25 May 2018

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

NAPLAN has now been completed and submitted for 2018 and we await the results for individual students in Years 7 & 9 as well as the school reports early next Term.

With the Premier and her State Cabinet in Mackay Whitsunday area, this week, There have been a number of key meetings with the Hon Grace Grace Minister of Education and our recently appointed Director General of Education Mr Tony Cook. It has been very positive to hear their vision around Education in Queensland in the next 10-20 years. It was also great to be able to share the needs for our students, staff and local community and directions in our local context.

Congratulations to Haard Shah, one of our OP 1 students from Year 12 in 2017. He was awarded the QUT Vice Chancellor’s scholarship which provides him with substantial financial support for his University course. He is pictured with QUT Vice Chancellor Margaret Sheil at the presentation. Our other OP 1 student from 2017 Lauren Morgan also received reward for her great commitment by receiving the Sir Samuel Griffith Scholarship from Griffith University.

Each year our Parents & Citizens Association offers 8 scholarships valued at $500 each to students enrolling in Year 7, who have achieved high levels of performance in Year 5&6. Scholarship applications are available on our School Website for 2019 next week and copies are in each of our local primary schools. Scholarships are available for Academic, Arts Cultural and Sporting success. Application forms must be completed by the student and then passed on to their Class Teacher and Principal. Forms must be with the Principal on or before Mon 23rd July 2018.

William James Archbold was the first student enrolled at Mackay SHS in 1912. Five years later he enlisted in the Australian Commonwealth Forces to go to Europe for World War 1. Sadly, William was killed, in the ongoing conflicts on Western Front near Villers Brettonneux. I was able to visit his grave in Adelaide Cemetery on my trip overseas and it was very emotional to stand by his grave. On Saturday 26th May 2018, it is the 100th anniversary of his death on the battlefields. I asked our school community to think about William and the many other soldiers who gave their lives to protect the life we lead today.

In recent weeks some excellent results from our students. Our Interschool Debating teams have been performing well. Un 15 Girls Football defeated Mercy College 5-0 last week in Bill Turner Cup and will play winner of Kirwan and Burdekin. Well done ladies.

Our Open Boys R League defeated Ignatious Park College 14 – 10 in Aaron Payne Cup which is our first win over a Townsville team in several years.

Our Young Chefs teams competed last week against students from Mackay schools. Our senior teams were placed 1st Brianna Skinner – Candace Blake, and 2nd Jaimie Kiley- Taylor Pamenter. Well done to our Junior teams also who did well also.

Mr Steve Paulgerr
Principal

IMPORTANT READING FOR YEAR 10 PARENTS AND STUDENTS

The New QCE - How will Year 11 be different next year?

Year 11 in Queensland is changing to help give students the skills for success in work and life in the future. These changes will only affect current year 10 students (not our year 11s who will remain on the old system). These are some of the main changes:

• The OP system we currently have for students to apply for university will be changed. The ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank) which is common across Australia will replace it. For more details and short video explanations click here
• Students will sit external exams for subjects at the end of year 12 (2020). These will either be 25% or 50% of their final mark. There will still be school run assessment in year 11 and 12 but there will be fewer of these than the current system.
• The QCS (Queensland Core Skills) test that year 12 students currently do, will not happen.
• While many subject names remain the same, there are a few new subjects. Year 11 Subject Guide 2019

If you would like some more detail on the new QCE click here

What is a QCE & why is it so important?

The Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) is Queensland’s senior secondary schooling qualification.

Students don’t get a QCE simply by “finishing” year 12 they have to earn it by successfully completing their chosen course of study.

Some important QCE information:

• The flexibility of the QCE means that students can choose from a wide range of learning options to suit their interests and career goals.
• Most students will plan their QCE pathway in Year 10 when choosing senior courses of study.
• Our school will help them develop their individual plan that we call a SET Plan.
• There is a big role for parents to play in the planning process. Here are some important dates. SET Plan Meetings – 28th May to 1st June

If you would like some more detail on the new QCE click here

SELF-ESTEEM

Rudeness and Disrespect

By Professor Matt Sanders

The teenage years are when kids want to create their own identity, so they often come into conflict with their parents.

But sometimes, parents think teenagers are being rude or disrespectful, when they are really just trying out their ideas and opinions about things they have seen on TV, heard from friends or read on the internet.

Remember, it is usually not the idea itself that is important to the teenager. It is more the chance to talk about the idea and to be respected as an adult for doing this. If it comes out a bit clumsy or aggressive, parents should try not to overreact.

Parents who directly challenge their teenager’s ideas with comments like “you wouldn’t do that” or make fun of them – “that’s a stupid idea”, may provoke them into trying something just to prove their parent wrong.

So, you need to take an interest and talk positively with your teenager. Discuss issues or events. Ask for their opinion. Encourage them to look at the different sides of an issue. Don’t view your teenager’s beliefs and ideas as a direct challenge to your authority.

Sometimes an idea may be presented as fact, with a clear challenge to you such as: “It’s wrong to kill animals for food.” The best way to respond is with an interested question, such as “Wrong in what way?” or “Do you think that’s true for everyone or just for our society?”

Teenagers usually respect parents who are prepared to openly discuss and explore their beliefs with them. Although they may rebel against their parent’s values, as they grow older they tend to adopt similar values and beliefs themselves.

Being inflexible and rigid about your ideas and beliefs invites teenagers to attack your views. However if you have faith in your own beliefs and are prepared to explore them without being defensive or aggressive, teenagers will usually look for barriers elsewhere.

Professor Matt Sanders is founder of the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program®. For more information go to the link below

SENIOR SCHOOLING NEWS

21st Century Skills in the new senior curriculum

Acquiring a broad set of skills during senior schooling is critical to students’ success in further education and in life. This is because ‘[t]he world is changing in ways that require education to ensure that students achieve a range of generic learning outcomes as well as discipline-specific learning outcomes’ (Bowman 2010). Research suggests that to meet the demands of the 21st century, students need more than core subject knowledge (Bruniges 2012); in order to be successful, they need to become lifelong learners and global citizens who create opportunities and are confident in pursuing their passions (Department of Education and Training 2016). To assist students with achieving these outcomes, education needs to meet these demands.

The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) has identified and defined a set of 21st century skills based on national and international research about the skills students need in the 21st century. Along with literacy and numeracy, these 21st century skills are the underpinning factors that shape the development of the General senior syllabuses.

These 21st century skills will help prepare Queensland students by giving them the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to be equipped for the demands of higher education, work and life, and to participate effectively in the community and the economy in a complex and rapidly changing world.

Syllabus development must respond to the learning needs of all young people, and facilitate effective transitions to further education, training and employment. This is achieved by including the underpinning factors in syllabus development. The underpinning factors are derived from current education, industry and community expectations; they overlap, interact and build on the general capabilities taught in the Years P–10 Australian Curriculum, and include literacy, numeracy and the 21st century skills.

Toolkit for Girls

The 2018 Rio Tinto “Toolkit for Girls” workshop was held at the Mackay Engineering College where students from the Mackay Region had an insight into the life of a tradesperson.

During the one day workshop the girls listened to a wide range of female industry apprentices and trades people to understand more about their roles and what they do.

The girls had the opportunity to undertake practical activities in the “Hands On” component at the MEC workshop in trades such as Electrical, Diesel Fitting and Welding. They then had a visit to the CQU Engineering Department to hear about robotics.

Receiving their Certificate of Attendance are:
Tia Leeson, Onaeda Parter, Breanna Bryan, Skye bajada and Sarah Ingledew

Annamaria Esau
Senior Phase Officer
49579152

RUN for MI LIFE

As a school we will be participating in Run for Mi Life again this year, for the last 2 years we have had really good numbers by both staff and students attending this worthy community event, if you would like to attend please see Ms Forster in R Block staffroom

SPORTS REPORT

SULLIVANS TOURNAMENT

Over the weekend of Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th May we sent two teams of a Year 7/8 and Year 9/10 team off to Sullivans Tournament in Rockhampton. This meant an early start on Saturday morning to make it for the first games at 10.30am. The girls were involved in 9 games for each team over the weekend which gave them an opportunity to try a range of positions and different plays. The Year 7/8 team was led by Miss Koko and had a new team that hasn’t had a chance to play many games together. They only had two losses over the weekend by a margin of less than 4 goals. They finished 3rd in Division 3. The player of the tournament for the Junior Team was Zekinthia Schmidt. The senior team was undefeated for the tournament with their closest win coming in the last game by 5 goals. The girls won their division. The player of the tournament for the Senior Team was Jaelee Tillack. A big thank-you to Jeni Doherty, Julie McLennan, Tracey Carige and Margaret Meng who drove the girls to Rockhampton and stayed around and supported the girls over the weekend. One last thank-you to Charni Bloxsom who umpired both teams over the weekend. A great weekend away with the Netball Academy.

Miss Forster
Netball Academy Coordinator

First XIII Rugby League - Aaron Payne Cup –

Last Wednesday our First XIII Rugby League side defeated Ignatius Park College of Townsville for the first time in many years. Iggy are the reigning North QLD champions and state semi-finalist so this is a massive result for our Open boys. Being down 10-0 at half-time, the squad showed tremendous courage to fight back to 10-all with 15 minutes to go after Josh Smith scored 2 quick tries, one of which was a 90 metre effort down the sideline! Our boys were pressuring the Iggy line for the last few minutes of the game before we were awarded a penalty right on the stroke of full-time. Our 2018 Captain, Rayden Burns calmly slotted the penalty to give Mackay High a 12-10 victory. This result sees us currently sitting second on the ladder behind North QLD powerhouse, Kirwan State High School – our next opponent on June 5th.

Year 10 HPE – Peer Coaching

Our Year 10 Core Health & Physical Education students are currently undergoing a peer coaching unit that will see students plan and develop training sessions and modified games for other students. Last week Ms Koko’s and Mr Gercken’s Year 7 HPE students were lucky enough to be involved in a range of modified games that were organised and officiated by Year 10 students.

ARTICLE: INTERSCHOOL DEBATING: WEEK 2

This week saw our Year 9/10 team of Disha Rabari, Pushti Shah and Sofia Bulaong take on Holy Spirit College. The topic was: That privacy should be more important than national security. Our team argued the Affirmative side.

The team developed the team line that argued that “selling our privacy is a slippery slope to totalitarianism”. They were keen to suggest that when national security is considered to be more important, our individual rights and freedoms will be compromised. It was a truly engaging and interesting argument. Our team worked together really well, supporting each other through the rebuttal process and certainly showing that they took on the feedback from last week’s debate and built real improvement.

The adjudicator once again said that this was a really good debate that both sides presented excellent arguments: “A really superb job!” Both teams rebutted excellently.

This resulted in a hard fought win for our team! Well done, Disha, Pushti and Sofia, you have done yourselves and our school proud!

Year 9/10 Debating team (from left): Pushti Shah, Sofia Bulaong, Disha Rabari

JUNOR SECONDARY NEWS

General News

Year 7 camp rolls along. We have now filled our quota of students we can take and payments have closed. If you did not reserve a place for your son/daughter and they still wish to attend, I can take a small number of reservations for a waiting list to replace students who can no longer attend. If a place opens up, payment will be required in full.

For those who have paid for camp already, please remember the deposit is non-refundable.

Congratulations to all students in years 7 and 9 who sat NAPLAN recently. Remember, NAPLAN is not important to your education, but your classroom efforts are. Continue to reflect on your weekly classroom goals and strive to do your best academically and socially.

Both our Junior Secondary Leaders and Student Council members have settled in to their new roles this term and I look forward to reporting on their initiatives and efforts in the coming newsletter.

What's On Soon

A number of students have volunteered to coordinate a dodgeball competition for Year 8 and I hope students are behind their efforts.

I will also announce some more lunchtime activities for ALL students in Years 7 to 9 in the coming week.

Good News Stories

Slightly older news, but a huge recognition for the skills of Sora Nishimura's talents during our ANZAC Day ceremony at school. Sora performed "Last Post" and didn't miss a beat. He only started practicing it the term before. It is a very difficult piece to play. Talk about nerves of steel!

Student News

Again an older piece of news, but not publicised at school. Noah Levitz in Year 7 won the cross-country at Southern Suburbs and goes on to the next round which is pretty awesome!

Thought of the Newsletter

Mr Matt Skinner
HOD Junior Secondary

CONTACT DETAILS

Parents and carers – do we have your latest contact details?

There are times when we may need to get in touch with you. Do we have your most up to date details? If not, please contact the general office on 49579179 or email admin@mackayshs.eq.edu.au so we can update our records. These details include your name, address, phone numbers, email address and emergency contact details. Please remember to let the school know if any of these details change.

ITEMS FOR TENDER

Industrial Technology & Design are releasing a number of electrical tools and pieces of machinery for sale by tender. Please see attached PDF file for tender document, photos of equipment, finalisation of tender and contact details. To arrange an appointment for an inspection of the equipment please email: bsm@mackayshs.eq.edu.au or phone 07 4957 9179.

HEYWIRE COMPETITION

2ND HAND UNIFORMS

We are always in need of any 2nd hand uniforms, for students that have the incorrect uniform, we can do a quick fix with a loan uniform through the Year Coordinators room. The loan uniform is then returned to the school in a clean condition. If you have any Senior or Junior shirts and shorts we would be most grateful, just bring into the General office.

MATHS TUTORING

ENGLISH TUTORING

BREKKY CLUB

The Brekky Club at Mackay State High School started 11 years ago. It runs Monday to Thursday every week with bread being donated by Brumbies on Sydney Street. They donate 8 loaves of a variety of breads every day. We use a commercial toaster which produces toast quickly for the large number of students that come to the hall canteen for Brekky. We pay for some of the spreads but many are donated by parents and students. The PE Academy students donate a lot and come in for a “top up” after morning training. We have kept a record of the number of students who join us at Brekky Club and up to 110 have been recorded on a single day. We have tried to create a good friendly atmosphere with a radio playing and try to have a good social interaction between students of different year levels and with the Student Services Team and Volunteers who help run it. Each day has a special theme by providing something extra.

Monday: I love Milo Day
Tuesday: Yummy Omelette Day
Wednesday: Mmmm Pancake Day
Thursday: Troppo Smoothie

One of the main reasons for running Brekky Club is because there is evidence that students who have breakfast behave better and concentrate better in class and get better results. We think Brekky Club at Mackay State High School has been a great success and would like to thank all those who have helped out.

STUDENT SERVICES

Are proud to announce the Winners of the 2018 Brekky Club Colouring Competition.

After a lengthy process by our Judge, Robert Schmidtke the winner of the Staff are

Congratulations to both winners.

Thank you to all who participated.

P & C NEWS

How can I get involved?

Volunteering is time willingly given for the common good and without financial gain.

The parents and citizens’ association at Mackay State High School appreciate any volunteer contribution that you can make. Can you help at tuckshop? Do you like planning or assisting at functions and special events? There are so many ways in which you can help our P&C email pandc@mackayshs.eq.edu.au for more information

TUCKSHOP

COMMUNITY NOTICES