3 May 2019
Newsletter Articles
Principal’s Report
Welcome to our first newsletter for Term 2. I write this just after we have finished our Parent Teacher Interview evening which was very well attended and catered for by our tuckshop. The great news is that students have returned with a positive mindset and more energy than in term one which was characterised by hot weather and drought. The other good news is that our air-conditioning replacement program is well underway and every room should be operating with either a new or reliable air-conditioner for the next summer. This is something we have lobbied hard for, at the school, over the past few years.
What did we learn from term 1, 2019?
We found out that many of our Year 11s are struggling with the new national curriculum. Some say it is harder, some say our students are not used to revising for assessment that covers the whole semester. Whatever the reason, Mrs Shaw, Mrs Carter and seniors team have commenced interviews about subject selection and getting the right subject fit for our Year 11s to be able to pass every subject as they continue through to Year 12.
Parents I must stress there are no safety catches with the new ATAR and new QCE. We understood the old system very well, however the new one requires all seniors to move up a notch in effort and engagement. Those students who struggle to put pen to paper will simply not achieve a QCE. This is a certainty and although we keep saying, it appears some students are determined to ignore us.
In the junior school, what can you do to improve your child’s academic performance? Here are some hints:
- Encourage them to read on any topic they enjoy for 30 minutes per day
- Have them start their Maths homework first and do it 4 times per week. Maths is a language.
- Establish study times and encourage your child to have routines.
- Encourage them to do a sport – team or individual, exercise is great for the mind.
- Reinforce with them that YOU value their reading and mathematical skills. You can do this by asking them maths questions or asking them about what they are reading.
Reminders
- Tickets for the 50 Years Jubilee Event on Friday 28th June are now on sale. To purchase a ticket download the Qkr App, search for Emerald State High School, set up your profile and purchase your ticket.
Special Mentions
- The P&C working bee on the gardens did a fabulous job on the first week end of the school break. Thank you to all who gave up their time to assist.
- Thank you to Ruth (our Chef) and the ladies for catering on Parent Teacher Evening.
- Congratulations to Mrs Shaw who is now appointed as permanent Deputy Principal at ESHS
“Silent gratitude isn't very
much use to anyone who has done a lot for you.”
G. B. Stern, Robert Louis Stevenson: The Man Who Wrote 'Treasure
Island,' 1954
Have an enjoyable weekend.
Ray Clarke
Principal
From the Senior School Deputy
Welcome back from holidays to what is traditionally a quick term as there are many public holidays. This term we also welcome back Valda Fitzgerald our Guidance Officer. I would like to thank Kelly Lawton who filled in for Valda while she was absent and wish her luck with her employment in St George.
Term 1 report cards were issued via email on the last day of term 1. If you have not received your child’s report card or would like a hard copy please contact the main office. In the Senior School these reports give a good indication of whether a student is on track for a QCE and if they are meeting our attendance targets. The same formulae can and should be used in the junior school as a guide to whether a student will have success when they are in years 11 and 12.
As we are now in dual senior school systems, the rules for attaining a QCE are similar but not the same.
QCE – students graduating 2019
For students to receive a QCE they must meet the following four conditions:
- Literacy – students must pass a semester of English subject (either English or English Communication);
- Numeracy – students must pass a semester of a Maths subject (Maths A, B, C or Prevocational Maths);
- 20 credits – students accumulate credits by banking 1 credit per subject each semester studied where a “C” grade or better is awarded at exit (usually 4 credits per subject);
- Core Credits – 12 of the 20 credits must come from 3 subjects studied continuously (from year 11 to year 12).
QCE – students graduating 2020
For students to receive a QCE they must meet the following four conditions:
- Literacy – students must pass a unit in an English subject (either English or Essential English);
- Numeracy – students must pass a unit in an Maths subject (Maths Methods, Maths General or Essential Maths);
- 20 credits – students accumulate credits by banking 1 credit each for successfully completing unit 1 and 2 ie “C” grade or better is awarded and then 2 credits for successfully completing unit 3 and 4 (usually 4 credits per subject);
- Core Credits – 12 of the 20 credits must come from 3 subjects studied continuously (from year 11 to year 12).
As parents you can assess your child’s eligibility by looking at the report card and checking:
- have they passed their Maths and English subject (C or better)
- have they passed 5 subjects (5 subjects * 4 semesters = 20 credits).
If you have answered no to any of these then your child is at risk of not receiving a QCE and it is important that the situation is reviewed. Please contact the school to make a meeting time with me to discuss this situation.
Attendance targets
The school requires that students attend school at least 92%, this equates to approximately 4 days absences each term (16 days each year on top of the 6 weeks holidays given). At the end of report card the number of days absences are recorded. It is important to note that late arrival or early departure is recorded a ½ day absence. For those students signing in after the first bell this is ½ day absence each time, so being on time does count. For students in Year 12 with a flexible timetable – signing in or out as per the timetable does not count in for absences. Absences explained by a medical certificate are not counted in the absence data.
Students whose absences fall below these targets are ineligible to attend their school formal and are unable to get a senior jersey.
Welfare meetings
Each week myself, the Heads of Year, Guidance Officer and Youth Support Co-ordinator meet to discuss the progress – academic, behaviour, attendance and social/emotion/wellbeing - of year 11 and 12 students. We meet for year 11s on a Wednesday and 12s on a Thursday. From these meetings we are able to provide support to students in need. If you have any concerns about your student that we can assist in please contact me through the school office.
QCS Test – students graduating 2019
The final QCS test will soon be upon us (3rd and 4th of September). In preparation for the test any student applying for special consideration must do so urgently, applications close on May 21st. In applying for special consideration students must complete a form and accompany this with a medicate certificate (there is a preferred format). Students wishing to apply for special consideration must see Mrs Fitzgerald (Guidance Officer) within the next two weeks and then keep in contact with her throughout the process.
On the last week of term 1 I was able to discuss with QCAA analysis branch our student results from 2018. Although students can’t study for the QCS test there were 3 key messages that I took out of the meeting that students should take on-board to ensure that the results that they receive from the school are also represented in their QCS test score:
- students need to be working independently on their school tasks – having too much teacher input/feedback does not help in the QCS test or when students reach university
- students must self edit their work in terms of language conventions – grammar, punctuation and spelling
- students need to write on demand – little preparing in advance.
Next term the Heads of Department and I will be going through the analysis from QCAA to implement strategies to support our OP students with achieving their best results in the QCS test.
Parent teacher interviews
Parent-teacher interviews are an opportunity for you to meet and get to know your child's teacher. They are an opportunity to share information about your child’s progress, interests and needs and discuss your child’s learning with their teacher. Parent teacher interviews provide opportunities for you to help the teacher understand more about your child and in return give you the opportunity to become further involved in your child's learning to give support where needed.
ANZAC service
On Wednesday 24th April our school will hold our ANZAC service. I would like to acknowledge the hard work by students and staff at our school to pay their respects for our fallen soldiers at the school ANZAC Day service. A huge thank you must go to Leanne Ross (teacher) for giving her time so generously to the service. Leanne secured a grant that has allowed her, with the help of parents over the holidays, make a war memorial within the school grounds. This project was also supported by many local businesses. I would like to also acknowledge the 100ish students, Rosie Tu’ihalangingie (teacher aide) and Leon Coramandel (teacher) who are involved in the ceremony on Wednesday for their time and dedication to ensure a memorable service. I am sure as a school community we also be represented well at the town services on Thursday.
Year 12 Formal – for students graduating in 2020 and beyond
With the changes to our senior school curriculum and the introduction of external exams, from 2020 the Year 12s will be absent for most of term 4. This makes the preparation and organisation of the formal more difficult. In 2020, the students will be on external block up to the day of what is traditionally our formal evening. I will be working with the P&C to discuss moving our formal to a more suitable date. If you would like input into this please come to our next P&C meeting on Tuesday . If you would like to discuss this, further please contact me via the school office.
Year 13 – students who graduated in 2018
I have attached to this highlights information for our Year 13 students regarding “Next step destination data” and “free TAFE”. We are happy to support our Year 13 students if they require and are always happy to hear what they are up to and how life beyond school is treating them.
Regards
Tanya Shaw
From Head of Department – Maths
Firstly, I would like to thank parents/caregivers for their valued support to our school so far.
Term 2 is in full swing and going by quickly.
You would have received your child’s interim reports by now. If you have not received it, please contact our office. They will be able to organise one for you.
The reports present a good opportunity to have discussions with your child and their teachers regarding your child’s progress. Parent/teacher interviews was on Tuesday (30/04). If you did not make it to the school on the Tuesday, you can always arrange a time with the teachers to meet up later.
We in the Maths department are using the data gathered from term 1 to work on gaps your child may have had during the term. Work is being differentiated for your child to ensure greater chances of success.
Some important events coming up.
- Year 7 and year 9 NAPLAN numeracy test is on the 16th of May.
- Maths teams consisting of students across years 7-12 are competing in a Maths competition held at Rockhampton on the 1st and 2nd of May. (Mr Bhar, Mrs Ralley and Mrs Saunders will be accompanying our teams).
To reiterate our departments’ expectations for our students outside of school hours: the expectation is that the students will spend around 20mins as study time 3 to 4 times a week.
Homework club occurs on Mondays and Wednesdays (3-4pm). We have a Maths club that runs on Tuesday first break as well. Homework club and the Maths club provide the facility for your child to get further one-on-one attention if required.
Importance of Goal Setting
I would encourage you to set goals with your child. Ensure to have the goal written down. There has been a lot of research done in Neuroscience that suggests, writing down a goal as opposed to simply saying it, increases the chances of one achieving the goal.
Below is an interesting article on goal setting. It is a 4minute read only.
https://thedailygoalgetter.com/neuroscience-goal-setting-ras/
We have a busy term ahead of us. Here’s to a successful term 2.
Nahroon Nazim
Head of Department
Science Department News
This term both the Year 11 and 12 Biology classes will be off to North Keppel Island on Camp to undertake field studies related to curriculum content and assessments.
The Year 12’s will be off in Week 4 investigating the water quality of the Nogoa and the Great Barrier Reef using technology to sample water quality at various sites whilst also experiencing life on the island right next to the Great Barrier Reef through snorkelling, canoeing and with a plankton trawl.
Meanwhile, the Year 11 will discover the organisms that live in the intertidal zones, determine various species of coral through snorkelling and discover how a mangrove ecosystem functions and thrives during their camp in Week 10. As this term ends the Year 11’s will have successfully completed Unit 1 of the new SATE program and will have experienced many new and exciting learning opportunities.
Additionally, the junior students are working hard to learn new content around physics, chemistry and geology to complete their assessments and the seniors are completing experiments, research tasks and fun activities around their curriculum content.
Amy Case
Science Teacher
From the Student Representative Council
The 2019 SRC Team have had a cracking start to the year with many events been and gone!
Term 1 involved a variety of different events with Valentine’s Day kicking things off. This fundraising event was a huge success with the selling of roses and chocolates for secret and not-so secret Valentines sweethearts! This event culminated with the Year 12 SRC Roman Cupids serenading love songs in the Sails courtyard to students during their lunch break.
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Valentines Day
A group of ESHS students also participated in Central Highlands Regional Council event of Clean Up Australia Day. Mayor, Kerry Hayes, accompanied our students and together we successfully collected multiple bags of rubbish and waste between McIndoe Park and Mitre 10.
Clean Up Australia Day
On Thursday 14th March ESHS supported the nationwide anti-bullying campaign of Bullying, No Way! Day and collectively staff and students showed their support to this campaign by signing their commitment to saying NO to Bullying. This canvas is for display in our school’s Administration office.
Bullying No Way Canvas
Bullying No Way Canvas
The term concluded with both our Year 9 and Year 12 SRC teams successfully running the BBQ and Canteen facilities for the school’s annual Athletics Carnival – which was a success despite the storm’s effort to rain on our day! This term our Year 9 and Year 12 leaders will attend the annual Mayoral Leaders Summit, which will be held in Blackwater on the 2nd of May 2019. This event will be attended by all primary and secondary school leaders in the region. This will be a fantastic event to meet and hear from other school’s as well as listen to some inspirational speaks about Youth Leadership.
Mrs Debbie Cognet
Head of Student Representative Council
Attendance and Participation
Finance
Term 2 Payment Fees are due now.
Reminder if you are on a payment plan please make your next payment.
Subjects chosen in Term 1 have been invoiced can you please pay these as soon possible.
Thank you to all the Families who have made payments to date.
LEAVING THE SCHOOL GROUNDS
Students are not permitted to leave school grounds unless they are under the supervision of a parent/guardian. Please help us keep our students safe by following these few simple steps.
- Parent/guardian should send a note with the student or phone admin to notify of time and reason for early departure.
- This letter must be brought to the office on arrival at school to receive their “Leave Request” slip. This will allow the student to be released from class at the required time. If students do not have a leave request Teachers will not allow students to leave their classrooms. If parents phone, the student still need to receive a “Leave Request” slip from admin on arrival to school.
- Parent/guardian will meet the student at the administration office to collect their student and receive and sign the “Authorisation to Leave” slip.
Please ensure your emergency contact information is current. If a nominated person is verbally authorised by a Parent/Guardian and is not listed as an emergency contact on OneSchool it is a departmental requirement for the nominated person to produce their drivers licence prior to leaving campus with the student. This will be recorded on OneSchool.
LATE / RETURNING STUDENTS MUST SIGN IN AT THE OFFICE
Students must sign in at the office to activate their electronic roll to ensure their presence on campus is evident. Signing in properly ensures emergency evacuation rolls are accurate and everyone is accounted for.
If a student is late to school, returning after sport or a specialist appointment or coming to school instead of Work Experience, ie not participating in class as per their scheduled time table.
Everyday Counts
What can you do to support your child in attending school? Parents can support their child in attending school regularly by:
- attend school events in order to develop a relationship with the school and your child’s teachers
- read the school newsletter, follow ESHS on Facebook
- supervise homework
- ask your child about their day
Are you having problems getting your child to attend school for some of these reasons?
- staying up to late at night
- difficulty getting out of bed in the morning
- unable to find their uniform, school bag, books, etc.
- slow to eat breakfast
- failure to complete their homework
- assessment is due
- watching TV
- they want to go shopping
- it’s their birthday
If so, a set routine can help:
- attend school events in order to develop a relationship with the school and your child’s teachers
- read the school newsletter
- supervise homework
- ask your child about their day
- have a set time to go to bed and get out of bed
- organise their uniform and school bag ready the night before
- set a time for starting and finishing breakfast
- set a time for daily homework activities including assessment
- speak about school positively
- be firm, send your child to school each and every day
School Contact Information
SOBS
Over the holidays the SOBS link for parents access has changed.
Here is the URL to access SOBS as a parent:
https://eq.sobs.com.au/pt/parent.php?schoolid=70275
From the Positive Behaviour for Learning
Team
Behaviour Focus
Our current behaviour focus is “Be a Resilient and an Independent Learner”.
Student of the Week
Week 2 Students and Staff Member of the Week
Week 2
ZAK GITTENS (7E) - for his consistent demonstration of the 3P's in both practical and theoretical tasks.
RIHANNA BARNES (8D) - for always following the 3 Ps and putting her best effort into all her work.
BLAKE SHIELDS (9C) - for participating in class and extending himself in activities.
ALEX MORRIS (10B) - for being a willing participant, engaging politely with classmates and being motivated.
RHIANNON O’HARA (11D) – because she applies herself and produces thoughtful responses. She demonstrates the 3Ps in all areas of her learning.
KIM LEO (12C) - For being a dedicated students and a role model to others.
Emerald State High School 50th Jubilee
News
Cheers to Fifty Years Evening - 28th of June 2019
TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE VIA
https://www.trybooking.com/ZNWQ
To celebrate 50 years of education, past staff and students are invited to our gala dinner. Ticket includes a night of entertainment, welcome drink, a variety of grazing platter canapes, roving mini-mains and a delicate dessert buffet. Full bar will be operating. Tables and chairs will be available, however no set seating plan will allow for mingling and reconnecting with friends. Dress code is semi-formal. 18+ only.
Community Notices