“Find

happiness in making others

happy.” Mary

Mackillop -1867

St Stephen’s Catholic School

Newsletter T E R M 4 W E E K 3 1 9 T H O C T O B E R 2 0 1 6

Student Protection

Resources for Parents

Legal Aid:

For free legal advice –

1300 651 188

Child Safety Services:

You can make a re-

port or voice your

concerns -

1300 683 390

Principal’s Message

Reminder:

School Banking -

Thursdays.

Yesterday was Consistency of Teacher Judgement Day across the Toowoomba Diocese. The teachers from our school gathered together in the library to look at writing samples from two other schools in our region. Our school shared writing samples from our students with the other schools in our group. Whilst it was a fantastic learning day for teachers, it was also a great team day. Following the moderation of the writing samples, the staff worked together on proficiency standards for punctuation from prep to year 6. I felt a great sense of accom-plishment at the end of the day and was also very proud of how the teachers had collaborat-ed on the whole school’s writing. Together we can do great things. It was one of the themes of talk given by Sr Michelle Shipperley during her launch of the centenary book “Celebrate our Spirit”. A truly an inspiring talk! I emailed Sr Michelle and requested a copy of her speech. On the eve of our patronal week end I would like to share it with you. BOOK LAUNCH OF CELEBRATE OUR SPIRIT “It is an honour to be here this evening to launch this book. Celebrate Our Spirit is a real suc-cess story. This collection of historical facts, life experiences, family pride and educational prowess captures the spirit of the hundred years of the charism of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. I recently read a chapter from the Crossing of the Unknown Sea, referred to by the Irish as the Trasna. When we are young, we imagine that we are doing everything ourselves. We have our work because we deserve it. We believe that we generate our own opportunities, our own luck, our own unstoppable bodies. There must be something to this, we intuit, that our fate varies according to those powers of attention which we bring to the frontiers of our young lives. But as we grow older, we grow wiser as to the extent of those powers; there is anoth-er, profounder way, in which we are dependent not only in invisible ways of the inheritance of others but literally and physically on what we have been given by those who have gone before us. David Whyte Celebrate Our Spirit recalls the present and hearkens back to the past. We are reminded of 1916 when Fr John Ryan, parish priest of Pittsworth welcomed a community of Josephites. Four Sisters made up the first community and next door to their house, was a place for board-ers. There were 140 pupils in the school and many pupils rode their horses to school and while the children were being taught, their ponies grazed in a paddock adjacent to the school grounds. The Sisters also provided music tuition and trained very good musicians whose ac-complishments were appreciated by the people in the district. This book recounts many of the events that have woven this community together over the years. I spent some of my youthful years in this thriving town and still remember with fond-ness the children and families. I remember the generosity of the people, their kindness and their respect; I recall the lovely convent we lived in; I loved the grape vine on the fence and the nectarine tree in the back yard. This is the town in which I learnt to drive. I remember taking the car out bravely by myself for the first time to practice in some lonely paddocks where I became bogged! I was rescued by a group of bikies! That taught me a lesson!

P A G E 2

Principal’s Message cont

The children were delightful. Getting back to the grape vine and the nectarines – there was a precocious little fellow who was sent to me for rogueish acts. I asked him “What have you done?” He replied “Where do you want me to start”. I said “How about the grape vine?” which was why he was visiting me in the office. I also recall the friendships I made, some of which still endure. You will all have your own stories. Celebrate Our Spirit has generously captured the overall history of events and family, many glimpses which are pertinent to different ages and stag-es during the 100 years that we are celebrating today. I wish to thank Kay Mahoney and Mary Sullivan for the compilation of this great and valu-able book. I am sure that most of you love mulling over the stories and years of lives well lived. We would stand barely a chance in the world if we did not rely from cradle to grave on

what has been handed down from those who have lived and worked before us. … The

story is much larger and longer than our own, and we are all in the gift of other stories

that we are only now joining….We are all the gift of much older

work, we are only looked after by other eyes, and we are only preparing ourselves for an invitation to join something larger. David Whyte I congratulate the Principal Janine Butlin and the teachers of St Stephen’s on this wonder-ful occasion. I thank Mary and Kaye and all those who contributed to the production of Celebrate Our Spirit. I encourage you all to continue walking in the footsteps of St Mary Mackillop. I have much pleasure in launching Celebrate Our Spirit. Congratulations and enjoy! On Sunday we will gather together as a community for mass and fellowship. During the morning we will rebury the time capsule. We will include all the wonderful memories that we created together as a TEAM on the week end of the 6th and 7th August. See you there. God Bless, Janine

P A G E 3

From the APRE’s Desk This Sunday (23rd October) we celebrate our final School Family Mass at 9am followed by the annual

Parish Feast Day Celebrations. The Mass is in MacKillop Hall and the celebrations are in the school

grounds. The Parish Fun Day includes;

The drawing of the Silver Circle

Reburying of the Time Capsule (assisted by two lucky students – names drawn on the day)

Morning Tea

BBQ lunch

Games for children including – bottle stall, SPLAT the Teacher, face painting, quoits, paper plane

throwing competition

Decorated bike or scooter competition

All monies raised on the day go towards the much needed renovations on the church. Painting has

begun this week and will continue for the next three weeks. Whilst the church is out of action, MacKil-

lop Hall will be the venue for all masses, except for weekday masses which, with the exception of All

Souls Day Mass (1st November), will be in the meeting room at the presbytery. The year 2 mass adver-

tised for next Wednesday as been cancelled.

With our Mission Day prayer celebration coming up on the 26th of October (facilitated by Year 4), it is

mindful that we remember the Catholic Social Teaching of Preferential Option for the Poor. This term,

as we have done for some years, students will participate in activities to raise money and awareness of

those in the world less fortunate than us, in particular those assisted by The Mission for Mercy. On

Thursday the 27th of October, students are invited to participate in a “Crazy Sock Day”. For a gold coin

donation to go to the Mission for Mercy, students and staff can wear their craziest socks (not neces-

sarily on their feet!) in an effort to “Sock it to Poverty”. For lunch next Thursday, I am also asking stu-

dents to forego their delicious home prepared lunch and dine on a simple cupful of rice – the only food

many children in the world survive on daily.

I am looking forward to Read with me on Friday the 28th of October and am getting my whimsical char-

acter costume organised!

God Bless

Lisa Cavanagh

Acting APRE

God Blessings

Lisa Cavanagh

In Religion we are learning about JUSTICE and how it begins with us. We have been learning what justice means and how

we can act justly in our everyday lives. The words of the prophet Micah encourage us all to “act justly, love tenderly and

walk humbly”. We have enjoyed deconstructing songs and lyrics that symbolise our theme including “Love Leader” (which

we performed on Assembly) and “Mad World”. Justice is a very important way of life.

We created a class definition of Justice: “equal rights for all God’s creations” and have been exploring just and un-

just practices in the World around us. We have a special Justice badge that was kindly gifted to us by our lovely Principal,

Mrs Butlin. The Yr 5/6 Student of the Week will wear it proudly until the next assembly.

On the first Friday of this term, our class competed at the Gore Highway carnival at Club Pittsworth. There were

two sports that we played: Soccer and Oz Tag. Aus tag team 1,”Rabbitohs” played in the Grand Final against the State

School team “Sharks”. Team 2, “Titans” had a great carnival and learnt a lot of new skills. Our soccer team 1,”Strikers” and

team 2,”Phoenix” both played in the Grand Final. The Strikers beat the Phoenix in a great game.

Thank you to Mel Smith for supplying ice blocks, thanks also to all the parents who supported our class on the day.

A fun day was enjoyed despite the heat, it was all worth it. We’re looking forward to more fun next time. By Patrick, Dar-

cy, Lachlan, Kimberley, Nick and Hannah

Micah 6:8 Student of The Week badge

Date Day Liturgical Celebration Year Level

19th October Year 2 Assembly Year 2

23rd October 9am School Family Mass and Patronal Celebrations

26th October 2.15pm Year 4 Mission Day Liturgy All

27th October Crazy Sock Day. Rice Lunch-gold coin. Mission of Mercy

28th October 10am Read with Me Prep

P A G E 5

The year has flown by and we

are only 6 weeks away from fin-

ishing! This term in year 4 we

are exploring properties of HEAT

in the Science unit, “Heating

Up”. Our Geography unit sees us

investigating how we connect

with the world and the impact

that we have on the environ-

ment. In Religion, we are looking

at how our choices impact on

our relationship with God and

one another in the unit Moral

Living. Our Maths investigations

are based around collecting,

displaying and analysing data. In

English, it is plain to see, that we

are doing poetry!

Our class is presenting the Mis-

sion Day Prayer Celebration on

Wednesday 26 October at

2.15pm to be followed by our

assembly. We would love to see

as many friends and family

there, as this is our last one for

the year. We would also like to

invite everyone to our Patronal

Celebrations to be held on Sunday

23rd October… especially if you have a

teacher/parent/sibling that you

would like to target!

The following are photos taken by

the students as part of our media and

technology studies. As you can see,

there are some brilliant young pho-

tographers in our class.

Our Year 4 Photos!

Another photo

from our

photographers

in Year 4

Memorial Service

Our annual memorial service will again be held Sunday 27/11/2016 at

6pm. This ecumenical service is open to anyone who wishes to celebrate

the remembrance of a loved one who has passed away. It is a vey simple

service led by Fr Rod MacGinley held at the Pittsworth Cemetery. We

will once again have a slide show please contact Anne Thompson on 07

46931 159 or 0437 343534. For those who wish to attend please bring

along a chair, candle, a plate of food and drinks for a great get together

following the service. Then tea and coffee will be provided. On past ex-

periences pack a coat as it has been know to get cool. This will be the

5th year this service has been held and it s not only for the people with

loved ones at the Pittsworth Cemetery but for anyone who has lost a

loved one no matter where they may be laid to rest.

Tennis Coaching begins Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.

Please contact Ruth Bontine

0412396609

St Stephen's P & F Association AGM

to be held at

7.00pm on 10th November 2016

at

Pittsworth Hotel Motel

St Stephen's P & F Association AGM to be held at 7.00pm on 10th November 2016 at Pittsworth Hotel

Motel

All positions vacant. Anyone wishing to nominate for a position

please forward nominations to pittsworth@twb.catholic.edu.au

NETBALL

Netball Training Tuesday mornings be-

gins again this term at 8am for Yrs 4,5,6

with Mrs Ester Quinn in the Sport Hall.

ST THERESA’S CATHOLIC CHURCH ECUMENICAL EVENING

THURSDAY 3rd November 2016 Time: 6.30pm (for 7pm start)

Theme: Social Justice

GUEST SPEAKERS Kim Walmsley – Indigenous Artist and Speaker Fr Ray Crowley Mr Mark Copeland – Social Justice Commission

All welcome!

Please come and enjoy this wonderful evening with us. Contact Janet at St Theresa’s with any queries

Ph (07) 46394688

P A G E 1 0 Student of the Week Awards

Week 3 Term 4

Congratulations to: Harry, Eden, William, Hayley, Ben, Isabella.

Week 2 Term 4

Congratulations to: Connor, Emily, Patrick, Mitchell, Riley, Michiko.

Centenary Merchandise

Crosses available at School Office

This little cross was crafted by Mr George Arnold, Student Number: 454, enrolled:1929 from timber sourced

from the building known as St Stephen’s Parish Centre prior to the building being removed. The convent

was opened on the same day as St Joseph’s Catholic School—6th August 1916 and was sold and re-

moved December 2013 for relocation. $10-00. Limited numbers available.

PHOTOS FROM

CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

If you would like to order

photos from the Centenary

celebrations please contact the

school office.

$10-00 CD

$20-00 USB

“Celebrate our Spirit”

books are available for

purchase from the

school office or Lloyd

Cronin 0428 220 617 for

$20-00. $30-00 with

postage.

STUDENT TRAVEL REBATES Semester 2, 2016

Bus Fare Assistance

Does your child attend a school outside the Brisbane City Council boundary?

Does your family spend more than $33/week* on fares to and from school (* $25/week if you hold a concession card)?

Does your child travel on a publicly availa-ble bus not owned or associated with the school?

Students With Disability

Does your child have a verified disability that requires transport assistance to and from school?

Has your school’s learning support teacher assessed your child’s travel capability rating as ‘semi-independent’ or more dependent?

Visit our website to see if you qualify for financial assistance to

help with the cost of transport and

apply at www.schooltransport.com.au by 31 October 2016.

P A G E 1 2

St Stephen’s P&F Mintues-13th October 2016

Venue: Pittsworth Hotel Motel

Opened: 7.25pm

Present: Janine Butlin, Sandra Coffin, Lisa McEwan, Jen Bourke, Sally Croft, Leah Moore, Belinda Saal, Lisa Cavanagh

Apologies: Ria Coffin, Nicole Cantarella, Miranda Stirling, Sharon Denning, Carolyn Moore, Carol Hicks

Confirmation of previous minutes: Previous Minutes presented by Sandra Coffin

Moved: Sally Croft Seconded: Lisa McEwan Business arising from minutes:

Item Issue Raised Action By Sandpit

Toys

The toys are very popular. Yr 2

roster working well. Invoice to be

forwarded to Sally Croft for pay-

ment. More toys to be purchased.

Moved: Lisa McEwan

Seconded: Sandra Coffin

Janine to forward invoice and purchase more sand pit

toys.

27/10/16

Board

Dinner

Invoice for board dinner Leah to check with Kym to see if it has been sent 20/10/16

Disco Confirmed for 24/11/16 from 4-6pm

at the Sports Hall. Pizza to be

served and cooks softdrinks van has

been booked. BYO adult beverages.

DJ to be booked.

Pizza order forms and flyer to be put in the newsletter

– Lisa McEwan

Leah to book DJ

18/10/16

18/10/16

Pulse &

Pain

Our services were not required this

year

“Lunchb

ox

Solu-

tions”

recipe

book

fund-

raiser

No interest

School

Bag App

A trial will be set up and will com-

mence in a couple of weeks.

Janine

St Stephen’s P&F Mintues-13th October 2016 pg2 P A G E 1 3

Inward correspondence

Outward correspondence

Belinda moves that the correspondence report be passed. Seconded by Jen Bourke.

Business arising from correspondence: The P & F agree to provide Pittsworth State School with a $30 donation. Moved: Sally Seconded: Lisa Cavanagh Action: Sally Croft to forward cheque.

Treasurer’s report (Sally Croft): Closing balance as of 13th October 2016 is $9208.43. Profit from Father's Day Stall was $1453.70. Thanks to Miranda, Amanda and their helpers. Profit from bar at Pittsworth Sprints was $1853.09. Thanks to Leah Moore, Carol Hicks and Michelle Cross. Donation to Keith Blaikie of $100 towards Mates4Mates Kokoda Trek Challenge. Moved Sally Croft Seconded: Belinda. Sally to organise payment. President's Report (Leah Moore): The bar at the Pittsworth Sprints was a great success and thanks to Carol Hicks and Michelle Cross for your help. We struggled to get helpers for the cleanup to support the Parish. Principal's Report (Janine Butlin):

147 Students for next year. We completed term 3 with a successful Kid’s connect and year 5/6 camp. Term 4 commenced on 4th October with 136 children. Mrs Olischlager is still on long service leave and will return

on 18th October. Mr Blaikie is on long service leave and Kirsty Ostwald is teaching year 5/6 full time during this time.

I attended the parish meeting on 5th October. We discussed the upcoming church maintenance. It is being rendered on the inside. This will take place from 17th October to 4th November. In the interim masses will held in MacKillop hall.

The parish day is coming up on 23rd October. There will be a variety of activities arranged by Mrs Cavanagh and the Mackillop club. The time capsule will be put down after church at 11:00am. Fr Thomas and two pupils will help put the capsule down. Michelle Arnold and Mary Sullivan are collecting items for the capsule.

Kevin Bailey from TCSO conducted a fire audit last Monday 10th October.

This week I have been working on the school budget with Charles Corbett the TCSO Support Accountant. We have looked at school fees and decided on an increase of 3.2 % for 1 child, 2% for 2 children and 1.6% for 3 or more children. Increases to school fees per year: 1 child $996, 2 child $1836, 3 child $2540, 4 child $2540. In-cursion/excursion fee remains the same - $90/year per child. Building Levy remains the same - $120/family.

Coming up

Mrs Dennis is going on two weeks long service leave on 24th October. Swimming carnival and school disco on 24th November

Date From Content

01/10/16 Pittsworth High School Request for donation of $30.

Date To Content

P A G E 1 4

St Stephen’s P&F Mintues-13th October 2016 pg3 Prep orientation day on Tuesday 29th November

Andrew Chinn concert on Monday 28th November Maintenance Report The change-over of locks in the school to a master key system has been completed.

We have purchased two mobile phones for the school. One to be used for playground duty and the other phone for school excursions etc.

We disposed of our old IT equipment via a service provided from TCSO

APRE Report (Lisa Cavanagh):

9am Sunday 23rd October – School Family Mass followed by the St. Stephen’s Feast Day Celebrations in the school grounds. Day includes; Morning Tea, BBQ lunch, activities for the children (quoits, bottle stall, SPLAT the teacher) and a decorated bike/scooter competi-tion. The Silver Circle will also be drawn. All monies raised will be put towards the church maintenance.

26th October at 2:15pm Year 4 will be leading the school in a Mission Day Prayer Celebra-tion.

27th October – will be a ‘free’ sock day for Socktober (raising money for Missions – Father Thomas’ Mission of Mercy) – we will also be asking students to forego lunch on that day, instead purchasing a cup of rice for 50c.

All Souls Day – mass at 9am – years 4-6 will be attending

11th November – Remembrance Day prayer celebration – led by Prep 10:45am

St. Vincent de Paul Christmas food appeal – begins Monday 14th until our final assembly

23rd November – Advent Prayer Celebration and assembly – 2:15pm

Friday 25th November – free dress day –gold coin donation – money to go to Mission for Mercy

28th November – Andrew Chinn (liturgical musician) – student workshops and concert – concert at 5:30pm – all welcome – students will each learn a song with actions with An-drew during the day

December 1st – year 6 graduation mass and dinner from 6pm

December 2nd – graduation and awards ceremony – 10am – LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

Painting the interior of the church is beginning on the 17th of October and will be complet-

ed (God willing) by the 4th of November. MacKillop Hall will be used for masses during this

time (Including the school family

Grants Report (Sandra Coffin):

Grants Submitted – Pending outcome: Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities 2016 for Phonic Ear In-class Audio System - Prep Gambling Community Benefit Fund for Phonic Ear Soundfield Audio System for 3 class-

rooms. McDonalds – Community Support Application – Toowoomba/Highfields McDonalds licen-

see Mark Ward would like to offer one marquee co-branded with review of the use and efficiency of that marquee in early 2017 and they would consider the purchase of a second co-branded marquee. Should the P & F agree, McDonalds will arrange supply and payment of the first marquee immediately upon receipt of a high resolution school logo.

Action: Janine to provide Sandra with the logo.

St Stephen’s P&F Mintues-13th October 2016 pg 4

P A G E 1 5 T E R M 4 W E E K 3

Meeting Closed: 9.15 pm Next meeting: AGM – 10th November 2016, 7pm at Pittsworth Hotel Motel.

No. Item Issue raised Action By 1. P & F Levy There are 45 – 1 child families, 34 – 2 child families and 8 – 3 child

families. The P & F Levy will remain the same in 2017 at $120/family per year.

Nil

2. Time Capsule Old P & F Letterhead to be included in the time capsule and a writeup by Leah Moore to put in the capsule on new letterhead.

Leah Moore 21/10/16

3. P & F Constitution An update of the constitution will be presented at the AGM on 10/11/16. New By-laws to be prepared.

Leah Moore to prepare By-laws

07/11/16

4. AGM Notice To be put in the Pittsworth Sentinel 3 weeks prior to the meeting. Notice in school newsletter.

Belinda Saal 17/10/16

5. Last Day of School – 25/11/16

Watermelon and Ice blocks to be served after End of Year Assem-bly

Leah Moore to purchase 24/11/16

6 BBQ at swimming carnival

It was decided that no BBQ will be held at the swimming carnival this year.

Nil

Parish Report:

Repairs to the interior of the church have commenced. Leah Moore holding Melbourne Cup Luncheon to support Fr Thomas' Mission of Mercy and Hope.

PO Box 285,

Pittsworth

QLD

4356

Tel: 0746931627

Fax: 07 46932156 St Stephen’s Catholic School

Date Activity

23rd October School Family Mass and Parish Feast Day Celebration-9am

26th October 2.15pm Mission Day Liturgy

27th October Crazy Sock Day. Rice Lunch—gold coin. Mission of Mercy

28th October Read With Me—Prep

2 November All Souls Mass -9am. MacKillop Hall

9 November Year 4 Mass—9am

10th November P&F Meeting-7pm at Pittsworth Hotel Motel. (AGM)

11th November Remembrance Day Prayer Celebration—10.45am

14th November St. Vincent de Paul Christmas appeal begins

14th-17th November Swimming Lessons commence

18th November Prep Excursion to Cobb & Co.

18th November Years 1 & 2 Excursion to Darling Downs Zoo

23rd November Prep and Year 1 Mass-9am

23rd November Advent Prayer Celebration –2.15pm

24th November School Swimming Carnival

24th November School Disco 4-6pm

25th November Free Dress Day-Gold Coin. Money to Mission of Mercy

28th November Andrew Chinn Student workshops all day-Concert 5.30pm

29th November 2017 Prep Orientation day 9am-1pm

1st December Graduation Mass-6pm

1st December Year 6 Dinner-7pm in MacKillop Hall

2nd December Thanksgiving Prayer and Awards celebration-10am

2nd December Last Day of Term 4

What’s On.