23 August 2018

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Welcome to this fortnight’s newsletter. Much has occurred recently. We had wonderful attendance for the subject Information evening; we held the displays in the school hall and the information sessions in the library. It appeared to work really well with parents and students hearing the crucial information about the new QCE and then having the time to talk to teachers at the subject display stations in the hall. Last week we also had a very effective Year 7 enrolment evening, which again had a good roll up of Year 6 students and their parents.

We also hosted our annual Literacy Festival, a STEM extension day and accommodated an external Vocational Education and Training (VET) audit that had a year’s worth of planning and preparation behind it. The good news is that they were all successful and we did very well in our VET Audit.

This week our Year 10s and Year 11s are participating in the Love Bites program, which is conducted by the Emerald Police and Centacare. This is a very worthwhile program about domestic violence and relationships. The program involves guest speakers and takes up a full day. Also this week is Book Week with activities being run each lunch break in the library, culminating on the Friday Morning tea – “Dress up as your favourite book character” session.

As you can see there are a host of extra-curricular activities running at ESHS.

Special Mentions

Our Year 9 students topped the Central QLD leader board for participation in Word Mania for the practice round! Thanks for your participation in Word Mania; let's see if 7s, 8s & 9s can place on the leader boards for Rounds 1 & 2!

The following students have been accepted for the 2018 BMA Make It Now Engineering (M.I.N.E.) Challenge in Dysart. This Challenge runs from Sunday 16-Friday 21 September (Week 10 of this term). Jack Van Hees; Jamie Whittington; Rachel Keast; Willem Jansen.

Thank you to Mrs Van Hees for organising the Literacy festival.

Thank you to the 50th Jubilee Committee, they are doing a great job. The celebration dinner will be an event not to be missed!

New QCE (Qld Certificate of Education) – Big Changes to Year 11 & 12

Want to know more about how Year 11 will be different from next year and Year 12 will be different from 2020? Click on the links below for more information.

Parent/Carer School Opinion Survey 2018

All families from year 7 to year 12 are invited to have a say about what Emerald State High School does well and how we can improve. The Parent/Caregiver Survey form with your online access codes were sent home last week with the eldest student of your family. Your responses are completely CONFIDENTIAL. The Online Survey opens Monday 30st July and Closes Friday 24th August. If you do not have online access at home, you are most welcome to complete the survey on an Emerald Staet High School school computer. Survey queries, requests for translations and requests for access to school computers can be directed to Gai Van Hees on 4988 2222.

“If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” – Rudyard Kipling

Have a relaxing weekend,
Ray Clarke
Principal

From the Middle School Deputy Principal

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)

Each fortnight the PBL executive team of staff look at the behaviour data from the previous 2 weeks to guide what the focus of behaviour lessons will be for the next fortnight. These lessons are taught explicitly to all classes in all year levels. Mrs Saunders also highlights the focus on Full School Parade each Tuesday morning.

The Positive Behaviour Lessons that have been conducted so far this term have been:

1. Positive Rewards - Students will identify the positive rewards they can receive at Emerald State High School.
2. Behaviour Consequences - Students will identify the consequences of negative behaviour.
3. Be Polite - Students will understand what respect looks like and respect the rights of others to allow them to participate, express their opinions and be heard.
4. Be Prepared – Be on time.

LOVE BITES

Year 10s were challenged and educated about the law, their rights and rights of others in a joint presentation by Centacare and PCYC staff. They learnt from Julia from the QPS about the state and federal laws with regards to sending sexual images. We have been very fortunate to have such knowledgeable and caring people in our community to help educate our young people.

Love Bites is an extremely successful school-based Domestic and Family Violence and Sexual Assault prevention program that evolved on the Mid North Coast of NSW. Love Bites is based on best practice standards for education programs as recommended by the Federal Government funded Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearing House and other leading academics in the area of violence against women.

Comments from some year 10s:

• (male) Pretty good
• (female) good
• (male) alright
• (female) boring
• (female) really interesting – learnt a lot

ASSESSMENT CALENDARS

Student assessment calendars for this semester are now available via QParents. There is a Quick Link to the QParents site via the Emerald State High School website in the link below.

SUBJECT SELECTION FOR 2019

If you haven’t collected a booklet outlining subjects available for year 10 and 11 in 2019, please collect one from the office. Over the next few weeks, I will be surveying year 9s in preparation for choosing subjects. I aim to have subject selection open by end of term 3.

Gaye Saunders
Deputy Principal – Middle School

From the Head of Year – 11

As we come to the end of the term 3, year 11 students need to be aware of their assessment schedule and upcoming important dates. Students will also be required to place their orders for 2019 jerseys and decide if they want to apply for leadership positions next year.

Leadership camp notes will be handed out in the coming weeks and will take place in week 3, term 4 at Fairburn Dam. This camp will have students overcoming challenges where they must display qualities to prove their suitability for leadership positions next year. The camp will take place from the 24th to 26th of October and be approximately $70. Leadership positions for next year include school captains, house captains, SRC positions and Indigenous leader. Due to having a small cohort, we would like to encourage as many applicants as possible for these positions.

Students have recently voted on designs for their year 12 jerseys. Students will be able to purchase both a long and short sleeve option. As these jerseys are considered a privilege it is expected students are meeting the behaviour and attendance expectations before ordering one. Jerseys will cost approximately $80 and order forms will be handed out at the beginning of term 4.

Earlier this week all year 11 students attended the Love Bites program. Love Bites is an extremely successful school-based Domestic and Family Violence and Sexual Assault prevention program that evolved on the Mid-North Coast of NSW. Love Bites is based on best practice standards for education programs as recommended by the Federal Government funded Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearing House and other leading academics in the area of violence against women. Students heard some horrifying stories and completed activities around domestic violence and sexual abuse to increase their understanding and provide them with strategies to prevent these events occurring.

Adam Heath
Head of Year 11

Special Education News

We have had a busy start to Term 3 and our students are having the opportunity to experience three new classes on their timetables. Community Access allows students to develop knowledge and practice skills around accessing services in their local community. So far, they have visited the post office and practiced the process of posting a parcel to Yeppoon. Students have also visited the local library, learning about its services, how to become members, and how to access Borrow Box. Next week they are scheduled to visit Centrelink.

Paddock to Plate is a nutrition and cooking based program where students also learn about safety and skills in the kitchen. Students use the produce they are growing in the school gardens to make tasty and nutritious food.

Healthy Living aims to develop knowledge, skills and independence around personal health and looking after ourselves. Josie Bridgeman, the school nurse, has been joining us for some of these lessons. Mr Deffner (HPE) has been working with students in the school gym and students have been developing other skills in various physical activities on Friday afternoons.

Driver’s Education is also occurring this week. This program allows students to have the opportunity to be supported by the Department of Transport and school staff to complete the test for the learner’s licence.

Library News

Bookweek

BOOKWEEK is here! This week Emerald State High School is celebrating Children’s Book Council of Australia’s book week. The theme for 2018 is Find Your Treasure. Students have been able to complete different activities in the library during first break each day, which will culminate with a dress-up parade on Friday AUGUST 24TH. Last year the turnout was brilliant with a range of book characters coming to life through the involvement of both staff & students… let’s see if we can do even better this year!

Premier’s Reading Challenge

Students in Years 7-9 have been participating in the Premier’s Reading Challenge, which finishes on Friday, August 24th. A reminder to students to return their reading logs to Mrs Galea so that they can receive their certificates.

Community Events

Anzac to Armistice

The Emerald RSL Sub branch is running a competition open to all students from years 4 to 12. They are asking students across the region to create a poster based on a poem entitled Men from Australia by John Watkins. First prize is $500 for the student. Every participating entry will receive a limited edition medallion. Posters can be either hand drawn on no larger than A3 paper and scanned, or produced digitally and sent to lross71@eq.edu.au. Copies of the poem can be collected from Mrs Ross in F Block.

Could the NDIS benefit your family?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a new way to support Australians with disability, and make sure everyone has the support they need to enjoy an ordinary life. If you or someone in your family is living with permanent disability, you may be eligible for support through the NDIS. The NDIS helps people with disability achieve their goals. That can include becoming more independent, building strong social networks, and participating in the community and the workforce. Carers Queensland is your NDIS Partner in the Community. We can help you find out more about the NDIS and guide you through the planning process, learning the system and using your NDIS plan. If you’re not eligible for funding, we can help you find support, services and activities available in your local community. We can also help you learn new skills and find resources. We’ll be working to increase awareness of the issues people with disability face, and building a more accessible, inclusive Central Queensland where everyone is welcome and valued. To discuss how the NDIS could work for you, contact your NDIS Partner in the Community Carers Queensland on (07) 4994 1600 or rockhamptonlac@carersqld.com.au.

Emerald State High School Turns 50!

BE A PART OF EMERALD STATE HIGH SCHOOL FOREVER!

As part of the jubilee celebrations in 2019, an area in the school has been identified to be paved with personalised pavers. You can select a single or double paver for you or your entire family. If you need more pavers for a large family we can make sure they are placed together. Your name and the years you attended will be a great way to put your stamp on the school. Orders must be placed and paid for by the 9th of November. Please download and complete this form. You can hand it to the school administration or email to emeraldshsjubilee@gmail.com.

WOULD YOUR BUSINESS LIKE TO BE A PART OF THE JUBILEE?

The P&C and Jubilee Committee have developed a range of sponsorship levels that offers businesses a unique opportunity to support the school and celebrate its history. Your commitment to the Emerald State High School jubilee will also present a significant opportunity to promote your business to 50 years of students, teachers, administrators, ancillary staff, invited dignitaries, and the whole Emerald community. If you are interested in sponsoring, please read the attached package and return the form. Businesses can also be a part of the paver project with their logo placed within the paved area. Individual families also have the opportunity to donate towards the history book. Your name will appear in the list of donations in the history book once produced.

SUBMISSIONS FOR THE HISTORY BOOK STILL REQUIRED!

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 submissions is ONLY A MONTH AWAY on 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 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 via email if you would like further information or guidance.

Yours sincerely
Samantha Elsden
Jubilee Secretary
emeraldshsjubilee@gmail.com