SMC NEWS 2025 - Term 1, Week 9
Week Ahead
From the College Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
As this is my final newsletter article for the term, I'm looking forward to a productive last fortnight where there is significant assessment scheduled across the College. Could I invite you to please stay "in touch" with your son's teachers (email) during this time to ensure they have the best support possible to end the term on a positive note.
Firstly: 2026 On-time enrolments due Easter 2025
We had a couple of important milestones last week that contribute to our 2026 enrolments. Firstly, Open Evening went very well! Our enthusiastic visitors loved the displays and interaction available last Tuesday. I want to thank all staff involved for a successful event and we look forward now to the next major promotion - Primary Discovery Day on Thursday 3 April 2025.
Additionally, we ran our first block of enrolment interviews for 2026 last Thursday. Parents who missed that opportunity will be contacted for another time later in the term or next term. All of our enrolment information can be found on the College website or by contacting the College office.
Arts Update
Congratulations to our outstanding Year 10 Rock Band, The Vipers, who performed at ABC Studios last week! A quote from our Arts Assistant, Ms Leanne Peters - "The Vipers were outstanding today at ABC Studios and proudly represented the College. Their two original songs were very catchy and well-rehearsed."
The Vipers spoke very well for their interview with David Illiffe from ABC Local Radio. Thanks Erin Kehoe-O'Shea for preparing the boys and Mr Darcy Walker (mentor) for his assistance with the band during the morning as well.
The Vipers are Sam Bailey (Vocals and Guitar), Jhett Bubb (Guitar and Vocals), James Anderson (Drums) and Zavier Ahern (Bass). We look forward to seeing (and hearing!) more from The Vipers this year.
PNG Trip Monday 31 March
Stephen Sowter, Simon McKeiver and Hector Peralta leave with 12 students to our PNG Immersion experience next Monday. As a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice Tradition where one Touchstone is "Justice and Solidarity", this trip will be an incredible opportunity for students and staff to "come as guest" to one of the most disadvantaged areas on the planet. Thank you, Stephen and Simon, for their preparation for this important experience.
NAPLAN Final
Thank you to Ms Shari Pauli, Ms Helen Maddison and the IT team led by Mr Frank Strachotta for running a successful NAPLAN event over the past couple of weeks. Having been in the sessions, the testing ran very smoothly, and we are hoping for some good results, after advertising our clear targets, from the students to be confirmed in a few weeks. I will keep you informed as the results come to hand.
Looking Back
- Congratulations to Primary and Secondary leaders for their attendance at the Mayoral Morning Tea last Thursday at the Highfields Cultural Centre. It was the first combined event given the weather interruptions a fortnight ago. All of our leaders represented the College very well and are doing a wonderful job in their respective roles in 2025.
Looking Ahead
- Good luck to our First 13 Rugby League team who play an important qualifier against Forest Lake SHS at 2.30pm in Stafford on Wednesday 26 March. A victory here will bring them one step closer to the first division this season.
- All the very best to all Year 12 students, their Parents/Carers and SMC staff for a wonderful Formal event this Thursday night. Thank you to Mr Matt Draper, Ms Vicki Baldwin and the entire Student Engagement team for your work in preparation for this important milestone for our students. It promises to be an outstanding night for all involved and an important milestone for our 2025 Senior students.
Reflection - Project Compassion 2025
Third Week of Lent
Lam is 27 years old from a small village in rural Vietnam who faced significant challenges due to his short stature. Growing up, Lam often felt isolated due to limited job opportunities and difficulty moving around his community. While his friends started jobs after high school, Lam stayed home with his parents, unsure if he could ever achieve his dream of becoming a graphic designer.
Everything changed when Lam joined the I-SHINE program, supported by Caritas Australia. Through this initiative, Lam completed a six-month course developing his graphic design skills. Along the way, he built confidence, made friends and gained a sense of connection.
Today, Lam runs a successful freelance graphic design business from home, serving clients worldwide and earning a steady income. Lam hopes his story will encourage other young people with disabilities to overcome obstacles and pursue their dreams.
Lam’s journey shows how your support of Project Compassion empowers individuals to break barriers and transform their lives.
Will you walk alongside people like Lam this Lent?
Please donate today.
You can support Project Compassion 2025 through the donation boxes, envelopes or by scanning the QR code above.
Or online at: caritas.org.au/project-compassion
Or by calling: 1800 024 413
Thank you for standing with us, as we Unite Against Poverty this Lent.
Sincerely
Brendan Stewart
College Principal
principal@stmaryscollege.com
Deputy Principal
New Toilet Facilities
Some parents would be aware that improving the toilet facilities available to the boys has been a long-term goal of mine. In my previous role, I was very much aware of the concerning behaviours that sometimes occurred in unsupervised spaces in the College. While our new mobile phone policy has reduced the issues, ensuring that the student bathrooms here are safe and appropriate is still on the ‘to-do’ list for the College leadership. And so I am pleased to let you know that the building of a new student facilities block will begin over the Easter break. This small block of six toilets will be located near the drama rooms and will also include a small dressing room space for drama performances. These facilities have been designed with the latest guidelines and will have floor-to-ceiling walls and doors as well as a more open and exposed space for handwashing. This is in line with the current best practice, which you may have seen at public parks in recent years, which is balancing privacy with supervision.
There will be some disruption to the way students move around the College during the construction period, and these changes will be made clear to the boys when we return to school next term.
Reliable
On Assembly last week, the Word of the Week was ‘reliable’. As I unpacked this with the boys, it became clear that many of us would be pleased to be described as ‘reliable.’
Our young men aspire to be reliable sons, brothers, friends, nephews, grandsons, team members and employees. They want to be able to deliver a consistently good performance in those roles. In your interactions with your young man in the next few weeks, I encourage you to notice those times when he is reliable – and tell him so.
As adults, we should also be aspiring to be reliable. Being ‘consistently good’ at parenting might be a challenge, but it is still worth aiming for. Providing a reliable response to our boys gives them safety and comfort, even if other parts of their lives are unreliable.
As a College, and in line with our work in providing a specifically boy-focused learning environment, we know that our boys count on the reliability of our expectations and our systems. It provides a solid base for each day, from which they can safely take risks in their learning and growing.
For a rather mundane word, I think ‘reliable’ might be one of my favourite words of the week 😊
End of Term and Into Term 2
As we finish up the term, please ensure that your son has brought home all of his belongings. For boys in Years 7 – 12, the lockers here are day lockers only and no items should be left in there overnight, or over the break. Now would also be a good tie to check with your son that he has his school lock and that it is secured to his locker. Families will be billed for any locks that need to be replaced.
An equipment check is also good practice for the holidays. Does your son need any stationery updating? Does he have new requirements for a different subject next term? Has he grown out of that uniform already?
The beginning of Term 2 is looking a little untidy. Week One consists of two public holidays and a Student-Free Day, leaving only two school days! Learning will begin on Wednesday, 23rd April, and it is important that all of our boys are back at school, ready to learn and engage on that day.
Samantha Parle
Deputy Principal
parles@stmaryscollege.com
Identity
Holy Week- A time of reflection and Hope
This year, Holy Week, the final week of Lent, falls in the last week of the Holidays.
Holy Week remains the most significant week in the Catholic Church. Spanning from Palm Sunday to Holy Saturday, it marks the final stretch before Easter Sunday, the celebration of Jesus' Resurrection.
During this week, Catholics reflect on the profound journey of Jesus’ suffering, sacrifice, and victory over death. It begins on Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
Holy Thursday celebrates the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist, while Good Friday reflects on Jesus’ crucifixion and death.
Throughout this week, we remember Jesus' Passion and sacrifice on the Cross, contemplate His boundless love and mercy, and anticipate the joyous hope of His Resurrection. On the Tuesday Assembly in Week 10, we will hold our annual Holy Week Liturgy, a powerful evocation of the solemnity of Holy Week.
Next week also marks the culmination of our Lenten Fundraising for Caritas’s Lenten appeal, Project Compassion. Please encourage your sons to keep donating change, however small the amount in their mentor classes.
ANZAC Day 2025
Our Annual ANZAC liturgy takes place on the College oval at 8.45am on Thursday, 24th April. We encourage any boys with relative’s medals to march in commemoration to the Oval. The marchers should gather at the Brothers House Boardroom at 8.15 on the day.
This year on ANZAC Day itself, we aim to have a large contingent of our boys and staff participating in the Toowoomba mid-morning march. Leading us will be our Drumline group, followed by our Student Leaders and our first XIII Rugby League squad. We warmly invite all students to participate, and we would particularly like to see as many primary students, and Grade 11s and 12s as possible.
Please encourage your son to participate in full academic uniform, including a hat. He should also bring a water bottle.
Students are asked to gather at 9:40am on Margaret Street, near Neil Street (outside Fitzy's), where you will meet St Mary’s College students and staff.
Parents are responsible for arranging transport for their son/s to Margaret Street at 9.40am and collection for their son/s from Mothers’ Memorial at the conclusion of the Morning Service at approximately 11:00am.
This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to show their support for members of our community and their families who have fought and died for our country in the name of freedom and peace. If you have any family medals, we encourage the boys to wear them with pride when marching.
Blessings,
Kevin Murphy
Assistant Principal Identity
murphyk@stmaryscollege.com
Curriculum
Report Cards
Teachers are currently preparing interim report cards for students from Years 5 to 12. These reports are designed to provide valuable insights into each student's academic progress across their subjects, as well as an overview of their learning behaviours. By highlighting areas of strength and identifying opportunities for growth, the interim report cards serve as a useful tool for students, parents, and guardians to understand their performance and development. This ensures that every student receives targeted feedback to help them thrive academically and personally.
Report cards will be available through the Parent Portal at the end of Week 10.
QCAA Confirmation
Confirmation is a quality assurance process that ensures the comparability of results for summative internal assessment in General subjects. QCAA Assessors review samples of student responses to internal assessments to check that schools have applied the instrument-specific marking guide (ISMG) accurately and consistently.
Year 12 boys should now have received most of their results for their first piece of summative assessment. This result is provisional until it is confirmed by QCAA. In 2025, the first confirmation event will take place in early May. Once the College hears news of the results, we will pass this along to the relevant students.
Angela Harris
Assistant Principal - Curriculum
harrisa@stmaryscollege.com
Student Engagement
Year 12 Formal - Thursday, 27th March 2025
Formal Arrivals
The venue at Picnic Point opens at 5pm and all boys must be inside and seated by 7pm. This allows a two-hour window for arrivals. Students’ arrival will be staggered with their house groups.
Bowdler from 5pm – 5.30pm, McGoldrick from 5.30pm – 6pm, Purcell from 6pm – 6.30pm, and Waterford from 6.30pm – 7pm. The arrivals will be live-streamed on our Facebook page.
Character Strength of the Week – Bravery
This week, we concentrated on the character strength of Bravery as part of our intentional character development program to develop our boys into men of Faith, Integrity, Action, and Excellence.
My specific focus from this is to encourage our boys to develop into fine young men who are morally brave by speaking up for what is right, even when unpopular. This habit truly builds St Mary’s Men for Tomorrow.
I encourage all parents to take full advantage of cutting-edge resources and speakers in our School TV section of St Mary’s Website. This week’s focus is a SPECIAL REPORT on 12 Tips for Parenting Boys | St Mary's College - Toowoomba
“These are daunting times for raising boys. Many parents worry about the possibility that their boys are being mentored by screen violence and hyper-sexualised media content. They worry about pop culture’s ability to normalise impulsive, disrespectful and self-destructive behaviour. They worry that boys are internalising confusing and disturbing versions of masculinity such as those represented in television shows or video games; and that boys are being conditioned, through dazzling and hypnotic media images” Barry McDonald. Mentoring Boys - The official website of Barry Macdonald author of Boy Smarts
Matt Draper
Assistant Principal - Student Engagement
draperm@stmaryscollege.com
Primary and Middle School Curriculum
NAPLAN 2025 Update & Looking Ahead
The scheduled NAPLAN online assessment windows for 2025 have now successfully concluded. We are incredibly proud of the way our students across Years 5, 7, and 9 approached these assessments. Throughout the testing period, we observed high levels of engagement and a positive attitude towards learning, which reflects their ongoing commitment to their studies.
We extend our sincere appreciation to all students who participated in NAPLAN this year. Your focus, resilience, and best efforts during each session are commendable. Your dedication contributes significantly to our school's overall learning environment.
Leveraging the 2025 College Diary for Academic Success
As we move further into Term 2, the College Diary remains an essential tool for all students to stay organised and on top of their learning. In 2025, the College Diary continues to serve as a central point for tracking assessments, assignments, upcoming exams, co-curricular activities, and other important school dates. This is particularly crucial during periods with a higher volume of assessments.
Parents play a vital role in reinforcing the effective use of the College Diary. We encourage you to partner with us in the following ways:
- Daily Use: Please encourage your child to bring their College Diary to school every day and to actively record tasks, due dates, and important information for each subject and activity. This daily habit fosters organisation and preparedness.
- Collaborative Planning: Take some time to explore the assessment schedule available on the College App together with your child. By then transferring these dates into the College Diary and having regular conversations about upcoming tasks, you can help them understand their workload and plan accordingly.
- Supporting Study Habits: Work with your child to create a realistic study schedule that prioritises tasks and allocates sufficient time for homework, revision, and project work. A balanced approach to their workload is key to their success and well-being.
We firmly believe that consistent and effective use of the College Diary will contribute to improved academic performance, enhanced time management skills, and the development of valuable lifelong organisational habits.
Thank you for your ongoing support and collaboration in your child's educational journey. Working together, we can empower every student to reach their full potential in 2025 and beyond.
If you have any questions regarding NAPLAN or the College Diary, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Shari Pauli
Director of 5-9 Curriculum
paulis@stmaryscollege.com
Head of Primary
SchoolTV
The SchoolTV resource that I would like to recommend this week is Respectful Relationships. Initiating conversations about respectful relationships with children is crucial for their emotional and social development. By addressing topics like kindness, empathy, and communication, parents create a foundation for healthy interactions. These discussions promote awareness of boundaries, consent, and mutual understanding, fostering a safe environment where children can thrive. Teaching respect from an early age equips kids with essential skills to navigate friendships and romantic relationships, building a future based on empathy and equality. Open dialogues about respect empower children to recognise and value their own feelings and those of others, cultivating a positive and harmonious approach to all relationships.
Respectful Relationships | St Mary's College - Toowoomba
Easter Hat Parade Wednesday 2nd April
The Primary will be holding the annual Easter Hat Parade on Wednesday 2nd April, in the Edmund Rice Cultural Centre at 8.45 am.
This is a compulsory event in the Primary and all boys are to participate. Parents and care-givers are welcome to attend.
To prepare for the parade, the boys are asked to create an Easter hat at home. It can be as creative as they would like and can include Easter eggs, streamers, and rabbit ears.
AFL Jerseys
We are missing a few AFL jerseys that may have gone home after sport by mistake. If you have one of these, can you please return them to the College ASAP.
Stephen Coren
Head of Primary
corens@stmaryscollege.com
Business Manager
Dear Parents and Caregivers
March Statements
There has been a delay in sending the March statements which have now been sent. 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.
A reminder for any extra-curricular sporting trips or overseas tours, your account needs to be in order for participation. If you foresee any issues, please contact our accounts team or myself to discuss options.
Thank you for your cooperation and ongoing partnership.
Warm regards,
Patrick Wilson
Business Manager
accounts@stmaryscollege.com
Community Updates
