20 September 2019

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Term 3 has ended with the Exam Blocks for Year 12, with their teachers completing the submissions for Senior students final ratings at QCAA Certification meeting in Week 3 next Term. Year 11 students also completed their Unit 2 assessments in Exam Block and from Day 1 of Term 4 will commence their Unit 3&4 studies, towards their external assessments in Term 4 of 2020. Report cards for each student will be distributed in Week 2 of Term 4.

Schools in 2020 will complete the NAPLAN tests for Years 3, 5, 7 & 9 using an Online model, with tests that are adapted to match the capability of the students, based on the responses they provide in early questions. To assist with this change in delivery mode, on Monday our Year 8 students brought their laptops to class and with laptops from our school pods, the students completed a School Readiness Test, checking the technical capacity of our school network and laptop resources to fit for 2020. Students and parents can access a Public Domain site from QCAA to look at the styles of questions that will be experienced in the Online test using the link

Some of our staff members have been recognised for their contributions in their particular fields, for the outstanding abilities they bring to our students and school. Michelle Ribot has been appointed as a judge for the 2019 ATOM Awards for Best Documentary – Social & Political Issues, recognising her capacities and highlighting Mackay SHS at the same time.

Meanwhile at the recent State Business Managers of Queensland Annual Conference, Troy Twomey our school Business Manager received the Outstanding Achievement Award for 2019, presented by Jeff Hunt (Deputy Director General - Corporate Services) and Sharon Abbott (SBMAQ president). Congratulations to Michelle and Troy on these awards.

Our students and staff regularly are involved in community events, with about 20 students across the weekend and several staff participating in the 2019 Relay for Life fundraising ceremony from 2pm Saturday through to 8am on Sunday. The students raised a significant contribution to the community effort in fundraisers at school. Sincere thanks to Jacqui Kelly who coordinated the group and the assistance of several staff in supervision across the weekend, but especially the students involved.

Two tour groups have commenced experiences during the latter part of Week 10, with a group of 25 Year 10 / 11 Rugby League Academy students travelling to England for a number of games against English schools, as well as doing some sight seeing and being billeted with families from our partner schools in Northern England. Meanwhile a large group of our Instrumental Music students travel to Townsville to perform and also participate in workshops to develop their playing skills. Thank you to the staff who give their time to supervise these student experiences, during their vacations.

I wish all students, staff and their families a safe and relaxing and refreshing break before we start the final push towards our final graduations and Sem 2 results for others, in Term 4.

Mr Steve Paulger
Principal

STYMIE

ACCESS CENTRE

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.

Additional support materials

Targeting Resourcing Support Poster

SENIOR SCHOOLING

Applications for Mackay Engineering College

Applications for students to complete courses at the Mackay Engineering College have been extended and will close on Friday 11 October 2019.

The flyers below have information on the three courses offered to our students with the cost for each course. If your student is interested in doing one of these courses, they can collect an application form from Mrs Esau in E6 on Tuesday 8 October and return the completed form to Mrs Esau in E6 by Thursday 10 October 2019 with a copy of their birth certificate.

R U OK DAY?

YEAR 11 EARLY CHILDHOOD

Recently, year 11 Early Childhood students hosted an under 5s activity morning with kindy aged children from Goodstart Early Learning Centre. The students were challenged to create play-based learning activities that were stimulating, engaging and which catered for all learning needs of children from 3-5 years of age. They designed and implemented activities of a very high standard and were able to cater for student diversity very well. The students were polite, professional, dedicated and made all teachers very proud. This group of students are highly regarded by the Goodstart Early Learning Educators and we thank the Kindy Group for coming along to our school to participate in a wonderful morning of activities.

THE ARTS: XL:ART

XL:Art creates lanterns for the Arts Ablaze conference

Following the success of their last creation for the Mackay festival of Arts, our XL:Art group has developed a reputation as lantern makers!

As part of the Arts Ablaze conference on the Sunshine Coast, XL:Art have had the opportunity to create two tissue paper lantern designs to represent Central Queensland. As two of only five lanterns selected, we can be proud that Mackay is going to have such a big presence at this exciting event.

Mackay is a place of expansive skies and beautiful light. These works depict two of the many places where sky and water meet at the turning point of night and day. Forgan Bridge spans the Pioneer river, connecting the city centre to its northern suburbs. At Cape Hillsborough, the kangaroos come down to the beach to feed.

Students created the compositions by collaging tissue paper onto a heavier white base layer, blending torn pieces to create a painterly effect, in contrast to the sharp black silhouettes of the bridge and kangaroos. The works have now been sent to Arts Ablaze, where they will be sealed, formed over a tubular lantern armature and lit from within when on display during the course of the event.

POSITION VACANT

Mackay State High School has a current vacancy for the permanent role of Schools Officer (Grounds and Facilities). This advertisement will be posted shortly on our website, newsletter and social media platforms.

The position requires excellent organisational skills, the ability to prioritise the grounds care and maintenance of the school, and the ability to work as part of a dynamic school operations team. The role also calls for the ability to communicate effectively with staff, students, parents, contractors and members of the wider community.

How to apply:

Applications should be submitted by COB 18th October 2019 in person at the school office or via email directly to bsm@mackayshs.eq.edu.au.

MATHS DEPARTMENT

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

P & C

The next P and C meeting is on Monday 28th October at 6pm. We are still needing new members.. 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