5 SMMC Newsletter 2 April 2025
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we reflect on some of the challenges posed to our school community in this very wet and long Term, we also have much to be grateful for within our beautiful school. Our Maggies have shone in each of our pillars this Term, studying hard, serving the community, contributing their gifts and talents to the sporting, cultural and artistic life of the College and in their warm and ‘sisterly’ interactions with each other. We are grateful for the steadfast support and commitment of our Staff and the ongoing partnership with Parents, our P&F Association and the College Board.
Our School Improvement Plan is strong and progressive: a vision for a Student, Parent and Staff community grounded in Benedictine values; one that is welcoming, inclusive and fosters the development of the whole person and engages students in a rigorous and innovative curriculum. I am grateful to the support given to our Leadership Team to help drive this improvement agenda and acknowledge that we can only do that in genuine partnership with Parents. These documents can be viewed on our website.
Finally, I am grateful for the joy and enthusiasm of our students who embrace all aspects of our College and immerse themselves in it everyday. Here is a snapshot of some of the amazing opportunities our students had in Term One:
I wish all of our Staff, Parents and Students a restful break and a Happy Easter.
God bless.
Kathleen McCarthy
College Principal
Educated Women of Purpose
NAPLAN 2025
During Weeks 7 and 8 our Year 7 and 9 students sat their NAPLAN tests. A huge thank you must go to our families and students for an incredibly successful testing period. Thank you also to the wonderful teachers who supervised these tests. Thankfully, all went very well and the weather was not a hindrance for us at all. We will receive these results later in the year.
Term 1 Progress Reports
This week the Term 1 Progress Reports will be released via Compass. The Progress Report is a point in time report on the progress of students in the classroom. In this report, teachers will report on:
- Application to learning
- Attention to homework and/or assessment
- Classroom behaviour
- Organisation
- Punctuality
Please ensure you look through these reports with your daughter/s. They are a great conversation starter and springboard for goal setting as we head into Term 2.
Parent Student Teacher Interviews
On Tuesday, 29 April (Week 2, Term 2) we will hold our Progress Report Parent Student Teacher Interviews from 1.30pm to 7.00pm in Benedictine Place. Students will be dismissed from school early at 12:40pm on this day. Once Progress Reports are available on Compass, a notification about Parent Student Teacher Interviews and how to book them will also be sent to parents/carers via Compass.
If you are having issues logging into your Compass account, please contact the school office for assistance.
Thank you for your support with all things Learning and Teaching in Term 1. Wishing you all a safe and restful holiday and looking forward to seeing you all in Term 2.
Melissa Pearce
Deputy Principal, Learning and Teaching
Inspirited by Faith and Mission
Stations of the Cross - The Message They Offer for Us Today
The path that Jesus followed from the courtroom of Pontius Pilate to the place where he died, is in Jerusalem. This path is known as the ‘Via Dolorosa,’ or the Sorrowful Way. Certain spots where Jesus stopped along the way are marked, and these are called stations.
Over the centuries, many people travelled to Jerusalem to retrace and recall Jesus’ steps to Calvary, especially during Lent. But Jerusalem was too far for most people. So, in the Middle Ages, they began making this ‘journey’ in churches, using painted or carved images of the 14 stops Jesus made. At each station, people would think about what happened to Jesus and they would pray about it.
What an incredibly difficult journey it must have been. He carried his cross through the narrow, crowded streets of Jerusalem. It was Passover time - a Jewish day of celebration - and so the city was full of people, many of whom mocked him, and took pleasure in watching him struggle with his heavy burden. The way was often steep.
The journey that Jesus made on that day is a symbol for all Christians in the world. A world that has its own crosses to bear at times - particularly with the challenges of our modern world. Our world, our own streets are filled with people who carry personal crosses, who are bruised, battered and broken. Our Good Samaritan charism points us to this and your daughters embrace this concept of ‘Good neighbour’ beautifully.
It is this connection in particular that has me pondering the stations – but in particular Station 8 – ‘Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem.’
The women of Jerusalem wept when they saw how Jesus suffered. Jesus recognised their distress, he broke his silence for the first time, spoke to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem do not weep for me. Weep for yourselves and for your children’. Luke 23:28
The women must have wondered what Jesus meant. He was the one carrying the cross, yet he was asking them to weep for themselves. I think that in these 2 sentences Jesus is giving us the message to name the crosses of today, calling us not only to action but to weep: weep for the children who are abused; weep for the women who are victimised; weep for the young who cannot find a job or a way in life; weep for the old who are forgotten; weep for people who starve in the shadow of abundance; weep for people who are homeless, in exile or seeking refuge. Weep for them.
This week your daughters will experience the Stations of the Cross that hang in our church, during a Religion lesson. They will stop in the midst of their busy school day to pray and reflect on the journey of Jesus. Through this journey through the stations of the Cross they will be encouraged to reflect and pray to be one in solidarity with all who suffer.
Lord, open our hearts to the suffering of all people in our world. Give us the generosity of spirit to help us recognise their pain, the courage to challenge the systems that place intolerable burdens on them and the compassion to support them. Amen.
I wish you an Easter filled with joy, happiness and peace, always.
God Bless,
Rachel Harrison
Assistant Principal - Identity and Mission
Inspired by Community
With the end of term imminent, I have reflected on my tenure, albeit short, at St Margaret Mary’s. I have been nothing short of impressed with our girls and their willingness to engage in, support, and better our community. A fine example of this was our Showcase, where over 300 students willingly volunteered their time to present our school to the wider Townsville community.
I would like to thank all the members of our College for making me feel welcomed and supported this term. In particular, I extend my gratitude to the College Leadership, Pastoral Middle Leaders, and Guidance Team, as they have made my transition into the school seamless and enjoyable. Their dedication and commitment to the well-being and success of not only our students but also our staff is truly inspiring.
As the term draws to a close, it presents families with the opportunity to do a ‘stocktake’ of their child’s uniforms and consider whether any additions are required. Particular attention should be given to uniform length (brushing the knee), ties, badges, hats, and plain white socks. Additionally, from the first day of Term 2, students are expected to be in the correct uniform. This may include removing any false eyelashes or nails acquired over the holidays and removing cartilage piercings in the face and replacing cartilage in the ear with clear studs. Ensuring each student is in the correct uniform allows us to demonstrate pride in the College, respect for ourselves, and a commitment to our traditions.
The second term can be a challenging time for some students as the curriculum intensifies alongside the start of many clubs and extracurricular activities. Additionally, some of our students are trying to balance work commitments. Ensuring they maintain the right balance is critical to their success, though it can sometimes be difficult for them to recognize when the strain is becoming too much. As a result, I urge you to check in with your child/ren to see how they are managing the demands of the term and to provide support and guidance where needed.
Thank you once again for welcoming me and I hope that you have a blessed Easter break.
Jordan Marty
Assistant Principal, Pastoral (Acting)
College Administration
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
Yr 7 and 10 Vaccinations are scheduled for Term 2
Year 7 - Thursday 12 June
Year 10 - Thursday 19 June
Forms will be distributed through homerooms in Week 2 next term and are due back on Monday 26th May. Information and forms about the Vaccinations will be sent home this week. If you have any queries about the vaccinations, please contact Qld Health 4433 6900 or Jenny Walker in the Health and Wellbeing Centre at the College.
Thursday 3 | Nepal Cultural Immersion |
Friday 4 | Nepal Cultural Immersion |
First Nations News
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope this message finds you well! WOW the last week of Term 1 already! I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support throughout Term 1.
Close the Gap Day:
Last week on Thursday the 20th of March was Close the Gap Day. At SMMC we celebrated this day by starting with an Acknowledgement written by our Junior Cultural Awareness Leaders Ava Bowman and Tilly Westwood and a Prayer written by our Senior Cultural Awareness Leaders, Riley Toby-O’Leary and Dakota Namok. Below is a photo of our Notice board that focused on the 2025 theme “Agency, Leadership, Reform: Ensuring the survival, dignity and wellbeing of First Nations Peoples.
We can close the gap, but we can't do it alone!
Showcase:
The First Nations Showcase presentation was a hit! Thank you to all of the students who helped out at the activities, danced and were there for support. We were absolutely blown away by the presence of so many students. THANK YOU!
Please keep an eye out for our Term 1 Yarn Up for the photos.
Year 10 Camp Update:
We have been blessed with an opportunity to change our camp location due to the weather from Gumburu Paluma to Acadia Surf Club Magnetic Island. All camp forms are due back on Wednesday 2nd of April (this week).
First Nations Education Advisory Committee:
Last week the committee met for the final time for the term. It was great to see some new faces. We used this time to update on programs and workshop NAIDOC activities. We thank all members for their time and welcome any new members. The next committee meeting will be held next term Monday the 19th May from 5-6pm in the Library.
Alumni Information:
I would like to congratulate Delaney Phillips who has been offered a TJ Ryan Memorial Medal and Prize awards program Merit Certificate for 2024. Awards such as these not only recognise the achievements of students but also the important role of schools and teachers in supporting students to reach their potential. Well Done Delaney!
School Holidays
As we venture off on our first set of school holidays please travel safely, spend quality time with friends and family and I look forward to seeing all of the students back rested and ready for Term 2.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Keep an eye out for our Term 1 Yarn Up!
Yours in Culture, Faith and Education,
Mrs Louise Martin
First Nations Middle Leader
Senior Fashion News and Event
SMMC Fashion students have been studying Historical Fashion Influences and would like to see if you can help us create an exhibition event in Term 2.
Do you have a wedding dress or formal dress from that ages that deserves another day to be on show? If so, please register your details here.
If you would like further information about this exhibition, please contact Rachel Mahoney, rmahoney5@smmc.catholic.edu.au, or Marianne Milani, mmilani2@smmc.catholic.edu.au, (Co-editor in Chief of SMMC Fashion) at the College or via email. Invitation to follow in the coming days.
Science News
Year 11 Chemistry and Year 11 & 12 Biology students:
Are you looking for some extension work over the holidays or just looking to consolidate your understanding? UQ is offering some excellent workshops for students taking Year 11 Chemistry, Year 11 Biology and Year 12 Biology. This could be a fantastic opportunity to gain a greater understanding of these subjects, meet other like-minded students and see what UQ has to offer.
Note: These are held in Brisbane and students will need to organise their own transport and accommodation. You could coordinate it with a chance to look for grad dresses and/or go shopping over the holidays. Please see the below links for application and further details.
Year 11 Chemistry Winter School
https://study.uq.edu.au/
Year 11 Biology Winter School
https://study.uq.edu.au/
Year 12 Biology Winter School
https://study.uq.edu.au/
If you would like to just ask some general questions about these workshops, please contact Mrs Coombe.
Arts News
SHOWCASE THANKS
Thank you to our wonderful Bella Voce Choir, our vocal soloists: Alice, Elizabeth, Cailin and Ebony and our fabulous helpers in all the Arts areas promoting Music, Dance, Drama and Visual Art on Showcase day. You all did a great job and we appreciate your help.
INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS
Our instrumental students are making good progress on their chosen instruments, which is pleasing to see (and hear!). Term 2 timetables will be emailed to students by the end of the week. A friendly reminder that students should check their lesson time on Compass in the morning and not wait to be called from their class. Students requiring a change of lesson time due to assessment should advise us in advance so a swap can be made BEFORE the lesson day.
COMBINED SCHOOLS' MUSICAL
"We will Rock You" rehearsals are in full swing and we look forward to seeing the results of all the hard work when the show is on stage next term. The cast will receive a schedule for next term this week.
VOCAL WORKSHOP/MASTERCLASS
Luke Kennedy (Famous for The Voice Australia, Ten Tenors and Musical Theatre performances) will lead a vocal masterclass for our students on Monday 28th April 3.30-5.00pm in the Theatre L01. This is a great opportunity for our Vocal students, Choir members and those with a keen interest in singing - and singing well. Students who would like to attend should email Mrs Nicholson to register. This is a free workshop we are offering.
Nancy Nicholson
Arts Co-ordinator
nnicholson@smmc.catholic.edu.
Alumni News
Alumni Program
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our brand new Alumni Program! Stay tuned for exclusive events, networking opportunities, and much more coming your way.
To register and stay connected, head over to our new online portal:
We can’t wait to reconnect with you!
CSC PSM Dr Stephanie Hodson, is the Chief Executive Officer of Relationships Australia Canberra & Regions. She has 30 years’ experience in health and community services and is committed to ensuring appropriate, effective, and compassionate services are available for individuals and their families. Dr Hodson served in the full-time Australian Army as a Psychologist for 21 years and was the first women promoted to the rank of Colonel in her Corps. She champions research, codesign, innovation and client centred services. She was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in 2008 for outstanding performance supporting ADF operations, and an Australian Public Service Medal for her leadership in the transformation of the Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling service, to meet the needs of contemporary military personnel and families. She is a proud graduate of Saint Margaret Mary’s College, James Cook and Macquarie Universities and the Australian Defence College.
Community News
Make the most of the Easter school holiday break with the Cashed Up Holiday Hustle – Take Charge Of Your Spending (2025)! A brand-new interactive personal finance course focusing on budgeting and positive financial behaviours, as well as managing spending and understanding credit and debt.
The course is designed for young people aged 12-24 to complete in your own time and space. (This course is also suitable for parents/carers and educators of young people – if you want to level up your own financial literacy, or to support your teens to build their financial capability).
This free, self-paced, online, interactive course starts on the 7th of April 2025. You will have almost the entire month of April to complete approximately 6 hours of course work.
To sign up for the Cashed Up Holiday Hustle:
1. Create a free account on our website.
2. Email damian@financialbasics.org.au with the email address you used to create your free FBF account AND your name (first and last).
The Easter Cashed Up Holiday Hustle runs from the 7th – 25th of April, 2025.
To learn more, please head over our website: