Term 1, Week 4 - 16.02.2021
Principal News
Year 5 Camp recap and getting ready for the Year 7 Camp
I want to thank our staff and students who participated in our Year 5 Camp the week before last. It is always a slightly awkward time for our Year 5 boys at this camp - new staff, new students, new surroundings. It is not easy and it's not meant to be! I sense the word "resilience" is getting a bit tired when we talk about well-being but at the very least, our boys have learnt more about themselves and each other over the three days. The feedback from the students and parents has been overwhelmingly positive and I want to thank especially Ms Terese Dyne for her organisation of the camp.
We now set our sights on Year 7 Camp coming up this week at Noosa North Shore. Our Mr Robert Glasby is organising this camp and I thank him and the other staff who attend in advance for this. Again, we obviously have some new students at this camp and we welcome their input into the camp. I know from experience that our boys will come back ready for the year ahead, with a little more confidence in themselves and each other. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn in a supported environment away from school.
New Families BBQ
Thank-you to everyone who attended our New Families gathering last Friday night. It was well attended by many new families including our young men new to St Mary's College over the past 12 months. The highlight of the night was watching our current Seniors take on our new students in a game of cricket on the oval. Thank-you to all who attended. Your presence and interest in the school is key to why the school is successful.
"Study" Skills at home - What can we as Parents and Carers do?
Our role as parents and carers is critical to how seriously our sons take their studies. But what can we do to best support the work of our teachers at St Mary's College?
I offer the following ideas as a starting point:
- Encourage your child to read: Helping your child become a reader is the single most important thing that you can do to help the child to succeed in school - and in life. The importance of reading simply can't be overstated. Reading helps children in all school subjects. More importantly, it is the key to lifelong learning.
- Meet your child's teacher/s: As soon as the school year starts, try to find a way to meet your child's teacher. Let the teacher know you want to help your child learn. Make it clear that you want the teacher to contact you if any problems develop with your child. If you feel uncomfortable speaking English, don't let a language barrier stop you. What you have to say is more important than the language in which you say it! Ask us to find someone who can interpret for you; or you may wish to bring a bilingual friend or relative with you.
- Attend Parent-Teacher conferences or phone interviews: St Mary's College holds two parent-teacher conferences each year. You can bring a friend to interpret for you or ask the school to provide an interpreter. You can also ask to meet with your child's teacher any time during the year. If you have a concern and can't meet face-to-face, send the teacher a short note or set up a time to talk on the phone.
- Find out how your child is doing: Ask the teacher how well your child is doing in class compared to other students. If your child is not keeping up, especially when it comes to reading, ask what you or the school can do to help. It's important to act early before your child gets too far behind. Also be sure to review your child's report card each time it comes out.
- Make sure that your child gets homework done: Let your child know that you think education is important and that homework needs to be done each day. You can help your child with homework by setting aside a special place to study, establishing a regular time for homework, and removing distractions such as the mobile phone and television during homework time. If you are reluctant to help your child with homework because you feel that you don't know the subject well enough, you can help by showing that you are interested, helping your child get organised, providing the necessary materials, asking your child about daily assignments, monitoring work to make sure that it is completed, and praising your child's efforts. Remember that doing your child's homework for him won't help him in the long run.
- Help your child prepare for tests: Tests play an important role in determining a student's grade. Your child may also take one or more standardised tests during the school year, and your child's teacher may spend class time on test preparation throughout the year. As a parent, there are many ways that you can support your child before and after taking a standardised test, as well as a number of ways you can support your child's learning habits on a daily basis that will help him be more prepared when it's time to be tested.
- Demonstrate a positive attitude towards education to your children: What we say and do in our daily lives can help them to develop positive attitudes toward school and learning and to build confidence in themselves as learners. Showing our children that we both value education and use it in our daily lives provides them with powerful models and contributes greatly to their success in school. In addition, by showing interest in their children's education, parents and families can spark enthusiasm and lead children to a very important understanding - that learning can be enjoyable as well as rewarding and is well worth the effort required.
- Monitor your child's technology use: Australian children on average spend far more time watching screens, playing video games and using the Internet than they do completing homework or other school-related activities. Try to encourage a balance.
Adapted from <https://www.colorincolorado.org/article/twenty-ways-you-can-help-your-children-succeed-school>
Enrolments
Once again, St Mary's College has a healthy enrolment list to begin the year. It is clear, that the school is, and has for a number of years, been operating well and attracting a healthy clientele from across the Darling Downs. Consequently, St. Mary's will begin this year to request that interested new families submit enrolment forms earlier than has been the case in the past. This will allow us to organise interviews in a timely fashion during 2021 and to help our families make positive decisions for the future.
Therefore, the closing date for new enrolments this year in any year level for 2022 will be Monday 21 June 2021. This date will be heavily advertised. We will allow a small number of late enrolments due to transfers and change of circumstances, but we would like most submitted by the closing date. If you have any questions about enrolling your son at St Mary's College, please contact Lucia Armstrong on 07 4631 7333. Additionally, there are a limited number of places left in some year levels this year.
Please feel free to let friends and family know of our change in approach to managing enrolments!
My reflection for this week:
The Gospel this week talks about leprosy - a debilitating disease not seen for many years in Australia. For us, this reading is not just about leprosy, but about Jesus', and our, treatment of people - acceptance.
A Leper for the time being…
He had been a minister for 25 years. He was a generous colleague to other clergy in the area, serving on committees and attending ordinations and installations. He had friends in other churches — or so he thought.
Then a dispute erupted in his church resulting in public charges, counter charges, angry public meetings, and critical articles in the local newspaper. A long, ugly, drawn out legal process tore the parish apart. Seeing him at meetings, his fellow clergy were friendly — but distant. After all, they had their own churches — and skins — to worry about.
In time, the issues were resolved and the parish was healing. At their next gathering, his fellow ministers greeted him warmly, clapping him on the back, shaking his hand. One minister offered a prayer of thanksgiving that all had ended well. Later at the meeting, the minister stood and asked to speak. He didn’t talk about the issue his parish had faced or the long legal process. He told his brother and sister ministers “about the silence at the centre of the noise” — about the phone that never rang in a gesture of friendship, his feeling of being deserted by friends and colleagues in ministry.”
“Where were you?” he asked. “I didn’t expect you to take a stand alongside me. It wasn’t your battle. I did expect your friendship, your offers of prayer, a shared cup of coffee. We could have talked about something else. Or we could just sit together for a bit, not saying anything. Where were you?”
A minister who was there remembers, “There was a silence and downcast faces. In our silence, we were ashamed. And, I hope, recalled our better selves, as ministers and as people.”
Peace.
Identity
Week 4
Often people ask me why I decided to become a teacher. They ask what drives me to keep working with young people and the answer is simple for me. Every day in schools, you as parents send the best child you can to school, and everyday extraordinary things happen. The extraordinary is found in the simple acts of kindness, and that simple reality of friendship and brotherhood, not soppy brotherhood, but real brotherhood. Our College Captain, Xavier Va’a has previously spoken about real brotherhood in a Samoan poem; it is the brotherhood forged in “brotherhood in crisis”. This was evident last week when one of our senior leaders bought an expensive pair of runners to school. His work had given him these runners and he decided to not keep them himself, or attempt to sell them on ebay but bring them to school. He came to visit me and said, ‘Sir, you would know of boys that need these more than me, could you ensure they get to them”. If this is happening, then all of us are doing something right – let’s rejoice in our achievements!
This week we embark on our Lenten journey. Could I ask you to pray for a number of staff who are meeting to discern their call to full communion with our Catholic faith. Lent is traditionally the time of the catechumen; let us pray for the Holy Spirit to gently guide them.
I leave you with a prayer from Pope Francis. These are the words he offered on Ash Wednesday in 2017 and remain applicable to us today. Perhaps paste this to the fridge as your Lenten fasting.
Take care,
Mr Paul Grealy, AP Identity - grealyp@stmaryscollege.com
Fasting - Pope Francis
Fast from hurtful words and speak kind words.
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
Fast from worries and have trust in God.
Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.
Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy.
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate.
Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.
Student Welfare
Following on from my words in last week’s newsletter, I would like to begin this week by thanking our families for their support regarding the College uniform and presentation expectations. Through good communication with parents and care-givers, we have been able to clarify some misunderstandings and provide support to families who were struggling to get their boys into ‘school mode’. As we move fully into the working weeks of the term, I am confident that our boys will be turning up with their uniforms correct and ready to focus on learning. If your son does need to attend school and he is not wearing the correct uniform, please provide him with a dated note of explanation which he can carry with him for the day, to explain his situation to his teachers. Alternatively, an email to his Mentor Teacher or Head of House is a back-up plan if the note is forgotten in the busy morning rush.
Safety
There are several concerns at the moment with regard to the safety of our boys and I would ask for your support in the following:
West Street - Always a busy place, the traffic on West St around 3.00pm 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 Morning – 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 7.30am), 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.
Stadium Carpark – Boys who drive to school usually park in this space on Herries St and the Heads of House and Mr Janhke frequently supervise this area to ensure safe behaviours are demonstrated. If you use this space to collect your son, and you are unhappy with the behaviour of any of our boys, please pass that on to us via email. If you are able to give us a description of any vehicles involved, we can follow up specifically to correct any dangerous behaviour. Boys who drive to school should have carpark pass on display on their dash, having completed the necessary paperwork at the office.
Student Protection Processes
As employees in a school, all of our staff at St Mary’s College are bound by the State laws regarding Student Protection. If a staff member becomes aware that one of our boys has been harmed or is at risk of being harmed, they have a legal obligation to report this. This process is undertaken via an electronic format, supervised by the Principal and then passed on to the Department of Child Safety, the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office and the Qld Police Service, if necessary. We have five staff members at the College who have specific training in Student Protection and these are referred to as Student Protection Contacts (SPCs). This year, our SPCs are:
- Mr Brendan Stewart
- Mr Stephen Monk
- Mrs Samantha Parle
- Ms Loe Stanford
- Mrs Tanya Dickenson
I will be speaking to the boys this week on Assembly about Student Protection, and about the importance of speaking up if they feel that something isn’t right. I am sure that you would agree that schools carry a significant responsibility in helping to keep our young people safe. It is a role that we take seriously at the College.
Mrs Samantha Parle, AP Welfare - parles@stmaryscollege.com
Curriculum
Congratulations to the students who received a Bronze, Silver or Gold award at the Academic Award ceremony last week. The full gallery of photos has been shared on our Facebook page.
Primary News
Brainstorm Productions
Brainstorm Productions will be presenting to the primary boys on Wedenesday 24th February.
There was an error in the broadcast sent to parents. Please disregard the information about wearing the sports uniform. All students are to be in academic uniform.
The program covers:
- Values & ethics
- Bullying & cyber safety
- Manners & respect
- Social skills
- Self-esteem & resilience
- Diversity & inclusion
- Mindfulness
- Empathy & honesty
- Cooperation
Communication
Please remember that it is important that you are reading the newsletter and all emails from teachers carefully.
The Primary Facebook page is only there for reminders, please try to seek the information prior to going to Facebook.
Primary Leader Shirts
The Year 6 Primary Leader shirts have been ordered for all Year 6 boys. This shirt can be worn with the sports uniform on a Friday. An Edsmart notification will be sent to all parents in the coming days with more information.
Mrs Terese Dyne, Head of Primary - dynet@stmaryscollege.com
College Careers
University Showcase
Our Year 12 students attended a University Showcase last week. We welcomed 11 institutions to the College to speak to our boys about all that university has to offer.
The guest speakers covered everything from the application process, course offerings, benefits of studying, associated costs and living arrangements.
Thank you to Australian Catholic University (ACU), Bond University, Griffith University (GU), James Cook University (JCU), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Southern Cross University (SCU), University of New England (UNE), The University of Queensland (UQ), University of Southern Queensland (USQ), University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) and Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC).
'A Day in Medicine' Work Experience Opportunity
The University of Queensland, Rural Clinical School (UQRCS) Toowoomba is offering Year 11 students the opportunity to experience ‘A Day in Medicine’.
Students who are keen to pursue a career as a Doctor are invited to apply for a place in their program. Placements are very limited.
Please see the Careers team in DUHIG 21 as soon as possible before Thursday 18th February to secure a spot!
Any Year 10, 11 or 12 students with an interest in studying Medicine at the completion of Year 12 are also encouraged to register their interest with the Careers team. This will allow the team to communicate relevant opportunities to you in the future.
Full-Time Plumbing Apprenticeship Available
Craig Southey Plumbing are looking for a 2020 Year 12 school leaver for a full-time plumbing apprenticeship. If you know of any boys interested, please contact the St Mary's Career Centre by phoning the school on 07 4631 7333.
School-Based Apprenticeships & Traineeships
SBA | Year Levels | Location | Link/ Attachment | Closing date |
Certificate III in Hospitality (Front of House ) | 10 & 11 | Multiple available:
| Contact Mr Barber for more info | ASAP |
Certificate II in Commercial Cookery | 10 & 11 | Urban Grounds | Contact Mr Barber for more info | ASAP |
Certificate II in Business Administration | 10 & 11 | Toowoomba Mower Centre | Contact Mr Barber for more info | 19th February |
If you are interested in this SBA, please contact the Career Support Officer, Mr Barber via email at barberp@stmaryscollege.com or drop in to the Careers Centre in DUHIG 21.
You will need to complete a SBA Expression of Interest Form and have a current resume and cover letter.
Resume templates and information to assist are available on the Careers Canvas page, link below.
Library News
Research Resources
Assessment time is fast approaching, so this week we will provide you with information on the research resources available at St Mary's College. These databases are accessed 24/7 through the Library Web App, both at school and at home. Students will be given instruction on research skills during their library lessons throughout the year and are most welcome to visit the Library to find out more about our research resources.
EBSCO
EBSCO provides schools with high-quality research databases, magazines, journals and more. It supports the school curriculum and students’ information literacy skills with high-quality content from popular, educational sources. EBSCO is essential for students, particularly senior students, to access current, relevant information when completing their assignments.
World Book Online
World Book Online (WBO) provides access to relevant, authoritative information on a wide range of topics. It is designed to make online information easy for students to access, boasting more than 40,000 encyclopedia articles, learning resources, and research tools. WBO is tailored to the needs of students at a primary level and beyond, integrating primary and secondary source documents in a single database.
Clickview
St Mary's College has its own online video library through Clickview. Clickview creates a deeper understanding of topics through video, by working with Australian educators to deliver content that matches the teaching needs. New videos are produced in Australia using the world’s best educational content across all year levels.
Referencing Generator
The Harvard Referencing Generator is a citation generator that students use to complete their bibliographies. The Referencing Generator is in the One Search field on the left-hand side of the Library Web App. Please remember to login and enter a search term to access One Search and the Referencing Generator.
Instructional videos on how to use EBSCO and World Book Online can be found on the dashboard of the Library Web App or please see Library staff. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Overdue Library Resources
We have been very impressed with the number of student borrowing so far this year, with many students regularly borrowing from the library for free and voluntary reading. Please remind your son to manage his loans, by either renewing or returning overdue library books. Each week students are emailed a list of overdue loans and we ask that this be actioned as soon as possible. Your help with this is much appreciated!
"Google can bring you back 100,000 answers, a librarian can bring you back the right one."
– Neil Gaiman (Author)
Mrs Gemma Tracy, Teacher Librarian - tracyg@stmaryscollege.com
Sport News
Congratulations Jackson Carney
Last weekend, Jackson Carney competed in the Darling Downs school team at the State Championships in Hervey Bay for Triathlon. Jackson performed really well in a tough and competitive field.
Jackson placed 24th in his age group and 57th in the intermediate boys aged 15/16 years. Well done, Jackson!
Touch Football Bundaberg Cup
Last Friday, a number of Year 9 students travelled to Bundaberg to compete in the Bundaberg Cup for Touch Football. The boys went through undefeated to win the Grand Final and a $700 cheque. The team consisted of nine St Mary’s College students and they were coached by Ronan Delaney, a St Mary’s Old boy.
Netball Sign On
SMC Sport Feedback Form
Please get in touch with the St Mary's Sport department using the online form below. We check this form at the beginning of each week. If your issue is urgent and you would like it resolved quickly, there are two options available:
- Call the Sports Office on 07 4631 7427
- Send an email to SMC-Sport@stmaryscollege.com
Please ensure calls are made during regular working hours. Emails will be responded to within two business days.
Sporting Achievements
We would love to hear about the sporting success your son has achieved! We have created an online form to collect your submissions. Submissions will be shared on social media and in the newsletter each week. Please note to upload files you will need to use your son's device.
Thank you for your support!
Mr Scott Cowan, Head of Sport & P.E. - cowans@stmaryscollege.com
Jesus Christ Superstar the Musical
As we enter the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday, the significance of performing Jesus Christ Superstar is becoming more apparent each rehearsal. The musical focuses on the events of Holy Week - the last week of Lent - the final seven days of Jesus Christ’s life.
Last Saturday, while being very productive, was also quite emotional. The cast worked on songs focusing on the arrest of Christ and his trial before Pilate where he is sentenced to be crucified. This creates a stage filled with both passionate and poignant moments. The immense presence of all forty-three cast members on stage at the same time in full voice, choreographed beautifully by the creative team of Mr Condon, Mrs Pauli, Mr Tracy, and Ms Cowen, was very powerful.
The commitment and enthusiasm of the cast is to be commended. This will be a show St Mary’s will not forget in a hurry.
Book Online
Tickets are now available for purchase!
Tuckshop Weekly Lunch Plan
The Weekly Lunch Plan will start back up again in Week 4. Please click on the following link to place an order: www.smcmeals.com
Please note the order window does not open until Wednesday afternoon, and will close Sunday evening at 8.00pm.
Sandra Kelly, Tuckshop Manager - kellys@stmaryscollege.com
Ash Wednesday
On Wednesday 17th February, students will particpate in Ash Wednesday. There will be a change to the Tuckshop menu for this Wednesday only. Please see below:
Breakfast
- Scrambled eggs and toast
- Hash browns
- French toast
- Cheese and tomato wraps
Lunch
- Fish and wedges
- Fish bites and wedges
- Fish burger
- Calamari and wedges
- Wedges
Chess Club
Primary and secondary students are welcome to play Chess with Ted Carter in the Library before school from 7.30am on a Thursday morning.
The Irish Brigade
The Irish Brigade (SMC Board Game & Miniatures Club) meets every second Wednesday during the school term in Duhig 23 from 3.15pm until 6.00pm. The next session will be held in Week 4 on Wednesday 17th February.
Gaming provides an opportunity for young men to engage in a social face-to-face activity that is both challenging and exciting. Please see below the benefits the Irish Brigade can provide your son:
- Improves negotiation skills, lateral thinking & planning
- Boosts social interaction & provides an opportunity to develop new friendships
- Enhances applied mathematics & reading skills
- Lessens the generation gap & provides a sense of self worth
- The ability to cope with loss as well as winning
SMC Business Register
Calling all St Mary's College Old Boys and Parents! Do you own a business or work for a business located in the Toowoomba region that would be interested in joining our Business Register?
We are often looking for businesses interested in mentoring, work experience, school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, fundraising and sponsorship!
If this sounds like you, please fill out the following form.
