22 October 2025 — Week 3, Term 4
Welcome from the Principal
Dear Families
From Little Things Big Things Grow
Whilst this statement is relatively benign, its implications are particularly far reaching. Whether we choose to concentrate on the negative or positive aspects of life, it is those little things that can make a huge difference. I constantly use this statement not only to the students of St Patrick’s but to my own children at home. My son greets my inevitable conversation about the little things in life with varying degrees of trepidation. But as a family, we truly believe that it is the little things in life that will make a huge difference. Take for example, the St Patrick’s Parish Fete that was held recently. What an example of making a huge difference to our local community! From the little things like the Animal Petting Zoo, Sideshow Alley, Sheaf Pitching, Anything Goes, Student Choir Performance and the many stalls littered around the grounds, all together, providing a wonderful community event. The buzz going around the school on Friday was testament to this fact. The positive relationships built and cemented between the parish, staff and students of the school and our parents are unquantifiable. As Father's Murray, Rod and Warren would attest, the primary aim of the St Patrick's Parish and School Fete is the building of relationships between the parish, school and wider Allora community.
I would also like to extend my most sincere thank you to the St Patrick's P&F Association. Their passion and commitment to the school never ceases to amaze me. Whilst the school's P&F Association has been extremely busy across the year from their annual Family Fun Day, Charity Camp Draft and St Patrick's Parish and School Fete, their commitment to the children of St Patrick's School has never wavered. I would also like to acknowledge the funds raised from the Pacific Seeds Charity Camp Draft which was presented to the school on Friday, 13 October. This $96 500.00 will be used in the Prep precinct refurbishment which is planned for the latter stages of Term 4, 2026. Thank you once again to all members of the St Patrick's P&F Association. The success of 2025 has been a real team effort.
As always, if you have any queries or concerns, please contact the school.
Keith Blaikie—Principal
Keith.Blaikie@twb.catholic.edu.au
Celebrating the Unsung Heroes: Our Teachers
As we look forward with much anticipation to World Teachers’ Day on Friday, 31 October, it is a perfect moment to reflect on the invaluable contributions of teachers around the globe. Teachers are the cornerstone of our societies and are very much unsung heroes, shaping the minds and hearts of future generations. Their dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to education deserve our utmost respect and gratitude.
Teachers do more than just impart knowledge; they inspire curiosity, foster critical thinking, and nurture the potential within each student. They create safe and inclusive environments where students can explore, question, and grow. Through their guidance, students learn not only academic skills but also life lessons that shape their character and values.
The impact of teachers extends far beyond the classroom walls. They often serve as mentors, counsellors, and role models, providing support and encouragement to students facing various challenges. In times of crisis, teachers are often the first to step up, ensuring that learning continues despite the odds. Their resilience and adaptability have been especially evident during the recent global pandemic, where they swiftly transitioned to online teaching, ensuring that education remained uninterrupted.
Happy World Teachers’ Day to all the educators out there and in particular, our hard-working teachers and school officers of St Patrick’s School. Your hard work and dedication make the world a better place, one student at a time. All staff will celebrate World Teachers' Day on Tuesday, 28 October with a shared lunch provided by the school.
End of Year Celebrations
In order to help planning for the school’s Week 9 celebrations, St Patrick’s School would like to confirm the following events. An invitation is extended to all parents and members of the wider school community to each event.
- Tuesday 2 December - End of Year Whole School Mass
- commences at 9:30am in the St Patrick’s Parish Church
- uniform – formal for Years 1 to 6 and sports uniform for Prep
- All parents are most welcome to attend!
- Thursday 4 December - Year 6 and Whole School Awards Ceremony
- commences at 6:00pm in the St Patrick’s Parish Church
- students arrive at 5:45pm and meet their classroom teacher outside the western doors of the Church
- uniform – Formal for Years 1 to 6 and Sports uniform for Prep
- Please Note – There will be no BBQ prior to the awards this year
- Special Guests - Dr. Patrick Coughlan (Executive Director TCSO) Mrs. Carla Pidgeon (Counsellor - Southern Downs Regional Council)
- Friday 5 December – St Patrick’s School Christmas Concert
- commences at 10:30am in the St Patrick’s Parish Church
- uniform – Sports uniform from Prep to Year 6
- Morning Tea will be held from 10:00am until 10:30am – All are welcome to attend. Please enjoy a hot beverage and piece of graduation cake to celebrate.
- students are permitted to leave from 12:00pm with their parents
- school will be open as per normal until 2:55pm to supervise students if required
As always, please contact the school if you have any questions or queries.
General Information
Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme
The Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme (NSSTAS), funded by the State Government and
administered by QCEC, provides financial assistance to families transporting children to non-state
schools in Queensland.
The Scheme’s Bus Fare Assistance Program (BFAP) provides a rebate above a threshold amount to
eligible families whose student attends a non-state school outside the Brisbane City Council boundary.
Setting a threshold, to be self-funded, is necessary to ensure the funding provided by the State
Government is adequate to meet demand.
The threshold is reviewed by the NSSTAS Reference Committee every semester and adjusted based on
available cash reserves and anticipated demand. It is set before the start of the upcoming semester to
ensure schools and families can appropriately plan their travel arrangements.
The weekly family threshold for Semester 2 2025 was set by the Committee in March 2025 at $40 ($30
for a concession card holder). Applications for Semester 2 2025 travel are currently open and can be
made online until 31 October 2025 at www.SchoolTransport.com.au.
The Reference Committee is pleased to advise that the weekly family threshold for Semester 1 2026 will
remain at $40 ($30 for a concession card holder). Applications for Semester 1 2026 travel open online
in May 2026.
Further information about the Scheme is available at www.SchoolTransport.com.au.
St Patrick’s School Advisory Council (Board)
As per the TCSO Parent engagement charter …"the partnership between parents and staff of schools is key in achieving our purpose of ‘enabling full and flourishing lives’ for students, staff and families.” The St Patrick’s School Advisory Council provides another avenue for parents to engage within the wider school community. The school is looking for new volunteers and would welcome parents, particularly from our early years, to be part of the St Patrick’s School Advisory Council for 2026.
The St Patrick’s School Advisory Council provides a crucial point of connection between the wider school community and school leaders. While the St Patrick’s School Advisory Council does not have governance responsibility or decision-making authority, it supports the principal and school leadership and provides an important connection to the parish and school community.
It is important that St Patrick’s School Advisory Council members understand that their primary role is to provide support and advice on important school matters to support the principal in the context of Toowoomba Catholic Schools governance arrangements. St Patrick’s School Advisory Councils do not have a legal identity and do not become involved in the day-to-day management of the school. The St Patrick’s School Advisory Council must act within the parameters of this Constititution.
The following are some ways the St Patrick’s School Advisory Council supports the school and the principal:
- articulating and enacting the school’s vision and mission
- promoting the school’s Catholic ethos and culture
- promoting education programs, faith formation and development
- in the development of school policies as required
- in the interpretation of Toowoomba Catholic Schools policies within the school context
- giving advice to the principal on issues such as the school strategic plan
- engaging in discussion with the principal about the annual school budget and other financial matters
- giving advice to the principal about master planning
- giving advice in relation to capital resource planning and maintenance.
It does not take on the role of a Parent Engagement Network, a fundraising forum or fete organising committee.
If you would like any further information, please contact Keith Blaikie in person or via email – Keith.Blaikie@twb.catholic.edu.au
St Patrick's Parish and School Fete
The St Patrick’s Parish and School Fete is more than just a fun evening out - it’s a cherished tradition that brings together generations of families, friends, and community members in Allora. As one of the only parish-school fetes still running in the Diocese of Toowoomba, it holds a special place in the hearts of many.
The success of the fete is largely due to the generosity of the many supporters who provide either financial sponsorship or goods and services. As a school community, we cannot thank our generous sponsors enough for their support. Events like these are not possible without them. We have also included the Art Union and Multi Draw Raffle winners for your information.
Bar Sponsor:
- Blue Cow Hotel
Art Union Sponsors:
- John and Cathy Cowley
- Merivale Farms
- Victoria Lamb
Major Sponsors
- Allora Medical Centre
- Allora Pharmacy
- FKE Haulage
- Kevin & Dianne Ryan
- Maher Sand & Gravel
- Plumbowe
- Railway Hotel
Sponsors
- Allora Butchery
- Allora School Bus
- Amy's Country Cafe
- Black Toyota
- Brown and Hurley
- Danny Lyons Sports
- Leading Property Services
- Repco Warwick
- Wilson and Rigby Smash Repairs
St Patrick's P&F Meeting - Wednesday 29 October 2025
The next St Patrick's P&F Meeting will take place on Wednesday, 29 October commencing at 6:00pm. Parents may attend either in person or online and everyone is welcome to attend.
As always, if you have any questions or queries, please contact the school or the St Patrick's P&F directly via email at stpatspnf@gmail.com.
Liturgical Life of the School
Socktober 2025
As October traditionally focuses on the missionary work undertaken around the world, St Patrick’s School will make a concerted effort to focus on Socktober in Term 4. Socktober engages Australian students to make a difference by raising awareness and critical funds for mission programs supporting children from disadvantaged and vulnerable backgrounds in many countries around the world. The Glengallan P.O.P (People of Purpose) committee will be the drivers of this initiative in the school and through their leadership, all students in the school will explore the fundamentals of Catholic Social Teaching. We have provided an example of the Mission Pack below for your information.
Each Mission Pack points to applicable Catholic Social Teaching that relate to the theme and the activities within. Socktober draws on Human Dignity, Solidarity, Common Good, Preferential Option for the Poor, Stewardship of Creation, and Subsidiarity among others. We look forward to a very exciting month of activities ahead, especially the crazy sock day!
Program of Activities for Week 4
- Monday 27 October to Thursday 30 October - Individual classes will be invited to construct a 'sockball' under the guidance of Glengallan students (plastic bags, newspaper, old clothes will be required)
- How to make a sockball - https://www.socktober.org.au/the-power-of-the-sockball
- Friday 31 October - Sockball Penalty Shoot Out with staff volunteers commencing at 11:05am
- Friday 31 October - Crazy Sock Day (Gold coin donation would be most appreciated for Catholic Missions)
- Friday 31 October - Zooper Doopers on sale for 50cents (Snack for Bus students/ 2:55pm for all other students and parents) All proceeds go to Catholic Missions)
Upcoming events
- Tuesday 28 October - Parish Mass (Glengallan to attend)
- Wednesday 29 October - St Patrick's Playgroup from 9:00am to 10:30am
- Friday 31 October - Whole School Assembly in the Church commencing at 2:15pm
- Friday 31 October - Happy World Teachers' Day
- Friday 31 October - Crazy Sock Day (Gold coin donation would be most appreciated for Catholic Missions)
- Friday 31 October - Zooper Doopers on sale for 50cents (Snack for Bus students/ 2:55pm for all other students and parents) All proceeds go to Catholic Missions)
- Saturday 1 November - St Patrick's Care and Concern Home Visits from 9:00am to 11:00am
- Monday 3 November to Friday 7 November - St Patrick's Book Fair (Parish Meeting Room) Access times TBC
- Tuesday 4 November - Parish Mass (Dalrymple to attend)
- Wednesday 5 November - Newsletter
See the Sentral calendar for more information.
Reminders
Uniform Days
Summer Uniform (commences Monday 1 September 2025)
Formal - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
Sports - Wednesday, Friday
Please remember that we are a...
‘Nut Aware’ School.
Times for Mass at St Patrick's Church are as follows:
1st Sunday - 9:00am 2nd and 3rd Sunday – 5:30pm
4th & 5th Sunday Liturgy of the Word with Communion - 9:00am
