2025 Term 2 Week 5

ANZAC Day

This year, our school community united in a solemn reflection and heartfelt tribute to honour the brave men and women who have served our nation over the past 110 years since the landing of the ANZACs at Gallipoli.

The commemoration began with a moving assembly, where students, staff and members of the community gathered to pay their respects and commemorate the ANZAC spirit. Through a very stirring ceremony, we were reminded of the courage, sacrifice and resilience of our servicemen and women both past and present.

Our college captains then went on to represent the College by laying a wreath at the Dawn Service, where our very own Oscar Van Haaren performed a moving rendition of the Last Post and Reveille on the bugle.  Sebastian Vang and Lily De Brincat, our captains, then delivered an address at the ANZAC Day breakfast which followed at the RSL, proudly representing the college.

It was very pleasing to see so many of our students and staff march with other community members in the ANZAC Day parade which followed.

Lest we forget.

Harmony Day

ISC celebrated Harmony Day on Tuesday 25th March.  Harmony Day is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings us together from all different backgrounds.  It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.

Students came together on the day and were treated to some special performances by our ATSI dancers, Hmong Dancers, Filipino dancers, as well as partaking in Filipino weaving and stall displays.

School-Based Apprenticeship & Traineeship Sign ups

Innisfail State College is proud to announce that several of our senior students have recently embarked on school-based apprenticeships, thanks to the continued support and generosity of our local businesses.

Callum Trevor has taken a significant step toward his future career by signing up with Luke Weaver at Weaver Constructions. He will be undertaking a Certificate III in Carpentry, gaining hands-on experience while still completing his senior schooling.

Jhett Kitching-Ely has also secured a fantastic opportunity, joining Wayne Austin at Australian Hydraulic. Jhett will be working towards a Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade, developing vital trade skills in a professional environment.

Most recently, Matthew Spataro has signed up with Paul Crapella at Johnstone Agricultural Machinery. Matthew will be working towards a Certificate III in Engineering, (Fitter and Turner) further expanding the growing number of skilled trade pathways supported by local industry.

Innisfail State College sincerely thanks our local employers for their commitment to nurturing the next generation of tradespeople. Your ongoing support of our Work Experience and School-based Traineeship/Apprenticeship Programmes plays a vital role in preparing our students for life beyond school. Without your involvement, these invaluable career preparation opportunities would not be possible.

Together, we are building stronger futures for our students and our community

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aspirations Program - (ATSIAP) Challenge

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Aspirations Program (ATSIAP) is an academic challenge-based competition for high-achieving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander state high school students.  The challenge consisted of a persuasive speech, poetry, and artwork.  Our ISC team placed 2^nd overall in the FNQ region and will now travel to Brisbane in week 10 to compete against other teams from across Queensland in the State finals.  

Congratulations Camellia Fischer, Imani Thoroughgood and Reyne Savage on a job well done and the best of luck for the finals.

Cross Country

The constant rainy weather saw the postponement of our Cross Country in Term 1.   We were lucky enough to complete our Cross Country event in Week 1 this term, and it was great to see so many students participating and dressing in their house colours and themes.  Congratulations to all the race winners and to Bedarra our 2025 House Champions on securing the Carnival shield this year. 

Stayed tuned for our Athletics Carnival results in our next newsletter!

2025 Cross Country

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Year 12 Cookery

Our year 12 Cookery students have been busy this term.   Students recently visited Crystalbrook Flynn and Crystalbrook Riley in Cairns for a back and front of house tour of the Hotels, including the kitchens and restaurants, bar areas, housekeeping and rooms, day spa, and maintenance. Students were able to advance their real-world knowledge of the Hospitality Industry and become aware of possible future opportunities. Thank you to both Crystalbrook Hotels and Gateway to Industry School Program for making the excursion possible.

Another event this term saw the Year 12 students recently given an opportunity to participate in an in-school excursion. The wonderful Hayley from Gateway to Industry organised Chef Kara and Gennie from Kubarz to immerse the students in real-life industry experiences. The students spent a session with Chef Kara, using indigenous flavours to create awe-inspiring dishes that will feature at the next Peppertree Restaurant. The next session was spent with Gennie creating mocktails to pair with restaurant dishes. Students were able to use industry equipment and had the chance to taste both mocktails and food made on the day.  This day was made possible through the continual support of the Gateway to Industry Schools Program for Tourism and Hospitality.

If you would like to see what the Gateway Schools Program is all about click on the links below.

Year 12 Cookery

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Physical Education Studies - Darts Excursion

As part of our Access and Equity unit, the Year 11 and 12 Physical Education Studies students recently took part in an exciting excursion to experience the sport of darts. This opportunity provided students with hands-on experience in a sport that is not typically accessible within the school setting, aligning with our focus on promoting inclusivity and broadening exposure to a variety of physical activities.

Throughout the day, students learned the fundamental rules and scoring systems of darts, received tips and coaching from experienced players, and had plenty of time to practice their aim and technique. For many, it was their first time picking up a dart — and the enthusiasm was contagious!

A huge thank you goes to Larry Leedie from the Innisfail District Darts Association, who generously volunteered his time alongside other club members to mentor and guide our students. Their patience, encouragement, and passion for the sport made the day both educational and incredibly fun.

All students came away with a newfound appreciation for darts, and many expressed interests in playing again in the future. It was a great day filled with laughs, learning, and lots of bullseyes!

Guidance Officer Appreciation Week

In week 2 we celebrated our incredible Guidance Officers at Innisfail State College. Guidance Officers provide counselling and advice on educational, career, personal, mental health and wellbeing issues for students.

If your child, or a student at school, needs support, get in touch with your Guidance Officer. The ISC Guidance Officers are Mr Prags Kalli (Year 10, Student Wellbeing), Mrs Jackie McAnulty (Year 11, 12, Staff Wellbeing) and Ms Lynn Gardiner (Year 7, 8, 9).

Thank you Jackie, Prags and Lynn for all you do for the staff and students at ISC!  If you would like to see what kind of work our Guidance Officers do, please click on the link below.

Cassowary Coast Careers Day

On Wednesday 14 May, ISC in partnership with Cassowary Coast Regional Council, hosted the annual Cassowary Coast Careers Day. It was great to see so many enthusiastic students engaging with the various exhibitors and employers on display.  Exhibitors included a cross section of apprenticeship and traineeship providers, alongside strong industry representation as well as Tertiary and University institutions who inspired our students. 

We would like to thank Cassowary Coast Regional Council, all stall exhibitors, our local high schools and our ISC staff who worked hard to make it such a successful expo for 2025.

Battle of the Bands

ISC would like to welcome you to Battle of the Bands being held at B Block Auditorium.  

Prize = $50 Buzz Music gift card for each member of the winning act.

Date:  Thursday 29th May

Time:  Doors open at 5.45pm for a 6.00pm start

Bring your friends and family and support our local musicians.

Thank you ISC Student Council for your support of this event.

PBL - Positive Behaviour for Learning

This term our Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) focus has been “Respect Our Peers” as well as "Active Learning". Our students are being acknowledged and “tagged” for showing respectful and inclusive language when talking to their peers. Please chat to your child/ren about what respect looks like at home and at school.

As students are moving into assessment time, teachers believe it is timely that our other PBL (Positive Behaviour for Learning) focus is Active Learner = Active Engagement.  Ask your child about what it means to be engaged in their learning. What assessments are they working on and what are they doing if they are unsure about something?

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.

Year 10 Active Volunteering

Some of our Year 10 students are completing their Certificate II in Active Volunteering.  This qualification allows students to develop an understanding of the concepts of service, volunteering and community work - through engagement with the community, both within and external to the school.  The course is focused on the key skills needed to volunteer under supervision and can be used as a pathway to workforce entry. 

Students have been busy making cupcakes, apricot chicken and curried sausages for the Innisfail Youth Shelter, coaching year 8 students in various sporting activities, painting a mural on the school water bubblers, as well as giving a drama performance for the Diverse Learning Centre students.

Check out the posters the students completed for our newsletter!    Well done Year 10.

Want to Win a YETI?

Year 11 & 12 students — this one’s for you!  If your attendance is 90% or higher this term, you’ll go into the draw to win a YETI water bottle.  Every day counts — right up to the last day of Term 2.  The winner will be drawn on the final day of each term.  And the best part?  We’re running this every term in 2025 — so keep showing up and stay in the game all year long!  

A big congratulations to Millie Csukardy year 12 and Cooper Lynn year 11 who are our term 1 Attendance Champions.

Win big.#InnisfailStateCollege #AttendanceMatters #YETIChallenge #QCEGoals #ShowUpToWin

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