CONANTI Issue 3. CORONA Semester 2, 2019 What’s inside? P2 Long Service Awards | P6 Men at Work Program | P10 QLD and Representatives | P16 From the Old Boys Secretary

P. 07 4631 7333 F. 07 4631 7399 E. [email protected] A. 129 West Street, QLD 4350 www.stmaryscollege.com Forming young men of faith, integrity, action and excellence From the Principal

Dear Members of the St Mary’s College Family, We celebrate this rich history of St Mary’s College and are proud to stand on the shoulders of the many giants who have gone before us. It has been fantastic to witness the support of our Conanti Corona Magazine. I am excited to welcome you to the third edition, which To mark this major milestone, St Mary’s College hosted the 120 Years continues to celebrate the triumphs and achievements of St Mary’s Old Boys’ Dinner, with special guest winning Premiership (NRL) and College students, staff and Old Boys. World Cup Challenge, and player, Ethan Lowe (2008). The night was compered by Mr James O’Shea 2019 has been a momentous year at St Mary’s College, as we proudly (1999) and included the launch of the new history book Good Old Boy: celebrate 120 years. In 1898, Br Patrick Ambrose Tracey, Provincial Conversation with Dan, written by Felicity McArdle. This dinner was a Superior of the Christian Brothers in Australia, was visited in Sydney wonderful opportunity for Old Boys to reunite and celebrate 120 years by the then parish priest of Toowoomba, Fr Denis Fouhy, about the of our fine College. establishment of a boys’ Catholic school in Toowoomba. On the 28th January 1899, tenders were invited for the erection of the College, We give thanks to our loving God for our many blessings, our past designed by William Hodgen HRIBA. After 24 weeks of construction, teachers, the Christian Brothers, our many opportunities, education St Mary’s College officially opened. The first day saw 120 pupils attend, and the brotherhood that we share. with the first student being William McGoldrick, who had won a foot I trust you will enjoy reading the third issue of our Conanti Corona race from Our Lady of Lourdes Church to St Mary’s College. publication. Since 1899, St Mary’s College has been, and continues to be, an May our loving God walk with all members of the St Mary’s College family. integral part of the education of many young men in Toowoomba. Our successes range from academic, cultural, sporting, social and spiritual Mr Michael Newman pursuits with many Old Boys enjoying outstanding careers post-school, College Principal in a variety of fields. Contents

2 ANNOUNCEMENTS 11 Long Service Awards Basketball AAG Cup Spirit of Catholic Education Soccer ISSA Cup Renovated Cricket Nets and All Schools Touch Tournament Basketball Court Wise Humans of the Downs 12 CULTURAL Legends at their Game 3 Chess Championships Conversations with Dan Book Launch 120 Year Event with Special Guest Living Water Praxis 13 Eisteddfod Results Creative Generation Exhibition 4 ACADEMIC St Mary’s College Marching Band Science & Engineering Challenge NAPLAN Results QAMT Maths Quiz 14 SOCIAL & LEADERSHIP Drug and Alcohol Education 5 Home Run Dinner Year 8 Debating Youth Parliament 15 Mayoral Telstra Innovation Awards Mother Son Luncheon Father’s Day Breakfast 6 Men at Work Program 16 OLD BOYS’ UPDATE Distinctions in the ICAS Examinations From the Old Boys Secretary Old Boys’ Dinner 7 Award Winning Author Visit

Writing Competition Achievement 17 Returning to the College ACADEMY LIVE Old Boy Sporting Achievements

SPIRITUAL 8 Edmund Rice Day 18 Old Boys Q&A Social Justice Placements

19 9 Catholic Education Week Awards Annual Golf Day From the Cross Campus Chaplain Extracts from Good Old Boys Conversations with Dan Feast of Assumption Mass

20 10 SPORT Delving into the Archives QLD and Australia Representatives Confraternity Shield National Schools Mountain Bike Championships

Semester 2, 2019 CONANTI CORONA ANNOUNCEMENTS This year, we celebrated outstanding St Mary’s College staff who have reached wonderful milestones of service to Catholic Education. Alwyn Rix has achieved 40 years of service to Catholic Long Service Awards Education; Phil Cutler 35 years of service; Brian Steer 30 Years of service; Michael During Catholic Education Week, the Toowoomba Catholic Schools’ Long Newman 30 years and Frank Service Awards were presented, recognising staff throughout the diocese Strachotta 20 years to who have achieved a significant tenure within the organisation. Catholic Education.

Spirit of Catholic Education

We are proud to announce that two St Mary’s College staff were nominated for the Spirit of Catholic Education Award 2019: Sally Callaghan and Rod Logan.

The Spirit of Catholic Education Awards are presented annually as part of Catholic Education Week celebrations. The awards aim to recognise those who are making an outstanding contribution within the Catholic education community. Sally and Rod were nominated as they implement change that improves teaching and learning and supports greater equity in education, demonstrate excellence in team work that supports and builds Catholic education, and demonstrate outstanding service to others in the school education community and beyond.

Renovated Cricket Nets and Basketball Court

Many thanks to the St Mary’s College Old Boys Association representatives on the Future Planning committee, who agreed to the refurbishments of the cricket nets and basketball courts, which are situated on Herries Street . The College funded this project, which students are now able to use during physical education and team training.

Wise Humans of the Downs

St Mary’s College students are now published story tellers, with the Wise Humans of the Downs book being launched during Seniors Week. The publication features the life experiences of 30 local seniors as told to Toowoomba secondary students. Twenty students from the College volunteered to join the project, spending time with an older participant to listen to and record stories from their life. The students were excited to test their interview skills and to be part of a published book.

The book is a special project by not-for-profit organisation YellowBridge QLD in partnership with St Mary’s College. Its purpose is to uncover, record and celebrate the lived experiences and stories of people aged over 60 years.

“We can learn so much from the older members of our community and we wanted to help share their wisdom and tales,” YellowBridge chief executive officer Penny Hamilton said. “It is fascinating to hear how life was in previous generations and how people survived triumphs and tragedies along the way,” Ms Hamilton said. “We believe that everyone has a story to tell. The ordinary is just as important as the extraordinary and they help us to have more compassion, empathy and appreciation for others.”

2 Conversations with Dan Book Launch

Along with celebrating 120 years since St Mary’s provides the encouragement and links necessary College first opened the gates, we are proud to to unite the Old Boys. launch our new book ‘Good Old Boys - Conversations with Dan’. The St Mary’s College family is forever grateful to Dan for his kindness, generosity and The author, Felicity McArdle, has cleverly woven gentlemanly grace in managing this publication. together a variety of stories about particular Old Now Dan’s generosity has extended to the Boys, reflected through the eyes of Dan sharing of his reflections on a very small number McErlean. Dan is responsible for faithfully writing of stories of Old Boys. They are tales he has and editing the Old Boys newsletter since the been fortunate to locate, and he had the foresight beginning of 2001 for the College. Dan has been to recognise their value, and record and preserve enthusiastically assisted by a wide network of them. Contact St Mary’s College to purchase a Old Boys through the years, and this work copy of the publication.

120 Year Event with Special Guest

In 2019, St Mary’s College celebrates 120 years, and to mark the major milestone, hosted the 120 Year Old Boys Dinner.

The 120 Year Old Boys Dinner was a huge success, with hundreds of Old Boys gathering in the T. P. O’Brien Hall with old classmates, enjoying dinner and drinks. The event featured special guest, winning Premiership (NRL) and World Cup Challenge, Queensland and South Sydney Rabbitohs player, Ethan Lowe (2008) and the event was hosted by MC James O’Shea (1999). A major auction of sporting memorabilia was held, and all guests had a chance to celebrate all of the milestones over the last 120 Years at St Mary’s College.

Living Water Praxis

A new Religious Education course for Years 11 and 12 students has been It is hoped that the praxis course will be uplifting and relevant to senior launched at St Mary’s College, with Principal, Michael Newman, and Assistant students with the aim of enabling not only their personal development but Principal Identity, Paul Grealy, contributing to the writing of the course. also the ongoing engagement with their faith into the future.

The Living Water praxis course provides students with the opportunity for practical application of their faith through involvement in flexible, enriching and engaging experiences. It calls young adults to positive action in the world and provides contemporary experiences that better meet the needs of senior learners.

Through these core elements, the course integrates models of service learning, theology, social justice, Scripture and prepares students to go into the wider community in service learning roles. Some of the practical experiences that the students will implement include: preparing a prayer and liturgical activity, facilitating a retreat for primary school students, involvement in an advocacy activity for a voiceless group, 40 hours of community service, reflections and involvement in a school retreat.

Semester 2, 2019 CONANTI CORONA 3 ACADEMIC

Science & Engineering Challenge

Congratulations to St Mary’s College students who placed 1st out of 8 schools on the 3rd day of the 2019 Science and Engineering Challenge.

Held at the University of Southern Queensland, eight schools from across the region gathered to participate in the challenge. The event encouraged NAPLAN Results students to think outside the box and test theories. It was an event where getting something wrong was encouraged. The students were provided a challenge and a set of materials to complete a specific task.

At St Mary’s College, we are very proud of the fact that we had 100% The event aimed at allowing the students to engage in fun, yet competitive improvement of our Year 7 to 9 results in all areas of spelling, reading, activities involving elements of science, engineering and technology, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy. encouraging the students to explore scientific principles, rather than being guided to an answer. This follows significant increases in results of students as they progress from Year 7 to Year 9 in all areas of Literacy and Numeracy. The result has been 100% improvement. QAMT Maths Quiz

Well done to our boys who were placed third at the finals of the QAMT Maths Quiz. They were the first placed Toowoomba school tying with Toowoomba Grammar and only three points from first place.

Students held their own across five key categories including estimation, fast response, problem solving, short answer questions, history and general knowledge of Mathematics.

We congratulate all boys and thank their teachers, Mr Wayne Williams and Mr Nick Strickland.

4 Year 8 Debating

St Mary’s College Year 8 students made it to the Grand Final of the 2019 Darling Downs Debating Union competition. The boys developed quite a strong and mature set of debating skills, tackling difficult topics. Schools within the Darling Downs Debating Union continue to provide very strong Mayoral Telstra competition which enables our boys to further develop their skills, skills which transfer into their academic life.

This follows our debating success in past years with our Open team Innovation Awards winning the Darling Downs Schools Queensland Debating Union in 2015 and 2018. Well done to four St Mary’s College teams who have made the finals of the 2019 Mayoral Telstra Innovation Awards. Youth Parliament TEAM MEMBERS INCLUDE: TEAM INDIGITECH: Alexanda Myers, Joseph Doljanin and Connor Nicholls Well done to our Primary students who participated in the Youth TEAM MATCHPRACTICE: Parliament, hosted by the Queensland Parliament and chaired by the Dhairy Shah, Craig Danckwerts and Joshua Lane Speaker, the Honourable Curtis Pitt MP, along with local Members of Parliament. Students debated a motion on a youth issue or spoke in an TEAM SOLESOLUTION: Adjournment Debate for one minute about any issue falling within the Bailey Fry, Khai Van Heerden and Lachlan Ramm jurisdiction of the Queensland Parliament. TEAM SUSTAINABILITY: James Sullivan, Tikiri Lamb and Alex Rashleigh

The boys’ innovations include: Online information on Aboriginal place names, culture and tourism, a pair of augmented reality goggles for cricket net practice, a sport shoe with multiple sole attachments - reducing the cost of sport shoes for parents and a STEM kit to build an envirocity (model city) to teach students about environment sustainability

We wish the boys the best of luck for when they present their innovations to the judges.

Semester 2, 2019 CONANTI CORONA 5 As a part of this selection, St Mary’s College offers its students a School ACADEMIC Based Apprenticeship (SBA) Program, allowing senior high school students the opportunity to commence an apprenticeship with an employer while at school, along with getting paid. While correspondingly studying for their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), some boys complete school- based apprentices part-time and undertake the first stage of their formal Men at Work Program or off-the-job apprenticeship training. Students are also able to study courses that not only contribute towards their QCE, but also give them an industry recognised qualification upon St Mary’s College Year 10 students have been given invaluable support to completion of school. Vocational Courses may be studied at St Mary’s or start considering their future careers’ path. They have done this by at TAFE, through the TAFE delivered VET in Schools Program. Courses participating in a program with Career Avenues and our College Psychologists. vary from Agriculture and Horticulture, to Construction, Engineering, The students completed profiles and questionnaires that are personally Furnishing and Manufacturing; Business and IT to Tourism and Hospitality tailored to stimulate career exploration. As well, they participated in group and Creative Arts; and Sport and Recreation to Entertainment. Being part presentations, workshops and one-on-one interviews wherein they reviewed of these certificate courses means that if a boy wishes to study at TAFE their profile with a Career Avenues counsellor. The program inspires and after he graduates from St Mary’s, he will be deemed to have completed supports students by embracing their uniqueness, exploring future career part of that TAFE course already. Along with this, St Mary’s College is proud options and launching their best career avenues through comprehensive of its growing ‘Men at Work Program’, which directly links Old Boys with a personalised profiling and career interviews. This is one of many support student in their future field of employment. This rich program enables the opportunities provided for our students, as the boys get closer to stepping Old Boy mentor to connect with a St Mary’s College young man, nurturing out into the big wide world of employment or future studies. Here at St and providing him with experienced advice as he transfers into his future Mary’s College, we work to ensure each individual student has the skills ‘dream’ job. A mentor acts as a guide, a source of information, and a and qualifications needed to successfully live out a life of their choosing. practical sounding board for his mentee by offering guidance and even industry visits at his place of employment. Not all boys look at University as their direct path of choice after school. Some boys choose a pathway of school-based apprenticeships, participate in and gain qualifications in certificate courses, or have direct links to Old Boys for support in their chosen future fields of employment. Regardless of the pathway of their choice, future employers view all these options as extremely valuable, enabling our boys to have the best opportunity to be employable as soon as they walk out of the gates of St Mary’s College. In the meantime, the boys continue to enjoy the full range of activities and experiences that a school provides, including: sport, cultural and spiritual undertakings and friendships.

Distinctions in the ICAS Examinations

Congratulations to the following boys who received This competition has student participants from Australia and 20 other countries throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, Pacific and America. Distinctions in the recent Australasian International Congratulations go to the following boys on this outstanding achievement: Competition and Assessment for Schools Examinations (ICAS) held during Term 3 by the Mathematics Distinctions Year 5 - Rylan Borger, Year 7 - Andrew Dennis, Ethan Payne, Year 8 - Harrison Clancy University of . English Distinctions Year 7 - Nathan Ottobrino, Year 8 - Alexander Eddie

6 Award Winning Author Visit

St Mary’s College students were lucky enough high school, he was frustrated by the slow pace to spend one-on-one time with award-winning and lack of excitement in most teenage fiction, author Jack Heath, when he visited the College. so he started writing his own novel. It was picked Jack Heath is the award-winning author of thirty out of a slush pile and published while he was action-packed thrillers, including the Liars series still a teenager, and it soon became an (middle school fiction) and the Hangman series international success. During his visit to St Mary’s (senior fiction). His novels have been translated College, Jack shared his skills in reflective writing into six languages and adapted for film. Jack fell with students in all year levels, discussing how in love with reading in primary school, when an to develop characters, hosting writing workshops ear infection left him unable to do much else. In and even signing his book for students.

Writing Competition Achievement

Congratulations to Year 8 student Alexander Eddie, who achieved highly commended for his short story, submitted into the Queensland Independent Education Union Writing Competition. Entrants were invited to submit their poetry, short stories or non-fiction prose. Alexander was amongst twelve St Mary’s College students who entered the competition. Alexander has been invited to attend an awards ceremony in .

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Semester 2, 2019 CONANTI CORONA 7 SPIRITUAL Edmund Rice Day

At the end of Term 2, the St Mary’s College community celebrated Edmund Rice Day, which began with Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, where our College community: staff, parents and the boys, worshipped. Fr Ray Crowley and Fr Hal Ranger said a reflective Mass and asked students to consider what it means to never let a brother or sister down.

Staff and students were reminded to live a life of action in the spirit of Edmund Rice, being thankful for the privilege of attending a school that is guided by such socially just principles. Three Christian Brothers who joined us for the occasion, including Br Matt McKeon who is 94 years old and attended St Mary’s College 81 years ago. Speaking to the Brothers and dignitaries, they were all impressed by the behaviour and sense of occasion that the current group of St Mary’s boys demonstrated.

The second part of the day saw the boys and staff engaged in fairground activities, The Great Debate and the annual Staff vs Year 12 Boys Game.

Social Justice Placements

St Mary’s College Year 10 students have become involved in Social Justice by supporting the local community and various organisations.

Students spent three days during their final week of Term 2 at organisations such as Endeavour Foundation, St Vincent de Paul, Yellow Bridge, Actscare, Bigdog Support Services, Bupa Aged Care, Cambooya State School and Food Assist. St Mary’s College demonstrates outstanding commitment to social justice and mission.

The exceptional enthusiasm, energy and commitment demonstrated by boys, staff and families to a number of causes exemplify the essence of the St Mary’s College spirit. As a College in the Edmund Rice Tradition, there is a focus on the poor, the marginalised and the abandoned within and beyond our College.

8 Catholic Education Week Awards

Congratulations to the boys who were chosen as the 2019 Spirit of Catholic Education Award winners at St Mary’s College. This award comes after significant consultation with staff regarding those boys who live the Christian Ethos of the College, contribute in religious education classes and serve the wider community admirably. The boys were joined at the College assembly by family and friends and enjoyed an afternoon tea afterwards. Award recipients are as follows: Thomas Wilson, Michael Pfingst, Yanojan Navaneethan, Luke Conway, Anshul Shiju, Connor Nicholls, Sebastian Morcom and Patrick Upton.

From the Cross Campus Chaplain

In 2019, the boys of St Mary’s College have • Oz Harvest – understanding food sustainability It’s been an absolute privilege in 2019 to be witness strived to be an outward looking community and and security to the way in which the St Mary’s College boys to be inspired by Edmund Rice’s call ‘to do’. The • Yellow Bridge service learning experience constantly strive for the crown, and in doing so, boys have engaged in local partnerships with become positive change agents for our community. • Brodribb Nursing Home Visits agencies that share our values of faith, integrity, action and excellence. They have been active in • Awareness raising for World Vision Australia Take care, their pursuit of ‘walking beside’ others in their • St Vincent de Paul ‘Buddies Days’ – Darling Ryan Baines (Cross Campus Chaplain) time of need and have demonstrated a desire Downs Zoo to better understand the circumstances of those • Lessons in Advocacy by the United Nations who are on the margins in our community. As Youth Ambassador the College continues to grow, so have the • Edmund Rice Camps social justice experience opportunities for boys to serve others. Here are just some of the experiences the boys of St • Fundraising for a range of local and national Mary’s have engaged in this year: charities • Red Cross appeals • St Vincent de Paul Youth Camps • Edmund Rice – ERA for Change Advocacy • United Nations Youth Climate Change Summit Group • Rosies, Friends on the Street Ministries • Support of Refugee and Migrant families • Orange Sky – Innovation Headquarters experience

Feast of Assumption Mass

In this, our 120th year anniversary, St Mary’s It was wonderful to celebrate this feast day of College celebrates our namesake and the most Mary with the most reverend Bishop Robert significant feast day in the Church’s calendar McGuckin DD MCL JCL and the St Mary’s year, The Assumption. This feast day recognises College family. the importance of Mary, the Mother of God in the story of Jesus, our Christ and God. The Christian Brothers who founded St Mary’s College from Ireland in 1899, had a great devotion to Mary. They prayed to her, to ask her son Jesus to hear their prayers. Mary was seen by them as a person of faith to whom they interceded or prayed to so that God would hear their prayers. The idea was very much that the mother would not refuse the request of her son, Jesus.

Semester 2, 2019 CONANTI CORONA 9 SPORT National Schools Mountain Bike QLD and Australia Representatives Championships

In 2019, St Mary’s College saw high Queensland Representatives (pictured) St Mary’s College students went down to representation of students at Darling Downs, Back Row: Nerang with 18 students competing from State and even National level sporting events. Cooper Tate-Roche (Rugby League), Years 8 -12, for the 2019 National Schools Jack Moore (Hockey), Luke Levitt (Softball), Mountain Bike Championships. 10 students represented Queensland Lincoln Walk (Softball) in a range of sports, and one even Over the course of three days, the boys earnt the highest of honours in being Front Row: competed in various disciplines including: named to represent Australia. Lachlan Parker (Swimming), Charlie Dettori XCC (Short Track Cross Country), XCO (Rugby League), Riley Williams (Athletics), (Olympic Cross-Country) and GE (Gravity Braithen Scott (Aquathon, Rugby League Enduro). The boys were tested constantly & Touch) and raced hard all weekend.

Absent: Nicholas Murphy (Soccer & Softball), Senior student, Declan Trezise, was fortunate Charlie McMahon (Touch), Lachlan McGrath enough to come away with a win in the Year (Touch), Seth Hardaker (Umpire Softball), 12 XCC. Declan showed some real grit in all Ryan Johnson (Rugby League) his racing. Additionally, Declan took time out all weekend to assist the younger boys with Australian Representative (pictured) their bikes and any additional help they Luke Levitt – (Softball) needed. Even right before his race, Declan was still helping boys change tyres and fix derailleurs.

Students, Alastair Doljanin, Matthew Neville and Bart Stefan all finished within the top 10 in the Gravity Enduro. Considering the high level of competition at the event and a record number of participants this year, this is a supreme effort.

Confraternity Shield

Congratulations to the St Mary’s College Confraternity Shield Team who made themselves and the College proud through their efforts and the way they conducted themselves at the 2019 Confraternity Shield in during the June holidays. The boys finished in a very creditable 5th position out of 48 teams. Congratulations to Cooper Tate-Roche, who was named in the QISSRL honorary team and coach Rob Anderson, who was named honorary coach.

10 Basketball AAG Cup

The students played extremely well, winning all five games culminating with Congratulations to the St Mary’s College a 61-56 defeat of St Joseph’s College in the final. Firsts Basketball team on winning the Thank you to Mr Lymer for his dedication in preparing the team and manager, Armstrong Auto Group Cup. Mr Hardy, for his support.

Soccer ISSA Cup

Well done to the St Mary’s College U14 Soccer Team who made it all the way to the quarter finals of the Independent Schools Soccer Association (ISSA) Cup in August. The boys competed against Kimberley College at Carbrook. This competition is supported by Football Queensland and sponsored by UHL Sport. All Schools Touch Tournament

Well done to all the students who represented the College at the Catholic Education Week Touch Carnival in Term 3. Both the Primary teams, Year 5 and Year 6, were victorious on the day, as well as the under 13, under 15 and open teams. It was great to see all of the boys eager to play their hardest and, in doing so, ensure positive sportsmanship. Ten senior students assisted on the day by coaching and refereeing the games. The boys then progressed to Queensland All Schools Touch Tournament. The under 13, under 15 and open teams all made the quarter finals in QLD. This is our best result in 10 years.

Semester 2, 2019 CONANTI CORONA 11 CULTURAL

Legends at their Game

St Mary’s College Showband and Jazz Combo were honoured to be invited to perform at the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation major fundraiser Legends at their Game, featuring special guests Cameron Smith and Johnathon Thurston. The groups performed a number of musical pieces during the course of the day in front of 500 guests.

The event raised money for Triple M Darling Downs Give Me 5 for Kids Appeal.

Chess Championships

Congratulations go to our Primary Chess Team who progressed from the annual Toowoomba District Primary School Teams Chess Competition qualifying rounds for the State Championships. At these qualifiers, the students came third with the top six teams going to the State Championship.

The first annual inter-house chess tournament also took place at the College, with 27 boys across all grades competing to be the champion chess player of St Mary’s, with Waterford House walking away winners.

12 Eisteddfod Results Creative Generation Exhibition Huge congratulations to all our students who participated in this year’s Toowoomba Eisteddfod. Student Karne Young, Abraham Ajak and Connor Simmons had their artwork selected for the St Mary’s College was well represented with many ensembles, small groups, and solo performances in both musical and dramatic sections. annual Creative Generation exhibition, which was held at the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery. Both the Showband and Drumline picked up 1st place in their sections, with our Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, and These students were included in the nomination list for the Creative Choir performing strongly against stiff competition.Congratulations also Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art with other talented Senior go to Khai van Heerden (1st), Tui Rei (two 2nd and two Highly Visual Art students in our region. Commended), Judd Rei (2nd and two HC), Luke Tully (3rd), Andrew Kisiel (3rd) for their efforts in their individual sections. Karne Young’s wall painting of ‘A Dream’ was photographed and will be included as a photographic exhibit. Tui Rei was also singled out to receive the Primary Speech and Drama Bursary award to support his continued excellence in his dramatic studies. Abraham Ajak competed a digital painting called ‘James Harden is a Machine.’ Connor Simmons also completed a diptych of digitally Well done to Year 6 student Andrew Kisiel being placed third in the boys manipulated self-portraits. Humorous Verse section for poetry.

St Mary’s College Marching Band

The College Marching Band performed at the Toowoomba Show at which they were personally congratulated by the Governor-General, followed by an excellent performance in the Queensland Commemorative ANZAC Day March through Brisbane CBD. They were then invited to perform as part of the Ekka in Brisbane as a roving performance and, having impressed all present with their playing, were invited to return in 2020. They’ve now wrapped up their projects for the year with their involvement in the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Parade.

Semester 2, 2019 CONANTI CORONA 13 SOCIAL & LEADERSHIP

Drug and Alcohol Education

Director and founder of Drug and Alcohol In 2009, his best-selling book for parents was Paul Dillon has been working in the area of drug Research and Training Australia, Paul Dillon, released titled ‘Teenagers, Alcohol and Drugs‘. education for the past 25 years. attended St Mary’s College for the 6th year in a With a broad knowledge of a range of content row, addressing our senior students on Drugs areas, Paul regularly appears in the media and Through his own business, Drug and Alcohol and Alcohol education. is regarded as a key social commentator, with Research and Training Australia (DARTA), Paul interviews on television programs such as has been contracted by many organisations to Paul Dillion spoke to students about the Sunrise, TODAY and The Project. Paul also writes give regular updates on current drug trends. importance of looking after their mates; how to a blog where he discusses topical issues of the Paul continues to work with many school deal with situations if something goes wrong day, as well as addressing some of the questions communities across the country to ensure that and what they need to know about alcohol and and queries he is regularly asked by those they have access to good quality information other drugs. attending his presentations. and best practice in drug education.

Home Run Dinner

It was wonderful to have so many attend our inaugural Home Run Dinner in September. Organised by our College Captain, Nick Kuhnemann, Year 12 leaders from across a range of Toowoomba schools came together to enjoy a dinner, and had the chance to reflect on their roles within their schools.

Students were able to celebrate the memories and experiences gained during their schooling years, and shared the excitement of graduation nearing.

14 Mother Son Luncheon

St Mary’s College’s annual Year 12 Mother and Son Luncheon was a chance Our special guest, Queensland Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington, spoke to not only have mothers and sons spend quality time together, but for about her love for regional Queensland, and encouraged the boys to never students to acknowledge what an impact their mums have had on their let their geographical location define their opportunities. education and lives so far. The beautiful luncheon, hosted at Preston Peak Winery, was filled with music, speeches and thanks; a chance to reflect on the importance of a mother and son luncheon.

Father’s Day Breakfast

It was wonderful to see fathers enjoy a hot breakfast with their son, for Father’s Day.

This was an opportunity for the boys to enjoy some quality time with their fathers and for the College to say thank you to all present.

Fathers are revered by their sons and often boys share many traits with their dad. As a key role model, guide, confidant, advice provider and encourager, their important role in the upbringing of their son should never be taken for granted or undervalued.

At St Mary’s College, we certainly admire and wish to reinstate the importance of fathers in their sons’ education, wellbeing and growth.

Semester 2, 2019 CONANTI CORONA 15 REUNIONS ST MARY’S COLLEGE

22 Years Reunion OLD BOYS Saturday 16th November 2019

40 Years Reunion Saturday 16th November 2019 From the Old Boys Secretary UPCOMING

Please reserve as Claimer Dates Friday 22nd November for our Brisbane “Pre-Christmas” luncheon, and 6th December 2019 for the similar function at the Headland Golf Club Buderim, (contact Terry Murphy 54564340). Old Boys’ Mass 11.00am, St Mary’s College Chapel Please remember in your prayers Old Boys & • J.W. (Jim) Stokes (1937-1943), Husband Fondly remembering friend, family and former Friends of the College recently deceased; of Carmel, father of Kerry, Tony, Chris, Sarah, classmates of St Mary’s College Sam (dec) and Ben. RSVP: Mrs Lucia Armstrong • Francis Gillick (Frank) Donaghue, (97 yrs) 4631 7333 | [email protected] died 3/7/2019, husband of Joan (RIP), father • Joan Thygesen, wife of Bill, mother of of Judith, Michael and Terrance. Charles (dec), Peter, Catherine, James, Anthony and Bernadette, sister-in-law of Presentation Night • R.J. (John) Englart (1950-1959), husband Frank and Sister Helen. of Maureen, father of Kerri, brother-in-law of Wednesday 6th November at Sue (OÇonnor) Englart. • Jean Mary Mullins, wife of Joe (dec), twin the Empire Theatre. sister of Joan (Fitzgerald) (dec), Pat Waters, St Mary’s College Old Boys are invited to attend • Joseph Anthony (Joe) Hanna (1947-1954) Tom and Kevin (dec), mother of Peter, the 2019 Presentation Night. son of Norman and Lavina (both dec), Michael, Clare, Paul, Cathy, Christopher and RSVP: Mrs Lucia Armstrong husband of Judy, father of Robert. Brother Stephen. 4631 7333 | [email protected] to John, Margaret, Joan, Michael (dec), Elizabeth, James, Dianne, Anthony and David. • Gary Blacka (1967-74), son of Bill and Irene (dec), brother of Kevin, Bryan, Tony (dec), • J.T. (Trevor) Muller (1948-1955), husband Laurie, and Kathryn. If you are wanting any help or advice on reunions, or to of Josephine, father of Jillian (Korneha) and book a tour of the College, contact Public Relations and James, brother of Terry, Noel and Lorraine • Fr Peter Schulz, former College Chaplin Foundations Officer Bronte Latham at (Fraser). [email protected] or on 4631 7333. Dan McErlean

Old Boys’ Dinner

A huge thank you to all Old Boys, along with their family and friends, who attended the 120 Years Old Boys’ Dinner.

It was great to see so many of you gather at the event, celebrating the St Mary’s College significant milestone.

We hope you all had a wonderful night. A big thank you to Old Boy, Ethan Lowe, for being our special guest on the night, and to Old Boy, James O’Shea, for being our master of ceremonies.

16 Returning to the College

St Mary’s College students are lucky enough to have Old Boys often return Old Boy Dean Spanner, Director of Kennedy Spanner Lawyers, held a to the College, to share their expertise and experiences. seminar with St Mary’s College senior students about keeping themselves safe, and how landing themselves in court can drastically change their lives. 2016 graduate and College Vice-Captain, Patrick Collins, returned to the Dean is a Queensland Law Society Accredited Specialist in his area of College to talk at the Home Run Dinner, celebrating the leadership roles expertise. He is one of approximately 110 such accredited specialists in held by Year 12 students. Patrick took the chance, as guest speaker, to Queensland. talk to students about his personal experiences in leadership positions, and how they gave him the opportunity to find employment and continue his studies at University.

Old Boy Sporting Achievements

Cory Paix (2017) - Old Boy Cory Paix has found Jordan Biggar (2018) - Old Boy Jordan Biggar Award. Such a great achievement on what is his voice as a starting half for the Redcliffe is one step closer in chasing his dream of playing looking like a bright future for the talented Dolphins and he’s also earned himself a new professional basketball. Jordan has taken his prospect. Congratulations and good luck on deal until the end of 2022 at talents to Alberta, Canada and played for Prairie your basketball journey. the same time. The Queensland Under 20 Half College. Jordan achieved a lot over the five years Jake Simpkin (2018) – Old Boy Jake Simpkin had the opportunity to showcase the at the College, where he captained the Opens has taken the next step towards his NRL dream, development in his game at ANZ Stadium during team, represented and captained the Darling signing a three-year contract with the Wests the Under 20’s State of Origin game against New Downs team, achieved top 5 scoring at CBSQ, Tigers. Currently with Wynnum Manly in the South Wales. He credits that to his elevation to captained QLD exposure team in America, competition, Simpkin a starting Intrust Super Cup player and the captained 21s Toowoomba Mountaineers, QBL will link with the Sydney-based club in November outstanding examples he has right in front of Development Player, highest average point scorer under the tutelage of premiership-winning coach him every day at the Broncos. in SBL div 2 and the highly-acclaimed Rod Logan Michael Maguire.

Semester 2, 2019 CONANTI CORONA 17 Brother Tim Scott Old Boys Q&A St Mary’s College Former Teacher

Brother Matt McEwen St Mary’s College Old Boy

What was your time like working at St Mary’s College?

I was working for 6 years in Mackay in that beautiful weather, and then I get a message saying that the following year I am going to be transferred to St Mary’s College Toowoomba. So I was going from the lovely tropics What was your time like at St Mary’s College as a student? to the cold! It was an amazing place to be, because of the incredible spirit “It’s a joy to recall memories of the past. It’s a long time ago that I was at that I found at St Mary’s in the students, in the parents, in the staff, and St Mary’s College. In 1938, I was in Year 5. One of the memories I have also in the past students. Everyone contributed to the spirit of that school. from that year was that the Principal at the time, Brother Lavender, taught No matter who you met, where you met, or when you met, that magnificent us. Principals of today are very busy. This particular man was very busy brotherhood was always so strong, and I still, to this day, keep my St Mary’s also, so every now and then he would just disappear from the classroom. College crest on my desk. Students didn’t know what he was up to, but obviously, business of the school had to go on because Principals at that time had no secretaries and Why did you become a Christian Brother? taught every period. Brother Lavender would leave us work, and we often All my life I was surrounded by the Brothers; they sat behind me at Mass enough came close to finishing that work, but some of the boys would and taught me at school. That inspired me to join the Brothers because begin to play up. But what was mysterious to us was the fact that Brother that’s what I wanted to do. When I finished school, and I was leaving home, Lavender would walk back into the classroom and would nominate students my mother was sad because I was the youngest and the last to leave. My to stand up in a line so that he could correct them, and we wondered how father asked if becoming a Christian Brother was really what I wanted to on earth he knew what they were up to! Many weeks later, we realised that do, and I said “yes”. My father replied “Good. But if you ever change your the window from the Principal’s office, which Brother Lavender could see mind, remember that you are always welcome to come home.” That was the Year 5 classroom from, had a big box in it of which he could stand up in a time when if you left religious life, it was a terrible thing. But here is my and look at us. So, when he finished his work, he would turn and look out dad, over 50 years ago, saying if I changed my mind, that I would still be the window and see who was mucking up.” welcome home. So, the love from my family, I took in to the love of the Christian Brothers. When was the last time you got to visit St Mary’s College?

I was privileged to go back to St Mary’s College for Edmund Rice day this year. I am deeply impressed with St Mary’s. I was impressed with seeing all the boys in the cathedral, deeply impressed with the attitude that they Brother Kevin Dwyer displayed, impressed with the quality of the leadership of the senior boys. St Mary’s College Old Boy I was very surprised for my name to be called out. Here I am, 94 years of age, having left the school a long, long time ago, suddenly to be recognised What was your time like at St Mary’s College as and to be asked to stand up and be acclaimed by the boys. Now that was a student? a joy and a surprise! The school would have had about 400 students What called you to become a Christian Brother? at the most when I attended. Those were the days when you’d have a lot of fun! Brother Matt I was a youngster who honestly should not have lived. I was premature and McEwen would come over to my house and my parents were told to baptise me quickly as they didn’t believe I would have breakfast with me before we’d go to school live long, so I was baptised immediately. But that little bloke did live! I think at St Mary’s College together. When I left school, that was a great blessing that I received. One day, as I was searching for I kept in touch with my classmates. what I was going to do as I was close to leaving school, I picked up a pamphlet at the back of a church which said ‘Have you a Vocation?’. One What would you say to today’s students about the importance of faith? of the things I read was ‘There are thousands out there that will never know about Christ and we need volunteers to go and teach them’. I thought ‘I Faith is an everlasting, continual presence, and we don’t talk enough about like that!’. Brother Smith soon came around, inviting people to become that aspect of it. The work of Christ goes on, day by day; it never fades Brothers, so I put my hand up and volunteered and soon, I was accepted. away. The whole idea of how Christ pervays; it lives in our lives. Living in Christ and being formed by him is the beginning of the accomplishment of individual creation for each student. Ignorance, deprivation by less than a frugal existence and rejection by society are obstacles to be removed.

18 Annual Golf Day Extracts from Good Old Boys It was great to see so many Old Boys participate in the annual St Mary’s College Old Boys Association Golf Day, Conversations with Dan in August. Old Boys gathered at the Toowoomba City Golf Club for a round of golf, concluding with an afternoon tea.

St Mary’s College newest history book written by Felicity McArdle

The book, launched at the 120 Years Old Boys Dinner in October, was first inspired after Dan McErlean was the guest speaker during Catholic Education Week in July 2012. The Diocese of Toowoomba had honoured Dan as the 2012 recipient of the Spirit of Catholic Education Award. The Principal, Michael Newman, thanked him for his “endless drive, energy and generosity”. And, as Dan puts it, “as part of the penalty” he was invited to address the student body.

From months of conversations between Dan and author Felicity McArdle, this new publication came to. Here are some extracts from the book.

Page 8:

As the story goes… one of the Brothers gave the boys a good talking to one day, as they had been neglecting the May Altars. (In every classroom, there was a small altar that honoured Our Lady, the Mother of God, and the boys were expected to tend the altar, keeping it spic and span, and ideally, adorned it with fresh flowers). After he had ‘read the riot act’ to the boys over this, the Brother was quite pleased to note that the boys appeared to have taken his words on board, and the altars now had fresh flowers each day.

Pleased, that is, until one day the school received a visit from the local police officer — apparently, there had been complaints that ‘someone’ had begun nicking roses from the prize gardens just down the road from St Mary’s. As they spoke, the police officer and

Brother were both looking at the beautiful rose on the May Altar in the classroom. Nothing more was said…

When any group of “Old Boys” get together, the yarns like this begin to flow. Tall tales and true, of valour, bravery, honour, heroics. These “Boys Own Adventures” are sometimes ironic, often times threaded through with wry and irreverent humour, always colourful, and they are honed and perfected with each re-telling. Tales that celebrate mischief, the outwitting of authorities, and clever wit are often disguises for a deeper underlying spirit. Each story is a gem, and a gift, with something worth keeping.

Page 23:

The Spirit

One of the first points Dan makes about St Mary’s College in our initial conversation is something that he returns to frequently:

“We are not Nudgee. We are not Terrace. We are not a Boarding School. We are just a day school, in Toowoomba. And yet….”

St Mary’s College has always been, since its foundation in 1899, a school for day scholars only. And, as Dan puts it “the doors are open to all who want to enrol”. In one sense, the College carries that legacy of the early Irish catholic immigrants, actively working for fairness and social justice for their children. Dan’s pride and valuing of this ethos of social justice is evident. Perhaps too, there is a little of that Irish attitude of competing with the best of them, stepping up, and showing their mettle! Perhaps this is the ‘school spirit’, which Dan refers to repeatedly. Perhaps the spirit is captured in the story of the missing roses from the gardens.

Or is this the story of the ‘little school that could, and did’… that produced players on the sporting fields, and players on the world stage. Perhaps Toowoomba-ites can relate to the story of a small place, ‘punching above its weight’. Toowoomba is not a capital city, it is not on the Coastline of Queensland, and yet…

Some might say it is no accident that a school grew like the community it was part of - both inspire lifelong loyalties, relationships that stretch across time and place, a strong sense of connectedness and belonging.

Semester 2, 2019 CONANTI CORONA 19 Delving into the Archives

As we celebrate 120 years of St Here are photos of an athletics team, scholarship Mary’s College in 2019, what a class, swimming teams and cricket teams fantastic time to rewind the clock! between 1913 and 1929.

On the first ever school day at St Mary’s College in 1899, the College had 112 students, many arriving on horses.

Here are photos of an early class group, sports

teams and a confirmation class, dating between 1900 and 1911. A passage from our history book ‘A Century On’ says; “Students certainly didn’t have the pressures that their counterparts at the end of the century would experience. Boys had to create their own interests, a Huckleberry In 1949, St Mary’s Finn approach, in which horses, country life, College celebrated picnics, community dances, traditional music, the Golden Jubilee, fishing, wild life, plants, singing concerts and 50 years since the simple enjoyments loomed large.” College opened. The special anniversary was celebrated through gatherings and events held at the College, of which the Principal Rev. Br. G. T. Barfield said “The social gatherings brought together many old friends. All thoroughly enjoyed recalling the ‘Brave Days of Old’ and their activities inside and outside the schoolroom. One man remarked after the St Mary’s College students have always had a celebrations that it was the happiest time of his love for sports and sporting carnivals; however, life with the exception of the day of his marriage. some things have certainly changed since the Later, on his way to Brisbane, he conceded that 1930s! Here, you can see the boys taking part it was the happiest day of his life, without in bell races, water wading races and push ball exception”. races.

20 Upcoming Events

TERM 4, 2019

NOVEMBER 6th Presentation Night 11th Remembrance Day 12th Year 12 Memories Day 13rd Year 12 Final Assembly & Year 12 Valedictory Dinner 15th Year 12 students Conclude School 28th Year 5-11 Christmas Mass Year 6 Reflection Day 29th Year 7-11 Conclude School DECEMBER 2nd Year 5 Reflection Day 4th Year 6 Graduation Mass 5th Year 5 & 6 Reward Day 6th Years 5 & 6 Students Conclude 9th to 13th College Reception Open

TERM 1, 2020

JANUARY 27th Australia Day Holiday 28th Pupil Free Day 29th Term 1 Commences

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My St Mary’s College @StMarysTMBA www.stmaryscollege.com CONANTI CORONA