A very warm welcome back to Term 3. I trust you and your family had an enjoyable and relaxing break, during the mid-year holiday period.  It is great to see our students and staff back energised and already immersed in the extensive opportunities that present in yet another event-filled term.

I very much look forward to seeing our students continue to embrace their school experience, harness their talents, challenge themselves and inspire one another as we begin our new semester.

Term 3 is always a valuable time in the school year—a chance to build on the progress made in the first half, and to focus deeply on learning, growth, and wellbeing. Over the coming weeks, our staff will be working closely with students to ensure strong academic progress, continued development of essential skills, and engagement in enriching activities both in and beyond the classroom.

At the end of Term 2 you should have received your child’s Semester 1 report card via email.  I would like to congratulate students for the tremendous effort that they put in throughout Semester 1. I strongly believe in transparency of performance and I would like to share our student results.  Across the school, 91.7% of our students received an A-C in all of their academic subjects.  As a school, we have spent time analysing this performance and have set goals to continually improve as we work through Semester 2. 

Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent Teacher Interviews were held on Tuesday 22 July and I cannot stress how important these meetings are as they provide a valuable opportunity to discuss feedback on how students are progressing in their studies. Your involvement as parents and important partners in learning plays a vital role in supporting your child’s success and future goals.  If you were unable to attend these meetings and are seeking feedback, please contact your child’s teachers.

Like any great achievement, success in the end is determined by sustained effort across many weeks, months and years. Preparation, support and encouragement are key to ensuring our students, your children are set up for success. We all thrive when we know our team is behind us. Let us start Semester 2 strong and give Cairns State High School students the best chance to succeed.

 “Parents are the ultimate role models for children. Every word, movement and action has an effect.” - Bob Keeshan

Executive Principal Update

I would take this opportunity to share with you some important information in regards to Chris Zilm and the Executive Principal role at Cairns State High School.  Chris has made the decision to extend his leave until the end of the year and then depart Cairns State High School and cease employment from the department.  I will continue in the role as Executive Principal until the end of the year whilst the department undertakes a recruitment process for the permanent position to start in 2026.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible leadership, dedication, and heart Chris has brought to Cairns State High School and our Region. His vision, compassion, and commitment have made a lasting impact on students, staff, and the entire community.

He has not only been a remarkable principal and colleague but also an inspiration to many. While we are all sad to see Chris retire, I am sure I can speak on everyone’s behalf that we are so grateful for the time we’ve spent with him and the legacy he leaves behind.

Chris- you will be greatly missed by the Cairns State High School community and wishing you all the best in your next chapter.

As always, I encourage you to stay connected with your child’s learning and to reach out to us with any questions, feedback, or concerns. We value your support and look forward to working together for another successful term.

Mr Frank Brunetto - Executive Principal

Please see the below message from Chris Zilm that he wanted me to share with the Cairns State High School Community:

Dear Parent/Carer or Student,

I have made a decision to continue my leave until the end of the 2025 school year at which time I will officially retire from the Department of Education and my role as Principal of Cairns State High. Despite returning from a long vacation at the start of year and believing that I might continue for one or two years more, circumstances change and life has convinced me that the time is now right for someone else to take over at Cairns State High School. 

The great news which truly shifted the goalposts is that my youngest son, Sam and his partner Amrita are expecting their first child, and our first grand daughter in January. Strangely the pull to be in Brisbane near them is overwhelmingly strong and we will be leaving Cairns at the end of October. 

It has been a remarkable and positive leadership journey for me at Cairns State High School where I have witnessed and enjoyed staff, students and families all working to be 'the best we can be'. And the outcomes and achievements have been astounding. Attainment in School based traineeships, work experience take-up, ATAR and QCE attainment, attendance, NAPLAN, our semester Level of Achievement rates and school opinion survey results are amongst the best in the state - and our belief that students should be at school to learn has meant we have the lowest suspension and cancellation rates, the highest completion rates and biggest graduating cohorts in the region.  

My Staff, the Leadership and Executive teams are of the highest quality and I am grateful for their willingness to engage in initiatives, work together with good humour and professionalism and keep focus on the best possible outcomes for our young ones. I will never forget the collegiality and friendliness of staff - moreover their willingness to accept feedback and work together to improve practices and processes.

If there were ever a time to 'go out on top', it's now. Family is calling in Brisbane, my health is not an issue and life beyond the school gate awaits  Michelle and I. 

I started teaching in Port Augusta in South Australia in 1987, became a Deputy Principal at Malanda SHS in 1999 and then Head of Middle School at Bentley Park in 2001. In 2003 I won my first Principal position at Toowoomba SHS with its two campuses and joined Cairns SHS in 2016. I could not be more privileged to have concluded my career at Cairns State High and I shall be forever grateful. 

Thank you students, parents/carers and staff for being so wonderful and creating a positive and high-achieving school community. 

Regards, Christopher Zilm- Executive Principal