Filter Content
- Important survey for Parents /Carers - Final deadline to complete May 6th
- From the Principal
- Musical Production - The Music Man - Tickets still on sale
- Key Dates
- From the Deputy Principals
- From the APRE's
- Learning and Teaching
- Nurturing Community
- Adventures in Learning
- Sporting Excellence
- Career News
- SCCC News
Please put your feet up, pick up laptop - and possibly a drink, and help us.
TCE has to close the survey on May 6th.
How to access the surveys follow the link www.ecsi.site/au/user/
- Enter the case-sensitive password Ghj654 and click login.
- Click the New user button. If you wish to continue a previous session: Enter your User-ID and Password.
- Enter our school’s Survey Access Code:
- College Access Code: T8959a
- College Group Password: GT896d
- You are now logged in. Displayed on the screen is your unique User-ID and Password. Save this information (write, print, or email it) to access the website at a later time.
- From this point forward, please follow the on-screen instructions to complete the surveys.
The survey begins with some general demographic questions.
• The survey proceeds in several parts. Please finish one part before proceeding to the
next one.
• You can view your results at any time by returning to the main questionnaire page.
• You can return at any time to a question and change your response.
• If you wish to pause and finish the survey at a later time, you will need your User-ID and Password in order to login again.
Keep these best practices in mind:
✓ Answer spontaneously and don’t overanalyse. Your input is more valuable if you respond with the
first thought that comes to mind. Plus, you’ll proceed faster.
✓ Choose the response that honestly matches your opinion. Don’t hesitate to select “strongly agree”
or “strongly disagree” if that’s in fact how you feel.
✓ Respond as best you can to each question as it is worded. You may feel that some questions don’t
fully apply to your school environment. That’s OK; just respond as best you can.
It’s also helpful to keep in mind:
✓ Many questions ask you for two perspectives:
- “My son/daughter’s school” as you actually see things today
- “My ideal school” as you would like to see things in the best future scenario
behind the ways in which the questions are formulated. Every question counts.
✓ Trust that the survey as a whole will accurately capture your personal point of view.
I was proud to stand with St Catherine’s students in Bowen at the dawn service to commemorate ANZAC Day last week. Leadership team members and staff supporting a multitude of students commented upon how proud they were of the respectful and solemn participation at the three dawn services and the morning marches. Congratulations to all concerned!
I had the chance to attend mass celebrated by the bishop at the Cathedral in Townsville on the same day. This was to celebrate the life of Pope Francis: you will know from previous comments that I was a fan. He is mourned. Our secondary House Leaders and College Captains attended mass today at St Catherine’s parish church, for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul. Again, I was proud to stand with them.
At the end of Term 1, our new building was handed over to the College. It provides space for pastoral work and releases two classrooms into our timetable allocations. This is necessary because we continue to grow. At the Principals’ Tour for prospective Year 7 students and parents, I noted that our enrolments total 732 - with several more arrivals anticipated in coming weeks.
On the matter of new arrivals, I welcome to our community: Mr Fulitusi Alovaka, a teacher of Mathematics and Science in Secondary; and Ms Rebecca Radford, our VET and Pathways Coordinator.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Melissa Pepper for her commitment to the VET role over the years: she has devoted time and effort to assisting our students to find their paths and to meet with success in their endeavours. I wish her well: she has exciting plans for the future, though I know that she is currently maintaining her commitment to the College through work for the musical. (For which I hope you have tickets!).
Next week our College Board will meet. We usually meet on the first Tuesday of each month.
Board members include our Parish Priest, Fr Shilbin, and a Parish Representative, Mandy Ayers. Alongside some College staff (Kate Moretto, Suzi Bellert, Sarah Rogers and Tundi Gosselink) are our parents: Bec Murton, Brad Sobott, David Royston-Jennings, and El Long.
I am pleased to tell you that Bec was elected to the role of Chairperson.
I hope that we may introduce our parent Board members in future newsletters, so that you may put a face - and story - to these names if you do not know them. If you wish to communicate with any of the parent members, please contact the College and we will pass on details.
Katherine Nelson
Principal
Tickets still on sale!
Tickets are sale now and can be purchased through the Proserpine Entertainment Centre.
A pupil-free day is when students do not attend school, allowing staff to engage in professional development and planning. On our pupil-free day this week, teachers will work on curriculum planning and development aligned with Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum, ensuring we continue delivering high-quality, future-focused learning experiences for all students. Our dedicated School Officers will also be participating in professional development to further strengthen their skills and contributions across the College. We thank families for their support in providing staff with this valuable opportunity.
Ladies Lunch & Parent Groups
Each of our primary year levels and Year 7 have a closed Facebook Group for parents to keep up with each other and what’s happening in that year level, for example what uniform to wear on a particular day or event, catch up opportunities, reminders about school activities and events…such as Ladies Lunch. Ladies Lunch is our annual event, a weekend after Mother’s Day. A great way to catch up with the mum’s and friends you don’t get to see now you are busy with kids at school. With it being our 100 Years this year, please feel free to extend an invitation to past mums and students to come and catch up. See the flyer below in SCCC news for further details - Sunday, May 18th.
If you are in a year level that doesn’t have a Facebook Year Level Group and you’d like to start one, or you want to join a current year level group, please contact Louise Uhl, our Media, Communication and Events Officer.
Speed before and after school
A reminder that the speed limit during school drop-off hours on Renwick Road is 40 kmph.
100 Years - Event Updates
We hope you were able to get along to the College Musical - Music Man, one of our big events in the college calendar. Once we wrap that up this weekend it will be all steam ahead in planning and organising the celebrations for our 100 Years milestone.
This term our 100 Year Committee meeting will occur each fortnight and all are welcome. We will hook up with the Parent Engagement Group (PEG) in Week 4 to update on the progress of events.
Meetings dates and times this term will be:
12th May 5:30 - 6:15 - Primary Library (with the Parent Engagement Group)Wellbeing and Pastoral Care
This week, the Queensland Police Service visited the College to speak with our Year 7, 8, and 9 students about responsible online behaviour, covering issues such as social media platforms such as TikTok, and Snapchat and also gaming. These sessions are an important reminder of the need for respectful and safe digital interactions. We encourage parents to explore the eSafety Commissioner website (https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents), which offers a wide range of helpful resources, webinars, and practical advice. Parents can also subscribe to the eSafety newsletter to stay informed about the latest trends and tips for supporting their child’s online safety.
School TV is another free service available to parents (https://prspne.catholic.schooltv.me/channel-newsletter/315) where parents and carers can access cybersafety information. This can be accessed via the school website under the “Community” tab.
Warm regards,
Samantha Hinton (Deputy Primary)
Kate Moretto (Deputy Secondary)
At our Catholic College, Religious Education (RE) is far more than a subject; it is the heart of everything we do. It unites faith, culture, and life helping students understand themselves, the world, and God.
The Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) reminds us that Catholic schools are called to educate the whole person, and that faith formation is not an "extra" but a core mission. Our RE program is designed to provide students with knowledge about the Catholic faith, a deep understanding of Christian values, and the tools to live these out in daily life.
Religious Education offers students a framework to make meaning of their experiences. It is where they explore life’s biggest questions: Why am I here? What is my purpose? How do I live a good life? Students learn not only the teachings of Christ but also how to apply them to real-world situations, from how they treat others to how they approach challenges.
Research from the Australian Catholic University (ACU) highlights the significant role RE plays in developing emotional intelligence, ethical reasoning, and spiritual maturity, qualities that are critical for success and happiness in adult life.
When we invest time and energy into Religious Education, we are nurturing students' heads and hearts. We are equipping them to make wise decisions, to act with compassion, and to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
At our College, RE is not about simply knowing facts; it’s about becoming faith-filled people of hope, love, justice, and peace. It’s the greatest investment we can make in your child's future.
Feast of St Joseph the Worker
On the 1st of May, we celebrate the Feast of St Joseph the Worker, honouring the quiet strength, dedication, and faithfulness of Jesus’ earthly father. St Joseph is a model for all of us in the dignity of work and the importance of trusting in God’s plan. We are encouraged to follow St Joseph’s example by working hard, showing humility, and serving others with love. As a community, we give thanks for the gift of work and pray for all workers, especially those in our Whitsundays community. St Joseph the Worker, pray for us!
God's blessings upon you,Julie Hornstra, Shadley Davids
Assistant Principals/ Religious Education
In the Early Years…
Pupil Free Day - Staff Professional Development
We hope you all enjoyed the extra-long weekend for students, but I am sure you are wondering what our staff were up to for the day. Teaching staff participated in a full-day professional development session focused on Designing and Implementing Quality Assessment Tasks.
The workshop was an important opportunity for teachers to deepen their understanding of creating meaningful and purposeful assessments that align with the recently revised v9.0 of the Australian Curriculum as well as supporting student learning. Throughout the day, teachers explored ways to design tasks that not only assess what students know and can do but also encourage critical thinking, creativity, and real-world application of skills.
Teachers worked collaboratively to refine existing assessment practices, ensuring that tasks are clear, fair, and accessible to all learners. Investing this time in professional learning ensures our teachers are continuing to strengthen the quality of teaching and learning across our school.
Mother’s Day Sunday 11th May
To celebrate Mother’s Day, we will be holding our annual Mother’s Day Stall before school from 8:00 am to 8:35 am, Wednesday 7th May to Friday 9th May, in the Primary Library (please see the flyer in SCCC News below).
All mothers and mother figures are warmly invited to join us for our Mother’s Day Morning on Friday 9th May, commencing with Prep B presenting the Mother’s Day Liturgy at 8:45 am, followed by classroom Mother’s Day activities.
In the Middle Years…
I am excited to let parents know that we have been able to publish our Extra/Co Curricular timetable on our College website. This is in response to parent feedback asking where they can find information about what is offered ‘beyond the classroom’ at St Caths. I encourage you to follow this link to check out the calendar and see if there is anything your child can become involved in. We know that by engaging in the activities and events on offer, students build connections and friendships much more quickly, enriching their school experience.
~Emma Hiscox & Erin Laguna~
Assistant Principals - Learning and Teaching
| PREP | Elivia Jamieson, Luca Inzitari |
| YEAR 2 | Jackson Carey, Raymond Scerri, Daenerys Ahern, Jax Ingram |
| YEAR 4 | Michael Brick, Molly Bellert |
Thursday April 24th, our whole school community gathered for a moving ANZAC Day liturgy and pay respect to all who have served and fallen in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping missions. This significant commemoration is a powerful reminder of the values of courage, endurance, and mateship that continue to shape our national identity.
We extend our sincere thanks to the esteemed members of the RSL, Mr David Clifford and Mr Brian Dunlop, as well as Lieutenant Chris Saunders, Sergeant Bradley Pettiford, and the Army Cadets for their presence and contributions to today’s liturgy. It was a proud moment to see our students in their official Cadet roles, and heartening to welcome back Bradley, a recent graduate of St Catherine’s.
We commend all our students for their respectful participation and thoughtful reflections on the sacrifices made for our country, reminding us all of the enduring importance of this day.
Thank you to all the students who took part in ANZAC Day services across our region, whether at dawn or during the march. We were proud to see such a strong turnout, with so many representing our College and showing their respect for those who served.
Many thanks to Rob Taylor and Brad Sobbot, who invited us to be part of Taylor’s Bandicoot Bookclub. As part of this program, a book gets awarded each month to a student who has made a noticeable improvement with his/her reading. Congratulations to Tony Pallanza who received our last book award for 2024 for his reading level improvement.
Bringing Hope to the Next Generation
Hi, I'm Sarah the school chaplain here at St Catherine’s. I have been in this role since term 3 2024, and you may have also seen me around the school in other roles last year. My passion, is to champion and encourage young people, and to come alongside their families and the community to support them on their journey in life. I’m here to be a caring and trustworthy presence, someone to talk to when students need a listening ear, a helping hand, or simply someone to share a moment with.
My role is to provide pastoral care and personal, ethical, and spiritual support to the school community. Whether it’s catching up with students one-on-one, offering a safe space to talk through challenges like friendship struggles, family issues, low self-esteem, or just being there in a time of need, my goal is to bring a message of hope and inspiration.
All chaplaincy activities and conversations are completely voluntary, and parental/carer consent is sought for primary students. Referrals for chaplaincy support can be received from school staff, parents and carers or secondary students can self-refer.
I’m here to build meaningful connections and be a steady presence in our school community.
From the Guidance Counsellor
In this edition of SchoolTV - Cyber Safety
Young people today are growing up in an increasingly connected world where technology is part of their everyday lives –– for learning, socialising, and entertainment. While the digital world offers enormous benefits, it also comes with serious risks. From cyberbullying and online predators to inappropriate content and screen time concerns, navigating the online environment can be challenging for young people and their families.
Cybersafety is not just about blocking access –– it's about empowering young people with the knowledge and skills they need to use technology responsibly and safely. This includes understanding privacy settings, recognising scams, and developing healthy digital habits. At the same time, it's important for parents and caregivers to stay informed, have open and judgement-free conversations with their children, and lead by example through positive online behaviour.
In today's digital age, safeguarding a child's wellbeing must also include protecting their online life. This edition of SchoolTV will help you better understand the digital landscape your child is navigating and offer practical strategies to help them stay safe, confident and in control online.
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 Cyber Safety edition of SchoolTV
https://prspne.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/cybersafety-au
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.
Warm regards,
Hayley Moore
Guidance Counsellor
The first group of Year 7s to enter the kitchen for Food Tech in Term 1 did a fantastic job with their cooking. Each week, they learned new skills and techniques while making a variety of recipes, their favourite was sushi!
In Week 9, for their assessment, they designed and created their own salads using a range of ingredients that would appeal to high school students. They should have brought home their recipe book from class, so hopefully you'll be seeing some of their cooking in your kitchen too!
Year 8 Textiles
In Term 1, the Year 8s further developed the sewing skills they learned in Year 7 by taking on the next challenge: creating a creepy (or cute) doll. Their projects had to include a variety of sewing techniques, such as appliqué, hand embroidery, and sewing on buttons.
The students worked hard throughout the term, producing some wonderfully creative and effective designs.
This term, Year 8s will step into the kitchen to begin a new Food Technology unit. Each week, they’ll prepare different recipes focused on takeaway-style meals with healthier alternatives. Keep an eye out — some of their creations might make it home!
Run Club Kicks Off with First Awards!
We’re off to a fantastic start in Term 2 with 15 students receiving their Bronze Level Run Club awards, a big congratulations to them! Many others are not far behind, with some already closing in on Silver. Well done to everyone putting in the effort each morning!
With several mornings cancelled last term due to rain, we’re excited to announce that Run Club will now run three mornings every second week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in Weeks 4, 6, and 8.
Remember, it’s not about being the fastest, whether you walk, skip, or run, it’s all about getting out there, having fun, and staying active. Parents are always welcome to join in the fun too!
Keep up the great work, everyone!
Futsal
Congratulations to our three teams who competed in the Whitsunday Futsal competition in Mackay yesterday. Two teams finished third, whilst the other team was fifth overall. A number of players were invited into the NQ Futsal team. Thanks to our super coaches Mrs Grossi and Year 10 student Maxwell O’Keefe. Good luck to the Under 16s who will compete in on Friday.
Rugby League
Congratulations to James Davies and Decky Dichiera who represented Whitsunday at the NQ Rugby League trials over two days. The two boys played well and trialled in the possible probable team. Well done boys!
Cross Country
Secondary
Last Wednesday, we kicked off bright and early with our Secondary students at 7:20am. This year we trialled an optional event, and it was fantastic to see a bunch of eager runners hit the crisp morning ground, pushing through with some great times. Congratulations to our age champions and all the high schoolers for their commitment and enthusiasm in getting up early and giving it their all!
We will acknowledge and celebrate these age champions at our next secondary assembly.
Prep-2
Wowee! What a morning the P-2 cross country was!! Third time lucky with running the event and I can safely say it was a huge success.
Well done to all the students who crossed the finish line and who cheered on their peers - wasn’t the community spirit alive and well!?
Congratulations to all the age champions with Ignatius taking out the winning house. A massive well done to all the students for their joyful participation and for cheering each other on so.
Special thanks to our Year 6 buddies who were on hand to encourage and motivate our younger students when the legs got tired!
Age Champions - 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Prep girls - Freya McIntyre, Remi Eastwood, Jolie Bredl
Prep boys - Jordon McNichol, Harrison Tivendale, Hudson Bates
Year 1 girls - Leeona Charlton, Madison Bright, Alice Falconer
Year 1 boys - Finn Long, Rocky Jennings, Noah Inzitari & Bob Davis
Year 2 girls - Emersyn Griffiths, Isla Johnston, Pippa Davis
Year 2 boys - James Gibbs, Sonny Robinson, Asher Godden
Years 3-6
Our students hit the course with tight competition, loud chants, and a sea of determined faces. Congratulations to all the age champions, McAuley for being crowned the winning house, and to Xavier for proudly claiming the Spirit Cup!
8 girls - Alice Tivendale, Indie Morley - Hart, Aurelia Mitchell
8 boys - Theo Connell, Wilson Hounsell, Caleb Woolston
9 girls - Emilee Dibben, Eden Mckerrow, Billie Jamieson
9 boys - Thomas Gibbs, Oliver Bright, Will Inzitari
10 girls - Maeve Dichiera, Imogen Burke, Pippa Laguna
10 boys - Max Smith, Xavier Watson, Murphy Jamieson
11 girls - Clare Anderson, Indigo McKerrow, Emily - Rose Dixon
11 boys- Harry Gibbs, Chase Williams, Patrick Murphy
12 girls - Sophie Palmero, Evie McLoughlin, Tia Galton
12 boys - Tripp Sheather, Tyler Charlton, Mason Large
It was truly a wholesome day filled with positivity, encouragement, and community spirit, every student crossing that finish line cheered on by their peers.
A huge thank you to all the parents who came to support, our wonderful staff for helping the day run smoothly.
Ladies, it's time to celebrate!
Gather your friends and family and join us for our annual Ladies Lunch at the stunning new venue Elementa.With St Catherine’s turning 100 this year, it’s the perfect chance to toast to our community, enjoy delicious food, and soak up those incredible Airlie Beach views!
Sunday, May 18th
12:00pm
Elementa Whitsundays, Airlie Beach
$50 per person – includes a welcome cocktail and delicious wood fire pizza.
We’re so excited for our Ladies Lunch, but we do need your help!
The venue has a minimum number requirement for us to host the event, so we are chasing RSVPs as soon as possible.
Please RSVP to Lou by May 7th via email at luhl@prspne.catholic.edu.au and make sure your ticket is purchased by May 11th to lock in your spot.
Ladies, we’d love to see you there, let’s make this special day happen together!
AdvancedLife School Photos, 12th and 13th July
Its time to order!
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.
