9 June 2023

Newsletter Articles

From The Principal

Over the course of 2023, we, the school and community, have:

• Acknowledged those who have been supportive of the school over the previous years, including families, staff and external stakeholders;
• Been made aware that we need some changes to how the school operates;
• Shown a desire for changes; and now we are on the next steps of sharing knowledge on the mannerism of change.

Internally, the school has ways for students and staff to have a voice in the journey of continuous improvement. Incorporating a voice is key to sustainability of any program. With that, we are looking at rolling into our next stage of capturing a community voice. We work with the P&C on different aspects to change and we have created a school choice survey below.

Now, I am excited to announce the formation of a focused working group that will play a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of our esteemed St George State High School. This dedicated group, mentioned on Facebook, will consist of one parent representative from the senior secondary and one from the junior secondary. The goal of the group will be to work collaboratively with the principal to answer the question, “What are the defining qualities and attributes of a St George State High School graduate?"

The insights and recommendations put forth by this group will support our decision-making processes, allowing us to continuously enhance our curriculum, co-curricular activities, and overall school environment. Together with a student, community and staff voice, we hope to shape an educational experience that empowers our students to become well-rounded, compassionate, and visionary individuals who make a positive impact on the world.

While this group is a selection of individuals, I want to take this moment to extend my gratitude to all families and community members who are already “showing up” this year in a commitment to better our school community.

Next P&C meeting will be held on the 19 June at 6pm in the library. This is when the P&C will decide on the parent representatives. Notice of the meeting will be given shortly after. Results of these meetings will be public knowledge.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication.

Thomas J. McKenna
Principal

From HOD Senior Secondary

This year, Year 10 students have been completing an online short course for both Numeracy and Literacy. This short course is Mighty Minds. Mighty Minds focusses on the four aspects of reading, writing, language conventions and numeracy. Students are provided with two lessons each week to complete these courses, and will receive two points toward their QCE on completion.

Following the completion of Mighty Minds, students with a demonstrated interest in senior science subjects (through the subject selection process) will have the opportunity to participate in an extension science course during these two weekly lessons. These science extension lessons will prepare students for senior subjects, including: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Mrs Karen McKechnie will deliver this program.

It is also important to note this subject is not graded, and will cover not just content but skills, and thus will benefit all senior academic subjects – not just science subjects.

Please contact me at jembr14@eq.edu.au or Karen McKechnie for further information.

Jess Embrey

From HOD Junior Secondary

Year 9 Subject Smorgasbord

Last week Year 9 students had an opportunity to vote on potential senior subjects for 2025. It was great to hear from students and see what they may be interested to study in the future.

Year 7/8 Sport

Students in Year 7/8 have been participating in combined sport on Wednesday afternoons. It is great to see students positively engaging in a variety of outdoor activities. It is a wonderful opportunity for students, to engage with different peers and build a range of skills across in different activities.

Students Working Hard In Class

It is great to see students engaging in class work and giving their best effort. Year 9 students completed their practical cooking assessment this week. It was wonderful to see students proud of their work and eager to show others what they made.

Laura Sherriff

School Subject News

8A Science - Students have been investigating the topics of rocks and mining this term in Science. Take a look at what students have been up to!

Investigating the reactions of metals and acids.

Investigating how magnetic surveying can be used to find ores that are underground.

Making conglomerate rocks as rocky road

Hospitality

This week Mrs Hyland and the Year 11/12 Hospitality class ran a Burger Bar as their main assessment for the unit. Students in this class created a menu and received pre-orders from high school staff. There were some very happy teachers and school staff after first lunch. They were treated to some flavoursome, well cooked and deliciously seasoned lunch time meals!

Past Student Spotlight
Graham Perrett - 1982

The very first day of St George State High School in January 1978 was my first day in Grade 8. I loved all my time there, especially the sport, debating and musicals. I was very proud to be a School Captain in my final year of 1982.

My upbringing in St George gave me a deep appreciation of community values, team work and the importance of fairness, inclusion and equality.

In 1985 I received a Diploma of Teaching and started teaching high school English, Geography and History when I was only twenty. I taught for eleven years in country schools and Brisbane. I completed further studies at the University of Queensland, where I earned an honours degree in literature.

I began to take a deeper interest in politics and social justice during the nineties. I joined the Australian Labor Party and started studying law. This choice was inspired by Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird – a book I studied at St George State High.

I worked as a solicitor specialising in wills, estates, property, employment and industrial relations. The latter developed my keen understanding of the challenges faced by workers and the need for strong policies to protect their rights.

I ran as the Labor candidate for the federal seat of Moreton in 2004 but was unsuccessful. However, I persisted and was successful in the Kevin07 landslide.

The Moreton community is one of the most diverse federal electorates in Queensland. It has a high proportion of Mandarin speakers and a significant African diaspora. Since my initial election I’ve advocated for my constituents by working towards improving their lives and addressing their concerns. I’ve played an active role in a number of campaigns relating to accessible healthcare, quality education, affordable housing and sustainable environmental practices.

I’ve tried my best to take an inclusive and collaborative approach and have always raised my voice in support of social justice and progressive policies. I firmly believe in the power of diversity and the importance of creating an inclusive society that embraces people from all walks of life. As a member of the Australian Parliament, I’ve been fortunate enough to serve on a number of parliamentary committees relating to human rights, employment, indigenous affairs, and foreign affairs, among others. I’m very proud that my contributions to these committees have been instrumental in shaping legislation and policies that reflect the best interests of the Australian people.

Wayne Long and I recently published a book together. The Long Story – A personal journey through inter-racial relations in Australia is the story of my St George State High School classmate, Wayne Long. Wayne is a proud Murri man, born in St George on the Balonne River. Many will know Wayne and his family. Wayne’s grandfather was part of the Chinese diaspora. So Wayne’s story is interwoven with the historical, political and social events that have impacted on inter-racial relations in Australia for more than two hundred years, from Lieutenant James Cook’s landing in 1770 through to Mabo, from the Frontier Wars to the 1987 Goondiwindi riots, from the White Australia Policy to Paul Keatings historic Redfern speech.

Growing up in St George, I never imagined I would be serving in the Australian Parliament or end up writing books. That is life, but I do know that St George State High School prepared me to be ready for whatever is around the corner.

Graham Perrett

School Calendar

Harding Miller Education Foundation

Congratulations to our St George SHS Vice Captain, Grace Waters, who visited the Queensland State Library last month for an evening celebration of Harding Miller Education Foundation scholars. Congratulations to Grace, identified by Harding Miller as a student with high career and educational aspirations. Grace will attend the 2023 Awards Night tonight. This is a night of celebration to welcome the newest members of the scholarship program and to also acknowledge current scholars. Harding Miller refer to their scholars as the future leaders, influencers and innovators of Australia.

Library News

Our first delivery of our $5,000- library upgrade thanks to Dymocks Children’s Charities!

School Chaplain

Finally! We have a School Chaplain starting! Samuel Waters will start in Term 3. Welcome back Samuel!

Getting To Know
School Captain
Ashleigh Ferguson

Sport

SW Soccer 10-12 Years

Last week Tyreak Bearman, Izaiah Weatherall, Amber Osborne and Emma Anderson travelled to Chinchilla to try out for the SW Soccer teams. Congratulations to Izaiah Weatherall and Emma Anderson who were selected in the team and will now attend State Titles in Cairns. Amber Osborne was also selected as shadow. Well done students.

State Touch Football 16-18 Years

Best of luck to Jacob Hiles, Cohan Davis, Kelsey Weribone, Nate Davis and Braxston Beardmore who are currently at the Gold Coast with the South West teams competing at State trials.

Sport
Sports Calendar

Guidance Officer

Careers News

The website below provides information on how to apply to Universities, guides to courses, closing dates and the prerequisites required to enter courses and Education Access Scheme information.

Many of the Universities have Open days, these are coming up soon. Some are offered online.

Year 12 students will soon have access to a hard copy QTAC Guide.

Open days:

For more information please make an appointment to see Mrs Annette McLean- Guidance Officer, Mr Ben Muller Deputy Principal Sn or Miss Jess Embrey Head of Department Sn. Ph: 46208222

Community Notices