Last week was a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change. It also highlighted the importance of preparation, resilience and adaptability. Cyclone Alfred reminded us that, even though we would love to think we can, we can’t control everything. However, we can be prepared and adaptable so that we can face whatever comes our way. It is reassuring to know that, in all circumstances, we can trust in God’s presence and protection. 

I want to thank our facilities staff for their amazing effort in securing our campus before we closed the College and our parents/carers, students and staff for being flexible when school closure was announced. We continue to pray for those still recovering from the extreme conditions that impacted areas of South East Queensland. 

Promoting Purposeful Workmanship

What comes to mind when you hear the word workmanship? A carpenter crafting an intricate piece of furniture? A baker decorating a cake with precision? A programmer structuring flawless lines of code?

In our last newsletter, I introduced our Guardrails and Guiding Principles—key values that keep Caloundra Christian College aligned with our mission, vision and Foundations for Life and Learning. These guardrails shape our curriculum, classroom interactions and extracurricular activities.

Previously, I shared our first guardrail: We Focus on Faith and Wisdom. This time, I want to introduce the second:

At CalCC, We Promote Purposeful Workmanship.

We have all heard the expression 'If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.' This saying was first written by Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, in a letter to his son back in 1774. One of 448 letters that Stanhope hoped would help his son to be  'as near to perfection as possible' in conduct and deed. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that salvation is not earned by our works but is a gift of grace through faith in Christ. Yet, this grace does not diminish the value of our work. As Paul continues in Ephesians 2:10, 'We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.'

Purposeful workmanship is about students seeing learning as more than achieving a good grade. We all want what we do to be meaningful and impactful to ourselves and others. When students understand the purpose behind their work and see its relevance to broader community needs, they are more likely to invest effort and take pride in their achievements.

At CalCC, promoting purposeful workmanship means embracing quality, evidence-based teaching that fosters deep engagement, critical thinking and real-world application. We encourage students to develop a mindset of continuous improvement—not for perfection’s sake, but for the glory of God and the benefit of others.

When students grasp why they are learning, purposeful workmanship follows.

God Bless

Vince Wakefield

Principal

Sleepovers - Do People Still Do This?

As we get into the full swing of the year, we are already preparing and finalising paperwork for our Term 3 camps. School camp is a significant milestone for many children - an exciting adventure and a test of independence. One way to help prepare them is through sleepovers in familiar, safe environments. A successful night away from home can build confidence, resilience and a sense of readiness for the challenges of camp life. But when is the right time for a sleepover and how can parents ensure it’s a positive experience?

When is the right time?

Every child is different, but ideally, they should be confident enough to voice discomfort if needed. Setting clear family boundaries—such as only having sleepovers with close relatives or waiting until a certain age—can help children feel secure and prepared.

The pros and cons

Sleepovers can help children develop independence, resilience and appreciation for how other families operate. They also provide plenty of fun memories! We all remember sleeping over at a relative or friend's house. However, homesickness, lack of sleep and potential exposure to unfamiliar environments or media are valid concerns. Parents must trust their instincts and ensure their child’s safety.

Tips for a smooth experience

• Start small – A sleepover at their grandparents’ or a trusted friend’s home can be a great first step.
• Alternative options – Consider late playdates or dinner visits instead of an overnight stay.
• Know the hosts – Be proactive in getting to know the family your child will be staying with.
• Keep communication open – Parents might take the opportunity to go out to dinner (while the child is away) but make sure you’re still available and accessible.

We desire that children experience being away from home before heading off for camp. There’s no rush (it’s only Term 1). What matters most is ensuring your child feels safe, secure, ready for a sleepover and prepared for camp.

Relationships are Key

The greatest commandment that Jesus taught demonstrates how important our relationships are. Relationships with the Father and relationships with our neighbours; in Matthew 22:36-39, a Pharisee asks Jesus, 'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

A Secondary priority for Term 1 is developing relationships. From our Orientation Week at the start of the term, to our camp weeks, students have been getting to know each other, while coming into their identity of what it means to be a student in the CalCC community.

Our camps have been a highlight for staff and students alike this term. There have been a multitude of reports of courageous displays when overcoming challenges, joyful interactions between students and strengthening relationships through purposeful teamwork activities. We are making plans for our 2026 camps to be run at the same time in Week 3 due to the positive feedback from this term and are attempting to secure Wednesday to Friday camp spots as much as possible.

Swimming Superstars

Our swimming students have shone this term and we congratulate all of our Age Champion award recipients, as well as those who qualified for District Swimming!  Special mention to Sabelle and Tristan H who have represented at State Swimming Championships, achieving personal bests and shining in this domain. Sabelle has also achieved a Bronze in 50m Breaststroke, achieving as a State medalist! Well done for this exceptional achievement Sabelle and Tristan!

Be a Learner 

As our assessment season is underway, we remind our students of the lessons they have learned so far this year during our wellbeing lessons. By recognising our values and our purpose in this life and aligning our actions to these, we foster optimal conditions for our own wellbeing. We also encourage our students to connect with subject teachers for academic support where needed and our Connect teachers and Year Level Coordinators for pastoral support.

With NAPLAN around the corner, it’s important that our Year 7 and 9 students prepare by having:

• Breakfast,
• A fully charged laptop,
• Their charger (just in case),
• A mouse,
• Wireless headphones that are compatible with their laptop,

We are sure to see our foundations of courage and improve throughout our NAPLAN and assessment season.  We encourage all students to cultivate healthy study habits and to try their best.

With blessings

Dr Amber-Lee Donahoo
Head of Secondary Learning Community

Pathway Careers: Helping Students Plan for the Future

A reminder to all CalCC parents and students that our careers website is available as a valuable resource for exploring career pathways, courses and scholarships. We encourage students and parents to log in and make use of the dashboard.

The dashboard provides:

✔️ Available opportunities: careers, courses and scholarships
✔️ The ability to set career goals and explore different pathways
✔️ A calendar of upcoming career events in Queensland

For our Years 10-12 students, we recommend checking out the February careers newsletter, which contains useful information on career planning and opportunities.

'Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.' Proverbs 1:5

Literacy Focus in Secondary for 2025

At CalCC, we are committed to strengthening literacy skills, particularly reading comprehension and understanding cognitive verbs, which are essential for student success.

6-Minute Reading Initiative

To build strong literacy foundations, we have introduced a structured 6-minute reading practice into daily lessons for Years 7-12:

4 minutes of independent reading – Students engage with targeted reading materials.
2 minutes of discussion & questioning – Teachers guide students in comprehension and deeper engagement with the text.

This method fosters active reading, critical thinking and comprehension skills.

Study Smart & Literacy Development

For students in Years 10-12, the QCAA Literacy Short Course is integrated into our Study Smart program to further develop essential literacy skills. This will support students in preparing for:

✔️ PAT-R & PAT-M Assessments
✔️ NAPLAN
✔️ QCAA Internal & External Exams

By focusing on reading strategies, cognitive verbs and comprehension techniques, we aim to empower students with the skills they need for the future.

By building strong literacy foundations, we are preparing students for success in their academic journey and beyond.

Let’s make 2025 a year of growth and success!

For any career-related questions, please get in touch.

We recently honoured the remarkable achievements of our 2024 graduates at our Graduate Ceremonyh. Families, friends, and special guests gathered to recognise the hard work, dedication and outstanding academic accomplishments of our graduating class.

Academic Commendation AwardsA huge congratulations to our high-achieving graduates who excelled across a range of subjects:

• Liam Walsh – Subject Achievement Commendation for Biology
• Drew Johnson – Academic Commendation for achieving an 'A' in six General subjects: Visual Art, Specialist Mathematics, Chemistry, English, Physics and Mathematical Methods.
• Liam Walsh – Academic Commendation for achieving an 'A' in six General subjects: Mathematical Methods, Biology, English, Physics, Chemistry, and Psychology.

College Dux 2024 The prestigious Caloundra Christian College Dux Award, given to the student with the highest ATAR score, was proudly presented to Drew Johnson for achieving an outstanding ATAR of 98.75. This exceptional result reflects Drew's dedication and academic excellence.

QCE VET Award 2024 We also celebrated the accomplishments of Jai Ryan, who received the QCE VET Award for earning the highest number of QCE credits through Vocational Education Training. Jai achieved 10 QCE credits through Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Pilot) and Certificate II in Engineering Pathways—an impressive demonstration of skill and commitment.

We are incredibly proud of all our graduates and their achievements. Their hard work, perseverance and faith have shone brightly throughout their time at CalCC, and we are excited to see the impact they will make as they step into the next chapter of their lives. Congratulations, Class of 2024—you are an inspirational to us all.

Can you tell us about your role here at CalCC?

I am a Secondary teacher, teaching Modern History, Humanities and Business. I am also the Year Level Coordinator for Year 9 and Year 10.

Where you are from and what attracted you to CalCC and Caloundra?

I was born in the Philippines and moved to Australia when I was 10. I came from a big extended family, mostly living in Melbourne. However, I’ve also lived in Lake Macquarie in NSW and Adelaide in SA.

What attracted me to CalCC was its Christian identity. I love the fact that God is at the top above all else.

What did you do before CalCC?

I was teaching at Coolum Beach Christian College. Before that I was teaching at Prescott College in Adelaide.

Which of the foundations for life and learning resonates with you the most and why?

Right now, CREATE really resonates with me. I love the idea that God is a creative God—it's one of the very first things we learn about Him. I also think that this guides us. When we create, we're reflecting God's image.

What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about redemption. We are all broken, defeated and not living to our full potential (in God’s standards). However, with the grace and almighty power of God, we can look forward and start the journey to redemption. As educators, we help our students with this redemption process.

What is on your bucket list?

Travelling in Europe (again) and climbing to Everest base camp with my family.

What is your favourite bible verse and what does it mean to you?

Romans 8:38-39: 'For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.'

It means that God has been with us and will continue to be with us. Nothing can separate us from Him. To me this shows how deep God’s love is for us.

What is your favourite sport/hobby? And why?

Basketball. My dad, MJ and Kobe Byrant inspired me. I also love to read non-fiction books.

Funny fact about you?

I’m basically a time traveller. I’m teaching about the Middle Ages by day and navigating teenage drama by lunch. 

Have you ever wondered what impact your parents' style of parenting had on yours? Like most people, I’m sure there are aspects of your parents’ approach you want to emulate—and others where you want to take a different path.

Many parents did not have positive parenting modelled to them. Others experienced negative parenting, and some of us entered parenthood carrying the weight of hard life experiences. While every one of us wants to be the best parent we can be, if we’re honest, most of us bring some baggage into our parenting journey.

I’d encourage any parent to watch a new research-based documentary called SEEN. Even if you feel your parents did everything right, I’m sure there will be insights to help you grow and improve as a parent.

SEEN is a groundbreaking, feature-length documentary that not only explores the transformative power of personal healing for parents but also delves into the scientifically supported effects of such healing on parenting and its impact on child brain development.

You can watch the trailer or learn more about the film here:

It will be showing at Nambour Cinema on April 2. You can find screening dates and locations on the SEEN website or check out Nambour Cinema.

I’m sure it will be a blessing to you and your family—maybe I’ll see you at the Nambour screening!

God bless you as you parent your young people.

Fi
College Counsellor

What an exciting and book-filled week we have had with our recent Scholastic Book Fair! A huge thank you to all the parents and families who supported the event—your generosity helps us to add wonderful new books to our College library, ensuring that our students have access to a fantastic range of reading materials.

A special congratulations goes to Eden B in Year 5 for winning the Book Fair’s bookworm guessing game! Well done also to our fantastic runners-up, who all walked away with some wonderful prizes from the Book Fair.

Beyond the Book Fair, the library has been a hub of activity during lunchtime. Students have been enjoying a mix of games, reading their favourite books and putting their creativity to the test with LEGO challenges. This term, several students took on special LEGO challenges, contributing to our Book Fair garden display with their imaginative plants and flowers.

Meanwhile, a group of Year 8 boys put their engineering skills to the test, designing and testing a LEGO loop to determine the perfect balance of widthand flexibility—an impressive display of problem-solving and teamwork!

Thank you again to everyone who participated in and supported the Book Fair event. We look forward to more fun and learning in the library throughout the rest of the term!

Our Prep–Year 2 Athletics Carnival was a fantastic day filled with participation, encouragement and celebrating each other's achievements! From speedy sprints to impressive jumps and mighty throws, our little athletes gave it their all. The smiles, cheers and house spirit were contagious! Well done to every student—you truly performed like champions! 

Thank you for your 16 years of service at CalCC. Thank you for the warmth, love and encouragement you bring through prayer and your genuine concern for others.
You have given a lifetime of your self serving others, growing Christian education and leaving a legacy for others to learn and grow from. Thank you for your servant heart and for giving your all for God’s glory. We pray that this next chapter of your life is restful but also full of love and life. You will be greatly missed.

Check out these holiday workshops! Fun, hands-on learning experiences for kids who love LEGO®, STEM and creative play!

College Administration

Open: 8:00 am-3:45 pm
Phone: 07 5436 6777
Email: general@calcc.qld.edu.au

Absentee Lines

Phone: 07 5436 6767
SMS: 0418 986 308
College App: Go to app store, search for Caloundra Christian College and download
Bus: https://cloud.itmprojects.com.au/studenttracking/

Uniform Shop

Open term time only.
Tuesday - 8:00 am-9:30 am and 2:00 pm-3:30 pm
Thursday - 8:00 am-9:30 am
Online ordering available through MSA

Outside School Hours Care

Before School Hours: 7:00 am-8:00 am (term time)
After School Hours: 3:00 pm-6:00 pm (term time)
Vacation Care: 7:00 am-6:00 pm (holidays)
Phone: 0422 843 760

Flourish Early Learning Community

Open: 7:15 am-6:00 pm
Phone: 07 5436 6777

International Program

Mark Spencer - Program Manager
overseas@calcc.qld.edu.au

Complaints Handling Policy