No. 27 Term 3 - Week 8 Newsletter, 2024
From the Principal
50TH Anniversary Celebrations
Two weeks ago we came together not just as a school, but as part of a legacy that has been growing strong for 50 years. It was an honour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Burdekin Catholic High School, a place that became a co-ed school and officially got its name all those years ago. Over the weekend in August, we had a series of events that were so wonderful. It was great to see either students, teachers, parents and grandparents (all current and past) who have a strong connection with our school. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting people and especially hearing stories about the school.
Our history goes back even further than 50 years. The first school on this very site was called Blessed Edmund Campion College. Founded by the Marist Brothers in 1953, it originally catered to boys in primary and secondary classes up to Year 10. Then, in 1974, the Catholic schools in the Burdekin area were reorganised, and our school became a co-educational secondary school for students from Year 8 to Year 12. That’s when the name Burdekin Catholic High School was born, and though the name changed, our school continued on the same site, so we still count 1953 as our starting date but 1974 as the birth of BCHS.
For many years, the Marist Brothers managed our school, and it wasn't until 2000 that the Townsville Catholic Education Office took over, with lay administrators guiding us forward. On the weekend, many of the Brothers returned to the school - the ones you see on the Honour Board.
As we look back on the last half-century, it’s amazing to think about the journey our school has been on. We’ve seen victories and faced challenges, but through it all, we’ve been guided by a commitment to excellence, respect, and a love of learning. Also on the weekend, I met Doctors, Plumbers, Nurses, Farmers, Teachers, etc….all past students! BCHS’s gift to the community has been well educated students.
The weekend was more than just a celebration of the time that’s passed; it was big thank you to everyone who has made our school what it is today. From the teachers who’ve shared their knowledge, to the students who’ve worked hard, and to the parents and community who’ve always supported us – this celebration is for all of you. Today, here with you we continue our celebration.
We also want to remember and honour those who started this journey – our founders, principals, teachers, and staff who built the foundation for our success. Thanks to their dedication, we’ve been able to learn and grow in this special place. We want to thank our staff here present today, they continue this dedication to the students of BCHS.
As we celebrate with all these golden jubilee festivities, let’s not just think about the past, but also get excited about the future. Our journey in education doesn’t stop here, and as we celebrate 50 years, we commit to continuing to make Burdekin Catholic High School a place where every student can thrive.
Together, we are the living legacy of Burdekin Catholic High School, a vision that began in 1974.
Happy 50th anniversary, Burdekin Catholic High School!
Staffing Updates
I am pleased to announce that Mr Leighton Gallagher has been appointed as Acting Assistant Principal- Pastoral at Burdekin Catholic High School, Ayr for Term 4, 2024 through to the end of Term 3, 2025 whilst Mrs Chiara Guy is on maternity leave.
Mr Gallagher has been our Pastoral Leader and Program Leader- Sport at Burdekin Catholic High School.
Mr Gallagher has invested his time to become an integral part of the BCHS and wider Burdekin Community during his time at the BCHS.
Please join me in congratulating Mr Gallagher on his appointment.
We would like to thank Mrs Boland and Mrs Wallwork, for taking over the teaching of Mrs Guy's Year 7 Science and Year 10 Maths Class.
Mrs Eathorne has been appointed Acting Sports Program Leader for Term 4, 2024.
First Nations' Students
On Thursday we will acknowledge our Year 12 First Nations’ students, Kain and Joey who attended the annual Townsville Catholic Education Blak Excellence Liturgy and Lunch. Kain Caston has been nominated as Student of the Year for his extensive contribution to the life of the College.
Leaving for Leuven University, Belgium
Today, I start sabbatical leave for two weeks. I feel very fortunate to go to Leuven University in Belgium to continue in my growth of learning about Enhancing Catholic School's Identity (ECSI). ECSI has a direct link to my leadership here at Burdekin Catholic High School. Being an educator for 34 years, I still value the importance of learning.
In my absence, Mrs Dalle Cort and Mr Gallagher will be leading the school with the support of representatives from Townsville Catholic Education.
Yours in Christ
Lorraine Wolffe
Principal
From the Assistant Principal - Pastoral
Introduction
My name is Mr Leighton Gallagher, and I commenced my 12 month role as Acting Assistant Principal Pastoral at the start of Week 8, Term 3. I am taking over from Mrs Guy who has gone on maternity leave. I would like to say thank you to Mrs Guy, for her hard work in this space over the last few years and wish her all the best as her and her husband get ready to welcome a new addition to their family. I have spent the last 6 years at BCHS with the previous 3 being a pastoral leader for years 9 and 10 and I am excited for what this new role will bring. Please reach out to me with anything that you would have normally contacted Mrs Guy about. For those of you who might not know me, I have included my two main focuses which enable me, the pastoral team and the wider BCHS community to thrive as we all journey together on the road of continual improvement.
I am a firm believer in controlling what you can control. What this means is that whenever there are issues, the first thing I ask the student is what they did that caused/contributed to the issue. A lot of times there will be external reasons why they have chosen those behaviours however, we are rarely in control of those external factors, all we can control is our own actions as such, this is my focus.
As a pastoral team, we endeavour to be as proactive (instead of reactive) as possible and I encourage you to do the same by getting in contact with me or your child’s pastoral leader as early as possible when issues arise. This allows us to get on top of things early, hopefully before the situation worsens.
Reminder:
Students are not to be using their phones to pay for their tuckshop. This habit is slowly creeping back in. The tuckshop staff are under instruction to take student's phones off them under the personal mobile device policy. Students can pay by physical card or cash at the tuckshop, alternatively orders may be placed online before 830am on Quickcliq.
Leighton Gallagher
Assistant to the Principal - Pastoral Care
From the Assistant Principal - Religion
This weekend we celebrate Father’s Day. In anticipation of this special day the school community gathered for our Father’s Day Mass presided by Fr Truong. It was wonderful to see so many fathers, grandfathers and family attend the Mass. The theme for our Mass is “Our Fathers, guiding hands with a golden heart.” Our sacred space was made up of hands on golden paper. Students wrote their father’s name on the hands and described their fathers. These are now in the student entry in the sacred space.
From the moment we took our first breath, your Fathers’ hands have been there to guide us—gentle, yet strong. Whether they were holding us steady as we learned to walk or lifting us up when we stumbled, your hands have been a symbol of love, protection, and guidance.
In the gospel, we read about our Heavenly Father’s hands, always stretched out to lead and comfort us. Psalm 139:10 says, "Even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me." Just as God’s hands are ever-present, so have yours been in our lives—leading us in faith, shaping our character, and showing us the way.
As young adults, we realize more than ever the power of our Father’s hands, not just in the physical sense, but in how they’ve molded us into who we are today. Your hands have not only taught us to work hard, but also to pray, to serve, and to love others as Christ loves us.
Thank you for being a reflection of God's guiding hand in our lives. May His blessings be upon you always. Happy Father’s Day to all our fathers and those who are father figures in our lives.
Antonetta Delle Cort
Assistant to the Principal - Religious Education
From the Guidance Counsellor
SPECIAL REPORT: Healthy Study Habits
In today's world, where distractions are abundant and the pressure to excel is high, guiding children to develop healthy study habits is more important than ever. As students aspire to achieve academic success, the cornerstone of that achievement lies not just in their intelligence or drive, but in the study habits they cultivate.
It's essential for students to recognise that good study habits aren't merely about spending extra hours hitting the books. It's more about quality over quantity and having a more balanced approach. Emphasising the value of a routine is essential. Consistent study times establish a sense of structure and discipline, turning studying into a natural part of their daily routine rather than a burdensome task.
Additionally, how students approach their study sessions is equally important. Taking regular breaks is a crucial part of this process in maintaining focus and preventing burnout.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes sufficient sleep, a balanced diet, and consistent physical activity are indispensable elements that will significantly impact your child's ability to study effectively. Fostering these healthy habits is one of the most valuable gifts we can offer children, paving the way for a lifetime of learning and achievement.
This Special Report will help you support your young person as they embark on studying for exams.
Here is the link to your Special Report https://bchs.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-healthy-study-habits-au
Michael Dixon
Guidance Counsellor - Student Wellbeing & Pastoral Services
News from the Mathematics Department
Burdekin Catholic High School Shines in Australian Mathematics Competition
On August 7th, 60 talented students from Burdekin Catholic High School put their mathematical skills to the test in the annual Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC). This prestigious event, known for challenging students with a range of problems that test their problem-solving abilities and logical thinking, brings together participants from schools across the country.
The AMC is an excellent opportunity for students to showcase their talents and gain valuable experience in mathematics. For the students of Burdekin Catholic High School, it’s a chance to shine on a national stage and demonstrate their commitment to academic excellence. This years participants ranged from Year 7 to Year 12, reflecting the school's strong emphasis on nurturing mathematical skills across all year levels.
As the results are eagerly awaited, the entire school community celebrates the spirit of learning and the joy of mathematics that the AMC inspires. Regardless of the outcome, the experience itself is a significant achievement for all participants.
Congratulations to the students and their teachers for their dedication and effort!
Interschool Maths Quiz
We are delighted to share that our school recently participated in the first round of the annual QAMT Years 7/8 statewide interschool Maths Quiz. The event for our district took place on Wednesday, August 21 at Ayr State High School.
The Maths Quiz was a fantastic opportunity for our students to showcase their mathematical abilities. Each team consisted of three students from Years 7 and 8. Our teams demonstrated their skills in various areas of mathematics, including general mathematics, mental computation, written computation, problem-solving, and estimation.
We are proud to have been represented by two teams of talented students: Paityn Coleman-Blakoe, Maggie Chandler, Popi Loizou, Aiden Butler, Arabella Chalkley, and Lisa Keryk. They all showed exceptional teamwork and determination, making our school proud with their participation and performance.
Our teams competed against students from Home Hill State High School, Ayr State High School, and Burdekin Christian College. The competition was tough, but our students held their own, displaying great skill and sportsmanship throughout the event. The excitement was palpable as they worked through the puzzles and problems, and the buzz of competition added an extra layer of thrill. It was a wonderful way for our students to apply their learning in a fun and stimulating environment, fostering teamwork, critical thinking, and a love for mathematics.
We are incredibly proud of all our students who represented our school in this competition. Their hard work and enthusiasm were evident, and they truly made our school proud. Congratulations to all our participants and thank you to Ayr High for hosting the event.
Well done, team!
News from the Tuckshop
NEW!
Tuesdays - Chicken Caesar Wrap $7.00
Wednesdays - Italian Meatball Sub & Chicken Parmi Burger $6.00
Enrol for 2025
We have commenced our interviews for enrolments for 2025. It has been wonderful to meet our potential new students. If you would like to enrol in 2025, especially Year 7, please enrol now.
Online applications can be completed here:
When you have reviewed the information on this page, you can start an online application. To enquire about vacancies in other year levels, please contact our School Office 47832366.
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