St Saviour's College Newsletter 2025 - Term 1 Week 4

Principal

A Community of Mercy is ours to create

As we edge towards the middle of the term, and to the end of an exceptional week of community activities, I am struck by the incredible gifts of being part of our community.

This week as a College, we have welcomed our newest community members, our Year 7s and our new students and their families at our welcome gathering and welcome liturgy, and we have followed this with a great day at the pool on Wednesday (congratulations McAuley House!).

Both of these events celebrate the best of our College community: authenticity, warmth, fun, connection and participation.

I loved watching the prayerful welcome our senior leaders gave our students as they welcomed our Year 7s into their houses, I loved watching the relationships our home class teachers were building with the families of our new students, and I loved seeing the heart and fun of students on show as they left nothing in the tank in tug-o-war.

Wednesday’s College Swimming Carnival was again a display of all that is authentic to our community… such fun, such participation and such spirit is the product of great relationships and a testament to our students knowing they belong here, and that they are free to be themselves.

It is a reminder that for all of us, if it is a Mercy Community we came to St Saviour’s to find, then it is our responsibility to create and sustain a community of Mercy.

I have the privilege of meeting with all families on enrolment. At these meetings, I always begin with the same question: tell me a little about why you are seeking enrolment here at St Saviour’s and why you want to be a part of our community. The answers vary from family to family, but they can generally be distilled into a couple of key ideas: I believe you are a small and supportive community, and I believe my daughter will thrive here.

And so, with this responsibility to each family, I challenge each of us to remember the people we want each other to be.

If we came here to find a community that is inclusive, we must be warm and welcoming to others.

If we came here to find a community where girls are free to be themselves, we must lean into our own authenticities and not be afraid to have a go, even risk failure, or make a fool of ourselves. And we must afford others this space as well.

If we came here to find a community where girls achieve their potential, each of us must be willing to dream big for ourselves and name our own audacious goals so that we can be supported to achieve them.

If it is a mercy community of excellence, compassion, justice and hospitality we came here to find, then this is the road map of who we must be day in, day out.

It is as simple and as difficult as this.

PEN meeting 5 March

Reminder: A Parent Engagement Network meeting will be held on Wednesday 5 March at 6.00pm in the library. It is a casual and enjoyable meeting where parents can network and engage in conversation with the College leadership team. All are welcome. This term we will hear about our STEM offerings and latest master planning undertakings.

Jessica Wade
Principal

Deputy Principal - Teaching and Learning

Expanding senior subject offerings for diverse learning paths

This year, we are excited to announce that our senior school has further expanded its subject offerings, providing students with a wide array of study options tailored to their interests and career aspirations.

Science in practice is one of the new applied science subjects introduced, focusing on real-world applications of scientific concepts and processes within various industries. Students have begun their studies by exploring consumer science, which encompasses topics such as food preservation and spoilage, as well as the psychological factors influencing consumer choices. We extend our gratitude to Mr Love for his enthusiasm and expertise in developing and implementing this innovative course.

In addition, we have launched hospitality practices, an applied subject designed to inspire our future chefs, bakers, and restaurateurs. Under the guidance of Mrs Koosache, our new design and food technology teacher, students engage in hands-on learning experiences that equip them with essential skills for the hospitality industry.

We are also proud to offer legal studies through the Toowoomba Catholic Schools’ hybrid model of delivery. This course is co-taught by Mrs Andrea King alongside students from St Joseph’s School in Stanthorpe. Twice a week, both groups come together online for interactive lessons, complemented by independent coursework and regular face-to-face sessions. Last week marked a significant moment as our Stanthorpe peers visited our College for their first in-person lesson with Mrs King.

Furthermore, our students continue to explore a variety of subjects taught by educators across the Toowoomba Catholic Diocese, including specialist mathematics, aerospace systems, and economics.

We are committed to fostering an enriching educational environment that empowers students to pursue their passions and prepare for their futures.

Fostering confident writers: our annual Stop Drop and Write sessions

To cultivate confident writers who embrace new writing challenges with enthusiasm, our school has continued its annual Stop Drop and Write sessions. Each day, during the final 15 minutes of period two, students engage in focused writing activities designed to enhance their skills and creativity.

Yesterday marked an exciting milestone as we opened the Stop Drop and Write reward shop. Students eagerly exchanged their hard-earned writing stamps for delightful goodies, including bubbles, hand creams, stationery, and chocolates.

It has been a joy to visit classrooms filled with engaged writers, witnessing students proudly sharing their work with peers and teachers alike. This initiative not only encourages creativity but also fosters a supportive writing community within our school. We look forward to seeing even more inspiring writing in the weeks to come!

NAPLAN 2025: preparing for the national assessment

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual evaluation that assesses the literacy and numeracy skills of Australian students. This program plays a crucial role in measuring student progress and ensuring they develop essential skills for future learning and community engagement.

Key benefits of NAPLAN:

• Skill development: NAPLAN helps schools assess whether students are acquiring the necessary skills for further education and active participation in society
• Performance snapshot: The results provide a clear overview of student performance in literacy and numeracy
• Identifying support needs: Schools can identify students who may require additional assistance, allowing for targeted interventions

This week, our Year 7 and Year 9 students participated in a practice NAPLAN test designed to build their confidence and familiarise them with the online testing format. The official NAPLAN tests will take place during Weeks 7 and 8 of Term 1, encompassing four key areas: writing, reading, spelling and language conventions, and numeracy.

Parents who have questions or concerns regarding NAPLAN testing are encouraged to reach out to the school for clarification and support. As we approach this important assessment period, we are committed to ensuring that our students feel prepared and supported in their learning journey.

Eleighta Hannam
Deputy Principal

Assistant Principal - Wellbeing and Engagement

At St Saviour’s College, our goal is empowering young women for a changing world. We recognise the need for learning for life and empowering our students with skills that will help in a rapidly changing world. We want our students to step up and take responsibility for their learning and the learning community they belong in.   

There is strong evidence that students become more engaged in learning when they have opportunities to:  

• exercise agency in their own learning 
• contribute to the communities in which they learn 
• improve the learning program for themselves and their peers

Research findings indicate that student voice, agency and leadership have a positive impact on self-worth, engagement, purpose and academic motivation (Quaglia, 2016), which contribute to improved student learning outcomes (Hattie, 2009). 

Our Student Representative Council (SRC) is one way that our students can contribute and have impact in our community. Students across Years 8 to 12 presented a speech to their year levels who voted in two peers for SRC. We congratulated the following girls at the SRC induction assembly last Thursday:  

We will induct Year 7s in Term 2 after they get to know one another. We look forward to the contribution our SRC will make to the College this year. 

Our wonderful year coordinators have been getting to know all our new students ensuring transition is as smooth as possible. Mrs Benvenuti and the new Year 9 buddies extended their hand of hospitality and shared morning tea with the new Year 9 students.  

This term in Year 9, we’re focusing on building a compassionate and inclusive environment. What better way to start the year than by making our new Year 9 students feel welcome with a morning tea. The girls bonded over Tim Tams and watermelon, and built connections that will carry them through 2025. "Here’s to a fantastic year ahead," Mrs Benvenuti said. 

Tuesday night was a joyous display of our Mercy community when we welcomed our new students for 2025. It was a privilege to be able to present these students with their house badge and pray as a community for their safe and successful journey at St Saviour’s College as they discover and fulfil their God-given talents.   

When students, parents and teachers work in unison, positive outcomes for our students are strengthened. The importance of parents being involved and the ability to have a greater understanding of where their daughter goes every day, who she seeks help from and how she organises herself are all driving factors in her success. This was a pivotal moment of the night where students had the opportunity to take their parents to their Homeclass and meet their teacher and show their parents what a morning looks like for them.   

It is always a delight to be able to extend our hospitality to our families and we hope you enjoyed the barbeque, drinks and games that followed. You are truly welcomed in our community. We thank the grounds staff and Mrs Young for organisation of the event and Ms Lindsay and Mrs Rassmussen for the liturgy. A massive thank you to our Parent Engagement members, Craig and Hope Soeters, along with Mr Leathart for cooking the barbeque and the SSC catering team. A special mention to our wonderful hospitality students, Aaliyah, Ashlaya and Lucinda for their service on the bar. Thank you, senior leaders of 2025, for your efforts on the night.   

As our students make their way through adolescences, phone and internet usage is a growing concern as they start to use these platforms more. The eSafety commission is Australia's independent regulator for online safety. They educate Australians about online safety risks and help to remove harmful content such as cyberbullying of children, adult cyber abuse and intimate images or videos shared without consent. If your daughter ever has any concerns about their online safety, the eSafety website is a place that this can be reported to. Currently, eSafety are running parent webinars as a part of Safer Internet Day. Access to these free webinars is below. Please consider taking the time to view these and help your daughter in her digital wellbeing.  

25 February, 3.30pm (Australian Eastern Daylight Time): Supporting healthy tech use as your child transitions into high school 

19 March, 12.30pm (Australian Eastern Daylight Time): Algorithms and adolescents: the rewards and risks of recommender systems for young people 

Megan Schulze
Assistant Principal - Wellbeing and Engagement

Maths news

Embracing mistakes: helping your child grow in maths 

Every time your child makes a mistake in maths, their brain grows. This idea highlights how important and valuable mistakes are, even though children might feel discouraged by them. Often, mistakes make students think they aren't good at maths or aren't smart. But it's crucial to let them know that mistakes are a sign of learning. When mistakes happen, the brain gets active and grows.  

 A study by Moser found two key things: 

• Students' brains were more active when they made mistakes compared to when they got answers right 
• This brain activity was stronger in students with a growth mindset (those who believe they can improve) than in those with a fixed mindset (those who think their abilities are fixed) 

Kids with a growth mindset are more aware of their mistakes and more likely to correct them. Believing in themselves and understanding the value of mistakes helps their brains grow more. 

The power of mistakes 

Mistakes are not just learning opportunities; they are essential for growth. Research shows that students with a growth mindset have more brain activity related to recognising mistakes than those with a fixed mindset. Moser's study also shows that our beliefs about ourselves can change how our brains work. 

Successful people are those who make the most mistakes. They feel comfortable being wrong, try new ideas, are open to different experiences, play with ideas without judging them, challenge traditional ideas, and keep going through difficulties. We want students to approach maths with the same openness, willing to experiment and keep trying even when it's hard. 

Changing how students view mistakes 

Parents and teachers can make a big difference by changing how they talk about mistakes in maths. Teaching kids that mistakes are positive can be very freeing.  

Publicly valuing mistakes in class and giving positive feedback in one-on-one interactions are essential. Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget emphasised that true learning involves understanding how ideas fit together. When students encounter new ideas that don't fit their mental models, they experience disequilibrium, which leads to wisdom.  

To encourage mistakes, students need challenging work that prompts disequilibrium, along with positive messages about mistakes. Empowering students to share their mistakes fosters a supportive learning environment where they feel comfortable discussing and learning from errors. When students work together on complex problems, they listen to each other's ideas, make mistakes, and eventually solve the problem collaboratively. This process helps them become comfortable sharing ideas and not fearing mistakes.  

Teaching students to embrace mistakes can lead to incredible outcomes in maths and beyond. By changing the messages students receive about mistakes and teaching maths as an open, creative subject, we can unlock their potential and foster a love for learning. 

Sports news

Swimming carnival 

Wednesday’s College Swimming Carnival was an excellent celebration of our College community. It was great to see so much participation from our girls and everyone getting in to the spirit of the day. 

Congrats McAuley on taking home the win for the day. 

McAuley 808 points 

Coolock 609 points 

Goretti 559 points 

Xavier 422 points

50m freestyle super sprint results 

Chelsea Cameron (13 years)

Claire Eckersley (18 years)

Matilda Warden (14 years)

Kayleigh Reid (15 years)

Ava Anderson (16 years)

Isabelle Thomas (13 years)

Olivia Soeters (18 years)

Ella Petrie (18 years)

Wednesday night touch

The St Saviour's College touch football team under the name of Rebel's Green have started their campaign strongly in 2025. While our girls haven't won a game yet, both Ms Banks and Mrs Schulze are pleased with the development the squad is showing and with continued commitment we are sure they will get on the board soon. If you would like to support our girls, they play each Wednesday evening at 7:30pm at the touch fields. 

Sports uniform for HPE classes  

Students are reminded that sports uniform is required for practical lessons (most of the time this would be the double lesson in the cycle). Wearing the correct uniform will allow students to participate and provide a better range of movement during activities. Please check with your HPE teacher what day you require your uniform. Students need to make sure they have changed back into their formal uniform at the end of the lesson.  

Queensland School Futsal League  

Last week the futsal squad travelled to Nissan Arena to compete in the first round of the Queensland School Futsal League. A successful day for both our Under 14 and Opens teams, after losing their opening games the squad bounced back to record three wins for the day and gained points in the table that will continue throughout the year. The next Gala Day for the Opens team will Friday 21 March as they look to complete their competition in Semester 1. The girls even managed to get a photo with Queensland Firebirds netballer Ash Barnett.  

Support for our teams  

School sport is a wonderful opportunity for students to stay engaged in sport and physical activity. To continue providing sports we need coaches and managers to help with a wide range of external sporting commitments. St Saviour’s College would love to hear from you, either as a parent, caregiver, aunt or even an older sister or cousin to consider helping in one of teams. Please contact the school or sports office if you feel you could be of assistance. 

Representative sport  

Various sports are calling for nominations for representative state championships. These include rugby league, volleyball, swimming and basketball (please check the age requirements). 

Nominations should be sent to the appointed convenor by the due date. Nominations and payments are cross-checked to confirm eligible students. Students need to inform Mr Leathart if they intend to go. 

The regional trial levy must be paid via the DD School Sport online shop by the due date for students to be included in the trial. The sports office will no longer be re-opening the shop after the due date if payment has not been received. Please reinforce this to parents and carers. No payments are accepted by officials on the day.   

The Darling Downs regional trial permission form must be completed and provided to managers and officials conducting the trial before students can participate. This permission form must include a school signature (sports or student services).  

Requests for exemption at a regional trial must be processed at a school level first (supported by the required documentation and signatures) before submitting to Darling Downs School Sport. Exemption requests are not considered after trials. Students cannot be exempted from consecutive trial levels e.g. a student who is exempted at a district level must trial at regional level to be considered for selection. 

Current external sports  

Monday – Monday Night Futsal. Kick off from 4.00pm at Glennie. The College has three teams competing in the Term 1 competition. 

Tuesday – Volleyball starts around 4.30pm at Harristown. The College has four teams competing.  

Wednesday – Touch football at Kearneys Spring with the College associated with Rebels Touch. Check in with Toowoomba Touch for game time and field allocations to show your support.  

Friday – Friday Night Basketball is back with two teams entered in the local basketball competition. Game times are at 4.30pm and 6.30pm, mainly at Glennie however this is subject to change.  

Greg Leathart
Curriculum Leader Sport and HPE

Arts and Performance news

We are thrilled to share the exciting developments and achievements within our Arts and Performance departments this term. 

Choir 

Our choir has seen a significant increase in members, with Mrs Potter leading rehearsals every Thursday afternoon from 3.15 - 4.15pm. The choir is preparing for various performances, including liturgies, masses, the Toowoomba Eisteddfod, and Harmony Day. It's wonderful to hear so many beautiful voices filling the room. New members are always welcome. If your child wishes to join, please let Mrs Potter know or send them along to rehearsal. 

Rock Band 

Mr Nilon and the rock band have also welcomed new members, including some of our brand-new Year 7 students. Stay tuned for upcoming newsletter articles where we will introduce our new members. 

Drama Club 

Ms Jensen has re-introduced the Drama Club to the College, successfully holding auditions over the first two weeks of this term. The Drama Club rehearses on Wednesdays during sport time and is preparing for the Scene Project and Showcase later this year. 

Dance Troupe 

Mrs Sretenovic has successfully held auditions for the brand-new Dance Troupe, which also rehearses on Wednesday afternoons during sport. This troupe will perform at events such as Harmony Day, Showcase, Read My Lips, and many other opportunities throughout the year. 

Special dance workshop 

We are excited to announce a special dance workshop led by the talented Justin Tamblyn. With a rich background in dance, Justin has toured both Australia and internationally with the renowned Raw Metal Dance Company. He will work with our newly formed Dance Troupe and Year 9 and 10 dance class, teaching new choreography and dance techniques. This workshop will inspire our students as they embark on their own choreography projects this term. 

Visual Arts 

Our visual arts students are enjoying their lessons with our newest staff member, Ms Devenna. This week, our Year 11/12 art class started with an abstract drawing activity that sparked creativity and resulted in colourful abstract artworks. 

Solo performances and performance team 

Mrs Potter is also working with students wishing to enter solo performances into the Toowoomba Eisteddfod and other events. Our newly established performance team, consisting of soloists, duets, and small groups, is off to a great start. There has been an increase in enrolments for private vocal, percussion, piano, and strings lessons. If your daughter is interested, please contact Mrs Potter for more information. 

Media arts and film and television 

Mrs Collins is eagerly awaiting the delivery of new equipment for our media arts and film and television students. With a significant increase in enrolments for these electives over the past two years, it's wonderful to see so many opportunities for our students to excel. 

Debating 

Our debaters have started meeting with Mrs Delahunty and Ms Croker in preparation for their first debate. They are busily preparing arguments and practicing their skills. 

We are thrilled with the number of opportunities and successes we are seeing throughout the arts and performance departments this year. If your daughter would like to get involved, please reach out to Mrs Potter.  

Thank you for your continued support! 

Jennifer Potter
Program Leader Arts and Performance

Careers Centre

The Careers Centre newsletters aim to let you know about all the opportunities in the world of careers for our students and to help them explore, connect and succeed. At school, each student is given assistance to understand what their interests, aptitude and skills are, the sorts of careers that they are suited to and to develop a plan of how they can get on the right pathway to get where they are headed.  

Students and parents are also encouraged to look at www.myfuture.edu.au which provides free national career information and exploration service. It can help students make career decisions, plan career pathways and manage work transitions. It is a fun and interactive website with loads of information and videos to watch. 

We wish everyone the very best for the year ahead. 

University Showcase at St Mary’s College 

On Wednesday 12 February, St Mary’s College hosted several universities and institutions through the annual University Showcase. There was a mix of presentations, followed by an opportunity for the Year 12 students to speak to representatives at their booth. The presentations gave our students the opportunity to make informed decisions about their future pathways, careers and key dates. The following organisations attended: Australian Catholic University, Bond University, Griffith University, James Cook University, Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre, Queensland University of Technology, Southern Cross University, University of New England, University of Queensland, University of Southern Queensland, University of the Sunshine Coast and TAFE. 

School-Based Apprenticeships 

Faith Harper 

Congratulations to Faith Harper, pictured with Nicole Murphy (and “Minty”) of Pawfect Paws. Faith commenced her Certificate III in Animal Care Services (pet grooming) school-based traineeship. This traineeship marks a significant step in her career, providing her with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the pet grooming industry. Under the expert guidance of Nicole Murphy, Faith will gain hands-on experience and learn the intricacies of pet grooming, ensuring that every pet she cares for receives the highest standard of service.  

We wish Faith all the best as she embarks on this new chapter. Her commitment to animal care and her eagerness to learn are truly commendable. We look forward to seeing her grow and succeed in the pet grooming industry. 

Donnalene Maloney 

We are delighted to announce that Donnalene Maloney has embarked on an inspiring journey by commencing her Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care school-based traineeship at Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service Aboriginal Corporation. 

Donnalene's commitment to improving health outcomes for her community is truly commendable. This traineeship will equip her with the essential skills and knowledge to provide high-quality, culturally safe healthcare services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Through this program, Donnalene will gain hands-on experience in primary health care, learning to support clients with health assessments, chronic condition care, health promotion, and education. We extend our congratulations to Donnalene and wish her all the best as she embarks on this important and rewarding path. Her journey is a testament to the power of education and community support in creating positive change. 

Ashlyn Carter 

A big congratulations to Ashlyn Carter who recently completed her first HeadStart course through UniSQ, receiving a Distinction in Psychology A. Way to go Ashyln! 

Students in Years 10, 11 and 12 who are interested in studying a university course while still at school should book an appointment with the Careers Office for further information. 

Toowoomba ADFA Careers Information Session 

Organisation: Australian Defence Force 

Location: Toowoomba ADF Careers Centre 

Date: 18 February 2025 

Would you like the opportunity to undertake military training in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) while earning a degree? All without debt - in fact, they’ll pay you! You will earn a salary while learning and step into a guaranteed role upon graduation as an Officer in the ADF. Head to the upcoming information session to speak with current serving military personnel and learn more about the Australian Defence Force Academy. 

Find out more and register 

McAuley House

The house has been very busy with sports training and games starting up. We have futsal and volleyball training on Monday night, volleyball on Tuesday night, touch on Wednesday night, football training on Thursday night and basketball on Friday nights. Thankfully our weekends give us all a chance to breathe.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) is an important part of the curriculum for many of our boarders. We have girls attending construction, salon assistant, animal care, health, education support and automotive courses with external providers during school days. For these girls it requires a high level of organisation and commitment as they miss classes to attend these courses but must still catch up with the work missed and complete their vocational studies. Congratulations to our girls taking up these fabulous opportunities.

Earlier this month a small group of girls travelled to Applethorpe to go strawberry and apple picking. We had a fabulous day out and the produce was amazing. We also ventured to Stanthorpe as some girls had never been.

Footy fan day was hit on Saturday, with many of our girls taking the time to greet the Brisbane Broncos Rugby League team prior to their game on Sunday. By all accounts it was a great day.

End of term travel has been submitted to ABSTUDY and itineraries will be made available as soon as they are received (usually Week 9).

Di May
Head of Boarding

Library news

Welcome 

The term is flying past us at a rapid rate and the library is no exception. It has been Queensland School Libraries Week and we celebrated Library Lovers’ week, specifically Library Lovers’ Day on 14 February. We had a lot of fun with our Lego competition and design a logo for next year’s Library Lovers’ Day. 

And here are some of our Lego entries: 

There was a great article in a recent Frankie magazine (feel free to borrow one from our library) about reading reimagined. 

An excerpt from this article, right at the start, states: 

“Reading brings with it enormous benefits. It relaxes, informs, it encourages empathy, and provides entertainment.”  

This opening statement brings together all the aspects a reader can gain from reading. But it does go on to talk about the time-consuming nature of reading and that itself can be a barrier to sitting down and trying to finish a novel. One option they provide to this is, surprisingly, reading more books at once. This provides opportunities to experience multiple stories and see what grabs your attention, not in the mood for engaging in a story? Grab a non-fiction book and explore a singular topic. It is all about the differing needs that prevail in our lives at any one time. It can even be about what state our mind is in to engage in the book in front of us. So next time you visit the library – borrow out three or four books that are all different and engage in each particular one when the need arises. 

Library hours: 

Monday – Thursday 8.00am – 4.00pm 

Friday 8.00am – 3.10pm  

Please note, on occasion there may be unforeseen circumstances, therefore the library may be closed. 

Please keep looking at the library section of the newsletter for further updates. 

What’s happening in the Library? 

World Tell a Fairytale Day. 

Open Day is coming! 

See you there. 

Manners in the library 

Please remember to say good morning or good afternoon as you come into the library, we love seeing the students using our library, especially when they are polite and respectful to both the staff in the library and the users of the area. Please and thank you are expected in asking and receiving help at any time in the library. Also remembering it is a shared space and to keep our voices at a respectful level.

What do Teacher Librarian’s do? 

Quite often our job is misunderstood as to what we actually do besides purchase books. 

Teacher librarians are teachers. When students are asked to do a research task the teacher is able to focus on the content of the subject and the teacher librarian comes in to support the skills required to do the research. The teacher librarian enables processes and strategies to be implemented to develop the students’ learning and research abilities. The teacher librarian is able to focus on: 

• Research skills - finding, choosing and using information from the best sources 

• Note taking skills - organising information and avoiding plagiarism 

• Critical and creative thinking – e.g. creating effective research questions 

• Online search strategies – narrowing/broadening a search, analysing search results 

• Website evaluation, copyright knowledge, cyber safety and responsible digital citizenship – all essential skills in today's world

Why are Teacher Librarian’s important? 

Reason 2: Global citizens are inquiry learners  

Inquiry learning enables students to be scaffolded as they move through the information search process, seeking to formulate a well-reasoned and supported response to their inquiry question. Rigorous research through the inquiry process requires students to develop many of the skills identified as underpinning the general capabilities, including (but not limited to) creativity, critical thinking, reflective thinking, organisational skills, collaboration, communication skills, presentation skills, accessing and locating information, analysing and evaluating information, independent learning and self-discipline (McIlvenny, 2019). 

New books in the library!

What’s new in the library you ask? Well, check out our new books on display – shown below or come into the library and see them, ready for you to borrow. 

Collections - new books 

Non-fiction

Manga

Fiction - graphic books

Senior Collection (for Years 10 - 12)

Fiction - picture books

Fiction - adventure books

Fiction - horror books

Fiction - fantasy books

Mixed genres

Date Claimers: 

26 February: National Tell a Fairytale Day 

28 February: Open Day 

8 March: International Women’s Day 

Andrea King
Teacher Librarian

Interact

On Friday 14 February, we held our first 2025 Interact Junior Girls’ Night-In, from Years 7-9 with the theme "Galentine’s", embracing positive friendships and self-love. It was a fun-filled night with creative outfits, games, prizes, lollies, chips, soft drinks and homemade cookies. Many thanks to our friends at the Toowoomba Rotary Club for providing a delicious sausage sizzle and to all the staff who helped on the night. We also greatly appreciate all the money raised towards Protea Place, a centre that provides support, dignity and safety to vulnerable women. By conducting this event, we successfully raised around $1000.  

Thank you to those who attended and made this event a great success. 

"A day filled with love, spending time with my friends." - Nani Admassu 

 "Really great night! Full of food, fun and friends. The best Girl's Night-In for me!" - Angela Asis 

 "It was so fun and a really great experience. I love it! Happy Valentines Day." - Abut Mawien 

 "It was really fun and enjoyable being with my friends!" - Abbey Cook 

Elize Tom
Interact Vice-President