Burdekin Catholic High School

From the Principal

A Time of Loss and Hope

As I come back from Long Service Leave, there has been some very significant changes in our Catholic Church.

We find ourselves in a moment of deep reflection and transition within the Catholic Church. The recent passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis, is a significant event—one felt profoundly by Catholics and people of all faiths across the world.

Pope Francis, who humbly chose the name of St Francis of Assisi, was a leader who embodied the values of peacefulness, simplicity, care for the environment, and a deep love of nature and wildlife. He called on us to serve others, to care for our common home, and to live with compassion and mercy.

His example touched the lives of many, including those outside our faith tradition. The Dalai Lama wrote beautifully:

“His Holiness Pope Francis dedicated himself to the service of others, consistently revealing by his own actions how to live a simple, but meaningful life. The best tribute we can pay to him is to be a warm-hearted person, serving others wherever and in whatever way we can.”

Rest in peace, Papa Franca. May your legacy of love, humility, and justice continue to inspire us all.

At the same time, we also come together in hope to celebrate the appointment of our new Pope, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. In the spirit of moving forward, I would like to share an extract from Bishop Tim Harris’ recent letter:

“For me, I welcome this election. Pope Leo XIV has reached back into history and chosen the name ‘Leo’ which brings with it a continuity with Pope Leo XIII. Pope Leo XIII in his encyclical Rerum Novarum spoke of workers’ rights and the excesses of socialism and capitalism. It emphasised the principle of the common good and that social and economic arrangements should benefit all people not just the wealthy.”

In our rapidly changing world, our young people need a leader of the Church who listens to their longing for peace, justice, and authentic faith. Pope Leo XIV has already expressed his intention to continue the mission and vision of Pope Francis—so I remain very hopeful for the future of our Church.

May we remain a school community grounded in faith, inspired by leadership, and ever committed to serving others.

From the Deputy Principal

Assessment Matters

This week the Year 12 External Assessment Timetable has been published by QCAA. This timetable has been published to Year 12s and families via Compass. Based on this information, the Year 12 Mock Block will be created and published to students in the coming weeks.

When students undertake their external assessments, there are strict guidelines to follow. These guidelines (“Directions for Students”) have been introduced from Years 7 to 11. The guidelines are not onerous. They have been written to be fair and just for all students undertaking assessment under supervised conditions. Therefore, it is only appropriate that students are well-versed in them before they undertake their exams.

Students are to bring only permitted equipment into the examination room: blue/black pens; pencil; eraser; highlight; ruler and sharpener. Where applicable, students are permitted to bring in a calculator with the memory cleared before and after the test. No notes, no writing on hands, etc. is permitted. Mobile phones, smart watches or any other electronic devices are not permitted in the test room.

Students are required to line up quietly outside the test room and enter without talking. They are not permitted to interact with other students or test materials. Students will need to wait for the direction of the supervision before commencing the test. Test questions cannot be reinterpreted.

Students are not permitted to borrow equipment from another student or engage with others in the test room such as talking, gesturing, turning around. Distracting behaviour impacts all students. By ensuring that all students understand the directions, it means assessment under supervised conditions can be completed in a calm and as stress-free manner as possible.

Elisa Rigano
Deputy Principal

From the Assistant Principal - Pastoral

After a few weeks away, it’s been good to be back.

We’re now halfway through the term — and this is usually the point where things either tighten up or start to drift. The mix of public holidays and assessment pressure can throw routines off, both at school and at home.

This week and next are key.

We’ve been reminding students that the basics still matter: turning up on time, having the right gear, speaking respectfully, wearing the uniform properly. None of it’s groundbreaking — but together, it sets the tone.

It’s also a good time for a quick reset at home:

Is homework still getting done?
Is the routine still working?
Any issues bubbling that need a conversation?

Term 2 is often where students grow the most — but only if we steady the ship now. Thanks for helping us keep things on track.

As always, if there’s anything you need, just reach out.

Leighton Gallagher
Assistant Principal - Pastoral

Assistant Principal - Religion

Pope Leo XIV

“La pace sia con tutti voi… – Peace Be With You All,” are the very first words uttered by our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV as he addresses the roaring crowd of St Peter’s Square. This statement is powerful in many ways and crafted to demonstrate a message to the world. Just like some amazing play or books or even films where the first words uttered dictate the storyline. This is however not a new story as Pope Leo XIV explains. This is the re-telling of the story of Jesus, post resurrection where He appeared to his disciples with those very words – Peace Be With You! These are missionary words because you cannot go out on a mission when your heart is troubled and not at peace. You cannot bring harmony when your mind is not at peace but rather distracted by the worries of the world. These are words we all hear at every Mass. Pope Leo XIV understood that this is certainly a new era as we all seek for peace but most important the peace that Christ has already breathed within us during our baptism and confirmation. Pope Leo XIV is inviting us to open our hearts to peace and most significantly, during this Year of Pilgrims of Hope.

Pope Leo XIV grew up in Chicago, USA, known there as Robert Prevost and his close friends call him Bob or Rob. In 1977, he entered novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine, not long after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. He was ordained an Augustinian priest on 19th June 1982 and a Masters in Canon Law in 1984 and while working as a missionary in Peru, he completed his Doctorate. He continued working between Peru and the United States between 1985 – 1999 before returning to take up leadership role in the Augustinian Province of Chicago. However, in 2002, he was appointed to the Prior General (Headquarters of the Augustinian Order) in Rome, where he worked closely with St Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict and the early papal days of Pope Francis. In October 2013, he returned to Chicago for a year before Pope Francis appointed him a Bishop for the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru on 3rd November 2014. He took the motto, “In Illo uno unum,” words of St Augustine, meaning, “In One, we are One.” This is also his Pope Leo XIV’s papal motto. Between 2015 and 2023, he was working vigorously as a Bishop and leader for the poorest areas of Peru, serving in the slums and not afraid to challenge priests and Bishops who are using the Church to live a comfortable life. He was often quoted as saying that a Bishop is “not a prince sitting in his little kingdom but rather called authentically to be humble and to suffer with the people he serves.” In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him Cardinal-Deacon before elevating him to Cardinal-Bishop in early 2025. He chose the name Leo to follow the work of the previous Pope Leo (or Pope Leo XIII) who was the champion of the working class, especially as we face a cultural and social shift with the introduction of Artificial Intelligence and robots.

Today, we look ahead with Hope, as we come to the middle of the Year of Pilgrims of Hope and we pray for Pope Leo XIV and his leadership in shaping the Church into an oasis of peace for all.

MOTHER’S DAY MASS

On Wednesday 7^th May, BCHS celebrated Mother’s Day with a whole school Mass. A few days prior to the Mass, students were given a task to create a poster filled with lovely notes to their mothers. These posters were brought forward to form the sacred space before the altar as we bring all our prayer intentions for our mothers at this Mass. Our main celebrant for the Mass was Fr Truong, who gave a thought provoking and an engaging homily about the significance of love in our lives, particularly that of sacrifice and forgiveness. The Mass ended with a photo of all our mothers before inviting our them for a light refreshment. We would like to thank all those involved in making this Mass a meaningful one, from the welcoming group, the eucharistic ministers, music ministry and the ladies in the hospitality corner. We continue to pray for our mothers, although we celebrate one day a year for them worldwide, we ought to be celebrating them every single day at home.

Blessings,
Denis Tutaka
Assistant Principal - Religion

From the Guidance Counsellor

A Special Report: Vaping

Vaping is becoming a trendy pastime that is growing in popularity across Australia, especially amongst teenagers. It is the act of inhaling a vapour created by an electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette. Many teenagers are succumbing to peer pressure around this risk-taking activity due to the ease of accessing and hiding vapes. They are often cheaper than conventional cigarettes, making it more cost-effective and attractive to young people.

Although under 18s are not legally allowed to purchase any type of e-cigarette or vaping product in Australia, teenagers are finding ways to access them online. Australia has strict regulations in place for nicotine-containing products, and attempts are being made to regulate vaping and ban the importation of them. Many of the flavoured liquids associated with vaping, contain not only high levels of nicotine, but other potentially harmful additives. Many of these “e-liquids” contain chemicals that are likely to be toxic, that when inhaled or vaped repeatedly, can cause severe damage to the lungs.

Vaping is often marketed as being the “healthy” alternative to smoking. However, doctors strongly advise that if you do not smoke, then you should not start vaping. Most teenagers are unaware of the associated risks and potential impact vaping can have on their development and overall health. Parents are encouraged to discuss the dangers of nicotine addiction and include e-cigarettes in the discussion alongside alcohol and drugs.

This Special Report highlights the facts around vaping and e-cigarettes and what are the potential risks. If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report:
https://bchs.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-vaping-au

From the Sports Department

BCHS Interschool Swimming

Burdekin Catholic High School has proudly claimed the title of Interschool Swimming Champions at this year’s carnival! Our students showed outstanding determination, sportsmanship, and team pride as they competed fiercely in the pool and supported one another throughout the day.

Every swimmer who represented BCHS played a vital role in our overall success, earning valuable points and demonstrating what it means to be part of the BCHS team.

We’d also like to recognise the exceptional individual efforts of the following students who achieved Age Champion or Runner-Up titles:

Bonnie Felesina – 12 Years Age Champion Runner-Up
Harris Flanagan – 12 Years Age Champion
Nate Giddy – 13 Years Age Champion
Reeve Scuderi – 13 Years Age Champion Runner-Up
Gabriella Mottin – 14 Years Age Champion
Rylee Delle Baite – 15 Years Age Champion Runner-Up
Joe Pappalardo – 15 Years Age Champion
Tex Delle Baite – 16 Years Age Champion Runner-Up
Emme Flanagan – 16 Years Age Champion Runner-Up
Matt Pappalardo – Open Years Age Champion

Congratulations to all swimmers you've done yourselves and BCHS proud!

What an incredible afternoon of enthusiasm and school spirit at our Interhouse Cross Country last Thursday!
Students from every year level participated with energy and determination, showcasing some truly outstanding efforts. A big congratulations to all our runners!
We’d also like to acknowledge the outstanding individual performances of the following students, who earned titles as Age Champions or Runners-Up:

Open Girls
Precious Rush - Age Champion
Ella Dablestein - Runner Up

Open Boys
Logan Gugeilmana - Age Champion
Chad Fraser - Runner Up

U16 Girls
Sienna Lago - Age Champion
Makayla Pirrone - Runner Up

16 Boys
Lane Delle Baite - Age Champion
Texas Delle Baite - Runner Up

15 Girls
Gabriella Minuzo - Age Champion
Ellie Mitchell - Runner Up

15 Boys
Jack Keyes - Age Champion
Boston Bramwell - Runner Up

14 Girls
Isabella Vardanega - Age Champion
Stephanie Nolan - Runner Up

14 Boys
Warne McShane - Age Champion
Mason Pavone - Runner Up

13 Girls
Lily Ahern - Age Champion
Sari Oar - Runner Up

13 Boys
Nate Giddy - Age Champion
Cruz Roncato - Runner Up

12 Girls
Bonnie Felesina- Age Champion
Lily Land - Runner Up

12 Boys
Kasey Laurie - Age Champion
Harrison Symth - Runner Up

Thank you to the staff, volunteers, and supporters who helped make the event such a success. We’re proud of our school community for turning out in full force, giving it their best, and embracing the spirit of healthy competition!

On Tuesday, our outstanding cross country team gave it their all and achieved an impressive second place overall at the BSS Interschool Cross Country.

Congratulations to our Age Champions:

Lily Ahern – Under 13 Girls
Nate Giddy – Under 13 Boys
Warne McShane – Under 14 Boys
Ellie Mitchell – Under 15 Girls
Precious Rush – Open Girls

Honourable Mentions:

Eden Godfrey – 3rd place, Under 13 Girls
Isabella Vardanega – 3rd place, Under 15 Girls
Lilly Mitchell – 2nd place, Under 15 Girls
Lane Delle Baite – 3rd place, Under 16 Boys
Ella Dablestein – 3rd place, Open Girls

Well done to all students who represented our school with pride and determination.

From Year 7 Religion

Year 7 Religion: Exploring Monotheistic Faiths

This term in Religion, Year 7 students have been exploring the three monotheistic world religions — Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. They have been learning about the core symbols, sacred texts, and key teachings that shape each of these faiths.

As part of their study of Christianity, students examined different types of Christian prayer, focusing particularly on Prayers of Thanksgiving and Petition. They analysed the structure and themes of these prayers, gaining insight into how Christians express gratitude and seek guidance or help for others.

Inspired by their learning, students then wrote and shared their own original prayers, reflecting on values such as gratitude, empathy, and compassion. This creative activity helped students deepen their understanding of how religious belief is expressed in personal and communal ways

Prayers of Thanksgiving

Thank you, God, for creating this world and all the animals on it.
I am grateful that you comfort me all day every day.
You support me in everything and you are always there.
Thank you for all the days of the week and for my friends, my health, and my family. May I enjoy every day of my life.
AMEN.
(Rocco Fahey)

Thank you Lord, the Father for all that you have done for me.
The things you’ve given to me and for all the times you were there for me when I needed help most,
I will thank you for all my friends, family, teachers and all the opportunities you’ve given me and most of all the things you’ve thrown my way to make me a better person.
AMEN.
(David Holm)

God, we thank you for the countless things provided and made for us on this earth.
We thank you for letting us have family and friends to be able to share any thought and moment with.
We thank you for letting us feel emotions like happiness, sadness, anger and many others.
Without this, we wouldn’t be able to relate or understand each other.
We thank you for the diversity and uniqueness you’ve given to all of us, making all people on earth different and special.
May every human understand gratitude and not take anything for granted.
AMEN.
(Inara Taylor)

Thank You God for giving us family and Earth as our homes and giving as companions through our life.
Thank you for our lives and thank you for giving us friends, health and grace.
Thank you for what we live for everyday and I am thankful that you have given this to everyone.
Thank you for giving me a family that supports me in what I try to do.
AMEN.
(Jhon Nunez)

Thank you God, for giving us everything you have given us.
I am thankful for all of the healing you have done and all of the happiness you create.
Thankyou for keeping my family well.
We are lucky to have the Lord.
AMEN.
(Harris Petersen)

Lord, thank you for letting me live this great life and giving me an opportunity to accomplish things.
Thank you for every new day you let me live, I wouldn't be here without your support and love that you have shown me.
I am forever grateful that you let me go to a good school and live under a roof with food and water.
AMEN.
(Cruz Roncato)

Prayers of Petition

Dear heavenly Father, I come to you with an open heart and I'm in need of your guidance and love.
Please settle my unsettled thoughts of worry, anger, guilt and greed.
AMEN.
(Bonnie Felesina)

Heavenly Father, I lean on you for help when I’m in a dark place.
Motivate me to reach higher and achieve my goals.
Calm me with your wisdom and strength me as I start a new beginning and chapter in my glorious life.
AMEN.
(Lacey Kiehne)

Dear heavenly Father,
I come to you with an open heart and I'm in need of your guidance and love.
Please settle my unsettled thoughts of worry, anger, guilt and greed.
AMEN.
(David Holm)

Thank you God, for giving us everything you have given us.
I am thankful for all of the healing you have done and all of the happiness you create.
Thankyou for keeping my family well. We are lucky to have the lord.
AMEN.
(Sam Pirrone)

God, I pray to you for protection.
Please help me calm down, to think clearly.
May you help me get through cross country.
I need you to support me in school and to help me to be stronger than I am now.
AMEN.
(Harrison Smyth)

From the Careers Department

There is much to celebrate this week for our students who are getting a kick start in the career of their dreams. Mikkena Pahlke – Year 12 and Cooper Kross – Year 11 have officially been signed-up as School Based Apprentices (SBA) . Mikkena Pahlke is commencing her Certificate III Hairdressing at House of Hair. Last year she completed a Certificate II in Salon Assistant at Tafe Home Hill. The completing of this certificate will give her credit to Mikkena’s apprenticeship and foundation skills for her apprenticeship. Thank you Emma Huston for creating this opportunity for Mikkena. In my previous newsletter article I mentioned how a holiday work experience placement resulted in a SBA. Cooper Kross impressed Ashley Pyott, owner operator and BCHS old boy from Pyott’s Mechanical & Hydraulics. Here he will commence his Certificate III Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology. Cooper will join past student Kai Delle Baite who was also a SBA during his schooling at BCHS. Thank you to Ashley and Danielle Pyott (Danielle is also a past student) and all the team at Pyott’s Mechanical & Hydraulics for continuing to support our BCHS community.

The 2025 Creating Futures Expo is set to be an exciting day on the BCHS calendar. Last year we hosted over 20 exhibitors at the first Careers Expo on campus. This year it will takes on a new name Creating Futures Expo but the focus is still the same, creating opportunities for our students to explore their options for academic and prevocational pathways. This year the 2025 Creating Futures Expo is on Thursday 26th June from 9 am – 10:35 am. If you own or work in a business that would like to showcase the career opportunities in your industry, please email me on adallecort@bchs.catholic.edu.au
This week I commenced Destination Meetings with the Year 12s to discuss their plans for 2026. This can be an exciting and uncertain time for our students, so these discussions are a way gauge what support is needed for our them to pursue their desired pathways. We are lifelong learners, which means we are developing the skills, knowledge and mindset to continuously seek out and engage new learning opportunities. The trades, tertiary qualifications, and jobs that the Year 12s transition into in 2026 are a stepping stone for future possibilities. It has been so exciting to hear what our Year 12s have planned for 2026 and our school community is behind them to achieve their personal and professional goals.

From the Emerging Leaders Team

Murri Homeroom Breakfast Club

All Emerging Leaders students are invited to Murri Homeroom Breakfast Club!
Join us Thursdays at 8:15am in the Hospitality Dining Room
We’d love to see you — come for a yarn, a feed, and a chance to connect!

No. 7 Term 2 - Week 4 Newsletter, 2025