2 April 2025

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers of the Mary Help of Christians Catholic College Community,

It is hard to imagine that this first term is coming to a close so quickly as we move towards the Easter break.

We certainly had a memorable start to the year! Since then, the term has been jam-packed with events including the Swimming Carnival, NAPLAN, Ash Wednesday Liturgy, Emerging Leaders PIN, Project Compassion fundraising, our inaugural Open Day and the planned NQ Netball and TSSS Basketball Gala Days this week. 

I am astounded by the number of opportunities our foundation staff are providing for our students at lunch times, including a Games Club, Writer’s Club, Choir, Chess Club, Mindfulness Colouring Club, Minecraft Club, Art Club and Drama Club, in addition to the sporting teams we are also offering.

Throughout all these events, the students and staff have immersed themselves fully, displaying generous spirits, always embodying the strong sense of community which we are building here at Mary Help of Christians Catholic College. 

College Open Day  

Our inaugural Mary Help of Christians Catholic College Open Day was a wonderful occasion. It was such a welcoming and vibrant event, showcasing our college as a Christ-centred community where learning, service and compassion are lived every day.

It was incredibly heart-warming to witness our Year 7 foundation students welcoming our visitors, proudly showcasing our college. They could confidently share why we are named Mary Help of Christians Catholic College and what they are loving about our community.

We are grateful to our staff and students for their generous spirits in making our Open Day a huge success and thank all of the families who visited us, witnessing the special college community we are building.

Attendance

I would like to remind families of the importance of attendance at school. At present our attendance rate for Term 1 is 93%.

We aim as closely as possible to 100% attendance, with a baseline acceptable rate at our college of 92%. Evidence has shown that success at school is predicated upon being in a class where the learning takes place. As a College, we have processes in place which ensure that optimal conditions are in place to support student attendance, which is a key indicator of wellbeing across the College.

We ask your support to ensure that your son and/or daughter are at school every day. We ask that you communicate with us should there be concerns about their wellbeing. The College has a wonderful Success Team and being open in our communications with each other will create stronger partnerships. 

Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Group

At Mary Help of Christians Catholic College, we believe that parents play a significant role in supporting their children’s learning and wellbeing. The goal of family engagement is to empower families to be active partners and agents in their children’s learning journey. We will have a FACE  Group, rather than a P&F Association.

What does FACE look like at Mary Help of Christians Catholic College?

• All parents and carers make up the FACE of Mary Help of Christians Catholic College, therefore there is no executive structure.
• We meet each term (from Term 2) with dates and times to be advised ahead of time.
• Meeting focus areas include Catholic Identity, engagement in learning and thinking, parent engagement, and some fundraising opportunities.
• Meeting structure:
• Welcome and Prayer
• Reflection of previous meeting and minutes
• Principal’s Report
• Feedback from parents about the previous term
• Looking ahead to the calendar and how parents and families can be involved
• Creation of small working groups when required to assist with events

We look forward to working with you and will send out a notice of the first FACE Meeting via Compass.

Thank You

I want to thank you for your support in Term 1. It has been an extremely busy first term, with some challenges along the way.  Your support has made our work all the more worthwhile because we are building a community which gives hope to all who are a part of it. We look forward with great excitement to what Term 2 will bring to Mary Help of Christians Catholic College and feel blessed to share this journey with you.

 “Alone we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” Helen Keller

Blessings.
Mardi Grubba
Principal

Catholic Identity, Mission and Wellbeing

Project Compassion

As we approach the end of the term, our fundraising drive for Project Compassion is drawing to a close. With the support of their Pastoral Care Teachers, our students have shown their commitment to almsgiving through a range of initiatives. At the time of writing, we have raised over $400, which is an impressive figure for a small community! Our students’ commitment to helping others who are less fortunate than themselves has been inspiring.

Parents, carers and friends who would like to make a donation may still do so online by using our online donation portal, which can be accessed here. Every dollar makes a difference as we join Caritas Australia to unite against poverty.

Holy Week and Easter

The second week of the Easter Holidays is Holy Week – the most solemn period in the tradition of the Catholic Church. We encourage families to experience Holy Week as a part of our parish, the Ministerial Region of the Good Shepherd. Up-to-date information about Holy Week in the parish can be found in the parish bulletins, which are available on their website.

Holy Week begins on the 13th of April and concludes on Easter Sunday, 20th of April. It can be easy to become lost in the symbolism of the week, but each of the days commemorates a significant moment in the Passion story:

• Palm Sunday (13 April) commemorates Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem on the back of a donkey (John 12:13)
• Holy Thursday (17 April) commemorates the Last Supper, which provides the foundation for our celebration of the Eucharist (Matthew 26:17-30)
• Good Friday (18 April) commemorates the loving sacrifice made by Jesus through his crucifixion (Mark 15:21-41)
• Holy Saturday (19 April) commemorates the time between Jesus’ death and his resurrection, when his body lay in the tomb (Matthew 27:62-66)
• Easter Sunday (20 April) commemorates the resurrection of Christ (Mark 16:1-8)

The Easter story is the foundation story of our Church, and it is a wonderful time to connect, to reflect, and to commit ourselves to new beginnings.

Anzac Day

The first Friday of Term 2 is Anzac Day. This year’s Anzac Day marks the 110th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli. Our College is registered to participate in the Thuringowa Anzac Parade, which is held in the Riverway Precinct. Parents and carers can give consent and confirm their children’s attendance via Compass. We will also be laying a wreath at the Mid-Morning Service. We encourage all students to participate if they are able.

Mr Graham Joseph
Assistant Principal - Catholic Identity, Mission and Wellbeing

Learning and Thinking

Term 1 Progress Reports

Students have been busy completing assessment items over the past few weeks, and teachers are now busy marking and moderating them.  Results from these assessments will be progressively released to students in class and via the Compass app as soon as the moderation processes are complete.  We will be in touch when these results are available.

On Friday this week, Term 1 progress reports will be released via the Compass portal.  These progress reports are designed to provide a snapshot of your child’s classroom behaviour, application to learning, and homework completion during the first term of secondary school. Importantly, there are no results included on these progress reports.  Official results are issued twice per year at the end of each semester on official semester reports. 

Click below for a guide on how to access your child’s report via Compass portal or Compass app: 

Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews

The first of our two Parent-Student-Teacher Interview opportunities is scheduled for Week 2 next term as follows:

• Date: Tuesday, 29th April 2025  
• Time:  3:30pm - 6:00pm
• Location: B5/B6 (auditorium)

Students are strongly encouraged to attend these interviews with their parent/carer to discuss progress and achievement at school so far this year with teachers.  Interviews are 10 minutes in duration and can be booked via the Compass portal or Compass app.  Bookings will open at 3:00pm on Friday, 4th April 2025 and will close at 9:00 am on Thursday 24th April 2025.  Please try to book early so you can access the times and teachers that you need.  

Click below for how to book an interview using the Compass portal or Compass app: 

Earlier this year, I collaborated with Kylie Helmore, Principal of Marian Catholic School, to write an article for TCE Connect entitled Parent teacher Interviews: What to expect and what to ask. Designed for parents and carers, the article is a handy guide for how you can get the most out of the forthcoming interviews:

https://www.tsv.catholic.edu.au/parent-teacher-interviews-what-to-expect-what-to-ask/ 

If you are unable to make it along this time, there will be another Parent-Student-Teacher Interview session scheduled early in Term 3.

Have a blessed and holy Easter and a safe and happy holiday period.  See you in Term 2.

Paul Allan
Deputy Principal - Learning and Thinking

College Administration

Reminder: Catholic Schools Pupil Free Day - Friday 2nd May 2025

There is a pupil free day scheduled for all systemic Catholic schools in the Townsville Diocese on Friday, 2nd May 2025.  This means there will be no school on this day and parents/carers need to make alternative arrangements for the supervision of their children.  

During this pupil free day, teachers will attend a series of workshops designed to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the new version 9.0 of the Australian Curriculum, which is currently being implemented in stages across all schools.

School Class Photos

School class photos have been booked for Friday 16th May 2025.  Students will need to ensure they are wearing their full and correct formal uniform on the day.  Further information about how to order copies of class photos will be distributed early in Term 2.

Our Canteen has launched - register for Flexischools now!

Our long-awaited college canteen opened for business this week.  The canteen operates five days per week and offers online pre-ordering via the Flexischools app alongside over-the-counter payments using student Compass ID cards. 

Information flyers were sent home with students last week, detailing how you can sign up for Flexischools to take advantage of online ordering, or add your child’s Compass ID card to your Flexischools account so they can order and pay over the counter using their Compass card. Please note: The use of Apple Pay and Google Pay services by students to make payments at the canteen during the school day is not permitted under the college’s Connected Devices Policy. 

Visit www.flexischools.com.au today to download the Flexischools app and register for ordering. For further information, please contact our Canteen Convenor, Mrs Cathy Grieve, via the college office.

Mosquito bite prevention

Last week all schools in the Townsville region were contacted by Queensland Health Communicable Diseases Branch to provide advice regarding the risk of mosquito bites and the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases, especially when preparing for and participating in outdoor activities over the holidays.  The key messages provided were:

• Avoid mosquitoes: Plan indoor activities at dusk and dawn.
• Dress appropriately: Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing, covering arms, legs, and feet.
• Use insect repellent: Apply a repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on exposed skin and reapply every few hours, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Consider use of mosquito coils (outdoors) and insecticide vaporisers.
• Ensure fly screens are intact: Keep windows and doors secure to prevent mosquitoes from entering buildings, tents, or caravans.
• Use mosquito-proof bed nets or tents when camping or sleeping outdoors.

You can read further information from Queensland Health via the following link: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/all/prevention/prevent-mosquito-bites 

Do you know about the College Calendar?

There is a public-facing calendar on our college website where you can see all of the important dates coming up in the life of the college.  You can access the calendar by visiting this link:

https://www.mhoc.catholic.edu.au/about-us/calendar/ 

First Nations Education

Our Emerging Leaders students have completed their Term 1 check-ins with their mentors, along with their Personal Learning Agreements (PLAs) and Personal Incentive Goals (PIGs). It is fantastic to have 12 wonderful staff mentors who have volunteered to support our First Nations students this year. These mentors will complete check-ins each term, to ensure our Emerging Leaders are supported at school. Mentor biographies have also been distributed to our Emerging Leaders students. 

Co-Curricular Update

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Please see the timetable below regarding our upcoming Co-Curricular activities and opportunities in week 10. Please note that there is no homework program or girls rugby league training in week 10. Homework program and Rugby training will commence in week 2 of Term 2. We have also moved one of the basketball training sessions to Monday morning in preparation for the Basketball Gala day that will be occurring on Wednesday.

Week 10 College Co-Curricular Timetable

TSSS District Trials

The following district trials are coming up. If your child is interested in participating in district trials, we request that either your child or a parent or carer make contact with Mrs Young or myself to determine if your child is a suitable candidate. Please check the list below carefully as there have been some new inclusions. 

Basketball and Netball Gala Days

We have the following upcoming Gala days that selected students will be participating in.  Information has been sent out via compass  to the families of students who are involved in the Netball and Basketball Gala days. 

We wish the netball and basketball teams all the best on their Gala days. We also wish to thank the teachers who have run training sessions in preparation for the event. 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding Co-Curricular, please feel free to contact me at larnold5@mhoc.catholic.edu.au or via parent reception. 

Lisa Arnold
Co-Curricular Design and Delivery

Guidance Counsellor

In our final week of term 1 our students will be listening to some valuable presentations on extremely important topics.  On Wednesday, Krystal Stevens (Student Protection Officer from Townsville Catholic Education Office) will be running a session entitled Staying Safe and Being Kind Online. Krystal brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in this topic area and we are very grateful for the time she is taking out of her busy schedule to educate our students on an issue that is very pertinent for the youth of today.

Additionally, we have also arranged for all of our year 7 students to participate in a virtual session hosted by the Butterfly Foundation on Wednesday afternoon.  Butterfly (butterfly.org.au) has been developing and delivering evidence-informed, age and developmentally appropriate body image education programs to students and young people, since 2007. Through their various programs and initiatives, they reach over 250K young people each year, Australia-wide. These universal prevention presentations for young people, cover a range of topics to address the modifiable risk and protective factors that underpin body dissatisfaction and disordered eating attitudes and behaviours and offer positive strategies to support emotional wellbeing and body image. Presentations for Year 5 – Year 10 do not discuss eating disorders.

Secondary school
Presentations do include Butterfly’s National Helpline information.

 Topics include:

• Resilience, self-esteem and positive body image
• Information about the many influences on body image
• Strengthening of media and social media literacy skills to develop critical thinking
• Working to reduce the modifiable risk factors that underpin the development of more serious body image and eating issues; self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, internalisation of the thin ideal, appearance and weight-based bullying and teasing, and body comparisons.
• Supporting the building of protective factors; role of friends/peers, the importance of healthy relationships with their body, eating and physical activity, respecting diversity.
• Help-seeking if they are worried for themselves or a friend.

Further information on this important topic can be found at butterfly.org.au

With school holidays fast approaching please see below a range of wellbeing support options which are available in the local community should they be required

If the matter is of an urgent psychological nature:

Urgent Care/Crisis Support
CYMHS (1300 MH CALL)

Acute Care Team TUH
CYMHS PH: 07 4433 9004  
ACT PH:  1300 642 255 (24hr)  or 000 or 112 from mobile for life threatening emergencies

Head to Health
(Medicare Mental Health Centre)
PH: 1800 595 212
https://headtohealth.neaminational.org.au/townsville/referral

If the matter is of a psychological nature that is not urgent but immediate support is needed:
Online and Telehealth Services

eheadspace
PH: 1800 650 890  https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/

Kids Helpline
PH: 1800 551 800  https://kidshelpline.com.au/

13YARN
PH: 13 92 76  https://www.13yarn.org.au/ - support for individuals from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds

Momentum
https://momentumhub.org.au

Lifeline 24/7
PH: 13 11 14

NQ Connect
PH: 1300 059 625  nqconnect.com.au

Connect to Wellbeing
PH: 1300 020 390  www.connecttowellbeing.org.au

Be you/Beyond Blue
beyou.edu.au

Local Services

Headspace Townsville
(8.30am-4.30pm)
PH: 4799 1799

Open Arms
PH: 1800 011 046 for ADF and immediate families

We hope our students, staff and their families have a relaxing and safe holiday break!

Meet the Staff

Angela Wilson
School Officer - ASL 

• What is your role at the college?
  

  School Officer (Assisting Student Learning)

• What did you do before joining Mary Help of Christians?
  

  I have been a School Officer within Catholic Education Townsville for 3 years. Prior to that I was in training to be a nurse. 

• A couple of fun or interesting facts about you?
  

  When I was growing up, I travelled all over Australia in a motorhome, and I had completed a full circle around Australia before I turned 10! I have two children, a son and a daughter who both share a desire to travel just like I did. I really enjoy being crafty, and actually run a small craft business in my free time. 

• What do you love about working at Mary Help of Christians?
  I love working at Mary Help of Christians! Being part of the community is an incredible experience and I am absolutely honoured to be here. I enjoy being able to help the children strive to be their best selves, and to assist them to learn the Mary’s way.