12 October 2016

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Welcome to the first newsletter edition of Term 4. I hope you all had a wonderful spring break. It was really exciting to see everyone back discussing their holiday experiences and ready for a great final term. Well this is the final term and I genuinely believe it will be a productive one for all our students. Last week interim reports were sent out to indicate your child’s progress in each subject. After reading their report, I hope every student revisits their semester goals and adjusts them to be achievable. Everyone wants to finish their year on a successful note.

Upcoming Events

• Year 11 Leadership Camp – 18-21 October
• Year 7 Enrolment evening - 27 October
• Oktoberfest – P& C Fundraiser Evening – Saturday 29 October
• Awards Night – Monday 31st October
• 4 November – School Review Day

Special Mentions

• Mrs Dyer will be acting Principal for the next 4 weeks at Clermont SHS. We wish her all the best there.
• Congratulations to Ms Comallatti, Ms Beck and all students who travelled on the successful Japanese Tour.
• A special thank you to Ross and Steve who made our grounds look so good when we returned. Thank you for a great effort there!
• Cyber safety session for students Monday 10 October. Information for parents about social media can be found below.

Prep will be compulsory from 2017

The Queensland Parliament recently made important changes to the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006. From next year, it will be compulsory for all Queensland children to undertake the Preparatory (Prep) Year, prior to entering Year 1. The legislation identifies specific exceptions that can be determined by principals on a case-by-case basis. To minimise disruption to schools and families, the new requirement will not apply to children already enrolled in Year 1 for 2017. We have seen such positive learning outcomes since the introduction of Prep and I am pleased all children will now enjoy this important start to their learning. Read more on the Education website.

Ray Clarke
Principal

From the Deputy

2016 is coming to a close, all that remains is Term 4 that is packed full of education, events and enjoyment. Significant events that are coming up on the school calendar are:

• 14th October – 16th October - Westerns 7s Carnival
• 17th October - Student Free Day
• 18th October – 21 October – Year 11 Leadership Camp
• 29th October – Oktoberfest
• 31st October – Awards Evening
• 16th November – Formal
• 18th November – Year 12s Finish
• 25th November - Year 10s & 11s Finish
• 9 December – School Finishes for 2016

I look forward to meeting many parents over the coming months at these events as we celebrate a successful 2016.

With the celebration component of term 4 it is important that we do not lose focus on the students’ education and our expectations. Our school focus this term, behaviourally, is to participate. Some of the aspects of this school expectation are that students will:

• engage willingly and actively in activities;
• stay on task and be an independent and resilient learner;
• respond positively to questions;
• ensure all work is completed to the best of their ability; and
• challenge themselves to be the best version of themselves.

These behaviour expectations will be explicitly taught to the students throughout the term and with so many events and school work happening it is vital that students participate in class and in whole school events.

Term 3 reports were emailed home late last week. This is an opportune time for students to reflect on their efforts and successes so far this year and set some goals that they want to achieve in this very short and exciting term.

I look forward to the term ahead and please contact me if I can help with your student’s education and enjoyment at school.

Brendan Shannon
Deputy Principal – Years 9 & 10

Year 12 News

Welcome back to the final term!! After a rigorous Term 3, particularly for the students involved in the Queensland Core Skills test, it’s time for students to remain focused for one final effort in Term 4. With formal and graduation on the horizon for the Year 12, it’s imperative that each student understands the importance of their final schooling term. We’ve had some very dedicated staff and students who have already undertaken various formal preparations in which I would like to thank.

All students will need to ensure that over the next term they have completed all assessment required of them, both in authority and certificate-based subjects. Especially those who have missed extended periods of time over the last year. Week 7 will be used as an alternative program week in which students will be given various talks/speeches from different community and authority groups throughout the region. Can I also please reiterate that students are also expected to maintain the minimum attendance rate of 91% and I encourage each student to make every day count, especially this term.

I would like to wish every parent and student good luck for their last term here at Emerald SHS. Keep giving your all to ensure you have a fantastic end of the year.

Have a great term!

Kris Curd
Head of Year 12

From the Head of Department: Humanities & Honours

Honours Program at ESHS

On Friday the 14th of October we will be interviewing potential candidates for the 2017 Year 7 Honours class. The year 6 students will experience a “Day in the Life” of an Honours student at ESHS. Many of our current Honours students in year 7-9 have graciously offered to be their buddies for the day. This will involve looking after them in the playground and being shadowed by their buddy in class throughout the day. It is great to see the program still progressing in the school and it has now clearly been established as a part of our learning culture. We have more candidates this year than ever before and this looks like a trend that will continue. Thank you to all those parents for your ongoing support, both at school and in the wider community. If you know of anyone who may have missed the deadline or who arrives in town later this year please ask them to contact Ben Van Hees at bvanh2@eq.edu.au.

History

The History department has invested in a number of research books for years 7 and 8 next year. We have purchased a range of texts about Ancient Egypt, Ancient China, Japanese Samurai and the Vikings. These will allow students the chance investigate a range of texts aimed a range of reading levels. It is envisage that these new resources will help improve engagement in the research process and improve the reading skills of students.

From the Head of Department: Technology/ITD

Welcome back after taking the time to refresh from a busy third term. Mind you term four does not slow down much either! The year 12 Technology classes are putting the finishing touches to their final assessment items for their formal schooling. Good luck! The year 9 ITD classes worked on consolidating their manufacturing skills and completed a wooden pencil case and now are designing and building a photo frame to a theme with an attachment so they can hook-up their electronic devices too.

Students with their pencil cases.

The year 7 ITD class completed a LED light display allowing students to understand the processes in manufacturing products and the requirements for following safe workshop practices. They also got to see the CNC router in action as it cut out their design for their light.

All ITD senior Engineering classes are reminded to have their work clothes for each lesson! Failure to do so will result in a detention for being unprepared for class!

Mark McMullen
Head of Department – Technology/ITD

Science News

Last term the Science department was very busy with students learning a diverse range of interesting topics. The grades 7s were investigating forces and making balloon powered vehicles, while the grade 8s were looking at rocks and the impacts of mining and the concept of rehabilitation. The grade 9s were looking at osmosis and body systems, while the grade 10s were studying space and the universe. In the senior school the grade 11 and 12 Science in Practice classes built bottle rockets and practised launching them on the oval to investigate their velocity and how high they could go with different designs, different amounts of water and different pressures from a bike pump. The year 11 Biology students did an extended experimental investigation into what levels of nitrogen resulted in the best growth of wheat for them to make recommendations to farmers about how much fertiliser to apply to their farms. The grade 11 Physics students created ancient weapons and investigated the forces involved in how they operate. The grade 11 Chemistry students also did extended experimental investigations into water quality. Grade 12 Biology students learnt about reproduction and made mini cactus gardens to illustrate the asexual vegetative properties of plants. The grade 12 Chemistry students studied forensics while the year 12 Physics students learnt about space, Einstein’s special theory of relativity, the Big Bang and the Expansion theories.

Hospitality/Home Economics News

We hope that everyone had a restful holiday! The year 8 home economics students are receiving their assessment tasks in the next week. They will hopefully start experimenting with their ‘Savoury parcels’ at home. Be sure to let them know which flavour combinations excite you the most.

In senior Hospitality news, year 12 will be hosting will be hosting a luncheon this term and inviting parents and guests. More information will follow as dates and times are finalised. Important assessment dates for Grade 11s - VHY112A (Certificate II) and HPJ112A (Hospitality Practices) – Formal November 16th midday until late.

Year 11 Early Childhood studies students are encouraged to ensure their attendance is regular and up to date. Their assessment this term will see them designing learning activities to inspire three and four year olds with their numeracy development.

Guidance News

The world of work is changing. The term career is generally viewed today as a continuous process of learning and development. Globalization and technological change incorporating automation and collaborative models of working has meant that students’ future employment opportunities will encompass a wide variety of career patterns and experiences. This may involve a range of jobs and different types of employment over a lifetime. The following websites from the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority’s (QCAA) career information website (last updated 16th June 2016) contains useful information and jobs that may help with career pathway planning for students.

• Ace Day Jobs contains online videos featuring Australians working in jobs they are passionate about.
• Apprenticeships Info is a ‘one stop shop’ for information on apprenticeships and traineeships in Queensland.
• Australian Apprenticeships contains comprehensive information about Australian apprenticeships.
• Australian Apprenticeships Pathways lets you find out where apprenticeships are available and follow links to job pathways charts and job descriptions.
• Australian JobSearch helps you find jobs and career information.
• CareerOne provides job listings, career advice, job hunting tips and company profiles designed to help you with your job search.
• Group Training Australia contains information about traineeships and apprenticeships available through Group Training Australia. It includes videos of apprentices talking about their experiences.
• Good Universities Guide helps you find courses, explore careers, and search for scholarships at Australian universities, TAFEs and training colleges.
• JobAccess contains comprehensive information relating to the employment of people with a disability.
• Job Guide provides an in-depth look at a range of occupations, and their education and training pathways. It also gives useful information about how to work out what occupations suit you best, based on your interests and abilities.
• Job Outlook is a careers and labour market research information site covering around 350 individual occupations. It includes an interactive CareerQuiz that helps you identify what types of work you most like doing and matches these to occupations you are most likely to enjoy or be good at.
• myfuture is a comprehensive career information and exploration service. It can help you explore career options based on your skills and interests, and find information about occupations, and the further education and training required for each job.
• MySkills provides information about vocational education and training and connects students with employers and training organisations that best suit their needs.
• Open Colleges Australia contains information, links and resources to help you find the career pathway that’s right for you.
• Queensland Skills Gateway provides information on vocational education and training available across Queensland including courses, training providers, government funding and career pathways. The site features a simple questionnaire to help individuals find out if they are eligible for government-subsidised training.
• Queensland Training Information Service lets you search for information on apprenticeships and traineeships approved for delivery in Queensland.
• Seek contains an extensive listing of job vacancies, career development resources, training information and tips on how to look for and apply for jobs.
• Skills training.gov.au provides information about courses, qualifications, competencies, training packages and Registered Training Organisations.
• skillsone.com.au contains hundreds of videos about getting a trade or skill.
• Study Assist is a website for students about Australian Government assistance for financing tertiary study.

Library News

Last week, students were given overdue notices in PC. Some students have returned or renewed their overdue items; however there are others that have not. Please ensure that your child returns or renews all overdue library items.

ICAS Competition Results

The results have come back for the students who sat the English and Mathematics ICAS tests last term. All students who participated have received certificates along with an explanation of results, which are being handed out on Year Level Parades this week. A Principal’s Award certificate has been awarded for each subject and presented to the student who achieved the highest in our school – congratulations to Bridget Mackay who achieved the highest in both English and Mathematics! A breakdown of the results is below.

Congratulations to all who participated!

Oktoberfest

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.

Sport Sign-ons

BMX Club

Duathlon