Term 3 Newsletter 2025

Principal's Report

Dear Parents, Carers, Home Tutors, Students and Community Members,

As we start the final term of 2025, I want to extend my sincere thanks to our P&C and broader school community for your continued support throughout the year. Cairns School of Distance Education has once again modelled resilience, innovation, and a strong commitment to student success across Queensland and beyond.

Feedback from our recent Mini schools has been extremely positive.  I have received feedback from both newcomers and experienced parents and families who attended. Given the diversity of our community events, I continue to be amazed by our teachers and Heads of Faculty who design and deliver these events.  Sparking learning and curiosity is serious business!  I also acknowledge and appreciate our Partnerships Team for their hard work in planning the coordination of these events across Queensland simultaneously. 

This term, we celebrated student achievements through virtual assemblies and end-of-year showcase events, highlighting our learners' diverse talents and growth. Our staff have worked hard to deliver engaging, flexible learning experiences, and we have seen excellent participation in enrichment programs, including STEM challenges, reading and writing competitions, Mini-Schools and wellbeing initiatives.

Our school has made deliberate and important progress in enhancing our digital platforms to improve accessibility and interactivity for students and families.  In particular, we have carefully considered and planned the introduction of Artificial Intelligence platforms (AI) into how we teach, and how students access information to learn. Our school is a trial school for Corella – the department’s own engineered AI platform.  Corella trials begin this term and continue into 2026.  Corella may form part of a suite of AI platforms we will utilise to enhance teaching and learning.

AI is a wonderful tool that supports and enhances student learning, never replacing it.

Feedback from all parts of our community has helped shape our strategic priorities for the next four years, with a focus on strengthening community connections and enhancing support for students to maximize their learning.  With final edits almost complete, I expect to make public our strategic plan in the next few weeks. I extend a special thank you to our Student Leadership Team who have contributed significantly to our school planning for the future. I encourage families to stay connected and take time to celebrate the growth and achievements of our students.  Each of us should be proud of the effort and growth each child has made. 

Years Prep-6 Deputy Principal Report

Hello Parents and Home Tutors,

We are fast approaching the end of the year, and I cannot believe how quickly this year has progressed.  Our students have been working hard, and we are all really impressed with their commitment to their learning, their engagement and participation in live lessons.

Compass

Our Compass Parent Portal is up and running and parents would have received an email with their login details and password.  Compass Parent Portal will allow parents to:

• Easily send emails to their child’s teacher/teachers
• Quickly see their child’s schedule and timetable
• See Work Return results and due dates (coming in 2026 in primary sector only)
• News and events information (2026 onwards)
• Attendance notes – parents can inform the school of planned absences 3 days or more
• Attendance at live lessons

For further information, please visit our school website: https://cairnssde.eq.edu.au/support-and-resources/parent-resources/compass-parent-portal

NAPLAN 2026

In March 2026, students in Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 will take part in NAPLAN testing. NAPLAN assesses the skills of all students in reading, writing, spelling, grammar, punctuation and numeracy.

NAPLAN tests help you to understand how your child is progressing in the fundamental skills of literacy and numeracy. NAPLAN is also an important tool in helping us to identify how our education programs are working and what needs to improve.

Students don’t need to practise for NAPLAN. But we do want your child to be familiar with:

• the online test environment
• the device they’ll use during the test
• the different kinds of questions, how they use their time and how they check their work.

So, when your child talks about practice tests, they’re talking about resources like the NAPLAN public demonstration site. This site helps students to become familiar with the different kinds of questions they will see in a real NAPLAN test.

We do these activities to help your child feel safe, confident and capable. They will know what to expect and what they have to do. Students do not need to stress about NAPLAN. It’s just one part of their school program, and we simply encourage students to do the best they can.

NAPLAN is for everyone.

Across the country, students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in NAPLAN. The online tests have many features to enhance the test experience for students with and without disability. We also provide adjustments and alternative test formats to allow students with disability to access the tests and show what they know and can do. Talk to us if you need more information.

ACARA’s student privacy notice on the collection of student information for NAPLAN is also available.

If you have any other questions about NAPLAN, please contact Lurelle Hodge on Naplan@cairnssde.eq.edu.au For further information about NAPLAN, please visit our school website: https://cairnssde.eq.edu.au/curriculum/naplan

We are excited that your child gets the chance to show their learning in NAPLAN next year.

Years 7-9 Deputy Principal Report

Curiosity in Action: Innovative Learning and the Arrival of Corella

As we approach the end of another dynamic school year, it’s inspiring to reflect on the creativity and innovation driving our classrooms. Across Years 7-9, teachers continue to design engaging, interactive learning experiences using tools such as ThingLink, Canva, Rise 360, Canvas, and Microsoft Teams. These platforms allow students to explore content in meaningful ways – whether through virtual tours, visual storytelling, or self-paced interactive lessons. The result is richer engagement and deeper understanding as students take greater ownership of their learning.

Introducing Corella: Our Department’s Generative AI Tool

Looking ahead, we’re excited to share that our school will soon have access to Corella, the Queensland Department of Education’s new generative artificial intelligence (genAI) tool for schools. Corella is a secure, government-hosted platform designed specifically for teaching and learning. It allows students to brainstorm ideas, research topics, paraphrase or summarise information, and create revision questions—all within a safe and monitored environment. Teachers can use Corella to support lesson design, summarise resources, and explore innovative ways to enhance student learning

Unlike commercial AI tools, Corella keeps all data securely stored within Australia and never shares user information for external model training. It features built-in safety guardrails, teacher and student modes, and content filters to ensure responsible use

Our school has recently appointed a Corella Champion (that’s me!), who will work alongside the Learning Systems Team to support staff and students as we begin exploring this exciting new tool. Together, we’ll build teacher and student confidence in using Corella to enhance inquiry, creativity, and digital literacy across the curriculum.

SEQ Mini School Highlights

A recent highlight was attending the SEQ Mini School in Brisbane – a fantastic few day's reconnecting with students and families and meeting many new ones. It was heart-warming to see the relationships that underpin learning at our school. A huge thank you to the staff who invested so much time and energy into creating such a vibrant Community Engagement program. A lot of fun was had by all!

Supporting Students and Families as We Head Toward Year’s End

As students prepare for final assessments, it’s also important to focus on wellbeing. The team at headspace offers some great reminders in their resource “7 ways to support a young person’s healthy headspace.” Two of these – staying active and staying connected – are especially valuable at this time of year.

It’s a great time of year to get outside and enjoy the (usually) wonderful weather and warmth of Summer. Staying active doesn’t have to mean structured exercise; it could be a walk on the beach, a bike ride, or even a quick stretch between study sessions. Physical movement helps reduce stress and boost concentration. Staying connected is just as powerful – spending time with family and friends, sharing a meal, or simply checking in with someone can make a big difference to wellbeing.

You can explore more practical tips here: https://headspace.org.au/explore-topics/supporting-a-young-person/7-ways-to-support-a-healthy-headspace/

A Word of Thanks

My time as Acting Deputy Principal (Years 7-9) in Term 3 has been a wonderful experience and a privilege. Seeing our school from a new perspective has deepened my appreciation for the incredible work of our staff and the enthusiasm of our students. Thank you all for your support, collaboration, and generosity of knowledge. Through our PBL values of being Respectful, Responsible, and Resilient, our community continues to demonstrate what it means to be global learners, citizens, and leaders.

Years 10-12 Deputy Principal Report

As we near the end of the year I would like to acknowledge the work that our Year 12’s have undertaken – whether they have been with us since Prep, or only recently enrolled with Cairns SDE. Year 12 students undertake general external exams from the 27 October through to the 18 November 2025.  My thanks also go to our teachers and teacher aides who have supported these students throughout their learning journey.

Year 12 Graduation

Many thanks to our Senior Engagement HoD Samantha Preston and the small but energetic group of Year 12’s who have been regularly meeting and planning to finalise details for the 2025 Year 12 Graduation Ceremony. This year we will see the largest number of Year 12 students committing to attending Graduation in Cairns on Thursday 20 November 2025.

Subject Selections and Changes

Term 3 was very busy with subject selections for current Year 8 and 10 students for 2026. Whilst subjects selected by the current Year 9’s will continue into Year 10, students have the choice to engage in a Certificate course in Year 10. Students undertaking an external Certificate course will be required to complete a Flexible Agreed Arrangement (FAA) which will be emailed out once forms are received. Years 7-9 Student Engagement HoD’s will be sharing this information with students and parents in Week 2 of Term 4.

Subject Changes – Year 11

As units in Year 11 and 12 do not fit neatly into a Term or Semester, the following timelines are in place for any changes required for subject selections. Please direct any questions in regard to subject selections and/or changes for your child to the relevant Student Engagement HoD for your year level.

Timelines for Subject changes for Year 11 students for Unit 3 are as follows:

General Subjects

Open in Week 4 – Monday 27 October and close Week 8 - Friday 28 November 2025.

Unit 3 commences in Week 5 – Monday 3 November.

Applied and Applied Essential Subjects

Open in Week 6 - Monday 10 November and close Week 8 - Friday 28 November 2025.

Unit 3 commences in Week 8 – Monday 24 November.

Subject change forms are available on the school website:

Year 5-10: Years 5-10 Subject Change Form

Year 11 and 12: Years 11&12 Subject Change Form

Term dates:

• Year 12’s final day is Friday 21 November 2025.
• Year 10 and 11’s final day is Friday 28 November 2025.

Positive Behaviours for Learning (PBL)

Cairns SDE is a Positive Behaviour for Learning school. Our three foci for Cairns SDE are identified in our Matrix for Expected Behaviours: Responsible, Respectful, Resilient.  Teachers and Home Tutors are encouraged to identify and acknowledge our students when they demonstrate these behaviours.

Parent Liaison Officer News

Home Tutor Inductions

I've started reaching out to our new families, inviting them to a Microsoft TEAMS Home Tutor Induction. To assist this process, I share a video dedicated to supporting new families. This is then followed by the offer of a “Check-In” with me. I am always here to assist you with any Home Tutor support queries so please feel welcome to get in touch directly.

Home Tutor Connect Sessions

The online Home Tutor sessions will continue in Term 4. All details, including the Microsoft TEAMS access links, will be emailed to all families in advance. I look forward to joining you then!

Clare Macpherson | PLO@cairnssde.eq.edu.au | 07 4080 9208

The Distance Dialogues

In Term 2, we were very excited to launch a school podcast, The Distance Dialogues. Each episode covers topics relevant to learning, engagement, schooling insights, delving into all the good work that goes on here, and general tips for Home Tutors. A playlist has been set up on our YouTube account to add in each new episode. Episode 1, 2 and 3 are out now, so be sure to check them out here! Stay tuned for the next one coming soon!

Celebration Week Term 4

Registration is now open!

Get ready to celebrate the end of a wonderful year at the 2025 Cairns SDE Celebration Week from Monday 17 - Friday 21 November (Term 4, Week 7)

Event Details

Monday 17 to Wednesday 19 November

• Years 10-12 Senior Camp - Tinaroo Environmental Education Centre, Black Gully Campus

Monday 17 & Wednesday 19 November

• Prep to Year 9 Swimming Program - Marlin Coast Swimming & Fitness Centre, Smithfield

Tuesday 18 November

• Prep to Year 9 Excursion - Ten Pin Bowling and the Movies, Cairns

Thursday 20 November

• Prep to Year 12 Presentation Day - Cairns School of Distance Education, 26-62 Hoare St, Manunda
• Year 12 Graduation Celebration Dinner & Formal - Pullman Reef Hotel Casino, Cairns

Friday 21 November

• Prep to Year 12 Sugarworld Water Slide Park - Edmonton

For full details and to register your attendance please access the relevant links below: 

Prep to Year 9 Celebration week attendance

Years 10 to 12 Senior Camp and Celebration Week

Don't miss out! Join us for the biggest week of the year! Registration closes Friday 24 October 2025. Contact community@cairnssde.eq.edu.au should you have any enquiries. We look forward to seeing you then!

Cairns SDE Official School Song and Video out now!

Now officially launched, the Cairns SDE School song and video "Global Learning" is now out and part of our school community. In collaboration with renowned singer, songwriter and filmmaker Josh Arnold, we are pleased to share with you our official school song and video. We love it and we know you will too!

Global Learning can also be downloaded on Spotify.

Cairns Mini School

Sparking the Imagination through STEM: Cairns Mini School Term 3

Over three exciting days, our students embraced the theme of “Sparking the Imagination” with a series of engaging STEM-based activities designed to challenge their creativity, problem-solving and teamwork.

On day one, the younger students (Prep–Year 6) began the journey with an invisible ink batik session, exploring the hidden patterns that science can reveal, while our Year 7–12 students tackled a STEM sailboat challenge, experimenting with design, balance and wind power. Later that morning, the whole school came together to learn about the importance of trees. Students gathered data on tree cover and discussed its environmental impact before putting learning into practice by planting trees in the afternoon. To finish the day, students tested their ingenuity and teamwork through a STEM popcorn challenge, finding innovative ways to engineer solutions with simple materials.

Day Two was filled with wonder and discovery. Students were captivated by a high-energy science show that sparked curiosity and laughter before diving into a series of hands-on experiments. They created wacky worms through chemistry, explored the properties of snow with polymers, stretched their creativity with slime-making, and capped off the day by launching gas propelled rockets they built, a powerful symbol of imagination taking flight.

On day three, our Prep–Year 6 students worked with VEX robotics kits and designed balloon-powered cars, learning about combining coding and then engineering through playful, hands-on learning. Meanwhile, the Year 7–12 students explored chromatography before testing their structural skills in a STEM bridge-building challenge. Later, the whole school came together to assemble Solar Buddies, solar-powered lights destined for students in developing countries, a project that not only encouraged engineering skills but also showed the power of STEM to make a difference globally. The celebrations ended on a fun and collaborative note, with students competing in cup stacking challenges that highlighted precision, focus, and teamwork.

Across the three days, every student was immersed in opportunities to imagine, design, create, and reflect on how STEM shapes our world. From invisible ink to rockets, from robotics to solar innovation, the program truly lived up to its theme, sparking the imagination of our students and inspiring them to see themselves as the problem-solvers and innovators of the future.

Cairns Mini School

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SEQ Mini School

Step Back in Time: SEQ Mini-School Term 3

Our Step Back in Time mini school was an unforgettable three day journey where curiosity, creativity, and connection took centre stage.

Day 1 set the tone with laughter echoing through the room as students, teachers, and home tutors joined in high-energy icebreakers led by the ever-enthusiastic Ms Bakurski, while Mr Edwards kept the crowd buzzing with the microphone in hand. The Would You Rather? game had everyone thinking on their feet and moving around the room, new friendships forming with every laugh. Then, the adventure truly began as we transformed into Time Detectives! Teams raced through Roma Street Parklands on a Metrogaine Mission, solving riddles, uncovering local history, and outsmarting the mischievous villain, Nefarium! The afternoon buzzed with joyful chaos: Pokémon trading, karaoke, jump rope, and epic games that showcased teamwork, courage, and resilience. It was a day that proved learning can be just as exciting outside the classroom walls.

Day 2 turned the energy up another notch! The morning began with music, movement, and plenty of sweatbands as Ms Bakurski got everyone dancing and laughing. Students then took on a fun challenge to find someone older and ask about the first album they ever bought,sparking great conversations (and some surprising song choices!). While our senior students were inspired by a session with Matthew from Bond University, our primary learners got creative with hessian embroidery alongside the talented Ms Pearson. Later, the seniors took their turn with needle and thread, producing some impressive works of art. Meanwhile, Ms Canfield brought maths to life with The Game of Life, where students faced real-world challenges, earning wages, paying bills, and managing surprise expenses, all with humour and determination. Primary students also explored Barefoot Kids, sharing clever ways they already save, spend, and earn. After lunch, everyone joined in for the ultimate crowd favourite, chair dancing! With music pumping and laughter all around, it was impossible not to smile.

Day 3 was the perfect grand finale. Students travelled to the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology, stepping right into the world of knights, castles, and medieval marvels. The morning presentation brought history to life—students examined Viking swords, chainmail, and shining suits of armour while exploring how warfare evolved through the ages. They even had the chance to hold and wear some of the equipment, discovering the challenges faced by those who lived centuries ago. After lunch came a highlight of the day, archery! With focus and determination, students (and home tutors and teachers!) took aim and let their arrows fly, showing true medieval spirit. The adventure ended with a guided museum tour that revealed the wonders of medieval society, from noble knights to humble villagers, making history feel alive and tangible.

The Step Back in Time mini school in SEQ was more than just a series of activities, it was a celebration of curiosity, collaboration, and courage. New friendships blossomed, confidence grew, and history came alive in the most engaging way possible.

A huge thank you to all the students, home tutors, teachers and organisers for their creativity, care, and enthusiasm in making this experience one to remember! 

SEQ Mini School

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Tablelands Mini School

Tablelands Mini School – A Celebration of Creativity, Culture, and Connection Term 3

Our Term 3 Tablelands Mini School was a wonderful three-day event filled with creativity, laughter, learning, and friendship. Students from Prep to Year 12 came together to explore storytelling, culture, and collaboration in a vibrant and supportive environment.

We began the week with steady rain setting in. Perfect weather to stay indoors and let our imaginations run wild. Students and Home Tutors were treated to an inspiring visit from graphic novelist Lachlann Carter, who shared his creative process and read an excerpt from his story about “angry chairs.” His insights sparked a wave of creativity, as students went on to develop their own characters and storylines. Exploring two very different endings, one of despair and one of satisfaction, they brought their ideas to life through writing and illustration, finishing the day by proudly showcasing their unique stories.

The sun came out for our second day, setting the scene for a joyful dive into Japanese culture and language. Students engaged in a series of high-energy games, from the Paper, Scissors, Rock Snake and Hopping Race to the ever-tricky Number Clumps. Laughter echoed as students encouraged one another, worked as teams, and embraced new challenges - joined enthusiastically by our Principal, Mr Linnehan.

We also took time to recognise some special milestones. Our Year 6 students - Madelyn, Paydon, Pippa and William - were acknowledged as they prepare to transition to high school next year. We shared a heartfelt farewell with Anna, who is graduating Year 12 and heading off to study Marine Biology at JCU. Congratulations, Anna—we wish you all the best as you take on this exciting new chapter.

The final day brought a burst of energy and community spirit. The morning kicked off with the ‘Newspaper Island Challenge’, where mixed-age teams worked together to stay balanced on shrinking islands of newspaper. The creativity and teamwork were incredible, with cheers growing louder as the “islands” got smaller. This was followed by team relays and a hilarious multi-legged race that had everyone giggling and sprinting to the finish line.

In the afternoon, students unleashed their inner performers during drama sessions that included wild story improvisations and a side-splitting rendition of Little Red Riding Hood—featuring none other than Mrs Dunn-Balzer, Mr Fara, and Mr Kenny. We wrapped up with some of the week’s favourite games and discovered a new hit: Fruit Salad! Students dashed, dodged, and laughed their way through the fruity chaos, closing the Mini School on a high note.

Three incredible days of creativity, culture, and connection, what a celebration of our Cairns SDE community! A huge thank you to all our students, families, staff, and special guests for making the Term 3 Tablelands Mini School such a memorable experience. 

Tablelands Mini School

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Creative Generation 2025

Cairns SDE Students Shine at Creative Generation – State Schools On Stage

In July, several of our talented students represented Cairns School of Distance Education at the 2025 Creative Generation – State Schools On Stage (CGEN), held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. This flagship event is Queensland’s largest youth performing arts showcase, featuring more than 2,000 students from 168 state schools across the state.

Now in its 21st year, CGEN’s 2025 theme, "The Next Chapter," focused on growth, opportunity, and taking ownership of the future—values that our students demonstrated with pride, energy and professionalism throughout the event.

Highlights from the event included:

• Madeleine (Year 11) performed in eight dance routines as part of the company of dancers, displaying remarkable versatility and stamina on stage.

• Vakula (Year 8) gave a standout performance in the Massed Strings Ensemble, delivering a dynamic rendition of "Smooth Criminal" that showcased both skill and stage presence.

• Our featured dancers (Years 7–12) took part in a dedicated item, performing an emotional and beautifully choreographed contemporary dance to "What a Wonderful World." Their performance was a highlight of the show.

• Mrs Allen, our Senior Dance Teacher, contributed behind the scenes as part of the Teacher Stage Crew, helping to ensure the smooth operation of the large-scale production.

CGEN is more than a performance opportunity, it provides students with real-world experience in the performing arts, working alongside professional choreographers, musicians, and production staff. It’s a celebration of creativity, collaboration and commitment.

We are incredibly proud of all involved. Their hard work, talent and dedication reflect the values of our school and the strength of arts education in distance learning.

You can catch the CGEN 2025 broadcast on Channel 9 later this year.

Term 3 STEM Workshops

In term 3 our robotics students pushed the limits of creativity and innovation as they prepared for the 2025–2026 VEX Robotics Championships in October. Through two action-packed STEM workshops, students designed, built, coded, and fine-tuned their robots - constantly improving their ideas in a true cycle of discovery.

The excitement didn’t stop there! Our primary and lower secondary teams also jumped into a friendly inter-school scrimmage, putting their driving and coding skills to the test in a fast-paced, collaborative challenge. With every match, their confidence and teamwork grew, building momentum for the big Far North regional competition in Term 4.

The future of robotics is looking bright, and our students are leading the way! We can't wait to see what happens at the championships!

QCAD Art & Design Regional School Outreach Program

A weekend of creativity, collaboration, and inspiration!

In August, Cairns School of Distance Education proudly hosted the QCAD Regional Outreach Program in partnership with Griffith University and the Queensland College of Art and Design (QCAD) — bringing professional artists to regional Queensland for a vibrant weekend of hands-on workshops for high school students.

Guided by University lectures, students developed new skills, experimented with materials, and with mentoring support achieved fabulous outcomes. Stratford Deli provided delicious catering that kept everyone energised throughout and with joyous collaboration between students this was a weekend steeped in creativity for all to remember.

Students had an exhilarating experience rotating through four immersive workshops:

🎨 Mixed Media Drawing – exploring texture and layering

🧵 Collage & Painting combining traditional and experimental techniques

🌞 Cyanotypes creating photographic prints using sunlight

🏮 Lantern Making – blending sculpture and design

Why students loved it:

✔ Learnt from creative professionals

✔ Growth in skills and confidence

✔ Showcasing of work to peers

✔ Connections with like-minded peers

✔ Exploring creative career pathways

A huge thanks to Ms Connolly and other staff who supported and were involved in this event.

Year 12 Visual Arts in Practice

In semester one of this year the Year 12 Visual Arts in Practice students created works for a virtual exhibition at Cairns SDE. The exhibition of student works is called “DIALOGUES” paying homage to the students chosen artists of influence.

Students had the opportunity to select an artist they admire and create works in response to their chosen artist and their works. Rather than simply copying another artists works the aim was to enter into a conversation, a dialogue using the visual language of their chosen media to explore, experiment and respond.

Students looked at the works of painters Claude Monet (French 1840 – 1926) and Joan Mitchell (American 1925 – 1992) and photographers Henri Cartier-Bresson (French 1908 – 2004) and Trent Parke (Australian 1971 – present) to see how a dialogue can occur between artists across time.

Mr Kelly observed “The students at Cairns SDE chose a diverse range of artists, across cultures, media and time periods allowing them to create a unique and truly personalised response to the concept in developing and resolving their work, which is even more exciting as students in this class are based all over Australia and the world including Korea and the United States of America a true representation of the Global Learning we aim to deliver at the school”

Readers Cup update

The final Readers Cup team results are in!

In the Term 2 Newsletter we shared the Reader's Cup results for the Years 5/6 and the Years 7/8 teams. We are excited to reveal the results for our final team to compete, the Years 9/10 team!

The Year 9/10 team competed in Mareeba in early August, placing 16th! Well done team! We are so proud of this amazing achievement.

A final results sum up:

- Year 5/6 team - placed 37th out of 48 schools and even won a book for our Cairns SDE library by answering a tricky ‘spot’ question correctly!

- Year 7/8 team – competed against 22 schools and placed an outstanding 5th overall!

- Year 9/10 team – competed in Mareeba recently and came 16th, showing great teamwork and enthusiasm throughout the day!

All three teams represented our school with pride, commitment, and a genuine love of reading. They spent the term preparing by reading and analysing five novels, developing leadership and teamwork skills along the way. A big thank you to Ms Faith, Ms Jodie, Ms Stoetzel and other school staff for supporting the students through the Readers Cup journey. 

Congratulations to every student involved – we are incredibly proud of you all!

Supporting Indigenous Literacy Day 2025

Our school joined schools all around Australia to celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day on September 3. We watched a special 15-minute film that took us into three remote communities. These communities shared how they honour stories that have been passed down from their Ancestors for thousands of years, and how they are also creating new stories that celebrate their cultures and languages. It was a wonderful reminder of how important stories are in keeping traditions and history alive.

After the film, we tuned into an exciting livestream from the Sydney Opera House. We got to see amazing performances from Indigenous Literacy Foundation Ambassadors and special guests including Lucas Proudfoot, Bianca Hunt, Josh Pyke, Andy Griffiths, and more! The performances were full of music, stories, and fun, and gave us all a chance to celebrate the creativity and storytelling of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The recording is available in our Cairns SDE Student Space for anyone who missed it.

Ms McDonald - Teacher Librarian

Book Week 2025

Book Week 2025 – A Cairns SDE Celebration of Reading and Creativity!

What an incredible week we had celebrating Book Week! We kicked things off with a very special visit from our friend and local author, Lachlann Carter, who inspired us all with his stories and creative journey.

Throughout the week, students enjoyed lunchtime story sessions, beautifully read by our very own Isabelle and Allira – thank you for sharing your love of books with us! We were also treated to an interactive incursion, which had everyone engaged, and learning through performance.

Of course, one of the biggest highlights was our Book Week assembly, where students and staff shared photos of themselves dressed as their favourite book characters. The creativity and effort that went into the costumes was absolutely amazing – from magical creatures to classic story heroes, our school was full of colour and imagination. A huge thank you to our staff for joining in the fun and dressing up too – your enthusiasm helps inspire our students to dive into reading and storytelling.

It was a week full of fun, imagination, and a shared love of books.

Check out these photos of our staff as they got into their favourite book character. So much fun!

Staff Dress Up Day

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Student Achievement - Pippa

We are delighted to announce that one of our outstanding Year 6 students, Pippa, has been nominated for the prestigious Fred Hollows Humanity Award. This national award celebrates Year 6 students who demonstrate compassion, integrity, and a strong commitment to making a positive difference. Such qualities that the late Fred Hollows exemplified throughout his life.

Pippa’s nomination, submitted by her teacher Mr T, recognises her consistent efforts to support others both within our virtual classrooms and in the broader community. Earlier this year, Pippa made the generous decision to donate more than 30 centimetres of her hair to the Kids with Cancer – Wigs for Kids Foundation, helping to create a wig for a young girl undergoing treatment.

Pippa's recognition through this award is a wonderful testament to her character and dedication to helping others.

She will be formally acknowledged during a virtual ceremony next month, and our whole school community will be cheering her on.

Congratulations, Pippa!

Student Achievement - Ethan

We are thrilled to celebrate the success of Ethan, one of our outstanding Year 7 students, who has recently been named the 2025 Queensland Junior Cup Champion.

The Queensland Junior Cup (QJC) is a prestigious junior road racing series for young riders aged 11 to 16. Delivered through a partnership between Motorcycling Queensland and Motorcycling Australia, and supported by sponsors such as Ricondi and Race and Road, the QJC provides aspiring racers with top-level coaching, safety gear, and the opportunity to compete over six rounds on Yamaha R15 V4 race bikes.

Ethan has shown tremendous dedication and perseverance throughout the season. Despite the demands of balancing his training and studies, he consistently performed at a high level, impressing event organisers, sponsors, and fellow competitors alike. His season concluded with a strong finish at Morgan Park last week, where he secured the championship title.

This is a significant accomplishment in junior motorsport, and we are incredibly proud of Ethan’s determination, growth, and passion for his sport. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for him in racing and beyond.

Congratulations, Ethan!

Student Achievement - Jett

We’re excited to share an update on the incredible recent achievements of Jett, one of our dedicated student athletes. Jett has had a busy few months, competing at both state and national levels across multiple disciplines.

In August, Jett represented Queensland Athletics at the National Cross Country Championships held in Ballarat, Victoria. Despite a challenging lead-up due to injury, he showed great resilience and determination, finishing 16th in Australia. A fantastic result at such a competitive level.

Soon after, Jett competed at the Regional Track and Field Championships for school sport on the Sunshine Coast, where he delivered two outstanding performances:

• 1st Place and Meet Record in the 1500m, running an impressive time of 4:01

• 1st Place in the 3000m

Last week Jett was in Townsville for the Queensland School Sport State Championships, where he proudly served as Captain of the Sunshine Coast team, a wonderful recognition of his leadership and commitment.

At the State Titles Jett:

• Placed 2nd in the 3000m

• Place 2nd in the 1500m with a personal best of 4.00 minutes

Next stop: Burnie, Tasmania for the Australian 10km Road Running Championships at the end of October. Stay tuned for the next update!

Jett’s dedication, perseverance, and sportsmanship are truly inspiring. We look forward to following his continued success and wish him all the best in his upcoming races.

Well done, Jett!

Student Achievement - Bailey

We are thrilled to congratulate one of our talented Year 3 students, Bailey, on his outstanding achievements during the June/July school holidays.

Bailey entered a beautifully crafted bag, created during Term 1 Design Technology, into the Atherton Show, competing in the All Abilities and Inclusion section. His work was recognised with multiple awards, including Champion, Highly Commended, and the prestigious title of 2025 Atherton Show All Abilities Junior Champion.

Bailey’s creativity, attention to detail, and dedication to his project truly impressed the judges, and we are incredibly proud to see his hard work celebrated.

Well done, Bailey!

Student Achievement - Morgan

We are delighted to celebrate the impressive achievements of Morgan, one of our talented Year 2 students, who enjoyed a highly successful show season in both the baking and handwriting categories at two local events.

At the Atherton Show, Morgan's baking and presentation skills earned him multiple awards:

• 1st Place – marshmallows, jam drops, chocolate slice, and novelty cake

• 2nd Place – handwriting

• Highly Commended – chocolate bar cake and patty cakes

He continued his success at the Innisfail Show, where he received:

• 1st Place – marshmallows

• 2nd Place – decorated patty cakes

Morgan’s creativity, precision, and dedication have clearly paid off. These fantastic results reflect not only his skills but also his enthusiasm and willingness to take on new challenges.

Congratulations, Morgan!

Student Spotlight - Zara

Life and learning in Bhutan

We are proud to shine a spotlight on one of our remarkable Year 12 students, Zara, who is currently completing her studies from Bhutan. Recently, Zara had the incredible opportunity to serve as Master of Ceremonies at Jabchor 2.0, a national event designed to connect Bhutanese entrepreneurs with both local and international investors, much like the popular Shark Tank format.

In reflecting on her experience, Zara shared:

"I had the honour of being one of the Masters of Ceremonies for Bhutan’s Jabchor 2.0 Event. Much like the well-known 'Shark Tank' program, this initiative aimed to connect local Bhutanese entrepreneurs with domestic and foreign investors. Through attending multiple mentoring workshops as well as co-running the day, I learnt a lot about entrepreneurship, investment, and equity financing. It was such an amazing opportunity to put myself out there, develop my public speaking and improvisation skills, meet new people, and work alongside professionals and government officials. I would love to continue immersing myself in the Bhutanese business environment and learning all that I can."

This inspiring experience is a wonderful example of how distance education enables students to thrive and engage with their communities, no matter where in the world they’re learning from. Zara’s initiative, curiosity, and leadership are truly commendable.

Well done, Zara! Your Cairns SDE community is proud of you and excited to see where your journey leads next.

Litup Participants for 2026

Cairns School of Distance Education is thrilled to be an @australiareads LitUp participant for 2026! From 130 applicants, our school has been chosen as a host for 2026 Litup events! This means that next year we are one of the 27 organisations who are bringing authors and illustrators into our community as a part of this new live literature initiative, supported by @creative.australia and @copyrightagency_ . Find out more via @australiareads website and socials and follow along our account for news and updates! https://australiareads.org.au/.../litup-participants.../

Lunchtime Stories - Monday & Wednesday at 1pm.

Join us for Lunchtime Stories, every Monday and Wednesday at 1pm in CSDE Student Space.  On until Week 7 this term!

Who to Contact

Do you have a question about your child or student? Not sure who to contact? Here's a quick reference guide 📩

Student Achievement - Let us know

If your child has an achievement or you would like to share a story about your child with our school community, please send us an email with information and photos regarding your child’s achievement and it will be shared in our newsletter and on social media. Email: marketing@cairnssde.eq.edu.au 

SchoolTV

Have you seen SchoolTV?  

You will find a range of topics published monthly with comprehensive videos from leading specialists and organisations. You will find fact sheets, suggested books, apps, websites and much more. Because SchoolTV is independent, they’ve pulled in some great content from organisations such as Beyond Blue, ReachOut, HeadSpace and others.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact our school for further information or seek medical or professional help. We trust you get great value from every edition and happy, safe parenting!  

Link: https://cairnssde.eq.schooltv.me/category-latest-newsletter 

Support Organisations

Did you know that Lifeline has the option of text support counselling?

Have you heard about Parentline? 

Parentline is a free, confidential service for all Queensland parents. Get help supporting your child with:- bullying- relationships- peer pressure- anxiety- depression and more.Access Parentline’s qualified counsellors any day of the week from 6 am until midnight.Call 1300 30 1300, or jump on the live web-chat https://parentline.com.au/or join the online bullying support forum for support.

QParents

Attention Parents & Carers!

If you haven't yet downloaded the QParents app, now is the perfect time! The QParents portal will provide secure online access to your child’s student information in one place, anywhere, anytime.

Here’s how to register

1. Have your QParents invitation email ready. If you haven't received it, please contact us at: QParents@cairnssde.eq.edu.au
   
2. Gather documents for identity verification
3. Your child/children’s EQ ID (Education Queensland Identification number)

Check out the attached QParents guide for detailed registration steps. For more information, visit: https://bit.ly/3Weol5b.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to stay connected with your child's learning!

Did you know we have a Facebook and Instagram page?

Follow us for regular updates, news, photos & more.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/cairnssde 

Instagram:  #cairnssde

2025 EQ School Calendar

Start planning with the 2025 school calendar now available on the Education Queensland website.

The calendar features school term dates, school holiday dates, public holidays and staff development/student free days.

If you’re looking for more room to write, check out the 2025 school planner which is now bigger and better at A3 size per term and notes each term week.