St Ursula's College Newsletter 2025 Term 2, Week 4

From our Principal

As we celebrate Mother’s Day, we take a moment to recognize the incredible contributions of mothers and mother figures in our lives. Their love, strength, and unwavering support shape our futures in profound ways. I hope each of you were able to join with your mothers or special mother figures to celebrate in some special way on Sunday.

It was lovely to welcome so many from within our community to our Mother’s Day Cocktail Evening on Friday night. Always a lovely evening to get together, whilst supporting a great cause. Blush Cancer Care Inc. is dedicated to supporting individuals affected by breast cancer through education, fundraising, and community initiatives. Their work focuses on improving the wellbeing of patients by providing essential resources, care packages, and support programs. Through events like ours, Blush helps to raise awareness and funds to ensure those facing breast cancer receive the help they need.

It was moving to hear the story shared by Kelly James (nee Lobwein, Senior 1996). Kelly shared the story of her mum, Linda, and the subsequent battle she then faced. It was a privilege to listen to her story of strength, courage and determination.

Congratulations to Kate Adamson, Service Leader and all members of the Pink Ladies who have worked hard under the guidance of Ms Witham and Mrs Love, to ensure the evening was a success for all.

On assembly this week, I spoke to the girls about how fortunate we are in Australia, to have access to safe medical care during childbirth. But this is not the reality for many women around the world. Every mother deserves the right to a safe birth, and yet countless women in developing countries face alarming risks simply by bringing life into the world.

In the spirit of compassion and action, our school community is proud to partner with the Zonta Club of Garden City Inc. throughout May and June to assemble 400 birthing kits. These kits, that contain six essential items, play a crucial role in ensuring safer births for mothers in disadvantaged regions. A simple yet powerful initiative, it embodies the values of kindness and solidarity, allowing us to make a tangible difference in the lives of women globally—our sisters in motherhood. Together, we can help ensure that more mothers experience the joy of safe childbirth, knowing that they and their babies have a greater chance of survival.

Visit the following website to find out more. Zonta Birthing Kits | Zonta International District 23

Speaking of babies, I am pleased to share with the wider community the wonderful news that on Friday 2 May, Mrs Maree Ford welcomed baby Fletcher Rylee, a beautiful boy and baby brother to big sister Bronte. Both mum and bub are doing well.

On Monday evening, we said our thanks and farewell to our Thai Sisters from Mater Dei Bangkok Thailand. Following our celebration of Sorella Week, I am reminded of the importance of these opportunities to connect with our other Ursuline schools from around the world. This is the second group of students who have visited this year, and I am grateful to the many staff who contribute to this program. My thanks to Mrs Lisa McKellar who oversees all aspects of the program, as well as to Jodi Marshall, Head of Boarding and Samatha Moorhouse, Boarding Supervisor, who contributed greatly to the success of this visit. At school, the girls form a wonderful friendship with their buddies in Year 8, and it is wonderful to see the ownership that those girls take on to ensure their buddy settles in well and has a great experience. Thank you to our buddies!

Over the past few weeks, I have shared news of some sad events for members of our community. On Tuesday evening, we gathered with members of the wider Toowoomba Community, to join in the annual Candlelight Vigil for Domestic Violence organized by Protea Place. We remember the sad passing of our parent, Louise, commemorated at this event. I am grateful to our students who represented the College on the evening; reading, contributing to the music, or through their attendance. Next Tuesday, many staff will join with Ms Witham and her family to bid farewell to her husband, Robie. I thank parents and students in advance for your understanding as we map out a day next week to support the absence of a large number of staff.

As our newsletter is shared, our Year 10 students and staff will be heading off to camp. Always a great three days, being pushed and challenged, whilst building stronger friendships and connections with each other. I am sure there will be many stories to share. Thank you to those staff who will attend to make this opportunity possible, and in particular, to Miss Hayley Grabham for her organisation of the camp.

Take care for the fortnight ahead,

Together, we strive

Deidre Young

Principal

Assistant Principal Pastoral Care

Last newsletter, the Merici CARE Model was introduced and the ‘C’ part of CARE was explained. This week, the ‘A’ part of the Merici CARE Model will be explored. 

 A= ACT: Develop Awareness of Self and Commit to Action 

At St Ursula’s College, we believe in not only educating our students but also empowering them with essential life skills. One such vital skill is self-awareness. 

Self-awareness is the ability to recognise and understand our emotions, thoughts, and behaviours. It helps individuals identify their strengths and weaknesses, leading to better decision-making and improved relationships. By fostering self-awareness, students are better equipped to commit to action and make positive changes in their lives. 

We believe that nurturing self-awareness from an early age is crucial. As educators and parents, we play a significant role in helping young people develop this skill. We can do this by: 

• Encouraging Reflection: Helping students reflect on their emotions and thoughts. Guiding them to identify triggers for certain emotions and behaviours and express their feelings in a healthy, positive way. 

• Exploring Interests and Talents: Encouraging students to explore their interests and talents, this helps them identify their strengths and passions. 

• Teaching Mindfulness: Teaching students to be mindful of their actions and their impact on others emphasises the importance of empathy and kindness.  

• Modelling Self-Awareness: Being open and honest about emotions and behaviours. This modelling helps students understand that emotions are a natural part of who we are. 

• Striving to be the Best Version of Ourselves: Emphasising the importance of striving to be the best version of ourselves. 

By nurturing self-awareness in our students, we equip them with a valuable life skill that will serve them well in the future. We encourage them to commit to action and prioritise self-awareness in their lives and the lives of others. 

 Mrs Maria Gibson

Assistant Principal Mission and Identity

We are thrilled to share the joyous news of the election of Pope Leo XIV, the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church. His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected on May 8, 2025, and is the 267th Successor of St Peter.

Pope Leo XIV has emphasized a message of peace, dialogue and missionary evangelization in his first address.

"Peace be with you all.

Dearest brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the flock of God. I too would like this greeting of peace to enter our hearts, to reach your families: to all people wherever they may be, to all nations, to the whole earth: peace be with you.

This is the peace of the Risen Christ: a disarmed peace, a disarming peace, humble and persevering, it comes from God, God who loves us all unconditionally.

We still hold in our ears that weak yet ever courageous voice of Pope Francis as he blessed Rome—the Pope who blessed Rome, who gave his blessing to the world, to the whole world, that Easter morning. Allow me to follow up on that same blessing: God loves us, God loves you all, and evil shall not prevail. We are all in God’s hands.

Therefore, without fear, united, hand in hand with God and with one another, let us move forward. We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us; the world needs His light, humanity needs Him as a bridge to be reached by God and His love. Help us as well—help one another—to build bridges through dialogue, through encounter, uniting everyone to be one single people always in peace.

Thanks to Pope Francis.

I also wish to thank all the brother cardinals who have chosen me to be the successor of Peter and to walk with you as a united Church, always seeking peace, justice, always striving to work as faithful women and men of Jesus Christ, without fear, to proclaim the Gospel, to be missionaries.

I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian, who said: "With you I am a Christian, for you I am a Bishop." In this spirit, we can all walk together toward that homeland which God has prepared for us.

To the Church of Rome, a special greeting: we must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges, dialogue, always open to welcome—like this square with

To all of you, brothers and sisters of Rome, of Italy, and of the whole world, we want to be a synodal Church, a Church that walks, a Church that always seeks peace, always seeks charity, always strives to be close especially to those who suffer.

Today is the day of the supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii. Our Mother Mary always wants to walk with us, to be close, to help us with her intercession and her love. So I would like to pray together with you: let us pray together for this new mission, but also for the whole Church and for peace in the world. Let us ask for this special grace from Mary, our Mother.

Ave Maria ..."

As we reflect on the values and teachings of Pope Leo XIV, we are reminded of our own mission to educate and inspire our students to be compassionate, responsible, and active members of society. His Holiness's message of love and service resonates deeply with our Ursuline tradition of nurturing the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.

We look forward to following Pope Leo XIV's journey and supporting his efforts to bring positive change to the world. Let us all take inspiration from his leadership and strive to make a difference in our own communities.

May God bless Pope Leo XIV and guide him in his mission.

Mr Joe Kelly

May Date Claimers

May is Packed with Exciting Events!

We have another busy month ahead, so be sure to mark these important dates in your calendar:

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 Cross Country

The Cross Country carnival was a fantastic day filled with energy, teamwork, and excitement! From competitive races that had runners pushing their limits, to non-competitive games that kept spirits high, there was something for everyone to enjoy. Pastoral Care groups came together in full force, working collaboratively to pitch their batons with enthusiasm and determination.

Participants showed great endurance and camaraderie in the Exercising Sisters Relay event, walking laps and cheering each other on. As the day drew to a close, everyone gathered to witness the ultimate test of knowledge and strategy—finding out who would emerge as the Quizz Quest Champions in the Pastoral Pursuit showdown.

With over 80% attendance, the atmosphere was buzzing with energy, laughter, and a shared sense of achievement. Whether competing, collaborating, or simply soaking in the fun, everyone walked away from the day with fond memories and a sense of accomplishment.

2025 Interhouse Cross Country Results

Bill Turner Cup - Football

Our U15 College football team recently participated in the prestigious Bill Turner Trophy. Throughout the tournament, the team played six intense matches.

They dominated their four group games with comfortable victories, demonstrating their prowess on the field. Their semi-final match was another testament to their skill and determination, as they secured a spot in the major final with a convincing 3-0 win over Harristown SHS.

The final match was a nail-biter, with our girls narrowly losing 1-0 to Mary MacKillop Catholic College. This was the only goal they conceded throughout the entire day, highlighting their exceptional defensive capabilities. Despite the loss, the girls held their heads high, knowing they had given their all. The team will now progress to the next round of the competition.

We are incredibly proud of our U15 girls for their outstanding performance and the way they represented our school.

Congratulations to the team and their coaches.

DD Schools Cup Hockey

The Darling Downs Schools Cup Hockey tournament is an annual event on the school sport calendar. Despite many of our students having little experience with hockey, this was a learning curve for all to work together as a team. Their enthusiasm and adaptability shone through, proving that a willingness to learn and a strong team spirit can go a long way.

It was a huge day, packed with lots of hockey action—seven games played and refereed by our College. Every match was a chance for players to refine their skills, work together, and embrace the challenges that playing competitive sport presents to its participants.

A special thank you goes to Mark Purcell for his invaluable support with coaching, and to Bec Denny for her generosity in giving up her time to guide our players and provide them with this incredible opportunity. Additionally, a huge thanks to Holy Purcell, whose dedication as Hockey captain ensured she helped coach and communicate all information with the girls.

Overall, the day was a testament to perseverance, and the positive culture our College fosters in sport.

Shenea Ciesiolka Rugby League Gala Day

Despite less-than-ideal weather conditions, the Shenae Ciesiolka Rugby League Gala Day was a fantastic opportunity for students to refine their Rugby League skills in a supportive, non-competitive environment. With a strong focus on tackling techniques, the girls embraced the challenge to improve their skills and overall safety on the field.

The day was marked by frequent showers, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of players and coaches alike. Students displayed great enthusiasm, learning valuable skills and their commitment to improvement was evident. A special thank you goes to Mrs Power and Ms Ballon for allowing our girls the opportunity to attend the Gala Day. They certainly deserved the early mark to dry out their shoes after navigating the muddy conditions with such enthusiasm.

Overall, the Gala Day proved that a little rain can’t stop a determined group from making the most of their sporting experience. It was a day filled with learning, teamwork, and fun—exactly what Rugby League is all about!

Darling Downs Representative

Congratulations to the following students who have been successful in making Darling Downs Teams for their chosen sport/s.

Mrs Elyce Ruhle

Athletes of the Week

Head of Faculty: Arts

Exciting times ahead in the Arts! Be sure to check out our upcoming events and mark your calendars!

Lydia Pickard

VET & Careers

CAREERS

Introduction

I am delighted to introduce myself as the Career Development Practitioner at St Ursula’s College. I am on campus Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If your child would like to book an individual careers appointment, please email me at jacqui.mcilroy@twb.catholic.edu.au. Together with the VET Co-ordinator, Anita Tawns, we look forward to supporting your daughters on their career journey throughout the year.

Parent Careers Recourses

The College has several careers resources available to parents with information to help your daughters navigate their career paths: You will find a wealth of information, including a dedicated section for parents with tips for helping your child with career planning.

· Students and parents also have access to comprehensive Careers and VET information available to students through Firefly.

University Open Days 2025 

Students who are interested in a university pathway are strongly encouraged to attend University Open Days. Open days are an opportunity to get answers to your questions and find out everything else you need to know about a university and potential courses before you enrol. Students can tour the campus and facilities, talk to academics and explore the different courses on offer.

Toowoomba  

UniSQ               Saturday 9 August Springfield & Ipswich  

                          Saturday 16 August Toowoomba  

Brisbane  

  ACU                             Saturday 2 August Nudgee Road, Banyo 

Griffith               Sunday 10 August Gold Coast & Nathan   

QUT                              Sunday 27 July Kelvin Grove and Gardens Point  

UQ                                 Sunday 3 August                St Lucia Campus  

                           Sunday 17 August Gatton Campus 

 Sunshine Coast  

 UniSC Sunday      Sunday 3 August Sippy Downs 

Year 10 UniSQ Discovery Day

This term, some of our Year 10 students had the exciting opportunity to visit the University of Southern Queensland for a ‘Discovery Day’.

Students selected three tailored, taster-style sessions designed to highlight various skills and career possibilities. Highlights of the day included a rocket-building workshop where students used 3D-printed materials to construct and launch their own rockets, and an activity in a simulated nursing ward where students practiced basic medical procedures. Other hands-on experiences included learning how to use drones for cattle mustering and conducting experiments to learn about the science behind sunscreen and UV radiation.

It was a fantastic day, and the girls had lots of fun exploring their interests and potential career paths.

Important Upcoming Events

UniSQ Head Start Program

High achieving students in Year 10 and 11 who are interested in university after school may like to consider studying a university subject through the UniSQ’s Head Start program. Students will have the opportunity to experience a taste of university and gain entry into a UniSQ degree on completion of Year 12. The first course is free. For further information, contact the Careers team.

Jacqui McIlroy

Career Development Practitioner

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Aspire2Health Sessions

A reminder to students that the first 2 Aspire2Health sessions are coming up on the 13 and 15 May. Spaces are now full, for those students who missed out but wanted to attend, I encourage you apply for next year's intake when emails are sent out at the end of Term 4.

Anita Tawns

VET Co-Ordinator

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 10 June.

Tahnee Coombs, P&F Secretary

Rosies

Rosies Outreach

The end of Term 1 and the beginning of Term 2 saw St Ursula’s Seniors and staff roll up their sleeves to put Serviam into action. At Harlaxton Park they teamed up with Rosies Friends on the Street to cook barbeque food, serve and chat to the Patrons. Our bakers Ainslie Austin, Kerry Crusciel and Lily Dunne provided home baked goodies as an extra treat. Struggle Street is made very real to our students when they witnessed a young mother arriving late to the Outreach and desperate to take anything home to her young children as the fridge was bare.

St Ursula’s Seniors learn a life lesson that to serve others is humbling and listening to someone is just as important as feeding them. Students expressed how grateful they were for what they have in their own lives.

Chappy Nancy

Maths News

Maths Team Challenge 2025

St Ursula’s College once again hosted the Mathematics Team Challenge. This was held in the Salo Centre on Tuesday 6^th May. There were approximately 400 students forming 80 teams which represented 18 different schools from across the Darling Downs region in 4 divisions (Primary, Junior, Intermediate and Senior). This event would not have been possible without the efforts of Mr Stephen Broderick who organised and facilitated the day and wrote and prepared all the questions.

Thank you to the following St Ursula’s students for their participation and commitment throughout the competition.

Junior Teams: Jasmine Cavanough, Emily Moses, Alexis Allen, Eliza Ware, Penelope L’Estrange, Scarlet Haywood, Mirabelle Lee, Lauren Kropp, Emilia Hoey, Charlotte Franklin

Intermediate Teams: Becky Matthews, Saphirra Rogers, Zoe Schultz, Sophia Sansom-Male, Lilah Coombes, Abigail Hargens, Bianca Flanigan, Penelope Cavanough, Annabel Bond, Lara Schultz

Senior Teams: Lucy Ryan, Eve Reimers, Lucy Dyson, Brie Reimers, Pascal Harboe-Green, Evelyn Fuller, Veronica Farrow, Grace Douglas, Abbie Coroneos, Ainslie Austin.

St Ursula’s teams finished 9^th in the Junior Division, 11^th in the Intermediate Division and 11^th in the Senior Division

Congratulations to all who participated.

Left image: Senior Division - Lucy Dyson, Lucy Ryan, Eve Reimers, Briana Reimers, and Pascal Harboe-Green. 

Right image: Intermediate Division – Saphirra Rogers, Becky Matthews, Lilah Coombes, Zoe Schultz and Sophia Sansom-Male.

Protea Place Trivia Night

Usie Animals Service Group

The RSPCA Million Paws Walk is coming to Queens Park on Sunday 25 May at 10am, and we'd love for you to come along and help us make a real difference for vulnerable animals. Every step we take will help the RSPCA continue their vital work. It's a wonderful chance to connect with our community and show our support for a cause that truly matters. We hope to see you and your furry companions there!
Join the St Ursula's team for the Million Paws Walk by registering at https://www.millionpawswalk.com.au/toowoomba 

Care for Cambodia

Care for Cambodia is working to support and help the Mother of Peace Ursuline school in Cambodia and we need your help! Ms Ann Brownlie will be traveling to Cambodia on June 1^st, so we are seeking donations that she can bring with her to the school. We are looking for:

• Puzzles – wooden or plastic – kindergarten/ prep level
• Plastic educational toys – kindergarten/ prep
• Good quality cardboard puzzles – 50 pieces maximum
• Games that would suit 10-12 years of age
• Solar system Posters - this is a priority.
• Water cycle posters
• Body parts posters
• Microscope
• Slides to go under the microscope and an agent to put on samples to view
• Magnifying glasses
• Test tubes or other lab “things” like beakers
• Stethoscope

If you can contribute any of these items, that would be greatly appreciated. Your support will help in aiding education for young children by providing them with basic learning resources. Please bring any donations to A14 over the next coming weeks.

Thank you,

Rose Coren and Chloe Kowitz, Care for Cambodia service group

Photos of Ms. Brownlie and Ms. Watson at the Mother of Grace school in Cambodia.

Transport Assistance Scheme

The Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme (NSSTAS) provides financial assistance for families transporting students to non-state schools in Queensland.

The Scheme has two programs.

• Bus Fare Assistance: assisting families who pay more than the weekly threshold in bus or ferry fares.
• Students with Disability: supporting students with a disability who have demonstrably different transport needs from other students of the same age.

Applications for Semester 1, 2025 open on 1 May 2025. To learn more about the scheme, including eligibility for both programs, visit https://www.schooltransport.com.au.

NSSTAS is a joint initiative of QCEC and Independent Schools Queensland and is funded by the Queensland Government.

St Mary's P&F Race Day

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the St Mary's Parents & Friends Association Raceday will now begin at 12pm on Saturday, 31 May!

The good news is that you still have time to grab your tickets! Sales are open until Thursday, 22 May.

https://www.trybooking.com/CXUWU