10 June 2022

Newsletter Articles

From Acting Principal

Welcome: This is Week 8 of Term 2 in our school year. Special thanks to Mrs Jodi Hyland for the fantastic job she and her band of teachers / teacher aides and hospitality students did for their Wednesday morning coffee shop. Fabulous to see and the food was a treat.

School Mantras: Be Safe / Be Respectful / Be Prepared / Be Responsible.

PBL: Our PBL focus this week is “Be Respectful. We respect our teachers.” Whilst walking around the school it is great to see the amount of industry going on in the classrooms. One of the interesting scenarios does however occur in a couple of our junior classes where our behaviour can leave teachers feeling underappreciated and certainly not valued. Unfortunately, with these classroom situations, as individuals, most of these students are generally great. However, as a group, they seem to feed off each other with the behaviour spiralling down into a disaster area for any form of learning. As a lot of our students work in part time jobs I often use the example of “How do you feel when a customer is particularly rude to you.” It is the same in a teaching situation. A school is a teacher’s workplace and as a beneficiary of that learning their right to feel valued and respected in that workplace is to be not only valued but also reinforced, both at school and at home.

Tuckshop: Thankyou to our lovely ladies in the tuckshop. This weeks pies were superb and the curry thingi would have been great value at twice the price. As you can tell from the ever increasing line up of staff and students your efforts are much appreciated.

PBL Update: Positive Behaviour for Learning or PBL. This week we have a colleague of mine from a previous school, Mrs Kelly Wonnacote-Wakeham working with staff to upskill the PBL platform. It is a well defined Ed Queensland strategy to ensure positive learning is occurring in our classrooms and at school in general. Obviously for the majority of our students learning positive strategies such as “respecting the rights of students to learn” “respecting the right of teachers to teach,” is already ingrained in their DNA. For the cohort that is not as ophae with PBL and the ideals it preaches, teaching and reinforcement of the strategies is the next process.

Goondir Health Services : This week meetings were held with Mr Kelvin Duiker of Goondir Health Services. I have the pleasure of being able to report to you that Goondir Health Services are back on board with the school and will be offering medical check ups to all our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. As you would all be aware the school cannot proceed with any form of support or intervention to improve your student’s learning opportunities without parental or carer permission. It is thus very important the forms admin will be sending out soon regarding the service, are completed and returned with your student to school.

Uniforms: As we head into the cooler weather we have a few students arriving in clothes that are not part of our uniform. If for some particular reason your student, can’t wear the appropriate uniform on a particular day, send your student a note to ensure there are no consequences such as a uniform detention. An alternative for this is our stack of second hand jumpers in Aunty Joy’s room which she diligently washes and dries each week for cherubs that forgot to bring a jumper on a cold day, or are out of uniform. As a school we do have a uniform policy which we, as an administrative group, expect to be followed. Thankyou as a parent and caring group in advance for your attention to ensuring our students look great at school in the correct uniform.

Dropping food,information or clothes off at school: Could I please ask all parents and carers to drop any food / information / clothes etc off to the office. There are too many people coming into the school dropping items off to students.

8:30am Start: Parents and Carers please be aware that supervision of your children starts at school at 8:30am. Unfortunately with the new curriculum and other restraints we do not have the resources to supervise students before this. Obviously a duty of care exists should an emergency happen, however I would much prefer to avoid that circumstance with drop offs as close to 8:30 am as possible.

Communication with school: The school has many methods of communication which include the newsletter, a facebook site, letters home, 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 or ward be absent for the day.

Rob Nowlan.

From HoD Senior Secondary

Term 2 is almost done and we are looking forward to starting Term 3 and the new Semester.

Year 10

Students will have the chance to look at their subjects at the end of this term and change classes if they need to. Maths, English, Science and Humanities next term will be separated into pathway classes, one for students who are looking at an ATAR pathway and another for those looking at a Vocational pathway. During the next semester we will have subject information night, SET Plan meetings and subject selections occurring. If you would like any further information about Senior school and the Queensland Certificate of Education please click on the link below.

Year 11

Year 11 students are either finishing off their assessment for Unit 1 or revising skills needed for Unit 2. A reminder that any unscheduled days off will require your student to catch up with the teacher in their own time. All time off can have major influences on student’s ability to stay on top of their studies so please try and organise holidays and appointments for outside school hours.

All students will meet with me over the next week to discuss results and subject changes that might be required for next semester. Students who are completing any General subjects will have work to complete over the holidays and all students can revise the work from this semester.

Year 12

Year 12 students have completed Unit 3 for all subjects. This can be a stressful time as they receive grades back and are starting their new Unit. Please remind students that they have only a small amount of time left at school and that attending all classes will help to alleviate some stress.

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

Wellbeing At Assessment Time

As we get closer to the end of term it means we are hitting peak assessment time. This can be a stressful time for students with due dates coming thick and fast. Here are eight things that students can do to help look after themselves at this time:

Establish a routine

Work out what assessment you need to complete and by when. Then plan a schedule of when you are going to work on each subject so nothing is left until the last minute.

Eat right

Fuel your body and mind with the right foods by swapping junk food with fresh fruit, veggies, nuts and remember to drink lots of water.

Get some sleep

Try sticking to a sleep schedule to ensure you are getting enough hours of sleep each night. A late-night cram session the night before the exam might seem like a good idea at the time but the lack of sleep could actually limit your ability to focus during the actual exam.

Stay active

Regular exercise can help reduce stress, increase energy levels and makes you feel good.

Stay social

Make time to spend time with family and friends away from the school work. You need to have a balance between work and play to help reduce the chance of burnout.

Treat yourself

After you reach a study goal or complete an assessment piece, treat yourself with something you enjoy.

Try to stay positive

Negative thinking can decrease your chances of success before you even get started. So focus on your strengths and be kind to yourself when you make mistakes.

Ask for help

Every one needs help at some point in their life. It’s better to ask for help early on than try to struggle through on your own. Chat with your friends or family about how you’re feeling, speak to your teachers if you need help with your studies, or talk to your school’s guidance officer if you feel like you need extra support.

Information adapted from the Queensland Government’s Department of Education website.

Ang Garner

Year 7 Camp

Week 6 was not a usual one for our Year 7s. This little bunch of adventurers eagerly trekked to Burleigh for Year 7 Camp. Along with Mr Murphy and Miss Harrison, we travelled with 28 cheery faces for a week of water, waves and wild rides. Students were enthusiastic to feel the sand between their toes and the salt water on their skin, diving into the beach on Monday afternoon after the tiring bus journey. Tuesday and Wednesday were jam-packed days, filled to the brim with body boarding, stand up paddle boarding, a canoe journey and tubing. Despite tired legs, chafe and sporadic rain, everyone laughed their way through the evening events, including disco night, movie night and games night. Thursday arrived and Dreamworld was so close, the kids could taste the churros and feel the dizziness oncoming! It was a bittersweet goodbye as we departed CYC on Friday, but we welcomed the familiar scenes of St George.

Miss Embrey

Year 7 French

Students have just completed a written assignment where they wrote a letter to a French penpal describing their Australian school timetables. Throughout the term, the Year 7s have been looking at the differences and similarities between Australian and French schools and were shocked to discover that French students attend school from 8am - 4:30pm most days! Our focus for the rest of the term is on sports and hobbies.

Georgia Tatham-Joyce

Year 9 ITD

This term, Year 9 students in ITD have been working with ply wood to create a stool. Students have had to draw outlines, drill, measure, cut using the jigsaw, and sand using the linisher. Students have created designs digitally and will use a burner to engrave their designs on the top of the stool. See some of our progress so far!

Year 9 Digital Technology

Year 9 Digital Technology students have had lots of fun over the last couple of weeks, programming their Spheros to compete in a number of challenges. Highlights and student favourites included Sphero Twister and a mini golf course. Currently, students are designing and building chariots as part of their end-of-term assessment which will be tested in the chariot arena next week.

Georgia Tatham-Joyce

Year 9 Ag

The Year 9 AG students have been studying a cotton production unit this term and were able to engage in two excursions to see first-hand how cotton is grown, harvested, and processed in St George. The students visited Beardmore Gin last week (31st May) to observe the ginning process. Students were able to have a close look at the wide range of technology used throughout the gin and felt samples of cotton from each stage of the ginning process. Students were especially impressed with the large machinery and the pressing of the bales. A huge thank you to the managers and staff at Beardmore Gin for taking the time to educate us on the ginning process and for answering all our questions.

On Tuesday 7 June, the Year 9 Ag class travelled out to Ashwood Farms to learn more about the cotton growing process. The students were lucky enough for Mr Scott Brimblecombe to share some of his extensive knowledge with the students regarding machinery, bank-less irrigation and the management of pests. Students loved being able to get their hands on an old cotton picker and look inside a tractor at all the different technology. Thank you to Mr Scott Brimblecombe for taking a few hours out of your busy schedule to talk to the students and show them through your machinery. Another huge thank you to Ms Sally Rigney for her assistance in organising these excursion opportunities and sharing her knowledge about cotton farming.

Caitlin Crowe

Year 10 PE

Fitness Plans - Students in Year 10 have been learning about the major muscle groups within the body to help them select exercises when composing their fitness plans as part of their assessment. Here, students used sticky notes to label themselves and their own major muscle groups.

April McLaren

Home Economics News

Busy, busy, busy in Home Ec this time of term. Year 7 students have enjoyed cooking ham and pineapple pizza last week and mini quiches with their partners this week. Hot food really hits the spot on those cold days. Year 12 Skills for Work students were treated to a hot chocolate or milo on one of the really cold days last week in return for great behaviour in lesson time.

Most Year 9 students completed their test cookery this week – planning a two-course meal suitable for entertaining, using a variety of fresh, semi-processed and fully processed foods. Their challenge to make the main course and have it ready to serve in 30 minutes was a hard task when they have to share the kitchen with 20 other students. Some delicious dishes were produced and many students have improved their organisational and cooking skills over the semester unit.

Year 10 students made and taste tested a range of healthy breads and dips from a variety of countries as part of the Multicultural Cookery unit. Hummus, bruschetta, tapenade, dahl and dukkah were sampled with purchased sourdough and home-made poppadums, naan bread and flavoured corn chips. Delicious!

Students are also cooking and presenting traditional dishes from a country they have researched as their assessment task.

Julie Worboys

Year 10/11 Hospitality

On Wednesday, 8 June, the Year 10/11 Hospitality students conducted their Coffee Shop which was their culminating assessment task for the semester. A lot of time and effort went in to the planning and preparation of this event. Students were required to plan and cost the menu, ensuring the items sold would make a profit. They also had to ensure their menu catered for individuals with food intolerances. It was a hectic service period where students made over 50 drink orders and sold out of nearly 200 food items. Students will now complete a reflection of their event focussing on areas that worked well and areas to improve. Thank you to all our students and staff who supported this event.

Jodi Hyland

Year 11/12 HPE Lawn Bowls

Homework Club

Great to see so many students and staff at homework club each week. Assessment time is coming up so take the opportunity to get some extra help on Mondays and Thursday afternoons until 4.30pm. Please note parents and students are to make their own arrangements to be picked up early from homework club otherwise it finishes at 4.30pm.

SGSHS Athletics Carnival 20 June 2022

Balonne District Sport

There is now a Facebook page dedicated to providing information about district sport. Please like and follow Balonne District School Sport Noticeboard for updates.

SW Soccer 12 & Under

Eli Champion, Josie Beeson and Haylee Robertson were part of the Balonne team that trialled at the South West trials in Chinchilla last week.

Arthur Beetson/Ali Brigginshaw 9s Rugby League

Boys and girls from Years 7-12 had been participating in training sessions on Monday and Wednesday afternoons in the lead up to the 9s Footy carnival which was held in Roma last week. Students had been coached by Miss Rathie and Mr Nowlan to prepare them for another great year of footy after winning both the 7/8 Boys and 9/10 Boys divisions in 2021.

Vicki Wilson Netball Toowoomba

Good luck to the students selected in the St George State High School netball teams who are playing today in Toowoomba at the Vicki Wilson competition. Senior:- Michelle Hams, Emalie Hams, Grace Waters, Skye Kann, Brigitte Brunner, Kelsey Weribone, Kaitlin Sheedy, Emma-Leigh Turnbull-Bennett, Montana Cochrane. Juniors:- Abby Holt, Sophie Kings, Bree Arnall, Penny Wilkinson, Katie Turnbull, Georgie Nelson, Lillian Stenhouse, Nequwa Collins, Haylee Robertson, Claire Stenhouse.

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 EFTPOS, cash or direct deposit. Any questions please email pandc@stgeorgeshs.eq.edu.au

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

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

All welcome to attend!

Community Notices

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