10 May 2022

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report.

Dear Friends of Emerald High,

This week has been our first 5-day week all term! Something a bit different.

Our Year 10s had their Work Experience last week, a great opportunity to experience the world of work. As I had expected, I have been delighted with positive feedback about their conduct and work ethic. Well done Year 10s - you have done us proud!

This week our Years 7s and 9s commence NAPLAN, for the first time doing the online version on computers. This is a bit new for us and for the students, however everyone is adapting to the change with style. Good luck Years 7s and 9s!

It was great also to see so many parents at our Parent-Teacher Night, sharing the achievements of our young people and discussing the next steps forwards in their learning. We get the best results when we all work together!

The Careers Expo at the CQU campus is coming up again shortly. Again, all of our Year 10s will attend and we encourage Year 11s and 12s to also be involved, to see the latest and greatest available in career pathways. There are lots of exciting things out there to do!!

Whilst on the topic of future directions, I have been talking with the students on assembly lately about the things that we need to do to succeed in life. In particular, we discussed the fact that those who succeed are the people who "Make" things happen rather than "Wishing" things would happen or those who "Wait" for things to happen. Our lives are ours to take control of and steer in the direction that we need to go - what happens is our choice!

With the weather cooling down, it is timely to remind everyone about jumpers. We are continuing a focus on our school uniform and ensuring that we continue to present a public face that models the quality of the school that we are.

A reminder that students may wear plain black jumpers to school, provided they have no logos or hoods. The stores in town usually have suitable fleecy polo neck and crew neck jumpers in town for between $12 and $20. Students in incorrect uniform will be required to change into one of the pool of spare uniforms that we have available, all of which are washed before being loaned out.

Have a fantastic fortnight
Mr. Sean Maher
Principal

From the Deputy Principal – Middle School.

Work Experience

Our Year 10 students had a great time in Week 3 at their work experience placement. It was great to see them working in a different environment and hearing all of the stories of how much fun they had. Thanks to Alarna Wills for her work in ensuring students were placed in a field of their choice and that all the necessary paperwork was done. Thanks to the employers and businesses that hosted them and the students who made the most of such a unique opportunity to showcase the abilities and talents of our ESHS students. We have already had offers of part time jobs and future employment offers, based on your exceptional efforts in this past week. Well done.

School Photos

Our school photo day is this Friday, the 13th May. All students should have an envelope from MSP photography. There is no requirement to order the photos but you are welcome to do so. Details are on the envelope to explain the process of ordering online. This is quite easy and quick to do (spare envelopes for NEW students can be collected from the office).

Sibling Photos will be taken at first break and if you wish to order one of these - special envelopes are at the office and need to be collected prior to photo day.

All school leaders (Junior and Senior positions) are to meet in the Sails area between B & C blocks at second break.

Even if you don't wish to order a photo – please ensure your child brings back the envelope on Friday, to assist the photographers in understanding what their name is and make the process flow more smoothly for everyone.

These school photos are used for creating Student ID cards. These are useful for students wishing to open their own bank account and for travel and student concessions.

Positive Behaviour for Learning Focus

Last term’s PBL reward was an icy, cold slushie at the pool on Swimming Carnival Day. In Term 2, the Term Reward is a choice of a hot drink, slushie, baked good or an ice-block from our tuckshop. In order to be one of the students eligible for this reward in Week 10, the student must have no negative behaviour records for the whole of Term 2. Most of our students are on-track for this… Keep up the good work.

The PBL focus for Weeks 1-3 was “Show a Positive Attitude Towards Others.”

In Weeks 4-6 it will be “Wear Your Uniform With Pride.” The student diary has the uniform expectations clearly stated. With the weather cooling off, jumpers are often an issue.

Looking forward to a great term. Please call the school or email the relevant staff member if you have any concerns or questions. Communication is always welcome and smooths the way for all of us.

Regards
Mrs. Deanne Lucht
Deputy Principal – Middle School

From the Head of Year 8.

As we settle into what Term 2 will bring us, it has been great to see some positive interactions with students in the classroom, and their engagement with their learning. It is also great to see students taking the opportunity to speak to their teacher about their learning and how they can ensure success.

On the uniform front, as the weather begins to get cooler and wetter, students are reminded to ensure they are wearing the correct uniform. Jumpers are expected to be emerald green or black with no logos. Students not following the uniform policy will be asked to go to the uniform room and change into a school jumper. Furthermore, labelling your clothing can assist with finding lost property, as students tend to shed their jumpers as the afternoon warms up.

As we progress through the term, I’d like to remind everyone of the importance of following the 3 Ps. Students are expected to be polite in their interactions with staff members and other students and stay kind. Students are expected to be prepared by coming to class on time with all necessary equipment. Students are required to participate by completing set work in class and asking questions if they are unsure of something. Homework Club also runs from 3-4pm every Monday and Wednesday, to support students who want extra assistance with their work.

I look forward to seeing this cohort progress through Term 2 and if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Regards
Mr. Leon Coromandel
HOY – Year 8

From the Head of Year 9.

Welcome to winter! As the weather begins to get cooler, students are reminded to ensure they are wearing the correct uniform.

Another reminder to please contact your classroom teacher via email and check the student portal if you are absent for a period of time, so that you are staying up to date with what’s happening in the classroom. With assessment occurring in the coming weeks, Homework Club is a great option for students who need support. Students just need to ensure that they are asking their classroom teacher to meet with them beforehand. This will occur on Monday and Wednesdays from 3pm-4pm.

In closing, I’d like to acknowledge the hard work that the Year 9s are putting in. It is a pleasure to see. A special mention to our students of the week so far this term, Chaise Hughes 9C – For working hard in class and always giving 100% effort in every lesson and Camilla Dobson 9F - Always polite and tries her best every lesson.

Regards
Ms. Rickilee Venardos
HOY – Year 9

From the Head of Year 10.

We have had an extremely positive start back to the term. It has been great to see students engaged and following our key values of polite, prepared and participate. During Week 3, the Year 10 cohort participated in work experience and I have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback from both students and businesses who participated in the week. A massive well done to all our students for demonstrating maturity while in the workplace.

With the cooler weather setting in, I would like to provide a reminder about the uniform expectations at ESHS, please see the images below. Our PBL focus for the next few weeks is ‘Wear your uniform with pride’ and I would like to remind all parents and carers about the importance of wearing the correct uniform and the processes at school to support students to follow our uniform policy.

Finally, it was great to see a number of parents and carers attend our recent parent teacher interview night. These opportunities provide a great opportunity for parents and carers to discuss their child’s progress with their class teachers. This is one of the best ways for parents to get insight into how their child is progressing and what parents/carers can do to continue to support their child to have success with their learning.

Regards
Mr. Peter Sanson
HOY – Year 10

From the Maths team.

Term 2 is off to a flying start and we’re quickly approaching the middle of the term. NAPLAN is happening this week where students in Years 7 and 9 will be putting their numeracy skills to the test. Classes have been preparing for this by discussing strategies to answer questions and looking at past papers in their warm ups.

Junior Maths

Junior Maths classes will again be completing formative quizzes every fortnight this term, so that students and parents are informed about their progress before assessment time.

• Year 7 students have been learning about fractions, decimals and percentages. They are working towards an exam at the end of the term.
• Year 8 students are studying algebra and are also working towards an exam at the end of the term.
• Year 9 students are learning how to factorise quadratics, which is an exciting new application of algebra. They will then move into trigonometry before completing an exam at the end of the term.
• Year 10 classes have been separated into 3 levels (Foundation, General and Extension) and students are settling into their new classes. This term, all classes will be completing a statistics assignment, which is due to be handed out at the end of Week 5.

Senior Maths

• Year 11 Maths classes are reaching the end of Unit 1 and will be completing summative exams over the next few weeks. They will then be getting into Unit 2 by the end of the term.
• Year 12 students are continuing through Unit 4, where they will be working towards their final internal exam next term.

The best way to help students succeed in maths is by ensuring that they are prepared for class with a calculator, pencil case and a subject specific maths book. Homework Club also takes place every Wednesday from 3pm to 4pm and is a great place to work on assignments or study.

Regards
Mr. Leon Coromandel
Teacher

From the HPE team.

We’ve had a busy start to Term 2 with our sports programs, and Capricornia trials continuing in full swing. Well done to all students who have been getting involved!

• Our Year 7s have continued their great start to high school and are learning about the effects of caffeine and participating in athletics for their practical lessons, so as to get ready for Athletics Carnival in Week 7.
• The Year 8s are learning about the effects of alcohol/drugs.
• Our Year 9s are looking at stereotypes and norms surrounding alcohol & drugs. For practical lessons, Year 8s are participating in Touch Football, and Year 9s are completing court games.
• Year 10s are enjoying their topic of Ultimate disc.
• In Year 11 PE the students are learning about biomechanics and anatomy.
• Our Year 11 Sports and Recreation students are participating in a lawn bowls unit.

HPE week is coming up in Week 6, where there are some fundraisers and sport events organised. We look forward to seeing students’ participation during this week!

A massive congratulations to the Rugby League boys, who played Marist last week with all involved representing ESHS to a very high standard, and the open boys even coming away with a win!

Finally, we would like to congratulate all of our students in the sports program who are working hard at training and in tournaments, and representing Emerald State High School to a very high standard. With athletics carnival coming up in Week 7, we encourage students to continue to demonstrate the three P’s on this day. We are looking forward to another great term in HPE.

Regards
Mr. Jack Rynsbergen
Teacher

From the Arts team.

This term, the Arts Faculty has been involved in ‘busy work’ inside and outside the classroom. So, what has kept the staff and students so busy since the start of this term?

Our first Music, Visual Art and Drama elective rotations in Years 7 – 8 completed their final assessment tasks last week. It was wonderful to see students enjoying their respective Arts electives. Our second elective rotation has started this week which is exciting for both the staff and students.

All our Music, Visual Art and Drama students across Years 9 – 12 have been working on Making and Responding assessment tasks, which are due over the next few weeks. The work the students are producing this term is impressive.

Last week our Instrumental Music students were invited to attend the visiting ensemble, Saxophone Quartet, concert and workshop in our UCA, as part of the Central Highlands Festival of Bands. They thoroughly enjoyed the concert and participating in the workshop.

We will be welcoming back Noosa Film Academy this term, to complete a full day workshop with invited senior Arts students. They will be creating a short film. Students will be receiving permission letters for the full day workshop this week.

This year, the Central Highlands Art Gallery is holding a new Awards Show, Annual Youth Awards. Emerald State High School has been invited to participate as a school. The Art Department, within the Arts Faculty, is entering student artwork into the Annual Youth Awards and we look forward to seeing our talented student artists artworks on display.

Have a great ‘arts-inspired’ week.

Regards
Ms. Lucy Ferrara
HOD

From the LOTE team.

お(o)帰(kae)りみんなさん(riminnasan)！ Welcome back to Term 2!

We trust you had an amazingly long and eventful holiday as always! This term, languages classes will be back as per usual!

The Languages program this term has students studying a variety of topics across Years 7 – 11. These include:

Year 7 –“ゆる(yuru)キャラ(KYARA) – Mascot”

In this unit, students will be introduced to several unique characters (also known as Mascots) in Japan. In addition, they will also get to design a mascot that represent either themselves, their community, or Emerald State High School for their assessment! Throughout the unit, students will understand the functionality of adjective, nouns and the application of Japanese grammar, when it comes to describing an object.

Year 8 – “What are oral traditions?”

In this unit, students will be given the opportunity to explore and compare traditional stories, focusing on folk tales, fairy tales and dream time stories. In addition, students will also get to understand the differences between the three types of stories and how they are similar/different to one another. Furthermore, functionality of the three different types of Japanese script and its application in Japanese language.

Years 9 and 10 – “What are youth social issues?”

In this unit, students will discuss different youth social issues in Australia and Japan in regards to technology. Additionally, they will also analyse and present information about youth social issues in Japan, to generate thorough discussion as to how it is different/similar in comparison to Australia’s social issues, in regards to technology. Many research and investigation, as well as case studies, will be conducted every lesson.

At this stage, assessments for LOTE are given within the start of Week 6 and are due in Week 9 of this term.

The best way to improve achievement is short but regular review of vocabulary. It is highly recommended that you also use your spare time to learn Japanese writing symbols and new vocabulary, by regularly using Quizlet/Quizziz. Additionally, book work is important as always! Neat handwriting and well organised notes are the greatest way to best achieve a desirable outcome.

Have a great Term – we look forward to seeing everyone back in class!

Regards
Mr. Huu Nguyen
Teacher

From the Humanities team.

In History, Year 7 students are studying Ancient China with an emphasis on the Quin Dynasty and The Silk Road. Year 8 students are immersed in the exploits of the Vikings, whilst Year 9 are completing their museum visits in their study of World War 1. Year 10 students focus is presently on Indigenous Rights with Year 11 Modern History students about to start their FA2. Year 11 Ancient History begin their Independent Source Investigation (F2) where they choose an ancient society to research.

Planning is underway for the Senior Humanities Excursion with permission notes not far from being sent home.

In Geography, Year 7 students have begun collecting data to analyse the school environment and begin making suggestions about how to maintain or improve the liveability of the grounds and nearby areas. Year 8 Geography students are studying our amazing planet with its landforms and landscapes, which have been moulded by tectonic plate movement, weathering and erosion. The emphasis with this is on preventing disasters by building earthquake proof buildings. Lastly, our Year 9 students have moved on to looking at the world’s biomes and how food production can exist in harmony with their preservation.

With so much happening in our world today, humanities subjects certainly enrich and extend students to help them make sense of the ‘big picture’ and appreciate that the smallest actions can make a big difference in the future.

Regards
Mrs. Vicki Hawkins
Teacher

From the Glee Club.

Euphonix is the name of the Emerald State High School choir group. This year, we performed the Veteran’s Hallelujah at the school Anzac Service. Unlike in previous years, the group is focusing more on the skill of singing, in order to build on the great enthusiasm of its members. As the school is planning on running a musical next year, the skills learnt once a week with Euphonix will be of a great advantage to anyone interested in auditioning.

Euphonix is held every Monday in K1 during First Break, under the skilled tutelage of Mr Leahy and Mrs Jarvis. It doesn’t matter if you can sing or not, as we can help you master the skills that you need. If you have a love for music then this is the club for you.

Regards
Mrs. Leanne Ross
Club Coordinator

From the SRC.

This is a really busy term for SRC with the Junior and Senior groups organising a range of events.

As the school photographs are on this Friday, the SRC is postponing Day of Dolly until next week. All students are encouraged to accessorise their uniform with something blue in honour of this anti-bullying campaign.

This term, the Senior SRC leaders will be running the annual CQ Pet Rescue House Challenge. All students are encouraged to bring in pet food, in order to fill the house bins that the Art Club is kindly decorating for us. Garnet has won the Dog Cup for the last three years running and it would be fantastic to see the other houses challenging this superiority. Any pet food, toy or accessory is welcome and the bins will be in the library for the students to donate into. The challenge will run for 4 weeks, with CQ Pet Rescue coming to collect the items in Week 10.

Also this term, the SRC is running something different… In conjunction with the HPE Week (in Week 6) the SRC will be raising money for Sick Kids and “Making our Move” for Ronald McDonald House Charities Australia. Each day the SRC will be running a dance tutorial, come dance off, in the UCA during Second Break. Students will be asked to bring a gold coin to participate in this event as it is a fundraiser for such a worthy national charity. We are also hoping to run Shines, a talent show open to all years and teachers, in the evening sometime during this term, as a fundraiser for Flying Doctors. This is to be confirmed.

It is fantastic to see this year’s SRC and leadership group having such a nationally and locally conscious focus.

Regards
Mrs. Leanne Ross
SRC Coordinator

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 4 and 5 of this term.

Behaviour Focus

Our current behaviour focus is “Wear your uniform with pride.”

Student of the Week

Week 3

Year 7: Noah Silk For his enthusiastic attitude towards every class and exemplary participation. He is a role model for his peers.
Year 8: Phoebe Schmid For her participation in all classes, and her never ending positive attitude.
Year 9: Chaise Hughes For working hard in class and always giving 100% effort in every lesson.
Year 10: Amalia Samson For her enthusiasm towards class activities and polite and respectful nature.
Year 11: Breanna Davis For participating in extra-curricular activities and always being polite and helpful.
Year 12: Latia McCandless For being a polite and responsible students who exhibits the values of the school.

Week 4

Year 7: Tina Mai For always helping others and for being a dedicated student. She is a delight to teach.
Year 8: Sobiya Ishaque For Excellent participation and showing persistence in all her subjects.
Year 9: Michael Ross For his enthusiasm and involvement in community events.
Year 10: Jada Bergerson For her ongoing respectful attitude towards staff and peers.
Year 11: Mathew Weeks For always having his head down working, always being at class on time and for being polite.
Year 12: Jason Liljie For representing the 3 P's outside of school.

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