22 March 2019

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Several of our Year 12 girls attended the International Women’s Day Brunch hosted by Zonta Club of Mackay at the MECC. Students from several schools were invited and our ladies spoke very highly of the experience, especially the key note speaker. Dr Helen Popovich spoke to the large audience regarding her research and studies on Life balance, while focussing on using our talents fully. Special thanks to Vassie Comino, member of Zonta and former Prefect at Mackay SHS, who sponsored the cost of our girls’ invitations each year. Our girl sent a letter of thanks to Vassie for her generousity.

Each year in March, the Year 12 students from regional schools including Bowen and Proserpine are invited by the Community Mocktail committee to Mocktail 2019. This year over 700 students, from across the region gathered at the MECC enjoying a night of dancing, mixing with friends from across schools, enjoying a talent quest during the evening. The evening is supervised by volunteer staff from all schools, Police and Mocktail committee. A wonderful evening was enjoyed by all who attended.

The 2019 Year 7 Information Evening & Welcome BBQ was postponed from 5th March after the downpour that day and a large number of our Year 7 teachers and several students and parents attended a week later. After some casual conversations while enjoying a Sausage Sizzle, capably run by Mr Skinner and Ms Doueal, the gathering moved inside where presentations by a number of staff including Ms Veney, Mr Skinner, Ms Hardy and me shared some key messages and answered parent questions. Usually this event accompanies a Year 7-9 Disco at the Hall, but there was little interest – maybe next term.

On Friday 15th March, along with many schools, we recognised the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. In Form classes and at lunch breaks a range of activities involving students staff and representatives from Headspace, were available to all. Students and staff were encouraged to wear an orange accessory on the day.

On Monday evening 25th March at 6pm, the P&C AGM for our school will be held in the school library. New parents are always welcome and I would hope that those who have played a positive role in their Primary Schools might come along to join the small but committed team, making serious decisions around the school offerings,

Exam Block timetables were distributed to all Year 11 & 12 earlier this week. Students are reminded that they must be on time and prepared for all Exam Block commitments and that uncommitted time should be used to prepare or catch-up in other subjects. If a student misses an exam, they should contact the school prior and must have a medical certificate for the absence.

Mr Steve Paulger
Principal

STYMIE

SCHOOL SAFETY

SPORTS REPORT

What’s happening in our Sporting Academies?

Netball Academy

Netball Academy is off to a flying start in 2019. There are 53 students in the Netball Academy from Years 7-10. This year the Netball Academy has announced a leadership group that is made up of a captain from each year level and overall captain. Year 7 will be announced in Term 2,

Year 8- Lily May Carige
Year 9- Tasma Levitz
Year 10- Jaelee Tillack
Overall Captain- Amity Bugeja.

The girls are all very keen and eager to develop their fitness and netball skills. The girls participate in one morning fitness session every Tuesday at Memorial Pool & MSHS oval. The girls will complete an aquathlon in Week 9 after the training they have completed over the term. During class girls have 1 practical lesson and 1 theoretical lesson. Their theory follows the Australian Curriculum and their practical lesson this term has been working on the basic of netball. As of Wednesday 13th March Interschool Netball commenced where we have 9 teams across 8 different division. The games are played at 4, 4.40 and 5.20.This will be played every Wednesday over Term 1 & 2. We look forward to seeing how the girls go over the next 10 weeks in playing as a team, developing their skills and representing the school. We would love to see everyone get down and support the girls.

Rugby League

The Mackay State High School Rugby League Academy is in full swing at this point of the year. All academy classes are continuing to work hard both in the classroom and on the field. Our senior academy classes are combining a mixture of field training sessions to develop and fine tune rugby league specific skills with a guided strength program through our partnership with Integrated Bodies. This opportunity will provide our students with an avenue to develop the “total package” as a rugby league player under the guidance of qualified instructors and utilising our schools wonderful gym facility.

The local Mackay district competition has commenced with our school contesting in every age group (Yr7&8, Year 9&10 and Opens). We have two teams competing in the Year 7&8 age group with team names continuing with the tradition of past students – Gagai and Ponga. This competition is a great opportunity for all our rugby league minded students to play with their mates.

Our quest for division1 rugby league success has seen us play trial games against Kirwan State High a few weeks ago in Bowen, with both matches being a physical encounter. Although Kirwan were the victors in both games, plenty of positive can be taken from the trial opportunity. Round 1 games of the Aaron Payne Cup and Cowboys Challenge start next week with Mackay Rivalry Round. Mackay State High taking on St Patricks College and Mercy College at the JRL grounds on Tuesday at 4:15pm and 5:15pm. Be sure to come down and support our boys!

Photo of JOHN O’BRIEN from Integrated Bodies taking the ‘Cowboys Challenge’ team for a training session this morning.

John was a student and MSHS in 2014.

Football Academy

Students have been preparing themselves this term for the Football to start happening. Morning Fitness on Wednesdays from 7:00am till 7:45am has given the students the jump start to developing their endurance. Class practical lessons have given the core Football skills required in the games. Small Sided games at the end of each lesson have allowed the students to gain vital teamwork. We have a new Training Shirt and Formal Shirt for our students to collect once their fees have been paid. They look very smart. Looking forward, Students are having and have had Trials for Southern Suburbs, Mackay and District Trials and Capricornia Age Group Trials to try out for. Second term starts our Under 15 Boys and Open Girls Competition on Thursday afternoons as well as our Bill Turner Under 15 Competitions for both Girls and Boys.

Best of Luck to all our students this year with their football journey.

Brad Radunz Head Coach MSHS Football Academy

Mackay State High Touch - Junior Development Squad

This year at Mackay State High we have introduced a Junior Development Squad for Touch. Notes were handed out to interested students at the end of last year and also to Year 7 students in week 2 of this year. This is not a class but an extra activity that students can be involved in. The squad trains every Thursday 1st break on the oval under the guidance of Mrs Biddle and Ms Blessas. The group has been working well and we had a number of students trial at the Mackay Touch Trials.

Touch- North Queensland All Schools

Mackay State High School is looking at sending teams to the NQ All Schools Touch Competition on the weekend of July 27th -28th Term 3 in Townsville. Taking teams in the following categories, Grade 7 boys and girls, under 15 boys and girls and an open mixed team. We will also be requiring a Referee for each of these teams. Meeting was held on Tuesday the 19th in second break to register interest, if students missed this meeting and are interested please see Mrs Biddle in the PE staffroom.

The HPE Staff would like to introduce our staff members throughout the year. This is a way for our students and school community to get to know our staff. Introducing Mrs Jacqui Kelly

• Your position / role(s) at MSHS – Teacher Aide for HPE & Sporting Academies
• Nickname – How you obtained this if appropriate – Jack Attack - received by my colleagues!
• How Long you have been employed at MSHS – 5 Years
• Hobbies – Camping & Water Skiing

• Interests Travelling & decorating at Christmas time!
• Favourite travel destination OR where you would like to travel – Favourite!? There are too many to name (all of Europe) and would love to go to Machu Picchu.
• Highlight at MSHS – Seeing the progress Sport is making here each year!
• Why you do what you do. – For the kids…. For that 1 you know you made a difference too!
• Favourite Quote – The days that break you are the days that make you!

Help Earn Sports Equipment for your School

If you shop at Rebel Sport, please sign up for free to join Rebel Active.

Then Support our school by linking your membership to Mackay State High School.

Then every time you shop instore or online not only will you receive the best pricing and deals

Rebel Sport is offering but a percentage of what you spend will go towards sports equipment for MSHS.

Together we can make a big difference!

ACCESS CENTRE NEWS

National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence

The Access Centre was busy on Friday preparing orange cookies and orange icy cups for students to take a stand against Bullying and Violence. Students also tuned in to 4CRM local radio station to listen to MSHS's say on bullying - songs were chosen that related to this topic. All students enjoyed working together to support this day!

4CRM feedback was extremely positive- the community loved listening!! One lady had to pull up from driving as she had tears in her eyes, she loved the children having their say.

IDEAL PLACEMENTS MEET AND GREET

Griffith University Experience

MATHS DEPARTMENT

Maths Mate Student Workbooks (Homework for Year 7 and 8)

In years 7 and 8, the homework program that has been established consists of the completion of individual sheets from the Maths Mate 7 or Maths Mate 8 Student Pads. These pads have 32 progressive worksheets designed to be systematic, weekly revision encouraging regular, structured practice of maths knowledge, skills and problem solving abilities. Our department has been made aware of some difficulty in obtaining these student pads. In the first instance, Carroll’s Newsagents may be able to provide you with this book (for purchase) or alternatively the hard copy of the student pad that you need can be purchased online (costs around $20 with delivery) from the link below.

If you have any further queries, please contact the maths department on 4957 9154.

Jim Laidlaw
Head of Department - Mathematics

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Whitsunday Voices

Whitsunday Voices would like to invite students to submit entries for the 2019 Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival Short Story Competition. Students can speak to their English Teacher or go to A06 Staffroom to find out more information.

The closing date for the competition is 3pm Friday 17 May 2019. All entries must be received by this date to be considered for judging. All entries must be received in hard copy, by post, using the address on the application form. See the link below.

BREAKFAST CLUB

MSHS has a breakfast club that operates Monday to Thursday which is open 8.00 am to 8.40. We would like to say a massive Thankyou to Brumby’s Sydney Street for donating the bread for our students to enjoy and also our wonderful P & C Committee. Thankyou to the parents/carer’s that have already donated spreads, we are always looking for more spreads (in date) to feed our hungry students.

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