St Ursula's College Newsletter 2025 Term 1, Week 4

From the Principal

As we embark on another exciting year, I want to emphasize the importance of setting goals for our students. In 2025, the concept of striving for excellence is more relevant than ever. Angela Merici, whose favourite word was "strive," teaches us that the journey towards our goals is just as important as the destination. She believed in striving not for perfection, but for giving one's best effort. This philosophy is crucial for our girls as they navigate their educational journey.

Setting goals helps students focus, stay motivated, and develop a sense of purpose. It encourages them to take ownership of their learning and personal growth. By setting realistic and achievable goals, our students learn to measure their progress and celebrate their successes, no matter how small. This process of striving, as Angela Merici advocated, instils resilience and a growth mindset, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Thank you for your work as parents, encouraging your daughter to embrace the spirit of striving, encouraging them to set goals and give their best effort in all their endeavours. Next week, on Thursday 27 February, will be wonderful opportunity to students, parents and teachers to discuss and identify those strategies that could assist improve learning outcomes. I hope you have been able to secure some times for those conversations.

As a school, we also value the importance of setting goals and develop our own Annual Improvement/Action Plan. This draws on priorities already articulated in our Strategic Plan, and whilst we are yet to formally launch our plan, we have already started the work in 2025 to achieve key areas for improvement.

I share with you our focus areas for 2025:

Annual Improvement Plan 2025

…through the lens of our young women…

“by the girls, for the girls, about the girls”

It is exciting to share the focus of our work for 2025 with you, and as always all that we do is about building a culture at St Ursula’s College that is about excellence in opportunity and educational pathways for our young women, in a supportive and caring learning environment. It is always ‘by the girls, for the girls, about the girls!’

I hope you have had a wonderful first four weeks of the term. We celebrate with Ms Hayley Grabham who announced her engagement at the start of this week. We are thrilled for Hayley and her finance.

All the best for the remainder of the week,

Together, we strive,

Deidre Young

Principal

Deputy Principal

No doubt the last few weeks have been busy ones in your households. Once school restarts for the year, its intersection with home and work life can bring a noise that is deafening and stressful. Finding happiness amidst the noise may require a combination of realistic expectations and planning.

In my last newsletter I explored the theme of "Strive to Thrive," emphasising the importance of setting goals and embracing the learning journey. This newsletter builds on that foundation, focusing on three key elements for student success: strong parent-teacher partnerships, effective study habits and realistic expectations.

Parent-Teacher Interviews are a vital opportunity for us to come together, sharing our unique knowledge and expertise in support of your daughters. By combining your knowledge with our perspective, we can create realistic expectations for progress that stretch without excessive stress. If your daughter is one who aims for the stars, giving her permission to land back home may be a significant part of your role in her journey. If your daughter is struggling to launch, we can work together to move her feet off the ground. Paying attention to her state is our most important call.

Hopefully, your daughter will have shared with you the goals she set last week. The next step is creating a plan to achieve them. A well-structured study timetable is essential for general well-being and effective learning. It provides a framework for balance. It includes managing time, prioritising activities, and ensuring a level of routine. Repeating good habits regularly is a well-known formula for maximising performance. Another strategy with big pay-offs is planning to replace bad habits with good ones. A good timetable should start with an honest record of the things you do now. Then, you can realistically replace bad habits with good ones. For example, swapping late-night social media scrolling for a set bedtime can improve focus and energy. Replacing last-minute cramming with short, regular study sessions can reduce stress and improve retention. Choosing a quick morning stretch or walk over hitting snooze multiple times can help start the day with a positive mindset. As parents, you can support your daughters by providing a quiet study environment, encouraging them to take breaks, and helping them to prioritise tasks. Remember, the goal of homework is not just completion, but understanding. Encourage your daughters to ask questions when they are struggling and to seek help from their teachers when needed. Here is a You-tube clip that may provide some handy hints:

· Video link How To Make An EFFECTIVE STUDY TIMETABLE | Revision Timetable | Productivity ( Length 4:44)

· Hearing from Emil Eddy’s experience – Produced 3 year ago but may speak to your daughter Length: 10.11) https://youtu.be/15O1XcjZIQg?si=e2IdEyXW44WMphi- )

Recently, I came across an idea that really made me think—happiness is the gap between our expectations and reality. The bigger the gap, the less happy we feel. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t aim high or work hard; in fact, setting goals and planning a timetable are key to success. But it does mean that our expectations should be realistic and flexible. A well-balanced plan builds in time for setbacks, learning curves, and even the unexpected. Instead of aiming for ‘perfect,’ aim for ‘progress.’ That way, when challenges arise, they won’t feel like failures, just steps along the way. Success isn’t about avoiding obstacles—it’s about managing them with confidence.

Working together, we can empower our girls to achieve their full potential. I look forward to seeing you at the Parent-Teacher Interviews and supporting your daughters as they strive to thrive.

Ms Bernadette Witham

Key Events: Building Unity through Community

UPDATES on SENTRAL:

· All students at the College now have access to the Sentral student dashboard. This provides them with:

  o Access to their timetable – this will show all changes to times and enable them to know exactly where to be at all times.

  o Attendance – they will be able to track their own attendance

  o Links to our teaching and learning platform - Firefly

Assistant Principal Pastoral Care

Student Uniform Policy and Expectations

Our uniform is a representation of our high standards and expectations that we expect of and hold for our students at St Ursula’s College. It is important that as a College, that we have parental/caregiver support in ensuring that our students commit to wearing the uniform appropriately and correctly.

The following are areas that require immediate attention:

• Earrings & piercings
  • One pair of small plain silver, gold or pearl-coloured studs or sleepers worn with one in the lobe of each ear is acceptable.
  • Hoops, dangles, coloured stones or sparkly earrings are not acceptable.
  • No clear studs in additional piercings.
  • No other piercings are permitted in any other part of the body.
• Sports uniform
  • The Sports uniform can be worn on Wednesdays. Students who are required to wear the Sports uniform during another school day (eg: for HPE or dance lessons) must change in and out of the Sports uniform during break times. The Formal uniform must be worn to and from the College.
  • Students should not wear Sports uniform throughout the whole day on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday.
• Hats
  • Students must wear their hat at all times (unless it is raining). This included to and from school, between classes and during breaks.
  • Hats must be in good clean condition.

We ask for your support in addressing these areas with your daughters. Pastoral Care teachers may contact you to ask for your support in ensuring that your daughter is making the appropriate choices when wearing the College uniform.

Is attendance really that important?

Ensuring your daughter attends school every day is crucial for her academic and personal development.

School provides essential knowledge and skills for future success, helps develop communication, teamwork, and social navigation, and allows students to explore interests, discover strengths, and build identity. Regular attendance fosters valuable habits like discipline and time management, encourages problem-solving skills, and supports holistic development through co-curricular activities.

Heads of House and PC teachers monitor student absenteeism. Heads of House will communicate to you when your daughter:

• is absent three or more consecutive days without a reasonable excuse,
• shows a pattern of absenteeism

or

• has a low overall attendance rate.

We ask that you support your daughter by setting a consistent daily routine, encourage a love for learning, stay in touch with her teachers, engage in her education and school events. It is also important to promote positive social interactions, address health issues quickly, and celebrate her achievements.

If you face challenges with attendance, contact your daughter's Pastoral Care teacher for support. Regular attendance is vital for fostering College spirit and peer connections. Thank you for your support in ensuring that your daughter attends school daily.

Mrs Maria Gibson

Assistant Principal Mission and Identity

Last Friday we had our Sign-on day for Cultural, Sports and Service groups and this year our student’s response was better than ever.  Our Service groups now offer more choice than ever before, with 17 different groups to support.

• Care for Cambodia
• Caritas group
• Interact
• Lifeline Afterschool club
• Modified Rugby
• Our Country Heart
• Pink Ladies
• Protea Place
• Rising Daughters
• Rosies
• St Vincents – includes Vinnies and the St Vincent’s Foundation
• Share the Dignity
• Ursie Animals
• Ursie Insider
• Ursies for Change
• Women of the World

Already the Service groups have sprung into action with regular meetings every other week. The Caritas group are getting ready for the launch of Project Compassion in Lent.  Our Country Heart have run a stall on Galentine’s Day to raise funds for charity.  Rosies have already gone out to feed and support those less fortunate in our community. Plans are underway so that our Year 12 FACE students can go to St Vincent’s Aged Care and work on projects they would like us to assist with. Women of the World are planning to launch our Inaugural Harmony Day. Never a dull day at St Ursula’s!

OnTuesday, we celebrated a Mass for Year 7 with Fr Michael O’Brien and the following week we host the Principal’s Forum Mass in our Holy Family Chapel.

On Friday 21 February we have 10 students going to USQ in Ipswich to receive their QATSIF New Recipients' Certificate.

Mr Joe Kelly

Director of Sport

Training Days and Times

Please note that training days and times are subject to change depending on coaches' availability. Changes will be communicated to student via email and student notices.

Interhouse Swimming Carnival

When: Thursday 20 February

Where: Milne Bay Aquatics Centre, Herries Street

Time: 8.30 am to 2.45 pm

Detailed information was sent out via Edsmart, girls can also access information on student notices.

Futsal – Veto - U14 and U19 Veto Gala Day

The U14 and U19 Veto Gala Day was held at Nissan Arena on Thursday 13 February with each division playing 3 group matches in the Western division.

The U14 team started off with a big loss to Kenmore SHS, but regrouped quickly to follow up with a draw (4-4) in their second match to Brisbane Advanced College after St Ursula’s were leading with 2 minutes to go.

The third match against St Peter Claver ended with a 7-6 loss with St Ursula’s once again leading for most of the match until St Peter Claver snatched victory in the last few minutes.

The U19 team started with a convincing win over the Darling Downs Advanced College which set the platform for a solid performance throughout the rest of the day. Their second match against St Peter Claver was a titanic struggle with St Ursula’s holding on to a two goal buffer winning 5-3 when the final whistle blew.

Their last match against St Mary’s Ipswich was a masterclass of futsal expertise and resilience with St Ursula’s trailing 2-0 at half time and at one stage being down 4-1 in the second half, they managed to claw their way back and win 7-5.

Thanks to all of the students for their sporting spirit, and to Suzi Chappel (past student 2024) for coaching the teams on the day. Special mention for the bus driver Elliot from Robertson’s coaches who cleaned the entire bus. (twice)

Netball – College Representative Teams

Thank you to all the girls who trialed for our College Representative Netball teams. We were thrilled to see such a high level of talent among our netballers, which made the team selection process quite challenging. We look forward to hearing your successes throughout the year.

Netball – Saturday Club Netball

If your daughter is interested in playing Saturday netball, please complete the registration link sent out via EdSmart in January.

Community Sport

Congratulations to Amelia Kidd who has been training with the Brisbane Lions AFL squad since October 2024, she has achieved a significant milestone by securing a spot in the final 31 squad. This elite group will compete in upcoming games and Amelia will continue to push herself, striving to be named in the final 24 squad that will be go head-to-head against other AFLW teams. Well done Amelia, we are all cheering for you.

Peak to Park

The Optimise Health Peak2Park is an annual fun run/walk organised by Healthy Active Lifestyles Toowoomba Incorporated (HALT), is being held on Sunday 2 March. The event encourages people to participate in exercise and raise funds for local charities. This year the money raised from Peak2Park will go to Momentum Mental Health. The run/walk starts at Picnic Point and finishes at Lake Annand.  St Ursula’s College have registered a team to participate in this event. We encourage all our young women to support this great cause. Parents and siblings are more than welcome to join the St Ursula’s College team. 
All registrations are to be completed online this year by following the Register Now link on the Peak2Park website. https://www.peak2park.org.au/. A detailed letter on how to register was sent out today via edsmart. 

We look forward to skipping, walking, talking and running with you all for a great cause. 

 Mrs Elyce Ruhle

Athletes of the Week

SATURDAY NETBALL TRIAL CHANGE

Change of dates and times for trials are as follows:

Saturday 1 Mar 2025   8:30am - 11:00am - U12 & U13 (Born 2012, 2013, 2014)
Sunday 2 Mar 2025   8:30am - 11:00am - Cadets – Intermediate (Born 2011, 2010) 11:00am - 1:30pm - Cadets – Seniors (Born 2009, 2008, 2007) & Opens (2007 or older)

This may vary depending on the numbers that register in each group. We may also decide that we need to call some age groups back after school for another grading look.

Head of Faculty: Arts

Senior Dance Troupe

Following auditions in Week 2, our 2025 Senior Dance Troupe members have been announced, and the girls have commenced working for the year. On Saturday 15 February and Sunday 16 February, the troupe worked with guest artist Jacob Watton to create their 2025 eisteddfod item. Jacob is a Queensland based choreographer and performer whose choreographic work has toured internationally. We congratulate the following girls on receiving a position in the Senior Dance Troupe for 2025.

· Penny Fing (Year 10)

· Grace Gleeson (Year 11)

· Chloe Gothmann (Year 12)

· Isla Kearney (Year 11)

· Gabriella Kidd (Year 11)

· Maddison Klemm (Year 11)

· Charlee Murdoch (Year 12)

· Abbie Pritchard (Year 12)

· Isabelle Staley (Year 12)

· Madison Stokes (Year 10)

· Olivia Stone (Year 11)

· Maeghan Wilkes (Year 12)

In the coming weeks, we will announce our Junior Contemporary Troupe members and commence rehearsals for both Junior Dance Troupe and Senior Hip-Hop Troupe.

Junior Play

Auditions for our 2025 Junior Play, The Wizard of Oz, were held after school on Tuesday 18 February and Wednesday 19 February. We look forward to announcing our cast in the coming weeks. Date Claimer for Junior Play: Friday 20 June (Term 2, Week 9).

GOMA Excursion

On Thursday 13 February, our Year 11 Visual Art, Year 11 and 12 Film & TV, Year 12 Design and Year 12 Media Arts in Practice classes travelled to Brisbane to spend the day at GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art, Southbank). Our students have the opportunity to visit GOMA each semester to inform their creative practices and assessment items. Some of the experiences for this visit were The 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, sacred geometry and creating interactive animation and music from sounds built from kitchen utensils.

Lydia Pickard

P&F News

Our P&F meetings are always held in Kerrielaw from 5:45pm. You are welcome to join us either in person or via Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent out the Monday before the meeting, or you can request the link by emailing stursulaspfa@gmail.com

Please join us for our next P&F Meeting on Tuesday 11 March.

Tahnee Coombs, P&F Secretary

Rosies Outreach at Harlaxton Park

Our Year 12 students, Mrs Kate Clark and Chappie Nancy kicked off our first Rosies Outreach for the year at Harlaxton Park on a very misty evening Wednesday 5 February.

We teamed up with the Rosies volunteers to assist those that need a helping hand by cooking barbeque foods, serving the patrons and having a chat.

Though patron numbers were low those that came to enjoy an evening meal and a chat were greeted by a very cheery St Ursula’s team. Our students experience the importance of making that human connection with others, which is often made easier over a meal.

Our Year 12 Media student Viyan Haji was our guest journalist, who interviewed two of the more mature patrons. They were very touched knowing that someone wanted to know and listen to their stories and opinions.

This was Serviam in action in our local community and the students receive back a grateful and humble heart.

Chappie Nancy

Sentral

Protea Place Trivia Night

Darling Downs School Dental Program

Guest Speaker Invitation from St Mary's College

St Mary's College invites St Ursula's College school community to attend our Parent Information Evening with Shirley-Ann Gardiner from Momentum Mental Health.

Momentum Mental Health is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to transforming the mental health and wellbeing of the community. Their purpose is to make mental health and wellbeing accessible to everyone, every day, focusing on prevention and innovative, contemporary support programs.

Shirley-Ann has a passion for the social determinants of health. She is on the Board of two local not-for-profits. In January 2021, she was awarded the Australia Day Citizen of the Year Award in Toowoomba for her work with vulnerable communities.

A joint presentation with Brian Bracher will cover three topics:
1. Improving your wellbeing (The “5 Ways to Wellbeing”)
2. Setting healthy boundaries
3. How to have a difficult conversation with someone in distress

If you are interested in attending this free event, please RSVP via https://www.trybooking.com/CYZPG by Thursday 6th March 2025.

Guest Speaker Invitation from OLOL

Our Lady of Lourdes was successful in 2024 in obtaining a Catholic Schools Parents Queensland Grant.

With this grant, they are engaging Susan McLean from CyberSafety Solutions to present to theirparents. The theme of her presentation is "Growing Up Online". I have attached her website for your information. Please note, this presentation is not suitable for children.

St Ursula's parent community has been invited to join them for this presentation in the OLOL school hall on February 25 at 6:30 pm. Everyone is very welcome.

Immunisations

School immunisations will take place later this year. Consent cards include all the necessary information about the vaccinations

Please return consent cards to the school by 01/6/25.  If you need another one, please see the office.

If you do not wish to have your daughter vaccinated at the school, please indicate this on the consent form and return it anyway.