Dear Families

Last week, we celebrated Catholic Education week with prayer, song, dance, buddy time and Grandparents! The 2025 Catholic Education Week theme of Faith, Hope, Love is one that resonates loudly with our community and exemplifies values we pride ourselves on living in our day-to-day interactions. We are a community built on strong principles and values that bring people together and foster a sense of connection and purpose. 

Faith often refers to a belief in something greater than ourselves, whether it's a higher power, a spiritual force or a set of personal guiding principles. It can provide a sense of meaning and direction in life, offering comfort and strength during challenging times. At Mother of Good Counsel, our faith is built firmly on our Mercy traditions and Chrisitan gospel values. Our school is one of many cultures and religious denominations. We welcome and respect the diverse faith traditions of our families and enjoy learning about and from each other.

Working with children is a privilege and brings great joy. Hope is the optimistic expectation and desire for a positive and better future, for each other and ourselves. It is a powerful motivator that keeps people going even in the face of adversity. Hope can inspire resilience, perseverance and the belief that things can improve.

‘Let everything you do be done in love’ are the words visitors to our school are welcomed with as they enter our gates. Love is a fundamental human emotion that encompasses care, compassion and empathy for others. Love promotes a sense of unity and creates a supportive and nurturing environment where people can feel accepted and valued.

As a community of faith, hope, and love we embody these principles in our interactions and actions, creating a positive and inclusive space where individuals can find support, grow spiritually and contribute to the well-being of others.

Lord God, give us the faith we need to know your will, 
the hope we need to accept your will, 
and the love we need to do your will. 
Even when we don't understand it, knowing that your way is better.|
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. 

Wishing you a happy fortnight filled with Faith, Hope and Love.

Amen

Week 4

Monday, August 4

• Liturgy Group visiting Holloways Beach Respite Centre
• Student Wellbeing Survey opens - conducted at school
• Year 3 students decorating disco masks

Tuesday, August 5

• Year 4 students decorating disco masks
• 8:30 Parent Engagement - Coffee on the Deck
• 5:30 MoGC Board meeting - members only

Wednesday, August 6

• Year 5 students decorating disco masks

Thursday, August 7

• Year 6 students decorating disco masks

Friday, August 8

• Year 3-6 Swimming Lesson #2
• Gala Day Netball Trials for nominated Year 5 & 6 students
• 8:30 Assembly - 6B leading prayer
• 5:30 MoGC Masked Disco
• Gates open at 5:15

Saturday, August 9

• 5:30 Parish Mass

Week 5

Tuesday, August 12

• 8:30 Parent Engagement - Coffee on the Deck

Friday, August 15

• NO Assembly this week
• 8:45 Feast of the Assumption Whole School Mass
• Full school uniform (including shoes) required - swimmers under uniform
• Year 3-6 Swimming Lesson #3

Saturday, August 16

• 5:30 Parish Mass

Week 6

Monday, August 18

• MoGC Has Talent run through with Mrs B

Tuesday, August 19

• 8:30 Parent Engagement - Coffee on the Deck
• 5:30 MoGC Has Talent
• Doors open at 5:15

Friday, August 22

• Student Wellbeing Survey closes - conducted at school
• 8:30 Assembly 
• Year 3-6 Swimming Lesson #4

Saturday, August 23

• 5:30 Parish Mass

Week 7

Tuesday, August 26

• 8:30 Parent Engagement - Coffee on the Deck
• 5:15 Parent Uniform Forum in the Multi-purpose Room above the library

Friday, August 29

• 2026 OSHC Re-enrolments close
• 8:30 Assembly 

Saturday, August 30

• 5:30 Parish Mass 

Week 8

Tuesday, September 2

• 8:30 Parent Engagement - Coffee on the Deck
  

Wednesday, September 3

• Year 6 Camp 

Thursday, September 4

• Year 6 Camp
• MoGC Year 5 Soccer Teams participating in JGFA Competition

Friday, September 5

• Year 6 Camp
• Father’s Day
• 8:00 Father’s Day Breakfast 
• 8:30 Father’s Day Prayer Assembly 

Saturday, September 6

• 5:30 Parish Mass 

Week 9

Book Week 

Tuesday, September 9

• 8:30 Parent Engagement - Coffee on the Deck

Friday, September 12

• 8:30 Assembly  + Book Week Parade
  

Saturday, September 13

• 5:30 Parish Mass 

Week 10

Tuesday, September 16

• 8:30 Parent Engagement - Coffee on the Deck
  

Thursday, September 18

• MoGC Year 3-6 Swimming Carnival 
• Normal school day for Prep - Year 2 students

Friday, September 19

• MoGC Netball Teams at Mary Mills Cup
• 8:30 Assembly 

Saturday, September 20

• 5:30 Parish Mass 

Community Engagement

Last week was Catholic Education Week. The 2025 theme was Communities of Faith, Hope and Love. Each year level connected with a different community group. Reaching out in Faith, Hope and Love. 

• Prep made placemats for CentaCare at Holloways Beach.
• Year 1 collected Art Resources for ARC Disability Service.
• Year 2 made care packs for Rosies that consisted of toiletry items.
• Year 3 sold ice blocks and raised $489.50 for Ruth’s Women’s Shelter. 
• Year 4 made activities and get well cards for Cairns Base Children’s Ward.
• Year 5 learnt about the work of Pyjama Angels and started a book collection for them.
• Year 6 learnt about the work of St Vincent De Paul and will help to organise the Vinnies Christmas Appeal next term to support them.

Buddy Time

On Monday, our students had lunch with their buddies! 

Also on Monday, Year 2 delivered some care packs that they had put together for Rosies. Rosies is a Catholic Charity which looks after homeless people. 

Gallery Walk

Grandparent's Day

On Wednesday, Grandparents joined us for liturgy, classroom activities and morning tea. 

Thank you for sending in your grandparent’s photo for our slideshow. We ended up with 158 photos. 

CEW Diocesan Mass

On Thursday, July 31 some of our Year 6 students joined Ms Boot, Mr Grubb and Mrs Simpson to attend the CEW Diocesan Mass at St Monica's Cathedral, which drew dignitaries from around Cairns, and representatives from all CEDC schools. Afterwards, we attended a celebratory morning tea.

On Monday this week, some of our Liturgy Group students visited the Social Wellbeing Hub  at Holloways Beach to deliver the placements made by Prep in CEW and to sing some songs to entertain the day guests. 

Swimming lessons started last week. They are fully instructed by qualified Tobruk swimming coaches and supervised by MOGC staff. Swimming is part of the curriculum at Mother of Good Counsel, and costs are included in student Activity Levies. Students are expected to participate. Students are required to have a sun-smart shirt, goggles, slip on footwear, towel and plastic bag for wet items. Please ensure these items are clearly labelled with your child’s name. Year level cohorts will walk together, supervised by class teachers, to and from Tobruk Pool.

Dates for Year 3-6 swimming lessons are:

Friday, August 8

Friday, August 15

Friday, August 22

The MoGC swimming carnival for Year 3-6 students is scheduled for Thursday, September 18 at Tobruk Pool.

Last week Year 4 students, staff and supervising parents enjoyed a 3-day camp experience at Daradgee Environmental Education Centre. During their time, students participated in low ropes cooperation and collaboration activities, a high ropes challenge called ‘Faulty Towers’ and did a photography course, using the rainforest, the farm and farm yard animals as subjects. Each student threw themselves wholehearted into every activity, despite a little drizzle! An amazing time was had by all and plenty of sleep was needed on the return to Cairns!

This was the first time going away for many of our Year 4 students and it was an opportunity to develop resilience, organisational skills and independence in an unfamiliar setting. We owe a huge thank you to our parent volunteers, Hollie, Mark, Ray and Stewart. Without their efforts and attendance, rich experiences such as these would not be available for our children. Thank you also to Janine McCormick, Rachel Wing, Meegan Glasson and Simon Grubb for organising and attending this camp.

Student photography

Whilst on camp all the Year 4 students participated in photography lessons learning how to use the preset settings on a basic digital camera.  Here are some of the results.

Last week Mrs Emma Holden, our long term Prep School Officer submitted her resignation effective from the end of this term so she can embark on some new adventures. Emma is leaving us after 13 years at MoGC. She has a wealth of knowledge and has provided a great deal of stability in the Prep space. Advertising and recruitment for a School Officer is underway. 

In the coming weeks our community will see a new face tending to school grounds. We look forward to welcoming Robin Kanigan to our team!

Discussions have commenced with our uniform suppliers to update and improve our current uniform designs. The changes include consistent fabrics and a more contemporary style. Parents interested in engaging in this process are invited to attend a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, August 26 at 5:15pm in the Multipurpose Room, above the library.

Term 3 School Fees were emailed to families on Tuesday, July 23 and are due for payment by Friday, August 8. Please ensure the school has your correct email address and concession cards are current. 

There are a number of families with outstanding Term 1 and 2 fees. If you are experiencing difficulty with paying fees, please make an appointment with the Principal before these balances get out of hand.

TCC Athletics Carnival

Congratulations to the MoGC Track and Field Team who competed at the TCC Athletics Carnival on Thursday July 24 and Friday July 25 at Barlow Park.

The students did a wonderful job, representing themselves and MoGC proudly. Whether it was in Long Jump, High Jump, Shot Put or Discus; in 100m, 200m, 800m or the 1500m, the students gave their best and had fun. 

A special thanks to Mr Baynes who supported the students in the grandstand, to Mrs Lili S who supported at Long Jump, and parents and family members who ensured their child was at their designated events. 

More information regarding the next stage of representation at the Peninsula Carnival will be shared in the next newsletter.

2015 Team Members

Emily N, Jamie S, Jax K, Bonnie G, Matilda D, Marika E, Tiara K, Maddison B, Heath S, Olivia C, Iarliath B, Max H, Isabella M

2014 Team Members

Scarlett B, Emily F, Charlie R, Jasper V, Awstin J, Harper T, Frankie A, Tyche L, Jude R, Shaylee M, Lilly L, Dviti N, Quade C

2013 Team Members

Emma W, Sophia K, Gabby P, Dylan P, Nathan B, Charlie G, Skyla P, Sophi D, Ernie V, Patrick J

Coral Coast Track and Field

Congratulations to our MoGC students who competed in the Coral Coast Athletics event on Saturday July 26 and Sunday July 27 at Barlow Park. It is wonderful to see our young athletes having a go, having fun, enjoying themselves and achieving some PB’s and ribbons! Way to go!

Sailing - by Isabella Del Favero

During the June/July holidays my family and I went to Japan. My sister Frankie and I competed in the 2025 Open Skiff World Championships which were held in Nishinomiya. It was a sailing regatta consisting of two days of training and five days racing. There were eleven different countries competing and it was reallly fun meeting new people from all over the world. I placed 15th out of 31 people in the under 13s fleet and the 6th ranked girl. This is what my boat looks like.

Raising emotionally healthy kids starts with being present, connected, and in tune with what they need - not just physically, but emotionally too.

At The Fathering Project, we believe that dads and father figures play a powerful role in shaping a child’s mental wellbeing.

When kids feel emotionally safe with you, they’re more likely to build confidence, resilience, and healthy coping skills that will last a lifetime.

Be your child's safe place 

Children thrive when they feel emotionally supported and understood. Research shows that strong, positive relationships with caregivers – especially dads – are key to developing secure attachment, self-esteem and emotional regulation.

When you show your child that their feelings matter, you're helping them build a strong foundation for mental wellbeing.

Try this: 

When your child is upset, resist the urge to fix it straight away. Instead, sit with them and say:

“I can see you're feeling sad/frustrated. I'm here with you.”

Naming their feelings and staying calm helps them learn how to process emotions in a healthy way.

MoGC Connect Meeting

Thank you to parents who attended our recent MoGC Connect meeting, your collaboration and input is appreciated.

Minutes from the meeting: 

Agenda items can be emailed to mogc.connect@cnsstu.catholic.edu.au 

Save the date: Wednesday, November 19 MoGC Connect AGM

2025 Parent Contacts  

If you have a question about your child’s year level, are looking for information or need some guidance on where to direct an enquiry, these parents contacts are happy for you to reach out to them:

Prep: Stacey Watt staceylwatt@outlook.com	Year 1: Louise Bernstein: louise.bernstein@blueoceanic.com
Yr 1: Emma Smith: emmajb21@hotmail.com Yr 3: Paula Kelly: paulajkelly81@gmail.com	Yr 2: James Rickman jamesrickman@yahoo.com.au
Yr 4: Jenny Gangell jenny.gangell@gmail.com	Yr 5: Joeleen Bettini joeleenb1@bigpond.com  Bindi Cooper coopernb@outlook.com
Yr 6: Kate & Carl Vogler: katevogler@hotmail.com

STUDENTS OF THE WEEK

BIRTHDAYS