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Brendon Napier
Principal
Dear Parents/Carers,
As we enter Week 9, the energy and spirit of our school community remains strong. With the end of term approaching, we continue to focus on meaningful learning, shared experiences, and living out our values. This fortnight brings exciting opportunities to come together, celebrate our Mercy charism, and support those in need through our upcoming Mercy Works fundraiser.
Diocesan Synod – Plenary Meeting
Pentecost Sunday marked the beginning of our Diocesan Synod journey here in Cairns—a deeply meaningful start, as we celebrated the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, Mary, and the early Church. Since Pentecost, Synod members have been discerning the path ahead, guided by the Holy Spirit as we consider the future of our diocese and its parishes. Bishop Joe Caddy’s commitment to the “synodal way” encourages us all to embrace a spirit of respectful listening and shared responsibility in shaping our Church’s mission.
This past weekend, the Synod’s first Plenary Meeting took place at Brothers Leagues Club, marking a significant step forward. I was privileged to participate as a table facilitator during this important occasion, joining others in listening, dialogue, and prayerful reflection. It is an exciting time for our diocesan community as we continue this journey together toward the establishment of our Diocesan Pastoral Council.
Trinity Sunday
Last Sunday, we celebrated Trinity Sunday—an important feast in our Church calendar that honours the mystery of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Trinity reminds us that God is a communion of love, inviting us into relationship with God and with one another. As a school community, we reflect on how we are called to live in unity, showing love, respect, and compassion in all that we do, just as the three Persons of the Trinity live in perfect harmony.
Year 6 Mercy Works
On Friday 27th June, our final day of term, the Year 6 students will lead our Mercy Works fundraiser. Mercy Works is the development arm of the Sisters of Mercy in Australia and Papua New Guinea, supporting vulnerable communities locally and across the Asia Pacific by promoting capacity, dignity, and self-reliance.
You can support Our Lady Help of Christians learners in this worthy cause by sending them with a gold or silver coin ($2–$5 max) to take part in the games and activities organised by our Year 6 students. More details will be shared by the Year 6 team in the coming weeks. We look forward to this fun community event in support of Mercy Works.
— WORD FOR THE DAY —
Gratefulness is not a feeling; it’s a practice.
Rabbi Shefa Gold
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. Wishing everyone a joyful and productive fortnight as we journey together in faith, learning, and community.
Blessings,
Toni Foley
Assistant Principal - Religious Education
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we approach the end of Term 2, I’d like to take a moment to share some important updates and thank you for your continued support and engagement in our school community again this term.
The Learning Dashboard
We’ve had some great questions from families about the new reporting platform The Learning Dashboard (TLD), and we appreciate your curiosity and involvement during our parent information sessions during Week 7.
For those that couldn’t make the sessions, some questions were raised, particularly around the old reporting platform SRS and the rollover of student reporting data to TLD. To ensure we are answering your questions correctly, we took the questions to the Data and Analytics team who are rolling out TLD across the diocese. Please see the responses below.
Q: When viewing a child’s previous SRS results in the My Learning Plan page on TLD, will other subject areas come across or just the four currently showing; English, Mathematics, Religion and Science?
A: Only the four key subject areas will be transferred over to TLD.
Q: Is there any way of having previous comments from SRS come across to TLD in the My Learning Plan?
A: No, at this stage it is only academic marks for the four key subjects that will be available on the My Learning Plan.
Q: Are parents still able to access SRS and print off previous report cards if they have not done so?
A: No, the SRS platform is no longer available.
Q: Can you access SRS data more than two years old? Usually after two years the SRS reports are archived.
A: No, after two years the data is archived.
As part of our school’s record-keeping processes, all previous SRS reports are securely stored in our digital system. Should you require a copy of your child’s past reports, we are more than happy to provide this via email upon request.
In Term 3, families will receive an EdSmart slip inviting expressions of interest for accessing these archived reports. This will help us streamline the process and ensure timely delivery to those who require them.
Cohort Data
One of the key features we’re excited to highlight is the inclusion of cohort data on your child’s report. This means you’ll be able to see how your child is progressing in comparison to the broader year level cohort—which includes all three classes in your child’s year level. This context can help provide a clearer picture of your child’s learning journey and growth.
Please see the visuals below for examples of what the cohort data will look like on TLD. Under each learning area your child receives an academic judgement for, their judgement will be highlighted on the five-point scale.
The five-point scale for Prep-Year 2 uses the language shown below from Well Above to Well below. Whereas the five-point scale for Years 3-6 is A-E.
EALD reports
For families whose children have been in Australia for less than 12 months, your child’s school report will look a little different this semester.
After careful consultation with school leadership and guidance from education consultants at the Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns, we will provide you with a document additional to the TLD report. This document will show the learning your child has completed, based on the learning progressions in the Australian Curriculum.
This approach helps us better reflect your child’s progress and learning journey while they are still settling into a new language and education system.
Just a reminder, TLD reports will go live on Thursday June 26. If you have any problems accessing TLD via the parent portal or the MyCE app, we recommend logging out completely and logging in again before contacting the front office.
Satisfaction Survey
A heartfelt thank you to all families who took the time to complete the recent Satisfaction Survey. Your feedback is incredibly important to us. The results will be shared with the school leadership team shortly and will play a key role in helping us identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement as we plan for the future. We truly value your voice in shaping our school’s direction.
Prep to Year 3 Athletics Day
We’re excited to invite families to join us for our Prep to Year 3 Athletics Days:
Prep and Year 1: Tuesday, June 24
Year 2 and Year 3: Thursday, June 26
These events are a wonderful opportunity to support our young athletes and celebrate their enthusiasm and effort. During the morning tea break, we warmly invite families to enjoy a picnic lunch with their children. The oval areas will be open for families to set up and relax together.
If you have children in other year levels, they are welcome to join you for the picnic during this time, should they wish to do so.
Please note: If your child is ordering tuckshop on these days, they will still be required to collect their lunch and eat in their usual designated areas.
We look forward to seeing many of you there and sharing in the fun and community spirit of the day!
As this is the final newsletter for the term, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for your continued support and commitment to your child’s learning. I wish all students and families a safe, restful, and enjoyable holiday break, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for Term 3.
Karina Brady
Assistant Principal - Administration
Lauren Blenkinsop
Finance Officer
Things that have happened:
Interschool Chess Tournament
24 students, 8 for the first time, were among the 506 FNQ students who participated in the Term 2 Interschool tournament on June 5th. It was a great day with some pleasing results:
OLHOC 1 - Premier 4th (8 teams)
Finn, Charlie, Lucas & Logan
OLHOC 2 - A Grade 7th (11 teams)
Malcolm, Zavier, Taichi, Avery
OLHOC 3 -B Grade 9th (16 teams)
Lynn, Hannah, Tina, Willow
OLHOC 4 - C Grade 8th (24 teams)
Akain, Dylan, Patrick, Rory
OLHOC 5 - D Grade 3rd (23 teams)
Johnathan, Aiden, Max, Oliver
OLHOC 6 - D Grade 9th (23 teams)
Xavier, Luke, Tenasi, Cindy
Special congratulations to Aiden for achieving 1st place in D Grade with a score of 6.5/7. A fantastic result for his first tournament.
Readers Cup
Year 6 students, Ruby, Alice, Dylan & Jayveer participated in the FNQ Readers Cup event on 12th June with 40 other schools. Reading five books in ten weeks and being able to answer detailed questions was quite a challenge, so our team should be proud of their efforts which resulted in 25th place!
IEU Literary Competition
Five students from Enrichment Writing (Year 5 & 6) managed to complete an entry into this competition. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time for any narrative entries to be completed.
Arcade games are fun to play
Pew! Pew! Pew! you hear all day
When it's time to say goodbye
You’ll want to ask for one more try
“No” and “go” is all you hear
But all you want is to just stay here
Having fun is all you need
But as much as you try to beg and plead
You’ll know you have to finally leave.
By Finn R
The Moon
A bright shimmering stone, of wonder, and light.
Lighting everywhere whenever it is dark.
From colours white to blue
It can even change to red.
The moon's face is round yet flat,
at most seen,
sometimes all black.
The moon is larger than the largest sea…
But it can hide behind a tree.
You may not see the moon in the day,
But it never really goes away.
The moon.
By Lynn
The Library
The library is filled with marvellous books
Where people read in its little nooks
It is a quiet space to stay
While children come to quietly play
The clatter of chess pieces fills the air
Then the librarian starts to stare
“Boys and girls come here to borrow
I hope to see you back tomorrow”
By Abigail
Friends
Friends will always be there for you
During the hard times and the good,
And even on the darkest days
They always make you laugh and giggle
To make it seem brighter
Even if the problem hasn’t gone away
Friends will always be there for you
Most till the day you die
And even in the toughest times
You’ll always find a way out
With the help of a friend
Who’s always by your side.
Friends will always be there for you
Although you may get in arguments
They won’t last long
Because when they’re by your side
The bond you share
Will always last for a lifetime
Friends will always be there for you
They’re like sunshine after rain
Like warm blankets on cold days
Like the way music makes everything okay
There's nothing like a friend who understands you
Who knows your favourite colour
Or your favourite snack
Who listens when you talk about random stuff
And still cares, no matter what
Friends will always be there for you
They’re like stars in the sky
You might not always see them
But you always know they’re there
Friendships can last for a lifetime
The good times may never
And even when you’ve grown up
You’ll still remember they’re your best friend
Sometimes friends come when you least expect it
You might be feeling alone
But then someone shows up
And suddenly makes everything feel a little bit easier
They don’t have to be perfect
They just have to be real
The kind of friend who stays
Even when things get hard
Friends will always be there for you
Not just for a moment
But for all the moments that really matter
And that’s something
You’ll never forget
Forever and ever
By Ruby A
The Green Tree
In the heart of a quiet field,
Where golden light and silence yield,
There stands a tree of emerald hue,
Bathed in breath of morning dew.
Sturdy oak with branches wide,
Standing tall with timeless pride.
Roots run deep beneath the Earth,
Ancient symbols of rebirth.
In the field’s deep embrace,
Leaves whisper secrets with grace.
Branches sway in gentle breeze,
Nature's song among the trees.
Leaves rustle, soft and bright,
Catch the breeze and dance with light.
Each branch, a story stretching wide,
A home where birds and dreams abide.
A witness to the seasons’ flow,
To summer’s blaze and winter’s snow.
To autumn’s gold and springtime’s birth,
It guards the rhythm of the Earth.
Children play beneath its shade,
Lovers rest while dreams are laid.
The sun goes down behind the hill
The green tree watches, wise and still.
So if you pass it on your way,
Take a breath and gently stay.
For in its calm, you might see,
A piece of peace, in one green tree.
By Avery
Things still to come:
IEU Art Design Awards
Theme: FRIENDS
If your child has an artistic talent and would like to prepare a piece of artwork at home, Mrs Williams will submit it into this competition. Due date is 18th July.
- Each entry must be that of an individual (no joint work) and the original work of the entrant.
- Name of the artist must NOT be visible on the piece of artwork.
- Artwork must be in keeping with the theme.
- Artworks may be painted, drawn, collage work or photographic work and must be suitable for exhibition purposes. Sculptures are not permitted.
- Artwork must be easily transportable by post but no larger than 60cm x 100cm. Sizes A4, A3, A2, A1 are acceptable.
A number of students have already registered to participate in these assessments which are designed for students wishing to extend themselves academically.
They are available for students in Years 3-6 and will be conducted in Weeks 4-7 of Term 3 as indicated below. Exact dates and times will be determined once we know how many students have registered. The cost per test is $20.95 including GST.
ICAS Digital Technologies (Week 4) 4 Aug –8 Aug 2025
ICAS English (Week 5) 11 Aug – 15 Aug 2025
ICAS Science (Week 6) 18 Aug – 22 Aug 2025
ICAS Spelling Bee (Week 6) 18 Aug – 22 Aug 2025
ICAS Mathematics (Week 7) 25 Aug – 29 Aug 2025
Please indicate your interest in purchasing one or more of these assessments by emailing Mrs Williams (awilliams2@cns.catholic.edu.au) and she will provide you with further information for accessing the Parent Payment System. Closing date is 28th July.
The Opti-MINDS Creative Sustainability Challenge is a creative problem solving event for students from Years 3-6 which EMPOWERS them to THINK, CREATE & COMMUNICATE.
They are required to solve open-ended Challenges from one of the following categories:
| Language Literature | Media Communication | Science Engineering | Social Sciences |
The Opti-MINDS Challenge is an opportunity for all those with a passion for learning & problem solving to showcase their skills & talents in an exciting, vibrant & public way.
THE CHALLENGE…
- Teams are required to work together on a Long Term Challenge for up to six weeks without assistance from anyone outside the team. Participants are encouraged to explore possibilities & experiment with ideas as they endeavour to produce their best possible solution.
- They develop creative & original ways to communicate this solution to others, working within predefined parameters such as limited materials, complex Challenge criteria & the deadlines of The Challenge Day.
- Students present the product of their ideas – their Challenge solution – to a panel of judges & an audience on Challenge Day. They have 10 minutes in which to present & must do so in a 3 x 3 metre performance area.
- The teams must also participate in an unseen Spontaneous Challenge on Opti-MINDS Day. This Challenge requires rapid interchange of ideas, the ability to think effectively, creatively, & well-developed group cooperation skills.
Opti-MINDS will commence on Monday 14th July and conclude with the Challenge presentation at JCU on Sunday, 31st August. Students in Years 3-6 who wish to participate or would like to know more, should register their interest by completing the google form. Students do not need to commit until they have seen the challenges in Week 1, Term 3.
Please contact Mrs Williams if you are unable to access the google form or would like any further information.
Alison Williams
Enrichment Teacher
Library News
Jill Watson and Paula Tindall
Borrowing Days
Please ensure your child brings their library bag and returns ALL borrowed books at their weekly session.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| Year 3 | Year 6 | Year 5 | Prep | 4O |
| 4E | Year 1 | Year 2 | 4L |
Overdue Books
Several emails have been sent to many of our families requesting the return of overdue library books. The library would appreciate your urgent attention to this matter.
If you receive an overdue list, please take the time to search all the great book hiding places at home. Any library books not returned will be added to the school fees next term.
Please don’t hesitate to contact the library staff if you have any queries.
The Cassowary Cup
It has been fantastic to watch our display grow over the last couple of weeks. Around 143 students have completed their first sheet which means we have read over 2 860 books since the challenge began. What an amazing result!
Students have until Friday 27th June to read and record as many books as possible.
The requirements are as follows:
- Prep to Year 3 should read (or listen to) at least 20 books,
- Years 4, 5 & 6 should read (or listen to) at least 5 compulsory genres and 15 novels.
Holiday Fun at Cairns Libraries
Looking for something to do during the holidays? The Cairns Libraries are running exciting school holiday programs. To find out more click on the link - School Holidays - Cairns Library
Important Library Dates
These are some important whole school library dates and celebrations coming up for the remainder of this year. We will release more information about each activity closer to the date.
|
Term |
Activity |
|
3 |
● Cassowary Cup Challenge Certificates/Prizes Assembly ● NAIDOC Week ● Wk 7 Book Week (includes dress up and parade) |
|
4 |
● Wk 4 Book Fair |
Happy Reading,
The Library Team:
Paula Tindall and Jill Watson
OLHOC Backpacks are now for sale in the office for $75 each.
No pre-order required.
Stock Available now.
Congratulations to all the students in years 4-6 who took part in their Athletics day last week at Barlow Park. The students did a great job and should be very proud of their efforts after working hard in PE class on the various athletic events.
A big congratulations to the McAuley (Blue) House for winning the event! Below is how the different houses went.
1st McAuley – 1426 points
2nd McSweeny – 1115 points
3rd Mckenna – 781 points
4th Mackillop – 690 points 
Mr Peter Henson
Sports Coordinator
Dear parents and carers,
The MyCE app will now be our main way of communicating with parents. If you have more than one student attending at different catholic schools, you will be able to see all of them on the one app, instead of accessing the different school portals.
Things that will be able to be seen/accessed on MyCE:
- School Reports
- Edsmart slips
- Advising of absences
- Access to newsletters
- School Calender, etc
If you require any assistance with the MyCE App, please contact the office.
| Date: | Thursday August 14th, 2025 (Term 3 week 5) |
| Time: | 8:30am-2:30pm (Parents to arrive at 2:00pm for a presentation of all the ensembles) |
| Location: | St Mary's Catholic College, Woree, in the Hugh O'Brien Centre (HOB) |
