17 February 2023

Newsletter Articles

From The Principal

Mr Thomas J. McKenna

As we continue through the 2023 school year, I want to emphasise the importance of "showing up." For some students showing no means coming to school. For other students, showing up may mean being prepared for lessons. For staff it means showing up prepared, and for community it means showing up to support students in their education.

Being on track for success and ready for the future occurs when students, staff, families, and community show up and are fully invested in the education of all students. This was echoed from the school captains who spoke about how they want to show up for the younger students by seizing opportunities to be role models and mentors.

We are currently incorporating, student, staff and community voice while reviewing what we do to strategically identify the best ways forward. By working together and showing up, we can make St. George State High School the best it can be.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our school.

Thomas J. McKenna
Principal, St. George State High School

School Updates

School Updates:

• Website is being reviewed and rolled out. Some pages may be blank as we prepare the material to present to the community.
• If you have previously loaned the Agriculture department equipment and would like it back, please make contact before Term 2, 2023.
• Office Hours – From Term 2, 2023 – Office Hours will be:
    o   8-3:15
    o   3:15-4:00 Phone Only
    o   Mondays – Office Closed 8:15-8:30 for Staff Briefing

New Staff

I would like to introduce myself; my name is Donna Potter. I am the new Acting Deputy Principal at St George State High School. My focus areas are Junior Secondary (Year 7-9) and Curriculum. I have moved to St George from Toowoomba State High School. I am looking forward to working closely with the school and the local community.

St George State High School has a focus on learning as a priority. Based on a strong belief that all people can learn. There is an expectation that each student strives to do their best and works consistently towards their individual goals.

Teachers greet each student individually as they enter the room checking that they are prepared and have all materials necessary for the lesson. To help get the lesson off to a great start the students complete a do now activity when they enter the room. Student learning occurs through a cycle of teaching new content, guided practice and independent learning. Student understanding is monitored throughout the lesson. The lesson will then finish with an exit ticket to sum up what was learnt and review the learning goal.

Students are encouraged to speak to their teachers if they need help with their school work. They can also participate in Homework Club from 3:05pm until 4:00pm on Monday and Thursday afternoons. This provides students with a quiet supported space to complete homework and assessments.

Mrs Donna Potter

Josiah Timmer Senior Dux 2022

Josiah Timmer was announced at the Leaders Induction Ceremony, Senior Dux for 2022. Congratulations Josiah and best wishes for the future.

Leaders 2023

CAPTAINS - Seamus Lamb & Ashleigh Ferguson

VICE CAPTAINS - Braxston Beardmore & Grace Waters

Seniors - Cody Arnall, Braxston Beardmore, Kyle Bennett, Toby Brimblecombe, Lilly Burke, Jack Coltzau, Nate Davis, Ashleigh Ferguson, Jackson Halliday, Jackson Hearn, Seamus Lamb, Lachlan Mayes, Bethany Moran, Ty O’Neill, Shontayne Prince, Emily Regan, Mecenzee Taylor, Kayci Toft, Grace Waters, Jaspar Wilkinson, Lachlan York.

HOUSE CAPTAINS -

LEICHHARDT - Jacob Hiles & Iesha Turnbull

MITCHELL - Amdes Saunders & Kelsey Weribone

NIXON - Bethany Moran & Sharon Pearce

INDIGENOUS AMBASSADOR - Safina Saunders

JUNIOR SECONDARY LEADERS - Danii-Elle Mellifont

SHOW TEAM - Captain - Samuel Rollins Vice-Captain - Danii-Elle Mellifont

From Acting Deputy Principal

Almost halfway into the Term and it is great to see students engaging in classroom learning.

Our PBL focus for the next 2 weeks is ‘BE RESPECTFUL’ – We respect the rights of others to learn. This is a reminder to students that appropriate behaviour in class is not only beneficial for their learning, but also for others.

Zingers are one of our positive incentives for students, with prizes including stationery, toys and vouchers. This year we have decided to split our banking and spending days;

• Seniors Year 10, 11 and 12 on every Wednesday
• Juniors Year 7, 8 and 9 on Friday.

We have also added Senior only prizes and are looking forward to everyone getting on board with Zingers.

Last year we had a few younger students who clued on quickly that if they kept banking their Zingers they could get Handi Store vouchers aka ‘Free Money’.

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, Acting Deputy Principal Senior Schooling

From Acting HOD Senior Secondary

The Senior Induction Ceremony happened on Wednesday 8 February. This was a ceremony to acknowledge the beginning of Year 12 for our new senior leaders, and recognise our 2023 School, House, Junior and Agricultural captains.

Our Year 12s pledged the senior oath, where they committed to demonstrating pride in St George SHS and setting a high standard of personal effort and behaviour which sets an excellent example to all members of our school and community. I look forward to seeing our Year 12s keep this commitment during 2023. Congratulations to Josiah Timmer who was also the 2022 Dux recipient during this event.

We thank the families and friends of the students that could make the day so special for our seniors. A great ceremony was held and we look forward to Ashleigh, Seamus, Grace, Braxston and their fellow peers leading us this year. Congratulations to the Year 12s of 2023. I know there is a fantastic year ahead for all of you.

Lions Youth of the Year is quickly approaching with seven students, aged between 15 and 19, nominating to participate this year. This is a fantastic result, and I am eager to watch our students succeed on the night. This event will be hosted on Saturday 25 February from 6:00pm at the Cultural Centre. Families and friends of those students participating, as well as community members, are welcome to attend and support this event. Please call or email me to RSVP by 21 February, or if you would like any more information.

Miss Jessica Embrey

From Acting HOD Junior Secondary

Year 7 camp – Lennox Head

Students are having a great time at year 7 camp. They have been working together to complete a number of challenges this week. Students have enjoyed our time at the beach and in the creek, building rafts, SUP and a number of different group games. It has been wonderful to see our students engaging in challenges and team building activities to help them grow together as a cohort. Students have displayed a positive attitude, resilience and persistence at all times.

Mrs Laura Sherriff

School Photo Day 01.03.23

School photo day is Wednesday 1 March. Envelopes were given to students last week. There are sibling packs and spare envelopes in the office. All envelopes can be returned to the office up to and including photo day. No envelopes will be accepted at the office after photo day. Payments can be made via correct cash or online – this is clearly displayed on the left hand side of the envelopes. Any enquiries can be made to MSP Photography on Ph 02 6772 3519.

It is a requirement that all students are in CORRECT formal uniform. Maroon shorts ARE NOT part of the formal uniform. Students who are out of uniform will not be included in the group class photo. Uniforms can be purchased from Tuckshop Tuesdays and Thursdays with cash or Eftpos available.

Girls Formal –

White blouse $26.00
Grey formal skirt (new style) $45.00
Grey formal shorts (tailored – new style) $40.00
White socks (3 pack) - $16.00
Senior (grade 10-12) maroon tie $25.00
Black shoes

Boys Formal –

White short-sleeve shirt $25.00
Grey shorts (tailored - new style) $45.00
Grey short socks (3 pack) $16.00
Senior (grade10-12) maroon tie $25.00
Black Shoes

Year 7 & 10 Immunisation Program

Queensland’s School Immunisation Program is a safe, effective and free way to protect your child and their peers from vaccine-preventable disease. In Year 7, vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough) is offered. In Year 10, vaccination against meningococcal ACWY is offered. These diseases can cause serious harm to your child.

Year 7 and Year 10 students will receive a consent form and information pack for details on the vaccines offered and the diseases they prevent. A consent pack will be given to your child to bring home.

Please read the information booklet carefully - simply complete, sign and return the consent form to the school so your child can be vaccinated at their school by a qualified immunisation nurse.

If you've lost the consent form, you can reprint it here:

For more information about vaccines or the School Immunisation Program, visit www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/immunisation/adolescents www.health.qld.gov.au/immunisation or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).

NAPLAN

NAPLAN is a national literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake. As students progress through their school years, it’s important to check how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and numeracy.

NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national standards and over time. NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It doesn’t replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with additional information about students’ educational progress.

NAPLAN also provides schools, education authorities and governments with information about how education programs are working and whether young Australians are achieving important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy.

Online NAPLAN tests provide more precise results and are more engaging for students. One of the main benefits is tailored testing, where the test presents questions which may be more or less difficult depending on a student’s responses.

NAPLAN is for everyone. ACARA supports inclusive testing so all students have the opportunity to participate in the national assessment program. Adjustments are available for students with disability who have diverse functional abilities and needs.

Students at St George State High School will complete online NAPLAN tests from Wednesday 15th March to Friday 17th March. Catch up sessions will be completed between Monday 20th and Wednesday 22nd March.

Forms for adjustments, test exemption, and parent withdrawal are available if needed. Parents must complete these forms and submit to the office by Wednesday 8th March.

Down At The Ag Plot

In Agriculture classes this term, students started off the year by completing safety induction booklets whereby students examined the role they play in biosecurity, animal welfare and health and safety. Students also demonstrated their understanding and application of Safe Operating Procedures for key pieces of machinery used in the Agriculture Plot such as the ride on mowers, whipper snippers and tractors.

The show team commenced trainings last week and were excited to be back handling and preparing our school cattle and sheep for upcoming shows. Congratulations to Samuel Rollins (Year 10) who was elected as Show Team captain and Danii-elle Mellifont (Year 9) elected as Vice-Captain. Both of these students have been dedicated to the show team for a number of years and have shown excellent leadership, team work and animal handling skills.

Many Agriculture students in Years 9-12 participated in their ‘driving test’ to demonstrate their safe use of the newly purchased ride on mowers for the Agriculture plot. These students completed a safety induction and demonstrated safe operation of mower (without the blades attached) by driving through a course for their practical demonstration test. Students were very enthused and are excited to use these machines around the Ag plot.

Student Recognition: Tom McCosker (Year 10)

Tom has displayed exceptional effort and behaviour in both theoretical and practical Agriculture classes. Tom has also demonstrated leadership and determination to complete any task as well as use his initiative to complete jobs down the Ag plot.

Miss Caitlin Crowe

Getting To Know……...Mr Phelan

Student Council

To spread the love for Valentine’s Day 2023 our student council sold heart shaped balloons and plush roses to our students. These were hand delivered on the morning of Tuesday 14 February, to make the experience a memorable one. The students were overjoyed as can be seen in the photos below.

Miss Rebecca Herrmann & Miss Vanessa Beavan

High School Swim Carnival

Individual Swimming Championship Trophies 2023

St George SHS Overall Points Winner - LEICHHARDT

Nixon = 398
Mitchell = 267
Leichhardt = 565

South West Tennis

Congratulations to Mia Anderson on her selection in South West Tennis team and Kelsey Weribone on being selected as shadow. We wish Mia good luck competing at Townsville for the Qld Titles in March.

State Triathlon Trials Hervey Bay

Last week Claire Stenhouse, Sienna Beardmore, Georgie Nelson, Josie Small and Lillian Stenhouse competed at the State Queensland School Triathlon Trials in Hervey Bay. The girls competed well in extreme humid and windy conditions and rough seas.

Claire – 300m swim/10km ride/2km run.
Sienna, Georgie, Josie and Lillian – 500m swim/15km ride/4km run.

Well done girls!

Rugby League Girls Trials

Good luck to the following girls selected to go on the South West Rugby League trials in Roma on Monday.

Junior - Sophie Kings, Danii-Elle Mellifont, Bianka Oliver, Kahlela Prince, Safina Saunders, Madison Hiles, Zinema Collins.
Senior – Emalie Hams, Nequwa Collins, Kelsey Weribone, Iesha Turnbull.

10-12 Years Touch Football

Congratulations to Riley Robertson, Cameron Hams, Rhyder Hooper and Izaiah Weatherall on their selection for Touch Football. The Balonne Team will be heading to Chinchilla in March to try out for the South West Team.

Calendar

P&C News

More uniforms have arrived this week. Reminder that we are fully stocked on formal grey skirts ($45-) and formal grey shorts ($40-) for females. All uniforms are available now!!!

The next P&C meeting is 20 February in Library 6pm – all welcome.

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