19 March 2025

Message from College Principal

End of Term Focus: Attendance, Achievement, and Community Spirit

As we approach the end of another busy term, I want to take a moment to highlight some key priorities for our students and our College community.

Assessment and the Importance of Attendance

With final assessments underway, it is crucial that students remain engaged and attend school every day. Assessment provides valuable insights into each student's progress and helps teachers tailor support where needed. Consistent attendance ensures students can confidently complete their tasks and demonstrate the learning they’ve achieved this term. I encourage all families to support their children in attending right through to the final day, reinforcing the importance of commitment and perseverance.

Cross Country – A Celebration of Sport and School Spirit

This Friday, we look forward to our Cross Country event, the only College-wide sporting competition of the year. This is always a fantastic showcase of house spirit, sportsmanship, and personal challenge. Whether students are aiming for a competitive finish or simply doing their best alongside their peers, the day is about participation, encouragement, and celebrating movement. I urge everyone to embrace the event, cheer for their house, and enjoy the energy that makes this such a special occasion on our school calendar.

Recognising Our Strong Parent-School Partnerships

Finally, I want to acknowledge the parents and carers who work closely with our teachers, support staff, and leaders to ensure we are putting in place the best possible supports for our students. Education is a collaborative effort, and while we may not always have immediate answers, we achieve so much through open dialogue and shared goals. By working together, we can navigate pathways that best support each child’s success—both academically and personally. Your involvement and partnership are truly valued.

I look forward to seeing many of you at Cross Country on Friday—let’s make it a great day for our College community!

Kind regards
Dan Tonon
College Principal

Message from Associate Principal – Secondary

Restorative Practice is all about positive relationships that connect us to each other, and our community!

This term, we have been implementing restorative practices to strengthen relationships between students and staff while fostering a more supportive school environment. By using a structured, facilitated process, students in conflict have the opportunity to express their perspectives, take responsibility for their actions, and understand the impact of their behaviour. Through these conversations, we have witnessed many relationships being repaired and students developing stronger, more respectful connections in the schoolyard. It has been particularly encouraging to see students proactively seeking facilitated discussions to resolve misunderstandings before they escalate. As a result, we have seen a noticeable decrease in suspensions and a significant improvement in relationships across the school. The teen years can be a tumultuous period with relationships going from strong to rocky in less than a day. If you are concerned about your child’s relationships with others, contact us, as the sooner we can begin to repair relationships the better. 

Secondary Leadership Students Embark on the Duke of Edinburgh Award

Throughout 2025, our secondary leadership students are taking on the challenge of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, a globally recognised program that fosters resilience, leadership, and personal growth. Students will engage in community service, physical activities, skill development, and adventurous journeys, building confidence and independence along the way. This exciting opportunity encourages them to step outside their comfort zones, develop new skills, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. We look forward to celebrating their achievements and witnessing the positive impact of their dedication and perseverance. Stay tuned for updates on their inspiring journey throughout the year!

I sincerely appreciate the ongoing support of our parents and caregivers in reinforcing positive behaviours and values at home. Your partnership plays a vital role in creating a strong, respectful, and connected school community. Thank you for working alongside us to support our students’ growth and success!

Kind regards
Kelly Dorries
Associate Principal – Secondary

Message from Associate Principal – Primary

Dear Parents and Carers

Attendance and Communication: First and foremost, I'd like to continue to emphasise the importance of regular school attendance. Every day of learning matters, and we want all of our students to experience the full benefits of their education. If your child is absent, please remember to keep in touch with the school as early as possible. This allows us to provide the necessary support and ensure your child can stay on track with their learning. We appreciate your ongoing partnership in ensuring that every child has the best chance for success.

High Expectations: At our College, we are committed to continuously refining our teaching methods to meet the needs of all learners. Our teachers are currently all working hard to embed practices that are research driven, consistent and provide an enjoyable and safe learning environment for all of our students. Teachers are engaged in planning, moderation and reflection processes, case management and coaching cycles to ensure we are delivering the Australian Curriculum commensurate with the rest of Queensland. We encourage high expectations both in and outside the classroom, aiming to inspire students to achieve their personal best. This focus will continue to be a crucial part of fostering a positive and productive learning environment where every student can thrive and I want to thank the families who are supporting their child from home through regular teacher contact, reading with your child, checking in about their learning and communicating any concerns at your earliest convenience to the class teacher of Deputy Principal.

A Big Thank You to Our OT Students: We are grateful to the Occupational Therapy (OT) students who have been working with our Year 1 learners this term, focusing on fine motor skills and handwriting development. Their dedication and expertise have made a significant impact on the progress of our students. We are excited to announce that next term, we will welcome two OT students to work with Years 2 and 3 students. Additionally, we will have three teaching students across the school, contributing to our vibrant learning community. We look forward to continuing these valuable university partnerships.

The Importance of Reading at Home: Reading at home is a vital part of your child’s development, and I encourage all families to continue prioritising this. Research shows that regular reading at home is linked to better academic outcomes, including improved vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills. A small commitment each day can make a huge difference in your child’s growth as a reader and learner. Thank you for supporting your child in this way.

NAPLAN Update: We are pleased to report that NAPLAN testing has been successfully completed, and the process went smoothly for our students this year. This success is due to the hard work and preparation from our dedicated teachers and leaders, and we thank them for ensuring that all students felt confident and supported throughout the assessment process.

Parent Conferences in Week 9: Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome our families to Parent-Teacher Conferences in Week 9. These conferences are a wonderful opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and goals for the remainder of the year. Please note the following details for conferences:

• Weipa: Tuesday afternoon (please book through the link below)
• Napranum: Walk-ins on Wednesday
  

We encourage all parents to attend and engage with our teachers about their child’s learning journey.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. I look forward to seeing you at our Parent conferences and continuing to work together to make this a successful and enriching year for all of our students.

Kind regards
Amanda Allender
Associate Principal – Primary

Message from Head of Campus - Mapoon

The start of a new school year is always filled with possibilities, and we’ve kicked off with great enthusiasm! The first few weeks of Term 1 have been all about setting positive foundations—building new routines, reconnecting, and embracing new challenges. Teachers have been busy setting up inspiring learning environments that foster creativity, teamwork, and pride.

A focus this term has been building a strong sense of belonging and pride. Whether it’s our Kindy students getting comfortable in their new classroom or our older students mentoring their peers, we are fostering a supportive environment where everyone feels valued. In addition to our classroom focus, we’ve also been emphasising the importance of kindness, respect, and connection.

Our School Captains and Year 6 students play a vital role in leading by example and supporting our younger students. They help create a positive and inclusive atmosphere by offering guidance, encouragement, and friendship to all our students. Their leadership helps foster a strong sense of community and pride, making our school a welcoming place for all.

We are looking forward to a fantastic Term 2 and an amazing year ahead!

Kind regards
Caroline Elliott
Head of Mapoon Campus

College Services Update

Uniform Shop

We are extending our opening hours for the Interschool Cross Country event on Friday 21 March 2025.

Do you need a house shirt or hat? Place your order online via Flexischools by Thursday 20 March 2025 and receive a 5% discount on sports house polos. www.flexischools.com.au. 

Top End Tuckshop

Top End Tuckshop will be closed on Friday 4 April 2025 for stocktake.  The last day of service for Term 1 will be Thursday 3 April 2025.

Service will resume in Term 2 on Tuesday 22 April 2025.

Thank you for your continued support of our tuckshop. We wish you a Happy Easter and look forward to serving you again in Term 2.

Student Resource Scheme & Secondary Subject Levies 2025 NOW DUE

We thank all parents who have either paid their student’s school fees in full or have set up a payment plan. All the money received goes into purchasing resources and equipment to enhance our students’ educational experience.

For those families who have not yet finalised payment of their student’s school fees, they are now due.

Account Queries

If you are unable to pay your invoices before the due date or you have a query about an invoice you have received, it is important that you contact us before the invoice is due for payment.

Please contact the College by phoning the Admin Office on 07 4090 6444 or email accounts@westerncapecollege.eq.edu.au.

A reminder that students who have not had their fees paid or are not on a payment plan will be unable to take part in non-curricular excursions.

Payment plans are only for Student Resource Scheme and all camps, excursions etc must be paid separately and in full prior to the event happening.

Join Our Top End Tuckshop Team

Make a Difference, One Meal at a Time!

Are you an all-round food wizard, passionate about food and love being part of a fun, energetic team? Our school tuckshop is looking for a Tuckshop Convenor, Assistants, and Volunteers to help us serve up delicious meals and snacks for our students!

Tuckshop Convenor – Take the lead in creating tasty treats and managing the daily operations of our vibrant tuckshop!

Tuckshop Assistant – Bring your culinary skills and help prepare mouth-watering meals that keep our students happy and energized!

Volunteers – We need your enthusiasm! With exciting sporting events coming up, your help will make a huge impact in creating a warm, welcoming tuckshop experience.

Join us and be part of something special! Visit our website for more info: 

Contact us today to find out how you can get involved! Let’s create delicious memories together!

#JoinOurTuckshopTeam #ServeWithHeart #FuelOurStudents

Save the Dates

2025 Next Step Year 12 Completers Survey

All Year 12 completers from last year will soon receive an invitation to participate in the Next Step survey. This is their chance to help our school to understand the different pathways of the 2024 Year 12 students and to improve our senior programs and supports for future students. The survey only takes five minutes and asks graduates about their study and work activities since finishing school.

As a thank you for participating, Year 12 completers who complete the survey will be entered into a draw to win a MacBook Air.

We ask parents, siblings and friends to encourage our graduates to complete the survey. If their contact details have changed, please assist survey interviewers by providing their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate. Graduates may receive an invitation by mail, email or phone. The survey can be completed online or by phone.

For more information about Next Step, including previous results, visit the link below.

Secondary Update

Senior Schooling Update

As we move towards the end of a busy term, there’s plenty happening across senior school.  From hands-on learning experiences to exciting events, our students continue to engage, challenge themselves, and make the most of every opportunity.

A group of Year 10 students recently had a successful excursion to Mapoon as part of their Certificate II in Conservation & Ecosystem Management studies. Students worked alongside the Mapoon Rangers to plant trees, contributing to important natural area restoration efforts. A huge thank you to the Mapoon Rangers for facilitating this hands-on learning experience and to our teachers Daneeka Roediger and Jimmy Mann for organising this valuable learning opportunity. We would also like to acknowledge the ongoing support of the Napranum Rangers who are working closely with the school to plan upcoming excursions in the local area for our students.

Our community Cross Country day is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to come together for this fantastic event! It’s always a special day filled with fun, camaraderie, and school spirit. A big shoutout to our friends from St Joseph’s Parish School and Kluthuthu Christian College for joining us once again to make it even more memorable. Whether you're aiming for a personal best, cheering on your friends, or simply soaking up the awesome atmosphere, your presence will make the day special.

As we approach the end of term, it's important to stay focused and finish strong. Student assessments are in full swing, and this is a great time to reflect on progress, set goals, and give that final push. Remember, every effort you put in now sets you up for success in the future. Keep showing up, asking questions, and making the most of the support available—your hard work will pay off!

Until Wednesday next week (2 April), normal timetabled classes will continue. On the last two days of term, Thursday 3 April and Friday 4 April, alternate learning activities will be provided for students in Years 7–10, while Year 11 and 12 students will have supervised study sessions to work towards their learning goals. We encourage all students to discuss their work plan for these two days with their teachers in advance to ensure they have the resources needed to work independently.

Wishing all families and students a relaxing and enjoyable break over the school holidays. Stay safe and make the most of this time to recharge and rejuvenate!

Kind regards
Siobhan Wilson
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary

Year 10 Rangers Mapoon Excursion

On Thursday 20 February, our Year 10 Rangers students had the opportunity to work with the Mapoon Land and Sea Rangers to maintain wildlife habitats.

The students worked hard alongside the rangers to participate in cleaning up the rubbish that was washed in to Cullen Point. Over the last two years, the Mapoon Rangers have cleared of 27,000 tonnes of foreign rubbish from the beaches in Mapoon. These beaches are important habitats for nesting turtles!

Our students also learnt about some common plants that were used by traditional owners of the land as medicine. Lastly, we finished off with a BBQ very kindly cooked by the rangers!

Connecting to Country: Hybrid Humanities Students Blessed on Country

In Week 4, students from Hybrid Humanities had the absolute privilege of being Blessed on Country by Aunty Beatrice, Aunty Maryann, and Ernest Jnr.

Hybrid Humanities is a subject that brings together elements of History, Geography, Civics, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures, encouraging students to explore how people, place, and culture are deeply connected. This learning came to life during our special visit, where students engaged with Elders and cultural leaders, listening to stories that have been passed down for generations.

During the Blessing on Country, Aunty Beatrice, Aunty Maryann, and Ernest Jnr shared the rich local history, cultural traditions, and personal stories connected to the land we live and learn on. Students were able to ask questions, reflect, and gain a deeper understanding of the significance of Country, as well as the ongoing role that Elders play in keeping culture strong today.

It was an incredible and moving experience, helping students see firsthand how the knowledge of First Nations people continues to guide and shape communities.

We are so grateful to Aunty Beatrice, Aunty Maryann, and Ernest Jnr for their generosity, time, and wisdom. This experience will stay with our students as they continue learning about Australia's history, culture, and the importance of reconciliation.

Miss Stephanie Kurz

2025 Secondary Leaders

On Monday in Week 6, our 2025 leaders had their planning day. It was so great to have them together in a big group! Students worked on their teamwork and communication skills through a variety of different activities.

They also planned out key dates for leaders in 2025 did lots of paperwork to enrol them in the Duke of Edinburgh program. This year, all leaders in Years 10-12 will complete the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. Our younger leaders will be completing a Bridge Award. This is a great way for us to capture the work our leaders are doing within our school, provide them with an internationally recognised award, as well as some QCE points.

We have a fantastic group of leaders this year, and we are really excited to see what they achieve. Our 2025 student leadership team includes: Annabelle, Hayley Masso, Izzy Jones, Allira Doyle, Alfred Schuh, Sophia Morgan, Talei Rokosoi, Zion Pitt, Douglas Salee, James Salee, Senikau Adams, Troy Hudson, Kakie Jackonia, Sophie, Laura Moore, Khale Tabuai, Oliver Campbell, Corey Anderson, Angelica Dialogo, Georgia Cooper, Bessie Daniel King, Blake Tapper, Mia Gane, Jack Barton, Patrick Gebadi, and Dzik Sailor Mosby.

We asked a few of them what they are excited for this year, and here’s what they said:

Georgia- To have the opportunity to work towards a Duke of Ed certificate.
Angelica- Planning our adventurous journey!
Sophia- All of the opportunities that leadership offers you.
Oliver- Making a difference in the school!

Primary Update

Core Words Program

This term, select students in Years 1-6 have been participating in a daily Core Words Program. Students engage in a variety of fun activities which are modelled by staff and peers using Communication Devices, Symbol Boards, Key Word Signs and Speech.

What are Core Words?

Core words are 50-400 words that make up the majority of everything we say. By focusing on core vocabulary, we can help students improve their ability to express themselves, leading to increased independence and social interactions. This will reduce frustration and behaviour issues related to communication difficulties.

These are the words we have been learning to use and communicate: stop, go, wait, more, finished, help, see.

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