Hello Families

Welcome back, everyone. I hope the break was a chance for you to spend some quality time with your children and recharge as we begin Semester Two. This week is a short one as we ease back into the school routine. A reminder that Thursday is a student-free day for staff to come together and continue working within the curriculum space, ensuring we are well across all the latest developments in the Australian Curriculum. Friday is the Cairns Show public holiday, so for any families taking the opportunity for an extended weekend away, please travel safely we look forward to seeing everyone back for a full week on Monday.

As always, the second half of the year tends to move quickly, and it’s important that we keep our strong momentum going. I genuinely feel that we’ve had a positive and productive start to 2025. One clear indicator of this is the significant reduction in student behaviour incidents, which are notably down from this time last year and even more so compared to 2023.

Our whole-school commitment to living out our four core values of Respect, Love, Mercy, and Community and more importantly, to teaching and reinforcing the expectations embedded within those values, is having a measurable impact. While no school is perfect, and we still face challenges, the consistency from staff, and the strong partnership we have with you all, is making a difference. I want to thank you all for continuing to support us when we contact you about your child’s behaviour. Working together creates far better outcomes for our students, and your support is more appreciated than you know, having your child own their behaviour and not make excuses for them will assist them to have accountability as they travel through life.

We continue to work closely with Cairns Regional Council to improve the Stop, Drop and Go zone on Balaclava Road, which remains a source of frustration for some. You may have noticed new single solid line markings from the Mulgrave Road intersection to the pedestrian crossing, U-turns are now illegal in this section. In addition, “Keep Clear” markings have been added at the Mestrez Street intersection to allow safer entry and exit.

I plead with all parents and carers to abide by these new traffic changes, not just to avoid fines, but because the safety of your children is at stake. A few extra seconds of patience might be all it takes to prevent a tragedy.

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

As we journey through Term 3, I look forward to seeing you around the school whether it’s at the Mestrez Street gate or the Balaclava Road entrance. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or just want to chat.