pm.

There will be pizza and soft drink available.

Tuckshop will only be providing breakfast on Friday. The SMC Meals weekly order will be available Monday to Thursday.

Free Dress Day

Students are welcome to wear appropriate free dress to school this Friday 27th August. Please bring a gold coin donation to support R U OK Day 2021.

Can you lend a helping hand?

You're Invited to the P&F Race Day

This is your last chance to purchase tickets! 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 are still in need of raffle and auction prizes.

All funds raised will go towards supporting St Mary's College boys!