No. 20 Term 1 - Week 10 Newsletter, 2024

From the Principal

Easter

As we approach Easter, I wish to share my reflections of this morning with  our BCHS community.  It was an incredibly special time - our Easter Liturgy.  I must admit I was moved to tears.  Our Year 7 Drama students enacted Jesus' last days - Easter Hallelujah -  with a very moving song sung by Sari Oar and Harper Nucifora.  The challenge for this class to present in front of the school was enormous but they rose to the ocassion and did so with respect and dignity.  The word Halleluja is a word that expresses joy and exuberance.  IN the Old Testament Hallelujah appeared in the book of Psalms.  It is a combination of 'hallel' meaning Praise and 'jah' meaning God.  this word sums up the feeling and emoitions in reaction to the Resurrection.

I hope this Easter season fills our hearts with renewed hope and love.

Year 12 Retreat

This week I was very priviledged to attend the Year 12 Retreat.  The retreat is a wonderful experience, a time for our Year 12s to step away and reflect on who they are and who they want to be.  This current Year 12 group were amazing.  This is an important part of the final year at a Catholic school. I feel very honoured to have spent this time with the Year 12s listening to their wisdom and insight.

Staffing Update

Today we farewell Mrs Monica Licciardello as she moves to the south of Queensland.  Monica has been a valuable member of our staff and her contirbutions in the Arts - Drama and Music have been appreciated.  We wish her and her family all the very best.

We would also like to wish Mr Leighton Gallagher and Ms Katelyn Pivotto all the very best for their wedding over the holidays.  It is such a special time and we hope their day together with their family and friends is everything they wish for.

Also, getting married is Ms Amaia Licciardello, currently on leave.  We do wish her and her partner all the best for their new life together.

Restful Break

I would like to take this opportunity to wish our community a happy and holy Easter!  Easter is the most important holiday on the Christian Calendar as it is a celebration of Jesus' resurrection.

I wish our families a happy and holy Easter.  May God bless you and keep you safe.

Yours in Christ
Lorraine Wolffe
Principal

Enrol for 2025

Enrolement applications for Year 7, 2025 (current Year 6 students) will open at the start of Term 2. 

Online applications can be completed here:

When you have reviewed the information on this page, you can start an online application. 

We understand that this is a very important decision and to assist you in deciding if Burdekin Catholic High School is the right school for your child there are two very important dates that will help you:

Year 5 and 6 Taster Day - Wednesday May 1

Twilight Open Evening - Thursday May 16

We firmly believe that an early connection to a school is vital to assist incoming students feel prepared to transition into secondary education.

To enquire about vacancies in other year levels, please contact our School Office 47832366.

From the Deputy Principal

Report Cards and Parent-Teacher Interviews

Term 1 report cards have been issued via Compass and bookings for Parent-Teacher Interviews are booked via the “Conferences” option in Compass.  Parent-Teacher Interviews will take place Monday, 22nd April (Week 2, Term 2) in the Marcellin Centre.  Bookings for interviews will close Friday, 19th April.

ANZAC Day

This year we will be commemorating ANZAC Day at school Wednesday, 24th April at 12 pm in the Marcellin Centre.  Students will be required to wear their formal school uniform (school photo day uniform) to the school-based ceremony.  Students participating in the services and marches across the district on ANZAC Day (25th April) will be required to wear the same uniform, including a hat.  We encourage students who wish to wear rosemary or poppies in remembrance of our fallen, to please do so.  We also encourage staff and students to wear the medals of relatives who can no longer participate in the services.  Information about the various services will be available via Compass and on our Facebook page.

Pupil-Free Day

A reminder that Friday, 26th April will be a pupil-free day for students.  Staff will be participating in professional development focusing on data literacy and Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum.

Easter Blessings

I wish all members of our Burdekin Catholic High School community all the blessings of this Easter season.  Please take care and see you next term.

Elisa Rigano
Deputy Principal

From the Assistant Principal - Pastoral

As Term 1 draws to a close, I would like to take a moment to celebrate our successes in the pastoral space so far this year.

It has been a pleasure to see our students embracing the school's high expectations and demonstrating these in their everyday actions. Whether it be showing respect towards their teachers and peers, displaying a positive attitude towards their learning, or presenting themselves in the correct school uniform, our students have consistently impressed me. The number of praise notes issued this term reflects these pastoral successes. The hard work and dedication of our staff, who have worked tirelessly to ensure that our students receive the best possible education and pastoral care also needs to be recognised. They have gone above and beyond to create a learning environment where each student is known and loved. They have also been vigilant with using our Compass processes to keep our students and families informed of pastoral matters. Thank you also to our parents and families for their ongoing support of our policies and procedures.

A reminder that students have the opportunity to be acknowledged for consistently making choices that are respectful to faith, others, self, learning and school at our upcoming Rewards Days. We have two Rewards Days this year, at the end of each semester. The eligibility criteria to attend for 2024 is no more than 6 Respect Room detentions for that semester.

As we head into the Term 1 break, I encourage our students to continue to demonstrate the high expectations and values of our school, both inside and outside of the classroom. I wish everyone a safe and restful break, and I look forward to seeing our students return to school in Term 2, ready to continue their learning journey.

Chiara Guy
Assistant to the Principal - Pastoral Care

From the Assistant Principal - Religion

Last Sunday was Palm Sunday which marks the beginning of Holy Week – a week where we are taken back to the important events that lead up to the crucifixion of Jesus. 

On the last day our school community celebrated the Easter Liturgy on Holy Thursday. Holy Thursday is the day that Jesus and his disciples had their final meal known as the Last Supper. The first practice of communion that we celebrate at every Mass.  

This night of the Last Supper Jesus washed his disciples feet. The act of washing ones feet thousands of years ago was common practice as a sign of greeting and hospitality. Before the Last supper Jesus washed the feet of his Disciples and took this act of greeting and hospitality one set further. He washed the feet of his disciples as a sign of humility and service to others. An example that is relevant to us today. All of us, regardless of our position serve one another and love one another just like Jesus did.  

Our year 12 students spent three days of week ten on Retreat at Magnetic Island.  Sinead Fitzgerald from Marist Ministry delivered the program and was assisted by a team of BCHS staff that lead small groups. The Retreat is special way to reach out to young people. They are times to get away from daily routines, give them the time to reflect on their relationships with self, others, God and their world. The experience provided a relaxed environment for prayer, meditation, discussion and sharing. 

Holy Week services will be held at various times in the district. Please see our Facebook posts and the times below.

From our Parish

From the Business Manager

School fees are now overdue.

If for any reason you are finding it difficult to pay school fees, please contact me to discuss the matter.  You are most welcome to email me apovedaprieto@bchs.catholic.edu.au

Just a reminder that our preferred way of payment is now BPAY and those details are on your statement.  There are number of ways you can pay, by credit card or cash or we can set up a direct debit through Pay way.  You may also pay via Compass.

If you currently pay your fees by direct debit, please check that the fortnightly amount is enough to cover your fees for the year, as there has been an increase. If you are unsure, please contact me.

If the statement does not look accurate and you do not agree with balance or if you have any issues or
questions regarding the statements please do not hesitate to contact me.

Aimee Poveda
Business Manager

Year 12 Retreat

Amidst the pristine shores of Magnetic Island, our Year 12 students embarked on a journey of self-discovery and camaraderie during their recent retreat. Nestled amidst the beauty of nature, this retreat provided a sanctuary for reflection and connection, fostering bonds that will last a lifetime.

From dawn till dusk, the retreat was filled with a myriad of activities aimed at nurturing both the mind and spirit. The trust walk, a symbolic journey of reliance on one another, encouraged students to lean into vulnerability and trust their peers. Liturgies and journal activities provided moments of introspection, allowing students to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily routines and reconnect with themselves through prayer and meditation.

Small group activities became catalysts for meaningful conversations and shared experiences, strengthening the bonds between classmates. Ceremonies marked significant milestones in the journey of each individual, affirming their growth and accomplishments thus far.

Of course, it wasn't all solemn reflection. Fun-filled moments at the beach, complete with face painting and laughter, added a touch of joy to the retreat. And let's not forget the continuous supply of amazing meals that kept spirits high and bellies full throughout the experience.

A highlight of the retreat was undoubtedly the special moments spent listening to Mr. Guy strumming his guitar, weaving melodies that resonated with the hearts of all present. His music provided the soundtrack to moments of contemplation and celebration alike.

None of this would have been possible without the dedication and support of our wonderful staff. We extend a heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Dalle Corte, Mrs. Wolffe, Mrs. Stennett, Mr. Guy, Mrs. Ryder, Mrs. Giddy, and Mr. Marano for their unwavering commitment and sacrifice. Taking time away from their own families and lives outside of school, they poured their energy and love into making this retreat a truly memorable experience for our senior year.

As our Year 12 students return from Magnetic Island, they bring with them not only cherished memories but also a renewed sense of purpose and connection. May the lessons learned and bonds forged during this retreat serve as guiding lights as they navigate the journey ahead.

- Seniors of 2024

From the Science Department

Year 12 Chemistry

Inspired by the ABC competition for world poetry day, the Year 12 Chemistry developed a haiku (a short poem that follows these rules: there are no more 3 lines, where typically, the first line and third lines have 5 syllables and the second lines has 7 syllables).

It was a warm-up activity on the day for their current unit of study. The students worked together to select suitable words with the correct number of syllables to meet the requirements for a haiku .Students were able to complete this task and still retain the correct context and logical flow of the information from their topic. It was accepted into an online poetry journal that specialises in micropoetry.

redox reactions
electrochemical, cells
equilibrium

— Year 12 Chemistry Class, BCHS (03/21/24)

From the Sport Department

Open Basketball Teams Selected

We are very pleased to present the Open Basketball Teams - BCHS Bears! These teams have now been selected (a few students missing from photo) and are entering into the training and preparation phase. They will be representing our school at the CBSQ Basketball Regional Tournament in May. 

We would sincerely like to thank our volunteer coaches - Brett Eathorne and Lauren Roncato.

Teams are:

From the Guidance Counsellor

As Term 1 draws to a close, I want to thank all the students and families for being so welcoming!

I hope this break provides an opportunity to rest, recharge and recover from a hectic Term 1. It is easy to find ourselves planning for next term and neglecting to reflect on everything we’ve already accomplished this year. This topic may have already been shared in the past, but I think it is timely to review as the term draws to an end and we all find something that makes us happy to spend our holidays doing.

As always, feel free to reach out to me anytime via email or by calling the office, my door is always open for both parents and teachers. 

Michael Dixon
Guidance Counsellor

Parent Support Information

Burdekin School Sports