Newsletter - T4, W4 - 8/11/24
From the Principal
I would like to congratulate all our students for the way they completed the academic school year. St Mary’s unique compressed curriculum allows our senior students to complete 3 of their senior courses in Year 11 and 3 in Year 12. Friday, 8 November closes out the school year for 2024.
Next week is Transition Week and the College will host 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 rather a dialogue around individual learning goals with significant student voice. The College will be open for supervision only from Monday, 11 November 2024 to Friday, 15 November 2024, attendance is not required and no curriculum lessons will be taught.
The last HSC Examination is on Friday, 8 November. I would like to congratulate all students in particular our Year 12 cohort for successfully completing this significant milestone in their life. On Saturday, 16 November 2024 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.
School Counsellor Recognition Day
Today is School Counsellor and School Psychologist Recognition Day. We celebrate the work of Fiona Macfarlane, our College Counsellor.
This year’s theme, "Little Moments, Lasting Change," captures the essence of the invaluable work Fiona does every day. She has provided moments of listening, understanding, and connecting that have supported students and their families.
Our entire College community is grateful for Fiona’s skills, professionalism, and dedication. Thank you for your hard work this year.
Have a great weekend
Michael Campbell
Principal
Upcoming Dates
Week 5 (Transition Week)
Monday 11/11/24 - Student Free Day
Tuesday 11/11/24 - Student Free Day
Wednesday 13/11/24 to Friday 15/11/24 - GOAT Retreat, Bonville
Wednesday 13/11/24 - 2024 Senior Retreat Day, Windara
Wednesday 13/11/24 to Friday 15/11/24 -Learning and Teaching Discussions (Bookings are essential)
Thursday 14/11/24 - Year 10 NESA requirements (Compulsory Attendance)
Thursday 14/11/24 to Friday 15/11/24 - Year 12 Retreat, Camp Drewe
Saturday 16/11/24 - Year 12 Formal
Week 6
Monday 18/11/24 - Start of New Academic Year (Day 1)
Tuesday 19/11/24 - 2024 Dio Netball Gala Day - Grafton
Thursday 21/11/24 - 2024 Dio Junior Water Polo
From the President of the Parents and Friends Committee
The Parent and Friends committee meets once a term with school principals and other staff members during the school term. This year, we have not needed to conduct any fundraising activities, as our existing funds have been utilised to support various initiatives. Notably, we have funded the Student of the Month badges, end-of-term house pizza parties, Year 12 Formal, Year 6 Graduation and numerous other projects that contribute positively to our schools.
We are currently in the process of transitioning from the Parents and Friends to a School Community Group. This change is exciting for both the primary school and the college, as the new model aims to engage parents in meaningful discussions about school improvement and achieving the best outcomes for our students. It is important to note that the School Community Group will not have an elected executive committee, nor will it be able to fundraise.
We look forward to welcoming new families and community members to our School Community Group next year and continuing our collaborative efforts to enhance our school community.
Alison Llewellyn
President of the Parents and Friends Committee St Mary’s Parish, Casino
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
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 10/11/24 - 10.30am Tabulam
Mission Team
This weekend in the scriptures, we hear Jesus give the Greatest Commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” (Mark 12:30-31). We have explored this passage throughout the year with our students in understanding the Catholic Social Teachings. This scripture helps us by guiding our decisions and ethical choices. We build on this in Religion Classes and at College assemblies throughout the year.
I would like to congratulate all our students for their work this academic year. It has been a pleasure to journey alongside these young men and women as they show growth and commitment to their studies.
Clare Axman
Assistant Principal - Mission
Senior Retreats
Stage 6 Retreat - Stage 6 students will spend next Wednesday at Windara. Students will spend the day participating in activities to help them prepare to come together as one cohort once the new academic year begins in Week 6. This is a compulsory event for all Stage 6 students. We ask that consent and payment for the event are completed as soon as possible for catering purposes.
Year 12 Retreat - Camp Drewe
Year 12 will travel to Camp Drewe at Lennox Head on Thursday, 14 and Friday, 15 November for their annual retreat. Students will participate in a number of small and large group activities across the two days before starting their final academic year the following Monday. We look forward to hearing about their experience upon their return.
GOAT
Four Year 10 boys will be heading to Coffs Coast Adventure Centre on Wednesday, 13 November next week for a boys only diocesan retreat. It will be great to hear about their experience once we begin the new school year.
Kate Rowlands
Leader of School Evangelisation
Learning & Teaching Team
Examinations
Week 4 has seen the entire student body engaged in examinations. We would like to congratulate the Stage 6 (Year 11 & 12 students) on completing their HSC exams this week. It has been an extensive process and our Presiding Officer regularly commented on how well the students attempted their exams. Years 7-10 have experienced an intense week of examinations. The students are to be commended on their application to these exams and for their attitude toward giving these exams their best effort.
Chris Robinson
Leader of Curriculum
Sports News
SMCC Junior Girls Volleyball Team are 2024 Diocesan Champions
St Mary’s girls Volleyball teams delivered outstanding performances with all 3 teams making semi finals, a testament to their dedication and commitment during practices, and the U15 A’s going all the way to win their division during the recent Diocesan Volleyball Championships held at Sportz Central, Coffs Harbour on Friday, 25 October 2024.
15’s Girls Team A: Diocesan Champions
The 15’s Team A triumphed as the overall Diocesan champions, winning every match they played. They skillfully navigated through the quarter-finals and semifinals before claiming the title 26-22 over John Paul College, Coffs Harbour.
15’s Girls Team B: Strong Contenders
15’s Team B finished their pool with two wins and two losses. They advanced to the quarter-finals, where they secured a victory, only to face their own SMCC teammates from Team A in the semi-finals, showcasing remarkable effort and sportsmanship.
Open Girls Team: A Close Call
The Open Girls Team also made a significant impact, achieving four wins and just one narrow loss by a single point in the pool stages. They won their quarter final but ultimately lost their semi-final in a challenging match against McAuley College Grafton, losing 27 to 20.
Congratulations to all our players for their hard work and impressive achievements on the court!
Keely Maguire
Teacher/Coach
15’s Boys
The St Mary's Under 15 boys played a total of six games. They lost three of them and won the other three games which were against; St John’s College Woodlawn, Mt. St. Patrick's College Murwillumbah and St. Joseph's Banora. Unfortunately it was not enough to make it through to the quarter finals, but we are very proud of their efforts and sporting achievements in representing SMCC and look forward to 2025 and seeing them progress further into the competition.
Open Boys
The St Marys Open boys played a total of five games, with great effort and enthusiasm. Only one game, which was against Mt. St. Patrick's, had the St Mary's Open boys come close to a win. With the game going beyond the standard scoring, where a team has to win by 2 points, the end result swung Mt. St. Patrick College’s way for the win. Knowing however, that our Open boys team was made up of mostly Year 9 and a couple of Year 10 boys, that saw them play against boys much older, is a testimony to how competitive they were against most of the teams they played. Thank you to all the boys for their hard work and dedication on the day.
Daniel Sekulic
Teacher/Coach
In the coming weeks, the 2025 SMCC Sports Calendar will be released and published in an upcoming Newsletter. Please keep an eye out for this.
Term 4 SMCC Sporting events:
- Dio Netball Gala Day for Junior and Intermediate Girls - Grafton - Tuesday, 19/11/24 (Week 6)
- U15 Girls Dio Water Polo - Alstonville - Thursday 21/11/24 (Week 6)
- NRCC U16 Boys 20-twenty Cricket - Woodlawn - Monday, 25/11/24 (Week 7)
- NRCC U16 Girls 20-twenty Cricket - Woodlawn - Tuesday, 26/11/24 (Week 7)
- 3 v 3 Basketball Gala Day for Yr 7/8 & 9/10 Boys & Girls - Casino Indoor Sports Centre - Tuesday, 03/12/24 (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.
Craig Beare
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.
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.
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