22 July 2022

Newsletter Articles

From The Principal

Welcome - Welcome back to school for Term 3 of our school year. This term has already started out busily with lots of activities and new enrolments happening.

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

We are Respectful: What does respect mean? As a student in any situation, unless your dignity or integrity are questioned, we should be showing respect to persons given the responsibility of authority. These include, but are not limited to, parents, teachers, emergency services, management et cetera. I often find it interesting that in our society today Ambulance Officers and Nurses have major problems with violence often not from the victim but from the friends or bystanders. Surely any reasonable human being could see that an Ambulance Officer or a Nurse addressing a medical situation is there to help. Respect on our schools sheet of mantras, indicates at all times, we use polite language, we accept individual differences, we co-operate with staff and other students. In the classroom we respect the rights of others to learn, we respect the rights of teachers to teach. We are honest.

Doctor’s Surgery: Today marks the opening of the Doctor’s Surgery in the skills centre. The surgery will be open on Thursday mornings for students who have made an appointment. Hopefully the surgery will provide a service of prevention and how to cure through preventative practices rather than cure of issues already a major problem. Our students will have a small tour of the practice and meet the doctors during the initial stages of organisation. Thankyou for all who have been involved in the organisation and setup from Ms Withers to the Benn family. Your efforts are much appreciated.

Instructional Coaching: In Week 4 we have Nicole McTigue coming to school from the Centre for Learning and Wellbeing (CLaW). She will be working with some of our staff around Observation and Feedback which is one of our Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) focusses for the year.

Tic Tok: As you all know the wonderful world of social media is a minefield that we need to be very careful of when traversing. Unfortunately, it has been just been revealed that Tik Tok who is actually a Chinese company/platform gleans all of its patrons information from your phone when you use the App. There are some privacy issues there that I would find concerning if I was using it.

Camp Draft Bar Catering: The P&C are catering for the bar at the upcoming campdraft. The P&C will need help with shifts on the bar on Friday afternoon, Friday night the 16 of September and Saturday afternoon and evening 17 of September. All help will be greatly appreciated.

Truck Pull: The P&C are organising the BBQ for the Thallon Truck Pull on Saturday 27 of August. Any help would be greatly appreciated. If you are like me and thought you needed a truck to enter, look up the Thallon Truck Pull on YouTube to see what it is all about. Get your teams sorted and entered. Whilst we are on the P&C a big shout out to Mr Scott Brimblecombe for his efforts in picking up broken bales of cotton and organising donations of cotton seed for P&C fundraising and the school Agriculture Dept.

Uniform Expectations: I often look out at the Year 12 jumpers and think how great they look (even though they are Maroon). The school has an excellent uniform which is extremely versatile especially in the junior years. One of the gradual implementation programs I think, we as a community should be looking at, is the phasing out of the American Baseball caps. They just do not give our students enough coverage of sun protection on the face and ears, even in winter. The two primary schools in town do a great job implementing the “Bucket Hats” policy. We as a high school community really need to look at the transition of bucket hats into the High School.

Australian Cotton Gin Excursion: Our Agriculture students recently went on a Cotton Gin tour with Miss Crowe. Cotton Australian produced a little video of the students’ experience which they have uploaded onto their website.

Sunrise Saturday Morning on Seven: Our “Shearing Camp” has hit the headlines in the news media. Miss Crowe has organised for Channel Seven to do an item on our shearing camp which will be broadcast on the Saturday morning program. Shearing camp students will be going to Charleville on Wednesday afternoon, to be interviewed on Thursday morning. Well done Miss Crowe.

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 Deputy Principal

FACE MASKS

Currently, there is no public health requirement for wearing a face mask in schools except in certain circumstances (e.g. for 7 days after having COVID-19, or being a close contact).

You are a close contact if:

• you live with a person that has COVID-19 or
• you have been with a person that has COVID-19 for more than four hours in a house or other accommodation.

Wearing masks in state schools is a personal decision for individuals to make and any staff member or student who wishes to wear a face mask will be supported to do so.

YEAR 6 TRANSITION DATES

Please be aware of the Year 6 transition dates.

The parent walkthroughs are for parents to see the school and how we operate.

SCHOOL OPINION SURVEY

The school opinion survey is available for parents to complete. An email has been sent to the email address recorded here at school that has the link to complete the survey.

REPORT CARDS

All parents/guardians should have received the Semester I report card. If you have any questions or queries about the report cards or you wish to discuss your child’s progress with a teacher, please contact the main office.

Nicole Hyland

School Opinion Survey 2022

The School Opinion Survey is open until Friday, 12 August 2022.

To have your say, check your email for an invitation from the Department of Education titled School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2022.

Can’t find your invitation? If your family has more than one parent/caregiver, check that they haven’t received the invitation and/or check your junk email folder.

From Acting HoD Junior Secondary

I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the Acting Head of Department for Junior Schooling. I am very excited to be given this opportunity to work with all students in the junior school, their parents/guardians and staff at St George SHS.

A little bit about who I am. I am a local St George Kamilaroi woman. I have been working at the high school for 12 years, 5 years as CEC and 7 years as a teacher. Throughout my teaching journey I have taught across 7-12 in the areas of mathematics, science, humanities, HPE and Indigenous language. I have also had the experience of stepping into the role of acting HOD of Junior Schooling multiple times. While this role isn’t new to me, I know I have huge shoes to fill in the absence of Mrs Amy Knights. I would like to wish Amy and Cameron all the best as they welcome baby ‘Knights’ into the world.

My main goal as HOD of Junior Schooling is to build a professional, positive and supportive relationship with the school and community. As a local, I have a strong passion for success of our school. I will ensure an equal, positive and successful learning environment for all students and I commit to supporting the great team of staff around me.

There are some important pieces of information that I would like to share with you and I kindly ask you and your child/ren to read through these;

Timetable: Please insure your child has checked their timetable as there may be some changes for Semester Two electives.

Equipment: Please encourage your child to bring ALL required equipment for each subject and that they are ready for learning each and every day.

Uniform: Please ensure your child has the CORRECT school uniform for Term 3 and following our school uniform policy, that includes; our school shirt, maroon shorts, maroon jumper and maroon trackpants. Winter clothing is to be fully maroon and only have school logos on it.

Best wishes for a smooth and happy Term 3. I look forward to working with you all to ensure an engaging, happy and successful learning space for your child/ren. Please contact me by email kweat17@eq.edu.au or phone the school with any questions, concerns, or suggestions.

Kym Weatherall

From Head of Special Education

NCCD (Nationally Consistent Collection of Data)

All students have the right to a quality learning experience at school. Students with disability must be able to take part in education without discrimination and on the same basis as other students. To ensure this, schools must make reasonable adjustments if needed for students with disability. Educators, students, parents, guardians, carers and others (eg health professionals) must work together to ensure that students with disability can take part in education.

An adjustment is an action to help a student with disability take part in education on the same basis as other students. Adjustments can be made across the whole school (eg ramps into school buildings), in the classroom (eg adapting teaching methods) or for individual student needs (eg providing personal care support). These adjustments are implemented in consultation with families, students and specialists.

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) takes place every year, in all schools across the nation, during August.

The NCCD is a collection that counts:

• the number of school students receiving an adjustment or ‘help’ due to disability
• the level of adjustment they are receiving to access education on the same basis as other students.

Students are counted in the NCCD if they receive ongoing adjustments at school due to disability. This ‘help’ allows them to access education on the same basis as a child without disability. The NCCD uses the definition of disability in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Schools provide this information to education authorities.

This data collection ensures that information collected is transparent, consistent and reliable. It also provides better information that allows parents, guardians, carers, teachers, principals, education authorities and government to better understand and support students with disability.

A student is counted in the NCCD if they receive reasonable adjustments at school due to disability. Each year, schools collect the following information about the student, including:

• their year of schooling
• the level of adjustment received
• the broad type of disability.

For more information on Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD), please follow the link below.

Imputing Disability

An imputed disability is an undiagnosed disability the school team considers a student to have that is having a functional impact on their learning. Support staff have had, or will have, conversations with families about students who require additional supports to ensure they are able to access the curriculum. All students who meet NCCD criteria, including those with imputed disability, must be included in the annual Census.

For more information on imputing disability, please follow the link below.

What can you do?

Families can help keep information current and adjustments appropriate and effective by sharing reports/programmes and recommendations from specialists and therapists. These reports allow staff to implement recommendations to improve curriculum access and ensure consistency for your student. The school is able to provide feedback on school engagement, participation, academic and behaviour records/observations for therapeutic purposes for upcoming appointments for specialists. Please contact the office promptly with appointment information to allow time for this to be put together for your student. If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact the Student Support Team, via the office.

Alison Fisher
Head of Special Education (HoSES - Balonne Cluster)

From The Junior YLC

Welcome back to Semester 2!

I am excited to announce that for the remainder of the year I will be filling in the role of the Junior (Year 7-9) School Year Level Co-ordinator.

I am originally from Boonah, QLD and moved to St George three years ago to begin my teaching career. I soon realised how much this town has to offer and quickly decided that this is where I wanted to stay. I teach English and Humanities, with a passion for History! I also love getting out and about at lunch times playing handball and other various activities with students.

My role as Year Level Co-ordinator will be supporting the wellbeing of all students by liaising with HODs, students, parents and carers, addressing concerns when they are raised and being available day to day to support students. I will be working closely with the HODs and the Senior YLC to promote positive wellbeing and engagement within the school, the correct student uniform, focussing on improving attendance and promoting the idea that ‘every day counts’. Jess Embrey and I will also be working to continue to build our positive school culture through our Gundi Group competitions.

Student can access me throughout the day, as I am based in the G-Block Staffroom; however, I will also be out and about before school and during lunch breaks.

Parents and carers, you can also contact me via the school (07) 4620 8222 or email bherm23@eq.edu.au with any concerns or questions you may have about your students.

I look forward to an exciting term ahead, remembering that every day counts!

Rebecca Herrmann

Junior Leaders

Meet our Junior Leaders of 2022:-

Penny Wilkinson

Favourite Colour:- Green
Favourite Day Of Week:- Tuesday
Favourite Holiday Destination:- Yamba
Favourite Food:- Sushi
Favourite Novel:- Memories Of An Imaginary Friend
Favourite Sport (Play or Spectator):- Netball
Favourite School Subject:- English/ Humanities- History

Josie Small

Favourite Colour:- Blue
Favourite Day Of Week:- Saturday
Favourite Holiday Destination:- Beach
Favourite Food:- Nacho's
Favourite Novel:- Twilight
Favourite Movie:- The Vampire Diaries (TV shows)
Favourite Sport (Play or Spectator):- Swimming
Favourite School Subject:- ITD

Year 7 Student Of The Week

Congratulations to Sigrid McCosker and Layla Weatherall. The students received their award for always being Responsible, always working hard in all of their classes and exemplary behaviour and effort in all classes.

Year 9 Manual Arts

The Year 9 Manual Art students were busy last term making stools. Well done Year 9s they look great!

Kylie Whitaker

Year 9 Ag Cotton Gin Visit

STEM – Kaitlin Sheedy

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to express my thanks for allowing Kaitlin to attend the STEM camp at Columboola. It was great to work with her and she is a credit to her parents and school. I look forward to working with her again in the future.

Nicole McTigue
Principal Advisor: Teaching and Learning
Tara-Roma-Maranoa-Balonne Clusters

Year 10 Science

This term in Year 10 science we are learning about Physics. Last week 10A investigated forces with balloons and constructed "air powered rockets" by releasing balloons attached to a straw on a string. It was very exciting watching the balloons travel across the classroom! We will build on this by investigating trolleys travelling down ramps in the upcoming weeks.

Vanessa Beavan

Aspire To Health

On Wednesday 13 July, Year 9 and 10 students had the opportunity to attend the Aspire2Health program. This was a great practical day where the students were able to see what some of the different jobs within the health industry deal with.

It was fun to see students engaging with midwifes, nurses, doctors and occupational therapists to name a few. The students all enjoyed the day from having a lot of fun wearing a pregnancy belly to the serious business of filling and giving a needle. It was such a great day and we look forward to students taking part in this program next year.

Deborah Addison

10A English

This term 10A English are delving into the world of Shakespeare by studying the play ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Recently students participated in a team scavenger hunt to find hidden Shakespeares around the library in order to find out information and answer questions about the life of Shakespeare and his inspiration for the play. We are looking forward to learning about the consequences of rushing into decisions as we read the play in class.

Angela Garner

Think The Drink

On Friday 15 July Year 11 and 12 students attended a program called 'Think the Drink' this was a great day with presentations from Life Flight, Red Frogs, LIVIN and a hands on demonstration of our emergency services. Students also had the chance to wear beer goggles and attempt to walk in a line or give high fives.

Thank you to Michael Redden from South West Hospital and Health Services for the organisation of this event.

Deborah Addison

Year 12 Formal

Our Year 12 Formal is fast approaching for 2022! (77 days, but who’s counting?)

Students are eagerly preparing for the special evening, especially now that Wednesday mornings are reserved for formal dancing.

I hope our invited guests are looking forward to seeing our students shimmy and shake after weeks of preparation!

An extra special thank you must go to Miss Tatham-Joyce for her help choreographing the dance and teaching our Year 12s their important steps.

We are all looking forward to a milestone evening at the Cultural Centre.

Jessica Embrey

GP based at St George State High School

St George State High School are one of the many Queensland Schools that now are part of the GP pilot program designed to have a GP once a week based at the Skills Centre to provide students access to timely healthcare, at no cost to them or their families. It is hoped that providing this service will have a positive impact on students’ health, mental health and their readiness and ability to engage at school.

• A GP will visit the St George Skills Centre every Thursday for High School students to see 8.30am to 2.45pm
• The GP’s available to see will be Dr Karen Benn and Dr Ben Brimblecombe (2006 Senior Dux and School Captain at SGSHS)
• Students are able to make appointments themselves by attending the Skills Centre before school or in scheduled breaks. They can ring St George Medical Centre on 46255344 to book in.
• Offering all areas of general medicine as well as health assessments, skin checks, sports injuries and mental health.

SGSHS Dignity Vending Machine

Lack of access to sanitary products can lead to young people missing school in order to manage their period. Further, many young people do not have a good understanding of their periods and how they affect their bodies, which can contribute to shame and embarrassment.

To support Queensland school students to access sanitary products and improve their understanding of menstruation, the Queensland Government has partnered with Share the Dignity

Following the early success of the Share the Dignity in Queensland Schools initiative to provide Dignity Vending Machines in 120 schools, the initiative has now been expanded to support all Queensland state school sites to have a Dignity Vending Machine.

Commencing in July 2022, the expanded initiative will support all Queensland state schools, outdoor and environmental education centres, and student residential facilities to have a Dignity Vending Machine installed at their school to provide free sanitary products to students. Ongoing funding has been committed to ensure Dignity Vending Machines installed in Queensland state school sites are maintained and stocked.

Through the expanded initiative, all Queensland state and non-state schools will have ongoing free access to the Period Talk education program to build students' understanding of menstruation and the impact of periods.

Providing students with access to free sanitary products and period education will contribute to students' wellbeing, their readiness to engage positively at school, and reduce the shame and stigma associated with menstruation.

Dignity Vending Machines

Dignity Vending Machines (DVMs) installed in schools dispense free period packs (6 tampons and 2 pads) to students on demand. Share the Dignity provides the free period packs for schools to re-stock DVMs as required.

There are 62 schools (including 53 state schools and 9 non-state schools) selected to receive a DVM through the initial Expression of Interest (EOI). St George State High School is one of these schools. Schools were selected based on identification of a suitable location in their school for the DVM, and their level of need to supply free sanitary products to students.

A second EOI process will open early in Semester 2 2022. An additional seven non-state schools will be selected for a DVM through this process.

Under the expanded initiative, Queensland state schools no longer need to apply to have a DMV installed at their school. Further information will be provided to state schools in the coming weeks about how they can access a DMV as part of the expanded initiative.

Period Talk

Through the expanded Share the Dignity in Queensland Schools initiative, all Queensland schools will have ongoing free access to the Period Talk education program. Developed by Talk Revolution, the program is designed to educate students in Years 5 to 8 about menstruation and the impact of periods. Topics include: menstrual cycles, types of sanitary products, managing periods, nutrition, period pain and when to seek help from the doctor, cultural factors, and the impact of periods from a human rights and environmental perspective.

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.

South West Softball 12 & Under

Congratulations to Josie Beeson who was selected in the South West Softball team recently. Josie will now participate at the State Trials in Ipswich.

Balonne Girls Rugby League 12 & Under

Congratulations and good luck to Layla Weatherall who will be trialling at the South West Rugby League trials today.

Balonne Track & Field 12 & Under

Last Friday the Balonne Track & Field was held at St George State High School with students competing from St Pats, State Primary, Hebel, Thallon, Begonia, Dirranbandi and Distant Education. St George State High School had eight students competing being Andrew Sheedy, Billy Ward, Jairra Binge, Fihi Fisiihoi, Amelia Horneman, Layla Weatherall, Josie Beeson and Claire Stenhouse.

A special thank you needs to be given to Candice Cross and her son Bryn Cross who ran the canteen at the carnival on behalf of the St George SHS P&C.

South West Track & Field

The following students have been selected in the Balonne Track & Field team to compete at the South West trials in Chinchilla 31 August & 1 September.

Jairra Binge, Andrew Sheedy, Billy Ward, Fihi Fisiihoi, Claire Stenhouse, Brodie Ferguson, Tyson Mumford, Sienna Saunders, Bree Arnall, Danii-Elle Mellifont, Sienna Beardmore, Kahlela Prince, Kallum Oliver, Isaac Kann, Sam Rollins, Nequwa Collins, Kaitlin Sheedy, Emalie Hams, Laila Rudd, Jacob Hiles, Amdes Saunders, Kelsey Weribone, Sharon Pearce, Josiah Timmer, Shontayne Prince, Jess Parkes, Matilda Fry, Ruben Davis.

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:-

15 August
19 September
17 October
21 November

All welcome to attend!

Careers News

The website below provides information on how to apply to Universities, guides to courses, closing dates and the prerequisites required to enter courses.

Many of the Universities have Open days coming up soon. Some are offered online.

Year 12 students will soon be receiving their hard copy QTAC guide.

Open days:

For more information please make an appointment to see Mrs Annette McLean- Guidance Officer or Mrs Deb Addison- Head of Department Senior. Ph: 46208222

Community Notices

The Rugby Speech Coach is coming to ST GEORGE 3pm Sunday 24th July at St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, St George Qld. This is the last speed clinic in the region for 2022. Learn my 4 steps to Explosive SPEED that has turned slow and sluggish players into FAST and EXPLOSIVE players.

Improve your child’s – Explosive Speed, Quickness, Power, Strength, Mobility.

What your child does between the age of 8-16 years will determine if they will be FAST!

Price: $60 per player
Wear: Training attire, wear footy boots (or sneakers) and sunscreen
Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat and ensure you've had a good meal prior to sustain your energy throughout the clinic
Book: You must register online
Registrations are now open. Book by clicking on the below link and get FAST for 2022

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