14 May 2025

Message from College Principal

Term 2 is well underway, and we've hit the ground running! It’s been a busy and exciting start, with many onsite visitors, awards ceremonies, important consultation events both within the school and the wider community, and final preparations for several upcoming College highlights—School Photos, Under 8’s Day, and our two-day Athletics Carnival.

One standout event this term has been the Future Symposium, held in the community. Our School Leaders had the incredible opportunity to participate in a range of sessions, sharing their perspectives and experiences of growing up in Weipa. Their public speaking skills were outstanding, and it was fantastic to see their confidence and leadership on display. Their contributions truly reflected the values of our College and were warmly received by all involved.

This week, we also welcomed the Department’s Master Planning team to our campus. They conducted a series of consultation sessions with staff, School Leaders, community agencies, and parents. These discussions explored what aspects of our campus are working well, areas for improvement, and what we should prioritise in the future. This planning is part of a long-term vision to guide the development of the Weipa Campus over the next 10+ years.

As always, our School Leaders continue to represent the College proudly in and out of school grounds. A friendly reminder to all students that wearing the school uniform—whether at school or out in the community—means you are representing the values and reputation of our school. Your appearance and behaviour show your respect, pride, and sense of unity.

With the cooler weather now upon us, we also want to remind families that enclosed shoes are required as part of the school uniform. This not only supports a neat and tidy appearance but also ensures students' safety in classrooms and around the school.

We look forward to a productive and successful Term 2 and thank you for your ongoing support of our students and school community.

Kind regards
Dan Tonon
College Principal

Message from Associate Principal – Secondary

Term 2 is off to a flying start, and it’s been wonderful to see our students return with energy, focus, and a strong sense of purpose. This term, we are concentrating on three key expectations for all students:

1. Mobile phones off and out of sight for the day
2. Be in the right place at the right time
3. Be respectful

These focus areas support a positive learning environment and help ensure every student can thrive. Thank you to all our students and families who are supporting these expectations.

A heartfelt thank you to our student leaders who represented our school community with pride at the Anzac Day Dawn Service at the end of Week 1. Our College Captains, Oliver and Corey, both delivered moving speeches, and other student leaders respectfully laid a wreath on behalf of the school. It was a powerful moment of reflection and community connection.

In Week 3, we came together to celebrate the achievements of our students from Term 1. It was truly uplifting to see so many students acknowledged for their commitment, effort, and excellence in the classroom, as well as sporting excellence outside the classroom. These moments of recognition are a vital part of our school culture and a reminder of the hard work being done every day.

As part of our 2025 Student Leadership Program, students are currently working towards the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. This program encourages leadership, commitment, and personal growth through voluntary service, physical recreation, and the development of a new skill. Some of our leaders have chosen to volunteer in the primary school, dedicating an hour each week to support younger students with their learning. Their dedication to serving others is commendable, and we’re incredibly proud of their initiative.

Also in Week 3, more than 40 students participated in a Youth Symposium following the recent Future Symposium. We were excited to welcome Nicole Dyson, CEO of Future Anything, who flew in from Weipa to lead a dynamic workshop focused on identifying entrepreneurial opportunities that could benefit the Western Cape region.

The winning pitch came from a creative and enthusiastic Year 7 and 8 team — Haylee, Annabelle, and Izzy — who proposed an imaginative and community-focused idea: the introduction of a “Big Croc”, a giant statue modelled after the much-loved Crocs footwear. Their idea included developing a Croc-themed hotel, where each room is styled in a different colour of Croc, and guests receive complimentary Jibbitz upon arrival! It was a fun, clever, and community-driven concept that captured the judges’ imagination. A special thank you to Jaime Gane for supporting the workshop and serving as our guest judge.

It’s been an exciting and inspiring start to the term. I look forward to the many more moments of celebration, learning, and leadership that lie ahead.

Kind regards
Kelly Dorries
Associate Principal – Secondary

Message from Associate Principal – Primary

Welcome to Term 2! I hope you and your family had a restful and enjoyable break. It has been wonderful to see so many parents actively participating in the end of Term 1 parent interviews. Your involvement is invaluable to us, as we strongly believe that when parents actively engage in their child’s educational journey, it significantly enhances student success. Research consistently shows that when parents are involved in their child's learning, students tend to have better attendance, higher grades, and a more positive attitude towards school. Thank you for your continued support.

We are also excited to welcome Amanda Milledge to our school as our new Guidance Officer. Amanda brings a wealth of experience and will play an essential role in our ongoing commitment to supporting the well-being and development of every student. Our primary case management approach remains focused on making tailored adjustments for all students. Teachers will continue to work closely with our support network, including our social worker, tier two programs, general practitioners, regional supports, Inclusion team, and Amanda herself. This wrap-around approach ensures that every child receives the support they need to thrive.

Homework routines will be back in full swing this term, with a particular emphasis on reading. We encourage families to make reading a part of their daily routine, as this practice is fundamental to literacy development. If you have any questions about homework tasks or reading strategies, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher for guidance.

A friendly reminder that all students are expected to wear the full school uniform each day, including a broad-brimmed hat and closed-in shoes. Adhering to our uniform policy helps build a sense of pride and belonging within our school community.

Lastly, I am pleased to share that our Prep facility upgrade contract is confirmed for the end of this term, and we look forward to the positive impact it will have on our youngest learners. We will continue to keep you updated as the project advances including the class moves for our youngest learners.

Thank you for your ongoing support and collaboration.

Kind regards
Amanda Allender
Associate Principal – Primary

Mapoon Campus Update

Prep Vision Screening

Good vision is important for a child’s educational, physical and social development. Vision screening checks for common eye conditions that may impact your child’s ability to see and therefore impact their learning and development.

Nurses will be visiting the school on Wednesday 28 May 2025 to conduct vision screening for children in their Prep year.

If you wish to have your Prep child participate in this FREE vision screening program, please complete a consent form and return it to your child’s Prep teacher or the School Office by Wednesday 23 May 2025.

Parents do not need to be present for screening, however if you would like to be, please contact the school to arrange this.

If you have concerns about your child’s eyes at any time, please take your child to see an eye health professional (optometrist/ophthalmologist). 

For further information, please scan the below QR code to visit the Program website or contact the Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program on 1800 687 372.

College Services Update

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 overdue.

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 Finance Department 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 participate 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.

Uniform Shop Update

Special Offer on School Polos

Purchase a WCC school polo and receive a 5% discount or a polo and short combo to receive a 10% discount when you order online through Flexischools. This offer is available for a limited time only.

Are you ready for the Athletics Carnival?

Order your house shirts and hats now for the Athletics Carnival on 29and 30 May 2025 and get 10% off your sport shirt when ordering through Flexischools.

Flexischools

Attention Parents! Convenient and Easy Ways to Manage Your Student Tuckshop and Uniform Shop Orders!

User-Friendly Online Platform: sign up today & download the app directly to your smartphone!

Our user-friendly online platform makes it a breeze to navigate and place orders. You can easily access the system via your computer, smartphone, or tablet. Manage your orders, track deliveries, and even set up recurring orders for those busy weeks.

Order Tasty Meals for Your Kids: No more scrambling for cash or writing out paper orders!

Shop for School Uniforms with Ease: Say goodbye to long queues. Just a few clicks, and you can have your child's uniforms ready for collection the next day!

Make your life easier! Say goodbye to paperwork, cash-handling, and wasted time. Join us today and enjoy a stress-free experience for all your school-related needs.

School Photos

NQ School Photography will be here on Wednesday 21 May and Thursday 22 May (Week 5) to take our 2025 school photos for students and staff.

Sibling photos will take place on both days from 8:00am to 9:00am. Parents will also be notified of the date and time of their child’s photo session and uniform requirements.

Photo day order forms will be sent home last week. If you wish to order sibling photos, sibling order forms are available from our Primary and Secondary Administration Offices.

Online ordering is also available at https://orders.nqsp.com.au/ordering/with?key=z4qzyx45         

Book Fair is here at WCC

Athlete Excellence Program

At Western Cape College, we’re proud to support our student athletes through our tiered Athlete Excellence Program, designed to develop, elevate and refine athletic potential at every level.

Athlete Development Program (DP)

For students beginning their athletic journey. This program focuses on movement, building a strong fitness foundation, and promoting overall health and well-being.

Athlete Performance Program (APP)

Selection-based. Designed to advance athletic qualities through structured physical training, mental preparation, and strategic skill development.

High Performance Program (HPP)

For athletes competing at a state or national level. This program is individually tailored with a strong focus on elite performance, pushing boundaries and refining excellence.

No matter your starting point, we’re here to help you grow and succeed — one day, one rep, one goal at a time.

Autism Awareness

Last term, on Wednesday 2 April, Western Cape College burst into a rainbow of colours to raise awareness and show support for autism. Through gold coin donations and cupcake sales, WCC students proudly raised an incredible $855 for Autism Queensland.

This generous contribution will help AQ continue delivering vital services and support, empowering autistic and neurodivergent individuals to lead fulfilling lives filled with participation, opportunity, and choice.

Additionally, primary students took part in a special colouring competition, featuring a design created exclusively for the campaign by AQ Ambassador and artist Martin Edge. The winners for each year level were: -

Prep – Lincoln & Eli
Year 1 – Kalarney & Ayda
Year 2 – Hallie & Elsie
Year 3 – Charlotte & Ukyah
Year 4 – Corbin & Cruz
Year 5 – Matilda & Violet
Year 6 – Thomas & Evie

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 9

Next

WCC Student Wellbeing

My name is Amanda Milledge, and I am so excited to introduce myself as the new Guidance Officer – Primary at Western Cape College. For some of you, I may be a familiar face; my family and I have recently returned to Weipa after living here for three wonderful years. It feels incredibly special to be back in this community we’re so lucky to call home.

My philosophy as a Guidance Officer centres around the belief that wellbeing is the foundation for learning and lifelong success. I’m passionate about creating safe, inclusive spaces where students feel supported, empowered, and capable of achieving their goals. I believe that strong relationships, a sense of belonging, and access to the right support can make all the difference in a young person’s journey.

I feel incredibly fortunate to be in a role that allows me to walk alongside students and families and I’m really looking forward to connecting with you all.

Please feel free to reach out or stop by for a chat.

Kind regards
Amanda Milledge
Guidance Officer P-6 and ECDP

Secondary Update

Term 2 is off to a busy start in Secondary, with student learning well underway across all year levels.

Thank you to all the parents and caregivers who attended our recent student progress interviews. These meetings are a valuable opportunity for teachers, parents, and carers to discuss student achievement and learning behaviour, celebrate progress, and establish goals for continued growth.

Our Term 1 Celebration Assembly was held last week and allowed us to reflect on the many successes from a very productive start to the year. Congratulations to all award recipients—your achievements are a testament to the effort and commitment you’ve shown in 2025. Be proud of your awards and continue striving for excellence.

During Week 3, we celebrated Guidance Officer Week and acknowledged our Secondary Guidance Officers—Sarah Pavitt and Laura Loucks. Sarah and Laura provide essential services to students, from career planning to wellbeing support. We thank them for their ongoing dedication and the positive impact they make every day.

This week, our senior students also participated in the North Queensland Cowboys Respectful Relationships program, developed in partnership with TAFE Queensland. This interactive workshop focused on the foundations of healthy and respectful relationships, how to build and maintain them, and what to do when support is needed. It encouraged students to reflect on their role in fostering respectful and positive connections.

Last week, we were privileged to host representatives from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR). The visiting scientists delivered a hands-on science session and provided career insights to our Year 10 students. It was a fantastic opportunity for students to explore pathways in medical research and biomedical science. We also welcomed visiting students from Aurukun, who joined the session and engaged with the scientists in collaborative learning activities. This was a great example of cross-community learning and STEM engagement.

Looking ahead, our annual Athletics Carnival will be held in Week 6 on 29 and 30 May. This is a great opportunity for students to showcase their sporting talents and build house spirit. We look forward to seeing students giving their best effort and encouraging one another throughout the event.  Go Duyfken!

Next week, our Year 10, 11 and 12 students will participate in the RYDA Road Safety Education Program.  RYDA supports young people as they begin driving or ride as passengers with peer drivers. The full-day program is designed to encourage responsible attitudes toward road safety and complements the school curriculum.

Thank you for your ongoing support of your child’s learning journey.

Kind regards
Siobhan Wilson
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary

Primary Update

Prep-2 Sector Update

Come Along and Celebrate Under 8s Day!

Western Cape College will proudly host Weipa’s Under 8s Day this year—a joyful celebration of our youngest learners!

This year’s theme, “Unleashing Scientific Thinking Through Play,” encourages curiosity, imagination, and hands-on exploration. Students will dive into a range of fun-filled activities designed to spark creativity and support developmental learning.

Our planned activities include:

• 🎨 Arts and Crafts
• 💦 Sensory and Water Play
• 🧗 Obstacle Courses
• 🎨 Face Painting
• 🔍 Scientific Inquiry Stations

It’s going to be a fantastic morning filled with laughter, learning, and shared moments!

Event Details:

📍 Location: Western Cape College, Secondary Oval
📅 Date: Friday, 23 May 2025
🕘 Time: 9:00 am – 10:30 am

Families are warmly invited to come along, join in the fun, and create lasting memories with their little ones through play, laughter, and learning. We can’t wait to see you all there!

Please note: If your child attends a childcare facility, please check with your provider to make sure they’ll be attending the event.

Kind regards
Amanda Haines
A/Deputy Principal P-2

Year 3-4 Sector Update

Social and Emotional Learning Focus

Our school days are packed with learning through all things academic and extra curricula opportunities. The Australian Curriculum recognises the value of all learning experiences and in all that we do, the importance of Social and Emotional Learning.

We appreciate the work of Harry Johns (Head of Dept, Social and Emotional Capabilities), Roberta McNamee (Adventure Based Learning teacher) and Josh Linton (Adventure Based Learning Teacher) for their work in the Year 3-4 sector.

Harry has also been working tirelessly to ensure our Year 4 students have the best time on our sleepover camp this week. Please look out for additional note coming home about the camp this week.

We welcome three Occupational Therapist students (OTs) who have been working with all Primary students during breaks and before school. OTs are also working with Year 3 students in small groups to build their resilience and courage in the classroom. If your child is selected to be a part of these groups you will receive a notice in the coming days.

Kind regards
Danielle Ross
Deputy Principal, Years 3-4 and Specialists

5/6 Sector Update

Year 5 Camp – Building Skills and Connections

On Wednesday 11 June and Thursday 12 June 2025, our Year 5 students will be heading off to camp at the 51st Battalion Army Barracks, Weipa Depot on Kerr Point Road. This exciting overnight camp will involve a range of leadership and Activity Based Learning (ABL) experiences designed to strengthen students’ personal and social capabilities. Students will take part in team challenges, develop practical camping and cooking skills, and deepen their connections with peers and staff.

We ask that families arrange for students to be collected from the camp location at 2:30pm on Thursday afternoon. We look forward to all students attending and making the most of this valuable experience. The cost of the camp will be $35 per student which covers the cost of breakfast, lunches, dinner and incidentals. You will receive an invoice for payment which is payable on or before Friday 6 June 2025.

Kind regards
Bianca Lynch
A/Deputy Principal - Years 5 & 6