Emerald State High School
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Old Airport Drive, P.O. Box 419
Emerald QLD 4720
Subscribe: https://emeraldshs.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe

Email: the.principal@emeraldshs.eq.edu.au
Phone: 07 4988 2222
Fax: 07 4988 2200

2 June 2016

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Welcome to this fortnight’s newsletter. During the past two weeks we have had many guest speakers and performances as well as hosting sporting competitions. Having such a varied curriculum and sporting program is a wonderful asset to any school and I wish to thank our teachers who make these events occur. Last week alone we had the Glencore employment visit, the Grin and Tonic performance troupe visit, local excursions, and the Band camp at Yeppoon as well as the Junior School awards evening.

Senior Biology camp

This year our two major improvement areas are in classroom standards and positive behaviour language. There is much work to be completed in these areas and we are developing extensive training programs to improve these areas. These areas will be our focus for the next few years.

Uniforms

The uniform this year as has been quite good however with the change of weather arriving, it is timely that students and parents look at cold weather uniforms. Our winter uniforms are available at our tuckshop and are well priced. Please ensure your child wears the correct uniform each day especially during the winter months.

Gideon’s Bibles

A guest speaker from Gideon’s International will be talking to students in Years 7-10 briefly after our school parade on June 14. This is not compulsory for students to attend the presentation. If you wish your child to be exempted please contact the school office to notify us. The Gideon Society makes available small bibles for the students to take if they wish to do so. It is not compulsory that they take a small bible from the table after the presentation. It is purely up to them.

Special Mentions:

  • Special thanks to Mr Ryan, Mr Van Hees and the Heads of Year for our Junior School awards night.
  • Mrs Weatherly and Mr Horsfall are looking for more helpers with Octoberfest, please contact the school office to be connected to them if you wish to help.
  • Congratulations to Courtney and Kurstyn Mather who achieved outstanding results in the school state squash trails. Courtney even made the state side in the open division.
  • Mrs Dyer is currently acting as Principal at Capella State School.

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Eleanor Roosevelt

Have a safe and happy weekend

Ray Clarke
Principal

From the Deputy

The success of Emerald State High students never ceases to amaze. The depth of talent our students have is to be commended. On Friday a number of students attended the Chess competition at Marist. Our students won this event. Stevie Featherstone, a school-based apprentice in Hairdressing, won 2nd place in the Rookie section of the Novacolorist competition. Stevie, in her first year of her apprenticeship, competed against other apprentices, many of which were further along in their apprenticeship and from our capital cities. Our school is also well represented in several student categories at this year’s show. We will also showcase the school as a whole with a display in the main pavilion with a science theme featuring student work. This week many of our students will be competing in the Interschool Cup for Rugby and Netball. Next week have 2 teams from years 7 and 8 are participating in the Capricornia Reader’s Cup in Blackwater to test their reading comprehension against other schools in the region. Our Instrumental Music students will be competing in Fanfare in Week 9. I am sure these students will also excel and bring home trophies. Congratulations to all students involved in these activities.

I take this opportunity, as the weather turns cooler, to remind everyone that the tuckshop has a supply of school uniform tracksuits which are the approved P&C uniform for winter. Black trousers or track pants are also acceptable with a plain dark green or black sweat shirt. Hoodies, jumpers/jackets with logos, beanies and fingerless gloves are not part of the approved P & C uniform and therefore should not be worn at school. Parents are requested to supply explanatory notes if their child is not in uniform.

Students in years 11 and 12 will receive their assessment block timetable soon. It is important that students use the time given to them to prepare for assessment. Students should be revising class notes and revision, completing assessment using the draft comments given by teachers and if necessary contacting their teachers for support. Years 11/12 is a 2 year course of study and those who made good choices will look to carry those subjects to completion in year 12 and attain a QCE with a minimum grade of a pass. Credits toward the QCE are also awarded for completed Certificate subjects.

Students in Year 11 who have not attained success in a subject are advised to leave the subject and choose another subject in which they can be successful toward QCE credits. Students should start this process before the end of term. Students wanting to change a subject must obtain the “Subject Change Form” from the office. Whilst at the office, they should make an appointment with the Guidance Officer, Mrs Fitzgerald. Mrs Fitzgerald will help students complete the form, taking into consideration the students future goals to ensure pathways are still available to the student. This change needs to be completed by the end of week 2, term 3.

Regards

Tanya Shaw
Deputy Principal – Years 11 & 12 (Acting)

Attendance News

In the newsletter for the rest of the year there will be attendance data included. Our school target is to reach 91% attendance for the year. Each newsletter will have the year to date and fortnightly attendance figures.

Year to date: 89.8%
Fortnight: 93.4%

Congratulations to all students last fortnight for setting a great standard. Keep it up!

Year 10 News

Wow isn’t this year flying by! For year 10 the second round of work experience placements are fast approaching and many students are looking forward to getting out and into the workforce during week 9 (June 6th – 10th). Please make sure all the necessary documentation has been signed and returned.

Bright yellow forms have been distributed to year 10 students this week. These forms outline the process students need to follow to obtain a USI (Unique Student Identifier) number. Students must action this letter and obtain their number and return it to Support Worx. This number is required before the school can issue any VET certificate.

Relay for Life is being held during August and the year 10 team “Caped Curesaders” are holding a bake sale at the Lion’s Markets on 5th June. Pop on down to buy some of the lovely baking on offer including donations from Mrs Dyer, Mrs Sharman and Mrs Masters. All money raised helps to fund Cancer Council’s research, prevention and support services.

Wearing a correct and well-presented uniform is an important aspect of being prepared for school. Students must be wearing either the day or formal uniform as outlined in the uniform policy in the student diary. As the weather cools down please remember school jackets and tracksuit pants are available from the uniform shop. Students may wear plain black or emerald green jumpers and black tracksuit pants, however no hoods or printing are permitted on these items.

Our school attendance target is 91%. The year 10 attendance is continually improving and currently our term to date attendance is 90.3%. Keep up the good work.

Annette Carter
Year 10 Manager

From the Head of Department: The Vocational Education & Training

Last year the Government introduced a new policy requiring all students undertaking a Vocational Education and Training (VET) to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI). As all students in year 10 study Workplace Practices, this means that any student in Years 10, 11 or 12 at our school must have provided the school with their USI. The USI allows us to link information about a student's VET achievements, regardless of where they studied, therefore making it easier for students to find and collate their VET achievements. It is very important that every student provides the school with their USI as certificates cannot be issued without this. I have attached both the letter that was sent home and the parent fact sheet for further information. If you have any queries or difficulties with this please contact me at the school.

In week 9 of this term nearly 80 of our year 10 students will undertake work experience in the 2nd block as part of their Certificate II Workplace Practices course. For many students deciding on a career for work experience was very difficult. As part of the course students undertake surveys to get a better understanding of what work will suit them. The Australian Government has produced a booklet “Parents Talking Career Choices. The booklet gives parents helpful hints in guiding your child through career development. I have attached a copy of this booklet to the newsletter.

I would like to acknowledge and thank the following businesses for their support in our work experience program this year:

Aaron Davidson Painting
AJ & K Sanders
Allens Cabinets
Ampcontrol PTY LTD
Ashdown Ingram
Blue Care Avalon Nursing Home
Basford and Hunt Constructions
Best and Less
Big W
Bill Whites Electrical
Blissful Blooms
Borilla Community Kindergarten
Bradnams Windows and Doors
C & K Emerald South Kindergarten
Childs Tyre Services
CHRC Blackwater
CHRC Library
Coles Emerald
Comet Primary School
Construct Health Physiotherapy
Corbett Homes
Cordoma Farms
CQ News Emerald
CQ Saddlery
CQ Signs Plus
CQUniversity
CQMI Emerald
Cummins Emerald
Deepfeet Emerald
Denison State School
Department of Education and Employment Anakie
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
Department of Main Roads Emerald
Direct Chemist Outlet
Donut King
Emerald 4 X 4
Emerald Ag College
Emerald Carrying Company
Emerald Christian College
Emerald Cinema Complex
Emerald Community Kindergarten
Emerald Diagnostics
Emerald Ford
Emerald Laser and Dermal
Emerald Medical Group
Emerald North School
Emerald Office Supplies
Emerald OSHC
Emerald Pharmacy First
Emerald State Primary School
Emerald Toyota
Emerald Veterinary Clinic
Emerald Western Gateway
Emerald World of Learning
FlyCQ Emerald
Gemfields Building Supplies
Gemfields Medical Centre
Generations Fitness
Genesis Hair Design
Goodstart Early Learning Centre
Gray Street Vet Clinic
Hansen Tyre and Mechanical
Highlands Pharmacy First
Holden Emerald
Hoopers Food Store
Imps Hair Emporium
Iona Stump Grinding
Isla Downs
James Osbourn Building
Jodi’s Salon
John Crossan & Co
John Deere
Keppel Bay Marina
KFC
Komatsu
L J Hooker Emerald
Le Porte Rosse
Luv a Coffee
Maraboon Vet Clinic
Marist College Emerald
Mayfair Dental Surgery
Mayfair Tavern
McDonalds
Mikeder Emerald
NBS Plastering
Nogoa Newsagent
Pats Gems
Police-Citizens Youth Club Emerald
PJ Pets
Refelec Pty Ltd
Rods Auto Electrics
Ryder Machining Services
Salvation Army
Serenity Dental
Skillpro Services
Snap Fitness
SportsPower
Springsure Community Kindergarten
St Patricks Emerald
Subway
Sutto’s mechanical
TLM Diesel Services
Total Beauty
Vinnies Emerald
Vybe Café
West Auto Electrics
Wow Cuts and Colours

Tanya Shaw
Head of Department: Vocational Education & Training

From the Head of Department: The Arts & Indigenous Students

The Arts

The Visual Art students have been working hard to complete their making tasks. Authority Art students were tasked with creating an art work that portrayed a layered issue. They were to choose an issue in society and create a 2D or 3D piece of work that clearly communicated the concept. Several of the students challenged teachers and other support staff to identify their layered issue. This external insight prompted the students to make any necessary amendments to ensure that the communication of their ideas was as clear and concise as possible before the final submission. The Authority-Registered Art students have spent the last 15 weeks creating a vessel. A vessel is a 3D hollow object that has the potential to hold something. The students were very creative in their ideas, techniques and mediums. I commend both the students and staff on their efforts in the successful completion of these units. We look forward to moving on to our new units this week.

Indigenous Students

 

Our afterschool program on a Wednesday from 3-5pm is progressing well. The students have been involved in a variety of activities from didgeridoo making, decorating and playing, traditional games, cultural talks and activities, agricultural adventures and even some rapping about where we come from. Our goal is to get at least 30% of our Indigenous students attending this program. We are currently consistently at 20%. We encourage your child to come and participate in these activities as it is a great opportunity for the students to build positive relationships with other students, our staff and our valued members of the community. We would also like to invite any parents or carers who have a skill or just a story worth sharing to come along and work with our students. They would love to work with some familiar faces. Please contact Rachelle Wilcox at the front office if you would like to work with our students.

 

In week six, the Indigenous students participated in The Core of Life Program with Josie, our school nurse, and Deanne, who is a local midwife. The students went through concepts such as contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, healthy eating, drugs and alcohol, and mental health. The feedback was positive and we look forward to the increased awareness and positive discussions that have happened as a result of their engagement in the program. Thank you Josie and Deanne.

Rachelle Wilcox
Head of Department- The Arts & Indigenous Students

Industrial Technology & Design News

Junior ITD,

The year 7s are continuing with their term rotations. These students are making LED acrylic backboards. This project allows the students to get a taste of what ITD offers and how to use all the workshop equipment. The year 8s and 9s are currently finishing off their C02 dragsters. This project is very enjoyable and allows the student to design and race the car which is to be powered by a C02 bulb. All the students are looking forward to their race day in the next few weeks.

Furnishing

The senior furnishings students are working on their flat pack bedside tables, while this project has a large practical component, the students will be finishing off the term with the written assessment. The year 10 students have finished their wood jointing exercises and are now using these skills to construct foot stools. We have been recently using compressed air paint guns to finish our work which is allowing the students to take their jobs to the next level after spending so much time building them.

Engineering

The senior engineering students are finishing up the term with the final components of their jobs. The year 10 and 11 students are putting the finishing touches on their tool boxes and twist drill gauges. The tool boxes will be used to store their jobs for the remainder of their course. The year 12 students are working on their final major project, which is to build a clamp using all the machinery in the workshop.

Humanities News

Term Two is proving to be a very busy one in the humanities subjects. While year seven students compare the ancient cultures of Egypt and China, year eight are investigating the effect that Viking raiding and trading had on Russia, England, Ireland, Iceland, Greenland and Canada. They are also looking at Japanese Shogunate society and particularly the last two hundred years leading up to the modern era when the Japanese opened their doors to the world. For both years seven and eight, their studies will culminate with students presenting their findings as assignments in either digital Power Point format or as eye-catching wall charts.

Year 9 studies focus, at present, is on World War 1 with Year 10 delving into ‘Australian Pop Culture’ asking questions such as “How was Australia affected by significant global events and developments after 1945?” Year 11 and 12 Modern History students have focussed on ‘Post- Revolution Russia, the rise and fall of the Tsar’. At present Year 11 Geography are investigating ‘Human Induced Disasters’. These incorporate the long list of incidents covered by news channels on a daily basis ranging from terrorism to environmental problems such as Chernoble nuclear reactor meltdown or transportation incidents such as the missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH 370.

This term our students are making good use of Tuesday and Thursday ‘Study Club’ sessions to receive one-on-one assistance from teaching staff in Humanities who are all equally passionate to help this generation leave their own positive mark on the world.

Learning Support News

The Learning Support team has been focussing on a number of different initiatives this term.

Individual Curriculum Plans – Our Individual Curriculum Plans (ICPs) for students who are unable to access the curriculum at their year level have now been endorsed. The aim of an ICP is to provide further support in curriculum areas and to bridge the gap in student knowledge. We are continually reviewing student progress throughout the year to identify those students who may benefit from a modified year level curriculum program or require adjustments in their current plan.

Extreme Literacy Program- Students in Year 7 and 8 who have been identified as requiring intensive literacy support have been participating in two lessons of Extreme Literacy each week. These classes specifically target improvement in sentence structure (noun groups, verbs, simple to compound sentences, adverbs) spelling, punctuation and reading. This term students have been focusing on persuasive writing, particularly focusing on the language of persuasion.

English as a Second Language or Dialect - EAL/D students are those whose first language is a language or dialect other than English and who require additional support to assist them to develop proficiency in Standard Australian English. EAL/D students at Emerald State High School are all tested to see what level they are at with their development in reading, writing, listening and speaking of Standard Australian English. A support provision is then created based on the levels achieved and the needs of the students which include strategies to assist students in their development of Standard Australian English. EAL/D students are provided with extra support through either intensive one-on-one lessons, small group support programs or in class by teacher aides.

We welcome contact from parents if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s progress.

Regards,
Elyse and Liam

Sports News

Semester 1 this year has seen a record number of student’s trialling for representative sport; this is great to see students proudly representing their school at these trials. Congratulations to those that made representative teams, special congratulations go to those that were selected in combined state school or state teams. There are still a number of sports trials to be held throughout the year and it would be great to see this participation continue. The first round of interschool sport starts on the 2nd of June with the second and third on the July 25th and August 16th. For the past few years Emerald SHS has been able to come away with the shields for all age divisions in Netball and one in Rugby League, it would be great to see us come away with some more silverware this year.

Athletics Carnival is fast approaching on June 16th, it would be great to see huge participation levels on the day not only in the competitive events but also in the novelty events. This could be the difference between 1st and 2nd on the day as there were only ten points between first and second last year. Current house scores are:

Remember that guy that gave up? Neither does anyone else” (anonymous)

News from the Library

Premier’s Reading Challenge

The Premier's Reading Challenge is an annual state-wide initiative for students up to Year 9. The Premier's Reading Challenge is not a competition but aims to improve literacy and encourage children to engage in reading for pleasure and learning. Students that complete the challenge to read 15 books between 16 May - 26 August will receive a certificate. To register, students should see Mrs Galea in the library.

Competitions

There are a number of writing competitions currently open, most with cash prizes:

Title

Topic

Genre

Closing Date

Hervey Bay Council for the Arts Annual Youth Writing Competition

Any

Short stories

14th June

Imagination Creation Western Union Young Writers Competition 2016

Any

Short stories or poems

17th June

Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards

Waiting (optional)

Poems

30th June

Literary Competition

Any

Poem, short story or non-fiction

22nd July

2016 Ipswich Poetry Feast

Any

Poems

29th July

Heywire

A true story about an aspect of your life in a rural area

Text, video, photos or audio

6th September

Art & Literary Competition

What keeps me mentally well

Any

23rd September

Students should see Mrs Galea in the library for more details & to submit entries. Entering into these competitions earns students vivo points.

The BILBY (Book I Love BEST Yearly) Awards shortlist has been announced at the link below. It is suggested that students read through the shortlist and then cast their vote for their favourite by June 17th. Happy reading!

http://www.cbcaqld.org/bilby-awards.html

Rocky River Run

Twilight Markets

Track & Field Carnival