COLLEGE LEADER AND HOUSE CAPTAIN PROFILES

College Leader Claudia Sherratt

As a leader I would describe myself as someone who wishes to inspire others to become the best version of themselves by helping around the school, keeping a positive mindset, and being caring towards others.

I am the proudest that I can sew and make my own clothes because my grandma was a seamstress and she taught me how to sew.

My greatest sporting moment was winning my first premiership for Port Districts.

My favourite songs are From the Dining Table and Kiwi by Harry Styles

The funniest moment in my life was when my sister fell out of a tree house in New Zealand.

In my spare time I like to take my dog, Syd, down to the beach.

The best thing about attending SMC is the friendships that I have made with my peers.

This year as a College Leader I wish to be best known as someone who is easy to talk to and will help if there is a problem.

Five words which best describe my personality are kind, relaxed, generous, funny, and inclusive.

Something interesting about me no one knows? I have done classical ballet since the age of three.

Turon House Captain Sabrina Wingard

As a leader I would describe myself as collaborative, understanding, patient, supportive and hardworking.

My favourite TV program is Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

My greatest sporting moment is winning a netball Grand Final in a position I don’t regularly play.

Someone I admire is my sister Suraia because she is caring, hardworking, and helps me to improve myself.

The funniest moment in my life was when my sister and I went on the tube up the river and she kicked my tooth out.

In my spare time I like to spend time with my family, read books, watch movies and tv shows, and spend time with my Dog Kenji

The best thing about attending SMC is the community and the opportunities that I have as a student.

Leadership means to me leading by example while still being a part of the team, and making sure everyone’s voices are heard.

This year as a House Captain I wish to be best known as a strong supportive leader who encourages others to be their best.

A quote that I believe in is “what you do has far greater impact than what you say”.

PODCAST CLUB

Last week members of the Year 7 and 8 Podcast Club recorded their first podcasts! This initiative is a brand new co-curricular activity for Year 7 and 8 students this term and has seen eight of our finest speakers work tirelessly over the last eight weeks to learn the ropes of podcasting. This group have been fortunate to work with James Meston of Arch D radio – a Catholic Education podcast, to plan, prepare and record a real podcast. Their podcasts on ‘sporting achievements’ and ‘anime’ will begin their editing phase this week and be live on Spotify by end of term!

Great work to everyone involved!

Ms Rhiannon O’Hara, Teacher – Secondary

VOCAL FEST

On Monday evening, the Music Department celebrated the hard work and talents of the College’s vocal students at “Vocal Fest 2022.” Four of the College’s choirs and vocal groups, as well as 20 soloists, performed for an extremely supportive and enthusiastic audience. A highlight was our new ensemble, the Year 7 Vocal Group, along with the Year 7 girls who performed a rousing rendition of ‘Ex-Wives’ from the hit musical ‘Six’.

Congratulations to all our students who performed, you made us all proud! Particular thanks go to our voice teachers, old scholar Matt Monti, Jess Bigg, and Kiah Lanigan, for leading and directing our choirs so wonderfully. Thanks to all families and friends who attended, and to our music staff who organised the night, it was a stunning success!

Mr Tim Donovan, Director of Music

YEAR 10 DRAMA PRODUCTIONS 

Last week, the SMC Drama Studio was filled with the sounds of live theatre as both Semester 1, Year 10 Drama classes presented their group productions to appreciative audiences. Ivy Shambit and the Sound Machine written by Daniel Evans and directed by Emily Burns was presented on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 June and Disconnected written by Donna Hughes and directed by Danii Zappia was presented on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 June. A big congratulations to both casts and crews for an outstanding effort during a very challenging term. It has been inspiring to see our young actors blossom throughout the process of collaborative theatre-making and we are certain that we will be treated to many more wonderful performances from this cohort of stars.

Ms Danii Zappia and Ms Emily Burns, Drama Coordinators

YEARS 7-9  WELLBEING CHARACTER STRENGTH FOCUS

Week 4: Hope

Over the last three years we have had many opportunities to draw on hope. A year or two ago, life returning to our current phase of ‘normality’ might have seemed impossible, and yet, here we are.

Science tells us that hope has a positive impact on physical and mental health, providing protection against anxiety and stress, and a stronger ability to bounce back from what can sometimes seem an impossible challenge. Hope also helps us to be better communicators, strengthening our relationships, and potentially leading to a longer life with much better physical health.

Each day in the Notices students see an Action for Happiness and a link to a Daily Minute of Mindfulness. Breakfast Club has now resumed, and further to this our beautiful garden continues to be nurtured by an Eco Squad that focuses on the bounty of nature and welcomes new members with open arms.

We have been able to gather again as year levels and this week students in Year 9 were able to attend a presentation by Derrick McManus who shared an incredible story of bravery and hope.

Closer to home our Beyond Borders students have shared incredible stories of personal bravery and hope each day in the notices to celebrate Refugee Week with the theme of Healing.

Hope gives us the strength to persist and to reframe the situation we face in the positive, rather than being overwhelmed by negativity. Hope whispers that the sun will always return to shine on us, despite momentary darkness, and that it’s always present, even when we can’t see it.

As Albus Dumbledore invited us to remember “Happiness can be found in the darkest of moments when one decides to turn on the light.”  Hope gives us the strength to do just this.

May we all find the ‘light switch’ and nurture our hope this week, and at the times we need it most.

Mrs Tonia Carfora, Year 7-9 Wellbeing Initiatives Leader

YEAR 10, 11 AND 12 EXAM PROTOCOLS

• Students should be ready to enter Exam Room 15 minutes before the starting time. Please assemble in the adjacent courtyard; for example for all morning exams, please assemble by 8:40am, sign the attendance sheet outside the room and you will be directed from there.
• Students are not to enter the Exam Room until invited to do so.
• Students are to ensure that all the necessary equipment has been obtained for the Exam. NOborrowing will be permitted. NO pencil cases allowed.
• Where the exam is undertaken in electronic format, students are responsible for ensuring their laptop is fully charged and updated and wired headphones only are used if required (check requirements with Subject Teacher).
• Students plagiarizing will have their paper cancelled. However, the Exam must be completed. Obviously final assessment will be adversely affected.
• No student will be permitted to leave the Exam Room before the appointed finishing time.
• The allowance for Reading Time varies depending upon the particular exam. Students must listen carefully to instructions from the invigilator regarding reading time. All notes must be written on the sheet supplied ONLY.   Before the Exam, consideration should be given as to how best to use this time.  Check with teachers if uncertain.
• If a student is ill and unable to attend, a phone call must be made to Mr O’Reilly, ideally prior to the commencement of the exam.
• Full College uniform is required for all exams, including compliance with the Uniform Code.
• Students are encouraged to bring a dictionary into the examination room but only unmarked dictionaries are to be used.
• Students will not be required for formal lessons during the exam week. Instead, private study should take place at home.
• Graphic calculators need to be cleared for subjects other than Mathematics.
• For online exams students will need to clear their laptops of any unnecessary files, undertake a complete shutdown and restart the night before the exam to avoid being disrupted by updates, and ensure their laptops are fully charged.
• Mobile phones are NOT permitted. Teachers will not be responsible for these during the examination period.

Please note that exam results will be released via SEQTA in early Term 3.

WEEKS 9 AND 10: SUBJECT SELECTION PROCESS FOR 2023

Please note the following important dates for students of Years 10 and 11. On these days, Heads of Department will present information regarding subjects in order for students to begin subject considerations for 2023.

This is an important discernment process for students as they contemplate future career pathways. These events are aimed at providing Year 10 and Year 11 students with information in relation to SACE subject offerings.

Year 11 (Year 12, 2023)

• Subject Expo and Study Skills Day: Tuesday 28 June

Year 10 (Year 11, 2023)

• Future Pathways Day: Monday 4 July. Students will have early dismissal this day

It is expected that all Year 10 and Year 11 students attend their respective events in order to be fully informed regarding prerequisite and minimum grade requirements for intended subject choices.

Further information regarding Subject Selection will be circulated early in Term 3.

YEAR 11 VET STUDENTS AND EXAMS

Year 11 VET students are expected to attend VET in Week 10. If any of your exams clash with a VET day, please see Mrs White in Student Services and she will be able to reschedule your exam time. Please come and see me if you have any questions.

Ms Leanne De Young, VET Coordinator

YEAR 9 ITALIAN PALIO AT SMC

This week students raced in our own PALIO. The PALIO is a famous horse race that takes place twice a year in Siena, Italy. The three-minute race is steeped in history and district loyalty as the fans crowd the piazza to see their horse win. Dating back to the middle ages, the race has few rules. The horses are ridden bareback and can succeed in winning with or without their jockey.

Here at St Michaels’ divided into contrade (districts), students developed a group chant, poster and motto. They paraded and the race was held. It was over in a heartbeat! GIRAFFA was the winner this year, despite the strong teamwork and creativity of the other contrade!

Mrs Tonia Carfora, Year 9 Italian Teacher