Guidance Counsellor - Mr Jesse Kupper

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are thrilled to inform you that our Year 5 students will be participating in the Friendology program this term. While we initially began delivering this program in small group settings at St Mary's, I have received interest from many Year 5's causing me to rethink the process from small groups to the whole classroom. 

What is Friendology?

Friendology is an engaging and educational program that focuses on teaching children the fundamentals of friendship. Through a series of interactive lessons and activities, students will learn about empathy, communication, conflict resolution, and inclusivity.

Why is Friendology important?

Friendships play a crucial role in a child’s social and emotional development. By participating in Friendology, students will gain valuable skills that will help them navigate their social world, build strong relationships, and foster a positive school environment.

Program Highlights

• Interactive Activities: Students will engage in games and activities that illustrate key friendship concepts.
• Role-Playing: Through role-playing exercises, children will practice handling various social situations.
• Group Discussions: Open discussions will allow students to share their experiences and learn from each other.

Key Learning Outcomes

• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
• Effective Communication: Learning to express themselves clearly and listen to others.
• Conflict Resolution: Developing strategies to resolve disagreements peacefully.
• Inclusivity: Encouraging an inclusive mindset where everyone feels valued and accepted.

How You Can Support Your Child

• Encourage Open Communication: Talk to your child about what they are learning in the program and encourage them to share their thoughts and experiences.
• Model Positive Behaviour: Demonstrate the friendship skills being taught, such as empathy and effective communication, in your interactions at home.
• Reinforce Learning: Praise your child when you see them applying the skills they’ve learned in their daily interactions.

We believe that the Friendology program will have a positive impact on our students, helping them to develop strong, healthy friendships that will benefit them throughout their lives. We look forward to seeing the growth and development of our Year 5 students as they embark on this journey.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the program, please do not hesitate to contact me or I will be at St Mary's in Weeks 3, 6 and 8 (Mon, Thu, Fri) where I am available in person.

Thank you for your support!

Warm regards,

Jesse Kupper

Guidance Counsellor St Mary's

Flyers

October Birthdays

Tuckshop - Mrs Alice Short

The Arts - Mrs Leilani Thomas

This year seems to have zoomed past us all and in the Arts space, we are growing to a crescendo to see this term out!

Arts Classroom:

This term our classes are putting their performing arts theory to the test by putting together their own mini musical, based on my favourite time of the year CHRISTMAS! Each band will put their producer hats on to create their own performance of the Nativity with a big focus on staging and design. 

Performances:

Prep – Year 2: I’m Gonna Shine

Year 3 & Year 4: Super Star

Year 5 & Year 6: Straw & Order

At the end of the year students will put on a mini showcase to share what we have been up to with the school.

Shrek the Musical

Only 5 weeks and 2 days until Shrek the Musical Jr hits the big stage (but who is counting!?). This week students are finalizing their costume trial with photographs to capture the magic. Students are expected to be off book, that is to know their lines off by heart, by the end of next week, so encourage your students to run lines with you every chance you get!

Make sure you check out this week's Sentral Post for a link to our SharePoint site with EVERYTHING you need regarding the musical.

Set Designs:

We are working on finalizing set designs but we need your help!

I am currently looking for corflute, cardboard and/or foamboard. If you are able to supply any at all that would be greatly appreciated! We will be painting over it, so if it is printed or drawn on, that is absolutely fine!

Physical Education - Mr Pete Lambourne

Dear St Mary’s Community,

As we dive into Term 4, we have an exciting program lined up for our students in Physical Education! This term promises to be both engaging and enriching, with activities designed to promote teamwork, physical fitness, and cultural awareness.

In the first three weeks, our students will immerse themselves in Indigenous Games, a unique opportunity to explore traditional activities that have been part of Aboriginal culture for generations. They will learn and participate in games like Marngrook, a form of football that not only focuses on skill and teamwork but also encourages strategic thinking and cooperation among players. Additionally, students will engage in Woggabaliri, an exciting ball game that enhances agility and promotes friendly competition. These activities are not just fun; they also provide a wonderful avenue for students to connect with Indigenous culture, fostering respect and understanding of our nation’s rich heritage while developing their physical abilities.

Starting in Week 4, we will transition to our swimming block at the Charleville Swimming Pool. During this period, students will be bussed to the pool during their allocated PE lessons. This is a fantastic opportunity for them to enhance their swimming skills, learn important water safety practices, and build confidence in the water. We encourage all students to make the most of this experience, as swimming is an essential life skill.

To ensure the success of our swimming sessions, we are seeking parent helpers. If you’re available to assist during the swimming block, we would greatly appreciate your support. Please contact the school office if you can contribute your time and help facilitate this valuable program.

Lastly, we want to extend our best wishes to Thomas, Mia, and Remi as they compete in the State Athletics Championships in Brisbane this week. Their dedication and hard work have brought them to this level of competition, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements. Good luck, athletes!

Thank you for your continued support in fostering a vibrant and active environment at St Mary’s. Together, we can ensure that our students have a memorable and impactful term.

Warm regards,

Pete Lambourne
PE Teacher
St Mary’s School

Library - Mrs Michelle Sheehan

Welcome to Term 4

I am very excited to be back at St Mary’s and in the library after my period of Long Service Leave.

Loved these students in the library before school last week having a read and checking out the books.

Term 3 - Best Borrowing Class Competition

and the winners are…

As a reward, students were able to participate in free time activities during their library lesson.

Issue 7 has an additional six pages of must-have reads. 
FREE BOOKS are on OFFER for one last time this year. Every LOOP order over $20 gets to choose a bonus title from the 'free book list'. PLUS, every order on this Issue will receive a $5 promotional code to spend on Issue 8.

Orders due Thursday 17^th October 

Coming Soon

Week 6

Book Fair

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

Learning Support - Mrs Emily Wright

Hi Families,

Welcome to Term 4. This term we continue to support students across their literacy learning. Our intervention teachers, Mel & Kirsty, have been upskilling our teachers and school officers to ensure that intervention practices are embedded across classroom literacy blocks. This ensures that our students are supported across the three tiers of intervention and maximises student exposure to key concepts.  I encourage you to speak to your child’s teacher if you have further questions about this support and ways that you can contribute to their success at home.

Until next time,

Emily Wright

Curriculum - Mrs Vanessa Alexander

Storytelling: Why It Matters

Dear Families,

It’s easy to overlook the simple yet profound act of storytelling. Stories are more than just a way to pass the time—they are a fundamental part of our human experience.

Connecting People | Stories have the unique ability to bring people together. Whether it’s around a campfire, at a family gathering, or through a book.

Preserving Culture and History | Through stories, we pass down traditions, values, and historical events from one generation to the next. They help us remember where we came from and shape our collective identity.

Inspiring and Motivating | A well-told story can inspire action and change. Think of the powerful speeches and narratives that have sparked movements and motivated individuals to strive for a better world.

Enhancing Learning | Stories make information more relatable and easier to remember, engaging our emotions and our imagination.

Healing and Empathy | Sharing personal stories can be a therapeutic process, helping individuals to heal and find solace. Listening to others’ stories fosters empathy, allowing us to see the world from different perspectives.

In essence, storytelling is a timeless art that enriches our lives in countless ways. How are you telling stories at your place?

Wishing you a wonderful week!

And we look forward to seeing you at the Fete on Friday Night!

Vanessa Alexander

Middle Leader: Curriculum

AP M & I - Mrs Kirsty Lines

Welcome to Term 4!

Is there anyone else who feels like this year has flown by?  How can we be at Term 4 already?  And what a fantastic term to be in.  So many events and beautiful ways in which we celebrate the rich Catholic history and identity of our beautiful school.  Please see below a Term 4 schedule.  The only thing missing from this is our end of year liturgy – this will take place Thursday, December 5^th at 8:30am, in the church.  As per tradition, our school leaders for 2025 will be announced at this liturgy as we celebrate the end of the school year and thank God for the many blessings bestowed upon our school and school community.

Children’s Mass – St Mary’s Parish

Your family will have received an invitation to attend children’s mass through parent portal this week.  At this mass, we have readings from the children’s bible, read by the children, prayers of the faithful and songs our students know.  We’d love to see you there – all are welcome – to celebrate term four and support our parish.

Get Well Sr Elizabeth

Sr Elizabeth continues to recover in Brisbane from her fall. Please keep her in your prayers as we continue to remember her in ours here at school. 

AP: M&I 2025 Appointment

As you may have read in communication sent out before the holidays, I have decided not to renew my contract for Assistant Principal: Mission and Identity for 2025 – 29.  This is my eleventh year in the role and during that time I have had the privilege of working with three different Principals, over 20 new staff and a generation of our wonderful students here at St Mary’s.  Also having the opportunity to be the link with the Parish and working with Fr Peter, Fr Warren and Sr Elizabeth has been a highlight.   

Concurrent with the AP: M&I role, I also held the role of Middle Leader for eight of those years, as well as teaching specialist areas of Science, HASS, Religion and co-ordinating and teaching sport for three years.  I have been acting LST this year and have conducted intervention for the last three years.  It has been a very fulfilling experience and I have greatly enjoyed my time in all the roles.  The opportunity to work hard to improve our school for my children, (both of whom attended St Mary’s for seven years), and all of our students is not lost on me. 

However, eleven years is a long time to be out of the classroom fulltime.  My first passion was always face to face teaching and I’m excited to return to the classroom full time next year and offer any assistance necessary for our incoming AP: M&I.  Interviews for the role have taken place and I look forward to welcoming our new AP: M&I in the coming weeks. 

Wishing you all a blessed term 4,

God bless,

Kirsty Lines

AP: M&I

Principal - Ms Katrina Dunne

Welcome back to the final term of 2024! I hope you all enjoyed a restful break and are ready for an exciting conclusion to the school year.

School Fete This Friday Night

I am thrilled to remind everyone about our School Fete happening this Friday night! This is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and enjoy a fantastic evening filled with children’s activities, live music, delicious food, stalls, and much more. I look forward to seeing everyone there as we celebrate our school.

Student Leadership Opportunities

2025 Student Leadership will kick off in Week 3 this term for our Year 5 students. Next week, we will share important information with our Year 5 students about the criteria and process for the 2025 school leadership positions. Our students have been diligently developing their resumes throughout the year, which is reflected in their conduct both in and out of school. This year, Miss Morrison and I will be coordinating the Student Leadership Program, and we look forward to guiding our future leaders.

Mini Mary's Pre-Prep Program

We are excited to inform you that the Mini Mary's pre-prep program will commence in Week 6 this term. If you know any families who have not yet enrolled their children for Prep 2025, please encourage them to complete the online enrolment form as soon as possible, as spaces are filling up quickly!

2025 Family Intentions

As we begin planning for the next school year, please notify the school office if your family intends to leave at the conclusion of 2024. This information will assist us in class planning and teacher allocations, which we will communicate with families by the end of Week 8 this term.

World Teachers' Day

Mark your calendars for World Teachers' Day on Friday, October 25th! This is a wonderful opportunity to show appreciation for our dedicated teachers. Please take a moment to thank your child's teacher(s) for their hard work and commitment to our students.

Thank you for your continued support as we embark on this final term together. Let’s make it a memorable one!

Kind regards,

Katrina

St Mary's Fete

Multi-draw raffle

A book of tickets has been sent home this week with the eldest child in the family. Please return the tickets, sold or unsold, to the school office by Friday 4 October.

Flyers

Get your edge with Sharks Volleyball!

With a range of programs to enhance your volleyball skills, we’ve got something for all!

We want to make volleyball accessible for everyone, so regardless if your school, club, state training has concluded, we’ve got you covered.

This school holidays we have our 4-day SHARKS CAMP volleyball program, now available in 3 regions!

- Brisbane - 4122

- Gold Coast - 4215
- Sunshine Coast (newest region!) - 4551

As well as, over the school term you can get access to our weekly trainings with WEEKLY JUNIOR SESSION, available in 7 locations across QLD.

- Peregian Springs (Sunshine Coast)
- Beerwah (Sunshine Coast)
- Little Mountain (Sunshine Coast)
- North Brisbane (Brisbane)
- South Brisbane (Brisbane)
- Redlands (Brisbane)
- Southport (Gold Coast)

Get the edge on your training today at Sharks Volleyball and register today using the links below!

Sharks Camp: https://sharksvolleyball.com/landing-page-sharks-camp-qld
Weekly Junior Session: https://sharksvolleyball.com/landing-page-weekly-junior-session-qld

September birthdays

Tuckshop - Mrs Alice Short

Year 2 - Miss Imogen Hunt

Exciting Events and Learning Experiences

Dear Families,

As we finish off another term, we are thrilled to share some highlights from our recent activities and lessons!

Performing Arts Festival 

Our students showcased their incredible talents at the Performing Arts Festival! From singing to a captivating poem performance, it was an event filled with creativity and enthusiasm. The hard work and dedication each student put into their performances truly shone through.

Variety Bash 

The Variety Bash morning was filled with laughter and fun! Our students participated in a magic show and got to check out the cars. It was wonderful to see everyone come together, and students enjoy the morning. Thank you to all who contributed to making this event a success!

Prayer Assembly: Focusing on Hospitality 

During our recent Prayer Assembly, we explored the theme of hospitality. Our students reflected on the importance of kindness and generosity in our daily lives. They shared beautiful messages and acts that we can do at St Mary’s to make everyone feel welcome in our community.

Science Exploration

In Science, we embarked on an exciting journey to discover different landforms and their significance. We learned about mountains, valleys, rivers, and deserts, and discussed how these features shape our planet. Additionally, we focused on the importance of water conservation and explored practical ways to save water at home and school.

Stewardship of Creation

Throughout this term, we have been learning about our world and the vital role we play as stewards of creation. Our discussions emphasised the need to care for our environment and to appreciate the beauty around us. Check out our Saint posters which have an action plan for St Mary’s School.

Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement in your child's learning journey. We look forward to more exciting adventures ahead!

Warm regards,

Imogen Hunt

Year 1 - Ms Susan Holloway

Hi there,

It is so hard to believe that another term has passed.  In our Year One team, we are all looking forward to the break, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone back at the beginning of Term Four, rested and ready to go!

There is so much to celebrate this term. Year One are to be commended on their effort in all areas of the curriculum. They have applied themselves consistently to all tasks and their enthusiasm to learn and their sense of humour makes our classroom a great place to be.

We have enjoyed so many special learning opportunities this term. The Variety Bash, Book Week, Charleville Performing Arts Festival, Grandparents' Liturgy and making special cards for Father's Day are just a few! I could not be prouder of how the Year One's performed at the Charleville Performing Arts Festival! What a great performance.

I trust you all have safe and happy holidays and see you all back in Term Four.

Cheers,

Sue Holloway and the Year One team

Prep - Mrs Bernice McPhee

How fast has Term 3 gone? We are already in week 10! It has been another busy few weeks with lots of fun had in Prep. We had a fun visit with all the crazy cars from the Variety Bash. Students loved having a look around and collecting lots of fun things from the different vehicles and drivers. The magic show was also a blast.

Students always love dressing up! Character Day during Book Week is always a huge favourite each year. We had lots of different characters in Prep on this day. Students shared who they were and displayed their book for the whole school to see.

Winners are grinners! Week 7 was a big week for the Performing Arts Festival. We were so proud of our Preppies who took out a silver medal for their Choral performance with Mrs Thomas and then backed it up the next day with a Gold medal for their Verse Speaking Performance. What little Superstars they were!

The warmer weather has certainly been lovely, and students are really enjoying our outdoor space more, particularly with some of our new furniture and our new basketball hoop. The sandpit is always a huge hit!

Week 10 marks our last week with Miss Smith. We have loved having her in our class. She has taught us lots of things and has made our learning journey fun this term. We wish her well as she returns to Brisbane and hope to see her in Charleville again one day.

APRE - Mrs Kirsty Lines

Grandparents' Liturgy

On Monday, September 9, we hosted our annual Grandparents' Day, which included a liturgy, classroom visit and shared morning tea.  Thank you to all of our fantastic grandparents, parents, aunties, uncles and family friends who attended.  Many of our grandparents commented it is one of their favourite events on the St Mary’s calendar, and they make sure they are available to attend.  A special thank you to Fr Peter, who lead us in prayer on his birthday!  Happy Birthday Fr Peter!  Please see pictures below.

Sr Elizabeth O’Keeffe

Please keep Sr Elizabeth in your prayers as she continues to convalesce after a fall.  Sister will remain in Brisbane for the time being.  I’m sure you’ll join with me in wishing her a speedy & pain free recovery. 

APRE – Title change

Recently, the role of Assistant to the Principal in Religious Education was reviewed by Toowoomba Catholic Schools.  The review recognised the changing complexities of the role as Catholic schools continue to grow and respond to the needs of staff and students.  Part of the review findings was the title of ‘APRE’ no longer reflected the role.  A new title – Assistant Principal – Mission and Identity was decided upon.  Starting from next term, the title AP: M&I will be used and APRE will no longer appear.

Happy Holidays

Wishing all our St Mary’s families and friends a happy and refreshing holiday.  It's difficult to believe we are nearly at the end of 2024 – I’ve just stopped writing 2023!!! 

God bless,

Kirsty Lines

AP: M&I

Principal - Ms Katrina Dunne

As we reach the end of Term 3, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our entire school community. It has been a busy and productive term, and I am incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication shown by our students, teachers, and parents.

This term, we have witnessed so many remarkable achievements, from academic successes to impressive feats in the arts, sports, and extracurricular activities. Our students continue to inspire us with their passion, creativity, and determination to reach their full potential.

I encourage all parents to take some time over the holiday break to reflect with your child on their accomplishments this term. Celebrate the progress they have made, the challenges they have overcome, and the positive steps they have taken towards their goals. This is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge their hard work and growth, and to build their confidence as they look ahead to the next term.

As we take a well-deserved rest, I want to wish everyone a safe and restful break. I look forward to welcoming our students back to school on Monday, September 30th, and to continuing our journey of learning and growth together.

Thank you all for your continued support and commitment to our school. I am truly grateful to be a part of this amazing community.

2025 Enrolment and Class Planning

Class arrangements and planning for 2025 is underway. If you know that you will not be returning to St Mary’s in 2025, please let Loretta or Deidre (at the school office) know at your earliest convenience. The number of class teachers and the year level class model is directly linked to the number of students in the school.

St Mary’s Fete – 4 weeks to go!

SAVE THE DATE | Friday 11^th October 2024

Vanessa Alexander is the fete coordinator this year. Only four weeks to go! Vanessa has scheduled a weekly fete meeting WEDNESDAYS 4:30-5:30pm. Please join us in person in the staffroom, or via TEAMs link below. Let’s create a successful fete for 2024.

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 477 791 503 263

Passcode: H9grbM

Fee Relief will be applied in Term 4 to all balanced accounts

If you wish to receive the fee relief for 2024, your fee account will need to be paid in full by the end of this week. The $200/student relief credit will be applied in Week 1 of Term 4.

Have a wonderful fortnight.

Kind regards,

Katrina