School Holidays: Saturday 28th June - Sunday 13th July

Monday 7th July - Mackay Industry Tour excursion

Week 1

Monday 14th July - First day of Term 3, Positive Culture Day, 100% Attendance Draw, Mackay Gala Cricket Day - Senior Boys

Thursday17th July - Year 9 WWI Western Front Trench Incursion, 95% Attendance BBQ

Friday 18th July - Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival, Year 11 James Cook University Open Day Excursion, NAIDOC Week AFL House Challenge, report cards due out

Week 2

Monday 21st July - Friday 25th July - NAIDOC Week celebrations

Monday 21st July - Tuesday 29th July - Lunchtime Athletics

Monday 21st July - Mackay Gala Cricket Day - Girls, White Card Course, First Nations Student Forum, Australian Festival of Chamber Music Performance excursion

Tuesday 22nd July - Newsletter due out, Year 9 Deadly Choices Program

Wednesday 23rd July - NQ Girls Rugby League Trials 13-14 Years Old, First Nations Cultural Eco Barge Clean Up excursion, P&C Meeting

Thursday 24th July - Year 9/10 Subject Selection Expo and Evening

Friday 25th July - Year 10 RYDA Road Safety Workshop, Alumni Talks

Saturday 26th July - Tuesday 29th July - Year 7-11 Beach Volleyball Schools Cup

As we reflect on the first semester of the year, I feel immense pride in the outstanding achievements of our students. From successes in sport to showcasing their talents in cultural and artistic endeavours, leadership, and academic success, our students have demonstrated remarkable dedication and skill in their individual fields. Their accomplishments are a testament to their hard work and commitment.

I would like to extend my appreciation to our dedicated staff and the supportive community we have here at Proserpine State High School. Together, our school community has created a diverse array of learning experiences both within and beyond the classroom. This commitment has provided our students with numerous opportunities to explore their talents and passions, thereby enhancing both their learning and personal growth.

SPIRIT Week

SPIRIT Week was another incredible week filled with activities designed to foster connections among students in Care Groups and promote House spirit. With a strong emphasis on participation and fun, the aim was to create a deep sense of belonging within our school community. Through a range of experiences, students formed friendships and built connections among their peers. SPIRIT Week encourages a positive atmosphere in which students feel valued, accepted, and connected, laying the groundwork for an inclusive school environment.

Our student leadership committees were exceptional in their preparations, providing a program of “community” driven activities that offered every student the opportunity to participate throughout the week. SPIRIT Week kicked off with enthusiastic participation by both students and teachers during “Torment a Teacher” on Monday. Thank you to our staff for showing their vulnerability in the name of fun and for raising funds for our term charity - the b kinder foundation.

Each day following this brought exciting events, such as Battle of the Brains, Jersey Day, and the Frisbee Challenge, culminating in the Care Carnival. The Care Carnival was an exceptional day, and I was extremely impressed with the cooperation and respect demonstrated by our students throughout. By taking part in various games and activities, students had the opportunity to connect with two clear expectations: HAVE FUN and PARTICIPATE! The house spirit remained strong right until the very last event.

Our committees have provided overviews of the week’s activities further below in this newsletter, along with galleries of photos for you to enjoy.

House Spirit – House Cup

Our House Cup, which is integrated with our school’s Care Group structure, aims to enhance the daily lives and values of our students through participation and engagement. Throughout Term 2, students from all year levels engaged in a variety of events and activities that promoted House Spirit and, ultimately, the positive culture of our school community.

We are proud to award our House Cup at the end of each term, and at the end of the year to the House that best embodies sporting, academic, and community spirit.

Congratulations to Oxley House for winning the Term 2 House Cup! I also wish to congratulate every student who supported their Care Group and demonstrated remarkable House spirit.

Student Performance at the Australian Citizenship Ceremony

We are proud to share that our Year 12 student Ivy Thompson was recently invited to perform the Australian National Anthem at the Whitsunday Regional Council Citizenship Ceremony. Ivy's beautiful rendition of Advance Australia Fair served as a heartfelt welcome to our newest citizens and was a wonderful representation of our local community.

This special moment highlighted the importance of unity, cultural pride, and the vital role young people play in shaping inclusive communities. Congratulations to Ivy on this outstanding contribution, and to all those who officially became Australian citizens on the day.

b kinder day and Positive Culture Day

This week, our b kinder ambassadors actively promoted random acts of kindness through coordinated activities aimed at helping others, sharing positive messages, and creating a supportive school community. Students enjoyed dressing in bright, multi-coloured clothes and helped raise funds for the b kinder foundation by purchasing a b kinder card, sausage on bread or soft drink from our b kinder ambassador and Senior Student Council stall.

Our first day back for Term 3 will be Positive Culture Day, during which students will work in their Care Groups to create a b kinder display. This activity will serve as a reminder that even a simple, random act of kindness can brighten someone’s day.

Student Extension Opportunities

It's wonderful to see so many of our students enthusiastic about programs they are engaging with these school holidays. We're very proud of their committment, talent and willingness to step beyond the classroom and we look forward to hearing and seeing how they use these experiences to positively shape their future learning and career directions.  

• Ivy Thompson, Zepp Henry, Thalia Foster and Ruhveer Kaur are four of 360 Year 11 and 12 Queensland and northern NSW students selected to attend the 2025 QUT Future You Summit. During the four-day summit, our students will have the chance to immerse themselves in hands-on experiences inspired by QUT's undergraduate programs, network with like-minded students, industry leaders, and QUT academics. 
• Year 10 student Miley Thomson will attend the James Cook University 2025 Indigenous Winter School Program.
• Fellow peer Alexa Stuchbree will be representing the school at the 4-day exclusive NIE Future Doctors Program in Brisbane, which equips aspiring medical school applicants with invaluable insights into making informed career choices. 
• Year 11 student Tiarne Watson will be attending the James Cook University Heroes in Science program in the Daintree and the University of Queensland "Shakespeare's Macbeth: UQ Centre for Western Civilisation 2025 Winter School event.
• Year 12 students Ivy Thompson, Hayden Hudak, Blake Hanks, Dominik James-Johnson and Kaydee Miller have been successful with their applications to audition for the highly competitive musical theatre auditions at Griffith University.
• While Year 11 and 12 students Zepp Henry, Ivy Thompson, Thalia Foster and Ruhveer Kaur have been accepted into the Queensland University of Technology Future You Summit providing them with an opportunity to expand their skill sets beyond the classroom and explore future career ambitions with like-minded peers.

Celebrating Sporting Success – North Queensland Selections

We extend our congratulations to all of our students who have been selected to represent North Queensland and State sporting teams this semester. This outstanding achievement is a testament to their dedication and talent across a wide range of sporting pursuits.

Selection at this level recognises not only athletic ability but also the potential to grow and thrive on the sporting field. Whether on the court, the track, the field, or in the pool, their commitment to training, perseverance through challenges, and willingness to represent our school and region with pride is truly commendable.

We wish all our NQ and State representatives the very best as they continue to develop their skills and progress in their respective sports. Carry this experience with great pride and keep the ambition strong in your hearts for the future.

Thank you to Canteen Coordinator – Michelle Milne

Today marks Michelle Milne’s final day in our school Canteen after 13 years of outstanding service to Proserpine State High School. Michelle’s passion, dedication, and commitment to providing high-quality service have made a lasting impact on our students, staff, and wider school community. Michelle continually looked for ways to improve operations and create a welcoming environment for our school community.

Michelle provided care, kindness, and connection to our school. Students often describe the canteen team as “the other family” at school. Her role extended far beyond that of Canteen Coordinator, she helped build a culture of belonging and support for everyone.

Michelle, thank you for your years of service, your generosity, and the genuine care you have given our school. We wish you all the very best for the future.

Happy School Holidays!

As we approach the holiday break, I wish everyone a restful and safe time with family and friends. I am grateful to all of our school staff and the wider school community for their continuous support in offering a diverse range of experiences. Your contributions have been invaluable in helping our students discover and pursue their future pathways in life.

Farewell and Thank You: 13 Years of Dedication

After 13 years of incredible service, our much-loved Canteen Manager, Michelle Milne, is retiring. Michelle has been the heart of our Proserpine State High School Canteen – serving up smiles, nutritious meals, and a generous spirit that has touched students and staff alike.

From early morning preparations to the lunchtime rush, Michelle’s commitment, kindness, and tireless work behind the scenes have made a lasting impact. She has not only kept our Canteen running smoothly but has also played an important role in creating a warm and welcoming environment for all.

Michelle, we thank you for your years of service, your hard work, and your unwavering care for our school community. You leave behind a legacy of generosity and dedication that will not be forgotten.

On behalf of the students, staff, and families of Proserpine State High School – we wish you all the best in your retirement. Enjoy the well-earned rest, and know that you will always have a special place in our hearts.

Confidence grows thanks to Sailability program

On Tuesday 3rd June, a group of our students had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the Sailability Program at the Whitsunday Sailing Club. Sailability is a sailing experience designed to support students of all abilities. With perfect weather and calm waters, our students enjoyed the thrill of sailing, developed confidence, and built valuable social and life skills in a relaxed, supportive environment. A heartfelt thank you to all of our staff who attended and supported students throughout the day. It was a fantastic day of learning, laughter, and new experiences for our students!

Students enjoy focused learning FlexiSpace

This semester, Proserpine State High School has had the privilege of introducing a curriculum supported FlexiSpace program for our junior students. Promoting a new way of working, students are provided tailored teaching and learning opportunities for Maths and English in flexible learning zones to promote engagement. FlexiSpace has been a highly successful program this semester, with gains seen in attendance, academics, and overall student wellbeing.

We are proud to announce the graduation of our Semester One participants, with celebrations having occurred on Monday this week. We look forward to our next group of students who will be joining us in the FlexiSpace in Semester Two.

Year 8 Humanities models bring learning to life

Our Year 8 Humanities students have made small scale models of landforms to go with their Landforms and Landscapes Unit this term. Students could choose from making a volcano, mountain, valley or island from clay using the knowledge they learned throughout the unit.

Many layers to learning in Year 8 Science

During Term 2 Year 8 students studied Chemistry and explored chemical reactions.  Part of their learning was about the pH of different substances and understanding what is an acid and what is a base. Students completed a culminating activity which involved layering different liquids in a test tube to create rainbows of colour. They were challenged to create the most layers in one test tube.

Ruby-Lou wins Year 9 Bake Off Competition

Our talented Year 9 students recently rolled up their sleeves for an exciting Bake-Off Challenge! Working independently, they created a mouth-watering range of sweet treats, putting their creativity to the test. 

Congratulations to all our budding chefs for their amazing efforts and our Year 9 student Ruby-Lou Sugrue for taking out the top prize of '2025 Bake Off Challenge Champion'.

Year 10 art work inspires pop-up gallery

Our Year 10C Visual Art students creativity was on show this week with a pop-up gallery during lunchtime on Tuesday. This term our students worked on creating a piece for their unit titled 'The Selfie'. Students had to create an artwork that communicates ideas about their identity using any art skill learned throughout the unit including drawing, painting, print making, collage or assemblage.

Early Childhood subject wrap up and Kindy visits

In Week 9, our Year 10 Early Childhood students completed their final visit to Proserpine C&K Kindergarten. During this visit, students worked in groups to implement the learning experiences they had planned in class. The activities had to respond to the children’s interests and also aid an area of development.  This task enabled students to apply the knowledge gained throughout the unit and also engage in real-world practices like risk management planning and coordinating ideas and roles with others.

It has been lovely to see the connections and friendships that had formed between students and children over the four visits; with students commenting on the kindy children’s energy and capacity to make them feel welcome. We are very grateful to Proserpine C&K Kindergarten for allowing us to visit and glimpse a small part of a valuable and rewarding industry.

“Our visit to the C&K Kindergarten was an unforgettable experience. Filled with fun, laughter, and energy, we very much enjoyed connecting and playing with the kids. All our organised activities that we planned for the children were very successful allowing them to play and learn at the same time. Some of these activities included playdough making, bubble blower making and spray art. We definitely enjoyed this aspect of the subject and hope to get to do it again in the future.” -  Daphne Wood and Tokayah Hinschen-Pasikala

Legal Studies students visit District Courthouse

Our Year 10 Legal Studies class recently had the valuable opportunity to visit the Mackay District Courthouse, gaining first-hand insight into Queensland’s legal system in action.

Students observed real court proceedings, spoke with legal professionals, and explored the roles of the judge, lawyers, and court staff. The visit brought classroom learning to life, deepening their understanding of court procedures, trial processes, and the importance of justice in our community.

It was an engaging and eye-opening experience that left many students inspired and more informed about potential careers in the legal field. Students have ended the term enacting a Mock Trial to demonstrate their understanding of the court system.

Impressive North Queensland Strings Workshop

On Thursday 19th June, Proserpine State High School hosted the North Queensland Instrumental Music Strings Workshop, welcoming young musicians from across the region for a full day of inspiring music-making. Students from Proserpine State High School, Cannonvale State School, and Proserpine State School gathered in our Performing Arts Centre to participate in a series of structured ensemble activities and rehearsals.

Led by esteemed guest teachers Robyn Gray (Brisbane), Yvonne Moore (Townsville), and Chloe McLean (Townsville), the workshop catered to both Advanced and Intermediate string students, with participants ranging from Year 4 to Year 9. Throughout the day, students engaged in rehearsals as a string ensemble building technical skills, ensemble awareness, and confidence under the guidance of these experienced educators.

The day culminated in a short performance for family and friends, showcasing a program of both new and familiar repertoire. It was a wonderful celebration of the students’ hard work and progress over the course of the day, with the students thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to learn from new teachers, meet fellow young musicians, and grow as performers.

Thank you to our Instrumental Music Teacher Mr Finn Williams for organising this inspiring workshop for our students.

Farewell to our exchange student, Elin!

Today was the final day at Proserpine State High School for our Year 12 exchange student Elin. Elin reflected on her time in Australia and the Whitsundays by saying she was grateful for the experience.

"I'm excited to be going home, but am also sad to leave," she said.

"I will miss the warm weather, the beaches and the lifestyle. My advice is if people can afford to do an exchange then they should give it a go."

Originating from Switzerland, Elin hasn't seen her family since embarking on the exchange in July last year. However, she says her host family and school friends have made the experience worth while.

"My host family have taken me on lots of different adventures and it has been fun," she said.

"My best school memories were Year 11 Camp which was in the first term I started here at school and was a great way to make friends and connect with people. I also enjoyed the Mocktails event and meeting new people from other schools."

While Elin is looking forward to heading home for the summer holidays and seeing her family and friends, she said she will miss those she has made a connection with at school.

"My school friends have been welcoming and made me feel included," she said.

"I hope to come back and visit one day, or they can come visit me."

We loved having you part of our school community, Elin, and wish you a safe journey home!

Year 7s blitz the court in close Netball competition

Our Year 7 Netball team travelled north to compete in the North Queensland Schools Cup Netball Competition today. Our girls were very competitive on the court winning two games and going down in 3 very close matches by one or two points.

Our students had a lovely time travelling with the St Catherine's Catholic College teams and all played well and represented our school with pride. Thank you to our Year 9 student Anika Shields who was an umpire at the event and helped cheer on our girls.

Thank you to our Teachers Ms Mamari Corner, Ms Sherelle Shields and Mrs Jacqui Smith for travelling with our students and training them in the lead up to the event on Tuesdays and Fridays in our Multi Purpose Hall.

NQ Volleyball Success Across All Teams

We celebrated the achievements of our students at the North Queensland Schools Cup in Townsville two weeks ago. Our volleyball players had a very early start on Saturday morning; however, they showed up on the courts with determination, competing against teams from the Peninsula, Northern, and Capricornia regions.

Team achievements:

Our Year 9 Girls Gold team competed in the Year 12 Division and won the grand final with a thrilling two-set victory over Mackay State High School.

Our Year 9 Girls Green team, comprised of just five players, competed in the Year 10 and Under Division, winning first place in a sensational run.

Our Year 8 and 9 Boys team played in the Year 12 Division 2 competition, finishing in third place while demonstrating grit and determination.

Our Year 8 Girls team placed fourth after a series of competitive matches.

Our Year 7 Girls team made their debut at the tournament and gained valuable experience, finishing in eighth place.

Well done to everyone for displaying fantastic skills and sportsmanship! Thank you to our staff who accompanied our students and prepared them in the lead-up to the Cup.

Queensland Cricket host girls mentorship session

Many of our cricket loving students headed out on the oval on Wednesday to enjoy a training session with Queensland Cricket Development Officers.

Zavier makes State AFL team at trials

Well done to our Year 12 student Zavier Goswell who made the State team for AFL this week.

Zavier played in the 16-18 years boys team in ruck position and impressed the crowd with his playing abilities. 

Trio to travel to Perth for Volleyball National Titles

Congratulations to our students Nara Suckling, Dash turner and Lillian Kelly who have all made Queensland teams for Indoor Volleyball.

Our students will be travelling to Perth to play at the Australian Youth Volleyball Championships in the September school holidays. Great work ladies! 

Our Student Committees - SPIRIT Week wrap up

Community Committee

During SPIRIT Week, the Community Committee brought school spirit to life with decorations and fun-filled activities. Each day, we set up banners and balloons across the school, creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.

On Monday of Week 8, we hosted the much anticipated "Torment a Teacher" event. Eight brave teachers took on the challenge, answering trivia questions with a hilarious twist — if they answered a question wrong, they faced a messy consequence! Buckets of mysterious food mixtures were poured over them, much to the delight of the crowd.

Marketing Committee

On Tuesday 10th June, our Marketing Committee hosted Battle of the Brains, in the hall as Care Groups were put to the test. Question topics ranged from Sport, to Literature, Science, General Knowledge and Pop Culture, with higher participation great to see this year than what has been in previous years.

Overall, this year’s SPIRIT Week’s trivia competition ran smoothly and efficiently. A huge congratulations to all of the committee members along with Miss Sprucefor making this event possible this year.

- Written by Matthew Mendoza

House Committee

Wednesday of Week 8 saw a vibrant burst of colour and energy as our House Committee hosted Team Shirt Day and an ultimate frisbee match on the top oval. Students and staff alike showed their team pride, with the highlight of the day being the ultimate frisbee showdown

Kennedy and Flinders joined forces taking on Oxley and Cook in a spirited and competitive match. The game brought out incredible teamwork, determination, and plenty of House pride as students and staff gave it their all. It was a great opportunity to have fun in a friendly rivalry displaying true sportsmanship.

- Written by Savannah Lamont

Care Carnival wrap up

Our school oval transformed into a vibrant sea of red, blue, green, and yellow as students and staff came together for the much-anticipated 2025 Care Carnival. With the focus on fun, community, and team spirit, the day was filled with laughter, cheering, and a series of high-energy novelty events that brought out the best in everyone..

After a full day of spirited competition, Cook House emerged as the overall winner, thanks to their consistent participation, enthusiasm, and teamwork. They were followed closely by Flinders, with Oxley and Kennedy rounding out the top placings.

Special recognition given to several outstanding individual CARE groups These were F5, F3, F2, O5 and K8.

Millie enjoys STEM Girl Power Camp

Our Year 10 student Millie Groom was one of 70 Year 10 students and staff selected to participate in the Department of Education’s 2025 STEM Girl Power Camp last month in Brisbane. Millie took part in a variety of events including workshops and networking opportunities with experts and inspiring role models from diverse STEM fields. 

Millie explored STEM pathways and discussed the importance of STEM communication at the Queensland Museum and Wheel of Brisbane. The STEM Girl Power Camp not only fostered Millie's understanding of STEM's significance in society, but also enhanced her leadership, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills.

As a 2025 STEM Ambassador, Millie will now organise and deliver a STEM event during National Science Week in Term 3, with the aim of inspiring younger students to pursue STEM subjects and careers. 

Big Science and Virtual STEM Academy results

At the start of the term four students took part in the Big Science Competition. This competition tested the students Science knowledge and application in a 50minute online exam. The students gained valuable skills in problem solving, interpreting information and the online exam format.

Congratulations to all students on their results:

Year 8 – Lachlan Kelly (participation)

Year 9 – Katana Savill (credit), Lawson Kelly (credit)

Year 10 – Mackenzie Cantamessa (credit)

Many of these same students were also recognised for representing our school in the Queensland Virtual STEM Academy this year.

Well done to you all!

Catapult Challenge success in the name of STEM

A group of our Year 7-10 students brought science, math, engineering, and a whole lot of creativity to our inaugural Ultimate Catapult Challenge yesterday!

From carefully calculated angles to making the most of potential and kinetic energies, each student showcased their problem-solving skills designing, testing and refining their contraptions for the ultimate test.

What a fun and exciting way to put STEM learning into action! Thank you to Ms Shields, Mr Whybird and Mr Matthews for providing and hosting this opportunity for our students!

Senior students upskill to increase employability

A group of our Year 10-12 students have completed their Food Safety, Responsible Service of Alcohol and Barista Course this week. Students completed the online and practical components over two days at school putting their knowledge to the test. Our staff enjoyed the fruits of their labour with delicious coffees and hot chocolates going down a treat! This opportunity to upskill increases our students' employability and expands on curriculum content delivered in our Hospitality and Food Technologies subjects.

Have you spotted our Leos out in the community?

Our Whitsunday Leos Club members have enjoyed volunteering this term at community events across the Whitsundays. Our students served customers with smiles on their faces at the Dingo Beach Whitfunday earlier this month helping the Proserpine Lions Club at the barbecue food stall and with beach games. 

Last weekend our students helped sell raffle tickets and again served food at the annual Show Whitsunday across both days. Our Leos committee members were excited to wear their new shirts and badges that had arrived just in time for the event. Well done to you all on dedicating time to support our local events and community groups! 

If any students are interested in joining the Leos Club we would love to welcome new members. Please email Mrs Martin jmart662@eq.edu.au or visit O Block staffroom to collect a registration form.

A boot full of entries in local Show Whitsunday pavilion

Mrs Linneweber's backseat and boot were full of delicious entries off to the cooking section at this year's Show Whitsunday last weekend. The judges enjoyed trying more than 40 entries freshly baked last week by our Year 9, 11 and 12 Food Technologies and Hospitality students. Well done to you all and thank you Mrs Linneweber and Mrs Delac for support our students and the local Show Whitsunday event! 

40 year reunion reunites class of 1985

It was great to welcome back former Proserpine State High School students for a tour of our school as they reconnected and reminisced about school life in the 80's!

Well done to the event organisers who made it happen. We look forward to welcoming you back in another decade! Can you spot some familiar faces in the crowd?

If you're celebrating a high school reunion, be sure to get in touch. We'd love to give you a tour of our school!