Family Connect

Paul De Boom

President SMCC Family Connect

Hello everyone,

Welcome to Semester 2 and like your son or daughter, Family Connect are back into it!

Our recent meeting was an opportunity to meet Mr Ian Margetts, Acting Principal; Ian shared his journey to date and his intent during the next six months under his stewardship. 

The College is in good hands and on behalf of Family Connect and the Committee we look forward to working with Ian in the months ahead.

I have attached the minutes of our last meeting held on Tuesday 20th July and the Principal’s report from Mr Ian Margetts.

I would draw your attention to an on-going safety issue raised at our meeting which is also impacting the Red Hill Bakery and other businesses directly across from the College. Parents parking in this business space are not only putting students at risk by their actions but are now directly impacting local businesses and their trade.

My understanding is both the Queensland Police Service and the property owner will be addressing this matter so from one parent to another I would strongly suggest you find another place to park!

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions for future meetings. We can be contacted at smw.familyconnect@cns.catholic.edu.au 

A couple of date claimers for consideration as we move into this term brought to you by 

Family Connect:

• 17 August – Next Family Connect meeting with a reminder that all parents are welcome to attend our meetings and just sit in and share your thoughts and ideas with us without the expectation of further commitment.
• 26 August – Dr Kristy Goodwin – digital wellbeing support for students and parents (separate student and parent sessions)
• 14 September – Supporting your student (writing refresher for parents!)

St Mary’s Immersion Day was held on Tuesday 27th July with representatives of Family Connect, College Board, College Leadership Team and the Principal spending the day exploring “opportunity”.

Ian and the team quickly got us up to speed in regard to the education journey to date, the College focus moving forward and the linkage of the College’s Annual Improvement Plan and the College’s Strategic Directions 2021 – 2023.

Additionally we all had the privilege to engage with students and educators through guided learning walks exploring 5 key questions:

• What are you learning and why?
• How are you doing?
• How do you know?
• How can you improve?
• Where do you go for help?

When engaging with the students in the classroom we were looking for learning intentions, defined success criteria, writing process chart adoption and evidence of this writing process within the lesson.

The walks were informative and highlighted the positive and engaging environment in which our sons and daughters learn.

What I took away was although the College is moving forward under their established plan and strategy they are open to and welcome the opportunity to continually improve what they do and how they do it. Thank you to Ian and the Leadership Team for the day! 

Our next Family Connect Meeting will be held on the Tuesday 17th August 2021.

Regards