3 SMMC Newsletter 5 March 2025

Principal's Message

The Importance of Parent Agency in Your Daughter's Education

As the principal of our wonderful College, I am continually inspired by the dedication and commitment of our community to the holistic development of our students. This week, I would like to address a crucial aspect of our students' success: the role of parent agency in their daughters' education. Your active involvement is not only beneficial but essential in guiding them through these formative years of their learning journey.

The Use of IT in the Home

In today's digital age, technology plays a significant role in our children's lives. While it offers numerous educational benefits, it also presents challenges, particularly with the use of social media. It is vital for parents to monitor and guide their daughters' online activities. Encourage them to use technology responsibly, balancing educational purposes with leisure. Discuss the importance of digital citizenship and the potential risks associated with social media, such as cyberbullying and privacy concerns. Don’t ever feel that you have to second-guess your influence in monitoring access and permissionings of computer access in the home.

Social Activities with Friends

Social interactions are a fundamental part of adolescent development. Encouraging your daughter to engage in healthy social activities with friends can enhance her social skills, emotional well-being, and overall happiness. However, it is important to strike a balance. Ensure that social activities do not interfere with academic responsibilities and are in fact safe from alcohol, drugs or dangerous risk-taking. Students will often say things like, “Everyone is going” or “Everyone will be there” - in most situations, this is not the case. Instead promote participation in school clubs, sports, and community service, which can provide more structured and positive social experiences.

Completing Homework and Assignments

Homework and assignments are integral to reinforcing classroom learning. As parents, your support can make a significant difference in your daughter's academic performance. A few things that parents can do it to create a conducive environment for studying at home, free from distractions. Establish a routine that includes dedicated time for homework and assignments. Show interest in her schoolwork, offer assistance when needed, and encourage her to take responsibility for her learning. Take opportunities to check their drafts or to speak with your daughter’s teachers if you are worried that they are not completing the work required.

Tips for Staying Actively Involved

To support your daughter's education effectively, here are some practical tips for staying actively involved in her life:

1. Communicate Regularly: Maintain open lines of communication with your daughter. Listen to her concerns, celebrate her achievements, and provide guidance when needed.
2. Set Boundaries: Establish clear rules regarding the use of technology and social media. Remind them about the  ‘Grandma test’. Would their Grandma approve of what they are posting online? Encourage responsible usage and set limits to ensure it does not interfere with her studies and is safe.
3. Be Present: Attend school events, parent-teacher interviews, and extracurricular activities. Your presence shows your daughter that you value her education and are invested in her success and wellbeing.
4. Encourage Balance: Help your daughter find a healthy balance between study, social activities, and personal time. Encourage her to pursue hobbies and interests that contribute to her overall development.

Your active involvement in your daughter's education is invaluable. By fostering a supportive and balanced environment at home, and by regularly communicating with her teachers, parents can have real agency in helping their daughters navigate the challenges of adolescence and achieve her full potential. We don’t pretend that raising teenager is easy - I’ve had three, so know the difficulties. But when we work together, we can ensure that our students grow into well-rounded, responsible, and successful individuals - young women of spirit and purpose.

Have a blessed week.
Kathleen McCarthy
College Principal

Inspirited by Faith and Mission

Prayer for Pope Francis

Pope Francis has to be one of my favourite people and there are lots of reasons and wonderful stories about him that make this so. One of my favourites is when he had first been elected as Pope and I watched a clip of him reach into the crowd and hold so gently a young boy with cerebral Palsy as he blessed him (here if you have a minute - 1.04min). 

Since that time - just over 11 years ago - Pope Francis has been stellar in his role. He chose to disregard the pomp and fuss of his role, taking a less formal approach to the papacy than previous popes by choosing to live in the guest house rather than in the papal apartments of the Apostolic Palace. 

His concern for the poor, and vulnerable - especially children - has been at the heart of his leadership.  Gemma Popili is the little girl with Down syndrome seated beside the pope in this photo. She was at a special event where several Special Olympic athletes were meeting him. Gemma presented him with a pair of red Special Olympic sneakers and then he invited her to sit beside him. You can see in her little face just how fabulous and included she feels - how special is that!

You may have heard through the News that Pope Francis was admitted to Hospital on Feb. 14 with a case of bronchitis that turned into double pneumonia. He is actually prone to lung infections, because when he was a young man, he had part of one of his lungs removed. This hospital stay is his longest during his time as pope - and he is truly missed.  

As a firm believer in the power of prayer I am hoping you will keep him in your thoughts and prayers. So, a prayer for Pope Francis:

Hope filled God, we pray for Pope Francis, in his time of need. You are the source of all healing, and we ask You to surround him with Your loving presence, granting him strength and recovery. May Your divine grace rest upon him, restoring his health and filling him with good health to continue leading Your Church with compassion and wisdom. We place Pope Francis into Your hands, trusting in Your eternal care. May he be comforted by the love of the Church and the prayers of all the faithful. We ask that his recovery be swift, and his spirit be strengthened in Your peace. Amen.

Lent: Faced with Choices 

All through our lives we are faced with choices, we choose who we befriend and who we simply walk past. We are given the choice of fighting or making peace. We are given the choice of working hard for money and material things to make our own lives more comfortable or dedicating that same time and energy to improving the lives of others. 

God gave us the choice to find peace in our hearts by loving Him and letting Him love us, or to spend our days fighting to find something else to bring meaning to our lives. Every day, God gives us the choice to, like the Good Samaritan, help those around us in need of our care, or to turn a blind eye in favour of our own needs. 

Today the Catholic Church begin the season of Lent, which prepares us for the most important time in the Church’s calendar. By praying, fasting, and giving alms (or charity), we are reminded of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus brought the promise of hope to all people so that we may “Have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) As we live into that fullness, may we also be challenged to act with love and hope, now and into our future.   

Project Compassion 

Our Project Compassion fundraising kicked off with Shrove Tuesday yesterday. An enormous thank you to our staff who spent their Monday afternoon cooking over 400 pancakes. Our wonderful Senior Leaders were then on hand, who with Ms Suzy Sheriff, ensured students were able to purchase a pancake or two for a gold coin donation!

Georgia and Rebecca attended the Diocesan Project Compassion Launch on Tuesday, too. It was held at St Francis’ Catholic School, Ayr and was facilitated by Bishop Tim. The girls represented the College beautifully and we thank them for their presence.

God Bless,
Rachel Harrison
Assistant Principal - Identity and Mission

Educated Women of Purpose

NAPLAN 2025 – Year 7 and Year 9 

Students in Year 7 and Year 9 will sit their NAPLAN tests in Reading, Writing, Conventions of Language and Numeracy commencing Wednesday, 12 March through to Monday, 17 March, with any catch-up test being held on Tuesday, 18 March. Like many schools, at SMMC, students will sit these tests online as they have done for the last few years. 

At SMMC, we feel that the NAPLAN tests give teachers further information about what elements of the Australian Curriculum students have learned well and how we can work with students to fill any gaps that may exist.  The tests are one method used to assist us in building a profile of our students and their learning to date.  For Year 9 students the tests also give teachers an indication as to how students are working regarding their Literacy and Numeracy which may provide extra information to inform decisions about senior subject selections in the coming year.  

On NAPLAN testing days, it is important that students come to the tests with a charged laptop and corded (not wireless) headphones. Please purchase these if your daughter has lost hers. Parents who are wishing to withdraw their child from the NAPLAN tests should contact their child’s Pastoral Care Teacher to collect a form. Parents with any questions or concerns about their child’s NAPLAN tests should contact the following people, who would be happy to assist you. 

Mrs Paula Gabrielli (Inclusive Education Leader)
pgabrielli1@smmc.catholic.edu.au

Mrs Irma Lapico (Curriculum Middle Leader - Mathematics)
ilapico@smmc.catholic.edu.au

Mrs Correna Neumann (Curriculum Middle Leader - English)
cneumann1@smmc.catholic.edu.au

Ms Melissa Pearce (Deputy Principal - Learning and Teaching)
mpearce8@smmc.catholic.edu.au

Assessment 

As we go into a period of assessment and students experience illness or absence due to other circumstances, families are reminded that they may be eligible to apply for Special Provisions (e.g. an extension of the due date or an exam re-sit) for assessment items. 

For students who are absent due to illnesses:  If in Year 11/12, please attach a medical certificate (please also contact the office if this is an exam date); if in Years 7-10 a parent note on the form will suffice. 

For planned absences (e.g. Sporting representation/ family wedding), students should submit work on, or before, the due date as per our Assessment Policy.  Please also complete an 'Absence during Term Time' form which is available on our website. 

It is important that parents, where possible, contact teachers so that they are aware of the situation and can, where possible, place work for students into the Google Classroom so that students have continuity of learning.  For your convenience and all Assessment Calendars for each year level can be found here. 

Melissa Pearce
Deputy Principal, Learning and Teaching

Inspired by Community

ICT for Communication and Social Media Awareness

In today’s digital age, it's important for students, parents, and the school community to be mindful of how we use technology for communication and safety. In this section, we would like to provide some important reminders about the appropriate use of student devices and offer guidance on managing social media use. We also share valuable resources to help protect our students in the online world. Please take a moment to review these updates and tips to support your child's digital safety and well-being.

ICT for communication

If you need to contact your daughter for a particular reason, to phone Rosalie at Student Support Services or Jenny Walker at Health and Wellbeing. Likewise, please remind your child/ren that if they need to contact you to go through the appropriate channels. The College understands that there will be circumstances where contact will need to be made; however, we have had several incidents where personal emails are being used for collection throughout the day. It is important to remember that student computers are an excellent learning tool and must be used as such. All ICT guidelines for students can be found on the College website.

Social Media Reminders     

The landscape of social media is ever growing and full of possibilities. With the emergence of new trends and ways to create and publish material increasing the possibility of harm.

Recently the College has been managing a high number of pastoral incidences involving inappropriate use of social media. I encourage families to have conversations with their children to educate and protect them about the dangers surrounding social media use.

Below I have included some tips sourced from the Queensland Government website, as well as links to report online abuse and harm, and educational resources for parents relating to cybersafety.

Social Media Tips for Parents from the Queensland Government website:  Cybersafety in Queensland schools

Some tips to help your child stay safe while using social media include:

• make sure they never reveal their home address, phone number, email address and passwords
• review the age suitability for any sites and apps your child joins or installs
• look at who their contacts and followers are—this will help reduce the risk of them encountering inappropriate people and content
• educate yourself on the issues that children face
• establish an open relationship with your child so they trust you to view their profiles
• reinforce the need for them to keep passwords private and to update them regularly
• ensure your child understands the implications of posting images and content on the internet.

When is it a police matter?

Report the incident to the police if there is a safety concern (such as physical threats, stalking, grooming, sharing nude images). Some instances of cyberbullying and inappropriate online behaviour or content may also be regarded as a criminal offence.

Phone Police Link on 131 444 or Triple Zero (000) if it is an emergency.

For more information and advice, visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/education/schools/health/cybersafety/cybersafety-qss

(Source: The State of Queensland 2024)

Additional Information and Resources:

• You can report abuse directly through a social media platform’s policing processes
• The Office of the eSafety Commissioner: Report online harm/abuse https://www.esafety.gov.au/report
• SchoolTV has a range of educational resources for families around Cybersafety. Visit: https://smmc.catholic.schooltv.me/channel-newsletter/315

College Administration

A few important events on the horizon at St Margaret Mary’s.

SMMC Showcase 

Early dismissal for students on Friday 21st March at 1:10pm for SMMC Showcase preparations.

A reminder to all parents and students that the College’s Open Day is Friday 21st March with activities, presentations and tours commencing at 3.30pm. 

In order to allow for set-up and preparation of the College, students will be dismissed from the College at 1:10pm. Those students who have volunteered to assist with Showcase, will remain at the College and have lunch before assisting with set-up. 

A limited Tuckshop menu will be available on Friday.  Orders will be taken for Recess only.  

Students who are assisting with Showcase are not permitted to leave the grounds during set-up time. 

A reminder to students who depart the College at 1:10pm that they are not to be at shopping centres in their College uniform unless accompanied by a parent.

The College School bus runs will depart the College at 1:20pm. Students who are waiting for other afternoon buses will be supervised in the library. 

School photos

The College’s school photos day on 30 January had to be postponed due to the weather event.  College photos have been rescheduled for Week 8 Thursday 20 March.  Further details about ordering and the schedule will be published closer to the date. 

Students will be in their formal uniform - they are able to wear the dress OR the formal blouse with the SMMC trousers/shorts. If there is a practical class requiring a sports uniform, please bring your sports uniform with you on the day and change into this after your photo is taken. A reminder about the dress and uniform standards on the day:

• Formal uniform with tie and college badge
• Formal black lace up shoes and plain white crew length socks
• Standard jewellery, no make-up or tinted or false eyelashes
• Hair pulled back neatly (remember these are also your formal ID School ID photos)

Yr 12 Exam Block is set for Friday Week 9 through to last day of term. Timetables will be forwarded to students this week and are available on the College website. 

Career Development

Career Development is less about finding one's passion and more about what contribution does that individual want to make? 

Throughout the College year, students have access to the Career Development Practitioner to gain insight and direction into what comes after school. To support our students, in Term 1 every Year 12 student and their parents are invited to a one on one Career Development Meeting which offers support as students transition through their final year and onto what comes next. These meetings are filled with rich conversations and assists the College in pathway preparation and selecting guest speakers and opportunities to enrich our students in this process. 

Career Development is less about 'finding your passion' and instead, it is about deeply asking yourself, what contribution do I want to make? 

When we ask ourselves about our contribution, we are reminded that in building our own Career Development Pathway, we too are reflecting on and giving back to so many who support, guide, invest and entrust in us.

If your daughter is feeling overwhelmed by the big questions (such as, what do you want to be when you finish school?) that are so often asked, or is daunted by the idea of what comes after school, please reach out to the College and connect with Marianne Milani, Career Development Practitioner at St Margaret Mary's College. 

Sports News

Touch Football Q Academy 

Three of our talented touch football players Caitlin (Yr 12) Caydee (Yr 11) and Farrah (Yr 10) were selected to attend the Q Academy for Cowboys U16 team on the 15th to 16th February. Parent Bobbie McMinn also coached the team.

Well done ladies for being chosen out of hundreds of players at the 2024 National Youth Championships to attend this invitation only event. You are wonderful examples of the depth of touch football talent at SMMC. 

Amanda May
Touch Football Co-ordinator

Arts News

BELLA VOCE CHOIR
Our choir has made a good start to the year with Miss Fitzgibbon and Mrs Nicholson and will be performing at Showcase on March 21, at 4pm and 5pm.  Choir continues to rehearse each Thursday morning at 8am in the theatre L01.  New members always welcome.  We welcome Ms Sheriff back this week! 

ART JAMS
Join our art community and enjoy a vibrant space with music and lots of creativity!  Bring a project or join an activity with the teacher!  Wednesday lunchtime and after school 3.15-4.30pm B03.  Sign up required!  See Ms Bell if you are keen!

WE WILL ROCK YOU!
The Combined Schools' Musical rehearsals are well underway at St Patrick's College, and our SMMC Cast members are reminded to pay their levy via Compass by.  Parents/Carers, please also consent to student attendance at the rehearsals via Compass.  Please note that Sunday rehearsals are for all cast members while Tuesday and Thursday has different groups scheduled.  Please see the schedule which can be found in the Resources Tab in the Compass event.  Any absences to rehearsals should be explained to musical@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au

GUITAR ENSEMBLE
Our Guitar Ensemble has made a great start to the year, welcoming our new teacher, Miss Casey Dufficey. Casey is a past Maggie who was a valued member of the instrumental program and Guitar Ensemble.

Guitar lessons have also begun and we welcome our new students to the program. We look forward to hearing them play in the near future!

Please keep us informed of our Arts student achievements, so we can highlight and congratulate them via our Social Media avenues. 

Nancy Nicholson
Arts Co-ordinator 
nnicholson@smmc.catholic.edu.au

Library News

Who thought a library was a place where you could study?

After School Study Sessions

And, some photos of us cuddling up with our toys for Valentine’s Day and Library Lover’s Day

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Reminder
Teacher-Librarian - Ms Riitta Booth
Library Aide - Mrs Katie Lay

Library Hours
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday - 8.00am - 4.30pm
Tuesday - 8.00am - 5.00pm [note change]
Friday - 8.00am - 3.00pm

Riitta Booth
Teacher-Librarian
rbooth2@smmc.catholic.edu.au

Language News

Celebrating Culture Through Language: Setsubun Festival in Japanese Class

This February, students in our Japanese language classes were treated to a special cultural experience as they celebrated the traditional Japanese festival of Setsubun. Known for its lively customs and colourful atmosphere, Setsubun marks the beginning of the spring season in Japan, and it was the perfect opportunity for our students to deepen their understanding of Japanese culture while honing their language skills.

Setsubun, which falls on February 3rd, is a festival that revolves around the ancient tradition of warding off evil spirits and bringing good fortune for the year ahead. The most famous custom associated with Setsubun is the ritual of mame-maki, or bean-throwing, where participants throw roasted beans to drive away bad spirits (symbolized by the oni, or ogre) and invite good fortune into their homes.

In our Japanese language classroom, students took part in a variety of activities to experience the festival firsthand. They learned the key phrases related to Setsubun, such as "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" (Out with the demons, in with good fortune!) and practiced them while folding origami “oni” and during a lively bean-throwing event. Armed with small bags of beans, students threw them at an "oni" (a student dressed as the demon), all while laughing and practicing their Japanese phrases.

Stay tuned for more updates from our Japanese language department, as we continue to celebrate and explore the fascinating world of Japan through language and culture.

StuditaliA Prize - Ainara Kelly

In 2024, Year 12 Italian student Ainara Kelly was awarded the prestigious StuditaliA Prize. She was one of 10 Queensland students lucky enough to spend a month in Cividale del Friuli in northern Italy, immersing herself in the Italian language and culture. This is her reflection on her experience.

When I was notified that I had been awarded the opportunity to spend a month in Italy I was both excited and nervous. Travelling to Italy without my family seemed daunting but it was definitely the experience of a lifetime.

Travelling with the other recipients was great. Our group became really close as we supported each other and had fun together. We would play cards, have pizza nights, and movie nights.

The school we attended, Convitto Nazionale Paolo Diacono, is a boarding school, so we were able to meet other international students as well as the Italian boarders.

I enrolled in the ‘Classico’ stream of the school.  I attended philosophy, Latin, Greek, history of art, religion, classical Italian, maths and science classes. It was challenging, but definitely engaging. It was fantastic language immersion. I also had HPE classes for two hours once a week, which was a great way to bond with my class!

The town of Cividale is beautiful! It’s straight out of a fairytale. I loved exploring the town with my new friends. We went on lots of river walks and through the farmland. Ponte del Diavolo (Devil’s Bridge) and the river beneath it are stunning. We would go and skim rocks, watch the ducks, and catch the sunrise.

Speaking with shop owners was a really good way to feel more confident with our language skills, and we befriended some store owners this way.

Of course, the food was amazing! We could sit in the piazza and enjoy gelato after school. We made the most of the cafes, pizzerias, and pasticcerias. All the delicious local ingredients and regional sweets meant everything was delectable!

Udine is the closest ‘major’ city to Cividale. It is a beautiful place with a lot to explore. We visited Castello di Udine, which is a short climb up a hill. The view was beautiful (we got to watch the sunset over the mountains). We took advantage of the restaurants, clothes shops, record stores, book stores, and music stores. The local soccer team, Udinese, was playing and the atmosphere was insane.

We did a group overnight stay in Venice. We left after school on Saturday. It was incredible to experience the nightlife of Venice. We explored all the streets and then went out for a nice dinner. There were so many great stores to explore, vintage clothing, thrift stores, paper and leather works, jewellery, glass objects etc. 

I cannot recommend the experience enough. I would encourage SMMC senior Italian students to apply. I know it might seem daunting, but there’s nothing to lose, and it’s an experience of a lifetime.

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Term 1 Fees Notice

Term 1 College Fees Due 28 February 2025

College fees for Term 1 were due for payment on 28/02/2025. Families should now check that account payments are up to date.

For Term Payers please pay the balance of your account using the BPAY details shown on your statement or refer to the College website for a full list of payment options.

For Instalment Payers with an approved Payment Plan, please check your statement for the progress of your payments and to identify if any Pay-As-You-Go fees have been charged to your account. Please note that Pay-As-You-Go charges for Bus Fares and Instrumental Program fees are included in Payment Plans. VET charges are charged separately and must be paid by the term due date.

Families experiencing financial hardship please contact the College immediately by phoning 4726 4900 or emailing fees@smmc.catholic.edu.au  to discuss the options available at the College to support families requiring financial assistance.

Community News

Townsville Youth Council is recruiting new members!

Want to help shape the future for young people in Townsville?

Join the Townsville Youth Council to collaborate with community leaders, improve support, create new opportunities, and advocate for the issues that matter most to the next generation!

If you're aged 12-25, live in Townsville, and are passionate about making a difference for local young people – we want YOU!

For more information or to apply, visit Council’s website - Townsville Youth Council - Townsville City Council

Applications close 31 May 2025.