Week 1, 7th October 2025 CapSDE Newsletter

Principal's Pen

Dear Home Tutors/Parents/Caregivers,

Welcome back to Term 4! I hope everyone enjoyed a well-deserved break and found time to rest, recharge, and spend quality moments with family and friends. As we return to school, I’m excited for the opportunities that this final term of the year brings.  This term is our opportunity to celebrate achievements, reflect on growth, and bring our collective efforts to a strong and positive close.

This term will be filled with many special events, celebrations, and opportunities to showcase the hard work and learning that has taken place throughout the year. I encourage everyone to approach the coming weeks with enthusiasm, commitment, and pride in all that we have accomplished together.

As always, our school values — Accountability, Integrity, Respect, Relationships, and Resilience — will continue to guide us in all we do. By living these values each day, we strengthen our community and create a supportive environment where every individual can thrive.

I’m looking forward to a wonderful Term 4 and to celebrating all the successes that lie ahead.

Kind regards,
Amanda Rynne

Book Your Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent Teacher Interviews for Prep to Year 12, will be held on Monday 20 October, Week 3 in Term Four.

Time: 3:10 - 5:10pm.

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

Bookings close Thursday 16th October, 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/hsybz 

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.

New Look QLearn Cohort Landing Pages

The landing pages for both our Primary and Secondary Cohort Pages in QLearn have been refreshed with a new look and layout.

Families can now easily access important information through the new tile design, which makes navigation simpler and faster. From the one page, you can now find:

• Staff Contacts

• School Newsletter

• Inclusion Support

• Documents and Links

Please note that Student Notices are still located at the top of the page. These remain an important part of daily communication, and students are encouraged to check them each day for updates and reminders.

These updates are designed to make it easier for families to stay connected and informed. A picture of the new look page has been included below so you know what to expect when you log in.

P & C General Meeting - 21st Oct - 3:30pm

Our next general meeting will be held on the 9th September at 3:30pm. 

Please find the TEAMS meeting information below:

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 442 107 292 502 7

Passcode: c3x4U6D4

Colour Run is back!

Last year's P&C Colour Run was a huge success on both campuses.  Lots of happy, colourful children and amazing prizes for fundraising efforts were handed out to all students that were involved.

This year, Monty's Colour & Slime Fun Run is back and better than ever! This will be held on both campuses once again during Term Four Mini-school.  

Rockhampton Campus

Date: Tuesday 18th November 2025

Time: 3:30 - 4:15pm

Emerald Campus

Date: Thursday 20th November 2025

Time: 3:30 - 4:15pm

Funds from the Colour Run will go towards subsidising

• 2026 School Camps,
• end of year awards,
• future school events and
• other ways in which our P&C support your students.

Last year we raised a total of $18 277.00! Let’s see if we can go better this year! After this year’s event "The Colour Run will take place every two years. We encourage you to participate this year and help raise vital funds in support of our students."

This is something that students can fundraise for, even if they aren’t able to attend the event and there are also plenty of really cool prizes to choose from for students that fundraise.

Along with the cool prizes students could WIN $20 000 CASH. Every $20 raised = 1 Entry into the draw. Winner will be announced in December 2025. Australian Fundraising want to give our fundraising efforts an extra boost and are offering the following bonus promotions.

• The class that creates the most profile pages within 7 days of the fundraiser start date will receive a Monty Scented Pencil.

• Each Student who raises over $100 will receive a Monty Handball

• The highest fundraising student in each year level will win a Mini Monty Speaker

• The highest fundraising student in the school will win a Monty Show bag

How Do We Fundraise?

Fundraising for our school is easy!

Step One: Simply go to www.myprofilepage.com.au and click the register button to create a cybersafe, online profile page.

Step Two: Once you’ve created a parent account and profile page, you can share that around to family and friends to receive online donations.

Please note that this is an online fundraiser only and all cash donations must be converted to an online donation
before 14th November 2025.

Students will be required to bring appropriate clothing for the Colour/Slime Run: 

• White or light-coloured shirt to make the colour pop!

• Old closed in shoes are recommended

• Spare clothes after the event

• Towel for your car (optional)

Each student will also receive a pair of sunglasses and a headband.
We look forward to seeing the students all bright and colourful on the day of our Monty’s Colour & Slime Fun Run.

LINK FOR FUNDRAISING BOOKLET
https://australianfundraising.com.au/flipbook/2025funrunform/ 

For further information, please contact Tanya Lindley via email csdepnc.president@gmail.com
Keep an eye on the newsletter each week next term for more details.

Kind regards, 

Tanya Lindley, P&C President

Last Year's Colour Run!

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 47

Next

Graduation Signature Kangaroos

As discussed in Tuesday's General Meeting, please see below for information about preorders for a Graduation Signature Keepsake available for preorder for Year 6 & Year 12 students.

To order:  Download the Flexischools app or visit www.flexischools.com.au and create/sign up for an account. 

Follow the prompts & type in Capricornia School of Distance Education when asked, then access the preorder service.  Pre-orders will CLOSE next Friday 19th September. 

Orders will be available to collect from either the Emerald or Rockhampton campus during Term 4 Mini school.  If you have any questions, please email: csdepnc.secretary@gmail.com

What's happening in Primary?

❌ CQ Sevens - Cancelled

Unfortunately, due to the lack of numbers we have withdrawn our registration for CQ Sevens Competition in Rockhampton. 

Primary Students Shine at Storyfest in Emerald

Last term, our Primary students had the exciting opportunity to participate in Storyfest in Emerald. The event was a celebration of reading, writing and creativity, bringing together students from across the region to engage with some of Australia’s most inspiring authors.

Our students thoroughly enjoyed the experience—listening to presentations, asking thoughtful questions, and learning about the writing process from those who bring stories to life. Meeting published authors gave them a unique insight into the world of storytelling and encouraged them to think about their own creative ideas.

The day was filled with laughter, inspiration and plenty of imagination, and our students came away with renewed enthusiasm for reading and writing. We are proud of the way they represented our school and grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a valuable learning experience.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 23

Next

Brisbane International Primary Schools Cup

Eight of our junior students recently travelled to Biloela to represent CapSDE in the Brisbane International Primary Schools Cup. Our teams competed in both the Green Ball and Orange Ball divisions.

The Green Ball team demonstrated excellent skill and teamwork during the morning doubles matches. Their impressive performance earned them a place in the semifinals, where they transitioned to singles play. Despite their best efforts, they faced tough competition and were ultimately outplayed by their opponents.

Our Orange Ball team participated in matches using modified court sizes and rules. They played the Fast 4 doubles format and gained valuable experience in scoring, serving, and court positioning. The students thoroughly enjoyed the day and are eager to highlight their improved skills in future competitions.

Student Reflections

“I enjoyed improving my skills and having fun playing against other schools. It was a great chance to build connections with students from the Emerald campus.”
— Joe.

“I enjoyed learning how to score a tennis match. It was a wonderful experience, and I highly recommend the competition to everyone next year. It was also a good chance to get to know some of the kids from Emerald.”
— Zac.

“We would like to thank Mrs Goodman and the school for allowing us the opportunity to participate in an event like this. We look forward to competing again next year.”
— Zac & Joe

“The tennis day was lots of fun. I enjoyed hitting a few balls and making it into the semifinals. It was great to catch up with my mates. Thank you, Mrs Goodman, for coming and helping us.”
— Luke.

Woolworths Cricket Blast Cup

Eleven of our junior students travelled to Rockhampton to represent CapSDE in the Rockhampton stage of the Primary Schools Blast Cup. Students played in three games during the day and enjoyed learning how to bowl, bat, and field in the modified cricket format. Representatives from Queensland Cricket were on hand to help students fine-tune their cricket skills and enthusiasm for the game. Big hitting was part of the day and many of our students showed their skills going for 4’s and 6’s. Luke Lindley demonstrated impressive fast bowling, while Zac McKee showcased excellent catching skills in the outfield. Special thanks to the Year 3 students who participated for the first time and displayed great batting, bowling, and enthusiasm in the field.

We extend our gratitude to Mr. Lennix Hicks for joining us on the day, helping to organise students into teams, and ensuring everyone was encouraging from the sidelines. We also thank all the parents who brought their children into town for the event and supported them from the grandstand. Congratulations to those students who backed up and played again in Emerald the following Monday.

Student Reflections

“I had fun participating in all 6 games in Rocky and Emerald. It was a great experience playing with my school mates and watching the kids that hadn't played before improving their game. Thank you to the teachers for organising this event. I look forward to playing again next year.”
— Zac

“I enjoyed playing cricket with kids from Emerald and Rocky. I got to play in 7 games across the two events. It was a great chance to catch up with friends while enjoying a game of cricket. Thanks to the teachers for organising and the parents for helping out”
— Joe

E-scooters and e-bikes

To ensure you and your child stay safe when using e-scooters or e-skateboards, please remember:

• Only those aged 16+ can ride e-scooters and e-skateboards unsupervised.

• Helmets must be worn with the straps properly fastened (bicycle or motorcycle helmets) and bells fitted for devices with handlebars.

• No passengers/doubling – only one person riding an e-scooter.

• Speed limit of 12km/h on footpaths and shared paths.

• Serious fines may apply to riders, and parents, if caught breaking the rules.

StreetSmartsQld features educational videos and other helpful safety tips for riding e-scooters and e-skateboards.

Secondary Leading Edge

Hello Hello!

I hope you all had a fantastic holiday! When I’m writing this, I’m not quite on break yet, but I’m definitely looking forward to it. My family doesn’t have big plans, but I’m excited to spend some time relaxing before the year kicks into end of year mode.

I know many of us are just ready for the school year to be done. This time of year, can feel stressful so here’s one piece of advice for you, laugh. Find joy in your everyday life. As I mentioned in the week 10 newsletter, my family and I are going through something right now, and the hardest part has been remembering how to laugh. But tonight, well the night I am writing it, I had my first full belly laugh in over a month. Not just a polite chuckle, but the kind of laugh that leaves you with tears in your eyes. Things are still tough, and my deadlines are still looming, but after laughing like that, I feel lighter.

When I was little, I used to wake up every morning with a big, goofy grin.

One day, my mum asked why I was always so happy in the mornings. Mini Me’s wise response was “I’m not always happy, sometimes I’m sad. But if I smile, you smile, then Rara and Meme (my sisters) smile, and then my smile becomes real.” I still try to live by that. Smiles and laughter are contagious. Even if you don’t feel happy, smiling can trick your brain into lifting your mood. I’m not saying you need to be happy all the time, you shouldn’t, but if you ever get stuck in a rut, you know one way to start climbing out.

That’s it from me for now, I won’t be back until week 6. Can’t wait to catch up with you then!

Talk to you all soon,

Alanah Rooney

Your School Captain and Wattle House Captain🦆

Secondary Scoop

Youth Parliament

Students aged 16-17 years in August 2026 should apply online before 21 November to participate in the National Youth Parliament which brings together 150 students, each representing one of Australia’s federal electorates, for an immersive five-day experience in Canberra free of charge.

It’s a unique opportunity for them to engage directly in our democracy and learn about parliamentary processes, including how bills are drafted, debated and passed into law. 

Report Cards

Secondary Interim Reports

Interim Report Cards for secondary students will be emailed on Tuesday 14 October.

Secondary Subject Selection

Current Year 8 and 9 students need to complete their 2026 subject selections in OneSchool.

Please see instructions below on how to complete your selections and also the Junior Secondary handbook which has information regarding subject options. If you have any questions regarding subjects, please contact the relevant Head of Department.

Year 9 Subject Selections

Subject Selections for 2026 Year 9 are now available in OneSchool.

Students are required to complete their subject selections for next year in OneSchool.

Due date: THURSDAY, September 18

👇Please see below instructions, on how to complete your subject selections in OneSchool.

There is also a link in OneSchool to the Junior Secondary Handbook should you need to refer to it.

Year 10 Subject Selections

Subject Selections for 2026 Year 10 are now available in OneSchool.

Students are required to complete their subject selections for next year in OneSchool.

Due date: THURSDAY, September 18.

👇Please see below instructions on how to complete your subject selections in OneSchool.

There is also a link in OneSchool to the Junior Secondary Handbook should you need to refer to it.

Take a look at Subject info!

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 23

Next

Guidance 'Go-2'

During week 5 of last term, I was lucky enough to have the privilege of being invited to immerse myself into both the school and local community of Palm Island. I learnt the history of the Island and of the Bwgcolman people (meaning ‘many people’).

Palm Island was gazetted as an Aboriginal reserve in 1914; representatives from over 40 tribes were displaced and sent to Palm Island for a variety of reasons.

The Palm Island Group is home to the traditional owners, the Manbarra people – (Mun-burra) and the indigenous Bwgcolman people and their descendants that were sent to the Palm Island mission from several communities around Queensland.

Palm Island, also known as Great Palm Island, or by the Aboriginal name Bwgcolman, is the largest of twelve tropical Islands in the Palm Island Group. The settlement is named variously Palm Island, the Mission, Palm Island Settlement or Palm Community.

The group of Islands is less than 20 kilometres from the nearest point on the mainland (Lucinda) and is 65 kilometres north of Townsville over sea. The Islands are serviced by a 20 minute plane ride or one-and-a-half-hour ferry ride from Townsville. I was lucky enough to experience both the ferry on the way to the island (seeing whales alongside the boat) and the plane ride off the island getting spoilt by the spectacular views of the Palm Island Cluster Islands flying back towards Townsville.

Palm Island consists of small bays, sandy beaches, fringing reefs, beautiful freshwater streams and steep forested mountains rising to the highest peak of 548 metres at Bentley Ridge. Other Islands in the chain, such as Orpheus and North Palm have globally renowned resorts and marine research stations. Situated in the great barrier Reef Marine Park, the surrounding reefs are as good as any on the outer reef, presenting wonderful fishing and diving opportunities and are used extensively by locals for hunting and gathering and other cultural purposes.

Palm Island is the largest discreet Indigenous community in Australia with approximately 4000 people residing on Palm Island.

In 1993, the school changed its name from Palm Island State School to better reflect the importance the community plays in their children’s education. Their motto '2 Way Strong' also reflects the importance of their students being able to participate in their education while remaining strong in Palm Island culture and maintaining their identity.

Bwgcolman Community School has approximately 320 students.  They have a heavy focus on literacy and numeracy development. and programs to boost attendance. They aim to help students maintain a strong cultural identity and recently have moved their learning approach to Project Base Learning which allows learning experiences to take place on the beach or in community. Recently the preppies were learning about special places! They discussed what they could see, hear and feel, and then talked about ways to care for the special places on Palm Island. They then had to finish with building some sandcastles before they walked back to school! So much fun!

Check out some of my cool photos I took while working with the students and their families on Palm Island.

Preppies during their beach lesson, local brumbies enjoying the sunset, local lookouts, the new gorgeous grounds at Bwgcolman Community School, Ferry, a local cultural event, Students at Bwgcolman Community School and the beautiful Palm Valley. 

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 9

Next

SchoolTV - Parenting Styles

SPECIAL REPORT: World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is marked every year on 10 October as a reminder of the importance of mental health to our overall wellbeing. It is a day that encourages families, schools, workplaces and communities across the globe to start conversations, reduce stigma and highlight the support available for those who may be struggling.

Mental health challenges can affect anyone: children, teens, and adults alike. Recognising this helps us create more compassionate and supportive environments.

Parents and caregivers play a central role in shaping the mental health of their children. World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to pause and reflect on the pressures young people face in today's world and how we can best support them. Whether it's helping children find balance between school, technology, and rest; encouraging open conversations about feelings; or modelling healthy coping strategies ourselves - small steps at home can make a big difference.

By engaging with resources and discussions on this day, families can strengthen their understanding of mental health and contribute to a culture where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness.

This Special Report highlights the importance of World Mental Health Day and offers practical suggestions for how your family can acknowledge and support it together.

Parentline: Support and advice for all Queensland parents and carers

Being a parent can be rewarding—but it can also be challenging. Whether you’re trying to support your child with school issues, friendship challenges, behaviour, or tough moments at home, it’s completely normal to feel unsure about what to do next.

Parentline is a free and confidential service available to all Queensland parents and carers. No problem is too big or too small—and reaching out early can make a real difference.

Parentline offers advice and support on a wide range of parenting topics, including:

• bullying and friendship issues

• parent–child relationships

• parenting strategies and behaviour management

• mental and emotional wellbeing—for both children and parents

You can speak with a trained professional by phone or webchat (6am-midnight), seven days a week.

An online bullying support forum is also available. This is a safe, moderated space to connect with others, ask questions, and share experiences.

📞 Call 1300 30 1300

💬 Visit parentline.com.au

Because parenting doesn’t come with a manual—but help is here when you need it.

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.

What's on in your community?

Sports Person of the year award 2025 - Nominations close 17th October

CapSDE annually acknowledges the sporting achievements of a Primary and Secondary Student, who has excelled throughout the year at the end of year awards.

The presentation of the Sports Person of the Year Award goes to the student who has accumulated the most amount of points throughout the year in their various sporting achievements. 

Parents are asked to advise the school throughout the year of the sporting achievements by completing this online form. Scores are based on events, the level of the event (district, regional, state, national etc) and the students placing within those events. You will need to complete the form for each individual achievement. Do not place all achievements on the one form.

On the 17th October, nominations will close and points will be collated. The winner will be announced at the end of year Awards Ceremony.

Information to note: 
* School sports are what counts for CapSDE Sportsperson of the year.  Students are recognised for their achievement in other non-school fields; however, these achievements are not part of the accumulation of points towards the CSDE Sportsperson of the year. 

* You should list the highest level that your student has represented in that sport, noting that the points are only entered if the student represented, and not if they were selected and did not attend. 

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