24 November 2017

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

2017 Graduates walked through their peers, making their way from their final Year 12 Assembly to the Graduation ceremony at the School Hall. An every growing audience of parents and family, gathered to share the students in the achievement of completing successfully 13 years of education. 146 students were presented to the school, with a special mention made of Alyssa Dick, who was remembered by her classmates, being included in their roll call. After Thrisha and Haard had delivered their valedictory and Vote of Thanks delivered by Jenica and Emma, our 2017 Captains cut the Graduation Cake and students retired to the local beaches. Like the many groups before them, these students are now a positive chapter in the history of Mackay State High.

With the graduations at school and Mackay Engineering College we were advised of one of our Year 12 students Logan Robinson being awarded a Distinction in a CQU subject - Introduction to Financial Accounting. Logan is seeking to study a Bachelor of Accounting at CQU next year and by committing to complete a subject from that course, he receives automatic entry to the course under the SUN (Start Uni Now) program. Well done Logan.

The Academic Excellence Academy classes are showcasing their skills at the STEM Fair. Students in the Year 7, 8 & 9 AEA classes have recently been investigating topics as diverse as fingerprinting, volcanoes and catapults. On Monday afternoon they tested their presentation of their work to the Year 5&6 AEA Cadets from local schools, before being judged by a team, with representatives from CQU and local Industry, on Tuesday. The quality of the research was matched by the presentations and outcomes provided by the students in their presentations, based around data gathered from experimentation. The CQU delegates want to see the consistent high quality of research in their University students.

Over 60 of our Year 11 students are at Magnetic Island Sport and Recreation centre participating in the 2017 Year 11 Leadership Camp. Students are divided into random teams and during their time compete in various activities challenging their capabilities, requiring them to employ the skills of all team members. They are involved in abseiling, snorkelling, hiking and visits to some local attractions. Activities continue into the evening involving students and staff. The students come away knowing the other students in a much deeper way, as they prepare for their final year of secondary school. You can view some of the photos on our Facebook page.

Our students and staff again accepted the challenge by Chappy Phil for the 2017 Salvos Christmas Appeal. On an assembly when our Year 12’s were still present, the generosity of our school community was measured with over 1000 items donated. The food and toys donated, were presented to Salvation Army Rep Sarah-Jane, who was very appreciative on behalf of local families less fortunate than many of us. Over 1000 items of food and toys were donated with the winning Form class being 7M2, while 7F1 and 10F2 also donated over 100 items and 27 classes contributed.

Congratulations to Henri Stokes who recently was advised of acceptance to the University of Sydney ATSI Engineering Forum with students from across Australia. Henri completed the application with references from some staff to support his application to attend in January before school commences in 2018. Three of our Year 9 girls have been accepted to attend judging in December 2018 through OzLink. Courtney Trace (Dance & Modelling), Shakira Bickley and Jordyn Valentine (Modelling) have been offered to attend judging in Los Angeles next year.

Some Key dates:

• Mon 4th December 2017 – 2018 Year 7 Orientation Day (Uniform Shop open for parents)
• Mon 22nd January 2018 – School restarts for Year 7, 8 & 10 – Assemble at the Hall
• Tues 23rd January 2018 - All students at school – Year 9, 11 & 12 meet at Hall at 8:45am

Mr Steve Paulger
Principal

FROM A DP’S DESK

2017 Semester 2 Report Cards

Printed Report Cards will be provided to students in Years 7 – 10 where an email address for parents / carers has not been provided. All Year 11 students will be issued with a printed copy for this period – as the last time. Students in Years 10 and 11 will be issued their Report Cards on Friday – 24th November. Students in Years 7 to 9 will receive their report cards on Thursday 7th December. Students will also receive Stationery Lists for subjects in 2018, along with the School Magazine – if it has been purchased.

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 Years 10 and 11 students) or at the start of the new school year (for Years 7 – 9). 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.

Start Dates for 2018:

Students entering Years 7, 8 and 10 commence on Monday 22nd January and the remaining students commence on Tuesday 23rd January.

Just a reminder that students are required to wear shoes that meet the school uniform descriptions. Students without the correct footwear will not be able to participate in classes with practical elements. Some subjects may have additional safety needs – which are included on the Stationery Lists – so please check these carefully.

Ms Tania Cheers
Deputy Principal (Year 7 & 11)

ARTS NEWS

ARTS SOIREE

Mrs Glenda Hobdell
HOD The Arts

FORMAL PHOTOS

MATHS TUTORING

ENGLISH

ATTENTION ALL PARENTS AND STUDENTS

It is that time of the year again when we ask you to venture into the teenage bedroom in search of any textbooks or novels that are now due to be returned to the school. This includes all English novels, Geography textbooks and Legal Studies texts. Please know all students who fail to return their books will receive an invoice for the replacement of these texts. So, time to hunt for those missing books Students! When found they can be returned to the A6 staffroom.

English Tutuoring

CHAPPY’S NEWS

BOXING PROGRAM

Congratulations to all those students who participated in the boxing program this term. They were awarded Certificates this week by level 1 Boxing Australia qualified coach Sam Omalley.

Students really enjoyed the sessions even though there were some tough work outs. Well done!

The program covers:

• Fundamentals of Boxing.
• Goal setting
• Nutrition/Healthy eating
• Technique, Fitness & power outweighs strength
• Respect for others
• Respect & confidence within & for themselves

The Boxing Program aims to empower individuals with the knowledge and self confidence to set & achieve goals no matter how big or small.

Applications and enquires to participate in the Boxing Program are open Week 1, Term1, 2018 through Deputy Principal Tania Cheers 49579070

Commitment of participation, students are to;

• Attend every session
• Attend their regular school classes and behave appropriately
• Maintain a high attendance record at school
• Be prepared and appropriately dressed
• Students are required to bring: Comfortable training clothes & shoes, water bottle.

Salvos Appeal

We had a fantastic and generous response from the school community to this year’s Salvos Christmas Hamper Appeal.

The stage in the hall was packed with over 900 donated goods from students, staff and families at a recent presentation parade.

Sarah Jane from the Salvation Army was presented the goods from Principal Steve Pulger on behalf of the school.

The form class that collected the most goods were 7M2 who contributed 177 items which was an amazing effort.

Thanks again to Staff for encouraging our students to participate

Bandanna Day

Canteen Australia would like to thank Mackay State High School students and staff for participating in this year’s National Bandanna Day on 27th October 2017.

Students and staff both wore their favourite bandannas with style on the Friday and raised a total of $300 from the sale of Bandannas., This goes towards supporting young people living with cancer.

Thank you all on behalf of the National Bandanna Day Team.

Philip Hall
(Chaplain Mackay State High School)

WHITE RIBBON DAY

White Ribbon Day and the UN International day for the elimination of violence against women is 25th November 2017.

In Australia 1 in 3 women will experience violence in their lifetime. And on average, one woman every week dies at the hands of an intimate partner.

We cannot let this issue be swept under the rug, the more people who talk about this issue, the more lives that can be saved.

How do I know if it’s an abusive relationship?

It is often not easy to identify if you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship or experiencing domestic violence. Violence and abuse are experienced in many different ways. This can include emotional abuse, sexual abuse and financial abuse.

Signs of abuse can include:

• unfairly and regularly accuses her of flirting or being unfaithful
• controls how she spends money
• decides what she wears or eats
• humiliates her in front of other people
• monitors what she is doing, including reading her emails and text messages
• discourages or prevents her from seeing friends and family
• threatens to hurt her, the children or pets
• physically assaults her (hitting, biting, slapping, kicking, pushing)
• yells at her
• threatens to use a weapon against her
• decides what she uses for birth control
• forces her to have an abortion or to continue a pregnancy
• constantly compares her with other people
• constantly criticises her intelligence, mental health and appearance
• prevents her from practicing her religion.

These behaviours are typical of the jealousy, possessiveness, put downs, threats and violence that occur in domestic violence and abusive relationships.

What to do if you are in an abusive relationship

If you are in an abusive relationship, you can find help now.

How to support someone you know

Some ways you can support someone you know who has told you they are experiencing or have experienced violence:

• believe the person
• make sure they understand it is not their fault
• listen without judgement
• be supportive, encouraging, open and honest
• ask if they need help from a support service and discuss their options
• help them get advice and support by calling 1800RESPECT or visiting their website
• offer to go with the person if they meet with a support service
• keep in touch with the person to see how they are going.

Adapted from: https://www.whiteribbon.org.au/stop-violence-against-women/

Wear white on Friday the 24th November, buy a white ribbon to help support the prevention of domestic violence.

UNIFORM SHOP

The Uniform Shop Opening hours 2018:

Wednesday 17th January 8am – 11am
Thursday 18th January 8am – 11am
Friday 19th January 8am – 11am
Monday 22nd to Thursday 25th January 8am to 11am

Normal hours beginning the week of 29th January,8am to 11am Monday, Wednesday and Friday

TUCKSHOP

COMMUNITY NOTICES