Term 3 Week 2 2023

Principal's Message

At the end of Term 2 you should have received your child’s academic progress report, highlighting their overall A-E grade for each learning area and comments around what they can do, as well as what needs further development. These reports are one piece to the overall puzzle of understanding where your child’s learning needs are at, complimented by the upcoming ‘Parent-Student-Teacher' interviews in Week 7 of Term 3.

Previously at St Mary’s we have traditionally held ‘Parent-Teacher’ interviews which is a valuable, two-way conversation between teacher and parent discussing their student/child. However, we have shifted our thinking about this process, and we realised that we are missing a valuable contributor, your child. We introduced this new process last year of hosting ‘Parent-Student-Teacher’ interviews, with intermittent success but as we feel very strongly about this as educators, we will continue the process of including your child within the interview process to ensure that you hear their voice in their learning feedback. Therefore, we need you to bring them to these academic interviews.

You may be asking yourself ‘why?’ Here are the research-based reasons for why your child should attend their academic interviews.

1. Open communication & Collaboration – parent-student-teacher interviews provide a valuable platform for open communication and collaboration between all stakeholders involved in your child's education. They enable you, as parents/guardians, to share vital insights about your child's strengths, challenges, and aspirations. Simultaneously, teachers can offer personalised feedback on your child's progress, academic achievements, and areas where additional support may be needed.

2.  Ownership of Learning - by attending the interviews, your child takes ownership of their learning journey. They explain firsthand knowledge of their progress, strengths, and areas that may require improvement. This empowers them to actively engage in setting goals and working towards achieving their academic potential.

3. Active Participation: during the interviews, your child has the opportunity to contribute to discussions about their education. They can share their thoughts, goals, and challenges with both you and their teacher, fostering a sense of agency and accountability in their learning process.

4. Strengthening Relationships: attending the interviews allows your child to build stronger relationships with their teacher and yourself as parents/guardians. This open line of communication cultivates trust, which is essential for creating a supportive learning environment. Your child will feel more comfortable reaching out for help, sharing concerns, and seeking guidance when needed.

5. Recognising Progress and Celebrating Achievements: the interviews provide a platform for celebrating your child's achievements, big or small. It is an opportunity to acknowledge their hard work and perseverance, boosting their self-esteem and motivation.

The structure for the ‘Parent-Student-Teacher’ interviews will begin with your child talking about one of their samples of work, specifically what was the intention of the task and what did they achieve. They will also reflect upon any future changes they need to make within their learning.

We understand that there may be circumstances that prevent your attendance at our ‘Parent-Student-Teacher’ interviews. For those parents who need childcare support, we always provide a space for you to drop your other child/ren so you can attend in confidence. If the allocated dates don’t work for your home life, please make an alternative time with your child’s teacher to continue your engagement with your child’s learning.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to your child's education. We believe that their attendance at the parent-student-teacher interviews will greatly contribute to their growth and success. Together, we can create a strong foundation for their future achievements and truly empower them for success.

Parent-Student-Teacher interviews are in Week 7, Monday 21^st and 22^nd August, 2023. Mrs Fox will meet with 6 Clunn parents on 3rd and 9th August. Invitations will be sent out through Sentral closer to the date.

This week we have been involved in our school renewal process and I would like to personally thank all of the parents, staff, students and community members who were a part of the interviews. The results from this process will shape our future direction as a school and inform our new Strategic Plan. We really value your feedback and once the report is finalised I will be able to share with our school community. 

God Bless!

Regards

Emma Timmins                        

Religious Life of the School

Catholic Education Week

Catholic Education Week will be celebrated in Catholic schools in Queensland from 23-29 July 2023. This annual event is held to promote the special ethos of Catholic schools and to highlight the great things that take place in Catholic schools every day.

The theme for this year’s celebrations is: Communities of Faith, Hope and Love.

Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of those in our schools and in the wider community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society.

There are 312 Catholic schools in Queensland that educate around 160,000 students and employ more than 21,000 teachers and staff, and most will celebrate Catholic Education Week in some way.

Our school is planning a number of activities during the week including:

• Catholic Education Liturgy led by Year 6 on Monday, 24th July, at 2:15pm in the MacKillop Centre
• Drama Group attending Churches of Christ Aged Care for a performance on Monday, 24th July, at 12pm
• Prep-Year 2 will celebrate 100 days at school
• Arts Extravaganza on Wednesday, 26th July, at 6pm in the MacKillop Centre
• Staff reflection Day in Toowoomba on Friday, 28th July - this is a Pupil Free Day for students (Outside School Hours Care is available)

We asked people from our school community what is great about Catholic Education and particular St Mary's School:

• Henry (Prep) - the teachers are nice and make our work fun
• Ella (Prep) - the library books
• Mahaeliah (Prep) - the helping environment
• Liliana (Year 1) - everyday we have a new obstacle course
• Olivia (Year 1) - it's fun playing
• Liya (Year 1) - we have nice teachers like Mrs Doyle
• Emmy (Year 2) - the teachers are nice
• Ava (Year 2) - the teachers help us learn
• Jedd (Year 2) - all the different places we can play
• Ethan (Year 2) - the playground is amazing
• Zuriel (Year 3) - we get to learn about Jesus
• Anaya (Year 3) - we learn to love like Jesus
• Jeianne (Year 4) - our rooms have really great furniture
• Olivia (Year 4) - it's so fun because we get to learn
• Maddie (Year 4) - the flexible learning means I can find the best place to learn
• Rose (Year 4) - we learn new things everyday and our teachers keep us safe
• Macey (Year 5) - our friends are kind
• Mackenzie (Year 5) - our flexible seating means we can sit with people who help us learn
• Will N (Year 5) - learning about Jesus
• Michael (Year 5) - the teachers who help to learn
• Ashton (Year 5) - everyone is kind and caring
• Will Ca (Year 6) - the supplies in the classroom are great
• Will Co (Year 6) - we learn together 
• Dexter (Year 6) - we have a lot of play equipment and our school is safe
• Mr Harper (Teacher) - the friendly faces and tight-knit community
• Mrs Corke (School Officer) - the amazing, supportive staff

A highlight of the week will be our Arts Extravaganza on Wednesday night. All students will have work on display, including the great work by our recent Inspiring Artists Workshop and the collaborative work by Mrs Wright and members from across the school, which was displayed at the recent Toowoomba Catholic Schools Arts Festival Art Show.Our collaborative artwork was also on display at the Arts Fest Art Show. It was a piece celebrating our local community and school charism. This is it's story:

Our collaborative artwork was also on display at the Arts Fest Art Show. It was a piece celebrating our local community and school charism.

St Mary’s School Warwick is situated amongst picturesque patchwork colour landscapes of fertile farming land and mountainous ranges of Cunningham’s Gap on the Southern Downs.  We often catch a glimpse of breathtaking sunrises and stunning sunsets to start and end our days.

It is from these surrounding views that we draw inspiration for our collaborative artwork. This picturesque landscape is represented in the backdrop of the artwork which every class has contributed in some way.

In conjunction with our school motto ‘RISE UP’, the morning glow of each new day as the sunrise appears over the ‘The Gap’ to the East, is a reminder of a fresh new day to make a difference in our own and others lives.  The symbol of the Sunrise is a visual representation of ‘RISE UP’, to make a conscious effort in supporting each other to build positive change, inspire others to aim high and try to be the best version of ourselves with each new day.

The caterpillars, created by Prep students, represents our young students in the beginnings of their St Mary’s journey.  How we grow and flourish into can be seen in the presence of butterflies as we spread our wings to fly on our path through primary education.  The hand prints in the sky are a symbol that together we can lend a helping hand to accomplish our goals and dreams – The St Mary’s way - ‘inspire others to spread our wings to fly!’

God's blessing to you,

Sharon Young: Assistant Principal Religious Education

Curriculum

Term 3 Curriculum Overviews

As we enter into the second semester of the school year, we are delighted to share with you our curriculum overviews for Term 3. These overviews aim to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the subjects and concepts that your child will be exploring throughout this term.

Our team of dedicated educators have been hard at work to ensure that our curriculum remains engaging, relevant, and challenging for all our students. We firmly believe that a well-rounded education is crucial for their success, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive and inspiring learning environment for them.

During Term 3, our focus will be on building upon the skills and knowledge acquired in the previous semester, while also introducing new and exciting concepts to stimulate our students. We encourage our students to explore their strengths and interests across all subjects, as they continue to grow and develop. Physical copies of these overviews were distributed to students earlier this week, and we encourage you to display them prominently at home where they can be seen regularly, such as on the refrigerator or near the calendar. Take the opportunity to engage with your child by discussing their learning experiences or even asking them to share something new they have learned! Here are some other ways you can use the Curriculum Overview at home:

1. Discuss the upcoming topics: Take the time to go through the curriculum overview with your child and talk about the subjects and topics they will be learning in Term 3. This can help create excitement and anticipation for their upcoming studies.
   
   

2. Set goals together: Based on the curriculum overview, work with your child to set achievable goals for the term. For example, they could aim to improve their understanding of a specific subject or develop a particular skill. Having clear goals can provide motivation and a sense of direction.
   
   

3. Plan related activities: Look for activities or resources outside of school that align with the subjects and topics covered in Term 3. For instance, if they are learning about plants and the environment, you could plan a family nature walk or visit a local garden. These experiences can enhance their understanding and make learning more engaging.
   
   

4. Create a learning schedule: Help your child create a schedule or routine for their learning at home. Incorporate dedicated time for each subject and encourage them to follow through. Having a structured routine can promote consistency and ensure they cover all the necessary topics.
   
   

5. Support research and exploration: Encourage your child to delve deeper into the subjects they find interesting. Provide resources like books, documentaries, or online articles that expand on the topics covered in the curriculum. Encourage them to conduct research or explore related activities independently.
   
   

6. Monitor progress: Use the curriculum overview as a guide to track your child's progress throughout the term. Regularly review their assignments, tests, or projects to ensure they are on track and address any areas where they may need additional support.
   
   

7. Celebrate achievements: Celebrate your child's accomplishments and milestones in their learning journey. Whether it's a well-earned grade, completing a challenging project, or demonstrating improvement, acknowledge their efforts and provide positive reinforcement.

Remember, every child is unique, so adapt these suggestions to suit your child's interests and learning style. By actively engaging with the curriculum overview, you can foster a supportive and enriching learning environment at home.

We deeply appreciate your continued support in your child's education. Our hope is that these curriculum overviews provide you with valuable insights into their learning journey for Term 3. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Please note - Year 6 will be sent out soon.

Wishing you a wonderful term ahead!

Jess Harper
Middle Leader: Curriculum

Positive School Culture

At St Mary’s we continually strive to build a positive school culture through the following

We have been working with students throughout the year on how to build positive relationships with each other and with other members of the school community. This can be done many different ways, such as knowing each student’s name, using greetings each day, recognition of success; additionally through the Reboot approach we have recently included another dimension of learning for our students, in relation to the concepts of Power over, Power under and Power with. Dynamics of relationships can be very confusing and tricky for students to navigate but extremely important for them to know that they have the power within their actions. When supporting students with social issues or challenges we will be asking the following question: 

The reason behind asking this question is that some students don’t realise that they have actually given their power away through their actions. We want students to stay grounded and have control to not accept what is happening to them or for students who are witnessing this happening to assist by having the courage to speak up and address the negative behaviours. Here are some visuals on what we will be teaching our students about power, in relation to Power Over, Power Under and Power With.  

Examples of Pros and Cons for Power Over and Power With:

Keep an eye out in upcoming newsletters for more information or have discussions with your child/ren about Power and consider asking some prompting questions on the car ride home or around the dinner table: 

1.  Is your classroom a Power With class?  How do you know this?

2.  How do you show Power With when you are on the playground?

3.  Did you have any moments today when you had a power struggle and feeling Power Over? How did you take your power back?

4.  Can you recall a time when you have used Power Over?  What did you do?

Student Awards

Congratulations to the following students who received an Award for Friday, 21st July 2023:

Spotted Rising Up

Congratulations to all the students who have been 'Spotted Rising Up'. The prize winners were Liliana H and Helen M, which was announced at Assembly on Friday, 21st July.

Please celebrate with your child if they have brought home a Spotted Rising Up slip. It means that they were 'spotted' displaying one or more of the RISE UP positive behaviours. 

Administration

Student Protection Contacts

At St Mary's, safety is our number one priority. Please have a conversation with your children about protective behaviours and if you have any concerns please contact any of our teachers or our Student Protection Contacts.

School Fees

School fee statements have now been emailed out to all families.  If you have not received yours or if you have any questions, please contact the School Office.

Shaping Our Future

Survey Email in Inboxes now!

Every two years we ask staff, parents and students in our schools to share their views, to ‘check in’ on how each school within our community, and as a group of 31 schools together, we are bringing to life our purpose: to enable full and flourishing lives. We do this by asking each of you to complete a perception survey. The Shaping our future – Toowoomba Catholic Schools perception survey has been sent via Sentral on the Monday 17 July, so keep an eye out for it in your emails and let the office know if you do not receive it.

Survey Information

We encourage all of our parents to share their views in the Shaping our future – perception survey. This survey is being completed by parents, staff and students from our school and the other 30 schools that make up the Toowoomba Catholic Schools’ community.  This 15 minute survey closes on Sunday, 6 August, 2023.  Please check your email for a link to the survey.

For more information email: smwarwick@twb.catholic.edu.au

Library News

Date Claimer: Term 3

Mark your diaries with these exciting events for book lovers coming soon:

What’s On: Term 3

In response to student feedback, we’ve also refreshed our program of lunchtime offerings at the library:

Scholastic Book Fair

The countdown is on!  This year’s annual Book Fair is coming to St Mary’s in just a few weeks.  Books will be on sale from Monday 14 August to Wednesday 16 August, so come along to find the best new books and help to earn free books for our library!  We are still looking for volunteers who may be able to assist with selling books before and after school on these dates.  If you can help, please contact emma.al-eidani@twb.catholic.edu.au. 

Book Week 2023

The CBCA Book Week is also fast approaching and will be celebrated at school from 21 to 25 August.  The theme this year is Read, Grow, Inspire.  As in previous years, students will have the opportunity to come in costume on Wednesday 23 August and celebrate all things books!  In order to promote our love of reading, each class has been invited to choose a book, with students having the option to come dressed as any character from that book.  Class teachers will be in contact with the details of their chosen book.  For those who may have already arranged a costume, students can still promote their own book by bringing along a copy to show everyone on dress up day.

Sport

Southern Downs Athletics

Students selected to represent our school at the Southern Downs Athletics have been emailed all information. Key things to remember:

• 1500m event is this Tuesday, 25th July at 3:45pm at Scots College. Please find Mrs Young to mark off your name.
• All other events will be Tuesday, 1st August. Ms Emma  Timmins, Mrs Rhianna Ryan, Mrs Kathy Dearden and Mrs Christine Byrne will be at the carnival to help with events and to support our students.

Hockey State Championships

Congratulations to Will who recently competed in the Darling Downs team at the 10-12 years State Hockey Championships. The Darling Downs team tied 2nd overall. Our superstar played really well and scored 9 goals for his team over the 4 days and 9 games of hockey. He was also voted joint DD player of the tournament by his teammates AND was selected as one of the 25 possibles and probables for the Qld team. Well done, we are so proud of you!

Tuckshop

Parent Network

Our wonderful Parent Network are hosting a fun event for our parents to gather socially and delve into the world of Trivia! We hope that you can support this social event. For those mums and dads who need babysitting the Youth Group are providing this as a fundraiser to support their overseas immersion at the end of the year. 

If you would like to sponsor our event or if you have time to visit some businesses down town to ask for multidraw prizes, please contact the office for details. We are also looking for donations for the multidraw raffle once again and if you are able to donate, this would be much appreciated.  

The 50/50 raffle is once again a part of our Trivia Night, and you should receive a bundle of 4 tickets via your child to sell and help support our event. The tickets are $5 each and if you sell your bundle, please ask for more from the office. The money raised from the Trivia Night will go towards another outside learning space - our Yarning Circle. 

Please come along on Wednesday, 2nd August at 6pm, in the School Boardroom to help prepare for this great event.

Thank you for all of your support!

Notices

Expression of Interest - School Officers (Teacher Aides)

Relief staff play a vital role in our schools. Relief work offers you the flexibility to take on work to match your lifestyle and the opportunity to continue to make a difference in the lives of our students and staff. We are currently looking for school officers (teacher aides) who may like to join our team as a casual school officer who have the flexibility to work school hours, sometimes with limited notice. If this sounds like something you would be interested in please contact the school office for any questions and send your resume and an expression of interest to smwarwick@twb.catholic.edu.au