Newsletter

We hope all our students and families enjoyed a restful and refreshing break. It’s wonderful to see our school community reunited, ready for another term of learning and connection.

This term, our school’s values focus is courage and resilience —qualities that help shape confident, compassionate, and capable learners. These values are particularly relevant as we reflect on our recent involvement in ANZAC Day commemorations.

Our school community united to honour ANZAC Day, coming together for both our School service and wider community events. It was heartening to see so many of our students proudly representing the school at local ceremonies, standing alongside their peers in a shared moment of reflection and respect.

We sincerely thank our parents and families for recognising the importance of these commemorations and for supporting your children to be part of them. Your presence, encouragement, and commitment to upholding these traditions play a vital role in helping students understand the significance of the day.

As we move into the new term, we encourage our students to live out these values—showing courage in trying something new, and resilience in the face of challenges ahead.

At the heart of our school community are our core values, which shape our culture and guide our expectations. These values— Respect and Care , Courage and Resilience , Endeavour and Responsibility , and Integrity and Honour —are always present in the way we learn, lead, and connect.

This term, we are placing a particular focus on Courage and Resilience . These qualities are demonstrated when we take responsible risks to support our learning, show determination in the face of challenges, and help others do the same. Resilience is also about developing effective strategies for coping when things do not go as planned.

Throughout the term, I will be working closely with students to explore these concepts through the lens of the Australian Curriculum’s Personal and Social Capability . Using interactive games and activities, we will be explicitly teaching and reinforcing what it means to be courageous and resilient in our learning and in our lives.

Our aim is to encourage every student to Be Brave —to participate fully, embrace challenges, and understand that growth comes from effort and persistence, not just from outcomes.

I look forward to a term of meaningful learning, positive relationships, and continued growth for all.

Welcome to Term 2! We are delighted to see our students return to school with enthusiasm and a strong commitment to their learning. The start of the term has shown that our students have settled into their routines with confidence and focus. We look forward to the continued growth and success of all our students as we progress through this term.

Premier’s Reading Challenge: Encouraging a Love of Reading
We would like to remind you of the upcoming Premier’s Reading Challenge , which encourages students in Prep to Year 6 to develop a love of reading and build their literacy skills. This initiative offers a fantastic opportunity for students to set reading goals and engage with a range of books at home and in class.

Challenge Details:
* The Premier’s Reading Challenge runs from 6 May to 22 August .
* Students in Prep to Year 2 are required to read or experience 20 books .
* Students in Years 3 to 4 are required to read 20 books.
* Students in Years 5 and 6 need to read 15 books.

To participate, students will track their reading progress on a Student Reader Record Form . Once the reading record has been completed, it should be submitted, and students will receive their awards during an assembly. This is a wonderful way to celebrate the achievements of our students and encourage a lifelong love of reading.

We encourage all parents to support their child’s participation by exploring different genres of books and fostering a reading culture at home. The Premier’s Reading Challenge is not only an opportunity to improve literacy skills but also a chance to create meaningful shared experiences through the joy of reading.

Supporting Students with Reading: Evidence-Based Approaches
We often have families asking how they can help support their child’s reading at home. As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting literacy development, we would like to share some practical strategies based on the science of reading to help parents support their child's reading progress. These strategies are grounded in research and are designed to develop essential reading skills, from phonics to comprehension.

Phonics and Phonemic Awareness
Phonics instruction is crucial in helping children understand the relationship between letters and sounds. At home, you can encourage your child to sound out words, practise letter patterns, and break words into smaller parts. This helps build a strong foundation for reading and spelling. For younger children, activities like rhyming games or clapping out syllables can support phonemic awareness.

Vocabulary Development
A strong vocabulary is essential for reading comprehension. Support your child in expanding their vocabulary by introducing new words and discussing their meanings. You can incorporate new words into daily conversations, read books together that introduce unfamiliar words, and encourage your child to use new words in their speaking and writing. This approach helps children understand texts more deeply.

Reading Comprehension
Comprehension is not just about decoding words but about understanding what the words mean. After reading, you can talk to your child about the story, ask them questions about the characters, setting, and plot, and encourage them to make connections to their own life. This helps reinforce their understanding and fosters critical thinking. For younger readers, ask them to predict what might happen next in the story, which builds engagement and comprehension skills.

Fluency Practice
Reading fluently means reading with speed, accuracy, and expression. One of the best ways to help your child become a fluent reader is through regular practice. Encourage them to read aloud and support them in revisiting familiar texts. Repeated reading of the same books helps build fluency and confidence, allowing children to focus on meaning rather than decoding each word.

Encouraging a Regular Reading Routine
Establish a regular reading routine at home. Set aside a specific time each day for reading, whether it’s in the morning, after school, or before bed. Make reading a fun and enjoyable part of daily life, and create a positive reading environment by providing access to a range of books. Encouraging independent reading, as well as shared reading experiences, helps to reinforce these skills.

By applying these strategies consistently at home, you can significantly support your child’s reading development. These approaches help strengthen key skills that are essential for literacy success, and provide a foundation for lifelong learning.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to foster a love of reading and ensure the success of all our students throughout Term 2.

Year 12 QCAA External Assessment Timetable
QCAA are yet to publish the External Assessment 2025 timetable. As soon as it is released a copy will be emailed to Year 12 students and parents/care givers. Based on last year’s release date it is anticipated the timetable will be published late in Term 2.

School Mock Assessment Timetable
Once the formal External Assessment timetable is released by QCAA, the School’s Mock assessment timetable will be prepared and issued to students. As a reminder, the Mocks will occur during the two-week period, commencing Monday 8 September and concluding Friday 19 September. All Year 12 students are required to attend their subject examinations and vital feedback will be provided in Week 1 of Term 4.

NAPLAN
The School’s Year 7 and Year 9 students participated in NAPLAN Online late in Term 1. State Education Ministers agreed in 2023 to new proficiency levels instead of using band scales (1-10) to report NAPLAN data. The new scaling categories are, ‘needs additional support’ (lowest performing students), ‘developing’ (below average students), ‘strong’ (those who meet the standards) and ‘exceeding’ (the top performers). Updates will be provided once data is released.

Year 7-12 Plagiarism and Cheating
In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence in education has received a lot of attention. Indeed, it has been a topic of much debate and comment. The Rockhampton Grammar School’s Secondary School Assessment Policy specifically defines plagiarism and cheating. Furthermore, the consequences if any student in Year 7 to 12 is determined to have cheated on an assessment task are also outlined. Students in Year 11 and 12 complete the QCAA Integrity course which covers:
* Part 1 What is academic integrity and why is it important?

* Part 2 What is academic misconduct?

* Part 3 Effective academic practices — focusing on ensuring students submit work that is their own.

* Part 4 How students can use drafting practices to improve their work.

It is important to realise the possible use of artificial intelligence products can be flagged via specific software programs including Turnitin. As per the School’s policy, students who plagiarise or cheat on an assessment item face the consequence of being awarded zero for the task. In Year 11 and Year 12, this would have significant consequences on QCE points achieved and the ATAR issued. As Head of Secondary School – Academics, I teach all Year 11 and 12 students for the Preparation for Senior subject and have explicitly covered the inappropriate use of artificial intelligence tools on assessment tasks. The School has a responsibility to ensure fairness and equity for all students hence this stance.

Year 12 Confirmation
The Rockhampton Grammar School, along with all other Queensland schools, submitted Year 12 Internal Assessment (IA1 or IA2) results at the end of Term 1. The School has recently uploaded sample student work to QCAA. This work will be reviewed by trained confirmers over the coming fortnight. The School expects results will be published early June and classroom teachers will update students as to confirmed result. QCAA will publish subject results in each student Learning Account in June. If any results are unconfirmed they will not appear in the student account.

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.

Despite the interrupted start to this term, the Year 7s are already underway. With the inclusion of so many public holidays in what is always a very busy term, we don’t have a moment to spare as we work to prepare for one of the biggest events of the Year 7 year – the Year 7 Showcase. This event, occurring on the last day of term, offers an opportunity for family and friends to visit the Year 7 classrooms and take a tour of the learning that has already taken place throughout the year. This is always such a wonderful and highly anticipated morning, so please mark it in your diary now so you don’t miss it.

On Friday, we joined the Rockhampton community for the ANZAC Day March. It was wonderful to see so many Year 7 students there, showing their respect for those who have served and continue to serve. It was also lovely to receive photos and reports from several Year 7 families whose child represented RGS at their community events. Thank you to everyone who attended an event on Friday.

In Form and Tutorial lessons this term, we are beginning a unit on Growth Mindset. Growth Mindset is an important reminder that while there are things we can’t do; we just can’t do them yet. With dedication, perseverance, and hard work, we can grow our abilities. Growth Mindset is characterised by embracing challenges, persevering in the face of setbacks, and finding inspiration in others' success. This is such an important mindset for secondary school, but even more so as we approach our Year 7 Form camps. More details on our camp programme will be sent out shortly.

As a final reminder, throughout Terms 2 and 3, each Wednesday, students will need to wear their Formal uniform, including ties, every day of the week. As the weather begins to cool, students have been reminded that we are not able to wear the soft-shell sports jacket with the day or academic uniform. There are a range of knitted jumpers available at the Red and Black shop, or students may elect to wear their blazer. Thank you for your support with this.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I hope you all had a restful break and that students have returned, ready for what promises to be a busy and exciting term ahead.

This term, we begin exploring Character Strengths in our Form and Tutorial lessons. This work aligns with our Leadership for All programme, as students focus on building self-awareness and identifying their most dominant strengths. One key strength that will be a focus is Resilience—an essential element in both our Character Strengths curriculum and the first dimension of Leading Self. Resilience was an important theme in our preparations for the Form camps last term, and it will continue to be a central theme as we move forward.

I encourage you to have a conversation with your child about their top character strengths and which ones they would like to develop further. This exploration can help them understand themselves better and guide them toward becoming more effective leaders.

It was a privilege to see so many of our Year 8 students standing together on ANZAC Day. It was an honour to march with them and our school community last Friday, reflecting on the significance of the day.

Here’s to a successful and meaningful term ahead!

I trust the Easter break was both restful and enjoyable for all, and that families were able to spend some meaningful time together. I hope our students have returned feeling refreshed and ready for what promises to be a busy term ahead.

We commenced the term with Parent-Teacher Interviews. If any parents or carers were unable to connect with a particular teacher, or if there is additional information you would like to discuss, I encourage you to contact the relevant staff directly. Alternatively, I am more than happy to facilitate communication where needed—please don’t hesitate to reach out.

This is a long term, though it will be punctuated by several events and public holidays, including ANZAC Day, the Rockhampton Show, and the Athletics Carnival. It is therefore essential that students are well-organised and remain on top of their workload and assessment deadlines. For Year 9 students, the academic term is slightly shorter due to the Year 9 camp taking place in the final week. Assessment schedules are available on both Student Café and Parent Lounge.

This term, we see a shift in the structure of our Form classes for the What About Me programme. Over the next nine weeks, Form groups will be split by gender to allow for deeper conversations around gender and identity in a safe and supportive environment. The programme begins in Week 2 and will progress through several activities, culminating in the Year 9 camp. Please note that the camp is considered a compulsory component of the term, and all students are expected to attend.

While I am more than willing to liaise with teachers on behalf of students where necessary, we strongly encourage our Year 9s to take ownership of their learning by initiating communication with their teachers directly and in a timely manner.

I look forward to having all students ‘back on deck’ this week. During the holidays, families should have received an email regarding the OEP camp their child has been nominated to attend. If you have not received this communication, please check your inbox, and if you are still unable to locate it, contact Outdoor Education at [email protected] so we can provide you with the necessary information.

In the coming weeks, students will have camp-specific meetings with me to discuss important details relating to each camp. I would like to particularly highlight for families of students attending international trips that it is essential for your child’s passport to have at least six months' validity from the departure date. As passport processing can take up to two months (and sometimes longer), I encourage families to arrange this promptly if needed.

A reminder that the Certificate I in Active Volunteering includes a 20-hour volunteer requirement. I encourage all families to be on the lookout for suitable volunteering opportunities throughout the term. Additionally, students were reminded last week that they have the option to participate in work experience during the final week of this term. They are encouraged to approach potential employers in fields of interest to secure placements. This valuable practice helps develop their self-confidence, communication skills, and experience in seeking employment and building professional connections.

I am looking forward to a busy, enjoyable, and productive Term 2. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

It's hard to believe we are already in Week 2 of Term 2. The next few weeks will be action-packed for the Year 11s. Some subjects are completing assessments, while others are starting new units of work. I have been speaking with students about their subjects and results; if there are any issues with the suitability of specific subjects, please encourage your child to see me regarding alternatives or support.

If your child is looking to change subjects, they must follow the correct process. Students need to complete a subject change form, which must be signed by all relevant parties before being submitted to me. Once this has occurred, it will be processed through the Secondary School Office. Parents are required to give written permission for any changes. Subject change forms have been emailed to students and can also be obtained from the SSO.

The focus for the Year 11 cohort this term in Form and our Year Level Meetings will be on building and nurturing relationships, both with oneself and with others. We will emphasise the importance of self-awareness and interpersonal connections as key safeguarding and protective factors for both schooling and life. To support this, we will host guest speakers who will discuss crucial topics such as consent, domestic violence, and safe sex. These discussions aim to equip students with the knowledge and skills to foster healthy, respectful relationships, which are essential for their overall well-being and success.

Please keep an eye on your emails for the weekly ‘What’s On’ email, which provides a snapshot of what is happening each week.

If your contact details have changed, please ensure they are updated on Parent Lounge to ensure important information reaches you.

Have a wonderful week!

I hope all students had a wonderful break with family and friends and were able to schedule in some much-needed rest over this time.

The start of this term is quite hectic with the second internal task drafts and finals due during the first few weeks of the term. Given we have already had a week back into it (albeit very short!), many students will have submitted drafts and finals for their subjects across last week and this week. This may also mean some students feel the pressure a little overwhelming and could require extra care and support during this time. Please continue to encourage your young adult, highlighting that this busy period will be short-lived and there will be a period of calm soon. If you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I will also take this opportunity to post a reminder regarding the need for evidence (e.g., medical certificates, emails/letters of invitation for sporting representations) for absences or other reasons for extension requests. Please ensure this evidence is attached to a completed extension request and passed on to Ms Carter in a timely manner.

In order to ensure a rounded education, to prepare students for life outside school both now and in the future, there are several programmes that will be run this term, incorporated into the Pastoral Care programme. Additionally, Year 12 will visit Ritamada for a day trip on Tuesday, 3 June, and partake in Formal Dancing practice on Tuesday afternoons this term.

Our students will be very busy with a myriad of other activities this term. Our Cancer Committee is busy planning the Cancer Awareness High Tea and promoting the Ponytail Project; the Drought Awareness Committee is organising the Farmer’s Challenge; Form Seniors are continuing to assist across the Year 8 Form Camps and the Year 9 ‘What About Me?’ programme; House Captains are organising the Inter-House Touch competition; Oratory Captains are helping to prepare students for the upcoming Oratory competition; Rowing Captains are assisting with preparations for the upcoming regattas; Music Captains are helping to prepare for the RGS Music Festival and Rockhampton Eisteddfod; DMTA Captains are assisting with preparations for the Rockhampton Eisteddfod; Netball Captains will be assisting with preparations for the Sullivans Carnival; Musical Captains are assisting with the ramp-up of rehearsals for the upcoming musical.

Last week, it was wonderful to see many our Year 12 students attend both the Dawn Service and the ANZAC Day March. We are honoured to have our students feature in significant moments at both events and, given this is the last year that Year 12 students can be a part of the march with Grammar, it was encouraging to see such a large contingent of the cohort attend.

Clearly, it is a very full term both academically and beyond, so I encourage students to look after their health, getting plenty of sleep, eating well, and spending positive time with others as much as they can. I look forward to observing the many areas in which students are involved throughout the course of this term.

Dear Boarding Family,

Welcome back to Term 2! It’s fantastic to be back in touch via our traditional newsletter format, after sharing stories and updates through the *Boarding Pass* podcast last term. Don’t worry—our podcast will be back in a fortnight, bringing you more voices from within our vibrant boarding community. But for now, we’re thrilled to reconnect with you in writing.

Though the first week of term has been a short one, it’s already proven to be incredibly powerful and deeply moving. We have honoured those who served and sacrificed through our attendance at the ANZAC Day Dawn Service. Later, we proudly joined the wider RGS community as part of the ANZAC March. These events continue to remind us of the strength of unity, courage, and gratitude—values that resonate deeply within our boarding community.

Returning from the Easter break, it’s been heartening to see how quickly and warmly everyone has reconnected. There’s a buzz around the boarding houses—laughter, shared stories, and a sense of comfort that only comes from a community as close-knit as ours. A very special welcome goes out to our new boarders. They’ve already shown such courage in embracing their new home, and it’s been truly inspiring to see the way our returning boarders have stepped up with kindness, inclusion, and genuine care. That’s the RGS way—and it’s something we are immensely proud of.

The first weekend of term has set the tone for an exciting term ahead. Our boarders enjoyed a range of activities, from a refreshing outing to Ritamada, to the excitement of the School’s Rowing Season Launch. Some boarders opted to take in the energy of a local wrestling event, while others participated in our boarding touch football competition. These activities are more than just weekend fun—they’re the moments where friendships deepen, memories are made, and the sense of belonging grows stronger.

Now, looking ahead, we have something very special on the horizon…

Mark Your Calendars:

The Inaugural “Boarders’ Bash"

We were thrilled to announce the inaugural RGS Boarders’ Bash, proudly hosted by the RGS Boarder Parent Association.

Join us on Sunday 11 May for an afternoon of fun, connection, and school spirit as we cheer on our RGS teams in their Rugby League matches against Emmaus College.

This special event is all about bringing our boarding families—and the wider RGS community—together. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere on the lower oval, where a designated area will be set up with drinks for sale. Food will also be available for sale thanks to the RGS Rugby Club.

We are aware it’s Mother’s Day, and what better way to make a weekend of it than with the RGS Parent Association Mother’s Day High Tea on Friday 9 May , followed by quality time with your child(ren) and the chance to celebrate together at the Bash on Sunday.

The event also marks the beginning of National Boarding Week, making it the perfect occasion to celebrate everything that makes boarding life at RGS so special.

Everyone is welcome—Boarders and Day Families, Alumni, and friends of the School. If you can, we encourage you to travel into town and be part of this exciting new tradition.

We will be running a Money Board to raise funds for the RGS Boarder Parent Association! If you’re unable to attend the event but would still like to support—or if you just want to secure your lucky square early—you can do so via the links provided on our socials. Squares are $20 each, with the lucky winner taking home $1,000! Money Board tickets are available online at https://events.humanitix.com/rgs-boarder-bash-money-board

We’re off to a brilliant start, and we can’t wait to see what Term 2 brings. As always, thank you for your continued support and commitment to making RGS Boarding a truly special place to live, learn, and grow.

Music
RGS was represented by 20 students, from Year 5 to Year 10, in the Rockhampton SHEP (State Honours Ensemble Programmme) at the end of Term 1. The students had an intensive weekend of ensemble rehearsals with professional conductors culminating in a concert for their family and friends at the end of the programme.

RGS Head of Music Mrs Rhonda Hite said the RGS students worked hard and were excellent ambassadors for the School. RGS Year 7 student Evie Cooke participated in the earlier Longreach SHEP, also gaining valuable experience in ensemble playing.

Rugby Union - Ballymore Cup
The School participated in the 2025 Ballymore Cup in Brisbane over the holidays. The U16 team went through the carnival undefeated playing some amazing rugby defeating St Patrick College, Shorncliffe, Brisbane Grammar, Iona College, Lindisfarne College in the round games. The U16s defeated St Patrick’s College 20-10 in the final with Tom Baillie being named player of the tournament. This is the first time since 2019 the School has won this age group.

The First XV played against Ipswich Grammar, Kings College and Iona College in their pool with a win over Iona securing third place in their pool. They went on to play Brisbane Grammar from the other pool but lost 26-12 before playing Sunshine Coast Grammar on the final day but went down 22-7.

Show Cattle Team
Springsure Cattle Camp - RGS was proud to be major sponsor of the 2025 Springsure Cattle Camp – a fantastic event that celebrated learning, leadership, and connection in our rural heartland. Our Head of Agriculture, Mrs Redding, and Mr Redding – RGS Agricultural Operations Supervisor – attended the Camp with their three children, conducting sessions and judging the paraders competition.

From students competing to alumni on the organising committee to parents helping out in the kitchen, the Camp was a powerful reminder of the strength of our RGS family and our deep roots in regional Queensland.

The Caves Show - Congratulations to the students who represented the School at the Caves Show over the weekend.

Led Steer Competition:

Under 500kg: 1st RGS Denver, 4th RGS Dude, 5th RGS Austin

Champion Led Steer of show: RGS Denver

Junior Paraders:

Under 13 years: 1st Trey Lawrie, 5th Sienna Matthews

Under 15 years: 1st Kate Preston, 5th Declan Barlow

Junior Judges:

Under 13 years: 4th Johanna Hempseed

Under 15 years: 1st Kate Preston, 5th Declan Barlow

Junior Judging under 15 years regional representative: Kate Preston

Water Polo
The term 1 Secondary Schools water polo season wrapped with RGS featuring in all three grand finals. Congratulations to the RGS Red team on winning the Junior Mixed Division against RGS Black. RGS finished runners-up in both the Senior Girls and Senior Boys divisions.

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 Mrs Coetzer, the Sports Administrator – [email protected]

Student Achievements:

Cricket
At the recent Queensland Country Cricket Awards, Sam Gassman was the winner of the Outstanding Player in U18.

Congratulations to Riley McDonald and Sam Gassman on winning the Ron Bushby Shield with NQ U19s defeating SQ in 2 x 50 over matches and 1 x T20 in a clean sweep. Both players were then selected for Qld Country to play in Adelaide in September.

RGS Year 11 student Henry Lau represented North Queensland Country in the Under 16 Jimmy Maher/Martin Love Cup against South Queensland Country in Brisbane during the holidays. He also played for the Teal team in the Queensland Cricket Under 16 State Championships.

RGS Year 11 cricketer Adelaide McArthur represented North Queensland Country Cricket in the Hamilton-Ginger Shield in Brisbane over the school holidays. South Queensland Country Cricket won the inaugural Shield with the match providing a further opportunity for country cricketers to play at a higher representative level. Congratulations Adelaide!

Rugby League
Congratulations to RGS Year 12 student Leo Fanuatanu on his selection in the Queensland Country Under 17 boys rugby league squad. The Cyril Connell Cup Capras centre played against NSW Country at Totally Workwear Stadium in Brisbane on 16 April. The game is just one component of the overall selection experience. Players and performance staff participated in a four-day camp that includes training sessions and off-field education. Developing a connection to the ‘Maroons DNA’ in the presence of FOGS is a key focus area for players, who also received education on nutrition and careers and pathways.

Taekwondo
RGS students travelled interstate for the Global Open Taekwondo Championships in Melbourne earlier this month. Year 6 student Xavier Tan placed first in patterns while Year 12 student Alex Rodgers placed second in sparring and fourth in patterns. Alex's brother, and RGS Alumni, Jamie Rodgers (RGS 2023) placed second in both sparring and patterns.

Rockhampton District Representatives
(Please note that all Rockhampton and Capricornia representative recognitions are updated in the newsletter once final teams are provided to the School)

Softball
Grace Skilling

Capricornia Representatives

Touch
Jamaal Loomans, Edward Cugola, Nate Turner, Brayden Wooler, Ben Mosby.