15 October 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear friends of Emerald High,

Term 4 has started with a bang with lots of exciting things happening!

We start with some great student news, our Year 7/8 Maths Quiz Team has been selected to participate in the State Finals! This is a sensational achievement with our mathematicians matching it with the best in the state - further details later in the newsletter. Well done students and thank you to Mr Bahr for organising the event. Good luck in the finals!!

Please join me in congratulating Bridget Mackay and Lachlan Obst who have been recognised by the Australian Institute of Physics for their hard work this year. Both have been awarded Certificate of Excellence in Physics – an outstanding achievement. Thank you to Mr Dewan for his work in supporting this opportunity.

Some more great news - Paige Sudholz and Leeroy Sandilands had the opportunity to participate in the Oresome Trades Camp held at Dysart SHS during the break. This was a great opportunity for them to experience the reality of working in the Resources Sector. Thank you again to Mr Bhar for his work in coordinating this opportunity and to QMEA for sponsoring the event.

Our young people are an exceptional group and are capable of achieving at a level comparable with any school in the nation (or the world for that matter). My message to all of them is (as always) aim high, dream big and work hard and you can all achieve amazing things!

Last week was our swimming carnival and I can sincerely say that it was one of the best swimming carnivals I have seen in a long time. The conduct and participation of our students was first rate - there was some great competitive events and lots of not-so-competitive but very fun events. A huge 'well done' to Maggie Pembroke for her leadership and to the HPE staff at the school for supporting a super day.

Whilst on the subject of being proud of our kids, our Year 10s participated in a workshop conducted by Anglicare on 'Respectful Relationships'. Their conduct and participation was outstanding and was commented on by the Anglicare staff - well done Year 10s and thank you Anglicare!

Another amazing event that made me very proud was held during the week, namely our annual Indigenous Elders' Luncheon that was held at the Town Hall. The event was led by our Indigenous students who did a superb job in leading the various aspects of the luncheon, from speaking, looking after guests and serving. I was very proud of them indeed!! Thank you to Charmaine McKeon-Parlett, Legal Hall and Lucy Ferrara for their great work in coordinating the event and to our ever-outstanding 'Emerald High Bites' team for creating a sensational lunch. A great team effort from everyone!

Everyone this year has been affected by COVID-19. While many in our communities across the state have contributed to ensuring Queensland families remain healthy and safe, I think we all would agree our state school teachers and school staff have done an incredible job at leading our children’s education.

In recognition of their outstanding efforts during the pandemic, the Queensland Government has declared the last two days of Term 4, 2020, Thursday 10 December and Friday 11 December, 2020 be allocated as student free days. Schools will be closed on these days.

This will come as great news for those who are keen to begin their school holidays early. For some families, alternative arrangements will need to be made for the care of children on these two days.

You can view the updated school holiday and term dates and download the calendar via the link below.

Educating our children is a team effort. On behalf of our teaching and school staff, I would like to thank you for your support and cooperation during this year.

Thank you yet again to everyone for your ongoing support for our fantastic school and good luck to our Year 12s as they head into the External Exams in Week 4!

Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.
- Samuel Smiles

Have a fantastic fortnight
Mr. Sean Maher
Principal

From the Deputy Principal – Senior School

2020 Year 12 Formal

I would like to thank the business, teachers and parents who have assisted in making this event happen. It was wonderful to see everyone on the night in their finest attire.

2021 School Leaders

This week we have announced our 2021 student leaders to the school body. I would like to acknowledge the efforts all put into their applications, the pool to choose from was very high.

• School Captains – Madison Iles and Paxton Hayes
• Vice-School Captains – Zara Smith and Joseph Stoneman
• SRC President – Charli Ryan
• SRC Vice-President – Felicity Jorgensen
• SRC Treasurer – Logan Stanton
• Garnet Captains – Makayla Morgan and Darci Ryan
• Topaz Captain – Ella Ramm

We still need to fulfil the positions of SRC Secretary and Publicity Officer and House Captains for Sapphire and Zircon. I wish all students the best for 2021.

2020 External Exams (Year 12s)

All Year 12 students have now received the external exam program. Students are now in the process of revising and preparing for these exams.

2020 Awards Ceremony

At this stage we are planning our awards ceremony to be held at the school on Wednesday 18th November 2020 during school time. The ceremony will be split into 3 sessions. Session 1 will be for the Year 7s and 8s and will occur start at 9:00am. Session 2 will be the Years 9 and 10s and will start at 11:00 am. The final session will be for the Year 11s and 12s and will begin at 12:05. Due to COVID restrictions, only parents of students receiving special awards will be invited to attend. Where possible we will try to live stream the event.

Regards
Mrs. Tanya Shaw
Deputy Principal – Senior School

From the Head of Year 9

Hello all and welcome back to Term 4! I trust that you had a great school break and enjoyed the time with your loved ones. The Year 9 students at Emerald State High School have really hit the ground running this term with some great examples of participation shown by those who attended swimming carnival. The Year 9 leaders are currently in the midst of organising another sport competition to run throughout the term. It will be a combination of Touch, Netball, Basketball, Volleyball and Soccer, with mixed teams. Please encourage your students to get a team together and support our leaders.

To finish off the term, it is important for us not to let our standards slip and ensure that Year 9 students continue to follow the 3 P’s. There is a special focus in Weeks 3 and 4 on being prepared for class. All students should have a different exercise book for each subject, their diary and must bring a pen to class. This is vital to ensure that all of their work for a subject is stored in the one spot. It is really pleasing to see that the majority of students in Year 9 doing the right thing.

In regards to attendance, please ensure that your student is attending school every day they can. If your student is unwell and cannot attend school, please contact the school advising this.

As it is starting to get warmer, I would like to remind students to ensure that they have a hat for HPE and at lunchtimes. I would also like to encourage students to bring a water bottle to school and ensure that they fill it up in the break times. If your student would like some time out of the heat this term, they can join many school-based clubs. If they would like to join a club, they will need to listen out for notices, regarding attendance times.

Have a great term!

Regards
Miss. Kate Deighton
HOY – 9

From the Head of Year 12

Our seniors are almost there!

Emerald High ended last term on a high note. Against all odds, the Formal went ahead, and the staff are beyond impressed by the efforts of the students and the parents in helping to set up and take down the equipment that was necessary. Given the resources that were available to us, I believe the seniors were more than a little surprised by the final product. We all understand that the entertainment needed to look a little different to past years, with no dancing and minimal mingling. I think the student acts and speeches were more than sufficient to please the masses and the speeches were honest if nothing else. Another huge thank you to Ruth and her team for catering the event, and to Rajiv Bhar, Kaitlyn Aubry, Annette Carter and her team for running the food and organising the desserts.

The Year 12s are currently entering their final chapter of schooling at Emerald State High School. An exciting, challenging and sometimes daunting time in their lives, where the future is tantalisingly close. As I write this, students only have twenty days of school left, (not including their exam)! As this term is short for Year 12 students, we will need to make sure they are working hard and staying on top of revision. This can be a difficult time to stay motivated at school and at home, as students start to look towards the future and the significant changes to their lives, which are about to take place. It is important that students stay focused on current tasks so they can achieve highly in their final exams.

The swimming carnival also ran last week, on Friday, which was a great event, which was the last opportunity that they had to compete together.

Regards
Mr. Jaksen Brose
HOY – 12

From the SEP team

Welcome to Term 4. In our Special Needs Unit this term, students will be hands on learning about lots of exciting new topics. In English, students will be learning about narratives. They will be writing a story on ‘Theme Journeys’. Independent Living will be focussed on ‘Healthy Eating’, in particular cooking healthy meals for themselves and their family. In the last few weeks the students will concentrate on delicious Christmas treats in time for the festive season. In History, students will identify significant events and places. Science students will discover how to ‘Bust a Move’, identifying how and why things move the way they do. In Maths students are learning about time and how to read clocks.

During Term 4 there will be lots happening with our local Year 6 primary school students transitioning from Primary School into High School. This will take place every Friday with a rotation of Primary Schools, between weeks two to eight. So there will be some new faces for our current Special Needs students to get to know and make feel welcome before 2021. Also during Term 4, Frenchville Sports Club in Rockhampton is offering a workshop on ‘Inclusive Education - Working Effectively with your Child’s School’ on 6th November 2020 from 9:15am to 2:30pm. See the Flyer attached for more details.

Regards
Mrs. Janene Buckton
Teacher – SEP

From the Science team

As the end of the year is near, it is important that the students are working to the best of their ability, right up until the final day of term on Wednesday 9th December.

For the Science department the Year 12 students are busy preparing for the external assessment. We are encouraging the students to actively engage with their teachers whilst studying, to ensure clarification around the topics and to apply their knowledge by completing the practice exams that have been given to them. The external exam dates for the senior sciences are: Biology, Monday 2nd November; Chemistry, Wednesday 4th November and Physics Monday 9th of November.

Year 11 students are beginning to start the content on Unit 3. For Physics this term, the students are learning about vectors and projectile motion. Chemistry students are investigating all things acids and bases and Biology students have been learning about biodiversity and classification of living things. Students have been encouraged to begin implementing structured study times to ensure that the habit of studying is in place for their final year. It is suggested that students are revisiting syllabus points and actively responding to these as a way to test their knowledge of the content requirements as well as completing any set tasks/homework to the best of their ability.

The Year 10 students have begun their final unit for the year as well. Biology students are learning all things evolution and inheritance for the term, Chemistry are learning about stoichiometry, which involves using relationships between reactants and/or products in a chemical reaction to determine desired quantitative data and Physics to finish of the year are investigating all things electricity.

For the junior school sciences, both Years 7 and 8 are covering the biological science strand this term. Year 7 with a main focus on ecosystems and classifying organisms and the Year 8s are learning about cells and multicellular organisms. Lastly the Year 9s are learning about radioactivity and plate tectonics.

A reminder that study club occurs every Wednesday afternoon and students are encouraged to attend if they feel they need assistance in completing assessment or class work. We ask that if they wish for their Science teacher to be in attendance that they ask in advance to ensure that.

As a department we are looking forward to what this term will bring.

Regards
Mrs. Bridget Ryan
Teacher – Science

From the English team

All students are underway with their final piece of assessment for 2020 in English. For some year levels, this consists of a drafting phase - of which, the students will be expected be conducting work outside of school hours. Others will have in-class exams, with some classes needing to prepare notes beforehand.

Year 7 English students have been working through their unit on ‘Black Snake’, which looks at the life of Ned Kelly, alternate perspectives of his character and whether he was a hero, villain or a victim of circumstance. Student’s findings will be presented in an in-class essay.

Year 8 English students are looking at the emotionally driven stories of ‘Trash’ and ‘Wall-E’ to write an editorial on the themes within the novel.

Year 9 English students are now learning how to write feature articles and watching the play, ‘12 Angry Men’, to analyse social issues such as racism within society.

Year 10 English students have been engaging in a number of global issues. For their assessment, students will be asked to prepare a feature article on one of these global issues to present to the class.

Year 10 Essentials students are using their digital skills to create a vlog on present issues affecting workplaces in Australia.

Year 11 General English students are currently looking at ‘Jasper Jones’, and exploring themes, characterisation and literary devices to create an analytical essay on the novel.

Year 11 Essential English are reading the ‘Happiest Refugee’ and exploring the lives of those who seek safer countries to escape to. They will use their understanding of the book to create a blog on these issues.

Year 12 General English students are preparing for their external exam on ‘Macbeth’, and Year 12 Essential English students are preparing for their Common Internal Assessment.

Regards
Mr. Lachlan Praed
Teacher – English

From the Hospitality and VET team

At this time of the year I am always excited to see students completing their qualifications planning for their futures. However, it can be daunting for some students and parents navigating these unknowns. Please see below some resources available.

The Department of Education recently released the results of the Next Step 2020 Post-School Destinations for Emerald State High School. This is a summary of post-school destinations of students who completed Year 12 in 2019. The survey reported that 28.7% of the respondents were engaged in either an apprenticeship or traineeship in 2020. This is a strong indication of the importance of our Vocational Education and Training along with our School Based Apprenticeship and Trainee programs here at school.

Congratulations to Jasmin Rostirolla, who recently completed her School Based Traineeship (Cert II Warehouse operations) with Reece Plumbing.

Emerald State High School hosted the CH VET cluster Certificate III in Aviation - Remote Pilot Teacher training with UAVAIR over the break. Teachers from around the region are being upskilled to deliver the qualification in their schools. This amazing opportunity has been brought to life by funding from The Local Buying Group. Feedback from participants was that it was great to learn about the aviation/theoretical side of flying aircrafts, as well as building networks with other educators in the region.

Hospitality

We finished last term with a bang with many of the Year 11 and even some very keen Year 10 Hospitality students contributing to the service and catering for Formal. A big thank you to those students for their hard work and professionalism on the night.

Early childhood studies

After two long terms of being unable to visit childcare centres due to COVID-19 restrictions, our early childhood students will again resume visits to childcare centres this term! The Year 10 students will be going to Emerald Preschool and Community Kindergarten in Weeks 3 and 4, while our Year 11 students will be visiting Borilla Community Kindergarten in Weeks 2 and 5. This is a fantastic way to finish our year! We are also excited to introduce a Certificate III in Early Childhood studies, for our Year 10 students in 2021. This will be a great opportunity for our students at ESHS, to finish Year 12 with a certificate that will qualify them to work in the early childhood industry.

Business

Congratulations to all of our Cert II Business students who have completed all the requirements of the qualification and been issued with their certificates.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish the Business (General) students all the best on their external exams. Keep attending class and revising with Mrs Cognet, and I know you will be the best prepared you can be.

Skills for Work

Now that our Year 10 students have completed their work experience week, it is very important work experience log books are returned to their class teacher for filing into their folio. Students are close to the finish line with this Certificate and are encouraged to make sure all of their assessment work and evidence of competence for the entire year is up to date.

Regards
Mrs. Annette Carter
HOD – Hospitality and VET

From the Technology team

Well, another year is coming to an end for our students and team members. I am sure you do not need to be reminded, but it has been an up and down year for our school. But after all that has happened, the school, as a team has pulled together under the leadership of our principal Mr. Sean Maher and his team of Deputies and teachers at Emerald State High School.

The Technology Department has offered students from Year 7 to 10 an opportunity (with guidance) to claim ownership of their project and design the project themselves, to a certain degree. Year 8 DAT students have been manufacturing a project, which will protect personal objects from being damaged. Some students have chosen to manufacture a pencil holder out of acrylic, while others have chosen a design that can protect jewelry with a felt lining. Examples below are from a student, Jack Leonhardt, and with some of my help through the lunch breaks it is being completed.

Year 9 DAT students are in the process of designing a foot stool through the design process in the same structure as pictured below. Students will be instructed to use different joining techniques such as a finger and a dove tail joint.

Year 10 ITM Engineering students have been practicing their welding skills over Terms 2 and 3, which will allow them to manufacture a metal stool. The stool can be used as a foot stool , plant stand, just to name a few.

Year 10 Furnishing students are redesigning an existing bed side table to suit their target audience. These students are learning different procedures and method of joining timber together.

Year 11 Engineering students have just completed a sliding F clamp and are now manufacturing a tool box from galvanized steel with two draws and a lid. While manufacturing the project, there will be a great need for each component to be correct, as they need to fit together. Below are segments of the toolbox.

Year 11 Furinisings students are assembling their chessboard to their base. They are developing a board game for the home environment, and I must say, some of the student are quite familiar with the game of chess.

Below are examples of wood turning by Connor Mathies and Jackson Moore. I was lucky enough to instruct Connor on how to use an oxy/acetelene to burn the timber, but I am sure he already knew.

Year 12 Furnishing students are manufacturing a coffee table and are at the finishing stages, which include sanding and varnishing. Hunter Gribble was the student who manufactured the table below.

Year 12 Engineering student are completing a Brazier which can be put to use around at home. The manufacturing includes the cutting of material, using the cold saw. There is also a requirement needed to join the metal together using an ARC welder.

On a personal note, I would like to thank all those students who continue using their 3Ps throughout the school day. I feel so privlieged when a student greets me with an elbow (hand shake). I feel this is a reflection on their parents guidence.

The Technology team are looking forward to a great 4th Term, not only to farewell our Year 12 students and wish them every success and good luck on their journey, but to make it a great environment for all students to learn in 2021.

Regards
Mr. Ed Hanson
Teacher – ITD

From the Learning Support/EALD team

Welcome back everyone to Term 4, this year has definitely been one to remember! It is at the beginning of the school term where it can be beneficial for students to establish good study routines. It is good practice to ensure that students schedule in time to complete homework and revision tasks on a daily/weekly basis; as well as have a safe place to study and keep their school materials organised. It is also a good time to remind students to record assessment and key dates into their school diaries, to allow time to prepare for assessments as they get closer.

During Term 4 the learning support team will be using the ACER Progressive Assessment Tool (PAT) for all Year 7-9 students. This will be assessing both numeracy and reading levels of students. These results are communicated with teachers to identify areas of strength and areas where we can support students’ learning and development. As a team, we welcome communication with parents and carers about their student’s learning.

Regards
Mrs. Samantha Hokins
Teacher – Learning Support

From the Guidance Officer

"As our seniors head into their Common Internal and External Exams, it is important to understand the best methods for studying and maintaining academic rigour. Please have a read of the following guide to looking after your wellbeing while studying."

Regards
ESHS Guidance Officer.

From the Indigenous Education team

Our NAIDOC Celebrations at ESHS started on Tuesday 12 October with our Elders' Luncheon at the Emerald Town Hall Supper Room. Four of our senior Indigenous students and our Indigenous junior student leader participated in the event. Our cluster schools also participated. It is a great annual event.

In Week 3, the following activities will be running:

• Wednesday 21 October – Period 3 Yarning Circle activity (Junior students) with Indigenous Games on the oval during Second Break
• Thursday 22 October – Period 3 Yarning Circle activity (Senior students) with Indigenous Games on the oval during Second Break

A reminder to all students who need to see Miss Ferrara and Mrs Hall in regards to the NAIDOC student activities in Week 3, will occur via the Student Notices.

Have an awesome week!

Regards
Miss. Lucy Ferrara
HOD – A&TSI

From the Maths Club

Last term was very eventful for Maths Club. Our students took part in two main competitions, the first was the Australian Maths Competition (AMC), while the second was the QAMT Year 7/8 Maths Quiz.

The AMC is a highly regarded competition that attracts entrants from not only Australia, but across the Asia-Pacific. Eighteen students from Emerald State High School volunteered to take part and they achieved some excellent results:

Distinction

• Fatima Zehra (7F),
• Kat Hunter (8F),
• Ella Job (8F),
• Ahmed Al-Khalil Hassan (9F),
• Jacob Job (9F),
• Paxton Hayes (11A).

Credit

• Jada Roberts (7F),
• Lillian Goodwin (8F),
• Isaac Jansen (9F),
• Caleb Jansen (10B),
• Andrew Kloppers (10F),
• Bridget Mackay (12F),
• Sheriece Pegg (12F).

The QAMT Year 7/8 Maths Quiz is a team event consisting of three students, one of whom must be in Year 7. The local round took place in Week 3, from which two teams qualified for the regional round in Week 9:

Team Blue

• Kat Hunter (captain),
• Koko Reid (7F),
• Priya Taylor-Sidhu (7F).

Team Red

• Ella Job (captain),
• Lillian Goodwin (8F),
• Jada Roberts (8F).

These students, along with Hannah Atkinson (8F), worked hard and gave-up their break times to prepare for the competition. On the big day, the two teams faced-off against each other. Due to COVID-19, the regional round was held remotely in school. Afterwards, each team’s score was submitted and they were ranked against the other competing schools. In a tremendous display, Team Red placed second overall in the region!

A huge thankyou needs to go out to Jessica Ralley, Tavonga Sikwila, Gaye Saunders and Nazim Nahroon for all their support in running the QAMT Yr 7/8 Maths Quiz this year.

Regards
Mr. Nahroon Nazim
HOD – Maths

From the Positive Behaviour for Learning Team

Behaviour Focus

Our current behaviour focus is “Be on time.”

Student of the Week

Week 1

8F Lillian Goodwin For her dedicated attitude towards curriculum and exemplary conduct when speaking with peers and adults.

Kelly Hunter 9E For consistently working hard in class to complete set work to the best of her ability.

Declan Neville10D For always being polite and prepared.

11E Brodie Christian For completing all set tasks and being a role model for his peers.

12B Ryan Spargo For always being consistently helpful and efficient.

Community Notices