15 October 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Friends of Emerald High,

The final term is now underway!

Our Term 3 results are very pleasing with the second highest Pass Rates and A-B Academic Achievement rates the school has seen since at least 2015! The Year 8s, 9s and 10s in particular have some of the highest pass rates we have seen in recent years and 'Effort' and 'Behaviour' in Years 9-12 has also been amongst the best we have seen in recent years. Great work students, staff and families!

Our Year 12s in particular are now studying hard for their External Exams, well supported by their teachers who have clear plans in place to support students in their revision journey. It is ultimately up to our Year 12s to be organised and study effectively in a focused way. The end is in sight, but we need to run hard for the finish. Good luck Year 12s!

As always, Effort, Attitude and Attendance are the key factors that drive our success at school!

Our Senior Formal was held in the last week of school and it was again a special occasion. Our young people looked amazing and made us all very proud indeed. A huge well done to Jaksen Brose, Tanya Shaw, Jacinda Stefaniuk and everyone involved in making this event special.

This term we will be constructing some more shade shelters in the school grounds and providing more seating for our students to further complement the new basketball court area and the shade shelter areas that have already been constructed.

We also welcome some new staff to school. A huge welcome to Tanya McIntosh who starts this week in Hospitality/Business, Kim Kadel who commences as our new Attendance Officer and to Shannon Rasmussen who is our new School Nurse! It is great to have you all on board in our team!

How can parents help students succeed at school?

We can also help our young people to succeed by encouraging them to consider possible pathways after school - what do they like doing, what are they good at and how does this link to possible post-school options.

Even Year 7 students can start thinking about the sorts of careers they may like to pursue after school. Often, if kids have some focus on where they want to go, it can help them to see more relevance in their schooling and assist them to select appropriate subjects.

I would like to remind everyone again about our 'ESHS Careers Website' that links from our school website (https://emeraldshs.eq.edu.au/). This is an amazing resource to help young people explore the world of work, university, trades, apprenticeships and post-school study. I would encourage everyone - students and parents - to have a look!! It is a really good tool!

No great man ever complains of want of opportunities.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Have a fantastic fortnight
Mr. Sean Maher
Principal

From the Head of Year 12

Our seniors are almost there!

Emerald High ended last term on a high note. With only a few slight electronic issues, the formal was a huge success, 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 and the band was just a fantastic icing on the cake. Another huge thank you to Ruth and her team for catering the event, the number of compliments about the food are too numerous to mention.

The seniors now enter the final chapter of their 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, the students only have fourteen days of school before exams which start Friday 22nd. As time is short for Year 12 students, we will need to work hard to make sure they are being diligent 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. To support the students during exam block there will be intensive tutorial sessions delivered one or two days before their specific exam, which should help diffuse any last-minute jitters. These tutorials will come out alongside the exam timetable. It is important to note that during exam block, unless the students have a tutorial or an exam they are not required to come to school.

Once exams are finished the only thing left for our seniors to do will be graduation. This ceremony will be held at school on the 19th of November. More information will come out about that later this month.

If you have any questions, queries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me, Jbros33@eq.edu.au

Regards
Mr. Jaksen Brose
HOY – Year 12

From the Guidance Officer

“Take time - for Mental Health” - Queensland Mental Health Week 9th to 17th October:

Queensland Mental Health Week (QMHW) is an annual awareness week, which aims to shine a spotlight on individual and community mental health and wellbeing. It takes place in the week of World Mental Health Day on 10th October.

The 2021 theme for QMHW is 'Take time - for Mental Health', and focuses on six simple actions we can take to improve our moods, build resilience, and boost wellbeing. These actions are:

• Take time to get healthy - being active and eating well is good for your mind as well as your body
• Take time to keep learning - learning new things can make you more confident as well as being fun
• Take time to show kindness - practising small acts of kindness, volunteering time, or simply helping a friend in need can help you feel more satisfied with life
• Take time to connect - spending time with other people is important to everyone’s mental wellbeing
• Take time to take notice - paying more attention to the present and the world around you helps relieve stress and enjoy the moment
• Take time to embrace nature - connecting with the outdoors and taking care of the planet is the best recipe for world wellbeing.

From time to time we can all experience lower levels of wellbeing. Having a difficult time feels different for all of us, but there are some common signs to look out for that may indicate it’s a good idea to talk them through with someone you trust, a GP, or support service.

Signs of lower levels of wellbeing to look out for:

• Feeling overwhelmed and finding it hard to cope with everyday things and tasks
• Withdrawing from others and usual activities
• Using alcohol or drugs to cope with feelings
• Feeling tearful, wanting to cry all the time
• Feeling irritable, restless or agitated
• Lacking energy or feeling tired all the time
• Feeling angry or short tempered
• Experiencing 'brain fog', finding it hard to think clearly, loss of concentration
• Changes to your sleeping or eating patterns
• Feeling that no one seems to understand you
• Feeling lonely
• Having suicidal thoughts.

There are a number of services available if you or someone you know needs support:

• Lifeline - 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au
• Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467 |
• suicidecallbackservice.org.au
• ANE Australia - 1800 18 7263 | sane.org
• Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636 | beyondblue.org.au
• Kids Help Line - 1800 55 1800 | kidshelpline.com.au
• ADIS (alcohol and drug support) - 1800 177 833
• Queensland Health - 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
• Carers Queensland -07 3900 8100 | carersqld.com.au

If your situation is life-threatening, call Triple 000 immediately for help.

Visit https://www.qld.gov.au/mentalwellbeing for information on Mental Wellbeing, as well as activity ideas and inspiration. The above information plus specific detail on Queensland Mental Health Week is available on the following website:

Regards
ESHS Guidance Officer

From the SBA/SBT/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.

Connor – Sentinel Mining

Anika – Emerald World of Learning

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

Congratulations to the following students have successfully completed their Certificate III Retail with McDonalds:

• Cooper
• Corey
• Sarah
• Madi

Congratulations to Lillie on the completion of your Certificate III Business with ATW Projects and Isabell for completing a Certificate II Pharmacy Assistant with Direct Chemist.

Regards
Mrs. Alarna Wills
SBA/SBT/Skills for Work Coordinator

From the SRC

It is a very busy beginning to the term, as our senior leaders wind down their role in the school in preparation for their exams. Ms Johnson and myself would like to take this opportunity to thank the senior leaders for everything they have done this year and congratulate them for everything they have been able to achieve.

This term though, both junior, senior and prospective leaders are running a Colour Smash for Mental Health Week. All students will be participating in an obstacle course Period 4 on Friday 15th, which will also include net challenged sponsored by the Camp Fairbairn Outdoor Education Centre, a water station organised by the Emerald Fire Department and a speed trap organised by the local police. It is recommended that students bring a change of clothes, as the day IS NOT a uniform free day.

There will also be an optional Colour Smash activity sponsored by the P&C. It will cost students $2 to purchase a wristband in order to participate in this station. Wristbands can be purchased in the courtyard opposite the Tuckshop at both breaks in Week 2. Students WILL NOT be allowed to participate in the colour run if they are in their uniform, even if they have a wristband - instead they are encouraged to bring a white shirt and change into it during second break. All funds raised will cover the cost of the chalk and all profits from the day will be used to sponsor our Rainbow House student, Nellie.

A BBQ will also be run during First Break on Friday.

Next Friday night, SRC is running a Trivia Night in the UCA starting at 6pm. Tickets are $5 each, with a maximum of 6 people per table. Prizes will be given to the best dressed and themed tables as well to winners of each round. A BBQ dinner will be running, so get your mates together and book a table.

Thank you to all the parents, students and staff who have been supporting our efforts this year, whether it has been donating goods for the CQ Pet Rescue or Valentine’s Day. We still have the junior leaders Neighbourhood Challenge, which is also starting in a few weeks, so the SRC will be finishing the year strongly with your ongoing support.

Regards
Ms. Leanne Ross
Teacher

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 1 and 2 of this term.

Behaviour Focus

Our current behaviour focus is “Follow correct routines, processes and procedures”.

Student of the Week

Week 1

Aimee Turong For her effort and determination to do well in class. She works really hard and does not let others distract her. She is a quiet achiever who always does her best. Keep up the good work.

Cheyenne Causton For being welcoming of her peers and brining positivity to the classroom.

Erika Titmarsh Who strives to achieve, uses feedback effectively, responsible and role model for her peers.

Jayden Kinghorn For putting his top effort into his work every lesson. Jayden is a hard worker with a positive attitude.

Andon Boon For consistently putting in his best effort into his work and being polite.

Week 2

Oliver Hogan For participating in every lesson to the best of his ability.

Hope Brearley For working diligently in Maths. She is always prepared and keen to learn.

Riley Grant Who uses class time effectively, responsible and polite to staff and peers.

Matthew Weeks For being on time to class every lesson and always completing work to the best of his ability.

Blake Shields For going the extra mile and bringing his waffle maker from home to support his peers in hospitality.

Livi Lowe For always being supportive of the people around her.

Community Notices