Term 3 Week 6 2025
Principal's Message
Who can believe that we are already over half way through Term 3?
Book Week
Last week has been a big week at school as we celebrated ‘Book Week: Book an Adventure’. Book week is significant for schools throughout Australia as it is a time for schools to celebrate and continually encourage the importance of reading as a fundamental skill each student needs to be a citizen of the future to ensure lifelong learning and development. Reading each day improves vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking, whilst fostering empathy and imagination. Thank you to Mrs Ryan and Mrs McGrath in the library for creating wonderful activities for student to participate in! I am sorry I missed dress up day this year, but I am sure the costumes were wonderfully creative.
National Conference
As educators it is extremely important that we are consistently updating our skill sets and exploring new opportunities to expand upon our knowledge and expertise. Last week I have had the privilege to attend, with over 1,400 other Catholic educators, leaders, and clergy at the ‘Australian Catholic Education Conference’ in Cairns. I was joined by all Principals and Executive leaders within the Toowoomba Diocese to listen to a broad range of speakers, presentations and workshops focused on Catholic identity, mission and formation; learning and teaching; leadership and governance; parent engagement; parish and community engagement; resourcing and infrastructure; and advocacy and marketing. Upon my return, I look forward to sharing with you my key takeaways from the current research and innovations being presented.
Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews
Last week parents were invited to meet with their child and class teacher to discuss their progress, both academically and socially. This is a valuable tool for creating a collaborative and supportive ecosystem that promotes student growth and achievement but also is an opportunity to address concerns and how through partnership together student needs are supported. If you weren’t able to make these times, please ensure you reach out to your child’s teacher and negotiate a future suitable time to discuss.
God Bless
Emma Timmins
Principal
Religious Life of the School
Feast of the Assumption of Mary
In the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, we celebrate Mary’s passing over, body and soul, from this world into the glory of her risen Son. In the gospel, a woman cries out singing praise for Jesus’ mother and how proud and happy she must be. But Jesus tells us that happiness is found in hearing the Word of God and following it.
Let us pray a special prayer about Mary.
Mary, you were a woman of mercy. Response: Pray for us.
Mary, you were a person of faith. Response: Pray for us.
Mary, you were a woman of prayer. Response: Pray for us.
Mary, you were wise. Response: Pray for us.
Mary, you were a person with great trust. Response: Pray for us.
Mary, you were full of compassion. Response: Pray for us.
Mary, you were focused on God. Response: Pray for us.
Mary, who was one of Jesus’ first disciples. Response: Pray for us.
Mary, who spread the gospel message. Response: Pray for us.
Mary, who suffered with Jesus, her son. Response: Pray for us.
Mary, who witnessed the risen Christ. Response: Pray for us.
This is always such a special day for our School and Parish. Our students brought the Mass alive with their respectful, confident reading and glorious singing. We also held our annual Market Day where each class held a stall to raise money for charity. Thank you to everyone who supported the Market Day by sending in items for the stalls, helping on the stalls and joining us on the day.
Class | Stall | Charity | Amount raised |
Prep | Lolly Bags | SES | $372.60 |
Year 1 | Pencil critters | Soldier On | $222.30 |
Year 2 | Gem Fossicking | Parkinson's Australia | $177.50 |
Year 3 | Sweet treats | Mercy ships | $562.80 |
Year 4 | Lucky dips | St Vincent de Paul | $431.15 |
Year 5 | Quoit Toss | Qld Children’s Hospital Foundation | $168.00 |
Year 6 | Games | Make a Wish Foundation | $327.90 |
Library | Books and Bookmarks | Pyjama Angels | $123.00 |
Feast of the Assumption of Mary Mass
Market Day
Father's Day Invitation
We would like to invite all our fathers, grandfathers and special men to school for a special Father's Day event. You are invited to our liturgy led by our Prep classes, then a visit to our classrooms and we will then all have a picnic and play. Please RSVP by Tuesday, 2nd September on this form - https://forms.office.com/r/CmUXnXnGH2
The St Mary's Parent Engagement Network (PEN) will again be running a Father's Day Stall. The stall will be held on Wednesday, 3rd September for all classes.
The stall will be bursting with lots of great gifts that Dad will just LOVE! There will be a variety of gifts priced at $5. The stall is a great way for your child to select and purchase a surprise gift for their Dad. All profits from the stall will support the PEN projects for this year.
If you would like your child/children to purchase gifts from the stall, please send $5 along with your child in an envelope with your child's name on the front. Envelopes can be brought to your child's teacher or the school office from Monday, 1st September. The students will be able to purchase ONE gift on the Wednesday. Additional gifts will be available for purchase on Thursday, 4th September from 8:15am in the School Boardroom. Money for purchases on the Thursday must be brought in on Thursday, 4th September.
Parent helpers on these days would be most appreciated. Please let the office know if you can help.
Relationship and Sexuality Education
This term, during Weeks 9 and 10, week starting 8th September, we will be teaching Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) and Protective Behaviour (PB) with Catholic perspectives for students in Years P-6. Please read the attached letter and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Emma Timmins or Sharon Young.
Parish News
First Communion
Workshops continue on Thursdays - 28th August at 4pm.
First Communion will be celebrated this Saturday, 30th August at 6pm or Sunday, 31st August at 8:30am
Parish Celebration for First Communion – Sunday, 31st August after Mass. All welcome. Please bring a small plate to share.
Congratulations to those students who will celebrate their First Holy Communion this weekend. It is a special occasion when these students have entered into full communion with the Church and we wish them every blessing.
Baptism
Next term, Fr Franco and the Sacramental Team will be running preparation for children and adults who may like to be baptised Catholic. If you would like your child or yourself to be baptised please contact the Parish Office or Sharon Young. More details will be available once we know if people are interested.
Parish Masses
This weekend will be the last weekend before Saturday night reverts back to 6pm for Mass. Sundays continue to be 8:30am. There is also Children's Liturgy on Sundays during Mass time (not through school holidays).
Church Centenary Celebrations
Our Parish will celebrate 100 years of the beautiful new church next year, 16th March 2026. Fr Bony is looking for interested parishioners who could be recorded reflecting on their memories and the significance in their lives. Please advise the Parish Office, Fr Franco or Fr Bony if you are interested.
May peace be with you,
Sharon Young
Assistant Principal - Mission & Identity
“Hope does not disappoint.” Romans 5:5
Curriculum
Spotlight on Year 2 Writing
Our Year 2 students have been absolutely shining in their writing this term! Every Friday, they take part in a special writing challenge, and their enthusiasm and creativity have been incredible to see.
Each week, the challenge looks a little different - sometimes students write an information text, other times a narrative or even a persuasive piece. No matter the task, the children rise to the occasion and continue to amaze their teachers.
The process begins with a campfire discussion, where the class gathers to share ideas, background knowledge, and interesting facts about the weekly stimulus. (This week’s theme was caterpillars.) These conversations help to build a shared pool of knowledge, which the children can then draw on in their writing.
From there, students create an illustration to bring their ideas to life before crafting a full piece of writing. Each finished piece is proudly added to the Wow Wall, stapled on top of the previous week’s work. By the end of the term, students will be able to flip back through their writing and see just how much progress they have made.
We are so proud of the wonderful writing happening in Year 2, and we can’t wait to see the growth that continues throughout the term. Take a look at their efforts from Week 6 in the Gallery below!
Wishing you all a wonderful fortnight!
Jess Harper
Middle Leader: Teaching and Learning
Library News
Book Week Magic at St Mary’s!
This week our staff and students brought stories to life by dressing as their favourite characters from literature. From beloved classics to modern favourites, the joy of reading was celebrated in every costume. What a wonderful reminder of how books have the power to inspire imagination, connection and fun! 
We are very grateful for the magic that Mrs Ryan and Mrs McGrath brought to our school for Book Week. There will be an update in the next newsletter.
Positive School Culture
Mystery Readers
Another wonderful fortnight of Mystery Readers for our students as we celebrate books during Book Week.
Mrs Christine Cary shared a beautiful book about whales and her memories of travelling to Australia by ship and seeing whales for the first time. She also had a beautiful message from the local St Vincent de Paul Conference about compassion for the students.
Book Week brought two special Mystery Readers - Mrs Rhianna Ryan as The Lorax, teaching an important message of caring for the environment; and Grandma Poss, Mrs Sharon Young, who went looking for Hush at the Kindy through Book Week. She brought a little bit of magic and some little treats to help enjoy the book and to find Hush!
Student Awards
Exceptional Learning Award | Making Jesus Real Award | |
| Prep B | Dustin S | Lylah A, Boston F |
Prep W | Jack H, Jaxon G | Adelyn S, Finnley L |
1D | Naveh S, Ramsay V | Charlie G. Patrick S |
1H | Leo F, Adelaide R | Carter R, Darcy F |
2D | Ryder R | Rahma A |
2S | Bailee M, Lincoln P | Oscar A, Molly R |
3L | Luke P, Cooper V | Skyla C, Penny C |
3T | Mateo H, Jayce J | Maddox L, Georgia W |
4L | Jedd B | Helen M |
4K | Molly T | Liam H |
5F | Alana P, Kennedy D | Beckett B, McKenzie M |
5D | Phoebe F, Matthew D | Grace R, Kihan S |
6B | Katelyn M | Aoi G |
6H | Maddison E | Charlotte G |
Spotted Rising Up
Congratulations to all the students who have been 'Spotted Rising Up'. The prize winners were Bailee M and Henry P, which was announced at Assembly on Friday, 22nd August 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
Basketball Competition
Students in Years 4-6 have the opportunity to participate in an interschool basketball competition on Thursday afternoons. It will run for seven weeks starting in Week 2 next term. Permission will be given through Sentral once we have a few more details. If your child is interested please let Mrs Young know so we can work out how many teams we will have. There will be a maximum cost of $50 to cover costs.
Administration
OHSC Christmas Closure
OSHC will be closed from 18th December 2025 through to 5th January 2026.
Sickness
In recent weeks there has been a lot of sickness going around Warwick, in particular Influenza A. Please see below a list of symptoms and treatment.
Parent Engagement Network (PEN)
Term 3 Date Claimer - 'Real Talk'
The PEN has engaged 'Real Talk' who will present a workshop on helping caregivers foster healthy self-worth and respectful, flourishing relationships. The workshop will be particularly linked to the sessions they will be holding with our Year 5 & 6 students the following day but will be relevant to all parents and caregivers who want some up-to-date ideas on how to handle these tough and important parenting topics.
Topics covered at the Parent Night:
• Current culture;
• Developmental changes occurring with puberty;
• The digital world (including social media);
• Tips for how you can help navigate these years;
• What we’re going to discuss with the Year 5&6 students the following day.
The parent workshop will be Monday, 15th September at 6pm in the MacKillop Centre.
Notices
