21 March 2025

Deputy Principal's Address

Dear Parents and friends,

The past few weeks have been nothing short of extraordinary. With Ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred causing disruptions and delays to many planned activities, our school community was put to the test. Yet, in true Corinda SHS spirit, we rose to the challenge with resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to one another.

Week 6 - Ex TC Cyclone Alfred Response

Ex TC Cyclone Alfred brought more than just powerful winds and relentless rain; it was a test of our strength as a school community. Throughout the uncertainty, our students, staff, and families came together, demonstrating remarkable kindness, support, and determination. Whether it was checking in on friends, adapting to sudden changes, or lending a helping hand where needed, Corinda SHS proved once again that we are more than just a school, we are a family.

A special thank you to our local community, who rallied together to donate much-needed groceries and supplies for families hardest hit by the cyclone. The generosity and compassion shown in this time of need were truly inspiring, and we extend our gratitude to our incredible support team for coordinating this effort.

Despite the challenges, our teaching staff worked swiftly and tirelessly to ensure students remained engaged in their learning whether at home or upon their return to school. Many families navigated the disruptions with creativity and resilience, even resorting to board games during power outages!

Meanwhile, our dedicated farm staff worked around the clock to ensure the safety and well-being of our cattle and livestock. Their proactive approach and careful planning ensured every animal remained secure and well cared for. The deep commitment to our agricultural program was evident in every step taken to protect our animals, reinforcing just how valued they are within our school community.

Week 7 – Return to School & Smart Farm Update

As students and staff returned to school on Wednesday, they were welcomed back with a free BBQ - an opportunity to reconnect, share stories, and ease back into routine. Seeing the big smiles on students’ faces as they enjoyed their meal was a heart-warming reminder of the strength of our school spirit (see video below). For many Senior students, returning to normality provided much-needed certainty as they focused on their studies and assessments.

Thursday brought another milestone, with our cattle safely returning to the Smart Farm. This was an exciting moment, especially for our farm students, who share a deep bond with these animals. It’s easy to forget just how much a part of our extended family they are but seeing them settle back in reminded us of all of their importance.

Week 8 – NAPLAN and Lunch & Learn

Despite recent disruptions, our commitment to learning has remained steadfast. This week, our Year 7 and Year 9 students undertook NAPLAN testing with focus and determination. This invaluable process helps us shape future support and enrichment programs, and we deeply appreciate the role parents and carers play in ensuring its success, thank you for your ongoing support.

Our Lunch & Learn session was a highlight of the week, with a special focus on nursing. Students had the unique opportunity to engage with industry professionals, ask insightful questions, and explore future career pathways. Providing these real-world connections is key to helping our students dream big and plan ahead. See the story, Students learn about nursing below. 

A Community that stands together

Through all the challenges of the past few weeks, one thing has remained clear: Corinda SHS is more than just a school - we are a community that stands together. We are incredibly proud of the resilience, kindness, and determination displayed by our students, staff, and families.

Thank you for your continued support, flexibility, and dedication. We look forward to the exciting weeks ahead!

Warm regards,

Jacqueline Craigie
Deputy Principal - Year 9 & 12

Key dates

Some of our best

School returns after Ex-TC Alfred with a delicious BBQ

We were glad to welcome everyone back to school with a fantastic BBQ after Ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred. In our interview below, students and staff shared their excitement about returning to school after a long weekend at home. Our Agricultural Assistant, Mr. Abell, also provided important information on the safety of our Smart Farm animals. We are so grateful to our school community for all the support and are thrilled to be back up and running!

Students learn about the world of nursing

This week we launched our first Lunch & Learn session of the year, giving students a fascinating look into the world of nursing! A huge thank you to our amazing guest speakers, Ella, a Registered Nurse with nine years of experience and Sinead, a second-year nursing student and Class of 2023 Corinda SHS graduate who is passionate about making an impact in rural healthcare.

Our Senior students asked thoughtful questions, gaining invaluable advice and a deeper understanding of the many rewarding paths in nursing. From providing compassionate patient care and managing emotions to advancing education and specialising in various fields, the session was truly inspiring. Thanks to everyone who joined us today and we can’t wait to see what’s next!

Celebrating and embracing cultural diversity

Check out this video where our Senior students have thoughtfully shared their reflections on the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, observed on Friday 21 March. They discussed the significance of Harmony Day and the importance of celebrating and embracing diversity within our school community. From fostering an inclusive environment to promoting respect and unity, their responses highlight the values that make our school stronger. 

As we reflect on this important day, we look forward to continuing these meaningful conversations on Harmony Day next Friday 28 March. On Friday between C and F block students are encouraged to purchase a sausage sizzle and wear orange accessories. This will be running during Junior Break 1 and Senior Break 2 from 11:10 AM to 12:30 PM. Stay tuned for more information! 

Stunning new school mural unveiled!

The D block walkway is suddenly a whole lot more uplifting, due to the mural painted by Ms Crerar’s Visual Art Excellence. It’s been quite the project. Last year, the Year 12’s gave the Year 7 Visual Art Excellence class the mural brief and theme “Corinda” and the contributed imagery that evoked their theme.

Each Year 7 Excellence student created a mural in response to the brief and the whole school voted on their favourite mural. Student Anna Micklethwaite’s mural attracted the most votes, and the class went about executing her design. Anna’s design captures a peaceful sunrise with birds flying across the Corinda landscape away from the evening towards the sun.

Special thanks to Anna Nguyen, our 2024 Arts Captain who drove the project, Ms Hsu for support, the INTAD team for measuring twice and cutting once, Joe Piutiu Facilities Officer for installing the boards, Mr Duggan for creating the video and the 2025 Year 8 Visual Art Excellence class for bringing the brief to life!

Student breaks school record in the annual Pi Day competition

To celebrate Pi Day, students gathered for an exciting competition to see who could recall the most digits of Pi, with the winner taking home a delicious apple pie. A huge congratulations to Year 7 student Vagshara J, who set a new school record by memorising an astounding 161 digits of Pi! A special thank you to her maths teacher, Mr Roderick (pictured), for his encouragement and support throughout her memorisation journey over the past few weeks. Mr Roderick himself has memorised 160 digits, so we’re particularly proud of Vagshara for surpassing him by one digit! 

Shout outs also go to Patrick, who took first place in the Senior category, and Oliver K for placing in the Junior category who both memorised 40 digits each. 

A big thank you to Ms Qiu for organising the event, and to Maths Head of Department Mr Helmore, along with teachers Mr Vien, Mr Biggs, and Mr Kim, for their help in making this fun and engaging competition possible. 

Congratulations to our Harcourts Hero of February

Meet Lorraine Loudon, the heart and soul of our Service Industries and Food Technology (SIFT) faculty, and our Harcourts Hero of the Month! Whether she’s supporting students in the kitchen, assisting teachers behind the scenes, or lending a helping hand wherever it’s needed, she does it all with an infectious smile.

Her warmth, dedication, and can-do attitude have made a world of difference every day since she joined Corinda in 2005! From ensuring smooth practical lessons to keeping things running seamlessly, she’s truly an all-rounder we couldn’t do without!

Thank you, Mrs Loudon, for everything you do, and thank you to Sarah and Chris at Harcourts Marketplace for supporting our peer-to-peer staff recognition initiative.

Van introduces new Vietnamese café specials

We’re thrilled to welcome Van, our newest team member at the Backstage Brew Café! Bringing flavours inspired by her Vietnamese heritage, Van is adding a delicious twist to our menu - starting tomorrow with her signature Banh Mi!

Every Tuesday & Thursday, Van (pictured with café manager, Jacqui Maclean) will be serving up mouth-watering specials, including rice paper rolls, wontons, and fried rice. Plus, we’re collaborating with the multi-talented Lorraine Loudon from the SIFT faculty, who is making homemade chicken pâté to take our banh mi to the next level!

Introducing our 2025 Dance Leaders

Congratulations to our 2025 Dance Leaders who proudly received their badges last week after an incredible selection process. Three talented Yarraman House students Shannon Van Der Sluys (Crew Leader), Lily Sutton (Troupe Leader), and Miya Quarrell (Overall Dance Leader), demonstrated their passion and skills through a written application, formal interview, and by teaching their own choreography to a Dance class. We are so proud of their achievements and can’t wait to see them grow as leaders and choreographers throughout the year!

Year 12 Philosophy students lead fascinating symposiums 

Our Year 12 Philosophy & Reasoning students recently took a deep dive into the minds of existentialist thinkers like Sartre, Camus, De Beauvoir, Kierkegaard and Nietzsche. Rather than just studying these great philosophers, students became the experts - leading engaging seminars on their chosen topics and crafting sections of an in-depth symposium booklet.

Through critical discussion, creative presentations, and thoughtful analysis, they explored questions of freedom, meaning, and the human condition. A fantastic display of deep thinking and student-led learning!

Year 10 FEX students start refereeing careers

Tuesday was a successful day for our Year 10 Football Excellence cohort, with another group of young officials qualifying and now ready to begin their refereeing careers. A big thank you to Football Queensland Head Referee Brad Burton for coming out and sharing his expertise with our group; it was greatly appreciated.

This initiative is an important part of our FEX pathways program, which is designed to provide young footballers with a range of career opportunities within the sport. We’re proud to help these athletes explore and develop their futures in football, both on and off the field.

Inspiring Women, Inspiring Change: International Women’s Day breakfast

This morning, we gathered with 180 guests to celebrate International Women’s Day over a delicious breakfast and inspiring conversations.

We were privileged to hear from three remarkable women:
⚖️ Stephanie Huestis – Partner at Carter Newell
🏉 Ruby Svarc – AFLW player and Product Developer
🏛️ Jess Pugh MP – Member for Mount Ommaney

From the halls of State Parliament to the Industrial Court and the Springfield Central Football Stadium, each speaker shared unique experiences, challenges, and positive insights on building a more inclusive future.

Ruby reminded us: “You can’t be what you can’t see. There’s an advocacy piece in the little things you do every day... Be brave enough to call it out. It can be uncomfortable, but maybe you’re the first person to say something, and that’s what someone needs to hear to change their way of thinking.”

Change starts with us. Let’s keep challenging the status quo, lifting each other up, and striving for a world where equality isn’t a goal - it’s the norm.

Thank you to the Brisbane Lions for donating the lucky door prize and a huge thank you to everyone who made this event possible and to all who attended. Together, we are shaping a brighter, more inclusive future. 

School news

P&C AGM on Wednesday 26 March

A reminder to our school community that the Corinda State High School P&C Association will be holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday 26 March at 7:00 PM in D11 (entry via Pratten Street). We hope to see you there!

Applications for 2025 P&C membership are open, and by joining, you'll help promote the interests of our school, support educational programs, and strengthen the connection between parents, students, and staff. The P&C plays a vital role in providing financial support through donations, funding, and resources. To become a member, simply complete the Membership Application form and email it to pandccorindashs@gmail.com or drop it off at Administration. We are grateful for the ongoing support of our P&C, and we thank our executive and sub-committees for their hard work and dedication.

For the Membership Application form, click here, or to learn more about the P&C Association, click here.

Year 11 Blazer Ceremony rescheduled to Thursday 27 March

Year 11 families are invited to join us on Thursday 27 March, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Assembly Hall for an important evening that marks the beginning of their student’s Senior school journey. The event will feature a Parent Information Session, where families can gain valuable insights into the QCE, ATAR, subject pathways, assessments, and student support. Additionally, the evening will include a Blazer Ceremony, a special moment where students will be officially welcomed into their Senior years and presented with the Silver Corinda Pin. Light refreshments will be provided, and families are encouraged to attend. 

Aussie Anthems evening rescheduled to Friday 28 March

Our electrifying night of iconic Australian rock and pop hits has been rescheduled to Friday 28 March! Our talented Year 7, 8 and 9 Music Excellence students, along with special guests, are excited to perform. Brathaus will be onsite serving their famous German sausages, and Corinda's Backstage Brew Cafe will be open, offering a selection of meals and refreshments for all patrons.

If you have already RSVP'd, your registration remains valid, and we are excited to see you then! If you have not RSVP'd, you can still join us by signing up here: https://corindaconnect.com.au/AussieAnthems

Astronomy Night rescheduled to Wednesday 2 April

We are excited to announce that Astronomy Night has been rescheduled to Wednesday 2 April! Join us for an unforgettable evening of seasonal stargazing in partnership with the Brisbane Astronomical Society.

If you have already RSVP'd, your registration remains valid, and we are excited to see you then! If you have not RSVP'd, you can still join us by emailing info@corindashs.eq.edu.au

A reminder that all primary school students from Corinda State School, Oxley State School, Graceville State School, and Sherwood State School are welcome to attend but must be accompanied by an adult.

The yearbook committee needs you!

The Koondoo Yearbook Committee is looking for creative and motivated students to help bring the 2025 yearbook to life. From photography and writing to design and layout, there are opportunities for students of all skill sets to get involved.

Open to all year levels, the Committee offers a chance to develop skills, collaborate with peers, and contribute to a lasting piece of school history. To register, email marketing@corindashs.eq.edu.au.

Year 12 Completers Survey

All Year 12 completers from last year will soon receive an invitation to participate in the Next Step survey. This is their chance to help our school to understand the different pathways of the 2024 Year 12 students and to improve our senior programs and supports for future students. The survey only takes five minutes and asks graduates about their study and work activities since finishing school. As a thank you for participating, Year 12 completers who complete the survey will be entered into a draw to win a MacBook Air.

We ask parents, siblings and friends to encourage our graduates to complete the survey. If their contact details have changed, please assist survey interviewers by providing their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate. Graduates may receive an invitation by mail, email or phone. The survey can be completed online or by phone.For more information about Next Step, including previous results, visit http://www.qld.gov.au/nextstep.

Parent resources

School TV Report 

Young people today are constantly exposed to curated highlights of others' lives on social media, from flawless holiday photos to academic successes and fitness achievements. This fuels comparison culture, where self-worth is often measured against others. For children and teens still developing their identity, this can be especially damaging. Constant comparison to friends, influencers, or strangers can lead to unrealistic expectations, self-doubt, and anxiety, affecting their emotional wellbeing. Click here for this month's edition.

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