Newsletter - T3, W10 - 27/9/2024

From the Principal

On Wednesday, 25 September the College community farewelled our class of 2024, we are all very proud of their achievements. This group of students led the College with distinction, always putting the community's needs above their own. Whilst we congratulate our outgoing Year 12 students, it is important to acknowledge all the students who enrolled in Year 7 with the class of 2024 back in 2019. Although they did not graduate Year 12 on Wednesday, they did graduate from St Mary’s with the necessary secondary education to gain successful employment, the achievements of these former students should also be congratulated.

I wish all students from the 2019 intake all the best with their future endeavours and look forward to hearing some of the success stories. I would like to give a special mention to our official College leaders for their work in leading the student body, engaging with staff, providing ideas and vision for the future of St Mary’s.

The following quote from Pope Francis is fitting for the occasion:

"Dear young people, do not be afraid of making decisive choices in life. Have faith; the Lord will not abandon you!"

Term 4
We will welcome students back to school on Monday, 14 October after a well deserved break.

HSC
The HSC examinations start on Tuesday, 15 October. I wish all students who are sitting these exams the best over the next few weeks.

Have a great weekend

Michael Campbell
Principal

From the College Business Manager

The payment of school fees is essential for the day to day running of the College and we are grateful for the efforts people make in paying these fees.  If you need to discuss your school fee account please contact the College Office.

Term 1 & 2 & 3 fees are now due and payable unless regular payments are being made or an arrangement has been made.

Term 4 Tuition fees will be billed during the week commencing 14 October 2024 and will appear on the October statement.  

For planning purposes the  schedule of fees for Term 4 is below:

Term 4 Tuition fees Years 7-10 $535 
Term 4 Tuition Fees Year 11 $670.50

All Term 4 fees will be due and payable by 12 December 2024 unless an arrangement has been made.

Leanne Cummins
College Business Manager

Upcoming Dates

Week 1
Monday 14/10/24 - First Day of Term 4 (Day 1)
Tuesday 15/10/24 to Friday 8/11/24 - HSC Examinations Commence
Tuesday 15/10/24 to Friday 18/10/24 - PAT Testing 7-10
Thursday 17/10/24 - Lismore Show Steer Competition 

Week 2
Wednesday 23/10/24 - Girls Fire Up, NSW Rural Fire Service, Casino
Friday 25/10/24 - Dio Volleyball, Coffs Harbour

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
Wednesday 5.00pm
Following 9.00 am Mass Saturday

Reconciliation
Saturday 8.30am - 9.00am
Anointing of the sick
First Saturday of each month 

Country Mass
Sunday 29/9/24 - 10.30am  Tabulam

Please note the Saturday Vigil Mass will change to 6.00pm
From Saturday, 12 October  for the Summer months

Mission Team

What a fantastic term it has been. It is always a strange mix of joy and sadness with which we say farewell to our Year 12 cohort. This group of young people have been a treasure to walk alongside over their time at the College. We have been blessed by their friendly nature and compassionate respect for all their peers. 

As we move to the holidays, we wish all our families a safe and happy holiday period. We look forward to welcoming our Years 7-10 back again next term while our senior students complete their final HSC exams.

Online Safety Essential Conversations: Balance
Engaging online should enrich our lives, not consume them entirely. Some tips for parents: Establish Tech-Free Zones: As a family, create designated tech-free zones in your home where screens are not allowed, such as the dinner table or bedrooms. This can help promote family bonding and reduce distractions.

Promote Self-Awareness: Help your young person become aware of their own online habits and how they affect their wellbeing. Encourage them to reflect on how they feel after spending time online and to recognise when they need to take breaks.

Lead by Example: Model healthy online behaviours by demonstrating responsible device use and setting boundaries for yourself. Show your young person that it's possible to disconnect and engage in offline activities.

Seek Professional Help if Needed: If you're concerned about your young person’s online behaviour or wellbeing, don't hesitate to seek support from a mental health professional or counsellor who specialises in adolescent issues.

Recognising if your young person is addicted to online activities involves observing their behaviour and
looking for signs of problematic online use. Here are some indicators to consider:

Excessive Time Spent Online: Notice if your young person spends an excessive amount of time
online, especially to the detriment of other activities such as schoolwork, hobbies, or socialising with
friends and family.

Preoccupation with Online Platforms or Activities: If your young person constantly thinks about
going online, eagerly anticipates their next opportunity to be online, or becomes irritable or restless
when unable to access the platform, it may indicate a problem.

Neglect of Responsibilities and Basic Needs: Pay attention to whether your young person neglects
important responsibilities such as homework, chores, or personal hygiene because of their online
activities. Observe whether your young person neglects basic needs such as sleep, nutrition, or
exercise because of their online activities.

Withdrawal: Notice if your young person exhibits withdrawal symptoms such as irritability or agitation
when they're unable to access the internet or when they're offline for an extended period.

Relationships: Observe how your young person’s relationships with family members, friends, or peers
are affected by their online activities. If they withdraw from social interactions or prefer spending time
online over engaging in face-to-face interactions, it may be a cause for concern.

If you are concerned about your young person, talk to NSW Parentline for free counselling and referral
service. Read more at Esafety Balancing your time online.

Clare Axman
Assistant Principal - Mission

Senior Retreats - Term 4
During transition week (Week 5) in Term 4 the Stage 6 Retreat and Year 12 Retreat will be held.

The Stage 6 Retreat will be for the incoming Year 11 and 12 students, taking place at Windara on Wednesday, 13 November. This is a compulsory school day to enable the two year groups to come together before beginning classes together the following week. The Retreat is available to consent and pay through Compass. 

The incoming Year 12 Retreat will take place on Thursday, 14 and Friday, 15 November at Camp Drewe. The purpose of the Retreat is to enhance the spirituality of students. This is a valuable time for our students to deepen their friendships with each other and to set personal goals as they embark on their final year of school. The Compass event for the Year 12 Retreat is available for consent and payment.

Kate Rowlands
Leader of School Evangelisation

The Safe on Social team has shared a number of articles for parents to stay ahead of their children’s use of technology. Please take some time to click on the links below:

How to Find Hidden Apps

Meta's New Teen Restrictions

Michele McCaffery 
Leader of Pastoral Care

Learning & Teaching Team

Regional Primary Industries World Skills Competition
Recently our College hosted the Regional Primary Industries World Skills competition. Our students competed against students from St Paul’s College (Kempsey) and St John's Woodlawn (Lismore) in animal handling, tractor skills and fencing. Well done to all students who participated in this event. 

Aaron Kennedy
Leader of Student Welfare

Sports News

SMCC WIN the Len Diett Rugby Union Shield
SMCC U14 Rugby Union team travelled to Wollongbar Rugby Club to contest the Len Diett Shield on Wednesday, 11 September. Four games lay ahead for the team with their first game against Lindisfarne Anglican College, Tweed Heads being a real test of how well the day may pan out. 
The game was close but in the end, SMCC scraped through 10-0 with tries by Captain Lachlan Rippon and Rocco Smith.  

The 2nd and 3rd games against The Rivers and Alstonville High gave our team a chance to flex their muscles with both games ending up in the 40’s without our line being breached. Hat tricks to Lachlan Rippon and Campbell Stuart, a brace to Dominic Formaggin and singles to countless other players. Several conversions were made by Corey Love, who set up the final game nicely against the only other undefeated team in the form of Evans River High School.

The final game was a grand final in itself with both teams displaying why they were undefeated up to this point. Evans River looked likely to take the win on several occasions, but our desperate defence held them at bay. With SMCC receiving a penalty and catching and driving the ensuing lineout, Sam Butler broke the deadlock and Corey Love converted for a 7-0 lead. Late in the game, SMCC’s most consistent player Lachlan Rippon put the game out of sight with a standout try which again was converted by Corey Love for a 14-0 final score.

In the end, SMCC were the deserved winners of the 2024 Len Diett Shield scoring a total of 112 points in 4 games and not conceding a single point.

Craig Beare
Sports Coordinator

NRCC and Nth Dio Touch Football - Grafton -  Tuesday, 10 September 2024

U15 Girls
The U15s SMCC girls touch team showcased determination at the NRCC school competition, despite losing all their games. Their effort and teamwork led to significant improvement throughout the event. With a commitment to better preparation for next year, the team is eager to build on this experience and achieve greater success.

Keely Maguire
Teacher/Coach

Open Girls
The girls had a great day at the Nth Dio Touch competition and pushed hard throughout the day. Sienna Thomas scored several tries with the support of the rest of the team. Overall the girls tried their best, no matter the results.

Craig Beare
Sports Coordinator

U15 Boys
The Under 15 boys Touch Football team faced tough competition, losing all their games despite their determined efforts. Coming from a background in Rugby League, the boys quickly discovered that their tackling, running lines, and physicality weren't enough to secure victories in the fast-paced, strategy-heavy sport of Touch Football. While their enthusiasm and grit were commendable, they soon learned that Touch demands a different set of skills, including precise passing, quick footwork, and tactical positioning. Despite the losses, the day provided valuable lessons in adapting their play style and understanding the nuances of the game. There's plenty of room for improvement, and with the experience gained this year, they're well-positioned to come back stronger next year.

Shannon Beaumont
Teacher/Coach

Open Boys
The day was a warm one in Grafton as St Mary’s Open boys faced off against other schools in 20 minute touch football games. St Mary’s played against McAuley, Trinity, Mt St Patrick’s, St Joseph’s and St John's. It was a challenging day with the St Mary’s Open boys only having a couple of substitutes, whereas most other teams had 12 boys so could rotate a whole team on and off. The boys played with great enthusiasm and represented the College well, unfortunately, they were only able to come up with one win in all the games and that was against Mt St Patrick’s.

We look forward to the team representing the College in 2025. 

Daniel Sekulic
Teacher/Coach

Game 3 - Staff v Year 12 Touch Football - Wednesday, 18 September 2024
With the shield safely back in the grasp of the teachers on the back of their week 5 win In Volleyball and week 7 triumph in Netball, week 9’s Touch Football was a keenly contested affair. Whilst the students wanted to save face, equally the teachers were looking for a 3-0 whitewash. 
In a very absorbing and evenly contested match with end to end spectacular tries and defensive efforts, the teachers triumphed 4-2. The current Year 11 students are already keen to extract revenge but the teachers have 12 months to enjoy their time in the sun.

Craig Beare
Sports Coordinator

Casino Fun Run
On Sunday, 15 September 2024, St Mary's Catholic College achieved success at the Casino Fun Run, where we won the award for ‘overall most participation’ in the 5km event for high school students. The College proudly represented over 20 participants, many of whom excelled by placing in the top three across various categories.

Special shoutouts go to:

• Marlon Green
• Abby Gray
• Harper Myers
• Chris Cormanes
  

These students secured multiple placements in different sections of the race. Additionally, Mr. Brian Lang distinguished himself by clinching a spot in the top three for teachers in the 5km event.

This event not only fostered a sense of community but also encouraged participation and camaraderie among students and staff. The enthusiasm displayed during the run exemplifies the vibrant spirit of SMCC and its commitment to engaging with local community events, promoting health and fitness in a fun and supportive environment. 

Thank you to all the students and staff involved for making this event a success!

Keely Maguire
Teacher/Coach

Term 4, Thursday Sport Options
Stage 4 & 5 - (Yr 7 - 10)

• Fishing - Weir or River, near the footbridge (FREE but students bring their own rods and bait).
  
• Volleyball - SMCC and possibly Colley Park (FREE of charge)
• Water Polo - Casino Swimming Pool ($32 paid up front for 8 sessions) This is a discounted price from the normal weekly charge.
• 5km Pacers - walking group. Various 5km walking treks around the Casino area (FREE of charge).
• Various Sports - Casino Indoor Sports Centre ($16 paid up front for 8 sessions). 
• Striking & Fielding Games - SMCC & Colley Park (FREE of charge).

* Please note, current Year 10 students will only do 4 sessions in Term 4 as they move into Year 11 from Monday, 18 November 2024. Therefore if they are doing Water Polo or Indoor Sports, they will only be charged for 4 sessions instead of 8. 

* Parents/Guardians, can you please consent over the school holidays so your child can participate.

Upcoming Term 4 SMCC Sporting events:

• U15 & Open Boys & Girls, Dio Volleyball - Coffs Harbour - Friday, 25 October 2024 (Week 2)
• Dio Golf - South West Rocks - Monday, 11 November 2024 (Week 5)
• Open Boys & Girls, Dio Water Polo - Alstonville - Thursday, 14 November 2024 (Week 5)
• Dio Netball Gala Day for Junior and Intermediate Girls -  Tuesday, 19 November 2024 (Week 6)
• U15 Boys & Girls Dio Water Polo - Alstonville -  Thursday, 21 November 24 (Week 6)
• NRCC U16 Boys 20-twenty Cricket - Woodlawn - Monday, 25 November 2024 (Week 7)
• NRCC U16 Girls 20-twenty Cricket - Woodlawn - Tuesday, 26 November 2024 (Week 7)
• 3 v 3 Basketball Gala Day for  Yr 7/8 & 9/10 Boys & Girls - Casino Indoor Sports Centre - Tuesday, 3 December 2024 (Week 8)
  

To check upcoming Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) events and registrations

Link to Catholic Sport NSW

Sport Search (½ way down page) → Step 1 (click on CCC) → Step 2 (select sport). Registration & Calendar is also there.

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.

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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