by Matt | Apr 26, 2022 | UN Youth Conference
My name is Molly Gysberts and I’m a year 11 student. Last Saturday, the 23rd of April I attended the annual Townsville United Nations Youth Conference at James Cook University.
This year the two-day conference was centred around the topic of security. All delegates were challenged and asked what they thought security was and how we can then implement this into society.
On day one students were split into various workshop groups and participated in activities. Each session was focused on different areas of security:
– What is security on an international and national level?
– Climate security
– International warfare and weaponisation of nations in relation to wealth
– Crisis point of climate action
Day two was a mock UN debate with each student allocated a certain country. I was Ghana. Each debate was centred around security and how your country could achieve this when approached in different scenarios.
Molly Gysberts, Year 11
For more information on UN Youth visit https://unyouth.org.au/
by Matt | Mar 29, 2022 | Digital Wellbeing
Dr Kristy Goodwin – one of Australia’s leading digital wellbeing researchers, speakers, authors, and media commentators – visited The Cathedral School in March to deliver digital wellbeing seminars to all sections of our school community.
The four sessions were curated for different age groups from Years 5 upwards, teachers, and parents:
Years 5 – 9 Seminar “Thrive Online”
Years 10 – 12 Seminar “Attention Please”
Staff Seminar “Teaching the iGen”
Parent Seminar – Kids, Teens, and Screens
For those that missed the event, the ‘Kids, Teens, and Screens’ recording will be available for parents of Cathedral students via an online link.
Kids, Teens, and Screens
Dr. Kristy helps confused and concerned parents feel confident about how they can best support their children’s and teens’ physical health, mental well-being and learning online, without proposing ‘digital amputation’, banning the gaming console or iPad. Kristy explores:
• Why children and teens are susceptible to potential pitfalls online given their brain development
• Why the online world is appealing to children and adolescents (there’s a science to explain their digital infatuation and ‘techno-tantrums’)
• A simple & realistic formula to determine healthy screentime limits for children and teens
• The 5 vital digital boundaries parents must establish to ensure their children and teens develop healthy digital behaviours
• The current risks facing kids and teens in the online world and simple solutions to mitigate these
• Why digital disconnection is critical for your child’s physical health and mental wellbeing.
To find out more, visit https://drkristygoodwin.com/
‘Kids, Teens & Screens’ Parent Session – Password Access to Parents via emailed link.
by Matt | Feb 4, 2022 | MTB Academy, Sports
Welcome, Nick Verhoeven.
The Cathedral School is proud to welcome Mr. Nick Verhoeven as the new Mountain Bike Academy Coordinator.
Head of Junior School, Mr. Luke Baills highlighted Nick’s enthusiasm for the sport and strong organisation skills as key factors of his appointment “Nick is passionate for the sport of mountain biking and is a highly organised and connected member of the North Queensland community. We are excited to support Nick as he builds on the outstanding work of Charlize Penny, Jesse Smith, and Tom Hollis (founding students of the MTB Academy in 2020)”.
Nick also has a connection with the school through his daughter Alyssa who is currently studying Year 12 at Cathedral.
“A little about me… I am married and the father of three children, Alyssa, and twins Shannon and Jordan.” Nick said. “I was originally involved in Athletics, represented Australia at the 1990 Oceania Games in Fiji and spent some time at Penn State University in the USA. Following a few injuries, I took up riding, specifically Mountain biking due to it being more nature based and allowing for exploration on dirt roads and trails. I generally compete in Mountain Bike races over 70km in length across the country and ride a Single-Speed, ie No Gears.”
Locals may also know of Nick via his involvement with Townsville financial business Hallerwealth over the past 21 years. “After a long career in the Finance Industry, I was looking for a change in lifestyle and a position I could bring my passion for riding, being active, and enjoying the outdoors. I had originally planned to take six months off and plan for the next challenge, but after only two months, this incredible opportunity arrived. The fact this position became available at an amazing school was just a bonus.” said Nick. “The reason I love Mountain biking is that it allows an outlet to the crazy, busy, and stressful life we all live in. Riding is my meditation and allows me to forget about work, deadlines, everything that is happening in the world, and just focus on the trail whilst enjoying the outdoors and all it offers.”
“My aim for the Academy is to allow an avenue for all students to get involved in an activity that is not only fun and healthy but can literally take you places, either riding to school or the shops, riding for pleasure, or getting involved in races locally or other locations in Australia, or around the world. Mountain Biking is a Commonwealth and Olympic sport so the opportunities are endless!”
Pictured: Nick competing at the Mackay Mountain Marathon.
“My aim for the Academy is to allow an avenue for all students to get involved in an activity that is not only fun and healthy but can literally take you places, either riding to school or the shops, riding for pleasure, or getting involved in races locally or other locations in Australia, or around the world. Mountain Biking is a Commonwealth and Olympic sport so the opportunities are endless!”
The MTB Academy is open to all students Prep to Year 12. All you need is a can-do attitude, a bike (any bicycle), helmet and a smile. If you don’t have a bike or helmet, Cycle de Vie can give you all the help you need with 1% of all sales coming back to the Academy.
Pictured: Nick working hard all the way to finish the 2020 Paluma Push.
by Matt | Jan 14, 2022 | NEWS
Key dates and links for the commencement of Term 1.
A letter from Principal Ian Gamack has been emailed to all parents & caregivers, please refer to the letter for a full explanation of the updated requirements for the beginning of the school year.
Parents involved in essential work will be required to register their children for the first two weeks of school if they will be attending school during that time. This will allow the school to organise appropriate supervision for their first week at school and give our teaching staff time to prepare for the online delivery of their Term 1 work in Week 2 (as per the dates below). We understand that this will be quite unusual for new families entering the school, but Heads of School, Tutors, and Classroom Teachers will be communicating with students and families in the first two weeks.
Registration of your child/ren to attend school in the first two weeks needs to be done through the following TryBooking links by Friday 21 January:
Kindergarten
Junior School
Middle School
Senior School
As stated above, Teaching Staff will be preparing carefully for online learning in Week 1 of term and those students who are at school will be working on alternative programs. These programs will be educational in nature, but Term 1 work will not commence until Week 2 on the dates listed below.
OSHC will be operating as normal during this time.
Important New Dates for the Commencement of School:
- 25, 27, 28 & 31 January – Registered students of essential workers may attend school and be supervised for the school day.
- Monday 31 January – Boarders Travel Day. Boarders are welcome to return over the weekend of 29 & 30 January also.
Online learning of Term 1 work will commence for our Year 11 and 12 students.
- Tuesday 1 February – Online learning of Term 1 work will commence for Prep to Year 10 students.
Setting Up Your Devices:
Given that online learning requires student access to eCat, it will be necessary for all students to have access to a computer for at least a part of each day. Set up details are:
- For Junior School families, Mr. Baills will send information to parents regarding their login and teachers will inform parents of their children’s online programs.
- For new students in Years 7 to 12 and continuing students who might want assistance with the setup of a new device, BYOD sessions will run as per the end of year mailout. All BYOD sessions will run in Room Q15.
- New boarding students will have their BYOD sessions on 31 January between 10.30am and 12.30pm in Room Q15.
Photo Days
The photo days will now be as follows:
- Wednesday 16 February
– Senior School Photo (Formal Uniform)
- Thursday 17 February
– Early Years Staff Photo 7.00am
– Teaching Staff Photo 8.00am
– Early Years Photo
– Middle School Photo (Formal Uniform)
- Friday 18 February
– Kindy to Year 6 Photo Day (Kindy Blue Sports Uniform, Prep to Year 3 Check Uniform, Year 4 to Year 6 Formal Uniform)
Parents and Friends’ Association Second-Hand Uniform Store
The P & F Second Hand Uniform Store will be open next week in St Mary’s at the following times:
- Monday 17 January – 9.00am to 11.30am
- Tuesday 18 January – 9.00am to 11.30am
- Wednesday 19 January – 2.00pm to 4.30pm
- Thursday 20 January – 9.00am to 11.30am
- Friday 21 January – 9.00am to 11.30am
Because of the small area of St Mary’s there will only be two families able to enter at any time. We ask that you be as quick as possible with your purchases so that wait times for others are kept to a minimum. There will be marquees, chairs, and water set up at the front of St Mary’s. Please sign in with the QR Code displayed. Please note that sports shorts and formal hats are in short supply at the P & F Second Hand Uniform Store.
Masks at School
- All parents, students and visitors 12 years old and over must wear a mask if indoors.
- You do not need to wear a mask outdoors if you can remain 1.5 metres away from others that are not members of your household.
- Students under 12 years and people affected by a medical condition or disability do not lawfully have to wear a face mask but are able to if they wish.
P & F Welcome Back BBQ
- The P & F Welcome Back BBQ that was going to be held on Friday 4 February will now be held at a later date to be advised.
Music Rehearsal Day
- The music rehearsal day in the calendar for 24 January will now occur on 28 January from 8.30am to 3.00pm.
While usual proceedings are not possible for our 2022 start, we are very much looking forward to the year ahead.
A sincere thank you to all parents for your support and assistance during the first two weeks of Term 1.
by Matt | Nov 29, 2021 | ICT, STEM
The Cathedral School has officially signed with the ACS ‘Gateway to Industry Schools Program’ for 2022. This is an exciting opportunity to help support our students, parents and staff with support for work pathways for students and professional development for staff and students. GISP is an initiative from the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT) and ACS.
ACS is the professional association representing the ICT sector and profession in Australia. As highlighted by ACS, the aims of ICT GISP are to:
• Promote the ICT Industry to students and parents as an outstanding career choice
• Raise awareness of the hundreds of different and interesting ICT roles within this career choice
• Highlight the different study and training pathways to enable students to prepare for an ICT career
• Connect schools and students with ICT Industry Partners to provide industry experience
• Provide ICT GISP schools with access to teacher training and resources
‘A career in ICT can cater for all types of academic, personal and professional passions. The emerging technologies of the 4th Industrial Revolution, such as 3D printing, Virtual and Augmented Realities, Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, and Robotics promise more possibilities for a career in technology. The most in-demand skillsets from tech employers are communication, Problem-Solving, and Collaboration. There is a career for everyone in the tech world, and it can be flexible, creative, fun, and well-paid.’
– GISP Project Manager, Matthew Jorgensen.
The partnership places The Cathedral School at the forefront of ICT-based P-12 education in North QLD and compliments the development of the school’s new ICT Leadership role headed by Ben Dallimore in 2022. The school is also in the final planning stages before undergoing significant structural developments on campus, featuring a dedicated STEM/ICT educational wing. The wing is scheduled for completion mid-2022.
The agreement was signed by Principal Ian Gamack and GISP Project Manager Matthew Jorgensen, with Industry Partner/Head of Smart Precinct NQ, Miranda Mears. Pictured L-R: Andrew Arratoon – Director of Studies, Katrina Wilshire – Pathways Manager & Careers Advisor, Ian Gamack – Principal, Miranda Mears – Head of Smart Precinct NQ, Ben Dallimore – Director of ICT (beginning 2022), and, Matthew Jorgensen – GISP Project Manager.
Find out more about the program here
by Matt | Nov 16, 2021 | Graduates, NEWS, University, Year 12
As the Year 12s complete their final exams and enter their last week of secondary school, the students begin to reflect on their time at Cathedral and imagine a future quite different to what they have known for the past 13 years.
Most will have a good idea of what they plan to pursue, whether it’s further education, training, employment, or maybe a gap year. For those that don’t, it’s comforting to know that statistics suggest the future is promising.
Year 12 Completers Survey
Each year the Department of Education (QLD Government) conducts a survey, approximately six months after the students complete Year 12. The Year 12 Completers Survey explores post-school destinations covering Education/Training and Employment. The results from The Cathedral School Year 12s of 2019 place the school above average on a State level when it comes to post-school engagement.
How does The Cathedral School compare?
2019 Post-School Destinations (The Cathedral School)
Main Destination for The Cathedral School graduates in 2021
