2 November 2018

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Welcome to this fortnight’s newsletter. I love term 4 because it is the time when we commence reviewing the year. Our students’ successes in the academic and sporting worlds have been very pleasing indeed. Last fortnight we had our inaugural sports awards night and it went off very well. On the following weekend, many of our students and staff participated in the Western 7s Rugby Union competition and I congratulate all of you who took part.

On the academic front, this week featured our awards night. We have reviewed and refined set criteria for each academic award especially the special awards and have tried to make them more public. Thanks to Mrs Shaw and our P&C President, Renee, we now have a clear set of academic awards criteria that will be included in enrolment packages. This is something that has been long overdue.

In addition, last week, was our spirit week with student activities throughout the lunch breaks. Why doesn’t this happen all the time I hear you ask. It doesn’t occur all the time, because it requires some teachers to give up their whole week of spare time to organise the activities. I thank Mr Sanson for organising both this year with the Student Council.

Special Mentions

Congratulations to Cora Potter who was selected to the CQ under 15's girls’ cricket team to compete at State Comp in December at the QLD cricket carnival.

Congratulations to Mr Deffner and the HPE department for organising the sports awards night.

Special thank you to all our teachers who were the Western 7s coaches over this past weekend

How is senior assessment changing?

Assessment will be different in General and Applied subjects in the new QCE system. Four assessments will count towards your final grade in each subject. This is fewer assessments than students currently complete.

General subject results will be based on your achievement in three internal assessments (developed by our school), and one external assessment that is set and marked by the QCAA. In most General subjects your internal assessment results will count for 75% of your overall subject result. In maths and science subjects, your internal assessment results will generally count for 50% of your overall result.

Applied subject results will be based on your achievement in four internal assessments. Internal assessments might include in-class tests, assignments, essays or some other form. Your work will be marked by our school, and the QCAA will then review samples of student work for every subject in every school to ensure the quality and rigour of assessment and results.

External assessment for each subject will be held on the same day in all schools across the state. Your final subject result will be made up of your external assessment result, plus your three internal assessment results. The Queensland Core Skills (QCS) Test will not be part of the new system. The last group to sit the test will be in Year 12 in 2019.

“Never ruin an apology with an excuse”. – Kimberly Johnson
All the best & have a relaxing weekend,
Ray Clarke
Principal

From the Junior School Deputy Principal

Firstly, a thank you to all those students and parents who attended our awards night, it was great to see so many of our year 7 and 8 students receiving an award. As it is now week 4 students in years 7 and 8 will be preparing for their final tests and assessment pieces for the year. Please remind them to begin assessment early as a little each night is much better than feeling overwhelmed the week before assessment is due.

Secondly, we have recently sent out a letter regarding the use of social media by children. The letter can also be found on our school Facebook page. It outlines some of the dangers of social media – in particular some new anonymous apps that are causing distress to many of our young students. Please ensure you are having conversations with your child about staying safe online.

Lastly, we have been busy interviewing families who have children transitioning from year 6 to year 7 next year. Our final enrolment night is on the Tuesday 6th of November starting at 4pm. If you know of any families that are yet to attend an enrolment night, please remind them about this opportunity.

If you have any questions regarding year 7 and 8 students please don’t hesitate to contact me at bvanh2@eq.edu.au

Thanks,

Ben Van Hees
Deputy Principal – Junior School

From the Head of Year 11

This term is an exceptionally busy for our year 11 students as they begin the transition into their final year of school. It is also a short term with our year 11s leaving us after just 8 weeks. There are a number of key dates students may need to be aware of including exam block, leadership speeches and assessment due dates.

Leadership camp took place last week with aspiring leaders heading to Fairbairn Dam. This camp was for students to challenge themselves in team building exercises and display leadership amongst their fellow peers. Students have also been provided with a detailed summary of the requirements of each leadership position. Students also receive assistance in how to compile their nomination package, including their speech.

Students wanting to nominate for leadership will present short speeches on Tuesday the 6th of November at assembly. This will provide them with the opportunity to introduce themselves to all the students and state the qualities that they will demonstrate in a leadership position. Students wanting to nominate for school captain will also have an interview process where they can discuss their suitability for the position.

Finally, it has been a pleasure working with year 11 students this year, seeing them grow into mature young adults. I look forward to continuing my association with these students going into their final and most significant year of school.

Adam Heath
Head of Year 11

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.

Arts News

It is never a quiet moment for the Arts Department. Over the year, we have seen high levels of talent from all areas – drama, music, art and film. A big congratulations to the senior students who were involved in our Arts Showcase night at the end of Term 3, you all performed well and should be very proud of yourselves. We are also proud to announce that Aimee Maddox was awarded an Excellence Award and will have her work featured in the Gallery of Modern Art in 2019.

Musical auditions were completed at the end of Term 3 and we have now started rehearsals. A big welcome to all cast members, we look forward to working with you over the next 9 months in order to deliver an exciting and engaging production. Some key dates to remember for the remainder of the year are Wednesday 5th November to Friday 7th from 9am-3pm. These dates are crucial for all cast members to attend to ensure the rehearsals run smoothly. If you haven’t signed up yet, but would like to join the cast, please see Miss Fehlhaber or Miss Prior.

Contracts for the musical are due back and payments can start to be made at the office. The payment of $100 includes a musical shirt and helps pay for catering, props/sets and costumes. This payment will need to be paid for students to receive their costume and shirt. To bring the cost down to $100 for each student to participate, we are holding fundraising events to assist with covering costs. We had organised a Sweets Drive to run this term, however unfortunately we had a lack of orders placed and had to cancel. We are in the midst of organising a Trivia Night to run early in Term 1, 2019. It would be great to see as many people there as possible.

Thank you for all of your support throughout 2018, we look forward to working with you soon.

Maths News

QAMT Maths Competition:

In week 3 Mr Bhar and three of our best and brightest junior students journeyed to Brisbane to compete in the Annual QAMT Maths Competition after their success at our local round. Great work to all involved!

What does it look like to be prepared in maths?

In Maths we always need to be prepared in order for us to succeed. This can be done by always ensuring you have your Maths book, pen, calculator and laptop/device. We appreciate any help in reminding our students about these requirements, especially leading up to assessment period.

Year 7:

Our junior mathematicians are currently studying statistics and geometry. Helping them out at home could be as simple as asking them about statistics in the news or angles around the house.

Year 8

These students are currently brushing up on their algebra and measurement skills in Maths this term.

Year 9

This cohort is currently working on probability and preparing for their exam in week 8.

Year 10

These students are studiously working on their assignments due later in the term. Please encourage them to bring their laptops to school on days when they have Maths scheduled.

Year 11 Maths:

Exam block starts on Monday week 7 for year 11. Revision sheets should be coming out very shortly, so keep an eye out.

Year 12 Maths:

Our school leaders have almost reached the end of their ESHS mathematical journey and have entered exam block.

Guidance News

There’s Life After Year 12 Exams

(Adapted from an article by the mental health organisation ReachOut Australia)

More than 200,000 Year 12 students are nearing the end of high school and there is life after Year 12 exams.

Exams may be stressful and can be overwhelming if you feel your whole life depends on the results. Your marks do not define you. There are many different options, opportunities and career paths.

Stress around exam time may impact a teenager’s mental health, physical health and general wellbeing. Knowing how to help teenagers manage their stress in the lead-up to exams may help them to study and reduce the tension at home.

REACHOUT’S TOP YEAR 12 EXAM STRESS TIPS FOR STUDENTS

Take care of yourself: sleep lots, eat good food and keep moving.

It is normal to feel a whole range of things before or after you get your exam results, but there are ways you can deal with the pressure of expectations. No exam result is so important that it will stop you achieving your goals in the long term.

Make the effort to balance study with relaxation. This is not only important for your state of mind, but for the quality of your study as well.

Exams are stressful, but there is a range of strategies you can use to manage your stress.

REACHOUT’S TIPS TO HELP PARENTS HELP THEIR TEENAGERS THROUGH EXAMS

Talk about symptoms of stress with your teenager. Understanding what makes them stressed enables them to build the skills to cope better and reduce stress in the future.

Help them set up a quiet and comfortable place to study. Help them get organised and write a study timetable that includes breaks and time to relax and socialise.

Give them some time off household chores during their exam period and schedule family time around their study timetable. Be responsive to their needs and do not ask them to stop studying for something that is not urgent.

Help them write a list of things they can do to relax. Making time to relax can help to reduce stress and calm their nerves.

Encourage them to be active, eat well and sleep well. Go for walks or be active as a whole family and make healthy meals (limiting caffeine and sugar).

Look after yourself. Take care of your of yourself and you will be in a better place to support your teenager through this stressful time.

For more information, stories and fact sheets for students going through exams, visit the link below.

Student Representative Council News

Christmas Spirit Kicks In (from CQ News)

Students at Emerald State High School are learning the value and significance of generosity, kindness and selflessness in the lead up to the festive season as they coordinate a food drive with goods to be donated to the Emerald Neighbourhood Centre and made into Christmas hampers for those in need.

Teacher and Student Representatives Council coordinator, Peter Sanson, said this week that the food collected by students and their families would be presented to the Neighbourhood Centre on November 27.

Mr Sanson said the Term 4 food drive was being organised in a bid to help as many people as possible at Christmas, and donations could include non-perishables such as pasta, tinned fruits, and general goods.

"We wanted to help make Christmas a special time for all families,” he said. "I think it teaches the students great life skills. It sets them up to put others first and to understand that when they do that they experience a sense of happiness and wellbeing.” He said the school focused on positive behaviour, positive interactions and a positive attitude to learning and the community. "At Christmas time, it's about helping those who are less fortunate and knowing that a whole community runs better when we help each other out. It's a culture we're trying to create here at the school about being inclusive of everyone and for students to endeavour to help everyone as much as they can.”

Emerald Neighbourhood Centre administration officer Fiona Bust said this week the collaborative approach of creating Christmas hampers with schools allowed young people to gain an insight into the challenges and struggles that individuals and families within our community faced, particularly at Christmas time. Mrs Busst said that community charity work also fostered the development of empathy and compassion in youth. "And it's also good for those people receiving the hampers to see that they are a part of a community that does care, especially as they can often feel isolated and alone.”

P & C News

Emerald State High School prepares for its 50th year! (From CQ News)

It was a blast from the past when Lynne Spackman (Dahlenburg), Donna Lewis (Mattingley), Gayette Shaw (Sager) and Andrew Hawkins recently walked through the gates of Emerald State High School. Part of the original year 8 cohort that started at the school in 1969, they were invited to the school for a tour run by current year 7 students in preparation for the 50th jubilee celebrations next year.

Donna Lewis remembers that the class all walked from Emerald State School (where the secondary department had been) and were counted off into three separate classes. Back then, only A and B blocks were constructed and C and D were built during the first year. Some students enjoyed cream buns and pies for lunch at the tuckshop and some walked across the road to the corner store for lunch.

Andrew Hawkins remembers boarding at the CWA Hostel (building near the hospital) during school time. He also spoke about how they were all billeted out to homes that were lucky enough to have televisions so they could all watch the moon landing.

The year 7 students who all have a long family history of attending the school, Madison Powell, Indie Logovik and Declan O'Sullivan, made the perfect tour guides, showing off the different rooms and what had changed over the years. Of particular interest was the computer labs (which used to be the only classrooms), the gym, the newly renovated hall as well as the hospitality and industrial skills rooms. The group also had a private performance from the school symphonic band, something that was not yet available in 1969.

The guests reminisced about the subjects that were on offer when they were at school which included an academic stream of mostly science subjects, a commercial stream that included short-hand, typing and home-economics or a manual arts stream that included woodwork, metal work and tech drawing. They were impressed that the range now includes more technology, physical education and creative arts options.

Finally, the group viewed the area set aside for the jubilee paving area. This will provide a unique opportunity for individuals or families to have their name engraved onto a paver to be placed in the school. Individuals and families also have an opportunity to contribute stories and pictures to the history book that is being created. Please email emeraldshsjubilee@gmail.com with anything you may have.

The jubilee committee have been putting plans in place for a weekend of catching up and remembering the times at Emerald State High School. An evening reunion event will be held on the 28th of June. Tickets will be on sale early in the new year. An open day at the school for past and present students, staff and the whole community will be held on Saturday the 29th of June. Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and more information can be found on the Facebook page.

Oktoberfest

Congratulations to everyone who helped make Oktoberfest such a wonderful fundraiser for our school. It was awesome to see so many volunteers and parents helping and the assistance was very appreciated by the P&C Committee. The prize winners for the two raffles on the night were:

$100 Board - Winner Sally McIntosh
$100 Board - Winner Margaret

A special big thanks for everyone's assistance and particularly to Bede Horsfall and Gail Spargo for the extra efforts they took to arrange this function. Well done to all.

Tuesday 6 November at 6pm

Our next general P&C Meeting will be held in the admin conference room on November 6. This meeting will predominately be to discuss the budget for 2019, so a good one to be involved with if you have ideas on expenditure for the coming year. Should you have any further agenda items to put forward for the meeting please email them to secretarypandceshs@gmail.com

SCHOOL LOCKERS – 2019

The school lockers proposal will be tabled for discussion at our next meeting on 6 November 2018. Anne Self has been working very hard on this and it is anticipated that a limited number of school lockers may be available as early as 2019 for student use. Very soon a survey will be sent out via the ESHS Facebook page which will provide information regarding the lockers. When completing the survey there will be an ability to submit your email for further updates on the progress of lockers including how to secure one. If this is of interest to you, please ensure you complete the survey so that you are kept up to date over the Christmas school holiday break.

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