6 SMMC Newsletter 30 April

Principal's Message

Pope Francis’ passing last week was a sad day for Catholics and non-Catholics across the world. Known for his humility, compassion, and inclusion, Pope Francis leaves behind a profound legacy that resonates deeply with our Benedictine community. His commitment to social justice, environmental stewardship, and interfaith dialogue has inspired students and teachers alike to embrace a more empathetic worldview. As we reflect on his death, we are reminded of the importance of continuing his mission to build a more just and compassionate world, where every individual is valued and cared for. His legacy challenges us to act with kindness, seek understanding, and work tirelessly for the common good and our fellow neighbour.

On Tuesday, we saw a strong turnout for our Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews. These conversations play a crucial role in strengthening the partnership between home and school, guiding students in their academic improvement for the second half of the semester. Teachers prepare thoroughly for these discussions, reviewing past results and focusing on future goals. Parents can support teachers by reinforcing learning at home and maintaining open communication throughout the next semester.

Last week our Maggies’ shone at all of our ANZAC Day services and events. Our College has a 60+ year tradition of honoring the courage and sacrifices of those who came before us. These activities help our students appreciate the freedoms we have today. It's a chance to reflect on the values of gratitude, community, and service that are central to both ANZAC Day and our Christian faith. By coming together to honor these heroes, students are inspired to live with empathy and integrity, carrying forward the spirit of unity and hope. This shared experience not only strengthens their connection to history but also encourages them to build a brighter future for everyone. This year we are recognising the members of our Alumni community who have served proudly in the Armed Forces. Our inaugural ANZAC Alumni Legends are Dr Stephanie Hodson and Ms Siobhan Dunstall. We also celebrate fellow Maggie Bryna Van Stom who was a winner of the prestigious ANZAC Premier’s Prize in 2024:

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Finally, I would like to let our SMMC community know that our Assistant Principal Ms Michelle Kotzas is continuing her leave in Term 2 to receive medical treatment following an early cancer finding. Michelle wanted everyone to know that she feels blessed by the support and health care she is receiving and that she is missing the Maggies’ community and cannot wait to return. Please keep her in your prayers and if this triggers any difficulties for you, please contact the Cancer Council Support Services.

Have a blessed week.
Kathleen McCarthy
College Principal

School builds academic success and friendships - success builds every day your child attends.

Arriving on time is essential for success - every lesson counts and responsibility develops (or starts) here!

Educated Women of Purpose

Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews

Thank you to all families who attended the Parent/Student/Teacher interviews held on Tuesday afternoon/evening. The event was successful with conversations being informative and provided advice and guidance for students to engage in their learning. We had an outstanding number of interviews booked and it was great to see students attending these interviews with their parents/guardians.

Year 11 Unit 1 Exam Block

Year 11 students will shortly receive their Unit 1 Exam Block Timetable, which will also be made available on the college website. Year 11 Unit 1 Exam Block period starts on Monday 19th to Monday 26th of May (Weeks 5 & 6). Students are expected to be at school for their exams or workshops. If a student is absent for an exam, as per QCAA and SMMC Assessment Policy and Guidelines, a medical certificate is required to support this absence so that a Special Provision can be submitted.

The Block Exam Guidelines will also be shared with students and parents via Compass.  Please ensure you read through these with your daughters to ensure they are prepared for Exam Block.

Specific information relating to the Assessment Policy can be found on the college website – here.

Subject Changes

After Term 1, a number of students have expressed an interest in changing their elective subject selections.  In Years 8-10, these changes can be considered; however, due to student numbers, requests cannot always be accommodated. Year 12 students are now heading into their final unit of study and subject changes are not able to be made.

Year 11 students, subject changes can be considered at the end of Unit 1 (after Unit 1 Exam Block). It is important to be aware that due to the nature of the Senior Syllabus design, movement from an Applied Subject to another General Subject is unable to occur and movement between General subjects need to be considered on a case by case basis. Students considering subject changes need to review their desired pathway, post schooling options and their current application towards their studies. Students are welcome to email or make a meeting time with me if they have any questions.

Have a wonderful week,

Melissa Pearce
Deputy Principal, Learning and Teaching

Inspirited by Faith and Mission

A Beacon of Hope

During his papacy – Pope Francis truly was a beacon of hope – of love and hope. How blessed were we as a Catholic college to be led by such a stellar man - who by his own admissions didn’t always get everything right - but he did get many things right.

When talking about Pope Francis’ passing with my Year 11 Study of Religion students last week, the concept of Francis not being his real name was of interest. We discussed the reason why he chose Saint Francis of Assisi to emulate, and I remember reading this just after his 2013 election: "For me, he (St Francis) is the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation; these days we do not have a very good relationship with creation, do we?"  And that pretty much became his entire agenda for his papacy.

We can’t simplify creation as just the earth – and Pope Francis didn’t let us! He reminded us that Creation is God’s demonstration of love, God’s gift of love for us all – for all human beings.

His Encyclical Laudato Si in 2015 was not just a letter to Catholics – but a letter to the world. And the world truly stood up and listened! It addressed not just the environment and the impacts of climate change, but it was about the humans that reside within it and the responsibility we all have to care for our common home.

When Francis became pope, he did many things to ensure he was humble and walked alongside the marginalised and poor and excluded. He chose not to live in the papal suites at the Vatican, but more humble quarters. He preferred a Ford Focus to the usual papal limousine. And he chose to wear the shoes from a small shop in Buenos Aires, Argentina (his hometown – where he grew up) that he had always shopped at. They were normal, black shoes with an orthopaedic sole – rather than the customary, decorative papal shoe made of red leather and velvet.

Even in death he stayed true to his humble ways by choosing a plain wooden coffin – rather than the usual cypress, lead or oak used by other popes and he also ensured he was buried those black orthopaedic worn shoes.

In the coming weeks I know my lovely 11s will also be watching for the white smoke to appear from the Sistine chimney as they were also curious about the election of a new pope. The vast majority of the 266 popes elected throughout history have been European. Pope Francis – born in Argentina – Was the first non-European pope in 1300 years! And so now we wait for the election of the next Pope.

I will be sharing some of these things with your daughters in our student notices this week as we pray for the next Pope – that whoever they are, they can continue the legacy of Pope Francis as a beacon for our world.  Boy – are they big, kind, compassionate shoes to fill!

Loving God, we remember with sorrow and gratitude your servant Pope Francis, who returned to You after a life poured out in love and service. Even in his final days, he brought hope to the world, blessing the world from St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, speaking words of peace, freedom, and compassion. We thank You for his courage, humility, and tireless work for justice, unity, and care for the poor. May his example guide our hearts and may his spirit of mercy live on in our words and actions, always. Amen. Welcome him into the light of Your presence and comfort Your Church as we journey forward in faith. Amen.

Mother’s Day Hampers

For Mother’s Day this year we will once again be providing gift bags to the mums at Ronald McDonald House. You might like to, as you shop, consider popping in an extra pretty soap, hand cream or perfume or small gift that we can add to our gift bags. They can be dropped at either office. We would love these items by next Wednesday 7 May to allow time to pack them ready for Friday.

Thank you in advance – these bags are so very well received by the wonderful mums at RMH.

Rachel Harrison
Assistant Principal - Identity and Mission

Inspired by Community

Dressed for Success

The ritual of dressing for school each morning is an important step in preparing for a day of focussed learning. It is a way for students to take pride in our community and prepare for their future in the workforce. Whilst hats and jewellery may seem like minor things, paying attention to these details reflects the pride we take in our connection to and representation of the College. It is also a way students learn to be responsible and organised.

Since the start of the term, staff have been addressing the following uniform concerns with students:

• Hat wearing (including wearing the correct hat with the correct uniform)
• Correct shoes and plain white socks
• Coloured acrylic nails
• Inappropriate jewellery
• False tinted eyelashes

In instances where students have inappropriate piercings, nails or eyelashes, a Uniform Notification is sent to families permitting 7 days to rectify the issue. We are grateful to families for supporting these processes and ensuring matters are dealt with promptly. We also encourage you to assist your child in ensuring that new piercings, acrylic nails, false eyelashes or coloured hair dyes are left until the December holidays when there is sufficient time for healing or removal prior to school.

Online Conduct Reminder

There are benefits for young people when they interact safely online, communicate well with others and engage with communities that share their interests. It can also be beneficial for young people when they widen their understanding of how other people think and feel about issues, broadening their worldview. There is also caution that must come with this.

As adolescents begin accessing a range of social media platforms and chat groups, it is necessary to talk with them about the importance of understanding their privacy settings, personal security when sharing information with people they meet online, and the risks and responsibilities associated with interacting on social platforms. Frequent reminders of the mantra, “if you wouldn’t like it said about you, don’t say it about someone else”, are beneficial. As the adults in their lives, particularly for our younger students, it’s important to be proactive in this space. Whilst we understand time is scarce, we encourage families to take a moment to sit with your child and see what (and who) they’re engaging with online - it’s time well spent.

The Parent Portal on SchoolTV has a very useful Cyber Safety Series to support parents in this challenging aspect of contemporary parenting.

Pastoral Events for Term 2 - SAVE THE DATES

We have a number of pastoral events to look forward to this term. Pastoral Middle Leaders will send out information in the coming weeks:

• Year 7 Camp (Week of 12-16 May). For more information, contact Year 7 PML, Prue Hendle: phendle@smmc.catholic.edu.au
• Year 8 Cultural/Retreat Days (Thursday-Friday 22-23 May). For more information, contact Year 8 PML, Gemma Roberts: gkyle12@smmc.catholic.edu.au 
• Year 9 Outer Limits Activity Days (Monday/Wednesday 19/21 May). For more information, contact Year 9 PML, Nadine Orman: norman@smmc.catholic.edu.au
• Year 11 Combined Pastoral Event: Trivia Night (Friday 16 May). For more information, contact Year 11 PML, Jen Edwards: jedwards10@smmc.catholic.edu.au
• Year 12 Road Attitudes & Awareness Presentation (Friday 23 May). For more information, contact Year 12 PML, Alison Lloyd: alloyd@smmc.catholic.edu.au 

Alison Lloyd
Acting Assistant Principal, Pastoral 

College Administration

Year 7 and 10 Vaccinations are scheduled for later in the term

Year 7 - Thursday 12 June
Year 10 - Thursday 19 June (and Thursday 11 September)

Forms are being distributed through homerooms this week and are due back on Monday 26th May. 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.  

Career Development

Careers Week Week 4 - Monday 12th May - 16th May 2025.
Encourage your daughter to get involved in the many events being offered during SMMC Careers Week. Registration is only accessible with a @smmc email address and is available below, on the College student notices and Student Compass Page. 

* Registrations will be updated live once final confirmation has been received. 

Nursing and Midwifery Simulation

Due to the increasing interest in Health Science, Nursing and Midwifery at SMMC, the Townsville Hospital Health Services team are coming to SMMC on Wednesday 14th May and Friday 16th May to offer you a simulation into what a Career in Nursing and Midwifery is like. The Simulation is during Lesson 1 & 2, in A11/12 on these days. 

Consider this a taster of an industry that is otherwise very difficult to access. 

There are only 50 spots available. If you are interested, get in quick! This would be a great experience for anyone interested in health related fields.

Register your name and PCG below, using the links. 

Nursing and Midwifery Simulation at SMMC (Years 9 & 10) 

Nursing and Midwifery Simulation at SMMC (Years 11 & 12)

Mini Careers Expo

The following exhibitors will be in Samaritan Place on Friday 16th May to answer your questions. Come over and say hello and ask your questions. 

First Nations News

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back for Term 2. I hope you all had a restful break. Term 2 hosts some special and significant events. Please keep up to date with our events and activities through our newsletter and the Emerging Leaders updates.

Year 10 Cultural, Leadership and Pathways Camp

Last week, 13 of our First Nations Year 10 students participated in a camp at Magnetic Island. We left Tuesday morning and returned on Thursday afternoon. I could not have been more proud of the students' behaviour and participation. During the camp students participated in many activities including, careers short and long term planning, hearing the career stories of two of our First Nations Advisors who came to the Island for a day, swimming, hiking, sewing, beading and painting. We finished our camp with a beach scavenger hunt and leadership activities. I wish to thank Mrs Zoe Brown and Mrs Gemma Roberts who assisted throughout the camp and Mr William Morganson who assisted with planning. A special thank you to our special guests; Principal Mrs Kathleen McCarthy who came across and completed sewing with the students and our First Nations Advisors Mrs Pelly Morganson and Mrs Krista Hobbs who also travelled to the Island for the day to share their career stories with us. It really was a fantastic experience!

Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week

Our Reconciliation Sorry Day liturgy will be held on Friday 30th May.
Our NAIDOC day will be held on Friday June 20th.

First Nations Education Advisory Committee Meeting

Our first Term 2 committee meeting will be held on the 19th of May from 5-6pm in the Library. A light afternoon tea will be provided.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours in Culture, Faith and Education,
Mrs Louise Martin
First Nations Middle Leader

Sports News

The 2025 St Margaret Mary’s College Interhouse Cross-country Carnival will take place on Friday, May 9, at Rossiter Park in Aitkenvale. Our College promotes a culture of inclusion and enjoyment, and we believe this event will enhance community connections and House spirit. Attendance is compulsory for all students on the day of the carnival.

Information about this event will be communicated through Compass. Parents and caregivers are advised to read all details, however, consent is not required.

Please note, the carnival will also serve as a selection trial for students wishing to represent St Margaret Mary’s College at the NQ/Interschool Cross-Country Carnival on May 27, 2025. Girls aged 14 and over will run 4 km, while students aged 12 and 13 will run 3 km. The course will be marked with cones, and staff will provide directions around the track.

Science News and Events

The Junior Physics Odyssey (JPhO)

Year 10 Students - Do you have a keen interest in Physics? Or are keen to pursue a career in Engineering/Physics in the future? Or are considering taking Physics in Year 11 & 12. The Junior Physics Odessy at UQ might be for you.

The Junior Physics Odyssey (JPhO) is a 4-day (non-residential) program held at UQ St Lucia campus for Year 10 students with an interest in physics, science and mathematics.

JPhO will:

• introduce you to the formal study of physics through lectures and tutorials

• give you hands-on experience of physics through experiments and workshops

• provide you with spaces in which to explore ideas in modern physics at forums and tours of research labs.

Application close Friday 9 May.
Please click on the below link for further information & to apply. 
https://smp.uq.edu.au/junior-physics-odyssey 

See Mrs Coombe if you would like to ask any questions regarding this program.

National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) for students currently in Year 11

Are you a student taking Science in Year 11?  Do you have a passion for Science and are interested in where it can take you in the future? The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) Year 12 Program could be for you. This program is for students currently in Year 11 and is held in January of 2026.  

The NYSF Year 12 Program gives students that are about to start year 12 a broader understanding of study and career options available in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Please click on the below link for further information and to apply. 
https://www.nysf.edu.au/programs/year-12-program/

If you require a teacher recommendation with your application or would like to ask further questions, please see Mrs Coombe.

Year 11 Queensland Chemistry Winter School (QCWS)

3-4 July 2025, Applications close Thursday 1 May 2025

UQ's Year 11 Queensland Chemistry Winter School will provide participants with a deep dive into the concept of equilibrium across topics such as oxidation-reduction and acids and bases.

Participants will engage in interactive workshops, practicals, and lectures, tackling contemporary chemistry challenges such as atomic structure, redox reactions, buffers, electrophoresis, and analytical techniques like chromatography, mass spectrometry, and infrared spectroscopy. 

The program matches the QCE and IB Chemistry syllabuses, helping students build skills in scientific literacy, communication, and data analysis, which are useful for QCE Internal Assessment 3 and the IB Extended Essay. 

For more information: https://study.uq.edu.au/events/year-11-queensland-chemistry-winter-school 

Year 11 Queensland Biology Winter School (11QBWS)

30 June-1 July 2025, Registrations close Thursday 1 May 2025

The UQ Year 11 Queensland Biology Winter School (11QBWS) explores contemporary biology topics, including biodiversity, cell, animal, and plant physiology, biophysics, and how diverse biological disciplines are interconnected.

For more information: https://study.uq.edu.au/events/queensland-biology-winter-school-year-11

Year 12 Queensland Biology Winter School (12QBWS)

Date: 7-8 July 2025
Registrations close Thursday 1 May 2025

The 12QBWS program explores contemporary topics in genetics, phylogenetics, evolutionary biology, biochemistry, and how many biological disciplines are interconnected.  

For more information: https://study.uq.edu.au/events/queensland-biology-winter-school-year-12

Library News

Congratulations to our Easter Raffle winner - Tillie Hughes in 7.3

Readers Cup

Our Readers Cup teams had their first meeting this week in preparation for the Readers Cup Challenge which will be held on Monday 16th June at 4.00pm.

Arts News

Tickets are now on sale for the Combined Schools' Musical production We Will Rock You, bringing Queen’s legendary hits to life!

Performance Dates & Times at the Townsville Civic Theatre:
Friday 6 June 2025 @ 7.00pm
Saturday 7 June 2025 @ 2.00pm
Saturday 7 June 2025 @ 7.00pm

Please follow this link to purchase tickets - https://bit.ly/4jr7g3X

Program Advertising

To help support this event and celebrate the achievements of the College's students, St Patrick's College are inviting local businesses to purchase advertising space in the official Musical Program. This program will be distributed to audience members across all performances and is a fantastic opportunity to promote your business to the College communities and the broader Townsville audience.

Advertising Options:
• 1⁄4 Page Ad – $100
• 1⁄2 Page Ad – $200
• Full Page Ad – $350

By placing an ad, your business will gain valuable exposure and will also be directly supporting the Performing Arts and helping to create a memorable experience for students.

If you are interested in purchasing ad space or have any questions, please feel free to contact St Patrick's College at musical@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au. 

We thank you for your ongoing support of our students and the Arts.

Community News