25 October 2022

Newsletter Articles

From Acting Principal

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

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

PBL Focus. We are respectful: We cooperate with staff and other students. I have spoken in previous newsletters about co-operation in classrooms which means respecting the rights of teachers to teach and the rights of students to learn. On parade this morning I reinforced those values to students. I also reiterated the need for students mates to stand up and pull unacceptable behaviour into line now. As a young student it is often difficult to stand up in those situations and call out poor behaviour. However, if we start them now and back them when a student does show positive role modelling, it empowers them early in life and has the potential to save an unfortunate situation later on in life. A situation that could have been avoided with a few mates taking the keys, offering a couch or pulling up aggressive behaviour.

Year 12 External Assessment: The Year 12s have this morning started their ATAR exams we wish them all the best with this milestone in their lives.

Explicit Improvement Agenda: The school’s explicit improvement agenda (EIA) is Improving A to C data. Obviously we don’t want any student achieving below a C level as this means that student has not satisfied the requirements of the course to produce a satisfactory (C level) grade. Our goal of course is however, to incrementally improve grades across the school to improve Cs to Bs Bs to As. One of the ways we can do this is to set goals for our students both at home and in the classroom.

A goal for a student might be to always have pasted in the front of their work books the achievement standards for the unit they are studying (What defines A or B level work and criteria around that achievement). We in education call them cognitive verbs such as, the student displayed in their assessment “Deep Understanding” of the topic compared to a C, which might just have read that the student “Showed “Understanding” of the basic concepts. A student who has an understanding of what they need to do to achieve an A is going to have a much higher chance of presenting that work when assessment it required. Thus the goal of having the A4 sheet labelling the achievement standards in the front of the workbook from day one of the unit. As parents we can also request a copy of the achievement standards from our students. They are quite capable of making a copy for you. Which you might also work through with them at home.

State Education Week: State Education Week, Monday 24 October to Friday 28 October is an annual event that showcases and celebrates Queensland state schools.

The theme for 2022 is "Realising the potential of every student".

State Education Week is an opportunity to promote the great work being done in Queensland state schools to help each student fulfil their potential.

Teachers, parents, school staff and community members all play a part in guiding students to reach their potential. State schools are an ‘education family’, all working together with the common goal of the best outcomes for our students. Come and see our school display in Golders window this week.

Some initiatives St George State High School have been working towards this year are:

The development of Gundi Groups. These are care groups consisting of students from differing year level- building a sense of community. This initiative was established as an outcome of the Leading with Strength program.

Celebration of Success: I attended the Rugby League Presentation evening last Saturday night. It was a fabulous celebration of a successful year. Our P&C provided the catering for the event and they did a great job with a three course meal. Thank you to our ladies who worked for the school on the night. It was a delicious meal and your efforts were much appreciated.

Rob Nowlan
Acting Principal

From HoD Senior Secondary

We are heading into the fun time of assessment here at school. Students are reminded to study at home and complete assignments on time. For students who are struggling due to sickness, please fill out an extension form from the front office.

Year 10

We are looking forward to camp this term and I think that the students attending are starting to get excited about the activities we will be completing like paint ball, twister buggies and the slides into the lake. Please let Miss Embrey know if you are still interested in attending as we have one spot left to fill.

Year 11

Students are finalising Unit 2 assessment this term and they will have a week of exams next week. Students will attend normal classes, however will leave lessons to attend the exams below.

Year 12

As I am writing this the Year 12s have just started their External exams. We wish them luck and remind them that classes will continue to run until either assessment has been completed or exam has been sat.

Some students will need to stay after this to finalise certificate courses and may have other courses to complete.

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

From HoD Junior Secondary

Congratulation to Kaitlin Sheedy who has completed 2022 STEM Girl Power. On her completion, Kaitlin has become a STEM Girl POWER Ambassador. Well done Kaitlin!

Kym Weatherall
HoD Junior Secondary

From Junior Year Level Coordinator

This week saw the introduction of Year Level Co-ordinator awards for the Junior School. Students across Years 7,8 and 9 were celebrated for their success inside and outside of the school community. The awards last week were given to the following:-

Harry Coltzau, - excellent achievement over the past year.
Josie Beeson and Toby McKay - excellent effort over the past year.
Ollie Lockwood - selection for the QLD Cricket Team.
Madi Hiles selection for the QLD Murri Rugby League Team.

Rebecca Herrmann
Junior Year Level Coordinator

9B English

This term 9B are exploring bias and prejudice in the jury system through reading the play 12 Angry Men. Last week, we read the play as a class and even replicated a jury deliberation room. It was great to see most of the class put their hand up to read especially those who aren’t confident readers. Thank you to Ms Harris who brought her Drama expertise to Wednesday’s lesson to help students find their inner “Angry Man”.

Ella Harrison

Blast From The Past

Junior Sportswoman

Junior Sportsman

Year 12 Formal

The rain was pouring, the cars were revving and the gowns were sparkling in St George on Friday 7 October as the Year 12 formal was underway. There were abundant cheers and lots of excitement from the crowd gathered around the dampened streets outside the Cultural Centre as the young men and women arrived to celebrate their successes across their many years of schooling. This event signifies reaching the end of their years at school and celebrates the transition to life post high school. Some of the unmissable moments from the evening included the hilarious videos, rehearsed student dance and surprise teacher flash mob. Both the catering and cake were outstanding. Our students truly do know how to scrub up for a special event, with beautiful young women and handsome young men, Cha-Cha’ing the night away!

Jessica Embrey

Getting To Know………

State Track & Field

Well done to Sienna Beardmore who recently competed at the State Track & Field in Brisbane. Sienna represented the South West in the 400m sprint.

Triathlon Trials for 2023

On the weekend four students being Josie Small, Sienna Beardmore, Lillian and Claire Stenhouse travelled to Kawana Waters to compete at the All-schools Triathlon to trial for the South West Triathlon Team. This event was called off because of the unsafe conditions and we are yet to be advised if it will be rescheduled or not.

Calendar

P&C News

What a busy month it’s been for our wonderful volunteers! Huge thank you to Candice Cross and Ruth Beeson for their catering wizardry, and also to all our wonderful volunteers who turned out to help at the Formal and Football Gala. Your help is truly appreciated and I hope you enjoy yourselves while helping our school community – I know I do!

Our wonderful Tuckshop team is going great guns at supplying a delicious variety of food for students and staff, so keep an eye on the P&C Facebook page for their weekly delights. Students are encouraged to place orders before school for first break. Orders for second break can be placed during first break as well.

Next meeting will be held 21 November, 6pm at the Library.

Hope to see you there!

Julie Davies – SGSHS P&C President

Reminder - Formal Uniform (all clothing items are available for purchase at the tuckshop Tuesdays and Thursdays – cash,chq and eftpos accepted)

Girls – White blouse, Grey skirt, Grey formal shorts, white socks.
Boys – White shirt, grey shorts, grey socks.

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