SMC NEWS 2022 - Term 4, Week 1

In Our Prayers

Jim Madden (1946-1955), has sadly passed away. Husband of Doreen and Brother of Kevin, Dinny, Terry (deceased), Margaret and Mary.

Rest in Peace Old Boy John Drew (1957-1965). Son of Bill and Molly Drew (both deceased). Husband of Morris, Pat, Tony (deceased), Peter and Greg.

Mary-Rose (Gilbert) Fitzgerald has sadly passed away. Wife of Old Boy Bart, Sister of Annette, Father of Michael, John (deceased) and Frank.

Principal's Note

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to all of our boys and families for what promises to be an exciting and productive final term at St Mary's College for 2022.  Could I ask you all please to make a special effort in keeping up to date with information from the College, especially through our emails.  We continue to review our systems to find the most efficient way of communicating with you. We appreciate your support with this and look forward to continuing to work with you this year. 

Term 3 Interim Reports

Most importantly, if you have not had an opportunity to view your son's Interim Report on Sentral, please do so at your earliest convenience.  These results, apart from being an important marker in assessing progress, are the final piece in the puzzle for the College's academic awards for 2022. I am happy to say that the reports are a strong reflection of the progress that your son is making this term and year. If you have any queries about the report, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Mark Watson, our AP Curriculum, at the College.

Please be aware of the email sent in the last week of Term 3 about the reports.  If for any reason you cannot access your son's report, please advise the office who will be able to assist.

Staffing update

I would like to welcome the following new staff members to the College starting this week.

Mr Aidan Watterson

Mr Watterson returns to St Mary's College after taking an opportunity in England with his cricket.  Speaking with him today, he is looking forward to getting back into teaching at the College and being involved with the cricket program also.

Ms Tyhla Roper

Ms Roper is returning from maternity leave to her role in Public Relations.  She is working 4 days per week.  We also welcome Ms Petra Barnes, currently on staff at the College, into the Events and Engagement role.  We look forward to seeing what the new team can bring to the promotion of the College in the coming weeks and months.  Tyhla also has key responsibilities for the College Magazine and other publications such as Conanti Corona, in addition to her work with marketing and the foundation area of the College.  We wish Tyhla well in the coming weeks in getting settled back into College life!

Ms Jacqui Donaldson

We also welcome back to the College Jacqui Donaldson, who returns to Student Reception Mondays – Wednesdays each week.

Events Spotlight

Thankyou to Mr Marty Hollis and many other staff involved who led the College Basketball team to their recent trip to the CBSQ carnival.  We also look forward to hearing some excellent results in the All Schools Touch carnival this week, also on the Gold Coast. Thank you also to Russell Baldock, Sam Dibley and Jennifer Guild who took part in the External Exam Preparation Program (EEPP) over the holidays to help prepare our Year 12 students for the ATAR exams upcoming.  Also thank you to Oliver Stewart who took our new school leaders to an Ed Lead conference over the holidays. Below are photos of Brother Damien and myself, presenting Mr Oliver Stewart and Year 11 students, Daryll Quijas and Mykhailo (Misha) Marushchak a badge following the conference.

My Reflection this week

St Mary's College - Year 12 Retreat

A Prayer for our Year 12 Students to Mary

As you would be aware, this is a critical time for our Year 12 students, staff and parents and carers in preparation for ATAR exams and final assessment.  I would like to offer a prayer of support to our boys and ask for the support of Mary in the coming days. 

I look forward to congratulating our students in the coming weeks as their final chapter at the College comes to an end.

Dear Mary,

Keep our Year 12 boys and staff in your care in the coming days in exam and final assessments.

Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Live Jesus in our Hearts,

Forever.

Peace,

Mr Brendan Stewart, College Principal

First Day of Term 4

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What's On: Term 4, Weeks 1 & 2

Student Engagement

Uniform and Haircut Guidelines

Please see below the St Mary's College uniform and haircut guidelines. The academic uniform at St Mary's consists of:

• Shirts in and socks up
• Dark coloured socks
• Plain belt
• Tie (all day)

The sports uniform consists of:

• Uniform only (no variations)
• SMC or white socks

It is now expected that students carry their hat with them all day and wear it before school, at breaks, when moving between classes and after school. The College bag is also compulsory. No other school bags are permitted.

We would appreciate your assistance with ensuring all students are dressed appropriately for school each day.

House Points

House points can be awarded to a student for:

• Merits
• Excursions
• Sports teams
• Music groups
• Outreach activities
• Any extra-curricular activities

House points can be awarded to a house for:

• Attendance numbers on key days
• Winning a carnival
• Achieving a collective goal

Please see below the leaderboard for Term 4 so far. Bowdler is off to a tremendous start!

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

Primary News

Welcome back to the final term of 2022. What a year it has been. The boys have all amazed me at the growth they have shown since the beginning of the year, and I look forward to seeing their achievements throughout the next 9 weeks.

Term 4 is traditionally very busy, and this term continues that tradition.

Swimming

Our physical education program this term is swimming. The swimming program will be delivered by the Glennie Aquatic Centre and its qualified instructors. Boys will walk to the Glennie Pool with supervision provided by the primary teachers.

Swimming lessons will commence on the first Friday of Week 1, Term 4 and will continue as follows:

-       Friday 7th October (week 1) 

-       Friday 14th October (week 2)

-       Friday 21st October (week 3)

-       Friday 4th November (week 5)

 -      Friday 11th November (Week 6)

Classes, 6B, 5B and 5W will swim from 9.00am – 9.45am.

Classes 6G, 5G and 6W will swim from 9.45am – 10.30am.

Please ensure the boys have appropriate swimwear for the pool, a sun-safe shirt to wear over their togs to wear to Glennie Aquatic Centre, slides/thongs to walk to the pool, goggles, and a towel.

Year 5 Camp

Year 5 Camp will run from Monday the 7^th of November to Wednesday the 9^th of November at Camp Laurence Outdoor Education Centre at Moogerah Dam. If you have not returned your permission form, can you please do this as soon as possible? This is a great opportunity for the Year 5 cohort to come together as a group before transitioning to Year 6. If you have any questions about the camp, please email me at paulis@stmaryscollege.com.

Primary Social Afternoon

St Mary’s will be hosting the Year 5 and 6 girls from Glennie on Friday the 21^st of October for a social afternoon. If you would like your son to attend, please ensure you return the permission slip by the 12^th of October for catering purposes. The afternoon will be numerous games followed by a sausage sizzle. It is an excellent opportunity for the boys to socialise outside of their regular school environment.

Specialist Lessons – Term 4

I have included each class’ specialist lessons in the timetable below. Please ensure you take note of when your son needs to bring his library books and music instrument. All students will need to also have their instrument on Wednesdays for their instrumental lessons.

As always if you have any questions or would like to reach out and talk about anything regarding your son, please contact me.

Thanks,

Mrs Shari Pauli, Head of Primary - paulis@stmaryscollege.com

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

Congratulations to the students who competed in the 2022 Primary Development Cup, Darling Downs competition.

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

The Musical 'Big Fish'

St Mary’s College 2023 musical Big Fish – School Edition will commence rehearsals this Friday, 7th October. The cast will meet for the first time to get to know each other, have a script read and play a few drama games. We are pleased to announce a cast of 38, with students successfully cast as:

Mrs Chantler's Pink Day

Transport Assistance Scheme

Road Safety Initiative

In a world-first road safety initiative, new speed camera technology will soon target speeding 
drivers at selected school zones across Queensland. Everyone has a role in keeping our roads safe.

It is imperative drivers reduce their speed to the signed 40 km/h speed limit and be aware of activity by students on or near the road. 

Speed cameras will only operate during school zone times at the selected schools. 

Parents, and carers dropping off or picking up students are urged to comply with school zone 
speed limits. Those who slow down will not be penalised.

Department of Transport & Main Roads

Notice Board

Principal's Tours

Family or friends considering St Mary's College? Term 4 tour dates now available.