Week 2, Term 3, 2025 | Friday 25 July

Why the Future of Education Summit Matters
By Meagan King, Deputy Principal

Hosting the Future of Education Summit is one of the very exciting things we do at Canterbury. Now in its third year, and happening this week at the college, the Summit brings together educators, thought leaders, and industry professionals to ask the bold, necessary question: What should education look like in the future?

Too often, schools are seen as places that simply prepare students for what already exists. But at Canterbury, we believe our role is to equip students to thrive in a world that’s rapidly changing and to help shape that world through meaningful, future-focused learning.

The Summit offers a rare and exciting opportunity to hear from industry leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in education and beyond. It allows our staff to connect and collaborate with exceptional educators from across the country who share a passion for innovative curriculum, bold pedagogy and transformative practice.

This year’s program includes a lineup of inspiring keynote speakers who will challenge, motivate and energise us. We’re also proud that several Canterbury staff will be presenting at this national event, sharing the incredible work happening in our classrooms and contributing to broader conversations around educational change.

The Future of Education Summit reflects Canterbury’s ongoing commitment to innovation, leadership, and professional excellence. Hosting this event on our campus is not just a privilege it’s a powerful statement about who we are, what we value, and the kind of future we’re committed to building for our students, staff and community.

As we settle into the new term, I am delighted to share some wonderful updates from our Senior School community and reflect on the exciting journey ahead.

Firstly, I want to extend my sincere congratulations to our Year 12 cohort, who continue to demonstrate exceptional academic progress and leadership throughout the school. Their dedication to their studies, combined with their positive influence on younger students, truly embodies the Canterbury College spirit. The maturity and responsibility they display in their final year sets an outstanding example for the entire school community, and they know that they have the support of all of us as they approach their final months at school.

Over the recent holidays, our students participated in some remarkable tours that have enriched their learning experiences immeasurably. Our language tour to Switzerland provided students with an incredible opportunity to immerse themselves in European culture while advancing their linguistic skills and seeing some spectacular sights. Meanwhile, our renowned Cantabile choir travelled to Hobart and performed as part of the Festival of Voices. They delivered some inspiring performances in a number of venues including St David’s Cathedral showcasing the exceptional musical talent within our school and representing Canterbury College with distinction.

Last weekend, I was particularly proud to see three dedicated teams comprising both students and staff tackle the challenging Kokoda Challenge. These brave participants hiked 30 kilometres through demanding terrain, demonstrating resilience and teamwork while supporting the invaluable work of the Kokoda Foundation. Their commitment to this cause and the determination of these students to take on these challenges reflects the values of service and perseverance that define our school community.

Looking ahead to this term, I am excited about the opportunities and experiences that await our students. As I mentioned in my assembly speech last week, I often reflect on the simple yet profound wisdom my Nana shared with me. She understood deeply the importance of a high-quality education in succeeding in life, but her approach was beautifully straightforward. She encouraged all her children and grandchildren to focus on three fundamental principles: to treat other people well, to work hard and give of your best, and to get involved in as much as you can at school.

These timeless values continue to guide our approach at Canterbury College, and I see them reflected daily in the actions of our students and staff.

Prep Incursion- Exploring Marine Habitats: “My Habitat, My Home”

On Friday 25th July, our students embarked on an exciting underwater journey with the “My Habitat, My Home” incursion, delivered by passionate marine educators from Ocean Life Education. This hands-on science experience brought the wonders of the ocean directly into our classrooms.

Students explored the concept of habitats by learning that all living things need food, water, shelter, and air to survive. Through close observation of live marine animals—including sea stars, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, and baby sharks—they discovered how these creatures are uniquely adapted to their environments.

The program introduced a variety of marine habitats such as coral reefs, mangroves, rocky shores, and sandy beaches. Students gained insight into the diversity of life in each habitat and the interdependence between plants and animals in the marine ecosystem.

Importantly, the incursion also highlighted the impact of seasonal changes, human activity, and natural events on marine habitats. It encouraged students to think critically about conservation and their role in protecting our oceans.

This engaging and educational experience left students inspired and eager to learn more about the marine world. A big thank you to Ocean Life Education for bringing science to life in such a memorable way!

Canterbury was briefly transported to Arendelle last Saturday afternoon with our Junior School production of Disney’s FROZEN KIDS. With close to 100 students involved, the show was a true celebration of teamwork and joy. Across two performances, our young performers brought to life the heartwarming story of ‘true love’ through their acting, singing, and dancing. The production featured all the known songs from the original show, including Do You Want to Build a Snowman, For the First Time in Forever, Love is an Open Door, In Summer and Fixer Upper. The students approached learning the show with enthusiasm and teamwork, developing their performance skills while working together to bring the story to the stage. For many, it was their very first time performing in a production. It was a fun experience for all involved, and one that created lasting memories and a strong sense of achievement for our young performers.

During the recent holidays, Canterbury College’s Cantabile Choir travelled to Hobart to take part in the 20th Anniversary Festival of Voices. It was a fantastic experience for our students, who performed in stunning venues such as St David’s Cathedral, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, and the historic Convict Church at Port Arthur. They also joined other choristers in the Youth Choir Program for rehearsals and the Choral Showcase concert at Hobart Town Hall. Beyond the music, students enjoyed exploring the local area, visiting the Salamanca Markets, Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum, Port Arthur, kunanyi/Mt Wellington and the charming village of Richmond.

Term 3 is full of wonderful opportunities for our Performing Arts students, including concerts and eisteddfods. This Sunday, 27 July, our Senior School musicians will present a showcase concert at Brisbane’s heritage-listed Customs House. This very special concert will feature Ritornello Strings Ensemble, Cantabile Choir alongside some very talented soloists and chamber music ensembles. The chamber music ensembles are coming off a very successful Quota Beenleigh Eisteddfod on Monday night, where they were awarded first, second and third places in three sections. Eisteddfod season is well and truly underway and we wish all of our Junior School and Senior School musicians and dancers the very best over the next few weeks as they represent Canterbury at the Quota Beenleigh Eisteddfod, Redlands Eisteddfod, Gold Coast Eisteddfod and MusicFest.

The Kokoda Challenge

This past weekend on Saturday 19th, 11 of our year 12 students, alongside dedicated staff members, took on one of Australia’s toughest endurance challenges: the Kokoda Challenge. Beginning at 2pm, our teams set off on a 30km trek through the depths of Nerang National Park – which sure was a test of grit and determination.

The journey was physically and mentally demanding. With aching muscles, mud-soaked shoes and sweat-soaked shirts, we battled steep inclines and uneven terrains, learning quickly the importance of camaraderie, perseverance and a positive mindset. It was a powerful experience that echoed the very values of the Kokoda Spirit: courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice. Not only did we keep each other company, but also the people around us. We spoke to other teams, all encouraging one another as we tackled the long and muddy path ahead. It was a powerful reminder of the shared spirit that defines this event.

Together, we raised over $2,000 in support of the Kokoda Youth Foundation, an organization that runs life-changing programs for young Australians, helping them build resilience, confidence and leadership skills.

This marks the first year Canterbury has entered teams in the Kokoda Challenge, and we are incredibly proud of the commitment shown by our students and staff. A huge shoutout goes to Mr. Porter, for his organisation and support and to Mr Bowden and Ms Simpson who also did the challenge with us. The idea of participating in the Kokoda Challenge came from our Year 12 students with the support of Student Parliament.

Our dedication supported a meaningful cause but also set a strong foundation for what we hope will become a long-standing tradition at our school. I’m sure you’ll see some of us returning as alumni participants next year. We look forward to seeing future cohorts rise to the challenge — muddy boots and all.

Term 3 News!  

We’re thrilled to begin another exciting term of learning in Year 6. The teaching team has been working hard to design rich and engaging integrated units that connect learning across subjects, giving students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in creative and meaningful ways. Here’s what we’ll be covering this term:

HEART

Analysing Media in Today’s World

In our ever-connected digital age, students are constantly exposed to media—whether through social media, online videos, advertisements, or news stories. These messages can shape opinions, influence choices, and impact wellbeing. At this developmental stage, children are particularly susceptible to the pressures and influences in media, ranging from unrealistic body images to misleading or false information. Navigating these influences can be challenging, as students may struggle to distinguish between trustworthy sources and those designed to mislead.

To equip our students with essential skills, our English and Media units this term will focus on critical media analysis. Students will learn to identify and evaluate the persuasive techniques used in a wide variety of advertisements. By examining both visual and written features, they’ll develop the ability to question the messages they encounter every day.

Students will take a deep dive into how advertisements target audiences, uncover the author’s purpose, and analyse persuasive devices. They’ll compare and contrast advertisements to gain a deeper understanding of how text structures cater to different contexts and purposes. With engaging and interactive activities, this unit encourages higher order thinking and metacognitive strategies.

We believe these skills are vital for our students to become thoughtful, informed consumers of media—able to think critically, make sound decisions, and thrive in a media-rich world.

STEM

Mighty Minis: Adventures in the Microscopic Realm

In STEM, students are getting ready to zoom in on a whole new world! This term, we will be embarking on a science adventure as we explore the fascinating universe of micro-organisms. Our students will become microbe detectives, unlocking the mysteries of the living things too small to see with the naked eye, yet powerful enough to shape our world in extraordinary ways.

Throughout this unit, we’ll journey beyond books by using digital microscopes, conducting hands-on experiments, and investigating both the heroes and villains of the microbial world. Year 6 scientists will discover how micro-organisms can be both helpful and harmful—revealing their roles in making bread rise, cleaning up oil spills, and even fighting off disease.

By shining a light on these tiny but mighty beings, we hope to inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and a new appreciation for the incredible diversity of life that exists all around us—and even inside us! Keep an eye out for updates, photos, and plenty of “ewws” and “wows” as our young scientists conduct experiments and share their discoveries.

We’re looking forward to a productive and inspiring Term 3 and can’t wait to share all the amazing work our students will produce throughout the term! 

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