St Ursula's College Newsletter 2025 Term 3, Week 10
From our Principal
It seems unbelievable that on receiving this newsletter, we are one or two days away from the end of Term 3. I acknowledge and thank everyone who has contributed to an amazing year, so far, as we head into all of the wonderful things that come with the final term of the academic year.
This week we announced our new Student Leadership Team for 2026, who will commence next term. It is always a time full of mixed emotions; a poignant time for our Year 12 students as they realise they are in the final term of their secondary schooling. For our Year 11 students, a time that tests their resourcefulness to handle the highs as we celebrate those students who have been selected to take on a formal leadership position. Of course, it does not come without the disappointment that some will feel when their name is not called.
Earlier this year, I referred to The Beatitudes, and in particular the verse, “Blessed are those who mourn, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” I love the message that sits within the BE-ATTITUDES; that reminds us that sadness and disappointment are part of growing up. When our girls face setbacks, whether in friendships, school, or life—it’s a chance for them to learn, reflect, and become stronger. Mourning shows they care deeply, and through that care, they build resilience and empathy. Every experience, even the hard ones, helps shape them into kind, courageous young women. And there is no doubt, together this is what we strive for each and every day.
Congratulations to our Student Leaders for 2026.
College Captain - Ainslie Austin
College Vice Captain - Emma Stinson
Boarding Captain - Sienna Nielsen
Culture Captain - Emily Kropp
Faith Captain - Esperance Tumaina
Service Captain - Banazir Ameen
Sports Captain - Grace Douglas
Student Representative Council Captain - Kate Adamson
House Captains
Carita - Millicent Ryan, Veronica Farrow
Fiducia - Georgia McAuliffe, Holly Purcell
Speranza - Alicia Farkarlun, Grace Oughtred
Stella - Monica Chol, Gabriella Kidd
Congratulations also to everyone who nominated for a leadership position. It is heartening to see so many girls who are passionate about undertaking a leadership role at the College.
2026 Student Leaders
I invite all members of our community to join us for our special Liturgy and Commissioning of our 2026 Student Leaders on Friday 10 October from 11.40 am. Parents of our role holders are invited to join us for morning tea at 11.00 am, prior to the service. Please click here to reply.
I am excited to join Eve Reimers (Year 12, Service Captain) and her family on Friday of this week at Parliament House. Eve was successfully nominated and selected as one of twelve students to receive a Secondary Schools Citizenship Award from the Order of Australian, Queensland Branch. She will be presented with her award from Her Excellency, the Governor of Queensland. This is in recognition of her service to both our college and her wider community involvement. This honour is a testament to the depth of her contribution, and one that is truly deserved. Well done Eve.
At the end of this term, we say thank you and farewell to Kirsty Spencer. Kirsty commenced in January of 2024 and quickly became a valued member of our classroom support team of Support Officers. We wish Kirsty all the best for her future endeavours and thank her for her contribution to our College.
A reminder that our final day of term is Thursday 18 September, which promises to be a great day celebrating our Arts Express and inaugural Colour Fun Run. Term 4 commences on Wednesday 8 October.
Have a great break, recharge the batteries, ready for a fun and full term, where we continue to Strive to Thrive!
Deidre Young
Principal
Deputy Principal
And just like that, Term 3 is over and the holidays are here! As I get older, I feel the years go by more quickly—or perhaps I’m simply slowing down to let the world catch up. Either way, this time of year offers a valuable moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate the journey our girls have taken over the past ten weeks.
Our College and family partnerships provides a strong foundation for your daughters to confidently engage in all the College has to offer. This term has been a testament to that partnership. From mock exams and Unit 2 assessments to sporting carnivals, cultural showcases, and academic competitions, our girls have demonstrated courage, commitment, and compassion in all they do.
As educators and parents, one of the most powerful gifts we can offer our young women is the space to struggle productively. Learning is not always linear, and growth often comes from grappling with challenges—what we call “the pit of learning.” It’s in this space that resilience is built, confidence is nurtured, and deep engagement with learning takes root. When we encourage our daughters to persist through difficulty, we are helping them develop the grit and grace they need to thrive—not just in school, but in life.
This term’s conclusion is beautifully marked by House Express Arts, a celebration of creativity, community, and service. Our girls will shine as they raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, culminating in the joyful chaos of the Colour Run. It’s a day where they truly embody the essence of our College; She Serves, She leads, She thrives.
Do you know what your daughter is wearing for the day? If not, it might be worth checking—there’s a good chance it involves something white, something bright, and something that won’t mind a splash of colour!
As we head into the break, I encourage you to take time to rest, reconnect, and recharge as a family. Celebrate the small wins, reflect on the challenges, and most importantly, remind your daughters that every step forward—no matter how small—is a sign of growth.
Wishing you a safe and restful holiday.
Warm regards,
Bernadette Witham
Deputy Principal
KEY DATES:
- Monday 22 September – Year 11 Unit 1 Reports will be available in Sentral from 2:00pm onwards
- Year 12’s -Those who have signed up with Toowoomba Catholic Schools will be honing their skills as they work with students from all over the Diocese on preparation for External Exams
- Term 4 starts on Wednesday 7 October
Assistant Principal Pastoral Care
Building Resilience in Our Teens
At St Ursula’s College, we believe that resilience is not just a skill—it’s a mindset, a muscle that grows stronger with intentional care, support, and challenge. In a world that often feels unpredictable and fast-paced, our young people need more than academic success; they need the emotional tools to bounce back, adapt, and thrive. That’s why our wellbeing program, anchored in the Merici CARE Model and enriched by the RIOT (Resilience in Our Teens) Program, places resilience at the heart of our pastoral care approach.
Recent data from the 2024 Resilient Youth: State of the Nation Report paints a sobering picture. Nearly one-third of Australian secondary students and over a quarter of primary students reported high levels of depression or anxiety symptoms. While two-thirds of students demonstrated moderate to high resilience, the remaining third remain vulnerable to stressors that can impact learning, relationships, and overall wellbeing.
At St Ursula’s, we view these statistics as a call to action. Every student should feel seen, supported, and equipped to navigate life’s ups and downs.
The Merici CARE Model—Connect, Act, Respect, and Empower—is the foundation of our pastoral care philosophy. It’s more than a framework; it’s a lived experience across classrooms, co-curricular activities, and community interactions.
The RIOT Program is our targeted initiative to build emotional strength and coping strategies in our Year 9 and 10 students. Delivered through wellbeing lessons, the RIOT program focuses on:
- Understanding anxiety and how the brain works
- Emotional regulation
- Growth mindset and positive self-talk
- Stress management and mindfulness
- Building healthy relationships and boundaries
- Navigating failure and setbacks constructively
How Parents Can Support Resilience at Home
Resilience is most powerful when nurtured in partnership between school and home. Here are some practical tips for parents:
- Model resilience: Share your own stories of overcoming challenges. Let your young person see that setbacks are part of life—and growth.
- Validate emotions: Instead of rushing to fix problems, listen and acknowledge your teen’s feelings. This builds emotional safety.
- Encourage problem-solving: Ask guiding questions like “What could you try next?” or “Who might help you with this?”
- Celebrate effort, not just outcomes: Praise persistence, creativity, and courage—even when things don’t go perfectly.
- Maintain routines: Predictability in daily life helps teens feel secure and grounded.
- Limit overprotection: Allow your child to experience manageable risks and learn from mistakes.
Through the Merici CARE Model and RIOT Program, we are not just responding to challenges—we are proactively shaping a culture of resilience, compassion, and hope.
Together, as educators and parents, we can empower our young people to face life’s storms with strength and grace.
Mrs Maria Gibson
Assistant Principal Mission and Identity
Commemorating the Battle of Meewah: Honouring History and Unity at Picnic Point
On Friday, 12 September 2025, the Toowoomba community gathered at Picnic Point to commemorate the historic Battle of Meewah, also known as the Battle of One Tree Hill. This annual event honours the resistance led by Aboriginal warrior Multuggerah in 1843 against colonial forces, a pivotal moment in local and national history.
The commemoration began with a formal service from 12:00 to 1:00 pm at Tobruk Memorial Drive Park, followed by a community BBQ and yarn hosted by Carbal Medical Services. Organised by the Friends of Multuggerah and supported by the Social Justice Commission of the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba, the event brought together schools, community leaders, and local residents to reflect on the legacy of Aboriginal resistance and resilience.
Over 30 students from St Ursula’s College attended the ceremony, demonstrating the school's ongoing commitment to justice, reconciliation, and cultural awareness. Among them was Ruby Cook, who contributed meaningfully to the service as one of the readers, helping to share the story and spirit of the occasion.
The commemoration not only served as a historical reflection but also as a call to unity and understanding. Through readings, reflections, and shared stories, attendees were reminded of the importance of acknowledging the past and working together toward a more inclusive future.
Mr Joe Kelly
School Holidays
📅 Term 4 is just around the corner!
Wishing everyone a relaxing and well-deserved break. We can't wait to welcome you back when Term 4 kicks off in October—see you soon, refreshed and ready!
Head of Faculty: Arts
Dance Night
We are on the countdown to our annual College Dance Night, an evening showcasing curricular & co-curricular dance from our students in Years 7 – 12. Make sure you book your tickets via TryBooking: https://www.trybooking.com/DFOFQ. Entry on the evening will be a gold coin donation to Protea Place.
Arts – What’s Happening
Clay Club: Mondays after school
Choir performing at First Nations Mass (St Pat’s Cathedral): Friday 10 October
Music Awards on Assembly: Thursday 16 October
Dance Night Friday 17 October
Miss Lydia Pickard
Finance News
Term 4 Fees Statements
All families will receive their Term 4 Fees Statement on Thursday, 18 September. If you do not receive your statement, please contact our Finance team promptly so we can investigate and ensure it reaches you without delay.
We kindly ask that you take a moment to review your statement carefully to confirm that all transactions are accurate.
Fees should be settled within 14 days of receiving your statement, unless alternative arrangements—such as direct debit, credit terms, 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.
Kerry Chrusciel, Business Manager
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 28 October. There will be a normal general meeting followed by the AGM.
We are desperately keen for sponsors and donations for our major fundraising event this year, the Merici Spring Supper. If you are able to donate anything, please advise the office and we'll be in touch. Thanks for your consideration.
Tahnee Coombs, P&F Secretary
Pie Drive: Care for Cambodia Fundraiser
The St Ursula’s College Care for Cambodia service group, enacted in 2010, was established to create awareness and support for families and children living in poverty in and around Siem Reap, Cambodia. Through the ongoing fundraising efforts of the Care for Cambodia service group, in combination with Grace House a key partner, the lives of many Cambodian children have been transformed through the provision of food, medical aid, education and training.
The major 2025 fundraiser for the Care for Cambodia service group is the O’Donnell’s Bakehouse Pie and Cake Drive. To ensure the invaluable work of Grace House can continue helping Cambodian families and children, we encourage your family, friends and relatives to support this year’s fundraising event. Please complete the order form sent home earlier this month and return the form with payment to the college office on, or before, Friday 10th October. Your delicious baked goodies will be available for collection in the college dining room directly after school on Friday 31st October.
