9 December 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report.

Dear friends of Emerald High,

Well this crazy year has finally ended and despite everything, our students have beaten the odds and have done well with results that are among the best we have seen in recent years.

I am still amazed at how well our community pulled together to support our young people in their learning. My very sincere thanks to the staff of Emerald whose efforts this year have been nothing short of gargantuan, to our parents who went through the enormous challenges of home learning without too much grey hair and of course to our students themselves for being the sensational group of young people that they are.

After a difficult start to this year, with the school down by up to four staff at some times, we look forward to starting next year being overstaffed with very few of our staff leaving. It should be a year of stability of minimal staff change.

Our staff team are some of the most professional, dedicated and caring people I have worked with in my time in the business. It is humbling to work alongside them. Thank you staff of ESHS for all that you have done and continue to do.

We are also growing student wise, with around 870 students expected next year as compared with 780 at the start of last year. This will mean more funding, more staff and the ability to provide more opportunities for our students.

Sadly, however, we will be losing a small number of our staff next year. Simon Taylor has been an amazing PE teacher and cricket guru and is heading off to the Gold Coast after his time at Emerald. Our very talented computer technician, Charles New, is commencing studies in the south-east corner. Renee Firth who has done a superb job as CH Sports Rep is also having a break for a while after having coordinated CH sports for many years and our Community Education Counsellor, Lega Hall, is also trying something different after having also done fantastic work supporting our Indigenous students. Jasmin Van Hees is also leaving us to return to her studies after doing super work as our Lab Technician. I sincerely thank all these amazing people for all they have done and wish them all the very best in the future.

We have seen so much happen facilities-wise in our school this year - air-conditioning has been completed, shade areas constructed, toilets painted and murals painted with yet more murals popping up around the school courtesy of our Arts Department and our Year 12s. New water-coolers have appeared around the school. The boys' toilets in B Block are being painted over the holidays and even more murals painted to brighten the space. F Block has a new roof and carpet and lighting has been installed in the UCA ready for our musical. Solar panels have been installed around the school and staffrooms expanded for our growing teacher population.

Next year some huge projects will be completed with the new basketball court covered area and bus interchange being constructed and cricket nets being built. Our STEM faculties are in the process of purchasing exciting new resources for next year including a sizeable telescope, weather stations, robots, 3D printers, linear accelerators and other amazing 'toys'. Our drones program continues to expand so don't be surprised to see drones buzzing around the school even more next year.

Many of these developments have been made possible as a direct result of the work of our amazing P&C very able led by President Renee Firth. The team have worked tirelessly this year to provide resources for our school despite all the obstacles thrown in their way by COVID. My very sincere thanks to Renee and her team for everything they have done this year to support out school. I would encourage all parents to consider being involved with P&C next year, so we can expand even further the support for our young people.

Much of this work has also been coordinated by our Business Manager, Helen Markey who has done an absolutely outstanding job this year making it all happen, working long hours to negotiate and arrange the finer details of these many projects. Thank you Helen!

I would be most remiss not to also thank Ruth and her amazing 'Bites' team for the outstanding quality of our tuckshop. Bites not only produces the best food in the state, but it is a fun place to be with lots of themes and music to keep our kids entertained. Bites - you are amazing as we will all agree!

There is one final surprise being prepared for the year courtesy of Jacinda Fehlhaber and Lucy Ferarra - stay tuned for more on Facebook later in the week! You will be delighted!

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.

Finally I would like to wish everyone a safe and relaxing break and look forward to seeing you all back in 2021 for what will be a super year!

He who moves not forward goes backward.
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Have a fantastic holiday
Mr. Sean Maher
Principal

From the Head of Year 8.

It certainly has been an incredible year. Students, parents and teachers have all been tested as we have navigated a year like no other. It has been great to see students demonstrate resilience to overcome the challenges that have been thrown at them this year. It was inspiring to see so many Year 8 students receive a Bronze, Silver or Gold award, a true testament to the dedication of our students.

I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know that in 2021 there will be significant changes made to the class lists for Year 9. These changes will help to even out class sizes and ensure a consistent spread of male and female students between classes. If you have any questions or concerns about class changes and compositions for 2021 please email me psans0@eq.edu.au or call 4988 2222.

Finally, if you are travelling away for the break ensure you stay safe. Our PBL focus for the final fortnight has been around staying safe over the holidays and acting responsibly within the community. I hope you all have a safe and relaxing break and I look forward to seeing you all in 2021.

Regards
Mr. Peter Sanson
HOY – 8

From the Head of Year 9.

As 2020 draws to a close, I’m taking the chance now to reflect on what has been a crazy year! I would like to congratulate the Year 9s on their persistence and resilience in challenging circumstances. It’s time to celebrate our success throughout the term, as we head in to holidays.

2020 has seen our junior leaders step up and run lunchtime activities during lunchbreaks, which have been well supported by participation by many students in the cohort. They have also run parades and assisted where possible in SRC events. It has been wonderful to work with a bunch of dedicated up and coming leaders in the community and it has been great to see such support from their peers as well. The cohort has also had great participation in school events and had an outstanding number of gold, silver and bronze academic awards, which is a credit to the whole cohort.

I would like to say thanks to all of the Year 9s for this year. It has been great to work with you all again and see you all grow and mature. I look forward to following the cohort through to Year 10 in 2021 and seeing further growth. For those not returning in 2021, I’d like to wish you the best of luck with your future endeavours. For those who are, stay safe over the holidays and I can’t wait to see everyone refreshed and ready to go for a new year!

Regards
Miss. Kate Deighton
HOY – 9

From the Page Turners (Book Club).

On the 22nd October, we all crowded into the UCA to watch colourful and creative costume after costume walk past. Students were sporting everything – and anything – from dinosaurs, to Bob the Builders. After a tight and much-contested competition, Mikel Natividad pulled 1st place wearing a T-rex costume, with the Mad Hatter (aka Lillian Goodwin) not far behind. The beautifully crafted and masterfully drawn posters promoting book week were judged by the 2021 senior leaders, in collaboration with Mr Maher (thank you for undertaking such a difficult job!). The Junior poster winner was Hannah Atkinson, with Shara Van Hees and Bridget Mackay winning the Seniors. Book Week was a tremendous success that wouldn’t have been made possible without the contribution of so many people, including Mr Maher, Mr Fandrich, Mrs Hunt, Mrs Van Hees and Mrs Hume.

Thank you again to all those who contributed. We loved your costumes!

Regards
The Page Turners

From the Movie Club.

We have certainly had fun watching a suite of classic Disney movies this term. We have explored sustainability issues raised in The Lorax and laughed out loud at Woody and the gang from Toy Story. Movie Club has certainly been a popular refuge from the heat this term and has provided students with a cool space to chill out and relax, away from the heat. It has been fantastic to see so many students attending and coming regularly for their dose of laughter. We look forward to calling action on another blockbuster Movie Club in 2021.

Regards
Mr. Peter Sanson
Club Supervisor

From the Technology Club.

As the year draws to a close I’d like to take the opportunity to thank all the hard working Technologies students, especially the Year 9s Digital Technologies. These Year 9s have experienced a lot lately especially using Python. I wish them all the best for their exams and their bright futures.

Mr Cavanagh’s and Praed’s Year 9 students explored Python during the end of this term and made very impressive progress with drawing basic shapes and “IF” statements.

From the workshops Year 9 have completed their Foot Stools in a timely release for Christmas. Along with Year 8’s DAT classes who are ensuring their Technology Holder is ready for the big day.

This term saw our Year 9 cohort selecting Year 10 subjects suited for their identified Future Pathway. It is important that students take this extended break as a time to reflect upon their choices and at the start of next year act on any changes. It has been great to see them become enthusiastic about what they are doing.

Our world is changing more rapidly than at any other time with the influence of technology spreading to touch every aspect of our lives. Through our dedicated staff at Emerald SHS young people are ready to engage in this exciting future.

Technology is everywhere - entwined in almost every part of our culture. It affects how we live, work, play, and most importantly learn. With devices becoming an increasing requirement across every industry today, it only makes sense that Emerald SHS makes effective use of technology in the classroom.

All students at Emerald SHS are able to use personal laptops to enrich their learning experience. Bring Your Own Device Program (BYOD) is a growing and parents are reminded that if you are having a chat with “the man in the red suit” about gifts please view our website for advice on technology devices.

It is at this time we ask students to clean up their digital folders on the school network. The Technicians have highlighted to me the growing concerns in regards to data being used for games during class time. Student folders with games or hidden game folders will be ask to explain themselves next week.

Regards
Mr. Noel Cavanagh
HOD – ITD

From the P&C.

P&C UNIFORM SHOP AND LOCKER SIGNUP 2021:

• 18 Jan Monday 9.00am – 1.00pm
• 19 Jan Tuesday 9.00am – 1.00pm
• 20 Jan Wednesday 9.00am – 1.00pm
• 21 Jan Thursday 9.00am - 12.00noon
• 22 Jan Friday 8.00am – 3.00pm

Helpers needed if anyone has time to sell uniforms or locker rentals sign up on Facebook search and like Emerald SHS P&C Info and Events.

ESHS P&C HOLIDAY UPGRADES

Cricket pitch/nets:

Total cost for two full set of nets and cricket pitch $62,832. This will be partially funded by the $20,000 CHCR grant and possibly with assistance from the $35,000 gambling grant applied for. This would still leave a shortfall which would need to be supported by the P&C $15,000. If the gambling grant is not successful we will still have a functional part finished project that can be continued to fund-raise for. This project will not allow for three nets which does have impacts for club carnivals. CHRC Council grants can be reapplied for after February 2021.

Outdoor café stage 1 (between a block and the tuckshop):

Pavers will be laid over the holidays this is the first stage of beautification to enhance shade, seating, eating and social aspects for your students wellbeing.

Male B block and J block toilets:

Muriel is being painted by an Artist. Ideas for boys' toilet – send photos or ideas to secretarypandceshs@gmail.com

Containers for change:

Please help support ESHS to raise funds for an outdoor ping pong table. All your Chrissy Bottles and Cans can help meet this challenge. See Poster for info.

COLOUR SMASH 2021 – SOS Convenor required + assistant committee members.

This is a fantastic event for the Emerald Community and ESHS Students love participating. Sadly unless we have an injection of new volunteers and parent support this event will not happen.

ESHS BITES 2020

QAST (Qld Association of School Tuckshops) highly commended Recipe of the Year for Bites Vegan Pattie.

School based training - 2020 & 2021 = traineeship + apprentice chef (school based).

Catering:

• ESHS Year 12 Graduation
• St Patrick’s Year 6 Graduation
• Emerald NSS Year 6 Graduation
• In house at ESHS, CHRC and various Local Business.

The ESHS Bites Team would like to thank the ESHS Community for their support during 2020 and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Save the date

General Meeting 11 February 2021 / AGM Meeting 11 March 2021.

We would love more members currently we only have 120 members. ESHS 2020 830 Students and 551 plus Families if you want to know what’s happening go to Facebook and check it out!

Happy holidays, enjoy the festive season & may 2021 be very prosperous for all!

Regards
Mrs. Renee Firth
P&C President

From the Positive Behaviour for Learning Team

Behaviour Focus

Our current behaviour focus is “Stay safe over the holidays and acting responsibly within the community.”

Student of the Week

Week 9

Y7 Matt Morgan For always putting in 100% effort. Matt is a great peer to his classmates!

8F Carlene Caro For her persistent diligence to completing all curriculum tasks and ensuring work is completed to a high standard.