5 February 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Friends of Emerald High,

Welcome to a brand new year. It was indeed wonderful to see the school grounds buzzing again as our young people returned fresh from their break with all their stories of their holidays. It was also exciting to see our grounds so green after the very welcome rain!

We have had a fantastic start to the year. I have been enormously impressed to see our classrooms as calm, orderly and productive and there are already some very exciting things happening in our classes. 2020 will be a fantastic year!

Our numbers have grown and we now have about 50 more students than at the same time last year. This means more teachers and support staff, additional funding and more opportunities for our young people.

Air-conditioning work is now complete with all learning spaces in the school air-conditioned, helping our students (and staff) to concentrate on the vital work that is happening in our classes. The girls' toilets in C block have been painted and, thanks to our P&C, colourful and inspiring murals have been painted throughout by Christian. F Block has undergone a renovation over the holidays to create more functional classrooms.

This year we warmly welcome a number of new staff to our school. Our new staff are:

At the end of last year our staff sought to capture, in a few statements, our core beliefs - the things that truly drive and inspire us to be doing the best and most important job in the world and to support our young people to achieve their dreams, to be the very best they can be and to lead lives of meaning and purpose.

These are the statements that they developed:

“We believe that by creating supportive, inclusive and positive relationships, we can in partnership with families, make a difference in the lives of our students.”

“We believe students should experience success through differentiated and engaging learning.”

“We believe in maximising student potential to enable our students to become our future creative innovators and global citizens and to achieve lives of meaning and purpose.”

My sincere thanks to Toni Weis, Leanne Ross and Katie Harmer for their work in leading the development of these beliefs.

As the core beliefs state, learning is a partnership between the school, the student and families. If we all work together and support each other, we can achieve amazing things and realise the common goal we all have to help our young people achieve their best.

So how can parents help? Here are three ways in which families can support their children be to be successful at school. There will be more ideas over the next few weeks.

• Attendance. Regular attendance is one of the most important factors that contribute to student success. Missing lessons is the quickest way to get behind. I ask for your support in ensuring that students are at school as often as possible and are only absent for genuine reasons. This alone can make a huge difference to student results. An attendance rate of at least 95% should be our aim.
• QParents. Parents can access a wide range of information about their children through the on-line platform 'QParents', including such things as their timetable, attendance, behaviour, payments, reports and enrolment history. It helps us as parents keep a close eye on how our children are going at school. Contact the office for information about how to sign up!
• Student Diaries. All students this year have been provided with a student diary to help them to stay organised and plan their study. The diary also contains a wide range of information about the policies and procedures in our school that are useful and relevant to them (and their parents). Parents can help by encouraging students to use these diaries wisely to plan and organise their study.

As I said earlier, I am very confident that 2020 will be a sensational year for Emerald State High School. I am very much looking forward to working with our students, staff and community as we move forwards together in support of our young people.

“An ethical act is one which does not harm others’ experience or expectation of happiness”

• Dalai Lama

Have a fantastic fortnight
Mr. Sean Maher
Principal

From the Deputy Principal – Junior School

It has been an exciting first week at ESHS. Firstly, a welcome to all our new students and their families. The Year 7 cohort have settled in well. They spent their first two days doing a targeted induction program outlining the schools rules, routines and expectations. They experienced a session on each of the following:

1. Herrmann Brain Theory – I taught a session that used our thinking preferences to identify differences and similarities between the members of our class. We blew up some balloons to represent a metaphor of their thinking preferences. Please ask your child about the Blue. Green, Yellow and Red thinking preferences.
2. PAT testing – Mrs Prior taught a session targeted at testing students reading ability. This will help the classroom teachers differentiate for your children in a number of different areas.
3. ICT – Mr Cavanagh taught a session on school routines for computer use, targeted at logging on, checking email and how to print at school.
4. Library – Mrs Galea delivered a library induction. She introduced students to the borrowing system.
5. Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) – Mrs Saunders taught a session about the school’s rules with a focus on our positive rewards.
6. School Diary and Timetable – Mrs Cognet taught a session about using the school diary effectively and went through some key dates in the near future with students. She also outlined how to read the timetable.
7. Bookwork Policy – Mrs Hunt taught a session about bookwork expectations. Our expectations are closely aligned to the Primary Schools and it is integral for learning that children have neat and organised books. Throughout the year, teachers will be giving all students feedback on their bookwork.

The Year 8s have also settled in well to their new classes and timetables. I congratulate all the Year 7 and 8 students for a very smooth first week focussed on learning.

I am looking forward to a great year together.

If you have any questions regarding Year 6, 7 or 8 students please don’t hesitate to contact me at bvanh2@eq.edu.au

Regards
Mr. Ben Van Hees
Deputy Principal – Junior School

From the Deputy Principal – Middle School

Year 9 News

2020 has begun smoothly with 146 Year 9s. Miss Kate Deighton continues as Year 9 Head of Year and we meet each week to discuss student welfare, with a particular focus on attendance.

Student Leaders: On Friday, we met with the Junior Student Leaders who are keen to organise activities at lunch for students in Years 7 – 9. Their first activity is a soccer competition, which will run from Week 3. Students will be notified of this on morning notices. Alex Tucker and Patrick Whipp will notify the Year 7s on their assembly on Monday, Lleyton Fangatua and Lacey Flynn will speak on the Year 8 assembly on Wednesday and Douglas Bennett and Tommy Green will drum up support from fellow Year 9s on our assembly on Thursday.

Our Junior Leaders will also assist the SRC in running their annual Valentine’s Day event on 14 February. Leadership induction will be held on Tuesday 11 February in the UCA. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. Look out for more details on this event.

Curriculum: I have been to all of the Year 9 English classes, most of which are in the newly renovated F block. All classes were focussed and behaviour was exemplary. However, I am still concerned that some students don’t have all of their necessary equipment in class (e.g. a pencil case). All students have been issued with a school diary and are expected to have this in every lesson, including PC (where they can write down any important notes).

Year 10 News

We have started 2020 with 131 Year 10 students enrolled at Emerald State High School. Due to Mrs Caitlin Ross taking a HOD position at Capella SHS, Miss Chloe Prior has stepped into the role of Head of Year 10.

Curriculum: I have been to some of the elective classes of our Year 10s and whilst impressed with behaviour and effort, I was concerned that a lot of students did not have their diary in class, nor had a pencil case. Can I request that all parents ensure that their children are well equipped to learn.

USI number and Work Experience: All Year 10s should have a USI number and have completed the Privacy form required so that we can bank Certificate II results in their account. I have attached the two forms to complete and these can be dropped off to the office. Work Experience is in Week 9 of this term, so there will be significant paperwork coming home concerning this shortly.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WORK EXPERIENCE:

Can my son/daughter organise their own placement? YES

Can my son/daughter work in another town? YES

What does my son/daughter do if we don’t know any businesses in town? They should go to the library staffroom on Mondays –Wednesday and see Mrs Alarna Wills.

Is there any paperwork to sign for Work Experience? Yes, paperwork must be signed by student, parent, employer (student to take it to them to get signed) and then it is to be returned to be signed by Principal, Mr Maher.

Can my son/daughter go on Work Experience without doing any paperwork? No.

Does my son/daughter have to do Work Experience? Part of the Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways course requires students to have a logbook of work (this can be done via part time jobs). In order to complete the Cert II, they must have completed 40 hours work/work experience.

If my son/daughter doesn’t do Work Experience, what do they do for the week? As Year 10 is still part of the compulsory phase of their education, students must attend school if not doing Work Experience. An alternative program will be created should this be necessary.

ALL STUDENTS (YEARS 8 -11)

If students wish to change their elective class, they have the first two weeks of this term to sort this out. The process requires parents to sign or write a letter giving permission for students to change (especially as some electives have an additional cost associated with them). Senior students are required to see the Guidance Officer as well.

MSP PHOTOGRAPHS – 5 February, 2020

Our school photos were taken on Wednesday 5th February.

As busy as a school is, it is so wonderful to have such vibrant and enthusiastic students and I look forward to a great year. My husband is retiring and we have been busy renovating our home on our mining claim in Rubyvale and will move out permanently from Blackwater during first term. I am surely looking forward to going home and not having to cook!

Regards
Mrs. Gaye Saunders
Deputy Principal – Middle School

From the Deputy Principal – Senior School

Welcome

I love the start of a new year, looking at the previous Year 11s in their new roles as school leaders and welcoming the new Year 11s who are wide eye with wonderment. The new year brings anticipation of what lies ahead. This year is even more special as we will have our first cohort graduate under the new system. I would like to welcome our new to Emerald State High School parents of students into the Senior School.

Following is a list of the Heads of Year assigned to each year level in the Senior School. The Head of Year will work closely with the Pastoral Care teacher to oversee student wellbeing and attendance.

• Year 11 – Jacinda Fehlaber
• Year 12 – Jaksen Brose

Along with these key people, a number of other staff may be of assistance to your child; namely the Guidance Officer and the Youth Support Coordinator, Janene Vale.

Congratulations

I would like to congratulate our Year 12 Students of 2019 who achieved excellent academic results in their Overall Positions (OPs) and the Core Skills Test last year. 100% of our students received a QCE or QCIA, an outcome of their strong academic commitment, and successful working partnerships with the School’s exceptional teaching staff. 77% of our OP Eligible students received an OP 1 – 15. Our 2019 Dux received an OP 2 and our Dux Proximus received an OP 3.

Student Leadership

Next week we formally acknowledge and induct our Senior Student Leaders into the School.

Student leadership is a role of great importance at Emerald State High School, as students accept responsibility for representing their peers in all aspects of school life, and embrace the duties and challenges their roles expected of them. Leadership is about giving service to the school, being role models, setting standards for others to emulate, and providing inspiration for their fellow students to work together as a team. Student leaders also provide a bridge between staff and the student body.

Please join us for the Leadership Induction Ceremony on Tuesday morning at 8.45am.

Senior School Subject Changes

Any student in Year 11 wishing to make an application to change Authority Subjects must submit their application before the end of Week 3, Friday 14th February. After this date, no general changes to students’ academic programs will be considered until the end of Unit 1. There are no subject changes for Year 12 students as they are now locked into Units 3 and 4.

Regards
Mrs. Tanya Shaw
Deputy Principal – Senior School

From the Head of Year 7

My night on Monday the 27th of January was spent much like I imagine our Year 7 students’ were; interrupted sleep which consisted of me tossing and turning. My mind turning repeatedly, full of excitement, but also overwhelmed with nerves of the unknown. However, once I stepped through the school gates and saw the Year 7 cohort sitting proudly in the amphitheatre sporting their ESHS uniforms, I no longer felt, tired, worried or nervous. Just excited!

My name is Maggie Pembroke and I would like to introduce myself as the Year 7 Head of Year for 2020. This is my third year at ESHS after completing my final placement at the school in 2017.

Last week, all Year 7 students completed an induction program for first two days of school, before commencing normal classes. During these lessons, they were exposed to numerous school procedures and policies around their bookwork, the use of ICT and the Library. Students were also shown how to use their diaries and read their timetables. During the last two days of the week we saw the cohort follow their normal timetable and we observed them adjusting well to the routines of high school. There has been positive feedback from teachers regarding the students in Year 7 embracing our Positive Behaviour for Learning Framework and following our three key values of being polite, prepared and participating. It has been great to see so many students in Year 7 receiving VIVOs for having their correct equipment and demonstrating a positive attitude towards school.

This week students will be given the opportunity to sign up for our lunchtime junior soccer tournament run by our Year 9 leaders. It is an awesome opportunity for students to mix with a range of students from Years 7 – 9 and build new friendships. I encourage all Year 7 students to give it a go.

I look forward to supporting the cohort through their transition from Primary School as they adjust to the differing demands of High School. Should you have any concerns regarding the welfare of your child please do not hesitate to email me: mmpem0@eq.edu.au

Regards
Miss. Maggie Pembroke
HOY – 7

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 has begun the thankless task of organising much needed fundraising events.

Our Year 12s also received their senior polo shirts in Week 1. Students designed the polo shirt themselves and have been wearing them proudly.

This year the students will be attending their formal in Term 3. 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 will also be inducting 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

• Dani Challacombe and Kirsen Gowlett

School vice-captains

• Lachlan Obst and Tyla Whittaker

SRC executives

• President: Shara Van Hees
• Vice-President and Treasurer: Mercedes Wade
• Secretary: Bridget Mckay
• Publicity Officer: Holly Mclean

House captains

• Garnet: Mariella Lepani
• Sapphire: Savannah Dockety
• Topaz: Bethany Esmond
• Zircon: Jordana Ferry & Jessica Wilson

Regards
Mr. Jaksen Brose
HOY – 12

Student Messages & Perspectives

I am Dani Challacombe, one of the School Captains of ESHS in 2020, alongside Kirsen Gowlett. It is an absolute honour to have been given this position. I’ve always dreamt of being School Captain, a representative, a role model for younger students to look to for guidance and be an inspiration to to the next generation of school leaders. I’ve never been the most confident person, so after the privilege of being Junior School Captain, I didn’t think I would be fortunate enough to be awarded this prestigious position. Let’s just say there is no way to describe how excited I was to be announced School Captain!

I have no doubt this year will be a great one. Our team has a balance of organised, mature and positive minded leaders that will surely create a positive and successful environment. We aim to continue all school traditions and fundraise for local and relevant charities such as “Buy a Bale”. We also hope to leave behind something grand so that Emerald State High School will remember the Class of 2020!

Here’s to a great year!

Regards
Miss Dani Challacombe
School Captain 2020

From the P&C

PUBLIC NOTICE OF AGM

The Emerald State High School Parents & Citizens Association will hold this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) at 5:30pm, Tuesday 10th March 2020 in the Emerald State High School Library. All staff, parents and citizens of the Emerald community are invited to attend.

Emerald State High School’s P&C’s focus is to support the school, staff and students by providing funding for enhanced services, resources and improvements to the facilities of the school.

At the AGM, there will be:

• A call for membership for this year
• The adoption of the Constitution (if updated)
• The endorsement of the 2019 Auditor’s Report
• The endorsement of the 2020 Student Protection Risk Management Strategy
• The adoption of the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan and Budget, and
• Nominations and election of the 2020 Executive Committee, positions vacant include:
  - President
  - Vice President
  - Treasurer
  - Secretary
• Other potential positions, to be discussed and decided at the AGM, may include:
  - Grants Officer
  - Fundraising/Events Coordinator
  - Communications Officer
  - Projects Officer
  - Container Refund Scheme Officer
  - Grounds/Facilities Officer

There is no expectation that everyone who attends the AGM will then join as a member. If you are interested in observing what happens at a P&C meeting, please come along.

Drinks and a light supper provided.

Regards
ESHS P&C

From the Guidance Officer

Staff at ESHS located within the Support Works building are working as a team to provide support to assist students to become learners who engage with learning and their school community, attend to learning tasks, and develop more resilience. In addition to a full time Guidance Officer, part time School Nurse and a Youth Support Coordinator, we are fortunate to have an additional part-time Chaplain join our team this year. We have a School Chaplain now at school on Thursday and Friday as well as Monday and Tuesday.

The Productive Use of Time Reduces Stress

For high school students, the early development of time management skills can lead to reduced stress through the productive use of time. This will allow students to incorporate leisure, study, work and sleep routines into their weekly schedules.

The online youth mental health and wellbeing service, ReachOut.com, recommends the following top time management tips for students.

1. Make plans, score goals

Set out a list of what you want to achieve. For each item, write down what you will need to do. Make it manageable and achievable. The idea is not to freak yourself out, but to chart a course to where you want to be. As you work through the list, you'll see yourself approaching and reaching your goals.

2. Write it down

Write down appointments, notes and ideas in a diary, notebook, or calendar app, and use a wall planner and stick it somewhere prominent, like next to your bedroom door, so that important dates (or just planned fun times) don't pass you by.

3. Limit distractions

Technology is pretty great but it also provides a heap of ways to procrastinate and distract yourself. Limit your social media scrolling to your breaks and shut down these distractions while you're studying. If you are really struggling to log out, use a program like SelfControl to block social media sites for set periods of time.

4. Take breaks

If you cram study into every single minute you have, you'll probably end up stressed and unhappy. Make sure you take time to relax and do things you enjoy. Whether it is sports, video games, music or anything else, don't let it go just because you're studying. Figure out the method of breaking up your study sessions that works best for you - many people swear by the Pomodoro technique, which recommends working in 25-minute intervals with short breaks in between, but you might find that longer study sessions work for you. Whatever you decide, try not to go any longer than an hour without taking a break.

5. If you need back up, ask for it.

Time management for students is a skill. Like any skill, some people are better at it than others. If you are struggling with it, talk to someone who can help – teachers, friends, family, lecturers and counsellors. You might find that a strict schedule works best for you, or you might find that changing things up helps keep you energised and on your toes. Whatever time management strategy works for you, there will be a person or a website ready with advice and wisdom to share.

Regards
ESHS Guidance Officer

From the SRC

It has been a busy start to the year for the 2020 SRC team. The SRC, or Student Representative Council, is responsible for all community and charity based fundraising within the school, as well as events such as Shines and Spirit Week. This includes organising events such as Valentine Day Flowers, and BBQs, both at school and representing the school at other venues in the community, often on the weekend.

The first event to be organised this year is Valentine’s Day. The SRC will be selling flowers, chocolates and songs for lucky individuals during the next couple of weeks and distributing them next Friday. All the money raised this year will be going to drought relief as a way of sharing the love with our neighbours who are continuing to struggle during the drought, despite the recent rain. Other initiatives this year will include Clean Up Australia Day, the bi-annual talent show “Shines” during Spirit Week and other fundraisers during the year in order to support CQ Pet Rescue and the Neighbourhood Centre as well as other national charities. Keep watching out for different events and fundraisers and if you have any ideas please come and speak to either the junior or senior SRC leaders – or better yet come to a meeting and participate or offer suggestions. We have a fantastic leadership committee this year so stay tuned!

Regards
Mrs. Leanne Ross
SRC Coordinator

From SBA/SBT/Work

This year we have partnerships with the following external RTOs for year 10 and 11 students:

• Year 11 CQ University Electro Career Start Program starting Tuesday 4th Feb
• Year 11 CQ University Automotive Group 1 class starting Tuesday 4th Feb
• Year 11 CQ University Automotive Group 2 class starting Wednesday 5th Feb
• Year 11 BSH Salon Program starting Thursday 6th Feb
• Year 10 & 11 Aviation (Drones) Program starting Tuesday 4th Feb
• Please see Alarna if you have any concerns or questions about the Vetis options.

School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships News !!!!

Emerald State High School would like to congratulate the following students on their achievements in securing a school based apprenticeship or traineeship over the Christmas break.

Corey Strike - McDonalds

Follow the Emerald State High School Facebook page for all school based apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities. I am available Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 3pm in 2020.

Regards
Mrs. Alarna Wills
Traineeship Coordinator

From the Positive Behaviour for Learning Team

At Emerald State High School we are:

• Polite,
• Prepared, and we
• Participate.

Please see the attached PowerPoint of the lesson taught on parade and throughout Week 1 and 2 of the school year.

Behaviour Focus

Our current behaviour focus is “Key Values.”

Community Notices