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Phase Newsletters

Term 1, Week 3 2026

A Warm Welcome Back

Welcome to all members of our Graduate Phase community — students, families, and staff. We have been incredibly impressed with how seamlessly our students have returned and how positively they have hit the ground running. 

There has been a calm focus, a strong sense of purpose, and a genuine enthusiasm for learning, growth, and connection across both year levels. It has been a wonderful start to what promises to be a meaningful and successful year.

Your Graduate Phase Team

Supporting our students is a dedicated team committed to nurturing both wellbeing and achievement:

Heads of Wellbeing
Mrs Emma Saal & Mrs Danielle Thompson

Heads of Learning
Mr Kevin Abraham & Mrs Emma O’Shea

Pathways & Futures Support
Mr Tim Saal — VET Manager
Mrs Jo Robbins — Careers Counsellor

Together, this team works closely with students to ensure they are supported academically, personally, and in planning pathways beyond school.

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Graduate Phase Communication & Family Partnership

This year, we have intentionally chosen not to run a traditional information evening. We recognise that large information sessions can sometimes involve a significant volume of material delivered in a short time, which is not always the most effective way to build understanding or connection.

Instead, our focus is on strengthening meaningful partnerships and community engagement. All key Graduate Phase information, procedures, timelines, and resources are readily accessible via Parent Lounge and Brightspace, and students are explicitly shown how to navigate these platforms during onboarding and through ongoing Phase Coach reminders.

We encourage families to explore these platforms together and reach out whenever clarification is needed. We look forward to connecting with you at upcoming community-focused events hosted by our Senior Legacy Committee.

Valentine’s Day Community Celebration

Our first 2026 Legacy Committee fundraiser was a joyful success. The College was filled with colour, laughter, music, and kindness as our Year 12 students embraced the Valentine’s theme and spread joy across campus.

Highlights included:

  • Serenading over 100 students and staff
  • Visiting Junior Chapel to perform for our visiting 2027 Year 5/6 students
  • A completely sold-out Valentine’s stall filled with sweet treats and gifts

It was a beautiful reminder of how powerful small acts of kindness can be in creating lasting memories and strengthening our community.

📅 Catch-Up Serenades: Wednesday 21 February

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Cadbury Chocolate Fundraiser – Supporting Legacy Giving

All Graduate Phase students are warmly invited to support our Cadbury Chocolate Fundraiser, which contributes to our Year 12 Legacy initiative. Funds raised will go towards a meaningful gift for the College community as well as a charitable organisation chosen by students.

Students can collect a fundraising box from Student Services. This is a wonderful opportunity to serve others, demonstrate initiative, and contribute to something that will positively impact both our College and wider community.

Strengthening Relationships Through Phase Coach

This year, students have the same teacher and class for both Religion & Ethics and Phase Coach, allowing stronger relationships, greater continuity of support, and deeper mentoring. This structure was shaped directly from student and staff voice.

Phase Coaches have also returned to single year level groups, ensuring communication, guidance, and timelines are more tailored to each cohort’s needs. Weekly Phase Time will continue within STEP sessions.

The STEP Program – Skills, Transition & Empowerment

All Graduate Phase students participate in STEP, held Wednesdays Lessons 5–6. This program blends academic support with real-world preparation, including:

  • Study workshops and collaborative learning
  • Life skills sessions
  • Transition-to-adulthood guidance
  • University visits and guest speakers
  • External programs such as driver safety and wellbeing seminars

Students consistently report that STEP helps them feel more prepared, capable, and confident as they navigate senior schooling and beyond.

Swimming Carnival Highlights

Our first carnival of the year was filled with enthusiasm, house spirit, and participation. For our Year 12s, it was especially meaningful as their final swimming carnival. 

The traditional cohort jump-in and photo created a memorable moment celebrating friendship, connection, and their final year together.

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Assessment & Attendance Reminder

We kindly remind families that holidays during term time are strongly discouraged, particularly in the Graduate Phase.

  • Term-time leave must be communicated to relevant College leadership.
  • Holidays are not grounds for extensions or alternative assessment.
  • Missing lessons can significantly impact progress and QCE attainment.

Our full assessment calendar for the entire year has been released, and we encourage families to review this together to support planning and student success.

2026 Parent Representatives

Parents are warmly invited to consider becoming a Parent Representative. This group meets once per term and provides valuable opportunities to share feedback, contribute ideas, and partner with the College in supporting our students and community.

Interested parents are invited to complete the survey or email: mfreeman@faithlcs.qld.edu.au

Your voice truly makes a difference.

Absences

A friendly reminder that if your child is absent from school for any reason - including participation in school sport such as Western Ranges trials - the absence must be recorded by parents/carers via the College App or by contacting College reception.

The school is unable to log student absences on behalf of families due to various factors that can impact student attendance on any given day. For this reason, all absences need to be confirmed by families.

If you have any questions about logging an absences please speak to your child's Head of Wellbeing.

Birthdays This Fortnight

Happy birthday to the following students celebrating:

  • Ellis K - 17 February
  • Chloe P - 23 February
  • Paige P - 23 February

We wish you each a wonderful birthday and a fantastic year ahead!

Closing Blessing

As we begin this new year together, we pray that each member of our Graduate Phase community experiences growth, belonging, and purpose:

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”
— Proverbs 16:3

May this be a year of courage, kindness, and meaningful achievement for all.

Emma Saal & Danielle Thompson – Heads of Wellbeing

Kevin Abraham & Emma O’Shea – Heads of Learning