11 May 2018

Newsletter Articles

ANZAC Day – Lest We Forget

Students and staff of St George State High School participated in the local ANZAC Day Ceremonies again this year. Principal, Mr Rob Tuppack attended the Dawn Service with the School Leaders and joined with more staff and students in the march along The Terrace to the Cenotaph. Participants of the high school and primary school’s Instrumental Music Program played for the march, while members of the Cadets played an active role throughout the morning. Many students from the high school who are members of local clubs also marched with their respective organisations.

From the Principal

Thank You to the P&C

Thank you to all of our parents and staff who helped out with Gate entrances and displays. This was a P & C initiative. The P & C are also working on a garden project as part of the school grounds improvement.

Mobile Phones

We are having an open forum to discuss if students have the need for a personal phone at school. The forum is on at 6.30 pm Tuesday 15 May in the Skill Centre (change of venue).

The two protocols for the meeting are taken from our school expectations which are:

BE RESPECTFUL AND BE RESPONSIBLE

The focus questions for the night include:

• Should there be a total ban on mobile phones from 8.30am to 3.00pm?
• Should teachers be allowed to let students use their phone for education in the classroom?
• This is good practice and is part of what a 21st Century student should be learning to do.
• Should students not be allowed to use their mobile phone for personal use during break times?

Our current phone policy which is part of Responsible Behaviour Plan is attached to this newsletter.

Mr Rob Tuppack, Acting Principal

From the Deputy Principal

My name is Jennifer Barkley and I am the new Acting Deputy Principal here at St George State High School. I have spent the last two years as Head of Department, Maths and Science as well as Junior Secondary at Charters Towers State High School. Prior to this, I have worked in a number of schools, in Queensland, Victoria and in England. I thoroughly enjoy teaching in rural/remote schools and had no hesitation in accepting the role here as Acting Deputy Principal. My substantive teaching areas are Maths, Science and Chemistry and Physics in all years, however, I have previously taught Geography, Graphics and History also.

During the course of the term, I look forward to getting to know the students, families and the broader community members here at St George State High School.

Miss Jennifer Barkley, Acting Deputy Principal

From HoD Senior Secondary

Term Two is already flying past. This term, there is a team who have been put together to plan for a smooth transition to the new QCE that will come into place for the 2019 Year 11 students. These changes will be the largest change to the State education system in decades. In preparation for these changes we will be looking at subjects to offer to best help our students succeed.

Attendance is another priority as having a high attendance does help students with understanding classwork and assessments. The attendance for this Term is as follows:

As you can see, the attendance is not going well this term, as we require an attendance of at least 85% for post-compulsory schooling (Year 11 and 12).

For post-compulsory students they have minimum standards to meet or they may have their enrolment cancelled. These minimum standards are:

• At least 85% attendance
• Assessment submitted by the due date
• Attend all exam sessions in block exams
• Reasonable attempt on all parts of assessment
• Participate in program of instruction

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

BUDDY CLASS PROCESS

Over the last term staff have reviewed the Buddy Class process within the school. The Buddy Class is a room in the library where a teacher or teacher-aide is assigned to support students who have been disruptive or non-compliant in the classroom. Students may be sent to the Buddy Class so that effective teaching and learning can continue in their regular classroom. This process is only used after teachers have exhausted their classroom management strategies and skills and the student has received two official warnings in that lesson.

Some changes have been implemented to keep parents/carers better informed if their child has been sent to the Buddy Class. Some of the changes you should be aware of include:

• The teacher that sent the student will contact you within 24 hours (via SMS, email or phone).
• If your child has been sent to the Buddy Class for a second time in a term, you will receive an SMS or email from the Buddy Class teacher.
• Students will be asked to have a lunch time meeting with their teacher to have a restorative conversation in an effort to re-teach expected behaviours and mend any damaged relationship.
• If your child has been sent to the Buddy Class twice in one day, the school may contact you to arrange for them to go home. This is to avoid potential further consequences, including suspension and allow the student to reset their behaviour.
• If your student is sent to the Buddy Class three times in a term, further consequences will follow, including internal school withdrawal or external suspension.

The ultimate aim of these changes is to develop a consistent process and to set high expectations for behaviour, effort and attitude for all students. We have made these changes to keep parents and carers more informed of their child’s day-to-day actions at the school. By keeping families up-to-date we can be more proactive and reduce the number of suspensions within the school.

Mr Chris Smith, HoD Junior Secondary

Invitation

We invite our community to discuss the student use of mobile phones within our school day on Tuesday 15 May at 6.30pm in the Skill Centre.

Discussion will centre on when and where should a student access their mobile phone during the school day.

South West Touch Trials in Chinchilla

On Friday 20 April, 15 students along with Mr Leadbetter and Miss Griffin travelled to Chinchilla to represent the school at the South West Touch football trials. Whilst travelling to the trial, rain clouds were starting to roll in and suddenly they were on top of us which resulted in heavy rainfall, with some students questioning whether or not play would still go ahead. On arrival at Bulldog Park, the students split off into their separate age divisions and joined teams for the day. The first round of games was wet and muddy but the rain soon cleared and the sun was out for the remainder of the day. Students played either two or three games throughout the day which allowed them to showcase their skills. St George State High School students represented the school in an exceptional manner and should be commended for their efforts on the day.

Congratulations to the following students who were selected in the following South West teams:

• Open girls – Reeghyn Beardmore
• Open boys – Lockie Pollock
• 15 girls – Paige Clark
• 15 boys – Rhyley Petfield and Nate Davis

95% School Attendance Rewards BBQ

The students who had 95% attendance rate or higher for Term 1 were presented with certificates and rewarded with a tasty sausage sizzle on Thursday 19 April. An icy pole and cold drink were also on offer. Thank you to the senior boys for assisting with the cooking of the BBQ. Research consistently highlights the relationship between achievement and attendance. Every Day Counts.

Classroom activities keep students busy

Here is a gallery of a few subjects, English, HPE, Science, Geography and Economics and Business, which have been keeping the students busy in the classroom in the past weeks.

Helping Your Child Deal with NAPLAN

Tests can make children feel worried or anxious. You can help your child prepare for NAPLAN by ensuring they get to bed at a sensible time the night before and have a healthy breakfast. Ensuring that your child is at school by the first bell allows for plenty of time to settle in. Be calm and reassuring to your child that today is just another day at school. Some other strategies include:

1. Focus on doing their best and trying their hardest.

Choose your words carefully when you speak with your child. As with their learning activities, place the focus on doing their best and trying their hardest rather than results.

2. Listen to any concerns that they may have.

If your child says they are nervous, acknowledge their feelings through saying things like “yes, sometimes tests can be a little scary, but they get easier the more times you do it.” Use this as an opportunity to discuss some emotional resilience that starts by validating their feelings.

3. Give them some relaxation ideas.

Anxious or nervous kids will benefit from some simple relaxation strategies. Deep breathing, changing their thinking and some morning exercise on the day of the test could assist your child in regaining some control of their feelings. Try having your child trace their left hand with their right hand, breathing in as they go up the side of right side of their fingers and breath out as they go down the left side of the fingers and then back again. This little technique will help them deep breath for 10 breathes.

4. Help them retain their perspective.

Keeping perspective on events is a useful life skill. You could ask your child what is the worst thing that could happen if they do not do well on the test and bring their attention back to reality. Discuss how this test does not affect their grades at school, it is a test for the school to get information that the school uses to work out what each child needs. Plan to do something fun with your child at the end of the day or end of the week eg go for a walk or cook a special meal.

Mrs Woodrow, Guidance Officer

P&C News

A very successful day was had manning the show gates on Sunday. I want to personally thank everyone for their time towards making our P&C fundraiser event run so well. This is very much appreciated and would not have been possible without everyone's support.

Keep a look out for a transformation in the front garden. This will take place over the next few weeks. Aunty Joy, various students and the P&C will have a busy couple of days laying garden stones, planting shrubs and giving the reconciliation area some TLC.

Remember to come along to the mobile phone discussion held at the Skill Centre on Tuesday 15th May at 6.30pm. We value your opinion and thank you for giving up your time to come along.

The P&C will run the bar at the school musical over the two nights. If you can help out please contact myself or Kylie Whitaker.

Remember, someone can do 20 positive acts but the one negative one is always remembered and repeated. Let's try to focus more on the wonderful positives there is and less on the negatives. It really does make a difference. Get the great SHS news out there to our community.

I would love to hear everyone's ideas and feedback on anything you feel may help our school as I cannot do this alone. Thank you all for your support.

Warm regards,

Rochelle Ferguson, P&C President

Say Cheez P&C Fundraiser

St George Show

Art students from across all grades had entries in the Art section of this year’s local show.

Whether it was pastels, acrylics, inks or pencil sketches the high level of artistic ability was on display for all to enjoy.

Students should be very proud of their efforts and special congratulations to Heather who won the Champion ribbon for her 1st place acrylic on canvas entry. Well done Heather!

Student art works are on display in the library.

The Agricultural Skills and Technology Experience

Ride It, Drive It, Grow It, Taste It – explore a career in agriculture and rural industries.

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