No. 5 Term 1 - Week 10 Newsletter, 2025
From the Principal
As we come to the end of another busy and productive term, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all our students on their hard work, dedication, and achievements over the past few months. It has been a term filled with learning, growth, and success, and I am incredibly proud of the effort and commitment shown by our school community. On Wednesday, at our school assembly, students stood up to represent their involvement in the school this term. I was very pleased to see 90% of our students standing. This was an incredible display of school spirit.
From academic achievements to sporting events, cultural celebrations, and acts of service, our students have embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm. A special thank you to our dedicated staff for their unwavering support and guidance, and to our families for their ongoing encouragement and involvement in school life.
Important Parent Requests
I would also like to remind parents to complete the Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) Survey. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping the future direction of our school and strengthening our Catholic identity. If you haven’t yet completed the survey, we would greatly appreciate your participation before the deadline. A separate email with login details was sent home two weeks ago via Compass.
Additionally, I encourage all parents to take advantage of the upcoming Parent-Teacher Interviews. These meetings provide a valuable opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, celebrate their successes, and work together to support their learning journey. Your partnership in your child’s education is highly valued, and we look forward to seeing you there.
Year 7 Enrolments for 2026
Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that Enrolments for 2026 are now open! If you have a child starting high school in 2026, we invite you to begin the enrolment process. To help families experience what our school has to offer, we will be hosting a Taster Day for Year 5 and 6 students on Tuesday, May 20. This is a fantastic opportunity for prospective students to immerse themselves in high school life and participate in engaging activities.
We also warmly invite families to attend our Twilight Open Evening on Monday, May 26. This event will showcase our school’s programs, facilities, and vibrant community. It’s a wonderful chance to meet staff, ask questions, and see firsthand what makes our school special. Please spread the word to anyone considering enrolment for 2026!
Easter
As we approach the Easter season, we are reminded of the themes of renewal, hope, and faith. Easter is a time of reflection and celebration, marking the triumph of life over death and the promise of new beginnings. Just as nature blooms anew in the changing seasons, we, too, are called to embrace fresh opportunities for growth, kindness, and gratitude. May this Easter bring new life not only to our faith but also to our relationships, our goals, and our sense of purpose. I encourage everyone to take this time to rest, rejuvenate, and cherish moments with loved ones, returning in the new term with renewed energy and enthusiasm.
Long Service Leave
I would also like to share that I will be taking Long Service Leave for the first two weeks of Term 2 to spend time with my family as we eagerly await the birth of my first grandchild—a truly special and exciting milestone for us. During my absence, Ms Rigano will be Acting Principal, and I have every confidence that she will lead the school with dedication and care. I look forward to returning in Week 3 and sharing this joyful occasion with you all.
Wishing you all a safe and blessed Easter.
School resumes Tuesday 22 April, 2025
Yours in Christ
Lorraine Wolffe
Principal
From the Deputy Principal
Interim Reporting and Parent-Teacher Interviews
Interim Report cards are now available via the Compass portal. Please note that this report is an interim document, offering a snapshot of your child’s progress in their chosen subjects during Term 1, 2025. You can access the report through a link on the Compass home page or via your child’s profile.
For students in Year 12, this will be their second-last report card before graduation. We strongly encourage all Year 12 students to begin downloading and saving their report cards from Compass before their access is removed at the end of the year.
Parent-Teacher Interviews will be held on Wednesday, April 28 from 3:50 pm – 6:00 pm in the Marcellin Centre. Each interview will be 10 minutes in duration.
- “Welcomed” interviews are open invitations for parents/carers who wish to meet with teachers.
- “Requested” interviews are initiated by teachers who would like to discuss specific concerns that have arisen during the term.
A notification on the Compass home page will indicate when Parent-Teacher Interview bookings are open. To schedule an interview, click the link provided or navigate to “Community” > “Conferences” in Compass. Bookings will close at 3:00 pm on Thursday, April 24.
If you are unable to attend during the scheduled time, please contact the school to arrange an alternative meeting with relevant classroom teachers.
ANZAC Day Commemorations
As a school community we will be commemorating ANZAC Day at school and with the community. Our school commemoration will take place 12 pm Wednesday, April 23rd in the Marcellin Centre. Students will be required to wear their photo day (formal) uniform to this ceremony. A reminder of the invitation extended to our families for the inclusion, as part of our ceremony, images and information of current and former members of the ADF, and anyone who has a connection to our war history. Please forward this information to me by April 11th.
As a community we gather on April 25 to march in the various parades held across the Burdekin. Please complete the Google form indicating participation status and location so we can ensure staff representation at each location. Again, students will be required to wear their formal uniform for the services.
Pupil Free Day Reminder - May 2nd
May 2nd will be a pupil-free day for students as our staff will be participating in a professional learning day. On this day, our staff will be focusing on the implementation of Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum and other associated activities designed to help support our students in the classroom.
Elisa Rigano
Deputy Principal
From the Assistant Principal - Pastoral
We’re nearly there. End of term always comes with a mix of tired faces, last-minute tasks, and that final push to the finish line. Everyone’s earned the break.
Over the holidays, we hope students rest, reset, and enjoy the time off. But we also want to avoid the usual hiccups when we return.
So—before everyone fully switches off—just a quick reminder for day one next term:
Uniform = standard
Piercings = removed if they’re not allowed
Shaving/haircuts = sorted
Equipment = packed and ready
Every term we have a few who “forget.” Let’s not waste time on that in week one. Start sharp, settle fast, and we’ll all have a better term for it.
Enjoy the break. See you soon.
Leighton Gallagher
Assistant to the Principal - Pastoral
Leighton Gallagher
Assistant Principal - Pastoral
From the Assistant Principal - RE
As we come to the end of this Term One, we acknowledge and thank our Lord for our many blessings. We thank you, our parents and the wider school community for your contributions to enhancing our Catholic identity of the college and especially for your children, the students at our college, for their commitment in keeping the faith alive here at school. We acknowledge the huge contribution and commitment of our teachers and staff and pray for the Lord’s protection and to bring you back safely next Term.
In the next few days, we enter into a sacred space, an atmosphere of commemoration. It is known as the Easter Triduum, the three holiest days of the remembrance of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. These three holiest days, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, are filled with religious symbolism that takes you into the depth of a transformative Christian religious experience. These usually take place during the school Term but sometimes, as this year’s case, these may happen in the school holidays. Therefore, I challenge our parents to attend, with your children, one of these, to experience holiness at its peak. These three days are meant to be a family time; firstly, with God and then with each other. Take every opportunity to come together and pray as one community of faithful. Hopefully, I will meet you around then. I wish you all a blessed Easter celebration and a safe break.
Denis Tutaka
Assistant to the Principal - Religious Education
Year 12 Retreat
Our Year 12 students recently participated in their much-anticipated Year 12 Retreat, a significant milestone in their final year of schooling. This retreat provided a unique opportunity for students to step away from their daily routines and immerse themselves in a time of reflection, personal growth, and connection with their peers and teachers.
Throughout the retreat, students engaged in activities designed to strengthen their sense of self, deepen their faith, and foster a spirit of gratitude. Guided discussions, personal reflection time, and team-building exercises allowed them to explore their values, goals, and the journey ahead. One of the most powerful aspects of the retreat was the opportunity for students to share their experiences and aspirations, creating an atmosphere of trust and mutual support.
Year 12 Retreat
From the Guidance Counsellor
In this edition of SchoolTV - NEURODIVERSITY
Neurodiversity emphasises the natural variation in how an individual's brain functions and how they perceive and interact with the world, leading to diverse ways of learning and communicating. While most young people are neurotypical, some exhibit variations in brain development, such as ADHD, autism or dyslexia, making them neurodivergent.
Embracing neurodiversity involves accepting, celebrating, and supporting neurodivergent children and adolescents without attempting to change or treat their differences. Using respectful language, challenging unhelpful attitudes, avoiding assumptions, and actively promoting inclusivity can help embrace neurodiversity effectively.
Acknowledging the unique ways neurodiverse young people do things and then adapting tasks and activities to ensure their full participation will encourage them to develop strategies that feel natural to them. It will help improve their mental health, wellbeing and sense of self. By recognising and nurturing their strengths, parents and caregivers can contribute to building an inclusive and compassionate society where all young people can thrive.
Learning more about neurodiversity, equips caregivers with insights into effective communication techniques, educational strategies, and parenting approaches tailored to the specific needs of their neurodivergent child.
Here is the link to the Neurodiversity edition of SchoolTV
https://bchs.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/neurodiversity
Tuckshop News
Ordering at the Tuckshop - the best way!
As well as over the counter purchases, orders can be made via quickcliq.com.au or at the tuckshop counter before school commences. EFTPOS is only available. In line with our mobile phone policy 'away for the day', students will require a physical card to make their payment.
Volunteers
We are extremely grateful to the wonderful team of volunteers who give of their time to assist in the operation of the Tuckshop. All volunteers will need to complete the online volunteer induction prior to coming to the Tuckshop. For all offers of help or for inquiries, please contact the School Office - (07) 4783 2366.
Term 2 Menu
Chicken Caesar Wraps will be moving to Mondays, to make way for the Pesto Chicken Turkish Roll on the Tuesday menu - Grilled Chicken Breast on a toasted Turkish Roll with Basil Pesto, Lettuce Tomato and Mozzarella.
Burger Change for Wednesdays in Term 2 - move over Cheeseburgers and BBQ Beef Burgers! The Southern Style Chicken Burger is back, along with the BBQ Pulled Pork Burger.
Don't be sad....the opportunity to vote for your favourite burger will come at the end of Term 3 with "The Battle of the Burger" and the 2 winners will be on the menu for Term 4.
Community News
