26 November 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear friends of Emerald High,

Wow! What a big few weeks we have had. Everyone is getting a bit tired as the weather heats up and Christmas approaches - time for us to take extra care of ourselves and of each-other!

Our Awards Ceremonies last week were amazing as we recognised the academic, sporting and cultural achievements of our young people. We had a record number of awardees cross the stage and photos can be requested form the school for each awardee, which will be emailed out for free. My very sincere thanks to everyone involved in making the awards special.

Last Friday we also, very sadly, farewelled our Year 12s in a very special, two phase, graduation ceremony that started at the school for the staff and students to farewell our seniors and ended at the Town Hall, where parents had the chance to see our Year 12s all grown up and ready for the world. My very sincere thanks to Jaksen Brose, Janene Vale, Tanya Shaw and everyone involved in making this event special. I will miss out Year 12s - they are an amazing group of young people!

Some more great news is that we have just completed our Transition Days welcoming around 160 of next year's Year 7s to the school. They had an opportunity to be in high school classes doing real high school activities. They are a terrific group of young people and 2021 will be a super year!

As usual we have some great things to celebrate - our amazing tuckshop, Emerald Bites, has again been successful at the Queensland Tuckshop of the Year competition achieving an Honourable Mention for their super 'vegan burger' recipe. We are very lucky to have a tuckshop as good as ours!! A huge well done to Ruth, Bec, Megan, Raelene and Renee for all that they do!

Biology Camp has just commenced with our Biologists off to North Keppel Island to study marine life in all of it many and varied forms. This will be a super trip and well worth the 3:00am start! Thank you to Ms Ryan and Mrs Wyatt for their great work in leading this adventure for our biologists.

This week is also the final week for our Year 10s and 11s - two year levels that have had an outstanding year with the highest effort and behaviour results on record and quality academic outcomes. They are well positioned for 2021 - I wish them all a safe and relaxing break and look forward to seeing them back leading our school next year.

A final reminder again that the last day of school this year will be Wednesday 9 December and that all students will be back at school on Wednesday 27 January.

Men's best successes come after their disappointments.
- Henry Ward Beecher

Have a fantastic fortnight
Mr. Sean Maher
Principal

From the Deputy Principal – Middle School

What is the Student Code of Conduct?

Every Queensland state school is required to have a Student Code of Conduct. This is the school’s behaviour policy, with information about school rules, consequences and processes for addressing bullying and the use of technology.

The Student Code of Conduct replaces the Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students, Code of Behaviour and Statement of Expectations.

The Student Code of Conduct is developed in consultation with each local school community, will be published on the school website and provided to every student and family upon enrolment.

Content of Student Code of Conduct

Every state school has their own Student Code of Conduct developed to meet local needs, however the following sections are mandated for inclusion:

• Purpose
• Contact information
• Endorsement
• Contents
• Whole school approach to discipline (including differentiation of discipline)
• Disciplinary consequences
• School policies (Temporary removal of student property, Use of mobile phones and other devices by students, Preventing and responding to bullying and appropriate use of social media)
• Restrictive practices
• Critical incidents.

A video on Temporary removal of student property can be accessed via the link below:

As part of this consultation process all interested parents were invited to a meeting on Thursday 19 November at 6pm.

Feedback from this meeting was:

1. Include NDIS statement for collaborative behaviour plan where warranted.
2. Include Love Bites in the Student Welfare Framework.
3. Parents discussed the importance of staff being consistent in the application of this policy.
4. Parents wished to be contacted if their child was asked to go to a “buddy” class as part of the discipline needed, and that when the child did go, they were given ample classwork and assistance if needed.

Only a few parents attended and in the spirit of good communication, I will endeavour to hold this information session again in 2021.

Regards
Mrs. Gaye Saunders
Deputy Principal – Middle School

From the Deputy Principal – Senior School

Term 4 for the Senior School has been extremely busy but rewarding. The term started with the 12s completing the first external exams under the new system. The students that took up the opportunity to have tutorials with their teachers were well prepared. It is now a waiting game to get the results back. On Saturday 19 December 2020 students' final subject results, senior statements and QCEs will be released in their learning accounts in the Student Portal via the myQCE website. The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) will release ATARs on the same day via its ATAR Portal. Students are encouraged to complete the Student Portal and ATAR Portal registration processes before results are released. If they have any difficulties with this they should contact me at the school.

If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it would be that change is the only constant we can rely on. This year we have had to change the way many of our events occur. Some of these changes we quite like and may continue going forward. Last week we held our Awards Ceremony at school during school hours. It was extremely pleasing to see the large number of students that received awards. I am very lucky to be the person who gets to read out the special award winners. I am always very proud to describe the achievements of these award winners and to see their excitement and their families pride when they are announced. Later in the week we held our graduation ceremony. COVID-19 once again had an impact on this, as to have parents attend the ceremony we needed to hold 2 ceremonies – one onsite for students to farewell their teachers and younger students and then one at the town hall for their families. These ceremonies sum up the past 13 years of schooling – the tears, the thanks and anticipation of what is ahead. I wish the graduating class of 2020 all the best for the future – reminding them to be the best they can be, surround themselves with the best and make the best of each opportunity that comes their way.

Our Year 11s have now started their Unit 3 studies. By now they should have received their textbooks for Units 3 and 4, ready for them to revise over the Christmas holidays! Once we return to school in 2021 there will be no more subject changes for them as Unit 3 and 4 come as a pair.

Regards
Mrs. Tanya Shaw
Deputy Principal – Senior School

From the Head of Year 7

We are so close to calling a rap on 2020. It has been a pleasure to watch the Year 7 cohort adjust to their first year of secondary schooling here at Emerald State High School. The year has been far from easy and the Year 7’s have taken all of the changes of routine into their stride and responded with positivity and a “can do” attitude.

Students have demonstrated excellence in all aspects of their schooling, which has been reflected in their academic, cultural and sporting achievements. I look forward to following the cohort into 2021 and working with them through the new challenges Year 8 brings. I am excited for this cohort to experience some of the traditions of ESHS that they were robbed of in 2020, including school camps, inter house carnivals and full school assemblies.

I would like to wish everyone a restful break and can’t wait to hear stories of each students’ holiday adventures in the New Year.

Regards
Miss. Maggie Pembroke
HOY – 7

From the Head of Year 10

What a year! As 2020 draws to a close, I would like to say a big congratulations to all Year 10 students on their efforts this year. As we embark on our final days of Year 10, it is crucial that we take the time to reflect on the year we have had. It is time to think about all of our celebrations and successes within the year and time to reflect on our areas which we might want to see some changes or improvements.

Students have been working hard to complete all assessments in their last few weeks of Year 10 before they embark on their final two years of schooling. Our PBL focus for the fortnight is ensuring we are completing work to the best of our ability.

I have really enjoyed working with the students this year and am looking forward to seeing what 2021 brings! 2021 will be a busy year, moving into Year 11 subjects, leadership roles and hopefully a lot more fun activities to be involved in.

I hope you all have a relaxing and wonderful holiday. Looking forward to seeing you in the New Year, Merry Christmas!

Regards
Miss. Chloe Prior
HOY – 10

From the Head of Year 11

What a year 2020 has been. We have definitely experienced some tough times, but I congratulate all Year 11s for applying themselves to their studies and making the most of 2020.

As students embark on the journey into their final year of schooling, I would like to remind students that there is a support team within the school to assist them. I would also like to wish them all the best…only 37 weeks to go!

Congratulations to all students who were recognised at awards day for their efforts and received academic awards.

All leadership positions for 2021 have been finalised. Congratulations to all Senior Leaders for 2021. I look forward to working with you and making 2021 a successful year.

• School Captains – Madison Iles and Paxton Hayes
• Vice Captains – Zara Smith and Joseph Stoneman
• SRC President – Charli Ryan
• SRC Vice President – Felicity Jorgensen
• SRC Treasurer – Logan Stanton
• SRC Secretary – Chloe Gray
• SRC Publicity Officer – Dimity Turner
• Garnet House Captains – Darci Ryan and Makayla Morgan
• Topaz House Captains – Ella Ramm and Curtis Bennett
• Sapphire House Captains – Angela Enciso and Nateisha Keller
• Zircon House Captains – Lillie Walters and Jhy Gilliland
• Indigenous Leader – Kate McLeod
• Senior Leaders – Emma Howard, Megan Schofield, RJ Vanderpool and Jhai Albert

I would like to encourage all Year 12 students to participate in events throughout 2021 and assist the leaders – remember we can all be leaders if we put our minds to it.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! See you all in 2021.

Regards
Miss. Jacinda Fehlhaber
HOY – 11

From the Maths team

Year 7:

Our youngest Mathematicians have a geometry assessment coming up next week. Please contact your child’s teacher if you’d like more information.

Year 8:

Year 8 have been studying volume and congruence this term, and are in the midst of their assessment for the term. Please encourage your children to still be bringing their books, calculators and all necessary equipment.

Year 9:

Pythagoras’ theorem and trigonometry have been the topics this term for Year 9 Maths. Week 9 will be exam time for the Year 9 students. Please remind your child to bring their calculator and pens for their exams.

Regards
Mrs. Jess Ralley
Teacher – Maths

From the HPE team

In this term, we have seen the weather warm up considerably and would like to take this opportunity to remind families of the importance of hats and water bottles. In consideration of the weather, we try to utilise the UCA as best we can and give all classes the opportunity to work in the covered, air-conditioned facility.

The junior grades (7-9) have been participating in Volleyball Games as the curriculum sport and ‘Bat & Ball’ as the ‘Wellness’ practical sport. In both lessons, teachers work through basic volleyball skills, warm up drills, basic and modified game plays and finishing off with full court games.

In theory this term, year levels (7-9) have been covering ‘Active Participation’ in sport, including the factors that influence participation such as culture, work demands, social media and geographical location to name a few. Assessment for these tasks are in class, and will be undertaken in Week 7 and Week 8. If you know your student will be absent at any time in the final weeks of the 2020 school year, please contact your teacher.

On behalf of the HPE team, we would like to take this opportunity to wish all families a safe and enjoyable holiday break and thank families for all your support during this unusual 2020 year.

Regards
Mrs. Christine Wilson
Teacher – HPE

From the Arts team

I cannot believe that we have nearly reached the end of 2020! Time does fly when you are having creative fun in the Arts Faculty. Students have been working hard this term completing ‘Making and Responding’ assessment tasks in all our Arts subjects, as well as extended response exams in the senior classes. Keep up the great academic work!

The musical rehearsals for our Musical 2021 ‘Grease’ have been successful this term, with staff and students working through Act 2 with dialogue, singing and dancing. A reminder about our full school day musical rehearsal on Monday 7 December. Congratulations to all the students and staff involved in the weekly rehearsals. Keep up the great musical work.

Have an amazing, fun-filled and relaxing holiday!

Regards
Ms. Lucy Ferrara
HOD – Arts

From the Humanities team

As we approach the end of the term, all senior Humanities subjects are finalising assessment and farewelling our students for the year. The Year 10s and 11s have gained valuable skills in researching, essay and report writing, analysis, evaluation and synthesis. These skills will enable them to succeed in future years and helps to develop their critical thinking ability.

In the junior school, we are finishing assessments. All students should either be finishing an assessment or completing an exam in Weeks 8 and 9. Students are advised to make sure they are prepared for their exam and are completing assessments at home if necessary.

In the weeks following assessment, classes will focus on continuing to expand student knowledge and skills in areas relevant to those they have studied this year, or those they will study next year.

Regards
Mr. Callum Tyack
Teacher – Humanities

From the Science team

Term 4 is always a busy time for all subjects with Years 10, 11 & 12 working on tight timelines as they have a shorter term.

Year 7 – The Year 7s are looking at classification systems, dichotomous keys and food webs/chains. This term they will be having two pieces of assessment – approximately Week 5 and Week 9.

Year 8 – This term, the classes will be studying plant and animal cells, comparing cells, components and reproduction processes.

Year 9 – The 9s have a chemistry focus this term, covering acids, bases and chemical reactions.

Year 10s and 11s will finish another exciting year in Week 8 of this term. The Year 11s need to keep their class work for the next year.

Assessment and timelines are important every term. Please remind your students to hand in both drafts and final pieces of assessment in on time. Every assessment piece whether it is a research task, report or exam has a communication component. The use of scientific language and representations is vital to receiving a competent mark for communication.

Regards
Mr. Indervir Singh
Teacher – Science

From the Skills for Work team

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

Emmie Lawlor

Olivia Cave

Follow the Emerald State High School Facebook page for all school based apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities.

VFS Skills for Work Year 10

Students received their certificate for VFS Skills for Work on year level parade today, if your student hasn’t received their certificate they can be collected form the VET Staffroom found in the Library.

These are nationally recognised certificates if students require a reprint there is a $10 charge.

2021 External Programs

Emerald State High School offers a large variety of external programs, these are available to students in Years 10, 11 and 12. If your student has chosen an external program but not yet returned paperwork to Alarna Wills please do so ASAP. Programs fill quickly and if not enrolled they will need to choose a new subject to study in 2021. For assistance of new enrolment forms for the following courses please email awill5001@eq.edu.au or call 49882280:

• 2021 Certificate II Automotive Year 11 or 12
• 2021 Certificate III Aviation Year 10, 11 or 12
• 2021 Certificate II Health Support Services Year 11
• 2021 Certificate II Salon Assistant Year 11 or 12.

2020 Certificate III in Aviation

Emerald State High School is in its third year of delivering the Certificate III in Aviation training on campus, this program has grown from our first year of 4 students to this year of 10 students. 2021 is going to be a big year with 35 students selecting the program, from this we have trained two of ESHS teachers Ben Mawson and Lachlan Praed to team teach two classes with UAVAIR trainer Ross Brown.

We thank UAVAIR and Ross for their continued quality training and here is some of the snaps the students took at 100 metres of ESHS.

To the Year 10 and 11 students who finish this week, I look forward to working with you all in 2021! Have a wonderful holiday and a Merry Christmas.

Regards
Mrs. Alarna Wills
Teacher – Skills for Work

Unique Student Identifier

Documents for Students and Parents

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

7F Seth Williams For being an eager learner who positively contributes to classroom activities and is always willing to help teachers and peers.

8D Macey Hortsman For her enthusiasm towards curriculum tasks and respectful attitude towards peers and staff.

10 Jem May For always coming to class and giving it 100% with a smile on her face!

11D Lara Jordan For showing a respectful manner and putting in 100% effort into her school work.

Week 8

7C Erika Neville For arriving to class on time and prepared. Erika is a conscientious student who completes all tasks to the best of her ability.

8E Jasmine Shaxson For coming back to school with an amazing, positive attitude, coming to every class prepared, and participating in every activity!

9F Samantha Dudman For consistently being a polite and hardworking class member.

10 Hayley McMaster For always completing work to the best of her ability both inside and outside of the classroom.

11A Angela Enciso For applying herself to her studies and working to the best of her ability.

Community Notices