Charleville State High School
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Corner of Partridge and Hunter Streets
Charleville QLD 4470
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Email: admin@charlevilleshs.eq.edu.au
Phone: 07 4656 8888
Fax: 07 4656 8800

18 February 2016

Newsletter Articles

Principals Report

It is very pleasing to be able to report that we have a student population of 269 students. This means that we have 15 more students than we had at the end of last year. Our staffing has now been finalised and as a result, some minor timetable changes have occurred to our learning structure.

Swimming Carnival

It was great to get the sporting year under way last Friday with the inter-house swimming carnival held at the pool. I must congratulate the house captains who did a great job in organising their houses and ensuring that team spirit was evident for the entire day. Unfortunately, there can only be one winner and this year the winner was Tobruk. Congratulations. We now turn our attention to the cross country which will be coming up in Term 2. A big thank you must go to Leighton Webb and Brad Lines for the organisation and smooth running of the day.

Explicit Improvement Agenda

As you know, we have four pillars to our improvement agenda at the school.

  • Quality Teaching
  • Student Outcomes
  • Positive Partnerships
  • Literacy and Numeracy.

In this edition of the newsletter, I would like to highlight our reading program which obviously forms part of our Literacy and Numeracy focus at the school. Our reading program is a three-tiered structure which allows for us to develop the literacy skills of every student within the school. Our tiers are broken down into three sections which are MultiLit, Levelled Literacy Intervention (LLI) and Directed Reading Thinking Activities (DRTA). DRTA activities occur in each and every class across our school and assist all students to either develop or extend their reading abilities within the classes. Our LLI tier assists our students who may be below or above their reading age and finally our MultiLit classes assist our students who are significantly below their reading age, and we use this program to try and give assistance to our students to continue to develop their reading skills.

Our reading program was very successful in 2015 and all students that participated in this program improved their reading results. If you would like to know more about our reading program, please don’t hesitate to contact Jenni Peters (Deputy Principal) who can talk through this more with you.

South West Softball

On Friday the 5th of February, our students travelled to Chinchilla with Miss Sellin, Miss Andreatta and Mrs Peacock to try out for SW softball trials. From all reports all of our students performed well on the day. Timiah Shillingsworth and Darryl-Rose Williams were both selected in the SW team. Congratulations to these students.

WALT (We are Learning To)

I am sure that you often ask your students what they did at school during any given day. Sometimes your students may converse with you, or they might state that they did nothing at school, which obviously could not be further from the truth. In every lesson each class in Year 7 through to 9 has a learning intention (WALT), and in Year 10 – 12 these classes have a learning objective. I would encourage you to ask your students what the WALT’s or Learning Objectives were for the four lessons during the day, and I hope that your students will be able to converse with you to tell you about the exciting learning that happened within each of those classes.

Homework Club

Just a reminder that our Homework Club runs every Tuesday afternoon from 3.15 pm. If a student would like some extra assistance they just need to ask their teacher to join them at Homework Club and this will allow your student to work either one on one or in small groups with the teacher of their subject. In addition, to Homework Club, I would encourage students to see their teachers before school or at break times if they require any further assistance with understanding the class work that has been presented. I am very pleased to say that teachers are always more than willing to help students during their breaks and I would your students to make the most of these opportunities.

Attendance

Attendance has started off quite well in 2016. Our weekly attendance rate is just under 90.5%, and this is just short of our target of 92%. As you are aware, it is important that students attend school as often as possible to ensure that gaps in their learning do not develop. As a school, we are highlighting to our students that not only does “Every Day Count” but that “Every Minute Counts”. This is to ensure their learning is maximised and that students give themselves every opportunity to succeed in their chosen careers upon completing secondary education. Each classroom has some posters which will remind students of not only the importance of being at school every day but also the importance of being on time.

Just so that you are aware each week the best attending form class from the Junior Secondary (Year 7 – 9) and the best attending form class from Senior Secondary (Year 10 – 12) are awarded a voucher for a slushy/hot drink from the tuckshop. Last week it was very pleasing to be able to award T1 from the Junior Secondary area and K3 from the Senior Secondary area with this award. T1 had an attendance rate of over 93%, and K3 had an attendance rate of over 96%. In addition, to the slushy vouchers each form class gets an entry at the end of term draw to win a $5 voucher from the tuckshop at the end of the term. I would like to thank publicly the Parents and Citizens Association for their continued financing of these rewards.

School review

As I mentioned in the last newsletter, we have our school review from the 22nd to the 24th of February. As a school, we are very much looking forward to this process. I have attached the webpage link again if you would like any further information about the process or feel free to make contact with me at school and we can discuss the process.

http://www.education.qld.gov.au/schools/school-performance-assessment-framework

CWAATSICH Breakfast Program

Once again in 2016, the CWAATSICH team will be providing breakfast food for our students every Monday and Friday at the hall from 8 am. This is a great service offered by CWAATSICH, and I would encourage our students to go and talk with the team and to grab something to eat if they are hungry or just want a second breakfast for the day. This service is certainly appreciated by our school, and we thank CWAATSICH for this partnership opportunity.

If you have any feedback or questions regarding your student’s education please do not hesitate to contact us at the office. We are very happy to sit down with you and listen to any suggestions or concerns you may have and together work out solutions that may help to improve the situation for the school or your student.

Until next time.

Marcus

Teaching and Learning @ CSHS

As we prepare for our School Review next week, and subsequently our QSR (Quadrennial School Review), we as a school are reflecting on what we want students at CSHS to learn, how best to teach the skills needing to be developed and focus on. The key questions we are asking are:

  • What is the purpose of the education we are delivering to students at CSHS?
  • What will the future look like for our students? How do we help them work towards this end?
  • How do we move the school in this future direction?
  • How does CSHS work towards ensuring a quality educational experience for all students?

So what is the purpose of education?

In 1999 a report, ‘Qld State Education: 2010’, said “Over the next decade, the overarching purposes of schooling in Queensland should be to prepare all young people to be active and reflective citizens of Australia, capable and keen to fully participate in and shape community, economic and political life in Queensland and beyond, able to confidently engage with other cultures at home and abroad, and with a disposition to lifelong learning.”

17 years after this report was written we at Charleville State High School still aim to achieve this very purpose. In 2016 we are working towards increasing the range of subjects and courses that can be offered well into the future and develop/guide each student into an active citizen and lifelong learner. This will allow Charleville SHS to provide the best start to lives for our future young adults.

What is our agenda at CSHS?

The ‘Charleville High Way’ clearly articulates our explicit improvement agenda which is based on:

  • Improving student outcomes
  • Increasing quality teaching opportunities
  • Improving literacy and numeracy skills of all students
  • Continuing to develop positive partnerships with parents and the wider community

What does this look like at CSHS?

The goal of our team is to ensure our students are supported and provided with an environment that is conducive to their learning and achieving their individual goals. In order to create such an environment, we are focusing on the 4 B’s and 4 Vs, ensuring that learning is active and engaging.

Keep Learning Active

  • Be respectful
  • Organisation
  • Be an active learner
  • Resilience
  • Be safe
  • Integrity
  • Be responsible
  • Cooperation

What lays ahead for our students?

Students are starting to complete assessment for the term. This can be stressful. Students have been provided with a copy of their assessment due dates for Semester 1. This includes exam dates, when drafts are due and any other tasks they are required to complete across their courses of study for the semester. If you have not sighted a copy of this document please check the school’s website, your student’s diary or ring the school and we can provide another hard copy for you.

Requirements for students and assessment:

  • Assessment needs to be attempted on or before the due date ( including exams and oral presentations)
  • Assessment must be able to marked against all criteria – i.e. a name on a piece of paper is not enough to be given a grade for an assessment piece
  • Assessment must be the student’s own work, not that of anyone else – e.g. plagiarised.
  • Assessment will be submitted by all students, even if after the due date, to ensure a full range of skills are demonstrated for effective feedback for all students
  • Work submitted after the due date may not be able to be given a grade
  • Late assessment will incur 15 points per piece as an element of the Senior Student Accountability Program (SSAP)

Expectations for all students: Students are learning the reality of their choices not to submit work when requested by their teachers. Assessment work can, and should, include drafting of tasks or perhaps a checklist of items required for a much bigger piece of work across a semester. If a due date is missed, without a valid reason or documentation, students will still be expected to submit the late work.

Reason/ Excuse

Some options to consider and prevent problems

I was absent due to sporting commitments for the school

  • Negotiation with teachers prior to going to event for new date
  • Speak to the relevant HOD about a potential extension and fill in the appropriate form – needs to be signed by parents
  • Showing teachers where progress was up to prior to event
  • Reaching targets, such as through homework, during the term

My/ home email wasn’t working

  • Email during the school day so if there are problems you can see your teacher on the due date
  • Due date timeframe set by your teacher includes submitting work either in class or before 3pm
  • Send versions of tasks prior to due date in case such an issue may arise
  • Print off or hand-write a copy if all else fails

Lost USB/ work

  • Always back up work in multiple locations
  • Always hit ‘ctrl’ and ‘s’ buttons throughout creating a piece of work to avoid losing your ideas

Computer is not working

  • Always back up work in multiple locations
  • See Mr Lines for assistance

I didn’t know it was due

  • Be in class regularly
  • Write down due dates in your diary
  • Have multiple copies of your assessment planner which has all the due dates listed
  • Clarify expectations and timeframes with your class teachers
  • Don’t leave the task until the night before to start and/or finish

What can students do to help themselves?

  • Attend school and classes regularly
  • (must be a minimum of 90% - for senior students unexplained absences will incur 2 points per absence as a part of the SSAP, and possibly lead to a cancelation of the enrolment due to a lack of engagement with the educational processes provided and course coverage.)
  • Plan ahead - use the assessment dates and planner given out last week to help organise your time for Semester 1 and map out when you will need to work on assessment
  • Attempt all work, at school and home, set by staff
  • Seek feedback and ask questions about all tasks – see your teachers before or after school, during lunch breaks or in class if there are opportunities to do so
  • Submit full drafts when required
  • Submit all tasks on time – including sitting exams and presenting oral tasks
  • Talk to staff if there are any concerns well before the due date
  • Attend study / homework club for further help (need to have submitted a permission form – collect one from Mr Kohli if you want to participate)
  • Apply for an extension (at least a week before the due date) if there is evidence to support the application. See the relevant HOD for the subject that the extension applies to, if you need to request this option.

How can you help your student through the school year, learning and assessment?

  • Know when their assessment due dates are and help plan
  • Ensure they are getting quality sleep
  • Ensure they are eating well
  • Ensure they have some ‘down time’ – some weeks may have more than others
  • Ensure that homework is attempted –e.g. going over class notes and ideas each day
  • Ensure they are asking staff for help if they are struggling at home
  • Contact the school if you have any concerns

Who can help support your student at CSHS?

There are many people who can help your student if they need it. Below is a list of some options should students not know who to see for help.

Class teachers

  • These are listed on student timetables
  • Have a list of emails to be able to contact staff or ring the school or have a chat or organise a meeting.

Heads of Departments

  • Science/ Maths – Mr Sebastian Kohli
  • HPE/Arts/ LOTE, Junior Secondary – Mrs Sabrina Goodingham (Yr 7 -9)
  • Technology/ VET - Bernie Matthews
  • English/ Humanities/ QCIA - Mrs Cassandra Kohli

Year Level Coordinators

Yr 10-12 Boys - Mr Leighton Webb

Yr 10- 12 Girls - Ms Jemma Day

Yr 7-9 Boys – Mr Sam Barrow

Yr 7-9 Girls - Ms Katherine Goult

Guidance Officer

Ms Kate Trulson

Careers/ Work Experience

Mrs Sue McDonald

Youth Support Coordinator

Mrs Jenny Peacock

Chaplain

Mr Les Penrose (Chappy)

Deputy Principal – Senior Schooling (Yr 11-12) / Teaching and Learning

Mrs Donna Gilvarry

Deputy Principal – Students Services ( Yr 7-10)

Mrs Jenni Peter

Principal

Mr Marcus Jones

Recent Events:

Sport

Softball –Recently a range of Yr 7—12 girls travelled to Chinchilla to compete in the SW Trials, along with Ms Sellin and Mrs Peacock. Congratulations to all the girls on their efforts, sportsmanship and demonstration of the Charleville SHS 4B’s and 4V’s.

Swimming Carnival – On Friday 12 February we held our annual swimming carnival. Congratulations to all who competed and those students who supported their peers through the day. Despite being a warm day, overall it was a relaxing day that saw many outstanding performances. Such an event couldn’t take place without the dedication of staff who worked tirelessly to ensure everything ran smoothly on the day. Thank you to all the staff that made the day such a success.

As always I would to thank you for your continued support of your student, the school and the educational process and hope that the term is productive for all students.

Regards
Donna

STUDENT SERVICES NEWS

STUDENT SERVICES- VISITING SPECIALISTS FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF

Student services have a number of specialist individuals and organisations visit the school. Most of these services are for students with a disability and/ or medical condition. If you wish for your child to access a specialist through the school please contact Mrs Jenni Peters.

The following specialists are have been/ are expected in our school over the next few weeks:

  • Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)- Natalya Kajewski- based at Charleville State School. Natalya visited last week and if she needs to see your student she would have contacted you. Natalya will return in Week 8. Natalya, at CSHS, works mainly with students verified with a Speech Language Impairment (SLI) or an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis either directly with the student or to produce programs to support the student. Natalya will also work with students potentially needing an SLI verification.
  • Advisory Visiting Teacher- Hearing Impairment- Sue Unger- based in Toowoomba. Sue will be here in Week 4 and supports students with a verified hearing impairment. Sue also works with staff to advise them on classroom and curriculum strategies that are specifically designed to help students with hearing loss to access their lessons.
  • PBL Regional Co-ordinator- Cathy Skinner- based in Toowoomba. Cathy will visit us in Week 4 to conduct the SET (School Evaluation Tool). The SET helps schools ensure they are on track in their PBL journey and to isolate areas where they need improvement.
  • Autism Queensland- a variety of specialty staff- based in Brisbane. Autism Queensland will be visiting Charleville in the week commencing March 21 (Week 9). All families that this visit effects have received a letter and consent form to be completed and sent back to school. Please direct any questions about the Autism Qld visit to your case manager.
  • EAL/D Support- Kath Kelly- based in Toowoomba. This is an ongoing service where Kath will work with Jenni Peters who will then work with CSHS staff to provide curriculum differentiation strategies for students from non-English speaking backgrounds.
  • Immunisation Clinics for Years 7 and 8- these commenced this week and there will be two more clinics over the year. If your child missed the vaccination today please make sure you visit the community clinic held at the Town Hall on Thursdays to catch them up.

READING PROGRAMS SET TO COMMENCE- LEVELLED LITERACY INTERVENTION (LLI) and MULTILIT

At CSHS we teach reading through a multi-tiered approach. The teaching of reading is for all students and is expected of all teachers. For student who have been tested and fall below the Regional Benchmarks, they may be included in our second level of intervention- Levelled Literacy Intervention (LLI). This is a commercial program we have purchased and will be run by Mrs Angela Stirton. The third level of intervention is another commercial program known as MultiLit (Making Up for Lost Time in Literacy). Some parents may be familiar with this program as it is run at many Primary Schools.

If your child is going to be a part of LLI and/or MultiLit you will be notified. There is a parent information session that will be held here at the school for parents and it will be at 5pm, Wednesday 24th February in the library.

CWAATSICH HEALTH MUSTERS

This week the first of three Health checkups for our students run by CWAATSICH will commence. All students are encouraged to attend and receive a checkup ranging from hearing screeners, eye tests, dietician support, speech language pathology and occupational therapy just to name a few. The consent forms must be returned and the clinics will be held here at school in the hall. Please contact me, Jenni Peters for further information.

STUDENTS WITH MEDICAL NEEDS

A reminder to parents/carers to notify the school about your child’s health

If you have received referral form from the school with regard to your child’s medical needs please return them as soon as possible.

SWD STUDENTS

SWD students will have received a letter from their 2016 case manager. If you have not please contact the school.

EAL/D STUDENTS

Over the next few weeks we will start the process of providing additional support to our EAL/D students. All students from non-English speaking backgrounds will produce a piece of written work to be analysed by our specialist EAL/D support worker in Toowoomba, Kath Kelly. There will also be a parent information night for EAL/D students in the coming weeks.

INDIGENOUS STUDENTS

CWAATSICH are attending CSHS every week on a Monday and Friday to open the hall and play sports on the oval. This will include both Indigenous and non-Indigenous games.

SPOTLIGHT ON… KATE TRULSON- Guidance Officer

How long have you been teaching for? 11 years

What is your favourite food? Mango

What is the best part of your job? Working with students to help guide their futures and make a positive difference to their lives.

What is your greatest achievement? Seven day trek to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro (5985m) in Africa to raise money for the Umoja Orphanage in Kenya. The hardest but most amazing experience of my life!

Until next time,

Jenni
Deputy Principal

Positive Behaviour Learning (PBL)

PBL Team

In 2016 the PBL team consists of Cassandra Kohli, Sam Barrow, Ange Stirton , Margaret Gibson, Sarah O’Brien, Bernie Matthews, Nancy McKinnon, Jenny Peacock, Cheryl Auchter, Marcus Jones, Katherine Goult, Narelle Web, Leighton Webb, Kate Trulson, Donna Gilvarry, Sebastian Kohli, Jemma Day and parent committee member, Rachel Kennedy.

Starbucks

So far this year, students have become familiar with their teachers rules and expectations in the classroom while also learning how to demonstrate the 4 B’s and 4 V’s. Continuing on our rewards system that we had in place last year, each student will have a Starbucks card, working towards gaining Starbucks for their positive behaviour. This card is signed off by the teacher when students are demonstrating our 4 B’s or 4 V’s. Throughout the year, students will receive certificates and awards for the amount of starbucks they have attained.

  • Bronze= 100 (certificate)
  • Silver= 200 ($5 tuckshop voucher)
  • Gold= 300 ($10 tuckshop voucher)
  • Platinum= 500 ($15 Prices Plus Voucher)
  • Diamond= 750 ($20 Heinemanns Voucher)
  • Supernova= 1000 ($25 iTunes Voucher)

Any parents or community members that are interested in joining the PBL committee please don’t hesitate to call the school and have a say in how our school can continue to develop its positive behaviour plan.

Sam Barrow (PBL Communication Coordinator)

Worlds Collide! (or maybe they just waved as they went by…)

Alongside the usual ups and downs of studying science in the senior school comes the study of wave motion. This week our Year 12 physics students experienced Deja-vu when in Maths B they started their latest piece of assessment. Part of the task has the students analyse periodic motion by using a data logger to track the position of a mass hanging from a spring.

It is a great chance for them to refine a model from some real data, and mathematically analyse something than can be otherwise difficult to observe.

Reading Corner

Tip 2:

Having worked on the first tip and continuing to ensure that your child/ren have an environment that they want to read in comes the second tip……………

The second tip that you can use to support reading at home is to ENCOURAGE and MODEL reading. This does not mean that you need to be a good reader yourself nor does it mean that you need to be reading all of the time but it will make a big difference if you are encouraging your child to read.

Ways that you could do this would be to set clear expectations of when your child will read and to reward them for completing this task. Research shows that improved results can be achieved by reading just 20 minutes per day. Encourage them to visit the school library and/or town library to access a book that they are interested in. Talk to your child and ask questions about what they are reading.

Model that you value reading by talking to them about how important reading is as a life skill. Model to them by reading the newspaper, magazines and/or books yourself and discuss what you have read with your child/ren. Parents and peers are teenagers’ biggest influences at this stage in their lives so it is important that you are the ones encouraging and modelling reading to ensure that they want to do the same!

Happy reading!

Ange Stirton

Is it a Grand Slam??? ( Carnival Report )

Friday 12 February was the date that inter-house hostilities recommenced at the Pool. It was the annual swimming carnival, and the big question was, “Can Torbruk finally be beaten?”

The annual carnival started with the traditional team swim, and it was an ominous with Trobruk having many more competitors than either Alamein or Kokoda. This lead was one that they tried to hold onto throughout the day. Kokoda tried hard throughout the day to catch them, and Alamein even hit the lead. But in the end, it was Torbruk, once again, that prevailed to continue their domination of the inter-house events. The final scores were; Kokoda, 1180, Alamein, 2022, and Torbruk, 2175.

With the students fighting for team glory, there was also the chance for personal glory. Age Champions in each event were:

  • Under 12 – Haidee Burgess and Jake Collins
  • Under 13 – Matilda Vaggs and Aiden Webb
  • Under 14 – Renee Duff and Mitchell Walker
  • Under 15 – Tiana Taratoa and Blair Shearwin
  • Under 16 – Charley Peacock and Harrison Alick
  • Under 17 – Kira Baxter and Jayden Aramoana
  • Open - Jim Duff

With these great efforts, there were a number of new records were set. Harrison and Mitchell set new marks in the 100m for their respective age groups, and Jim Duff set new records in the Open Boys backstroke and breaststroke. The outstanding effort of the day belonged to Haidee Burgess who set new records for every event in the Under 12 girls section. Well Done Haidee.

With all of these efforts, the greatest effort was from all of the students. This year we had the greatest attendance and the most participation at the carnival than we have had for many years. These efforts by the students made for today being a great spectacle, with even better atmosphere.

So well done everyone, and look out Tobruk in the Cross Country… the other teams are catching.

South West Softball Trials

On the 4th of February 12 girls from CSHS, Miss Sellin, Mrs Peacock and Miss Andreatta travelled to Chinchilla State High school to trial for the South West Softball Team. The travel there was fun with the girls singing along to their favourite songs and the team got the chance to stop in Roma for Lunch and a bit of shopping.

Once we got to Chinchilla High the team had to unpack the bus and get their beds ready for a night on the library floor. That night, the girls were treated with Mrs Peacock’s spaghetti Bolognese dinner and a special cupcake treat before watching a movie and going to bed early for a good night’s sleep, ready for the next day. The next morning the girls participated in various drills and games to show off their softball skills for the selectors, in the hope of being selected for the South West team.

The girls were up against many other participants from Chinchilla, St George, Taroom, Roma and Miles and showed that they had the skills to compete amongst these teams. Congratulations to Darryl-Rose Williams and Timiah Shillingsworth for gaining selection in the SW team. The girls will now travel to Toowoomba on 16th February for the Darling Downs Trials.

Throughout the two days the girls showed great enthusiasm and took pride in our school as they were well behaved and proudly displayed the 4 B’s and 4 V’s. Congratulations to the following girls who took part in the trails and good luck to Darryl-Rose and Timiah for the DD Trails.

  1. Darryl-Rose Williams
  2. Timiah Shillingsworth
  3. Sophie Saffy
  4. Mackenzie Ross
  5. Cass Campbell
  6. Matilda Vaggs
  7. Ashton Shearwill
  8. Bonnie Currie
  9. Jewel Nanyonga
  10. Alyssa Burns
  11. Chelsea Shorten
  12. Libby Usher

By Jenna Andreatta

Info from the GO

Online Services & Support: Headspace

There are many young people in our school community who find it difficult to ask for help directly through school support services. Over the coming weeks I will provide information for services that are available within our community, online or apps that may be of benefit.

Good mental health is about being able to work and study to your full potential, cope with day-to-day life stresses, be involved in your community and live your life in a free and satisfying way. Feeling down, tense, angry or anxious are all normal emotions, but when these feelings persist for long periods of time they may be part of a mental health problem. When this happens, it can be helpful to talk to someone about what’s going on in your life if you have noticed a change in how you are feeling and thinking. The school Guidance Officer, Chaplain, Youth Support Coordinator, School Based Youth Health Nurse or other staff members are always here to support you, however for those who prefer to speak on the phone or chat online, Headspace is an alternative option. You can talk in person, talk online, send an email or just read through information on their website

http://www.headspace.org.au/

Headspace is a National Youth Mental Health Foundation for youth aged 12-25. They can provide support on a broad range of issues like bullying, drug and alcohol issues, depression and anxiety, relationships, friendship concerns, fitting in and isolation. They have 80 centres throughout Australia and provide an online service for those who are unable to access a centre due to living in remote communities. eheadspace is a confidential, free, online service that can provide specialist advice and support for our youth and also parents and carers who are concerned about the mental health of a young person (aged 12-25). I would recommend that if you are concerned about your own or others mental health, talking to a friend, family member, school support team or your local GP is recommended.

Headspace: 1800 650 890 or chat online at

http://www.headspace.org.au/

Adapted from www.headspace.org.au

School Based Youth Health Nurse Info

SCHOOL BASED VACCINATION – INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

Vaccines are funded for adolescents under the National Immunisation Program Schedule to protect against the diseases below.

The Year 7 and 8 School Immunisation Program allows parents to have students vaccinated through their school at no cost. If your child is immunised by your doctor, the vaccine will be free but you may be charged a consultation fee.

Immunisation for adolescents is recommended because:

  • they need a booster dose for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis)
  • some immunisations need to be given in early adolescence (human papillomavirus)
  • they were not routinely given during childhood, such as chickenpox (varicella).

Recommended vaccines for Year 7 and 8 Students in 2016

Disease

Vaccine dose

Human papillomavirus

3 doses—0, 2 and 6 months

Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis)

1 dose

Chickenpox (varicella)

1 dose

School Immunisation Program

Queensland’s School Immunisation Program provides parents with the opportunity for their child to receive free scheduled immunisations at their school. In 2016, the program will be offered to all Queensland secondary schools. A child is eligible for vaccines based on their Year level at school rather than their age.

Vaccines are also funded for adolescents being home schooled or attending special school between the ages of 12 and 14 years of age.

Before the immunisation

Before the school visit, your child will be given a consent form that provides details about the disease, benefits of immunisation and any common side effects. Read the information, sign the consent form indicating whether you wish your child to be immunised and return it to the school. The decision to be immunised is one made by the student and/or their parent/guardian. Only students with a completed and signed consent form on the day of the school clinic will be immunised.

On the day

A fully trained and qualified team will visit your child's school to offer the free immunisations. At the time of immunisation, your child will be asked a series of standard questions to check if the student is medically well, has any severe allergies or is pregnant to ensure immunisation is appropriate. After the immunisation, the child will be observed in an area close to the immunisation team for at least 15 minutes. All students will receive an immunisation record to take home. Keep this with your child’s health records so you know which vaccines they have received.

If your child misses their immunisation at school

It is important to have your child immunised in the same year the vaccine is offered in the school program. If your child misses their school immunisation, they can be immunised:

  • at a catch-up school immunisation clinic (check with the service provider)
  • at a free community immunisation clinic (if offered by your local council or immunisation service provider)
  • by your doctor before the end of the following year (the vaccine will be free, however you may be charged a consultation fee).

Source: (http://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/immunisation/adolescents/index.html)

For further information you can contact Jennifer Sellin (Clinical Nurse – School Based Youth Health nurse) at Charleville Community and Allied Health Alternately Jennifer is at the school on Mondays and Thursdays.