YEAR 11
Leading The Way

Christina Borzi

Head of Year 11
cborzi1@cns.catholic.edu.au

YEAR 11 KEY INFORMATION: WEEK 2

It has been a positive start to the year for our Year 11 cohort, with students settling quickly into routines and engaging well across classes and pastoral time. As a reminder, your child’s first point of contact for support is their Pastoral Mentor, who plays a key role in guiding and supporting students throughout the year. A table of Pastoral Mentors is included below to assist with directing any enquiries.

Pastoral Group	Pastoral Mentor	Pastoral Mentor’s Email
11 Cahill 1	Tracy Rees Mortimer	treesmorti@cns.catholic.edu.au
11 Cahill 2	Kieran Walsh	kwalsh2@cns.catholic.edu.au
11 Heavy 1	Karen Cowan (Mon, Tues, Wed) Leanne Anthony (Thurs, Fri)	kcowan1@cns.catholic.edu.au lanthony1@cns.catholic.edu.au
11 Heavy 2	Belinda O'Reilly	boreilly1@cns.catholic.edu.au
11 Hutchinson 1	Douglas McInnes	dmcinnes@cns.catholic.edu.au
11 Hutchinson 2	Jacqui Gorup (Mon, Wed, Thurs) Kate Chapman (Tues, Fri)	jgorjup@cns.catholic.edu.au kchapman@cns.catholic.edu.au
11 Murray 1	Julie Purvis	jpurvis@cns.catholic.edu.au
11 Murray 2	Vittoria Rimmington	vrimmingto1@cns.catholic.edu.au

Year 11 Assembly: Leading the Way

At our first Year 11 assembly, we introduced this year’s theme, 'Leading the Way'. Students were reminded that Year 11 marks an important shift: being at school is now a choice, and with that choice comes increased responsibility. We discussed what authentic leadership looks like in everyday actions, such as showing up consistently, applying effort, staying organised, and taking responsibility for behaviour and learning. Students were encouraged to see leadership not as a title or badge, but as the way they set the tone for others, model positive behaviour for younger year levels, and respond to feedback with maturity. Year 11 is a training ground for Year 12, and the habits developed this year will shape the leaders they become.

Elevate Education Study Skills Workshop

Families are reminded that the Elevate Education study skills workshop will take place on Monday, 2 February. Parents and carers will have already received details via a College broadcast. Elevate Education is Australia’s leading study skills provider, and this workshop forms an important part of our Social and Emotional Learning program. Attendance is compulsory; students must either attend their scheduled workshop session or their normal classes.

Library Information

Please be advised that the Library is no longer able to loan laptop chargers to students. You must be organised and bring a fully charged device with you to school each day, along with your own charger in case you need it.

The Library will not be loaning calculators to students. It is a requirement that students have one; they are available for purchase from the Uniform Shop.

Pharmacy Assistant School-based Traineeship Opportunity

Are you a motivated and reliable student looking to kickstart your career in the Pharmacy Industry? MEGT has a fantastic opportunity with one of our clients for a school-based Traineeship.

Click on the following link for further information:

https://www.megt.com.au/job-board/jo0000818889861628151223098413-pharmacy-assistant-school-based-traineeship

Navy Careers Opportunity

Click on the following link for further information regarding the opportunity to undertake 2 days of work experience at the Navy Base in Cairns.

https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/cp/index.cfm?

UNIFORM SCHEDULE: WEEK B

Sport Information - Week 2

Welcome to St Mary’s College Sport!

2026 will be an exciting year full of opportunities for our students. Please find below some very important information for Week 2.

TCS TRIAL DATES FOR WEEK 2:

Wednesday 4 February

BOYS & GIRLS

13-15 Years Football (Soccer)

16-19 Years Football (Soccer)

Thursday 5 February

GIRLS

13-15 Years Netball

16-19 Years Netball

PENINSULA PAPERWORK

Students wishing to trial for TCS must complete the Peninsula paperwork before they can trial. This can be downloaded from the Sports Canvas page, or a printed copy can be collected from the leaflet box outside the Sports Office (near the Sports Mailbox).

PAPERWORK PROCESS:

Parent/carer must fill in Peninsula Paperwork
Students must return completed paperwork to the Sports Mailbox.
The Sports Department will seek the relevant approvals.
Students can collect the Peninsula Paperwork from the Sports Office at lunch on Fridays.
Students must take the approved paperwork to the TCS trial.

Further information regarding all TCS & Peninsula Trials, including Calendars, will be communicated to all parents next week.

WHOLE-OF-COLLEGE NOTICES

It was wonderful to see senior students return with enthusiasm. Thank you to all families who have supported their smooth transition by preparing and adhering to uniform standards. We also welcomed new students and families into our school community, and hope you are settling in well.

It is my pleasure to introduce our school leaders below. They will be formally recognised at upcoming assemblies and our Welcome Mass.

2026 College Leaders

St Mary’s Guidance Counsellors in 2026

St Mary’s has three experienced guidance counsellors available to support students' wellbeing and mental health: Mrs Daniela Rizzato, Mrs Jana Aksamitova, and Mr Mick Oates.

The team also works closely with the school’s pastoral team, Heads of Year, Assistant Principals of the Junior and Senior schools, and the Diversity and Inclusion team to support students' learning and engagement.

Adolescence is a time of significant change for students and their families, with new horizons and challenges constantly emerging and old ways of doing and being ending. The team is passionate about helping young people grow toward adulthood and invites students and families to reach out when needed.

The team can assist students and their families in navigating these changes through counselling support, providing information and guidance, and referrals to outside or specialist options.

Confidentiality and student safeguarding provisions apply to the guidance counselling space, and these can be discussed with a member of the team or accessed through the St Mary’s parent portal.

The team can be reached via the College switch 40 444200, through your child’s pastoral mentor, or email us directly:

drizzato1@cns.catholic.edu.au

jaksamitov@cns.catholic.edu.au

moates@cns.catholic.edu.au

Welcome Mass

Wednesday, February 11 2026 | 8:30 am for a 9:00 am start

We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating the Welcome Mass.

This special occasion marks the official welcome of our new Year 7 students and the commissioning of Senior Student Leaders for the 2026 academic year.

Following Mass, invited guests are welcome to join Principal Kerry Manders,

the College Leadership Team and Staff for Morning Tea.

Please note that the front office will be closed from 9:00 am to 10:30 am for this special occasion, as all staff will be attending the Welcome Mass.

Please register via the following link: https://www.trybooking.com/DICQM

Commemoration Mass and Morning Tea

Sunday, March 8 2026, 10:00 am

We warmly invite you to join us for St Mary's Catholic College Commemoration Mass. This special occasion marks 40 years since the commemoration of the opening of the College. Following Mass, morning tea will be provided.

Please register via the following link: https://www.trybooking.com/DIYHJ

Introducing My School Connect

We are excited to introduce My School Connect, our new online provider for tuckshop and uniform ordering.

Please keep an eye on your inbox for an email from My School Connect with instructions on setting up your account.

If you have any account-related questions, please visit the My School Connect Help Desk for support.

Thank you for your support as we make this transition as smooth and positive as possible. We appreciate the trust you place in St Mary’s Catholic College, and we look forward to continuing to provide exceptional services to our school community.