10 September 2025 — Week 9, Term 3

Welcome from the Principal

Dear Families

If you are anything like me, I can’t wait for the end of winter. It must be the North Queenslander coming out in me. As you would probably know, the first day of September is known as Wattle Day. Some of the early wattles and blossoms have been flowering, and their scent is in the air. For me, the scent of jasmine signifies the beginning of spring. The birds also appear to be more active, and the days are lengthening. It is a wonderful time of the year.

With the passing of another Father’s Day last Sunday, I hope all the men in your lives were spoilt rotten. The celebration of Father's Day with Mass on Tuesday, 2 September provided a wonderful opportunity for us all to reflect on the importance of our father figures. I would like to congratulate our Year 1 students who led our whole school Mass. Congratulations on a wonderful job. 

As a father myself, I am continually reminded of how special it is to be a Dad. Whilst it is not easy at times, it is truly wonderful to watch your children grow into compassionate and confident human beings. I will also take time to reflect on my own late father and the massive impact he had on not only my life, but the lives of my wife and children. The following poem by Rudyard Kipling typifies the importance of what a father means to me. Please enjoy.

The St Patrick's School Musical ‘Hoodwinked’ - A swashbuckling Robin Hood Musical is certainly taking shape. The students and staff are both looking forward to their performance on Friday night. With Miss Preston taking some well-deserved long service leave, Miss Hickey has stepped into the role of director, which she is thoroughly enjoying. We would also like to acknowledge the support we have received from John Cowley, Mark O'Brien and Chester Wilson, who will provide the sound engineering on the night. The staff of St Patrick's School have also been front and centre of rehearsals, set design and costume production, which has been greatly received by all our students. Please see the confirmed times below for Friday night:

• Students arrive at 5:30pm in costume and meet their teacher in classrooms 

• Parents seated by 5:50pm  

• Performance commences at 6:00pm  

• Gold Coin Donation – St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal.

As always, if you have any queries or concerns, please contact the school. 

Keith Blaikie—Principal

Keith.Blaikie@twb.catholic.edu.au

Qld Child Protection Week

This year, during Child Protection Week (8-12 September), we encourage parents and carers to speak with their children about their understanding of personal safety and their support networks. The theme for Child Protection Week in 2025 is a continuation from 2024’s theme of ‘Every conversation matters’. It is important that our students know where they can access support, whether that be at home, at school, or within their own network of friends and family. Clear, consistent and regular messages of support and safety are key to reducing harm and safeguarding children. 

Should any student be concerned about how they are being treated by an adult, or another child or young person, they are encouraged to speak up to a trusted staff member or one of our School Student Protection Contacts (SSPCs). All students were reminded who our SSPCs are, and that they are depicted on the ‘Keeping Safe’ posters located around the school. Child Protection really is everyone’s business, and we are committed to making our school a safe, secure, and protected place of learning for every student.

Please talk with your children about the importance of the 'My Safety Team'. This is a mandatory activity for all teachers to complete with their students. It is well worth a conversation. We have also included an article related to popular apps that parents should monitor, and 'Keeping Kids Safe' from the Daniel Morcombe Foundation. The article about popular apps is very pertinent to us all as we approach the school holidays. The information from this article was provided by Brett Lee, who delivered student and parent workshops in 2024 through Internet Safe Education.  

Popular Apps Parents Should Monitor (2025 Edition) - Internet Safe Education

One of the most commonly asked questions we get asked at Internet Safe Education is ‘what apps should parents be concerned about in relation to their children?’.

As of 2025, there are several popular apps used by children and teenagers that pose safety concerns for parents. These concerns include issues such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, privacy risks, and potential access for predators. Below is a breakdown of the apps that parents should approach with caution, along with the specific concerns associated with each one.

TikTok

• Concerns: Inappropriate content, sexualized trends, privacy issues, potential exposure to harmful challenges.
• Why it’s risky: The algorithm can quickly expose young users to mature content. Direct messaging and comment sections can open doors to online predators or bullying.

Snapchat

• Concerns: Sexting, disappearing messages, Snap Map location tracking, hidden content via “My Eyes Only.”
• Why it’s risky: Disappearing content makes it difficult for parents to monitor interactions. Snap Map can reveal a child’s real-time location unless turned off.

Discord

• Concerns: Unmoderated private chats, exposure to explicit content, cyberbullying, and grooming.
• Why it’s risky: Originally for gamers, but now widely used socially. Kids can join public or private servers where inappropriate conversations or images are shared.

Instagram (and Threads)

• Concerns: Body image issues, FOMO, adult content, DMs from strangers.
• Why it’s risky: Filters and influencer culture can affect self-esteem. While Instagram offers privacy settings, many kids leave their accounts public.

Roblox

• Concerns: In-game chat, access to user-generated games with inappropriate content.
• Why it’s risky: Some games simulate adult themes. Chat features can expose kids to strangers unless disabled.

Kik

• Concerns: Frequent use by predators, no phone number required, hard to trace.
• Why it’s risky: Kik is often used anonymously, which makes it difficult for law enforcement and parents to track abusive behaviour.

OmeTV (or similar video chat platforms similar to Omegle)

• Concerns: Anonymous video chats, high risk of exposure to sexual content or predators.
• Why it’s risky: Kids can talk to strangers globally with no registration, leading to extreme and dangerous content exposure.

Telegram

• Concerns: Secret chats, self-destructing messages, unregulated content in group chats.
• Why it’s risky: Telegram allows encrypted and disappearing messages. Some public channels share adult content.

BeReal

• Concerns: Location sharing, minimal content moderation.
• Why it’s risky: Real-time photo posting encourages impulsive sharing, sometimes revealing too much about a child’s location or routine.

Wink, Yubo, Hoop (Social Discovery Apps)

• Concerns: Teen Tinder-like functionality — swiping to connect with strangers.
• Why it’s risky: These apps are often used to make new friends, but can easily lead to contact with adults posing as teens.

What Parents Can Do

• Use parental controls (Apple Screen Time, Google Family Link, Bark, Qustodio).
• Talk regularly with kids about their online activity — don’t just monitor, engage.
• Check app permissions and privacy settings to reduce risks.
• Encourage open dialogue: Make sure kids feel safe reporting uncomfortable online interactions.

Internet Safety Checklist for Parents (2025 Edition)

• Install parental control software (e.g., Bark, Qustodio, Google Family Link, Apple Screen Time).
• Enable screen time limits for apps like TikTok, Snapchat, and Discord.
• Set up alerts for downloads of new apps.
• Regularly review your child’s device for new apps or hidden folders (like “My Eyes Only” on Snapchat).
• Ensure location tracking is turned off on social apps.

Parents and Friends Association

Next Meeting - Wednesday 17 September commencing at 6:00pm

The next St Patrick's P&F Meeting will take place on Wednesday, 17 September commencing at 6:00pm. Parents may attend either in person or online and everyone is welcome to attend. Please note that the St Patrick's Parish and School Fete Meeting will be held at 6:45pm, directly after the conclusion of the St Patrick's P&F Meeting. As per our normal practice, the St Patrick's P&F minutes from our last meeting will be attached to the newsletter email. 

As always, if you have any questions or queries, please contact the school or the St Patrick's P&F directly via email at stpatspnf@gmail.com.

General Information

Look out Matthew Denny

On behalf of the school community, we must congratulate Toby S, who recently competed in the Darling Downs Track and Field trials. Toby qualified in the discus event with a throw of 25.62 metres. His throw was not only a personal best but allowed him to qualify for the Darling Downs team which will contest the State Championships for Track and Field in Townsville. All we can say is look out Matthew Denny. Well done, Toby!

Special mention also needs to be made of Riley W who also attended the Darling Downs trials. Riley competed in the Tetra event, which included long jump, shot put, 100m sprint and 800m. He really enjoyed the experience and loved to compete against other students. 

Nioa Bull Sale - Community Service in Action

The St Patrick's P&F Association were very grateful to be offered the opportunity to attend the Nioa Bull Sale to facilitate a BBQ in order to help raise funds for St Patrick's School. As part of this community service initiative, Year 6 students who were not attending the Assumption College Transition Day on Thursday, 4 September, were given the opportunity to participate in this event and assist the St Patrick's P&F Association.

In a post-COVID-19 world, opportunities for meaningful community service have been limited. This event offers students a chance not only to support the P&F Association by preparing food orders and assisting with other duties, but also to develop their communication skills and foster positive relationships within the wider Allora community.

Our thanks must go Mrs. Shooter who supervised the students, and to the many parent volunteers who helped make this event truly memorable. 

Nioa Bull Sale

Upcoming events

• Friday 12 September - School Musical, 'Hoodwinked', 6:00pm in the multi-purpose shed - All are welcome to attend!
• Wednesday 17 September - St Patrick's Playgroup from 9:00am to 10:30am
• 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
• Monday 6 October - Kings Birthday Public Holiday
• Tuesday 7 October - School resumes at 8:40am
• Wednesday 8 October - Newsletter
• Friday 17 October - St Patrick's Parish and School Fete from 5:00pm to 10:00pm

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