13 May 2016

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Mackay State High celebrated our first Harmony Day recently with a special Assembly and key events during the day coordinated by Mrs McGuire, supported by the Senior EALD students. Harmony Day is usually held in late March, but this fell in our Term 1 Exam Block, but the day recognizing the diversity of cultural backgrounds in our school especially. Vivien Hanrahan from Mackay's Zonta Club spoke to the students on assembly about the richness that we can gain from drawing on the traits of the cultures in our school community. At lunch time there were a variety of traditional foods from each culture, while several of the students wore the traditional dress of their country of origin. A very successful day will lead to even more extensive program next year.

Late in Term 1, Mackay State High was recognized for the substantial improvement in our student attendance rate during the last couple of years. We have been asked to prepare an Attendance Case Study, outlining the processes that we use to bring about these improvements, which will be displayed and promoted on the Educational Queensland website. The improvement has been achieved through the all-round effort of students, parents and staff.

Last week our newly elected Junior Secondary Leaders were presented with their certificates of Office at the Induction Assembly for Leaders and the Senior Buddies. Both groups play an invaluable contribution to the success of our Junior Secondary students. It was very pleasing to see so many parents attend to make the morning even more special for these students. Congratulations to Mr Skinner, who with his Year Level Coordinators, coordinates this and so many other activities and events for our JS students. Recently inter-class Dodgeball competitions have commenced at lunch time in the Hall.

Sadly one of our Year 11 students passed away, after a long fight against a rare medical condition that she was born with. This young lady had so many reasons to be negative and down on the world, but Alyssa was always happy, caring for others, keen to improve, friendly and a more determined young lady, I will never meet. With permission from her parents, students from Year 11 and Access Centre with staff, formed an Honour Guard along Penn St as the Hearse passed the school, proceeding to her funeral. She will remain in our thoughts for a very long time for the many positive traits, she lived every day of her life, cut sadly short.

Our Year 7 & 9 students have undertaken the NAPLAN Literacy & Numeracy testing. Our students have been prepared through their class preparation and targeted skill development during Term 1. We look forward to receiving the results later this term.

For any of the Senior class of 1966, John Aaskov is organizing a lunch in Brisbane on Wed 23rd November 2016. It will be 50 years since students sat their Senior Exams. If you're interested in finding out more on this event, or know contacts to pass on to John, email him at j.aaskov@qut.edu.au.

Mr Steve Paulger
Principal

TERM REPORTING

Earlier this term, Report cards were issued to students to take home. If your students has misplaced, or not received their copy, parents can use the QParents app or contact the school office for access to the report.

I have been reading through the Reports for students in Years 9 and 10 and many of our students have been achieving wonderful results across all of their subjects. These results generally come about from the combined efforts of the student, the teachers and also the support provided from home and so congratulations and thank you to all of our teacher, parents and caregivers.

Many of our parents and caregivers also attended our Parent – Teacher evening. The evening saw many, many parents and many teachers discussing student progress and plans to go forward from this point.

Mrs Tania Cheers
Deputy Principal

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE ACADEMY CADET PROGRAM

The Academic Excellence Academy Cadet Program is well under way for 2016 with our Cadets visiting Mackay State High School twice already. The Academic Excellence Academy Cadet Program is an enrichment program for academically gifted Year 5 and 6 students that allow them to work with like-minded, high performing students to help them develop to their fullest potential. Through participation in this program Cadets visit the Mackay State High School campus to participate in a range of enrichment activities. Its purpose is to help prepare students for the more challenging and complex studies they will encounter in secondary school.

To date students have participated in a Physical Education session where they learnt all about the heart, the role it plays anatomically and the impacts of exercise on such a vital organ. They have also been involved in a number of sessions where they have completed a range of STEM related activities.

On their first visit, students were divided into small groups with the purpose of creating the tallest and most stable tower. The goal however, was to build their tower using only marshmallows and toothpicks. There were certainly some interesting structures to be seen and the challenge proved quite frustrating for some. This activity was very much an exercise in patience and teamwork. Congratulations to Paige Dodd, Eden Falconer, Caitlin Morris and Tyke Smith who were victorious on the day. Last week had a specific science focus and students worked in the laboratories and learnt all about microscopes.

Upcoming Academic Excellence Academy Cadet Program days throughout the year will involve sessions organised by a range of faculties within the school. Their next visit in week 8 will involve the Business, Information Technology and English faculties.

Kellie Bryan
Academic Excellence Co-Ordinator

YANTAI STUDENT VISIT

Twenty students aged 13-16 years old from Yantai, northern China, will be visiting Mackay from Saturday 23rd July to Sunday 31st July 2016, as part of a Sister City link with Mackay Regional Council. In partnership with three other schools in Mackay we are looking to billet 1 teacher and 5 students within our school community. The students visiting will have a reasonable level of English language as it is taught in their schools. We will be seeking confirmation with possible billeting families very soon once itinerary is confirmed. If you are interested, contact our office and register. Thank you.

JUNIOR SECONDARY NEWS

NAPLAN

NAPLAN 2016 is over. Thank heavens. Back to some normality for year 7 and 9 (for a while). Many thanks to all the students who sat the NAPLAN tests and tried their best.

NAPLAN however, is a very insignificant part of students' lives. Focus on the important aspects of school - enjoying your school years, trying to improve in what you do, and supporting each other positively. There are 6 weeks to go in term 2 to chip away at improving mid-semester results. What are YOUR goals for this year? How will YOU achieve them?

On a lighter note, our Year 7 and 8 dodgeball competition is proving very popular. Attendance and enthusiasm is fantastic. Round 2 of the knockout competition is now underway, with students keen on the idea of connecting a ball with a teacher in a staff versus wining student team playoff.

Student News

Last week we held a ceremony formally welcoming our Junior Secondary leaders and Senior Buddies into their role. Current buddies have of course, been supporting the school in their 2016 capacity since orientation day last year. Junior Secondary leaders were decided at the end of term 1 and have already begun to map out some key initiatives the Junior Secondary body can work towards this year. The induction ceremony is held early in Term 2 to jointly recognise the important impact both teams have on our school. I look forward to continue working with them all throughout the year.

Here are a couple of photos of our induction ceremony.

Thought of the Newsletter

"Inspiration is for amateurs – the rest of us just show up and get to work." - painter Chuck Close

ARTS NEWS

ARTS UNDER THE STARS: URBAN NOISE

ARTS UNDER THE STARS is our annual, festival style celebration of the fantastic outcomes of our Arts programs. This year it will look and feel different! The showcase event introduces some new ideas and is not to be missed. Here is a taste of what's to come...

• 2 outdoor stages – cinema, instrumental music and vocal performances
• "City of Lost Children: journeys of transformation" – a collaborative performance using interactive technologies and emerging from extension Masterclasses with creative industry professionals
• Box Theatre – drama performances
• Al fresco dining under the stars
• Games room and children's entertainment
• Artwork, merchandise tent… and more!

As introduced in 2015, high performing Arts students as well as those aspiring to a career in the Creative Industries, will participate in Master Classes on Thursday, 28 July, presented by seven creative industries professionals. The visiting artists will offer workshops in areas of New Media Performance Installation, Animation, Non-realist Theatre, Experimental Music and Vocal Performance in response to a theme of loss in youth culture.

Our Year 11 Arts in Practice students are currently working on marketing designs, which will be pitched to a selection panel once finalised. T-shirts, badges and other souvenirs featuring these artworks will again be on sale prior to the evening and on the night.

Augmented reality will be a new innovation that audiences can experience on the night. Before the event, make sure you add the free app, AURASMA, to your mobile device or iPad. Bring these along to Arts Under the Stars to see beyond the real!

We look forward to sharing the wonderful work of our hard working Arts staff and students with the school community. Watch the school website and this newsletter for publication of the final program of events soon.

Secure your free tickets to the event and book a spot for the "City of Lost Children" performances here!

YEAR 8 MULTIARTS

Three Multi Arts classes have been creating arts works for Arts Under the Stars throughout the year. These works include graffiti walls, cardboard life sized figures, collaborative mixed media popular culture drawings, performance projections, fibre works and masks.

They are excited to share their hard work with the community on the night. Some works in progress are captured in the following gallery of images.

YEAR 10 ART COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

Year 10 Visual Art students have teamed up with Year 3 and 4 from Central State School on an exciting and very worthwhile project. Art teacher, Catherine Hodby and Central teacher, Wendy Stephenson, have begun the collaborative project with their classes to create artworks in celebration of the life of past student, Jean Mateo.

Jean was farewelled from the school community last year. This project will complete a memorial garden area created by the school with the addition of a large mural next to the already established garden.

During Week 4, our Art class met with the younger students, forming working teams to share stories and make small artworks in response to these memories. As the works develop, we will share them through this newsletter until the unveiling of the finished work.

MATHS DEPARTMENT

Expectations in a classroom

We've noticed that as the months roll by quite a few students are coming to school without essential equipment. Please check that your child has the following items in their bag ready for school each day:

• Blue or black pens
• Pencils for drawings
• Pencil Sharpener
• Eraser
• Ruler
• Scientific Calculator
• Folder for handouts
• A4 exercise book with ruled margins – for Maths only (i.e. not shared with other subjects)
• School diary
• Water bottle (students are not allowed out for drinks)
• Laptop (for use in the classroom when the teacher gives permission)

Thank you for keeping your child well-equipped for lessons.

Acting Head of Department Mathematics
Jim Laidlaw

A MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE

Subject Fees and Student Resource Scheme

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 contribution.

JERSEYS

The prepaid and ordered jerseys for Yrs 10, 11 and 12 will arrive very soon. The Year Coordinators will be checking with me to ensure your fees are all up to date before you receive your jersey. Please contact me if you need to discuss any outstanding fees.

BPOINT

I received a call from a parent Tanya last week who told me she "loves receiving the statements monthly" now. She's fully aware what invoices are outstanding and is finding BPoint very easy to manage. I was so pleased to receive such positive feedback. Thanks Tanya.

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 currently endeavour to email statements mid-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.

Thanks everyone.
Regards

Marg Brown
Business Service Manager

BPOINT

TRY A TRADE

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.

SPORTS REPORT

This is the Physical Education Department Term 2 outline. Just a reminder it is essential for all students to be wearing their bucket hats in practical lessons to comply with the schools sun safety policy.

Interschool Netball

NETBALL SEASON IS UNDERWAY. Mackay State High School has entered 10 teams in the interschool netball carnival that sees Mackay district schools compete in the competition every Tuesday afternoon. We are now up to round 6 with only a few weeks until finals. The season has been tough with all our teams fighting hard to achieve success. Students have made our school and themselves proud by demonstrating their perseverance, excellent sportsmanship and development of skills.

Ladder:

Year 7:

• Kookaburra – 5th
• Magpies – 9th

Year 8:

• Flying Fox – 1st
• Peewees – 5th
• Owls – 7th

Year 9/10 B

• Cassowaries – 4th
• Emus – 15th

Year 9/10 A

• Galahs – 3rd

Open B

• Parrots – 3rd

Open A

• Lorikeets – 2nd

Academy Uniform

All old Mackay State High School Academy shirts (BLK Brand) are no longer accepted as part of the school uniform. In the agreement with our new supplier ISC as well as the school's P & C, the only academy shirts as part of the day to day school uniform are to be the new ISC shirts.

If any student wears the old Academy shirts to school and there has been no contact between home and school, they will front the judiciary in the coming weeks where a note will be sent home for parents to sign.

YEAR 11 FITNESS

Beginning at the end of last term students from both fitness classes started competing to have their name on the class vs class fitness leader board pictured below.

Some impressive results from students with neither group taking home the win, each class winning 7 out of the 14 events listed, meaning a draw for round 1. Congratulations to all the students who had a go. Looking forward to seeing some more fantastic results in round 2.

For any interested students a deadlift competition will be run towards the end of the term most likely in about week 10 or 11 depending on when we can organise for some local lifters to get involved. It is not all about winning, the competition can be used as a goal setting tool, to test current strength or simply as a valuable experience to step outside of comfort zones. So look forward to seeing as many names down for that as possible.

Keep at it all!
Ms Amanda Dick

RELAY FOR LIFE

Last Friday during lunch break students from Mackay High's 'All Night for the Fight' team ran a fundraiser BBQ with the group making $371 in profits thanks to the outstanding efforts of all the group and a special mention to Sharon Barnard who kindly paid for the sausages, onions and soft drinks out of her own pockets to support the cause. A big thanks to brekky club also who kindly donated the bread. The team also raised $250 prior to this and have set a goal of $1000 before the event which runs over the 21st and 22nd May. The team has set themselves a challenge of completing 300 laps at the event and anyone can support them by coming along or even sponsoring a member of the team for every lap they complete.

Holly Beveridge has been working extra hard to coordinate the fundraising efforts of the group with each and every member chipping in to work the fundraisers, sell raffle tickets, jellybean jars and even game based competitions.

Please have any spare change ready this Friday for the bake sale being run during Friday break time outside the hall. Goodies will include sports themed cupcakes and cookies, brownies, cake and many other delightful treats all donated by our wonderful team.

POULTRY TEAM

On Saturday, 7th May our new MSHS Poultry Team went to our first competition with our new Black Australop birds. The Mackay Poultry and Pigeon Club Show was held at the Mackay Showground and the members made our students feel very welcome.

Our student team was Elizabeth Walker (Year 8), Hinata Nishimura (Year 8), Christopher Mayer (Year 8), AJ Thomsett (Year 7)

We took six Australops to show, including 4 Cockerals (roosters under 12 months) and 2 Pullets (hens under 12 months).

Our poultry team trained our birds every lunch break for two weeks. They taught our birds to not be frightened, to stand to the front of the cage and look beautiful. Our birds were given lots of lovely treats each day and lots of washing and scrubbing before the show.

As a result of our effort, MSHS won one First prize, two Seconds and one Third prize. An amazing effort for our team and our poultry.

MESSAGE FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE

Respect is about valuing people. Everyone has the right to feel safe, be treated with fairness to be valued and be accepted for who they are. Respectful relationships help you feel trusted, equal, understood, listened to, comfortable, and encouraged. In a respectful relationship people might disagree with each other but differences are dealt with in ways that lead to mutual understanding or resolution.

Respectful relationships are important in all aspects of our community. May is Domestic and Family Violence Awareness Month. Domestic & Family Violence occurs when one person in a relationship uses violence or some form of abuse to control another person. It's all about control!

Domestic & Family Violence is never acceptable not now not ever!

All adults have a responsibility to role model respectful relationships so that young people grow up understanding how to treat others respectfully and develop good quality violence free relationships as adults. Let's use this month to think twice about our behaviour toward others and be the best that we can be for our children.

If you or anyone you know would like help with Domestic or Family Violence problems phone: DV Connect Women's line 1800 811 811 or DV Connect Men's line 188 600 636

Trixie Mills
School Based Youth Health Nurse

CHAPLAIN UPDATE

Giant Auction Saturday 13th August on the MSHS Oval

Hello Community.

We need your unwanted items!
We need what you no longer need!

Please donate: Lounges, tables, bikes, plants, bric-a-brac, jars, a holiday at your accommodation, chooks, bottles of wine, vouchers, Christmas gifts you never asked for, left over building materials, used toys, your no longer wanted treasures not trash!

All proceeds go to the Mackay Chaplaincy Committee to support Chappy Phil at MSHS.

All unsold items will be forwarded on to a charity.

Please help if you can and pass this on to your networks.

Smaller Items

If you have any small items you want to donate, you can drop them off to Mackay State High School starting Term 3.

Chappy Phil can transport them in his Mazda Dual Cab Ute with canopy. Phil Office:07 49579107 Mobile:0488 573 276

Larger Items

Larger items will need to be dropped off at the Warehouse or transport arranged.

Giant Auction Warehouse.

Unit 1 / 13-19 Caterpillar Drive Paget ( Downunder Minesite Maintenance building )
Office Phone Number: 4998 5939
Warehouse Drop Off Times Fridays 8am - 4pm

Please contact warehouse office before unloading and fill out Register

(Name & Description of items)

Warehouse Drop Off Dates (Fridays):

• July: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• August: 5, 12

Chappy Phil

BREAKFAST CLUB

COMMUNITY NOTICES