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

6 June 2018

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Welcome to this week’s newsletter. It has been an eventful past fortnight with some ups and downs. Unfortunately, last week we had to endure a school lockdown during our athletics carnival because of outsiders intruding on to the school grounds. I wish to thank staff for locking the school down so quickly and ensuring the safety of our students being their prime concern. On the up side, we were able to bring in motivational speaker, Lorin Nicholson who worked with all year levels last Thursday and was well received by all students and staff. Also last week we hosted Fanfare and fortunately for us, our fabulous school band won gold for the Symphonic section and silver for the Jazz section.

Coming Up

  • 11th – 15th June: Year 10 Work Experienc
  • 15th of June: Year 11 & 12 Exam Block will commence
  • 25th/26th June: QCS practice for Year 12s
  • 29th June: End of Semester 1 & reports emailed
  • 16th July: Term 3 Commences

Special Mentions

  • Congratulations to Andie-Lee Cilliers who has been successful in her application for the Australian Youth Aerospace Forum. She won this over a large number of applications. Also Andy-Lee was invited to undertake a scholarship program at Cambridge University
  • Congratulations to Rachel Keast has been successful in her application to the 2018 Brisbane Spark Engineering Camp
  • Special mention to the Arts teachers who organised the Arts Camp and gave up their weekend.
  • Special mention to the HPE teachers for the running of the school carnival and keeping students safe.

“Almost every man wastes part of his life in attempts to display qualities which he does not possess, and to gain applause which he cannot keep.” Samuel Johnson, The Rambler, 1750

Have a safe weekend,

Ray Clarke
Principal

From the Deputy Principal – Senior School

4 weeks until the end of term/semester, how time flies. I would like to thank Deb Lawson and Brandan Shannon for filling in for me during my absence. It’s amazing how many new faces there are in the school after a 9 month break. As we are getting closer to the end of Term I would like to remind you of the following:

  1. Exam block – will commence end of week 9 and finish middle of week 10. Students MUST be present for all scheduled exams.
  2. Report cards – semester 1 report cards will be issued via email on Friday 29th June. If you would like a hard copy or do not receive it please contact the school.

Attendance – Is your child hitting the 92% attendance benchmark?

Each week the Head of Year, Guidance Officer, Attendance Officer and Youth Support Co-ordinator meet with me to discuss issues impacting on the year level. Our biggest concern to date is attendance. As a cohort the year 12 attendance data is sitting at 89.4% and the year 11s at 86.0%, this is below our benchmarks. How can you help?

  1. Medical Certificate - if a student is absent due to medical reasons and you have seen a doctor, remember to ask them for a medical certificate. An absence explained by a medical certificate incurs no penalty.
  2. Appointments – where possible schedule appointments outside of school hours – a student who signs in late or leaves early is recorded as a half day absence.
  3. Wake up calls – on average 15 students sign in late each day and as stated above this results in a half day absence.
  4. Communication – If there is an issue, whereby your child does not want to come to school let us know as there are many strategies we can put in place to assist.

Please remember that students only have flexi-timetables for period 1 and 4, this means students are not allowed to sign out for period 2 and 3.

The New QCE - How will year 11 be different next year?

Year 11 in Queensland is changing to help give students the skills for success in work and life in the future. These changes will only affect current year 10 students (not our year 11s who will remain on the current system). If you have had a student go through the “old system” you will notice changes. These are some of the main changes:

  • The OP system we currently have for students to apply for university will be changed. The ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank), which is common across Australia, will replace it.
  • Students will sit external exams for subjects at the end of year 12 (2020). These will either be 25% or 50% of their final mark. There will still be school run assessment in year 11 and 12 but there will be fewer of these than the current system.
  • The QCS (Queensland Core Skills) test that year 12 students currently do, will not happen.
  • Many subjects have new names e.g. English Communication is now English Essentials.

Our teachers are currently working on the changes to the curriculum. I have attached a fact sheet on the new QCE for you to peruse.

If you have any concerns or issues relating to the senior school please contact me at the school.

Tanya Shaw
Deputy Principal – Senior School (Acting)

Year 9 News

Welcome to winter!!! As the weather begins to get cooler, students are reminded to ensure they are wearing the correct uniform. Jumpers are expected to be emerald green or black. Furthermore, labelling your clothing can assist with finding lost property, as students tend to shed their jumpers as the afternoon warms up.

Please note the use of mobile phones and earphones are banned at our school. Students are expected to unplug their earphones when entering school grounds and put all devices away. Students caught using either of these items at school will be asked to take them to the office. Third offence will result in a suspension.

As we find ourselves nearing the end of the term students will be in the middle of submitting drafts and assessments. Students are reminded to check their assessment planner to ensure they are submitting on the allocated dates.

Cheryl Bland
Head of Year 9

From the Head of Department – Health & Physical Education (HPE) & Languages Other Than English (LOTE)

Health and Physical Education

A massive congratulations to all the students who participated in the competitive and fun activities both prior to and at the athletics carnival and demonstrated true house spirit. Congratulations to the students who will go on to represent us at the CH trials next term. The carnival results are as follows:

2018 ATHLETICS WINNING HOUSE

Topaz

2224

Zircon

1795

Garnet

1560

Sapphire

1013

2018 ATHLETICS AGE CHAMPIONS

Student

House

Points Earnt

Event/s

12 years girls

Tegan Sprought

Topaz

125

100m, 400m, 800m, High Jump, Long Jump, Javelin

Madison Powell

Topaz

65

Samantha Dudman

Zircon

45

12 years boys

Nat Mackay

Topaz

160

200m, 400m, 800m, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Shot Put, Discus

Tayne Vowless

Topaz

65

Patrick Whipp

Garnet

45

13 years girls

Bella Wass

Topaz

75

400m, 800m, 1500m

Jade Morgan

Garnet

70

Amelia Smith

Topaz

60

13 years boys

Ethan James

Garnet

85

200m, Long Jump, Triple Jump

Douglas Bennett

Topaz

60

Jett Williams

Garnet

50

14 years girls

Grace McKay

Garnet

60

100m, 200m

Georgia Ellerton

Topaz

50

Macayla Grigg

Zircon

40

14 years boys

Ethan Edwards

Zircon

75

400m, 800m, 1500m

Brayth Moore

Topaz

50

Lenard Taylor

Zircon

45

Dylan Obst

Garnet

45

15 years girls

Olivia Cave

Topaz

120

100m, 400m, Long Jump, Shot Put, Discus, Javelin

Isabell Bennett

Topaz

65

Mercedez Wilson

Topaz

50

15 years boys

Kaden Renwick

Topaz

80

400m, 800m, Triple Jump, Discus

Brady Corbett

Zircon

60

Curtis Bennett

Topaz

45

16 years girls

Mikaela Long

Zircon

80

200m, High Jump, Discus

Brianna Clifford

Zircon

45

Bridget Mackay

Topaz

40

16 years boys

Rave Greentree

Sapphire

120

400m, 800m, 1500m, Triple Jump, Shot Put

Clay Catip

Zircon

90

Dalton Bean

Garnet

65

17 year girls

Brooklyn Schultz

Topaz

70

100m, 200m, 400m

Nicole Burley

Sapphire

50

Shyann Dale

Sapphire

30

17 year boys

Joshua Watt

Topaz

100

100m, 200m, 400m, High Jump, Long Jump

Jayden Thompson

Topaz

95

Lleyton Cave

Zircon

60

Open girls

Casey Bridgeman

Sapphire

40

Shot Put, Discus

Open boys

Seth Tria

Topaz

120

100m, 200m, High Jump, Long Jump, Shot Put, Discus

Conor Quinn-Fitzgerald

Sapphire

45

Clay Reimer

Sapphire

20

As we are moving into the cooler months we would like to emphasise the importance of still wearing a hat, putting on sun cream and drinking water. We are aiming to have every student wearing a hat when they are outside. To help this we will be loaning students who don’t bring a hat one to wear during physical education practical lessons. We hope that overtime students will start to remember to bring their own hat to class to wear for sport.

Practical lesson participation

We please ask if your student is injured or sick and cannot participate in a practical lesson of HPE that you write them a note to hand to the teacher. The students’ health is important to us, and knowing about an illness or injury in advance means that we are able to accommodate for these in our lessons.

“If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it - then I can achieve it.”

Japanese

Year 7

This term the students have been working hard on learning their self-introductions and learning about family and sports. The student will be presenting their self-introductions in class this term as their assessment task. They will then have the opportunity to partake in some cultural activities after these are finished.

Year 8

Students have been learning about daily routine and have looked at the difference between an Australian teenager’s day and a Japanese teenager’s day. The students have learnt to explain what their day looks like using different days, times and actives in Japanese.

Bek Comolatti
Head of Department – HPE & LOTE

Special Education Program News

This term the students have been working in both our vegetable gardens and the agricultural plot preparing them both to harvest for our Emerald Show entries. We have tomatoes, beans, herbs, pumpkins, grapefruit, limes and so much more growing, and in their science lessons the students have had a focus on looking after our gardens, watering, weeding and making them sustainable for the winter.

In Manual Arts with Mr Hansen, the students have been working on some amazing little projects such as a wooden marble maze and a Perspex light box/stand, hand dice and a pencil case with a swivel lid.

When parking behind the Special Education Building on Frazer Street, please note that unless you have a Department of Main Roads Permit (RED or BLUE) you are NOT allowed to use the signed parks. These are reserved for permit holders only. There is currently police patrols happening to enforce these laws. Parking in this area endangers the safety of students with limited mobility using this assigned area, and builds congestion in this pick up area.

Some of our students have entered their items as show entries in many categories. In sewing they have made recycled shopping bags, placemats, Christmas-themed decorations such as stockings and baubles, and baby bibs. In the cooking category, they have entered decorated biscuits, novelty birthday cakes and chocolate slice. In the agriculture category they have entered fruit and vegetables.

Maths News

It has been great to see such great participation in mathematics classes since the beginning of the year. Students have been participating very well in maths classes by seeking help in their own time and completing their work to the best of their ability. It is great to see our students engaged in mathematics and being able to see the value in strong mathematical skills. Teachers from all departments have been working together to develop whole-school strategies for improving numeracy skills across all year levels. Students from year 7s to 9 have been practicing mental mathematics to reinforce the idea that mathematical skills can be applied to a range of situations. In QCS classes students have been practicing core mathematical skills as well as problem solving skills in order to prepare them for their QCS exams.

In order for students to achieve their best in mathematics it is important that they are coming prepared to lessons with all necessary equipment. As a minimum, students are expected to have pens, pencils, a ruler, a calculator and a notebook that is solely used for Mathematics. Students also need to ensure that they are prepared by completing set homework and assessments on time. It has been great to see students attending study clubs to receive extra assistance from their teachers. Study clubs are now Monday and Wednesday afternoons at the library (3-4pm). Coming prepared to lessons allows students to feel successful from the beginning of the lesson and allows them to achieve their best.

One final piece of advice from myself as a mathematics teacher, is to practice timetables. Students will be amazed at how much easier they will understand mathematical concepts when they practice basic arithmetic skills. From all of us in the Maths Department, we look forward to the year ahead and working hard with both students and parents to achieve great results.

Library News

ICAS

The English and Mathematics ICAS are coming up. Each competition assesses students’ knowledge across a range of topics within the subject. They are multiple choice, only take 1 lesson and are considered extra-curricular activities. Each student will receive a certificate for their participation along with an explanation of their result. All students in the Honours program are participating in these events as part of their program; however, they are open to all students. Students that wish to complete either the English or Mathematics ICAS should see Mrs Galea in the library to collect a note and return it by June 20.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

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.

Work Experience & School-Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship News

We have had a busy start to the year with students signing into School based apprenticeships/traineeships. Emerald State High School would like to congratulate the following students on their achievements:

Week 9 this term will see the year 10 students entering the workplace for the second time. Term 2 will see 107 students enter the workplace; some have chosen to return to Term 1 placements while others are exploring new industries.

Emerald State High School Future's Expo

Employees from local businesses came and spoke to our Year 10 students about the industries they work in. This year was an Expo style setting so students could interact with our guests and ask specific questions in relation to the industry of choice. Thank you to the following businesses that came and spoke to our Year 10 students.

Community Events

Young people invited to be engaged

Central Highlands Regional Council wants young people to be a part of the community engagement process and one way to do that is by joining a community reference group (CRG). Mayor Cr Kerry Hayes said that young people are a vital part of the community now and in the future. ‘We have many passionate and engaged young people that work with council to bring to life youth events and tell us what young people in the Central Highlands need and want,’ he said. ‘The fine ideas we recently heard at the Mayoral Student Leader Summit are just one proof that young people have valuable opinions, voices and ideas that we’d like to hear. ‘We hope to inspire young people to become a part of council’s community engagement processes and learn about their community and council.’ By joining a CRG young people can find out what’s happening in their community, learn about what council does and the people that work in council, hear about council’s latest projects and have a say about what’s important to them. There are thirteen CRG’s in the region that meet regularly to work together with community, government, business and industry to partner in advancing initiatives and have a say in the communities’ long-term future.

http://www.centralhighlands.qld.gov.au.

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