No. 31 Term 4 - Week 6 Newsletter, 2024

From the Principal

Year 12 - Enjoy Week 7!

Today, our Year 12s come to the end of their QCAA external exams and next week we commence a week of school led celebrations that will acknowledge the journey of education that they have been on for the past thirteen years, for most six years with Burdekin Catholic High School.  These events are very important in the school calendar and I am very much looking forward to spending time with the Year 12s and their families to ritualise this important time in their lives. 

Future Leaders in Action

Last week, I had the absolute pleasure to spend the weekend with our 2025 School Leaders - Harrison, Nick, Piper and Drea in Brisbane.  We joined with other student leaders from Marist Secondary Schools - Queensland, the Northern Territory and Northern NSW. The Marist Student Leaders Summit was held at Marist College Ashgrove and Mt Maria Mitchelton.  We were also joined by Mr Leighton Gallagher (Assistant Principal - Pastoral).  the students participated in a three-day leadership summit aiming to empower students to develop their leadership, grow in their Marist identity and mission and meet other school leaders from Marist Schools. Our students shined throughout the summit, we are in safe hands for 2025.

CONGRATULATIONS MR GUY

At the same time, the annual Marist Schools Australia Mass and Dinner was held.  Mr David Guy,  was recognised for his ‘Outstanding Contribution to Marist Education’ at the 2024 event.  Mr Guy was recognised for his work with our young people to create distinctly Marist symbolism throughout our school.  In presenting the award, the following citation was made of Mr Guy:

David Guy has been a well-respected and valuable staff member of Burdekin Catholic High School. For 16 years, he has served our school fostering every Marist characteristic through his roles as Technologies teacher and VET Coordinator.  David has found a way of weaving a pastoral focus into his Technology subjects (especially Certificate II Construction) for students to understand and appreciate the Marist characteristics.  Over the years the Year 12 Construction students have contributed to numerous projects on campus initiated and led by David.  He has been able to showcase that we are a Marist School by leading projects such as designing and building the school Altar Table with the Marist Symbols carved out of wood from recycled timber and trees felled to make way for progress.

He also led the design and build of the school Lectern used for assemblies and Masses.   A design that was crafted to showcase Marist symbols and Burdekin Catholic High School’s heritage. Smaller scale projects for the school community have included students pouring concrete slabs to improve the appearance of the school, one project in particular has the five Marist Characteristics etched in the concrete.  He also has led his students to
provide service to the local community kindergarten through the development of their new and improved playground.

This year a replica of Marcellin’s table in Lavalla was constructed and it is now on display for students to use in our quad. This latest construction invites our students to share a meal, and create a sense of community and hospitality, similar to what Marcellin’s intentions were when he made the original table.   David is very generous with his time, he has built numerous sets for our musicals and often works backstage. Over the years he has selflessly given his time to make school camps and retreats memorable for our students.

Safe Work Month

Each year, Townsville Catholic Education conducts a Safe Work Month competition focused on workshop safety. Workshops inherently have a higher risk of injury and are necessary places to highlight the need for increased risk management.   I am very happy to have received notice this week, that Burdekin Catholic High school has been a winner in the competition.

Burdekin Catholic High School - Industrial Technologies and Design - Most Organised Workshop (Stephen Keryk, Paul Anderson, Dave Guy, Jonathan Federici).  The winners demonstrate a commitment to safety and do an outstanding job keeping their work environment safe.  

I would like to add my congratulations to our ITD staff, this demonstrates the high commitment to ensure safe working spaces for themselves and our students.

Lorraine Wolffe
Principal

From the Deputy Principal

Awards Night

Preparations for our awards season have begun.  The first evening will be for students in Year 12, held on the Monday of Graduation week.  Our whole school Awards Night will be held early February, 2025 for students in Years 7 – 11, with the final Year 12 awards also presented.  Further details about the Whole School Awards Night will be published early in Term 1, 2025.

The calculation of Academic Level Awards remains the same as previous years.  Students can receive Gold, Silver or Bronze Level Awards if their results meet pre-determined cut-offs. Academic Awards will be calculated from results awarded in 2024.  Grades are converted to a five-point scale (A = 5; B = 4, etc).  Overall results are then totalled against the maximum points possible for a student on that year level and a percentage then taken, e.g. here is how we calculate the Level and Consistent Effort Awards for a student in Year 9:

Sample Student (Year 9)

The minimum cut-offs for the Academic Awards are as follows:
Level 1 (Gold): 85%
Level 2 (Silver): 78%
Level 3 (Bronze): 70%
Students are also eligible to receive a Consistent Effort Award if their teachers have stated they have worked consistently (Very Good or Good) over 2024.  The criteria used for Consistent Effort is that same as what is used for reporting.

Homework and Study

It is important as we near the assessment weeks to issue a reminder about the important of setting aside time for homework and study.  When students reach high school there is an expectation that homework and study time is set aside at home.  It is an opportunity for students to ‘test their knowledge’ and ascertain whether they understand key concepts taught during class independent of the teacher.  Homework is not designed to be an onerous task, but one that I ask all families to support.  Students practising key skills on the day taught have a greater opportunity to develop the all important neural pathway for the long term retention and application of material.  As students progress through school, the requirements of personal study and homework completion become even more important as work is assessed across an entire year in many subjects.  Improvement in knowledge and understanding can only happen when students work beyond the classroom.  
The following homework and study guidelines have been set out in the student planners:

• Year 7 and 8: approximately 1 – 1 ½ hours per night (upper limit for Year 8)
• Years 9 and 10: approximately 1 ½ hours per night going up to 2 hours in Year 10.
• Years 11 and 12: approximately 2 ½ -3 hours per night
  

From the Assistant Principal - Religion

Last edition I wrote about celebrations. As Year 12 external exams draw to an end and the ink dries on those employment and apprenticeship contracts our Year 12 students, their families, staff, and parish community have much to celebrate. As the saying goes “it takes a village to raise a child,” Our Burdekin Catholic High School “Village” will gather for a number of activities on and off campus next week to celebrate the end of secondary schooling for our Year 12s. Times, locations and uniform requirements for these events have been published on Compass. BCHS looks forward to welcoming Parents, Families and Caregivers to these celebrations.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL XMAS APPEAL 

This week the Year 11s launched the BCHS XMAS APPEAL. Each Year level received an inspiring presentation to launch our appeal!

Antonetta Dalle Cort
Assistant to the Principal - Religious Education

From the Guidance Counsellor

SPECIAL REPORT: Navigating AI Relationships

Despite governments globally moving towards raising the minimum age for social media access due to mounting concerns about the negative effects on youth mental health and wellbeing, there's now an even newer challenge on the horizon - the rise of romantic and companion AI bots. These virtual companions are becoming increasingly popular with young people, raising serious questions about privacy, ethics, and the future of relationships in the digital age.

The rise of AI-powered relationships is offering a new frontier in human interaction. Initially emerging in the gaming world, AI companionship has evolved into mainstream culture, with apps providing personalised experiences that range from platonic friendships to romantic encounters. These interactions can blur the boundaries between real and virtual relationships, creating confusion and potential psychological harm.

Criminologists warn that children as young as 12 are accessing dating apps, often bypassing age restrictions, exposing them to sexual content and predatory behaviour. Researchers have also found that many adolescents are turning to virtual partners for validation, risking unhealthy emotional attachments that can affect real-life relationships.

As AI reshapes social dynamics, it's crucial to stay informed and engaged. While AI can enhance education and creativity, it also presents challenges around privacy, mental health, and misinformation. This Special Report will help you foster an open dialogue and balanced approach to help young people navigate this evolving digital landscape.

Here is the link to your Special Report

2025 Term Dates

Term Dates 2025

Term 1: Tuesday 28 January - Friday 4 April  (10 week term)

Term 2: Tuesday 22 April - Friday 27 June (10 week term)

Term 3: Monday 14 July - Friday 19 September (10 week term)

Term 4: Tuesday 7 October - Friday 5 December (9 week term)

Year 12 School Year concludes on Friday 21 November 2025
Secondary Classes (7-11) conclude on Friday 28 November 2025

Enrol for 2025

Academic Excellence; Sporting Opportunities; Cultural Development; Faith Lived

Burdekin Catholic High School, a vibrant and energetic Catholic school founded in the Marist tradition, which embraces a close working relationship between staff, students and parents. 

Our experienced staff, in their vocation as Catholic educators, are dedicated to ensuring each student is provided with the opportunity to achieve their goals. Discover what makes our school a place of family spirit with a long educational tradition in the Burdekin region.

We have some limited enrolment spaces open for Years 7-12 in 2025. Don’t miss out!

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