Latest news
Prefect fundraiser
Thank you to everyone for your support of the 2020 Prefect Fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis Tasmania. The event was a huge success with the auction beginning online and continuing on the night of Friday 18 September to raise an amazing total of $3,234!
The splash of red made for a fun event for staff who battled it out with the silent auction! Thank you to the wonderful sponsors who provided fantastic auction items: Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, Willie Smiths, The Running Edge, L'occitane, SupaWorld Adventure Centre, Village Cinemas, T2 Tea Australia, Savoy Baths and Day Spa, Sheepskin and Opal World, Cooper Automotive, art by Naomi Rose, A&A Mitchelmore, Dymocks Bookshop, Cage Keyrings, Shambles Brewery, Glow on Collins, and Routleys.
A special thank you to Angela Mitchelmore, VET Hospitality students and the Year 12 Prefects for their hard work and the running of a fantastic event!
Fridge or pantry?
You may have heard Ada and Mikayla (Year 8) on ABC Drive recently. They weighed in to crack the code on the age-old tomato sauce debate, fridge vs. pantry and discussed the interesting findings from their recent investigative science project.
Missed it? That's okay, you can listen to the recording via the ABC news article here.
Year 10 debating
At the end of Term 3, the Year 10 debaters won their semi-final debate against New Town. They had a short preparation debate on the subject of electoral processes. It was 'That individuals' votes should be allocated to the party closest to their 'political compass' result'.
Emily Walter, Molly Topham and Isabel Burdick spoke well, assisted by Bridie Lawler. They are to be commended for their preparation and teamwork.
Year 10 debaters arrived in the final on Wednesday after being undefeated. They prepared for the debating final on the advised subject of ‘Development: housing and homelessness.’ The final was extremely high quality, with both sides presenting thoughtful, persuasive arguments. The Year 10 St Mary's College team narrowly lost the grand final with a split decision between the three judges. They should be proud of their efforts in the final and for the whole debating season.
In the grand scrum of things
Anyone for rugby? This week Year 9 HPE participated in the school-based rugby clinics, developing their skills and knowledge around the game. Pictured below is Abbie Johnstone and Charlotte Barns (Year 9) with Lydia Attrill (Class of 2018) from Rugby Tasmania.
A time to reflect
During their Retreat at Wellspring Church last term, Year 11 students reflected on ‘how they can help to create a school which is one pace beyond but leaves no one behind,' next year in Year 12. This focus connected to the themes of the day with presentations from the Migrant Resource Centre tackling the topic of bias, prejudice and discrimination.
Exploring Tasmania's Aboriginal history at TMAG
Hannah Korn (Year 9) shared the Year 9 history classes' recent experience at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) and their learning more about the colonisation of Tasmania and the impact on the Aboriginal community.
Read Hannah's full article here.
Poetry inspo
One Year 7 class recently studied poetry. For the conclusion of this unit, we were fortunate to have a poet/singer/songwriter come in to talk to us. The guest, Tony Brennan, spoke about his inspiration for his songs and poetry, talked about why he enjoys and finds pleasure in writing songs and poetry, sang us a couple of his songs and read out some of his poems.
Everyone found this incursion interesting and thoroughly enjoyed meeting and speaking with Mr Brennan. He was very inspiring and spoke passionately about his work. This was an experience that many will keep in their minds and hearts when looking at and writing poetry and songs in the future.
Lillian Scott
Year 7
Little monsters
Last term, some of the Year 7 students worked on their James DeRosso inspired clay monsters. Their aim was to create works that were imaginative and fun, and they sure did!
Year 12 Retreat
The Year 12 Retreat was an opportunity for students to gather in the final year of their schooling to reflect on the experiences and memories they have shared together throughout the years at St Mary’s College. Themes of creation, film, music and sculpture were also explored as a human response to connect with the inner personal as well as the out-there transcendence of God.
Marty Ogle from Catholic Education Tasmania led the evening session, providing students with the chance to discuss the impacts of being in Year 12 in the 2020 year. A panel of teachers and students shared honest and encouraging conversations on the challenges that lie ahead. Students had the opportunity to be together in the outdoors and to enjoy a beach walk. To conclude the evening prayer, the cohort prayed that the Lantern of Nano Nagle may inspire them to take the Presentation charism with them as they journey into the world next year.
To the synagogue
During weeks 9 and 10 of Term 3, the Year 8s, most Year 9s and the Year 11/12 Studies of Religion classes visited the Hobart Synagogue.
All these classes have been recently learning about Judaism and students found being able to see inside this beautiful and historic synagogue made their learning come alive.
For each visit, the group were welcomed by a member of the Jewish community who shared their faith and explained many of the features and sacred objects in the synagogue. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Hobart Jewish community for their hospitality, time and energy. We have certainly learnt a great deal from our time visiting the synagogue.
