Mary Street, Woodend, Q 4305 PO Box 172, Ipswich, Q 4305 Tel: (07) 3432 - 5444 Fax: (07) 3432 - 5432 Email: [email protected] Website: www.stmarys.qld.edu.au www.facebook.com/StMarysWoodendIpswich Te r m F o u r , We e k S i x , 2 0 1 5 “Let charity then be our badge of honour… so that it may truly be said, there is in us but one heart and one soul in God.”

Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Friends, Parents and schools - a vital partnership

As we acknowledge our newest families, we farewelled members of our College Board and Parents and Friends at the Annual Christmas dinner on Wednesday evening. Andrea and Darren Allen, Julie Collins, Theresa Harding and Helen Rosenthal will be sadly missed after many years of support and service to the College.

How blessed are we to have strong partnerships with our parents and caregivers and this is certainly a feature of the College. I am very grateful to the Parents and Friends, who administer P & F levies on behalf of all parents in the school. This year funds collected have been put to great use with the purchase of furniture and shelving for the classrooms in the new Riverside Precinct. In this way, every family has contributed to providing better facilities for their daughters. The Parents and Friends meetings are a great opportunity for you to become involved in the College and socialise with some wonderful, like-minded people – improving the learning environment for their daughters. I look forward to seeing you at meetings in 2016.

Andrea and Darren Allen

Walk for Remember

Welcome to all those new families who are now receiving the newsletter as they have enrolled their daughters at St Mary’s College for 2016 and 2017. Preparations are well advanced for our Orientation Day on the 1st December for those students joining us next year. This opportunity helps the girls to explore the College and start to think about themselves as students in the high school setting.

On Wednesday, the 11th Day of the 11th month, a large number of students from St Mary’s College and St Edmund’s College marched from the centre of Ipswich to the War Memorial at Woodend in the inaugural Walk of Remembrance.

Helen Rosenthal, Steve Lunney and Julie Collins

The students were accompanied by their parents who are serving in the defence force, and service men and women from the Amberley RAAF base and other community members. In a simple service, wreaths were laid and we heard from a representative from the Mates4Mates organisation which looks after returned soldiers and defence personnel. As we honoured those who have lost their lives in war, we remember that Australians

continue to serve overseas in dangerous war zones, separated from their loved ones at home.

Thank you to Christina Page, our Defence Transition Mentor, who has joined us this year to work with our Defence families. She helped to coordinate the event with Jodi Denning from St Edmund’s College. Christina is committed to helping our Defence families and support students, especially at times of the deployment of a parent.

I thank all parents who entrust their daughter’s education to St Mary’s College. I know that many sacrifices are made by parents to send their daughters to the College. We want to work with parents to provide the best educational experiences for them. We acknowledge that it is impossible to always get things right. It is important that you let us know if you have any concerns and then we can work together to reach a positive outcome. Let’s work together. Have a great weekend and God Bless.

From the APA We have reminded students this week that any student who forgets their lunch is to make their way to the Reflection Room to organise a tuckshop voucher. Students are not to accept deliveries of food, or any other items, during break times. These would need to be dropped to the Student Office. Additionally, please do not bring or request items of fast food for lunch. It is our hope that students will bring or purchase healthy food items for lunch and we rely on the support of parents to assist in this regard. Next week is graduation week. On Monday the Year 12s will engage in their reflection day with our staff and Michael Fitzpatrick. They will have the opportunity to meet with each of their teachers on Tuesday. Wednesday’s program will see the girls go on a group outing to Dreamworld.

The highlight will be Thursday’s program which includes Pastoral Care class breakfast, Farewell Assembly and Graduation Mass. Information about these events was sent to parents of Year 12 students via post. We look forward to celebrating the conclusion of the girls’ schooling with them next week. It is sure to be a memorable time. Our Year 10 and 11 students will start their exam block next week. A reminder that students should travel directly to and from school when in their school uniform. Please support the school by ensuring your daughter uses the time for study and is not at local eateries and shopping centres in her uniform. I wish our students, in all year levels, the best for their exams. I hope their results are a true reflection of their abilities and application to study this semester. Have a wonderful weekend. God bless,

Judy Finan Principal

Judith Jones Assistant Principal Administration

From the APRE This year in our Religious Education curriculum in the junior and middle years, we have been workshopping some new units for our revised curriculum. These units will be written up in the first part of next year and the new program should be validated by Brisbane Catholic Education at the end of 2016 or early in 2017.

The fullness of the Vision for Religious Education is realised through the intersection of both dimensions. For example, participation in service learning activities without a deep understanding of the related Catholic social teachings does not effectively enable the fulfilment of the Vision for Religious Education. Classroom learning and teaching about Catholic social teachings without active participation in, and critical reflection on, social justice initiatives and service learning activities is similarly limited in its effectiveness. Engagement in both dimensions is needed. Recognising the complementarity of both dimensions requires clarity about the distinctiveness and at times sharply contrasting nature of these dimensions. As Moran (1991) observes:

Writing new curriculum units is a time to revisit our foundations. One of these is the Model for Religious Education developed by Brisbane Catholic Education. This model underpins our curriculum.

Model for Religious Education Since 2008, the distinct and complementary nature of both dimensions of Religious Education has been conceptualised in the following Model for Religious Education.

In the schools and colleges of the Archdiocese of Brisbane, teaching people religion and teaching people to be religious draw upon the Catholic Christian tradition in ways that are mindful of local contexts and the ecumenical and multi-faith realities of contemporary culture. School communities seek to understand and utilise the distinctiveness and complementarity of these two dimensions of Religious Education in the holistic education and the formation of students. School programs, activities and experiences for the classroom learning and teaching of religion and the religious life of the school are responsive to religious diversity, while being faithful to the Catholic Christian identity of the school.

Religious education requires that those of us who appropriate the term “teacher” know which of the two processes we are engaged in at a particular time and place. The tragedy would be that, for lack of clarity about this distinction, institutions end up doing neither: their academic inquiry is not challenging enough and their formation is not particular enough. Endless talk about Christianity is not religious education. What deserves that title is teaching people religion with all the breadth and depth of intellectual excitement one is capable of - and teaching people to be religious with all the particularity of the verbal and nonverbal symbols that place us on the way (p.256). In summary, the Vision for Religious Education and the Model for Religious Education take a big picture view; for while both take place within the physical and temporal context of a Catholic or ecumenical school, they presuppose a broader context and length of time not available to a school: a whole lifetime.

Michael Blanchfield Assistant Principal Religious Education

‘Walk to Remember’

Remembrance Day 11th November 2015

On Wednesday, St Mary’s College and St Edmund's College, Ipswich, combined to honour Remembrance Day. Over 150 people joined the “Walk to Remember” from the RSL Memorial Hall in Nicholas Street to the Woodend War Memorial.

After a tribute to the men and women in war by laying wreaths at the War Memorial, we honoured those who made the ultimate sacrifice by releasing 100 red balloons. There was a strong Military presence on the day not only supporting the walk but showcasing an impressive Military Working Dog display with Military Instructor Dog Zephyr. We were also joined by the H5 litter pups that will be the future in providing security on home soil and abroad.

As much as Remembrance Day is about remembering those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our safety there are those that are currently serving and are still experiencing the perils of war back home. As part of the ‘Walk to Remember’ we heard from Mark Thomas from Mates4Mates.

Mark spoke very eloquently about the impact on returned wounded, injured and ill current and ex-serving ADF personnel. Many have physical and psychological injuries as a result of their service within the ADF, specifically the experience of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mates4Mates not only supports the person experiencing the illness but extends out to their families. They work tirelessly to help ADF personnel continue the journey of rebuilding their lives. The Defence students should be very proud of the money they rose in order to support Mates4Mates and I am happy to announce St Mary’s College raised over $700. We would like to thank Mates4Mates Physical Activities Coordinator, Mark Thomas, personnel from the RAAF Base Amberley, Air Force Members of Headquarters 86 Wing, Squadron Leader Brett Green, Corporal Sami Luck, Sergeant Melissa Riebel, Warrant Officer David Towerton, the H5 Litter Pups and Military Instructor Dog Zephyr.

I would also like to thank the many staff, students and their families from St Mary’s College and St Edmund’s College who helped make the ‘Walk to Remember’ possible. It was a very moving and meaningful experience which hopefully will be bigger and better next year!

Christina Page Defence Transition Mentor

HEALTH CHECK Head Lice Parents and guardians please note that there has been a reported case of Head Lice at St Mary’s College please check and treat (where necessary) your child’s hair regularly. For more information please go to www.health.qld.gov.au/headlice

From the VET and Pathways Team Congratulations! Throughout 2015 a number of Year 11 and 12 students from St Mary’s College have been working on Vocational Education and Training Qualifications. These qualifications have been completed either at TAFE, with Private Registered Training Organisations or through School-based Traineeships. A list of those students who have completed their qualifications to date are listed below. This is a big effort for these students and we would like to recognise their efforts. TAFE and Private Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) Year 11 Courtney Burton Certificate II in Retail Makeup & Skin Care Tayla McLeod Certificate II in Retail Makeup & Skin Care Shilaine Seppanen Certificate II in Hairdressing Mikayla Lingard Certificate II in Hospitality Lauren Harris Certificate II in Hospitality Hannah Lowe Certificate II in Hospitality Brittany Martin Certificate II in Hospitality Kiara Tucker Certificate II in Hospitality Tamika Stephens Certificate III in Fitness Brittany Martin Certificate III in Fitness Year 12 Brooke Ward Certificate II in Rural Operations Samara Irvine Certificate II in Hospitality Remeny Hooper Certificate II in Hospitality Tiffeni Follett Certificate II in Hospitality Aywien Manyoul Certificate II in Hospitality Jamie Rixon Certificate II in Health Support Services Caitland Evans Certificate II in Rural Operations/Certificate II in Animal Studies Courtney Robertson Certificate II in Rural Operations/Certificate II in Animal Studies Courteney Allen Certificate III in Visual Arts Kelsie Baker Certificate III in Health Service Assistance Samantha Brooks Certificate III in Events/Certificate II in Tourism

School-based Traineeships Year 11 Shelby Ball Certificate III in Retail Operations

Year 12

Stephanie Neilson Certificate II in Retail Services Emily Hartley Certificate II in Retail Services Courtney Martin Certificate II in Retail Services Rebecca Ball Certificate III in Hospitality Courteney Allen Certificate III in Hospitality 2016 Year 11 Student News In 2016 around 25% of Year 11 students have expressed an interest in completing a VET Qualification, either at TAFE, a Private RTO or as a School-based Apprenticeship and Traineeship. This is the largest number of students we have had in the recent past and we are very enthusiastic about assisting these students to achieve their goals through these VET Qualifications. A special mention must go to Year 10 student Arabella Lansdown, who has successfully obtained a School-based Traineeship with QANTAS for Year 11 and 12. She beat out a field of 50 applicants to secure the traineeship and we are very proud of her efforts. Arabella would like to be a Flight Attendant after leaving school and hopes this will help her on that path. Work Experience News Recently a group of Year 10 Students attended Work Experience at the Ipswich Hospital organised by the Health Pathways Alliance. These Work Experience programs provide a fantastic opportunity for students to ‘test out’ a career and are always enjoyed by the students! Opportunities for Year 11 and 12 students in 2016 It is not too late for students wishing to undertake VET Qualifications at TAFE, Private RTOs or as School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships in 2016. These are a raft of opportunities for students in many different areas and we encourage parents and students to make contact if we may be able to assist. Mr Matt Jensen Curriculum Leader – VET and Pathways [email protected] Ms Jen Robertson VET Teacher Aide [email protected]

Home Economics Department The lovely retro dress, (complete with tulle petticoat) was created by Michaela Cotter (Year 12), the highest achieving Home Economics student this year. Michaela has sourced recycled op-shop clothing to incorporate into her design and consider Elements and Principles of Design to flatter her personal characteristics. The standard of her needlework is exemplary and she is a very worthy recipient of the Elaine Mary Jones (nee O'Brien) Memorial Award for Home Economics. Congratulations Michaela! Madeline McFarlane is currently the highest achieving Home Economics student in Year 11. This semester, Madi has recycled op-shop denim jeans to make a unique bean bag which will form a focal point of her room (and no doubt a talking point with guests!) The only new resource she used were a strong zip and thread. Sensitive to the eco-perils of polystyrene beans, Madi has reused the filling from an old bean bag and even used the old fabric bag to create a new pattern. Congratulations on such a sustainable, novel project! Ms O'Rourke Home Economics Teacher

2016 FEES SCHEDULE The Fees and Levies for 2016 has now been approved. There will be no increase in Fees and Levies apart from the Resource Levy, which will increase by $100. Tuition Fees Years 7 – 10 Tuition Fees Years 11 – 12

$2,680 $2,880

Curriculum Levy Resource Levy Capital Levy P&F Levy

$1,420 $1,100 $440 $120

Total Annual Fees and Levies Years 7 – 10 $5,760 Total Annual Fees and Levies Years 11 – 12 $5,960 2nd Student Family Discount: 25% on Tuition Fees 3rd Student Family Discount: 50% on Tuition Fees Parents need to be aware that unlike other College Fees Schedules that do not include subject levies, St Mary’s College Fees and Levies are fully inclusive. The complete 2016 Fees Schedule is available to download from the College Website (www.stmarys.qld.edu.au/fees) or from the Finance Office together with the current Periodic Payment by Direct Debit, Credit Card and BPay forms.

9th November 2015 Dear Parents/Guardians, One component of the Core Health and Physical Education Program at St Mary’s College for Years 7 to 10 students is Aquatics. Aquatics days will be conducted during Week 8 this term. All students will be expected to participate in this program as activities will be provided for all levels of swimming ability. If a student is unable to participate on their allocated day they will require a written note in their student handbook explaining their reason for non-participation. Non participation students will be required to complete theoretical tasks during the day to meet the requirements of the course. Students will travel by bus to the Bundamba swimming pool on the following dates:   

Year 9, Monday, 23rd November Years 7 and 8, Tuesday, 24th November Year 10, Wednesday, 25th November

The cost of entry to the swimming pool and transport will be covered by student levies. Students will be required to bring appropriate swimwear (one-piece bathers or two-piece bathers with a swim shirt or singlet), hat, towel and sunscreen and their lunch. Canteen facilities will be available in allocated breaks during the day. Following current Brisbane Catholic Education policy, all students must wear a swimming cap whilst swimming. It is the responsibility of each student to provide this cap for themselves.

Yours Sincerely,

Mrs Judith Finan Principal

Mrs Louise McCarthy Health Sciences Academic Leader

TUCKSHOP ROSTER 16 November

M. Nugent

17 November

T. Buckley and B. Bullock

18 November

D. Appelman

19 November

J. Sweet

20 November

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MESSAGE FROM THE TUCKSHOP CONVENORS Attention Helpers: If you are unavailable, could you please let the Tuckshop Convenors know on (07) 3432 - 5462.

Change to Parental Contact Details If your contact details have changed or are going to change, please update your details through the My Details tab on the Parent Portal or e-mail [email protected] with your Daughter’s Name, Year Level and Pastoral Care Group To Report Student Absence At Any Time email: [email protected], Login to the Parent Portal and complete “Report Student Absence” Form. Before 7.30am, phone 3432 5499 and leave a message with Students name, Year level and Pastoral Care class. During School Hours (7.30am to 3.15pm), phone 3432 5444 and Press 1 for Student Services

*** NEWS FLASH *** Stationery Lists for 2016 are now available on our website www.stmarys.qld.edu.au under ‘News’. If you would like to be sent a copy, please call the office on 3432 5444. Please Note

St Mary’s College iCentre is open from 7.45am - 3.30pm daily St Mary's College publishes advertising for outside school events in good faith and takes no responsibility for such events or the personnel involved. The St Edmund’s College newsletter is available in ‘News and Events’ on the College Website. http://www.sec.qld.edu.au/

Registration for all past associates is now available for $10 per year. Visit www.stmarys.qld.edu.au for more details.