Year 12 Graduation

 

It was great to celebrate the final days with our 2023 Year 12 Graduates and their Valedictory luncheon. We would hope that all the senior students acknowledge that their time at the College has had a positive impact on their lives and we have given them skills that will assist them in the future. They all have such huge potential to make a difference to our society.

As they completed their journey with us we challenged our Year 12’s to become the best versions of themselves as they enter the next phase of their lives. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

“Live in the moment. It’s so important to be present and appreciate the people and the world around you. Life is full of beautiful moments and experiences that are best enjoyed when we’re fully engaged. So, let’s put down our devices, look up, and truly live in the moment”.

The Celebration at mass was enhanced with the sense of community at the Valedictory Luncheon. The connection students had with their parents and friends during this special time was amazing.

Congratulations to Joshua Nimmo who was voted “Seniors Senior”, a empowered recognition to Josh by his cohort.

In writing this newsletter article I have also been informed today that 99% of all our 2023 Year 12 students who applied for early entry into university now have received offers! This is outstanding news and a massive congratulations to all our past students.

As we entered the final weeks of 2023 it has been a very busy time for our college community.

The successes that have occurred this year in academic, sporting and cultural realms have been a true credit to all the students at the college.

Moving into 2024

To assist parents in planning below are some of the significant dates for Senior Years students in 2024.

Year 10 Laptop Collection – 22 January 2023

Year 12 Formal – 24 May 2024

Year 10 Work Experience – 10 to 14 June 2024

Year 12 External Exams – 14 October to 12 November 2024

Senior Years has camps aligned to student outcomes. To assist with your planning, I have attached the rough outline and costings for the camps from Years 9 to 12 with more information available on our website as part of our “Grow Great People matrix”. 

Staff Farewell

This week sees us farewelling 4 of our Senior Years teachers, Miss McKenzie, Mrs Morris (Willocks), Mr Hansen and Mr Paffey.

From all our community we wish these staff all the best in their new roles and may St Christoper guide and protect you on your new journey.

Merry Christmas

I hope that over the holidays everyone is blessed with the opportunity to take a well-earned break to refresh and rejuvenate. Students are also encouraged to engage in the following activities:

• Reading is a great holiday activity because reading fiction aids relaxation but also builds vocabulary, improves reading comprehension and develops written expression, all skills that will assist in future learning. Importantly, reading can also provide students with a vital break from technology.
• Physical activities such as walking, bike riding, going to the beach, going to the gym or playing sport all have great physical benefits but will also aid memory and thinking skills.
• Keeping a journal is a great way to sketch, make lists, keep track of notes, create mind maps, store memorable quotes or pictures or ideas. It doesn’t really matter what is recorded – by regularly putting pen to paper, students think actively and document their thought processes, all habits that help in learning.
• Crosswords, word searches, puzzles and Sudoku books are also great activities as they require you to work through the steps to reason and reach a solution which all help challenge the mind.

I would like to wish all our students and families a safe and enjoyable break. Please ensure you take some time to spend together and reflect on the year that has been. I look forward to welcoming you all back to our community in 2024.

God of wisdom,
We thank you
for all the gifts you have given us throughout this school year.
We praise you for giving us life,
for saving us in Christ,
and for choosing us to be your people.
As we come to the end of this school year, we voice our gratitude
for the good things you have done in us, and we praise you for all who have shared in the work of this College.
We ask you to bless them in your love and give them refreshment and peace.

We praise you, God,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns forever and ever.
Amen.

Year 10 Camp

The year 10 camp was a memorable and exciting experience for all the students and teachers who participated. The camp lasted for four days and three nights, from Monday to Friday, and involved various activities such as sailing, snorkelling, and exploring historical sites. The camp aimed to provide students with opportunities to develop their skills, knowledge, and values in relation to the natural and cultural heritage of Moreton Bay and its islands.

The camp started with a sailing adventure on the South Passage, a 30-metre gaff-rigged schooner that operates as a sail training vessel for young people.  The students learned how to hoist and lower the sails, steer the ship, and work as a team under the guidance of the professional crew. The students also enjoyed the scenic views of the bay and the ocean, and spotted some marine wildlife such as dolphins and turtles.

The sailing experience was not only fun, but also educational, as the students gained an appreciation of the history and tradition of sailing, as well as the challenges and rewards of living on board a ship. The students also developed their communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, as well as their confidence and resilience.

The students spent three nights on the South Passage, sleeping in bunks below deck. The meals were prepared by the crew and served in the galley. The students also helped with the cleaning and maintenance of the ship and participated in some games and quizzes in the evening.

On the second day of the camp, the students disembarked from the South Passage and explored Tangalooma Island Resort, a beachfront resort on Moreton Island, the third largest sand island in the world. They enjoyed snorkelling the Tangalooma Wrecks, creating sand mermaids and playing beach footy.

Students also visited the Big and Little Sand Hills, two free-standing sand dunes on the western side of Moreton Island. The sand hills are amazing because they are free from vegetation and rise up to 60 metres above their base. The students had a thrilling time running down the slopes. The students also enjoyed the panoramic views of the island and the bay from the top of the sand hills.

On the third day of the camp, the students visited St Helena Island, a heritage-listed island in Moreton Bay that was the site of Queensland's first penal settlement.  The island is now a national park and a popular tourist attraction, where visitors can tour the stone ruins of the prison and learn about the lives of the convicts and warders who inhabited the island from 1867 to 1932.

The year 10 camp was a success, as the students had a lot of fun and learned a lot from the various activities and experiences. The camp also helped the students to bond with each other and their teachers as well as develop their personal and social skills. The students returned to school with a sense of achievement, gratitude, and respect for the natural and cultural heritage of Moreton Bay and its islands.

Mr Rodney Spain

Assistant Principal – Senior Years