Week 1, 22nd April 2025 CapSDE Newsletter

Principal on leave

Principal's Pen

Welcome back to Term 2! I hope you have all had a relaxing Easter Holiday.
This term our students have opportunities to be involved in a diverse range of learning experiences, including,

ANZAC Day Ceremony online
Mayoral Student Leaders Summit in Emerald
The Readers Cup at Frenchville SS
Maths Team Challenge at Glenmore SHS and online
STEM Challenge in Emerald
Mini-School in Emerald and Rockhampton (Week 5)
Work Experience for Year 10 & 11 students (Week 5)
Athletics Day in Emerald (June 10)
Cluster Days in Week 10

Our school song reflects that “our school’s unique and just as good as any in the nation”, and looking at all these opportunities, I would have to agree. Thank you to all of our hardworking teachers who go above and beyond to ensure that our students don’t miss out on opportunities such as these. Please keep an eye out in the newsletter for further details.

I hope you all have a fantastic first week back.

Georgina Harch (Acting Principal)

Operational Update - Deputy Principal

Secondary Interim Reports

These will be emailed out next Monday, April 28.

Parent-Teacher Interviews

These are scheduled for Monday, May 12.

Homestay families wanted

We are urgently seeking volunteers to host a student from our Sister School in Oshu, Japan. Please see further below for details and the link to the EOI.

It is only for 6 nights and you don’t need to know Japanese. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students and families, but if we don’t have enough host families then we risk the exchange program folding. If you have been considering hosting, but have some questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me (gharc3@eq.edu.au 49314855).

Junior Secondary Curriculum

As with any other State School in Qld, CapSDE is guided by the Australian Curriculum and the K-12 CARF (curriculum, assessment and reporting framework).

https://education.qld.gov.au/curriculum/stages-of-schooling/k-12

These document direct what subjects our students in Secondary have to study. Please contact the relevant Secondary HOD if you have any questions regarding particular subjects.

Regards, Georgina Harch
Deputy Principal (School Operations and Languages)

Save the date - Parent Teacher Interviews

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

Time: 3:10 - 5:10pm.

These interviews will be 10-minute sessions via Teams.
Please see below booking links and instructions.

Bookings close Thursday 8th May, at which time the booking system will close.

HOW TO BOOK: 

Click on the following link or QR Code: https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/4yrps

1. Enter Your details

2. Select the teachers you wish to see

3. Select the appointment time that suits your family best. 

4. Parents who have booked interviews will be emailed a list of Teams Interview Links.

5. At the time of your interview, click on the link next to that specific teacher's name.

6. This will take you to the online lobby of the Teams session, where you can wait until the teacher admits you. 

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 newsletter (on the left), school app (Szapp) and QLearn Primary and Secondary cohorts.

Athletics Carnival

Tuesday 10th June will see our students in both Primary and Secondary converge on the oval at Marist College Emerald for our annual CapSDE Athletics Carnival in a sea of red and yellow.

Whether you are a Wattle or a Banksia supporter we would love for you to come along; participate and cheer for your team!  The Parents and Citizens will be putting on a BBQ.

If your child is wishing to participate in events at the Athletics Carnival, you will need to complete the nomination form below. These will need to be returned to:

Mr Murray Harch by no later than Monday 19th May. Email the completed nomination form to: mharc4@eq.edu.au. 

Age Champions will be awarded for ages 9 - 18 boys and girls.

Please RSVP your attendance for Athletics Carnival below

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: TEAMS LINK - Link below, emailed to students and families and on Primary and Secondary Announcements

Click the following link: ANZAC Online Ceremony

Save The Date For Mini-school

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. 

What's happening in Primary?

Year 6

Weekly Writing Focus (WWF) - Bringing Places to Life

Each week, our Year 6 students take on a Weekly Writing Focus (WWF) task, building their writing skills through different challenges. Last term, one of their tasks was to describe a special place at home, using noun groups and their five senses to create vivid imagery.

Here is a selection of writing pieces that successfully paint a picture for their readers, transporting us into the sights, sounds, and feelings of their favourite spaces. Enjoy their creative descriptions!

Luke

My large, green, luscious yard stretches out far and wide beside our brick and wooden house.  A large, poinciana tree with big rotten branches and green leaves provides shade for the rusted, tin dog kennel.   In the fenced yard my dogs are standing waiting for me to come and play with them.  Milly is a black and tan neo mastiff cross kelpie/blue heeler. Jess is a black and grey neo mastiff cross blue heeler/kelpie. I can hear the wind blowing through the giant poinciana tree and my dogs barking for my attention. On the other side of the dog kennel, I can see Mum's grey, nosey horse Beverley and my magnificent, black horse Nessie. My horse Nessie feels as smooth as a baby's bottom. I can smell the fresh horse poo coming off the light breeze. 

Soren

My room is a happy and safe environment, filled with all the things that I love and enjoy. When I walk in, I can see my Hogwarts flag, SpongeBob calendar, and bright glow in the dark stars on my wall. I have a huge, beautiful crystal and mineral collection in a wooden display cabinet with clear glass doors so that I can look at them whenever I want. Some of them remind me of my family and the special places we have found them in. I also have a vary assorted book collection, including the Harry Potter series, some Minecraft books, and a few Captain Underpants books. I have read almost all of them, and some of them I have read a few times over! Sometimes in the morning, I look out my window so I can watch my dogs happily playing or chasing birds around the yard. There is a large, cheeky white cockatoo living nearby who likes to tease them, swoop them, and make them run after it, barking loudly. When my mum is making her beautifully scented candles in the kitchen, the aromas fill my room with wonderful lasting smells that make me happy. In summer, my room feels hotter in the mornings as the rising sun beats down on my wall. The heat makes my air conditioner struggle to keep the room cool, so I am always up very early in the morning.

Lachlan

My horse paddocks are across the rail tracks and down a windy bitumen road past the bomb plant, no really, they make explosives there! When we pull up to the main gate to unlock the coded padlock the gravel crunches under the car tires.

Around the bend turning right we come upon our paddocks the fence is made with electric tape the power unit makes it ZAP!

Parking the care near the dusty well-worn path that we walk on we see horses cantering and kangaroos bounding away in fright! Long green swishy grass that keeps our horses from starving blows in the breeze. A bearded dragon with his rough scaled spine rests lazily on the branch of the large shady tree with butterfly wing shaped leaves.

Over in the corner the water trough filled with cold wet water is found under a strong sturdy shelter made with wood posts and shiny corrugated iron, that creaks and cracks like an old man's back in the heat of the bright hot sun.

Daily several coal trains laden with black coal, rumble past on their way to power stations and ports. Occasionally you'll see the spirit of the outback passenger train sleek and silver pass by.

Take a deep breath you smell the earth and horse poop!

In the afternoon, the big sawm of dung beetles come in to roll up the poo and spread it around.

Halle

The creamy, soft rug lays in the centre of the room with the shaggy, woollen bean bag crouching on top. Sunshine peeks through the white shutters upon the pink upholstered single-bed in the back-left corner of the space. An elegant, white translucent canopy with a halo of colourful paper flowers gushes down the edges of the bed frame. The scalloped shelves proudly stand below the cushioned, smooth pinboard decorated in pins and posters. Three built-in cupboards tower over the area like a skyscraper. A coral pink shelf stacked with my favourite nicknacks hangs above the keyboard that creates lovely melodies.

Emily

Early in the morning a brisk breeze blows over the hill side and birds start to sing sweet and annoying songs. Stepping outside the tall white front door two sides of life appear one contained with only grass, a small rocky driveway and a mailbox. On the other side a luscious green and yellow rainforest, containing a large deck with chairs and tables, where a thousand birds fly down from the sanctuary of our garden. As we walk out of the driveway a large hill is seen to climb and climb and climb then race back down, adrenaline pumps through your veins as you go speeding down the hill on wheels. Out of all of the people on our crt we have the most trees to take pride of. The taste of sea salt burning on my tastebuds.

Hudson

Our magnificent, brown gelding is a fierce warrior. His shiny coat feels like silk. He stands tall and proud in the green, grassy paddock that is surrounded by big, bushy trees. The trees whisper hauntingly, calling to Misfire as he grazes on the lush, green grass. Sometimes during the stillness of the breeze when night has fallen, I hear Misfire crying because he is being attacked by hordes of buzzing, annoying mosquitoes. The brilliant blue sky doesn't have any threatening big, grey rain clouds, so there is no smell of rain coming. I know that I will not taste raindrops for some time.

DANCE, DANCE, DANCE!! 

Last term, the Year 6 students were busy studying dances from different countries. The students were required to perform, choreograph and respond to dance using the theme of travelling around the world as stimulus. 

India

My choreography is based on the country India and Bollywood culture. The locomotor movements I used are sideways skip and diagonal walk. These fundamental movements show my country of choice because they go with the fast tempo of the music. Bollywood dances have a lot of fast, high-energy movements and lots of arm and hand movements.

By Halle Pedersen

Australia

My fundamental movements that I chose to represent my country of choice were based on a ‘rough, dusty, mustering background and a hard-working lifestyle that Australians can recognise.

By Billy Bell-Kaddatz



Spain

Spain has a rich, cultural history with vibrant traditions and I tried to bring these to life in my dance.

The music I used conveyed the spirit of Spain. The costumes reflected the bold, colourful designs of  Spain’s cultural heritage and to show the grace and strength of Spanish women.

By Lucy Geddes

Korea

I used the relationship between Korea and the ocean as inspiration for my dance. I chose calm, slow movements to demonstrate the movements of water, and the harmony between Korean people and the ocean.

By Soren Tait

India

The dynamics of high energy, strong force and a vibratory movement quality are used in my dance to represent Bollywood dance style. By dancing with high energy and with strong force I will be able to communicate excitement and happiness.

By Jesse Purcell

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! 🎤🎼

ICPA Sports Camp - registrations open on Tuesday 29th April, 9:00am

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 .

See link below for camp information. 

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

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

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!

FEAST

Future Experiences in Agriculture, Science, and Technology (FEAST) is a 4-day residential program designed to inspire high school students to pursue rewarding careers in the agriculture, animal, plant and food industries.

FEAST is open to students in Years 10, 11 and 12 and takes place annually in June/July at UQ Gatton.

Whilst the school is sending any staff members to this event, we are promoting this as an opportunity for families that may wish to organise their student to attend. 

As a participant in FEAST, you will:

• Experience university life and connect with other students who share similar interests.
• Explore various science disciplines through interactive activities and workshops.
• Meet UQ students and staff, and attend sessions hosted by industry professionals.
• Live in UQ’s Halls of Residence and engage in social and recreational activities.
• Gain insights into UQ’s science programs and study options.
• Learn about current global challenges facing scientists, such as climate change, biosecurity, food security, and wildlife conservation.

29 June – 2 July 2025
UQ Gatton
Years 10, 11 and 12

Spaces are limited, and due to high demand, students may only attend FEAST once.

Registrations close 28 April 2025. More information can be found on their website: https://science.uq.edu.au/event/feast 

Secondary Interim Reports

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

Guidance 'Go-2'

Yarning, Sharing Stories, Celebrating Culture

Important Information

The competition is open from today until 5.00 pm AEST on Friday 18 May 2025.

Yarning is a competition for students in years 7 to 12 with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage. If the participant is under the age of 18, they will need a completed Permission Form from a parent/guardian.

Mediums

Submissions can be made in any of the following formats:

• Text (400 words max.)
• Video (4 minutes max.)
• Photos (10 images max.)
• Audio (4 minutes max.)
• Art (1 two-dimensional work with a maximum size of 100 x 100cm)

Themes

Participants can choose from the following themes:

• Family and Community
• Country and Connection
• Identity and Culture
• Reconciliation

Still have questions?

There are several places you can find out more:

• The Yarning competition website

• Frequently asked questions

• Terms and conditions

• Send us an email

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