Alma Mater

Dear Alumni, 

The July edition of the Alma Mater is now available.

Printed copies of the magazine should be landing in mailboxes this week, so keep an eye on the post. In the meantime, you can also find the full magazine online: click here to access a digital version of the magazine.

The Alma Mater features articles about our inspiring alumni alongside stories about the St Mary's College teaching and learning community. Settle in to discover how our past pupils are making their mark on the world while catching up on a wide range of activities and news updates from Terms 1 and 2. 

This edition includes articles from our Principal, Head Prefect and Alumni President; a contribution from our Director of Identity and Mission, who recently embarked on a pilgrimage to Ireland; an overview of Connect – the College's new Learning Management System and a look at some of the creative ways that coding and digital literacy skills are being integrated into the classroom. 

You'll also learn about what life was really like at St Mary's College as a weekly boarder in the early 1940s, and you'll meet an alumna who is realising her dream of becoming a professional dancer while building a teaching career in her home state. 

Thank you to all alumni, staff and students for your interest in this publication and your valuable contributions.  

Please do not hesitate to contact us by emailing communications@smc.tas.edu.au if your mailing address has changed, or if you would prefer to receive the Alma Mater electronically in the future. 

Warm regards,

Community Relations

Where are they now?

St Mary's College alumna, Jane Burton (class of 1984) is an artist working with photography, film and painting. 

She has recently been named as a finalist in the 2024 National Works on Paper Prize and the 2024 Hadley's Art Prize. 

We interviewed Jane in the latest edition of the Alma Mater. Read the full profile at the link here. 

In the recent Alma Mater, we invited Gabrielle Fracalossi (class of 2015) to look back on her learning journey at SMC. 

Gabrielle, who works as an optometrist in Geelong, Victoria, shares some of her favourite memories and lessons from the College that have remained with her today. 

"The only person that never makes a mistake is the person that never does anything at all." 

Wise words, Gabrielle! 

Honour roll

Congratulations to the following alumni on their notable achievements. 

Caroline Sharpen (class of 1991), who was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in this year's King's Birthday Honours list. The award recognises her service to the performing arts through leadership roles. Caroline was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra in 2019.

Dr Christine Jeffries-Stokes (class of 1980), who was appointed as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia in 2024 for her significant service as a paediatrician, to rural and remote medicine, and to the indigenous community. 

Read more of our alumni achievements in the latest edition of the Alma Mater. 

Call out for content

With the current edition hot off the press, we're now collating content for the December edition of the Alma Mater and would love to hear from you. 

Likewise, if you know of alumni, working in any field, who are achieving amazing things, we would love to hear about them. 

Please send us your news, achievements and milestones by emailing communications@smc.tas.edu.au