COLLEGE NEWSLETTER - 16 May, 2025

Message from the Principal

Megan Wuersching - College Principal

Dear Southern Cross College Community,

Term Two is well underway and our school is buzzing with exciting events and vibrant learning experiences. It was wonderful to see so many families joining us at the Cross Country Carnivals, engaging in the Secondary Parent Teacher Interviews, celebrating creativity at our recent Wearable Art Showcase and enjoying the dancing at our school discos. Southern Cross is truly shining this term!

Welcome Pope Leo XIV
Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV brings with him a wealth of experience from his years as a missionary in Peru and a dedication to unity and service within the Church.

When he first stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica as pope, he greeted the world warmly with the words, “Peace be with you all”. In his address, Pope Leo shared his hope that this message of peace would reach every heart and family, wherever they may be, and invited everyone to walk together in faith and unity.

As we begin this new chapter, we hold Pope Leo XIV in our prayers and look forward with hope to the guidance and direction he will bring to our Church.

School Renewal Update
This year marks our Year of Renewal at Southern Cross Catholic College. After consulting with students, families and staff in Term 1 we are now entering the Discernment phase. Using feedback and collated evidence we have drafted a statement of our school’s strengths and celebrations as well as strategic priorities to guide us over the next five years.

This term, we invite students, families and staff to review and provide feedback on our draft strategic directions ahead of the Verification Team’s visit in Term 3. Thank you to the families who have already participated in the Conversations with the Principal sessions, which have generated valuable discussions. Two more opportunities remain, and I encourage you to join these sessions to share your views. Additionally, a survey will be distributed via Compass later this term to gather further input. Your feedback is essential to ensuring SCCC develops the strongest possible plan to support our college and students. Together, with your insights and perspectives, we can shape the future of our college to best meet the needs and aspirations of our entire school community.

Prep 2026
We are currently in the midst of our Prep 2026 interviews. If you are a current family and have not submitted an application for your Prep-aged child, please do so as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community.

Megan

FROM THE DEPUTIES - Primary

Katrina Wootton - Deputy Principal - Primary

SCCC Feast Day - Friday, June 13
On Friday, June 13, SCCC will celebrate our Feast Day with a prayer celebration for primary students and a mass for secondary students. Following this, we will participate in a Colour Fun Run. The products used are certified, non-toxic powder that’s biodegradable, will not stain hair or clothes and is environmentally friendly.

SRC Meetings Term 2
Our fantastic SRC representatives met this week to share ideas, strategies, and suggestions aimed at making our College an even better place. Drawing on feedback from their peers, these students put forward thoughtful proposals for improvement and positive change. 

Have a wonderful week

Katrina

FROM THE DEPUTIES - Secondary

Jaye Beutel - Deputy Principal - Secondary

SHINE TIME “Slam Dunk” Disco - Success
Week 2 saw the annual SHINE time disco take place. Almost 180 year 7 to 10 students were in attendance and thoroughly enjoyed the evening.

It was not only a wonderful opportunity to dance the night away, but also raise funds to support the SHINE Time efforts in 2025. Of course, with any event it takes a team of people to make it all happen. A massive thanks must go to Mrs Ten Dam who led this event, all the staff who came along to supervise and of course, the great team of Year 10 and 11 students who volunteered to run the canteen on the night.

2025/26 College Student Leaders
The process is well underway in our search and appointment for our 2025/26 College Student Leaders.

Applications closed last week with 34 students taking up the call to serve our great college. This week interviews have commenced for the 16 positions in the next leadership team.

Following the interview process, students will then be invited to record a short speech for secondary students to review ahead of a college voting ballot to take place across years 7 to 11.

The appointment and handover of the College Student Leadership team will take place on our College Feast Day on Friday 13 June.

Buddy Class Update
During Term 4 last year Secondary classes began trialling the Buddy Class Referral process as a means of supporting students who were demonstrating low-level behaviours which were disruptive to the learning and teaching of the class.

This process involves the student visiting a neighbouring classroom for a reflection activity or time, following a set of classroom redirections or reminders due to disruptive behaviours. The Buddy Class process then provides not only time for the student to reflect and re-frame prior to reengaging with their regular class, but enables teachers to re-establish an orderly learning environment in their classroom and prepare for a restorative conversation with the student once they are prepared to re-enter the classroom.

The Buddy Class process has proven to be an effective early intervention and support for students during the trial period here at Southern Cross.

Commencing next week, the Buddy Class Referral process will be expanded and formalised in parts. Most of these refinements of the process relate to teachers and students, however, for parents and carers this will now include communication to you at home with a copy of the reflection sheet completed by your child. This will be provided as a Level 0 Behaviour Concern - Buddy Class Reflection notification via Compass.

The partnership we have with home in support of students is vital to their continued success at school. Therefore, it is our view that this addition to the process will strengthen this support.

Jaye

From our Chaplain

Dot Parnell - College Chaplain

Hello Everyone

Am I imagining things or is the weather really getting a teeny bit cooler? I hope so. I’ve lived in Townsville all my life and even though we live in the Tropics, I’m so grateful I live in such a  beautiful part of our world.

My Cowboys are travelling well, at the moment - sixth on the ladder is rather a good place to be.

As a season member I stick by the Cowboys Motto - Believe. Belong.

Belief and Belonging are all part of family life and the Cowboys are part and parcel of life in North Queensland. 

The joy of the Easter Season continues to give us Hope - Hope that we will have the peace and love that Jesus gives us every day of our lives.

I hope that all our Mums, Grandmas, Mums-to-be, Aunties and anyone who is a Mum figure in the lives of our children at SCCC, had a very Happy Mother’s Day on Sunday. It’s always a special time for families, isn’t it?

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

Dot

From the Guidance Team

In today's fast-moving world, many boys are struggling to find direction. Even well-meaning online searches about fitness, confidence or relationships can lead them to content that promotes rigid or unhealthy ideas about masculinity. The critically acclaimed TV show 'Adolescence' has brought fresh attention to this issue, highlighting how boys are often exposed to messages that glorify toughness and dominance, while dismissing empathy and emotional openness.

These outdated beliefs can limit emotional growth and impact how boys relate to others - with real consequences in schools, homes and communities. That's why it's more important than ever to guide boys with care, clarity and connection.

By offering healthier role models, safe spaces to talk, and encouraging respectful friendships - especially across genders - we can help boys develop the confidence, empathy and relationship skills they need to thrive.

This special report calls for a cultural shift and advocates for curiosity-driven dialogue that builds trust and critical thinking. The goal is to raise boys who are not just resistant to harmful influences, but actively capable of questioning and rejecting them. 

Here is the link to your Special Report https://sctsv.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-shaping-healthy-masculinity-au

First Nations Education Updates

Can you believe it is already Week 4?!  Like always, there is much to report on.

Wool Donations
If you have any spare wool at home and would like to donate, we’d love to take it off your hands as we are making beanies at Yarn Club.  All donations can please be given to class teachers.

Guest Speaker, Aunty Lee
Recently, Aunty Lee was welcomed to Prep, to speak to all students as part of their HASS unit. Students have been exploring places that are special, what makes them special, how we feel about them and how we can care for them. As a Bindal Traditional Custodian, Aunty Lee explained why this area is special to the Bindal people and how Country has been cared for by Bindal people and what everyone can do to look after special places in our school and community.

Yarn Club
It’s been great fun at Yarn Club over the last few weeks. Lots of craft, imaginative play, making beanie and Mother’s Day cards.

From the Careers & VET Team - Secondary

Tafe Trade Taster
A group of Year 10 students have commenced the Tafe Trade Taster Program. 

This program is a fully funded program offered by TAFE each year. It is a very popular program amongst our VET students as it allows them to sample various industries. The program allows students to experience the Trades industry by studying three units of competency from three of the six trade areas listed below, and students will also study the mandatory General Construction Induction Training (GCIT) White Card.

• Automotive
• Construction
• Plumbing
• Furnishing
• Civil
• Engineering

SCCC Music Academy

There are limited numbers of Performance Uniforms at our Pre-Loved Uniform Shop. The School Locker has a good stock of these at our Campus shop or you can visit the main store at Domain Central. It's very important that our Academy student s look as good as they sound so please ensure that your performer is in the correct uniform. If you have outgrown your uniform, please consider donating it to the Pre-Loved uniform shop so that another performer may benefit! 

You can consult the 2025 Music Academy Handbook for further information.  

SPORTS NEWS - Primary

Southern Cross Inter-House Cross Country 
The Cross Country was a great success! It was wonderful to see everyone having fun on the course and giving their best effort. Congratulations to all students involved. 

The "Mighty" Hervey House were the overall winners, with Castle House taking out the Spirit Award. Congratulations to everyone on an amazing morning. 

Age Champions:
10yrs - Sienna T and Jason N
11yrs -  Dakota D and Koen J
12yrs - Ava O and Lucas J

Runners Up: 
10yrs - Scarlett M and Dustin A
11yrs -  Mary M and Connor O
12yrs - Brooke A and Harrison G

The inter-school team was announced last week and notes have been sent home. We look forward to cheering on our Southern Cross team next Tuesday afternoon at Bicentennial Park. 

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.

SPORTS NEWS - Secondary

Secondary Inter-House Cross Country
Another Cross Country has come and gone- we had some great runners and lots of participation walkers! 

Congratulations to everyone who received a point for their house.

Age Champions on the day were:
Opens- Harry & Phoebe
17's- Ben and Abbie
16's- Tyson and Zara
15's- Chase and Heidi
14's - James and Tilly
13's- Aleah and Eamon
12's - Corbin and Jessica

Everyone is waiting with baited breath to find out the overall House Winner but Mr Roberts is keeping his cards close to his chest and has said that the announcement will be made at Assembly next week; stay tuned! 

Library News

Reading for pleasure unlocks the power of information and imagination and helps children discover who they are. 

The theme of our Scholastic Book Fair is Dino-Mite, where we hope you will Stomp, Chomp, and Read! It’s a fun reading event that brings the books kids want to read right into our school. There will be a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Please make plans to visit our Book Fair and be involved in shaping your child’s reading habits.

From the P & F

Colour Fun Run
Our amazing P&F are hosting their annual Colour Fun Run on the  Friday, 13 June 2025. It's going to be even bigger and brighter than last year!

Information and parental consent has been sent out via compass.

Our Goal!
Making a difference starts with knowing what we're fundraising for. Let's join forces and achieve great things 💪!

We still have four weeks to go and need lots more donations to reach our goal so we can purchase a permanent outdoor kitchen and our annual donation towards Legacy and our Shine Time charities. Can you help us 💜?

Most importantly, visit  to create your profile page and share with family and friends to spread the word! 💳

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  

Important Events & Date Claimers

Stay up to date with what's happening in your childs class with the weekly 'Whats On' documents.

Check out upcoming events and important whole college messages below 👇🏼

Register for a Conversations with the Principal small group session here:
https://www.sctsv.catholic.edu.au/parents/conversations-with-the-principal/