Community outreach

The St Mary’s College community came together in March to officially welcome new families to the school. The evening provided an opportunity for new families, teachers and staff to meet, connect and learn about the College and our community.

GRANDPARENTS' DAY

The Junior School took a multigenerational approach to learning when grandparents and special friends were welcomed to the College for a morning of hands-on activities in April. Welcomed with hugs and smiles, our guests’ mornings were jampacked with craft, puzzles and reading as they joined students in their classrooms. Concluding with a special assembly and morning tea, the day gave our special guests a taste of College life, enjoying time with students.

PROJECT COMPASSION

The College community dug deep throughout Lent to support Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion. Students sold freshly toasted hot cross buns in the lead-up to Easter, helping to raise funds to end world poverty. Thank you to the many in our community who also sorted our 'bunraiser' by purchasing a delicious pack of hot cross buns for Easter. Year 3 Bottlebrush learnt more about how Project Compassion helps the needy when they gave up their lunchtime to participate in the 2019 Water Challenge. The students, and some staff members, attempted to transport five kilograms of water by balancing containers on their head, reenacting a fraction of the journey that many families living in poverty must make to source clean water each day.

MOTHER'S DAY

Although a cold start to the morning, mums, daughters and sons turned out for the P&F’s annual Mother’s Day Breakfast. With hands warmed by cups of hot chocolate and cappuccinos, mums were treated to pancakes with warm blueberries, fruit salad and yoghurt on the College Green. Judging by the smiles, and some messy faces, it’s pretty clear that the morning was enjoyed by mums and students alike.

Throughout the year, Homerooms work together to raise funds for the Presentation Sisters in the Philippines. Nagle House’s fundraising efforts have begun with an old tradition, the coin drive. Following the whole school Nagle Mass, Nagle House students spelt out 'Nano Nagle' in gold and silver coins and filled a Celtic heart raising a total of $434.25.

HARMONY DAY

There was a pop of orange at St Mary’s College in March as students joined their hearts and hands together for the school’s annual Harmony Day celebrations. Starting with an assembly, the students learnt what Harmony Day is about and celebrated Australia’s diversity with an ancient Aboriginal song and Chinese lion dance performance.

COMMUNITY SERVICE LEARNING

Originally only offered to Year 11 and 12 students as a subject, Year 7-10 students now have the opportunity to explore and experience real-world outreach through the College’s Community Service program. The program has also allowed the College to formally recognise the service students may have already undertaken and plays a role in the decision-making process for the end-of-year Faith in Action awards. Students have engaged with a number of not-for-profit organisations, with others choosing to volunteer in the school canteen.

Imogen Faltusz (Year 10) has spent time volunteering with the Hobart Huskies, the Southern Huskies and the Revellers. She’s even travelled to Launceston to assist with training, refereeing and ushering. Imogen said volunteering has been a challenging, yet rewarding, experience and allows her to give back to a sport she loves while making new friends.

BLANKET DRIVE

Students have again been spending their spare time generously making blankets to be donated to charity. The group, run by Luzie Gillard (Year 10), has sewn squares together which were knitted by ladies awaiting testing at BreastScreen Tasmanian. Luzie said she hopes the project, which is now in its third year, continues well beyond her time at the College. Last year the group donated 29 blankets to St Vincent de Paul.

The Young Vinnies student group continued their winter woolies drive again this year, encouraging students to wear their pyjamas to school for a day and donate a blanket or warm item of clothing for those in need.

This page (top-bottom): coin line for the Presentation Sisters' Mission. Winter Woollies drive for Vinnies. Opposite page (top-bottom): Grandparents' Day. Welcome Evening for new parents. Harmony Day. Project Compassion 'bunraiser'. P&F Mother's Day Breakfast.