29 November 2019

Newsletter Articles

From Acting HOD Junior Secondary-Miss Amy McKenna

This term I have had the opportunity to take on the Acting Junior Head of Department to replace Mr Chris Smith who has moved on to Deputy Principal at Blackwater State High School. I have really enjoyed the opportunity and the challenge in this different role this term and look forward to working more with students in the years to come.

This year has seen Mr Chris Delroy in the role for Semester One, who joined us from Narangba and worked closely with junior students, attending Year 7 Camp, organising NAPLAN, and getting to know many of our junior students in various capacities. In Term 3, Mr Chris Smith returned to this role. This term, my focus has been on 2020 transition and ensuring that the current junior school is functioning as it should at this busy time of year.

Year 7 Camp was a highlight for the year, with another successful trip to Kindilan in Brisbane, where the students got to know each other and were tested in their leadership and teamwork. The Year 7s this year returned to the two teacher model which has worked extremely well.

Year 8s and 9s have worked hard this year and it has been great to see these students begin to mature into responsible young adults. The Year 8s have sampled all the electives in preparation for subject selections in 2020. This year, Year 9s will complete work experience for the first time instead of Year 10, to acknowledge the extra work required in Year 10 to prepare students adequately for the ATAR.

Thanks to the wonderful year level co-ordinators, Miss Kym Weatherall (Year 7) and Miss Wallace (Year 8 & 9) for their support to the role this year. Miss Wallace and Miss Weatherall do so much in the way of wellbeing for students and have worked so closely with the students all year.

Show Team Captains

Last Friday the Show Team elected their 2020 leaders. Looking forward to a great 2020!

Congratulations to:-

Captains – Haley Rollins
Vice- Captain – Sharon Pearce
Secretary – Kaise Mawhinney

Year 9 ITD

This term Year 9s have been working on their latest project- CO2 cars. This saw them using their design skills as well as their craftsmanship to create individual cars. Some were made just for the cuteness (yes watermelon slices are cute) and some were made with the thought in mind that it could be patented to Ford. It was interesting to see each student’s personality come through their design, pineapples and all. Well done year 9.

Kylie Whitaker

Year 10 ITD

This term Year 10s have been learning about recycling. Their project was to make a side table completely out of pallet timber. The pallets were no match for the determination of the students, ripping them apart, hammering nails out, cutting them up with the saw. Then came the dreaded sanding- hours of belt sanding and finishing. Let’s just say they are all experts in it. It’s great to see the finished product, well done.

Year 11 ISK

Year 11 ISK have been working on a combined project this term, designing and producing a Mud Kitchen for Begonia State School. This has seen them delve into the lives of little people. There has been many a conversation amongst the group “surely they can’t be that small”, “what will they like”, “oven, sink, blackboard?

It has been great to watch the confidence grow in the students, from not having much of an idea, to making a corner unit that has an oven and a functioning sink that will give Begonia students years of fun. Sometimes it has been challenging especially when using pallet timber, but the year 11s have taken in their stride. This Friday will see a road trip to Begonia to deliver and set up the kitchen. What a wonderful legacy they have given to one of the district’s smaller schools. Well done, I can’t wait to see what you produce next year.

Year 11 ESK

This is the first year St George State High has introduced ESK- Engineering Skills and Knowledge. This term the class has been making a folding army shovel and motor bike stand. The folding shovel involves making all the parts including the pin. The motor bike stand is a new project that the students enjoyed making. It consisted of different size box, bushes and angle. Both projects were challenging, but the end results are great.

Hay Hay Hay What’s Happening down the Ag Plot!

St George State High School wishes to thank Brent and Cubbie Ag Group for their donation of hay for our ongoing Agriculture programs.

The last few weeks have involved an exciting embryo transfer learning experience for our agriculture and show team students. It all started early this year while the Show Team was at Farmfest. While students were showing our own cattle, David McCabe (Breffni Droughtmaster Stud) kindly donated four Droughtmaster embryos to St George SHS. Then the school was also donated eleven Droughtmaster cows from Doug Slack for the embryo transfer process to take place.

From there, the local vet injected the progesterone releasing device and started injections to restart the cow’s ovulation cycle. The Year 10 Agricultural Science class helped the local vet glue the heat patch between the hip bones of the cow, while the Year 11 Agricultural Science class were involved in observing injections for the cows. After seven days from the injections the cows heat the patch turned from white to red and three of the best cows were used for the embryo transfer process. Last Thursday 21 November, students from Years 7-12 observed the Ced Wise delegate veterinarian prepare the embryos under a microscope and were able to see the embryo under a microscope. The students received a step-by-step explanation of the embryo transfer process and were able to ask questions about each step of the process. The students assisted the veterinarian to muster the cattle and then observed the transfer of the embryos via a syringe.

Students were very thankful for the hands on learning experience in their own Agriculture plot, and are excited for 9 months from now when they will meet our new pure bred Droughtmaster cattle!

COMMUNITY NOTICES

French Lessons – Aim high for a bright career! Languages help! To learn French call 46253021/0428304318 or email Salvador.f@rediffmail.com

St George Christmas Carnival – Friday 6th December 5pm-8.30pm Henry Street

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