Newsletter

This year, students delivered their speeches in a pre-recorded format, ensuring that all candidates had the opportunity to showcase their leadership potential in a way that best suited them.

This inclusive approach acknowledges that leadership is not always about being the loudest or most confident in a large audience. Some of our strongest leaders are those who lead with quiet determination, thoughtful actions, and a commitment to our school values. By providing an alternative to traditional public speaking, we recognise and support the diverse strengths of our students.

An important part of teaching young students about leadership is giving them opportunities to learn and develop their public speaking skills. While some students are naturally confident speakers, others may need time and experience to grow in this area. Through this process, all candidates have been encouraged to reflect on their leadership qualities and strengthen their ability to communicate their vision and values.

Electronic voting has been conducted, closing on Friday, and we look forward to announcing our new leaders soon. During our formal assembly we will present badges to all our leadership positions and extend our congratulations to all students who participated in the process. Their willingness to step forward and embrace this opportunity is a testament to their dedication and growth.

We are privileged to live in such a multicultural country, where we can experience a rich diversity of cuisine, languages, traditions, and cultures. In Australia, nearly half of the population was either born overseas or has a parent who was. Since 1945, more than 7.5 million people have migrated here, and together we proudly identify with over 300 different ancestries. At our school alone, students come from 20 different countries and cultures.

Imagine if we were all the same — how monotonous the world would be! It is through our differences that we are able to share and experience the richness of life. Supporting our students to appreciate and celebrate this diversity is just as important. At our school, everyone belongs, and it is this diversity that makes our community stronger and more vibrant.

We will celebrate Harmony Day at school on Friday, 21st March . Students are invited to wear their Sports House Shirts as part of the celebration.

NAPLAN 2025

Today was the final scheduled NAPLAN test for Numeracy for 2025. Throughout NAPLAN, RGS students have been settled and eager to do their best in a focused testing environment. Teachers provided clear instructions, making sure each student understood the process and felt comfortable with the assessments. Our Learning Enrichment Coordinator Mr Bob Bartley has done amazing job in ensuring our teachers and students in Years 3 and 5 had everything prepared for the day. We are very grateful for his expertise in this area and for the wonderful support our IT provide in making sure everything is a smooth process.

For students who were absent on the scheduled NAPLAN test days, makeup sessions will take place throughout this week.

Year 7 and 9 NAPLAN
The School has been conducting NAPLAN testing with all Year 7 and Year 9 students. The final testing domain (numeracy) is scheduled for Monday 17 March.

Changes to NAPLAN reporting
As part of the National School Reform Agreement, all state education ministers agreed a proficiency standard be introduced for literacy and numeracy assessed by NAPLAN. On 10 February 2023, Australian the relevant ministers also agreed to change the reporting of NAPLAN results in response to the online testing transition and the move to earlier NAPLAN testing in March. The new proficiency standard has four levels of achievement for each year level and replaces the previous 10-band structure and the national minimum standard used across the four domains.
The four levels of achievement are – Exceeding, Strong, Developing and Needs Additional Support (NAS).

GENERAL
If you have any questions regarding academics or your child’s progress please feel free to contact me on [email protected] or 49360 609.

Today, most students completed their NAPLAN testing for 2025. Over the next few days, any students who missed NAPLAN tests due to absence or illness will undertake catch-up tests. It is important to check emails regularly if you are expecting a catch-up test for details on when this will occur. The Year 7 students did a wonderful job in these tests, and I congratulate them on their efforts.

Now that NAPLAN is over, we turn our focus to exams, which are just a week away for Year 7. Week 9 will be a busy week, with Maths, Science, History, Agriculture, and Digital Technology all scheduled for exams. In Tutorial lessons last week, we looked at flashcards as a helpful study tool and discussed the benefits of making our own versus using websites such as Quizlet. Students had the opportunity to try both methods, and I hope many of them will continue to use flashcards as they prepare. With Year 7 Homework Club and Maths Tutorials currently running, there is plenty of assistance available for any students who are struggling. With a week to go before exams begin, it is important that students start studying now to avoid panic the night before the exam.

We are looking forward to our Year 7 Ritamada Day this Friday! Thank you to all families who have already returned permission forms to allow their child to attend. If you have not yet done so, please use either the Parent Orbit app or Parent Lounge to complete this. It promises to be a wonderful day of team building and friendship, as we join with our Form teachers and Form Seniors. As a reminder, students are asked to meet at their classroom at 8:00 am for roll marking before moving to the buses at 8:10 am, ready for our 8:30 am sharp departure. If you wish to drop your child directly to Ritamada, please send me an email, so I can add them to my list.

In the Year 7 Enrichment Program this week, we begin our Harmony Week celebrations. We look forward to sessions run by our International Program Coordinator, our Boarding Gap Students, and others as we celebrate our wonderful multicultural community. Harmony Week activities will run this Tuesday and next Tuesday, so please check in with your child to see what activities they’ve participated in.

Good luck to all our Year 7 students as they embark on their exams next week. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

In Form last week, students had the opportunity to engage in independent study, with a guided session on effective study techniques. They explored different methods, including flashcards, mind mapping, and note-taking strategies. It was fantastic to see so many students making the most of this time and applying a variety of study techniques to suit their learning styles.

This week, all students will write exams for Maths, Science, History, and Health, together with presentations for English and many also completing assessments for their elective subjects. For more details on upcoming assessments, I encourage parents to check the Assessment Schedule, available on Parent Lounge.

In both Form and Tutorial, we have been discussing what it means to be an Upstander—knowing our values, what we stand for, and what we are willing to stand up for. These discussions have led to some thoughtful and meaningful conversations, and I encourage our Year 8 students to continue this journey of self-discovery as they grow into responsible and courageous citizens.

With just three weeks left until the Easter holidays, Year 8 remains a hive of activity! There are several assessments due across Weeks 9 and 10, and to cap off the term, we will be celebrating with our Cross-Country Carnival at Rugby Park on Friday, 4 April—a fantastic way to finish Term 1.

I wish all our Year 8 students the very best for their exams this week. As always, if you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.

A big congratulations to the group on the way they conducted themselves throughout the testing process. They can now breathe a sigh of relief knowing they have forever finished their NAPLAN testing.

Beyond exams, other subjects are also in full swing, with many reports and assignments due. It is important that students are fully prepared and revise accordingly.

There appears to be some illness moving through the secondary school, leading to increased student absences. If a student is likely to miss an exam due to illness, please let me and the classroom teacher know as soon as possible so that alternative arrangements can be made. Where necessary, to account for the absence and provide extensions, please obtain a medical certificate.

In Tutorials, we have been exploring bullying and friendship, both on a personal level and within the wider cohort. The students have been incredibly engaged and are to be commended for their involvement. In particular, Year 9s are being encouraged to take on the role of active bystanders in our community.

Our Form programme has focused on self-determination theory and its pivotal role in our lives. This has been paired with the launch of the ASX Sharemarket Game, which aims to build financial literacy while also fostering some friendly inter-form class competition.

With only three weeks left before the Easter break, I encourage all students to continue working hard, prioritise their wellbeing, and make positive, constructive choices in everything they do.

Year 10 students are all busily working away at their respective assessments and preparing for their upcoming exams in the week ahead. If your child misses an exam due to illness, please notify me, and we can arrange an alternative time for that task to be completed. Please note that some students are requesting extensions for their assessments. This is considered on a case-by-case basis in consultation with their class teacher and is not guaranteed.

In our Tutorial lessons over the past fortnight, we have spoken about the impact of Consent. As I have explained to the students, the concept of Consent is a very complex and emotionally charged topic. I would continue to encourage you to talk to your child about this very important subject.

Just a reminder that Year 10 students will be receiving their vaccinations in Week 9 during their Tutorial lessons. If you have not yet submitted your vaccination forms, or your child was absent on the day of vaccinations, please get in touch with the Health Centre to arrange an alternative time.

Many students have now made wonderful progress on their volunteer logs and have put themselves in a fantastic position to complete the ‘active volunteering’ component of the certificate course in the near future. Well done! If your child has not yet achieved any volunteer hours or only has very few, I strongly encourage them to start taking some of the opportunities on offer, as we are effectively a third of the way through the allocated time for the Certificate I in Active Volunteering.

Finally, in relation to school camps, we are hoping to release camp confirmations to all Year 10 students this week, with details of the camp they have been allocated to. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

For all students who have missed exams, we will be offering catchups with other exams running over the next few weeks—please encourage your child to check their emails regarding rescheduled exams. In addition to exams, if your child is sick, please keep them at home and obtain a medical certificate to cover the absence. We will ensure students are offered support to catch up on assessment and coursework.

Students have been diligently honing their organisational skills, time management, weekly planning, and assessment scheduling in Form classes to enhance both their academic performance and personal growth. By creating detailed weekly plans and setting clear priorities, they are learning to manage their time more effectively, ensuring that they meet deadlines and balance their studies with extracurricular activities. I would encourage you to ask to see what your student has been doing and sign off in their planners. This structured approach not only helps them stay on top of their schoolwork but also fosters a sense of responsibility and self-discipline. As they continue to refine these skills, students are better prepared to tackle future challenges, both in their academic journeys and in their personal lives, setting a strong foundation for lifelong success.

In the past two weeks, the Year 11s have been undertaking an Academic Integrity course run by QCAA. The purpose of the course is to help students understand the correct way to approach assessment and includes advice on how to maintain academic integrity and produce the best work possible. If you would like to learn more about QCAA processes, you can review them here: QCAA Parent Information .

Tuesday, 25th March is an all-school dress-down day to support the RGS Leadership Teams’ 86k for a Cure Challenge. If you would like to donate to this challenge to support children with cancer, please do so through this link: Donate to 86k for a Cure . Students are able to wear House shirts/RGS PE uniform and PE shorts, only with PE-approved closed-in shoes. A gold coin donation is required for students participating in dress-down day.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Have a wonderful week!

Students have finished their first assessment task in all subjects and are working on their second pieces. Given how busy students have been working on assessment tasks, Certificate courses, and SATs, we are starting to see fatigue set in as we approach the end of Term. It is essential that students continue to look after themselves, eating well and getting enough sleep. This is critical towards the end of the term, so that energy and effort do not wane. While there may be a bit of breathing room at present, a lot of assessment items are due during the first few weeks of Term 2. This can come as a surprise to students if they do not ensure they work hard right up until the end of the term.

Speaking of Term 2, fundraising initiatives for the Formal have been coming along nicely, with a very successful bake sale and sausage sizzle held recently. Additionally, the annual Easter raffle is underway, and we continue to strongly encourage students to donate items towards this fundraiser. All students have been asked to collect their book of raffle tickets from the SSO to assist in selling and raising funds for their formal. This is imperative to ensure there are enough funds to create the Formal that the students are striving for.

Form class focus has been on ‘social media and online influences’, particularly the positive and negative aspects of social media, how it affects mental health, and self-regulation of social media and online presence. In our Year Level Meetings, there has been a focus on staying safe at parties, making good decisions when having fun, and what to do/who to contact if help is needed. Red Frogs came to present their Party Safe programme, and Geoff Connor, a Nurse Practitioner at Rockhampton Base Hospital, generously gave his time to present the PARTY programme to the Year 12 students. While this programme can be a little confronting, students do come away with a very real understanding of the lifelong consequences of poor decision-making at crucial times in their lives when peer pressure, alcohol, and drugs can play a role. There was also an emphasis in both of these programmes on the importance of looking after friends and others in need when out having fun.

Students will hopefully find some time in the back end of this term to join the 86km Challenge, raising awareness and funds for children with cancer. I also hope students are looking forward to participating in their final Cross Country event as students of the School.

Cross Country
Cross Country Carnival Nominations

The RGS Cross Country event is happening on the last day of Term 1, 4th April. If your child wants to participate in the competitive race for their age group on the day, please follow the link to fill in the nomination form. If you do not complete this form, your child will automatically be placed into the Participation Dash.

If you have multiple children, kindly fill in a form per child. Also, take note if your child is in Primary or Secondary as the forms are slightly different to tailor for the different information needed. Please complete by Monday 24 March.

Primary Nomination Link: https://forms.office.com/r/XtPyPJ6rbz
Secondary Nomination Link: https://forms.office.com/r/1eaz7hMtSN

Rugby Union
Regional Rugby Championships
The 2025 Regional Rugby Championships, hosted by RGS, has wrapped up. Congratulations to RGS on winning the Open Boys and Open Girls divisions and congratulations to Marist College Emerald on winning a thrilling Under-16 Boys grand final over RGS with a conversion after full time.

Thank you to RGS, Marist College Emerald, Townsville Grammar School, and Barbarians teams for supporting this year's championships. Thank you also to all the volunteers and supporters for your efforts across the two-day carnival.

Final results:
U18 Girls: RGS defeated TGS 35 - 5
U16 Boys: Marist College Emerald defeated RGS 12-11
U18 boys: RGS defeated Marist College Emerald 30 - 7

Player awards:
(Players of the carnival)
Under 16 boys:
Marist College Emerald: Trey Basham
Barbarians: Janko Geldenhuys
RGS: Malcolm Frame

Under 18 girls:
Townsville Grammar: Claudia Woods
Marist College Emerald: Sienna Dollard
RGS: Faerlie Bailey

Under 18 boys:
Townsville Grammar: Charlie
Marist College Emerald: Jack Hutton
RGS: Sam Fahlstrom

(Players of the finals)
Under 18 girls:
Townsville Grammar: Number 8
RGS: Faerlie Bailey

Under 16 boys:
RGS: Joe Griffies
Marist College Emerald: Gabriel Mijane

Under 18 Boys:
Marist College Emerald: Cruz Gilmore
RGS: Dan Grant

Notifications of Achievements
Due to the vast array of core and non-core sporting activities that students participate in, can all students’ sporting achievements be emailed through to Ms Coetzer, the Sports Administrator – [email protected]

Student Achievements

Karate
Congratulations to Lachlan Segond with his achievements at the 2025 SKIQ QLD Cup for Karate:
Silver – Colts Individual Male Kata 16-19 Years
Bronze – Colts Male Jiyu Kumite

Softball
Congratulations to Dale Atkinson who competed in the U14 Australian Regional Softball Championships in Canberra, playing for the Queensland Thunder Team.

Capricornia Representatives

AFL
Audrey Bailey

Basketball
Micky Simmons, Brenton Gaka

Football
Zara Kummerfeld, Finn Smart

Hockey
Aria Caton

Netball
Kaylee Acton

Rugby League
Mason Broadhurst, Leo Fanuatanu, Cormack Werner, Fallon Harris

Triathlon
William Goudie

Water Polo
Ty Lynch

Queensland Representatives
Cricket
Sam Gassman