16 October 2020

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Dear Parents / Guardians / Caregivers,

Welcome to Term 4. The year is certainly going by quickly and within a week, we will see our Year 12 students commence QLD’s first ever round of External Assessment. Our year 12 teachers have done an outstanding job of preparing our year 12s, and on behalf of the entire school community, I would like to wish them (and their families, who I know are in the background supporting), all the very best.

Annual Awards Ceremony

On Wednesday 21st October commencing at 7pm, our Senior School students (years 10-12) will be recognised for their outstanding achievement. This will be followed on Thursday 22nd October, with our Junior Secondary Awards ceremony at the School Hall, commencing at 9am. The Awards ceremony this year, is going to run very differently. We have had to work within our Department guidelines and external venue COVID-safe plans, and as a result, have decided parents are not able to attend. This decision was not made lightly, as we know the importance of families celebrating their child’s success. Both events will be live streamed for families and we are hopeful that it will remain the highlight of the school year for our students.

Acting Principal in Weeks 4 & 5 and new Business Manager

I am taking two weeks long service leave and would like to welcome Mr Bruce Heggie to the school as Acting Principal in my absence. Mr Heggie was a previous Deputy Principal at Mackay SHS, before becoming a long-standing Principal throughout Central Queensland.

Also commencing in Week 4, is our new Business Manager, Mrs Kathryn Bull. Kathy has been a business manager for over 15 years throughout many schools in Queensland, and spent time as a Senior Finance Officer within our Regional Office, providing advice to schools on financial budgets, processes and policy. We are very much looking forward to Kathy joining our leadership team.

Clontarf Academy

I am very pleased to announce that the Mackay SHS Clontarf Academy will officially commence in Week 4. Clontarf is an external organisation that will see three additional support staff in our school by mid-2021, working closely with our Indigenous boys to enhance attendance, engagement and retention. Our newly appointed director, Mena Tuibua, will be meeting with all of our indigenous families in Week 4.

What did you think during COVID School Closure / School Opinion Survey

Thank you to the many parents who provided feedback during the recent round of School Opinion Surveys. The results from our parents are very positive and showing improvement (above both the state and regional figures). Thank you for the trust that you placed in our school over this time. The first results are response specifically related to the COVID school closure period and then some general questions asked every year (I have shown the 2019 and 2020 data).

COVID School Closure period – Parent responses

School Opinion Survey Standard Yearly Questions (2019 – 2020)

Please take the time to read through our newsletter. We have had some fantastic things happening around the school this week (particularly with Mental Health Week Activities). Again, if you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours in Education

Felicity Roberts – Principal
#mackayhighpride

STYMIE

SENIOR SCHOOLING

2021 QMEA/WIMARQ

Girls in Resources Leadership Skills Mentoring Program

QMEA/WIMARQ have run the mentoring program for two years now and are happy to be able to run it again in 2021. About 20 young women in year 11 (going into year 12) will be selected from across QMEA’s network of 75 schools spread throughout Queensland and will be partnered with a female mentor currently working in the resources sector.

The program will be managed by Metisphere, an organisational development consultancy which developed and now manages Women in Mining Mentoring Programs in three Australian states along with a global program.

Successful applicants will receive training at the beginning of their mentoring journey to set out expectations for their participation and to assist them in getting the most out of their mentor partnership. Mentees will be expected to attend events in Brisbane in March and August. All travel, accommodation and meals will be provided for students outside of Brisbane.

Please see the flyer below and if you are interested in applying for this amazing opportunity, contact Mrs Esau in E6 for more details.

SPORTS REPORT

Athletics Carnival

WOW, what an end to Term 3! The theme for this year’s one day carnival was ‘Sport Swap’. This was an initiative by the House and Sports Captains that was received well by all staff and students. Our students had outstanding costumes with some of the best being a Cheer Squad, Baseball players, Cyclists, Roller Skaters and of course numerous Footy and Netball players. A special mention to the Admin team who dressed up as Tennis players. Brad Mather as a Quidditch player, Brad Smith and Miles Jackson as Boxers and Rowan Graham in his Cricket whites.

This year our carnival was condensed into one day consisting of both track and field events. To start the day our house captains fired up their house teams with house chants to create some spirit amongst the school community. This was certainly felt throughout the day! Students then had the opportunity to compete in the 200, 100 and 400 track events as well as the field events of High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Vortex Throw and Shot Put.

A lot of participation points were accumulated throughout the day. New records were made in the following events and therefore a special congratulations goes to the following students;

Tori Minister 800m- 2.23.
Jaffahl Skillington 100m- 11.07.
Ngakau Ufton 100m- 10.87.
Summer Jones HJ- 1.42m.
Dawson Harch 200m- 22.16.
Connor Carige 800m- 2.40.
Lara Beveridge 200m- 29.04, High Jump- 1.35m, 100m- 13.50.

The prestigious MSHS 100m gift was showcased at the end of the day. This race highlights the fastest 100m runners across all age groups within the school. Based on results for their 100m age group race, competitors were issued with different start times. Both the boys and girls finished very close with Dawson Harch being the fastest boy and Lara Beveridge being the fastest girl in the school.

Age champions

These students need to be commended on their superb efforts exhibited over the carnival. Well done, all students will receive recognition at awards night to be held this term.

The final element of the carnival was the overall winning house and the tally of points. Well done to all the Sports and House Captains, the house spirit was felt by all who attended. Thank you to all of the staff, days like this cannot take place without the support of you, your flexibility and willingness to help does not go unnoticed.

Congratulations Houses

4th Forgan 1146
3rd Denniss 1175
2nd Mackay 1213
1st Chattaway 1938

MSHS Sporting Academies Trip

43 lucky Year 7 & 8 students were fortunate enough to spend week 1 of the term exploring Bundaberg & Bargara in between competing against Shalom College and St Luke’s Anglican School. The students were glad to step off the bus into Kelly’s Beach Resort beginning their adventure with a quick trip to the beach, some dinner before familiarising themselves with their cabins. On the Tuesday & Wednesday they played some tough games before doing a beach recovery swim. A big hit was the laser tag and bowling where the kids and adults were all able to unwind a little. The students also took a stroll along the Bargara esplanade, burnt off some energy in some parks and visited the Bundaberg Brewing Centre where they were able to make some purchases. At the Mon Repos Turtle Centre they received a little education on marine life and conservation after which they were quizzed during our mini games challenge on the last night. Overall it was a great trip where we were better able to get to know our students, where they could develop stronger connections and were given more exposure to their chosen sport.

Sports Reports

Netball

During our first game Shalom maintained much of the possession in the first half but fortunately our defenders made it difficult for them to score. In the second half our girls were playing together as a unit and managed to get the ball to our fantastic shooters who had an extremely high accuracy rate. After a long hard effort with 15 minute quarters we were able to take home the win 28-15.

Our game against St. Luke’s made for a nail-biting game with a tired team and older opposition. St Luke’s took the lead convincingly in the first half but again we found our stride and were able to bring it back to a draw 18 all. Paige Larsen was named ‘Best & Fairest’ by the opposition, which was well deserved with her excellent work ethic and intercepts throughout the game.

Our goal was not to win but to get the best outcome whilst giving as much exposure to the game to each player as we could. This led to people playing out of their comfort zone at times, fortunately though it worked out for us with some great results and invaluable experience. Extremely impressed with all of the girls, despite the little game time available to them this year, they gelled together to get the work done. I couldn’t be any more proud of their sportsmanship. Awesome work girls.

Amanda Dick

Football

The first game for football kept all the players on edge with a nil all start to half time. The students worked hard to bring the ball up but unfortunately was without reward with a 3-0 finish at full-time. Despite the outcome it was a hugely improved effort from last year’s game.

Football Academy’s second game put us up against St Luke’s. Looking out onto the pitch we came up against a team that was obviously older bigger and stronger than our 7/8’s. This showed when they took a 1-0 lead. With a few positional adjustment and some creative tactics our players drew 1-1 and then with added confidence in themselves got the second goal to take the lead and hold it to the final whistle. Our players realised that teamwork can overcome single player abilities. Well done to the 7/8 Football Academy Bundy Trip Team.

Bradley Radunz

Rugby League

The first game was a tough one with the students aiming high and working hard. Unfortunately, too many errors meant Shalom had the majority of the possession with a 10-0 score at half time. The boys hit back early with a good try to make it 6-10 but another error took the final score to 16-10. They were keen to rip in again the next day.

Our second game was against St Lukes Anglican School. Their team was a physical outfit with superior size advantage. Our boys were very brave in the contest but at times struggled to handle the larger opposition. The final score was 32 – 10 but our boys took a lot from the game and can hold their heads high. I was very proud of their efforts and they will be better for the experience.

Rowan Graham

RACI Titration Teams Clean Up!!!

In Week 10 of term 3, our senior chemistry titration teams participated in the annual Royal Australian Chemical Institute Titration competition. This was held onsite this year due to COVID restrictions.

Titration is an accurate analytical technique, determining unknown concentrations of solutions.

Both our senior 11 and 12 teams came first in the district.

Well done to our titrating teams and this magnificent result!!!

Also our Science Officer Des Patton entered and received a result of 2nd in the district, which proves it’s never too late to give anything a go… Well Done Des!

The teams and their individual awards are the following:

Left to right Ella Anderson, Erin Westcott, Summer Jones, Des Patton, Thanh Huynh, Hinata Nishimura and Joyce Olakolu

A MESSAGE FROM OUR SCHOOL BASED POLICE OFFICER

Covid 19 Restrictions Group Gatherings.
Hosting after parties for graduation, schoolies and celebrations.

Parents hosting after parties for graduation, schoolies and celebrations are trying to do the right thing. However, some parents of these events have had upwards of 50 people or the extra guests turning up “out of nowhere”.

This is in contravention of the Covid Movement and Gathering direction number 4 (part 2, 11). This direction allows outdoor gatherings of up to 30 persons to gather publicly or up to 30 people (including the members of the persons households) to gather at residence that is in a non-restricted area (Mackay is non-restricted).

A friendly reminder from School Base Police Officer ‘Eggy’ that students and parents considering hosting a celebration should already be aware of the laws and restrictions and the penalty fines and consequences of breaching the law.

ENGLISH TUTORING

MATHS TUTORING

SCHOLARSHIPS ON OFFER

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 19th October 5pm.

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