15 September 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Friends of Emerald High,

We have reached the end of a very long term and students have been very busy with assessment over the past few weeks, working hard to achieve in their classes. Everyone is ready for a well-earned break!

The school hosted 'R U OK Day' last week and I congratulate the Support Works Team and all staff and students involved in communicating the very important message that we need to look after each other. 'Emerald Shines' was also held on Monday, giving us the opportunity to experience the wide range of talent that exists amongst our students. We do have some amazing talent!!

Our Year 12s are now readying themselves for the School Formal that will be held on Thursday night and will then be getting back into study in preparation for their External Exams that will be held mid Term 4. Good luck Year 12s!

I have been talking with students on assemblies about having a 'Growth Mindset' approach to their studies and life, rather than a 'Fixed Mindset'. People with a 'Growth Mindset' acknowledge that effort and attitude are the factors that affect life outcomes and that we all able to learn, grow and get better. They also acknowledge that failure is an opportunity to learn and improve and that feedback is a constructive thing that also helps us to grow. People who approach life with a 'Fixed Mindset' feel that their ability succeed at something is pre-determined (e.g. "I am no good at Maths"), they don't try new things for fear of failure and do not persevere when the going gets tough. Naturally, we would love to see everyone with a 'Growth Mindset' approach to life and schooling and go on to achieve dreams and goals.

Effort, Attitude and Attendance always have been and always will be the key factors that drive our success at school!

How can parents help students succeed at school?

Students in all year levels need to be completing homework in order to consolidate their learning during the day. Even if not explicitly given homework by a teacher, students still need to revise and practice the learnings of the day.

Parents can best support students with their homework by:

1. Checking that students are completing homework
2. Providing an appropriate area at home where homework can be completed with minimal distractions
3. Advising students to see their teachers the following day of there are things that they don’t understand.

Life has no smooth road for any of us; and in the bracing atmosphere of a high aim the very roughness stimulates the climber to steadier steps, till the legend, over steep ways to the stars, fulfils itself.

- W. C. Doane

Have a fantastic fortnight
Mr. Sean Maher
Principal

From the Deputy Principal – Senior School

We have come to the end of another term. During the term, our Seniors have been busy with excursions to Brisbane, Leadership Camps, QTAC talks, YLEAD talks, Driver Ed talks, UQ Rural Clinical School - A Taste of Medicine Program excursion and many other opportunities. It is great to see students take up the opportunities that are present to them.

Formal/Graduation

This week we are holding our formal for our Year 12s. Traditionally, we have a number of people come to view the walk-ins. Due to COVID restrictions, we ask that this does not happen. You will get a better view at home as we will be live streaming the walk-ins on our Facebook page. Just a reminder that Year 12 Graduation will be on Friday 19th November, we will send out more information as it gets closer.

Year 11 Leadership

We are excited that we have had over 20 applications for leadership positions for 2022. The next step for those who have applied is an interview early next term and then speeches and voting. At this stage, we are still on track to announce our 2022 leaders during Awards night.

Mock exam block/External Exams

Last week we held our mock exam block for our Year 12s. It was great to see that they were prepared for the exam with mostly the correct equipment and with some studying done. In terms of equipment, it was disappointing to see many students without their calculators for their Math exams or with calculators that were not charged. Many students also came with water bottles and pencil cases that are not clear. For the external exam next term, these items will not be permitted into the exam room.

Our teachers are currently in the process of marking the external exams so that they can develop a revision schedule for students for the 3 weeks prior to externals next term. It is important that our 12s do revision over the holidays, so they are as prepared as possible.

Due to the change of public holiday in Brisbane (for the EKKA), the exam block timetable has changed a little. I have attached a copy of it to this newsletter.

Subject Selection 2022

At this stage our Year 9s and 10s have all chosen subjects for 2022. The Year 10s are currently in SETPlan interviews. Year 8 students will choose their elective subjects for 2022 early next term.

Regards
Mrs. Tanya Shaw
Deputy Principal – Senior School

From the Head of Year 10

Another term down! The Year 10s have worked hard to wrap up assessment and attend SET-Plan meetings to organise their subject choices for Year 11. This week has also seen a number of students attend work experience as a part of their Skills for Work subject.

The end of term provides the opportunity for reflection in relation to learning. I encourage all parents and carers to spend time reflecting with your child in relation to their progress this term. Encourage your child to set goals for Term 4 in relation to school. Without a goal, it can be easy to forget the purpose of why you are doing what you are doing. Having goals can provide purpose and drive and give students something to aspire toward.

As we head into Term 4, I’d like to say thank you to all students for a great term. I encourage everyone to stay safe and take care and I look forward to seeing everyone back in Term 4.

Regards
Miss. Kate Deighton
HOY – Year 10

From the Head of Year 11

We have made it to Week 10! I hope everyone has had a productive and enjoyable Term 3. It is crazy to think we only have one more term to go and then our Year 11s will be entering their final year of schooling.

A reminder that notes have been given to students who are eligible for a 2022 Senior Jersey. These notes were given to students who have attendance above 90% and all school fees paid. A reminder to please pick an appropriate name for the back of your polo/jerseys. These notes need to be returned and paid by the 8th October 2021.

For those who did not receive a note, a reminder that we have provided you with an opportunity to still order first round. Please remember to check Mrs Shaw’s email regarding how you can be eligible. We will then hand out forms to students who are eligible to order a jersey/polo. This form needs to be returned and paid by the 8th October 2021.

If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to ask myself (cprio0@eq.edu.au) or Tanya Shaw (tshaw20@eq.edu.au) can be contacted via email or by phoning the school on 4988 2222.

Our leadership application is underway, with a great selection of students offering to put their hands up to be leaders next year. I look forward to seeing what this great bunch of students can achieve.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday break. Stay safe and look forward to seeing you all next term!

Regards
Miss. Chloe Prior
HOY – Year 11

From the English team

With Term 3 winding to a close this week, it is an appropriate time to reflect on some of the achievements that Emerald State High School students have achieved in Unit 3. Our Year 9 cohort have attempted a task they will become very familiar in coming years, an analytical essay. These essays were analysing a key feature of The Hunger Games novel; and for a cohort who have not practiced essay writing a great deal there were some absolute stunners. Well done Year 9.

A special shout out is also deserved by the Year 10 Extension English students for completing their first term of Extension, where they tried their hand at creating a short story. Along with this, well done to our seniors who sat any and all mock exams this week. The end is near!

Looking into the future, here is what we are jumping into in the final term of 2021:

• Year 7: Ned Kelly; Black Snake
• Year 8: Social Issues; Trash & Wall-E
• Year 9: Social Issues – Twelve Angry Men
• Year 10: Romeo & Juliet
• Year 10 Extension: Romeo & Juliet
• Year 11 Essentials: The Happiest Refugee
• Year 11 General: Jasper Jones
• Year 11 Literature: Art
• Year 12 Essentials: Australian Identity
• Year 12 General: Macbeth

Regards
Mr. Bailey Cox
Teacher

From the Hospitality & VET team

Year 9 Food Specialisation had been studying and working on their project for the term titled “Sustainability”. Students created an outcome using seasonal and local produce, focusing on reducing waste and making use of recyclable packaging material, i.e. a jar. Innovative ideas created were for breakfast items and lunch meals including the fabulous examples below:

Year 10 Food Specialisation class have been studying and focusing on dairy products and creating their own flavours of ice cream. This project outcome was as follows:

Our Senior Cert II students have been preparing their assessment on Mexican flavours this term. It was great to celebrate flavours and textures from a different continent. The students not only demonstrated great teamwork underpinning service, self and time management, and sustainability, but also displayed a high level of confidence towards customer service. They also served the 'Bites' with a Mexican Mocktail.

Mexican Cups

Regards
Ms. Anshu Sharma
Teacher

From the ITD team

What a term it has been! The Technology Department is very proud of the amazing work our students have produced this term. The Senior Furnishings classes have been very busy manufacturing chessboards, trinket boxes and blanket boxes. We are all very excited to see the final results. Senior Engineering have been masterfully crafting braziers, F clamps and a surprise goodbye gift for the school. Senior Design have completed their mock exam and have devised innovative and unique solutions to a difficult design challenge.

The Year 9 and 10 TMT classes have utilised their pre-taught knowledge and skills to generate solutions to their design problem and our Year 9 & 10 TES students have put their minds together to collaboratively calculate and produce mechanical gears.

Collectively, the Technology students and staff have been working incredibly hard and have been achieving amazing feats. We can’t wait to see what everyone accomplishes next term.

On Friday the 23rd of July, HODs and teachers of STEM at Emerald State High School attended the First Annual Bowen Basin Bright Minds Conference.

Rebecca Hugget, the coordinator of the Bowen Basin Bright Minds Partnership, opened the conference at the Resource Centre of Excellence (Mackay). During the opening we heard from industry representatives such as Sean Milful (Mine General Manager) and Alex Ma (BHP) on the benefits and strengths of partnerships between industry and schools.

Dr Damen Kee presented an engaging talk on the benefits of using technology as a tool for teaching curriculum. “Tools, Not toys” was the catch phrase that supported the concept for educators to use Technology in educational relevant ways, not just to follow the latest fad of the time.

The two-day program was engaging with talks from “STEMFooty”, STEM Girl Power, and Project DIG. But the most innovated session was the Underground Mine Simulation Experience. The Resource Centre of Excellence was a surprising venue for the underground mine simulation that allowed teachers to explore mining resources in a safe and realistic setting.

The ESHS STEM team was appreciative of the opportunity to attend the conference through Bright Minds funding. Funding that has sourced 3D printers, wind tunnels, weather stations, and EV3 robots for the school. Along with the University enrolment of students into Astronomy, the funding has empowered Emerald State High School to move forward with our STEM programs.

Regards
Miss. Kathleen Weis & Mr. Noel Cavanagh
Teacher & HOD

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 9 and 10 of this term.

Behaviour Focus

Our current behaviour focus is “Be ready to learn”.

Student of the Week

Week 9

Trae Tarei For a huge improvement in effort in class. Trae is always friendly and is a pleasure to teach.

Matilda Kerr For always arriving to class prepared, ready to learn and giving tasks 100% effort.

Logan Ellery For being polite, he applies himself to all class work with enthusiasm.

Melita Iona For her dedication to her studies and willingness to help out her classmates. She consistently follows the 3 Ps and strives to achieve.

Ashlee McDonell For always putting in 100% effort in class and seeking further assistance from peers and teachers if need be.

Isabell Bennet For having 100% attendance.

Week 10

Julian Fuenticilla For consistently demonstrating a positive attitude and striving to do his best every single lesson.

Destiny Lane For being a quiet achiever, always willing to work, applies feedback well to improve work, always prepared.

Hayley McMaster Hayley gives 100% in all that she does and is eager to learn. She is always following the 3Ps and is a delight to teach.