4 SMMC Newsletter 19 March 2025

Principal's Message

We are excited to welcome all of our prospective students and families to Showcase this Friday from 3.30pm - 6.00pm. Of course all Parents and Carers are welcome to come along and visit the interactive displays and enjoy the performances. There is so much to celebrate in our wonderful school!

We are in need of a few more Parents to help out at our P&F BBQ at Showcase, so if you can assist, please pop into the stall which will be held near the Tuckshop.

We have now reached capacity for Year 7 in 2026 and will begin interviewing students for Year 7 entry in 2027. If you have a daughter currently in Year 5, we strongly encourage you to access an Enrolment form and submit an application. 

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the International Women’s Day breakfast. The theme for 2025 was Accelerate Action  Our Senior Student Leaders also attended, listening to local inspiring women who are working in vital fields such as women’s health, emergency services and domestic violence support. Advocacy for girls and women is as important as ever, and if you are interested in reading an article on why I believe girls’ schools matter in this space, please go to the Townsville Catholic Education Connect blog.

New P&F Committee Members

President - Binu Mathew Vadakkedath
Vice President - Natalie Church
Secretary/Treasurer - Dana Snelling
Diocesan Representatives - Dana Snelling and Michael Runge

We sincerely thank Michael Runge and Sandra Farrington for their contribution to the P&F over many years. 

If you would like to attend upcoming P&F meetings, please join us at 5.30pm in E02 on the following dates:

Tuesday 3rd June
Tuesday 15th July
Tuesday 12 August
Tuesday 7th October
Tuesday 25th November (combined with Board)

Have a great week.
Kathleen McCarthy
College Principal

Educated Women of Purpose

NAPLAN 2025

What a huge two weeks it has been for our Year 7 and 9 students.  They have each sat NAPLAN tests in Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy over weeks 7 and 8.  Thank you to our families and students for a very successful testing period.  A huge thank you also goes to our supervising teachers and admin staff for all of their support with running these tests.  Results reports will be released later in the year - more information to come here.

Assessment

Our students are currently in the thick of assessment preparation.  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 (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, Assessment Calendars for each year level can be found here.

Year 12 Unit 3 Block Exams

Our wonderful Year 12 students are heading into their Unit 3 Block Exams during Week 10.  Please ensure all parents refer to the information that will be released through Compass for exam timetables and guidelines.  We wish our Year 12s the very best of luck for these exams!

Melissa Pearce
Deputy Principal, Learning and Teaching

Inspirited by Faith and Mission

Last week our college celebrated International Women’s Day and your daughters were able to experience a variety of things throughout the week celebrating all things women – thanks to our fabulous Senior Leaders and their teachers.

We all know some pretty fabulous women. Fabulous for many different reasons. When I think of the women who have been integral to my own life, I am comforted by the gift they have been and continue to be for me.

It draws me to this great quote form Proverbs:

“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future” Proverbs 31:25

For one small sentence - it has 3 pretty powerful parts.

“She is clothed…” It is easy to think that beauty comes from outward adornments, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of expensive jewellery or fine clothes. But I like to think it is more about being clothed with a Christlike character.

“…with strength and dignity;” The particular qualities that she wears are strength and dignity. These traits fit nicely together as you won’t find strength of character without the dignity that accompanies it. True strength of character comes from a strength of spirit.

“she can laugh at the days to come.” She can laugh because she has lived so wisely and is prepared for what may come in the future. She can laugh at the aging that is inevitable because she does not get weighed down by concerns of beauty and youth.

What do we have to look forward to? A lot… especially looking forward to growing spiritually and in wisdom. To laugh at the days to come occurs through trusting in God. It is a strange thought – to laugh about the future – it can be painted in such a doomsday way at times – but through trust in God, we can find the strength to face whatever is to come. God knows what the future holds. God knows …..

Loving God, we thank you for the incredible women we have in our midst. We thank you for each one of them – for their gifts, their passions, their experiences, their hearts – for who they are. We thank you for all that they contribute to our own lives, for all that they contribute to our community. We recognise the unique and vital role in society that women of every nation and culture play – from the influence of our Indigenous sisters and aunties, to those who are arriving on our shores today. We thank you that we can learn lessons from each other. Help us to be willing to learn. We pray that you would help us as a country to continually do better in recognising individuals for the role they play in our Australian society.

Peace-filled God, bless all women who daily strive to bring peace to their communities, their homes and their hearts. Give them strength to face prejudice, inequality and gender disparities. Help us all to see and to face the discrimination against women in all the many forms it may take. Comfort all women who suffer from the pain of war, violence, and abuse. We pray that your example of valuing all of creation helps us to see that we are equal partners – men and women alike - in the stewardship of your world. Amen.

International Women’s Day Breakfast

Mrs McCarthy, Ms Pearce, Mr Marty and I were so very impressed with the way our Senior leaders represented the College last Friday morning at the Soroptimist International Women’s Day Breakfast, hosted by Ignatius Park College. The morning featured speakers from a range of professions and areas who are making a difference to the lives of women across Townsville and the wider community. It was an early start – but that didn’t stop our lovely students from engaging with what the speakers spoke of.  

Harmony Week

Harmony Week is an annual Australian celebration of cultural diversity and includes the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - March 21st. Harmony Week aims to promote inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for all Australians, regardless of their cultural or linguistic background. 

If you pop into school over the next few weeks, you will notice the flags hanging from the E-Block balcony - each representing the different countries SMMC students were born in. How blessed we are to have such a wonderful array of nationalities in our community.

Next week our students will be gathering in Bene Place at lunch to entertain us with dances from their different cultures. This is always a wonderful event that is well supported by our students!

National Down Syndrome Day

National Down Syndrome Day will be acknowledged in the College on Friday next week. It is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. The goal is to help people understand, support, and accept individuals with Down syndrome. Significance of the date: the 21st day of the 3rd month was chosen because the most common type of Down syndrome (known as Trisomy 21 or T21) is the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome.

It is no coincidence then that World Down Syndrome Day and Harmony Day are celebrated together on March 21, highlighting inclusion and diversity, while emphasising the importance of welcoming everyone in the community.

Students will be encouraged to wear mis-matched/crazy socks next week, in recognition of this special day.

Why mis-matched socks? Lovely Zarah Coombe in Year 10 shared the following reflection: Did you know that every cell in your body has 23 pairs of chromosomes.  Imagine opening up a drawer and there are 23 pairs of football socks, and your parents have asked you to fold them together in their matching pairs.  Now as you get to the end of folding your socks together in their partners you find one lone sock without its partner.  This is what people with Down Syndrome have. In every cell of their body, there are not just 23 chromosomes there is an extra copy of chromosome pair 21. That is because they have 3 copies of chromosome 21 and hence the 21 of the 3 or the 21st of March is signified. World Down Syndrome Day is a commemoration and global awareness day advocating for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down syndrome. It is estimated that approximately 1 in every 1100 babies born in Australia will have Down syndrome. This means that each year there are approximately 290 new babies born with Down syndrome.  It is here that Zarah reminds us how unique her lovely sister Amelia – in Year 11 – is.

Mrs McCarthy & Amelia will be judging the socks on the day – with some great prizes up for grabs!

Christian Meditation mornings

Did you know that - proven by scientific research - meditation is the foundational practice to nurture a mindful life, overcome stress, gain emotional regulation and deliver peak performance! 

How is your daughter feeling at the moment … as the term winds up….? Could they be working on posture, breathing and starting the day with a blessing?

Ann, Sienna, Georgia and Rebecca are our Community Faith & Spirit Leaders this year and they will be facilitating meditation before school - 8.15 - 8.30 in the following places: Tuesday – Chapel;  Wednesday – Theatre.

God Bless,
Rachel Harrison
Assistant Principal - Identity and Mission

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 photogs 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.

• 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.

Last day of Term - Friday 4th April

Early dismissal for students on Friday 4th April at 1:00pm.

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 until 3:05pm

Sports News

The Interhouse Swimming Carnival was held on Friday of Week 6. The exceptional leadership from our Year 12 students contributed to a day filled with healthy competition in the pool, as well as a fantastic display of House spirit in the bleachers. Congratulations to Kiata, who was awarded both Champion House and Best in Spirit.

There were many remarkable performances throughout the carnival. Special congratulations to Sarah Guazzo from Year 9 on her consecutive win as Queen of the Pool! As always, one of the highlights of the day was watching our eight fastest swimmers compete in the 50m race.

I would like to express my gratitude to all staff and students for their efforts in making the event a success. SMMC has set a high standard for school sports carnivals, and this success reflects the hard work and dedication of our community members.

Lastly, congratulations to our Age Champions: 

12 Years – Georgie Power
13 Years – Madeline Cameron
14 Years – Amélie Edwards
15 Years – Sara Guazzo
16 Years – Macy Stone
17 Years – Zara Richter
Open – Chloe McArdle

Ashleigh Rhodes
Middle Leader - Sports

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First Nations News

Dear Parents and Carers,

Week 8 already! How fast the Term is going by!

The past few weeks have been for busy our First Nations Team, in particular commencing our First Nations Cultural Leaders meetings, hosting our first First Nations Education Advisory Committee meeting, hosting our First Nations and Emerging Leaders Parent Information evening, Mentors breakfast and the planning of the Year 10 Camp.

Emerging Leaders Cultural, Leadership and Pathways Camp

This year we are excited to announce that we are having a Year 10 First Nations and Emerging Leaders Cultural, Leadership and Pathways camp at Gumburu, Paluma. The camp is intended to offer our students cultural, leadership and pathways experiences in preparation for their senior years. Our Year 10 First Nations students have received information in regards to the camp, planned for the first week of Term 2 from Tuesday the 22nd of April to Thursday the 24th of April. Camp forms must be returned no later than Monday the 21st March.

Student Participation

I would like to give a big ‘Shout Out” to all of our students who have volunteered to assist our First Nations Team in the upcoming SMMC Showcase. We have had an overwhelming number of students volunteer to assist in all areas including dance, art work and organisation.

Blessing of our Senior Jersey’s

In Week 3 our Year 12 students received their senior jerseys with a beautiful blessing ceremony held by Ms Rachel Harrison and the Year 12 Homeroom teachers in our church.

Week 6 Swimming Carnival

Thank you to all of our students who participated in our 2025 Swimming Carnival. It was a hot, but great day! Participation, whether it be swimming or cheering on your team, is key to social connectivity and inclusion.

QATSIF Awards

Congratulations to our 2025 QATSIF Scholarship recipients and our QATSIF Leadership recipients. We were very proud to present your certificates last week.

“Save the Date” information for Term 1

March:

Thursday 20^th - Close the Gap Day
Friday 21^st - SMMC Showcase (students finish early)
Monday 24^th - First Nations Advisory Committee Meeting 5.00pm
Tuesday 25^th - Last Day Homework Program for Term One
Thursday 27^th - Year 12 Exam Block starts

Friday 4^th April: LAST DAY TERM ONE

Yours in Faith and Education,

Mrs Louise Martin
First Nations Middle Leader

Career Development

CQUniexperience day 

On Monday 3rd March, 23 Year 12 students embraced the opportunity to visit CQU campus in Townsville. The students participated in discipline-based activities to gain insight into what to expect if they choose a path of nursing, paramedicine, law, business, education and psychology. 

The students had a wonderful day attending course sessions with lecturers, learning about alternative pathways to university, study support and getting to experience a taste of campus life.

Any experience that we take requires us to be brave and give something a go. Whether the experience is good or memorable, it is priceless in providing us with a level of insight.

In Career Development, this insight helps students in developing informed decisions when it comes to the transition from school to the world of work, study and ongoing training that follows high school. 

Well done for being brave girls and immersing yourself in new experiences.

Marianne Milani
Career Development Practitioner 

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