Newsletter

To help keep our community informed, we’re sharing key excerpts from the guidelines through the School newsletter, beginning with the Benefits and Risks section.

At RGS, we recognise that generative AI can be a powerful tool in the classroom when used responsibly. AI has the potential to enhance student engagement through interactive and personalised learning activities, support creativity, and encourage students to think critically and refine their ideas. Importantly, it also helps prepare students for a successful future where AI will play an increasingly significant role in study, work, and everyday life.

At the same time, we are mindful of the risks. These include the temptation to over-rely on AI, use it inappropriately in assessments, or trust its responses without critical thinking. There’s also the potential for exposure to inaccurate or inappropriate content if AI tools are used without proper supervision. At RGS, we are focused on building students’ digital literacy and ensuring AI is used Safely, Ethically and Effectively and with guidance from their teachers.

You can view the full guidelines here .

At school, we are continuing to support children in learning positive and assertive ways to communicate, especially during moments of conflict or play challenges.

Children are still developing their social and emotional skills, and it’s natural for disagreements to happen. During these times, we promote using words to solve problems, rather than reacting physically or withdrawing. This helps children build resilience, confidence, and respectful relationships.

We teach and encourage the following steps for assertive communication:

✅ Talk in a friendly voice to express how they feel
✅ Talk more firmly if the behaviour continues
✅ Use a hand up to say “Stop”
✅ Walk away
✅ Report to a staff member

All our staff on playground duty wear high vis vests during play to be easily located should the need arise. Reporting is an important step as telling an adult when someone is hurt, unsafe, or a problem needs solving helps keep everyone safe.

Reinforcing these strategies at home is incredibly helpful and I thank you for your support.  Please feel free to refer to the hand visual to support children using respectful words, talking about feelings, and encouraging your child to speak up kindly and clearly.

At different stages of childhood, it is not uncommon for children to find goodbyes a little tricky. Whether it is the start of a new term, a change in routine, or simply part of growing up, separation anxiety can sometimes show up for both children and parents. It is a normal part of development, particularly during times of transition. As Karen Young from Hey Sigmund explains, this anxiety does not mean something is wrong, it means something important is happening. Children feel safest when they are close to their trusted adults, so separating can bring about big emotions.

It is important to respond with connection and patience. A calm, consistent goodbye routine, reassurance that you will return, and validating your child’s feelings can make a big difference. Over time, this builds resilience and a sense of security.

Most importantly, children learn emotional regulation from the adults around them. As Karen Young reminds us, “They borrow our calm until they can find their own.”

If your child is experiencing separation anxiety, know that they are not alone and neither are you. We are here to support your child’s wellbeing every step of the way. For more helpful information and resources, visit www.heysigmund.com . Karen Young’s resources around supporting young people through their emotions are extremely valuable.

Another suite of resources that may be helpful—particularly for families of tweens and teens—are those created by Rebecca Sparrow. Her work focuses on supporting young people to navigate friendships with empathy, confidence and resilience. We are currently using some of these resources with our Year 6 cohort, and they have sparked meaningful conversations and reflection. They are well worth exploring and sharing at home. You can find more at www.rebeccasparrow.com .

Bullying No Way: National Week of Action- Term 3, Week 5

Bullying No Way Week is returning from 11–15 August 2025 , and this year’s theme is “Be bold. Be kind. Speak up.” Throughout the week, our school will continue our conversations and learning to further explore how we can support others by speaking up, showing kindness, and taking action when we see bullying behaviours. Students will engage in class discussions and activities that reinforce the importance of building a safe, respectful environment where everyone feels they belong.

To show our support for the National Day of Action , we encourage all students to wear their RGS sports shorts and a purple t-shirt and/or purple hair accessory on Friday 15 August . Together, we can take a visible stand against bullying and continue creating a school culture built on respect, empathy, and inclusion.

Important: Year 5 and Year 6 students will still need to bring their sports uniform to be changed into.

Book Week 2025 – Term 3, Week 6
18–22 August

A heartfelt thank you to all the generous families who have donated such beautiful books. Your kindness and support are truly appreciated.

I cannot wait to see the excitement on our students’ faces as they choose a magical story to take home for a gold coin donation—knowing that, in doing so, they are also helping to share the joy of reading with others in communities where books are not as readily available.

Thank you once again for supporting this wonderful initiative!

On our much-loved Book Week Parade Day will be held on Monday 18 August 8:35-9:10am, students are invited to bring along the book that inspired their costume. It's a wonderful way to share and celebrate the adventures that live within the pages of a great book.

Friday 22 August will be our first Breakfast and Books on the oval. We encourage families to bring a picnic rug and some books, to share some time with their students and make our oval a sea of stories for the morning. A lovely way to start the day.

Please keep us cater the Breakfast and Books event by providing your RSVP at this link .

NAPLAN
We are pleased to share the 2025 NAPLAN results for our Year 3 and Year 5 cohorts. The data clearly demonstrates that students at The Rockhampton Grammar School have performed above the Queensland state mean across all assessed domains.

NAPLAN Individual Student Reports were posted in Week 2, so we trust they have now reached families. If you have not received your child's report, please contact Primary Reception via email so we can assist.

ICAS Testing – Week 5
The ICAS assessments will begin in Week 5 for all students who have registered.

The dates for testing are:

ICAS English : Tuesday, 12 August
English Make-up Session: Thursday, 14 August

ICAS Mathematics: Tuesday, 26 August
Mathematics Make-up Session: Thursday, 28 August

We kindly ask that all participating students arrive at school on time, as testing will commence promptly after morning rolls are marked.

If your child is absent on the scheduled testing day, they will have one additional opportunity to complete the assessment during the designated make-up session. Please note that no further opportunities will be available beyond these dates.

Coursing
Students currently in Year 9 and Year 10 will soon complete an initial subject selection for 2026. Further details will be provided to students and parents during Term 3. Submitting subject requests on time is important, as it allows the School the opportunity to ensure all student requests can be met. Coursing information for current Year 8 students will commence later this term.

Year 12 Assessment Mock Assessment Timetable
All Year 12 students have been given a copy of the RGS Mock assessment timetable. As a reminder, these assessment items will occur during the two-week period, commencing Monday 8 September and concluding Friday 19 September.

NAPLAN
The Secondary School’s Year 7 and Year 9 cohorts participated in NAPLAN online testing late in Term 1. Student reports were posted last week and parents should have received them via Australia Post.

General
As a reminder, if you have any questions regarding academics or your child’s progress please feel free to contact me on [email protected] or 49360 609.

Many subjects are already reaching, or approaching, draft and due dates, and exams are only three short weeks away. Term 3 is always short but busy!

In the Enrichment Programme last Tuesday, Ms Michelle Rundle, our Head of Year 8, spoke with the Year 7s about managing stress. She shared several strategies with them, including introducing the ‘Smiling Mind’ app and website. Smiling Mind focuses on mental fitness, offering short, guided meditations to help students pause and refocus when things feel overwhelming. We completed one of these meditations together, and I hope many of the Year 7s will continue using them at home as the term becomes busier.

In Week 2, 7B spent three days at Ritamada for their Form Camp. Despite a wet and chilly start, they had a wonderful time and returned to school with big smiles. 7C enjoyed three days of sunshine and warm temperatures last week, and the highlight for many was spotting whales, dolphins, and a turtle while sailing on the final day. We wish 7E and 7F a fantastic time away as they head off over the next two weeks. Thank you to our dedicated staff who work to ensure these camps are both enjoyable and enriching for our Year 7s!

In our Personal Development programme, Year 7s are focusing on teamwork this term. As we enter the second half of the year and begin preparations for the transition to Year 8, we are focusing on developing maturity. This includes planning ahead to be ready for each lesson and sustaining concentration throughout the school day. To support this, each class has created a class charter - a set of expectations designed to foster a safe, supportive, and productive learning environment. In every group, the commitment to supporting each other’s learning has been evident, showing how strongly the sense of teamwork runs through this cohort.

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

With assessment season approaching, students are being supported to strengthen routines around organisation, study, and self-management. These are essential skills as they continue to develop independence and responsibility for their learning.

In our Form and Tutorial programme, the focus has been on building strong and healthy relationships - an essential skill for personal wellbeing and a positive school experience. Students have explored what makes a relationship healthy, how to set respectful boundaries, and the importance of communication and trust. These conversations are central to their growth as young people navigating friendships and social dynamics.

Additionally, we have begun initial discussions around subject selection for Year 9. Students are being encouraged to reflect on what they enjoy, where they find success, and what subjects may support their future aspirations. These early reflections will lay the foundation for informed and confident choices when formal selections take place later this term.

Year 8s have approached this week’s reset with honesty, reflection, and renewed focus. Thank you for your continued support in helping students balance academic progress, wellbeing, and personal growth.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about your child’s progress or the subject selection process.

One of the most exciting developments this term is the launch of our Form Class Olympics - a friendly inter-form competition designed to build teamwork, leadership, and a sense of fun rivalry. While students initially tackled challenges within their own groups, it has been especially rewarding to see many begin to collaborate across form classes, sharing resources and realising that cooperation, not competition, is often the key to success. These moments of initiative and connection are exactly what we hope to see as students grow in confidence and maturity.

In Tutorial sessions, we continue to focus on personal development and informed decision-making. Over recent weeks, students have been guided through the Year 10 subject selection process - an essential stepping stone toward their senior years. We have explored how Year 10 subjects scaffold the options available in Years 11 and 12, and how these choices influence post-school pathways, whether university, TAFE, apprenticeships, or direct entry into the workforce. I encourage you to have conversations at home about your child’s selections, interests, and strengths.

As part of our ongoing wellbeing education, students also participated in a session on vaping and substance awareness. With the increasing popularity of vaping among young people across Australia, it is vital that students understand not only the health risks but also the legal and social consequences. The session was practical and fact-based, aimed at dispelling myths and equipping students with the tools to make informed decisions. These conversations are most powerful when reinforced at home - thank you for continuing them.

With assessments ramping up across most subjects, the next few weeks are expected to be especially busy. If your child will be absent for more than three consecutive school days, please ensure you submit a Request for Extended Leave through the School’s official process, so we can support your child accordingly.

As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or would like to touch base, please do not hesitate to reach out.

This is a significant step in preparing for the senior years, and we look forward to all students finalising their SET Plans during Term 3. The goal is for all plans to be completed before students head off on their Outdoor Education Programme in Week 9. If you have any questions or concerns about the SET Plan or subject selection process, please get in touch.

As students begin looking ahead to Year 11, subject selection becomes a key decision shaping their academic journey and future pathways. Choosing subjects that align with personal strengths and interests not only enhances motivation and success but also helps students explore areas they’re passionate about. This passion can lead to meaningful goals and open opportunities in further study or future careers. The best outcomes come from finding a balance between enjoyment and ability.

Thank you for your continued support of the Outdoor Education Programme. As departure draws nearer, each group will attend a pre-trip information session to cover key details and answer any final questions. Thank you to those who attended the Infuse New Zealand, Tasmania, and China meetings recently, and to Mr Roediger for delivering a detailed session for our Whitsundays group. Students will be advised of their relevant session dates and venues, and reminders will be shared in the lead-up.

As always, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Each week in Form, a pair of Year 11 students leads a session on Gratitude, Empathy, or Mindfulness. It has been an encouraging start, with students rising to the challenge of guiding their peers in developing healthier habits. Families are encouraged to discuss these sessions at home and explore the tools students are learning to better understand themselves and the world around them.

Interviews for key student leadership opportunities are underway, with roles open on the Formal Committee and the Christmas/Valentine’s Committee. These positions allow students to contribute meaningfully to some of the year’s most memorable events. Committee Chairs will be announced later this term following ratification by the School’s Leadership Team. Please note that an interview does not guarantee a position.

In other exciting news, the Senior Jersey design has been finalised. Students can try on sample sizes at the Secondary School Office (SSO) to ensure the right fit. Orders and payments are due by Week 8 - do not miss out on this piece of senior year pride.

Looking ahead, Leadership Workshop Days are scheduled for 10 and 11 September. These workshops are designed to inspire, challenge, and equip our emerging leaders with the confidence and skills to lead with purpose. More information will be shared in the coming weeks.

This term is all about stepping forward, taking initiative, and embracing leadership opportunities. We look forward to seeing our students rise to the challenge. As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns.

Most will finish by the end of the week and shift their focus to preparing for mock and external examinations. As we enter the final study phase of Year 12, maintaining a healthy balance between study and other aspects of life is crucial. The following four tips from the SAE Creative Media Institute offer helpful guidance:

Get Scheduling - Plan for study, physical activity, mental health, and social time. Managing your time well, including time for enjoyment, helps keep stress levels down.

Switch Off - Scientists have found that downtime is essential to process the flood of daily information. Meditation works like a human on/off switch and provides a valuable mental break.

Get Out - Socialising is not just fun - it is vital for wellbeing. In a world dominated by screen time, real-world human connections are key to staying balanced and happy.

Work Smart - Focus on quality over quantity. Eliminate distractions and study in a way that best suits your learning style.

This term, Form sessions are focusing on life skills beyond school. Students are learning about rentals, bank accounts, and superannuation. A Basic Car Maintenance session, led by Mr Riley Hunt, is also underway, covering skills such as changing a tyre, understanding engine oil, and replacing windscreen wipers.

Students also attended a ‘Life After School’ presentation by Red Frogs Australia, a non-profit that supports young people in various settings including Schoolies, festivals, and universities. The programme aims to help students transition into adulthood with confidence.

During a recent Year Level Meeting, students received information about the upcoming mock exam block, including its purpose, the timetable, adjustments for timetable clashes, uniform requirements, boarding details, and absence procedures. Further details will be shared soon.

Key Dates – Semester 2:

100 Days Left Celebration - Tuesday 5 August

Mock Exam Block - Monday 8 to Friday 19 September

Leadership Colours Rehearsal - Thursday 23 October at 9:50 am

Headmaster’s Lunch - Wednesday 22 October at 12:30 pm

Mocktails - Thursday 23 October at 5:30 pm

Final Day of Classes - Friday 24 October

Leadership Colours and Induction Ceremony - Friday 24 October at 9:30 am

Honour Guard - Friday 24 October at 10:10 am

Curriculum Prep Days - Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 November

Final Day – Year 12 - Friday 21 November at 8:30 am (compulsory attendance)

Valedictory - Friday 21 November at 5:00 pm

Speech Day - Wednesday 26 November

External Exam Block - 27 October to 18 November (see QCAA website for timetable)

Guest Speakers:

Bolsover Health Presentations - Tuesday 12 and 19 August

Young Workers Hub - Tuesday 26 August (12:30 - 1:30 pm)

This week marks 100 days until graduation - a significant milestone. I wish all students success as they complete their final assessments and encourage everyone to support one another during this busy and exciting time.

This week we have finished setting up the Citizen Science Corner in the Library. Citizen Science is an initiative where people who aren’t qualified scientists can support local and global scientific exploration by submitting data to active projects which are searchable on the Australian Citizen Science Association website. This helps the scientists progress their research and it also benefits us as we take a moment or two to observe what is happening around us.

In Term 3, the Library is focusing on iNaturalist . Have you ever wondered what type of insect, or plant or animal you come across might be? The iNaturalist platform has experts in the field ready to help you identify your find. Many scientists who are researching a specific flora or fauna will scan iNaturalist for sightings.

We want to make this an RGS community activity and have registered our Library as the participant, so that students’ personal details are not shared. We would love students (and staff) to submit any photos of any flora and fauna species they find to [email protected] We will put these photos in a folder for students to upload into iNaturalist when they visit the library.

I write this section during Library and Information Week, where the theme is Literacy Matters. Citizen Science is a wonderful opportunity for students to build their science literacy skills and raise awareness of the environment and improve the lives and wellbeing of our young people. If you would like to read more about the benefits of Citizen Science in school libraries, you are welcome to read the chapter I wrote in a recent ebook open access publication at this link .

Dr Helen Weston

Athletics
Congratulations to the following students who placed in the top 4 in their events at the RDSS Athletics trials and qualified to participate at the Capricornia Trials:

Piper Neven - High Jump - 2nd
Grace Skilling - Discus - 2nd/ Shot Put - 2nd
Audrey Tincknell - High Jump - 1st
Taariq Wilson-Nandy - 100m - 2nd/ High Jump - 2nd
Harriet Appleton - 400m - 4th
Meila Canniffe - Shot Put - 4th
Sienna Caton - 100m - 3rd
Lila Darling - 400m - 1st/ Long Jump - 3rd
Grace Evans - 400m - 4th
Chelsey Hay - Javelin - 2nd
Harriet Jarvis - 400m - 4th
Mila Kronk - 100m - 1st/ Long Jump - 1st/ Triple Jump - 1st/ 400m - 3rd
Hollie Richmond - Javelin - 1st/ Discus - 2nd
Addalyn Werner - Triple Jump 2nd/ 400m - 3rd/ Shot Put - 4th

Ethan Asimba - 100m - 1st/ 200m - 1st
Benjamin Baillie - 800m - 1st/ 400m - 2nd
Thomas Baillie - 800m - 2nd/ Triple Jump - 2nd/ 400m - 4th
Archie Becker - 800m - 1st/ 1500m - 1st/ 3000m - 1st/ 400m - 3rd
Cameron Bell - Triple Jump - 2nd/ Long Jump - 4th
Charlie Crwother - Long Jump - 1st
Edward Dingle - 800m - 2nd/ 1500m - 2nd/ 3000m - 3rd
Will Everingham - Long Jump - 4th
Jake Gillard - Discus - 3rd
Benjamin Gribble - Shot Put - 1st
Joe Griffies - Shot Put - 3rd
Mason Large - Triple Jump - 2nd/ Long Jump - 2nd/ 10m - 4th
Mitchell Malcolm - 400m - 2nd
Brodie McCamley - Shot Put - 3rd/ Discus - 3rd/ Javelin - 3rd
Robert Muller - Shot Put - 4th
Ryan Newby - 400m - 1st/ 200m - 2nd/ 100m - 3rd
Brodie Purchell - High Jump - 1st/ Javelin - 3rd
Spencer Swaffer-Selff - Shot Put - 2nd/ 400m - 2nd/ 800m - 3rd/ 1500m - 3rd/ 100m - 4th
Hamish Wemmerslager - Triple Jump - 2nd/ Long Jump - 3rd/ 200m - 3rd
Harrison Zhao - High Jump - 1st/ Triple Jump - 3rd

Futsal
Well done to the RGS Junior and Senior boys teams that played in the FQ Cap central Regional Futsal titles at CQUniversity on 24 July. While the boys didn't make the finals they played some impressive futsal and were unfortunate not to progress further.

Netball
Congratulations to RGS Storm on winning their U16 years division at the Gay Fraser Cup in Biloela on 27 July. RGS was represented by teams from both the Secondary and Primary school.

Good luck to RGS teams competing in the Capricorn Coast Junior Cup carnival at Yeppoon this Saturday and Sunday.

Rugby League
Congratulations to tall three RGS rugby league teams on qualifying for the Dolphins Cup, Dolphins Schoolgirls Cup and Dolphins Challenge semi- finals.

In the Challenge semi-finals at Rugby Park tomorrow (Tuesday), RGS play St Brendan's College at 4:30 pm.

The Schoolboys Cup and Schoolgirls Cup semi-finals are at Rugby Park on Tuesday 12 August. The Schoolgirls game between RGS and Emmaus College kicks off at 4:30 pm while the Schoolboys Cup game between RGS and TCC kicks off at 5:40 pm.

Rugby Union
RGS fielded six teams at the Western 7s carnival in Emerald on Saturday and Sunday. Congratulations to the RGS Open Boys and U16 Boys on winning their respective divisions.

Show Cattle
Good luck to the RGS students representing the School at this week's Ekka in Brisbane.

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)

Athletics
Harriet Appleton, Ethan Asimba, Benjamin Baillie, Thomas Baillie, Archie Becker, Cameron Bell, Meila Canniffe, Sienna Caton, Charlie Crowther, Lila Darling, Edward Dingle, Grace Evans, Will Everingham, Jake Gillard, Benjamin Gribble, Joseph Griffies, Chelsey Hay, Harriet Jarvis, Mila Kronk, Mason Large, Mitchell Malcolm, Brody McCamley, Robert Muller, Piper Neven, Ryan Newby, Brady Purcell, Hollie Richmond, Grace Skilling, Spencer Swaffer Selff, Audrey Tincknell, Hamish Wemmerslager, Addalyn Werner, Taariq Wilson-Nandy, Harrison Zhao.