St Maria Goretti School, Inglewood eNewsletter

From the Principal

Dear families,

Supporting Every Learner: Understanding Engagement in Your Child’s Education

At our school, we believe that every student learns best when they’re actively engaged. You might hear us talk about "student engagement" a lot, and for good reason as it’s at the heart of how we support all learners through the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).

But what does student engagement really look like?

Cognitive Engagement

Cognitive engagement refers to the mental effort, attention, and strategies a person uses to deeply process and understand information.

Our teachers at St Maria Goretti regularly monitor how well students are grasping content and adjust instruction based on these learning indicators through checking for understanding and responsive teaching. If a child needs extra support, we provide targeted strategies through tiered intervention.

Behavioral Engagement

This encompasses behaviours such as punctuality, active participation in class, and task completion. These observable actions serve as indicators of a student’s engagement and commitment to learning.

At St Maria Goretti, we monitor behaviour and participation through ongoing data collection and analysis. When a student demonstrates signs of disengagement, we respond promptly with Tier 1 supports—including the explicit teaching of expectations and routines—and provide targeted intervention when necessary.

Social-Emotional Engagement

At the heart of this is how students feel—about their teachers, classmates, school, and learning itself. When students feel safe, valued, and connected, they are far more likely to engage deeply and meaningfully. After all, schools are social environments! Through group work, discussions, playground interactions, and peer learning, students develop vital communication and empathy skills.

Fostering a supportive, inclusive classroom culture forms the foundation of Tier 1 support for every student at St Maria Goretti. For those requiring more tailored assistance, we offer specific tools and strategies to ensure they feel seen, heard, and empowered.

By acknowledging the diverse ways students engage—and applying the MTSS framework to personalize our response—we create learning spaces where every student can flourish.

Supporting MTSS at home

Parents play a powerful role in supporting the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) at home. Here are some meaningful ways to get involved and reinforce what’s happening at school:

1. Stay Informed and Connected

Ask your child’s teacher or school staff about how MTSS works in your school.
Attend parent-teacher interviews and MTSS meetings when invited.
Review report cards to understand your child’s strengths and areas for growth.

2. Create a Supportive Home Environment

Establish consistent routines for homework, reading, and bedtime.
Provide a quiet, organized space at home for learning.
Encourage a growth mindset by praising effort and persistence, not just results.

3. Reinforce Learning and Behaviour Goals

Practice skills at home using games, flashcards, or educational apps.
Talk about school expectations and model positive behavior.
Celebrate small wins—whether it’s finishing a book or showing kindness to a sibling.

4. Communicate Regularly with Teachers

Share insights about your child’s interests or challenges.
Let teachers know if you notice changes in behavior, mood, or motivation.
Ask how you can support specific interventions or strategies being used at school.

5. Participate in Decision-Making

If your child receives Tier 2 or Tier 3 supports, be part of the planning and review process.
Ask questions like: “What are the goals of this intervention?” or “How will we know it’s working?”

6. Promote Social-Emotional Learning

Talk about emotions and coping strategies at home.
Encourage empathy, problem-solving, and respectful communication.
Use everyday moments—like resolving a sibling argument—as teachable opportunities.

These actions align with MTSS’s emphasis on collaboration between school and home. Family, school, and community partnerships are essential components of MTSS. When parents are engaged, students are more likely to thrive—academically, behaviorally, and emotionally.

Reporting at St Maria Goretti

Semester 1 report cards will be available to parents via Sentral this Friday. Reporting on student achievement and progress aims to enhance learning outcomes and fosters meaningful engagement between parents/legal guardians and their child's educational journey.

Teachers collect evidence of student learning to support their professional judgement and provide formal reports to parents/legal guardians twice a year.

The Semester 1 and 2 report cards offer a comprehensive overview of performance, including attendance, effort, participation, learning attributes, and focus areas aligned with school priorities.

Please find the scale definitions for achievement and effort, below -

A to E achievement scale definitions for P-6

A	Evidence in the student's work typically demonstrates that the student has the targeted knowledge and a deep and broad conceptual understanding an excellent application of skills  the ability to transfer the above to new situations.
B	Evidence in the student's work typically demonstrates that the student has the targeted knowledge and is developing a deep and broad conceptual understanding a strong application of skills  they are beginning to transfer the above to new situations.
C	Evidence in the student's work typically demonstrates that the student has the targeted knowledge and expected conceptual understanding expected application of skills  they are able to transfer the above to familiar situations.
D	Evidence in the student's work typically demonstrates that the student is developing the targeted knowledge and conceptual understanding developing the application of skills  beginning to transfer the above to familiar situations.
E	Evidence in the student's work typically demonstrates that the student has an emerging knowledge and conceptual understanding has an emerging application of skills  can apply the above in scaffolded situations.

A to E effort scale definitions for P-6

A	Excellent	The student exemplifies and demonstrates the traits of an effective learner. They always show personal commitment, persistence, adaptability and take responsibility for their learning. The student actively seeks and responds to feedback and is always prepared for and engaged in learning.
B	Commendable	The student consistently demonstrates personal commitment, persistence, adaptability and takes responsibility for their learning. They seek and respond to feedback and are consistently prepared for and engaged in learning.
C	Satisfactory	The student generally demonstrates commitment, persistence and takes responsibility for their learning. They act on feedback and are prepared for and engage in learning some of the time.
D	Developing	The student requires support to demonstrate commitment and persistence in their learning. They are developing the skills to take responsibility for their learning and to be prepared for, and engage in learning.
E	Unsatisfactory	The student requires significant support and encouragement to engage in and persist with learning.

If you have any queries regarding your child's report card, please reach out to their classroom teacher as the initial point of contact to arrange a meeting in Term 3.

This is the final newsletter for Term 2. I hope your family have a safe and happy break. Term 3 begins on Tuesday the 15th of July.

Yours in education,

Casey Robinson

Principal

Library News

Holidays are Here!

Students have had an opportunity to borrow books for the holiday. Please encourage them to read each day!

Students can access e-books and audiobooks anytime from wheelers e-Platform using their school login details at Resource Centre - Diocese of Toowoomba - Resource Centre - Diocese of Toowoomba

Other school-based subscriptions for holiday enjoyment are Storyboxhub and Britannica School, both of which have links on the Online Resources dashboard at

Welcome | Accessit Library Web App

Attached to this newsletter is a parent information flyer to access ClickView resources. As well as information videos, students can view age-appropriate movies and TV shows via ClickView.

The Cobb and Co Museum Toowoomba and the State Library of QLD Brisbane offer school holiday events. Read more at

What's on | Queensland Museum Cobb+Co

Children's Activities in Brisbane | State Library of Queensland

Celebrating our Work in Semester One

We are proud of the service our library offers to the school community; here are some highlights of the year to date;

Life in the Library

Overdue Loans

If you are receiving overdue reminders via email, we appreciate you taking the time to find and return these loans. The emails are generated automatically when loans are 2 weeks late and again at 4 weeks.

Happy Holiday Reading Everyone!

Anne Anderson

Teacher Librarian

School Fees are now overdue

A reminder that Term 2 Tuition Fees are now overdue.

We offer several ways to pay your school fees.

EFTPOS or cash payable by you in person to the front office
EFT: BSB – 064 786 Account Number – 100028119
Centrepay - CRN: 555076771T

If you are having difficulty paying your tuition fees, please contact the office to make an appointment with Casey.

Term 2 MacKillop Way Awards

Each term, we celebrate one student from every classroom who truly embodies the values and spirit of St Mary MacKillop. St Mary MacKillop, also known as Saint Mary of the Cross, was Australia’s first canonised saint and a remarkable figure in our history. Born in Melbourne in 1842, she dedicated her life to education and social justice, especially for the poor and rural communities.

In 1866, alongside Father Julian Tenison Woods, she founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart in Penola, South Australia. This religious order focused on providing free education to children who otherwise had no access to it. The sisters lived simply and worked tirelessly, opening schools, orphanages, and shelters across Australia and New Zealand.

Our school was founded by the Sisters of St Joseph in 1951 and the Josephite tradition still guides our thoughts, words and actions today.

Term 2 focus

“We must teach more by example than by word.”

Mary MacKillop 1867

Prep/Year 1

Years 2-4

Years 5/6

Gracie Berry

(Prep)

Addyson Williams

(Year 4)

Cleodora Broadhurst

(Year 6)

Gracie is the epitome of the quote, “we must teach more by example than by word.” Gracie consistently follows all classroom and overarching school rules. This ranges from walking in the classroom and on concrete, raising her hand to speak, and showing kindness and respect to her teachers and friends. Gracie wears the school uniform in a neat and tidy manner, always showing pride in her school. When lining up before school, after play times and when walking between classrooms or to the church, Gracie consistently sets the standard with her excellent behaviour. Gracie truly, shines goodness and love for her school at all times.

Addyson's light shines brightly every single day. It gleams through her smiling face and every action she takes. She is a shining example of goodness and love, just as Mary MacKillop taught us to be. She consistently demonstrates generosity by sharing her gifts and talents with others, always willing to help and lift up those around her. Her kindness, respect, and helpfulness are evident in everything she does. We've noticed how she finds joy in all her endeavours and celebrates the achievements of her peers, often putting their happiness before her own. We're pretty sure she even lets others win at games just to see their faces light up! Furthermore, Addyson is a model student who follows school rules without being told, always wearing her school uniform with pride, and thoughtfully considering how we gather at line-up, assembly, and liturgies. Her exemplary behaviour when moving around the school sets a wonderful example for everyone. Addyson, thank you for being such an incredible role model and for truly living the Mary MacKillop Way. Congratulations!

Cleo demonstrates the spirit of Mary MacKillop’s value, "we must teach more by example than by word". She consistently leads our school with integrity - wearing her uniform with pride, following school rules without needing reminders, and moving respectfully and calmly throughout the school. Whether she's lining up, attending community events, or taking part in school activities, Cleo sets a positive example for her peers through her thoughtful actions. Most of all, she shares her talents generously, encouraging others not just through words, but thoughtful and positive actions each day.

Our School Prayer & School Values

Men and Boys Mental Health

Last week was Men’s Mental Health Week and we can draw our minds to it again across the coming month. The big message is to lookout for your friends: - notice, ask, connect.

A reminder that headspace is a National Youth Mental Health Foundation. Headspace provides information and services that support young Australians aged 12 to 25 as well as their family and friends to be mentally healthy and engaged in their communities. Services include:

Headspace centres (closest to Goondiwindi is Warwick)
Headspace online and phone support
Headspace schools and communities

A helpful tool in supporting men and boys’ mental health is - NAC:

N - notice with non-judgement

A - ask your friend how they are

C - connect them to the best support

What is mental health? Feelings, depression, self-harm, emotional blocks – only a beginning!

What is good mental health? Realising your own abilities; cope with day-to-day stresses; be involved in your community; live in a free and satisfying way.

What stops us from talking about mental health? Potential bullying at school, feeling weak, being stereotyped, worried about what others think, fear it can be used against you later, not being able to trust people.

There appears to be a stigma attached to poor mental health:

Negative perceptions of mental health
Myths about mental health
Labelling and stereotypes
Fear and discrimination

Who do young people turn to for support when they need it?

In an emergency, please refer below.

Lifeline: 131 114

Kids Help Line: 1800 551 800

Parent line: 1300 301 300

Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636

Headspace Warwick: (07) 4661 1999

Southern Downs Mental Health service: (07) 4660 3901

Goondiwindi Hospital: (07) 4578 2400

Inglewood Hospital: (07) 4652 0888

Emergency: 000

Article provided by: Paul Fomiatti, Guidance Counsellor

Students of the week - Week 9

Students of the week - Week 10

Sight Word & Reading Certificates

Birthdays!

Sporting Awards

Upcoming School Events

**Theme - Alphabet Disco (Dress as something starting with the first letter of your name!)**
**When - Thursday 26th of June from 5:30-7:00pm**
**Where - Upstairs classroom**
**Who - SMG students**
$5.00 entry will cover the cost of food for the night. Students MUST attend school that day. Unlike previous years, parents are NOT required to stay. Prizes for best dressed!

From the Library - ClickView Parent Info Guide

Parent Engagement Network (PEN)

Parent Engagement Network

2025 Parent Engagement Network Executive -

Chairperson	Melissa Callaghan
Secretary	Gabe Groves
Fundraising Coordinator	Michelle Walker
Tuckshop Convenor	Shaylee Huntly
Finance	Mandy Mead

Our next PEN meeting will be on:

Term 3, Wednesday 16th July at 3:30pm in the library

Please contact Casey, Melissa, Gabe or Mandy to add an item to the agenda.

All parents are very welcome to attend the PEN meeting as a rewarding way to get involved with the school community and keep up to date with school events, policies and projects.

________________________

Enrol Now for 2026

Please visit our school website for information about enrolment https://www.inglewood.catholic.edu.au/enrol or call the office on 4652 1109.

Strategic Plan 2023-2026

Strategic Plan.pdf

14 Jul	Pupil Free Day All day

15 Jul	Term 3 begins All day

Term 2, Week 10 - 26th June, 2025