Principal's Message
Blessed be the mercy journey that beckons us forward to need. Madeline Duckett rsm
We continue our Lenten Journey building up to the Easter celebrations. Lent is essentially an act of prayer spread out over 40 days. As we pray we go on a journey, one that hopefully brings us closer to Christ and leaves us changed by the encounter with him. It is a time of sacrifice too and of taking stock of our blessings. How blessed are we to live in a safe place, with loving family and friends? I hope that the Easter holidays give us all a chance to count our blessings and to be grateful for all God has given us.
I would like to take stock of our students’ service and outreach work this term – a sign that they are actually ‘putting on the boots’ to help others. We are called as Catholics and Christians to see injustice and to act justly as a response. It is a challenge to teach our children, especially as they make their way through adolescence to empathise with, and to support, others. Psychologists will tell you that in these years, our teenagers see the world from a self-centred or ego-centric perspective. As a parent too, I understand the challenges of guiding our children. Thank you to parents and caregivers as you support, encourage and coerce (if needed) into service experiences. We are very grateful.
Staffing Changes
I wish to inform you of our staffing changes for next term. Our Business Manager, Mr Paul Steinmuller is finishing up at the College after 16 years of service. His work has ensured the financial stability and sustainability of the school. Paul has overseen major building projects including the restoration of Mercy House and the construction of Ellen Whitty and Jane Gorry Buildings. Paul is a renowned landscape and wildlife photographer, and he will now use his time to pursue this passion. We welcome Felicia Yam who has worked with Brisbane Catholic Education Financial Services to the role of College Business Manager.
Earlier in the term Mrs Donna Sugars took up an acting position as St Peter Claver College and this has been extended until the end of the year. We congratulate Donna on her appointment and are pleased to see her leadership skills being utilised so effectively. Consequently Mr Matt Jensen (Curriculum Leader Learning and Teaching Junior Years) and Mrs Eryn Gower (Curriculum Leader Technologies) will remain in their positions. We are fortunate too, that Ms Mariam Riad has agreed to continue in her contract.
Mrs Judith Jones will take four weeks leave at the beginning of Term 2. Ms Kristin Harding will be Acting Assistant Principal, and Mrs Margareta Lemon will take on the Pastoral Leadership for Whitty House. We congratulate Kristin and Margareta on these leadership roles.
Next term we will welcome back Mrs Emma Smtih who returns from maternity leave. She will job-share with Mrs Sarah Minz.
Parents and Friends Association
We welcome the incoming P & F Executive for 2019:
- President - Mr David Cullen
- Vice President - Mrs Karen Sotriadis
- Treasurer - Mrs Denise Tully
- Secretary - Ms Robin McKenna
The next meeting will be Wednesday 15 May 2019. The College will provide wine and cheese to welcome the new Executive and we invite you to come along.
Wonders of Learning
Our curriculum is continually evolving to meet the changing needs of our learners. This term has seen the implementation of the new Year 11 syllabuses and both students and teachers have embraced the challenge of this. We have seen the introduction of the Health Services Certificate III in Year 11 and the new Media Studies course in Year 9 with very positive feedback from students. The Wonders of Science and the Forensic ‘Case for Conspiracy’ program have also been presented this term to the junior science classes with great success. These external programs add great value to the College’s science curriculum; broadening the students’ experience of the scientific world. Our Year 10 Math and Science Extension class has enjoyed the STEM Punks Program, where they have looked at real world problems and created digital technology solutions. I was so impressed by their presentations this week. Here are our future APP developers who will change the world.
May your Easter break be wonderful and we see everyone back safe and well for Term 2. I am enjoying some time with family in Sydney.
God bless, Judith
Campus Minister
Looking back on Term One, we as a College community have achieved so much, especially in the area of service. Our students have really embraced this year’s theme and have demonstrated that they truly are striving to be people of mercy by putting on their boots and engaging in the numerous service programs on offer – Rosies, DanDaLion Cricket, Head 2 Heart Program, Walk for Justice, Project Compassion Appeal and so much more. We look forward to our community continuing to engage in small acts of service for others.
Cambodia Immersion Update
With only 34 weeks remaining until the team depart for Cambodia, preparations are well underway. The team have been busy this term running multiple fundraising events to go towards the $12,000 they are to raise to support the work of our three partners in Cambodia – MatesAbroad Foundation, Jesuit Refugee Services and Light of Mercy. Thank you to everyone who support our fundraising ventures such as the movie event, cross country bake sale and hot cross bun sale.
Trivia Night
Tickets are no on sale for the trivia night which is being held on Saturday 4 May. It is a fun filled night with trivia questions for all ages and interests. There will be a BBQ dinner from 6pm with trivia commencing at 7.15pm. Tickets are $10 per person and each team can have a maximum of 10 people. Purchase your tickets online or through the Finance Office.
Christian Initiation and Sacramental Program
Have you been thinking about becoming a Catholic? Has your daughter asked if she could be baptised? Or maybe she is baptised and would like to receive the other sacraments? If your answer was YES to any of these questions please contact our Campus Minister Margareta Lemon margaretal@stmarys.qld.edu.au to find out more.
Easter Masses in the Ipswich Catholic Community
All are welcome to prepare for Easter through the celebration of the following liturgies:
From the Sports Dept.
Cross Country Carnival
On Monday 1 April, Limestone Park was a sea of red, yellow, green and blue as we celebrated our annual cross country carnival. It was fantastic to see so many students running, walking and cheering on their fellow competitiors. Congratulations girls on making it a wonderful morning. Well done to the following students who were age champions:
- 12 Years – Charli Emblem
- 13 Years – Reigan Evans
- 14 Years – Elisha Stock
- 15 Years – Melanie Smith
- 16 Years – Kate Sotiriadis
- 17 Years – Zoe Woodmann
Congratulations to Murphy House for winning the Junior Cup and to Gorry House who won the Senior Cup and were crowned overall champions for 2019.
Student Achievements
Congratulations to Tahnee Summerville (Year 11) who represesented Met West and recently competed at the QLD State Swimming Competition held at Chandler. Tahnee received a gold for the medley relay and silver for freestyle relay. Tahnee also swam very well in her individual events, qualifying for the 100m freestyle final. Well done Tahnee!
Congratulations to Rhiane Nugent (Year 11) who also represented Met West at the State Swimming Competition competing in the 100m backstroke. Well done Rhiane!
Dahniella Pedroni (Year 11) achieved the Australian national qualifier for U17 Triple Jump at Queensland Athletics a few weeks ago with a jump of 11.21m. In March, Dahniella came 3rd at the Queensland Athletics State Championships. She is competing in Sydney at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships this week. Good luck Dahniella!
Well done to all, you have made SMC proud. Antonia Conomos
Student Voice Workshop
On Wednesday 3 April a group of enthusiastic SRC members attended an Amplifying Student Voice Workshop. This workshop taught us about student voice in classrooms, schools and in the wider community. We learnt about what student voice, agency and participation is. Students even got to learn about appreciating the simple things in life such as basic sandwiches. At this workshop we met other passionate students from a range of schools and interacted and heard ideas of what the SRC means at their school. As students we asked the critical questions “What is happening in our school and what could be happening?” With questions and ideas of how to improve student voice in the St Mary’s College community, the 7 SRC members who attended are excited to approach the Council with new ideas of how to improve student voice and initiatives. Overall, the experience was a fantastic day for all involved. Claire Parker | SMC Student
Maths Update - Maths Pathway
Students receive a score for growth rate, effort and accuracy each test. The growth rate is the key measure of success in the model as it shows our girls the rate that they are mastering new modules in Maths Pathway. Therefore, the more modules that are mastered each cycle, the higher the student’s growth rate will be each cycle. A growth rate of 100% means that students are mastering one year’s worth of Maths over the year if they maintain that growth rate over the whole year. 200% means two years’ worth of Maths, 267% means two and three quarters years’ worth of Maths, etc. We have had some amazing growth rates for our previous cycles in each class. Congratulations to the following students https://cdos.run/u-0/sites/849/2019/04/05113327/Newsletter-item-Growth-rates-in-Maths-Pathway-Classes-2-April-2019.pdf