18 October 2019

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Welcome to Term 4. Students Report Cards for Term 3 were distributed via email to parents early in Week 2, with a small number distributed for those without email access. If you have not received your child’s report, contact the Office and a copy will be arranged. Importantly, ensure you’re your student has also seen their Report Card, to allow them to discuss their results and coded comments, to prepare for the final term effort.

During this week over 75 Year 10 students have taken advantage of Work Experience placements in the Mackay region for the week. Thank you to Mrs Esau for making the arrangements and facilitating the agreement forms required to be signed. This allows our students to gain an insight into the life of work, in an area that they have an interest in. Students complete a report booklet whilst on Work, while those who are not at a placement have normal lessons here at school for the 5 days.

In preparation for 2020, about 23 Year 11 students have nominated for the role of Prefect for their final year. These nominees presented their speeches to staff and also their student cohort this week, prior to the voting by staff and students. I congratulate every one of these students who are prepared to challenge themselves to take on this responsibility. Every year I see the growth in these student leaders, whether Captains, Prefects or House Captains, putting themselves in an excellent position to accept the challenges before them after leaving school.

On Tuesday evening our Sports Awards Night was held at the Mackay Turf Club, recognising the efforts of over 100 students as well as the coaches from staff and our wonderful parent group. Joel Clinton, former NRL player from Panthers and Broncos and Australian player, now residing in Mackay was the guest speaker for a very successful evening. As well as recognising the large number of representatives at Mackay District, Capricornia and State Level, awards were presented to our Academy students as well as Age Champions from this year.

Senior Sportsperson 2019 William Morgan

Each year Queensland College of Teachers call for nominations from teachers across the State for TeachX, Excellence awards within the teaching profession. Lynne Hardy, who has been a valued member of our team for 5 years has been judged as one of the top five in the category - Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning TEACHX Award. This is great recognition for the time, energy and caring manner in which Mrs Hardy commits to the students and the support she also provides to her colleagues. She will attend the ceremony next week in Brisbane where the winners in each division will be announced.

Our Instrument students performed this week at the Eisteddfod, with Stage Band placed first, Symphonic Band placing 2nd and Strings Ensemble being Highly Commended. Well done to all of the talented students and staff doing so well.

Last weekend I attended a function celebrating the retirement of Bruce Heggie and the significant contribution which he has made to the education of thousands of students and the development of so many teachers over his 42 years as a teacher and Principal. Mackay State High was his workplace for 26 years as teacher, Head of Dept History and DP so it was important that staff from many of the schools in which Bruce worked, were with he and his family to commemorate his great career.

Mr Steve Paulger
Principal

STYMIE

P AND C STAFF RECOGNITION AWARDS – OCTOBER

Staff Recognition, for the month of October, has been afforded to Jacqui Gibson (Teaching Staff) and Jenny Hocking (Support Staff).

Affectionately referred to as Gibbo, Jacqui took on the Acting HOD position for VSW. Her role involved encouraging somewhat reluctant Year 12 VSW students finally to the completion of their Certificate II course, within the last two weeks. While doing this job, Jacqui also took on a Prac-teacher and was involved with creating the modern history t-laps and its assessment. Jacqui organises our ANZAC day and also contributes to the ceremony at other primary schools. She has put her hand up for the 2020 Year 7 co-ordinator roll and has been involved in visiting the primary schools as part of our MSHS Roadshow Team. Jacqui also gives up her own time to support the students at their sporting events. Willing to help staff with her free spirited hippie loving homeopaths, she is a good listener, a great friend, a charismatic popular staff member who will bend over backwards for any one. She is loved by staff and students alike.

Jenny is Mackay SHS’s Youth Support Coordinator. Recently she has looked after the school’s RUOK day and is a quiet champion within our school. Jenny is a tireless advocate and support for the senior students in our school. Her compassion and care for students is evident on a daily basis. She provides much needed support and her efforts are instrumental in their success. Jenny takes on many tasks and we are very lucky to have such an amazing Youth Support Coordinator in our school.

Congratulations to both of these amazing Staff Members.

ACCESS CENTRE

Mylestones

Mylestones Employment is an employment agency that specialises in finding employment for people with a disability.

Mylestones works with students with a disability, injury or illness studying at high school, TAFE or university to transition to the workforce.

We do this by helping them access on-campus support teams and disability officers, as well as the Student Work Experience and Employment Training (SWEET) program.

The transition from study to work can be quit daunting, but Mylestones have a range of programs available to transition to work. We can support students with everything from work experience, industry visits and university transition, to writing a resume and building your communication and presentation skills.

The Student Work Experience and Employment Training (SWEET) program offers:

• Tailored pre-employment training including travel training, industry visits, training courses and certificates
• One-on-one guidance around goal setting and planning your future
• Opportunities for work experience
• Job-readiness skills including interview practice and resume writing
• Help with an individual job search
• On-the-job/post-placement support and training as required

If your student has a disability, injury or illness that creates a barrier for accessing employment, and attracts Education Adjustment Program Funding (for eligibility purposes only) students are most likely eligible for support from Mylestones Employment.

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.

MARINE CAMP 2019

SMALLEY’S BEACH (FROM WHERE YOU’D RATHER BE)

Our Year 12 Marine students celebrated the (almost) end of their studies with a camp at Smalley’s Beach. The trip consisted of an appreciation of Queensland’s coastline and the formation of it over millions of years of change due to environmental and climate conditions.

The students embarked on walks around Cape Hillsborough and Wedge Island, and swam at Seaforth. The class also wet a line a few times around the coast, unfortunately however only one fish was caught the whole trip. Cameron Levitz managed to land a 50cm Barra of the rocks at Smalley’s beach.

It is wonderful to see our student’s outside of the school routine, take time away from technology, and get back to nature. The marine science students appreciated the beauty of our local coastline and made memories doing so.

Thanks for a wonderful trip and thanks for the memories class of 2019!

SENIOR SCHOOLING

Year 10 Work Experience

Many of our Year 10 students have just done a week of work experience at a wide range of businesses around Mackay. These work placements allow students to experience the use of new and different equipment and technologies, and to develop a positive work ethic for future employment. Structured Workplace Learning also gives the student the opportunity to put into practice skills learned in the classroom.

In the past, some students have been offered part time work after impressing the employer at work experience. We have received very positive feedback from the employers on how the students worked for the week.

Well done!!

RATE PROGRAM

THE ARTS

2019 - MSHS Presents: Disruption
Date: 25th October
Time: 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Venue – Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Ooralea

Mackay High Presents: Disruption showcases the outstanding Arts Culture at Mackay State High School featuring works from visual and performance art faculties (Music, Visual Art, Drama and Film Television and New Media). You will enjoy the highest quality of art works displayed in the exhibition (CQCM Foyer open from 5:30pm - 8:30pm) and be amazed by the high level of musicianship of our young performers throughout the concert (CQCM theatre, tickets required 7pm - 8:30pm). There will be complementary snacks and drinks to purchase throughout the evening. We look forward to celebrating the hard work and commitment our students and staff have contributed this year.

Follow the link and reserve your tickets if you wish to enjoy the concert from the theatre.

YEAR 7 SCIENCE

Heavenly bodies is the current topic in year 7 science. 7B used toilet paper to display the distances between objects in the solar system. Using team work, perseverance, cooperation and communication we achieved success and a greater understanding of the huge distances in space.

Team work makes the dream work

Written by: 7B and Mrs Buteaux
Photography by: Havana

LANGUAGES

Ciao! I am excited to be able to deliver Italian Intercultural Studies to selected Year 7 and 8 classes this term. Students will engage with many aspects of Italian Australian culture, whilst incorporating the basics of the four skills in languages learning and cross curricula skills and content. Italian is an important world language, the second most popular language of school instruction in Australia as well as the fourth most popular learned second language globally. Italian is a living language of multicultural Australia, the language of origin for over a million Aussies. Close to home, there is a vibrant and engaged Australian Italian community in Mackay which I hope to incorporate into lessons to create more enriching learning experiences. Students should be comfortable and engaged learning Italian is it’s a relatively easy language for English speakers to learn. In fact once learners get into it, they usually realise that they know a lot more Italian than they previously thought! I look forward to engaging with the students in exciting, positive languages learning experiences this term. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me. A presto!

Andrea Pozza

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