16th October 2025

A message from our Principal

Hello St Patrick’s families and welcome back to the start of Term 4! 

 Term 4 Events 

Wow, Term 4 is going to be hectic! We have events galore coming up, with a full calendar at the bottom of this memo. 

At times, the date of an event may need to be changed so that it can fit more easily in the crowded schedule of the term. If an event date does change, the school will make sure communication goes out to all families to let them know. Please keep an eye open for any updates that come out via the Parent Portal or Facebook. 

Parent Forum – Thursday 30 October – 5.30pm – Respectful Relationships Education 

On Thursday, 30 October we will hold our Term 4 PEN forum at 5.30pm in the library. A key change in moving from a P&F model to a PEN model is the focus of forums on educating families about key aspects of school life and their children’s education. The PEN forum will still cover off on key organisational matters and spends, but the focus will really land on informing parents about what is happening at school and how they can be involved and support this. With this in mind, the Term 4 PEN forum will be focused on the Australia wide rollout of the new Respectful Relationships curriculum and how this will be implemented at St Patrick’s. We are very fortunate to have Kellie-Marie Ford from TCSO joining us on the night to present this. I actively encourage all families to put this event in the calendar and join us on the evening, it will be great. 

Mr Wren’s Four-Year Principal Review 

On Wednesday of this week, I underwent my first four-year review as the Principal of St Patrick’s. It was a very affirming process and gave me some great insight on how I can meet the needs of the St Patrick’s community as I move forward as the Principal of your school. I want to say a very big thank you to all the families who completed the online survey and who also participated in the face-to-face interviews as part of this. Your time and feedback were greatly appreciated. 

St Patrick’s Parish Fete – Saturday 1 November – Volunteers Needed!!! 

The parish fete is fast approaching and we still need helpers, helpers, helpers to ensure the day goes smoothly and successfully. In particular, we still need at least 15 volunteers to help run the BBQ on the night. The proceeds of the fete go toward supporting our school so please take this on board and do your bit. All BBQ volunteers can contact Courtney McArthur on 0447 410 196 and all other volunteers can contact Harry North on 0400 099 640. 

That’s all from me. Have a great weekend! 

Jim. 

Religious life of our School

Growing in Kindness and Faith at St Patrick’s

As we settle into Term 4, it’s a joy to witness the remarkable growth in our students—not just academically, but in their learning behaviours and social-emotional development. Classrooms are alive with curiosity, collaboration, and a deepening sense of responsibility. Our children are showing increasing independence, resilience, and a genuine love of learning. It’s clear that the seeds planted earlier in the year are now flourishing.

This term, we continue to celebrate our faith through meaningful prayer experiences. Please keep an eye out for the date claimer for our prayer celebrations this term – there are many!

Gatherings provide us with moments of reflection and unity, reminding us of the importance of gratitude and grace. These celebrations help our children connect with the spiritual heart of our school and prepare us for the season of Advent—a time of hope, waiting, and kindness.

Kindness is a key focus for us this term. As we journey toward Advent, we are encouraging students to be intentional in their words and actions, to notice when others need support, and to offer help with open hearts. Whether it’s a smile, a helping hand, or a quiet moment of listening, these small acts of kindness are shaping a culture of compassion across our school.

Families continue to be central to the story of St Patrick’s. We are deeply grateful for the partnership we share with parents and carers. Your support, presence, and encouragement enrich our community and strengthen the learning journey for every child. Whether you’re helping with homework, attending school events, or simply sharing stories at the dinner table, your role is vital. Together, we are building a school where children feel safe, valued, and inspired.

As we move through Term 4, let us hold onto the spirit of growth, kindness, and connection. May we continue to nurture the gifts within each child and prepare our hearts for the joy and peace of the Advent season.

Warm regards,

Anna Chandler

Middle Leader News

Academic Report Information – Semester 2, 2025 

 In Week 9, families will receive Semester 2 Report Cards for students from Prep to Year 6. This Report Card is a culmination of your child’s academic achievement throughout the semester and year, as well as a snapshot of their spiritual and social development. It is just one way of St Patrick’s communicates information about your child’ achievement, effort, and behaviour.   

Over the course of this semester, teachers have been gathering evidence of learning for each learning area (subject) for each of our students. This process involves gathering, analysing and reflecting on multiple sources of evidence to make an informed judgment about what students know, understand, and can do. 

Assessment in the classroom can come in many forms. It is a combination of:  

• Diagnostic (assessing prior learning) - pre-tests and work samples.   

• Formative (assessing for learning) - observations, group work, individual conferencing, ongoing work samples.   

• Summative (assessing of learning) - tasks, assignments, presentations.  

Your child’s schoolwork is defined and assessed by the Australian Curriculum. The Australian Curriculum is written in such a way that there is an ‘Achievement Standard’ for each year level for each subject area. It is this Achievement Standard that we report against. The standards are written as a statement of what a student is aiming to achieve by the end of the school year for their year level. A student receiving a ‘C’ standard indicates that they have met this standard, that is, that their work demonstrates a conceptual understanding of the concepts covered and that they can apply this knowledge and skill in familiar situations. Simply speaking, a ‘C’ standard indicates that your child can do what is expected of them for their year level. They are right where they need to be! This is very different to the ‘C’ many of us received as children that was generally viewed as sub-par, or just scraping over the line. In today’s world, a ‘C’ indicates your child is right where they are supposed to be in line with every other student in Australia in the same year level. Happy days! 

To move beyond a ‘C’ standard, a student must demonstrate that they are developing sophistication of conceptual understanding, with a strong application of skills, and that they are beginning to transfer their knowledge and skills to new situations (B standard). For an ‘A’ standard, students must demonstrate an excellent application of skills and be readily applying their knowledge and skills to new situations.   

Similarly, a ‘D’ standard does not constitute a failure but indicates that a student is continuing to develop their understanding of the expected curriculum and may be able to demonstrate some of the elements within it, whether with support or inconsistently. Toowoomba Catholic Schools use the AtoE scale to describe these standards.  

Like Semester One, your child’s Report Card will appear slightly different than in other years. For each Learning Area (subject), there has always been a Course Descriptor outlining the learning that has occurred throughout the semester. This will still appear on Report Cards. The change you will have noticed is that there will no longer be a comment attached to Mathematics, English and Religion. The combination of the Course Descriptor and grade allocated, along with the definitions specified by Toowoomba Catholic Schools, will give an accurate representation of the standard at which your child is achieving against the Australian Curriculum. Of course, you are more than welcome to discuss your child’s achievements with the classroom teacher as well. 

Please watch for more information in the weeks to come. 

Annette Colley

Middle Leader (Curriculum) 

Access all areas - Supporting our students

Learning Support

The weather and the busyness of Term 4 is always a challenge.  It creates a perfect storm for tiredness and excitement all rolled into one.

We believe that wellbeing is nurtured not just in the classroom, but in the everyday rhythms of home life.

Here are some simple, meaningful ways families can support mental health and wellbeing as we prepare for Term 4:

St George’s spring weather is perfect for outdoor activity. Sunshine, fresh air, and movement are powerful mood boosters for children and adults alike.

• Go for family walks or bike rides
• Visit local parks or nature reserves
• Encourage free play in the backyard
• Try gardening together—planting something and watching it grow is a great metaphor for hope

Choose Activities That Nourish

Children thrive when they feel engaged, creative, and connected. Holidays are a great time to explore activities that support emotional wellbeing:

• Creative play: Drawing, painting, building, or crafting

• Reading: Visit the local library or start a family reading challenge
• Cooking together: Let kids help plan and prepare meals
• Quiet time: Encourage moments of rest, reflection, or prayer

Children learn most from what they see. When parents model healthy habits, kids are more likely to adopt them.

• Read together: Let your child see you enjoying a book
• Talk openly: Share your feelings and ask about theirs
• Practice gratitude: Reflect on what you’re thankful for each day
• Limit screen time: Create tech-free zones or times in the home

Stay Connected

Even during school terms, some children may feel lonely or anxious. Keep communication open:

• Check in regularly with your child
• Encourage them to stay in touch with friends

Reach out to school staff if you need support—we’re here for you

Mrs Webster's News

Welcome to Term 4 

I hope you all had a fantastic holiday with family and friends. Please find listed below, what we will be covering in Drama & Health for this term. 

Drama

Lower 

In lower school, students will participate in a variety of creative and structured skits to develop sense of confidence, self-control and role play. Students will take part in role play and improvisations using verbal and non-verbal communication to develop self-confidence when performing in front of others. They’ll explored basic elements by using their bodies and voices to convey a character, feelings and present a poem.  

Middle 

In the middle school, the students will explore improvisation further, play building skills and how to develop a character through a range of different drama skills and activities. Students will experiment with loudness/softness, pace and pitch of their voices and how this effects a situation/scene. Students will explore combining facial and vocal expression to communicate meaning and to show a range of emotions when participating in improvisations and presenting a poem.  

Upper 

 In the upper school, the students will be participating and understanding how dramatic action and meaning is communicated in drama they make, perform and view. The students will look at how different environments, times and places can influence their own drama making and presentations. Students will work collaboratively as they use the elements of drama to shape character, voice and movement in improvisation, play building and performances scripted drama/poetry for the audiences. They will present a poem and perform for peers with clear articulation, modulation devices and expression. 

Health

This term we will continue with learning more about Making healthy and Safe Choices-  

Prep 

Students will explore health-related topics related to the Australian Curriculum descriptors. Students will participate in discussions and learn to: 

• Demonstrate protective behaviours and develop help-seeking strategies to keep themselves safe. Demonstrate protective behaviours and strategies that help keep them safe including sun safety, water safety, inside and outside dangers. 

• Identify Safety people- (Police Ambulance and Fire) in the community that protect and support their safety. 

• They will also be able to identify how health information that can be used to make educated choices to keep them safe. 

Years 1-2  

Students will explore health-related topics related to the Australian Curriculum descriptors. Students will participate in discussions and learn to: 

• Identify and demonstrate protective behaviours and help-seeking strategies they can use to help them, and others stay safe at school and in the community. 

• The students will identify protective behaviours they might feel during unsafe situations.  

•  Through discussion, students will explore sun safety, water safety, inside and outside dangers and digital safety. 

Years 3-4  

Students will explore health-related topics related to the Australian Curriculum descriptors Students will participate in discussions and learn to: 

• Describe and apply protective behaviours and help-seeking strategies in a range of online and offline situations.  

• Investigate and apply behaviours that contribute to their own and others’ health, safety. 

Students will focus on protective behaviours on online and offline interactions. Students will look at the how we can protect ourselves and help-seeking strategies that they can utilise for themselves both online and offline and when helping others. 

Years 5-6  

Students will explore health-related topics related to the Australian Curriculum descriptors. Students will participate in discussions and learn to: 

• Analyse protective behaviours and help-seeking strategies that can be used in a range of online and offline situations  

• Analyse how behaviours influence their safety and well-being of individuals and communities.  

Students will focus on protective behaviours focusing on online interactions.  

Students will look at the privacy and protecting their identity, the impact of online culture and help-seeking strategies that they can utilise for themselves and when helping others. 

Have a great day! 

Jane Webster 

Mrs Eley's update

A gentle reminder that Library books need to be returned each Wednesday for processing so borrowing can take place Thursday.

St Patrick’s Library Staff

                                                                   “Reading is Power and Knowledge”

Student Achievements

Tuckshop

Hello St Pats Families

My name is Candice Cross and I am very excited to be working in the St Pats Tuckshop!

Just a few things to note:

• Tuckshop is now every Friday!
• Cut off for all orders via Flexischools is now 8:30am - this should give everyone more than enough time to get all online orders through. Remember Flexischools can be ordered weeks in advance should you need it. Don't leave ordering until the last minute because you never know how the internet will be behaving.
• All Tuckshop orders must be ordered through Flexischools. The Tuckshop runs on a very tight schedule to ensure orders are out on time at Lunch Breaks and therefore time is of the essence.
• If you have not downloaded the Flexischools app - contact me and I will be only too happy to guide you with the setup.
• Uniform ordering has always and must still be ordered online through Flexischools as our system now adjusts quantities and this is extremely important for stocktake.
• If you have any food suggestions to change the menu - please let me know - I'd be more than happy to introduce new and exciting things that all of the kids might like.
• Please note there is options for Gluten Free.
• Yes - the kids can still purchase an Ice Cream/Ice Block over the counter if they have cash!
• I have tried my best to introduce a few new things for Term 4 - I hope the kids enjoy their Tuckshop!

TERM 4 - Snapshot

Parish News

OCTOBER: ROSARY FOR PEACE
With the October 7 feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Catholic Church traditionally dedicates the whole month to praying the Rosary. Pope Leo XIV has asked Catholics worldwide to pray the Rosary for peace in war-torn lands in October, the month the Church dedicates to the Holy Rosary. Read more in CathNews

MISSION:  Balonne Catholic Parish is a faith filled and prayerful community where members strive to commit to living and sharing the Gospel values that Jesus has taught.

Contact Parish Office : Leanne Brummell  46253021 / email:  stgeorgeparish@twb.catholic.org.au (Wed & Fri 9am-12.30 pm)  Fr Periya 46253021  

Reminders

Is your Sentral for Parents app working?

St Patrick’s Parent Portal provides a more streamlined communication with parents. Please be sure you follow the instructions below on how to register. If you are having issues with your app, please contact the school office so we can help you get things resolved.

St Patrick's OHSC

Vacation Care is coming up! Get your child locked in at OSHC!

While you may have already received communication regarding the TCKC Christmas closures, I would like to share the specific dates relevant to St Patrick’s OSHC.

Please refer to the calendar below for further details.

We are currently in the process of planning activities for the four weeks of Vacation Care. To assist our team with preparations, we kindly ask that you begin submitting the dates your child will be attending during the holiday period. Early submissions will greatly support our staff in organising engaging activities.

If your child is starting Prep in 2026, we encourage you to begin the enrolment process now. Children commencing Prep are eligible to attend OSHC during the January holiday period. Enrolment information is available on the TCKC website: www.tckc.qld.edu.au

COMING SOON!!!

St Patrick's Parish Fete

Community News