2 May 2025

Executive Principal's Address

Dear Parents and Friends,

Welcome to another exciting term at Corinda SHS. It was great to see so many parents attend the recent Parent Teacher Interview evening. We had a very large number of bookings, which is a wonderful reflection of the engagement of Corinda families.

Last Friday, on a very wet ANZAC Day morning, Corinda students turned up at both the dawn service and the Graceville march and service. For the first time in a while, we also had students attend the student service in ANZAC Square on Wednesday morning, where our students took the opportunity to meet the Premier of Queensland, David Crisafulli (pictured below).

I wanted to express my thanks to so many across the Corinda SHS community for assisting and supporting the school service, walking alongside our students in the march, attending the dawn service, or helping in the preparation of our morning tea for cadets and special guests in the Station Master's House. I am also especially proud of our cadets who were part of services across the community.

Last week, 140 of our music students attended music camp, an annual highlight that brings together a huge number of students and instruments for an intensive and enriching musical experience. This camp is an enormous undertaking, and I want to acknowledge the efforts of the staff and guest instructors who make it possible. These opportunities are vital for the growth of our young musicians, and we are grateful for the team’s ongoing commitment to the program.

Another important focus this term has been the continuation of our student coaching program. At Corinda, we take a proactive and structured approach to helping our senior students succeed through coaching that includes goal setting, ongoing review, and refinement of academic practices. The model is designed to provide tailored support for each student, helping them reach their personal goals across all areas of their senior learning journey. It’s not just about academic achievement; it’s about equipping our young people to be capable, confident, and caring members of society.

This week also saw the first meeting of our newly formed Alumni Committee. It was fantastic to see past students reconnecting with the school and beginning to shape plans for future events that will celebrate and strengthen the Corinda community across generations.

Looking ahead, we have several exciting events on the horizon, including our Mother's Day High Tea, Open Day, and the much-loved MultiFest. These are wonderful opportunities for our community to come together, and we hope to see many of you there!

Thank you for your continued support of Corinda. 

Warm regards,

Ross Bailey
Executive Principal

Key dates

Some of our best

ANZAC Day commemorations

Last week, a group of Corinda student leaders had the honour of attending ANZAC Day commemorations at ANZAC Square, where they stood alongside Queensland Premier David Crisafulli to pay tribute to Australia’s service men and women. It was a memorable and meaningful experience for our students, who had the opportunity to witness the formal ceremony and reflect on the enduring significance of ANZAC Day.

Following this, the Corinda community came together to honour the legacy of our service men and women at a deeply moving ANZAC Day ceremony held at school.

A highlight of the event was the commemorative address delivered by Flight Lieutenant (AAFC) Andrew Preston, who spoke with heartfelt sincerity to our Year 12 cohort. He painted a powerful picture of the young Australians who served - their bravery, their sacrifice, and the values they lived by: mateship, endurance, sacrifice, humility, and courage. He reminded our students that as the future leaders of this country, they have a responsibility to carry these values forward in their own lives.

It was also incredibly moving to see so many of our own Corinda students involved in the ceremony through their service in the Australian Defence Force and Army Cadets. Their presence brought great pride and authenticity to the occasion.

Ellen earns World Archery Youth Championships spot!

A huge congratulations to Ellen M, who represented Queensland at the Youth National Archery Championships in Canberra over the holidays! Ellen came away with an incredible four gold medals!

A standout moment was her performance in the 720 Round, a critical event that determined selection for the Australian team heading to the World Youth Championships in Winnipeg, Canada. Competing in the U18 division, Ellen was sitting in 3rd place at the halfway mark but showed grit and determination to fight her way to the top. Despite a tough final few arrows, her early lead held strong, earning her gold and a spot on the national team!

We're so proud of Ellen and can’t wait to see her represent Australia on the world stage later this year. 

Introducing our new Youth Workers

A warm Corinda welcome to our newest team members, Kobie and Madison! Both Kobie and Madison are proud Corinda Alumni and have now joined the team as Youth Workers, here to support our students. Get to know more about them below:

Hi! I’m Kobie Riseley, a youth worker passionate about supporting young people to grow, feel heard, and be themselves. I’ve spent the last 4 years after graduating from Corinda creating safe, fun, and inclusive spaces where young people can connect, build confidence, and thrive. I’m excited to work alongside and support the Year 9's and 12’s this year with Natasha Rist.

Hi! I'm Madison Powell, I’m passionate about personal development and helping others grow both professionally and personally. I’m looking forward to helping all of the students here to realise their potential and achieve success. I'm really interested in fitness; I’m currently training for a 21km obstacle course race and my goal after that will be training for and completing a marathon. I'm a returning student, I attended CSHS in the 2000's and I'm running into a lot of familiar faces and children of school mates.

We are excited to have you both on the team!

Year 8 thrive in Medieval History unit

At the end of Term 1, our Year 8 English Humanities Excellence class stepped back in time to 1066 as part of their Medieval European History unit. Under the guidance of the ever-passionate Mr Jamieson, students brought the famous Battle of Hastings to life in an interactive activity that has become a favourite tradition in the classroom.

Divided into two camps - the Normans and the Anglo-Saxons - students took on the roles of different military units who fought in the historic battle. With handmade swords and shields in hand, they recreated the legendary Shield Wall tactic, used by Anglo-Saxons and Vikings during the medieval period.

This tried-and-true lesson is more than just fun - it's an unforgettable way to cement learning, engage with history, and build teamwork and creativity. Well done 8Y, for embodying the spirit of the battlefield and making history come alive!

Year 8G also explored this engaging unit on Medieval History with Mr Moore! Each group of students selected a significant medieval figure and stepped into the role of teacher, presenting their research to the class. From legendary rulers to influential thinkers, 8G impressed with their historical inquiry and communication skills. Great job, historians!

Jen Radford receives prestigious leadership award from The Educator!

We’re thrilled to celebrate Jen Radford, who has been recognised with The Educator 2025 Rising Star & School Leadership Award! Since joining the Corinda family in 2022, Jen has made an incredible impact. Her English and Humanities' students thrive in the flexible learning environments she creates - spaces where they can collaborate, explore, and work independently.

Now, as our newly appointed Acting Head of Department for Middle Years, Jen is championing inquiry-based learning approaches that help students see the real-world connections in everything they study. One of her favourite strategies is using drama to bring concepts to life, creating powerful “hooks” at the start of lessons to spark curiosity and drive deeper inquiry.

The Educator's award honours teachers who demonstrate effective leadership, innovation, and achievement and Jen is all that and more. Congratulations, Jen! We are so proud to have you leading the way at Corinda. Want to hear more about Jen's journey? Watch her interview below!

Rehearsals, connection and fun at Music Camp!

For 140 of our talented music students, Term 2 kicked off with an unforgettable experience - Music Camp! Students from all year levels headed to QCCC Brookfield for two nights of non-stop music, fun, and friendship.

Their days were filled with rehearsals as they prepared for upcoming performances at our Open Day, while the in-between moments were all about making memories: pool table challenges, delicious meals, games, and plenty of opportunities to bond with friends, both old and new.

A step forward for school football pathways

During the Easter Holidays, the Queensland Schools Premier League (QSPL) held its first-ever Talent Identification Camp, exclusively for 16–18-year-old male students from SPL schools. The two-day event brought together top players from across 14 schools for high-level training and competitive matches. Brisbane Roar coaching staff, including NPL Head Coach Karl Dodd, were in attendance and praised the quality on show, commending the SPL for aligning with professional standards and creating real pathways for talented young footballers. Several players caught their eye and will be monitored further by Brisbane Roar.

At Corinda SHS Football Excellence, we are incredibly proud of our five Year 12 students who represented the school with distinction: Finley J, Harry H, Xander L, Matthew M, Selihom W. We remain fully committed to providing high-quality pathways and meaningful opportunities for both our players and staff, as we continue to grow the game through school football. Click the link below to watch the Talent Identification Camp highlights:

Alumni Mackenzie returns to inspire Corinda dancers

Guess who we spotted at the Backstage Brew Cafe this week? None other than our 2024 co-School Captain Mackenzie Newberry, back on campus and ready to inspire! Mackenzie was fuelling up before jumping into a full-day Dance Excellence workshop, where she worked alongside fellow Corinda alumni Elissa Hitchman and Jaimee Berndt to choreograph a piece with our Year 7-9 dancers. The final performance will hit the stage at BPAC on 4 June!

Mackenzie (pictured with her sister Poppy and Café Manager, Jacqui) is currently studying Biomedical Science at The University of Queensland but still finds time to return to her roots and mentor the next wave of Corinda dancers. We love welcoming back past students - their experience and connection to campus make our community stronger than ever.

Year 10 furnishing create jewellery boxes

Year 10 Furnishing students have been hard at work with Mr Mee and Mr Schaefer, crafting beautiful jewellery boxes using tools like the box sander and orbital sander. This is the first of two exciting projects - next up, a custom chess table! A big shoutout to Koondoo Committee member Felix, our INTAD section coordinator, for capturing the action!

School news

Celebrating Japanese Week

Next week we are celebrating Japanese Week! There are many amazing opportunities to get involved and learn more about Japanese culture. The Backstage Brew Cafe is running a special on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with a Chicken Katsu Curry and Rice Bowl. The Tuckshop are also running Japanese specials too! Many lunchtime activities will be running including origami, calligraphy, a Japanese Quiz run by the Year 12 students, photo booth, anime and more. See the posters attached for more information!

Bunar Just Dance Competition is back!

The Bunar House Just Dance competition is back! The popular event will take place next Thursday 8 May during Junior Break 1 and Senior Break 2. House points are up for grabs for each group of four participating. We look forward to seeing students and staff there! May the best dancers win!

Do it for Dolly Day

Our Student Council are launching a new event called Do it for Dolly Day on Friday 9 May! This day is all about honouring the memory of Dolly, a fellow Aussie and school kid, who tragically lost her life to bullying in 2018. Her parents established the Dolly's Dream foundation to raise awareness around bullying and suicide prevention, helping kids who face similar struggles.

Students are encouraged to wear blue accessories over their school uniform and bring a gold coin donation. There will also be a bake sale, sausage sizzle, and a glitter station during both breaks between C and F block, with all proceeds going to the foundation. On Friday 9 May, let’s join with people from all over Australia by wearing blue to show support for Dolly’s Dream and raise awareness about the importance of kindness and mental health.

Homestay families needed!

We are still looking for welcoming families to host Homestay students arriving in the second week of the June/July holidays. Both male and female students are in need of accommodation, and if you haven’t registered your interest yet, there’s still time to get involved!

Homestay families need to supply a private room for the student, a desk for study, internet access, three healthy meals a day plus snacks, and a warm and welcoming family environment to share experiences.

In return for your generosity, hosting families will receive $369 per week (tax-free). If you're interested or know someone who might be, please reach out to our Homestay Coordinator Cathy Pearson in the International faculty at (07) 3379 0216 or via email at cpear337@eq.edu.au. Let’s make this a memorable experience for both our students and families!

Calling for Open Day stallholders

We are excited to welcome the community to our Open Day on Saturday 17 May, and we're currently seeking stallholders to be part of the festivities. This is a great opportunity to showcase your products and connect with local families as they explore our school grounds.

We’re inviting both small businesses and students to get involved. In previous years, we've proudly featured student-run ventures such as Ryan's Onya Bed, offering eco-friendly dog beds made from recycled pallet wood, and Nicole’s Niki’s Beads, selling beautifully handcrafted jewellery (both pictured below).

If you’re interested in running a stall, please send an expression of interest to marketing@corindashs.eq.edu.au. We look forward to highlighting the creativity and talent within our school and community!

Yearbook art competition

Calling all students who love to draw, paint or create! The Koondoo Committee wants you to create a Galaxy of Possibilities-themed artwork to be featured on the inside back cover of the 2025 Koondoo.

Medium: Any! Painting, digital art, sketching, photography, sculpture...
Deadline: 3:00 PM Friday 18 July 2025 (Week 1, Term 3)
Submit to: koondoo@corindashs.eq.edu.au

Open to all year levels - Let your imagination soar among the stars!

Parent resources

Happy Families QWebinar - Managing screens at home

Are screens causing stress in your home? You're not alone, managing technology with teens can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Join the Happy Families live QWebinar on Thursday 15 May 7:00 PM with parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson, where you'll gain practical strategies to set healthy screen time limits, create tech-free zones, encourage offline activities, and have better conversations with your kids about their digital lives. Tickets are $39 (includes 12 months of recording access) for more information and to register click here.

Student Wellbeing Hub Webinar - Sleep and the developing brain

Explore the importance of sleep with Dr Moira Junge from the Sleep Health Foundation. This live webinar on Thursday 22 May 4:00 PM will focus on how sleep contributes to children and young people’s brain development, including memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and cognitive functioning. Learn about how sleep can impact physical and mental health, as well as learning and academic performance.

It will also include practical takeaways for improving sleep routines, including managing screen time, caffeine, stress and light exposure. Opportunity for Q&A and additional resources will also be provided. For more information and to register click here.

Community news

Free teens fitness training

Fitness Syndicate - a new crossfit gym located in Darra - are running a free intro into training on Monday 5 May from 8:30 AM for teens aged 13 to 17 years old.

The gym is located at 235 Monier Road Darra, 4076. To register please send through an email to jeremy@fitnesssyndicate.com.au For more information see their website https://fitnesssyndicate.com.au/ or search "Fitness Syndicate" on social media.

They will start with a strength piece and will finish with a workout. A coffee shop will be open for parents sticking around.