Ms. Ryan recently challenged Class 3T with a STEM project. The task was to build different structures using only cups, sticks, and cubes. The students successfully managed to problem-solve and work together as a team.
By Luke Abdy, Year 9
Media Crew
Gus and Vanessa were unable to return to their home in Papua New Guinea for any of the school holidays in 2020, instead they stayed in North Queensland. The two returned to boarding at the beginning of Term 1 in 2020. Vanessa recalled being extremely happy as she would be getting her own room and Gus equally as happy as he could see his friends again.
Since then the Tame kids haven’t returned to their home, staying in Australia as a result of the border closures. In a recent interview Gus and Vanessa said that they kept themselves pretty busy exploring outback North Queensland over the holidays staying with their aunty in Townsville, and friends from boarding on two occasions.
In the Term 1 holidays Vanessa and Gus spent the holidays living with their auntie, who lives in Townsville. Gus said that most days they would go to The Strand or Riverway which kept them pretty busy. In Term 2 Vanessa was offered to go home with one of her friends from boarding – Jessica Whitehead. The Whiteheads have a property out of Winton (Mentone Station) where Vanessa spent the entirety of her Term 2 holidays.
While at Mentone, Vanessa said she got to take part in many station activities such as branding a calf, learning how to drive a car and visiting Winton. Gus joined Vanessa at the station for the final weeks of the Christmas holidays. Gus said that he enjoyed having a station life experience and he got to go swimming in the dam, kayaking, driving a car and buggy, and going on bore runs with Jess’s brother Nathan. In the interview the two reflected on how boarding school has helped them grow as individuals.
Vanessa and Gus said that by being in the dormitories they have learnt many life-lessons such as – how to save money, responsibility and the value of respect. Gus and Vanessa said they are excited to return to the schooling year and also hope to return home soon.
Interview & Content By Luke Abdy
Year 9, Media Crew.
BOARDING CAPTAIN - YEAR 12
House:
MORE
Home:
MALAYSIA
What does being a boarding captain mean to you?
Being a boarding captain means that I get to take responsibility and as it is my first position of leadership and it really zooms in on my leadership skills.
Why did you want to be a boarding captain?
Because I felt that it was an opportunity to really put myself out of my comfort zones and improves my communication skills.
BOARDING CAPTAIN - YEAR 12
House:
LANGTON
Home:
CLERMONT
What does being a boarding captain mean to you?
To me, being a boarding captain means that you are a role model to the other boarders and that you are somebody that others look up to.
Why did you want to be a boarding captain?
I have a strong memory of the boarding captains in my first year of boarding, and how they were always there for me. I wanted to do the same when I became a boarding captain.
BOARDING CAPTAIN - YEAR 12
House:
LANGTON
Home:
NORMANTON
What does being a boarding captain mean to you?
Being a boarding captain means that I can help the younger kids settle in and get to know them more.
Why did you want to be a boarding captain?
Well, when I was younger, I always looked up to the boarding captains and strived to be like them.
BOARDING CAPTAIN - YEAR 12
House:
BEDE
Home:
BELLFIELD STATION, RICHMOND
What does being a boarding captain mean to you?
It means that I get respect from the younger boarders and get to be someone who is a mature person. It’s is a role I am really looking forward to.
Why did you want to be a boarding captain?
I like being able to go around and meet the new borders and learn more about the current boarders as well as helping Mark in the dormitories.
BOARDING CAPTAIN - YEAR 12
House:
CHATHAM
Home:
TULLY
What does being a boarding captain mean to you?
I guess it’s a great privilege and I am looking forward to showing the values of being a boarder at Cathedral.
Why did you want to be a boarding captain?
When I first started boarding, I always admired the boarding captains and how they made my experience as a boarder as good as it could be. I hope that with the help of the other boarding captains I want to do the same for every boarder who walks through the front gate.
BOARDING CAPTAIN - YEAR 12
House:
LANGTON
Home:
GREENVALE
What does being a boarding captain mean to you?
I guess it means that I get to set an example for the younger boarders will follow, so the role is really important to me.
Why did you want to be a boarding captain?
I always looked up to the boarding captains including my sister who was one last year. Is I try to embody the values that they showed and the example they set.
BOARDING CAPTAIN - YEAR 12
House:
MORE
Home:
MOUNT FOX STATION, INGHAM
What does being a boarding captain mean to you?
It means that I am given the opportunity to look after the younger boarders.
Why did you want to be a boarding captain?
In my first year of boarding, I was really homesick and the boarding captains helped me overcome this. Since then, I have wanted to do the same.
The ‘Business Educators Association QLD’ (BEAQ)’ forum has been delivered online this year due to the pandemic – an event that would normally be hosted by the QUT School of Accountancy in Brisbane. We asked Ms Vanessa Hilleard and some of the participating students about the importance of Accounting in school and in business, and what they hoped to get out of the online event.
Is this the first time The Cathedral School has participated in this seminar?
Ms. Hilleard: Yes this is the first time we have participated, and it is the first time they have hosted it on-line.
What are the primary objectives you aim to achieve with today’s event?
Ms. Hilleard: To expose the students to life after school and in the real world. Also, the places Accounting and Business can take them.
Can you give us a brief overview of your own industry experience?
Ms. Hilleard: After completing my Commerce degree directly from high school, I went into the graduate program for the Queensland Audit Office in Brisbane. I worked as a graduate auditor for a few years before choosing to return to study Secondary Education, as auditing was a little too impersonal for me. Since moving into education I have owned my own business which I sold at the end of 2018.
Can you offer some words of advice to your students/readers, based on your experience and education?
Ms. Hilleard: A majority of our graduating students will end up working in business or running their own business, the foundation that studying accounting gives is the ability to know what questions to ask and what the answer should be, without necessarily needing a degree in accounting.
Why is it important to learn accounting & bookkeeping in Schools?
Ms. Hilleard: As I said above, the skills you acquire will come in useful no matter what career path you end up in – from personal financial decisions to running your own small business or working for a large multinational organisation.
What further education do students pursue after The Cathedral School, and what areas are becoming more/less important.
Ms. Hilleard: Students often don’t go directly into the accounting/commerce/business area but will often pick it up as a double degree or come back at a later date and do a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
On the eve of their final day, our Year 12s were asked by the Media Crew to recall their fondest memory of Cathedral. Here’s what they had to say:
‘My fondest memory of Cathedral would have to be school camps or playing on the oval with the boys at lunch time.’
Estel Mocelutu
‘My fondest memory of Cathedral would be Production, even though we didn’t get to perform it.’
Holly Banister
‘My fondest memory of Cathedral would be getting my back cracked in Drama class by my friend Nicola.’
Angus Willocks
‘My fondest memory of Cathedral would probably be House Dramas or House Musicals.’
Portia Gedoun
‘My fondest memory of Cathedral is Chemistry classes with Jonathan Cox.’
James Gamack
‘My fondest memory of Cathedral would be the 2019 Rowing State Championships trip with the boys.’
Patrick Axford
‘My fondest memory of Cathedral would be Middle School Ski Trip, when Layla, Zoe and I did the blue run on the first day and we failed humorously.’
Stephanie Chun Tie
‘My fondest memory of Cathedral would be the UK Tour, because Amie, Stephanie and I got lost and we got back to our accommodation really late and we got in heaps of trouble.’
Jessica Drazic
‘My fondest memory of Cathedral would be the Year 10 Camp.’
Isaac Spina
This week, we kicked off our first meeting of Toasties. With the elections during the meeting, members voted for who they believed would be able to fulfill their job as an executive member.
The President for 2021 is Aidan Millers who won by a landslide. Jonathan Cavallo is the Vice-President of Education, Vice-President of Public relations is Talia Havenaar, Secretary is Ashlin Heyward, Social Director is Abraham Gardner and the Sergeants-at-arms are Xavier Hood, Mathew Neilsen, and Caleb Campbell. These are all very capable people who were elected and voted into their roles because they all possess tremendous amounts of leadership potential.
Last year, we had an amazing group of Year 12s leave the club, and hopefully our seniors this year will rise to the challenge. Our Toastmasters’ Club is always happy to welcome new members from Years 10 to 12. Meetings run till 4:45 pm on a Monday; afternoon tea is always spread on a table and before meetings, it’s nice to talk to fellow members and catch up.
During the meetings, we practice our public speaking skills and support each other through our journey of becoming more confident in our speaking. To answer your question, yes, we do make toast. And some would say we make the best chip sandwiches!
Talia Havenaar
Vice-President Public Relations
The President for 2021 is Aidan Millers who won by a landslide. Jonathan Cavallo is the Vice-President of Education, Vice-President of Public relations is Talia Havenaar, Secretary is Ashlin Heyward, Social Director is Abraham Gardner and the Sergeants-at-arms are Xavier Hood, Mathew Neilsen, and Caleb Campbell. These are all very capable people who were elected and voted into their roles because they all possess tremendous amounts of leadership potential.
Last year, we had an amazing group of Year 12s leave the club, and hopefully our seniors this year will rise to the challenge. Our Toastmasters’ Club is always happy to welcome new members from Years 10 to 12. Meetings run till 4:45 pm on a Monday; afternoon tea is always spread on a table and before meetings, it’s nice to talk to fellow members and catch up.
During the meetings, we practice our public speaking skills and support each other through our journey of becoming more confident in our speaking. To answer your question, yes, we do make toast. And some would say we make the best chip sandwiches!
Talia Havenaar
Vice-President Public Relations