LINKS: Term Four, Week Five

From the Principal

PEN Forum 

Last Tuesday, we had our Parent Engagement Forum for this term and hosted Toowoomba Psychologist Susan Long and her colleague Meenu present to approximately 35 parents and staff about strengthening parent-child connection. It was a fantastic session and certainly showed some practical ways that we can engage with our young people. I would like to thank our PEN executive Andrew Erbacher and Sarah Prior for organising this event and our office staff for preparing the drinks and nibbles for the evening. We look forward to many more interesting forums in 2026.  

Leadership  

A huge congratulations goes to our Year 5, 7, 8 and 9 students who have been busily applying for 2026 student leadership roles and presenting us with speeches last week. You all should be incredibly proud of what you have achieved so far! Good luck! 

Hair styles and uniform  

I have noticed that a few students are starting to arrive at school with “holiday hairstyles”. This is a reminder that students need to follow the Uniform Guidelines that are on our website: Uniform Guidelines These guidelines outline the expectations for hair and jewellery also. 

TCS Leadership Forum 

During Week 5, I will be in Toowoomba for the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Leadership Forum. Thanks to John Shaw and the rest of the SLT for assisting during my absence.  

Angela Collins
Principal

From the Deputy Principal

Hello St Mary’s community,

Musical Auditions

I have had the privilege of participating in the auditions for our 2026 musical, Shrek Jr. It’s been wonderful to see such excitement and enthusiasm from the students auditioning. In fact, we had so many applicants that we’ve had to extend the audition schedule to fit everyone in! Best of luck to everyone who has auditioned.

Student growth

As I begin the process of proofreading student reports this week, I have found myself reflecting on the incredible growth we’ve seen across our school this year. Reports offer a snapshot of academic progress, but they also tell a much bigger story; one of persistence, learning, and personal development.

From our youngest learners in Prep to our Year 10 students preparing for their next steps, each student has grown in their own way. It has been a privilege to witness their journey, whether it’s mastering new skills, building confidence, or showing kindness and leadership in the playground.

In our Catholic context, growth also means deepening our understanding of faith and living out our values. I have seen students show compassion, take responsibility, and support one another in ways that truly reflect the heart of our community.

To our families, thank you for your ongoing support. Your partnership plays a vital role in helping our students thrive.

As we head into the final weeks of the term and the year, I encourage all students to keep their foot on the pedal. There is still plenty of learning to be done, goals to be achieved, and opportunities for growth, right up to the final bell. Let’s make these last weeks count.

God bless,

John Shaw
Deputy Principal

Religious Life

Welcome to Week 5!

It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through the term! The next few weeks are packed with exciting events and opportunities to celebrate, reflect, and connect as a school community.

Awards Night takes place next Monday, where we’ll honour the achievements and efforts of our incredible students. Remembrance Day follows, giving us a moment to pause and pay tribute to those who have served. Year 3 Camp promises adventure and team-building fun. 

Awards Night

Our Annual Awards Night is just around the corner! This special evening is a highlight of the school year, where we come together to celebrate the achievements, growth, and contributions of our students across all year levels.

Date: Monday 10th November

Location: Centenary Centre

Times:

Prep – Year 3 Ceremony: 5:00pm – 6:00pm

Sausage Sizzle: 6:00pm – 6:30pm

Years 4 – 10 Ceremony: 6:30pm – 8:00pm

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Prep – Year 3 students are to be dropped to their classrooms at 4:40pm. At the conclusion of the ceremony, we ask that all students are collected from their teacher in the Centenary Centre.
• Years 4 – 10 students will gather on the bottom oval from 6:20pm. Again, we ask that students are collected from staff in the Centenary Centre to ensure that all students are safely collected.
• Students are welcome to wear their sports uniform on Monday 11^th November to allow for a clean formal summer uniform that night. We ask that students are well presented in their correct full summer uniform, hair neat and tidy and jewellery as per uniform guidelines.

We would also like to outline the awards given on Monday night and the way they are awarded. Please note, that further information and awards criteria are available in the Awards Night program distributed on the evening.

Remembrance Day 

On Tuesday 11^th November we will gather at 8:45am in the Centenary Centre for our Remembrance Day Liturgy which will be presented by 6R. Everyone is welcome to attend this moving prayer service. We will also be sending our School Captains and the choir to the Town Park service at 10:30am.  

Year 10 Graduation Liturgy and Dinner

The upcoming Year 10 Graduation Day is a special day where we thank and celebrate our year 10 students. Students will begin this day with a Retreat Day, a time for connection, reflection, and celebration as they prepare to transition into the next chapter of their lives. The day will end with a Graduation Liturgy at 2:00pm, a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the journey our Year 10 students have taken and to give thanks for their growth and achievements.

To conclude this special day, we will be hosting a Graduation Dinner in the evening. This will be a joyful occasion for students, families, and staff to come together and celebrate the Class of 2025. Please keep Wednesday 26th November free. Please note, that year 10 students will finish school on Friday 21^st November.

End of Year Mass

As we approach the end of a wonderful school year, we invite all families to join us for our End of Year Mass on Friday 28th November at 9:30am. This is a special time for our school community to come together in gratitude, reflection, and celebration.

Adding to the joy of the morning, our prep students will be presenting their Christmas Play, a heartwarming tradition that never fails to delight. Their performance is sure to bring festive cheer and smiles to all!

Please keep this date free and join us in this uplifting celebration.

Year 6 Graduation Liturgy

Our Year 6 Graduation Liturgy is scheduled for Wednesday 3^rd December at 10:00am. This is a heartfelt celebration to honour our students as they complete their primary school journey. Please remember to RSVP with the Link that has been sent out.

Wishing you all the best for a busy fortnight ahead,

Karra Suhr
Assistant Principal Mission & Identity

Secondary News

As we reach the halfway point of the term, we look forward to an exciting and action-packed second half.

The Resilience Project 2026

We’re excited to share that we will kick off our 2026 journey with The Resilience Project (TRP). The program has been refreshed, and we can’t wait to share the updates with our families next year. Highlights include:

• New and revamped videos to support the relaunch program
• Professional development for staff
• An updated TRP HUB
• Inspire programs
• The Resilient Youth Survey
• A relaunch of the program for families
• A new Family Hub to support ongoing engagement

We look forward to continuing this important work together and keeping families informed as the year progresses.

The Advanced Manufacturing Challenge

Our technology students took part in the Advanced Manufacturing: Future Skills Program, a dynamic STEM course exploring manufacturing’s vital role in society. The program covers how industry underpins economic sustainability and innovation through engaging videos and hands-on activities that showcase emerging technologies and sustainable practices. Students researched local Queensland manufacturing businesses to identify real-world challenges and developed innovative solutions using design thinking, 3D modelling, and 3D printing. Emphasising collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking, students created prototypes, tested ideas, and presented their projects to peers and teachers. The project showcased a wide range of clever designs, and the learning and thinking on display were incredibly impressive.

Strengthening Connections

At St Mary’s, we believe that strong relationships between children and the adults in their lives, are the cornerstone of wellbeing and learning.

Why Connection Matters

Connection isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being present. When children feel safe and emotionally supported, their brains are better equipped to learn, regulate emotions, and solve problems.

“Safe brains learn. Scared brains survive.”

The brain develops in layers - from basic safety to emotional regulation to logical thinking. That means we often need to help children feel safe and soothed before expecting them to reason or behave calmly.

Managing Conflict with Connection

Disagreements are part of life. What matters is how we respond. Before jumping in to fix a problem, try validating your child’s feelings: “That sounds tough,” or “I can see that frustrated you.” Validation doesn’t mean agreement, it means understanding. Calm, respectful language and space to cool down can turn conflict into connection.

Brain Science

The brain’s “ladder” starts with survival (fight, flight, freeze, follow), then moves through emotion to logic. Effective parenting works from the bottom up: help kids feel safe and emotionally understood before expecting logical problem-solving.

Key phrases to try:

• “I trust your judgment - give it a go.”
• “Let’s figure this out together.”
• “Tell me more about what happened.”

Caring for Yourself

You can’t pour from an empty cup, but you can refill it daily. Whether it’s 10 minutes outdoors, music in the car, or a quick message to a friend, small acts of self-care help you stay calm and connected.

Connection Bank Activity

Each day, aim for three short moments of meaningful interaction:

1. A warm greeting.
2. A moment of shared laughter.
3. A bedtime reflection or story.

 From Classroom to Home

Teachers build connection through everyday moments; greetings, listening, and encouragement. At home, these same strategies help children feel seen, heard, and safe.

Let’s continue building a community where connection is at the heart of learning and growth.

Bevin Goodes
Assistant Principal Secondary

Pastoral

Day for Daniel 

At last Friday’s assembly, our Primary School captains Bronson and Lotte explained the reasoning behind ‘Day for Daniel’ and the importance of raising awareness of child safety, protection and harm prevention.

Thank you for all the support shown by our students, to raise awareness for this influential message on this day. I’d also like to thank our student council members for generously giving up their time to make badges for our school community.

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

Preparing for 2026 Representative School Sports (Macintyre Zone & Border District)

To help us prepare for the 2026 Representative School Sports (Macintyre Zone & Border District) season, the school will be sending out a Microsoft Form to collect information regarding which sports your child is interested in participating in. We also kindly ask parents to complete the Consent and Medical Form and return to the school office as soon as possible. To ensure a smooth start to the representative school sport year, please submit your child’s preferences and form by Friday 30th January 2026. Sports begin early in Term 1, so timely responses are essential. Please see steps below:

Step 1. Complete the Microsoft Form for each child

The purpose of the Microsoft Form is to gauge student interest in representative school sports (MacZone & Border District).  We encourage families to sign up and receive information (even if unsure) so parents and students don’t miss out on information.

PRIMARY (Macintyre Zone 10-12 Years) - Students should only select sports they are genuinely interested in and have prior experience with. Please note that each sport may have different age group categories (e.g. 10-12 years Netball, 11 & 12 Rugby Union). Swimming, Cross Country and Track & Field are not listed on this form as they are selected through school results.

DUE: Friday 30th January 2026

Please fill out the form here: 2026 Representative School Sport Expression of Interest (Macintyre Zone 10-12 Years) – Fill out form

SECONDARY (Border District 13-19 Years) - Students should only select sports they are genuinely interested in and have prior experience with. Please note that each sport may have different age group categories (e.g. 13–14 years, 13–15 years, and 15–19 years).

DUE: Friday 30th January 2026

Please fill out the form here: 2026 Representative School Sport Expression of Interest (Border District 13-19 Years) – Fill out form

Step 2. Complete and return 2026 Consent and Medical Form

We also kindly ask parents to complete the Consent and Medical Form and return to the school office as soon as possible. This form can be collected from the office. Please see photo attached to this newsletter.

The Sports Admin will retain your child’s medical form on file and can provide photocopies for other sports as required throughout the year. Important note: If your child’s medical conditions change at any point during the year, a new medical form must be completed and submitted to the school.

In 2026, the school will introduce a Sports Bulletin Board in the undercover area.  This board will provide students with regular updates and important information about representative school sports. In Week 1 and 2 of Term 1, students can see what sports they are signed up for and can adjust this if necessary.

We thank you for your continued support in the coordination School Sports.  Your cooperation is instrumental in ensuring a smooth and successful 2026 year.

Darling Downs Aquathlon Trials

Congratulations to Payton McNaulty, Archer Heath, Tom North, Sam Scudamore, Spencer Heeson, Sandy McClymont, Fletcher Rae, Joey Rocks, Scarlett Dowling, Lucy Illing, Jim Jekyll and Flynn McNaulty who competed at the Darling Downs Aquathlon trials in Dalby last Friday. All students trained hard over the past few weeks and their hard work certainly paid off!

Special congratulations to Payton (3^rd), Flynn (7^th) and Jim (10^th) who were selected in the Darling Downs Aquathlon team and will compete in Hervey Bay next year!

Rugby 7’s Gala Day

Congratulations to the 49 students who proudly represented St Mary’s at the Rugby 7s Gala Day on Friday, 24 October. St Mary’s was well represented with two U10 teams and two U12 teams competing, along with several girls taking part in the “Come and Try” session.

I was incredibly impressed by the sportsmanship shown on the day as many of our students stepped up to help fill in for other teams that were short on players. That’s what sport is all about! Despite the hot and challenging conditions, our students supported one another and gave it their all. We were also lucky to have a visit from Toby Macpherson (past student), the current U20s Wallabies Captain, who has just signed with the ACT Brumbies. What an inspiring moment for our students!

A special shout-out to one of our U10 teams and one of our U12 teams who both came away with wins, well done!

A huge thank you to our amazing parent volunteers who helped train the teams in the lead-up to the carnival and gave their time on the day to referee, assist with the canteen, and manage teams. Your support is truly appreciated.

Prep – Year 2 Swimming Carnival

Please find attached the information regarding the Prep - Year 2 Swimming Carnival, which will be held on Friday 7th November at the Goondiwindi Town Pool.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact your classroom teacher or me directly.

Awards Night – Sportsperson of the Year Criteria

With our annual Awards Night fast approaching, I’d like to share the criteria for selecting the recipients of the Sportsperson of the Year awards for your information. These guidelines help us recognise students who have demonstrated outstanding commitment, performance, and sportsmanship throughout the year. Please note that some award names and age groupings have been adjusted this year.

Under 9 Sportsperson of the Year Award Criteria

This award recognises a student in the 9 Years or Under age group who has shown promising sporting potential throughout the year. Contribution to the sporting life of the school through participation in school carnivals, in-class participation, and selection in representative teams, will be considered when identifying worthy recipients. Emphasis will also be placed on each student’s attitude and approach to sport at St Mary’s. A point-based system will be used to guide the selection process. Points are awarded for placing in age champion rankings (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) at school carnivals (Swimming, Cross Country & Athletics), and for selection in representative teams including school and Mac Zone. Students who are selected but unable to compete due to injury or illness will still be recognised; however, choosing not to participate will not count towards team selection points. Only school sport results will be considered — club sport achievements are not included. Please note that the above will be used as a guide only. The final decision will be at the sole discretion of the school administration.

Junior Sportsperson of the Year Criteria

This is an award to recognise the two most outstanding junior sportspersons of the year. Contribution to the sporting life of the school, by way of school carnivals, in-class participation, and selection in representative teams, would make a student a worthy nominee of this award. Emphasis will also be placed on attitude and approach to sporting life at St Mary’s.

A point-based system will be used to guide the selection process. Points are awarded for placing in age champion rankings (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) at school carnivals (Swimming, Cross Country & Athletics), and for selection in representative teams including Mac Zone, Darling Downs, and Queensland. Students who are selected but unable to compete due to injury or illness will still be recognised; however, choosing not to participate will not count towards team selection points.

Only students who turn 10, 11 or 12 in the current school year will be eligible. Only school sport results will be considered — club sport achievements are not included.  Please note that the above will be used as a guide only. The final decision will be at the sole discretion of the school administration.

Senior Sportsperson of the Year

This award recognises the most outstanding senior sportsperson of the year. Contribution to the sporting life of the school, by way of school carnivals, in-class participation, and selection in representative teams, will be considered when identifying a worthy recipient. Emphasis will also be placed on attitude and approach to sporting life at St Mary’s.

A point-based system will be used to guide the selection process. Points are awarded for placing in age champion rankings (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) at school carnivals (Swimming, Cross Country & Athletics), and for selection in representative teams including Border District, Darling Downs, and Queensland. Students who are selected but unable to compete due to injury or illness will still be recognised; however, choosing not to participate will not count towards team selection points.

Only students who turn 13-16 years in the current school year will be eligible. Only school sport results will be considered — club sport achievements are not included. Please note that the above will be used as a guide only. The final decision will be at the sole discretion of the school administration.

Rommy Beckinsale 
Middle Leader: Sport

rommy.beckinsale@twb.catholic.edu.au

Cultural

As we prepare to celebrate the achievements of our students at the upcoming Awards Night, we’d like to provide clarity around the Cultural Person of the Year Awards. These awards recognise outstanding contributions to the cultural life of St Mary’s across Junior Primary, Senior Primary, and Secondary categories. Below is the outline for eligibility, selection criteria, and process for each award, ensuring transparency and celebrating the diverse ways our students enrich our school community through cultural engagement.

St Mary’s Cultural Person of the Year Award Criteria

Overview

The Cultural Person of the Year Awards recognise students who have made a significant contribution to the cultural life of St Mary’s through active participation, commitment, and representation in school-based cultural activities. Awards are presented across three categories: Junior Primary, Senior Primary, and Secondary.

Only school-related activities are considered. External performances or community-based activities are not included unless the student represents the school.

Final Decision

The point system serves as a guide. Final decisions are made at the discretion of the school administration in consultation with the Middle Leader for Culture and relevant staff.

Shake & Stir Theatre Company Inspires!
This week, we were delighted to host the talented team from Shake & Stir Theatre Company, who brought Roald Dahl’s, 'The Twits' to life in four dynamic performances for students from Prep to Year 10. Their ability to adapt each show to suit the audience, combined with clever adlibbing that included local references, made for an engaging and hilarious experience. Students not only enjoyed the show but also deepened their understanding of drama through thoughtful Q&A sessions with the actors.

Shrek Jr!

All key dates are available in the Sentral Calendar for Parents, and we’ve outlined the audition timeline below to help families plan ahead.

Choirs of Angels - Term 4 Event Dates

Benita Klowss
Middle Leader: Culture

benita.klowss@twb.catholic.edu.au

Building Cultural Capacity one experience at a time.

Library News

Final borrowing sessions for the year

Unbelievably we are just about at our last borrowing sessions for 2025. This week students borrowed as per usual. Next week students will only borrow readers and non-fiction (information) books as our stock take section is Fiction.

Please ensure your children return all books on Monday or Tuesday next week as we require all Fiction books to start maintenance and stocktake.

There are some changes to borrowing days for the final week:

Monday:

Prep, Year 1, Year 2 and 5G

Tuesday:

Year 3, Year 4, 5S and Year 6

Bookclub

BOOK CLUB ISSUE 8 has been sent home with orders due online Wednesday 12th 8pm.

This issue is a library fundraiser!
 Scholastic returns 30% of every purchase (usually 15%) to our school through the Scholastic Rewards Program. As we are not hosting a Book Fair this year, we would love your support to purchase popular fiction for our fabulous library!

Happy reading!

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

goondiwindilib@twb.catholic.edu.au

Student Support

Limited number of free Hearing Screeners Available

At St Mary's this year, we offered free Sound Scout hearing checks to all prep students. We still have a few free screeners available to use before the end of the year, so would like to open this opportunity up to any student in the school.

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 your child to have a free Sound Scouts hearing screener, please complete the form through the link below, and I will email you once the screener has been completed.

https://ssimpl.soundscouts.com.au/portal/players/intake_form/3730ec53-d30c-41f2-afe6-bcd4d072dab9/

Allison Marsh
Middle Leader - Student Support Services 

Guidance Counsellor

Cool Little Kids Online 

Cool Little Kids Online is designed to increase your knowledge and build practical skills in managing and responding to your child’s fears and worries.

The program contains 8 'modules' with easy to read information, practical skills, videos and stories from other parents who have done the program. Each module takes about 30-60 minutes to complete. The program does require a commitment of your time and effort but the reward will be worth it — a more confident, less fearful child!

Topics covered in the program include:

— How shyness and anxiety develop

— How to gradually and gently teach your child to face their fears

— How to use rewards to increase your child’s bravery

— How to reduce unhelpful parenting strategies

— How to help your child become more independent

— How to keep your thoughts accurate

— How to prepare for future challenges

How to get Involved

Further information on Cool Little Kids Online can be found at www.coollittlekids.org.au

Paul Fomiatti
Guidance Counsellor 

E Paul.Fomiatti@twb.catholic.edu.au 

Careers

Australian Defence Force Presentation – Inspiring Future Pathways

Last Tuesday, our Year 9 and 10 students had the valuable opportunity to attend a presentation by the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Events like these play a vital role in broadening students’ awareness of the diverse career pathways available to them.  The ADF offers diverse career paths across 300+ jobs, from mechanics, medical personnel, carpenters, electricians, and plumbers to communications specialists and admin roles.

A career in the ADF offers a wide range of benefits, including:

• Flexible and varied daily work with opportunities to train, study, and pursue international travel
• Potential for lifelong friendships, career development, and guaranteed job prospects after certain programs
• Sport and fitness are encouraged; opportunities to exercise and play sport are part of working hours
• Subsidised accommodation and meals
• Generous superannuation
• No HECS debt for university study

Students can explore more at https://www.adfcareers.gov.au, where they’ll find interactive tools to match roles with their skills and interests, take 3D tours of ADF workplaces, and even participate in simulated combat exercises.

We encourage students and families to explore these resources and consider the exciting possibilities a career in the ADF can offer.

AUSTRALIAN APPRENTICESHIP SUPPORT SERVICES: Scan the QR code below to discover the future of Australian Apprenticeships with Mas National’s Jobs Board and Talent Pools.  This new and improved comprehensive platform is designed to streamline the hiring process for employers and enhance job search for candidates.

If you're seeking information about specific career pathways or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch I'm always happy to help!

Karen Sullivan 
Secondary Teacher: Careers

karen.sullivan@twb.catholic.edu.au

PEN (Parent Engagement Network)

Pen from the PEN

Last week we had the pleasure hosting our second information night with Susan Long and Meenu Kumarasinghe presenting “Strengthening Parent-Child connection. The evening by all accounts was a great success with 30 parents coming to hone their skills.

We hope to host another two information sessions in the first half of next year. We would love to know what topics you are interested in. Link to forms.

Mr Andrew Erbacher
PEN - Chair

COMMUNITY NEWS