SMC NEWS 2023 - Term 2, Week 1
Week Ahead
From the College Principal
Welcome Back to Term 2
Smiles, energy and keenness - this is what I saw in my first walk around this morning for Term 2! The beginning of term brings hope for improvement in all walks of school life and in Toowoomba, cooler weather. Together, we look forward to working together to build upon our boys' Term 1 learning results.
"Big Fish" Musical Production
We have a huge week with our musical theatre production "Big Fish", premiering on Thursday night.
I firmly believe every boy should have the experience of being in a musical, at least once in his life! Under the direction of our Drama and Visual Art Leader, Mr John Condon, Big Fish is the culmination of many months of rehearsals involving about 50 boys, girls and several teachers and friends of the community.
A musical theatre production provides many learning opportunities for the students involved. It is a celebration of the special gifts and talents of our students in singing, dancing and performing. It provides an opportunity for "real-time" feedback from a live audience and to develop the organisation and resilience at a time when academic work and social and sporting commitments need a place also!
I would also like to pay tribute to our partner girls' schools, St Saviour's and St Ursula's Colleges and thank the girls for bringing their best to our community during the time of the production. From what I have seen from the quality of the rehearsals and previews, we can rightly claim to be the leaders in the production of school musicals in the region.
Many thanks to all involved, especially those support and teaching staff and parents and carers who have given their personal time to bring the show to fruition.
New Teaching Staff
At the end of last term, we were sad to see the resignation of Mitch Koina, Tammy Banks, Madigan Paine and Megan Habchi. I want to thank these staff for their contribution to the St Mary's College community.
We have been very fortunate to recruit experienced staff members from across the local area and I will make some further announcements about the new staff next week. I appreciate your patience over the next couple of weeks as these class changes occur.
I am looking forward to seeing many of you at St Mary's College over the next week as "Big Fish" premieres!
Tickets are still available here: https://www.trybooking.com/CFGYT
Have a wonderful week,
Mr Brendan Stewart,
College Principal
Deputy Principal
Upcoming Events
Parent Teacher interviews
On Monday our Parent teacher interviews run providing you with an opportunity to catch up with your son’s teachers and find out how they are progressing. To facilitate this, our classes finish at 1.12pm, the conclusion of lesson 3. You are able to pick your son/s up at this time. Supervision in the library is also provided until 3.05pm as required.
Cross Country
Next Friday we will host the postponed event. This is the event we were originally holding on the last day of term 1 at Kearneys Spring. The threat of lightning forced our hand. Kearneys Spring is booked out this term and as a result we are hosting the event at school. We are planning a great day for the boys with plenty of activities outside their race.
Mr Stephen Monk
Deputy Principal
monks@stmaryscollege.com
Identity
Anzac Day
This Monday 24th April, the College will hold the annual ANZAC Liturgy. This is always a wonderful expression of our appreciation of those in the military who have served our country at home and abroad over the years. It is also a commemoration and remembrance of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in all conflicts.
The ANZAC Liturgy is a formal event, attended by many dignitaries and VIP guests. Therefore, the highest standard of uniform and conduct is necessary. Students should wear full academic uniform with polished shoes. Hair should be neat and tidy, and they should be clean shaven.
Students should report to Mentor classes where their uniforms will be checked before proceeding to the College Oval for the ceremony itself.
The ceremony opens with a march from the Brothers House to the Oval. If you have or have had a family member who is a returned serviceman/woman, please encourage your son to be involved in this march wearing their service medals. Students who would like to be involved are asked to contact Mr Murphy or Mrs Armstrong.
Mr Kevin Murphy
Assistant Principal Identity
murphyk@stmaryscollege.com
Curriculum
Assessment Integrity Centre
The Assessment Integrity Centre (AIC) has been up and running for a term now and while it has been a steep learning curve for some of our students, I believe we are beginning to see the improvements in student attitudes toward assessment we had hoped for when developing the new assessment guidelines for the College.
As a reminder, students are required to attend the AIC for one of three reasons:
- Failure to submit a draft of an appropriate standard by the due date
- Failure to submit a final response by the due date
- Engaging in Academic Misconduct
Behaviours that constitute academic misconduct include cheating under supervised conditions, collusion, plagiarism, etc.
The AIC runs each Wednesday afternoon from 1.00pm – 3.00pm and is an opportunity for students to complete the work required of them so they don’t fall further behind. It is not a consequence for students who are not able to reach a passing grade despite their best efforts. We acknowledge that some students struggle in some subjects and for this reason the AIC is a consequence for students failing to apply themselves, rather than failing to perform on a task.
The hope remains that the implementation of the AIC will help students form better habits in the long term enabling them to achieve academic results.
The Curriculum team greatly appreciates the support we’ve received from parents in ensuring students attend the AIC when they are issued. Having this support reinforces to your son that giving your best effort at school is an expectation of both yourself and the school and we are working together to ensure they produce their best work.
Mr Mark Watson
Assistant Principal Curriculum
watsonm@stmaryscollege.com
Student Engagement
Back to School
First day of school always brings mixed results – those who are super-keen to see everyone and get back into the work of the Term and those who are struggling with alarms, getting dressed and functioning as a human being. The routines of school life are the priority this week – putting just a bit of effort into some helpful habits can help to make every school day easier. Boys are encouraged to organise themselves the night before – get uniforms ready, pack lunch, charge devices – so that they can start each new day in a positive and productive frame of mind.
From this Term on, we will not be allowing any aerosol cans here at St Mary’s College. This restriction is to protect the health and wellbeing of all of our boys and staff, but particularly those who suffer with respiratory conditions such as asthma. Boys who feel that they need extra deodorant during the day are advised to bring a roll-on option. Any aerosol cans will be confiscated.
What’s Fair? The theme for the first part of this term will be challenging boys to think about what is fair. Our boys generally have a strong sense of justice, but it can often be a little self-centred. We will be asking to boys to think about ‘fair’ in a more universal and community sense as we move through this term.
Mrs Samantha Parle
Assistant Principal Student Engagement
parles@stmaryscollege.com
Business Manager
Dear valued parents and caregivers, a reminder that Term 2 fees are due by 28th April 2023. Your timely payment is greatly appreciated.
If you are experiencing financial hardship, please contact me on the details below.
Mr Patrick Wilson
Business Manager
wilsonp@stmaryscollege.com
New Parent Portal App
We are excited to announce that our new Parent Portal App is now available for parents to access.
To access the app please follow these steps:
- Open App Store or Google Play
- Search "St Mary's Toowoomba"
- Download the app (picture below)
The app includes important information and a live calendar with event information, that will act as our point of truth moving forward.
