CSDE Weekly eNewsletter, Week 10, Term Four 2023
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Farewell for 2023
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Key Dates - 2024
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Principal's Pen
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2024 Booklists
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Uniform orders
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What's happening in Primary?
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Year 4 'Dads and Students' Camp - Save the Date
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Swimming Carnival - Go the mighty Banksia!
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Primary Awards
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Secondary Scoop
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HASS
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Mobile Phones - 2024
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Guidance 'Go-2'
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Community Information
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We welcome your feedback
Farewell for 2023
Key Dates - 2024
Our Key dates are available below for families looking to plan for 2024.
Whilst we don't anticipate changes, we are aware that due to unforeseen circumstances at times changes are unavoidable.
Principal's Pen
Dear Capricornia School of Distance Education Community,
As we enter the final stretch of the school year for our Prep to Year 9 students, I reflect on the journey undertaken. This year has been a testament to hard work, shared victories, and the undeniable grit of our Capricornia School of Distance Education school community.
To our students, home tutors, parents, extended families and staff, your commitment has been the driving force behind the successes we've witnessed this year, and I want to convey my heartfelt gratitude for shaping the unique identity of our school.
To those bidding farewell to our school, I extend my best wishes for the adventures that lie ahead. You'll be missed, but the impact you've had on our community will endure.
As the holiday season approaches, take a well-deserved break and enjoy some downtime. Whether you're jet-setting or enjoying a staycation, make the most of this time.
Looking ahead, our plans for 2024 will be communicated before the year concludes.
We kick off the new year with online induction days on January 22 and 23, 2024 and for those able to join us face-to-face, induction days will take place on January 24 and 25, 2024. Online lessons for all students will commence on January 29, 2024.
In closing, I wish each and every one of you a restful and enjoyable holiday season. May it be filled with moments of joy, reflection, and connection with loved ones. Here's to a well-deserved break and an exciting start to the 2024 school year.
Amanda Rynne, Principal
2024 Booklists
In the 'Forms & Documents' content holder on the left-hand side column in the newsletter, you will find the 2024 Booklists.
CSDE understands the difficulty some families face when trying to purchase booklist items, whilst living remotely, or difficulty accessing stores. As a result we now offer families the opportunity to purchase their booklist items through Campion online. Campion has the complete list of all items on CSDE book lists available, with delivery before the start of school.
Ensure you enter the school code when ordering through Campion, 96V8
Using Campion for your back to school supplies is not compulsory, however this convenient option is available to families who may like to utilise the service. Families can choose what they would like to purchase out of the booklists, so if you have left over items from the year before, you can choose not to add them to your cart for 2024 items.
Instructions are below for those that are interested.
When ordering through Campion you will be required to enter the CSDE code: 96V8
Uniform orders
Looking forward to 2024, we would like to advise that the purchase of school uniforms via Qkr! will be unavailable over the school holidays.
The Qkr! app will re-open for families on Monday 15th January 2024.
If you would like to place any orders before 2024, these will need to be completed before Thursday this week; 7th November, 5:00pm.
What's happening in Primary?
The Primary Department would like to wish all Year Six students the very best of luck in their endeavours next year. Whatever challenges lie ahead, we hope you enjoy them, and all the exciting opportunities that the future holds. As Billy, Lachlan, Eliza, and Josie explained so eloquently at last week’s Awards Night, think of your time in the Primary Department as one of many stops on the hopefully very long highway of your lives.
Stay safe, be good to each other and to your families, and continue to work hard.
From all of the Primary Teachers.
Year 4 'Dads and Students' Camp - Save the Date
The Year 4 'Dads and Students' Camp (or significant male role model) will be held on the 19th - 23rd
February 2024 at Cooee Bay Yeppoon. Pop the dates in your calendar! More information will be out to families shortly.
Swimming Carnival - Go the mighty Banksia!
Primary Swimming Carnival
The Primary Swimming Carnival was held yesterday in Rockhampton. The soggy weather did not hamper the efforts of our Banksia and Wattle battlers! Wattle (458 points), took out the House Spirit awards and Banksia were the overall champions on the day with 552 points ! Thank you to all the parents and spectators that braved the wet weather to cheer on our students.
Teacher vs Student Relay
The Student Teacher relay was as competitive as ever at the swimming carnival yesterday. Students put in a valiant effort for the coveted title, however the teachers showed that they are not just aces in the classroom, coming home for the trophy!Miss Grace accepted the award from Mr Harch on behalf of her fellow swimmers last night at our Primary Awards night.
AGE CHAMPIONS
Our Swimming Age Champions were awarded their medallions at the Awards night. Congratulations to all our students, putting in their best efforts!
Primary Awards
Congratulations to our Year 6 Graduating Class, who received their Graduation Certificates last night at the Primary Awards night.We wish you all the best as your days at Primary School come to an end and you start the new adventure; High School! Our Secondary Teachers will be honoured to have such a great group of students in their classes next year.The efforts of students across year levels 4 - 6 were acknowledged with the presentation of Academic and Encouragement awards. Sports awards and swimming carnival Age Champions were announced.A big thank you to our P&C for their kind donation once again; purchasing books for our individual students in Years Prep - Year 3.
Primary Awards 2023
Secondary Scoop
HASS
Mrs Jessica Hunt (Maths) and Mrs Toni Vines (Business) visited their school based students at Middlemount Community School earlier this month. This was a wonderful opportunity to support the Year 11 students who are currently studying their first units of Year 12, a crucial transitioning time for their studies.
Making the connections with the students face to face was invaluable in establishing a positive learning environment as the students begin their Year 12 journey. Offering specialised subjects to school based students provides access to a diverse range of educational opportunities that may otherwise have been unavailable.
Mrs Hunt and Mrs Vines were warmly welcomed and appreciated the community's hospitality, making their efforts to go the extra mile truly rewarding.
Mobile Phones - 2024
About
'Away for the day' – mobile phones and wearable devices at school
The Queensland Government is committed to reducing the distraction of mobile phones and other devices to provide optimal learning environments for all state school students.
From the beginning of Term 1 2024, all Queensland state school students must keep their mobile phones switched off and 'away for the day' during school hours. Notifications on wearable devices, such as smartwatches, must be switched off so that phone calls, messages and other notifications cannot be sent or received during school hours.
The decision to implement a consistent, statewide approach to putting mobile phones away during the school day is based on an independent review of Queensland's approach to mobile phones, which was completed in July 2023.
The statewide review heard from students, parents, school staff and experts about the changing impacts of technology on the health, wellbeing and education of young people, with a number of key themes emerging.
Impact on student learning, engagement and wellbeing
Students and teachers shared concerns about distractions to the learning environment caused by student personal use of mobile devices. This included receiving notifications, messages and phone calls during class time, with students commonly reporting feeling pressure to respond immediately.
In those high schools with mobile phone restrictions and systems already in place, both school staff and students reported benefits, including:
- more face-to-face interactions during class time and lunch breaks
- increase in focus and concentration during learning time
- increase in the wellbeing and physical activity of students
- reduction in misuse of mobile phones during school hours.
The review found that more than 95% of Queensland state schools are already implementing restrictions on the use of mobile phones for students during the school day, under existing policy.
It is also important to acknowledge the role that mobile phones can play in providing innovative learning opportunities for all students, and access to the learning environment for students with medical, disability or wellbeing needs.
Appropriate engagement with technology
Children generally receive their first mobile phone in the transition to high school, but some students as young as 7 to 8 years-old own phones. The need for more education to help young children safely use technology was highlighted in the review.
Some high schools shared that they were taking a proactive approach to online safety, working with local primary schools to educate young students about the appropriate use of mobile phones as they move into high school.
Partnership between families and school communities
Principals and parents saw further opportunities to work together to support young people to build digital literacy and online safety skills. Providing resources to build this knowledge and a clear statewide policy direction on suitable mobile phone use in schools would offer benefits for everyone.
Equity of access
It was widely recognised that as 21st century learners, students across Queensland require access to reliable internet and technology devices. Stakeholders emphasised the need for a balance between statewide restrictions that would promote student wellbeing and engagement, while meeting the diverse learning needs of students through equitable access to technology.