19 February 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Welcome to our second newsletter for 2019. The school is now well and truly underway as we enter week 4. I hope your child has started school with a positive mind set. Recently we had some very sad news about one of our ex-students passing away. It appropriate that I recognise our support works team that provide direct support to our students regarding mental health and developing their resilience levels. When an issue like this occurs it affects our school community, and our support works team operates at level that genuinely assists our affected students and their families. I thank them dearly for their unsung efforts afterhours and in the school community. They are a genuine asset to our school and they deserve recognition for their efforts.

I have included, in this newsletter, our school’s Explicit Improvement Agenda (EIA) for 2019. It hasn’t changed much from 2018’s agenda. This is a good thing, as it reflects how the school has processes that are working and steadily improve the results of our collective student body. Our two key improvement areas are through Pedagogy and Engagement (Positive Behaviour Learning and High Performing Teams). Different data sources have demonstrated that we are steadily improving in both student results and as a school community. Staff stability has really helped us along our 4 year journey.

2019 is the final year in our 4 year journey and it is time to review the school’s progress, and to develop another 4 year strategic plan. Our school will undergo a thorough external review over three days to identify strengths and weaknesses and consequently shape our next four yea plan. So that is our strategic news so far.

Special Mentions

• Special thank you to staff in particular, Mr Heath and Mrs Shaw and Mrs Elsden, for organising our student leaders’ investiture last week. It also featured a terrific segment from Mrs Rosenblatt speaking about our past 50 years.
• Congratulations to Mrs Markey our business manager who has successfully secured a s whole school upgrade of our air-conditioning systems for this year.
• Thank you to Mr Sanson for organising the year 7 Camp at Fairbairn

Every day counts

Our favourite school boy Jimmy battles many challenges in turning up to school every day, but with a supportive team behind him, he realises he can overcome any difficult encounters he faces. In The new adventures of Jimmy and Sam the Dog animation and comic book series, developed by the Department of Education, Jimmy tackles some nagging doubts: will he back himself and enter the robot competition? Will he face up to the school bullies?

Check out this instalment of Jimmy and Sam the Dog and find out. Once again, NRL legend Sam Thaiday plays the cheeky dog Sam, and Johnathan Thurston makes a cameo appearance rockin’ the decks at the school disco.

Head to the Every day counts website to watch the animation and download the comic.

“I object to violence because, when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.” Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948)

All the best,
Ray Clarke
Principal

From the Head of Year 12

The year 12s have begun the school year at a hectic pace with a number of events taking place in the first few weeks of school. Our SRC team kicked off with organising and running their first fundraiser for Valentines day. This took many lunch times with our leaders selling chocolates, roses and songs to our student cohort. Many of our students had a fun day thanks to the effort of our SRC team – Well done!

Our year 12’s also received their senior polo shirts in week 1. Students designed the polo shirt themselves and have been wearing them proudly. If students were unable to purchase a shirt and jersey last year a second opportunity has been provided to them at the start of this term. These notes need to be returned to the office by the 27th of February.

In term 4 this year we have the formal where our senior and their parents are invited to celebrate the year that was. Students will only receive an invite if they are meeting the behavioural and attendance expectations of the school. Students are expected to have an attendance of 90% or above to be eligible to attend the formal. If students are ill please ensure they provide the school with a medical certificate when they return.

In week 3 we also inducted our student leaders. This is a very significant moment for our leaders as they are officially presented with their positions in front of distinguished guests, parents, teachers and students. Our senior office bearers are listed in their positions below:

School captains

Rhiana Morris and Harrison Bray

Vice-school captains

Kriste Martinez and Ethan Van Jaarsveldt

Indigenous leader

Shayvon Saunders

SRC executives

President: Synara Streeter
Vice-President and Secretary: Hayley Cavanagh
Treasurer: Peter Watson
Publicity: Officer Mikaela Long

House captains

Garnet: Kim Leo and Jackson Bunker
Sapphire: Rave Greentree and Jade-Lee Jaques
Topaz: Emmy Tetley and Sophie Gibson
Zircon: Celine Eri and Marcella Pita-Robinson

Adam Heath
Head of Year – Year 12

From the Head of Year 7

It has been a great start to the term for the Yr 7 cohort. Students are adjusting well to the routines of high school. There has been lots of positive feedback from teachers in regards to students in Yr 7 following the key values of being polite, prepared and participating.

This week the students will be on camp. This is a great opportunity for students to work as a team, get to know their peers and develop resilience to overcome obstacles.

The cohort has also responded well to the positive behaviour for learning focus. It is great to see so many students in yr 7 receiving VIVOS for following teacher instruction and demonstrating a positive attitude towards school.

Pete Sanson
Head of Year – Year 7

From Head of Department – English

I wanted to take this opportunity to explain a few things that we are currently doing in the English Department every week. Across Years 7 to 9, we run a series of literacy skill lessons aimed at improving spelling, reading skills and grammar. We have invested a lot into these programs over the past few years and we are definitely seeing improvements in our students’ literacy skills. Soon we will be running a series of workshops aimed at improving the skills of those students who are sitting just outside of our upper two bands. These will be run by Cresta Richardson, and we are excited to see the results of this.

Senior English is undergoing a range of changes with the implementation of General English and Essential English, which replace English and English Communication. We are proud to say that we are 100% ready to go, and are excited for what challenges the new curriculum will bring.

Across the entire cohort, students are studying a range of topics these include: motivational speeches, bias in the media, the Australian identity, documentaries and The Book Thief. Some of the next units will include a literary text, so we encourage all of students to ensure they have paid their textbook hire, so they can receive these texts and begin reading.

We are looking forward to a great year in English. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Gabrielle Hunt
Head of Department of English

From the Head of Department - Maths

Welcome parents/guardians, students and the Emerald community to our first Maths segment for 2019.

Hoping the Christmas break was an enjoyable one for all.

Curriculum News

Years 7-9: following on from our successes in 2018, we are looking at developing targeted teaching practices within these year levels. During week 2 and 3, our Years 7-9 classes have gone through diagnostic testing. The aim is to now analyse the data and design programs that suit individual needs. Hence a data driven approach to teaching.

Our teachers will also use that data, together with, in class work to differentiate learning experiences for our students. Differentiation ensures individual needs are addressed, together with promoting an engaging environment.

Year 10:

Last year we introduced preparatory courses in our year 10 Maths classes, namely: Essential Maths, General Maths, Maths Methods and Specialist Maths. Streamlining of our year 10 subjects has been very effective. The staff will endeavour to take on feedback from 2018 and further improve the year 10 program.

Year 11:

As many of us are aware, our year 11’s are going through one of the biggest changes in recent Queensland Education history.

The new QCE system is now being rolled out in year 11. At Emerald State High we have been preparing for this change for the last two years. As a result, our first few weeks into the new QCE system has been very smooth. The Maths Department has already purchased text-books that are aligned to the new curriculum. The new graphics calculators are also going out to the students very soon. The new text-books are written specifically for the Queensland curriculum and hence is a valuable resource to our students.

The demands of the new QCE system is slightly higher than our year 10 curriculum. I would encourage the parents/guardians to support our students as they prepare for external exams (next year).

Some ways a parent/guardian may be able to help is by creating study spaces for our students at home, ensuring students are on top of assignment due dates and also with their study plans.

Year 12:

the year 12’s as usual are showing huge dedication to their work. The realisation that appropriate QCE credits are needed for graduation is also a motivating factor. We wish our year 12 students and teachers the very best for this year. I am positive they will come out with flying colours.

General

MATHLETICS Honours

The year 7, 8 and 9 honours classes have been rolled over into the MATHLETICS program. This is an online Maths program that Emerald State High is providing at no extra cost to the students. MATHLETICS is responsive to individual student’s needs. The highlight of this program is that it can be worked on independently or together with the teachers. ICT is a focus at Emerald State high and we hope with the introduction of such programs, our students will be better prepared with 21st Century skills.

MATHS CLUB

A Maths club has been created. This will run at first break every Tuesday. Maths club is targeted at year 10 and year 11 students. The club’s purpose is to provide extra Maths help to students who may not be able to attend our homework club. The Maths club will be run by the Maths Department staff. From Week 4 the Maths club will be operational.

Closing

There is a strong correlation between consistency and success. Consistency is key to success in any aspect of life. I would urge all to support our students with consistency in terms of their school work.

Some ways our students (and all of us) can practice being consistent are to:

1. Simplify –Cut the clutter out from our life.
2. Focus on 1 thing – There are lots, all of us could change in our lives, but doing them all at once is not sustainable. Try and find 1 or 2 easy things to focus on. When you do this rather than everything at once, you will have a more effective and lasting change.
3. Measure it – Measuring can help you tell where you are and how you have progressed over time. W. Edwards Deming, the creator of Lean management, stated, “If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it”. Consistency helps with measurement.
4. Ask for help – Try to find someone who can help you with your goal of becoming more consistent
5. Form a routine – Routines are the essence of consistency and will show you ways that you can improve.

Here’s to a productive and successful 2019.

Nahroon Nazim
Head of Department Mathematics

From the Head of Department – Honours

We have started the year on a positive note with our year 7-9 honours classes all laptop ready. The introduction of digital classrooms for these classes has been a huge effort and is still a work in progress.

Already our students are accessing learning via their devices in both math and science. Science is completely digital with the introduction of STILE. Or math students are accessing a unique program in Math called Mathletics which adjusts to the individual needs of the students.

On the holidays, staff also received training in Gifted and Talented Education over a two days. The program was delivered by the University of NSW, and a total of 22 of our staff were involved. The aim of the programs is to better equip teachers in identifying students who are gifted and providing teachers with the skills to better differentiate the curriculum to meet the needs of those students who are gifted or talented.

Finally, the 2018 honours anthology books are now available for purchase at the front office. Due to the amazing amount of stories we received from our students last year the book is substantially larger than 2017. As such the price is now $12. The quality of the stories is exceedingly high and our talented students amazed Elaine Ousten, the author who ran the 2018 Literacy Festival; sadly, this was Elaine’s last year running the program. This year the program will be slightly different as we have a new organisation running a 3 day Author in Residence program with our students.

Thank you to the ongoing support from parents and staff.

Regards Kaz Van Hees
(Head of Department – Humanities and Honours

From the Sports Coordinator

Athletics Carnival

Students are able to sign up for Competitive events that go towards age champion points. These events also double as Central Highlands Trial / Emerald District qualifyers. Students who do not sign up can still partake in events on the day they will just not be measured but still gain points for their house.

Upcoming Representative sports trials.

Please note the following sign up times for nominations. At the end of the sign up time notes will be distributed with the due date for return of forms and payment to Emerald State High School. This is different to the trial date. No late notes or payments will be accepted.

Typically, nominations will open on the Friday to Thursday of the week specified.

Notes in most circumstances will be distributed on a Friday in PC class to those who have successfully nominated in that past week.

The notes will have written on them the due dates for nominations to be returned to the office with payment.

These dates are different to the Emerald District, Central Highlands and Capricornia Trial dates.

Students need to be up to date on school fees to attend a Representative Trial.

No late nominations will be accepted.

Attendance and Participation

DAILY AUTOMATED TEXT MESSAGES

Why do parents/guardians receive a text message for unexplained absences or for being late for school?

State School Student Rolls are a legal document. Teachers have a legal obligation to record student presence or absence accurately for all scheduled curriculum-based learning (PC/P1/P2/P3/P4 & variations to their timetable) every school day. If a student is not present and the school has not previously been informed of the absence parents/guardians receive an automated text message to inform them of the absence.

ESHS electronic rolls require students not present at the time of roll marking to sign in/out at the office. Please check your email junk mail folders to ensure you receive electronic correspondence sent from ESHS. As per page 1 of the Student Diary:-

The mobile number you have authorised when enrolling your child/ren is the only mobile number accepted by our automated system which in turn permits ESHS to process your reply text messages. Messages sent via an alt mobile will not be accepted by the system.

Please remind your child/ren to speak clearly and load enough so when the roll is being called out the PC Teacher can mark them present.

RUNNING LATE?

If your child/ren have been dropped off at school late and they do not sign in at the office and go straight to class then an unexplained absence or late parent text will be sent.

If a student goes to Parade and is not seated with their PC Class in alphabetical order by surname and the PC Teacher does not “have whites of eyes on a student” an unexplained absence parent text will be sent.

If student/s are dropped off before school commences at 8:30am but for whatever reason does not make it to their PC class at the 8:45 bell they will be marked absent – if the PC Teacher does not “have whites of eyes” on a student they are marked as an unexplained absence. Their PC Teacher will mark them unapproved absence or late to class and a parent text will be sent.

If a child is late for parade they must physically report to their PC Teacher to mark them present. A student is officially late after 9:00am. All late students must sign in Late to Class (LC) at the Student Attendance Office located at the rear of the Admin Office (H Block) facing E Block so their attendance is activated electronically ready to participate for the day.

Parents can notify ESHS of student absence/s via the following options:-

Send a brief reply text stating the reason for Student Absence.

ESHS Student Absence Mobile: 0426 305 991
Student Absence E-mail: absences@emeraldshs.eq.edu.au
Student Absence Phone: (07) 4988 2222 Opt # 2
Voice Mail: Please state your name and mobile number, student’s full name, class, reason for absence.

16 of these preprinted notes in the back of every Student Diary:

QParent access, update & utilise 24/7!

CH & CAP & NATIONAL SCHOOL REPRESENTATION

Parents need to notify the school of any commitments where a student will be absent from ESHS in relation to their Rep Sport. High level representation is managed by their respective level Qld Education Managers.

Please note Club Representation at CH/State/National levels are not an approved Queensland Education curriculum school activities.

Student Diaries

Have you reviewed the 2019 ESHS Student Diary? It is a wealth of knowledge and not just for students.

The diary contains the above helpful information

School Contact Information

SOBS

Over the holidays the SOBS link for parents access has changed.

The URL to access SOBS as a parent is now:

Junior School Captains

Mayor CHRC Mr Kerry Hayes, Mrs Saunders (Deputy yr 9 and 10), Vice Captains Crystal Leo, Blake Shields, Captains Harlan Corbett & Charlotte Paxton, HOY 12 Mr Adam Heath

P&C President Mrs Renee Firth, Principal Mr Ray Clarke, Junior SRC Vice-Captain Hayden Streeter, Publicity Officer Mikaela Long, Treasurer Peter Watson, Senior Vice-President/Secretary Hayley Cavanagh, Junior Captain Chloe Davey, Senior President Synara Streeter, HOY (yr 12) Mr Adam Heath

From the Positive Behaviour for Learning Team

Behaviour Focus

Our current behaviour focus is Positive Rewards.

Student of the Week

YR 7: Lillian Goodwin 7F

Demonstrating the 3Ps and contributing to classroom discussion.

YR 8: Jessie Bridgeman 8A

For consistently following teachers instructions and applying the school’s key values in all aspects of school.

YR 9: Sophie Cavanaugh 9E

For consistently demonstrating the 3P’s inside and outside the classroom.

YR 10: Beau Ingram 10D

For consistent positive attitude and excellent class participation.

YR 11: Joshua Sauer 11F

For consistently upholding the key school values inside and outside of the classroom.

YR 12: Gabby Firth 12B

For being diligent in her studies and a role model for her peers.

From the Technology Department

Welcome back all! May 2019 be a prosperous year. The Technology Department welcomes a new Head of Department, Mr Noel Cavanagh. We are excited about the new challenges ahead this term and beyond. The department is well resourced in 2019 and the new equipment is already being well utilized by both staff and students.

Most year levels are familiarising themselves with the inner workings and operations of our technology. Thus providing the grounding for more ambitious tasks involving technological design, programming and coding (to name a few).

The technology department looks forward to continued success throughout the term and into the new school year.

Glen Moran
Technology Teacher

From the Arts Department

The Arts department had a great kick off at the start of the year with our rehearsals for the musical in full swing. The year sevens were keen to join in and we were pleasantly surprised with their enthusiasm and ability!

We have so much in the pipeline. Watch this space for upcoming events like the Trivia Night later this term. We are also happy to announce a new Art Club that will happen during second lunch on Mondays from week five onwards. Year ten students who are unable to study art this year due to a lack of numbers are encouraged to join. We will have to limit interest to 10-15 students since this time will also be available for Visual Art students to work on their assessment.

Parents are encouraged to stay connected to the school’s Facebook page to be informed about upcoming rehearsal reminders for this year’s school musical. This weekend our first whole day musical rehearsal for 2019 will be taking place on Saturday 23 February at the school from 9:30am to 4:30pm in K Block.

Most assessments in the Arts are due in week eight with drafts in week six. It is good practice to have your student’s assessment calendar on the fridge. This is extremely important since most of their work is practical and needs to be finalised at school.

Vivien Blignaut
Art Teacher

P&C News

The P&C committee are excited to be celebrating 50 years of Emerald State High School in our community during 2019. Along with the 50th Jubilee celebrations there are many reasons why joining the P&C committee is a great idea. You can enjoy being part of your child’s education, meet and network with a wide variety of like-minded people, enhance your skills in various roles, get to know your school community and be a part of a variety of decisions that relate to your child and family.

The P&C have introduced a new online ordering system “QKR"

QKR (pronounced quicker) is a secure and easy way to order and pay for school uniforms and fundraising events on your phone or device at any time and place that suits you.

We have introduced this system to streamline the ordering process and to reduce the need to bring cash to school.

Instructions on how to download the QKR App and setup your account is available for parents. There are also tips of the week for your information.

Once the QKR App is installed and student profiles are set up, orders can be placed immediately.

Uniform purchases have already been installed on the Qkr App including the pre-order system for parents to complete for the new Winter Jacket and Trackpants.

The 50th Jubilee committee will also be using the Qkr App for sales of the Jubilee Event tickets. We will also be able to take advantage of this app for the Colour run and other fundraising events.

We are currently trialling the ability to compete your P&C membership application form via the Qkr app. We encourage you all to try it out.

2019 Winter Uniform Preorder

Due to responses given in the 2018 uniform survey 2019 will see the introduction of an approved new school winter uniform. Please be advised that students may continue to wear existing ESHS uniform stock and the purchase of the new items is not compulsory. Families are highly encouraged to pre-order these items if you would like them as the P&C will not be able to hold much stock on hand for those who do not pre-order.

To place your order, please complete and return this form (with payment via cash/eftpos) in person to the Uniform Shop/Tuckshop at B block. Alternatively, you can download the new “Qkr” app and place your order that way using credit card without needing to attend the School.

The due date for pre-orders and payment is strictly: Thursday 28th February 2019.

Facebook and school notices will update students and families when orders are available to collect. (We anticipate this to be approximately wk 3 of Term 2)

Working Bee

To prepare for our jubilee events, our school environment needs a make-over and we need your help!

Come for as little or as long as you can. Morning tea will be provided by the P&C Association. Please bring sun protection, water, closed-in shoes and gloves (if you have them).

Task include – gardening/landscaping, painting, cleaning and a range of other things. Please follow the event on our Facebook page as we add specific tasks.

P&C Meeting Schedule

Emerald State High School 50th Jubilee News

Tickets for Cheers for 50 Years Event on Friday the 28th of June is now on sale! To purchase your ticket, please download the Qkr App, search for Emerald State High School. You can then set up your profile - Guest or Parent and then go to purchase your tickets. Once the tickets are in the cart, you will be asked for any dietary requirements.

PERSONALISED PAVERS

Over 200 pavers were ordered by past and present staff and students. Orders for pavers have now closed for Round 1. This is to ensure that the pavers get printed and back to us for installation before the jubilee. Round 2 will be opened in Term 2 for those people who are interested but we will need to wait until the minimum order of 100 pavers is reached.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP CEREMONY - SPECIAL GUESTS

At this year’s student leader induction, we welcomed Jeanette O'Brien (Brimstone), Year 12 student of 1969 and Jo Rosenblatt (Kendrick) who presented badges to the house captains for 2019. Jo addressed the students and spoke of her time at Emerald SHS as a student and then when she returned as a teacher, head mistress and deputy principal. Every student was presented with a commemorative badge. If you child was absent from parade, ask them to see their PC teacher.

LAST CALL FOR HISTORY BOOK SUBMISSIONS

The history book committee are still collecting photos and memories from staff and students. If you would like to send through any information or images to emeraldshsjubilee@gmail.com by the 15th of February, we will be able to include it. Video footage is also welcome as we hope to put together a news reel for the jubilee evening.

CALL FOR SPONSORS

In the next issue of highlights we will be spotlighting the generous sponsors that have already come on board to support the school jubilee. If you know of a business who would be interested, please let us know via email emeraldshsjubilee@gmail.com or call Sam Elsden 0417715663

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The small committee would love some help with plans for this year. We will be having another meeting very soon. If you would like to contribute, please contact the group via email emeraldshsjubilee@gmail.com or call Sam Elsden 0417715663

Keep an eye out for updates in this newsletter and on our Facebook page.

Community Notices

I'd like to introduce you all to our wonderful guest speakers for the ball, Dan and Ed.

Dan and Ed are two carpenters who met on a building site in Brisbane and became best mates. After Dan lost one of his friends to suicide in 2015, the pair felt that there was more that could be done as a preventative measure to stop more Australian men and women from going down the same path. The lads created TradeMutt, the world’s first social enterprise workwear company, that aims to not only make working men and women look and feel great, but their shirts act as a conversation starter around mental health. Their colourful threads and light-hearted approach is an effort to change people’s perception about mental health, and help normalise the conversation to make it easier for anyone that might be struggling to ask for help.

We are super excited to be having Dan and Ed come all the way from Brisbane for the Comet 'Bare All' Charity Ball and share their story with us!!

The Emerald Junior Motorcycle Clubs first Club Day for 2019 is Sunday March 3rd at Mozzie Creek. It is a great day out for families and friends to enjoy an action packed day! This particular club day will be assisting Anglicare Emerald in fundraising as they offer many services for mental health and wellness and their on going support to local families.