Dear parents and friends,

Almighty God, deepen in our hearts our love of Mary Help of Christians. 
Through her prayers and under her protection, may the light of Christ shine over our land. 
May Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace. 
Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens. 
Bless especially the men and women of the Australian Defence Force and their families. 
We ask this through Christ Our Lord.
Amen. 
Mary Help of Christians, pray for us.

St Colman’s School Board 

 A school board in a Catholic school setting, is a group that provides support and guidance to the principal and school administration. It's a blend of staff, parents, and faith community representatives, working collaboratively to ensure the school's mission and values are realized. They often offer strategic planning and policy development support, and play a vital role in a school's direction. 

What a School Board Does:

• Supports the Principal:
  The board provides guidance and support to the principal in areas like administration, policy, and educational change.  
• Collaborative Governance:
  School boards often operate under a model of shared responsibility and participatory decision-making, ensuring that the faith community is involved in shaping the school's future.
• Strategic Planning:
  The board plays a key role in developing and reviewing the school's strategic plans, aligning them with the school's vision and mission.
• Policy Development:
  The board helps in developing and reviewing school policies and procedures, ensuring they reflect the school's values and meet the needs of the students and community.
• Faith-Based Perspective:
  Catholic school boards are often guided by the Church's mission and vision, ensuring the school's activities reflect Catholic values and principles. 

Are you interested in being on our  newly formed school board ? Please come along to a meeting to find out more on Thursday 5th June 5.30 - 6.30pm at St Colman’s School. The meeting will be led by Mr David McNeale Education Consultant Townsville Catholic Education Office. 

Two meetings per term will be held. Each meeting will go for one hour. 

      

   

Gender Diversity

In today's world, many young people are exploring who they are - not just in terms of career aspirations or friendships, but also how they understand themselves, including their gender identity. For some, this journey is straightforward. For others, it can involve questioning, rethinking, or expressing gender in ways that may not align with traditional expectations.

As a parent or caregiver, it's completely natural to feel uncertain or even overwhelmed at times. You might have questions, concerns, or simply want to better understand how to respond in a way that's helpful and affirming. The important thing to know is that gender diversity is not new - but our awareness and understanding of it is growing. It means recognising that not everyone experiences gender in the same way. While many young people feel comfortable with the gender they were assigned at birth, others may experience or express their gender in ways that feel different to what's traditionally expected.

Supporting a gender-diverse child doesn't require you to be an expert - it requires you to be present, open-minded, and willing to listen. Research shows that young people who feel accepted and supported by their families have significantly better mental health outcomes, regardless of where they are in their gender journey.

Here is the link to your Edition https://scshh.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/gender-diversity-au