COLLEGE NEWSLETTER - 07 February, 2025

OUR COLLEGE

 Check out what we've been up to this week  

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LEADERSHIP

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Megan Wuersching- Principal

Dear Southern Cross Catholic College Community,

Welcome to the 2025 school year! I hope this message finds you well and that you had a restful and enjoyable holiday season. As we embark on another exciting year of learning and growth, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our new and returning students, families and staff.

I would like to acknowledge the recent weather event that impacted our community. The heavy rains and subsequent flooding were challenging for many of us. I am proud of how our community came together to support one another during this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are still recovering and we are here to offer any assistance needed.

Introducing Our Leadership Team

I am delighted to introduce our College Leadership Team for 2025:

The team brings a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to fostering a nurturing and dynamic learning environment for all our students.

As we look ahead to the 2025 school year, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. Our focus will be on continuing to provide high-quality education and encouraging active participation in all aspects of school life.

We are committed to working closely with our families to support students' academic and personal growth. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Together, we can make 2025 another fantastic year for Southern Cross Catholic College!

Megan

ADMINISTRATION

Katrina Wootton - Deputy Principal - Primary

Warm Welcome Back

A warm welcome to our new community members and welcome back to those who are continuing their journey at Southern Cross Catholic College! Despite the wet weather, our primary students should be commended for returning to learning routines. There are many happy faces, pleased to be back and enjoying their new classes and teachers.

SCCC Primary Leadership Team 2025

We welcome Mr Dominic Purcell into the Assistant Principal Religious Education role as Mrs Hayley Fulmer has stepped into the Assistant Principal Pedagogy and Learning role.  Please note that Mrs Johnson will pastorally look after the Prep and Year 2 students whilst Mr Purcell will look after Year 5 & 6 upper primary students. Mrs Fulmer will continue to work with years 3 & 4, and I will look after the Year 1 cohort. Before contacting a leadership team member, please communicate with your child’s teacher where possible.

Primary Date Claimer Term 1

Parent Information Sessions

Come along to meet the year-level parent information evening to listen to teachers and find out about:

• What your child will be learning about this year;
• Year level expectations;
• How you can be involved;
• Daily routines.

Please note: This session is a time for the year-level teachers to outline the year ahead. This is not a time for one-on-one conversations with teachers. Parent-teacher interviews will be held later in Term 1, or alternatively, parents/carers are always more than welcome to make a mutually agreeable time with your child’s teacher.

Beginning of Year Mass and the Commissioning of our Year 6 Leaders 2025

On Thursday, 13 February, at 8.45 am during our Primary Beginning of Year Mass, our Year 6 leaders for 2025 are being commissioned. We look forward to working with this team of primary student leaders throughout the year. Congratulations to these students:

PRIMARY LEADERS FOR 2025

Have a safe week,

Katrina

Jaye Beutel - Deputy Principal - Secondary

Welcome to SCCC for 2025
Firstly, I would like to extend our appreciation for your understanding and cooperation during last Friday’s rain event which impacted the final session of the school day. We appreciate that information relating to bus cancellations and early collection does place considerable pressure on families. That being said, the afternoon did transpire in an orderly manner, meaning all students, parents and staff were able to get home safely. 

It has been a wonderful week welcoming all new and continuing families to the college for the 2025 academic year. 

A highlight was the first day of secondary school for our Year 7 students. The day was filled with excitement and anxiousness as they reached the parapet of transition from a primary school mindset to the new landscape of high school. A special thanks to Mrs Jorgenson, the Pastoral Leader - Year 7, and our extraordinary team of Homeroom Teachers, who provided expert support and guidance throughout not just the first day, but over the whole week. I am confident that parents and students can be reassured that this support places us on great foundations for the year ahead and beyond. 

This week also marked an important milestone for our Year 11s as they make their way into the senior realm of secondary school. It was wonderful to see them take to the first days as seniors with gusto. I commend them on their efforts and diligence as they hit the ground running, which is so important in terms of establishing great study routines from the beginning. 

Uniform Expectations
Returning to school after a long break can seem as a bit of a challenge for some students, particularly as they re-engage with college expectations relating to our uniform and dress standards. 

Homeroom and class teachers have been working pastorally with students where there are known shortcomings relating to this area. Students will be asked to remedy any concerns raised with their teacher in a respectful and reasonable manner. 

For families unsure of the College Uniform Expectations, a copy of these can be located on the college website. I would encourage you to familiarise yourself with these standards if you are unsure. 

To that end, please do not hesitate to be in contact with your child’s Pastoral Leader, should you have any further questions or concerns. They will be able to provide support and guidance in this space. 

Hayley Fulmer - Assistant Principal Pedagogy and Learning - Primary

Welcome Back to 2025!

As we begin another exciting year at Southern Cross Catholic College, I extend a warm welcome back to all students, staff, and families. I am thrilled to step into the role of Assistant Principal – Pedagogy and Learning (Primary) and look forward to working together to enhance our culture of high-quality learning and teaching.

At Southern Cross, we are committed to fostering innovative, inclusive, and engaging learning environments where every student is supported to thrive.




Guided by our Pedagogical Framework, we focus on:
🔹 Evidence-Informed Teaching – A balanced use of explicit instruction, inquiry, and project-based learning tailored to student needs.
🔹 High Expectations – A culture of excellence where all students are encouraged to achieve their personal best.
🔹 Data-Driven Practice – Regular assessment and reflection to guide responsive teaching and differentiated learning.
🔹 Engaging Learning Environments – Safe, flexible, and inclusive spaces that encourage collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.
🔹 Strong Partnerships – Collaboration with families, colleagues, and the wider community to enhance student learning and faith formation.

I look forward to a fantastic year ahead as we continue to empower our students to love, serve, and shine.

Wishing everyone a successful and inspiring start to 2025!

Steven Cooke - Acting Assistant Principal Religious Education - Secondary

Dear Southern Cross Community,

I would like to extend a heartfelt welcome to all new students and families who are joining us this year. We are delighted to have you as part of our community. Additionally, I would like to extend a warm welcome back to all returning students and families as we embark on the 2025 academic year.

We look forward to a year filled with growth, learning, and success for all.

Beginning of Year Mass and Commissioning Ceremony
Today I was going to inform our school community about the anticipated Beginning of Year Mass and Commissioning Ceremony for our Year 12 Students. Regrettably, due to 

inclement weather conditions experienced earlier this week, we had to make the decision to postpone these significant events.

I look forward to sharing the details and highlights of these ceremonies with you at a later date.

Fisher of Men ... 
This Sunday’s gospel is from Luke 5:1-11 and is a dramatic account of the conversion of the first disciples; it begins with a charming, picturesque scene. It is easy to imagine the crowd jostling him to the water’s edge. His inspired solution was to hop in a boat and teach the people from there!

Then, in the second dramatic scene, the reluctant fisherman Simon threw back the nets he was washing and scored a huge haul of fish, enough to fill two of the boats.

In the third scene, we see in Simon the same reaction we saw with Isaiah.  His encounter with something beyond the ordinary makes him conscious of his own unworthyness. And then the moment of conversion. Jesus says, do not be afraid; come with me. And that is just what Simon and his partners do.

A simple and honest telling of this story, with a touch of wonder and amazement, can lead the listeners to recognise their own conversion. The disciples left everything to follow Christ. Why do we hold back?

For those interested in deepening their relationship with God or exploring the Catholic faith, please reach out to Fr Damian McGrath at stbrigids@tsv.catholic.org.au  or call 07 4778 1219.

Mass Times for the weekend are:
Saturday 6.00 pm - St Joseph the Worker Church,
Sunday 9.00 am - St Joseph the Worker Church,
276 Stuart Drive, Wulguru

Sunday 4.30 pm - St Christopher Church,
91 Old Flinders Hwy, Woodstock

With blessings,

Steven

FROM THE CHAPLAIN

Dot Parnell - College Chaplain

Hello Everyone and welcome to Week 2 of our 2025 school year.

I hope you all had a good break over the Christmas season. It does wonders for the body and soul when we can turn off from work and enjoy time with our family and friends. Christmas Day for me, my family and closest friends is always a day of fun, laughter and great food. And … my husband and I enjoyed 4 precious days at Horseshoe Bay. What a great place to relax!

I’ve been thinking of all in our Southern Cross community during this time of disaster emergency and have been praying that all are safe and dry. Hang in there!

Our generosity as a College community, at the end of last year, shone through with our contributions to our St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers. We were able to help many families and make their Christmas happy and enjoyable. Thank You.

As Chaplain of our great College, it is a privilege for me to come to such a great place and just BE with our students and staff.

Personally, I’m looking forward to 2025 and I hope that we can continue to keep that spark of our school motto -  “to love, to serve, to shine” - alive and “on fire”.

God’s blessings for a great week, and remember - “In a world where you can be anything - BE KIND.”

Dot Parnell

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELLBEING UPDATES

PARENTS & FRIENDS ASSOCIATION

Southern Cross Parents and Friends Association - NEXT MEETING is MONDAY 10 FEBRUARY at 7:00pm, in the Primary Staffroom.  All are welcome.

FIRST NATIONS EDUCATION

A warm welcome to our new and returning families.  Definitely the exact opposite of an ideal way to start the year but we’re rolling with it.  If your family was affected, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Our section in the newsletters aims to inform families of all that is going on in First Nations education at Southern Cross.  From what is happening in classrooms, to days of national significance and upcoming events, a great way to keep up to date is by reading the newsletter and watching out for regular Facebook posts. 

Firstly, an introduction to the First Nations team.

As the First Nations teacher in Primary, my key roles cover supporting students (academically and with wellbeing), supporting families and providing opportunities for engagement. I also support teachers by sourcing and providing resources for them to teach in their units. This also includes organising guest speakers from the community to speak to students and staff. My work days are Monday and Wednesday and I can be contacted via email at bponti2@sctsv.catholic.edu.au

As the First Nations Support Officer in Primary, my key roles are supporting students academically and with welling in the classroom. 

My work days are Monday - Friday.

I work in Secondary, supporting students academically in classrooms and checking in to see how they are travelling and navigating secondary school life. As the Emerging Leaders Coordinator, it’s my role to facilitate the Emerging Leaders Program at Southern Cross. This includes working with staff Mentors to administer the program and set workable goals with the students and tracking those goals, as well as making students aware of opportunities available to them in the community and beyond. 

My work days are Monday-Friday and I can be reached by email at aziehmer3@sctsv.catholic.edu.au.

Yarn Club:
In Primary, Yarn Club is offered once a week.  Yarn Club is very similar to Miss Kira’s Defence Star Club and provides an opportunity for our students (and their friends) to meet, connect and take part in some great activities.  Mrs Ponti and Miss Mel run Yarn Club for students.  Some facts about Yarn Club include:

• Yarn Club is held for students in Years 1-3 on a Monday at First Break at the OSHC building
• Yarn Club is held for students in Years 4-6 on a Wednesday at First Break in the OSHC building.
• The transition to Prep is a big enough jump, so Yarn Club will start for Prep in Term 2.
• Yarn Club is totally optional.
• When coming to Yarn Club, First Nations students are asked to bring their hat, lunch, water bottle and always a friend.
• We always eat first (first 15 mins) and then play (15 mins).
• If wet play is called, Yarn Club will be cancelled for that day.
• Some Yarn Club activities planned for this term include celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science, National Puzzles Day, games day, cooking, crafts and much more.

Welcome Packs: 
Welcome packs will be sent home in the first few weeks of school, outlining in more detail who we are and our roles, for primary a copy of the Yarn Club timetable and for secondary, information on the Emerging Leaders Program, a questionnaire for families on what you like to see from the First Nations team and opportunities you are able to take part in (First Nations Advisory Committee, NAIDOC and National Reconciliation Week celebrations, Indigenous Literacy Day readers or storytellers, possible podcast interview just to name a few).

Professional Development Week:
A big thank you to our First Nations Adviser, Mrs Pelly Morganson who led secondary teachers through a session on Cross Curriculum Priorities (CCPs) in the newest version of the curriculum (version 9).  A great way for teachers to learn about the differences in the language and outcomes in the newest version of the curriculum when embedding First Nations Perspectives in the curriculum.  Secondary and primary teachers have now both received this training, with primary teachers completing last year.

Days of National Significance:
During Week 3, there are two days of national significance which include:

12th February - Freedom Ride bus left Sydney (1965)
In 1965, a group of students from the University of Sydney, led by Charles Perkins left on a 15 day bus journey through regional New South Wales, drawing national and international attention to the poor living conditions of Aboriginal people and racism that was rife in New South Wales country towns. Please read more about the Freedom Ride here.

13th February - Anniversary of the National Apology (2008)
The anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations is a day of national significance. It is an important part of Australia’s wider reconciliation journey and of truthfully recognising past events - both positive and negative to shape a strong future for reconciliation.

Did you know Sorry Day and the anniversary of the National Apology are two separate days.

The anniversary of the National Apology is a day which commemorates the event in which PM Kevin Rudd made a formal apology to Australia’s First Nations Peoples and those whose lives had been blighted by past government policies through the forced child removal and assimilation.

Sorry Day is commemorated annually on the 26th of May.  In 1995 a National Inquiry into the Separation of First Nations children from their families was established by the then Attorney-General, Michael Lavarch.  The Inquiry was conducted by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. On the 26th of May, 1997, the Inquiry’s Bringing Them Home Report was tabled in Parliament. The report documented the grief and loss caused by the removal of children and the intergenerational impact. One of the key recommendations of that report was for a formal apology by the government (which happened 11 years later when PM Kevin Rudd delivered the National Apology).

That’s all from us this fortnight. Wishing everyone a safe few weeks.

DEFENCE NEWS

Welcome to 2025! It seems to be a tradition here in Townsville that we always have an interesting first week of school.

I have really enjoyed meeting all our new students and families and catching up with all the students to see how their holidays were and how they have settled into their new classrooms. I will be slowly making my way around the classrooms to do our annual “About me” activity.

Star Club will recommence week 3 and I look forward to seeing more students attending over the coming weeks.  

Secondary Defence Homeroom - will recommence week 2 on a Tuesday fortnightly basis. 

Look forward to another great year together

Ms Kira
Defence School Mentor

CAREERS & VET

Welcome to the new look Careers and VET team for 2025!

Wow! Check out that hair!!

Welcome to 2025. Our team is as follows: Ms Escriva takes care of Careers & Pathways and Mr De Luca looks after VET (Vocational Education and Training). We will both be well supported, both on and off the Careers/ VET stage, by Mrs Glendenning!

Our vision consists of 3 areas:

• To expose students to the opportunities in the world of work
• To support students transition from school
• To empower students to strive for success

This year we will hold a careers expo and feature people from different careers and jobs in relation to their role, recruitment, opportunities and so on. It is a great opportunity for our Year 10s, 11s and 12s to hear it straight from the horse’s mouth.

If anyone in our Southern Cross Community would like to help out with the Careers Expo, please contact us via careers@sctsv.catholic.edu.au.

Make sure you keep an eye out for our regular section in the Newsletter.

Who knows what we may look like next week?

Chat to us anytime - Yes we WILL Rock you!

Ms Escriva, Mr De Luca and Mrs Glendenning

Careers & VET @ SCCC - Opportunities…Support…Empowerment…

THE ARTS

 Sustainable Fashion meets Creative Genius 

 Take your trash and turn it into treasure! Start creating your Wearable Art pieces today and be ready to model them at our Fashion Launch in May! 

Check out the facebook event for updates

 email any enquiries to: cedwards8@sctsv.catholic.edu

🎵 Welcome back to Music Academy 2025!

We’re excited to welcome you all back to another wonderfully music-filled year!

Music Academy lessons commence in Week 2. All students and families would have received a welcome email from their relevant Music Academy teacher. If you have not yet received the email, please contact rbelford1@sctsv.catholic.edu.au to confirm your 2025 Enrolment.

Music Academy ensembles commence in Week 3. Please see below for the 2025 rehearsal schedule, as it has changed from last year. Any queries, please contact us at music@sctsv.catholic.edu.au and we can forward it onto the relevant ensemble conductor.

🎵 SCCC Choral Programme

This year, the incredible choral programme here at Southern Cross has grown to include three different groups. See below for further details. Any enquiries, please contact cdavies4@sctsv.catholic.edu.au

🎵 Rehearsal Schedule Week 3 & 4

TUCKSHOP

Flexischools App

Put your hand up if you're excited that TUCKSHOP will be back and you can have a break from making lunchboxes!!

Download the app and familiarise yourself today - our Tuckshop ladies are working hard and will be ready to see you all again next week!

LOST PROPERTY

It's already the end of Week 1 and our lost property baskets are full.

Our baskets are located outside of our Primary and Secondary Administration.

Please check on a regular basis otherwise items will be donated to the Pre-loved Uniform Shop or St Vincent De Paul. 

PRE-LOVED UNIFORM SHOP

The Pre-Loved Uniform Shop and our dedicated team of wonderful volunteers will be stationed under the Primary Shed every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month during the school term, from 8:15 am to 9:00 am.

Friday 14 February
Friday 28 February

👉 Calling All Parents, Carers, and Grandparents! 👈

We warmly invite new members to join our team and support our cause. Jenny and Kathy, our fantastic volunteers, are eager to welcome you. If you’re interested in lending a hand, please reach out to the ladies via email at c39pandf@sctsv.catholic.edu.au.

THE SCHOOL LOCKER

The School Locker Uniform Shop is opened on the following days each week.

Tuesday           8.00am – 10.00am

Wednesday      2.00pm – 4.00pm                            

Friday               8.00am – 10.00am  

OTHER

 e- Scooter Safety and storage advice 

 e-Scooters are a fun and efficient way to get to school, but with great fun, comes great responsibility!

 e-Scooters are to be stored ONLY in the Primary Bike Storage enclosure, located near the front entrance. This is the only authorised place for e-scooters to be stored during the day and the College reminds riders that this area is uncovered and exposed to the weather.

Scooters are not permitted to be charged at school, so keep this in mind before you leave in the morning 

 Head here  https://bit.ly/40nVv86 to view safety tips, road rules and reminders on how to be street smart when scootering!