2024 Term 4 Week 10

Acting Principal's News

As we enter the final week of school for 2024 and the first week of Advent I am filled with a sense of gratitude and joy. I am very grateful for the year that was, and advent heralds the coming of the Christmas which is a season filled with joy as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

2024 has been a challenging but successful year and has been marked by a lot of successes in all facets of school life at Chisholm. From the classroom, the sporting field, the stage and service activities, I am profoundly grateful for the willing dedication and hard work of students and staff. This has contributed to creating a vibrant, supportive community and strengthened the bonds within our school Family. As I reflect back on the year, I am filled with pride with our many accomplishments, and I look forward with confidence and enthusiasm to 2025.

As we enter the season of Advent, we are encouraged to prepare our hearts and minds for the birth of Jesus. It is a period of anticipation and spiritual renewal. May this Advent season bring you and your families abundant blessings and a renewed sense of peace and joy.

Finally, I pray that everyone is able to enjoy some time with their loved ones over the Christmas period and that all families are able to have a break and rest and relax before we move into the new school year.

Merry Christmas,

Alex Hodgson

Acting Deputy Principal & APRE's News

Here we are again, at the end of another busy but productive school year.  Across 2024, our students have excelled academically, competed with determination on the sporting field, and shone brightly in cultural pursuits. These successes reflect not only their talents and efforts but also the unwavering support of our dedicated staff and families, and for this I would like to extend my sincere gratitude and thanks. Together, we have celebrated triumphs and supported one another in times of hardship, walking side by side in a spirit of goodwill and self-sacrifice, just as Caroline Chisholm models for us.  

While the end of the term is near, we continue to hold high standards for behaviour and uniform and ask all families for their support in this as we enter our final week of the year. We have learning activities planned for Week 10, including the End of Year Excursion on Thursday, 5th December, and ask students to remember the 3Cs of our College – Courteous, Conscientious and Connected.  During Week 10, students are permitted to wear full and correct sports uniform to school every day to enable full and active participation in our activities.  

 For Year 9 students who still have laptops at home, or any students with overdue library loans at home, please ensure these are returned to the Main Reception no later than COB Friday, 6th December. 

As we prepare for the new year, please note the 2025 return-to-school dates below. To ensure a smooth start, we remind parents that students in Years 8 - 12 must arrive with their learning materials and in full, correct uniform, including appropriate shoes and hats ready to start the year.  

Again, thank you to our wonderful Chisholm community for their support in 2024. May your Christmas season be filled with joy, peace, and the blessings of togetherness. We look forward to welcoming you back in 2025 for another year of growth, learning, and shared success.

First day back for 2025: 

Year 7-9 Liturgy

Last week the junior school community gathered to celebrate the season of Advent.  

Advent is a time of joyful expectation and hope, a season when we prepare our hearts to welcome Jesus, the Light of the World. Each week of Advent invites us to reflect on key themes—hope, peace, joy, and love—the journey that guides and prepares believers toward the celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas.  

Thank you to Mrs Ibell, our fabulous Campus Minister, our student leaders who led us beautifully through our liturgy, and our Music Ministry students for their stirring performance of Silent Night.  

If you would like to explore the significance of Advent further, the Archdiocese of Brisbane offers the following resources: 

• Advent and Christmas with Kids - Evangelisation Brisbane 
• An Advent Story - Archdiocese of Brisbane 

 Wishing everyone a safe and merry Christmas.  

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of goodwill" (Luke 2:14) 

God bless.  

Assistant Principal - Curriculum's News

As we approach the end of another school year, I want to extend my heartfelt wishes for a joyful and restful holiday season. This time of year, is perfect for reflecting on our achievements and looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.

Wishing You a Wonderful Holiday

May your holidays be filled with peace, love, and happiness. Whether you're celebrating Christmas, enjoying the summer sun, or spending time with loved ones, I hope you find moments of joy and relaxation. Remember to take care of yourselves and cherish the time spent with family and friends.

Keeping Your Brain Active Over the Summer

While it's important to relax, it's also beneficial to keep your mind engaged during the break. Here are some fun and productive ways to stay mentally active:

• Read Books: Dive into a good book or explore new genres. Reading can transport you to different worlds and expand your knowledge. I can personally recommend the Obernewtyn series for fans of dystopian fiction.
• Learn a New Skill: Whether it's playing a musical instrument, cooking, or coding, learning something new can be both fun and rewarding. I will be taking up a new skill – learning to use a pressure cook to cook short beef ribs 😊
• Stay Curious: Visit museums, watch documentaries, or explore nature. Staying curious and asking questions can lead to exciting discoveries. There is a wonderful exhibit on at the Queensland Museum called ‘Discovering Ancient Egypt’ (Discovering Ancient Egypt - What's on | Queensland Museum Kurilpa) I know that I will be heading here to get my history fix.
• Practice Mindfulness: Activities like yoga and meditation can help you stay focused and reduce stress.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we prepare for the new academic year, I want to remind you about the importance of your subject choices. If you wish to make any changes to your subject selections for 2025, you will have the opportunity to do so at the beginning of the year. Changes can be made until the end of the second week of school. Please take the time to consider your options and choose subjects that align with your interests and goals.

Thank you for your hard work and dedication throughout the year. I look forward to seeing you all refreshed and ready for another exciting year of learning.

Assistant Principal - Student Wellbeing's News

Uniform Policy Enforcement in 2025 

As we prepare for the 2025 school year, we want to remind all parents and guardians of the importance of adhering to our College Uniform Policy. This policy ensures students wear their uniform with pride and maintain a consistent standard that reflects the values of our community. 

Over the past three years, we have listened to student and parent feedback and made reasonable adjustments to the policy to enhance comfort and practicality. However, adherence to the uniform remains essential for fostering a sense of belonging and respect within the College. 

Next year, the College will be enforcing the Uniform Policy more strictly. All students are expected to wear the correct uniform at all times. We ask all parents to support this initiative by ensuring their children are equipped with the correct uniform items. 

In 2024, we have noticed an increase in students wearing excessive jewellery and lifestyle shoes such as skate shoes, high tops and Nike Air Force 1s. Despite some retailers selling these shoes as school shoes, at Chisholm Catholic College, they are considered lifestyle shoes and therefore not to be worn with either the sports or the formal uniform.  

Support for Students and Parents/guardians 

• The College provides spare uniforms for students who require them. They are offered to students who attend the College in the wrong uniform as a support.  

• Families can provide a note from home if there is a valid reason for a student being out of uniform. These notes will be collected and documented for future reference. Students will be provided with a Uniform Pass for one day only.  

Please revisit the following overviews with your son/daughter before the start of 2025. To avoid purchasing items outside the requirements during the Christmas holidays, please refer to the Uniform Policy on the College website. Your support is crucial in reinforcing these expectations and helping your child prepare for the new school year. 

Thank you for your ongoing partnership as we work together to maintain the high standards of our College. If you have any questions or require clarification, please do not hesitate to contact the College office.   

Supporting Responsible Social Media Use 

The Australian Government has recently passed legislation setting a minimum age for social media use to help protect children from the risks associated with online platforms. The College fully supports this legislation and encourages parents to familiarize themselves with these recommendations. 

Social media can be a valuable tool for connection and creativity when used appropriately, but it can also pose significant challenges for young people. At the College, we regularly address relationship difficulties, anxiety, and mental health concerns linked to social media use. Many of these issues stem from exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, or the pressures of maintaining an online presence at too young an age. 

We urge parents to use this new legislation as an opportunity to have open discussions with their children about the safe and responsible use of social media. Setting boundaries around online activity and encouraging face-to-face interactions can significantly benefit their wellbeing. 

The eSafety Commissioner website (www.esafety.gov.au) offers practical resources and advice for parents to help navigate this topic. Together, we can guide our young people to use technology in ways that enhance, rather than compromise, their mental health and relationships. 

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting our students' safety and wellbeing. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  

School Fees

Changes to Medication for 2025

College Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor of the 2024 QISSRL Confraternity Team. 

Silver Sponsor of the 2024 QISSRL Confraternity Team. 

Gold Sponsor of the 2024 QISSN Team. 

Silver Sponsor of the 2024 QISSN Team. 

Bronze Sponsor of the 2024 QISSN Team. 

Chisholm Bus 1 Springwood / Bus 2 Redlands

SEATS AVAILABLE FOR 2025 - If you are interested in getting your student on one of the Chisholm buses, please email Chisholmbus@bne.catholic.edu.au for further information.

All requested seats of the Chisholm Bus 1 Springwood and Chisholm Bus 2 Redlands have been allocated for 2025, and confirmation emails have been issued.

If there are any changes to the days, mornings or afternoons you have booked please let us know.

Important: 

The Chisholm Bus Card needs to be retained for use in 2025. Please ensure your student keeps it in a safe place, suggest their school bag, ready for start of the school year.

If your student has lost their card email ChisholmBus@bne.catholic.edu.au to request a replacement card for 2025. The cost of replacement cards is $5.

Enrolments 2025 and 2026

Vocational Education and Traineeships' News

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X

Throughout the year, we have had the privilege of witnessing our students achieve remarkable success as they explored new horizons through various in-house and off-campus VET (Vocational Education and Training) programs. These experiences have not only enriched their knowledge in their respective fields but also instilled a sense of curiosity that will serve them well in the future. The VET Department has been a hub of great opportunities and diverse pathways for our students.

This year stands as a testament to the dedication, passion, and hard work of all our valued partners, as we continued our commitment to celebrating success and fostering excellence in our program.

The commitment and determination our students have shown in balancing their academic studies with additional pathway options have been truly commendable.

As we close the academic year, we celebrate and congratulate the following students for successfully completing their vocational studies as part of their senior schooling.

Current Opportunities 

National Institute of Construction Skills 

Exciting Apprenticeship Opportunity - AVAILABLE NOW! 

I’ve just been approached by an employer eager to take on a new apprentice—and they’re open to considering school leavers from Year 10, 11, or next year’s Year 12 cohort.  

Location: Brisbane CBD, conveniently located next to Bowen Hills train station.  

Are you: 

• Enthusiastic individuals who are ready to work hard. 
• A willingness to tackle challenging tasks. 
• A positive attitude and a drive to learn. 
• Physical fitness and the ability to carry large buckets of paint and other materials as required.  

This is an incredible opportunity for the right candidate to kickstart their career in an industry with endless possibilities! If this sounds like you, please contact Jo Kirley at projects@nics.com.au  

Apprenticeships Queensland 

Exciting school-based apprenticeships are available in the below areas. 

• Dental Assistant for a Year 11 student (2025) at Hamilton. You will need some sort of medical/admin experience. Use of left and Right hand. Seeking 2 Trainees. 
• Fitter Machinist for a Year 12 student (2025) at Salisbury. You will need to have completed a Certificate II in Engineering. 
• Cabinetmaking for a Year 12 student (2025) at Archerfield. You will need to have completed Furniture Making. 
• Landscaping for a Year 12 student (2025) in the Brisbane/Ipswich area. You will need a car and license as job locations are all over Brisbane. 

To apply send your resume to kirsten@apprenticeships.qld.com.au and in the Subject line put in the position you are applying for. 

For full-time positions click on the link to see the vacancies. https://apprenticeshipsqld.jobreadygateway.com.au/vacancies  

Here's to the conclusion of a wonderful year as we close this chapter and welcome an even more exciting 2025. May this holiday season be a time to spend with family, recharge, and bring in plenty of energy, enthusiasm, and a love for learning. 

Good luck and God Bless. 

Sport's News

Chisholm Sport 2025

SECA Sign On 

Preparations are underway for the 2025 SECA Sports year. Students from Year 7 to Year 12 can sign up for a SECA sport or activity in early 2025. If you enjoyed a particular sport or activity this year, encourage your friends to join you again in 2025. More information will be provided when the College resumes in Term 1, 2025. 

Pacific District School Sport 

The 2025 Representative Sporting Calendar is set to begin, with nominations and trials starting in the first week back at the College. Interested students should email Mr. Ellis at mathew.ellis@bne.catholic.edu.au. Note that these trials are for active players of these sports only, this is not for beginners or low-level experience players. Students must list their position and level of experience on the nomination form. Incomplete forms will not be considered.  

This is the first step in the Queensland Secondary School Sport pathway, leading to state and national selections. As in previous years, an electronic sign-on sheet will be emailed to students and parents at the start of the school year. This form must be completed by Monday, 3 February, Week 2, Term 1. No late nominations will be accepted. Timely submission is crucial for passing on trial information from the District Secretary and Sport Convenors. 

The below District Sport Nominations Due to Mr. Ellis ASAP – Thursday, 20 January 

(Must Include: Name, DOB, Sport Trialing for, Playing Position, Playing/Team/Representative Experience) 

Congratulations to…. 

Joshua Potts wrapped up the year in spectacular fashion, smashing his personal bests in both the 100m and 200m at the Queensland Athletics All Schools Track and Field Championships! Despite battling through the pain of severe tendinopathy, Josh pushed through to reach both State Finals, where he delivered incredible performances. In the 100m, he powered across the finish line in 11.69 seconds, securing an impressive 5th place, while in the 200m, he clocked 23.27 seconds to claim another 5th place finish. A huge congratulations to Josh for his unwavering determination and resilience – what a season!

2024 Thankyou 

A heartfelt thank you to all students, parents, Chisholm staff, and community members for your incredible support of our College Sport Program this year. Your dedication and enthusiasm have made this a truly memorable year. As we approach the holiday season, we wish everyone a safe, restful, and joyous time with loved ones. Take this opportunity to recharge over the Christmas and New Year period, and we look forward to an exciting and successful 2025 sporting year ahead!

Clarks Logan City Bus Changes 2025

Transdev Queensland - Bus Changes

Community News

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