Cape River and Hughenden

Year 1 and 2

What an amazing Outreach for Term 3! During Outreach students in Years 1 and 2 explored art concepts, stem exploration and noun groups to create characterisation.

During our art exploration students used a number of mediums such as watercolours, pencil, oil pastels, photos, images and text to create a reflection of themselves through line, colour and multimedia elements. We also identified elements of science in our art when combining oil pastels and watercolours. The oil pastels repelled the water allowing out bright colours to remain when we painted with a water based solution. The effect was striking and a great keepsake for years to come.

Throughout the week we also explored various STEM concepts but the marble run was very fun. Students experimented with various approaches to build the marble run with paper, sticky tape and blocks. Students demonstrated a great ability for organisation and working as a team, whilst also listening to the director. Students took on roles of builder, director, resource and engineer. In the end it worked! We were thrilled!

Ms Metcalfe
Year 2 Teacher

Year 5 and 6

A combined group of Year 5 and 6 students took part in a week of activities during the Term 3 combined Cape River and Hughenden Outreach. The theme of the week for Year 5 and 6 was the history of pirates. Throughout the Outreach, students delved into a range of pirate-related topics, from modern-day pirates who target cargo ships, to the story of Julius Caesar, who, as a young man, was once captured by pirates. While most would have been terrified, Caesar took a rather unexpected approach by demanding that the pirates listen to his poetry recitals and remain silent while he tried to sleep.

In keeping with the pirate theme, the students also participated in a series of STEM activities. They designed and tested boats powered by paddle pop sticks, and even crafted their own catapults. To make the catapult activity more exciting, the students created "snow" using a mixture of hair conditioner and shaving foam, which they then fired from their catapults in target practice.

As well as the STEM challenges, the students also enjoyed a variety of other sessions. They participated in a PE lesson with Mr Adams, a library session with Mrs Currin, and had the opportunity to make and taste their own sushi in a special session hosted by the Languages Department. The sushi was a big hit, and the students generously made extra servings to share with some of the teachers for lunch.

A big thank you to all the Year 5 and 6 students who took part in the Outreach program, the families of the students that travelled to the Outreach, and all of the staff that made the Outreach possible.

Mr Purdie
Year 5 and 6 Teacher at Term 3 combined Cape River and Hughenden Outreach

Secondary

In Term 3, secondary students attending Cape River and Hughenden Outreach came together for an engaging and thought-provoking three days of learning, built around the theme “Crime and Punishment.” The program challenged students to explore the driving question: How have ideas about crime and punishment changed over time?

Through hands-on learning and collaboration, students investigated how societies throughout history have dealt with wrongdoing, and how those ideas have shaped the modern justice systems we know today. The theme provided a powerful connection to upcoming subject matter and content for Term 4 Civics, where students will further explore concepts of justice, fairness and democracy in contemporary Australia.

The Outreach experience also integrated learning across STEM, History, English and Drama, helping students strengthen critical and creative thinking skills. In History, they examined past justice systems and ethical dilemmas; in English and Drama, they used storytelling and performance to communicate complex ideas; and in STEM, they applied analytical and problem-solving skills to design logical, fair systems of justice.

Students deepened their relationships with peers as well as their understanding of fairness, ethics and justice, by engaging in critical discussions, teamwork challenges and role-based simulations. Highlights included an insightful visit from local law enforcement officers, who shared real-world perspectives on modern policing and community safety, and an exciting excursion to the Townsville Justice Courts, where students witnessed a contemporary justice system in action.

To culminate their learning, students collaborated to design and present their own fictional justice systems, demonstrating their ability to connect past and present ideas about crime and punishment, while showcasing creativity, communication and teamwork.

The Term 3 Outreach was an inspiring success—empowering students to connect with each other and think deeply about what makes a justice system fair. Each student left with an idea of how they, as future citizens, can help shape a justice system that balances retribution, rehabilitation and fairness for all.

Ms LeBoutillier
HoD Secondary Senior Engagement & Wellbeing

Clermont

What a great week was had at the Clermont Showgrounds with approximately 20 students from P-10 at the Outreach.  With the families joined at the Outreach by Mrs Moffat, Mrs Brooks, Ms Daysh, Mrs Gallina and Mrs Sanders.

Tuesday morning arrived and it was time to start the Outreach.  Lots of chatting and catching up with old friends and meeting new people.  There have been quite a few new families who have joined this Outreach and it was great to get to know them all over the week.  Classes started, much to the disappointment of the students.  Some of the highlights from Tuesday were when smoko was being called and a special visitor, with treats to share had arrived, Mrs Prichard, then Mr Adams taking the students out for HPE lessons, with Mrs Prichard getting involved and showing the kids how to throw.  Then on Tuesday night the families had a pot-luck dinner with the teachers enjoying the delicious food organised by the parents.

Wednesday’s highlights were for the Prep-1 class getting a chance to use the Beebots to code them to plot a path to find the treasure on the map Mrs Brooks had with her.  Year 2-3 read a story about a magical library that took them on an ocean adventure and started to plan their own adventure out of the magical library.  Year 4-6 continued with their creative writing where they were thinking about what was inside an unopened box Mrs Gallina had sitting on the table.  Lots of creative minds and possible future authors in the group.  Also, a highlight was watching the parents’ after school activity.  A hobby horse gymkhana, where students and parents had made and named their very own hobby horse.  They competed in barrel racing, sack racing and apple bobbing to name a few.  Lots of laughs and great memories were made that afternoon.

Thursday rolled around before we knew it and everybody was a little sad to say goodbye to our friends.  The highlights of the day were the Year 4-6 sharing their stories with their parents, again, some future authors in the group for sure.  Year 2-3 finished writing their own version of their magical library adventure story.  Prep-1 students made some paper plate chickens and juggling chickens which were related to the story Rosie’s Walk.  Our wonderful High School students, with the help of Ms Daysh, did a thank you project and presented this to the parents who had helped to get them to the Outreach but also put on the amazing spread of food every day.

Clermont Outreach never fails to deliver the goods.  An amazing group of students and families who come together to welcome one and all to this event.  The teachers who had the privilege of attending this Outreach, had an amazing experience and look forward to catching up with everybody at the Clermont Outreach in 2026.

Mrs Moffat, Mrs Brooks, Mrs Gallina, Ms Daysh and Mrs Sanders
Clermont Outreach Teachers