22 June 2018

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

As we approach the end of our first semester, students are submitting assignments and sitting final exams in their subjects. Staff are busy finalising marking to commence feedback to students and their classes, while completing student reports for the Semester.

The School Review Team, four current or former principals from Schools across Queensland, spent the week observing, interviewing and phoning parents, community members, CQU and local school leaders with an interest in the operations of Mackay SHS. The report which the School Improvement Unit Team provide is based around the 9 domains of the National School Improvement Tool. The independent assessment with some recommendations will be a key reference as we prepare our Strategic Plan 2019-2022. The Executive Summary will be published for our school community to view also. In the feedback, the team said that our whole staff had a strong commitment to the students and our school. Our students were happy in their classes and felt that our staff really cared for their welfare and education. We look forward to the recommendations to further improve. The Review Team were very impressed with our Junior Secondary Leaders, as they acted as guides for the reviewers to escort to classrooms.

Congratulations to our Stage Band, Mr Johnston and Ms De Brueys, who performed in the Regional Finals of Fanfare last week. This is a huge accomplishment for our musicians against the best talents across our Region. They performed very professionally, drawing positive comments from judges.

Ryleigh Wotherspoon added her name to the Queensland School Sport representatives for 2018, gaining selection in the Qld School Sport U15 Girls Football team. She will join her State team for trials at National level in Sydney in late July. This is an outstanding achievement and I am sure that Ryleigh will learn even more at the Nationals.

Our First 13 Rugby League team has had two wins recently defeating Emmaus College 26 – 12 and Cathedral College 22 – 10, taking them to the Finals of the Aaron Payne Cup in 2018. They will play either Kirwan SHS or St Brendan’s, Yeppoon in the Semi-finals in Division 1. Interschool Netball is in the finals with three of our teams in Semis last week. Two of our teams made it to the GF and will compete in the coming weeks. Thanks to the many staff and parents who assisted during the season, allowing so many new netballers to learn the game. Remember all uniforms are to be returned to R Block staff room.

With the local Shows being held, our Cattle Show Team realise the many hours of preparation with the cattle over afternoons during Term 1&2. At the Finch Hatton Show, Cattle show team members paraded several of our stock before Beef Judges, as they will do at Mackay Show this week. Our students and staff put in many hours in travel to training session and at the Shows. I also wish to thank the parents who assist our staff team in handling, transporting cattle and the students to Shows. Drop in and see the team at Shows.

School Cleaners Day was held on Fri 15th June with a special breakfast served to our Cleaners at 7am. These staff do an outstanding Job with chilly starts in the morning and the efforts they put in to making our classrooms and grounds every day.

The ROCK-It Anti-bullying team visited our school on Wednesday 20th June and presented workshops to students from Year 7-9. The team are travelling the State and our school was one offered these Telstra-sponsored programs with on-line resources available to students and staff to support class activities.

As this is our final Newsletter for the term, remember that our last two days this term is our Interhouse Athletics Carnival – what a great way to finish the term. I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday and look forward to the start to Term 3 on Monday 16th July.

Mr Steve Paulger
Principal

FROM THE DESK OF A DEPUTY

Semester 1 Report Cards

Report Cards for all year levels will be distributed to parents and carers via email on Tuesday the 17th July – which is our second day back at school.

Students whose parents or carers do not have a valid email address will continue to be issued a paper copy of their report.

Our Semester reports cards include achievement, effort, behaviour and homework ratings, along with comments relevant to the student.

Our second Parent Teacher Evening is in Term 4 and so if you have any questions in relation to your student’s Semester Report Card then please do not hesitate to contact the school or specific teachers directly.

The school would like to encourage parents and carers to move over to QParents. This free ‘app’ system allows parents/carers to see student:

• Report Cards (more immediately)
• Attendance details
• Financial details
• Assessment Planners
• Timetables

Please contact the school for details on how you can sign up to have access to all of this information.

Tania Cheers
Deputy Principal (Years 8 & 12)

RAISING RESPONSIBLE TEENS PART 2

By Professor Matt Sanders

As mentioned last column, there are six key ingredients for teenagers becoming mature young adults who are valued and healthy family members. This week I give you the first two.

Taking Part in Family Decision Making

Teenagers need to learn how to make good decisions, and by involving them in family decision making they can learn the skills they need to make good decisions. Family decisions can range from what meal to cook to more serious issues such as deciding to move house.

For more important issues arranging a family meeting may be useful.

• Explain the issue that is to be discussed.
• Ask everyone for ideas, especially your teenager.
• Listen for any positive comments and acknowledge them. Your teenager may not say much at first so really look for anything you can be positive about.
• Avoid criticising suggestions that seem simple, complicated or silly, as this may discourage your teenager from offering ideas.
• Ignore any minor negative behaviour if you can and continue your discussion as if it had not happened.

Being Involved in Family Activities

Taking part in family activities provides opportunities for sharing and talking together. Teenagers can also learn some useful skills for when they leave home and have to manage on their own.

Set aside time to do things that your teenager enjoys and plan the activity together. Planning in advance will help to ensure that you have everything you need, and help to avoid the activity occurring at the same time as something your teenager enjoys such as a favourite TV show or social event with friends.

I will continue with more of the key ingredients for raising responsible teens in your next newsletter.

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

STYMIE

SPORTS REPORT

Just a reminder to all parents and guardians, all PE subjects are marked equally on both the Practical aspect (consistent demonstration of physical skills) and the Theoretical (the health / well-being unit of study) and for this reason it is vital that all students apply themselves equally in each element. Quite often students find one aspect of this learning area much easier than the other and therefore not employ the same work habits in the area which they find more difficult. It is vital that this isn’t the case if success in the subject as a whole is to be achieved. The moral to the story for students in PE is to NEVER GIVE UP and seek assistance from their teachers, throughout the term, to ask questions and learn what is required of them to strive to achieve to the next level. Quite often they will be surprised by the outcome if they show persistence and seek clarification in both aspects.

Athletics Carnival

Dates: Thursday 28th & Friday 29th June
Theme: House colours & Sports Athletes

The Sports and House Captains are encouraging all students to dress in their house colours on Thursday 28th as this is the Track day of our Athletics carnival. On Friday 29th students are encouraged to dress up as a sporting athlete, for example a tennis player, jockey, soccer, surf lifesaver or even a winter skier may be applicable in this cooler weather.

House Chants

All Year7 classes have prepared for the Inter-House Athletics Carnival which will be held in the last week of Term 2. Students have had the opportunity to go through all of the athletic events and be provided with specific coaching in these disciplines to assist with the technical aspects of each event. Being the student’s first Athletics carnival we hope to see all students willing to have a go at the event, remembering that this is primarily how points are allocated to each house.

Certificate 3 Fitness

The year 12 Certificate 3 in Fitness classes have just completed a 5 week fitness program for their Term 2 Assessment. The aim was to give each student the experience of being a Personal Trainer (PT) with a client. All students had to conduct a pre-screening assessment, consent checklist and obtain specific goals from their client to work on during the five training sessions. This has provided them with an authentic learning experience, in the fitness industry. Each student had to be organised with a weekly program and arrange appointments and sessions to be conducted with their client. The majority of clients have been willing teachers and family members who have attended training sessions before and after school. We have been very impressed with the standard of professionalism presented by the majority of students. Thank You to all of the clients who have willingly volunteered their time to benefit the students.

RUGBY LEAGUE

Big congratulations to the Gagai 13 Years Rugby League side for their victory over Proserpine State High last Wednesday in the Division 2 Grand Final. It was a very close contest with the boys winning 14 – 10. Player of the final was Harry Thorpe. Thanks to all the squad members for training and playing throughout the season.

BUSINESS EDUCATION AND IT

eBooks

eBooks have arrived at Mackay SHS. Year 7 students after this week will all have access to this free online resource. Students will have a variety of texts that they can borrow out and read on any device. To access eBooks students log on to educationqld.lib.overdrive.com/ and log on using their school username.

Students wanting to know more can see Mrs Johnson in the library or Miss Stanger in P Block. Some additional classes in grades 8 – 12 will be added by teacher request in the coming terms.

National Computer Science School Challenge

The NCSS Challenge in an online programming competition for school students. The challenge is run over five weeks with students issued learning materials and a challenge each week. Challenges will be marked online with students getting immediate feedback on their progress. Students who register will also receive a Grok Learning subscription for 12 months.

To register, students need to see Miss Stanger in P Block by the end of the day Monday 25 June, and return the permission note by Wednesday 27 June.

Robotics

Year 9 Digital Technologies have been working a Robotics unit this term. See below the creatures they have produced.

MECC YOUTH AMBASSADOR

On Wednesday 23rd of May, Mackay State High School 2018 MECC Youth Ambassador, Eddie Tiller, took part in a workshop to perform in A Prudent Man. Eddie was offered the opportunity to perform a monologue in the second act of this performance. This was a wonderful opportunity for professional workshopping experience and we are very fortunate to have been offered this by the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre.

Well Done, Eddie!

Pictured is Eddie Tiller and the other MECC Youth Ambassadors for 2018 after their performance.

YEAR COORDINATOR

Year 10

After what has been a very busy term for Year 10 students with a number of sporting and cultural events on that has seen a number of our Year 10 students involved in, we have finally made it to the holidays! Well done to all students on a great term, however it isn't over just quite yet. As has been discussed in Year Parades, it is so important for Year 10 students to get in to the habit of attending right until the last day of term. With the new curriculum commencing in 2019, units will not run term to term, meaning that units may be 2, 3 or even 4 weeks in during the last week of school. Enjoy your holidays, stay safe and prepare yourself for another very busy term.

Mr A Gercken
Year 10 Coordinator

Fanfare Regional Finals

On Tuesday, the 12th June, the Stage Band led by Mr Matthew Johnston performed at the Fanfare Regional Finals, held at Mackay North State High School. The students gave an entertaining performance and just missed out on going to the next stage to represent Mackay.

Creative Generation

During the school holidays Izzy Uluiviti and Tanya Dator will be travelling to Brisbane to perform in Creative Generation: State Schools on Stage. Creative Generation (CGEN) is an arena spectacular that is held annually at the Brisbane Convention Centre. It is audition based and includes dance, drama, music (Vocal and instrumental), media and a backstage crew. Both students started the audition process in Term 4 2017, and have been travelling to Brisbane for rehearsals since the beginning of Term 2 this year.

Izzy said, “CGEN is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. I am the only one in my family that has pursued music. My role in the performance is to sing the opening of the “Motown Medley” including a solo, and will also be singing with the other tenor vocalist in some of the other numbers. This is an amazing experience and I hope to pursue a career in music.”

Tanya’s experience so far: “My role in the performance is 1st violin in the symphony orchestra. We accompany the vocalist, featured singers, dancers and actors. We are playing a variety of music from iconic classical pieces to modern pop songs. The experience has been great so far and I am aiming to be in a professional orchestra when I finish school.”

Upcoming dates for term 3:

13th & 14th July- Creative Generation at the Brisbane Convention Centre

21st & 22nd July - CQUniversity Jazz Festival at the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (Stage Band and Vocal Group only)

24th -26th August- Middle School State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) at Mackay North State High School (selected middle school instrumental students)

11th & 12th August- Mackay Orchestras and Band Competition (MOB) at Mackay Christian College (String Ensemble, Senior and Middle School Concert band and Drum Corps)

Nicole de Brueys
Music Teacher/ Coordinator

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.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE ACADEMY NEWS

The Academic Excellence Academy Cadet program is well underway for 2018 with year six students from local primary schools participating in a range of activities already this year. To date students have engaged in sessions focussed on STEM, Music, Home Economics, Industrial Technology and Design, Business, Information Technology and English.

The Year five Cadet program commences in August and Application Packages are now available for any students interested in applying. Packages are available from Primary schools, the Mackay State High School office and our website. Completed Application packages must be with the office at Mackay State High School by 3.30pm on Tuesday the 26th June.

This year we introduced our Academic Excellence Academy Personal Pursuit for the first time. We currently have four year ten students participating in the program. The AAPP program is an independent learning program offered as a discrete subject and provides opportunity for students to undertake the pursuit of knowledge other than that which is packaged in traditional subject offerings. Their study represents an individual investigation in an area of personal interest, with a balance between the theoretical and practical aspects of knowledge. This year we have students investigating how house design dictates the survival of natural disasters, the importance of core strength for Netballers, the evolution of dance and fruit fly genetics. Students are all working incredibly hard on their research and will showcase their Pursuits at a culminating evening in November.

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 DEPARTMENT

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Brisbane Writers’ Festival

Academic Excellence Students in Years 8, 9 and 10 have been handed out Expression of Interest forms for the Brisbane Writers’ Festival in September in Brisbane. Please ensure these forms are back to your student’s English teacher asap. It’s a great chance for students to attend writing workshops and sessions held by renowned authors – past authors have included John Marsden, Andy Griffiths, Deb Fitzpatrick etc.

HEALTH NURSE

Getting started early for dry July, a little early motivation if you wish to use it.
On your mark….

Yes I know June has only just started but we need to get ready for DRY JULY – who is up to the challenge?

This is a little bit of preparation and a little bit of information to get you started thinking about it.

About Dry July

In July, an average of 11,526 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer. No one asks for cancer, so we're asking Aussies to help, and go Dry this July to raise funds for people affected by cancer.

Funds raised through Dry July go towards cancer support organisations across Australia, to help improve patient comfort, care and wellbeing.

Having a month off alcohol also has great health benefits, such as sleeping better, having more energy and of course, no hangovers! So you're not only helping others, you're helping yourself. It's a win-win!

APPS FOR EMOTIONAL HEALTH

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