CapSDE - Week 10 31 March 2025 Newsletter

Principal's Pen

Hi everyone,

As we wrap up what has been a fantastic Term 1, I want to take a moment to reflect on our collective achievements and share some important updates for the start of Term 2.

Firstly, I want to express my appreciation for the dedication and commitment of our students, home tutors, staff, and wider school community. This term has been marked by student growth, collaboration, and a strong focus on enhancing learning outcomes for all.

A significant milestone this term has been the finalisation of our School Strategic Plan and Annual Implementation Plans. These documents outline our key priorities and directions for the coming years, ensuring that we continue to strive for excellence. For those interested, both plans will be available on our school website at the start of Term 2. This year, our primary focus remains on improving teaching, engagement, and learning, alongside a strong emphasis on Curriculum implementation to provide the best possible educational experience for our students.

As we move forward, it is important to continue embedding our school values of AIRRR – Accountability, Integrity, Respect, Resilience, and Relationships into everything we do. These values guide our actions, shape our school culture, and support our students in becoming responsible and confident learners and leaders. We encourage everyone to uphold and demonstrate these values in their daily interactions.

Looking ahead, I would like to inform you that I will be taking two weeks of leave in Weeks 1 and 2 of Term 2. During my absence, Georgina Harch will be Acting Principal, ensuring a seamless continuation of leadership and support across the school.

Thank you all for your contributions to an exceptional start to the year. I hope you enjoy a well-deserved break, and I look forward to an exciting and productive Term 2 ahead!

Warm regards,
Amanda Rynne

Data Day

Save the date - Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on Monday 12 May, Week 4 in Term Two.

Time: 3:10 - 5:10pm.

Keep an eye on the newsletter at the start of next term, as a booking link will become available for parents to begin scheduling their interviews. These interviews will be via Microsoft Teams. 

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.

Save The Date For Mini-school

What's happening in Primary?

Year 6

Year 6 students recently did an imaginative speed writing task! Check out the amazing student stories below. 

Rockhampton Eisteddfod Choir

If you haven’t yet expressed your interest in joining our Primary Choir, time is running out. Please notify Katrina Hawley of your interest in being involved in this wonderful opportunity.  You need to do this in order to be provided with access to the required MS Teams class for upcoming practice sessions which will commence in Term 2.

We are excited to kick off Term 2 with our Primary Choir rehearsals! Here are the key details you need to know:

📅 Rehearsal Schedule:
Choir will be held every Wednesday from 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM on the following dates:
✔️ 23 April
✔️ 30 April
✔️ 7 May
✔️ 14 May

📍 Where?
A dedicated P-6 Primary Choir and Eisteddfod channel has been created within the Primary Cohort 2025 Class on MS Teams. You can join the sessions via the MS Teams link here: Primary Cohort 2025 | P-6 Primary Choir and Eisteddfod | Microsoft Teams

🎵 Song for the Term: Living In The Jungle

🙏 A Huge Thank You!
A special thank you to Mary Ward for generously giving her time to lead these choir sessions. We appreciate her dedication to helping our students grow in their musical journey.

Resources have been added to this MS Teams class for student use. Eisteddfod details are yet to be released and we will provide you with further details once they have become available.

We can't wait to see our choir members for another fun and musical term! 🎤🎼

Secondary Scoop

eSports Gaming Club

Are you ready to level up? Our new eSports Gaming Club is launching in Term 2, and we want YOU to be part of the action! Whether you're a casual player or a competitive gamer, this is your chance to hone your skills, connect with like-minded students, and experience structured gameplay in a fun and supportive environment over an 8-week trial period.

No experience needed—just bring your passion for gaming!

Spots are limited, so register your interest now by emailing Mrs Schofield. Let’s game on!

VET Students Explore Industry at Manuplex

A huge thank you to Shaun and Shaun from Manuplex for organising and guiding our students on this incredible industry visit!

This morning, our VET students had the opportunity to go behind the scenes at Manuplex’s Rockhampton site, gaining firsthand insight into their diverse operations, including heavy fabrication, major structures, manufacturing, engineering, office management, quoting, and drafting.

Students were taken through daily operations from an employee’s perspective and had the chance to see current projects in action. After returning to school, they completed a site visit debrief, identifying potential WHS issues and discussing effective control measures to ensure workplace safety.

A big thank you to Mrs. Wheatley for organising the visit, and to Mrs. Hinchliffe & Miss Rowbotham for supporting our students on this valuable learning experience.

CapSDE’s industry visits provide real-world exposure, helping students connect their learning to future career pathways. We can’t wait for the next one!

Warm regards
Tiffany Wheatley, VET Coordinator

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Secondary Interim Reports

Secondary Interim Reports will be emailed on Monday, 28 April. 

Fly Day Term One 2025

Science

As we continue our exciting journey through science education at Capricornia School of Distance Education, we want to ensure that all students have access to the hands-on learning experiences they need. To support this, the school provides Science Resource Packs, which contain the essential materials required for home experiments.

To help us manage these valuable resources effectively, we kindly ask for your cooperation in the following areas:

1. Proper Storage and Handling
   These Science Resource Packs are a shared school resource. Please store them safely and securely when not in use. Ensure they are kept away from younger children and pets to prevent damage or accidental misuse. Home tutors and parents should oversee the use of these materials to maintain safety and ensure proper handling.
2. Cleaning and Returning Items
   Once the experiments are complete, all items must be thoroughly cleaned before returning them to the school. This helps maintain hygiene and ensures that future students can benefit from the resources in the best possible condition.
3. Using the Reply Paid Envelope
   To make returning the packs easy, we have included a Reply Paid envelope. Simply place all cleaned items back into the pack, seal it securely, and post it back to the school using the provided envelope. There is no need to pay for postage!

A huge shout-out to our amazing Teacher Aides, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to prepare these Science Resource Packs for mailing. Their dedication ensures that students receive the materials they need for hands-on learning, making a significant contribution to both families and the school. Thank you for your hard work and commitment!

Your cooperation ensures that all students continue to have access to high-quality scientific learning tools. Thank you for your support in maintaining these resources for the benefit of all.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Kind regards, Karen Knowles

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Guidance 'Go-2'

How Much Sleep Do I Need?

Sleep is a really important part of our life. It helps us to feel well, focused and happy. Most people experience a bad night’s sleep now and again, but if you regularly don’t get enough sleep, it can really affect how you feel and what you can get done during the day.

The fact sheet from Headspace available on the link below, offers information on the recommended guidelines for sleep and how important it is to good mental health. It also offers tips on how to get a good night’s sleep.

Sourced by: https://schooltv.me/

https://capricorniasde.eq.schooltv.me/newsletter-resource/6615/57

What's on in your community?

Inclusive Education Workshop

CRU’s Inclusive Education workshop for families is coming to Rockhampton.   

CRU’s ‘Families for Inclusive Education’ (FFIE) project is funded by the QLD Department of Education. 

This is the only workshop currently planned for the Central Queensland Region, so please encourage families who need to travel, to access the financial support available (see below).

We greatly appreciate your assistance in promoting our upcoming workshop to families and community members via your school newsletter and your school social media. Please scroll down for links and information, and find PDF and accessible word flyer attached.

Face-to-Face Workshop

Inclusion and Belonging at the Local School: The Parent Advocacy Toolkit 

Thursday 1^st May, 9.15am to 2.30pm

Rockhampton Leagues Club, Cnr George & Cambridge Streets, Rockhampton

For more information and to register for this fully-funded (free to families) workshop, please click here 

To view and share on FB, please click here.

This workshop is designed to give parents/carers of children with disability the information they need to feel informed about inclusive education for their child. It aims to equip family members with confidence to have conversations with their child’s current or prospective school, about the supports and adjustments their child needs for school inclusion.

Supported Attendance 

Please note that financial support is available to enable regional attendees to travel to our face-to-face workshops. This includes travel support (petrol/airfares) and accommodation. To apply families should contact educationproject@cru.org.au

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