Week 8, Term 2, 2025 | Friday 13 June

One of the great privileges of being part of the Canterbury College family is witnessing the remarkable spirit of community that underpins so much of what we do. In the last week alone, we have seen three standout events that remind us just how vibrant, supportive, and engaged our community is — across students, staff, and families.

Last Friday night, the CEC came alive with energy, talent, and enthusiasm as students from across the College took to the stage for Friday Night Rocks.  It was truly heartwarming to see students from all year levels playing together with passion and commitment to their craft and having such a good time doing so.  They also understood the importance of showmanship, and gave some performances that had the mosh pit rocking.  Just as importantly, the audience was filled with peers, parents, and staff cheering them on, proving once again that our community shows up to celebrate its young people.

The previous day, the athletics track was transformed into a scene of excitement and teamwork as teams of Junior and Senior students from each house, together with staff and alumni teams competed in the annual Cursus Magnus Race. This relay-style challenge, blending physical stamina with fun, strategy, and house spirit, is one of the most anticipated co-curricular events of the year. A huge congratulations to Ramsey House, who took out the win with an outstanding display of determination and unity.   The weather had meant that the event had been postponed from Term 1 and also moved to the track rather than the traditional route around the school campus, however, this provided an opportunity for a new experience.  The cheering from fellow students lining the course was electric — a testament to the camaraderie that defines our school culture.

On Wednesday, our corporate and administration staff were treated to a well-deserved thank-you morning tea, thoughtfully prepared and professionally served by our talented Year 11 Hospitality students under the guidance of Ms Kim Cooper. This event was a wonderful opportunity to recognise and appreciate the vital contributions our support staff make every day across so many areas of the College. From finance and IT to enrolments, learning support, maintenance and facilities, these teams work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the school running smoothly. The morning tea not only acknowledged their efforts, but also provided our Hospitality students with valuable, real-world experience in event preparation and customer service. Their attention to detail, teamwork, and warm service were noted and appreciated by all who attended. It was a meaningful reminder of the many ways our students and staff collaborate to build a culture of gratitude and excellence within the Canterbury College community.

Each of these events — so different in form and focus — are bound together by a shared thread: the strength of the Canterbury community. Whether on the stage, the field, or in service, our students and staff continue to lift each other up, celebrate each other’s efforts, and create moments that matter.

More info: Friday Night Rocks | Cursus Magnus Relay Race

The Importance of Balance: Rest, Relaxation, and Sustainable Learning

Balancing academics, co-curricular activities, and personal life is essential for students. School is a time of growth, learning, and preparation for the future, but it can also be overwhelming. With assignments, exams, sports, clubs, and social commitments, students often feel pressured to perform at their best in every area. However, without balance, this pressure can lead to burnout and stress.

One of the most important aspects of maintaining balance is making time for rest and relaxation. Rest is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. It allows the brain to process information, the body to recover, and emotions to stabilise. Relaxation, whether through hobbies, spending time with friends and family, or simply doing nothing for a while, helps reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing.

When students prioritise rest, they often find they are more focussed, productive, and creative. Sleep, in particular, plays a critical role in memory retention and cognitive function. Without enough rest, even the most dedicated student can struggle to concentrate or retain information. It’s concerning when I hear Senior School students talk about pulling all-nighters to complete assessments, or when I see a 2:00am submission.

Creating a balanced schedule that includes time for schoolwork, physical activity, social interaction, and downtime is essential. Equally important is recognising personal limits and avoiding overcommitment.

While some students are naturally skilled at managing multiple commitments, or for older students, managing their time, many are still developing these abilities. That’s where the support of adults becomes crucial. Parents, carers, and teachers can play a key role by helping students plan effectively, teaching study strategies, encouraging healthy routines, and, when necessary, setting boundaries. This might include enforcing a consistent bedtime (yes, even for students in Years 10 and 11) or stepping in to say no when a student is taking on too much.

Ultimately, balance is about sustainability. School is a marathon, not a sprint. By making rest and relaxation a regular part of their routine, students can maintain their energy, protect their wellbeing, and enjoy their schooling years more fully.

Is boredom a bad thing?

As the holidays approach, many families begin filling their calendars with bookings for activities like movies, play centres and similar type outings to keep children busy and entertained. While structured activities can offer valuable learning and social opportunities, it’s equally important to allow space for something less predictable: free play—and even boredom.

Children thrive on a healthy balance of structure and spontaneity. Scheduled activities help build discipline, teamwork, and skills, but constant stimulation can also lead to tiredness and a lack of initiative. Providing the opportunity got unstructured time gives children the freedom to explore their own interests, use their imagination, and develop problem-solving skills. This is where boredom plays an unexpectedly important role.

We all are familiar with that complaint ‘I’m bored’. Though it may feel uncomfortable at first, boredom can be the spark that fuels creativity. With time and space to think freely, children often invent games, stories, or art projects, tapping into ideas they may not have discovered in a structured setting. It also fosters independence, as they learn to entertain themselves without always turning to screens or adult direction.

Parents can support this balance by offering open-ended materials like art supplies, building blocks or materials, or simply outdoor time—and by resisting the urge to constantly fill every moment.

This upcoming holiday period, consider leaving some blank space on the calendar. In doing so, you may give your child the greatest gift of all: time to imagine, create, and grow in their own unique way. After all, the quietest moments often lead to the loudest bursts of inspiration.

Celebrate Culture & Community: United Nations Day at Canterbury College!

Get ready for one of the most vibrant and meaningful events on the Canterbury calendar!

We warmly invite our community to join us for Canterbury College’s annual United Nations Day—a celebration that brings together students, staff, families, and friends to honour the rich cultural diversity that shapes who we are.

This spectacular event features a Parade of Nations, live student performances, cultural arts and activities, and a global food festival that will take your tastebuds on an international journey. It’s a day of pride, unity, and celebration—and we’d love to share it with you!

As Becket House Captain, I am incredibly proud to share how our House continues to lead our peers with compassion, community, and service through our ongoing partnership with Rosies – Friends on the Street.

Rosies is a volunteer-based organisation that supports individuals experiencing homelessness and social isolation. In Week 6, we were honoured to welcome Lindsay, a Rosies volunteer from the Beenleigh branch, to speak at our Becket Student-Led Assembly. A true highlight of the day was presenting Lindsay with a handmade blanket from our Becket Craft Collective. Each blanket takes dozens of hours to complete and represents the warmth and care of our students, stitched into every thread.

Throughout the term, Becket students have led the way in supporting our school-wide donation drive, collecting hygiene packs and cup noodles—items Rosies has identified as most needed by their patrons.

Next week, Becket students will pack these items into care packages, including handwritten notes and support pamphlets to offer a personal, human touch. Our Year 12 students attending Street Outreach will then personally deliver these donations to those who need them most.

We are still collecting items right up until the end of term, and I would like to sincerely thank the Canterbury community for their generous support and contributions.

Rosies reminds us that service is not just about giving things—it’s about giving time, empathy, and dignity. I encourage all future Year 12s to carry this legacy forward by volunteering and continuing to show our wider community what it truly means to be a Becket Lion.

More Info: MyCC News – Donations still needed

In STEM this term, Year 5 have been intrepid geographers, precise surveyors and money-wise farmers. Students have investigated the impacts of weathering, erosion and deposition, with a particular focus on beach erosion and counter-measures in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. They have also precisely calculated the perimeter and area of shapes, both regular and composite, and worked out the costs involved in building basic pens for farmed animals. It has been a simple joy watching the Year 5 cohort’s collective knowledge of beach erosion structures blossom into replicative experiments, with students applying their knowledge to test the efficacy of these structures.

Year 5 HEART lessons saw students becoming investigative journalists, researching and preparing Behind The News Information reports exploring the causes, consequences and management of severe weather events. For this multimodal task, students were taught skills in researching, planning, storyboarding, script writing, video editing and presentation skills. They included topic-specific vocabulary, interviews and both visual and audio elements in their presentations which were produced using Adobe Express on their Microsoft Surface Pro 9 devices. Teachers were impressed with students’ ability to analyse and report on the interplay between environmental, social and economic consequences of both floods and bushfires.

Written by the Year 5 Team 

Ben Woolacott 

Kirsty Blinco 

Emma Crooks

Jonathon Wheatley

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