14 August 2020

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Dear Parents / Guardians / Caregivers and Welcome to Week 5

I was overwhelmed with the amazing response from our families at our recent Education and Career Pathway Interviews. With close to 1200 interviews undertaken, and around 900 parents / caregivers attending, the process was highly valued by our staff and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from students and parents. As educators, we enjoyed the opportunity to talk about your child’s progress, set goals and assist in subject selections that we linked to interest and pathway. Thank you for your support and patience during these interviews.

We are now busy collating information and commencing the build of our 2021 timetable. Confirmation of your child’s subject selections will occur early next term.

As the Principal of the school, my passion is to ensure we provide the highest quality education, matched with experiences that will guide pathway opportunities (throughout your child’s time at Mackay SHS and as they transition from us). For this reason, I wrote a submission to become a Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy school and was notified this week of our success. Being a QMEA school provides a vehicle for professional and vocational students to increase their uptake of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects and careers that support the resources sector and other STEM industries. It ensures students are informed about and have trial experiences in careers in this priority industry, whilst building teacher capability in the expectations of industries for jobs now and in the future. I have 16 years’ experience working in QMEA schools and know the benefits for students and teachers. I am proud to announce this new, state-wide partnership with our school.

We have success at our school every single day - #mackayhighpride! I would like to make special mention to our Under 16 Boys who last week took out the Mackay Futsal Championships (undefeated throughout the competition), with 5 of the 7 boys selected into the Whitsunday regional team. Our U14 girls went through the competition undefeated but unfortunately lost in the GF. 5 of the 7 girls were selected in the Whitsunday regional team, whilst 4 of the 7, U14 boys were also selected in the regional team. What talent and what an amazing Football Academy we have at Mackay SHS! Congratulations!

Futsal U16 Boys

Finally, this week we commenced conversations with our feeder primary schools about enrolment into Mackay SHS for 2021. We visited each school and provided information, leading up to our Parent Information Evening on Thursday 20th August. If you have a younger child about to transition into year 7 in 2021, please make sure you attend the information evening, as you will have an opportunity to book enrolment interviews. If your child hasn’t received enrolment information, or you would like updated information regarding our Academic Excellence and Sporting Academies, please contact the front office and they will be able to assist.

I am so proud of our school and I thank you for your continued support.

Yours in Education

Felicity Roberts - Principal
#mackayhighpride

STYMIE

ENROLMENTS FOR 2021

Year 6 into 7 Information Evening will be held on Thursday 20th August, starting at 5.30pm at the Hall with a presentation and then a school tour / parents can book for enrolment interviews which will take place from 7th to 10th September.

Bookings for the night are essential, tickets can be obtained through the following link:

To ensure COVID Safe practices only one Parent and enrolling child/children are permitted to attend. We will be using EVA app for check-in. EVA is a secure, contactless app that you can use as an option to check in when you arrive at school. If you want to get a head start and create a profile the link is below and free to download.

Download the EVA Check-In app:

*ANDROID:

*APPLE:

SENIOR SCHOOLING

Poolsmartz and NQ Water

Multiple Junior roles available Poolsmartz and NQ Water Mount Pleasant and City Gates

We are looking for preferably 16yr and above. If you have any students who might be interested can you ask them to send me an email? Typical duties would be cleaning of shelves etc, learning sales and basic water testing for pools. We are currently looking for at least 5, could be based at Mount Pleasant or our City Gates store.

SPORTS REPORT

Year 10 Core HPE

Year 10 Core HPE have been studying Fitness and Conditioning this term in both their theory and practical. They have been participating in workouts in the gym and also outside sessions combining body weight and conditioning and being exposed to the equipment that is used inside the Gym. At times the Senior Cert 3 in Fitness students have taken the students through their paces as part of their assessment. In theory they are expanding their knowledge of the Components of fitness and how food plays a part in the energy our bodies require to link in with the Physical side of the subject.

Thursday Touch Football

Another excellent week of Thursday Touch! With the competition heating up as we get further into our rounds, students are showing outstanding sportsmanship and pride in their teams and in our school. Keep up the excellent work!

Staff Profile

Amanda Dick

1. Your position / role(s) at MSHS: HPE Teacher

2. Nickname – How you obtained this if appropriate: Dicky, Dicko - unsure how it was obtained

3. How Long you have been employed at MSHS: I am in my 6th year now with some time off here and there on maternity leave

4. Hobbies: parks, beaches and crafts with the kids and working at the gym, hikes

5. Interests: weights, reading, UNO & martial arts

6. Favourite travel destination OR where you would like to travel: so far favourite has probably been New Zealand or Malaysia, hoping to venture to Europe one day

7. Highlight at MSHS: beating Jacko in a thumb war. There are highlights every day - watching kids push themselves and start to trust in and believe themselves or seeing them show case their sport, dance, talents or even kindness to others is always nice.

8. Passion in relation to MSHS / why you do what you do: I have loved fitness and sport and seeing kids strive to be better than they were in this area is always fantastic. Good health (physical and mental) is crucial so hope to have them learn ways to keep themselves active while building their resilience by getting outside of their comfort zones. It can be a hard journey but seeing them make it through is what makes it worth it.

9. An animal that best represents you and why: a koala - a nickname from a friend that has since stuck

10.Favourite Quote: “Continuous steady improvement is better than delayed perfection”

HUMANITIES

Mrs Rovelli

Hello! My name is Emily Rovelli and I have stepped into an Acting Head of Department role in Humanities/Social Sciences & Business Department. I am looking forward to developing my skills in this position - I first came to Mackay High as a prac teacher fifteen years ago and have been proud to craft my career here. We are very fortunate at Mackay SHS to have excellent relationships with our students; we are also very collegial! Therefore, I thought I would share some insight into the lovely folk who make up our Humanities/Social Sciences & Business Department – so keep an eye out for their little profiles each fortnight!

Mr Pozza

Signor (Mr). Andrea Pozza has been an engaged teacher in Humanities for several years now! He has often been found in a Junior SOSE or a Senior Tourism class. This year Signor. Pozza has passionately spread his wings into Italian, but it well-known that Signor is quite the expert on our government and political systems, also running our Interact Club here at school.

Read on to learn a little bit more about Signor. Pozz!

Tell us something interesting about yourself!

My name is Andrea and I am a man. Before singer Andrea Bocelli became internationally famous people, people would make rude comments and mispronounce my name often. It hasn't happened once since 'Con Te Partiro' was released when I was in High School (grazie Andrea).

Provide us with a random or fun fact:

There is no W in the Italian alphabet.

What keeps you busy?

I have served on many voluntary community boards over the years but have consolidated my out of work time now that I have a young family with all the sporting commitments etc. I am a Rotarian and complete tertiary study part time via distance education. I also co-host an Italo-Australian language program on 4CRM Community Radio.

How did you spend COVID or isolation time?

Reading and board games with my beautiful family.

Your favourite subject to teach and why:

Italian, because of the genuine learning and engagement that I can see happening in my classes every lesson.

Valuable skill students can learn from your subject:

Thinking about and applying language (including in English) in an intercultural learning environment.

Your favourite class to teach in 2020 and why:

All of my Italian classes.

Your worst subject at school:

Business in Year 9, I could never get the ledgers to balance!

Your favourite thing about Mackay SHS:

The best Italian program in the region.

Mrs Lynam

Mrs Janna Lynam came to us as an Education university student in 2016 and we were so happy with her work we wanted her on staff in our English and Humanities Departments. Mrs Lynam has a deep knowledge of her History subjects, and has developed respectful and calm classrooms and is always friendly and prepared to listen to her students as young learners.

Tell us something interesting about yourself!

I really enjoy reading poetry, I have shelves full of poetry books. I like to sniff the brown crusts of my sandwiches before I eat them. I have two Silkie Chickens named Tyrone Biggums and Blackie Chan.

What keeps you busy?

Being a teacher.

How did you spend COVID or isolation time?

Trying to avoid being seen in my husband's Zoom meetings, spending time at our country property at The Leap, catching up on emails from my students. Enjoying staying at home in enforced solitude.

Your favourite subject to teach and why:

History is always going to be my first love, but I love teaching poetry units in English.

Valuable skill students can learn from your subject:

Critical Thinking.

Your favourite class to teach in 2020 and why:

Ancient History, because I've had to re-teach myself about Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece and I've really come to appreciate those rowdy Romans and hopefully I've passed on that enthusiasm to my Year 11 students.

Your worst subject at school:

Geography.

Your favourite thing about Mackay SHS:

The collegial relationships with fabulous and talented teachers.

Year 7 Geography Update

An email was sent home last week. Students should have received their permission slip/excursion note for our Water Field Trip in Week 7. Our Year 7 classes are split into two groups and students will attend either Wed 26th or Thurs 27th of August. Students are encouraged to pay at the office as soon as possible and to return their completed permission slip to their Geography teacher. If you have any questions or queries, please feel free to email me on erodg10@eq.edu.au or phone me at the school.

Mrs Emily Rovelli
HOD Humanities (Acting)

HOME ECONOMICS

The year 10’s have been making raspberry coconut slice using their own batch of raspberry jam made at school the previous week. Meanwhile the year 9’s have been making custard fruit tartlets, thus showing off their expertise with making custard and glazing the fruit on their pastries to give a shiny, appetising finish.

Year 10 Home Ec

Year 9 Home Ec

ENGLISH TUTORING

MATHS TUTORING

BREAKFAST CLUB

We desperately NEED volunteers to help in our Brekky Club, Brekky club operates Monday to Thursday 8am to 8.30am. There are no prerequisites required to help only that volunteers need a Blue card.

Every day: “Fresh Fruit, Cereals, Toast and spreads”

Students can take a piece of fruit (Apples, Oranges), make their own toast (fresh Brumbies bread) with a full range of spreads. Also enjoy a glass of milk with the option of making a takeaway sandwich for lunch later.

Monday: “Milo Monday”

Students can make a cool refreshing drink with one scoop of Milo and fresh Milk.

Tuesday: “Toasty Tuesday”

Hot yummy cheesy Toasty’s served up by our lovely volunteers.

Wednesday: “Pancake Wednesday”

We are serving up hot soft delicious Pancakes with syrup, fruit, cream, berries and all things yummy

Thursday: “Smoothie Thursday”

The “Smoothie Bar” serves up blended “Chilly Chock Berry Banana Smoothies”. A real hit and a cool start to a big day.

SCHOOL BASED YOUTH HEALTH NURSE

Your Health Matters

MACKAY STATE HIGH SCHOOL P & C

Next P and C meeting is on Monday 24th August 5pm, we will be discussing the Student Resource Scheme for 2021. Meetings are held in the Learning lounge.

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