SMC NEWS 2023 - Term 3, Week 10

Week Ahead

From the College Principal

Cultural Showcase

On Tuesday night this week, the College featured its now annual Cultural Showcase. The show highlighted the many talented performers that we have at the College in Music, Art and Drama. I am very proud of the boys and their willingness to perform in front of a large audience! Also, big thank you to our many teaching staff and support staff who have helped the boys in their preparation and on the night for their performances.

A 2016 study at the University of Southern California’s Brain and Creativity Institute found that musical experiences in childhood can actually accelerate brain development, particularly in the areas of language acquisition and reading skills. According to the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM Foundation), learning to play an instrument can improve mathematical learning and even increase exam performances.

But academic achievement isn’t the only benefit of music education and exposure. Music ignites all areas of child development and skills for school readiness, including intellectual, social-emotional, motor, language, and overall literacy. It helps the body and the mind work together. Exposing children to music during early development helps them learn the sounds and meanings of words. Dancing to music helps children build motor skills while allowing them to practice self-expression. For children and adults, music helps strengthen memory skills.

The school has come a long way in a short period of time in the pursuit of a vibrant Creative Arts performers and staff.  It's clearly very important for a boys' school to showcase the talent that we have to the wider community.  It is even more important to develop and improve our performers "in house" at St Mary's College.

To this end, I want to congratulate the Music Department on its development of the rock music program and guitar playing ensembles. We are fortunate to have the talents of a graduate teacher, Mr Darcy Walker, a talented musician himself, to teach and mentor the boys who are interested in guitars, bass, drums and all the really "loud" parts of the music genre!

Congratulations to our students and staff on another successful year in the Arts and in showcasing our flourishing visual and performing arts in 2023.  Thank you especially to Mr Benn Tracy, Mr John Condon, Ms Cherie Runciman, Mr Joe Goodman, Mr Darcy Walker, Ms Leanne Peters and all of the support staff for their help this year and on Tuesday night.

Mr Brendan Stewart
College Principal

Deputy Principal

Time to Recharge 

The upcoming break is a time for relaxation and reflection, a time for our boys to recharge their batteries and return to school with renewed enthusiasm in Term 4.

During this break, I encourage you to provide your son with opportunities for both leisure and learning. Balance is key, and while it's important for them to enjoy some well-deserved downtime, it's also beneficial for them to engage in activities that stimulate their minds and bodies.

Here are a few suggestions for a productive and enjoyable holiday:

1. Read and Explore: Encourage your son to read books that pique his interest. Visit libraries and museums to foster a love for learning.

2. Stay Active: Physical activity is essential for overall well-being. Engage in outdoor activities, sports, or simply take long walks together.

3. Quality Family Time: Use this time to strengthen family bonds. Share stories, play games, and have meaningful conversations around the dinner table.

4. Set Goals: Help your son set achievable goals for the upcoming year, both academically and personally. This can instill a sense of purpose and motivation.

5. Give Back: Encourage acts of kindness and community service. Volunteering and helping others can be incredibly rewarding.

6. Screen Time Balance: While technology can be a valuable tool, ensure a healthy balance between screen time and other activities.

Mr Stephen Monk
Deputy Principal 
monks@stmaryscollege.com

Identity

Hike for Homeless

At St Mary’s College we are always looking for ways to get involved with service and advocacy work. This is part of our Gospel calling to solidarity with others.

Hike for Homeless is a walk to raise awareness of the current homelessness issues in our community. It is organised by Base Services Soup Kitchen who minister to the needs of some of the most marginalised people in our society.

St Mary’s has entered a team in this year's 5km Hike for Homeless and we welcome all parents and families to join us.

Details are below:

Where: Jubilee Park, Bridge Street (opposite Dudley Street) Toowoomba

When: Saturday 28^th October, stagger starts between 5.45am and 6.45am

You can join the St Mary’s team at the following link:

https://www.mycause.com.au/p/321537/st-marys-college

Alternatively, you can sponsor us at the link belo:

https://www.mycause.com.au/events/hikeforhomeless

We’d love to see as many of you as possible getting involved in this cause.

I hope you have a wonderful school break and will be back in touch with news of our Service Awards assembly in Week 1, Term 4.

Mr Kevin Murphy
Assistant Principal Identity
murphyk@stmaryscollege.com

Curriculum

Term 3 Reports

Interim reports will be released for students in Years 5 – 10 this Friday.  These are simplified one-page reports which reflect the assessment completed this term. 

Students in Year 11 no longer follow traditional semesters. Students in Year 11 now work in units. Four units must be studied before students enter the external exam period in Term 4 of Year 12.  For this reason, most Year 11 subjects start Year 12 work (Unit 3) in Term 4 of Year 11. 

Year 11 students have completed the assessment for Unit 2 and will receive a report which reflects the Unit 2 assessment only. For each subject they have passed in Unit 2, they bank another credit towards the goal of 20 which will be used to determine whether the student receives their QLD Certificate of Education.  

Mr Mark Watson
Assistant Principal Curriculum
watsonm@stmaryscollege.com

Director Years 5-9 Curriculum

Laptops in Primary Classrooms Starting Term 4 

Commencing in Term 4, our Year 5 and Year 6 students will have access to laptops within their classrooms. Introducing laptops to our primary years will better equip our students to transition to secondary school.  

Here are the key details: 

Shared Laptop Usage: These laptops will be accessible during school hours for classroom activities. Please note that they will remain on school premises and not be taken home.  

Continued iPad Accessibility: Students will continue to have access to their assigned iPads in Term 4.  

Preparation for Secondary School: The introduction of laptops aims to prepare our students better to transition to secondary school, where laptops are an essential learning tool. By familiarising them with this technology earlier in their academic journey, we empower them to excel seamlessly in their future studies. 

In 2025, we plan to provide one-to-one laptops for all primary students in the classroom. This initiative will further enhance their digital skills and educational experience. 

Our commitment to equipping our students with the tools they need for success in a technologically advanced world remains steadfast. We appreciate your ongoing support and encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns. 

Changes to our Academic Awards Criteria 

We want to share some important updates regarding the Academic Awards Criteria at St Mary's College. We have listened to feedback from staff, parents and students and have reviewed our existing criteria to better reflect the achievements of our students. 

Introducing the M-Score 

Commencing from Semester 2, we are transitioning away from the accumulation of results as the primary criterion for our Academic Awards. Instead, we are implementing the St Mary's College M-Score (Mary’s Score) system. The M-Score is designed to provide a fair and comprehensive assessment of your child's academic performance. Here's what you need to know about the M-Score: 

1. Percentage: The M-Score is measured on a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 being the highest achievable score.  

1. Average Score: It represents an average score across all subjects, providing a more holistic view of your child's academic abilities. Please note that only subjects that occur for a minimum of one semester will contribute towards the M-Score. 

1. Weighted Distribution: The M-Score is a weighted average of the overall percentages of each subject studied. The table below provides a detailed breakdown of each cohort's subject weighing for core and elective subjects.  

1. Subject Results: Your son’s overall percentage for each subject is viewable on Canvas.  

New Award Criteria: 

With the introduction of the M-Score, we have revised the award criteria to better recognise and celebrate your son’s achievements: 

Gold Award: M-Score above 90%. 

Silver Award: M-Score above 85%. 

Bronze Award: M-Score above 75%. 

Year 5- 11 DUX: Top M-Score for each cohort  

Year 12 DUX: Top ATAR result (based on 2023 predictions), confirmed DUX is awarded in 2024 following the release of ATAR’s.  

High Achievement Award: 

• M-Score above 75%. 
• Maintain a minimum attendance rate of 95%. 
• Demonstrate "Very Good" or "Good" attributes in all aspects of their school life. No "Satisfactory" or "Needs Improvement" ratings will be considered.                                                                                                  

We believe these changes will provide a more equitable and well-rounded assessment of your son’s academic accomplishments. We aim to motivate and encourage students to excel in all subjects and aspects of their education. 

We appreciate your continued support in helping your child succeed at St Mary's College. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these changes, please do not hesitate to contact me at the College. 

Mrs Jade Love
Director of 5-9 Curriculum 
lovej@stmaryscollege.com

Student Engagement

Equipment Stocktake 

All families are encouraged to conduct a school uniform and equipment ‘stocktake’ over the September holidays. Please ensure that your son returns to school in Term 4 with everything he needs for learning.

Uniform

When your son wears the College uniform, it is a visible representation of belonging and pride in their membership of the SMC community. Please remind your son that the uniform is an ‘all or nothing’ proposition. That is, if they are outside of the College grounds after school, they are either wearing the entire uniform correctly, or they are wearing no parts of the uniform at all (free dress). We have been sending frequent messages to the boys regarding different elements of the uniform but I will list the latest issues that we are seeing below. Thank you for assisting with this.

• Black or navy socks with long trousers
• Plain black belt (no flashy buckles such as R. M. Williams)
• SMC socks or plain white on sports days
• Full brimmed hat EVERY day (not the cap)

Relationships – Red Flags

We are currently building some resources around the topic of positive relationships which will be used with students in the coming years. We frequently see our boys caught up in relationships that are not healthy and the fall-out form this can be significant. Although these are often romantic relationships, unhealthy relationships can also exist between ‘friends’. Therefore, it is never too early for parents to be talking to their sons about respectful relationships and the ‘red flags’ that can indicate an unhealthy relationship. This article, recently published by the ABC, gives some very good advice - Seven red flags your teen might be in an abusive relationship – and six signs it's escalating - ABC News If you have concerns for your son and would like some support in this area, please contact the College.

Mrs Samantha Parle
Assistant Principal Student Engagement
parles@stmaryscollege.com

Business Manager

September Statements 

Hello Parents and Guardians,

As we approach the September holidays, we extend our warm wishes for a safe and joyful break.

During the holidays, our office will be closed, but our finance team will remain available at accounts@stmaryscollege.com to assist with any financial queries.

Term 4 fees will be issued before the holidays end, and October statements will be sent during the first week back at school.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to a productive Term 4 working together.

Mr Patrick Wilson
Business Manager
wilsonp@stmaryscollege.com