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 11 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.