NewsBites - Term 4, Week 1, 2025

I pray that all students and families enjoyed a safe and blessed break over the school holidays. It has been wonderful to welcome everyone back this week, with many important events and activities already taking place.

As with all school terms, Term 4 is both busy and exciting. Whether we are celebrating the achievements of our graduating Year 12 students or recognising the accomplishments of others at one of the many presentation events, each occasion provides a special opportunity for our community to come together in thankfulness for the many blessings we experience here at Faith.

Amid these significant events – and the usual hustle and bustle of a vibrant term of teaching and learning – it can sometimes feel challenging for students and families to stay across every announcement and activity at the College. To help with this, and to ensure that families are well informed about key information throughout the term, I will be sharing a series of short video updates from next week. These videos will highlight special projects, key announcements, and other important updates. This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to effective communication and to strengthening the strong partnership we share with families, so that together we can support students in achieving the best possible outcomes.

I look forward to the term ahead, including partnering with all families as we work together as to help our young people to be awakened and empowered as learners so they can experience a purposeful life through Christ.

Yours in Christ,
Tyson Kenny
Acting Principal

Attendance, Momentum and Finishing the Year Well

Welcome back to Term 4!
As we begin the final leg of the year, it’s the perfect time to reset routines and build strong momentum. Term 4 may be short, but it’s rich with learning, community events, and milestones that students won’t want to miss.

Why Attendance Matters (and what “90%+” looks like)
At Faith, we value consistent attendance because every day of learning - and belonging - matters. We align our expectations with the statewide benchmark of 90% or higher attendance.

For our Foundation and Exploration Phase students this term:

Term length: 41 school days
To meet 90%+ attendance: attend at least 37 days
Absences allowed while still meeting 90%+: no more than 4 days
- (37/41 ≈ 90.24% meets the benchmark; 36/41 ≈ 87.8% is below)

Put simply: small, regular absences quickly add up. Being at school- on time, every day - helps students stay connected, confident, and on track.

Starting Strong. Finishing Strong.

Start well: Being present from Day 1 sets the tone - students re-establish routines, reconnect with peers and teachers, and step into learning with purpose.
Finish well: The final weeks bring rich learning, reflection, and celebration. Staying the course through to the last day ensures students complete assessments, participate in community events, and finish with a sense of accomplishment.
Be punctual: Arriving on time ensures students don’t miss roll marking, daily instructions, and the first learning block - crucial for confidence and progress.

A Term Full of Highlights
Term 4 features significant milestones across the College. Highlights include:

External exams
Awards Night
Sports Awards Night
Senior Badging Ceremony
Valedictory
Year 10 Camp
Foundation Festival
…and many more phase and community celebrations

These are moments where learning, character, and community come together - another reason why attendance and engagement matter.

Celebrating Our Seniors
This term is especially meaningful for our Year 12 students, as they reach the final chapter of their school journey. These weeks are filled with important milestones, reflection, and celebration.

We wish our Seniors all the very best as they complete their final assessments, take part in their valedictory events, and prepare for life beyond school. May they finish well, step confidently into the future, and carry with them the values and relationships they’ve built during their time at Faith.

How Families Can Help

Prioritise school days: Please book routine appointments outside school hours where possible and plan travel in the school holidays.
Set up mornings for success: Consistent bedtimes, organised bags/laptops, and predictable routines make on-time starts easier.
Communicate early: If illness or challenges arise, let us know so we can support your child and plan for any catch-up learning.
Stay connected: Keep an eye on College communications and the calendar so students are ready for key events and assessments.

Together, Every Day Counts
Thank you for partnering with us to support strong attendance, calm routines, and a positive finish to the year. With consistency and connection, our students can step into every opportunity Term 4 offers - learning well, celebrating well, and finishing well.

James Hallas
Acting Director of Communities and Culture

Celebrating the Whole Learning Journey

As we enter Term 4, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect on the learning journey Foundation Phase students have undertaken this year. In the busyness of assessment season, it’s easy to focus only on the final product - the polished essay, the completed project, or the grade on the report.

But the real magic of learning happens in the moments before that. This includes the small wins in class as students consolidate what they’ve just seen, the mistakes when trying something new for the first time, the re-thinking, and the “a-ha” moments that shape how students grow as thinkers and learners.

Every draft rewritten, every experiment adjusted, and every question asked in class reflects perseverance, curiosity, and progress. These steps are where confidence builds and skills deepen. When students encounter challenge, they develop resilience. When they collaborate with their peers, they strengthen communication skills. And when they take a moment to reflect, they learn to take ownership of their growth as they think about the next step.

As we move through the final term, let’s celebrate not only what students produce but also how far they’ve come. From the first spark of an idea to the finished piece, all of it is just as valuable as the outcome.

We look forward to showcasing all of these learning journeys at our Foundation Festival on Friday 28 November. Please save the date and join us in celebrating every step of our students’ growth, creativity, and achievement.

Together, let’s continue to value the process as much as the product - because that’s where true learning lives.

Eunize Mallari
Head of Learning - Foundation 8

Welcome back to Term 4! This term is fantastic chance to reflect on the journey so far, celebrate growth, and set clear intentions for a strong finish.

This term is a significant one for our Year 10 students as they reach the end of the Exploration Phase, a journey of discovering interests, building skills, and shaping their identity as learners. As they prepare to enter the Graduate Phase, students will be supported through reflection, goal setting, and conversations about future pathways. It’s a time to pause, take stock, and look ahead with purpose. Two key events will mark this transition: the Transition Evening on 25 November, where students and parents will celebrate the completion of the Exploration Phase together, and the Graduate Phase Camp, which will be the Year 10 students' first experience as senior students at Faith, alongside our Graduate Phase leaders.

Across the Exploration Phase, staying engaged in learning is key to making the most of this term. That means showing up with curiosity, asking questions, and staying connected with teachers and peers. It also means being intentional with your time, planning ahead, managing tasks, and making space for regular review and revision. Effective study isn’t about doing more, but about doing it smarter. Short, focused sessions, active recall strategies, and consistent routines can make a big difference.

Just as important is looking after wellbeing, something that often gets pushed to the side when we’re feeling the exhaustion for the end of the year. A healthy balance of sleep, movement, and downtime helps support focus and resilience. If things feel overwhelming, please remember that support is always available, whether through teachers, wellbeing staff, or trusted friends and family.

Jabez Castray
Head of Learning - Exploration Phase

Embracing the Final Chapter

Welcome back to what promises to be a wonderful - and for many, truly memorable - final term of the school year.

For our Year 12 students, Term 4 marks both an ending and a beginning. In the coming weeks, they will sit their external examinations, attend Awards Night, head away on Retreat, and conclude their journey with the Valedictory Service - moments that symbolise growth, resilience, and community. We wish them calm focus in study, joy in celebration, and deep gratitude as they reflect on their years at Faith.

This week, our College comes together for two special community events - Relay for Life and the Colour Run. These occasions remind us of what truly matters: unity, compassion, and connection. As our students run, walk, and laugh side by side, they are also raising funds and awareness for vital causes, embodying Faith’s spirit of service and hope.

Next week, we will proudly badge our 2026 senior students and school leaders, officially welcoming them into their new roles. They will also receive their senior attire, a visible symbol of their transition into leadership and responsibility. At the same time, our Year 11 students will begin their Year 12 learning and assessment, taking their first steps toward their own final year countdown.

Beyond these milestones, this term is filled with opportunities to celebrate and connect - from the Sports and Rugby Awards Nights to Day for Daniel, which reminds us of the importance of looking out for one another and ensuring safety within and beyond our College gates.

And as we look ahead, we are excited to soon welcome our new Graduate Phase students, who will finish their transition activities this term and head off to their Leadership and Connection Camp - the perfect beginning to their senior journey.

Term 4 is always busy, but it is also beautiful. Amid the excitement, the deadlines, and the countdowns, may we all take moments to breathe, reflect, and find gratitude. Let’s be intentional in making memories that will last - moments of kindness, courage, and connection that remind us of how special this community truly is.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” - Psalm 107:1

Andrea Blakely and Emma Saal
Heads of Wellbeing – Graduate Phase

2026 Next Step Year 12 Completers Survey

Year 12 students, please check that your contact details are correct in your learning account with the QCAA student portal, https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/.

In March 2026, you will receive a letter from the Minister for Education and the Arts inviting you to participate in the Next Step Year 12 Completers survey, following up on your activities after graduating. You may also receive an email or phone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office.

Your feedback helps our school improve services for future students, and you can win a laptop for participating. For more information visit www.qld.gov.au/nextstep.