3 June 2025

Deputy Principal's Address

Dear Parents and Friends,

As we pass the halfway point of Term 2 and the cooler weather settles in, the energy and enthusiasm across our school community continues to shine. Corinda State High School is a place where diversity, creativity, and community spirit come together – and the last few weeks have truly reflected that.

Multifest 2025
In Week 5, our school came alive with colour, music, and cultural pride during our annual celebration of multiculturalism. Led by our Cultural Council, students hosted lunchtime activities throughout the week that reflected the rich variety of backgrounds in our school community.

The highlight of the week was Multifest, held on Thursday evening, where students took to the stage in a spectacular celebration of song, dance, and traditional dress. The dedicated lunchtime rehearsals paid off in performances that were both moving and joyful. It was a wonderful reflection of our school’s vibrant and inclusive identity.

National Reconciliation Week
In recognition of National Sorry Day (May 26) and Reconciliation Week (May 27–June 3), our students and staff have engaged in meaningful opportunities for reflection and cultural connection.

On Monday 26 May, students Zara G and Rakita G proudly represented Corinda as flag bearers at the Sorry Day Ceremony hosted by the Benarrawa Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Solidarity Group. Throughout the week, students also participated in traditional Indigenous Games, coordinated by Pirri House Master Nick Vlaisavljevic — an opportunity to learn through play, culture, and community.

Our Indigenous Student Support Worker, Ryan Bates, continues to play a vital role in supporting our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and leading initiatives that promote reconciliation across our school. His dedication ensures that these experiences are authentic, respectful, and deeply valued by our community.

Open Day Highlights
On Saturday 17 May, we were delighted to welcome prospective families and members of the wider community to our Open Day. From the energy of the Oxley Road Band, featuring our primary instrumental students, to the innovation on display at the RIC and Smart Farm, it was a day filled with pride and possibility.

Our student leaders were exceptional hosts, leading tours with confidence and warmth. We are also incredibly grateful to our VIP guests, local partners, and dedicated staff who contributed to the success of the event. The day was a true testament to what makes Corinda SHS so special.

Wellbeing Expo
Looking ahead, our school community is excited to host the Wellbeing Expo on Tuesday 3 June. Organised by our Student Support Team, this event will give all students the chance to explore resources and activities that support their mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. 

The Expo will include stallholders from mental health services, sporting organisations, and multi-faith agencies with youth wellbeing programs. Students will be encouraged to explore the space at their own pace, choosing the areas most relevant and meaningful to them.

It promises to be an engaging and inclusive day that highlights the importance of student wellbeing and personal choice.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school. We are proud of our diverse, dynamic, and caring community — and we look forward to sharing more moments of celebration and learning with you throughout the term.

Warm regards,

Rebecca Gilroy
Deputy Principal, Teaching & Learning

Key dates

Some of our best

Celebrating cultural diversity with MultiFest Week!

In Week 5, our school came alive with vibrant colours and rich traditions during MultiFest Week! On Wednesday, students and staff proudly showcased their cultural heritage during the Cultural Dress Fashion Parade at lunchtimes. Dressed in traditional attire and waving flags from around the world, our school community embraced and celebrated the beautiful diversity that makes Corinda so unique. Cheerful crowds of students and staff lined the sidelines, sharing in the joy and pride of this special event.

Throughout the week, students savoured delicious cultural treats from the Backstage Brew Café, including Mango Lassi and Vietnamese Coffee, and took part in engaging activities hosted by the Cultural Council. The highlight of the celebration was MultiNight on Thursday evening, where over 15 incredible student performances brought global traditions to life through music, dance, and cultural displays. Families, friends, and staff gathered to enjoy delicious food from a variety of food trucks, capture memories at the lively photo booth, and participate in the exciting raffle draws.

A huge thank you to our Cultural Captains, Yom and Shridisha, and the entire Cultural Council for their dedication and hard work in making MultiFest Week a truly memorable celebration of community and culture!

Oxley Road Music Festival highlights!

As part of our Open Day festivities, the school proudly hosted the Oxley Road Music Festival, a vibrant celebration of music and education that brought together young musicians from Corinda State School, Graceville State School, Oxley State School and Sherwood State School.

In the lead-up to the festival, our talented Instrumental Music teachers and students led inspiring workshops with our visiting primary school guests, building musical skills, confidence, and friendships. Together, they rehearsed and performed dynamic programs as the Oxley Road Music Festival Combined Concert Band and String Orchestra - a powerful display of what’s possible when schools unite through music.

Festival-goers were also treated to standout performances by Corinda SHS ensembles, including Big Band, Symphonic Band, Junior and Senior Percussion, and both Aurora and Concordia Strings. Our acclaimed Drumline brought energy and excitement outdoors, entertaining the masses under the sunny Saturday skies and adding to the festive atmosphere of the day.

Music has a profound and lasting impact on the development, wellbeing, and happiness of children and this festival was a shining example of its power to connect and uplift. A huge thank you to our visiting schools, families, staff, and students who made the day so special. What a way to celebrate music, learning, and community on Open Day!

A taste of high school at Culinary GO Day

Last week, we welcomed 21 primary school students from across our catchment and beyond to experience a taste of high school life - literally! Our Italian-themed Culinary Golden Opportunity Day was a feast of fun, flavour, and learning, with students creating their own pizza, biscotti al limone (lemon cookies), hot chocolate, and basil pesto from scratch.

A huge thank you to our Culinary Excellence sponsor, The Lion Richlands, for supporting this hands-on event, and to our amazing Year 9 Culinary Excellence students who guided the young chefs alongside the fabulous Ms Shaw who recently made her much-anticipated return from maternity leave! The kitchen was buzzing with excitement, and the students left with full hearts and fuller stomachs. What a delicious day of opportunity!

Unveiling our new FEX playing kits 

We are proud to unveil our new 2025 and 2026 Football Excellence playing kits! From 2025 onwards, our FEX program has partnered with Brisbane-based company Statewide Sports who are supplying us with the globally recognised and hugely iconic football brand, uhlsport.

The playing kits are thoughtfully designed to reflect the spirit, pride, and identity of our school community. From the unique and playful green of the shorts to the incorporation of phoenix tail patterns across the sleeves, these kits celebrate all that makes Corinda special.

Prominently featured across the shoulders is the Latin phrase "Hodie Quoque Cras" which is translated as "not only for today, but tomorrow also". Our school motto serves as a powerful daily reminder for students to strive toward their individual football goals and career aspirations beyond their school years.

Thank you to Statewide Sports for your incredible new design and a big shout out to our FEX program sponsors Harcourts Marketplace, Lions FC and The Lion Richlands we really appreciate your support!

Students learn about the world of dentistry and medicine

Last Tuesday, Senior students gathered for our latest Lunch & Learn session - this time diving into the world of dentistry and medicine! We were privileged to welcome Dr Philippa (Pip) Bennett and Dental Practice Manager Lauren Whybrow from Corinda Dental Centre, along with emergency doctor and Angel Urgent Care Indooroopilly founder Dr Simon Rohde. Each shared invaluable insights into these challenging yet rewarding careers.

Students gained a real understanding of what it takes to enter medicine and dentistry - from high school subject choices to university pathways, internships, and specialist training. Our speakers also highlighted the importance of soft skills, noting that part-time work can set students apart and help develop the resilience and communication skills needed in the healthcare field. In addition to being dedicated professionals, both Dr Pip and Simon are also business owners, offering students a broader perspective on where passion, hard work, and determination can lead.

Year 10 student Veronica B reflected: “It was really interesting to hear their personal experiences, especially their journey from high school… They described every step and inspired me and showed that with lots of hard work, it’s possible to get into courses like medicine and dentistry.”

A big thank you to our guest speakers and to Corinda Dental Centre, a proud sponsor, for supporting our students as they explore their future pathways.

Ancient civilisations come to life in Year 7 Humanities

Ms Allgood’s Year 7 Humanities class has been delving into the ancient civilisations of Rome, Greece, India, China and Egypt as part of their current inquiry assessment. From examining the rise and fall of empires to investigating the more unexpected parts of daily life in the ancient world, her students have brought curiosity and creativity to the task.

Last Friday, the class had the chance to get up close with real ancient coins and Neolithic stone tools, sparking more questions and discoveries about everything from surgical tools and war machines to beauty routines, ancient pranks, and funerary rituals.

Some of the insights from our budding historians: 

Lachlan B was surprised to learn that the Greeks placed coins in the mouths of the dead to pay their fare across the River Styx. He’s also learned the value of strong sources and smart sub-questions and loves how Ms Allgood encourages discussion and exploration in class. 

Indigo F is researching ancient Greek humour and was amazed to discover the world’s first joke book, Philogelos! She says artefacts help bring the ancient world to life, and that myths like King Midas’ still carry important messages for us today.

Ms Allgood’s classroom is alive with energy, creativity, and curiosity, featuring a 'wall of questions', a timeline of key events, and fun historical facts to keep students inspired. For these students, it’s just the beginning of an exciting high school journey filled with discovery!

Announcing our partnership with The Smith Family

Last week was National Volunteering Week, and we are excited that our partnership with The Smith Family has just launched, with the induction of 10 of our Senior students in the student-to-student reading program! The evidence-based peer to peer reading program matches a Corinda student (reading buddy), with young readers who are behind with their reading. Conducted via a digital platform, this program is life-changing not only for the reader but also for the reading buddy. We are so thrilled to be involved in this very important program!

Welcome Graham Perret MP to the classroom!

Last week, we were delighted to welcome none other than Graham Perrett MP, who has recently retired from federal politics, as he stepped into the classroom in a new role – supply teacher! With a full day of History, Technology, and more, Graham jumped straight into the timetable, ready to put his knowledge to the test and continue serving the public in a different but equally meaningful way. Welcome to the classroom, Graham – we’re excited to have you back where it all began!

Year 11 Geography explore Fortitude Valley

Our Year 11 Geography students recently explored Fortitude Valley as part of their Unit 2 study on Planning Sustainable Places. Facilitated by the Brisbane Urban Environmental Education Centre (BUEEC), the students gathered real-world data through surveys, site mapping, traffic counts, and observations.

They investigated key issues around sustainability, liveability, and urban renewal, discovering important insights such as limited daytime activity, low diversity of users, night-focused land use, and the critical role of urban design in providing shade and comfort. This hands-on experience will directly support their assessment this Term, helping them connect classroom theory with real community challenges.

Staff collaborate bringing our school theme to life!

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible staff Ms Engler, Mr Korger, Ms Le Sueur, and Mr Newberry, who came together across different departments to bring our school theme, "A Galaxy of Possibilities" to life by designing and building our stunning decorative rockets! This impressive project was a true collaborative effort - uniting Media Arts, INTAD, and Digital Technology teaching areas - to design and produce 40 rockets made from vibrant 3mm translucent acrylic.

Mr Newberry expertly designed the rocket profiles and precise tab intersections using CAD software (Onshape) and Ms Le Sueur brought the rockets to life visually with beautiful panel artwork created in Adobe Illustrator. Then Mr Korger then took these designs manufactured every component on the Trotec laser printer, a process that took nearly 15 hours of laser cutting! Finally, the entire team dedicated their time to carefully assembling all 40 rockets.

As a token of our appreciation, our staff enjoyed a well-deserved free drink from the Backstage Brew Cafe! Thank you again to our fantastic staff for your passion, dedication, and hard work in making this initiative a shining success!

Alumni Dash's inspiring path to real estate

We’re incredibly proud to celebrate Class of 2023 graduate Dash Singh, who has recently secured an Administration role, fittingly titled Director of First Impressions at our valued school sponsor, Harcourts Marketplace!

Dash’s passion for real estate started at a young age, and he's already making a strong start in the industry. In his new role, he’s learning the fundamentals of real estate, gaining hands-on experience, and embracing the teamwork that drives success at Harcourts. For Dash, it’s not just about the job - it’s about the people. He loves the social aspect of real estate and the exciting connections he makes each day.

Reflecting on his time at Corinda, Dash fondly remembers our Multicultural Days, where the school’s diversity and unity left a lasting impression. Those experiences helped shape his outlook and ambition, teaching him to dream big and never underestimate the power of a single idea.

Dash also shared some wise advice for current students: it’s ok not to have everything figured out straight away. Life isn’t a race - grow at your own pace and the right path will reveal itself. A big thank you to Chris and Sarah from Harcourts Marketplace for continuing to support and inspire our students. Dash is a fantastic example of what can happen when school, community, and ambition come together.

Year 7 Visual Art Excellence explore Brisbane's best art

Our Year 7 Visual Art Excellence class got their step count up to 14000 last week viewing Brisbane's best public art projects. Their first stop was at Urban Art Projects (UAP) a global leader in public art and architectural design solutions. In the UAP factory, students were taken through the design process from ideation to realisation. Sandcasting, robotic moulds and augmented reality fabrication were processes students saw in action as well as some sneak peaks into their latest public works.

Students enjoyed viewing the 80 Ann St Digital Work, 'Fluency' by Hannah Quinlivan, 'What becomes of the clouds' by Megan Cope, 'Eyes are singing out' by Yayoi Kusamas and much more as they explored the city! A special thank you to their amazing Visual Art Excellence teacher Nicki Crerar for facilitating this exciting excursion for our Year 7s!

Southside Super 7s netball highlights

Our first Southside Super 7s Netball Competition of the year was a blast! 90 students represented Corinda across 8 teams, proudly wearing our newly designed Tribal Sport netball dresses and training shirts!

Congratulations to our Open Boys team on their competition debut and well done to our Open Girls for finishing third in their division! A special shoutout to our Year 7s who had an awesome day, forming friendships with students in older years and developing their skills. Best of luck to all teams for the next round of the Southside Super 7s!

Year 12 students attend Girls Programming Network workshop

Year 12 Digital Solutions students Alice P, Abbey W and Jasper H recently attended the the inaugural Girls' Programming Newtork (GPN) workshop at The University of Queensland. The workshop provided an exciting and engaging opportunity to dive deeper into programming through creativity, collaboration, and fun. Alice, Abbey, and Jasper learnt new coding skills, solved puzzles, and built an awesome rock, paper, scissors project! They also had the chance to connect with like-minded peers and mentors from the tech industry, making it a valuable experience for both learning and networking. A special thank you to their Digital Solutions teacher, Mr Brown, for organising this amazing opportunity!

Thank you to our amazing student volunteers on Open Day!

A huge shoutout to all the incredible students who volunteered their time to lead tours on Open Day! These young leaders gave our community a glimpse of school life from a student’s perspective, and we couldn’t be prouder of the way they represented our school. As a small token of our appreciation, each of our student received a free drink from the Backstage Brew Cafe! Thank you again for your time, energy, and dedication.

School news

Open Day Raffles

Thank you to everyone who entered our Open Day raffles and supported Corinda State High School's P&C Association.

Congratulations to our prize winners – we hope you enjoy your prizes! Prize #1-Janine, Prize #2-Tali, Prize #3-Judy, Prize #4-Irene and Prize #5- Tyrone

Motorama Mitsubishi Moorooka prize winners – Amy B (Kia SUV EV) and Han-Yin H (Mitsubishi Triton)

We’d also like to extend our sincere thanks to the local businesses and individuals who generously donated prizes including Botellon Restaurant, Bunnings Warehouse Rocklea, Cr Nicole Johnston, Cr Sarah Hutton, Domino's Pizza Corinda, school sponsor Harcourts Marketplace, Jess Pugh MP for Mount Ommaney, My Green Stuff, Priceline Pharmacy Oxley, The School Locker Oxley, Social Café Bar Restaurant, Studio Pilates Oxley, Ministry of SASS, Verve Portraits, and Westside HQ. Your support plays an important role in helping our P&C Association continue its work to benefit the school community.

Australian Mathematics Competition - registrations open!

It’s that time of year again – the Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) is just around the corner! The AMC contains unique problems designed each year by leading educators and academics to challenge and extend your students’ problem-solving skills. See the video below to gain insight on the student experience! 

The AMC Testing Window opens on Tuesday 5 August and closes Thursday 7 August (Week 4, Term 3). The duration is 75 minutes for the Year 7 to 10 secondary division.

All students in Years 7 to 9 Maths Excellence and Platinum classes and Year 10 Quantum and Academia classes will be sitting the AMC in-class during the scheduled testing window. Participation for students in these classes is part of the school’s enrichment program - no payment is required.

Interested but not in one of these classes? Students in other Years 7 to 10 Maths classes are also welcome to take part in the AMC! To register, please do the following by Tuesday 3 June (Week 7):

1. Email Ms Qiu at mqiu5@eq.edu.au with your full name, year level and name of your maths teacher.

2. Pay $9.00 at the front office (Admin) when invoiced.

3. Inform your Maths teacher of your intention to participate, so that your teacher could coordinate with a relevant Excellence or Platinum class teacher to confirm which session you’ll join during the testing window.

Please note: Students outside the Excellence and Enrichment classes will be responsible for catching up on any missed classwork. We look forward to seeing many of you take on this exciting mathematical challenge!

INTAD Preloved Auction

Are you interested in purchasing some preloved school construction equipment? INTAD is holding an auction for a range of machinery – don’t miss your chance to make an offer! Tenders close Friday 6 June at 3:00 PM and all items are sold as is, with no warranties. Buyers must arrange pickup or delivery.

Click here for the tender form with all the information. To submit, return the completed tender form either in an email to rjack56@eq.edu.au or in an envelope marked “Confidential” to Richard Jack, Corinda State High School, 46 Pratten St, Corinda QLD 4074

Alla Prima Oil Painting Workshop

Ever wondered what a teacher does on the weekend? For Corinda SHS Visual Art teacher Pam Leech, it means diving deeper into her craft and bringing fresh inspiration back to the classroom. Pam recently attended a one-day professional development workshop on painting portraits in oils with 2023 Archibald Prize finalist Andrea Huelin.

Hosted by the Queensland Art Teachers Association and held at Nambour State College, the workshop brought together art teachers and local artists to refine their portraiture techniques. Pam’s goal? To develop new skills both personally and professionally, and to implement these approaches in the Year 10 Portraiture Unit at Corinda. Pam explored a new perspective on capturing the face, learning to recognise and express layers of light and dark hues, mix skin tones, and apply expressive brushstrokes in the wet-on-wet technique, alla prima.

Now in her 21st year of teaching at Corinda, Pam teaches Visual Art across many year levels, from Year 8 Art and Year 9 Art Excellence to Year 10 Art and Year 11 General Art. She says, "I absolutely love it here. The students are delightful."

The creativity doesn’t stop there! Pam will be sharing her workshop insights with the wider community in an upcoming Alla Prima Oil Painting Workshop at Corinda. Whether you’re an experienced artist or just curious to try something new, this is your chance to unleash your creativity in a relaxed, social setting.

The Alla Prima Oil Painting Workshop with Pam Leech will be held on Friday 13 June from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM. The cost is $35 which includes all materials and nibbles. Spaces are limited so click here to book now and create your own masterpiece in one evening!

The School Locker Oxley Superstore - Annual Stocktake Closure

Our uniform provider, The School Locker Oxley Superstore will be closed on Monday 2 - Tuesday 3 June for their annual stocktake. They’ll be back open Wednesday 4 June as usual. Uniform items can be purchased online or at our on-campus store which is open on Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM. The campus shop is located next to the Tuckshop (C Block).

Trivia Night for Year 7 parents and carers

Connection is at the heart of everything we do at Corinda SHS - between families, staff, and our wider school community. We’re excited to invite Year 7 parents and carers to our Trivia Night - a fun, relaxed evening where you can meet other parents, connect with our amazing teaching team, and kickstart the relationships that will support your student through their high school journey.

Join us on Monday 23 June for a fun-filled evening in the Assembly Hall! The event kicks off at 5:30 PM with a chance to meet and mingle with staff and families, followed by a buffet dinner at 6:00 PM. Then at 6:45 PM, get ready for an exciting round of trivia and yes, there will be prizes!

Tickets are $25 and include the buffet dinner. When purchasing your ticket, you’ll have the option to choose a table (up to 10 people per table). Coming solo? No problem - we’ll help you find a great team on the night!

Spaces are limited, so make sure to book early by clicking here. We can’t wait to see you there!

Parent resources

Happy Families QWebinar - Gender Diversity

Many young people are exploring who they are – including their gender identity. For some, this is a clear path, but for others, it involves questioning and expressing gender in ways that may differ from traditional norms.

As a parent or carer, you don’t need to have all the answers. What matters most is being open, supportive, and willing to listen. Research shows that acceptance at home greatly improves young people’s mental health, no matter where they are in their gender journey. Click here for this month's edition.

Community news