Term 4, Week 5, 2.11.2021

Principal News

Dear Parents and Carers,

Study Skills Day

Thank-you to Mr Mark Watson and Ms Eleighta Hannam who ran a very successful Study Skills day in the Edmund Rice Cultural Centre at St Mary's last Friday.  St Mary's was graced with 150 students from Catholic schools across the Diocese, and from all reports, our boys stood out as positive contributors throughout the day.  The day was aimed at our Year 11 ATAR students, to fine tune their preparations as they move into Units 3 and 4 of their senior studies.  As you would be aware, our boys have effectively begun Year 12 work at the start of Term 4 Year 11.  We wish all our Year 11 students, whatever pathway they have chosen, all the best in their commitment to learning in the coming months.

PROBE and PAT-R Testing

Please be aware of standardised testing that is being conducted at the College at the present time.  As part of the TCSO Reading Improvement Strategy all students in Years 5 – 9 are required to complete PAT-R testing. Should students then not meet the expected standard in this PAT-R testing, they are required to receive a PROBE Assessment.

On Thursday and Friday this coming week, students who have not met the minimum standard in their recent PAT-R test are required to receive a Probe Assessment.  This testing will be completed in the "Old Gym" and is a standard part of our Head Office expectations for our Primary and Middle School students. 

Please support this process by encouraging your sons to take this testing seriously as it is an important indicator of reading and comprehension progress.  If you have any further questions about this strategy, please contact Ms Jade Love, our Director of Year 5-9 curriculum.

Year 9 Camp

I took the opportunity to spend a few hours at the Year 9 Camp at Emu Gully last week.  The Year 9 Camp is an annual camp to put our young men out of their comfort zone for a short period of time and to build teamwork.

On Thursday night, our Year 9 students were able to tell me about the various activities they had undertaken and how tired they were!  Working in the mud was a highlight, as was any activity that involved coming together as a team and helping those who were finding the various events of the day a little tougher than others.  When I left the camp, the boys were in good spirits, although I must be honest and report that we left the campsite about 15 minutes before the Thursday night storm hit, so things may not have been so rosy after this time!

The highlight during my time was the liturgy activity undertaken by our teaching staff.  Working in groups around a campfire, our young men reflected on their experiences of the camp and what it meant for them and for others.  It was a reflective opportunity to spend some quality time with their camping mates.  A big thank-you to Mr Steve Sowter and all our Year 9 camp staff.  They ran an outstanding camp and liturgy, and I understand from speaking to the boys how powerful these experiences were for each of them.

Student Engagement News

If your household is anything like mine, the end of the school year weariness is becoming evident. The celebrations and milestones of the end of a school year – especially if you have students in Year 6 or in Year 12 – are coming up and that’s so exciting. But the steps between here and the last day of term seem to be many. We are always very grateful to the families at St Mary’s who give their energy and commitment to working with us, to ensure the best possible outcomes for the young men here. For the small things – the right socks, the packed lunch, the early ride to touch practice – and for the bigger things – turning up at carnivals, talking to your son about his results, supporting the College phone policy  - we appreciate the many levels of support that you give us. Especially at this end of the year, when we are all a little weary.

As many of you already know, we group the work of the Student Engagement Team in to three areas – safety, belonging and challenge. Please see some key ideas below for each of these –

Safety

West Street - Always a busy place, the traffic on West St around 3pm makes it a significant hazard that is very close to us. There are two automated crossings at the intersections of Margaret and Herries Streets and this is where the boys are to cross the road. While I understand that it will take them a little longer to get where they are going, at the end of a busy day, I am sure that you will agree that getting home safe is a greater priority.

In the Mornings – While the school day begins at 8:30am, there are boys on campus well before that time. Before school, boys can use the library (from 8am), or they could visit the Hub to get some help with homework or assignments or they are welcome to sit with friends in the school yard. The Oval is not open before school. I would encourage you to have a conversation with your son regarding his arrival at school, so that he can be sure of your expectations. While we take responsibility for his safety once he arrives at school, it has come to attention recently that some boys may be delaying their arrival at school in order to visit the IGA or McDonalds – without their parents’ knowledge or permission. The College policy is that once a boy has arrived here at school, he is not to leave the grounds until 3:05pm.

Belonging

Phone Survey - We are very grateful to those families who took the time to complete the recent survey regarding the College’s mobile phone policy. This information has been included in our considerations and has been shared with teachers at a recent staff meeting. You can expect to see more of this kind of information gathering in the future – when we can align the values of families with the values of the College, everyone wins.

Uniform - Wearing the College uniform is the most visible means by which the boys express their sense of belonging and pride in their membership of the SMC community. Please remind your son that the uniform is an ‘all or nothing’ proposition. That is, if they are outside of the College grounds after school, they are either wearing the entire uniform correctly, or they are wearing no parts of the uniform at all (free dress). We have been sending frequent messages to the boys regarding different elements of the uniform but I will list the latest issues that we are seeing below. Thank you for assisting with this.

• Black or navy socks with long trousers
• Plain black belt (no flashy buckles such as RMWilliams)
• SMC sock or plain white on sports days
• Full brimmed hat EVERY day (not the cap)
• Spray jackets only on sports day or when it’s raining

Challenge

The Year 9 boys have been the most recently ‘challenged’ as the returned from their camp just last Friday. I know that they were very dirty and a bit smelly, and they probably slept very well over the weekend. While family life can be complex, I wold like to stress to all of our families the value of ensuring that your sons attend the school camps when they come up. Camp covers so many aspects of development that it seems silly to pass up this opportunity, or allow your son to pass up this opportunity, when it arises. In one short period of three days, boys on camp can

• Push themselves physically
• Grow resilience
• Learn new skills
• See their classmates differently
• Be seen differently by their classmates
• Take risks
• Fail
• Become totally immersed in something

From our conversations at College events, I know that many of you enjoy reading about the development of your sons – so that you can better understand these young people you are raising and we are teaching. Much of the research tells us that boys NEED these opportunities if they are to develop as fully as they should.

So, yes, while the food might not totally thrill them, and they might have to live on a little less sleep, and they could be asked to work with someone they don’t know so well – it is the bigger life lessons of camp that they need to experience. So - a HUGE thank you to those parents who sent their sons off to camp last week. The short term outcomes will be outweighed by the long-term gains – promise!

Samantha Parle, AP Student Engagement - parles@stmaryscollege.com

Curriculum News

Report cards for Semester 2 will change in a couple of key ways

Primary reports are moving to the parent portal on Sentral in line with the reports issued across the rest of the school.  This has the key benefit of remaining available online for the length of your son’s enrolment at St Mary’s. 

The addition of our Primary reports to our Sentral reporting portal has prompted a review of the structure of the report.  For Semester 2, we are removing subject comments from reports for all year levels.  After reviewing the comments in Semester 1 reports it was found that they offered very little information or insight beyond what was already conveyed by the application and behaviour grades.  Simply put, we believe that comments have been diluted in their language to the point that they are no longer relevant or useful.  Instead, our teachers will be asked to provide an extended Mentor comment.  Our Mentor teachers know your son very well and are best placed to provide feedback on his performance and engagement across the semester.  Primary students will also receive an extended feedback comment from their core teacher, as this teacher spends a significant amount of time with each student and can give detailed feedback on your son’s performance in multiple subjects.

In addition to these comments, we would always recommend getting in touch with your son’s teachers either in scheduled parent-teacher interviews or arranged phone calls.  Feedback delivered in this manner reduces potential misunderstandings and misinterpretations of written feedback and offers significantly greater opportunities for relationship building.  The education of each student is the responsibility of parent, teacher, and student and in-person meetings and/or phone conversations help to reinforce this. 

These changes are the first step on the pathway to a goal of the College – progressive reporting.  We are currently working with Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office to determine the best way to allow parents and students access to assessment results and feedback in a timely fashion throughout each term as assessment is marked, moderated and released. 

Sport News

Soccor - Red Lions Cup Competition

Finally, after 2 months the competition was back on track. It was a great day for the Opens Soccer Team in Highfields. We started our day off well with a 1-1 draw with Centenary Heights State High School. Next up we versed Wilsonton State High School. We played extremely well coming out on top 6-nil. Every player played their part and we made good use of the forward half of the field. Our next opponent was St Joseph’s College. A very tough game for us and a must win game to have a chance at making the final game. We ended up winning 1-nil with a great performance from both our backs and forwards. This game was by far our best for the day. The final game of the pool games was against Highfields State Secondary College. A game where the drizzle started to move across the field. Wet and slippery conditions didn’t allow for many risks to be taken. We were being outmatched in places and fortunately held Highfields out. Walking away with a nil all draw. After some calculations the convener put up the places after the pool games. We were lucky enough to have finished on top of the ladder. We played Centenary Heights State High School in the final match of the day. At this point the rain was really falling and the conditions were horrible. Unfortunately, Centenary’s skill couldn’t be matched and we went down 3-nil. A great effort overall from our boys to come second overall. They represented the school extremely well throughout the day.

Player of the tournament - Aaron Picker (Year 10).

P&F News

Careers News

Year 12 Careers Information

The Careers Centre will email Year 12 students school email accounts, up until they leave school.  This information will include possible job opportunities, Apprenticeship opportunities or University information.  Please check student email accounts and contact the Career Centre, if you would like assistance.

USQ Early Offers – Extended deadline, close 5 November

1. Choose a USQ program Undergraduate Guide 2022 and submit a QTAC Application.
2. Education program application must complete the non-academic requirements for teacher education statement – more information will be sent to you from QTAC after you have submitted your application.
3. Nursing applicants required to complete an English language declaration sent to you by QTAC after submitting your application. 
4. If you are applying to study some Creative Arts courses you must complete an audition.
5. Complete the Early Offer Application Form and meet with Mrs Ball or Mr Glass for signing the school’s recommendation.
6. If you have completed a USQ Head Start course, you do not require your school's recommendation.
7. Applications must be submitted by the Career Centre staff on behalf of you, along with your application form, recommendation and your Year 11 report card to earlyoffer@usq.edu.au before 5 November 2021. 

JCU Early Offers – close 19^th November

James Cook University (JCU) Early Offer 

Scholarships 

There are several scholarships available for students who are applying to study in 2022.  Here are some relevant links.  Search ‘Scholarships’ on the relevant university website to check requirements and application closing dates.

Some tips to consider:

• Applying for scholarships is competitive
• Scholarship applications take some time to put together. Give yourself enough time to collate the information required, including personal statements and referee reports
• Because they take time, some students do not bother to apply, as they will not be successful.  Many universities say they have more money to give to applicants, than they have applicants! because students don’t place an application
• Each application has to be tailored to the specific details in each individual scholarship. 
• Although there will be similarities, tailor the information in your Resume and cover letters to reflect the criteria in each application.  Use similar or the same words as in the application.
• You MUST sell yourself.  No one else will speak highly of you in their application “Give this scholarship to another student” - YOU have to do this in yours. Market yourself.
• Get someone else to read your completed applications, to ensure the message you are sending is the one you want to be received.  I’m happy to read over them.
• The reader must get a mental picture of who you are and why you are deserving above all other applicants, in receiving this scholarship.
• Your Resume needs to reflect this. It needs to include much about you!
• Research the Scholarship and if you can, previous recipients.  Use the words used to describe them, in your scholarship application
• Think of yourself in the third person.  How would you describe yourself, if you were your best friend (and not actually you)?
  

Useful links:

• Education Queensland

Interested in becoming a Teacher?

If you are studying to become a teacher, there are several Education Scholarship for Year 12 School Leavers, funded by Education Queensland, regardless of which university you attend.

Applications for the 2022 Aspiring Teacher Grants program also close at midnight on Friday 10 December 2021.

• Queensland University of Technology

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) scholarships for students planning on studying at QUT in 2022. Please see their scholarship website.

• University of Southern Queensland

University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Scholarships

USQ's Early Offer program has been extended and the major round scholarships for 2022 are now open! These include offerings for both future and current students, which you can find your student's perfect scholarship and apply now.

USQ's Academic Excellence Scholarships are also open to eligible school leavers, so if you know any high-achieving Year 12 students eager to move into tertiary study, encourage them to put USQ as #1 on their QTAC application and they could receive up to $29 000*! No application is required — eligible students who achieve an ATAR of 84 or above and put USQ as #1 on their 2022 QTAC application will automatically receive a scholarship offer.

USQ The Heritage Bank Scholarship for Psychology and Counselling

An exciting new scholarship has also arrived: The Heritage Bank Scholarship for Psychology and Counselling. In 2022, USQ will offer one Heritage Bank Scholarship to support a student with a permanent refugee and humanitarian visa who is starting their bachelor's degree in the areas of psychology and counselling. Established by a gift from Heritage Bank in 2021 and first awarded for 2022, the scholarship will support psychology and counselling students from South East Queensland through their first year of study at USQ. Applications close Sunday, 14 November 2021 at 11.59pm (AEST).

• University of Queensland

UQ Scholarships

• Griffith University

Griffith University scholarships

• Australian Government

STUDY ASSIST – The Australian Government Financial Assistance website – a one-stop-shop of information required when seeking financial assistance/scholarships/bursaries/HECS and FEE Help loans while studying at TAFE and University

• Toowoomba Regional Council – Engineering Scholarship

TRC Engineering Scholarship

Are you finishing Year 12 and interested in becoming a Dental Assistant?

The Australian Academy of Dental Assisting (AADA College) is offering Year 13 traineeships to complete a Certificate III in Dental Assisting. Year 13 trainees will work part-time or full-time as they complete their certificate.

More information HERE.

If you are interested in this opportunity, you will need to see the Careers Team who can provide the school’s support for your Expression of interest.

Job Opportunities for Year 12 School Leavers

Many employers are contacting the College to advertise positions for Year 12 school-leavers.  Please read the newsletters and check Year 12 emails, to keep informed of what is presently available.

This week’s opportunities, details available via links below:

• Two job opportunities in Brisbane – Brisvegas Machinery
• JOB OPPORTUNITY - LOOKING TO ENTER THE RACING INDUSTRY? HATCH RACING
• Apprenticeship – ALPINE Air Conditioning and Refrigeration - SEEK
• RAY WHITE COMMERCIAL Business Traineeship
• WESTON KITCHENS
• PROTECH
• Apprentice Refrigeration Mechanic - NRG
• 2 ‘Diesel Care’ Apprentice Mechanics
• Desire Interiors Cabinetmaking Apprenticeship
• Russell Mineral Equipment Storespersons
• TJS Building Group – Carpentry apprenticeship

School Based Apprenticeships/Traineeships  

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

Recent School Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship Sign-Ups

Toowoomba Catholic Schools SBA program employer thank you breakfast

On Wednesday 13^th October, the Toowoomba Catholic Schools SBA program hosted a school-based apprenticeship and traineeship employer thank you breakfast at St Pat’s Function Centre, Toowoomba. The breakfast was an opportunity for our Year 12 SBA students to thank their employers and for our exiting students to be recognised for their SBA achievements.

Art News

On Wednesday, 20^th October,  Year 11 ATAR Visual Art students went on a Mystery Tour to various locations in the Toowoomba region. This is to provide stimulus for their Investigation task and consequent Bodies of Work. In the first attached photo, the boys can be seen enjoying one of the mystery locations along with Mr Robert Ketton, who was a highly informative tour guide. In the second photo, the boys are enjoying a history tour of another location with Lindsay from Toowoomba Sightseeing.

Senior Visual Arts in Practice students completed a Bob Ross inspired landscape painting. The boys completed these artworks to develop techniques in painting, such as layering, blending and using a palette knife with the guidance of artist, Bob Ross, who is very popular with the teen demographic. The students have now developed their skills so that they can design and complete their own paintings at a more sophisticated level. 

The Next Step Survey - Yr 12

visit www.myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au

Presentation Night

You are invited to virtually attend Presentation Night on 19 November. The evening represents a special occasion on the College calendar, where we celebrate and recognise our boys acheivments across the year. The ceremony will be live streamed for parents. caregivers, friends and family to watch.

Join the virtual event here

Christmas Appeal

Primary boys will be out at break times until the end of term with the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal collection tins. This year funds will go towards buying gift cards for families in need.

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.

Can you lend a helping hand?

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