Informer Term 2 - Week 7 - 2025

From Our Principal ...

Dear Families,

A saying that I really like is that “Good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity”.

I was reading this article over the weekend. It was very timely as it reflected a number of issues that we have been dealing with recently.

• Texting should be a purely utilitarian communication medium. It fails at everything else and is indicative of modern society problems.
• Texting should only exist for quick and permanent information transfer ("Give the cat some food at 12:30). However, in all other factors it fails. You cannot know their tone, and you really cannot convey that you are actively listening to someone if they are typing a lot of messages. You either: a) break up their flow with a meaningless comment, which due to the nature of texting is more concrete, contrasted with a more ephemeral comment or nod in real life; or  b) look like you're just ignoring them.
• I hate talking to people by text, and so should you. If you have anything of substance to say, CALL THEM! I know people vilify calling and put it as objectively superior. Texting leaves us devoid of humanity in our now robotic words, and 99% of frustration is conveyed unintentionally in a tone we cannot manage.
• So, of course, people will feel lonely and disconnected if they are just texting someone! What is this world? Yes, texting is useful in planning, or for those who cannot speak for a reason, which is fine. Elsewise it should rarely be used.

As a school and system, we use a range of communication mediums to connect with families and pass on all the relevant information that schools deal with. We use Seesaw, the school App, email, our electronic sign, the school’s newsletter and at times, even the good old-fashioned letter.

Each serves a purpose, and each has its champions and those who dislike it. As we continue to review our practices each year, we still end up landing at a point where we would rather over communicate with families rather than some information not getting through.

In the coming weeks, you will begin to see some changes in some of our processes. Seesaw will be primarily used as a vehicle to transmit information to families. It will no longer be a platform that hosts a two-way discussion. These conversations should occur through email or in person.  

Catholic Education-Diocese of Rockhampton (CEDR) is challenging schools to develop consistency in processes around communication. As we move this forward, your feedback would be appreciated.

Have a great week and hug your kids.

Regards,
Jamie Emerick
Principal.

Prep 2026 Sibling Enrolments: ENROL NOW

2026 Prep Enrolment interviews have begun. Please remember to bring your child's original birth certificate to your interview.

If you have already had your enrolment interview and forgotten to bring in any documents i.e. original birth certificate, current immunisation schedule, pediatric reports, speech pathology assessments etc., please do so as soon as possible.

If you have not yet applied for enrolment, please do so now.

Athletics Carnival – Student Roll Marking

When students arrive at school between 8.10am and 8:40am for this year’s Athletics Carnival (Friday 6 June), all students are to put their bags on the bag racks outside their classroom and move to normal morning supervised areas.

At the 8.38am bell, ALL students are to return to their classrooms for roll marking. There will be NO Friday parade on Friday 6 June.

Just after 8.40am, when class rolls are marked, class teachers will direct their students to where they need to be in preparation for the first event of the day.  

Any students arriving after the 8:40am roll marking, MUST be signed in by their parent at the office.  

If parents wish to take students home early (prior to 3.00pm), students MUST be signed out via the office by their parent.

Athletics Records Tumble!

Last week we saw our pre-Athletics Carnival events run – High Jump, 1500m race and 800m race.

Our students were impressive with their tenacity, speed, endurance and sports-person-ship; it was wonderful to witness.

And with the great racing, records tumbled. Many of the broken records last week were initially set 15 years ago!

New 2025 Records

1500m
2016 Girls - Laiken Knott
2015 Girls - Madeline Butler
2015 Boys - Charlie Warrener

800m
2015 Girls - Madeline Butler
2015 Boys - Charlie Warrener

High Jump
2016 Girls - Laiken Knott
2015 Boys - Baxter Briskey
2013 Girls – Elise Johnston

Results

Fitness Club - Wednesdays 7:45am

Capricornia School Sport News ...

Learn to Pray

Library News ...

Come in and check out our ever-growing junior library non-fiction collection!

There is something here for everyone!

St John's Way Awardees ...

Students who have embodied faith, dignity and integrity within our school.

We view our school as one body, with many parts, each in its own way contributing to our common mission.
(1 Corinthians 12: 12-26)

Student Council Bookstall

Gymnastics State Championships

A big congratulations to Brayden Hamelink, who travelled to Chandler Arena in Brisbane on 25th May to compete in the Gymnastics Queensland Junior State Championships 2025. Representing Gladstone Gymnastics Club, Brayden competed in the Level 3 Under 10 division and delivered an outstanding performance.

Brayden's dedication and hard work paid off with some incredible results:

• 1st Pommel Horse – State Champion
• 2nd Rings
• 2nd Floor
• 2nd Parallel Bars
• 4th Vault
• 5th High Bar

Brayden was awarded the Level 3 Under 10 All-Around State Champion.

Congratulations and well done, Brayden!

Gladstone Independent Schools Music Assoc.

GISMA Music workshops this year run from 23-25 June 2025:

Gill Group - Advanced - 23 June
Collins Group - Intermediate - 24 June
Maxwell Group - Beginners - 25 June
Concert - 25 June.

GISMA will allocate students to the appropriate group with advice from music teachers.

Please find below links to register:

• Instrumental music workshop registration form (early bird closes 30th May, standard registrations close 11th June. Form and money must be received to secure registration).  2025 GISMA Instrumental Workshop
  
• Shirt order form (form and money due 7 May - we must get a minimum of 10 orders for this to proceed). 2025 GISMA Shirt Order Form
• Parent helper form for workshop. Parent Help GISMA 2025

Volunteer Tuckshop Roster

Tuckshop Ordering Information & Menu

Our tuckshop operates every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (first and second breaks).

The following information will ensure the efficient ordering of tuckshop for your child/ren:

• Tuckshop must be ordered online via QuickCliq www.quickcliq.com.au  Orders will not be accepted at the Tuckshop or Office.
• Orders must be placed by 8:10am. Tuckshop can be ordered weeks in advance. Simply click on the day/s that tuckshop is required.
• QuickCliq operates very slowly at very busy times i.e. close to 8:10am.  During these times the system may boot you off and require you to log back in. Late orders put a lot of pressure on our tuckshop staff and volunteer helpers.
• If you miss the ordering cut off time, your order will be transferred to the following day.  You will be notified of this on the screen.
• Parents MUST check confirmation email to ensure the order has been processed for the correct food on the correct day.

If you have any problems with the online ordering system please contact QuickCliq via 1300 11 66 37, or email: support@quickcliq.com.au

Uniform Shop Hours

OSHC Vacation Care: June/July Holidays

Chanel College Presents The Spongebob Musical

Parish News ...

Autism Queensland In-Person Workshop

On Tuesday 3 June, Autism Queensland are holding an in-person workshop, Autism, Stress and Anxiety.

BOOK via LINK
 Autism, Stress and Anxiety - Autism Queensland

DETAILS
Tues 3 June 2025, 1:00pm-4:00pm
Mindcare, 147 Goondoon St, Gladstone QLD 4680

AUDIENCE
Parents/Carers and all professionals working with autistic and neurodivergent people.  

ABOUT
Stress and anxiety can have a significant impact on many autistic young people. They may be expressed in unexpected ways and be difficult to understand.    

This workshop is designed to provide participants with a deeper understanding of the unique relationship between autism and anxiety, offering practical strategies to support autistic young people to manage stress and anxiety in daily life. 

It is recommended participants have a general knowledge of autism or have attended the Understanding Autism workshop. 

Content has been co-developed with an autistic professional from AQ’s Autism and Mental Health Project and will be facilitated by a teacher who has worked for many years in this field. 

 Topics will include:  

• Understanding autism, stress and anxiety 
• Distinguishing between social anxiety and autism specific anxiety  
• Recognising the signs of anxiety in autistic young people 
• Understanding the functional impact of autism and anxiety  
• Evidence-informed, neurodiversity-affirming strategies to reduce stress and anxiety for autistic young people 
• Empowering caregivers, educators, and professionals with tools to create supportive environments that promote emotional well-being. 

CQ Health, Sport & Recreation Expo