25 March 2022

Newsletter Articles

From The Principal

Welcome

This is Week 9 of our school year. It is also Harmony Week where we celebrate the diversity in our cultures.

School Mantras

Be Safe / Be Respectful / Be Prepared / Be Responsible.

PBL

Our PBL focus this week is “We respect the right of others to learn.” I explained to a few students this week the process a teacher has to go through to attain a teaching degree. Firstly as a student then a university student and finally accredited by the Queensland College of Teachers QCT as well as the Department of Education.

It entails six years of education at school attaining an entry grade level ATAR for the specific university then three years in a specialist area such as science after that they complete two years in an education course. Some teachers can do a four year combined degree under a Bachelor of Education. It is a long and involved process. In short, teachers have earned the right of a students respect, simply by completing that pathway. Not to mention the hours of work in preparation and then to have to stand up in front of 20 to 25 students and deliver a lesson. Our Respect Mantra also states teachers have the right to teach in a respectful classroom.

Students however also have the right to learn in a classroom that is conducive to learning. Quiet, uninterrupted and safe, where students who wish to strive for excellence are able to work.

In general, as students progress through the years there is a gradual release of responsibility with maturity. Most Year 7 students are kept on a fairly tight reign and then privileges are afforded to those students who have proved they are able to handle responsibility.

School Fete:

The P & C have decided they are going to do some fund raising through a school fete at some time in the winter. Stay posted for further information.

Battle of the Balonne:

The P&C is also running the BBQ for the Balonne Triathlon on Sunday. Cooking starts at 6-30am and any volunteers would be much appreciated.

Harmony Week:

This week is Harmony Week and our staff have been given the green light to celebrate a culture they relate to or is specific to them.

Communication with School:

The school has many methods of communication which include the Newsletter, a Facebook site, letters home and text messages, however, should you wish to communicate with the school on a particular matter please don’t hesitate to contact the ladies in the office. Please don’t forget to ring the school should your child be absent for the day.

Rob Nowlan

From The Deputy Principal

Face masks

As you know, on 4 March mandatory mask requirements were relaxed and masks are no longer required in schools, including for staff, students and visitors. Masks must still be worn by anyone aged 12 years or older in a range of settings:

• on public transport
• healthcare settings
• residential aged care
• disability accommodation
• prisons and detention centres
• airports and on planes.

A staff member or student displaying COVID-19 symptoms while at a school camp must always wear a face mask until they have been picked up from the camp, excursion or school.

For seven days after ending isolation or quarantine , staff and students who return to school after having COVID-19 or were close contacts are required to wear a face mask. When returning from isolation or quarantine, face masks must be worn anywhere indoors or when travelling in shared transport other than their family car. Face masks must also be worn outdoors if physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Further information is available in the Public Health Face Masks Requirements Direction (No. 5) , and in the additional information to help people understand what the direction means.

2022 Next Step survey

The Queensland Government is conducting its annual statewide survey of all students who completed Year 12 in 2021. The Next Step survey is a brief, confidential survey that gains a comprehensive picture of the employment, study and life choices made by Queensland school completers in the year after they finish Year 12.

Between March and June, all our students who completed Year 12 last year can expect to receive instructions to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office. Please encourage them to take part. If their contact details have changed, please assist the interviewer with their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate.

Thank you for your support of the Next Step survey in 2022.

Further information on Next Step, including results from previous years, is available online at the below link or on toll free telephone 1800 068 587.

NAPLAN

The online NAPLAN test will occur for all Year 7 & 9 students (unless parents have withdrawn students) from the 10 – 14 May. The following week will be used to catch up with any students that have missed any part of the test. All of the tests will be completed online. Students will be learning how the online test works and working sample questions and tests before the real NAPLAN test.

Students who have been withdrawn from the test will still have to attend school. Test withdrawal forms can be collected from the office.

UNIFORMS

During Terms 2 and 3, students wear winter uniform. This means that the formal uniform is not worn during this time.

The uniform for both male and females is:

• Maroon Polo Shirt
• Maroon Shorts, track suit pants
• Maroon Jumper/Jackets (no hood)
• Socks White or grey
• Predominately white or black shoes
• Hat or School Cap Sun safe
• Maroon, white, grey or black short sleeve undershirt

“Hoodies” are not to be worn as part of the school uniform even under the school shirt.

Acceptable jewellery includes:

• Two pair – plain studs or sleepers
• Watch
• One ring – minor/discreet/simple
• One bracelet/band - minor/discreet/simple

CROSS COUNTRY

The school cross country event will happen on the afternoon of Friday 1 April. This is a great way to end the term.

TERM 2

I hope everyone enjoys the holidays. School will resume again for all students at St George SHS on Tuesday 19 April.

Nicole Hyland

From The Front Office

Lateness:

Students who arrive late will present themselves to the front office with a note or phone call as to why the student is late. They will be given a late note to take to class. Persistent lateness will be investigated and disciplinary action may be implemented.

Absences:

Attendance is compulsory by law, therefore it is essential that an explanation be provided for each absence. Medical Certificates are requested for illnesses of more than two days. If a student is going to be absent for several days, a parent/guardian should contact the school as soon as possible. Parent/guardian will be notified as soon as practical via SMS if a student is absent without a valid reason.

Leaving the School Grounds:

Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds during the school day. Permission will NOT be given for students to depart school for the purpose of shopping or purchasing lunch down town. For medical and dental appointments or other short absences during the school day, parent/guardian must sign student out from the office.

From the Guidance Officer

Dear Parents/ Carers

At St George State High School, we aim to create a safe and supportive school community for everyone. You are an important part of our work to prevent bullying and to respond effectively if it happens. Stopping bullying involves everyone. The National Day of Action was on March 18 2022. On this day students created messages of action on bunting to display in the classrooms and messages of kindness. Students wore orange to spread the message that Bullying is not OK.

Bullying

The national definition of bullying for Australian schools says:

Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening.

Bullying can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert). Bullying behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time (for example, through sharing of digital records).

Bullying of any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. Single incidents and conflict or fight between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying.

Behaviours that do not constitute bullying include:

• mutual arguments and disagreements (where there are no power imbalance)
• not liking someone or a single act of social rejection
• one-off acts of meanness or spite
• isolated incidents of aggression, intimidation or violence.

However, these conflicts still need to be addressed and resolved. Likewise, not all online issues are bullying. (Online bullying is sometimes referred to as cyberbullying and refers to bullying that is carried out through information and communication technologies.)

Parents know their children best and know the best way to tailor communication to their needs. Adapt these tips to what works for you and your child.

If your child talks to you about bullying:

1. Listen calmly and get the full story. Your calm response is important to allow your child to tell you all about the situation. After they’ve told you their story, ask questions to get more details if you need: who, what, where, when. Although you may feel some strong emotions about your child’s experience, try to keep calm to avoid more distress to your child. Establish if this is a one-off incident or if it appears to be ongoing.
2. Reassure your child they are not to blame. Many children blame themselves and this may make them feel even worse. You could say things like, ‘That sounds really hard to deal with. No one should have to put up with that.’ or ‘I’m so glad you told me. You should be able to feel safe at school; that’s not fair at all’.
3. Ask your child what they want to do and what they want you to do. A critical part of your response is to avoid jumping in to solve the problem. While it is natural to want to protect your child, helping them to find their own solution is a better option. It helps them feel they have some power in the situation.
4. Visit www.bullyingnoway.gov.au to find some strategies. The website has tips and ideas for different bullying situations. One idea is to practise strategies at home to help your child feel more confident. Discuss safe options in managing situations.
5. Contact the school. Your child may be reluctant for you to do this, so discuss the idea and reassure them that the school would want to know and is able to help. Make an appointment to meet with your child’s Head of Department. Contact the school immediately if you have a concern about your child’s safety.
6. Check in regularly with your child. Keep the conversation going. It can take time to resolve issues, so check in regularly with your child about their experiences and their feelings. Your ongoing support is important.

Thanks for your support to make our school a great school for everyone.

Other support services are:

Kidshelpline 1800551800. www.kidshelpine.com.au

Headspace 1800650890. www.headspace.org.au

Online Bullying www.esafety.gov.au

Contact: Ms Annette McLean, Guidance Officer

Hospitality

Students continue to develop their skills, preparing cafe style food in preparation for our cafe at the end of Term 2. Our focus has moved to baking skills including measuring ingredients accurately and mixing techniques. Last week, students cooked both savoury and sweet muffins.

Jodi Hyland

11/12 Rec Studies

Students in Rec this term have been investigating various different training methods and principles as part of their strength and conditioning training unit. Students were required to undertake a series of different fitness tests to rate their current fitness levels and to create a 6-session fitness plan to improve their scores. Here are some of our students completing their fitness sessions in the Rec Centre.

April McLaren

Lions Youth Of The Year

Congratulations to Ashleigh Ferguson who participated in Round 2 of the Lions Youth of the Year competition at Goondiwindi. Ashleigh won the public speaking division! Well done Ashleigh!

Anzac Day 25 April 2022

St George RSL Sub-Branch will be holding ANZAC Day Services starting 6am on Monday 25 April 2022. The school is invited to attend and participate in these services. RSL Sub-Branch requests all participants to observe COVID-19 safe distancing.

Program

5.45am – Assemble at Cenotaph
6.00am – Start of Dawn Service
6.20am – Conclusion of service & disperse
7.00am – Breakfast at Australian Hotel
9.00am – Cemetery – laying of flowers on the graves of ex-service personnel and a short service.
9.30am – War Memorial Service at Hospital with the reading of names of all the personnel from the district who died on active service 1st & 2nd World Wars, Korea & Vietnam.
10.15am – All St George State High School students marching (formal uniform to be worn) muster at corner of Henry Street & St George’s Terrace.
10.45am – March leaves for the Cenotaph for the Anzac Ceremony.
11.00am – Service at the Cenotaph on St George’s Terrace.

South West Touch Football

Twenty students plus staff had an early start to the morning last week travelling to Miles for the South West Touch trials. The following students were picked in the South West 16-18 years team and will head to Townsville 12-15 May for the State Titles.

• Sharon Pearce
• Kelsey Weribone
• Ruben Davis
• Nate Davis
• Jacob Hiles
• Braxton Beardmore

The following students were selected in the South West 13-15 years team and will travel to Cairns 9-12 June for the State Titles.

• Bella Cubby
• Kahlela Prince
• Sedeequa Clevin
• Nequwa Collins
• Madison Hiles
• Sienna Beardmore
• Cohen Davis

The following students were named as shadows:- Kallum Oliver, Christopher and Cohen Neven.

Darling Downs Basketball

Ruben Davis, Shontayne Prince and Amdes Saunders travelled to Toowoomba last week with the South West Basketball team to trial for the Darling Downs team. The South West team played well considering the boys only play lunchtime basketball. The boys enjoyed the day and said it was a great experience. The photo also includes a past student Kobie Turnbull who was also selected in the South West team.

South West Swimming

Josie Small and Lillian Stenhouse are as we speak in Brisbane at the Sleeman Sports Complex swimming at State Titles. Best of luck to the girls!

South West Boys Rugby League

Last week Roma held the South West Rugby League trials and the following boys were selected:-

16-19 Years – Shontayne Prince, Nate Davis and Dominic Walters.
14-15 Years – Kallum Oliver, Christopher Neven, Lachlan Mellifont.

Both age groups will now head to Mermaid Waters 21-24 May.

Calendar

P&C Uniform & Tuckshop

Tuckshop is available every Tuesday and Thursday. Try and get your orders in before school or the next break. Uniforms will also be sold only on a Tuesday and Thursday with cash or direct deposit. Any questions please email pandc@stgeorgeshs.eq.edu.au .

Last week the tuckshop celebrated St Patricks Day! The students were spoilt with special home bake. Thank you to Maria and Amy for all your hard work making these events special for our students.

P&C Proposed Meeting Dates In the School Library 6pm:-

16 May
20 June
18 July
15 August
19 September
17 October
21 November

All welcome to attend!

Job Vacancies

Seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the following positions:

• School Cleaner (permanent) 76 hours per fortnight split shifts.
• Science Technician TO2 (permanent part-time) 42 hours per fortnight.
• Teacher Aide (temp until 16 September 2022 with possibility of extension) 25 hours per week + ADO.

Application packages including the role description are available for collection from the School Office, between the hours of 9am to 3pm (school days only) or email bsm@stgeorgeshs.eq.edu.au .

Please note: The successful applicant must have a positive Blue Card (working with Children check) prior to commencing and be prepared to have a criminal history check done at the commencement of employment and have received all required COVID-19 vaccinations.

Community Notices

LEARN FRENCH

Helps internationally and in English.

Call Salvador 0428304318 or email salvador.f@rediffmail.com

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