Filter Content
Week 2
Monday 13th - Friday 17th October - Mental Health Week
Thursday 16th October - White Card Course, Year 12 Arts Showcase Evening
Week 3
Monday 20th October - Final Year 12 whole school Parade, 2025 House Cup winner announced, Year 12 Safer Schoolies Education Session
Tuesday 21st October - Farewell Care Bears (extended Care Group), Arts Gala workshop rehearsal
Wednesday 22nd October - Year 7 & 8 assessment dates published, final Year 12 Parade, Australian Defence Force visit, P&C Association Meeting
Thursday 23rd October - Junior Volleyball Schools Cup
Friday 24th October - Junior Volleyball Schools Cup, Arts Gala Showcase evening
Week 4
Monday 27th October - Tuesday 18th November - Year 12 Assessment Block
Monday 27th October - Junior Volleyball Schools Cup, Year 10 Early Childhood daycare visit
Tuesday 28th October - NDIS FEROS Care visit, Newsletter due out
Wednesday 29th October - Junior School Parade, Whitsunday Futsal Competition
Thursday 30th October - Year 11 Hospitality High Tea event
Friday 31st October - World Staff Day
Welcome back everyone to what will be another extremely busy term ahead. My best wishes go to our Year 12 students as they enter the closing weeks of their schooling, working hard to complete their final assessment tasks and achieve their full potential.
Our students have made a positive start to the term across all year levels, which is very pleasing.
Mental Health Week
This week, we have organised a range of activities for both students and staff during Care Group and lunch breaks in recognition of Queensland Mental Health Week. The week will culminate on Friday with a live music performance by our Instrumental Music Students and stalls hosted by our student clubs and groups.
Our initiatives align with this year’s theme, “Connect for Mental Health,” which emphasises fostering wellbeing through four key areas: connecting with oneself, with the community, with others, and with nature.
Connect with self: Take care of yourself, do something you enjoy, make healthy choices, and seek help when needed.
Connect with community: Create supportive and inclusive environments, look after one another, and connect with culture. Show kindness and reach out to those who may be struggling.
Connect with others: Foster relationships with loved ones, friends, family, and mob. Spend time with others and make meaningful connections.
Connect with nature: Take a break from technology, spend time outdoors, embrace mindfulness, and care for the world around you.
I look forward to seeing our students continue to engage in a range of activities this week that encourage positive mental health and the simple steps we can each take to improve our daily lives.
Attendance
I have challenged students this term to focus on improving attendance. As I have written to families earlier this year, our whole-school attendance is currently not at a level that enables students to achieve their best. Close attention needs to be placed on prioritising every day in the classroom and reducing unauthorised absences.
On the other hand, our school has recognised students and Care Groups with high attendance. We celebrated those who achieved our school target of 95% attendance and above throughout Term 3 with rewards and recognition. Our attendance policy aims to support and encourage students to reach their attendance goals across the school year.
We are grateful to our school P&C Association for their generous support of these initiatives through financial contributions towards rewards for our students.
Join us this Thursday at our Senior Arts Showcase
Our talented Senior Arts students will transform our Performing Arts Centre this Thursday, 16 October, with their creative pieces on display at our annual Senior Arts Showcase.
Throughout the evening, our school community will be treated to spectacular creativity from our Visual Art, Visual Arts in Practice, and Music in Practice students. Many of the artworks will be available for purchase and we ask attendees to vote on their favourite piece in the exhibition.
We invite the community to join us in celebrating our students' incredible hard work, with the evening starting at 6:30pm. Light refreshments will be available for purchase.
Inter-School Debating Final
Proserpine State High School debaters have once again demonstrated their exceptional talent and teamwork, taking out first place in both the Junior and Senior Divisions at the final Inter-School Debating Competition last week.
Our students competed against Bowen State High School and St Catherine’s Catholic College, debating a range of thought-provoking topics including artificial intelligence, reducing blood alcohol driving limits, and Australia’s relationship with America. Students impressed adjudicators with their critical thinking, persuasive arguments, and confidence at the podium.
We extend our deepest gratitude to all schools for contributing to such a fantastic year of debating and thank our Teachers Ms Foot, Miss Whish and Mr Casey for their support of our students in honing their debating skills across a variety of engaging events.
Year 12 Formal tickets on sale now!
Formal tickets are on sale now at our Administration Office. Year 12 families have been emailed information regarding the price and eligibility to attend this year's Formal.
Pre-order your Formal photography today!
2026 Next Step Year 12 Completers survey
Year 12 students, please check that your contact details are correct in your learning account with the QCAA student portal.
In March 2026, you will receive a letter from the Minister for Education and The Arts inviting you to participate in the Next Step Year 12 Completers survey, following up on your activities after graduating. You may also receive an email or phone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office. Your feedback helps our school improve services for future students, and you can win a laptop for participating. For more information visit www.qld.gov.au/nextstep.
IM students set to shine on stage at Arts Gala
On Friday 24th October, our Instrumental Music students will perform at the annual Arts Gala Concert.
We are proud to host this event that showcases the immense talents of students across all three local state schools, ranging from budding young musicians in the early primary years to seasoned performers in late senior secondary.
Students will also take to the stage to perform together as part of ensemble music acts, so be sure to cheer them on!
The Arts Gala Night will be held in our Performing Arts Centre, with doors opening at 6pm for a 6:30pm start.
Snacks will be available for purchase at the door. We look forward to seeing you there!
Year 9 Design Tech skills put to the test
Our Year 9 Design Technologies class have started the term completing their skill testers. Students self-designed the wire mechanism and put their skills to good use making circuits, shaping acrylic and soldering parts.
Jack's parents share life and law changing story
Empowering students to make positive road choices
On Monday, our Year 11 students had the privilege of hearing from Melissa McGuinness, founder of the award-winning YOU CHOOSE – Youth Road Safety program.
YOU CHOOSE is Australia’s youth-led mission to change driving culture and empower young people to make positive choices as drivers and passengers. The program, which won the Australian Road Safety Award for school programs, delivers a powerful message about accountability, responsibility, and leadership on our roads.
Melissa’s story and message have reached more than 250,000 teenagers across Australia since the program’s inception in 2017. Together with her husband Peter, Melissa founded YOU CHOOSE after the tragic loss of their 18-year-old son, Jordan, whose driving decisions caused the deaths of four innocent young people, including his own. From this unimaginable tragedy, the McGuinness family has created a national movement for change.
Melissa is the 2020 Gold Coast Woman of the Year, a two-time Queensland Australian of the Year finalist (2021 and 2022), and was most recently awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the 2025 Australia Day Honours for her outstanding service to road safety and youth education.
The YOU CHOOSE presentation invited our students to deeply reflect on the connections between their intentions, choices, actions, and the people they love. Through honest storytelling and practical guidance, Melissa encouraged students to take ownership of their decisions and to look out for one another in “moments that matter.”
Thank you Melissa for bravely sharing your story with us.
Nick selected for International Tour to Brazil
Our Year 9 student Nick Philipson competed at the National School Futsal Championships in Brisbane last month. Nick made selection to compete at the event after taking part in the Regional School Futsal Titles earlier this year. Nick impressed scouts at the Futsal Championships and was selected as an All Star of the tournament and will represent Australia on an International Tour in Brazil next year. He said it was great to be selected.
The following week Nick represented our school at the 2025 Futsal Queensland State Titles on the Gold Coast. It was the first time he has been selected to play at the State Titles that brought together more than 1000 young players from across Queensland. Nick played goalkeeper for the NQ team who placed nineth out of 10 teams.
Well done Nick!
Leos give back through artistic community project
Students finish the Debating year on a high
Young Researchers inspired at State Library Program
Tiarne attends function at Government House
Young sailors proudly represent the Whitsundays
Violet represents at nationals for baton twirling
SchoolTV
SPECIAL REPORT: World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day is marked every year on October 10th as a reminder of the importance of mental health to our overall wellbeing. It is a day that encourages families, schools, workplaces and communities across the globe to start conversations, reduce stigma and highlight the support available for those who may be struggling.
Mental health challenges can affect anyone: children, teens, and adults alike. Recognising this helps us create more compassionate and supportive environments.
Parents and caregivers play a central role in shaping the mental health of their children. World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to pause and reflect on the pressures young people face in today's world and how we can best support them. Whether it's helping children find balance between school, technology, and rest; encouraging open conversations about feelings; or modelling healthy coping strategies ourselves - small steps at home can make a big difference.
By engaging with resources and discussions on this day, families can strengthen their understanding of mental health and contribute to a culture where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness.
This Special Report highlights the importance of World Mental Health Day and offers practical suggestions for how your family can acknowledge and support it together.
Here is the link to your Special Report.
First Nations Student Opportunities
Indigenous Australian Engineering School (IAES)
Applications are now open for the Indigenous Australian Engineering School (IAES) program, hosted by UNSW Sydney Engineering between January 11th-17th, 2026. This one-week residential program is designed for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students who will be in Years 10, 11, or 12 in 2026.
Fully funded by UNSW and Engineering Aid Australia, the IAES program offers an immersive experience in engineering, including hands-on activities, insights into engineering careers, and an introduction to life on campus. Students will stay for six nights, with all travel, accommodation, and meals fully covered. In addition to the engineering experience, the program includes cultural, social, and peer activities.
Applications close: November 7, 2025 at 12:00 AM (midnight). Please apply by clicking this link.
Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme
First Nations students who are looking at tertiary health studies in 2026, the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme (PHMSS) is now open for applications. The scholarship is available to students studying across a diverse range of qualifications through vocational education and training and university.
The scholarship provides access to financial, cultural, mentoring, and other supports for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying in health, including access to up to $15,000 per annum (full time) for the normal duration of the course. Applications are open until 30 October 2025. To apply please click this link.
Pearl Duncan First Nations Teaching Scholarship
The Pearl Duncan First Nations Teaching Scholarship is now open for applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders across four categories of scholarship support: secondary school graduates, postgraduate students, Department of Education employees and post-school students. Applications for the scholarship close at midnight on Friday, 12 December 2025. To apply, please click this link.
2026 TAFE Queensland Scholarship Program
The 2026 TAFE Queensland Scholarship Program is now open for applications. These are open to all students, but there are additional opportunities for First Nations students, students with a disability, carers, students from disadvantaged backgrounds and athletes. Scholarships are awarded to people looking to change their lives and build lifelong careers. Scholarships can be used to pay for study-related costs such as course fees, travel expenses, childcare, uniforms, tools, books and other study materials. For more information, please click this link.
School Dental Service - Book Today!
2025 Student Resource Scheme Fees Due
This is a friendly reminder that Student Resource Scheme fees for 2025 are currently due. These fees contribute to the provision of essential educational resources that support your child’s learning throughout the school year. Failure to have an established payment plan or fees up to date may affect access to these resources.
Please contact our Accounts Receivable Officer, Tanya Chapman - tchap192@eq.edu.au should you have any queries regarding your student’s account.
Relief Cleaners Required
Join us for our NDIS Feros Care Information Session
What year did you graduate? 2019
Tell us about why you picked a career in Education, and what your study/training journey has been? The journey to completing my degree had its highs and lows, but my little sister was always at the forefront of my mind, and I was determined to complete my degree for her and my family.
Favourite quote? Never give up.
Nominate for the 2026 STEM Girl Power Initiative
Express your interest to your school if you are a current Year 9 student or a teacher for the 2026 STEM Girl Power Program.
Up to 60 students will experience STEM careers firsthand at the STEM Girl Power Camp in Brisbane in May 2026.
Participants will also connect with industry experts and peers from across the state throughout the year. Visit the STEM Girl Power page to find out more and start your nomination.
National Youth Parliament 2026: apply now
Students aged 16-17 years in August 2026 should apply online before 21 November to participate in the National Youth Parliament which brings together 150 students, each representing one of Australia’s federal electorates, for an immersive five-day experience in Canberra free of charge.
It’s a unique opportunity for them to engage directly in our democracy and learn about parliamentary processes, including how bills are drafted, debated and passed into law.
Dress to impress at Whitsunday Job Fair
Final Police recruiting seminar coming up
The final Police recruiting seminar will be held at the Mackay PCYC on Friday October 17 at 5:30pm for any senior students interested in a career in the Police Force.
Enjoy getting out on the water with Sailing
Are you eligible for Saver Plus program?
NOTICEBOARD
WHITSUNDAY TAEKWONDO
Improve your:
Fitness, confidence, self-descipline, self-control, ability and stamina.
Classes in Proserpine and Cannonvale.
Ages 4 to adults - Beginners and Advanced.
Contact: 0416 350 439 or 0406 540 719
info@whitsundaytkd.com.au or www.whitsundaytkd.com.au
Read MoreGIVE TO THE SMITH FAMILY
The Smith Family is a children's charity helping disadvantaged Australian children to get the most out of their education, so they can create better futures for themselves. Donate now at https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au
Read MoreFOSTER CARER
FOSTER CARERS NEED!
We'd love to hear from you if you have:
- a heart for children in need
- a desire to transform young lives
- a willingness to open up your home.
For more information phone (07) 4953 5097 or fosterwithus.com.au
Read MoreAUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CADETS
Parading Friday nights 1830 - 2200 hrs
Bus pickup & drop off provided
(Cannonvale, Strathdickie/Proserpine)
Are you interested in:
Flying
Camping
Abseiling
Defence
Visiting defence bases
Leadership
Then the Australian Air Force Cadets may be the place for you!
Visit www.airforcecadets.gov.au to learn more or
Call Michelle Brayford on 0407 124 268
INTERESTED IN A CAREER AS A TEACHER AIDE
Check out the flyer attacher for more info!
Email your interest to: educationsupport.TOL@tafe.qld.edu.au