Term 2 Week 6 | 28 May 2025

A Prayer for the Month of Mary

Holy Mother Mary,
Our guiding light and gentle protector,
In this sacred month dedicated to you,
We turn our hearts to your loving embrace.

Teach us to walk with faith,
To trust as you trusted,
To love as you loved,
And to serve with humility and grace.

In times of joy, be our song.
In times of sorrow, be our comfort.
In times of uncertainty, be our hope.

We ask that you intercede for us,
That our lives reflect the love of Christ,
And that we may always seek to do His will.

Mary, Queen of Heaven,
Pray for us and guide our school community,
That we may grow in wisdom, compassion, and unity.

Amen.

As we move into the final weeks of May, we also take time to reflect on Mary, the mother of Jesus, who holds a special place in our Catholic faith. May is traditionally known as the Month of Mary, a time when we honour her example of love, courage, and devotion.

Principal - Ms Megan Pearce

Dear St Mary’s Families and Friends,

Last week, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Principals’ Conference. It was an inspiring time to connect with other school leaders, share ideas, and reflect on how we can continue to grow strong, faith-filled learning communities. A key focus was the importance of leading with clarity and connection, and the strength that comes from building a culture where every child is known, supported and challenged. I was proud to see how strongly our work at St Mary’s aligns with this vision, especially through our whole-school approach to MTSS, explicit instruction, and nurturing a deep sense of belonging.

National Reconciliation Week. This week, we join communities across Australia in recognising National Reconciliation Week. The 2025 theme, “Bridging Now to Next”, encourages us to reflect on our shared history, understand our present, and work together for a more united future. At St Mary’s, we continue to embed First Nations perspectives into our learning and celebrate the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Under 8s Day – This Thursday! We’re so excited to be hosting Under 8s Day this Thursday! We’ll be welcoming local schools, early childhood services, and community groups for a fun-filled morning of science-themed activities for children from toddlers to Year 2. It’s always a highlight to see our school buzzing with joy, curiosity, and community spirit.

Prep Enrolments for 2026. If you have a child starting Prep in 2026, or know someone who does, now is the time to enrol. Families with siblings already at St Mary’s are especially encouraged to apply early, as places fill quickly and enrolment is not automatic.

Uniform Reminders. Our school uniform is a proud part of our identity. It helps build a sense of belonging and ensures all students are ready for learning and play. Lately, we’ve noticed a few inconsistencies, like non-uniform jumpers and some creative hairstyles!

We understand mornings can be busy and things occasionally slip through, but we really appreciate your support in helping everyone meet our shared expectations.

Here are a few friendly reminders:

• Winter Uniform: Students should wear plain navy-blue track pants and jumpers. The new St Mary’s fleece jumper, (with school branding), can be purchased from R and P Taylor. Please avoid other branded or non-uniform items.
• Hats: A navy school hat is required every day for sun safety. If your child needs a new one, please contact the School Office.
• Hair:
• Long hair should be tied back with school-coloured or navy accessories.
• Haircuts should be neat and simple. No extreme styles like mullets, mohawks, or bold colours.

Starting next week, teachers will begin sending home gentle reminder notes if a student is out of uniform or not meeting hair expectations. To help, we’ve attached a Uniform Expectations Poster to this newsletter for easy reference.

Thank you for your continued support in helping our students in wearing their uniform with pride each day. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to the office, we are here to help.

Warmest wishes,

Megan Pearce

Prep Enrolments 2026

Prep 2026 Enrolments – Sibling Families

Is your next little learner ready for Prep in 2026!

At St Mary’s we are getting ready to welcome the next generation of St Mary’s students and we’d love to welcome siblings of current students! As places can fill quickly, we warmly invite our current families to lodge enrolment forms for younger siblings to enrol now.

Enrolment forms are available from the school office or can be completed online via our website: Home - St Mary's School, Charleville

If you have any questions or would like to arrange a conversation or tour with the Principal, please contact our friendly office team.

School Fee Payment for Term 2

APMI - Miss Imogen Hunt

Sacramental Program Begins with Joy and Reverence
Our Sacramental Program is off to a beautiful start as students begin their journey learning about the Eucharist. With hearts full of curiosity and reverence, they have been attending Mass and exploring the sacred meaning behind this central sacrament. We are deeply grateful to Father Peter, who has adapted the Mass into child-friendly language, helping our young learners understand and appreciate each part of the celebration.

Year 6 Leads with Reflection and Creativity
Year 6 recently led a moving Prayer Celebration on Reconciliation, focusing on the theme “Bridging Now to Next.” As part of their reflection, they composed a heartfelt poem that encourages awareness, healing, and unity. Their words reminded us of the importance of building bridges—between people, communities, and generations.

Reconciliation Poem

Remembering the past, with lessons to learn,  
Empathy grows where old wounds burn.
Community strengthened, walking as one,
Open hearts, a new day begun.
Nurturing trust, rebuilding with grace,
Cultures unite in a shared embrace.
Inspired by voices, both young and old,
Lifting each other, stories retold.
Igniting hope, where division once lay,  
Acting with kindness to light the way.
Together we rise, with hands intertwined,
Infinite strength in hearts aligned.
Ongoing healing, a journey so vast,
Never forgetting, but moving on fast.

Year 2 Assembly – The Life of Jesus
This Friday, Year 2 will lead our prayer celebration with a special presentation on the ‘Life of Jesus”. We look forward to seeing their creativity and faith shine as they share this important message with our community.

National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week

As we observe National Sorry Day on May 26 and enter National Reconciliation Week (May 27 – June 3), we are invited to reflect on our shared past and the steps we must take together toward a more just and united future.

National Sorry Day is a time to remember and honour the Stolen Generations—Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were removed from their families. It is a day of deep reflection, empathy, and commitment to truth-telling and healing.

This year’s Reconciliation Week theme, “Bridging Now to Next,” challenges us to consider how our actions today shape the future we are building together. It reminds us that reconciliation is not a destination, but a journey—one that requires courage, compassion, and a willingness to listen and learn.

As a Catholic school community, we are called to live out the Gospel values of justice, dignity, and love. Throughout this week, our students will engage in prayer and learning experiences that honour the rich histories and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. These moments are not just symbolic—they are steps on the bridge from where we are now to where we hope to be.

We encourage families to continue these conversations at home, nurturing a spirit of respect, understanding, and unity.

Warm regards,

Imogen Hunt

Curriculum Support - Mr Tony Kim

Happy Week 6 friends and family of St Mary’s!

Semester 1 Reporting

I want to give a heartfelt shoutout to all the teaching staff at our school for the incredible work they do behind the scenes to ensure that every student receives the best possible learning experience.

As we approach the end of the semester, teachers and school leaders are hard at work—organising, planning, and gathering evidence for our Semester 1 reporting.

The purpose of this reporting is to provide a summary judgment of each student's academic achievements and progress throughout Terms 1 and 2. In addition to academic performance, teachers will also be assigning an "Attitude Towards Learning" grade, which reflects how students demonstrate our St Mary’s Mercy Values within their classes.

An "Effort" grade will also be included in the reports to highlight how students display traits of an effective learner.

Report cards are scheduled to be released school-wide via the parent portal on Thursday of Week 10.

TCS Inter-catholic Online Chess Tournament

I want to give a huge shout-out to all the students who participated in the 2025 TCS Inter-catholic Online Chess Tournament last week. They played exceptionally well and showed significant growth throughout the seven rounds.

All students demonstrated fantastic sportsmanship and resilience during the tournament, and they are excited to participate in future events.

I would also like to congratulate Elliott Capewell (Year 5) for securing 10th place out of 53 participants—an outstanding achievement!

Learning Support - Mrs Majella Lynch-Harlow

Building Strong Literacy Skills Through Multi-Tiered Phonogram Instruction at St School’s School

At St Mary’s School, we are committed to providing every student with the tools they need to succeed in literacy.

This term, we have introduced the use of a daily low variance routine to complement our existing program.  Daily oral phonogram review is highly effective in supporting all students to recognise and read sounds quickly and easily and sound out words that they don’t already know.  This structured approach benefits all learners, especially those who experience difficulties with literacy.  The next step is daily written phonogram review which supports students to identify sounds and the letters that represent them and to learn to spell quickly and accurately and develop the skills to write words they don’t already know.

Using a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), we ensure that students receive differentiated instruction tailored to their needs. This allows every child to build strong reading and spelling skills, whether they thrive in general instruction or require additional support.

Tier 1: High-Quality Core Instruction for All Students

In the classroom, all students at St Mary’s School engage in daily oral and written phonogram review and an explicit phonics program that supports reading and spelling skills.  This structured, multisensory approach helps them strengthen their ability to decode words, recognize spelling patterns, and develop fluency in reading.

Tier 2: Small Group Targeted Support

For students who need additional assistance, small-group instruction provides extra practice in phonogram recognition and application. These sessions offer more personalized support, ensuring that students gain confidence in their reading and writing abilities.

Tier 3: Intensive Individualized Support

A few students face significant challenges with literacy and require Tier 3 individualized intervention. These learners receive one-on-one instruction with a teacher using a highly structured, research-based approach tailored to their needs.

Should you have any questions or concerns about how to support your child in learning to read, please let me know!

Guidance Counsellor - Mr Jesse Kupper

Hello all,

With technology constantly evolving and becoming more accessible for all, the ability to monitor and control just what our children are accessing and how often is quickly becoming crucially important. I've recently spent time learning about Google Family Link and wanted to share some key aspects of the free program for our diocese families.

Google Family Link is a helpful tool for parents to manage their children's digital activities and screen time. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Screen Time Management: Parents can set daily screen time limits, schedule "School Time" and "Downtime," ensuring children have a balanced use of their devices.

App Management: Family Link allows parents to approve or block apps, set individual app time limits, and provide unlimited time for educational apps.

Content Filters: Parents can set up filters to block inappropriate websites and manage what their children see online across Google services like Chrome, Play, YouTube, and Search.

Location Tracking: Family Link helps parents locate their children’s devices on a map, providing peace of mind when kids are on the go.

Usage Reports: Family Link provides insights into how children spend their time on their devices, helping parents understand and guide their digital habits.

Overall, Google Family Link offers a comprehensive suite of tools to help families create healthy digital habits and ensure safe online experiences for children.

Below are a few links if you would like to know more:

Family Link from Google - Family Safety & Parental Control Tools

Get started with Family Link - Google For Families Help

Health/PE - Mrs Susan Brooks

Prep to Year 2

In our Prep to Year 2 classes, students have been exploring the important themes of self-identity and belonging. Through engaging activities and discussions, students have learnt about what makes each of them unique. These lessons help students to foster a sense of belonging and encourages them to celebrate their individuality.

In PE, our focus has been on fundamental movement skills and striking skills. Students have been practicing essential movements, such as running, jumping, and throwing, while also developing their striking techniques through fun games.

Years 3 to 6

For our students in Years 3 to 6, the focus has shifted to understanding diversity and inclusion. Students have been exploring how different backgrounds and experiences shape perspectives and how diverse cultures and lifestyles contribute to our community’s richness.

In PE, students have been learning the importance of teamwork and fair play, by working collaboratively in striking games and developing their skills while also understanding the value of inclusivity and respect for one another.

It is wonderful to see students putting in their best efforts in HPE. Please enjoy some pics below.

Yours in HPE,

Ms Mac

Library - Mrs Vanessa Alexander

National Simultaneous Storytime Sparks Joy Across Classrooms!

Excitement buzzed along the verandas as students gathered around their classroom TVs for this year’s National Simultaneous Storytime, featuring The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel and Danny Snell. At exactly the same moment across the country, and around the world, 2.2 million children and educators tuned in to share the magic of one special story—and what a moment it was!

Our very own Mr. Doolan delivered the book to school right on time. But the biggest surprise? He didn’t just bring the book—he brought the cat too! As the furry guest made its grand entrance, students erupted into cheers and laughter, clapping and calling out with delight. The joy was contagious, and the sense of connection was truly heartwarming.

National Simultaneous Storytime is a powerful reminder of how stories can bring us together. Whether it’s a whole school sharing one book at the same time, or a quiet moment at home, reading with children creates lasting memories. Sharing a story—even just one—can spark imagination, build language, and strengthen the bond between reader and listener.

So tonight, why not curl up with your child and a good book? You never know where the story might take you.

The Arts - Mrs Leilani Thomas

What a vibrant and exciting Term 2 we’ve had in the Arts at St Mary’s! Our recent move to the music room has brought a few changes to our unit plans, with many classes shifting focus to music and drama while we settle into our new space. Although the transition has brought some temporary chaos, being closer to the instruments has been a fantastic opportunity for hands-on learning and creative exploration.

Across all year levels, students are working hard on their Arts assessments for the term, and we’re seeing great progress!

Here’s a quick snapshot of what each year level is focusing on for assessment:

• Prep – Exploring everyday scenes and emotions through drama, learning music rhythms, and using the Arts to support emotional regulation.
• Years 1 & 2 – Creating freeze frames and acting out scenarios involving big feelings, then revisiting these scenes with regulation strategies in place.
• Years 3 & 4 – Using puppetry and narration to retell the stories they created in Term 1, combining visual storytelling and performance.
• Years 5 & 6 – Continuing their exciting Time Machine project into Semester 2. Students will continue to work on all key learning areas but term 2 assessment will focus on rhythm & pitch in music, and improvisation in drama.

Despite a bit of reshuffling, it’s been a creative and productive term. As we look ahead to Term 3, we’re also starting to think about the Charleville Performing Arts Festival, and how we might showcase some of our students’ amazing work. Watch this space—we’re excited for what’s to come!

Year 5 and 6 Camp Fundraising

May Birthdays

Transport Assistance Scheme

The Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme (NSSTAS) provides financial assistance for families transporting students to non-state schools in Queensland.

The Scheme has two programs.

• Bus Fare Assistance: assisting families who pay more than the weekly threshold in bus or ferry fares.
• Students with Disability: supporting students with a disability who have demonstrably different transport needs from other students of the same age.

Applications for Semester 1, 2025 open on 1 May 2025. To learn more about the scheme, including eligibility for both programs, visit https://www.schooltransport.com.au.

NSSTAS is a joint initiative of QCEC and Independent Schools Queensland and is funded by the Queensland Government.

Flyers