11 June 2025

Ryan Catholic College Mission Statement

Acknowledgement Of Country

Reflection

Come, Holy Spirit,
Fill the hearts of our Ryan Catholic College community,
And kindle in us the fire of your love.

As we celebrate Pentecost,
May your Spirit guide our learning,
Strengthen our friendships,
And inspire our hearts to live with faith, courage, and compassion.

Breathe new life into our classrooms and playgrounds,
Into our conversations and actions.
Help us to be people of hope—
United in service,
Rooted in love,
And walking together on the journey, just as the disciples once did.

As flames danced above their heads,
May your light shine within us—
So that we may bring peace, joy, and kindness to all we meet.

Come, Holy Spirit,
Make your home here at Ryan.

Amen.

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

We continue to be blessed with some outstanding showcases of resilience, care and compassion across the College.

Our biannual musical was a stellar show. With 172 students from Prep to Year 12, 50 plus staff and over 30 parents designing and creating the climate for success across the weeks leading up to and during show week. The musical showcased the essence of our college values of Journey, Community and Service. Thank you especially to Ashley Crocker, Luke Reynolds, Melissa Castorina, Brent Lammas, Ryan Christofferson, Fletcher Rewald, Elizabeth Schutz and Danielle McKay for your tireless and top quality, professional approach and skill.  Congratulations to all.

Congratulations to our sacramental program students who received their sacraments last Sunday. Welcome to the church! 

Academic Success

Our academic achievement continues to grow, with seventy-three (73) 100% results for our Year 12 students across a range of subjects in their final assessments. This is superb!

What parents and the community do not always see are the many, many students who have shown tangible progress across their studies, right across the college. There are hundreds and hundreds of them. We are justly proud of them all!

As we move into the last three weeks of term, the culmination of learning with hard work and consistency starts to show in results, effort and confidence.

There is time left to fully engage and be excellent.

Parent Code of Conduct

A reminder to parents that we have a code of conduct at the College, as endorsed across all Townsville Catholic Education schools. The link below takes you to our College website and is a timely reminder of our partnership as we move into the end of term.

Blessing for the fortnight ahead.

Primary News - Prep-Year 6

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As we approach the end of Term 2, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the  commitment of our staff and the positive impact they have on your children each day. At Ryan Catholic College, we are incredibly fortunate to have a team of dedicated educators and support staff who consistently go above and beyond to ensure that every student is supported to grow—academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

Congratulations to our students who recently completed the Sacramental Program, which culminated in a beautiful Mass on Sunday celebrated by the Bishop. Moments like these enrich the faith life of our students and strengthen the bonds within our College community.

Preparations are well underway for our upcoming Athletics Carnival, where every student will have the opportunity to participate and shine. A sincere thank you also goes to P&F for coordinating the school Disco—an event that brings so much joy to our students and fosters community connection.

These moments reflect the heart of our school—where each child’s development is nurtured through the tireless efforts of our staff, working in close partnership with families. We are truly blessed to work alongside parents and caregivers who value and support the learning journey. Thank you for the vital role you play in helping us succeed together.

Congratulations to the following students who received the Reconciliation Award at our recent assembly. Your commitment to living out our College values of respect, understanding, and peace is truly inspiring.

Reconciliation Awards 

ASSEMBLIES AND LITURGIES

In most cases, Prep-Year 4 assemblies and liturgies will be held on Wednesdays in the Junior Campus Shelter Shed 2.00-2.45pm.  You’ll be notified in advance if your child is receiving an award in case you’d like to attend.

2025 PREP APPLICATIONS

Prep interviews have now concluded, and offers have been sent to families. We are currently in the process of organising our Transition Day in Term 4 and will share further details once these have been finalised.

BEHAVIOUR 

At Ryan Catholic College, we believe that every student has the right to learn in a safe, respectful, and supportive environment. To ensure this, we have high expectations for behaviour across all areas of school life. These expectations are guided by our Positive Behaviour Management Policy, which outlines how we promote responsible choices, build positive relationships, and support students in reaching their full potential.

Our approach focuses on fostering respectful and accountable behaviour while providing clear, age-appropriate consequences when expectations are not met. The policy also emphasises opportunities for personal growth and reconciliation, helping students learn from their experiences and develop important life skills.

We encourage all families to familiarise themselves with the Positive Behaviour Management Policy, which can be accessed on the College website. Working together—students, staff, and parents—we can ensure a learning environment where all students thrive.

CAR PARK

The car parks are extremely busy areas. Please observe the 3 C’s - courtesy, consideration and caution when parking and driving in the car park. From time to time there are incidents where cars are scratched or dented and the perpetrator doesn’t leave any details. Please be mindful that the right thing to do is at least leave your name and phone number so the owner of the vehicle can contact you.

YEARS 5 AND 6 NEWS

As we approach the exciting time of our Year 5 camp, we would like to remind you that all the essential information regarding the event is available on Compass. Please take a moment to review the details to ensure you are fully prepared.

For your reference, classes 5A and 5B will be attending camp from Monday to Wednesday during the first week of Term 3, while classes 5C and 5D will attend from Wednesday to Friday.

With the weather beginning to cool down, it is important for families to organise sufficient warm clothing for their children. Ensuring that your child is well equipped will help make their experience enjoyable and comfortable.

A further reminder about our uniform and adhering our uniform standards. As we head into the cooler months, ensure your child has the correct College jumper.

Secondary News - Years 7-12

✨ 𝙋𝙊𝙎𝙄𝙏𝙄𝙑𝙀 𝘾𝙐𝙇𝙏𝙐𝙍𝙀 𝘾𝙀𝙇𝙀𝘽𝙍𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 ✨

Over the course of Term 2, our Senior Campus students have consistently demonstrated outstanding behaviour and genuine kindness in the way they include and support others. It's been truly rewarding to see them live out the values of our College's RCC Code.

🎉 To celebrate this positive culture, all students will gather in Emmaus Hall during Pastoral Care Class on Thursday of Week 9 for a Positive Culture Celebration.

There’ll be a random prize draw for our Level Zero Heroes 🦸 — plus, we'll be announcing the top two students from each year level who will receive a special prize.

Whole College News - Prep - Year 12

Celebrating the Sacraments: A Joyful Parish Journey

Throughout Semester 1, students from Ryan Catholic College—together with their parents, carers, and peers from across the Ministerial Region of the Good Shepherd Parish—have taken part in this year’s Parish Sacramental Program. This special journey of faith included a series of formation lessons, reflection, and prayer, guided by staff from our school communities.

Earlier this year, the students completed the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where they experienced God’s forgiveness and healing through a personal encounter with His mercy.

The program then continued with a reflective Retreat Day on Friday 6th June, where students came together to prepare their hearts and minds for the final steps of their sacramental journey. This culminated in a beautiful Sacramental Mass on Sunday 8th June, presided over by Bishop Tim, during which the students received the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is a vital step in a young Catholic’s faith journey. In Confirmation, students are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, deepening the grace received at Baptism and affirming their commitment to live as disciples of Christ. It is a sacrament of strength, courage, and renewal.

Receiving First Eucharist marks the moment when students fully participate in the celebration of the Mass by receiving the Body of Christ for the first time. This sacrament is at the heart of our Catholic faith, as it nourishes us spiritually and connects us deeply with Jesus and the wider Church community.

We offer our heartfelt congratulations to all the students who received the sacraments and thank the families, teachers, catechists, and parish leaders who walked alongside them on this sacred journey.

May the gifts of the Holy Spirit continue to guide and strengthen them as they grow in faith, love, and service.

We’re thrilled to share the latest highlights, achievements and upcoming events that our school community thrives on. The school term has flown by and we are already at the beginning of Week 8, with only a few more weeks before school holidays! The last few weeks at school have been absolutely packed, with events like the Swimming Carnival, Cross Country and the Musical–all of which were huge successes! Additionally, a huge shout out to the Year 11 cohort for completing their block exams in Week 5. We know from experience how intense they can be, so hopefully they are all feeling some relief and proud of all their hard work. 

Recently, we had the privilege of accompanying Candi to the Red Shield Appeal Breakfast. It was a really special opportunity to support such an important cause and it reminded us of the positive impact we can all have on the wider community.   

Looking ahead, there’s a lot to be excited about. Athletics Carnival coming up at the end of the term, which means the Grade 12s will take the stage and represent their houses with a dance battle. The house captains have been working hard at putting these together, so that’s definitely something to look forward to! Next term, we have Ryan Day in Week 3, which will be another awesome event filled with fun activities. There are heaps of great opportunities coming up, so make sure you join in and make the most of them while you can.

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 #5

Addressing the study environment is a key concept for any revision strategy. Students must ensure that their study space is quiet, tidy, organised and with minimal distractions. It is also beneficial to have visual representations of the study focus for the night or week, such as via a whiteboard. Study goals assist students with knowing what they are trying to achieve and encourages them to keep on track. Effective study will not occur if students are being distracted by a television, conversations amongst other family members or an interrupting mobile phone.

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.

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

The Work Experience Google Form for the June/July holidays has now closed. Students will be emailed to come and collect their agreements throughout this week.

2026 QTAC (Qld Tertiary Admissions Centre) Guides

These guides have arrived for 2026 tertiary study and can be collected by interested Year 12 students from my office. Guides for admission centres in other States or Territories are also available online.

2026 Apprenticeship/Traineeship Opportunities

Please be aware that certain businesses e.g. Ergon Energy, Townsville City Council, will start advertising their 2026 apprenticeship programs from now until September. Businesses may also advertise outside of this period, but the majority will do so in the next few months. Year 12 students should be registering to employment apps such as SEEK, Indeed and SmartJobs to be aware of all opportunities.

2026 Ergon Energy/Energex Apprenticeships Information Sessions – Tuesday 3 & Thursday 5 June

Applications for the 2026 apprenticeship program will open this Friday. For more information and application details, please visit the link below.

Careers in Health – Tuesday 22 July – 7.00pm to 8.00pm
This webinar will focus on the Health and Allied Health courses that exist at JCU in relation to their corresponding careers.

Please use the link below to register.

JCU Law Seminar Series

These webinars occur very frequently and explore a different legal topic during each webinar. A great series to explore, if students are interested in Law, Criminology or Justice studies. Please use the link below to register for any of these webinars.

Please use the link below to register.

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.

Cultural Corner

 DO YOU HAVE THE R FACTOR?! 

Ryan Catholic College is on the hunt for the most EPIC talents from Years 7 to 12 to take the spotlight at...

  R-FACTOR 2025 

 Where: Emmaus Hall – Ryan Catholic College
 When: Friday, 1st August (Ryan Day!)
 What: The ultimate school talent showdown – and we want YOU on stage!

 Calling all performers!
Are you a singer, dancer, actor, magician, comedian, whip cracker, musician – or something totally unique?
We want to see your talent shine at R-Factor!
 How to Enter:

This year, things are digital – here’s how to be part of the action:

 Step 1: Sign up via the Google Form
 Due by: Week 9 – Friday, 20th June
 https://forms.gle/BqFyobF9csTpmBC98

 Step 2: Submit your audition video in the R-Factor Google Classroom
 Due by: Week 10 – Thursday, 26th June
 Once you’ve filled in the form, you’ll be added to the R-Factor Google Classroom where you’ll upload your audition – just like submitting an assignment. 

Need more info?
Contact Ashley Crocker at acrocker1@ryan.catholic.edu.au

So… Do YOU have the R Factor?!
It’s your time to shine, show your style, and light up the stage. We can't wait to see what you’ve got!

 Popstars – The Musical: Final Thank You! 

WOW – what a show!! Ryan Catholic College is absolutely bursting with pride after the spectacular success of Popstars – The Musical! 

To every amazing student involved – CONGRATULATIONS! Your hard work, dedication, and incredible talent lit up the stage with music, energy, laughter, and heart. From the first note to the final bow, it was pure FUN – and your efforts truly paid off with TWO sold-out shows! 

 The singing – sensational!
 The acting – outstanding!
 The dancing – electric!

Our audiences LOVED every minute and were full of praise for your phenomenal performances! You’ve made your school community so proud – this production was something really special. 

 A huge heartfelt THANK YOU to all our wonderful staff, parents and families – your support behind the scenes (rehearsals, costumes, hair, makeup, lifts, cheers and more!) made all the difference. We are SO grateful for everything you do! 

To our superstar Ryan Musical Cast – THANK YOU for the memories, the magic, and the music. You’ve created a show we’ll never forget, and we already can’t wait to do it all again in 2027! 

With lots of love and pride,
 The Musical Team 

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

Didge This!

What a wonderful couple of weeks we have had for National Reconciliation Week across the College! The students participated in Inclusive Yarning Circles from P-12 this term. The First Nations students brought a friend to their year level Yarning Circles. On the Senior Campus: we held a trivia game where the students paired up to win a Freddo Frog.

In Years 7 to 9 Religious Education classes, the students participated in a Laudato Si and First Nations Spirituality pilgrimage through the College. The students journeyed through the school, identifying the vast flora and fauna that exist on the Senior Campus. They also reflected on First Nations’ care for Country and made connections between that and Pope Francis’ message of caring for our common home. We concluded each pilgrimage by tuning into nature through the ancient practice of Dadirri, drawing on traditional knowledge from the Ngan’gikurunggurr and Ngen’giwumirri peoples in the Daly River region of the Northern Territory.

Pastoral Care Classes (PCC) from Years 7-12 were invited to participate in a daily National Reconciliation Week quiz focusing on First Nations cultures and history. The winning PCCs were gifted a small hand-painted object for their prayer table, with the overall winners receiving First Nations designed prayer cloths in the liturgical colours, in addition to the object. This is a symbol of our College’s continual journey to work together for true reconciliation.

Emerging Leaders:

As part of the Outreach project, we had 8 students from Years 7 - 9 go out to St Joseph’s Mundingburra on Friday, 30th May. There were First Nations students from Prep - Year 6 who brought along a friend to participate in these activities. As it was during National Reconciliation Week, we started with a yarning circle and then a quiz. Then we played three traditional games, which were run by our Emerging Leaders students. There were prizes for the winners, too. Everyone participated, and our students were commended for their engagement and leadership. 

Homework Club - Senior Campus:

Our Senior Tutoring and Homework program has continued to run successfully in term 2, with many new students signing up for the program or coming in to work on specific assessments. We would like to remind Parents/Caregivers that the program will conclude for the term in Week 9. Tutoring will resume again in Week 3 of Term 3. If you would like to enrol your child/ren for the program you can do so at the link below.

Primary News

Our Reconciliation Week in the Primary school began with each year level having an open yarning circle throughout the course of the week. Many of our First Nation children enjoyed having their friends from class join them in the experience. We had a quiz to play and the winning team received a Freddo Frog for their efforts. At the end, everyone received a Zooper Dooper which was a cool treat. 

Each class had a lesson about what Reconciliation Week was about and they looked at the theme: Bridging Now to Next - they completed a class pledge of everyday actions we all can do to build peace and harmony with First Nations peoples. These pledges were brought together at our Assembly on Wednesday and completed our Bridge banner which is on display in our Library.

Yarning Circle

Assembly

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Years 5 & 6

On Fridays, our Year 5 and Year 6 students come together for a Pastoral Care Class from 8:40 am to 9am where we check-in and build positive relationships and deepen our cultural identity. Our final session will be in Week 9 and will resume in Week 1 of Term 3. Week 2 is our special NAIDOC Week Assembly and celebrations so there will be no PCC on in that week.

Deadly Dancers

Our Dance Group is in full practice mode in preparation to perform at our college NAIDOC Week Assembly on Friday 25th July (Week 2) in Term 3. We have 18 students from Years 1 to Year 4 and are led by the Deadly William Mabo. The students have been very dedicated at practice and can’t wait to perform.

Homework Groups

Our Year 3/4s meet every Tuesday afternoon from 2:50pm to 3:20pm and our Year 5/6s meet every Wednesday afternoon from 3pm to 4pm. Please let us know prior if your child is going to be away for any sessions. Our last sessions will be in Week 9 this term. We will resume in Week 3 of Term 3.

Term 3, 2025 Important Dates:

NAIDOC March -  Friday 11th July 2025

Each year on the last Friday of the July school holidays, Townsville NAIDOC committee holds the city’s NAIDOC March. You are invited to join with other students and staff of the College to march. We will assemble on Friday, 11 July, at 9:30 am at the Roundabout at the intersection of Hinchinbrook Drive and Thuringowa Drive (outside Kirwan High School). You are asked to wear your Ryan First Nations shirt, sports shorts, and school hat. Don’t forget to bring a water bottle, too. Please complete the expression of interest form below to register your attendance.

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.

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

Community News