Newsletter - T4, W4 - 03/11/23
From the Principal
I would like to congratulate all our students for the way they completed the academic school year. Due to a compressed curriculum which allows our senior students to complete 3 of their senior courses in Year 11 and 3 in Year 12, Friday 3 November closes out the school year for 2023.
Next week is transition week and the College has moved to a model of Academic Interviews, giving students and families the opportunity to have a conversation around learning. These meetings are not designed to be a traditional parent teacher interview but more of a dialogue around individual learning goals with significant student voice. The College will be open for supervision only from Monday, 6 November 2023 to Friday, 10 November 2023, attendance is not required and no curriculum lessons will be taught.
The last HSC Examination for our senior students finished on Tuesday. I would like to congratulate all students in particular our Year 12 cohort for successfully completing this significant milestone in their life. On Saturday, 11 November 2023 the College will host the Year 12 Formal in the Relihan Centre, this will provide a fantastic opportunity for staff to celebrate the success of our Year 12 cohort with students and their families.
I am looking forward to working with staff and students of St Mary’s and their families over the coming years.
Have a great weekend!
Michael Campbell
Principal
Upcoming Dates
Week 5 - Transition Week
Monday 6/11/2023 - Student Free Day
Tuesday 7/11/2023 - Student Free Day
Wednesday 8/11/2023 - Senior Retreat Day, Windara
Thursday 9/11/2023 - Junior Waterpolo, Alstonville
Thursday 9/11/2023 - Friday 10/11/2023 - 2023 G.O.A.T. Retreat, Bonville
Thursday 9/11/2023 - Friday 10/11/2023 - Year 12 Retreat, Camp Drewe Lennox Head
Saturday 11/11/2023 - Year 12 Formal
Week 6
Monday 13/11/2023 - 2024 New Academic School Year Begins
Monday 13/11/2023 - Diocesan Golf - South West Rocks
Wednesday 15/11/2023 - Leadership 2024 Assembly
Thursday 16/11/2023 - Senior Waterpolo
Parish Mass Times
Weekend Mass
Saturday 6.00pm
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
Bonalbo - 10.30am Sunday 12/11/2023
An Invitation to Adoration in our Catholic Church
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Every Wednesday between 5 pm and 6 pm.
Could you spend 5 or 10 minutes before the blessed sacrament in silence
Peace within our world
Peace within our community
Peace within your family
Peace within your heart.
Mission Team
This weekend’s Gospel refers to Christian notion of servitude. “The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Mt 23:11-12). As a Christian community we aim for true humility of heart through being of service to others.
As we draw this academic year to a close, we need to take stock of all the times we have chosen to do what is right. When did we help our peers? When did we help our family? When did we see a need and meet the needs of others? I am constantly in awe of our College Community and the myriad of ways they reach out and support one another. We truly have a community of humble service!
Clare Axman
Assistant Principal - Mission
Evangelisation
Senior Retreat Day Windara – Wednesday, 8 November 2023
With our Senior Retreat day fast approaching, we would like to take this opportunity to remind Parents and Carers that consent and payment of $30.00 are now due.
Unfortunately, due to an error in the system some parents were able to give consent for their child to attend, however payment has not been made. If we could please ask that if you are unsure if payment has been made to contact the College office for further clarification.
Mahaila Day
Leader of School Evangelisation
Bushfire Awareness
Many Catholic schools in the Diocese of Lismore are currently impacted by smoke haze due to bushfire events. Bushfires can result in a large amount of smoke particles in the air even when fires may be many kilometres away. Please monitor your young person for any potential health implications.
Signs and symptoms students may experience include runny nose, itchy or burning eyes, headaches, coughing, throat irritation, and shortness of breath. For families of students with Asthma, respiratory illness or heart conditions, please be reminded to consider your young person 's current health condition, ensure they carry relieving medication with them. Please contact the school if you have any concerns about your young person being at school.
Communicating with your young person during this time is important. Discussing being prepared for natural hazards, such as bushfires, is not harmful to your young person but avoiding conversations can leave them to worry on their own.
Emerging Minds provides the following tips:
● Your young person may have already been exposed to media coverage or heard conversations about the bushfires. Finding out what they already know will help you to address their specific worries and concerns.
● Tell your young person that disasters can happen and if all members of the family know what to do, it will help everyone keep safe. It’s important for adults to stay calm and speak with confidence when discussing the family emergency plan. This will help to reduce your young person’s worries.
●Allow your child to ask any questions or make any comments they may have about disaster preparedness. This will help you to understand what needs clarification and dispel any misconceptions they may have.
● Assure your young person that with preparedness, things will be less scary and a lot safer. e.
Involving your young person in the planning can make your young person feel more able to deal with a bushfire threat and feel safe and secure in knowing that you have a plan. Your young person will know that even if they are affected by a disaster, you and your family will use your resources to work together. For information on how to make a Bushfire Family Plan go to NSW Rural Fire Service.
For more information on how to support your young person go to ReachOut Helping your teen deal with the stress of a natural disaster and headspace Coping with the Stress of Bushfires.
e-Safety Webinar for School Parents
All Parents are encouraged to register for a free 30-minute webinar to be held on Thursday, 9 November 2023, from 7.30 to 8.00 pm.
The webinar facilitated by the e-Safety Commissioner will cover:
- creating a positive digital identity
- privacy and sharing online
- managing what you see online
- good practices in group chats
- help-seeking
Click here to register or read the below flyer for more details and to register.
Learning & Teaching Team
Transition Week - Teaching and Learning Interviews - Years 7-9
As you would be aware, next week is the College's transition week where we finish up our 2023 academic year and make a start on the 2024 academic year.
For our transition week this year the College will focus on learning goals and improvement for 2024.
We are asking all parents to come in and meet with a member of staff to discuss your child's academic pathway and learning goals. As a College, we really want to create tighter partnerships with families around learning and we think this is a great place to start.
Please find below, the answers to a few questions that I have been fielding regarding these interviews:
Q: How can I make my interview?
A: Interviews can be made via the conference tab on Compass. This can be found by finding the person icon at the top of your Compass page and following the Conferences label.
Q: Can I make my interview with anyone I like?
A: No - all students have been nominated to a particular teacher. When you go to your conferences tab you will see your nominated teacher.
Q: What if I can not make it into the school?
A: These interviews can be conducted face to face or via Zoom so we can set up a zoom meeting with you and your child for a time that suits you. If we need to, we are even happy to speak to you over the phone - we are just eager to talk to you about the learning your child is doing.
Q: Does my child have to be there?
A: Yes - We are talking about them and their learning and we'd like them to be present in order to contribute to the conversation.
Q: How will I know what the school plans for 2024?
A: In the interview, parents will be given 2 things:
- A learning profile
- Practical strategies
The learning profile will include the standardised tests your child has completed in 2023, 3-5 statements highlighting literacy and numeracy skills your child has achieved, 3-5 literacy and numeracy goals that the College will focus on for your child in 2024.
All parents received an email from their designated teacher on Monday either giving them a Zoom link (if they need it) or asking if parents need an alternative time for an interview if you haven't made one.
We are looking forward to meeting with you next week and talking about how we can work together to improve the learning outcomes of all students at the College.
Transition Week - All My Own Work - Year 10
During Transition week, students in Year 10 will need to complete a NESA course entitled All My Own Work. This course informs students of academic misconduct and expectations for assessment and work completion in their senior years.
This is a compulsory course and no student can be enrolled in a Year 11 subject until this course has been completed to a specific level. This course should take no more than 2 hours to complete and students are required to achieve 90% or above in order to pass the course and show that they understand the necessities of academic misconduct in the HSC.
Mr Woerner has given all Year 10 students access to a Google classroom titled 2023 Year 10 ROSA. The AMOW course is the first topic in the classwork tab. Students are invited to either complete the course at home during next week, or attend the College for assistance on Thursday, 9 November 2023 from 9:00am-11:00am.
No student will be permitted to attend a Year 11 class until this course is completed and 90% is achieved in all quizzes. Quizzes can be completed any amount of times until the desired outcome is achieved.
Thank you.
Nadine Connolly
Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
Library
As our academic year is coming to a close, it is a timely reminder to ensure all students have their books returned for the 2023 academic year.
Commencing week 6, new texts will be given to all students who have returned texts
If students have misplaced a book, they may ask me for an invoice and this will need to be paid for before new books are issued. May I ask that you check with your son or daughter to see that all books have been returned. This will support a seamless start to the new school year.
Bev Champion
Leader of Library and Resources
Sports News
Sports Uniforms
A recent stocktake of our representative sport uniforms has revealed that a number of uniforms have not been returned to the school. This applies especially to the representative netball uniforms. Could I ask that parents check at home for any of these and return them to the school.
Upcoming Sport
Girls Under 15 Water Polo Carnival - Thursday, 9 November 2023, at the Alstonville Pool
Girls Open Carnival - Thursday, 16 November, at the Alstonville Pool
Notes have been sent via compass for those on the teams. Good luck.
Final Farewell and a Warm Welcome to the new Sport Coordinator
Following on from my article last fortnight, As I begin a new chapter in my life, I would like to again say thank you to the entire College community for everything throughout my tenure here as a Teacher and Sport Coordinator.
Today, Friday, 3 November 2023, is my last day at the College. It has been a privilege to work alongside this community, especially being able to be a mentor to so many genuine and talented young people.
With my time coming to an end, I would like to introduce and welcome to the community, the new Sport Coordinator beginning on Monday, 6 November 2023, Mr Craig Beare. I am sure Craig will do a great job and I wish him all the best.
Andrew Fitness
Sports Coordinator
10 PASS Excursion
On Friday, 20 October 2023, students from 10 PASS travelled to the Gold Coast to visit "Bounce" as part of their Lifestyle, Leisure and Recreation Unit. This unit provides students with opportunities to advocate and promote lifelong leisure and recreation activities now and in the future. It was a fun day out and students thoroughly enjoyed themselves participating in all activities including the trampolines, dodgeball and obstacles courses. Thank you to Ms Maguire and Mr Fitness for taking the time to organise this excursion. These experiences are so valuable in providing opportunities for students to learn and explore beyond the classroom environment.
Keely Maguire
Teacher
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.
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.