LINKS: Term Two, Week Seven

From the Principal

Master Planning

Last week, the Senior Leadership Team met with Facilities Development Manager and members of his team, from Toowoomba Catholic Schools, to discuss the future plans of St Mary’s School. It was a day full of going through our stakeholders’ survey from last year to discern the next stages in development and planning for our school to become even better. The results from the survey, along with our own observations and discussions, will assist us in prioritising and devising a great plan for our school. Some of the key areas discussed were the Prep facilities, amenities for Primary and the Centenary Centre and the continuing development and next stage of our Secondary campus.

Following this meeting, TCS will draft a plan to present back to the SLT. It is my hope to share this parents later in the year. I am sure you will be as excited as I am to see these plans and know that St Mary’s has a great future ahead.

TCS Corporate Photo Shoot

On Monday 2^nd June, we had a professional photographer with us at school to update our marketing photos for St Mary’s. Thanks to all the amazing staff and students who volunteered to be involved. We are very excited to see the results.

Enrolments

It is that time of year again that we begin looking forward to 2026. Our Prep journey begins this term with an information evening and some come and try mornings, with interviews to follow in early Term 3. We are also seeking intentions for students for 2026, particularly in secondary school, so we can begin our staffing and budgeting processes.

Parent Engagement Network:

Our first PEN Forum was held on Tuesday 13^th May. I would like to thank and congratulate Mr Andrew Erbacher who was elected as Chair for this new group. Thanks also to the parents who joined us to start the discussion on how this new parent body can best serve our community. We are still seeking a secretary, so if you are interested, please let myself or Andrew know. We look forward to our Term 3 PEN Forum on Tuesday 12^th August - more information to come!

Steps 4 Strength

On Friday 31st May, St Mary’s School hosted Maddie Mortimer from 12 – 1pm for her 21 half marathons in 21 days challenge to raise awareness for Mental Health. Thank you to all staff and students who made this day possible. Congratulations Maddie on this amazing achievement.

Road Safety

It has been brought to my attention that some parents are doing illegal u turns on Brisbane Street and parking illegally. Can I please remind you and urge you to follow all road rules around the school to ensure the safety of our students. Please note that we have spoken with Queensland Police who may have an increased presence to ensure road rules are being followed as the safety of our students is paramount.

Op Shop Volunteers

The St Mary’s Op Shop are seeking volunteers to assist. If you are interested, or know of anyone who would be interested, please contact Annette Billsborough on: annetteb06@bigpond.com

Angela Collins
Principal

From the Deputy Principal

Hello St Mary’s community,

It is hard to believe it is Week 7 already, which means Semester 1 is almost at an end! Our teachers are busy undertaking assessment with students and working on Semester 1 reports.

I have been fortunate enough to have just spent two days of professional development, along with Mr Bevin Goodes, at UniSQ in Toowoomba. The course we participated in was the Queensland Advanced Manufacturing Future Skills Program, and it was facilitated by Makers Empire. We thank Mr & Mrs Matchett for informing us about the course. 

The Queensland Advanced Manufacturing Future Skills Program aims to bridge the gap between education and the workforce by providing students with opportunities to explore careers in advanced manufacturing. It focuses on building a pipeline of skilled workers for the future, promoting partnerships between industry, government, and community. The program offers various experiences to broaden STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) knowledge and develop best practices for nurturing talent in advanced manufacturing sub-industries. 

Key aspects of the program include:

Gateway to Industry Schools Program: The program encourages sustainable partnerships between industry, government, and community to build Queensland's manufacturing and engineering workforce. 

Skills Development: It provides practical knowledge, industry connections, and clear pathways to careers in advanced manufacturing. 

Industry Engagement: The program actively seeks involvement from manufacturing employers to showcase the future of manufacturing to young people. 

STEAM Focus: The program emphasizes the importance of STEAM subjects in the context of advanced manufacturing, which relies on robotics, leading-edge technologies, and complex problem-solving. 

Broader Reach: The program is expanding its reach to include more schools and offer a wider range of career options, including agribusiness, hospitality, and tourism. 

Support from Government: The Queensland Government supports the program through funding and initiatives like the Advanced Manufacturing Roadmap and Action Plan. 

Collaboration: The program is a collaboration between various stakeholders, including the Queensland Government, industry bodies like Makers Empire, and educators. 

A benefit of attending the professional development was that St Mary’s was provided with a 3D printer, a FlashForge Adventurer 5M Pro. In return, we will be working with students to undertake a Learning by Design process of researching and hopefully solving a real-world design problem. Students will likely work with a local business to investigate the problem, and our new 3D printer will hopefully be used to produce prototypes. The students will present their research in a design Showcase in Toowoomba late October.

One highlight of the two days was a visit to Wagners Fibre Composite Technologies manufacturing facilities at Wellcamp. Many of you would be familiar with Wagners for their Civil Engineering, quarries, concrete, bulk haulage and ownership of the Wellcamp Airport. However, they are also world-leading developers of composite fibre products, including structures such as bridges, and power poles and crossarms for power transmission. We learnt about the “pultrusion” process, whereby round, square or rectangular profile beams are manufactured using twisted/woven glass fibres and vinyl ester resins. The composite fibre products have advantages over traditional steel and timber structures of being impervious to pests, corrosion, rot, chemical resistance and fire retardant, in addition to being lightweight. They have an 85 year lifespan and are increasingly being used throughout Australia and around the world. The Wagners hosts showed us how they used 3D printers to help rapidly prototype and test a wide variety of designs in their manufacturing process. As you drive around, see if you can spot some Wagners crossarms on power poles – they are grey with a square profile and have black endcaps!

We look forward to seeing what design solutions our students come up with!

God bless,

John Shaw
Deputy Principal

Religious Life

Dear Students, Families, and Staff,

Mercy Day

As we journey through another enriching term, we look forward to a significant celebration that unites us in faith, learning, and community. In Week 10, we will come together for Mercy Day.

On Friday 27th June the school will be holding its annual Mercy Day. This is a day for us to remember and learn about our founding the body, the Sisters of Mercy and celebrate the 114 years of education at St Mary’s. During the day we will be holding rotational activities. Students will have the opportunity to choose an activity of their choice (fishing, craft, cooking etc). We are seeking volunteers to help run an activity (with a teacher). If you would like to come in from 11:15 – 12:45 on Mercy Day please send me an email so I can add you to a group. An outline of the day will be published in next fortnight’s newsletter.  

Reconciliation

Next Wednesday, our sacramental students will take an important step in their faith journey as they make their First Reconciliation. This is a special time of reflection and renewal, and we keep these students in our thoughts and prayers over the coming weeks.

World Environment Day

On Friday, June 6th, we join millions around the world in celebrating World Environment Day, a time to reflect on our responsibility to care for the planet. This year’s theme, "Beat Plastic Pollution," urges us to take action against one of the most pressing environmental challenges, plastic waste.

As a school, we continue to embed sustainable practices and service-learning opportunities, encouraging students to make a positive impact on the environment. To mark this important occasion, Year 3R will lead us in a special liturgy on Friday, guiding us in prayer and reflection on how we can be stewards of creation.

Catholic Education Week

We are excited to participate in Catholic Education Week on 27^th July – 2^nd August, a time to celebrate the gift of Catholic education and its vital role in shaping young hearts and minds. This week allows us to reflect on the mission of Catholic schools in fostering faith, excellence, and a strong sense of community.

During this special week, 5G will lead us in a liturgy, we will host a morning tea for our dedicated op shop volunteers, and we will come together to celebrate Grandparents Day on Thursday, 31st July, honouring the wisdom and love of those who guide and support us.

Staff will also be attending the Bishop’s Inservice Day in Toowoomba on Friday, 1st August, a valuable opportunity for professional reflection and growth. Please note that this will be a Pupil Free Day.

We look forward to sharing these moments as a school community and encourage everyone to embrace the learning, service, and celebrations that make our school such a special place.

Karra Suhr
Assistant Principal Mission & Identity

Secondary News

At St. Mary’s, our foundation is built on the pillars of Faith, Community, Compassion, and Respect. These values are not just words to us; they are the guiding principles that shape our interactions, decisions, and the vibrant culture of our school.

Faith is the bedrock of our beliefs, instilling trust in ourselves and each other. It guides us through uncertainty, keeping us aligned with our values and principles.

Community binds us together, reminding us of our strength in unity. By supporting one another and celebrating our diverse backgrounds and talents, we foster a sense of belonging and togetherness.

Compassion propels our actions, urging us to show kindness and understanding, especially in times of need. It inspires us to extend a helping hand and offer comfort to those facing challenges.

Respect forms the cornerstone of our community, teaching us to appreciate differences and similarities. Through mutual respect, we create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and heard.

Year 8 Camp – A Week of Adventure, Growth, and Resilience

Our Year 8 students recently returned from an unforgettable outdoor camp experience—five days filled with challenge, discovery, and connection. From the moment they stepped off the bus, students embraced the adventure, setting up camp and building their homes under the stars.

Early in the week, the group set three powerful intentions to guide their journey: to build trust in themselves and others, to approach every task with a positive mindset to do their best, and to strengthen resilience through shared outdoor experiences. These goals were lived out each and every day.

Among the most memorable moments was a demanding 14-kilometre paddle across open water, tackled with determination despite strong crosswinds. Students also took part in a 6.1-kilometre hike through stunning palm-filled forests, raft-building challenges, fire-making, and preparing homemade damper. Other highlights included beach hikes, foraging citrus to create refreshing drinks, and plenty of chances to cool off with a swim or reflect quietly by the water.

Each evening we gathered together to reflect on experiences, prepare and sharing meals and stories around the campfire, nightly debriefs under the stars, and the ever-popular game of spotlight. As the week progressed, we saw students grow in confidence, deepen social connections across the entire group, and demonstrate leadership and resilience beyond their years.

We are incredibly proud of the entire Year 8 cohort for their spirit, courage, and teamwork. This camp wasn’t just about outdoor adventure—it was about discovering what they’re truly capable of.

THE NEGATIVE BIAS:

In some of our TRP lessons, we talked about negative bias. Here's a quick summary to help with conversations at home:

Humans naturally pay more attention to and remember negative things more than positive ones. This is called negativity bias. It started a long time ago because it helped our ancestors stay safe by noticing dangers. Because of this, people often focus on their mistakes and problems, which can make them feel more anxious or pessimistic about the future.

This bias can affect how we see relationships, make decisions, and how we feel mentally. For example, someone might remember criticism more than praise, or see uncertain situations as negative. It can lead to feelings of anxiety or sadness and make it hard to notice good things happening.

To deal with this bias, it helps to be aware of it and practice habits like feeling grateful, thinking about positive experiences, and questioning negative thoughts. Recognising negativity bias can help people see things more fairly, feel stronger, and make better choices for their mental health.

Bevin Goodes
Assistant Principal Secondary

Pastoral

The Resilience Project

We continue to have a lot of positive feedback from students, staff and parents about the implementation of TRP (The Resilience Project) thus far across our Secondary School. Yesterday, I was fortunate to again attend The Resilience Project Teacher Seminar in Brisbane. Although already very familiar with the positive psychology behind the program, I have again come away from the day with so much enthusiasm and eagerness to impart what I learnt to both our staff and students. I will summarise a few of the key ‘take aways’ from the day in the next school newsletter.

For the time being, I note the following feedback from our Secondary students about how they are finding the program and the GEM +EL (Gratitude Empathy Mindfulness + Emotional Literacy) principles:

“I particularly enjoy the mindfulness sessions as they give me a chance to sit down and just think and relax before a busy day at school and clear my thoughts.”

“I have enjoyed GEM because it has made me learn about Empathy and how everyone has their own different thoughts and opinions on their own selves.”

“It has allowed me to look on the positive side and implement Gratitude in my everyday life.”

“I have really enjoyed TRP because I get to reflect on the mood trackers every Monday morning.”

“I enjoy watching the inspirational videos that Hugh does to introduce each GEM concepts.”

For more information or pastoral concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Nicki Wyllie
Middle Leader: Pastoral

Nicola.wyllie@twb.catholic.edu.au

Sports Report

Only a few weeks away before our Years 3-10 Athletics Carnival at Gilberts Oval (Soccer Fields). Please see the information below regarding pre-events and events on the day. A program for the day will be released in the coming weeks.

Please note we will have a separate carnival next term for our Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 students. The Prep-Year 2 Carnival is on Friday 18^th July (Week 1, Term 3) at the St Mary’s Oval. More information will be sent out at the end of Term 2.

Event Information – Years 3 to 10

Track Events: Timed heats with ribbons, house championship and age championship points allocated according to fastest times in each event.

Discus: Competition is completed with results to come. Students will be throwing for participation points and fun on the carnival day.

Shot Put: To be completed during HPE lesson in Week 8 and top ten compete at the carnival.

High Jump: Year 3- 6 will complete this during school time on Tuesday 18th June and Wednesday 19^th June as per timetable below.  Students who wish to participate are to wear HPE uniform on these days. 13 years + will complete this during the allocated time at the carnival.

Long Jump: To be completed during the allocated time at the carnival (Years 3-6). Year 7 & 8 – Friday 20th June during HPE - 11.15am-1.15pm. Year 9 & 10 – Friday 20th June during HPE Theory – 9.45-10.45am.

Pre-Carnival High Jump Timetable

Darling Downs Golf

Congratulations to Max Matchett who was selected in the Darling Downs Golf team earlier this term. Max will represent Darling Downs at the Golf State Championships at the end of this term.  

Mac Zone Touch

Congratulations the following students who will represent Mac Zone at the Darling Downs Touch Football trials on Tuesday 10^th June: Bridie Doherty, Kate Quinlan, Lotte Persse, Piper Rose, Grace Vukovich, Georgia Wild, Hudson Derbidge, Charlie North and Jim Jekyll.

Darling Downs Rugby Union

Congratulations to all students who attended the Darling Downs Rugby Union Trials on Wednesday 28^th May and Thursday 29^th May. A special congratulations to Charlie North who was selected in the Darling Downs Rugby Union Team and will compete at State Champs next term.

Darling Downs AFL

Good luck to Hudson Derbidge and Charlie North who are representing Darling Downs at the AFL State Championships this weekend. We look forward to hearing how it goes!

State Netball

Congratulations to Lizzy Hayes, Payton McNaulty and Hudson Derbidge who represented Darling Downs at the State Netball Championships last weekend. These students played games against other regions from all around Queensland. We are super proud of all your efforts!

Mac Zone Tennis

Congratulations to Alfred Charles, Charlie North, James Benson, Lotte Persse and Kate Quinlan who are were selected in the Mac Zone Tennis Team! All the best for Darling Downs Trials next Monday 9^th June!

Mac Zone Soccer

Congratulations to Thomas Leadbetter, Charlie Carrigan, Oscar Eulenstein and Piper Rose who represented the Mac Zone Soccer Team at Darling Downs Trials last week!

Broncos Cup

Congratulations Zara Dennis, Grace Leadbetter, Bronte Dennis, Pip Mooney,  Lara Schmidt, Eliza Scudamore, Toscane De Lavigne Sainte Suzanne and Anabelle Hilton who competed at Broncos Cup Netball in Warwick last Thursday. The girls won 3 out of their 4 games and represented St Mary’s proudly. Great work girls!

Term 2 Primary Sport Dates

Term 2 Secondary Sport Dates

Rommy Beckinsale 
Middle Leader: Sport

rommy.beckinsale@twb.catholic.edu.au

Library News

Book Week

This year Book Week turns 80! We celebrate this fabulous week from Monday 18^th August. Our dress up parade will be held on Friday 22^nd August. The Children’s Book Council of Australia has set the theme of ‘Book an Adventure’ and we are excited to bring this to life in term 3.

How does a library session work?

1. Classes meet for book recommendations and book chats

1. The class list is read out so all students know what they have on loan and how many items they might like to borrow that day. It is also an opportunity to let staff know if a mistake has been made when returning books or if something has been left by accident in a bag. It also helps students to understand the concept of re-borrowing.

1. Students move off to browse and borrow, read if not borrowing and line up for readers if readers are required.

1. Students borrow at the circulation desk and head to their ‘sit spot’, a peacful spot to read away from others.

1. A mini lesson such as how AccessIt works, finding out how the NF section works, how to find what you want or having a story to finish up the session.

We jam a lot into 45 minutes!!

Reader’s Cup

Next Tuesday 9^th June we have 2 teams heading to Toowoomba to participate in the Reader’s Cup competition. Our primary team of Genevieve, Lydia, Shermayne, Abbey and Isabelle have worked brilliantly together over the past 10 weeks to read as many of the allocated books as posible.

Our secondary team have also been devouring the books with ‘Spy Academy – The Peak’ a firm favourite. Well done and good luck next week Malcolm, Dara, Alfred and Pip!

Happy reading!

If you have any questions or concerns, please email the library staff at:

goondiwindilib@twb.catholic.edu.au

Bookclub

BOOK CLUB ISSUE 4 orders are due Monday 9^th June at 8pm

This issue contains:

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

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!

If you have any questions or concerns, please email the library staff at:

goondiwindilib@twb.catholic.edu.au

Guidance Counsellor

School success

If you are like most parents, you want your child to do well and enjoy their time at school. School can be a hectic place, for some children more than others. Listed below are several ways you can increase your child’s success at school.

- Establish good routines and create a stable home environment

- Help your child to be organised and encourage independence

- Read together and ask your child about their day at school

- Help your child to learn that it’s ok to make a mistake

- Support your child’s friendships and development of social skills

- Support your child’s wellbeing by encouraging good eating and sleeping habits, as well as encouraging physical activities

- Manage screen time and technology

- Encourage regular relaxation time, as well as time to connect and listen to your child

- Support your child to complete their homework and provide encouragement by noticing any hard work or effort made

- Communicate any concerns to your child’s classroom teacher or school principal

Other useful sites to visit for tips relating to school success:

www.raisingchildren.net.au

How to help your child get motivated in school (Childmind.org)

10 ways to help your child succeed in primary school (KidsHealth.org)

Paul Fomiatti
Guidance Counsellor 

E Paul.Fomiatti@twb.catholic.edu.au 

COMMUNITY NEWS