7 February 2020

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Welcome to the 2020 school year! We have started the year with “a bang” here at St George State High School. While we are only in Week 2, we have been engaged in a wide range of activities already. Mr Basile arranged a very successful swimming carnival last Monday at the pool. Congratulations to Leichhardt House for their victory on the day. Thank you to all the staff who assisted to make the day as good as it was.

This year we have welcomed 56 Year 7 students to the school. I want to thank the staff and parents who took the time to come along last Thursday to “meet the teacher” of their students and look at the wonderful classrooms that have been set up for them in G Block this year. A special thanks to our Chaplain, Adrian Toft, for his expert skills on the barbeque.

We hosted a parent information evening regarding the school laptop program for senior students and I was delighted to see the number of parents who came along to this important session. These laptops will be available soon for student use. As I mentioned on that evening, it is my plan to have the school library open for senior students from 1:00pm to 5:00pm two Sundays a month so students are able to access the resources of the school. I will send all senior students’ parents a note about this once the times have been finalised.

The start of the year always brings new faces to a school and this year is no different. I am delighted to welcome three new staff to our ranks in 2020: Miss Crowe, Miss Embrey, and Miss Herrmann. I know you will have a wonderful time working with our students here at St George. Many parents would have noticed the vacancy advertised on our school sign and on Facebook for teacher-aides this year. We are in the positon of needing additional classroom support for our students in 2020 and I will be contacting those applicants in the not too distant future.

Families familiar with the beginning of school years will be aware that today is “Day 8”, an important day for our student census that helps generate the allocations of staff and funds to each school. This year this deadline has been extended to “Day 13” to accommodate those students affected by the Coronavirus that has impacted so many families. At present, we are still within my prediction of being around the 220 mark for our total student population.

Families with students in Years 8-12 will receive in the mail shortly a data validation report. This sheet contains the information we have on file regarding your student in terms of medical conditions, residential address and the names and phone numbers of those adults listed in our system. It is vital that such information is kept as up-to-date as possible, especially when it comes to notifying parents and carers about the health and wellbeing of your student. Please ensure you check this information, make any necessary changes, sign the form and have it returned to the school as soon as possible.

On Tuesday this week, we conducted our first Celebration Ceremony for the year where we recognised the success of our students who made significant improvement in 2019 in their attendance, academic results, behaviour and effort. It was wonderful to see so many parents join us for this special occasion and to recognise the improvement of over 150 students! Well done to all worthy recipients.

Best wishes
York McFadzean

New Staff

Welcome to 2020! My name is Miss Rebecca Herrmann, I’m very excited to get to know you all as we move forward into the term and throughout the school year.

To tell you a little bit about myself, I am new to St George and have moved from a country town called Boonah whi ch is about five and a half hours east. I was raised on a beef cattle farm and enjoy spending time outdoors with family and friends. As a Humanities and English teacher, I also value the importance of literature and taking time to read.

The beginning of high school can be very daunting for most students and as teachers we realise this. To make this a little easier I have included a breakdown of some expectation that students will need to follow throughout the year. St George State High’s expectations ‘Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful and Be Prepared’ will fall centre to my classroom expectations for all students. Book work expectations will also be set up in the first classes of the year and monitored throughout. There will also be weekly homework set for both Humanities and English classes. It is an expectation that homework and all school work is completed by the due dates, where students fail to meet this school expectation, consequences will be introduced. Students are also encouraged to seek assistance if they need help with homework or any assessment pieces, I encourage students to ask questions because if you don’t ask, you don’t know.

If there are any questions, queries or concerns throughout the year, please don’t hesitate to contact me, I am available via email bherm23@eq.edu.au and over the phone (07 - 4620 8222).

Thank you for taking the time to read a little bit about me,

Miss Herrmann

My name is Miss Caitlin Crowe and I am 7B’s Maths and Science teacher for 2020. I am looking forward to working with you all throughout the term and as the year progresses.

I am excited to be living and working in St. George as I have been visiting the area with family since I was young. I love my sports and enjoy spending time outside with friends and family.

I highly value general skills such as problem solving, perseverance, teamwork and literacy and consider them essential life-long skills. Therefore, these values will be reflected in my classroom through the implementation of activities and scenarios that promote the development of these skills.

My expectations regarding bookwork, homework and behaviour will be established within the first few weeks and reinforced as the year continues. These expectations are centred around being organised, respectful and having a positive attitude. Homework will be given weekly in both subjects to promote further learning, as well as helping students to develop important study skills needed throughout high school and future education. Consequences will be introduced for students who do not complete homework or school work on time.

I endeavour to have open lines of communication with as many of you as possible and encourage all students, parents and carers to contact me with any concerns or questions. I can be contacted via email or through the school phone to discuss any concerns or schedule a meeting. My email is ccrow79@eq.edu.au.

Miss Crowe

I’m Miss Embrey and I am very eager to begin working alongside staff, students and the community to make this a great school year.

In 2020, I will be teaching 7A for Humanities, English and Health and Physical Education. My passion for humanities stems from my love of geography, experiencing new cultures, and travelling to unfamiliar environments. Soaking in the outdoors, road tripping through Australian towns, and delving into a good book are my ideal ways to spend spare time.

From Day 1 of Term 1, it is vital that students come to school organised and prepared, equipped with the necessary books and stationery. To be successful, students must expect the best out of their education. In turn, my expectations are that students will complete all class work neatly and keep their books up-to-date and organised. Weekly, students will receive homework to be completed in their own time. My expectations of their behaviour will be very clearly outlined in initial lessons, and remain unwavering throughout the year.

I encourage all parents to make contact with questions or concerns that relate to any of these three subjects. You can email me at: jembr14@eq.edu.au, or phone call via Administration. If you would like to be informed of upcoming units, new assessment tasks, and subject content, please contact me to advise and I will ensure that I keep in touch. I do not underestimate the importance of educational involvement from parents, guardians and carers.

I’m looking forward to welcoming students to Year 7 and assisting in their transitions to St George State High School!

Miss Jessica Embrey

From Maths Co-Ordinator Mrs Anne Brimblecombe

All students study Maths and need to have a workbook for each lesson. As they also require a textbook, they need to return their Student Resource Scheme form as soon as possible. Calculators are also needed and can be purchased from the school for $25. Please ask your students what topics they are studying in Maths. They might even be able to teach you something!

Hoping for a great year in Maths,

Mrs Anne Brimblecombe
Maths co-ordinator

From Home Economics Julie Worboys

Year 7 are off to a slow start having missed two Monday lessons in a row. Year 8 are doing a great job of mastering the sewing machine ready to begin their water cooler project next week.

Year 9 & 10 have been revising routines and safety and hygiene procedures to follow in the kitchen. Both groups have been practising their skills making coffee and other drinks in preparation for fund raising with staff drinks a little later in the term. Year 9 will be required to supply a paper recipe & their own cooking ingredients from Week 4 Tuesday, 18 Feb, making a quick lunch and Tuesday lessons for the rest of term. Year 10 supply a paper recipe & own ingredients from NEXT week Tuesday 11 Feb, making stir fry and Tuesdays for the rest of the term.

Students have received TWO copies of cooking planner – one for their class book and one to keep at home. Please let me know if there are any problems with supplying ingredients. Students may book a lunch break with Mrs Worboys if they need help finding and getting paper copies of recipes.

Mrs Julie Worboys

From Year 10 Science Karen McKechnie

Students in the Year 10 Science extension class are learning about genetics this term. Genes are segments of the DNA found in the nuclei of the cells of your body. During an experiment, the students extracted the DNA found in a strawberry using detergent to break down the cell walls and salt to remove the proteins. It formed in the top layer of two liquids in a test tube and looked like a pale jelly when they used a wooden skewer to remove it. Check out the photos.

So, why was the DNA molecule refused entry to the nightclub? . . . They didn’t allow genes (jeans J)

Mrs Karen McKechnie

Public Speaking Sompetition

Do you have something you want to say!

This year St George SHS will be running its own public speaking competition. Students are able to participate in the Rostrum Voice of Youth public speaking competition. This is a valuable activity to participate in as being able to communicate with others is becoming an important life-long skill that not only helps build confidence but employers are looking for it in their employees. This year the competition heat will be held at our school on Tuesday 25th February starting at 6:00pm.

The competition is open to students from Years 7 – 12 and is split over a junior and senior division. Information has already been provided to students who attended a meeting this week but it is still not too late to become involved. If anyone else is interested they can see Miss Garner for more information. It would be fantastic to have as many speakers involved as possible.

Ms Angela Garner

P&C AGM Meeting

SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS – 4th March 2020

Envelopes will be arriving soon and handed out to students once received.

Lions Youth Of The Year

Lions Youth of the Year is coming around quickly. Applications are due on Monday 17th February. Please complete the form online and bring to the Office for Mrs Addison or Mr McFadzean to sign.

Swimming Carnival

The swimming carnival this year was a great success! We had many students willing to participate in a variety of different events. The students should be proud of the way they conducted themselves and how they cheered each other on. Congratulations to Josie Small who broke a number of 12 Years carnival records. Overall winning house was Leichhardt.

Good luck to our 12 year old students who were selected to participate at the Balonne Swimming Trials on Friday 14 February. The students selected were:- Josie Small, Kahlela Prince, Mia Anderson, Sienna Beardmore, Cohan Neven, Jeremy Armstrong, Isaac McNamara and Jason Fletcher. After these trials we will announce the final team of swimmers to go onto Charleville for the South West trials.

Age Champions were:- Open – Holly Cooke & Cameron Moloney, 17 Years – Rylie Mullins & Jack Davies, 16 Years – Lily Brimblecombe & Preston Thurston, 15 Years – Maddison Kings & Shontayne Prince, 14 Years – Brigitte Brunner & Dominic Walters, 13 Years – Lillian Stenhouse & Lachlan Wilson, 12 Years – Josie Small & Isaac McNamara

SW Tennis Trials

This week we had students try out for the Balonne School Tennis team to then go on to try out for the South West team. Congratulations and good luck to the following students who will be participating at the South West Tennis Trials in Roma on Friday 7 February. Best of luck Samuel Rollins, Tye Clark, Nate Davis, Ruben Davis and Anna Moloney.

SW Soccer Trials

Congratulations to the following students who were picked in the Under 15 and Under 19 Balonne Soccer Team. South West trials will take place in Roma 19 February. Samuel Rollins, Sharon Pearce, Mitchell Birney, Tye Clark, Isaac Kann, Tom Mutch, Jed Mutch, Sarah Whitaker and Jackson Kann

DD Softball Trials

Haley Moloney, Sarah Whitaker and Anna Moloney were picked in the South West Softball Team late last year and will now try out for the Darling Downs Team on Thursday in Toowoomba. Good luck girls!

Qld State Triathlon Trials

Josie Small, Sienna Beardmore and Kaitlin Sheedy will represent the South West Triathlon team at Hervey Bay 20-22 February. Good luck girls!

Community Notices

Battle On The Balonne

Welcome Dinner

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