7 March 2025

Principal’s Report.

Dearest Emerald State High School Community,

Over halfway through the term and students are starting to get into assessment in many subjects.

A reminder that students can now access their Assessment Planners through One School, showing all of their assessment dates for the semester. This is a very important tool to help students (and parents) plan study in a way that is effective and time-efficient.

This week, we have our Cross Country and I am looking forward to seeing our students participating in this event.

Some sensational student news…

Our Rugby and Netball Teams competed against Marist over the weekend. I was able to get down to watch some of the Netball and I was impressed by our team’s sportsmanship and teamwork. Well done to our players and coaches!! Go State!!

Well done to Mrs Ross and our Interact Club who attended an Interact Leadership Camp in Yeppoon. Our students worked with Interact Clubs from other schools to develop their leadership skills. A massive thank you to Rotary Club of Emerald for sponsoring our students. Well done to all of these fine young people.

Our cast for our Musical, MAMMA MIA has been announced and I so excited to see how rehearsals and staging progress as we move toward the big performance!

I am also very happy to announce that over 900 Positive Postcards have been sent out by teachers this year to acknowledge the quality work ethic and behaviour that is occurring across our school. The vast majority of our students are doing an amazing job and are on track for success. Well done students - it has been a super start to the year!

NAPLAN tests for Year 7 and 9 students are occurring early this year, commencing on 11 March and running for around four days. An email will be sent to all parents of Year 7 and 9 students that provide more details.

Lastly, this week our PBL Focus continues to be around Looking Out For One Another. Part of maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment is making sure we are looking out for our friends and classmates. If we think someone is having a rough time or we are worried about someone, we can take action to support them by seeking the help of adults at school or by doing something nice for them. We should never pass up the opportunity to support one another and treat one another with kindness.

“Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.”
Winston Churchill.

Kind Regards
Mr. Troy Sanson
Principal

From the Zircon House Deputy Principal.

I know that we are in Week 6, but I would like to welcome back, everyone for 2025! It’s hard to believe how quickly the term is flying by. It’s been great to see students settling into their routines, getting stuck into their studies, and making the most of school life. A highlight of my term has been the induction of our school leaders.

Key Dates

Due to a clash with the Town Hall, we have had to move our Year 12 formal. The following are key dates for the Year 12 cohort:

• Practice external exams – 8th September to 19th September. No exams will be scheduled on 10, 11 and 12th September due to formal preparation.
• Formal – Thursday 11th September
• External exams – 24th October – 20th November
• Graduation – Friday 21st November

Assessment

Assessment Items must be submitted by the due date. If circumstances occur during the period over which the assignment runs, preventing the student from working on an assignment, then an extension can be requested.

Extensions are granted for the following reasons:

1. Extended illness
2. Bereavement
3. Accident or family circumstances causing prolonged absence during assessment preparation
4. Unforeseen circumstances

When considering the success of the extension application, consideration will be given to the student’s submission of work at the “check date” stage. All relevant documentation (medical certificate, etc) supporting an application for extension must be included.

Please be aware - problems with computers/printers are not an excuse for late submission – students should have backup copies and printed or hand-written drafts. Students who are on “holidays” or participating in sporting activities, may also not eligible for an extension.

Attendance – Senior School

As you are aware, it is an expectation that students in the senior school have an attendance rate over 90%. The biggest reason for this is that research shows the student attendance is linked to their performance. We see the correlation between them when we review report cards at the end of each term. Please help support your child’s education by ensuring they are at school each day and are on time. Please also encourage them to bring a water bottle filled, so they don’t miss lesson time on needing to do this.

Please remember that absences supported with medical evidence are not recorded against student’s attendance data. Evidence may be in the form of medical certificates from the doctors or chemists, letters from the Department of Health when RAT tests are registered, appointment slips for medical appointments ie orthodontist or physio.

Low attendance rates will affect the student’s ability to attend formal (Year 12) or eligibility to obtain a senior jersey.

Flexible Timetables – Senior School

It is an expectation that all students study six subjects in Years 11 and 12, unless they have circumstances that impact on their ability to study six. These impacts may include – school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, external study with another organisation, parenting responsibilities and health issues. Students with a flexi time on their timetable have been given letters with regards to signing in late or leaving early. It is important that students return to school at least 10 minutes prior to their class to allow time for signing in.

Students driving to school

Many of our students in Year 11 and 12 obtain their P class licence whilst at school. It is an expectation that students who drive themselves to school park in the car park on Racecourse Road. For their own safety, students are discouraged from driving to and from school with others in their vehicles.

Students signing in or out for flexis should not be transporting other students.

QCE credits

In the last week I have had a number of Year 12 students come to see me about their predicted QCE credits. Whilst I am very happy to meet with them, I would like to remind them that they can find this information themselves through the myQCE website - https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/. The website not only gives information about potential credits, but also has study tips and information about assessment and ATAR.

It is important that all students in Years 10 to 12 log into their myQCE accounts. This is where students will access certificates and results from. I have attached information regarding the portal to this newsletter.

Communication

The main way we communicate to our parents is through the school’s newsletter and via email. We also post messages on the school’s Facebook page. I encourage all students to regularly check their school email account, as we often send them through opportunities when known i.e., university deadlines or information, industry days.

If you have any concerns regarding a Zircon student or a senior school question, please let me know.

Regards
Mrs. Tanya Shaw
Zircon Deputy Principal

From the Zircon House Support Coordinator.

Welcome back parents/carers,

My name is Pierce Leahy and I am the house support coordinator for Zircon A. As house support coordinator, I support students in Zircon PCs ZRC1-4 with welfare, uniform and attendance as well as encourage participation in house activities. Together with the HSC of Zircon B (Mickayla Willie), we have seen a fantastic start to the year in Zircon House, for both uniform and attendance. I would like to thank those of you who have children in Zircon for the wonderful work you are doing in supporting your child’s education at this school.

In PC classes, students have been engaging in team building lessons that align with our positive behaviour for learning school-wide pedagogy. This year, we are continuing to develop the school house system at ESHS. All four houses have had their first house parade and have been busy making resources in PC for the upcoming house events. Zircon students have voted and named our house mascot Eddie the Emu. Eddie will make his debut at our house swimming carnival at the end of term. Over the next few weeks, PC classes will begin to create new exciting war cries and house songs for to use at the swimming carnival this year. I look forward to seeing house spirit on display at this event!

Regards
Mr. Pierce Leahy
HSC – ZA

From the English team.

As Term 1 progresses, students are beginning to receive their first set of assessment for 2025. This is an important period, not only for demonstrating what they have learned so far, but also for developing essential skills that will support them throughout their schooling and beyond. One of the most valuable aspects of the assessment process is drafting and receiving feedback.

Why is drafting important?

Drafting allows students to develop and refine their ideas. The first version of any work is rarely the best, and creating a draft gives students the opportunity to organise their thoughts, explore different approaches, and identify areas for improvement. By engaging in the drafting process, students learn that good writing and strong arguments are built through reflection and revision.

Encouraging your child to see a draft as a starting point, rather than a finished product, can help reduce pressure and promote a growth mindset. It's normal for the first attempt to have room for improvement, and every edit brings the work closer to a polished final piece.

The value of feedback

Feedback is a crucial tool for learning. When students receive constructive feedback from their teachers, they gain insight into what they are doing well and where they can improve. It's important that students engage actively with this feedback, asking questions if they are unsure and using the advice to make meaningful changes to their work.

Tips for supporting drafting at home

While we do offer time in class to complete assessment, it is also important that students are working on tasks at home. Here are some tips to help support your child:

• Create a quiet workspace: A calm environment free from distractions can help students focus on revising their work.
• Encourage breaks: Stepping away from a draft and returning to it later with fresh eyes can lead to better improvements.
• Read aloud: Hearing their work read aloud (by themselves or someone else) can help students catch mistakes and improve the flow of their writing.
• Celebrate progress: Acknowledge the effort your child is putting into revising their work, not just the final grade.

As the term progresses, the English Department will continue to focus on developing students' drafting and editing skills. These are lifelong skills that extend beyond the classroom and into many aspects of life and future employment.

We encourage all students to take full advantage of the opportunities to submit drafts and receive feedback. It's through this process that they can truly unlock their potential and produce work they can be proud of.

If you have any questions or would like further resources to support your child at home, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or me, Gabby Hunt, Head of Department- English.

Regards
Mrs. Gabby Hunt
HOD

From the Technologies team.

Exciting Projects in the Workshop!

Our Technology students have been hard at work this term, developing their practical skills and bringing their projects to life:

• Year 12 Engineering Skills students are making great progress on their custom-built racks.
• Year 12 Furnishing Skills students are refining their bench hooks and beginning the planning phase for their coffee tables.
• Year 11 Engineering Skills students are fabricating toolboxes from zincanneal, learning valuable sheet metalworking techniques.
• Year 11 Furnishing Skills students are assembling their bookends and incorporating them into a framed design.
• Year 10 TMT students are constructing folding camp stools using pine wood, applying both woodworking and design principles.

Workshop Safety & Parent Consent Forms

A reminder to parents and caregivers to ensure parent consent forms are completed for students participating in workshop activities. These forms are essential for students to engage in hands-on learning safely.

Loan Laptop Update

We’ve had a fantastic response to our laptop loan program this semester! Parents, please stay vigilant for any concerns regarding student devices and encourage responsible use to support learning.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our Technology programs!

Regards
Mr. Noel Cavanagh
HOD

From the Hospitality & VET team.

Our new kitchen is coming along nicely. Due to a number of students still working on their submissions, our competition to name our new restaurant has been extended by 2 weeks.  Please email your entry to Mrs McIntosh tmcin163@eq.edu.au by 3pm 14th February 2025.

Regards
Mrs. Tanya McIntosh
HOD

From the Learning Support team.

It has been wonderful to welcome everyone back into school this term and I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new families, we look forward to working with you this year. We have had a positive start to 2025, with most students starting to settle into ESHS routines and engage positively with learning.

Students requiring additional support have been allocated a Case Manager, who helps to co-ordinate support for the students as they require it. We welcome Ashley Stoker to our team, who has experience in both mainstream and special school settings. Please remember to contact the ESHS Inclusion Team if you have any questions, concerns or further support needs.

Our 2025 Inclusion team is:

Sarah Somerville: Head of Special Education and Learning Support ssome17@eq.edu.au
GARNET - Ashley Stoker: Teacher and Case Manager axsto14@eq.edu.au
SAPPHIRE - Erika Tsai: Teacher and Case Manager pxtsa0@eq.edu.au
ZIRCON - Kate Deighton: Teacher and Case Manager kmdei0@eq.edu.au
TOPAZ - Jessica Perryman: Teacher and Case Manager jmorr473@eq.edu.au

Regards
Mrs. Sarah Somerville
HOSES

From the Indigenous Education team.

QATSIF (Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation) scholarship students

Congratulations to the three Year 11 students that have been awarded a Round 16 QATSIF scholarships.

I will be talking to the Year 10 students later this semester about what they need to be doing to be able to apply for round 17 scholarships. 

Deadly thinking youth

The Year 9 -12 indigenous students will be partaking in Deadly Thinking Youth later this year on the 6-8th of May. 

Deadly Thinking Youth is an opportunity for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to yarn about a whole lot of stuff that affects them.

The workshops offer a culturally appropriate environment for students and young people to yarn about their troubles and learn how to feel strong in body, mind, and spirit.

Indigenous student opportunities

QATSIF in partnership with ACU (Australian Catholic University) is inviting all Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary students to yarn with, learn from, and share the stories, wisdom and cultural heritage of our Elders.

Please see the attached information sheet

Year 10-12 Indigenous Students 

Victorian Indigenous Engineering Winter School is on again for 2025! The school will run from 5-12 July.

Since 2016, four Victorian universities have collaborated to host the Victorian Indigenous Engineering Winter School (VIEWS). VIEWS is a week-long program offered by The University of Melbourne, RMIT University, Swinburne University and Monash University where students experience first-hand the work of engineers, meet Indigenous engineering professionals, discover pathways into engineering and explore four university campuses.

The program is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students between Years 10-12, from anywhere in Australia. The program is 100% free, including on-campus accommodation and airfares.

If you know of any Indigenous students at your school who have shown an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) or who you think may be suitable, please let them know of this opportunity. This is an exciting initiative that will change your students’ perspective on engineering and open up a world of possibilities.

For more information on the program and a registration form for your students please visit: 

Applications for this program are now open and close on Friday May 9 at 5pm.

Places in this program are strictly limited, so get in early as this is an opportunity not to be missed!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the VIEWS team via: eng-views@unimelb.edu.au

If you have any questions please come and see Mrs Pillay in Support Works.

Mrs. Rebekah Pillay
HOD

From the Positive Behaviour for Learning Team

At Emerald State High School we are:

• Polite,
• Prepared, and we
• Participate.

Behaviour Focus

Our current behaviour focus is “Looking Out For One Another”.

Community Notices