27 November 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Friends of Emerald High,

The end of year is approaching rapidly. Our Year 12s have departed with fantastic school Formal and Graduation ceremonies, providing us with an opportunity to celebrate this very important milestone with them. There was much reminiscing, laughter and many tears at both of occasions as we farewelled a truly exceptional group of young people.

My very sincere thanks to Adam Heath, Tanya Shaw and the many, many other people, too numerous to mention, who all worked together to make these events special.

This is also the sad time of year that we farewell a number of our staff who are off to new adventures.

Adam Heath, Vivien Blignaut, Tim Deffner, Angela Gilbert, Chris Platell, Tess Doherty, Jess Lester and Katie Harmer have all secured transfers for next year. I thank them sincerely for their outstanding contribution to our school and our students. They will be missed!

In addition, Toni Weis is on secondment to Dysart SHS next year, Caitlyn Ross will be Acting Head of Department at Capella SHS and Amy Case and Mitchell Pearce will both be on leave. My sincere thanks to them also for the contribution they have made and we look forward to seeking them back at Emerald High in the future.

We do, of course, have a number of new teachers transferring in, whom I will introduce at the start of next year. We are losing an exceptional group of teachers, but I am very confident that we are also gaining a high quality group of sensational teachers coming in. 2020 will be a super year!

I am also very sad to announce the retirement of two of our wonderful cleaners. Lorna Bowley and Karen Higginbotham are both moving on to their next adventures after many years of fine service to our school. I thank them sincerely for their contribution and wish them all the very best in the future.

We also welcome a new group of school leaders and I warmly congratulate the following fine young people who step into the leadership shoes in 2020:

School Captains: Dani and Kirsen
School Vice Captains: Lachlan and Tyla
SRC President: Shara

Well done to all of them on their achievement. I am very confident that they will do an outstanding job and lead our school well.

House Captain positions are still being finalised and will be announced next week.

A quick reminder that school recommences next year on Tuesday 28 January for all year levels. More information will be provided in the next newsletter.

Have a fantastic fortnight
Mr. Sean Maher
Principal

Tomorrow's life is too late. Live today.
Martial

From the Deputy Principal – Senior School

It has come to that time of year where things come to an end. This year however, has been bigger for endings then normal. Last week we farewelled our Year 12s and farewelled the OP system. Year 12 students do not receive a report card from the school, but will receive their certification from QCAA from the 13th of December. OPs will be released for eligible students on the 14th of December. We also farewelled our last Emerald Agricultural College students. It has been a privilege to work in partnership with the Ag College over the past 4 years, and a shame that the partnership cannot continue. I wish all our graduating Year 12s luck for the bright futures ahead.

With endings also comes new beginnings. We have announced our new school leaders at Awards Night. I look forward to working with the current Year 11s as leaders of our school next year.

Our new senior system has changed how Year 11 and 12 look. All of our 11s are currently working on Unit 3 curriculum. Where normally the last week of Year 11 was traditionally a wind down week with the new system our 11s are learning new content right up until the last day. For those parents of Year 11s who have heard “we aren’t doing anything this week”, this certainly is not the case. Where students/families have the holiday ritual of dumping old work/last year’s work, this needs a revisit as students will need to ensure that they keep any notes that they have for Unit 3 for 1st day back next year. Traditionally, the Christmas holidays are a break away from school without any work to do. For our 11s going into Year 12, I recommend that they revisit their Unit 3 notes at least once before they come back to school. We need them not to have forgotten all they have learnt previously.

I wish everyone a safe holiday and look forward to working with you all again in 2020.

Regards
Mrs. Tanya Shaw
Deputy Principal – Senior School

From the Head of Year 10.

Christmas break is just around the corner!

Term 4 is always a busy time of year for our students, as they move towards their final two years of schooling and finalise their studies. After working hard to complete all assessment, the students are very excited to be able to finish school this year a couple of weeks earlier than normal.

I would like to encourage students to take an opportunity to reflect on their attendance and achievements throughout 2019, and encourage you all to continue the great work in 2020.

Just as a reminder before the year ends, please explain any unexplained absences for 2019. Also, enrolment booklets for 2020 are due to be returned before the end of the year. If you have not received a booklet, please pick one up from the office and return before Friday 12th December. If your child is not returning in 2020, please ensure you have completed a clearance form.

It has been a great year working with the students, helping them make their way through Year 10 and I look forward to working with them all again in 2020.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and stay safe. Merry Christmas!

Regards
Mrs. Jacinda Fehlhaber
HOY – 10

From the Head of Department – HPE.

The end of 2019 is quickly approaching, so it is only fitting that we reflect on the year of sport that was. This year many students trialled to represent Capricornia, Central Highlands and ESHS in a large variety of sports. It has been great to see the participation in the different sports throughout 2019 and I hope to see this grow even more in 2020.

As we take some time out to prepare ourselves for the 2020 sporting calendar, all members of the HPE department would like to thank everybody who has helped; as a coach, manager or mentor, and for what they have contributed this year. We encourage all parents and students to keep an eye on our Facebook page and student notices as trialling dates for CH and Capricornia are released in Term 1 and throughout the year.

Lastly, I would like to thank Reds players Jock Campbell and Hunter Paisami for coming to ESHS and running a Touch Rugby Game for students last week. It was a great opportunity for the students to learn so new skills and also to ask questions about Rugby and playing for the Reds. Congratulations to all the students who got out and had a go at the touch rugby game.

Regards
Mrs. Bek Pillay
HOD – HPE

From the Head of Department – Technology.

On the 5th of November, Emerald State High School had a great opportunity to experience the new technologies that are happening in the manufacturing area. Mick Allen from the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, organised advanced technology manufacturers from across the country to share with students and staff, the educational pathways that are available today. The staff conducting the expo expressed to the school that they were delighted with the conduct and engagement of our students, saying they were “the best that they had seen in their travels.”

The school was pleased to host:

1. KUKA - robotic arm.
2. Euclideon – hologram wall.
3. Softbank Robotics- “Pepper” and “Neo” the robots.
4. Qld TAFE- Reality welders.
5. Skills Generation – Build a drone.

Students who attended the Technology Expo commented that it was a very interesting, exciting and engaging event. The Technology Department is keen to maintain this event for the future and are planning to book this event when local industries hold their major events.

With the end of year fast approaching, we ask that students who have been using lockers at the school for their safety gear, clean them out. All lockers will be emptied next week and any items of clothing or materials will be disposed of for a clean start next year.

Year 8s are spending their last weeks constructing a small coffee table, using a stepped mortice and tenon joint. The top will be biscuited together with students given the opportunity to design an interesting image to be burned into the top.

I wish to all the families at Emerald S.H.S a very merry Christmas and wonderful 2020.

REMINDER: Students are to ensure their Home Drives on the school server are cleaned up for the end of year and prepared for next year.

Regards
Mr. Noel Cavanaugh
HOD – Technology

From the Humanities team

Junior Humanities News:

Throughout Term 4, students in Years 7, 8 and 9 have been studying either History or Geography. Our young historians are currently learning about Ancient China in Year 7, Japanese Shogunate practices in Year 8, and World War 1 in Year 9. Across all of these year levels and units of work, the students will complete assessment items designed to exemplify their knowledge and understanding. Emerald State High’s junior Geographers are currently in the midst of completing their Geographic reports examining Liveability in Year 7, Migration in Year 8 and Sustainability in Year 9.

Senior Humanities News:

At Emerald State High School, our Humanities department has modelled our Year 10 subjects’ content based upon the topics students will study in Years 11 and 12. In this manner, Year 10 students currently studying Geography, Legal Studies and Ancient History are learning the new assessment instruments they will see next year when they begin their Senior Schooling in Units 1 and 2. Our Geographers in Year 10 are currently completing a data report into the sustainability and impact of demographic changes on African nations. Legal Studies students are investigating the legal ramifications of Domestic Violence, whilst the ESHS Historians are investigating the Mongols.

In Year 11, students in Ancient History, Geography, Modern History and Legal Studies are commencing their Unit 3 work (Year 12), having now completed all of the work for Units 1 and 2 (Year 11). In this way, they have now completed an entire year’s worth of study, and should be acclimatised to the assessment instruments they will use next year.

Review:

As Term 4 is winding down, it can be a good time to reflect on what our school’s junior and senior students have achieved throughout Semester 2 of 2019. Junior students have now completed a Semester each of Geography and History, where they have excelled at a variety of different learning and assessment tasks. Our Year 10 students in Geography, Legal Studies and Ancient History have completed a full year of in-depth, highly skilled work to set them on the correct path for their senior studies going forward. The Year 11 students have completed the first and second units of their studies in Humanities, and can look forward to a challenging year in 2020, with Units 3 and 4. Finally, our Year 12 students may be gone, but their achievements remain; congratulations to all of the senior students who won subject awards at Emerald State High School’s annual Awards Night.

Finally, it is with a heavy heart that we bid farewell to some of the incredible staff who have helped make the Emerald State High School Humanities department the vibrant hub of education that it is. Leaving us at the end of 2019 are Miss Tess Doherty and Miss Katie Harmer. You will both be missed dearly!

Regards
Mr. Graham Fandrich
Teacher – Humanities

From the Hospitality team

The Hospitality Department has had an exceptionally busy past few weeks. Our Year 11 Hospitality Practices and Certificate II Hospitality students successfully put on an impressive spread for this year’s Formal in Week 6. Our class planned and worked for the six weeks leading up to the event and did an amazing job! In the upcoming weeks, we are closing down our operations and hanging our hats on another successful year.

The Year 9s are adding the last few embellishments on their first sewing projects, the Year 8s are critiquing their attempt at agriculture, and the Year 7s are making their version of a healthy chicken burger. We are looking forward to next year, welcoming in a new option for Year 10 students! They will now be able to choose between Introduction to Hospitality, a class that leads to our applied subject Hospitality Practices, and Food Studies, a science driven approach to cookery that leads to an ATAR pathway.

We look forward to rolling this out next year!

Regards
Miss. Kaitlyn Aubrey
Teacher – Hospitality.

From the Instrumental Music team

The Instrumental Music students have once again had a very successful year. Our students are involved in Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble and many small ensembles. Students have been very busy this year.

Highlights include:

A number of students have participated in State Honours Ensemble Program -SHEP Middle School, SHEP Capricornia, SHEP Queensland and the Queensland Conservatorium Lower Brass weekend.

On May 14, students worked with Topology on their own composition and performed it at the Emerald Art Gallery.

In June, our Symphonic Band performed at ESHS Jubilee open day and Jazz Band performed at the Jubilee Ball as well as the Jazz band who performed Emerald Multi-Cultural Festival.

On July 21st, students participated in the Festival of Bands, which involved three days of workshops, culminating in the Gala Concert. Visiting artists, Best of Brass ensemble, gave a concert and workshop at our school during the festival.

Central Highlands Eisteddfod was held in August, where our students receiving great results. ESHS received fourteen 1sts, eleven 2nds and eight 3rds, with many highly commended.

Students have recently returned from Brisbane, where the Symphonic Band performed at Music-Fest. This competition is the largest in the Southern hemisphere. Our band won a PLATINUM Award for their performance. Students also workshopped and performed with McDowall State School students, as well as touring the University of Queensland.

All students had a great time at Band Camp and achieved great results. Thanks must go to the wonderful support from parents in continuing to encourage our students. The highlight from the parents was the dinner/river cruise on the last night. Thank you to Ross Grierson, Jacinda Fehlhaber, Gail Spargo, Sarah Challacombe, Robin Shields, Susan Brewer, Karen Bray, Wendee McLean, Sue Wright and Paul Ryan for being the best roadies.

We recently celebrated our 2019 achievements at Band Awards afternoon. This was a fun afternoon with all parents having to endure a band rehearsal on their child’s instrument. There were many strange noises in the room! All parents did a great job in the end, and probably surprised themselves, but our students probably had the most fun in watching!

Ayush Dewan was awarded Band Encouragement Trophy, Jarret Nyman was awarded Jazz Band player of the year, and Mikaela Long was awarded Symphonic Band Player of the year.

Sadly, we had three Grade 12s graduate. They have all been great ambassadors for our music program and will be sadly missed. Thank you Mikaela, Jarrett and Alex for your dedication over the last 5 years, and thank you for the awesome present!

Thanks everyone for a successful 2019. I am looking forward to another great year of music making in 2020.

Regards
Mrs. Dana Jones
Band Director.

From the Positive Behaviour for Learning Team

Behaviour Focus

Our current behaviour focus is “Positive Rewards.”

Student of the Week

Week 7

Kyra Witowski 7D For always being prepared for class and contributing to class discussions.
Georgia Barnes 8F For consistently following the 3Ps in all of her subjects and being a pleasure to teach.
Jazzie Casey 9C For consistently applying herself in class.
Arnika Barnes 10C For being organised, setting goals and having assessment completed on time.
Tiffany Stirrat 11E For always applying her best effort in class.

Week 8

Lucas Ambrey 7C For his enthusiasm towards his monologue assessment he is a role model for his peers.
Abby Matheson 8 For consistently following the 3 Ps and working to a high standard.
Claudia Firth 9C For being an enthusiastic member of class and trying her hardest.
Mai-Ly Duroux 10 For achieving high results and showing a positive attitude.
Holly McLean 11C For always being a polite student who participates actively in her learning.

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