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Secondary Report Cards: Friday 27 June
Primary Report Cards: Friday 27 June
Last Day of Term 2: Friday 27 June
First Day of Term 3: Monday 14 July
100 Days of Prep: Thursday 17 July
Show Day Public Holiday: Friday 18 July
Primary Parent/Teacher Interviews: Tuesday 22 July
Secondary Parent/Teacher Interviews: Wednesday 23 July
Relay for Life: Saturday 2 August
Curriculum & Pathways Expo: Wednesday 13 August
With one week to go, it is timely that we reflect on yet another successful term at Redlynch State College. My wife and I took time to take some long service leave cruising from Dubai to Cape Town during the term and as much as the pirates travelling between Oman and Iran was fascinating to witness, the giant tortoises in the Seychelles, the elephants in Addo Elephant Park in South Africa and visiting Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 17 of his 27 years as a political prisoner were experiences of a lifetime, it is nice to be back on land and back at work at RSC.
During my time away, I missed the Athletics Carnival and the Family Festival as well as numerous RACE Drama and Music performances. The feedback I have received was that all events were excellent - as usual. I would like to thank the staff that organised these events. Your efforts never go unnoticed. A special congratulations and thank you to our P&C Association for their organisation of the Family Festival. What a spectacular event it was and fantastic to see so much parent and community engagement.
Since my return from leave I have had the pleasure to attend the Year 9/10 Drama performance – Legally Blonde and the Year 11/12 Theatre Restaurant – Monday Night Live! I continue to be amazed at the incredible talent of our students who all performed brilliantly. They should be very proud of their performances. Special recognition to Ms Belinda Riles, their teacher and Director who helps make it all happen on stage. As always, the Live Production crew were there making sure the students on stage had a professional stage experience. Thank you to Mr Gary Holloway and Mr Dan Bruce for your work with the Live Production students. Finally, thank you Mr Robert Crookes for your leadership of the Performing Arts Department.
A lot of facility works will be conducted during the June/July holidays on both campuses. The Secondary Canteen refurbishment will commence on 28 of June, with a temporary mobile canteen being brought in and placed next to the MSC. Work on this is expected to be completed by week six next term. Learning Centre 1 will be refurbished during the holidays and will be ready for the start of school next term. There will be tree pruning and some tree removal on the Primary Campus of trees deemed unsafe by an arborist. This will allow us to start our planned facility upgrades and beautification of the Primary Campus.
With the holidays now approaching, It is timely to remind all students to stay safe! Please ensure you have your helmets on when riding your bikes & scooters. Your head is softer and more fragile than anything you will hit it with if you come off at speed. Please look after your younger siblings and be a positive role model for them. School recommences on Monday 14 July and I look forward to seeing all our students return on that day.
Mike Hansen - Executive Principal
Term 2 Wrap-Up
As we wrap up a busy Term 2, I’d like to share a number of key updates regarding our facilities projects, financial support options for families, and how you can help keep Redlynch State College safe during the upcoming break.
Facilities Upgrades
Secondary College Canteen Upgrade
We’re excited to commence the highly anticipated upgrade of the Secondary College Canteen, starting tomorrow. This project forms part of our ongoing commitment to improving the student experience and will continue into Term 3.
During construction:
- The existing canteen and surrounding table area will be fenced off and inaccessible.
- A temporary canteen and kitchen will operate from the Multi-Service Centre (MSC).
- Drinks and ice creams will be available from the MSC kitchen. Students should follow the clearly marked directional arrows near the water bubblers to enter and exit the space safely.
- All other food items will be available for collection from a temporary service station located between the MSC and the Food Technology block.
Please note:
- Please order via the Flexischools app.
- The temporary canteen will offer a reduced menu, and some regular items may be unavailable.
We thank our families and students for their patience and flexibility while this important project is underway. The end result will be a more efficient and modern food service space for our Secondary students.
Learning Centre 1 Refurbishment
We are also undertaking an internal upgrade of Learning Centre 1, home to our Languages department. Works include re-carpeting, painting, and general room refreshes to provide a brighter, more modern learning space for staff and students. This refurbishment supports our broader vision of creating engaging and inspiring environments for all learners.
Primary Campus Tree Safety Works
Safety remains a top priority at Redlynch State College. Over the holiday period, we will be conducting our annual tree lopping and removal works on the Primary Campus. This proactive maintenance is vital to managing tree health and reducing the risk of falling branches, especially during the storm season.
These works not only ensure the safety of our students and facilities, but they will also allow us to commence gutter rectification and additional facilities improvements in Term 3. We appreciate the community’s cooperation while this essential safety work is carried out.
Reminder: School Fees and Financial Support
We understand that financial pressures can make it difficult for some families to keep up with school-related costs. If you’re experiencing difficulty paying school fees, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly at BM@Redlynchsc.eq.edu.au for a confidential discussion. Our College is committed to supporting every student’s access to a high-quality education, regardless of financial circumstances.
Help Keep Our College Safe During the Holidays
With the holidays fast approaching, we encourage our community to help keep the school safe and secure. If you see anything suspicious on school grounds during the break, please contact School Watch on 13 17 88.
Your vigilance ensures our facilities remain in good condition and ready to welcome students back in Term 3.
Thank you once again for your continued support throughout Term 2. Wishing all families a safe and restful school holiday.
Kelly Metcalf - College Business Manager
Head of Campus - Adrian Hooper
Welcome to the end of Term 2 newsletter. Now that Mr Hansen is back from his well-earned long-service leave, I am back in the Secondary Head of Campus chair while Mr Andrejic continues at Woree SHS. This will continue until at least mid-Term 3, by which point we should start to see many of the acting positions in our region impacting on RSC start to be resolved. Mr Hansen and I will keep you update on any changes specific to RSC.
In Term 3 we will welcome back Mrs Crookes, though we will be retaining Ms Sippel in the Deputy Principal Yr7/8 role for the first four weeks. During this time Mrs Crookes will commence our Year 6 into 7 transition work
As we near the end of Semester 1 it comes with quite a feeling of accomplishment, particularly for our senior students. Our Year 11s have just finished or are about to finish Unit 1 and our Year 12s are about complete Unit 3. All students from Year 7 to 12 will be finalising assessment for the term and teachers are busy assessing, marking and compiling end of Semester 1 reports. Secondary reports will be emailed out to parents toward the end of Week 10.
Mr Bayldon, A/DP Year11/12 will provide more information about our Senior School, and particularly our Clearance Policy, while Ms Sippel, A/DP Year7/8 will keep you abreast of end of Semester 1 reporting and our next round of Secondary Parent/Teacher interviews in Week 2. Next term we have a lot going on for our Year 10s and Ms Batterham, A/DP Yr9/10 will take you through this, as well as providing a date claimer for our 2026 RSC Curriculum & Pathways Expo and a timely update for inter uniforms.
DP - Teaching & Learning – Joy Murgatroyd
Over the last few weeks I’ve been spending time in many of the classrooms at RSC and it is a privilege to see our teachers in action. To be able to follow the curriculum development process from planning to delivery is exciting and our teachers work hard to deliver engaging lessons, activities and assessment.
As we come to the end of Semester 1, your child would have completed most, if not all, of their assessment. Please take the time to talk with them about what they have submitted: from building models of systems within the human body, taking the role of a farmer researching how to be sustainable, compiling an anthology of poetry, to depicting your family as a Japanese manga comic – you will be impressed by what they have learnt.
DP - Senior Schooling - Greg Bayldon
As Term 2 comes to a close and signifies another stage completed in the students senior journey we are reminded how brief their time really is in this part of their educational journey but how important it is. The Year 12 students only have literally 13 weeks remaining of their school career. Year 11 students will most likely begin Year 12 Units within the next 10 weeks.
Attendance is the foundation
We are currently comparing achievement to attendance and there is no surprise that they are closely linked. Students attending school consistently are producing consistently higher grades while students with low attendance are consistently struggling to achieve passing grades.
A student beginning in Year 11 has approximately 405 actual days of school before they graduate: just over one year of school. If you take away the carnival days, the camps, the public holidays, the extra curricular events and excursions that figure comes down to a low 300 very quickly. It’s a small commitment for the rest of their life. There are pathways always available after school, but they often cost more and take longer than if the student completed them within school with assistance from teachers.
Clearance Policy
The Clearance policy has seen significant improvement in the senior cohort in the areas of attendance, completing assessment and completing detentions. Over the course of Term 2 we have seen a reduction in students Off Clearance by over 50% and less students receiving sanctions in the first instance. A formal letter will be coming home soon including the policy for parents to peruse.
Senior Social
The senior students are lucky to have such a committed team as Miss Roads, Miss Pam and Mr McKay who have worked hard to organise and deliver an opportunity for the students to celebrate the term with a social event in the MPH on Thursday 26th June. Over 240 students have gained consent and just need to pay their entry fee of $5 to guarantee a night of frivolity, food and dancing to rival the great semi formal of 2024.
Standing item – Students and driving
We are trying to provide the safest environment for all students and staff at Redlynch State College and as part of that commitment we are endeavouring to monitor our student drivers. It is well known that this group of drivers are the most likely to have accidents and we are doing all we can to protect them from their own enthusiasm and naivety about the dangers that come with that freedom and rite of passage.
We still have over 30 students driving to school who have not registered their licences, car registrations and authorised passengers with the school despite many requests. We would really appreciate parents supporting us in this process and asking their students if they have registered with the school.
Assessment
Senior assessment is used to compare and rank students across the state for many levels of achievement leading to ATARS, report cards and certificates. Every document in Queensland senior school highlights the need for students to complete their assessment individually. This means that the student must individually learn the content and skills, the student must individually plan how they utilise their notes and research to work towards the assessment task, the students must individually develop and complete their assessment. There are many short cuts available to students; however, the QCAA and the school remain strictly committed to ensuring that student’s assessment accurately reflects their individual effort and ability to provide a fair playing field for all students to get the marks and ranking they deserve.
DP - Middle Secondary (9/10) - Ashleigh Batterham
Cooler weather
At Redlynch State College students are encouraged to take pride in themselves and in their College. Complying with the uniform policy is an important factor in ensuring student safety and promoting a positive learning environment where students develop a sense of belonging. If students are feeling the cold, they may wear the College jumper or jacket (pictured below). Year 12 students also have the option of wearing their 2025 Senior Jersey. Adhering to a uniform policy teaches students the importance of appropriate attire and prepares them for future work environments where dress codes are common.
Both the jumper and the jacket are available for purchase from the Uniform Shop, located adjacent to the Primary Campus Student Services building. The Uniform Shop is open Monday – Thursday from 8 – 11 AM. Alternatively, you can order from the Uniform Shop online via https://www.rscpandc.com.au/ordering.
Upcoming Year 10 Events
Year 10 is a crucial year for students, with the selection of their future pathways. Over the course of the term, students will have multiple opportunities to attend events that will assist them with their decision making for their senior years. Below are the planned events for Term 3, however further information about each event will be provided closer to the date:
1.1. Curriculum and Pathways Expo Night (13/08/25)
On Wednesday 13th August, Redlynch State College will be running their Curriculum and Pathways Expo Night. There will be booths set up with displays from our Curriculum Departments and External Agencies, such as universities and TAFE. This event will provide opportunities for students and parents/carers to speak with teachers and Heads of Departments about the subjects/pathways that students can pick from. In addition to the expo, there will also be an information session focussing on senior schooling at RSC, including topics such as ATAR and QCE.
2. BLA Careers Expo (21/08/25)
Students in year 10 can choose to attend the BLA Careers Expo, an annual event located at the Cairns Showground. This expo is attended by multiple schools across the Cairns area. A large number of external agencies, such as the Defence Force, TAFE, University, Construction, will have booths set up for students to move around, asking questions and collecting information handouts.
3. SET Planning (Term 3, week 6-10)
All year 10 students will organise a meeting time with Mr Crosby (Head of Senior Schooling) with their parents/carers for a SET Plan interview. SET Plan (Senior Education and Training Plans) interviews will take roughly 20 minutes, during which time you will discuss your future academic and career pathways, and select subjects for Year 11 and 12. Parents will be notified in Term 3 when they are able to start booking SET Plan interviews.
Term 3 Timetables
The start of Term 3 marks the start of Semester 2, meaning we are half way through the school year. Our junior school will rotate students through some of their subjects, meaning they will have a different timetable for Term 3. Students will be emailed their new timetable in the second week of holidays so that they are prepared for the start of Term 3. Changes to timetables include:
- Year 7 students will swap their electives for Term 3 and change rotations for Semester 2 (Digital Technology <> Language)
- Year 8 students will swap Humanities subjects for Semester 2 (History <> Geography)
- Year 9 students will rotate through the Humanities subjects for Term 3 (History <> Geography <> Economics/Business <> Civics and Citizenship)
- Year 10 students will swap subjects for Semester 2 (History <> Health & Physical Education) and change science classes (Physics/Chemistry > Biology/Marine Science)
Year 11 and 12 timetables will continue as they currently are.
Have a safe and relaxing break!
DP - Junior Secondary (7/8) - Jodie Sippel
Joining the team as the Deputy Principal for the Year 7 and Year 8 cohorts for Term 2 has been a wonderful experience. I have really enjoyed working with, and supporting our students, staff, and families during Term 2, and observing the meaningful and connected learning that takes place every day. As Mrs Crookes is still in the recovery phase from her surgery, I will be staying on at Redlynch State College for another four weeks at the commencement of Term 3.
Semester 1 Reporting
Year 7 and 8 students are currently finalising their Term 2 assessment, and their teachers are in the process of making judgments about the quality of work in each student’s assessment folio, and how well the student has met those elements of the achievement standards that have been taught and assessed during the reporting period. Teachers make a judgement aligned to the achievement standard for each learning area. A level of achievement is then awarded using the appropriate reporting scale. Full details of grade descriptors are included in the explanatory notes in the student report. Writing report cards takes teachers many hours and they should be recognised for their diligence and professionalism. Student reports will be emailed home on the last day of Term 2.
Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent/Teacher Interviews will be held in the Redlynch State College Multipurpose Sports Centre (MSC) from 3:30 – 6:30pm on Wednesday 23rd July. We are using PTO for the online booking process. At the end of Term 2 an email will be sent home asking parents and carers to make online bookings with their student’s teachers. Online bookings will close at 11:00am on Wednesday 23rd July, so book your interviews as soon as possible. Interview times will be set for 8-minute intervals. Please keep an eye out for more information about Parent Teacher Interviews over the coming weeks.
DP - Diverse Learning - David Zhang
We’re pleased to share some exciting updates from the Diverse Learning Centre (DLC) as we continue our mission to provide inclusive, supportive, and personalised education for all students at Redlynch State College.
Focus on Student Growth and Inclusion
This term, our dedicated DLC team has been working closely with classroom teachers, case managers, and families to ensure every student with a disability receives the adjustments and supports they need to thrive. Whether it’s tailored literacy programs, assistive technology, or in-class support, our priority remains the academic, social, and emotional development of our learners.
Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) and NCCD
Thank you to families who have participated in the development and review of Individual Learning Plans. These important documents guide how we support your child in their day-to-day learning. Our team is also continuing to work behind the scenes to support the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD), ensuring appropriate adjustments are recognised and resourced.
Staff Spotlight
We’d like to acknowledge our dedicated team of teacher aides and case managers who continue to go above and beyond to provide consistent, compassionate support. Special congratulations to Claudia Belcher, recently nominated for the 2025 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year for her outstanding contributions.
(DLC team during a collaborative planning session)
Stay Connected
Our DLC operates with an open-door policy. If you have any concerns, questions, or just want to celebrate your child’s successes with us, we welcome you to get in touch with our team.
The Secondary Campus Leadership Team
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Joy Murgatroyd | Greg Bayldon | Ashleigh Batterham | Jodie Sippel | David Zhang |
Humanities
Mock Court
On the evening of Tuesday 27th May (Week 6), a team of our senior students proudly represented Redlynch State College in the Cairns Mock Court Competition.
The event was hosted within the District and Supreme Courtrooms at the Cairns Courthouse and presided over by Magistrates, providing students with an authentic, enrichening experience.
Year 12 students Ruby, Bella, and Lilly brought energy and enthusiasm to the role of prosecuting counsel, with Year 11 students Eamon and Koorindi starring as the prosecution’s witnesses. Meanwhile Josh, Zoe, Brooke, Sati, and Danny carefully deliberated as members of the jury, and supported our contestants.
A big thank you to everyone who supported our team in the lead-up to the event (including by acting as defence counsel, jury members and courtroom personnel during practice mock sessions), and who showed up to support our participants on the night. Special thanks to Judge Morzone and all the event organisers for their ongoing dedication to inspiring students with a passion and curiosity for legal pathways.
Our students, their teachers, and accompanying families and friends had a fantastic time. We look forward to competing again next year.
Legal Studies Conference
On Thursday 19th June, our eager Year 12 Legal Studies students attended James Cook University 2025 Legal Studies conference in Cairns. In addition to being an insightful introduction to tertiary education, the conference’s focus on International Law and Human Rights made it an enrichening experience for students to engage with key topics of law.
Throughout the day, we explored legal principles underpinning the global human rights framework, including the role of international treaties and key challenges in enforcement. Highlights included deep dives into the age of criminal responsibility; youth justice in Queensland and broader Australia; and First Nations peoples’ right to self-determination.
We heard from the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions, lawyers from a range of legal areas, the Honourable Judge Cope, and other industry specialists, and engaged in a dynamic panel discussion that brought together legal professionals to debate real-world issues and the role of law in protecting communities. We appreciated the opportunity to work on these topics with students from other schools, and we’re excited to build upon these experiences as we continue our Human Rights unit.
To wrap up the day, JCU’s Future Students team took us on a tour through the JCU campus and student accommodation – we particularly enjoyed the sweeping views of Cairns’ stunning rainforest surrounds from the sky deck, a unique glimpse into JCU life!
Thank you to JCU's team and all the guest speakers who shared their insights, showed us around the campus, or supported the organisation of a fantastic day for our Legal Studies students!
Science
RSC Students Shine at Regional Chemistry Competition
Earlier this month, six of our Year 10 students proudly represented Redlynch State College at the annual RACI Titration Competition held at James Cook University. Competing against around 20 teams from schools across the region — most of which were made up of senior Year 11 and 12 Chemistry students — our students more than held their own.
After nearly three hours of careful titrations, calculations, and meticulous clean-up (followed by a well-earned pizza break!), the results were announced — and what a result it was!
Team Tara P, Sarah E and Sarah A took out 2nd place overall, an outstanding achievement in such a competitive field.
Our second team — Niko F-S, Olivia W-B, and Lola C — also performed brilliantly, coming in a very close 4th.
Both teams demonstrated impressive precision, teamwork, and a strong grasp of chemical analysis and technique.
After the presentations, students were treated to a tour of JCU’s science, nursing, and dentistry facilities — a great opportunity to explore future study and career pathways.
Well done to all involved — we’re incredibly proud of your efforts and achievements!
STEM Girl Power Camp
60 girls in Year 10 were selected from around Queensland to represent their school in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Girl Power Camp. I was lucky enough to be one of the few selected into this program.
We came together in Brisbane for a school-based STEM camp which was held on 19 - 23 May. At the airport I met with my ‘Far North Queensland’ group. We were the smallest group with only 6 girls. A three-and-a-half hour flight delay forced us to form stronger bonds than any of the other groups.
In Brisbane we participated in a variety of events, including innovative STEM workshops and networking opportunities with experts from STEM fields. Each day was jam-packed with loads of fun and engaging activities, all carefully organised so that we would get the most out of our time spend in Brisbane. We also met inspiring role models from diverse fields including engineering, medicine, chemistry, quantum technologies and mathematical modelling.
We participated in a chosen industry visit (either the Cross River Rail, TechnologyOne, the Ecosciences Precinct or the Integrated Pathology Learning Centre). I made the decision to visit the Integrated Pathology Learning Centre, where we examined preserved limbs and organs with various diseases, discussed the history of medicines and what habits contribute to these illnesses. We also attended world-class biomedical research facilities at SPARQ-ed and led science activities with local primary school students.
This valuable experience helped me to foster a deeper understanding of STEM's significance in society while helping me to adopt skills like leadership, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication. I encourage Year 9 girls to apply for next year!
Maths
JCU-Newman Year 7/8/9 Math competition
In week 4 of Term 2, nine talented Year 7, 8 and 9 Math students participated in the JCU-Newman Maths competition at JCU. The format of the competition involved students individually working through 20 challenging problem-solving questions in a fast paced 40-minute timeframe. Congratulations to Year 8 student Ryan who crunched the numbers and placed 2nd overall against the top Year 8 students in the Cairns region. Well done to all students who represented the school with confidence and strong Mathematical problem-solving skills.
English
Year 10 English
Our English students have had a full term of creating and analysing texts for both their school units and for their own development. Our Year 10 students visited local icon Australian Armour and Artillery Museum at Caravonica as part of their War Poetry Unit. Students wandered the cavernous exhibition and saw up-close tanks from our major world wars. A standout was seeing the famous Rats of Toobruk tank from 1941 with the iconic rat symbol on the side of the tank. This is the largest collection of armoured vehicles and artillery in the Southern Hemisphere and we are so lucky to have this just down the road.
Also, three of our students entered and received awards for their writing in the Cairns Literary Eisteddfod. Well done to students Mitchell, Alicja, and Isaiah for entering your writing. Results are as follows: Mitchell – Highly Commended in Senior Speech Writing; Alicja – 2nd Place in Creative Writing; and Isaiah – 2nd Place Junior Speech Writing, 3rd Place Creative Writing, and Highly Commended Letter and Report Writing.
And, our Year 12s head into their final semester of work. Our 12 Essential students will attend a screening of Superman as part of their ‘Superheroes & Villains Unit’, and our 12 General students look forward to the Scottish play for their external exams.
We want our English students leaving school with an appreciation of stories both on the page and on the screen.
HPE
2025 Secondary Athletics Carnival
On Friday 23rd May students from Year 7 -12 participated in the 2025 Secondary Athletics Carnival. It was a fantastic day with both staff and students dressing up in the theme of ‘you showed up to the wrong event’. Congratulations to all the students who participated in pre-carnival events as well as the events on the day. It was fantastic to see everyone getting involved and doing their best to gain points for their house.
Congratulations to the following students who broke records on the day:
12 Years Boys 200m – Angelo 26.12
13 Years Boys 100m – Carter 12.42
14 Years Girls 1500m – Ruby 5:42.00
15 Years Boys Discus – Lucas 32.00m
15 Years Boys Shot Put – Lucas 12.44m
16 Years Girls Triple Jump – Sienna 9.54m
16 Years Girls Long Jump – Sienna 4.43m
17 Years Boys 100m – George 10.52
17 Years Boys Shot Put – Joshua 12.05m
17 Years Girls Shot Put – Hope 9.71m
18 Years Boys 100m – Leon 10.84
18 Years Boys 400m – Leon 53.50
18 Years Girls 400m – Bridie 1:07.74
18 Years Girls Discus – Isabella 20.57m
18 Years Boys Long Jump – Leon 6.08m
18 Years Boys High Jump – Patrick 1.86m
Congratulations to the following students who were awarded age champion medals.
12 Years Boys:
1st – Angelo
2nd – Sebastian
3rd – Milos
12 Years Girls:
1st – Charli
2nd – Alaina
3rd – Lily
13 Years Boys:
1st – Carter
2nd – Sjon
3rd – Kobe
13 Years Girls:
1st – Monique
2nd – Tayla
3rd – Paige
14 Years Boys:
1st – Robin
2nd – Mason
3rd – Gabriyas
14 Years Girls:
1st – Ruby
2nd – Grace
3rd – Lucinda
15 Years Boys:
1st – Yusuf
2nd – Humraj
3rd – Lucas
15 Years Girls:
1st – Lucy
2nd – Madeleine
3rd – Alicja
16 Years Boys:
1st – Lachy
2nd – Lakhlan
3rd – Trent
16 Years Girls:
1st – Sienna
2nd – Amber
3rd – Madeline
17 Years Boys:
1st – Joshua
2nd – Nathan
3rd – Liyo
17 Years Girls:
1st – Hope
2nd – Talia
3rd – Adel
18 Years Boys:
1st – Leon
2nd – Bailey
3rd – Kitione
18 Years Girls
1st – Bridie
2nd – Marnie
3rd – Isabella
At the end of the day the champion house was awarded. The final points were as follows:
1st – Falls 3267
2nd – Cascades 2688
3rd – Rapids 2551
4th – Torrents 1940
Congratulations to Falls on being crowned the 2025 Athletics Carnival champions.
Performing Arts
Term 2 has been a vibrant season for the Performing Arts at Redlynch State College, showcasing our students’ incredible talent and creativity across music, drama, and dance.
Our Instrumental Strings Orchestra is proudly representing the college at the JCU Cairns Eisteddfod, performing at the stunning Cairns Performing Arts Centre, the finest concert hall north of Brisbane. We wish them the very best as they take the stage!
Week 6 was buzzing with theatrical flair. On Monday 16th, the senior RACE Drama students presented a Dinner Theatre performance full of wit and charm. Their original skits, directed by the ever-creative Ms Belinda Riles, had parents, friends, and staff in stitches. It was an evening of laughter and celebration of our students’ comic timing and character work.
Earlier in the week, directed by Mr Gary Holloway, our Year 5–6 RACE Drama students performed Kids Rule, a light-hearted and funny play that brought out big laughs and big talent from our youngest performers. Year 7–8 RACE Drama followed with A Midsummer To Do, a clever and entertaining adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, proving that the Bard still shines in modern classrooms. Not to be outdone, the Year 9–10 RACE Drama students delivered a lively and thoroughly enjoyable performance of Legally Blonde, full of energy, sass, and impressive stagecraft.
As this newsletter goes to print, we send our best wishes to all our Performing Arts students competing in the Cairns Eisteddfod across music, dance, and drama categories. Your hard work and dedication are inspiring.
Don’t miss out, eisteddfod programs are available online if you'd like to catch our talented students in action. Redlynch State College is proud to nurture the performers of tomorrow!
Update from our Primary Head of Campus
Winter is upon us, well, a Cairns winter. Thank you to all families who have ensured children are in correct uniform including jumpers and jackets. We have high standards of our students and being in correct uniform creates a sense of belonging and shows that students are part of a larger team.
Our enrolments for 2026 have been rolling in. Knowing our predicted enrolments for 2026 helps us to plan our resourcing, programs and supports. If you are considering a move for 2026 or know of any families wishing to join the RSC community, please get in touch.
We are very excited to be planning a new playground for Prep. We have an amazing Prep area and know the teaching and learning standards are of high calibre. It will be an excellent enhancement to our wonderful school. Watch this space.
This term you will receive your child’s academic report card. This is a great opportunity to discuss progress with your child/ren. Early next term we will hold our Parent/Teacher Meetings where you can discuss goals and next steps for your child. I encourage all families to take this opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher.
Our Primary Campus Academic targets for 2025 are:
|
English Targets |
Prep – Year 2 |
Year 3-6 |
|
90% A-C |
95% A-C |
|
|
65% A&B |
65% A&B |
|
|
Mathematics Targets |
Prep – Year 2 |
Year 3-6 |
|
90% A-C |
90% A-C |
|
|
65% A&B |
60% A&B |
The Primary staff are striving for excellence and know we are well on our way with building expertise in our teams and Version 9 of the curriculum.
In our teaching and learning practices this term we have focused on some research and evidence based key initiatives which will shape our improvement against our targets. These include:
- Clarity – knowing the student data, student goals, next steps for students, teaching sequences and evidence of impact.
- Learning Wall Pedagogy– unpacking how the Visible Learning pedagogy can tie together many of the high impact teaching practices. This involves developing charts and references in the classroom for students to see examples of their achievement standards in English and what they are required to do to achieve their goals. This theory can also be referred to as the ‘third teacher.’
Extension and Enrichment Programs on the Primary include the following.
- Instrumental Music
- Robotics
- Lego Club
- Choir
- Netball Year 3
- Semester 2 Netball
- Lunch Clubs
We are expanding the number of options for students to access programs beyond the regular classroom learning.
Have a lovely holiday break and we will see all students back ready to learn on the 14th July.
Around the Campus
In our Specialist Learning Areas
What an action-packed term it has been for our specialist learners and teachers, not just in the classroom but also in extracurricular events.
Most recently we had our sports day on Friday. What a fabulous family event. Well done to all our athletes and spectators. It was lovely to see the true spirit of sport shine in our students. Thank you to Mr Vearing for another well-run sports day. Thank you also to tech crew for the great atmosphere, the ground staff for setting up and everyone else who helped make this such a great day. It was so good to see so many parents come and cheer on their athletes.
Mr McComb has also been busy with Robotic clubs. All teams competed last weekend in the Far North Queensland Robo Cup out at Bentley Park. The results of the competition are currently unknown but judging by the practice performance, we are confident that these students are well prepared and will make us all proud. Congratulations to Mr McComb and students for your endless hours of practice, persistence and teamwork.
This week our Choir will be participating in the Cairns Eisteddfod. Miss Rafferty and the Choir Students have been practicing and as always have given themselves the very best chance to perform well this week. If you attended the Family Festival, you may have been lucky enough to hear them sing. Congratulations to Miss Rafferty and the singing angels of the choir for all your hard work and patience.
Prep to 2
Finishing Strong.
As we approach the end of term, it’s the perfect time to remind our students, and ourselves, of the importance of finishing strong, just as we began. The start of the year was filled with excitement and positive energy and now is the time to draw on that same mindset and carry it through to the finish line.
In classrooms, students are engaging in a range of assessments that allow them to celebrate what they’ve learned. We encourage all children to approach these tasks with confidence, creativity and a positive mindset. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about doing their best. A healthy approach to assessment helps students feel proud of their growth and sets the tone for future learning. In our classrooms we use brain and movement breaks between learning moments that help our children to maintain focus, boost energy, improve learning retention and help reset the brain. Short, active pauses reduce stress and enhance mood. These breaks support cognitive processing and physical well-being allowing students to return to tasks refreshed and ready to engage more effectively.
Parents can support this by encouraging routines that promote focus and wellbeing: good sleep, healthy meals and lots of praise for their child’s effort. Talk to your child about the goals they set at the beginning of each term and celebrate their progress.
Years 3-6
Throughout Semester 1, we have seen many examples of our amazing students once again working hard to achieve their personal best. It is always wonderful to see students in classes not only working independently but also working together with their teachers, teacher aides, support staff and with their peers, to gain and reinforce skills and knowledge in the various learning areas.
At RSC we not only cater for the academic aspects in all the subjects but also in areas of interest and strengths such as sport, music, art and technologies. Our students have opportunities to explore their strengths and interests such as Choir, Futsal, Bands, Dance and Drama and Robotics. These students show great commitment to practices and/or participation before and after school as well as during their lunch breaks.
Our First Nations Students in Years 4,5 and 6 also have opportunities to participate in the Deadly Choices Program where topics such as healthy foods, the importance of exercise, healthy lifestyles and healthy choices are covered.
As the holidays approach, celebrate all the success your child has achieved and please ensure your child remains safe during the holidays and enjoy the break.
Upcoming Events
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What’s On |
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Week 1 |
Life Education 100 Days of Prep Cairns Show Holiday (18th July) |
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Week 2 |
Life Education Primary Parent Teacher Interviews |
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Week 3 |
Futsal |
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Week 4 |
Life Education – Talk About It |
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Week 5 |
Life Education – Talk About It Year 5 Camp Patterson |
Parades
Weekly parades are held for student awards, messages and acknowledgements. We welcome all parents/carers to join us.
- P-2 parades are held Fridays 2:00pm in the Primary Performance Hall.
- 3-6 parades are held Mondays 2:25pm in the undercover area next to the tuckshop.
Hats
A reminder that all students need a school hat to participate in their HPE lessons and to play at break times.
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| Sue Hall | Kellie Kremmer | Mike Bruno |
What an amazing term of borrowing – 3317 books were borrowed! A friendly reminder for our students to return library books before the holidays - our books need a well-rested holiday. Returns can occur before or after school and at lunch times.
Thank you to all our amazing families that supported our Book Fair in Week 5. This year the number of sales broke our school record, earning our school $3000 to spend on new books for our library.
Next term we have our Book Week Celebrations! The theme this year is ‘Book an Adventure’ and during Week 6 students will be invited to participate in a number of activities at the library with their class and at lunch times.
On Friday 22nd August will be our annual Book Week Dress Up Day. Students in Prep to Year 6 are invited to come to school dressed as their favourite book character (don’t forget to bring the book too). Parade will commence on the Basketball court at 9:15 am. We can’t wait to see all the awesome and creative costumes. More details will be available early Term 3.
“Reading is a passport to countless adventures.” (Mary Pope Osbourne)
Student Council Update – Term 2 Highlights & What’s Coming Next!
It’s been a busy and exciting term for the Student Council!
We recently had the chance to catch up with our Primary Campus Student Council representatives and loved hearing about what they’ve been up to. We’re now planning some joint activities in the near future, stay tuned for some awesome cross-campus collaboration!
In true Redlynch spirit, a passionate crew of students, staff, and alumni came together to volunteer at the Cairns Ironman Mowbray Aid Station. From handing out hydration to cheering on athletes tackling the gruelling 180km bike leg, our team brought the energy, smiles, and unmatched enthusiasm! The feedback was unanimous – the Mowbray Aid Station was the best on the course (no bias, just facts). A huge thank you to everyone who gave up their time to support this incredible event and show the community what Team RSC is all about!
A huge shoutout to our Relay for Life Team – we’ve got over 40 students involved, and together they’ve already raised an incredible $5000 (and counting)! In Week 9, the team hosted a fun-raising day full of action and laughs – with a sizzling BBQ, wild relay games on the oval, and the unforgettable moment of taping a few brave teachers to the wall (yes, that really happened!). There's still time to support the team or even join if you're a secondary student looking to be part of something meaningful and memorable. Relay for Life is on Saturday August 2nd at Barlow Park from 2-11pm. To join our team or donate to this worthy cause, please visit: https://www.relayforlife.org.au/fundraisers/redlynchstatecollege
We ended the term with a Senior Social for Year 11 and 12 students. It was a fantastic way to celebrate the end of term with good friends and good vibes.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, we’re continuing to work on our beautification project alongside the amazing Mrs Kelly Metcalf. Watch this space as we bring colour and creativity to life around our campus!
Looking ahead to Term 3, we’ve got some exciting events in the works:
- A Onesie Free Dress Day (yes, you read that right – it’s time to bring out your best and comfiest onesie),
- A float in the Cairns Festival Parade – RSC style!
- And we’re exploring the idea of a Junior Social for our Year 7 to 9 students!
Thanks for all the support so far. We’re proud to represent our student body and can’t wait to bring these plans to life!
 Nicole Neill - Student Council Co-ordinator
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 Pam Dean - Student Council Co-ordinator
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Meet Our New Guidance Officer – Lindsay Russell
Hello Redlynch community,
My name is Lindsay Russell, and I’m so pleased to be working as the Guidance Officer on the Primary campus. I’ve been part of school communities since 2014, first as a classroom teacher, and for the past five years, in student support and guidance roles.
I’m passionate about helping children thrive, not just in their learning, but in their wellbeing and development too. Whether it’s building friendships, managing emotions, developing confidence, or supporting families through tricky times, I’m here to help.
It’s a real privilege to work alongside our wonderful students, families, and staff at Redlynch. Please feel welcome to reach out anytime. I’m always happy for a chat, a brainstorm, or a helping hand.
Looking forward to connecting with more of you across the year!
Wellbeing Tips for the Week
Taking care of our wellbeing is something we can all benefit from; whether we’re students, parents, or staff. Here are a few simple ideas to help nurture a sense of calm and connection this week:
- Take 5 for Yourself
Even a short break can help reset the mind. Try stepping outside for a few deep breaths, enjoying a cuppa, or listening to your favourite song. - Connect With Someone
A quick chat, a smile, or a shared laugh can make a big difference in our day. Connection is one of the most powerful tools for wellbeing. - Move in a Way That Feels Good
Whether it’s a walk, stretching, or dancing in the kitchen, movement helps release stress and boost mood. - Focus on What You Can Control
Try to shift focus toward small actions you can take, like setting a routine, planning a healthy meal, or switching off from screens before bed. - Practice Kindness (to Yourself, Too)
Being gentle with ourselves matters. Try speaking to yourself the way you would to a friend, with encouragement, not criticism.
Remember: little things can have a big impact.
If you are struggling, there is support available.
Education Queensland International
At the end of Term 2, we farewell another group of our Education Queensland International students- Gaia and Lilly, who have studied with us for 1 year, and Maria, Mara and Emma who have studied with us for 1 Semester. We have enjoyed watching our students grow into “Aussies” and embrace all the highlights, challenges, and opportunities presented to them.
We especially want to thank their wonderful homestay families who have provided them with much support and guidance, shared their home, and taken care of them. These families are exceptional in the support they provide, and our program could not run without them. Thank you.
We also farewell Deny, our Rotary Student who has studied at RSC for 1 year. Deny has stayed with multiple Rotary families throughout her journey. If you are interested in your own student going on a rotary exchange program overseas, please contact the local Cairns Rotary Club.
In Term 3 we will welcome a new round of 14 students arriving for a 6-month EQI Study Abroad program. Students arriving are from Germany, Belgium and Brazil. Students will be studying in Year 10 & Year 11. Please do take the time to get to know these students and learn a little bit about their culture.
Thank you to the new families (and old) who have offered their homes to provide accommodation for these students in return for remuneration and experiencing a new culture at home. We again, truly value your kindness and generosity, and look forward to staying in contact throughout Semester 2.
In week 2, we will welcome our regular yearly EQI Study Tour with 22 students from Otakanomori High School ( 23 July – 04 August). Students will participate in a 12-night program and will integrate into classes with our local students as buddies. A huge thank you to our staff who frequently accommodate these study tour students into their lessons. These International groups bring valuable learning opportunities, friendships and financial support to our local students. Thank you to the many local families who have also kindly offered homestay availability. We hope you enjoy a little bit of Japanese culture in your home.
For any families interested in providing homestay in 2026, please contact us on : homestay@redlynchsc.eq.edu.au
Gaia Falotti
Hi, my name is Gaia Falotti, I'm 18 and I've just finished a year's exchange in Australia, 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days. In the 8760 hours I've spent here, I've changed, a lot. I believe that we are the sum of the people around us, and I can only be grateful for the great friends I've made. I've met people whose hearts are in their hands, people who make me laugh every day, people who encourage me, inspire me and love me for who I am.
When I was little, I thought I was Australian, I told this to all my classmate. Now I feel it was almost destiny. Part of me will always be Aussie. I was immersed in the culture; I think my host family had a lot to do with it! I changed 3 times, I loved my first family and shared my life with another exchange, it created inseparable bonds, and I think we'll be sisters forever. My last family is just being at home, I met the most fantastic foster mother, in fact she's my second family. I'm so grateful for their welcome, I've always felt integrated, appreciated and loved as a full member. I love them with all my heart! They've led me, participated and supported me in all my wildest adventures.
During this year I got out of my comfort zone, discovered new activities like climbing, hiking, diving and traveling. I was lucky enough to visit Sydney and Melbourne, cities that charmed me with their atmosphere and beauty. I was able to go to Brisbane with my host family to see a rugby match. I visited the outback, Uluru and Kings Canyon, it was breathtaking! I have so many good memories and laughter in my mind. I slept in the middle of the coral reef with 22 exchanges, we all have our diving license now! I learned to climb, not to be afraid of falling or of effort. I hiked to the top of rock glaciers with friends, I visited the Daintree with them, it was great. The friends I've met have more values than anything else in the world, I can't express enough how much I love them.
I fell in love. That was wonderful.
I also joined Race Drama and performed in front of an audience. I sewed my dream dress, I got 24/25 in English, it's amazing how much I've improved.
This year has been so lively and has taught me so much. It will surely go down as the best 8760 hours of my life. Thank you to those who have inspired me, carried me, accompanied me. Thank you to the girls I sat with during lunch break, thank you to my drama class, my teachers, the most fantastic host family. Thank you to all those who have made this adventure unique, funny, unpredictable and incredibly beautiful.
It wasn't Australia that stole my heart. It was you.
Thank you all.
P&C Executive
On behalf of the P&C Executive, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our entire school community for your incredible support of this year’s Family Festival — our biggest fundraiser of the year! What an amazing night it was!
We are so grateful to the dedicated school staff and the many family and community members who volunteered their time and energy — whether it was in the lead-up, setting up on the day, helping during the event, or assisting with the clean-up on Sunday to ensure the school was ready for Monday. We truly appreciate the time you gave. Thank you.
A special thank you to Megan, our P&C Shop Manager and Event Manager, for your tireless work behind the scenes — from co-ordinating cent sale donations to managing logistics and everything in between. Your efforts helped make the night the success it was.
Thank you also to the many generous local businesses across the Cairns region who supported the festival through donations and prizes. The response to our cent sale was overwhelming, and we were blown away by its success.
Finally, our deepest thanks to our major sponsors:
Vistas at Redlynch,
Redlynch Central Shopping Centre, and
Ruswin Integrated Security Systems
Your generous contributions helped bring the festival to life.
Thank you all once again — we’re so proud of what we achieved together.
We are currently looking for a volunteer to assist Megan with the Book Club campaigns. If you have the time or are interested in volunteering a little of your time to help with this, please get in touch with Megan at the shop via phone 4039 9237 or via email shop@rscpandc.com.au
On behalf of the entire P&C executive team, we wish you a relaxing school holiday break and we look forward to supporting our college again in Term 3.
How does Tuckshop work?
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Hot food, sandwiches and drinks ordered for lunch are delivered daily to classrooms at 11:05am.
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All snack items ordered for lunch are to be collected from the tuckshop after the play bell (11:15am).
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Students need to bring their lunch bag to the tuckshop to collect their pre-ordered snacks, example below:
- All afternoon tea orders are collected from the tuckshop.
- Students are also welcome to purchase snacks at lunch and afternoon tea if preferred.
Important Reminders!
Students must remember to keep their lunch bag and bring it to the tuckshop to collect any snacks / treats listed on their bag
- Afternoon Tea is a collection service for Grades 1 to 6. Please make sure your child knows if you order afternoon tea so they know to collect it.
- All students in Prep Classes will continue to have all their food at lunch and afternoon tea delivered in Term 3.
Canteen
Friday the 27th June, the last day of Term 2 the Canteen will be closed as we prepare to vacate for our very exciting upgrade. Please ensure you make arrangements to send your student with lunch that day. Canteen Service will re-open on the first day of Term 3, however we will be temporarily located between the MSC and Hospitality buildings in a mobile kitchen.
We will have a reduced menu and we encourage all to pre-order on Flexischools or in person between 8.15am - 9.00am in our new location.
We cannot guarantee that those who do not pre-order will be able to get food on the day, so play it safe and place an order.
OSHC
?? Chicken visit ??
This afternoon was egg-stra special! ? The kids were lucky enough to have a visit from some adorable baby chicks, and they couldn’t have been more excited! There were lots of smiles, curious questions, and gentle hands as everyone got the chance to see the chicks up close. The children loved learning all about what chickens need to stay happy and healthy from cozy coops to fresh food and water. It was a wonderful experience full of fun, feathers, and learning!
Shop
As Term 2 draws to a close, we’re pleased to share that it’s been another successful term at the Uniform Shop. It’s been a pleasure welcoming and assisting all the new families joining our school community – we hope you're settling in well!
Please note that the shop will be closed on the last Thursday of the term for stocktake, so be sure to plan your purchases accordingly.
This term also saw some wonderful community events, including our Mother’s Day Stall and Breakfast, and the always-popular Family Festival. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the volunteers and staff who gave their time and energy to help make these events so special – we couldn’t do it without you!
Wishing all our families a fantastic holiday break. We look forward to seeing you again and assisting you in Term 3!
Student Absence, Late to school and Early Departure College ProtocolsThe safety and wellbeing of students are the highest priorities for the College and the department. Parents need to know if their child hasn't turned up for school, and schools need to know when and why a child is absent. State schools are required to notify parents on the same day that any student is absent from school without explanation.
How to advise of student Absence, Late to school and Early departures
All absences, late to school and early departures must be notified by someone who is the legal parent/carer of the student. If your student is going to be:
- Absent – Preferred method is to submit absence notification via QParents App or SMS the Absence line 0429 810 127. Other methods accepted include calling the Absence line (07 4039 9294) or Parent/Carer advises personally at Student Services.
- Late to school – Preferred method is to submit Late to School notification via QParents App or SMS the Absence line 0429 810 127. Other methods accepted include calling the Absence line (07 4039 9294), Parent/Carer provides a signed and dated note or they advise personally at Student Services.
- Leaving School Grounds / Early Departures
Primary Campus
Report to Student Services to collect and sign your child out. If a person other than the parent/caregiver is to collect the student, please give a note to your student stating the name of the person who is to collect and sign the student out. This note must be dated and signed.
Secondary Campus
Students leaving early MUST have a note clearly explaining what time they are leaving and the reason for their early departure from the College. Parents/legal carers needing students to leave early from school are required to:
- Give the child a note to bring to school advising the time and the exact reason (the nature or purpose of any appointment or family type reason must be explained) for departure. This note is to be signed and dated by the parent/legal carer.
- The note must be countersigned by a Deputy Principal on the student’s arrival at school.
- The student shows the note to their teacher to be released from class.
- The student presents the note at Student Services, at the time stated, to sign themselves out.
If a person other than a parent/legal carer is to sign out and collect the student, this and the name of the person, must be stated clearly on the note.
We are not permitted to use the College PA system during class time to call students to the office. Please ensure that you provide your students with a note, as outlined above, so they can be ready to leave when required.
https://redlynchsc.eq.edu.au/support-and-resources/qparents
Student Resource Scheme
https://redlynchsc.eq.edu.au/enrolments/enrolling-at-our-school/student-resource-scheme-srs
Saver Plus
Netball Holiday Clinics
2 Bent Rods
2 Bent Rods are excited to share that the QLD Kids Fishing Classic (QKFC) is back for the upcoming school holidays! This fun and family-friendly competition is all about encouraging kids to get outside, enjoy nature, and put down their devices.
About the Competition:
- Open to kids aged 3–17 years living in Queensland, with categories for 3–7, 8–12, and 13– 17-year-olds.
- Fish land-based, by kayak, or from a tinnie—no boat or travel required!
- Includes saltwater, freshwater, and pest species.
- It’s a photo-only comp: participants simply upload photos of their catches to the 2 Bent Rods App.
- Fish from anywhere in Queensland, whenever suits during the school holidays!
Check out more details on our website: 2 Bent Rods - Fishing Competitions
And join our Facebook group: QLD Kids Fishing Classic
