SMC NEWS 2023 - Term 4, Week 3
Week Ahead
From the College Principal
College Board
We have been fortunate to have a very supportive College Board at St Mary's College for many years. The purpose of the College Board is to advise the Principal on strategic matters as defined by the St Mary's College Strategic Plan. We meet up to 10 times a year from about 7.00 - 8.30pm on the first Monday night of each month.
There are currently two vacancies on the Board. If you are interested in serving the College community in this way from 2024, could you please prepare a one page expression of interest and email to principal@stmaryscollege.com before Monday 30th October please. Please contact me if you have any questions about this opportunity.
This year, Mr Matt Boyd (current Chair) and Mr Tim Lane (Board Member), will be stepping down from the duties as Board Members at St Mary's College. Both have been outstanding advisors and advocates for the College and I value their support over many years through the College Board. Both Matt and Tim have been especially active in supporting families and students who are doing it tough in our community.
Please join me in thanking Matt and Tim in what they have done to support the boys and families of the College.
From College Board to College Advisory Council
From 2024, the College will move to naming its Board to a "College Advisory Council" which aligns its name with similar schools in other Catholic Diocese across Australia. The purpose of the College Advisory Council will be largely the same as the current Board. The St Mary's College Board over many years has been successful in advising the Principal over strategic issues at the College, mainly in line with the College Strategic Plan.
Parents and Friends Association
After a period of reflection and speaking to others in the community, we have decided that the P and F will turn its attention to supporting major engagement events at the College. From time to time, through our social media and other communications, you will receive invitations to major engagement events at the College. The first of these will be on Monday 13th November, where we will discuss the new St Mary's College bus to begin in 2024. Please "save the date" and watch this space for further details.
Mr Brendan Stewart
College Principal
Deputy Principal
Student Leadership
On Tuesday this week we inducted our new student leaders for 2024. Our student leaders play a vital role in shaping the future of our College. These leadership opportunities also benefit the students themselves. As they serve our community, they will develop skills that will serve them well beyond school.
First and foremost, student leadership fosters personal growth and character development. It cultivates qualities such as responsibility, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. By taking on leadership roles, students learn to set goals, manage their time efficiently, and make ethical decisions. These skills are invaluable as they prepare young individuals to face the challenges of adulthood.
Furthermore, student leaders have the ability to effect positive change in their schools and communities. They become advocates for important issues, create a sense of unity, and inspire their peers to become active, engaged citizens. This not only enhances the overall educational experience but also instills a sense of civic responsibility that extends beyond the classroom.
In the grand scheme of things, student leadership acts as a catalyst for a more prosperous future. The young leaders of today become the decision-makers and influencers of tomorrow, and the values and skills they acquire through their leadership experiences will help shape a more inclusive, compassionate, and innovative world. Therefore, nurturing and promoting student leadership is a crucial investment in our collective future.
Mr Stephen Monk
Deputy Principal
monks@stmaryscollege.com
Identity
Edmund Rice Touchstones
As you may know, all of our school terms have a thematic connection to one of the four Edmund Rice Touchstones. This term, the theme is Liberating Education. Edmund Rice was inspired by his strong gospel spirituality to lift the young men of his community out of poverty by providing them with that opportunity for education that would free them, and open their horizons.
Over two hundred years later, we continue to pursue that ideal for our boys.
Education is often thought of as “what goes on in the classroom”, the business of teaching and learning. Whilst this is true, we also know that boys are learning all the time. This is why we encourage boys to take up some service learning opportunities. We know that our boys can widen their horizons and learn a lot about themselves by stepping outside their comfort zones, just a little.
The Hike for Homeless which takes place on Saturday 28th October is one way that boys can do this. You may even wish to join them and walk as a family. A link to more information and the chance to sign up is below:
https://www.mycause.com.au/p/321537/st-marys-college
Retreat and reflection days are another way we challenge boys to think about themselves and their place in the world as men for tomorrow. Years 5, 6 and 10 students will participate in Retreat days this term. More information will be released later in the week.
Mr Kevin Murphy
Assistant Principal Identity
murphyk@stmaryscollege.com
Curriculum
External Examinations
Year 12 students begin their external examinations next week. The schedule has been emailed to all families. Please review the schedule and directions for students from the QCAA. Please support them in ensuring they arrive at the ERCC in full formal school uniform at 8.30am for an AM exam and at 12.00pm for a PM session with all required equipment.
If your son cannot attend an exam due to illness or misadventure, please get in touch with the school immediately. Your son must obtain a doctor’s certificate on the exam day to excuse his absence. Any student who does not sit the external exam will not be allowed to sit it at a later date. Instead, where they have a valid reason for missing the exam, they will be awarded a calculated average result for the external based on their performance on the internal assessments.
Mr Mark Watson
Assistant Principal Curriculum
watsonm@stmaryscollege.com
Student Engagement
Social Media Platforms
As the conflict in Israel and Gaza continues, parents should be aware that your children are very likely to be exposed to images and recordings of actual acts of violence and terror. This message is going out on a lot of social media platforms at the moment and you may have already seen it.
Parents and carers please be mindful of the online places and spaces your children spend time. Just as the Christchurch mosque killings were streamed and shared online several years ago, Hamas has indicated it will execute hostages and this violent content is very likely going to be online.
Please remind your children that if they see or hear, are sent or shown any words, photos or videos that make them feel scared, confused or upset they can talk with you or another trusted adult about it. They can do this without fear of being in trouble or having their device confiscated, you're there to support them.
Don’t feed the algorithm, don’t watch, comment, share or engage in any way or the algorithm will go into overdrive and we’ll see more content. If you come across content, block and report.
The eSafety Commission is working with schools and communities as well as social media platforms to put protective strategies in place – their Fact Sheet is also included in this week’s newsletter. There is a very good video (7 mins) from Dr Justin Coulson’s Happy Families FB page that gives a fairly good summary of the issue.
“If you have teenagers on social media, it is pretty much a sure thing that they will see something horrible this week.”
But more importantly, he gives some clear and simple strategies for managing the impact effectively with your young people – Explore, Explain, Empower and Encourage.
This article from the ABC is also helpful - What to do when your child sees something disturbing online - ABC Everyday
If you would like support or advice, either for yourself or for your son, please make contact with your son’s House Leader.
Mrs Samantha Parle
Assistant Principal Student Engagement
parles@stmaryscollege.com
Business Manager
Term 4 Finance Update
I hope this message finds you well and that you are enjoying the return of warmer weather as we settle into Term 4. With the end of the school year and the upcoming summer holidays on the horizon, I wanted to take a moment to touch base with all of you regarding your financial commitments to St Mary’s College.
By now, you should have received your financial statement that was sent recently. We kindly request that you take a few moments to review this statement thoroughly. If you are currently on a payment plan, it is crucial to ensure that all outstanding payments will be finalised by the end of this term.
Our school relies on the timely payment of fees to provide your children with the best possible education and support. Meeting your financial commitments not only helps sustain the daily operations of the school but also contributes to the continued growth and development of our academic and extracurricular programs.
We understand that financial matters can sometimes be challenging, and life circumstances can change. If you have any queries, concerns, or require assistance in managing your payments, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or our dedicated finance team. We are here to support you, and together, we can find solutions to ensure your child's education remains uninterrupted.
At our Catholic school, we value each and every one of our students, and your partnership with us is essential. We believe that open communication and collaboration are key to our collective success. Please feel free to contact us at accounts@stmaryscollege.com or 07 4631 7333 with any questions or concerns.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our school community. As we move forward into Term 4, let's work together to ensure that all financial matters are addressed promptly and that we can all enjoy a well-deserved summer break.
Mr Patrick Wilson
Business Manager
wilsonp@stmaryscollege.com