08 August 2025
Principal’s Report.
Dearest Emerald State High School Community,
We are already at Week 4 of Term 3, and it’s been a fantastic few weeks filled with achievement, creativity, sport, and collaboration. I want to take this opportunity to celebrate some of the recent highlights and share what’s ahead for our vibrant school community.
Celebrating Student Success
Over the past fortnight, our school has been buzzing with events that showcased the immense talent and spirit of our students.
SLC Trivia Night
A huge congratulations to our Student Leadership Council for hosting an outstanding Trivia Night. The event was incredibly well-attended, and the atmosphere was full of energy and friendly competition. It was wonderful to see students, staff, and families come together in such a positive and fun-filled way. Well done to all involved in organising and participating!
Instrumental Music Showcase
Our Instrumental Music students delivered a stunning performance at this year’s Showcase. The level of musicianship on display was truly impressive, reflecting the dedication of our students and the guidance of our passionate music staff. Thank you to all who attended and supported our young performers.
Art Show Entries
Our Visual Art students have been hard at work, and their creativity is now being celebrated with entries into this year’s regional Art Show. The originality and quality of work produced by our students is outstanding – a credit to both their talent and the teaching staff who support their growth.
Western 7s Rugby Union
Congratulations to all students who represented our school in the recent Western 7s Rugby Union competition. Our teams played with pride, skill, and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. A special shoutout goes to our Open Girls Rugby Union Team, who took out the Grand Final! What an outstanding achievement – you’ve done our school proud!
Looking ahead, our Open Girls Rugby League Team will be heading to Townsville to compete in the prestigious Karen Murphy Cup. We wish them the very best as they represent us on this stage. Go State!
Farewell to a Much-Loved Staff Member
This week we bid farewell to our much-loved cleaner, Janelle Smith, who is finishing her time with us after many years of dedicated service. Janelle has been a quiet yet constant presence in our school, always working hard behind the scenes to keep our spaces clean, safe and welcoming. On behalf of the entire school community, we thank Janelle for her tireless work and wish her all the very best in the next chapter.
Professional Learning and School Improvement
This week, two of our Deputy Principals and I will have the opportunity to visit Palmview Secondary College on the Sunshine Coast. The focus of our visit is Instructional Leadership and building teacher and student clarity in teaching and learning. It will be a valuable experience to see how other schools are fostering clear expectations, effective feedback, and student agency in learning. We look forward to applying some of these insights to our own school context as we continue to improve outcomes for all students.
Peter Doherty Awards
The Department of Education’s Peter Doherty Awards Ceremony will take place next week. One of our students, Priya Taylor-Sidhu will be awarded an Outstanding Senior STEM Student Award. The award is a wonderful reflection and acknowledgement of Priya’s effort and commitment to investing in her education. We are so proud of you.
Thank you for your continued support. It’s a privilege to lead a school community where students are thriving across academic, cultural, and sporting domains. I look forward to sharing more success stories in the weeks ahead.
‘Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.’
- Mae Jemison.
Regards
Mr. Troy Sanson
Acting Principal
From the Topaz House Support Coordinator.
With Term 3 now in full swing, Week 4 marks the launch of our exciting House Challenge activities during PC each Friday. Two PC classes from each house will head to the basketball courts to compete for house bragging rights (though we all know Topaz will win for sure!).
Attendance remains a key focus for PC, as it provides an important opportunity for students to stay informed through daily notices and to build house spirit with activities such as quizzes, bingo, and more. It’s been fantastic to see students across year levels connecting and engaging in PC.
We’re looking forward to all the energy and house pride Term 3 has in store. As always, HSCs are here to support students at any stage throughout the term.
Regards
Mr. Oliver Lamb
HSC – T1
From the English team.
Strap on your backpacks, open your maps, and get ready to turn the page on an unforgettable journey — Book Week 2025 is here! This year’s theme, “Book an Adventure,” invites us all to dive into thrilling quests, daring escapades, and magical journeys, all within the pages of a book. From enchanted forests and hidden islands to time machines and treasure hunts, there’s an adventure waiting for every reader. Whether you’re a brave explorer, a time-travelling hero, or a curious sidekick, it’s time to bring your favourite story to life!
🗺️ Week 5 – Map-Making Adventures
Get creative and design your own adventure map! Will your path lead to treasure, danger, or discovery? Join in during class time or lunchtime workshops.
🔖 Week 6 – Bookmark Design Competition
Show off your artistic flair by designing a bookmark inspired by your favourite book or adventure. Winning designs will be printed and shared with the school!
- 🎉 Book Week Parade – Save the Date!
- 📍 Where: UCA
- 🕑 When: Second break
- 📅 Date: Thursday, 21st August
Come dressed as your favourite book character or adventurer and celebrate storytelling with your classmates and teachers. There will be prizes for best costumes, photo booths, and plenty of magical memories to be made.
Regards
Miss. Sophie Philp
Teacher
From the Maths team.
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
As we enter a critical phase of the term, students across all year levels are preparing for or completing key assessment tasks. This period can bring both challenge and opportunity. Your support at home is invaluable in helping students stay calm, focused, and well-prepared. To assist your child in preparing for exams or assignments, here are a few helpful tips:
Exam Preparation Tips for Students
• Create a Study Plan
Break the workload into manageable parts. Set specific goals for each session and stick to a timetable.
• Complete Mock Exams and Revision Sheets
Teachers have provided revision materials and mock exams. These are crucial tools for identifying knowledge gaps, building exam stamina, and boosting confidence under test conditions.
• Use Class Notes & Teacher Feedback
Focus on the areas where feedback has been provided or where mistakes have previously been made.
• Stay Active and Rested
A healthy body supports a focused mind. Sleep, hydration, and regular breaks are vital.
• Ask for Help
Students should reach out to their teachers during class or attend Homework Club for additional support.
What’s Happening in Each Year Level
Year 7: Commencing a PSMT (Problem Solving and Modelling Task) focused on measurement.
Year 8: Preparing for an upcoming probability exam, including compound events and representations.
Year 9: Revising for an exam on trigonometry, covering right-angled triangles and applications.
Year 10 Core Maths: Starting a bivariate data assignment involving scatter plots, correlation and trend lines.
Year 11 General, Methods, Specialist: Finalising Unit 2 with exams either underway or approaching.
Year 12 General, Methods, Specialist: Deep into preparation for their Unit 4 external exams – the final hurdle before the external exams.
We appreciate your ongoing partnership in supporting student learning. Please remind your child that staying organised and asking questions early can make a big difference. If you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Regards
Mr. Dan Van Hees
Teacher
From the HPE team.
We are off to a wicked start so far for this term, with jam packed action of sports all around. With touch football starting up again, our mixed teams are keen and ready to rumble.
Our rugby 7s teams took on the Western 7s competition over the weekend, to compete against schools across Queensland. All the rugby teams competed at a high standard, making their coaches proud! Well done to everyone involved!
The school volleyball teams gear up to head down south to compete in the Seniors Cup in the Gold Coast. Good luck to the players and coaches and have a safe travel!
Regards
Miss. Sophie Philp
Teacher
From the LOTE team.
Hi everyone!
This term in Japanese, students are diving into exciting topics that combine language learning, with real-world cultural exploration. From school life and festivals, to global issues and future plans, it’s a term full of fun, growth, and meaningful learning!
Year 7 – Life as a Japanese Student
Our Year 7 students are stepping into the world of Japanese school life! They’re learning how to talk about daily routines, read and write Hiragana, and use time and schedule vocabulary to build their own weekly timetables.
They’ll also explore what makes Japanese schools unique – from classroom rules to lunchtime culture. Some students are even trying their hand at Kanji for extra challenge!
Year 8 – Festivals & Cultural Celebrations
Year 8s are exploring how communities in Japan and Australia celebrate – with a focus on traditional festivals, seasonal events, and cultural values.
Students are learning how to describe celebrations using key verbs and adjectives, compare customs, and design their own dream festival using Hiragana, Katakana, and basic Kanji. It’s a vibrant and creative unit that blends language with cultural storytelling!
Years 9 & 10 – Speaking Up for the Planet
In this shared unit, students are discovering how to use Japanese to talk about environmental issues that matter to them – from recycling and reducing waste to protecting wildlife.
They’ll learn how to give opinions, make suggestions, and reflect on their values – all while continuing to develop their Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji knowledge.
This unit empowers students to express their voice in another language while thinking globally.
Year 11 – Exploring Our World
Year 11s are going on a cultural adventure as they explore how Japan connects with the world. Topics include travel, social customs, etiquette, and Japan’s influence in global pop culture, food, and fashion.
Students are building rich vocabulary, creating cultural presentations, and engaging in Japanese conversations that strengthen fluency and intercultural understanding. A fast-paced and fun unit!
Year 12 – My Future, My Voice
Year 12 students are reflecting on their future goals and responsibilities while building the language skills to talk about work, study, and personal aspirations.
This unit combines heartfelt topics with practical communication – helping students express their hopes and plans confidently in Japanese. It’s a powerful way to start to wrap up their Japanese journey as senior learners.
If you have any questions or would like to chat about your child’s learning, please feel free to get in touch anytime. We love celebrating their progress and passion for language!
Regards
Miss. Abbi McClean
Teacher
From the Guidance Officer.
Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC)
QTAC applications opened on Tuesday the 5th of August. Year 12 students had the opportunity to listen and have questions answered during a presentation from QTAC last week. It is wise for students to consider future career prospects as part of their course decision-making.
QTAC reported that applications last year showed continued growth in demand for courses aligned with workforce needs:
- Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) and Technology Degrees (Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Data Science)
- Health (Nursing, Allied Health and Mental Health)
- Education and Teaching
- Climate and sustainability – related fields.
Some courses of study have both QTAC application requirements and specific tertiary institution application requirements, that may include a written application, interview, audition or portfolio. Students need to check on the requirements for their chosen course on the QTAC website https://www.qtac.edu.au/ or speak with the Guidance Officer.
Students may or may not have an idea of the path they want to take after school. The thought of choosing a course and career path can be overwhelming and stressful, especially if students have multiple interests or simply don't know what they want to do.
QTAC has previously published some hints and tips parents can use to encourage students on their journey to tertiary study and beyond:
- Talk with students about their interests and skills. This may prompt them to think about possible career options.
- Sit down together and read through the Year 12 Guide for 2026 that students were given to find out what courses are available and make a note of any important dates.
- Remember updated information that changed after printing the 2026 QTAC Guide is always available on the QTAC website.
- Attend career expos and open days with your child. Some universities have virtual open days.
- Explore a range of options and pathways with your child, rather than focusing on a single career path.
In addition to the QTAC website help students with their research by checking out:
Regards
ESHS Guidance Officer
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 “Use digital technologies appropriately.”
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