2025 Term 1 Week 5

Principals Message

Welcome to the start of a new school year! It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome both new and returning families to our school community. We are excited to continue our journey of excellence and growth together.

Our graduate students from the Diverse Learning Centre and the High School have been tremendously successful as a direct result of teaching excellence, the hard work of students who are supported through our college’s high expectations, and the strong, positive partnerships we cultivate with parents, families and our wider community. I extend my congratulations to the Class of 2024 and their families. I also acknowledge the outstanding achievements of the 2024 Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 students and all DLC students for their hard work and learning in 2024 and I encourage you to focus now on re-establishing good study habits for the 2025 school year.

The P&C meets twice a term for approximately one hour. Our P&C philosophy is based on a family/school partnership review of education. Our school benefits from parental and community involvement.  We want your voice heard and joining the P & C is a great place to start. Our next meeting is Monday 10 March, 6pm in A block. All parents and community members are welcome.

Our 2025 Formal will be held on Thursday 11 September in the Shire Hall. Innisfail State College will continue to hold its formal in town (supporting local business).  We will continue with last year’s format with our formal starting at Innisfail State College with students arriving in their cars and walking around the school as they are presented to parents and community members. There will be photo opportunities and a whole group photo will be taken. Students will then drive to the Shire Hall

As we begin this school year, I’d like to take a moment to share our key expectations for all students, as well as how we, as a school, will support your child’s success.

Academic Excellence:
Our goal is to foster a love of learning and encourage students to reach their full potential. We expect students to engage in their studies, complete assignments on time and participate actively in class. Our teachers will provide the necessary support to help students succeed, but we also encourage parents to remain engaged in their child’s academic progress.

Respect:
We believe that students should treat others with kindness and respect. We hold students to high standards of behaviour and expect them to take responsibility for their actions, both in and outside of the classroom. By working together, we can create a positive school environment where every child feels safe and valued.

Responsibility:

Wearing the Innisfail State College uniform promotes a sense of pride, self-confidence and a feeling of belonging to the school. Uniforms promote equality and inclusivity. All students are expected to wear full school uniform at all times.

Open Communication:
Strong communication between home and school is essential for student success. We encourage you to stay in touch with your child’s teachers and reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Regular updates about school activities, events, and your child’s progress will be shared through newsletters, emails and parent-teacher conferences.

Support and Involvement:
We value the role parents play in their child's education. Whether it’s volunteering in the tuckshop, attending school events, or supporting your child’s learning at home, your involvement makes a big difference. We look forward to partnering with you in supporting your child’s academic and personal growth.

Together, we can ensure that this year is filled with learning, growth and positive experiences for every student.

Thank you for your continued support and here’s to a fantastic school year ahead!

Tanya Martin

Principal

Graduates of 2024 - Awards Ceremony

On Monday 10 February, Innisfail State College streamed its 2024 Year 12 Subject Awards and Dux Ceremony.

The winner of the Most Outstanding Graduate for Applied /VET Subjects 2024 is Jasmine Giddins. Jasmine’s application to her studies has been commendable and she is very worthy of this award.

The 2024 College Dux is awarded to James Macgillivray. His diligence and commitment to his studies have paid off and we wish him all the best as he pursues his studies in Dentistry at James Cook University Cairns.

We would like to congratulate all of our Innisfail State College graduating students of 2024 and sincerely wish them well in all their future endeavours.

P & C Association - Volunteers needed for Canteen

The old saying ‘many hands make light work’ is never truer than in school tuckshops.  Volunteers are a valuable resource for any school tuckshop.  Helpers don’t have to spend a whole day at the tuckshop.  Parents, guardians, grandparents can make a real contribution by offering to come in for a few hours in the morning.

If you are interested in volunteering, we would love to hear from you. 

Please reach out to Jackie from our P & C on Ph: 07 4078 0314.

P & C Association - Invitation to AGM

The Innisfail State College Parent and Citizens Association (P&C) promotes the interests and facilitates the development and further improvement of our school. The P&C fosters community interest in educational matters and encourages closer cooperation between parents of students attending our school, other members of the community, staff and students of ISC.

We are looking for new members and our AGM is on Monday 10 March at 6pm in A block. I encourage parents to join and if possible, become an executive member. The positions are described below.

• The President provides leadership and is the accountable officer of the Association. Their role is to act as a representative of the Association, encourage communication between the Association, School administration and the community and encourage participation in the Association. The President will be the Chair of meetings and conduct them in an efficient and timely fashion, being familiar with the rules, constitution and other documents governing Association operations. The President is an official member of the school council for the school, if one exists.
• The Vice-President provides essential support for the President and possibly other members of the Executive Committee. They will Chair those meetings from which the President is absent and carry out any duties that have been delegated by the President. They should also be familiar with the rules, constitution and other documents governing Association operations.
• The Secretary collates the agenda papers for each meeting, (including subcommittee reports) and assists the President in preparing an agenda for each meeting. They prepare and present minutes of the Association’s meetings, record and deal with correspondence in/out as directed and generally organise, record and maintain information pertaining to the activities of the Association.
• The Treasurer has the overall responsibility for the financial management of the Association, including all subcommittee accounts. In their role they must comply with the Accounting Manual in all respects. They prepare an annual budget and annual operational plan for the Association in consultation with other members of the Association’s Executive Committee. It is the Treasurer's responsibility to keep accurate accounts of receipts and expenditure.

Investiture Ceremony

On Monday 24 February our Investiture ceremony was held to award badges to our senior cohort and to our elected student leaders.  This ceremony was enjoyed by invited guests, family members, staff and the whole college and provided the opportunity to recognise our students who have been chosen by their peers to lead by example, following the four pillars of ISC – Responsibility, Respect, Safety and Learning. 

Our student leaders enjoyed a morning tea with invited guests after the ceremony and their photographs follow:

School-based Apprenticeship and Traineeship Sign-Ups

2025 is off to a flying start with some wonderful news about two of our 2024 graduates getting full-time apprenticeships with Bradken.  Shannan Mani has started his Fitting Machining apprenticeship while Noah Marolla has chosen Boilermaking.  Our best wishes go out to the boys.

Our current year 11 and 12 students have also been very active in pursuing school-based apprenticeships with four of our boys being accepted into the following trades:

Graeme Cataldo (Yr 12) – Certificate III Engineering – Mechanical Trade with MSF Sugar

Bailey Aldridge (Yr 12) – Certificate III Engineering – Fabrication Trade with MSF Sugar

Wade Findlay (Yr 12) – Certificate III Engineering Mechanical (Fitting Machinist) with Bradken

Angus Rogers (Yr 11) – Certificate III Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology with Far North Diesel

This opportunity provides a tremendous start to these students’ careers, and we wish them well in their studies.

None of this would be possible without the amazing support of our local businesses who never fail to take our students for work experience or to offer them school-based apprenticeships or traineeships when they become available.  Thank you from the students of Innisfail State College.

Business Liaison Association Aspire Awards

Innisfail State College was certainly shining at last year’s Business Liaison Association’s Aspire Awards held at the end of November, 2024.  Our wonderful students took out awards in Early Childhood Studies, Accounting, Hospitality and Tourism and Vocational Education and Training.  Pictured are our very talented students and the proud college staff members who attended the awards ceremony in Cairns.

Student Council - Valentine's Day Fundraiser

Student Council would like to thank all ISC students and staff who purchased roses and raffle tickets in our very successful Valentine’s Day fundraiser.  

A huge thank you to Innisfail Hardware for their generous donation of a 1L red Yeti bottle as part of the raffle.

Student Council Fundraiser Gallery

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PBL - Positive Behaviour for Learning

Innisfail State College is a PBL (Positive Behaviour for Learning) School. In Weeks 3 and 4, our universal focus has been Respect Our School. Students have received positive feedback and have been “tagged” for keeping their classrooms and eating areas tidy as well as reporting damage around the school. We value feedback from parents and the community around the teaching of our four pillars (Respect, Safety, Responsibility and Learning) and associated universals.

This fortnight, students in all classes are focussing on what it means to be a learner at ISC. Teachers and students have discussed the positive impacts of coming to school everyday and some of the short and long-term negative impacts if a student is missing too much school. At ISC, we also encourage students to follow “SLANT” in class. This acronym is explained in the visual below. Can your child explain what each letter means?

If you have any feedback or queries around ISC being a Positive Behaviour for Learning school, please contact either Shane Thackeray (Head of Junior Services) or Donna Curzon (Deputy Principal - Inclusion). They can be reached at ISC on 4078 0222 or via email sthac4@eq.edu.au or ddarv1@eq.edu.au respectively.

School Uniform Information

Innisfail State College has a set uniform that is endorsed by the P & C Association.  The wearing of the correct uniform is compulsory.  Wearing the correct uniform reflects positively in the community and encompasses college pride and discipline.  School uniforms can be purchased from the ISC Uniform Shop located in H Block or online using the below link.  Opening hours are Tuesdays 7.45am - 9.30am and Thursdays 2.30pm - 3.30pm.  

Uniform items are NOT to be mixed and matched.  

Please direct any uniform purchase enquiries as follows:

ExternContact us by clicking on the below ISC Uniform Shop Link on P & C Uniform website.

Phone 1800 811 202  (during opening hours).

Save the Date - Year 12 Formal

Our 2025 Year 12 Formal will be held on Thursday 11 September in the Shire Hall. Innisfail State College will continue to hold its formal in town (supporting local business).  We will continue with last year’s format with our formal starting at Innisfail State College with students arriving in their cars and walking around the school as they are presented to parents and community members. There will be photo opportunities and a whole group photo will be taken. Students will then drive to the Shire Hall.  

Phone-free Zone

Innisfail State College will continue to implement the Queensland Government ban on mobile phones and wearable technology during school hours, including break times.    

After School Subject Support

Please see details below if your student is interested in attending tutoring and support sessions on Tuesday afternoons. 

Queensland Health School Immunisation Program

ISC participates in the Queensland Health School Immunisation Program (SIP).  Please find below the dates scheduled for 2025.

Community Announcements

Cassowary Coast Educators Social Hiking 

Abstudy Information