WORLD SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF WEEK | Meet our team! Thursday 16 May is World Education Support Staff Day and this week we are paying tribute to our amazing team of Support Staff at St Mary Star of the Sea College. Dean Nicholls | Maintenance Supervisor Dean has worked at the College for 3 years, and with his team does a superb job supporting staff and students by looking after all of the building, grounds and facilities maintenance. Tina Di Ciaccio | Canteen Manager With her exceptional organisation and catering skills Tina has been keeping students and staff very happy for the last 10 years managing the College canteen with incredible energy, enthusiasm and efficiency…and not least of all, authentic Italian cooking! #SMC #SupportStaff #Education

HONOURING MOTHERS | This morning, we came together to celebrate the incredible influence of mothers as we approach Mother's Day. Over 800 mums and their daughters joined us for a heart warming Mother’s Day Breakfast, a tribute to the boundless love and steadfast support they provide every day. Our Year 11 Hospitality students lead by our Hospitality Staff provided our guests with a wonderful breakfast and our MC’s Year 11 students Molly Douglas, Stephanie Staniforth and Charlotte Riolo did a great job making the morning even more special. Special moments were shared as we welcomed our Guest Speaker, Ciara Donnelly, College Captain of the Class of 2021, along with her Mum, Karen-Anne. Ciara's inspiring words resonated the room as she reflected on the invaluable lessons and wisdom passed down by her mother. At St Mary's, we believe in reaching for higher things, and Ciara beautifully demonstrated how her mother's influence and our motto have shaped her journey. Adding to the magic of the morning, the College Chamber Choir enchanted us with their performance of "What I Was Made For." Just yesterday, their incredible talent earned them 2nd place at the Shoalhaven Eisteddfod. To all the mothers out there, thank you for being the guiding lights in our lives. Happy Mother's Day! #MothersDay #GuidingLight #StMarysFamily #SMC

PLAIN ENGLISH | On Thursday 2 May, Sofia Santarelli, Year 10 and Isla Freeman from Year 11 represented the College in the Plain English Speaking Award at Corrimal High School. They competed against students from several secondary schools in the Illawarra, each presenting an 8-minute prepared speech and a 3-minute impromptu speech. Sofia’s speech about the benefits of school uniforms was an insightful argument about inclusivity and belonging, and Isla’s satirical critique of public speaking highlighted the importance of hearing all voices in society, not just the loudest. Both students impressed the audience and adjudicator with their impromptu responses to the topic, ‘A balancing act’ – Sofia empathising with the challenges parents face, and Isla revealing the hidden struggles of minority groups in the school system. They both spoke with poise and authenticity and were truly outstanding! Sofia and Isla are to be congratulated on the way they conducted themselves on the day. They spoke beautifully, supported and encouraged the other competitors, and were wonderful representatives of the College. #PublicSpeaking #PlainEnglish #SMC