13 SMMC Newsletter 20 August 2025

Principal News

Faith in Action

At St Margaret Mary’s College, we are living out our Catholic values every day through our service projects, liturgies, morning prayer, year level retreats and social justice initiatives. Our Mission Statement compels us to be “people of hope, who live compassionately and justly.” and our Maggies are doing this in multitudes everyday. On Friday our Year 12s held their own Relay for Life event to raise money for the Cancer Council. By the morning of the event, students told me they had already raised over $11 000. We all know someone who has been touched by the scourge of cancer and our own school community is feeling it especially, so an activity like this is one to be commended.

Of course we have been involved in many other events throughout the year such as Project Compassion which helps to raise money for developing countries ravaged by war and famine. Every fortnight on a Friday, we have an incredible group of Maggies who give up their time to sew projects for those in need, these include the Dementia Ward of the hospital or the Mater Mothers. What wonderful examples of Faith in action - a commitment to living with purpose, compassion and courage.

Creativity in Action

We are excited for this Friday’s Maggies’ Festival of the Arts. If you haven’t bought your tickets, please book via Compass Tix or contact the College office today before they sell out:

Community in Action

On Thursday 4th September we will be celebrating all of the Dads, Grandads or Father figures in our life with a Father’s Day Breakfast BBQ starting at 7.15 am - 8.30 am. We are looking for volunteers to help cook. If you are available, please send an email to parentsandfriends@smmc.catholic.edu.au. Any assistance is appreciated.

Please RSVP to let us know you’re coming - https://compasstix.com/e/27jul8q67f

2026 College Captains Announcement

We are excited to announce our College Captains for 2026 - Darylle Sam and Neve Roberts!

These two inspiring leaders have already shown their passion, dedication, and school spirit, and we know they will lead our College with integrity, kindness, and enthusiasm in the year ahead.

Up and coming Pupil Free Days

Have a blessed week

Yours sincerely,
Kathleen McCarthy
College Principal

Inspirited by Faith and Mission

World Humanitarian - Day 19 August

Every year, thousands of women and men put their lives in danger working in Humanitarian causes all over the world. They work in areas of great violence, areas of incredible poverty and illness – putting their lives on the line (and sadly sometimes losing them) in pursuit of helping others.

World Humanitarian Day is acknowledged on 19 August as a day we remember these wonderful, kind, committed, compassionate people and their sacrifices.

Originally it was established by the United Nations General Assembly to commemorate the death of Sergio Vieira de Mello and 21 of his fellow humanitarians in a bombing of the Baghdad headquarters of the UN. Sergio had worked at great lengths attempting to pull together the Draft for the official designation of World Humanitarian Day. Sergio worked tirelessly over three decades to help those victims of armed conflict by easing their pain and making sure the world did not forget them.

Awareness was a vital part of his campaign, trying to ensure that those in First World Countries and places of peace remembered that there was more to war than the deaths of combatants and conflicts between governments. These people struggle every day to survive against odds that were created in spite of their desire to just live in peace and safety. World Humanitarian Day was officially established to recognize Sergio and the thousands like him who work every day to make the world a better place for the less fortunate, the underprivileged, and those living in places of war, starvation, and pestilence.

We can’t help but think of a need for peace and hope in our world today and your daughters heard about this day during Pastoral Care yesterday.

World Humanitarian Day (19 August) matters because it reminds us of something the world too easily forgets: the dignity of every human person, especially those suffering in the midst of conflict, disaster, or displacement. In acknowledging this day, we don’t just remember those on the frontlines of humanitarian work—we also recommit ourselves to building a world where no one is forgotten, and where hope becomes stronger than fear. And in our year as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ it is very fitting.

God of the margins, today we remember the millions whose cries are too easily ignored - refugees and migrants, families without safe homes, children denied education, communities torn apart by war and greed.

You call us not to be comfortable, but to be courageous. Not to look away, but to stand with. Not to wait for others to act, but to act ourselves. Give us restless hearts that refuse to accept injustice as “normal.” Give us stubborn hope that believes another world is possible. Hope that looks beyond suffering to new beginnings. Hope that is stronger than despair. Hope that pushes us forward when the world seems stuck.

Give us hands ready to serve, voices ready to challenge, and lives ready to be poured out in love. May we, as students, learn not only facts in our classrooms, but how to change the story of suffering into a story of hope. May our choices, our service, and our solidarity become acts of resistance against despair.

God of justice, make us brave. And God of hope, make us dreamers - dreamers who live with courage until those dreams become reality. Amen.

Save the Dates

Monday 15 September: Yr 12 Retreat  ‘Past, Present & Future’
Thursday 18 September: Yr7 Retreat ‘Shine Like a Maggie’
Friday 19 September: Samaritan Day Liturgy in Bene Place,  8.45am - 10.00am - all welcome

God bless,
Rachel Harrison
Assistant Principal - Identity and Mission

Educated Women of Purpose

We have already reached the mid point of Term 3 and I am sure you are noticing that the assessment demands for your daughter/s are starting to increase.  If you have not already accessed the Assessment Calendar, I would encourage you to do so.  This can be found here.  It would be beneficial to sit with your daughter and ensure she has mapped out her assessment for the remainder of the term.

YEAR 11 AND 12 EXAM BLOCKS

As I mentioned in my last newsletter article, our Year 12 students are beginning to prepare for External Exams.  This is an exciting time as it marks the beginning of the final stage of their Year 12 journey.  During Weeks 8 and 9 our Year 12s will sit their Mock Exams in preparation for these External Exams.  I urge you to be starting conversations with your daughters around how they are preparing for these Mock Exams and please do not hesitate to make contact with the College should you feel they need some extra support.

In addition to Mock Exams this term, we also have our Year 11 students sitting their Unit 2 Exams during Exam Block in Weeks 8 and 9 of term.  Again, I urge you to begin conversations around exam preparation and organisation with your daughters as we enter this phase.   Please note that in Week 10 of Term 3 we begin focusing on Unit Three content and it is essential for your daughters to be at school during this time. 

Melissa Pearce
Deputy Principal, Learning and Teaching

Inspired by Community

Social Media Bans for Young People

A  message from the Office of the eSafety Commissioner:

The Australian Government is protecting young Australians at a critical stage of their development, through world-first social media age restrictions.

From 10 December 2025, age-restricted social media platforms will have to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under the age of 16 from creating or keeping an account.

The restrictions aim to protect young Australians from pressures and risks that users can be exposed to while logged in to social media accounts. These come from design features that encourage them to spend more time on screens, while also serving up content that can harm their health and wellbeing.

While no formal assessments have been made, the age restrictions are likely to apply to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube, among other platforms.

More generally, age restrictions will apply to social media platforms that meet three specific conditions, unless they are excluded based on criteria set in out in legislative rules made by the Minister for Communications in July 2025.

The conditions for age restriction are:

• the sole purpose, or a significant purpose, of the service is to enable online social interaction between two or more end-users
• the service allows end-users to link to, or interact with, some or all of the other end-users
• the service allows end-users to post material on the service.
• Online gaming and standalone messaging apps are among a number of types of services that have been excluded under the legislative rules. However, messaging services that have social-media style features which allow users to interact in other ways apart from messaging may be included in the age restrictions, as well as messaging features accessed through age-restricted social media accounts.

For more information visit: 

Social media Ban FAQ - Office of the eSafety Commissioner: 
https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions/faqs

SchoolTV

Parents, staff and young people are also welcome to access the following free webinar about the Social Media bans and what it may mean for families from SchoolTV: 

School TV Free Webinar for the School Community

SchoolTV are inviting parents, carers, grandparents, educators and school leaders to attend an exclusive webinar supporting primary and secondary students.

This exclusive, one-off event is fast approaching and they’d love to see families benefit from the insights of two of Australia’s leading experts, Susan McLean and Dr Michael Carr-Gregg.

They will share invaluable insights on how to empower young people to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.

WEBINAR: Digital Media Literacy & Safety (Part III)

DATE: Tuesday, 2 September 2025

TIME: 7:30 pm

Topics in this webinar include:

• New Social Media Regulations
• Digital Footprint and Reputation
• Screen Time and Brain Development
• Parental Controls
  

Scan the QR code on the following flyer to register for the free event:

Michelle Kotzas
Assistant Principal Pastoral

Relay For Life

Relay For Life has become the largest fundraising event for cancer in the world. Celebrated by more than 4 million people in over 20 countries, this inspirational event empowers and unites local communities to make strides toward the ultimate vision of a cancer free future. On Friday, the 15th of August, the Year 12 Maggies’ Angels took part in a mini Relay for Life where the cohort came together to raise valuable funds. This is the fourth year that the St Margaret Mary's senior cohort has participated in Relay for Life. Instead of participating in a Townsville wide event, we signed up as a team and participated in a mini version, held on campus. The evening involved a series of activities that kept us moving, followed by a candlelight ceremony, where we remembered loved ones close to us who have passed away or are battling cancer. Family and friends of the senior girls have generously supported this cause, and we have now raised over $11,000. This is an event that the Maggies’ Angels are so proud and honoured to be a part of. Another event that the cohort participates in is the Ponytail Project, which is held at the Year 12’s final assembly, where more funds are raised for the Cancer Council. Ponytails are chopped, and senior girls will be rockin’ the bobs.  Help our seniors raise as much money as possible for a cancer-free future!

By Emily Griggs

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 9

Next

$5 Formal

St Margaret Mary’s College recently hosted its much-anticipated $5 Formal, bringing together students from St Patrick’s College and Ignatius Park College for a night filled with music, fun and laughter. The event created a lively and welcoming atmosphere, where students could enjoy games, a photobooth, and more than enough dancing.

Just one of the standout events of the night was the energetic round of Just Dance, which had everyone on their feet, showing off their best moves. The photo booth captured unforgettable memories with friends, while the dance floor stayed full as students celebrated together. To top the night off, students were recognised with “Best Dressed” and “Best Dancer” awards, the excitement of the competition only adding an extra layer of fun to the evening. And while it may have only cost $5 to get in, the memories our schools created and shared together were truly priceless.

By Olivia Jacoby

College Administration

Year 10 Vaccinations are scheduled for Thursday Week 9 - 11th September in Period 1 and 2.

Those students who were absent earlier in the year for vaccinations, will receive the first dose of the Meningococcal B Vaccine.  Any queries, please contact Ms Jenny Walker in the Health and Wellbeing Unit of the College.

First Nations News

Dear Parents and Carers,

Week 6! Where is this term going? This last fortnight brings more wonderful stories and events from within our college and out and about in the community. 

EXCITING NEWS

I would like to give a ‘SHOUT OUT’ to Darylle Sam who has been successfully elected as one of our 2026 School Captains! We are all very proud of you and you should be extremely proud of yourself! Well Done Darylle!

ATSIMS

On Friday the 15th of August, four students and I went on an excursion to the Australian Institute of Marine Science. Our excursion included engaging in group activities around various parts of the facility. We got to connect with the Indigenous Partnerships team and explore projects that blend traditional knowledge with marine science. The tour highlighted cutting-edge engineering in coral reef research and included a quick presentation on biotechnology and the study of microplastics in our oceans. Finally, a visit to the National SeaSimulator showcased facilities for simulating marine environments and studying climate change and pest management. Guided by the Traditional Owner Partnerships team, this tour offered a rich blend of traditional and modern marine science. The students were shining stars on the day. Thank you Dakota Parker, Calleigh Reynolds, Addison Ironside and Grace Brook.

• August 29th - September 1st Orpheus Island Camp
• September 10th - Program Graduation

Professional Development:

Last week saw our First Nations Team take part in networking and professional development. On Tuesday the 12th of August both Miss Zoe and I met with the First Nations Townsville Catholic Education Team, First Nations School Officers and First Nations Teachers from all over the diocese. These days bring a united front and sets the tone for the passion we bring back into our schools. We are always very grateful to get the opportunity to learn something new, whilst working collaboratively and seeing what is happening in other schools in our diocese. On Wednesday the 13 of August, Mr Morganson and Ms Zoe attended the Emerging Leaders Coordinators meeting where they discussed all things Emerging Leaders. Please keep an eye out for any information coming your way from Ms Zoe! 

Community Engagement- St Joseph’s Mundingburra

On Wednesday 6th of August Ms Zoe, Violet Ziehmer, Charlotte Kirkpatrick, Tilly Westwood and I travelled to St Joseph’s Mundingburra during the second break to read with their primary students. Although this time went super quickly it was wonderful and heart warming to see our students engaging in a caring and enthusiastic way with those younger students around them.

First Nations Committee Meetings Term 4

• Our next meeting is Monday Week 3 20th October 5-6pm in the Library

There are five weeks of school remaining for the term! I know we are all getting tired but we must keep up our attendance. Please submit a Compass attendance note or let the office know if your child is absent.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Have a great week!

Yours in Faith, Culture and Education,
Mrs Louise Martin

Arts News

Sounds of Youth

On Sunday 17th August Bella Voce choir sang at the Sounds of Youth concert organised by the Townsville Music Centre. The concert was held at the Carlton Theatre at Carlyle Gardens, and featured other school ensembles and soloists. Thanks goes to the girls as well as Ms Taylor Fitzgibbon, choir conductor, and Ms Suzy Sheriff, accompanist. 

Dancenorth Regional Workshop Tour 

In Week 5, students from Year 7 and Year 8 dance classes were fortunate to take part in a workshop led by members of Dancenorth, Townsville's Internationally renowned contemporary dance company. The workshops were offered as part of the regional workshop tour as Dancenorth celebrates their 40th year. Students played some movement games, explored fun and interesting ways of traveling in the space, and learnt a short dance sequence that mimicked a superhero fight scene. The laughs and smiles were a clear indication of the enjoyment felt by the girls! Thank you to the Dancenorth crew for facilitating this wonderful experience!

Sports News

NQ All Schools

On the 9 and 10 of August, our U13, U15 and Opens teams all won their grand finals:
🥇 U13 – 5-0 vs Kirwan
🥇 U15 – 9-1 vs Bowen
🥇 Opens – 6-3 vs Kirwan
All three teams went through the carnival undefeated - an amazing effort!

Congratulations to:
U13s - Ella Sheppard Player of the final
U15s - Milly Fegan Player of the final 
Opens - Caitlin Brennan Player of final

Thank you to Amanda May, Conor Wilson, Ashleigh Rhodes, Margot Cook, Rebecca Little, Georgia Stayte, and Bobbie McMinn for leading our teams to success.

We also recognise and thank Azalia Smith (Year 11), who took on the role of assistant coach for our U13s—it's wonderful to see our Senior students mentoring younger girls and supporting their success on the field.

Next stop ➡️ QLD All Schools in October for our U13s and Opens! 

📸: @lilyfalvey.photography

NQ U12 Touch Team

Congratulations to the Northern U12 Touch team for winning the Queensland State Championships over the weekend in Roma! They defeated a strong South Coast team with a score of 3–2 in a thrilling grand final. Special shout-out to two of our own Maggies, Peyton Smith and Bella McMinn, who were part of the team. 

The girls took the gold for the first time in 21 years in a thrilling final against South Coast, winning 3-2! 

Well done to the girls as well as coach Conor Wilson who is coaching our U13 touch team for Gold Coast All Schools. 

Year 9 Combined Schools Touch Day

Last Friday 15th August, our Year 9 girls joined with Ignatius Park College, St Patrick's College, and Abergowrie for the Annual Combined School’s Touch Football Day. Ignatius Park hosted the event at Queens Park in a round robin style competition. Instead of the schools competing against each other, all the students were mixed into 20 teams to help form new friendships and develop some healthy rivalry against other mixed teams. Whilst the event was meant to be social, there was no shortage of sporting talent on display with many spectacular tries, chase downs, and dives. Our Year 9 Maggies were well and truly in the thick of it and had a brilliant time cheering on team mates. We all enjoyed a shared lunch of pizza and soft drink and a chance to relax between games. All this, combined with some spectacular weather, made our 2025 Year 9 annual social event a fantastic day out. Thank you to all of the staff for organising and the students or coming along to a great day.

Lucy Whelan & Kendall Sweeney

Debating News

Year 10 Junior Debaters

Our Year 10 Junior debaters - Marley, Chloe, and Ksenia - have won in the quarter-final against St Patrick's College!

Debating the topic “Australia should introduce a sugar tax”, they delivered a strong rebuttal and a cohesive team case, securing their spot in the semi-finals. Well done, team!

Defence News

Wattle Coy Pde & Student Leader Position

Wattle Company Parade has kicked off again for Term 3 and we were blessed to be able to attend the leadership campaign speeches (Week 4) as a cohort. WC students were inspired by the upcoming leaders of our school, as was I. The calibre of students at SMMC never ceases to impress and we look forward to contributing to the student leadership via our Defence Student Leader in 2026. This is a new position where senior students from ADF families were able to nominate themselves last term, with the selection process underway in Term 3. I look forward to working with the Defence Student Leader in 2026 to further our DSMP and continue to build a strong awareness and representation of the ADF students within our school community. 

Absence Support Packs

Given that we have several families in our school community with loved ones away on military exercise/service, I have put together a small support package to acknowledge the challenges of military life as a family unit. Whether you are in the midst of a deployment, working extra hours due to the high-tempo period or things are Business As Usual, I hope that there is something that you can find joy in within these packs. There are items for both parents and daughters to enjoy. If you haven't already received yours, please keep an eye out over the next week as I'll be actively distributing them among our defence group (or check your daughter's school bag as they may be hiding the treats for themselves! 😁

Upcoming DMFS Events and Local Announcements

To keep abreast of what's on in Townsville, I encourage you to sign up/follow the DMFS Local Events page. There are often too many events to list but you can curate your search to things that would suit you and your family. 

Click on the link and then click "follow" to subscribe:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/defence-member-and-family-support-townsville-17367708860
If you haven't already, please also consider registering to receive our local DMFS newsletter. There is often priceless information that can support you and your family during your Townsville posting. The Townsville Area Office page can be found here: https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/local-services-events/area-offices/townsville

Contact Me

Just a reminder that I can be contacted via email at your convenience - vclothier1@smmc.catholic.edu.auI am on campus on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9-2pm.

Take care,
Vicki Clothier
Defence School Mentor

Science News

SMMC Inaugural Science Fair

Last week, our Maggies brought Science Week to life with our very first College Science Fair! Led by our 7 amazing UQ Science Ambassadors, students from Years 9-12 showed just how fun, creative, and curious Science can be.

Highlights included:

• Predicting what light pollution will look like in 10 years
• Making ice cream using a bike
• Exploring the evolution of whales
• Capturing stunning animal photography …and so much more!

What an incredible way to celebrate Science Week at SMMC!

"𝑆𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑠 𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 1950𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑎 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑗𝑜𝑏𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔. 𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑖𝑛 2025, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑔𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒, 𝑑𝑜 𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑠 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟?" (𝑤𝑤𝑤.𝑠𝑎𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑓.𝑜𝑟𝑔, 2025)

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 16

Next

Language News

Townsville and District Italian Speaking Competition

Last week, a wonderful and talented group of girls from SMMC proudly represented the College in the Townsville and District Italian Speaking Competition. Their hard work, dedication, and passion for the Italian language shone through, with each student delivering their speeches beautifully and with great confidence.

SMMC brought home both the Junior Shield and the Senior Shield — a fantastic achievement that reflects the commitment of our students.

A special mention to the following place getters:

• Krisha B Yr 9 Gold Medal and Junior Division Winner
• Emily J Yr 12 Bronze Medal and Senior Division Winner
• Summer B Yr 8 Silver Medal

Exceptional speeches were also delivered by Sienna C, Cassandra B and Harriette F.

All our girls should be incredibly proud of their efforts and the way they represented the College. Bravissime!

Library News

Children’s Book of the Year Winners

It’s Book Week and the winners of the Children’s Book Council of Australia have been announced, as above… 

BUT

We’re having our BOOK WEEK PARADE next Friday 29th AUGUST.  The flight crew of SMMC invites one and all to come dressed in the theme for 2025, Book an Adventure.

DRESS-UP DAY
NEXT FRIDAY 29th August
Please remember school and sunsafe dressing

Premier’s Reading Challenge finishes this Friday 22nd August.  All  Year 7,8 and 9 students are asked to complete their Reading Log and hand it into their teacher by next week.  The class who reads the most books from each Year Level will WIN A PIZZA PARTY!

Riitta Booth
Teacher-Librarian

Career Development

QTAC Student Information Night

Thinking of applying through QTAC? Join us for a live online session designed to give you the inside edge on submitting a successful application.

Whether you're applying straight from Year 12, returning to study, or changing direction, QTAC experts will walk you through key tips for a successful application.

This session is perfect for students (and parents!) wanting to feel confident and prepared throughout the QTAC process. Don’t miss your chance to get insider advice straight from the source.

Community News