CapSDE - Week Three 10 Feb 2025 Newsletter

What we do makes a difference

Dux of 2024 - Stewart Edwards

Congratulations Stewart, Capricornia School of Distance Education's 2024 Dux.  Stewart's hard work and dedication to his studies, saw him awarded multiple Subject Awards at the CapSDE Awards Ceremony at CQU in November, 2024 with straight A's in all of his chosen subjects.

• Chemistry
• General English
• Mathematical Methods
• Physics
• Specialist Mathematics
• Year 12 Unsung Hero Award
• Year 12 Certificate for excellence in Chemistry
• Subject Awards for General English, Math Methods, Chemistry, and co-awardee for Physics 

Stewart will be pursuing his studies with a Bachelor of Engineering this year. 
We wish Stewart all the best in his future endeavours.

Important NAPLAN Information

What is NAPLAN?

NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) is a nationwide assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 which measures key skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. 

The results provide valuable insights into student progress and help guide future learning.

Benefits of NAPLAN

• Identifies strengths and areas for improvement
  - helps teachers tailor learning to support each student’s needs
• Monitors progress over time
  - provides valuable information on student development from one assessment period to the next
• Prepares students for future assessments
  - builds confidence in digital testing and structured exam-style conditions
• Supports school improvement
  - Helps schools refine teaching strategies and enhance learning outcomes

Key Information For 2025

• NAPLAN Testing Period: Testing window commences 12^th March 2025
• Participants: Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9
• Format: Online (except Year 3 Writing, which remains paper-based)
• Devices: Students will use school-provided devices to complete the tests onsite

Supporting your child to feel confident and prepared for NAPLAN:

• Encourage regular reading, writing and problem-solving activities at home.
• Ensure they get a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast on test days.
• Remind them that NAPLAN is just one part of their learning journey – there is no need to feel pressured.

Adjustments For Students With Disability

If your child/student is eligible to receive adjustments, Cathryn Haywood-Batchelor has made contact with you regarding support for the upcoming NAPLAN assessments.

If your child/student is to sit the tests and requires assistance in the form of a scribe, (someone to write what they dictate), for the Writing Test, please make contact with Cathryn Haywood-Bachelor by Monday 10^th February and she will arrange the necessary support.

Sitting NAPLAN Offsite

NAPLAN testing can be completed off-site for reasons of geographical isolation or illness/injury.  This option is only available to students who are unable to attend a school campus or centralised testing facility for reasons of geographical isolation or illness/injury.  

Information for Students Applying to sit the NAPLAN test offsite in their homes due to geographical isolation or illness/injury:

• Students must have a home-educator (parent/carer/delegate) to act in the role of test supervisor, who is available to supervise all test sessions (including Practice Tests) and have access to a secondary device for communication with the school leading up to and on test days. The contact details of the home-educator are required as part of the application.
• Parents will be contacted with the outcome of these applications as soon as possible, as these are sent off to be approved by the QCAA.
• At a later time, a training session will be held with home-educators for information and training purposes, so they are confident to administer the tests. Students are not permitted to sit the tests if the home educator does not complete the training.
• Students will need access to a laptop during the NAPLAN test and the home educator will also need access to a second laptop to receive instructions from the school teacher during the test.

For students in Year 5, 7 and 9 who were approved for offsite testing in 2023, you do not need to re-apply as pre-approval has been provided for 2025 testing. If you are a new student, meet the requirements and intend to sit NAPLAN offsite, please make contact with your relevant year level Deputy Principal in order to complete the required documentation by Thursday 13^th February, 2025.

NAPLAN Withdrawals

Students may be withdrawn from NAPLAN testing by their parent/carer for reasons such as religious beliefs or philosophical objections to testing. This is a matter for consideration by individual parents/carers in consultation with their child’s school.  A formal application is required and must be received and approved by the principal prior to testing on Wednesday 12^th March 2025.

NAPLAN Exemptions

Exemptions may be suitable for some students with disability and for some students with a language background other than English. Students may be exempt from one test (e.g., reading) but still be able to participate in another test (e.g., numeracy).

• English language proficiency:Students with a language background other than English who arrived from overseas and have been attending school for less than a year before the test may be exempted. However, these students are not automatically exempt and should be given the opportunity to participate in testing.
• Students with disability:Adjustments are provided to students with disability to support access to the tests and encourage maximum participation. Students with significant intellectual disability and/or those with significant co-existing conditions which severely limit their capacity to participate in the tests may be exempt from sitting the tests. This is determined after consultation has occurred between the school and the relevant parent/carer, and if it is decided the student is not able to access the tests with adjustments.

Deputy Principal contact details:

• Desolee Cowley dcowl25@eq.edu.au for Years 7 and 9
• Katrina Hawley (Rockhampton Campus) khawl7@eq.edu.au for Years 3 and 5
• Kellie Dobson (Emerald Campus) kdobs4@eq.edu.au for Years 3 and 5

Please use the contact details provided above for the Deputy Principals if you wish to apply for:

• NAPLAN withdrawal
• NAPLAN exemption
• Sitting NAPLAN offsite.

Please Note:

NAPLAN withdrawal and NAPLAN exemption forms are not available for download from the NAPLAN test authority until Monday 17^th, February 2025 so Deputy Principals will provide the required form to families whom have made contact and expressed their intent to be withdrawn or exempt from testing.

For adjustments for students with disability applications, please contact Cathryn Haywood-Bachelor (Head of Special Education Services) cmhay0@eq.edu.au.

Public Demonstration Site Tests

We encourage students and families to explore the Public demonstration site tests for their year level in order to familiarise themselves with the different item types and the features of the tests.  Students with disability, their teachers and families can use the public demonstration site to see some of the adjustments available and check the compatibility of assistive technology.

Public Demonstration Site Links

• Year 3
• Year 5
• Year 7
• Year 9

Further Information Links

Click here to visit the Parent and Carers section of the NAPLAN website.    

Click here to download a NAPLAN 2025 Information for Parents and Carers Brochure.

Thank you for your continued support in making NAPLAN a smooth and positive experience for our students.
Desolee, Katrina, Kellie and Cathryn

Orbit... A Reader's Paradise and Games Galore!

SORA - eBooks and audiobooks

What's happening in Primary?

Prep

During Induction Week, our newest Prep students from both the Emerald and Rockhampton campuses had the opportunity to meet their teachers and new friends—both online and in person. It was a fantastic week filled with excitement as students settled into new routines and began forming friendships.

We were especially proud of their resilience as they embraced new challenges with enthusiasm. This marks the beginning of an exciting educational journey, and we look forward to supporting each child as they grow and learn throughout the year.

Prep - Emerald and Rockhampton

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GRIP Primary Leadership Conference

Last week our Primary leaders had the incredible opportunity to attend the GRIP Leadership Conference at CQ University in Rockhampton! This unique conference focuses on equipping student leaders with practical skills and ideas they can use right now to make a positive impact at school and in their communities. Our young leaders walked away inspired, empowered, and ready to lead with confidence and purpose. We're so proud of their commitment to making a difference! Thank you Mrs Wex for supporting these students and making it possible for them to participate! Later this year our primary leaders will also have the opportunity to attend the Mayoral Summit in the Emerald area.

Secondary Scoop

GRIP Secondary Leadership Conference

Three of our incredible secondary leaders attended the GRIP Leadership Conference last week. They gained valuable insights, built leadership skills, and connected with other young leaders. Thank you to Mrs Benfer for supporting our students at the conference today.

'Supporting every student to reach their highest potential'

Year 11 & 12 students at Mini-school

While Year 11 and 12 students do not have a formal Mini-school program, we welcome any senior students who wish to attend. Due to the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) requirements for senior subjects, Year 11 and 12 students must continue attending their online lessons during Mini-school weeks.

We understand that many families have children across multiple year levels, and we want to ensure that all students feel supported. If a senior student is attending Mini-school with their family, we will provide a quiet, supervised space where they can engage in their online learning.

We appreciate your support in helping our senior students stay connected while remaining focused on their studies. If you have any questions, please contact the school.

Capri Connect Scavenger Hunt - Secondary Assembly Activity

During Secondary Assembly on Wednesday, 12th February (Period 4), students will take part in an exciting 20-minute Scavenger Hunt as part of the Capri Connect Challenges.

Students will be given a list of fun and creative items to find within their homes. The challenge encourages quick thinking, problem-solving, and engagement, while also fostering friendly competition between Capri Connect classes. The first student from each year level to return online with all the required items will earn points for their class.

We look forward to seeing students get involved and can’t wait to announce the results! Keep an eye on the newsletter for updates on upcoming Capri Connect challenges. 🚀👏

Are you interested in a career in aviation? Contact Mrs Benfer

“If you are interested in Aircraft Maintenance as a career, this course with Aviation Australia may be of interest to you”  

Subject Changes Year 11 students

Mathematics

Years 7 – 9 Mathematics

This year, our Year 7- 9 students are embarking on a new and enriched mathematical journey as they delve into the improved version of Maths Pathways (MP). This upgraded program offers a fresh perspective on learning, providing a more explicit approach to teaching the specific topics relevant to their year level. The beauty of this version lies in its ability to seamlessly integrate differentiated learning opportunities.

In each lesson, your child will engage in an Exercise centred around the current topic, followed by a special Differentiation Exercise that they will recognise as a module. What sets this year apart is the introduction of Explicit Exposure Modules. These modules are designed to be completed after each lesson, allowing our teachers to gather real-time evidence of your child's understanding and progress.

This innovative approach provides teachers with the tools to offer immediate support, ensuring that your child receives the assistance they need exactly when they need it. We are excited about the possibilities this brings for personalised learning experiences tailored to each student's unique strengths and challenges.

If you would like more information on how your student is tracking, log into your child’s account and select the Test Results or Learning Profile options.  This will be given to your child at the beginning of the year, and it changes every year.

The Learning Profile will show students attainment of each strand based on diagnostics, previous year’s learning and current year’s learning.

Maths Pathways Expectations

Students are expected to complete all of the purple ‘Explicit Exposure’ modules assigned to them (generally 6).  These are short 5 minute exercises to help us ascertain if students are understanding the current topic.  These modules are completed online.

Students are also generally expected to complete a minimum of 5 blue ‘Differentiated Mastery’ modules each cycle (approximately 2 weeks).  These modules take an average of 30 minutes and include a Entrance Ticket to determine the students current understanding and an Exit Ticket to determine if the student understands the topic before have the content put on their cycle test.  These modules are completed in the students’ workbook.  Samples of this workbook should be scanned and sent to the class teacher.

If you have any concerns, please contact your student’s teacher or the HOD – Mathematics, Julie Hood jhood7@eq.edu.au

What's on in your community?

Free NBN

FREE HOME INTERNET FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND CARERS

If there is a school age student at your home and you don’t have an NBN connection, you could qualify for

free home internet until 30 June 2028.

Children who can access online learning at home as part of their education are more likely to engage in classroom activities.

With home internet access your whole household can benefit – supporting your school age students to build their digital skills, learn how to safely use the internet and participate in an increasingly digital world.

Check if you qualify for free home internet until June 2028: By contacting the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610 (Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm AEDT) or by visiting www.anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet.

We welcome your feedback

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