SMC NEWS 2023 - Term 3, Week 6
Week Ahead
From the College Principal
Camping and Retreat Program at St Mary's College
The last fortnight has seen an amazing amount of activity at the College with regards to our Camping and Retreat program. Our camps and retreats offer a great opportunity for growth, challenge and further developing a spiritual understanding of the self. Examples of these have been our recent Year 6 and Year 11 camps that occurred over the past fortnight and our upcoming Year 12 Retreat - almost a cultural ritual at St Mary's College.
I wanted to offer a sincere vote of thanks to our St Mary's College staff on these camps. It is important to recognise that there is no overtime nor time in lieu for the extra time that our staff give on these co-curricular activities. A special thanks to Ms Shari Pauli (Year 6 Camp) and Mr Tim Marsh (Year 11 Camp) for their organisation of the camps and leading the activities. Having spoken to the boys on Year 11 Camp, I am looking forward to working with this group as they move into their final year of schooling. They are already looking like a very positive group in leadership of students at the College.
Year 12 Retreat
Our retreat program has a slightly different intention compared to our College camps. These experiences are meant to be reflective experiences, when students are challenged to think a little more deeply about their journey at the College, their lives and the lives of others. The Year 12 Retreat program has a spiritual element and the activities aim to explore this across the three days. We keep all Year 12 students and staff in our thoughts and prayers as they "retreat" this week together.
Mr Brendan Stewart
College Principal
Deputy Principal
Uniform and School Yard
You may have heard your son talking recently about our current blitz on wearing our uniform well and maintaining a tidy school yard. Both these components hold profound importance in shaping the character and development of our young gentlemen, infusing them with a sense of spirit and pride that goes beyond mere attire and physical space.
The uniform, often seen as a mark of conformity, transcends its external appearance to embody values far more substantial. It serves as a bridge between the individual and the collective, reinforcing a sense of unity and belonging among students. As parents, you might wonder why we emphasize such conformity. It is not to suppress individuality, but rather to channel it in a direction that aligns with the greater good.
Wearing the uniform cultivates discipline, punctuality, and a respect for rules—essential attributes in both academic and real-world contexts. It teaches young minds that they are part of something bigger, instilling the concept of shared responsibility. The uniform symbolizes equality, reminding students that their worth is not determined by superficial differences. It fosters humility by stripping away socio-economic distinctions and encouraging boys to recognise each other's character over appearances.
The school yard, meticulously maintained and tidy, serves as an open space for growth, camaraderie, and learning. It's here that friendships are forged, leadership skills are honed, and a sense of community flourishes. A tidy environment reflects our commitment to order, respect, and responsibility, values we aim to instill in our students.
A neat school yard isn't just about aesthetics; it's a microcosm of life itself. It's where our boys learn to navigate challenges, share victories, and support one another in setbacks. Engaging in outdoor activities encourages physical fitness, teamwork, and an appreciation for the environment. When the school yard is tidy, students are more likely to take ownership of their surroundings, fostering a culture of respect and pride.
Nurturing spirit and pride through the uniform and a tidy school yard goes beyond the superficial. It's about nurturing well-rounded individuals who carry themselves with dignity, respect their peers, and understand the importance of shared spaces. Our goal is to raise young men who are not only academically accomplished but also compassionate, responsible, and mindful citizens.
As we continue this journey together, we invite you to join us in celebrating the essence of our all-boys school: unity, discipline, pride, and a commitment to a tidy environment. Let us reinforce these values within our boys, ensuring they emerge as leaders ready to make a positive impact on the world.
Mr Stephen Monk
Deputy Principal
monks@stmaryscollege.com
Identity
Year 12 Retreat
By the time you read this, our Year 12 cohort and our staff will be at the Sunshine Coast for the annual Year 12 Retreat.
This is an important rite of passage as our boys continue on their Year 12 journey towards graduation.
The boys do a lot of work over the course of the retreat to prepare them for all of the opportunities, joys and challenges that life will give them.
We really hope it is an uplifting and affirming time, which they will not forget.
We would like to invite you as parents and carers to the Year 12 retreat return event at the ERCC on Friday 18th August from 4.30-6.00pm.
This is a great chance to hear about all that we did on retreat, catch up with your son and share some refreshments.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Upcoming Identity dates:
Year 12 Retreat: Wednesday 16- Friday 18th August
Year 12 Parents reception Friday 18th August at ERCC 4.30pm to 6pm approx.
Rosies: Friday 18th August 4pm-7pm. Meet at St Joseph’s Convent Building at St Thomas More’s Parish, South Street.
Mentor Liturgies: Due to Multicultural Week events, these liturgies have been pushed to Term 4.
Rosies: Friday 25th August 4pm-7pm. Meet at St Joseph’s Convent Building at St Thomas More’s Parish, South Street.
Mr Kevin Murphy
Assistant Principal Identity
murphyk@stmaryscollege.com
Curriculum
Academic Awards Assembly
Thomas Edison is attributed with over 1000 unsuccessful attempts at creating the light bulb. And he said, ‘I haven’t failed 1000 times, I’ve successfully found 1000 ways that will not work’.
At the Academic Awards assembly this week, I spoke to the boys about failure. They must understand that we all fail from time to time, or as Edison put it, we successfully find a way that doesn’t work. But failure does not have to be an endpoint. Every time we fail at something, we learn. We improve. As long as they keep trying and don’t give up, one day they will be successful.
Please discuss with your son this week something that they feel they have failed at. It might be a specific class, or content, or something from outside of their school life. Discuss the strategies they’ve tried so far to have success in this area, and what they could try going forward. Most of all, help them to understand that, the only time they can’t afford to fail, is the last time they try. They should never give up seeking success.
Mr Mark Watson
Assistant Principal Curriculum
watsonm@stmaryscollege.com
Director of 5-9 Curriculum
Drafting
Assessments are an extension of the work completed in class, allowing students to demonstrate their application of the skills and knowledge acquired this term.
Drafting is a very important part of the assessment process. When students submit drafts to their teachers for feedback and guidance, the submission should be the student’s best possible response to the task. This way, the teacher can provide the best possible feedback to the student.
Students are reminded to be organised to complete full drafts by the required draft date. Teacher feedback on drafts will vary from task to task and is generally subject-specific, meaning that how a teacher drafts in English will differ from how another teacher drafts in Maths.
Year 7-10 students who are unable to submit assessments on time and have a valid reason for requiring a revised assessment date should collect an extension form from the Junior Curriculum Office and complete and return the form to their teacher with any supporting documentation at least 3 days before the assessment is due.
In Senior School, planned student absences during assessment time require QCAA approval and must be accompanied by supporting documentation.
Drafting at St Mary’s is a compulsory process that all students are expected to participate in. If students struggle or find the drafting process challenging, I encourage them to contact their classroom teacher as soon as possible.
Academic Awards Assembly
Earlier this week, we had the opportunity to recognise our Bronze, Silver, and Gold Academic award recipients for both NAPLAN testing and Semester One results. It’s fantastic to see the number of our award recipients continue to grow each year. This is a testament to the work of our students and the support of our teachers, staff and parents.
Mrs Jade Love
Director of 5-9 Curriculum
lovej@stmaryscollege.com
Student Engagement
Uniform Expectations and Support
The College guidelines for student presentation can be found in detail at this link on the College website. However, we understand that there are sometimes going to be instances when students attend school with parts of their uniform missing, for a range of reasons. If this is the case for your son, these are the steps to follow, and the supports we offer:
- Boys should carry a note from their parent/carer that states the issue, and gives an indication of when the issue might be fixed.
- If a note is not possible (for example, he doesn’t realise he’s left his hat behind until he gets to school) a student should see his House Leader as soon as possible after he arrives at school.
- House Leaders have a collection of ‘loan items’ that boys can borrow for the day.
- In order to borrow an item of uniform, the student will be asked to complete a Uniform Plan. This details the issue and helps them to make a plan to prevent that issue in the future.
- Uniform Plans are recorded in our system so that we can pick up on any patterns or trends, allowing the Student Engagement Team to implement further supports if necessary.
Students who continue to wear the uniform incorrectly, despite support from their Mentor and their House Leader, may face further consequences.
Behavioural expectations, consequences and transparency
In a school as large as ours, maintaining clear expectations with regard to student behaviour can be a challenge. Our teachers and teacher aides maintain high expectations in the classroom to protect the teaching and learning environment. Similarly, the expectations in the playground during breaks are frequently addressed on assemblies and in conversations with students. In the situation where there is a significant issue – such as a fight, or vaping – the Student Engagement Team takes responsibility for the investigation and the implementation of consequences.
Please be aware that the small segment of an incident that your son might see is usually just that – a small segment. It is the role of the SET to investigate issues so that we can firstly, ensure the safety of the students involved, and secondly, address any poor choices with an appropriate consequence. When this occurs, we are careful to protect the privacy and dignity of the students involved. As a result, the outcomes of our investigations and consequences are not published to the College community. In fact, the outcomes of our investigations are only discussed with the families of the boys involved, and the only staff who are informed are the teachers of those boys.
If you hear second-hand information about issues here at the College, I would advise you to listen with some caution as you are very likely to be hearing only part of the story.
The SMC Behaviour Support Plan can be found on the College website.
Mrs Samantha Parle
Assistant Principal Student Engagement
parles@stmaryscollege.com
Business Manager
College Fees
Hello St Mary’s Community,
Time is flying, and we're already deep into the term. A quick reminder for those on Direct Debit or payment plans: let's ensure your St Mary’s College account is at zero by term-end.
Account Check:
Please spare a moment to monitor your account. For Direct Debit or payment plans, ensure payments are on track for a smooth term-end.
Why it Matters:
A cleared account benefits all. It fulfills obligations and streamlines College operations for a better student experience.
Our Review Process:
Accounts are under review. If you're facing a potential imbalance, our team will reach out with solutions.
Action Steps:
- Check Your Account: review your last statement and plan.
- Plan Ahead: Adjust plans if needed for a cleared term-end account.
- Stay Tuned: Watch for emails from finance for updates.
Thank you for your prompt attention.
Mr Patrick Wilson
Business Manager
wilsonp@stmaryscollege.com