2025 Newsletter Term 2: week 6

Dear parents,

Today marks the inaugural edition of Beyond the Bell, a section of the newsletter that is curated by students in order to capture the voice of students. This is an important initiative, which I commend to you to read and enjoy. It operates under the auspices of the SRC and is edited by Celine Chandrasegaran, Clare O'Brien, Eva Scriven and Angelica Murphy. In their editor's note, Celine, Clare, Eva and Angelica leave the reader with a wise and evocative takeaway, to "Enjoy our students going above and beyond".

Isn't going above and beyond a crucial part of our formation? As our Lord says, "if anyone forces you to go one mile, go two miles with him" (Matt 5:41). Counterintuitively, the extra mile is, as we know, where the joy is to be found. The SRC of its nature goes above and beyond and there are many other student pursuits that encourage and facilitate these opportunities, such as library monitors, the chess club and the debating club.

Salt and Light extolls students to go above and beyond by performing acts of service and undertaking initiatives that take them beyond their previous experience. In this vein, I would like to congratulate Oliver Griffin for his successful application to the Premier's Anzac Memorial Scholarship. I characterised Celine Chandrasegaran winning last year's scholarship as a barely-once-in-a-career-do-you-see-a-student win such an award. For a second student to win, coming from a small school such as ours, in consecutive years is unheard of.

It would be remiss of me not to mention Mr Benke's part in Oliver's win. This is the second year that Mr Benke (who, btw, also coordinates Salt and Light and the chess club) has encouraged and facilitated student entry into this statewide scholarship.  SMMC is most blessed to have staff members like Mr Benke who go above and beyond.  Space won't permit me to wax lyrical about the Pentecost Novena, which was held on Ascension Day, but if you were there, you will know the joy of walking that extra mile.

Thanks for your support.

Warm regards,

Ian Smith

Principal