CapSDE - Week Six 3rd March 2025 Newsletter

Student Spotlight - Edward

Student Spotlight: Edward’s Inspiring Journey

Edward, a Year 9 student at CapSDE, has demonstrated incredible resilience and determination in overcoming significant health challenges. His journey began with an undiagnosed hip slip that initially presented as knee pain. Unfortunately, by the time it was diagnosed, irreversible damage had occurred, leading to the need for a titanium hip replacement in August 2022.

Since then, Edward has undergone five surgeries, including two emergency procedures. Once an active and energetic child, he found the transition to life in a wheelchair challenging, missing the social interaction and physical activity that sport provided. Determined to stay active, Edward discovered wheelchair basketball, which became a turning point in his journey.

In January, Edward proudly represented Central Queensland at the Sunshine Coast in wheelchair basketball. Through hard work and perseverance, his rehabilitation has progressed, and he can now walk slowly without assistance. While he faces more surgeries and future hip replacements, Edward remains positive and focused on his goals.

Edward’s story is a testament to strength, adaptability, and the power of finding new passions. We are proud to have him as part of our CapSDE community and look forward to seeing what he achieves next!

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School Photos

School Photos will be taken during Week 7 Mini-school on the dates indicated below. Please see flyer below for instructions on how to order through the QR code or online link: https://leadingimage.com.au/  

The Access Key is also listed on the flyer. the same access key is to be used for sibling photos as well as individual photos. 

Please note that sibling photo orders will close on the 9 March in order for the photographer to generate the list of siblings to photograph the following day. 

Individual ordering remains open for up to a week after photo day. 

Rockhampton - Monday 10 March

• Sibling photos - CapSDE Farm Street available at 8:00 - 8:30am
• Primary Students - CapSDE Farm Street 9:00am - 10:00am
• Secondary Students - Conference on North 11:30 - 1:00pm

Emerald - Tuesday 11 March

• Sibling Photos - CapSDE Emerald 8:45am
• Primary Students - CapSDE Emerald 9:15 - 10:15am

Parent or family enquiries can be directed to Leading Image directly on info@leadingimage.com.au or P: 1800 750 586

Secondary students having their photo on the day will also receive a student ID card.  

Key Dates Calendar - Updated

P & C AGM & General Meeting - Change of Date - Monday 10th March

Whole School Approach to Reading

As part of our implementation of the V9 curriculum which includes our whole school approach to reading, primary staff have been providing explicit teaching to P-3 students in systematic phonics teaching that focuses on improving decoding and spelling skills.

These HIT phonics lessons explicitly teach students phonics concepts they need to decode words and write them. Having taken lessons and through discussion with teachers, I am really pleased to see how the students are progressing with their decoding and spelling skills.

Our year 4 - 6 students have focused on comprehension in their HIT LIT lessons building inferencing, vocabulary and analysis skills. Teachers in these year levels have collaborated to plan lessons built around the curriculum. Not only have teachers co-taught across the week but students themselves have moved between HIT groups as needed. These rich discussions support all our students engaging with age-appropriate texts and their peers.

Resources sent home to support the application of reading:

P-3 (most students)

• Literacy packs ranging from levels 1-8 (not all levels) that include games, high frequency words, word lists, wall charts, phonic book.
• The class teacher / HIT phonics teacher will tell you which level to engage with.

Readers sent in red bags are for HIT phonics / LIT time for the teacher to use with students.

These red bags are not sent to every student, it depends on what resources teachers use in HIT time.

Every student should receive blue folder books to read at their independent level. If you do not have any, please contact your class teacher or care teacher. Every student should receive books to read at their independent level. These books can be read multiple times. Return for a new set when you are finished.

Clear bag / no bag – P-3 students only, these are shared readers, so students are not expected to read them independently. They are additional books for you to read with your student and enjoy. These are requested by HT to the class teacher / care group teacher if they want more books to read with their students.

We also encourage students to read widely, discuss life events and read everyday books/texts they enjoy. Reading favourite books numerous times encourages fluency and expression.

If your child is stuck on a word encourage them by saying “say the sounds and read the word”. When learning to read we read words by sounding out, not any other cues. When we read larger (multisyllabic words) we sound out parts we know (usually automatically) and link them to words we know. Eg. Maintenance – if we can read the word (verb) maintain we learn adding parts to read larger words. Maintained, maintaining, maintenance, maintainability.

Mini-school is around the corner in week 7, come along to our reading sessions on Thursday 13^th March at both Rocky and Emerald campuses. Sessions are available online so those not coming in to mini-school can join us too.

We appreciate you working with us, supporting your student / child to reach their potential.

Kellie Dobson – Dingwall
HOD – teaching and learning

Important NAPLAN Information

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 or
• NAPLAN exemption

If you have not made contact with your child’s/student’s Year Level Deputy Principal regarding your intent for them to be withdrawn or exempt from NAPLAN testing, please do so prior to Friday 7^th March.

Please Note: NAPLAN withdrawal and NAPLAN exemption forms become available from Monday 17^th, February 2025 and will be emailed directly to families whom have made contact and expressed their intent for their child/student to be withdrawn or exempt from NAPLAN testing in 2025.

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 and Kellie

What's happening in Primary?

Prep - Positional Language and Listening Skills

At CSDE, we teach positional language in Prep as part of the Australian Curriculum (AC9MFSP02) because it helps children describe and understand the location of objects in relation to themselves and others. These early spatial skills are important for following directions, developing problem-solving abilities, and preparing for concepts in mathematics, reading, and everyday life.

In this activity, students listened carefully to instructions and drew objects inside, next to, underneath, and on top of a square. This practice strengthens their ability to interpret and use positional words accurately. Parents can support this learning at home by using everyday language to describe locations, such as "Put your book on the table" or "Stand next to me."

We teach prep students to use a 5-frame as an addition and subtraction strategy because it supports their understanding of part-part-whole relationships, which is crucial for developing early number sense. The 5-frame helps students break numbers into smaller parts, allowing them to easily recognise and name those parts. This approach is closely linked to the concept of number bonds, where students learn how numbers can be broken into pairs (e.g., 3 + 2, 4 + 1), building a flexible understanding of addition and subtraction. This aligns with the Australian Curriculum (AC9MFN04), which focuses on partitioning and combining collections up to 10, using subitising and number bonds. By using the 5-frame, students gain a visual tool to support mental math strategies, laying the foundation for more advanced arithmetic.

Prep Maths

Year Three

Science – This term we have been enjoying learning about the different Scientific animal groups and the observable features of different animals. Below are some of our fabulous Animal Reports:

Science - Archie, Clancy C, Henry and Mac

HASS - Rourke, Zoe, Archie and Zaytta

English

This term Year 3 students are learning to write stories in English. In the beginning of the story the describe the character and the setting. Here are the beginnings of their stories...

Mac: Once upon a time, in the distance the snow-covered mountains looked beautiful with the fog blowing around them. The open paddocks are filled with lush green grass and the colourful wildflowers dance with the wind. Jack the big, brown bison is the largest, strongest leader of the herd. The birds are singing songs for Jack and the rest of the herd. They are chewing loudly as they fill their tummies up with lush green grass.

Zaytta: Rrrr Rrrr Rrrr Rrrr Rrrr bellowed R40 the terrible Angus bull. He was a muscly bovine with spiky black thick hair on his hump. He had an angry squished face and mean bushy eyebrows on his fat face.  As he waddled around and disappeared into the distance, the bright, golden sun slowly set behind the tall trees, making the sky turn pink and orange.​ The birds chirped and the windmill was spinning slowly as R40 chewed his cud from the smooth green grass.​

Henry: In the wet, muddy paddock the tires screeched. It was a sunny, hot afternoon at the gully and the big pigs rolled in the sticky mud. At the same time Graham was fixing the broken, barbed wire fence. Graham is an old, bearded man that wears a straw hat.

Clancy: One dark night out in a paddock a father and son were out hunting. The moonlight lit up the paddock with a light that was shining brightly. And crunching through the dry leaves and cracking the sticks where they are running to the big stinky black boar. The hunters were serious and excited to go and chase big pigs with his sharp bladed knife and the big fearsome dogs.

Angus: Once upon a time in a deep dark haunted forest there was a castle made of red spotty mushrooms ruled by King Angus.​ In the castle there was a kitchen, eight bedrooms, one huge bedroom for the king and eight bathrooms. Surrounding the castle there was a village above a pit of zombies. The King loved going for walks around the village to make sure nothing had happened over night. The king was a handsome Ruler, but he had no wife he was alone in the world. On the inside he was kind and helpful man he did what he wanted whenever he wanted.

Archie: One sunny morning there was a female and a joey kangaroo. They lived in the Northern Territory. It was summer and it was in the middle of a drought for the flat planes. Then suddenly the clouds were black and they were rolling in. It was going to be raining season. After the rain there were ​lots and lots of green, yummy grass. There was a female and the joey and it was breeding season.

Clancy: In the nice cool breeze with purple beautiful flowers and grass swayed in the air where the birds chirp happily in the distance.  There was a family that had a two little puppies that were going to visit the long wet dam. Around the outside of the dam grew big green leafy trees.

Daniel: In the middle of Brisbane a dog named Milo lived in an apartment. He had to walk up five sets of stairs until he reached his door. From his back door and saw the traffic and he heard cars honking.

Jacob: West of Eidsvold in the hot outback lived a cat. From his tiny house, he could see a beautiful property where the wind blew through the trees making a happy, whistling sound. His name was Kitay. He was a heathy cat with soft fur and a pattern on his head.

Lucas: One day a very funny cat lived with his family next to the beach in Australia. The air smelled like heavenly graceful honey as the sweet-smelling pollen filled the air. The landscape was very lush, green and wet. The beach is very sparkly and sandy. The entire beach is covered in white cool shells and black hot rocks. The cool crashing waves sweep in white shells and black rocks. The cat's name was Smokey. He was a grey fluffy ragdoll with big green eyes and a short grey tail. He is a feisty adventurous cat and he likes small fluffy mouse toys.

Nate: One scorching summer day a family was sitting under an oak tree with rustling leaves on it. They saw some dazzling sweet daisies and their perfume was in the air. Mum had packed a delicious picnic for Dad and the three kids to share together while she stayed home to clean the house. On the edge of the meadow was a sparkling, blue river with lily pads on the top.  beside the river they could see a sign that said – Warning! Wolf territory!

Paige: One hot sunny day at Shelly beach the water was shimmering and the yellow sand was glimmery. Beside the beach there was a huge tropical forest. Hiding amongst the tall old coconut trees was a cassowary. He was a bad scary offensive cassowary and he was a fluffy old colourful cassowary.

Rourke: One night in the bush the crackling, bright fire warmed our cold, shivering bodies as the white, squishy marshmallows gradually oozed out of the smores while they toasted above the orange, flickering flames. A small mob of brown muscular kangaroos slowly wander over to the campsite, and begin to nibble on the new shoots of fresh green velvety grass. Small, golden embers gently float up away from the clumpy, hot coals as the heavy rusty coloured camp oven is carefully placed into the large circular fire pit. Sitting beside the fire was a father and his son. His name was max he had messy hair and brown eyes and he really liked reading books.

Ruby: Once upon a time on a beautiful tropical island called Great Keppel there was a girl named Grace who lived with her family. Every morning you could hear the waves crashing onto the white sandy beaches. 

Sidney: A family off cows with its poddy were going for a drink at south mere dam. They heard Kookaburra’s laugh, the insects buzz and the dam’s rippling in water. ​They heard the lovely sweet juicy grass swaying in the air. The air was so sweet.  The breeze was nice and refreshing it smelt like perfume when it hit them. The poddy's hide had brown spots and white patches. The mother had a dark creamy kind of hide and horns.

Zoe: At Kia Ora station lived a very happy family. Kia Ora had a huge dam and green grass in the paddock and their home was on a lite hill. From the backyard, they could see the eight beautiful Horses chasing and running except for one name Mini she was bucking her legs went high in the sky.

Mathematics

We have been looking at top view or bird’s eye view maps and how to navigate around maps by following or giving directions. We have also been working out how to collect, record and represent data. You will see some examples of classrooms from a top view and a column graph made from data that was collected by observing, recorded in a frequency table using tally marks and then represented using a graph maker online program.

ICPA Sports Camp Save The Date

ICPA sports camp will be held from 24 - 29 August and the ICPA Clermont Branch would like to extend an invitation for students who are in Years 4 - 7 .

Enrolment forms and camp information will be sent out towards the end of this term once we receive these from ISCP.  closing dates for these forms will be towards the middle of Term Two. 

Please contact the Sports Camp Administrator/Treasurer Kelly McDonald is you have any queries.

P: 0408 181 296   E: clermonticpasportscamp@gmail.com 

Secondary Scoop

Secondary Department Update: Engaging in Learning and Looking Ahead

A huge congratulations to all our students for their fantastic engagement in Capri Connect Classes! Your dedication to learning and participation in lessons have been outstanding. With points rolling in regularly from your hard work, the competition is heating up! At the end of the term, we’ll tally up the scores and announce the winning classes from each year level. Stay tuned—we have an exciting prize system lined up for those who have shown exceptional effort and teamwork!

We’re also thrilled about the upcoming Mini-school sessions, which will bring a fresh and engaging approach to learning. This year, students will work together on a range of exciting challenges designed to build collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. We can’t wait to see the energy and creativity that you bring to the new program!

As we progress through the term, we encourage all students to start thinking about their future career pathways. Exploring different industries, understanding job opportunities, and gaining insights into potential careers is a vital step in preparing for life beyond school. Capri Connect and Mini-school activities will provide great opportunities to develop the skills and knowledge needed to make informed decisions about the future.

To stay on track, setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals can make a big difference. Whether it’s improving in a subject, building new skills, or working towards a career goal, taking the time to plan and reflect on your progress will help set you up for success.

Keep up the great work, and we look forward to celebrating your achievements at the end of the term!

Desolee Cowley

Kids Helpline Sessions

The school has been working with Kids’ Helpline to provide information sessions to students. These will happen across the year at various times during your Capri Connect classes.

Four sessions have been identified as being of particular interest, and these have been indicated on the form below. 

Please open the document below, complete, and return to administration@caprrocksde.eq.edu.au, if you would prefer your student to opt out of the sessions.

Building Skills for the Future with VET

Vocational Education and Training (VET) provides students with practical, hands-on learning that develops real-world skills and industry-recognized qualifications. These courses help students prepare for their future careers by gaining experience in a variety of industries, from trades and hospitality to business and healthcare.

✅ Our goal is for all students to be enrolled in a VET course, ensuring they are building valuable skills that transfer directly to the workplace.

⚠️ To be ready to start their certificate courses, all students must complete their VET Induction. If you haven’t done so yet, please ensure this is completed as soon as possible to stay on track for success!

Upcoming Events:

Week 7 – Mini-school week:

✈️ Aviation Fly Day – Mini School Week 7 – will be held during Tuesday, 11th March.  – Contact your teacher to confirm – Mrs Baggett or Mr Bruggemann. This is an exciting opportunity for students to complete their required fly times for this course. Please note that there is a consent form required for this activity. See Mini-school newsletter. 

🌱 Cert I in Agriculture – A reminder that the VET assessment day for practical assessments in Certificate I in Agriculture will be held during Mini School in Week 7 on Friday, 14th March, at the Rockhampton CSDE campus. If you are enrolled in this course, please get in touch with Mrs Hinchliffe to confirm your attendance. Please note that there is a consent form required for this activity. See Mini-school newsletter. 

📢 VET Cluster Day – Monday, 31st March (Week 10)

Join us for VET Cluster Day at the Rockhampton campus – a great opportunity to complete your Observation tasks and get valuable face-to-face feedback from your teachers!

Students attending will still need to attend their designated classes, so be sure to bring your laptops to stay on track. This is also a fantastic chance to meet your peers, develop your skills, and work towards your Certificate competencies.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get extra support and hands-on learning!

Exciting Opportunities

Agriculture

🌱 One for the Ladies: ‘GrowHer’ Program
The GrowHer program is empowering young women in regional Queensland by providing 450 students with skills, mentorship, and industry connections in AgTech. Open to female students in Years 7-12, this initiative is shaping the next generation of agricultural innovators. Applications for Rockhampton have been extended to 7th March! Apply here: GrowHer Program

🌱 LEADAG YOUTH – Agriculture Pathway Program
Are you 15-17 years old and interested in a career in agriculture? The LEADAG YOUTH program offers hands-on experiences, networking, and career guidance during the Queensland school holidays. Don’t miss this chance to explore exciting opportunities in the ag industry! Applications for the 2025 intake close on 16th March. Apply here: LEADAG YOUTH

🌿 Do you live in the Banana Shire? If so, this could be for you - Natural Resource Management Youth Leadership Program – Banana Shire

Are you passionate about the environment and keen to develop your leadership skills? The Natural Resource Management Youth Leadership Program in Banana Shire is a fantastic opportunity for young people to learn about sustainable land management, conservation, and environmental stewardship.

This program offers hands-on experiences, mentoring from industry professionals, and the chance to connect with like-minded peers. Whether you're interested in agriculture, sustainability, or natural resource management, this is a great way to build skills for your future.

Languages

On the 29^th April we are holding Taiko Drumming sessions at Glenmore SHS’s Mike Maher Centre.

Session times are:

Session 1: 9:30am – 10:30am

Session 2: 10:45am – 11:45am

Session 3: 12:15pm – 1 :15pm

Session 4: 1:30pm – 2:30pm

Year 5-12 Japanese students are invited.

Students can only attend one session each.

Please RSVP to Stacey Stewart/Miranda Broadbent. Student will also be required to have a completed consent form.

Guidance 'Go-2'

Headstart Information Evening

Join us for UniSC's Headstart Information Evening – calling all students and parents! We'll spill the beans on everything you need to know about the program and how it can help your students.

Headstart is the chance for those in Years 10 – 12 to get a taste of university life while still in high school. In Headstart, students dive into first-year uni subjects and accrue credit towards their degree. So, they're not just starting early; they're getting a head start!

And here's the kicker – UniSC is covering the tab for the first course. Additional courses? Only $400, adding up to serious savings on a full degree. Let the parents and students at your school know about our Headstart Information Evening this March.

Event Details

UniSC Sunshine Coast: Tuesday 18 March

Lecture Theatre 7, Building C, 4.30pm – 6.00pm

UniSC Moreton Bay: Thursday 20 March

Auditorium 1 (MB-G.23), Foundation Building, 4.30pm – 6.00pm

Online via Zoom: Wednesday 26 March

5.30pm – 6.30pm

Who should attend:

Students in Years 10 – 12, parents and secondary school staff

What's on in your community?

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