13 November 2020

Newsletter Articles

From Acting Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians,

How fast have the last two weeks flown by? I write this article to you as a form of introduction as the Acting Principal of St George State High School until the end of the year. I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead your school and continue the important work it plays in educating your young people and preparing them to be valued members of the wider St George community. This is my 21st year as an educator, having started my career at Chinchilla SHS in 2000. My wife and I loved the country lifestyle during our time there and I have enjoyed the community spirit during my short time in St George. I am keen to develop my skills as an educational leader here until the end of the year and help the staff and students prepare for 2021 when it is anticipated Mr McFadzean will return, if not before.

Along with the teachers and staff, I will be working hard to continue the successes established by St George SHS and look forward to maintaining the school’s strong relationships with parents, students and community partners. As the school’s motto states, Together We Achieve. During my time so far I have visited the Primary School, engaged in an Alternative Education Forum at Lifeline and participated in the NAIDOC community walk with our senior leaders. I look forward to continuing to engage with the community across the rest of this year and looked forward to our upcoming Awards Night and next weeks Year 12 Valedictory ceremonies.

While this year has been challenging, I am pleased to report that the culture of the school has been positive, focused and welcoming. I am hugely impressed by the respectful way students have welcomed me both in classrooms and the playground. The focused and respectful approach enables us to meet the challenges of academic excellence in a positive, fun, and nurturing environment.

I look forward to working with the staff and students to ensure each student at St George SHS meets their goals and has a successful end to the school year!

Kind regards,
Mr Luke Ferdinands.

From Deputy Principal

The elections for the positions of senior student leaders at St George SHS for 2021 has now been completed for the following positions.

Congratulations to:

The House Captains and Indigenous Leaders are the positions that are now being finalised.

I had the pleasure of attending the Remembrance Day Service. Always find this a very moving service. The 2020 School Captains were in attendance and laid a wreath on the cenotaph.

Also on 20 November, the Year 7 & 8 students attended the community NAIDOC celebrations and were involved in a number of sporting activities and were present for the award presentations. The students from St George SHS thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Please remember that due to COVID restrictions, school events can only be by invitation only. This includes the upcoming Year 12 Valedictory. Unfortunately, if you have not received an invitation, or you have not returned the form from the invitation, you will not be able to attend.

Awards Night

YEAR 12 ACADEMIC AWARDS

CERTIFICATE OF MERIT

YEAR 12 SUBJECT AWARDS

YEAR 11 ACADEMIC AWARDS

CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE

CERTIFICATE OF MERIT

YEAR 11 SUBJECT AWARDS

YEAR 10 ACADEMIC AWARDS

CERTIFICATE OF MERIT

YEAR 10 SUBJECT AWARDS

YEAR 9 ACADEMIC AWARDS

CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE

Jack Coltzau

Henry Doyle

Grace Waters

CERTIFICATE OF MERIT

YEAR 9 SUBJECT AWARDS

YEAR 8 ACADEMIC AWARDS

CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE

Molly Davies

Jacob Hiles

Kaitlin Sheedy

CERTIFICATE OF MERIT

YEAR 8 SUBJECT AWARDS

YEAR 7 ACADEMIC AWARDS

CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE

CERTIFICATE OF MERIT

YEAR 7 SUBJECT AWARDS

ACADEMIC SPECIAL AWARDS WINNERS

WEBSTER’S FOODWORKS HOME ECONOMICS AWARD - Skye Kann
AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AWARD - Michelle Hams
APEX CRAFTSMAN OF THE YEAR - Samuel Killen
MIZEN ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD - Teagan Sorenson Year 7 and Emma-Leigh Turnbull-Bennett Year 8
BALONNE BEACON WRITER’S AWARD - Heather Wilesmith
JUNIOR SECONDARY CARE BALONNE ENCOURAGEMENT AWARDS - Millicent Lockwood Year 7, Adele Chandler Year 8, Nate Davis Year 9

EXTRA-CURRICULAR CERTIFICATES

Chelsea Beardmore, Sarah Whitaker, Michelle Hams, Mecenzee Taylor, Ella Beeson, Sharon Pearce, Harry Coltzau, Teagan Wilson, Penny Wilkinson, Tomas Kunde, Lillian Stenhouse

EXTRA-CURRICULAR SPECIAL AWARDS
WINNERS

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC AWARDS - Thomas Fisher Senior, Millicent Lockwood & Lillian Stenhouse Junior
JILLIAN CUPPLES CULTURAL AWARD - Grace Waters
ST GEORGE COTTON GROWERS CITIZENSHIP AWARD - Haley Moloney & Yasmin Sullivan

SPORTING SPECIAL AWARDS

CROSS ENGINEERING SPORTS ENCOURAGEMENT AWARDS

SPORTSMAN & SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

SPECIAL AWARDS WINNERS

SCHOOL BASED TRAINEE/APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR - Paige Houlahan & Stella O’Toole
ADF LONG TAN LEADERSHIP AND TEAMWORK AWARDS -
Samuel Killen Year 12 and Maddison Kings Year 10
Samuel Killen Year 12 and Darcy Beeson Year 10
ST GEORGE COTTON GROWER’S ASSN BURSARIES - Skye Kann Year 10 and Kaitlin Sheedy Year 8
ST GEORGE BRANCH ICPA AWARD - Josie Small
DL BROWN AWARD - Michelle Hams

JODIE FARRELL MEMORIAL GOOD AMBASSADOR AWARD - Holly Cooke
TYLER GUNN MEMORIAL GOOD AMBASSADOR AWARD - Ken Cawaon
CALTEX BEST ALL ROUNDER - Chelsea Beardmore
DR P M WARD TROPHY - Paige Houlahan
JUNIOR DUX (Year 9) - Grace Waters
SENIOR EXCELLANCE AWARDS (Year 12) - Tylah Fontaine and Paige Houlahan

More photos to come on Facebook and next issue of the newsletter.

Musical – The Addams Family

After nine months of countless rehearsals, sacrificed Saturdays and plenty of laughing, our 2020 production of the Addams Family has finally come to an end. We have cried, sang and danced. It’s hard to believe that the production which began in January was able to not only make it onto the stage, but to do so in such an unforgettable and spectacular fashion.

Though it seemed for a time that the show would not go on due to the terrible COVID-19 pandemic, our brilliant and dedicated cast were determined to do the Addams Family justice. For their unwavering passion and commitment to this production, we cannot thank our cast enough.

One of the most rewarding aspects of directing this production was seeing our group of sixteen wonderful actors grow together into a true (Addams) Family. The way in which they each supported and cared for each other throughout this entire experience was nothing short of inspiring.

Our thanks must also go to our set design crew. They worked tirelessly throughout the last few weeks of the production to create the brilliant set pieces and props that made the musical shine. We must show appreciation for our backstage crew. The crew sacrificed much of their own time in order to ensure that everything from props, costumes, and sets were accounted for and organised for each performance. It was their work behind the scenes that allowed our performances to run smoothly each and every time.

Special acknowledgement goes to Mr Brian Mac who provided the lighting equipment for the night, set up the sound equipment and refused any payment for all of his work. We cannot thank you enough for helping to make our show a reality.

Last but not least, we would like to thank the families of our cast and crew for their endless support. The community of St George have always been enthusiastic and loyal patrons of our events, and this production was no different. A show is not a show without an audience to share and celebrate with us.

The Addams Family may have finished by singing Move TowardsThe Darkness, but to us, the future of Musicals at St George SHS has never been brighter.

Chris Rigney

Cubby Update

Begonia Cubby House

On Monday 9 November four students, Mr Watson and Kylie Whitaker travelled to Begonia State School to erect the cubby house that Year 11/12 ISK had been working on for their assessment. Over this period students have learnt skills and knowledge to help in the construction of this building. As the photos show, the cubby was made frame by frame, put together, then pulled apart so it was able to be transported out to the school. The day consisted of frames being erected piece by piece with the roof and veranda being attached. Touch ups were done before Begonia students test drove their new play area. I know our students enjoyed the day and it was such a pleasure to see the smiles on both St George State High School and Begonia State School. Thank you to Sarah Goddard and Begonia State School for supporting our students.

Triathlon Trials

Well done to Josie Small, Sienna Beardmore and Kaitlin Sheedy for their selection in the South West Team. The girls will travel and compete in Hervey Bay February 2021. The Junior Triathlon is 300m swim / 10km ride / 2km run.

Good Luck Girls!

School Vacancy

Casual Relief Cleaner required.

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

Please contact Jo Withers on 0475 974 008 for further information.

Calendar

Tuckshop Open – Tuesdays & Thursdays
Joys Breakfast Club – Mondays to Fridays

The last day for Tuckshop this year will be THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER. Please make sure your child/children bring lunch after this date until end of school year please.

Community Notices

NOW RECRUITING - New exciting role in St George!!! The Country Universities Centre is coming to St George and Dirranbandi and a full-time Centre Manager will be based in St George. This is a highly rewarding and unique opportunity to shape the education landscape in the Balonne region. As Centre Manager, you will work with the Board of Directors and be supported by the Country Universities Centre (CUC Central). Find out more here and visit the CUC website for full details about the CUC model. Applications close 5pm Friday 27th November and must be emailed to recruitment@cuc.edu.au. Confidential enquiries can be made to Shannon Payten-McDonald on: 0419 899 665.

French Lessons

French Language Club. Passion and Practice does it. It’s pleasure, slow and steady, achievement and always a winner. For French, contact Salvador, St George, 0428304318 / 46253021 / salvador.f@rediffmail.com

Choose how to add this event to your calendar:

Apple Calendar iPhone, iPad, Mac - Download .ics file

Outlook Desktop Outlook - Download .ics file

Android Calendar Android devices - Download .ics file

Other Calendar Google Calendar, Yahoo, etc. - Download .ics file

Download Event