19 September 2018

Newsletter Articles

R U OK DAY

St George State High School celebrated R U OK Day on Thursday, 13 September 2018. Students and staff joined forces on a free dress day to wear yellow. Thanks to Balonne Suicide Prevention Group, staff enjoyed a cuppa and goodies from the Guidance Officer and students received free wrist bands. Students and staff also enjoyed a free sausage sizzle at lunch thanks to the team from St George Aboriginal Housing Company. R U OK Day is about taking the time to start a conversation and check in with your workmates, family and friends. One conversation can change a life. Who are you going to talk to today? Why not start with R U Ok?

From the Principal

In the time since the last newsletter the level of activity and opportunity for students at St George State High continues at pace. Year 12 students have sat the Queensland Core Skills test (QCS) which will contribute to the calculation of their Overall Position (OP). The remainder of our students have been focussed on submitting drafts of assignments, responding to teacher feedback and studying for end of term exams. I hope that all students put in the effort required to achieve the outcomes that they need.

While the main game of the school continues, many students take advantage of the many other opportunities that are provided. The Southwest Track and Field Carnival was held on the St George State High School grounds recently and saw up to 400 athletes and parents visit our school for two days of competition. The carnival was a great success, and was made all the better through the efforts of Mr Leadbetter and his team who organised the event. This school’s wonderful P&C committee played a huge part by keeping the athletes, parents and visiting staff well fed throughout. A group of our Year 10 students who are studying a Certificate II in Active Volunteering also participated, assisting in many aspects of the running of the carnival. Any hours that they worked contribute to the requirements of their qualification.

Final week

During the final week teachers will be busily marking student work and writing reports, hoping against hope that their students have put in enough effort to achieve the results they deserve. The opportunities for our students do not diminish, even at this time. The employers of St George are hosting our Year 10 students in Work Experience during this week. This is a great opportunity that is being provided for these young people and I would like to thank the employers who have been willing to provide it to these students.

During this week, also, a group of students will continue the Blue Light Shearing course, for the entire last week of term. They will be working with students from Cunnamulla P-12 State School, and will represent our school community with pride. Mrs Addison and I will be driving these students to Woolerina, which is south west of Cunnamulla. Thank you to the staff of Cunnamulla State School for their organisation of this wonderful opportunity.

Finally, last week I submitted my Notice to Cease Employment (From Education Queensland) form and will be moving into retirement effective from the end of these school holidays.

This very difficult decision has been reached, due to my not being prepared to live away from my family long term. My wife’s employment is now unlikely to change in a way that will allow this to happen.

An acting principal will be appointed this week and a permanent replacement sought in Term 4.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in St George, in particular, with the excellent team of staff at the school and with the students and parents of the school community.

Mr John Lofthouse, Principal

From Deputy Principal

Health and Wellbeing Staff

I would like to acknowledge the wonderful work of the schools Health and Wellbeing team. Particularly Joy Weatherall, our Community Education Councillor (CEC), Simon Teunis our School Chaplain and Annette Woodrow our Guidance Officer, ably supported by Youth Support Coordinator, Donna Waters. During the recent sadness that has impacted our school community these people have worked tirelessly to support our students and families and I thank them for that.

School Support Staff

Last week was World Teacher Aide day and the school held a morning tea for all of our hard working support staff. These people do amazing work and without their efforts the school genuinely could not run. A huge thankyou to these wonderful people!

Mr Nick Hutchinson, Acting Deputy Principal

From HoD Senior Secondary

Senior & Junior Subject Selection Night

This will be held on Monday 15 October at 4.30pm. Chris Smith (HOD Junior Secondary) and I have been working on preparing the subject selection night. All parents and students are welcome to attend. There will be a presentation on the new QCE system and what the ATAR means for senior students, there is also important information for Year 10s.

Senior Camp

This year we are transitioning our senior camp from Year 11 to Year 10. The camp will take place in Week 8, Term 4 and all Year 10 and 11 students are invited. Letters will have come home last week via the students. If your child has not brought this information home and you would like them to attend, please email me.

For any questions or concerns you may have regarding your Senior Secondary students please email me at daddi4@eq.edu.au or call 4620 8205.

Mrs Deborah Addison, HoD Senior Secondary

From HoD Junior Secondary

Year 6 Transition

Preparations for Year 6 into Year 7 transition have begun. As a part of the Transition Program, students from St Patrick’s Primary School and St George State School spent yesterday morning experiencing life as a high school student. They discovered what a high school classroom looks like and experienced some of the routines they might expect next year.

Throughout Term 4, transition activities and information will ramp up with more regular visits planned. Information will be provided to all primary schools next term to support parents and students preparing for high school. An important session for future students and parents to attend is the Subject Information Night, starting from 4pm on Monday 15 October, 2018.

Year 9 Camp

Finally, don’t forget that the Year 9 Camp at CYC Burleigh, Gold Coast, will depart from the school on Tuesday 9 October at 6.00am. Please meet at the Skill Centre at least 15 minutes prior.

A letter will go home this week with information about what to pack and a more detailed itinerary.

NAPLAN Results

If your child is in Year 7 or Year 9, you should have received their NAPLAN report in the mail. This report details how your child went on the standardised testing that occurred during Term 2. It focuses on the areas of Reading Comprehension, Writing, Spelling, Numeracy and Grammar and Punctuation. I was very pleased with the results as a school, with majority of our students making significant gains since they were tested two years ago. Please remember that this is a point in time test and is one of many measures used to support the learning of your child.

Mr Chris Smith, HoD Junior Secondary

VICKI WILSON NETBALL IN TOOWOOMBA

Last weekend saw our Junior Vicki Wilson cup team travel to Toowoomba to compete at the next level of the competition. We entered into Division 1 as we had won the Vicki Wilson Cup at the South West level, and the day gave the girls a much needed challenge. We relaxed with a team dinner at the City Golf Club the night before, where Miss Weatherall showed us her moves on the dance floor, and we were rested and ready for the carnival.

We started the day with a hard fought challenge against Dalby, going down 18-8. This game saw our attackers Haley Moloney, Ellsy Rudd and Michelle Hams impress in the centre court. Warmed up now, we met our next team, Toowoomba Christian College, ready to go. In this game our shooters Breanna Lee and Michelle Hams were on fire, proving too good for TCC— we won convincingly 14-6. That winning feeling had us facing Goondiwindi with confidence and on fire. In this game our defence duo Anna Moloney and Paige Clark, with help from Bresharna McLachlan in the centre court, saved the game for us, defeating Goondiwindi 7-4.

Our next two games were our hardest, fought against Fairholme (17-8) and The Glennie School (12-3), but St George shaped up to the challenge and didn’t go down without a fight. Our youngest players, Grace Waters and Taeah Hiles, proved they could handle playing against girls much older in these games and were extremely valuable in the centre court.

It was time for the playoffs and after a big day in the sun we faced Stanthorpe State High School. All the girls gave this game their best and worked hard, but were ultimately defeated 23-9.

This year has been a fantastic year for school netball, with the U15 team coming so far and representing our school brilliantly. All the girls have shown fantastic sportsmanship, commitment to training and improving, and leadership throughout the year. We could not have done it without our brilliant coach Miss Weatherall and the parents and families who travel to support the team.

Well done!

Ms Amy McKenna

YEAR 10 WORK EXPERIENCE

Is happening now! Instead of attending regular school in the last week of Term 3, our Year 10 students will be attending work experience from 17 to 21 September. Students will participate in 5 days of work at an array of businesses within the St George Community and surrounding district.

The students that are doing work experience are:

Tylah Fontaine - South West Hospital & Health Service
Cameron Moloney - O’Brien Toyota
Billy Scriven - O’Brien Toyota
Chelsea Beardmore - St George Veterinary Practice
Jaydan Coaker - Halpin Motors
Jacob Walters - O’Brien Toyota
Sarah Whitaker - Harry Siddins, Dirranbandi
Jack Scriven - S & S Timmer Constructions
Kerrod Frizzell - St George Bakery
Haley Rollins - Flinders Hair & Beauty Ipswich

Mrs Donna Waters, Youth Support Coordinator

SHEARING IN THE AG PLOT

Last week in the Ag Plot the sheep were shorn. This was a wonderful opportunity for our students completing a Certificate II in Rural Operations to speak to people from the industry. Thank you to Pete Riley, our Groundsman, for so generously sharing his knowledge and experience. Some of our lucky Year 8s also got the chance to practice throwing the fleece.

AG SCIENCE CHOOK PENS

Year 9 students in Ag Science made chicken coops for their assessment. They spent time ensuring their chicken coops were free range, environmentally friendly and utilised pest control measures.

Miss Alanna Ives, Teacher

CERTIFICATE II IN RURAL OPERATIONS

Monday 10 to Friday 14 September was a week of practical assessment for our students completing a Cert II in Rural Operations. As part of their fencing competency they designed and built a new quarantine paddock for the school. Working as a team Bronte Johnson, Travis Carmody-Arnold, Reeghyn Beardmore, Brandon Houlahan, Zackary Popp and Cody Urquhart-Speed did a fantastic job, and should be very proud of what they have achieved.

Ms Natasha Teffer, Agricultural Science Teacher

AWARDS NIGHT

Principal’s Recognition Award

The school is calling for family or community members who would like to nominate a student for a Principal’s Recognition Award for 2018. These awards are to recognise outstanding success in activities beyond the school arena (not necessarily sport).

For more information please contact the office on 4620 8222. Nominations have to be in by 12 October.

P&C News

I really cannot believe Term 3 is nearly over. This year is flying by so quickly.

South West Track and Field Carnival

I was truly overwhelmed with the support the P&C received by parents, teachers and students who helped over the two day event. This carnival was a massive success and only possible because of this support. A very impressive $4,000 profit was made and I would like to congratulate everyone involved. Thank you so much for everyone who gave up their time. I appreciate how time poor people are, so I am extremely grateful. Thank you to all the clever cooks for making homebake, it was all very delicious and every piece was sold. A massive shout out must go to Michelle who organised the majority of the event. We are very lucky to have such a dedicated tuckshop convenor as part of our team. Thank you to Tim and Sarah for asking the P&C to cater at their event. We really enjoyed this and appreciate the opportunity.

I wish everyone a relaxing and safe break. Enjoy the much deserved holidays. I look forward to seeing you all in the new term.

Farewell John

On behalf of the P&C, I would like to thank John for an excellent Term 3 as our Principal. You have been wonderful to work with and we have enjoyed having you present at our meetings and various events. We wish you and your family all the best for your future endeavours.

Rochelle Ferguson, P&C President

CWA Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Appeal ‘Help Aussie Farmers’.

Please see the flyer below and forward this through your networks and to anyone you think may need this information or contact Annabelle Johnstone, Senior Advisor Community Recovery, Community Services, South West Region, Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors. Ph: 3432 1342, Mob: 0477 311 673, E: annabelle.johnstone@communities.qld.gov.au.

TALKING FAMILIES – Community Education Campaign

Parenting is hard, but you’re not alone!

It’s a myth that you’re born with parenting skills. You learn as you go and there are going to be times when parents will feel overwhelmed or frustrated with the pressures of raising children. But you’re not alone — all parents struggle with the stress of parenting.

Getting it off your chest helps. Just talking to someone about what’s worrying you can be the first step to realising you’re not alone and getting the help you need.

The Talking Families website is full of helpful information and easy ways to ask people around you for help before you feel like you’ve reached breaking point. And you may be surprised at just how many people you know who would be happy to offer support. Go to this website.

Parents can also follow the Talking Families Facebook community for information about events, tips for parenting, and different ways to get some support @talkingfamiliesqld.

Talking Families is an initiative by the Queensland Family and Child Commission.

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