3 April 2020

Newsletter Articles

Year 12

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Year 10

Year 9

Year 8

Year 7

From The Principal York McFadzean

As this term daws to a close I need to acknowledge the fine work done by my staff this week as we prepare to work in a very different way next term. Staff have been very busy preparing units of work and resources to support the learning of all children at school. We have also supervised the children of “essential workers” each day. Learning from home will no doubt challenge the entire school community and it is within that contact that we have planned our work.

Parents have responded to our email request so we know how best to communicate with families over this period of time. At present, we see a mix of on-line OneNote based presentations as well as email communication and SMS text notifications. We are also planning for exactly how to provide access to all those families where such platforms and technologies are not as easily available. For many this will mean the printing and distribution of work for students and we are looking at the most appropriate way to manage this process across the whole school.

As always, our Executive staff in the Department will guide us through this complex new environment based on the most up-to-date and appropriate medical information. I will notify the community as new information comes to hand.

In the meantime, stay safe and contact me at the.principal@stgeorgeshs.eq.edu.au if there any concerns you may have.

York McFadzean

From HOD Senior Secondary Deborah Addison

What a crazy start to the year!

First up I want to congratulate the majority of senior students who remained at school or continued work from home over the last few weeks.

All teachers have been busily working to get ready for the possibility of teaching via distance. They are all doing a wonderful job in creating engaging and creative resources for students to continue to learn. As the majority of senior students have laptops, the majority of classes will move to a OneNote set up or online use of text books.

There has been an update from QCAA regarding senior assessment and instead of students completing four pieces of assessment they will drop one assessment item. Teachers will be emailing students to inform them of what this might mean for their current work. This is not something to become concerned about at the moment and please reassure students that we will continue to support them and help them to achieve their QCE. QCAA continue to announce information regarding this and continue to update their website.

Year 10 students are in the unique position where some class teachers will be trialling online delivery methods. The resources will also be available in paper form for those without access to technology.

Thank you for your continued support in such an interesting time in the world. I look forward to seeing the students back at school and hope that they are able to continue to learn in a different environment.

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 Addison

From The Guidance Officer Kelly Lawton

Welcome to the end of term 1! Whilst it is not the end of term we had expected, I want to congratulate all our students on their hard work completed this term, particularly those seniors who have been navigating the new ATAR system.

As our community continues to social distance and isolate within our homes, our wellbeing team has continued to find ways of connecting with our community. Senior students and the wellbeing team created a banner thanking our local healthcare workers for their important work on the frontline. This now hangs at the front of our school.

Recently on our school’s Facebook page we have provided students and parents with call lines and apps for digital devices that provide ways for individuals to look after their mental health and wellbeing and continue to connect with professionals. I encourage everyone to explore the many options there are to continue connecting whilst distancing.

Lastly, throughout these Pupil Free Days the Support Team staff (Guidance Officer, Chaplain and CEC) are still onsite committed to supporting our school community. If students or parents would like to access a Support Team member they can ring the school’s main line (4620 8222) and our wonderful office staff will take your name and number and the requested team member will contact you.

I encourage our students and families to take some time each day for their mental health. This could be stretching in the backyard, a mindfulness exercise, learn something new such as a new recipe, painting, gardening or simply a sleep in.

Please continue to keep an eye out for updates from our Support Team. We look forward to connecting again after the school holidays.

As always, we urge our students and parents to continue to find connection in isolation.

As the world around us continues to evolve and change day-to-day so does our process and means of accessing supports. This time can provides us with the opportunity to slow down and spend time with those within our households that the regular routine does not usually permit. However, families may also be experiencing increased worries, stressors and most obviously, isolation. Whilst catching up with a friend, speaking to our local agencies and travelling to spend time with extended family are restricted there are still many means for us to stay connected and supported through this time.

The following apps and websites are just some of the free services that allow both our students and families to continue to access mental health support, strategies for coping with worries and low mood or simply a conversation with someone outside of the household. I urge our students to take the time to download one (if not more) of these within their devices and spend time familiarising themselves with what is available – all at a touch of a finger!

Kelly Lawton

Sports News Update

Until further notice there is a cancellation of all representative school sport. This cancellation applies to all levels of school sport from district up

Community Notices

Join any time to LEARN FRENCH language

Bonnes vacances ! Stay at home to save lives! Interested to learn basics of French?

Call Salvador Fernandes 07 46253021 / 0428304318, Email: salvador.f@rediffmail.com St George Qld.

Anzac Day 25th April 2020

Hi all due to the COVID-19 Virus Pandemic and the significance of Anzac Day to the residents within the Balonne Shire we are encouraging our local residents to acknowledge the 25th April with placing a flag on their mailbox at 6am and play the Last Post on their phones/facebook or by listening to their local radio station. We are launching a facebook page to accommodate the Last Post and we are inviting local schools to upload poems that they would have personally recited at their normal Anzac Day address and members of our community to share stories and photos.

Care Balonne will be mailing a small Australian Flag to each resident within the Balonne Shire, with the Ode, the significance of the process and an invite to unite with all Balonne Shire residents. Please share with your association or group to ensure awareness of this activity. We are working in partnership with the RSL Western District and look forward to establishing a meaningful community event with all towns within the shire.

Kind Regards,
Sarah Southern
Community Development Officer
Care Balonne Association Inc.
32 Henry Street, St George QLD 4487
T: 07 4625 5450 M: 0427 220 338
E: cdo@carebalonne.com
W: www.carebalonne.com
W: www.riverdragonfestival.com.au

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