7 August 2025

PRINCIPAL

Centenary State High School is an amazing school and our recent school review has highlighted some of our key successes that we, as a whole school community, should be incredibly proud of. The top five key affirmations for our school include:

• Staff emphasise their commitment to the wellbeing and achievement of all students, ensuring every student experiences growth and achievement.
• Staff and students celebrate the positive relationships they build in and out of the classroom, leading to a strong sense of belonging and care.
• Staff promote allocating the necessary support to ensure students maintain a successful learning journey.
• Students and parents/carers highlight the wide range of curricular and extracurricular programs that provide opportunities for students to excel in areas of interest.
• Teachers and leaders celebrate the culture of continuous learning that fosters trust, professional dialogue and meaningful reflection on teaching practise to support their professional growth.

I am immensely proud to be the Principal of Centenary State High School and our school review reinforces that there is much to be proud of. The Executive Summary can be found uploaded to our school website for further reading: 

Finally, I had the absolute privilege of attending the CGEN performance recently. Over 2000 state school students performed and we had 6 students from our school represent. It was an amazing production that is a great experience for our students to hone their performance skills in a truly authentic environment.

Stay connected with us on our Facebook page: 

Until next newsletter,

Ross McNichol
Principal
Email: admin@centenaryshs.eq.edu.au

To read newsletter in full view, please click on the “Newsletter Print Version” button on the top left-hand corner of the screen.

DEPUTY PRINCIPALS

Inclusion – Deborah McIntyre

Last week, our school proudly celebrated 50 years of NAIDOC with a Junior School assembly that honoured the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The assembly was led by our First Nations Captains who delivered the Acknowledgment of Country and speeches that reflected this year’s NAIDOC theme: 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, Legacy - honouring the achievements of the past while celebrating the empowerment of young leaders shaping the future'. 

Our local state member, Ms Jess Pugh MP, addressed the school, acknowledging the significance of NAIDOC Week and reaffirming a commitment to reconciliation and respect. 

We were fortunate to have proud Kamilaroi and Warramunga man, Eckybow join us again. Eckybow is known for his wide range of cultural knowledge and skills and is a performing artist and educator who has worked with our school for over 5 years. Eckybow spoke to the school about the importance of the next generation of First Nations youth and recognised the crucial role allies play in walking alongside communities with respect, action and solidarity.

A special thank you to our Junior School Choir who performed a moving version of ‘My Island Home’ and  Elder Aunty Rose who was also in attendance.

We thank everyone who contributed to this special event, marking the 50^th celebration of NAIDOC.

You can see more on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/199vfesKpX/

Year 9 – Pia Leinonen 

Welcome to Term 3! We hope you all had a restful and enjoyable winter break, filled with time to recharge, connect, and reflect. It has been fantastic to see our Year 9 students return refreshed and ready for another big term of learning, growth, and opportunity.

Firstly, we’d like to send our warmest wishes and positive thoughts to Ms McKay as she recovers from her recent knee operation. We wish her a smooth and speedy recovery. While she is on leave, I have the privilege of stepping into the Deputy Principal role. Stepping into my shoes as Year Level Coordinator is the ever-capable Ms Masters, one of our Year 9 Home Group teachers. We’re also excited to welcome Ms Stolberg and Mr Duncan, who have joined the Year 9 team as Home Group teachers – thank you both for jumping into these important roles.

This term, our focus in Positive Education is on ENGAGEMENT, one of the key pillars of our PERMAH model. Encouraging students to be present, curious, and connected to their learning is essential for their overall wellbeing and success. To kick off the term, students participated in two powerful performances: WIRED, which explored the topic of cyberbullying, and SMASHED, which focused on alcohol awareness. These sessions were interactive and thought-provoking, reminding us of the importance of creating safe spaces to have open and honest conversations with our students.

We encourage families to continue these discussions at home. If you have any questions or would like further support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Sandi, our Year Level Guidance Officer, or to myself directly.

Looking ahead, we’re incredibly excited for Team Building Day: OUTLAST 2025, coming up in Week 6! This is one of the most anticipated events of the Year 9 calendar – a full day where ‘Survivor meets Centenary’. I’m proud to say we have 253 students taking part – our largest number ever! Students will join forces with their peers to tackle fun, physical, and strategic team challenges in a bid to become the ultimate survivor. It’s a brilliant day that promotes resilience, collaboration, and school spirit – and we can’t wait to see our students in action.

We’d also like to take a moment to sincerely thank our Year 9 families for your ongoing support. Your encouragement, communication, and involvement make a real difference as we work together to guide your student through this important stage of their learning and personal development. It truly is a team effort, and we are grateful to partner with you in helping our students grow into confident, capable, and kind young adults.

Year 12 – Ange Raven

Welcome to Ms Julie Scull

We are excited to welcome Ms Julie Scull as Sneior Schooling Head of Departement at Centenary State SHS. Julie comes with a wealth of experince in the senior space and will be working directly with those students who require support to complete the QCE successfully.

Attendance

As we move into the final Semester of Year 12, young people often feel a mix of anxiety and excitement about the road ahead. It is important to remember that regular school attendance not only assures successful ATAR and QCE, but prepares them for the journey ahead. Being at school every day also solidifies your student’s role as valuable member of our Year 12 community, cultivating a deep sense of belonging and improving overall wellbeing. We strongly encourage all students to take advantage of every day left in their schooling journey so they may enjoy the wonderful events planned as a Year 12 student.

Preparing for the External Exams – Atomi

Critical to student QCE and ATAR success is regular study and revision. Our school has invested in Atomi, a student learning and External Exam preparation tool.  Atomi content mirrors QCAA syllabus content, through engaging and interactive videos, quizzes and exam preparation content.

All students in General subjects have access to Atomi courses, including those studying Essential Mathematics and Essential English.  Please encourage your young person to use this tool regularly as they being to prepare for the external exams that start in October.

Student Vehicles

Student drivers have been assigned the Yallambee Street carpark. Please respect the dignity of our neighbours by using this space to park vehicles rather than congesting the local streets.

QCAA Portal (Years 11 and 12)

Students in Years 11 and 12 should have registered their account with the QCAA to access their personal learning records. The portal is a space where students can track their progress towards achieving their QCE. It is available from the myQCE page on the QCAA website: https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/ and provides an up-to-date record of their banked results from Internal Assessments. 

Any student who has not yet registered their account, or who may have forgotten their password, should see myself or Ms Scull for assistance. 

Key Events in Term 3:

• Year 12 General Subject Mock Exams (Weeks 9 & 10)
• Year 13 Interviews begin (all of Term 3) for QTAC and Non-QTAC students
• University and Industry Talks (Every Wednesday Lesson 4 in SL)

Deborah McIntyre, Deputy Principal (Inclusion, EALD)
Email:  dmcin49@eq.edu.au  

Matt Smith, Deputy Principal (Year 7)
Email: rsmit925@eq.edu.au

Brooke Davis, Deputy Principal (Year 8)
Email: bldav0@eq.edu.au

Pia Leinonen, Deputy Principal (Year 9)
Email: plein0@eq.edu.au

Carly Manche, Deputy Principal (Year 10)
Email: ceman4@eq.edu.au

Amiee Nolan, Deputy Principal (Year 11)
Email: axnol0@eq.edu.au

Ange Raven, Deputy Principal (Year 12, QCE)
Email: arave7@eq.edu.au

BUSINESS MANAGER

We are Hiring!

We are hiring school cleaners! If you or someone you know may be interested, please email your Cover Letter and CV to resumes@centenaryshs.eq.edu.au.

•  Positive work environment
•  Great team and excellent work conditions
•  Casual engagement with possibility of a contract
•  Monday to Friday, one or two shifts a day:
  • AM shift 5:00am - 9:00am
  • PM shift 2:00pm - 6:00pm

We are hiring a canteen assistant! If you or someone you know may be interested, please email your Cover Letter and CV to resumes@centenaryshs.eq.edu.au.

 3-6 hours a day
 5 days a week (Monday – Friday)
 Hours are negotiable

Debtor Statements/Outstanding Fees/Credit Adjustments

At the end of each month, our Accounts Receivable Officer generates the “Debtor Statement”. You will receive a Debtor Statement if there are any fees on your student’s account or if there are any credits on your student’s account. If there are not any fees due or credits applied to your student’s account, you will not receive a Debtor Statement. 

Fees that are due for payment are indicated by a positive amount on the Statement.

A credit on the student’s account is indicated by a negative amount on the Statement. Credits can be applied to any fees that are due for payment.

On the (approx.) 10^th of each month, any credits on student accounts will be automatically applied to the oldest outstanding fee on the Account. If you DO NOT WANT THIS TO OCCUR, please contact our Accounts Receivable team prior to the 10^th of each month.

All fees relating to the 2025 calendar year were due at the end of last month.  An overview of all fees and charges can be located on our website www.centenaryshs.eq.edu.au.  These documents provide a detailed explanation (by subject) of Curriculum Charges and Student Resource Scheme fees and what the school provides for each of these charges. 

Please note that some subjects are only timetabled each term or semester.  For these subjects, invoices will be generated as required with an email advising parents/carers of the fee. For invoices generated after the due date, a 30-day account will operate.

For more detailed information, please contact the individual Head of Department or Business Manager by emailing accounts@centenaryshs.eq.edu.au.

How to Make a Payment

Payments can be made by BPoint, QParents or over the counter with cash or EFTPOS (Debit Card, MasterCard or Visa). BPOINT and QParents options allow parents/carers the convenience of making payments from home and alleviates the need to pay over the counter in person. More information can be found on the QParents website.

BPOINT is an online payment system and is the preferred payment method for the Department.

This option is accessed through an internet weblink www.bpoint.com.au/payments/dete which appears on all invoices and statements. You will need the Customer Reference Number (CRN) which is printed on the bottom of your invoice/statement before payment can be processed.

When accessing the BPOINT weblink on individual invoices, all relevant information will pre-populate.  Parents/carers will only be required to enter their credit or debit card details.

INTERACTIVE VOICE RESPONSE (IVR) BPOINT is also available by dialling the 1300 number provided on individual invoices. This option will only accept credit cards.

ELECTRONIC DIRECT DEBIT REGISTRATION (eDDR) BPOINT is the approved payment plan option.  To set up a payment plan, parents/carers will be required to contact the school first.

Payments can be made at the school office, Monday to Friday between 8:00am and 4:00pm. Payment options include cash, credit and debit cards (EFTPOS).

From 2018 schools are no longer able to accept credit card payments over the phone. 

QKR

We are excited to offer parents/carers the ability to order online for the Tuckshop of pay for non-invoiced items via QKR!

Qkr (pronounced ‘quicker’) by MasterCard application is a secure and easy way to make school payments at your convenience. We encourage all parents/carers to use Qkr as it reduces the need to send cash to school or attend in person, and receipts are automatically generated that can be easily retrieved on the app or sent to your email. Apart from making life easier for families, it also significantly streamlines operations with the school.

What can be ordered and paid for via Qkr?

• Online Tuckshop orders
• Fundraisers
• Event tickets

The Qkr app can be downloaded for free from Apple’s app store for iPhones (iPads to download iPhone version) or from Google Play for Android phones and tablets.

The Qkr ‘How-to’ Guide (which can be found on the School’s website,  https://centenaryshs.eq.edu.au/SupportAndResources/FormsAndDocuments/Documents/centenary-shs-qkr!-how-to.pdf#search=qkr, clearly illustrates how to download the app, register yourself and your children, and pay for a variety of school items.

Student Refunds

If you have paid for an excursion, incursion or camp and your child does not attend, you have three (3) months to make an application for a refund. Refunds are not guaranteed and the refund conditions are on on the back of the Refund Form. Refund forms can be downloaded from the  School’s website, www.centenaryshs.eq.edu.au. If you feel you are eligible for a Refund, please download the Refund form from the school’s website or send an email to accounts@centenaryshs.eq.edu.au.

Families Experiencing Financial Difficulties

Families experiencing financial hardship are encouraged to contact the Business Manager to discuss how their financial obligations can be met throughout the school year, or to negotiate alternative arrangements that may be available to accommodate their individual circumstances. All discussions will be held in the strictest confidence.

What to do if…

I am running late for school and arrive after morning HG?

• Report to the Front Counter in the Administration Building with communication from your parent/carer explaining why you are late
• Present your late pass to your class teacher

I need to leave school for an appointment?

• Report to the Front Counter in the Administration Building before HG with communication from your parent/carer
• You will be issued with a leave request that needs to be presented to your teacher at the departure time
• Report to the Front Counter in the Administration Building to sign out

I am having trouble finding my class?

• Check student notices on your device for any room changes
• Check your emails to see if your teacher has emailed you room changes
• If you still cannot locate your class, report to the Front Counter in the Administration Building for assistance

I ride my bike or scooter to school?

• Walk your bike/scooter into the school grounds
• Use the bike racks outside Junior Secondary Building to secure your bike/scooter

I drive my car to school?

• Park vehicle in Yallambee Road carpark
• Follow safe driving practices
• Complete a Student Driver Registration Form, which can be collected from the Front Counter in the Administration Building.

If I witness or experience inappropriate behaviours?

• If during a break time, report to staff member on playground duty
• If during class time, report to teacher
• Send a Stymie notification

I am feeling unwell during class?

• Teacher to fill in the ‘Movements’ page in your diary
• Report to the Front Counter in the Administration Building, where you will be signed into Sick Bay
• Your parent/carer will be contacted

I am feeling unwell during a break time?

• Report to the Front Counter in the Administration Building where you will be signed into Sick Bay
• Your parent/carer will be contacted

I have a problem with my IT Device?

• Teacher to fill in the ‘Movements’ page in your diary
• Report with your device to the IT Department in the Resource Centre

I have lost something at school?

• All received lost property is kept near the Front Counter in the Administration Building
• If you have lost your ID card, report to the Front Counter in the Administration Building to organise a replacement

I need to go to the toilet during class time?

• Teacher to fill in the ‘Movements’ page in your diary

I want to get a locker?

• Report to the Front Counter in the Administration Building to pay the $10 locker hire charge

Karyn Lord, Business Manager
Email: klord25@eq.edu.au

CONNECTIONS

Welcome to Chappy Paul!

Get to know Chappy Paul:

• I was born across the ditch in Wellington NZ. My parents and siblings moved to Christchurch when I was 1 year old so for those who follow Rugby, I’m a Crusader supporter.
• I’m the 3^rd oldest of a family of 6, 4 boys and 2 girls in that order.
• My wife and I moved to Brisbane in 1988 when Expo was on.
• We have 3 daughters and currently 11 grandchildren with a 12th due in December.
• We love the Centenary SHS suburbs so much we’ve lived here for 36 years and our eldest daughter lives in 4074 also.

Leanne McBrien, Guidance Officer
Email: ljmcb0@eq.edu.au

Nicole Trembath, Guidance Officer
Email: ntrem1@eq.edu.au

Sandi Wright, Guidance Officer
Email: swrig273@eq.edu.au

Sarah Kelly, School Nurse
Email: nurse.centenary@health.qld.gov.au  

Lu Ware, Psychologist
Email: refer to Guidance Officers

Paul Stewart, School Chaplain
Email: pstew79@eq.edu.au

INCLUSION

Congratulations to our students who last week competed in the FUSE Girl Gamers Competition, where they competed in Just Dance.

They absolutely danced their hearts out, and their hard work paid off in the most spectacular way!

Six of our eight students - Annabelle, Prachi, Sairah, Charlotte, Madi and Ash advanced to the semi-finals, with only two spots taken by students from other schools. From there, the grand final was an all-Centenary SHS showdown!

1st: Prachi
2nd: Annabelle
3rd: Charlotte
4th: Sairah

We're thrilled to note that our final four make up the team who will go on to represent Centenary SHS at the FUSE Just Dance State Finals in November!

It’s an extraordinary result, and a testament to their talent, grit, and dedication. This is an all-ages event - so for Prachi, a Year 7 student, to take out the top spot against Year 12 competitors is an incredible achievement. The girls all represented our school in incredible fashion, in their accomplishments and their conduct.

Congratulations dancers!

Nicola Kelly, HOD Inclusion
Email: nkell139@eq.edu.au

INTERNATIONAL

Become a Homestay Host Today!

Are you looking to experience new cultures while being renumerated on a fortnightly basis for your care?

As a host provider, you provide a safe and secure family environment with a bedroom, study area, three healthy meals a day and contribute to the brilliant reputation Queensland has of providing the perfect Aussie cultural experience within your home.

Homestay families are a smorgasbord of diversity. And you can play a huge part in making international students experience an enjoyable one. Host families can be married couples with or without children, singles, singles with children, and grandparents too. Placements for study tours, short-term and long-term students of various ages from Japan, Vietnam and beyond are needed, all applications are welcome.

Find out more http://bit.ly/eqi-homestay-host

For more information or to start the application process, contact the International Office:

Email: international@centenaryshs.eq.edu.au
Direct Office Line: (07) 3373 4553
Homestay Mobile: 0414 689 303

International Team
Email: international@centenaryshs.eq.edu.au

HPE & SPORTS

Sporting Goals Update

Please check out how Crusha is going climbing the ladder towards our 2025 targets. It has been a very fruitful month at Centenary SHS with many students achieving district, regional or state representation in their chosen sport. We are close to many of our targets, with only a few months left in the representative season.

GALA Day Premierships – 20
District Reps – 131
Regional Reps – 32
State Reps – 5
West Brisbane Champion School – Currently 2^nd

Congratulations to Year 12 student Olivia on her recent success! You can read more at: 

MET WEST Cross Country

Earlier in the term, Rowan (Year 7) represented MET WEST at the Queensland Cross Country Championships. Competing in the T11 classification, Rowan won GOLD and will now represent Queensland at the Australian Championships in September. Furthermore, Rowan has recently set a number of QLD U17 track records in the 100m and 400m. Despite his much younger age he broke the following records with his impressive times below.

Queensland All Schools Touch Football

Touch football is one of the most successful sports at Centenary SHS. Centenary SHS has entered six teams into the Queensland All Schools Touch Football Championship which will be held in Week 1 of Term 4. This touch football competition is the largest school event, with just under 500 schools competing. Teams have been finalised and training is underway.

Northern District Athletics Trials

Congratulations to all the Centenary SHS students who competed at Districts recently. We had by far the biggest squad of any high school, with the famous tri-colour ‘Crocs’ singlets seen across most events over the two days.

Everyone can be proud of their efforts, whether it was ‘medalling’ in events, getting PBs, records, or doing their very best.

There was also a strong team atmosphere across the group, with many students staying well past their own event finish times to cheer on their mates.

In terms of podium of results, Centenary SHS students earned:

35 1st places
24 2nd places
20 3rd places

Multiple District records – students will be recognised once these are confirmed

School-based training will continue for interested students. Twice per week training has been ongoing since Week 6, Term 2.

Thanks to our committed staff (Ms Heintze and Ms Stolberg) and external coaches for running these sessions! Credit to Mr Gibbs for his administrative work behind the scenes for Districts, and all parents/carers for completing the myriad of requisite forms for their students.

For the photo highlights from the days, click on the Facebook links below:

Day 1

Day 2

Ski Trip

In the first week of the winter holidays, 45 students and 4 staff headed off to Perisher for the annual Ski Trip.

Whilst the lead up for the trip was long, (just like the bus trip) it was well worth the effort, with accommodation at the 5 Star Rated ‘Corroboree Lodge’, located ‘on snow’, just a short ski down the road to the slopes or Ski Tube, and the all-inclusive package.

From the post-trip survey, as a group, the rating was 4.89/5. Apart from the rating, many of the group were Ski Trip alumni from ’24, whist is a testament to the quality of the trip.

Some comments from the group about what they like about the trip:

• everything 
• having freedom to go to whatever slopes we wanted
• spending a full week with friends and making memories 
• how much I improved, and overcoming my fear of heights and steep slopes
• pretty views, cosy cabin, learning and improving, hanging with random people
• gunning it down slopes, poker, going out for a run in minimal clothing late at night, 4hr uno game, karaoke night, lots more
• friends, skiing, hot chocolate, fire place, and snow fights
• time on the slopes, night time activities, beautiful views, and down time at the resort
• everyone giving it a go and moving out of their comfort zones on the hard slopes – Mount Perisher and Powder Ridge, racing people down Front Valley and Goats Gully, watching people wiping out and then coming back to the lodge to wind down and having fun
• playing in the snow and making Goorang the snowman
• accommodation, skiing, teachers, and food was excellent
• this is my second trip and it is the best thing I have ever done at school

Fortunately, we had the best start to a ski season in the last 20 years, which ensured great snow cover and many open trails. Students had daily lessons and all improved markedly over the duration of the trip, even those who had a ‘challenging’ and tearful day one. This was awesome to see. Of course there were many stacks, snow angels, snow fights, and night activities also!

The group also were the first Ski Trip to have custom made hoodies, which the students wore proudly, and will have as a memento from the trip.

The whole group had impeccable behaviour and were a credit to themselves and the school. We are one of only two school groups the accommodation permits to stay over the season.

Special mention to Ski Captains Emma (Year 12) who lead both the design of the hoodies, and many activities over the week, and Co-Captain Will (Year 12) who ran some night time activities.

Thanks to Ms Tesch, Mr Frazer, and Mss Nasalio who spent countless hours assisting in organising the trip and time away from their families during the holidays to support the group and also to the admin staff who always play a big role behind the scenes.

Planning is already underway for the ’26 trip and senior students keen on attending will need to attend meetings in the coming weeks and have their deposits ready.

It is in awesome trip, and all the time and effort that goes into the preparation for it is all worthwhile when we see the awesome memories the students make whilst away.

SSNL Round 4 and Vicki Wilson Championships Update

Recently, our Years 7 and 8, Years 9 and 10, and Opens teams travelled to St Peter Claver College for Round 4 of SSNL. It was an exciting day of competition, with our Years 9 and 10 team securing a fantastic win, the Years 7 and 8 team finishing with a hard-fought draw, and the Opens team putting in a strong effort despite going down in a tough match.

We now look forward to hosting the final round of SSNL here at Centenary SHS in Week 10. We’re excited to finish the season on home turf!

In other exciting news, our Junior Vicki Wilson Team will be competing in the Championship rounds at Nissan Arena this week. This marks a historic first for Centenary SHS, and we wish the girls the very best of luck as they take on some of the best schools in the state. Go Centenary SHS!

Netball Vicki Wilson

On June 4^th, students from Years 7 – 12 competed at the Vicki Wilson Cup Netball Trials, the largest netball competition in Queensland. Teams versed a variety of schools of excellence from both the private school sector and public school sector. Our teams went up against some of the Brisbane west’s best netball academies and proved to be a competitive force against them. Firstly, our Senior Girls Team, in the hardest pool of the day, played some amazing netball, winning 4 out of our 6 games, just missing out on finals. The two losses were against the two best teams of the day. The Senior Boys Team played amazing throughout the pools, going from strength to strength and drastically improving their skill and netball knowledge, progressing to the semi-finals, only to go down by 1 point and miss out on the final game. Finally, the Junior Girls Team did exceptionally well! This team progressed to the Grand Final, battling it out against St Peter’s Lutheran, only going down by 6 points. An amazing effort from all the students involved – it was a magnificent pleasure to watch them play with such sportsmanship and spirit. Please congratulate these students on their results from the day.

Junior Winter Gala Day

Term 2, Week 10 saw the Junior Gala Dat take place. Centenary SHS had a total of sixteen teams competing and managed to bring home five premierships!

The winning teams were:

Year 8 Boys TRL
Year 9 Boys TRL
Years 7 – 9 Girls TRL
Year 8 Girls Netball
Year 9 Boys Volleyball

Thank you to all the students and staff who represented Centenary SHS!

Senior Winter Gala Day

Tuesday July 29^th was Senior Gala Day. For many of our Year 12 students, this was their final opportunity to represent Centenary SHS in a sporting capacity.

Centenary SHS acquitted themselves admirably across all sports with a number of second place finishes as well as two premierships.

The winning teams were:

Open Boys Football (Soccer)
Open Boys AFL

A massive thank you to all the students and teachers who represented Centenary SHS!

Lachie Gibbs, HPE HOD
Email: lgibb23@eq.edu.au

James Garrard, West Brisbane Sports Director
Email: jgarr57@eq.edu.au         

Richard Haines, Sports Coordinator
Email: rhain0@eq.edu.au

MARKETING AND EVENTS

Stay Connected

Follow us on Facebook to stay in-the-loop on what’s been going on and what’s coming up within our school community: https://www.facebook.com/CentenaryStateHighSchool/

Parent Teacher Interviews

Our second and final Parent Teacher Night for the year will be held on Thursday August 14th (2025) from 3:30pm - 7:30pm.

Detailed information was emailed to all parents/carers on Thursday July 24^th, 2025.

Student Celebration

A warm reminder to all parents and carers that we love celebrating the successes of our students, big or small. Please don’t hesitate to share any exciting achievements happening outside of school too, from sports to arts, community involvement or personal milestones. These stories inspire and motivate our whole school community.

Sponsorship

Become a sponsor

Later in 2025, Centenary State High School looks forward to welcoming sponsors on board to support our school, who, alike to us, are committed to fostering positive relationships so that all learners can flourish and feel a strong sense of belonging. 

We will be reaching out to like-minded partners within our community who share our passion for education and providing enriching experiences and opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom. 

To meet the needs of our inclusive and diverse school, Centenary State High School relies on the support of our community. We warmly invite you to be part of this journey by becoming a valued sponsor of Centenary State High School. 

Why Partner with Us?

As a sponsor, you will have the opportunity to align and integrate your brand across our extensive and engaged school community. With a reach that extends to thousands of engaged families, alumni, and business networks, your sponsorship will increase brand exposure and community engagement in a way that benefits both your business and our Centenary State High School community. 

Let’s Connect

We are committed to developing partnerships that provide genuine value to both our school community and our partners. Whether you're seeking social media exposure, on-site branding opportunities, or meaningful engagement with students, parents, and carers, we look forward to building a thoughtful and strategic partnership with you. 

Please keep an eye on our website and our Facebook page to keep up-to-date as to when we officially launch our sponsorship packages.

Presentation Events

In Term 4, we look forward to celebrating our two presentation events: Senior Presentation Evening and Junior Presentation Event. More details will be released as these dates approach. Please find a list of Major Awards which will be acknowledged across both events. Once again, more information will be released as these dates approach.

1. Community Award – Staff and School Community
   • This award recognises outstanding service to Centenary State High School by a teacher, other staff member or school community member.
2. Community Award – Student (all year levels)
   • This award recognises outstanding service to Centenary State High School and the wider community by a student.
3. Junior Dux Award (Year 9)
   • This award recognises the top performing Year 9 student, a student who received a Platinum Academic Award and “A” level grades in all subjects.
4. Nicole Donaldson Inspiration Award (all year levels)
   • This award recognises a student who has overcome adversity or great challenges in their life, has contributed positively to an inclusive school culture, always works hard and displays tenacity and a determination to achieve their goals and supports and advocates for others selflessly.
5. First Nations Award (all year levels)
   • This award recognises an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student who has demonstrated a high level of achievement across a broad range of school activities and has contributed to the wider school community.
6. Junior Sportsperson of the Year Award (Years 7 – 9)
   • This award recognises a junior student who has contributed to Centenary State High School sports, displayed sporting ability across a range of sports at a high level and participation at higher levels of representation.
7. Senior Sportsperson of the Year Award (Years 10 – 12)
   • This award recognises a senior student who has contributed to Centenary State High School sports, displayed sporting ability across a range of sports at a high level and participation at higher levels of representation.
8. Junior Excellence in the Arts Award (Years 7 – 9)
   • This award recognises a junior student who has achieved outstandingly and contributed to the Centenary State High School Arts programs.
9. Senior Excellence in the Arts Award (Years 10 – 12)
   • This award recognises a senior student who has achieved outstandingly and contributed to the Centenary State High School Arts programs.
10. Student Leaders’ Forum Award (all year levels)
    • This award recognises the efforts of a current student leader who is active in student forum activities and demonstrates outstanding conduct, positive attitude, leadership and willingness to support others.
11. Vocational Student of the Year Award (Years 10 – 12)
    • This award recognises a senior student who has actively engaged in vocational learning whilst maintaining studies at school and has achieved exceptional outcomes.
12. Flourish Award (Years 7 – 9)
    • This award recognises a junior student who demonstrates PERMAH elements and Character Strengths to be a learner who flourishes at Centenary State High School.
13. Olympic Change-Maker Award (Year 12)
    • This award recognises two Year 12 students who have demonstrated Olympic spirit through leadership and driving positive change in their school or local communities. The Olympic movement aims to build a better world through sport.
14. Mathematics Cup (Year 12)
    • This award recognises a student in Year 12 who has demonstrated academic excellence within the Mathematics Faculty. This award recognises the academically highest achieving student in Year 12 across the subjects of Specialist Mathematics and Mathematical Methods.
15. International Student of the Year Award (Years 11 – 12)
    • This award recognises a Year 11 or Year 12 International student who has contributed to Centenary State High School's International Student Program and has demonstrated significant academic achievement and engagement in the school community.
16. Public Speaker of the Year Award (all year levels)
    • This award recognises a student who has extensive and highly developed public speaking skills, has demonstrated commitment to improvement and team performance and embodies Centenary State High School’s values of aspiration, commitment and community.
17. Australian Defence Force Long Tan Youth Leadership & Teamwork Award – Year 10
    • This award recognises a student in Year 10 who has consistently demonstrated leadership, teamwork and community involvement.
18. Australian Defence Force Long Tan Youth Leadership & Teamwork Award – Year 12
    • This award recognises a student in Year 12 who has consistently demonstrated leadership, teamwork and community involvement.
19. Australian Defence Force Future Innovators Award – Year 10
    • This award recognises a student in Year 10 who demonstrates innovation and learning in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
20. Australian Defence Force Future Innovators Award – Year 12
    • This award recognises a student in Year 12 who demonstrates innovation and learning in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
21. AMPOL Best All Rounder Award (Year 12)
    • This award recognises a student in Year 12 who has contributed to the school across a wide range of categories – academic, cultural, sporting and community service. The recipient is a student who embodies the school vision, values and demonstrates leadership through being a positive role model to others.
22. QUT Executive Dean’s Award for Excellence in The Arts – Year 11
    • Awarded to a student who demonstrates strong personal values and a passion for making a positive impact through their creative practice and leadership.
23. QUT Executive Dean’s Award for Excellence in The Arts – Year 12
    • Awarded to a student who demonstrates strong personal values and a passion for making a positive impact through their creative practice and leadership.
24. QUT Executive Dean’s Award for Excellence in Humanities and Social Sciences – Year 11
    • Awarded to a student who leads with imagination, purpose, and strong values, using their talents to inspire collaboration, explore big ideas, and create positive impact in and beyond the classroom.
25. QUT Executive Dean’s Award for Excellence in Humanities and Social Sciences – Year 12
    • Awarded to a student who leads with imagination, purpose, and strong values, using their talents to inspire collaboration, explore big ideas, and create positive impact in and beyond the classroom.
26. Highest Performing Year 12 Student (Year 12)
    • This award recognises a student in Year 12 who has demonstrated academic excellence across all subjects. This award recognises the academically highest achieving student in Year 12 (based on the latest confirmed academic results).

Caitlin Wallekers, Marketing, Events and Executive Services
Email: cwall328@eq.edu.au

SENIOR SCHOOL

I am delighted to introduce myself as the new Head of Department for Senior Schooling. It’s a privilege to join Centenary SHS. I’m passionate about supporting students through what is one of the most transformative and significant phases of their educational journey.

Senior Schooling is more than just subject selection and assessment – it’s about helping young people discover who they are, where they want to go, and how they can get there. I am committed to creating clear, informed pathways for every student, whether they’re university-bound, entering a trade, enrolling in TAFE, or stepping straight into the workforce. My goal is to ensure all students leave school with confidence, purpose, and a strong sense of direction.

I look forward to working closely with our students and their families to provide guidance, encouragement, and the practical tools needed to turn their post-school goals into reality

Year 10 SET Plan Interviews

One of the key milestones for Year 10 students is the SET Plan (Senior Education and Training Plan) Interviews. These interviews are a vital step in helping students explore their strengths, interests, and future career goals, while setting meaningful academic targets.

In Week 4, students will begin subject selection as the first step in creating their SET Plan. The formal SET Plan Interviews – where students, parents and carers meet with staff to review and confirm these choices – will take place in Week 7, on Thursday August 28^th and Friday August 29^th. Booking details will be sent home shortly.

We strongly encourage families to engage in conversations at home about future plans, and to be part of the interview process. Your support plays a crucial role in ensuring students make informed, confident decisions about their next steps.

Year 13 Interviews

All Year 12 students will soon take part in a compulsory Year 13 Interview. This 20-minute mentoring session is a valuable opportunity for students to look ahead and formalise their post-school plans – whether that be university, TAFE, an apprenticeship or traineeship or employment.

Before the interview, students must complete the Year 13 Survey, where they can outline their intended destination and, if applicable, provide QTAC application details. Interviews will be held on the Student Free Day (Friday 5^th September) and during Weeks 9 and 10 of Term 3, which coincide with Year 12 Mock Blocks. Interview scheduling will begin once all surveys have been submitted.

If your student hasn’t yet completed their survey, they can find the link in an email from Ms Scull. Please encourage them to complete this as soon as possible.

QTAC

Year 12 students planning to apply for university can begin submitting their QTAC applications starting Tuesday August 5^th, 2025. Click here for more information https://www.qtac.edu.au/how-to-apply/.

Students are reminded to make sure they prepare their preferences and supporting documents ahead of time. Also, Year 12 student are required to create an ATAR account through QTAC from Tuesday August 5^th, 2025 - https://www.qtac.edu.au/atar/.

University Information Talks and Open Days

This term we have invited university representatives to present information sessions throughout the term during Wednesday Lesson 4 (1:50pm – 3:00pm).

Please see the table below for the dates and times of these sessions:

Week 3 – 30^th July                            Griffith University Talk
Week 6 – 20^th August                      Queensland University of Technology
Week 7 – 27^th August                      University of Queensland
Week 8 – 3^rd September  University of Southern Queensland

Year 12 students are welcome to attend multiple sessions. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and help students in their post schooling decision making.

We also encourage students to register and attend the upcoming University Open days. Click on this list for a list of dates - https://www.qtac.edu.au/events/.

Please contact Sandi Wright – Year 12 Guidance Officer – for further information.

Opportunities

Electrical and HVAC Apprenticeships Available – Years 11 and 12

We currently have six Electrical and one Refrigeration apprenticeship opportunities available, offered as either full-time (commencing after graduation) or school-based (starting during school).

If you are interested, please see Ms Morris in SL15 for more information and to discuss your suitability.

For students considering a school-based apprenticeship, the following requirements must be met:

1. A pass in Year 10 General Mathematics and English
2. A White Card
3. A driver’s licence and reliable transportation
4. Availability to work two school days per week 

These are fantastic opportunities for students interested in pursuing a career in the trades.

Full-Time or Part-Time Employment with VJ Plus – Year 12 only

An exciting employment opportunity is available with VJ Plus, a company based in Sumner Park that manufactures VJ panels. They are currently looking for reliable school leavers for full-time or part-time positions after graduation.

If you're interested in starting work after Year 12, please email your resume to Ms Morris at your earliest convenience.

This is a great chance to step straight into the workforce with a local employer!

Julie Scull, Senior School HOD
Email: jscul19@eq.edu.au

POSITIVE EDUCATION

Thank You for Supporting the Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing Survey!

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all families for supporting your student’s participation in Term 2’s Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing (QEW) Survey. We were thrilled to have an outstanding 1377 students – representing 78% of our student body – complete the survey. This strong response rate provides us with a rich and reliable dataset that will help guide our planning, practices, and priorities in the months ahead.

The QEW Survey is a state-wide initiative developed by the Queensland Department of Education. It collects valuable insights into students’ experiences of school life – capturing data across a range of wellbeing and engagement indicators including school climate, sense of belonging, resilience, relationships, motivation, and emotional wellbeing. These insights are crucial in helping us better understand the experiences of our students and ensure that every learner feels known, valued, and supported at school.

Our school has been participating in the QEW Survey since 2021, which now gives us access to longitudinal trends. This means we can not only see how our students are tracking this year but also evaluate how our work in wellbeing and engagement is making a difference over time.

While we are still in the early stages of analysing the full breadth of this year’s data, we are excited to share a snapshot of some of the positive trends we are seeing from whole school and year level perspective:

These promising results are a credit to the collective effort of our entire school community. A special acknowledgment goes to our Year Level Coordinators (YLCs), who have played a key role in embedding wellbeing into our Home Group Curriculum – ensuring that wellbeing is not just an add-on, but a core part of our daily school experience.

Over the course of this semester, our staff will continue to dig deeper into the data to identify strengths, opportunities, and areas for further support. We look forward to sharing more insights with you in an upcoming newsletter as we continue our commitment to creating a connected, inclusive and flourishing school community.

Thank you once again for your ongoing support.

Matt Smith, Deputy Principal (Year 7)
Email: rsmit925@eq.edu.au

Melissa Chamberlain, Positive Education HOD
Email: mchamm55@eq.edu.au

ARTS

So much has already happened in the first weeks of Term 3, we hope you enjoy reading about what our Arts students have been up to! Do you follow the school Facebook page – we share lots of wonderful stories about our Arts students, make sure you check it out!

Student Success

Congratulations to Year 12 musicians, Ava and Liam, who spent Week 10 of Term 2 and the first week of their holidays at MOST – the Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Instrumental Music. A highlight of their experience was working with new conductors and performing across multiple ensembles, including symphonic winds, choir and big band. They also had the incredible opportunity to workshop with the legendary James Morrison. One unforgettable moment? Watching James play two instruments at once — trumpet in his left hand and piano in his right!

Our six Creative Generation State Schools On Stage performers have finished their amazing experience, after performing four sold out shows! A group of Centenary SHS staff were thrilled to be in the audience and were amazed by the talent of our own students! We look forward to being able to watch the show again when it becomes available on Channel 9 – stay tuned for the details.

Congratulations to our Dance Troupes, who competed at the Dance Life Eisteddfod. For the first time in the school’s history, every dance troupe qualified for the Nationals in Sydney (based on the allocation of points). We are excited to be heading to Sydney in September! Three of our brilliant dance troupes finished on the podium – well done to both Lyrical Troupes (2^nd and 3^rd) and their coach Caitlin; and the Hip Hop Troupe (3^rd), choreographed and coached by Year 12 students Maddie and Delaney.

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We recently received our results for Year 12 general subjects, after being confirmed by the QCAA. Task 2 across The Arts varies: Music, Music Extension, Dance and Drama students all do a creating/presenting task worth 20%, whilst Film and Art students complete a 25% project. To achieve 100% on this task requires creative thinking, dedication, rehearsal and teamwork for those who work in a group. We are thrilled to announce that we had eighteen students achieve the perfect score on their second task! Congratulations to all of the students and staff recognised for your outstanding achievement!

After submitting two tasks, there are still thirteen Arts students who sit on full marks for their internal assessment, with one more project assessment to complete!

Congratulations to:

Dance – Delaney, Rose and Maddy
Drama – Kahlia and Ben
Film, TV & NM – Jozio, Sebastien, Riley, Liem and Waldo
Music – Marissa, Ava and Liam

We wish all of our Year 12 students the best of luck as they prepare to submit their final internal Arts assessments.

Congratulations to the Stage Band who were in Mackay recently to perform at the CQUniversity Schools’ Jazz Festival. The festival provides opportunities for growth and learning, with workshops offered by the CQ Conservatorium of Music Staff as well as by guest adjudicator and clinician, Daryl McKenzie. You can read about Daryl’s achievements on our school Facebook page, but it was an incredible opportunity for our students to be mentored by this Australian jazz icon! Congratulations to Mr Lougheed and the band who delivered a stellar performance that earned them a GOLD award! We’re also thrilled to share that we brought home three special awards:

• Outstanding Trumpet Section
• Outstanding Saxophone Soloist – Niamh
• Outstanding Saxophone Soloist – Liam

See more here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EFpoDuD21/

Check out the awesome recording: 

Curriculum News

This year, Year 8 Performance Plus students were granted a truly remarkable opportunity to engage in the Scene Project, an initiative spearheaded by Queensland Theatre. Over the past ten weeks, this group immersed themselves in the creative process, crafting a poignant 15-minute theatre piece inspired by Sam Foster and Hayden Jones’ Recalibrated. This new play, commissioned by Queensland Theatre, provided a canvas for our students to reinterpret and bring their unique perspectives to life.

The culmination of their hard work was evident in the beautiful show they presented. Their performance was a testament to their dedication, creativity, and collaborative spirit. Congratulations to Ms Stenlake and her Performance Plus students!

The Year 9 Performance Plus class has finalised auditions and have started working with a guest choreographer, Kimmi Holmes this term.  Kimmi has been running the class through their paces with the number Toot Sweets from “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” (their end of year show). Tickets for that show will go on sale later this year. We look forward to seeing their final performances in Term 4.

We hope our Years 8 and 9 PEP students have a great time at their excursion to see “The Play That Goes Wrong” at HOTA on the Gold Coast, we look forward to hearing about it after they’ve been!

After what seems like a very long wait, the Year 7 Music Plus students have started their studies in our Excellence Program. In addition to extending their knowledge of music across three dimensions – musicology, composition and performance – students will have the opportunity to complete theoretical exams with the Australian Examinations Board. They will perform for family and friends at the end of Term 4 at their showcase concert.

Students from the Gifu Shotoku Gakuen High School in Japan visited for the first ever Day Visit Study Tour and were treated to a day of Arts activities! They were entertained by Ms Harvey and the Liquorice Allsorts, learnt traditional First Nations painting with Ms Teh and decorated their own boomerang to take home, before visiting CPAC and learning social dances with Mr Holmes. What a great day at Centenary SHS!

Extracurricular News

Coming up this term, we have two opportunities for our Visual Art students. The national R U OK? Day Art Competition is available for Years 7 and 8 students to create artworks to submit. The Arts Captains and Visual Art staff will host open workshops in the Art block during Weeks 5, 6 and 7 for students who are interested in entering and would like to access school resources and support.  At the same time, students are welcome to access the art rooms to work on their entries for our school-based competition for designing the 2026 school diaries.

Our new school mural is finally finished! A huge thank you to Year 9 student Aurora for her wonderful design, and to Miss Erin and Mr Duncan and the STEP students involved in painting it! We love the bright colours and fun it has added to our outside stage area!

Best wishes to our Centenary SHS Dance Troupes as they finalise preparations for the upcoming Ipswich Performers Dance Festival, held in early August. This will be their last local competition this year, before heading to Sydney in the school holidays for the Dance Life Unite Nationals. You can purchase tickets to watch our dancers at the Ipswich Civic Centre on Monday August 11^th, with the sessions commencing from approximately 5:30pm with this link: https://boxoffice.ipswichciviccentre.com.au/WEBPAGES/EntaWebShow/ShowPerformance.aspx

Wizard of Oz News

Tickets are on sale, and they’re selling out fast! Book yours here: https://www.trybooking.com/DDOHI

The show has been fully blocked, with our actors, dancers and singers learning their final lines and stage placements. The band are rehearsing, the tech students setting lighting states and setting microphone levels, the art students are painting and the wonderful Mr Homer has finished the building of our sets! Over Weeks 3 and 4, the cast, crew and band came together for a siztprobe rehearsal – putting everyone together to run the show without the movement on stage. The EKKA holiday will see the show run in its entirety (a few times!). We can’t wait for our local community to see this wonderful show!

Instrumental Music News

Congratulations to the Centenary Swingers and Ms Harvey, who have been selected to perform at the Queensland Secondary Principals’ Association conference in late August. This is another incredible performance opportunity for our musicians!

Term 3 has started with a local community performance for Brass100 at Dovetree, a number of school assemblies and International Tour performances, including the Junior Choir performing a special rendition of My Island Home at the school NAIDOC assembly. Thank you to our Instrumental Music students who attended the WestCent Honours camps as mentors. We had wonderful feedback about the leadership and music knowledge shared by our students!

Coming up over the next few weeks, we head back to the Mount Ommaney Library for the final three Livening up the Library concerts of 2025. We look forward to seeing you at our performances!

The Arts Subcommittee of the P&C hold their Term 3 meeting on Tuesday August 19^th at 7:00pm in CPAC. Our meetings are short and sweet, please let me know if you’re able to attend: aslee4@eq.edu.au.

Angela Sleeman, Arts HOD
Email: aslee4@eq.edu.au

BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

It has been a busy couple of months in the Business Technology Faculty, including excursions, guest speakers and qualification completions!

Guest Speaker – Dion Avila, Grill’d Springfield

In June, our Year 11 Business students were fortunate to have Dion Avila speak about his experiences running a successful franchise.  Students gained a valuable real world understanding of the complex business environment owners face as well as the benefits of being part of a larger organisation. 

Would you like to be our next guest speaker?  We’re always looking for people with real world experiences to help the curriculum come alive for our students.  Please email your interest to our Head of Department, Ms Kirsten Caruso!

Year 9 Digital Technology Excursion to QUT

Last term, our Year 9 students experienced The Cube at QUT and put their coding skills to the test by considering how sensors are used to create driverless cars. Students participated in workshops and trialled their solutions to solve real world problems!

Diploma Completion

Lastly, I wish to extend a huge congratulations to our 44 Year 12 students who are nearing completion of their Diploma of Business. This subject is offered to Year 11 students and undertaken here at Centenary SHS through training provider Barrington College over the course of Years 11 and 12.  So far, 84% of students have fully completed all assessment tasks, with the remaining students on track to finalise this nationally recognised qualification this term.

I am so proud of all their hard work and know they’ve gained significant real-world skills that will help them into the future.

Kirsten Caruso, Business Technology HOD
Email: kcaru11@eq.edu.au

ENGLISH

On Friday July 25^th, our Year 12 students sat their English exam in the comfort of their pyjamas for Pyjama Day! Not the worst conditions for sitting an exam!

Lucy Gummow, English HOD
Email: lkgum0@eq.edu.au

YEAR 12 REPORT

Term 3 is well underway, and it has been wonderful to see our Year 12 students flourishing as they come to the point of completing their internal assessment items.

PEEC in Focus

This term has been a very mixed bag with extended Home Group, with our overarching focus being that of meaning, and how the journey of schooling has created meaning in our students’ lives and how it now leads into the future. Alongside this, we have had planning for upcoming events such as Formal, Final Assembly and Graduation, as well as special presentations from Brainstorm Productions, Reach Lending Group on Financial Literacy, and a very important QTAC talk leading into University and TAFE applications.

Events

The big event coming up this term is the Senior Sunrise on Friday 22 August 22^nd at Rocks Riverside Park. Information for this has already been sent via email to families.

Information about final week of school celebrations, Formal and Mystery Tour will be all coming out shortly, so please keep an eye on your emails for this.

Students in Focus

Some amazing student achievements have occurred at the end of last term and the start of Term 3.

MOST

Congratulations to Ava (French Horn) and Liam (Tenor Saxophone) on their selection and performances in the Musically Outstanding Students Program (MOST). This highly selective opportunity gives 80 of the best state school music students the chance to come together and work to create music of the highest calibre with some of the finest tutors and conductors. Well done to both students.

Creative Generation

Ava and Liam were also involved in the Creative Generation State Schools on Stage performances at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre at the end of Week 1 of this term. They were joined in this performance by Elsie (Flute and Piccolo) and Jaida (Dance and Drama).

A massive congratulations to Year 12 student Olivia, who has been named the 2025 Level 10 National All-Around Champion at the Australian Gymnastics Championships, following a powerhouse performance that confirmed her status as one of the country’s rising gymnastics stars!

Held on the Gold Coast from July 3^rd – July 17^th, the National Championships brought together Australia’s top gymnasts across artistic, trampoline, rhythmic, aerobic and acrobatic disciplines. Olivia not only took out the prestigious All-Around title, but also finished first on vault, and earned silver medals on bars and floor!

Attendance

We often speak on assembly and in emails about the importance of attendance at school, and the correlation of attendance and success. On a recent assembly, we acknowledged 56 Year 12 students who had over 95% attendance for Semester 1. Congratulations to the following students:

Mark Watkins, Year 12 Coordinator       
Email: mwatk16@eq.edu.au

YEAR 11 REPORT

Welcome to Term 3! It's shaping up to be a busy and exciting time for our Year 11 students, filled with valuable learning experiences and key milestones as they move closer to their final year of schooling.

We kicked-off the term with an important lesson on time management, equipping students with strategies to balance their schoolwork, part-time jobs, and social lives effectively. It was a great way to help them refocus and build positive routines for the term ahead.

In Week 2, the focus shifted to understanding tax and superannuation. This is an essential topic as many of our students are already part of the workforce or about to enter it. They explored real-life scenarios to help build their financial literacy and confidence in managing their future responsibilities.

Then in Week 3, we were excited to welcome our local firefighters, who delivered a talk on road safety and safe practices. This session is especially relevant for many of our Year 11 students who are beginning to learn to drive or planning to do so soon.

This week, we distributed Year 12 Leadership application forms. Students interested in taking on leadership roles in 2026 received information about the process and key dates for submission and interviews.

A friendly reminder that our Year 11 Semi-Formal is just around the corner! This highly anticipated event is happening on Thursday of Week 8. Final numbers and payments are now overdue, so please ensure these are submitted promptly to help with our planning.

As always, we appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to a productive and memorable term with our fantastic Year 11 cohort.

Kate Tesch, Year 11 Coordinator
Email: ktesc0@eq.edu.au

YEAR 9 REPORT

Hello everyone! My name is Claire Masters and I am so grateful to be in the role of Year 9 YLC while Pia Leinonen sits in the Deputy chair.

Our Year 9 students have launched into Term 3 with powerful performances from Gibber’s Smashed and Brainstorm Productions’ Wired, sparking meaningful conversations about peer influence, online safety, and mental wellbeing. Some of the feedback we received from our Year 9 students include:

“The performance was well structured and easy to understand, with excellent acting. It helped me gain insight into the methods of effectively dealing with peer pressure.”

“The acting and the interaction with the audience helped me stay engaged. I enjoyed the factual information that was embedded into the performance.”

“It helped me understand how impactful social media can be to one's mental health.”

“I enjoyed that the performance related to struggles that are faced commonly however displayed in an intriguing way to keep our attention and make it entertaining.”

These engaging, interactive experiences align closely with the PERMAH Engagement pillar, helping students to fully immerse themselves in important social and emotional learning.

Year 9 students watching Gibbers’ Smashed performance.

Planning is well underway for our much-anticipated Teambuilding Day in Week 6, with a record-breaking 253 students set to take part. Excitement is building as teams form and anticipation grows, creating a buzz of energy across the cohort. This day promises to be a vibrant celebration of connection and collaboration – an ideal opportunity for students to experience authentic, hands-on PERMAH Engagement through playful challenge and shared experience.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this role is celebrating student success – and our Year 9 cohort is certainly giving us plenty to cheer about! Whether it’s sporting triumphs, cultural accomplishments, or academic excellence, our students are representing Centenary SHS with pride. If your young person has achieved something special, I’d love to hear about it. Please feel free to share their story with me at ctuto3@eq.edu.au.

Claire Masters, Year 9 Coordinator         
Email: ctuto3@eq.edu.au

YEAR 7 REPORT

Kicking Off Semester 2 with Purpose and Pride

As we launch into the second half of the school year, there is a real sense of energy and momentum across our Year 7 cohort. Semester 2 is not just a continuation, it’s a chance to build on the solid routines, relationships, and knowledge we’ve already established, and to finish the second half of the year on a high.

Our Year 7 students have shown tremendous growth in their first six months of high school, and it has been incredible to see so many flourishing, not just academically, but socially and personally. They’ve developed a real sense of belonging, pride in themselves, and commitment to the positive culture we value so much. Their resilience and ‘give it a go’ attitude have been nothing short of inspiring. Whether it’s in the classroom, in their extra-curriculars, on the sporting field, or in the way they show up each day with enthusiasm, they continue to meet, and at times set, a fantastic standard for our whole school community.

We are especially proud of the way Year 7 students have embraced responsibility and leadership in their day-to-day habits, consistently setting the tone with their use of phone pouches, school diaries, and the high standards they uphold in wearing their uniforms with pride. They are showing what it means to be role models to others, leading by example in small but meaningful ways every day.

One of the biggest highlights to kick-off this term (which was completed at the end of last term) has been our Year 7 leadership application process. The selection panel was blown away, calling it one of the most impressive cohorts of applicants they had ever seen. The calibre of speeches, applications, and interviews made for extremely difficult decisions, but ultimately revealed a deeply talented and passionate group of young leaders who will now help lead our Year 7 team for the rest of the year and into next year for Year 8. We are so excited to see the impact they will have, and we know they will make both their peers and the wider school proud.

Finally, a warm reminder to all parents and carers that we love celebrating the successes of our students, big or small. Please don’t hesitate to share any exciting achievements happening outside of school too, from sports to arts, community involvement or personal milestones. These stories inspire and motivate our whole school community.

Here’s to a fantastic Semester 2 full of growth, connection, and success. Go Year 7!

Jim Joliffe, Year 7 Coordinator  
Email: jjoli0@eq.edu.au