From the Principal...

From the Deputy Principal...

Gratitude is taking the time and being thankful for what you have, what the world has placed around you and what God has given you.

At our full school assembly last week I reminded our girls of Mrs Appleby’s wish for us to be hope filled people. People who are optimistic about the future and seeing possibilities in all experiences. I also spoke about the power of gratitude. Gratitude is a way of looking at the world and all the good things in it with a feeling of appreciation, regardless of our current situation.  Gratitude brings hope. It helps us to see our life as a series of moments not to be conquered but to be experienced, enjoyed and embraced. Gratitude and practicing gratitude is a powerful way of enjoying one’s life. At St Ursula’s we have so much to be grateful for, and I would like to share with you just a sample:

• Committed staff who have student welfare at the centre of all they do
• Beautiful grounds that inspire us to protect and keep our environment clean
• Supportive Parents/Guardians who work in partnership with the College
• Connections to our Ursuline sisters throughout the world – especially our USA visitors over the next couple of weeks
• Talented students who share their gifts of music, dance, sports, arts, public debaters and creative writers with the wider community

• Year 11 Unit 1 Reports : These will be made available through parent portal by the end of this week.
• Year 7, 8, 9, 10 & 12 Reports: These will be made available through parent portal by the second week of the school holidays.

From the Assistant Principal - Identity & Culture...

This is a very important time in the story of our Christian beliefs. Last weekend the universal church celebrated Pentecost. Pentecost occurs 50 days after Easter and is the celebration of the Holy Spirit coming upon the Apostles, Mary and the first followers of Jesus. The Holy Spirit gave the Apostles gifts and fruits necessary to fulfil their mission, to go out and preach the Gospel to all nations.

This coming weekend (Sunday June 16) sees the church celebrate Trinity Sunday. Trinity Sunday honours the most fundamental of Christian beliefs – belief in the Holy Trinity. The human mind can never fully understand the mystery of the Trinity, but we can sum it up in the following formula: God is three Persons in one Nature. There is only one God, and the three Persons of God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—are all equally God, and They cannot be divided.
I am blessed to receive from Sr Leone Palliser (OSU) insightful reflections to assist us to gain a greater insight into this solemnity. A reflection of the beautiful Psalm 8.
                                 

“The psalm that the Church offers us for our reflection is the beautiful Psalm 8. Gazing at the night sky, the psalmist longs for the wonder, simplicity and innocence of a child so that he might give expression to his overwhelming desire to praise God for what he calls ‘the work of God’s fingers’. We think of God’s finger in Michelangelo’s painting of creation. The intricacy and delicacy of the created world causes the Psalmist to be caught up in admiration of God the artist.
 
We are aware of the Spirit of God breathing love into our lives. This happens in a hundred ways. It happens whenever anyone loves us. We are aware of the fact that something is happening that is bigger than us and beyond us. We are aware of a mysterious love that sustains and envelops us. It touches us at times through our intimate family relationships. It comes to us through kind words spoken. It plays like a gentle breeze in our souls when we read the Scriptures, even when we come here to meet those who share our faith and to listen to the readings and to the responses of our own hearts.
 
Sometimes God’s love-Spirit takes on a definite shape and a definite meaning. Then we talk about God’s Word, spoken through other people, through the events of our lives, through the sacred Scriptures and in the liturgy. God does communicate with us, mysteriously but truly and in so many ways. This Word of God speaks to us, as in today’s psalm, in the night sky and in the many ways in which God is mindful of us and cares for us. We believe that this Word that speaks to us through holy men and women and above all through those who love us, was made flesh in Jesus of Nazareth. He is God’s focal word. He is the one who gives human expression to God’s word, he who has and gives God’s Spirit of love without reserve.”
 
World Environment Day – It has been wonderful to have Miss Christina Lamb supporting me in my role over the last 6 weeks. Christina has a passion for the environment and sustainability and has worked tirelessly to reinvigorate the Ursie Earthies Environmental Group here at the College. On World Environment Day we were able to hand out small trees for the students to take home, plant and care for. I thank her for all her work and enthusiasm in supporting this group.
 
Research into Service and Leadership – Miss Christina Lamb is also assisting the College with some research in regard to the importance of service and leadership in the life of young people. We will be running a number of focus groups at the College and we would be very interested in seeking some ideas and input by the wider community. Please contact Christina if you would be interested in coming in for a chat to discuss these topics. chl@st-ursula.qld.edu.au
 
Whole College Mass – Please join with us for a whole College Mass on June 20 at 9.00am. This will be held in the Salo Centre and all are welcome.
 
Past Students Association and Associates – Time to Reconnect 2019 Reunion Event
The newly reformed committee is organising a reunion event for the 26^th July 2019. This will be held at the College and will run from 5pm-9pm. Tickets can be purchased via https://www.trybooking.com/BDISJ. Email stursulaspsaa@gmail.com if you would like any further information.
 
Children’s Rosary
Every second Sunday of the month a Children’s Rosary will be held at St Patrick’s Cathedral starting at 2pm. This rosary is open to all school age children.

From the Assistant Principal - Pastoral Relationships...

I have just attended the ICPA conference in Charters Towers and despite the cold it was an interesting couple of days. ICPA is an organisation that has a strong voice with the government and the conference is for all the delegates in Queensland to come together and put forward motions to lobby the government. All boarding schools do attend and while it seems a long way to go for a day, it is important that each school is there to support this group in its work. There is also the opportunity for networking with staff in other boarding schools as well as with the parents who are the organisation. It is a well run group and the meeting ran absolutely to time.

The Governor, Paul de Jersey, opened the conference and the guest presenter for the dinner was Fiona McLoughlin, a stand up comedian who was very funny and well received by the audience.

I thank and commend the Isolated Children and Parents’ Association for their commitment to the education of young people, their persistence in lobbying the government for all children to have equal access to an education and for their incredible hospitality and organisation of this large event.
 
Wellbeing
We have almost finished our first semester of wellbeing. Each year group receives one lesson a cycle (except year 7 who have 2 lessons).
Topics covered by all students: growth mindset, character strengths and smart goals.

Each year group then did work on issues relevant to them.  Please ask your daughter about Wellbeing and I would love to hear your feedback.
 
Party Safe for Parents - Queensland Police

We often hear stories of parties that happen on weekends and what alcohol and drugs play as part of these events. We become concerned when we hear stories of our girls and their risky behaviour.
Queensland Police have a Drug Party Program on the above website which I recommend to all parents.
The following advice comes from their website:
 
Party Safe for Parents link
Everyone wants to enjoy themselves at a party and have a night they remember for all the right reasons.  This information sheet contains some strategies to help parents and guardians equip their children with the information they need to enjoy a safe party experience.

• Inform yourself, speak with the party host and find out: how many people will be attending the party; who will be supervising the party; i alcohol will be available at the party, and if so, how it will be managed; if food will be available at the party; what time the party is expected to finish; if the party will be registered with police.
• Get the phone number of the house where the party is being held or mobile phone number of the host.
• Reach an agreement with your child about how they will be getting home, and who might accompany them home.  Discourage them from walking home alone.  
• Discuss what they should do if there are unexpected delays or problems with getting home, including how they might contact you to let you know of the delay or problem.
• Let your child know that you are prepared to go and pick them up.  Whilst this can be inconvenient, it can reduce the risk of assault or other problems.
• Talk to your child about how to have a good time at a party without coming to any harm, and reinforce with them that they can enjoy themselves without alcohol or other drugs.
• Discuss backup plans should the party get out-of-control, and the importance of following any directions given to them by a police officer.  It is an offence not to comply with the directions of a police officer, and if charged and convicted, could see your child facing a significant fine or imprisonment.
• Encourage a strong sense of responsibility in your child to do the right thing and look after themselves and their friends.  For example, your child could facilitate an early and safe exit for a friend who is intoxicated.
• Remember, it is an offence to supply alcohol to a person under 18 in a public place. If you are caught supplying alcohol to any minor in a public place you could be slapped with an on-the-spot fine or have to attend court, where maximum penalties can apply.
• It is an offence to supply alcohol to a person under 18 on private property, unless you are a responsible adult for the minor (i.e., a parent, step-parent, guardian or adult with parental rights and responsibilities for the minor) and are responsibly supervising the minor. If police are called to a party and see the irresponsible supply of alcohol to a minor police may seize all alcohol, and if you supplied the alcohol you could be facing charges in court and a significant fine.
• Talk to your child about the standard of behaviour you expect from them at the party.  If your child becomes involved in any out of control conduct that causes or contributes to a party becoming out-of-control they could be committing an offence and could face a significant fine or imprisonment.  They could be ordered by the court to contribute to any costs incurred by police in responding to the out-of-control party, and if your child is unable to pay these costs you (as their parent) could be called upon to pay.
• Actively monitor you child and what they are doing.
• Discuss what your child should do if they are asked by the party host or organiser to leave the party.  If it happens, they should leave immediately without incident.
• It is generally illegal to drink alcohol in a public place (including a park or beach) and if found drinking in public you could be fined or have to attend court.  It is also illegal for a minor, under 18 years of age, to possess or consume alcohol in a public place; it is even illegal for a minor to carry a bottle of wine for you across the road.

From the Director of Sport...

Volleyball
Congratulations to all the College Volleyball teams who have represented St Ursula’s so well this semester. We had three out of the four teams reach the finals and as a result our Team 8 defeated our Team 9 for the Gold medal final. Team 10 played in the Gold medal final and narrowly lost to claim the silver medal. This is an outstanding achievement to have two teams win silver and one gold. Thanks to the large contingent of parents who attended each week and especially the finals nights.

We look forward to our teams beginning their training in Term 4 in preparation for the new 2020 season. Thanks very much to Mr Travis Brown and Mr Lawrie Pawsey for their assistance with the teams. 

Volleyball Queensland are conducting a Junior Pirates Camp for the July School holidays in Brisbane. They will be offering two camps for year levels 6 to 9 (Camp A) and 10-12 (Camp B). Pirates Camp is a four day volleyball training camp for boys and girls and covers beginner skills through to more advanced technical aspects and tactics. The details for the camp and how to register can be found below.
https://www.vq.org.au/play-learn/junior-pirates-camp/
  
Track and Field
Congratulations to the following students who were awarded age champions for this year:
U12
3^rd Lily Schneider
2^nd Liliana–Jane Sing
1^st Amelia Doherty
 
U13
3^rd Caitlin Bowen
2^nd Molly Van Heerden
1^st Charlotte Doljanin
 
U14
3^rd Ella Scutt
2^nd Frances Camm
1^st Delaney Burke
 
U15
3^rd Sophie Coleman
2^nd Layla Patterson
1^st Emma Neenan
 
U16
3^rd Amelia Waters
2^nd Monique Thomas
1^st Ayla Sanders
 
Open
3^rd Georgia Waters
2^nd Alysha Camm
1^st Julia Gannon
 
Athlete of the carnival
Delaney Burke and Emma Neenan - 98 points
 
Spirit
4^th Stella
3^rd Carita
2nd Speranza
1^st Fiducia

B events
4^th Fiducia
3^rd Stella
2nd Carita
1^st Speranza

A Events
4^th Carita
3^rd Stella
2nd Fiducia
1^st Speranza

Records
Amelia Doherty U12 [1500 metres 6m 3s 59ms]
Alysha Camm [Open 3000 metres 10m 53s 0ms]
Alysha Camm [Open 1500 metres 4m 54s 70ms]
80m Hurdles U12 [Lily Schneider 22.07]
80m Hurdles U13 [Charlotte Doljanin 17.35]
90m Hurdles U14 [Ella Scutt 18.30]
90m hurdles U15 [Sophie Willett 18.40]
100m Hurdles U16 [Monique Thomas 20.90]
100m Hurdles Open [Riley Flynn 20.58]
 
Training continues on Wednesdays and Thursday afternoons from 3.30-4.30pm on the bottom field. In Week 9 training will be only Wednesday and resume both days in Week 1 of Term 3.

Special congratulations to our U12 athletes who joined me to brave the cold last Tuesday to compete at the West Zone trials at O’Quinn St. Amelia Doherty was selected for the 100m, 200m and 800m. Well done Amelia!

Football
St Ursula’s currently has a Junior and a Senior team competing in the Southwest Football school’s competition held after school on Monday afternoons. The Senior team won their match this week against Downlands 4-1 with Amy Jocumsen scoring all four goals, while the Junior team is undefeated with a catch-up game in hand to play. 
                    
Thanks to Mr Broderick and Sarah Bradbury for taking our teams.
 
Equestrian
Congratulations to Danneika Lyons who was awarded the Darling Downs and South West Show Horse Secondary Hunter winner recently. This is a fantastic result for Danneika. 
         
Cricket
Best wishes to our Cricket team who will be playing Fairholme in the final of the T20 competition this week at Newtown park.

IN THIS ISSUE...

Music Notes

Year 10 Blended Learning Markets