Newsletter - T3, W4 - 15/08/2025

From the Principal

“Came not to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28)

This week was an important one in the College calendar, as our senior students engaged in student leadership presentations and the important process of discernment leading toward the appointment of our new student leaders.

The calibre of presentations was exceptional. Each student spoke with authenticity and a strong sense of purpose. It is clear that the future student leadership of St Mary’s is in good hands.

The formation of our young leaders is grounded in faith, personal character, and service. Leadership is about service to others; it is an opportunity for students to give back to the community that has served them so well over the years.

We believe that every student is called to lead, not simply through positions or titles, but through the example of their daily choices and their commitment to justice and service to others. 

Leadership in our Catholic tradition is not about power or prestige, but about servant leadership, following the model of Christ. 

As Pope Francis reminded us, "True power is service. The Pope must serve all people, especially the poor, the weak, the vulnerable." 

Chris Lowney, a former Jesuit and author on leadership, offers three reflections:

-We’re all leaders, and we are leading all the time. Well or poorly.

-Leadership is not an act. It is my life, a way of living.

-I never complete the task of becoming a leader. It’s an ongoing process.

As we prepare to formally announce our new student leaders in due course, I would like to express my gratitude to all students who participated in this process. 

Congratulations U/14 Rugby 7’s Team
Congratulations to all students who participated in the Rugby 7’s competition on Wednesday, 6 August. A special commendation goes to our Under 14 Boys team, who were crowned champions, taking home the Alex Gibbon Cup. They have now qualified for the next round of competition, to be held just north of Sydney. This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the team's skill, and teamwork.

Well done to all students who represented the College, themselves, and their families with pride and integrity. We look forward to supporting our Under 14s as they prepare for the next stage of the competition.

Port Macquarie Basketball
Congratulations to all students who competed in Port Macquarie during the week. Despite the early start on Tuesday morning, their enthusiasm and competitive spirit was strong.

Our students represented the College with pride, not only through their performance but also in the way they conducted themselves throughout the day. It was especially pleasing to hear reports of members of the Port Macquarie community speaking so highly of our students.

I would like to thank Ms Hall and Mr Sekulic for accompanying the teams and supporting them throughout the event.

Well done to all involved!

Have a great weekend.

Michael Campbell
Principal

Upcoming Dates

Week 5
Tuesday 19/08/2025 - NRCC Netball - Tweed Heads
Thursday 21/08/25 - Country Cup Regional Finals - Coffs Harbour
Thursday 21/08/25 - Friday 22/08/25 - SHINE Conference - Coffs Harbour

Week 6
Monday 25/08/25 - Year 10 Vaccinations - SMCC
Monday 25/08/25 - Friday 29/08/25 Trial HSC Exams - SMCC
Wednesday 27/08/25 - Friday 29/08/25 - Year 9 Camp - Camp Kokoda
Thursday 28/8/25 - Non ATAR program Excursion - Dream World

Schedule of Fees 2026

Parish Mass Times

Weekend Mass
Saturday 5.00pm
Sunday 8.00am

Weekdays
Monday 9.00am 
Tuesday 8. 00am
Wednesday 8.00am
Thursday 9.00am
Friday 9.00am
Saturday 9.00am

Adoration
Wednesday 5.00pm
Following 9.00am Mass Saturday

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

Saturday, 23 August there will be no Vigil.
Sunday, 24 August will be a Jubilee Celebration Mass 9.00 am,
Followed by morning tea at the Relihan Centre.

Mission Team

This Sunday, our Gospel says “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” (Luke 12:49)

This can be a challenging message. We want harmony in our homes and peace for our young people. But we’re also called to raise young people who are courageous in their convictions, who are not afraid to stand for truth, compassion, and faith, even when it sets them apart.

In a world where values can be compromised for convenience or approval, we remember that living authentically will sometimes create tension. Yet the Holy Spirit, purifies, inspires, and ignites hearts with purpose. May our community be a place where courage is nurtured, and where the fire of love is kept burning bright.

Clare Axman
Assistant Principal - Mission

Evangelisation

Year 12 2026 Retreat
The Year 12 Retreat is an important part of the faith formation of students. The purpose of the Retreat is to enhance the spirituality of students and for them to come together as a group before starting their last year of High School.

Students will travel to Camp Drewe, Lennox Head during Transition Week in Term 3 and participate in a number of activities around Lake Ainsworth.

The event has been released on Compass and we ask that consent and payment be completed as soon as possible. To assist families in covering the cost of the retreat, a payment plan is available if required.

Stage 6 2026 Retreat
This Senior retreat day will focus on the Marist Charism of our school and provide an opportunity for students to strengthen their interpersonal skills, deepen their faith and build an understanding of how they can put their faith into action. Throughout the day students will form new relationships with their peers and be equipped to tackle their final years of schooling. 
This Retreat Day will be for all 2026 Year 11 and 12 students and will be held at the Parish Hall on Friday, 21 November 2025. We asked that parents of current Year 10 and 11 students provide payment and consent once the event is published on Compass in the coming weeks.

SHINE
Students in Years 9 & 10 Ministry class and a small number of senior students will be travelling to St. John Paul College Coffs Harbour on Thursday, 21 & Friday, 22 August to attend the annual Diocesan wide event, Shine.
Shine is about gathering with other young people from across the diocese for a common experience – encountering Jesus Christ and the Church, experiencing dynamic faith, being equipped for ministry and living the Christian life; empowered to impact the Church and the world.

We look forward to hearing about their experience upon their return.

Kate Rowlands
Leader of School Evangelisation

Learning & Teaching Team

Message from the Leader of Curriculum
Stage 6 (Year 11 & 12) begin their Trial Examinations in Week 6-7. This has been shared with all students and parents. On behalf of the College, I wish these students well for their exams. 

I would also like to congratulate the Industrial Technology: Timber class on the completion of their Major Project yesterday. These projects are quite impressive and will be marked by visiting HSC markers in the coming weeks.

Year 10 have had a busy fortnight, with an excursion to the Careers Expo held at Lismore Showgrounds, and Stage 6 Subject Selection interviews. We thank the students and their parents for their participation in this process.

We are looking forward to hosting our Year 8 parents and students for the Electives information evening, in the Parish Hall, on Wednesday, 20 August from 6pm. The evening offers an overview of the process for selections, what Stage 5 (Year 9 & 10) is like, as well as an opportunity to discuss electives with Leaders of Learning & Teaching staff. A copy of the letter about the evening is included below.

Chris Robinson
Leader of Curriculum

Message from the Numeracy Coordinator
ICAS Competition
We’re now in our second week of the ICAS competitions, and it’s been fantastic to see so many students getting involved and giving it a go across a range of subjects.

If you haven’t signed up yet – good news! Nominations have been extended for both the Mathematics and Science competitions. This is a great chance to challenge yourself, build confidence, and see how your skills compare with students across Australia and beyond.

Whether Maths and Science are your strengths, or you just enjoy a good challenge, there’s still time to take part.

Remaining ICAS Competition Dates:
Science – Wednesday, 20 August, Period 1
Spelling Bee – Thursday, 21 August, Period 2
Mathematics – Tuesday, 26 August, Period 1

If you’re interested in nominating for Maths or Science, please speak to Ms Parker as soon as possible.

Let’s keep the momentum going and finish strong!

Kylie Parker
Numeracy Coordinator

Showcase 2025
Mark your calendars! On Tuesday, 2 September at 6:00 PM, St. Mary’s Catholic College will come alive with colour, sound, and creativity for Showcase 2025.

Explore an incredible range of student work – from bold contemporary paintings and intricate sculptures by our talented visual arts students, to innovative timber projects crafted by our skilled technology students.

Enjoy captivating live performances from our gifted music students and immerse yourself in a night that celebrates artistic expression across all forms. With delicious food, interactive displays, and an atmosphere full of energy, this event is a tribute to the imagination and hard work of our students.

Come support our young creatives and be inspired by the next generation of artists, designers, and performers.

Tickets are $6 per person and are available to purchase through CompassTix.

Everyone is welcome – We can’t wait to see you there!

Sports News

College Athletics Carnival
After a year of unsettled weather, the College's Athletics Carnival was blessed with a beautiful day. The sunshine brought out some wonderful participation and impressive results from the athletes. A huge thank you to all the students and staff for making the day a success.

Results:

Age Champions:           

12 years                             Gus Morgan                    Karen Dyason

13 years                             Marlon Green                 Eva Crompton

14 years                             Ethan Miller                   Bethany Dyason

15 years                             Nashua Thomas             Harper Myers

16 years                             Finbar Standfield          Sienna Thomas

17+ years                           Jayden De La Cruz        Lascelle Hayward

Alex Gibbon Rugby 7's - Finals Day.
The College's Under 14 Rugby team, having finished as runners-up two weeks prior, returned to the Alex Gibbon Rugby 7's Championships finals with a determination to win. 

They started the day strong, dominating their pool games with comfortable victories over Trinity Catholic College and Ballina Coast High School. Lucas Murray was a standout, scoring a hat trick, while Campbell Stuart and Oliver Formaggin each scored two tries.

Finishing top of their pool, the College faced Maclean High in the semi-finals. After an early setback, the team took control of the game, dominating possession and field position to secure a 20-5 win.

The final was a tense rematch against Lindisfarne. In a dramatic finish, the game was decided on the last play when Lindisfarne's final pass was ruled forward. This sealed a hard-fought 15-10 victory for the College, which was a fantastic team effort.

The Under 14's will now travel to the Central Coast on 10-12 September, to play in the NSW State Championships.

The Under 16 College side had a tough day, unfortunately not making it out of the pool stages after three straight losses. They were defeated 0-14 by Evans River and then 12-21 by Emanuel Anglican College, despite improved effort and tries from George Stephenson and Kade Baker. In their final game, Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School proved too strong, winning 30-0. Riley Newman and Zac Simeoni were recognised as the team's best players on the day.

See below for the latest updates to upcoming sporting fixtures in Term 3:

• Tuesday, 19/8/25 - Yr 7-12 Boys & Girls NRCC Netball - Tweed Heads (Week 5)
• Tuesday, 2/9/25 - Diocesan Athletics Carnival - Coffs Harbour (Week 7)
• Wednesday, 3/9/25  - Y7-10 Boys & Girls Netball - Lismore (Week 7)
• Monday, 8/9/25 - Under 14 & Under 16 Boys & Girls Volleyball - Ballina (Week 8)
• Friday, 24/10/25 - Diocesan Under 15 & Open Boys & Girls Volleyball - Coffs Harbour (Week 2, Term 4)
• Thursday, 6/11/25 - Diocesan Open Boys & Gitls Water Polo - Alstonville (Week 4, Term 4)
• Monday, 10/11/25 - Northern Diocesan All Ages Golf - Casino (Week 5, Term 4)
• Thursday, 13/11/25 - Diocesan Under 15 Boys & Girls Water Polo - Alstonville (Week 5, Term 4)

Sports Calendars for 2025
Information about all upcoming sports in the College, Diocese and Catholic Schools NSW sport calendar. Please note some of these dates may change from time to time. Click on each one for the link.

St Mary’s Catholic College 
Dio Sports Calendar
Catholic Schools NSW Sports Calendar

To check upcoming 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. CCC is a pathway and option for students to make a direct application to trial for a particular sport. The standard is usually high, depending on the Sport, therefore representative level is usually but not always the minimum requirement.

Craig Beare
Sports Coordinator

Uniform Shop News

Uniform Shop Opening Hours
Tuesdays         3.15pm to 4.15pm
Thursdays       3.15pm 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 - 4.00pm

Thursday Orders
- Cut off time is 12 noon on Wednesday 
- Pick up available from the College office on Thursday afternoon from 3.30pm - 4.00pm.

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.

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.

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