19 September 2018

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

(Mrs Gaye Saunders who is filling in for Mr Clarke while he is on leave until 10 October.)

Congratulations to P&C and all the staff and students who assisted in our recent Colour Run. It was a beautiful day for a run/walk/scoot in the botanical gardens. To be able to follow this with a fruit kebab, or sausage on bread or a bacon and egg burger was wonderful.

On the weekend we also had a team who entered the 24hour Human Powered Vehicle Challenge in Maryborough. Thanks to our staff of Mr Kowald-Dawson, Ms Comollatti, Mr Norman and Mr Platell who assisted the students. Presentation of certificates to students will take place on our full school parade on Tuesday 9 October at 8:50am in the UCA. Parents are welcome to attend.

Report cards will be emailed to all parents who have an email address on Friday 21 September. These will come from my email account. This is the time to check that your current email address is stored in our system as it is generated by what is saved in OneSchool. These reports are a cumulative report (based on the entire year’s work) and the result on this report card will determine if students are eligible for an academic award at our 50th Awards Night held later in October.

Parent teacher interviews will be held on Tuesday 9 October from 3:30pm – 6:30pm. Bookings for these are open now. If you have any problems, please phone the office staff on 4988 2222 who can book appointments for you.

Timetable 2019. The administration team and HODs met on Monday afternoon and I hopefully will be able to finalise the 2019 timetable by end of this term. Students will then be able to select their electives using OneSchool once the timetable is finalised. This will be done at school, but parents and students will be able to access OneSchool at home as well.

Some wonderful opportunities are made available for our students. Notable events for the rest of this term are Gladstone Rugby 7s, BMA Mine Camp, Cupcake Day to raise money for one our students who tragically lost all of their possessions in a house fire on Wednesday 19 September and Jeans for Genes day on 21 September when students can wear jeans for a gold coin donation and are to wear their school shirt.

In term 4 there is All Schools Touch in week 1 and Spirit Week in our second week back. Week two will also see the remaining year 10 students have their Meningococcal vaccinations and Year 7 have their Dose #2 for HPV on 18 October.

9 October – Parent teacher interviews
15-19 October – Spirit Week
18 October – vaccinations for some year 10s and all year 7s
22 October – Student free day (staff will be involved in QCAA verification of year 12 results and Professional Development)
31 October – Awards night at Emerald Town Hall

Student survey text for school principals to communicate to parents

The Queensland Government is undertaking a review of NAPLAN in the Queensland context, to better understand the impacts NAPLAN is having on learning and teaching within the state. The first stage of the Review, conducted in June 2018, focused on consultation with parents. The second stage is now underway, with consultation extending to students, teachers, principals and other key education stakeholders across Queensland. Queensland students in years 3 to 10 are now invited to provide feedback on their experiences with NAPLAN, via an online survey. Students wishing to participate will require the consent of a parent or carer, who can assist with completing the survey at home. The survey link is available at the link below. This project has received ethical clearance from both the Australian Catholic University and the Department of Education. Further information on the student survey and the Review are provided within the survey link.

Gaye Saunders
Principal (Acting)

From the Head of Year – 9

Recently Year 9 students successfully completed the Relay for Life challenge and a big thank you must go out to Mr Platell and Ms Doherty for their outstanding help with organising fundraiser events and their help looking after students during the event. Huge congratulations to all the students who participated. Congratulations also to our Junior School Leaders who have been doing a wonderful job running the weekly whole school assembly, whilst our Senior Leaders have been busy with exams. It has been a delight to watch your confidence grow.

All Year 9 students should have completed their subject selection paperwork and handed it back into the office. Please check that your child has handed in the paperwork, as I would hate to see students miss their favourite subject due to late submission.

A little reminder that Parent Teacher night is on Tuesday 9th October, first week of Term 4. Please come along, as it is a great way of learning your child’s strengths as well as areas they may require extra help with. Interview times can be booked on the link below.

As we draw closer to the end of term students have been reminded to check stationery equipment and let parents know if they require any necessary equipment. During Year 9 parade, I have handed out pens to students who need them. I have now handed out over 60 pens, so clearly students’ stationery supplies are starting to run low.

I hope everyone has fun and stays safe over the school holidays and I look forward to seeing all students return from holidays, refreshed and ready to tackle the last term of school.

Cheryl Bland
Head of Year 9

From the Attendance Officer

CHANGE OF PARENT CONTACT DETAILS

Do you have a new mobile phone and number? Do you have a new job? Is your child/ren’s medical information current? Have you moved house? Are you using a new email address? Have any of your contact numbers changed? Are your Emergency Contacts current? Especially if you are leaving the country and your children are staying with a family member or friend. If any of these apply to you, please fill out the attached Change of Parent Contact Details Form then email or drop it off at the office and we will update our records so your details are current. Please remember to contact the school if any of these details change.

LATE ARRIVAL / EARLY DEPARTURE

Arrival

Emerald State High School’s Warning Bell sounds at 8:45am. All PC Classes or Parade/s commence at 8:50am. If a student arrives after 9:00am, they must present to the office to receive a printed late slip to supply to their Period 1 Teacher. This will activate their electronic roll as per their timetable.

Off Campus Students, if your scheduled training program is cancelled or for whatever reason you present at school please sign in at the office so your timetable can be activated for roll marking.

Departure

When a parent/carer is collecting a student during the day, please call in at the office first. The student/s will be signed out electronically. Please advise if returning to school.

STUDENT MESSAGES

Administration cannot guarantee that a student message will be passed on if phoned in after 2:00pm.

From the Head of HPE, LOTE & Wellness

Sport

There have been many different sports events this term with CH, CAP and school representative sports. Well done to all the students who participated and congratulations to all who have been successful in progressing to the next level. We also finish off this term with a group of approximately 40 students going to Gladstone to play in a Rugby 7s competition and we start next term with students travelling to play at All Schools Touch in Brisbane. Good luck to the all the students and their coaches.

Western 7s

Western 7s in on in the early weeks of term 4. This year Western 7s is being run at the Ag College and not at Emerald State High School. Notes for this competition have been handed out to students who expressed an interest in playing and looks like we will be having teams in all the age groups for both boys and girls. These teams will start doing training from the start of next term.

Sports Awards Night

Next term we will be holding a Sports Awards Night to recognise students who have represented the school, Central Highlands and Capricornia throughout 2018. A list of students receiving awards is published outside J block for the students to check and invitations will be handed out for the evening at the start of term 4. This will be on Thursday 18th of October at 6:30pm in the UCA. We look forward to celebrating all these success with the students and their families.

Rebekah Comollatti
Head of Department – Health & Physical Education, Languages Other Than English, & Wellness

From the Head of Science

STEM professionals help students branch out

Staff from BHP made science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) come to life for Emerald and Blackwater students when they visited Emerald State High School on the 9th of August. They shared their career stories with students to inspire them to continue studying STEM fields as part of the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy’s (QMEA) STEM4 School Kids program. Students experienced hands-on science, took part in experiments involving copper extraction and learnt process engineering techniques and mine resource management. It coincided with the Year 10 students considering their subjects for senior study and future career pathways, in the lead up to National Science Week (11-19 August). “It’s very important that students join the dots between their lessons and the practical application of STEM subjects and our staff thoroughly enjoy making this happen,” said BHP’s Peter Dowling. “We love the fact that these valuable QMEA events also open students’ eyes to careers they might not have been aware of and pave the way for our future talented and skilled employees,” he said. The QMEA is a partnership between the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program. It has 46 schools throughout Queensland. QRC is the peak representative body for Queensland ‘s resource sector. The Queensland resources sector provides one in every six dollars in the Queensland economy, sustains one in eight Queensland jobs, and supports more than 16,400 businesses across the state, all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass.

Aneel Dewan
Head of Department – Science

Hospitality News

The senior hospitality students did a wonderful job preparing the QCS breakfast last week and serving platters at showcase.

Next term they will start preparing for formal, which will be held on November 14th.

Our junior Home Economics students have been busy in the kitchen this term and are now entering the clean-up phase of term. Year 9 students are getting ready to transition from the kitchen to the sewing room next term.

In an effort to incorporate sustainable practices in the most practical way possible, the Home Economics Department have made a pledge to stop purchasing takeaway containers to give to students for their cooking. They are frequently used to store food for less than an hour and make their way into the school rubbish bins, in most cases. Instead, we are going to offer students washed containers that are used in Home Economics and from households, which would often end up in household recycling or normal rubbish bins anyway. If you wish to contribute to our sustainable kitchen, we ask that you please wash the containers and send them to school with your students, who can deliver them to the school office. Some examples of suitable containers can be seen in the image below.

The sturdier the container the better. We have discussed this program with Queensland Health and have a strategy in place to ensure children’s health is prioritised.

Learning Support & English as an Additional Language/Dialect News

Firstly, we want to take this opportunity to thank all our Teacher Aides and Support Staff for everything they do for the school and our students. Last week was Teacher Aide Day, and we are lucky at Emerald State High School, that our support staff are so hardworking and do everything they can to assist our students in their learning.

We have made contact home in the past few weeks to specific families about ICPs (Individual Curriculum Plans) by letter, email and phone call, for our Year 7 – 10 learners. We are also trialling sending text messages if your child is continuing an ICP. We thank you all for getting back to us so promptly and for assisting us, as we support your child’s learning. Our ICPs for Semester 2 are now finalised, however, if you have any concerns about your child’s learning and whether they should be on an ICP, please do not hesitate to call or email using the addresses below.

We congratulate those students who are no longer on an ICP. They have shown much improvement, and no longer need work structured at 2-3 years below their year. This is the goal we have for most of our Learning Support students, but it does take a lot of student commitment and hard work.

With interim report cards currently being completed by teachers, a reminder that those students on an ICP are reported using their ICP level rather than their year level. This is acknowledged on the report card.

As the transition to high school for the current Year 6 students begins, if you have any concerns about any child that will attend Emerald State High School in 2019, please contact us. We are more than happy to meet with you to discuss your child’s learning needs. We thank those parents who have already made contact with us.

We also remind all parents and students that any EALD student can access extra support from Mrs Hunt. Year 11 and 12s can attend during Monday period 4, Year 10s can attend during Tuesday period 2, and Year 7, 8, 9s can see Mrs Hunt during any English lesson in consultation with their teacher.

Gabrielle Hunt- ghunt55@eq.edu.au (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & every second Friday - Literacy ICPs and EALD)

Amanda Dean- axdea0@eq.edu.au (Monday, Tuesday- Numeracy ICPs)

P & C News

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

Community Events

Emerald Community Drought Relief Operation

Central Highlands Tools has decided to facilitate helping our neighbouring country folk around the district’s towns, who are currently struggling with this drought. We would like to invite as many businesses, families and local organisations to jump on board and join us in assisting them with fodder for their animals, cash loaded cards, and non-perishable items of food and household items for families. The cash loaded debit cards are a great way to ensure the money is spent in these local towns businesses as they are struggling too.

To kick off the assistance we have organised a road train load of hay and the cartage has been donated by local company Ingram’s Transport to deliver both the non-perishables and this hay; but we are also seeking assistance with the cost of fuel to cover this delivery. Also, we are keen to raise some more funds to purchase more hay and the transport to the needed properties.

We have decided to keep this generosity in our region rather than giving it to a larger organisation as we know that this will be helping families directly within our community. The region, in which we would like our donations to be assisting, is Barcaldine through to Emerald.

This will be coordinated with the local support organisations in the affected towns within the region, who are on the ground and know who currently needs this much-needed assistance.

Times have been extremely tough for them over the past few years and we would like to show them that Emerald is behind them in their time of need.

Any donation would be greatly appreciated, whether big or small. We have also been in contact with the local Lions Club in Emerald to help us with our mission of helping our famers.

Any items of donation can be dropped into Central Highlands Tools on 8 Clermont Street so we can then deliver out to our farmers.

We would like to thank everyone in advance in assisting some of our district’s farmers in dire need.

If you would like any further information or like to contact us to discuss this further please don’t hesitate to contact Kerrie on 4982 1322 or on 0438 576 200.

Kind Regards