First Nations Education Newsletter - Term 1, 2025

First Nations Education Newsletter

Celebrations

QATSIF (Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation)

Our college has been a part of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation (QATSIF) scholarship program since 2017. From the 1890s through to the 1970s, the Queensland Government withheld wages meant to be paid to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers. QATSIF was created to give Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families increased educational choices and life opportunities. They have turned stolen wages into scholarships from the interest on unallocated stolen wages.

Our 2025 scholars are split into two rounds. Our round 15 scholars pictured are: Dakota, Chloe, Tahlia, Marley, Jayden, Billie, Jayla and Shelby (not pictured - Taj, Dylan & Ariarne). Our round 16 scholars pictured are: Jessie, Tyler, Broc, Payten, Zahlee and Lorianna (not pictured Charlie, Lathan & Cornell).

NATIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

In Week 9 of this term, one of our Year 12 students Lorianna Weier represented the college at the annual National Constitutional Convention in Canberra. This is what she had to say about it:

Attending the National Schools Constitutional Convention in Canberra was an incredible experience. Witnessing the budget announcement and Question Time at Parliament House was a highlight. We also had an in depth conversation about fiscal federalism at Old Parliament House with speakers to help deepen our understanding of Australia’s Constitutional Framework. Meeting the Governor-General Her Excellency Ms Sam Mostyn AC, attending The National Press Club dinner with inspiring speakers and touring the Museum of Australian Democracy made this an unforgettable opportunity to explore governance and policy in action. 

NAIDOC WEEK - DEADLY DAY OUT - FAMILIES SHOUTOUT

Senior Campus Activities

YARNING CIRCLE

This term our Yarning Circles started with the Year 7, 8 & 9 First Nations Students in Week 3, followed by our Year 10, 11 and 12 students in Week 5. The students that attended these sessions had the opportunity to introduce themselves to both old and new students. We also did some goal setting for the year and we will revise these goals in Term 4.

HARMONY DAY

For Harmony Day this year, we had an open Yarning Circle to all students on the Senior Campus. We had a great turn out with over 50 students in attendance. The students were welcomed with Zooper Doopers and were given explanations on protocols for how our Yarning Circle are run. All students were respectful and were engaged in the circle.

A cultural face painting stall was also held as a part of the Harmony Day celebrations as a student led initiative. It was great to see so many students of all year levels getting involved and learning about all the different cultures that are represented at Ryan. 

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MEN'S & WOMEN'S BUSINESS

For Men’s and Women’s Business this term the students were given the opportunity to plan for the year ahead and have a say about the topics and areas they wanted to explore in their respective sessions. The students also used this time to get started with their contributions to our Strand Ephemera wearable art.

STRAND EPHEMERA

Ryan Catholic College has been accepted to participate in Townsville City Council's biannual visual art event Strand Ephemera. This year the theme is "Traceless," and we are creating wearable art pieces out of recycled materials to represent the materials that enter our ocean and the use we could have for them. Students participated in the making of a Wearable Art piece to represent the mascot of Strand Ephemera this year; an Olive-backed Sunbird.

This mascot was influenced by First Nations artist Selwyn Johnson. Selwyn has lived in Townsville his whole life and is a proud Aboriginal artist. He is a Traditional Owner of Townsville and Magnetic Island, the Wulgurukaba, (Wulgurukaba meaning “canoe people.”) The Wulgurukaba call their Country Gurambilbarra (Townsville) and Yunbenun (Magnetic Island). The artwork Selwyn Johnson creates draw heavily from his cultural identity.

FIRST NATIONS PASTORAL CARE CLASS (PCC)

Our First Nations Pastoral Care Class has resumed this term with Carmen, our new First Nations Education Teacher. We have been building a support network within the students to assist our young people in supporting each other at school. We have used targeted yarning prompts to engage students, continued the Strand Ephemera art project and provided healthy snacks to help prepare our students for a day of learning.

First Nations Pastoral Care Class Timetable is as follows:

• Monday: Years 8 & 12  
• Tuesday: Years 7 & 11
• Thursday: Years 9 & 10

*First Nations Pastoral Care Class for Years 7 - 12 is in I22.*

YEAR 7 EXPO

On Monday the 10th of March the First Nations team had a stall at the Year 7 Expo. Many potential students were able to come and learn about the First Nations Education programs that Ryan offers and lots of temporary tattoos and stickers were given out as well. Students were able to ask questions about the Emerging Leaders program and even ask senior students about their experience as an RCC student.

PALM ISLAND SCHOOL VISIT

On Tuesday the 11th of March we were delighted to host a group of Year 6 students and staff from St Michael's Primary School, Palm Island. The students were taken on a tour as a part of their exploration into high school. The students visited our Yarning Circle, were amazed walking through Emmaus Hall and then went into Technology classrooms where they were presented with a momento from the college. The students finished off their day with a drama class where they were able to see a Year 7 Drama performance and then share their own dance performance. It was certainly Reconciliation spirit at its best!

Junior Campus Activities

YARNING CIRCLE

It has been great to meet with each year level over the term for Yarning Circle. Everyone coming together to share their stories and how they are feeling about the new school year ahead. During these gatherings the students have worked with our First Nations Team to create their personal and cultural goals that they aim to achieve throughout 2025. It was beautiful to hear the children sharing their goals with their peers and thinking about how they will achieve their goals. 

During Term 2 (Week 6), we will be celebrating Reconciliation Week and we look forward to the children bringing along a friend to join us for Yarning Circle during this week. 

PREP EXPO

Prep Expo was another great success! We had a large number of families visit the booth and our Lemon Myrtle playdough was a huge hit with the children. Many families are very excited to be joining the Ryan family in 2026.  

HOMEWORK CLUB

Homework club has taken off unbelievably well over this first term with a great number of students attending in both the Year 5/6 group and the Year 3/4 group. We have been very lucky to have the support of Therese Strogusz, one of our Year 4 teachers who has joined the Year 3/4 Homework Club on Tuesday afternoons to help support our students. THANK YOU THERESE! We look forward to welcoming everyone back in Week 3 of next term. 

PERSONAL LEARNING PLANS (PLP'S)

Our PLP's are currently underway with the children all setting their personal and cultural goals during Yarning Circles. This year we are excited to introduce a new template for the PLP's to give us a little bit more of a background into each child and the ways in which they feel they learn best and the areas in which they feel they need the most support. PLP meeting will be held early in Term 2. 

JUNIOR DEADLY DANCE TROUPE

This term we have established our very first Junior Deadly Dance Troupe with 25 of our First Nations students between Year 1 and Year 4 signing up to this new initiative. Our first practice with William Mabo was a huge hit and the children are very keen to learn more. We will notify families next term of the practice session dates. We look forward to the group performing at our upcoming NAIDOC Week Assembly in Term 3. 

YEAR 5 & 6 PASTORAL CARE CLASS (PCC)

Although we have had a few disruptions this term between NAPLAN and other school events, our students were able to attend a few sessions this term. These are held on a Friday morning from 8:40am to 9am. Although it is only 20 mins we do get to have a good check-in and to discuss any upcoming events or activities. Next term we'll be preparing for National Reconciliation Week.

Programs

AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING & HOMEWORK CLUB

Our after school tutoring program has continued to grow in numbers in 2025! Many of our students from Years 7-12 have been attending to work on homework and assessments. This term we have had our external tutors helping students with their assessments and any subject areas that the students feel they could improve in. This has been a great success and we are looking forward to seeing all students back again next term. In term 2 Tutoring will commence again in Week 2 and will conclude in Week 9 of the term.

If you wish to enrol your child/ren in the First Nations After School Tutoring Program you may do so here: https://forms.gle/J5pu729WLBhdtuNcA 

EMERGING LEADERS

Emerging Leaders Incentive Scheme: Years 7-12

We are very privileged to be a part of this great program run by the Townsville Catholic Education Office currently extended till 2026. Students are encouraged by their mentor to strive for Academic improvement, minimum 90% attendance and Engagement along with Application (which means effort and behaviour in class) which is a new enhancement. 

The changes this year is compulsory attendance for events which included the registration, (Parent Information Night) which was held on March 4. We had a great turn out with over 200 people attending. This really is a great testament of what a difference this program makes to our families and students. We have 115 students who have registered with 28 mentors consisting of teachers, school officers, counsellors and 2 members of the leadership team.

The other enhancement is the minimum passing of 3 subjects, one must be English or Maths. We feel that this will drive our students to work harder academically. We do continue to offer after school tutoring (3 times a week) to support this expectation. Health checks is the new offer which will be organised and on offer at school.

It has been great to see some really engaging conversations through the Personal Leadership Agreement process with students and mentors both being energised and motivated!

JCU INDIGENOUS WINTER SCHOOL 2025

Students from Grade 10 to Grade 12 studying ATAR-eligible subjects who are keen to explore university life and career pathways have been invited to apply for JCU’s Indigenous Winter School. It is an incredible opportunity for our young people to experience what uni is all about, meet other First Nations students looking at going to university and experience life in the residential college.

JCU will cover all return travel, accommodation, and catering costs. Students will be fully supervised, ensuring a fun and safe experience.

Study Areas Available:

• Allied Health
• Indigenous Studies
• Law
• Marine
• Mathematics/Science
• Medicine/Dentistry
• Nursing/Midwifery
• Social Work

Important Dates:

• Monday, March 10 – Applications open NOW!
• Wednesday, April 30 – Applications close
• Tuesday, May 6 – Applicants notified

You can apply by visiting this website.

CARINITY EDUCATION SHALOM READING PROGRAM

Our Reading Program with Carinity Education Shalom will recommence for 2025 in Week 4, Term 2. The reading program is open to First Nations students in Years 9 to 12, and invites students to read children's books with students in Years Prep to 3 at Shalom before school. Attendance will count towards their Emerging Leaders Engagement Pillar. Expressions of interest have already been sent out to students. 

Important Dates

FIRST NATIONS T-SHIRT DATES

The college's First Nations T-shirts are available to purchase ONLY via the Uniform Shop. Emerging Leader students can use their uniform subsidy towards these T-shirts. The significant days to wear them will continue and you will be notified via the College newsletter.

First Nations Education Team

Have a safe and deadly Easter holiday from the First Nations Education Team!

From Carmen, Pria, Gail, Michelle, Alesha, Shruthi, Tanya, Kalifa, Lucy & Leah

For any queries, please contact us at firstnations@ryan.catholic.edu.au