No. 28 Term 3 - Week 10 Newsletter, 2024

From the Principal

It is with great enthusiasm that I share the enriching experience of my recent visit to Leuven, Belgium, as part of the Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) initiative. This visit was a profound journey, offering not only a deeper understanding of Catholic educational traditions but also a renewed sense of purpose and community for our own school environment.

Leuven, known for its rich history and vibrant academic community, provided the perfect backdrop for exploration of Catholic school identity. As we walked the cobbled streets and engaged with the local educators, we were continually reminded of the deep-rooted values that have shaped Catholic education over centuries. The city, home to the renowned Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, is a beacon of scholarly excellence and spiritual depth, embodying the very principles we strive to integrate into our own schools.

Our delegation had the privilege of participating in a series of workshops and discussions led by esteemed educators and scholars from Leuven. These sessions were designed to deepen our understanding of the core elements that define Catholic education: the integration of faith and reason, the commitment to service and social justice, and the fostering of a community rooted in shared values and mission.

One of the highlights of our visit was a session on "On Forming Leaders for Catholic Dialogue," where we explored practical strategies for enhancing our school's mission while remaining true to our Catholic heritage. This included discussions on how to effectively incorporate Catholic values into the curriculum, how to foster a supportive and inclusive community, and how to engage with parents and local communities in a meaningful way.

We also had the opportunity to visit several Catholic schools in Leuven, each with its own unique approach to integrating faith and learning. These visits provided invaluable insights into how other institutions are navigating the challenges and opportunities of modern Catholic education. From innovative teaching methods to community outreach programs, the examples we encountered were both inspiring and instructive.

My time in Leuven was not only a period of professional development but also a time of personal reflection and renewal. The beauty of the city, coupled with the deep spiritual and educational discussions, allowed me to reconnect with the essence of our mission and to reaffirm my commitment to nurturing a Catholic identity in our school.

As I return to our school community in Term 4, 1 am excited to work with our staff to implement the ideas and strategies gathered during this visit. My goal is to continue building on the strong foundation of our Catholic identity, ensuring that our school remains a vibrant place where faith and learning go hand in hand.

I extend our heartfelt gratitude to the organisers and hosts in Leuven, whose hospitality and expertise made this visit truly transformative. We are also deeply grateful to each member of our delegation for their dedication and enthusiasm.

In the coming weeks, I will be sharing more detailed reflections and actionable strategies from my visit.   I would especially like to acknowledge the incredible work of  Mrs Dalle Cort and Mr Gallagher in leading the school in my absence.  Their hard work and dedication to ensuring that the school is always meeting the high expectations for our young people is truly commendable.

With renewed spirit and commitment,
Lorraine Wolffe
Principal

From the Assistant Principal - Pastoral

School holidays are a great opportunity to recharge, but it's also essential to keep in mind the school's expectations for when we return. Ensuring our uniform is in good condition, our haircut & jewellery are both within the school's guidelines. This helps us start the new term on the right foot. It's all part of maintaining a respectful and focused learning environment. So, enjoy the break and be safe, but keep these details in mind for a smooth transition back to school!

Leighton Gallagher
Assistant to the Principal - Pastoral Care

From the Assistant Principal - Religion

In the final week of term three our BCHS community was blessed to have two Sisters from the Missionary of Charity (the Sisters of Mother Teresa) visit our school.  Sr Tessila and Sr Joy Maree presented 20 minute sessions to Year 7 – 11’s. Their message was simple -everyone deserves to be treated with Human Dignity, especially the poorest of the poor.  The sisters tailored each presentation to bring to life Religion topics studied in each year level this term.  
 The founder of the Missionary of Charity was Mother Teresa of Calcutta (now St. Teresa of Calcutta) . Student were captivated by the life story of Mother Teresa and how her work and passion for providing the poor with human dignity is lived out to this day.  Mother Teresa’s calling to help the poorest of the poor in India was strong. Her work started when she took a sick dying man living on the streets to a hospital, he was rejected because he was close to death and too poor to pay for medical treatment. This inspired Mother Teresa to take action. She approached a local council that provided a space for her to care for dying people living on the streets and provide them with human dignity at the end of their lives.  Her actions and mission were very simple, even down to the sari she wore – a white sari with blue trims is the clothing worn by widowed street sweepers. 
At the end of the sessions there was the opportunity for Q & A. When asked what event or moment stands out in your work this was Sister Tessila’s response. A dying man in the care of the sisters said, “I lived like an animal but I died like an angle.”  
Every person in the world deserves human dignity regardless of age, status or race. So what can we do in Ayr to mirror the work of the Missionary of Charity? “Love God by loving our fellow human beings. “It starts with treating everyone with human dignity, our peers, our family and everyone in our community."
Here are some reflections that the Year 11’s shared after the presentation:
I was inspired by the sisters to understand that I have a calling in life.
They inspired me to do some selfless services around town by talking to homeless people.
Everyone deserves Human Dignity as they were made in the likeness of God.
I was inspired to try and make a difference in the world.

Antonetta Dalle Cort
Assistant to the Principal - Religious Education

From the Guidance Counsellor

SPECIAL REPORT: R U OK? Day

Understanding the growing challenges related to mental health among young people is an important consideration. Anxiety, depression and self-harm - are all causes for concern. Factors like academic pressure, social media, family dynamics, and societal expectations, are contributing to these issues. It's therefore crucial for parents and caregivers to take action early, remove the stigma around discussing mental health, and offer accessible support to address these issues and the wellbeing of their children.

R U OK? Day is an initiative that focuses on preventing suicide by encouraging meaningful personal connections and helping informal support networks to help recognise the signs of distress. We urge all families to take part, emphasising the value of genuine human relationships and reminding everyone to ask the important question, "Are you OK?"

Engaging in R U OK? Day activities goes beyond the classroom; it's a commitment to our students' overall development. By talking openly about mental health, schools create safe spaces where students feel understood, valued, and supported. As parents and caregivers, you can contribute by fostering open conversations, normalising feelings and breaking down mental health stigmas. Participating in R U OK? Day promotes compassion and shows our dedication to the wellbeing of the entire school community, reaffirming that together, we can truly make a difference.

This Special Report provides guidance on how to talk to your child about mental health and engage in meaningful discussions.

Here is the link to your Special Report

Michael Dixon
Guidance Counsellor - Student Wellbeing & Pastoral Services

Year 12 Construction

Marcellin's Table - A Replica

On 2 February 1817, in the little village of La Valla, Saint Marcellin Champagnat founded the Congregation of religious called the Little Brothers of Mary or Marist Brothers. In this little house in La Valla in France where the very first community of Brothers learned to live, read, write, teach and pray, stands the table that Marcellin built with his own hands so that the young Brothers could share meals, conversations, study, and laugh just like a family. The table was created from rough hewn timber and whatever materials that Marcellin could procure
This table still exist today and is a popular attraction for people around the world who are familiar with Marcellin’s story. St Augustine’s College in Cairns has a cast bronze replica of this table as a symbol of Marcellin’s legacy and a reminder of humble beginnings. This year our year 12 Construction students found some rough hewn timber, reclaimed hardwood planking and reclaimed steel to create a replica of Marcellin’s table in Lavalla France to be placed in the quad. The table is made from two slabs of blue gum from Jack Welby’s fathers sawmill and a range of recycled hardwood and steel from around the school. The table features 10 false drawer fronts, 9 of which feature the carved name of each of the students who completed the work. The table has deliberately left with a rough finish as a symbol of Marcellin’s original work all of those years ago. Hopefully the year 12 Construction replica of 2024 will be around for years to come as a symbol of Marcellin’s mission and the work of some of our very own students.

News from the Tuckshop

Battle of the Burger!

Many parents will be aware, that in Week 9, we had our first ever Battle of the Burger. This year Amy and I decided to make tuckshop a little more interesting by featuring a different flavour and style of burger each term on a Wednesday. The students get pretty passionate about their burgers, and as we finished one term and
went into another, there were some sad faces as their favourite was retired and a new flavour introduced….until they developed a new favourite! And so the idea of the Battle of the Burger was born! The students voted for their favourite burger every day in Week 9, with the top two being on the Term 4 Wednesday menu. It was an interesting contest, with a different leader every day but in the end, the Cheeseburger and the Southern Style Chicken Burger emerged as the clear favourites!

In other tuckshop news, we have a new item on the Tuesday menu, the Crispy Chicken Caesar Wrap, which is proving very popular. Our Yoghurt, Berry and Muesli bowls and Antipasto plates are available everyday by pre-order.

We highly recommend ordering before school, either over the counter until 8:45am or via Quickcliq by 8.30am to ensure you don’t miss out on your favourite lunch items. There will be an updated price list for Term 4 and you will note a couple of small price increases. These were unavoidable, as supplier and ingredient costs have increased.

We look forward to your continued support in Term 4

Meleah and Amy

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.

Community News

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- Peregian Springs (Sunshine Coast)
- Beerwah (Sunshine Coast)
- Little Mountain (Sunshine Coast)
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Get the edge on your training today at Sharks Volleyball and register today using the links below!

Sharks Camp: https://sharksvolleyball.com/landing-page-sharks-camp-qld
Weekly Junior Session: https://sharksvolleyball.com/landing-page-weekly-junior-session-qld

Burdekin School Sports