14 April 2016

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Welcome to Term 2, after what I hope was a relaxing Easter break. This term is very important to all students, as the next 11 weeks will build on the foundations of Term 1 towards the assessments for Semester 1. As always there are activities which are arranged by school or family, like Work Experience Year 11/12, Instrumental Music Camp, key guest speakers and Sport trips to name some, that interrupt the class commitments. It is very important that every child whether in Year 7 or 12, maximize their class time, engage fully every lesson and plan for days that are missed. This will assist in having your child achieve their best in all endeavours.

One important aspect that researcher say assists students to improve, is feedback. In Week 2, the first of our scheduled Parent – Teacher Interview sessions for 2016. Students receive feedback after in class testing, draft feedback on assignments as well as class discussions, but these interviews allow parents and guardians to meet and discuss the ratings provided in the Mid Semester Interim Reports. This will allow for teachers and parents to share the positive performances of the students and ideas and strategies that can support them to improve in other areas. When students, their teachers and their family are "on the same page" regarding the positive improvements, your child can best improve even further. I hope that you have booked for at least some interviews on Tuesday evening 19th April, but if this evening is not suitable, contact the school to arrange a time to meet a member of staff. Thank you for taking this strong interest in your child's learning.

Just as families have commitments, several of our teachers have commitments that afternoon, but all 80 teachers will be available for some times during the period from 3:30pm to 7:30pm.

On the final day of Term 1, we were advised that Chloe Healion had been accepted into the Creative Generation (CGEN) Orchestra for the second year, playing the cello. This is recognition of her skills and commitment with her music to be selected with 70 others, from across the State from the best musicians again this year. She will join these students to work with adult musicians, teachers, conductors in July at the Entertainment Centre at Southbank in Brisbane. The week long workshop culminates with a concert performance for parents, staff and guests in the Concert Hall. Chloe is very excited to gain this recognition of her musical capabilities.

ANZAC Day is in Week 3 and our school will hold a special school assembly to commemorate the efforts of our Armed Services personnel on Wed 20th April. Each year our students and staff participate in the ANZAC Day March in the community, representing our school. Students are again asked to assemble at the Coles Sydney St car park in full uniform from 8:10am. Academy students are asked to wear their Academy uniforms. Students should wear their school hats if they have one, and bring a water bottle. The march commences to Jubilee Park at 8:35am. I hope that once again we will have a large representation for our great school. Our Captains will lay a wreath on behalf of our School Community.

On Wednesday 4th May, our school has been fortunate to have Bruce and Denise Morcombe agree to speak to our students in Year 7 – 9. The Morcombe Foundation work closely with Education Queensland and the State Government to spread the message of our young people keeping safe. We look forward to making them welcome in our school to share their message.

Our next P&C Meeting will be held at 6pm on Monday 18th April and all interested parents and community members are invited to attend. Usually our meeting is on the fourth Monday, but that is ANZAC Day.

Mr Steve Paulger
Principal

TERM 1 REPORT CARDS

Some important dates around our Term 1 Reporting for students in Years 7 – 12:

• Tuesday 12th April – Reports distributed to students to take home.
• Tuesday 12th April, 4.00 pm – online environment opens for parents to make Teacher Interview bookings.
• Tuesday 19th April, midday – online environment closes for making interviews.
• Tuesday 19th April, 3.30pm – 7.30pm – Parent / Teacher Evening in Mackay SHS Hall

The purpose of this interim report is to:

• invite parents to participate in the upcoming Parent / Teacher Interview evening
• provide parents with a summary of their student's progress for the year-to-date, and
• to provide school based Achievement Data for analysis.

We are planning for some changes with our reporting and interview processes this year so please watch our Newsletters and P&C Agendas so that we can keep you up-to-date.

Mrs Tania Cheers
Deputy Principal

AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT NEWS

Year 10 Agriculture Skills

During Agriculture Skills we have been very busy. Learning to use the whipper snipper has been great fun. At first I was not very confident, but in no time at all I was able to master the skill. Mr Temple-Watts taught our class how to maintain and use the whipper snipper safely. When using the whipper snipper you must always wear safety goggles and ear muffs. Using a harness takes the weight off the body and makes it more comfortable to move around. When we are finished we must clean them down, removing all the grass clippings before we store them again. We also refuel them, making sure they are ready for the next time they are used.

Our first task was to whipper snipper the grass along the Ag plot fence line. Next we had to cut the grass along the fences in the cattle yards. Mr Temple-Watts taught us to whipper snip around trees and not hit the bark off the tree. If you remove more than 1cm of bark off a tree it can die. I think Mr T is now pretty confident with our ability to use the whipper snippers independently to maintain the Ag plot.

Bailey Leggett – 10F1

ART NEWS

CURRICULUM HAPPENINGS

This year the Arts have introduced three new school based subjects in Year 11, extending the pathways for Junior Art, Drama, Media Arts, Music and Multi Arts students. The popular subjects are:

• Arts in Practice
• Drama in Practice
• Visual Arts in Practice

A snapshot of some of the fabulous work being undertaken in these courses follows.

ARTS IN PRACTICE

Students have been working on digital still image montages, following a theme of 'urban noise'. They are using Adobe Premiere to edit photographs captured during a half day excursion to the CBD and riverside.

DRAMA IN PRACTICE

Students have been working on a director's vision using Drama language and directing conventions to create action and dramatic meaning.

VISUAL ARTS IN PRACTICE

In a unit titled Transformation students have manipulated imagery from popular culture, both by hand and digitally using Adobe Photoshop. Transforming pop icons from the real to stylized to the abstract has been a steep learning curve for these students, pushing them to take creative risks.

DATE CLAIMERS

April 12 – 15

Instrumental Camp

Many Mackay SHS Instrumental Music students set off for Yeppoon PCYC on Tuesday morning for the biennial Instrumental Music Camp.

The camp provides an opportunity for our bands and ensembles to fine tune their performance skills in preparation for the Regional Fanfare Competition on Tuesday 7 June. Accompanied by Instrumental Music teachers, Matthew Johnston, Kristen Boyd and Yvonne Bell, Instrumental Music Coordinator, Nicole DeBrueys and Arts teacher Sam Neill, the group of 63 students from Years 7 to 12 will work together to polish their presence on stage and tighten their repertoires.

We look forward to hearing the outcomes of their efforts throughout the year.

July 28

ARTS UNDER THE STARS: Masterclasses

Extension workshops with industry professionals for invited students

July 29

ARTS UNDER THE STARS: urban noise

A celebratory showcase of the fantastic outcomes of our diverse Arts programs, including Masterclasses

Mrs Glenda Hobdell
HOD – The Arts

JUNIOR SECONDARY REPORT

General News

The big news in Junior Secondary to start this term, is the approach of our annual NAPLAN testing. This will occur in week 5 from Tuesday 10th until Thursday 12th May. All Year 7 and 9 students will be tested across the three days on their skills and abilities in the Writing, Reading, Language Conventions and Numeracy strands. Students have been practicing responding to the content and materials examined in the NAPLAN testing and thus should be fairly comfortable with undergoing the tests. It can be however, a stressful time for students, as each individual handles the tests in their own way. If you have any queries or concerns regarding your student sitting the tests, please don't hesitate to contact me. There will be specific information in relation to the running of the tests provided closer to the actual testing dates.

Some students recently nominated for the role of Junior Secondary leaders, and have been through a small interview process with myself and the Junior Secondary Year Coordinators. We will announce the successful candidates very shortly and hold an induction ceremony as well during the first half of this term. Beginning this year, we will be trialling the concept of a student council. Senior School students (years 10 - 12) will be asked to join our Junior Secondary leaders and hopefully put their combined efforts together to improve various aspects of our school culture, and provide opportunities for all students to actively participate positively at school.

What's On Soon

Lunchtime activities will be starting soon. This term we will be running a knockout dodgeball competition for all year 7 and 8 form classes. Some senior buddies have asked to join in with their form classes for a competitive game. I'll be there each match seeing how many students I can take out. Bring it on!

Thought of the Newsletter

You can't fall if you don't climb. But there's no joy in living your whole life on the ground.

General

Students are reminded to check the large display monitor in the window of the year coordinators room for photos of student events, a "what's on" calendar, regular news, and the occasional spot competition.

Mr Matt Skinner
HOD Junior Secondary

SPORTS REPORT

The following Softball students need to be congratulated for their selection and representation at the Capricornia trials.

Congratulations to the three boys who were selected to represent Mackay State High School at the Southern District level, Good Luck Boys.

The following students have been selected from the District Trials to represent the Capricornia Region. This is an excellent achievement and each one of you should be very proud of your efforts. Well done and best of luck.

Students need to be aware of the trials that will be conducted in Term Two.

A MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE

Welcome to Term 2 – the weeks certainly have flown. Thank you to the many parents/carers who are utilising BPoint – it is SO easy and you receive a confirmation receipt showing exactly what/when and how much has been paid. If the payments don't match exactly I receive a report and I correct them as required.

INVOICES

The Term 1 DISCOUNT Student Resource Scheme invoice for $205 has expired now. I will be adding the addition $20 this week.

Yr12 students – remember you MUST have all your fees cleared if you wish to purchase a Formal ticket at the end of the year. Please speak to me asap so that we can clear any outstanding fees NOW!!! You will be amazed how quickly the debt reduces when there is a regular reduction.

Students who set up payment plans for fees will not receive the extra $20 invoice for Student Resource Scheme.

BPOINT

Isn't the BPoint option a fantastic new process?

If you view the bottom left hand side of your invoice or statement it explains the process – go to the link below - 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.

If you are experiencing financial hardship please contact us. We may be able to provide options to assist you with clearing your fees.

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. Quite often there is a non-refundable deposit because the school is required to pay a deposit to guarantee our booking which is non-refundable to us!

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.

Regards
Marg Brown
Business Service Manager

BPOINT

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.

SCHOOL ZONE LIGHTS

Flashing lights now active at Mackay State High School

During the Easter Break, flashing light school zone signs were installed on streets bordering our school grounds

Mackay State High School was nominated to receive these new signs as part of a Queensland Government commitment to improve school road safety.

You will notice that the new signs look similar to standard school zone signs with the addition of a red flashing ring around the speed limit as well as two flashing yellow lights at the top of the sign. The installation of flashing light school zone signs is proven to improve visibility of school zones, serving as an active reminder for motorists to slow down.

So next time you're dropping off or picking up your child, keep an eye out for the new signs and make sure you stick to the signed speed limit.

MESSAGE FROM NURSE TRIXIE

Don't Forget Your Teeth!

Tooth extraction is a leading cause of children and teenagers requiring surgery in Australia. Approximately half of Queensland's children have experienced dental disease by six years of age. Many parents think that older children and teenagers will clean their teeth twice a day without reminders. Sadly this is not the case. Despite being well on the way to adulthood and spending a lot of time (and money) on cosmetics and hair, teenagers frequently neglect their teeth.

Parents need to establish good teeth cleaning routines early on in a child's life and continue to give reminders frequently even in the teenage years. Setting a good example by cleaning and flossing at least twice a day as well as having regular dental checks is equally important. Limiting drinks containing sugar (including fruit juice) and ensuring that the family drinks water after eating will help to protect teeth. Our teeth need to last us a lifetime which could be 100 years for the current generation of young people. Dental procedures due to neglected teeth can be costly and decaying teeth are not only painful but set up an inflammatory response in the body which can have secondary complications such as gum disease or heart damage.

Children aged 2-17 years may be eligible for up to $1000 for basic dental services. Prevention is better than trying to cure a dental health problem. For more information visit the Queensland Health Department website below or contact your family dentist.

Trixie Mills
School Based youth Health Nurse

GUIDANCE OFFICER

Resilience

Resilience is a 21st Century parenting concept that every parent needs to understand.

Some kids are resilient by nature – their temperament helps them to be mentally and psychologically tough. You know those kids. They get straight back up after a setback or disappointment. Rejection in the playground doesn't faze them. Unfortunately, not every child has such natural resilience.

The good news is that most of the research shows that resilience can be nurtured and developed, particularly when parents themselves are resilient and they actively foster it in their kids.

Resilient kids share four basic skill sets- independence, problem-solving, optimism and social connection.

Building Resilience

From a resilience perspective parents need to coach kids through some of their more challenging moments and reviewing what they may have learned for next time. Avoid solving all their problems for them.

You can promote a lasting sense of resilience in your kids by:

1. Having a positive attitude yourself. Your attitude as a parent impacts on their ability to bounce back from some of the difficulties they face. Make sure you model a 'you can do it' attitude for your child when he meets some of life's curve balls.
2. Look for teachable moments. Many kids' learning opportunities are disguised as problems. Make the most of these opportunities so that kids can grow and learn from some of the challenges they face.
3. Make kids active participants in the family. Active participation in a family develops the self-help, problem-solving and independence skills of kids that are necessary for resilience.
4. Build kids coping skills. There are plenty of strategies you can pass on to kids to help them cope when life doesn't go their way, including acceptance, getting away for a while, and normalisation.

Promoting resilience in kids is a not a single event but a continuous process that requires adults to be supportive and empathetic when things don't go their way. It also requires you as a parent to have an understanding of resilience, so you have faith in yourself, and your child's ability to cope.

From Parenting Ideas by Michael Grobe

The following video clip explains what Resilience is and what schools (and parents) can do to help students develop resilience.

Lindsay Hains
Guidance Officer

CHAPLAIN UPDATE

COMMUNITY NOTICES