1 April 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report.

Dear Friends of Emerald High,

We have reached the end of the term in a way that we had not predicted. Life can be very interesting at times!

As you are no doubt aware, we have been planning for the possibility of the school not being open for the start of Term 2 with students learning at home.

Lots of information has been sent home, but here are the key things that we all need to know in the event of a Term 2 school closure:

1. Individual teachers will be emailing work home to students' email addresses at 9:00am every Monday with a week's worth of learning activities and resources included, commencing on Monday 20 April.
2. The work sent home will be structured in such a way that will need minimal guidance and support from parents (although parents are very welcome to support their children where possible). The work will also require minimal printing at home.
3. Teachers will be available for contact by email during the student's normally scheduled lesson times as per their student timetable.
4. Students can access their timetables and other key information through One School. A link can be found on our school website.
5. Students can also access a link to their student email accounts through the school website.
6. Families who have advised us that they do not have computer access will have a package mailed home to them each fortnight.
7. Once Term 2 commences, I will continue to send out a daily email and Facebook update. These will also be stored on the school website for future reference.

In the event that there is no closure, we will be back to school as normal for the start of Term 2.

I would like to commend everyone in our community for the way we have all worked together to keep the important wheels of learning turning.

I would particularly like to thank my staff who have worked tirelessly, often with minimal information and within a rapidly evolving environment, to do all they can to keep our kids safe and with the best opportunities possible to continue their learning. They are a special group of people.

Finally, I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Easter break. There are silver linings to every cloud and, from a personal angle, I certainly see this as an opportunity to spend more quality time with my family and appreciate the simple joys of a temporarily slower world.

I am also reliably informed that the Easter Bunny has special permission to cross the state border as he is providing an essential service.

Have a fantastic Easter break
Mr. Sean Maher
Principal

From the Deputy Principal – Junior School.

As you are aware student-free days will occur for the remainder of Term 1. Our teachers are actively planning for continuity of learning next term, in the event that school cannot return to business as usual. You have been emailed much information regarding resources students can access, please take your time to read these carefully and implement what you deem necessary, given your individual circumstances.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our community for being understanding in this stressful time. I have been in Emerald for about 14 years now, and during that time I have seen this town survive all sorts of natural disasters from floods to droughts and all sorts of extreme weather. What I do know about this place, and what has kept me here for all this time, is that as a community we pull together in times of need. We willingly offer our help in whatever ways we can. I believe, as always, that we will come out of this current situation stronger than when we went in. It is our responsibility as teachers and parents to set the best possible example for our children in these difficult times.

Keep your family and community safe.

Regards
Mr. Ben Van Hees
Deputy Principal – Junior School

From the Head of Department – Art.

This term the Arts Department has been involved in ‘busy work’ inside and outside the classroom. So, what has kept the staff and students so busy this term?

All of the Music, Visual Art, Drama and Film, Television and New Media students across Years 7 – 12 have been completing Making and Responding assessment tasks. The work the students have produced this term has been impressive.

Why should students study an Arts subject? Studying an Arts subject, or two, encourages self-expression and creativity, and builds confidence, as well as a sense of individual identity.

Even though our Arts Camp 2020 has been cancelled, we have asked the students to complete the Arts Camp 2020 Chocolate Fundraiser to the best of their ability under our current circumstances. The money raised will go towards our next Arts Events.

Have a safe and restful holiday.

Regards
Miss. Lucy Ferrara
HOD – Art

From the Head of Department – Science.

New Staff

The Science Department welcomed a number of new teachers this term – Sleiman Boudames (from Western Australia), Annabel Wyatt (from Orange High School), Bridget Ryan (from Sarina SHS), Ben Mawson (from Pioneer SHS) and Rickilee Vernados (from Central Queensland University).

Curriculum News

The Year 7s have been studying solutions, mixtures and separation techniques this term. Year 8 Science curriculum this term focussed on properties of matter and changes of states, while the Year 9s did light, sound and electricity. Genetics and Evolution was the course of study in Year 10 Science in Practice.

In the Applied Sciences, the Year 11 SPR classes focussed on ecosystems and organisms. They recently went on an excursion to the dam, where they observed not only the flora and fauna, but analysed the water quality as well. The Year 12 SPR kids completed a unit on beer brewing and fermentation this term. In the General Sciences, the Year 11s are still doing Unit 1 work while the Year 12 classes have just completed Unit 3.

Spark Engineering Camp

(The camp is going ahead at this stage but that could change due to COVID-19)

Spark is a week-long university experience camp specifically for students who face barriers in realising or reaching their full potential. The students undertake a weeks worth of personal development, hands-on engineering and social activities. If a student applicant is successful, they receive a full scholarship to the camp including travel. Typically, past students have come from a diverse range of demographics including Indigenous, Torres Strait Islander, Refugee, Low Socio-Economic, Foster Care, Learning Difficulty, Special Needs and Rural.

Camp Location & Date:

The Brisbane Camp will be held at the University of Queensland – St. Lucia campus from 29th of June - 4th of July.

How to Apply:

Nominations are open to Year 10-12 students. Applications are due by midnight on April 10th.

More information and links are in this flyer. Students can also access this YouTube Channel to watch interviews from previous Spark students to give future students an idea on what the camps are like!

SCIENCE DID YOU KNOW?

• The Earth spins at 1,000 mph (1609.34km/h) but it travels through space at an incredible 67,000 mph (107826.05 km/h).
• Every year, over one million earthquakes shake the Earth.
• When Krakatoa erupted in 1883, its force was so great it could be heard 4,800 kilometers away in Australia.
• If you could drive your car straight up you would arrive in space in just over an hour.

Regards
Mr. Aneel Dewan
HOD – Science

From the Head of Year 9.

A big hello to all Year 9 students and the whole community at Emerald State High School. For those who might not be aware, my name is Kate Deighton and I am Year 9 Head of Year. My role as Head of Year is to monitor student attendance as well as monitoring student welfare. It is my aim and hope to see all Year 9 students, not only attend school daily, but to use their words to promote kindness and to always believe in their capabilities. It is fantastic to be able to stay with this cohort for another year.

This year has been off to a busy start for the Year 9s, as the students start exploring their different academic pathways within their elective subjects. Our Junior School Leaders have been very busy in assisting the seniors in SRC events such as Valentine’s Day and in sporting events such as HPE week. It has also been pleasing to see a large number of Year 9s playing in the junior school soccer comp and also volunteering to assist with the set up and running of games.

To assist students in gaining success at school, there are a number of strategies in place within the school environment. Students participate in fortnightly Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) focuses. Our current focus is 'listen to and comply with adult instructions'. It is a requirement for students to interact politely with adult instructions as this will help them to clearly understand expectations in the classroom, help clarify expectations around assessment items and create a more calm and positive learning environment. It will also help prepare students for future employment.

Every single day students are encouraged to follow the 3Ps and set a high standard for behaviour for the rest of the school. In saying that, with holidays nearing, staying safe and kindness to one another should be at the top of our priority list.

“Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.” -Margaret Mead

Regards
Miss. Kate Deighton
HOY – 9

From the Head of Year 10.

Well what an adventure it has been so far in 2020. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Chloe Prior, I am the Year 10 Head of Year for 2020.

My role is to focus on tracking student attendance and supporting students’ health and wellbeing throughout their schooling adventure. Year 10 students have been following school’s policies and procedure around attendance, uniforms and showing positive behaviour both in and out of the classroom. Well done Year 10s, let’s keep this up for the remainder of the year when we are back on campus.

Throughout the term we have had various school wide positive behaviour for learning focuses. This fortnight's PBL focus is about listening and complying with adult instructions. Around these crazy times of COVID-19 it is crucial students are listening and following instructions, either at home, in the classroom or in the wider community.

I would like to thank all parents/carers of Year 10 who supported their child with organising work experience. Unfortunately due to the circumstances with COVID-19 it has been postponed until further notice.

Sending best wishes to families at this tough time. I wish everyone a very happy and safe Easter and I look forward to seeing everyone again after the holidays.

Regards
Miss. Chloe Prior
HOY – 10

From the HPE team.

In this term, the junior grades (7-9) have been participating in ‘Bat and Ball Games’ as the curriculum sport, and ‘Ultimate Disc’ as the wellness practical sport. During wellness lessons, the class plays against each other in a round-robin style competition. For ‘Bat and Ball Games’, students have worked through basic ball skills, warm up drills, basic and modified game plays and finishing off with games such as t-ball, silly softball and long ball.

In Term 2, Wellness prac is undergoing a change, which will give the students the opportunity to choose a high, medium or low activity level. When the students return in Term 2, they will be given a survey where they choose their 1st and 2nd preferences. It is hoped that participation and engagement will improve.

In this time of self-isolation, students should continue to include physical activity in their daily routines for 30-60 minutes where possible, making sure the current regulations regarding social distancing are followed.

Regards
Mrs. Christine Wilson
Teacher – HPE

From the Technology team.

Education in the 21st Century was already challenging for educators and students, however, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the education game has risen to accept new challenges.

However, instead of panic and doomsday cries, it is a time to come together, collaborate and try to focus our energy on problem solving (#designthink) to create a better learning experience towards the future of education.

With that in mind, last week at school and this week at home, Design students have been learning to be empathic in their design ideas and consider the needs and wants of all stakeholders. As warm ups, we have been brainstorming “How could the redesign of a product, service or an environment improve wellbeing in isolation?” Year 12 Design have collaboratively brainstormed redesigns of social media apps like Instagram to have interactive activities, so as to remind people how to stay healthy and safe whilst at home. What ideas can you come up with?

Congratulations to Paige Sudholz and Leeroy Sandilands who were chosen to represent Emerald State High School at the Oresome Trade Camp at Dysart (the camp was postponed to later in the year to ensure the safety of everyone). We love seeing and hearing about the pathway our students are planning on taking after school, and we hope that we'll see you as an industry representative one day at a QMEA event in the future!

There are plenty of ways to get to where you want to be after school. If you're still unsure of the pathway you want to follow, why not check the Oresome Careers interactive on the OresomeResources website!

Regards
Miss. Kathleen Weise
Teacher – Technology

From the Indigenous Education department.

This year Mrs Hall and I have streamlined the way in which we support our Indigenous students at ESHS. Mrs Hall will be providing in-class support for our Year 7 – 9 students and I will be providing academic coaching for our Year 10 – 12 students. So far this term, this new approach is working well and providing the necessary support our students need with their studies.

We have processed our QATSIF paperwork for our Senior Indigenous students and they have had a successful term. I will be assisting these students with any class work or assessment going forward.

Later this year, we will be running the AIME Mentoring Program with our Indigenous students. We ran this program in Term 4 last year, and the 30 students who participated found it to be a rewarding program.

Have a safe and restful holiday.

Regards
Miss. Lucy Ferrara
Head of Indigenous Education

From SBA/SBT/Work.

Supporting Apprentices and Trainees during COVID-19

Helping businesses retain apprentices and trainees by offering a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of the apprentice’s or trainee’s wage for nine months. The subsidy of up to a maximum of $21,000, will be available to businesses employing fewer than 20 full-time employees who retain an apprentice or trainee, or, where a small business is not able to retain an apprentice, the subsidy will be available to a new employer. This will support up to 70,000 small businesses employing around 117,000 apprentices. Please contact your AASN for more information or email Alarna Wills awill5001@eq.edu.au for assistance.

UAVAIR Students

As you are now aware, the decision has been made for on-campus classes to be paused commencing Monday 30th March, 2020 with an intention to review potential recommencement 20th April, 2020 pending the review of health and safety concerns regarding COVID-19.

UAVAIR has developed the following options to ensure that all students have access to distance learning resources, which will come into effect on Monday 31st of March.

During COVID-19 students will be able to access their online learning via two options. Please email Alarna Wills awill5001@eq.edu.au for assistance if needed.

Package A:

Students who select this package will have access to home internet and their own device. UAVAIR students will be using their current learning platform 'Canvas' to complete required tasks in the form of pre-recorded lessons, student handbook and online assessments.

Package B:

If students do not have access to the internet in their home environment, UAVAIR will be able to provide these students with a USB containing pre-recorded lessons and student handbook. These students will also be provided with paper-based assessments to complete as directed by the Instructor.

The students’ current instructor will be available to assist with any issues during office hours (9am to 5pm). Each instructor will be in direct contact with the students with further information about the classes and how they will operate.

1. Email admin@uavair.edu.au
2. Call 1300 893 340
3. Text 0429 825 790

Hairdressing

Brisbane School of Hair is planning and preparing online material to be delivered to Emerald students starting on the 28th April. The academic adviser is preparing the material that will be accessible for your student to continue working on course modules. Anthea will be able to mark and assess student’s progression using the online platform.

During these times I will be contactable via email for any concerns as well as assistance.

Regards
Mrs. Alarna Wills
Traineeship Coordinator

From the Positive Behaviour for Learning Team

Behaviour Focus

Our current behaviour focus is “Listen to and comply with adult instructions.”

Student of the Week

Week 9

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