Week 1 Term Four, 30 September CapSDE newsletter

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents & Guardians, Home Tutors, Staff and Students,

I hope you all had the opportunity to relax, recharge, and spend time with loved ones during the September holidays. As we dive into Term 4, we are excited about the many opportunities ahead and the celebrations that come with the final stretch of the year.

This term will be a busy one, with academic milestones, sporting events, and various end-of-year activities to look forward to. It's a time to reflect on our achievements while embracing the challenges that will help us grow.

Throughout it all, we continue to focus on the values that define our school community: 

• Accountability in owning our actions, whether in academics, friendships, or the way we contribute to our community 
• Integrity, as we strive to always do the right thing, even when it’s difficult 
• Respect for ourselves and others as we work together in the classroom and beyond 
• Resilience to face challenges head-on, knowing that these experiences build strength 
• Relationships that we nurture and grow, recognising the importance of supporting and being kind to one another.

There is so much to look forward to this term.  Let’s embrace the opportunities ahead, celebrate our successes, and finish the year strong.

Wishing everyone a wonderful start to Term 4!

Kind regards 
Amanda Rynne

Teams 2025

From 2025, Class Ultra (the online learning platform that has been used by Schools of Distance Education) will no longer be available for use. The Department of Education has identified Microsoft Teams as the new online learning platform, and Capricornia School of Distance Education (like all Queensland Schools of Distance Education) is in the process of making transitional arrangements.  

What will this mean for my student?
From 2025, all CapSDE’s online lessons will be delivered through Teams (not Ultra). It is important to note, that Work Returns will NOT be impacted. QLearn, OneDrive, or Seesaw (P-2 only) will remain the location for students to return work and assessment items. Although Teams has the capability of being used as a full Learning Management System, CapSDE will ONLY be using it as an online, synchronous learning tool. In other words, your student will only use Teams for online lessons. Students will still access their online lessons through QLearn. Work Returns will not change, for 2025.  

What is Microsoft Teams?
Teams is a collaboration app, developed by Microsoft. It enables people to interact online, using interactive workspaces, chat, video conferencing, file storage, and third-party app integration. CapSDE will only use Teams for its online learning features (not for file storage and Work Return uploads).  

How is CapSDE making the adjustment?
The school has identified Teams ‘champions’ (nominated teachers) who will be delivering a small number of their online lessons in Term Four, 2024. The purpose of this, is for these ‘champions’ to trial using Teams for their lessons, as a means of putting into practice, what they’ve been learning behind the scenes. Champions have been selected across both campuses, all departments (Primary P-2, Primary 3-6, Secondary, Languages, and our Teacher Aide team) and Faculties (English, Arts/Tech/HPE, Science, VET, Math, Humanities). CapSDE’s ‘Champions’ will also provide feedback to school staff, on their experience in running lessons through Teams as a means of upskilling them, in preparation for full implementation in 2025. Our intention is to have all CapSDE teachers using Teams by the final two weeks of Term Four (once assessments have been completed) as a great opportunity for staff and students to practise, ready for next year. Additionally – given that Teams was being discussed as a likely alternative for Ultra – intra-school communications (like Year Level meetings, Cohort meetings, and Staff meetings) have frequently been run through Teams, so that staff had begun the familiarisation process. 

What about Home Tutor Upskilling?
Home Tutor sessions will be run at our Term Four Week Seven Mini-school. If you’re unable to make it in person, the Rockhampton session will also be livestreamed. Please keep an eye out for the Mini-school newsletter for specific details. We will also deliver sessions during the Home Tutor Induction days, at the beginning of Term One, 2025. 

Will my student be participating in the Teams trial in Term Four?
If your student will be involved with CapSDE’s ‘Champions’ lesson trials, these teachers will communicate with you directly, via e-mail, in the coming weeks. Within this e-mail communication, you’ll find instructions on how to join the Teams lessons. We encourage any students involved in these trials, to provide feedback to their teachers, as this is an important part of ensuring our entire school is prepared for the change in 2025. 

Outstation Accommodation - Emerald

This year being an even numbered year, the Primary end of year events and P & C Dinner will be held in Emerald on the following dates.

Monday 2 December

• Year 6 Fun Day
• Year 6 Dinner

Tuesday 3 December

• Primary Swimming Carnival
• Primary Awards Ceremony
• All School P & C Dinner 

Families may like to start considering accommodation for these events if they are travelling from Rockhampton or other areas, as finding accommodation in Emerald at the moment is quite challenging. 

For those that may not be aware, the Emerald campus of CapSDE has an accommodation facility available for families traveling for school related activities, The Outstation. If you would like to consider The Outstation for your trip to Emerald in December, please see the information booklet below that has been put together by The Outstation Committee. 

Please email outstationlegends@gmail.com if you are interested in staying there over those few days or if you have any other questions. 

Parent Teacher Interviews - Week 3

Parent/Teacher interviews for Prep to Year 12, will be held in Week 3 this term. These interviews will be 10 minute sessions via collaborate ultra. 

Date: Monday 14 October

Time: 3:10pm – 5:10pm.

Please see below bookings links and instructions.

Go to www.schoolinterviews.com.au and enter the code   ws7gc

Or click the following link: https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/ws7gc 

Or use the QR Code below to book.

1. Enter your details.
2. Select the teachers you wish to see.
3. Select the appointment time that suits your family best.

Bookings close Friday 11^th October, at which time the booking system will close.

Parents will be emailed a link to the collaborate session by the teacher.  

If you are unable to secure a time that suits your family, please contact the teacher directly to organise a time that works for you. The staff contact list can be found in the school app, Szapp.

P & C Colour Run

COLOUR RUN

Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you so much for supporting our school to be the best it can be, especially through fundraising. This term we are fundraising to subsidise our upcoming school events and 2025 camps with a Colour Explosion School Run 4 Fun with Australian Fundraising!

The Colour Explosion School Run 4 Fun will be on:

Rockhampton Campus P-12:  Wednesday 13th November 2024 as an after-school activity from 3:30 – 4:15pm.
Emerald Campus P-6: Wednesday 13^th November 2024 as an After School Activity from 2:45pm onwards.

• Please make sure students wear a WHITE shirt and closed in shoes.
• Students will be given free sunglasses and a rainbow headband for the event.
• Students will be covered in non-toxic, biodegradable colour powder from head to toe.
• Colour Powder is made of high-quality corn starch and permitted food colours. Safety data sheet is available upon request.

How Do We Fundraise?

Fundraising for our Colour Explosion School Run 4 Fun is entirely online. Follow the instructions in your child’s sponsorship booklet to create a cybersafe, online profile page at www.australianfundraising.com.au. At the end of the fundraiser either order prizes to receive or donate to a cause – Carbon Neutral (tree planting), Great Barrier Reef Foundation (coral planting or turtle protection), The Smith Family (reading support) or OzHarvest (providing meals).

Please note: all cash donations must be converted to online donations before 8^th November 2024.  We cannot accept any physical cash donations for this fundraiser.

Monty Incentive Prizes!

• Online Golden Coins – complete fun online tasks to redeem an extra $75 towards your prize credit.
• Monty Hatching Egg: Achieve all virtual badges on online platform
• Monty Backpack: Highest fundraising student in each class will go into the draw to win
• Monty Scented Pencil: Every student who creates a profile page in first 7 days
• Monty Pencil Case: Raise $200 or more online
• 30cm Monty Plush + Champions Medallion: Highest fundraising student in each school

For further information, please contact Tanya Lindley via email: pandc@capricorniasde.eq.edu.au or phone: 0428 109 074.

Tanya Lindley
President CSDE P and C Association

What's happening in Primary?

Year 5 - 6 Camp 2025

An email was sent home today to families of students in Years 4 - 5 in readiness for camp in 2025.

Please check your inbox including your spam folder and let the school know if you did not receive the email as it contains important information that requires actioning by Thursday this week.

Secondary Scoop

Formal Ticket payments due this week

A reminder to all Year 12 families that ticket payments for all formal tickets are due this week on Thursday.

Log into Qkr! to purchase your tickets, ensuring that you include any dietary requirements in the note section of the ticket purchase when you enter them into the cart. Please note that the school does not supply invoices. all tickets are purchased through Qkr!

Tickets are not secured until payment is made. 

Just in case you are new to the Qkr! platform, please see below information that will guide you through the process of purchasing your formal tickets.The app can be downloaded in either IOS or Android. Alternatively you can access Qkr! via the following link:  https://qkr-store.qkrschool.com/store/#/home    

The Qkr! app/platform is the one stop shop for ordering uniforms, paying camp fees, purchasing tickets and much more.It ensures a smooth transaction for families to order and pay for items with the convenience of using your mobile device.

If you have any issues with using Qkr!, please contact our Accounts Team on E: Accounts_CSDE@capricorniasde.eq.edu.au or phone 4931 4800

Also a reminder that Year 12 students are to email through three photos of themselves to comms@caprrocksde.eq.edu.au for the formal PowerPoint. Please do this as a matter of urgency if you have not done so already. 

Subject Selections - Attention Year 8 & 9 students

Subject selection for Year 9 and 10, 2025 is now open in One School.

Students need to access One School and select their electives for next year.

Below you will find the 

• Instructions
• Junior Secondary Handbook

Subject Selections are due FRIDAY, October 4.

School Leadership Positions - Nominations Open Now! Are you a Year 11 student wanting to make a difference? We want you!

Nominations are open for our Secondary Leadership Positions. 

Nominating for a secondary leadership position at CSDE presents a remarkable opportunity for personal growth and contribution to our CSDE school community. This role offers a chance to develop essential leadership skills, foster teamwork, and make a positive impact on our school's culture and initiatives.

Year 12 students in 2025 can actively contribute to CSDE's improvement and success. This experience will not only enhance students' own leadership abilities, but allow them also to serve as a role model for younger students, inspiring them to pursue their passions and take an active role in shaping our school's future.

If you are a Year 11 student and interested in nominating for a Leadership Position in 2025, click the links below to Nominate and to view more details in the Secondary Leadership Handbook.

Guidance 'Go-2'

Why school camps are so important

Here as CapSDE, we take a lot of pride in organising amazing experiences for our students. Yes, it is time consuming, costly, and sometimes stressful but it is also vitally important, even more so for our students in a distance setting. For many students, school camp is the highlight of the year.  It’s a chance to learn away from behind the computer screen and engage in activities outside of the mainstream curriculum. Being away from home can also be a challenging time for students (and parents) particularly with our students who school in their home environment. But attending camp is an important milestone and the benefits of attending are overwhelmingly positive.

Over the last three years I have had the absolute privilege of attending year 7 – 9 camp and seeing the development and learning that all of our students who attend camp do, is simply amazing and the reason why the long days, sleepless nights and endless counting of students to make sure no one is left behind is totally worth it!  There are so many benefits to camp and I have taken the time to share some of these below.

Time away from home allows students to make decisions on their own, away from the spotlight of their parents. A student deciding what to eat, what to wear and having to make their own bed are important life skills that can be practiced on camp. Camps encourage students to use their self-management skills, organisational skills and problem-solving skills. Making individual choices leads to a greater sense of independence.

Students can participate in activities that are new to them. Accomplishing something in a new environment may help them overcome fears and anxieties. Seeing a student, who is afraid of heights and attempting a wall climb on an obstacle challenge, is an example of this. They may embrace the challenge of a new experience and see what they are capable of. This in turn fosters personal growth through personal challenges.

One of the greatest benefits of a school camp allows the deepening of current friendships or forming of new ones. Friendships are tested and affirmed in new environments and experiences. This includes a student’s relationship with a teacher or staff member also. These connections can have a positive impact on learning when returning to school.

Camps allow students to develop their leadership and team building skills. They can practice their communication skills as well as demonstrate care, support and empathy to others. Working well with others for a common goal is another important life skill.

Camps often encourage physical fitness. Students may do tasks that are new to them, like high ropes or hiking. Students have the chance to operate outside of their comfort zone and are exposed to activities that may become an interest to them outside of camp.  On camp students are away from screens and devices, so they can be active and engaged in hands on activities. This may also have a positive impact on mental health.

Overall camps allow students to grow and develop holistically … emotionally, socially and physically. The development I have witnessed over the last three years with ALL students who have attended our camps is what keeps me wanting to come back for more. No matter how big the growth, it is still growth and together we are helping shape our future.

Happy camping everyone! Kate

Opportunities

Apprenticeship

North Rockhampton business Highway Auto Electrics/A/C Mechanical is looking for two apprentices for a Mechanic/Auto Electrical role.

This multi trade can be completed together as two part-time apprentices (19hrs week each) the Automotive Mechanic (Light Vehicle) Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology AUR30620 and Automotive Electrician

Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology AUR30320 or separately (38hrs week one at a time).

Steve prefers applicants that have completed year 12 with an interest in getting a trade and a future in the industry. Country kids are very welcome to apply.

Please direct anyone you know who is interested to contact Steve and email him their resume and a cover letter describing why they are keen to do these trades.

Steve Thomasson
Highway Auto Electrics/A/C Mechanical
Phone 07 49261303
Fax 07 49280105
Email  steve@highauto.com.au

What's on in your community

Sports Person of the year award 2024

CSDE annually acknowledges the sporting achievements of a Primary and Secondary Student, who has excelled throughout the year at the end of year awards.

The presentation of the Sports Person of the Year Award goes to the student who has accumulated the most amount of points throughout the year in their various sporting achievements. 

Parents are asked to advise the school throughout the year of the sporting achievements by completing this online form. Scores are based on events, the level of the event (district, regional, state, national etc) and the students placing within those events. You will need to complete the form for each individual achievement. Do not place all achievements on the one form.

At the end of the year, points are collated, and the winner announced.

Information to note: 
* School sports are what counts for CSDE Sportsperson of the year.  Students are recognised for their achievement in other non-school fields; however, these achievements are not part of the accumulation of points towards the CSDE Sportsperson of the year. 

* You should list the highest level that your student has represented in that sport, noting that the points are only entered if the student represented, and not if they were selected and did not attend. 

*  Unfortunately, camp-drafting, is not a recognised 'regional school sport' and so would not apply for Sportsperson of the year.

Support Agency Contacts

Beyond Blue aims to increase awareness of depression and anxiety and reduce stigma. Call 1300 22 4636, 24 hours/7 days a week, chat online or email.

Blue Knot Foundation Helpline is the National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma. It provides support, education and resources for the families and communities of adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse. Call 1300 657 380, Monday – Sunday between 9am – 5pm AEST or via email helpline@blueknot.org.au.

Butterfly Foundation's National Helpline is a free, confidential service that provides information, counselling and treatment referral for people with eating disorders, and body image and related issues. Call 1800 33 4673, 8am-midnight AEST / 7 days a week, chat online or email.

eheadspace provides free online and telephone support and counselling to young people 12 – 25 and their families and friends. Call 1800 650 890, 9am – 1am AEST / 7 days a week, chat online or email.

FriendLine supports anyone who's feeling lonely, needs to reconnect or just wants a chat. You can call them 7 days a week on 1800 424 287, or chat online with one of their trained volunteers. All conversations with FriendLine are anonymous.

Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free 24/7 confidential and private counseling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 – 25. Call 1800 55 1800.

Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis counselling, support groups and suicide prevention services. Call 13 11 14, text on 0477 13 11 14 (12pm to midnight AEST) or chat online.

MensLine Australia is a professional telephone and online counselling service offering support to Australian men. Call 1300 78 99 78, 24 hours/7 days a week, chat online or organise a video chat.

MindSpot is a free telephone and online service for people with anxiety, stress, low mood or depression. It provides online assessment and treatment for anxiety and depression. MindSpot is not an emergency or instant response service. Call 1800 61 44 34.

QLife provides nationwide telephone and web-based services for lesbian peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. Call 1800 184 527, 3pm – 12am (midnight) AEST/7 days a week.

SANE Australia provides support to anyone in Australia affected by complex mental health issues, as well as their friends, family members and health professionals. Call 1800 18 7263, 10am – 10pm AEST (Mon – Fri), or chat online.

Suicide Call Back Service provides 24/7 support if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal. Call 1300 659 467.

Lifeline  on 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Source from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mental-health-helplines

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