Newsletter 15.24 - Friday 13 September 2024

Principal's Message

Celebrating the Year 12 Journey: Acknowledging Leadership, Service, and New Beginnings

As we approach the end of Term 3, it’s with gratitude and pride that I write to acknowledge the Year 12 cohort of 2024. Since joining the St Mary’s community, I have witnessed firsthand their commitment to living out the values of love, service, and leadership within our community.

Next week, we will come together in celebration, beginning with the Graduation Mass on Tuesday, 24 September, and continuing with the Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday, 25 September. These events will give us all the opportunity to reflect on the journey of these remarkable young people as they conclude their 13 years of education. Through rituals, speeches, awards, and a special farewell assembly, we will honour their achievements and contributions.

I want to extend thanks to all who have supported Year 12 throughout their time with us—especially you, their parents and carers, who have nurtured and guided them from the very beginning. Your partnership with the teachers and staff, particularly the incredible work of Mr Gerard Cushan, their Leader of Wellbeing and Engagement, Class teachers and roll-call teachers, have been invaluable in shaping them into the confident, compassionate individuals they are today.

As these students embark on the next chapter of their lives, they carry with them the values and lessons learned here at St Mary’s. While they will face new challenges, we are confident that they are well-prepared to meet them with courage, grounded in the spirit of service and faith. Let us continue to pray for their journey ahead, that they may always be inspired by Christ’s love and lead lives of meaning and purpose.

We are grateful for the many ways Year 12 has enriched our community, and I am excited to see how they will continue to make a positive impact in the world beyond our College.

Partnering in support of Student Growth and Development

Earlier this month, we had the pleasure of hosting two enriching events led by Dr. Andrew Fuller, renowned clinical psychologist, family therapist, author, and speaker who has worked with over 3,000 schools in Australia, NZ, Asia and the UK and with more than 500,000 young people on core elements of resilience. The events were possible thanks to the efforts of the Federation of P&F Associations. The first event held on Monday 2 September, brought together parents from across the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese, where Dr. Fuller shared invaluable insights into neuroscience, adolescent behaviour, and effective learning strategies to support their children's education. The second session, held on Tuesday 3 September was tailored for St Mary’s teaching staff, focusing on the learning brain and ideal lesson. The session offered practical pedagogical strategies to enhance learning in the classroom. We extend our thanks to the P&F Association for their support in making these events a success, and we look forward to applying these valuable insights to benefit our college community. We strongly encourage parents, where possible, to engage in such events as we continue to partner in the holistic development and growth of your children

Celebrating the Transition of Leadership: Honouring the Past, Embracing the Future

On Wednesday 4 September, we held a truly memorable ceremony, marking the transition of leadership from our outgoing student leaders to the newly appointed leaders. Our heartfelt thanks go out to all who attended and contributed to this special occasion. We offer deep gratitude to our outgoing leaders, who have exemplified our motto, "Ready to Serve," and led with dedication, compassion, and strength. To our incoming leaders, we welcome you with excitement as you step into your roles, carrying both the responsibility and opportunity to inspire and guide our community. Special thanks to Father Greg Barker for his spiritual guidance, as well as to the participants, readers, and all involved in making the event so impactful. Together, we look forward to a future filled with growth, service, and shared success.

Staffing Update

We farewell Sharon Butler, Laboratory Assistant, who is retiring after 18 years of faithful service at St Mary’s. She has been instrumental in the organisation of the Science faculty with coordination and management of supplies and instruments required for each practical lesson. Sharon instigated the creation of a garden which contains, amongst other plants, hibiscus which are amazing when dissected and viewed under a microscope! Sharon and her husband look forward to future holidays and spending more time with their children. The St Mary’s college community congratulates Sharon for a happy and healthy retirement.

As Sharon departs, we welcome Awei Bainivalu as the new Laboratory Assistant, commencing at St Mary’s on Monday 16 September. Awei is a passionate and dedicated scientist with a PhD in Environmental Remediation from the University of Newcastle. She is looking forward to transitioning from academia to industry with a focus on environmental management – maybe a new member of the Landcare Team! We welcome Awei to our community.

Early next term the College will begin the process of recruiting a range of new teachers to join the College community in 2025. These teachers will be formally introduced once they are appointed.

Brett Donohoe - Principal

Invitation - Year 12 Mass and Awards

Key Dates

Two weeks at a glance - Weeks 9 and 10

Looking forward to Term 4

Ministry

The Feast of the Holy Name of Mary: A Reflection for Our College Community

On September 12th, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, a time to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, and reflect on her role in the Church and in our lives. This feast, established to remind us of Mary's powerful intercession and her role as a guide for Christians, calls us to a deeper devotion and trust in her loving care.

In our Catholic tradition, Mary's name symbolises purity, grace, and protection. She is a model of faith, obedience, and humility—virtues that are central to our journey as a community rooted in Catholic education. By honouring her, we are reminded of the qualities she embodied, which we strive to reflect in our own lives: love, compassion, and a deep commitment to God’s will.

Here at St Mary’s Catholic College, founded on the values of the Josephite Sisters and dedicated to love and service, we look to Mary as a role model. Just as she nurtured and supported her son Jesus, we are called to support and nurture one another—whether that is through kindness, understanding, or acts of service. Our community thrives when we follow her example of patience, humility, and strength in adversity.

As we celebrate this special feast, let us remember that invoking Mary’s name is a call to trust in her guidance and protection, especially during times of difficulty or uncertainty. Her intercession reminds us that we are never alone, and we can always seek her help in prayer.

Let us carry the spirit of this feast throughout our school year, striving to grow in faith, hope, and love, just as Mary did. Together, we can create a community that reflects her grace and dedication to God. We are ‘Ready to Serve’.

DeAnna Addicoat - Ministry Coordinator

Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Year 11 Changes to Pattern of Study, Reports and Interviews

In Week 10 of this term an assembly for Year 11 students will be held in relation to changing patterns of study for HSC.  As students complete their final exams/tasks in their Year 11 Courses they are encouraged to discuss their progress with their teachers and to assess where changes to their pattern of study may be beneficial to them as they move into Year 12. I have spoken to students recently about the importance of not rushing their decision to “drop” a subject or change levels too early, encouraging students to think about maintaining all courses for the first term of Year 12 Course work (Term 4 2024). Students and their parents/carers will have the opportunity to meet with teachers in Week 3 Term 4 and this may be a good time to seek advice regarding any changes to courses. There is no urgency to make a rushed decision.

Students may also choose to pick up an additional unit of study at this point – Mathematics Extension 2, English Extension 2 or Extension History. To commence studying in one of these subjects, an interview must take place between the students and myself, and approval is required from both the subject teacher and relevant Leader of Learning. Please encourage your child to have this conversation as soon as possible if they are thinking of taking on an additional unit in these areas. Classes in these new subjects will commence next term, running offline – at a time arranged between students and teacher.

Details regarding the process of changing pattern of study have been sent in separate communication to students and parents this week.

Year 11 Reports, Awards and Interviews

Student, Parent and Teacher Interviews have been scheduled for Week 3 Term 4. This time has been put aside for students and parents to follow up on Year 11 End of Course Reports as well as plan with teachers their future directions and goals for Year 12 studies. This time provides an opportunity for teachers to “feed forward” – establishing expectations for students as they move into their final HSC year. Details regarding the interviews will be conveyed next term, at the time of End of Course Reports being published via Compass. All students are encouraged to attend the interviews – allowing them to set realistic and aspirational goals for the next twelve months.

Year 11 Awards will be held on the same day as the Interviews, commencing at 2pm in The Josephite Centre. Further details to follow.

St Mary’s Guidelines for Student use of Artificial Intelligence

Over 18 months, a team of teachers working alongside Mr Shane Abell, our Leader of Digital Innovation and Learning, have developed a set of Guidelines for Student use of Artificial Intelligence here at the college, along with a suite of support materials in this area for teacher and students use.

I share with you the rationale behind the guidelines:

On Thursday 26 September we will be launching our Guidelines and delivering a course to our Year 11 students, who are about to commence Year 12 studies. The toolkit, Unlocking Generative AI Safely and Responsibly, will be delivered across two periods, as part of an induction into HSC year. All staff have received Professional Development in delivering the course and it is essential that ALL Year 11 students complete this training.

The resource has been crafted to provide a friendly and accessible approach to teaching generative AI to students. It’s designed to be taught in a classroom to build resilience in young people by illustrating the risks to safety and mental wellbeing that students need to be aware of, reminding them that while AI can be very useful, it is not an infallible technology. ​

Throughout the toolkit, there are engaging activities and informative content to empower students with knowledge about generative AI, its applications, and its implications. Working alongside teachers, students will be encouraged to think critically, ask questions, and explore beyond the toolkit’s content. ​

Our vision, as a college, is to undertake this training with ALL students, commencing with Year 11 prior to their HSC in the coming weeks as outlined above. Year 10 students will complete the training in Term Four as part of their induction into Stage 6 Preliminary HSC year, and all students Years 8 – 10 in 2025 will undergo training and induction to the guidelines and toolkit at the commencement of the new school year.

We ask for your support in our work by talking to your children often, remaining aware of their use of AI in your homes, reading and educating yourself about the role you can play as parents in this space. We will also be providing a session for parents and carers in the future.

Finally, I take this time to acknowledge the work of the following educators who have worked tirelessly in our AI Team Project: Shane Abell, Belinda Flood, Morag Aitchison, Georgina Lindsay, Nikki Lorenz, Rosalind Dunn   and Daniel Houston.

Cathy O'Gorman - Assistant Principal Learning & Teaching

Leader of Wellbeing - Year 10

Year 10:

As the term draws to a close, Year 10 can look back on how far they have come this year, how enthusiastically they have engaged in conversations and decisions about their future pathways and how they have worked as a cohort to meet the standards and expectations set for them by the College. Courses for Stage 6 are being finalised and I would like to thank Year 10 students and parents for engaging in this process so efficiently and openly. Before we know it, Year 10, you will sitting in those Stage 6 courses and beginning the two year journey to the HSC. Thank you also to Cathy O’Gorman who has invested so much time in the course selection process and for the many conversations she has had with Year 10 students to get their pattern of study for Stage 6 right. Last week we saw the Year 11 students who will be our College Leaders in 2025 congratulated at the College assembly. It will be us this time next year! Can you believe it?

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting some Year 10 students on work experience and was so impressed by how ‘grown up’ they looked, dressed professionally and contributing to a work environment that might be theirs one day. It takes courage to do this, to enter an adult work place and to engage in conversations with professionals in their particular industry or field of work, and our students did this so well, representing themselves and our college to a very high standard. Thank you to Paula Finlay for the hours of organisation she invested into work experience this year for Year 10. The behind-the-scenes organisation is immense so we are grateful Paula for her willingness to offer this experience to Year 10 in the hope it cements their aspirations for the future.

Next term is a busy one for Year 10. There is much to do before we bid you farewell for 2024. I’d encourage Year 10 parents and students to keep up with bulletins about key events that are coming up including the RYDA Driver Safety course, Senior Enrolment Interviews, All My Own Work, Minimum Standards testing and the final assembly.

Thank you for your continued support and willingness to work with me to set the bar high for this group of remarkable young men and women.

Katrina Smith - Leader of Wellbeing and Engagement - Year 10

Careers Corner

Year 10 Work Experience 

In Week 7, thirty-three of our Year 10 students participated in work experience. Students chose a variety of workplaces from Primary Education,  Real Estate,  Beauty, Hospitality,  Architecture Research and Construction Trades to name a few. 

The College would like to acknowledge all businesses, organisations, schools and the University of Newcastle for hosting our students. 

A special mention to our ex-students Lisa Macklin from Lisa Macklin Property and John Thomas from JT Electrical.

Year 12 - Fundraising for a worthy cause

Year 12 will be taking part in events leading up to their final days of schooling. On Monday 23 September students and staff will accessorise in pink, dress up in Golf or Tradie gear and purchase a BBQ lunch. All monies raised will go to Emma's Warriors. Dig deep, St Mary's, for this very worthy cause.

Ready to Serve

Every week, the Café proves to be place of community for both staff and students. This week, was an extra special week as it was the last time our beautiful Year 12 volunteers served in the café.

They have generously given up their time over the past 18 months, and we are very thankful and proud of their generosity and good spirits.

Mrs Edwards can not speak more highly of this group of Year 12 volunteers who have lived out our College  motto “Ready to Serve”.

Sporting Achievements

Boys Rugby 7's

On Tuesday, 10th September, the St Mary’s U14’s boys Rugby 7’s side headed to Waratah Ovals to play in the Hunter Secondary Schools Rugby 7’s GALA day. The boys looked sharp throughout the pool stages, winning 14-10 against St Clamente, 28-24 against Tomaree High, and 28-7 against Hunter Sports High.

A back and forth game against All Saints Maitland in the semi final, ended in a 15-15 draw. St Mary’s fast start resulted in them scoring the first try and proving the difference as they progressed through to the final.

Hunter Valley Grammar School were unfortunately too strong for our St Mary’s side in the final, going down 35-7. 

With plenty of Rugby League converts and future potential in the Rugby 7’s space, the players should all hold their head high with a valent 2nd place. The boys all look forward to the next opportunity which comes their way to represent St Mary’s Catholic College.

Zac Rediger - Coach

Yrs 7/8 Girls Oztag

On Tuesday 27^th August, the 7/8 girls Oztag team travelled down to Penrith for the two-day Oztag State Championship event. They started the day with a 1-all draw against Oran Park High School. The following game saw them up against Central Coast Sports College and, unfortunately, after much determination they went down in a 3-1 loss. As the day went on, the girls began to fatigue and the heat ramped up, however, this did not stop them from working together as a team and giving it their all to finish the day with another 1-all draw.

The girls started the following day strong and came out with a convincing 6-0 win. The following game was a cross over game and then girls were unlucky with a 6-2 loss to The Hills Sports College. The girls finished 3^rd in their pool and were extremely unlucky to just miss out on the quarter finals. The girls demonstrated teamwork, skill and effort throughout the tournament. They are to be congratulated on their commitment and success in training and their performance and conduct over the championship.

Jacqui McInherny - Coach

Softball Championships

Congratulations extend to Jessica Quiggin and Angela Johnson representing the Newcastle under 16s girls at the Softball State Championships last weekend at Warwick Farm. They came away with a win in their last game, their team played amazingly and displayed great sportsmanship.

Aspire opportunities