18 February 2021
Newsletter Articles
Principal’s Report.
Dear Friends of Emerald High,
The term moves on and I am delighted to report that work has commenced on the Basketball Court project, something that is very exciting for all of us. Our amazing Student Representative Council sponsored a special 'Valentine's Day' activity last week with lots of singing, flowers and doughnuts appearing magically around the school.
There are some amazing student achievements to report already. Wyatt and Griffin Thomson have both been selected as representatives for Capricornia Schools Cricket. Well done boys - this is an outstanding achievement!
Last week we formerly inducted our Student Leaders to their roles. They are an impressive group of young people and I am very confident that they will lead our student community with distinction.
I spoke with all of the Year 10, 11 and 12 students today about the factors that are most likely to affect their success in senior schooling. If we are doing these things well, success is guaranteed!
- Attending school regularly
- Putting in a quality effort in class
- Completing homework and studying
- Being organised and ready to learn (PREPARED)
- Getting involved in learning (PARTICIPATE)
- Maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle – exercise, relaxation, friends, diet
- Maintaining quality relationships with teachers and friends (POLITE)
Regular attendance is particularly important with the following attendance rates providing a guide to the impact on academic success
- 95% attendance = 1 day a month (minimal impact)
- <90% attendance = 1 day a fortnight (noticeable impact)
- <85% attendance = 1.5 days a fortnight (very significant impact)
- <80% attendance = 1 day a week (critical impact)
The year has started well with regards attendance with all but one year level showing attendance of over 90%. This is fantastic - a great start that I hope we can continue and ask for the support of everyone in getting our young people to school as often as possible.
Year |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
Attendance Rate (%) |
94.8 |
92.1 |
90.4 |
90.1 |
86.4 |
92.8 |
“Don’t look down in anyone unless you are helping them up.”
- Jesse Jackson
Have a fantastic fortnight
Mr. Sean Maher
Principal
From the Head of Year 8.
A big welcome back to the 2021 Year 8 cohort and their families. We have been fortunate to kick back off under COVID Normal operations, which has seen the re-introduction of school assemblies, lunchtime clubs and excursions.
Lunchtime Clubs:
Lunchtime clubs are an awesome opportunity for students to meet like-minded individuals who may not be in their class group. We have a plethora of different clubs running and I strongly encourage students become involved in at least one club over the week.
Year 8 Camp:
We are officially going on camp (finally!). Week 1 of Term 2 the Year 8 Cohort will be heading to the Capricorn Caves for 5 days and 4 nights. This camp is in replacement of our Year 7 camp, which was unable to go ahead due to the COVID – 19 outbreak. Students will participate in a number of activities including adventuring caving, initiative challenges and a day trip to Great Keppel Island. Camp permission forms have been distributed to all students. Should you wish for your student/s to attend, please return both payment and the permission form to the front office by Friday the 19th of March.
Welfare:
There have been a few reports of head lice of late. Please ensure students are taking preventative measures such as wearing their hair tied back. For further information regarding signs, symptoms and treatment options please visit the URL below.
http://conditions.health.qld.gov.au/HealthCondition/condition/14/165/351/Head-Lice
Please don’t hesitate to flick me an email should you have any concerns regarding the welfare of your student (mmpem0@eq.edu.au).
Regards
Miss. Maggie Pembroke
HOY – 8
From the HPE team.
We’ve had a busy start to the HPE year with our sport program, Central Highlands and Capricornia trials in full swing. Well done to students who have been getting involved and signing up at J block staff room.
Our Grade 7s students are learning about adolescents and going through their teenage years. Whilst nutrition is being learnt in Grade 8. All junior school students are participating in ‘Bat and Ball’ games for their practical lessons. Grade 10s are enjoying their topic of Gridiron, they are getting better every week. In Year 11 PE, the students are learning about motor learning and applying their findings to Netball. In Year 12 Sports and Recreation, students will be visiting the pool throughout the term.
Finally, we would like to congratulate all the students getting involved in sport and encourage them to bring a hat, water bottle and appropriate footwear to their practical lessons. Sunscreen is always available and we promote sun safety in all of our lessons. We are looking forward to another term of HPE with our classes and our cross country carnival taking place in Week 7 (Monday the 8th of March).
Regards
Mr. Louie Beatty
Teacher
From the Maths team.
All Year 12 classes this term have an end of term exam. It has been good to see such great online participation in Mathematics classes since the beginning of the term. Students have been participating very well in Maths classes, by seeking help in their own time and completing their work to the best of their ability. It is great to see our students engaged in Mathematics and being able to see the value in strong mathematical skills. This is an exciting time as much of the content being taught across the maths classes is brand new to them and concepts they have never come across before.
With regards to the Year 11 students, as a reminder, it is crunch time for them to put in everything they can to this Term 1. Ensuring they are working hard now will put them in good stead for next semester. Furthermore, now is the time to evaluate the success achieved in their current maths subject.
As for our junior students, the Year 7s are currently learning about algebra involving one step equations and backtracking method, while the Year 8s are exploring index notations with algebra at the end. Our Year 9s have begun their exploration of binomial expansion followed by probability.
There is still time for each student to improve their achievement, effort and behaviour grades before the end of the semester. Teachers from all departments have been working together to develop whole-school strategies for improving numeracy skills.
Good luck for the rest of the term!
Regards
Mr. Indervir Singh
Teacher
From the Arts team.
Drama
Year 7 Drama
- Welcome 7C to their first elective of Drama! Classes have been going really well so far, learning about the elements of drama, improvisations and having fun along the way. Students are working towards a script writing task and will finish with a performance!
Year 9 & 10 Drama
- It is super exciting this year we are running a Year 9/10 drama class! So far classes have been going really well, getting to know each other, drama improvisation games and learning about the elements of Drama. This Unit is focused around the drama form – Realism. Students will be watching a production completing a responding task and then working towards a performance.
Year 11 & 12 Drama
- Senior Drama are busy working towards their FA1 & IA1 assessment tasks. Year 12s are busy rehearsing their Absurd play texts of Opening a Fuzzlewollop’s Frame of Mind. Year 11s are busy rehearsing their performance of Snagged. Students have been working really well with their group members and I am looking forward to seeing the final product of their performances.
Visual Art
Year 7 & 8 Visual Art
- In these year levels, we are exploring the Unit, ‘More Than Just a Face’ and learning about portraiture. Students are experimenting with various styles and mediums to create a unique portrait of someone they admire.
Year 9 Visual Art
- In Year 9 Art we are exploring the Unit ‘Who Am I’? Students have been asked to consider beyond their appearance and communicate various aspects about themselves while experimenting with various media.
Year 10 Visual Art
- In Year 10 Art we are exploring the Unit, ‘Making a Statement’ and learning about street art. Students are experimenting with various techniques using aerosol paint, in order to make a statement about something they feel passionate about.
Year 11 Visual Arts in Practice
- Students are experimenting with a wide range of drawings mediums while developing a portfolio.
Year 11 Visual Art
- Students are currently exploring a variety of media in preparation for their assessment portfolio, while exploring the concept, Art as Lens.
Year 12 Visual Art
- Students are currently developing their focus for the next assessment, which will be a body of work, in a 1000 – 1500 report.
Year 12 Visual Art in Practice
- Students are investigating children’s storybooks. They will then design illustrations for a book of their choice to give it a new appearance and appeal.
Music
Year 7 & 8 Music
- Year 7 and 8 music are focusing on the Unit ‘Rock Around the Clock’. This Unit requires the students to compose a piece of music that represents elements of rock music, as well as perform a piece of music on a chosen instrument. Students have been focusing on the musical elements and have now begun their compositions.
Year 9 Music
- The Year 9 music class are focusing on the Unit ‘Music Fusions’. This Unit will see the students investigating a range of music genres, applying it to a performance task, and responding task. The students have brainstormed performance pieces in their groups and begun rehearsing.
Year 11 & 12 Music
- The Year 11 and 12 Music students are busy revising musical elements and rehearsing for their performance. Some assessment dates have changed from the start of the year due to a change in reporting requirements – they are encouraged to make sure they have the new dates from their teacher. Students will also be accessing an online classroom for homework and further study, please check in with your child to see whether they have any tasks they could be working on at home.
Regards
Miss. Amy Cochram
Teacher
From the LOTE team.
Welcome back Minna-san to school in the year of 2021!
We trust you had an amazingly long and eventful holiday as always! This term languages classes will be back as per usual, and our PBL focus for Weeks 3 and 4 was ‘Be on time’, so ensure that you are prepared with all your necessary equipment and on time for every class! As you all might have known, we also have a new Japanese sensei, Booth-sensei, who’s joining us at Emerald State High School. Please make her feel welcome and greet our new sensei in your best manner when you see them around the school!
The Languages program this term has students studying a variety of topics across Years 7 – 11. These include:
Year 7 –“Meeting new people”
In this Unit, students will learn how to introduce basic information about themselves to others whilst discovering the differences between Japan’s culture and tradition versus Australia. Additionally, they will also be learning the Japanese alphabet (Hiragana and Kanji) as part of their studies.
Year 8 – “What are oral traditions?”
- Students will explore the concept of folk tales, fairy tales and dreamtime stories as to how they are similar or differ from one to the other. Students will also get to explore and understand the different concepts and perspective between Japan, Australia and Indigenous Australia culture and tradition and how they are passed down from previous generations to the other.
Year 9 and 10 – “What is advertising?”
- Students will translate and interpret a variety of Japanese text, predicting unfamiliar kanji, words and expressions from various Japanese advertisement which targets youth audience. Additionally students are also required to reflect on perspectives in regards to intercultural communication between Australia in comparison to Japan.
Year 11 – “Family carers and friends”
- Students will explore a range of ideas in terms of family in various culture.
At this stage, assessments for LOTE are given within the start of Week 7 and is due in Week 9 of this term.
The best way to improve achievement is short but regular review of vocabulary. Particularly, it is recommended that you also use your spare time to learn Japanese writing symbols and new vocabulary, by regularly using Quizlet. Additionally, book work is important as always! Neat handwriting and well organised notes is the greatest way to best achieve a desirable outcomes.
Have a great Term – we look forward to seeing everyone back in class!
Regards
Mr. Huu Nguyen
Teacher
From the Humanities team.
Welcome back to the New Year for Humanities students! 2021 is already shaping up to be an exciting and terrifically busy one, with excursions, exciting learning tasks and exams all commencing early this year.
Junior Humanities
In Year 7-10 History, the students are working towards developing their analytical skills by investigating Ancient Egypt, The Black Death, The Industrial Revolution and World War 2. These fascinating topics are supported in our Humanities classrooms by exciting sources, vibrant learning tasks and our wonderful ESHS Museum.
In Years 7-9 Geography, the students are currently beginning their development of key geographic skills including mapping, image analysis, graphing and evaluations, through their examination of a variety of topics, such as the water cycle, landforms and landscapes, and biodiversity.
In Years 7-9 Civics and Citizenship, the students are deep into their study of the law and Australian society. Here, the students will be examining a variety of legal concepts and law types, to understand how Australia exists as a democratic nation, due to our active and informed citizenry.
11 & 12 Legal Studies
Currently, our Year 11 Legal Studies students are investigating the foundations of Australia’s legal system, before they move on to ‘Criminal Law’. In this way, the students will be able to understand how our laws protect our citizens, and the impacts and implications of criminal matters. The Year 12s, have just completed their IA1 Combination Response Exam on ‘Governance’, and are beginning their investigation of law reforms. Here, the students will be able to examine why laws change, and suggest legal changes for social issues in Queensland.
11 & 12 Ancient History
In Ancient History, our Year 11 students are exploring ‘Archaeology’ and ‘Funeral Rights and Passages’. Here, the students will be able to witness the fascinating history of ancient practices, while they develop their investigative and analytical skills. The Year 12 students have just finished their IA1 Essay Response to historical sources, regarding ‘Alexander the Great’. Following this Unit Topic, they will now commence their study of the ‘Three Kingdoms Period of Ancient China’. In this topic, the students will utilise their research and inquiry skills to independently investigate historical sources.
11 & 12 Modern History
The Year 11 Modern History students have begun their investigation of the past, with an investigation of ‘The French Revolution’, and King Louis XVI. In this way, the students are building their analysis and evaluation skills with an eye to their first senior assessment task. Currently, our Year 12s are investigating World War 2, with a focus upon Australia’s involvement in the war through the Kokoda Campaign. Here, the students are working towards the IA1 Research Assignment, which calls on them to investigate historical sources.
11 & 12 Geography
With the commencement of the New Year, I would like to say welcome to our latest Year 11 Geography cohort, who will begin their study of this fascinating subject this week. To begin their investigation of the world around them, these newcomers will start by examining ‘Natural Hazards’. They will be joining the established Year 12 class, who are about to undertake their IA1 Combination Response Exam on ‘Land Cover Transformations’, which focusses upon climate change. Good luck Year 12s!
11 & 12 Tourism
I would like to welcome the Year 11 students to Tourism. In this subject they will be spending their first Module examining the ‘Foundations of the Tourism Industry’, including its many sectors and impacts. Currently, our Year 12 Tourism class, has just come back from an exciting excursion throughout Emerald, to meet with community stakeholders in the motel business. Here, the students gathered information for their upcoming assessment item, which will see them creating a new motel policy and procedure to improve customer service in a motel.
Regards
Mr. Graham Fandrich
Teacher
From the Movie Club.
Movie Club has started again this Term. Movie club is a great opportunity for students to relax at lunch in a cool, quiet place. We will watch a range of movies throughout the year and attempt to align movies with curriculum content where possible. It is a great opportunity for students to take time out of their busy schedules and unwind and relax in the comfort of air-conditioning and enjoy a light hearted movie. Movie club runs every Tuesday at first and second break in K09, please come along!
For more information please see Mr Sanson.
Regards
Mr. Peter Sanson
Club Supervisor
From the Positive Behaviour for Learning Team
At Emerald State High School we are:
- Polite,
- Prepared, and we
- Participate.
Please see the attached power point of the lesson taught on parade and throughout Weeks 3 and 4 of this term.
Behaviour Focus
Our current behaviour focus is “Be on Time”
Community Notices