Indigenous Education News

QATSIF Round 16 Scholarships

I would like to congratulate the following students on receiving QATSIF Round 16 Scholarships for 2025 and 2026.

Seth A.W	Kailu B	Lacey B	Kirra B
Leni F	Emily G	Bailey G	Emily S
	Lachlan T	Patience H

The Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation was established in 2008. This funding was created to support Indigenous children in education across Queensland. These funds represent the money from stolen wages in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were withheld pay, and the money was put into a Trust. Thousands of Indigenous workers were unable to access this money and in some cases were paid in the form of food or clothing, not wages. Through the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation, this funding goes towards school fees and equipment needed for Indigenous students to attend school. QATSIF has been successful in building a higher retention rate of Year 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students receiving their QCE. To qualify for these scholarships students must maintain an attendance rate of 85%, be achieving A-C in English and a C or higher in other subjects and must be demonstrating efforts of good behaviour and be positive role models at school.

The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) is also a partner organisation of QATSIF. Students with an interest in paramedicine can apply to receive an additional scholarship with the QAS. I would like to congratulate Lacey B on successfully gaining a QAS scholarship. Lacey will be connecting with Indigenous Paramedics who will support her in gaining her first aid certificates and driver's license.

QAS has a wide range of career pathways for Indigenous students to study, including Paramedicine, Emergency Medical Dispatcher, Patient Transport Officer and Public Servant. 

Year 12 Commencement Celebrations 2025

Over the 5th and 6th of March, I attended the Year 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commencement Celebrations and Mass in Rockhampton with three of HSC’s First Nations Students. We gathered with First Nations Year 12 students from Colleges across the Diocese to celebrate their 13 years of schooling.

On Tuesday the HSC students travelled down to Rockhampton with Wayne Huntley,  HSC Teacher, Lesia Scott, St Patricks College Indigenous Liaison Officer, two St Pat’s students and myself. We all met at Kevin Castles Centre to have dinner and a games night with our Leadership Team from Rockhampton. Phillippa Johnson, Sharon Haynes and Natalie Semple also joined with some students and Indigenous Liaison Officers from Shalom College in Bundaberg and Marist College in Emerald.

On Wednesday all the Year 12’s and staff members met at the Rockhampton Leagues Club to join in a day of Leadership activities, career clusters and pathways sessions. The students got to engage with First Nations Community members on Darumbal Country to tell their stories on their personal pathways into their careers in Mining, Nursing and Youth Work. Bishop Michael and Mr Michael McCusker, Director of Catholic Education in the Rockhampton Diocese, attended these activities with us. Bishop Michael spoke about his life journey and wished all the Year 12s the best in their career pathways after school. Mr McCusker shared with the students some important tips on goal setting and how to achieve goals when they set them.

Wednesday night we attended the Commencement Celebrations Dinner and listened to guest speaker, Dr Melinda Mann, who shared with us her life journey in reverse.

Thursday morning, we gathered for Mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral, with Bishop Michael presiding. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Year 12 students were recognised for how far they have come in their schooling years. The trip was successful for the students, offering the opportunity to reconnect with friends from other colleges in the Rockhampton Diocese, as well as our Indigenous Education Liaison Officers and Leadership Team.

Nadine Cleveland - Indigenous Education Liaison Officer

The Retreat will be taking place at Discovery Parks - Coolwaters, Yeppoon, and will be led by Dave Jorna, from Project Hatch. Dave has studied Psychology, was a Campus Minister, is an Emotional Intelligence Consultant, and has been working with young people for over nineteen years.

From the Project Hatch Program, your student will learn to create small differences in their thinking, to make big changes in their behaviour and self-confidence, experience ways they can be a positive influence in the lives of others and reflect on how the Gospel messages are alive and relevant in their daily lives.

When: Monday, 31 March to Wednesday, 2 April 2025

Departure: 8:00 am sharp on Monday, 31 March from Holy Spirit College

Return: 5:00 pm on Wednesday, 2 April to Holy Spirit College. Parents are asked to be at the College by 5:00 pm to collect your student.

Where: Discovery Parks – Coolwaters, Yeppoon

Please Note: Due to the risk of allergic reactions and anaphylaxis within the Year 12 cohort, please ensure all snacks do not contain nuts.

We remind parents and students that, as representatives of Holy Spirit College, our College Rules & Expectations will apply (refer pages 9 to 15 of the Student Diary).

Should a student breach our College Rules & Expectations, the Retreat Team may, at their discretion, contact parents and request them to collect their student from Yeppoon.

I know it will be a fantastic time away for our Year 12 students, and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the College.

James Newton - Dean of Students (Year 12)  

Year 7 News

Year 7 Team Building and Pastoral Care Activity Days

As part of the Holy Spirit College Year 7 Pastoral Care Program, students will take part in a Team Building Day at Seaforth Pines Outdoor Education Centre on Monday, 31 March and Tuesday, 1 April 2025. The students will participate in a range of team building and leadership activities, and a series of physical activities, to develop bonding and team spirit among the Year 7 Pastoral Care Groups. Students will also develop group co-operation, trust, communication skills and problem-solving skills.

The activities will run during regular school hours. When travelling to Seaforth, students will depart the College at 8:30 am sharp and return to the College by 2:50 pm. Meals will be provided for students on the day they are at Seaforth Pines.

Seaforth Pines Team Building Day

Seaforth Pines Activities will include: a low ropes course, archery and pines challenge. The Team Building Day is run by Seaforth Pines Outdoor Education Centre and Holy Spirit College. Whilst participating, students should be aware that normal College rules still apply. From a risk management and safety point of view, it is extremely important that students are cooperative and responsible at all times. Unacceptable behaviour will be managed by staff and, in some instances, if inappropriate behaviour is demonstrated, parents may be asked to collect their student from Seaforth at their cost.

Students will need to wear sensible clothing and closed in shoes, appropriate for all the outdoor activities. Due to the physical nature of the activities, shorts will need to allow both freedom of movement and modesty. Midriff and sleeveless tops will not be permitted.

Checklist of what to bring

• Students must wear closed in shoes
• Large water bottle
• Broad-brimmed hat
• Sunscreen
• Insect Repellent

Please Note:

• Soft drinks, chewing gum and confectionery are not to be brought on the Team Building Day
• As with normal College policy, a number of items are not to be taken on these days including iPods, mobile phones, gaming devices and any other items of value
• For safety reasons, jewellery is to be removed for all activities. Students who are unable to remove jewellery will not be able to participate in the activities around which the program has been developed

If you have any questions please contact the Dean of Students – Year 7, at the College on 4994 8600 or by email at Kyle_Danns@rok.catholic.edu.au.

Kyle Danns - Dean of Students (Year 7)

Year 7 in 2026 Enrolment