27 April 2022

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report.

Dear Friends of Emerald High,

Term 2 is well underway and has started with a bang!

I have reviewed the student achievement data from Term 1 and I am very excited with the outcomes. Across the school we have seen the best Term 1 Academic Achievement, Effort and Behaviour results I have on record in the school's recent history! Although all year levels have done well, our Year 7s and Year 12s have shone most brightly with some truly outstanding results. Our young people are indeed amazing!

This is most exciting, as we have experienced significant student and staff absences with COVID, as well as missing the first two weeks of school. This is a credit to our kids, our staff and our families!! It has been a really good start to the year.

Our school held our annual ANZAC Day service, this year out on the basketball courts under the shade of our new covered area. Everyone was delighted with the courtesy and respect shown by our students on this very significant day, with the service itself being very well organised and very meaningful and moving. The way that our student leaders stepped up to make the event was a feature. Well done to Leanne Ross and everyone involved, with a special thanks to Emerald RSL for their support.

We also had a super turnout for the ANZAC Day March on Monday with 41 students and 16 staff in attendance. Again, the conduct of our students was exceptional and a credit to them and our school.

A reminder that Parent Teacher Interviews are on next week. It would be great to see as many parents as possible attending, so we can work together to help our young people achieve their dreams!

And finally, we have had yet more facilities work completed over the holidays. D Block classrooms have been painted and a new large LED sign positioned on the side of J Block with key school messages displayed so that everyone knows what is going on. The bus zone should also be finished this term!

Have a fantastic fortnight
Mr. Sean Maher
Principal

From the Deputy Principal – Senior School.

From the beginning of the year, I have been very pleased with the way our senior students have commenced their studies. The Year 11s have settled beautifully and have been so welcoming to the many new students we have enrolled this year. The 12s have performed well in their first internal assessment pieces and are always bright and bubbly. It has been a really positive start to the year.

At the end of Term 1 we were able to induct our senior leaders into their positions for 2022. These students have already shown great leadership and the ability to be flexible in our current climate. I know at the end of the year I will be able to reflect on their greatness.

Term 1 report cards were issued via email on the last day of Term 1. If you have not received your child’s report card or would like a hard copy please contact the main office. In the Senior School these reports give a good indication of whether a student is on track for a QCE and if they are meeting our attendance targets. It was pleasing to see the number of students who are on track to meet their goals.

Flexi Classes

FXT is the code we use for students who have a study period on their timetable. Students have the code FXT on their timetable for various reasons – they have a school-based apprenticeship/traineeship, they have medical condition or they are enrolled with another organisation like TAFE. This week students who have this code and have passed all their Term 1 subjects will be given the opportunity to use this time to study at home where it falls on a lesson 1 or 4.

Eligible students will be given a permission letter for this during the week. If you would like your student to take up this opportunity please complete the form and have them return it to our attendance officer. If you have questions regarding this, please let me know.

QCE

For students at Emerald State High School to receive a QCE students must meet the following four conditions:

1. Literacy – students must pass a unit of English subject (either General English, Literature or Essential English)
2. Numeracy – students must pass a unit of a Maths subject (Maths Methods, General Maths or Essential Maths)
3. 20 credits – students accumulate credits by banking 1 credit per subject in each unit where a “C” grade or better is awarded
4. Core Credits – 12 of the 20 credits must come from 3 subjects studied continuously (from Year 11 to Year 12).

For parents of students in the senior school you can assess your child’s eligibility, by looking at the report card and checking:

• have they passed their Maths and English subject (C or better)?
• have they passed 5 of their 6 subjects (5 subjects * 4 semesters = 20 credits)?

If you have answered no to any of these, then your child is at risk of not receiving a QCE and it is important that the situation is reviewed. Please contact the school to make a meeting time with me to discuss this situation or you can book an interview time with me at parent teacher interviews.

Attendance Targets

The school requires that students attend school at least 92%, this equates to approximately 4 days absences each term (16 days each year on top of the 6 weeks holidays given). At the end of report cards, the number of days absent are recorded. It is important to note that late arrival or early departure is recorded a ½ day absence. For those students signing in after the first bell this is ½ day absence each time, so being on time does count. Not meeting these attendance targets has an impact on student achievement and may make students ineligible for extracurricular activities such as the formal and senior jerseys.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Information regarding parent-teacher interviews has been emailed home and can be found through Facebook. Parent-teacher interviews are an opportunity for you to meet and get to know your child's teacher. They are an opportunity to share information about your child’s progress, interests and needs and discuss your child’s learning with their teacher. Parent teacher interviews provide opportunities for you to help the teacher understand more about your child and in return give you the opportunity to become further involved in your child's learning and give support where needed. Parent teacher interviews are scheduled for Tuesday 3rd May. To make a booking please use the link below

If you are unable to make a booking or need assistance please contact the school office.

Regards
Mrs. Tanya Shaw
Deputy Principal – Senior School

From the Head of Year 7.

I can’t believe we are already in Term 2! I’ve been incredibly impressed with the behaviour and effort of the Year 7s so far. They seem to have settled very well into high school life. I am also proud to say that attendance among the Year 7 cohort has been fantastic - 19 students were presented awards with a 100% attendance certificate for Term 1, with 72 students achieving over 92% attendance (the school target)!

Already this year we have had some amazing highlights. The swimming carnival on the last day of Term 1 was well attended by the grade and was a fantastic day! I was also very proud of the number of students who marched with Emerald SHS during the ANZAC Day March.

Still ahead for us this year we have our first change in electives, the Athletics carnival, and the much-anticipated Year 7 Camp (details coming soon).

As always, if you have any concerns or questions regarding anything Year 7, you can contact via email or by phoning the school on 4988 2222.

Regards
Miss. Michelle Watkin
HOY – Year 7

From the P&C.

We need you! Become a P&C Community Contact (PCCC) Volunteers.

As a key part of our member engagement and training strategy, which is focused on enhancing connection with regional areas and towns, we have developed the localised P&C's Community Contact (PCCC) role. The voluntary role is aimed at increasing engagement at local levels with P&Cs and key stakeholders in their designated areas across Queensland.

Each PCCC will be part of the state-wide network to foster sharing, information exchange and connectivity amongst P&Cs and to communicate with state office.

Key duties include:

• liaising with state office via 8 weekly Microsoft Teams meetings
• being a voice for their areas P&Cs to P&Cs Qld
• communicating with local MPs on P&C matters
• attending local business chambers meetings promoting P&Cs (where possible).

To register your interest in being involved please follow the below link to complete the EOI form. P&C Community Contact (pandcsqld.com.au)

Jubilee Celebrations

As we celebrate our 75th Jubilee QCPCA / P&Cs Qld encourages you to join in the festivities and be part of Jubilee, by acknowledging your own P&C’s achievements. Consider the huge range of contributions that you and your team (past and present) have made to your students, school and community.

Share your stories on Facebook or via Instagram and don't forget to tag @pandcsqld, so that we can showcase your achievements.

Our 75 years as an organisation also celebrates you as P&Cs throughout Queensland. Together, we celebrate giving every child, every chance.

Celebrating 75 Years Of Service - Flashback

In July 1992, school 40km per hour zones were introduced.

Regards
Ms. Lesley-Anne McDowall
P&C Secretary

From the Guidance Officer.

Feeling stressed by national and world news.

Many of us are feeling overwhelmed with national and world news over the last few years, where we have been listening, watching and reading about people involved in coping with climate challenges, bushfires, floods, pandemics and war. Sometimes we have been involved ourselves, as have friends, relatives and colleagues. There are ways to reduce our tendency to become overanxious from negative news coverage and help us cope, if we become gloomy.

The tips below are adapted from online articles sourced from: theconversation.com; theguardian.com; and reachout.com.

1. Learn to switch off, take a break and spend some time on an activity you enjoy / or a self-care activity. Set limits and reduce your time spent on shared negative social media news articles and other news sources.
2. Rethink your news sources so that they are independent, unbiased, focussed on facts and reported in context.
3. Try to understand why the news is upsetting you. If you are feeling more than just empathy over a longer period of time, you may need to process your feelings regarding the news by talking with friends, family or a counsellor to help you feel better.
4. Sometimes to improve your mood you may need to spend time with family and friends undertaking activities together, which avoid discussion of agreed, specific news topics.
5. You may be able to reduce your own stress on hearing sad news and make a meaningful difference for a situation, by working on a project in your own area, where you have connections and capacity. Simultaneously, it is possible to learn to focus on what you can control, including your reactions and you will improve your wellbeing.

Regards
ESHS Guidance Officer

From the SBA/SBT/Workforce team.

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

Belle Vine - Maraboon Vet Clinic

Jordan Schulz – Milne Bros Emerald

Logan Weaver – AGOOD Health & Fitness

Tyson Stone – Emerald Radiator Works

Angelina Basham – Total Beauty

Dominic Davis – A1 Paint & Panel

Gabi Williams – Vivid Barbell Club

Ondrea Yates – Maraboon Pet Resort

Seb Simon – H.E.M.E

Ella Quinlan – Cally & Co Hair

Laura Smith – Prime Plumbing

This year, CQUniversity, in partnership with other local organisations, including Emerald State High School, will host the Emerald Careers Expo. All students in Year 10 will be attending the expo, along with interested students in Years 11 and 12.

Students will have access to a range of exhibitors, including tertiary education institutions, apprenticeship and traineeship providers, local industry, and local businesses.

The Emerald Careers Expo will feature a wide range of information on study and career options. Future students will have the opportunity to speak with trained staff in various fields, to discover study options, industries, and occupations.

For more information please see Alarna Wills.

Regards
Mrs. Alarna Wills
Traineeship Coordinator

From the SRC.

Despite COVID-19 once again playing havoc with the school calendar, the SRC has been busy.

The Junior SRC team ran a very successful handball competition. There was a great turn out of both junior and senior students, with the winners earning a tuckshop voucher.

Our winners were:

• 1st – Jaxon Rugendyke form Topaz
• 2nd Xander Van Wyk from Zircon

This term has also started off very busy, with the Junior and Senior leaders helping with the school’s Anzac Service. It was great to see the level of respect shown, not only by this amazing team, but also the broader school community. It is clear that the legacy of Anzac Day will continue strongly within our school, given the large number of students who attended the Dawn Service and the March – as well as those students who attended with their families or other groups.

This term, the senior students will be running the CQ Pet Rescue House Challenge again, as the houses fight not only to help such an important community organisation, but for the Dog Cup. Garnet has won the cup for the last four years, so it would be great to see students from the other houses challenge this. Keep an ear out on the notices as to when this challenge begins. The SRC will also be running the canteen as this term’s Athletics Carnival, with all the money being raised helping to support our Rainbow House student.

Regards
Ms. Leanne Ross
SRC Coordinator

From the Attendance Officer.

Thank you everyone who responded to the attendance email sent out last week. I appreciate your responses and being able to reflect the students’ attendance accurately.

Sorry it was such a large one and quite a task. It picked up all students arriving late to PC & classes, missed lessons, as well as whole day absences from the beginning of the year.

Reminder:

All Students late to school need to sign in at Attendance Office. All Year 11 and 12 Flexi Timetable Students also need to sign in and out at Attendance Office (this reflects on their attendance).

Don’t forget you can:

• Call: 07 4988 2222
• Email: absences@emeraldshs.eq.edu.au
• SMS: 0426 305 991
• Or through QParents advise us of absences or intended absences..

Regards
Ms. Kim Kadel
Attendance Officer

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 “Show a positive attitude towards others.”

Student of the Week

Week 2

Year 7: Ruby Kay For consistently meeting the 3 Ps – she is a responsible and engaged student who always does her best.
Year 8: Chloe O'Connor For always giving her best in class and showing a positive attitude to all.
Year 9: Camilla Dobson For always being polite and trying her best in every lesson.
Year 10: Cam Fox For his enthusiastic attitude towards class activities. He is a delight to teach.
Year 11: Cooper Whitehead For being polite to all students and staff.
Year 12: Gabby Dockerty For always being dedicated to her studies - always polite and tries her best at all times.

Community Notices