31 January 2024

Principal’s Report

Welcome to all our students and families to a new school year. We have a number of great initiatives beginning this year to improve engagement in learning and open a greater range of pathways.

One to One Laptop program

The recent school review recommended the following;

Develop and implement a whole-school, one-to-one device policy to increase students’ access, and support innovative approaches, to learning.

Our aim is that every student in our school can have access to a laptop at school and home at a cost that our families can afford. Most high schools (and many primary schools) have moved to a bring your own device (BYoD) model where parents purchase their child’s laptop. This model is expensive, particularly if there is more than one child in the family. Laptops usually have a four-year life span due to technology improving rapidly which means two purchases over the six years of high school.

At Charleville SHS we have decided to continue the hire program instead of a BYoD model.

To work towards the School Review recommendation, we have purchased an extra 64 laptops to enable every student from years nine to twelve to have their own laptop. Along with this all our diverse learners from Years seven to twelve will also have a laptop. Years seven and eight will use the two computer labs this year and we will purchase more laptops next year instead of replacing the desk tops in the computer labs which will then provide every student in the school a laptop achieving the recommendation.

At the end of last year, the P&C endorsed an increase in the Technology fee from $50 to $100 to assist in the purchase and maintenance of our growing fleet of laptops for this year and into the future.

The base School Resource Scheme fee of $150 has not changed. For families who cannot afford the $100 laptop fee their students will not be disadvantaged at school. They will receive a laptop to ensure learning continues in the classroom but it will remain at school at the end of the day.

Our aim is to ensure our students have the same opportunities as every student in the state.

Virtual Reality Classroom

Our Virtual Reality classroom will be in action this term for students in grades eight to twelve. Our students in Year seven will need to wait till Semester two as Health and Safety regulations require students to be twelve years of age to safely engage in the VR experience.

Health Pathways

We are currently finalising an agreement between Charleville SHS, Connect and Grow (Registered Training provider), Queensland Health and South Queensland Rural Health for a Certificate II in Health Support Services. This training will be a hands-on delivery model in the SQRH training rooms.

On successful completion of this training students will be eligible to apply for Traineeships in the Health sector. The traineeships will enable students to gain a Certificate III in a number of health areas. This qualification can lead to direct employment opportunities or the next step to further study.

Initial expressions of interest will begin this week for students in grades ten to twelve.

Regards,
Craig Law

Senior secondary school news & reminders

Expression of Interest – leadership camp

Last Friday, students in years 10 and 11 were issued with an expression of interest letter for this year’s Leadership Camp, which will occur in the final week of term 2.  The camp will be held at Camp Fairburn Outdoor Education Centre in Emerald.  Please discuss this wonderful opportunity with your student and return your complete expression of interest form to the school office ASAP.  Students who were absent from class on Friday are asked to collect a letter from the school office.  Costs will be dependent upon the number of students attending.  Let’s hope that we can get this amazing opportunity up and running.

Uniforms

Uniforms are essential for building feelings of belonging in, and respect for, our school environment.  They are also important when creating a positive school culture.  We need all of our senior students to be proud of their school, and to set an appropriate example of this to our younger grades.  As such, we expect all senior secondary to wear full school uniform at all times.

Senior Secondary - 10-12 (every day)

Senior Secondary polo shirt, plain black shorts or knee length plain black skirts, fully closed in shoes and socks.  Long black pants are also permitted.  If a jumper is required, it must be plain black, with no obvious images or branding.

Senior Formal Uniform – required for Senior Investiture (week 4)

Girls - White Formal shirt and tie, black knee length skirt or long pants, closed in shoes
Boys - Green and white striped formal shirt and tie, black long pants, closed in shoes

Process to follow if out of uniform

Students who, for some legitimate reason, are unable to wear full school uniform on any given day are required to bring a note from their parent/guardian to get an approved Uniform Pass from the office. Students without a legitimate reason for being out of uniform (as supported by their parent/guardian) will be issued with a uniform violation.  Detentions will be given for three or more violations of the uniform policy, and parental contact will be made.

Uniform shop

Uniforms can be purchased between 8.15 am and 8.40 am Tuesdays at the school office.

What to wear on Sports Carnival days (swimming carnival – week 2)

Students may wear suitable clothing in house colours:

Kokoda-White and Blue / Alamein-Green and Yellow / Tobruk-Red and Black.

The theme for this year’s swimming carnival is THE BEACH.

Clothing that carries offensive or suggestive designs is unacceptable and must not be worn (remember that we have young students attending our carnival).

Jewellery

Chunky and dangling jewellery can be a safety issue during practical classes and at lunchtimes.  For this reason, students are permitted to wear only studs or sleepers in each ear to school.  Students are permitted to wear a single strand, chain necklace. Large ornaments (larger than a 20 cent piece) are not permitted.

Non-uniform (free dress) days

Clothing that carries offensive or suggestive designs is unacceptable and must not be worn. Outfits which expose bare midriffs, revealing or inappropriate clothing must not be worn. Safety procedures cannot be compromised and the wearing of thongs, sandals and singlets will not be permitted. 

Students are not able to participate in practical or sporting activities in this instance, and must sit in the office during lunch breaks.

Arrival & attendance

Just a friendly reminder that our school day commences at 8.45am and finishes at 2.55pm.  Students are required to be at school during these hours in order to maximise learning opportunities.  If your student needs to arrive to school late, or leave school early, communication should be made with the front office beforehand.  Also, if your student is absent from school for the day, please advise the front office as soon as possible.

Students who arrive late to class, or who choose to leave the classroom for any reason (including being exited), will be required to make up this lost time with their classroom teacher; most likely during lunch breaks.  This is to ensure that all students have not missed out on valuable knowledge or the opportunity to develop essential skills. 

As the Senior Secondary Year Level Coordinator, I am your first port of call if you have any questions, concerns or queries about uniform, attendance and behaviour for year 10, 11 and 12 students.  Please feel free to contact me through the school office on 07 4656 8888.

Sue McDermott
2024 Senior Secondary (year 10/11/12) Year Level Coordinator

School Student Broadband Initiative Update

We’re pleased to advise that the Australian Government has extended the initiative until 31 December 2025. This means that families can nominate for the SSBI until 31 December 2024.

The nomination process has changed for 2024. The Australian Government has established a National Referral Centre to allow families to self-nominate for the SSBI. Families can now go directly to the NRC to apply for the SSBI instead of applying through the Department.

Recently the Australian Government announced an additional mechanism to support families to apply for the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) if they consider themselves to be eligible. The SSBI National Referral Centre, managed by Anglicare Victoria, will work directly with families to assess eligibility, and support them through the process.

The steps families should follow are as below:

1. Contact Anglicare Victoria on 1800 954 610 (Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm AEST/AEDT), www.anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet or email studentinternet@anglicarevic.org.au. Callback and webchat functions are also available via the website
2. Check eligibility – the Anglicare team will help determine eligibility and confirm suitability for the program, by checking a number of things including the residential address and current financial situation of the applicant
3. If eligible, the family will be issued a voucher for redemption at any of the participating SSBI retail service providers. Anglicare will also be available to assist with contacting SSBI service providers of choice or follow-up support. 

To be eligible for SSBI, a family must: 

• Have a child living at home that is enrolled in an Australian school in 2023
• Not have an active nbn network internet service at home (having a mobile internet service does not affect eligibility)
• Live in a premises that can access the nbn network
• Not have had an active nbn connection during the previous 14 days. Families recently disconnecting an nbn service will be required to wait 14 days before applying for the SSBI program. 

For further details about SSBI please visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/SSBI.

ILO News

Ergon Energy Network & Energex Cadetship

A big congratulations to Ben McPhee who was a successful applicant to the Ergon Energy Network & Energex Pre-Apprenticeship Program for 2024. This program is a state first program commencing this year 30^th January. Ergon Energy Network & Energex are invested in skilling students in pre-vocational programs to address a Distribution Linesperson & Electrical Fitter Mechanic, apprenticeship skill shortages in South West Qld. This Cadetship will include a combination of weekly online workshops by TAFE Educators, with Ergon and Energex experts, on campus practical days and in-community work experience placements.

Ben will study Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start). Students will learn the skills needed to safely undertake basic electrotechnology work, under the mentorship of Ergon Energy Network & Energex experts.

The calibre of submissions to the program were high. Overall, 91 students from South West Qld applied for a position and Ben was 1 of 20 successful applicants.

Ben will commence his online studies next week, as well as a 3 day workshop in Roma to kick of his studies. He will undertake work experience as part of the program. Lachlan Monk (Acting Apprenticeship Coordinator Ergon Energy Network) presented Ben with a tool kit and work-clothes to begin the cadetship.

Congratulations to Murweh Shire’s 2024 Australia Day Award recipients

Full list of award recipients:

• Citizen of the Year: Eileen Lindsay
• Community Event or Organisation Award: The Warrego Campdraft Association
• Junior Sports Award: Zac Jones & Jordyn Thureson
• Environment Award: Charleville Girl Guides and Charleville Scouts

Thank you to all of the nominees in this year’s Australia Day Awards.

Murweh Shire Council Job Opportunities

Charleville State High School GP Clinic

Our Clinic offers appointments every Tuesday during school term with our regular attending GP’s Dr Katie Chang & Dr Paul Chang. We do not need any details regarding the reason for your appointment. Your confidentiality is important to us.

Appointments can be made for every Tuesday during school term. To make an appointment:

• Go toacaciacp.com.au and book online through Hot Docs link
• Phone School Office on 4656 8888
• Email admin@charlevilleshs.eq.edu.au or
• Do a walk-in on the day.

Charleville State High School P&C Association

CSHS P&C Executive:

President – Kelly Shearwin
Vice President – Tegan Russell
Secretary – Julie Frousheger
Treasurer – Lana Holley

Notice of next P&C Meeting

A reminder text will be sent to all families when meetings are scheduled. The P&C General Meetings are held at 5.30pm in the Administration building – new members are very welcome!

Uniform Shop

Uniform items can be purchased from the School Uniform Shop.  The Uniform Price list can be found on the school website by clicking on the following link:

Canteen Menu

The Canteen Menu can be found on the school website by clicking on the following link:

P&C’s QLD

If you would like any general information about P&C Associations please go to:

Charleville Girl Guides