A huge congratulations to Year 11 students Ava Probert, Bodhi Barba, and Year 10 Georgina Baira, who have achieved 1st place in Central Queensland in this year’s

Regional ATSIAP Challenge! The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aspirations Program (ATSIAP) is an academic competition for high-achieving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary students in Queensland state schools. The program is designed to build students’ creativity and critical thinking by challenging them to explore real-world issues and propose meaningful solutions. Throughout Term 1, Ava, Bodhi, and Georgina worked closely with the dedicated CEC Lakeesha, meeting weekly to prepare for the three parts of the challenge: Persuasive Speech, Poetry, and Visual Art.

• Their Persuasive Speech addressed the theme "Tradition Meets Today – Keeping

Culture Alive in a Changing World", exploring how cultural practices can be preserved and celebrated in today’s society.

• Their Poetry responded to the theme "Bridging Now to Next", reflecting on the journey of Indigenous Australia through the past, present, and future.

• In the Visual Art component, the students interpreted this year’s NAIDOC theme: "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy",

showcasing their vision for the future of Indigenous communities. A heartfelt thank you to CEC Lakeesha for her time, energy, and ongoing support throughout the program — this amazing result is a testament to her commitment and guidance. We wish the girls all the best as they head to Brisbane in Week 10 to compete in the State Finals. Good luck — we are so proud of them.