Week 3, 28th July 2025 CapSDE Newsletter

A Message from Oshu City

A Message from Oshu City
We are honoured to share a special video message from the Superintendent of Education from the Oshu City Board of Education. In this message, they extend their heartfelt thanks to Capricornia School of Distance Education for hosting The Oshu Student Exchange Program. The program is a valuable exchange and highlights the importance of building strong cultural connections between our communities.

Welcome to CapSDE!
CapSDE, in turn, are thrilled to welcome our friends from Oshu to our region. Principal Amanda Rynne recorded this special message to warmly welcome our Oshu guests to our school and to Australia. We hope they have a memorable and enjoyable exchange experience with us!

IT Support - Update on SDE Loan Devices

We would like to inform you about an important update regarding SDE Loan devices. If you currently have a SDE LOAN DEVICE – YOU WILL NEED TO BOOK IN TO GET IT UPDATED.

This is due to necessary Windows 11 updates.

We will be collecting all SDE devices during the mini-school period in Week 5 at our Emerald Campus (If you are attending Rockhampton you can email it.support@caprrocksde.eq.edu.au and organise either before Mini-School or after) and have them back to you the same day.

IT SUPPORT will be taking bookings from 8 am on Monday, August 11th to 5 pm Thursday, August 14th, 2025.

If you currently have an HP SDE Loan device, it will be swapped for a new Lenovo 13w device.

Week 5 Schedule: Term 3 Mini-School at EMERALD CAMPUS

• Emerald Campus: Monday 11^th – Thursday 14^th August 2025 – Please email it.support@caprrocksde.eq.edu.au to book.
• Rockhampton Campus: Contact it.support@caprrocksde.eq.edu.au for a suitable time and date

For all bookings, please email it.support@caprrocksde.eq.edu.au or call IT at 0498 232 677.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Regards
Shannon Dohl

Enrol Now for Prep 2026 - Interviews Week 5 at Rockhampton and Emerald Campus

Opportunity to Complete Prep Enrolment Interview and Forms During Term 3 Mini-School

Families are invited to learn what CapSDE has to offer your prep student, at a face-to-face interview on either Emerald or Rockhampton Campus.

During Term Three Mini-school, parents will have the option to:

• ask questions
• commence the enrolment process
• complete an enrolment interview
• submit enrolment forms

📅 What to Bring:

✅ A copy of your student’s birth certificate
✅ Proof of residence (only if applying as Geographically Isolated)

📍 Where: Rockhampton Campus
🕒 When: Monday 11^th and Tuesday 12^th August

📍 Where: Emerald Campus
🕒 When: Monday 11^th, Wednesday 13^th, Thursday 14^th or Friday 15^th August

If you have any questions or need assistance with the process, please contact enrolments@caprrocksde.eq.edu.au

P & C General Meeting - 5th August 3:30pm

Our next general meeting will be held on the 5th August at 3:30pm. 

There will also be a special meeting at 3:20pm to discuss proposed amendments to the constitution. All members welcome to this special meeting and voting will take place. 

Just Do One Thing!

Secondary Leading Edge

Hi my name is Brielle Murray and this week I will be writing a little get to know me.

I live on a cattle property in Central QLD, where I have lots of working dogs (border collies) to jack russells, miniature fox terriers and bull arabs (which are used for pigging). I also have multiple horses that I use for competing in campdrafts and mustering. My favourite animal would be a horse; however I do really love dogs and cattle as well.
Aside from riding horses I also enjoy pigging, photography, graphic designing, working with my dogs and cattle, and being with my family and friends.
Along with school I also work two jobs and study, one of the jobs being rural contracting and the other, as a trainee vet nurse.

I have been at CapSDE my whole schooling life (since prep). In this time, I have had some wonderful teachers, gained some beautiful friendships, built confidence, resilience and have been involved in my school community.
Our five school values are Respect, Resilience, Accountability, Integrity & Positive Relationships. These are the pillars of our school community that I have benefited and built character from. I hope you are able to benefit from these as well.

Thank you for your time.
School Vice Captain
Brielle Murray

School Opinion Survey

The suite of School Opinion Surveys is undertaken each year by the Department of Education to obtain opinions about our school from families, school staff and students in target year levels (5, 6, 8 and 11).

The surveys will help identify what we are doing well and understand where we can improve. The survey invitation was emailed last week and is titled School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2025. 

Each school family will receive one email invitation from the Department of Education to complete the Parent/Caregiver Survey.  The survey is anonymous, and the results are reported in ways that an individual’s response can be identified by the school.  Parents/Caregivers are encouraged to complete the survey. The survey can be completed via computers, tablets or smart phones with an internet connection.  

For Parents/Caregivers who do not have access to the internet school computers/tablets will be available. Parents/caregivers who experience difficulties accessing the survey can request a new survey from the School Opinion Survey team via email schoolopinionsurvey@qed.qld.gov.au . 

It’s important that as many parents/caregivers as possible complete the survey.

Can’t find your invitation? If your family has more than one parent/caregiver, check that they haven’t received the invitation and/or check your junk email folder. 

Premier's Reading Challenge

Prep to year 9 students are invited to join in the 2025 Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC).

The PRC is not a competition but a way to encourage students to develop a love of reading for life. Students are encouraged to select a range of fiction and non-fiction books suited to their reading ability and record books read during the reading period, from 6 May to 22 August. Enclosed is a reader record form to tally book read throughout the challenge.

To complete the challenge:

• Prep to Year 2 must read or experience at least 20 books
• Years 3 and 4 must read at least 20 books
• Years 5 to 9 must read at least 15 books.
• Send your completed Student Reader Record form to administration@caprrocksde.eq.edu.au by the 25 August 2025.

Experiencing books can include shared reading, listening to stories, or reading picture books. The aim for the 2025 challenge is to encourage students to make time to read. Last year saw more than 216,000 children from around the state participate.

Book suggestions are available on the PRC website:

https://prc.median.com.au/BookList

Every student who completes the challenge, and returns the completed record reader form, will receive a Certificate of Achievement. I look forward to seeing as many of our students as possible take part in the 2025 Premier’s Reading Challenge.

RBM Photo Competition

Win A Camera For The School

Students have the opportunity to win a Camera for the school, with the RBM Images of CQ 2025 Competition.

There is a different theme each week and students can enter as many photos as they like, with winners being announced each week for four weeks.

On the week of the Theme, the team at RBM will post all entries onto the Facebook page and Website for you to view.  We would like to encourage friends, family and the community to like, share and comment on their favourite image to grow community spirit.  

There will be a winning school awarded each week.  And the winning school will receive 2 Canon Digital Cameras. 

Photos get emailed to agric19@eq.edu.au and these will then be submitted on the students behalf.

The competition commenced yesterday and students are welcome to start sending entries in now!

ENTRIES FOR EACH WEEK CLOSE AT 12PM  FRIDAY

Conditions:

• Images are not to contain any faces, or offensive depictions
• Images of Adults need to have approval prior to submission
• Images are to be in Facebook accepted format: .jpg, .gif, and .png file types
• Submissions are to be given to the school and submitted here
• Submissions will be posted on RBM’s Facebook and Instagram feed so the community then has the chance to like or love any photo they appreciate
• All photos must be loaded by Friday Midday for selection by the panel
• RBM will then announce the winners by Saturday of each week
• Each week there will be a winner of 2 Canon digital Camera

Judging Criteria

• Is the theme the focus of the image
• Is the composition of the image of quality
• Is the subject in high definition
• Is the lighting of the image of quality
• Is the image clear and in focus
• What is the impact of the image?
• Does the composition, focus, focal length, tone and light of the image draw you to theme

On Friday of each week at Midday the images will be submitted to a panel for judging, the winner will then be selected by the team at the Canon.

The winning school will be announced on Saturday, on the original week post along with an additional post.  The winners and the photos from the week will be on the RBM Website.

What's happening in Primary?

Prep

Term 3 is off to a wonderful start in Prep! In English, we’ve been learning how to tell a story or recount something special about ourselves. Each day, students practise sharing a short recount with the class. We begin by introducing ourselves and naming our theme — this week’s theme is “Somewhere interesting I have been with my family.”

Students then share important details such as who was there, what happened, and how the experience made them feel. We finish our recounts by thanking our audience and inviting them to ask questions.

After each student shares, we reflect together using visual feedback signs to answer questions like:

• Did they give an introduction?

• Did they tell you who was involved?

• Did they tell you what happened?

• Did they tell you how it made them feel?

• Did they say or sign “thank you for listening”?

• Did they speak clearly?

• Did they ask for questions?

It’s a fun and supportive way to build speaking and listening skills, and our Prep students are becoming confident and thoughtful communicators.

In Maths, our focus has been on sharing equally. We’re learning how to solve simple sharing stories by identifying the key information: how many are in the collection, and how many groups we need to share between. Students are using hands-on materials like counters and blocks to divide collections equally, as well as drawing pictures on whiteboards to represent their thinking. It’s been great to see their confidence grow as they practise this important foundation skill.

Our Prep students continue to amaze us with their growth and enthusiasm — we’re so proud of the progress they’re making each day!

Prep

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Returning Resources

If you are attending Mini-school in Term Three, could you please return Primary Resources that were sent out in Term One and Term Two. 

Rockhampton Primary: Families can drop resources off at the Primary Buildings or directly to the administration office.

Emerald Primary: Resources can be dropped off in the mailroom. 

Western Sevens Competition

On Friday 1st August, we will be providing students with an opportunity to participate in the QRU Western Sevens under 10 and under 12 Primary Schools Competition. The Western 7s is the largest regional school Rugby Sevens tournament outside of the Southeast corner providing opportunities for junior players to enjoy this exciting, fun and fast-flowing game - and even pursue their Olympic and Commonwealth Games aspirations.

 Excursion details: 

• Qld Rugby Union Western Sevens Competition
• When: 1st August 2025
• Where: McIndoe Park, Opal Street, Emerald Q 4720 & Morton Park, Dundas Street, Emerald   Q   4720 – Venue and times to be advised once program is available.
• Students will be playing in an U10s and U12s mixed Rugby Union primary schools competition
• Inherent risk level of the excursion is high and students will be provided with instruction on correct techniques (e.g. safe play, first aid support). Qld Rugby Union Organisers have level 4 Smart Rugby accreditation.
• Private transport to and from the venue by parents is required.
• Students must wear enclosed sports shoes, hats and school jersey supplied as well as bring water bottle, sunscreen and lunch.
• Student Code of Conduct (for P-12 students only)
• Please bring sunscreen and water bottles 

If you wish for your child/student to participate in the event,
please complete the RSVP by Friday 25th July

A Noteworthy Effort in the 1500m

While the 1500m event is traditionally run by students aged 10 to 18 years, one of our younger students, Clancy (Year 3), chose to take on the challenge and run the course alongside the older competitors.

Although he wasn’t competing for a place, we admire Clancy’s enthusiasm and determination—qualities we value greatly in our school community. We’re excited to see what Clancy will achieve in future years when he’s eligible to compete. Well done, Clancy!

Secondary Scoop

Senior Study Hub - Years 10-12

We are excited to invite our Year 10–12 students to take part in our upcoming Senior Study Hub, held at the Rockhampton Campus from 12–14 August.

This initiative offers our senior students a valuable opportunity to come together on-site to strengthen both their academic progress and social connection. While students will continue attending their scheduled online classes, the Study Hub provides the added benefit of face-to-face support from staff and the chance to work and connect alongside their peers.

We know how important this stage of schooling is, and the Study Hub is part of our commitment to walk alongside students during this key phase in their learning journey. Whether it's seeking help with a subject, building study habits, or simply enjoying the company of fellow students, this experience is designed to support and uplift.

Location: L Block, Outstation and I Block – Rockhampton Campus
Dates: Tuesday 12 August to Thursday 14 August

What to Wear: students will be required to wear their school uniform including enclosed shoes.

What to Bring:

• Laptop & Charger (make sure your student know their log in details)
• Headset and mouse
• Mtea, Lunch

We strongly encourage our senior students to take advantage of this opportunity.

To register for this Study Hub, please complete the Registration Form below by Monday 4^th August.

Science

🧪 From the Science Faculty – Real Science, Real Homes 🏡🌿

At CapSDE, we believe that Science should be hands-on, engaging, and accessible—no matter where students are learning from.

Last term, our Year 10 students explored Chemical Reactions through a practical investigation using citric acid and bicarbonate of soda. From kitchen benches across Queensland, students investigated how factors like concentration and temperature influenced the rate of reaction, using fizzing chemical changes to draw conclusions that connected real life to core science concepts.

This term, our students are exploring one of two exciting science pathways:

🛰️ In the Physics unit, students are investigating force, motion, and acceleration using toy cars, balloon rockets, and falling objects in at-home experiments. They’re measuring how speed and movement change based on variables like mass or ramp height—bringing Newton’s laws to life right in their living rooms.

🌏 In the Climate Change unit, students are stepping into the role of climate detectives, searching for evidence of a changing planet. From rising sea levels and melting glaciers to shifts in weather patterns and animal behaviour, students are investigating the signs of climate change and asking: What does the evidence really tell us?

Across both units, our students are using inquiry skills to explore and question the world around them. From clever experiment setups to thought-provoking observations, we’ve seen incredible creativity and curiosity at work.

💡 A huge thank you to the parents and home tutors supporting students by helping gather materials, create safe testing spaces, and engage in meaningful science conversations. Your encouragement brings these learning experiences to life.

🔍 The Science Faculty – Learning through Inquiry, Everywhere

My QCE Competition

The myQCE competition is here! To help you #getacademic in 2025, QCAA are giving away a MacBook Air, an iPad Air with Magic Keyboard and a pair of AirPods Max headphones to three lucky winners, and you could be one of them!

This competition is open to Queensland high school students who are in Years 10 to 12 with access to the Student Portal.

The competition closes on Friday 19 September 2025. Click below to find out more information and to enter!

2026 Senior Shirts

If you have a student currently in Year 5 or Year 11, the first round of orders for 2026 Senior Shirts for Year 6 & Year 12 are now available for families to purchase on Qkr!

Please note: As orders are opening earlier than usual this year, we kindly ask parents to ensure they are ordering for students who will be in Year 6 or Year 12 in 2026. (This is not for current 2025 Year 6 or Year 12 students.)

Final orders for Round 1 will close on 2nd October 2025 This will ensure delivery to families before the end of the year.

The cost of the shirts:

• $39.00 – Sublimated Polos (Year 6, 2026 & Year 12, 2026) 

• $80 – Year 12 Senior Jerseys (Year 12 2026 only)

Payment Options:
Payments can be made via EFT at the Rockhampton office or through the QKR app.

🔗 QKR Link: Click here

Please ensure that you indicate in the notes section in Qkr! what name your student would like on the back of their shirt. If your student does not wish to have a name, please write 'no name' and the shirt will be printed with the standard '26' on the back. Nicknames are permissible; however, these will be vetted to ensure appropriateness. 

There will be a second round for these shirts available in January 2026 so that any new families will be able to place an order. The second round of orders will close in March 2026.

Guidance 'Go-2'

Additional Wellbeing Support Available for CapSDE Students

We’re pleased to share that Capricornia School of Distance Education has access to additional wellbeing support through the Department of Education’s Centralised Wellbeing Service. This includes Departmental Guidance Officers, Social Work and Psychology services.

CapSDE has access to three dedicated professionals who form part of this support team and outlines the roles they play in assisting students and families.

This service is a valuable addition to the wellbeing supports we can offer, especially in helping students navigate challenges and thrive in their learning.

CapSDE process for accessing support services; including Guidance Officers

Step 1: Speak to your teacher/Head of Department regarding any concerns

Step 2: Teacher/HOD will refer this information to the Equity Team or directly to the Guidance Officer

Step 3: During the Equity meeting, if school leadership in conjunction with the Guidance Officers decide it is falls within the brief of the Department’s Centralised Wellbeing Team, a referral will take place

Step 4: The Centralised Wellbeing Team will then be in contact with the family.

The support of your student at CapSDE is a primary concern.

CapSDE Guidance Officers:  Kate Miles - (Years 8, 10, 12) and Sharon Coyne - (Primary, Years 7, 9, 11)

SchoolTV

The next SchoolTV topic is now available - Sibling Relationships.

Sibling relationships play a significant role in shaping a child's social, emotional, and behavioural development, often influencing how they navigate peer relationships and school life. Educators may observe the impact of these dynamics in the classroom, especially when sibling rivalry, competition or conflict spills into the school environment.

Understanding and acknowledging the complexities of sibling relationships can help educators support students more effectively, particularly in areas like conflict resolution, self-esteem and emotional regulation.

By working in partnership with families and recognising each child's individuality, schools can play a valuable role in promoting positive sibling dynamics that contribute to student wellbeing and learning.

Here is the link: https://capricorniasde.eq.schooltv.me/newsletter/sibling-relationships-au 

Learn about teaching as a career

The Department of Education’s Teach Queensland team are hosting an online information session for senior students considering teaching as a career.

Learn about teaching as a career: Advice for high school students 

Wednesday 20 August | 12 pm to 1 pm

Online

This is a great online session for students who are interested in exploring teaching. 

Hosted by some inspiring Queensland state schools teachers, the session will discuss:

• the rewarding personal and professional opportunities of a teaching career

• the diverse types of teachers needed to support students of all ages and abilities

• the qualities needed to be a great teacher

• what to study at university to become a teacher in Queensland

• financial support available to help secondary school graduates commence a teaching degree.

Follow the link to register 

P & C Pie Drive

🥧 P&C Pie Drive – Raising Funds for 2026 Camps! 🥧

The P&C is excited to launch a Pie Drive to help raise funds for our 2026 school camps!

This is a delicious way to support a great cause — all money raised will go directly towards supporting students to attend camp experiences in 2026. Choose from a range of tasty pies that the whole family will enjoy!

Please note this is only available for those that can pick up their pies from the Rockhampton Campus during Term 3 Mini-school. 

Key Dates:

• Order forms and payment due: Thursday 1st August

• Pie pick-up: During Term 3 Mini-school at Rockhampton Campus

The Order Form is available via the link below, so get your orders in early.
All forms to be returned via email to csdepnc.secretary@gmail.com

Thank you for supporting our school community — and happy eating!

Employment, Apprenticeships & Traineeships

🔧💼 Employment, Apprenticeships & Traineeships

Looking to get started on your career while still at school—or right after graduation? Explore current apprenticeship, traineeship, and entry-level job opportunities across Central Queensland and beyond.

These roles are a great way to gain hands-on experience, earn while you learn, and take the first steps toward a meaningful career.

Check out the latest opportunities here:

SBT/A Vacancies QLD

Apprenticeships/Traineeships Jora - QLD

Apprenticeships/Traineeships Indeed QLD

https://www.apprenticeshipcentral.com.au/

https://www.megt.com.au

https://masnational.com.au/jobs-board/ 

https://www.seek.com.au/apprenticeship-jobs 

💡 Remember: Talk to your VET Coordinator or Senior School Head of Department if you need help finding a pathway that suits your interests.

QANTAS Engineering Apprenticeships 2026

We are pleased to share with you that QANTAS have opened applications for their 2026 engineering apprenticeship program. 

Please note:  These are FULL TIME roles commencing in 2026 (ie NOT school based)

Below are the links to application forms and further information.  If you have students that are interested please encourage them to apply:

• Mechanical, Avionics & Structures -  https://au.smrtr.io/8Cry
• Fabric - https://au.smrtr.io/8CrK  (responsible for the manufacture and repair of aircraft fabric, trimming and furnishings)

Applications close Saturday 10^th August 2025.

Virgin Maintenance Engineering Apprenticeship

Another fabulous Aircraft Maintenance apprenticeship opportunity is now open for application with Virgin Australia.  Please note these are Full Time roles commencing in 2026 (ie not school based).  Locations include Brisbane and Melbourne in Mechanical or Avionics roles. 

This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in starting a career in aircraft maintenance with an airline.  Applications close on 3^rd August 2025.

A comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found here.

What's on in your community?

Defence Work Experience Program

Upcoming Defence Work Experience Programs (DWEP) for terms three and four this year in our region are listed below. 

The Defence Work Experience Program (DWEP) is a national Youth Program that provides young Australians with an interest in a Defence career, the opportunity to gain exposure to a range of job roles available within Defence and the Australian Public Service. Defence work experience activities are designed to be hands on and interactive so that young people can make informed career decisions.

We are pleased to advise the following programs are now taking applications online:

Places are limited and students are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Please note that we do work alongside ADF units to bring students a valuable experience with serving personnel and therefore unforeseen changes to operational commitments may result in a placement being changes, postponed and/or cancelled at short notice.

Please visit the DWEP website to apply and ensure you monitor this site for updates on the programs. We are still working with some of our units to finalise programs, and these will be listed as soon as they are ready for applications. Please feel free to share this information within your networks to anyone interested in knowing more and if you have any questions regarding the work experience programs within the North Queensland region please email the NQLD Work Experience Program email address at nqld.workexperience@defence.gov.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