22 February 2016

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Student numbers for 2016 have remained strong with 164 Year 7, 217 Year 8, 133 Year 9, 197 Year 10, 181 Year 11 and 184 Year 12 students making a total of 1076 students at the end of Week 2. We have continued to take enrolments from students within our enrolment catchment area, as there is great interest to enrol at Mackay State High.

Our IMPROVEMENT AGENDA for 2016 is focused on all students maximising their learning with three focus areas.

MAXIMISING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND PROMOTION IN SCHOOL COMMUNITY

PERFORMANCE

• Year 9 Writing U2B 15%, Numeracy U2B 20%
  > 95% Year 12s achieve QCE, 100% QCE and/or Cert 2 VET qual
  Attendance target 90%

PEDAGOGY

• High quality teaching
• Consistency

STUDENT DEVELOPMENT

- Leadership, Confidence, Resilience, Well-being

Student Leadership is one of the opportunities developed for students. This week the Student Leaders Investiture was celebrated at our Assembly. Captains, Prefects, Music and House Captains recited their Oath of Office, in a ceremony attended by many of their parents. Former student Greg Williamson was the guest speaker at this special event for the students, reflecting on his school days.

Our student photos were completed in Week 3 and students will receive Student ID cards as well as photos paid for by families, in approximately 4 weeks. The photographers completed an excellent program to complete photos of 1070 students and over 100 staff in the two days. After setting up on Day 1, they spent several hours, as did students and staff, after a phoned bomb threat was received at 8:55am. All personnel were evacuated to the oval, Police in large numbers attended and after giving clearance of the Hall, students and staff could relocate inside. The large contingent of officers then did a thorough sweep of school rooms, ports and other storerooms.

I was very proud of the manner in which our students responded to this serious incident and the support and guidance provided by staff, allowing normal programs to resume by 1pm. Sincere thanks to our local Police officers who efficiently carried out the screening of the site so efficiently.

Congratulations to our three contestants in Lions Youth of the Year competition held on Monday 15th February. Chereece Jocumsen, Harley Baggow and Hannah Vella were our representatives and Chereece was successful on the night. Students presented a 5 minute prepared speech and later had a 2 minute Impromptu on an unseen topic.

Earlier in the afternoon, Hannah, with fellow School Captain Harrison Arnold, attended a civic reception for the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Malcolm Turnbull. With other school representatives, they spoke to Mr Turnbull about their aspirations and local issues.

Mr Steve Paulger
Principal

NEW TEACHERS

Sarah Fletcher

My name is Sarah Fletcher and I am a new science and chemistry teacher. I have recently moved up from Brisbane but I am originally from Rockhampton and still frequently visit family members there.

It has been an exciting couple of weeks getting used to both the weather and the busy schedule. I would like to thank all the staff, in particular the science staffroom, for being incredibly helpful and patient with all my questions. The students have all been very welcoming and frequently say hello and ask how my day has been as I walk around the school.

I look forward to the experiences the rest of the year will bring and acquainting myself with the rest of the staff, students, and parents.

Sheridan Glegg

I have taught Science and Biology for 15 years. I taught in Melbourne for about 10 years; Mostly at Lakeside Secondary College Reservoir, but with some shorter stints at Eltham High School, and Reservoir District Secondary College.

In 2011 I worked at Dunwich State and Secondary Department, North Stradbroke Island, and for the last 5 or so years I have been at Proserpine State High School.

I have really enjoyed working with the Mackay State High community so far, and I will always do my best to be of service.

MACKAY DISTRICT SCHOOL SPORT TRIALS CALENDER

MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE

Welcome back – it is great to see all the new shiny faces around the school and the sparky clean new uniforms.

STUDENT PARTICIPATION FORMS

Just over a week ago your student was given a coloured "participation form" for you to sign and return. Agreeing to participate in the Student Resource Scheme allows us to provide your student with textbooks and workbooks prepared and purchased by the school. NON-participation means YOU are required to purchase all the English novels etc that your student currently "borrows".

INVOICES

I have invoiced all students for Student Resource Scheme, Magazine (NOT compulsory) and any subjects that occur charges. The discount period for the Student Resource Scheme is until the beginning of Term 2. There will be an additional $20 applied in Term 2. There are a few elective subjects that may still come through and very few subject changes. Thank you to all that have processed your payments – isn't the BPoint option a fantastic new process?

BPOINT

If you view the bottom left hand side of your invoice or statement it explains the process – go to http://www.bpoint.com.au/payments/dete - you will require information from your invoice or statement eg your Customer Reference Number, students' name and invoice number.

Enter YOUR email address for the receipt/confirmation of payment. I receive a report from the bank showing me all payments and/or if there were errors during entry.

STATEMENTS

If you are NOT receiving invoices/credit adjustments and statements via email please contact us at admin@mackayshs.eq.edu.au – we would prefer to provide you with up to date information. By the time we print and post statements to you it is quite often out of date

We endeavour to email statements monthly too.

If you are experiencing financial hardship please contact us. We may be able to provide options to assist you with clearing your fees. Students with unpaid fees may find themselves unable to participate in elective excursions, purchase Mackay SHS Jerseys and/or Mocktail and Formal tickets.

Are you aware you can have your Centrelink payments paid directly to the school to pay for your student's fees?

REFUNDS/CREDITS

If/when you request the reversal (credit adjustment) of an invoice please be aware that we require a written request (we do have a standard form) and then the approval of the appropriate Head of Department or Excursion Coordinator, and quite often there is a non-refundable deposit because the school often pays excursion costs long before departure.

KEEPING IN TOUCH

If any of your details change: address, contact numbers etc please let us now ASAP.

Should you wish to query anything please drop in (8am – 3.45pm) phone 4957 9179 or email admin@mackayshs.eq.edu.au.

Thanks everyone.

Looking forward to a fabulous 2016.

Regards

Marg Brown
Business Service Manager

SAFETY AROUND OUR SCHOOL

All people dropping off and collecting students from around schools are reminded to be very cautious and ensure that speed limits and parking regulations are closely adhered to. Local Police are monitoring school areas very closely to support the safety of all near our schools.

In the afternoons, I recommend that parents arrange to pick up their children from a set place in Penn St, English St or Kenilworth St as the school frontage is congested with other cars and buses until 3:30pm.

MATHS TUTORING

ENGLISH TUTORING

Tutoring

Every Monday 3- 4pm in A08

Students can get help with assignments, exam preparation, oral presentations etc.

EALD

ARE YOU AN EALD – Is English and additional language or dialect for you??

Student Who Needs Some Extra Help with Assignments? You are eligible for:

What: Extra FREE tutoring for EALD students
WHEN: Every Wednesday 3pm to 4pm
WHERE: D05 classroom
WHO with: Mrs McGuire and Mrs Baxter

Bring along your assignments or homework for help with grammar and vocabulary; or to understand the task requirements.

MENTAL HEALTH

Whole School Approach

We are developing and implementing a Whole School Approach to Mental Health using the MindMatters resources which are described below. We have put together an Action Team with Teachers, Students, Student Services and also one parent who is also a staff member. If you would like to find out more about this program you can do any of the modules on this website ( www.mindmatters.edu.au ) which take about an hour and each one has an animated video and a panel video. The link to the first video of a panel discussion is also below.

MindMatters is not a 'one size fits all' program. MindMatters provides schools with a systematic and comprehensive approach to supporting student mental health and wellbeing through the implementation of mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention strategies.

MindMatters consists of four components:

• Positive school community
• Student skills for resilience
• Parents and families
• Support for students experiencing mental health difficulties.

Each component consists of a set of target areas and objectives.

If you would like to find out more click on the following link

P & C NEWS

TUCKSHOP

We are excited to introduce an EFTPOS machine to MSHS Tuckshop. The Eftpos machine will be accessible before school and during breaks. It is solely available for purchases NO CASHOUT allowed.

TUCKSHOP SURVEY

Mackay State High School P&C Association are reviewing the tuckshop business. We would love your feedback and invite current parents, staff and students to use the most appropriate link. The survey has been produced with the help of Nutrition Australia Queensland.

Students Survey Link

Staff Survey Link

Parents Survey Link

COMMUNITY NOTICES