25 November 2016

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPALS REPORT

Our 2016 Year 12 students graduated last week after they celebrated at their Formal held on Wednesday evening. This year a new aspect to the Friday Graduation ceremony was the Student Walk to their final morning. This was a very special addition to their final day and will be long remembered by these students and those in Year 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 who lined the pathway recognising their great achievements. You can gain some small measure of it on a video on our school Facebook site.

The Salvos Christmas Appeal has been a large part of the culture of our school for many years and this year over 100 items were donated by students and staff from Mackay SHS and presented to the Salvation Army representative at parade. Congratulations to the two Year 7 Form Classes, 7C2 (Ms Stork) and 7F1 (Ms Kliese), which excelled in their contribution to those families here in Mackay who will now have some special Mackay State High support in the Christmas period.

Congratulations to the competitors in the Chinese Speaking Awards held at CQU in November. Awards were presented to these students by Ms Chuang, who was very proud of their efforts this year.

Year 7

Gold - Pushti Shah
Silver - Disha Ribari
Bronze - Grace Clarkson
Highly Commended - Karissa Giumelli, Chelsea Bycroft, Cameron Archer

Year 8

Gold - Hinata Nishimura
Silver - Krystel Bolival
Bronze - Shay Rollino
Highly Commended - Bianca Little, Grace Wickens

Congratulations to these students and Ms Chuang.

Our Academic Excellence Academy students in Year 7 & 8 have had a very busy time showcasing their projects, investigated across this term for their STEM Report. On Monday the groups explained their focus was in explaining their research to the AEA Cadets from local schools. Judging of the projects and presentations was done by special guests from Reef Catchments and CQU Science faculty, with many of the parents present to see the outstanding efforts.

Year 11 Leadership Camp has attracted record numbers this year and the students and a number of staff are this week at Magnetic Island Sport & Recreation Centre, undertaking a range of activities to develop those involved personally as well as the whole group, as they prepare for their final year of secondary education.

The SPOTY Awards (Sports Person of the Year) for 10-12years were held at Magpies Sports Club. Two of our students Ella Anderson and Ryleigh Wotherspoon were selected in the Top 10 athletes across Mackay for 2016. Congratulations to Ryleigh who was awarded the SPOTY Trophy for 2016 by Rebecca Goodale, international swimmer from Mackay.

Mackay Engineering College held their Year 12 Graduation in mid-November with the 12 students and their families present to recognise their achievements. We were also joined by industry representatives which have engaged a few of these students. Special Awards were presented to Kieren Bennett - Best Performing Student, and Most Improved Student – Bryce Carew & Daniel Beckham. Several of these students have commenced fulltime apprenticeships as soon as they finished school, while others have a big head-start on their peers as they seek trade employment.

Mr Steve Paulger
Principal

JUNIOR SECONDARY NEWS

General News

It's nearly Santa Claus time. But Santa has to work really hard in the lead up to Christmas, and it's the same with school. Junior Secondary still has lots of work and assessment to complete. Do not slacken off until the last day.

Remember, holidays have not started. It is NOT okay to have a day off school until holidays officially start.

Now that our year 10 -12 body has finished for the year, I also I provide a reminder to students that having a bigger space in the school dos not mean you can run "wild and silly", especially at lunch breaks.

We also as a final general reminder, encourage students to have a relaxing break and look after themselves, physically and mentally. They also must promise to pull their weight at home on the holidays, and help with the household chores.

What's On Soon

The last week of term starts with the Junior Secondary Activities (or Rewards) day. This occurs on Monday 5th December. Students and families have been notified of this via a letter home, explaining that we will be going to the movies and the blue water lagoon, with a free lunch being provided. The cost is $10 (for the movie). To be allowed to attend, all school fees must be up to date, and behaviour at an acceptable level. ALL students are aware of their position regards this. It is a fun day allowing students to have a relaxing time and all should look forward to attending.

Tuesday and Wednesday are normal school days, with students engaged in classwork leading in to 2017. Thursday 8th is a modified day, with students receiving their magazine (conditional on fees and return of school property), reports, certificates, certain awards, and information regarding the start of the 2017 school year.

Another fun event is the Year 9 Graduation Dance, also a very fun night and only costing $10. A letter has been sent home about this. This is a celebration for Year 9 of the end of their Junior Secondary years. In 2017, although in year 10, they start their Senor Secondary years, all too soon to be in the big wide world!!

Good News Stories

Year 7 PDC (Personal Development and Care) classes his week visited 3 Aged Care facilities (Francis of Assisi Home, Good Shepherd Lodge and Homefield Aged Care Facility). Students have been busy in their PDC lessons making handmade Christmas decorations, and handmade Christmas cards, each addressed to a resident of the facility.

We also sang (roughly speaking) a number of Christmas carols to the residents. This was a great learning experience for many students, speaking to people many times their age. The reception form the senior citizens was warm and caring, happy to see young (nervous) visitors, receiving their cards and decorations. It was a sincere reminder to our students of a vital community spirt, and that our community is not made solely of young, mobile residents. It was heart warming to witness the joy from the elderly, even for such a brief moment.

I look forward to building on our first experience in this community initiative, for an even more merry 2017 Christmas visit for our elderly community.

Thought of the Newsletter

"Let us never know what old age is. Let us know the happiness time brings, not count the years."
Ausonius

"To me - old age is always ten years older than I am."
Bernard Baruch

“The Little Boy and the Old Man"

Matt Skinner
HOD Junior Secondary

Farewell to Year 9

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose." - Dr. Seuss

Welcome to the end of the year for Junior Secondary Graduating Class of 2016.

Robert Gallagher said that change is inevitable - except from a vending machine. As you stand on the brink of moving into life beyond Junior Secondary, change will be inevitable! It is inevitable and indeed gratifying to see that our Year 9 class of 2016 matured and became skills proficient ready to tackle and further their life-long education. It is inevitable that structures and processes and relationships will change in their day-to-day lives. It is inevitable that they will face new challenges and it is inevitable that things may seem a little different in the senior years ahead. Yes, life is definitely going to become a little "shaken up and stirred".

But as we look back over the last 3 years on a journey - a journey that started out with hesitant, tentative steps, we see just how far these young ladies and gentlemen have progressed. It has been an honour and a privilege being part of their journey and one which has been imbued with wonderful memories. Allow me to share four such memories with you - memories that serve to illustrate that while some things will change and rightly so - the core fundamentals in their lives will remain the same.

Sports day was a fun affair. Year 9 joined the novelty events and took on Year 8s with a game of tug –a-war. Their shear strength snapped the rope as everyone fell to the ground in fits of laughter and team spirit.

Leading on from sports day was the Transition Day where Year 8 competed against year 9 in a variety of team building games. Leadership qualities shone from numerous students as they demonstrated the many values of the school, pride, dedication, respect and consideration.

The discos are always a hit with all students, Year 9 being no different. Students came dressed in themed fancy dress – neon for the first and superhero for the later. Students danced the night away into the small hours of 8pm, sharing a BBQ and creative face painting. Thank you to the buddies who helped out during the night.

The Junior Secondary badging parade was a highlight. Students who stepped up for the role of leader met on a regular basis to discuss student concerns and took time from their busy schedules to work on various Junior Secondary projects.

It is these memories that testify to the fine calibre our graduating Junior Secondary class. I would like to pay tribute to each and every one. You have all left and will continue to leave an indelible legacy of excellence, achievement and a fine ethos and tradition for generations to come. I would also like to pay tribute to the wonderful teachers, the parents, school administration and indeed Mr Skinner and Ms Cheers - you have all guided, moulded and shaped the Year 9 students. Your role has been hugely instrumental in moulding our young people...our hope for the future.

Our future seems destined to be in capable hands. The Year 9 class has achieved exceptional accolades, perhaps too many to highlight or to single out. Letters have gone home throughout the year celebrating students academic performance and attendance achievement across the year. Suffice to say that I believe that the vast majority of pupils strove to work to their potential, they aimed high, they set their goals and for the most part, they not only achieved them, but in fact surpassed them.

So Year 9, as you face and tackle the inevitable changes, hold true to yourself. Remember to hold onto your value system, the core values you have learnt from Mackay State High School, Pride, Respect, Dedication and Responsibility, your work ethic and most importantly, your humanity. It is these qualities that will guide you further on your journey.

Today's achievements may fade or even be forgotten. The applause may become a distant memory and your certificates and medals may gather dust on a shelf or in a drawer. But, you will always be remembered for caring enough, for helping someone, for making someone feel special and appreciated and for being the kind of person that others enjoy spending time with.

Your life is a remarkable occasion - I have no doubt that you will rise to it!

Mrs Kate Leon-Mason
Year 9 Coordinator

FROM THE DESK OF A DEPUTY

Report Cards

Students in Years 10 and 11 will be issued their End of Semester 2 Report Cards on Friday – 25th November. Students in years 7 to 9 will receive their report cards on Thursday 8th December. They will also receive Stationery Lists for subjects in 2017 and a reminder of our uniform requirements.

If students are absent on these days then reports will be available through the front Office during the remaining two weeks of the school term (for Year 10 and 11 students) or at the start of the new school year. It is also an option for students / parents to provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the Office, should they wish to have the report card posted home.

Report card information will also be available through our school’s QParent app, once they have been made available to students.

Subject Selections, Start Dates and Timetables for 2017

Last week students were provided access to information about their subject choices for next year. There is still the opportunity for students to make changes, although this is often limited by class sizes. Students wishing to request a change should see me as soon as possible.

2017 student timetables will be emailed to students in the week before school recommences and will also be available via the OneSchool student login environment, linked from our school website. All students will be issued a paper copy of their timetable on their first day, which for students entering Years 7, 8 and 10 is Monday 23rd January and other students is Tuesday 24th January.

Just a reminder that students are required to wear shoes that meet the school uniform descriptions in order to participate in classes with practical elements. Some subjects may have additional safety needs – which are included on the Stationery Lists.

Introducing the Year 9 Graduation Dance

Invitations are now out to our Year 9 students to attend the inaugural Junior Secondary Graduation Dance, on Wednesday evening, 30th November. The dance has a Hawaiian theme, a Luau, and is to provide an opportunity for students to celebrate the end of their Junior Secondary phase of <

The night will consist of dancing and other games, a photo booth, activities, and catering for a light supper. Supervision is provided by school teaching staff.

Students will be expected to comply with a standard of dress suitable for a school event, (smart casual) with suitable coverage and footwear – but following the theme for the night. This will be discussed with the students at Year Level Meetings.

We are seeking items that will assist in dressing up the Hall for the Luau Theme – such as fairy lights, lanterns, coconuts and palms (fronds). If you have anything that can be used for this event then please have your student provide information to Mrs Pritchard or Mr Skinner.

Given that the event is extra curricula, other scheduled fess, such as Resource Scheme, will need to have been paid and the student needs to be of satisfactory behaviour for them to be invited to attend. All parents/carers of such students have been invoiced $10. This item will be removed for students who do not attend. Students who are not currently on the invitation list, due to outstanding fees, can be quickly added when these other invoices are cleared. Please speak to our Office Staff if you have questions relating to these finance issues.

We are hoping for a fantastic event for the students and for turning it into an annual event.

Mrs Tania Cheers
Deputy Principal

ARTS NEWS

VERVE ART EXHIBITION

Many members of the school community attended the first major exhibition of our Visual Arts students’ work held at Paxton’s Warehouse on Thursday 3 November 2016. Please find an invitation attached. The event is open to the public for one night only and not to be missed.

VERVE•2016 showcased the emerging talents of our senior students of the Visual Arts – Visual Art, Film TV and New Media, Visual Arts in Practice, Arts in Practice and Media Arts. The show was curated by the VAP students and featured site-specific installations by Year 11 Visual Art students and new media works by Year 12 Visual Arts.

The Year 11 Visual Arts in Practice and Visual Art students, under the guidance of teachers Glenda Hobdell, Catherine Hodby, Sam Neill and teacher aide Perry Hobdell prepared the expansive space and installed 98 individual artworks during the day – an amazing feat – before welcoming the buzzing crowd at 6pm.

Art Clemente, Paxton's diorama

After an earlier visit to the warehouse, the class created scale models to plan the install. A selection of these were also on display on the night.

VERVE was officially opened by Principal, Mr Stephen Paulger who commended all students on their efforts but made special mention of one young artist, Nicka Mateo, for her small watercolour portrait works, I’m Tired of Everything Parts 1 and 2.

Tyler Gunston, What Remains, site specific installation

Owners of Paxtons, Lynne and Rob Robson, were delighted to see the transformation of the space and how much was achieved by the class in such a short time.

On invitation they selected two works that stood out for them. Tyler Gunston’s What Remains, an excellent site specific installation, and Sarah Glover’s digitally manipulated diptych, Lead the Way 1 & 2, were recognized by them because of their connection with the space.

A huge congratulations to all involved on a wonderful learning experience and showcase event.

Sarah Glover, Lead the Way 1 and 2, digitally manipulated photos

MUSIC FAREWELL SOIREE

On Friday 11 November, Instrumental Music families and other members of the school community were invited to celebrate the year that has been for our Music students and their teachers.

The Mackay SHS Concert Bands, Stage Band, String Ensembles, Percussion Ensemble, Flute Ensemble and Colla Vocé entertained the crowded Assembly Hall in what was another joyous celebration of the dedication, passion and talent of all involved.

Strong relationships between the departing Year 12 students and their committed teachers, Mr. Matthew Johnston, Ms Kristen Boyd, Mrs Yvonne Bell and Mrs Nicole DeBrueys became apparent with emotional farewells and individual addresses at the close of the night.

Congratulations again to our exiting senior students. We look forward to following their future journeys and welcoming them back again.

VISUAL ART BEACH EXCURSION

Earlier in the term, Year 10 and 11 Art students, accompanied by Miss Hodby and Mr and Mrs Hobdell, descended on Shoal Point Beach to create, collect and develop work that interacted with, interrupted or investigated the landscape.

This excursion was a great opportunity to experiment with different ideas and methods that could be used for making artworks in response to the land beyond the school. The day was spent exploring the beach, using the environment to creative advantage and working collaboratively to create a range of diverse artwork.

Overall, the day was a huge success for the students who attended and offered a great opportunity for real-world experience.

Mrs Glenda Hobdell
HOD The Arts

SENIOR SCHOOLING

Full Time Traineeships & Apprenticeships - available -2017

• Business Traineeship – Asset Management.
  Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal Pty Ltd (DBCT P/L) and MRAEL Group are working in partnership to seek motivated individuals interested in undertaking a full time Business Traineeship to achieve a Certificate III in Business
• MRAEL are currently recruiting for an apprentice boilermaker for a Mackay business
• Apprentice Fitter Machinist

School Based Traineeships - available now

• Kookaburra Child Care Centre in Andergrove is seeking two highly motivated students with an interest for working in child care to join their team as school based trainee. The qualification will be a nationally recognised Certificate III in Children’s Services.
• Certificate II in Kitchen Operations
• 2 x school based Business Administration traineeships
• Cert II in Warehousing Operations TLI21616 - The role is a combination of Warehousing and Retail skills

MEC 2017 - Applications still open

• Certificate II in Engineering Pathways
• Certificate II in Electrotechnology

GENR8 2017

Expression of Interest forms are available in E02 for any current year 11 students interested in completing a Certificate II in Logistics.

This program includes 20 days of work placement plus theory.

Some of the local business that support and place our students for the GENR8 program include:

• Komatsu
• Hitachi
• Blackwoods
• Aurizon
• Mackay Sugar

ANDREA DEARDEN
Senior Phase Officer
Ph 49579152

A MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE

Thanks everyone for your great take up on utilising BPoint, paying your invoices online, which allows you to receive receipts emailed directly to you.

If you are on QParents (which you must be “invited” to) you will also have a full record of ALL your QParent/BPoint payments and you can view ALL your student’s report cards whilst they have been here @ Mackay SHS. You can even enter future absences via QParents.

QSchools is another app that provides a calendar of events for Mackay SHS and holidays and term dates that can be easily transferred to the calendar on your phone. A great aid for any parent or carer.

2016 MAGAZINE

Magazines will be provided to students at the end of their school year. We do have some extra copies available for purchase AFTER prepaids have been handed out. $15 from the office.

The annual magazine is a wonderful keepsake

REWARDS DAY 05/12/16

Once 2016 fees are paid, you may be eligible to be included in this wonderful fun day @ Blue Water Lagoon and a movie @ Mackay City Cinema. An invoice for $10 will be need to be paid. Contact the office if you wish to discuss further.

YR9 GRADUATION

The inaugural Year 9 Graduation is happening Wednesday 30 November this year – a special farewell to Junior Secondary. Students’ fees for 2016 must be fully paid to be eligible to attend. Contact the office if you wish to discuss further.

KEEPING IN TOUCH

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

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

STATEMENTS

Are you receiving your statement? – usually emailed 15th of each month

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.

Marg Brown
Business Service Manager

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

It’s that time of the year again, we are tying up loose end before the end of the school year. If your students have any novels lurking at home please return to the A06 English staffroom, novels may include Holes, Maze Runner, The Book Thief plus many more

CANCER COUNCIL CREATES SHADE FOR MACKAY KIDS

109 Queensland schools, sporting clubs and childcare centres have benefited from new shade structures, as part of the 2016 SunSmart Shade Creation Initiative.

The new SunSmart Shade Creation Initiative, launched in February by Cancer Council Queensland and the Queensland Government, aims to help create adequate shade for kids across the State.

Not-for-profit organisations catering for children 0-18 years could apply for up to 50 per cent matched funding to purchase a portable or permanent shade structure.

Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Katie Clift said in the Mackay region, three organisations* had received funding for permanent shade structures or portable shade marquees.

Ms Clift said it was important all Queensland organisations caring for children had access to items that assist SunSmart behavior and reduce skin cancer risk.

“We need to work hard to instill SunSmart behaviours in Queensland children to reduce their long-term risk and these grants are a boost to eligible organisations who have limited funds for sun safety,” Ms Clift said.

Figures show more than half of Queensland children (aged five to 17) are sunburnt every year, with five per cent sunburnt to the point of blistering.

Cancer Council Queensland recommends all Queenslanders follow the five recommended sun protective behaviours when the UV Index level is three or above.

“Slip on protective clothing, Slop on minimum SPF30 broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, Slap on a broad-brimmed hat, Seek shade and Slide on wrap-around sunnies when out and about this summer to best reduce your risk of skin cancer,” Ms Clift said.

Applications for the 2017 SunSmart Shade Creation Initiative open early in the new year via the link below:

November 20 to 26, 2016, is National Skin Cancer Action Week.

More information about Cancer Council Queensland, and staying SunSmart, is available via 13 11 20 or the link below:

ENDS

*Mackay organisations granted funding through the SunSmart Shade Creation Initiative.

Mackay State High School
Proserpine State School
Queensland Police Citizens Youth Welfare Association, Whitsundays

For more information or to arrange interviews with the relevant organisations, please contact:

Laura McKoy, Media Manager, Cancer Council Queensland
P. (07) 3634 5345 or 0428 580 363

GUIDANCE OFFICER

UNDERSTANDING ANXIETY

Definition

`a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome’.

With a definition like this who doesn’t get anxious.

Did you know….

Sometimes is can be helpful to have some level of anxiety. It helps us get ready for exams, and motivates us to perform. It helps us avoid dangerous situations or reminds us to prepare for new situations. It helps us to be prepared and often to do our best.

If you are feeling anxiety you might feel uncomfortable, physically unwell (butterflies in your stomach, heart racing, wanting to vomit or go to the toilet). You might feel overwhelmed, frightened or even a sense of panic (this can be very useful if that assignment is due tomorrow).

All these feelings are normal and most of us experience them at some time in our lives. Don’t panic if your child is demonstrating these symptoms especially at the end of term, while having to speak in public or when awaiting his report card.

When does anxiety go beyond the norm??

If you are seeing anxiety that is `excessive or unreasonable, marked and persistent’ and interfering significantly with one’s normal routine’, then it is time to consider whether the anxiety has reached the level of a disorder.

When feelings and thoughts become: more intense and overwhelming; thoughts are unhelpful or irrational and unable to be controlled; and the person is unable to do what they need to do; and these thoughts and feelings are interfering with relationships, then anxiety becomes a disorder, and it is time to seek help.

Anxiety is a part of life but it should not become your life. There are many causes to anxiety of which familial history of anxiety is often a common element, but anxiety can occur for lots of reasons. One in six people experience anxiety so it is a common issue.

There are 5 types of anxiety disorders:

• Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – excessive worrying about many aspects of one’s life
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – Thoughts and fears are obsessive and rituals are performed in order to cope eg. continually checking if the iron is off; excessive hand washing
• Panic Disorder – panic attacks are periods of intense fear or anxiety even when there is no good reason. Symptoms may include sweating, breathing difficulties, loss of control
• PTSD – Post traumatic stress disorder – A disturbing event may trigger this and the person may have flash backs, disturbed dreams and mood changes. Many soldiers or refugees experience this, but a single incident can trigger this for anyone
• Social Phobia – fear of being humiliated, embarrassed or criticized and may affect one’s ability to speak or eat in public, being assertive and sticking up for oneself
• Specific Phobias eg intense fear of spiders, the dark, injections. One or more can occur at the same time

If you believe that the feelings of anxiety are ongoing, and affecting day to day living, and are unable to be controlled, then you or your love one needs to seek help.

Tips to help along the way

• Talk to someone eg the Guidance Officer, the doctor, a friend or family member
• Stay physically healthy – eat healthy food, drink water, exercise daily
• Work out ways to minimize the stresses in your life without having to avoid them
• Have a massage, yoga, facial or other treats

Who better to look after you than yourself but be open to help if you need it. Often others see our needs before we do!

Contacts:

• beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Beyondblue.com
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.

Adapted from Beyondblue
Lindsay Hains
Guidance Officer

MESSAGE FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE

Healthy family relationships have their ups and downs. Healthy families can consist of any person or group that shares an emotional bond, common values and responsibilities. This might include a solo parent and child, aunts, uncles, grandparents, adoptive children, step parents, husbands, wives etc. Research indicates that being in a healthy relationship is a positive predictor of better health and wellbeing. Healthy family relationships help to improve the mental health of children and young people because they are able to share worries and feel supported. The following are some suggestions from Kids Matter that help build good family relationships:

• Showing affection in a variety of ways. It can be verbal or physical and will help show children that they are loved, cared for and safe.
• Supporting each other will help to bond the family unit.
• Setting clear boundaries and expectations will help young people to feel safe and to know what is expected of them.
• Clear, open face to face communication is the building block of all relationships and allows family members to express their worries, ideas and feelings.
• Making time to spend together as a family. Quality time together in day to day activities such as mealtimes, sporting activities, or in the car helps to foster relationships. Leisure activities that are shared helps to maintain strong and positive connections.
• Make relationships a priority. Children learn through observing adults behaviour so it is important to role-model healthy interactions between adults. This may be partners, neighbours, friends and extended family.

Triple P also have an on line course for those who are not able to attend a course in the community.

Trixie Mills
School Based Youth Health Nurse

UNIFORM SHOP NEWS

DIAL A DOCTOR

COMMUNITY NOTICES