27 June 2025

Principal's Address

Dear Parents and friends,

Let the games begin! The roar of House pride could be heard from every corner of the Oval as we wrapped up Term 2 with a spectacular Athletics Carnival. With colourful costumes, cheering crowds and Mario Kart-inspired spirit, our students truly brought our Six Houses One Family culture to life. From determined sprint finishes to spirited relay teams, it was a celebration of energy, effort and unity, and a perfect end to a massive term.

As I approach the halfway mark of my first year as Executive Principal, I feel incredibly privileged to lead such an exceptional school community. Corinda’s culture is built on care, support and respect — a place where diversity is celebrated and talent flourishes. Our dedicated team of educators work tirelessly to ensure students thrive in an environment that values both compassion and innovation. True to our school motto, Hodie Quoque Cras — Not only for today but for tomorrow also — Corinda remains future-focused, equipping our students for a rapidly changing world while staying grounded in the strong foundations of our past.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to commence construction on the long-awaited upgrade of our Assembly Hall. This project will feature tiered seating, a new entrance, and improved ticketing and food service areas. Over the years, the hall has grown into a true community hub — a space for celebration, performance, sport and connection. At last year’s Sports Awards, alum and five-time Olympic medallist Natalie Cook OAM fondly recalled her time training in the Corinda Hall as a student, dodging volleyballs and building dreams. These upgrades will ensure this much-loved space continues to serve our community for generations to come.

In this newsletter, we spotlight a series of recent end-of-term highlights, including a visit from Federal MP Julie-Ann Campbell, our “Fearless Learning with AI” workshop, the RSPCA dog bed project led by our Textiles students, and the recognition of the Maths Department’s Ms Qiu with Highly Accomplished Teacher certification.

Thank you to our staff, students, parents and carers for making Term 2 such a dynamic and successful chapter in the Corinda story. I wish you all a safe and restful break, and I look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday 14 July for the start of Term 3.

Warm regards,
Ross Bailey
Executive Principal

Key dates

Some of our best

Corinda turns pink for Breast Cancer research fundraiser

On Wednesday 18 June, Corinda turned pink in support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation! Students embraced the theme with pink accessories and enjoyed a fun-filled day featuring pink donuts, a sausage sizzle, temporary tattoos, and polaroid photos at our vibrant pink photo booth.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible Student Council for their dedication in organising this event, and to our House Masters, Deputy Principals, Dean of Students, and Guidance Officers for their ongoing support. We are proud to stand together as a school community to raise awareness and funds for such a meaningful cause.

Visual Art teacher shines leading public art class

Thank you to Visual Art teacher Pam Leech for leading a relaxed and inspiring public art class that brought together alumni, staff, and parents' past, present, and future.

It was a fantastic opportunity to connect across generations of our school community, with participants stepping out of their comfort zones and into something new. We’re grateful to Pam—who has been part of the Corinda SHS family for 21 years—for sharing her skills and passion, and for reminding us how powerful art can be in bringing people together.

Discussions on learning with AI

During Week 9, we hosted a workshop titled "Fearless Learning with AI", bringing together staff and student voices to begin an important conversation about the role of generative AI in our school.

Facilitated by the Queensland Department of Education’s Sam Cowley and initiated by Executive Principal Ross Bailey and our Teaching and Learning team, the session sparked rich discussions — from students calling for transparency around AI use in teaching, to examples of tools that can mimic student writing styles.

Representatives from our Junior Student Council and School Council joined staff to draft a set of AI use principles aimed at helping our community navigate AI with integrity, curiosity, and purpose. These principles will be further refined with School Council and shared with our broader community.

We’re proud to be leading this conversation and grateful to everyone who contributed their insight and experience.

Scarlett is ranked #1 in Australia for Karate!

We are excited to share that one of our Elite Athletes, Year 9 student Scarlett O is currently ranked number one in Australia and listed in the top ten in the world for her division in karate!

Scarlett recently returned from the Australian Open Karate Championships. In this prestigious competition, she placed 5th in Kata and 3rd in the Kumite category. Her impressive performance earned her selection to represent Australia at the Oceania Championships in New Caledonia.

In a thrilling Championship final, Scarlett came back from a 3–0 deficit, landing two top-scoring moves to claim the title of Oceania Champion. Congratulations, Scarlett, on this outstanding achievement!

Congratulations Ms Qiu on Highly Accomplished Teacher certification

Ms Qiu has been a member of the Department of Education since 2015 and is an experienced Maths teacher who delivers our Mathematical Methods and Specialist Maths subjects. She is also one our teachers who delivers our Maths Excellence programs and extracurricular programs such as the Maths Team Challenges within our Oxley Road corridor.

We are really excited to celebrate that Ms Qiu has been awarded the Highly Accomplished Teacher certification from the Queensland College of Teachers. This national accreditation is awarded upon completion of a 2-phase application process, which she has been undertaking in the last 18 months. Teachers awarded at a Highly Accomplished Teacher level have demonstrated that their practices have a positive impact on student learning and they contribute to the professional learning of their colleagues. They play an important role in curriculum, teaching and learning in every school.

Congratulations to Ms Qiu!

FEX athletes selected into Emerging Socceroos and Matildas programs

Big congratulations to Year 10 Jesse Nunez and Year 11 student Rani Sharma — two of our standout Football Excellence athletes — on their selection into the Emerging Subway Socceroos and Emerging Matildas programs! This elite recognition puts them one step closer to the national stage, and we’re so proud to see their talent and determination rewarded. The journey is just beginning, and we’ll be watching with pride! 

Julie-Ann Campbell MP visits Corinda

Last week we welcomed Julie-Ann Campbell MP, the new Federal Member for Moreton, to experience the Corinda difference. She enjoyed morning tea from our Culinary and Hospitality students, explored our Smart Farm, and toured our soon-to-be-upgraded Science Block. A highlight was stepping into our Innovation Hub to trial world-first VR behaviour management training for pre-service and early career teachers, created right here at Corinda. Thanks to Julie-Ann for engaging with our school community, and to staff leading our teacher training program for showcasing such impactful work.

Celebrating our Met West representatives

We are thrilled to celebrate the amazing achievements of our students who have been selected to represent Metropolitan West School Sport so far this year! 

Australian Rules Football: Congratulations to Year 7 student Lily on her outstanding performance playing for the 10–12 years girls Met West AFL team at States! Lily’s efforts earned her a spot in the Queensland AFL team, and she will now compete at Nationals in August on the Sunshine Coast. Go Lily!

Year 10 student Ava T and Year 11 student Lily J represented Met West in the 16–18 years girls AFL team, competing at States in Cairns. Both students played exceptionally well, enjoying the opportunity to form new friendships and showcase their skills in the finals at Cazalys Stadium. Great job, Ava and Lily! 

Basketball: Shout out to Year 12 students Nhial M and Felix D, who competed at States in Cairns as part of the 17–19 years boys Met West Basketball team. Both students have made a tremendous impact on our basketball program through competitions including CBSQ Wildcard and Gala Days. Well done, Nhial and Felix!

Football: Five of our talented FEX girls were selected to represent Met West in Football this year! Congratulations to Year 10 student Gurnoor K, who played in the 13–15 years girls team—State Champions for 2025! Year 12 students Ruby S, Lelima F, and Layla F, along with Year 11 student Alex H, represented the 16–19 years girls team, finishing 5th overall at States. A special shout-out to Ruby S, who was selected into the Queensland squad and will compete at Nationals in August in North Brisbane!

Tennis: A huge congratulations to our Year 7 TEX students: Amy G, Scarlett M, Atharv N, and Alyosha N, who were selected for the 10–12 years Met West Tennis teams. These rising stars will compete at States in Cairns this August. Good luck!

Well done to all of our students on your outstanding achievements — we are incredibly proud of you!

Ruby dives into biomedical research through SPARQ-ed program

Congratulations to Year 11 student Ruby B, who has earned a spot in the highly competitive SPARQ-ed Senior Research Immersion Program at the Translational Research Institute!

Over five days, Ruby (pictured with her Biology teacher, Mr Dickson) will dive into real biomedical research, using cutting-edge lab equipment and working alongside professional scientists.

This program builds on her Biology studies at Corinda SHS and supports her dream of pursuing a Science degree and a future in innovative research—possibly even in space science! Well done, Ruby!

Year 7 Debating is off to a strong start!

For over 50 years, more than 100 schools from both public and private schools across Brisbane have competed annually in Queensland Debating Union - QDU Competitions. Corinda SHS is part of the Brisbane-West Region, and this year, we proudly hosted the Year 7 debate rounds. 

Most recently, our four Year 7 teams took on a challenging short-prep debate - where students are given just one hour to prepare their arguments before stepping up to compete. The topic? "That co-curricular activities should be banned". It sparked passionate and thoughtful discussion.

Hear what some of our students, Ada G and Annie B, had to say about their experiences below!

What advice would you give other Year 7s who are thinking about joining the debating team next year?

“I think joining the Corinda SHS debating team is a really great idea, if you’re looking for an activity to join. It’s a great way to make new friends with some people who share a same interest. Just remember to stay calm under pressure, and don’t be afraid to speak your mind! The whole point of debating is to prove you’re right, so don’t hold back!” Annie B

What skills do you think you developed through debating?

“Skills I have learned through debating would be thinking about problems from different perspectives and learning that there isn't always one correct answer, how to structure an argument to get your point across clearly, improve public speaking, working together as a team, and being a good sport, win or lose.” Ada G

What did you enjoy most about the experience?

"I enjoy being able to argue with another school, and prove why I’m right, and why Corinda State High School is better than any other school. I feel really proud to represent Corinda in a way that is important to me. That’s what I enjoy most about debating. The pride and joy that come with it.” Annie B

A special shoutout to our staff coaches Mr Gilroy, Head of Department for Humanities, Ms C Smith, Ms M Smith, and Mx Kubes for helping lead our teams. Best of luck students for the next rounds of competition!

Queensland Firebirds' visit Corinda

During Week 9, we had the pleasure of welcoming Lara Dunkley and Emily Moore from the Queensland Firebirds for a Q&A session with our Netball Academy players and staff! Lara and Emily shared practical advice on how to fuel your body for training and highlighted the importance of supporting your teammates both on and off the court.

This session was especially valuable for our growing Netball Academy, which recently sent our biggest squad yet to the SouthSide Super 7’s competition - eight teams in total, including our newest addition, the Senior Boys. A special thank you to Ms Andrews and Ms Napper for facilitating this amazing opportunity for our students!

Highlights from our recent Maths Teams Challenges

Benarrawa Precinct Maths Teams Challenge

This Term, Corinda welcomed Year 5–6 students from our local feeder schools for a day of maths, teamwork and friendly competition! With rounds including a Team Challenge, Maths Trail and Relay Event, the energy was high and the problem-solving even higher.

Out of 13 teams, Graceville State School took home Gold, with Sherwood State School's teams earning Silver and Bronze - congrats to all!

Events like this are part of Corinda’s commitment to supporting a smooth and connected transition to high school, helping students build confidence, friendships and familiarity with our school.

A big thank you to our Senior student helpers who guided and encouraged participants throughout the day—you were fantastic role models. And of course, thank you to our Maths team headed by Mr Helmore and the participating schools for making it all possible!

Corinda SHS Maths Teams Challenge

Our brightest Year 7–9 students from the Maths Excellence and Platinum programs went head-to-head in the annual Maths Teams Challenge recently and the competition did not disappoint! Over two thrilling rounds which involved a strategic Team Challenge and a high-energy Relay Event, students showcased their problem-solving skills, teamwork and lightning-fast thinking.

Congratulations to our Champion classes: 7X, 8X and 9P who were each awarded their trophies by our Head of Mathematics, Mr Helmore. A big thank you to our incredible teachers including Ms Qiu, Mr Roh, Mr Roderick, Mr Vien, Mr Ng and Ms Theresa Thomas for making this event a success and continuing to inspire a love of Maths in our students.

Celebrating School Cleaners' Day

On Monday 16 June, we recognised the quiet champions of our school, our incredible cleaning team. At this time of year, they arrive before the sun is up and brave the cold mornings to make sure our classrooms, hallways, and shared spaces are clean, safe, and ready for learning. Their work is often behind the scenes, but it’s essential to the smooth running of our school. Thank you to our amazing cleaning staff. Your work matters, and we see you.

Textiles students visit RSPCA with handmade gifts

This term, our Year 7 and 9 Textiles students put their skills and compassion into action, designing and sewing cosy dog beds for RSPCA QLD. The student's hand-delivered their handmade gifts to the RSPCA in Wacol, and in a generous gesture of thanks, the RSPCA gifted students a behind-the-scenes tour of their facility.

This project encouraged students to design with empathy, consider the needs of animals, and connect their learning to real-world impact. We're excited to continue this meaningful partnership next term with two new projects already lined up.

A big thank you to our school sponsor Harcourts Marketplace for helping us deliver the beds, and a special shout out to Textiles teachers Ms Billiau and Ms Hansford for driving this initiative.

We’re now collecting old pillows to help stuff future beds and baby animal pouches. If you have any clean, used pillows at home, we’d love your donations!

Announcing a new FEX partnership with Footstars Futsal Club

We’re proud to officially announce our new partnership with Footstars Futsal Club.

This collaboration marks a huge step forward for our futsal program—bringing in a team of exceptional coaches and people who share our vision for high-quality player development, both on and off the court.

Footstars, led by founder Natalia Palacios-Kay and Head Coach Dane Stokes, has quickly become a leading futsal academy in the region. Their approach focuses not only on elite coaching, but also on building character, resilience and a love for the game.Our partnership has already made an immediate impact. Footstars recently took charge of our teams at the Football Queensland Futsal tournament, where we had teams making finals on each day of the competition, with several progressing through to the next round.

Their professionalism, energy and care for our players have been second to none. We are beyond excited to continue working together and grow the futsal space within our program. With Footstars on board, the future of futsal at Corinda has never looked brighter.

Highlights from the Regatta Series

A big shoutout to our dedicated group of rowers - Tristan D, Oliver O, Aaran P, Samuel B and Gideon M, who have been proudly representing Corinda SHS in the South Queensland School Conference Regatta Series.

At the Trophy Regatta on the 14 June, the boys competed across Singles, Doubles and Quad events, with a standout result from Tristan, placing 2nd in the Year 9 Boys Single. While the rest of the team didn’t place this time, their teamwork, perseverance and sportsmanship were on full display. Tristan and Gideon now set their sights on the South QLD State Championships which will take place this month. We wish them the best of luck!

WorldSkills Australia National Competition run on our Smart Farm!

Our Smart Farm recently hosted the WorldSkills Australia National Competition for Primary Industries! This prestigious event brought together the nation's top young talents to showcase their skills in areas such as sustainable land management, machinery operation and maintenance, and livestock care.

We were proud to have our own Agriculture Teacher, Chris Butcher, serve as a judge during the competition, while our Year 11 and 12 Agricultural Practices students gained valuable insights through this hands-on learning experience.

A special thank you to KC Equipment for their generous support and for loaning us a tractor – your contribution was vital to the event's success.

Results from Ipswich Junior Dance Eisteddfod 

Last week, our Senior Troupe and Dance Excellence students lit up the stage at the Ipswich Junior Dance Eisteddfod, bringing energy, talent and passion to every performance, and earning a string of fantastic results!

1st – Student Choreography, choreographed by the amazing Miya “MJ”
2nd – Dance Excellence Hip Hop – “Jump”
3rd – Junior Tap Troupe – “Groove is in the Heart”
3rd – Senior Tap Troupe – “Evolution”

Congratulations to all our performers, choreographers and our Dance teachers, Ms Boddice and Ms Hansford for representing Corinda with style, spirit and strength!

Year 12 Hospitality guide meaningful conversations with professionals

Our Year 12 Hospitality students recently took part in an engaging and insightful Q&A session with professionals from the restaurant and café industry. Through a series of five-minute rotations, students interviewed each guest using questions they had carefully prepared in class – focusing on the guests' roles, career journeys, and industry experience.

These meaningful conversations are directly supporting the students’ IA3 assessment, which involves creating a professional portfolio including a cover letter, résumé, mock interview, and a menu item. The session not only offered valuable industry insights but also gave students the chance to form real-world connections that will help prepare them for life and work beyond school.

After the interviews, guests were treated to a relaxed morning tea featuring delicious dishes prepared by the students themselves – a fitting way to wrap up a morning full of learning, networking, and hands-on experience.

A heartfelt thank you to our sponsor The Lion Richlands for their support and involvement. We especially appreciate Eve, Restaurant Manager, and Tam, Chef, for generously sharing their time and expertise. A big thanks also to all the amazing panellists who helped make this event such a success!

Introducing Corinda Champions

Term 2 has seen the introduction of a new positive acknowledgement system here at Corinda. Students who “Exceed our Expectations” have been acknowledged with Corinda Champions tickets and each week some lucky students are rewarded with Café vouchers. By the end of this term more than one third of our students had received some form of acknowledgment. Congratulations to Harrison and Helen – Moori draw winners!

Highlights from the RoboCup Jr event

Two of our Corinda Robotics Club teams – TARDIS and DF Robots – recently competed in the RoboCup Jr Brisbane Regionals Sumo Competition, going head-to-head with 16 other teams.

Despite some tough matches (and the occasional lost wheel!), both teams pushed through to the quarterfinals, with TARDIS reaching the semi-finals! The competition was fierce, but the learning was even greater. Our students returned full of ideas and ready to take their robots to the next level. 

A special thank you to Mr Brown for facilitating this amazing opportunity for our students!

School news

NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week is a time to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It’s an opportunity for all Australians to reflect, learn, and recognise the strength and resilience of Indigenous communities.
By coming together during this week, we help build respect, understanding, and a more inclusive future for everyone. At CSHS our Cultural Council alongside the help of our First Nations Officer will be running NAIDOC week activities for students and staff during Week 1 of Term 3.

Corinda's Got Talent

We can’t wait to showcase the talent within Corinda! Whether you sing, dance, act, juggle, do magic, tell jokes, or have a unique skill — auditions are open now for Corinda’s Got Talent.

Corinda’s Got Talent will be held during Carnivale on the last day of Term 3 – Friday 19 September.

This is a House event! Students will earn House points for participating with bonus points for the top three acts. Students can be from different houses – points are allocated to each individual.

There is a Junior and Senior competition so make sure everyone in your act is from either Year 7-9 or 10-12. There’s no limit to the number of people in a single act!

To audition send through a video of your act (3-5 minutes maximum) before the end of the school holidays to Bunar Housemaster Mr Jenner: jjenn26@eq.edu.au

Let’s show off what Corinda can do!

Community news

Wattle Bloom Walks return to Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha

Wattle has begun blooming across Southeast Queensland, and to celebrate, the Wattle Bloom Walks will return to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha from Sunday 6 July.

These free 1.5-hour guided walks offer a unique opportunity for community members to learn more about Australia’s national floral emblem in a beautiful outdoor setting.

There are 12 Wattle Bloom Walks over July and August. To reserve a spot and to find out more visit their event website here.

The wattle tree planted on our Smart Farm by Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner about three years ago is starting to bloom once more (see photo)! The golden wattle is a symbol of Corinda as it features prominently in the school crest, representing pride in our country and wealth of knowledge.

Premier’s Anzac Prize

There's still time to apply for the once-in-a-lifetime Premier’s Anzac Prize! This incredible opportunity will see selected students and teachers travel to London, Paris, and the Western Front in April 2026, exploring historic sites and WWI memorials and culminating in the Anzac Day Dawn Service in Villers-Bretonneux, France. It’s a powerful and deeply moving journey that brings Australia’s Anzac legacy to life.

Open to eligible students in Years 8 to 11. Applications close 5pm, Tuesday 22 July 2025

Find out more by watching the recipients story video below or visit https://education.qld.gov.au/about-us/budgets-funding-grants/scholarships/premiers-anzac-prize.

Bus network changes

From Monday 30 June, significant changes will affect Brisbane, Logan and Redlands bus services, including routes commonly used. Most services travelling into the city will be impacted with new routes and the introduction of Metro M1.

Please check the new timetables and use the Translink Journey Planner to see if your journey to and from school is changing. Planning ahead will help ensure students get to and from school safely and on time.

School bus services will not be affected. For more information about route and timetable changes click here.