SMC NEWS 2023 - Term 4, Week 4
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 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.
School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI)
I would like to make you aware of a new avenue available for families with students enrolled in Toowoomba Catholic Schools to apply for a free 12-month NBN broadband service.
Led by the National Broadband Network (NBN), the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) is a Federal Government initiative offering free home internet for one year. The initiative will provide internet to 30,000 unconnected households with school-aged students. The goal is to: boost educational opportunities.
The SSBI National Referral Centre (NRC) was officially launched on 17th October 2023 to provide a pathway for families to directly nominate themselves to have their address details checked and eligibility outcomes provided. The NRC homepage is available here: SSBI National Referral Centre
It is important to note that the eligibility criteria states that the residential address will not be approved for an SSBI connection if an active NBN connect has been cancelled in the past 14 days. This clause does not apply if the family has recently moved to the address and was not responsible for the disconnection of the previous NBN connection.
If you are interested, please follow the links above.
Reflection: Pope Francis on the conflict in the Middle East
I am always captivated when the Pope speaks on issues of justice and peace. There is something in his message which helps to clarify our reflection on the issues of the day. He has been outspoken recently on the conflict raging in the Middle East. I have reproduced an article from the Catholic Leader below for your reflection:
POPE Francis has announced another day of prayer and fasting for an end to the Israel-Hamas war.
“I have decided to call for a day of fasting and prayer on Friday, October 27,” the Pope said at the end of his general audience on Wednesday morning.
It will be “a day of penance to which I invite sisters and brothers of the various Christian denominations, those belonging to other religions, and all those who have at heart the cause of peace in the world, to join in as they see fit,” the Holy Father said.
The vigil will take place at 6pm in St Peter’s Square, where the faithful will join the Pope to participate in “an hour of prayer in a spirit of penance to implore peace in our time, peace in this world. I ask all the particular Churches to participate by arranging similar activities involving the people of God,” he said.
The Pope’s announcement comes after the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, called for a global day of prayer and fasting, which was held on October 17, “to deliver to God the Father our thirst for peace, justice, and reconciliation.”
The announcement was preceded by his renewed appeal for peace in the Holy Land.
“Our thoughts turn to Palestine and Israel,” the Pope said.
“The number of victims is rising and the situation in Gaza is desperate. Please, let everything possible be done to avoid a humanitarian disaster.
Plea for peace: Damage from an Israeli airstrike on the El-Remal area in Gaza City on October 9.
“The possible widening of the conflict is disturbing, while so many war fronts are already open in the world. May weapons be silenced, and let us heed the cry for peace of the poor, the people, the children.
“Brothers and sisters, war does not solve any problem: It sows only death and destruction, foments hate, proliferates revenge. War cancels out the future, it cancels out the future. I urge believers to take just one side in this conflict: that of peace. But not in words — in prayer, with total dedication.”
Adapted from: <https://catholicleader.com.au/news/pope-francis-announces-prayer-vigil-day-of-fasting-for-peace-in-israel-hamas-war/>
Mr Brendan Stewart
College Principal
Deputy Principal
Exams and Study Advice
As we approach the end of term, it is timely to reflect on our boy’s study habits. It is essential that students use their time well and develop effective study techniques. This will help them enjoy the learning process and feel that they are being rewarded for the time spent on study. A summary of the advice is detailed below:
Don’t cram: Ideally students should break study time into 30–50 minute breaks, with short rests in between. This is an effective way to ensure that the brain continues to work at its optimum level. Longer time periods will result in a loss of concentration and inefficient use of time.
Set achievement goals: Research shows that students should aim to achieve something in each study session, rather than aim for a time limit. Working for 45 minutes is not an achievement. Decide on a task or tasks that would feasibly take approximately 45 minutes, and then aim to complete the work to the highest standard. This might be perfecting one or more specific skills or processes, developing some better ideas for written work, or learning a set of facts or a system. These are achievements.
Practice test questions: Research shows that posing and practicing questions is a very effective mechanism for developing understanding and creating a long term memory, as opposed to summarising and reading notes. It is important to work under some pressure in order to develop the ability to respond to questions with accuracy and precision.
Do something active every day: Regular exercise and activity improves blood flow, relieves stress and improves memory. Research shows that exercise assists with the development of a sharper memory and thinking skills. Endorphins that are released through exercise that make you feel better are the same ones that help you concentrate, and stimulate the growth of new brain cells.
Get plenty of rest and sleep: Working for too long can be detrimental to performance. Periods of deep sleep are when the brain consolidates the events and learning experiences from the day and creates long term memory. Without appropriate sleep, most work or study done that day will be forgotten.
Mr Stephen Monk
Deputy Principal
monks@stmaryscollege.com
Identity
Annual Pink Day
This week, I have been truly inspired by the great work done by College students and staff in the area of advocacy and fundraising.
Our Annual pink day in honour of our much missed member of staff raised over $1,500.00 for the McGrath Foundation. Almost one third of this ($483.90) was raised by one student - Hugo Brownsdon in Year 5. This is an outstanding effort. Our hats are well and truly off to him. I’d also like to recognise staff member Mr Aidan Watterson who organised a Pink Stumps Cricket match between staff and students on this day.
The social justice work continues as October closes and November opens. St Mary’s have a College team in the annual Hike for Homeless in aid of Base Services. It is not too late enter or donate. Details are below. Taking part is considered advocacy work and will be credited as social justice hours in our Footsteps of Jesus Project.
When: Saturday, 28th October. Start times staggered from 5.45am - 6.45am at Jubilee Park, Bridge Street (opposite Dudley Street), Toowoomba.
Link to join is here: https://www.mycause.com.au/p/321537/st-marys-college?popup=1
On 18th November, we will take part in the Vinnies Zoo Trip. This initiative, run by St Vincent de Paul, gets our young people to treat younger children doing it tough to a day at Darling Downs Zoo.
This is an enjoyable way to give to the community and show our solidarity with others. Students aged 16, in Year 11 should contact Mr Murphy or Mrs Armstrong if they are interested in taking part.
Finally, watch this space for information about Movember activities to raise awareness of men’s physical and mental health. Our new Year 12 leaders are busy developing exciting ideas for activities to promote longer, happier and healthier lives for men.
Mr Kevin Murphy
Assistant Principal Identity
murphyk@stmaryscollege.com
Curriculum
Week 4 - Students in Middle School
For students in middle school, Week 4 can become a bit of a mid-term slump. The motivation from the start of the term has worn off; their assignments are not yet due, and exams are still a couple of weeks away, so students sometimes take the opportunity to coast.
Boys, in particular, are very happy to put off until tomorrow what can be done today. However, we know that students achieving their potential are hard at work this week. Maximising performance on exams requires focus and drive in class, and a willingness to complete homework to the best of their ability.
Maximising performance on assignments requires a complete draft to enable teachers to give detailed feedback on the student’s work. Please encourage your son to put in the work now. Working now means less of a crunch when assignments come due and exams begin, which leads to improved results.
Mr Mark Watson
Assistant Principal Curriculum
watsonm@stmaryscollege.com
Student Engagement
Term 4, Week 4
Watching boys grow and develop over their time here at St Mary’s College is one of my favourite parts of being a teacher and events like our recent Presentation Night give me a moment to pause, reflect and get a measure on how far some of our boys – your boys – have come. Some have struggled with changing schools, new subjects, different teachers, peer pressures and their own expectations – and yet they stand up on that stage with such pride in their own achievements.
We are very aware at the moment that one of the areas that is causing some tension for boys is the management of their friends and friendship groups. Some boys meet a mate on the first day of school and they are inseparable all the way to graduation. Others struggle to find ‘their people’ and don’t settle into genuine friendships until the later years of school. Most often, we see boys form groups that suit for a while, and then their growth and maturity takes them in a different directions.
This article from the lovely Maggie Dent has some great tips and insights – Fragile Boys Friendships and why they matter so much.
Mrs Samantha Parle
Assistant Principal Student Engagement
parles@stmaryscollege.com
Business Manager
Student Broadband Initiative
The Australian Government has launched the School Student Broadband Initiative to provide free home internet for one year for up to 30,000 unconnected Australian families with school-aged students.
For further information and to check your eligibility, please go to the following link: Student Internet Program - Anglicare Victoria
Mr Patrick Wilson
Business Manager
wilsonp@stmaryscollege.com