LINKS: Term Three Week Seven

From the Principal

Eisteddfod

This year’s Eisteddfod was such a huge success. I would like to thank all staff and students sincerely for the hard work they put in to represent St Mary’s School with talent and grace. A huge congratulations to you all!

Assumption Mass

Last week, we celebrated the Feast of the Assumption. This is one of two Holy Days of Obligation within the Catholic Church. We had separate Masses for the P-3 and 4-10 to ensure we could celebrate in the church with members of the community. It was such a special day for us at St Mary’s. I would like to thank Mrs Karra Suhr and Fr Hermi for making this such a lovely celebration. Congratulations also to all the readers and participants in the Mass.

Secondary Meet and Greet

As a community, we gathered on Friday 18^th August at the QL in a relaxed atmosphere for a meet and greet of our staff, students and parents of Years 7 – 10. It was a great night where we had the chance to talk about the amazing opportunities we offer here for students in Years 7 – 10. I would like to thank Jen Smith and Bevin Goodes for leading the organisation of this night.

Book Week

A huge thank you to Mrs Emma Petrie and all of the staff for making St Mary’s so bright and colourful for Book Week this week. There are so many fantastic events going on around the school and I hope all students find the joy in reading this week.

A few reminders

Students are reminded that while wearing school uniform, this should be worn correctly e.g.: correct hat, shirt tucked in etc. This includes before and after school. Some students have been changing into different hats, please wear your correct school uniform and show how proud you are to be a St Mary’s student.

For school pickup, parents and students are reminded that students should be seated either at Prep or in the Undercover area until their parents arrive to collect them. Students shouldn’t be running around and playing during this time.

I would also like to remind parents and students of the need for healthy options for lunches to fuel brains for learning. Please do not bring lollipops or other confectionary items for lunch. Please also note that many drinks have quite a high sugar content and the only real ‘green’ drinks are water and plain milk. While it is customary to bring in a cake or treat for your child’s birthday, please do not feel obliged to do this, this is purely a family decision.

The transition from winter to summer uniform will be the 1^st September. I apologise for any inconvenience that this causes, but we are concerned about the cooler early mornings that are still occurring.

Long Service Leave

Before my appointment to St Mary’s, I had planned some Long Service Leave. On Friday 25^th August I fly out to Italy for 3 weeks before spending the September holidays on Pilgrimage to the Holy Lands with Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office. I will return at the start of Term 4. I understand this is not ideal being new to the role but thank everyone for their support with this. In my absence, Mr John Shaw will be Acting Principal and I thank him and the rest of the Executive Team and staff for their work during this time.

School Fees:

Families should have received their first school fee invoices for Term 3 on July 17^th. Please double check your emails and if you have not received one, contact the office asap. We have several options for families to pay these fees. Please do not hesitate to contact the office to arrange internet banking, direct debit, repayment plans etc. It is vital that all families meet their financial commitment to the school. Not only is regular payment of fees a condition of enrolment, but school fees are also a major source of income. Consequently, our ability to continue to provide the best possible staffing levels and student resources relies heavily on your timely payment of school fees and levies.

Why do school fees exist?

They exist because Catholic schools, only receive 74% (Federal 58.4%; State Gov 15.6%) of the total cost associated with per student funding compared to 96.8% (76.3% State Gov; 20.5% Fed Gov) which Ed. Qld schools receive. School fees and levies exist to bridge the government funding shortfall.

As you can see from the above figures, Ed. Qld schools’ main source of funding is received from the State Government while the majority of funding for Catholic Schools is sourced from the Federal Government.

Where do school fees & levies go?

As mentioned before, the fees and levies you pay are a major source of income and are directed towards additional teacher and support staff wages, classroom resourcing, capital projects, IT upgrades, building & grounds maintenance, library and curriculum resourcing and of course general operating expenses such as insurance, rates, electricity etc.

Families also need to keep in mind that the school has always strived to keep fees and levies to an absolute minimum. School fee amounts are reviewed at the end of each year and any necessary increases are discussed and agreed upon by the School Advisory Council. When you consider the resourcing levels and amount of free of charge opportunities available for students here at St Mary's, the level of fees is extremely reasonable.

I believe that school fees are an investment in your children’s future. I know that each and every parent here at St Mary's wants their children to receive the very best education in a caring environment that provides many wonderful opportunities. We share this sentiment and with your financial investment, together we can provide a quality learning environment for all who belong to this school community.

Of course, we do understand that from time to time, families fall on financial hardship. Our fees and levies are not designed to be a burden on any family. All we ask is that you contact the office to make an appointment to come in and discuss alternative payment options or concessions.

Thank you for reading and your continued support.

Miss Angela Collins
Principal

From the Deputy Principal

Hello St Mary’s community,

This week, I would like to provide a reminder about bike and scooter safety:

Our school rules require students to WALK their bike or scooter within the school grounds and on the footpaths around the school’s perimeter. This means walking beside the bike or scooter; you would be surprised how many interpretations of this rule our students can come up with!

The need for our students to walk their bike or scooter also applies if they go past Goondiwindi State Primary School (GSPS). The footpath outside that school, particularly in front of the Prep precinct, gets very congested with parents and young children. We have asked our students to also walk their bikes/scooters past the GSPS (particularly the Prep grounds) for safety.

If your child/ren ride bikes or scooters to or from school, can you please have a chat to them about being safety conscious? Remind them that it can be a little child who runs unexpectedly into the path of the bike/scooter, seemingly from nowhere, who can cause an accident.

God bless,

John Shaw
Deputy Principal

Religious Life

Welcome to Week 7! It’s amazing how quickly this year is passing by. I’m currently in Toowoomba with Mr Bevin Goodes undertaking some wonderful Professional Development about leading student retreats. I’m already inspired to get back to school and begin looking at how we can schedule these retreats into our yearly calendar next year.

Assumption Mass

Last Tuesday, 15^th August, we celebrated the Assumption Mass. This is the time we remember Mary ascending into heaven. It was a beautiful Mass and so lovely to have our students back in the Church together. A huge thank you to 5F and the other students who helped with the readings, prayers and offertory procession.

Mary reminds us of our theme this year, ‘Be as shining lamps.’ She was and still is the light for so many.

She was the light for many who were her friend.

She was the light for Jesus before he died.

She is the light, the morning star who lights our way.

She is the light for those who pray in her name.

She is the light for our community St Mary’s.

Mary is our shining lamp and we too must remember to radiate our light just like Mary. 

Father’s Day

Next Thursday 31^st August, we will gather to celebrate Father’s Day. Year 1F will lead us in this liturgy. Due to the Pupil Free Day on Friday 1^st September, our normal weekly assembly will follow our Father’s Day liturgy. We will gather at 8:45am in the Centenary and warmly welcome all fathers, grandfathers and important male figures to join us in this celebration.

Karra Suhr
Assistant Principal Religious Education

Secondary News

Last week, Year Six students joined their peers from Years 7 to 10 for a delightful barbeque and play session. After relishing sausages on bread, everyone immersed themselves in a variety of outdoor and classroom games before enjoying a refreshing ice blocks. These moments of shared laughter and camaraderie contribute to strengthening relationships schoolwide.

Keeping with the barbeque spirit, our school helped out in the Rugby League canteen. The day was a resounding success, characterised not only by team effort but also by an enjoyable atmosphere. We cheered on the rugby teams during three exhilaratingly close matches. A huge thank you goes out to all volunteers and the Goondiwindi Boars for this fantastic opportunity!

The warmth of community was felt at the recent Meet and Greet event held at the Queenslander. Our school community had a wonderful chance to connect informally and socialise. Thanks to everyone who participated! The positive vibes from this gathering promise more similar events in the future.

Our chook run is undergoing a makeover in anticipation of the arrival of our new feathered friends. The excitement is palpable as we look forward to having these delightful creatures once again.

Our chess competition kicked off this week with remarkable displays of skill and commendable sportsmanship. The progress exhibited by players embracing a growth mindset is truly remarkable. Win or lose, their willingness to play another game and learn from past experiences is inspiring.

With assessments approaching, it's time to gear up for success. Here are the top 5 tips for effective study habits, exam readiness, and time management:

1. Create a Structured Study Schedule: Design a consistent study routine that aligns with your energy levels and commitments. Allocate specific time blocks for different subjects. Stick to your schedule, avoiding last-minute cramming. Regular review and spaced repetition enhance retention.
2. Set Clear Goals and Objectives: Define achievable goals for each study session and your overall exam preparation. Specific goals fuel focus and motivation. Break larger goals into smaller tasks, making your study plan more manageable and rewarding.
3. Create an Effective Study Environment: Choose a quiet, organized study space with ample light. Minimize distractions, keep materials within reach, and infuse the area with personal touches.
4. Practice Active Learning Techniques: Engage with the material actively—summarize, question, create flashcards, and teach others. Actively learning enhances understanding and clarity.
5. Prioritise Self-Care and Breaks: Physical and mental well-being are essential. Ensure restful sleep, nutritious meals, and regular exercise. Breaks maintain focus and prevent burnout. Experiment with the Pomodoro Technique for productive bursts.
6. Bonus Tip: Employ Effective Time Management: Utilize time-blocking, the Eisenhower Matrix, and to-do lists to manage tasks and responsibilities.

Remember, discovering your ideal study and time management methods takes time. Adapt these strategies to fit your preferences. Dedication, consistency, and positivity pave the way to academic accomplishment.

Stay engaged, embrace growth, and keep shining!

Mr Bevin Goodes
Assistant Principal Secondary

Sports Report: Prep - Year 6

Jump Rope for Heart

A huge, huge thank you to parents for supporting your students during the last five weeks of ‘Jump Rope for Heart’.  I was truly astounded with the efforts some of the students went to during this time.  My hope was to develop fun, fitness and know that their efforts are for an amazing cause. This is what I received back from the Heart Foundation as a thank you. 

On behalf of the National Heart Foundation and the Jump Rope for Heart team, I would like to thank you all for your hard work this term; encouraging fundraising, skipping and keeping your student's hearts healthy. I was blown away by your effort and enthusiasm to raise important funds AND improving your skipping skills!

This money will go a long way at the Heart Foundation. Helping to fund:

• Research on heart disease and how we can work towards preventing it,
• Doctors who can help treat people with sick hearts, and
• Education, so Australians know how to take care of their hearts and bodies.

Darling Downs  Athletics Carnival

Congratulations to our athletes who headed to Toowoomba on Tuesday 15^th August for the Darling Downs Athletics Championships.  Congratulations to the following:  Lola Tomkins, Alexis Wiggan, Elkie Wood,  Audrey Woods, Paisley Wren, Harry Baker, Hudson Derbidge, Jim Jekyll, Digby Morris, Oliver Rae, Kingsley Reardon, Joey Rocks, Henry Smith, Jonothan Webb, Rory Wiggan, Jack Wood and Jock Jekyll.

A huge congratulations to Elkie Wood who is now off to the State Athletics Championships in Brisbane early next term. 

Elkie Wood - 2^nd in the 1500m and 800m, 3^rd in high jump and 5^th in the 200m final

Jock Jekyll - 6^th in the multi event

Jonothan Webb - 8^th in the multi event

Hudson Derbidge – 8^th in the 100m final

Paisley Wren – 5^th in the 800m and 7^th in high jump

Digby  Morris – 9^th in Shotput

Oliver Rae – 9^th in the 80m dash.

Well done to all.

T20 cricket Day

The annual T-20 Cricket Day was held last Wednesday at a Riddles Oval.   Well done to our school team -  Harry Baker, Jocky Jekyll, Henry Smith, George Fing, Carter Reeves, Cooper Prior, Will Corish, Archie Carrigan and Liam Houston who had a great day.

“Sport doesn’t build character, if reveals character.”

Yours in sport,
Kathy Spicer

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

Sports Report: Year 7 -10

13 – 19yrs Darling Downs Track & Field                             

On Thursday and Friday 17^th and 18^th August, Lachlan, Ava, and Dani travelled to Toowoomba to compete in the DD track and Field competition. These students were excited for another opportunity to represent our great school. Up against some very stiff competition these students absolutely shone and came away with some amazing results. 

Ava Campbell – Finished 4^th in her 100m heat, taking her through to the semifinal where she received an overall placing of 12^th and a new PB.

Dani Walters – Competed in the javelin and through her 3 throw progressively got further and finished in 2^nd place with a new PB. Dani then competed in the discus with the same progression with each throw and shocked herself with an amazing 3^rd place and another PB.

Lachlan Henderson – Started with his 100m, Lachlan came 2^nd in his heat, progressing to the semifinal. He then came second again putting him into the final. Lachlan went full throttle and came away with a 1^st place and new PB. Lachlan competed in the high jump where he flew to new heights coming away with a new PB and another 1^st place. He finished his campaign with long jump. Coming in the top 8 in the initial round, which gained him 3 more jumps and finished an overall 5^th.

We are so incredibly proud of the efforts of all these students, competing with true St Mary’s grit and spirit over the two Days. Lachlan has now gained selection to compete at the QLD state carnival in October. We wish him all the luck in a successful meet.

Our Secondary students have now completed their Term Three sport rotation. We were incredibly fortunate to have Paul Tattam coach the clay shooting students for two weeks. Paul is a coach with the ACTA and currently working with the Australian Junior Clay Shooting Squad. Our students gained invaluable advice and techniques from him. Our squash students have continued to master the skills and techniques each week. We have enjoyed sharing this with some Year Six students that have been joining us through the Year Six sport inclusion rotation.

This week our Secondary students will be starting to learn the game of European handball, they will engage in the skills and aspects of the game and a round robin competition.

Abbie Rose
Middle Leader: HPE & Arts

Library News

We began our week with a beautiful performance from our Cheribum choir. Thank you to these students and to Mrs. Klowss for preparing and performing for us. We are privileged to have you in our school community.

At the time of publication we are very much looking forward to our annual ‘Storytime in the Library’ event. We are also excited to host our very first ‘Great Book Swap’during lunch play on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Our students are (mostly!) enthusiastically preparing for our grand parade on Friday. We hope to see many parents there at 9am in the Centenary Centre!

Last minute costume ideas – all books available in the library and fun to read!

Book club

BOOK CLUB ISSUE 6 is now open for ordering. Orders are due online by Wednesday 30^th August.

You can view the catalogue here

Due to the ordering system, no late orders will be accepted. Please order online using ‘the loop’ platform. Information can be found on the order forms. Thank you for your support of Book Club, all purchases contribute to reward points for our school library.

As always,you can search our catalogue at : https://au.accessit.online/STM25/

Thank you for your help to encourage reading! If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail the library staff at:

goondiwindilib@twb.catholic.edu.au

Emma Petrie
Teacher Librarian

Student Support

Sound Scouts – Hearing Screeners 

Final Call

This semester we have been had access to Sound Scouts, offering free hearing checks to our students. Many of our students have taken up this opportunity, however we only have free access until the end of this term. 

An estimated 1 in 10 children suffer from hearing loss which left undetected can lead to speech, learning and behavioural problems. The Sound Scout App allows us to screen our students through 3 interactive games, testing speech-in-quiet, tone-in-noise and speech-in-noise. Collaborating with the National Acoustic Laboratories, Sound Scouts have created this online hearing test app that delivers an immediate report, including next steps if a hearing loss is detected. 

If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please complete a Hearing Check: Parent Consent Form. Copies are available at the office and on the parent portal. 

Lou Cowley
Enrichment & Extension 

Guidance Counsellor

From time to time, I’ll receive emails that attach some interesting articles. You might find some time to have a look at these:

Assessing and Treating Problem Anger

This article defines what anger is and explores some of the common treatment approaches for anger management issues.

Read more ⟶

What is loneliness?

Loneliness is that feeling you get when it seems like you’re on your own in the world. You don’t have to be physically alone to feel lonely, you can feel lonely even when you’re surrounded by the people you love.

It’s really common to feel lonely. In our recent research, we found that one in two young people are stressed or worried about feeling lonely, and they feel it’s impacting their mental health and wellbeing. 

Getting clear on what loneliness looks and feels like will help you know why you may be feeling lonely, and how to cope with your loneliness and feel more connected to others. 

Paul Fomiatti
Guidance Counsellor 

Careers

Did you know that only 20 per cent of vacant roles are advertised? If all you're doing is looking online and, in the papers, you're missing out on 80 per cent of the opportunities! Here are a few things that you can do to tackle the 'hidden job market'. Doing these will dramatically increase your chance of landing your next role.

1. Rally the troops

Friends and family: Make sure that everyone you know understands what you do and what you are looking for. They can keep an ear out for opportunities for you. This means chatting to all your friends, family (including distant cousins) and neighbours. Speak to the people you say hello to at the footy club and local school, the butcher, the hairdresser etc.

Professional associates: One of the first things many employers do when they have a vacancy is ask people in their office and in their networks if they know anyone suitable. You need them to put your name forward! So, try to catch up with people you know through work. This means current and former work colleagues, former bosses, current and former clients, current and former suppliers. It could even be people you meet on the train each day. Send emails, call and have a chat, have coffee, catch up for drinks, have lunch or even go for a run with them.

1. Make new friends

Develop new professional connections. Join professional industry associations and attend industry events such as breakfasts, seminars, discussion groups, networking functions, conferences, etc. This will help build your professional profile and increase your knowledge of industry developments, trends, and issues.

1. Court advocates

Many recruiters never advertise roles. They leverage their talent pool. These are formal or informal lists of people that the recruiters know, have known, or know of within certain industries or professions. Recruiters will go to these people first with new opportunities, before advertising, whenever they can. Find out who the key recruiters are in your industry and make friends with them. Arrange a meeting with them and then try to catch up with them for coffee every few months to keep your face fresh in their minds.

1. Jump the queue

Many businesses manage their own recruitment internally to save on recruiter fees. You need to let them know that you are available. Jump on to company websites and find out how they source new staff. Look at their career’s pages. You might have the opportunity to load up a resume and register for alerts.

Try to find out who their HR manager is and contact them directly (by LinkedIn or phone) so that you can get the scoop on new roles within the business. You might prefer to write to them directly. Send a dazzling cover letter expressing your passion for the industry and business, and detailing the relevant skills and capabilities you can offer. Don't be afraid to show some personality in your writing.

1. Become a LinkedIn all-star

LinkedIn is the place to be to network, to research companies and to find lost connections. It is where recruiters 'mine' for talent. Your profile needs to be really well written, complete, and target the next role you want. Make sure you use the headline to develop your personal branding. Profiles should be searching engine optimised so that recruiters can find you. Use the types of capability phrases and standard job titles that recruiters might use to search for someone like you. Have a great professional looking photo. Think of LinkedIn as your own promotional brochure and the audience as a future employer.

1. Digital revolution

Digital job boards are not just static job ad listing services like they once were. You need to know how to make them work for you. As soon as a recruiter or HR professional uploads a job ad, the job board provider instantly delivers the recruiter a list of suitable candidates from their talent pools. You need to ensure you are at the top of these lists. Firstly, you need to ensure that your resume contains the ‘keywords’ that will match the job ads for the types of roles you are interested in. Next, upload your resume up onto digital job board sites. In Australia, Seek and CareerOne are the main ones. Indeed, and other second tier job sites also give you this option. Some sites, like CareerOne, allow you to join individual company talent pools as well, so if you are given the option do this too. Finally, set up alerts so that you get early warning for any roles that are advertised. If you do all of this, you are going to be busy in your job hunting, but you will be rewarded with more opportunities and be happily in a new role much faster because you supercharged your job search.

Rachael Reeves
Career Development Practitioner

P & F News

Being part of Science Fair has been a valuable experience for our family, despite the various stages of project construction strewn across my loungeroom.  I am looking forward to seeing all the displays and enjoying Family Night, on Thursday 31^st August.  The rocket launch and catapult challenge are going to be a lot of fun for adults and children, don’t miss it.

If you could spare 30 minutes to help serve on the bar or BBQ please sign up here: https://volunteersignup.org/R9AJ8

Starry, Starry Night is approaching. This is a fun evening for the whole family but importantly a valuable experience for students to develop their ability to speak or perform in front of others. We will see all sorts of acts, some just for fun, as well as featuring our talented performing arts students, and staff band.

These two events are just some of the initiatives of the P&F this year.  We are also pleased to announce a commitment to fund several classroom sound systems, which are an asset in enhancing the learning environment.

In term 4, we will begin the planning process for 2024. This is a good time to think about the needs of our School and contribute to the discussion about priority projects going forward.

For more information about any of the upcoming projects or events, or to get involved contact us on GOOPandF@twb.catholic.edu.au

Denise Ellis
President P & F

Community News