Focusing on Strength in Our Wellbeing 

In Term 2, our Secondary students have thrived in demonstrating their strengths. Whether physically in our Relay for Life or mentally throughout our assessment period, our students shine in their individual gifts and talents. It is wonderful to witness our Junction team each week thrive during worship and our student leaders launching us into each week in Launch and creating fun through our Junction games.

Philippians 4:13 is a motivational and uplifting verse: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. However, it’s important to read this verse in context of the previous lines, where Paul teaches that there is strength to be found in finding contentment in every situation. Whether in times of trouble or times of abundance, we hope that our wellbeing lessons can speak into the lives of our students that strength, safety and protection can be found in the Lord. 

Philippians 4:11-13: 'Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.'

Promoting Strong Pathways

It was fantastic to see our students exploring future pathways options and opportunities at our Pathways Expo. This set the groundwork for our Junior and Senior Education and Training (JET and SET) plan conferences. These conferences facilitate collaboration between students, parents/carers and teachers in making plans for 2026 subject selections with a future focus on how to support our students to succeed in their chosen paths. Mrs Vieiro, Mr Green, Mrs McDonald and I really appreciated and enjoyed the opportunity to talk with our students and their families this week.

Every Step, For Someone We Love: Relay for Life 2025

There are moments that remind you why you belong to a community like CalCC. For
me, our recent Relay for Life was one of those moments.

This event began as a small seed in my heart, something deeply personal. I lost my
beautiful mum to cancer; a loss never truly goes away. But I know I’m not alone. So
many in our College community have been touched by cancer in some way - a
parent, a friend, a grandparent, a colleague. That’s why we walked. For every story.
For every person. For hope.

When our Year 12s took the baton and ran with this idea (literally), I could not have
been prouder. They led with energy, compassion and drive, creating something
bigger than any of us imagined. Somehow, for 24 continuous hours, our College kept
moving. Staff, students and families all came together to ensure that at every hour -
yes, even the cold, dark ones - we had someone out on the track, walking in faith
and solidarity.

Even our tiniest students, the Pre-Kindy crew, got in on the action, adding their little
legs to our big goal. We travelled 3,300.5 kilometres in total. On foot! That’s the
equivalent of driving from Caloundra to Perlubie, South Australia, a 34-hour road trip,
achieved by our legs, our hearts and our relentless community spirit.
Alongside the distance, we raised almost $4,000 for cancer research. That number
represents generosity, compassion and a deep desire to see a world without cancer.
Every gold coin, every doughnut-fuelled lap, every cheer from the sidelines mattered.
I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who made this
happen:

To those who walked, even when their feet were sore.
To those who set up and packed down in the early and late hours.
To our staff who kept the relay chain going through the night.
To those who donated, shared our cause and spread the word.
To students who counted laps, wore purple and yellow, and made it fun.
And most importantly, to our God, who gave us perfect weather, unity and a powerful
reminder of what love in action looks like.

As I watched our College gather on the oval - young and old, running, walking,
cheering, I was overwhelmed. Not just by the physical effort, but by the spirit of this
place. CalCC isn’t just a school. It’s a family.

Thank you for walking this journey with me. For every step, every prayer, every hug
along the way. This Relay wasn’t just about fundraising, it was about remembering,
honouring and believing in a brighter future.

Let’s keep walking, together.

Jersey Day – This Wednesday!

Show your State of Origin spirit by wearing your favourite jersey this Wednesday! Don’t forget to bring a gold coin to support our fundraising efforts for Relay for Life. Let’s team up for a great cause! 

With a grateful heart

Dr Amber-Lee Donahoo

Head of Secondary Learning Community