Pastoral Bulletin
Welcome to Week 5 of Term 2 2023
General School News
Our Open Night was a huge success! It was fantastic to share everything that is great about St Mary’s with our wider community. A huge thankyou in particular to all the students who volunteered their time to help with the event. You represented us with pride and professionalism.
- Good luck to all runners competing at Yungaburra in the Peninsula Cross Country event. St Mary’s is well represented in the TCS team and we know you will all do us proud.
- Our uniform and grooming expectations unite us as a community. Some students are choosing not to follow these expectations, particularly around jewellery. Our expectations can be found here. All students are reminded that jewellery is to be discrete, and only one ear ring (plain sleeper or stud) in each earlobe is permitted.
- There have been several instances of near miss injuries involving students on bikes and scooters. If students are using any form of transport that has wheels, it needs to be walked when inside the College grounds. Staff on yard duty will be reinforcing this and we appreciate your support in reinforcing this at home.
- Please see the following for our updated Student Protection Contacts. Anytime students wish to report information of bullying or student protection issues the below staff members are here to support. Their contact information can be found in this bulletin or the St Mary’s website. In addition, students have the option of emailing: bullymail@smcc.qld.edu.au
Regards,
Leah McBryde
Assistant Principal, Junior Years (7 - 9) | lmcbryde@cns.catholic.edu.au
Justin Brennan
Acting Assistant Principal, Senior Years (10 -12) | jbrennan2@cns.catholic.edu.au
Year 7
- Thank you to those students who volunteered to be an usher during the Saint Mary’s Open Night last Thursday. It was fantastic to see such a large number of students proudly showcasing the school facilities and representing the college to an exceptionally high standard.
- A friendly reminder that it is imperative that students have locks and are making it a priority to secure their locker at all times when not accessing their belongings.
- As we head into a busy assessment period. If students are away due to illness, have missed a draft or assessment due date and require an extension, please contact the relevant curriculum Head of Department.
Regards
Nathan Haydon
Head of Year 7
Year 8
- A reminder to all students that, as per the college’s policies, jewellery is to be discreet and not particularly noticeable.
- Thank you to all the Year 8 students who volunteered as ushers for the annual open night. It was fantastic to receive such a large amount of support from students who represented the college with pride.
- As we begin to approach assessment it is imperative that students engage with their diary. The diary is an effective planning tool that assists students with planning and time management.
Regards
Andy Winter
Head of Year 8
Year 9
- On Thursday afternoon, our school held our annual open night. Well done to all the students who willingly gave up their time to support the school in running this event. Also a special thank you to the families who supported us.
- A reminder to students to keep work books organised. Folders are a great way to keep loose paper; alternatively you can glue them into your books. Keeping things organised will limit stress and help you stay on top of your work.
- If students are away due to illness, have missed an draft or assessment due date and require an extension, please contact the relevant curriculum Head of Department.
Regards
Saripha Curro
Head of Year 9
Year 10
- A reminder that all students should have a daily routine established for checking and replying to emails. This is an organisational skill that is essential for success at school and beyond. I encourage parents to have a conversation with their child to identify if this routine has been established.
- At our last Community PG, the students were introduced to some new acronyms that they will become exceptionally familiar with in the coming years as they prepare to make decisions regarding their senior subjects. Parents and students will be emailed some very useful follow up information regarding this next key stage in their educational journey. I again encourage parents and students to familiarise themselves with the information sent in the email and begin talking about potential pathway options for 2024 and 2025.
Regards
John Cahill
Head of Year 10
Year 11
- Congratulations to all yr11 students who volunteered to help out on our Open Night; what a fantastic way to show leadership skills!
- Please refer back to the assessment planner, drafts are in progress and due very soon, exams are happening in some curriculum areas… Students need to get organised and focused; Key dates must be clear in diaries. Should there be concerns, please reach out.
Regards
Sophie McQueen
Head of Year 11
Year 12
- Students are reminded assessment due dates are approaching. To ensure organisation and any questions regarding assessments, including extensions, please visit: assessment-planners
- Many thanks to those students who were involved in Thursday’s Open Night whether they were preparing food, ushering guests, in music performances or helping staff in their subject presentations. The evening was a great success and students played a crucial role in that success.
- It has been brought to our attention, year 12 students have been sitting in their cars during lunch breaks. Therefore, students are reminded to ensure they are organised prior to the start of their school day, as they are not to be retrieving items from their vehicles during lunch breaks. In addition, this area is out of bounds during the school day.
Regards
Peter Vollugi
Head of Year 12