st mary’s college...remembrance day service west terrace cemetery on friday 11 november, year 9...

S t M a r y ’ s C o l l e g e Sent to Proclaim the Gospel

Issue 13, Friday 25 November 2016

S t M a r y ’s C o l l e g e 253 Franklin Street

ADELAIDE SA 5000

T:8216 5700 F:8216 5730

W: www.stmaryscollege.catholic.edu.au E: [email protected]

From the Principal

Remembrance Day Service West Terrace Cemetery On Friday 11 November, Year 9 SRC representatives, Mrs Pru Raymond (Humanities Coordinator) and I attended the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority Service of Remembrance in the Australian Imperial Forces section at West Terrace Cemetery. The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month has attained a special significance and become universally associated with the commemoration of our war dead, providing a time for the community to stop and to give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy as a result of their loss. Major Genevieve Rüeger, a Black Hawk helicopter pilot delivered the commemorative address. Major Rüeger saw active service in East Timor, Afghanistan and has been deployed on numerous domestic and international exercises. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Australian Women’s Army Service and the Remembrance Day Ceremony honoured that institution. Our own Year 9 students were privileged to hear of this history and to meet and speak with Major Rueger. Established on 13 August 1941, the Women’s Army Service enabled men to be released from certain military duties for service with fighting units. Up until then, women had only served in Military Medical Services. The name was later changed to Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) which recruited women between the ages of 18 and 45 to serve in a variety of roles. From the time of WW2 formation until cessation of hostilities in August 1945, 24,026 women enlisted as volunteers in the Service. Enlistment for the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) recommenced in April 1951 due the demands of the Korean War. By the late 1970s, women began to be integrated into the Army at large. In many ways, the role of women in the defence forces in the 20th century helped leverage the fight for gender equality that continues today.

…………..continued page 2

Lest We Forget

St Mary’s College, Issue 13, Friday 25 November 2016

From the Deputy Principal: Student Wellbeing

Cancer Council Youth Ambassadors: I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the following students who graduated two weeks ago as Cancer Council Youth Ambassadors, a role they volunteered for at the start of this year. These students undertook three challenges during the year, as well as attending leadership training and formation sessions. In doing so, they have made a significant and personal difference in the fight to beat cancer, something which St Mary's is very thankful for:

- Celestine Cherupallil - Holly-Mae Ellul - Isabella Honeyman - Lili Immarrone - Luciana Galantomos - Neive Jones - Sarah Bastian - Simona Beric - Sophie Loy - Zainab Jawad Well done girls! You are all wonderful ambassadors for St Mary's as well the Cancer Council.....and we're so proud of you all.

2017 Year 12 Student Representative Council: It is my great pleasure to announce the 2017 Year 12 Student Representative Council Executive:

Annabelle Witkowski: College Captain Marie Khoury: Deputy College Captain Chelsea Curruthers: Deputy College Captain Zaakiyah Ali Maria Labbozzetta Ashlee Rinna Darcy Blaser Lara Pacillo Jessica Gauci Eliza Caminiti Natasha Bourke Marie Blefari Carissa Cristancig

We look forward to an exciting year next year as the Year 12 SRC Executive come together to plan community events, as well as represent the student body in bringing forward their concerns.

St Mary’s College Facebook Page Following a request from the SRC, and after discussions at Executive and Leadership level and following up with other like schools and how they set up and monitor their Facebook page, St Mary’s has launched its own official Facebook page.

Aims and purpose:

Engage, communicate and connect with target audience (students,

parents/caregivers, staff, Old Scholars) by keeping them informed about events that have occurred, and up and coming events. The website will continue to be maintained for prospective parents.

To encourage a sense of community and inclusion amongst all

members of the College community;

To integrate and facilitate teaching and learning by educating the

community through the use of information sharing and interactivity on relevant topics (e.g. cyber safety and being a responsible digital citizen) and providing links to educational resources;

Build and maintain a strong online community in which families feel

connected and engaged with the College community;

Create and maintain a positive digital footprint that enhances

respectful relationships and community engagement.

….continued page 3

Eileen Young

Principal

From the Principal: Continued

More Exceptional Women Another group of exceptional women are our own Junior School mothers who have for months been busily creating costumes for “The Aristocrats” Musical. This selfless and time consuming task has produced outfits for a large number of students and will ensure that the stage presence of “cat” characters will be colourful and endearing.

Nearly there! Years 10, 11 and 12 exams have engaged the senior school for some weeks now and by the time this newsletter goes to print will have been brought to closure. We commend the students for their preparation and exam presence demeanour which allowed these often tense weeks to be so efficiently executed.

End of Year Eucharistic Celebration We are all looking forward to our community celebration Tuesday evening, 6 December at the Convention Centre when as St Mary’s College we say thank you for 2016 and celebrate our school, our work and our graduates.


From the Deputy Principal: Student Wellbeing

Administration: The St Mary’s College Facebook page is administered and maintained by the Events Coordinator, who will check it daily both to post information, and to check any comments posted.

Anyone (staff or students) wishing to post news stories and/or

photos must email them to both the Events Coordinator and Deputy Principal: Student Wellbeing for approval;

Any inappropriate comments will be immediately removed;

Last names are not to be used in any postings so students and staff

are not clearly identified or tagged;

Comments posted by people will be vetted by the Administrators and

approved prior to posting…..therefore, tagging won’t occur.

Farewell and Thank You I would like to take this opportunity to say a very big thank you to Ms Lee Hutton who is finishing up at the end of this year after seven years at St Mary’s College. Lee was our Middle and Senior School Counsellor for approximately 5/6 years, and this year has been the Junior School Counsellor. Lee’s loving, gentle approach when working with students was often just what they needed, especially those with anxiety and depression who were struggling to come to school and those dealing with difficult family and personal issues. However, Lee also knew when to challenge students and to push them enough out of their comfort zone without scaring them so they could move forward and become resilient young people. Lee’s work with parents during her time here has also been invaluable, and she very much viewed her work as working with families, not just students. No one can question Lee’s dedication to her role as counsellor here at St Mary’s, from her deep involvement in the Catholic Schools’ Counsellors Network, to the many hours above and beyond in supporting students and their families. We wish Lee all the best as she takes the time to spend with her family and to just ‘be’ for herself……we will miss you Lee!

Holiday Support As another year draws to a close, and students and families embark on long summer holidays and a break away from school, I’m mindful of those people within our community who may need extra support over Christmas and New Year. Below is a list of services available specifically for young people, both online and phone support and resources. Christmas and New Year can be a difficult time for some people, especially those who have lost loved ones, those who live between different households due to separation/divorce, those who live alone or have limited contact with other people, and those living with anxiety or depression, etc. This is not an exhaustive list, but some of the main resources available.

Kids Helpline www.kidshelp.com.au/ 1800 55 1800

Kids Helpline is Australia's only free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.

Counsellors talk with more than 6,000 kids each week, and help with all sorts of problems, big and small.

Beyondblue www.beyondblue.org.au/ 1300 22 4636 (24 hours) Chat online: 3pm – 12am

Beyondblue is the national initiative to raise awareness of anxiety and depression, providing resources for recovery, management and resilience. Youth Beyond Blue: Information service on depression and anxiety: beyond blue Support Service - 1300 22 4636 (cost of a local call; 24 hours) http://www.youthbeyondblue.com

Headspace www.headspace.org.au

Information and advice for young people, their parents and carers, and professionals working with young people.

Headspace Centres www.headspace.org.au/headspace-centres

With 40 centres across the country, any young person who needs support, advice or just someone to talk to about a life problem, can walk in and be treated with respect and compassion, within a confidential and safe environment.

EHeadspace 1800 650 890

Online and telephone support service that helps young people who don’t feel ready to attend a centre or who prefer to talk about their problems via online chat, email or on the phone.

Moodgym https://moodgym.anu.edu.au

This free, fun, interactive program helps young people identify and overcome problem emotions and show how to develop good coping skills for the future.

Reachout: Online mental health service providing you with lots of information to support young people to lead happier lives. Includes factsheets, videos, stories, guides, tools and apps. www.reachout.com.au Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service: CAMHS is a free community mental health service for children, young people and their families who are having difficulties in emotional, behavioural and/or social areas of their lives. There are a number of locations in Adelaide.

Elizabeth - Phone: 8252 0133

Port Adelaide - Phone: 8341 1222

Paradise - Phone: 7321 4500

There are also other locations in Marion, Onkaparinga and Aldinga

Uniting Communities: Support service for adults, young people and families: Services include counselling options for young people and families, financial and legal advice, emergency assistance, ETC. Phone: 8202 5190 10 Pitt Street, Adelaide Useful Smart Phone Apps for mental health and wellbeing:

Worry time (reachout)

Smiling Mind

Guided Meditation and Mindfulness - ( Headspace)

Recharge - Move well, sleep well, be well (reachout)

CBT - iCoach

Breathe - (reachout)

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support and feedback as we worked together for the safety and wellbeing of your daughters this year. Working with young people, as we well know as parents/caregivers and educators, is not always an easy ride! Therefore, the more we work in partnership as a community, the more resilient our daughters will grow up to be…..into the confident young women we know they have the capacity to be.

I wish you all a very peaceful Christmas, a wonderful holiday break, and much love and blessings for 2017. Take the time to rest, spend time with family and friends, and time to just ‘be’ in the moment – life is not a race!

Lorna Starrs Deputy Principal: Student Wellbeing


In Week 3 this term, the St Mary’s Year 7 students undertook an educational tour of the National Capital. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy. The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion, the Australian Government is contributing funding of $60 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion and has already been subtracted from the total amount each student paid for the tour.

Following a very successful mock election in Week 2, the students were well prepared for their trip to Canberra. They were highly engaged and answered many questions posed to them by the various guides at each of the venues. We received positive feedback from many tour guides about how knowledgeable and well behaved the girls were. It was a busy, yet rewarding tour. There is so much to see in Canberra, a week is almost not long enough! There were many highlights. Here are some of the highlights the students will remember.

Canberra was a once in a life time opportunity to see Australia’s capital and to learn about the birth of Federation. The trip was exciting and extremely interesting. Anastasia Papanicolas 7B

The trip to Canberra was one of the best experiences I have ever had. Meeting Julie Bishop, who is such a great role model, was the highlight of the trip for me. Victoria Severin 7B

I feel very privileged that I had the chance to see Australia’s capital. I made new friends, saw amazing places and made memories that I will not forget. Niamh Toland 7B

The Canberra trip was fun and educational. I particularly enjoyed visiting Government House. This is an experience I will never forget. Vasilia Antoniou 7G

During our Canberra trip I had the chance to visit the Australian War Memorial. It gave us the chance to pay our respects to all the soldiers who died in war. Nicole Coppola 7G


From the Deputy Principal: Curriculum

“Curriculum is a projection towards a future as well as a drawing from the past"- Groumet & Yates, 2011

WHAT IS STEM@SMC? STEM utilises a contemporary, integrated approach to teaching and learning to plan, teach and assess areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in connected, authentic and real-life ways. As a logical analogy, when we are faced with a question or issue in our own areas of occupation, we would rarely approach it from a specific-subject point of view; we would often look at the issue as a hole and then pull content, skills and approaches from relevant areas to respond appropriately to gain the best possible outcome. STEM is similar in that it aims to empower students to learn in connected and contemporary environments about issues which can be addressed by looking from an integrated model, but approached from subject-specific skills, knowledge and standards as both starting points and areas of assessment.

Throughout the year our STEM Professional Learning Steering Committee, comprised of the Coordinators of Science, Mathematics, Technology and chaired by me, have met to break open this very exciting development in curriculum. This has allowed us to carefully consider different options, discuss what we want to achieve, and plan for success to enable St. Mary’s College to be a true leader in this area and provide the best opportunities for our students.

Much of the results of these meetings is presented here through the theme of what we are calling STEM@SMC; St. Mary’s vision for STEM and integrated education moving into 2017 and beyond.

Preamble In 2014—15, the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) conducted a small action research project, the STEM Connections Project. This project was run in conjunction with the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT) and investigated the effectiveness of using an integrated approach to the teaching and learning of STEM disciplines. ACARA and AAMT worked with and supported 13 schools from around the country to develop an integrated STEM project that had its basis in the real world and incorporated the Australian Curriculum learning areas of Mathematics, Science and Technologies.

ACARA, 2015 STEM Report History & Context Schools in contemporary and future learning environments are rapidly changing places. Traditionally, curriculum has been taught through in a faculty-based, content-driven model whereby students are taught knowledge in isolated concepts through strict subject definitions. This very much fitted the industrial model of schooling where students were educated for isolated career pathways and specific tertiary outcomes.

The 20th Century presented a variety of teachers, researchers and scholars who challenged this model and imagined and proposed what could change. The following statements are summary of some of those provocations which significantly advanced curriculum theory and development:

Promoting a link between curriculum, pedagogy and assessment connected through authentic assessment- Groumet & Yates

Learning connected through knowledge and experience involving (where possible) the 'conditions of life'- Dewey

Critically questioning what is the philosophical constitution of human beings and how they 'could be more'- Bruner

The notions of teachers as researchers and scholars of both their academic disciplines and the craft of teaching (pedagogy)- Stenhouse

Children/students should always be at the centre of learning; a priority should be a 'child's power to learn'- Boomer

Curriculum is not a prescribed statement or content for learning; teachers and schools have the professional experience, judgment and freedom to

decide how to best offer and implement curriculum- ACARA (21stC- Shape of the Australian Curriculum)

Application STEM presents an opportunity to capitalise on these theories and practices through the next step in contemporary and future curriculum design and pedagogy. Teaching and learning through four connected disciplines, while still maintaining very specific and distinct outcomes and levels of achievement, presents a dynamic integrated way to plan, teach and assess specific units. STEM allows for approaches of concepts and issues through real-world situations which then allows content to be drawn from any, or all, the disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. It allows for problems and issues to be explored, investigated and perhaps solved in an integrated manner. Often, most professionals and careers seek to address an issue or solve a problem by approaching it in this manner; that is, they ascertain what needs to be investigated and achieved, pull in content from any area which may assist them in working through the issue, and then proceed, try, fail, learn and try again, all in the pursuit of finding the Truth and

………… continued page 6


From the Deputy Principal: Curriculum (continued)

learnings from a situation. It could be said then that to approach learning in this way is a very Dominican approach. In this sense then STEM is an approach before it is a subject.

STEM@SMC Principles STEM@SMC seeks to take the following elements into consideration as it reviews past practices, renews current opportunities and re-imagines future learning in this area:

The Core details of STEM@SMC will be:

Transferable skills and knowledge from Maths, Science, Digital Technologies and more

Project-based pedagogy

Promoting 21stC Learning Skills- 4Cs (critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity)

Integrated through being authentic, rigorous and with integrity

Promoting learning through a Growth Mindset of failing, revising and re-engaging ('debugging')

Relies on feedback in different forms

Key focus on collaborative learning

Inquiry based, promotes pedagogy, utilises technology where appropriate

Learn to 'debug learning' through taking positive risks and searching for the next step

Celebrate joy and grief in learning

Learning needs to be connected to knowledge and experience

Teaching disposition of 'Meddler in the Middle'

Public learning- an audience wider than the teacher

Current Practices Approaches, skills and content promoted by STEM are already utilised very much throughout our R-12 landscape in current subjects. For example, various topics in specific Maths, Science and Design curricula already draw on STEM approaches utilising some of the dispositions above to solve problems, investigate issues and propose and test solutions.

STEM is also promoted through an integrated approach in the middle school through the following additional foci:

Reception: algorithms and coding

Years 1-6: Coding, Edison robots, 3D printing

Year 7: explicit Digital Technologies lessons, 3D printing

Year 8: programming through robotics, 3D printing

Year 9: Creativity in Science Technology (CREST) through inquiry based learning; Engineering activities culminating in a focus day, Tinker CAD, 3D

printing

And in the Senior School, an important presence in the Year 10 Science and Engineering Challenge

Lighthouse School for Makers Empire 3D printing

Into the Future Through STEM@SMC, St Mary's College aims to be a leader in contemporary and future focused middle school curriculum design, teaching and assessment. In the very near future St Mary's College will shift the focus of the commencement of middle schooling to Year 7. St Mary's College has begun planning around contemporising the nature of Middle schooling, particularly in our Middle years profile of Years 7-9.This represents a significant opportunity for St Mary's to redefine what it is to be a contemporary learning environment in this main enrolment point of the College. It is envisaged that students commencing their middle school journey at St Mary's College will engage in an exciting, authentic, collaborative and real-world teaching and learning opportunity planned, taught and assessed through STEM@SMC. There exists a tremendous opportunity for St Mary's to stand out in offering a future focussed approach to curriculum as a key point of difference in this vital time in a student's education.

As such, we are currently planning on trailing elements of a STEM@SMC subject at Year 7 during 2017, with a view to then creating elective STEM subjects and Years 8 and 9 for the ensuing years. We have developed a contemporary integrated curriculum planning model which will facilitate this (the model appears on the opposite page):

We can’t wait to see where this journey take us. Watch this space.

Take care,

Corey Tavella Deputy Principal: Curriculum


STEM@SMC Curriculum Design Model

Other Future Directions

Digital Literacy Grant

National STEM Educational Tour

Working with expertise and industry experience with the Parent Advisory Council/Wider Parent Body

Expanding the STEM@SMC curriculum design model to incorporate other modes of curriculum integration: eg. STEAM/HASS


November

28 Year 1-6, 2017 Orientation visit

29 Year 11 into 12 Orientation Program

Junior School Advent Mass (St Patrick’s Church)

December

1 Year 11 into 12 Orientation Program

2 Year 7 Beach Safety Day (Glenelg SLSC)

5 Junior School Water Day—Marion Outdoor Swim Centre

6 EYEC Rehearsal - St Patrick’s Church

Last day of Term 4

EYEC - 6.30 pm Adelaide Convention Centre

January 2017

30 Year 7/8/12 Orientation Day

31 Term 1, 2017 commences for all students

E V E N T C A L E N D A R

At the recent Year 12 Final Assembly the following students received awards.

As community, we congratulate them on their contributions to the College and wish them well in the future.

ADF Long Tan Leadership & Teamwork Award: Amie Kapusniak Caltex ‘Best All Rounder’: Sophie Darmody and Isabella Quek Ethos Award: Alexandra Gavrilidis Service to Sport: Alicia Pope Service to Music: Kate Henderson

Amie Kapusniak

Sophie Darmody

Isabella Quek

Alexandra Gavrilidis

Alicia Pope

Kate Henderson


From the Mathematics Coordinators

ICAS Mathematics Competition The International Competition and Assessment for Schools (ICAS), in Mathematics, measures student skills and knowledge across five strands:

Algebra and Patterns: Involves patterns of numbers, relationships between numbers and the use of symbols to stand for unknown or variable numbers.

Chance and Data: Involves mathematical treatment of data and statistics.

Measures and Units: Involves properties of the physical world that can be measured, the units used to measure them and the process of measurement.

Number and Arithmetic: Involves types of numbers, their properties and number operations. The strand has strong links with Measures and Units, Algebra and Patterns and Chance and Data. It also has some links with Space and Geometry.

Space and Geometry: Involves the properties of two-dimensional and three-dimensional space.

On 16 August 2016, 69 students from Years 2 to 12 at St Mary’s College participated in the ICAS Mathematics competition, with great success; 14 achieving Credit and 11 achieving a Merit status.

Congratulations to all students who entered.

Credit Award Alex Breden Victoria Severin Emily Dennis Ruby Stevens Rubaba Khandaker Brinda Murlikrishna Batol Jawad Jasmine Kha Lauren Mitchell Maxine Tsoukatos Celestine Cherupallil Chelsea Ireland Zainab Jawad Zara Tsoukatos

Anna Fontanelli and Julianne Price Mathematics Coordinators

After seeing last year myths and facts supported by the Cancer Council around the school, I became intrigued to know why. It became clear at the beginning of 2016, when Ms Starrs emailed the Year 8 -12s about this Cancer Council Youth Ambassador Program. I was determined to make 2016 a great year, getting myself involved in everything possible, so I applied to be an ambassador….a two-step application process was completed, along with an interview over the phone to became an ambassador.

Since 2012 the Cancer Council SA started the initiative of recruiting approximately 100 young adults aged 12-18, who engage in a year-long course (April – November). Schools from around Adelaide including Brighton High, Christian Brothers College, Prince Alfred College, Unity College (Murray Bridge) joined 11 of our St Mary’s girls.

Celestine Cherupallil, Holly-Mae Ellul, Isabella Honeyman, Lili Iammarrone, Luciana Galantomos, Sarah Bastian, Simona Beric, Sophie Loy, Zainab Jawad and I completed a series of three challenges throughout the year. With the help of leadership development workshops, we were able to acquire the skills needed to complete each challenge.

Over 56,280 people were made aware of 15 themes that promote cancer prevention. The following themes could be included: healthy eating, quitting smoking and more. $65,088 was raised during the second challenge, through creating a creating a fundraiser event. Some fundraisers were a Swimathon, Daffodil Day, Biggest Morning Tea and other creative ideas. 22,673 people heard the messages that were presented to a community. 75 participants graduated on 3 November.

Along with these three challenges, extra opportunities arose by helping out at the Christmas Pageant, Daffodil day and Biggest Morning Tea.

It was a truly inspiring and new experience and I would love to be a mentor for next year’s youth ambassadors.

Applications are open for 2017 online now at: https://www.cancersa.org.au/forms/youth-ambassador-form-inline/

Neive Jones Year 11

Merit Award Kiara Didyk Emily Jackson Miesha Perera Caitlin Murray Emily Dell Qjaswi Rana Chelsea Innes Lauren Docking Lum Huynh Linh Huynh Brianna Savage

As detailed in the St Mary’s College Fee Schedule and Policy, all families are reminded that fees were due to be paid in full by 30 September 2016.

Exceptions apply to those families who have established an alternative arrangement with the Business Manager due to extenuating circumstances. Non timely payment of tuition fees invariably applies pressure to the resources available to deliver curriculum to students.

I ask that if you have not finalised payment of your 2016 fees, without arrangement, please contact Mrs Nuala O’Donovan (8216 5709) immediately.

Payments can be made by cash to the Front Office, cheque, Eftpos, Credit Card, Direct Debit, B-Pay and Qkr!. http://www.stmaryscollege.catholic.edu.au/qkr--payments.html

Information on using Qkr! on a mobile device or online via your computer is available on the St Mary’s College Website.

Use link above to visit the web page and learn how to set up and use Qkr!

Richard Watson Business Manager

Congratulations to ... Brooke Simpson (Year 5) Congratulations to Brooke (pictured left) who won the Multi Class State and National Excellence Award for swimming. Brooke also won silver at the School Sport Australia Swimming Championships in the 4x 50m Freestyle Relay. Amelia Rechichi (Year 5) Congratulations to Amelia (pictured right) who has been selected in the Skillaroos U/13 Soccer Development Squad.

http://www.stmaryscollege.catholic.edu.au/qkr--payments.html


This term, our Junior School community has been preparing vital and heartfelt prayer times. Four classes plus invited families have celebrated liturgies during this time, with others to follow next term. We are most fortunate to be able to celebrate in our beautiful College Chapel.

Miss Shattock and Reception: Children – Close to God Ms Cooper and Year 1: Beloved Pets & Animals Mrs Fogden & Ms Lynch with Year 4: Blessed Mary MacKillop Mrs Livingstone and Year 6: Living the Word – Working for Justice

Some student reflections on these liturgies highlight the very real gifts we received from God in sharing prayer with those we care for:

Children - Close to God Liturgy By Madison G Our liturgy was about Children. I brought in a love heart because I am loving and caring. Everyone brought in a special gift that showed something they are good at. I felt happy when we sang the songs and said the prayers.

Liturgy for Beloved Pets and Animals By Siena and Olivia I really like animals so I really liked our liturgy. Sometimes I’m scared to speak out loud and I was proud that I spoke aloud in front of lots of people.

We brought in playdough animals and our toy animals. Ms Cooper made Noah’s Ark. It felt very special and quiet.

Liturgy of Mary MacKillop By Tehya Our Liturgy was about Mary MacKillop and her life. She is our first and only Australian saint. When she was in her 20’s she set up her own school. That would have been nerve-wracking.

Mary was brave and caring and made sacrifices for others. It felt calm and peaceful in the nice environment of the chapel.

Living the Word - Working for Justice Liturgy By Syke & Paris The theme for our liturgy was World Poverty which we have been learning about in class. We have been inquiring about people who live on less than $2 dollars a day and how many people have bravely stood up for justice. We had different parts in our liturgy and we prayed for these people to have the courage to continue this justice work.

We also prayed for people who are still in need of justice. Celebrating in the Chapel made the liturgy more special because it was quiet and peaceful. This prayer time helped us to think about how we can stand up for justice in our communities and help those who are less fortunate than us.

Praying with families and friends in our beautiful chapel has been a joyful time for all our Reception to Year 6 girls. Each liturgy has been a unique way for our girls to wonder, pray and celebrate a special aspect of our God.

Anne Soldan R-6 Coordinator Prayer and Liturgy

VACATION CARE 2016

Vacation Care will be available this year at St Marys College from Wednesday 7 December – Thursday 22 December and is available for St Marys students and their school age siblings.

We have an exciting program organised and places are filling fast so if you would like to make a booking please pop into OSHC after 2.00pm each day, email Anjie direct at [email protected] or call 8216 5743.

mailto:[email protected]


The Year 9 Retreat was held on Thursday 10 November at the Surf Lifesaving Headquarters at West Beach. The theme of the day was ‘Keeping it Real’.

The day provided the opportunity for all students to engage in a variety of activities and to take time to reflect on these both as a group and individually. These experiences not only encouraged us to consider our own ‘story’ but also gave us an insight into how lucky we are to live in such a positive and supportive environment when there are others who are suffering in the world.

A highlight of the day were the performances of our talented musicians who helped to create a reflective and joyous atmosphere with their skilfully crafted original compositions and rock band songs, the lunch time dance floor being a particular hit!

We closed our reflective experience by journeying to the nearby coastline where we worked in small groups to create our own unique mandala ‘masterpieces’ in the sand, using a combination of hand drawn design and elements from the surrounding environment. Our creations reflected what inspires and empowers us as young women today.

Overall, the whole experience of the day was truly inspiring and touched all of us in many ways.

Vanessa Saliba 9 Blue

“I learnt that I am very lucky to be growing up in Australia, to be able to be free and express my feelings and thoughts”.

“What I liked about the retreat day was learning more about how we as young women have the right to freedom in this world”.

“I enjoyed being able to learn about other people’s ‘inside stories’”.

“I enjoyed creating the mandala and the music played by my peers because it showed how, as a year level, we have grown and become a small family”.


St Mary’s College Absentee Phone Line

8216 5716

Please telephone before 9.30 am if your

daughter is absent

St Mary’s College Uniform Shop

8216 5719

Opening times - Monday 8.00 am - 11.00 am

Wednesday 1.00 pm - 4.00 pm

Thursday 8.00 am - 11.00 am

St Mary’s College OSHC : 8216 5743

During the second to last week of Term 3 our Year 11 students undertake a week of Service Learning within the community. Several of our students attended Adelaide West Special Education Centre at Taperoo. The Principal, Lorna Fenech, and staff were so impressed with our students they invited them to their Sports Day which was held on Friday 28 October.

The comments and photos below from Lorna and our students speak for themselves.

Our staff really appreciated the support that the girls gave on the day. Sports Day is great fun but completely exhausting and having the St Mary’s girls to help was really appreciated. Teachers said that a particular skill that they observed in the girls, was their ability to use their initiative to provide help when they saw it was needed without waiting to be told - which is a fantastic thing! Lorna Fenech (Principal - Adelaide West Special Education Centre)

Sports Day was great! I was really impressed by how organised and well thought out each of the eight activities were. They were all able to be modified so that all student were able to participate. Just like a normal sports day, the parents came at the end of the day to see the relays and there was a real feeling of joy and community in the hall at that time. Everyone was happy to be celebrating the joy that sport was able to bring to the children. Millie Bird 11R

I had an amazing time at the Adelaide West Sports Day. I really enjoyed seeing how each of activities were able to be adapted and see how each child was able to participate and join in the fun. I loved watching the relay races and how some children anxiously waited for their turn and the smile with pride as they crossed the line. Overall, I think it was a great day full of excitement and smiles. Kate Godfrey 11R

It was so great to go back and see all the kids we met at Service Learning. The day was crazy but so much fun and luckily, the staff have asked us to come back once we have finished the year. Brittany Rundle 11G

The day was very eventful and full of activities where I got to see the children enjoying all the hands on activities. It was an experience to remember as I got to participate with the students and teachers. What was memorable was taking a lot of photos that day. My teacher explained that they never had the hands to take photos and take care of every student. Therefore, my teachers are now making a photo album for the students which I'm really happy about. It's a happy memory of the students which will be remembered! Denise Driz 11R

st mary’s college...remembrance day service west terrace cemetery on friday 11 november, year 9...

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