4 August 2016

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Welcome to this edition of our newsletter. Thank you to all the parents who attended our Parent Teacher evening last week. It was a very informative evening with presentations as well as the opportunity to catch up on your child’s progress. The week before was also a busy week for our students, who experienced motivational media on Wednesday and many who participated in our SHINE evening on Thursday. It was great to see what talent we have at the school as they sang and performed all evening. We’ve also had some of our Japanese students participating in a live videoconference with students in Japan. It was a wonderful experience to see the interactive conference.

Upcoming events

• Tuesday 9 August – 3.30 pm Enrolment session for Year 6 Parents
• Tuesday 9 August – 3.30pm Year 9&10 Subject Selection Evening
• Tuesday 9 August – 6.00-6.30pm Sausage sizzle
• Tuesday 9 August – 6.30 pm Year 7-9 Trivia Night and Awards night.
• Thursday 18th August – Year 10 Set Plan Day and Interviews

Special Mentions:

• Mrs Van Hees and our other teachers are currently visiting Brisbane on the senior geography tour.
• To all of our special education teachers and teacher aides who do a mighty job each and every day

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” Edward Everett Hale

Ray Clarke
Principal

Year 8 News

PBL focus – being prepared

There has been a big push around our school community to ensure all students are prepared for all learning opportunities. This means that all students are expected to bring with them to every lesson their diary*, notebook and writing materials within their pencil case (including blue, black and red pens, pencils, eraser, sharpener, glue and scissors). With this, we also expect that students will keep their equipment in good condition and use them appropriately. If there are any questions regarding this particular expectation, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Being prepared also means arriving to school and class on time. There have been several discussions made with the cohort and individual students that when we are late, we unintentionally disrupt the learning occurring throughout the lesson. Staff at Emerald State High School are strongly encouraging students to be making good decisions about getting to class on time, and enforcing consequences if they are not.

Another example of being prepared, is wearing the correct uniform. Although it is starting to warm up, I would just like to set another reminder that the only jumpers to be worn are the school jumpers or a plain black jumper (with no hood or logos). I thank you for your support with this matter.

*If your child no longer has a diary, or misplaced it, a new one can be purchased from the office for $7.50

Parent Teacher Interviews

Thank you to all those who gave up their time to discuss how their child is travelling within their subjects. It was lovely to see familiar faces and also to meet new families. The year 8 students have been reminded that both their effort and behaviour are choices that each and every one of them makes, every lesson. I would also like to remind you that if you would like to discuss your child’s progress or have any other concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the teacher, or to send me an email and I am able to pass this on.

Getting involved - Participating

Throughout the school community there are a range of opportunities to get involved and participate. I am encouraging all year 8 students to challenge themselves to try something new. Groups like: Science Club, Cooking Club, Chess Club, Gym, Interact, SRC, a range of sporting events and more. Take a risk, you will never know if you enjoy it or not until you give it a go.

Year 8/9 Camp

Camp is not far away. Thank you to all those that have returned medical forms and made their final payments. If you are yet to return the forms, could you please do so as soon as possible. The camp will be a wonderful experience for those students involved and a great opportunity to demonstrate a range of leadership skills.

Attendance

Just a reminder that the expected attendance rate for each student is above 90%. It is really important that your child is at school, accessing the education as every day counts. If a student will be absent, please ensure that you contact the school by phone call or reply to text message, a written note either before or after the absence or return the blue note with a reason included.

Key dates

Junior School Awards and Trivia Night – 9th August
Interschool Sport – 16th August
Relay for Life - 20th/21st August
Year 8/9 Camp - 21st -25th August (You will be receiving the final letter in the next couple of days)

Have a great term 3. If you have any questions or concerns, my email is cdpri0@eq.edu.au.

Claire Prior
Head of Year 8

From the Head of Department: Mathematics

Wow! Can you believe we are already halfway through the year! That’s about 600 hours or 36,000 minutes that our students have spent at school. Everyday counts here at Emerald State High School and the best way to improve our numeracy and mathematical skills is to come to every lesson ready to learn. We really encourage all our students to follow the 3Ps: polite, prepared and participate. In order to be prepared for class it really is essential to have all writing equipment plus a calculator and ruler. For certain content, such as trigonometry, these are vital to understanding. If this not possible, please contact your child’s teacher.

This term is going to be a big one and some assessment is already going out for Maths. In our junior school our year 7 and 9 students start off with data and statistics while the year 8s are doing ratio and rates. Within senior school, the year 10s are also learning about statistics for the first part of the term. In our upper senior school there is much to be done. Our PVM classes are working on finance and budgeting as well as surveying and data collection. Our Maths A, B and C students are all learning about a multitude of different topics including finance and costings, calculus and a bit of algebra thrown in for good measure.

With all of this happening this is also a massive term for our OP-eligible students with the QCS Test scheduled for the Tuesday and Wednesday of week 8. These sessions include 4 tests covering the 49 Common Curriculum Elements that are general skills that are taught across all subject areas. The 4 tests are: writing task, short response task and two multiple choice tasks. These two days are very draining and it is extremely important that all students start now to prepare physically and mentally for it. It is vital for all to look after themselves to ensure they are healthy for this stressful time.

As I have done with all of my last articles so far this year, I will leave you with a maths problem solving puzzle.

You can find this game at

Tiff Brennan
Head of Department: Mathematics (Acting)

Science News

Junior School

Across all science classes this term there is a focus on providing students with opportunities to apply theoretical concepts learnt during lessons to practical tasks. Year 7 students have started this term by studying the types of forces that act on objects and have carried out experimental tasks to observe these forces in action. During week 3 the year 7 students also started planning the construction of their balloon powered vehicles as part of their assessment. The year 8s have started the term by investigating the rock cycle and the formation of crystals within rocks, while year 9 students have started looking at human body systems. Students in year 10 have started the term by studying global systems. Specifically they have investigated the affect that humans have had on the carbon cycle.

Senior School

Year 11 Biology students have started the term by investigating transport systems in plants. They will be applying their understanding of this concept further by growing plants on the school’s agricultural plot. This term year 12 Biology students are learning about the human reproduction system and assisted reproductive technologies. Chemistry students in year 11 are investigating water quality through their extended experimental investigations while year 12 Chemistry students have started their unit on forensic chemistry by investigating nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The Science in Practice students have been developing an understanding of Newton’s laws and will be applying this knowledge to experiments and an assessment task which involves making a water bottle rocket.

Science Club

Science teachers at the school have banded together to re-establish Science Club this term. Students from all year levels are welcome to join us at the science block (A006) to participate in a range of science experiments and activities on Thursdays at first break. During week 3 we made agar plates which are used to grow bacteria. Students took samples from around the school and will be observing the bacteria that have grown using a microscope in the following week. Science Club is also a great opportunity for students to receive extra assistance or advice from their teachers.

Science fact: Cheetah's can accelerate from 0 to 70 km/h in 3 seconds.

Katelyn Carter
Teacher – Maths and Science

Health & Physical Education News

In HPE this term, our junior school students are participating in a range of sports. The year 7 students are enjoying playing invasion games and the year 8 students are participating in bat and ball games. The year 9s are participating in volleyball. Our year 10 students are also developing their skills in soccer and coaching. Our year 11 and 12 students are enjoying learning about and playing the sport of touch football and Figueroa’s Framework.

For the theoretical component, the year 7s are learning about reading food labels and making good nutritional choices. The year 8s are learning about the evolution of inclusivity in the Olympics. They are learning about how the Olympics have changed over time and why some countries excel in certain events compared to others that don’t. The Year 9s are looking at first aid and how to react in certain emergency situations. Our year 10 students are learning about coaching and how to be a successful coach. Both the year 11 and 12 students are learning how to evaluate their performances in touch using Figueroa’s Framework. In a final note, participation is an essential part of success in HPE. It is encouraged that all students give every lesson their best effort and continue to improve their skills in both practical and theory components. It is great to see so many students turning up with a great attitude towards the subject. Keep up the good work.

Special Education Program News

We would like to welcome all our SEP students and their families back to term three. Since the last newsletter there has been a lot happening. We have entered various things into the show. This year we have done extremely well with our show entries. All of the students from the SEP who entered items received at least one first prize. Some of them received multiple prizes. One of our students received Grand Champion for the Arts and Crafts category. Well done to all of the students who entered.

This term we have continued our visits to the local PCYC which has provided us with some fun and fitness, unfortunately our personal trainer Jess has not been able to work with us but we have still had fun while exercising. Each visit sees some of our students challenging themselves to ride, row, walk, and step further than they did last time.

This term saw the start of our Geography unit. The unit involves looking at observable features of community spaces such as parks, and the library. We have looked at similarities and differences of various spaces.

In science we are just about to start our topic of the Earth’s features. This includes looking at the oceans and mountains etc. More to come next time. 

Social skills and life skills we have continued looking at are the functional manners used in situations around meal times such as place setting, using manners while at the table and serving, maintaining a safe kitchen and other areas around our homes, as well as taking turns in games, sharing and using please and thank you, excuse me and other manners.

Student Representative Council News

Emerald State High School’s Representative Council (SRC) has had a really busy start to the year and an even busier August. The Senior Leaders held our last Relay for Life BBQ at the Marketplace on the 23rd, only a couple of days after holding their biannual fundraiser – Shines. It was great to see so many acts on stage performing to friends and family as well as supporting the SRC by purchasing food at the canteen. We had everything from instrumentals, singing, dancing and lip-syncing. Even the teachers got up to perform Life is a Highway – with no rehearsals as they were that good.

In only 3 weeks dozens of students and staff are participating in the Central Highlands Relay for Life. It’s an exhausting, cold and emotional weekend for all those involved which will involve 2 senior teams, 2 year 11 teams, as well as a year 10 and junior team. It is a great response from the school and everybody has been fundraising over the last couple of months. There is a joint fundraiser on the 10th August with a fully catered Trivia Night. Come and support these amazing students and staff and the Cancer Council.

Over the next few weeks the SRC is also raising funds for the PCYC annual Lock Up fundraiser. For something different the SRC and Leaders have five volunteer teachers willing to be locked up but it’s the students who get to decide which teacher will be behind bars. Leaders are coming around at lunch with buckets which students are encouraged to fill with change. The teacher with the heaviest bucket at the end of Week 7 will be locked up on the night of the Multicultural Festival. We encourage all students to get behind the fundraiser as the PCYC does an amazing job in our community as all money raised will be going to them.

The SRC, with the help of other senior leaders, will continue to work hard for not only their school but the broader community. There is another school social in October and other fundraisers designed to assist local charities, as well as the student body, so keep reading the school’s Facebook page and supporting this hardworking group of students.

News from the Library

Word Mania

All students in Years 7-9 have been registered for Literacy Planet’s Word Mania competition. The online competition challenges students to make as many words as possible from 15 letters in 3 minutes. Students across Australia are competing for their share of $100,000 of prizes. The first round runs August 1-5, the second round runs August 8-12, and the finals run August 22-24. Students can participate through the website at the link below or the free app (LiteracyPlanet’s Word Mania 2016). Students’ Geography teachers have their passwords as does Mrs Galea in the library.

Competitions

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

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

Positive Behaviour for Learning News

Emerald State High School is a Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) School whose main goal is to improve learning outcomes. Our expectation at ESHS is that students will follow the 3Ps:

• We will be POLITE
• We will be PREPARED
• We will PARTICIPATE

Positive Rewards

There are a variety of opportunities for students to be rewarded for their behaviour. For example:

Student of the Week

Staff members are encouraged to nominate students who are consistently making good choices. Generally the students who are nominated are those who consistently follow the 3Ps. One student from each year level is awarded Student of the Week. They receive a certificate and a ‘front of the line’ tuckshop voucher which is valid for a week on Tuesday’s assembly. They also go into the draw to win a $5 tuckshop voucher – students must be present to win the voucher.

Positive Postcards

Students who are caught making great choices, demonstrating one (or more) of the 3 Ps or being an excellent ambassador of the school, may receive a postcard in the mail. The postcards are sent to the parents/guardians of that student so that they can read the reason for which the postcard was posted.

VIVOs

Each student has received login details for the online rewards system, VIVO miles. VIVOs are a relatively new addition to the school and are becoming more and more popular. How does it work? Staff can reward students for their positive behaviour with points. The points allow students to access the online shop. In that shop, there are a range of items that students can purchase, as well as vouchers (including tuckshop passes, discounts on senior jerseys and formal tickets). If you haven’t had a discussion with your child about VIVOs, we encourage you to ask them to show you around the site and even see the categories in which your child is earning points for. Students can also see where they sit on a range of leader boards and also go into the draw to win the major prize at the end of the term for a $50. If you have any ideas on different items to add to our online shop or would like to donate any items, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school or be emailing cdpri0@eq.edu.au.

Signage

We have also purchased some new signage that will be displayed around the school as a reminder to the community of our expectations. The PBL team are very excited about the new additions to our school grounds.

Claire Prior and the PBL team

Kedron State High School Concert

Driving Simulation

Twilight Markets

Our Rainbow House Fundraisers

Emerald State High School supports Our Rainbow House through our Student Representative Council. Below are some upcoming fundraising activities that they’re organising to raise funds for their school in Zambia.

Cowboys Reunion Day

Community Grants Program

BMX Club