19 March 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Friends of Emerald High,

We are living in interesting times. As we are all very well aware, the Coronavirus situation is impacting on us all. The school is working with the Department of Education to ensure that quality learning can continue as the situation evolves and that we have a safe environment for our students and staff.

We will continue to keep families up-to-date in a daily email and Facebook post to ensure that everyone is as well informed as possible. I thank everyone for your support and understanding, and the strong sense of community, as we work together to navigate the coming weeks. This is a classic example of the value of a strong community and the need for us to support each-other in a climate of compassion and understanding.

Now some good news …

Two weekends ago, Madison Iles and Paxton Hayes represented our school in Lions' Youth of the Year, attending interviews, giving speeches and answering impromptu questions. They both did exceptionally well in competition with the other schools in town and I am delighted to announce that Madison won both the Public Speaking Award and the Overall Award! She is now off to Biloela (at some point in the future) to compete in the Regional finals. Well done Maddie and thank you to Miss Fehlhaber for her support of the students!!

Our History students have also just returned from an exciting and educational trip to Townsville to look first hand at some of the fascinating war-era history the town has to offer. Thank you to Mrs Ross and Mr O'Neill for leading this super trip.

Homework Club has started again and I would encourage all students to take advantage of this valuable opportunity. Homework Club is held in the school library every Wednesday afternoon from 3:15pm to 4:15pm, staffed by teachers who voluntarily give up their time to help students with their studies. Thank you teachers!

Have a fantastic fortnight
Mr. Sean Maher
Principal

From the Deputy Principal – Senior School.

I can’t believe that we are quickly approaching the Easter holidays – three weeks to go, but who’s counting! I am thrilled by the work our senior students have demonstrated already this year – induction, Valentine’s Day and Clean Up Australia Day, great IA1 results and participation in HPE week. It is very pleasing to see that the senior students are now settled in their subjects and engaged in assessment tasks.

Assessment

All students have now received a copy of their assessment calendars. These must be used to effectively plan their time outside of school. Students should put this up somewhere visible. It gives students an overall view of the extra busy times so they can organise and prioritise around them. At a minimum, students should be at least reading over their notes from their work that completed that day. I would also like to remind you that under the new system, in the senior school students are expected to hand in assessment on or before the due date.

Attendance

It is an expectation that our senior school students are present at school for 90%. As of Week 6 the Year 12s as a cohort are at 88.9% and the 11s are at 89.9%. I have noticed lately, a large number of senior students are signing into school late each morning, which in turn affects attendance data. For example on the 10th of March, twenty six Year 11 and 12 students signed in late and on 11th of March the number was twenty two. Attendance at school is vital to success. Students with attendance less than 90% are at-risk of having their enrolment reviewed and not participating in extra-curricular activities such as formal and senior jerseys. We will, of course, take into consideration students and families who are self-isolating due to Coronavirus.  Students will not be disadvantaged by this.

I would like to acknowledge the following students whose attendance is at 100% for the term:

Year 12s

Year 11s

QCE credits

In the last week I have had a number of Year 12 students come to see me about their predicted QCE credits. Whilst I am very happy to meet with them, I would like to remind them that they can find this information themselves through the myQCE website via the link below. The website not only gives information about potential credits, but also has study tips and information about assessment and ATAR.

2020 Next Step survey

The Queensland Government is conducting its annual state-wide survey of all students who completed Year 12 in 2019. The Next Step survey is a brief, confidential survey that gains a comprehensive picture of the employment, study and life choices made by Queensland school completers in the year after they finish Year 12.

Between March and June, all our students who completed Year 12 last year can expect to receive instructions to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office. Please encourage them to take part. If their contact details have changed, please assist the interviewer with their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate.

Thank you for your support of the Next Step survey in 2020.

Further information on Next Step is available online via the link below or on toll free telephone 1800 068 587.

Regards
Mrs. Tanya Shaw
Deputy Principal – Senior School

From the Students

By Jonte

This term in Year 9, we have covered many different units in our subjects. In History we have been looking at the Industrial Revolution and its impacts on the lives of people during the 1800’s. Life was very tough as they were forced to live in slums and work dangerous and gruelling jobs for little pay. In Art we have covered the idea of expressing ‘self’ through art. We have looked at the artists; Frida Kahlo, Vincent Van Gogh and Gordon Bennett. We have studied their self-portraits and how these differ from traditional art pieces. Overall, Term 1 is off to a good start and in 9F we have learnt many fun and different topic in all of our subjects.

By Abbey

This term in Year 9, we have studied many different units in our subjects. In English we have done a persuasive speech and explored elements the genre. In Math we have studied graphs and equations relating to graphic forms, as well as work on shapes with surface area and volume. In Science we studied heat and temperature, as well as sound and light, which are all elements in Physics. In STEM we have been studied Newton’s three laws of motion, but our main focus was launching water bottle rockets. Overall, this term has been fun and interesting while teaching us many new things.

Regards
Mr. Jonte Beasley & Miss. Abbey Burdett
Year 9 Students

From the Head of Department – Technology

Week 8 2020 and the Technologies Department has seen a number of changes this year, with the school welcoming international teacher Mr Bennie Olivier. Mr Olivier comes from South Africa and has brought with him a wealth of knowledge of Technical Drawing.

This month the department started up the Technology Club and the Human Powered Vehicle Team (HPV). The Technology Club is for those students who are interested in:

1. STEM self-directed programmes
2. 3D printing
3. Coding
4. Robotics

The HPV team consist of two Junior teams (Girls, Boys) and one Senior team (Boys), who will compete in various events held around Queensland with the vehicles the school has. There is an opportunity to start creating a new vehicle, with increased interest from students in the engineering field and those students who are keen on cycling.

Emerald SHS has wonderful technology resources available for students and I encourage students to use these resources appropriately. The school has a Technology Use Policy and teachers will be enforcing this policy across the school. Playing games and downloading movies/music not part of the Learning Intent of the school, will be acted upon within the policy guidelines.

Cyber Safety Sessions were held in the UCA on Thursday 05.03.20. This program is supported by Emerald SHS to encourage cyber citizenship. As part of this program, we encourage parents to teach students digital etiquette, how to present and protect themselves online, and how to be critically, digital literate. We model good digital citizenship and behaviour at Emerald SHS and encourage students to follow, because:

1. It is hard to keep a good digital footprint because everything you do online will never be deleted.
2. Everything you do is stored in a remote area that you may never have known about.
3. If you visit a website, the website usually looks at what websites you were on before and after you looked at theirs.
4. If you want a job in the future but you have a negative digital footprint, even though you would have attended college to specialise in it, chances are you’re not getting it.
5. Colleges research your digital footprint.
6. Every computer has a number, so if you put something bad online they can track you down.
7. If someone says something about you online it goes on your digital footprint.

What importance do you think digital footprint and reputation have in one’s life?

Regards
Mr. Noel Cavanagh
HOD – Technology

From the Head of Department – HPE

A busy year has commenced for HPE and Languages at Emerald State High School! The Japanese Language faculty have received some handwritten thank you letters from the Skype Exchange program. These Japanese students had attended a Language Camp in Japan and elected to write letters to our students at Emerald State High School. These students are from our Sister-City in Ichinoseki, Iwate in Japan. We also welcome Mr Huu Nguyen to our faculty of Japanese teachers! He joins Mr Riley Neil and Mrs Deanne Lucht.

The HPE faculty celebrated Physical Education Week last week, this was enjoyed by many students across differing year levels. Activities on offer included Dodgeball, Just Dance, a Beep Fitness test, Volleyball and a Staff vs Student Volleyball game! Thank you to Miss Pembroke and Year 12 Student Leaders for the coordination of this program of events, the HPE faculty for assistance and to the various teaching staff who supported, participated and cheered on our participants!

We are now entering into peak-assessment time for students so it is a timely reminder for your students to be engaged with revision study or assessment completion over the coming fortnight. If your child requires any assistance with the completion of assessment, I encourage you to contact their teacher as soon as possible, so support can be effected before submissions are due.

Regards
Mrs. Debbie Cognet
HOD – HPE

From the Head of Department – VET

VET has had a great start to the year, with many exciting courses now underway. Emerald State High School has great partnerships with external Registered Training Organisations that bring diversity and real life training to our students, without them having to leave school. Students have been allocated study classes for them to use to catch up on classwork missed or to work on their external studies.

Drones (Certificate III Line of sight Aviation)

This year, the drones program is being run on-site with the UVAIR trainer attending ESHS. This has seen an increase in numbers of students accessing the program. It was exciting to see the students micro-drones arrive last week.

Drones are a growth area of technology, with limitless possibilities for employment across many different industries. We look forward to seeing the amazing skills and knowledge our students gain from this qualification.

Hairdressing (Certificate II Salon Assistant)

It is great to see our students back in our salon! We have a large number of students engaged in this great qualification. The trainer from Brisbane School of Hairdressing attends ESHS each week on a Thursday and our salon comes alive. I have already seen some impressive braiding and blow drying taking place. Keep an eye out for the opportunity to make salon appointments coming soon.

Certificate II Automotive Servicing Technology

There are two classes of students completing this course through Central Queensland University. The students attend the Emerald Campus Tuesday or Wednesday each week. This is great opportunity for students to get a head start into the automotive industry, by completing their Certificate II in one year. The facilities and workshops at the campus allows students lots of hands on learning, in a real world context.

Certificate II Career Start Electrotechnology

This is another great program delivered by Central Queensland University. In this eighteen month program, 3 out of the 4 students who completed this qualification in 2019 have secured full time electrical apprenticeships within the mining industry. Completing this qualification can shorten an electrical apprenticeship by up to three months!

Certificate II Animal Studies

This year, we have our first student completing this qualification through Central Queensland University. This is eighteen months of online study, with eighty hours of work placement at the Clermont VET.

Certificate IV Dance Teaching and Management

Emerald Academy of Dance have offered a fantastic opportunity for students to enrol in the Cert IV course with Transit Dance. Emerald Academy host and offer a one day a week (Wednesday) placement at the studio. We currently have two very talented and hardworking students completing this qualification. The opportunity to complete a qualification of this level, whilst completing school, is fantastic.

As a registered training organisation Emerald State High School also delivers multiple qualifications.

Certificate II Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways

All Year 10 students are enrolled in this valuable qualification. Students complete this qualification in conjunction with the QCAA Short Course in Career Education. When students successfully complete these two courses they will enter Year 11 with five QCE credits.

Work experience in Week 9 has been cancelled due to COVID-19, however a decision about rescheduling this valuable experience is yet to be made. That being said, work experience is a great opportunity for students to experience different career options and explore future pathways. Work experience is also a requirement of the qualification and completing the work experience log book provides evidence towards several of the units of competency in the qualification.

Certificate II Hospitality

Hospitality employs a large number across our region, not only in cafes and restaurants, but also in accommodation venues and mine camps. This year our Year 11 and 12 students are catering the Borilla Kindergarten’s Shed Soiree. This event will have students planning, preparing and serving for one hundred and fifty guests. This will provide great experience for students wishing to enter the hospitality industry, as well as evidence for many of the qualifications competencies.

Certificate II Business

The Year 12 Business class is reaping the benefits of a computer lab upgrade, with all new computers in their classroom. They also practice a variety of office administration skills from their mini mock office.

Regards
Mrs. Annette Carter
HOD – VET

From the English team

All students have almost completed their first assessment piece for the year and are now moving onto our next units.

Year 9 English students have just finished examining representations of Australia’s Indigenous people histories and cultures. They are now exploring ideas about issues commonly represented in speculative fiction, to create a short story.

Year 10 English students have been engaging in an in-depth study of a Shakespearean play, Romeo & Juliet. Our focus will then move to an in-depth study of either The Book Thief or Tomorrow, When the War Began.

In Year 11 Essential English, we have been exploring how meaning is communicated in contemporary texts, developed for and used in a work context. Students have been busy creating a career pathway pitch for an occupation of their choice, and will begin presentations in the upcoming lessons.

Year 12 Essential English students are continuing to investigate community, local and global issues presented in the media, in preparation for the Common Internal Assessment.

Regards
Miss. Crystal Brunetto
Teacher – English

From the Hospitality team

Our Hospitality students have had a busy couple of weeks. The senior Hospitality classes have been working hard on coffees, mock-tails, and lunch plates for the past term. Three wonderful students, Tiffany, Bianca, and Jamie have excelled with their barista skills and are now working at an industry standard!

Our juniors have been keeping busy as well with the Year 9 students wrapping up their practical cookery with a Korean dish, bibimbap. This dish challenges students to poach, boil, steam, braise and fry to achieve a perfect dish! They did a fantastic job. As you may have heard, our local grocery stores have decided to close delivery services for the foreseeable future, and this means that starting in Week 9, students will unfortunately not be participating in practical cookery.

Regards
Miss. Kaitlyn Aubrey
Teacher – Hospitality

From the Humanities team

Week 8 will see the junior classes finishing their first units in Geography and History with assessment being completed. For our Year 7 students, this will be ‘new ground’, going through the process of revising and studying for their tests. The tests provide ample opportunities for students to demonstrate their literacy skills, writing paragraphs using TEEL structure, punctuating, labelling, annotating and reading. With Coronavirus at the top of the news, it shows just how relevant our Humanities subjects are, with aspects of graphing, mapping, tourism and civics sharing the media spotlight. Perhaps our history students will be analysing the cultural repercussions of the event in ten years’ time?

Regards
Mrs. Vicki Hawkins
Teacher – Humanities

Learning Support / EALD

At ESHS, we offer a range of small group, individual and in-class support to students identified as requiring additional assistance across the key learning areas. This term, our team of teachers and teacher aides are collaborating with our school’s administration team and our Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP), Julie-Anne Doan, to provide specific and targeted intervention support to students of ESHS.

So far this term, we have provided each student in Year 7 the opportunity to complete the ACER Progressive Assessment Tool (PAT) for Mathematics and Reading Comprehension. These results will provide classroom teachers with information about students’ areas of strength and areas where we can support students’ learning and development.

Our small group, Corrective Reading Decoding lessons have begun in Years 8, 9 and 10, with our Year 7 group due to commence early in Term 2. As a school, we have seen the positive impact on student reading ability this program has had and we are excited to continue offering this program at ESHS.

As a team, we welcome communication with parents and career’s about their student’s learning.

Regards
Mrs. Melinda Prior
Traineeship Coordinator

From the Positive Behaviour for Learning Team

Behaviour Focus

Our current behaviour focus is “Ensure All Work Is Completed To The Best Of Your Ability.”

Student of the Week

Week 7

Bree McDowall 7F She is always on task and working hard and shows a positive attitude. Her bookwork is perfect. She is a pleasure to teach.

Melita Iona 9F For always participating positively in class activities.

Francine Caro 10C For always coming to class with a positive attitude and engaging willingly and actively in collaborative activities.

Jeni Vanderpool 11C For being prepared, participating to the best of her ability and being polite to students and staff.

Nicolas Biddle 12B Taking the initiative and helping others.

Week 8

Francine Caro 10C For always coming to class with a positive attitude and engaging willingly and actively in collaborative activities.

Jeni Vanderpool 11C For being prepared, participating to the best of her ability and being polite to students and staff.

Community Notices