COLLEGE NEWSLETTER - 7 March 2025

LEADERSHIP

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Megan Wuersching - College Principal

Dear Southern Cross Catholic College Community,

Year of Renewal: Your Feedback Matters!

This year marks the 'Year of Renewal' for Southern Cross Catholic College, part of Townsville Catholic Education's five-year School Renewal and Improvement cycle. It's a chance to celebrate our successes, identify areas for improvement and set goals for the next five years.

We invite your valuable feedback to help shape the next four years (2026 - 2029).

A survey can be accessed here. When completing the feedback form, please note the following definitions:

• Area of Celebration: Significant progress or excellence.
• Area for Development: Requires focused attention, additional resources, or strategic changes.

You may also comment on areas needing further investigation.

At the end of the form, you will identify your top three priority areas that you’d like the college to focus on.

Thank you for taking the time to help us determine our strategic priorities and actions for the next phase of our exceptional college.

Open Day 2025
You are all invited to join us for the Southern Cross Catholic College Open Day, Thursday 13 March from 3:15 to 5pm! This is a wonderful opportunity to see the fabulous things happening at our College and celebrate our vibrant community.

Come along to explore our facilities, meet our dedicated staff and witness the exceptional learning experiences we offer. It's a chance to engage with our students and see the programs and activities that make our College so special.

This year, we have added a fun twist with a bingo card! Collect stickers as you move around the campus and go into the draw to win a family fun pack. Don't forget to register via this link to let us know you will be attending.

Megan

ADMINISTRATION

Katrina Wootton - Deputy Principal - Primary

College Open Day
Thursday, 13 March afternoon is our College Open Day. Hopefully, you would have seen our posts regarding school finishing at 2:30pm to allow adequate time for those who are able to pick up their children slightly early, so congestion can be eased in our car parks. If you are unable to collect your children early, supervision will be provided until the usual conclusion of school and after school in the usual pick-up locations. Children who usually attend OSHC in the afternoon will be supervised by school staff in the OSHC sites until the usual start of OSHC hours, when we will do a changeover.

A large number of students have volunteered their time to assist with displays and show off their College as tour guides. Our students will have an opportunity to showcase and celebrate their achievements. Many students are playing musical instruments, demonstrating subject knowledge and skills, and ushering families around our College. We are very grateful to these students and their parents/carers for allowing them to do this.

Our College Open Afternoon starts at 3:15pm and ends at 5:00pm It focuses on the whole College from Year 1 through to Year 12. We are all very excited, and we would like to invite current parents and carers to join us in the afternoon so you can get into the College and see what your children get up to each day.

Prep Open Day
Our Prep Open Day will be on Saturday, 15 March, from 9 to 11am. All new families and families with Prep students in 2026 are welcome to attend for a fun and engaging morning exploring our Prep classrooms.

Have a wonderful week!

Katrina

Steven Cooke - Assistant Principal Religious Education (Acting) - Secondary

Faith & Tradition: Understanding Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday
As we progress through the liturgical calendar, two significant days herald the commencement of the sacred season of Lent: Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. These days carry profound spiritual significance, inviting us to engage in reflection, repentance, and renewal in our relationship with God.

Shrove Tuesday: A Day of Preparation
Shrove Tuesday, often linked to the tradition of consuming pancakes, transcends mere indulgence. The term "shrove" is derived from the Old English word "shriven," which signifies the act of confessing one’s sins and seeking absolution. Historically, Christians utilised this day to prepare for Lent by participating in confession, engaging in prayer, and consuming rich foods such as eggs, butter, and sugar prior to the onset of the Lenten fast.

At its essence, Shrove Tuesday serves as a reminder of the significance of spiritual preparation. Just as we cleanse our homes of extravagant foods, we are called to purify our hearts from sin. It is a moment to contemplate our dependence on God’s mercy and grace as we enter the solemn season of Lent.

Ash Wednesday: A Call to Repentance
Ash Wednesday signifies the official beginning of Lent, a 40-day period dedicated to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in anticipation of Easter. On this day, Catholics across the globe receive ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross, accompanied by the admonitions:

"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return," or
"Repent, and believe in the Gospel."

The ashes, created from the burned palms of the previous year's Palm Sunday, symbolise our mortality, humility, and the necessity for repentance. They remind us of the transient nature of earthly life and our ultimate home in heaven with God.

Ash Wednesday is also designated as a day of fasting and abstinence. Catholics aged 18 to 59 are encouraged to fast, allowing for one full meal and two smaller meals that collectively do not exceed the quantity of a full meal. Additionally, individuals aged 14 and above are required to abstain from meat. These acts of self-denial foster discipline and direct our hearts toward God.

Lenten Obligations in Australia and New Zealand
In Australia and New Zealand, the Catholic community is encouraged to observe the following Lenten obligations:

• Fasting: Catholics aged 18 to 59 are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
• Abstinence from Meat: Catholics aged 14 and older should abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Additionally, Catholics aged 14 and over are expected to abstain from meat on every Friday throughout the year, including during the Lenten season. However, individuals may substitute this abstinence with another form of penance, such as prayer, fasting, or almsgiving.
• Voluntary Penance: It is also encouraged that individuals take up some form of voluntary penance during the entire season of Lent.

These practices are intended to help the faithful enter into the penitential spirit of Lent, allowing for personal sacrifices that unite them with Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the Cross.

Living the Lenten Journey
As we embark on this holy season, let us wholeheartedly embrace the call to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. May we utilise this time to deepen our connection with Christ, seek His mercy, and prepare our souls for the rejoicing of His resurrection.

Let us pray that this Lent will be a period of genuine transformation, drawing us nearer to God's love and grace.

Wishing you a blessed and meaningful Lenten journey!

In Christ,

Steven Cooke

FROM THE CHAPLAIN

Dot Parnell - College Chaplain

Hello and welcome to Week 6 of Term 1

Lent began on Ash Wednesday this week and I thought I’d look at our focus for this year - our college motto - “To Love, To Serve, To Shine", as well as Project Compassion’s theme “UNITE AGAINST POVERTY this Lent”. How can we love, serve and shine in uniting against poverty this Lent?

I’ve found these inspirational quotes very helpful.

“You can overcome whatever is going on around you if you believe in the light that lives within you.” Justine Edward. 

“Shine your light and make a positive impact on the world; there is nothing so honourable as helping improve the lives of others.”  Roy T. Bennett.

“Your work is to discover who you are and then with all your heart give your light to the world.”  Jennifer Williamson.

“Helping the poor is more than an act of charity - it’s a profound reflection of Christian faith in action.’”

Our students will be putting all their efforts this term into showing their way of loving, serving and shining to unite against poverty by contributing to our Project Compassion in our College. Various activities will be happening in the next couple of weeks. Keep an eye on What’s On events from your child’s classroom/homeroom teacher. I encourage you to support our students in their efforts.

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

Dot

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELLBEING UPDATES

Helping Kids Navigate Friendships: A Guide for Parents
As parents, we know that friendships are an essential part of a child's development. However, teaching children how to make and maintain friendships is not always straightforward. Some children naturally find it easy to connect with others and move between different social groups, while others may struggle with the dynamics of friendship. Whether your child is a social butterfly or tends to keep to themselves, understanding the complexities of friendships is important for their emotional well-being and personal growth.

Belonging to a group with shared interests and values can significantly boost a child's sense of belonging and self-esteem. However, friendships, like any relationship, are not without their challenges. Disagreements and conflicts, also known as Friendship Fires, are common and can provide valuable learning opportunities. It can be tempting for parents to step in when their child faces a conflict with a friend, but it’s important to remember that learning how to manage these situations on their own is key to building resilience and social skills.

Friendship Fires vs. Mean-on-Purpose Behaviour
We divide conflict into two main categories: Friendship Fires and Mean-on-Purpose Behaviour. A Friendship Fire is a normal disagreement between friends that results in hurt feelings but doesn’t involve intentional harm. On the other hand, Mean-on-Purpose Behaviour occurs when someone deliberately tries to hurt or bully another person.

For Friendship Fires, we encourage children to handle the situation face-to-face. Communication via text or online can escalate tensions and make things worse. If a friend tries to bring up a conflict via text, kids should keep it short and simple, saying something like, "I really care about our friendship. Let's talk in person!" This approach helps defuse the situation and keeps the focus on repairing the relationship.

For Mean-on-Purpose Behaviour, we teach kids to use a Quick Comeback—a short, sharp statement such as "Not cool!"—and then walk away from the situation. Online, we recommend taking a screenshot of the incident and reporting it to an adult. The key is to stay calm and remove themselves from harmful situations, both online and in person.

What to Do as a Bystander
It’s common for children to find themselves in the middle of conflicts between friends. We call this being caught in a Friendship Sandwich. In this situation, kids should avoid getting involved in the conflict and instead support their friend by either standing up for them or changing the topic. For example, if someone is gossiping about a friend, they can say, "I'm not getting in the middle. Anyways, have you heard the new Ed Sheeran song?" This helps keep the situation healthy and respectful.

Navigating Friendships in the Digital Age
In today’s digital world, friendships can be more complicated than ever before. As our children become more digitally connected, issues such as online drama, bullying, and peer pressure have become part of the friendship landscape. Social media platforms like Instagram, Snap Chat or TikTok can sometimes amplify conflicts and misunderstandings, leading to social difficulties.

Despite the challenges that technology brings to friendships, the fundamental desire for children to be liked and accepted remains unchanged. As kids learn to navigate conflict and resolve issues in a healthy way, they contribute to a culture of kindness and respect. These lessons not only help children build stronger relationships but also promote a more positive school environment for everyone.

For more helpful tips and strategies on how to guide your child through friendship challenges, we encourage you to explore SchoolTV. This resource provides expert advice and practical tools to support parents in raising confident, socially skilled children who can navigate the ups and downs of friendships with confidence and resilience.

PARENTS & FRIENDS ASSOCIATION

Parents and carers with children enrolled at Southern Cross Catholic College automatically become members of the Parents and Friends Association and you are most welcome to attend our scheduled monthly meetings.

NEXT MEETING is MONDAY 10 March at 6:00pm

 Primary Staffroom

NEW TIME OF 6pm- we hope that this suits more families and that you can make it!

Head to the College website to check out last meeting's minutes 

Meeting Minutes - February 2025

The Parents and Friends Association works closely with the College Leadership Team and the Southern Cross Catholic College Community to promote the interests of the College and to further develop school functions and fundraising events to the benefit of the students and their families.

Recently we contacted all of our staff to put together a wishlist of 2025 fundraising goals ... stay tuned for exciting developments.

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 8:00 am to 8:45 am.

Friday 28 February

Thursday 13th March - College Open Day - 3:15pm to 5pm
Friday 14 March

Friday 28 March

👉 Calling All Parents, Carers, and Grandparents! 👈

We warmly invite new members to join our team and support our cause. Jenny, Cathy and Lauren, 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.

FIRST NATIONS EDUCATION

How are we past half way already?  Like always, a lot to report on in the First Nations space.

Primary Welcome Packs Questionnaires
Many thanks to families who have returned the Family Questionnaires in the welcome pack. If you haven’t done so, please return to your classroom teacher. It’s been great to see so many families keen to plan events for National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week and we look forward to creating a planning meeting to do so.

Yarn Club
We have held 2 Yarn Club meets now and it’s great to see our First Nations crew and friends attending and getting creative with games and crafts. For this week, we will have a combined P-6 Yarn Club on Wednesday (at 1st Break at OSHC) as I am at the AFL Carnival with Year 6 on Monday but next week, we go back to normal with:

• Monday (1st Break at OSHC) Prep - Year 3
• Wednesday (1st Break at OSHC) Year 4-6

A big thank you to Mrs Bloom from OSHC for letting us share OSHC resources - the kitchen, hospital and construction site have been a big hit!

Primary Staff Meeting
Last week our First Nations team hosted a staff meeting for teachers in primary. A great opportunity to let the teachers know what we do, ask how we can best support them in teaching about Cross Curriculum Priorities and events to look forward to this year. We ended our meeting with a yarning circle using the newly purchased Yarning Cards.

Networking Day
Last Tuesday we attended a Networking Day which is held once in Terms 1, 2 and 3.  These days are attended by First Nations teams from each school in our diocese and is a fantastic opportunity to see new initiatives and resources and what is going on in other schools. This Networking Day was opened by Ashley Saltner from Wulgurukaba Walkabouts with a Welcome to Country before into sessions where we learnt about:

• Professional Development opportunities (open to all staff) throughout the year with some courses including:
  • First Nations Spiritualities
  • First Nations STEM
  • Stronger Smarter Leadership Program as well as online Professional Development opportunities.

We also spoke about the themes for National Reconciliation and NAIDOC Week which are:

National Reconciliation Week - Bridging Now to Next.

NAIDOC Week - The Next Generation:  Strength, Vision and Legacy.

From there we moved onto a session led by TCEO Information and Resources Adviser, Julianne Cervellin, who spoke about a vast range of textual and online resources available to teachers to implement when teaching about First Nations Cultures and Histories.

Next was guest speaker, Deb Belyea, a proud Torres Strait Islander woman who teaches at Bowen SHS and was the national winner last of the NAIDOC Art competition, with her winning design on the NAIDOC Shirt. Deb spoke about her consultancy company - Zeyawgub Consultancy and what she offers to schools, implementing First Nations Perspectives (as a Torres Strait Islander).

Lastly we heard from schools - St Margaret Mary’s and St Catherine’s (Proserpine). St Margaret Mary’s spoke about how they set up their First Nations Advisory Committee and the success they have had from it and St Catherine’s spoke about a whole teacher staff ‘float’ on Country (instead of walk on Country) that was led by Traditional Custodians to their teaching staff in the Whitsundays.

Emerging Leaders News
First and foremost, I would like to invite our secondary First Nations families to our Parent Information Night on Thursday 6 of March.

Please RSVP using this link.

On Monday 10 of February we held our annual Mentor Induction afternoon. Pelly Morganson, our First Nations Advisor, presented to returning and

That is it for me this round! As always if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me: aziehmer3@sctsv.catholic.edu.au

DEFENCE NEWS

Who is up for a FAMILY FUN night! 

Each year DVA hosts an ANZAC Day Schools Award competition, where the schools can put a submission in. This year's topic is “Remembering Gallipoli: 110 years” so we thought what better way to educate our College community about the importance of the Gallipoli campaign then host an ANZAC Trivia Night.

Our Modern History classes have been busy compiling questions for our Trivia night and our Hospitality classes are preparing to make some yummy snack boxes.  

There will also be a sausage sizzle and drinks available on the night for purchase.

If you would like to join in the fun, register your family and friends! There are only 30 tables (max 8 people per table). There'll be lots of prizes throughout the night with first prize winning $200.

Register via https://forms.gle/MiGUNqrYQYH3fvzw5

THE ARTS

🎵 Rehearsal Schedule Week 7 & 8

🎵 North Queensland SHEP 7-9 March

This coming weekend, seven Southern Cross Catholic College Music Academy students were nominated and successfully chosen to participate in the State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) North Queensland, which is run by Griffith University’s Queensland Conservatorium. SHEP is an educational program for music students that helps extend and encourage their pursuit of musical excellence by connecting the finest young musicians with a team of eminent international and national conductors. These students will take part in intensive rehearsals over the weekend in the Wind Band, String Orchestra and Vocal Ensemble, with a culminating Finale Concert performance on Sunday. Congratulations to Georgia B, Ashton C, Bailey E, Maddie O, Nina O, Ivy S and Georgia T who will let their talents shine in this prestigious program.

🎵 Open Day Performances Thursday March 13

Come see some of our secondary Music Academy ensembles perform at the College Open Day on Thursday March 13 on our Main Stage. Enjoy some delicious food from our hospitality students while being entertained in the P Block forecourt.

We’ll also have some open rehearsals from our unique Classroom Music Immersion Program happening throughout P Block, as well as a Q&A about Music Academy.

TECHNOLOGIES

Are you curious about a future in cyber security? Want to know the best pathways into university and beyond?

Join Cyber Pathways for a free webinar, exclusive to ASCC competitors, designed to give students, parents, and teachers a clear roadmap of the options in progressing towards cyber security careers.

Why Attend?

• Students: Find out how to turn your passion for cyber security into a career with leading university programs and industry connections.
• Parents: Get expert insights on job prospects, industry demand, and how to support your child's future in this high-growth field.
• Teachers: Understand the latest study and career pathways to guide your students towards success.

What You'll Learn:

• Real career opportunities in the booming cyber security industry.
• University pathways at QUT, Griffith and La Trobe - courses, entry requirements & career outcomes.
• Live Q&A - Ask your questions directly to university representatives.

Date: Monday, 17 March 2025
Time: 5pm - 6pm (QLD time)

Don't miss this opportunity to gain expert guidance and plan for the future with confidence.

Explore Cybersecurity Study Pathways with QUT, Griffith & La Trobe University

We look forward to seeing you there!

Register here: https://meeting.zoho.com.au/meeting/register?sessionId=1419832247

JAPANESE SISTER SCHOOL

SPORTS NEWS

PRIMARY SPORTS NEWS

Townsville School Sports Trials
In Term 1 there will be Townsville trials for the following sports listed in the table above.

Students interested in trialling for a particular sport need to be regularly playing the sport to trial and their ability must be of a very high standard. If your child is 11 or 12 and interested in trialling, please email Mrs Holmes for consideration (mholmes10@sctsv.catholic.edu.au)  

Please send through current information, such as the highest club level represented, position and alternative position. Please note, we can only send a limited number of students to these trials therefore, unfortunately not all candidates will be selected and each sport will be decided on an individual basis based on the number of nominations that are received.

Interschool Swimming Carnival - Girls and Boys born (2017)
Our Southern Cross Inter-School Swim Team is currently chasing boys and girls born in 2017 (8 or turning 8 this year) that can confidently swim 50m Freestyle and would like to potentially join our swim team.

The interschool swimming carnival will be held on Friday 28 March at the Long Tan Pool in Heatley.

If your son or daughter is born in 2017 and can swim 50m confidently please contact me via email to discuss further. mholmes10@sctsv.catholic.edu.au 

Sporting News

Ruth Young Hockey Gala Day
Congratulations to our Hockey superstars who competed in the Ruth Young Gala day on Friday 21 February. Our 2 teams put in an outstanding effort showing great skill, sportsmanship and pride.

A big shout out to our experienced team who won all of their games making it through to the finals against Ryan and coming out undefeated for the day. Making this our 3rd win in 3 years.

Future Stars Netball Program
In 2025 Southern Cross Netball is extremely excited to have another year of our Future Stars netball program.

Our Future stars program is targeted at our Prep - Year 2 students who would like to begin to learn the basic skills of Netball, play some fun games and grow their skills in a fun learning environment.

The future stars will be the baseline of the SCCC Netball Program and as the students grow they will then have the opportunity to play club netball for the school, go away to carnivals and take pride in playing for Southern Cross.

If you would like your child to be a part of this very fun and engaging program please click the link below, complete and submit.

https://forms.gle/ibKsHPJ55JbxExoTA

If you have any questions regarding our Future Stars program please don’t hesitate to reach out. c39.scccnetball@sctsv.catholic.edu.au

Parkrun every Saturday morning at Riverway or North Shore, it’s free! Just register online at https://www.parkrun.com.au/register/  and add SCCC as your running club.

OFF THE COUCH

Off the Couch - S7 - Ep 2

On this episode of Off The Couch, Catie and Charlie catch up with some year 3 students to discover the meaning behind Lent and Shrove Tuesday!

Click over to our Facebook page to find out what they had to say.

LOST PROPERTY

A reminder to keep checking our lost property baskets as they fill up quite regularly.

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

Unclaimed items will be donated to the Pre-loved Uniform Shop or St Vincent De Paul. 

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

Crazy Sock Day 

Friday 21 March is World Down Syndrome Day and each year, people all around the world wear their crazy socks to celebrate.

Mis-matched, brightly coloured or a wild pattern- team your crazy socks with your College uniform and show your support for families and highlight the achievements of people with Down Syndrome.

#rockyoursocks

Townsville Youth Council is recruiting new members!

 Want to help shape the future for young people in Townsville?

Join the Townsville Youth Council to collaborate with community leaders, improve support, create new opportunities, and advocate for the issues that matter most to the next generation!

If you're aged 12-25, live in Townsville, and are passionate about making a difference for local young people – we want YOU!

For more information or to apply, visit Council’s website - Townsville Youth Council - Townsville City Council

Applications close 31 May 2025.