NewsBites - Term 2, Week 3, 2025
Despite the shortened weeks due to public holidays, the first few weeks of term have included many important events and activities. These have reminded me of an incredibly important aspect of schooling that significantly strengthens student outcomes: the partnership between schools and families. At Faith, we aim not just to involve parents and carers in their child’s education, but to fully engage families in our programs, ensuring the partnership between staff, parents, and students is as effective as possible.
A small group of staff from the College is currently working with Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) to review and enhance our current parent engagement strategies. While it is wonderful that so many families already engage with their child’s learning at Faith – such as during last week’s Parent Teacher Interviews – we are committed to continually strengthening the working relationship between school and home to help secure the best possible outcomes for all students.
As both a school leader and a parent, I am acutely aware of the important role schools play in advancing each child’s knowledge, skills, and passions – not just for their schooling years, but for life beyond their time at Faith. I am also mindful that the time students spend at school each year is relatively limited. If a student attends school for approximately six hours a day over 38–40 weeks, this equates to only about 13% of their total annual time. While we are privileged to play a key role in our students’ development, this limited time highlights the importance of making the most of every opportunity to empower and awaken each learner’s potential.
A key focus of our project with ISQ is to enhance the partnership between our school and parents/carers in real and practical ways. Research (Hattie, 2009; Sahlberg, 2022) consistently highlights the critical role of parent engagement in securing the best learning and developmental outcomes for students. Supporting each child is a shared responsibility, which we as a College are committed to in working with families.
So, if you are a parent like me – balancing work, life, and family – I encourage you to consider the following practical items in the week ahead:
- Set aside time for a one-on-one conversation with your child about what they hope to achieve this term as a learner. Together, map out some practical steps both they and your family can take to support these goals.
- Identify one or two additional College events or activities your family could engage with this term that you may not have previously considered – for example, the Subject Showcase Evening, Foundation Phase Movie Night, Grandparents’ Day, or the Athletics Carnival.
- Ask your child about their Wednesday Project – what community issue they’re aiming to address, including how they are tackling it and how they are engaging with community experts to develop real solutions.
I look forward to sharing more about the ISQ parent engagement project throughout the year – but even more so, I look forward to strengthening our partnership with you as parents and carers in supporting your child in their development and sharing of their God-given potential.
Yours in Christ,
Tyson Kenny
Acting Principal
Settling Into Term 2: Routines, Study Habits, and Future Planning
As we enter mid Term 2, it’s encouraging to see students settling into their learning with focus and enthusiasm. Term 2 often brings a more consistent rhythm to school life, making it the perfect time to refine routines and develop strong study habits—especially as assessment periods begin to appear on the horizon.
At this point in the year, it’s helpful for students to establish effective study spaces at home. A quiet, well-organised area free from distractions can make a big difference to focus and productivity. We encourage students to structure their time with short, focused study blocks, balanced with regular breaks and physical activity. Research shows the most effective study methods are completing practice questions and teaching the material to someone else! Developing these habits now lays a strong foundation for academic success—not just this term, but throughout the year.
We’re also looking ahead to our upcoming Course Information Evening on Wednesday 15 May, which is a key event for students in Years 8, 9 and 10. This evening offers a valuable opportunity for students and families to explore subject options, ask questions, and better understand the pathways available in Exploration Phase and Graduate Phases for 2026. With a diverse and exciting range of courses on offer—that connect learning with the real world—students will be empowered to make informed, meaningful choices about their learning journey. We look forward to welcoming you and supporting each student as they shape their future with purpose and possibility.
Jen Gibb
Director of Teaching and Learning
A Meaningful Start to Term 2
It’s been a vibrant and engaging start to the term in Foundation, with students diving into learning that connects them to one another and the broader community. As part of our ongoing work with The Resilience Project, Foundation students have been exploring the theme of empathy—what it truly means to walk in someone else’s shoes. These conversations have taken place not only in Foundation Coach sessions but have naturally extended into everyday learning moments. Guided by the GEM principles of Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness, students and teachers have been engaging in meaningful ‘GEM Chats’ to build emotional literacy and wellbeing. Families are encouraged to continue these chats at home—this week, perhaps with a focus on empathy and how we can show understanding in our everyday actions.
Our lessons in empathy have naturally extended into our curriculum experiences, such as the Year 8 English excursion that occurred last week. Our Year 8s visited Peace Lutheran Primary School to meet their ‘clients’—students from Prep, Year 1, and Year 2—as part of their PBL unit, Little Listeners, Big Stories. After sharing their favourite childhood books, the Year 8s interviewed their buddies and began planning personalised stories to write and illustrate just for them. This project not only builds literacy and creativity but also fosters meaningful connections across age groups. A big thank you to Mr Maher for offering opportunities such as these for our students, and to the Year 8 staff for facilitating such a positive and engaging experience!
To round out a vibrant week, our Mother’s Day Paint & Plate experience was a wonderful celebration for all involved. Families came together to share a special afternoon, with student leaders taking the lead in a Q&A session with guest speaker Natali Mati. It was a heartwarming event that celebrated the important women in our community and showcased the leadership and hospitality of our students.
Beck Smith
Acting Head of Wellbeing (7)
Authentic Learning in Action: Powering The Future
On Tuesday, our “Powering the Future” project team presented their microgrid proposals for the Lockyer Valley to the Lockyer Valley Regional Council. Councilors commended the depth of research, clarity of technical explanations and poised responses to their questions. A special congratulations to Chris Harvey, whose leadership guided the group through every phase of this real-world, place-based learning experience. It’s inspiring to see our students engage so professionally with community stakeholders!
Spotlight on Cross‑Curricular Learning: E-Sports in Action
In our E-Sports and& Physical Wellbeing subject, Years 9–10 students are now competing in teams in Marvel Rivals, with bracket play kicking off this week. Each trio will complete a 800‑word report that brings together theory, practice and personal reflection. They begin by outlining key wellness components—ergonomics, teamwork, mental health and movement strategies—drawing directly on the Health & Physical Education curriculum. As matches unfold, students use prompts such as:
- “Describe one ergonomic adjustment you made, why it mattered, and how it affected your performance.”
- “Explain a teamwork strategy your team used in-game and link it to a communication theory.”
- “Identify a mental‑wellbeing technique you practised and evaluate its impact on your focus.”
This approach not only deepens their understanding of academic concepts but also hones critical skills in self‑evaluation, goal‑setting and adaptive problem‑solving - both in the digital arena and beyond.
Save the Date: External Showcase Invitation
Families are warmly invited to our Course Information Showcase on Wednesday 14 May in the Sports Centre:
- 4.30pm–5pm: Exploration Phase presentations for Years 9–10 families
- 5pm–6pm: Showcase stalls open—explore course offerings for 2026 and beyond, chat one-on-one with teaching staff, and gather information to support your child’s pathway planning
Why attend?
- Stay informed: Understand curriculum connections and future subject choices.
- Connect with teachers: Ask questions, share feedback and strengthen the home–school partnership that underpins student success.
Josh Searchfield
Head of Wellbeing - Exploration Phase
As we continue to move through Term 2, we are pleased to share that all assessment catch-ups have now been finalised following the disruptions caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred. We recognise that this may have been a challenging time for some, and we hope that all our students and families are now feeling more settled and supported as we move forward.
This week, our first-year Graduate Phase students, along with our non-ATAR final-year students, will be completing their Academic Progress forms in preparation for their upcoming Academic Support meetings with their Mentors. These forms can be accessed via Brightspace and will be completed during Phase Coach this week. These conversations are an important part of each student's journey, helping them reflect on their progress and set goals for the term ahead.
During STEP this week, students also began their initial training and familiarisation with the Atomi platform—an online learning tool that offers short, engaging videos, interactive quizzes, and personalised feedback to support their learning across a range of subjects. Atomi will be used alongside current learning platforms to help students revise content, build skills, and prepare for assessments in a flexible and student-friendly way.
Finally, as we look towards the weekend, we want to take a moment to wish all the mothers, grandmothers, and significant women in our community a very happy Mother’s Day. May your Sunday be filled with love, gratitude, and special moments with those closest to you.
Kevin Abraham
Head of Learning - Graduate Phase
