Week 9/10 Term 2

Principal's News

Dear Parents and Caregivers 

The end of Term Two has come around much quicker than I could have imagined, with the last two weeks just as busy as the preceding weeks. It would seem that our Free Dress and Pizza day for Origin game 2 made all the difference for the Maroons, but they will be on their own for Game 3 because it will be played in the second week of the holidays! We had our very own tight athletics finish for Foley and MacKillop last Friday at our Carnival with Foley holding out at the end. Congratulations to all for the efforts applied and the successes enjoyed. It was a great day and a wonderful wrapping up to a busy term. Student reports are an important part in the conclusion processes of Term Two, and they were made available via the Compass App on Wednesday as per the email that went out. The app on your device  will need to be updated prior to accessing your child’s report. We had a record number (27) of enrolment interviews this term, with most being for Prep for next year, but 5 were for other year levels and starting in Term 3 and Term 4 of this year. If you are wanting your child to commence Prep at St Mary’s next year, and participate in our Pre-Prep program in Term Four this year, and haven’t yet had an enrolment interview for your Prep child, please make a time with the Office to meet with me next term. 

We had a Lockdown practice this week and it was good to see that everyone was able to quickly and efficiently follow the processes to all be securely inside locked buildings and out of view. We will do an Evacuation practice early next term to ensure that everyone knows how to quickly and safely evacuate buildings and meet at the assembly point to await further instructions. These safety drills occur each term to ensure any new students or staff are aware of the procedures, and for all of us to be confident of carrying them out in the event of any real emergency. All of our students celebrated Mary's Marvellous Big Day Out (MMBDO) yesterday, travelling by bus to the cinema to watch the latest Disney movie for kids, called Elio. A number of students recounted their favourite part to me with great affection. 

The external lighting system around our buildings is being renewed and upgraded next week for safety and security purposes and will be very welcome as anyone who has been here after dark will testify. We have also just purchased six shade trees for planting along the front fence of the school, similar to the tree on the footpath near the front gate. They will be going in at the beginning of next term as well to make a start on some natural shade on the top oval and to contribute to the street appeal of the front of the school. Our school web page is in the process of being updated and made current, and should be finalised in time for the start of next term. 

Mr Peter Hughes returns to Proserpine this week after co-teaching Year One with Mrs Megan Hodge. We are very grateful to Mr Hughes and Mrs Hodge, for their time and input into the lives of our younger students. Mrs Kelly Jackman and Mrs Sarah Romano will be co-teaching Year One until the end of the year and are already excited for that role. Mrs Hodge will be continuing with us next term, running our HPE program, and will still be able to continue working with our Year One students as the PE teacher. Sadly, we say goodbye to Mrs Stephanie Rees this week as she returns to the Sunshine Coast and her family down there. She will be greatly missed by her students, along with parents and staff. The process to replace Mrs Rees is already underway and Mrs Bev Lowcock will take Year Three in the first week back next term while that process is being finalised. 

We have had some wonderful Naidoc Day celebrations this week with some special visitors in Uncle Jim, our First Nations Education Adviser, Pelly Morganson, and Father Sibi. Students have participated in a range of activities this morning and celebrated with some delicious cake. Next term is a 10 week term and runs from Monday 14th July, through to Friday 19th September. The Office will re-open on the first day of school next term - Monday 14th July. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our parents and staff for their contributions and support this term and to wish everyone a safe and blessed school holiday period. 

Yours sincerely

Rodney Lane

Acting Principal

Religious Life of the School

A Night of Elegance and Tradition – Bowen Debutante Ball

On Saturday, 21st June, I had the privilege of representing St Mary’s School at the Bowen Debutante Ball, held at the beautifully decorated McKenna Hall. It was a memorable evening that showcased not only the grace and elegance of the debutantes but also the strength of tradition and community spirit.

Thirteen young ladies, resplendent in classic white gowns and elegant gloves, were formally presented to society in a ceremony that honored long-established customs. Each debutante was accompanied by a partner, and together they impressed guests with their poise, confidence, and carefully rehearsed dances.

These dances were taught by a dedicated group of local volunteers over many weeks. Their commitment to preserving tradition was evident in the seamless performances on the night.

Father Rod Ward, Chancellor for the Diocese, attended the event along with Father Sibi chank. Father Rod shared his reflections, noting that he had last been to the Bowen Debutante Ball 15 years ago and was struck by the unchanged sense of dignity and maturity displayed by the participants. It was heartening to see young people showing genuine respect for one another, for members of the community, and for our elders, with their gracious manners and thoughtful conduct—a true reminder that the younger generation holds great promise for a kind and hopeful future.

Many former St Mary’s students took part in the event, including Taylah Smith, Brianna Ninnes, Alexis Gilliland, and Zac Lowcock. Seeing our past students uphold such a wonderful community tradition filled me with pride.

Events like the Debutante Ball offer so much more than an evening of glamour. The lead-up provides young people with the opportunity to develop confidence, social grace, and a deeper connection to their community. It was also wonderful to see the St Mary’s parish play an important role in such a significant local occasion, reminding us of the values we share.

If you have children currently in Years 10/11, I encourage you to consider their involvement in the next Bowen Debutante Ball. It is an experience rich in tradition, learning, and celebration—one that creates cherished memories for both participants and their families.

Mrs Suzette Windridge
Assistant Principal – Religious Education & School Chaplain

Learning and Teaching

This term our students participated in a Quick Write based on the topic of "What do you hope Pope Leo changes in his new role?"

It was very hard to choose just one winner from each year level. We hope you enjoy reading the winning entries below.

I wish everyone a safe, happy and blessed holiday. See you back ready for another wonderful term at St Mary’s in Term 3!

Kind regards,

Krystal Land

Assistant Principal Pedagogy and Learning

Music & Art News

What an incredible celebration of culture and creativity we’ve had during our whole-school NAIDOC events! Students from Prep to Year 6 took part in an Arts rotation where they had the opportunity to paint their own claves (clap sticks). 

With vibrant colours and thoughtful designs inspired by Aboriginal art styles, the painted claves look absolutely stunning! Even more exciting - these beautiful instruments will become part of our classroom music sessions next term, allowing students to make music with something they’ve personally created.

Term 2 - House Captains Report

Athletics Carnival

We would like to thank everyone who helped out at the sports carnival, especially Miss A, Miss Julie and Mr Muir. We would like to thank every parent who came to watch their kids, support other kids and their childs team and the staff for helping to run the day. 

We would like to thank all the kids that participated and showed great sportsmanship. You made the day lots of fun. We appreciate the kids that did the war cries.  We hope you didn’t lose your voices!

There was a great atmosphere to the day and we really enjoyed being able to lead MacKillop and Foley. 

We hope you have a lovely holiday and we will see you all at the swimming carnival at the end of the year!

Jayden, Aaliyah, Mahir and Jacob. 

Class Awards - Week 8 - Mercy and Outreach

Class Awards - Week 9 - Compassion and Care

Birthdays

NAIDOC DAY 2025 at St Mary's Catholic School

Our school community came together this week to celebrate NAIDOC 2025 under the theme “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy.” This theme encouraged us to reflect on the powerful role young people play in carrying forward the culture, stories, and strength of First Nations peoples.

We began the day with a First Nations Breakfast, setting a warm and welcoming tone. Uncle Jim led a traditional Smoking Ceremony and gave a meaningful Welcome to Country, grounding the day in deep cultural respect. This was followed by a special liturgy filled with song and prayer, led by Father Sibi, Mrs Windridge and Mr Lane.

Students took part in a range of hands-on cultural activities including a yarning circle, rock painting, music stick making, and traditional-style tattoos. The day ended with shared cake and celebration, as students enjoyed learning about the history, traditions, and ongoing contributions of First Nations families.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the day so memorable. It was a truly special way to end the term and honour the legacy of those who came before us while looking ahead with hope to the future. For those joining us for the town Naidoc march on Monday July 7th, we will see you at the town square at 8:45am. 

NAIDOC DAY GALLERY

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 18

Next

Spontaneous STEAM Challenge Day

On the 19th June 2025, our Year 5 and 6 students were invited to participate in a Spontaneous STEAM Challenge Day. Our students travelled to Bowen State High School and were engaged in collaborative team working to further extend their learning in STEAM (Science, Technologies, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics). Students completed challenges that developed their abilities to think critically and creatively while working respectfully in a group setting to find solutions for abstract challenges. We had a fantastic day and all the students thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Townsville Fire Visit

Our year 5 & 6 student were fortunate enough to participate in a clinic with the Townsville Fire Basketball this week. They had an amazing time and walked away with huge smiles on their faces.

Townsville Fire Gallery

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 14

Next

St Mary's Catholic School - Vision for learning

After seeing feedback from various stakeholders, we are pleased to share our Vision for Learning at St Mary’s!

Over the past months, we’ve engaged in meaningful conversations with students, parents, staff, and members of the wider community to gather their insights and aspirations for the future of learning at St Mary’s. Their voices have been instrumental in shaping a vision that is both ambitious and grounded in our shared values.

We look forward to bringing this vision to life through innovative programs, continued professional development, and strong partnerships with our families and community.

Together, we are building a future where every learner can thrive.

Farewell and Best Wishes to Mrs. Stephanie Rees

As we come to the end of Term 2, we would like to take a moment to warmly thank Mrs. Stephanie Rees for her dedicated service as our Year 3 teacher. Mrs. Rees has been a wonderful part of the St Mary’s family, inspiring her students with her passion, kindness, and commitment to their growth and learning.

Her creativity and care have made a lasting impact on the children, helping them to build confidence, curiosity, and a love for learning. We have all been fortunate to witness her positive influence both inside and outside the classroom.

While we are sad to see Mrs. Rees leave at the end of this term, we are excited for her as she embarks on new adventures and opportunities. We wish her all the very best in her future endeavors and hope that she carries with her fond memories of her time here at St Mary’s.

Thank you, Mrs. Rees, for everything you have done. You will be greatly missed!

Shapes and Symmetry in year 4

Today our Year 4 class did some collaborative work in Maths when looking at shapes and symmetry.Keep up the great work!

My New Gallery

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 10

Next

Why Attendance Matters!

Did you know that every day at school counts? Regular attendance builds routine, confidence, friendships, and a strong foundation for learning.Check out our simple tips below to help make mornings smoother and get your child to school, every day!

Understanding of the Sacraments of Initiation

Today, our Year 3 students had a special visit to the church with Father Sibi and Mrs Windridge to deepen their understanding of the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. These three sacraments mark the beginning of a person's journey in the Catholic faith. Catholics believe that receiving these sacraments brings a person into full membership with God's family. Father Sibi shared a beautiful message with the students, saying, "Once you are baptised, you are Jesus’ brother or sister… Why wouldn’t you want the help of God in your life?" It was a meaningful learning experience that helped all students better understand the symbols, meaning, and importance of these special sacraments in the Catholic tradition.

From St Mary’s Catholic School, we would like to wish you all a safe and happy holiday!

As Term 2 comes to a close, we hope every student, family, and staff member enjoys a restful and joyful break. This is a wonderful time to recharge, spend quality moments with loved ones, and explore new interests outside the classroom.

We are incredibly proud of the hard work and progress everyone has made so far this year. Your dedication, resilience, and kindness continue to make our school community a special place to learn and grow.

As we look ahead, we can’t wait to welcome everyone back, refreshed and ready for new challenges and opportunities in Term 3. Classes will resume on Monday, 14 July, and we’re excited to continue this journey together.

Have a safe, happy, and relaxing holiday. See you soon!

Reminders

Bowen and Whitsunday Sub District

Stop, Drop, Go Zone

Uniforms

Uniforms are available for purchase from the school office. Reminder that uniform days have now changed, please see below:

Formal Uniform - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday

Sports Uniform - Wednesday and Friday

Specialty, commemorative and representative shirts - Friday

Community News

Mary Mackillop OSHC

OSHC at St Mary’s Catholic School is now operating Monday to Friday from  2.45 pm to 6.00 pm.

The government has announced changes in the way that Child Care Subsidy is worked out. The income limit for CCS will be increasing to $530,000, meaning that the cost of OSHC will reduce for the majority of families. The changes came into effect on 10 July.

Food (afternoon tea) is provided at no extra cost. Please see below for more information about the upcoming reduction in fees.

If you would like more information or to register, please contact Sue on 0428 216 062 OR at bowenoshc@mmcnq.catholic.edu.au

School Dental Service

Tuckshop