18 August 2022

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report.

Dear Friends of Emerald High,

Over the half way mark for the term and a lot has happened already!

Our Subject Selection Evening was conducted last week, with our Year 10s now preparing to select their senior subjects. Thank you to the parents and students who attended.

Our students played our staff in a 'giant soccer ball' game on the oval, with our students coming out on top. A super event arranged by the SRC that was great fun for everyone!

Our volleyballers have just returned from an excursion to the Gold Coast where they participated in the 'School's Cup Volleyball' tournament, competing against schools from all over the state. They did a super job and placed well against high quality opponents. Well done volleyballers and thank you to Ms Johnson, Ms Venardos and Mr Grenfell for leading this opportunity.

Yet more sporting excellence with teams in action in the 'Western 7s Rugby'. It was a great weekend and our teams were placed as follows.

• Under 13 Girls: First Place
• Under 15s Girls: Second Place
• Under 18 Girls: Second Place
• Under 18 Boys: Third and Fourth Places

Thank you to Mr Beatty, Mr Blunt, Mr Brown, Mr Cox, Ms Deighton, Ms Paap and Mr Sweetnam for their coordination of this super event.

A quick reminder that the use of mobile phones is banned in the school and taking photos or filming of any kind is prohibited without express teacher approval. The purpose of this rule mainly ensure that our students and staff can be free from bullying, harassment or from having their images or video shared online without their consent. As our students are well aware, anything shared on-line is there forever and can't be erased. There are also significant privacy issues at play if any images or video from school are shared online. The consequences if students are found to be filming at school or at school events and/or posting such material are significant.

2022 Early School Leavers survey

The Queensland Government is seeking the support of the school community for the annual survey of Year 10, 11 and 12 students who left school in 2021, before completing Year 12. This short, confidential survey collects information about what young people are doing the year after leaving school. The results of the survey help provide valuable information to improve services available to school leavers in the future.

Between August and September, these school leavers can expect to receive instructions to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office. Please encourage them to take part. If their contact details have changed, please assist the interviewer with their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate.

Thank you for your support of Next Step post-school destination surveys in 2022. For more information, visit the link below or telephone toll free on 1800 068 587.

Thank you again everyone for your ongoing support of our amazing school!

Strong lives are motivated by dynamic purposes.

• Kenneth Hildebrand

Have a fantastic fortnight
Mr. Sean Maher
Principal

From the Senior School Deputy.

Another term is quickly coming to an end.

Mock External Exams

Our Year 12s will start their preparation for external exams in Week 7, with our Mock External Exams. These exams give students a understanding of the process that will occur during the exams and exposure to the types of questions they will sit. For our teachers, the information they receive from the exams will allow them to prepare a program to support students in the lead up to the external exams. Students are only expected to attend school when they have an exam schedule. They are to bring all necessary equipment and arrive to each session on time. I have included the timetable for the external exams to be held in Term 4 below.

Formal

The countdown is well under way for formal. Eligible students have now received their invitations and should be completing tasks like arrival times and seating plans with Mr Brose. We are looking forward to celebrating with our 12s in Week 10.

2023 Senior Jerseys

This week Mrs Jarvis and I have reviewed all Year 11 students’ attendance details, looking for evidence that students were meeting our attendance requirements. This means attendance was either above 90%, or we could find evidence of a COVID related illness and when that was taken into consideration attendance become over 90%.

All students have received an email letting them know if they are eligible or not-eligible for a senior jersey. For those who are ineligible, they will have a 2nd chance at becoming eligible by having their attendance at 90% for a 4 week period.

Regards
Mrs. Tanya Shaw
Deputy – Senior School

From the Head of Year 9.

It seems winter has come and gone again for another year, but we may still have a few more cool days. A reminder to ensure your child arrives to school in the full, correct uniform. It is an expectation that your child complies with the uniform process and if they are in the incorrect uniform, they are required to change at school and follow the process.

Year 9 students have had talks from Heads of Department over the last fortnight about subject selection for Year 10 and their senior schooling pathway. I encourage all parents and carers to discuss subject selections with your child. Students have had a number of ‘tasters’ from electives over the first three years of their high school experience. It is important that they consider what path they may wish to take for the future. It is important to keep options open and encourage students to speak with their teachers or relevant Head of Departments if they have any questions or concerns about what subjects they should choose.

Finally, book week is quickly approaching for 2022. This will be happening in Week 7. Watch this space for more book week news!

Regards
Miss. Rickilee Venardos
HOY – Year 9

From the Head of Year 11.

We are now halfway through Term 3 and it has been a busy start to the term for Year 11s. In Week 2, Mr Sanson and I took 25 amazing young leaders to Fairbairn Dam Outdoor Education Centre for a Leadership Camp. New friendships were forged, skills were developed and enhanced and lots of laughter was heard across the camp. They are a wonderful bunch of students who I feel privileged to be able to work with.

Leadership applications have now been sent to all Year 11s. These are due back to myself by August 29th. Mrs Shaw and I will then be notifying which students have been successful with this written application in preparation for an interview. If you have any questions regarding the positions available, or our process, please feel free to contact myself.

Jersey designs are in the voting stages. Students who have over 90% attendance will be invited to order once we have settled on the final design. Please keep an eye out for emails regarding this.

In Week 7 we will be having a visit from the local police in conjunction with Road Safety Awareness Week. This will be a great opportunity for the cohort to learn about the dangers associated with driving and how they can keep themselves safe while on the roads.

Should you have any concerns regarding the welfare of your child, please do not hesitate to email me on ljarv26@eq.edu.au

Regards
Mrs. Lauren Jarvis
HOY – Year 11

From the Head of Year 12.

Term three is one of the busiest periods of the year for our senior students here at ESHS. They are hard at work finalising assessments, as well as being involved in school and community events.

First and foremost, I would like to extend my thanks to the parents and students who were integral in the running of the successful fundraiser. This money will be going straight back to the students and will be used for the formal. Over seven thousand dollars was raised and lots of fun was had. Keep an ear to the ground for next year’s charity golf day.

Formal is on the 15th of September, and there are a few important points about this event to remember. First, tickets will be going out to those students who have the annual criteria of over 90% attendance and school fees paid. However, given the common situation of students being away for extended periods due to illness, each student’s situation will be taken into account.

Second, on the night, students will only be able to bring two immediate family guests. This helps us cater for the night. If for any reason your child is planning to bring a guest that is not immediate family member, please contact myself or Mrs Shaw to discuss this. Otherwise, a slew of staff have been working hard to organise all components for a successful night. Discussions involving lighting, catering and the car club, along with other factors, have all been taken into account. Coming into the final week of this term, I will ask that the students to help with the set up and pack down of the formal decorations.

Finally, mock exams will be taking place in Weeks 8 & 9. These will help the students to hone in on where and how to improve before the big dance.

Regards
Mr. Jaksen Brose
HOY – Year 12

From the Cooee Corner.

We are halfway through Term 3 already, and it has been a busy term. We have definitely been busy in Cooee Corner, where many of our students are in mainstream classes, learning with their friends.

We have joined Art for Year 10 and enjoy learning new skills and experimenting with lots of different kinds of art. Vicki got an award for Art which she is so proud of.

In History, we are learning about Australian Pop Culture. The highlight of this Unit, was a trip to see the movie Elvis with all of the 120 other Year 10 students. It was so much fun to go and we learned much about Elvis. We have looked at the 1950s right through to the 1980s so far this term. For Maths, we have been learning about counting as high as we can. We have also learnt about being safe and looking at the signs for safety. In English, we have looked at poems which the students have enjoyed.

Cooee Corner is always a place where gardens grow and we have lovely gardens at the moment. One of the things we love is to sit outside in the sun and eat our lunch. We always have friends come and spend time in Cooee Corner and we love that.

Regards
Mrs. Heather Te Amo
Teacher

From the HPE team.

We are travelling well this term in the HPE department. Our rugby union teams did an amazing job a couple of weekends ago at Western 7s, with our under 13 girls team coming away as champions. Other notable achievements include the under 15 and opens girls coming runners up, and our open boys teams coming 3rd and 4th. Well done all!

Our junior students will be competing in a league tag event next week, under the guidance of the great and powerful Mr Blunt. Good luck to our juniors!

Early in Term 4, our school will be competing in a rugby league 9s tournament with schools from around our region. We will be entering boys and girls teams in each age group and will be looking to come away with some good wins and most of all, have some fun. We encourage as many students as possible to get involved in these events, as it is a great way to represent our school with pride.

Regards
Mr. James Fitzpatrick
Teacher

From the English team.

In English, our Year 10 legends have opted whether they would like to spend Term 3 and 4 in English or English Extension. This has seen a new range of texts being explored including The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Book Thief. This transition period is a time to consider what Year 11 and 12 English subjects are going to be best suited to you. It is excellent to hear from Year 10 Extension teachers how many students have made the jump up and doing a great job while they are at it.

In the Junior School, Year 7 will spend time investigating animation and how they could create some of their own. Meanwhile, Year 8 are in the process of analysing a range of songs that speak about Indigenous culture, by compiling some analytical responses. They have already ticked off 2 of the 3 that they will cover throughout the Term. Year 9 have spent the last few weeks investigating the word renowned novel The Hunger Games, where they learned about the themes of heroism, socio-economic difference, hope, and power.

Book Week is also coming up in Week 7. Keep an ear out of what day of the week will be the day to come dressed as your favourite book character. If you have a favourite in mind, get thinking of creative ways to make a costume without spending too much.

Regards
Mr. Bailey Cox
Teacher

From the Hospitality & VET team.

It has been exciting to see the Year 12 students in Early Childhood Studies working towards the completion of their course. Unfortunately, the situation as it is with Covid19, has put a hold on all kindergarten visits. However, the end is in sight for these girls, so they are all working well to complete required assessment. This term we have been looking at ‘Healthy Kids’. Students came up with their own healthy eating activity, which would support young children to eat healthy foods.

The Early Childhood Cert III students, in Years 10 and 11, are continuing to embrace this amazing opportunity and they have to complete this certificate by the end of Year 12. The Cert III in Early Childhood, will allow these students to get a job in this area at the completion of their course by the end of Year 12.

Well Done girls!!

Regards
Mrs. Deborah Gellatly
Teacher

From the Technologies team.

Technologies is hustling along this term with a lot of interesting projects being undertaken across the board. Students will be most likely approaching their final projects to round out Term 3.

Year 7 and 8 Digital Technologies

In the rotation of Years 7 and 8 Digital, students have been understanding the problem-solving process, identifying the different types of stages and looking at how they can use this process to solve everyday issues. They then look at creating a mobile phone application by utilising the skills they’ve learnt throughout the Unit.

Year 9 Digital Technologies

Year 9 Digital have been studying Game Design through the use of Kodu. Students have been looking at how code can interact and influences objects (such as playing characters, and NPCs) to perform tasks. We have looked at how code is incorporated into systems, with the use of flowcharts to illustrate this process and will create a game to showcase the skills learnt.

Year 10 Digital Technologies

Another coding focused unit in Digital, where the Year 10 students are looking at the principles of game design, and how the theoretical components of designing a game, and the practical components of creating the game come together as a whole. Students will be creating their own arcade game, as a summary to the Unit.

Year 11 Digital Solutions

Senior students are approaching their FIA3 task in their Data Solutions and Applications Unit. This entails the creation of a database management system utilising SQL and PHP to connect and manage elements of web applications. This final project will round out Unit 2, with the focus switching to the preparation of their mock exams in Week 2 of Term 4.

Year 11 and 12 Information Communication Technologies

In ICT, students are learning Photoshop in preparation for their Magazine Publishing Unit. They have been exploring photographic composition, and how to edit photos. The class will then write a design brief for their own genre of magazine, where they will compose, take and edit their own images for use in the publication. This Unit will be split into two tasks, the design brief and the portfolio.

Regards
Mr. Lachie Praed
Teacher

From the Sports Master.

Once again, our town footy fields were inundated with the best Rugby 7s players in the Central Highlands on the 30th and 31st of July, as students competed in the annual Western 7s competition. ESHS Staff members supported our students who competed in the U13, U15 and U18 divisions, with some amazing results.

• U13 Girls – 1st Place
• U15 Girls – 2nd Place
• U15 Boys – 7th Place
• U18 Girls – 2nd Place
• U18 Boys Team 1 – 3rd Place
• U18 Boys Team 2 – 4th Place

A big congratulations must also go to Sophia Wright, who was the U15 Girls player of the tournament. Great job Sophia!

A huge thank you to all of the ESHS staff who trained, coached and gave up their weekends to support these students. They have achieved such great results and a special thank you as well to Lincoln Job, who continues to support our school and students by assisting in these events.

Volleyball

Last weekend three teams of enthusiastic students travelled down to the Gold Coast to compete in the Queensland Senior Schools Cup Volleyball tournament. They joined a record breaking 257 teams from 115 schools to compete over three days, with some awesome results.

• Open Boys Green Team – Narrowly missed out on a Bronze medal in a close game to finish in 4th place.
• Open Boys Yellow Team – Finished 10th
• Open Girls Team – Finished 8th

These students showed immense growth, resilience and skill as they battled in some close games to achieve really impressive results. Another thank-you to the staff who have put many hours of training into giving out students this opportunity.

Athletics

We had almost 100 students who represented our school at the CH Track and Field trials on the Monday and Tuesday of Week 4, with many students qualifying to participate in the next round of trials. Good luck to those students who will head to Mackay on the 22nd and 23rd of August, to trial for the CAP Track and Field teams.

A big thank you also to the parents who have supported our students with late afternoon pick-ups, early weekend drop offs and even financially, to allow our students to have such great sporting opportunities.

As all things rep sport start to wind down for the year, we are looking ahead to our sports award night early next term. If you have, or know of, a student who has done something exceptional in sport this year that we might not know about, please email it through to axjoh8@eq.edu.au

Regards
Miss. Angela Johnson
ESHS Sports Coordinator

From the Learning Support/EALD team.

We are currently reviewing our ICPs for Semester 2 and ensuring we are supporting all who require it. A gentle reminder that if you believe that your child will need some support in the upcoming assessment period, please get in contact with us as soon as possible.

Are you unsure if your child has a learning difficulty? Did you want to learn more about learning difficulties? Please feel free to contact us at any time to chat regarding anything Learning Support. If you believe your child may have a barrier in an academic area, why not check out Learning Difficulties Australia, at the link below or Supporting People Experiencing Learning Difficulties (SPELD), at the link below. We are members of these associations and find their websites very informative.

Should you have any concerns regarding the learning needs of your child, please do not hesitate to email Alisa ( afinn22@eq.edu.au ) or Lauren ( ljarv26@eq.edu.au ).

Regards
Mrs. Lauren Jarvis and Mrs. Alisa Finn
Learning Support Coordinators

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 5 and 6 of this term.

Behaviour Focus

Our current behaviour focus is “Look out for others!”

Student of the Week

Week 5

Year 7: Maya Wright For being polite, prepared and participating in all set activities.
Year 8: Kayla Cameron For completing all set tasks to a high standing and setting an excellent example for her peers.
Year 9: Summer Tonkin For completing all her work and helping others in Mathematics.
Year 10: Emma Rose-Don For always applying herself in all curriculum areas and acting as a positive ambassador for the school.
Year 11: Lawson Walters For asking informed questions when completing assessment.
Year 12: Tait Hanlon For his diligence in class and overall excellent attitude.

Week 6

Year 7: Sophfia Nicholson For outstanding participation in all subject areas. She is always polite, prepared and participating.
Year 8: Makayla Fox For participating in all subjects and being a role model of resilience.
Year 9: Katie Stoneman For positively representing the school in extra-curricular activities.
Year 10: Toby Rugendyke For outstanding participation in all subject areas. He is always polite, prepared and participating.
Year 11: Shaun Williams For participating in activities across the school and helping others in Furnishing.
Year 12: Charlotte Paxton For outstanding participation in all aspects of schooling. She is always polite, prepared and participating.

Community Notices