Term 2 Week 7 2025
Principal's Message
Thank you for the warm welcome back to school after an unexpected leave of absence! I am very excited to be back at St Mary’s and it was very heartwarming to be greeted back with so much enthusiasm.
I would like to acknowledge and thank Mrs Sharon Young, Mrs Jess Harper and Mrs Chrissy Byrne for their unwavering leadership in my absence to ensure that our school remains a place of learning, care and compassion. During this time, they took upon all of my responsibilities, and I am eternally grateful as this allowed me to be a mum during a time of need. We are certainly blessed to have such a supportive school community.
Term 2 is always a busy time in schools as we move towards preparing report cards to share with our parents how their child is developing, both academically and socially. Therefore, it is really important that students attend school so that their teachers can make final, authentic judgements of their learning behaviours, academic and social skills. Report cards will be released through the Sentral for Parents portal in the final week of Term 2 and then early in Term 3, we will provide an opportunity for you to attend a ‘Parent-Student-Teacher’ interview to hear how your child is progressing, their strengths, their challenges and answer any questions you may have. Importantly, we request that your child attends this interview as this allows them to participate in the ownership of their learning by sharing what they are proud of within their learning and what they want to work upon in Term 3. Stay tuned for information on how you can book a time online!
As we are moving into cooler weather, please ensure your child is wearing the correct winter uniform requirements, as per last newsletter. One of the biggest struggles we have during winter is the accumulation of winter items, such as jumpers and tracksuit pants and when we try to return, we can’t, as there are no names to help this process. Therefore, to alleviate your bank balance, can you please clearly label on items the name of your child and we will gladly ensure that the items are returned. If you are looking for items, we have our yellow ‘lost property’ bins next to the back door and you are welcome to check at any time.
Thank you to the PEN for providing an engaging and relevant topic for parents last week about anxiety. I believe it was well attended and lots of positive feedback about the content and presentation. Unfortunately, mental health issues amongst our younger students are becoming more prevalent and as parents and educators we need to ensure that we are equipped to identify, acknowledge and support.
In 2023, the State of the Nation Report (SA), surveyed students from Grades 3-12, resulting in 27.4 per cent of primary school students and 35.9 per cent of secondary school students reporting high levels of anxiety, depression, or both. At SMW, we have invested our time through training and resources into ensuring that we have processes in place to support students who may be experiencing anxiety, through our well-being officers, REBOOT program and school guidance counsellor. If you weren’t able to attend the presentation and are interested in learning more, please go to Anxiety in primary school-aged children - Emerging Minds
If for any reason you have concerns about your child, please do not hesitate to talk to their class teacher, so we can ensure supports are put in the place.
Enjoy your weekend!
God Bless!
Emma Timmins
Principal
Religious Life of the School
Pentecost
This weekend, we celebrate Pentecost in the Catholic Church. This is also the birthday of our church. Pentecost tells the story of Mary, Jesus' mother, and the apostles gathered in a room terrified that they would meet the same fate as Jesus. This Bible verse tells us the story:
The Coming of the Holy Spirit - Acts 2:1-13
2 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”
What does this mean for us today? Two thousand years later that same Holy Spirit is with us.
What are some times when you can ask the Holy Spirit to be with us?
Can you think of a time recently when you asked or could have asked for the Holy Spirit?
How does it feel to know that the same Holy Spirit that fell on the apostles at Pentecost is the same Holy Spirit who is with you, always?
A Litany to the Holy Spirit for Kids
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit, you are with the Father and the Son, together you are One
You were there when the world was made
You are the giver of life
You spoke through the prophets of old
You inspired those who wrote the scriptures
You came upon Mary to make her the mother of Jesus
You were with Jesus in all things, his ministry, his death and resurrection
You came upon Mary and the disciples at Pentecost
You taught and guided the disciples as they took the Good News to all the earth
You were with the saints who’ve gone before us
And you are with the Church as we pray and share your love with others
Holy Spirit, we pray:
Open our hearts so we can know God’s love
Come Holy Spirit
By your grace, make our faith grow strong
Come Holy Spirit
Help us to know and follow Jesus more each day
Come Holy Spirit
Teach us and guide us in all your ways
Come Holy Spirit
Empower us with your gifts so we can share the Good news with others.
Come Holy Spirit
Guide us to know you through the Scriptures
Come Holy Spirit
Move through us to do your work here on earth
Come Holy Spirit
Date Claimers - please join us where you can
Year 2 Liturgy - Thursday, 12th June at 12pm in the Church
Year 4 to attend Parish Mass - Friday, 13th June at 9am in the Church
Year 5D & Kindy B Liturgy - Wednesday, 18th June at 12pm at the Kindy
Year 1 Liturgy - Thursday, 19th June at 12pm in the Church
Year 5F & Kindy A Liturgy - Wednesday, 25th June at 12pm at the Kindy
Prep Liturgy - Thursday, 26th June at 12pm in the Church
NAIDOC Celebrations - Friday, 27th June. Liturgy led by Year 3 at 2:15pm in the MacKillop Centre
Parish News
Confirmation
Congratulations to the students who celebrated their Confirmation on Friday. It was wonderful to have Bishop Ken with us and our students are to be commended on their exceptional commitment to their faith.
First Communion
Students who have celebrated their Confirmation and First Reconciliation are invited to prepare for their First Communion in Term Three. If you wish to enrol your child/children for First Communion please contact the Parish Office by email warwickparish@twb.catholic.org.au or collect a registration form from the office. Important dates:
Parent Information Session - Thursday 31st July at 6pm in the Parish Office
First Communion Workshops - Thursdays at 4pm-5pm - 7/8, 14/8, 21/8, 28/8 in the Parish Office
Sacrament of First Communion - Families choose either: Saturday 30th August 5pm or Sunday 31st August 8:30am
During your time of preparation before the sacraments, families are expected to attend weekly Mass. Our weekend Mass times are Saturdays at 5pm (during Winter) and Sundays at 8:30am.
There is Commitment Masses, on Saturday, 2nd August at 5pm or Sunday, 3rd August at 8:30am. Please bring along your ‘Pray for us’ card, ‘Mass Passport’ and ‘Commitment’ card, which you will receive at the Parent Information Sessions. On Saturday, 2nd August, at 5pm there will be ‘Family Mass’ where the songs and readings are chosen for children. At this Mass children are encouraged to help with the ministries of welcoming, reading, offertory and singing. Please contact Mrs Young if your child would like to participate.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Parish Office or Sharon Young if you have any questions about the Sacramental Program. We are looking forward to walking this journey with you.
Parish Mass Times
Saturdays at 6pm and Sundays at 8:30am. Children's Liturgy during Sunday Mass (not during school holidays). Saturday Mass will change to 5pm for winter, starting this Saturday 31st May until the 30th August.
May peace be with you,
Sharon Young
Assistant Principal: Mission and Identity
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Curriculum
Semester 1 Assessment and Reporting Period
As we move into the final weeks of Semester 1, our students and teachers are working diligently to complete assessments, consolidate learning, and reflect on their progress so far this year. This is a time of both challenge and celebration, as students demonstrate what they’ve learned and prepare for a well-earned break.
To support your child through this busy period, here are some practical strategies to help maintain balance, motivation, and wellbeing at home:
Encourage a Consistent Routine
A predictable daily routine helps children feel secure and focused.
- Maintain a regular bedtime to ensure your child is getting enough rest. Sleep is essential for concentration, memory, and emotional regulation.
- Set aside dedicated time for homework and study, but also prioritise time for rest and relaxation. Without regular breaks, students can become overwhelmed, which may lead to negative attitudes toward school that can persist over time.
Prioritise Healthy Habits
Physical health plays a key role in academic success and emotional wellbeing.
- Encourage a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and adequate hydration.
- Promote regular physical activity—this could be structured exercise, outdoor play, or simply a walk together as a family. Movement helps reduce stress and improve focus.
Foster Positive Attitudes
Your encouragement and mindset can have a powerful impact on your child’s approach to learning.
- Celebrate effort and persistence, not just outcomes. Acknowledge the hard work your child is putting in, even if the results aren’t perfect.
- Share your own experiences of managing busy periods at work or in life. Talk about the challenges you face and how you overcome them. This helps children understand that stress is normal and manageable, and that resilience is something we build over time.
Conversation Starters to Support Your Child
Regular, open conversations can help your child process their experiences and feel supported. Try asking:
- “What was the most interesting thing you learned today?”
- “What was the hardest part of your learning today? How did you work through it?”
- “What are you looking forward to next week?”
- “How would you rate your effort at school right now? Is there something you’d like to improve?”
These questions encourage reflection, problem-solving, and self-awareness.
Encourage Positive Self-Talk
Help your child develop a growth mindset by focusing on learning and improvement.
- “You worked really hard on that project—what are you most proud of?”
- “What’s a problem you solved on your own today?”
- Remind them that mistakes are a natural part of learning and an opportunity to grow.
Offer Practical Help
If your child is feeling stuck or overwhelmed, your support can make a big difference.
- Help them break down large tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
- Sit with them while they study—this technique, known as “body doubling,” can help both children and adults stay focused.
- Encourage them to try different strategies and to ask for help when needed. Developing self-advocacy is a key skill for lifelong learning.
Report Cards – Week 10
A reminder that Semester 1 report cards will be published on Thursday of Week 10. These will be emailed directly to parents and will also be available through the Sentral Parent Portal. In the portal, you can also access all previously published SMW report cards from earlier semesters. Please ensure your contact details are up to date to avoid any issues with delivery.
Positive School Culture
Year 5 Excursion
Great memories have been made and Year Five had an exceptional two days of learning and fun. The first day they ventured around the city with a ride on the 'Bingo' City Cat, a spin the Wheel of Brisbane, an awesome look at the Solar System at the Planterium and an afternoon stroll through the Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens. We finished the day with ten pin bowling and no sleeping on the bus! The second day, we had a fabulous tour of Suncorp Stadium (the grounds of the NSW win), explored the Qld Museum and investigated all the great experiments at the Spark Lab. The Year Five students were wonderful and our staff and helpers went above and beyond to ensure a safe and fun excursion for our students. #thestmarysriseup
A link to more photos has been sent to Year 5 families. Please contact Mrs Young if you have not received it.
State of Origin Dress Up
Students are invited to wear their State of Origin colours on Wednesday, 18th June. Students must be sun safe and also wear enclosed shoes.
Mystery Reader
Another wonderful two weeks of reading at St Mary's.
Please remember that anyone with children under school age are invited for this special story time. Invite your family and friends.
Layla-Rose Wolfenden
Miss Wolfenden returned again to read to the Kindy A group. Layla read an aboriginal story with a great message and shared some really special artefacts with the students. We are very excited that Layla will feature at our NAIDOC celebrations.
Annabella Fontana
Mrs Fontana read a classic favourite, "Hattie and the Fox". The children loved her vibrant storytelling, especially about the naughty fox.
Student Awards
Exceptional Learning Award | Making Jesus Real Award | |
Prep B | Brydie M | Skylah W |
Prep W | Oscar S, Eliza A | Emma Y, Molly M |
1D | Milton G, Harper B | Finnigan M, Jahmari S |
1H | Jaxx C, River O | Charlotte C, Gregg J |
2D | Gracie A | Chace A, Ryder R |
2S | Gracie J | Ella F |
3L | Grace R, Ben N | Oliver G, Addison G |
3T | Esme V, Hamish J | Xavier B, Lisa T |
4L | Maison A, Naomi L | Emily L |
4K | Ava L | Spencer E |
5F | Marnie R | Laiken F, Ryan H |
5D | Sylvia M, Hugh F | Anna C, Elias P |
6B | Charlie K, Joseph T | Parker F, Georgia M |
6H | William H, Thomas C | Mila M |
Spotted Rising Up
Congratulations to all the students who have been 'Spotted Rising Up'. The prize winners were Hugh F and Molly T, which was announced at Assembly on Friday, 30th May 2025.
Please celebrate with your child if they have brought home a Spotted Rising Up slip. It means that they were 'spotted' displaying one or more of the RISE UP positive behaviours.
Sport
Broncos Cup
Last Friday, our Year 5 & 6 students were all invited to take up the challenge of participating in the Broncos Cup against other Warwick schools. Our students participated in Netball, Hockey, Rugby League and Soccer with an exceptional level of sportsmanship, willingness to work as a team and try new skills. (Sorry some students are missing from the photos due to when they were taken).
Athletics Carnival - Date Claimers
Friday, 20th June will be our annual Athletics Carnival at Warwick State High School Oval.
The 1500m will be held the afternoon before, Thursday, 19th June at 3:45pm, also at Warwick State High School Oval.
More details to follow soon.
Administration
Uniform Policy
As the weather gets cooler, please review the uniform policy for the changes for Winter. PLEASE ALSO ENSURE TO NAME ALL JUMPERS AND JACKETS ARE NAMED. We often have cooler mornings and need our jumpers and then as the day warms up little ones discard their jumpers. If they are named can they can easily be returned.
Notices
Research Study
This is an important research study that could make a difference to the dental services provided in our community. Please consider spending some time with Kesaobaka, one our school mums, to share your experiences of dental services in Warwick.