SMC NEWS 2023 - Term 2, Week 9
Week Ahead
From the College Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
As an Edmund Rice Associate School, we are fortunate to have links with other Edmund Rice schools in Queensland, Australia and around the globe! Globally, the wider Edmund Rice network has over 300 schools.
As an example, St Mary's College, Toowoomba, has historical and cultural links with the following schools:
- Nudgee College, Brisbane
- Gregory Terrace College, Brisbane
- Ignatius Park College, Townsville
- Waverly College, Sydney
- Adelaide CBC
- CBC Fremantle
Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders (EREBB)
EREBB is an International network of Catholic schools educating young people from many different faiths and cultures. EREBB is inspired by the teachings of Jesus, Gospel values and the spirit of Edmund Rice. In over 25 countries they endeavour to promote global solidarity and offer a transformational education for justice and liberation. EREBB was inaugurated in May 2014 when leaders representing Edmund Rice Education gathered in Nairobi, Kenya to establish an inclusive international network of Edmund Rice educational communities.
To add to this tradition, I am proud to announce that St Mary's College, Toowoomba, has a formal partnership with St John's College in Cape Town as part of EREBB. St John's is a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice Tradition from South Africa! I want to thank Mr Kevin Murphy who has brought this partnership to life through our participation in Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders, and Mr Brian Garrone (EREBB) for his support. This partnership will provide more opportunities for our students and staff in the future. Our first online "meeting" with St John's occurs on 20th June this year and will involve staff and students from the College.
Have a wonderful week,
Mr Brendan Stewart
College Principal
Deputy Principal
Holiday Jobs
As the holidays approach, now is the time to start thinking about some chores your son/s could do on the holidays. This will help you and also benefit your son. Engaging teenage boys in chores offers numerous benefits that contribute to their personal growth and development. Here are some key reasons why chores are good for teenage boys:
Responsibility: Assigning chores teaches teenage boys the importance of taking responsibility for their actions and their role within the family. By completing household tasks, they learn to be accountable for their contributions and develop a sense of responsibility that will serve them well in their future endeavours.
Life Skills: Chores provide an opportunity for teenage boys to learn essential life skills. Tasks such as cooking, cleaning, or laundry teach them practical knowledge that they will need as they become more independent. These skills not only benefit them in managing their own households in the future, but also contribute to their overall self-sufficiency and confidence.
Work Ethic: Engaging in chores helps teenage boys develop a strong work ethic. By regularly completing assigned tasks, they learn the value of hard work, perseverance, and commitment. This work ethic translates to other areas of their lives, including academics, extracurricular activities, and future career pursuits.
Teamwork and Cooperation: Chores provide an opportunity for teenage boys to work together with family members, fostering teamwork and cooperation. They learn to collaborate, communicate, and contribute to a shared goal, which are valuable skills in various social and professional settings.
Appreciation and Respect: By participating in chores, teenage boys gain a greater appreciation for the effort and dedication required to maintain a clean and organised home. They develop respect for the work that others do and learn to value the contributions of each family member.
In conclusion, engaging teenage boys in chores instills responsibility, teaches life skills, cultivates a strong work ethic, promotes teamwork, and fosters appreciation and respect. Chores are an integral part of their development, preparing them for the responsibilities and challenges they will face in adulthood.
Bus Passes
A couple of our boys are currently forgetting to purchase bus passes and Bus Queensland has informed me they may refuse service to repeat offenders. I have attached the form for a Bus travel pass.
Mr Stephen Monk
Deputy Principal
monks@stmaryscollege.com
Identity
Bishops Inservice Day
On Friday 28th July, the staff of the eastern part of the Diocese will gather in the Edmund Rice Cultural Centre for Bishop’s Inservice Day.
This is an annual refocusing of our role as staff of Toowoomba Catholic Schools and as Catholic educators in general. The last few years of Bishops Inservice Day have been online due to COVID.
We at St Mary’s College are proud to host the first in person event since 2019. This pride is amplified as it will be, the most Reverend Ken Howell’s first Bishop’s Inservice Day as the newly appointed Bishop of Toowoomba.
We would like to invite any boys who are altar servers in their parishes to make themselves known to us, so that they can play their part in this important event for our College.
Mr Kevin Murphy
Assistant Principal Identity
murphyk@stmaryscollege.com
Curriculum
Curriculum Leader Spotlight - Marty Hollis
1. If you could teach any subject other than the one you currently teach, what would it be and why?
Mathematics – I like Math and enjoy teaching Math that is required in many jobs that people take for granted.
Aerospace – Drones are fascinating and innovative. They are currently pushing the envelope in many sectors.
2. If you could travel back in time and attend a historical event or period, which one would you choose and why?
I would like to go back and see how the world was changing during the industrial revolution. I am intrigued by the rapid technological advancements and the influence it had on human beings.
3. If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have three items with you, what would they be and why?
Fishing Gear – If I could lump together to form a technicality that would be ideal (fishing rod & reel, hook, possibly spear or net) would greatly assist the ability to catch fish.
Swiss Army knife.
Warm clothing.
4. What is the most inspiring or rewarding aspect of being a teacher for you?
Rewarding – The ability to interact with students through conversation. It is rewarding when you know a student has grasped a concept or will succeed in life because they possess traits of being thoughtful, respectful and have a vision or passion to work in a particular industry or occupation.
Inspiring – I enjoy challenging students to improve their deep-level learning (metacognitive). I love when students engage with current views, examine those views and then challenge that ideology appropriately through a variety of lenses. It innovates, informs, and develops skills that are required in current society.
5. If you were to create a motto or slogan for your teaching style, what would it be?
Don’t live to exist, exist to live!
Mr Mark Watson
Assistant Principal Curriculum
watsonm@stmaryscollege.com
Director of 5-9 Curriculum
Academic Celebrations
As Term Two draws to a close, I wanted to inform you about our upcoming events that celebrate the incredible academic achievements of our students in the previous semester. In Term 3, we will hold our Academic Awards Ceremony, High Achiever Morning Tea, and Commitment to Learning Awards.
The Semester One Academic Award ceremony will take place during our Assumption Mass (Week 6, Term 3). This event is a special occasion where we come together as a school community to recognise and honor the outstanding academic growth of our students. It is an opportunity for us to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and intellectual growth throughout the semester.
During the ceremony, we will be presenting the prestigious Bronze, Silver, and Gold Academic Awards. It is important to note, students who receive an Academic Award in both Semesters One and Two within a calendar year are also presented with an academic badge during our Semester Two Academic Awards which is held in Term 1 the following year. I’m always pleased to see many of our students proudly wearing their academic badges on their uniforms, symbolising students’ exceptional commitment, outstanding grades, and genuine passion for learning.
Commitment to Learning Award
Held on Thursday 20th July, our Commitment to Learning Award recognises students who show diligence and commitment to their studies. To receive the Commitment to Learning Award, students are to meet the following criteria:
- Learning Attributes consisting of only "Good" or “Very Good”.
- Minimum of 95% attendance.
High Achiever Morning Tea
Students across Years 5 – 12 at the College who demonstrate dedication towards their studies in Term 2 will be recognised at our High Achievers’ Afternoon Tea. Held on Friday 21st July, the event celebrates students who demonstrate high results and aptitude toward their learning. Specifically, to receive the High Achiever Award, students are to meet the following criteria:
- A minimum of four A’s.
- Learning Attributes consisting of only ‘Good’ or “Very Good”.
- Minimum of 95% attendance.
*Please note students who receive a High Achiever Award are not eligible for the Commitment to Learning Award.
Mrs Jade Love
Years 5-9 Curriculum Leader
lovej@stmaryscollege.com
Student Engagement
Leadership is...
There are quite a few conversations happening here at the College around the concept and work of leadership. Through the launch of our Footsteps of Jesus program, we are discovering the range of ways that our boys and young men are demonstrating their leadership capabilities outside of school. Our Year 6 leaders have well and truly settled into their roles and are continuing to be exemplary role models for their peers. Our Student Voice group has recently visited Brisbane City Hall to hear from a panel of community leaders discuss their philanthropy.
The Year 11 group are studying leadership concepts in their Skills program, as they prepare for their Leadership Camp and 2024 student leadership process in Term 3. The existing Year 12 Leadership team have set themselves some goals and are actively challenging themselves to be better leaders in our College community. I have great confidence in our young people and I think that they are frequently undervalued by adults, and the mainstream media. I encourage you to look for the leadership capacity in your own son and let him know that you see it.
Mrs Samantha Parle
Assistant Principal Student Engagement
parles@stmaryscollege.com
Business Manager
College Fee Statements
As we approach the end of term, please review your latest statement to ensure that all Term 2 fees are paid in full, unless you are on a payment plan.
If you are experiencing current financial difficulties, please reach out to me to discuss options.
Mr Patrick Wilson
Business Manager
wilsonp@stmaryscollege.com
It’s International Men’s Health week – a week where it is important to raise awareness about men looking after their general health, mental health and overall wellbeing.
Take a listen to this podcast by the Fathering Project! Dr Jason Frishman joined them to discuss fatherhood, masculinity and the importance of mateship amongst men, and especially fathers.
Click the following link to listen: https://thefatheringproject.org/fathering-channel/podcast-mens-health-masculinity-mateship-fatherhood/