3 September 2025

Ryan Catholic College Mission Statement

Acknowledgement Of Country

Reflection

Each year, during the month of September, Christians from around the world and across many denominations unite in worship, reflection, and action to celebrate God’s beautiful Earth—and to renew our shared calling to care for creation.
This season is an invitation to pause, listen deeply, and pray in the midst of the growing climate crisis. It’s a time to marvel at the beauty of creation while recognising the urgent call to justice and renewal. As the Church, we are called to be a prophetic voice in the world—lamenting what is broken, bearing witness to God’s vision of peace and wholeness, and participating in the work of restoration—including where injustice and ecological harm intersect.

Prayer for Season of Creation by Dr Miriam Pepper

Loving God,
You care for your creatures large and small.
Their songs - and cries - resound across the Earth.
May they be no longer silenced or ignored,
As we too seek to attend to their voices.
When we are distracted,
Delight us with the diversity of your kin-dom.

God of the least,
You are found among the oppressed, the dispossessed
and the destitute.
We long for the flourishing of all.
Open the hearts of those who side with the wealthy to
abide with the poor,
Just as we commit to join those who cry for justice.
If we hang on to our privilege,
Provoke us with the vision of your kin-dom.

Living God,
You breathe new life amidst death and decay.
We look for your resurrection in this world.
As Earth's support systems unravel,
We pray for urgent action across the globe,
And redouble our efforts for Earth and her creatures.
Through despondency and distress,
Sustain us in the joy of your kin-dom.
In the name of Christ,

Amen.

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Last Tuesday evening we had the Ryan and Rotary Mundingburra Medical Careers night in Emmaus Hall. Around 80 students from various schools and their parents were in attendance. We had presentations from 3rd and 5th year medical students – the 3rd year student was our very own Alumni, Myles Mackenzie. Parents spoke of their journey whilst supporting a medical student and various GPs and specialists, also spoke. This was followed by informal conversations with the presenters to learn a bit more. It was a very informative evening. Thank you to Rotary and our College staff for bringing this event to life!

Further to this, last Wednesday evening we had the Instrumental Music Night which, yet again, didn’t fail to entertain. Thank you to Ashley and the many people that make up the broader team in the Arts, along with those who helped to live stream, both staff and students. The opportunities continue for our students with Eisteddfod rapidly approaching. Good luck to everyone.

Senior Elected Leaders for 2026

Our Elected Leaders have now been determined after a rigorous interview process. We are so proud of all of the students who put themselves forward for leadership. It is a testament to these students that the final decisions were so difficult to make. The College will be in good hands when our current Elected Leaders move into External Exams in Term 4 and hand their roles over.

Blessings for the fortnight ahead.

Primary News - Prep-Year 6

FATHER'S DAY

The Father’s Day stall is on again this year.  There’ll be a range of handmade and pre-bought gifts available, certain to please dads and grandfathers for Father’s Day.  Prices range from $2-$15.  The stall will operate in the Shelter Shed on Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th September on the:

• Junior Campus at 2.50pm.
• Senior Campus at 11.00am

Thank you to the families who joined us for our Father’s Day Liturgy on the Junior Campus on Wednesday September 3 at 2pm.

OPTIMINDS

Congratulations to Joleen and the team who competed at the Optiminds Challenge at JCU on the weekend. We are very proud of their hard work, creativity and bravery.

PUPIL FREE DAY

This Friday teachers will be engaging in some professional development, meaning a student free day.

JUMP ROPE FOR HEART

Our Junior Campus students have been finalising their fundraising efforts for Jump Rope For Heart with their Skip Offs this week. Those participating have contributed to a massive fund raising effort, Well done.

JUNIOR CAMPUS ARRIVAL TIME  

Teacher supervision commences at 8.10am, therefore any students who arrive at school prior to that must be supervised by an adult (e.g. parent, grandparent, etc.) or attend before school care.  It is a safety issue if students arrive early and aren’t supervised.

UNIFORM AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE

Please be mindful of our Personal Appearance and Uniform Regulations. Thank you for your support to ensure that our students are following these guidelines. 

Year One students have enjoyed their role as budding entomologists and researchers throughout their study of insects. During this unit, students have explored the fascinating world of insect habitats, examining how these remarkable creatures move, what they eat, and the ingenious ways they protect themselves.

As part of their learning journey, students have developed digital literacy skills by creating their own Google Slides presentations, showcasing information about their favourite insects. This hands-on approach has allowed them to combine scientific research with creative presentation skills.

Our young scientists are preparing for their upcoming excursion to the Senior Campus. There, they will have the opportunity to explore the science laboratories and use professional microscopes to observe insects up close, bringing their classroom learning to life through real-world scientific investigation.

This experience has deepened their understanding of the natural world and fostered a genuine enthusiasm for scientific inquiry and discovery.

Book Week

Students in Year 1 also thoroughly enjoyed dressing up in their favourite book characters for our annual Book Week Parent Reading Challenge and Book Character parade.

Secondary News - Years 7-12

2026 ELECTED LEADERS

We are incredibly proud of all students who put their hand up to be considered for leadership positions in 2026. The quality of candidates was outstanding, making the final decision extremely difficult. We sincerely thank every candidate for their time, effort, and enthusiasm throughout the process.

Congratulations to the students below, who have been appointed our elected leaders for 2026. We have every confidence they will do a wonderful job in guiding and representing our College community.

A Week of Wonder: Science Gets Creative, Cultural and Cold

Science Week lit up the school with a celebration of curiosity, creativity and hands-on discovery. From the chemistry of light to the physics of sound and the frosty magic of thermodynamics, students explored science in ways that were anything but ordinary. Cyanotype printing turned sunlight into art, while experiments and workshops transformed classrooms into buzzing labs of excitement. The week reminded everyone that science isn’t just something you learn about in textbooks. It’s something you can touch, hear, see and, in some cases, even taste.

Sound Waves and Storytelling: Didgeridoos with Less Tanna

Year 9 students tuned into the science of sound through immersive didgeridoo workshops led by Less Tanna. Students discovered how ancient techniques are used to craft didgeridoos, including the fascinating method of finding timber naturally hollowed out by termites. In some cases, timber is even placed in termite nests to encourage the hollowing process. The length, shape, and material of the didgeridoo all influence its deep, resonant tones, and students explored how these physical properties connect with the science of sound. 

They also learned how ancient knowledge and modern science can work together in harmony. It was a powerful reminder that science can help us understand not just how things work, but why they matter.

Cool Chemistry: Ice Cream, Salt and a Sweet Reward
Over in the senior labs, Year 12 students took science into their own hands, literally, with a delicious demonstration of melting point depression. Using ice, salt and a whole lot of patience, they made ice cream from scratch. No fancy machines, just clever chemistry and cold fingers. As the salt lowered the freezing point of the ice, the mixture chilled enough to turn cream into a scoopable treat. The process was slow, the stirring relentless and the anticipation real. But the reward? Absolutely worth it. Many students got to make their own batch, proving that science can be not only enlightening but also delightfully edible.

QTAC Student Information Night For Students & Parents

Thinking of applying through QTAC? Join QTAC for a live online session designed to give you the inside edge on submitting a successful application.

Wednesday 17 September
6-7pm
Online Event

Whether you're applying straight from Year 12, returning to study, or changing direction, QTAC experts will walk you through key tips for a successful application.

This session is perfect for students (and parents!) wanting to feel confident and prepared throughout the QTAC process. Don’t miss your chance to get insider advice straight from the source.

Endeavour Awards Assembly

On Friday 19 September, we will come together to celebrate the consistent dedication our students show in their studies. The Endeavour Awards Assembly is a special time to recognise students who consistently give their very best and demonstrate outstanding work habits.

To achieve an Endeavour Award, students must demonstrate work habits that are rated as ‘outstanding’ more than ‘very good’, and no less than ‘very good’.

This year, we are excited to introduce a new recognition: the Principal’s Award. This award acknowledges significant improvement in work habits. The top three students in each year level (Years 8-12) will receive this award, based on their Grade Point Average improvement for work habits, calculated using the most recent reporting cycle and Semester 2 of last year. We are proud to see remarkable growth in many of our students this year. Recipients of the Principal’s Award will also be invited, along with their families, to a celebratory breakfast in Week 10.

I look forward to seeing our Award Recipients and sharing this special occasion with all of you on Friday of Week 10.

We are thrilled to share the achievements of our students at this year's interschool athletics carnival. Over two action-packed days, our athletes displayed incredible dedication and skill, with many setting personal bests. Our girls' team secured forth place overall among all the schools, and our boys' team finished in seventh place. When combined, this placed Ryan in fifth overall among the Townsville A schools. We also had 2 of our students, Saxon D and Lilly W, win age champion of the age group over the 2 days. 

We celebrated 38 students who have qualified for the NQ trials on the 3rd of September. With the state championships coming up in October, and these being hosted here in Townsville by Northern School Sport, we have high hopes that many of these talented students will advance further.

Congratulations to all our athletes for their hard work and sportsmanship.

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Whole College News - Prep - Year 12

Career Pathways

Career Pathways assists students, particularly those in secondary school, with all of their career decision-making through a large number of resources on offer, careers counselling, career events and expos, guest speakers and other career-focused activities that arise throughout the year.

JCU Studiosity Program – Study Strategies and Assessment Feedback Platform for Students in Years 7 to 12
This free, study and feedback online platform for students, can be accessed by registering via the link below.

General Information:

Find Your Future Podcast

Our very own Ryan Careers podcast, Find Your Future, launched on Spotify last Friday. Our first two episodes have focused on the career journeys of two Alumni, Toni Blackmore and Liam Phelps. I sincerely thank both Toni and Liam for their time, wisdom and insights. It was wonderful chatting with them. The episode featuring Liam will be available on Friday 12 September.

Work Experience

Our internal Google form for work experience in the September holidays, is due by Friday 5 September.

• Students wanting to complete work experience in a trade area, must complete a White Card course prior to any work experience.
• Students can only undertake 30 days of work experience in a calendar year.
• Following the College’s work experience process and paperwork, links the student to the appropriate insurance for this type of student placement. If students undertake work experience without going through the College and therefore, the correct insurance is not in place, they are risking not being covered if an accident or incident occurs while they are at that placement.

Nuclear Medicine Student Program – Graduating Students

Nuclear Medicine Scientists play a critical role in modern medicine by using radioactive substances to perform advanced imaging that helps diagnose a wide range of conditions. To help students better understand this career path, we recommend watching the Being a Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Career Explained) video below, which offers a clear overview of the profession and its impact.

A groundbreaking partnership between Townsville Hospital and Health Service and RMIT University is now offering local students the chance to earn a Bachelor of Medical Radiation (Nuclear Medicine)—all while remaining in their community. You can view the Channel 7 Townsville news feature highlighting this initiative below.

Through the Nuclear Medicine Scientist Embedded Student Program, students complete their theoretical studies online with RMIT and gain hands-on clinical experience at Queensland Health facilities, including Townsville University Hospital. To further support eligible students, Queensland Health offers an annual scholarship to assist with university- related expenses.

Applications for the 2026 scholarship close on 21 September 2025.

STP Consultants – Engineering/Drafting Cadetship

STP Consultants is inviting Year 12 students to explore exciting career opportunities through their Early Careers Program. This program allows students to jump straight from the classroom into a real career in engineering or drafting, gaining hands-on experience while continuing their studies.

Program Highlights:

• Earn while you learn: Work full-time (four days practical + one study day) and gain paid experience.
• Mentorship and support: Learn from experienced engineers and drafters, with guidance and study support throughout your journey.
• Career pathways: Join as a Junior Draftsperson (Associate Degree or TAFE) or Cadet Engineer (Bachelor of Engineering).
• Real projects: Apply your skills on projects that shape Queensland’s future.

Application Details:

• Applications close: 30 September 2025
• Send resume and cover letter to: careers@stpconsultants.com.au

2026 University Study for Graduating Students

A reminder for Year 12 students and families that university admission centres for 2026 study are now open. If an interview/portfolio submission/written submission/audition or some other step, is part of the process, there will be an earlier due date than for other courses. These due dates are usually in September.

It is the responsibility of each Year 12 student to know the application date deadlines and the application components required, for their tertiary courses. I am here to assist students, as much as possible, with their applications, but I will not be reminding students of all application deadlines and requirements.

JCU Early Offer Program

Early offers at JCU now open. If you are interested in JCU's Early Offer Program, please see the link below for more information.

Please be aware that students must be on track to meet the entry requirements for that course, for the College to be able to support the early offer application.

Please also be aware that competitive courses are excluded from early offers - Bachelor of Medicine/Surgery, Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Bachelor of Physiotherapy and Bachelor of Veterinary Science. Many universities have early offer programs, so if you are planning to study away from Townsville, please check their dates and requirements for this.

Australian Defence Force Gap Year Program – Applications Open

If students are interested in a position with the Australian Defence Force, the Gap Year Program may be a good option to explore. This program allows students to experience an ADF position, basic training, and the military lifestyle for 12 months. At the end of this time, they can either choose to begin the process of full enlistment or move to other pathways outside of the ADF. This program can be helpful for students contemplating the ADF but unsure if it is the pathway they really want. Please see below for more information.

Defence Work Experience – August to November 2025

The schedule below is the work experience opportunities being offered by Defence Recruiting over the next few months. As the work experience is often not during school holiday periods, interested students must come and talk with me first, before applying, to ensure the dates are not clashing with important subject requirements or College events.

Employment Opportunities

At times, I advertise either employment opportunities aimed at graduating students or students across year levels. The majority of these are not placed in the newsletter. They are only emailed to the students directly.

Upcoming Events:

Mater Education Open Day - Saturday 6 September - 9am to 11am

This Open Day will occur at the Mater Conference Centre on Fulham Road and is a great opportunity for students to explore study options such as the Diploma of Nursing.

Please register via the QR code on the flyer, if you are interested in attending.

Lavarack Barracks Work Experience – Wednesday 22 to Thursday 23 October

This opportunity will be open to interested Year 10 or 11 students, if there are no clashes with subject requirements or College events. Students must discuss the application with me before submitting their paperwork. Unfortunately, this opportunity will not be open to Year 12 students due to external exams.

Upcoming JCU Webinars

Exploring the World of Veterinary Science – Tuesday 9 September – 7.00 to 8.00pm

All Things Marine – Tuesday 16 September (this is during school time, but the recording will be
available afterwards)

If you are interested in any of these webinars, please register via the link below.

Reading @ Ryan

Book Week on the Junior Campus

What a week! The Junior Campus celebrated CBCA Book Week in style this year. With the theme Book an Adventure, our Library was transformed into a jungle, ready for our intrepid young readers to explore their next great story. Each day, the Library was buzzing with activity, from lunchtime crafts and the photo booth to our Story Safari sessions, where guest readers shared their favourite stories.

We were thrilled to welcome so many parents and families for the Parent Reading Challenge and the Book Character Parade at the end of the week. Your costumes were spectacular! Congratulations to the winners of our Decorate Your Door Challenge: Student’s Choice went to 4A and 4B, Teacher’s Choice to 3B, and Meaghan’s Choice to 2C.

Our Premier’s Reading Challenge raffle winners were Emmet W, Jace L, Jack D, Olivia W, and Bobby F - well done! The Bookmark Design Competition was another highlight, showcasing wonderful creativity. Congratulations to Cora S, Grayce H, Sonny C, Aaron J, and Zali G. Zali’s design was selected as the overall winner and is now available in the Library.

Check out our Book Week Wrap-Up Video, for photos from throughout the week.

As we look back, it’s important to remember that Book Week is about more than competitions and costumes (though they bring plenty of joy!). This year’s theme, Book an Adventure, captures the true spirit of what reading offers - every book is a doorway to new worlds, fresh ideas, and exciting journeys. Book Week celebrates Australian children’s literature and the authors and illustrators who create these adventures for us to explore. Above all, Book Week reminds us that reading is not just something we do at school; it’s a lifelong adventure waiting on every page.

Book Week on the Senior Campus

The biggest event that happened in the Senior Hub during term three was Book Week. The 2025 theme was Book An Adventure and this year marked the 80th anniversary of Book Week. Fun fact: the first Book Week theme in 1945 was United Through Books - very appropriate for the time.

The Hub was buzzing all week with competitions such as the Year 5/6 Passport Competition, the Famous First Lines Kahoot!, Celebrity Heads, based on characters from books, and the Masked Reader competition. A Treasure Hunt was held on Thursday and students loved the challenge of matching teachers to their favourite novels. Having your picture taken in the Book An Adventure social media frame was also a hit.

Students loved the creativity of designing a Book An Adventure themed bookmark. We had so many varied and eye-catching entries that the judges had a tough time choosing the winners. In the end, we had three winners (seen below) and four highly commended winners.

Without a doubt, the highlight of the week was the Costume Parade on Friday, 22 August. Students and staff got into the spirit of the day by dressing as their favourite book characters. Everyone had the chance to compete in the following costume categories;

• Most Adventurous Costume - Primary and Secondary Prizes
• Most Unique Costume - Primary and Secondary Prizes
• Best Group Costume - Primary and Secondary Prizes
• Best Staff Member Costume - First Place and Second Place
• Best Staff Group Costume - First Place and Second Place
• Best Homeroom Group Costume - First Place and Second Place

School TV

SPECIAL REPORT: Healthy Study Habits

In today's world, where distractions are abundant and the pressure to excel is high, guiding children to develop healthy study habits is more important than ever. As students aspire to achieve academic success, the cornerstone of that achievement lies not just in their intelligence or drive, but in the study habits they cultivate.

It's essential for students to recognise that good study habits aren't merely about spending extra hours hitting the books. It's more about quality over quantity and having a more balanced approach. Emphasising the value of a routine is essential. Consistent study times establish a sense of structure and discipline, turning studying into a natural part of their daily routine rather than a burdensome task.

Additionally, how students approach their study sessions is equally important. Taking regular breaks is a crucial part of this process in maintaining focus and preventing burnout.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes sufficient sleep, a balanced diet, and consistent physical activity are indispensable elements that will significantly impact your child's ability to study effectively. Fostering these healthy habits is one of the most valuable gifts we can offer children, paving the way for a lifetime of learning and achievement.

This Special Report will help you support your young person as they embark on studying for exams.

Home Base

Home Base (H4) is our Chaplain/Defence/Wellbeing space.

Home Base is located H4 on the Senior Campus for students Years 5-12.

Parish News

Defence News

If you have any concerns or need our support please contact the College by phone or email us directly.

Nikki Blackwell will be working Monday to Friday across both Campuses to support students P-12.

Jacklin Weston is available Monday and Tuesday on the Senior Campus to support students 5-12.

Defence Member And Family Helpline 

For advice, support or local community information, contact our all-hours Defence Member and Family Helpline. Run by Defence Member and Family Support, the helpline is the best way to access the programs and services that we offer to help Defence families manage the military way of life.

The helpline is available 24/7 and is staffed by qualified human services professionals, including social workers and psychologists.

Partner Employment Assistance Program

Partner Employment Assistance Program (PEAP) recognises the service and sacrifices of the ADF members and their families, and the unique challenges ADF partners face in sustaining a career whilst supporting the ADF members' service. This program allows partners to claim reimbursement up to $1500 per financial year for a variety of employment services.

Shoulder to Shoulder

Peer-led, anonymous moderated forums spaces for Veterans and their families & carers

AVCAT Scholarships

The Australian Veterans' Children Assistance Trust is offering tertiary scholarships for children and grandchildren of Australian ex-serving veterans. Click on the links below for more information.

P & F News

The Ryan P&F are partnering with Entertainment.
Support our school by purchasing a membership to The Entertainment App.
By purchasing a Membership, you're not just treating yourself to fantastic savings—you're also directly supporting our school. With every Membership purchase, our P&F Association receives 20% of the Membership price.
These helps fund resources for our school including, most recently:

• Seating on the Senior Campus
• Choir risers
• Scoreboard on the oval
• Playgrounds on the Junior Campus
• Air-conditioning Emmaus Hall backstage
• Table settings for all classes at Junior Campus
• Upgrade of Emmaus Hall lighting & sound
• New instruments for instrumental music program
• Camera and accessories for Culture
• Contribution to Maker Space on Senior Campus

Uniform Shop Hours

Sponsors

Community News