7 May 2025 — Week 3, Term 2
Welcome from the Principal
Dear Families
The great Tiger Woods would most certainly agree that my golfing ability leaves a little bit to be desired, after winning yet another 'wooden spoon' at the St Patrick's P&F Golf Day. Whilst there were some memorable shots around the golf course, for me, it was the banter and laughter amongst our group, as we looked for that elusive golf ball or to tried to read the slope of the green, which provided the real authentic highlights. Observing the interactions between our parents, students and visitors at the St Patrick's P&F Family Fun Day reminded me of the importance of community and our future as a Catholic community is only strengthened on days such as the family fun day. As Dr. Coughlan (TCSO Executive Director) highlighted to me earlier in my principalship...there is a need and constant challenge for us all to remain faithful to our mission as Catholic educators. In other words…
“Catholic education is about more than test scores. Our work is essentially formative.
Staying on Mission purpose is to bring together all the dimensions of the human person, so that he or she becomes someone capable of pursuing truth in the spirit of love. Forming the hearts, minds and identities of students is invisible work that no one can fully measure on a chart.
Catholic schools are not factories or businesses, they are places of human development, places of potential, not products. Our core business is providing high-quality teaching and learning experiences for every student within a distinctively Catholic environment. This is the real story that sits behind and beside the measurable data collected on student outcomes, and the reason why this data is important.
We cannot waver on this commitment to keep the formation and nurturing of students at the centre of all we do and resist the growing temptation to turn learning into a win/lose lottery. That would be a sure sign that we have abandoned our Catholic identity.”
Dr. Neil Carrington delivered a keynote address at the Principals’ Forum back in 2022 and talked about culture which still resonates with me today. Whether it is my lifelong fascination of anything aeronautical, the graphic presented to us was used to discuss and frame our thinking about culture and our ‘why’. The graphic (see above) depicts a summary of the damage sustained by planes returning from missions over Europe in 1944. Like anything, the ability to think laterally or from a distinctive perspective can be a very powerful tool. Engineers upon looking at this graphic reinforced the areas where the red spots grouped together. But another engineer decided to look at the points where there was no damage and maybe it was these areas that required closer attention. Was the damage sustained around the front of the plane, near the engines or in the middle of the wings the cause for many planes to crash?
In terms of St Patrick’s School Allora, it would be interesting to define the distinctively Catholic environment of our school. Hopefully evidence would point to the school’s inclusive culture, where our faith is an invitation to all people and that our relationships centre on hospitality, respect and a sense of welcome, permeate every aspect of the school community.
As you would all be aware, this Sunday marks the celebration of Mother’s Day for 2025. I am forever reminded of the example set by my grandmother, mother and by my wife Eylece in their unconditional love and support they have provided over the years. As a result, Easter is a very poignant time for Mother’s Day because mothers are people who give life. They try to see that their children are fed, healed, comforted and protected. We give thanks for our mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, godmothers, aunts and anyone who is like a mother to us. We salute you. With this in mind, I would like to remind you of the Mother’s Day Liturgy this Thursday commencing at 9:30am. Miss Hickey is world renowned for her liturgies and we look forward, as a school community, for another reflective message.
As always, if you have any queries or concerns, please contact the school.
Keith Blaikie—Principal
Keith.Blaikie@twb.catholic.edu.au
St Patrick's P&F Family Fun Day
General Information
St Patrick's Parents and Friends Association
The weather gods were certainly on our side for the annual St Patrick's P&F Family Fun Day which was held on Saturday 3 May. Given this event has been rescheduled from Term 1 and it coincided with a long weekend, the event was still well supported by our school community. As always, we need to thank the 34 local businesses who pledged their support behind the St Patrick's P&F Family Fun Day. Our sincere thanks must go to these supporters. As a school community, we also need to thank the many parents who helped out on the day to make this event a huge success. From the cooking of the BBQ, selling of raffle tickets or organisation of the golf and bowls events, you are truly appreciated and we thank you.
Please find attached to this email the P&F Meeting Minutes from 23 April 2025 and the prize winners from Saturday's multi-draw raffles. As the St Patrick's P&F Family Fun Day winds down for another year, the St Patrick's Camp Draft and Parish Fete are firmly on the horizon. If you would like to be involved in the organising committee for the St Patrick's Parish and School Fete, you are invited to the first meeting of the year on Monday 12 May 2025 commencing at 6:30pm in the Parish Meeting. Anyone is most welcome to attend!!
Social Events - Term 2
The following social events have been confirmed for Term 2:
- Thursday 8 May - Mother's Day Liturgy commencing at 9:30am in the Church followed by morning tea.
- Friday 20 June - St Patrick's P&F Family Get-Together at 3:00pm at the Railway Hotel.
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.
Teaching and Learning
First Nations Perspectives - ACARA version 9 curriculum
On Tuesday 29 April, staff from St Patrick's School Allora and St Francis de Sales Clifton came together for a Staff Twilight Professional Development session with Mrs. Tawana Carmody who is an Education Officer: First Nations Education with TCSO. Mrs. Carmody unpacked the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) version 9 curriculum with our staff. In particular, there was a focus on the cross-curriculum priorities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures. This is one of three cross-curriculum priorities with the other two including Sustainability and Asia. Cross-curriculum priorities support and deepen student engagement with learning area content and are best developed within the context of learning areas.
To further explore and understand Australian First Nations Peoples’ living communities and identities, we unpacked the Living Communities and Identity graphic (see below). This framework articulates and supports the acquisition of deeper knowledge and understanding through the three interconnected aspects of Country/Place, Culture and People. The graphic also depicts Living Communities and Identity as central to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures. Australians should know that Australian First Nations Peoples form significant, diverse and resilient living communities within contemporary society.
Country/ Place
- Recognises the special connection to Country/Place and celebrates the unique belief systems that connect Australian First Nations Peoples physically and spiritually to Country/Place.
- Positions First Nations Australians as the Traditional Owners of Country/Place and highlights how native title law recognises the rights and interests of both the First Peoples of Australia and the First Nations Peoples of the Torres Strait in Country/Place.
- Acknowledges the impacts of colonisation and the doctrine of terra nullius on First Nations Australians’ ownership of, and access to, Country/Place.
Culture
- Examines the cultural diversity of the First Peoples of Australia and the First Nations Peoples of the Torres Strait, including their unique ways of being, knowing, thinking and doing.
- Recognises Australia’s First Peoples as belonging to the world’s oldest continuous cultures and acknowledges the many historic and enduring impacts on the cultures of First Nations Australians.
- Clarifies that the cultures of First Nations Australians are not static and have internationally enshrined special rights that ensure they can be maintained, controlled, protected and developed.
People
- Acknowledges the occupation of the Australian continent by the First Peoples of Australia for more than 60,000 years.
- Highlights that Australia has 2 distinct First Nations Peoples, each encompassing a diversity of nations and peoples.
- Examines the sophisticated social organisation systems, protocols, kinship structures and the significant contributions of First Nations Australians' histories and cultures on a local, national and global scale.
In a practical context, examples of individual year levels were also provided by Mrs. Carmody, where the inclusion of the cross curriculum priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures could be included in lesson ideas. A sample of a Year 1 lesson has been included for your information.
Staff from both schools will continue this deep dive into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures throughout the remainder of the year. We would also like to thank Mr Redinger who very kindly supplied fresh pizza for all staff who were in attendance.
Religious Life of the School
Diocesan Requiem Mass for Pope Francis
Students from Glengallan provided a short reflection about their experiences at the recent Diocesan Requiem Mass held in Toowoomba.
On Monday 28 April four students; William, Lachlan, Katelyn and Mahailia, went to Toowoomba with Assumption College Warwick to represent St Patrick’s School at a Requiem Mass to celebrate the life of Pope Francis. It was a wonderful experience for us all to sit in the Cathedral and participate in this very solemn Mass. We also took time to think about Pope Francis and how he wanted to bring peace to the world. Overall, the Mass taught us to be more like Pope Francis in everything we do and how we need to help the poor, the less unfortunate and marginalised of society, just like Pope Francis did throughout this life. (Lachlan E and William S - Year 6)
Special mention also needs to be made of Mrs Hammond from Assumption College who volunteered to help transport the St Patrick’s School students and staff to and from Toowoomba. Your help is greatly appreciated!
A Prayer for his Holiness Pope Francis
Loving God,
We commend to Your eternal care
Your faithful servant, Pope Francis.
We remember his life of humble service,
his genuine commitment to the poor and marginalised,
his tireless efforts to bring compassion, mercy and
justice to the world.
He was a shepherd who walked with his flock –
choosing simplicity over splendor,
dialogue over division,
and love over judgment.
Pope Francis challenged us to faith in action,
that the Church must be a field hospital for the wounded.
Lord, may we be people inspired by such witness
and that of Pope Francis’ desire to build bridges
among peoples of all faiths.
May his soul now rest in peace and may his
example inspire each of us to follow Christ with
humility and joy.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
Amen.
Source: National Catholic Education Commission 21/04/2025
Upcoming events
- Thursday 8 May - Mother's Day Liturgy commencing at 9:30am in the Church followed by morning tea
- Friday 9 May - Southern Downs Cross Country (nominated students only)
- Sunday 11 May - Mother's Day
- Monday 12 May - St Patrick's Parish and School Fete Planning Meeting commencing at 6:30pm in the Parish Meeting Room
- Wednesday 14 May - St Patrick's Playgroup commencing at 9:00am to 10:30am
- Wednesday 14 May - Prep 2026 'Come and Try' commencing at 9:00am to 10:30am
- Thursday 15 May - Year 6 to attend 'Cyber safety' workshop at the Allora P to 10 State School commencing at 10:00am to 12:00pm (Proudly sponsored by SCOPE Allora)
- Thursday 15 May - Parent Information Session 'Hannah's Story' presented by Michael Jeh commencing at 7:00pm in the Allora P to 10 State School Hall - All parents are most welcome to attend!!
- Friday 16 May - Central Downs Gala Day # 1 (Dalrymple/ Glengallan students only) at Allora P to 10 State School
- Friday 16 May - NO TUCKSHOP
- Saturday 17 May - St Patrick's P&F Care and Concern home visits from 9:00am to 11:00am - All are welcome to attend! (Please meet in the St Patrick's carpark - Arnold Street)
- Wednesday 21 May - Newsletter
See the Sentral calendar for more information.
Reminders
Uniform Days
Winter Uniform (commences Tuesday 6 May 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 - 9am 2nd and 3rd Sunday – 5.30pm
4th & 5th Sunday Liturgy of the Word with Communion - 9am
