6 September 2019

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Our Subject Selection Evening, for parents and students going into Year 8, 9 and 10 in 2020 was held this week. It was very pleasing to see such high numbers attend and commence the subject sign in for their students that evening. Sincere thanks to the staff who assisted in the setup, advice for parents and students and the pack-up, once the evening was completed. Many students had finalised their forms before leaving on Tuesday evening, while others were taking away forms to further discuss their options.

Students who did not attend the evening are required to collect a form from the office urgently, to discuss selections with their parents. This year students will have specific times to complete their forms and receive final sign off. These times are Period 1; Year 8 students Friday 6th Sept, Year 7 students Monday 9th Sept and Year 9 students Wednesday 11th Sept.

During last week a team of staff commenced interviews for about 120 of our expected 200 students for Year 7 in 2020. We would hope to complete the remaining interviews of students coming to Mackay State High School in the next few weeks. If you know of parents of current Year 6 students, who at this stage have not arranged or completed an enrolment interview, encourage them to phone our office to make an appointment.

Thirty five of our Year 12 students completed their QCS Test this week. The test assists in the calculation of students’ OP scores later in the year, for their applications for University courses. This is the final QCS test for Queensland students, with future students receiving an ATAR score (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) based on their studies during Year 11/12.

As we come to the end of Term 3, our Year 12 students will have an Exam Block from Tues 10th to Fri 13th Sept, with their results being used by teachers for their submissions for State-wide moderation, confirming the ratings for their subjects. Year 11 students will also have an Exam Block Fri 13th – Fri 20th Sept, which sees the finalisation of their Unit 2 studies under the new SATE curriculum. Year 11 students will commence their Unit 3&4 studies at the start of Term 4 leading into assessments during the next 12 months, culminating in external exams in October/November 2020 for all General subjects.

Congratulations to our Open Boys Football team who compete this week in the Mackay Interschool Soccer Grand Final on Thursday - Mackay SHS vs Whitsunday Anglican School, which they play at Mackay City Brothers Field at 4pm. Good luck to the boys and Mr Radunz.

NAPLAN results arrived this week and the individual Student Reports will be issued to our Year 7 and 9 students once all confirmed. Looking at a table of comparisons for Year 9 students against other local High Schools, our Mackay SHS students have performed well across all areas.

Mr Steve Paulger
Principal

STYMIE

FROM THE DESK OF A DEPUTY

Mackay State High School Term 3 Report Cards

Some important dates and details around our Term 3 Reporting for students in Years 7 – 12:

• Tuesday 15th October – Reports emailed / distributed
• There are no Parent Teacher Interviews arranged following this reporting round but families may make contact with the school to speak with individual staff members.

The purpose of our interim reports is to:

• provide parents with a summary of their student’s progress.
• provide school based Achievement Data for analysis.

The majority of parents will receive their student’s report card via email, as the only method.

Parents are encouraged to register for access to the free QParents phone app to be able to access a greater range of details pertaining to their student, including this Report Card and previous ones issued by the school. Just call our Administration staff and ask for details about how to apply.

Tania Cheers
Deputy Principal

P AND C STAFF RECOGNITION AWARDS – SEPTEMBER

Staff Recognition, for the month of September, has been afforded to Annamaria Esau (Support Staff) and Mel Niemi (Teaching Staff).

Mel was recognised for successfully completing her GTPA while teaching full-time and managing her university commitments. An excerpt from her final report included the following feedback:

Mel demonstrates many teaching skills beyond those of a graduate teacher. Her rapport with her classes shows she genuinely cares about them and their progress. She carefully plans her lessons to acknowledge the wide diversity in her classroom and actively seeks out meaningful data on her students using informal and formal techniques. Mel plans for student success, identifying strengths and areas for development and incorporating this into her planning to allow students the opportunity to achieve their best. She has high expectations of behaviour and engagement in her classroom and these are communicated clearly and evidenced by effective routines and guidelines. She uses school-wide policies and initiatives in her classroom effectively.

Annamaria Esau has been recognised for her outstanding work in organising the Set Plans for Year 10’s. Annamaria goes above and beyond in her commitment and dedication to ensuring this process runs smoothly. She undertakes a great deal of “behind the scenes” work assisting students, parents and other staff. Annamaria displays constant professionalism and is a true credit to the school. Annamaria also coordinates our Work Experience for 10 – 12 students and the MEC students each year. She is the primary contact for business and employers who are seeking to engage students in apprenticeships/traineeships/ training and employment.

Congratulations to both of these amazing Staff Members.

BUSINESS MANAGER

In the past two weeks our Teacher Aides and our Public Servant support staff have been congratulated by the school executive and wider school community for the amazing contribution that they provide to your child’s education in the way of “School Support Staff Recognition week” (August 26th -30th ) and “Teacher Aide appreciation week” (September 2nd-6th). We are very happy that both these events are supported by our wonderful teaching staff, P and C association members and the relevant union bodies. I am most proud of our support staff and all the work they do every day which is amazing and I hope they felt that their contribution to our school is greatly appreciated during these two weeks.

Additionally I would like to thank all the parents and students who did take the time to come to our very successful Year 7-9 student information evening which was held on the 3/9/19. This evening was a great success and is testament to the efforts of our entire staff, the evening provides clarity and transparency on education processes such as subject selection and allows parents to have access to personal one of one advice as your child moves from one grade to another. As part of my evening talk about public education and the Student Resource Scheme, I just wanted to reiterate my pledge to help parents with schools fees through the application and implementation of flexible payment plans. My administration staff who you can visit in person or contact by phone are very willing to help you with any assistance that may be required.

Troy Twomey
Business Manager

GOOD LUCK

We would all like to wish Miss Forster, our Sports Coordinator, all the best as she competes in the Triathlon World Championships, win or lose you’re a champion in our eyes!

ACCESS CENTRE

Thank You

Our Teacher Aides work on developing and upskilling in small fortnightly Professional Development Meeting. I would like to thank all the Teacher Aides in the school as they do a fabulous job of working and supporting our students. They really are sent from heaven! Thank you.

Transition Days

Attention All Feeder Schools – Transportation to and from school is to be organised by Parents or Feeder Schools.

Year 6→7 TRANSITION for all diverse students (LS/SWD) 2019

• Parents please come to morning tea in the ACCESS Centre after session 4, week 9 - 7th December at 11:00am.
• Whole school Orientation full day 9th December 2019.

STUDENTS NEED TO BRING THEIR SCHOOL BAG WITH WRITING EQUIPMENT

Parent Appointments if required:

Please phone to arrange an appointment.

Any queries please contact Majella Hoffmann HOSES on 49579128 during school hours.

Attention All Feeder Schools – Transportation to and from school is to be organised by Parents or Feeder Schools.

Crossroad Arts

I facilitate a workshop program for young people on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.

We want to increase the numbers of our 7-12 year old class. I was wondering if you knew of any students who might be interested in the information below:

Term 3 classes have already started and we encourage students to come along and try a class free to see if it is a good fit. There is also reference to the NDIS categories some students have been able to use for the workshop program as part of their plan.

If anyone has any questions feel free to get in touch with me on 4953 5122 or alternatively via email artisticassociate@crossroadarts.com.au

Autumn Skuthorpe
Crossroad Arts Artistic Associate

Additional support materials

Supporting students with disability - Animation - This animation provides an overview of the support provisions for students with disability attending Queensland state schools.

MATHS DEPARTMENT

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

NAVY CADETS PRESENTATION AT MSHS

Joey Ping and Jarrod Watkins spent a lunchtime challenging Year 7 students to consider participation in Navy Cadets.

Joey and Jarrod have been Navy Cadets for a number of years, and each year represent their Unit in our School ANZAC DAY parade.

The junior students thoroughly enjoyed the presentation by their senior peers, with a number of students considering joining the cadets.

Mrs Lynne Hardy
Year 7 Coordinator

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

P & C

The next P and C meeting is on Monday 28th October at 6pm. We are still needing new members. We also have called a special meeting Monday 16th September at 5pm at the school to discuss the SRS funding schedule for 2020. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Many Thanks,

Toni-Maree Dodd
President
Mackay SHS P & C

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