23 May 2018
Newsletter Articles
From the Principal
Welcome to this week’s newsletter. Last week I had the opportunity to review another school with the same number of students and in a rural setting. It was amazing to see the many wonderful thing they do for their students and the enthusiasm of the staff for their students. You can be proud of our public education system. Like us, they face many challenges and change is a constant. They willingly face up to those challenges because they are committed and believe in what they do.
I was part of a team that explored systematically every element of the school’s operation down to perceptions and attitudes. The main theme that everyone felt was you have to narrow down what you are really on about to a couple of things then do them at an exceptional level. If you can do that, success is guaranteed! The data, intuition and research tells us clearly that will happen. So is ESHS on the right track? Personally I know we are! We have two areas that are our focus:
- Engagement through Positive Behaviour Management
- Engagement through Pedagogy and 5 Classroom Standards of Practice
Our challenge: to do this at an exceptional level. It will be you who will be the judge of that.
Special Mentions
- Congratulations to Mrs Jones, Ms Fehlahber and our band students for their participation in the Yeppoon Band Camp.
“Good manners are just a way of showing other people that we have respect for them.” – Bill Kelly
Have a great weekend,
Ray Clarke
Principal
Year 11 News
Six weeks into the term already means assessment is quickly creeping upon the students. All students and parents can access assessment dates on the Qparents app. Results from last term have seen teachers generally impressed with the results of the year 11 students. It is important students continue to meet assessment deadlines whether they are following an OP pathway or a VET pathway. These deadlines simulate university assessment and a workplace environment and are expected to be met by the students. If a student is absent during assessment they need to provide the school with a medical certificate to ensure every students is receiving an equitable opportunity.
The cooler months are upon us now meaning many students are wearing jumpers to school. It is school policy that students are wearing a school jumper or a plain black jumper without a hood. If this is not possible there is a uniform room at the school where students can borrow a jumper for the day and return it after school. Please provide a note for your child if they cannot wear the school uniform for a particular reason.
Later this year students in year 11 will be able to apply for leadership positions. Students can begin to think if they would like to be part of the student leadership team at Emerald State High School. Further to this, there will be a leadership camp in term 4 where students can display some of their leadership skills and put their hand up for a position. Lastly, eligible students will also be able to purchase a jersey later this year to wear in year 12. If students would like to do this, they must meet the behaviour and attendance expectations of Emerald State High School. Students can also use Vivo points, a positive behaviour reward, to lower the cost of their jersey.
Adam Heath
Head of Year 11
Library News
The Premier’s Reading Challenge has been set for students in Year 7 to 9 to read 15 books (print/electronic/graphic) before August 24th. If they meet the challenge, students will receive a certificate of congratulations from the Queensland Premier and it will be recorded as an extra-curricular activity that they have participated in for the year. If students would like to participate, they should see Mrs Galea in the library for a recording form.
Student Representative Council News
So far in Term 2, students of Emerald State High School have been participating in numerous different events. The three major events held within this timespan were Spirit Week, the attendance at the Mayoral Leadership Summit in Springsure, and Emerald Shines.
Spirit Week is what could be defined as the ‘cumulative motivation’ belonging to the larger portion of the school body and, without a doubt, they certainly demonstrated this throughout the week. Students participated in a myriad of different games such as giant twister, dodgeball, and knights and cavaliers. These activities allowed for the student body to become closer as a whole, helping to forge a strong sense of solidarity and camaraderie within the school. The Spirit Cup was won by Zircon, but only just! The rivalry between the houses symbolises the strong school and house spirit that students at Emerald State High School possess.
On a more official note, the Mayoral Leadership Summit is a biannual event attended by schools from all around the Central Highlands. At this event, schools have the opportunity to present a problem faced by their community (usually, a lack of a certain facility, etc) to the mayor, in an attempt to have it remedied. This year, the event was held in Springsure, and although Emerald High did not present a case, it was still an interesting and insightful convention that was a great learning experience to attend. Students had the opportunity to hear from Shane Webcke, former Brisbane Bronco, Queensland Origin and Australian Rugby League player.
Last, but most certainly not least, came Emerald Shines. It was the gathering of all the young, local talent of Emerald State High School massed together in a single venue, and certainly an event people were clamouring to attend. Many different people came together to provide a range of performances the entire audience could enjoy. Emerald Shines was without a doubt, an oyster of raw talent and fresh skill that drew the community just a little bit closer to the school. Thankyou to all the students, parents and staff who contributed to the event. It certainly was a success.
Josh Dixon
Student Representative Council Publicity Officer
Community Events
St Patrick’s Catholic Church Sacrament Dates
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
Emerald State High School turns 50 in 2019 and we want your help!
The jubilee committee have commenced work on a book of memories from the last 50 years. We would like to invite you to submit your recollections for possible inclusion in the book. We are calling on past and present administration, teachers, teacher-aides, ancillary staff, tuckshop volunteers, bus drivers, P&C members, students and parents to contribute their memories. The first cut-off date for submission swill be Friday the 21st of September 2018. Contributions don’t have to be long, perfectly written or correctly spelt. All contributions will be subject to editing to fit into required spaces and we can’t guarantee inclusion of each and every item. Photos are also very welcome. Scanned and sent by email is preferred but please let us know if we can help you in this process. Please also include the year/s you were present and any names and former names of individuals in your memories/articles. We may also be putting together a short video presentation so please let us know if you have video footage. Please don’t hesitate to contact me by phone or email, if you would like further information or guidance.
Yours sincerely,
Samantha Elsden
Jubilee Secretary
emeraldshsjubilee@gmail.com
