Pastoral Bulletin
Welcome to Week 1 of Term 3 2023
News and Reminders from your Pastoral Leaders.
General School News
- Welcome back to Term 3! We hope all St Marys families have enjoyed a restful break and ready to commence the term.
- Congratulations to our Rugby League Confraternity Team, QISSN Netball Team, and St Mary’s Run Squad over the holidays competing in carnivals and festivals over the break. We look forward to sharing their successes with the community in the coming weeks.
- School Captain Speeches will take place this week at our College Assembly. Best of luck to students presenting on Tuesday.
- A reminder of our College personal grooming and uniform expectations returning from holidays. Please refer to our Student Expectations for all information. Students returning to school not complying with these expectations will be referred to the Head of Year and/or the Assistant Principals.
- A reminder in accordance with our Electronic Device Policy students are to secure their Electronic devices in their lockers from 8:30 - 3:15 pm each day. Students can only access devices at their locker during the ten minutes at the start of each break. Access to devices outside of these times will incur consequences and confiscation.
- Please continue to check the school portal calendar for regular updates on events happening in the College over the term.
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
- A warm welcome back to all Year 7 students and families. I hope the break was refreshing and enjoyable for all.
- Sport & House Uniform requirements are similar to the arrangement at the beginning of last term. Students need to check their HPE class code on their timetable as this determines whether they are in the ‘odd’ or ‘even’ group for uniform. The requirements for each group are as below:
Year 7 HPE Odd groups (1,3,5,7)
House Uniform - Mondays (for HPE)
Sport Uniform - Wednesdays (for HPE & Sport)
Year 7 HPE Even groups (2,4,6,8)
Sport Uniform - Wednesdays (for HPE & Sport)
House Uniform - Fridays (for HPE)
- Lastly, in SEL lessons leading up to our camp in week 6, students will be engaging in class activities that encourage them to demonstrate leadership skills and perseverance to overcome challenges.
Regards
Nathan Haydon
Head of Year 7
Year 8
- Welcome back! I hope you’re all feeling recharged and ready to get back into our learning. Effort is everything!
- I would like to take this opportunity to remind students about the importance of speaking up about inappropriate behaviours. Speaking up creates an environment in which all students feel safe, supported and valued within our College community.
- Sport & House Uniform requirements are similar to the arrangement at the beginning of last term. Students need to check their HPE class code on their timetable as this determines whether they are in the ‘odd’ or ‘even’ group for uniform. The requirements for each group are as below:
Year 8 HPE Odd groups (1,3,5,7)
House Uniform - Tuesday (for HPE)
Sport Uniform - Wednesdays (for Sport/JSS)
Sport Uniform - Friday (for HPE)
Year 8 HPE Even groups (2,4,6,8)
Sport Uniform - Mondays (for HPE)
House Uniform - Tuesday (for HPE)
Sport Uniform - Wednesdays (for Sport/ JSS)
Regards
Andy Winter
Head of Year 8
Year 9
- We hope you had an enjoyable break and are feeling refreshed and ready to dive back into school! We cannot wait to see what this term brings.
- It is imperative that all lockers be equipped with locks to ensure the safety and prevent theft of personal items. The College provides each student with their own independent locker, therefore, discouraging the sharing of any lockers.
- A gentle reminder to students upon returning to school their jewellery is to be discreet, meaning not particularly noticeable, and is limited to:
- One watch
- One silver or gold bracelet
- One silver or gold simple necklace
- One silver or gold ring
- One small silver or gold sleeper/stud in each earlobe only (no diamonds or pearls)
- Visible piercings other than earrings in the lowest hole in the earlobe as described above must be removed while in school uniform, this includes clear or thin coloured piercings.
Please ensure all valuable jewellery is taken off and kept at home to ensure they do not become lost or damaged.
Regards
Saripha Curro
Head of Year 9
Year 10
- Congratulations to the cohort on the impressive Semester 1 reports. I have been tracking the ‘Application’ result for each student and their subjects over the last year. This data has driven a number of conversations and raised awareness that effort leads to success. In Semester 1 2022, there were 85 ‘Ds’ given for Application. In Semester 2 2022, there were 69 and for Semester 1 2023, there were 31. This significant improvement is a testament to the work and commitment of the students and their PG Mentors, I look forward to this trend continuing.
- On Tuesday 11 July St Mary’s will hold our Subject Expo in the Hugh O’Brien Centre. The Subject Expo allows all curriculum departments and external providers the opportunity to showcase the learning opportunities that are available to students moving into senior schooling.
- Parents are invited and encouraged to join their child to view the Subject Expo displays and speak with HODs, Teachers and External Certificate providers from 4.30pm until 5.30pm.
- From 5.30pm – 6.30pm there will be an information evening for Year 10 students and parents about Senior Pathways at St Mary’s.
- A follow-up Q&A Zoom session will be held on Thursday 20 July for parents who have any further questions or are seeking clarification regarding senior subject selection.
- Making the right choice of subjects and pathway for Senior Schooling is a big decision and it is important that it is given the appropriate amount of attention. Experience tells us that when students and parents are engaged with the process, the best outcome is usually always achieved. Consequently, I would strongly encourage all students and families to attend the Subject Expo Evening to prepare for the SET plan meetings in Week 3.
- Students are reminded to check their emails daily for the last minute details and reminders for Retreat and the Alternative Program.
Regards
John Cahill
Head of Year 10
Year 11
- We have the RYDA Road Safety workshop on Monday with external presenters and morning tea catered for; Students need to wear their House uniform for some House competitions afterwards. No Community PG on Monday, students are to go straight to PG rooms prior to going to the Lecture Theatre. I look forward to seeing everyone back and ready to start Term 3 strong.
- Six year 11 students interviewed successfully for the role of College Captain; they will be presenting their speech during the College Assembly on Tuesday. We wish them good luck!
- A reminder for students of the importance of securing belongings. It is imperative that all lockers be equipped with locks to ensure the safety and prevent theft of personal items (phone, money etc…).
Regards
Sophie McQueen
Head of Year 11
Year 12
- Welcome to Term 3. I hope you all had a relaxing and refreshing break and are ready to work to your highest potential.
- IA3 is either well underway or just around the corner - this is your last chance to get as many internal assessment marks as you can before external exams
- Alternative Program in Sport time - during Semester 2 your sport time will be taken up with an alternative program. During this time we will be doing many preparations for the Celebration dinner and Graduation so it is very important that you are present.
Community PG will shift to MONDAY mornings. For week 1 it will be held under Intad as the lecture theatre is unavailable.
Regards
Lucy Fitzpatrick
Head of Year 12
lfitzpatri@cns.catholic.edu.au