30 April 2025

Ryan Catholic College Mission Statement

Acknowledgement Of Country

Reflection

Prayer for the Conclave and election of the new Pope

O God eternal shepherd,
who govern your flock with unfailing care,
grant in your boundless fatherly love
a pastor for your Church
who will please you by his holiness
and to us show watchful care.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome back to Term 2. 

We celebrated some solemn and meaningful ANZAC services across both campuses and represented all of our fallen and current service men and women at the Thuringowa dawn service and march. Our vocal ensemble sang hymns and led the national anthems at the dawn service and, once again, were simply superb. My thanks extends to all of our valued Ryan community members - parents and friends who supported our students to be witnesses at these events.

Attendance and being on time -  especially senior students

As we engage in a few shorter weeks with public holidays, I ask for your support and focus on excellent student attendance and on each student being on time to school. There is increasing anxiety around the impacts of lateness to school for many students, including our senior students. 

School commences everyday at the same time, for each campus. There is no ambiguity here. 

What prevents success is poor attendance and not being on time

If you need support from us to provide encouragement or strategies for you or your child regarding this, we are here and ready to assist.

Punitive measures such as making up lost time can be engaged in by schools, but actually provide no meaningful impact for missed learning opportunities or the important social interactions that school communities provide.

We aim to bring out the best in your children, but when they do not attend or are late; this impacts on them negatively, and we are always playing catch up - and it is simply unnecessary.

The graphic below illustrates this for you.

Rest in Eternal Peace - Pope Francis

Our staff and students were proud to attend the mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis at the Sacred Heart Cathedral last Friday evening.

With the passing of our beloved Pope Francis, the Church and our Ryan community engaged in some reflection of what it means to be catholic and to work, study and be part of a catholic community.  Our reflections focused on being good role models - of meaning what you say and doing what is necessary, even though it may be unpopular - for the greater good. The greater good is always centred on love, and Pope Francis forged many new paths, along with much resistance and the growing contempt from some areas of society - both within his inner circle and outside of it. However he engaged in it all with love. 

We are inspired by his deep sense of community and fortitude, wrapped in humility and honest service to others. It reminds us all that to serve is not easy, and to serve and lead in ambiguity is even more difficult. 

We pray for the repose of his soul and for wisdom of the conclave in the election of a new Pope who will lead us into the future.

This resource is a good one for your reference regarding the next stages of choosing our next Pope.

Primary News - Prep - Year 6

Junior Campus Breakfast Bar - Donations Needed

We’re seeking donations of condiments and spreads to help keep our Breaky Bar running strong! If you’re able to contribute items like jam, honey, vegemite, and butter we’d be very grateful. Note that the Junior Campus is nut-free, so we kindly ask that families don't donate peanut butter. These small additions go a long way in supporting a welcoming and nourishing start to the day for our students. Donations can be dropped off at the Junior Campus office. Thank you for your continued support!

Term 2 is off to a great start for our Year 2 students!

Year 2 students celebrated National Jelly Bean Day with a creative and engaging literacy session inspired by the classic tale Jack and the Beanstalk. The students gathered in the library, where they listened to the story and then worked collaboratively in small groups to build their very own beanstalks. The activity not only brought the story to life but also encouraged teamwork, imagination, and hands-on learning.

In addition to their beanstalk creations, students enjoyed listening to a variety of storybooks through Storybook Online. This sparked vibrant discussions and helped launch the class into their next learning focus: Narrative Features. This week, the spotlight was on “Settings.”

Students were encouraged to dream up and draw their own settings for an original narrative. From outer space adventures to beachside escapades and magical castles, their creativity knew no bounds!

It was a joyful and educational week full of storytelling, collaboration, and colourful imagination.

Students have also been enjoying learning about sound in Science, and participating in their Maths groups.

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Secondary News - Years 7 - 12

Important Update on SET Planning for Year 10 Students

As we move through this term and into the next, I want to share some key information about senior pathways, the SET (Senior Education and Training) Planning process and senior subject selection for our Year 10 students.

SET Planning is a vital process that prepares our students for their senior schooling by guiding them in making informed choices about their educational paths, supported by their parents/carers and College advisors. Through this process, students will have the opportunity to select subjects that align with their interests and future goals. By working closely with SET Planners and parents/carers, they can explore various options and understand the requirements for each pathway, empowering them to take charge of their education. Ultimately, this process equips students with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to succeed in their studies and future careers.

Preparation for SET Planning

Throughout Terms 1 and 2, our Year 10 students will have participated in six one-hour lessons led by Ramon (Year 10 Pastoral Leader) and Nicole (Careers Counsellor). These sessions have equipped them with foundational knowledge for senior pathways, SET Planning and subject selection. To further support this process, students are required to complete Compass Insights before their SET Planning meetings. 

In light of this preparation that is currently underway, we strongly encourage all parents/carers and students to mark the following important dates in calendars and ensure participation.

Important Dates to Remember

SET Planning Information and Senior Pathways Handbook Distribution

By the end of Term 2, the College will email the SET Planning Information and the Senior Pathways Handbook to students and parents/carers. Please take the time to review this material and prepare any questions you may have for the upcoming Parent Information Evening - Transitioning to Senior for Year 10 Students.

• Date: Tuesday, July 15
• Time: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
• Location: Emmaus Hall

Join us for an informative evening featuring subject displays and opportunities to meet our Pedagogy and Learning Leaders, as well as advisors for vocational education (VET) pathways and careers. Students and parents/carers will also have the chance to learn about subject scaling as well on the night.

SET Planning Days

• Dates: Tuesday, July 22 and Wednesday, July 23

During these two days, Year 10 students and their parents/carers will work one-on-one with their allocated SET Planner to determine their course for senior schooling. Each interview will last 30 minutes, and appointments can be booked similarly to Parent-Teacher Interviews, with slots available from 8:30 AM to 6:20 PM. The appointment booking portal will open the same night as the Parent Information Evening.

The College warmly invites all Year 10 parents/carers to engage actively in the SET Planning process, as your support is essential in guiding your student toward making informed choices for their educational futures.

RCC New Zealand Sports Tour

Ryan Catholic College has successfully embarked on its most ambitious and largest international sports tour to date, with 70 students and 14 staff recently travelling to New Zealand’s North Island for 11 unforgettable days of sport, culture, and adventure that provided our students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to test themselves on the international sporting stage.

On the tour our seven teams across four different sports (rugby league, netball, touch football and basketball) played fixtures against New Zealand schools, while immersing themselves in the local culture, visiting many of its famous landmarks, and participating in a range of experiences that the majority of staff and students have never experienced before.

Despite starting the tour with rain and strong wind, which resulted in one of our opening fixtures being called off, the remaining sporting fixtures played on the tour were a resounding success, with our teams winning 20 of the 27 sporting fixtures played on tour.

More important than the results however, was the unforgettable journey of growth and discovery experienced on the tour by our students that connected them with students from another country and enabled them to witness first-hand the tapestry of different cultures at work in the real world in a way that textbooks never could.

This was particularly evident on our visit to Tokoroa High School, where we had the privilege to be formally welcomed into the school with a Powhiri (Maori formal welcome, that includes calls, haka, speeches and singing). As part of the welcome the students also had an opportunity to reciprocate the formal welcome that was delivered in song by singing our College song 'Stay With Us Lord'. For the group, it will be a cultural experience they will never forget.

Other points of interest on the tour included attending an A League Football match between Auckland FC and Western Sydney; learning about local Maori history at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves; climbing Mount Eden, the highest volcano in Auckland, and from the summit enjoying spectacular views of the city and its harbours; seeing the impressive Auckland War Memorial Museum building; and visiting the Sky Tower to get panoramic views over Auckland.

The group also had a lot of fun on the days off from fixtures, especially when based in Rotorua, the adventure capital of the North Island.

Due to the multi-faceted nature of the tour, in addition to their sporting, cultural, sightseeing, and thrill seeking adventures, the students learnt important life skills, such as responsibility, independence, resilience, and social awareness, as well as an appreciation of the world and different cultures. They also learnt important time management, organisational, financial, and social skills, and came away from the tour better equipped with the skills, knowledge, and understanding that will enable them to operate effectively in the future as active and informed local and global citizens.

The tour was not possible without the unwavering support of our parents; the dedication, time and efforts of our staff; and our brilliant students on tour, who were fantastic ambassadors for our College through their demonstration of sportsmanship, spirit, and respect, to not only their opposition during the sporting fixtures, but also to the range of cultural ceremonies they participated in was fantastic to see. 

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What a start to Year 10!

Last term a team of 26 students competed in the Science and Engineering Challenge and completed admirably against other local schools. In the sporting arena, students have been involved in League, Union, Basketball, Volleyball and Netball representing the school and we celebrate some high sporting achievements of students at the State and National level. Congratulations to all students and sports men and women. Several Year 10’s also jetted off to NZ on the recent Sports Tour over the Easter break and by all accounts had a great time.  

Students have hit the ground running in the academic arena as well in what is an important year. As part of their curriculum, students have undertaken one Pathways lesson a fortnight. In these lessons students have engaged in understanding the QCE, ATAR and Vocational Careers hopefully starting to think ahead for Years 11 and 12 and the subjects they might consider.

Year 10 are eager for the Swimming Carnival as they battle it out for House honours and bragging rights.

Whole College News - Prep - Year 12

Class Photos - Prep to Yr 12

We are very pleased to announce NQ School Photography as the supplier of our school photographs for 2025. They have 20 years of school photo experience and currently service 100 schools across the Northern Region. 

Families can order photos via the following link.

There is a wide choice of photo packs available.  Please contact NQ School Photography on 07 4035 5388 or at orders@nqsp.com.au if you have any enquiries regarding ordering.

The program and requirements for the week are as follows.  A link to the specific timetable will be on the College website from 6 May and sent to parents via COMPASS.

Wednesday 21 May

• Prep-Year 4 Class Photos - Formal Uniform
  Venue - Shelter Shed for class photos and MP3 for individual photos.

• Year 8 Class Photos - Formal Uniform

Venue - Garden Area between Senior Campus Administration and Canterbury Rd for class photos, individual photos in The Hub classroom

Thursday 22 May

• Year 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 Class Photos - Formal Uniform
  Venue - Garden Area between Senior Campus Administration and Canterbury Rd for class photos, individual photos in the Hub Classroom.  

Note: Year 5 & 6 students will not be required to wear Formal uniform on Friday. 

Years 7, 9, 10 students will not be required to wear Formal uniform on Wednesday 21 May.

Friday 23 May

• Year 11 & 12 Class Photos - Formal Uniform
  Venue - Garden Area between Senior Campus Administration and Canterbury Rd for class photos, individual photos in the Hub Classroom.  The Year 12 Cohort Photo will also be taken on this day.

Note: Year 11 students will be required to wear Formal uniform and stay after the Mathematics exam for photos. 

Sibling Photos

Photos can order photos via the following link.

Please select a suitable time from the sessions below for your children to attend.  No bookings are required. 

• Wednesday 21 May  7:45am - 8:30am - MP3 on Junior Campus
• Thursday 22 May  7:45am - 8:30am - The Hub Classroom on Senior Campus
  
• Friday 23 May 7:45am - 8:30am - The Hub Classroom on Senior Campus

Wet Weather Plan

In the event of wet weather all class and individual photos will be taken in Emmaus Hall. For the Junior Campus all photos will be taken in the library.

Car Park Safety and Accessibility

We kindly ask all parents and carers to please be considerate when using the College’s car park facilities. The smaller car park at the front of the Junior Campus is intended for families requiring access to the Office and for those with disabilities who rely on the convenience and accessibility of this space. It’s especially important that designated disabled parking bays are kept available for those who genuinely need them, as they provide essential access and support for members of our community. The College, particularly the Junior Campus, is fortunate to have excellent parking facilities, and we respectfully encourage all drop-offs, pick-ups, and longer-term parking to take place in the main car park. Your ongoing support and thoughtfulness help ensure our car parks remain safe, accessible, and welcoming for everyone.

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.

Study/Revision Tip #3

The Pomodoro Technique for time management is often used with study. The technique divides work/study into 25-minute intervals followed by a 5-minute break. This technique works very well if the person is very disciplined with their work habits and time.

I prefer to adjust this technique as I believe it is easy for students, and people in general, to procrastinate for the 25 minutes and then give themselves a break. It is more effective to have set tasks that need to be completed, to a good standard, in the time period and then a break can be taken.

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.

JCU Conversations with Chemists Event – Friday 2 May – Free for Years 10-12 Students

The JCU Pharmacy Student Association are hosting an event on Friday night at the Townsville Yacht Club for interested students in Years 10 to 12. This event is free for school students, but they must obtain a ticket via the QR code on the flyer below. This is a great opportunity for interested students to talk with Pharmacy students and staff, and gain insights into the course and profession.

JCU Now Webinar - 6th May - 7.00pm to 8.00pm

JCU will be hosting an information webinar related to the JCU Now program for interested Year 11 and 12 students. JCU Now allows secondary students to commence studying some first year Undergraduate subjects while still at school. Registration is via the link below.

JCU also hosts a number of Law webinars throughout the year for students who enjoy Legal Studies and/or are contemplating a pathway in this profession, as well as webinars on a variety of topics related to tertiary study.
Details of all JCU webinars can be found at the link below.

Work Experience: June/July Holidays – Years 10, 11 & 12

Work experience for the next set of holidays is now open. Due to a lot of year level activities in the last week of this term, the Work Experience Google Form will be due by Tuesday 10 June. Students can organise their work experience and the paperwork very early in the term. They do not have to wait until the end of term is approaching.

Main Steps for Work Experience:

1) Student contacts me to either inform me of the work experience they have already organised or to gain work experience provider details for the student to contact. This step must occur before Tuesday 10 June.

2) Once the student has organised work experience with a provider, they will complete and submit our internal Work Experience Google Form. This form contains the information I require to create the official agreement and therefore, must be completed in full.

3) Once I receive the Google form, I will email a Safety Checklist and Student Protection Form to the provider for completion.

4) The student will then be asked to collect the official agreement from me to take home for signature. Once this form is returned, I will email it to the employer for signature.

5) Once I receive the Safety Checklist and Student Protection form from the employer, I will ascertain if the work experience requires a full Risk Assessment, and if so, this will be created.

6) Students to collect Work Experience Logbook in the week before the holidays and important information is emailed out to students, a parent contact and employers.

JCU Navigate YOU Summit – Year 10 Students - June/July Holidays

The inaugural JCU Navigate YOU Summit is a live-in program offering current Year 10 students the chance to experience university life during the school holidays. The program is an entirely immersive residential program that is fully funded by JCU. It provides students with a distinctive experience of tertiary education to inform their career goals, develop confidence and build capacity for tertiary study. The Navigate YOU Summit aims to provide encouragement to students who has the capability to thrive at university, however, may lack the confidence and career clarity to pursue a tertiary pathway.

Program details:

• Dates: Monday 7 July – Friday 11 July 2025 (Week two of school holidays).
• Location: JCU Townsville, Bebegu Yumba campus, Douglas.
• Staying on campus: Accommodation is in the residential colleges on JCU campus with catering provided for all participants while on campus. Residential participants will be supervised by JCU staff.
• Cost - Free: JCU will coordinate and provide all travel, accommodation, and meals for students.

Who should attend:

• Year 10 students who would like to experience a University Residential Program.
• Students who wish to build confidence in subject selection and career choices.
• Students wanting an educative approach to the decision-making process.
• Students that have permission from their Parent/Guardians to attend for the full duration of the program.

Please see the flyer below for more information and to register to receive more information at the application opening date.

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 – March to July 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.

University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) ANZ 2025 Registrations Now Open - Booking Deadline 16 May

The key dates below, are for current Year 12 students interested in applying for Medicine, Dentistry and some other Health degrees at universities where passing the UCAT is a requirement of the application process.

Click on the link below for more information.

UCAT registration is available only via the UCAT ANZ website

Languages

Italian and Japanese Club

Reminder, Italian and Japanese Club begins this term. Students in Year 7 – 12 are more than welcome to attend and join in the fun. You do not have to be studying the language as the focus is cultural, to learn something new and most importantly, to have fun!

Japanese Club Week A Tuesday’s first lunch in H2 (Japanese room) to begin in Week 3 Italian Club Week B Thursday’s afternoon tea in H3 (Italian room) to begin this week For Italian Club this week we will be doing a music-actions activity called Gioca Jouer and for Japanese Club a chopstick challenge with prizes up for grabs!  

Languages Online Speech Contest!

The LTQ (Language Teachers’ Queensland) online Speech Contest is an educational event organised by members of Languages Teachers’ Queensland. The objective of the contest is to foster and nurture the appreciation of languages and culture.

Entries and registrations open on Monday 28th April and close on Friday 27th June 2025.

Please communicate with your Language Teacher or the Pedagogy and Learning Leader – Languages, Paula White, if you are interested and would like more information.

Cultural Corner

 Get Ready for Popstars 2025! 

The countdown is on – only 5 weeks to go!

Rehearsals for Popstars 2025 are in full swing, and the excitement is electric across the school! This high-energy jukebox musical, packed with iconic hits from the ‘90s and early 2000s, promises to be a big hit!.

This past Sunday marked a special moment as our Prep to Year 4 students joined the cast for the very first time, alongside our Year 5–12 performers. The hall was buzzing with energy, and it’s already clear: this is going to be a show to remember! 

With dazzling choreography, powerful vocals, hilarious moments, and a story that celebrates friendship, rivalry, and chasing your dreams — Popstars 2025 will have you singing and dancing in your seat!

 SHOW DATES:
 Opening Night: Wednesday, May 28
 Final Show: Saturday, May 31
 Emmaus Hall – Show starts 6:30 PM

 TICKETS ON SALE NOW via the school website – don’t wait, they’re selling fast!

Whether you're a parent, student, grandparent, or community member, come and experience the magic our talented cast and crew have been working so hard to create. Let's pack the hall and cheer them on as they shine like the stars they are! 

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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.

Year 4 Anzac Day activity

As part of their Anzac Day learning, our Year 4 students took part in a meaningful activity that helped them understand the significance of this important day. Each student wrote and decorated a Postcard of Honour to acknowledge and thank a local veteran for their service.

These heartfelt postcards were then distributed by RSL Sub Branches to veterans across Queensland on Anzac Day, helping to foster connections within our communities and between generations.

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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

Community News

Looking for a fun and inclusive way to play netball? Netability is a program is designed for players with a disability providing a safe and supporting environment to enjoy the game. The eight-week program is free and will provide players the opportunity to work on the skills of netball and build these skills into game play.When: Thursdays

Time: 5-6pm
Where: Townsville City Netball courts, Annandale
Register your interest: https://forms.office.com/r/qbxqNNqg4G

Require any further information please email Natalie.parsloe@netballq.org.au