Reflections
Reflections
Doesn’t time slip away?
It is hard to believe we are
nearing the end of Term 1.
As a Principal, I am acutely aware of
time; of understanding our foundations;
valuing the gift, opportunity and
responsibility of today; and being mindful
of the years ahead, the generations to
come and matters eternal.
We have been celebrating the College’s
rich history, which we will continue to
explore more deeply. We also have been
planning ahead, finalising our Strategic
Intent and preparing to review the
College’s Master Plan for the coming
decades.
We can look back and look forward but
we must also treasure today. The best
way to thank God for the gift of today is
to make the most of it.
With this in mind, I’m pleased to update
you on our facility developments that
support the provision of high-quality
learning, care and services to our
students and families.
02
Outside School Hours Care was
relocated to their new Primary Campus
facility over the Christmas holidays. It
is being enjoyed not only by OSHCare
students and staff, but all of Primary as an
air-conditioned venue for assemblies and
special events. The adjacent area is being
developed for additional parking
to relieve pressure in the main carpark.
The former OSHCare space on
Secondary has been split for use for the
Transport Team and as a reception, office
and community space for Kindy, which
has in turn allowed creation of a new
Technology classroom.
A Secondary School Well-being Hub has
been established near the Science block.
This hub is made up of two mobile ‘tiny
houses’ connected by a generous deck,
providing a home for our Chaplains and
a very welcome ‘resort-like’ addition to
support pastoral care and the well-being
of our students.
As part of further development of the
Creative Industries Precinct (CIP), we will
soon commence construction of seven
2023
new acoustically designed instrumental
music tuition rooms. This project,
underneath the existing CIP Stage 1, will
also include musical instrument lockers,
two large classrooms, a café servery
and kitchen, a modest covered dining
area, restroom facility, lift access, store
and road extension. Our hope is that
completion is ready for 2024.
Past, present and future are always
together in my mind, just as we
remember the biblical narrative that we
indwell. We remember the history of God
and His people; of the birth, life, death,
resurrection and ascension of Christ;
while we seek to live faithfully today
between memory and vision, awaiting
His return. God continues to love and
provide. He is a God who keeps His
promises, a timeless God, the same
yesterday, today and tomorrow. We have
much to be thankful for and much to
look forward to in His care.
Mr Craig Schmidt
Principal
 02

2023
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and being a magnet – or

Conflict in
friendships is
widely reported
as one of the
top reasons for
school refusal
(urstrong.
com, 2021;
headspace.org.au, 2023; Beyond Blue,
2023). It is also reported that children
experiencing unhealthy friendships
often do not seek help from parents
or educators. It is anticipated that,
with the introduction of URSTRONG’s
Friendology 101 program, our students
may develop skills in making and
maintaining healthy friendships.
Through the program, our staff deliver
age-appropriate lessons in social and
emotional learning, starting with treating
ourselves as our best friend. From self-
compassion, students learn vital skills of
conversation, being a super-introducer,
being the type of friend that
attracts others. Our students
learn about healthy ways to
handle conflict, and about the
difference between a friendship
fire and mean-on-purpose. For
your benefit, a friendship fire is skills to manage conflict
any conflict situations that involve and strive for healthy friendships.
negative feelings. It might be a student’s Parents are encouraged to sign up
lunch was tipped out – not intentionally, as a family (free of charge) to access
but as a result of the other student not supporting resources and lessons that
paying attention. One student is left with may be used at home. Simply go to
negative feelings over a lunchbox spill, urstrong.com.au and follow the prompts.
but the act was not intentional. Mean- Lauren Gehrke
on-purpose behaviour is different. This Deputy Head of Primary
is where a student is intentionally unkind
to another. Our students are being
taught the difference between the
two, and how to manage situations
as they arise.
As adults, we understand that
conflict is part of everyday life.
Our staff, through URSTRONG,
are equipping our students with
 02

2023
Walking the

with our Students

In the last couple of years, the Secondary
School curriculum leaders have taken
the time in Term 1 to meet up with
each of our Year 12 students for an
Academic Progress Meeting. This year,
Mrs Edwards, Mr Roberts and Mrs Pike
managed to carve aside time across
two weeks to meet with our Year 12
students. This is an opportunity to catch
up with each student about how they’re
travelling, what their goals are and
whether or not they are on the pathway
to reach these goals.
They were able to discuss their IA1
results, their prep for the IA2 Maths
exams and IA2 assignments. The
students were able to ask their tricky
questions and the staff could reassure
them that it was okay “not to know yet”,
explain what will happen later in the year
and, most importantly, pray for each
student.
These are precious meetings where
students share dreams and aspirations,
struggles and challenges and this year
was no exception. Our Year 12s have
made a good start to the year and we
want to do everything to help them
achieve their potential.
And so, to the wider Westside
community, I am excited to tell you we
have aspiring nurses, doctors, journalists,
psychologists, business/law students,
computer scientists, tradespeople
(construction, electrician, plumber),
defence force
personnel,
teachers and
even an actuary
and a potential
Olympian among
our Year 12 cohort.
It was a joy to
spend time with
each one of them.
Would you join us
in praying for them
as they continue this
challenging last year
of school.
In addition to this, our Year 12
students have been leading
devotions this term on the
theme for the year – Operation
Revival. I am thankful for these
thoughtful devotions, and for
the positive impact our Year 12
students have already had so
far on the school.
At the other end of the
spectrum it was a great joy to
go along to Year 7 camp and spend time
getting to know our newest and And if you meet a Year 7 student, you
youngest Secondary students. I’m very could ask them what their favourite
thankful for the staff who gave their time, activity was and whether they were able
energy (and sleep!) to support this year’s to make a new friend.
camp. If you missed some of the photos,
go and check out the College Facebook Mr Joshua Mansfield
Page for some great photos of camp. Head of Secondary
PRIMARY 02

2023
Premier Sports Ipswich
(PSI) Update
Our Primary PSI Touch Football
and Futsal teams have loved the
opportunity to participate in after
school sport this term. It has
been such an encouragement as
their teacher to see the student’s
passion and individual growth in
their respective sports. Finals for
the term are not far away and all
of our teams are in the running
to challenge for the championship. Stay
tuned as our trials for our Primary
Basketball teams for PSI in Term 2 is not
far away.
CSSAQ Swimming
On Monday our Primary College
swimmers participated at the annual
Christian Schools Swimming Carnival at
Chandler. Our students fought their nerves
to put in their best efforts and to display
their God given gifts for our College. It was REMIN
great to be able to attend this event having DER:
Our Ye
been cancelled early last year due to the Cross a r 3-6 Wes
Co tsid
pandemic. A special mention and congratulations to – Thur untry Carni e
sd va
Grace Herring and Samuel Donges who placed 2nd
startin ay 23 March l
and 3rd respectively in the backstroke and breaststroke g at 9:
00am.
events. Thanks to all the parents who came and
supported us on the day. CROSS COUNTRY PROGRAM 2023
Soccer Development Time Gender Birth Distance
(Approx.) Year
Our muchly anticipated Soccer Development is back
in Term 2 this year. Nominations are now open for all 9:10am Boys 10 yrs 2km
Primary students, so be sure to jump onto Schoolbox (2013)
and register today. If you have any questions please 9:15am Girls 10 yrs 2km
contact sjohnson@wcc.qld.edu.au. (2013)
Looking forward to kicking a soccer ball with you all. 9:35am Boys 12/13 yrs 3km
(2011,10)
Mr Steven Johnson
Primary Sport Coordinator 9:45am Girls 12 yrs 3km
(2011)
10:00am Boys 11 yrs 3km
(2012)
10:05am Girls 11 yrs 3km
(2012)
10:20am Boys 9 yrs 1.5km
(2014)
10:25am Girls 9 yrs 1.5km
(2014)
10:45am Boys & 8 yrs 1.5km
Girls (2015)
11:00am Trophy Presentations
 02

2023
ROUND
UP
This term we have been able to play the CSSAQ
One Day Touch Football Carnival. Unfortunately,
Westside did not have Premiers but many of our
students were awarded with a Merit Team hat meaning that they were
selected as part of an All-Star team. Congratulations to Eden Guyatt, Niko Naviota,
Christian Okesene, Elanie Viljoen, Kelsey Breingan, Elijah Kaiwai, Jordan Hadfield,
The CSSAQ Swimming Carnival also
Savanna Nelson, Anno Ngo, Aissan Toilolo and Alex Bauer.
took place this week with Westside
For the first time we played a CSSAQ Futsal One Day Carnival. Westside did extremely Secondary placing Second overall.
well by winning three Premierships including the Junior Girls, Junior Boys and Our swimmers worked well together
Intermediate Boys. A number of students were awarded Merit Team hats including as a team supporting and encouraging
Asher Roots, Daniel Moor, Lucas Gonzales, Zion Rozario, James Parraga, Tinashe each other which makes it a real pleasure
Njombo, Claire Du Bois, Carys Colluccio, Georgia Beitz, Bethany Ballard, Charlotte to work with these students. Highlights
Harris and Georgia Dieperink. Congratulations to our Premiers and Merit Team players. from this event include Tori Gramshaw
being awarded Age Champion and Esther
Wishart, Thomas Mansfield and Ella Bruce
being Third Age Champion. Well done to
these students.
We take great pride in recognising
students that have done particularly well
in their chosen sport. Congratulations
goes to Cooper Gordan for making the
Australian Team for Futsal to compete
at the V-sport Cup in Spain in July.
Congratulations also goes to Isabelle
Pritchard and Summer Vincent who have
both made the Metropolitan West Team
for Swimming.

CONTINUED
NEXT PAGE
 02

2023
ROUND
UP
CONTINUED
As PSI has had teething problems our
students are finishing the season with
an opportunity to play out the rest
of the term in cross age teams in
either Futsal or Touch Football. Each
student has been put into a team
and will play for the chance to win
a Premiership hat and bragging
rights. We look forward to seeing some
fierce but friendly competition.
A few weeks ago, we had our first House
Games Gala Day with Table Tennis being
the sport. It was a fantastic day with many
of our students participating and gaining
points for their House. It was a very close
competition with only 8 points between
the first and last House. In 2023 Cuthbert
and Gould shared the trophy. We have
also just recently had our House Maths
Scavenger Hunt which was taken out by
Gould. Congratulations to these Houses.
The last day of this term, Friday 31 March
will be the annual Cross Country on our
Secondary Campus. The students will
start the day with an Easter Assembly and
at 10:30am come out to the oval for our
Cross Country races, Fly competitions and
the hotly contested War Cry competition.
Students may wear their sports uniform
to this event and parents are welcome to
attend.
Next term we will be offering Volleyball
and Basketball. Trials for these sports are
coming soon. Please watch Schoolbox for
posts.

Mrs Lynda Williams

Secondary Sport Coordinator
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02

2023
NOTICEBOARD
In week six the Kindy children were very excited
to have Healthy Harold visit them. He came with
his helper Fab and together they taught them all
about every day foods (that help us to grow, learn
and play) and sometimes foods (that are treats), as
well as ways to keeps their bodies healthy.
We followed up Healthy Harold’s visits with some
Wednesday – Tuesday cooking and making activities. The Flexi Class
made Yum Yum Balls, the Yellow group made
15 – 21 March
Apple Bliss Balls and the Red group enjoyed fruit
NAPLAN Testing
juicing and making Banana Ice Cream. The classes
Monday – Friday also had discussions as whole groups and around
20 – 24 March the lunch tables, about what food we all like to
eat. We also enjoyed playing a sorting game,
Year 11 & 12 Assessment Block
where we sorted the food cards into everyday
Thursday foods and sometimes foods.
23 March
Year 3-6 Cross Country Carnival
Friday
31 March
Primary Multicultural Day
Friday
31 March
Secondary Cross Country
& Past Students Race
Friday
31 March
Last Day Term 1
Monday
17 April
First day Term 2
Tuesday
25 April
ANZAC DAY Public Holiday