28 March 2018
Newsletter Articles
From the Principal
Welcome to this week’s newsletter and the last one for the term. It has been a term with many requests on schools to provide a plethora of services, however we have fulfilled our duties and installed a hall for future growth and development of the school. By the end of term 2 we hope to have our amphitheatre areas finished thanks to support from the P&C.
Parents, the end of term 1 is always an appropriate time to sit down with your sons and daughters and discuss with them their progress in their subjects as well as their career aspirations. Our progress reports will be emailed out this Thursday, and if you do not have an email address or have changed it, please notify the school and we will provide a printed copy or adjust your email contacts. Either way we wish to provide this vital reporting information. With the interim report, it can inform students of their current progress, which is the best indicator for their future performance in 2018.
Special Mentions
- Congratulations for Ryan Spargo and Tegan Sprought for representing Capricornia Schools in the state championships (Ryan in Squash and Tegan in Swimming), as well as those who are still winning selection to compete in QLD high school sporting competitions.
- To Mr Peter Sanson for organising all the activities throughout the week and on our “National Day of Action” against bullying last Friday.
- Special thankyou to Ms Lawson who has worked really hard as Acting Deputy Principal during term one; (Mrs Shaw is expected to return sometime early term 2).
- Special thank you to Mr Van Hees, Mrs Saunders and Mrs Markey who have also worked tirelessly throughout term 1 this year as part of a strong admin team.
Reminders
- Interim Progress reports will be emailed on Thursday 29th March.
- School commences on Tuesday 127th of April, as Monday is a Student Free Day.
- Winter school uniforms are on sale as May is a very cool month nowadays.
“Texting while driving results in longer response times than even drunken driving. While an unimpaired driver can respond quickly to changes in traffic and begin braking within half a second, a legally drunk driver needs four additional feet to begin braking — and a driver who's texting needs 70.” – Virginia Tech Transportation
Have a safe Easter break,
Ray Clarke
Principal
From the Deputy Principal – Junior School
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those students and parents who are actively helping to eradicate bullying at schools. On the 13th of March the school hosted an information session for year 8 students as part of our approach to the National Day of Action. The sessions included information shared by our school nurse and police officers. Students were educated about their rights and responsibilities in relation to a range of activities. I would like to pass on some of the essential information to you about bullying. The national definition of bullying for Australian schools says:
Bullying is an ongoing misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that causes physical and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power over one or more persons. Bullying can happen in person or online, and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert). Bullying of any form or for any reason can have long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying.
Students are encouraged to report bullying to teachers as soon as possible after an incident occurs. Students are also encouraged to consider if the incident is bullying by matching it against the definition above. I will be using this definition in my discussions with students and it is up on display in my office. Together we will make a stand to put an end to bullying at our school.
Thanks,
Ben Van Hees
Deputy Principal – Junior School
Year 10 News
Last week we had 110 of our Year 10 students participate in work experience. This was their first round and the response from businesses and students has been overwhelmingly positive.
This term we have been focusing on our school-wide positive behaviour for learning. Many of our Year 10 students have been adhering to our school’s policies and procedures around uniforms and attendance, which has formed part of the focus. With strong attention on positive behaviour, we are proud to have many Year 10 students amongst the top Vivo earners in the school.
Melinda Prior
Head of Year 10
From the Head of Department – Science
Curriculum News
The grade 7s are currently working on their separating mixtures assignment. The grade 8 students are doing their Chemistry assessment which involves testing different types of fabrics for strength, chemical resistance and drying times while in year 9 the students are working on their Physics unit involving waves and particles. In the senior sciences, the grade 12 Science in Practice students are working on fermentation processes and beer brewing. The year 11 Biology students are currently learning about kingdoms and populations while the year 12s are finalising their open choice extended experimental investigation (EEI) reports. In Physics, the year 11s are learning concepts and principles involving optics and light while the students in grade 12 Physics are learning about electricity and magnetism. The year 11 Chemistry students are studying atomic structure and bonding while the year 12 Chemistry classes are currently completing their extended response task (ERT) reports on pharmaceutical drugs.
Excursions
Mr. Evans coordinated the QMEA Beakers.Bots.Build activity last month and took a group of year 9 students to Blackwater State High School. This event helped the students to understand the different STEM related careers that are available in the minerals and energy sector. Click on the link below to see pictures and videos of activities that the students were involved in.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/159564915@N07/albums/72157692993661324
Aneel Dewan
Head of Department – Science
From the Head of Department – Arts & Indigenous Education
Arts
Term One has been a very busy one for our Arts Department. All students have been diving head first into their theory and practical assessments. I am very pleased with the efforts of most of our students in submitting completed drafts of their assessments. This is vital in ensuring that adequate feedback can be given about their thoughts, processes and conclusions. I often hear students saying that they do not have any homework. Even though students may not receive a specific sheet or set of questions to complete for their arts subject, they can certainly be practising key skills relevant to their focus subject. If you are unsure about what your child can be doing, please contact their relevant arts teacher through the front office.
Our Instrumental Music crew have already been involved in a number of events this year. Their conduct and musicianship are to be commended. Thank you for all of your efforts Mrs Jones and the band.
Our 2018 Arts Camp will be held in Brisbane this year. There is strictly only 48 spots available only to students who study an arts subject. Students can collect the permission forms from C007 staff room. If students are interested in attending this camp, I recommend that all paperwork and deposit money be submitted to the front office as soon as possible. The cost of the camp is $392.90.
- Deposit of $200 is due Friday 20th April
- Final payment of $192.90 is due Friday 11th of May
Our Visual Art students are required to pay a subject levy each year, which covers consumables and other unit specific materials. Please ensure that your child’s subject fees have been paid or a payment plan is in place through the front office. Unfortunately, your child will be unable to access lesson specific materials unless subject fees have been paid. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask at the front office.
Indigenous Education
Congratulations to four of our students who have been selected to participate in the Certificate II in Land Management and Conservation. Tyrell Hunter, Angelina Broome, Shayvon Saunders and Brandon Conway worked with five Blackwater State High School students in week 7 of this term to complete their theory competencies. They will be heading to Paluma Outdoor Education Centre next term to complete their practical component. A huge shout out to Charmaine McKeon-Parlett for her success in receiving a grant through Arrow Energy to cover the costs of this course for our students.
Michala Huet, Layne Poke and Daniel Adams have been successful in receiving a QATSIF scholarship to financially assist them in their achievement of a QCE. Students must have at least 85% attendance and be passing all of their subjects to be eligible for this scholarship. They must also maintain this to receive their semester contributions. The funding may be used to help pay for uniforms, subject fees, stationary, and any other QCE related expenses. Please contact me if you require further information.
I hope that you all enjoy a relaxing holiday break and I look forward to another successful and productive term when we come back.
Rachelle Wilcox
Head of Department – Arts &Indigenous Education
Health & Physical Education News
This term in Health and Physical Education, grades 7, 8 and 9 have been competing against each other in Ultimate Disc. Each grade has been participating in this as part of their wellness lessons. Ultimate Disc helps students to develop a game sense approach to sport, with all classes providing great competition amongst their respective cohorts.
Year 7 HPE – this term they have completed a unit on the changes adolescents go through during their teenage years and have learnt the game of Volleyball.
Year 8 HPE – this term they have completed a unit on nutrition and what types of foods they need to be eating to ensure their body gets the right nutrients to feed a growing body. In their practical component they have been learning bat and ball skills by playing cricket and softball.
Year 9 HPE – this term the students have completed a unit on respectful relationships. In their practical lessons the students played ball sports focussing on basketball and netball.
Year 10 HPE/Fitness – These students have been given an introduction into what these subjects will be like in years 11 and 12. The HPE students have been understanding Figueroa’s Framework and European Handball. The Fitness students have been working in the gym whilst also studying the human anatomy.
Year 11 and 12 PE – These classes have just completed a term of using Figueroa’s Framework to break down the barriers that affect participation of Touch Football in Emerald. In their practical lessons they learnt the game of Touch Football.
Years 10/11/12 Recreation – These classes have used their practical lessons to become the teacher and run a mini skills session with their class. In the theory component they have looked at the differences between sport and recreation and why there is a need for both in society today.
Finally, we would like to once again, encourage all students to bring a hat, water bottle and appropriate footwear to their practical lessons. Sunscreen is always available and we promote sun safety in all of our lessons. We are looking forward to another term of HPE with our classes.
Thanks,
The HPE team
TASTE Program News
TASTE
Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges is pleased to provide details regarding our highly popular TASTE school holiday programs. Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges runs The Agricultural Skills and Technology Experience during the July, September and December school holidays. The program is designed to help young people explore the many education and career options available in the rural sector. The Agricultural Skills and Technology Experience (TASTE) is a program for year 10, 11 and 12 students at Emerald Agricultural College and Longreach Pastoral College. Program fee is $500 for 5 days of agricultural based activities. To receive an enrolment pack please see Mrs Wills.
Alarna Wills
Work Placement/SATS Co-ordinator
Library News
Readers Cup
Readers Cup is a reading event which is open to students in Years 7 & 8 to foster their love of reading. As a team of 3-5 they will read a set list of novels, then on June 19 we’ll travel to Rockhampton to answer questions about the novels against other schools. Students who have expressed an interest in participating in this event should see Mrs Galea in the Library or F Block for a permission letter.
Central Highlands Regional Council Library
Community Events
Emerald Photographic Club is celebrating its 35th Birthday in 2018. To help commemorate this event Emerald Photographic Club is hosting the Photographic Society of Queensland’s Annual Conference from 5th to 7th May 2018. ‘Gems of the Outback’ will be an exceptional event for photographers and creatives throughout the Highlands and beyond. We have in place an outstanding line up of national and international award-winning presenters, who will also conduct workshops and share their extensive knowledge.
STUDENTS CAN WIN A FREE CONFERENCE ENTRY VALUED AT $250
As part of the event, various partners have sponsored the youth of the Central Highlands and are offering high school students invitations to attend ‘Gems of the Outback’ PSQ Conference 2018. The ‘GOTO’ Youth Photography Competition will give entrants the chance to win one complimentary entry to the conference. This competition is for Central Highlands high school students only. Below are the entry requirements and an entry form for any student wishing to participate. This is an exciting opportunity for students to attend a world class event in our own region. For further information please contact emeraldpsq2018@gmail.com or phone 0499 779 946.
ARMY CADETS
14ACU BLACKWATER IS TAKING EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR NEW RECRUITS FOR
2018
Blackwater Army Cadet Unit located at Turpentine Street in Blackwater, is excited about new opportunities and initiatives being run by the Australian Army Cadets (AAC) available to students in years 8 to 12 in 2018.
The Australian Army Cadets (AAC) is a Commonwealth national strategic youth development program for adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 years. It is conducted in communities and schools across Australia by the Australian Army (with support from the Department of Defence) in partnership with these communities and schools. In Blackwater the Army Cadet Unit is community based and therefore attracts cadets from neighbouring towns providing opportunities for cadets from Blackwater State High School to meet cadets from other schools and broaden friendship networks across the region. The Blackwater Army Cadet Unit participates in regional School, public Blackwater and Bluff Anzac Day parades each year.
What do Army Cadets do?
As an Army Cadet your child will be offered challenging and inspiring experiences. They will learn valuable life and work skills. As a cadet they will experience some or all of the following:
- Have fun;
- Make new friends;
- Wear a uniform similar to that of the Australian Army;
- Be part of a team;
- Learn to take responsibility;
- Gain leadership skills;
- Learn bush and camping skills like canoeing, communications, abseiling, field craft, orienteering and map reading;
- Undertake tough adventure training and participate in bush camps;
- Learn to safely use civilian firearms and Defence weapons (older cadets with rank)
- Participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme;
- Visit Army bases, do activities with Army personnel, and use Army equipment; and
- Attend annual camps and participate in challenging opportunities during the school holidays and on weekends.
What will this cost?
The Australian Defence Force provides uniforms, including boots and most equipment, and when you go on annual camp they provide the accommodation, food and travel. Each Army Cadet Unit has its own fee structure or charges for certain activities like bivouacs. Cadets are issued with some equipment including:
- Boots
- Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform (DPCU)
- Basic bush camping gear
To join Army Cadets a youth must:
- Be a resident of Australia.
- Ages For Joining the AAC:- From 1stJanuary 2018 - must be at least 13 years of age, and must be in Year Eight (8) of school (or a higher school year) or would normally be in Year Eight (8) of school (or a higher school year) if he / she attended school; and Not have reached the age of 17 years.
- Be physically and psychologically able to participate in cadets activities; Cadets learn from civilian Cadet Officers and Instructors who conduct senior instruction or directly instruct and supervise Cadets. Army Cadets is strongly supported by serving military personnel who work hand in hand with the organisation on cadet activities. In some cases, civilian volunteers with specialist skills help Cadet Officers and Instructors.
For information about joining the Blackwater Cadet Unit in 2018 please contact Mrs Downey at Blackwater State High School. Army Cadets are located at 3 Turpentine Street Blackwater and meet each Monday night from 4pm to 6.30pm.
St Patrick’s Catholic Church Sacrament Dates
Reconciliation – Information
Session, 18th April at 3.30pm or 6pm
Confirmation – Information Session, 30th May at
3.30pm or 6pm
First Holy Communion –
Information Session, 3.30pm or 6pm
For more information contact Mrs Francie Hartley, 49821066 or stpatsem@bigpond.com.
We are Hiring!
Woolies Emerald East (Big W center) is looking for 5 keen and enthusiastic students to join our team. We have a variety of positions vacant including fresh produce, bakery, replenishment, Service deli and checkouts.
For all enquirers please contact Petina Sarnadsky on 0749867705, email 2082emeraldeast@woolworths.com.au or bring your resume in store.