Term 3 Wrap-Up

As Term 3 draws to a close, we can look back with pride on what has been an energetic, rewarding, and memorable term at Whites Hill State College. Across our Prep to Year 12 community, students, staff, and families have worked together to create an environment where learning is celebrated, opportunities are embraced, and every young person is supported to thrive.

This term began with our School Review, a milestone that provided us with valuable insights. The review affirmed the many strengths of our College, including our strong culture of care, the commitment of our staff, and the pride our students take in their learning. It also gave us clear recommendations to guide our next steps as we continue to grow and improve together.

Throughout Term 3, our students have been involved in a wide range of experiences both in and beyond the classroom. Some of the many highlights have included:

• Book Week celebrations, where creativity and imagination were on full display in classrooms and capped off with our colourful whole-college parades. It was a joy to see families, staff, and students alike join in the fun and celebrate a love of reading together.
• Our Secondary Academic Coaching and Conversations, which provided a chance for students and teachers to reflect on learning progress, celebrate successes, and plan for the journey ahead. These personalised conversations remind us that education is not only about outcomes, but about supporting each student on their unique pathway.
• The Year 8 Camp, an unforgettable week of challenge, adventure, teamwork, and laughter. Camps are powerful learning opportunities, and we thank the staff who gave their time and energy to make this such a valuable experience.
• Sporting achievements across a variety of disciplines, where students have represented WHSC with pride, teamwork, and determination.
• Creative Arts and cultural experiences that have showcased the diverse talents of our students. From music and performance to visual art, our students continue to inspire us with their creativity.
• The dedicated work of our P&C and parent community, who have continued to provide strong support through events such as the Father’s Day Stall, Bastille Day Breakfast and ongoing fundraising initiatives.

Our three key priorities — improving student learning and achievement, strengthening wellbeing and engagement, and building consistent teaching and learning practices — have guided our focus across the term. Every initiative, every event, and every classroom moment has been shaped by this shared vision of ensuring success and belonging for every student.

We also acknowledge the effort and resilience of our students during assessment and exam periods. These times can bring pressure, but they also highlight the determination of our learners and the vital role families play in supporting them. Whether it’s helping students manage routines, encouraging healthy habits, or simply offering reassurance, we know that home and school together create the strongest foundation for success.

Looking ahead, Term 4 promises to be just as exciting and rewarding. Some key events include:

• Year 12 Graduation and Formal, a milestone celebration of our senior students as they prepare for life beyond WHSC.
• Prep Transition (Prep Explorers) visits for our incoming 2026 Prep students, beginning their journey into our wonderful community.
• End-of-year concerts (Miracle on Samuel Street) and celebrations, where we will come together as a community to celebrate learning and achievement.
• Year 6 Graduation and transition activities, marking the important step into secondary schooling.
• Continued opportunities across sport, the Arts, academic programs, and student leadership.

As we bring Term 3 to a close, I extend my thanks to our staff for their tireless commitment, to our students for their energy, effort, and enthusiasm, and to our families for their ongoing partnership.

Together, we continue to build a community where every student is known, supported, and inspired to succeed.

College Calendar

We encourage families to visit our College Events Calendar, available on our school website. This calendar is linked directly to each newsletter and can also be found under the “Contact the School” and “Newsletter Archive” tabs.

We understand the busy schedules of families, and we’re working to make planning and engagement easier. By keeping the college calendar accessible online, we hope to provide a central reference point for upcoming activities. While the calendar is updated regularly, and some event details may change, we strive to keep it as accurate and up-to-date as possible to support your forward planning.

Finance and Outstanding Payment Reminders
As part of updated Department of Education policies, families are advised that any outstanding invoices will now be issued monthly, in addition to the regular statements already being sent. Please note that these invoices will be issued per individual student, not per family.

If you are not currently on a payment plan and have any overdue amounts, we encourage you to contact the school office to arrange a suitable plan. We appreciate your cooperation and support in meeting financial obligations, which assist us in continuing to provide high-quality resources and opportunities for all students.

Wishing all families a safe and restful break and look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday 7 October, refreshed and ready, for the final term of 2025.

Richenda Wagener
College Principal

Term 3 has come to a close and there has been much to celebrate. Too often we can focus on ‘the work’ and the ‘next thing’ without taking the time to pause, ask and acknowledge, “what have we achieved, together?” This is CARES values in action.

• We celebrated NAIDOC week
• Our youngest learners celebrated 100 days of Prep
• Our Primary leaders led the Big Freeze awareness and fundraiser for the College
• We saw lots of book characters for our Book Week parade
• Primary Choir auditions have begun
• Trees were planted for National Tree Day
• Science Week investigations were undertaken
• Athletes competing at Lytton District Athletics
• Sports Aerobics stars continued to win Gold, Silver and Bronze, with Mrs Stankovic taking out National Coach of the Year
• The Environment Club made Bruschetta and Beetroot dip from the garden they have tendered
• Free books selected from our Junior Quota book shop
• Practiced Mindfulness in the classroom by completing jigsaw puzzles with others to encourage focus, patience and calm conversations
• We welcomed our Prep 2026 students at our Prep Explorers day
• We participated in Interschool Gala Sports Day
• Rock and Water round 1 students graduated

As we head into the break, please take time to connect and rest in readiness for term 4.

Term 4 events

Term 4 has key events across the College. We communicate these events through the weekly College Update, School Newsletter, Facebook, where appropriate text messages and QParents. Below are some of the key events for Primary to be aware of.

• Water Safety and Swim Survival for Prep to year 4 students (a parent letter will be sent with the information you need)
• Student leader interviews, speeches and voting
• Primary Awards Assembly (for awards not part of the College Presentation Evening)
• Shuffle-up Day
• Swimming Carnival

Parents in Classrooms

A reminder to all parents that teachers are available to see via booking a time directly with them or through the admin.

Please be respectful that classrooms are a teacher’s work space and parents are not to enter without a prior appointment as often teachers have other meetings to attend or work to do in readiness for the next day.

Beat the Holiday Slump

Students often lose hard won reading gains over a holiday break.  This can be avoided with just a few minutes of reading a day.  Make daily reading a priority in your household this holiday.  Have your child read aloud to you and you to them. 

Phonological Awareness Fun

Car journeys can be long and tedious.  Incorporate a few of the following activities (that need no equipment) to promote phonological and phonemic awareness in your child. 

Rhyme – see if your child can identify words that rhyme or produce words that rhyme.

Syllables – Clap out the syllables in given words.

Syllable Manipulation – Ask your child to tell you what syllable is left when you take away the first or last syllable e.g. Say ‘cupcake’.  What’s left when you take away ‘cup’ or ‘cake’?

Beginning and End Sounds – see if your child can tell you the sound a given word starts with. If that’s too easy, can they tell you the sound a given word ends with.  If they need a further challenge, can they identify the middle sound.

Word Segmenting and Blending – Have your child tell you all the sounds in a word.  On the flip side, you give them the sounds in a word and see if they can tell you what the word is.

Manipulating Sounds in Words – Ask your child what is left when you take away the first sound in a word e.g. Say ‘slip’.  Take away the ‘s’ sound.  What’s left?  Alternatively, get them to add a sound to a word e.g. Say ‘lip’.  Add the ‘s’ sound to the beginning of ‘lip’.  What’s the new word?  This same activity can be done with adding or taking away the final sound or substituting the vowel sound.

Rock and Water

Throughout Term 3, it was my privilege to complete a series of Rock & Water lessons with the classes of 3B, 4B, and 5A. Each of the classes undertook a weekly lesson which consisted of a number of age-appropriate activities and games that were paired with some reflective conversations about why we completed each activities or game. Every lesson would reflect a larger theme (such as body awareness, boundaries, communication, empathy, making choices, etc.) that would challenge each student to grow and develop their sense of self.

The highlights of the program for me as the instructor/leader of each group:

• Students were able to develop a deeper understanding of their breathing and how it can affect their emotional state (being “Centred” was a priority – meaning bringing our breath down to the centre of our body/belly).
• ALL students were willing to work with all other members of their group when required. Each and every student exemplified our WHSC value of “Cooperation” when completing Rock & Water.
• Students engaged readily with our conversations about why we completed each activity and were comfortable to share their own experiences and insights.

The picture below is a reflection of the key words that came to mind for all of the students during the Rock & Water lessons.

 

Working with these classes has been a pleasure and a joy to complete each week.

Coming up in Term 4, the classes of 3A, 4A, and 5B will now have their opportunity to complete the Rock & Water program.

Adam Jessup
Student Support Coordinator

Year 5 & 6 Camp – 2026

A letter has been sent to parents of year 5 and 6 students regarding the bi-annual camp for 2026. Please read this carefully as it has important dates for EOI and payments. The camp is at the end of February. The camp for 2026 is at Tallebudgera.

Tuckshop menu at break time

A small selection of items are available for students to purchase from the primary tuckshop during second break.

• Snack size packet of chips $2
• Popcorn $2
• Jumpies $2
• Grain waves $2
• Waterford ($3.50) and Glee Drinks ($3)
• Zooper Doopers (50c)
• Milo Cups (ice cream) ($3.50)
• Icy pole ($2)
• Mini Drumsticks ($2.50)

While we are excited to see the Primary tuckshop open for these small purchases, please note that students are not able to buy food for other students.

Suncream

Suncream has been purchased for all classrooms for students to responsibly use. Staff are unable to apply suncream to students. If you have a specific suncream you would like your child to be using, then we ask you pack this in their lunchbox or school bag. We suggest a roller suncream is best for students to apply.

Briohny Cuskelly
Head of School - Primary

Term 3 has been huge! It is always one of the busiest times of the year, packed with learning, assessment, and plenty of variations to our usual school routines. At times, it can feel like a constant juggle of priorities. However, what we have managed to achieve at WHSC this term is remarkable: we have remained focused on what matters most—our students, their learning, and the wellbeing of our community.

As we head into the holidays, it is a great opportunity to reflect on some of the highlights of Term 3. This term we celebrated:

• NAIDOC Week
• Hosting the Matsuri Festival
• Book Week and English Week
• Science Week
• Try High School for a Day program with feeder primary schools
• Year 11 Leadership Days
• Year 12 First Aid Training
• Year 10 SET Planning Days
• Year 11 Academic Mentoring Conversations
• Year 9 Academic Conferencing

Throughout all of these events, our students have continued to live out our CARES values with increasing commitment and confidence. I am grateful to them for their genuineness and their ongoing efforts to be the best version of themselves each day.

The holiday break provides a chance to rest and recharge. For our Year 12 students, it is also a time to reflect and prepare for the final stage of their marathon. Success in the last quarter is not only about preparation but also about mindset. Taking the time to reconnect with the activities and people that bring joy helps refill our energy reserves. These moments of joy and gratitude will support us all when the fast pace of the school term resumes.

A special congratulations goes to the twelve Year 12 who have completed a Diploma of Business during their senior studies at Whites Hill this year. Balancing a tertiary-level qualification alongside the demands of senior schooling is an outstanding achievement. These students are now exceptionally well-placed to accept early university offers or transition into employment pathways. We are so proud of you!

Thank you to all members of our community—students, staff, and families—for your commitment, patience, and energy throughout this term. We have finished Term 3 strong, and Term 4 is shaping up to be just as exciting.

Stay safe, enjoy the spring break, and be kind to yourselves.

Samantha Hawkins
Head of School - Secondary

Join our Heads of School for a College Tour.

Meet at the main administration at 9:00am.

• Wednesday, 22 October

To book online please scan this QR Code or contact our office on 39008333.

We start strong.

On September 4, we were delighted to welcome our 2026 Prep students for their very first Prep Explorers visit – this is the first of three sessions designed to help our newest learners feel comfortable and confident as they begin their WHSC learning journey.

The beautiful sunny morning was also a perfect setting for our families to enjoy the first coffees served from our very own Coffee Van manned by students and staff.

FREE PRIMARY JQ BOOKSTORE

Thank you to our families and community for supporting our JQ Free Bookstore and a big thank you to our Junior Quota Club and Quota Carindale for all of their hard work organising this wonderful event. Primary students were given the opportunity to visit the Free Bookstore to choose a book!

JOE KELLY VISIT

On Friday, 22 August we had the pleasure of welcoming Joe Kelly MP to our college. Mr Kelly came to do book reading with our Prep A and Prep F classes, Prep/1 class and a kindy group from Carina Goodstart to help celebrate Book Week 2025.

Thank you to Joe for reading the book "The Truck Cat" with our students and donating the book to our college library. We also thank Joe for the beautiful Book Week book marks that we will love to use when reading our favourite books.

PRIMARY DRESS UP PARADE

Book Week ended with Primary students and staff dressing as their favourite book characters at our Dress Up Parade where some amazing costumes were on display! A big thank you to our families for joining us.

(Thank you to our Secondary Media Arts Crew for taking these great photos.)

Anthea Blackburn
HOD Curriculum P-6

The students of 1/2A and 1/2B enjoyed dressing up as book characters for Book Week and having their parents come to see them at the parade. This term in English, procedures were written about two things that don’t normally go together. In Maths, it was number, place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, measurement and time being examined. The classes have also started looking at artefacts from the past and how difficult life used to be.

The last five weeks have been filled with exciting learning and celebrations across our year three classes. In English, students have been practicing their speaking and listening skills by sharing stories, asking thoughtful questions, and presenting confidently to their classmates. These activities not only build confidence but also strengthen communication in fun and engaging ways.

Our annual Book Week Parade was a colourful success, with students dressing as their favourite characters and enjoying the magic of storytelling. The Free Book Store was another highlight, giving every child the chance to choose a special book to take home and treasure.

In class, students used the jigsaw strategy to explore mindfulness. By working in groups and sharing ideas, they discovered how to stay calm, focused, and kind to themselves and others.

Finally, congratulations to 3B for completing their Rock and Water course. Their teamwork and resilience were outstanding, and we are very proud of them!

On Thursday 4th September our Year 4-6 students took part in the annual 'Interschool Sports Gala Day'. It was a fantastic day. We used a grant from Sporting Schools to train for 5 weeks in sports such as Netball, Basketball, Soccer and Oz Tag leading up to the event.

It was a fun-filled day with opportunities to play various sports and make new friends with our neighbouring schools. We are very lucky at WHSC to have such beautiful and spacious ovals to host the Oz Tag event.

Thank you to all staff and student leaders involved in making it such a successful day.

At the FISAF Sports Aerobics Nationals held on 30th of August, our teams competed against the best teams throughout Australia.

Students represented our college with enthusiasm and great team spirit and came home with:

• 1st place in Australia for our team MVP's
• 2nd place for our duo Isabella and Frankie
• Plus I was very honoured to be awarded Coach of the Year!

Congratulations to everyone involved in making these fantastic results possible. We are very proud of you all!

At the end of Term 3 we celebrated our 'College Sports Aerobics Awards' event.   

Our talented athletes performed their 2025 routines one last time and some select teams and individuals were awarded with acknowledgements.   

• Team Spirit Awards: 'Confident' 'The Supremes', Frankie and 'The Hustlers' 
• Coaches Choices Awards:  Ellie C, Taluca, and Bronte.
• MVP's:  Maddison, Aleigha, Mathilda, and Mia R.   
• Coach of the Season: Hannah and Suzette. 

A very special thank you goes to Jess G, Patricia, Mrs Blackmore, and Miss Peel for their help on the night.  The college also treated our athletes to pizza for dinner. A wonderful celebration of the Sports Aerobics family here at Whites Hill State College. 

Katie Stankovic
P-6 Physical Education Teacher - Sports Aerobics Excellence Coordinator 

On Monday, 1st September, we celebrated National Wattle Day with our Environment Club planting new trees to brighten our school grounds. A big thank you goes to our hardworking groundsmen for helping us by digging the holes, making the planting much easier.

We are also excited to share our latest vegetable harvest from the garden, which shows how our efforts are helping both our school and the environment!

Nicole Smith
Environment Club Coordinator

It has been an exciting term in the primary school Music Department, with students enthusiastically engaging in their units of study and growing as confident young musicians. From exploring rhythm and melody to creating and performing their own music, the enthusiasm across all year levels has been wonderful to see.           

Looking ahead, Term 4 is shaping up to be a busy and rewarding time. Choir sign-ups are now open and students will begin rehearsals in preparation for a number of upcoming performances. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to develop teamwork, confidence and a love of singing. Joining the choir is a big commitment, as rehearsals take place during break times 1-2 times a week.

In addition, keep an eye out for the launch of Keyboard Club and Singing Club – two new opportunities for students to further develop their skills, share their passion for music and have fun with friends.

Music is truly thriving in our school and we look forward to another term filled with creativity and performance!

Kylie van Trier
Primary Music Teacher

The 2025 National Science Week school theme this year was "Decoding the Universe – Exploring the unknown with nature's hidden language". During Science Week at WHSC we looked to the theme of Decoding to capture the hearts and minds of our students in a range of Coding and Decoding-themed activities.

Day 1: Across the college students explored the language of computers. Primary classes created bag tags with their initials in binary code, while Secondary students raced each other and the clock to crack the binary code puzzles.

Day 2: Science Week activities shifted to a focus on the code of chemistry... specifically the chemical code of pH. Our Secondary students had a go at water testing to crack the pH code and work out a hidden word that was spelt. In Primary a similar code-cracking occurred where students used pH to work out the colours in their colouring in sheet.

Day 3: Science Week celebrations focused entirely on animals. In Primary, scheduled classes practiced their observing skills in a big scavenger hunt to find clues hidden and piece them together to work out what animals had visited the area. In Secondary, students opted to do a giant animal quiz where they tested their knowledge with 60 questions.

Day 4: On our last day of Science Week we looked at the closest code to us - our DNA. Primary students made friendship bracelets or matching bag tags learning about the 4 key bases of DNA and how they match together into two strands. In Secondary, students could opt to also make matching friendship bracelets or investigate the probability of traits to create an organism.

Thank you to all our students who came and participated during Science Week, and thank you to the amazing staff who gave up their time to help students celebrate.

Emma Scotney
HOD - Science and Digital Technologies

We’ve made it to the final week of term which means it’s time to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our Secondary students who have worked hard to earn their Bronze and Silver CARES awards! We look forward to seeing our award recipients proudly wearing their CARES badges at the start of Term 4!

We’ve had a busy term academically with our Year 10 SET Plans, Year 9 Academic Conferencing and Year 11 Academic Mentoring – all students in these cohorts have embodied our CARES values when reflecting on their effort, behaviour and achievement and considering their future pathways. We ended the term with Enthusiasm with our Secondary Colour Run – what a way to end the term!

At Whites Hill State College, Positive Behaviour for Learning is embraced every day, with our CARES values remaining at the heart of everything we do. We look forward to continuing to do this in Term 4!

The PBL Team

On September 11th, Secondary filled the day with an assembly, meaningful conversations and lots of activities to inspire everyone to connect with the people around them.

R U OK? Day is an important reminder that any day is the day to ask ‘are you OK?’.

Remember these four steps could change a life:

1. Ask R U OK?
2. Listen
3. Encourage action
4. Check in

(Thank you to our Secondary Media Arts crew for capturing these great photos.)

In August, during English Week and later on  September 1st, selected students from Primary and Secondary participated in an author workshop with author Soli Larson.  They created an amazing array of entertaining and atmospheric stories.  In coming months these will be published in a collective magazine and sent home to parents.  In the meantime, enjoy this short story by Tiana Strachan in Grade5/6C.  I'm sure you will agree that her work is remarkable.

Amanda Evans
HOD - English

English Week

This year’s English Week was a real page turner. Across the college, we embraced the week by participating in Book Week celebrations and workshops. Thank you to Sol Larson and Kelly from Grin & Tonic for providing so many enriching experiences for our students.

Book Week

This year’s theme was “book an adventure”, it was great to see so many students dress up as their favourite characters. Well done to everyone who participated this year.

(Thank you to our Secondary Media Arts Crew for taking these great photos.)

Authors Workshop

The author’s workshop, facilitated by Sol Larson, inspired fabulous short stories and showcased our students’ imagination and writing skills. It was fantastic to see them embrace this creative writing challenge.

Grin & Tonic Workshops

Another highlight of the week was our Grin & Tonic workshops, where the introduction to Shakespeare proved a favourite among the Year 10 cohort.

See our student feedback below:

The English Department

This term in Secondary we held our Whites Hill’s Got Talent competition. The competition was open to all students to showcase their various skills including music and dance performances. Over the week we experienced a wide range of presentations offering a chance for everyone to shine in a positive environment. Congratulations to all placegetters and special congratulations to Chloe for being announced as the winner.

(Thank you to our Secondary Media Arts Crew for taking the photos throughout the week.)

The school's bonsai group have produced two excellent displays recently. The first was part of the Matusuri Japanese festival at the school, the other was part of the Bonsai Society of Queensland's annual exhibition. The display consisted of bonsai from the school's collection which have been worked on by students in the bonsai group. The display also consisted of individual bonsai created by students and staff in the bonsai club. It was a high quality display showing the public the great work of the bonsai group.

The student group meets every Friday at lunchtime. Students are welcome to join. The bonsai that the students create are theirs to keep. The Bonsai Society of Queensland have donated the bonsai pots and wire for students to use. I really enjoy being able to help students learn about this relaxing and beautiful form of art. If students would like to join us, please talk to Mr. Smith.

Glenn Smith
Senior Teacher

Students have been eager to collaborate, plan and design a wall mural in Secondary… and now painting has begun! We can’t wait to see the finished artwork!

We have some fantastic news! We are very proud of Samuel, Isabella and Donte who have been selected to represent Met East at the State Track and Field Championships. States will be held in Townsville early in Term 4 and we wish Donte, Samuel and Isabella the very best of luck. Congratulations!

As a host provider, you provide a secure family environment with a bedroom, study area, three meals a day and contribute to the brilliant reputation Queensland has of providing the perfect Aussie cultural experience.

Homestay families are a smorgasbord of diversity. They are married couples with or without kids, singles, singles with kids, dog people, cat people and grandparents too.

You could earn up to $1400 a month for welcoming an international high school student into your home! To find out more contact our Homestay Coordinator on 39008318 or email: international@whiteshillsc.eq.edu.au

Taking enrolments for 2026

For more information email our Health Hub Partnership Officer - mtayl505@eq.edu.au

We are very proud of Rachel and Izabella who represented WHSC at the Ekka when they took part in the Student Placement Program. Izabella and Rachel contributed 32 hours to the success of this year’s Ekka – helping to make it one of the best ever! Great effort!

Nursing Career in Australia: All You Need to Know
By Tammy Sofranic

A nursing career in Australia has endless opportunities; you can steer it in any direction. Nursing is an essential career in the health care system. Nurses in Australia are classified as underpaid professional workers. However this is not always the case. Some nurses receive a bigger paycheck depending on their field of specialisation and other factors.

The nursing salary varies depending on the location of practice skills and other qualifications. Technology and innovation are rapidly shaping various aspects of the nursing career.

How can you maximise your nursing career skills and earn a higher salary in Australia? Let’s explore ways to navigate the profession to maximise your nursing salary in Australia.

Navigating Australia's Healthcare System: Opportunities and Challenges

Nursing jobs are always in high demand in Australia. Nurses can venture into various fields such as:

1. Technology and Digital Health

Technology has been integrated into the health care system. Nurses must be able to use digital health solutions and technology in their daily practice. Having the necessary technological skills in the health and medical sector can put you ahead of your co-workers.

2. Various Areas of Specialisation

Nurses can specialise in various areas of interest such as oncology geriatrics paediatrics cardiovascular care or diabetes. Some nursing fields pay more than others. Do your research and establish a lucrative field in which to venture into.

3. The Aging Population

Australia has a high aging population leading to more opportunities and challenges for nurses.

The opportunities for working as a nurse in Australia are endless. On top of your academic qualifications you must have more skill sets to stand out in the profession.

Some of the challenges the nurses face are long working hours technological advancements compassion fatigue and physical and emotional fatigue.

Qualifications and Skills Required for Nursing in Australia

The nursing job is a perfect fit for people who truly enjoy service to humanity on a personal level. As a nurse you must be able to work in a constantly changing environment.

There are two ways to become a nurse in Australia: Registered Nurse (RN) or Enrolled Nurse (EN).

Here are the requirements to become a Registered Nurse (RN)

1. You must complete a Bachelor of Nursing.
2. Apply to the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA)to work as a registered nurse. The registration is renewed annually.
3. Then continue working as an RN general nurse for several years. You can specialise in specific nursing fields such as elder care paediatric nursing emergency nursing and cardiology among others.

To become an Enrolled Nurse (EN) you need the following qualifications:

1. Complete a diploma in nursing
2. Apply to the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to practice as an enrolled nurse. You must renew your registration annually.
3. You can work for a few years as an EN and consider enrolling in a Bachelor in Nursing to become a RN.

Besides academic qualifications other useful soft skills in the nursing career are:

1. Empathy
2. Self-confidence
3. Time management
4. Emotional intelligence
5. Teamwork
6. Communication
7. Patience
8. Problem-solving skills
9. Attention to detail

Nursing Registration in Australia: Requirements and Processes

Registering as a nurse in Australia can be challenging especially for nurses educated overseas. Here are the requirements and process for registering as a nurse in Australia.

To start your practice as a registered or enrolled nurse in Australia you must be registered under AHPRA a body mandated to govern and regulate health care professionals. AHPRA ensures that every nurse meets the standards and requirements for public safety.

However as an international nurse the registration process might differ. Here are the requirements of AHPRA for overseas nurses.

AHPRA Self-Check

Do an AHPRA Self-Check before commencing the registration. The self-check involves self-evaluation to help you confirm your eligibility and identify possible challenges you might encounter during the registration process.

AHPRA Overseas Registration

The registration process will require you to submit crucial documentation such as proof of education, clinical experience, professional references, and English language proficiency. Remember to submit all the documentation within the given time frame.

Bridging Courses

Overseas-trained nurses must undergo bridging programs to get familiar with Australian healthcare systems, protocols, and regulations. The bridging programs are meant to harmonise your international nursing qualifications with Australian nursing standards.

Pass NCLEX and OSCE

Before registration as an international nurse, a standardised NCLEX examination will be administered by NCSBN (the National Council of State Boards of Nursing). You must pass the NCLEX to obtain licensure as a Registered Nurse in Australia.

Once you have passed the NCLEX, you will proceed to the OSCE. The OSCE tests your competencies in clinical nursing practice. The practical exam will assess your skills, abilities, and knowledge through various simulated scenarios.

Maximising Your Earnings: Understanding Nursing Salaries in Australia

Nursing jobs are among some of the highest-paying in Australia. On average, the income of a registered nurse in Australia is $42.45 per hour or $82,770 annually. Entry-level nurses start with approximately $77,544 annually and go up to $109,131 annually for more experienced nurses.

To maximise your earnings as a nurse, consider the following tips.

Work During Shifts That Others Don’t Want

Most nurses prefer to work during the weekdays. The health sector will require nurses during weekends, early mornings, and public holidays. Nurses who work during such times earn a bit more than those working regular hours.

Study for an On-Demand Specialisation or a Management Role

There are various nursing roles, and they don’t pay equally. Roles such as nursing practitioner, director of nursing, or nurse unit manager have a higher salary than registered nurses.

To acquire higher-paying roles, you should possess the expertise and competencies necessary. It would be best to have several years’ work experience to qualify or undertake a suitable postgraduate qualification, such as an advanced nursing master’s degree.

Nursing Agencies

Working with a nursing agency can potentially pay you a higher salary than working directly with a healthcare facility.

Work in a Location Where Pay is Better

Some Australian States pay nurses higher salaries than others. Also, the cost of living differs across states. You can choose to work in a state where the salary is higher or the cost of living is lower to maximise your salary.

Tips for Success in the Australian Nursing Field

To excel in your nursing career in Australia, you must prepare daily for success. Here are some ideas to help you succeed in the nursing field.

Dedicate Yourself to Serve

Your patients are your primary responsibility. Therefore, you should professionally and humanely care for your patients regardless of age, background, or ethnicity. A successful nurse should show compassion, empathy, and patience even to the most irrational, angry, or scared patient.

Punctuality and Reliability

Reliability and dependability are top-notch skills that make you stand out as a nurse. Timely delivery of your responsibilities to your patients and co-workers helps reduce errors in hospitals. When you stand out, the management can consider you for a higher position that comes with a higher salary.

Willingness to Learn

One of the ways to excel in your nursing career is your willingness to learn every day. Be open to learning about emerging medical techniques and technologies. You can also learn by understanding a patient’s perspective or culture. Try to stay up to date with current developments in the medical field, especially in your hospital. Learning not only improves your career but also leads to personal growth.

Practice Self-Care

Treating yourself with compassion and taking care of your well-being is also important. Nurses face numerous challenges daily, working long and odd hours, often leading to burnout, secondary trauma, and compassion fatigue.

Use your time off to practice self-care and rejuvenating activities such as meditation, exercising, sleeping well, and healthy eating. Caring for a patient is hard if your body and mind are exhausted.

Final Thoughts

Above the academic qualifications, nursing is a profession that requires additional skills such as empathy, patience, love, and understanding. To qualify for a nursing career in Australia, one must have the required academic qualifications: a Bachelor's degree for registered nurses and a diploma for enrolled nurses.

If you are an international nursing student, check all the requirements before applying for registration. Keep improving your nursing skills to excel and maximise your salary.

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN FOR THE myQCE STUDENT REFERENCE GROUP

The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) is recruiting new members for the myQCE Student Reference Group in 2026.

The group gives students the chance to have their say about the QCE system processes and senior schooling. Queensland students who will be in Year 10, 11 or 12 in 2026 are eligible to apply. The group meets four times per year and membership is ongoing until students graduate from Year 12.

Nominations close on Friday 26 September 2025 — for more information and to nominate, visit the myQCE website.

https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/

ATTENTION YEAR 10 AND 11 STUDENTS

TAFE Academy of Sport | TAFE at Schools programs

Did you know TAFE Queensland offers a range of courses that can help you pursue a sporting career?

For students interested in completing the following qualifications in 2026 whilst a student:

• SIS20321 – Academy of Sport - Certificate II in Sport Coaching
• SIS30521 - Academy of Sport - Certificate III in Sport Coaching
• SIS30421 – Academy of Sport – Certificate III in Sport – Athlete

Students will have the opportunity to study contextualised programs through current partnerships at the following sites:

• Brisbane Bullets – South Bank, Logan, Gold Coast, Zillmere
• Brisbane Heat (Queensland Cricket) – Allan Border Field, Albion
• Gold Coast SUNS – Carrara, Gold Coast
• Gymnastics Queensland – Sleeman Sports Complex
• Hockey Queensland – Queensland State Hockey Centre
• Football Queensland – South Bank, Gold Coast, Bracken Ridge
• Queensland Reds – Ballymore Stadium, Gold Coast, Bracken Ridge
• Rugby League – Ballymore Stadium
• Netball – South Bank
• Queensland Touch – Ballymore Stadium
• Tennis Australia – Queensland State Tennis Centre, Tennyson
• Queensland Esports – South Bank

For information sessions follow this link: https://tafeqld.edu.au/news.../events/2025/august/TAF-Aos

2026 TAFE SCHOLARSHIPS - CLOSING SOON

The 2026 TAFE Queensland Scholarship Program is now open for applications - https://tafeqld.edu.au/courses/apply-and-enrol/scholarships.  

These are open to all students, but there are additional opportunities for First Nations students, students with a disability, carers, students from disadvantaged backgrounds and athletes.

Each year 100 x $5,000 scholarships are awarded to people looking to change their lives and build lifelong careers. Scholarships can be used to pay for study-related costs such as course fees, travel expenses, childcare, uniforms, tools, books and other study materials.

To be eligible to apply for a TAFE Queensland scholarship, you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident and either:

• a current first-year apprentice OR
• planning to enrol in any certificate III or higher-level qualification in Semester 1 2026

 _____________

ATTENTION: YEAR 12 students

Seize your opportunity with Fee-Free TAFE

Make a great decision for your future with in-demand skills in high-priority areas including aged care, blockchain, community services, cyber security, early childhood education, and healthcare. With a range of skill sets, certificates and diplomas available, now’s the time to get job ready with Fee-Free TAFE.

Please note Fee-Free TAFE places are limited and courses may be subject to change. As funded training places become available, eligible courses will be added to the list below. 

View Courses

QSFT's RECORD IT! - Introduction to Sound Production Workshop is ideal for those who have an interest in sound recording and mixing using portable recording equipment.

Trained by an industry professional, this four-hour workshop is designed for those who want to be a sound recordist. For more information follow this link: https://qsft.qld.edu.au/assets/files/2025/FLY_QSFT_WS_RECORD%20IT_2025_WEB.pdf

YEAR 12 - School Leavers information Kit

Life after school can be full of exciting opportunities.  It can also be challenging to decide what to do.

This guide has been created to help you prepare for your next steps after school.  This is a collection of education, training and employment information for you to explore when preparing for your next steps after leaving school, including:

• Pursuing further study/education
• Volunteering 
• Doing seasonal work
• Taking a gap year
• Starting work

https://content.yourcareer.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-07/2024%20School%20Leavers%20Information%20Kit.pdf

NATIONAL YOUTH PARLIAMENT

The Department of the House of Representatives and the Y Australia are bringing National Youth Parliament to our democratic capital in August 2026. 

This all-expenses-paid program will bring together 150 young people - one from every federal electorate, including Griffith  - for a five-day leadership and civic education experience in Canberra.

Eligible students are encouraged to apply. No prior civic education is required - just curiosity, passion, and a willingness to learn.

 Why it matters for schools and students:

• Direct exposure to parliamentary processes and civic leadership
• Development of leadership, communication, and policy skills
• Collaboration with a diverse cross-section of young Australians
• A chance to showcase commitment to student voice and civic engagement

 Program details:

• Flights, accommodation, meals, and activities are fully covered - no cost to families or schools
• Students should be aged 16-17 in August 2026 (with reasonable flexibility permitted)
• Expressions of Interest to close on 21 November 2025
• Residential program to occur in August 2026 
• One young person will be selected from every single electorate in the country

 Learn more or apply here: https://nyp.houseofrepresentatives.gov.au/

For more information about anything in our Careers Hub please contact our Industry Liaison Officer, Mrs Taylor in C Block or email: mtayl505@eq.edu.au

SPEECH PATHOLOGY WEEK | 24-30 August

This year’s theme, ‘Impact Through Communication’, highlights the different ways speech pathology can support and strengthen communication across our community. Thank you to all of our Speech Pathologists who do an incredible job supporting our students at WHSC.

Thank you – we appreciate you!

WE APPRECIATE OUR TEACHER AIDES AT WHSC!

In Week 8, we celebrated Teacher Aide Appreciation Week. We would like to give a big shout out to the amazing Teacher Aides we have here at Whites Hill State College. This multitalented team go above and beyond to support our students and staff each and every day. Your hard work is greatly appreciated!

THANK YOU!

Phone – 3900 8333
Email – admin@whiteshillsc.eq.edu.au

2025 STUDENT PHOTOS

Thank you to everyone participating in the school photos.

Orders have been sent home with students, or are in the office waiting collection where requested.

You can still order your students photos; however extra fees for delivery may apply.

ONLINE ORDER CODE: WVF P9B LDW

Online Order link: https://advancedimage.com.au/

2026 ENROLMENTS

Our 2026 classes across all year levels are filling up fast, if you have friends or family who intend to join our college community in 2026; please have them call 3900 8333 in order to reserve a place for next year.

Prep 2026 – Our enrolled 2026 Prep students have been participating in fun experiences to get them ready and excited for Prep through our Prep Explorers Program sessions. The next ones will be held:

• Session 2: Thursday 16 October, 8.55am – 9.55am
• Session 3: Thursday 30 October, 8.55am – 9.55am

Further information and enrolment application documents can be found on our website -– https://whiteshillsc.eq.edu.au/enrolments.

Completed application documents can be lodged by emailing them to – admin@whiteshillsc.eq.edu.au; Daniela Kirkham – Enrolment Officer Ph: 3900 8333.

2026 French Bilingual Program enrolments

Offers of enrolment for Whites Hill State College & Tingalpa State School have started to be released. This is an ongoing process, we appreciate your patience during this time.

The joint Tingalpa SS & WHSC online EOI for 2027 will open in early 2026.

For more information on the Program and to register your interest please follow the link to:

https://whiteshillsc.eq.edu.au/curriculum/excellence-programs

Head of School College Tours

Our next College Tour for enrolment in any year level is Wednesday 22 October 2025 meeting at Administration on Burn Street at 9am.

These tours are led by our Head of School Primary and Head of School Secondary.

If you wish to attend please follow the QR code to RSVP

BUSY PERIODS

Please be aware that the busiest periods for the office are 8.30am – 9.30am & 2pm – 3.30pm.

We would really appreciate if any non-urgent calls can be made outside of these hours.

If you are wishing to advise an absence, notify incorrect uniform, or communicate early pickup you can call 3900 8370 (absence line messagebank) or text 0428 632 704, these are checked regularly throughout the day.

FLEXISCHOOLS

WHSC offers easy online ordering for our canteen and uniform shop through the FlexiSchools system. Create an account today, registration is easy:

Go to www.flexischools.com.au

1. Select ‘Register here’ and enter your email address
2. You will be emailed a link to complete the registration form with username, password, contact details and credit card information
3. Nominate how much you would like to put into your online canteen account
4. For each of your children select ‘Add a Student’ and enter the school and class

You can then login at any time and order.

Canteen orders must be in by 9am each day.

The uniform shop packs online orders only on the days the uniform shop is staffed – Monday, Wednesday & Friday.

Phone – 3900 8304
Email – accounts@whiteshillsc.eq.edu.au

YEAR 10 2026 LAPTOP ORDERS

WHSC reminds 2026 Yr 10 families that the laptop participation form is due back by Friday 24^th October 2025 for those who are wanting to join the program.

Your students received this form on 26^th August during the academic conferencing.

Families are welcome to BYO a laptop as well, please ensure that it meets minimal requirements.

APPLYING FOR AND USING PLAY ON! SPORTS VOUCHERS

To assist with cost of living and keeping children in sports, the government has replaced the Fair Play system with Play On! Sports Vouchers which are open to more families.

If you’re a Queensland parent, carer or guardian, you can apply for a voucher of up to $200 for your child to use for sporting memberships, registration or participation fees with a registered activity provider.

There is a limit of 1 voucher per child per calendar year.

Follow this link to find out more.

https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding/playon

Contact: Kylie Harris (Convener)

Phone: 07 3900 8325
Email: whscuniforms@gmail.com
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8.00am – 1pm

PREPARING FOR 2026

Return to school is an extremely busy period, with many new families requiring fittings.

For this reason we strongly suggest that existing families organise any items they may need for 2026 during Term 4.

For orders requiring a fitting a booking is required.

For known sizes, please order online or students may walk in without appointment

between 8.00-8.30am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Online orders preferred – www.flexischools.com.au

Flexischools allows you to purchase new uniforms and text books via the app or website that will be delivered to either the main admin (Secondary) or to Primary classrooms. If you wish to purchase second-hand uniforms, you can email whscuniforms@gmail.com and use the pre-payment option to pay for items.

Should you be unable to visit the college during the uniform shop opening hours and require an appointment outside the opening times, please contact college administration via email admin@whiteshillsc.eq.edu.au to arrange.

If a fitting is required, please make an appointment by clicking this link or scan the QR code:

For further information including uniform policy & prices please visit the website:

Has this year already flown by or what! The 3^rd term of the year has been packed with a lot of activities new friendships and new children.

2026 Enrolment

Our team at AWH couldn’t be happier with the number of enquiries regarding new enrolments we have received for next year.  If you know someone who needs our service, please ask them to send us an email to me or pop in and see us. Please ensure all your information on your enrolments is up to date, including immunization forms and any forms of ID that you have. Make sure if you have any Kindy aged children you keep an eye out for 2026 enrollments! These will be out mid November 2025.

Preps 2026

Don’t forget if you know any families that need our services next year to enrol!  As we get closer to the end of this year 2026 enrolments will open! We are also able to take Prep children in January 2026.

Staffing

The team here at AWH are all well with Sharon out and about supporting teams - the wonderful Educators have managed the service beautifully in my absence.

We are so excited that our team continues to grow - we now have a new Assistant Coordinator.  Madi has stepped up and is doing a marvelous job in the role. 

Quest Football

As most families are aware, we are continuing to do Quest. From the children that have started doing it, they are giving great feedback about it. Quest is running every Friday afternoon in 2 separate groups. As we have a few families started already, we do currently only have a few spots left! Please see below the bottom for the link.

Our Program

The AWH program is a fun, exciting, educational program which is created by our entire team. Our staff are paired up with one another each week to ensure we join all the ideas that we have and put them into the best program possible for our children to enjoy!

We are super excited for you all who are participating in our upcoming vacation care program!

Story Park

It’s great to see how many parents are now actively involved with what we post on our Story Park.  If you haven’t already, please accept our Invitation for you to join.  We also want to assure families this is only for our Service to see.   This is an easy-to-use online service that is very private.   We do require permission prior, and this is what you have indicated on your Enrolment Form. Please note this can be changed at any time.

We also use this platform to notify special events, holidays and our Monthly Service Bulletin.

Driving up to OSHC Building

Our Next Vacation Care commences: 22^nd September – 3^rd October !!

The program will be sent to all families later this term. Please, if you require bookings for vacation care, bookings can be made via the app, if these bookings are made after week 8 of term, they will be casual bookings. Our team also require 2 weeks’ notice for any cancellations for vacation care, after this deadline, you will receive an absent fee.

Failure of Notice of Absence

We ask that if you are away if you can please notify us as soon as possible.  We need to account for all children who are booked in, and this can take some time contacting families.

We are unfortunately needed to charge a non-communication fee if we are having to make calls/texts.

Absences need to be given to the service the Friday prior to the following week, during term, or an absent fee is charged.

Sharon Seagrott – Service Coordinator
YMCA Queensland – Outside School Hours Care YMCA Whites Hill
Gate 6 Abbott Street, Camp Hill
M 0439 510 335 E awh@ymcaqueensland.org.au
W http://www.ymcachildcare.com.au/services/outside-school-hours-care.html

                         

The Brisbane Heat are hosting an All-Abilities Edition of their Backyard to Big Bash school holiday program. This free program is designed especially for kids and teens aged 6–18 living with physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism, ADHD, and other neurodiverse conditions.

• Backyard to Big Bash - All Abilities Edition
• Date: 24 September
• Time: 10 AM - 12:30 PM
• Location: Allan Border Field, Albion

This inclusive session offers participants the chance to train like professional players at the National Cricket Centre and on the iconic Allan Border Field. It’s a fantastic opportunity to build confidence, make friends, and discover the joy of cricket in a safe and welcoming environment.

Plus, every participant receives a merch pack!

Spots are limited, so don’t miss out!

Click the link to register ?  https://www.playhq.com/cricket-australia/register/cd78cd

KNOW YOUR ROAD RULES?

To ensure you and your child stay safe when using e-scooters or e-skateboards, please remember:

• Only those aged 16+ can ride e-scooters and e-skateboards unsupervised.
• Helmets must be worn with the straps properly fastened (bicycle or motorcycle helmets) and bells fitted for devices with handlebars.
• No passengers/doubling – only one person riding an e-scooter.
• Speed limit of 12km/h on footpaths and shared paths.
• Serious fines may apply to riders, and parents, if caught breaking the rules.

StreetSmartsQld features educational videos and other helpful safety tips for riding e-scooters and e-skateboards.

UPCOMING BEENLEIGH AND GOLD COAST RAIL CLOSURES

From Saturday 20 September to Sunday 12 October, there will be major track closures on the Beenleigh and Gold Coast rail lines. Although there will be plenty of buses available, including express and all stops railbuses, some journeys may take significantly longer than usual.  Your best travel option may change over the 23-day period. Please consider your transport options, plan ahead and allow extra travel time. Download the Translink app, visit Translink’s website or call 13 12 30 for more information. 

SCHOOL CROSSING SUPERVISORS NEEDED

Have you ever thought about becoming a School Crossing Supervisor? Transport and Main Roads want to hear from you!

Transport and Main Roads are always looking for School Crossing Supervisors to help keep our students safe.

 

 

Important information regarding parking 

DO NOT ENDANGER THE LIVES OF OUR STUDENTS BY DRIVING ONTO COLLEGE GROUNDS

Please note: Our College parking is for staff only. No parent / carer access is permitted unless prior arrangements have been organised.

The college has 4 disability parking spaces within the grounds.  These have been designated for specific families of our school.  If access is required please contact administration otherwise please keep this access completely clear every day.  

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe.

We often spot koalas in our trees at WHSC and when Primary PE students spotted this koala having a lazy afternoon recently they were delighted!

We wish our families a
happy and safe holiday.

School resumes:
Tuesday, 7 October
See you then!