No. 14 Term 3 - Week 10 Newsletter 2025
- From the Principal
- From the Assistant Principal - Pastoral
- From the Assistant Principal - Religion
- FATHER’S DAY MASS
- CLARENCE FEAST DAY
- Vocational Education and Training
- From the Religion Department
- From the Maths Department
- From the Science Department
- From the Business Manager
- Additional Pupil Free Days
- Media Consent
- Expression of Interest – Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) Program
- Burdekin Sports
From the Principal
R U OK? Day
Recently our Year 11 student leaders led our awareness of R U OK? Day. These days remind us of the deep importance of living out our faith-filled love through genuine care and compassion for one another. As a Marist school, we are called to embody Mary’s way – a way of presence, simplicity, humility and love – in the everyday moments of school life.
The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37), a gospel story familiar to our St Francis families, speaks powerfully to this call. In Jesus’ parable, the Samaritan did not question who was to blame or whether the man on the roadside “deserved” help; he simply responded with compassion. That same call is placed before us as Catholics: to embrace those who may seem different, to listen deeply, and to walk alongside those who are hurting or marginalised.
At Burdekin Catholic High School, this Gospel message is alive when we look out for one another in the classroom, on the bus, in the playground, or on the sporting field. It is visible through our service and outreach, and in the daily acts of kindness that often go unseen. It is especially present when we choose to be guided not by fear or prejudice, but by the love of Christ.
Everyday, let us take a simple but powerful step as a community: check in on someone. Offer a listening ear, a kind word, or a moment of care. In doing so, we live out the Gospel love and Marist spirit that define us as the Burdekin Catholic High School family.
Staffing Updates
This week, we have farewelled Mr Paul Anderson. I would like to acknowledge Paul for his invaluable contribution as a teacher. Paul’s dedication to teaching and to sharing the richness of our Catholic faith with our young people extends well beyond the walls of his classroom. His witness to faith and his commitment to nurturing the spiritual growth of our students have left a lasting impact, not only within our school community but also in the wider parish and Burdekin community. I would like to wish him all the very best as he embarks on a new adventure for his career.
Importance of the last days of Term
I want to thank our students and parents who recognised the importance of students being at school right through to the very end of term. Schools are not only places of learning, they are places of relationships and growth. The last day is not just a “wind down” – it is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the term, strengthen friendships, and take part in meaningful activities that set a positive tone for the break and the term ahead. When students are present, they show commitment, respect for their learning, and pride in being part of our school community. Every day counts, and the last day is no exception. We do expect all our students to be part of our school community every day.
Happy Holidays
As we come to the close of Term 3, I would like to wish all our students, families, and staff a safe and restful holiday break. This is a time to recharge, spend time with loved ones, and reflect on the many achievements of the term. I encourage everyone to take care on the roads, look out for one another, and return refreshed and ready for an exciting Term 4. May these holidays be filled with joy, safety, and the blessings of family and community.
Students first day back is Wednesday 8th October.
Yours in Christ
Lorraine Wolffe
Principal
From the Assistant Principal - Pastoral
As we come to the end of Term 3, these last couple of weeks have been full-on. Assessments, reporting, co-curricular events, and planning for Term 4 all arrived quickly. At the same time, students were often running on empty by this stage, so thank you for the extra encouragement and support you gave them at home. It really does make a difference.
The effort from staff and students this term has been massive, and it’s worth pausing to acknowledge just how much has been achieved. From classroom learning to sporting and cultural events, there’s been plenty to be proud of.
Looking ahead, Term 4 will be about finishing well, celebrating milestones, and especially for our Year 12s, taking those final steps towards graduation. As you prepare for the start of Term 4, I take this opportunity to remind students and families of our expectations around presentation and pride in our uniform. Students are expected to return with haircuts that meet school guidelines, jewellery in line with policy, and full school uniform worn neatly and with respect. These standards reflect not only our school identity but also the pride we take in being part of the Burdekin Catholic High School community. We thank parents and carers for supporting their children to be well-prepared and ready to begin the new term positively.
Thanks again for partnering with us. Looking forward to seeing everyone again in Term 4.
Leighton Gallagher
Assistant Principal - Pastoral
From the Assistant Principal - Religion
There have been two significant events to point out. Firstly, Monday 8th September is the day we commemorate as a Church, the nativity (birthday) of our blessed Mother Mary. After announcing to my year 8 Religion class of Mother Mary’s birthday (after our prayer), the class erupted in singing happy birthday to Mother Mary! Such a beautiful thing to witness and sometimes as a teacher, we forget (like I did) of the little act of appreciation and devotion that our young people have for our Blessed Mother. Although this feast is not a huge one in the Church, it rather points to her Immaculate Conception solemn feast day on 8th December (It’s a big one). If you do the math, then 9 months later is the 8th of September.
Another significant moment on around this date is the canonization of St Carlo Acutis. His actual canonization was on the 7th September. He was a young 15 year old (May 3, 1991 – October 12, 2006) Italian teenager (born in London) who loved computers and his Catholic faith. He is famous for using his tech skills to share his beliefs online. He lived a short but very full life. Although he didn’t go to any World Youth Day experience, his influence amongst young people made him and officially announced in WYD 2023 Lisbon as patron of World Youth Day.
St Carlo was very devoted to the Eucharist. He created a website to share information about Eucharistic miracles from all over the world. He died from leukimia and quickly gained popularity amongst pilgrims who seeked for his intercession. His love for technology and faith, often credited him being called the "Patron Saint of the Internet" and "God's Influencer." We pray to our Blessed Mother and St Carlo to pray for our young people and to keep them safe in God’s protection. Prayer is a beautiful thing – perhaps the only weapon we can have in seeking assistance in whatever we do. As we pray for our young people, so, we must always remember to - pray for one another.
Denis Tutaka
Assistant Principal - Religious Education
ST CARLO ACUTIS
FATHER’S DAY MASS
On Wednesday 3rd September, our school celebrated Father’s Day Mass, our way of bringing together our fathers and celebrating with them about the significance of fatherhood and father-figures in our lives. Ultimately, we were reminded in Fr Manoj’s homily, our main celebrant, joined by Fr Truong as con-celebrant about the importance of a father’s love – most importantly one that comes from our heavenly father. The Mass ended with a lovely lunch and fellowship. We would like to thank our fathers, invited guests and Fr Manoj and Fr Truong for joining us in this Father’s Day celebration this year.
CLARENCE FEAST DAY
On Wednesday 20th August, Clarence House celebrated their Feast Day coming to school dressed in their house uniform. The celebration started with a short liturgy during homeroom before returning at morning-tea for a game of quiz before sharing in a delicious house cake. Very little is known about Br Clarence Cunningham FMS but what we do know is that he was born in 1924 and died in 2011. He was the founding principal of the college, when it opened as a boys college under the name of Blessed Edmund Campion College in 1953. Then, in 1957, he was appointed a teaching position in the Solomon Islands. He was also known as the founding principal for other Catholic schools.
Clarence House Day
Vocational Education and Training
Senior Construction
Throughout Term 3 our construction students have been value adding to both St Francis Primary School and BCHS.
The year 11 students have worked have worked on converting two old bearers out of the original St Francis Building to create a full size crucifix as a feature near the schools drop off zone.
Students had to dress back the old hardwood and create a full size cross to be concreted into the ground and then form up a concrete plinth around the base of the cross. The plinth has been designed with a recess on each side to accommodate a white tile. The 4 tiles will be laser etched with various emblems and a short history of the timber.
The year 11 and 12 classes also worked together to form up and pour a driveway slab off Conley St to allow for easier delivery of consumables to the Tech block. It is hoped that the new driveway will also better direct flood water from the open drain towards the roadside drainage in the wet season.
In action
From the Religion Department
Farewell Mr Anderson
Paul has been a valuable staff and friend of the Religion Department. His dedication to teaching and passing on the Catholic faith to our students is not only confined to the boundaries of his classroom, but rather beyond the walls of the school. He served as a Eucharistic Minister at our school Mass as well as in the parish community. Although we are saddened by his departure as he embarks on another journey in life, we remember his sacrifices to the teaching profession. He helped students live out Catholic values, showing them compassion and teaching them to be thoughtful and respectful of others. He challenges students to think deeply about their relationship with God and to work with integrity and kindness. He is appreciated by his colleagues, beyond the Religious Education community into his technology department and as the school community at large. We wish him the very best! NB – we need update on the bonsai.
From the Maths Department
In week 6 of this term, eight of our Year 10 students attended the annual Queensland Association of Mathematics Teachers Camp on Magnetic Island, joining 60 students from across the Burdekin, Charters Towers, and Townsville regions.
Over the three days, students worked in small groups to tackle a range of problem-solving activities. Highlights included:
- Creating a system of equations from running and walking times along the jetty, then calculating how all group members could finish together.
- Straw Bridge Competition where Ethan’s group proudly won after their bridge successfully held a bucket containing 10 cups of sand.
- Hiking up a hill to calculate the mass of Sail Rock that overlooks Picnic Bay.
- Archery where Sophie, Milla, Alex, Ethan and Chloe’s team, The Algebraic Archers, took out the challenge for most points based on target accuracy.
- Constructing a sandcastle using precisely π cubic feet of sand
- Maths trivia and problem-solving questions covering a range of different mathematical concepts to challenge and extend our students, and
- An Amazing Race across Picnic Bay solving questions at every checkpoint.
Throughout the camp, students made new friends, learned to approach problems from different perspectives, and developed their critical thinking and teamwork skills. Most importantly, they all had fun and represented our school with enthusiasm and pride.
From the Science Department
Applying Physical Separation Techniques in Year 7 Science
This term in Year 7 Science, students have been actively engaged in learning about physical separation techniques used to separate mixtures based on the physical properties of their components. After exploring these techniques through hands-on experiments and classroom discussions, students had the opportunity to apply their knowledge during a practical assessment task.
In preparation for the task, students investigated how mixtures can be separated based on the physical characteristics of the substances in the mixture. They explored techniques such as filtration, which is used to separate an insoluble solid from a liquid, and magnetic separation, which isolates magnetic materials from non-magnetic ones.
In their assessment task, students demonstrated their understanding by identifying the correct techniques for separating a given mixture and justifying their choices. This application of their learning not only reinforced scientific concepts but also encouraged critical thinking and problem-solving.
By applying their knowledge in a practical context, Year 7 students are building a strong foundation for more advanced scientific investigations in the years to come.
Exploring Physical Separation Techniques in Year 7 Science
This term, our Year 7 students have been learning about physical separation techniques in order to separate mixtures. Mixtures consist of two or more substances that are not chemically combined. Because each substance maintains its physical properties when combined, these properties can be used to separate them. For example, filtration is used to separate an insoluble solid from a liquid and magnetic separation is used to to separate substances with magnetic properties from mixtures.
In class, students experimented with a suspension of sand and water. Since sand is insoluble, it can be separated by filtering the mixture through a filter paper. The water passes through, while the sand is left behind.
Students were also provided with a mixture of metal tacks, plastic beads and aquarium rocks. Using the equipment provided, they were to select the technique best suited to separating each of these substances based on their physical properties.
Understanding these fundamental techniques helps students build a strong foundation for future scientific studies.
Year 8 Science: Modelling the Rock Cycle
This term, Year 8 students explored the key geological processes of the rock cycle. Through hands-on experiments, students deepened their understanding of how rocks form, change and recycle over time.
Investigating Crystal Size and Cooling Rates
Students observed how the cooling rates of magma or lava affected the size of crystal formation in igneous rocks. Using potash alum dissolved in hot water, students created saturated solutions and allowed them to cool under different conditions. Some solutions were cooled rapidly in an ice bath), while others cooled more slowly in an insulated box or at room temperature.
The results showed that slower cooling produced larger crystals, while faster cooling led to smaller crystal formation. This model helped students understand how intrusive igneous rocks, which cool slowly beneath Earth's surface, develop large crystals, whereas extrusive igneous rocks, which cool quickly after a volcanic eruption, have tiny crystals or even a glassy texture.
Modelling Volcanic Eruptions
To simulate volcanic activity, students conducted an investigation using wax to represent magma, layered with sand and water to model Earth's crust and surface. When heated, the wax rose through the sand and water, mimicking how magma moves through the crust and erupts as lava.
This model helped students visualise how volcanoes form and erupt, and how extrusive igneous rocks are created as lava cools on the surface.
By modelling geological processes in the lab, Year 8 students developed a deeper, more tangible understanding of Earth's dynamic systems, laying the groundwork for further studies in Earth and Environmental Sciences.
From the Business Manager
School Fees Term 3 2025 Reminder
This is a courteous reminder that school fees are now overdue. We encourage parents to make payments via BPAY, the Compass Portal, or credit card. Details for these payment options are available on the Compass platform. Alternatively, you may inquire at the school office or contact us by phone at 4783 2366.
We also offer a Direct Debit Service for families who prefer to pay their fees on a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly basis. If you wish to set up a payment plan, please follow this link: https://www.bchs.catholic.edu.au/enrolment/school-fees-direct-debit-information/
Families holding a valid Health Care or DVA Gold Card may be eligible for a 70% reduction in Tuition Fees in accordance with TCEO Guidelines. Please note that not all cards are eligible; a valid card must be presented at the School Office for assessment.
If you experience any difficulties regarding payment or are unable to meet the deadline, please do not hesitate to contact me for assistance.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely
Aimee Poveda
Business Manager
Additional Pupil Free Days
During this year, the school has been notified of significant changes to curriculum for our students. To support these changes, Townsville Catholic Education have added two Pupil Free Days (PFD) to assist and support schools in undertaking the implementation of the new NSSAB Educational Guidelines. The days approved are:
- Tuesday, 7th October 2025
- Tuesday, 27th January 2026
Our school will prioritise planning / replanning for Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum in light of the revised educational guidelines and associated minimum hours on both days.
Media Consent
Media Consent Updates
At the time of enrolment, parents are asked to consent to the use of their child’s name and image in various forms of media to promote the school/College and Catholic Education. If you DO NOT wish to consent to your child's photograph/video appearing as stated in the below, and you wish to withdraw this authorisation and consent, you must notify the school by phone or email, bchs@catholic.edu.au
If we do not hear from you to make any changes, your original consent provided will remain in effect.
PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEO/MEDIA CONSENT
Photos, video footage and work samples of students are used regularly by the school/College for the purpose of acknowledging the efforts of the student/College, or for promotion, marketing or advertising the College or Catholic Education.
I consent to the student being photographed or filmed for school/College, Catholic Education or Townsville Catholic Diocese related communication or for education purposes. I understand this may include media (e.g. television, radio, publications), school/College publications (e.g. newsletters, year books), online media (e.g. websites) and social media (e.g. Facebook, Instagram).
I understand it is my responsibility to notify the school/College if I do not wish to consent to the student’s photograph/video appearing in any or all of the above, or if I wish to withdraw this authorisation and consent. Please note the student’s name and voice may be included with the photograph/video.
I understand the copyright of such images will be retained by the school/College, Townsville Catholic Education, the Diocese of Townsville or their contractors, and there will be no remuneration or compensation for the images.
Expression of Interest – Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) Program
Burdekin Rotary Club of Ayr are currently seeking expressions of interest from families who would be willing to host Nico, an Italian exchange student here through the Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) program.
Each family typically hosts for a 3-month period, and while two generous families have already committed, Rotary are now searching for Family #3 and Family #4 to complete Nico’s 2026 experience.
Hosting a student like Nico offers a rich cultural exchange for both the host family and the student. It’s a truly rewarding experience, creating lifelong memories and global connections. Nico is a respectful, engaging student who would greatly benefit from experiencing life with a variety of local families during his stay.
The Rotary Youth Exchange program is regaining momentum post-COVID and continues to provide incredible opportunities for young people. Past BCHS student Ruby Sitton is currently on exchange and loving every moment—she’s excited to return next year and share her experience with students considering RYE after Year 12.
If you’re interested or would like to know more, please reach out:
Lex Cox (Rotary Contact) – 0428 833 261 Alison Sitton (Current Host Family) – 0411 648 053