SMC NEWS 2022 - Term 3 Week 9
Principal's Note
Dear Parents and Carers,
Father's Day
The tradition of Father’s Day is owed to an American woman Sonora Smart who was the daughter of a Civil War veteran named William Jackson Smart. William Jackson Smart returned home from the war having fought in the 1862 battle of Pea Ridge during the Civil War.
William was a farmer who lived near Spokane, Washington. He and his wife Ellen Victoria Cheek raised a family of six children. Ellen died in childbirth in 1898 giving birth to her last son Marshall. They had five boys and one daughter named Sonora. Sanora was the first born and was 16 years old when her mother died. She helped her father raise the boys and grew to admire her father’s ability, devotion and love as a parent since he refused to remarry and raise his family himself. Sonora was aware of Mothers’ Day which was quickly becoming a tradition and thought that Fathers like hers also deserved a day of national recognition. I’m not sure if she was the first daughter to buy her dad a tie for Father’s Day or not, but the tradition of Father’s Day is credited to her.
Over the years her campaign became what is now our modern Father’s Day, although it was not set on June 5th which was her father’s birthday it was to be fixed to the third Sunday in June (Father's Day in USA).
In 1972, President Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father’s Day to be held on the 3rd Sunday of June each year. The first Father’s Day was celebrated June 19, 1910 in Spokane, WA. Sonora Smart Dodd was honored at the World's Fair in Spokane, Washington in 1974. Sonora Louise Smart Dodd died on Mar. 22, 1978 at the age of ninety-six. She rests in Greenwood Memorial Terrace, Spokane Washington, USA.
(Story by Marc Aarssen)
Exam Preparation
As we move into a key preparation time for exams, it is a useful time to recall a number of strategies that help to prepare our boys for high performance during this assessment phase.
There are a number of strategies that work. However, I believe that it is important for students to try a few of these strategies to understand what is right for each person.
However, there are a few key points that work for everyone. It is important for each student to show some "grit". In academic terms, grit in this context means perseverance and passion for long-term goals. This means that sometimes in our preparation for assessments, we may encounter barriers or roadblocks. It takes some thinking a strength to pass through these and to keep moving forward with the final goal in sight.
Study Notes
I can't stress enough the importance of preparing good study notes, whatever the year level your son is in. Study notes are a summary of the key learnings which are relevant for the assessment that he is doing. For example, if your son is studying for a Chemistry exam in Year 11, he would prepare a separate book of study notes which is a summary of the key points relevant for the exam.
The Cornell Notetaking system is encouraged by St Mary's College and is used in many subjects. It is useful because of clarity of the system, and the encouragement to re-read notes and to create a summary in the bottom third of the page. A typical Cornell page in any subject could look like the page below:
Learning Styles
Most of us have a preferred way of learning. Get to know the learning style you're most comfortable with and study in the ways you learn best. Note that these styles are just a way to think about different studying techniques – they are not hard and fast rules that say you should only study in one way. Try each of these out and see which ways you prefer.
- Auditory learners prefer to learn by listening. Try reading your notes aloud and discussing them with other people. You might like to record key points and play them back. All IPads and Phones have some type of sound recorder which can be played back and saved at convenience.
- Visual learners prefer to learn by seeing. Boys should try using colours in your notes and draw diagrams to help represent key points. You could try to remember some ideas as images. Plenty of white space on pages helps in key notes standing out at the right times.
- Tactile/Kinaesthetic learners prefer to learn by doing. Try using techniques like role-playing or "walking" while reading and revising key points.
Place, Time and Music!
Everyone has their own idea about the best place and time to study. Whether it's a bedroom at night or the library after school, finding a study space and a regular study time that works for you is important to settle on at this stage of the term.
- Set up your study space – A study space should be quiet, comfortable and distraction-free. It should make a student feel happy and inspired.
- Find your best time – Some people work better in the morning. Others work better at night. Students need to work out which time suits them and plan to study during these times.
- Music - It is well established in research that very few people can properly study while listening to music. Music, phones and social media can be used as a reward after the hard work of study is completed.
Peace,
Mr Brendan Stewart, College Principal - principal@stmaryscollege.com
What's On: Term 3, Weeks 9 & 10
Upcoming Events
OLD BOYS' BALL - 17 September
Student Engagement News
Some parenting tips from Maggie Dent
I saw this one on my FB feed this morning and thought it was too good not to share -
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 Dept 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 Renee O’Sullivan
Mr David Seng
Mr Russell Craymer
This week is Child Protection Week across the country and it a great opportunity to highlight the importance of speaking up if you 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.
College Counsellor: Renee O'Sullivan
College Counsellor: David Seng
Mrs Samantha Parle, Assistant Principal - Student Engagement - parles@stmaryscollege.com
Primary News
Wow, it is the end of the Term already. This term has flown by, and the boys deserve a well-earned rest. We have had a great time in the Primary this term and are looking forward to seeing everyone back next term. It will be especially significant for our Year 6 boys as we get ready to celebrate their Primary journey and transition to Secondary schooling.
Some events that have been happening in the Primary over the past few weeks include:
Merit Successes
We have had an outstanding number of Primary students receiving merits this term. The following boys below have received over 10 merits this term individually and got to celebrate with a certificate and doughnut. Well done boys. We can’t wait to see your achievements next term. Pictured below are Logan Timbrell, Xavier Bowdler, Tom Smith, Asher Miller and Alex Ebenestelli. Archer Woods has also received 10 merits but was absent for the photo.
Wayne Beeston Cup
On Thursday last week the Primary Rugby League Team played against Mater Dei and had a comprehensive win. The boys will now travel to Brisbane on the 9th of September to verse regional winners in a Brisbane competition. Thank you to their committed coach Mr Steer and thanks to Mr Harkins for organizing the event again for Toowoomba schools to participate in.
RU Ok Day
Wednesday the boys celebrated RU Ok Day with the Certificate III Business boys. The Certificate III boys organised some activities for the Grade 6 classes and the boys also participated in yoga, colouring, and face painting to raise money for RU Ok Day. The yoga was particularly beneficial as it taught the boys about being kind and compassionate and being supported by their mates. The boys had a wonderful time, and it was great to see them coming together to enjoy an important cause.
Year 5 Classrooms
The Year 5 boys have been working hard on their assessment pieces for the term. A significant item the boys completed was their icons of Mary, our school’s namesake. The boys worked well to draw an image of Mary, Mother of Jesus, and use colours that represented her significance before writing an explanation about their icon. Well done boys they all look beautiful!
Cultural Showcase
On the 13th September, (Tuesday Week 10), St Mary’s College Cultural Showcase will be held in the Edmund Rice Cultural Centre. This is a combination of the Art Show (which has previously been held in the Brothers House), the Music Ensemble’s Concert for Term 3 and the Drama Showcase. Students studying Music and Drama will perform throughout the evening to accompany the Gallery of art showcased.
The evening will commence at 5:00pm where the Art Gallery is open to browse, which has been curated by our Senior Art Students.
5.00 – Doors open - Art Gallery is open for viewing
5:30 – Official Welcome
5.40 - Session 1 (Music & Drama)
6.20 - Intermission (Art Gallery & Food Service)
6.50 - Session 2 (Music & Drama)
7.30 - Art Awards & Thank you speeches
7.45 - Event concludes
Tickets are available to be booked for tickets for all guests attending as soon as possible by clicking this link:
https://www.trybooking.com/CCFGE
Careers News
Contact the Careers Team
Please phone the College or email us at smc-careers@stmaryscollege.com to make an appointment (by phone, in person or Microsoft Teams). We’re more than happy to assist you and your son with any queries you may have in areas such as, school-based apprenticeships, work experience, TAFE and university applications, career decision-making or industry connections.
Mr Kris Glass, Career Development Practitioner - glassk@stmaryscollege.com
Mr Paul Barber, Career Support Officer - barberp@stmaryscollege.com
Ms Bronnie Littlewood, Career Support Officer - littlewoodb@stmaryscollege.com
Sport News
Primary CBSQ
On 25th & 26th August, 16 primary students represented the College at the Primary 3x3 CBSQ. This was a great opportunity for the boys and one that the College intends on participating in for years to come.
Early on Thursday & Friday morning (5:30am) the boys, Mr Steer, Mr Pomfrett, Mr Manyok and Mrs Dyne travelled down to Logan Metro Sports Centre. Each team played 4 games on Thursday and 3 games on Friday. They developed in confidence throughout the day. We were fortunate enough to have some Year 9/10 boys volunteer their time to assist as well; Jonte Sheldrick, Sam Moore, Cohen Stockwell, Yel Athian, Kallen Gierkie & Harley Wolski.
Special thanks to Mr Hollis and the Sports Department for enabling this opportunity.
The Hub
Support is available to all students who require assistance with homework, assignments or reviewing current classwork. Support is available 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 get in touch.
Mr Dave Roy, Learning Support Teacher - royd@stmaryscollege.com
School Road Safety Commitment
Notice Board
Principal's Tours
Family or friends considering St Mary's? Term 3 tour dates now available.
