7 May 2021

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

What a term we have ahead of us! Already, we have seen a fantastic turn out of students attend our community ANZAC Day march, with over 220 students proudly showing what “Mackay High Pride” means. Our first parent-teacher interview evening saw over 380 interview bookings made and we have commenced our 2022 enrolment talks at all of our feeder Primary Schools. Next week, our Year 7 and 9 students will undertake the annual NAPLAN test and our Year 12 Essential English and Essential Maths classes sit the QCAA Internal Assessment item.

Students have spent time over the past two weeks reflecting on their performance from Term 1 and setting goals for Term 2. Your student’s goals for Term 2 are in their diaries – please take a few minutes to have a look.

Assessment Calendars

This week, your child was handed their Term 2 assessment calendar. These have also been emailed to all parents. We have encouraged students to place their calendars on the fridge at home to ensure they are effectively managing their time to submit assessment by due dates.

The new Creative Arts Academy being launched in 2022

“Do what you love, love what you do”

With the support from our P&C Association, we are pleased to announce a third academy at Mackay SHS in 2022 – Creative Arts. This Academy will recognise the student talent we have in instrumental music, visual and performing arts – and complements our Academic Excellence and Sporting Academies. If you know a student in Year 6 who is interested in our Academy programs, please have them contact our school office for more information.

PBL Focus of the Fortnight (Positive Behaviour for Learning)

This fortnight our students are focussing on our core value of Responsibility – “Arriving on time and being prepared to learn”. We are encouraging students to be on time to class, with a charged laptop and school diary out on the desk. You can assist your child and us, by reminding them to charge their laptop every evening so it is fully charged to start the day.

Our PRIDE CHALLENGE Points update

Our House points are close, with Denniss just in the lead! This year, students receive House points for participating in Pride Cup weekly challenges in Form classes, demonstrating our Focus of the Fortnight and getting involved in our carnivals. The purpose is to create a greater sense of belonging to our Houses. The winning house will be awarded the Pride Cup at the end of Term 3!

Have a wonderful week.

We Believe … We Achieve
Yours in Education

Felicity Roberts - Principal
#mackayhighpride

ANZAC DAY

CREATIVE INDIGENEOUS DANCE

We have been having dance workshops with former BANGARRA DANCER/CHOREOGRAPHER Patrick Thaiday.

Patrick Thaiday is local Torres Strait Islander and is presenting Creative Dance Workshops that the students have been enjoying.

All the indigenous students are encouraged to attend. Workshops started end of Term 1 and continue to end of term 2.

Students have been learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture, Self – identity, pride, respect and dance, traditional and contemporary. Dance workshop is on Monday 1st lunch break and Friday lesson 2.

SAVE THE DATE

Year 7 in 2022

Parent Information Night – Wednesday 19th May 5:30pm

Parent Interviews Monday 31st May – Thursday 3rd June 3:20pm to 6:00pm

“GREASE THE MUSICAL”

We are extremely excited to announce that tickets are now available through trybooking online.

ACCESS CENTRE

ENGLISH

Whitsunday Voices

WHITSUNDAY VOICES

SHORT STORY COMPETITION

~ 2021 ~

TEACHERS, LIBRARIANS AND BUDDING WRITERS

We would like to invite students from the
Mackay Region to submit entries for the

Whitsunday Voices Youth
Literature Festival
Short Story Competition ~ 2021

Students are free to write to a theme or topic of their choice. There is no limit to the number of entries allowed by each student. The categories of the competition and the respective word requirements are outlined below:

Entries due 5.00PM 4 June 2021

Unfortunately, late entries cannot be accepted
Winners announced 2 July 2021
by email
Prizes presented 14 July 2021
Whitsunday Voices Festival Launch Function 5.30 pm – 7.30 pm

*Entries are judged by a panel comprising of representatives from Australian Literacy Educators Association (ALEA).
*The winners will be notified via email on 2 July 2021. Winners will be presented with their prize at this function or mailed to recipients in the event they cannot attend.
*The full list of winners will also be published on the Whitsunday Voices 2021 website.

Entries Requirements:

• Word-processed on one side of paper – 1.5 spacing
• Original work
• Stapled and attached to an entry form
• Within the set word requirements
• Word count listed at end of the story
• A resident of Mackay and surrounding suburbs.
• No personal identifying details on your story itself (ie, name/school)

These details only to be included on the entry form

PLEASE NOTE unfortunately entries cannot be returned.
It is important to keep a copy of your story on file.

ENTRY FORMS & FLYERS
BELOW OR ON OUR WEBSITE

ENTRIES TO BE MAILED WITH THE ENTRY FORM ATTACHED:

Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival
Short Story Competition
P.O Box 3390
North Mackay QLD 4740
or
handed to Reception at Whitsunday Anglican School clearly marked with the address above

ENQUIRIES
Liz Russell ~ Festival Co-Ordinator
P: 4969 2018 E: lru@was.qld.edu.au
Thank you for your assistance in this celebration and promotion of literature!
Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival
Short Story Competition 2021

MATHS

HEALTHY EATING

YOUNG ENGINEERS

NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY

POSITIVE PARENTING

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.

MACKAY STATE HIGH SCHOOL P & C

The next P & C meeting is on Monday 24th May 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

COMMUNITY NOTICES