1 May 2017

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Term 2 is well underway, following some completion of assessment tasks postponed from Week 10 of Term 1, due to Cyclone Debbie. Staff and students have generally managed this generally stressful situation well, although in many cases for students, families and staff the end of March was without power for a number of days. Our school faired well with some minor carpet damage, but some serious losses with water damage in a container storing materials from the construction areas.

Report Cards were distributed on Wednesday 26th April, with information for parents to book interviews with teachers on Tuesday 2nd May. Please take up this offer and if time or day does not suit, then contact the teacher and make an alternative time. These meetings are important to enhance the basic report information and receive targeted information on the “next steps” for your child.

ANZAC Day was commemorated by our students and staff with a solemn assembly enhanced by several students in their Cadet uniforms at our ceremony. Guest speakers from Mackay Legacy, informed the students and staff Ceremony of this important support agency for veterans’ families. Mrs Gibson coordinated the very thoughtful program and was congratulated along with other staff and students in the audio-visual display. On the Anzac Day March, record numbers of students and staff marched representing the school, with over 400 students from our school present, led by our Marching Drum Band. In addition there were several students involved in Cadet units and community groups in the march. A special honour was bestowed on Kate Brown from Year 12, who played the Last Post and The Repose at both the Dawn Service and the Morning Ceremony after the March.

Harmony Day was celebrated with a special presentation assembly for all of our students and staff in Week 9. The performance taking only 30 minutes highlighted some of the stories from students, coming from very different cultures to us in Mackay, while also sharing some of the similarities of key cultural events like Australia Day and ANZAC Day, with events in their cultures. It highlighted the talents and opportunities that our school and community has with this rich cultural mix.

In Week 9, a small number of our Year 12 students had the opportunity to visit the Virtual Reality bus tour. This facility visited the school with students experiencing the programs showing them video presentations on 4 different career options, in a virtual Reality software. This placed the students in a 3D situation with a presenter sharing the story, while the viewer could look in a 360 degree context, showing aspects of the job.

As always several of our students have excelled. Charni Bloxsom and Lawren Samson have been selected to attend the State Schools U/15 Netball Championships as Officials. Brett Casey in Year 11 was successful in gaining a highly sought position at the annual CGEN performance and workshops. Brett himself is a talented musician but his selection was in the important Backstage Team, which is also a passion of his.

Thirteen of our school musicians had a great opportunity to join with other talented students at KMEIA Choral Festival at the MECC on Mon 20th March. The students and staff from each of the schools, came together for practice on Sunday and then over 520 students and staff performed for a huge audience of parents and invited guests on the Monday evening.

The Interhouse Cross Country was held last Friday, postponed due to Cyclone Debbie and we were very pleased with the high participation rate. At the end of the event Chataway House were in front with the other teams very close.

Students in a Year 8 History class invited me to see the outcomes of their research assignments on the Viking culture and their interactions with Nordic and British communities. Students under the direction of Ms Althaus and Mrs Aprile had developed board games (like monopoly) that showed the player of the game many of the experiences, battles, cultural behaviours while you played the games. Kalel Pada had challenged herself even further by learning the intricacies of a computer game software pack, developing her game on-line. I was so proud of their achievements and the learning was so clear as they explained their projects.

Mr Steve Paulger
Principal

JUNIOR SECONDARY NEWS

General News

As I reported recently, NAPLAN is almost upon us again. A letter has been sent home with ALL Year 7 and 9 students informing parents of the dates for NAPLAN testing, and equipment requirements for students.

There are 2 critical points to make in relation to NAPLAN. The first is that a significant measure of our school performance is based on our NAPLAN results. We all have our own opinions on the fairness of this. However, it does mean that all students sitting NAPLAN need to do their very best (without stressing about it - it's just 1 non-school based exam).

The second point is that if your student is not comfortable sitting NAPLAN or you do not want them to participate in it for any reason, then there is a very simple process to cater for this. Students may obtain an official withdrawal form from school for parents to complete. It is better to plan for an official withdrawal for your son/daughter than them staying away from school for 3 days to avoid testing. Please contact Mr Skinner via the school office (4957 9179) if you have any queries. Withdrawal forms can be obtained from Mr Skinner or the front counter at the general office. All completed forms need to be returned to Mr Skinner as soon as possible.

Students who withdraw from NAPLAN exams will be supervised during periods 1 and 2 on the 3 examination days, and will undertake some alternate work.

Our Junior Secondary leaders were determined last term and have started work on looking at various ideas and processes to improve leadership within Junior Secondary, and how to develop school culture. They will be inducted to their positions on 4th May in a small ceremony. You will hear from them regularly in this newsletter. I encourage all Junior Secondary students to support them enthusiastically.

Also this year, we are trialling the concept of a student council. Basically, this involves students from most year levels, including our Junior Secondary leaders, forming a school wide body of students to further develop leadership within the school, and will attempt to give all students the opportunity to be more proactive in the development of their school environment. It is a unique opportunity for the school that I hope is well supported by staff and students so that it succeeds.

What's On Soon

NAPLAN!

Student News

Year 7 students continue to have fun playing our dodgeball competition. We are up to the semi-finals and should have a championship team in the next few weeks.

I will then run a competition for the interested Year 8 form classes.

Thought of the Newsletter

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."

American actor Will Rogers (1879-1935)

Matt Skinner
Junior Secondary Head of School

FROM THE DESK OF A DEPUTY

Term 1 Report Cards

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

• Wednesday 26th April – Reports distributed to students to take home.
• Wednesday 26th April, 4.00 pm – online environment opens for parents and carers to make Teacher Interview bookings.

• Tuesday 2nd May, midday – online environment closes for making interviews.
• Tuesday 2nd May, 3.30pm – 7.30pm – Parent / Teacher Evening in Mackay SHS Hall

The purpose of our interim reports is to:

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

We are planning for some changes with our reporting processes this year – namely emailing out reports to parents, rather than printing – starting with Year 7 in the middle of the year. Please watch our Newsletters and P&C Agendas so that we can keep you up-to-date.

Uniform

The weather is starting to cool down. Students may choose to wear:

• The school tracksuit (only available from the uniform shop) or a plain navy or maroon tracksuit. This item is not to include any form of hood.
• Students in the Senior years may wear their Senior jersey, ordered through the school.
• Girls may wear plain flesh coloured stockings.

Ms Tania Cheers
Deputy Principal

THE ARTS

IGNITE!17 ARTS TOUR

We now have 50 students participating in the Arts tour to Sydney from September 15 to 22.

Congratulations to these students!

Arts staff have been working closely with the galleries and higher education institutions in Sydney to put together a challenging but very exciting series of learning experiences for our arts students. These include:

• NIDA
• Museum of Contemporary Art
• Brett Whitely Studios
• Belle Shakespeare
• Australian Institute of Music
• Australian Film School
• Sydney Theatre Co.

Plans for fundraising are well under way with a very keen group of parents working with Mr Perry Hobdell and Mrs Anita Pritchard to plan and host a series of events. This will help to subsidise the cost of the trip for participating students. Thank you to those parents and students who have pledged support for fundraising activities. Please contact Perry Hobdell at phobd2@eq.edu.au or Anita on aprit30@eq.edu.au if you missed the meeting during Week 2 (Term 2).

Thank you for the generous support provided through donations received from several businesses and parents. These include goods, gift vouchers, time and expertise for fundraising activities. We appreciate the help of:

• Let the Children Play Toyshop
• Ashveen Ali
• Shawna Starlett
• Ma’s Pizza
• Neung Muay Thai Gym

HOODS PRODUCTION

Each night two hoods ride a train to a wrecking yard on the outskirts of the city.

Here, in this cemetery of stories, they are storytellers with the power to fast forward, pause and rewind.

Tonight, they tell the story of three kids left in a car.
Rewind. It’s Friday, KFC night and the last day of school before Christmas.
Kyle, Jesse and baby brother Troy are waiting in the car for their mum.
As night approaches the car park takes on a dark and sinister aspect filled with strange and familiar characters.
The shopping centre closes, Mum still hasn’t returned and the baby won’t stop crying.
Hoods is a suburban tale of survival and solidarity against the odds.

Mackay State High School presents Hoods by Angela Betzien
Directed by Sam Neill

The cast of HOODS have now had two weekend consultation visits from Danger Ensemble artistic director, Steven Mitchell Wright to develop their characters and the world that they inhabit.

Audiences will be treated to an edgy exploration of suburban life through a video game aesthetic. Audience numbers are limited to 60 per show to enhance the overall experience of intimacy. Secure your tickets promptly once they are on sale to avoid disappointment.

Cast

Kyle: Kate Brown
Jessie: Simone Muirhead
Hoods: Marnie Bugeja
Julian Beavis
Kiahni Gaffney
Michael West
Mikaela Fair
Olivia Keyssecker

Performances will be staged in our Drama space, the Box Theatre, from 1 to 3 June. Tickets on sale soon…

CONGRATULATIONS

Our Arts students continue to shine in the local and broader community.

Congratulations to the following students on their selection for the following activities/events:

Brett Casey – selected as a back stage crew member for the 2017 Creative Generation on Stage showcase in Brisbane.

Kate Brown – playing trumpet for the Mackay Anzac Day Ceremony

MSHS Marching Band with Mrs Nicole DeBrueys – marching drum band for the Mackay Anzac Day March

DATE CLAIMERS

Anywhere Theatre Festival

Saturday May 6, 6:30pm

• 5 of our Arts staff join 3 teachers from other schools to present a multidisciplinary performance artwork, reveal | react | resist
• Parish Hall Carpark

Artspace Mackay

Glenda HOBDELL (aka La Budda) Liminal spaces: Escaping the frame. Exhibition installation at The Block, QUT, 2013. Hand drawn film panels with animated rear projection. Image courtesy of the artist.

May 16 – July 9

Saturday May 27 – official opening

• Arts HOD, Glenda Hobdell presents liminal spaces: escaping the frame to Mackay audiences.
• This new media installation presents alternate views that are informed by the experience of two caves – one in Hungary, the other in Australia. A synthesis of immense hanging panels, animated videos, light projections and sonic effects reveal an interplay between light and dark, reflection and shadow, positive and negative, still and moving, physical and digital.

Mrs Glenda Hobdell
HOD The Arts

MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE

Welcome to Term 2

INVOICES

The Term 1 DISCOUNT Student Resource Scheme invoice for $205 has expired now. I will be returning the balance of those not paid in full or on payment plan to the full amount of $225 this week.

Year 12 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 outstanding fees NOW!!! You will be amazed how quickly the debt reduces when there is a regular reduction.

Students who have set up payment plans for fees. will pay the discounted amount, not the full Student Resource Scheme amount. Thank you

STATEMENTS

We email statements around 15th of each month. If you are NOT receiving invoices/credit adjustments and statements via email please contact us at. By the time we print and post statements to you the information is quite often out of date

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 Services Manager

TRY TRADES

SPORTS ACADEMY

Student of the month winners for March

Junior Winners!

After a disrupted end to Term 1, we can now announce our Junior & Senior students of the month for March!

Congratulations to our Junior winners, Tyreeq Salleh-Meadows (Year 9) and Ellie Archer (Year 8). Both students have shown tremendous dedication to their Academy subjects both in the classroom and in the Rugby League field and Netball court. Both students received a movie voucher thanks to our Academy partners BCC Cinemas Mackay.

Well done Tyreeq and Ellie!

Senior Winners!

Congratulations to our Senior winners, Georgia Sharp (Year 12) and Phoenix Heke (Year 11). Georgia has been really impressive in her Certificate III in Fitness class. Georgia is putting in a huge amount of effort in the Gym and working her way through her online assessments – well done Georgia! Phoenix only joined Mackay SHS this year and has shown outstanding leadership qualities since arriving. Phoenix has been working very hard in his Senior Rugby League and bringing the group together with his passion for Rugby League – well done Phoenix!

ACCESS CENTRE

Access Teacher Aides work with Barbara Carroll (Advisory Visiting Teacher Vision Impairment) on strategies to support visually impaired students. Also updating TA's on differentiation strategies in the classroom and what helps students work successfully in the mainstream classrooms. Thank you Barbara for your wealth of knowledge and passing this on to our staff. We look forward to your visit again next term.

Student Feature

Year 8 student Kassidy Reynolds

Kassidy took the time last week to finish off a project students have been doing during Home Economics, student are learning new skills by using sewing machines. Kassidy is making and drawstring bag!!

The Ugly Duckling Café

Mrs Kane and her wonderful student workers were very busy last term cooking and making coffee for the MSHS staff. Students in action!

INTERACT CLUB

The Interact Club’s bake sale last Thursday was a tremendous success. The event was a fundraiser in honour of the memory of the late Shelley Rodgers, Mrs Emily Rovelli’s mum. “Shelley’s Bakery” was open for 20 minutes and raised $632.60 for Bowel Cancer Australia. The Rotary Club of Mackay have indicated that they will match the funds raised by the students dollar for dollar, making the total proceeds at least $1265. The students of the Interact Club deserve encouragement and recognition for their efforts. Well done to all involved!!

MACHINERY FOR SALE

Industrial Technology & Design have some machinery for sale, please see the attached flyer for details. Tenders will be accepted from 28 April 2017 and close Monday 8 May 2017 3pm. See the following Terms and conditions and Tender document.

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, Mr Baxter and Mrs Baxter

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

GUIDANCE OFFICER

12 ALTERNATIVES to `Losing it’

We all know that children, including adolescents, (and sometime partners), at times, can drive you crazy. They may not listen. They may be messy. They don’t always think before they act. They don’t necessarily consider another’s feelings. Unfortunately these factors are a part of life, and it takes a loving family to help them learn to be respectful, responsible, tolerant, caring, loving and self-controlled. When everyday problems pile up, our tolerance may not be as strong. Often our ability to control ourselves will be tested. We may be easily angered but the message here is: DON’T TAKE IT OUT ON YOUR CHILD or CHILDREN or PARTNER.

It’s a matter of mustering your self-control (we all have it). Think of the benefits.

If you show self-control, your child knows what it looks like and can copy it.

Here are some alternatives:

• Stop in your tracks. Step back. Take a walk or sit down. Talk yourself back to calm
• Take 5 deep breaths. Inhale. Exhale. Slowly. Slowly. Now take another 5 breaths
• Count to 10. Better yet, 20 or say the alphabet out loud or backwards
• Phone a friend, or a relative, even the weather number.
• Still mad? Punch a pillow, a punching bag or munch an apple.
• Thumb through a magazine, newspaper, photo album, do a simple task – they say doing a routine activity (like ironing) helps one to relax
• Do some sit-ups, kick a ball, jog on the spot
• Pick up a pencil and write down your thoughts/ feelings/ frustrations. Now write down 3 things you are grateful for
• Take a shower, or better still, a bath with candles and gentle music
• Lie down on the floor listening to your favourite music
• Talk to your pet – they are good listeners and non-judgemental
• Go to your shed (if you have one) otherwise do that gardening/ mowing you need to do

By now hopefully you are feeling calm. By now the problem may not have seemed like it deserved the blood pressure, but it’s time to deal with the issue in a calm, peaceful, rational way. Take a deep breath. Think about the words you will say that are not hurtful to others but may get your message across. Revisit the above strategies as often as you need to.

You can do it. It’s all a matter of choice.

Aspects taken from: Qld Centre for Prevention of Child Abuse Information Sheet

SCHOOL BASED YOUTH HEALTH NURSE

Influenza season

Winter is upon us and with it comes the flu season.

Tips to prevent the spread of flu:

• Talk to your doctor about being vaccinated.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• When you are sick, keep your distance from others; stay at home from work, school and avoid other crowded areas.
• Wash hands frequently, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of used tissues in a bin and wash your hands immediately afterwards.

See the link below for more information on influenza, symptoms and who is eligible for the free vaccine under the National Immunisation program:

COMMUNITY NOTICES