Issue 11, Term 3, 16th August 2024

Principals Report

Dear Parents, Friends and Community,

I hope this message finds you well! I wanted to share some thoughts and updates with you as we continue our journey together this school year.

Last week, I had the chance to attend the Leadership Forum in Chinchilla, where our Executive Director, Dr Pat Coughlan, shared some inspiring insights. He reminded us how important it is to embrace different perspectives, even when it feels a bit uncomfortable. By listening to and respecting each other, we grow stronger and build a more understanding community.

He also talked about taking leaps of faith. Trying new things can be scary, but it’s a necessary part of growth. We support each other through these challenges, and together, we can achieve amazing things.

Being a transformative presence means sometimes challenging the way things are. It’s about standing up for what’s right and ensuring fairness for everyone. This mission is deeply rooted in our belief in solidarity, equity, and strength.

Next week is going to be a busy and exciting time for our school! On Monday, we have our Book Week Dress Up Day, and I can’t wait to see all the creative costumes our students come up with. Wednesday marks our first Prep Transition Day from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM. We are thrilled to welcome our 2025 prep students and their families, both old and new.

On Friday, we’re heading to the Charleville Performing Arts Festival. Our Year 4-6 students will be performing Verse Speaking as a whole class, and we have Nat McConnell, Ella-Rose Walsh, and Nate McFadzean doing solo speech recitals. A big thank you to Mrs Cathcart for all her hard work in preparing them, and best of luck to her as she competes in a solo speech section too!

We also have Ruth, Jory, Lincoln, Hannah, Indi, Charlie, and Bailey performing in the Solo Piano/Guitar sections. Our instrumental music students in Years 4-6 will be doing solo performances and a St Finbarr’s Ensemble Performance. A huge thank you to Mrs Harris for her dedication and talent in getting our students ready.

Lastly, Maldon was unable to attend the Regional Track and Field Carnival due to weather, but it’s been rescheduled. He now has a bit more time to practice and perfect his skills before heading to Chinchilla on Thursday, 29th August.

Thank you all for being such an amazing part of our school community. Your support and trust mean the world to us.

Until next time…

Mrs. Kara Marsh

School Absences

Student of the Week & Gotcha Winners Term 3

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

Preps made pasta pictures, and had a zones of regulation lesson with Mr Kupper

Don't Forget!!! Book Week this Monday 19th August

St Finbarr's Book Week dress up day will be held this Monday 19th August. Students can come dressed up as your favorite book character for the day or school uniform, we will have special guests on the day and voting on the best outfit. Get sewing now DAD's.

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.

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

Snow White and the Seven Cool Dudes

Wednesday 28th August, Snow White and the Seven Cool Dudes show is in Quilpie again at the Shire Hall from 10am, all students will leave school at 9.20am and walk to the hall for the 10am start.

Pupil Free Day

Father's Day @ St Finbarr's

We warmly invite all Dad's to our Father's Day BBQ, please feel free to invite Grandads, Uncles, Brothers. 

Quilpie & District & Regional Sport

Future Netball stars

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY

PPF 2024

All are welcome to come and have some input into your school.

President -Mr. Sam Bartlett
Vice president-Mr. Dan Hoch
Treasurer - Mrs. Amy Kuhn
Secretary – Ms. Kerri Thompson
Fundraising C0-Ordinator - Mrs. Lousie Hoch

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 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.                                                        

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SAVE THE DATE! Term 3 Concert

Quilpie Show

St Finbarr's Mystery Holiday and Fete

Assembly

Don't forget each Friday we have assembly in the Mary Mackillop room, where Student awards are presented and School notices are shared with students and families present, at 8.45am when the bell rings please head on into the Mary Mackillop room 

School Website & Calendar

Please make youself familiar with our School Website, below is the Website link and a direct link to the school online calendar which has future dates on it that may not have been included in the Term planner, such as AGM and Fete dates.

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

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.