3 August 2018

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Congratulations to the many students who have received recognition Awards for their High Performance during Semester 1. I have had the pleasure of reading and signing numerous awards for Year 7 – 12 students for 100% Attendance, Academic Excellence, Academic Improvement and Effort/Behaviour Improvement. I was impressed with the number of students in each cohort, who received a number of the awards.

Students have received their Assessment Planners for Semester 2 in a paper copy to each student. It is very important that they place these in a prominent place and plan their time for each term. It is important to identify very busy times, when multiple subjects have assessments due. It is also important to include personal, family and sporting commitments etc with this planning, particularly for students in the Senior school.

Term 3 is very important for our school as we commence our planning for the new year. Subject Information booklets are being prepared for 2019 Year 7, and a team from our school will visit and speak to the Year 6 students in our Primary partnership schools during the week 13 – 17th August. The following week on Wednesday 22nd August, we will hold our Year 7 Information Evening, with Sausage Sizzle and displays from subject faculties, staff and students. The following week from Monday to Thursday after school, all of our new Year 7 students and their parent(s) will receive enrolment interviews.

Our school has hosted the Mackay District 13 – 19 Years Interschool Athletics, giving many students from across Mackay district schools the opportunity to extend their performance levels, seeking to qualify for the CAP trials in Emerald later in August. Students selected for this two day carnival, will be required to arrange their own transport and accommodation for the Emerald event. This carnival includes students from 10 years to 19 Years from the Capricornia Region.

Our school is adopting STYMIE as a platform for students and parents to report incidents of concern around student welfare with the likes of self-harming, bullying, care issues etc. Our students were informed of the advantages that can be gained personally and for your friends if these confidential reports are made on-line. The Parent information session run by Rachel had a small number of parents and some staff, where she talked to parents about the strategies that they can use to engage with our children to understand the serious concerns that uncontrolled access to social media can bring about. All parents were very pleased they attended, walking away with much more information.

The Academic Excellence Academy is welcoming a new class of Year 5 Cadets, nominated from several local schools from across Mackay. They will join the Year 6 Cadets at our next school visit and involve themselves in learning challenges in the Arts and Social Science on Thursday 9th August. Last week the Year 9 AEA students and their parents, were invited to the information session to introduce options for their Academic Academy Personal Project (AAPP). Two of the AEA students in Year 10 gave a brief report on their projects commenced during this year investigating “impact on fruit fly development by social factors” and “design improvements to improve building strength in extreme weather”. I look forward to the ideas targeted in 2019.

Our Agricultural farmers are reaping the rewards of their crop development in recent weeks. Initially the students are picking the sweet corn being sold to staff, while students are watching other vegetables ripening, to be picked soon.

Out two Senior Titration teams attended the RACI Titrations competition recently competing to gain the most consistent and accurate titrations. We will pass on the results once received.

Mr Steve Paulger
Principal

FROM THE DESK OF A DEPUTY

School Report Cards

School Report Cards for Semester 1 were emailed to addresses (on Tuesday 17th July) provided by families to the school. If you did not receive your student’s Report Card then we may need to update your details. Please contact the school Office (Ph: 4957 9179) and have them check your details.

Year 12 Update

Our Year 12 students have a very busy and important term in front of them. A significant portion of the remainder of their course learning and assessment will be achieved this term, along with the running of the QCS tests, but the job won’t be over until November 16th and so we will be encouraging them to maintain their efforts right through to the end of their year. In saying that, preparations are underway for their Formal, which will be held at the Racecourse Function rooms on the Wednesday of their last week – 14th November. The students will also be receiving presentations from or around Qld. Police (17th Sept), Sexual Health (15th Oct), Safe Choices (29th Oct) and they will be participating in basic First Aid training.

SENIOR SCHOOLING NEWS

Our senior students have settled back in to classes for Term 3. Hopefully all of the senior students have read through their report cards carefully and have set new goals for the Semester. Student results are currently being analysed by staff and progress towards QCE attainment is being calculated for each year 11 and 12 student. This progress will be communicated to students in the coming weeks.

Year 11 Camp in week one was a huge success! The students engaged in a number of activities during the four days on Magnetic Island that challenged them individually and as a team. From Beach Olympics on day one to the Garbage Bag Formal on the third night – and all the walking in between – the students enthusiastically completed all challenges. There are many potential leaders within this group and we look forward to what they can achieve as our 2019 leaders.

Year 11 students have the opportunity to change subjects until Monday 6 August. Subject change forms are available from the office. Please see Mrs Barnard in E06 if you need any help completing the form.

Year 12 students are entering their final semester of their schooling. For OP eligible students, the QCS Test will be held on Tuesday 4th September and Wednesday 5th September 2018. The students are entering the final stages of their preparation during their tutorial lessons each week. OP eligible students have all been assigned an Academic Coaching Mentor who will help to guide them through the final semester of the year. They will discuss such things as current results in each subject and how this impacts on their OP, OP predication based on semester 1 results, completing a QTAC application and how to check their QCAA Learning Account. QTAC Applications for 2019 open on 2nd August and close on 27 September 2018. We have received a printed version of the 2019 QTAC Course Guide for all Year 12 students. All OP eligible students should have received one of these books by now. There are copies available in E06 for those students who have not yet collected their copy. For those students intending to study at University in 2019, a number of universities have open days coming up. These days are valuable for students and parents to attend to get information on courses available in 2019.

Central Queensland University Mackay Campus is having an open day on Saturday 11th August 2018 at both the Sydney Street and Ooralea Campuses from 9am to 1pm. More details are available in the link below.

James Cook University in Townsville is having an open day from 11am to 3pm on Sunday 19 August 2018. More details are available in the link below.

Mrs Sharon Barnard
HOD Senior Schooling

Positions Available

Please see Mrs Esau in E6 for more details on all positions.

Full Time Apprenticeship.
A local employer is seeking a full-time bricklaying apprentice.

They must have:

• Drivers Licence (at least a learners permit)
• White Card
• PPE
• Be willing to commit to a full-time apprenticeship

Applications close COB Friday 3 August
School Based Traineeships in Business Administration.
Two local businesses are looking for students in Year 11 to commence a School Based Traineeship.

Tasks would include:

• Scanning and filing business documents
• Assistant to Accounts Payable and Receivable Divisions
• Reception work such as answer phones and greet customers

Resumes are to be given to Mrs Esau in E6

Ma’s Pizza Kitchen are looking for casual staff to join their company at Rural View, Greenfields and Parkside Plaza stores. Must be available to work on Friday and Saturday nights.

The positions available are:

• Junior Kitchen Hand
• Party Hostess (Parkside Only)
• Diner Staff (Parkside Only)
• Delivery Drivers ( Can have own car but store cars are also available)

Resumes are to be given to Mrs Esau in E6

STYMIE

As you may be aware, all students participated in the launch of STYMIE at MSHS on Tuesday 31 July. Ask your child about the presentations and check out the website or the Facebook page. We also hosted a parent evening and, although we only had small numbers, it was incredibly informative. Rachel talked to parents about the struggles a lot of us are facing managing technology and devices in the home, and gave some strategies to help. One was to have a charter of expectations as a family. This is attached to this article.

Stymie at our school

Any child at a Stymie-registered school can make a notification about someone they believe is being bullied or harmed. This notification is automatically forwarded to the school, and managed by the appropriate members of staff.

• Each school has their own process for dealing with notifications according to their wellbeing framework.
• Schools have a standard investigative process that they follow. Notifications are generally explored and followed up before they are acted on.
• For your child and their peers, knowing that they have a safe place to pass on information can be a great source of comfort and relief.

FEEDBACK FROM SESSIONS

MSHS students

“For kids in grades 7, that is really young for bullying. The lady told us reality, like what happens when you do these things to people, you don’t know what kind of impact it has on them.” (Year 7 Student)

“Stymie is very helpful for everyone, because you can stop the bullying.” (Year 7 Student)

Amazing. Kept it interesting and really relevant information. (Year 10 student)

We loved the presenter and she was very blunt about the impacts of bullying on individuals. (Year 9 student)

I am confident that it will be beneficial for our school. (Year 12 student)

MSHS teachers

What a great idea; the presenter was so passionate and her message simple but effective. (Teacher)

I thought the presentation was excellent and pitched at the students’ level. I think the students gained a lot from the talk. (Teacher)

I think it's such an awesome initiative being brought to the school. I think so many of my students will benefit from this. Thanks for making it available for the students and school! (Teacher)

MSHS parents

I knew we weren’t the only parents ‘at wits end’ over arguing constantly with our teenage boys about the use of Xbox and You Tube viewing. After attending the evening session with Rachel Downie, I feel empowered to become ‘the parent’ again. As parents, we have already discussed and will be implementing 2 hours (device) time each Saturday and Sunday – AND THAT IS ALL!

Rachel’s no nonsense attitude and insight into our teenagers was an inspiration. Thank you Rachel for this life changing experience! (Parent of 2 teens)

RAISING RESPONSIBLE TEENS PART 4

By Professor Matt Sanders

Over the past few newsletters, I’ve outlined some ways for you to help your teenager to mature into a responsible, independent young person. Here are the last of these key ingredients.

Being Reliable

Your teen is more likely to be reliable if you’re reliable yourself.

• Show interest in your teen’s activities during everyday conversation, not only when they’re going out or coming home.
• Encourage your teen to make a commitment. For example: “I’ll be home between 4:00 and 4:30” rather than: “I’ll be home later”.
• Check whether they keep the commitment. If they do, praise them and let them know you appreciate that they’ve done what they said.
• If they don’t meet the commitment, ask them to tell you what the commitment was, and what prevented them meeting it. Discuss what they might have done differently and what they’ll do next time, but avoid lecturing.

Being Assertive

Being assertive means not being pushed around and not pushing others around verbally or physically. Assertive people are confident in their views, wishes and needs, and can express them calmly and firmly. They can discuss differing views and opinions without creating conflict and hostility.

• Encourage your teen to state their wishes clearly and calmly without being too timid or aggressive.

• Show them how to ask clearly and calmly when they want something. Also show them how to say “no” by encouraging them to explain clearly and calmly why they don’t want something.

• If you see your teen being too aggressive, or too timid practise being assertive with them in the same situation. Discuss what they might do or say, and then practise together. Afterwards, ask them what they’ll do next time a similar situation happens. Get them to make a commitment to try the way you just practised, and praise them for this.

• Don’t forget to praise your teen when you see them being assertive.

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

MISSION AUSTRLIA YOUTH SURVEY

PERFORMING ARTS

Creative Generation- State Schools Onstage (CGEN)

During the second week of the school holidays Izzy Uluiviti, Tanya Dator and I went to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) for CGEN show week. My mind was blown at the size and logistics of this production. I was supervising teacher of the symphony orchestra and sat with the orchestra during the performance to learn the show calls as a backup person. Also from my position I got to watch Izzy and Tanya both performing. Issy was cast as a featured vocalist and Tanya was a first violinist in the Symphony Orchestra. Below, Tanya and Issy have written their experiences. The show was filmed by Network Ten on the Saturday. An edited version of the show will be aired on Network Ten on the 27th October.

Nicole de Brueys
Instrumental Music Co-ordinator

Tanya Dator

I had an amazing time being at this year's Creative Generation! I have experienced a lot of things that you don't usually see on a daily basis, things like using in-ear monitors and listening to clicking tracks of 80% of the pieces was very interesting as it was my first time.

I had the pleasure playing in our 65-piece Symphony Orchestra and we have played over 2 hours’ worth of music. We pretty much played from the start to finish for four, two and a half hour separate shows, it was very tiring but definitely worthwhile!

Not only did I gain experience working with industry professionals and performing in an industry standard venue, but I have formed a lot of friendships with extremely talented musicians. Up until now, we are still talking to each other!

All in all, Creative Generation is definitely a memory that I won't ever forget. I had the privilege being a part of something so beautiful and I feel honoured knowing that I have contributed to the success of the show this year.

With the experience I gained from doing this show, I will use these skills in my future career.

Tanya Dator

Issy Uluiviti

My experience in the CGEN show week was and will be a memorable one. I will miss the countless hours listening to amazing singers and the orchestra playing together. There were some moments in the first week of rehearsals where I wanted to call it quits, but it all payed off in the end. During show week we had our microphones checked, costumes set up, make- up put on as we practiced our pieces for the last time before live audiences. When it came to the show, it was like nothing I have ever seen. Drummers, lights, core and massed choir and hundreds of audience members coming to watch. It was my first and last year in CGEN, and every single second of the show week was worth it. I would like to thank my music teacher Mrs de Brueys for giving me this once in a lifetime experience, truly an amazing teacher and I appreciate everything you’ve done for Tanya and I. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Mackay State High School and the wonderful supportive teachers.

Issy Uluiviti

CQUniversity Jazz festival

On the 22nd of July our Vocal Group and Stage Band both participated in the CQUniversity Jazz Festival held at the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM). Both ensembles presented their performances to guest adjudicator Greg Spence who is a renowned clinician and freelance studio trumpeter and CQCM voice lecturer Nicole Thompson. A workshop with the adjudicators followed the performance. Sunday night each group performed one song from their workshop for the public.

The results were:

Stage Band conducted by Matt Johnston received a Gold Award
Tanya Dator received a Soloist Award for her vocal solos in the Stage Band
Vocal Group conducted by Nicole de Brueys received a Silver Award.

Term 3 upcoming dates

• Mackay Orchestras and Bands: 11th and 12th August (Middle and Senior School Concert Band, String Ensemble, Advanced Strings and Drum Corps)
• State Honours Ensemble Program Middle Schools: 24th-26th August (Selected Students)
• Chaplaincy Fundraiser: Saturday 1st September (Selected students)

ACCESS CENTRE

JCU EXPERIENCE

Thirteen year 12 students were privileged to participate in the annual JCU experience held on the 17th and 18th of July 2018 in Townsville. We were divided into groups according to future study choices, placed in accommodation near the university and attended simulated lectures. Additionally, the program’s inclusion of students from other schools around the state enabled us to interact with a wide cohort while enjoying the great North Queensland weather. One of the group’s favourite part of the experience was the Amazing Race, where we were given the opportunity to tour the JCU campus. Another highlight was the movie night held in one of JCU’s theatres.

This was such a great experience and we are all looking forward to life after year 12.

Shout out to Mr Hains, Dave, Kiki and all our new friends from Sarina State High School!

Nchinga Zimba and Jenica Bautista
Year 12

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

2018 Trudy Graham/Julie Lewis Literary Award

The competition has an open theme and entrants may submit prose up to a maximum of 2000 words. Entries must also be unpublished and not have received any previous awards or recognition in any other competition.

Closes Friday 10th August 2018

Head to the Peter Cowan Writers Centre competition page to find links to the flyer and entry form.

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