St Saviour's College Newsletter 2025 - Term 3 Week 8
Principal
This week, we had the great joy of announcing our Student Leaders for 2026. Each of these young women has stepped forward with courage, faith and a desire to serve our community.
In celebrating their appointments, I am reminded that leadership at St Saviour’s is always about more than a badge or a title.
Our College is founded in the Mercy tradition, and at the heart of Mercy is compassion. We often look at the world stage and see examples of leadership that cause us to pause, leaders whose egos take precedence over the common good, whose decisions lack kindness and whose words fail to uplift those who are suffering. Our challenge is to shape a different kind of leadership.
To lead is to carry the hopes of others with humility and to serve with a heart of mercy. True leadership is not measured by applause or recognition but by the quiet moments when a student offers support to a peer, when someone speaks up for justice or when a girl extends welcome and hospitality to another. Across this year, there will be countless examples of students who lead in this way, authentically, generously and without expectation of acknowledgement.
As we look to our Student Leaders for 2026, may they inspire all of us to embrace leadership that is grounded in dignity and compassion. May they remind us that each of us has the capacity to influence, to encourage and to build up our community. And may we, as a College, continue to walk in the Mercy tradition, shaping leaders who know that the greatest power they hold is the power to serve.
Jessica Wade
Principal
Deputy Principal - Teaching and Learning
Year 11 Exam Block
The Year 11 Exam Block is just around the corner, beginning Friday of next week (Week 9) and concluding on Wednesday in Week 10. During this period, students undertaking General Subjects are encouraged to use their exam-free days for focused study at home, maximising their preparation and wellbeing. Meanwhile, students enrolled in Applied Subjects will continue attending school as usual, making the most of these final days to complete their Unit 2 assessments. Please note, End of Unit 2 reports will be released at the close of Week 10, offering valuable insights into each student’s progress as we look ahead to the remainder of the academic year.
Year 12 Exam Block
A Year 12 Exam Block for General Subject External Exam practice will run at the beginning of Term 4, from Tuesday 7 October until Monday 13 October. These practice exams will happen in the Cathedral Centre to give our students a taste of the real experience in preparation for the External Exams which commence on the 27 October (Week 4, Term 4). During this exam block week, students in Applied Subjects will be attending their scheduled classes, completing final assessments. In Week 2 and 3, classes for Year 12s will no longer run. Instead, there will be an alternative program offering master class exam preparation sessions for each student of General Subjects, and a range of short course and skill development workshop options for students of Applied Subjects. We are committed to ensuring our graduating students are best placed for success as they spend their final weeks within our community.
The upcoming assessment period marks a pivotal phase for our Year 12 cohort as they consolidate months of learning, hone their exam strategies and strive for personal bests. We encourage all Year 12 students to approach this time with confidence, resilience and a commitment to both academic excellence and self-care. Teachers and support staff will continue to be available, offering guidance and encouragement every step of the way. Together, we celebrate the hard work and dedication that have brought our students to this moment, and we look forward to seeing them finish the year with pride and purpose.
Year 10 SET Plan Interviews
Last week’s SET Plan Interviews brought our Year 10 students together with their families and teachers for thoughtful conversations about the future. It was inspiring to see parents engaging so wholeheartedly in the process, offering guidance, encouragement and support as students carved out their academic paths.
In these meetings, students didn’t just choose subjects; they explored possibilities, weighed their strengths and mapped out learning experiences that speak to their unique interests and ambitions. Their preparation and insight were unmistakable, revealing a genuine readiness for the challenges and opportunities of Senior School. This milestone serves as a reminder: careers are not rigid end points, but evolving journeys shaped by curiosity, bold goals, and self-belief.
Eleighta Hannam
Deputy Principal
Assistant Principal - Wellbeing and Engagement
Navigating the Junior Years: Growth, Change, and Connection
The early years of high school are a time of profound transformation for our students. As they begin to step away from the familiarity of childhood and edge toward the complexities of adolescence, they often find themselves caught between two worlds - eager to grow up, yet still developing the emotional and social skills needed to thrive. It’s a stage marked by exploration, vulnerability, and a deep desire to belong.
As Linda Stade explains, middle school students are still learning how to build relationships beyond the home. While they may show compassion and inclusivity within their families, these qualities can be challenged at school by the intense pressure to fit in. During this time, friendship is often seen not as a mutual bond, but as a social ladder. Students are acutely aware of where they stand and how their status affects their sense of identity and belonging.
Kristina Morgan, a Brisbane-based clinical psychologist with extensive experience in schools, offers a powerful reminder: “True friendship is a flat playing field. Everyone gets to play their position and has equal value and worth on the field.” This is the message we strive to reinforce every day through our wellbeing and pastoral care programs, helping our girls build authentic connections, develop resilience and learn the skills that will support them in all relationships throughout life.
For parents wanting to better understand the social dynamics their daughters may be experiencing, Linda Stade’s article Leaving time: When and how should kids leave friendship groups? is a valuable resource. It offers practical insights into the complexities of friendships in Years 7–10 and how to support young people through these transitions.
Celebrating Father’s Day: The Power of Positive Male Role Models
A heartfelt thank you to all the Dads, Grandfathers, Uncles, and father figures who joined us for our Father’s Day breakfast. Your presence brought warmth, laughter and a sense of community to our school grounds. From sharing a meal to engaging in light-hearted games, your involvement was a beautiful reminder of the impact that positive male role models have in the lives of young women.
Research consistently shows that girls benefit enormously from having supportive male figures in their lives. These relationships help shape their self-esteem, sense of security and understanding of respectful relationships. When fathers and male mentors actively engage in their daughters’ education and wellbeing, it sends a powerful message: You are valued, and your journey matters.
As author and educator Meg Meeker writes:
“A father’s influence in his daughter’s life shapes her self-esteem, self-image, confidence, and opinions of men.”
At SSC, we deeply appreciate the time and effort our male role models invest in being present. Whether it’s attending events, offering encouragement, or simply showing up, your involvement helps our students feel seen, supported and empowered.
Thank you for being part of our community and for helping us nurture strong, resilient and confident young women.
Megan Schulze
Assistant Principal - Wellbeing and Engagement
Empowering Future Leaders: Year 11s Stepping into Their Strength
Last term, our Year 11 students engaged in a powerful leadership workshop that invited them to reflect on the kind of leaders they aspire to be. As the senior cohort of 2026, they will play a pivotal role in shaping our school culture and fostering a sense of belonging among younger students. It was inspiring to witness their thoughtful discussions and growing awareness of the influence they can have, not just through formal roles, but in everyday interactions that build connection and community.
This term, we had the privilege of conducting the leadership selection process for our 2026 student leaders. It was a heartfelt experience, with so many passionate and capable applicants stepping forward, each eager to contribute their unique gifts to the life of the College. The calibre of applicants was a testament to the strength and spirit of this cohort, and we are proud to welcome our new leadership team.
I’m looking forward to our upcoming Leadership Changeover Breakfast, where we will farewell our exceptional 2025 leaders and officially induct the 2026 team. It will be a moment of celebration, gratitude and anticipation for the journey ahead.
Next term, our Year 11 camp will provide another opportunity for the entire cohort to come together, strengthen their bonds and explore how they can lead with purpose and unity in their final year. We are excited to support them as they step into this next chapter with courage, compassion, and conviction.
Assistant Principal - Mission and Identity
Diocesan Feast Day and Jubilee Mass
Earlier this week, our community joined in celebrating the Diocesan Feast Day and Jubilee Mass, honouring Mary of the Southern Cross, Patron of our Diocese. This special day also marks the anniversary of the creation of our Diocese and calls us to pray together as one Diocesan family.
Many schools and parishioners gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Toowoomba, for Mass celebrated by Bishop Ken Howell. Our students contributed with reverence and pride: Keasharn Sands-Hart led the Acknowledgement of Country and the St Saviour’s Sisters Choir, led by Mrs Potter and Mrs Parker, enriched the celebration with their music.
In his homily, Bishop Ken gave each school a word to take with them as a guide for the year ahead. St Saviour’s College received the word persistence, a reminder to hold firm in faith, courage and hope. This word deeply connects with Mary, who persisted in trust and love even as she stood at the foot of the Cross, always pointing us towards her Son.
This Feast Day is uniquely ours as the Diocese of Toowoomba. It renews our bonds of unity and reminds us of the gift of being a community of faith, hope and persistence under the care of Mary of the Southern Cross.
Final Call – Rosies Winter Appeal
As we continue to walk in the Mercy tradition, our College is supporting the Rosies Appeal. Thank you to those who have already contributed so generously. Your donations of blankets, warm clothing, and non-perishable food items are making a real difference in the lives of those in our local community who need it most.
With only a short time left in the term, this is our final call for donations. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps to bring warmth, comfort, and hope to those doing it tough this winter. Donations can be left at the College Office.
Let’s continue to show compassion in action and stand in solidarity with those in need.
Floral Friday – Carnival of Flowers
On Friday 12 September, our College will join in the celebrations of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers by participating in Floral Friday. Students are invited to wear a floral accessory, such as a flower headband, floral earrings, or similar with their academic uniform. This simple gesture allows us to celebrate our local community event with colour and joy while remaining in full academic dress.
Leah Dempster
Assistant Principal - Mission and Identity
Sports news
Student Success – Darling Downs Athletics
Congratulations to the following students who represented St Saviour's College at the recent Darling Downs Athletics in Track and Field. Abbey Cook and Eve Facey attended to see the level and what might be required for next year in both track and High Jump. Ajah and Yar Deng blitzed the track posting some very fast times over the 100m and 200m and Zoe Rabbit Sutton and Piper Melrose both secured spots on the DD team to compete in Townsville later in the year in Discus and Shot Put. Well done Mercy Girls.
Futsal (New competition in Term 4)
All new and returning players are invited to express their interest in the upcoming Wednesday night futsal season at Glennie in Term 4. If you are keen to play, please contact the sports office either in person or via email. You will require shin pads and a futsal uniform. Teams in 13s, 15s and Opens will be available for students. The cost of entry is $20, which can be paid to student services by the end of Week 2 Term 4.
Monday Night Touch Recap
Under 13s finished 3rd in the Modified competition
Under 15s Finished 6th in the modified competition but had 2 wins in the last 2 rounds
Opens finished 9th in the modified competition however they also finished the season with a win against St Ursulas
Congratulations to all players and coaches including Ms Banks, Mr Anderson and Mrs Schulze. The squad is ready to take on the Highfields invitational carnival in Week 8 and then the 13s and Opens will contest the Gold Coast All Schools Touch carnival in October.
11/12 AAG Basketball
Students from Years 7 to 12 at St Saviour's College showcased exceptional skill and sportsmanship on Monday, 1 September, competing in the AAG Basketball Competition. The team kicked off the day with a strong win, defeating Harristown State High School 35 to 22. They continued their winning streak by narrowly beating Glennie 29 to 26.
Greg Leathart
Curriculum Leader Sport and HPE
Arts and Performance news
Celebrating the Arts: Drama and Music Students Shine Across Queensland
The past week has been a vibrant celebration of the Arts at St Saviour’s College, with our Drama and Music students participating in a series of enriching and inspiring events.
Drama Students Experience ‘Julia’ at QPAC
On Wednesday 27 August, selected Year 9 and 10 Drama students travelled to Southbank, Brisbane, to attend the critically acclaimed play Julia, presented by Queensland Theatre. This powerful production, written by Joanna Murray-Smith and performed by Justine Clarke, explores the life and legacy of Australia’s first female Prime Minister, Julia Gillard. The play culminates in a verbatim performance of Gillard’s iconic 2012 “misogyny speech,” which challenged the entrenched sexism in Australian politics and became a global symbol of resistance against patriarchy.
Students were deeply moved by the themes of gender, power and resilience, and left with a renewed understanding of the importance of standing up for equality and justice. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mrs Eylece Blaikey from St Mary’s College for inviting our students to join this special excursion.
Senior Drama Club Takes the Stage at The Scene Project
On Friday 29 August, Ms Jensen and the Senior Drama Club travelled to Brisbane to participate in the Scene Project Outcomes Day, part of Queensland Theatre’s largest educational initiative. The Scene Project empowers students to create and perform their own interpretation of a newly commissioned play; in 2025 it was Recalibrate by Hayden Jones and Sam Foster. The program fosters creativity, collaboration, and confidence, culminating in a day where students share their work and watch a professional performance of the same script.
This experience provided our students with valuable insight into the creative process and the opportunity to perform in a professional setting. We thank Ms Jensen for her dedication and tireless preparation, which made this opportunity possible.
Saviour’s Sisters Shine at the Paul Morton Choral Festival
On Monday 25 August, the Saviour’s Sisters choir performed at the Paul Morton Choral Festival at the Empire Theatre in Toowoomba. This annual event brings together choirs from secondary schools across the Toowoomba region in a celebration of youth choral excellence. The evening concluded with a breathtaking massed choir performance of Adiemus, featuring over 550 voices in harmony.
The girls represented our College with pride and grace, and their performance was met with enthusiastic feedback. Thank you to Mrs Kylie Parker, Mrs Sara Lawson, and Mrs Jenni Potter for accompanying and supporting the choir throughout the evening.
Saviour’s Sisters Lead Music at Diocesan Mass
On Monday 1 September, the Saviour’s Sisters had the honour of leading the music for the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Diocesan Mass, presided over by Bishop Ken Howell. This was a deeply meaningful experience for our students, who performed with reverence and joy in front of a large congregation of Catholic school communities.
We are incredibly proud of the choir’s commitment and professionalism, especially during this busy assessment period. Their dedication to co-curricular excellence is a testament to the strength of our Arts program and the support of our passionate staff.
Jennifer Potter
Program Leader Arts and Performance
Library news
Wow, the whirlwind of Book Week is settling behind us, with the final few prizes being given out on assembly this week (all going to plan). But of course, in the library, the focus of Book Week celebrations continues beyond the week scheduled by the Children’s Book Council of Australia. So, let’s discuss what I have been reading lately. I have been reading a few articles discussing reading, aligned with the celebrations of Book Week, they have been looking at the role of reading in schools. I have especially been focused on reading in secondary schools. One of the barriers for secondary readers was time constraints – especially from primary school where reading is often in-built within the school day.
Here at St Saviour’s College, we support reading for pleasure and teachers employ reading at the start of the lesson to help focus students for the work coming and to give them the opportunity to settle and read something of their own choice. This has great benefits for the students – from increasing vocabulary and grammar, to improving their writing skills. When reports such as the Grattan Institute’s Orange Book 2025 indicates that one third of Australian children are not proficient in reading, including over 40% of Australian 15-year-olds falling short in reading in PISA assessments. Book Week is a chance to spotlight the role of the library and reading in our schools, but it is the ongoing practices of reading every day that will make the differences. Newcastle High School’s Elisabeth Poreca-Dubois made the comment:
“there’s this myth that kids say they’re not a reader because they don’t pick up a book, but we’re all readers. We all consume words in some way, shape or form.”
This is something we strive for at St Saviour’s library – providing a wide range of options for consumption of the written word, from magazines to visual literacy to novels that will take you hours to consume. Our school library is all about supporting our students to be literate in the 21st century world around them. So, encourage your child/ren to read, model reading and join in with them, engage them in conversations about what they are reading, visit libraries and bookstores and let’s show our reading for pleasure is the “new” thing of today.
What’s happening in the library
Currently we have our International Literacy and Indigenous Literacy displays showcasing some wonderful resources available in our library for our school community.
We also are displaying some of the different career opportunities that exist for students. Check out our different books with different pathways that maybe you didn’t know about before:
Highlighting: More than Books: The Teacher Librarian Difference from Reading Opens Doors by Elise Ellerman.
What a great poster this is discussing the importance of the Teacher Librarian in our schools. With definitions from our governing organisations Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and Australian School Library Association (ASLA) around who the Teacher Librarian (TL) is: information specialist, curriculum leaders, reading advocates. It goes on to outline why every school needs a TL and dedicated library staff. Have a read of all the points in the document below.
Come in and check out all our new books on display – a new selection of Manga and Non-fiction frame our collection this week.
Have a great week and remember to build reading into your routine! Reading for pleasure aids in academic success, social and personal wellbeing.
“When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young.” — Maya Angelou (American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist)
Andrea King
Teacher Librarian
McAuley House News
Goodness, it has been a busy Term 3 here at McAuley House …. even the newsletters have passed me by. The girls have been out and about, involved in loads of activities, on top of the usual sporting and other commitments.
Seaworld, Bangarra Dance Theatre Company, Eat Street Northshore, Laser Tag, Movie nights and most recently our Trivia Night have been keeping the girls very busy and having a wonderful time connecting with each other and enjoying different experiences. This week we are off to the Bronco’s v Storm game and we are looking forward to a great night out. A picture tells a thousand words … Enjoy.
Diane May
Head of Boarding
Careers Centre
Toowoomba Aged Care Service - Traineeships
Toowoomba Aged Care Service will be offering two traineeship opportunities commencing January 2026:
- Certificate III in Business (Administration)
- Certificate III in Individual Support (Aged Care) – available now if needed
These traineeships are ideal for students seeking a practical, supported entry into the aged care or administrative sectors. Participants will gain valuable hands-on experience while completing nationally recognised qualifications. If you are interested in finding out more about these opportunities, please let me know.
Year 12 Students
Don't forget to book a time with us to explore traineeship options and get support with planning your next steps after school. We're here to help you navigate your future with confidence!
TAFE at Schools
Expressions of Interest for 2026 TAFE at School programs is now open. To submit an Expression of Interest for a 2026 TAFE at School Program, students will need to visit tafeapply.com. Enter the expression of interest code that matches the campus and program that they’re interested in. These codes can be found via the button below.
Following the finalisation of all 2026 program details, email offers will be sent to students and their parents/guardians during Term 4. Each offer will include a response deadline - it is important that students reply by the date, or their place may be offered to someone else.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the relevant TAFE at School Team at South West GOTAFE.SouthWest@tafeqld.edu.au
Further information and help
Remember to look at the resources and information available on the St Saviours College Toowoomba (stsaviourscareers.com.au) website and also students and parents are welcome to contact or make an appointment to discuss any of the above and other career related information with Mrs Delahunty any time.
The Careers Team
Upcoming Events
We are hosting our final St Saviour's Girl for a Morning event this October and we’d love your help in spreading the word! It’s a fantastic opportunity for prospective students to meet new friends about to embark on their secondary schooling journey, take part in a variety of fun class activities and get a real feel for life at the College. If you know a family who might be interested, please share our flyer with them and encourage them to register here. Your support in helping us grow our community is truly appreciated!
