Week 9, Term 3 2025 - 9th September 2025
Curriculum News
Specialist Curriculum Offerings
As we approach the end of a busy term 3, I would like to take this chance to highlight and thank the work of our specialist teachers at St Mary’s - Mrs Simone Sibley, Mrs Donna Wood and Ms Maria Lenz.
In just this term alone, our students have had opportunities to engage in their regular curriculum lessons of the arts, health and physical education and Spanish but they have also had extra curricular offerings such as:
- Run club
- Skipping
- St Mary’s Got Talent
- AFL and NRL specialist lessons
- HPE week activities
- Artist in residence lessons
While some of these opportunities may include a prize or recognition at the end, the true value lies in the shared encouragement, the growth in skills and confidence, and the joy of achieving something we once thought was beyond our reach.
I heard comments around the school that included:
“I’m not sure my voice is good enough to perform in front of everyone at St Mary’s”
“I won’t be able to paint that”
“Skipping is too tricky for me”
And yet, here we are having showcased amazing performing talents, phenomenal art pieces and skipping endurance and tricks that have to be seen to be believed!
Well done St Mary’s and thank you again to our team of specialist teachers.
Belinda Battaia
Assistant Principal - Curriculum
From our Principal | Mr Wes Rose
Student Protection Conference
This Wednesday and Thursday, Mr Rose will be away at the Diocesan Student Protection Conference in Rockhampton. Mrs Battaia, Mrs van Lint and Mrs Quinn will join via video conference.
Staff Professional Learning
Last Friday’s professional learning day with Stephanie Salazar and Sara Drebber from Sanctuaries of Learning was both inspiring and impactful. Their warm, engaging and professional approach created a supportive environment for our staff to unpack the newly developed instructional playbook and explore our school's coaching model. Steph and Sara guided us through each element with clarity and care, ensuring a deep understanding of how our school’s playbook and coaching cycle will enhance student learning through refined teaching practice. We are excited to continue our partnership with Steph as we embark on our coaching journey and build a culture of growth and collaboration.
St Mary’s Nativity Feast Day
Yesterday’s Feast Day celebrations we enjoyed by students, staff and parents. The day started with a whole-school Mass, led by Fr Sijo. Following Mass, we cut Mary’s birthday cake, which the students devoured for morning tea. As well as cake for morning tea, we had many parents join us for games on the oval, from pickleball, parachute games to the ever-popular tug-o-war. Finally for afternoon tea, students enjoyed a free sausage sizzle sponsored by our P&F. Thank you to our APRE, Mrs Belinda van Lint for her organisation and care she gave to make our School Feast Day a special occasion.
Quote of the Week
“Don’t be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin”
- Grace Hansen
Free Dress Day
Christmas Fair Meeting
The St Mary’s Christmas Fair is just around the corner, and we’re excited to start planning! We warmly invite you to join us at our upcoming meeting to share your ideas and help shape this festive event. Whether you have suggestions, want to volunteer, or simply want to be involved — we’d love to hear from you!
St Mary's Art Extravaganza - Tues 16th Sept
2025 Art Extravaganza Programme
It has been a lovely term of learning, creating and celebrating a new range of artists with each class level.
This year, Prep explored the vibrant, colourful, geometric city compositions of Dutch artist, Ton Schulten. The children will create their artwork using bold, intense colours, dividing their canvas into rectangular blocks that create an atmosphere of light and serenity.
Year one will dive into the unique and exciting work of illustrator and author Eric Carle. Eric is the beloved author and illustrator of books such as the iconic ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ and ‘The Grouchy Ladybug’. He is renowned for his striking and engaging collage images that bring his characters to life. The children studied his collage techniques and created an animal of their choosing, emulating his style, but using their own creativity and inspiration.
Year two were introduced to American artist, Georgia O’Keeffe, who played an important part in the development of modern art in America. She has a unique way of simplifying the shapes and forms she sees in nature. She is most well known for her close-up paintings of flowers. These paintings are very detailed, showing the beauty and magic of their textures and colours. The children learnt a new watercolour technique using wet on wet, to develop their own floral arrangements that create beautiful blends and soft edges.
James He Qi is a contemporary, pioneering Chinese artist renowned for blending traditional Chinese folk art with religious themes. Year three delved into his colourful and stylized forms, to create a pivotal story from the life of Jesus or Mary, using He Qi’s vivid, saturated colours and embellished imagery to convey spiritual themes with emotional intensity.
Year four had the opportunity to view the world through bright colours, bold shapes and the distinct style of famous British artist, David Hockney, when they study his inspiring landscapes. They will learn about one point perspective to create the illusion of depth in their landscape work and will be encouraged to embrace colours that turn nature into a celebration of life.
Year five studied the intricacy of Austrian artist, Gustav Klimt. Klimt’s work includes lots of symbolism and Byzantine- inspired imagery. The children reflected on the process of creating elaborate patterns in clothing and backgrounds and how to develop the separation and interplay between the two to create both harmony and contrast in their work.
Continuing a tradition of studying a contemporary street artist, year six looked at and analysed the introspective mural works that explore the human subconscious of Spanish visual artist, Skount. He uses vibrant symbolism and masked characters in his detailed compositions, to reflect on themes of identity and memory and delve into the realms of the human psyche. The children were offered the opportunity to explore these personal themes to create their own character, masked in mystery, that serves as a mirror reflecting the unseen layers of their own inner journey.
Pizza Order Reminder
Pizza Pre-orders for next Tuesday’s Art Show close tomorrow (10th September at 9am)! Beat the queue by pre-ordering your pizzas at www.quickcliq.com.au. Nonno's Pizza will be onsite for the duration of the Art Show.
P&F News
Year 6 Camp
A few weeks ago our Year 6 students embarked on an unforgettable adventure to Coolwaters Caravan Park in Yeppoon for their 2025 school camp. The trip was packed with excitement, exploration, and plenty of laughter!
Highlights included:
- 🐾 A hands-on visit to Cooberrie Wildlife Park, where students met native animals up close
- 🐊 A thrilling tour of Karana Crocodile Farm, learning all about these incredible reptiles
- 🕳️ A journey through the stunning Capricorn Caves, filled with natural wonder and discovery
- 🌊 Snorkelling, boomnetting, and a visit to the Underwater Observatory aboard the glass-bottom boat, thanks to Freedom Fastcats
Beyond the activities, camp was a chance to:
- Build new friendships
- Try new experiences
- And yes… beat Mr Rose in Trivia Night! 🧠🎉
The memories made at camp will stay with our students for years to come. It was a week of growth, connection, and pure fun in one of Queensland’s most beautiful coastal settings.
Lisa Cusack & Rob Townsend
Year 6 Teachers
Prep Father's Day Morning
A big thank you to all our dads who were able to celebrate with our Prep classes last Thursday. We thank you for sharing these special moments.
HPE Week Wrap-Up
What a week! St Mary’s was buzzing with energy as we celebrated HPE Week in style! 💪🏽💃🏽🏃♀️
Students danced their hearts out in Just Dance sessions, skipped their way through challenges, ran extra laps around the track, and dove into exciting new tag and invasion games.
But the real highlight? Seeing our amazing students and staff rocking their favourite sports gear. It was a colourful celebration of movement and fun.
Congratulations to the following students who won competitions or class skipping challenges during the week:
P-2 colouring competition: Inayat Sidhu
Year 3-6 HPE quiz: Mia Cusack
Year 3-6 basketball shoot out: Livie Jurd
Last Man Standing skipping challenge:
Prep C - Henri T
Prep R - Claire D
3M - Remy G & Lincoln R
3P - Lochlan M & Hudson B
4G - Nicholas M & Olivia R
4R - Matilda O
5C - Hugo C, Emerson O & Nate M
5F - Tane P & Sienna W
6C - Ewan R, Flynn P & Elly W
6T - Jake M, Maisie D & Mila T
Simone Sibley
HPE Teacher
Community News
