Columba Catholic College Newsletter Volume 28 No. 6 - 1st May 2025

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Columba Families,

Welcome back to Term 2. A special welcome to new students, staff and families joining Columba for the first time.

Our students have settled back into classes and to residential life smoothly and the Easter season has provided a sense of hope and growth. Our core work as a College is centered around providing a high quality Catholic education for our students. Reflections on the academic, behaviour and work attitudes of our students indicate continued positive growth and we encourage our students to do their best, and to be their best. Thank you to the many families who attended Parent Teacher Interviews last week. We appreciate your commitment to your child’s learning journey. The staff at Columba want to work in partnership with you to enable our students to be life-long learners who continue to grow and thrive. As we commence a new term you are encouraged to make contact with your child’s teacher or relevant members of staff to enable this support to continue. 

Staffing Updates: We would like to thank Sabia Farnaz (Math Teacher) and Saahid Khan (IT Technician) for their wonderful contribution to the Columba community and wish them well on their re-location to the Gold Coast.  This term we formally welcome a number of staff to new positions in the College. We congratulate Adonia Hedges on her appointment as our Girls Head of Boarding. Adonia has previously worked as both a Boarding supervisor and our Science Labratory technician. Matthew Luxton has recently been appointed to a Permission to Teach position with us in HPE and Business whilst completing the final year of his studies. Jenna Champion was doing some casual School Officer work for us at St Mary’s last term and we are very pleased to announce that she will now be joining us permanently. Heather Miller is our Enrolments Officer and we thank her for recently accepting the position of Principal’s PA for the remainder of the year. Two new Boarding House Parents have joined the team from this term if you please welcome Phil Cottle and Loretta Mahoney. We also welcome back Maria Peck to her role as Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching after a well deserved break and thank Ben Naughton who acted in the role, and now commences his duties as the newly appointed Curriculum Leader for Science.

This term there are many events and activities that our students will have the opportunity to be involved in. The rescheduled Secondary Interhouse Cross-Country event took place on Monday 28th April. This year students again took on the airport course and after a 6 year absence on the perpetual trophy, Polding came out comfortable winners. The Primary Interhouse event was also re-scheduled and was run on the Mt Carmel Campus course on Wednesday 30th April with Polding taking out the final honors. Both events were a great opportunity for students to showcase their athletic prowess and resilience. I would like to thank Mr Juhas and Ms Systa for organising the events, and our staff for their various roles in ensuring that the events flowed as smoothly as possible. We wish both our Primary and Secondary Interschool Cross Country teams the best of luck as they do us proud at the Interschool events to be hosted over the next fortnight.

Reflections on ANZAC Day: I could not help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride as I marched alongside our students and staff to pay our respects and give thanks for the contributions of those men and women who have served in times of war and peace as members of the armed forces. Special thanks to the students, families and staff who attended the Dawn Service and the ANZAC Day March. United as one, Columba continues to be a place of hope, peace and strength. May we use this time to continue to pray for those communities around the world who do not experience the same freedoms as we do. 

On the 2nd May, students and staff will represent the College in the annual Country Music parade. All students from Years P – 12, as well as College staff, are invited to participate by walking with our float. It will be great to see as many of our College families at the event supporting not only the College Float but the entire event itself.

There are a number of challenges the modern parent faces. CSPQ are hosting a Parent Engagement Mini Conference on Saturday 10 May in Townsville. The sessions will focus on Anxiety, Neurodiversity and Friendships. Please see the registration link on the flyer to attend.

Shayne Harrison
ACTING PRINCIPAL

FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - LEARNING AND TEACHING

TERM 2 YEAR 11 AND 12 ASSESSMENT PERIOD: 19th MAY – 23rd MAY 2025

Year 11 and 12 students will complete many assessment items, as indicated on the Assessment Calendar in Compass between the 19th – 23rd May 2025. Students are expected to attend school during this period to complete examinations and submit assessment items, on or before the due date.  During this time students will be attending normal lessons unless they are required to complete an examination. 

It is crucial that students set aside blocks of time to study and complete assessments each day and establish a routine. At peak assessment times it is expected that students will need to dedicate additional time to study.

YEAR 11 AND 12 DALRYMPLE TRADE TRAINING CENTRE PROGRESS REPORTS

Progress reports for Year 11 and 12 students enrolled in the following certificates delivered by TAFE have been uploaded into the Compass portal. Parents, caregivers and students can access the Progress reports in Compass.

HLT 23215 – Certificate II in Health Support Services

MEM20422 Certificate II in Engineering Pathways

RII20120 – Certificate II in Resources and Infrastructure

AUR20720 - Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation

YEAR 12 ESSENTIAL ENGLISH AND ESSENTIAL MATHEMATICS COMMON INTERNAL ASSESSMENTS (CIA)

A student’s exit result in Essential English and Essential Mathematics is based on their achievement in four Internal assessment instruments across Units 3 and 4. Schools develop three of these assessments. The fourth assessment – the Common Internal Assessment (CIA) – is developed by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority and marked by schools.

Students at Columba Catholic College enrolled in Essential English and Essential Mathematics will complete their Common Internal Assessment during Phase 1.

The Essential English Assessment will be administered on Thursday 15th May 2025. The Essential Mathematics Assessment will be administered on Tuesday 20th May 2025. 

YEAR 11 AND 12 UNIT 1 AND 3

Unit 1 and 3 for most Year 11 and 12 subjects will conclude on Friday 23rd May 2025. Year 11 students commence Unit 2 and Year 12 students Unit 4 on Monday 26th  May 2025.

YEAR 11 UNIT 2 SUBJECT CHANGES

If Year 11 students wish to investigate the possibility of changing subjects they need to email Mrs Peck and make an appointment to investigate the possibility. Subject changes during Year 11 and 12 are not recommended as they may disadvantage students as they may not have the foundation skills needed to achieve on Year 12 assessment. Subject changes may also impact on a student’s ability to achieve a QCE. Year 11 subject changes must be finalised by Monday 9th June 2025. Subject changes will be considered based on curriculum merit.

Year 12 students are unable to change subjects at this stage as Units 3 and 4 must be studied as a pair.

2025 CHARTERS TOWERS CAREERS EXPO

The Charters Towers Regional Council Careers Expo will be held on Thursday 29th May 2025 at the Poppet Head Plaza, 19 Cavey Court, Queenton. Year 11 and 12 students will attend the expo between 8:30 and 9:45am. Year 10 students will attend the expo between 10:00 and 11:15am. Students will be transported by bus to and from Poppet Head Plaza.

The Charters Towers Regional Council Careers Expo will provide students with a valuable opportunity to explore various career paths, learn about different educational and training options, and connect with potential employers and industry professionals.

Maria Peck
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - LEARNING AND TEACHING

FROM THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL - ADMINISTRATION

Welcome back to Term 2!

It was this week that I really felt the seasons shifting, with the temperatures cooling at night and the days getting shorter. I feel immense gratitude for the amazing 10 weeks that was Term 1 and am so excited for Term 2. It is my favourite time of year!

On the Mount Carmel Campus, our Secondary Interhouse Cross-Country carnival (rescheduled from Term 1) was held on Monday 28 April, with Polding emerging as dominant victors on the day. Our Charters Towers Secondary Interschool Cross Country carnival is on Friday 2 May. The Cross-Country carnivals are always great fun, and I wish all our Cross-Country team good luck for their upcoming run in the Interschool carnival!

For our College, a fundamental part of our annual calendar is attending the ANZAC dawn service and participating in the ANZAC Day march. It is incredibly moving to see our students respecting the ANZAC legacy and honouring all those who have served or continue to serve to protect the freedom of our people. I would like to express my immense gratitude to all of the staff and students that represented our College with dignity and respect on ANZAC day.

The Charters Towers Country Music Festival takes place this weekend, and I can’t wait to see all of the fantastic outfits from our students on Friday 2 May! Our annual concert will be held on the Mount Carmel Campus in the afternoon, and we look forward to enjoying both new and returning acts from the student body. On Friday evening, our College will combine for the Country Music Festival parade, marching behind our exceptional float. I would like to thank Sonia Wood, Kalinda McCarthy and Michael Barker-Hicks, as well as all other contributing staff and students, for their work in putting the float together.

Term 2 is also the time that our Year 10 students undertake their Work Experience. In Week 10, all Year 10 students will participate in this important program as they transition into the next stage of their education. This term, I am blessed to work alongside Mrs Peck, Mrs Milton, and Miss Nibbs as we collaborate with our Year 10 students, parents, and caregivers to find the best opportunities for their placements. I am incredibly grateful to all our local businesses that partner with the College to offer our students a diverse range of opportunities. Many employers have been long-term partners with us and have been an integral part of our Work Experience program. If you are a local business and would like to host a Year 10 student for Work Experience, please get in touch!

Rebecca Ebelt
ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL - ADMINISTRATION

SECONDARY INTERHOUSE CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL REPORT

On Monday, 28th of April, the secondary students of Columba Catholic College participated in the annual Inter-House Cross Country Event held at the Charters Towers Airport Reserve. The event was a huge success with students displaying excellent sportsmanship and athleticism.

The winning house for this year's Inter-House Cross Country Event was the Polding House with 490 points. The students of Polding House energetically set the pace right from the start and held the lead until the end with their very healthy participation numbers. As winners of the competition, the Polding House received the trophy which they haven't held for six years. The trophy was presented by Acting Principal Shayne Harrison, as both Polding House captains were amazed by their team's efforts. A massive shout out to the senior House leaders who once again showcased outstanding participation and sportsmanship to lead the way and cheered on their younger peers through the finish line. Congratulations must also go to our age champions and runners up.

FROM THE HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Year 7, this term, will be exploring the fundamentals of healthy eating and nutrition, learning how food choices impact our energy, wellbeing, and performance in everyday life and sports. We will be connecting how athletes require proper nutrition to perform at their best, especially focusing on pre-event meals and recovery foods. In Athletics, we will be focusing on skill development, technique, and the importance of physical fitness in various track and field events.

This term, the year 8’s will explore the exciting outdoor sport of orienteering, which combines physical activity with navigation skills. Students will develop how to move across unfamiliar terrain using a map and compass, developing both fitness and problem-solving abilities. Orienteering improves cardiovascular fitness, strength, and agility, builds decision-making skills, independence, and resilience under pressure and encourages teamwork and communication when working in pairs or groups. 

This term, in year 9 HPE we will explore nutrition at a deeper level, understanding how food choices impact not only daily wellbeing but also athletic performance, long-term health, and body function. Key Concepts will include Macronutrients and Micronutrients, nutrition for sport and exercise, energy balance and analysing current dietary guidelines and how they compare to athlete performance. Our Athletics unit will build fitness, refine technique, and apply sport-specific strategies across a range of track and field events. 

This term, our Year 10 students are diving into the world of Athletic Development and Athletics, where they will focus on improving their fitness, refining athletic techniques, and learning how to train effectively like real athletes. They will also engage in fitness development activities and understand the science behind performance, to develop training principles including specificity, progression, and overload, Biomechanics and movement efficiency and performance tracking. 

Sport and Recreation this term, students will engage in a dynamic unit combining Golf skill development with advanced Athletic Development principles. The program aimed to deepen students’ understanding of performance training while applying biomechanical and physiological concepts to improve both general fitness and golf-specific movement patterns. By the end of the term, students will demonstrate improved consistency and accuracy in their swings and enhance their understanding of club selection and shot planning. 

This term, Physical Education students explore the important and timely theme of Equity in Sport. The unit challenges students to critically examine how access, opportunity, and inclusion vary across different sporting contexts. This unit  will help students understand that sport is more than physical performance—it’s a platform for social change, identity, and belonging. Students will investigate a range of social, cultural, and political factors influencing gender equity, socioeconomic barriers to participation e.g., cost, access to facilities.

Nathan Juhas
MIDDLE LEADER - HEALTH AND PHYSICAL

CAREERS ADVISOR

Stay Informed on Career Opportunities! 

Exciting futures start with the right information! Our Careers Newsletter keeps students, staff and families updated on pathways, opportunities, and tips to support students in navigating their career journeys. Check out the latest insights in our past two editions, and be sure to stay tuned for more valuable updates!  

Kind regards,
Helen Milton | Careers Advisor

FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - ST MARY'S CAMPUS

🌟 Welcome Back for Term 2! 🌟

Dear Families,

We hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable break! It’s been lovely to see so many smiling faces back on campus, ready to dive into an exciting and jam-packed Term 2. There’s lots happening over the coming weeks and we’re looking forward to sharing it all with you! 

📆 Upcoming Events to Note

Term 2 is full of wonderful opportunities for our students to get involved and celebrate all that makes our school special:

• Country Music Festival Activities – We're excited to join in the local festivities again this year with fun school-based activities and dress-up day -  Friday 2nd May.
• Inter-School Cross Country – Time to lace up those runners! The Inter-School Cross Country event will take place on Thursday 8th May. We are hosting the event at MCC.
• Mother’s Day Liturgy and Classroom Activities - Friday 9th May.
• Inter-School Sports commences for the Yr 6 students on Friday 9th May.
• Founders Day – A chance to reflect on our school’s history and celebrate our community spirit. Mark your calendar for Friday 6 June.
• Athletics Carnival – Always a highlight of the year, our Athletics Carnival is coming up in Week 7. More details to come soon!
  

👋 Staff Changes and Warm Welcomes

This term brings a few changes to our school team:

• Mr Rodney Lane will be stepping into the role of Acting Principal at St Mary’s Bowen for Term 2. We wish him all the best in this exciting opportunity!
  
• Miss Emma Systa will be taking on the HPE (Health and Physical Education) role for the remainder of the year. We’re thrilled to have her leading our students through a fun and energetic sports program.
  
• We're also delighted to introduce Mrs Jenna Champion, our new School Officer. Jenna has already been a friendly and helpful presence around the school since last term, and we’re so pleased to have her officially on board.
• Welcome back to Mrs Paula Smith in the Library who has returned from a well earned break.
  

We kindly ask that you please avoid parking in the designated disabled parking space unless you have a valid permit. These spots are essential for families who truly need them. We’d also like to remind everyone that our school does not have a designated drop-off zone. To ensure the safety of all students and keep traffic flowing smoothly, please park in the available car spaces and walk your child to the gate. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and respectful environment for all.

As always, thank you for your continued support in making our school a welcoming and vibrant place for all. We look forward to a term filled with learning, growth, and community spirit.

Karen Casey
ACTING DEPUTY PRINCIPAL/APRE

PRIMARY CLASS AWARDS

RESIDENTIAL NEWS

Dear Parents, Caregivers, Staff and Students,

As we begin Term 2, I am delighted to welcome our boarding students and their families back to our school community. The start of a new term brings exciting opportunities for growth, learning, and personal development. Our boarding program remains committed to providing a supportive, nurturing, and enriching environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and personally.

It is with much excitement that I welcome Mrs Adonia Hedges as the new Girls’ Head of Boarding. Mrs Hedges has been working in Girls’ Boarding as a Houseparent  prior to her appointment as the leader of the residence. I wish Mrs Hedges all the best in her new role at the College. Furthermore I would like to welcome  Phil Cottle and Loretta Mahoney to the boarding team. Both Phil and Loretta will be largely operating in the Boys’ Boarding space. I am confident that they will do a wonderful job for our community and will enrich the lives of our young men. 

Our dedicated boarding staff has been preparing diligently to ensure a smooth transition into this term. We understand that the return after a break can sometimes be challenging for students, and we are fully prepared to provide comprehensive support. Our College counselors, house parents, teachers and pastoral leaders are ready to help students readjust, manage their schedules, and address any concerns they might have.

This term, we will continue to emphasise academic progress and holistic development. At the end of last term we implemented several adjustments to the study routine including:

• Male students studying in Q Block
• Female students studying in Kelly Block 

The College is currently considering afternoon study sessions as some evenings a large number of students have sporting or work commitments.  

The health and safety of our students remain our top priority. We have maintained our robust health protocols and will continue to:

• Provide regular health check-ups
• Ensure nutritious meals
• Promote physical and mental wellness
• Offer counseling services

The College believes in maintaining open lines of communication with parents and caregivers. You can expect:

•  Fortnightly newsletters
•  Parent-teacher interviews
•  Boarder Parent meetings
•  Community visits
•  Immediate notification of any significant events

It is the College’s intention to host a Boarder Parent  meeting on Monday 5 May, 2025 at 5.00pm. This meeting will be hosted as a zoom meeting. Please note that this meeting invitation is extended to all boarding parents. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss all matters pertaining to boarding and provides an avenue for parents to discuss what is working well and what can be improved. 

As mentioned earlier, the College intends on visiting a number of schools in regional Queensland commencing 12 May, 2025. Greenvale, Mount Surprise, Georgetown, Croydon and Cloncurry are some of the regional centres we will be visiting. We hope to catch up with as many parents and caregivers as possible. 

Each student is unique, and we are committed to understanding and supporting their individual needs. Our Houseparents are trained to provide appropriate care that respects each student's background, interests, and aspirations.

As partners in your child's educational journey, we are excited about the potential and possibilities this term presents. We invite you to stay engaged, ask questions, and collaborate with us to support your child's growth and success.

Regards,

Dan Kyle
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - PASTORAL/RESIDENTIAL 

REMINDER: Please ensure all medical forms and emergency contact information are up to date. If you have any changes, kindly contact our administrative office.

IN THIS EDITION OF SCHOOLTV - UNDERSTANDING ADOLESCENCE

Adolescence is the transitional stage of development that is usually associated with the teenage years. In 2018, the Australian Curriculum Assessment Authority, redefined adolescence as affecting young people aged between 10-24 years. During this time, they experience rapid physical, cognitive and psychosocial growth which affects how teenagers feel, think, make decisions and interact with the world around them.

During adolescence, a child's brain can be considered as being “under-construction”. The rate at which this progresses will vary depending on the individual and also their gender. As a result, some parents may view adolescence as stressful or difficult. However, it does not need to be. 

In this edition of SchoolTV, adult carers can learn how to guide and best support their young person as they transition through adolescence.

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 Guidance Counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Understanding Adolescence edition of SchoolTV

https://columba.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/understanding-adolescence

Aleesha Watson
GUIDANCE COUNSELLOR | REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST