LINKS: Term Two Week Three

From the Principal

Visit from Dr Pat Coughlan

Wednesday 1 May, sees Toowoomba Catholic School’s Executive Director, Dr Pat Coughlan visit our school and town. Thank you, Dr Pat, for being such a presence in our community and coming to visit us and see the great community that we have here at St Mary’s.

ANZAC Day

Thank you to all staff and students for the incredible show of support for last Thursday’s ANZAC Day march in Goondiwindi. I was, again, incredibly proud to be a part of this community. Thanks also to Mrs Morrissy and 4M for leading our school liturgy on Friday. This was a beautiful and meaningful liturgy.

Staff Blessing and Tie Ceremony

Thank you to Fr Bony, Mrs Karra Suhr and the Parish for our moving Staff Blessing and Secondary Tie Ceremony at Mass on Sunday 28^th April. How blessed we are to be part of such a warm and life-giving Parish community.

Cross Country

Thank you to Mrs Spicer and congratulations to all students who participated in our Inter-house Cross Country Carnival on Friday 19^th April. Congratulations also to Coolock House for coming out on top of a very close competition, with only 8 points separating 1^st and 4^th place overall.

Free Dress Day

On Thursday 2 May, we will be holding a Free Dress Day to support one of our families who lost their home to fire last term. There won’t be normal tuckshop on that day, but instead, a sausage sizzle with all proceeds of the day going to the family to support them at this time of need. Thanks for your support with this.

Goondiwindi Show

This week, at the Goondiwindi Show, many of our student’s work will be on display. Congratulations to all these students. Thanks to our Staff Show Committee for putting this display together.

Parent Engagement Charter

Please also find attached to this week’s LINKS a copy of the Parent Engagement Charter. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our School Advisory Council and Parents and Friends Association for all their hard work and support to help provide fantastic opportunities for our students.

TCS Updated Privacy Policy

Please find attached to this week’s LINKS, the updated TCS Privacy Policy for your information.

Miss Angela Collins
Principal

From the Deputy Principal

Hello St Mary’s community,

I have been reflecting on the ANZAC commemorations, including our Goondiwindi community ANZAC Day march and ceremony, as well as our own ANZAC prayer assembly, put on by our 4M class last Friday. These events were really moving and so incredibly valuable. There is a growing movement within Australia to try to stop ANZAC Day and sabotage and distort the teaching of its significance, (as with Australia Day), but I hope and pray it will not gain a foothold. We are very fortunate in our community to have the tradition of our children, the next generation, joining in the ANZAC Day march and ceremonies, which is something that has been lost in many towns and cities. Such events are a great way to “pass on the baton” and ensure such events and commemorations will continue.

We were very privileged to have five RSL members attend our prayer assembly as honoured guests: Mr Russell Billsborough, Mr Greg Rixon, Mr Ron Kyte, Mr Clinton Billsborough and Mr Allan Fairbanks. We thank them for their time, and thank Russell for his heartfelt address. They all have, or had, family links to St Mary’s.

I wish to thank everyone for encouraging your children to take part in ANZAC Day and helping them to understand its significance.

This is our third of four 4-day school weeks. Enjoy the extra time you have with your children and I hope that you can have a bit of a rest over this long weekend.

God bless,

John Shaw
Deputy Principal

Religious Life

Sacramental Program

St Mary's Parish offers children a sacramental journey that begins with Reconciliation at Year 3 or above. Following on from these, children receive the sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion. This is a journey that fully initiates the children into the Catholic Faith. If your child wishes to further their formation and make their Sacraments this year, there is an information session next Wednesday 1^st May at 5:00pm in the St Mary's Church. If you have any questions or information about the program, please contact Karra Suhr karra.suhr@twb.catholic.edu.au 

Mum’s at the Movies

To celebrate our Mums, grandmothers, aunts and female companions this Mother’s Day, we will be hosting Mum’s at the Movies on Thursday 9^th May. The movie screening is ‘Wicked Little Letters’. Nibblies and drinks start at 5:15pm with the movie starting at 6:15pm. Dinner will also be provided. Tcikets are $15 and are to be purchased from the front office by Monday 6^th May. Invite your Mum friends and family, we’d love to see you there!

Mother’s Day

1L will be acknowledging the beautiful community of St Mary’s mother’s, aunts, grandmothers and other significant women on Friday 10^th May at 8:45am. All are warmly invited to attend. 

Staff Blessing and Secondary Tie Blessing 

On Sunday, we presented our new secondary students with their winter ties. These ties were presented from members of our Parish. A huge thank you to all those who could make the celebration and to Mrs Klowss and her choir for singing. Our teaching staff were also given a special blessing at this Mass. It was a beautiful morning that highlighted the strong relationship we have between our Parish and School. 

Family Mass 

Our next Family Mass is Sunday 19^th May at 9:00am – Please note the new time! During this Mass, we will be focusing on the story of the Jesus appearing to his disciples. Please join us for a lovely morning of Mass, Craft and a BBQ.  

 Wishing you all a wonderful fortnight,

Karra Suhr
Assistant Principal Religious Education

Secondary News

Term 2 has started off with a flurry of activity and is set to continue as we prepare for the weeks ahead.

The ANZAC Day remembrance events hold great significance, and it’s heartwarming to see our students showing respect and appreciation for our armed service men and women.

The inaugural 7-10 Chess Competition was a fantastic experience, experienced by four trail blazers who represented the school with pride throughout the day. Beyond the competitive aspect, the sportsmanship displayed and the friendships formed were invaluable. It takes courage to step into the unknown and compete in a tournament such as this, especially when it is your first time. The student’s participation reflects the spirit of the importance of being in the arena, striving valiantly, and daring greatly.

This sentiment provides a symbolic segway as we prepare for the upcoming school camps, and the opportunity for growth the experiences offer. Taking students out of their comfort zones and using the natural surroundings as teaching tools can lead to transformative experiences.

A poignant quote to ponder:

“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.”

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the coming together of parish and school at this year’s annual tie ceremony. We would like to thank everyone who attended the special liturgy and for those behind the organisation (including the incredible spread on offer that was enjoyed by all).

Mr Bevin Goodes
Assistant Principal Secondary

Sports Report

Dates for Mac Zone 2024 – Term Two

St Mary’s School Cross Country 

Wow… what a great day!  It was so good to see so many students actually running the event this year.  I was very impressed with the effort!  The final score was one of the closest I have ever seen!

So a special congratulations to Coolock House on your victory.

A huge congratulations to the place getters in their age groups

Prep boys – Murphy Rose, Henry Schoupp and Percy McClymont

Prep girls – Lottie Kelly, Madeline Pall, Emerson Griffin-Hunt

Year 1 boys – Jack Heath, Wilbur Clark, Lachlan McPadden

Year 1 girls – Clara Colley, Evelyn Makim, Summer McNaulty

Year 2 boys – Thomas Gleeson, Arthur Colley, Hudson Kelly

Year 2 girls – Ivy Pall, Lucy Martin, Ava Marsh

2016 boys – Chace Hagiel, Hugo Aylwin, Khalil Alldridge

2016 girls – Lilly Bauer, Penny Coleborn, Sophie Hayes

2015 boys – Flynn McNaulty, Thomas Leadbetter, Sam Scudamore

2015 girls – Annabelle Makim, Laura Bourchier, Lucy Illing

2014 boys – Joey Rocks, Sandy McClymont, James Benson

2014 girls – Payton McNaulty, Bridie Doherty, Madison Stapleton

2013 boys – Jono Webb, Fred Giltrow, Bronson White

2013 girls - Charlotte Persse, Emma McDougall, Abby Pimm

2012 boys – Sam Bishop, Harry Baker, Robbie Marchant

2012 girls – Molly Giltrow, Eliza Scudamore, Milly Doherty

2011 boys – William Robertson, Tim Chin, Judd Chin

2011 girls – Mila Field, Eloise Gee, Pip Mooney

2010 boys – Wil Coggan, Lachlan Henderson, Alex Galvin

2010 girls – Annie Keeping, Lexi Boyd, Scarlett Reardon

2009 girls – Zara Dennis, Ebony Farndon

2008 girls – Dani Walters

2007 boys – Jack Coggan

Mac Zone Cross Country

Congratulations to our team of runners who competed in Texas on Friday, 26^th April. Results will be published in the next newsletter.

Mac Zone Rugby League Trials

The Mac Zone League trials were held at Riddles Oval on Wednesday 17^th April with one of the largest contingent of players trialling.  Well done to all players on your sportsmanship on the field.

A special congratulations to Fergus Murray, Harry Baker and Rory Wiggan who were selected in the 12 years team.  Rory has had to pull out due to injury sustained on the day.

Congratulations to Max Burrow and Fred Giltrow who were selected in the 11 years team.  These boys then trialled in Dalby on Monday 29^th April at the Darling Downs trials.

DD Touch

Congratulations to Hudson Derbidge, Max Burrow, Harry Baker, Annie McDonald and Bridie Bate who competed at the Darling Downs touch trials on Wednesday, 24^th April. 

DD Tennis 

Congratulations to Charlie North, Jono Webb, Alfred Charles, Milly Doherty and Penny Quinlan who competed at the Darling Downs Tennis trials on Tuesday, 23^rd April.

Mac Zone Rugby Union and Mac Zone Soccer

Those students who are interested in trialling for these sports, should have received a note.  Please hand back to the front office by Wednesday 1^st May.

Dates for Secondary School Sport

DD Touch

Congratulations to Lachlan Henderson who competed at the Darling Downs Touch trials on Tuesday, 23^rd April.  Lachlan’s team played 3 games on the day, and came up against some tough opponents.  Congratulations on your try in one of the games Lachie.

Border District Cross Country

Best wishes to Mila Field, Pip Mooney, Will Robertson, Annie Keeping, Wil Coggan, Dani Walters and Jack Coggan who will compete at the Border District Cross Country trials in Warwick on Thursday 2^nd May.

Broncos Cup

Broncos Cup netball training will start in week 4 – Wednesday, 8^th May for those girls who have signed up.  Please meet in the Centenary Centre at 7.30am for a 45 minute training session.

Athletics Training 

Athletics training starts this week – week 3.  Please join us on a Thursday afternoon at the high school from 3.30pm – 4.30pm.  Students can chose whether to do jumps, throws or a running session for the duration of the afternoon.  This is for those students born 2014 and older.

Yours in Sport,

Kathy Spicer

(Kathy.Spicer@twb.catholic.edu.au)

Library News

Borrowing days for week 4 due to the public holiday are as follows:

Tuesday: Prep, Year 2, Year 3 and 4M

Wednesday: Year 1, Year 5, Year 6, 4L and 4/5F,

Why is a class list of books on loan to each student in that class read at the start of each library class?

At the beginning of each library class, we read out the list of students who have items on loan. This is done for a number of reasons including:

1. Students often forget what books and how many they have on loan so reading the list answers these questions before we start to borrow. Students then know they can borrow 1, 2 or 3 items.
2. When returns are completed there can be around 400 to 500 come through the circulation desk! It is easy to miss something and when the list is read students are invited to let us know if they think something is not quite right and they have in fact returned something still on their list.
3. Students can be informed if their book is approaching the due date. Once books are overdue no more can be borrowed unless parents inform the library a book is being looked for or there is a reason such as a book is at a home where the student might not be able to get it at that time.
4. Students keep a book in their desk (generally) and the list being read often reminds them that they need to swap this book for a new one.

Sometimes students worry because their name is on a list, we always endevaour to reassure students this process is to help both students and Mrs Parr and myself to know what is happening with all students at all times so borrowing is an enjoyabe experience.

If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail the library staff at:

goondiwindilib@twb.catholic.edu.au

Book Club

BOOK CLUB ISSUE 3

Issue 3 orders close Thursday 2^nd May at 8pm.

This issue contains:

Please order online through ‘the loop’ as we no longer accept cash orders at school.

Parents have mentioned they find it easier to order through the website than the app as it can be difficult to find our school on the app.

All purchases contribute to funds for our school library with all popular fiction titles in our library purchased due to the funds raised through orders – we are most grateful for this – THANK YOU!

Emma Petrie
Teacher Librarian

URStrong

Creating a Culture of Kindness

Our URSTRONG Friendship program teaches students skills to manage conflict. To keep things simple, we define conflict into two categories: Friendship Fires and Mean-on-Purpose behaviour. By teaching our students to respond to conflict in a healthy way and stand up to ‘Mean-on-Purpose’ behaviour, we are endeavouring to create a culture of kindness at St Mary’s.

This term, we are being more intentional about creating a culture of kindness by introducing a ‘Kind on Purpose’ jar. This jar will offer our Primary students the chance to nominate students who are displaying ‘Kind on Purpose’ behaviour both in the classroom and the playground.

Students will learn to look out for one another and honour how their friends are feeling. Acts of kindness helps strengthen friendships, reinforcing that foundation of trust and respect.

Our Primary School Captains Jono and Bridie will be drawing two names out of the jar at Monday morning parade.

During Assembly on Friday 31st May, both Secondary and Primary students will be showcasing some of the language and friendship skills we have learnt so far during our URSTRONG Health lessons. We will also have a special Friendship Ninja visiting us. We welcome you to come and join us for this presentation.

URSTRONG Parent Community

If you have not signed up already, we encourage you to visit and join the URSTRONG Parent Community. You need to activate your membership by entering an email and a contact phone number. You will then have free access to a wide variety of videos, activities and articles to support your child’s friendship journey.

Nicki Wyllie

P-6 Health Teacher & Middle Leader Pastoral P-10

Under 8's Day

Diocesan Approach to Reading