Burdekin Catholic High School

From the Principal

Catholic Education Week

Next week, Catholic schools across Queensland come together to mark Catholic Education Week – a special time to celebrate who we are and what we stand for. With 309 Catholic schools across our state, we join a broader community that shares a distinctive mission grounded in the teachings of Jesus and the Gospel message.

At the heart of Catholic Education is a commitment to forming young people who are not only academically capable, but who also live with compassion, contribute meaningfully to their communities, and seek to make a difference in the world. Our schools exist to nurture students to become life-giving people of faith and action.

The theme for Catholic Education Week 2025 is Communities of Faith, Hope and Love. This theme beautifully reflects what it means to belong to a Catholic school.

Faith ignites growth, calling us to deepen our relationship with God and to trust in God's guidance.
Hope fuels support, giving us the strength to lift one another up in challenging times.
Love welcomes all, reminding us of our mission to be inclusive and compassionate in all we do.

Together, these values are the foundation of our school community. They shape our identity, empower our staff, and create a nurturing environment where every student can flourish.

As a Catholic secondary school, we are proud to be part of this shared mission and thankful for the opportunity to walk alongside our students, families, and staff in faith, hope and love.

Next Friday, we will gather as a united Catholic community to celebrate Founders' Day – a deeply meaningful occasion for our school and the Burdekin. Students and staff from St Colman’s, St Francis and Burdekin Catholic High School will come together in celebration and gratitude for the legacy of our founders and the shared strength of Catholic education in our region. It is a moment to honour our history, reflect on our mission, and look forward in hope as we continue to grow as one community of faith.

May this next week be a reminder of the strength and beauty of our Catholic community.

Yours in Christ

Lorraine Wolffe
Principal

Spirit of Catholic Education Award

This week, our school was very excited to hear that our very own Mrs Debbie Siandri was announced as the Townsville Catholic Education's recipient of the Spirit of Catholic Education Award. Next week, Debbie will be going to Rockhampton to be presented with this award along with the other recipients from the other Queensland Dioceses.

Congratulations to Deborah Siandri from Burdekin Catholic High School who has been announced at the Townsville Diocesan recipient of the Spirit of Catholic Education Award. Deborah Siandri has been a quiet force of leadership, care, and integrity at Burdekin Catholic High School (BCHS) for many years. As the head of the School Office, she plays a vital role in the life of the school — welcoming families, supporting staff, guiding students, and keeping systems running with calm efficiency. Her leadership is marked by humility and deep service; she leads not with titles, but by example, placing people at the centre of all she does. Deborah’s influence reaches far beyond her role. She has created the conditions for learning to flourish by removing barriers, refining processes, and ensuring students — especially those with additional needs — are supported with care and dignity. She fosters a sense of belonging in every interaction, helping all members of the community feel seen and valued. Her work lives out the Marist values at the heart of the school’s Catholic identity through daily actions grounded in fairness, kindness, and quiet strength. She is a trusted, stabilising presence and a key contributor to the inclusive, faith-filled culture of BCHS. Under her guidance, the School Office team works with shared purpose and professionalism, strengthening relationships across the community and helping the school operate with warmth and excellence.Deborah’s impact is practical, personal, and enduring — felt in the lives she has touched, the culture she has helped shape, and the community she continues to serve with unwavering commitment.

From the Guidance Counsellor

Sibling Relationships

Sibling relationships are often a child's first and longest-lasting social connection. These bonds can offer companionship, support and opportunities to develop important life skills such as empathy, negotiation and conflict resolution. However, like all close relationships, sibling dynamics can be complex. Differences in temperament, age, needs and parental attention can all contribute to tension or rivalry. It's not uncommon for children to compete for attention, especially during times of change or stress.

As a parent or caregiver, your role in shaping the tone of sibling relationships is vital. Creating a home environment that celebrates each child's unique strengths and avoids direct comparisons helps reduce rivalry and fosters mutual respect.

By listening without judgement, teaching emotional regulation, and supporting each child's individuality, you can create a family culture where siblings feel secure and valued. This edition of SchoolTV offers insights to support young people in developing positive, lasting sibling bonds that can remain strong well into adulthood.

Here is the link to your Edition https://bchs.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/sibling-relationships-au

From the Careers Department

JCU NOW SUCCESS

We are proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Chloe Steel, a dedicated Year 12 student at BCHS, who has recently earned university credit through the JCU NOW Program.

Chloe successfully completed the subject ED1481 – Educational Psychology: Learners and Learning as part of her involvement in the JCU NOW initiative, which allows high-achieving senior secondary students to experience university study while still in school.

This subject, which is part of the Education degree at James Cook University, explores how psychological theories and research can be applied to understand how people learn. It challenges students to think critically about learner development, motivation, and the diverse needs of students in educational settings.

Chloe’s ability to balance the demands of school, university-level study, and other commitments is a testament to her work ethic, time management, and passion for learning. Her success in ED1481 not only earns her tertiary credit, and QCE points but also gives her valuable insight and preparation for future study in the field of education.

Congratulations, Chloe! Your hard work and commitment are an inspiration to your peers and a wonderful example of the opportunities available to students through the JCU NOW Program.

Celebrating Student Success – Lane Delle Baite Secures School-Based Apprenticeship

Congratulations to Lane Delle Baite, who has recently been signed up as a School-Based Apprentice at Squires Diesel Services. He will begin his MEM31419 - Certificate III in Engineering – Fixed and mobile plan mechanic (Diesel Fitter)

A sincere thank you to Glen Squires for supporting Lane in pursuing his passion for Diesel fitting and offering valuable hands-on learning opportunities.

If you are a local business interested in finding out more about School-Based Apprenticeships or Traineeships, please don’t hesitate to contact me on 4783 2366 or via email at adallecort@bchs.catholic.edu.au.

Creating Futures Career Expo 2025: A Step Towards Tomorrow

The Creating Futures Career Expo 2025 was a fantastic success, wrapping up Term 3 with energy and excitement! Burdekin Catholic High School proudly welcomed over 20 businesses and organisations through its gates, giving students an incredible opportunity to explore a wide range of career options.

From trades and agriculture to support services and tertiary studies, the Expo showcased the many paths available right here in the Burdekin and beyond. It was a chance for students of all year levels to interact directly with industry professionals, ask questions, and start thinking about life after school.

For many students, it was the first time they had spoken to experts in various fields—making it a valuable experience in planning their future. A special highlight was seeing former BCHS students return as exhibitors, sharing their journeys and successes. One memorable moment was the appearance of sisters Sarah and Amy Berryman, both representing emergency services—a true family affair!

The day kicked off with a JCU workshop for Year 11 and 12 students, delivered in person. This session provided insights into university life, the application process, and study pathways, giving senior students the tools they need to plan ahead.

The Career Expo complements existing BCHS programs such as the Year 8 Careers elective, the holiday work experience program, and the Year 10 Career Education Short Course, all aimed at helping students make informed choices about their futures.

A big congratulations to Ezera Hogan, winner of the Tassal School Quiz, and Fanette Beun, who scored a $50 Burdekin voucher for acing the Career Quiz questions!

Thank you to all staff, students, and exhibitors who made the 2025 Career Expo such a meaningful event. It's never too early to start shaping your future—and the journey begins now.

At BCHS, we are committed to supporting students in shaping their future through a comprehensive career development and subject selection program. As part of this commitment, our Year 10 students participated in "Creating Futures: Career Week" during the first week of Term 3.

Throughout the week, students engaged in the Career Education Short Course, which is designed to equip them with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and processes needed to make informed decisions about their future study and career options. The program not only prepares students for Senior Schooling, but also empowers them to effectively participate in the world of work beyond school.

To make the week engaging and meaningful, a range of activities and excursions were organised. Students heard from our Heads of Department about senior subject options, giving them valuable insight into the choices ahead. They were also inspired by a lineup of industry guest speakers who shared their personal career journeys and the essential 21st Century skills and attributes needed in their fields.

A special thank you to our guest speakers:

Julie Sexton – Next Chapter
Cher Veron – Queensland Health
Rob Milla – Burdekin Productivity Services
Steven Mottin – Ergon Energy
Tayla Heuir – Burdekin Shire Council
Zane, Steph, and Rettah – James Cook University (JCU) student ambassadors

It was especially exciting to welcome back past students Julie and Steven, who served as inspiring role models for our current cohort.

To wrap up Career Week, students chose between two off-campus excursions. Those considering a Vocational Pathway participated in Industry Walkthroughs at QMN, Vantage, Brown & Hurley, Burdekin Motor Group, Nutrien Ag Solutions, and Burdekin Shire Council. Meanwhile, students on an Academic ATAR Pathway attended the JCU Open Day, where they explored future university opportunities.

Looking ahead, the next important step for Year 10s is the Subject Selection Evening, taking place on Wednesday 6th August at 5:30 pm in the Marcellin Centre. The evening will begin with an overview of Senior Schooling, followed by the opportunity for students and carers to speak directly with Heads of Departments, Senior Teachers, and local industry representatives about subject choices and career pathways.

We are proud of our Year 10 students for their enthusiastic participation throughout Career Week and look forward to guiding them as they continue planning their pathways to future success.