SMC NEWS 2023 - Term 3, Week 9
Week Ahead
From the College Principal
Co-Curricular Activity - A Thank you
As the various Football codes finish up for the year, both in school and club-land, I wanted to take a moment to thank a number of people.
St Mary's College faces a number of challenges when deciding what co-curricular activities to be a part of each year. We know that our boys and families love being a part of various sports and other co-curricular pursuits. As a regional town, we rely on the generosity of our teachers to coach, manage and be a part of teams to keep them going. In our system, teachers do not receive extra payment or time off for the work they put in before or after school. Put simply, a sport or a team does not move ahead, unless we have a teacher or an experienced teacher-aide willing to coach or manage the team.
My philosophy around co-curricular activity is that is helps us to provide an holistic education at St Mary's College. I want all of our teams and sports, in particular, to be strong. With this strength, it gives us the greatest opportunity for more boys to be involved and for them to benefit from the culture at the College.
I want to thank all of our teachers who volunteer to coach, manage, supervise and lend their particular skillset to boys outside the classroom. Your work is appreciated by the community. Thank you also to our many parents who support and to those who coach various sports in the College! It is because of this community spirit that the school is successful.
Reflection - Pope Francis has named September the Season of Creation.
In Europe, September introduces autumn with leaves that change colour and warmer temperatures in Toowoomba! It is a time of ‘mellow fruitfulness’, a time of gratitude for the beaty of creation with perhaps a touch of melancholy at the coming of winter. This year, of course, it comes at the end of a fearsome heatwave and floods and melting ice that destroyed forests and interrupted lives. Melancholy has given way to anxious concern about the dangers which climate change poses for the future of the planet. In Australia our attention has jumped ahead to the possible effects of an El Niño.
Pope Francis’ Season of Creation sets out to awaken our respect for creation. It invites us to see the world, not as something apart from us, but as a delicate and interlocking set of relationships of which we are part. It invites us to appreciate our world through the lens of God’s love in the making of our world and in all our relationships in it. The Season calls us to be thankful.
The first step in respect is noticing the beauty and delicacy of our world and to be overwhelmed by gratitude for being called by God to be part of it. We realise that we do not own our environment but are part of it. When we attend to the beauty of our world we notice how complex and delicate are the relationships of which we are part. We notice the scent of flowers in spring, the light green of new growth, the plumage of lorikeets and the part that scents and colours have in the drive of nature to perpetuate itself. We notice, too, how nothing is superfluous in nature, nothing is ugly. The fallen bark and dead grasses provide material for birds to nest and mulch in which ants and other insects can find food. Our world is an image of God’s love for us. It is not merely useful for our purposes but in its excess it reminds us of the overwhelming gift of God’s love.
To notice such things and to be grateful for them lie at the heart of our celebration of the season of creation. It is the base line with which our use of God’s gifts of creation must harmonise. It also enables us to recognise and regret the disrespect with which we often treat God’s creation. The pollution, the exploitation and destruction of the rhythms of creation for gain, or even worse for the destruction of the human and natural world through the weapons of war, are not simply mistakes but are blasphemy. Although we know that much of this disrespect is unintended, and perhaps even unnoticed, we grieve to see it.
To notice and celebrate the season of creation reinforces our commitment to respect it. This can take many different forms. We can join campaigns to draw attention to the ways in which creation is disrespected. We can celebrate the beauty of creation and try to embody respect for it in our ordinary lives – in the way in which we travel, eat and sleep, for example, read, sow seeds, wrap and dispose of rubbish. The season of creation is a time to attend to our world, to celebrate its beauty and respect its delicacy, and to join others in coming to its defence.
Mr Brendan Stewart
College Principal
Deputy Principal
Holiday Activities
As our boys relax over the break, I remind them to keep their brains active. The brain is like a muscle and needs continuous stimulation to retain its abilities. A leading Educational researcher, John Hattie notes the negative impact of school holidays on retention of knowledge from previously learnt material. The holidays also provide an opportunity to make time for physical exercise. Another key component for growing optimal brains. Google John Medina and John Ratey if you are interested in reading more about the importance of physical exercise for a healthy brain.
Lastly, I remind students of the benefits of reading good literary fiction. Whilst it is self-evident this can increase your vocabulary, reading also has been shown to increase an important aspect of emotional intelligence. Psychologists David Comer Kidd and Emanuele Castano, at the New School for Social Research in New York, have proved that reading literary fiction enhances the ability to detect and understand other people's emotions, a crucial skill in navigating complex social relationships.
Mr Stephen Monk
Deputy Principal
monks@stmaryscollege.com
Identity
Retreat day for Year 8 Students
In 2023, we have refocused ourselves on Service Learning. As we come to the end of Term 3, I would like to revisit this as we have until the end of term to log service hours, which will contribute to our Service Learning Footsteps of Jesus awards early in Term 4.
Edmund Rice’s whole life’s work - delivering liberating education for the underprivileged boys of Waterford was itself an act of service based on Gospel values and the actions of Christ.
As a Catholic College in the Edmund Rice tradition, we too are called to work in service of others.
One of the great things about service learning is that it is ideal for all boys. There are any number of service works boys could be doing which suit their personality and interests. Anything which is unpaid, in their own time and for the benefit of the community can count. Another excellent aspect of service learning is that it can build 21st Century transferable skills that can be useful in any potential future career.
This week I’d like to share some of these potential positive impacts of service learning. I will share some more in next week’s newsletter.
I do hope that you can have a conversation with your son about getting involved in service learning activities.
Creating Meaningful Impact: As parents, we all want our young people to develop a sense of responsibility and empathy. Service learning gives them the chance to make a real impact on the world around them. Whether they're cleaning up a local park, assisting at Rosies or Vinnies, or helping younger kids with homework or sport, they'll witness the direct results of their efforts, boosting their confidence and sense of achievement.
Learning Beyond the Classroom: We all know that the classroom isn't the only place where learning happens. With service learning, boys get hands-on experience that goes beyond textbooks. They learn practical skills like problem-solving, communication, and teamwork – skills that can't be taught through classwork alone.
Building Character: Service learning is about personal growth. Your boys will face challenges, interact with diverse groups of people, and develop qualities like patience and empathy. These experiences can shape their character, making them more responsible, compassionate individuals.
Please get in touch with me if you have any questions about service learning at St Mary’s College. I would also love to hear from you if you have any ideas for service projects we could run as a College.
Upcoming Identity dates:
Mentor Liturgies: Thursday, Week 9
Deadline for 2023 Service Learning Awards: Friday, Week 10 - all service hours to be logged by this time.
Mr Kevin Murphy
Assistant Principal Identity
murphyk@stmaryscollege.com
Curriculum
Mock Exams
Year 12 students have been participating in Mock exams this week in preparation for their upcoming external exams. The mock exams should be used to direct their study for the short time they have left to prepare for their external. In Week 10, teachers will go through the exam with them.
To maximise their ATAR, Year 12 students need to use the upcoming holiday to study. I have reminded them that if they are heading to university, their Christmas break will be very long, so best to focus on studying for this holiday.
Mr Mark Watson
Assistant Principal Curriculum
watsonm@stmaryscollege.com
Director Years 5-9 Curriculum
Supporting your child's academic success
As we approach a crucial point in the term with upcoming drafts and exams, we want to ensure your child's preparation is thorough and effective. To help with this, we have several valuable resources available, and we want to make sure you're aware of them.
Homework Club: Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, your child can attend our Homework Club held in the Library from 3.00pm to 4.00pm. It's a great opportunity for focused study time.
The Hub: Our Hub is open for students before and after school, as well as during lunch breaks throughout the week. If your child needs a supportive study environment, they can rely on The Hub.
Assessment Calendars: If you're unsure about upcoming assessments, you can find our Assessment Calendars in two places: on the parent app under links and on Sentral. These calendars will keep you informed about what's ahead.
Getting in Touch: If you have any concerns or questions about your child's assessments, feel free to reach out to the subject teacher as the first point of contact. If needed, you can also connect with the Curriculum Leader.
We're here to support your child's journey during this critical time. By working together, we can ensure their success.
Mrs Jade Love
Director of 5-9 Curriculum
lovej@stmaryscollege.com
Student Engagement
Child Protection Week
One of the most important keys to safe and healthy childhoods is to ensure parents and caregivers have the support they need. Raising children is a bit like sailing a boat. But when we experience serious stress – e.g., due to finances, health, isolation, or other problems – raising children can feel like sailing in a storm. Support can be the lighthouse that we all need to navigate these rough waters.
These are some of the main Helplines that you can call for guidance:
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 (make sure your kids know this one)
Parentline QLD: 1300 30 1300 Lifeline: 13 11 14 13
YARN: 13 92 76 (24 hours/7 days - free and confidential service run by, and for, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).
Or: refer to the Australian parenting network - raisingchildren.net.au
This year during Child Protection Week we have encouraged students to think of themselves as ‘upstanders’. An upstander is a person who speaks up, or acts, when they recognise that something is wrong. Even very young children can be taught to recognise concepts such as anger, bullying and unfairness, and to tell an adult if someone is being harmed. Older children and young people may be capable of becoming more involved in advocacy if they are helped to practice this skill. As adults we play an important role in modelling these behaviours when our children are watching us manage conflict that may arise in our everyday lives.
During Child Protection Week our students engaged in a number of activities to reinforce safety messages – these included watching some videos about being safe and discussing reporting systems here at school. Should any student be concerned about how they are being treated by an adult, or another child or young person, they are encouraged to speak up to a trusted staff member or one of our School Student Protection Contacts (SSPCs). All students were reminded who our SSPCs are, and that they are depicted on the ‘Keeping Safe’ posters located around the school. Every student has received a colourable bookmark as a memento of the activities this week.
Child Protection really is everyone’s business, and we are committed to making St Mary’s College a safe, secure, and protected place of learning for every student.
Mrs Samantha Parle
Assistant Principal Student Engagement
parles@stmaryscollege.com
Business Manager
September Statements
Hello Parents and Guardians,
As we approach the conclusion of Term 3, we kindly request that you settle any outstanding account balances before the term ends.
September Statements:
The September statements have been sent, please check your emails and notify us if you have not received one. Please review them carefully and don't hesitate to reach out with any queries.
Your prompt attention to account settlement helps ensure seamless operations within our school. We're here to support you with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your statement.
Thank you for your cooperation and ongoing partnership.
Mr Patrick Wilson
Business Manager
wilsonp@stmaryscollege.com