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Wellbeing Week

This week, St Mary's College is celebrating Wellbeing Week. Throughout the week, students and staff can participate in a variety of engaging activities and opportunities for self-reflection, all aimed at acknowledging the small steps we can take to nurture our mental wellbeing and prioritise self-care.

Wellbeing underpins everything that we do as a College. Our holistic wellbeing framework focuses on achieving wellbeing across all health dimensions: social, emotional, physical and academic.

During Wellbeing Week, students will be encouraged to practice the Five Ways To Wellbeing, listed below. The goal is to nurture connections and discover ways that we can thrive, both as individuals and as a school community. 

1. Be Active
2. Keep Learning
3. Connect
4. Take Notice
5. Give

Thank you to our Wellbeing Prefect, Madeline Burnett (Year 12) and the entire Prefect team for driving this initiative and sparking important conversations within the College community.

Embracing the theme, 'Be Active', we kicked off Wellbeing Week on Monday 9 September with a lively dance-off in the Nagle Centre, energising our Senior School students and establishing a positive tone for the day ahead with catchy tunes that had everyone moving and grooving.

Then, at lunchtime, our courageous Year 12 students went up against staff in a friendly, but fiercely contested, game of dodgeball, where spectacular dodges and action-packed throws added to the high-energy, high-stakes atmosphere. 

Congratulations to the staff on taking the win, and a big thank you to all of our students for their enthusiasm and sportsmanship.

In the Junior School, students had the opportunity to participate in a fun scavenger hunt, with bubbles, skipping, chalk drawing and novelty events planned for later in the week. 

With the focus shifting to 'Keep Learning' on Tuesday and 'Connect' on Wednesday, Senior School students have been testing their knowledge of all things wellbeing with a Five Ways to Wellbeing Quiz held during Pastoral Care. 

Students have also been engaging in meaningful conversations inspired by a series of R U OK? Day videos, which highlighted the importance of not only caring for our own wellbeing, but also making the effort to check in with our friends and family. 

To guide students through the R U OK? Day resources, SMC's Wellbeing Coaches, Courtney Hartog and Zoe Hannaford took to the green couch to share some of their knowledge and advice during today's all-school assembly. 

Following the assembly, students gathered on the College Green to enjoy free pieces of fruit and music organised by the College Prefects. 

Although the weather was not perfect, we still had a fantastic time! It was particularly heartwarming to witness students from both the Junior and Senior Schools interacting and delighting in each other's company.

Millie is leading the way to better wellbeing at SMC

It is with great excitement and delight that we congratulate Millie, our beloved school therapy dog, on successfully graduating from the Care Dogs & Co program. This means Millie is now fully accredited to practice her therapy dog duties at our College on a permanent basis. 

Millie is the only fully accredited school therapy dog in Tasmania, and the state's only Old English Sheepdog tasked with the 'im-pawtant' responsibility of looking after the wellbeing of our students from Kinder to Year 12.

The Old English Sheepdog was acknowledged at our all-school Wellbeing Week assembly today, where she was presented with her official therapy dog vest and received a round of applause. 

Congratulations to Millie and her owner/handler, Heather Collet, a former staff member of SMC, for your dedication and hard work in completing the rigorous training program.

We look forward to seeing more of Millie around the College, where she will be working with students, both inside and outside the classroom, on a weekly basis from Term 4.

Pictured above: Millie providing a comforting paw during the College's Year 7 immunisation program on Tuesday 10 September.

SMC designers steal the show at Tasmanian Fashion Festival 

Clothing items created by the College's up-and-coming designers have lit up the runway for the 2024 Tasmanian Fashion Festival. 

Five SMC students from the VET Sustainable Fashion and Design course and two Year 8 Textiles students had the opportunity to showcase their cutting-edge designs at the festival on Sunday 1 September, alongside other established and emerging designers.

The annual event, which is now in its third year, is a celebration of locally owned, designed and produced fashion with a focus on farm, fibre and repurposing beloved pieces.

For the students, watching the models bring their garments to life was a true 'pinch-me' moment, as was the chance to engage in an exciting, inspiring and creative collaboration.

We are immensely proud of these students and extend our heartfelt congratulations to them, as well as to all the staff involved, for this incredible achievement.

From the selection of materials to the meticulous tailoring, every detail was carefully considered – and the end result was a masterpiece!

Congratulations to the following students who were involved in the showcase: 

Davina Cox, Ada Hauler, Maddie Higgins, Hannah Nermut-Nichols (Year 12), Jemima Faltusz (Year 11), Soraya Navidad, Zara McGuinness (Year 8). 

Career news

Ms Jo Boyd's Year 11 and 12 Certificate II in Visual Arts – Introduction to Creative and Sustainable Design students recently had the privilege of receiving a visit from Emma Petterwood. 

Emma is the Creative Director of Tasmanian-based fashion label Romy The Brand, which she founded in 2022. 

It was especially inspiring to hear Emma share her journey in fashion. She was happy to field some very specific questions about her design process and sources of inspiration, as well as offering insights into what it is like to run a successful small business.

Arrivederci to our Italian exchange student

Last week, the College sadly farewelled Giovanni, who has been on exchange with us from Italy since June – but not before enjoying one last fabulous Italian cook-up together!

Congratulations to our Year 9/10 Italian elective students for diving into the delightful experience of making pasta from scratch, guided by the expert instruction of Giovanni.

We wish Giovanni all the best for his return to Trento, Italy. Safe travels! 

With all roads leading to Rome, we may in fact see Giovanni again in the near future, with plans for a cultural, historical and educational tour of Italy in the pipeline for our Italian language students in 2026.

Students studying Italian at St Mary's College also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in an exchange program with an Italian school, which is offered every year.

Artmaking as a spiritual practice

As part of our Year 9 Life and Faith classes on Spirituality, students were asked to reflect on and describe a place that is special to them; a place they enjoy being with their family or alone; or a place where they can relax, unwind or connect with nature. 

Students then produced a creative art piece to represent their special place and the connection they have with it. Pictured here are just a few of their responses. 

Pictured clockwise, from top left: Table Cape Tulip Farm by Feona Jobi Cheri, Russell Falls by Rita Saliba, Colourland Bay Bicheno by Hayley Mills, White Beach by Zoe Walkley, Soundy Park by Zoe Kasz, Fitzroy Gardens by Lea Jenkins, Tinderbox by Elsa Clennett and Earrings by Grace Holliday – inspired by a Primrose Sands sunset. 

LawFest with Former Chief Justice Michael Kirby

Thursday 5 September saw the College's Legal Studies 3 class attend the annual LawFest at UTAS. The program aims to inspire Year 11 and 12 students to explore and question topical legal issue, as well as engage with current law students to find out what it is like to study law.

As part of the program, the students, together with their Teacher Ms Angela Deconinck, were honoured – and awestruck – to attend an informative and insightful session delivered by the Hon Michael Kirby. 

The session explored the relevant High Court decisions for refugees and asylum seekers, with a focus on the United Nations human rights Bangalore principle and the recent NVYQ case. What an enlightening experience for our budding lawyers!

Year 10 work experience update

Evie Galea (Year 10) recently completed a five-day work experience at St Therese's Catholic School in Moonah. 

Pictured below: Year 10 students recently participated in a job application workshop at the College. 

The workshop was designed to help students develop the skills required to successfully prepare for workforce, giving them the confidence to apply for jobs and meet potential employers. 

St Mary's College top of the class in Australian Geography Competition 

We are thrilled to announce that St Mary's College has been awarded the Top School in Tasmania in the 2024 Australian Geography Competiton. The table included below shows the schools who came first or equal first in their state and combined territories. 

The Australian Geography Competition is a contest for Australian secondary school students, assessing their geographical knowledge and skills. The competition aims to encourage student interest in geography and to reward student excellence.

A big thank you to all the students that participated in the Australian Geography Competition last term. It is due to your collective efforts that we have won this award. Certificates for individual results will be distributed to students soon. 

Day of AI winners snap up their bounty 

In the last edition of The Fountain newsletter, we were pleased to report that Year 7 students, Klara Donnelly and Jean Beerworth won first prize in the Day of AI Australia 2024 Student Challenge (Year 7 category). 

After careful deliberation, the pair decided to use their prize winnings to purchase a Insta360 X4 camera, a hybrid 360/action camera that offers 8K 360 footage, as well as the ability to take underwater shots.

We look forward to seeing all the action they will be able to capture in their Digital Technology classroom, and beyond!

Murphy's Café is flourishing!

Visitors to the College recently may have noticed the addition of a number of beautiful new olive trees, which have brought a delightful burst of colour and life to the Murphy's Café's outdoor dining space on the College Green. 

We wish to thank our resident green thumb, Murphy's Café Manager Phil Shanny, whose creative vision has been the inspiration behind the project, which continues to grow and thrive. We are now eagerly anticipating our first olive harvest and can already taste the house-made olive oil! 

A special thanks is also extended to our 'Barry-of-all-trades', Property Services Manager Barry Figgel, for his gardening expertise and skillful wind-proof planting techniques, which have certainly been tested over the past fortnight! 

ThinkUKnow | Cyber safety education program 

Last week, as part of the Junior School's ongoing cyber safety curriculum, students from Kinder to Year 6 participated in a 'ThinkUKnow' cyber safety session. 

ThinkUKnow is an evidence-based education program led by the Australian Federal Police and delivered nationally in partnership with police and industry to prevent child exploitation. 

The sessions covered a wide range of important topics spanning online safety and cyber security, with an emphasis on what children and young people see, say and do online, the challenges they may encounter while browsing online, and how they can embrace the online world with confidence. 

Families are encouraged to visit the ThinkUKnow website for more information on the program and to access resources and advice designed for parents and carers. 

Musica Viva entertains the Junior School

On Monday 9 September, our Year 4 and 5 students indulged in an entertaining musical incursion presented by Musica Viva, where they enjoyed the mood-boosting show 'Timmy and the Breakfast Band'. 

The talented performers and musicians commanded the stage and captivated the students' attention with their theatrical performance which blended hilarious storytelling with music, circus skills and improvisation. 

Our students left the experience with an enhanced appreciation of music, an added boost of creativity and enormous smiles on their faces. 

Games Afternoon: Kinders have a ball with special visitors

The incredible bond shared between our Kinder students and their fathers and grandfathers was further strengthened at the College last Wednesday 4 September with an activities afternoon providing bucketloads of fun and entertainment!

Squeals of laughter echoed throughout the Nagle Centre as the Kinders challenged their special person to a game of cricket, frisbee throwing, bean bag tossing, ball launching and hopscotch, while others took a break from the action to pose for photos while balancing on bucket stilts.

The joy of Father's Day is endless! Thank you to our special guests for a wonderful afternoon spent together.

Drop Everything and Do Maths 

Maths – no problem! That was the general consensus on Wednesday 4 September as students from the Junior and Senior Schools paired up to participate in 'Drop Everything and Do Maths'. 

With their thinking caps firmly on, students tackled curly brain teasers, maths riddles and puzzles all designed to keep their minds sharp, agile and fighting fit for the day ahead. Well done, everyone! 

Chinese students get crafty 

In the lead up to Father's Day, Year 3 and 4 students in Ms Ruby Lan's Chinese classes created their own bilingual cards to gift to their fathers and father-figures. 

For the participating students, this activity represented the first time they expressed their messages in writing, using both English and Chinese.

The students are to be commended for their heartfelt creations. As you can see from the images below, the cards were crafted in the shape of a father's coat, with students designing their own ties/bow ties and choosing the colours for the outfit. Lovely work! 

Chess mates: Black Square Chess Interschool Tournament

On Thursday 29 August, the Junior School Chess Team competed in a Black Square Chess Interschool Tournament at Rose Bay High School. 

For many of these students, it was their first-ever official tournament, and they represented SMC wonderfully.

Congratulations and well done to all our players. The students finished equal sixth overall (12 schools participated in the primary team competition), which is a terrific achievement. 

Special congratulations to Vivian Harris (Year 6), who was awarded a medal for the top-performing girl in the primary schools' division. A wonderful experience for our students.