7 September 2020
Newsletter Articles
- Principal’s Report.
- From the Deputy Principal – Middle School.
- From the Head of Year 9.
- From the Head of Year 10.
- From the Head of Year 11.
- From the Head of Year 12.
- From the SEP team.
- From the Science team.
- From the English team.
- From the Hospitality & VET team.
- From the Technology team.
- From the Learning Support/EALD team.
- Gym Club.
- From Instrumental Music.
- Unique Student Identifier
- From the Positive Behaviour for Learning Team
- Community Notices
Principal’s Report.
Dear friends of Emerald High,
The end of term is approaching and our students are deep in their assessment. There have also been a huge range of amazing opportunities for our young people over the past two weeks - it is never dull at Emerald High!
This week and last, our Year 12s have been involved in 'Mock Exams' which are structured very similarly to the real External Exams they will be doing next term. The aim is to give them the opportunity to experience the structure of the external exams and the way in which questions will be presented. It is also a chance to become familiar with the test environment of an external exam.
It also provides an opportunity for students to identify gaps in their knowledge to help provide some focus around their study over the next 7 weeks. Our Year 12s have now entered the arena at the end of the 13 year marathon. Now is not the time to relax but to put in that extra effort as they race for the line. Organisation and planning will be important to ensure that they get maximum gain from their efforts and to ensure that a sensible life balance remains - certainly they will need to study hard over the 7 weeks but will also have to relax, exercise, be with friends and family. Teachers will be able to help students to focus their energies on the particular aspects of their study that will help them succeed. Good luck Year 12s - we are with you all the way!
Year 12s are also looking forward to their Formal that is approaching rapidly and due to be held on Thursday 17 September (weather permitting). A reminder that in order to conduct the event we are needing to apply with very tight and explicit COVID Safe requirements, including not being able to have crowds on or near the grounds observing arrivals. We will, however, seek to live-stream arrivals on Facebook for the students who have returned forms with explicit parental permission to do so (sort of like the Oscars arrivals). People who are sick on the night will not be able to attend and monies paid will be refunded - hopefully this doesn’t happen!
Our Year 10s now move into an exciting phase of their learning this week through 'Work Experience' - an opportunity to try the real world of work and get a feel for the nature and expectations of work places. This experience will of course help inform their 'SET Plans' in which they map out possible career pathways and post school study options. This, in turn, will influence their choices of subjects for next year - it all links together!
When choosing subjects, students should make subject decisions based on the following:
- Select something they are good at.
- Select something they like and enjoy.
- Select something that will help them achieve their chosen career pathways.
Here are some reasons that are NOT valid for subject selections:
- ‘My friend is doing it’.
- ‘I like the teacher’.
- ‘It is easy and I don’t want to work too hard’.
Emails have been sent to students and parents explaining the subject selection process and the changes to the curriculum. If parents have any questions at any time, please feel free to contact the school so we can help.
I would again encourage everyone to have a look at our new Career Website that is a wonderful resource to help young people (and even older people) explore the various exciting and rewarding options that exist after school.
Last week we also celebrated 'National Teacher-Aide Appreciation Week' - an opportunity to acknowledge the amazing dedicated work that our Aides do in supporting the learning of our kids. We do indeed have an exceptional team at Emerald High and they make a profound difference. Thank you!
Last week a group of our students travelled to Middlemount to participate in an interschool sport competition. This was an opportunity initiated by Middlemount Community School and coordinated at our end by Maggie Pembroke. From all reports it was a super day and all of our teams did exceptionally well. Thank you Middlemount CS and thank you Maggie!
ICAS Testing also occurred last week in which a number of our students had the opportunity to participate in a range of challenging academic activities. Thank you to Kaz Van Hees for her organisation and to Gaye Saunders for her 'MC'ing.
Some more exciting news - we have just received formal advice from the Government that we have been successful in our application for funding to enable our basketball courts to be re-surfaced and a steel roof to be constructed to cover at least half of the area. This will be a wonderful facility for our school and community and we are all very excited that it is happening. Thank you to the P&C and to our Business Manager Helen Markey for their amazing work to secure this funding. We are hoping to get work underway soon!
Thank you again for your support of our amazing school! I told you it is never dull at Emerald High!
Do not wait; the time will never be "just right." Start where you stand.
Napoleon Hill
Have a fantastic fortnight
Mr. Sean Maher
Principal
From the Deputy Principal – Middle School.
2021 Subject Selection
This should be finalised by end of Week 8 for Year 9 and 10 students. Year 10s have also received information regarding VETiS funding and should consider carefully which external certificate they wish to use this funding for, in order to avoid paying full fees.
Year 10 Work Experience
Most Year 10s have been placed for Work Experience for Week 9 of this term (Week of 7 -11 September). Each student has a log book that they are required to take to work each day and complete and have signed off by their employer. On the last day, Friday 11 September, the employer will check off the competencies for the students. On Monday 14 September, during lesson 1, students are then required to return this booklet to their Certificate II Skills for Work teacher. We are very fortunate to live in such a great place where employers are keen to take our students for this experience.
Year 10 Love Bites
On Thursday 8th October, 2020, Emerald State High School Year 10s will be participating in an incursion of Love Bites. This program is offered annually to Year 10s in Emerald and is delivered by Julie and Shari from Anglicare along with Constable Julia Henderson from PCYC.
School adopt-a-cop, Julia will run sessions on Cyber-safety.
LOVE BiTES is a Respectful Relationships Education Program for young people aged 15-17 years. The program emphasises the importance of a whole-of-school commitment to respectful relationship education.
LOVE BiTES aims to provide young people with a safe environment to examine, discuss and explore respectful relationships. All Love Bites programming takes a strength-based approach and views young people as active participants who are able to make choices for themselves and their relationships when supported with information and opportunity for skill development.
LOVE BiTES education is focused on three critical areas for learning:
- Knowledge: youth-led collaborative learning
- Attitudes: critical thinking and decision-making and
- Behaviours: problem solving and communication skills
Permission notes have been given to each Year 10 student and were due back at school by 4 September.
If you do not wish your child to take part in this program, please notify Miss Chloe Prior (Head of Year 10) by emailing her on cprio0@eq.edu.au
Year 9 Leaders
The Year 9 leaders along with Miss Angela Johnson and Miss Kate Deighton have run a very successful volleyball competition during break times. They are eagerly planning the next term’s activities.
The leaders have also taken it upon themselves to put up the flags each morning and then take them down at 3pm. The pride they take in this role is to be commended.
Year 9 USI forms
Year 9s are mostly getting their forms in. We do require the forms to be returned with signatures from both student and parent/guardian with this number. If you are having difficulty, please contact either Kate Deighton or myself.
Assessment
As you will be aware, with assessment calendars posted on QParents, we are in the zone of assessment. Please assist your child to meet these deadlines.
Prepared
One of our school rules is to be prepared. I have attached the 2020 booklist as it seems quite a number of students do not have the necessary materials and teachers are having to lend the most basic requirements (such as pens, rulers, calculators). All students were provided with a diary at the start of the year. They are expected to have this in all classes. I hope that you can assist in this.
Regards
Mrs. Gaye Saunders
Deputy Principal – Middle School
From the Head of Year 9.
Week 9 has arrived! This means that we are in peak assessment time. Assessment planners have been sent out. Please take the time to discuss this with your child and make sure they’re on top of everything. If they do need extra assistance with tasks, I urge you to encourage them to attend Homework Club. It takes place on Wednesday afternoons from 3pm-4pm. It has been great to see Year 9s taking advantage of this opportunity to catch up with their teachers about their work there.
As we were nearing the end of the term, students are reminded to follow the 3Ps. We will be changing our PBL focus next week to ‘include vocab that is not hurtful, offensive or defamatory’. This is extremely important as we head into assessment time, where everyone is tired and stress levels are high.
I would also just like to thank our Junior Leaders for their dedication in running the Volleyball Competition at lunchtime. They have done a fantastic job. I would also like to thank all you the Year 9 students who have shown great participation in this competition, supporting their classmates. We are looking for suggestions for new lunchtime physical activities to be held in the UCA next term. Please speak to your students about this and encourage them to speak to either myself, or a Junior Leader.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any Year 9 questions or concerns. Have a great week.
Regards
Miss. Kate Deighton
HOY – 9
From the Head of Year 10.
Welcome to Week 9! This term has flown by, and it is now coming to the time of term where assessments begin flooding in. It is an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge learnt over the past term and demonstrate their learning in assignments, exams, performances, etc. Students are encouraged to try their best and ensure they are submitting their best work. Remember, Homework Club runs every Wednesday in the Resource Centre. Please encourage students to approach their teacher if they would like them to attend for further assistance.
Year 10s have Work Experience on now in Week 9 (7th-11th September). We really hope students make the most of this opportunity and take lots away from the overall experience. Please remember to adhere to COVID-19 regulations and represent our school with pride.
Love Bites will be held in the UCA on Thursday 8th October (Term 4, Week 1). Permission forms have been given to each Year 10 student and also emailed home. Love Bites is a Respectful Relationships Education Program for young people aged 15-17 years. The program emphasises the importance of a whole-of-school commitment to respectful relationship education. Love Bites aims to provide young people with a safe environment to examine, discuss and explore respectful relationships. Please remember to sign and return permission forms by Friday 4th September 2020.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns or questions. Have a great week!
Regards
Miss. Chloe Prior
HOY – 10
From the Head of Year 11.
Term 3 is flying by! Before we know it, we will be on Christmas holidays and watching the Year 11s enter their final year of schooling. I encourage students to ensure they are balancing their commitments well and ensuring that all schoolwork is completed to the best of their ability.
The process for 2021 Leadership positions has begun. Please check for important dates below:
- Written Application were due to Year 11 HOY by 3pm Friday 21st August 2020
- Notification of successful written application on Friday 28th August 2020
- Interviews took place from Monday 31st August 2020 and Tuesday 1st September 2020
- Notification of successful interview was on Wednesday 2nd September 2020
- Leadership speech transcripts due to Year 11 HOY on Tuesday 8th September 2020
- Leadership speeches on Assembly Tuesday 15th September 2020
- Executive positions announced on Assembly Tuesday 13th October 2020
2021 Senior Jersey orders are still open. If students do not have an order form, they can collect one from my staffroom – C7. Please note that there has been a slight change in the attendance percentage that enables students to be eligible to purchase a jersey, this is due to COVID-19. Students will need to ensure that they have 80% or above attendance as well as no outstanding school fees. A second round of orders may be offered later in the year or early 2021 if students do not meet this criteria now.
If you should have any questions, myself (jfehl8@eq.edu.au) or Tanya Shaw (tshaw20@eq.edu.au) can be contacted via email or by phoning the school on 4988 2222.
Regards
Miss. Jacinda Fehlhaber
HOY – 11
From the Head of Year 12.
A busy time for our senior students! Prepare, prepare, prepare is the motto at the moment.
The students are going to spend the next seven days participating in mock exams at school. These mock exams are formative pieces, which will be used to identify areas of learning that need support. They are a tool that will aid our students before the external exams next term. Staff have been trying to reinforce the need to treat these mock exams seriously and we believe the students are following suit, which is fantastic to see. Practice makes perfect.
Please remember that students still need to sign in and out of school when participating in exams. If any senior students wish to come to school during this period to study, they must be situated in the resource centre.
Formal is on the 17th of September. A slew of staff have been working hard organising all components of a successful night. Discussions involving lighting, catering and the car club along with other factors have all been taken into account. Coming into the final week of this term I will ask that the students help with the set up and pack down of the formal decorations. A reminder to all students and families; we must be complying with COVID-Safe regulations, which means we will be restricted to two guests per person and we cannot have outside guests viewing the walk ins. Fortunately, we will be streaming the red carpet for all family members at home to enjoy.
Please also a reminder to the students if they have not recorded their name on the formal seating registrar they need to do this immediately.
Regards
Mr. Jaksen Brose
HOY – 12
From the SEP team.
It is the start of spring and as always the SEP unit has been busy. We have covered a variety of different topics this term. In History we are learning about the Industrial Revolution and comparing this time to our current living conditions. We have compared the transport, clothing and the way they lived. The students loved seeing the old trains and cars.
In Maths we learnt about all about money. We have been learning about all the different coins and notes. We enjoy singing songs about money. We are still loving cooking in SEP. It is one of our favourite things to do. In Science in Term 3 we have focused on the five senses. We have had so much fun learning about our five senses. We tasted lots of different things. Some things tasted so delicious and some were so bad. We still love going to cook yummy food in Home Economics. It is definitely something we love. In Art we have been focusing on water colours and bees.
It has certainly been a busy term. We look forward to our holiday in a couple of weeks and returning to a great term at Emerald State High School in Term 4. Enjoy the rest of the term.
Regards
Mrs. Heather Te Amo
Teacher – SEP
From the Science team.
Hey Hey Science peoples! It was great this week to see students putting into practice the skills they have learnt throughout the term, to investigate various phenomena related to their current learning topics.
An update on what each year group is learning this term:
7 science:
- Year 7 having been putting their knowledge of balanced and unbalanced forces into action by designing balloon powered vehicles. We can’t wait to see whose car can go the furthest!
8 Science:
- On a similar note, Year 8 are putting their knowledge of energy changes and transfers into practice by designing mouse trap racers. We hear that Miss Venardos has created a unicorn inspired vehicle in her class; let’s hope the students’ cars are as creative as this!
9 Science:
- Year 9 have been learning all about acids over the past few weeks. Students have been testing the effects of acids on the growth of plants, as well as investigating what kinds of equipment can be used to effectively measure the pH of a substance.
10 Science in Practice:
- Year 10 Science In Practice students have, this term, begun to investigate the secrets of the periodic table of elements. The students have also been developing their STEM skills by completing one challenge activity each week, such as designing bottle rockets.
10 Biology:
- Year 10 Biology students are currently studying homeostasis and the nervous system. They have conducted a number of practicals, such as investigating the effect of exercise on heart rate, and reaction times of people in different age groups. They are compiling their findings into a scientific report.
10 Chemistry:
- Year 10 Chemistry students are studying types of chemical reactions. They are currently completing a research investigation on combustion reactions, and asking whether all combustion reactions produce the same products.
11 Biology:
- Year 11 Biology students are researching diseases; a poignant topic amidst the current pandemic!
11 Chemistry:
- Year 11 Chemistry students are studying the gas laws as well as Arrhenius acids and bases. They have been conducting experiments to investigate these laws, and have been writing a scientific report on their findings.
11 Physics:
- Year 11 Physics students are currently studying gravity and are modifying experiments that verify the acceleration due to gravity.
12 Biology:
- Year 12 Biology students have completed their all coursework and are now hard at work preparing for their mock exams in Weeks 8 and 9.
12 Chemistry:
- Year 12 Chemistry students are currently studying organic chemistry; and revising for their upcoming mock exam in preparation of the end of year exam in Term 4.
12 Physics:
- Year 12 Physics students are currently studying gravity and motion and will lead into electromagnetism; revising for their upcoming mock exam in preparation of the end of year exam in Term 4.
Regards
Miss. Annabel Paul
Teacher – Science
From the English team.
A lot has been happening in the English department this year, and over the last several years in fact. Our 50th year of operation has gotten the English department thinking about what we have previously taught and how our teaching practices have evolved. Even this year, our department has seen some incredible changes.
The most obvious would be the renovation of F Block. When I first arrived, most rooms had pin boards as their walls and teachers often had to scramble first day back to secure enough to create a useable teaching space. Some days teaching in this block meant competing with a film next door, the booming voice of a male teacher down the corridor and the inevitable work chatter of six classes. Armed with an Overhead Projector (OHP), a folder bursting full of photocopied resources (often beautifully typed by Teacher Aide Colleen Stephenson), and a white container full of library texts, outcome based education often resulted in some very creative teaching.
Over time the block has changed. Doors were added, projectors affixed to the roof in every room, some half walls constructed, a senior room built, and the senior bathrooms reopened. Then in 2019, as part of the air-conditioning upgrade, full walls and doors were built to separate each classroom. One of the storerooms now houses the incredible museum that Mrs Leanne Ross has personally built over many years. It is certainly a site to behold!
We still offer a wide variety of English content for our students of course, including a mix of old and new worlds. Our books have been selected to match the interests of our students, but let us be honest; no one really appreciates the novel given to them by their English teacher. I still remember how much I hated To Kill A Mockingbird until I reread it as an adult. Currently in our curriculum across Years 7- 10 we study Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, Black Snake, Trash, The Hunger Games, The Book Thief, Romeo and Juliet, Jasper Jones, The Happiest Refugee, The Great Gatsby and Macbeth. I wonder how much of this will change in the next 20 years (though I suspect Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth will remain).
The sheer amount of teaching excellence I have witnessed over the years in this department is truly an honour. I wish I could list all the amazing English teachers this school has seen walk through its gates. However, not mentioning Mrs Hume and impact she has had on this school would be a travesty. I believe any senior student that has had the privilege of having her as their teacher, truly understands the impact that she has on their learning.
Regards
Mrs. Gabby Hunt
HOD – English
From the Hospitality & VET team.
Our Hospitality and Home Economics students have been keeping busy in the lead up to assessments and formal. Our Year 11 Certificate II Hospitality and Hospitality Practices students are trialling an array of delicious dessert options for our Year 12 Formal coming up in just a few weeks. Our students are also busy making sure that they are qualified to work in our changing hospitality industry, by participating in COVID Safe Training.
Next year, the VET offerings are hoping to expand with Certificate I Hospitality, Certificate III Early Childhood Studies, Certificate III Drones, Certificate II Health Support Services, Certificate II Resource and Infrastructure Work Preparation in addition to our many certificate programs already on offer!
If you’d like to know more about these offerings please speak with Alarna Wills and Annette Carter.
Regards
Miss. Kaitlyn Aubrey
Teacher – Hospitality
From the Technology team.
With Semester 1 done and dusted, Semester 2 comes with new and exciting challenges in the Technology Department.
Year 8 Digital Technology, under the guidance of Mr. Cavanagh and his colleague Mr. Praed, are learning how to program a game using KUDO (the program).
In the workshop, Mr. Hansen, Mr. Cavanagh and Ms. Weis are inspiring our future carpenters to design and create a jewellery box made from treated pine and held together by some strong dovetail joints. The focus is on the theory component that precedes the practical part. I’m sure the jewellery box will be big enough for mums’ most prized possessions.
Mr. Hansen and Ms. Weis’ Year 11 Engineering students are busy manufacturing an F – clamp. Some students have even opted to incorporate their furnishing skills and give the F – clamp a timber handle (produced on the lathe).
The Year 9 and 10 Graphics classes of Mr. Olivier have been particularly busy with their sketching and producing of pictorial drawings, focussing on perspective and oblique drawings. Students have really embraced two point perspective drawings, particularly because it is the most realistic of the pictorial drawings.
Commercial Design is the focus for the Year 11 Design students this term. They must choose between three movies and then remake the “marketing” aspect of their chosen movie, whether it be a poster, trailer or cardboard cut-out. Star Wars was one of the movies, which turned out to be a popular choice.
The Year 11 Furnishing class is busy with a chessboard design that features a storage component. This term we focus on finishing and ensuring the finished product is according to the specific instructions and dimensions. This practical demonstration will be concluded in Term 4, when we attach the storage box and evaluate our product. The students are producing some very good chessboards… maybe we will have time to create a few chess pieces to fill our storage box.
Finally, our seniors are not disappointing when it comes to creativity and production skills. Mr. Cavanagh’s Year 12 Furnishing class has completed their Cape Cod chairs and moved on to a bedside table. This project should take them into next term where they will finish of their furnishing studies.
The Engineering students in Year 12 are creating a fire pit starting this semester. Understandable that will take a huge effort and I’m sure Mr, Cavanagh, their teacher, is very excited to see the outcome of the fire pits.


Technologies extra curriculum activities/clubs have started up again. There are various clubs students can get involved in during the breaks such as:
- Technology Club
- HPV Club
- Design Club
Please see any member of the Technologies staff or Mr Cavanagh (HOD) for more details.
Regards
Mr. Bennie Olivier
Teacher - Technology
From the Learning Support/EALD team.
Hello everyone and welcome to a very busy time of the year here at Emerald State High School. Week 8 was National Teacher Aide Appreciation Week. Please take this chance to thank our support staff for the amazing job they do every day. Encourage your children to say “Thank You” to the staff who help them in class and around the grounds. Our teacher aides support students in and out of class every day. Their dedication makes a huge difference to student well-being and success at ESHS.
This part of the term finds all students busy with assessment and teachers marking drafts and exams. Successful students know when each piece of assessment is due and have a plan of how to get the task completed by the due date. Leaving an assessment until the last minute increases stress and anxiety and reduces your chance of demonstrating your true ability. Encourage your child to use the student diary to record due dates and plan for these busy times. Draft dates are also set for most assessment tasks. Having a comprehensive draft to submit on the draft date is the best way to obtain constructive feedback from the teacher. The more a student has completed by the draft date, the better the chance of useful teacher feedback that the student can use to submit their very best work.
It is a busy time of the year but remember that sleep, exercise and relaxation remain important too. Term 3 is busy but as the weather warms up, and the September holidays appear on the horizon, our hard work for the next three weeks will soon be rewarded.
Regards
Mrs. Deanne Lucht
HOSES
Gym Club.
The school gym has been closed for the better part of this year due to COVID-19. This term, we were able to re-open the gym for lunchtime use and the attendance has been overwhelming. It has been great to see students of all year levels, coming in on Thursdays during 1st break to work on their fitness goals.
For any students looking to join the gym, they need to come and see Miss Pembroke or Mr Taylor at the gym on Thursdays to receive a medical note. Once it is signed and handed back in, they will then be allowed to enter and use the gym equipment under teacher supervision.
It is recommended, that students bring a towel, however we have disinfectant wipes available for students to use to wipe down all the equipment after use.
We look forward to seeing more students sign up in the future.
Regards
Mr. Simon Taylor
Teacher – HPE
From Instrumental Music.
Term 3 has seen the return of full Symphonic Band and Jazz Band rehearsals. In complying with a COVID safe environment, we have resumed rehearsals in the UCA. Students are able to safely distance 1.5 metres apart. It has been very successful with students very keen to resume to some sort of normal.
In Week 6 both bands performed as part of Emerald Shines All Star Week. It was so awesome to be able to perform for our student body again. Check out ESHS Facebook page, as both performances were live streamed.
Year 9 student Samantha Dudman recently sat her Grade 5 AMEB Euphonium exam in Rockhampton. Sam prepared very well and I am confident she will receive a high result.
Year 9 student Lucca Santos recently performed at Le Porte Rosse’s open mic afternoon playing Jazz piano. It was wonderful to watch him perform. Lucca has now locked in a weekly gig. Congratulations Lucca.
We welcome student teacher Amie Hosking to ESHS who will be helping out in the music department for the next three weeks. Amie plays both Clarinet and Saxophone.
Jazz Band will be working towards another lunch time performance in Week 10. ESHS Glee club will be singing with us.
Regards
Mrs. Dana Jones.
Instrumental Music Coordinator
Unique Student Identifier
Documents for Students and Parents
From the Positive Behaviour for Learning Team
Behaviour Focus
Our current behaviour focus is “Use polite vocabulary.”
Student of the Week
Week 7
Fatima Zehra 7F For always being ready to learn, being so polite on every occasion and putting her best effort into every task that she completes. You are a pleasure to have in the classroom.
Nate Potter 8A For a positive attitude towards his learning and enthusiasm toward curriculum tasks.
Hannah Lyons 9D For being polite in interactions around school as well as being a quiet achiever who strives to complete all work.
Jackson Kelly 10A For always being on time, prepared for class and willing to participate in class discussions and activities. Keep up the great work.
Kimmie Gardiner 11A For showing respect to all teachers and students and lending a helping hand when required.
Brooklyn Ribbon 12 For engaging in and completing all of your work.
Week 8
Shayna Narayan 7B For Respecting her teachers and peers and ensuring all work is completed to the best of her ability.
Brianna Weeks 8D For her enthusiastic attitude toward class and exemplary participation, she is a role model for her peers.
Amity Newland 9A For always being prepared and completing tasks to the best of her ability whilst encouraging others.
Xavier Sampson 10 For always participating in activities to the best of your ability!
Phoebe Machen 11E For applying herself to her studies and demonstrating a mature nature in a variety of contexts.
Holly McLean 12C For always thinking about her class mates
Community Notices