Week 2, Term 4 2025 - 14th October 2025
APRE's Reflection
NET Team Visit
In 2025, the Rockhampton Diocese has our own NET team! NET stands for National Evangelisation Teams, and is a Catholic organisation that has provided peer-to-peer youth ministry in schools, parishes and universities across Australia and New Zealand. The NET team have volunteered a year of their lives to share their experience of Jesus with other young people.
Today, our Year 4 and 5 students had the opportunity to work with the wonderful Rockhampton Diocese NET team; Craig, Nathan, Hannah, Sarah & Kali.
Year 4 students participated in a workshop that reminded the students that we can ‘Just Do You’ and we are all special because God made us that way.
With our leadership speeches coming up, the focus of our Year 5 student workshop was servant leadership. The NET team helped the students understand what it means to be a good leader and use Jesus as a model of great leadership.
“The NET team were fun to have around. The final prayer was relaxing.” Theo, 5C
“No matter who you are, always respect others, never give up and try your hardest. We can all be leaders.” Nate Meloni, 5C
“Being a leader is someone you can look up to and something you will always try to be” Archie 5C
“The NET team were so fun and I learnt a lot. It helped me because sometimes I think I need to be better but I’m just fine the way I am.” Annabelle, 4R
“I enjoyed making a monkey from playdough. I learnt that ‘You do you’, not try to be what others want you to be." Claire, 4G
Belinda van Lint
Assistant Principal - Religious Education
From our Principal - Mr Wes Rose
Staff News
- We welcome back Mrs Wood, and we congratulate her on the wedding of her daughter, Serena.
- Ms Lenz is on Long Service Leave this week 2, returning next Tuesday. Please note that there will be no Spanish lessons this week.
- Mrs Lisa Sorbello (Learning Support teacher) and Mrs Ash Carmody (Yr 5 teacher) will attend the regional NCCD reflection meeting this Wed.
- Mrs Caroline Gordon (school WHS Officer) will attend the Diocesan WHS conference in Rockhampton this Wed-Fri.
- The school Leadership Team (Wes, Belinda and Belinda) will attend the Regional Strategic Planning Meeting this Thursday. Leadership teams from all the Mackay Region Catholic Primary Schools will attend this meeting, where we begin to set our 2026 strategic directions. Mrs Paul is acting principal in our absence.
Musical Performance – Thursday
This Thursday, we invite all parents to attend the special performance of the ‘Hot Potato Band’ in St Mary’s Hall from 2pm. This eclectic band is well known across Australia for their high-energy performances and amazing musical abilities. They will also host a workshop with our school band during the middle session on Thursday, which is sure to be a highlight of our band members year! All parents are most welcome to attend the concert at 2pm in our hall; it is sure to be a very entertaining event!
P&F Meeting
Please note that the next P&F Meeting will be held tonight (Tuesday 14th Oct) from 6-7pm in the staffroom. All parents are most welcome to attend.
Parent Help Needed – New Turf Laying
We have 600 square metres of new turf being delivered to lay on the new back block at school. We require some parent helpers who can assist us to lay this turf, this Friday 17th Oct from 7am. If you can only make it a bit later [8ish], your help will still be appreciated.
Many hands make light work, so if you're available and willing to assist, it would be most appreciated if you could register your assistance via this link. If you intend to help, it is recommended that you wear suitable clothing, hat and gardening shoes, and perhaps even bring your own set of gloves. Let me know if you have any questions. Kind Regards, Wes Rose
NSSAB Review – Next Tuesday
All non-government schools in Queensland are accredited by the Non-State Schools Accreditation Board (NSSAB). NSSAB works predominantly with governing bodies of non-State schools on aspects of accreditation and funding eligibility. Next Tue, we will host a visit from an officer of NSSAB, who will tour the school and inspect various elements of the school (curriculum program, record keeping, facilities, etc.) as part of our 5-yearly accreditation. We will also have members of our head office visiting during this time.
Families Leaving
As our total enrolment drives many aspects of our school (staffing, budget, class sizes and structure) it is important that we try to be as accurate as possible in predicting the school enrolment for next year. If you know that you will be leaving at the end of the year, please notify the office as soon as possible. Your assistance with this matter is greatly appreciated.
Quote of the Week
“Kindness is free to give, but priceless to receive.
- anonymous
2026 Booklists
**PLEASE NOTE: 2026 BOOKLISTS WILL BE EMAILED TO ALL PARENTS THIS WEEK**
Orders for next year's booklists can only be placed online here or by emailing your order to admin@mackayschoolsupplies.com.au We cannot accept paper orders at the school office. Orders are due by Wednesday 29th October and must be paid for prior to delivery.
PLEASE NOTE: Orders can still be placed after 29th October, however these packs will need to be collected directly from Mackay School Supplies located in the Mackay Showgrounds.
Book pack collection times are: Monday 1st December 8am-8:30am and 2:45-3:15pm in the School Hall.
If you have any queries, please contact Michelle at Mackay School Supplies on 0432 515 407 or ask at the school office.
Each year level booklist can be viewed by clicking the appropriate link below.
News from our APRE
Mercy Works Fundraiser – Donations Needed!
On Wednesday 29th October, the St Mary’s Student Leaders of Justice will be hosting market stalls to raise funds for Mercy Works. All students will have the opportunity to browse and buy from the stalls during the day.
We’re seeking donations of pre-loved books, toys, and games to help make this event a success. If you’re able to contribute, please drop off your items at the school office by Tuesday 28th October.
Thank you for supporting this wonderful cause!
Socktober is here!
Let’s kick some goals for a great cause!
Please support the Catholic Mission by bringing in a gold coin donation to decorate a sock each Friday during Socktober. Your generosity will help make a real difference in the lives of those in need.
⚽💛 Every coin counts!
Vinnies Christmas Appeal
The Vinnies Christmas Appeal serves to bring joy to families and individuals who may need a little extra support. The Christmas Season for most, is often a time of celebrating with family and friends, sharing in the joy of giving and receiving presents, laughing over family traditions and silly season moments. However, for 2.2 million Australians, including families and 750,000 children, living below the poverty line, it can be a time when meeting even their most basic needs, like having food on the table, a place to call home, or keeping the lights on is a real struggle.
This year, St Mary’s is once again joining with the St Vincent de Paul Society to make this Christmas a season filled with joy. Students are invited to donate goods to be made into hampers or gifts to sit under the tree. The following list contains many items to be included in a basic hamper for Christmas lunch but you may also wish to put in other optional items as well. To uphold the dignity of those receiving the hampers, please ensure that all food items are not due to expire for another six months and are in date and in good condition. To personalise the hampers, some options students could also make make/personalise gift tags with Christmas wishes and thoughts that can be attached to the hampers.
Please Note: Our Year 2 classes will be supporting the 2025 Mackay Seafarers Christmas Shoebox Appeal 2025. This year the Seafarers aim to do up 1000 packs up for seafarers for Christmas within our region from Abbot Point, Mackay, Hay Point & DBCT. Items to be donated include; toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, razors, soap, card games, socks, beanies, lollies, small tissue packs, small bottles of sunscreen, puzzle books etc.
Belinda van Lint
Assistant Principal - Religious Education
Term 4 Clubs
This term, we are offering several lunch time clubs to all students. Please encourage your child to participate if they are interested.
P & F News
We have been truly overwhelmed by the generosity and support for our upcoming Christmas Fair! A big THANK YOU to all our wonderful sponsors and donations so far — especially our two major sponsors, EHS Parts & Components and Mackay Cycles.
It’s not too late to get involved!
We still have general sponsorship opportunities available and would greatly appreciate any contributions to our Cent Sale — whether it's a gift, voucher, or cash donation.
Your support makes a big difference. Thank you!
Melissa McGuiness
Events Coordinator
Student of the Week
Week 1, Term 4 Student Award Winners
| PC | Kwalutafe B | For your kind and cheerful approach to school! Kwalutafe, you always listen attentively, follow instructions, and give every task your best effort. Your thoughtful and caring nature shines through in the way you support your Prep friends, always looking out for them and offering help with a warm smile. Prep C is lucky to have you! |
| PC | Aidan D | Aidan, your teachers are incredibly proud of your determination and enthusiasm when tackling every task. Throughout the year, you have continued to amaze us with your effort, growth, and all that you have achieved. Keep up the fantastic work! |
| PR | Archer P | For the effort you show during maths lesson. You are working hard to represent numbers in different ways and you are becoming more confident with this. Well done! |
| PR | Sophia W | For showing maturity by taking on feedback to improve your neatness, sentence structure and vocabulary choices in writing. Wow, you have made your teachers so proud! |
| 1B | Summer M | For showing fantastic problem-solving skills while working through division problems with your group in maths. Great thinking Summer! |
| 1C | Scarlette G | For a great start to term four! You have been thoughtfully following all class and school rules. Mrs Cleaver loves the way you have been respectively participating in class discussions and activities. Keep up the super effort Scarlette! |
| 1C | Blair M | For a great start to term four! You have been keen to learn and participate across all subject areas. Mrs Cleaver loves your quick thinking in maths, while remaining respectful when taking turns in group scenarios. Keep up the awesome effort Blair! |
| 2A | Leo A | For the creativity and care you take with your drawings and the thoughtful Holiday Reflection. You've started the term with such a focused and positive attitude — keep up the fantastic work Leo! |
| 2A | Kobi S | For the growth you have made in so many wonderful ways this year. It has been a joy to watch you build meaningful friendships and develop confidence in yourself and your abilities—you are a truly valued and inspiring member of our 2A classroom. Keep shining and keep growing! |
| 2L | Henley K | Henley, you have shown great effort in completing tasks during the first week back at school. Your persistence and focus are a fantastic start to the term. Keep up the huge effort! |
| 2L | Zoey L | Zoey, your reading during Boost groups this week has been a delight to hear. Your phrasing and expression bring each story to life with musical fluency. Keep up the wonderful effort you're making to build your vocabulary and recognise sounds in words more easily. Well done! |
| 3M | Raine M | For your fantastic start to the term and the impressive progress you’ve shown in maths and reading! Keep up the wonderful work. |
| 3P | Bowen E | For a great start to Term 4. You’ve shown fantastic focus and participation during our Boost Reading sessions this week. Bowen, your enthusiasm for reading has been clear in the way you engage with texts and share your ideas. Keep up the wonderful work! |
| 3P | Levi M | For a great start to Term 4. It’s been great to see you approach all learning tasks and activities with enthusiasm. You’ve worked hard during our Automathic Maths Mentals challenges. Keep up the wonderful work Levi! |
| 4G | Jacob R | Your teacher is impressed by the way you can explain your mathematical thinking clearly and confidently. You take the time to describe your strategies and reasoning, helping others understand different ways to solve problems. Keep up the great work Jacob! |
| 4G | Ramani S | You have shown wonderful expression and confidence when reading during Boost sessions this week. It’s great to see you bringing stories to life and reading with such enthusiasm and understanding. Keep up the awesome reading Ramani! |
| 4R | Alfie M | For your cheerful and enthusiastic attitude towards all classroom tasks. Your bright smile and positive energy uplift everyone around you. Your teacher is so impressed with the way you approach each day with curiosity and a willingness to try your best. Keep up the fantastic work Alfie! |
| 4R | Riley D | For consistently demonstrating excellent organization, a keen readiness to learn, and a strong commitment to putting in your best in every task. Your focused attitude and responsible approach set a wonderful example for your classmates. Keep up the great effort Riley! |
| 5C | Abigail B | For your hard work in fluency partners and dedication to improving not only your own reading fluency but also your partner’s. Your attentive feedback and consistent encouragement have made a positive impact on those around you. Congratulations on being a shining example of commitment and teamwork! |
| 5C | Ava J | For your hard work in fluency partners and dedication to improving not only your own reading fluency but also your partner’s. Your attentive feedback and consistent encouragement have made a positive impact on those around you. Congratulations on being a shining example of commitment and teamwork! |
| 5F | Bethany M | For showing increased confidence in the classroom and consistently trying your best with your work, especially in assessments. Keep up the great work and continue striving for success! Well done! |
| 5F | Finn S | For consistently contributing to class discussions with focused and well-considered responses. Thank you for enriching our learning environment with your positive participation. |
| 5F | Lily M | For your thoughtful and in-depth responses in your religion assessment on making informed moral decisions. You should be proud of your effort—we certainly are! |
| 6C | Brydie E | For your conscientious approach towards your Mathematics lesson and your willingness to share your approach with our Weigh it Up Wednesday focus this week. It is wonderful to see you apply your knowledge to new situations. |
| 6C | Jai N | For your insightful contributions and curious nature during English lessons. It is great to see you participating and asking questions to deepen your understanding of media influences in our lives. Keep up the great work Jai. |
| 6T | Matilda A | For the constant hard work and dedication you have shown towards your learning. You have demonstrated great qualities in preparation for high school next year. You are a wonderful role model for our class. Well done, Matilda! |
| 6T | Keegan S | Your dedication and maturity in your learning is inspiring. You consistently challenge yourself and approach every task with focus and determination. Keep up the fantastic work, Keegan! |
| Sport | Class 1B | What a positive start to term 4 you had. Fantastic listening, great sportsmanship and lots of resilience and determination shown throughout our lesson this week. Keep it up. |
| Sport | Class 5C | What a positive start to term 4 you had. You all gave your best when learning the new sport of Sof Crosse and made sure that you watched and listened carefully to demonstrations to develop your throwing and catching skills. Keep it up. |
Community News
