Next week, our community gathers to celebrate the inaugural St Clare’s Staff Day, a special day to honour and give thanks for all who serve within our school community. It is a day of gratitude for the many people whose dedication, care, and faith-filled service make St Clare’s such a vibrant and nurturing community for our students and families.

When we speak of staff, we speak of a whole body, each part vital to the life of our school. We give thanks for our classroom and specialist teachers, who bring learning to life each day, and our Inclusive Practices Team, who ensure that every learner is supported to flourish. We recognise our school officers, administration staff, and those who care for the day-to-day running of our school with skill and compassion. Our grounds team, cleaners, and tuckshop staff create safe, welcoming spaces that reflect our pride in St Clare’s. We also acknowledge the contributions of our IT services, guidance counsellor, speech language pathologist, occupational therapist, instrumental music staff, relief staff and Leadership Team, whose expertise enriches the lives of our students in so many ways.

St Clare’s Staff Day on October 31 also coincides with World Teachers’ Day, a time when we join with all schools recognising the sacred vocation of teaching and all who dedicate their lives to the growth and wellbeing of young people. In Catholic tradition, teaching is more than a profession, it is a ministry, a calling to be co-workers with Christ in forming hearts and minds.

Jesus himself is our model teacher. He taught not only through words, but through compassion, presence, and example. He welcomed the curious, the questioning, and the struggling; He saw in every person the image of God. Each of our staff members, in their own way, continues this mission, guiding, accompanying, encouraging, and inspiring our young people to “Be a clear light” in the world.

As we celebrate this inaugural St Clare’s Staff Day, may we take a moment to pause and give thanks for the remarkable team who embody our mission each day. Their work, whether in classrooms, playgrounds, offices, or grounds, reflects the living presence of Christ in our community.

We welcome families to join us in our celebrations on October 31, with a Learning Breakfast from 8am. We will also gather as a school community for assembly at 1.45pm, which will include the presentation of Staff Service Awards (detailed below) and the 2025 St Clare’s Staff Award. Families are welcome to show their appreciation for our staff.

30 years Diana Buzzo

25 years Evon Downie

15 Years Laura Walker, Samantha Bebendorf, Isabel Martens, Terri-Ann Firth

10 Years Janet Bishop, Kellie Fellows, Tracey Apap, Mel Thorburn, Meg Hardy

May God bless all who teach, lead, support, and serve at St Clare’s. Through their hands, hearts, and words, the Gospel continues to be written in the lives of our students.

A note on Halloween…

As a Catholic school community, it is important that we pause at this time of year to reflect on the true meaning behind the days surrounding October 31st. While the secular celebration of “Halloween” has become increasingly popular in our culture, with costumes, decorations, and themes that often focus on fear or the occult, our Catholic tradition invites us to focus instead on something far richer: the great hope of eternal life and the communion of saints.

All Hallows’ Eve – October 31

The word *Halloween* itself comes from All Hallows’ Eve, the evening before All Saints Day. Originally, this vigil was a time of prayer and preparation, much like Christmas Eve before Christmas Day. It was never intended to be a celebration of fear, darkness, or superstition. Rather, it was about waiting in hope and readying our hearts for the great feast to follow.

All Saints’ Day – November 1

On All Saints Day, we celebrate the countless holy men and women, known and unknown, who now share fully in the life of God. This feast reminds us that holiness is not reserved for a few, but is a calling for us all. The saints inspire us by their example of faith, courage, and love. They remind us of our own vocation to be “a clear light” for others in the world.

All Souls Day – November 2

On All Souls Day, we pray for all the faithful departed, especially our loved ones who have died. It is a day of hope and compassion, when we entrust those we love into God’s mercy and renew our belief in the resurrection. Our prayers support those who have gone before us and strengthen our own trust in God’s promise of eternal life.

Instead of embracing Halloween in its secular form, families might choose to:

Pray together: Light a candle and pray for family members and friends who have passed away.
Visit a church or cemetery: Spend time as a family remembering loved ones.
Learn about the saints: Share stories of a favourite saint, dress up as saints instead of scary characters, or read a children’s book about holy men and women.
Acts of kindness: Honour the saints by imitating their love and service through a small family project. You could help a neighbour, donate to a charity, or write a note of encouragement.
Attend Mass: Gather with the parish community for the feasts of All Saints and All Souls, deepening the meaning of these holy days.

As a Catholic school, we encourage all families to enter into the beauty of these days in ways that strengthen faith, build hope, and keep Christ at the centre of our lives. By focusing on All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day, we pass on to our children a vision that celebrates life, holiness, and eternal hope.

Lunch Box Requirements 2026

As part of our commitment to providing a safe, accessible, and organised school environment for all members of our community, we wish to advise families of an upcoming change to lunch box requirements beginning in 2026.

Earlier this year, St Clare’s participated in an environmental access survey which assessed the safety and accessibility of our school grounds for students, staff, and community members, particularly those for whom mobility can be a challenge. One of the key recommendations from this review related to the bag racks located outside classrooms.

At present, many of these areas become overcrowded when both school bags and separate lunch boxes or eskys are stored outside. This creates clutter, trip hazards, and accessibility barriers, with bags and boxes often ending up on the ground or stacked across walkways and doorways.

To address these concerns and improve safety and accessibility across our school, from the start of the 2026 school year, all students will be required to:

Use an insulated lunch box that can be stored inside their school bag. Ice bricks/packs that last all day in our North Queensland climate are readily available.
Esky-style lunch boxes will no longer be permitted.

This change will help ensure our learning spaces and pathways remain tidy, safe, and accessible for everyone, while still allowing students to keep food and drinks fresh throughout the day.

We understand that some families may currently use larger lunch boxes, and we encourage you to plan ahead for this change during your 2026 school preparations.

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support in maintaining a safe and inclusive school environment.

School Hairstyles Reminder

At St Clare’s, we take pride in maintaining a neat and respectful appearance. The St Clare’s Hair & Grooming expectations are as follows:

Hair should be clean and brushed and in hairstyles that are simple and neat. Hair of shoulder length or longer must be tied back with a band, clip or ribbon that is navy, white or caramel in colour (school colours). Long fringes, untidy hair around the face, mullets, dreadlocks, rats tails, mohawks, undercuts, tracks, fade shaves or shaving patterns are not permitted. Gels and creams should not be used to create these styles. There should be no dramatic differences in hair length, e.g not shaved/short on sides and/or top but long at the back. No shorter than blade 2 (blended). Artificial colouring (other than of the student’s natural colour) is not permitted. This includes bleaching.

Please note: The Leadership Team deems what is appropriate with regard to new and emerging hair trends.

Thank you for your continued support in upholding the expectations that help our students present themselves with pride and respect for our school community.

Road Safety and Carpark Courtesy – Our Children Are Watching

It has come to our attention that some drivers are stopping along Burdell Drive and calling children across the road to enter vehicles. This practice is extremely unsafe and we ask parents to cease this practice immediately.

Crossing Burdell Drive outside of designated crossings places children at serious risk. The road is busy at school pick-up and drop-off times, and children can be difficult for drivers to see when visibility is reduced by parked cars or traffic flow.

Please ensure that all pick-ups and drop-offs occur only in the Stop, Drop and Go zone or in designated parking areas. These areas are supervised and designed to promote safe entry and exit from vehicles.

A gentle reminder to all families that safety and courtesy in the carpark are everyone’s responsibility. The school carpark can be a busy place before and after school, and it’s essential that we model calm, patient, and respectful behaviour for our children, especially when merging.

Our children learn far more from what we do than from what we say. The way we act behind the wheel, our patience, our manners, and our care for others, teaches them valuable lessons about respect and community.

Thank you for helping to make St Clare’s a place where safety, calm, and courtesy are part of every journey to and from school.

Baby Announcements

It's with great joy that Keegan, Ellie and Hadlee announce the arrival of Archer Ross Tudehope, born on Monday, September 22. Everyone is doing well, and Hadlee is getting curious about her baby brother.

Connor (IT Tech) and Courtney Feenan are delighted to share the news of the arrival of Harrison James Feenan on Sunday, 21st September. Everyone is home and doing well.

When Online Words Spill into the Schoolyard

In today’s digital world, many children connect with one another beyond the school day — through gaming, messaging apps and group chats. Increasingly, schools are called upon to support students when online conversations or gaming interactions have taken an inappropriate turn.

We are increasingly finding that language or behaviour between students online, such as teasing, exclusion, or the use of offensive terms during gaming or messaging, can carry over into the school environment. When this happens, it often leads to frustration, misunderstandings, and in some cases, verbal or physical conflict during the school day. What begins as a “digital disagreement” can quickly become a real-world problem that affects learning, relationships and wellbeing.

As a Catholic school community, we are committed to fostering respect and empathy in all spaces — both in person and online. We encourage parents and carers to:

Monitor your child’s online activity — know who they are gaming or chatting with and what platforms they are using.

Talk about language and tone online — help your child understand that what feels like a “joke” in a chat can be deeply hurtful or misinterpreted.

Encourage healthy boundaries — screen-free time is essential for rest, play and family connection.

Remind them that school is a safe space — conflicts from outside of school should not be brought into the classroom or playground.

When online issues do spill over, our staff work carefully with all students involved to restore relationships and promote accountability, in line with our St Clare’s Student Engagement Guidelines. However, we rely on partnership with families to help reinforce the same expectations at home.

Together, we can help our young people grow into thoughtful digital citizens who understand that kindness, respect and responsibility apply — whether they’re face to face or behind a screen.

Catholic Mission

In the month of October not only is it set aside for the Rosary, but it is also Catholic Mission month. At St Clare’s we have a few actions to ensure that we all have life to a full. These actions are:

Whole school prayer celebration at assembly, last Friday
Tomorrow we have our Mission Stalls to raise money for the cause
John Duiker, director of Catholic Missions came and spoke to the whole school about how our prayers and money can assist those less fortunate than ourselves.

Thank you everyone for your kindness of both prayers and donations to assist Catholic Missions with creating a better life for others.

November the month to Remember

In the month of November we remember those who have passed. At St Clare's we would like to prepare a prayer book with all of those we want to be remembered throughout the month, and keep them in our prayers. Please add the name/s of people you would like to remember in November. If you have more than 5 people to remember, please complete another form. Please complete by 24 October 2025.

Faith in Action - Year 5 Leadership Day

On Friday 7 November our Year 5 students will participate in a Leadership Day. The purpose of this day is to ensure that all of our Year 5s feel like they will be leaders of our school with or without a specific role. We will be having Peter McAuliffe from the Character Project presenting to the children on the following topics:

Creating the Connections
Connect to Spirituality and the Bigger Picture
The Call to Contribute

We are looking forward to this experience and for the Year 5s to identify with themselves as leaders of St Clare’s.

Sacramental Program 2026

We have started our planning for the Sacramental Program in 2026. St Anthony's Parish conducts a parish-based sacramental programme, outside of school hours, which, after enrolment, commences with an education evening for the parents. There are six sacrament formation sessions the children attend, accompanied by their parent/s, which take one hour each (see below section - Important Dates). It is expected that participants in the Sacrament Programme attend Mass each week to ensure a successful initiation.

If you are interested in child being a part in 2026 please complete the Google Form, or if you would like more information I would be more than happy to discuss with you.

World Mission Rosary

The World Mission Rosary has a colour-coded decade representing each continent where the Church continues Pauline's mission. It helps us to understand what is means to belong to a Global Church and how the Church can be a leader in the world through the work of Mission.

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Mrs Jacqui Loader

Acting Assistant Principal Religious Education

Student Leadership Process for 2026

The Year 5 students will be attending their annual Leadership Day on Friday, November 7, in preparation for the 2026 Leadership process.

Severe Weather

This time every year, key members of the school community gather to discuss our severe weather action plan. We discuss what we do prior to, during and after a severe weather event.

In the event of a cyclone or severe weather impacting our Catholic schools, regularly updated information will be available on the following:

Townsville Catholic Education website www.tsv.catholic.edu.au LATEST NEWS section on the homepage.
Twitter – you can follow us on www.twitter.com/tceo.
Facebook – you can follow us on www.facebook.com/TownsvilleCEO.
Listen to local radio stations (ABC in all regions) plus various local commercial stations
for updates.
Instagram – Townsville_Catholic_Education.
School’s web page

If a decision is made overnight to close schools, this message will be broadcast from 7 a.m. or earlier, if possible, through the local radio stations. Please refrain from calling schools, as this disrupts vital communication networks. We ask parents to be patient, and information will be broadcast as soon as practicable.

Please refer to the above methods of communication as your first source of information. Please use your best discretion in the interests of safety at all times.

End of Year Events Timetable

The end of the school year is fast approaching. To assist families to keep up to date with a range of end of year events, please refer to the outline below.

Schedule of End of Year Events


Date	Event	Details
Monday 1 December	Step Up Morning 8.40am - 10.15am	Students have the opportunity to meet their 2026 Teacher and classmates. Prep to Year 5 students to wear uniform as per usual schedule.
Monday 1 December	Year 6 Christmas Concert Performance 2pm MPH	Join us in the MPH for a special Christmas performance by our Year 6 students. Year 6 wear sun-safe Christmas attire with closed in shoes.
Tuesday 2 December	Advent Liturgy 8.40 am in MPH	Join us at 8.40 am as 2C leads us in our first Advent Liturgy. Christmas Concert performances from Prep and Year 4 follow. *Prep and Year 4 wear sunsafe Christmas attire with closed in shoes.
Wednesday 3 December	End of Year Mass + Presentation of Awards 8.40am in MPH	Join us at 8.40 am as Fr Vinoj Francis presides over our End of Year Mass. Awards will be presented to the 2025 Award recipients after the conclusion of Mass. Year 6 students will receive their San Damiano Cross. All students are required to wear full and correct academic uniform.
Wednesday 3 December	Year 6 Rite of Passage, Parent Event and Disco From 5.30pm in MPH	Year 6 Students and families are invited to join us in the MPH at 5.30pm for the Year 6 Rite of Passage. Year Six students wear neat casual clothing and enclosed shoes for this event. Students will receive their certificate and pen, watch their Year 6 video and cut the graduation cake. Afterwards, Year 6 students are invited to stay for a disco that will run until 7:30pm. Parents are invited into the school library during this time for nibbles while awaiting the conclusion of the student event.
Thursday 4 December	Semester 2 Report released via COMPASS at 3pm	Parents can access Semester 2 Reports via COMPASS Parent Portal after 3pm. Parents of Year 6 students and other students leaving St Clare’s are reminded to download all reports from COMPASS prior to December 1, as access will cease after this date
	Semester 2 Report released via COMPASS at 3pm
	Advent Liturgy 8.40am in MPH	Join us at 8.40am as 2D leads us in our second Advent Liturgy. Christmas Concert performances from Years 2,3 and 5 follow. *Years 2,3 and 5 wear Christmas attire with closed in shoes.
	Advent Liturgy 8.40am in MPH
	Year 6 Amazing Race 11.30am	Year 6 Students commence a scavenger hunt around the school. Year 6 students wear senior shirts.
	Year 6 Amazing Race 11.30am
Friday 5 December	Presentation of the Nativity	Join us at 8.40am in MPH for The Nativity presented by Year 1.
	Guard of Honour	The traditional Guard of Honour for Year 6 students and students and staff leaving will commence at 11.25am. Map and details to be provided.
	School Dismissal	School finishes at 12 noon. Year 6 students will be dismissed from MPH and all other students will be dismissed from classrooms as per normal procedures. We ask that families are punctual for this early collection time. There will be no supervision after this time. Year 6 students wear Academic Uniforms for the last time. All other students wear uniforms as per usual schedule.

St Clare's Volunteer Breakfast

Your hard work and dedication have made a significant impact, and it's time to show our appreciation. Join us for a special Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast on Friday, November 14th, at 8:30 AM in the St Clare's Administration Building. It's a chance to connect, enjoy a delicious breakfast, and celebrate your contributions to our school community. Please RSVP by October 31st by completing the Google form or emailing edownie5@stclarestsv.catholic.edu.au. We can't wait to share this morning of gratitude with you!

Mrs Evon Downie

Acting Assistant Principal - Administration

Cinderella Spinderella Comes to Life at St Clare’s!

What a magical day it was for our Prep and Year 1 students! The hall was filled with excitement, laughter, and a touch of fairy-tale sparkle as Jally Entertainment brought Cinderella Spinderella to life.

The students were captivated from the moment Cinderella Spinderella stepped on stage, cheered on by the ever-charming Prince Perfect and, of course, the “lovely” (and not-so-nice!) stepmother. The Fairy Godfather added plenty of sparkle and giggles as he worked his magic to help Cinderella find her happily ever after.

The interactive show had everyone joining in - singing, dancing, and helping the characters along the way - while sharing important messages about kindness, friendship, and being safe.

Adding to the fun, our young princes and princesses came dressed in their royal best! The hall sparkled with crowns, gowns, and smiles as the children immersed themselves in the story.

It was a truly enchanting experience that had everyone laughing, clapping, and dreaming - a perfect mix of fun, imagination, and learning!

A Magical Afternoon at St Clare’s: Harry Potter Book Day!

This afternoon, a group of very lucky students will step into the world of Harry Potter for a truly spellbinding after-school celebration! Chosen by the Sorting Hat itself, our young witches and wizards will gather in the “Great Hall” (otherwise known as our library) for an afternoon of magic, laughter, and literary adventure.

Students will listen to enchanting excerpts from J.K. Rowling’s beloved books, take part in magical activities, and even sample some special wizarding treats — including magical frogs and a taste of Polyjuice Potion!

With wands at the ready and house colours proudly on display, the library will be transformed into a place where imaginations soar and stories come to life. It’s sure to be an afternoon filled with fun, friendship, and a touch of Hogwarts magic!

Year 6 Students Power Up at CopperString!

Last week, our Year 6 students enjoyed an exciting excursion to CopperString, where they discovered firsthand how energy connects communities across Queensland. The visit brought their classroom learning to life, giving students the opportunity to explore renewable energy, electricity generation, and the incredible technology behind large-scale infrastructure projects.

Students were fascinated as they learned about how power travels through transmission lines and the important role CopperString plays in supporting regional development and sustainability. They also enjoyed hands-on activities and engaging discussions with industry experts who shared their knowledge and experiences.

It was an inspiring and educational day that sparked curiosity about future careers in science, technology, and engineering - and showed our students just how powerful learning can be!

Mrs Donna Jack

Assistant Principal - Pedagogy and Learning

Please find below information regarding school fees and the relevant forms required to suit various payment options.

2026 Schedule of Fees

Each year the school undertakes a thorough review of expenditure to ensure accountability in stewardship of resources. In line with Townsville Catholic Education’s recommendations from the Diocesan Education Council, there has been a 5.5% increase in the Diocesan Tuition Fee. In collaboration with the St Clare’s Catholic School Board, a 5.5% increase in the Resources Levy, Building & Maintenance Levy and Instrumental Music charges has been endorsed for 2026. The P & F Levy remains unchanged. School Board discussion focused on continuing to provide the best educational opportunities, technology infrastructure, facilities and resources for our students. These necessary increases also assist the school to keep pace with the cost increases in goods and services. Importantly, 2026 School Fees include all student resources supplied directly to classrooms and year level excursions where applicable (excluding camps).

If you have had a direct debit in place in 2025 this will continue in 2026 unless instructed otherwise. The debit cycles will be spread over 24 fortnights, allowing for a small break in direct debit commitments for families between the end and beginning of the year. Direct debits are considered to be continuing, alleviating the stop/start and new forms needed each year. A new form is needed if you change your bank details or add/reduce a student or any other change in details, for e.g. Instrumental lessons or a Multi School Discount

Please note - all carried forward balance at the end of 2025, this will be re-calculated into your fortnightly payment amount to ensure it is adequate to cover the 2026 fees also. If an approved Payment Plan is in place, that arrangement will stand.

Multi-School Discount Form

Townsville Catholic Education continues to provide a Multi-School Discount to Tuition Fees for families with a child/ren enrolled in TCE secondary schools (St Patrick’s College and Ignatius Park College are not eligible). The Multi-School Discount form can be filled out here. Please note that the family discounts are different for primary and secondary fees and apply to tuition fees only:

The second child fee is at a 50% discount in primary and 30% in secondary
The third child is at an 80% discount in primary and 50% in secondary
The fourth and subsequent children are free for both sectors

A new form must be completed every year and emailed to fees@stclarestsv.catholic.edu.au as soon as practical.

The form does not need to be completed if all students are attending St Clare’s. Sibling discounts will automatically apply.

Guide to Discounts for Health Care Card and Concession Card Holders (DVA Gold Card). This form can be filled out here.

Families who hold eligible means tested concession cards or DVA Gold cards will continue to receive an automatic 70% discount on the Diocesan Tuition Fee component. Please refer to the attached guide for further information regarding eligibility. Concessions will continue to apply until the expiry date shown on the card provided. It is the responsibility of the card holder to provide the school with updated cards. Please contact our Finance department for assistance with any of these concessions by emailing fees@stclarestsv.catholic.edu.au .

We continue our commitment to provide support for families experiencing short or long-term genuine inability to pay fees, ensuring that enrolment is not compromised. Please contact the Finance Officer for further information concerning the concession application process otherwise you are warmly invited to discuss your personal circumstances, in confidence with the Principal.

Week 4

Monday 27 October

Homework due

Tuesday 28 October

Homework distributed

Prep B and 6B Class Mass

Friday 31 October

St Clare's Staff Day (World Teacher's Day)

All Saint's Day

Saturday 1 November

Prep Orientation Morning

Mass @ St Clare’s 5pm

Sunday 2 November

Mass @ St Anthony’s 9am

Week 5

Monday 3 November

Homework due

Tuesday 4 November

Homework distributed

Prep A & 6A Class Mass

Wednesday 5 November

NQ Touch Gala Day (Selected students only)

Friday 7 November

Faith in Action - Year 5 Leadership Retreat

In Class Liturgy - All Saints & All Souls

Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November

Mass @ St Clare’s 5pm, Mass @ St Anthony’s 9am

Congratulations to the recipients of the Academic Encouragement Awards.

Congratulations to the recipients of the Principal's Awards.

Interhouse Swimming Carnival

Our Interhouse Swimming Carnival was held last Friday and it was a wonderful day of competition and school spirit. The day was filled with colour and excitement as students proudly represented their houses, cheered for their friends and gave their best in every race.

Congratulations to Setter House, who took out the overall win! A big thank you to all students, staff and families for their support in making the day such a great day.

2025 Age Champions:

8yrs
9yrs
10ys
11ys
12ys

Addison W
Pippa H
Matilda W
Amelia N
Ava G

Max S
Eamon Z
Ashton W
Astin F
Max V

'A' Schools Swimming Carnival

It has been a huge last few weeks of swimming at St Clare’s! On Wednesday, our Interschool Swimming team participated in the ‘A’ Schools Swimming Carnival at Long Tan pool. The team had been training hard during early morning training sessions at the North Shore Pool over the last few weeks. Thank you to all the parents for the early morning drop offs and all the staff who have helped prepare the team for this carnival. Our swimmers certainly did our school proud!

Mrs Nicole Accatino

Physical Education Teacher

Defence Club

It’s coming up to that time of year again when we start to think about Christmas. Keep your eyes out for some upcoming events there will be plenty happening and they book out fast.

Lunch time Kids Club

The Prep and Year 1 students will be picked up on Monday’s at lunchtime.

Our Kids Club Days are on as follows;

Monday 1st Break - Preps

Monday 2nd Break - Yr 1

Wednesday 1st Break - Yrs 2 - 6

Parental Absence

If there are parents deployed or out on exercise and you find that your child is struggling with parental absence please give me a nudge with either an email mbrennan6@stclarestsv.catholic.edu.au or pop in to the hub, which is the classroom off the multi-purpose hall and let me know so that I can offer some support to your child.

If your Defence member is discharging or discharged could you also let me know as it helps me support your child with the changes that are happening within the family, as they can be affected by these changes as well.

Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS)

If you need help during a crisis or support during deployment, posting or relocation, Defence Member and Family Support offer a range of support to help ADF members and their families manage challenges when they arise.

The DMFS Helpline – 1800 624 608 – is the first point of call for Defence families seeking support, information or connection with their community. It is available 24-7 and staffed by qualified human services professionals including social workers and psychologists.

Defence social workers help you to address personal and family issues through brief counselling services, referrals to community providers, long term support planning and crisis intervention.

DMFS support services are free for ADF members and families. Emails received by the Helpline will be responded to within 24 hours. memberandfamilyhelpline@defence.gov.au

Families with Special Needs

Moving can be a challenging process for any family, but when you have a family member who has special needs, the complexity and stress can be even greater.

Defence offers additional assistance to Defence families who have a resident family member with special needs. These practical support services are designed to make the relocation process smoother and more accommodating.

Families can also access support through the Defence Special Needs Support Group (DSNSG). The DSNSG serves as a national support network for families with special needs, offering resources, guidance, and a community of individuals who understand the unique challenges faced by Defence families.

More information on assistance measures can be found on the DSNSG website https://www.dsnsg.org.au/

or by emailing

Memberships:
memberships@dsnsg.org.au

National Administration and Liaison Officer:
nalo@dsnsg.org.au

Partner Employment Assistance Program

Are you an ADF partner looking to enhance your employability?

There have been some positive changes to the PEAP program. Partners can now claim $1500 every financial year that can go towards professional employment services, professional licenses and many things that will enhance your employment skills.

We also pay re-registration fees for those partners whose jobs require them to be registered.

To find out more and to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria: visit

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/family-programs-services/support-for-families/partner-employment-assistance-program

Geckos Family Centre - North Queensland

Geckos Family!! Our Christmas party will be upon us in no time (how can that be?!) Tickets have opened up on the Trybooking site so be sure to secure your tickets early!! This event is open to CURRENT serving Defence members and their families only.

Please note, full meals will not be provided; however, your ticket includes subsidised vouchers to use at one of the fun food vans that will be onsite for your enjoyment.

https://www.trybooking.com/DDQFY

Disclaimer: refunds will not be offered for non-attendance. To secure a refund, and allow another family the opportunity to attend, please let Geckos staff know early.

Join us at Reading Cinema Friday 28th November at 6pm to see Zootopia 2! $6 per ticket.

https://www.trybooking.com/DGOHC

Maree Brennan

Defence Mentor

Harry Potter Book Day

This afternoon the St Clare’s Library will transform into a world of wizardry and wonder!

Last week 50 aspiring witches and wizards were invited to step into the magic of Hogwarts for a Harry Potter afternoon of spells, treats, and surprises. The chosen few will gather in the library this afternoon for an unforgettable journey through the wizarding world.

We can’t wait to see the magic unfold—wands at the ready!

Quest for Knowledge

Last Wednesday 4 students from year 6 participated in the annual Townsville Catholic Education Quest for Knowledge, joining 17 schools across the Diocese via Zoom.

Our students worked incredibly hard - tackling challenging general knowledge questions and completing exciting quests on Britannica Schools. Their teamwork, focus and enthusiasm were on full display from start to finish.

Our team placed in the Top 5 out of all participating schools. A huge congratulations to our talented students for their effort and dedication - you have done our school proud!

Borrowing

What a fantastic year of borrowing we have had with 37,280 books borrowed from the library since the start of the year and students have placed 243 books on hold. We have also added 699 new books to the library this year which has been fantastic!

Unfortunately, Library borrowing is finishing up at the end of week 6. Students will have their final chance to borrow during week 6 and books are to be returned during week 7.

There is a little competition I’m holding with the classrooms also, that the first year level to return all their books by the end of week 7 will receive a pack of books to share amongst their year level!

Story Box Library - Mrs Dollisson’s Favourite

This Sunday is Grandparents’ Day and what would be more beautiful then to share a book with a grandparent.

Nannie lives on a farm with rolling hills, a muddy creek, and lots of animals. Nannie loves everything about her farm. But what she loves most is when her family comes to stay. And her family love visiting her on the farm. There is so much to see and do on Nannie's farm - picking fruit, herding the cows, shooing the sheep, walking across the rolling hills, and best of all, spending time with Nannie.

Nannie Loves is a delightfully warm and gentle story centred around a family's visit to their grandmother's farm from author/illustrator Kylie Dunstan. The repetitive rhyming text and poetic structure is simple, yet evocative. Accompanied by expressive illustrations created by paper collages, gouache and pencil illustrations with wonderfully bright and earthy colours, this story bursts with love and tenderness from first page until last.

Nannie Loves her farm and her family, and we know you will love this story too, told beautifully by storyteller Lael Stone.

To access Story Box Library at home:

1) Visit www.storyboxhub.com.au

2) Choose Log In from the top right corner of the screen

3) Log in using the username and password provided below

4) Enjoy the library of stories on any device with internet connection

Username: stclaresburdell

Password: readingisfun

Parent Borrowing

There will be no parent borrowing this afternoon due to the Harry Potter Book Day afternoon - however, we look forward to seeing you all again next Thursday.

Parent borrowing next Thursday, please come along and borrow some extra books to read at home. Parents are allowed to borrow up to 10 books. The school library is open from 2.45-3.15pm for parent borrowing. We look forward to seeing you!

Mrs Naomi Dollison

Connection with Country

During our Ganmana Adara Club sessions, students have been deepening their understanding of Connection with Country. The children sat outside and shared their thoughts about what Country means to them — the land, animals, sky, and places that make them feel safe and grounded. They then had the opportunity to draw the Country around them, noticing the shapes, colours, and features of their surroundings. These discussions and observations helped students recognise that Country is not just a place, but something we care for and belong to.

Save the Date – Family Cultural Afternoon

I am happy to announce that we have locked in a date for our upcoming Family Cultural Afternoon on Tuesday 18th November, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. We are excited to welcome Ashley Saltner from Wulgurukaba Walkabouts, Traditional Owners, who will be joining us. It will be a wonderful opportunity for our school community to come together, learn, and celebrate culture. We’ll finish the afternoon by enjoying a shared pizza dinner. A form will be sent out soon to gather numbers for catering and planning.

First Nations Advisory Committee Meeting

We will meet again on Monday 27th November in the Library. If you would like to join us please let me know.

Year 2 Walker Learning: Weaving Culture and Creativity

Our Year 2 classes have been exploring First Nations perspectives through their Walker Learning investigations. Walker Learning is a play-based and inquiry approach that encourages students to explore their interests through hands-on, meaningful experiences.

This week, 2C invited Miss Emily to share her weaving knowledge and skills with the students. The children were captivated as they learnt how to weave, connecting with this beautiful cultural practice.

Across the learning spaces, students have also been drawing Aboriginal symbols in the sand — a calming and sensory-rich experience that encourages both creativity and connection with culture. These stations have provided wonderful opportunities for students to learn through touch, texture, and cultural awareness.

Mrs Deanne Guerra

As we move through Term 4, our classrooms and playgrounds are buzzing with activity! Students have been busy taking part in swimming carnivals, excursions, transition days, and end-of-year assessments. With all this excitement and change, it’s natural for children to feel a little more tired, anxious or unsettled as the term progresses.

Movement continues to play a vital role in helping students stay calm, focused, and ready to learn. Physical activity supports strength, balance, and coordination while also boosting mood, attention, emotional regulation, and sleep quality. The Learning Connections Program provides simple, purposeful movement activities that help children reset, refocus, and build strong foundations for learning.

Here are a few calming and organising movement ideas you might like to try at home:

Egg Rolls – Sit on the floor with legs crossed at the ankles, knees bent, and hands around knees. Rock slowly backwards and forwards, keeping eyes close to knees.
Half Rolls – Cross arms over the chest, legs straight. Using flat hands to shoulder height, push gently to roll side to side.
Standing Spinning – Stand up, touch a chair, then slowly spin in one direction. Stop when dizzy, hold the chair, breathe, then turn slowly the opposite way.
Arm Extensions and Head Turning – Sit comfortably, turn head slowly side to side. When ready, extend one arm out to the side at shoulder height and focus eyes on the hand.
Aeroplane – Lie on the tummy with arms out to the side and legs straight. Lift head, chest, arms, and legs off the floor, holding the position briefly before relaxing.
Body Awareness Activities – Tapping, patting, rubbing, squeezing, or playing ‘Simon Says’ to music builds coordination and self-awareness.
Marching – High knees and swinging arms are great for improving balance and rhythm while boosting energy and focus.

SWAP IT – Supporting Healthy Choices

The Learning Connections Program also recognises how nutrition and movement work hand in hand to support children’s wellbeing and learning. What children eat has a direct impact on their concentration, behaviour, and energy levels throughout the day.

I love sharing practical tools that make healthy choices easier for busy families. One fantastic resource is SWAP IT, a website designed to help families make simple food swaps for healthier lunchboxes. It offers great tips on reading food labels, choosing from the five food groups, and finding balanced snack ideas recommended by health professionals.

Check it out here: SWAP IT — small changes really do make a big difference!

Moving our Bodies, Boosting our Brains, Ready for Learning

Mrs Deanna Guerra

Learning Connections Coach

The Countdown is On!

As the final days of the school year tick away, excitement (and a touch of nostalgia) fills the air. 6C has been reflecting on all the memories, friendships, and laughter we’ve shared at St. Clare’s — and it’s clear this place has meant so much to everyone.

From early morning chats to end-of-day goodbyes, from lessons learned to inside jokes that will be remembered for years to come, St. Clare’s has been more than a school — it’s been a family.

In this issue, you’ll read our class’s thoughts on why we’ll miss St. Clare’s — heartfelt, funny, and full of gratitude. Each reflection is a reminder of the moments that made our time here truly special.

So as we begin the countdown to the end of the year, we celebrate not just how far we’ve come, but the memories we’ll take with us wherever we go next.

Here’s to St. Clare’s — and to all of us who’ve made it unforgettable.

(Scroll down to see some of our favourite snapshots and memories!)

Name	What I will miss the most about St Clare’s…
Alexander E	I will miss my friends.
Jackson	I will miss my friends.
Emilia	I will miss my buddy, camp and my friends and athletics.
Hunter	I will miss my friends, buddy and camp.
Sophie D	I will miss my friends, easy schoolwork and buddies.
Ruby	I will miss my friends, and the memories I made with them.
Xavier	I will miss the tuckshop hotdogs and the smell of the tuckshop.
Mia	I will miss the memories of the easy school work, friends and my buddies.
Henry	I will miss the fun memories with my friends and the funny Year Six teachers.
Poppi	I will really miss my funny friends, my buddy, the nice teachers and free time.
Madison	I will miss the fun memories and moments I’ve shared with my friends.
Sophie R	I will miss my friends, buddy, the funny grade 6 teachers and free time.
Hannah	I will miss free time, chatting with friends, and making jokes after I leave St Clare's.
Kiara	I will mostly miss my friends, the fun moments and free time.
Molly	I will miss my friends, teachers and school events.
Riley	I will miss camp and having fun with my friends the most out of the whole year.
Brax	I will miss interschool footy and lunch and my friends.
Braxton	I will miss my friends and camp and being in the school footy team and red track and swimming carnival.
Lucas	I will miss my teachers, my helpers, the staff, and one big thanks to Mrs Kennedy in Year 4 and Mr T.
Lorella	I will miss my friends, camp, lunch, all of the athletic events, food, buddies, footy.
Hayley	I will miss my free time, tuckshop, Mission Day stalls.
David	I will miss my friends, my buddy, my school, fun activities,and events.
Amarli	I will miss my friends and the memories that I’ve made with my friends.
Darcy	I will miss my friends.
Sienna	I will miss the memories with my friends and I will miss the year 6 teachers.

Mrs Belinda Dan

Miss Julia Douglas

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