NEWS Archives

Diversity The Key to Cathedral’s Success

by tcstownsville | Jan 19, 2021 | ATAR, Graduates, University

The Cathedral School focuses on the student as an individual rather than a number, providing a vast range of career opportunities by developing their own unique interests and personality. This year, after a challenging 2020, 111 students forged their own paths with diverse and exceptional outcomes.

Although ATAR ranks are not the deciding factor for many student’s career paths, the percentages were outstanding on both a State & National level.

Head of Senior School Mr Simon Midson described the ATAR results as one of the best he’s experienced.

‘The Cathedral School had ten students who achieved an ATAR above 98.75 which is equivalent to ten students achieving an OP1 in the previous system. This is a remarkable result that rates among the best academic performances in our school’s proud history. The highest ATAR score was 99.80 and we look forward to acknowledging this, and many other outstanding achievements, at a special assembly in first week of Term 1’

87.3% of Cathedral’s QTAC applicants received their first preference in their chosen University course, which is a 25% increase from the previous year (2020). Of these, 34 students have chosen JCU, 20 UQ, 6 Griffith, 6 CQU, 4 QUT and 1 for USC.

One of the top-ranked graduates Saskia Logan is incredibly happy with her results and offer.

“I’m really proud of my ATAR, and excited to be studying at QUT. I must admit, I was definitely worried about my results amid the Covid outbreak last year”.

Saskia has chosen to take on a unique double degree of Bachelor of Law / Science, and has received an Academic Scholarship from QUT.

Although ATAR ranks are not the deciding factor for many student’s career paths, the percentages were outstanding on both a State & National level.

Head of Senior School Mr Simon Midson described the ATAR results as one of the best he’s experienced.

‘The Cathedral School had ten students who achieved an ATAR above 98.75 which is equivalent to ten students achieving an OP1 in the previous system. This is a remarkable result that rates among the best academic performances in our school’s proud history. The highest ATAR score was 99.80 and we look forward to acknowledging this, and many other outstanding achievements, at a special assembly in first week of Term 1’

87.3% of Cathedral’s QTAC applicants received their first preference in their chosen University course, which is a 25% increase from the previous year (2020). Of these, 34 students have chosen JCU, 20 UQ, 6 Griffith, 6 CQU, 4 QUT and 1 for USC.

One of the top-ranked graduates Saskia Logan is incredibly happy with her results and offer.

“I’m really proud of my ATAR, and excited to be studying at QUT. I must admit, I was definitely worried about my results amid the Covid outbreak last year”.

Saskia has chosen to take on a unique double degree of Bachelor of Law / Science, and has received an Academic Scholarship from QUT.

Clean Sweep For Young ICT Explorers

by tcstownsville | Dec 5, 2020 | ICT, STEM

Young ICT Explorers is a non-profit competition, that encourages school students to create their best Information & Communication Technology (ICT) related projects. This year, with the event being held virtually – The Cathedral School competed with three Year 6, and three Year 5 students. Each team had ten minutes to pitch their inventions and answer a range of questions, to a panel of judges across Australia.

The competition’s alignment with the school curriculum enables students to apply what they learn in their ICT/Digital Technologies classroom to develop a technology related project of their choice. At the judging event, students have the opportunity to present their project to a judging panel of academia, industry partners and ICT professionals. Each project is assessed on the criteria of creativity, uniqueness, quality, level of difficulty and project documentation. Young ICT Explorers.

Junior School YICTE Organiser, Mr Ben Dallimore has seen some incredible ideas and inventions develop during his involvement in the past seven years of competition. “Each year I am amazed by the creative ideas of our students, and the way in which YICTE is structured allows our students to explore areas of interest and create amazing projects which they are passionate about.”

With an open brief, the theme gravitated around topics which concerned and inspired the students the most; the environment, and Covid-19. Summer Mason & Isabelle Pond (Year 6), created the ECO or, Environment Compost Organiser – which automated the composting process. “Their project saw them create a prototype of an automated compost machine which – once the grass clippings and food scraps are added – times the transformation to usable compost. With a tumbling central unit and lights indicating progress, the ECO simplifies composting so that everyone can do it. The girls have plans to install actual units within schools and homes, to help reduce everyone’s carbon footprint,” said Mr Dallimore.

Year 6 student Heidi Zahn developed the DCCD, or ‘Don’t Catch Covid Device’. With social distancing becoming important strategy against Covid-19, this wearable device helps to manage the task. The DCCD monitors proximity to others and alerts the user with a small led light when a person enters the 1.5 meter radius of the wearer.

Year 5 students Thomas Acton, Zeb Whelan and William McCallum presented the Automated Sensored Water System. With a series of sensors, the system can detect moisture levels in the garden, and activate a sprinkler system when the garden needs it. The sprinkler automatically stops when the soil reached its optimum moisture level, providing efficient and measurable water usage.

Mr Dallimore was clearly impressed with both the inventions and the way the students presented to the judges. “I was incredibly proud of the student’s presentations to the judges over ZOOM. They clearly articulated their ideas and provided thoughtful responses to the judge’s questions”.

The competition’s alignment with the school curriculum enables students to apply what they learn in their ICT/Digital Technologies classroom to develop a technology-related project of their choice. At the judging event, students have the opportunity to present their project to a judging panel of academia, industry partners and ICT professionals. Each project is assessed on the criteria of creativity, uniqueness, quality, level of difficulty and project documentation. Young ICT Explorers.

Junior School YICTE Organiser, Mr Ben Dallimore has seen some incredible ideas and inventions develop during his involvement in the past seven years of competition. “Each year I am amazed by the creative ideas of our students, and the way in which YICTE is structured allows our students to explore areas of interest and create amazing projects which they are passionate about.”

With an open brief, the theme gravitated around topics which concerned and inspired the students the most; the environment, and Covid-19. Summer Mason & Isabelle Pond (Year 6), created the ECO or, Environment Compost Organiser – which automated the composting process. “Their project saw them create a prototype of an automated compost machine which – once the grass clippings and food scraps are added – times the transformation to usable compost. With a tumbling central unit and lights indicating progress, the ECO simplifies composting so that everyone can do it. The girls have plans to install actual units within schools and homes, to help reduce everyone’s carbon footprint,” said Mr Dallimore.

Year 6 student Heidi Zahn developed the DCCD, or ‘Don’t Catch Covid Device’. With social distancing becoming important strategy against Covid-19, this wearable device helps to manage the task. The DCCD monitors proximity to others and alerts the user with a small led light when a person enters the 1.5 meter radius of the wearer.

Year 5 students Thomas Acton, Zeb Whelan and William McCallum presented the Automated Sensored Water System. With a series of sensors, the system can detect moisture levels in the garden, and activate a sprinkler system when the garden needs it. The sprinkler automatically stops when the soil reached its optimum moisture level, providing efficient and measurable water usage.

Mr Dallimore was clearly impressed with both the inventions and the way the students presented to the judges. “I was incredibly proud of the student’s presentations to the judges over ZOOM. They clearly articulated their ideas and provided thoughtful responses to the judge’s questions”.

BEDE House Champions 2020

by tcstownsville | Nov 25, 2020 | BEDE, House, NEWS

It a topsy-turvy year The Cathedral School managed to hold onto a range of inter-house events, albeit a little more scattered than in years past. With year levels competing in house competitions on individual days, it was difficult to know who was leading the Annual House Championship.

So it was with a great deal of subdued excitement to find out that BEDE had taken out the 2020 House Championship. Former House Captains Hollie Swanton and Chris Adamson (2002) ‘zoomed’ in their Seniors Choice Award announcement to the Bede Head of House, Mr David Phillips. The Seniors Choice Award is presented to the best all-rounder as voted by their peers.

Congratulations to this years winner, Daisy D’Arcy!

Bede House - Seniors Choice Award from The Cathedral School Townsville on Vimeo.

Brooke admits to feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement at the experience. “Mum was there for support, but once I was on the field and started playing, nerves went away,” Brooke said. Brooke ended up being selected for the state team, but plans are on hold due to the current pandemic.

Brooke started playing the sport in HPE whilst in Junior School, and she really enjoyed it. She now plays in under-15s for local team, Wests, in a mid-field position. She trains twice a week unless preparing for a big competition when she trains four to five times a week.

Bede House - Seniors Choice Award from The Cathedral School Townsville on Vimeo.

Grace On The Right Wicket

by tcstownsville | Nov 11, 2020 | Boarder, NEWS, Sports

Cathedral’s Grace Abdy (Yr 10) is making a name for herself in a field beyond Cathedral’s gates, enjoying success at Indoor Cricket all the way to the national level.

Grace has been playing representative cricket for four years and is currently a member of the Queensland Under 17 Indoor Cricket Team. The Cloncurry boarder got a taste for the sport in backyard cricket sessions at the age of eight playing with her father and her two siblings. “My family really liked cricket, and my Dad really liked it so I got in to it,” she said.

From these humble beginnings, Grace names the experience she is most grateful for as her first representative state cricket carnival at the age of 11, where she played in the Presidents 11 team with her coach, Mr Conroy. She said she went into the carnival not knowing any rules of the game, yet by the end of the carnival she was able to play a competitive game of cricket. Grace believes her commitment to the sport and her determination shown at training sessions is what sets her apart from the other players. Coming to Townsville and boarding at Cathedral has opened many opportunities for Grace, as before this living in Cloncurry, it was a struggle to receive proper coaching and training.

Grace currently plays for the Under 15 Northern Flames, the Under 17 Wanderers and the C grade teams for the Wanderers Mens’ Cricket Team – a staggering line-up, but one she enjoys. “By playing against boys and occasionally the men, it has made me really competitive and has held my cricket to a standard and has given me competition and helped improve me,” she said.

Grace’s cricketing idols are Michael Hussy and Beth Mooney, and they inspire her daily. She said that the driving force behind cricket was definitely her dad, Allan Abdy, and with his encouragement she has been lucky enough to attend many cricket carnivals in Mackay, Brisbane, Ipswich and right here in Townsville. When asked if she sees cricket as being a part of her future, her response is: “I only wish to play the best version of cricket I possibly can, enjoy the game while I have the chance to, and see where it takes me.”

The aspect Grace enjoys most about playing in a team is her teammates. “You will always have mates to fall back on and that it gives me responsibility, as I have got to perform at my best for the team to do their best,” she said.

.

Grace has been playing representative cricket for four years and is currently a member of the Queensland Under 17 Indoor Cricket Team. The Cloncurry boarder got a taste for the sport in backyard cricket sessions at the age of eight playing with her father and her two siblings. “My family really liked cricket, and my Dad really liked it so I got in to it,” she said.

From these humble beginnings, Grace names the experience she is most grateful for as her first representative state cricket carnival at the age of 11, where she played in the Presidents 11 team with her coach, Mr Conroy. She said she went into the carnival not knowing any rules of the game, yet by the end of the carnival she was able to play a competitive game of cricket. Grace believes her commitment to the sport and her determination shown at training sessions is what sets her apart from the other players. Coming to Townsville and boarding at Cathedral has opened many opportunities for Grace, as before this living in Cloncurry, it was a struggle to receive proper coaching and training.

Grace currently plays for the Under 15 Northern Flames, the Under 17 Wanderers and the C grade teams for the Wanderers Mens’ Cricket Team – a staggering line-up, but one she enjoys. “By playing against boys and occasionally the men, it has made me really competitive and has held my cricket to a standard and has given me competition and helped improve me,” she said.

Grace’s cricketing idols are Michael Hussy and Beth Mooney, and they inspire her daily. She said that the driving force behind cricket was definitely her dad, Allan Abdy, and with his encouragement she has been lucky enough to attend many cricket carnivals in Mackay, Brisbane, Ipswich and right here in Townsville. When asked if she sees cricket as being a part of her future, her response is: “I only wish to play the best version of cricket I possibly can, enjoy the game while I have the chance to, and see where it takes me.”

The aspect Grace enjoys most about playing in a team is her teammates. “You will always have mates to fall back on and that it gives me responsibility, as I have got to perform at my best for the team to do their best,” she said.

Rising Stars of STEM at TCS

by tcstownsville | Nov 10, 2020 | Robotics, STEM

The Cathedral School Robotics Club ventured to Brisbane on the first weekend of December to compete in the First Lego League National Championship (North) Finals. The Middle School team – accompanied by Mrs Patricia Lonergan & Mr Chris Anderson, left with the Rising All-Star Award, and some memories to last a lifetime.

The excursion also provided a great opportunity for the students to explore some of the landmarks of Brisbane including the ‘Cube’ – the Science and Technology Centre at QUT, the eSports Centre at QUT, Geocaching in the Botanical Gardens, and some team building at ‘FOX in the Box’ Escape Rooms.

Before the students switched into holiday mode, we asked a few of them about their adventures and the challenges they faced.

As a Robotics Programmer, my job was to program the robot to do each challenge. The best part of this job was being able to test the robot.
On the competition day, my job helped the team fix robot errors. My favourite part of the trip was going to Brisbane Fox In The Box Escape Rooms.

Lauren Pratchett (Year 7)

As a Robot Engineer, my main task was to design the robot so that it was compact and could complete given missions with specific attachments. The best part about my job was the laughter that went through the room every time our robot failed to accomplish what we wanted. On the day of the competition, things did not go accordingly; nevertheless, we tried our hardest to improve everything, so from the start of the day to the end, we were able to spread only positive messages. Another exciting part for me was to share this experience with my dad, who as a Robotic Engineer, has always taught me the love for technology.

Overall my favourite part of the trip was all the fun team moments that allowed as to forge such great friendships with each other.

Bjorn Hyseni (Year 7)

As a Robotics Programmer and engineer, my job was primarily to solve challenges on the robot game board. The best part about this job was to work with my other coders and robot builders to achieve the missions. On the day of the competition, on our first run, we ran into some problems, such as the four-motor rule and not being allowed to have overhanging parts of the robot outside the start zone. To get around this, I changed one of our attachments to a pusher so that we got rid of a motor and changed the code and I also changed the code of one of our other challenges to get it to start inside the zone. My favourite part of the trip was definitely the competition day, where we all got together and got to present our innovation project, and complete the robot challenges. I think it was a great day for our team to bond and work together.

Do Young Park (Year 7)

The pancake metaphor: the first pancake of a batch is always burnt- you need to learn how many bubbles it takes for that specific batch to cook before they taste good. We came up with this metaphor on the competition day after we had the most delicious pancakes for breakfast and we now refer to the whole event (and our robot) as the first pancake – terribly burnt, but a necessary experience. I think we did alright with the robot design, innovation project and core values, but the robotics side of it was, uh, severely overcooked.

However, though winning is nice and all, I guarantee you that we wouldn’t have laughed nearly as much if our robot had actually behaved. I figure in 20 years’ time, we’d all have probably forgotten about an event in which everything went right for us. But I bet we’ll always have a good laugh remembering the time where it seemed almost everything went wrong… except for the food, of course.”

Rose Ioannou (Year 9)

The excursion also provided a great opportunity for the students to explore some of the landmarks of Brisbane including the ‘Cube’ – the Science and Technology Centre at QUT, the eSports Centre at QUT, Geocaching in the Botanical Gardens, and some team building at ‘FOX in the Box’ Escape Rooms.

Before the students switched into holiday mode, we asked a few of them about their adventures and the challenges they faced.

As a Robotics Programmer, my job was to program the robot to do each challenge. The best part of this job was being able to test the robot.
On the competition day, my job helped the team fix robot errors. My favourite part of the trip was going to Brisbane Fox In The Box Escape Rooms.

Lauren Pratchett (Year 7)

As a Robot Engineer, my main task was to design the robot so that it was compact and could complete given missions with specific attachments. The best part about my job was the laughter that went through the room every time our robot failed to accomplish what we wanted. On the day of the competition, things did not go accordingly; nevertheless, we tried our hardest to improve everything, so from the start of the day to the end, we were able to spread only positive messages. Another exciting part for me was to share this experience with my dad, who as a Robotic Engineer, has always taught me the love for technology.

Overall my favourite part of the trip was all the fun team moments that allowed as to forge such great friendships with each other.

Bjorn Hyseni (Year 7)

As a Robotics Programmer and engineer, my job was primarily to solve challenges on the robot game board. The best part about this job was to work with my other coders and robot builders to achieve the missions. On the day of the competition, on our first run, we ran into some problems, such as the four-motor rule and not being allowed to have overhanging parts of the robot outside the start zone. To get around this, I changed one of our attachments to a pusher so that we got rid of a motor and changed the code and I also changed the code of one of our other challenges to get it to start inside the zone. My favourite part of the trip was definitely the competition day, where we all got together and got to present our innovation project, and complete the robot challenges. I think it was a great day for our team to bond and work together.

Do Young Park (Year 7)

The pancake metaphor: the first pancake of a batch is always burnt- you need to learn how many bubbles it takes for that specific batch to cook before they taste good. We came up with this metaphor on the competition day after we had the most delicious pancakes for breakfast and we now refer to the whole event (and our robot) as the first pancake – terribly burnt, but a necessary experience. I think we did alright with the robot design, innovation project and core values, but the robotics side of it was, uh, severely overcooked.

However, though winning is nice and all, I guarantee you that we wouldn’t have laughed nearly as much if our robot had actually behaved. I figure in 20 years’ time, we’d all have probably forgotten about an event in which everything went right for us. But I bet we’ll always have a good laugh remembering the time where it seemed almost everything went wrong… except for the food, of course.”

Rose Ioannou (Year 9)

Caleb Ready To Launch Project Roger Pen

by tcstownsville | Nov 8, 2020 | Filmmaking, Media, NEWS

Cathedral is a school with students of many talents. We have talented musicians, emerging engineers and developing lawyers. As students progress through school, the burning question of what they wish to do with their lives after school always exists.

Fortunately, Year 11 student Caleb Campbell knows exactly where his passion in life lies. Caleb has always been interested in filmmaking and intends to make it his career. “Filmmaking began for me,” he says, “when I realised I really loved watching films. I especially enjoyed watching their special features, and understanding how they were made and the complexities involved. The first inspiring moment for me was when I watched UP and the process behind making it. That was when I realised I wanted to tell my stories through film.”

To kickstart his budding career in film, Caleb has already begun his filmmaking journey through the production of Project Roger Pen. “The idea for this film had been building for some time,” he says. As Caleb travelled home from the cinema one evening, he began to reflect upon his experiences at the Year Eleven Development Day. Caleb, who has a hearing disability, was asked to dance by several of his peers, and found, to his disappointment, that he could not. “Some people had asked me to dance…but it was too loud for me, and I just backed away. I tried to figure out how to tell them that my disability affected me in that way, how it prevented me from being like everyone else.”

So, true to his dreams, Caleb decided to tell his story through film. Thus, Project Roger Pen was born. “[The film] investigates the life of a person who has a disability that prevents him from participating in activities that others do, like going to parties or hanging out with friends. The story also focuses on how the main character, Rider, enjoys writing stories in order to cope with the world he must face. The film really looks at the disabilities we don’t always see, like hearing disabilities.” Caleb has drawn from his own experiences in order to direct the film. “I also act in the film, and through this, I was able to add some of my own insights into the actual drama of the film.” The film is a project for Caleb’s Townsville Creative Technologies College assignment, an outside-school commitment.

To make a film requires a cast, and Caleb considers himself very lucky to have such eager participation from the talented students at Cathedral, many of whom volunteered their lunchtimes to act in the film, either as the main cast or extras. “The disco scene saw the involvement of many Year Elevens particularly, and some help from younger boarders.” As a boarder himself, Caleb has called upon the support of his boarding mates in making the film.

Caleb is pleased with the result, and believes the film is a great way to understand what it is like for a person with an ‘invisible disability’. When asked what advice he would give to other budding filmmakers, Caleb quotes lines from one of his favourite movies, The Flash: “Make the plan, execute the plan, expect the plan to go off the rails, throw away the plan, succeed anyway.” Project Roger Pen is due to be released via YouTube in the coming months.

Fortunately, Year 11 student Caleb Campbell knows exactly where his passion in life lies. Caleb has always been interested in filmmaking and intends to make it his career. “Filmmaking began for me,” he says, “when I realised I really loved watching films. I especially enjoyed watching their special features, and understanding how they were made and the complexities involved. The first inspiring moment for me was when I watched UP and the process behind making it. That was when I realised I wanted to tell my stories through film.”

To kickstart his budding career in film, Caleb has already begun his filmmaking journey through the production of Project Roger Pen. “The idea for this film had been building for some time,” he says. As Caleb travelled home from the cinema one evening, he began to reflect upon his experiences at the Year Eleven Development Day. Caleb, who has a hearing disability, was asked to dance by several of his peers, and found, to his disappointment, that he could not. “Some people had asked me to dance…but it was too loud for me, and I just backed away. I tried to figure out how to tell them that my disability affected me in that way, how it prevented me from being like everyone else.”

So, true to his dreams, Caleb decided to tell his story through film. Thus, Project Roger Pen was born. “[The film] investigates the life of a person who has a disability that prevents him from participating in activities that others do, like going to parties or hanging out with friends. The story also focuses on how the main character, Rider, enjoys writing stories in order to cope with the world he must face. The film really looks at the disabilities we don’t always see, like hearing disabilities.” Caleb has drawn from his own experiences in order to direct the film. “I also act in the film, and through this, I was able to add some of my own insights into the actual drama of the film.” The film is a project for Caleb’s Townsville Creative Technologies College assignment, an outside-school commitment.