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Just when we commenced Camps and thought the rain had stopped…….!
On the matter of Camps: I would like to extend my thanks to the teachers, school officers and parents, who accompanied students for the Year 5 and 8 Camps last week. I usually remind the students that I am not able to require staff to attend such activities that involve overnight stays and time away from their families. Therefore, I hope that students express their appreciation in actions, and perhaps in words. Educational research places good relationships between students and staff high on the list of effectors of positive student outcomes; interactions outside the classroom promote the building of relationships.
I spent some of last week completing a course and meeting with other principals from Townsville Catholic Education with the intention of reflecting upon how we work towards the mission of Catholic Education. Across the diocese, work continues in the area of enhancing the Catholic identity of our schools. I wish to thank those who took the time to complete the ECSI survey, which helps us set College directions. We need to avoid any perception that we are a private, secular school: we are unashamedly Catholic and our values are Gospel values - not just words that describe how ‘nice’ people behave. In enrolment interviews parents unfamiliar with Catholic schools often describe what they know or have heard about St Catherine’s that prompted an application for a place. Invariably these are points that stem from our Catholic identity. It is my job to join the dots between the ideas and the inspiration: we are intentional about showing our students how the Gospel messages are relevant for them today.
I want to remind those in our community that our efforts are towards building the strategic pillars expressed in our Strategic Plan 2022-2026, which are guided through 2025 Annual School Improvement Plan (ASIP) that I communicated earlier this year. The Strategic Plan and a summary of the ASIP goals are accessible via the College website.
While I was away a new Pope was elected and the Principals breathed a collective sigh of relief. I have great hope that Catholic leadership will continue to prioritise those whom we have a duty to protect and support. The poor and marginalised have been the focus of the work of Pope Leo XIV throughout his ministry - inspired by Jesus - and St Catherine’s focus on social justice allows us to follow this example.
In our own community many struggle and the Vinnie’s winter appeal, detailed by the APREs, will address their needs. I urge you to support this, as much as your financial means allow.
Katherine Nelson
Principal
If your account is part of an existing payment plan, your scheduled payments will continue as normal, and you are not required to take any further action
If you have any questions or need to discuss your account, please call Finance on 4945 1414 or sccc_ar@prspne.catholic.
Pope Leo XIV is the first Augustinian pope and the second Roman pontiff – after Pope Francis – from the Americas. Unlike Jorge Mario Bergoglio, however, the 69-year-old Robert Francis Prevost is from the northern part of the continent, though he spent many years as a missionary in Peru before being elected head of the Augustinians for two consecutive terms.
He was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, to Louis Marius Prevost, of French and Italian descent, and Mildred Martínez, of Spanish descent. He has two brothers, Louis Martín and John Joseph. He spent his childhood and adolescence with his family and studied first at the Minor Seminary of the Augustinian Fathers and then at Villanova University in Pennsylvania, where in 1977 he earned a Degree in Mathematics and also studied Philosophy.
On September 1 of the same year, he entered the novitiate of the Order of St Augustine in St Louis and made his first profession on September 2, 1978. On August 29, 1981, he made his solemn vows. The future pontiff received his theological education at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. At the age of 27, he was sent by his superiors to Rome to study Canon Law at the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum).
In Rome, he was ordained a priest on June 19, 1982, at the Augustinian College of St Monica. Prevost obtained his licentiate in 1984 and the following year, while preparing his doctoral thesis, was sent to the Augustinian mission in Chulucanas, Piura, Peru (1985–1986). In 1988, he joined the mission in Trujillo, also in Peru, as director of the joint formation project for Augustinian candidates from the vicariates of Chulucanas, Iquitos, and Apurímac.
In 1999, he was elected Provincial Prior of the Augustinian Province of “Mother of Good Counsel” in Chicago, and two and a half years later, the ordinary General Chapter of the Order of St Augustine elected him as Prior General, confirming him in 2007 for a second term.
In October 2013, he returned to his Augustinian Province in Chicago until Pope Francis appointed him on November 3, 2014, as Apostolic Administrator of the Peruvian Diocese of Chiclayo. His episcopal ordination was on December 12, 2014. He was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo on September 26, 2015.
On January 30, 2023, the Pope called him to Rome as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, promoting him to the rank of Archbishop. He was created a cardinal on September 30, 2023.
( Source: Vatican News.)
Embracing Diversity: RE in a Multicultural Society
Our Whitsundays community, like Australia itself, is rich in cultural and religious diversity. Preparing students to live harmoniously in such a world is one of the great goals of Religious Education at our College.
In our RE classes, students learn about the Catholic faith in depth while also developing respect for different religious traditions and worldviews. This approach follows the guidance of the Queensland Catholic Education Commission, which calls Catholic schools to be places of inclusion, dialogue, and hospitality.
Religious Education teaches students to see every person as made in the image and likeness of God, regardless of their background. They learn about the great values that unite humanity: love, justice, peace, and human dignity.
Recent research from the Australian Catholic University highlights that students who engage meaningfully with Religious Education tend to be more accepting of difference, better at resolving conflict, and more committed to building just societies. They are less prone to prejudice and more open to genuine dialogue.
By exploring Catholic teaching alongside an appreciation of other faiths and cultures, our students become bridge builders people who know how to find common ground while standing firm in their own beliefs.
In a time when division often makes the headlines, Religious Education sends a different message: that faith and understanding can unite people, not separate them.
Vinnie’s Winter Appeal
Our College will be organising a Winter Appeal to help the St Vincent De Paul Society assist the poor and homeless in our community.
God's blessings upon you,Julie Hornstra, Shadley Davids
Assistant Principals/ Religious Education
AARA and Assessment Requirements – A Reminder for Year 11 & 12 Families
The QCAA outlines strict guidelines around Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments (AARA) for students who experience illness, disability, or other significant challenges. These adjustments help students access assessment on an equitable basis.
Please note: family holidays during term time are not grounds for AARA. Missing assessments—especially in Year 12—can seriously impact a student’s QCE or ATAR eligibility.
Assessment schedules are released each February to help families plan ahead. St Catherine’s must follow QCAA regulations and cannot approve alternative arrangements outside their parameters. For more information, visit: www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/senior/assessment/aara
School Policies
All St Catherine’s Catholic College policies, including those related to assessment and student responsibilities, are available on our school website. We encourage parents and carers to familiarise themselves with these documents to stay informed about our procedures and expectations. Policies can be accessed at www.prspne.catholic.edu.au under the “About us” tab.
Warm regards,
Samantha Hinton (Deputy Primary)
Kate Moretto (Deputy Secondary)
In the Early Years…
Attendance Counts - Everyday Matters
It can be a common misconception that school attendance, particularly in the early years, is not as important as in upper primary or secondary. The reality is that attending school every day matters across all year levels.
The foundations for learning are built early, particularly in essential areas such as literacy and numeracy and these skills are continually developed and strengthened throughout primary school. When students miss school regularly, it becomes increasingly difficult to catch up, especially if gaps have formed over time.
Research shows that students who attend school regularly:
- Achieve higher academic results
- Develop stronger social and emotional skills, including independence, resilience, problem-solving skills and friendships
- They are more likely to succeed in further education and employment
Establishing positive attendance habits early sends a strong message to your child that education is important and valued. It also helps build resilience, routine and responsibility - skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom.
You can support your child’s attendance by:
- Talking positively about school and encouraging their involvement
- Establishing consistent bedtime and morning routines
- Packing school bags and laying out uniforms the night before
- Only keeping your child home when they are genuinely unwell or for valid reasons
We understand that sometimes absences are unavoidable - due to illness or family reasons. If your child is absent, please notify the school via the Compass portal or email to enquiries@prspne.catholic.edu.au.
Your partnership in ensuring your child is at school everyday helps to maximise their opportunities for success.
If you are experiencing challenges with your child’s attendance, please do not hesitate to reach out. Together, we can work to support your child’s learning journey at SCCC.
In the Middle Years…
The Hidden Dangers of Energy Drinks
Recently we have seen a rise in students bringing Energy drinks to school in the mornings (Monster Energy, Red Bull, Rock Star, etc). Energy drinks may seem like a quick fix for tiredness, but they come with serious health risks, especially for students. High in caffeine and sugar, these drinks often cause energy crashes that affect mood, focus, and learning. Because of these risks, energy drinks are not allowed at school. We ask all students to respect this rule and leave them at home. For better energy, choose water, healthy snacks, and plenty of rest. Let’s work together to keep our school a productive and healthy environment for everyone.
Get Your Child Involved—It Makes a Difference!
Activities outside of school play a big role in a child’s growth and wellbeing. Whether it’s playing a sport, helping in the community, working a part-time job, or pursuing a hobby, being active beyond the classroom helps build confidence, responsibility, and life skills. Kids who are engaged in positive activities often feel more motivated and connected to their goals. They often have a wider friendship circle and demonstrate greater resilience during friendship fires (small disagreements). If your child isn’t currently involved in anything, now is a great time to encourage them to try something new. Transport to after school activities is now supported by the Whitsunday Transit Activities Bus which may help to alleviate one barrier to involvement. Your encouragement may help them discover interests that shape their future and bring lasting benefits.
~Emma Hiscox & Erin Laguna~
Assistant Principals - Learning and Teaching
In the Senior Years….
Year 10 – A Key Transition into Senior Schooling
Year 10 marks the beginning of the senior phase of learning. As the final year of the Australian Curriculum, it lays the groundwork in knowledge, understanding, and skills essential for success in senior studies. It is also a critical time for students to reflect and make important decisions regarding their future, including:
- Working towards a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) or a Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA)
- Exploring Vocational Education and Training (VET) options
- Considering school-based traineeships, apprenticeships, or tertiary study pathways
As part of their Year 10 studies, students complete Career Education, a QCAA short course. When successfully completed, this course contributes one credit toward the QCE. Career Education supports students in developing the knowledge, skills, processes, and attitudes needed to make informed choices about their future education, work, and career pathways.
A key outcome of this course is the development of the Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan. This plan helps students map out their senior schooling journey in alignment with their goals and post-school aspirations—whether that be further study, training, or employment.
More information about the SET planning process, including key dates and upcoming information evenings, will be shared in the coming weeks.
~ Sooraj Fowdar~
Senior Phase Teaching and Learning Leader
| YEAR 1 | Albie Fox, Thea Webster, Alice Falconer, Hudson Grieve |
| YEAR 3 | Matilda Rule, Wilson Hounsell, Isabelle Roser |
| YEAR 4 | Archer Dickens |
| YEAR 5 | Brooklyn Congoo, Clare Anderson, Anna Deicke, Alice Matthews |
Week 4 Mercy Awards
| YEAR 2 | Oliver Bright, Grace Miotto, Emerson Briffa, Rory Porter, Phoebe Emmerson |
| YEAR 4 | Max Smith, George Wellington, Paityn Price |
| YEAR 6 | Millie Fowler, Matilda O'Keefe, Henley Murton, Max Bellert |
Catherine McAuley Society - Jojo update
Run Club continues to gain momentum this term, and we’re thrilled to announce that our first Silver Level awards have now been achieved, congratulations to our Silver Superstars!
Alongside this exciting milestone, many Bronze Level awards have also been handed out across the Primary school, from our littlest Kindy runners all the way to our enthusiastic Year 6 students. It’s been wonderful to see such strong participation and effort from students of all ages.
To help everyone keep progressing, especially after a rain-affected Term 1, we’re continuing with our make-up mornings every second week. That means Run Club will operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during Weeks 6 and 8.
Just a reminder, Run Club isn’t about speed, it’s about showing up, giving it a go, and having fun. Whether students choose to walk, skip, jog, or sprint, it’s all part of staying active and building a healthy routine.
And yes, parents are always welcome to join in and share in the fun!
Let’s keep those feet moving and the smiles coming. Well done to all our runners, you’re doing an amazing job!
A Beautiful Morning for Mum – Prep B’s Mother’s Day Liturgy
Last week, our school community gathered for a Mother’s Day Liturgy, led by Prep B with the support of Miss Bennett and Miss Jodi.
The students shared prayers, reflections, and a video they had created to celebrate the incredible mums, mum figures, and grandmas in their lives. The video was filled laughter and plenty of love.
Following the liturgy, our guests were treated to a relaxing Morning for Mum, where they enjoyed pampering activities, craft time, and fun-filled play with their children. It was a joyful and memorable way to celebrate the strong, nurturing women who are such an important part of our school family.
A sincere thank you to all the mums, grandmas, and mother figures who were able to join us, your presence made the day even more special. We hope you left feeling appreciated and loved.
The year 9/10 Drama students had a fun filled workshop in Mackay with veteran Circus performer Tammy Stone. They travelled to Tammy’s workshop space and participated in a 2 hour practical workshop to develop their skills in circus and performance.
Even though they were exhausted by the end, the students excelled themselves and came back with some new and exciting ideas for their circus assessment task.
A big thanks to Miss Charli who accompanied everyone on this excursion.
Senior Science Students Take on Practical Investigations for Assessment
Held at Mackay Northern Beaches State High School, the immersive weekend offered a series of intensive hands-on visual arts and design workshops facilitated by QCAD lecturers and professional artists.
Across the two days, students explored a wide range of art and design techniques, working closely with Griffith University QCAD staff and students from the Mackay and Whitsunday region.
The weekend concluded with a vibrant pop-up exhibition celebrating the students’ work, attended by family, friends, and peers from the Mackay and Whitsunday region. It was an unforgettable experience that left students inspired and excited for their creative futures.
Congratulations to Year 7 student Lacey Appleton, who took out first place in the Youth Expression Awards (12–17 years) as part of the Proserpine Rock Wallaby Festival! Lacey’s impressive artistic talent is already shining through, and we can’t wait to see where her creative journey takes her as she continues to explore art throughout her schooling. Well done, Lacey!
Whitsunday District Representatives
Congratulations to the following students for proudly representing the Whitsundays in their respective sports:
Cross Country
At our latest Secondary assembly, we celebrated our Cross Country Age Champions with a special medal presentation.
Mr Laguna also announced McAuley as the overall House Champions and Xavier as the well-deserved Spirit Cup winners!
Congratulations to all students involved, an outstanding effort, especially with the early start that day.
Everyone represented St Catherine’s with pride!
Congratulations to all our runners who represented the college at the Secondary Whitsunday Cross Country trials last week. A special mention to Isabella Pisaniello and Justin Miller who won their age groups.
Netball
What a day of Netball at Vicki Wilson Cup Mackay! Our QISSN Boys and Year 7 Girls represented the College. Exhausted after a big day, our students played competitively, created stronger combinations and enjoyed the experience with their friends. Thanks Mrs Steel and Amaya for supporting the teams.
The boys were on fire, undefeated across all 4 games, a solid win in the semi, and then faced Whitsunday Anglican College in a nail-biting grand final. With the score locked at 0-0 at full time, it went to golden goal… and a brilliant Reef & Max combo sealed the win!
A massive well done to the whole team for an outstanding effort on and off the court. Next stop: the National Championships in Brisbane this September!
What an incredible journey it has been! With the curtains now closed on our 2025 production of 'The Music Man', we want to extend our deepest thanks to everyone who supported this unforgettable show.
It truly takes a village to bring a production of this calibre to life and what a village we have! Over the months of preparation, late-night rehearsals, and weekend workshops, our cast, crew, and support team grew into a family. The energy, commitment, and passion poured into this show were inspiring to witness.
To our generous sponsors, thank you for believing in the power of the arts and helping us provide this opportunity for our students.
To the Bowen community members who played in our band, your talent and time helped elevate this show to a professional level. We’re so grateful for your contribution.
To our parents and carers, thank you for being the behind-the-scenes heroes. From emotional support to drop-offs and pick-ups, your dedication helped make this dream possible for your children.
And finally, to our incredible cast, crew, and the amazing director, Betsy Atkinson, thank you. Your hard work, creativity, and talent lit up the stage in all four outstanding performances. The result was a truly magical experience that we will all remember for years to come.
We are incredibly proud of what we achieved together. Thank you, St Catherine’s and our wider community, for making The Music Man 2025 such a resounding success!
Careers Day
A big thank-you to all of our community for the participation in the career and industry day held this week.
In light of national career week the day was designed to start conversations and explore options for our students and what they may want to do after school. I hope students managed to hear or explore a career path they had never heard of before or started a conversation about something they’re interested in.
On the primary campus the students started the day with a “When I grow up I want to be” parade. There was such a vast range of wonderful costumes and thought put into some of the outfits for the day which was great to see. The morning then was filled with many activities including some of our wonderful parents coming into the classroom to talk about what they do for work.
The winners for best dressed on the primary were:
Prep - Jack Faust - Pilot
Year 1 - Anthia De Guzman - Cleaner
Year 2 - Remy Lozach- Vet
Year 3 - Ayllah Ferris and Bree Harding - Hairdressers
Year 4 - Pippa Laguna and Maisy Edmunds - Teachers
Year 5 - Alice Matthews - Fashion Designer
Year 6 - Lizzie Rose - Artist
Teacher - Mrs Stagg as a ‘Wife’
On secondary campus the morning was the career fair with 42 vendors exhibiting their local businesses and talking to students. The morning saw many activities and prizes to be won at the stall and was well serviced by Rilo ice cream and Chasing te Ra coffee and frozen yoghurt. In the middle session the secondary students had talks from the police, BHP, defence, Qld Health - Proserpine Hospital and Eclipse Financial Planning.
A big thank-you to everyone who attended on the day and to our students for making the most out of the opportunities all under one roof!
White card course - Year 10
Week 5 - 21st of May we will be holding a white card course at the college for our year 10 students who have prepared their placements in the construction industry. This course has space for 15 students and currently does have a waiting list. If your child is interested in gaining their white card please let Mrs BK know ASAP so further information can be sent out to ensure students are ready for work experience if it is needed.
QTAC books
QTAC books have now been handed out to all year 12 students. These books are for those who are eligible for an ATAR and wanting to apply to university in Queensland. Mrs BK will be going through these books with students over the next term explaining how to use it and what information they should be focusing on. When we get to QTAC applications in August students will have the ability to apply for 6 different courses, so I encourage all students to start looking at what is available for next year and thinking about what 6 courses they would like to apply for.
UAC open
UAC applications are now open for year 12 students wanting to apply to university in NSW or ACT. Linked on compass is a video and some how to documents to support students through this process. Mrs BK has started going through life after school in Thursday/Friday study. These sessions will begin to focus on university applications in the coming weeks so I can definitely assist students with this here or during pathway meetings next term.
The main advice for now would be to start looking at the courses on offer for next year and compiling a preference list.
Year 10 Work experience
Term 2 is a big one for our Year 10’s as we are organising and working towards our Work Experience week in Term 3. The students have been given forms and information on why we do work experience and how to arrange it. Also they were presented with a number of opportunities from local industries for these placements. As told to the students, it feels like a long way ahead but the time will creep up so best to get organised sooner rather than later. This work experience is an important part of their career education class and is an excellent time to explore career pathways they may be interested in. It was stressed to the students that they must take the process seriously as well as have fun. If you or your student has any questions or needs any help please email Mrs Radford or head to her office in the library. Or if you are a local business that can host a student please let me know!
I encourage all senior students to undertake work experience. Work Experience is an excellent opportunity to gain an understanding of the industry that a student is considering for a career and assists with the transition from school to work. Valuable employment contacts can be made, experience added to a resume, or used to see the requirement of further study in their field of interest. It gives students an insight into the nature and diversity of employees in the workplace and the ability to improve work ethic, maturity, confidence and self-reliance. It has on many occasions led to further employment opportunities for students in their senior years too.
Work experience is only one step in the Careers program for our year 10’s this term. This past week has been National Careers Week in which the school hosted guest speakers for our classes and many local industry stalls.The Year 10s will then begin working on their preliminary SET Plans in Careers and start identifying the type of pathway and subjects they’re looking at in year 11 and 12. At St Catherine’s SET Planning is incorporated within the career program with the intention of students being able to explore their options throughout the year before making their decision at the end of term 3. This allows for much deeper and focused thought and understanding of the decisions they’re making for their own future. If you have any questions around SET Planing please feel free to reach out to Jess Brown-Kenyon the VET and Pathways Middle Leader.
From your Pathways Team,
Jess Brown-Kenyon
VET and Pathways Middle Leader
jbrownkenyon@prspne.catholic.edu.au
Becky Radford
VET & work experience coordinator
Connecting Through Culture – Birri Gubba Club’s Creative Journey
Over the past two weeks, our Birri Gubba Club, led by Miss Justine, has been painting message sticks, a meaningful activity connecting students with First Nations culture and tradition.
Message sticks have been used for thousands of years as a way to share stories and messages between language groups and communities. We’re proud to see our students learning and honouring this powerful cultural practice.
Book Fair - UPDATE - Starting Tuesday
QISSN BINGO Fundraiser
School Photos - Its time to order
School Photography Date: 12/06/2025
Dear Parents,
School photography day is coming up soon. Group and portrait photographs can be purchased by following the link below. If you prefer to order using an envelope please visit your school office, collect an order envelope and hand your payment to our photographer on school photo day.
Two easy ways to purchase:
- Visa, MasterCard or PayPal
- Cash – complete the envelope supplied and return it to our photographer on photo day
Or visit: www.advancedlife.com.au
And enter online order code: 4CW 53H X41
School photography information:
- Online orders - do not require an envelope returned to your school
- Sibling Photos - Don’t forget to pre-order your sibling photos online up to 24 hours before photo day. We provide your school with a list of sibling orders right up to the day of photography, so no one misses out. If you miss the online order deadline, you can submit a completed sibling order envelope first thing in the morning of the day of photography, so your school is aware you want the photo taken and can bring your children together in time for it. Sibling photographs only apply to children enrolled at your school. Please note not all schools offer sibling photos
- Late fees - a late fee will be applied to each package purchased after photo day due to the additional cost of producing these packages separately
- Package delivery - School photographs will be returned approximately 6 weeks after the day of photography. Please note this delivery timeframe is dependent on proofing and additional photography days at your school.
- Previous Years’ photos - Past years’ photographs including sports, co-curricular and representative groups are also available to order under the “previous years or group photo” tabs at your school’s advancedorder site when you click on the “Order School Photos Here” button above. You can also order past packages, portrait images and gifts from your child’s unique, individual and secure advancedyou image archive site using the unique 9 digit image code found on packages you have ordered in the past.
100yr Celebrations
Run Club
In the event of a cyclone or severe weather impacting on our Catholic schools, regularly updated information will be available on the following:
- Townsville Catholic Education website www.tsv.catholic.edu.au LATEST NEWS section on homepage.
- Twitter – you can follow us on www.twitter.com/tceo.
- Facebook – you can follow us on www.facebook.com/TownsvilleCEO
. - Listen to local radio stations (ABC in all regions) plus various local commercial stations for updates.
- Instagram – Townsville_Catholic_Education.
- School’s web page
If a decision is made overnight to close schools, this message will be broadcast from 7am or earlier, if possible, through the local radio stations. Please refrain from calling schools as this causes disruption to vital communication networks, ask parents to be patient, information will be broadcasts as soon as practicable.
Please refer to the above methods of communication as your first source of information. Please use your best discretion in the interests of safety at all times.
Storybox Library resource
Did you know you can access Storybox, a terrific resource available to our College families that provides free access to awesome stories and helpful resources. Click the following link to check it out. https://storyboxlibrary.com.
2025 Term dates
| Term 1 | Tuesday 28 January - Friday 4 April |
| Term 2 | Tuesday 22 April - Friday 27 June |
| Term 3 | Monday 14 July - Friday 19 September |
| Term 4 | Tuesday 7 October - Friday 5 December |
Year 12 School Year concludes on Friday 21 November 2025
Secondary Classes (7-11) conclude on Friday 28 November 2025
Primary Classes (P-6) conclude on Friday 5 December 2025
Follow us on Social Media
Keep up to date with the latest information in regards to upcoming events and those that have happened on our social media platforms.
Whitsunday Transit After School Activity Bus
