11 November 2022

Newsletter Articles

2023 School Captains Announced

The 2023 School Captains have been announced and we would like to congratulate the following students:-

School Captains:-

Vice Captains:-

2023 House Captains

Congratulations to the following students who were announced House Captains for 2023! The battle of the shield for House Champion will be on!!!

From Acting Principal

Welcome to our school newsletter. We are in Week 6 with only 4 weeks left of Term 4.

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

PBL Focus. We are respectful: We respect the rights of teachers to teach and students to learn. Recently we have been looking at our PBL data which shows things like when the most incidents occur at school. Unfortunately, the most number of major incidents occur in play or break time. With students carrying over an incident back up to the assembly or tuckshop area. The good point about this is that the teaching and learning environment is not being disrupted to a significant degree. One of the catch 22 situations however, is that when as an executive group, we look at making constructive change to the timetable such as shortening classes, all the behaviour incidents occur when students are out of class. Thus the question has to be asked, is giving students more changeover time just going to create an increasing number of behaviour issues.

Year 12 External Assessment: The Year 12s will very shortly finish their exams for ATAR subjects. Can I remind parents and carers that if students still have assessment to submit for Vocational Education subjects or to attain their QCE, then they still come to school.

Lead Principal and other positions: If you are able to look at the Smartjobs website you will see advertised several St George positions. The Principal one being the permanent Deputy Principals advertisement and two temporary contract Deputy Principal positions. Please ensure that anyone you think is suitable for the position in your circle of acquaintances is aware of the available positions.

Celebration of Success:

Ex St George State High School Student, Kamilaroi woman and University of Southern Queensland Alumnus Jennie Waters (Brown) has made a career out of ensuring the voices of Indigenous peoples are heard and valued – and now her efforts have been officially recognised.

At a special event hosted by UniSQ Alumnus, ABC television’s Jenny Woodward, Jennie Waters was announced as the University of Southern Queensland 2022 Alumnus of the Year. Below is the link to the full article.

Lily Brimblecombes Dream takes flight at USQ. Another great article on ex-student Lily Brimblecombe.

We also noted in our Murri Service Providers meeting that one of our ex students Miss Chelsea Beardmore was representing Lifeline.

Principal’s Recognition

The community/family members are invited to nominate a student for a Principal’s Recognition Award. The criteria for the Principal’s Recognition Award is for a student who has outstanding success in activities beyond the school arena. Please send nominations to the school by Tuesday 15 November via email admin@stgeorgeshs.eq.edu.au

Volunteers 2023

Volunteer / Retired Mechanics wanted in the 2023 school year.

St George State High School will be engaging Volunteer / Retired Mechanics to mentor students in 2023. Blue Card and a Criminal History check will be required.

Please contact the school principal for more details.

Rob Nowlan.

From Acting Deputy Principal

It is hard to believe that we are over half way through Term 4. Year 12s have almost completed their assessment and are ready to graduate next week.

Please note that formal uniform days next week will be Monday and Friday so that all students will be in their formal wear to see off the year 12s on Friday and so uniforms are clean and ready to go for Awards night on Wednesday.

Our main focus this term is “Be Respectful”. This week we have been looking at respecting others right to learn. It is wonderful to walk around the school and see students engaged in classes. There have been some students who do the wrong thing in class and the process that we follow for these students is that they are sent to another class to complete their work. This is to allow the class to return to the teaching and learning. This process is followed up with contact home and checking in to make sure that the student still has access to the teaching.

We are looking forward to Awards night where we celebrate academic and cultural success. I know I am looking forward to seeing the recipients of some of our special awards and invite parents and families to attend and support their students.

For any questions or concerns you may have regarding your students please email me at daddi4@eq.edu.au or call 4620 8222.

Mrs Deborah Addison

From Acting HoD Senior Secondary

Year 12

I have noticed recently that the smiles on the Year 12s faces are growing bigger and bigger as more and more students are finishing all their external exams and assessment. Not long now and you will all be free to manage your days however you see fit. Just a reminder that all Year 12s should be returning their textbooks at the completion of their assessment. Next Wednesday students will start an alternative program that begins with attending a special Year 12 farewell mass at St Patrick’s Primary School. Students need to be at school before 8:45am and wearing their formal school uniform. Students are able to get changed into casual clothes when they return to school so that their uniforms are ready for Awards Night that night. A program for the rest of the alternative program went home a few weeks ago.

Year 11

Last week our Year 11 students sat their exam block to finalise all their assessment for 2022. Students have now started learning new Unit 3 material. For this reason, it is important for students to continue to attend school right up until the end of Week 8 so they don’t miss out on key content and knowledge.

Year 10

Only one week left until our Year 10 students head off camp to Emu Gully. This is a wonderful camp that really encourages students to step outside their comfort zones. Thank you to Miss Jess Embrey for all her work organising the camp. We can’t wait to see all the amazing photos and hear all the wonderful stories when everyone returns.

Angela Garner

From Senior Year Level Coordinator

It is extremely important to celebrate the successes in our school. We have two students I would like to highlight for their recent outstanding achievements.

Shontayne Prince left St George on September 29 to head to Sydney. Shontayne will be completing pre-season with the Under 19s Dragons NRL squad. From there, Shontayne will play three trial matches to see if he makes it in to the 2023 squad. St George is backing you, Shontayne!

Last week, Ashleigh Ferguson travelled to Brisbane for the Rural Inspire program as a Rural Youth Ambassador. She was then selected as an outstanding student to receive a fully funded trip to Canberra over the summer holidays, to further address concerns of rural and remote students in education. The program will provide the opportunity to meet with senior government officials and politicians, as well as encourage the ambassadors to represent rural and remote young people from across the country.

Our Year 12 Senior Leader process has begun, with Braxston Beardmore, Ashleigh Ferguson, Grace Waters and Seamus Lamb speaking to students about why they would make fantastic leaders of our school.

These students have undergone a panel interview, written to selection criteria, and received a teacher referral. The St George SHS cohort then had the opportunity to vote and elect their leaders for 2023.

Congratulations to our new school captains for 2023: Ashleigh Ferguson and Seamus Lamb.

Congratulations to our new school vice captains for 2023: Braxston Beardmore and Grace Waters.

Year 10 Camp is also coming up very quickly! In Week 8, from Monday 21 November, our students will be travelling to Emu Gully.

This adventure and leadership camp helps to build skills, confidence and connections. Students not attending will be expected to be at school with an alternative program running.

I am absolutely looking forward to joining the Year 10s for a week of mud, skirmish and plenty of challenges.

As the end of the school year gets closer, it is important to remember that assessment and due dates are crucial. Make sure you are aware of your exam and assessment schedule, and work towards managing your time effectively, to minimise your stress levels. If you need any help with any assessments, remember Homework Club happens every Monday and Thursday afternoon in the library.

Looking forward to a successful end of Term 4.

Jessica Embrey

10B HASS

Recently, the school rolled out laptops for all the Year 9 and10 students. This inititive has been well received by all the said students. The students can take the laptops home and manage their school work off site if required e.g catch up using One Note, finish homework, receive assistance from their teachers. The two school computer rooms have now been freed up for the other Junior classes.

Some of the positive feedback from 10B to date:

‘Great for doing research’ Hayley B

‘I’m not a great writer so the technology is there for me to use to instead of a pen’ Kaidien W

‘I feel like a Senior’ Kallum O

‘The laptop is reliable and easy to carry around. I don’t need so many books.’ Chris G

‘I use the app AB Tutor to make sure the students are on task’ Mrs D-M

Mrs Lou Dowling-Manns

10/11 Hospitality

Last Wednesday saw the Year 10/11 Hospitality students finally host their alternative drop luncheon, and what a success it was! Students catered for 20 guests made up of our wonderful staff. The menu was planned, the table was set and the students really delivered a fantastic meal!

Our main course consisted of a delicious butter chicken served with rice and naan as well as some freshly made chilli chicken sushi. Staff even commented on how professional looking and tasty our sushi was! A real winner. The students also modified their dishes to cater for staff members with food intolerances including a pescatarian option as well as gluten and lactose free options.

Our dessert options included a traditional pavlova served with seasonal fruits and sweetened cream or baked churros served with a chocolate dipping sauce. Both options were standout conclusions to a delicious meal.

Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to take any action photos during our lunch service as we were all just so busy!

The Hospitality students were the real standouts with every single person really giving their all! Well done everyone!

Jodi Hyland

Ag Plot

Year 7 Ag:

The Year 7s have been working hard in the garden as part of their horticulture unit. The students were very excited to harvest some beetroot and lettuce that they had planted from seed. The Year 7 class has shown great team work and excellent behaviour down at the Ag plot throughout this term.

Shearing update:

Our shearing students put their skills from camp to use as they shore our school sheep last week. The students worked as a team to crutch and shear all the sheep whilst maintaining the equipment and showing excellent sheep handling skills. Mr Nowlan and Pete Riley also came down to show the students that no matter how long since you’ve picked up a hand piece, you won’t forget it.

Ag Practices:

The Year 11/12 Ag practices have been working towards their final assessment for the year which focuses on fencing. The students have taken down and built fences for livestock management as well as focussing on the safety processes involved with fencing.

Caitlin Crowe

Getting To Know……… Mr Murphy

Blast From The Past

Senior Dux

Basketball Brendan Teys

St George State High School had an awesome morning with Brendan Teys who has been playing professional basketball for over a decade for the Gold Coast Blaze, Townsville Crocodiles and the Adelaide 36ers in the Australian NBL. Brendan ran drills and students were taught new skills. Thank you to Care Balonne for organising this visit.

Lunchtime Basketball Qld Police

Great to see our local Qld Police Officers mixing with our students at lunchtime and putting their skills to work taking on our Basketball Kings & Queens of the Court.

ADF Visit

On Thursday the Year 10 and 11 students had the privilege of the Australian Defence Force visiting as part of their visit for the town’s Remembrance Day ceremony. The session included listening to their talk about options and experience in the ADF and then a question and answer session.

P&C News

The School Awards Night is being held next week at the Cultural Centre and the P&C has offered to provide tea and coffee after the event for those attending. We are asking parents and carers to bring along a plate to be shared. We also ask P&C members to assist in serving at the event. It’s great to see our Awards Night back at the Cultural Centre and we look forward to seeing you all there.

This year is fast coming to a close and the P&C has decided to close the Tuckshop from the end of Week 8 due to the low numbers of students attending in the final weeks of school. We apologise for any inconvenience, but this will allow us to stocktake and ready the Tuckshop for the new school year. We will advise of uniform days for the new year in coming newsletters.

To the Year 12s who graduate next week we wish you all the very best for your future adventures! Have fun exploring the big wide world!

Julie Davies
SGSHS P&C President

Formal Uniform

The formal uniform is worn every Monday, Wednesday (unless notified differently) and on special occasions. The P&C Uniform shop has all the formal uniform items available for sale on Tuesdays and Thursdays with Eftpos or cash payment accepted. The formal uniform consists of:-

Females – white blouse, grey Skirt (can still wear maroon skirt if that’s what you already have) or grey shorts, white socks and black shoes.

(Maroon shorts are not part of the formal uniform – grey shorts are available at the canteen should females wish to wear shorts).

Males – white shirt, grey shorts, grey socks and black shoes.

Calendar

South West Triathlon Team 2023

Congratulations to the following students on their selection in the South West Triathlon team to compete in Hervey Bay February 2023. Sienna Beardmore, Georgie Nelson, Josie Small, Lillian and Claire Stenhouse. The girls will be training hard over the Christmas period for the following:-

500m Swim – 15km Bike – 4km Run :- Sienna, Georgie, Josie and Lillian.
300m Swim – 10km Bike – 2km Run:- Claire

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