Latest news
Murphy's Canteen scoops up School Food Service Award
Next time you grab a coffee or lunch from the canteen, be sure to congratulate Murphy's manager, Phil Shanny and his amazing team—they've been crowned the winners of the School Food Matters (formerly the Tasmanian School Canteen Association) 'Environmentally Friendly School Food Service' Award.
It goes without saying that St Mary's College is very fortunate to have a canteen that provides healthy, tasty food choices for our school students and staff.
Murphy's top-notch food service is complemented by the many environmental and sustainable practices that Phil and the team are committed to delivering on a daily basis, including the tireless work that goes into our school gardens from which we harvest the fresh produce that is used in the canteen.
We congratulate all at Murphy's on their outstanding efforts, and thank them for being such important members of the College community.
Guilford Young Medal recipient
Our very own Sr Majella Kelly is among 12 Tasmanian Catholics recently honoured in the inaugural year of the Guilford Young Medal.
The award, announced on 10 November 2021, acknowledges those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the life and evangelising mission of the Church in Tasmania, whether it be through their leadership, meritorious service, notable deeds of merit or professional responsibilities.
Sr Majella is a member of the Presentation Sisters in Tasmania, whose work is dedicated to improving the lives of people in the broader community.
Sr Majella also sits on the Board of St Mary's College. Congratulations on receiving this important accolade, Sr Majella. Thank you for your valuable service to our College.
You've got a friend in me...
It's been a wonderful year for our SMC pen pals who have learnt the joys of letter writing and receiving. Students have discovered that it's a lot of fun to receive a letter in the mail!
We've seen beautiful handwritten notes, funny tales exchanged of pets and family adventures, and reflections on what school is like today at St Mary's College.
Our pen pals have recently been busily crafting their final Christmas letters and cards for the year, along with an Irish Christmas blessing from the students and Nano Nagle.
We also held an exciting pen pal 'meet and greet' at school. Alumna, Mary Smith (class of 1951) popped in to say hello and meet her pen pals, Lucinda and Lucy (Year 6), which was very special.
Students pause to remember
The sacrifice of those who gave their lives in war was commemorated on Thursday 11 November by students and staff at a special Remembrance Day service,
Together, we reflected on the bravery of the men and women who have served, and those that still serve, in the Australian Defence Force and with the allied forces.
All staff and students then paused for a minute's silence to reflect with a grateful heart.
'...At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we shall remember them.'
Artists in the limelight
Friday 12 November marked the launch of the St Mary's College Senior Art Exhibition, Here Comes the Sun.
The event showcased an amazing array of selected art and design work from 2021, created by our talented Year 7-12 students, including their final submissions for the TASC external assessments.
Congratulations to all students who exhibited their work, to their families who supported them, and to our Visual Arts department staff who have guided and encouraged them throughout the creation of their projects.
You can find more photos from the night on our website gallery here.
The College is pleased to announce the following students who have achieved excellence in a particular studio area.
Year 7 Art Awards
Sana Ghiavsand
Georgia Thurling
Sajida Akbari
Year 8 Art Awards
Lillian Scott
Erica Dean
Ava Hughes
Year 9 Art Awards
Art: Eleanor Blizzard
New Media Art: Ella Edwards
Year 10 Art Awards
Art: Madeline Cannan
New Media Art: Charlotte Coutts
Year 11 and 12 Art Awards
Visual Art 2: Hayley Kent
Art Production 3: Adele Harman
Photography: Abby Wilson
2021 Art Acquisitions
Each year works from this exhibition are selected for acquisition by the College. This acquisition program aims to be an enduring record representing the quality and creative talent by our Year 11/12 Art students.
Artworks are purchased from the student, and professionally framed and displayed around the school as part of the College’s student art collection.
Art: Luzie Gillard
Photography: Estelle Bantick
The Russell Packing Room Prize
Art exhibitions have a long history of recognising the work of those behind the scene to help bring the exhibition to life.
The work of the packers is long, strenuous and invaluable; they gain an insight into a multitude of work and have a unique perspective of the works that should be acknowledged. Their experienced eyes often find treasures that are sometimes missed by the Judges.
The Packers take their judging very seriously with a formalised criteria supporting a very diplomatic selection process.
The Packing Room Prize is in its second year at the College, but this year it gains an additional prestigious title ‘The Russell’.
The new title acknowledges the dedication and support of the arts that has been extended by Maintenance Manager, John Russell over the decades that he has worked at the College.
No request, however unusual and last minute, was rejected by John; from rat nests to framing to hanging strange things from the roof, nothing was ever a problem for John.
It is very bittersweet that the name change coincides with John’s retirement and last opportunity to vote for the winner:
Art Production 3: Isobel Lobban
Choir lends their vocals to Giving Tree launch
There's nothing quite like Christmas carols to get you into the spirit of the festive season!
The St Mary's College Senior Choir was honoured to join Tasmanian Premier, Peter Gutwein and representatives from The Salvation Army Tasmania and The Hobart Women’s Shelter on Friday 12 November for the launch of the ABC Giving Tree Appeal.
Donations can be made at online here and will be distributed to Tasmanian charities to buy toys, gift cards and food hampers for individuals and families.
The choir's beautiful soaring melodies were a delight to all who passed through the ABC Hobart atrium.
If you missed hearing our students sing on ABC Breakfast radio, you can catch a snippet here.
Retreats: Building women of character and change
On Monday 15 November, the Year 7 cohort gathered at the Lindisfarne Rowing Club for a day of retreating and reflection.
The theme of this year's Year 7 Retreat was 'Women of Change'. Throughout the day, students explored the significant transition from Junior to Senior School and the learnings and growth the girls have experienced over the past 12 months.
A portion of the day was dedicated to looking at the challenges the students have faced and overcome, and setting goals to further extend themselves as they prepare to enter Year 8 in 2022.
Year 8 students also enjoyed a change of scenery on Tuesday 16 November when they stepped out of the classroom to embark on their Retreat.
Also held at the Lindisfarne Rowing Club, the theme of the day was 'Women of Character', with students given the opportunity to explore and celebrate their own unique skills and character traits.
Students were invited to reflect on the barriers they have faced in their journeys to becoming the 'best version of themselves'.
They also were encouraged to highlight their individual character traits and came up with strategies for channelling those assets into tangible actions for 2022.
Belle Young
Youth Minister
Year 12s end the year in spectacular fashion
The St Mary's College Year 12 leavers of 2021 dressed up and arrived in style at Glen Albyn Estate on Friday 19 November for their spectacular leavers' dinner.
A special rite of passage for our Year 12s, the leavers' dinner marks the end of the cohort's tenure at the College.
Spirits were high as the students, dressed beautifully, posed for photos with family, friends and loved ones and enjoyed a two-course meal and night of dancing and laughter.
Congratulations to each of these girls for finishing their pretertiary education and for celebrating their graduation with their usual poise, elegance and sense of fun.
We hope they will remain in touch with the College and keep us updated on how their futures progress.
Creativity in Science and Technology (CREST)
The CSIRO Creativity in Research, Engineering, Science and Technology (CREST) is an educational program made available by CSIRO for students to develop their science, technology, engineering and mathematical (STEM) skills.
Based on an inquiry approach to teaching and learning, students are engaged at all levels in science investigations and technology projects, with an aim to progress students from structured inquiry through to open inquiry.
This year several Year 10 students have participated in the program as an extracurricular activity. Their hard work has recently been awarded with Silver CREST status by CSIRO.
The students were Keeley Matulin, Faith Wara and Charlotte Couts, who investigated the filtration systems to remove rubber microparticles caused by car tyre wear from entering the ocean through the storm water runoff. The girls were commended for producing an articular report on an inquiry topic with real-world relevance.
Lauren Shelton and Abbey Holloway were also recognised with a Silver CREST award for their investigation into new formulations of inks based on natural products to minimise harm to the environment.
Lauren and Abbey have also been selected for the finals of the prestigious BHP Foundation Science and Engineering Awards which recognise Australia's best and brightest student researchers and innovators.
The Awards are a partnership between the BHP Foundation, CSIRO and the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA), and this year, only six Tasmanian projects were selected as finalists.
Brendon Gourlay and Karen Walter
Learning Area Coordinators – Science