5 February 2018

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Welcome to the 2018 school year and by this stage the students and staff are already settling into the routines and learning for their classes. We are so proud to welcome over 230 new Year 7 students to Mackay SHS and talking to many of the students during their first week, they are confidently making new friendships and commencing their secondary education. Our Senior buddies have made a major contribution in the first week, working with the classes on their first day and then checking with their classes later in the week.

In starting the new year, it is valuable to reflect on the completion of 2017. Congratulations to the Yr 12 class of 2017, who achieved 100% QCE/QCIA, the first time that this has been achieved at our school. Two of our students achieved OP 1, Lauren Morgan and Haard Shah, while many students received OPs allowing over 85% gain their first preference in their University course choices.

In addition to this, the academic performance in Sem 2 last year was quality across the board with the percentage of students gaining ratings A-C reaching very pleasing levels.

As well as welcoming many new students and their families in Year 7 and across Year 8 -12 as well, we also welcome a number of new teachers to the team at Mackay SHS. During Term 1, I will invite our new staff to prepare a brief profile to include in the newsletters. There will also be a Junior Secondary Disco early in Term 1, which is preceded by a BBQ Meet & Greet for parents to meet staff.

During the first week, our Sports Captains and House Captains for 2018 were announced as well as our Music Captains. Congratulations to these young people who challenge themselves to take these roles of responsibility. The Leaders Investiture will be held on Wed 7th February, to recognise these young people.

The 2018 Improvement Agenda is published in this Newsletter, showing the key focus areas and the measures for our upcoming year. This document will be revisited throughout the year, looking at the achievement of ALL of our students and staff towards these goals.

Our P&C Association is a vital and important part of the success of our great school and their team is always seeking interested and committed parents for our monthly meetings. Our first meeting was held on 29th Jan and our next meeting is scheduled for 6pm Mon 26th Feb and we would like to see some of our new parents attend. The Tuckshop and Uniform Shop are managed through the P&C for the benefit of our students and if you can offer to volunteer some time to assist the staff, call Mella on 49579127 during school hours.

Student Photos will be taken on 6 and 7th February 2018, with Student ID Cards being produced as well as photos ordered by families. If you are looking to order these photos, can you prepare to have the funds for the orders.

Safety in pick up area is always a priority, however at the start of the year there is extra care required due to the large number of new families. I recommend that where possible, parents who are collecting their students after school, arrange the pickup in Penn St or Kenilworth St. These streets are less congested and there is good vision. If you are to use the Milton St frontage, ensure you do not impede the driveways of local residents and be very aware of students and other vehicles. Cars should not use the bus turnaround road, reserved for the buses at these busy times.

Looking forward to a very positive year for the students here at Mackay State High.

Mr Steve Paulger
Principal

TEACHER PROFILE

Mr Troy Patti

Hello Mackay High Community, my name is Troy Patti. I am eagerly taking on the Head of Arts Department role at your amazing school. As a past student of Mackay SHS, I am grateful to return to the school as a teacher and contribute to the fantastic changes that have occurred. My teaching background includes instrumental music, classroom music and behaviour support at my previous school in Townsville. I am an active musician looking forward to reconnecting with some of my old musician mates and stepping back into the music community. I have had an awesome start to the year, feeling welcomed and supported by outstanding staff, a passionate leadership team and dedicated students. I am looking forward to what 2018 holds for the Arts Department and its contributions of colour, movement, film and sound in the school and wider community.

Ms Emma Forster

Hi my name is Emma Forster I have recently moved in from Calen DSC after teaching there for the past two years as Primary Sports Coordinator, business and English communication teacher. I have been teaching for 7years in Melbourne, London, Western Victoria and Mackay region. I have worked with students from Prep to Year 12. I am originally from a small country town in Western Victoria. I moved from there to Ballarat to complete University and to play Netball. From there I moved to Melbourne to teach for my first year out. I was lucky enough to get a job at the 2012 Olympics in London so I moved to London to work at the Olympic as well as travel, nanny and teach. I moved to Mackay to get out of the cold winters in Victoria and to be closer to my brother. I am looking forward to getting to know staff and students and especially working with the Netball Academy.

Mr Brad Smith

Hello. My name is Brad Smith and I am really excited to be a part of the team at Mackay State High School. The supportive staff and helpful students have all made the transition to a new school a little less stressful. My teaching background includes Mathematics, Science and HPE. I have been teaching in the heart of the Brisbane CBD for the past 6 years and am looking forward to the next chapter in my teaching career. I have a young family who are already enjoying the change of scenery. We have swapped afternoon traffic congestion on the highways with regular walks to the beach with our dog. Thank you to all who have welcomed me and I look forward to working with our students this year and beyond.

Leisa Stevenson

I really enjoy teaching Agriculture at MSHS and am organising the Cattle Show Team this year. The Ag department has cattle, chooks, bees and horticultural areas. I enjoy this subject as it’s a practical subject and each day can be different and it’s always interesting. I completed an Ag degree after school and worked in the industry prior to deciding to become a teacher, which I had always wanted to be.

Apart from work, I enjoy reading, good food, catching up with friends and walking my dogs.

TRAINEE AND WORK PLACEMENT

USI (Unique Student Identifier)

A Unique Student Identifier (USI) is a reference number unique to each student.

All Year 10 students are required to create a USI and this number stays with the student for life.

Forms were given to all year 10 students in the first week of school and must be returned by Wednesday 7 February. A quick guide on How to Create a USI was also given to the student. The student will need ID such as a birth certificate, passport or medicare card to be able to create their USI. Anyone needing help creating a USI can bring their ID to Mrs Annamaria Esau in E6.

TAFE Courses

TAFE offer a range of Certificate Courses that can be completed while students are at school. Enrolments for these courses will be closing shortly. Any student in Year 11 or 12 interested in doing a Certificate course through TAFE in 2018 will need to see Mrs Annamaria Esau in E6 for information on the courses and to collect an application form. The application form together with a copy of the student’s birth certificate will need to be returned as soon as possible.

Work Experience - 5 March - 9 March 2018

Our current Year 11 & 12 students are required to complete structured workplace learning hours as part of the Vocational Education and Training at school.

These work placements allow students to experience the use of new and different equipment and technologies, and to develop a positive work ethic for future employment. Structured Workplace Learning also gives the student the opportunity to put into practice skills learned in the classroom. We have had many success stories from students participating in work experience with placements leading to part time work or school based apprenticeships and traineeships.

The block of work experience placement for students in years 11 & 12 will take place from 5 March – 9 March 2018. KP Placement arranges the placement for the students. The cost for this service is $37 which is to be paid at the school office. The receipt and application form are to be returned to Annamaria Esau in E6 by 7 February 2018.

If you have any questions regarding the work experience program, please call Annamaria Esau on 4957 9152.

ICT DEPARTMENT

ON-BOARDING YOUR STUDENT DEVICE

Students who have not yet been reconnected to the school network need to complete the below steps as soon as possible to be able to use their device at school:

1. If you are purchasing a new device, check the specifications on the school website in the BYOx eLearning Guide for Parents.
2. Complete all updates on the computer – even if the computer is new! (A short video can be found on school website under BYOx eLearning)
3. Pay the $35.00 connection fee to the office.
4. Bring your receipt to ICT Services along with your laptop for on-boarding.

Please be aware that iPad’s cannot be the student’s device for school.

Computer use is increasing throughout classrooms and curriculum areas to allow students to develop 21st Century skills that we help not only their future schooling but also their future occupations. We thank parents for your continued engagement with the BYOx Program and encourage all students to connect as soon as possible through the above steps.

If you have further questions please contact the school ICT Services or email BYOx@mackayshs.eq.edu.au

LITERACY STUDENTS

Parents of ALL Year 7 Students and Year 8 Literacy Students – Please return permission letters for Accelerated Reader!

Each week your child participates in a ‘Literacy’ lesson in which we run two programs: Words their Way (a spelling intervention program) and Accelerated Reader (a reading program). These programs are entirely differentiated for your child. There will be diagnostic testing in the opening weeks of the school year in which the remedial or extension needs of your child will be identified. The programs then are tailored to their individual needs.

• Words their Way goes ‘back to basics’ with spelling and spelling rules. It is focuses on word study for phonics and vocabulary development.
• Accelerated Reader asks students to read books that have been ‘levelled’ and appropriate to develop your child’s individual reading needs. Students then complete short online comprehension quizzes to help build their understanding of what they have read.

We have been running these programs for over 3 years and they have produced quite exciting and outstanding results for students engaging in the programs.

A letter has gone home this week asking for parental permission for us to sign your child up to Accelerated Reader. Please sign and return to your child’s English teacher by Feb 5th.

If you have any queries about either program, please contact me at the school (49579179 or email: dwatt33@eq.edu.au ).

Dianne Watt
Master Teacher

ENGLISH TUTORING

SCHOOL BASED YOUTH HEALTH NURSE

Your Health Matters

Hi Everyone!

I am Ann-Maree Brightman, the Mackay State High School Based Youth Health Nurse (SBYHN). I can be found in the Student Services area on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday one week and Thursday, Friday the following week. Please feel free to call me on 49579179 if you have any queries.

An outline of what I do

The SBYHN works with students and school community on issues that may affect the health and wellbeing of young people and the school community as a whole. This includes helping with curriculum, teaching and learning activities, providing health information and referral, supporting the development of the environment and school culture that supports health and wellbeing, and working with the community and other services.

The SBYHN can provide health and wellbeing information about:

• healthy eating and physical activity
• feeling unhappy or stressed
• relationships
• healthy skin
• personal and family problems
• growth and development
• sexual health
• smoking, alcohol and other drugs.

Confidentiality

Young people have a right to confidentiality when accessing health services. As a health service provider the SBYHN respects this but there are some things the nurse must refer or act upon.

In most cases, it is best for young people to talk to their parents about health and wellbeing issues. I can support young people to do this.

Getting the best help for health

At times other services can provide more appropriate or further help or support for young people. The SBYHN will discuss the options for working with other services or linking young people with the right services.

The SBYHN does not provide

treatment such as medications, injections, first aid
physical examinations
ongoing counselling for psychological problems.

Student appointments can be made to see me before or after school, or during breaks.

Useful Contacts for Mental Health / Bullying Information and Help:-

Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800

Parents Helpline – 1300 301 300

Lifeline – 1311 14

ReachOut

Beyondblue – 1300 22 4636

Headspace

Headspace – 1800 650 890

Black Dog Institute

Bullying No Way

Ann-Maree BRIGHTMAN
School Based Youth Health Nurse

CHAPPY’S NEWS

Breakfast Club

• Breakfast Club had a special breakfast this morning to thank our volunteers who helped out at Brekky Club during 2017. Thanks to Delma Spindler, Sam Chai, Mary Hau and Gareth Lee for picking up the bread from Brumbies and Nicolize who volunteers on Thursdays. Thanks to the tuckshop and P&C for contributing milk and margarine. Look forward to seeing you all in 2018.

A short email sent from a parent last week.

“I would just like to thank The Brekky Club for making such a huge influence in my son's life.

My son has autism and it was daunting enough to make the big change to high school this year and very hard for him to except all the new routines.

I have to say my son took me by surprise when he mentioned he didn't want to have breakfast at home anymore and that he had discovered the breakfast club and he went on to tell me all the different foods and smoothies he was having.

I could not believe my ears as my son has only eaten weetbix for breakfast for the last decade.

Not only is he trying new foods at home know he is helping me cook and this has made a huge difference in his approach to even going to school. He actually can't wait to get to school everyday to get to the breakfast club and now he has also made new friends.

Thanks again,

You have changed our lives.

Yours sincerely
Parent.”

2017 November Strength Camp

The recent Strength Camp was a great success and I have already received some good feedback from the students, parents and others. Highlights were, cooking their Stews, GPS mapping work and Bushwalking and learning cool new stuff. There was group work, male mentoring, a lot of first time experiences, new skills learnt, teamwork development, leadership skills, good interaction with parents, introduction to new foods, variety of activities and much more.

This particular group of 9 boys worked well together and achieved a lot as a group. Two of the boys now have two walks named after them. These walks (The Lucas Loop 2.1klm) and (The Walz Lookout Walk 1.2klm) will be used by community groups at Camp Eagle for years to come. A big thanks also goes out to Teacher Gareth Lee for helping out and the P&C for sponsoring the Strength Camp. The two camps this year were run by Chappy Phil as a follow up to the Strength Work Program at school.

Philip Hall
Chaplain

GUIDANCE OFFICER

UNIFORM SHOP

Uniform Shop Hours

Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8am to 11am

TUCKSHOP

FLEXISCHOOL INFORMATION

A great start to our year with the introduction of registers to our tuckshop. We now have eftpos available at both the junior and senior service lines. The introduction of our cashless card system will also move the service lines at tuckshop quicker.

If you have a student in Year 7, 8 or 9 they will be able to use their school ID card for purchasing after you set up a FLEXISCHOOL account.

COMMUNITY NOTICES