7 August 2020

Newsletter Articles

Monday 10th August
Balonne Shire Show Holiday

From The Principal

COVID 19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, our staff may choose to wear face masks at school. While there is no current health advice to require the use of face masks as a measure to prevent COVID-19 transmission, our school and the Department of Education recognise some staff members may want to wear face masks at work and we support their decision to do so.

Our school continues to implement the Queensland Health recommended preventative actions to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, which includes:

• adult social distancing to keep 1.5 metres apart
• wash hands frequently
• stay at home if unwell
• avoid large gatherings and crowded indoor spaces, and
• practise good hygiene.

If you have any questions or concerns about this please speak to a member of our school leadership team.

Year 12 Formal Update

Thank you to the parents of Year 12 students who were able to attend the meeting last week to discuss the arrangements for this year’s formal. The plan is for the formal to still go ahead. Understandably, there will need to be a full range of protocols to ensure we are compliant to the Government’s COVID-19 regulations and protocols. Many of these will be around social distancing and hygiene. Look for a more detailed note handed to your child on Friday.

Celebration Parade

At this time of the year, we would usually be sending invitations to parents to attend our Semester 1 2020 Celebration Parade where we recognise the success of our students over the last semester.

Our current protocols means that the parade cannot happen in this form. At our next parade scheduled for Monday 17 August, I will be recognising the great attendance, excellent effort, behaviour, and academic success of all our students. Photos will be taken at this time and a report will appear on our Facebook page. The table below lists the students who work in Semester 1 2020 will be recognised at this time. Congratulations to these students on excellent work!

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

Year 12

York McFadzean, Principal

From HOD Senior Secondary

Year 10

SET Plans for all year 10 students have almost been completed. It was wonderful to meet parents and talk to students about their plans for 2021 and beyond. I look forward to seeing these students succeed in the future.

All students and especially those who have chosen an ATAR pathway (going towards university) need to put in effort this Semester to make sure they are ready for the challenges of Senior school.

Year 11

Students are completing assessment and for most General subjects they will need to revise so they are ready for exams in Term 4. The reason for end of year exams in year 11 will mean that they are prepared for External Exams in year 12.

Year 12

There was a letter sent home this week outlining the process for External Exams. This information is below:

There will be external exams for all year 12 students who are completing General subjects from Monday 26 October to Wednesday 18 November.

During this time students are expected to attend applied and essential classes and General classes until they have completed their exams and assessment.

There will be a tutorial room open at all times for students who would like to stay in a quiet space to study.

During the External examination block, Year 12 students completing exams MUST BE present in the Balonne Skills Centre 15 minutes prior to the session. All students are required for the entirety of the exam session.

Exam block expectations

• You are expected to sign in and out of examinations (for attendance purposes).
• You should be studying at home, studying quietly in the library or completing an exam during exam block.
• Exam block is not free time.
• It is expected that you wear your school uniform when completing exams during exam block.
• If you are absent for an examination a medical certificate must be given to Mrs Addison.
• A parent/guardian should also inform the Office.
• Any students who are not up to date with their Certificate II in Rural Operations/Art/Links/other subjects/modules will be required to attend school during exam block.
• Please take note of the venue for your exam.
• You can only leave during the school day if the form on the note is returned.

For all students who are sitting External Exams they should be revising all work covered this year. Assessment Calendars will be emailed out.

For any questions or concerns you may have regarding your Senior Secondary students please email me at daddi4@eq.edu.au or call 4620 8222.

Mrs Deborah Addison, HOD Senior Secondary

MVP – Term 3 Week 2 – Cohan Neven

Year 7 T Ball

Year 7 HPE

This term in HPE Year 7 are learning about softball. They have been practising pitching, base running, fielding and hitting. 7A played their first game this week and demonstrated great sportsmanship and co-operation on the field.

Year 7 Geography

Year 7 are learning about the water cycle in Geography today. They are filling bags with coloured water and taping them to the windows to see how sunshine helps the processes of evaporation and condensation.

Year 7 Indigenous Language

The Year 7 Indigenous Language class today learnt about dot painting and is creating some amazing pieces of art.

Year 7 Agriculture

After completing some gardening the Grade 7 Agriculture class got to visit the chickens last Friday.

Year 9 Geography

Senior Chemistry

Did you know that vinegar’s distinctive taste is due to acetic acid?

According to Australian Food Standards, vinegar must contain 40 grams of acetic acid per kilogram of vinegar.

The Year 11 and 12 Chemistry students are currently using these facts and their extensive knowledge of acids and bases to analyse Black and Gold vinegar to design and conduct an experiment to test if it complies with Australian standards.

They used a standardised solution of sodium hydroxide to titrate the vinegar. Adding an indicator called phenolphthalein (try saying that three times fast), enabled them to identify the end of the titration because in a basic solution it will turn a beautiful pink colour. The trick was to add exactly the right volume of sodium hydroxide – to the drop – to make the solution just turn the palest shade of pink.

Phenolphthalein – making a party out of the most BASIC things.

Karen McKechnie

Senior HPE

Year 11/12 Industrial Skills & Knowledge

Year 11/12 ISK (Industrial Skill and Knowledge) have just begun cutting up the material for a cubby house that they are building for Begonia State School as part of their assessment. This semester will have the students applying their knowledge in construction to build the walls, roof, floor and deck of the cubby house. This will eventually be taken out to Begonia School in sections and assembled in its final location.

Watch this space for updates over the next few months.

Alcohol Awareness Expo

The Year 11 Health students held an Alcohol Awareness Expo at lunch time last Friday to help educate students on the effects of alcohol and test their knowledge. Fun games and sweet treats were used to entice participants.

Down At The Ag Plot

Netball SW Trials

Paige Clark, Sarah Whitaker, Michelle Hams, Emalie Hams, Grace Waters, Brigette Brunner, Montana Cochrane, Sharon Pearce, Kaise Mawhinney, Emma Leigh Turnbull Bennett and Millie Lockwood travelled to Roma to participate in South West selections. It was an interesting experience unlike any other year due to COVID restrictions, but the girls managed to have a great day and all play well. This year we went to the outdoor Maranoa Courts.

The senior girls, Sarah and Paige, joined in with girls from Miles and Charleville and played only two games but longer games with four quarters. They both conducted themselves like true sportswomen and Paige was selected for the Open South West team.

The junior girls had four games and also played well, up against teams from Charleville, Roma, Chinchilla and Miles districts. They played eight minute halves, so the games were quick but they kept up well with the pace, considering only having a few training sessions this term.

Michelle Hams and Emalie Hams were selected for the U15 South West team, and Grace Waters was selected as shadow.

Michelle, Emalie, and Paige will travel to Brisbane in August for the state trials and look forward to representing our school and South West. Congratulations girls!

A big thank you to Kylie Whitaker for driving the bus and being our resident ‘Mum’ as no parents could attend this year. And as always thank you to Miss Kym Weatherall who always does an outstanding job of coaching the girls.

Amy McKenna

Darling Downs Cricket Trials

This week Sharon Pearce travelled to Toowoomba to trial for the Girls Darling Downs team. While Sharon played very well, she was unsuccessful in making selection. Keep at it Sharon!!

New Teacher Aide

Welcome to Nicole Proud as another valued Teacher Aide to our school who started at St George High School on Monday this week. Nichole Taylor was the successful applicant and will continue her role in the recently advertised Administration position.

School Vacancy

Casual Relief Cleaner required.

St George State High School are seeking a casual relief cleaner.

Please contact Jo Withers on 0475974008 for further information.

Calendar

Tuckshop Open
Tuesdays and Thursdays

Parent volunteers are needed. Please contact school office with your contact details to pass on to Canteen Co-Ordinator.

Community Notices

Get set for Little Athletics

St George Little Athletics Club will commence their 2020 season from the 13th July - 14th September.

• Now on a MONDAY afternoon from 3:30pm-5pm (St George High School oval)
• Registration + 10 weeks of session fees: Tiny Tots (3-5yrs)- $50; U/6-U/17 - $60
• 2 weeks free trial for new members
• Collect and return registration forms at the St George Post Office (Lisa Walters) OR return at first day or participation
• Please note that children participating will need a parent or guardian present.
• For further enquires, contact Harry North - 0400 099 640

French Lessons

FRENCH CLUB. Classes going on. Languages help in social life, to understand people, country & culture. Improves grammar and writing skills. Hard work, but love makes everything easy. To learn French, call Salvador, 0428304318 / 07 46253021. Useful at work and everywhere. Voulez-vous ?

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