Catholic School Parents Queensland

09/10/2026

Ken Howell, has announced the appointment of Ms Madonna Sleba as the next Executive Director of Toowoomba Catholic Schools , commencing on 2 January 2027.

With more than 30 years of experience in Catholic education, including 19 years in leadership roles across our Diocese, Madonna brings a deep commitment to the mission of Catholic education, extensive leadership experience, and a strong understanding of the diverse communities that make up our school system.

As we celebrate Madonna's appointment, we also acknowledge and sincerely thank Dr Pat Coughlan for his dedicated leadership and service as Executive Director over the past 11 years. His contribution to Catholic education across the Diocese has left a lasting legacy that will continue to benefit students, families and school communities for years to come.

Bishop Ken expressed his confidence that under Madonna's leadership, Toowoomba Catholic Schools will continue to flourish as a contemporary, high-performing Catholic education community where young people can grow in faith, wisdom and knowledge.

Please join us in congratulating Madonna on her appointment and in keeping Madonna, Pat and the entire Toowoomba Catholic Schools community in your prayers during this time of transition and renewal.

09/10/2026

09/10/2026

09/10/2026

07/10/2026

A simple reminder for parents: you don't have to do everything perfectly. Looking after your own wellbeing is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children.

07/10/2026

06/10/2026

How is AI changing the way our children learn?

CSPQ families are invited to this free CSPA webinar with education researcher and author Dr Simon Breakspear, exploring how parents can help children use AI while still developing the knowledge, thinking skills and independence they need.

Date: Monday 26 October | 12pm AEDT
Free – however registration is essential - please use the link below

https://www.trybooking.com/DPSJS

A valuable conversation for parents navigating AI and education with their children.

CSPA is proud to announce a free webinar session for parents with Dr Simon Breakspear...

How to Think About AI in Your Child's Education: Practical guidance for parents who want to raise thinkers.

🗓 Monday 26th October, 12pm AEDT

‼️Registration is essential to receive the webinar link and access to the recording of the session.

⭐Bookings will open through TryBooking tomorrow, 8AM AEDT.

Join education researcher and author Dr Simon Breakspear for a calm, evidence-informed session on what AI really means for how children learn and grow. At its centre are two questions every family now faces: when AI does more of the work, who's doing the thinking? And who is your child becoming? Simon's case to parents is simple: our children deserve the opportunity to build knowledge, the ability to think, and the space to work out what they think.

06/10/2026

Term 4 is here — and this is your moment to lean in with families.

The quality of your engagement with families now will shape how much trust, goodwill and room to move you have over the next ten weeks.

Leave families out of the equation and you will pay a price later.

Think of family engagement as the money in the piggy bank. You are going to need plenty of it.

Class groupings. Class sizes. Budget cuts. Staffing allocations. New families. Transition moments. School Advisory Councils. Parents and Friends. And all the conversations that sit around them.

These are not simply decisions to communicate after the fact. They are opportunities to engage families before, during and after the decision.

As one principal asked me yesterday: “How am I going to tell them?”

My response was simple: don’t just tell them. Bring them into the conversation.

Term 4 is not the time to retreat into newsletters and one-way communication.

It is the time to build the trust and goodwill that will carry your school through what lies ahead.

Start now. Start warmly. Start before you have to.

Different, not more.
Engagement by Design.

01/10/2026

Across our Archdiocese I see so much goodwill, engagement and commitment as people in our parishes, schools, and healthcare and social services are living the Gospel in ways that build up our communities and one another.

In order to continue to work more closely together, I am pleased to announce the introduction of a renewed leadership model for the Archdiocese of Brisbane that will strengthen relationships among Catholic organisations and elevate our combined capacity to serve the mission of the Church and respond to the needs of our communities.

I invite you to read my full letter outlining these changes here: https://bit.ly/4ypvPpU

Please pray for all those who will serve in these roles, and for our whole Archdiocese as we continue to listen to the Holy Spirit and walk together in Christ’s mission.