Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers, 

During Week 2, I had the privilege of addressing the entire school during our Whole School Assembly, underscoring the significance of the event as the last assembly for our dedicated Year 12 students before they embarked on their final school exams. It was a poignant moment to align this assembly with Queensland Mental Health Week (QMHW), an initiative that our entire school wholeheartedly supported throughout the week.

The three central themes of QMHW '23 were awareness, belonging, and connection, which resonated deeply with our ethos at SMCC. Our school has a steadfast commitment to ensuring that every student feels a profound connection to our college community and a genuine sense of belonging. After six years of nurturing their academic and personal growth within our school, it's generally evident that our Year 12 students hold an unwavering attachment to the college – it is 'their patch,' where they truly belong and are linked with the school community. But as they stand at the precipice of a new chapter in their lives, a pertinent question arises: What happens next?

This question is not only relevant to our Year 12 students but also extends to all SMCC families. Particularly though, for our Year 12s, who are on the cusp of a journey into a world where forming new connections and establishing a fresh sense of belonging is inevitable, I'd like to offer the following thoughts for contemplation.

Reflecting on the past, we can draw inspiration from the remarkable ability of Jesus to forge profound connections through simple acts of kindness. With a warm and welcoming smile, Jesus embraced all, without discrimination based on social status or community standing, making each individual feel cherished and valued. As both human and divine, he nurtured belonging characterised by compassionate care, attentive listening, and unwavering respect for every person, regardless of their societal, economic, or influential positions.

He championed a message of acceptance, love, and forgiveness, ensuring that no one was marginalised. In an era marked by rigid societal restrictions, Jesus broke down these barriers, allowing everyone to be heard and seen, fostering a profound sense of belonging, connection and quite simply, love.

As our Year 12 students prepare for their exams and approach the culmination of their time at Saint Mary's Catholic College, I hope they take with them the profound feelings of love, hope, and belonging cultivated during their time at SMCC. 

I offer my very best wishes to all Year 12's with their final school exams. 

Kind Regards,

Kerry

Ms. Kerry Manders

Principal

smw.principal@cns.catholic.edu