Volume 14 Issue 10 Term 3, 11th August 2025
- Principals Report
- School Absences
- Term Fees
- St Finbarr's Pillar Awards 2025
- Quilpie & District Sport
- PPF 2025
- Pyjama Day 1st August
- Quiz Worx Visit: 7th Aug
- Book Week Dress up Day: 18th Aug
- Whole School Photos: 19th August
- Father's Day Luncheon 4th September
- Tuck-Shop 2025
- Feast Day of Saint Mary McKillop
- Horizons Magazine
- Out of the Box
- Term 3 2025
- Calendars
- Your Contact Details
- Quilpie Show 12 & 13th September
- Assembly
- School Yard access
- School Bell Times
- Term Dates 2025
- St Finbarr's Student Protection Contacts
Principals Report
Dear St Finbarr’s families,
It’s hard to believe we’re already in Week 5 of Term 3. Time is flying, and our little school is buzzing with energy, learning, and community spirit. As we reach the halfway point of the term, it’s a lovely moment to pause and celebrate the many wonderful things happening across St Finbarr’s.
Staffing Updates – Week 5 Onward
This week we say a heartfelt thank you and farewell to Miss Lucy Norman, who has been a steady and caring presence in our Prep/Year 1 class during Miss Tahlia Derry’s leave. Lucy’s warmth and dedication have been deeply appreciated by students and staff alike.
We’re happy to welcome back Miss Tahlia Derry, who will return to classroom teaching in Prep/Year 1 on Friday of Week 5 and resume part-time work from Week 6. To support this transition:
- Miss Gabby Andrade will continue as teacher aide Monday to Wednesday and teach Prep/Year 1 on Thursdays and Fridays.
- Miss Kendall Menkins will deliver non-contact specialist lessons on Wednesdays and teach Year 5/6 on Fridays during Weeks 6 to 10.
Both Gabby and Kendall were successful in their applications for these roles and will begin fully in Term 4. We’re thrilled to have them on board.
Book Week Dress Up Day – Monday 18th August (Week 6)
Book Week Dress-Up Day is fast approaching. The parade begins at 8:45am, and two VIP guests will be judging the best dressed from each class. Winners will receive a Scholastic Book Fair voucher—so start planning those costumes!
School Photo Day – Tuesday 19th August (Week 6)
School Photos will be taken on Tuesday 19th August. Please ensure students wear their formal uniform: best school shirt, darkest navy bottoms, white socks above the ankle, black shoes, neat hair, and correct coloured hair ties or ribbons. All students should wear their school badge, and Year 6 leaders should wear their leadership badges.
Principal Availability – Week 7
I will be away from Tuesday 26th to Friday 29th August due to appointments and family commitments. I’ll return to work on Monday 1st September and be away again on Thursday 4th September. Marty Savage will be here to support the school on Thursday 4th September in my absence.
Queensland Opera Workshop – Monday 2nd September (Week 8)
We’re excited to host the Queensland Opera for a one-hour singing workshop. It promises to be a memorable experience for our students.
TCSO Visits – Week 8
We look forward to welcoming several visitors from the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office:
- Julie Henderson (Education Officer – Curriculum Support) in Week 6
- Melinda Stone (Speech Therapist) on Monday 2nd September
- Marty Savage (Senior Education Leader) on Thursday 4th September
Father’s Day Luncheon – Thursday 4th September (Week 8)
We warmly invite all dads, grandads, uncles, and father figures in our Quilpie Community to our Father’s Day Luncheon from 12 to 1pm. It’s a special opportunity to celebrate the wonderful men in our lives.
CTJ Day – Friday 5th September (Week 8)
Please note there will be no school on Friday 5th September due to CTJ Day, a dedicated time for teachers across Toowoomba Catholic Schools to collaborate and continue delivering high-quality curriculum.
Charleville Performing Arts Festival – Week 8
Our school will be participating in the Charleville Performing Arts Festival, with each class performing verse speaking. Several Year 5/6 students will also be competing in solo and duet piano, speech, and drama performances. Permission forms have been emailed home.
Quiz Worx Visit – Last Week
We were delighted to welcome back Quiz Worx. For over 15 years, they have brought engaging Christian storytelling to our students through puppetry, music, and drama. Their 30-minute show was a joyful reminder of the power of faith and storytelling, and we are grateful for their continued support in sharing the message of Jesus in the outback.
Athletics Recognition – Recent Selection
Congratulations to Cleo Haylock, Layla Morvell, and James Hoch for being selected to represent our school at the Charleville & District Track and Field Carnival. Although they were unable to attend due to personal circumstances, their selection is a wonderful achievement and reflects their dedication and talent. We are proud of you all.
Leadership Update – Term 4 Onward
As I prepare to begin maternity leave at the end of this term, I’m pleased to share that Mrs Kathy Doherty will be joining our community as Acting Principal from Term 4 2025 through to the end of Term 4 2026. Kathy currently serves as Assistant Principal – Mission and Identity at Mater Dei School and brings with her a wealth of experience in Catholic education, strong leadership, and a deep commitment to nurturing both faith and learning. I know you will join me in welcoming Kathy with open arms and warm hearts as she steps into this role.
Let’s continue to live with compassion and understanding. Sometimes what feels like someone else’s bad day might be our own perspective needing a little grace. We are all trying our best, and no one sets out to have a hard day.
“Everyone is doing the best they can with what they have. Be kind, for you never know the battles others are facing.”
Until Next Time
Mrs Kara Marsh
Principal
School Absences
Term Fees
Email copies of current accounts were emailed home on the 30th of July from accounts@quilpie.catholic.edu.au , please check your emails to confirm your account balance.
St Finbarr's Pillar Awards 2025
Week 3- Maggie
Camilla
Henry
Week 4- Jett
Lucy
Cleo
Have you synced the School Calendar to your phone yet?
This is the quickest and easiest way to stay informed about upcoming events at St Finbarr's.
Once downloaded, all school events will automatically appear in your phone’s calendar, ensuring you never miss an important date.
Below shows you in 4 steps on how to subscribe to the school online calendar onto your phone's calendar, when reading school newsletter on your phone
St Finbarr's School, Quilpie, Calendar
St Finbarr's School, Quilpie Website
Quilpie & District Sport
PPF 2025
A date to be advised
Pyjama Day 1st August
National Pyjama Day – Friday, 1st August
The Finnie's Guardians Ella-Rose and Hailey would like to thank all of the students for their generous donations! The school raised $128 for the National Pyjama Day Foundation who support Foster Kids.
Thank you for your support in helping us make a difference while having a bit of fun!
Quiz Worx Visit: 7th Aug
Quiz Worx shares the Good News of Jesus with primary aged kids in creative, fun and engaging ways. They perform live shows with puppetry, music, art & stories at schools, churches, outreach events. Thanks to the team for coming to our school on this day the kids loved it.
Book Week Dress up Day: 18th Aug
Book Week – Dress-Up Day: Monday, 18th August
We’re thrilled to announce that Book Week is fast approaching, and this year’s theme is “Book an Adventure” – a celebration of the exciting journeys and imaginative worlds that stories can take us on.
To mark the occasion, we will be holding a Dress-Up Day on Monday, 18th August. Students are encouraged to come dressed as a character from their favourite book, especially one that embodies the spirit of adventure. Whether it’s a daring explorer, a magical hero, or a curious creature from a faraway land, we can’t wait to see the creativity and enthusiasm on display.
Book Week is a wonderful opportunity to foster a love of reading and storytelling, and we look forward to celebrating with our school community.
Let the adventure begin!
Whole School Photos: 19th August
Parents please don't forget to send students in their best school uniform, school badges, and long white socks, Staff photo is at 8.30am with Whole school photos to follow.
Father's Day Luncheon 4th September
Tuck-Shop 2025
Week 4- Thanks to this week's Tuck-shop families and those I have missed- you know the kids love it.
Week 5
Feast Day of Saint Mary McKillop
This past Friday marked the Feast Day of Saint Mary MacKillop, our Year 5/6 class led our school community in a beautiful liturgy to honour the Feast Day of Saint Mary MacKillop. As Australia’s first saint, Mary MacKillop continues to inspire us with her unwavering faith, compassion, and commitment to those in need.
At St Finbarr’s, we are proud to be a Mary MacKillop community. Her words, “Never see a need without doing something about it,” are not just a motto but a way of life for our students, staff, and families. We strive each day to live out her legacy through acts of kindness, service, and love. Thank you to our 5/6 students for leading us in prayer and reflection, and for reminding us of the powerful impact one person can have when they live with courage and compassion.
Mary MacKillop, pray for us.
Horizons Magazine
In line with the diocese’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility, reducing waste, and managing costs, they are continuing to review how Horizons is distributed across the diocese, especially schools. TCSO has also highlighted a growing emphasis on digital communication within school communities.
Many schools have already embraced the digital version of Horizons, available at www.twb.catholic.org.au/horizons/, and have either significantly reduced or completely ceased receiving printed copies.
Following this trend and as per advice from TCSO, they will no longer be sending printed copies to primary schools by default. This will come into effect for the issue out in September.
Out of the Box
In this 4-part series, Madonna and Rebecca unpack what neurodiversity really means for families today. Drawing on expert insights and lived experience, they offer clear, compassionate, and practical advice on everything from navigating a diagnosis to managing ongoing challenges. These videos are here to help you and your young person feel seen, understood, and empowered.
Term 3 2025
Calendars
Your Contact Details
If your details have changed in the past year, especially your emergency contacts, please let the Office know so our records are accurate and up to date.
Quilpie Show 12 & 13th September
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 Yard access
School Bell Times
Start of day bell -8.45am
Morning Tea Bell 11.00am -11.30am
Lunch Bell 1.00pm -1.30pm
End of day Bell -3.00pm
Please don't send students to school before 8.30 unless prior arrangements have been made, playground supervision doesn't begin until 8.30am
Term Dates 2025
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.
Noticeboard
Australian Army Band Performance 3pm
The performance will take place on Monday 1st Sept 3pm, and will run for approx 20 minutes. The performance has been choosen to coincide with school pickup to allow parents to enjoy the music of the Australian ARmy Band
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