Issue 14 Term 4, 25th October 2024

Principals Report

Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope this newsletter finds you well and in good spirits. We have several important updates and events coming up that I am excited to share with you.
Firstly, I want to thank everyone for their incredible participation in Wear Red For Daniel Day today. It was heartwarming to see our community come together to support such an important cause. This day emphasises the safety and well-being of our children, and your involvement makes a significant difference. It is a vital effort to keep our children safe and aware. Your support in this cause is greatly appreciated.
Next week, I will be attending the Leadership Forum in Toowoomba. While this means I will be away from school and my family, the insights and knowledge gained from such forums are invaluable. These experiences allow me to bring back fresh ideas and strategies to benefit our school community. During my absence, Jenny Harris will be filling the role as Deputiser. Please contact the office regarding student absences or anything that may arise.
Our much-anticipated St Finbarr’s Mystery Holiday School Fete is scheduled for the 8th of November. As always, we rely on the generous support of our parents. Whether it’s helping with the bar roster, contributing salads or desserts, or assisting with the setup on Friday, your involvement is crucial. We need many hands to make this event a success, including setting up the Haunted House, Sideshow Alley, stage, and laser tag. Please reach out to Courtney or the office if you can lend a hand with making a salad or dessert.
The Book Fair will be set up in the library from Week 5, thanks to the hard work of Miss Kendall. Students will receive a wish list during their visit, so be sure to check it out when you come in for the fete. It’s a wonderful opportunity to encourage a love of reading in our children.
Speaking of reading, I cannot stress enough the importance of reading at home with your child. Research shows that while homework may not always be linked to better learning outcomes, spending just five minutes reading together can make a significant difference. It’s a simple yet powerful way to support your child’s education.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our school community. Together, we can continue to maintain a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment for our children.
Until next time,
Mrs. Kara Marsh
Principal

School Absences

Student of the Week & Gotcha Winners Term 4

Gotcha tickets are given out each week when students are seen to be following our school rules and values.  Actions may include caring for each other, greeting other students, staff and parents warmly or showing respect and responsibility.                                                                                                                                                                                      Actions may also be following the words of Mary Mackillop - 'Never see a need without doing something about it'.                                      All the Gotcha tickets a placed in the 'Gotcha box' and two names are drawn out each week, the remaining names stay in the box and are added to each week.

Prep Classroom

On Monday, we successfully conducted our second Prep Transition Day. Our current Prep students warmly welcomed the visiting children and took the initiative to guide them through various activities. This collaborative effort not only helped the visitors acclimate to their new environment but also allowed our current students to demonstrate leadership and responsibility. The day was filled with engaging activities, fostering a sense of community and excitement for the upcoming school year.

1-2 Classroom

This week, our students engaged in a persuasive writing exercise. One student's challenge was to convince Ms. Derry that chocolate should be allowed for breakfast. The students showcased their creativity and persuasive skills, presenting compelling arguments and imaginative ideas. While Ms. Derry appreciated their efforts and enjoyed reading their persuasive pieces, the verdict on chocolate for breakfast remains unchanged. The activity was a great success, fostering critical thinking and enhancing writing skills among the students.

3-6 Classroom

This term the 4/5/6 class have been reading The Wild Robot and learning about writing engaging narrative stories. Students are excitedly planning an imaginary world for their story setting and dreaming up unique characters.
In Mathematics last week, students explored measurement and the relationship between capacity and volume. 
  
We have also been investigating multiplicative thinking through a challenge to create the longest paper chain possible with just one piece of A4 paper.

In week 3, the 4,5,6 class hosted a Mini-Olympics for the whole school. Students put many weeks of planning and preparation into this event and it was a great success! Thank you to all of the staff and students who came and participated in our many exciting events. These included balloon tennis, limbo, obstacle course, hoop hop, highest kick and running races.

Mrs. Cathcart.

St Finbarr's Mystery Holiday and Fete

Mini Finnie's

Welcome to Mini Finnie's for 2024, we have lots of fun and learnt some things at the same time.   Mini Finnie's is a play-based education program designed to develop essential skills for a successful transition into prep, the program runs each Friday morning during Terms 3 and 4 from 8:45 to 11:00 am.                                                                   All children starting prep in 2025 are welcome to attend with their parent or guardian. Our Principal, Kara Marsh, and Miss Jen Anderson are looking forward to welcoming you! Please contact the office if you know of anyone who would like to attend: quilpie@twb.catholic.edu.au, ph. 07 46 215 200.

Prep Transition Days: 21st October, 4th November & 18th November

Prep Transition days are a great way for students to 

Please fill in this form to RSVP https://forms.office.com/r/26CQf7rRFy   (right Click to open link)

Student school enrollment link: https://enrol-qui.twb.catholic.edu.au/enrolment-application/start

World Teachers Day

World Teachers’ Day honours the dedication, hard work, and passion of teachers who play a crucial role in shaping the minds and futures of our children.

Let's celebrate our teachers and aides!

Day for Daniel

Australia’s largest child safety education and awareness day
Friday 25 October 2024

Held annually on the last Friday of October, Day for Daniel honours the memory of Daniel Morcombe. We ask all Australians on this very special day to Wear Red, Educate and Donate.

Daniel’s story and legacy
Daniel Morcombe was a 13-year-old boy, living with his parents and brothers in the town of Palmwoods on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
While on his way to buy Christmas presents for his family at a local shopping centre, he went missing.

He was last seen wearing a red t-shirt, waiting for a bus at 10 minutes past 2pm on Sunday 7th December 2003. He was abducted and murdered; after years of searching and an incredible undercover police investigation Daniel was finally found in 2011.

Daniel’s parents, Bruce and Denise started the Daniel Morcombe Foundation to give back to the community who had supported them from the day that Daniel went missing. Today, the Daniel Morcombe Foundation is one of the most well known not for profit child safety organisations in Australia. Daniel’s story changed child safety in Australia and the determination and dedication of his parents has inspired the entire nation.

The red t-shirt Daniel was wearing the day he went missing has become a symbol of child safety awareness. Every year, thousands of people dress up in red for an annual National Day of Action for Child Safety, held on the last Friday in October: Day for Daniel.

PPF 2024

Term 4 Swimming

We are delighted to announce that our Term 4 whole school swimming program has commenced. It is wonderful to see everyone back in the pool.

A special thank you to all parents and students for remembering to bring your swim gear. Your diligence ensures that our swimming sessions run smoothly and efficiently. Let’s continue to make every swimming day a success by not forgetting our swimming togs or goggles.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 25

Next

Tuck-Shop 2024

Thank you to our families each week who run a Tuck shop- the kids love having Mum or Dad there and all our other Mums & Dads love not having to make a lunchbox on a Monday.

Please make sure you read the Operating Procedures in the Tuck shop to familiarize yourself with how it runs, always ask Office questions if you're not sure.                                                                                                                    

10am Snack Attack (one small platter for each classroom (3)                                                                                                           11am 1st Break -Fruit/veg option and home bake                                                                                                                     1pm 2nd Break- Lunch and dessert                                             

Parents on Tuck shop will not be sent home an envelope for their student. Please see the office if you have any issue's or need some money to pay for items (please bring receipt)

Please note: Please don't send PEANUT related snacks to school. Peanuts only are not permitted; other nuts are fine.                                                                                                                                                                                                                             A link to the Operating Procedures can be found below.                                                        

Help a young mind make Healthy Choices for life!

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 12

Next

School Website & Calendar

Have you downloaded the School Calendar to your phone yet! This is the quickest way to see upcoming events for St Finbarr's as they will already be on your phones Calendar 

Below shows you in 4 steps on how to subscribe the school online calendar onto your phone's calendar, when reading school newsletter via your phone 

 St Finbarr's School, Quilpie, Calendar 

 St Finbarr's School, Quilpie Website

NBN Quilpie

Free internet for students in eligible families | nbn

CWA after School Craft Monday 28th

Quilpie & District & Regional Sport

Assembly

2024 Term Planner

Please find the Term Planner for T1 and T2, please also keep a look out on our website for other dates or subscribe to school calander as shown above.

School Yard access

School Bell Times

Term Dates 2024

St Finbarr's Student Protection Contacts

It is a legislative requirement that all non-state schools have at least two nominated staff members to whom a student can report the behaviour of another staff member that the student considers inappropriate.  We call these specially trained staff members School Student Protection Contacts, or SSPCs.  Each SSPC has been nominated by the principal in recognition of their integrity, approachability and knowledge in the area of student protection.  Whilst students are encouraged to speak up to any trusted adult in the school community, it is important that they know they can access these specific staff members at any time should they have worries, queries or concerns. You will have noticed posters throughout the school depicting our current SSPCs.  The SSPCs are also published on our school website along with information about our student protection processes.  In everything we do at St Finbarr's student safety is our highest priority, therefore the SSPCs at our school are key personnel in our overall safeguarding processes.  Please see the poster depicting our current SSPC team.