14 September 2018

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

As we move quickly to the end of Term 3, students are busy with assessments, while staff are finalising marking while preparing the interim reports for all students. Our Year 12 students will have their ratings from these most recent assessments combined with earlier summative assessments, with submissions for each Authority subject, sent for final confirmation of their ratings. Students will have some time to give further improvement to their ratings, but with only 6 weeks to complete Year 12, changes can only be minor. The Exam Blocks are Year 12 – 11 – 14th Sept, while the Year 11 is from17 – 20th Sept.

About 60 students in Year 12 completed the four-component test for the QCS test. The students were confident of their capabilities, doing their best to provide the scaling factor information for the OP calculations. The 2019 Year 12 students will be the last group of student to do the QCS Test and be awarded OP scores for Tertiary entrance, before our current Year 10 cohort will receive an ATAR score.

On Monday, a large number of students and their parents attended the Subject Information sessions for Year 7, 8 and 9 students transitioning to their 2019 subjects. Heads of Departments and teachers were available to respond to queries and sign off after discussion of student choices. Students who could not attend, were reminded and able to collect the Subject Selection form from the office. These forms are expected to be completed, signed off by Heads of Department and parents to be handed to Ms Drinkwater by Thursday 20th September.

2019 Year 7 Enrolment bookings are still being sought to ensure that we can have all of our students expecting to enrol for next year, on as future enrolments prior to the Transition days next term for the Learning Support and Students with Disability and the Orientation Day on Mon 10th Dec 2018. Following the Academic Excellence Academy testing we look forward to the notification of the successful candidates for the 2019 AEA class.

Creative Generations Arts entries were recently judged with quality entries from students across our CQ Region. One of our Year 12s Emma Bugeja, was successful to have her art work selected to be a representative at the State judging – check out the detailed report from Ms Hodby. A group of 18 Year 12 students attended Relay for Life at Showgrounds, raising substantial funds for the battle against Cancer. Congratulations to our Girls Open Rugby League team who played their grandfinal against St Patricks last week. After a strong game, played in good spirit, the final score was St Pats 24 – 4 MSHS.

About 90 of our Year 7 students attended their Fairbairn Camp for 2017. When they returned last Thursday, they had many positive experience, involved in ropes courses, canoeing as well as many challenge activities to strengthen the teamwork and self-understanding. This is the first Year 7 Camp run by Mackay SHS, however this is now a fixture in our school now.

Thursday 13th Sept is RU OK Day, with Chappy Phil and a few other students running competitions with the paper aeroplane competition. RU OK Day reminds us all to check-in with those around you, regularly and provide a caring ear, if it may be required.

Mr Steve Paulger
Principal

SUBJECT SELECTION

Subject selection time is here again and all current Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 students are making the decisions about what elective subjects they wish to choose for 2019.

Year 7 into 8 – GREEN SHEET – 3 electives, one must be HPE
Year 8 into 9 – BLUE SHEET – 4 electives, one must be HPE
Year 9 into 10 – PINK SHEET – 3 electives, one must be CERT II
Year 10 students are completing their selections ONLINE. A letter outlining how to do this has already been sent home.

Two signature are required of parents – one on the selection form, and one on the student resource scheme form. Students have been running around getting signature from various Heads of Department and bringing the forms back into the office all completed. It is excellent to see student considering their options so enthusiastically. Please call the office and discuss payment options if you still have outstanding fees as this may affect the subjects your student chooses.

NAPLAN

Student individual reports for Years 7 and 9 students have been sent to the school and will be distributed to your child today. Please check with them that they have received this report…it may be in the bottom of their bags!

Ms Lisa Veney
Deputy Principal

JUNIOR SECONDARY NEWS

General News

88 Year 7 students returned from a successful camp at Fairbairn Dam near Emerald last week. During the daily sessions run by camp staff, they were put into an environment where they had to identify and develop leadership and communication skills without adult prompting. Although many found this difficult (which it was meant to be), I think many found out that to truly succeed, you have to work hard. The bigger the group, the harder teamwork is. Even in the canoeing challenge, if one of the 3 canoeists isn't working with the other 2, you tend to go backwards.

Students were given meal preparation and clean-up responsibilities and all did their bit very willingly. I assume many have chores to do at home.

Night time saw some fun activities, from our popular lantern stalk to the crazy mad Olympics to the trivia night (which of course the teachers won with a perfect score of 50/50).

Check out the camp photo album on the school Facebook site for a great summary of the action.

The next challenge for teachers and students is to build the lessons learned at camp in to school life.

The message - Nothing comes easy, you get out of life what you put in.

What's On Soon

Apart from the looming holidays, Junior students are all completing assessment for their upcoming report cards. We urge parents to be aware of students' responsibilities around quality work and pride in their efforts by checking daily with them. Ask your student to show you their classwork, assignments etc. Check their assessment planner which was provided to all students early in the term.

Any bad habits exhibited by students now will become normal for them in the next 2 years. Year 9 students with bad habits will find it difficult to change their ways for a successful senior phase at school.

If parents are asked to attend a parent teacher interview next term, please make the time to book an interview with the relevant teachers and discuss your child's progress.

Thought of the Newsletter

Thought of the Newsletter

Mr Matt Skinner
HOD Junior Secondary

SPORTS REPORT

Year 12 Cert 3

For the practical element of the students course this term the students have been traveling to ‘World Gym Mackay’ each Wednesday. This has provided students with the opportunity to; use a range of equipment, participate in Les Mills programs, design and instruct personal gym programs and create group fitness circuits for class members. This has also exposed them to Personal Trainers in the industry and how they screen clients and complete 9 site skinfold measurements. We would like to Thank World Gym Mackay for exposing the students in this class to their exceptional facilities.

Football

Congratulations to our year 7 and year 8 Mackay High Football teams. They both have made the Semi Finals, which are being played at City Brothers Football Fields this Thursday 13th.September Year 8 will play Mercy College and year 7 will play Mirani State High. Results will be announced in the next newsletter.

Girls Rugby League

Congratulations to the 55 girls who played in the Girls Rugby League Cluster Competition over the past five weeks. All girls have demonstrated a strong commitment to improving their Rugby League skills and desire to perform well at each game. The team cohesion created, has been a credit to their coaches and managers. Without their time and dedication the girls wouldn’t have had this opportunity. A special thank you to the MSHS staff who have gone above their duties to ensure this competition was organised and created an opportunity for these girls, who I know have appreciated it.

The senior girls played in the Deanna Turner Cup Grand Final last Friday, it was an amazing showcase of strength and determination from our students. The girls had to play an extended match time of 40minutes against St Patrick’s College. Some outstanding tackles were demonstrated where the girls certainly put their bodies on the line. Both Onaeda Parter-Brady and Lawren Samson played up an age division each week. Onaeda in one set completed 3 consecutive hit ups and always looked strong in her defence. Lawren playing an integral key in the centre of the line to communicate to her fellow team mates. Our little pocket rocket Mayson Armstrong’s strength and speed was always on show. She suffered a nasty head clash that did not hold her back until the siren. Mikayla Rogers dislocated her finger and relocated it herself, if that isn’t tough or impressive I’m not sure what is! Courtney, Tamika, Sarah and Emma used their strength to move the ball forward and were unstoppable. Jaylee Rossow’s performance was most consistent throughout the five weeks and displayed exceptional attacking skills on the field for the Grand Final. Gabby Wotherspoon, played in the half position and was able to direct the play remarkably given she has never played Rugby League before. This has only mentioned a few key elements that was showcased in the game.

This was an impressive game to watch, even though the girls may not have won the Grand Final, they represented our school with pride and determination. Congratulations to you all.

ACCESS CENTRE

INTERACT CLUB

It is with great pride to report that the Interact Club’s Cleaning goods drive has been a success. Over a one week period this term, students and staff were asked to bring in a single item of household cleaning goods for the Salvation Army to distribute to those in most need in the community. The goods were tallied and stored by Chappy Phil in his office with the goods gratefully received by Salvation Army Major Tracey Wicks this week. Everyone who participated deserves to feel a special sense of accomplishment for being part of something bigger, but a special mention must go to students in 7M1, 9C2, 12M1 and 12F1 Form Classes who really got into the spirit of giving.

SENIOR SCHOOLING

Try a Trade

Selected Year 10 students from Mackay SHS, North Mackay SHS, Pioneer SHS, Northern Beaches SHS, Mirani SHS and Sarina SHS have just completed the 5 week Try a Trade program run by Mackay Engineering College. This is a great opportunity for students to participate in a variety of different trade areas and talk to people in the industry. Students toured Hail Creek Mine, BMA Haypoint, DGH, Autocorner, All Metal Solutions, Consolidated Plastics, Nth Qld Bulk Ports, Cummins and MEC.

Statement from Frank and Helen at Mackay Engineering College, “We would like to acknowledge that this year’s participants have been the best yet. Well done to all students who participated. We hope to see you back at the MEC next year.

Statements from students:

Try a Trade was a good experience, and it was good to get hands on with the mechanics at Autocorner and the MEC, it just gave me a taste of what it will be like next year at the Engineering college.

Bailey Davidson

Try a Trade was an amazing experience, we as a group got the chance to experience new things. The staff that we had throughout the work places were really nice and clearly explained what their job roles were.

Chloie Laver

Try a Trade gave me a lot of opportunities to try different kinds of trades and I had an amazing time.

Francis Alamodin

Try a Trade was a great experience getting to see the different company’s and Hail Creek mine.

Jacob O’Driscoll

Apprentice Cabinetmaker

A local Mackay business is offering a School Based Apprenticeship for a 2019 Year 10 student wanting to do cabinet making. This is a great opportunity for students thinking of doing an apprenticeship after finishing school. The student would attend work one day a week while they are at school doing years 10, 11 and 12 and then continue their apprenticeship when they finish Year 12. Interested students should see Mrs Annamaria Esau in E6 for more information.

Apprentice Signwriter postion for 2019

A brief description as follows:

• signwriting is a 4 year apprenticeship Cert III in Signs and Graphics
• Signwriting is a hands on / creative trade. About 80% hands on / 20% artwork.
• design, manufacture and install signage
• using hand and power tools and access equipment
• operate 1.5 metre wide printing machines
• make all types of signs from stickers for shopfronts to billboards
• use CNC machinery to engrave plastics and steel and to cut out lettering
• installation of signs to shop fronts, buildings vehicles etc.

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

Grade 10 English classes were given a rare opportunity to view a live stream play from the Opera House, Sydney during period 1 & 2. The live play “Romeo & Juliet,” gave insight into the unravelling of Shakespeare’s classic love story up close, with themes such as love, sacrifice, friendship, balance and conflict. The play has been studied by students for the upcoming External English Exam that will be conducted across the year 10 cohort. Viewing the play and watching the question and answer session afterwards provided a different approach to learning about the classic love story rather than merely reading the book.

Students were pleased with viewing the play, as it reinforces the concepts and ideas for the Year 10 External English Exam. This was an accurate display of the retelling of a Shakespeare classic, and was a great educational experience for both students & teachers.

Tom Camp – Year 10

TUCKSHOP

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

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Mackay Futsal (Indoor Soccer) Club, based at Mackay Basketball Stadium, Milton Street, Mackay, is presently signing on for the summer season. Programmes or competitions for all ages from 3 years upwards to open men and women. To sign up or enquire joining go to the link below ,email mackay@australianfutsal.com or ring Germano on 0409473437