Good Day, Good People,

Welcome back to Term 3! I hope you all had a restful and refreshing break and that the holidays provided valuable time with family and friends. Term 3 is always a busy and exciting part of the school year. With many events, learning experiences, and opportunities ahead, it’s a great time for students to build on their progress, embrace new challenges, and continue to grow in confidence and independence. Throughout the term, we look forward to engaging in a variety of academic, sporting, and community activities that support the development of the whole child. From our Interschool Athletics Carnival, Eisteddfod, Book Week celebrations and learning projects across all year levels, there’s something for everyone to be excited about. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in your child’s learning journey. We are proud of our vibrant school community and the way we work together to help each student shine. Wishing all our students and families a successful and fulfilling Term 3!

Before School Supervision – Reminder for Families

A reminder to all families that the designated waiting areas before school are as follows:

• Prep and Year 1 students – Year 1 Covered Area
  

• Years 2 to 6 students – Greccio Place (Shelter Shed)
  

Supervision in these areas begins at 8:00 am, and these are the only supervised areas prior to the start of the school day.

If any changes to these arrangements are required due to school events or weather conditions, families will be notified in advance.

For students with individualised transition plans, these arrangements remain fully supported by the school.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us ensure a safe and calm start to each day.

Respecting Professional Boundaries

At St Anthony’s Catholic College, we are committed to fostering respectful, professional relationships between families and staff. As part of this commitment, all school-related concerns should be raised through appropriate communication channels during school hours.

Approaching staff in social settings, contacting them via personal phone numbers, or engaging with them through personal social media accounts regarding school matters is not appropriate. These actions blur professional boundaries and place staff in an unfair and uncomfortable position. Our Parent Code of Conduct clearly outlines these expectations to help maintain a safe and respectful school environment.

If you have a concern or need to speak with a staff member, we ask that you contact the school through official channels. Our staff are always willing to engage in meaningful conversations, at the right time and in the right context.

Please keep in mind the following:

• Staff are not expected to respond to emails or phone calls outside of work hours, including evenings and weekends, in line with their Right to Disconnect.
  

• Emails will generally receive a response, if required, within two working days.
  
• Personal contact details of staff, including mobile numbers, personal emails, and social media accounts, are not to be used for school communication. Messages sent via these means will not be responded to.
  

• If you see staff in the community, we kindly ask that you respect their personal time.
  

• If you wish to meet with a teacher or a member of the Leadership Team, please book an appointment. Drop-ins during the school day cannot be accommodated.
  

We greatly appreciate our families' continued support in upholding these professional boundaries and helping us maintain a positive and respectful environment for all.

Thank you for your understanding and for your ongoing commitment to our college community.

God bless,

Karen Krzelj - Deputy Principal (Acting), Padua Campus

Semester One Reporting – Parent/Teacher Discussions

Dear Parents and Carers,

Last term, students received their Semester One academic reports. These reports are an important part of our ongoing communication about your child’s learning progress and achievement.

To support this process, we are offering the opportunity for parents to meet with their child’s classroom teacher during Weeks 2 and 3 of this term. These meetings provide a valuable chance to discuss your child’s results, strengths, learning goals, and any additional supports that may be in place or required.

Please note that these oral reporting times will not be booked through Compass. If you wish to arrange a time to meet, we ask that you contact your child’s teacher directly to make a suitable appointment. Should you require any further information about the reporting process or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Nichole Denman

Assistant Principal - Pedagogy & Learning                                                                                            

Welcome back to Term 3. Just a friendly reminder to keep embedding our SHINE rules in everything we do each day. When students see that SHINE matters not only to them, but also to their parents, carers, and teachers, they are far more likely to invest in their own behaviour and choices. Let's continue to model and reinforce SHINE so our students can shine every day!

Our SHINE rules:

• S - create a safe and positive environment within the school and classroom so that teaching and leraning can take place in harmony.
• H - create a caring school environment where the rights and responsibilities of the individual are recognised and respected.
• I - recognise those members of the school community whose exemplary behaviour promotes a positive and caring school environment.
• N - develop the student's social and self-management skills.
• E - develop the students' positive self-concept and sense of pride in themselves and the school.

NAIDOC Week is a meaningful opportunity for all Australians, especially our students, to engage in learning, conversation, and celebration. As we mark 50 years of NAIDOC Week, we honour the voices, culture, and resilience of First Nations peoples and look forward to the next generation carrying that legacy forward.

Both Assisi and Padua campuses joined together yesterday to celebrate NAIDOC week. Students participated in various market-style activities such as Indigenous games and storytelling, dance and art workshops and food preparation and tasting. Thank you to all the organisers, guests and special visitors who made the day such a great success. 

Upcoming dates:
Friday, the 4th of August is National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day. 

The theme this year is ‘Little Footsteps, Big Future’.

Wednesday, the 3rd of September is Indigenous Literacy Day.

The theme for this year's Indigenous Literacy Day is ‘Strength In Our Stories: For Now & Future Generations’.

Gracelyn Mitchell

Assistant Principal Administration (Acting) - Padua Campus

We are proud to announce this term there will be a collaboration of the Arts across campuses to present one amazing show. More info to come but please save the date!

Welcome back to Term 3 and another busy term. Book Club issue 5 will go out during the week with a return date for orders Monday 21st July.

This year, Book Week will be celebrated from the 16 th to 22 nd August. I will update you through the newsletter of our planned activities and events. The students in Year 2, Year 1 and Prep will begin to read in our library lessons the book nominated for the Early Childhood book of the year.

Each year The Children’s Book Council nominates books written/illustrated by Australian authors and illustrators for Book Week Awards. There are 6 different categories – Book of the Year for: Older Readers, Younger Readers and Early Childhood; Picture Book of the Year; Eve Pownall Award for Information Book and the Crichton Award for new illustrators.

In each newsletter I will include some of the titles that have been nominated.

The following books have been nominated in the Early Childhood Section.

Don’t Worry, Felix by Yohann Devezy and Katharine Alice                                

Felix has a problem. It’s a big, red, round problem. A worry balloon that follows him everywhere he goes ... As his heart thumps, stomach twists and toes wiggle, it grows and grows and stops him from doing what he wants to do. But when Felix learns a special trick, things start to change ...

The Wobbly Bike by Darren McCallum

How do you fix a wobbly bike? Could it be the tyres, the terrain, or maybe it might be a new rider? A joyful, multi-layered story, celebrating the unique culture of Australia’s urban “top end”, the precious roles of grandparents in families, the fact that kindness and encouragement, combined with practice, are the key to success, bound together with gentle humour… because laughter is always the best medicine.

One Little Dung Beetle by Heather Potter

Follow along as One Little Dung Beetle counts all kinds of fascinating creepies and crawlies.

How many can you see?

Well done to all those students would have taken up the Premier’s Reading Challenge. It is wonderful to see how many are committed to reading the 20 books required for the challenge. Thank you to those students who have already completed the challenge and have handed their sheets back to me to register your entry. Please support and encourage them to keep reading, as it is a vital tool for lifelong learning and impacts on everything we do each day.

Sue Keith
Padua Campus Library
"I have a passion for teaching kids to become readers, to become comfortable with a book, not daunted. Books shouldn't be daunting, they should be funny, exciting and wonderful; and learning to be a reader gives a terrific advantage.” Roald Dahl

We hope that the last week of school for your child/ren was a good week and they enjoyed the opportunities available to them. Our Year 10 students had Work Experience and for those that attended we hope it was a great experience. Our Year 9s had a Retreat Day followed by fun out at King Pin and Ninja Parc and finished with the traditional Scavenger Hunt on Wednesday through the city. By all accounts they had a terrific time and a good way to finish the term. Mr Armstrong had the theme of solidarity for these three days as we built the unity of the group. Our Year 7s for the first time had Sunshine and Sculptures Day. This was a full day of experiencing all the areas of The Arts. Our Yr 12 Certificate II Hospitality students enjoyed a day of industry experience at The Ville. Students were lucky enough to receive a guided behind the scenes tour of The Ville and Ardo, complete a shift in laundry/housekeeping and enjoy a fantastic lunch at the Quarterdeck. The week finished with the Interhouse Athletics Carnival. This was a fun two days and many students were in the spirit and performed well. We had some records broken which was great and crowned new John Nuttell Gift winners. At the end of the day Agnes won the carnival and Giles picked up the Spirit award. During the first week of the holidays a number of staff travelled to the QISSN Carnival (Bundaberg) to support our Dragons Netball team and the Confraternity Shield (Rockhampton) to support our Dragons Rugby League team. Both teams put in their best efforts and won a few games. We hope they had a great time and made memories to last a lifetime. 

On the last day of term we released our Semester 1, Unit 1 & 3 Reports. We hope you have had time to sit with your child/ren to see how they went. Hopefully there were no surprises and you have started to set some goals for this semester. We hope you took advantage of the Parent - Teacher Interviews on Tuesday and are fully informed of how your child/ren are performing and what they can do better. Thank you for attending this night. 

Yesterday was our NAIDOC Week Celebrations as a whole College down at Padua. It was another fabulous celebration of our First Nations culture and we hope that it has been able to build a better understanding of our First Nations peoples thus moving towards reconciliation. We thank the First Nations team of the College and the students who helped out for this day as there was a great deal to organise and run. 

Until next Newsletter or I see you, take care.

Nick Antoniazzi

Deputy Principal - Assisi Campus

Year 10 Meningococcal Immunisations – Thursday 8 August

As part of the Queensland Health Immunisation Program, all Year 10 students are scheduled to receive their booster Meningococcal ACWY vaccination on Thursday 8 August at school.

This vaccine helps protect against four strains of meningococcal disease, a rare but serious illness that can cause life-threatening infections such as meningitis and septicaemia. The vaccine is free for all Year 10 students and is strongly recommended to protect their health and the wider community.

Parents and carers are reminded to:

• Ensure your child has breakfast on the morning of the immunisation.

• All students should be in their school sports uniform for easier access to the upper arm.

If your child is absent on the day, they will be offered a catch-up immunisation through the local council clinic or GP.

Thank you for supporting this important public health initiative.

For more information, please visit health.gov.au. 

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Applying to study at university in 2026

The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) is responsible for managing the undergraduate university and tertiary education admissions process in Queensland.  

Queensland Year 12 students can begin their QTAC Application for courses commencing in 2026  from Tuesday 5 August. Students will need to:

• create a QTAC Account; and
• register to access their ATAR in the ATAR Portal

Students should use a personal email address and ensure they have their LUI, DOB, and full name (as on QCAA record).

Students can list up to six preferences in their QTAC application. QTAC processes these preferences in order and make offers based on eligibility (for example, meeting subject prerequisites) and merit (for example, the ATAR).

To stay informed about key dates and receive timely reminders, students can sign up for QTAC’s Remind Me service. Sign up now to go in the draw to win prizes such as Google Nests, Beats Headphones and more.

University Information Evening

Year 12 students, parents and carers are invited to join us for an essential info session covering university pathways, key dates, application processes, support options, and next steps for life after school.

Date: Tuesday 22 July 2025
Time: 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Location: Assisi Campus Library

Visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KGC3KX5 to register your interest in attending.

For questions, please contact our Career Development Practitioner, Miss Kathryn Tebble

Interstate university applications

For students who are interested in applying for courses at interstate universities, each state has their own tertiary admissions centre. Miss Tebble is able to assist students with navigating these processes and requirements. Students are encouraged to book an appointment early to find out about key dates and application requirements.

University early offers

Early offers to universities allow Year 12 students to secure a place before receiving their final exam results (ATAR). These programs, often called "early entry" or "early offer" schemes, enable students to finalize their plans for university while still in high school, potentially reducing stress during the exam period. 

JCU Early Offer program

JCU’s Early Offer program is a pathway to give students some peace of mind knowing they have a place at university next year, and is one less thing to stress about during exam time. The offer they receive will be “conditional” – basically, this means it comes with conditions. For example, an offer might be conditional on achieving a certain ATAR or completing specific subjects.

Students can apply for the JCU Early Offer program from 5 August 2025 by completing a Nomination Form and obtaining the School’s recommendation. The nomination form will be available for schools to download early August when nominations open. Nominations close 10 October 2025.

JCU QTAC Vouchers

JCU are offering students the opportunity to apply for a voucher to cover the costs of their QTAC Application Fee. JCU’s QTAC Voucher applications will open on 1 August. Students need to apply and receive their voucher from JCU first, then submit their QTAC Application with the voucher code. Further details coming soon.

CQU Principal’s Recommendation Scheme

The Principal’s Recommendation Scheme (PRS) provides a pathway for Year 12 students to apply to a range of undergraduate CQU courses based on their high school principal's recommendation rather than ATAR. Students can receive an offer without waiting for their Year 12 results and won't need to apply via a Tertiary Admission Centre for that same course.Open to all Year 12 students, the Scheme is designed to assist capable students to access entry to CQUniversity. 

More early offer programs

ACU Guarantee. Applications open 21 July and close 15 September. 

Bond University. Apply with your Year 11 and Year 12 Semester 1 results. Applications are open year-round for most programs.

Griffith University Year 12 Early Offer Guarantee. Applications open 5 August and close 20 September. Offers made from 5 September.

Queensland University of Technology - QUT Year 12 Early Offer Scheme. Applications open 5 August and close 22 October.

Southern Cross University. Applications are now open and close 30 September. Offers made from 10 November.

University of Southern Queensland - UniSQ Early Entry. Applications open 5 August and close 16 October. Offers made from 5 September.

University of the Sunshine Coast - UniSC Early Offer Guarantee. Applications open 5 August and close 6 October. Offers made from 5 September.

Students wishing to apply for an early offer are encouraged to book at time to discuss this with our Career Development Practitioner, Miss Kathryn Tebble.

QTAC and University key dates and events

Commonwealth Prac Payment

Courses that include mandatory placement are both challenging and rewarding. Choosing a course with a mandatory placement, like nursing, teaching or social work, opens up so many pathways to a meaningful career and allows students to put theory into practice. Many students find their placements to be the most rewarding and transformational part of their study. 

While placements are an important part of the learning experience, they can also be financially challenging. To help, the Australian Government has introduced the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP), a new initiative to ease the costs of placements. The aid is for students in teaching, nursing and midwifery and social work programs at university, as well as nursing students in vocational education and training (VET) courses. These payments aim to address the ‘placement poverty’ caused by students having to support themselves during unpaid placements. The CPP can also help ease the other costs associated with undertaking unpaid placement such as:

• travel and accommodation, particularly when the placement is located far from home or campus
• materials and uniforms required by the workplace

Ultimately, with the help of CPP, students will be able to focus on their education and practical training without the shadow of financial hardship looming over them.

Key benefits of the Commonwealth Prac Payment 

• Starting 1 July 2025, eligible students can receive $331.65 per week during their placement. This amount is based on the single Austudy rate. 
• The payment is available to those already on Commonwealth income support payments such as ABSTUDY, Austudy, Youth Allowance or DVA Education Allowance (and who meet the other eligibility criteria) OR is means tested, so it helps students who need it most.  
• Both full-time and part-time students can receive the payment.

Who is eligible for the Commonwealth Prac Payment?

You need to meet specific criteria to be eligible for the CPP as a bachelor's or master's student. The main eligibility requirements are as follows:

• domestic student
• enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
• completing a bachelor’s or master’s program that leads to entry-to-practice in teaching, social work, nursing or midwifery
• undertaking mandatory placements.

Your mandatory placement needs to be on average 30 hours or more per week for the duration of your placement. If you are studying midwifery, you are also eligible if you are undertaking a continuity of care placement. 

As mentioned above, you also need to be currently receiving a Commonwealth income support payment OR fulfil means-testing criteria.

How to access the Commonwealth Prac Payment 

• You must be enrolled in a mandatory placement as part of your program in teaching, nursing, midwifery, or social work (from July 2025).
• Students will apply to their higher education or VET provider for payments. 

Gap Year Adventures

Flight Centre Travel Academy - Work, Study + Play Whitsundays program. Combined with the Diploma of Travel and Tourism, this 13-month program offers young people exclusive adventures with luxury resort destinations and eco-tourism experiences in the Whitsundays, including Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island, Daydream Island and more. If you would like to find out more, check out the Parents’ Guide here.

Camp America. Spend 9-12 weeks living and working at an American summer camp. Inspire others, make an impact, and  become a role model at one of the hundreds of camps we work with across the USA. Join the next Camp America Webinar on 16 September from 7pm to find out more! Learn how Camp America works, finding the right camp and the application process. We'll give you tips to make your application stand out and give a full rundown of what your Camp America Experience could look like. 

Labour Market Trends

Over the past year, employment growth has been strongest in jobs that typically require post-secondary qualifications. More than two-thirds of new jobs were in occupations linked to Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathways, highlighting the growing value of practical, skills-based training.

The new May 2025 Labour Force Trending (LFT) data has been released, offering fresh insights into how Australia's employment landscape is evolving. 

Some standout trends from this release include:

• Health Care and Social Assistance continues to power ahead, with employment growing by 5.1%, adding 115,200 jobs.
• Technicians and Trades Workers remain a cornerstone of the workforce, with nearly 2 million Australians (14% of all workers) in these roles.
• Almost half of new jobs created over the past year were in occupations that typically require a VET qualification or similar experience, highlighting the growing value of practical, skills-based education.

Careers in Construction

North Queensland is undergoing significant transformation, with numerous construction projects proposed for completion between now and 2030. This surge in major construction projects is creating a wealth of job opportunities across various sectors. Here’s an overview of some of the key developments:

• Wongalee Wind Farm (Flinders Shire) is expected to generate 500 construction jobs, with long term roles in operations and maintenance
• CopperString 2.0 Transmission Line is currently under development connecting renewable energy zones, and is poised to create numerous jobs in construction and maintenance, including roles in civil engineering, electrical work and project management
• Townsville Northern Beaches Trunk Road Infrastructure Package is a $29 million development to improve traffic flow and infrastructure in the Northern beaches area. Opportunities include roles in civil construction, roadworks and drainage systems

Additionally, the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games and Paralympic Games are driving a significant demand for skilled workers, with an estimated $7.1 billion allocated for venue and infrastructure development.

However, the Queensland construction industry is experiencing a significant shortfall in skilled workers, with a projected peak shortage of 54,700 in March 2026. Key roles in high demand include:

• Civil Engineers
• Concreters
• Plant Operators
• Project Managers
• Carpenters, Plumbers, and Electricians

This shortage presents substantial opportunities for job seekers in these trades.

Construction work might be a great option for students who like working with their hands or already have friends and family in the industry. But if you think construction is all physical work on building sites, think again! There are over 70 different construction careers to choose from, ranging from physical to office-based roles, or a blend of both. Whether you like design, numbers, working with people, or managing projects, there’s a construction job for you.

Key Events

For career counselling and information:

Miss Kathryn Tebble

Career Development Practitioner 

4751 7300 or ktebble1@sacc.catholic.edu.au

www.stanthonyscareers.com

In this edition of SchoolTV - School Refusal

School refusal, sometimes called school avoidance or school phobia, is not uncommon. It is different to ‘wagging’ or truancy and is often related to worry or anxiety-related issues about going to school. School refusal may start gradually or happen suddenly. Although it is normal for a child to occasionally miss a day of school, parents should only be concerned if a child regularly complains about feeling sick or often asks to stay home due to minor physical complaints.

School refusal is a complex issue as there is rarely a single cause. It affects children of all ages across primary and secondary levels. It can often occur during times of transition at school. More recently, the Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the educational experience of all students, affecting some more than others. Dealing with a school refusal child can affect the whole family, adding pressure to an already challenging time. School refusal is not considered a formal psychiatric diagnosis. It’s a name given to an emotional and/or behavioural problem.

In this edition of SchoolTV, adult carers will learn how best to approach this issue and work towards a solution.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the School Refusal edition of SchoolTV
https://sacc.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/school-refusal