Newsletter - T4, W2 - 24/10/2025
From the Principal
As we approach the end of the academic year at St Mary’s, it is easy to focus solely on grades and examination results. While these are undoubtedly important, we must remember that, as a Catholic school, our mission has always been to pursue something deeper, the education of the whole person.
This mission is beautifully captured in a single, powerful verse from Scripture. The Gospel of Luke offers us a glimpse into Christ’s early life:
"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." (Luke 2:52)
This single sentence outlines the four essential dimensions of holistic human development.
Wisdom: The Intellectual Dimension
Stature: The Physical Dimension
Favor with God: The Spiritual Dimension
Favor with Man: The Social and Emotional Dimension
At St Mary’s, our measure of success extends beyond strong academic results; it lies in helping each young person grow to be wise, healthy, spiritually grounded, and socially capable.
A quote from Craig Whattam, a prominent Australian Educator, sums this up perfectly:
“In schools, we often speak about academic results, but the truth is that character is just as important as curriculum.
We are not simply preparing students for exams - we are walking alongside families in forming young people.
Qualities like honesty, resilience, empathy, and responsibility do not appear on a report card, but they shape the kind of adult a student will become. These values equip young people to navigate life beyond the classroom with integrity and compassion.
Character is formed in the everyday: in how we speak to one another, how we handle pressure, and how we stand up for what is right, even when it’s difficult. These are the moments that shape a student’s moral compass.
Schools have a responsibility not just to educate minds, but to nurture hearts and shape conscience. We attempt to do all of this through a Catholic worldview, where faith informs action and values are lived, not just taught.
When a young person leaves our care, who they are matters just as much as what they know.”
I received an email from a member of the public today congratulating St Mary’s students on the way they conduct themselves out in public.
“A group of outstanding young people from St Mary's who embody the Bishop's hope that our system will cultivate 'good people'.”
“Congratulations on the exemplary work of the College in fostering such outstanding young people - role models for us all.”
HSC
Congratulations to all our senior students for the way they have prepared and presented themselves during the ongoing HSC examinations. They are doing very well and we are very proud of them.
North Coast National Schools Led Steer Competition Champions
Our College Show Team recently participated in the North Coast National steer show. Our students represented the College admirably throughout the event. Thank you to all students who were involved ,with a special mention to Kate Disson and Claudia Whitney for clipping our steers.
St Mary’s was very successful in the “hoof” component of the event. Our Limousin steer was awarded 2nd place in the “Schools competition under 400kg” class and received 2nd place in the “Medium domestic” class.
In the “hook” competition, the College received 1st place for the “Medium domestic” class and 1st in the “Schools competition under 400kg” class.
Overall, St Mary’s was the best performing school in the event, being awarded the North Coast National “Schools Led Steer Competition Champion Hoof and Hook Steer” trophy. This is the first time since 2010 that we have received this trophy.
This is a fantastic achievement for our students and everyone involved.
Thank you to all the parents who attended the event and for your support of our students. This has been a very rewarding experience for everyone involved.
Michael Campbell
Principal
Upcoming Dates
Week 3
Monday 27/10/25 - Friday 31/10/25 - Stage 6 Cert III Fitness Training Week - SMCC
Week 4
Monday 03/11/25 - Friday 07/11/25 - Years 7-10 Examinations Week - SMCC
Parish Mass Times
Weekend Mass
Saturday 6.00pm
Sunday 8.00am
Weekdays
Monday 9.00am
Tuesday 8. 00am
Wednesday 8.00am
Wednesday, 5 November
SMP Convent Mass
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
Country Mass
Sunday, 9 November
Mallanganee, 10:30am
Saturday, 1 November: All Saints Day
Sunday, 2 November: All Souls Day - The Commemoration of all the faithful departed.
November is a special time to pray for the dead.
Cemetery Mass
Will be on Friday, 7 November at 6:00pm at Casino Lawn Cemetery (Bring a Chair if you like.)
Mission Team
We have had a great fortnight of learning as we returned for the final stretch of the academic year. Our students have once again demonstrated how well they are able to settle and focus on their learning following the holidays.
Next week, our parish will host the Lismore Diocese Jubilee Boat. We will join together with SMP students in a short liturgy in honour of St Mary and recognising the importance of journeying together.
Clare Axman
Assistant Principal - Mission
Evangelisation
Stage 6 Retreat
Students in Year 11 and Year 12 in 2026 will participate in the Senior Retreat day. Throughout the day, students will form new relationships with their peers and be equipped to tackle their final years of schooling. This will be held at the Parish Hall, with students having normal recess and lunch breaks.
The Compass event is currently open for consent and payment.
Kate Rowlands
Leader of School Evangelisation
Pastoral Care
Respectful Relationships
This week, we had our Year 7 and Year 8 students work with external presenters around the importance of respectful relationships. Our students reported that it was a positive experience, and they gathered important information that they will be able to use in their own lives.
Aaron Kennedy
Leader of Pastoral Care
Learning & Teaching Team
Year 10 Exam Week
Our Exam Week is coming up in Week 4 of this term.
During this time, Year 10 students have a chance to sign out early after they have completed their Exams for the day.
A letter and the sign-out sheet were both sent home with all Year 10 students, and were emailed to students and parents via Compass earlier this week. There are spare copies in my office if students would like another copy of this letter. It is due to the office by Wednesday, 29 October.
Learning and Teaching Discussions
Our Learning and Teaching Discussions will take place on Wednesday, 12 to Friday, 14 November. These are an excellent opportunity for parents and students to look at learning habits and set goals for the new academic year. Appointments can be made via Compass.
Student Reflection and 2026 Goal Setting
All students in Years 7-10 are asked to fill in their Compass Insight forms, looking at their learning habits and asking them to reflect on changes or improvements they would like to make for 2026.
There is a section that parents are invited to fill in so the College can work together to assist students in their goals for the new year.
Nadine Connolly
Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
Year 10 History Incursion: Vietnam - Dusted off!
Last week, our Year 10 History students had the incredible opportunity to attend an incursion with Brett Hunt from Troubie Productions.
As part of their studies on the Vietnam War, students viewed Brett's acclaimed one-man play, Vietnam: Dusted Off. Brett shared the deeply personal story of his father, Frank, who joined the army at 17, trained at Canungra, and served as a forward scout. The performance was a powerful, moving, and highly engaging way to bring their classroom learning to life.
Emily Jones
Leader of HSIE
Uniform Shop News
Uniforms for Year 7, 2026
If you have a new student starting next year, please consider starting to get your Uniforms ready while we have the stock. Call in and see us during our opening hours so you're prepared for next year.
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.
Second Hand Uniforms
Sustainable School Shop is an online shop dedicated to buying and selling of second hand uniforms. For more information ring 1300 683 337 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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