YEAR 9
Growing Together
Mrs Sophie McQueen
Head of Year 9 smcqueen1@cns.catholic.edu.au
YEAR 9 KEY INFORMATION: WEEK 6
Year 9 End-of-Year Community Day
The electronic permission slip for our upcoming Year 9 End-of-Year Community Day has now been emailed to families. This event will take place on Friday, 28 November (Week 8) and is a compulsory component of the Year 9 program at St Mary’s Catholic College.
The day will begin with a Christmas Liturgy at the College, followed by a trip to Yorkey’s Knob, where students will enjoy a day of reflection, connection, and celebration of their achievements throughout the year. We kindly ask that families complete the permission slip promptly to ensure their child’s participation in this important event.
VPG Interviews
We are also pleased to share that the VPG interviews held in Week 5 were a great success. Our students represented themselves and the College with pride and maturity. Should you have any questions regarding work experience placements or career pathways, please get in touch with Mrs Earl, our Careers Teacher.
Vinnies Christmas Hamper Appeal
In addition, the Vinnies Christmas Hamper Appeal is now underway. We invite all Year 9 students to contribute non-perishable items to support families in need during the festive season. Each basket will earn House points, contributing to the overall tally. We are also running a Pastoral Group competition: the group that contributes the most items will receive a prize, and individual contributors will be entered into a draw to win a Tuckshop voucher.
Year 9 Tie Ceremony
Wednesday, 26 November, 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
The evening will commence with canapés. Guests will then move into the Hugh O’Brien Auditorium for the formal proceedings, which will include the presentation of senior ties, a keynote address by the College Leadership Team, and dancing to conclude the night.
Please RSVP to confirm your attendance by Wednesday, 19 November 2025, via the Parent Slip.
Laptop Hire Program
Current Year 9s will join our compulsory Laptop Program in 2026. This means all students commencing Year 10 in 2026 will receive a leased laptop from the College. Further information will come out in the coming weeks.
Cairns Maritime Jobs & Careers Expo
Register via the following link:
https://www.theposeidonproject.com.au/events/cairns-maritime-jobs-careers-expo
Uniform Schedule: Week 6
WHOLE-OF-COLLEGE NOTICES
2026 School Fees & Levy Schedule
Please check your email this week; it contains important information on the 2026 Fee and Levy Schedule and other updates for 2026.
You can also find this information on the College website under “Enrol Now”.
RACQ New Education Program
RACQ is developing a new education program specifically for adults to equip them with practical, tangible strategies to support young novice drivers – whether they’re learners, provisional licence holders, or even passengers.
To make sure this program is genuinely helpful, RACQ’s Education Team would love to hear from you.
If you’ve ever mentored, or are currently supervising a young driver, or spent time in the passenger seat offering guidance (or silently pressing your foot on your imaginary brake), we would encourage you to take a few minutes to complete the short survey and share what you wish you’d known.
Your insights will help build a resource that truly supports supervisors and mentors, and ultimately, safer roads for everyone. At the end of the survey, there is also an option to enter the prize draw for the chance to win one of five $100 eGift-cards.
Click on the following link to take the survey:
RACQ Education Survey for Parents
COLLEGE WEBSITE - For the latest information and guidance relevant to both staff and families, please refer regularly to our St Mary's Catholic College Website.
KEY DATES - Please note that all key dates are listed in the College Calendar. This can be accessed via the MyCE Parent App and synced with your personal calendar.
Ms Leah McBryde
Assistant Principal
Junior Secondary (Years 7 to 9)
On behalf of the College Leadership Team
College Leadership Team
