LINKS: Term One Week Three

From the Principal

Great start to 2024

Thank you and congratulations to everyone for an incredible start to 2024. Our staff and students have hit the ground running with their learning and it is so lovely to have St Mary’s being so lively and vibrant again, after the holidays.

We are hoping to streamline our communication this year, in response to feedback received from last year’s SRIP (School Renewal Improvement Process). With this in mind, we will aim to make Wednesday our communication day to align with Links coming out on a Wednesday. Links will be the main point of truth for general, whole school matters, while class newsletters will be specific to that particular class. We will also aim to use the Sentral Parent Portal to disseminate information as much as possible.

We ask that you refer to the calendar and Links as much as possible for this information. We also ask that you use the Absences notification through the portal, if possible, to let us know if your child is away as opposed to phoning in.

This year, Queensland State Schools are all implementing phone and device away for the day rule. This has been common practice at St Mary’s and we will continue to follow this rule. This has worked well in the past. Families are reminded that messages for students should be sent through the office rather than to a student’s phone or smart watch as these should not be accessed through the day.

Within Links this week, you will see “Protocols for the effective management of work-related electronic communications”, also known as the Right to Disconnect protocols. As a part of the recent Enterprise Bargaining Agreement approved by Fair Work Australia, each school is required to put these protocols in place to ensure a healthy work/life balance for staff. These protocols will also be displayed on the website. I thank the School Advisory Council for their assistance in putting these processes in place.

Just a reminder that this week at our Opening Mass, we will present our leadership badges, farewell Fr Hermi and welcome Fr Bony. We look forward to this special celebration.

Miss Angela Collins
Principal

From the Deputy Principal

Hello St Mary’s community,

Australia Day:

It was a pleasure to attend this year’s Australia Day ceremony in Goondiwindi. To be reminded of how fortunate we are to be Australians, to welcome some new Australians into our community with their Citizenship ceremony, and to applaud and recognise so many nominees for the Australia Day awards. I was thinking at the time that these people, who volunteer so much of their time and resources, are not doing it for the accolades. It was particularly exciting to see some people with connections to our St Mary’s community win some awards. Congratulations to Elkie Wood (Year 6 student last year), parent David O’Toole and Grace Griffiths, daughter of our teacher, Kristina Griffiths, for their worthy awards!

Father Hermi:

This week we say farewell to Father Hermi. He has been a wonderful part of St Mary’s school and parish. It will be sad to see him go, but we know he will fit in well with the Sacred Heart community in Toowoomba. If you have not had the chance to say goodbye to him yet, you only have a few days left to do so. Perhaps at our whole-school opening Mass on Friday at 9.30am?

NAPLAN:

We are already well into the term and NAPLAN is just around the corner for students in Years 3, 5, 7 & 9. NAPLAN testing commences in Week 8 this term.

I realise NAPLAN can be a bit daunting, especially for Year 3 children and their parents. I have included a NAPLAN information page for parents and carers, which explains what NAPLAN testing is, how the results are used, and how you can help prepare your child/ren for the tests. You can also google “NAP Public demonstration site” to try out various types of practice questions in NAPLAN tests and experience the look and feel of the tests.

John Shaw
Deputy Principal

Religious Life

News from the APRE

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 Friday the school will gather at 9:30am to celebrate our Opening Mass. We will also present leadership badges (to appointed positions) and farewell Fr Hermi. There will be a morning tea afterwards behind the Administration building. Everyone is welcome to attend this celebration.

General student leader badges will be presented to Years 6 and 10 students on Friday 16^th February at our weekly assembly.

Family Mass

Family Mass is held once a month, with the first one scheduled for Sunday 18^h February at 9.30am in the Church. This Mass is fabulous for children and families to attend. It’s child friendly and in the middle of 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.

Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday is the day acknowledged before Lent begins. With Lent being a time of giving things up, Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to indulge yourself, and to use up the foods that aren’t allowed during Lent. Historically, Pancakes are eaten on this day because they contain fat, butter and eggs which were forbidden during Lent.

Pancakes for ‘Shrove Tuesday’ will be available to order on Flexischools with orders closing 4pm Friday 9th February 2024.

The price is $5.50 for 2 x large pancakes with maple syrup. Gluten free ‘pancakes’ will be available, but slightly more expensive at $ 6 per serve for 2 x pancakes.

Available only at 1st Break on Tuesday 13th February 2024. There will be NO OTHER TUCKSHOP available at 1st Break.

Regular Tuckshop will be available at 2nd Break as usual.

Ash Wednesday

In week 5, we begin the start of the Church’s Lenten Season. Lent is the season of preparation for Easter. It starts on Ash Wednesday (Wednesday 15th February) and ends on Easter, lasting for 40 days (not counting Sundays). This is a time, to reflect on Jesus’ sacrifices, with people encouraged to give up or take up something. For example, students may wish to give up ice cream and/or take on another job at home during this period. Basically, Lent is a time for "spring cleaning" our lives while giving thanks to God and strengthening our relationship with Him.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. Although not a Holy Day of Obligation, the faithful go to church to receive a sign of the cross on their forehead. Father Bony and I will be distributing the ashes to our students on Ash Wednesday. The timetable for the distribution of Ashes has been provided below. We warmly invite all of our parents, parishioners and friends to attend.

Ash Wednesday Timetable – 14^th February 2024

Karra Suhr
Assistant Principal Religious Education

Secondary News

I can hardly believe that we are already in week three, our schedules are full to the brim with activities and academic pursuits, leaving little room for boredom.

Our students are impressing us all with their adaptability to the rigours of Secondary education. They have been committed to their learning, evident in their diligent participation in class, preparedness for their lessons and adherence to uniform regulations. This dedication sets a promising precedent for the remainder of the academic year, which promises to be both productive and rewarding.

This seamless transition into the Secondary stage of education serves as a testament to the students' resilience and eagerness to excel.  Acknowledging and applauding their efforts will help foster a culture of positivity and self-belief.

Let us now delve into the invaluable concept of a growth mindset.

Understanding the Power of Growth Mindset

According to one of the leading researchers on “mindsets”, Professor Carol Dweck, there are two types of mindsets: a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.

In a fixed mindset, people believe their qualities are fixed traits and therefore cannot change. These people document their intelligence and talents rather than working to develop and improve them. They also believe that talent alone leads to success, and effort is not required.

Alternatively, in a growth mindset, people have an underlying belief that their learning and intelligence can grow with time, experience, and effort. When people believe they can get smarter, they realise that their effort influences their success, so they put in extra time, leading to higher achievement.

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!”

Together let us help promote the growth mindset to empower students to approach challenges with resilience, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.  With dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to continuous improvement, we can cultivate an environment where every student thrives and realises their full potential.

Mr Bevin Goodes
Assistant Principal Secondary

Sports Report

Dates for Mac Zone 2024 -  Term 1

State Aquathlon

Best wishes to Jonothan Webb this weekend, as he heads to Hervey Bay to compete in the State Aquathlon Titles.  Jono 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 7^th February in the Centenary Centre from 3.15 – 4.15.  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, 23^rd Feb (week 5)

Mac Zone Swimming

On Friday, 2^nd February, a record number of swimmers competed at the Mac Zone Swimming Trials.  A huge congratulations to the following students who will now compete at the Darling Downs Championships in Gatton.  Congratulations to –

9 year olds – Rupert O’Toole, Spencer Heeson

10 year olds – Jim Jekyll

11 year olds – Rocky Heeson, Charlie North, Piper Rose, Jonothan Webb and Jack Rae

12 year olds – Quincy Sharpe, Millie Doherty, Jake Bauer and Bridie Bate

DD Golf

Best wishes to Max Matchett and Beau Wise who will compete at the Darling Downs Golf Titles on Tuesday, 13^th February. 

Mac Zone Cricket Trials

Mac Zone Cricket trials will be held on Wednesday, 14^th February at the Riddles Oval cricket nets from 3.15 onwards.  Notes have been handed out, so please bring these back as soon as possible.

Dates for Border District 2024 -  Term 1

Border Districts Summer Trials

Congratulations to Gurshaan Dhaliwal and Lachlan Henderson who trialled last week at the Border Districts Summer Trials.  Gurshaan competed in the U/15 boys cricket and Lachlan in the U/15 boys touch.  Congratulations to both boys on your efforts, and especially to Lachlan Henderson who was selected in the Border District Team.  He is now off to Toowoomba to trial at the Darling Downs Touch titles.  

Border District Winter Trials 

12 of our students headed to Warwick on Tuesday, February 6^th to compete in the Border District Winter Trials.

Wil Coggan and Tyler Dillon (U/15 boys basketball)

Jack Coggan (U/18 boys basketball)

Lachlan Henderson and Alex Galvin (U/16 boys soccer)

Zara Dennis, Bronte Dennis, Lexi Boyd, Regan Bish, Grace Leadbetter, Scarlett Reardon and Brydee Logan ( U/15 girls netball)

Laura Geitz Netball Training

Training will take place every Wednesday morning from 7.30am – 8.15am for those girls who were selected in the school team.

Please keep these dates handy, as there will be quite a lot of correspondence in the first few weeks.

“Do not let what cannot do interfere with what you can do”

John Wooden

Yours in Sport,

Kathy Spicer

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

Cultural Report

We have arrived at the part of Term One where the school’s cultural co-curricular activities have commenced, and students are busily memorizing their new lesson times and rehearsal days.  This week has seen the commencement of instrumental lessons with Mr. Jessen and the Choirs of Angels with Mrs Klowss.  Rehearsals for the musical production of ‘The Lion King Jr’ commenced in week 2, which will see 52 students coming together each Thursday afternoon. 

With so many students involved in cultural activities in 2024, we are looking forward to many performances later in the year. To start the year off, our 2023 Cherubim choir members will be singing at the opening Mass this Friday.

Both choir and instrumental enrolments may still be submitted until the end of this week (Friday February 9).  The forms for enrolments can be found on the Sentral parent app.

Benita Klowss
Middle Leader - Culture

Library News

It has been lovely to see the enthusiasm so many students have had for finding and borrowing fabulous books now that we are back into the swing of things!

If a book is damaged or lost please e-mail the library (e-mail below) to let us know as students sometimes find this upsetting when we ask where a book might be.

Class library days

Monday: Prep, Year 1, Year 2

Tuesday: Year 3, 4M and 6R

Wednesday: 4/5F, 4L , 5G , 5S and 6P

Please encourage students to bring library bags/books each week to assist with routines.

Spare Library Bags

If you notice a bag with ‘Please return to St Mary’s Library’ written on it, it would be most appreciated if it could please be returned to the library.

Book club

BOOK CLUB ISSUE 1

St Mary’s participates in Scholastic Book Club with 2 issues each term being sent home.

Issue One orders close Thursday 8^th February.

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 of our popular fiction titles purchased due to the funds raised through orders – we are most grateful for this – THANK YOU!

Items purchased will be sent home as soon as possible after they arrive.

Thank you for your support of Book Club as it raises funds for our library.

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

goondiwindilib@twb.catholic.edu.au

Emma Petrie
Teacher Librarian

Learning Support

Carbal Hearing Health visit Goondiwindi once a term to offer a hearing screening service to the schools in our community. For a small fee of $25, your child/ren will receive an initial hearing assessment and if required, a follow-up assessment.

This term Carbal will be visiting St Mary’s on Monday 19^th February in Week 5. The Health Nurses will call your child/ren to the office, and complete the screen at school. You are not required at the appointment. You will then receive the results in the following days after the screen.

If you are interested in taking up this opportunity, please complete the consent form and hand to our administration staff.

For more information phone 1300 379 558 or visit carbal.com.au/hearing-health.

My email is: Allison.Marsh@twb.catholic.edu.au if you would like to contact me.

Allison Marsh
Middle Leader, Learning Support & Student Services

Extension and Enrichment

This year I will be the Extension and Enrichment Middle Leader for St Mary’s School.  I am looking forward to working with students, teachers and families throughout the year.  The objective of Extension and Enrichment, at all levels at St Mary’s School, is to cater for the specific learning needs of High Potential Learners (HPLs). We will be offering opportunities for academic Enrichment and Extension, which is exciting, challenging and engaging. This occurs through internal and external competitions, lunchtime activities and in-class curriculum adjustments. 

During Term 1 students are able to participate in Science Club and Cards Club. The Science Club will be running on Tuesdays at 1:15pm in the Science Lab and students are to meet at the office.  Cards Club will be running on Wednesdays at 2^nd break play and students are to meet at 4/5F Classroom.  Any year level is welcome, any week.

Louise Cowley
Middle Leader Extension and Enrichment

Careers

School Based Apprenticeship Success

We are excited to congratulate Parker Dillon on beginning his apprenticeship in Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology with local Goondiwindi business Dillon Mechanical. Parker will attend his apprenticeship workplace each Tuesday – allowing him to develop the skills and trade specific insights to prepare him for a future in the field.

Upcoming Events

ADFA Careers Virtual Information Session - Thursday 08/02/2024 - 05:00 PM - 06:30 PM (AEST)

About the Event

Would you like the opportunity to undertake military training in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) while earning a degree? All without debt - in fact, we'll pay you!

You will earn a salary while learning and step into a guaranteed role upon graduation as an Officer in the ADF.

Head to the upcoming info session to speak with current serving military personnel and learn more about the Australian Defence Force Academy.

It is highly recommended you book as soon as possible to avoid missing out as places are strictly limited!

Explore your option webinar - Tuesday 20/02/2024 - 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM (QLD Time)

Join our Future Students Team for an online webinar that will unpack what’s available to you at Southern Cross University.

We’ll talk to you through university life, our state-of-the-art facilities, scholarships, student services and more. You will also have the chance to chat to current students and ask any questions about your future studies.

The webinar will be held through Zoom, register below to access the session.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Carly Sheridan
Career Development Practitioner

Guidance Counsellor

Paul Fomiatti
Guidance Councellor

P & F News

The P&F welcome 2024 families to our Meet and Greet and student Disco evening Friday 23rd Feb from 6pm-7.30.

The Student Council Disco entry is $5 for students with a sausage sizzle and treats available. 

Parents and family members are invited to the office courtyard area to enjoy bar and nibbles while the kids have fun at the supervised disco.

This is a great way to kick off the year, and a chance to catch-up with other St Mary’s families in a friendly, low-key atmosphere.

The first P&F meeting of the year will be Tuesday 13 February at the School Library at 5.15pm. All welcome to attend and a Teams link is available if you would like to join the meeting online.

 GOOPandF@twb.catholic.edu.au

Denise Ellis
P&F President