27 August 2025 — Week 7, Term 3
Welcome from the Principal
Dear Families
You are never too old to stop learning. This was highlighted again to me during the Pacific Seeds 88 to Educate Charity Campdraft dinner on Saturday night. If you are anything like me, there is nothing like a quote to summarise your thoughts and thinking. The quote I heard suggests that "a society grows great when old men and women plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit." This quote is attributed to a Greek proverb or Stoic philosophy, as the saying highlights the importance of selflessness and long-term thinking, emphasising actions taken for the benefit of future generations, even if there is no personal gain.
As you would be aware, apart from coming together as a school and district community, the main aim of the Pacific Seeds 88 to Educate Charity Campdraft was to raise funds for future building projects at St Patrick’s School. The generosity of our organising committee in their planning and preparation of the event, and our wonderful supporters and helpers who ensured the event ran without a hitch, can all be extremely proud of their efforts. Trees were certainly planted over the weekend, which will provide shade to future generations. All profits from the Pacific Seeds 88 to Educate Charity Campdraft will be used for future building projects at St Patrick’s School Allora. Well done to everyone involved in what was a fantastic weekend.
I would also like to express my most sincere thanks to the many students, staff and parents who have offered their best wishes to me personally with the recent news of my resignation from St Patrick’s School Allora, effective 31 December 2025.
This decision to leave has not been made lightly. I have been offered and subsequently accepted the role of Principal at St Anthony’s School in Toowoomba, an opportunity that is both rare and humbling. Whilst I am excited for the challenges ahead, leaving St Patrick’s fills me with a profound sense of sadness.
Working alongside each of you has been one of the great privileges of my career. The staff and students of St Patrick’s have inspired me daily, and together we have cultivated a culture of authentic and innovative teaching and learning that I will always cherish. I am deeply proud of what we have achieved as a community, and I carry those memories with immense gratitude.
In the months ahead, I remain committed to supporting a smooth transition and continuing our shared work with the same passion and dedication. Thank you for your unwavering support, your collegiality and the heart you bring to this school every day.
And finally, we would like to invite all our fathers to our annual Father's Day Mass on Tuesday, 2 September commencing at 9:30am in the Church. Our Year 1 students will help lead this very special event, and we hope you are able to join us. Morning tea will be provided after Mass for our fathers and other family members. Our Father's Day Stall will be held on Wednesday, 3 September from 1:00pm to 3:00pm in the Parish Meeting Room. Students are required to bring no more than $10 in cash to purchase something special for Dad.
As always, if you have any queries or concerns, please contact the school.
Keith Blaikie—Principal
Keith.Blaikie@twb.catholic.edu.au
Parents and Friends Association
Pacific Seeds 88 to Educate Charity Campdraft - A weekend to remember!
The recent Pacific Seeds 88 to Educate Charity Campdraft was nothing short of spectacular, bringing together families, friends, and community spirit for a weekend of excitement, generosity and fun.
With record nominations and top-quality cattle, the campdraft arena was alive with thrilling competition and impressive horsemanship. Spectators were treated to a stunning display of skill and teamwork, set against the backdrop of a beautifully organised event.
Local businesses and talented artisans stepped up in a big way, donating an array of wonderful items for the charity auction. The bidding was spirited and heartfelt, with funds raised going toward building initiatives that will benefit current and future children of St Patrick's School. The children’s gymkhana was a highlight for many, offering young riders the chance to shine in a safe and supportive environment. Laughter, cheers, and proud smiles filled the air as kids took part in games and challenges designed just for them.
Campdrafts like this one remind us that these events are built on the strength of the family unit. From toddlers to grandparents, everyone had a role to play and a reason to celebrate. It was a true testament to the power of inclusion and togetherness. We are proud to be part of a community that rallies behind a great cause with such enthusiasm. Thank you to all who made the weekend unforgettable!
Pacific Seeds 88 to Educate Charity Campdraft
Pacific Seeds 88 to Educate Charity Campdraft - Raffle WINNERS!
1. Adele Thomas Allora 100 Years Celebration painting - Peter Cavanagh
2. Serenes Chandlery Leather Conditioner - Ann Balmain
3. Men’s Shed Allora Saddle Rack - Royston Carter
4. Perry Cronin Frame and Naomi Mullins Photography Package - Peter Cavanagh
5. Nick Lindert Welded Rose - Zaya Wood
6. Trevor Schrag Birdhouse/Feeder - Henry Tranberg
7. Terry Drenan Raw Steel Table - Lauren Spelleken
8. Adele Thomas framed watercolour painting - Zach Duff
9. Vanessa Sorensen Hobby Horses - Mandie Tindall & Chas Tranberg
10. Trevor Schrag Side Table Set - Peter Cavanagh
11. Paul Gollon halter and bridle - Kerry Duff
Raffle Winners
General Information
St Patrick's School Musical
“The nation is divided as you will plainly see,
The rich in all their riches, the poor in poverty.
King Richard has gone to a faraway land.
And justice is left in a brave outlaw’s hands.”
So, sets the scene for our 2025 school musical, “Hoodwinked.”
Parents, Grandparents, uncles, aunts, neighbours and Alloraites, are cordially invited to attend our school musical production on Friday, 12 September commencing at 6:00pm. The gold coin donation entry fee will, once again, support the Allora St Vincent de Paul Society Christmas Appeal. We look forward to seeing you there.
2026 Uniform Order Forms - Sent Home Today!
Uniform order forms for the 2026 school year will be sent home with students today. Parents and caregivers are asked to review the form and return it by Wednesday, 4 September. Please remember that children grow quickly—consider ordering a size up to ensure a comfortable fit throughout the year.
Uniforms will be available for collection towards the end of Term 4, and your school account will be charged accordingly. Parents will be notified when uniforms are ready to be collected. Please note that only limited stock is kept at school, so placing your order by the due date helps ensure your child receives the correct items in time for the new school year.
If you have any questions, please contact the school office.
Book Week 2025!!
Congratulations to all our students who participated in the 80th Anniversary of the CBCA Book Week. The theme was Book an Adventure. Harry Potter, fairies and horse related characters appeared to be the order of the day. A rather large unicorn made an appearance much to the enjoyment of the crowd. Well done to you Miss Hickey.
Our Book Fair is being held in Term 4 this year. More details will be provided at a later date. Please feel free to contact me via email at mandie.tindall@twb.catholic.edu.au or via the school if you have any questions.
Author visit to St Patrick's School
St Patrick's School as part of Book Celebrations welcomed Gregg Dreise on Friday 15 August, who is a highly regarded First Nations author. Gregg Dreise is an award-winning author, artist and musician. He began writing poems as song lyrics for his band, and later developed a taste for telling old yarns, especially around a campfire. Gregg plays the didgeridoo and guitar in his lively performances at schools, libraries and festivals. He is a proud descendant of the Kamilaroi and Euahlayi people of south-west Queensland and north-west New South Wales.
Student Reflections
Violet W - "I enjoyed the story telling because it was very detailed and interesting."
Poppy B - "I enjoyed the drawing because I learnt some new techniques taught by Gregg."
Tyson D - "I really enjoyed how Gregg told us about the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people and how they lived their lives."
Karter D - "I really enjoyed being able to draw his animals."
Charlotte M - "I really enjoyed drawing the pictures."
Max M - "I really enjoyed doing the games."
Teaching and Learning
Zebra Finch breeding program - Max K Year 6
At the start of this term, the Zebra Finches have moved into the hallway and have started to lay eggs at St Patrick's. The birds have been supplied by Mr and Mrs Woods. They have excited students and parents walking down the hallway. The Zebra Finches are part of Glenallan’s STEM program which integrates with Maths, Science and Technology. This also ties in with other science units across the school. Our intentional goal is to successfully breed them so we can have baby chicks. Sadly, since these birds had not laid eggs before, none of the chicks made it on our first breeding attempt. However, now Flick and Flynn in cage 1 have 3 eggs that could hatch in a week’s time. Zippy and Zoomy however, have no eggs currently. We will keep you posted.
NAPLAN 2025 - How did our Year 5 students perform?
To further highlight the excellent progress in our Years 3 and 5 National Assessment Program in Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) test scores in 2025, we thought it important to explore the progress of current Year 5 students in comparison to their Year 3 tests in 2023.
The graphs below provide a snapshot of the progress of our Year 5 students in 2025 and Year 3 in 2023 in regard to reading and writing. The Proficiency Level graph shows a clear shift of the 29% of students who required additional support to only 9% in 2025. Whilst there was only marginal growth from 2023 to 2025 for our Year 5 students in reading, staff are currently undertaking a 'deep dive' into this data to look for patterns and possible tweaks that may be required to the school's teaching of reading.
In terms of our Year 5 students proficiency levels in writing, there are no students who required additional support in 2025, compared to 29% in 2023. This result needs to be celebrated. As a result, our Year 5 students performed well above Diocesan, State, National and SSSG (Statistically Similar Schools Group) benchmarks which is an amazing achievement. Our students and staff need to be congratulated for their persistence and accountability in this area of their academic growth. Well done!!
Upcoming events
- Thursday 28 August - Prep Vision Screening
- Tuesday 2 September - Father's Day Mass (Student Awards) commencing at 9:30am followed by morning tea - All are welcome to attend! Students from Year 1 will lead this liturgical event!
- Wednesday 3 September - Father's Day Stall from 1:00pm to 3:00pm in the Parish Meeting Room
- Friday 5 September - Pupil Free day (Professional Development for School Staff)
- Saturday 6 September - St Patrick's P&F Care and Concern home visits from 9:00am to 11:00am - All are welcome to attend!
- Monday 8 September to Friday 12 September - Qld Student Protection Week
- Wednesday 10 September - Newsletter
- Friday 12 September - School Musical, 'Hoodwinked', 6:00pm in the multi-purpose shed - All are welcome to attend!
- Wednesday 17 September - St Patrick's P&F Meeting commencing at 6:00pm
- Wednesday 17 September - St Patrick's Parish and School Fete Meeting commencing at 6:30pm
- Friday 19 September - Last day of Term 3
See the Sentral calendar for more information.
Reminders
Uniform Days
Summer Uniform (commences Monday 1 September 2025)
Formal - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
Sports - Wednesday, Friday
Please remember that we are a...
‘Nut Aware’ School.
Times for Mass at St Patrick's Church are as follows:
1st Sunday - 9:00am 2nd and 3rd Sunday – 5:30pm
4th & 5th Sunday Liturgy of the Word with Communion - 9:00am
