27 June 2025

From the Principal's Desk

As we close out Semester 1, I want to extend my sincere thanks to our entire Rockhampton State High School community — students, staff, families, and partners — for your continued support, energy, and belief in what we do here every day.

RSHS continues to be a school grounded in both high expectations and high support. We challenge our students and staff to aim high, work hard, and strive for personal excellence — while providing the systems, relationships, and care necessary to help everyone succeed. That balance is what allows us to thrive as a school community, even amid the growing complexity of a large and diverse student population.

A highlight of this final week was our whole-school athletics carnival — a vibrant celebration of participation, house spirit and school pride. Whether competing, cheering, or supporting behind the scenes, our students once again demonstrated the values that set RSHS apart. A huge thank you to all staff who contributed to making the event such a success.

Throughout this semester, we’ve seen strong progress in curriculum development, digital innovation, student engagement and inclusive practices. The refurbishment of our hospitality kitchens — due for completion by year’s end — will further enhance opportunities for students pursuing vocational pathways in Years 10–12.

I’d also like to sincerely thank the Rockhampton State High School P&C for their continued support throughout the semester. Their commitment and partnership contribute meaningfully to our school’s success and culture.

As we look ahead to Semester 2 and welcome a new Principal, I am confident that Rockhampton State High will continue to grow stronger. The professionalism of our staff, the spirit of our students, and the strength of our shared purpose ensure a bright future for our school.

Thank you again for your contributions this term. I wish all families a safe, restful and well-deserved winter break.

Warm regards,
Barry Jenkin
Acting Principal

Date Claimers - 2025

These dates are subject to change.  To stay up to date with what is happening around the school, follow us on our Facebook page.

Important Safety Message

Campbell Street Pedestrian Crossing

The Department of Transport have recently assessed the Campbell Street pedestrian crossing and determined it to be a low-risk location. As a result, we have been instructed that we cannot have crossing supervisors in place at the Campbell Street bus stop, effective Wednesday, 25 June 2025.

Although this decision is beyond the school’s control, the safety of our students remains our top priority.

We encourage families to speak with their children about road safety and the importance of:

• Using the designated crossing
• Waiting for a safe gap in traffic and waiting for cars to stop
• Looking both ways before crossing
• Walking (not riding) bikes or scooters across

Please note: School staff will continue to supervise students at the Campbell Street bus stop as part of regular afternoon duty.

Thank you for your support in reinforcing safe behaviour and helping us prioritise student wellbeing. If you have any questions, please contact the school office.

Senior Schooling

Students Focus on the Future

Rockhampton State High School students from Years 10, 11 and 12 visited the Capricorn Mega Careers Expo held at CQUniversity.

This year’s Careers Expo gave students an excellent opportunity to talk to representatives from universities, registered training organisations, private colleges, apprenticeship organisations and employers.  Displays by CQUniversity trades and paramedic science allowed students have a closer look at these fields. 

This is a once-a-year opportunity for our students to engage with all universities within Queensland and it was wonderful to see so many of our students engaging with exhibitors, asking questions and accessing useful resources.  Many exhibitors commented on the excellent behaviour, good manners and fantastic presentation of our students as well as the genuine interest they demonstrated.

The Career Expo is an annual event and students in the senior phase of learning in 2026 are encouraged to participate next year.  For more information on career pathways, contact the staff in the FEET First program in the Senior Learning Centre.

Trudy Crow | HOD – Senior Schooling

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Students Experience the Law in Action

Mrs Crow’s Year 11 Legal Studies class recently visited the Rockhampton law courts to witness the justice system in action.  This annual visit complements their study of criminal law. 

The group observed hearings in the Magistrate’s Court including drink driving and other traffic offences, common assault, failing to provide identifying particulars, unlawful possession of drugs and a Category A firearm, sentencing and bail applications.

To learn about the justice system first-hand was a valuable experience for the students.

Trudy Crow | Legal Studies Teacher

Partnership Opens Gateway to Industry

Rockhampton State High School has been invited to participate in the Building and Construction Gateways to Industry School Program (GISP) for 2025 – 2028.  This exciting initiative will hopefully inspire the next generation of construction professionals and provide students with valuable opportunities to explore careers in construction.  Some of these activities include site tours and “Try a Trade” days. 

The Gateways plaque was presented by Marsha Schwenke from Construction Skills Queensland at our annual Year 10 Career Talks event.  Year 10 student, Rian, was excited to be a part of the presentation and is looking forward to participating in CSQ events in the future.

Students in Years 10 – 12 who are interested in participating in future construction pathway events, should register with the FEET First program staff.

Trudy Crow | HOD – Senior Schooling

2025 Senior Schooling Date Claimer

Upcoming Course Dates

Upcoming Events

Work Experience

Week 10 – Monday 23^rd – Friday 27^th June

Cut-off date for term 2 placements - Friday 30^th May. Application forms returned after this date will be placed in term 3.

Maths Department

The Numbers Add Up: Mathematics a Clear Winner

The Capricornia Branch of the Queensland Association of Mathematics Teachers has been running the Maths Team Challenge for both primary and secondary students for the past 35 years. 

In 2025 the Mathematics Team Challenge had a record number of 800 students, vying for coveted prizes for both primary and secondary school cohorts. 

Rockhampton State High School was well represented in each year level of the competition.  The students worked collaboratively, supporting one another, in the problem-solving competition. 

The competition helps to nurture students’ love of mathematics and develop strategies to solve a range of mathematical challenges.

Thank you to Mrs Taylor-Thompson for her valued efforts in organising the teams to participate in the 2025 Maths Team Challenge.  

Arts Department

State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) Capricornia 2025

From May 16th to 18th, our school proudly hosted the State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) weekend workshops—an inspiring event that brought together some of our most talented young musicians for a weekend of intensive learning, collaboration, and performance.

SHEP, an initiative of the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, has grown significantly since its inception in 2001. It now stands as a cornerstone of music education in Queensland, offering students from across the state the opportunity to extend their musical skills and connect with like-minded peers.

This year, we were thrilled to have three of our students selected to participate:

• Tahlia (Year 9) – Voice
• Ammeliah (Year 12) – Strings
• Riley (Year 12) – Concert Band

Their dedication and talent were on full display throughout the weekend, through both their playing and the assistance they provided with the set up and packing away of our rehearsal and performance spaces.  This was greatly appreciated by the SHEP team, as well as our school staff.  We couldn’t be prouder of their achievements and the positive manner in which they represented Rockhampton State High School.

A special thank you goes to Mrs Holbeck, whose tireless efforts behind the scenes ensured the weekend ran smoothly. Her commitment to supporting our students and the broader music community did not go unnoticed.

Success at the 88th Rockhampton Eisteddfod!

We are thrilled to share the outstanding results from the 88th Rockhampton Eisteddfod, where our talented music ensembles showcased their dedication, skill, and passion for performance.

Our students achieved remarkable success across multiple categories:

• Chamber Strings – 1st Place
• String Ensemble – Highly Commended
• Concert Band –  3rd Place

These results are a testament to the hard work and commitment of our young musicians, who represented our school with pride and professionalism.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Mrs. Holbeck, Ms. Parker, and Teigh for their exceptional leadership and guidance. Their support and expertise played a vital role in preparing our ensembles for this prestigious event.

Congratulations to all involved—your achievements have made our school community incredibly proud!

SmArts Program

Rockhampton State High School was selected as a recipient of The Smith Family’s SmArts Enrichment Program—a fantastic opportunity that has brought creativity, confidence, and career exploration into our classrooms.

The SmArts program is designed to support student engagement by enhancing creative skills and building self-confidence. 

This year’s program was delivered in partnership with the Grin and Tonic Theatre Troupe, a respected name in youth and educational theatre. The engaging four-day workshop gave the students professional insight to career opportunities. The students work with Grin and Tonic creating a unique drama performance, which they performed for parents on the final day.  

We thank The Smith Family and Grin and Tonic for their commitment to enriching arts education and look forward to seeing how our students continue to grow creatively.

HPE Department

The 2025 RSHS athletics carnival will be held on Friday, 27 June (Week 10).

The four houses (Armstrong, Tucker, Meares and Laver) will battle it out for Athletics carnival champion.

Students will have the opportunity to compete in sprints, shotput, long jump, javelin and discus to obtain points for their house and age champion.

Will Meares House claim 2025 Overall Sporting House Champions after winning the Swimming carnival and Cross Country or will another house claim Athletics Champions.   We will find out in week 10 - may the best house win.

Grant Burchmann | HOD - Health and Physical Education

Pedal Prix

The Pedal Prix team travelled to Townsville on 23 May 2025 for the first sprint event of the year.  Both teams battled through the 8 hour race.  A huge congratulations to our junior team, who came away with a win in the Junior Mixed Division.  The Senior Team put in a strong performance to finish 5^th overall against tough competition.

The teams then followed this up by travelling to Mackay on 7 & 8 June for the first 16 hour endurance race of the season.  Both teams battled through mechanical setbacks and finished the race strongly.  The junior team placed 3rd in a tightly contested mixed division, while the senior team finished 5th after enduring multiple punctured tyres throughout the 16 hours.  

Congratulations to both of our teams and a massive thank you to our staff who supported the students over both events.

P&C News

Although we have tried our best to keep the Uniform prices low, our costs have increased due to inflation in recent times. After carefully reviewing the finances, the P&C have had to make the tough decision to increase the price of some of the uniform this term.  They are as follows:-

• Unisex Polo Shirt - $40.00
• Unisex Shorts - $32.00
• Spray Jacket - $60.00
  

We greatly appreciate your understanding in this situation.

Winter Illnesses

It's that time of year again, if your young person is sick or showing signs and symptoms of being unwell, we ask that you please keep them at home.

This is for the benefit and wellbeing of all students, teachers and our community.

Colds and flus are common in schools and by staying away, seeking medical attention and practicing good hygiene, we can all keep any spread of illness to a minimum.

Thank you for your support.

From the School Nurse

Energy Drinks and Health Risks

Energy drinks are popular among teenagers for their quick boost of energy and alertness. However, many parents and teens do not realize the serious health risks these drinks pose.

Energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine and sugar, which can have harmful effects on developing bodies. For teens, consuming too much caffeine can cause increased heart rate, high blood pressure, anxiety, and trouble sleeping. These effects can then interfere with school performance and overall well-being.

The high sugar content in energy drinks can also contribute to weight gain, tooth decay, and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Unlike natural energy from healthy foods and proper rest, energy drinks provide only a temporary jolt followed by a crash, leaving you feeling more tired and craving more caffeine.

Additionally, mixing energy drinks with alcohol, a common practice among some teens, can be especially dangerous. This combination can mask intoxication levels, leading to risky behaviours and accidents.

Parents should talk openly with their teens about the dangers of energy drinks and encourage healthier alternatives like water, natural fruit juices, and balanced meals. Teens need steady, safe energy for their busy lives, not a quick fix that puts their health at risk.

Stay informed and help your teen make smart choices for a healthier future!

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