Mini Mary's - Mrs Bernie McPhee

Our 4 days of Mini Mary’s has been a blast. It has been lovely to get to know all our new 2025 Prep students. We look forward to them joining us at St Mary’s next year and settling into the life of a Preppie!

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December Birthdays

Uniform Shop - Ms Loretta Clayton

Year 6 - Miss Taylor Morrison

As we come to the end of a remarkable year, I would like to take a moment to reflect on our journey filled with learning, growth, and unforgettable experiences.

The past few weeks have been particularly eventful and memorable. We had the incredible opportunity to meet our local mayors, learning about their roles and responsibilities in our community. Our visit to the Cosmos Centre was out of this world, quite literally! We explored the wonders of the universe and deepened our understanding of the cosmos.

One of the highlights of this term was our weekly visits to Waroona, the local nursing home. We enjoyed playing bingo, singing songs, and engaging in games with the residents. It was a joy to see their faces light up with happiness, and it reminded us of the importance of community and kindness. We will miss you Waroona!

Spirit Week was a blast! From dressing in our cozy pyjamas to the hilarity of "Anything But a Bag Day," and the creativity of Crazy Hair and Socks Day, we celebrated our school spirit with enthusiasm and joy. These fun-filled days brought us closer together and allowed us to express our individuality.

Monday night, we celebrated our graduation, a milestone that marks the end of our primary school journey. I am incredibly proud of our graduates and all that they have achieved together. The ceremony was a beautiful reminder of their hard work, perseverance, and the friendships they have built over the years.

A little message from me…

As I prepare to say goodbye after four wonderful years at St. Mary's, I am filled with immense gratitude and appreciation for the incredible journey we've shared.

To the students, thank you for your enthusiasm, curiosity, and hard work. Watching you grow and learn has been the most rewarding part of my time here. Your smiles, questions, and achievements have made every day special.

To the parents, your support and trust have been invaluable. Thank you for partnering with me in your children's education and for being such an integral part of our school community. Your involvement and encouragement have made a significant difference.

To my fellow teachers and staff, it has been an honour to work alongside such dedicated and passionate professionals. Your commitment to excellence and your unwavering support have inspired me every day. Together, we have created a nurturing and stimulating environment for our students.

Lastly, to the administration, thank you for your leadership and vision. Your guidance has been instrumental in making St. Mary's ‘a place like no other’ where both students and teachers can thrive.

As I move on to new adventures, I will carry with me the memories and lessons learned at St. Mary's. This school will always hold a special place in my heart.

With deepest gratitude,

Miss Morrison

Year 5 - Miss Holly Price

Thank you, St. Mary’s, for an amazing four years! It has truly been eye-opening to be welcomed into such a supportive and dedicated community. I have learned so much from all of you—both from those I have had the privilege to teach and from those I see each day in the playground.

Thank you to the students, parents, and all the staff for a wonderful 2024. I wish the best for our future leaders of the school in making 2025 a memorable year! I know you will all achieve great things.

Until next time!   

Miss Holly Price.

Year 4 - Mrs Madisen Flaherty

Hello to all our families,

Welcome to the last newsletter for 2024. Well…… what a semester it has been!!

In Year Four there were many positive aspects to celebrate and reflect on as we approach the end of the year. The students have conducted themselves with maturity throughout this semester and have grown as a class. This development as a cohort has been wonderful to witness and observe and I feel very privileged. They have shown respectful collaboration through their prayer assembly practice and performance...

...and have enjoyed creating mandalas during Religion lessons. 

The students have participated in Remembrance Day activities and conducted science experiments. I think their favourite of all to celebrate their successes throughout Year Four was the class pool party :-)! 

I wish the students, along with their families, a safe and happy holiday season and fantastic transition into Year Five in 2025! I would like to also extend a huge thank you to all our families this semester in making myself and my own family feel welcome to not only the St Mary’s community, but the Charleville town community also. Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year.

Warm regards,

Mrs Madisen Flaherty

Year 3 - Miss Katherine Spalding

As we come to the close of another school year, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks to each of you. This year has been truly special, and I am grateful for the wonderful experiences we’ve shared in Year 3. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday, and looking forward to seeing everyone again after the holidays!

Year 2 - Miss Imogen Hunt

Dear families,

As we wrap up another exciting year in Year 2, we want to take a moment to reflect on all we've accomplished together. This year has been filled with learning, laughter, and wonderful memories.

Highlights of the Year:

• Reading Adventures: Our class dived into magical stories, expanding our reading skills and discovering new worlds.
• Math Explorations: We tackled addition, subtraction, and even some fun problems, building a strong foundation for future learning.
• Science Discoveries: From exploring the life cycle of plants to understanding the importance of water and Rube Goldberg Machines, our curiosity knew no bounds!
• Creative Arts: The students showcased their talents through the Performing Arts Festival and prayer assemblies, brightening our classroom with their creativity.

Looking ahead

As we prepare for Year 3, we encourage students to keep reading over the break and explore new interests. Thank you for your support throughout the year—your involvement makes a significant difference in our classroom community.

Wishing everyone a joyful and restful holiday season!

Warm regards,

Imogen Hunt 

Year 1 - Ms Susan Holloway

Dear families,

What a year it has been for Year One. I still find it hard to fathom how four terms can pass so quickly.  It has been a year full of learning for all of us!

We have been very busy this year building worm farms, designing and building a city, exploring history, writing fairy tales and performing at various events. The students have not only grown in knowledge, but in confidence through these wonderful opportunities.

I would like to personally congratulate all of the Year One students for the consistent effort they have applied to their learning. It has been a joy to be part of their learning journey, and I have enjoyed the many laughs we have had along the way. I wish them all the best as they move into Year Two.

I hope you all enjoy a happy and safe Christmas and holiday,

Sue Holloway

Prep - Mrs Bernie McPhee

This year has gone so fast. I can’t believe we are into our very last week of Prep. The students in Prep have grown so much and learnt so much over the year. It will be very hard to say good-bye and watch them move into year 1 next year! We now have Preppies who can read and write and count. They wrote a procedural text about making fairy bread. The making part was the most fun!

We have been very fortunate to have had visits from some of our classmates’ pets. Stephanie brought in her new puppies to meet us. They were very friendly and liked having lots of cuddles. We have had other visits from a lamb and a duckling also.

Thank you to all Prep students and parents for your support and helping us to have a fabulous year!

Library - Mrs Michelle Sheehan

Students in Mini Mary’s visited the library last Thursday and with the help of Max the Monkey learnt all about caring for our library books. Max also gave each of the students their very own St Mary’s library bag and book. Mrs McPhee also added some extra ‘goodies’.

AP M & I - Mrs Kirsty Lines

Prayer Assemblies

Thank you Year 4 for your prayer assembly about the Ten Commandments in week 8.  Congratulations to our Prep class for their nativity prayer assembly on Monday – the first Monday of Advent.  What a great way to start the week.  Please enjoy photos below.

Final Liturgies

Congratulations to Year 6 for their beautiful Graduation liturgy on Monday night.  What a lovely way to end your time at St Mary’s.  

We invite all of our school and parish community to our end of year liturgy on Thursday, December 5^th at 8:30am in the church.  We look forward to celebrating 2024 with you and announcing our 2025 captains and leaders.

Thank you

As this is my final newsletter piece as Assistant Principal: Mission and Identity, I would like to thank my family for their love and support over the last eleven years.

Anyone who has had to attend a school where their mother is in a leadership position will tell you it’s not always fun – especially as you get older.  My children, both of whom attended St Mary’s for their primary schooling, have certainly communicated this to me over the years.  Charlie and Lucy, thank you both for your resilience, support and love, even when it was hard.  Charlie, your godmother and I publicly acknowledge that yes, you did take one for the team in Year 6.

To my husband, Brad, who worked countless hours putting stages together for Awards nights, meet managing St Mary’s swimming carnivals on a Friday night, attending masses and liturgies on weekends with myself and the children, as well as helping organise St Mary’s race days, sports carnivals, fetes, sound systems and countless other jobs, thank you.  I certainly wouldn’t have lasted eleven years without your constant support, strength, love and ability to make me laugh, even when I wanted to cry and it all seemed too hard.

It's been a wonderful time in my life, and I am extremely proud to have left the AP: M&I space at St Mary’s in a better place than I found it.  I know Imogen will do a fantastic job at continuing the important work of our school’s Mission and Identity.

Thank you everyone and have a happy and Holy Christmas and prosperous New Year.  I look forward to focusing on our Year 5 class in 2025 and having a fabulous year with them.

God bless,

Kirsty Lines

AP: M&I

Principal - Ms Katrina Dunne

Class Teachers for 2025 | Recruitment Update

Despite our ongoing efforts, we have not yet been able to attract suitable applicants for our teaching positions, curriculum coordinator role and learning support teacher position. In response, we continue to readvertise these roles through SEEK and our social media channels. If you have any contacts who might be interested in joining the fabulous teaching team at St Mary’s School, please encourage them to apply. Your support in spreading the word is invaluable as we strive to find the best educators for our students.

End of Year Events

We look forward to sharing our last two special events this year:

Annual Awards Evening

• Date: Wednesday, 4th December
• Time: Starting at 5:00pm

Join us for an inspiring evening as we celebrate the achievements of our students. This is a wonderful opportunity to recognise their hard work and dedication throughout the year.

End of Year Liturgy

• Date: Thursday, 5th December
• Time: 8:30am
• Location: St Mary’s Church

All are welcome to attend this special liturgy as we come together to reflect and give thanks for the year that has passed. We hope to see all of you at these events as we wrap up another fantastic school year together!

Thank you and Farewell

As I reflect on my time as Principal, I am filled with gratitude and pride for the past four years we have shared together. It has been an incredible journey, and I will carry many cherished memories and fond moments with me as I embark on a new chapter in Toowoomba.

During my time here, our school has grown from 113 enrolments to 144. This growth is a testament to the strong sense of community we have fostered together, built on our core Mercy values of justice, compassion, excellence, and hospitality. Each day, I have witnessed our students embody these values, not only in their classrooms but also in their interactions with one another and the wider community.

We have made significant improvements to our school facilities, creating an enriching environment for our students to learn and grow. Most importantly, we have built an amazing team of dedicated educators who are passionate about teaching and nurturing your children. Their commitment to excellence has been inspiring, and I am confident that they will continue to guide our students toward success.

While I will miss this wonderful place, I am excited for my family’s new journey. I look forward to the adventures that await us in Toowoomba, and I will always hold a special place in my heart for St Mary’s School.

Thank you for your unwavering support over these last four years. It has been a privilege to serve as your Principal, and I am proud of what we have accomplished together.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas break.

Cheers, 

Katrina  

Uniform Shop - Ms Loretta Clayton

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November Birthdays

Tuckshop - Mrs Alice Short

As this week is our last tuckshop for the year there will be limited amounts of some items. An alternative will be offered to your child. There is no tuckshop in Week 9 due to the swimming carnival.

Guidance Counsellor - Mr Jesse Kupper

Hello all,

For this edition of the newsletter, I was hoping to share some information on the Triple P Parenting program. While I am not an affiliate with the program, we have heard of many great experiences from families across the diocese with Triple P programs which are all completely government funded (FREE!) for parents and caregivers.

The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program is an evidence-based initiative designed to help parents and caregivers develop effective parenting strategies. It aims to enhance the knowledge, skills, and confidence of parents to manage their children’s behavior and prevent problems from developing.

Each Triple P program has been developed through ongoing studies and knowledge about child development and psychology. This evidence-based, university-developed program, created here in Australia, is now supported by more than 35 years of ongoing research:

• MoMore than 740 Australian and international trials, studies and published papers, including
• MoMore than 380 evaluation studies, which includes
• MMMore than 180 randomised controlled trials

Here are some key aspects of the program:

Levels of Support: Triple P offers different levels of support, from brief seminars and discussion groups to more intensive one-on-one sessions, depending on the family’s needs.

Specialist Programs: There are tailored programs for parents of children with disabilities, parents of babies, those dealing with divorce and transitions, and other specific situations.

Global Reach: The program is used in over 30 countries and has been shown to be effective across various cultures and family structures.

Focus Areas: It covers a wide range of parenting concerns, including managing behavior, establishing routines, and promoting children’s emotional well-being.

• Build skills they’ll need for life, like getting along with others, managing emotions, and becoming more independent.
• Learn simple, proven strategies to improve behaviour and feel calmer.
• Confidently create the best environment for your child’s development.
• Grow closer, build a stronger bond and help them grow up happy, capable and resilient.

If the Triple P parenting program does sound of interest, please follow this link to learn more:

Happier, healthier, less stressed kids & families | Triple P

Triple P also offer a course tailored for parents of anxious children which can be found at:

Online parenting course - help kids overcome anxiety | Triple P

Physical Education - Mr Pete Lambourne

As we wrap up this term, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the exciting activities our students participated in over the past eight weeks. This term has been a wonderful blend of cultural appreciation and essential life skills, featuring three weeks of First Nations games followed by five weeks of swimming.

Weeks 1-3: First Nations Games

Our journey began with an engaging exploration of First Nations games. These weeks were filled with energy and enthusiasm as students participated in traditional games that not only promoted physical fitness but also deepened their understanding of Indigenous cultures.

Highlights from the First Nations Games:

• Gunna: Students honed their hand-eye coordination and teamwork skills while having fun.
• Kukuburra: This lively tag game encouraged students to develop agility and quick thinking.
• Traditional Relay Races: These races integrated storytelling elements, fostering collaboration and a sense of community.

Throughout these activities, students learned about the significance of these games in First Nations cultures, helping to cultivate respect and appreciation for diversity.

Weeks 4-8: Swimming

Following our cultural exploration, we transitioned into five weeks of swimming instruction. This part of the term focused on developing essential swimming skills and promoting water safety, ensuring students felt confident and secure in the water.

Key Components of Our Swimming Program:

• Stroke Development: Students learned and practiced various strokes, including freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke, enhancing their swimming techniques.
• Water Safety: We emphasised crucial safety skills such as floating, treading water, and recognising safe swimming conditions.

Achievements and Goals

By the end of this term, students not only gained valuable swimming skills but also developed a greater appreciation for First Nations cultures. They demonstrated increased confidence in the water and a better understanding of the importance of water safety.

Looking Ahead

As we move into the next term, I encourage students to continue their active lifestyles and apply the skills and knowledge they have gained. Thank you to all the students for their enthusiasm and participation, and to the parents for your continued support.

Get Ready for Our Swimming Carnival!

As we approach week 9, I am excited to announce the much-anticipated Swimming Carnival! This event will be a fantastic culmination of the swimming skills our students have developed over the past five weeks.

Warm regards,

Pete Lambourne

P.E. Teacher