3 September 2021

Newsletter Articles

From The Principal

Another term is quickly coming to an end. The Year 12 students are heavily engaged in preparations for their final push to the external exams in early Term 4 and the final arrangements for their annual Formal held in Week 10.

Great work has been done by our students over the last semester. A review of the Semester One 2021 results against those of Semester 2 2020 indicates huge steps forward in our improvement agenda across the board.

Attendance has improved with 156 (74%) students attending school more often than last year.

Behaviour has improved, with 128 (60%) of all student recording fewer behavioural entries in One School.

Academically, 56 (26%) student studying English, 48 (22%) students studying Maths and 42 (20%) students studying Science have improved their Level of Achievement in these subjects by at least one level of achievement.

These are tremendous results and reflect on the huge work done by staff and students (and families) to make the day-to-day work of the school as good as it can be.

Homework Centre

As many of you will be aware, we have been fortunate to be able to offer the services of a Homework Centre at the High School.

My plan is to begin this in Term 4 which allows us plenty of time to work through all the details around setting up for this new event.

Part of this process is for parents and carers to register their child to take part in this initiative.

Please complete the form that follows so we have the full details of all students wishing to participate. Each student were given a print version of this in their roles on Wednesday so every child will have an opportunity to participate in this program.

Structurally, the Centre will run on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon after school from 3:15 to 4:45pm.

Teacher aides will provide support for the students who use the Centre.

A healthy snack will be provided to participating students.

The Centre will run in the Library.

Please do not hesitate to contact the school should you have any concerns or questions about how this Centre will operate.

Bring Your Own Device

The school is preparing for the introduction of a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program that will begin in 2022.

What this means is that students will be able to bring their own laptop to school to connect it to the school infrastructure. You can appreciate that there are a wide range of matters to be considered and planned for to make this programme as success. We will work through all the details as we develop a whole school program in Term 4.

Kind regards
York McFadzean, Principal

From The Business Manager

As we come to the end of Term 3, I would like to thank all the parents and care givers that have ensured that Student Resource Scheme fees for the year have been paid.

I would also like to remind those families that have payment arrangements in place, or those families that still have amounts outstanding, that it is important that you make these payments on time in order to clear any outstanding balances.

If you are experiencing any issues in making these payments please contact the school ASAP.

Jo Withers

Phone Policy

Home Ec News

Junior school is almost at the end of their Design & Technology – Home Economics rotation. Year 7 students will make mini quiches for their test cookery, Year 8 will make a recipe using scone dough both on Tuesday Week 9.

Year 9 students will complete their only assessment - practical cookery during Week 8.

There are some great Textiles projects nearing completion by the Year 10 HEc group. Despite having little previous sewing experience, students have designed articles, prepared patterns and sewn and decorated articles to demonstrate their design, production and evaluation skills. It will be with a big sigh of relief that they return to the kitchen for a final Food and Nutrition unit next term.

Mrs Julie Worboys

Aspire2Health

Piyush Sangwan, Christina McKee, Maddison Kings and Tom Fisher enjoyed their day in Roma last week at the Aspire2Health workshop.

Noosa Film Academy

The Noosa Film Academy returned this year to run a workshop which saw the students participate in a storyboard, film and edit a short film. What a wonderful experience for those students who attended. Please click on link to see what St George State High School students produced.

St George SHS Workshop Student Feedback
22 students 100% rated workshop as excellent or good.

Response to: What did you like best or find most useful about the presentation and any suggestions for future workshops:

It was really fun doing this workshop a lot of hands on activities, really funny, you get to learn about film making. For the future workshop I would suggest more hands on activities like editing on your own or get to use a camera to film.

I liked how they explained the editing app. I liked listening to what he used to do. I like how they interacted with us. Maybe do two days at the school instead of one.

No suggestions but I liked it best when I was speaking and watching the end product.

I liked the end when Greg edited it and showed us how to edit.

I liked doing the acting stuff. In future workshops you should do VR.

I liked how they showed how to use the app. I liked how we made a film.

Working on the set and having a go and that I love doing it and I hope to do it again. They were kind to us and we were kind to them.

We loved working with them and that I would do it again and hope they come back and do it again.

What I like best is the reassurance and the confidence that Andrea and Greg had on everyone who participated.

My scenes and what was useful was the editing techniques suggestion and people doing more roles like film editing and more.

10 Questions With Max Fisher

Favourite Colour:- Blue (Except when State of Origin is on)
Favourite Day Of Week:- Friday or Saturday
Favourite Holiday Destination:- Noosa
Where Would You Love To Go On Holidays One Day:- New York
Favourite Food:- Bread
Favourite Song:- When You Were Young – The Killers
Favourite Novel:- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Favourite Movie:- About Time
Favourite Sport (Play or Spectator):- Cricket
Favourite School Subject:- Maths and Science

R U OK DAY 9 SEPTEMBER

At St George State High School students will be recognising the importance of learning the steps to help start a conversation. Students will enjoy social connection with a variety of activities. The staff/student Cricket games have been a great way to build connections. Lunchtime activities are provided in the Library, The Community Education Counsellor room, Guidance Officer Room and the Youth Support Co-Ordinator is available for supports.

A range of circumstances can lead to a young person feeling low, including: big life changes like moving house or school, experiencing grief or loss, being around people going through tough times, being bullied, arguing with someone, problems with school work, being bored, having a medical condition or chronic illness, not sleeping well, not exercising enough, hormonal changes, or special needs.

Be aware of certain behaviours and signs that can indicate a young person might be struggling. The first thing to look out for is changes in behaviour. When people feel low, they often:

• withdraw from their friends or their family.
• lash out at people and get angry or upset really easily, including towards the people they care about
• cry or become emotional Lose interest in activities and things they usually love
• have changed sleeping patterns. They might be sleeping all the time, not sleeping much at all, or sleeping at strange hours (such as in the middle of the day)
• have a changed appetite. They could be eating more than usual, or less.

R U OK? has 4 Conversation Steps to help navigate a conversation when someone says, “No, I’m not OK”. These steps are: 1 Ask 2 Listen 3 Encourage action 4 Check in

Useful contacts when a young person is not OK: School Counsellor GP or psychologist, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 Lifeline on 13 11 14 Dial 000 if someone’s life is in imminent danger.

Assessment Planner

SPORTS NEWS

In the next couple of months there are still some students training hard for State Titles for 11-12 Years Cricket and 11-12 Years girls Rugby League.

SW 13-15 Years Cricket - Any boys 13-15 Years please have your nominations to Mr Basile by 7 September – this is for the South West Cricket team. The selected team will then play in Toowoomba at the Darling Downs Cluster Day 22 October.

Balonne Softball 13-19 Years (Selection for 2022) – Girls softball nominations are to be in by Monday 6 September and trials will take place 9 September. The SW trials (yet to be confirmed) will be 7 October.

Balonne Triathlon/Aquathlon (Selection for 2022) – Nominations to Mr Basile by 17 September. The South West trials will be held in St George 7 November.

Lunchtime Cricket

Over the past couple of weeks there has been a Students v Senior Students and Staff. Glorious weather for both days!

Did you know:- Cricket was originally a children’s game played in England during the 16th century, specifically in the south eastern countries. When the British expanded overseas, they brought the game with them.

10 Questions With Julie Worboys

Favourite Colour:- Pink
Favourite Day Of Week:- Saturday
Favourite Holiday Destination:- Caloundra
Where Would You Love To Go On Holidays One Day:- Canada
Favourite Food:- Pizza with red wine – it solves most problems
Favourite Song:- None – I enjoy a wide range of music
Favourite Novel:- “In Death” series – JD Robb (Nora Roberts)
Favourite Movie:- NCIS series – Leroy Jathro Gibbs
Favourite Sport (Play or Spectator):- Gymnastics
Favourite School Subject:- Biology

Down At The Ag Plot

This week the year 11/12 students were involved in marking the school lambs. This involved putting a ring on their tails and ear tagging. We also weighed all the school sheep to keep track of their growth and update our data records.

We have CHICKENS!!

Year 6 Transition

Thank you to those families who have submitted their enrolment application and had their enrolment interview for Year 7 2022. We are aiming to have a showcase of the school in Term 4 on 13 October which includes a BBQ for families. If you have filled in your enrolment forms please also include a copy of birth certificate, last report card and anything else that you feel the school needs to be aware of. Please phone the school on 46208222 so an enrolment interview with your child can be organised. If you know of any interested families who have children entering Year 7 in 2022 please inform them to contact the school as soon as possible.

Calendar

Community Notices

Under 5 Celebration Day

St George Junior Rugby League

Colour Run

Learn French

VOULEZ-VOUS LEARN FRENCH ? Be keen Teen to learn. Anything is possible who thinks he can. Call Salvador Fernandes +61 0428304318 or email salvador.f@rediffmail.com.

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