2019 Edition
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Alma Mater 2019 EDITION 1 ST MARY’S COLLEGE ALMA MATER JULY 2019 CONTENTS From the Principal 2-3 Prefect report 4 Pedagogy report 5 Building works 6 A holistic education 7 Student success stories 8-9 Staff in the spotlight 10-11 Term 1-2 in photos 12-13 Community outreach 14-15 Class of 2018 16 Arrivederci Gianna 17 Alumni Assocation news 18 Reunions and alumni AGM news 19-20 Anecdotes from the archives 21 Alumni memorabilia 22-23 150 Faces extract 24 Alumni - staying in touch 25-26 A new age for Maryknoll 27 Building fund and contact form 28 From the Principal What I discovered about St out the 'self' of St Mary’s College. Editor: Melissa McLeod. Articles and Mary’s College last year Firstly, it was abundantly clear photos a combined effort from students, that the College is, and seemingly It is no secret that I am in love staff and parents. Cover image: Chloe always has been, greater than the Gray and Quinn McKenzie with St Mary’s College. It seems students and the staff who exist in the more I come to know her, the the present. At every event, even more I come to love her! Last year the events solely created for the as we celebrated her 150 years we students, there was a connection had many opportunities to come that reached back in time. At the together and celebrate, and through blessing of the 150th badges for those celebrations we seemed to the students, Archbishop Emeritus also define our 'self'. Not define Adrian Doyle told of his happy our 'self' as in creating a new image memories of being a St Mary’s boy. 164 Harrington Street, of who we are, as might be done He described a world which was Hobart, Tasmania 7000 through redefining or reinventing. nostalgic for people my age, but for GPO Box 1476, It was more that a truth emerged Hobart, Tasmania 7001 our students, hard to imagine, let through the celebrations that rang T (03) 6108 2560 F (03) 6234 8073 alone comprehend. E [email protected] www.smc.tas.edu.au 2 ST MARY’S COLLEGE ALMA MATER JULY 2019 touchstones of hospitality, community service, espouse compassion and simplicity.'” Catholic values and teach Catholic It is no secret that social teaching. I’ve not struck the This is the St Mary’s self 'defined'. same degree of a socially conscious I am in love with It was so obvious at the Gala and active alumni before. I do Dinner, when Marg took us through believe it has everything to do with St Mary's College. a small selection of 150 Faces: The Presentation Sisters. As the alumni across time have gone on to connection between the Sisters serve others. Again and again, the and current students lessens, we Secondly, at the Governor’s stories told of doing good, not for need to ensure that we embody the Reception, in the most inhospitable glory, but as a vocation. It wasn’t Charism of Nano Nagle, shine the weather Hobart has seen in limited to one generation either, it light for others, and go 'One Pace decades, Her Excellency Professor transcended. the Honourable Kate Warner Beyond'. The connection between AC, Governor of Tasmania, made The Senior School was treated this current students at St Mary’s and reference to Cecily Verrier’s and year to an address by one such their alumni - their ancestry - if Margaret Roote's histories of St previous scholar, Christine Jeffries, you will, is increasingly imperative. Mary’s College. Cecily and Marg, now from Western Australia. Next year we will be constructing are of course, esteemed alumni Christine didn’t stand up and tell our next Strategic Plan. It will be of the College. In going to the us how great she was. She could important that we ensure this heart of their work, Her Excellence have, because by any measure, she culture-creating connection is concluded in her address “Most is great! Just look her up in 150 enshrined within it and future St noteworthy … is the College’s Faces of St Mary's College. Instead, Mary’s girls and boys will come to continuing focus on the importance Christine stood up and told us deeply know and understand, albeit of working for social justice in how poisoned water was critically somewhat mysteriously, what it is society. The wheel has therefore impacting renal health of Indigenous that is the 'self' of the College. Australians and what we could do come full circle. In 1868 there was Helen Spencer about it. She embodied that attitude an urgent need to create a school Principal to generate education among the of vocation, without even a hint of deprived and disadvantaged. And self promotion or pride. It was so This page: Mary Smith and Cecily now this great College is reaching obvious to me, that Christine was - Verrier at the Alumni AGM. Opposite out to help those Tasmanians and is - a St Mary’s girl. page (top-bottom): Christine Jeffries in need. That alone is cause for I’ve worked at four other Catholic at work in WA. Helen Spencer and celebration. And for continuing Colleges, all of which foster Governor of Tasmania, Kate Warner. reflection on the 'Presentation ST MARY’S COLLEGE ALMA MATER JULY 2019 3 PREFECT REPORT In the spirit of kindness indness is a value that has become a pillar in our grade throughout the many years we have been together. It is a Kvalue that is often underestimated and underappreciated in our society. In the spirit of this, we have chosen to focus on kindness as our theme for 2019. Together we aim for everyone in the College community to be accepted. We want to ensure that the College is the best it can be, by embodying the true St Mary’s spirit of kindness and compassion. Starting off the year with 'Galentine’s Day', we wanted to show that all are supported and loved within the school community. This year the prefects have chosen two charities to continue this theme with one being Share the Dignity. This Australian charity works to help women in domestic violence or homeless situations have access to clean sanitary products. As a mostly all-girls college we believe it is important to empower and help women who are less fortunate. The second charity is Rare Cancer Australia, an Australian-based charity, which works to raise funds and awareness for the many types of rare cancers. We believe it is of vital importance, that as a College community, we continue the hard-fought legacy of previous generations of St Mary’s women. Chloe Cooper Head Prefect (Top-bottom): raising funds for Prefect charities. Leaders' Commissioning. Year 12 Mother's Day Breakfast fundraiser. Year 11/12 common room celebration wall. 4 ST MARY’S COLLEGE ALMA MATER JULY 2019 Transforming the classroom PEDAGOGY There is a gradual transformation across Australian school classrooms, and St Mary’s College is no exception. Up until 5-10 years ago the biggest physical change most schools experienced was likely to have been the inclusion and emergence of computers and technology, possibly including an electronic whiteboard or some form of digital display. Walking through many schools today, it is hard not to notice the often smart interiors, flexible furniture, and very modern- looking, comfortable environments that schools are investing in for their students. Such varied and vibrant furniture is an important aspect of educational design. happen, working alongside students, allowing students to work in groups Over the past 12 months the Such varied and and independently. In addition, Parents and Friends' Association has the access to learning through the helped support the College with the vibrant furniture is use of individual devices has also refurbishing of several classrooms drastically changed the classroom across Junior and Senior learning an important aspect dynamics. Teachers work very spaces. Classrooms for Years 3-5 hard to create spaces for learning (including break-out spaces) now of educational design that can facilitate all of this, and boast a range of purpose chosen ultimately, the new furniture is a tables, storage solutions, stools, in. bonus, not the thing that makes the benches, cushions and chairs. In most difference. addition, a makeover occurred in Furniture design that takes into the old computer lab opposite the account the variety of ways Students and staff across the canteen, which now functions as a students learn is why classrooms are College have been enjoying the multi-purpose technology hub and often arranged in a number of ways. opportunity to put this new classroom for all year groups. Teachers have been doing this for furniture to good use and are years: arranging tables, shelves and appreciating the chance to have When students start Kindergarten any other suitable items to create these vibrant learning environments we often need to draw attention group spaces, quiet zones, places as a part of their practice. to the fact that although it looks for individual work, creative areas, like ‘play’, every aspect of the A big 'thank you' must go to the messy areas and so on, within the class set-up is a carefully crafted P&F, and all those who support confines of their space and with the opportunity to develop some skill or their fundraising efforts. It is truly available furniture on hand. social learning. Likewise, our newly appreciated and is making an furnished classrooms might look Learning happens in so many ways ongoing difference to the learning like a café or modern lounge and with much less emphasis these days spaces around the College.