Term 1, Week 9, 2026

Recently, one of our staff shared a small but powerful moment in the lunchroom. A student received an assessment paper and quietly folded it in half, hiding the result from friends who were animatedly comparing marks and celebrating their success. The student hadn’t done badly, but when measured against some very high‑achieving peers, the result felt disappointing. The teacher was heartbroken for the student and asked the question, could I have done that different to protect the student? 

Moments like these are common in adolescence. Young people are acutely aware of how they stack up against others - academically, socially, and emotionally. Comparison, as the saying goes, really can be the thief of joy. What matters most, however, is not the mark itself, but where this moment leads next.

A grade is a snapshot in time. It shows where a student is right now, not who they are or what they are capable of. Disappointment is uncomfortable, but it is also a powerful teacher. If a young person can sit with that feeling, reflect, and adjust their approach, they are building one of life’s most important skills: resilience.

Resilience is not something we can teach from within a cocoon. In fact, “saving” young people from disappointment can unintentionally send the message that they are unable to cope. Real resilience grows through experience—facing challenges, feeling setbacks, and then being supported to learn and move forward. The coaching that happens after disappointment is where the real growth occurs. So the answer to the teacher’s question is to use this experience to teach the student how to learn from these emotions. 

How families can support resilience at home
There are several simple, research informed ways parents and carers can help:

• Normalise disappointment. Let your child know that feeling upset or frustrated is a natural response. Validation comes before problem-solving.
• Shift the focus from results to learning. Encourage reflection on strategies, effort, and what might be tried differently next time.
• Help manage comparison. Remind students to measure progress against their own growth, not the achievements of others—especially highlight reels on social media.
• Listen rather than fix. Often, teenagers want to feel heard, not rescued. This builds trust and problem-solving confidence.
• Model resilience. Sharing stories of your own mistakes and learning moments sends a powerful message that growth includes setbacks.

Resilience is built not by removing obstacles, but by walking alongside young people as they learn to navigate them. Those quiet moments after disappointment can become turning points—when students learn that they are capable, valued, and able to grow beyond a single result.

CIA Awards 

Congratulations goes to Mr Thomas Kent for his kindness and respect. Thanks, sir, for making a difference to Exploration Phase, your quiet and supportive nature has not been unnoticed. 

Jess Taylor has also been recognised by her peers, this time for being a good friend. If you are lucky enough to know Jess, you know her for her kindness and putting her friends first. Thanks, Jess, for making school a better place. 

Pulse Awards 

It seems Mr Adsett’s class is the Team to beat for the Pulse awards. They are consistently in the Top 3 classes, making good mental health routines a priority. Well done, all. 

Curriculum Spotlight 

I wanted to take a moment to highlight some adventurous learning this term in Food and Nutrition, and to indulge myself for a moment. 

After 25 years of teaching, it is in the later part of my career that I finally get to teach the subject I am most qualified to teach. After studying for a degree in Food Science in the 1980s and working in the food industry for 12 years, I am now teaching Food and Nutrition and loving it. I have stepped out of my comfort zone in the Maths classroom and bravely entered the kitchen, enjoying every minute with the most wonderful classes. We have learned together and tasted some amazing creations. What is not to love?

This year, we are exploring the impact a multicultural society has had on the Australian dinner plate, culminating in a trip to Eat Street to push ourselves beyond the potato slinky and try something truly different. This trip provided us with firsthand experience of street food culture from around the world without a passport. We are grateful to Wendy and her staff at Eat Street for showing us around the facility, and thanks also to Ms Armstrong, Ms Veness, and Ms Kahler for accompanying us on the night. Try the Fluffy Japancakes but without the Oreos - they're delicious!

We will conclude this unit by creating a unique food fusion street food, bringing together the best of two or more cultures. I look forward to seeing where we can take this opportunity.

Lou Bruce
Exploration Phase - Head of Learning

Easter Raffle - Final Days!

It’s the final week to get your tickets in the Year 12 Legacy Committee Multi-Draw Easter Raffle.

There are some amazing prizes to be won and one ticket can one multiple prizes – see the amazing list below!

Tickets are only $3 each. Tap on the flyer to buy your tickets!

If a student has encouraged you to buy a ticket, please include the student’s name on the form when purchasing. The student who sells the MOST tickets will win a $100 Coles Myer Gift Card! 

A huge thank you to the families, businesses, and community members who have already donated prizes to support our Year 12 Legacy fundraising.

Every ticket sold helps our Year 12 students leave a positive legacy for both the College and the wider community.

• 2 × Easter Hampers – Hen House / Robyn Mills Catering
• Easter Eggs & Hamper Items – Strong Family
• Easter Hamper – McCombs Family
• Easter Hamper – Jim McDonald MP & Electorate Office
• Easter Hamper – Vayro Family
• Easter Hamper – Saal Family
• Easter Hamper – Soderquist & Stafford Families
• 2 x Easter Hampers – Thompson family
• Easter Hamper – Kramer Family
• 3 × Easter Hampers – Lehmann Family
• Easter Hamper - Bonilla family
• Peter Rabbit Pack + Kinder Surprise Egg – Turkington Family
• Easter Bunnies + 2 Handmade Candy Eggs – Cave Family
• 10 × Free Bowling Vouchers – General Public Ipswich
• Double Cinema Pass – Limelight Cinemas
• 2 × $25 Vouchers – Porters Hotel
• $100 Gift Card – Grand Central
• Voucher for 6 × Massage Chair Sessions – Coast to Country Chiropractic
• 8 x Mental Health Shirts & LVRC Powerbanks Gift Packs – Lockyer Valley Regional Council
• Merchandise Pack – The Lockyer Hotel
• Cow Oodie – Cattlemaster Livestock Trailers
• 2 x tickets to Mix Tape Sesions CLEA with Paulina at Ipswich Civic Centre
• 2 x tickets to any show at Queensland Performing Arts Centre

Student Prize

• $100 Coles Myer Gift Card – Prize for Most Tickets Sold
  donated by the Graduate Phase Wellbeing Team