10 February 2022

Newsletter Articles

Lily Brimblecombe Senior Dux 2021

On Wednesday Lily Brimblecombe was presented the John Curtin Medallion by Acting Principal Robert Nowlan for being awarded Senior Dux 2021. Lily will be heading to USQ Toowoomba to study Bachelor of Aviation and Majoring in Flight Operation. Lily is hoping to become an International Pilot. Best of luck Lily, the sky is the limit!

From The Principal

Welcome - Welcome back to all students / staff / parents and carers. Hopefully after all the disruptions we can spend the rest of the term with relatively minimal interruption.

New Teachers and Students: We welcome to our staff Ms Deanne Harris who will be working with Mrs Hyland, Miss Georgia Tatham Joyce French / Drama and IT, Mr Jeremy Synot English / Humanities, Miss April McLaren PE / Science, Mr Sam Holloway Maths/ Science, Mr Ben Murphy Art .

Of course we welcome many new students to the school.

School Mantras: Be Safe / Be Respectful / Be Prepared / Be Responsible. These are great values, each and everyone one of them embodying most of which we would want to be exemplified in our own children.

BE SAFE, you would not think it would be that hard, however when I see some of those magnificent athletes at the Winter Olympics flying through the sky, I often think of their safety and when you hear the injuries they have had to endure it gives an indication that their sport is not that safe. Suffice to say, in our context especially when riding bikes or dealing with traffic,“ A moments patience could save a lifetime of pain” please be careful when walking and riding to school.

Positive Behaviour for Learning PBL : It was excellent to see the PBL strategies being implemented in classrooms from Day 1. This week’s PBL expectation is “Be Prepared. We are ready to learn.” As parents I realise it is difficult to ensure every “I” is dotted and every “T” is crossed however could I please ask that we make sure that your student has a blue or black pen, a red pen, a ruler and any other writing materials they might need during the day for specialist subjects.

It was great to see on my morning classroom walk that most students have all they need through parental or carer influence or the resource scheme.

Swimming Carnival: Thank you to all those who are working hard to make the swimming carnival a success. I hope the day goes well for all and we have nice weather. Teachers this year will be having a 4 x 50m relay against students from the three houses Leichhardt, Mitchell and Nixon. The P & C, parents and any other outside agencies are all encouraged to enter a team. Obviously with the talent and class of the teachers we will win this event easily.

COVID Protocols: As per Qld Govt regulations, we are adhering to the COVID protocols and the directions we receive from Regional Office. Students and staff are required to wear their masks when they are walking around however when seated as long as they are socially distancing at 1.5 metres, students and staff can remove their mask.

If a teacher or a student develops symptoms at school, they are to isolate immediately and be picked up from school (students) or go home after collecting a RAT kit from the office.

Should the RAT analysis be positive, the patient should isolate and organise a PCR test with a medical facility capable of completing this type of screening. The isolation period for a positive PCR test is 7 days.

Should the RAT test show a negative result, students and staff should stay at home until the symptoms have abated.

School Fees / Excursion Fees: If you have overdue school fees including excursions from 2021 or before, can you please come to the school office with a payment or to make arrangements to begin a payment plan. We have quite a few outstanding balances that need to be reconciled as soon as possible for auditing. Thankyou for your diligence in this matter.

School 2021 DUX: It was Ms Hyland’s and my great pleasure to present Lily Brimblecombe with the Academic Excellence award for 2021. Lily told me she is going to the University of Southern Qld Toowoomba to study aviation as she wishes to become a commercial pilot. The Award was sponsored by Balonne Shire Council.

Communication with School: The school has many methods of communication which include the Newsletter, a Facebook site, letters home and text messages. Should you wish to communicate with the school on a particular matter please don’t hesitate to contact the ladies in the office.

Rob Nowlan.

From Deputy Principal

Uniform

Formal uniforms days are Monday and Wednesday for Term 1. The P&C has formal uniforms in stock for you to purchase. Please ensure your student brings a hat to school. As part of the Education Queensland sun safe policy, all students must wear a hat if they are outdoors.

Swimming Carnival

Please mark on your calendar the date of the swimming carnival: Friday 11 February. Unfortunately, due to the COVID situation, parents/carers are unable to attend this event.

Students Not Returning

If your student is not returning to St George SHS this year we need to know. If they are enrolled at another school, please phone the office and let them know. Students can leave school when they finish year 10 or turn 16, however, they must also be employed (minimum of 25 hrs/week), or be involved in further study or training. The school requires evidence of this before students can be removed from the roll. This can be as simple as a letter from the employer stating that your student is employed a minimum of 25 hrs/week. Please call the office if you require assistance with this.

Lions Youth of the Year

The interviews for this event will occur at the St George SHS Rec Centre on Sunday 27 February. The speeches will occur in the Rec Centre on Tuesday 1 March. COVID conditions apply including social distancing at these events.

Masks

Please ensure that your student has a mask when they come to school each day. It is mandated that students must wear masks during the day at certain times. The school has a limited supply of masks to provide students that do not have masks. Your assistance with this would be very much appreciated.

Public Health Direction

From 7 February to 4 March schools will implement COVID-safe measures. Key features of this plan are: -

• Limiting visitors on school sites, with exceptions for parents and carers of students experiencing vulnerability, and all students attending Early Childhood Development Programs, Kindergarten, Prep or Year 1.
• Priority access to Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) at Queensland Health testing clinics.
• Suspension of school camps, excursions, assemblies and large gatherings.
• Mandatory mask wearing for staff in all schools, and all high school students.
• Limiting face to face staff meetings, professional development and face to face parent-teacher interviews.

If you are sick/symptomatic

• To keep our school communities COVID-19 safe, students and staff must not attend school if they are unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms.
• Staff and students should attend their local Queensland Health testing clinic where they will be prioritised to receive a rapid antigen test (RAT).
• If the test result is negative and the staff member or student is well, they can return to school. If the test is positive, the staff member or student will need to follow Queensland Heath quarantine and isolation requirements.

If you become symptomatic at school

• Students will be immediately isolated in a safe place, and their parents or carers will be contacted to collect their child.
• When the student is collected, the parent or carer will receive a RAT to administer at home.
• Staff members will immediately leave the school and be provided with a RAT to administer at home.
• If the test result is negative and the student or staff member is well, they can return to school. If the test is positive, they will need to follow Queensland Health quarantine and isolation requirements.

Face masks

All high school students including those who are under 12 years of age, all school staff, along with volunteers, family members, contractors and other visitors are required to wear masks while at school. Face masks may be removed in some circumstances.

School Leaders Induction Postponed To 9 March at 9am

The School Leaders Induction will be postponed at this stage to 9 March at 9am pending further instructions from the Premier. From 7 February to 4 March there is a suspension on all school camps, excursions, assemblies and large gatherings. Further information will be given once to hand.

New Staff

Shannon Rasmussen (School Nurse) - I am from Canada originally and I moved to the South West nearly 5 years ago with my husband and 4 children. I am a registered nurse and a TAFE teacher, and I have worked mostly across the community and the disability sectors. I am studying my Master's degree so I can also relate to still being a student! When I'm not chasing after my minions or studying, I enjoy dabbling in photography and I love listening to music - I have rather eclectic tastes so will listen to pretty much anything! I am passionate about health and well-being, especially in a rural context, as there are additional barriers to accessing appropriate healthcare and support. I think breaking down barriers and making services approachable and inclusive is integral to being able to effectively support our communities and empower individuals around their health and well-being. I am looking forward to getting to know everyone and working with the students, staff, and community of St. George High School throughout 2022 and beyond! My email address is sbyhn-stgeorge@health.qld.gov.au - please don't hesitate to shoot me an email and say hello or drop past the Health and Well-being Centre

HPE – Miss McLaren

HPE Expectations 2022

Students will be provided with the declaration below in their first PE lessons this term and will be required to sign and return it to their PE teacher. Please take note of the new expectations for students to wear hats while participating in PE lessons as this follows the Sun Protection Strategy for Queensland State Schools.

Miss April McLaren
HPE Co-Ordinator

Swim Carnival Friday 11 February

The Balonne High School Swim Carnival is Friday 11 February, arrive by 8.30am.

Unfortunately, due to the COVID situation, parents/carers are unable to attend this event.

Please note this year there is a gate entry fee: -
Child $1.50,
Adult Non-Swim $1.00
or use your Season Pass.

Canteen will be available.

Students are expected to arrive directly to the St George Pool ready to do their best for their houses. The swim carnival will finish at 3pm and students will be dismissed directly from the St George town pool. (Bus students to be dropped off and picked up from pool) We encourage students to get into their house spirit and come dressed in house colours. Please note no body paint or excess zinc will be allowed in the water.

Past Winners: -

2015 Mitchell
2016 Mitchell
2017 Mitchell
2018 Nixon
2019 Leichhardt
2020 Leichhardt
2021 Leichhardt
2022????????

From Guidance Officer Annette McLean

Friendly February Theme – we need each other more than ever right now! This month let’s focus on reaching out to connect with others and doing our best to be a good friend. Our acts of kindness and connection ripple out and impact so many more people than we realise – and they also boost our own happy hormones too! In stressful times people around us may be feeling the strain, so let’s try to keep calm, take the time to listen and show compassion.

From YSC Leisa Mulholland

Congratulations to Ty O’Neil Year 11 who was signed up as a Student Based Apprenticeship with McKechnie Earth Moving.

Ashleigh Ferguson with the new St Patricks Principal Mr Jim Wren. Ashleigh is starting her Certificate 3 is Education Support with St Pats.

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.

New grey formal skirts are in stock and look really smart!! $45.00

Formal Uniform Days

Formal uniform days are Monday and Wednesday.

Girls – White peplum blouse, grey formal skirt, white socks, black shoes
Boys – White short sleeve shirt, grey shorts, grey socks and black shoes

School Photos 2 March – Formal Uniform

Community Notices

LEARN BASICS OF FRENCH LANGUAGE

Helps internationally and for English language. Call Salvador Fernandes 0428304318 /46253021 or email: salvador.f@rediffmail.com, St George.

Roma Echidnas RUFC

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