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Science Week recap: Species Survival – More Than Just Sustainability

This year's Science Week was a spectacular journey through the wonders of science, featuring a schedule brimming with exciting and educational activities designed to ignite curiosity and creativity.

We celebrated the week with the 2024 theme: 'Species Survival: More Than Just Sustainability', which underscored the importance of science and innovation in ensuring the survival – and thriving – of different species in an ever-changing world. 

Here are some of the week's highlights: 

• Year 7-12 students participated in an 'Escape Room' during class time. This involved a combination of problem solving and practical tasks which needed to be completed in order to decipher a code and help save the endangered animals from escaping their reserve. 
• Year 9 students hosted the Year 2 classes in the Women in Science Centre for a variety of hands-on experiments, which provided opportunities for relationship building between Junior and Senior School students and encouraged an interest in science. 
• Senior School Assembly: 'Who is It? Challenge. The House Prefects went head-to-head with the help of their Houses to try and identify endangered species from just a small image (e.g. a nose or tail).
• The Year 9A, B and D Science classes attended the Festival of Bright Ideas at Princes Wharf 1 on Friday 16 August. Students had the opportunity to learn from experts in different fields of science and see science in action. Popular attractions included LIDAR mapping techniques, drones (students learned about their various uses from town planning to regenerating mining sites), robot battles, an exploration of genetics, stopping the Hackers and the fun 'Upside Down Goggles' challenge. 
• Watermelon Experiment: Where physics, forces and flying fruit collide! Year 6 students used a watermelon to explore potential and kinetic energy during a lunchtime demonstration that had tension levels at an all-time high. Students and staff gathered in the Junior School Courtyard to predict how many rubber bands it would take before the fruit exploded, watching with bated breath as the watermelon began to slowly crack under the pressure of the stretched bands and its juices foam. The magic number was 260 and the explosive bang was worth the wait!

Celebrating the magic of reading: Highlights from our Book Week parade 

Our annual Book Week parade was a true spectacle of literary magic and creative flair, with colourful book characters and mythical legends coming to life across the College last Wednesday 21 August. 

From witches and wizards to superheroes, princesses and rainbow unicorns, the diversity of costumes mirrored the variety of stories that captivate young hearts, serving as a reminder of the timeless power of books, and the way that stories can transport us to worlds beyond our own, fostering empathy, imagination and a lifelong love of learning.

The theme 'Read, Grow, Inspire' set by the Children's Book Council of Australia for this year resonated vibrantly throughout the parade. 

The atmosphere in the Nagle Centre was charged with excitement, filled with cheers, expressions of awe, and the delightful joy of a collective imagination.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the parents, carers, teachers and students who dedicated their time and energy to participate in the celebrations and created such spectacular costumes.

More photos from our Junior School and Senior School Book Week parades are on our website here. 

Overall, the success of Book Week was truly a collective effort, with outstanding student participation, 'Drop Everything and Read' sessions, a visiting children's author, a spirited staff versus student debate, a poetry recital competition, creative workshops, art contests, mystery readers and even a few media appearances by our resident Dumbledore and Teacher Librarian, Marylouise Jones! 

Author visit inspires young writers

On Monday 19 August, our Year 2, 3 and 4 students were treated to a visit from Yvette Poshoglian, author of the best-selling 'Ella and Olivia' series, as part of our Book Week celebrations. 

Yvette shared her strategies for creating engaging characters, memorable settings and inspiring narratives, describing the way place, people and animals influence her work and spark her imagination. 

The students enjoyed finding out about her creative processes, asking Yvette thought-provoking questions about her new children’s book, Dear Greta, her life as an author living in Campbell Town and her adorable schnoodle, Archie. A few lucky students even had the chance to get their books signed after the event. 

Reading is Magic

Reading is magic and so was our Student Resource Centre (library) last week, with Teacher Librarian Marylouise Jones' 24-year legacy of dressing up for her beloved Book Week continuing with an enchanting winter wonderland, inspired by the worlds of Narnia and Harry Potter. 

Thank you to ABC Hobart radio and the Mercury for celebrating her story.

Buddy readers 

On Wednesday 21 August, students took a break from their busy routines to sneak in some precious reading time in the spirit of 'Drop Everything and Read'.

Junior School students buddied up with students in our Senior School to participate in the activity, which encourages children and families to make reading a priority in their lives.

Finding the perfect reading nook was all part of the fun, with students seeking out a quiet, cosy spot in the classroom to enjoy a story together.

The great debate

To finish off Book Week, Friday 23 August saw students and staff battle it out in a strong-spirited debate. 

Participants tackled the topic: Should politically incorrect books be banned? It was a close competition, with staff winning by a small margin! 

Well done to all debaters for your well thought out responses and very entertaining debating skills. 

We all know that reading is the foundation of all learning, and our school library plays a vital role in fostering a love of books among our students. 

Our combined efforts have not only made Book Week a success but have also reinforced the importance of reading in our community. 

Year 8 students inspired by Hadley's Art Prize

After creating their own nature paintings 'en plein air' (in the open air), the Year 8B Art class attended the Hadley's Art Prize at Hadley's Orient Hotel in Hobart. 

A guided tour of the exhibition provided students with an inspirational insight into the stories, cultural traditions and perspectives of Tasmanian and First Nations artists. 

The Hadley's Art Prize is a prestigious annual art award based in Hobart. It is recognised for offering one of the most significant monetary awards for landscape art in Australia.

The power of community: Annie Kenney donation drive

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all students, staff and families who contributed to the Annie Kenney donation drive, our Prefect's fundraiser for Term 3. The SMC community's generosity has been overwhelming! 

Our Prefects spearheaded the fundraiser and last week sorted and collected the donations received via Pastoral Care groups. These contributions of hygiene and personal care items will provide hope, dignity and relief to girls and women in the greater Hobart area experiencing hardship. 

Building pathways | Year 10 students choose their own adventure 

On Monday 26 August, Year 10 students had the opportunity to attend one of two career sessions delivered by industry guest speakers. 

The sessions gave students the chance to hear about many different careers, industries and employment opportunities. 

We were privileged to be joined by Erin Jackson and Serah Phillip, engineers from GHD Engineering, Architecture and Construction Services; Dr Virginia Andrews-Goff, a marine mammal scientist and former St Mary's College student from the class of 1998, and Clarissa Adriel, an occupational therapist who gave insights into various allied health roles such as speech therapy and physiotherapy.  

The Year 10 cohort also recently welcomed Fairbrother Apprentice Manager, Matthew Scrimgeour and Fairbrother apprentice, Cassandra on site for a presentation on construction pathways and apprenticeship opportunities after Year 12.

We sincerely thank all our guest speakers for sharing their knowledge with students and providing helpful information and resources to guide their future pathways. 

Work Experience | Update

Ruby Berry (Year 10) completed a four-day work placement at Some Hallucination Hair in Battery Point. 

Rose Smith (Year 10) spent a week at St Paul's Catholic School in Bridgewater. 

Sophie Fidanza and Isabel Mayne (Year 10) also enjoyed work experience in a school setting, spending a week at Holy Rosary Catholic School in Claremont. 

Students band together for workshop and concert 

On Monday 26 August, the St Mary's College Year 6 Band and Year 5-6 students from St Virgil's College participated in a combined schools band workshop. 

The day included a welcome and music warm up session, full band rehearsals, and instrumental sectional rehearsals with some of the best tutors in Hobart. 

The pieces the students learned and practiced throughout the day were Bunyip Blues, Penguin Promenade and Atlas Rising. 

The day finished on a high note with a concert for parents and carers. Well done to all musicians, music teachers and tutors for a wonderful showcase. 

Bringing the past into the present 

It was a pleasure to spend time with our treasured Presentation Sisters recently as we stepped behind the scenes of a new video project that will capture the stories of our College and our rich 156-year history. 

Sisters Gabrielle Morgan and Sister Majella Kelly used the opportunity to reflect on their past lives as students of SMC, providing a snapshot of school life in that period. 

The Sisters brought to light some fascinating anecdotes and hidden gems, which we are excited – and honoured – to share with our community and preserve for future generations. 

The interviews were filmed in Fermoy Cottage on Brisbane Street, operated by Heritage Officer, Margaret Rootes, which houses a treasure trove of items that record the history of St Mary's College.