Latest news

Belling In

Today was an especially exciting day for our new students who were officially welcomed into the St Mary's College community at our Belling In ceremony. The Belling In is steeped in tradition and is a wonderful example of our College living out one of our Presentation touchstones, Hospitality.

Newly commencing students, together with new staff and our Year 12 students, received a warm reception as they made their way through a whole-school guard of honour, while the Convent bell tolled in the background—one chime for every child.

Celebrations continued on the College Green where icy poles were distributed by our Year 12 leaders.

View more photos from this morning's Belling In on the College website.

First Nations artwork puts a pep in our step

Last year, the First Nations community at SMC began working together on a new project—artwork for the stairs outside the Meeting Place. After brainstorming potential designs, we settled on one that used a combination of palawa kani words and natural art.

The words chosen are based on qualities and values important to those involved in the Meeting Place. As such, words like pulingina (welcome), takariliya (family), and rrala (strong) were selected to represent the SMC First Nations community.

The art displayed on the alternating steps was created by the First Nations students themselves. Every student involved in the Meeting Place designed and hand drew an image of native plants or objects. These images were then used to create the artistic layouts seen on the step risers.

Finally, the colours chosen were inspired by the natural landscape of Country: blue for the sky and sea, yellow for the sandy shores and green for the bushland.

Together, these ideas have been collated to produce the latest art installation within the College. We hope that when walking through the school, you take the time to appreciate the work behind this piece.

Caitlin Marr

Learning Support Officer (First Nations Students)

Pictured: Caitlin Marr, left, and Bellah Parker, the College's Learning Support Officers (First Nations Students).

Urban art project a traffic stopper!

A group of Year 9 and 10 art enthusiasts are adding a splash of colour to the city using a traffic signal box as their canvas.

The students are participating in the City of Hobart's Traffic Signal Box program, which provides Tasmanian artists with the opportunity to express their creativity and have a direct hand in developing the character of their local area.

Work on the traffic signal box, located on the corner of Melville and Harrington Streets (directly opposite Queens Pastry), began this past fortnight, with the students dedicating hours to conceptualising, drawing and painting their retro-inspired design.

The project is just a few brushstrokes away from completion, so stay tuned for the grand reveal to come soon!

Building Works Masterplan video showcase

After many months of consultation and planning, St Mary’s College is proud to present its Building Works Master Plan video—a visual showcase of the significant building works recently completed at the College, as well as those under construction and in the pipeline for the near future.

In this video, hear from Head Prefect, Gabi Radic; Principal, Damian Messer; Director of Curriculum, Chelsea Mouritz and Chair of the Board, Melinda Anderson, as they provide an update on this exciting new chapter for our College.

Watch the video via the link below.

These projects continue to build on our commitment to improving and developing our buildings and learning and recreational facilities for the benefit and enjoyment of students, staff and the broader SMC community.

We hope you enjoy the video, and we look forward to keeping you updated as the works progress. Further information can be found on the College website here.

Year 7 Pillars provides a common ground

Last week was a busy one for our Year 7 students, who have found connection, friendship and community in the great outdoors as part of their Pillars experience.

Highlights of the week included an overnight

experience at Orana, Roches Beach; a Fusion ropes course that tested teamwork and resilience; a spirtuality day centred on personal reflection, and a trip to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Garden with a focus on land and culture.

Students were also challenged to reflect on the key values of St Mary's College: Resilience, Respect, Responsibility and Relationships and how they underpin all that we do at St Mary's.

It was wonderful to see students develop social and emotional skills, as they formed new friendships and connections with one another that will lay the foundation for their journey in the Senior School.

Junior School Leadership Commissioning

The Year 6 Leaders were officially commissioned into their leadership roles in a special Liturgy in the Cathedral on 16 February, where they received their leadership badge and pledged to serve and represent the College with pride.

Congratulations to the following students who embody the qualities we foster in our students. We are confident that they will represent St Mary's in their roles and duties in the true tradition of Nano Nagle.