Week 6 Friday 23 May 2025

Important Dates

Hello, Werte!

Werte! Hello CMS Community!

As the term progresses, our school is buzzing with activity and growth. It's a particularly exciting time for our Year 6 students as they embark on their transition journey to Year 7. We've already seen the first of these visits commence in Week 4, and these valuable experiences will continue through to Week 9, helping to ensure a smooth and confident step into their secondary education. We're so proud of their enthusiasm and the way they are embracing this new chapter.

On the sporting front, we have some fantastic news to share! Our students recently demonstrated exceptional talent and sportsmanship at the interschool competition. A remarkable number of our athletes finished in the top three sportspeople of the day in their respective age categories. Even more impressively, through their collective effort and dedication, CMS emerged in 2nd place overall on the day! This is a testament to the hard work of our students, the support of their families, and the dedication of our coaching staff. Congratulations to everyone involved!

Beyond the sporting arena, our classrooms are alive with outstanding learning across all year levels. Our students are diligently completing assessments in all subject areas, showcasing their understanding and growth throughout the term. These assessments provide valuable insights into their progress and will form the basis of the student reports that you will receive at the end of the term. We commend our students for their focus and commitment to their studies.

Looking ahead, we are excited to celebrate NAIDOC Week in Week 10. This important week is a time for all Australians to learn about and celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The theme for NAIDOC Week in 2025 is "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy." This theme celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of young leaders, the vision of communities, and the legacy of ancestors. We encourage all our families to stay tuned to our school's Facebook channel for more details regarding the special events and activities we have planned for this significant week.

With thanks,

Josh Mapstone
Assistant Principal – Year 7 and Inclusion

Compass

This term all parents and carers have been sent an email invitation to sign up to Compass. The Compass platform has an array of exciting features, including the ability for parents to check attendance and provide reasons for their child’s absence. This week we have activated the SMS feature which will alert parents when their child is absent from class. If you haven’t received an email invitation from Compass, it might mean we don’t have a valid email address on record. Please email centralian.middle@education.nt.gov.au with your updated details.

WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY

Each year on May 31st, schools and communities around the world observe World No Tobacco Day, a global initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO). This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and encouraging individuals to lead healthier, tobacco-free lives.

At Centralian Middle School, we stand united in our mission to promote wellness and informed decision-making among students. Tobacco use remains one of the leading preventable causes of illness and death worldwide. By educating young people about the dangers of tobacco and vaping, we empower them to make choices that benefit their long-term health and well-being.

🚭 Why It Matters:

• Tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year.
• Smoking and vaping can lead to serious health issues including heart disease, cancer, and respiratory illnesses.
• Second-hand smoke is also dangerous, especially to children and non-smokers.
• Parents and guardians play a vital role. Talk to your children about the risks of tobacco use and model healthy behaviours. Open conversations can be powerful tools for prevention.
• Let’s work together to create a smoke-free generation and celebrate World No Tobacco Day not just once a year, but every day.
• Stay informed. Stay healthy. Say no to tobacco.

At Centralian Middle School, we believe in supporting each other and making healthy choices. If someone you know—whether a friend, family member, or neighbour—is trying to quit smoking or vaping, remind them that help is available.

They can contact the Quitline for free, confidential support:
📞 Quitline: 13 78 48
Or visit www.quitnow.gov.au for resources, tips, and live chat support.

Kim Richards

Health Promoting School Nurse

HPE

HPE Excursions in Full Swing

This term, our HPE excursions have seen students step out of the classroom and into action! Year 8s have been heading to Ross Park Soccer Oval to develop their soccer skills, showing great improvement in teamwork, technique, and game sense. Meanwhile, Year 9s have been exploring stick sports, learning the fundamentals of lacrosse and hockey. Students have embraced the opportunity to try new things, step out of their comfort zones, and support one another. It’s been fantastic to see so much enthusiasm, cooperation, and growth both on and off the field!

WEIGHTLIFTING

During Year 8/9 contact times and lunchtimes, students have been re-engaging in the CMS gym space through weightlifting, led by Callum Downie. It’s been a fantastic way for students to develop physical awareness, build strength, and connect with peers who share the same passion. The space has become a welcoming environment for students to come out of their shells, learn something new, and grow in confidence. Friendships are forming, and the positive energy is lifting everyone up—literally!

Interschool Athletics Carnival

It was a fun and energetic day filled with positivity, determination, and teamwork through and through! Our CMS ladies did us proud, with Alice Strathearn placing 2nd in the 12 years girls and Lyesha Tilmouth taking 2nd in the 13 years girls. The CMS fellas brought the heat – Marshal Lord claimed 1st in the 12 years boys, Kasey Tebeck stormed to 1st in the 13 years boys, and Herbie Goodwin secured 2nd in the 14 years boys.

Out of five competing schools, CMS placed 2nd in total points and was awarded overall – an amazing effort by all!

Rebecca Stephens

8.5 8.6 9.5 9.6 HPE Teacher

Small Groups

Excursion to Adelaide House:

As part of the Culture and History sessions with Miss Mali Cavanagh and Project Based Learning program, all SGC classes visited the Adelaide House Museum in Alice Springs on Thursday, 08 May 2025.

The purpose of this excursion was for students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the history of Alice Springs by looking at buildings of historical importance and exploring how inquiry skills can be used to analyse sources and understand different perspectives.

Students enjoyed listening to and looking at Miss Mali's History Mapping project and learning about Alice Springs' first hospital from her and the museum staff. They were quite excited to see old items of historical significance and their role in the history of Alice Springs. Student participation and enthusiasm were appreciated by Miss Mali and the museum staff. 

SGC Archaeology Dig Simulation Activity: 

As part of their Project Based Learning units this term, all SGC classes participated in an archaeological dig simulation where they had to locate and extract artefacts from a dig site and use their historical inquiry skills to gather information. 

Students had to demonstrate how to safely excavate using the tools provided and how to analyse artefacts found in an archaeological dig. They were also shown how to use a grid to record their artefacts. 

Old vases, baskets, coins, and broken plates were some of the artefacts that students found in the dig. After the activity, students reflected on the learning in their classrooms by answering questions and completing worksheets that helped them understand how historians use artefacts and primary sources to tell how people lived in the past.  

SOUTHERN SUDAN BAKE SALE FUNDRAISER

General Information 2025

Uniform Shop

Student Access (opposite the CMS Front Office) will be open for purchasing uniforms and stationery packs.

Opening hours are:

Monday - Friday 8:30-4pm

With the weather cooling down the new CMS Royal Blue Hoodie and CMS Black Trackpants are available for students to wear.

It's great to see students embracing the CMS Uniform and wearing with pride and respect.

Students are reminded to wear FULLY enclosed shoes to school.  Crocs, thongs or slides are not acceptable and are a safety and WHS concern. Parents are asked to remind their young person(s) to wear correct footwear.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS