4 June 2025
Principal’s Report.
Dearest Emerald State High School Community,
I hope that this newsletter again finds you well and that you are looking forward to the coming fortnight!
Career’s Expo
Our Year 10s and some seniors attended the Emerald Career's Expo Friday Week 4 and had the chance to explore the wide range of careers opportunities that are available to them after they finish their schooling. Exploring future pathways and planning out what we would like to do with our lives is one of the exciting parts of being in high school!
Reconciliation Week
This week is National Reconciliation Week and the theme this year is Bridging Now to Next. I believe Reconciliation starts with some self-reflections around our own attitudes, actions and words. It is a timely reminder for all of us that no matter what, we must uphold the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
When we think about Reconciliation at a school level we must, as an entire community, acknowledge our collective histories and the immense injustice suffered by our First Nations people and come together to begin to make amends, by trying to do better with and for one another. We must learn about and cherish one another’s languages, beliefs and culture.
At Emerald State High School, we must look to establish a targeted Reconciliation Plan and make significant progress toward reconciliation in our community and at our school site.
I am greatly honoured to be able to be a part of an Emerald State High School Reconciliation Plan and I continue to learn and reconcile with our community.
Student Success
In recent, I have been speaking to students about:
- What they are learning today.
- Why they are learning it.
- How they know they’ve learned it.
These conversations with students are an action associated with what drives me as a Principal. That is, that I will communicate the success of our teachers and students to the community, so that we can monitor and celebrate our achievements in realising success for every child together.
Cool Weather
Yes, it is here again! The onset of cool weather means a few things:
- An influx of non-school jumpers. Please ensure that you have a School Jacket and Track Pants or Black School Jumper. Hoodies are not to be worn over the head.
- The days will warm up, and jumpers will come off- please make sure you name every item (First and Last name) so that lost items can be returned.
Attendance
A final reminder that regular attendance is particularly important with the following attendance rates providing a guide to the impact on academic success.
- 95% attendance = 1 day a month (minimal impact)
- <90% attendance = 1 day a fortnight (noticeable impact)
- <85% attendance = 1.5 days a fortnight (very significant impact)
- <80% attendance = 1 day a week (critical impact)
“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little bit extra.” - Blinky Bill
Have a great fortnight!
Kind regards
Mr. Troy Sanson
Principal
From the House Support Coordinator – Zircon 2.
We are Zircon! We are Emus – the largest bird in Australia who can travel up to 50km/hr. Led by Deputy Principal Tanya Shaw, with Head of Department Amy Cochrane and House Support Coordinator Mickayla Willie. We have got Athletics carnival coming up this week on Tuesday the 3rd of June. Come on down and get some point for Zircon!
As the colder months begin to kick in a quick reminder to only wear either a school or plain black jumper. If you are having issues with this, please feel free to reach out to either one of the Zircon wellbeing staff and we will do our best to support you! I hope we are having a fantastic Term 2.
If you have any concerns regarding wellbeing please contact:
Zircon B : Mickayla Willie– mwill1224@eq.edu.au
Wishing everyone a productive rest of the term. Go Zircon!
Regards
Miss. Mickayla Willie
HSC – Topaz 2
From the Cooee Corner.
As we move into a busy assessment period, our Inclusion team has been working hard to support all students across the school. Our dedicated teachers and teacher aides have been in classrooms every day, providing adjustments and assistance to ensure equity and inclusion remain at the heart of learning. Whether it's helping students stay focused, clarifying tasks, or providing quiet spaces for assessment, our team is committed to helping every learner succeed.
Our Year 12 students on QCIA pathways are making fantastic progress, as they work toward their final goals. They’ve been engaging in practical, real-world learning experiences to help build the skills they’ll need as they transition into the wider community after graduation.
Meanwhile, our Year 11 students have been revitalising the gardens around Cooee Corner. With the mild weather on their side, they’ve been planting herbs and vegetables, giving the space a fresh new look. This hands-on project has also been a great opportunity for students to apply their literacy and numeracy skills through planning, budgeting, and purchasing materials for the garden.
We’re incredibly proud of the effort and growth we’re seeing every day. A big thank you to all staff and students who continue to make our inclusive school environment such a supportive and dynamic place to learn.
Regards,
Ms. Jessica Perryman
Teacher
From the Support Works team.
Welcome our new CEC (Community Education Counsellor)
We would like to welcome Pam Appleby to Emerald State High School as the new CEC. The CEC is here to provide educational counselling and support services within the school, to ensure that the best possible assistance services are available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children, students, families and communities. This includes providing cross cultural awareness training to the broader school community.
Reconciliation week
Pam will be running Yarning Circles in Week 6 for Reconciliation week.
National Reconciliation Week 2025 will be observed from May 27 to June 3, 2025. The theme for this year is "Bridging Now to Next," which reflects the ongoing connection between past, present, and future. This week is a time for all Australians to learn about shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how everyone can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation 2025 Creative Arts Competition
If you are interested in participating, please see the attached flyer.
G:\Coredata\Common\Highlights Newsletter\2025 Highlights Newsletter\Term 2\3 - May 26\Attachments\2025 Poster QATSIF art comp.pdf
Round 17 QATSIF Scholarship
Year 10 and 11 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students please see attached information sheet. If you are interested in applying, please see Pam or Mrs Pillay in Support Works.
Regards,
Mrs. Bek Pillay
HOD
From the Science team.
It’s been a dynamic and hands-on term for the Science faculty at Emerald State High School, with students across all year levels diving into exciting new topics and experiences.
Our Year 7 students have been exploring the foundations of Biology, focusing on food chains and how energy flows through ecosystems. They’ve also been developing their classification skills, by using dichotomous keys to identify various organisms—an essential step in understanding biodiversity.
In Year 9, students have begun their study of Chemistry, delving into isotopes and types of radiation. This unit offers a fascinating look at the building blocks of matter and the real-world applications of radioactive substances.
Year 10 students are putting their scientific inquiry skills to the test with a student-designed experiment investigating the rate of chemical reactions. They’ve been working hard to plan, conduct, and evaluate their own experiments—a fantastic opportunity to prepare for the rigours of senior science.
A special highlight this term was a STEM excursion for our Year 9 Honours students, who participated in an exciting day of engineering challenges run by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA). The students demonstrated excellent teamwork and problem-solving as they tackled real-world engineering problems—an inspiring glimpse into the possibilities of STEM careers.
Well done to all our budding scientists for their curiosity, collaboration, and commitment to learning!
Regards,
Mr. Jaksen Brose
HOD
From the Hospitality and VET team.
Term 2 has been a vibrant and productive time for our VET (Vocational Education and Training) students at Emerald State High School, showcasing the strength and diversity of our programs.
A special highlight was the Emerald Uniting Church Garden High Tea, where our Certificate II in Hospitality students shone. Their outstanding professionalism and polished service were highly praised by event organisers and guests alike. A huge thank you goes to students Drew McIntosh, Jazmika Tyrell, Thomas Michelmore, Ebony, and Isobella Tyler, as well as their dedicated teachers Michelle Watkins and Tanya McIntosh for making the event such a success.
We also extend our congratulations to Jasmine and Mikayla (both Year 12), who were named two of the three Regional Finalists in the Queensland Training Awards – School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year category. This is an incredible achievement that recognises their hard work, dedication, and success in their chosen career pathways.
Another exciting milestone was the Careers Expo, where senior students from Years 10 to 12 had the opportunity to explore life after school. They connected with representatives from universities, TAFEs, and industry leaders, asking questions and gaining valuable insights into a wide range of careers. A big thank you to CQUniversity Australia for hosting such an informative and inspiring event—we’re already looking forward to next year!
Adding to the term's opportunities, students also met with serving members of the Australian Defence Force, gaining firsthand knowledge about the variety of trade and career options available within the ADF.
Thank you to all students, staff, and community partners for making Term 2 such a memorable and rewarding one for our VET learners. We look forward to more exciting opportunities in Term 3!
Regards,
Mrs. Tanya McIntosh
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 “Be Polite: Build Respectful Relationships.”
Community Notices
Newsletter Sponsors
