St Ursula's College Newsletter 2025 Term 4, Week 2
From our Principal

Welcome back to the start of the final term for 2025. It is always such a surreal time to know the academic year is in its final weeks, with still so much to be achieved and celebrated across this time.
As we enter Term 4, our community at St Ursula’s College turns its focus to the value of service—a cornerstone of our Ursuline tradition and a guiding light in our mission to nurture strong, independent young women. Rooted in the motto Serviam, meaning “I will serve,” this value is not simply a theme for the term but a lived expression of our identity. It permeates every aspect of College life, from the classroom to the broader community, encouraging our students to act with compassion, courage, and purpose. Service, in the Ursuline spirit, is not just about helping others, it’s about empowering each girl to become a proactive contributor to her evolving world.
This term holds special significance as we prepare to celebrate St Ursula’s Week, a time when we honour our patron saint and reflect on the legacy of St Angela Merici, foundress of the Ursuline Sisters. Their vision of holistic education—one that balances academic excellence with spiritual, emotional, and social growth—continues to shape our approach today. Through service initiatives, liturgies, and community engagement, our students are invited to deepen their understanding of what it means to live with integrity and generosity. These experiences are not just formative; they are transformative, helping each young woman discover her unique gifts and how she might use them in service of others.
As we journey through this final term of the year, I invite all members of our community to embrace the spirit of Serviam. Let us celebrate the many ways our students live out this value—quietly, boldly, and always with heart. In doing so, we honour the rich heritage of the Ursuline tradition and continue to build a future where service is not just a theme, but a way of life. Because at St Ursula’s, “She serves. She leads. She thrives.”
One of the significant opportunities to celebrate the achievements of our students is at the 2025 Presentation Assembly. This is a wonderful community event, and all parents and carers are invited to join us. Shared below is a copy of the invitation, and in the coming weeks, parents and carers will receive notice if their daughter is receiving an award. Please click on the link provided to reply. https://www.trybooking.com/DFMFD

On the eve of our much-anticipated Merici Spring Supper, I would like to take a moment to warmly acknowledge and celebrate the incredible contribution of our Parents and Friends Association. Their unwavering commitment and generous service to St Ursula’s College is a living testament to our core value of Serviam. Whether through organising events, supporting College initiatives, or simply being present in the life of our school, they model the spirit of service that we seek to instil in every young woman. Their efforts not only enrich our community but also strengthen the bonds that make St Ursula’s a place of belonging, growth, and shared purpose. We thank them wholeheartedly for walking alongside us in our mission and for inspiring our students through their example.
It is not too late to secure a ticket to this wonderful event. A must on our calendar…
Ticket link: https://www.trybooking.com/CXOZL

Enjoy this edition of the College Newsletter as there continues to be much to celebrate. I know over the past week, I have loved being out and about, joining the girls at the All Schools Touch competition on the Gold Coast for a day, celebrating with our 25+ strong cohort of graduating students at the Aurora Graduation (recognising the completion of Certificate III and Diplomas), and joining with the wider Toowoomba community at the First Nations Graduation Mass, where we celebrated our Year 12 First Nations students, as well as hearing our choir perform so beautifully.
In Week 4, our Year 12 students commence their External Exams. We wish them all the best for this next important step in finishing strong the work that has been their focus for the past two years. We keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
Together, we strive,
Deidre Young, Principal
Deputy Principal

Wow – it’s hard to believe that we are in Term 4 of 2025! Term 4 is an exciting term of celebration, acknowledgement, endings, beginnings, and the creation of shared memories. Over the last two weeks, we’ve been busily preparing for St Ursula’s Week, taking place in Week 3. Which Pastoral Care group will win the legendary BOAT RACE? Who will shine in our Talent Show? The energy is contagious, and the College is definitely alive! Amidst all this excitement, our Year 12 students are savouring their final week of teaching and learning, preparing for their External Exams beginning Monday 27 October. We hold them in our thoughts and prayers as they take this important step toward their future.
Finishing Well – Academically and Spiritually
Academic Focus
· Set Intentions: Encourage your daughter to reflect on what she hopes to achieve this term. Whether it’s mastering a subject, or simply staying consistent, clarity brings motivation.
· Stay Organised: With assessments and events filling the calendar, a clear plan helps reduce stress. Encourage the use of planners, checklists, and regular check-ins.
· Ask for Help: Teachers are ready to support. Whether it’s revision, feedback, or encouragement, reaching out early makes a big difference.
Spiritual Growth
· Pause and Reflect: Amid the busyness, take time to reflect on the year’s journey. What have we learned? How have we grown?
· Practice Gratitude: A daily moment of thankfulness can shift perspective and build resilience.
· Stay Connected: When life is full of competing priorities one way of managing is to withdraw from our friends and family. Whilst this is important it is also important to our wellbeing to stay connected to life both within and outside the College. Participate in liturgies, prayer, and service opportunities. These moments help us stay grounded in our values and community spirit.
Looking Ahead with Hope
Term 4 is a time to celebrate achievements, honour transitions, and look forward with hope. Whether your daughter is preparing for exams, completing a major project , or simply enjoying the rhythm of school life, we are here to walk alongside her. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. Let’s make Term 4 a joyful and memorable finale to a wonderful year.
God Bless
Bernadette Witham
Year Level Information
· Year 12
o Monday 27 October the start of External Exams
o Tuesday 18 November – the last day of External exams
o Year 12 teachers will be available over the three weeks of exams at the normal timetabled lesson time. This is to provide students with access to their teachers up to the exam.
o Please ensure you have received the letter from Ms Watson providing this information.
· Year 11
o Unit 2 report cards were released to parents and student during the holidays through Sentral. If you have not had the opportunity to read and talk through these with your daughter, please do so. If there is a subject where your daughter has received a D or a comment from the teacher about the need to review their progress, please make contact with the subject teacher to look at ways of supporting your daughter.
· Year 10
o In Week 3 we will be providing to Year 10 the list of subjects they have selected for Year 11 2026.
· Year 8 and 9
o In Week 4 we will be providing to Year 8 and 9 the list of subjects they have selected for Year 9 and 10 2026 respectively.
· Year 7
o All students have participated in PAT-Reading and PAT-Maths testing at the College to provide further insight on how to further support them to achieve their goals
Assistant Principal Pastoral Care

Online Safety Update for Parents: Protecting Our Students in the Digital Age
At St Ursula’s College, we are committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for our students—both in person and online. As part of this commitment, I want to share two important updates that may affect your daughter’s digital wellbeing: a new online threat identified by national authorities and upcoming changes to social media laws for young Australians.
Sadistic Online Exploitation
The Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) has raised concerns about a disturbing trend known as Sadistic Online Exploitation (SOE). This form of abuse involves the deliberate use of digital platforms to manipulate, control, or harm others—often for gratification, power, or ideological reasons.
SOE may include:
- Psychological, emotional, or physical abuse
- Child sexual exploitation
- Cybercrime and violent extremism
Those particularly vulnerable are young people experiencing low self-esteem, mental health challenges, or have a history of self-harm or eating disorders. Educators are being briefed nationally to help identify early warning signs, and we encourage families to stay informed.
Please refer to ACCCE website for information regarding:
- Warning signs to watch for
- How to support your child
- Where to report concerns and seek help
New Social Media Laws for Students Under 16
Starting 10 December 2025, amendments to the Online Safety Act 2021 will introduce new regulations for social media use by children under 16.
Key changes include:
- Social media platforms must take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from creating or maintaining accounts
- Affected platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and others classified as “age-restricted”
- Messaging apps and online games are generally excluded unless they include social media-style features
It is important to note:
- This is not a ban on internet use
- There are no penalties for children or parents
- Enforcement is the responsibility of the platforms
We encourage you to begin conversations at home about these changes and explore healthy, age-appropriate ways to stay connected online. For more details, visit the eSafety Commissioner’s official page.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at the College if you have any questions or concerns about how these developments. Together, we can help ensure our students navigate the digital world safely and confidently.
Mrs Maria Gibson
Assistant Principal Mission and Identity

Year 11 FACE Retreat – Monday 13 October
On Monday 13 October, our Year 11 Religion and Ethics students began their Faith and Community Engagement (FACE) journey with a meaningful retreat day.
In the morning, I commenced the day by introducing the FACE program and its core purpose. Students were invited to view others with “fresh eyes,” embracing empathy and non-judgment. They reflected on the needs within our local community and considered how, as people of faith, they might support those who are marginalized.
The second session was facilitated by the Vinnies Youth Team—Julie Inskip, Caitlin, and Jemma - who guided students through engaging activities designed to deepen their understanding of the challenges faced by the Toowoomba community and explore practical ways to offer support.
In the final session, Ms Watson shared insights into the work of Grace House and the Ursuline School in Cambodia—two initiatives our College proudly supports each year. Her presentation highlighted the global dimension of our commitment to service and solidarity.
Joe Kelly
Remaining October Date Claimers

Director of Sport

Qld All Schools Touch
From the 8th to the 12th of October, our Under 15 and Open touch football teams travelled to Runaway Bay to compete in the Queensland All Schools Touch Football Competition — one of the largest and most competitive touch tournaments in the country.
Our Under 15s had an impressive campaign, showcasing teamwork, determination, and skill across their pool games. They recorded six convincing wins and suffered only one loss to Palm Beach Currumbin, who went on to be Runners Up for the carnival. Despite their outstanding effort and results, the team narrowly missed progressing to the finals due to the competition’s structure. Their performance was a credit to their preparation, discipline, and positive attitude throughout the week.
The Open team also represented the College proudly, displaying sportsmanship across all games. They secured two well-earned victories from six matches.
Both teams should be congratulated on their efforts and teamwork across the tournament. They demonstrated the true spirit of our College both on and off the field.
A special thank you goes to Molly van Heerden, Sophia Head, Chloe Tiley, Meg Ballon and Jaime Thomas for their support in supervising and transporting our students throughout the week — your time and effort were greatly appreciated.










Colour Run
Our first Colour Run was a highlight of the term, bringing together students, staff, and families for a fun-filled afternoon bursting with colour, laughter, and energy! The event wasn’t just about fun — it was also about making a difference. Together, we raised an incredible $1,342 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service Wellbeing Out West Program, supporting mental health services for people in rural and remote Queensland.
A huge shout-out to Mrs Young, who was spotted racing around the course with the students and getting well and truly covered in colour! Her enthusiasm and spirit summed up what the afternoon was all about — community, joy, and helping others.
Thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, and donated. Your efforts helped make this event a colourful success for a wonderful cause.


Queensland State Futsal
St Ursula’s College competed in the Queensland School Futsal Cup finals at Nissan Arena on Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 September. This tournament featured the top two teams from each Queensland region and St Ursula’s entered teams in both the U15 and U19 divisions. The U15 team although competitive lost all three group matches and exited the competition. The U19 team topped their pool and advanced to the knockout stage on Wednesday. They won their quarter-final against Mansfield State High School 5-1 but narrowly lost 4-3 to Chancellor State College in the semi-final. Finishing in the top 4 means the U19 team has qualified for the National School Titles in November. Congratulations to all students for your dedication and sportsmanship.
Saturday Netball success
We are Absolutely thrilled for our Ursie girls who hit the court at the end of last term in the Division 2 Saturday Netball Grand Final - and dominated with a powerhouse 13 goal win!
What started as a bunch of mates playing for fun turned into something extraordinary. From friendship to finals glory - what a journey, what a team!

Community Sport
Darling Downs Futsal
Huge congrats to Sophie Hick and Kaleesha Hall, who represented the U16 Darling Downs Futsal team at the Queensland U16 Futsal State Titles!
The competition wrapped up Friday at the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre, with teams from all 10 QLD regions battling it out. Way to go, Darling Downs!
QLD Cricket
Congratulations to Amelia Kidd, who proudly represented Queensland at the U15 National Cricket Carnival in Tuggerah, NSW during the school holidays. The team had an outstanding tournament, finishing with the silver medal after a hard-fought grand final against Victoria.
Amelia made a significant impact throughout the competition, earning Player of the Match honours in the semi-final victory over NSW. In the grand final, she delivered a strong bowling performance — 7 overs, 1 wicket, and two crucial catches — playing a key role in her team’s campaign.
We are incredibly proud of Amelia’s achievements and the way she represented both St Ursula’s College and Queensland with determination, skill, and pride.



Qld Futsal and Darling Downs Track and Field
As Lucy Dyson’s time at St Ursula’s College comes to an end, we celebrate an incredible journey filled with dedication, leadership, and sporting success.
Over the September break, Lucy represented Queensland at her fifth National School Futsal Championship, where her Under 19 team were crowned overall winners. Lucy’s individual performances were exceptional — she was named MVP for the Grand Final, selected as an Allstar player for the tournament, and offered the opportunity to travel to Italy in 2026 as part of an Australian Futsal Tour.
Adding to her remarkable achievements, Lucy has also been appointed the Darling Downs Track and Field Female Captain for the 2025 State Championships in Townsville — an incredible honour and a fitting way to conclude her school athletics journey.
Lucy has been a valued member of the College community, admired for her commitment, humility, and passion for sport. We congratulate her on all she has achieved and wish her every success in the exciting adventures ahead.
Qld All Schools Athletics
It was a fantastic weekend of competition at the Queensland All Schools Athletics Championships, with both Bethany and Eliza Moore-Kirkland achieving outstanding results and earning selection in the Queensland team to compete at Nationals in Melbourne this December.
Bethany had an incredible meet, taking out 1st place in the 3km Race Walk and breaking the Queensland record in the process — an amazing achievement! She also decided to test herself in the 3km run, where she claimed a bronze medal, along with several top 10 finishes in the 800m and 1500m events.
Eliza also impressed on the track, finishing 2nd in the 400m Hurdles with a brilliant run. She followed that up with top 10 placings in the 400m and 800m, showing great consistency and determination in very competitive fields.
Both girls should be incredibly proud of their achievements and the effort they have put into their training. We wish them the very best of luck as they prepare to represent Queensland at Nationals in December!
Darling Downs Panthers (Netball)
From 21 to 23 September, four of our exceptional Ursie athletes proudly donned the Darling Downs colours at the Queensland Netball State Titles. Meila Beckett took to the court in the U16 division, while Mikayla O'Neill, Darcie Gillis, and Georgia McAuliffe showcased their talent in the fiercely competitive U19 category.
With determination and true Ursie spirit, these young women rose to the occasion, holding their own against some of Queensland’s top netballers. Their grit, skill, and sportsmanship were nothing short of inspiring.



Mrs Elyce Ruhle
Head of Faculty: Arts

Arts Department Update
🩰 Dance Night – Book Now!
Our annual Dance Night is fast approaching! Tickets are available via TryBooking. Don’t miss this spectacular showcase of student choreography and performance.
🎟️ Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/DFOFQ
🎬 Sienna’s Queensland Theatre Residency Week
Congratulations to Sienna, who recently participated in Queensland Theatre’s Residency Week! This prestigious program brings together young performers from across the state for an intensive week of workshops, masterclasses, and rehearsals with industry professionals. We’re so proud of her achievement and can’t wait to see how this experience shapes her future in the arts.
🎶 Music Awards – This Thursday
A reminder that our Music & Sports Awards will be held this Thursday at Assembly. Join us as we celebrate the incredible talent and dedication of our music students.
Miss Lydia Pickard


Finance Department
Welcome to Term 4! All families should have received their monthly statement on Friday, 10 October. We kindly ask that you take a moment to review your current statement.
If you did not receive your statement, please contact our Finance team promptly so we can investigate and ensure it reaches you without delay.
Fees should be settled within 14 days of receiving your statement, unless alternative arrangements—such as direct debit, or a formal payment plan—have already been made.
If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Finance team:
Email: accountsstursulas@twb.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 07 4632 7611
We appreciate your continued partnership and look forward to supporting you throughout Term 4.

P&F News
🎓 Join Us for Our Final P&F Meeting of the Year!
Our Parents & Friends meetings are held at Kerrielaw starting at 5:45pm. You're warmly invited to attend in person or via Zoom. The Zoom link will be emailed the Monday prior to each meeting, or you can request it anytime by contacting stursulaspfa@gmail.com.
📅 Next Meeting: Tuesday, 28 October
This will be our final gathering for the year—a general meeting followed by our Annual General Meeting (AGM). We’d love to see you there!
🌸 Merici Spring Supper – Our Signature Event
It’s not too late to be part of our only major event this year: the Merici Spring Supper!
🎟️ Tickets and raffle entries are available at trybooking.com/CXOZL
This special afternoon was created to bring parents together, reconnect past students, and celebrate our community—all while raising funds for a great cause. This year, proceeds will go toward new outdoor seating for the girls and upgrades to the Salo Centre.
📍 Event Details
- 🕛 Time: 12pm – 5pm
- 🌳 Location: Front lawns of the College (off Taylor Street, under the shady trees)
- 👗 Dress Code: Smart casual (don’t forget your hat!)
- 🎶 Inclusions: All-day food and live entertainment and an etched cup or stubby cooler to keep as a momento
🎁 Raffles & Prizes
- 🎫 Major Raffle: Open to everyone, even if you can’t attend. Only 100 tickets available—first in, best dressed!
- 1 of the main prizes includes 2 tickets to the sold-out Red Hot Summer Tour in Toowoomba featuring Crowded House
- 💸 Minor Cent Auction: Around 10 prizes valued between $50–$100
- 🧊 Cold drinks available for purchase
We’d absolutely love to see you there—whether you’re coming to connect, catch up, or simply enjoy the day!
Tahnee Coombs, P&F Secretary
