Latest news
Senior School Prize Giving
Prize Giving is always such a special occasion in our College community, and this year's event was no exception.
We were delighted to invite students, staff, families and distinguished guests to Wrest Point on Monday 5 December for our Senior School Prize Giving ceremony, where we acknowledged and celebrated the outstanding efforts and achievements of our Year 7-12 students, reflected on the past academic year and enjoyed the talents of our performers - a fitting end to 2022 and a beautiful representation of who we are at St Mary's College.
Congratulations to the 2022 award winners. We wish you all the best as you embark on your next journeys.
More photos from the evening can be found on the College website here.
Custom-built coffee table showcases student skills
Three Materials and Design students have combined their talents to create a beautiful and functional piece of furniture for the College Reception space that will be used and enjoyed for many years to come.
Year 10 students, Danielle Heaton, Kate Holloway and Temwa Makalani collaborated on the project, which involved designing and building a wood coffee table to replace the existing table which was deemed too small and no longer fit for use.
Earlier in the year the students met with College Receptionist, Traci-Jean Berresford to discuss the inspiration for the new table and how its design could incorporate both style and functionality.
The students returned to the College's Design in Wood Centre to get their creative juices flowing.
After brainstorming ideas, they put pen to paper to produce some initial plans and 3D drawings of their proposed designs.
Once they received the 'green light' from Reception staff, students prepared a paper pattern of the top of the table which they took to the office for a 'fitting'.
The design brief called for a dark coloured Tasmanian timber and Myrtle was chosen to fit this requirement, with Materials and Design staff sourcing the boards from Geeveston.
The boards had been kiln-dried for three months after being air dried for 12 years, so they were certainly ready to be used for this project!
The students graded the boards for colour and grain, choosing the best for the top (which features an elliptical shape), with the rest used for the legs and shelf.
The ellipse was marked out and the top cut using a band saw, and the College crest was engraved on the surface. The students' names were added to the underside of the top.
Following some final sanding and adjustments, the completed table was coated with an acrylic lacquer, before it was set in place in its new home, where it looks terrific!
Congratulations to the students involved for creating such a professional and high quality piece of furniture and for managing nearly all operations of the project with staff guidance.
A day to honour our Presentation heritage
On Monday 21 November the College celebrated the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and our own Presentation heritage, with a liturgy and assembly in the Nagle Centre.
This special feast day commemorates the presentation of Mary as a young child at the temple. This story is a key part of our history at St Mary's College, as our College is founded by the Presentation Sisters and named after Mary. Presentation Day therefore allows SMC to celebrate and honour the important roles of two inspirational women: Mary and the Blessed Nano Nagle.
During the liturgy and assembly, students watched a play about Nano’s life, presented by the Year 4 classes. They learnt about the work of the Presentation Sisters in Australia today and, in particular, some of the wonderful projects that the Sisters have contributed to in recent years.
The assembly ended with a presentation of $5,000 to Sr Gabrielle. This money was drawn from the House fundraising from this year and will go directly to supporting the education of children and their families in The Philippines.
Afterwards, Sr Gabrielle gathered with some of our College Leaders for a lunch courtesy of our Murphy’s Café.
Many thanks to all staff and students involved in the liturgy and assembly and, of course, to our Tasmanian Presentation Sisters for all they do.
Sharon Lawler
Director of Identity and Mission
A night to remember | Year 12s celebrate the year that was
The class of 2022 brought glitz, glamour and a touch of sparkle to their leavers’ dinner at Glen Albyn Estate on Friday 25 November, marking a fabulous end to their schooling career.
Adorned in floor-length gowns in all shades of the rainbow, our Year 12s looked spectacular as their celebrated their special milestone with family, teachers and loved ones, creating memories that will no doubt last a lifetime.
After a lovely two-course meal and speeches, the Year 12s were able to let their hair down and enjoy themselves as they carved up the dance floor.
View more photos on our website here.
Students ready for the next step
The Senior School was a sea of excitement on Monday 28 November as 120 incoming Year 7 students 'stepped up' to their 2023 classes, subjects, teachers and facilities.
The day was a wonderful opportunity for our new and current students to immerse themselves in the many new experiences that 2023 will offer, while familiarising themselves with the Senior School so they can feel more comfortable and confident about the transition.
Students engaged in activities in a rotating schedule, which wrapped up with a sausage sizzle and icy poles on the College Green, providing the chance for more mingling and the forming of new friendships.
We were delighted to have so many new, enthusiastic students join us for 'Step-Up Day' and we wish them all the very best as they transition into the Senior School.
The day was supported by a number of staff members on the College Wellbeing team, and the 2023 Mentors and Prefects.
The magic of science
Students in Year 7 have recently been exploring magnetic and electrical forces in Science, discovering that some forces don't require contact to be felt or seen.
The students were challenged to use their newfound understanding to make one of their magnets float above the other like magic - the expressions on their faces say it all!
Hospitality in action
Students, parents and carers from our EALD community gathered on Thursday 24 November for a wonderful afternoon tea to celebrate the end of the school year.
The occasion brought together a richness of experiences and perspectives for both our families who have a language background other than English and our teaching and support staff who play a role in facilitating their journey at SMC.
Guests enjoyed sharing delicious food and stories that represented their cultural heritage before breaking into groups to hand-stitch pocket hearts as part of the global kindness community movement, 1000 Hearts. Thank you to all staff who organised this special event.
New chapter unfolds for Year 6s
The Year 6 Thanksgiving Mass and Prize Giving held on Thursday 1 December was a wonderful celebration of our leaders of the Junior School and how brightly they have shone this year.
Congratulations on an amazing Junior School journey; we are so proud of the welcoming, thoughtful and resilient group you are. We wish the students well for the next chapter of their schooling. We know you are more than ready for the next step.
A special congratulations to the following award recipients on their achievements.
Year 6 Excellence Awards
English: Jorgia Eyles and Lucy Breen
Science: Alvie Browning and Audrey Bessell
Mathematics: Charlotte Pritchard and Nonica Malhotra
HASS: Jorgia Eyles and Mae Williams
Physical Education: Ruby Parker and Millie Beach
Daily Physical Education: Charlotte Brimfield and Ashlee Bowden
Chinese: Molly Verrier and Lucy Breen
Music: Bree Scott and Mia Brooks
Year 6 Book Awards
Sport and Physical Education: Charlotte Pritchard
The Arts: Freya Dickman
One Pace Beyond: Amity Brown
Margaret Rootes Award for Religious Education: Audrey Bessell
Cecily MacFarlane Award for Citizenship: Cara Watt
Alumni Award: Millie Beach
Lantern Award: Rhea Debnam
Academic Excellence: Jorgia Eyles and Lucy Breen
Ann Stanfield Leadership Award: Jorgia Eyles, Lucy Breen and Molly Verrier
Nano Nagle Award: Molly Verrier
Junior School Musician Award: Charlotte Pritchard
The celebrations continued the next day (Friday 2 December) with a beautiful luncheon to mark the cohort's upcoming transition from Junior to Senior School. Enjoy more photos on our website here.
Year 2 boys farewelled
Friday 2 December was a bittersweet day at SMC as our College community farewelled our Year 2 boys with a special liturgy and graduation ceremony.
We congratulate these students on their amazing spirit, strong friendships and how they have grown as learners during their journey at St Mary's College. We are very proud of you all. View more photos from the day on our website here.
Boys are buddies for life
Tuesday 29 November marked the culmination of the College's 2022 Boy Buddy Program. The program, which formed part of the Junior School Wellbeing program, reinforced the friendly and caring environment and culture that is inherent at SMC.
Sessions were held fortnightly, with Year 1 and 2 boys pairing up to participate in 'lessons' focusing on each student's sense of belonging, safety and friendship as they met, talked, shared and worked with their buddy partner.
Over this time, the boys built a unique bond with their buddy. The program helped the boys to develop so much more than friendships outside their own year levels – it helped them build social skills, (including caring for others and being a good friend), empathy, valuing difference and trust.
Thanks to Mr Holborow who assisted with running the program.
Jaqui Hanstein
Learning Leader of Kinder-Year 2
First Nations celebrate at piyura kitina
First Nations students and their families came together on Wednesday 30 November for an end-of-year celebration at piyura kitina (Risdon Cove).
Sharnie Read shared with the group a possum blanket she had made and yarned about the significance of the different types of markings, what they mean and how they are a reminder of her old people.
After learning about the traditional practice of creating possum skins, we had the opportunity to mark our own.
Sharnie encouraged us to create individual markings that connect us deeply to place, which we shared with one another. We then used an engraving tool to make the markings permanent on the skin. Next year we will sew the skins together and present them to the College as a symbol of First Nations culture, connection to nature and each other.
Our time together was a beautiful way for us to celebrate the nayri (good) year we’ve had together.
Claire Raward
First Nations Facilitator K-12