LINKS: Term Three, Week Three

From the Principal

Catholic Education Week

Catholic Education Week in Queensland is a time to celebrate the faith, learning and service that shape our Catholic schools. It's an opportunity to reflect on our shared mission and the values that guide us in nurturing young hearts and minds. Across the state, schools are commemorating with events that highlight community spirit and faith in action.

The Toowoomba Diocese is embracing the week with activities that honour dedication and connection. This year’s theme is: “Communities of Faith, Hope & Love” which is in harmony with the Jubilee Year theme: “Pilgrims of Hope”. At St Mary's School, we’ve joined the celebration with a heartfelt morning tea for our incredible Op Shop Volunteers, tomorrow, our Grandparent’s Day gathering, and this Friday will be the Bishop’s Inservice Day for staff in Toowoomba, with Fr Frank Brennan as our guest speaker.

Last Friday Night 16 of our Secondary students slept at school to learn about homelessness from Vinnies Youth. It was a cold but great night and we were certainly grateful for our normal bed at home. Thanks to staff who assisted with the evening especially Mrs Suhr & Mr Goodes who joined me for the sleepover, and Mrs Rose, Ms Border and Mrs Winter for cooking us breakfast. Thanks also to Mrs Eulenstein for providing Milo and biscuits for supper.

These events remind us of the generous individuals who enrich our school community. Please note that Friday is a Pupil Free Day to allow staff to participate fully in the Bishop’s Inservice Day.

Let us continue to celebrate the gift of Catholic education and remember our school values of Faith, Compassion, Community and Respect.

Shaping our Future Survey  

Have your say in shaping our future!

We warmly invite all parents and carers to take part in the Shaping our future – Perception Survey. This short 5-to-10-minute survey is your chance to share your thoughts and help guide the future of our school and the 31 others in the Toowoomba Catholic Schools community.

Your voice matters – and we’d love to hear it! Check your email for the survey link and be sure to complete it by Wednesday, 6 August 2025.

For more information please email: angela.collins@twb.catholic.edu.au

2026 Class Allocations

We will soon be thinking about staffing and class allocations for 2026. Our staff work with great care and dedication to ensure that we place students appropriately, knowing their friends, strengths and needs within the classroom. While we will not be able to accommodate all requests, if there is something that you would like us to consider when allocating staffing and classes for next year, can you please let me know before the end of Term 3.

Prep to Year 2 Athletics Carnival

On Friday 18^th July, we held our first Prep to Year 2 Athletics Carnival. It was a day filled with participation, fun and grass roots talent! A huge thank you to Miss Rommy Beckinsale for her hard work and leadership in making this event possible.

PEN Forum

Please join us for the Term 3 PEN Forum on Tuesday 12th August at 5:30pm in the Library. The more the merrier! 

Week 4 Absence

Next week, I am serving on the panel of the School Renewal Improvement Process (SRIP) for St Saviour’s College in Toowoomba. As such, I will be away for most of the week. I’d like to thank John Shaw for being Acting Principal in my absence and the rest of the School Leadership Team and staff for their assistance with this while I am away.

Eisteddfod

I would like to wish all of our competitors in next week’s Eisteddfod all the best of luck for excellent performances. I am sure you will do yourselves, your families and your school very proud!

Op Shop Volunteers

The St Mary’s Op Shop are seeking volunteers to assist. If you are interested, or know of anyone who would be interested, please contact Annette Billsborough on: annetteb06@bigpond.com

Angela Collins
Principal

From the Deputy Principal

Hello St Mary’s community,

Celebrating Catholic Education Week

This week, we proudly celebrate Catholic Education Week across Queensland, recognising the unique spirit that sets our schools apart. Catholic schools nurture the whole child — spiritually, academically, emotionally, and socially — grounded in Gospel values and a strong sense of community. Our commitment to faith, service, and excellence creates a learning environment where every student is known, valued, and encouraged to thrive. At St Mary’s, I see daily the impact of our mission in action: fostering compassion, resilience, and hope. Thank you to our staff, students, and families for living out the heart of Catholic education.

Goondiwindi Apex Eisteddfod – Week 4 Preview

Next week, our students will proudly represent St Mary’s School at the Goondiwindi Apex Eisteddfod, showcasing their talents across a variety of performance categories. From vocals and instrumental solos to school bands, poetry, speech and drama, and our delightful primary verse-speaking class choirs, it promises to be a vibrant celebration of the arts. Students have been rehearsing with dedication and enthusiasm, and we look forward to seeing their hard work come to life on stage. It is quite a logistical undertaking, and I would like to thank our dedicated teachers for their tireless efforts. We know many parents and family members will be attending to support our performers. Best of luck to all involved – I am sure our students will do us proud!

God bless,

John Shaw
Deputy Principal

Religious Life

Welcome to Catholic Education Week, ‘Celebrating Communities of Faith, Hope, and Love’.

This week, we come together to honour the heart and soul of Catholic education — our vibrant communities built on faith, strengthened by love, and guided by hope.

Faith gives us purpose, love connects us deeply to one another and hope lights our way forward.

In a world that can often feel uncertain, hope is our anchor and our inspiration. It fuels our dreams, uplifts our spirits, and reminds us that every challenge can be met with grace and courage. Catholic schools are more than places of learning—they are havens where hope flourishes in classrooms, playgrounds, prayer, and service.

This week, let us celebrate the people who bring hope to life:

• Families who nurture learning with love
• Students who shine with curiosity and kindness
• Teachers who believe in every student's potential
• Communities who walk together in faith

Grandparent’s Day

As part of our Catholic Education Week celebrations, we are delighted to welcome grandparents into our school community tomorrow, Thursday 31^st July.

What’s Happening

8:45am – Liturgy in the Centenary Centre Join us for a special liturgy presented by our Year 2 students honouring the wisdom and faith of our grandparents.

9:30 – 10:30am – Classroom Activities

10:30–11:00am –Morning Tea in the Centenary Centre.

We look forward to celebrating and welcoming our grandparents with warmth, reverence, and lots of smiles.

Confirmation  

We welcome back our students making their sacramental program this year. Confirmation formation commences today, 30^th July at 3:15pm – 4pm in the library. The Rite of Confirmation is scheduled for Sunday 24^th August at 9am, with Bishop Ken presiding.  

First Nations Education

Last Tuesday, our staff had the privilege of learning from Tawana Carmody, Education Officer: First Nations Education from Toowoomba Catholic Schools. Through her generous sharing, we were invited to walk more deeply with the stories, cultures, and wisdom of our First Nations peoples.

It was a powerful moment of reflection and connection — an opportunity to listen, learn, and grow in our understanding of Country, community, and the perspectives that continue to shape the spiritual landscape of Catholic education.

Wishing you all a wonderful fortnight ahead!

Karra Suhr
Assistant Principal Mission & Identity

Secondary News

At St. Mary’s, we remain dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing, and inspiring environment where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential.

Building on the updates shared in the previous newsletter’s pastoral section, we believe it’s important to celebrate our students’ wellbeing. Recent surveys conducted with students in Years 7-10 show encouraging progress in resilience and overall wellbeing at St Mary’s. As reported by The Resilience Project, our 7-10 students feel valued and supported by caring teachers, safe and treated fairly, connected through trusting friendships, and backed by supportive families - strengths that reflect our welcoming school culture.

While we celebrate these positive results, the survey also points to opportunities for growth. These include empowering students with more voice and responsibility, fostering a love for reading, promoting healthier social media and sleep habits, and enhancing emotional resilience, especially in conflict management.

Our school remains dedicated to creating a nurturing environment where students can succeed both academically and emotionally.

As a direct result of this student data, here is some helpful information in the science of sleep. Sleep is fundamentally important for everyone, but it is especially critical during the teenage years, a period of rapid physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Matthew Walker, a renowned neuroscientist and sleep researcher, emphasises in his work that sleep is essential for memory consolidation, emotional regulation, immune function, and overall mental health.

During adolescence, sleep patterns often shift due to biological changes, leading teens to go to bed later and wake up later. This biological shift, combined with academic pressures and social activities, often results in sleep deprivation. Walker stresses that lack of sleep-in teenagers can contribute to a range of issues including impaired concentration, increased risk of mental health problems like depression and anxiety, weakened immune response, and increased propensity for risky behaviours.

Walker advocates for prioritising sleep and creating supportive environments for teens to get sufficient rest. He highlights that, unlike adults, teens need around 8-10 hours of sleep per night for optimal health and functioning, but many do not meet this benchmark.

For parents who wish to explore this topic further, a highly recommended resource is Matthew Walker's book:

"Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams" (Walker, 2017)

This book delves into the science of sleep, its importance across different life stages, and practical advice on how to improve sleep habits. It’s an excellent starting point for parents seeking a thorough understanding of sleep’s vital role.

We continue to foster a safe, respectful environment where students learn from mistakes. Knowing and following the school rules, welcoming feedback and wearing uniforms with pride all reflect our values of Faith, Community, Compassion, and Respect. We are dedicated to helping students grow into positive, contributing members of society. Thank you again for your continued support!

Bevin Goodes
Assistant Principal Secondary

Pastoral

URSTRONG Gratitude Garden

Over the coming weeks, we will be using key concepts from our URSTRONG program to increase our social-emotional wellbeing through the lens of friendship. This term, we’re shining the light on the power of GRATITUDE in friendships.

Experiencing gratitude, a deep sense of appreciation, is one of the best ways to boost wellbeing. Helping children learn to express and share their gratitude for their friends helps them to feel good, while strengthening their friendships too.

During lunchtimes, our students will be provided with the opportunity to contribute to creating a St Mary’s ‘Gratitude Garden.’ Students will be encouraged to think of a special friend and list all the reasons they’re grateful for that friend.

This activity aims to encourage our students to focus on the many “gifts” their friend brings to their life. It also encourages them to thank their friend and ask, “How can you show your friend how much they mean to you?”

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

Congratulations to our Prep, Year 1, and Year 2 students on their fantastic efforts at the Athletics Carnival! It was a wonderful morning filled with energy, enthusiasm, and plenty of smiling faces. I especially loved seeing our students showcase the skills they’ve been developing during their Term 2 PE lessons — what a great way to celebrate their progress!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Border District Athletics

Best of luck to Kaleb Alexander and Kourtney Perriman, who will be competing at Border District Athletics in Warwick today, Wednesday 30^th July.

Toowoomba Catholic Schools Netball Carnival

Good luck to the following students representing St Mary’s at the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Netball Carnival tomorrow, Thursday 31^st July!

Elsie McDonald, Evelyn Cush, Kate Quinlan, Molly Gleeson, Eliza Brownlie, Georgina Mooney, Bridie Doherty, Genevieve Capp, Lydia Aylwin, Emma McDougall, Lizzy Hayes, Payton McNaulty, Patrick Gleeson, Hudson Derbidge, Matilda Uebergang, Harrison Carey and Grace Vukovich!

Mac Zone Athletics

Best of luck to the 59 students representing St Mary’s at Mac Zone Athletics on Friday 8^th August. We can’t wait to hear the results from the carnival! Please see information below:

Date: Friday 8th August, 2025

Venue: Goondiwindi State High School

Start: 8.30am

Finish: 2.00pm

What to wear: Students are required to wear their light blue St Mary’s shirt

Canteen: Available

Transport: Students need to make their own arrangements

Horse Sports Event- Chinchilla

This year, St Mary's will be competing as a team at the Horse Sports Event in Chinchilla on Friday, 8^th August.

If you would like to nominate your child, please do so and pay the $30 nomination fee by today, Wednesday, 30th July. All nominations must be submitted via the Stack Team App or their website. Simply search for "Chinchilla Pony Club" and click on the Registrations tab.

Once you have completed the nomination, please fill out the following online form:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=_f1LV0RCBUK3EBaPWwxYDS8qOTe4I8dDqFdgX0TS4txUQ0NDSlNJU1RWRDkzVFY0WDc1SVVCNTZFSi4u

To compete, your child must have the Principal Form signed by Miss Collins. The online form above will collect all necessary details for your child's nomination. St Mary's will submit this Principal Form on Thursday afternoon the 31st July.

Tennis State Championships

Congratulations to Lotte Persse who has been selected to represent Darling Downs at the Tennis State Championships in Cairns in Week 5! All the best, Lotte!

Darling Downs Primary Netball Gala

If your child is interested in signing up for the Darling Downs Primary Netball Gala, please see the details below:

Date: Wednesday, 27th August (Week 7)

Venue: Toowoomba Netball Association

Cost: $25 per student

Teams: St Mary’s have registered 3 teams: Championship (Division 1), Challenge (Division 2) and Development (Division 3). Girls and boys in Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 are welcome to sign up.

School Trials: With 3 different teams registered, we will conduct school netball trials on Monday 11^th August (Week 5) 3.15-4.15pm in the Centenary Centre.

You must fill out the following form to nominate your child: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=_f1LV0RCBUK3EBaPWwxYDS8qOTe4I8dDqFdgX0TS4txURE9CTjVTTkVERUpMQzRTMFNOQ05NV1o0TS4u

Recent Achievements

Finally, a big congratulations to:

• Fred Giltrow, who represented Darling Downs at the State Rugby League Championships in Mt Isa at the end of Term 2.
• Max Matchett, who represented Darling Downs at the State Golf Championships in Brisbane last term.
• Charlie North, who represented Darling Downs at the State Rugby Union Championships in Brisbane last week. Charlie was also selected as Vice-Captain!

We are incredibly proud of you all—well done!

Term 3 Primary Sport Dates

Term 3 Secondary Sport Dates

Rommy Beckinsale 
Middle Leader: Sport

rommy.beckinsale@twb.catholic.edu.au

Cultural

Eisteddfod:

The Eisteddfod is in week 4. All relevant information regarding instrumental bands, verse speaking and choirs has now been pushed out on Sentral.  Please contact the front office if you have further questions. Good luck to all performers and staff who have been preparing diligently for this important annual event.

St Mary’s Inaugural Interhouse Cultural Competition & Cultural Shield

We are excited to announce a new addition to our biennial Starry Starry Night celebration in 2025: the Inaugural Interhouse Cultural Competition, culminating in the awarding of the Interhouse Cultural Shield.

This joyful event will showcase the creativity, collaboration, and spirit of our school community, as each House presents a performance that reflects our shared values of creativity, community, and celebration—all deeply rooted in our Mercy Charism.

The winning House will be awarded the Interhouse Cultural Shield, celebrating their creativity, teamwork, and school spirit. We look forward to sharing this exciting new tradition with our families and celebrating the incredible talents of our students. Together, we shine!

2025 Theme: Together We Shine

Each House performance will be:

• Simple, joyful, and inclusive
• Linked to our Mercy Charism
• Focused on collaboration, cultural sharing, and the impact of collective action

To prepare for their performances, House teams will rehearse under the guidance of their Sport Captains and Teacher Spirit Leaders for 15 minutes after Friday morning assemblies across weeks 4-7.

Judging Criteria

Performances will be evaluated by guest judges across five categories:

St Mary's Starry Starry Night – Audition Sign-up Reminder for individual items

Benita Klowss
Middle Leader: Culture

benita.klowss@twb.catholic.edu.au

Building Cultural Capacity one experience at a time.

Library News

Library and Information Week

The Australian Library and Information Association are currently celebrating all things reading. Whilst we don’t mark this particular week with any special action, our library sessions provide our students with opportunity to find and read books of their choice (mostly – sometimes other recommendations need to be suggested!) Fittingly the theme is ‘to read or not to read’. Being gifted the time at school to read is enjoyable for many students but once the choice is theirs, reading often doesn’t rate. Along with parents we endevour to change this for as many students as possible!

Thank you

In Week 1 we welcomed past student Katie Carrigan to the library to complete work experience. Katie did a fabulous job and impressed with her initiative and willingness to complete any task. It was a pleasure to have Katie in the library for the week, thank you for all you did!

Book Week

Our dress up parade will be held in week 6 on Friday 22^nd August at 9am in the Centenary Centre. The theme is ‘Book an Adventure’. Our hope is that all students who would like to participate feel comfortable to do so and that it is affordable and fun to join in. Please see some costume suggestions below. All books are available in the library and students are encouraged to see Mrs Petrie for help and ideas.

Happy reading!

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

goondiwindilib@twb.catholic.edu.au

Bookclub

BOOK CLUB ISSUE 5 is due tomorrow 31^st July at 8pm

Please order online through ‘the loop’ as we no longer accept cash orders at school.

All purchases contribute to funds for our school library with all popular fiction titles in our library purchased due to the funds raised through orders – we are most grateful for this – THANK YOU!

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

goondiwindilib@twb.catholic.edu.au

Guidance Counsellor

eSafety Update

At the recent National Online Safety Education Council (NOSEC) meeting, eSafety provided several updates relating to resources and professional development they have released as well as progress towards the government's minimum age verification obligations.

Social Media Minimum Age Obligations

• The most up-to-date information about the social media age restrictions can be found here.
• eSafety is consulting on the best way to implement social media age restrictions for children under 16. Details on the consultation can be found here.
• Consultation with NOSEC members is scheduled for Wednesday 16 July. Two education team members from the Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) will attend this meeting and Hannah Orchard will provide an update once more information is known.
• The eSafety Commissioner provided advice to the Minister for Communications on June 19, published here.
  

Register here: Parent eSafety Webinars

Paul Fomiatti
Guidance Counsellor 

E Paul.Fomiatti@twb.catholic.edu.au 

Careers

Exploring Future Pathways: Careers Expo & Aspire 2 Health

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the Toowoomba Careers Expo - a fantastic event that provided valuable insights into a wide range of future pathways available to our students. It was a great opportunity to gather resources and ideas to support our ongoing career development initiatives.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to offer Year 9 and 10 students the chance to participate in Aspire 2 Health, a dynamic and hands-on excursion held at the Gateway to Training in Goondiwindi. This interactive experience offers students a unique ‘peek’ into the day-to-day lives of health professionals, helping them explore careers in the health sector in a fun and engaging way.

Participation in Aspire 2 Health is optional, and an email with all relevant details will be sent home to families in the coming days.

Below are some study tips designed to support effective home learning and enhance student engagement:

Making homework work for you

The key isn't just about time - it's about making that time count. You don't need to do all your studying in marathon sessions. Break it up throughout your day and week.

Read your notes on the bus, watch educational documentaries that relate to your subjects, or discuss what you're learning with friends. Even casual conversations about your coursework can reinforce your understanding.

Consider your natural rhythms too. Are you a morning person who thinks clearly at dawn, or a night owl who hits their stride after dinner? Schedule your most challenging homework during your peak energy times.

Setting yourself up for success

To make the most of your homework time, create a study environment that works for you. Find a space where you can focus without distractions, whether that's your bedroom, the kitchen table, or your local library.

Write a study plan and stick to it. Include regular breaks because your brain needs time to process and consolidate information. Research shows that after about 15 minutes of focused learning, your brain needs a few minutes to restore the neurotransmitters that help you concentrate.

Think of breaks as brain maintenance – they're not time wasted, they're essential for keeping your mind sharp.

When to seek help

If homework is taking over your life, it's time to reassess. You should still have time for exercise, hobbies, work, family and friends. These activities aren't luxuries – they're essential for your development and mental health.

If you're consistently struggling to complete homework, speak with your teachers. They can help you develop better study strategies or adjust expectations if needed.

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

COMMUNITY NEWS