Week 1, Term 2, 2025 | Thursday 24 April

Welcome Back to Term 2 – A Message from the Acting Principal

It is with great honour that I step into the role of Acting Principal for Term 2 while Mr Dan Walker takes a well-deserved sabbatical. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dan for his outstanding leadership over the past six years and look forward to welcoming him back in Term 3.

Term 2 is already shaping up to be a vibrant and eventful part of the school year. From the moving Anzac Day Commemoration and our refreshed Mother’s Day celebrations to the much-anticipated UN Day, there are many opportunities for our community to come together in celebration, reflection, and joy.

This term also marks the launch of the Canterbury Colours Dashboard—an exciting initiative designed to empower students to monitor their personal progress and set meaningful goals across all dimensions of College life. A short welcome video is available below, where I share further insights about the term ahead and introduce the Colours Dashboard in more detail.

To support students in navigating this new platform, a brief guide is included below. Should students have any questions about points or dimensions, they are encouraged to contact our Colours Committee at:

Students can find the information on Canterbury Colours Points in the Quick Links section of their MyCC homepage.

Below is the Pocket Colours that will show up on each student’s homepage. I have included a Junior School and Senior School example:

Today, we gathered as a community for a deeply moving Anzac Day Commemorative Service, led by Father Dan alongside our Junior and School Captains. This year, we were especially honoured to include a cadet presence, which added a powerful and personal dimension to the ceremony. I would like to formally acknowledge Year 11 student and 11 Army Cadet Unit Company Sergeant Major, Cooper McIntyre, for his outstanding leadership.

We also extend our sincere thanks to the colour party from the 11 Army Cadet Unit: Cadet Sergeant Henry Flaxman, Cadet Jack Wellington, and Cadet Rylan Mead. In addition, we recognise Leading Cadet Ryan Day, along with Cadet Dexter Humphrys and Cadet Malleah DiPasquale, who laid a wreath on behalf of those currently serving.

Our community was privileged to hear from two inspiring guest speakers: Dr Fletcher Mitchell, Coordinator of Bands at Canterbury College and a former Leading Seaman Musician in the Australian Defence Force; and Mr Geoffrey Walker, representing the Beenleigh RSL. Their reflections provided depth and meaning to our remembrance.

As is tradition on Anzac Day, wreaths were laid to honour those who have given their lives in service. We are deeply grateful to our former student, Mr Andrew Porter, who laid a wreath on behalf of the Canterbury College Alumni, as well as our Senior School and Junior School students who participated on behalf of their houses and year levels.

Thank you to all members of the Canterbury community for your continued commitment and enthusiasm. I wish everyone a purposeful and successful Term 2.

More info: MyCC News | Website News

Student Led Conferences in the Junior School

Last term we introduced Student-Led Conferences (SLCs) to the Junior School. These will be held again in Term 3

SLCs are a valuable tool in education that empowers students to take ownership of their learning and development. Unlike traditional parent-teacher conferences, where teachers present student progress, SLCs allow students to actively engage in the conversation, reflecting on their strengths, challenges, and goals. This approach encourages accountability, self-awareness, and active involvement in their educational journey.

One of the key benefits of SLCs is that they help students develop a deeper understanding of their own learning. When students are tasked with reviewing their work and presenting it to their parents or carers, they must reflect on their achievements, challenges, and areas for improvement. This process of self-assessment fosters critical thinking skills and helps students internalise what they’ve learned, allowing them to make meaningful connections to their education.

SLCs also strengthen the communication between students and families. Instead of a one-way flow of information, these conferences create a collaborative environment where all parties work together to support the student’s growth. This collaborative effort enhances the relationship between school and home, ensuring that both educators and parents are on the same page in terms of the student’s progress and needs. By hearing directly from students about their experiences, families gain insights that can help them provide more effective support at home.

A side benefit of the SLCs are that they support the development of key life skills, such as public speaking, goal-setting, and organisation. As students present their work and discuss their goals, they practice communication and leadership skills that are valuable beyond the classroom. By taking an active role in their educational experience, students build confidence and motivation to succeed.

It was great to see so many supportive parents attend this new opportunity and I’m looking forward
to the next in Term 3.

Welcome Back to Term 2

As we start in a shortened week 1, there is so much that has transpired and so much more to look forward to in the coming term.

On Tuesday we started the term with students returning in winter uniforms. Our students look amazing when they wear their blazers!  On Wednesday, our student leaders attended an ANZAC ceremony in the city, laying wreath at the Shrine of Remembrance. Today, we acknowledged the service and sacrifice of all of those who have served our nation in the armed forces with our ANZAC service at school. Tomorrow, on ANZAC day we hope to see many of our students representing our college at the Beenleigh War Memorial at the ANZAC day service. Here is the link to the details of this service.

Unfortunately, the weather was not kind to us today and we had to run a truncated version of the Senior School Cross Country. Despite the inclement conditions, many students still gave their all to represent themselves and their house.

Whilst much has already transpired in a short first week of term, there is much to still look forward to. The College calendar, available on MyCC is filled with key dates through the year, though some notable dates to look forward to this term include:

• Tuesday 29/04 – Ramsay House Spirit Breakfast
• Wednesday 30/04 – Parent Teacher Interviews
• Friday 02/05 – Guest Speaker Adair Donaldson speaking with our Year 10-12 students
• Tuesday 06/05 – Parent Teacher Interviews
• Thursday 15/05 – Interhouse Maths Team Challenge
• Thursday 22/05 – Goldsworthy House Spirit Breakfast
• Monday 26/05-Wednesday 28/05 – Year 8 Outdoor Education
• Monday 02/06 – Year 11 THRIVE Day
• Thursday 05/06 – Cursus Magnus (rescheduled from Term 1)
• Monday 09/06 – School Photos
• Tuesday 10/06 – Temple House Spirit Breakfast
• Thursday 19/06 – Interhouse Athletics Carnival
• Friday 20/6 – UN Day

MyCC College Calendar | More info on Beenleigh ANZAC Day service: MyCC News

Athlete Success Over The Easter Break

Celebrating Excellence! We’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on our exceptional athletes who’ve recently achieved outstanding success. Their dedication, perseverance, and passion inspire us all and remind us of the power of teamwork and determination. We celebrate these remarkable accomplishments and applaud the incredible efforts. Canterbury had 8 students participating at the Australian Athletics Championships in Perth, and 2 swimmers competing at the Age Nationals in Brisbane.

Congratulations to:

TAS Sport

Trimester 2 TAS sport fixtures commence next week: Hockey (Girls), Netball (Girls), Rugby Union (Boys) and Tennis (Boys). The TAS draw for this trimester is:

As there are no finals for this trimester, every game is crucial, and students’ attendance at all fixtures and training sessions is a priority. Champion school will be decided on the team with the most points at the conclusion of the fixture round.

Our TAS Cross Country preparation is underway, with the TAS carnival scheduled on 20 May. This is a team event where results are determined by the first five finishers from each school, in each age group, counting towards the school’s total point. Each TAS school provides 10 competitors per age group in both the boys and girls teams.

I look forward to a successful term of sport, with great competitions and commitment.

Cross Country Carnival

As your 2025 Sports Captain, it’s both an honour and a privilege to help lead our vibrant sporting community this year. And what better way to kick off Term 2 than by spotlighting the Cross Country Carnival, one of the most demanding events on our calendar.

While the weather wasn’t entirely on our side and plans had to be adjusted, we powered on with competitive races only. Despite the rain, the spirit of the day was undampened. Cross country is more than just a physical challenge; it’s a true test of resilience, mindset, and heart.

This year, we’re embracing the theme Positivity with Purpose, and I honestly can’t think of a better event to embody this message. Every runner faces hills – both literal and symbolic – but it’s the decision to keep going, to lift each other up, and to celebrate every small victory that defines the spirit of this carnival.

I want to extend a heartfelt congratulations to all the students who competed in tough conditions. I know many of you pushed yourselves beyond comfort to deliver your best. Your determination and effort do not go unnoticed.

Here’s to a term filled with purpose, positivity, and continued sporting success.

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More Info: MyCC News