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Success at The Q
The last two weeks have been full of examples of what success looks like for our school and our students. Sometimes the success is individual, improved assessments, greater time on task in class, increased attendance. Sometimes success can be across the school community, like the positives that came from our recent House Colours Day. Frequently this year our success has been in the sporting arena where our talented students have come back with the trophies from the Swimming and Cross-Country inter high carnivals and yesterday in the annual Bulldogs Cup.
As a school I see our students celebrating their individual or collective success in a very positive, respectful way. This is a characteristic of our school community that really stands out to me. I acknowledge the hard work of our staff and students to achieve this success and congratulate them on their achievements so far this year.
It is important that school communities have the conversation about what success looks like. Sometimes success isn’t as obvious as winning a sporting event. For our young people success can present itself in many ways:
- Improving their attendance each term
- Working positively to engage in their learning
- Asking questions in class, if previously they may have found that hard to do
- Contributing positively to a class or a team
- Connecting with the adults that support them and leaning on them for support when the wheels get wobbly
I look forward to continually encouraging our students to strive for individual and school success and celebrating these achievements frequently and wholeheartedly, whatever they may look like.
Our last fortnight has seen some very visible indicators of success with a fantastic result at the cross country held at Kings Meadows last week. The students on the day were a credit to themselves and our school in the way they participated, encouraged and supported each other. We had two extremely successful Outdoor Education camps at Narawntapu where students were able to succeed in a completely different environment. Our F1 in Schools Team competed in Melbourne over the weekend. Wednesday saw students competing with great enthusiasm and spirit in the annual Bulldogs Cup with some team and individual standouts on the day, another example of students coming together to be successful outside the classroom.
I thank all students for their ongoing contributions to building the positive culture of Queechy and look forward to celebrating success for every student and staff member during the remainder of this year. Let’s be a positive influence on everyone we encounter at Queechy and promote the uniqueness of our school at every opportunity.
Exploring Measurement & Fractions
We are excited to share what our Grade 7 students have been learning in Mathematics. Over the past few weeks, they have been honing their skills in measurement, working with circumference, area, and volume of various shapes. Through hands-on activities and problem-solving challenges, students have explored real-world applications, discovering how these concepts relate to everyday life—whether measuring a circular garden or determining how much space a rectangular prism like a box takes up.
Now, as we move forward, students have begun their journey into fractions. The current focus is on mastering addition and subtraction of fractions, an essential skill that lays the foundation for higher-level mathematical thinking. A key part of this process is learning how to find the lowest common denominator, which helps make calculations smoother and more efficient.
At home, you can support your child by encouraging practical applications of these concepts. Cooking is a great way to reinforce fractions—whether measuring ingredients or doubling a recipe. Similarly, discussing shapes and measurements around the house (such as estimating the area of a table or calculating the volume of a box) can deepen their understanding.
We are proud of our students’ progress and look forward to seeing their confidence in Maths grow! Thank you for your continued support in their learning journey.
Our Grade 7 students have been actively engaged in Health and Physical Education this term.
In Health classes, they've explored the numerous benefits of physical activity, learned about the recommended amount of exercise for young people, and studied how physical activity impacts heart rate.
Meanwhile, in Physical Education, students have been mastering the Queechy Cross Country course and participating in various fitness-based games and activities.
It's been a fantastic term filled with learning and physical growth!
We are now well into Term 2 and it’s been a fantastic journey so far in Grade 8 Science. Students have just completed an engaging unit in biology, where we explored the fascinating world of cells and our body. This unit allowed students to discover how the human body functions as a co-ordinated system. They also learnt that cells are the building blocks of life and how they contribute to the function of a whole organism. It was a hands on unit with many dissections, microscopes and engaging discussions about how lifestyle choices effect our health.
Now, we are turning our focus toward Earth and Space Sciences. In this next unit, students will investigate how geological processes shape our world and influence life on earth. Topics will include the rock cycle, geological time, natural disasters and the structure of the earth. This unit sparks curiosity about the planet we live on, encouraging students to think critically about the Earth’s past, present and future.
Science is about much more than facts and formulas. We are forever asked by students why they need to learn science. Through learning science, students develop vital skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, observations, communication and the ability to evaluate evidence. These skills are transferable across all areas of life and learning, helping young people grow into thoughtful, informed citizens who can contribute positively to their communities and their world.
Our Nation's Story
In Grade 9 HaSS, we learn how Australia became what it is today. Our recent topic, "Making an Australian Nation," looked at early settlement. We studied how convicts lived and the deep history of First Nations peoples.
We also looked at the early interactions between European settlers and First Nations peoples. Students explored different viewpoints to understand how these groups met and what happened when settlers arrived and began to claim land. We discussed the impact this had on First Nations peoples and their way of life.
Grade 10 English – Of Mice and Men
Grade 10 students have started the term studying a unit on the novella and film, Of Mice and Men. Students have begun by exploring the context of the story, learning about the social constructs of America in the 1930’s.
The story is based around the experiences of two migrant ranch workers in California during the Great Depression. While engaging in the text, students have been analysing how particular perspectives, values and attitudes represented in or applied to the text, offer different interpretations through the use of language, purpose, and style.
Grade 10 English Teachers have all noted a positive level of student engagement in this unit. Students have been taking comprehensive notes, practicing their paragraph writing skills and have just begun their 3 part major assessment (Creative, Opinionative and Essay writing).
This unit has provided students a great opportunity to extend and challenge their thinking around social issues such as gender inequality, racism and other forms of prejudice, that we still experience today.
In Grade 8 Street Art we have been using paint pen to create different visual effects with drawing. It's been fun!
Are you into Lego, robots, or solving cool challenges? Do you like working in a team and being creative? THE FIRST LEGO LEAGUE IS HERE! Please see Mr. Clark and Mr. Widdowson for more information, sessions are held on Tuesday in F-Lab at lunchtime.
Here are some photos from the first Lego League session.
On Wednesday the 4th of June, Mrs. Milner's Grade 11/12 Workplace Skills class joined forces with Mrs. Renton's Grade 9/10 Cafe Culture class for a tour of Peppers Silos Hotel.
The amazing team guided us through various types of hotel rooms, public areas, and dining spaces. We learned about the building's history and the carefully planned features. We also gained insights into the different roles within the business and how they collaborate to provide high-quality services. Additionally, we received valuable tips for successfully applying for jobs in hospitality and tourism.
Meeting Archie, the Silo Dog (Peppers Silos Canine Ambassador), was a highlight of the trip.
A special thank you to Ruby and Courtney from Peppers Silos for their time, and to Casey from the Beacon Foundation for organising the tour. We also appreciate Mr. Edwards and Amelia for joining us.
Newstead College is excited to welcome Year 10 students and their families to our upcoming Family Information Evenings in June and September. These events provide an opportunity to explore our campus and learn more about our courses, programs, culture and student support services.
Session One: Introduction to Newstead College & Tour
Wednesday 11 June 2025, 5.30 pm
Newstead College Auditorium
Session Two: 2026 Course & Enrolment Information
Tuesday 2 September 2025, 7.00 pm
Newstead College Auditorium
Visit the Newstead College website for more information: https://newsteadc.schoolzineplus.com/newstead-college-open-days-2025
