Week 6, 26 May 2025 CapSDE Newsletter

Athletics Carnival

A reminder that our 2025 Athletics Carnival is almost here!

📍 Event Details:

• 1500m Competition
  🗓 Monday 9 June | 🕒 3:30pm
  📌 Denison State School Oval

• Athletics Carnival (Main Event)
  🗓 Tuesday 10 June | 🕒 8:45am–3:00pm
  📌 Marist College Oval, Jeppesen Dr, Emerald

🔸 Primary Students – There will be no lessons on Tuesday 10 June.
🔸Secondary Students – For those not participating, tutorial-style consolidation lessons will be available on Tuesday. These will follow students’ regular timetables and no new content will be introduced.

📌 Important: Please notify the school of any absences as rolls will be marked.

We look forward to a fun and energetic day celebrating student participation and school spirit. 🏆

P&C Day – Celebrating Our Volunteers

Last week, as part of National Volunteers Week, we celebrated the incredible efforts of our P&C members and volunteers with special Morning Teas at both our Emerald and Rockhampton campuses.

These events were a small gesture of thanks for the big difference our volunteers make — supporting our school, raising funds, and helping create amazing opportunities for our students.

Thank you to all who joined us today, and a special shoutout to those who give their time and heart to volunteering on both campuses within our CapSDE community.

A huge thank you to Tanya, Suzie, Ange, Bonnie and Dianne our executive committee members, you are appreciated!Thinking about joining the best P&C? We’d love to have you, contact the school office!

2025 Spaghetti Bridge Building Competition - open to Years 5 - 12.

We are entering into the 2025 Spaghetti Bridge Building Competition, where we are simply taking a packet of spaghetti and turning it into a bridge structure that supports the weight, and then we're finding out what bridge structure can hold the maximum weight. It's a great competition where you'll learn some STEM skills in terms of design concepts and engineering.

Win up to $700 prize money participating in the 2025 Spaghetti Bridge Building Competition! Watch the video below to learn more, or chat to Mr Bruggeman.

Student Spotlight - Ella

Year 11 student Ella, competed at the recent dance Eisteddfod where she achieved some amazing results —

• 3x 1st place,
• 1x 2nd place, and
• 1x 4th place!

Ella is also incredibly passionate about our school and all that it stands for. With a strong sense of school pride and a drive to make a difference, she’s looking ahead to future leadership opportunities in 2026.

Ella said she would like to "give back to a place that's given me so much"We’re so proud of her achievements and commitment — well done!

Future Pathways Forum - Save The Date

Watch the highlights from last year’s incredible event below!
The Future Pathways Forum returns in 2025, building on the success of the inaugural Capricornia Secondary Schools Industry Breakfast. Originally the brainchild of Desolee Cowley, Deputy Principal at Capricornia School of Distance Education, the event was created to strengthen employment pathways for Rockhampton high school students by fostering meaningful connections between education and industry.

This year’s forum continues that vision with a fresh name and an ongoing commitment to innovation. The CSSIB working group will share updates on its progress with industry over the past 12 months, while business and industry attendees will gain valuable access to leaders in the education and skills sectors.

While students are welcome and encouraged to attend, the event’s primary focus is on connecting education and industry professionals to shape future opportunities.

🗓 Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, 16 July 2025
Time: 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Venue: Rockhampton Leagues Club

Don’t miss this chance to be part of a growing initiative transforming career pathways for young people in our region.

Beware The Buzz

Ai Character Bot programs have been in the media lately, programs that allow a user to engage in a realistic online relationship with a computer generated program. These programs have already caused concern for parents and carers as it relates to their children with one mother taking a company to court over the suicide of her son.

The founder of Internet Safe Education Brett Lee recently conducted a webinar about one of these programs called PolyBuzz. In the webinar, Brett outlines what these programs are and everything we need to know as a parent or carer to protect our children from potential issues surrounding them.

We have been invited to share the link to this webinar with our school community as many parents may not understand the seriousness of this new technology. Click on the link below to watch the webinar.

Digital Media Literacy and Safety

Due to your school’s ongoing commitment to supporting youth wellbeing through its partnership with SchoolTV, we would like to invite parents, carers, grandparents, educators and school leaders to attend an exclusive webinar supporting primary and secondary students.

WEBINAR: Digital Media Literacy & Safety (Part II)
DATE: Tuesday, 17 June 2025
TIME: 7:30 pm

Join us for an exclusive session with two of Australia's leading experts in youth wellbeing and cybersafety, Susan McLean and Dr Michael Carr-Gregg. They will share invaluable insights on how to empower young people to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.

Topics in this webinar include:
•    Artificial Intelligence
•    Misinformation & Algorithms
•    Sexting and Sextortion
•    Online Grooming

**** IMPORTANT ****
Please note, this webinar is a one-off event and will not be available to replay later.

Participants must register prior to the commencement of the webinar to gain access. 

Alternatively, you may click on the link below to register for the webinar.
http://capricorniasde.eq.schooltv.me/webinar/qld-digital-media-literacy-safety-part-2  

We look forward to having you join us for this insightful and engaging session.
From the SchoolTV Team

Upcoming Events - Impacts on lessons

Athletics Day 2025, Tuesday June 10 – Important Information for Families

Athletics Day in 2025 will be held in Emerald on Tuesday June 10. All students from Prep to Year 12 have been invited to nominate and attend this event. We strongly encourage as many students as possible to participate and represent our school; however, we understand that attendance may not be possible for everyone.

Please note the following arrangements for the day:

• Primary School: All lessons for Primary students from both the Rockhampton and Emerald campuses will be cancelled for the day.
• Secondary School: While there will likely be lower attendance from our Secondary cohort, tutorial-style sessions will still be held. These sessions will focus on consolidating current learning and offering additional academic support. No new content will be introduced, ensuring that students who attend Athletics Day are not disadvantaged.

We look forward to a fantastic day celebrating student participation and school spirit.

Show Holidays - Staffing and Lesson Impacts

Students are encouraged to observe the Show Holiday in their own locality. Please note that this may differ from the scheduled Emerald and Rockhampton Show Holidays.

If your student attends on a day that coincides with a staff member’s local Show Holiday, lessons with that teacher will not occur. All other lessons will proceed as normal.

Emerald Show Holiday – Wednesday, 4th June

All Emerald staff, administration, and leadership based at the Emerald Campus will observe the Emerald Show Holiday on Wednesday, 4th June. As a result, the Emerald Campus will be closed.  

The following Emerald Primary staff will not be delivering lessons on this date:

• Michelle Jensen
• Melinda Shepherd
• Meredith Smith
• Kristie McEwan
• Christine Rapmund
• Kathryn Rix
• Courtney Hawkins
• Kim Cheal
• Yvonne Hodgson
• Kellie Dobson
• Elizabeth Insch
• Meredith Smith

Rockhampton Show Holiday – Thursday, 12th June
Secondary Department

All Rockhampton Primary and Secondary staff, administration, and leadership based at the Rockhampton Campus will observe the Rockhampton Show Holiday on Thursday, 12th June. As a result, the Rockhampton Campus will be closed, and no lessons will be held for Secondary students on that day.

In addition, the following Rockhampton Primary staff will not be delivering lessons on this date:

• Sheree Campbell
• Amelia Borg
• Jo Long
• Michelle Gettinby
• Jo Grace
• Paula Goodman
• Tegan Kime
• Gabby Keenan
• Sheridan McIntyre
• Nikki Wex
• Megan Pedler
• Tamara Elgowhary
• Douglas Rutherford
• Natalie Wilkes

Cluster Days – Week 10 (25–26 June 2025)

Our 2025 Cluster Days will take place in Week 10, on Wednesday 25 June and Thursday 26 June. These special days are designed to bring students together in locations where there is a higher concentration of students, providing a valuable opportunity for face-to-face learning and connection.

Clusters comprise of engaging, hands-on activities delivered by teachers. The Cluster Day program is designed to be fun, collaborative, and enriching—supporting both social and academic development.

For students who do not attend the Cluster Days, an online program will continue. Attendance is still expected on these days, and students who are not participating in Cluster activities will be required to engage in the online learning provided.  Rolls will be marked.

We look forward to connecting with many of our students in person and making these days both enjoyable and impactful.

What's happening in Primary?

Year Three

"Our Year 3 students have been exploring the fascinating world of shadows in Science! These photos capture them investigating how shadows change shape and direction throughout the day. A hands-on way to bring their learning to life!"

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Cross Country Champions in Action!

Recently, Jesse and Brydee represented our school at the South West Regional Cross Country Trials in Chinchilla. Brydee ran a strong 2km race, placing 13th out of 32 competitors, while Jesse tackled the 3km course and finished 14th out of 22.

Well done to both students for their fantastic effort and determination!

Scholastic Book Club - Issue 4 Out Now!

Book Club provides families with an affordable and convenient way to access the best in Australian and international children's literature. As well as bridging the important class-to-home reading gap, Book Club also benefits Australian schools—for every Book Club order placed, Scholastic gives back 15% of the order spend to schools to spend on valuable educational resources via its Scholastic Rewards program.

Secondary Scoop

Disco Fever with an Athletic Twist!

Last Thursday evening, Prep to Year 12 students hit the dance floor at our whole school disco in Rockhampton—and what a night it was!

With an athletics theme, there were tracksuits, medals, and even a bobsled team!

A huge shoutout to the winners of best costume: the Cool Runnings bobsled team—your creativity was a hit!

Thank you to our amazing P&C for running the snack stall and keeping everyone fuelled for the fun, and to the students and parents who volunteered their time to help out—you made the night even more special.

And of course, a massive thanks to all the teachers who came along to support, and especially to Desolee Cowley for her vision, energy, and commitment to creating memorable experiences like this for our students.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 35

Next

Real-World Learning: Week 5 Work Experience Highlights

During Week 5, several of our secondary students took part in Work Experience, gaining valuable insight into life beyond the classroom and exploring future career pathways.

Addison Thomas – Batchfire Resources, Biloela
Addison spent her week at Batchfire Resources in Biloela, where she embraced the opportunity to get hands-on with heavy machinery and learn from experienced professionals in the field.

Addison shared:
“I really enjoyed my work experience in Week 5. I got to experience lots of different things, doing multiple services on different trucks, breaking down a truck, and removing hoses, pipes and engine oil filters. I also had the chance to go on an up-close tour of the mine itself and see where the coal comes from. Overall, it was a great opportunity to learn new things and be part of a supportive team. I’m grateful for the experience and everything I learned.”

Well done, Addison, on representing our school so positively and making the most of this valuable experience!

Stella Wailes – ARB Capalaba
Stella spent her week with the team at ARB Capalaba, gaining practical experience in the automotive industry. She made the most of every opportunity, approaching each task with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

Her outstanding attitude didn’t go unnoticed. Her supervisor shared this glowing feedback:
“For a young lady, Stella grabbed this opportunity with both hands and was an absolute pleasure to work with. She was punctual, had a driven attitude, and never turned away from any task asked of her. The team appreciated her so much that we came together to thank her with some cupcakes on her last day!”

Stella shared:

My Work experience took place at the ARB 4x4 accessory’s Capalaba, I worked on a variety of different 4WD’s through-out the week, learning how the accessories on the car work, while replacing and fixing them. I had a lot of fun and really enjoyed my work experience; it was a great opportunity for me to learn news things and step out of my comfort zone. And I am very grateful for the opportunity and support that I got from the ARB family. This experience has helped me to build my confidence, and I hope my experience inspires someone else to take the leap into the many opportunities that life offers.  

A big congratulations to Stella for representing our school community so positively and making such a strong impression.

Future pilots in action!

Our Cert III Aviation students took to the skies  week during their Term 2 flight training session in Rockhampton — and what an experience it was!

From pre-flight checks to hands-on flying, these students are gaining real-world skills and confidence with every takeoff.

We're proud to support their journey toward aviation careers, and it's inspiring to see their dedication in action.

Year 10 Aerospace & Engineering Taster Elective

If you're curious about how things fly, how systems work together, and how to solve real-world problems using innovative technologies, then our Semester 2 Year 10 elective is for you!

Designed as a taster for the senior Aerospace Systems and Engineering subjects, this course introduces you to the fundamentals of aeronautics, aerospace operations, engineering principles, and systems thinking. You’ll investigate how technologies are developed and applied to solve complex, open-ended problems, just like professionals in the aerospace and engineering industries.

Through engaging, hands-on learning, you'll develop critical and creative thinking, teamwork, communication, and ICT skills that are essential for success in any future pathway. Whether you're interested in drones, aircraft, design, or sustainable solutions, this subject will challenge and inspire you while preparing you for the exciting opportunities available in senior STEM subjects and beyond.

Congratulations to Group 2 – Zoo Transformation Winners!

A huge shoutout to Group 2 – “Snap Squad” for their winning presentation on transforming the Rockhampton Zoo and Botanical Gardens into a space where teenagers want to visit, explore, learn, and return to again and again! Your innovative ideas and confident delivery were outstanding — well done!

Each member of Group 2 has earned 30 points towards their Capri Connect class totals!

Second place went to Group 8, Bounce Force. You have each earned 20 points to your capri connect classes, and finally third place was a tie between Group 1 – Cheeky Chimps, Group 3 – Feathered Fury and Group 6 – Scaly Swagger. You will each add 10 points to your Capri Connect class totals.

We also want to congratulate all student teams who participated in the Mini-school challenge. The ideas presented were exciting, creative, and truly inspiring! Students demonstrated excellent collaboration and communication — both online and face-to-face — while applying their critical and creative thinking, ethical understanding, and technology skills. These presentations are a clear example of students engaging deeply with the General Capabilities outlined in Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum. What an incredible showcase of talent, teamwork, and future-focused thinking!

Councillor Marika Taylor, who visited our school to hear the presentations on Friday had this to say:

“How inspiring to see the effort that was made by the students at the Capricorn School of Distance Education with their recent Ultimate Teen Taker Zoo presentations.

All 8 groups showed positive enthusiasm, great ideas and gave myself and the audience a fantastic perspective on what they felt would benefit our beautiful Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Certainly a few ideas to pass on to Rockhampton Regional Council team.

Never know, in the future we might see a zip line or high ropes experience, scavenger hunt or a tree house on the master plan.

Thank you for inviting me along.”

Capri Connect Points Update - Leaderboard

Here’s how all classes are tracking so far this term. Remember — points can be earned through positive behaviour, class effort, great attendance, using your camera and microphone, and respectful communication.

Current Class Standings (Highest to Lowest):

1. CCO091D – 280 points
2. CCO091A – 250 points
3. CCO081E – 250 points
4. CCO091B – 240 points
5. CES101G – 210 points
6. CCO091F – 210 points
7. CCO071B – 200 points
8. CCO071C – 170 points
9. CCO071A – 170 points
10. CES101A – 170 points
11. CCO081C – 170 points
12. CCO091C – 170 points
13. CES101E – 160 points
14. CES101D – 140 points
15. CCO111E – 130 points
16. CCO081F – 130 points
17. CCO091E – 120 points
18. CCO111D – 100 points
19. CCO081D – 90 points
20. CCO081A – 80 points
21. CES101B – 70 points
22. CES101C – 60 points
23. CCO111C – 50 points
24. CCO081B – 50 points
25. CCO121A – 40 points
26. CCO121E – 40 points
27. CCO111A – 30 points
28. CCO111F – 30 points
29. CCO121D – 30 points
30. CCO121C – 20 points
31. CCO121B – 10 points
32. CCO111B – 0 points

Keep Earning Those Points!
There are so many ways to be recognised — logging in regularly, showing your best effort, helping classmates, staying engaged in lessons, and communicating positively. Every point makes a difference, and it’s still anyone’s game!

Let’s finish the term strong — who will climb to the top next?

Years 5 - 10 Maths Team Challenges

Maths Teams Challenge

Students from Years 6–10 recently participated in the QAMT Maths Teams Challenge, demonstrating great teamwork and problem-solving skills. They approached the event with enthusiasm and represented our school proudly. We’re proud to offer engaging opportunities like this and congratulate all students on their efforts.

A big thank you to Mrs Gordon, Mrs Pedler, Mrs Hunt and Mrs Douglas for their support in making this possible.

Congratulations to:
Year 5 & 6
Billy, Halle, Ivy, Kodie-Ann and Jenna

Year 7 & 8
Joel, Payton, Ryan, Lachlan and George

Year 9 & 10
Imogen, Rachel, Rosalie, Maya, Addison, Selena, Rory and Kayla

Years 7-9 Maths Pathways

Want to know how your student is progressing in mathematics? Log in to your child’s account and select the Test Results or Learning Profile options.

The Test Results section displays a table showing growth, modules and question results from each cycle test.

The test results will show a table listing the growth, modules and questions results from cycle tests.

Please note: While your student may be showing strong progress with high percentages and growth, this does not indicate the year-level mathematics they are working on, and therefore does not reflect the A–E grade they will receive. For more information, please contact your student’s teacher.

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 six). These are short, five-minute exercises that help us assess whether students are understanding the current topic. These modules are completed online.

Students are also generally expected to complete a minimum of five blue Differentiated Mastery modules. These take around 30 minutes each and include an Entrance Ticket to assess the student's current understanding, and an Exit Ticket to confirm understanding before the topic is included in the cycle test. These modules are completed in the students’ workbooks. Samples of the workbook should be scanned and sent to the class teacher.

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

Astronomy Night Shines Bright!

Our recent Astronomy Night with Mr. John McGrath was a stellar success! Students and their families gathered with great enthusiasm to explore the wonders of the night sky. We learned about constellations, the origins of the zodiac, and built a scale model of the solar system using different-sized balls, students and our helpful parents became the asteroid belt and the Kuiper Belt. Highlights included spotting Orion’s Belt, the Wishing Well, and the stunning Jewellery Box cluster. A huge thank you to Mr. McGrath and our curious students for making the evening both educational and unforgettable!

EsportsAble Academy

Where can I find more information about EsportsAble? 

• Website: esportsable.net.au
• Info sessions held every Thursday 5 PM: https://shorturl.at/igL0u 

Guidance 'Go-2'

Parent Wellbeing Survey

Dear CapSDE Families,

We’re inviting all parents and carers to take a few moments to complete our Parent Wellbeing Survey, developed in partnership with SchoolTV.

This survey is a valuable tool that will help us:

• Identify the key wellbeing concerns of our parent community

• Shape relevant content for Capri Connect lessons

• Inform our Guidance Officers’ support strategies

• Compare our school data with broader state trends

• Understand any external or environmental factors impacting students

• Tailor Mini School sessions, Home Tutor events, and curriculum planning to meet real needs

At this stage, we haven’t received any responses, so your participation is crucial. The feedback we receive will guide our efforts in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of students across both the primary and secondary cohorts.

Please take a few minutes to watch this short video ( https://capricorniasde.eq.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-wellbeing-barometer-2025-au ) explaining the purpose of the survey and how your input helps.

Parent Survey Links:

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

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

These surveys are intended for parents and carers only (not students). All responses are anonymous.

Thank you in advance for helping us better understand and support our CapSDE students.

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