CapSDE - Week Nine 24th March 2025 Newsletter

Oshu Japanese Student Exchange Homestay Opportunity for CapSDE Families

EXCITING NEWS! 15 HOST FAMILIES WANTED!

Did you know that CapSDE has our very own Sister School in Japan?
Last year CapSDE hosted a Japanese student exchange for the first time. This was a fantastic experience for both hosts and visiting students, with lifelong friendships formed. Great news, we have the privilege of hosting this exchange program again in 2025 and we are looking for families to volunteer to host our visitors once more.  

DETAILS

• Thursday 31 July - Wednesday 6 August (Week 3/4 of Term 3)
• 15 students (ages 14/15 years)
• 3 representatives from Oshu City Board of Education (these delegates will be hosted by our teaching staff)

Opportunities for Host Families (Please see attached itinerary for more details)

• Such a wonderful opportunity for you and your family to welcome, support and get to know these exchange students during their Australian trip.
• Host families will be invited to join with us for lunch at the Welcoming Ceremony at the Botanical Garden Tea Room (lunch  provided)
• ‘Buddy’ students in the host family are able to attend a day excursion with their exchange student.
• Saturday – Sunday, host families will be able to spend time with their Japanese student at their home.
• Host families will be invited to the Farewell Ceremony and tea before the students leave the next day (tea provided)

What you need to know:

• The student will require their own bedroom
  
• Provide meals during the 6 night stay (6 x breakfast, 5 x lunch, 5 x dinner)
• Being a host family is voluntary (no payment provided)
• Being a host family is such a rewarding experience. You will make contacts who will become friends for life.
• The students will be arriving into and departing from Rockhampton airport.
• Host families need to have a child (primary or secondary) enrolled with Cap SDE – they do not need to be currently studying Japanese.
• Itinerary will be provided in Term Two.

If you would like to put in an Expression of Interest to be a host family, please complete the attached form by April 4th.

For any further information, please contact Georgina Harch (49314855).

Additionally, please see documents below for more information regarding Oshu City and the Exchange Program. 

ANZAC Day - Dawn Service and March Rockhampton, Emerald and ANZAC Whole School Assembly

Anzac Day is fast approaching, and we would love as many of you as possible to join us in representing CapSDE at the Rockhampton or Emerald Anzac Day March or Dawn Service.

It would be great if through our participation, we highlight the importance of coming together to remember and honour the memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Please also see below the parent information letter that details location specific information for your area.

You will also find the RSVP link. Please complete this and let us know which of your students will be attending the ANZAC Day events in either Emerald or Rockhampton. 

Whole School Assembly

On Thursday 24^th April we will also be holding a whole school ANZAC Assembly, run by our Year 6 students.

Time: 2:30pm

Location: Whole School Cohort P – 12 in Qlearn.

What's happening in Primary?

Year 5 Emerald

Online Beginner Language Experience

Opportunity overview

The Beginner Language Experience program offers Queensland Year 4–6 state school students an exciting opportunity to learn a new language from the comfort of their own home.

Participants will connect with experienced university tutors in an engaging online environment, where they will enjoy a fun learning experience over 5 consecutive days. Through interactive lessons and hands-on activities, participants will develop their language skills while broadening their cultural horizons and developing global competence.

This program not only introduces participants to a new language and deepens their understanding of its associated culture, but also equips them with the knowledge, skills and cultural awareness needed to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

Languages on offer for the April 2025 school holidays include Japanese and Spanish. Languages on offer for the September 2025 school holidays will be confirmed at a later date.

Contact

Global Engagement
Department of Education International
Phone: (07) 3513 5737
Email: global.engagement@qed.qld.gov.au

Rockhampton Eisteddfod Choir

The CapSDE Rockhampton Eisteddfod Choir is looking for singers. We’ll prepare one song, and present it in front of other schools’ students, parents, teachers, and an adjudicator.

When: Monday or Tuesday of Term Two Mini-school. Date to be advised

Please e-mail khawl7@eq.edu.au if you are interested in your student participating. 

Who: Anyone in Prep - Year 6 who is enthusiastic and willing to be involved. Mrs Ward, Mr Scheuber and Ms Hawley will be helping students to prepare.

Where: Eisteddfod performance will be held at the Pilbeam Theatre – Victoria Parade & Cambridge Street, Rockhampton City, Qld 4700

What to wear: School uniform. Please contact the administration ladies if you don’t currently own a school uniform.

Year 5/6 Students STEM Challenge

Exciting STEM Opportunity for Year 5 & 6 Students – Science & Engineering Challenge!

Capricornia School of Distance Education is excited to invite our Year 5 and 6 students from Rockhampton and Emerald to participate in the Glencore Outback Exploratorium Science & Engineering Challenge!

📅 Date: Thursday, 8th May - 8:40am - 2:30pm
📍 Location: Emerald Showgrounds – Main Pavilion

This event gives students the chance to compete against other schools in fun, hands-on STEM challenges. They will work in teams to complete two of eight exciting science and engineering activities, designed to test creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Last year’s inaugural event in Emerald was a huge success, and we’re excited to be part of the event in 2025.

How to Register

If you would like your child to participate, please complete the following RSVP form by Wednesday, 26th March.

RSVP Link: https://capricorniasde.schoolzineplus.com/form/134 

Important Information

• A minimum number of students is required for a CapSDE team. If we don’t meet these numbers, students will be placed in teams with students from other small schools.
• This is a fantastic opportunity for students to engage in STEM learning in a dynamic and competitive environment.

We encourage interested families to reach out and secure a spot for this exciting day! 🚀🔬

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 Mini-school Survey - we want to hear from you!

Secondary Mini-school for Term One is complete and we would love to hear students feedback as to how it went. 

Students, please complete the survey below and let us know your thoughts!

HASS

CURRICULUM & ASSESSMENT UPDATES

Junior Hass subjects

Our HASS team has been hard at work preparing for the rollout of Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum. While full implementation for HASS subjects is scheduled for 2027, we have already begun introducing elements of the updated curriculum. Year 7 and 8 History, along with Year 7 Economics and Business, are the first subjects to transition to the new framework.

Year 7 Economics and Business students have produced some outstanding Entrepreneurial Investigation projects. Special congratulations to Sienna and Jazmine for their impressive work, showcased below.

Senior Hass subjects

HASS offers a diverse range of senior subjects. Our Year 11 students have started working with the new 2025 QCAA syllabuses, which has kept teachers busy developing fresh units and assessment tasks. Meanwhile, our Year 12 students have successfully completed their first summative assessments in General subjects.

We are incredibly proud of our students' hard work and dedication across all HASS subjects. Keep up the fantastic effort!

Guidance 'Go-2'

Wellbeing Barometer Survey 2025

As part of a longitudinal study, the Wellbeing Barometer survey will assist our school over time. It will help detect any changes that may occur and provide important information to our school regarding the nature and extent of community concerns.

Responses to all survey questions remain anonymous and are only reported on an aggregated basis. Please base responses on observations made over the last 12 months.

Should this survey raise any specific concerns you wish to discuss in relation to your child, please contact the appropriate Guidance Officer – Kate Miles (8, 10, 12) or Sharon Coyne (primary, 7, 9, 11).

Primary Survey

https://capricorniasde.eq.schooltv.me/wellbeing-barometer-2025-primary 

Secondary Survey

https://capricorniasde.eq.schooltv.me/wellbeing-barometer-2025-secondary 

Sourced by: https://schooltv.me/

Student and Business Connect

⭐ Local job opportunities and creating connections ⭐

If you live in Rockhampton QLD and surrounds, mark your calendar for the Student & Business Connect event hosted by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

📅 When: 25 March 2025, doors open at 5 PM

📍 Where: Rockhampton Leagues Club on Cambridge Street, Rockhampton

What to expect:
👉 Meet local businesses
👉 Meet young people looking for work
👉 Hear from a range of businesses about employment opportunities, including a panel discussion.

Whether you own a business and are on the lookout for new staff, about to finish school or a recent school leaver, a parent or you just want to see what’s out there in the Rockhampton job market… make sure you attend this FREE event!

📧 Want to find out more? Email: CentralQLD.RWTO@dewr.gov.au

What's on in your community?

Netball Queensland is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and increasing participation opportunities for individuals 14 and above with an intellectual impairment.

As part of NQ’s commitment to making netball accessible to all, we are excited to invite students to an upcoming Come & Try session for the Queensland Gems, our representative team for athletes with an intellectual impairment.

This session, held at Nissan Arena, provides a fantastic opportunity for students to develop their skills, build confidence, and experience the joy of netball in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Information can be found by clicking the link below or emailing Sarah Grant sarah.grant@netballq.org.au

Marie Little Shield - Netball Queensland

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