What's Cool in School - Cairns and Surrounds - Edition One

MONTHLY E-GUIDE EDITION 1

CAIRNS AND SURROUNDS

2 Edition One 2018

What’s Cool in School E-Guide

HELLO AND WELCOME Welcome to the first edition of “What’s Cool in School”, a monthly e-Guide to give you updates, exciting news and student highlights from local schools in your area.

In this edition, we are celebrating the start of the 2018 school year with a warm welcome from Principals to students, teachers and parents. With a look to the year ahead, the excitement at the prospect of a happy, successful and prosperous school year, both for students new and existing, is very high indeed.

Many schools within the guide have exciting news to share; some have new Principals, some have new building and some have new outlooks!

What is “What’s Cool in School”?

The “What’s Cool in School” is a monthly e-Guide which keeps parents connected to their schools and gives them updates about other schools in the area.

You will receive this e-Guide if you are a PakMag newsletter subscriber or if your child attends one of the schools inside. You can also access this e-Guide on our website www.pakmag.com

Edition Edition One 2018 One 3

Join Us. At St Gerard Majella we develop our students spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally, culturally and physically.

We teach the values of FAITH, JUSTICE, INCLUSION, COMPASSION and RESPECT. Our partnership with parents helps create citizens of the world who are responsible, ethical and resourceful. Applications for Prep enrolments are accepted up to two years prior to starting.

63 Ander so nR WOREE QLD d, 4868 P H O N E : 07 4054 4805 F A X : 07 4 0 54 6433 EMAIL: secr etar y.w or ee@cns.c atholic.edu .a

u

What’s Cool in School E-Guide

St Gerard Majella School Principal: Lea Martin

Principal’s Pen And just like that, Term 1 is over!

We finished the school term with Holy Week which began on Palm Sunday, with Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Later in the week we celebrated Holy Thursday where Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with his disciples, Good Friday commemorating the crucifixion of our Lord and Easter Sunday celebrating his resurrection.

Many families took the opportunity to attend Church services during Holy Week as a way of sharing these events with their children.

We also welcomed parents and friends to join us for Stations of the Cross on Thursday 29th March.

I wish all of our families a Happy and Holy Easter and a restful break ready to begin Term 2 afresh.

Term 1 School Highlights This term our students have completed a number of fundraising events to raise money for Project Compassion, which is Australia’s annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal which helps the world’s poorest people.

This has included donation boxes, students being sponsored to complete Lenten promises and a Growing Closer to Jesus project where students made grass head cups and cared for them.

We also attended the Sumo Robitics Competition.

Eleven students represented St Gerard Majella for the first time at the QSITE Sumo Robotics Competition at St Mary’s Catholic College.

Students entered four robots into the competition, which they had built and programmed in their own lunch times for five weeks, under the guidance of Mrs Savaglio and Mr Doherty.

Students demonstrated excellent sportsmanship, problem solving skills and collaborative partnerships. There was much excitement as the teams experienced success in some of their rounds by knocking out other robots.

An extraordinary effort for first time attendees.

Well done!

fun Fun fact!

Fact!

The schools shares its grounds with the adjacent secondary school, St Mary’s Catholic College.

Edition Edition One 2018 One 5

What’s Cool in School E-Guide

GOOD COUNSEL PRIMARY SCHOOL, INNISFAIL Principal: Liam Kenny

Principal’s Pen The last few weeks of Term 1 were a hive of activity at GCPS. For Easter, the wonderful students in class 3B put up a presentation of Palm Sunday at the weekly assembly followed by 6W presenting the Last Supper, and 5GS bringing the solemn events of Stations of the Cross. Our yearly cross-country event took place at Warrina Lakes and was a fantastic success.

With the Commonwealth Games happening this month, Good Counsel Primary School (GCPS) is celebrating with their very own Reading Wealth Games. The Reading Wealth Games are running from Monday, 12 March to Friday, 1 June. This challenge is a fantastic opportunity to foster each child’s love of reading and encourage them to read and borrow books that they might not normally choose.

Students are required to complete a number of different reading activities for each Reading Wealth Games Event.

All students who receive a Bronze, Silver or Gold in their event will be presented with a GCPS Reading Wealth Games Certificate with all medal stickers earned. Students who achieve gold medals in all of their events will earn a place on the GCPS Readers Wall of Fame. Students’ medal tally sheets will be on display in the library.

Many thanks to the GCPS Reading Wealth Team, Darelle Horsford and Laurann Farina.

Let the reading games begin! Ready, Set, Read!

fun Fun fact!

Fact!

Good Counsel Primary School is the largest non-government primary school in the Innisfail District.

6 Edition One 2018

Term 1 School Highlights This term, our students learned, laughed and created as we all experienced new challenges and activities.

As part of our Science/ Technology unit students had to design a Terrarium using living and nonliving items.

Students had to consider sustainable materials as our aim was to create something that would use recycled materials. We look forward to taking care of our plants over the semester and watching them flourish. Special thanks to Mrs Horsford who’s neighbour so kindly donated 50 succulents.

Plants have been a theme of this term with Year 4 participating in their Bunnings Garden Project which has seen them plant fruit trees, sunflowers and garden vegetables.

At the St Patrick’s Concert at the Innisfail Shire Hall, Good Counsel Primary Choir students performed a wonderful rendition of the National Anthem and a classic Irish ballad, Black Velvet Band. Our students performed wonderfully and we’re extremely proud!

What’s Cool in School E-Guide

Mackillop Catholic College, Mount Peter Principal: Luke Reed

Principal’s Pen They said no human could ever run a subfour-minute time for the imperial mile! One man proved this wrong.

Englishman Sir Roger Bannister spurred on by competition coming from his Aussie rival, John Landy, assiduously pursued this goal and achieved it in May 1954.

To reach this milestone, Bannister dreamed about it, thought around it, strategized for it and trained, practised and perfected his technique.

What once was deemed ‘impossible’ became ‘possible’ in others’ minds because someone had done it before them.

Our learning is like that too. When we observe others’ growth, their achievement inspires our own desire. Like Bannister, we think about what we would like to achieve, we develop strategies,

and we practise, practise, practise. Bannister would say it wasn’t that one race which made him successful, but every race that led up to that moment.

Be it in reading, writing, or arithmetic, every step in our learning journey and especially those that fall short of our ultimate goal, contribute to our ongoing success. Just do it! Our students at MacKillop are dreamers, doers and learners, and they never give up.

Towards the end of Term 1, students learned about the events of Holy Week as part of our Catholic values. We had a very successful Easter raffle, with tickets selling like hotcakes – it’s fantastic seeing the community involved with our wonderful school. Come join us! For my full letter, please see www.pakmag.com.au

WHAT’S ON Monday, 16 April Pupil Free Day and closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games Tuesday, 17 April Term 2 Commences Wednesday, 25 April ANZAC Day

fun fact!

MacKillop Catholic College currently accommodates years prep-5, but is planning to add Year 7 in 2020, and grow to year 12 in 2025.

Edition Edition One 2018 One 9

What’s Cool in School E-Guide

st ST john’s JOHN’S school, SCHOOL, silkwood SILKWOOD Principal: Peta Bryan

Principal’s Pen As Term 1 came to a close, students at St John’s were taught the true meaning of Easter in the weeks leading up to this significant day.

On the very last day of term, we had our annual Easter Liturgy.

Term 1 School Highlights Term 1 has been action-packed at St John’s!

The kids had a wonderful time at the St John’s Silkwood school disco on the 20th of March, and our interhouse cross-country event on the 28th – war cries, excited chatter, and smiles all around.

Events like these brought a wonderful close to a busy term of learning and achieving.

Our students have fully embraced the arrival of the Commonwealth Games. There has been much anticipation for this historic event, and they’ve been partaking in many fun activities to celebrate.

The Games give the students a wonderful opportunity to develop social-emotional learning skills, such as getting along and confidence. They learn through participating in individual and team sports and striving to do their best at all that they do; it’s been wonderful to see.

We’ve been holding a special St John’s School Commonwealth Games Reading Challenge where children are encouraged to read all sorts of literature in order to earn “medals” of their very own. We encourage the kids to “Go for Gold,” but winning any number of medals is fantastic.

We look forward to seeing the students return for Term 2 on Tuesday the 17th of April, and I am excited to see what this following term brings us.

fun fact!

St John’s has a huge 12 acres of playground which incorporates a soccer field, athletics track, large undercover area, synthetic run ups to our two long jump pits and more.

10 Edition One 2018

Such a lovely day was had for our St Patrick’s Day celebrations, with our Seniors for organising it all and working hard throughout the afternoon – thank you! From green treats, to Gaelic football, from treasure hunts to find gold at the end of the clues, to some lovely green Shamrock art, we had it all!

What’s Cool in School E-Guide

ST Rita’s RITA’S School, SCHOOL, St BABINDA Babinda Principal: Judy Billiau

Principal’s Pen What a fantastic start to the year we’ve had!

Term 1 brought us great things, and we remain excited for the rest of 2018 and the opportunities it will bring the kids.

We’ve been learning all about the Commonwealth Games in anticipation of the big event happening this month through incorporating fun activities into everyday classes and getting the kids participating in related sports.

Term 1 School Highlights In March, we enjoyed a special “Zoo to You” visit which taught the children about the captivating wildlife inhabiting our beautiful region, as well as getting the opportunity to interact with a sugar glider, owl, and even a baby crocodile.

Learning certainly is fun at St Rita’s!

While we didn’t get to see the Queen’s Baton pass through Babinda, we’ve fully embraced the games from an educational point of view, and we’ve taken this opportunity to teach our students valuable lessons on persistence, determination, pride, and achieving your dreams.

It’s the perfect way to show children that they can achieve anything they put their mind to. What an honour to have the Commonwealth Games happening in Australia this year.

We hope everyone has a wonderful school holidays and we look forward to seeing everybody back on the 17th of April for an exciting Term 2.

fun fact!

With 40 enrolments, St Rita’s is a small school with a big spirit and is actively involved in community events.

Our students have really embraced technology this term with our first attempt at augmented reality and having a got at robotics. It’s great when learning’s fun!

Edition Edition One 2018 One 13

What’s Cool in School E-Guide

ST TERESA’S School, RAVENSHOE Principal: Catherine McKechnie

Principal’s Pen Term 1 has been an eventful one for all of us at St Teresa’s. We’ve been busy, busy, busy!

In the last few days of Term 1, we have journeyed with Jesus through the events of Holy Week. Every year, this week is a powerful reminder to us of our Catholic values and traditions, and this has been reflected in class.

During this week we recounted the last days of Jesus’ life, and the children continued to learn the true meaning of Easter. We took time to attend the Easter liturgies in Ravenshoe.

Term 1 School Highlights The end of term, St Teresa’s students competed Reader’s Cup competition which saw them coming second overall! Many readers joined together and they answered questions about books that all students had read and also two rounds of general knowledge questions.

On 16 March, the students and community enjoyed the school fete which was jam-packed with competitions, delicious nibbles, family fun, great music, and lots of smiling faces.

We have had a productive term for all at St Teresa’s, and are so incredibly proud of the goals that are continuously being achieved by the students. In April, we will see our Cross Country events on the 20th and 27th of the month – and we encourage all students to continue training during the school holidays!

fun fact!

St Teresa’s School is located 920 metres above sea level, as Ravenshoe is Queensland’s highest town!

14 Edition One 2018

We were lucky enough to have a visit from Olympic weightlifter Damon Kelly and we had a fun afternoon, learning techniques in a rather unique PE lesson – check out our Facebook page for a great video!

What’s Cool in School E-Guide

ST THOMAS’ St SCHOOL, MAREEBA School, Principal: Rita Petersen

Principal’s Pen As Term 1 came to a close, we look back on all the wonderful things we achieved as a school, and the many more exciting things to come this year.

We give our sincere thanks to all the parents who continued to offer their time and help with class and school-based activities during this term.

It’s wonderful to see families getting involved with day-to-day life at St Thomas, and we appreciate the assistance.

This term we were privileged and honoured to see the Queen’s Baton Relay passing through our beautiful school! Our kids got into the spirit with class activities, Commonwealth Games decorations around the school and many educational displays in the library. To see the baton passing through St Thomas is a day the kids will remember well into adulthood, and we were very excited to see it happen. Some students even got to touch the baton; a very exciting time indeed!

We wish everyone a happy and safe school holidays, and all the best to those families travelling to the Gold Coast to attend the Commonwealth Games. We are excited to see everyone back on Tuesday the 17th of April and the exciting things Term 2 will bring to our school.

Term 1 School Highlights In March, some of our amazing students headed to Cairns to compete in the Sumo Challenge and Robocup where they showed off their handbuilt robots at this robotics competition.

Our students continued their learning in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden where they not only learn how to look after plants, but also how to grow and cook their own veggies!

fun fact!

In the last week, we celebrated the end of term and the coming of the Easter season with a Liturgy in the church. Our students were taught about the events of Holy Week and the true meaning of Easter.

St Thomas’ offers a range of extracurricular activities including a school band, performing arts, chess, coding, Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program, public speaking and a range of sports.

Edition One 2018 17

What’s Cool in School E-Guide

ST ANTHONY’S SCHOOL, DIMBULAH Principal: Kath Porter

Principal’s Pen Time flies when you’re having fun – that must be why we’re already in April! Term 2 is right around the corner, and I’m excited for the opportunities it will bring us here at St Anthony’s.

We had a wonderful time at our cross-country event on the 27th of March. We encourage physical activity through fun events such as this day, and it is much anticipated every year. Additionally, to end a successful term of swimming lessons, we celebrated a brilliant time at our swimming carnival on the 29th of March. A day in the pool is the perfect end to the warmer months!

spirit as the Queen’s Baton passed through the Tablelands and Cairns. To celebrate the arrival of the Games, we’ve been holding interactive activities in class for the kids to learn what the Commonwealth Games is all about.

Wishing everyone a wonderful and safe school holidays.

Term 1 School Highlights Well Term 1 certainly has been jam-packed! At the beginning of the term, our Leadership Camp saw students learn new skills (like archery), problem solving through a series of tasks, and team building, which included an obstacle course in the water!

Our students are very much involved in Parish life. In the leadup to Easter, we had a wonderful Passion Play. the play is acted out by the students for the community and teaches the kids the true meaning of Easter as part of our Catholic values.

On the last day of school, we celebrated with an exciting Easter egg hunt.

The Commonwealth Games are right on our doorstep! This is an exciting time for us as it gives the children visual role models of determination and country pride through both the athletes and baton bearers. We’ve witnessed wonderful local

fun fact!

St Anthony’s has been around since 1966, when the first 64 students were enrolled.

18 Edition One 2018

We also got into the kitchen and learned some Italian cooking as part of our LOTE program.

We made some delicious food and had fun in the process!

What’s Cool in School E-Guide

ST CLARE’S SCHOOL, TULLY Principal: Narelle Harney

Principal’s Pen Our Holy Week Liturgy took place on Wednesday the 28th of March, and Term 1 concluded on Holy Thursday.

Children shared around chocolate Easter eggs which were enjoyed on Easter Sunday in respect of the holy days up to Easter.

We’ve been celebrating the very exciting arrival of the Commonwealth Games in Australia in the weeks leading up to the Games. Topics of interest in class have been turned to the Commonwealth and the wonderful diversity it displays. This historic event gives the students fantastic role models, teaches determination and how people achieve goals no matter how impossible they may seem.

Students at St Clare’s have also been involved in an exciting “Commonwealth Games Reading Competition” to create both interest in reading and excitement for the upcoming Games. The kids are rewarded with medals for their efforts and enjoy a good book along the way.

I look forward to what lies ahead for us in Term 2, and I have complete faith the students will try their very best to achieve their goals!

Term 1 School Highlights The weather certainly didn’t stop us from having a fantastic Term at St Clare’s.

In light of St Patrick’s Day on 17 March, we held a Project Compassion fundraiser to help people in Nepal, Cambodia, Jordan, Australia, Mozambique and the Philippines combat poverty. The families of St Clare’s have been so generous during this project, and the students raised money for this project by enjoying delicious green slushies in their lunch.

Our Year 4 students enjoyed a fun maths class when they learned fractions in the kitchen, instead of the classroom!

It resulted in some delicious scones for afternoon tea.

Students also showed their sporty side at the Tully 10-12yrs District Netball and Rugby League Carnivals. We were all so happy with the efforts put forward by our students on the courts and the fields and, even more importantly, very proud of the sportsmanship displayed throughout the day!

fun fact!

The first building of St Clare’s consisted of just 3 classrooms and was opened in 1934!

Edition Edition One 2018 One 21

22 Edition One 2018

What’s Cool in School E-Guide

ST Rita’s RITA’S School, SCHOOL, St BABINDA Babinda Principal: Greg Hoare

Principal’s Pen Thanks to a successful Term 1, the students at St Rita’s are well underway for achieving their goals for 2018, and we’re incredibly proud. This term we recognised the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence and encouraged the kids to take a stand and say no to bullying as well as taking the opportunity to teach students how bullying affects people.

The annual Cross-Country event was also held, as well as Crazy Hair Day which the students absolutely loved.

The first term of the year came to a close with our annual Easter Liturgy to teach students at St Rita’s the true meaning of Easter as part of our Catholic values.

This April, the spotlight will be on the Commonwealth Games and all the wonderful life lessons it teaches our students. While the sports are fun to watch on TV, it teaches the

kids to reach for the stars and that no dream is impossible. To celebrate this exciting event, we’ve been holding a reading competition in the last few weeks of Term 1 where students earned medals for reading books.

Additionally, our hardworking and passionate physical education teachers have put on many fun activities for the students to partake in and build up that excitement for the Commonwealth Games. We fully supported the baton bearers in our community and it was wonderful to see local role models for the children.

We look forward to what Term 2 has in store for us at St Rita’s.

WHAT’S On ON What’s Monday, 16 April Pupil Free Day Tuesday, 17 April Term 2 Commences Friday, 20 April District cross country Wednesday, 25 April ANZAC Day

fun fact!

Camps are an important part of education at St Rita’s with every student participating in a camp experience each year. Camps have been held in Townsville, Charters Towers, Tinaroo Dam, Cairns, and Chillagoe.

Edition Edition One 2018 One 23

Want to receive this e-Guide direct to your inbox?

Head to www.pakmag.com.au to sign up for our newsletters.

Want your school to be featured in this eGuide?

Contact us today on 07 4053 3331

Edition One 2018 25