Term 2 Newsletter 2022

Principal's Report

Greetings to all members of our community.

First up, let me introduce myself. In the last Principal’s Report, Andrew Oliver announced his secondment to Regional Office to work on a project focussing on digital access for rural and remote families.  I have stepped up from my usual Deputy role here to replace him during his absence. Hopefully it has been a fairly seamless transition!

I began by greeting all members of our community and I chose my words carefully for our school is indeed a community. At its heart of course is the unique partnership of student, home tutor and teacher that is essential to distance education. A home tutor is a requirement of enrolment at our school. The role will be a bit different depending on the age of the student, however it is a commitment to supervise and support the student whilst they are studying. Occasionally I am asked if leaving the student alone at home and going out, to work for example, is compatible with the home tutor role. I can tell you that it isn’t. In my experience when this has been attempted it has not been successful. Our young people need support and supervision which is why we ask for the commitment of the home tutor in the enrolment process. We provide full time education in the distance mode. The home tutor role is a full time one which is crucial to the success of our partnership.

Looking back, it has certainly been a busy term. Term 2 traditionally includes our Camp Week when our families come in to our school and engage in learning at one of our camps. This week and the Term 4 Celebration Week, are highlights of our year. Our school comes alive as students and families come together. This year we have also been celebrating our school’s 50^th Anniversary, so the activities included an additional range of members of our community including the RFDS, ICPA and C2K Bike Ride. We also welcomed previous staff members including some from back in the days when our school was located with the RFDS in Edge Hill and of course others who taught for us through HF radio. So a real coming together of our community with a good measure of catching up with old friends!

Within our school we have been focussed on our annual improvement objectives. Each year every State school develops and implements an Annual Improvement Plan (AIP) highlighting the key foci of our work during the year ahead. Our AIP was approved last term. I firmly believe that plans such as these can only be successful if all staff are guided by them throughout the year. I have reminded staff of the importance of staff retaining their focus on this plan to continually improve our students’ outcomes.

Related to this I attended the termly Regional Principals’ Business Meeting. Significant information was shared by our FNQ Regional Director, Stephen Bell, with the Principals present. I want to share the key messages with you. A new Director General of the Department of Education, Mr Michael De’Ath, recently took over leadership of the department. The key message we received was that the new DG wants academic outcomes to be our key focus. Of course, every aspect of our work is important but it was stressed that everything feeds into student outcomes. Our Leadership Team have been working on this, developing strategies to ensure that we are focussed on this task of continually improving our students’ outcomes.

Within school we are now planning for end of semester 1 Reports and for Term 3, which includes our mini schools. We can’t wait to get out and meet our community at the various Mini School locations.

Best Wishes,
Chris Rigden

Principal Vlog 

Mr Oliver and Ms Jones introduce our new Therapy Dog, Buddy. 

Buddy's Study Tips

We understand exams and assessment periods can be stressful, so our Therapy Dog Buddy has put together a few simple but effective study tips for students. 

Tip #1 Get plenty of sleep – sleep can improve students’ recall, mood and health.

Tip #2 Drink water and eat healthily – this can play a big part in students’ cognitive function.

Tip #3 Get fresh air – study breaks like going for a walk or getting some fresh air can improve students’ wellbeing and mood.

Tip #4 Plan time for yourself – whether it be with friends, family or just by yourself.

The Titanabo and The Unicorn- Prep B

Once upon a time there was a Titanaboa and a Unicorn. One day there was an Electric Eel that wanted to fight an Anaconda. The Electric Eel zapped the Anaconda and it swam away.

Then, an even scarier Titanaboa and a Toad came along. The Titanaboa, the Anaconda and the Toad had a big fight in the Columbian Rainforest. 

The Unicorn watched the fight from above on her rainbow. She did not like the fighting. She came down from her rainbow and using her magic horn, turned all of them into unicorns. 

All four of them went to the beach. They ran on the sand and played in the water and had lots of fun. 

The End. 

What's happening at the Open Learning Campus?

Ceramics Program at Cairns Potters Club

This term, Mr. Tan and seven of the Open Learning Campus (OLC) students completed a six week ceramics program at the Cairns Potters Club. This course is delivered by Art Psychotherapist, Alison Lacy.

It was a wonderful opportunity for students to experience first-hand some activities that demand moments of long attention. These moments build our sense of 'flow'. Finding 'flow' is a great way to self-regulate emotions and to de-stress. 

Social Emotional Life Focus 

On Tuesdays at the Open Learning Campus, students engage in a subject called SELF (Social Emotional Life Focus).

In this class, students learn about Positive Psychology and the pursuit of happiness. As detailed in the diagram below, Seligman concluded that there are three dimensions of happiness that can be cultivated.

Students have also been working on projects that contribute to the greater good by building our sense of community. One of these projects was to host a meet-and-greet for Cairns SDE teachers. Students invited a teacher down to K Block to chat about anything other than schoolwork over a tea or coffee. They can all be proud of the hospitality they provided. Thank you to the staff who participated. 

Floristry 

In Term 2, at the Open Learning Campus (OLC), Ms Emilia and five creative students began exploring the seven design elements of floristry as part of the afternoon Hands-On Practical Education (HOPE) programs.

So far, students have experimented with colour and texture to create balance, a focal point, and emphasis, which has resulted in some truly beautiful bouquets. They also looked at proportion and scale, unity, harmony, and rhythm, to round out the seven design elements of floristry.

In Term 3, the group looks forward to turning their focus to different floral arrangement styles for different purposes.

Student Leaders

Six of our Student Leaders attended the GRIP Leadership Conference in Cairns on Tuesday 29 March at the Pullman Reef Casino with other local schools.

Students- Aaliya, Jamaal and James attended the primary conference and Finnlay, Maddi and Jolene attended the secondary conference.

They had a great time mingling with Student Leaders from other schools and brainstorming ideas to bring back to school. 

Thank you to Ms Leah Babbington for hanging out with the Primary Student Leaders and to Mrs Tanya Findlay who had the pleasure of accompanying the Secondary Student Leaders. 

Students, Sienna and Mason, have attended the GRIP Student Leadership Conferences in Brisbane. Thank you to Mr Nathan Ormsby for chaperoning.

A student, Anna, attended a GRIP Student Leadership Conference in Newcastle in March, and another student Amy attended one in Canberra in May. 

Pictured below:
Finnlay– was amazing in the karaoke challenge. As the Cairns SDE Team Rep, he had to guess which song the participants sang. While being challenged with special ‘COVID’ blindfolds, Finnlay guessed every song and took out top honours.

Maddi and Jolene – working through activities in the leadership booklet.

GRIP Leadership Conference Cairns

Jonathan receives Promising Young Talent Award

Year 9 Cairns SDE student, Jonathan P., recently received a ‘Promising Young Talent’ award in the 2022 International Composition Competition of the Vienna Classical Music Academy (VCMA). This competition is open to composers of all ages and nationalities. 

Jonathan’s piece ‘Orchestral Fugue in D major’ was entered into the Symphonic Orchestra category and he was delighted to receive recognition at an international level.

Jonathan has been composing for four years and would one day like to become a professional composer. Some of Jonathan’s compositions can be found on his YouTube channel JDV Platz Music.

A Look Inside the Wombinoo Schoolroom

Thank you to William (Year 3), Colby (Year 1) and Katrina (Home Tutor) for giving us a sneak peek into your wonderful Wombinoo Schoolroom. It encompasses an amazing sense of colours, words and stimulating material. 

Parent, Emmalee, said,

"I have always wanted the best learning environment for the boys."

Key features in the schoolroom include: shapes, large coloured crayons, the alphabet, numbers, art, PB4L posters, a tree, work stations, stationery, a word wall, inspirational quotes and books.

Schoolroom Photos

Staff News

Meet our New Staff

Lurelle Hodge

Hi, my name is Lurelle Hodge and I am very excited to be the newly appointed Deputy Principal at Cairns SDE.

I have worked in Education for the past 23 years: a classroom teacher for 15 years, a Master Teacher for three years and a Deputy Principal for the past five years. The majority of my career has been spent on the Atherton Tablelands.

I am passionate about student learning and believe in a holistic approach centred around student wellbeing. My leadership style is supportive and collaborative. I am looking forward to learning how Cairns SDE works and meeting all the staff and students.

My husband Darren works at Ergon Energy, and we have two daughters, Bethani (14) and Genea (21) and one crazy dog- Gigi! I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading, gardening, travelling and walking.

James Wilson

Hi, my name is James and I am from regional Victoria, Ballarat. For the past six years I have resided at Ballarat Grammar as a Head of Boys Boarding and a Health and PE educator. My background is in Sport Science and I am passionate about educational research that links physical activity with improved cognitive function. As an educator, I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to mentor young individuals and am looking forward to utilising this skill set in my new role. Outside of work you will catch me swimming laps at a local pool, enjoying some live music or running my dog Bailey who is a very energetic Vizsla! 

Derek Markey

Hello everyone, my name is Derek Markey and I will be a teacher on the Grade 4 and 5 teaching team at Cairns SDE. A little about myself: I was born in Cairns and I have recently returned to live in the tropics. I was a teacher in Education Queensland in the late 90s and then taught overseas in Indonesia and China. I returned to Australia and Education Queensland in August 2021. I am here with my wife, Laeli, and our two children, Evelyn and Ryan. Evelyn is at Trinity Bay State High School and Ryan attends Parramatta State School. I have an interest in Indonesian culture, badminton, and I can be persuaded to play ukulele and sing. I look forward to meeting all of you in the near future and working together at Cairns SDE!

Naomi Warriner

​Originally from Canada, our family moved to Australia in 2003 and has enjoyed the many opportunities this wonderful country has provided.  I have been fortunate to teach Humanities and English in a variety of schools and locations including Geraldton, Darwin, Buderim and Perth.  In addition to reading and running, fishing is a favourite recreational activity. I am thrilled to be joining the team at CSDE and looking forward to meeting everyone in Term 2!  

Let's Connect Days

Peninsula 

Our school community recently came together for the Peninsula Let’s Connect Days event, and it was filled with laughter, learning, and delicious delights! Here are the highlights that made this event truly special:

• Kite Making Extravaganza: The sky was a canvas as students and families crafted colourful kites. With tails fluttering in the breeze, these handcrafted wonders soared high, symbolising our unity and creativity. 
• Italian Cultural Activities: Buongiorno! Our Italian-themed corner buzzed with excitement. Students donned aprons and chef hats to participate in stone oven pizza making. The aroma of freshly baked pizzas wafted through the air, and soon, everyone was savouring slices topped with gooey cheese, zesty tomato sauce, and fragrant basil. 
• Sharing with Bloomfield State School: As good neighbours, we extended our warm hospitality to the Bloomfield State School community. Our students shared their kite-making skills, Italian phrases, and, of course, slices of pizza! It was a heartwarming exchange that strengthened our bonds across schools. 

A huge shoutout to all the organizers, volunteers, and participants who made the Peninsula Let’s Connect Days Event a resounding success. Let’s continue celebrating diversity, creativity, and community spirit! 

Peninsula Photos

Cairns

Cairns Let’s Connect Days event highlights

Our school community recently came together for the Cairns Let’s Connect Days event, and what an exciting event it was! Here’s a glimpse of the memorable activities that took place:

• Cycas Circus Performance: The air was filled with awe and wonder as the talented performers from Cycas Circus dazzled us with their acrobatics, juggling, and daring feats.
• Cairns Judo Club Session: Martial arts enthusiasts had a blast during the Judo Club session. Sensei led an engaging workshop, teaching essential techniques and emphasizing discipline, respect, and teamwork. It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn and grow.
• Reef Guardian School Initiative: As proud members of the Reef Guardian program, our students took action to protect our precious environment. They spray-painted the area near the drainage system, creating vibrant reminders that everything we do impacts the sea. Let’s stay conscious and committed to preserving our beautiful marine ecosystem!
• Lego and e-Sports Fun: Creativity and technology collided as students immersed themselves in Lego building challenges and e-Sports competitions. From constructing intricate structures to mastering virtual games, everyone had a blast!

Thank you to everyone- the Cairns Let’s Connect Days event was a resounding success!

Cairns Photos

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South East Queensland

This year SEQ Let's Connect Days focused on building student voice in our school's future planning. We heard student perspectives regarding our new PBL behaviour expectations and curriculum ideas for engaging learners, discussed ways we could improve current learning platforms and ideas on how we could develop social opportunities for Cairns School of Distance Education students. The P-12 students attending the two-day program inspired the staff team in their acceptance of their roles in collaborative activities and how they individually and collectively valued diversity and inclusive practice. 

Our Day One was held at a new venue that worked well for everyone, even in the pouring rain ¬ Kakowan Community Facility. Parents, students and staff connected with each other by participating in drama games, an Exquisite Corpse activity and our collaborative think tank activities. All went well, with PBL awards presented by staff, students and parents. An addition to previous events was the catered parent's lunch funded by the P&C and provided by the Golden Valley Keperra Lions Club. Thank you to the P&C for this funding – it was definitely appreciated by all.

Our excursion on Day Two to Samford Historic Village was inspiring and informative, with students, staff and parents having time to connect with the past, present and consider our future. Whilst the BOM issued a weather warning for heavy rain, we managed to go ahead as planned with little disruption. Thank you to the SEQ parents who endured the traffic delays and re-routing to make the excursion, whilst others tried to attend but could not due to flooded roads. We appreciate your ongoing support of our outreach community events.

Across the two days, our SEQ students, parents and staff connected, shared stories of their lives and learning, played new games, discussed new ideas, made new friends - and made us, the staff team, smile and laugh.  We hope to see you all again in Term 3 for SEQ - Mini School.

SEQ Photos

Tablelands

What a week of fun and adventure! It was wonderful to see so many of our families arriving in Malanda to the Tablelands Let’s Connect Days event. Our Tablelands teaching team planned a range of wonderful events for the students to participate in over the course of the two days. Boy oh boy our days were full.

With our focus of Let’s Connect Days we at the Tablelands embraced this in many different ways from Let's Cook, Let’s Take Pictures, Let’s Go Digital, Let’s Walk to name a few. The highlight of our first day was definitely the Let’s Cook session where we all made a bento lunch to eat to share at a picnic with our new friends. It was wonderful to see all the creative bento making, I think Home Tutors had as much fun as the children preparing their bento box. Of course it goes without saying eating the bento lunch was delicious too! We had a great experience exploring the art of photography looking at creative ways to take photos. The highlight of this will be that students wishing to can enter their photographs in the Malanda Show making this experience have a real life authentic purpose. This included taking some creative photos on our walk to the falls, where the river was a raging murky brown, what we’d expect during a wet season.

Students had the opportunity to participate in a CSDE Tablelands Fun Run. This was organised by our HPE teachers, Mrs Bakurski and Mrs Allen. Together they had us all running, with Home Tutors and siblings cheering on the sideline. We were fortunate the rain held out and whilst it was a bit soggy in parts everyone had a great time, such camaraderie was shown by all. It was exciting to see the students all having a go, cheering one another and having fun.

Another highlight of the event was participating in a real live chemistry lesson with Mrs Herman. All students experienced being in lab with all the tools and apparatus and observed chemical reactions demonstrations of volcano explosions and elephant toothpaste. Lots of fun when you can see, hear, smell and observe changes and chemical reactions first hand.

We were ever so proud of all our students who embraced the positive learning behaviours of Responsible, Resilient and Respect. It was wonderful to see students acknowledging the positive behaviours of others and  we were able to celebrate these achievements at the end of each day. We were grateful to have everyone engaging with one another is such a positive and respectful manner.

The Home Tutors had time to attend some information sessions, mingle with each other and share their stories, tips and tricks for managing their busy days. We appreciate them taking the time to travel to Malanda to be part of this event. Of course this could not happen without the planning and organisation of a great team of teachers who worked tirelessly to make this a successful experience for all.

See you at our next event!

The Tablelands  Let’s Connect Days Team

Tablelands Photos

STEAM Workshop

Students had lots of STEAM-ing fun at the STEAM Workshop in Week 9. 

They had two days of building and coding robots which could dance, pick up objects and make sounds. Well done!

Instrumental Music Workshop

In Week 10, students attended the Instrumental Music Workshop where they learnt to play a range of instruments and songs with Mr. Perger. 

Do you want to learn a musical instrument?

Students enrolled with Cairns School of Distance Education are encouraged to participate in the Instrumental Music Program.

The Program allow students from Year 4 onwards to learn a musical instrument and participate in the school band and camps.

Instruments that can be learnt are: 

• Flute
• Bass Clarinet
• Alto Sax
• Tenor Sax
• Trumpet
• Trombone
• Clarinet
• Euphonium
• Percussion (including drums and auxiliary percussion)

Annual School Camp

Prep - Year 3

Prep - Year 3 students jumped in-to a time machine and explored the past with fun activities like games, dancing, dress-ups and plenty more. They also went on two day-trips to the Cairns Museum and on the Kuranda Train and Skyrail. 

Year 4 - 6

Mr Callaghan said, "Year 4- 6 students enjoyed a wonderful few days away at Daradgee EEC camp. Despite some cloudy and wet weather, students enjoyed a range of activities including: team challenges, low ropes course, bouldering climbing wall, catapults, t-shirt making, seedling planting, Wellbeing art, nature walk, and farm-yard visits. We were even lucky enough to have camp-fire night and a dessert of yummy ‘Daradgee smores’. Daradgee EEC and Cairns SDE staff were very impressed with the students’ enthusiasm, teamwork, manners and respectful behaviours during the camp."

Year 7 - 9

Year 7 - 9 students spent three days at Mungalli Falls Outdoor Education Centre where they participated in a range of activities: abseiling, archery, landsliding, low ropes and obstacle courses.

Year 10 - 12

Year 10 - 12 students adventured to Echo Creek where they did archery, laser tag, raft building, abseiling, the Echo Creek Falls bush walk and team building activities. 

Home Tutors

Home Tutors also took part in a variety of sessions at the Cairns Salvation Hall including: CPR and First Aid with the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS); Royal Flying Doctors presentation with base manager, Sam Okposin; a Black Dog Institute presentation focusing on wellbeing and navigating teen mental health; Kokedama (moss ball creation); Cairns to Karumba Bike Ride baking; and 50th Anniversary preparations. 

Prep - Year 12 and Home Tutor Photos

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Sports Day

Well done to all the students that participated in a range of athletics events including: sprints, high jump, long jump and shot put.

Congratulations to Jardine (yellow team) who took home the winning trophy for 2022 Sports Day!

The day concluded with a Colour Run. 

Cultural Celebrations

On Friday 27 May, staff, students and families celebrated a range of cultures with activities including: storytelling, Indigenous painting, Japanese dancing, Italian art and craft, and Chinese cooking.

What a great way to end Annual Camp Week. 

50th Anniversary Celebrations

We kicked off the 50th Anniversary celebrations at the Open Day on Friday 27 May from 4:00-8:00 PM.

Thank you to the staff, families and former staff that came to the event as well as the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the Isolated Children's Parents' Association (ICPA) and the Cairns to Karumba Bike Ride team who had stalls set-up for people to visit. Also, a big thank you to the Rotary Club of Cairns West for providing a delicious BBQ dinner. A special thank you to Year 12 student, Tarleeah, for reading the Acknowledgement of Country, and to our guest performers, Trevor Peckham, who played the didgeridoo and Chris Tamwoy who played his guitar and sang his original songs. 

It was a wonderful evening walking down memory lane and celebrating this special milestone for our school. 

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) is also celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year with an Open Day on Saturday 23 July from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM at Royal Flying Doctor Service Cairns Airport Ave, Aeroglen QLD 4870. There will be activities for families and the public will have the opportunity to explore the largest RFDS base in Australia.

School of the Air and RFDS began operating at the same location 50 years ago. Today they continue to have a close partnership. 

Open Day

Nigel's Reflection

Year 9 student, Nigel, was ecstatic that he got to meet one of his personal idols, Chris Tamwoy. 

Chris Tamwoy is an award-winning First Nations Australian singer, songwriter and musician with both Eastern and Western Torres Strait Islander background. 

We asked Nigel a few questions after reflecting on Chris Tamwoy's performance at the 50th Anniversary Open Day and he responded with the following answers:

What did you like about Chris Tamwoy’s performance?

His music and storytelling.

What will help you in your life that Chris might have mentioned?

He changed his life by making good choices.

What made a difference in Chris’s life to be where he is now?

Music, culture, family and teachers.

What else can you tell us about Chris that you remember?

Pretty good singer.

Golden Anniversary Dinner

The Cairns School of Distance Education 50th Anniversary Committee would like to announce the new date for our Golden Anniversary Dinner is, Sunday 27 November 2022, the night leading into our traditional Celebration Week in Week 9, Term 4. 

Cairns SDE: Golden Anniversary Dinner
Sunday 27 November 6:00 PM to Late
Pullman Cairns International 
Facebook event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/696172388257243 

Tickets are available for purchase through the Qkr! App. 
Please see below instructions:

1. Download Qkr! App
2. When prompted, ensure location services are set to 'Allow while using app' OR Search for Cairns School of Distance Education
3. Add Profile and complete details
4. Select 'Cairns SDE Golden Anniversary Dinner'
5. Tickets are visible to add to cart
6. Payment Method – credit card ONLY. You can then View Receipt. Please send a copy of your receipt to community@cairnssde.eq.edu.au. 

It will certainly be a night filled with fun, laughter, entertainment and the opportunity to hear from some very special people with connections to both Cairns School of Distance Ed, previously known as the School of the Air, and, the original co-tenants of the Edge Hill base back in 1972, the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

50th Anniversary Merchandise

Join us in celebrating our 50th Anniversary by purchasing some new merchandise. 

We have a range of goodies available including a coffee keep cup, tea towel, show bag, coffee mug, stubby cooler, 2022 calendar, water bottle and tote bag. 

All proceeds go towards student projects. 

Get in quick before stock runs out!!

Merchandise can be purchased via the Qkr! App. 

Simply follow these payment instructions:

1. Download Qkr! App
2. When prompted, ensure location services are set to 'Allow while using app' OR Search for Cairns School of Distance Education
3. Add Profile and complete details
4. Select 'Cairns SDE Merchandise'
5. Items are visible to add to cart
6. Select pick up or delivery option
7. Payment Method – credit card ONLY. You can then View Receipt. 

Items for Sale

50/50 Cash Raffle

Do you want the chance to WIN up to $5,000 cash? Enter now in the Cairns SDE P&C 50/50 Cash Raffle! 

You can purchase one or more tickets to increase your chances to WIN a cash prize of a guaranteed minimum fixed amount of $2,000 OR 50% of total ticket sales to a potential prize value of $5,000 (whichever is greater).

Funds raised from this raffle will go towards Cairns SDE's 50th Anniversary activities. 

Tickets are priced at $10 each, 2 tickets for $20, 3 tickets for $30, 4 tickets for $40, 5 tickets for $50, 10 tickets for $100. To purchase a ticket, please visit https://rafflelink.com.au/csdepnc50-50cash.              

Ticket sales close on Wednesday 14 September and the raffle will be drawn on Thursday 15 September 2022.

Thank you and Happy 50th Anniversary Cairns SDE! 

Term 3 Mini Schools

We look forward to having some fun with our students and families in Term 3 at the Mini Schools.

The Permission Form has been sent to families via email and has been published on the Student Portal and School Website. 

Mini Schools will be held in:

• Tablelands (Mount Garnet) 2 - 4 August 
• Cairns (Cairns PCYC) 3 - 5 August
• Peninsula (Laura) 16 - 18 August
• SEQ (Kedron Wavell Services Club) 17 - 19 August

Year 12 Graduation Night

Year 12 students and families, please add this date to your calendar:

What: Year 12 Graduation Night 

When: Tuesday 15 November

Where: Pullman Reef Hotel Casino

Further details will be available soon. We look forward to celebrating our Year 12 student's achievements. 

Parent Liaison Officer News

Hey there Cairns SDE Families

How are you all going? It’s certainly been cooling down up in the north so I am imagining it is freezing down south!

Mid-year break is a perfect time for a reset. Get plenty of rest and relaxation in, and then, get onto some planning and setting goals for the rest of your year. Make sure your goals are SMART, because SMART goals provide you with motivation and are much more likely to be achievable. Students might need goals for each subject however they will also have personal goals to work towards. As Home Tutors and parents we can help them work on these goals by looking into what they really want to aim for, working out what steps are required to reach the goals, and marking out the timeline to set them up for achievement. One idea is to set a time each week in your timetable where you revisit this and spend a bit of time checking up on where they’re at and what the next step is to achieve over the following week.

Specific – well defined, clear and unambiguous. Indicate and write or type some things down so you’re “making a plan” with your child, and ensuring that you’re on the same page. WHO is involved, WHAT is it exactly you/they wish to achieve, WHEN do you both realistically see it being possible (including each step), and importantly WHY do you both want to achieve the goal.

Measurable – highlight the steps that will measure your progress towards full achievement. Spell out the indicators of progress – achieving mini goals or steps keeps you motivated.

Achievable – make sure it is attainable, and not impossible. What resources will we need to achieve this goal? How can we bridge any gaps?

Realistic – the goal also needs to be relevant and within reach. With my available time and resources – is it really achievable? What adjustments can we make so we’re comfortable committing to this?

Timely – clearly define each step along the way, have a start date and a target date. When do you want to achieve the goal? Now work backwards from that point and set dates and tasks to achieve at each step along the way.

Mini School

Mini Schools are just around the corner. Permission forms have been emailed to families. These in-reach events are fantastic opportunities for both students and Home Tutors, Parents and Carers. Students get the chance to meet other students who are also studying online in a fun and interactive environment. Its also a great chance for Home Tutors to network and get tips from others who are in the same boat as them, have fun, and learn.

Home Tutor Connect Sessions

These sessions happen twice a term – on Thursdays in Week 3 and Week 7. If you have specific ideas for topics to focus on then please let me know.

PH: 07 4080 9208 | E : PLO@cairnssde.eq.edu.au

Regards,
Clare Macpherson 

Parents & Citizens Committee News

Greetings to the Cairns SDE Community,

Here we are almost halfway through our 50th year as a school. I hope the year so far has been great for you all.

First, in P&C news, a huge congratulations and thank you to Mel Cowe who has been awarded with an Honorary P&C Life Membership for her tireless support and voluntary work over more than 15 years as a member of the P&C, Mareeba/Tablelands District Rep, Food Coordinator at Mini Schools and fundraising at the 40-Mile Scrub on the Cairns to Karumba Bike Ride. Mel’s dedication to supporting our kids at school is commendable and we will present Mel with her award at the 50th Golden Anniversary Dinner on the 27/11/2022, the eve before our Celebration Week. Don’t forget to purchase tickets for what will be a memorable event.

Unfortunately my family could not attend Annual Camp this year, but going by testimonies from families and photos on the school Facebook page, it was truly a great week. A shout out to Karen Muccignat and Mel Cowe who very kindly volunteered at the 50th Open Day by setting up an ICPA (Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association) stall and helping at the P&C stall where we displayed information about the work the P&C does to support your kids at school. 
 
Don’t forget to purchase tickets in our 50-50 Cash Raffle. Tickets are only $10 each. Purchase one or more tickets to increase your chances to WIN a cash prize of a guaranteed minimum fixed amount of $2,000 OR 50% of total ticket sales to a potential prize value of $5,000 (whichever is greater). Money raised will go towards 50th celebration activities and our school’s legacy projects. Ticket sales close 14/09/2022 and the draw date is 15/09/2022. 

As the lucky winners in our previous raffles have said, “You have to be in it to win it!” Just think, with a school as big as ours, if each family and staff member purchased only one ticket each we could easily sell the 1,000 tickets available, meaning the maximum prize value for the winner and more profits for our P&C, which supports your kids at school! Thank you to those who have already purchased tickets. To purchase tickets, please visit: https://rafflelink.com.au/csdepnc50-50cash. 

In final news, like our school, the C2K Bike Ride, has a reached a milestone: 25 years to be exact. On the 25th June, a pack of riders and a crew of volunteers will be off on a 7-day adventure tackling 780km on the C2K Bike Ride from Cairns to Karumba. The C2K is the major fundraising event of the year for our school, and it also supports other remote schools along the route, giving bush kids a fair go! To donate, and/or to join the C2K Bike Ride as a rider or volunteer please visit: https://c2kbikeride.com.au/. 

We have positions vacant on the P&C: Vice-President and District Reps for Cairns Coastal and SE Qld. If you have any questions about your P&C- what we do to support your kids at school and/or what you can do for us, including joining as a member or volunteering, please contact the P&C exec team on pandcexec@cairnssde.eq.edu.au. We are your voice on school matters that impact on your child or children at school.

Thank you, have a lovely mid-year break and happy 50th Birthday Cairns SDE!

Judith Eriksen
President

Student Academic Reports

​Please see below important dates for Student Academic Reports 2022.

SEMESTER 1 

• Reporting closes 20 July 2022 (Week 2, Term 3)
• Emailing of reports will commence on 21 July**
• Parent teacher interviews 27 July – 2 August (inclusive) To be confirmed ++

SEMESTER 2

• Final date for work returns 18 November 2022 ##
• Reporting closes 30 November 2022 (Week 9)
• Emailing of reports will commence on 1 December 2022** (Week 9)

Note:     

** At our school, student reports are sorted and collated to separate school based students. This may mean that reports are not sent immediately.

++ We hope to be trailing an application called Session Keeper to make interview bookings. Session Keeper is part of our new newsletter app, Schoolzine. 

## Unless the subject Work Rate Calendar identifies an earlier date.

Parent-Teacher Interview Bookings

We will be holding Parent-Teacher Interviews in Term 3. We encourage all parents and carers to book an interview with their child's teacher to discuss learning progress and report card results. 

Further details about how to book an interview with teachers will be emailed to families soon. 

General News

Watch Out- Cane Trains About!

The 2022 cane crushing season will commence in June and will run until approximately December. MSF Sugar would like to remind parents of the dangers of children playing on or near cane trains and railway tracks. 

Trains operate on the extensive MSF Sugar cane railway network 24/7 during the cane-crushing season. 

Please stay aware and remember:

• Stay away from cane bins
• Don't play around railway lines
• Never go on to a cane railway bridge
• Never walk behind a train
• Stop and look both ways before crossing railway tracks
• Obey flashing light signals

Sunflowers

The sunflowers planted at the front of the school have started to bloom.

Check them out when you are next on school campus.