Newsletter - T3, W6 - 25/8/23

From the Acting Principal

Trial HSC Examinations
Our senior students completed their Trial HSC Examinations today. All students approached these examinations calmly and were very diligent throughout. This can be a stressful time of year for some students, it is important that they take in the feedback given by their teachers and look for areas of improvements. Regardless of any students result it must be remembered using a sporting metaphor ‘Grand Finals are not won in August’. Our year 12 students only have 4 weeks left of their formal schooling and they are to be congratulated on how they have conducted themselves.

Year 9 Camp (Kokoda)
Welcome back to Year 9 and all the staff who accompanied them to Kokoda. This is a challenging but very rewarding camp. Students are taken outside their comfort zone and form a tight bond with their group members. I look forward to hearing some of the stories from the camp.

2024 Student Leadership Team
Congratulations to the following senior students for being appointed to the 2024 St Mary's Catholic Colleges' Student Leadership Team. These students will be fantastic representatives of the student body and the College.

College Captains: Ella Andrews and Clay Wilkinson
College Vice Captains: Erica Richards and Noah Plant
Champagnat - Libby Walker
dePaul - Emily Gaydon
MacKillop - Olivia Graham
McAuley - Hayden Paff 

Have a great weekend!

Michael Campbell
Acting Principal

From the College Business Manager

School Fees
A reminder that Year 12 school fees were due on Tuesday, 22 August 2023, unless an arrangement has been made with the College Business Manager.  Leanne Brentnall from the Catholic Schools Office will be in contact with families of Year 12 students to follow up outstanding fees.

Year 12 Retreat - Camp Drewe
The above two amounts will be added to parent/carer school fee (debtor) accounts for current Year 11 students. Payments for the camp can be paid via Compass, Bpay, or at the College Office. These two amounts will also appear on your next School Fee Statement and are due and payable by Friday, 13 October 2023. Regular payment instalments are encouraged to spread the expense from now until the due date

The College is required to confirm student numbers and make an advanced payment to Camp Drewe two weeks prior to the camp ie Thursday, 26 October 2023 . The camp is compulsory for all Year 12 students however if your child has a valid reason for not attending this camp, an application must be made to the Principal in writing and approved prior to Thursday, 26 October 2023. If the Principal deems the reason valid then a full credit for the camp costs will be applied to the debtor account. Please note this is a non-refundable event.

Leanne Cummins
College Business Manager

Upcoming Dates

Week 7
Monday 28/8/2023 - Stage 6 Business Studies Study Day
Monday 28/8/2023 - Yr 10 Troubie Production
Tuesday 29/8/2023 - Showcase
Wednesday 30/8/2023 - Business Studies Student Day - SCU Lismore - Whitebrook Theatre
Thursday 31/8/2023 - SLR Excursion - Ballina/Byron 
Friday 1/9/2023 - Student Free Day / Staff Development Day

Week 8
Tuesday 5/9/2023 - 14s NRCC AFL -Byron Bay
Thursday 7/9/2023 - 16s NRCC AFL -Byron Bay
Friday 8/9/2023 - SCU Masterclass Day - SCU Lismore
Friday 8/9/2023 - Yr 9 Fathers Day Mass - 9.00am 
Friday 8/9/2023 - RuOK Day 

Parish Mass Times

Weekend Mass
Saturday 5.00pm 
Sunday 8.00am

Weekdays
Monday 9.00am
Tuesday 8.00am
Wednesday 8.00am
Thursday 9.00 am
Friday 9.00 am
Saturday 9.00am 

Adoration
Following 9.00 am Mass Saturday

Reconciliation
Saturday 8.30am - 9.00am

Country Mass
Sunday 27/8/23 - 10.30am  Tabulam

Mission Team

Mission
This weekend, we hear in the Gospel of Matthew “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 16:19). It’s the teachings of Jesus that are the keys of the kingdom. When any faithful Christian who identifies Jesus as the centre of our being, and when you speak those words faithfully, you are using the keys of the kingdom to open the kingdom in people’s lives.

We call our young people of St Mary’s to be Kingdom People - to work together to bring about the best in our world. By standing together for what is right, for helping others when we see a need, and for always being the best version of ourselves, we can be Kingdom People for those we meet. 

I would like to remind all our families that SMCC now has a facebook page! Be sure to follow us for photos and updates on what is happening at the College.

World Youth Day
A reflection on the youth sent through by Father Peter Slack from Pope Francis. ‘I would like to say one thing about how I experienced WYD. This is the fourth one I have experienced. The first one was in Rio de Janeiro which was monumental, Brazilian-style, beautiful! The second was in Krakow, the third in Panama; this is the fourth. This is the most numerous one. The hard, concrete data said there were more than a million. More. In fact, at the Vigil at night, yesterday, it was estimated to be one million four hundred or one million six hundred thousand people. These are the government figures. The number is impressive. Well prepared, eh! Of the ones I have seen, this is the best prepared.'
 
The young people are a surprise. Young people are young, they act youthful, life is like that. But they are seeking to look forward. And they are the future. The idea is to accompany them. The problem is knowing
how to accompany them. And that they shouldn’t detach themselves from their roots. That’s why I insist so much on dialogue between old and young, between grandparents with grandchildren. This dialogue is
important, more important than the parent-child dialogue. With grandparents, because it is precisely there that you find the roots. Then young people: they are religious, they are looking for a non-hostile, non-artificial, non-legalistic faith, an encounter with Jesus Christ. And this is not easy. They say, “But young people dont always live life in accordance with morality....” Who among us has not made a moral mistake in our lives?

Everyone has! With the commandments or with someone, each of us has our own downfalls in our own history. Life is like that. But the Lord is always waiting for us because He is merciful and [He is] Father, and mercy goes beyond everything. 
 
For me the WYD was beautiful. Before I caught the plane, I was with the volunteers who were 25,000! It was a mystical experience, an engagement that was really beautiful. That is what I wanted to say about Youth Day.’

Clare Axman
Assistant Principal - Mission

Evangelisation

Assumption Mass
Last Tuesday, 15 August 2023 we gathered with St Mary’s Primary to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption. Year 3 to Year 10 gathered to commemorate this important Feast Day. Together as a united school community we were able to come together to reflect on our faith, honor the Virgin Mary, and celebrate this significant day of Holy Obligation. Thank you to all of the students who participated in this Mass, particularly to our joint school choir, readers and Altar Servers. 

Shine
This week 20 of our students Shine, this event unites Youth Ministry (CSYMA) students in Catholic secondary schools of the Diocese of Lismore. The Youth Ministry program is offered to Year 9 and 10 students, allowing those with a willingness to nurture their faith an opportunity for Christian fellowship and spiritual formation. We also have two Year 11 students attending as small group leaders. Thank you to Mrs Clare Axman and Mr Jed Lisetto for accompanying our students. 

Year 9 Fathers Day Mass
Friday, 8 September 2023 we will be joining with the Parish for Mass to celebrate our fathers and all of the special male role models in our lives. All parents, carers, and special mentors are welcome to join us for prayer. 

Social Justice Cake Stall
Saturday, 2 and Sunday, 3 September 2023 we will be hosting a Cake stall following the Parish weekend masses. The proceeds raised form this will contribute to our Hardship Fund. This is vital in providing our families with equitable access to education. Any families who would like to donate any baked goods or any students who would like to help run the stall are asked to contact Ms Day- mahaila.day@lism.catholic.edu.au

Mahaila Day
Leader of School Evangelisation

Pastoral Care
This afternoon we saw our Year 9 students return home from an amazing few days at camp. We will have some more information about camp once they have managed to have a shower and sleep! We look forward to showing you some photos and hearing about it from some of our students in the coming days.

Michele McCaffery
Leader of Pastoral Care

Learning & Teaching Team

Transition Week Changes
In the last newsletter I outlined that the College was changing the way it did transition week from this year. I explained that we were moving from a social justice focus to a learning and teaching focus. In this newsletter I wanted to explain 2 other changes that will go along with this move.

End of Year ‘Fun’ Day
With the focus of transition week now being on learning and teaching, the traditional end of year ‘fun’ day that the College has previously had at the end of transition week will be moved to later in term 4.

The new SMCC Integrity Awards outlines that those students maintaining an 80% average in their awards throughout the year will be invited to attend a day to celebrate their achievements. This day celebrates those students who have maintained the College core values and expectations throughout the year - who have shown that they can be respectful, responsible and ready consistently. More information on this day will be forthcoming in term 4.

Reach Out Initiatives
In line with the College motto, we will continue to strive to give all students access to initiatives that invite them to reach out to others in the school and local community.

Instead of having one off reach out activities at the end of the year, our social justice programs will now be integrated into our weekly activities. Students in Stage 5 will have the opportunity to participate in reach out activities every Thursday during sport time. The College feels that this is a more consistent way of integrating our values and our motto into everyday life for our students.

From 2025, these initiatives will be open to all members of the College community.

SMCC Integrity Awards - Term 3
The first SMCC Integrity Awards for Term 3 were released earlier this week. Please check Compass for these results.

Nadine Connolly
Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Reminder
We would like to remind everyone that St Mary's Catholic College has a Staff Development Day / Student Free Day on Friday, 1 September 2023, Week 7.

Kelly Winters
Leader of Pedagogy

Showcase
Showcase is on Tuesday, 29 August 2023 (Week 7). Doors open at 6pm.
Tickets cost $6 and are now available through Compasstix 

Come and enjoy the cultural achievements of our students. On the night there will be an exhibition that encompasses Art, Photography, Design, and Technology. Then strap yourself in to be emersed in the musical talents the College offers with a concert incorporating Music, Drama and Dance.

We look forward to seeing you on the night.

Darren Harper 
Leader of Student Wellbeing - de Paul 

Sports News

Diocesan Athletics
Wednesday, 23 August 2023 saw SMCC send down 25 students to Coffs Harbour to compete in the Diocesan Athletics Carnival. The beautiful weather made for a fantastic day of track and field events. Congratulations to all students that made it through to this day. 

St Mary’s athletic ability shone through with 8 of these students progressing through to the NSWCCC Interdiocesan Athletics Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre, Homebush Bay.

• Josie Ryan 13 years girls 400m
• Zubaida Soliman 15 years girls Javelin
• Angel Codrington 16 years girls Javelin
• Lascelle Hayward 16 years girls High Jump
• Campbell Stuart 12 years boys 100m
• Jay Urquhart Purdon 13 years boys Javelin, Shot Put and Discus
• Nashua Thomas 13 years boys High Jump
• Jayden De La Cruz 16 years boys Shot Put 

The College would like a special mention to go to Jay Urquhart Purdon for not only coming first in 3 separate events, but for also being named 13 years boys Diocesan Age Champion. A phenomenal effort.

The College would also like to thank Mr Andrew Bartlett and Miss Zoe Hughes as well as students Zubaida Soliman and Brianna Parker for helping with girls' Javelin all day.

Rugby 7s
At the Rugby 7s Gala day held at SCU, St Mary’s 14 yrs Rugby Union side played three games.

The first game was against a big and fast Woodlawn side. Even though St Mary’s never gave up, they came second with a 39 nil loss

Game 2 was against Byron Bay. A much better effort in this game with St Mary’s controlling the ball much more consistently- but still going down 31 nil

Game 3 was against Lindesfarne - a number of times St Mary’s were close to scoring only to give the ball back - final score 31 nil.

Best and Fairest:
Game 1 Lachlan Rippon
Game 2 Jay Purdon
Game 3 Flynn Formaggin

Netball NSW Schools Cup
The N.S.W Netball Schools Cup - Phase 1 Local Day was held in sunny Ballina on Friday, 11 August 2023, and what a cracker of a day it was. 

St Mary's was represented by four teams: Year 7 & 8 boys, Year 7 & 8 girls, Year 9 & 10 boys and Year 9 & 10 girls. We congratulate all our St Mary's students for their great sporting representation on the day and wish all the best to the Year 7 & 8 boys and Year 9 & 10 girls who will continue on to the next phase of competition.

The Year 7 & 8 boys played six games, with them playing some strong games and games with some very close outcomes. Their match against Trinity saw a loss by 1 point. Their last game saw them play Woodlawn, which ended in St Mary's coming away with a great win of 3 - 6. Overall the Year 7 & 8 boys came away with four wins and two losses. This has resulted in them getting a wildcard into the next round that will be played out in September. 

The Year 7 & 8 girls played six games, with the first game seeing them tie against Emmanuel Anglican College. The remainder of the five games had the St Mary's girls just lose to Woodlawn in both games, with the remainder of games being wins and unfortunately their last game saw Summerland forfeit.

The Year 9 & 10 boys played five games, seeing the first game played strong, giving them a win. Out of the five games the St Mary's boys played they had 2 wins and 3 losses. Their last game, which was against Trinity, saw the first half contested as a one for one point game. Unfortunately the boys could not hold on and lost by 3 points. 

The Year 9 & 10 girls played six games, seeing the first game forfeited and the last game, giving St Mary's the win by default. St Mary's 9 & 10 girls still played the two teams that forfeited along with Richmond River High School that played strongly against St Mary in both games, but proved to be no match for the greatly talented team of 9 & 10 St Mary's girls, gaining a win in both games. As a result of the landslide victory by the St Mary's 9 & 10 girls they will be moving further on in the competition. 

I would like to acknowledge the following St Mary's girls for refereeing many of our games throughout the day on top of playing for their respective teams.

1. Sofie Formaggin
2. Hanna Formaggin
3. Elly Graham
4. Josie Ryan
5. Bella Roberts
6. Chelsea Scully
7. Belle Wall
8. Zubaida Soliman
9. Isabel Shields 

Thanks also to the staff that attended, Shenane Reuben Kawane, Lauren Cameron, Karlee McPherson and Daniel Sekulic .

Upcoming Sport

Term 3 SMCC has:

• NRCC AFL - 14s - Tuesday, 5 September  2023 - Byron Bay
• NRCC AFL -  16s - Thursday, 7 September 2023 - Byron Bay
• Netball NSW Cup Round 2 - Yr 7/8 boys and Yr 9/10 girls - Thursday,  14 September 2023 - Ballina
  

Andrew Fitness
Sports Coordinator

Canteen

Volunteers
We are looking for volunteers to assist in the Canteen. Please contact the Canteen via the College office if you are available at any time to help.

Flexischools
Flexischools is a well-established organisation allowing you to easily place all your canteen orders online at any time.

Download the Flexischools app from the App store or Google Play. Click here for details on how to set up your account. 

Once registered, you can start placing orders immediately.

Please note that sushi orders will need to be placed before Tuesday afternoon at 1pm as Sushi will only be available for Wednesday orders.

There is a charge of $0.29 per order for using this service.

If you have any questions, please contact the Flexischools Customer Service Team via their website contact page.

The normal process of ordering from the canteen (cash, eftpos, morning lunch orders) is still available.

Uniform Shop

Uniform Shop Opening Hours
Tuesdays         3.00pm to 4.15pm
Thursdays        1.30pm to 4.15pm

The Uniform Shop service is a cashless service. Methods of payment are by EFTPOS or online ordering via Flexischools. No fees are charged to families for using the Flexischools service.

Please note the following information for orders made via this service:

Tuesday Orders
- Cut off time is 12 noon on Monday
- Pick up available from the College office on Tuesday afternoon from 3.30pm - 4.15.00pm

Thursday Orders
- Cut off time is 12 noon on Wednesday 
- Pick up available from the College office on Thursday afternoon from 3.30pm - 4.15pm.

Orders not collected will be given to the student to take home.

Whilst all care will be taken to ensure that stock availability is correct at the time of ordering, there may be some items that are not in stock at the time of packing the online orders. In this case, you will be contacted to advise of an estimated time of arrival for new stock of that item or given the option of a refund processed through Flexischools.

All uniform shop order enquiries can be emailed to: cash-uniform@lism.catholic.edu.au

Second Hand Uniforms

Sustainable School Shop is an online shop dedicated to buying and selling of second hand uniforms. For more information ring 1300683337 or visit www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au.

 Please note that this facility is available for use with the new College uniforms only.

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