2025 Term 2 Week 6
- From the Principal - Lisa Cavanagh
- APMI - Kerri-Ann Manthey
- Semester Reporting
- Holy Name Sacramental Program
- 2025 Track and Field Carnival Information
- Sports Coordinator News
- Prep - Tennille Kauter
- Year 1 - Katrina Dunne
- Year 2 - Kirralee Bronkhurst
- Year 3 - Sarah McAllister/ Annie Roberts
- Year 3/4 - Stacy Mills
- Year 4 - Katie Green
- Year 5 - Anna Vaessen
- Year 6 - Sandra Rosentreter
- Library
- HPE
- HPE - Term 2 Overview
- Opti-MINDS
- ICAS
- The Arts
- Holy Name Parish Bushdance
- St Saviour's -Mercy Girl Principals Tour
- 12th Annual Toowoomba International Food Festival and Mosque Open Day
From the Principal - Lisa Cavanagh
Newsletter Report – Week 6 Term 2 2025
Dear Holy Name Families,
It was wonderful to return to school this week after my long service and professional renewal leave. My pilgrimage to Italy was an amazing experience and my husband, Brendan, and I had so many highlights.
One of the elements of the pilgrimage I was most looking forward to were the two papal audiences with Pope Francis. I was devastated when the Holy Father passed away days before we left Australia. Brendan and I arrived in Rome on the day before the funeral and joined the thousands of mourners outside St Mary Major Basilica – where Pope Francis was laid to rest. This was such a moving experience, and we felt blessed to have been able to pay our respects. Pope Francis left this world as he lived in it, with simplicity and humility.
An important tradition in pilgrimage is the walking through the Holy Doors. There are four of these in Rome and the Vatican (St Peter’s Basilica, St John Lateran, St Mary Major and St Paul Outside the Walls) and we were able to pass through three of them. With the preparations for the conclave (to elect a new pope), we were unable to go through the doors at St Peter’s Basilica.
(Mrs Cavanagh passing through the Holy Door at St Paul Outside the Walls.)
Another highlight was a visit to Castile Gandolfo. This was the Papal Summer Residence until 2013, when Pope Francis turned it into a museum for pilgrims to visit. The grounds were beautiful, with one side overlooking a beautiful lake and the other side looking out towards the coastline. Castile Gandolfo has some interesting history, with Pope Pius IX opening the grounds and Castle itself to people displaced due to World War II. Nearly 40 babies were born in the Pope’s bedroom, which had been turned into the maternity ward for the duration. Many of the babies were named after the pope. This was also where Pope Benedict XVI lived after his retirement – up until he moved into nursing care. I was particularly taken with the hedges in the gardens and wondered if Mr Morrish was up for a challenge 😊.
A day trip to Assisi to the home of St Francis and St Claire was an unforgettable experience. The exquisite views and peaceful surroundings were a perfect spot for reflection and connection with nature. It was here that St Francis wrote his well-known prayer – the Canticle of Creation – where he refers to the interconnectedness of all of creation, referring to the elements as; Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Brothers Wind and Air, Sister Water etc.
My welcome back by the school community has been wonderful. The students have been so interested in hearing about my pilgrimage and enthusiastic about my return. The entire Holy Name School community was in my prayers throughout the pilgrimage. I am truly blessed to lead this beautiful community.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kerri-Ann Manthey for her willingness to step into the Acting Principal role in my absence. I certainly appreciate that I have such a capable and diligent deputy principal. Thanks also to Jodie Inksip for, once again, stepping into the Acting APMI role. I had every confidence that I was leaving the school in excellent hands.
Best wishes for the remainder of the term.
God Bless
Lisa Cavanagh
Principal
APMI - Kerri-Ann Manthey
As we journey through Week Six, we embrace significant moments of faith, reflection, and reconciliation, deepening our commitment to living the values of our Catholic identity.
National Sorry Day & Reconciliation Week
On Monday May 26, we observed National Sorry Day, a time to acknowledge the past injustices faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly the Stolen Generations. This day invites us to reflect on our shared history and commit to building a future founded on justice and healing.
Reconciliation Week (May 27–June 3) calls us to "Now More Than Ever", a theme urging us to stand together for unity, respect, and meaningful action. As a Catholic community, we are guided by the teachings of Jesus, which call us to love, listen, and seek reconciliation with one another. Throughout the week, students will engage in learning and prayer, honouring the richness of First Nations cultures and deepening their understanding of how we can walk together toward a more just society.
Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians – Sunday May 24
This week, we also celebrated the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians, the patroness of Australia. Through Mary’s intercession, we pray for guidance, peace, and strength in our daily lives. Our Lady reminds us to trust in God’s plan and to live with faith and compassion, always striving to support and uplift those around us.
Ascension of the Lord – Thursday May 29
As we approach Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, we reflect on Jesus' return to heaven, a moment of hope and renewal for all believers. Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit encourages us to continue his mission on earth—spreading kindness, truth, and love in all that we do. We ask for the Spirit’s guidance in our school, homes, and communities, leading us toward wisdom and grace.
Thank you to the Year Three class for preparing and leading prayer on Thursday acknowledging these special celebrations.
May this week be one of deep reflection, gratitude, and action as we walk together in faith and reconciliation.
Blessings
Kerri-Ann Manthey
Term 2 Date Claimers
29 May Our Lady Help of Christians/Ascension of the Lord Prayer Celebration (led by Year 3) 2.15pm MEAC
4 June Fr Darrell classroom visit Year 2
6 May Mass attendance Year 3/4
Under 8s Day
11 June Fr Darrell classroom visit Year 1
13 June Mass attendance Year 3
18 June Fr Darrell classroom visit Prep
27 June Last day of Term 2
Semester Reporting
Dear Families
This communication is about the school’s revised approach to semester reporting. By sharing it, the school hopes that families will understand a summative report's purpose and essential components. This review is timely as the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office has released a Learning and Teaching Framework containing guidelines for schools.
What is the purpose of reporting?
Reporting refers to multiple ways of communicating information informally and formally on what students know, understand and can do at a point in time and may include recommendations for their future learning. The purpose of reporting student achievement and progress is to improve student learning. It provides an opportunity for parents/legal guardians to engage meaningfully in the learning journey of their child. The report communicates more broadly on all aspects impacting performance, including school attendance, effort and participation, learning attributes and school priorities. (Teaching and Learning in Toowoomba Catholic Schools framework, 2025)
How do we report to families?
We provide opportunities for formal reporting four times a year;
- Face-to-face meetings are offered at the end of terms one and three; and
- Formal written reports are provided at the end of semester one and four.
Additionally, teachers can meet with families throughout the year to discuss their child’s progress and achievements upon request.
What is required in a formal report?
- Twice yearly
- Judgements against the relevant Achievement Standards using a five-point A-E scale
- A general, pastoral comment for each child (can include subject-specific information)
- A judgement on each student’s effort towards learning using a five-point A-E scale
- Attendance
What is no longer required and why?
- Generic comments for Religious Education, English and Maths
The comments are not personalised and therefore repeat the information provided by the A-E scale. Comments about these and all subjects can be made in the general comment as needed.
We encourage families to engage with their child’s semester one report with this knowledge and provide the school with any necessary feedback.
The teachers look forward to providing the summative reports to families at the end of this term, celebrating growth and achievement and identifying ways families can support their child’s development.
Kind Regards
Kerri-Ann Manthey
Holy Name Sacramental Program
2025 Track and Field Carnival Information
Sports Coordinator News
Throughout the year Toowoomba Primary School Sport and Darling Downs School Sport run trials in a variety of sports to choose representative teams. Please see attached document outlining nomination details including dates and eligibility criteria. Please note that ALL NOMINATIONS FOR THESE TRIALS NEED TO GO THROUGH THE SCHOOL. Contact me at kerri-ann.manthey@twb.catholic.edu.au, if you would like to nominate.
Kerri-Ann Manthey
Prep - Tennille Kauter
Year 1 - Katrina Dunne
Year 2 - Kirralee Bronkhurst
Year 3 - Sarah McAllister/ Annie Roberts
Year 3/4 - Stacy Mills
Year 4 - Katie Green
Year 5 - Anna Vaessen
Year 6 - Sandra Rosentreter
Library
Holy Name participated in National Simultaneous Storytime on May 21. Last year was the biggest and most successful NSS to date with over 2.3 million participants at over 21, 000 locations across Australia. Now in it’s 25th year, the story read was The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel and Danny Snow. We were fortunate to have Councillor James O’Shea, a proud Holy Name past student, attend and read the story to us.
HPE
HPE - Term 2 Overview
Week 6 - Tennis
Week 7 - Athletics Practice
Week 8 - Athletics Carnival
Week 9 - Games
Week 10 - Games
Opti-MINDS
Calling all Opti-MINDS Enthusiasts in Years 3 - 6
For those students ready to THINK, CREATE and COMMUNICATE, Mrs Elmes is inviting you to apply for a position on the Opti-MINDS teams. Opti-MINDS is a 6 week challenge process held in Term Three each year. Students who are selected, work in a team of up to 7 students, to solve and present their most creative solution in a 10 minute dramatic performance to a panel of judges at The Glennie School.
This year, the Opti-MINDS event will take place on Sunday 31 August at The Glennie School.
To be eligible to enter Opti-MINDS you must be a creative problem solver willing to work in a team. You must also be able to commit to the preparation and rehearsal schedule. Writing scripts, creating props and learning lines will be extras that will need to be completed in your own time. Presentation requirements will be announced the day before auditions.
To apply, see the audition details below:
Date: Thursday 12 June (Week 8)
Time: 1.00 pm
Place: The Learning Support Room
ICAS
The Arts
Term 2 Art Competition
https://ieuqnt.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Art-awards-2025-poster_FINAL.pdf
https://ieuqnt.org.au/competitions/
Art room open on Friday lunch times for students who would like time to create a piece of art for this competition. Entries due to Mrs Mac by Friday 27th June, week 10.
Holy Name Parish Bushdance
The Holy Name Parish warmly invite the Holy Name School community to the upcoming Holy Name Parish bushdance. Tickets are available through the following link.
https://www.trybooking.com/DBWVO
