7 August 2025

Message from College Principal

We’re already nearing the halfway mark of Term 3, and it’s been a busy and productive start to the term. There’s still more to look forward to, with some major events ahead — including our fabulous NAIDOC Week celebrations in Week 8.

This term, we’ve reinvigorated our Student Support system and are working closely with students and parents to establish consistent and predictable routines. Being School Ready means students are expected to:

• Arrive on time
• Wear the correct uniform
• Keep phones and headphones away during class
• Be prepared for learning
• Remain in class throughout the day

These expectations will continue to be reinforced, and we appreciate the ongoing support of parents and caregivers in upholding them.

This week, we say farewell to our Secondary Principal, Kelly Dorries, who will be returning to her family. We sincerely thank Kelly for her valuable contribution to the leadership, systems, and day-to-day operations of the Secondary cohort. We wish her all the very best for the future.

Recruitment is currently in its final stages to secure a new team member. In the interim, I will personally be overseeing the responsibilities of the Secondary Principal role to ensure continuity and consistency across our college.

I’d also like to thank all students, parents, and caregivers for their understanding and patience during this week’s Strike Action by Teachers, undertaken as part of ongoing Industrial Relations discussions being led by QTU.

Finally, this week is Support Staff Week, and I’d like to take a moment to recognise and celebrate the incredible work of our Support Staff across all campuses. Their dedication and care are a vital part of our school community. Thank you.

Kind regards
Dan Tonon
College Principal

Message from Associate Principal – Secondary

Celebrating Student Success and Community Spirit

Last week, we proudly celebrated the achievements of our students, with over 50% of students receiving awards for their outstanding or improved effort, behaviour, or academic achievement in Term 2. It was fantastic to see so many students recognised, and we thank our teachers and families for the support that helps make this possible.

This week, our Year 10–12 Duke of Edinburgh participants are completing the Adventurous Journey component of their award, which includes a bushwalk through natural terrain. This phase challenges students to plan and undertake a journey with purpose, while navigating unfamiliar environments and working collaboratively as a team. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award encourages young people to step outside their comfort zones, developing resilience, problem-solving skills, and a sense of personal responsibility. We are proud of the way our students have embraced this challenge and demonstrated leadership in action.

As always, we are grateful for the continued partnership between school and home. These shared efforts are what help our students thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

On a personal note, this week marks my final week at Western Cape College. I want to sincerely thank the students, staff, and families for such a warm welcome and for the opportunity to be part of this vibrant school community. I’ve been continually impressed by the dedication of our teachers and support staff, who—despite the challenges of a rural and remote setting—create engaging, inclusive classrooms and offer a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities, from sport to cultural programs, music, and leadership development.

It has been a privilege to work alongside such passionate educators and resilient students. I leave WCC with great admiration for this school and deep respect for the community it serves.

Kind regards
Kelly Dorries
Associate Principal – Secondary

Message from Associate Principal – Primary

Welcome back to another exciting term at school! I hope the break provided your family with some time to relax and recharge. We are looking forward to a productive and engaging semester ahead, full of learning, growth, and school spirit.

As we begin this new term, I encourage all families to take the time to sit down with your child and review their recent academic report card and NAPLAN results (for relevant year levels). These are valuable tools to help understand your child's progress and celebrate their successes. It's also a great time to set realistic learning goals for the remainder of the year. If you have any questions or would like more information about your child’s progress, please don’t hesitate to contact their classroom teacher — we are here to support every learner on their journey.

Below, you’ll find the criteria for our End of Year Academic Awards. These awards recognise student achievement, effort, and progress, and we encourage families to use them as a guide when discussing goals and aspirations for the coming months.

Academic Award Criteria – End of Year Recognition

The Primary Awards Ceremonies will be held on Tuesday 2 December 2025.

This year, awards will be given based on the following criteria -

Academic Acknowledgment Awards P-6 - presented to two students from each class who deserve special recognition for their significant academic progress and efforts towards their schoolwork over the course of 2025.  

Academic Achievement Awards P-6 - presented to students who have achieved a significant number of As and Bs or Applying and Connecting across all learning areas in 2025.   

Academic Excellence Awards 1-6 - presented to students who have achieved a significant number of As or Applying across all learning areas in 2025.   

Prep Facility Upgrade Update

While we were hopeful to see progress on the planned Prep facility upgrade this year, we regret to inform our community that the upgrade will not be going ahead in 2025. We will continue to advocate for improvements and keep you updated with any new developments.

Year 1 Phonics Screening Check

Our Year 1 students will be participating in the Phonics Screening Check this term, as directed by Education Queensland. This assessment is an important tool in understanding how well students are developing foundational reading skills. I am confident in our students’ ability to complete the check successfully, as it reflects our school’s strong commitment to embedding Structured Synthetic Phonics from the very beginning of Prep.

Staffing Updates

We’re pleased to announce a few staff changes as we begin the term:

• Natalia Daly joins us as the new teacher in 4A – welcome to the team!
• Mollie Grinstead has taken over teaching responsibilities in 1A for the remainder of the year.
• Amy Williscroft is moving into an inclusion support role to assist students with additional needs across both our Weipa and Mapoon campuses.
• Lydia Harris will be taking over 5B as Monica Dalglish begins her maternity leave – we wish Monica all the best.

• Keira Fogarty will be stepping into 3B for the remainder of the term while Sherece McCullough is on personal leave.

We are grateful to all staff for their flexibility and continued commitment to supporting our students.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our school community. Let’s work together to make this semester a great one for every student.

Kind regards
Amanda Allender
Associate Principal – Primary

College Services Update

2026 WCCCA Student Bursary Applications NOW OPEN

WCC staff are available to help you complete your 2026 Bursary Application and ensure your student is ready for a successful 2026.

• Visit us at our main Admin Office - Monday to Friday 8.30am to 3.00pm
• Uniform Shop Monday – Wednesday 7.30am to 11.30am
• Napranum Office between the hours of 12.30pm to 3.30pm every Wednesday

Student Bursary Applications close 5.00pm, Friday 10 October 2025 for the last meeting of the year.

We are here to help so please don’t hesitate to come and see us, contact us on 07 4090 6444 or email shop@westerncapecollege.eq.edu.au.

Uniform Shop Update

A new stock delivery is expected in early September.

Currently, we are out of stock in the following items:

• Polo shirt size 8
• Polo shirt size 12

We have low stock in these items:

• Polo shirt size 10
• Polo shirt size 14
• Polo shirt size XS
• Shorts size 8

Thank you for your understanding.

Date Claimers

Year 10 Work Experience Program

Thank You to Our Work Experience Program Supporters

Western Cape College would like to extend a sincere thank you to the following local and external businesses and employers who have generously supported the WCC Work Experience Program

The opportunity for our students to gain real-world experience in the workplace is truly invaluable. These placements not only allow students to apply their classroom learning in a practical setting but also help them explore potential career paths, build confidence, and make informed decisions about their futures.

• AFL Cape York
• Cape Power
• EDC Electrical
• Far North Welding
• Gulf Parts & Services
• HC Building & Construction
• Michael Bartolini
• Ocean Blue Boats Cairns
• Robon Electrical
• Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Services -  Weipa
• Weipa Community Care
• Weipa Sports Fishing
• Western Cape College – Prep

As part of the Year 10 Work Experience Program, Rio Tinto hosted 40 students for an exclusive tour of their Andoom HEQ and Main Workshop facilities. These areas showcased a range of trades including Diesel Fitting, Boiler Making, Fitting & Turning, and Auto Electrical. Students also had the chance to take part in a 'Hands-On Trades' session, working alongside Rio Tinto tradespeople, apprentices, and school-based trainees - an unforgettable experience that gave them a real insight into the trades industry.

To make this incredible experience possible, Western Cape College would also like to give a very big thank you to the Napranum Council for the use of their bus and the support of their very friendly driver, Egito. Your contribution ensured our students could participate safely and comfortably in this opportunity. Thank you, Napranum Council!

We deeply appreciate the time, mentorship, and resources that each participating business and organisation has provided. Your support plays a vital role in preparing our students for life beyond school, and it would not be possible without your involvement.

Thank you for partnering with us to shape the future of our students.

If your business is interested in being part of future Work Experience Programs, please contact Fiona Marshall (fmars7@eq.edu.au) 07 4090 6444 – we’d love to hear from you!

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2026 Rio Tinto School-Based Traineeships – NOW OPEN!

Applications are now open for the 2026 Rio Tinto School-Based Traineeships. These traineeships give students entering Year 11 in 2026 the opportunity to gain hands-on industry experience, develop valuable skills, and get a head start in the workforce—all while completing their senior studies.

To find out more or to apply, please contact Fiona Marshall at (fmars7@eq.edu.au) (07) 4090 6444.

Don't miss out—this could be the beginning of your future career!

Secondary Update

Senior Schooling Update

Truck Safety Takes Centre Stage at WCC

Last week, our senior students took part in an engaging and eye-opening road safety presentation delivered by Andrew and Sarah from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR). As part of NHVR’s bold campaign to raise awareness about the risks of unsafe driving around heavy vehicles, the session delivered important safety messages in a way that truly resonated with our students.

We were also fortunate to be joined by Gavin from Rob Roy Earthmoving, who brought along his Mack truck to give students a firsthand experience of truck blind spots and the importance of maintaining safe distances on the road.

A big thank you to Mr Brooker, our Automotive Teacher, for supporting the event and proudly showcasing our Automotive workshop. The NHVR team was incredibly impressed with our facilities and the quality of teaching and learning happening in the program.

Supporting the safety of our young drivers is a top priority, and it was fantastic to see such a creative and relatable approach used to educate and inspire safer driving behaviours.

Parent–Teacher Interviews: Thank You

Thank you to all the staff and parents who participated in our recent student progress interviews. These interviews are a vital part of the partnership between home and school, helping to support student learning and ensure everyone is on the same page. If you were unable to attend, please don’t hesitate to reach out to arrange an alternative time.

Academic Recognition and Term 3 Focus

Congratulations to all the students who received an academic award at our recent senior celebration assembly. These awards reflect consistent effort and commitment to learning, and we are proud to celebrate your achievements.

Assessment schedules for Semester 2 have now been distributed to students. These are an excellent tool to support organisation and study planning. I encourage families to discuss these schedules at home and help students establish a clear routine as we move through the term. Staying on top of due dates and breaking tasks into manageable steps is key to reducing stress and achieving success.

Looking Ahead

With mock exams and final assessments for Year 12 students fast approaching, now is the time to stay focused and make every lesson count. Our teachers are here to help so please encourage students to ask for support early if needed.

As always, thank you for your continued support of your child’s education journey.

Kind regards
Siobhan Wilson
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary

Physics Class Journey to Brisbane 

On Thursday 24 July 2025, the Western Cape College Year 11 and 12 Physics class met at Weipa Airport to fly to Brisbane for 3 jammed packed days of Physics activities. 

First stop was navigating public transport by catching the train to Dreamworld, where each student was given a thick work booklet on the Physics of rollercoasters and rides to complete, including questions on kinetic energy, velocity, and force. While completing this booklet, they were able to test all the rides, for scientific purposes of course! Students compared their theoretical ‘G-Force’ calculations to the actual as they wore vests with data loggers on board the rides.  On return to Brisbane, their problem-solving skills were tested in one of Brisbane’s escape rooms. Groups were required to solve a series of difficult and creative thinking tasks to find their way out of the rooms within an allocated time. 

On Saturday, students completed a unique Physics experiment at the iFly indoor skydiving centre. Students measured and mathematically modelled their own bodies to determine their own terminal velocity before testing their calculations in the powerful wind tunnel. In the afternoon, the weather took a turn for the worse, but the Storey Bridge Adventure Climb runs ‘rain, hail or shine’. The class climbed the engineering landmark, Brisbane’s iconic Storey Bridge. A guide talked the students through architectural design and challenges in construction while guiding them over the 80m tall steel cantilever bridge. 

On the final day, the class toured the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Gardens Point Campus for their Open Day. Here students were able to tour the Chemistry and Physics Labs and try out experiments first year students of the bachelor courses complete. Then it was onto the SparkLab, Queensland’s Science Museum, where the highlight was participating in an experiment using a Tesla Coil which produces small scale lightning, predicting and testing what different objects would do in a vacuum and viewing a cloud chamber (a particle detector used for visualising the passage of ionising radiation). Throughout the excursion the students demonstrated exemplary behaviour and represented WCC with pride. 

Special thanks to Ms Jemma Collins and Mr Declan Downes for leading the students on a Physics themed highlight of the year, that no doubt the students will be talking about for years to come. 

Jemma Collins – Physics Teacher 

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Years 9 & 10 Update

Year 11 2026 Subject Selection and SET Planning

As our Year 10 students approach the end of their compulsory phase of schooling either upon turning 16 or completing Year 10, they begin an important transition toward senior secondary education. Beyond this point, young people must be engaged in education, training, or paid employment, known as being ‘learning or earning’.

To continue their education at Western Cape College, students must develop a Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan in partnership with parents/caregivers and the school. This plan helps guide their learning and career pathway for Years 11 and 12. In the coming weeks, families will be invited to attend a SET Plan interview, during which students will officially select their subjects for Year 11 in 2026.

Information packs will be distributed to students and emailed to parents shortly, please keep an eye out for these important materials.

Celebration Assembly and Semester 2 Assessment Schedules

Last Tuesday, we held our Term 2 Celebration Assembly, which was a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the achievements and growth of our students so far this year. Thank you to the parents and carers who joined us to recognise and celebrate the efforts of our young people, your support is always valued.

By the time you're reading this, Semester 2 assessment schedules will have been issued to students. These schedules are a vital planning tool for students and families, clearly outlining when assessments and exams will take place throughout the term. We encourage families to review these together to support students in managing their time and responsibilities effectively.

Year 9 Camp

This term, our Year 9 students will take part in a cohort camp at the RAAF Base Scherger. This is a unique and exciting opportunity for students to develop leadership skills in a setting beyond the classroom, build strong connections with their peers, and create lifelong memories.

We look forward to seeing our students embrace the outdoors and challenge themselves in new and meaningful ways.

Kind regards
Kurt Lynch
Deputy Principal Years 9 and 10

Primary Update

Prep-2 Sector Update

I hope you and your families are well and enjoyed the wonderful start to Term 3. I am excited to share some highlights and upcoming events in our school community.

Upcoming Events

We have an exciting line up of events planned for this term:

• Science Week: (Week 5) Get ready for a week filled with fascinating experiments and discoveries. Our young scientists will have the opportunity to explore and expand their knowledge of the world around them.
• Book Week: (Week 6) A celebration of literature and the joy of reading. Students are encouraged to dress up as their favourite book characters and participate in reading activities and book-related events. Students will dress up as their favourite characters on Wednesday, 20 August.
• NAIDOC Week: (Week 8) A celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage. Students will engage in various activities to learn and appreciate the rich history and contributions of Indigenous Australians.
• Prep EcoTours: We are so excited to be heading off on our Prep EcoTours again this year! These excursions offer an amazing opportunity for our youngest learners to explore the natural world, make real-life connections to our science learning, and develop a deeper appreciation for the environment. Prep A: Monday 8 September & Prep B & C: Wednesday 10 September.

Prep Experience Days

We are excited to welcome our future Preppies for 2026 with four Prep Experience Days this term. These days are designed for our Kindy children to familiarise themselves with WCC and enjoy fun activities. All Prep 2026 students are welcome to attend these days. If your child does not attend Kindy on these days, parents are encouraged to bring them along to experience the school environment and meet their future classmates. All Experience Days will be held from 9:00am - 10:30am.

• Tuesday, 12 August - Scientists in the Making (Science Week)
• Monday, 18 August – Book an Adventure! (Book Week)
• Friday, 29 August - Move Your Body (Arts and PE Lessons)
• Wednesday, 3 September - Motor Skills Matter

Prep 2026 Enrolments are Open

If your child was born between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021, they are eligible to start Prep in 2026. Please see Kym in the Primary Office for an enrolment pack. This year, an enrolment interview is not a requirement.

StarLab Visits – Year 2

Last week, our Year 2 students were amazed by the StarLab experience. Inside the inflatable planetarium, they explored the night sky, learnt about stars, planets and constellations, and deepened their understanding of Earth and space. It was a fantastic way to bring their science learning to life.

Tuckshop Visits – Year 1

Year 1 students had a deliciously fun time visiting the school tuckshop last week as part of their learning about procedures. They followed step-by-step instructions to make their own pizzas and enjoyed the chance to put their learning into action in a real-life setting.

Primary Principal’s Appreciation Day

Last Friday was Primary Principal’s Appreciation Day. I truly appreciated the kind words, thoughtful gestures and moments of recognition throughout the day. I feel very lucky to work in such a supportive and passionate school community. A special thank you to our incredible leadership team for their constant support and shared commitment to making our school the best it can be.

We look forward to these many exciting learning opportunities, celebrations and events.

Kind regards
Lydia Jamieson
Deputy Principal P-2

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5/6 Sector Update

Term 3 has started positively for our oldest students in the primary school, with lots of celebrations and events to look forward to this term.

Year 6 Camp

This year, our Year 6 cohort will venture out to the RAAF Base Scherger from 27 August to 29 August. During the camp, students will be engaged in a variety of structured activities to intentionally develop their personal and social capabilities. Activities will also build on students’ practical skills in camping, cooking and group collaboration.

Please return student consent forms and payment as soon as possible. We are aiming to have all Year 6 students attend camp. If you have any questions or require any support, please contact your child’s teacher at the school. We will work closely with you to ensure your child can attend this event.

2026 Student Leadership

Over the next semester, we will begin conversation with our current Year 5 students about their leadership opportunities next year. We will run a formalised process in early Term 4 to nominate and vote on our 2026 school captains. If your child is interested in this opportunity, please encourage them to speak to the classroom teacher, so we can work with them in the lead up to this process.

Term 3 also brings some busy weeks with Science Week in Week 5, Book Week in Week 6 and NAIDOC Week in Week 8. Students and staff are looking forward to celebrating these events together.

Kind regards
Danielle Krall
Deputy Principal - Years 5 & 6