Our College community paused today to honour and pay respect to those who have served Australia and New Zealand, on our local, national and global stage. Our ceremony today highlighted the sacrifice and spirit of our Anzacs and the learning we can take away from what we have been taught by the Anzacs in terms of mateship, honour, service and perseverance. Our College Spirit Values reflect these messages and are a constant reminder that we, as members of Foxwell, have the ability to make a difference both in our own lives and in the lives of others.

Today we heard from one our special guests, Staff Sergeant (Retired) Simon Pohatu, New Zealand Intelligence Corps, who attended our ceremony with his wife,  Warrant Officer Class One (Retired) Debs Pohatu, Royal New Zealand Engineers. Simon and Debs are veterans of the New Zealand Army, both dedicating twenty years service to their country, including operational service in East Timor and Bosnia.Upon retirement from the military, they emigrated to the Gold Coast and spent four years working on the NATO mission in Afghanistan, managing medical support for both soldiers and civilians. Today they both manage medical and security support for remote projects in Australia and Debs also provides personal care for the elderly. Simon and Debs are active representatives of the North Gold Coast RSL Sub Branch. Subject to the pledge ceremony, they also look forward to becoming Australian and dual citizens, and they can then truly claim to be 'ANZAC' citizens. In his address, Simon highlighted the importance of emulating the spirit and values of the Anzacs and richness of the local stories of our local men and women. We look forward to an enduring relationship with Simon and Debs. 

During the ceremony, we also honoured members of the Foxwell Family, who, for generations, were pioneers and farmers in our local area, and fought in a number of wars. We remember their sacrifices and thank them for their service.

Our Cadets played an important role in our ceremony today and we thank them for their contribution and leadership. 

All of our students were impeccably behaved during the ceremony, demonstrating appropriate respect and behaviour. We are proud of their acknowledgement of the solemnity of the occasion. It was also lovely to have some of our Foxwell families attend the ceremony this year. 

Thank you to Mrs Sophie Cardno, the strings ensembles, the College Choir and our College Leaders for the moving performances today. Eliesha and Josie conducted the ceremony perfectly. We look forward to seeing our students as their local services on Thursday and wish all families a safe and peaceful holiday. 

As we get into the colder months of the year, please remember that all students need to wear the school winter uniform items (listed below), and cannot wear any non-school jumpers or non-school winter clothing items. The uniform shop is open every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday morning from 8:00-11:00am. and every Wednesday from 2-4:30pm.

Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing Survey Information for Parents:

Save the Date - Waves Forward is returning to Foxwell State Secondary College.  

On Friday 14^th June, Pasifika and Indigenous students will have the opportunity to participate in the full day Waves Forward event. Waves Forward aims to share cultural knowledge and understanding through making community connections for students and mentors.

A consent form will be provided to students next week.

Alternatively, you can complete the below form and submit digitally to

Pascale Street

Guidance Officer

ppier6@eq.edu.au

Please only return page 2 of the consent form.

As we enter the second term of the year, and near the completion of Unit 1, we remind all Year 11 students of the following:

1) All classwork and assessment must be completed in order for a student to receive credit for their Units and attain QCE points.

2) To be granted an AARA for missing an examination or assessment due date, students must fulfill the eligibility requirements as outlined by the QCAA. These requirements are listed on the AARA form. 

3) Students who are not demonstrating appropriate levels of effort and/or behaviour, and/or have not completed assessment, may be withdrawn from representing the College at events such as interschool sport, and/or be issued with a disciplinary action in response to the issue. These actions may include being required to attend tutorials at lunch time or being required to attend an after-school detention.

4) Students are to be present in each lesson, every day. Students missing school to work or to go on holidays or to care for a family member may not have an AARA or absence approved.

5) Students in Year 11 must wear their uniform in its entirety, with the sports uniform worn only on days where there is a scheduled practical lesson. ALL YEAR 11 STUDENTS MAY WEAR THEIR SPORTS UNIFORM EACH WEDNESDAY to provide an opportunity to wash formal uniforms. 

Please be aware that Ms Nicolas and Mr Berrell will continue to conduct meetings with students and their families if there are ongoing concerns regarding attendance and/or work completion and/or behaviour. It is imperative that these meetings are attended to allow for support and intervention prior to activating the at-risk of cancellation of enrolment process. 

Our school community recently came together for an impressive show of talent and determination on the Cross Country track! Students showcased their grit and determination in every stride around the challenging track on school grounds and neighbouring bushlands. Students pushed past their limits for some impressive times and personal bests. From the first lap to the final stretch, their efforts and support of others was commendable.

Beyond the traditional race, our students showcased their house spirit and teamwork in a series of novelty events and wearing of their house colours. From the tug-of-war to rob the nest, students collaborated and competed to earn points for their houses. These events not only added an element of fun to the day, but also fostered camaraderie and pride to be a part of their houses.

Congratulations to all houses and their efforts, and especially CORAL for securing overall house champions! All age champions will be acknowledged on full school assembly. As we reflect on the success of the event, let us celebrate not only the achievements on the track but also the values of perseverance, teamwork, and kindness that were on full display.

A big thank you to our school’s Sports Coordinator, Mr. Croucher, and all staff that made an incredible event for students happen.

Students who placed are return their forms asap to Mr. Croucher if wishing to represent the school at Broadwater districts.

Congratulations once again to all our students for their outstanding efforts!

Dr Seuss

Reading Intervention for low progress readers

The MacqLit Reading Program is well underway at Foxwell. MacqLit is an explicit and systematic reading intervention program for small groups of low-progress readers. It has been developed by MultiLit, a research-based initiative of Macquarie University. MacqLit delivers a comprehensive sequence of lessons that includes all the key components necessary for effective reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. I am pleased to report that this reading program targeted at our low progress readers has already started to gain good traction, importantly, students are telling us that they enjoy it!  If you have any questions about the program please contact our expert reading coach and Year 8 Inclusion Case Manager, Belinda Keen-Rowson – bmkee0@eq.edu.au.

The Lighthouse Program & Academic Support in English

The Lighthouse Program commenced in Term 1. It is a literacy intervention program designed to provide an extra layer of literacy support to those students that require a more focussed approach. The aim is to further support the development of literacy skills and build student confidence and success in English.

We are currently trialling this program in selected Year 7 and 9 English classes. The aim of this program is to build targeted Literacy and English skills as well as, assessment literacy so that students can better understand what they need to do to be successful. Students are supported in class through co-teaching and through small group work. Tracey Robb, Head of inclusion (trobb18@eq.edu.au), and Ria Jacobs, Year 9 Case Manager (rjaco98@eq.edu.au), are leading the work in collaboration with the Head of English and classroom teachers. Both Ria and Tracey are experienced and passionate about teaching English and literacy skills.

Inclusion Case Management for term 2

If you child has a disability and is supported by the Inclusion Team, this is a reminder of your Inclusion contact:

• Year 7 – Tracey Robb (Head of Inclusion) - trobb18@eq.edu.au & Belinda Keen Rowson 
• Year 8 - Belinda Keen Rowson - bmkee0@eq.edu.au
• Year 9 - Ria Jacobs - rjaco98@eq.edu.au
• Year 10 - Claire Jung - cjjun0@eq.edu.au
• Year 11 – Tracey Robb (Head of Inclusion) & Zana Schroeder (DP of Inclusion)

On the note of Year 11 Case Management, sadly we say goodbye to Sharyn Cabrera who is heading out west. She will be missed by students and staff across the school. Of course, the Inclusion team is part of the wider school team and students have access to a range of designated year level support staff, case managers and specialist support staff including our Guidance Officers.

Service at the school

Did you know that Foxwell SSC has a DoE Speech and Language Pathologist visit each week…

The Speech Pathologist provides services to support students with speech language communication difficulties to access, participate, and achieve in education. Referrals are made within the school, through our Inclusion team. Our SLP works collaboratively alongside our other members of the student wellbeing team e.g. Guidance Officer, Social Worker, and Nurse. 

News from Autism Queensland

Autism Queensland is the State’s peak body for the provision of autism-specific supports for Queenslanders of all ages. Our vision is a life of participation, opportunity and choice and we achieve this by drawing on experience gained over 56 years of operation. 

Our strengths-focused, evidence-informed and personalised services and supports include individual therapy, diagnostic assessments, early childhood supports, therapy groups, mental health and behaviour support, employment services, autism-friendly schooling, parent education and professional learning, supported independent living and more. We are committed to excellence in service delivery and strive to support the development of every person’s potential. 

Interested to find out more…

Enrol now for 2025!

Enrolments for 2025 are now open. If you have a child enrolling for Year 7 or other year levels next year, please visit https://foxwellssc.eq.edu.au/enrolments/enrolling-at-our-school to complete our Enrolment Expression of Interest Form. Enrolment interviews will begin in the coming weeks. If you know of families in the community looking to enrol at Foxwell next year, please pass this information onto them also. We are excited to welcome new students to our school next year!

Apply now for our 2025 Academies of Excellence

Our Excellence Programs have been updated for 2025, and are now our Academies of Excellence. Applications for 2025 are now open with the following deadlines:

            Round 1: Applications close at 3pm on June 18 (Week 10, Term 2)

            Round 2: Applications close at 3pm on September 10 (Week 10, Term 3)

These programs aim to extend and enrich the development of students in their areas of passion, with mentorship from expert teachers and deep learning experiences.

From 2025, the Advanced Learning Program (ALP) will be for Year 9 and 10 students only. It is designed to offer extension in specific subjects for students who are excelling academically. Students will be extended through faster paced curriculum, complex learning tasks and challenges aimed to promote high levels of academic achievement and early entry to university programs.

Creative Voices will continue to remain a 7-10 program and will now engage and extend students through two streams: Musial Theatre (Dance, Drama and Singing) or Visual Arts Excellence. Creative Voices will provide a platform for students to broaden their skills by working collaboratively with other students, industry artists/speakers, teachers and guest professionals.

Generation STEM (formerly Gen STEM) will engage students in Year 7-10 with advanced STEM education and promote the pursuit of STEM careers. This program is now open to both girls and boys. Students will develop their skills through an inquiry-based learning approach, and will be provided with guidance, mentoring, inspiration and support from our partners including the Wonder of Science, based at the University of Queensland.

The Sporting Minds High Performance Sports Program now has two streams: Elite Athlete Development and Futsal Excellence. Both programs will nurture and develop the physical, mental, social and emotional potential of high-performing student athletes. Sporting Minds recognises elite athletes and assists them in achieving excellence in both sport and academics. The Futsal Excellence program targets specific Futsal skills and development.

Eligibility criteria for all programs has also been amended:

• Very high+ results for Effort and Behaviour in previous school reports.
• Demonstrated interest or passion in the student's area of excellence (demonstrated through their Student Statement).
• Recommendation from a teacher or coach detailing evidence of engagement in the student's chosen area of excellence
• Participation in a compulsory workshop conducted at Foxwell State Secondary College (students who enrol mid-year will participate in alternate selection process determined upon application).
• Payment of application fee.

Further information is available at https://foxwellssc.eq.edu.au/curriculum/excellence-programs. Please email enrolments@foxwellssc.eq.edu.au for any enquiries.