LINKS: Term One, Week Three

From the Principal

Our term has started beautifully with staff and students working extremely hard. It is so lovely to have everyone back into the swing of a new school year and trying their best to reach their potential. Today, we held our Whole School Mass and Leadership Presentation which is always such a sacred way to celebrate our community. Thanks to Fr Bony and Mrs Karra Suhr for your leadership with this celebration.

Staffing announcements

Miss Pip Sullivan and Mrs Sophie Bowman will soon be taking leave to become mothers! We are so very excited for you both and hope and pray all goes well.

Mrs Kristina Griffiths is currently on leave and will take over Mrs Bowman’s class on her return. When Miss Sullivan takes leave, Mrs Ana Lyons will join Mrs Tenille White in teaching 2W. We are excited to have Mrs Lyons join us and I know you will make her feel very welcome.

PEN Information Night

On Tuesday 4^th February, Tracey Jacklin from Toowoomba Catholic Schools joined us to discuss with parents the options of potentially moving from the Parents and Friends Association and School Advisory Council to one body - the Parent Engagement Network (PEN). The evening was well represented by parents and discussions are taking place to determine the next steps for St Mary’s. Once we finish gathering more data, all parents will be presented with information and asked for their views on staying as two separate bodies or moving towards a PEN. Until a decision is made, the two existing bodies remain as they are currently.

Deputy Principal Appraisal

As part of the Toowoomba Catholic Schools process of performance enhancement for school leaders, an appraisal is held for all Senior Leaders in the fifth year of their contract. As such, you are invited to complete a short online survey for John Shaw, Deputy Principal. Earlier in the week, I sent you a link for this survey. The survey closes on Friday 28th February.

Individual responses to the survey are confidential and cannot be linked to your name or email address. The survey questions are based on the TCS Leadership Capabilities which describes the capabilities that Toowoomba Catholic Schools aims to enhance within its leaders. Your participation in providing valuable feedback to John is very much appreciated.

Angela Collins
Principal

From the Deputy Principal

Hello St Mary’s community,

CAMPS  

We have a wonderful and enriching camping program at St Mary’s School. In order to help you to plan for your child’s/children’s camps, here is an overview of our 2025 camp dates and costs. Note that many of the costs have not been finalised yet, so the costs shown are a guide.

2025 Camps Schedule and approximate costs

Year 1 Sleepover (School): (1 night) Friday 17^th October (Term 4 Week 2)

Approximate cost: $20

Year 3 camp: Camp Cooby (2 days/1 night) Thursday 13^th – Friday 14^th November (Term 4 Week 6)

Approximate cost: $290

Year 5 camp: Emu Gully (3 days/2 nights) Monday 20^th – Wednesday 22^nd October (Term 4 Week 3)

Approximate cost: $400

Year 6 Canberra tour: (6 days/5 nights) Sunday 7^th – Friday 12^th September (Term 3 Week 9)

Approximate cost: $1100

Note: There will be no fundraising committee this year for the Year 6 camp.

Year 7 Coastal camp: (5 days/4nights) Monday 19^th – Friday 23^rd May (Term 2 Week 5)

Approximate cost: $680

Year 8 Journey camp: (5 days/4nights) Monday 19^th – Friday 23^rd May (Term 2 Week 5)

Approximate cost: $680

Year 9 & 10 City experience: (Term 3 Week 10)

Approximate cost: $680

Notes:

1. Payment plans are available for all of these camps. Please contact Laura in the office to arrange one.
2. Withdrawal from a camp less than four weeks from the camp start date will still require full payment for the child. Exceptional circumstances may occur and these need to be discussed with the Principal in a timely manner to make alternative arrangements. 

God bless,

John Shaw
Deputy Principal

Religious Life

Welcome to week 3! It’s lovely to see everyone settling into their new routines and the forming of new relationships inside and outside the classrooms. We have a few things coming up in the next few weeks which I’d like to make you aware of.  

Opening Mass

This morning we celebrated our Opening Mass for 2025 which focused on our theme of the year, ‘Mercy in Action.’ During the Mass, we also presented badges to all our primary and secondary leaders. We hope all our leaders for this year will lead our school with respect and compassion.

Year 6 Kaloma Visits

The Year 6 students will be visiting the residents of Kaloma every second Tuesday to participate in Mass with the residents and Fr Bony. Last week I visited both Year 6 classes to talk about our visits to Kaloma and what service learning looks like. Parents were sent permission forms via the Parent Portal last Friday. Please ensure you complete the permission form if you would like your child to attend.

Family Mass 

Family Mass is held once a month (every 2nd Sunday), with the first one scheduled for Sunday 9th March at 9.00am in the Church. This Mass is fabulous for children and families to attend. It’s child-friendly and during the Mass, students complete a craft activity based on the child-friendly reading chosen for the Mass. The Mass is then followed by a sausage sizzle. We welcome all of our families and students to attend this family friendly gathering. 

Wishing you all a wonderful week!

Karra Suhr
Assistant Principal Mission & Identity

Secondary News

Our students continue to demonstrate their willingness to engage diligently in their classes and are maintaining high uniform standards, which is commendable. Their commitment sets a positive tone for the year ahead.

The Resilience Project Update

This week, we explore the reasons behind implementing The Resilience Project in response to alarming mental health statistics.

Schools have a unique role in enhancing young people's mental health and overall community wellbeing by teaching strategies to manage challenges.

Prevention is key, as 50% of mental health issues arise before age 15. Research shows that while current treatments reduce mental health burdens by 13-36%, prevention could decrease this by an additional 22%. Quality wellbeing programs not only prevent future issues but also boost academic achievement and reduce problematic behaviors. Evaluations from The University of Adelaide and The University of Melbourne confirm the program's effectiveness in building resilience and mitigating stress.

This week, the Year 9 students participated in a TRP lesson focused on assessing and improving their resilience. After completing the activity, they took part in a debriefing session where they reflected on their experiences. They were then given quiet time to journal their thoughts in their TRP student journals. Each week, they are encouraged to track their moods and healthy habits to gain insights over time and work towards self-improvement, rather than striving for perfection.

Understanding the Power of Growth Mindset

Understanding the power of growth mindset is essential for student development. Professor Carol Dweck categorises mindsets into two types: fixed and growth.

A fixed mindset believes that qualities like intelligence are unchangeable, leading individuals to rely solely on inherent talent without effort.

A growth mindset fosters the belief that intelligence can be developed through time, experience, and hard work. This mindset encourages students to embrace challenges, view failure as a learning opportunity, and recognise that effort directly influences success.

Common beliefs

• Fixed mindset
  • “How smart I am is all genetic and so I don’t have any control over it.”
  • "I can’t change who I am. My personality is hard-wired”
  • “Failure sucks!”
• Growth mindset
  • “Anyone can increase their intelligence through effort.”
  • “The harder you try, the more you will learn.”
  • Failure is OK, it’s part of learning!”

By promoting a growth mindset, we can empower students to tackle challenges with resilience and curiosity.

Bevin Goodes
Assistant Principal Secondary

Pastoral

“How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you.'' Rupi Kau

During primary Health lessons we have been looking at the concept of loving ourselves like we are our own BFF (Best Friend Forever). In life we have many supporters - parents, siblings, grandparents and friends, but there is one person who is a constant in life and that is us. You will be with yourself FOREVER, so you need to treat yourself well.

We discussed things that we can do to treat ourselves well like having healthy food, making time for exercise, socialising with friends and just making some time to ourselves to unwind and chill doing our favourite activity.

If we then treat ourselves well, we can be kind to others. We discussed that it’s hard to be a good friend to other people, if we are down on ourselves. Below are some pictures of our Year 1 class giving their friendship soft toys a giant squishy cuddle. Cuddles make us feel good and are one way to love ourselves.

Older primary students looked at depth at fixed and growth mindsets when it comes to friendships, recognising that all relationships need work and effort put in to make them succeed. We discussed that it is important to embrace change in friendships, we need to be open to meeting new friends whilst valuing old ones and to prioritise deep, meaningful connections with others.

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

Border District Summer Trials

Congratulations to the group of students who trialled for U/15 Touch Football and u/19 Cricket on Tuesday 4^th February. A special congratulations to Gurshaan and Lachlan who were both selected in the Border District Team.  Gurshaan is now off to Toowoomba to compete at the Darling Downs Cricket Trials on Tuesday 11^th February. Lachlan will be competing at the Darling Downs Touch Trials on Tuesday 29^th April in Toowoomba.

MacZone Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to our large contingent of athletes who headed to the Mac Zone Swimming Carnival on Friday 7^th February. 

The following students have now gained selection to head to the Darling Downs championships in Toowoomba on Wednesday 5^th March in Gatton.  Congratulations to –

9 year olds – Annie Kerlin, Sophie Hayes, Hudson Kelly

10 year olds – Sam Scudamore, Spencer Hesson, Tom North, Archer Heath, Flynn McNaulty, Lucy Illing

11 year olds – Payton McNaulty, Jim Jekyll, James Benson, Oscar Browne, Fletcher Rae

12 year olds – Bronson White, Charlie North, Lizzy Hayes, Piper Rose, Maggie Prior

Triathlon and Aquathlon State Championships (11-19 years)

Best wishes to Bronson White this weekend, as he heads to Hervey Bay to compete in the State Aquathlon Titles. Bronson will compete against the top 100 athletes in the state.  We wish you the best of luck!

Mac Zone Netball

School trials will be held on Wednesday 12th February in the Centenary Centre from 3.15 – 4.15pm.  Those students, boys and girls who have signed up please come to school trials.  Students will be notified later that week, if they have made the team. Mac Zone Trials will be held Friday, 28^th Feb (Week 5)

Mac Zone Cricket

Mac Zone Cricket trials will be held on Friday 21st February at the Riddles Oval cricket nets from 1.30pm onwards.  Emails have been sent, please make sure you have returned the medical consent form and given permission via the Parent Portal.

Term 1 Primary Sport Dates

Term 1 Secondary Sport Dates

Torture on the Border Triathlon – Texas

Please see the flyer for the upcoming triathlon in Texas on Saturday 1^st March.

Rommy Beckinsale
rommy.beckinsale@twb.catholic.edu.au

Cultural Report

Students have begun their instrumental lessons for 2025 with great excitement this week.  We appreciate your assistance in reminding your child of the day and time of their lesson over coming weeks as they memorise their timetable and adjust to any changes that may need to be implemented.  If you have not yet enrolled for instrumental lessons, but wish to do so, please contact Mr. Jessen as soon as possible to discuss further.

The Choirs of Angels lunch rehearsals commence this Thursday, February 13. Choir enrolments remain open.  The forms for enrolments can still be found on the Sentral parent app. See the rehearsal timetable below for choirs.

Benita Klowss
Middle Leader: Culture

Library News

Book club

BOOK CLUB ISSUE 1 is due this Friday 14^th February 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!

A reminder to please have your little person bring their library books every week on their library day. If students are still reading their books we have a system in place for them to be re-borrowed. It helps with routine if they are here each week and means the older students usually remember themselves as the routine has been so ingrained for a few years. Please see below for your child’s library day.

Have a great week everyone!

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

goondiwindilib@twb.catholic.edu.au

Guidance Counsellor

The beginning of the school year provides a good opportunity to remind parents and carers about the role of the Guidance Counsellor at our school.

St Mary’s School is a happy place where each child’s education is enriched with joy, friendship and personal growth. Ideally, to support this the Guidance Counsellor at Saint Mary’s provides free services to staff, students and their families. It is a confidential, professional service that aims to support individuals and families.
​

Services include:

• Counselling,
• Educational Assessments,
• Behaviour Management both at school and home,
• Working with classes and small groups.

Students are referred to the Counsellor through the Student Support Committee or by the School Principal.

Referrals will be presented to the Student Support Committee via the following channels.

Referral by a member of the school staff is a standard convention of school guidance counselling practice. On receiving a referral from a school staff member, following school determined procedures, a School Guidance Counsellor can meet with the student but should not begin counselling or assessments until informed consent has been obtained from the student and/or their parent/carer. 

Accepting referrals from parents/carers is an accepted convention of school guidance counselling practice. School Guidance Counsellors should consult with parents/carers to clarify expectations and ensure a common understanding of the purpose and nature of any counselling or assessment to be made by the School Guidance Counsellor.

Students may make a self-referral. School Guidance Counsellors are required to make a professional judgement on the level of understanding and maturity of the student involved, to determine informed consent.  Age alone, is never the sole determinant of the capacity to give informed consent. Just as some secondary students may not be judged as being capable of giving informed consent, so too there may be circumstances in which a School Guidance Counsellor determines that a student of primary school age has the capacity and need to self-refer.

With the first half of the school year underway I look forward to supporting your child with the opportunity to reach their full potential, promoting learning, resilience, self-discovery and the development of the whole child.

Paul Fomiatti
Guidance Counsellor 

Tuckshop Talk

COMMUNITY NEWS