29 November 2019

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

The Academic Excellence Academy students took the stage this week with presentations of their Research projects during this term. In groups the students identified an area which they sought to research and, carry out testing and then display and report to our judges the results of their investigations. Their efforts were outstanding. The quality of their work, applying scientific method and their communication skills to deliver their outcomes, were well above their year level, as commented by several of the judges. Thanks to our Judges including Garry Hendicott, Electrical Engineer, Carolyne Roche, Asst Director, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Neeta Silwal, Civil Engineer at Mackay Regional Council, Ryan Hardy, Senior Radiographer at Mackay Base Hospital and Dr Judith Wake, Senior Lecturer in Science at CQU. I also assisted these very capable people to judge the presentations on the day. The day was made even more special, when former student and Mayor of MRC Greg Williamson dropped in to review the projects of our students.

Year 9

Since our last newsletter we have farewelled our 2019 Year 12 Graduates. The graduation ceremony was made even more special for the 90 students, with the attendance of parents and family members. The following week saw many students commence work, some to schoolies celebrations and others to family vacations to recognise the significant achievement. Congratulations to every one of our students who have stayed the path and completed their Senior Education.

Our school community was advise recently that Mrs Felicity Roberts, currently Principal at Moranbah SHS, is appointed as our next Principal. She will come and spend some time at the school on 3/4th December and attend parade on Wednesday. She is excited about the new role leading our great school and especially the students and staff.

During 2019 two of our students have participated in a range of STEM activities along with other students from across Queensland. Congratulations to Disha Rabari and Pushti Shah on your success as a regional STEM Girl Power Ambassador. We wish them the best for Year 11 and 12 and look forward to hearing of your successes in the coming years, as you pursue your studies in Sciences.

Karmichael Dee has capped off a wonderful first year at Mackay SHS by receiving the 2019 SPOTY Award at the Mackay District School Sports Awards night this week. Along with his success, several other students were recognised for their representation as the top performers in the 10-12 Years sports for 2019, while students representing at State Level were granted cash bursaries to assist their families with costs. Sincere thanks to the staff who invest so many hours to allow our students to have these opportunities.

During the last two weeks the Tuckshop will be reducing their menu as we move towards the end of school. The Tuckshop will not be open for business on Thursday 12 and Friday 13th Dec, allowing the staff to do necessary cleaning and management tasks.

This week the transition days continue for the Access Centre student coming into Year 7 in 2020. The Indigenous students coming into Year 7 were invited on Wednesday to come along and with the support of several of our current students, received a guided tour around the school. On Monday 9th December, all of our new Year 7s for 2020 will be attending hopefully to meet the students in their class for next year and spend a day investigating the exciting opportunities that their secondary years will present.

Year 6 Enrolments Orientation Day Mon 9th Dec

Mr Steve Paulger
Principal

FROM THE DESK OF A DEPUTY

Junior Secondary Certificate Presentation Ceremony

Mackay SHS has introduced a Junior Secondary Certificate for Year 9 students in 2019. This program is to recognise student achievement at the end of Junior Secondary juncture. The program reinforces the expectation and relevance of success at school. The certificate is based on 3 terms of successful work and engagement across multiple aspects of school.

The school will host our very first graduation ceremony, where students will be issued with their Certificates, on Wednesday 4th December. The ceremony will commence at 10.30am in our Mackay High School Hall and will be followed by light refreshments.

The 82 students who are receiving the recognition were issued with letters of invitation to take home to their parents / carers on Wednesday 27th November. We request an RSVP from families by Monday 2nd December to assist with catering and logistics.

To achieve this recognition students need to have earned a minimum 20 points during the year. The points are described under the categories of our school’s Core Values. The following table summarises the point opportunities:

STYMIE

ROAD WORKS

Mackay Regional Council is installing traffic lights at the intersection of Milton and George streets to improve the safety of all road users.

As part of the intersection upgrade, additional works includes:

• Drainage improvements in the nearby park
• New short-term parking (drop-off zone) in Evan Street opposite Mackay State High School
• New footpath on the western side of Milton Street from Evan to George streets

These works are part of a $1,428,960 project funded by the Australian Government’s Roads to Recovery program and will be constructed in five stages.

Residents are advised of possible noise, dust and traffic disturbances associated with the project. Appropriate controls will be in place to minimise any impact.

While drainage works in the park occur, the park will have some restricted access from January 6, 2020.

When completing stages 3 and 4, George Street will be closed to local traffic only at the Milton Street intersection in two consecutive stages.

Council apologises for any inconvenience caused by these necessary works and ask that you obey signs and directions from traffic control to ensure the safety of all users.

Read more about this project and subscribe to Project Update emails at the link below:

ACCESS CENTRE

ASDAN

What we cooked in Asdan

For Asdan we had to cook food from all over the world for example:

• Meat pies from Australia
• Pasta from Italy
• Fried rice from China
• Hamburgers from America
• Nachos from Mexico

My favourite food was everything because it was lovely and I tried something new, and that was using a pasta machine and making pasta from scratch.

Work ED

We have been busy in Work Ed this term creating healthy spring sensations. Students chose a recipe, create a shopping list and design a poster so we are all ready to cook during our lesson on Thursday. Recipes have included a delicious Layered Salad, Vietnamese Beef and Noodle Salad, Mini Cheese and Bacon Cob Loaves, Mexican Layer Dip Salad and Chicken Lasagne with White Cheese Sauce. It is great to see the students working as a team to see their recipes come to life while developing their cooking skills.

Volunteer Thank you

Students within the Mackay SHS Access Centre are extremely lucky to have the opportunity to read to our very special volunteer – Bente. She has been set up in the corridor for nearly 4 years listening to many students read. Bente is a calm, caring lady who patiently prompts students with sounds and words. Students have gained confidence in reading and enjoy their short time spent with Bente each week.

A GREAT BIG SHOUT OUT TO BENTE FOR VOLUNTEERING HER TIME AGAIN IN 2019. THANKYOU!! From Students and Staff at MSHS Access Centre.

ENGLISH PROGRAM

The Neighbourhood Hub have been running a Migrant Youth English Program on Wednesdays and Fridays at break during Terms 3 and 4. The students were presented with participation certificates. Special thanks to the tutors from the The Neighbourhood Hub and CQUni who have been assisting these students and well done to those who participated.

MATHS DEPARTMENT

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

STUDENT SERVICES

Chaplain

Families, Students and Staff are being asked to bring along food and grocery items in the next few weeks to Form Class for the Annual Christmas Hamper Appeal.

There has been a long tradition at Mackay State High School to support families in need by collecting food items for distribution by the local Salvation Army

Once each student brings in the items to their Form Class they will then be stored in Chappy Phil's Office in E5.

The Form Class with the most items will win a prize.

All collected items will be presented on Wednesday 4th December Parade to the Salvation Army representative and then given to needy families in Mackay.

Please support and make this a great Christmas for families in Mackay.

Chappy Phil

P & C

Uniform Shop

The uniform shop will be open on the following dates for Back to School 2020

January - Wednesday 22nd, Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th 8am to 11am
January - Tuesday 28th to Friday 31st 8am to 11am

Back to Normal Hours from Monday the 3rd of February

Tuckshop

The Tuckshop will be open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (9th,10th & 11th) last week of school with a very limited menu.

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