St Ursula's College Newsletter 2025 Term 1, Week 6

From our Principal

Happy International Women’s Day.

I am really excited about this coming Friday, 7 March, as we celebrate International Women’s Day. I hope many of you have been able to secure a ticket for our breakfast, and fingers crossed that the predicted weather does not impact on our capacity to continue to host this function. We are thrilled that Councillor and Deputy Mayor, Rebecca VonHoff, accepted our invitation to be our guest speaker, and I am sure we will learn a lot as she recounts challenges in her leadership journey that aligns with the 2025 theme of #Accelerate Action.

Each year, as we celebrate International Women's Day, we reflect on the significance of this day to our school community. Our mission to nurture courageous and confident young women aligns perfectly with the 2025 theme, "Accelerate Action." This theme calls for swift and decisive steps towards gender equality, and it resonates deeply with our commitment to empower our students to become leaders and change-makers. By fostering an environment where young women can thrive (in fact, strive to thrive), we are not only preparing them for their future but also contributing to a more equitable society.

Service to others is at the heart of our school's values, Serviam, and International Women's Day is a reminder of the importance of community and solidarity. We encourage our students to take action, whether through community service projects, advocacy, or simply supporting one another. By accelerating action, we aim to inspire our students to make a positive impact in the world, embodying the spirit of this year's theme. Together, we can create a brighter future for all, where every young woman has the opportunity to achieve her full potential.

Angela Merici, the founder of the Ursuline Order, embodies the essence of striving. When she speaks of striving, it is a call to move, to do something, to act. This aligns perfectly with the theme of "Accelerate Action" and underscores the importance of proactive efforts in achieving gender equality. As women, it is crucial that we embrace this call to action, not only for our own growth but also to inspire and uplift those around us. By striving together, we can create a world where every woman can succeed and make a difference.

And in the end, surely, this is a world we want for our girls!

Last week, it was a pleasure to host the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Leadership Forum. We welcomed Principals from across the diocese, as well as members of the TCSO Executive team to our school for mass, a tour and shared meal. I was so proud to showcase our College, as well as our young women, with many commenting on the confident and authentic young people our girls are! We also opened the forum with prayer on the Tuesday morning.

It was a wonderful opportunity, as we enter our second year as the 32^nd school in TCSO, to return the welcome we have experienced, and for everyone to know a little more about St Ursula’s College.

I am most appreciative of the staff who assisted in ensuring every aspect of the program presented was welcoming and reflective of our culture.

This is one last opportunity for parents to provide some feedback to help start the process of developing our Masterplan. Please click on this link and take a few minutes to contribute to our vision for a better story.

Otherwise, please refer to our snapshots for the month ahead, included in this newsletter. This tries to capture the main events across March as we head towards the end of the term.

I take this opportunity to remind parents that our last day of Term is Thursday 3 April, with Friday 4 April, a Pupil Free Day designated as a Boarder’s Travel Day. Across this next week, communication will be shared with parents that reflect any concerns we have for your daughter’s attendance. As Mrs Gibson’s previous newsletter articles have indicated, attendance is the first critical step to anyone’s success.

All the best for the remainder of the week,

Together, we strive,

Deidre Young

Principal

Weather Updates

Parents and Guardians,

Please refer to your emails and the College Facebook page for regular updates sent at the end of each day highlighting any updates related to the pending weather event.

Priority in our decision making will always be the safety of our staff and students. We will be guided by the advice given from Toowoomba Catholic Schools, that in turn is guided by that of Education Queensland, the Minister and Queensland Catholic Education Commission.

Look for the below image on our Facebook page to track the updates.

Regards, 

Deidre Young, Principal 

Deputy Principal

As we move into Week 6 and embrace the beautiful beginnings of autumn, the air carries a sense of reflection. Just as the leaves begin to turn and gently fall, it's a natural time to pause and consider our own growth and change.

In my previous newsletter, I emphasised the importance of planning for progress – scheduling study time, managing homework, and setting goals. Now, as the term progresses, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect alongside your daughters.

Has there been progress?

This is a question worth exploring together. It's not just about grades; it’s about the small victories, the newfound understanding, and the growing confidence.

· How have you identified this progress? Perhaps it's a better understanding of a challenging concept, improved time management, or a greater willingness to participate in class. Encourage your daughter/s to consider these aspects.

· How have you celebrated the small and big gains? Celebrating progress, no matter how small, is crucial for fostering a positive learning environment. A simple acknowledgement, a shared moment of pride, or a special treat can make a world of difference.

Autumn reminds us that change is a natural and beautiful part of life. Let's use this time to reflect on the progress made, acknowledge the effort, and celebrate the achievements, both big and small. Meeting with many of you last week at our Parent teacher interviews provided our staff with insights on your daughter and for you as parents insights on the work needing to be done and work that has been achieved.

I encourage you to have a conversation with your daughter/s about their progress and to embrace this season of reflection together.

Warmly,

Bernadette 

Building Unity through Community: How to support you and your child with homework

Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority(QCAA) our governing body has partnered with clinical psychologist and registered teacher Dr Judith Locke on a series of short videos designed to help parents and carers support their child’s learning and wellbeing.

Below are some snippets from this collection that you may find helpful. Dr Locke reminds us that parenting can be difficult and that we are not alone. Her short videos offer guidance and advice. · Homework – From QCAA – webinar Advice from Dr Judith Locke | Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority

• Homework – From QCAA – webinar Advice from Dr Judith Locke | Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority
• How to manage the tween years and how to support your year 11 and 12 child to maintain a good study-life balance and family connection: Communications kit: Practical advice for parents and carers — Video series | Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority

KEY Technology UPDATES:

• Firefly OUTAGE: Firefly is our Learning Management system containing class resources and assessments. Sentral is our NEW student management system and our source of truth for student names and family contact details. The integration between Firefly and Sentral has run into problems. This is impacting on how assessment and class tasks are sent out to students, assessment tasks are submitted, and if you are a new family, access to Firefly resources.
• SOLUTION: In Week 1 of Easter Holidays (5 April to 12 April), all Firefly services will be shut down to run integration and testing. This means no access to Firefly for staff, students and parents.
  • NOTE: If your daughter is working on an assessment task or needing to access resources on firefly they are to download the relevant resources before the end of this term. This will be of relevance to our Year 11 and 12 students.

Assessment Calendars:

· These are live on our website and Firefly OR you can click the links below.

· Year 7 Assessment Calendar

· Year 8 Assessment Calendar

· Year 9 Assessment Calendar

· Year 10 Assessment Calendar

· Year 11 Assessment Calendar

· Year 12 Assessment Calendar

KEY DATES:

NAPLAN: Year 7 and 9

• If you would like to look at what is involved in the online tests and or support your daughter with extra practice, you may like to visit the public demonstration site by clicking here
• Tuesday 25 February all Year 7 & 9 participated in a practice test. This gave them familiarity with the online testing platform and tested our network to ensure all will be right for the first day.
• Further information will go out to all parents in a letter this week.

Parent Teacher Interview Feedback

Would you please complete this short survey to give us your feedback on Parent Teacher Interviews. Closing date is Friday 14 March.

https://forms.office.com/r/fxYh2GbWeN

Ms Bernadette Witham

Assistant Principal Pastoral Care

Student Protection Policy and Guidelines 

 At St Ursula’s College, the safety and wellbeing of our students are paramount. We want to highlight the key aspects of TCSO Student Protection Policy and Guidelines, which are accessible on our College website under the "Our College" tab. 

 Every child deserves to be in a safe environment, free from abuse and harm. It is the responsibility of adults to take action if this right is compromised. 

•  Abuse can manifest in various forms, including: 
•  Sexual Abuse 
•  Emotional or Psychological Abuse 
•  Physical Abuse 
•  Neglect 

 These forms of abuse can result in different types of harm, such as physical, psychological, or emotional harm. Students may face harm from multiple sources, including and not limited to: individuals associated with the College (staff, volunteers, or other students), family members or relatives (parents, siblings, grandparents, etc.), other community members (family friends, neighbours, coaches, tutors, strangers) or from themselves. 

It is a legal requirement of non-state schools to have at least two designated staff members, known as School Student Protection Contacts (SSPCs). These SSPCs are specially trained and nominated by the principal for their integrity, approachability, and expertise in student protection. While students are encouraged to speak to any trusted adult, they should know they can always approach these specific staff members with any concerns. We have posters throughout the College featuring our current SSPCs as well as on our College website.  

 At St Ursula’s College, student safety is our highest priority, and our SSPCs play a crucial role in safeguarding young people. 

 By staying informed and vigilant, we can work together to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all our students. The Student Protection Contacts at St Ursula’s College are:   

• College Principal, Mrs Deidre Young   

• Deputy Principal, Ms Bernadette Witham  

• Assistant Principal Pastoral Care, Mrs Maria Gibson  

• Head of Boarding, Miss Jodi Marshall  

• And our College Counsellors.  

 I urge you to become familiar with these documents and to ensure that your daughters are familiar with the Student Protection Contacts at the College. Posters are throughout the College as visual reminders and the contact details are in the College student diaries.  

 Mrs Maria Gibson

Assistant Principal Mission and Identity

Lent is almost upon us as we held our first fundraiser for Project Compassion - selling Pancakes at first break on Tuesday 4 March. We celebrated Ash Wednesday, as our liturgies were led, in PC groups, by our Year 12 students with the distribution of Ashes.

The 40 days of Lent traditionally involved fasting, prayer, and almsgiving as a way to connect deeper with God. For the last 65 years, it has also been a time when schools and parishes fundraise for Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion.

As Caritas Australia’s largest annual fundraising campaign, Project Compassion mobilises Australians to raise much-needed funds to help alleviate poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity in the most vulnerable and marginalised communities in the world.

Catholic schools, parishes, and the wider Australian public participate in a diverse range of fundraising and awareness raising activities and events to support Caritas Australia’s programs both overseas and here in Australia with their First Australian partners. Project Compassion is an extraordinary demonstration of the faith, empathy and generosity of its supporters. It is the lifeblood of Caritas Australia; without it, they could not do the vital work that we do.

Here at St Ursula’s we have set ourselves the ambitious target of raising $4,000. To help us achieve that target we will be conducting the Big Water Walk later in the term to empathise with people in Africa, Asia and the Pacific who walk to collect water every day.

If you would like to contribute to our fundraising then please scan the QR code and make a donation. All donations of $2.00 and over are tax deductible and you will receive a tax-deductible receipt via email.

Help us to make a difference in our world today.

Mr Joe Kelly

Pancakes at First Break

March Date Claimers

March is Packed with Exciting Events!

We have another busy month ahead, so be sure to mark these important dates in your calendar:

Director of Sport

Training Days and Times

Greetings to all members of our College community,

As we settle into Term One, we can see a large number of opportunities opening up for our students to be involved in Sport, from some general fitness and participation options to those seeking a more competitive way of engaging in one of their favourite sports. We have it all.

Please see listed below the opportunities across a range of sports. 

Please note that training days and times are subject to change depending on coaches' availability. Changes will be communicated to students via email and student notices.

Interhouse Swimming Carnival Results

Darling Downs Representatives

Congratulations to the following students how have been successful in making the Darling Downs team for their chosen sport.

Molly Toms – Triathlon

Harper Kellock – Aquathon

Amelia Kidd – Cricket

Lucy Mills – Cricket

Lucy Dyson – Football

Lucy Ryan – Football

Grace Oughtred – Football

Amelia Kidd – Football

Charlotte Kidd – Football

Sophie Hick – Football

 Mrs Elyce Ruhle

Athletes of the Week

Head of Faculty: Arts

Junior Play

We are pleased to announce the cast of our 2025 Junior Play, The Wizard of Oz. Be sure to put Friday 20 June into your calendars!

Surge Dance Day

On Tuesday 25 February, our Year 11 and 12 Dance students participated in Surge Dance Day; a one-day intensive workshop experience for Toowoomba Senior Dance students at the Empire Theatre. Students worked with three different dance artists on tasks to inform upcoming assessment. They also participated in a Broadway Jazz workshop with David Wynen, the current Head of Dance at the State University of New York.

Clay Club

Our new Clay Club has started for the term on Monday afternoons from 3:15pm – 4:30pm with Jane Orme. Jane Orme is a ceramicist who is passionate about making bespoke functional work that shows the maker’s hand and holds story. The ability for a vessel to hold underpins all of Jane’s practice—hold tea, hold space, hold hope. She believes that making art and working with clay is healing and aims to share this with others through her practice. Jane’s current work references personal and universal stories such as that of the current state of woman’s health, connecting the maker and viewer to create dialogue and enact change. She is passionate about the ceramic community and contributes through her podcast with Aurora Elwell, Birds of Clay, and her new position as one of the assistant editors for The Journal of Australian Ceramics. The girls have started with the basics of pinch pot construction and decorating their creations.

Thank you to our wonderful Arts staff who provide these opportunities for our students, including Miss Beth Toleman -Glasse (Drama); Mrs Sandra Jarrett (Visual Art) and me, in Dance. Please do not hesitate to reach out to any one of us if we can provide any further information on The Arts program.

Miss Lydia Pickard

Head of Faculty - The Arts

P&F News

Our P&F meetings are always held in Kerrielaw from 5:45pm. You are welcome to join us either in person or via Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent out the Monday before the meeting, or you can request the link by emailing stursulaspfa@gmail.com

Please join us for our next P&F Meeting on Tuesday 11 March.

Tahnee Coombs, P&F Secretary

IWD Stall Reminder

Sentral

Protea Place Trivia Night

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Guest Speaker Invitation: St Mary's College

St Mary's College invites your school community to attend our Parent Information Evening with Shirley-Ann Gardiner from Momentum Mental Health.

Momentum Mental Health is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to transforming the mental health and wellbeing of the community. Their purpose is to make mental health and wellbeing accessible to everyone, every day, focusing on prevention and innovative, contemporary support programs.

Shirley-Ann has a passion for the social determinants of health. She is on the Board of two local not-for-profits. In January 2021, she was awarded the Australia Day Citizen of the Year Award in Toowoomba for her work with vulnerable communities.

A joint presentation with Brian Bracher will cover three topics:
1. Improving your wellbeing (The “5 Ways to Wellbeing”)
2. Setting healthy boundaries
3. How to have a difficult conversation with someone in distress

If you are interested in attending this free event, please RSVP via https://www.trybooking.com/CYZPG by Thursday 6th March 2025.

OLOL Race Day

Year 12 2024 Survey

2025 Next Step Year 12 Completers Survey

All Year 12 completers from last year will soon receive an invitation to participate in the Next Step survey. This is their chance to help our school to understand the different pathways of the 2024 Year 12 students and to improve our senior programs and supports for future students. The survey only takes five minutes and asks graduates about their study and work activities since finishing school.

As a thank you for participating, Year 12 completers who complete the survey will be entered into a draw to win a MacBook Air.

We ask parents, siblings and friends to encourage our graduates to complete the survey. If their contact details have changed, please assist survey interviewers by providing their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate. Graduates may receive an invitation by mail, email or phone. The survey can be completed online or by phone.

For more information about Next Step, including previous results, visit http://www.qld.gov.au/nextstep.