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- Save the Date - St Catherine's Catholic College Musical - THE MUSIC MAN
- Adventures in Learning
- Sporting Excellence
- SCCC News
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There are two main ways to get involved:
Parental Involvement – This focuses more on classroom support, sport days and camps. We welcome your support in various school activities and greatly value the contributions of our families. To ensure a smooth volunteering experience, all volunteers must complete an induction process.
Acting Deputy Principal Primary, Mrs Hiscox, will be holding a Volunteer Induction Morning on Monday, 24th February at 9:30 am in the Primary Library.
If you’d like to attend, please email enquiries@prspne.catholic.edu.
Parent Engagement Group (PEG)
The Parent Engagement Group (PEG) is a team of parents/carers dedicated to fostering a strong school community. They meet twice per term to plan social events that foster connection and involvement. Being part of PEG doesn’t require a big commitment, even contributing just an hour at an event can make a meaningful difference and positive impact.
Our first PEG Meeting is on Monday, 24th February at 5:30 pm in the Primary Library. If you can’t attend in person, you’re welcome to join via Zoom or attend a future meeting, we’d love to hear from you and have you be part of the fun!
I have included a welcome booklet, please take a look and if you have questions or would like to join our first meeting in person or via zoom please email sccc.peg@gmail.com
Good morning distinguished guests, parents, guardians and family members, staff and students.
Welcome! Welcome back to past students and families - and a warm welcome to those who are new to our community.
Last year at Catholic Education Week I spoke of Hope as one of the themes, Faith Hope and Love, which all exist as foundations for each other.
A hundred years ago, the Sisters of Mercy would have been commencing their first year at St Catherine’s in Proserpine, from which our College developed.
These were women of Hope who believed that they could change the lives of those they served. That Hope sprang from faith because they understood that they did not work alone: they worked together and believed that God would work alongside them too, giving them courage and strength and nurturing their hope for the children in their school.
In this regard, not much has changed in Catholic Education at St Catherine’s. We trust in God to help us. For students of all faiths, we encourage connection and the relationships with each other that bring encouragement and strength. Our vision is that our graduates will be people of hope who have confidence that their contribution to the world is valuable and valued - but who also appreciate the contributions of others.
We open our College today in a year designated as a Jubilee Year by Pope Francis. We are called to be Pilgrims of Hope. Pilgrims, because hope must inspire action: because it’s no use sitting alone somewhere having hope.
I challenge everyone here today to consider what their actions may be and how they may make a contribution to this community and the wider world. What will each of you do to ensure that you leave this place better than you found it?
To help this work happen at St Catherine’s there is a wonderful staff: people who have returned or commenced in 2025 determined to make a difference for our students, and who offer rich opportunities for community involvement. We have an excellent group of College Leaders and House Leaders who will work with both students and staff to build an improved culture of Community (through participation), of Excellence and of Justice. We acknowledge these leaders today.
We recognise all of our Year 12 students. I pointed out to them last year that, regardless of whether they hold an elected position, they are seen as leaders: older students are always viewed as role models by younger students. I know that each of you has the capacity to be an excellent role model: how will you achieve this?
I ask you to use the example of the Mercy nuns from former days. Work together; grow together; let this year be one of development through good leadership, knowing that you have around you people who will support you - and who may themselves need your support from time to time.
Year 12 parents: I know that our Year 12 students did not magically get through the past 12 years. Parents, guardians and family members: you have been instrumental in helping this group arrive at this point. Thank you for your commitment to St Catherine’s and continuing to support our College. Year 12s: I hope there will be time today for you to thank your families.
2025 presents a chance for all here to make the very best of 2025 at St Catherine’s. Let’s make it a year that really counts.
Katherine Nelson
Principal
We are in the Jubilee Year, we have a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the profound significance of this sacred time in the Catholic Church. The Jubilee, a tradition rooted in biblical teaching, invites us to renew our faith, deepen our commitment to service, and foster a spirit of reconciliation and joy within our communities.
The theme for the Jubilee Year 2025 is centered around the call to celebrate God's mercy and grace. This special year, initiated by Pope Francis, will focus on the invitation to encounter the love of Christ and to share it with others. The Jubilee is not just a time of individual reflection; it is an opportunity for us as a community to come together in faith, hope, and charity.
Moreover, this year, a time of renewal and reflection celebrated by the Catholic Church every 25 years since 1470. We are invited to embrace the theme of "Pilgrims of Hope." Pope Francis calls upon us to renew our hope and cultivate a vision that restores access to the fruits of the earth for all. It is a reminder that we are stewards of creation, called to walk as pilgrims on this earth rather than as its masters.
The Jubilee Prayer
Father in heaven,may the faith you have given usin your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,and the flame of charity enkindledin our hearts by the Holy Spirit,reawaken in us the blessed hopefor the coming of your Kingdom.Amen
God's blessings upon you,Julie Hornstra, Shadley Davids
Assistant Principals/ Religious Education
In the Early Years...
The Early Years Project
Over the next two weeks our Prep and Year 1 students and teachers will take part in The Early Years Project. The Early Years Project is a Townsville Catholic Education initiative that provides pre and post screening/testing for our early years students. St Catherine’s has been participating in this project for the past 7 years and always find the data that it provides very beneficial.The purpose of this term’s screening is for teachers to work with children one on one to identify exactly what they already know and can do. This allows teachers to determine focus areas for explicit teaching throughout the year. In term 3 the post test is conducted in the exact same way. This is a very exciting time for Early Years teachers as the results from this screener clearly demonstrate the progress that students have made throughout the year. This post test also allows for teachers to revise any areas where there may be gaps in student learning.
Your child’s teacher may discuss your child’s results with you throughout the year. These screeners are completed in a calm way that chances are they probably won’t even know that they have done it. Teachers generally don’t call it a ‘test’ or tell students their results. The purpose is to inform the teaching happening in early years classrooms to ensure that all students are being supported on their learning journey.
Primary Homework Club
Is homework driving you crazy? Did you know that we offer Homework club to students in years 3-6 each Monday afternoon afternoon from 3.00-4.00 in the Primary library? Students will be supervised by a teacher/s and will be supported to complete homework tasks. This is a great way to keep on top of homework. For more information please contact your child’s classroom teacher.
~ Kelly ~
Middle Years ….
Assessment Calendars
Last week, Year 7 -10 Term 1 Assessment Calendars were emailed home. These calendars outline the due dates for Summative assessment for the term. This is the assessment that will count towards their overall grade that appears on their semester report card. Parents are encouraged to keep a copy of the Assessment Calendar handy at home so they can support their child to prepare for upcoming tasks.
Assessment Calendars can be found here: Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10.
Homework and Catch Up Room
As the term proceeds, your child or children may struggle to complete set work and homework. Maybe they have a busy schedule with after school sports or you are having internet issues at home. Possibly, it has been a busy week for the family and your child just hasn’t found the time to complete set homework. Each day, the Secondary campus runs a Homework & Catch Up room that is supervised by a teacher. This provides a quiet space for students to complete set work or access additional help.
If students begin to develop a pattern of incomplete homework or classwork, teachers may refer students to the HCR to support their academic process and inform home via email. The HCR plays an important role in our Academic Track as it supports our Responsible Thinking process by providing an alternative opportunity for students to meet the learning expectations of their teachers.
~ Erin~
~Kelly Bennett & Erin Laguna~
Assistant Principals - Learning and Teaching
Last Thursday we held our opening liturgy where we came together as the community of St Catherine’s to celebrate the beginning of the new school year.
We also inducted our school leaders for 2025 and congratulated our 2024 College Dux. Our year 12 students were called upon to receive their senior badges.
Congratulations to all those students, we can’t wait to see you shine in your leadership throughout the year.
2024 College Dux, Hazel Farrell
Sponsored by Taylors Property Specialist and presented by Brad Sobott
2025 College Captains
Amelia McKay & Sonny Telford
Xavier House
Year 12 leader- Lily Sainsbury
Year 6 leaders- Henley Murton & Chase Williams
Ignatius House
Year 12 Leader- Grace O'Reilly
Year 6- Billie Stevens & Clancy Gullo
McAuley House
Year 12 leader-Chloe Bennett
Year 6 leaders- Matilda O’Keefe & Klarissa Croucher
Frayne House
Year 12 leader- Mason Andrews
Year 6 leaders- Juliette Clark & Evie McLoughlin
Mrs Natalie Hazleton, Pastoral Leader for Years 11 and 12, to call our Year 12 students to receive their senior badges. We ask them to hold the badges ready for a blessing.
We were proud to announce that Mr. Sam Reynolds, our Emerging Leaders Coordinator, has been awarded a 2024 QATSIF Deadly Educator Award. Presented by the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation (QATSIF), this award recognises Sam’s dedication to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and their families.
QATSIF is committed to improving education outcomes for First Nations students across Queensland by providing scholarships and supporting initiatives that promote cultural understanding and pride. The Deadly Educator Award celebrates educators who go above and beyond to positively impact the lives of First Nations students, fostering a strong sense of cultural identity and connection.
Sam’s work extends far beyond his formal role, as he actively creates a sense of community and belonging for our First Nations students. Through his efforts, students feel connected to their heritage and develop a deeper appreciation for cultural traditions, practices, and protocols.
We are incredibly proud to celebrate Sam’s achievements and grateful for the lasting impact he continues to have on our school community.
| PREP | Hudson Bates |
| YEAR 1 | Hannah Riley, Archie Johnston, Noah Inzitari, Hudson Grieve |
| YEAR 3 | Oliver Bright, Maveric Fox, Tanah Congoo |
| YEAR 5 | Lilly Pierpoint, Zavier Woolston, Jayden Edmunds, Billy Sinclair |
Week 4 Mercy Awards
| PREP | Archie Handford, Logan Flaherty, Leo Fuzier, Amelia Dixon, Olivia Miotto |
| YEAR 2 | Teddy Oswald, Lucy Lennon, Leo Mitchell, Emersyn Griffiths, Zayden Moore, Remy Lozach |
| YEAR 3 | Sadie Clinton |
| YEAR 4 | Rory Martin, Thomas Bettinzoli, Pippa Laguna, Henry Underdown |
| YEAR 6 | Ari Apruzzese, Alexander Trefz, Chase Williams, Seamus King, Andy Fletcher |
ECO WARRIORS
Our dedicated Eco Warriors have been busy educating our Primary students at this week assembly, about the importance of recycling and waste management. In their recent presentations, they explained the different bins around our school and how to use them correctly:
- Food Scraps Bin – For compostable waste to help reduce landfill and nourish our gardens.
- 10c Bottles & Cans – Recyclable containers that can be collected to support sustainability initiatives.
- General Waste – Items that can’t be recycled or composted.
- Paper & Cardboard – For recycling to give used materials a second life.
This is also a great reminder for home, using the correct bins is a small step that makes a big impact in protecting our environment!
If you’re in Years 3-6 and passionate about sustainability, join the Eco Warriors every Wednesday to be part of the change!
In this edition of SchoolTV - Friendship & Belonging
Learning how to make new friends and keep them involves a number of skills every young person needs to understand and develop. For some these skills will come very naturally, allowing them to easily move between different friendship groups, sharing their experiences and opening up to new people. For others, this can be much harder to navigate. Belonging to a group that is like-minded with similar interests is highly beneficial to a young person’s wellbeing. It gives them a sense of security helping them feel valued which in turn builds their confidence.
Positive friendships are an important part of the journey to adulthood. Adult carers can support their child or teenager by providing guidance in the many social and emotional skills required for a healthy relationship. This will help them to obtain, retain and maintain friendships. However, not all friendships are regarded as positive. Sometimes young people develop negative or toxic friendships. Therefore it is also important for them to learn how to identify, avoid or deal with such a friendship.
In this edition of SchoolTV, adult carers can learn how to support their young person’s friendship so that they experience a sense of belonging.
We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to the Friendship & Belonging edition of SchoolTV
https://prspne.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/friendship-belonging
Warm regards,
Hayley Moore
Guidance Counsellor
Get Ready for ‘The Music Man’ – Our 2025 Musical!
We’re in the thick of rehearsals for our highly anticipated 2025 musical, The Music Man! After the incredible success of our last production, we’re thrilled to announce that we’ve added a fourth show this year to ensure more people can experience the magic.
Save the date and get ready for an unforgettable performance filled with toe-tapping tunes, lively characters, and a whole lot of heart.
Tickets go on sale March 3rd and can be purchased through the Proserpine Entertainment Centre.
Spread the word and invite your family and friends, this is a show you won’t want to miss!
SCIENCE SPOTLIGHT: Bunsen burners, DNA, microscopes, and Cells.
The Science labs in high school at St Catherine’s Catholic College have been busy with students conducting exciting experiments across the different year levels, enhancing their practical skills and understanding of scientific concepts in physics, chemistry and biology.
Bunsen Burner Licenses
Our new high school year 7 students took their first step into laboratory skills by learning the names of essential lab gear and safety. And by the end of the term, they will learn how to use a Bunsen burner and subsequently acquire their Bunsen burner licenses. But before this, teachers have been teaching them the correct procedures for lighting, adjusting, and safely using a Bunsen burner, ensuring they are prepared for future experiments.
Strawberry DNA Extractions
Year 10 students have been exploring genetics through a hands-on DNA extraction experiment using strawberries. By mashing the fruit, and adding basic ingredients such as dishwashing liquid, salt, and rubbing alcohol, students were able to isolate and observe how the strawberry DNA strands “magically” “bubbled up” to the top of their cups and formed a sticky white solution in the surface of their bright red strawberry cup. This activity provided a fascinating look into the essential molecular structure of life.
Cell Identification and Microscopy
Senior Biology students have been honing their microscope skills and learning about preparing wet-mount slides to enable them to identify cell types. They examined plant and animal cells using our brand-new microscopes, learning about cell structures and functions. This practical experience reinforced their theoretical understanding of biology at a microscopic level.
Phenolphthalein Agar and Surface Area Experiments
Students in Year 12 investigated the effect of surface area on diffusion using phenolphthalein agar. By cutting the agar into different sizes and immersing them in a solution of sulfuric acid, they observed the rate of diffusion, demonstrating how surface area impacts cellular processes—a key and important concept in biology.
Flame Test experiment
In senior chemistry, students explored the flame test experiment. The flame test is a common analytical method used to detect the presence of certain elements in a given salt or compound. The flame test detects the presence of metal ions in a compound and each element is distinctive the students can detect the emission of different colours. The procedure is simple, the student introduces the element to the hot flame of the Bunsen burner and examines the emitted colour of the flame. The colour resembles fireworks!
Lions Youth of the Year
This year, eleven students have entered the Lions Youth of the Year competition.
By emphasising qualities like contribution to the community and school, public speaking, academic skills, sporting and cultural involvement, Lions’ Youth of the Year aims to foster leadership skills in Australian students approaching the end of their high school years.
Sonny Telford, Andrew Kimlin and Finlay Farrell completed their interviews for the Proserpine Lions’ Club competition on Monday evening and presented to a packed house at the Whitsunday Activity Leisure Centre on Wednesday evening.. The feedback on these boys was glowing. The boys presented speeches on diverse topics from the evils of alarm clocks, through sustainable, community-driven business practices in Fiji to the cultural significance of cooking. Andrew Kimlin was awarded the public speaking prize. All three boys were an absolute credit to the College and we should be very proud of them..
Mason Andrews, Noah Baxendell, Siena Baxendell, Shiloh Brett, Aiden Limburg, Amelia McKay, Lily Sainsbury, Matilda Stevens competed, on Tuesday, in the preliminary final for the Whitsunday Lions Club. Siena, Aiden, Amelia, Lily and Matilda will now progress to the Club finals on Saturday, 1 March. We wish each of them the best for the next phase of the competition.
Fr. Sylvester joined us for our liturgy, where we took time to reflect on being part of the St Catherine's community and the friendships we have made and strengthened so far.
Students joined groups and participated in a GooseChase activity around the school to familiarize themselves with the school grounds. They then enjoyed pizza-making in the Hospitality Kitchen, followed by homemade ice cream sundaes for lunch. The day ended with some Homeroom challenge games and ice blocks.
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.
2025 Whitsunday Voices - Short Story Competition
Exciting news!
We are pleased to announce the opening of our Whitsunday Voices Short Story Competition for students in grades 3-12 across the Mackay Region. This is a fantastic opportunity for your students to showcase their creativity and talent in writing.
Enter now! Entry is free - Follow the link below: https://www.whitsundayvoices.com.au/short-story-competition-copy
Eligibility: Students from grades 3-12 within the wider Mackay Region.
Guidelines: Head to our website for all competition details.
Attached you’ll find a poster for the competition to share digitally, print for your library, or display around your school.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Kristine at kdc@was.qld.edu.au.
Epic Walk for DV
Expression of Interest for St Mary's Deb Ball 2025
Dental check up time!
