LINKS: Term Four, Week 1

From the Principal

Welcome back

A huge welcome back to you all for Term 4. Term 4 brings with it so much joy and excitement and many events to look forward to. I hope and pray that you all enjoy the many great events that are to come, including Year 7 2026 interviews, Year 3 and 5 camp, Year 1 Sleepover, Awards Night and the many end of year celebrations to name a few.

Staffing Announcements

I would like to inform you of some staffing changes that have happened or will be happening. Mrs Cynthia Bowen finished up with us during Term 3. I would like to thank Cynthia for all she has done for our community during her time here. Mrs Natalie Mettam will now be assisting the Middle Leaders with Administrative duties in her stead, and I wish Nat all the very best with this new role. Mrs Matilda Sly will now join us in a Teacher Aide role to take on Mrs Mettam’s Teacher Aide role. We also wish Matilda all the very best with this role.

At the end of this year, we will also bid a sad farewell to Mrs Robyn Lindores who will be leaving us to move closer to family in Toowoomba. Robyn has served our community with kindness, compassion and an incredible work ethic. We thank her for all she has done and we wish her all the best in her new chapter.

Starry Starry Night

A huge thank you to all who were involved in Starry Starry Night, particularly, our PEN and Denise Ellis, Benita Klowss, Sam Jessen, John Shaw and of course the stars of the show – our students. What an incredible night of entertainment. Congratulations to you all.

Year 6 and Year 9/10 Camps

The last 2 weeks of last term saw our Year 6's head to Canberra in Week 9 and our Years 9/10 cohorts head to Brisbane for their City Camp. These events involve so much work behind the scenes as well as a very tiring week for those supervising and attending. Thanks to everyone who was involved in these camps to make it such an incredible experience for our students.

In case you missed it in last Newsletter: Email Etiquette: Clear Communication between home and school 

As part of our commitment to effective and respectful communication, we’d like to share some guidance on email etiquette when corresponding between parents and staff. We hope that these tips help to streamline our communication between home and school. 

As per our Right to Disconnect Protocols staff will reply to electronic communication within one business day of receiving. Please note that this refers to working days: e.g. not on weekends or when part-time staff are not rostered on duty.  

Format: How to address/Who should reply? 

Please ensure you are addressing emails to the most appropriate person and that matters are dealt with at the lowest level possible. To avoid duplication or missed responses, when emailing multiple staff members, clarifying who is responsible for replying can be achieved through formatting:

To: Use this for the person(s) expected to take action/respond. This person should reply promptly and acknowledge receipt.

Cc: (Carbon Copy): Use this for those who need to be informed but are not expected to reply unless specifically requested within email. For example, if a parent emails both the class teacher and the deputy principal, and the teacher is best placed to respond, the teacher should be in the “To” field and the deputy in “Cc”. 

Subject line: As many of us, both at home and school, receive numerous emails each day, please provide a clear subject line (1-5 words) to ensure this communication is clear. For example, Year 7 Music Timetable Change. 

Sickness/Vomiting & School

A friendly reminder with regards to vomiting/sickness at our school. If your child has been vomiting at home and/or vomits at school, we need the child collected immediately and then we have a 24hour exclusion policy. This means that you child cannot return back to school until that 24 hour period is served. This timeframe is in place to stop the spread of germs/bugs within our school and school community. We really appreciate your assistance and cooperation with this.

Angela Collins
Principal

From the Deputy Principal

Hello St Mary’s community,

Welcome back. It’s hard to believe we’ve already arrived at Term 4. 2025 seems to be flying by! I know not everyone was able to take time off work, but I trust you managed to enjoy some quality time with your children.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Thank you to all the families who attended our parent-teacher interviews on Tuesday afternoon. These conversations are such a valuable opportunity to strengthen the partnership between home and school, and to support each child’s learning journey.

If you were unable to attend, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher(s) to arrange a meeting, either in person or over the phone.

Social Media Age Restrictions

As you may have heard on the news, our Federal Government is working towards restricting children under the age of 16 from keeping an account on age-restricted social media platforms. This will take effect on 10^th December this year.

Some key points include:

• The age restrictions are likely to apply to Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube, among other platforms.
• Online gaming and standalone messaging apps are among the types of services that will not be included.
• Children under 16 will still be able to see publicly available social media content that doesn’t require logging into an account.

The eSafety Commissioner is the regulator for online safety in Australia, and has provided the following advice to schools:

While students under 16 will not be able to have social media accounts, they will still be able to see publicly available social media content on services such as YouTube that do not require being logged in to an account. Teachers will also be able use their own accounts on services such as YouTube to find and show age-appropriate educational video content in the classroom. More information can be found on eSafety’s Social Media Age Restrictions Hub, https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions-hub, including frequently asked questions and summaries of stakeholder consultation. Additional resources to support young people, parents and carers, and educators will be added to the Hub in coming weeks. This will include webinars for educators that you will be able to sign up for through the Professional Learning for Teachers page. eSafety will continue to take a holistic approach to protecting, supporting and empowering all Australians online, and will continue to work with communities, educators, parents, carers and young people through our Youth Council, to promote online safety for all Australians. You can read more about eSafety and the work we do here: https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do

I encourage you to take a look at these links to understand and keep abreast of the changes.

Wishing everyone a positive and productive start to the term.

God bless,

John Shaw
Deputy Principal

Religious Life

Welcome back to Term 4! There’s something truly special about this time of year, it’s a term filled with a culmination of learning, celebration of success, and reflection on the incredible achievements our students have made throughout the year.

Term 4 is always a favourite. It’s a time when classrooms buzz with energy, final projects take shape, and students showcase the growth they’ve made across all areas of learning. From academic milestones to cultural and sporting accomplishments, this term is about recognising effort, resilience, and progress.

Crazy Sock and Hair Day

Next Friday 17^th October, we’re turning up the fun with Crazy Sock and Hair Day! Students are invited to express their creativity by wearing crazy socks and crazy hairstyles, all while dressed in their regular Friday sports uniform.

We kindly ask each student to bring a gold coin donation, which will go directly to Catholic Missions in support of their incredible work. October is Mission Month, a time when Catholic communities around the world unite to reflect on and support missionary efforts. This year’s theme, “Hearts on Fire, Feet on the Move”, encourages us to walk in solidarity with those in need and to take action through prayer, fundraising, and awareness. Funds raised help provide education, healthcare, and pastoral care to vulnerable communities across the globe.

To mark this special month, 4L will be leading us in a prayer liturgy on Friday 17th October at 8:45am. Families are warmly invited to join us as we come together in faith and compassion.

First Communion

Those students involved in the Sacramental Program will meet for their formation classes on the following dates:

• Wednesday 8^th October
• Wednesday 15^th October
• Wednesday 22^nd October
• Wednesday 29^th October

The sacrament of First Communion will take place on Sunday 2^nd November at 9am, with celebrations to follow.

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: 5:00 – 6:00pm

Years 4 – 10 Ceremony: 6:30 – 8:00pm

Please mark this important date on your calendars and join us in recognising the hard work and dedication of our students. It promises to be a memorable evening filled with community spirit.

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. Invitations and further details will be shared shortly. Please note, that Year 10 students will finish school on Friday 28th 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.

Invitations and further details will follow soon.

Wishing you all the best for a busy term ahead,

Karra Suhr
Assistant Principal Mission & Identity

Secondary News

As we begin the fourth and final term of the academic year, we encourage all students to approach each day with purpose and determination. This is a valuable time to consolidate learning, deepen understanding, and build momentum toward a successful finish.

Every lesson is thoughtfully planned by our dedicated teachers, who invest significant time and energy into creating meaningful learning experiences. We ask our students to honour that effort by engaging fully and participating actively in class, completing tasks with care, and seeking help when needed. Whether inside or outside the classroom, asking questions and showing curiosity is one of the most powerful ways to grow. It truly makes a teacher’s day when a student reaches out for support or clarification.

This term, we also want to highlight the importance of practice in the learning process. As the saying goes, “Repetition is the mother of skill.” To illustrate this, consider a story from a pottery class:

In a pottery project, one group of students was tasked with creating the perfect pot, while another group aimed to make as many pots as possible. Surprisingly, the group focusing on quantity produced the most impressive work. Time after time, their practice led to improvement, while the perfection-seekers often got stuck in their quest for flawlessness.

This lesson applies far beyond the art room. Whether it’s writing, mathematics, science, or any other subject, consistent effort and practice lead to growth. We encourage students to aim for progress over perfection and embrace mistakes as part of the learning process.

As we move through Term 4, let’s make the most of every opportunity. Share ideas, ask questions, support one another, and stay committed to daily improvement. The effort students put in now will lay the foundation for future success.

Thank you for your continued support and for being an essential part of our vibrant school community. Let’s finish the year strong - together!

Bevin Goodes
Assistant Principal Secondary

Pastoral

Social Media Ban for Under 16’s

Starting 10 December 2025, the Australian Government will enforce new regulations that restrict access to social media platforms for individuals under the age of 16. This initiative aims to protect young people from the mental health risks and addictive features of social media.

The main changes are platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube, and others being required to take “reasonable steps” to prevent under-16s from accessing their services.

The changes represent a response to research that has shown a strong link between excessive social media use and mental health challenges in adolescents, including:

• Depression & Anxiety: Frequent use is associated with increased symptoms of depression and anxiety.
• Sleep Disruption: Late-night scrolling can interfere with sleep, which is vital for emotional regulation and brain development.
• Self-Esteem & Body Image: Teens often compare themselves to idealised images online, leading to poor body image and low self-worth.
• Cyberbullying: Online harassment is a major contributor to mental distress, with many teens experiencing bullying as victims, perpetrators, or witnesses.
• Validation Seeking: The pursuit of likes and followers can create a cycle of external validation, impacting self-esteem and emotional resilience.
  
  

As these changes roll out, here are some practical ways parents can support their children:

1. Start the Conversation Early
   - Talk openly about the reasons behind the ban.
   - Validate your child’s feelings—especially if they feel frustrated or disconnected.
2. Explore Alternatives Together
   - Encourage hobbies, sports, and creative outlets.
   - Help them find safe, age-appropriate platforms for communication and entertainment.
3. Set Healthy Tech Boundaries
   - Create screen-free zones (e.g., bedrooms, dinner table).
   - Use parental controls/ contracts and monitoring tools to guide usage.
4. Model Balanced Digital Habits
   - Be mindful of your own screen time.
   - Show how to use technology positively and purposefully.

5. Stay Informed
- Follow updates from the eSafety Commissioner Social media age restrictions hub | eSafety Commissioner

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

State Cricket Championships

Congratulations to Piper Rose and Georgia Wild who represented Darling Downs at the State Cricket Championships at the end of Term 3. Piper was presented with the Managers award of the tournament and Georgia received her hattrick ball at the final presentation. Awesome effort girls, we are very proud of you both!

All School Aquathon & Triathlon

Good luck to Charlie North and Eliza Scudamore who will be competing at the 13-19 Years All School Triathlon & Aquathlon champs in Kawana on the weekend!

Track & Field State Championships

Best of luck to Anthony Heeson and Emmett Parcell who will be representing Darling Downs next week at the Track & Field State Championships for Shot Put. Safe travels to Townsville and we can’t wait to hear how you both go!

MacIntyre Schools Rugby 7s Carnival

Thank you to all the families who have signed up for the Rugby 7’s Gala Day on Friday 24^th October. Please check your emails for more information, including permission forms.

To help prepare for the carnival and finalise teams, we will be holding training sessions for the U10 and U12 tackle teams only on the following Thursdays:

• Thursday 9th October (Week 1)
• Thursday 16th October (Week 2)
• Thursday 23rd October (Week 3)
  Time: 3:30pm - 4:30pm
  Location: Riddles Oval

Important Training Notes:

• Mouthguards are compulsory for all training sessions.
• Please also bring headgear (optional), water, and wear comfortable football clothes.
• Attendance is important to ensure teams are well-prepared and finalised.
• Please note: Girls participating in the Come & Try session do not need to attend training.

Swimming Lessons

Swimming lessons for students in Prep to Year 6 will commence in Week 2 and continue through to Week 7. Lessons will take place on each class’s regular PE day. Classroom teachers will share further details with families closer to the start of the program.

Term 4 Sport Dates

Rommy Beckinsale 
Middle Leader: Sport

rommy.beckinsale@twb.catholic.edu.au

Cultural

2026 Musical Announcement – Shrek Jr!

We’re thrilled to announce that our 2026 musical will be Shrek Jr – a hilarious, heartwarming adventure full of fairy tale misfits, catchy songs, and big green fun! The announcement was made to students yesterday, and the excitement is already building. This year, our musical journey is deeply connected to the Catholic Social Teachings (CST). Shrek Jr offers a powerful platform to explore themes of dignity, inclusion, justice, and community – all central to CST. From the fairytale creatures standing up for their rights to Shrek’s journey of self-acceptance, the story beautifully reflects our shared values and invites students to live them out through performance.

Whether your child is keen to audition, help behind the scenes, or just cheer from the audience, there are plenty of ways to be involved. All key dates are available in the Sentral Calendar for Parents, and we’ve outlined the audition timeline below to help families plan ahead.  For those really keen students (and parents) who want to dive straight in before the Audition workshop, you can visit the Cast Audition website here: https://benitaklowss.wixsite.com/sms-shrekjr

Choirs of Angels – Term 4 Rehearsals and Event dates

A reminder for upcoming rehearsals and event dates for term 4:

Benita Klowss
Middle Leader: Culture

benita.klowss@twb.catholic.edu.au

Building Cultural Capacity one experience at a time.

Library News

Book Fair

Due to many reasons, we will not be hosting a Book Fair this year. It is possible we will once again hold a Scholastic Book Fair in Term 4, 2026. The main reason being that the system of points at Scholastic is far more beneficial to our school than the funds received from The Book Warehouse. This is mostly due to the fact that the majority of children are wanting to purchase and read the books that are available at Scholastic.

We will participate in both Issue 7 and 8 of Book Club this term with extra bonuses given to the school for signing up for Issue 8 as we do not normally send the last issue home. Please keep an eye out for these catalogues if you wish to support the library by purchasing for Christmas.

We will happily listen to any feedback parents would like to offer about Book Fairs and also Book Club. Please send any feedback to the email listed below.

Holiday book returns

Please check in with your child to ensure all holiday returns come back this week – you might save me a day of emails which would be very appreciated!

Volitional Reading

Volitional reading refers to reading that is undertaken for pleasure where books are chosen by the reader for their own joy and satisfaction.  The Decline in Volitional Reading report, released last month from the National Institute of Education in Singapore, has been published in response to a global downward trend in young people’s engagement with reading. The report is well worth a read and below is an image that might assist you with your child’s reading. Of particular importance for us in the library is the principle of agency/choice. It takes time to teach skills for our students to find books to borrow that are appropriate in terms of content and reading development as well as enjoyable for the individual. I don’t always find it easy to say ‘no’ to a book a student would like to borrow but at the end of the day I can be doing more harm by NOT saying no and assisting the child to find something more appropriate. Take a look at the paper, it’s a good one!

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

A Supportive Encouraging Story to Start the Term

When I was in high school, my first job was at a shoe store. It wasn’t glamorous, but I was thrilled to be working.

I carpooled to work with a friend, and on the days she drove, she was always (always!) 5 to 10 minutes late to pick me up. My stomach twisted into knots every time, and our boss wasn’t impressed either. “Be on time!” he demanded.

I pleaded with my friend: “I appreciate you picking me up, but can you please be on time?” She promised she would… but nothing changed. So I told myself, “She’s so inconsiderate.”

Then one day, my friend admitted, “I have to watch my little brother until my mom gets home from work... That’s why I’m always late. I wanted to keep carpooling, so I didn’t say anything.”

Her WHY changed everything. On the surface, I thought she didn’t care. In reality, she was just trying to be responsible.

I’ve carried that lesson into parenting. When our kids struggle, it’s easy to label the behaviour. We might see our kiddo as “unmotivated” or “defiant.” But often, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Often, the WHY is related to kids' executive functioning (EF) skills—the mental tools necessary to accomplish tasks, such as planning ahead, staying organized, managing time, regulating emotions, and following through on tasks.

Paul Fomiatti
Guidance Counsellor 

E Paul.Fomiatti@twb.catholic.edu.au 

Careers

School based apprenticeships and traineeships explained

School-based apprenticeships and traineeships offer high school students a unique pathway that combines traditional schooling with real-world work experience and vocational training. They're a valuable pathway for students who want to obtain their high school certificate while also building practical skills and earning money in their chosen field.

What exactly are school-based apprenticeships and traineeships?

As the name suggests, school-based apprenticeships and traineeships allow students to combine their school studies with work and vocational training.

You can begin a SBAT in Year 10, 11, or 12, splitting your time between three key components:

• continuing essential schoolwork
• undertaking formal vocational training (either in person or online)
• working part-time and receiving hands-on training and mentoring

Under some circumstances, the Department of Trade, Employment and Training will approve students to begin their SBA in Year 9.  This involves a business case being put forward for approval.

They're perfect for students who learn best by doing, are keen to get a head start on their career, may be struggling with traditional school, or aren’t interested in heading to university straight after high school.

The timeline and commitment

Like a regular apprenticeship or traineeship, SBATs typically take between 1-4 years to complete. The exact length of an SBAT will depend on the qualification you want to study and how much time you can dedicate to part-time work each week. Some students may need to continue their training after leaving school to complete their qualification.

During this period, you'll need to make a genuine commitment to both your education and your employer. You'll be learning to balance multiple responsibilities, which is excellent preparation for adult working life.

What can you gain from a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship?

By the time students complete Year 12, they could walk away with:

• a high school certificate
• a nationally recognised qualification
• an ATAR (depending on their subject choices)
• paid work experience
• practical, industry-specific skills
• industry contacts and mentors
• a head start in their chosen career

Perhaps most importantly, many students receive full-time job offers from their employers once their SBAT is complete.

How are school-based apprenticeships and traineeships funded?

SBATs and other vocational qualifications for young people are designed to be accessible, so they're often fully funded by federal or state governments. This means there are typically no additional costs beyond normal school expenses, removing financial barriers that might otherwise prevent participation.

Who can participate?

To be eligible to undertake a SBAT, you must:

• be enrolled full-time at school
• be aged 15 or older
• have your school's agreement
• find an employer willing to take you on
• have parental permission (if you're under 18)

Most students who meet these basic requirements can participate, though it's a good idea to check specific requirements with both your school and in your state or territory, as these can vary slightly.

School-based apprenticeships and traineeships offer an excellent pathway for students who want to combine academic achievement with practical career preparation. If you think it might be the right option for you, start exploring your options now so you can make the best decision for your future goals.

You can find more comprehensive information and resources to help guide your decision here Apprenticeships & Traineeships - Study Work Grow.

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)

The PEN committee would like to welcome all parents to the next PEN forum on Tuesday 28 October, 5.30pm. Susan Long, experienced Adolescent Psychologist will be presenting on parent engagement with the adolescent brain. More information will be provided in the next newsletter.

Mr Andrew Erbacher
PEN - Chair

Student Council

To wrap up Term 3, our school community celebrated Choose Your Charity Free Dress Day, and it was wonderful to see so many students and staff getting involved with such enthusiasm and heart.

Thank you to everyone who supported this initiative by dressing up and donating. Your generosity made a real impact, and we’re proud to share that donations were made to the following charities:

• Macintyre Animal and Pet Rescue - $205.50
• Breast Cancer Foundation - $252.55
• Farm Angels - $207.10
• Fight Cancer Foundation - $186.20
  

We also want to extend a huge thank you to all the families who baked for the Bake a Wish initiative. The treats were absolutely delicious and very much appreciated by everyone! Thanks to your efforts, we raised $670.75 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, helping to bring joy and hope to children facing serious illnesses.

Your kindness and community spirit continue to inspire us. We look forward to more opportunities to give back together in the future!

COMMUNITY NEWS