Term 4, Week 8, 23.11.2021

Principal News

Dear Parent and Carers,

Presentation Night - Thank you

I want to thank you as friends of the College for your engagement with the College this year.  It has been a very busy year, even in an age when we are being impacted by COVID.  I am mindful that disruption of some type is possible even through the next year or two depending on how Queensland copes with our borders opening in a few weeks.

Again, our Year 5-11 Presentation Night was an enormous success and I want to thank Leah Dempster and the team for their painstaking work at bringing this celebration of student achievement to life.  I appreciate your patience again this year - parents and carers had to view the experience last Friday night instead of being invited to the "live" awards ceremony.  We are looking at changing this next year and inviting a limited number parents and carers to the night, in addition to all students at the College.  This is a "signpost" event for the College, and I want to congratulate our students and their families who worked so hard to achieve their awards for 2022.

The Presentation Night was preceded by the Year 12 Valedictory and Awards, also held in the Edmund Rice Cultural Centre.  Congratulations to our Year 12 students and the Award Winners and we wish them all the very best in the coming weeks as they learn more about their ATARs, SBATs and other opportunities in their immediate future.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Loss and Grief

This week I continue the series on wellbeing and what we can do as parents and carers to support our sons. 

Losing someone or something we’re close to can be a painful experience at any age. It can sometimes feel like life without that person or thing is impossible, and grieving takes time.

While we can’t always control what happens to our families and the challenges we face, there are lots of positive things that you can do to help kids cope with loss, change, grief and stress.

Children need lots of reassurance and support from caring adults to help them come to terms with what has happened. While grief is a normal reaction to loss, feelings of anxiety or sadness may be intense and long-lasting – especially following the death of a close family member, or when families are dealing with traumatic circumstances.

Losses may include:

• the death of a family member, friend or pet
• separation of parents and family break-up
• change of schools or moving house
• loss of a friendship
• relocating to a new community, city or country
• having a disability or medical condition
• the end of a young person’s relationship
• having a family member in hospital for a long time

Reactions and behaviour

Common grief reactions may include:

• crying
• being anxious
• having bad dreams
• clinging to parents or guardians
• anger
• irritability
• feeling unsettled
• losing motivation for school and other activities

Sometimes kids show their distress by behaving in ways you would expect from a younger child. For example, they might start wetting the bed at night, sucking their thumb, or using baby talk.  Remember that children might not always be able to articulate their emotions.  By observing their behaviour and gently inquiring about it, you can often get a clearer picture of how they’re feeling.

Helping children deal with loss and grief

Knowing what to say and helping kids come to terms with loss and grief can be difficult, especially if you’re also dealing with the loss and all the feelings that go with it. When grief is very intense, or when it lasts a long time, it can interfere with children’s ability to manage everyday life. It may also lead to mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression.  If you’re concerned that your child or young person isn’t coping, they might need some additional support from a health professional.

Acknowledge children's feelings

• Reinforce that feeling sad is normal when you lose someone or something you care about – it’s OK to be upset.
• Let them talk about feelings and ask questions.
• If they don’t want to talk about it, they might want to write a journal, put notes on their phone, or write a note or draw a picture saying ‘goodbye’ if someone close to them has died.
• Support our boys if they cry or need some time alone – let them know you’re there if they need you.

Let the school know

• School staff can provide more effective support at school when they understand some of the pressure kids may be facing in other parts of their lives.
• It is often very reassuring for children as well as for parents and guardians to know that teachers or other school staff understand their difficulties and are ready to provide support.
• Staff at St Mary's College may also be able to provide you with support and advice or help you find support services. We are here to help you and your sons.

Adapted from <https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/healthy-homes/loss-and-grief>.  Accessed 22 November 2021.

School Fees

The Final School Fee Statement will be sent out on Wednesday December 1st via email. Please check your inbox and junk mail, and if you don’t receive this statement, please contact the office. Please ensure you finalise fees as soon as possible.  If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please contact the office to make an appointment with our Business Manager, Patrick Wilson.

Tuckshop News

In the last week of Term, the Tuckshop will be offering a modified menu.

Breakfast will be as usual every morning.

Monday 29/11: Fish Burger    

Tuesday 30/11: Hamburger

Wednesday 01/12: Chicken Burger

Thursday 02/12: Pies, Sausage Rolls, Wedges

No Tuckshop Friday 03/12

Pre-orders to be done each morning: orders will be taken by classroom or mentor teachers each morning to allow the tuckshop to only cater to what is required. 

Sport News

Careers News

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:

• ULTRATUNE – Motor Mechanic Apprenticeship
• Wickham Freight Lines (WARWICK) - 2 Apprenticeships and 1 Trades Assistant
• CHS Broadbent – Certificate IV in Logistics Traineeship

Year 11 University of Southern Queensland Excursion

On Wednesday 10^th November, 19 Year 11 students travelled with the Careers Team to visit the USQ campus.

The boys had a guided tour that included:

• National Centre for Engineering and Agriculture (NCEA)
• Steel Rudd Residential College
• Aviation flight simulator
• Nursing simulation unit

The boys were exposed to a variety of post-school options which will hopefully assist in their career pathway decision-making over the next 12 months.

School Based Apprenticeships/Traineeships Sign-Ups

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  

Student Engagement News

WEBINAR: Parenting, alcohol, parties and sleepovers in Year 9: Why this year group can be so challenging and the importance of putting things into place now.
Thursday, 20 January 2022
7.00-8.30pm (AEDT)
 
If you're a parent of a child about to begin Year 9 it's important to prepare yourself for issues around sleepovers, parties and gatherings. Putting things into place now can prevent potential problems in the year (and years) ahead.
 
This presentation will focus on the positive influence that parents can have on their child’s drinking behaviour, even during adolescence, as well as the barriers that they may face during this time. Peer influence is a significant issue at this time and it is important for parents to have clear rules and boundaries in the area of sleepovers, parties, gatherings and alcohol.
 
This presentation will also examine the latest data on Australian teen drinking behaviour and the growing evidence on the risks associated with this practice.
 
For further details and registration please go the following link: https://events.humanitix.com/parenting-alcohol-parties-and-sleepovers-in-year-9?_ga=2.98838558.1847493436.1636923312-467732293.1627864130
 

Enhanced Learners News

Christmas Appeal

All donations St Mary's collects for the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal will be given in the form of gift cards to single men at Toowoomba social housing hostels. This Thursday, will be a Christmas themed FREE DRESS DAY for the boys. A donation for the privilage of coming to school in free dress, can be made on the day.

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.

Christmas Mass

Holiday Office Opening

College reception will be open 9am to 3pm over the following weeks: 6 to 10 December  and 10 to 21 January.

This is the last edition of the Newsletter for 2021. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all SMC Families.