10 November 2016

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

Hello to all parents, carers and community members. I have now been within the school for 3 weeks and have had the opportunity to meet and speak to many more of you. I hope that many of you were able to attend our inspirational awards evening that took place on Thursday 3 November in the Town Hall, it was fantastic to have the opportunity to meet so many of you face to face on the evening.

Awards evenings are one of my favourite events of the school calendar, as they are an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and hard work of our outstanding students. They allow students who are quite often the “quiet achievers” the opportunity to have their moment in the sun, an opportunity that they definitely deserve.

It was also an opportunity for some of our very talented students to showcase their enormous talents in front of a supportive and appreciative crowd. The students that presented and performed on the evening should be very proud of their efforts; they did an extraordinary job and made all of us very proud to have them a part of our school.

It was also a marvellous effort by Mr Marcus Jones to come back out to Charleville for this night to give a summary of the year and to congratulate all of the students. He has such a connection to the school and is very proud of his time at Charleville State High School, and of its students, and so it was fitting that Mr Jones speak at the Awards night to the students and community has had been a part of for close to 3 years

It was also wonderful to have Olympic cyclist, Ms Annette Edmondson speak to the students on the evening. Her message of setting short, medium and long term goals, to re-group and re-focus if things don’t quite go to plan, and to work hard to achieve those goals was perfect advice for all of our students. She also reminded all of the students that “the sky is the limit”.

Charleville State High School student leaders for 2017 were also announced on the evening. Congratulations to all leaders selected, with special congratulations to our Senior Captains for 2017, Jewel Nanyonga and Antoine Autufuga. I am really looking forward to working with these two friendly and extremely enthusiastic student leaders in 2017.

Our 2017 Student Leadership Team are:

Evenings such as our annual Awards Night do not happen by chance, they occur due to the enormous work by a dedicated group of teachers, support staff, students and parents. A special mention must go to Mr Sebastian Kohli for all of his meticulous planning and preparation for the night. Thank you also to everybody who contributed throughout the evening to make the night such a success.

CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP POSITION

Mr Bernie Matthews, Head of Department (HOD) Technology/VET will be on long service for the remainder of the year, and we wish him all the best for his travels and adventures during the next 5 weeks and into the Christmas holidays.

In his absence, his position will be filled by Ms Jemma Day, our exceptional Senior Year Level Co-ordinator, who has stepped up as Acting HOD Technology/VET for the remainder of the Year. I would like to publicly thank Ms Day for taking on this leadership role at what is a very busy time of the Year.

YEAR 6 TRANSITION AND ENROLMENT INTERVIEWS

The first of our two enrolment afternoons occurred on Thursday 27th October, with the staff involved very impressed with the students they met. It was a little disappointing to hear that only 12 families had booked interviews for this evening, which means that our second evening on Thursday 10th November, from 2.00pm to 5.00pm, will be a very busy evening indeed.

Please remember, that all students and parents are required to engage in the interview process before a student can be officially enrolled in the school for 2017. Please contact the office to secure a time for an interview time that suits.

Year 6 students from the local Primary Schools attended the Transition day at the High School on Friday 4th November. This day is designed so that the Year 6 students get a taste of the Year 7 curriculum awaiting them at high school, and are able to see and use some of the fantastic facilities and resources we have. It also allows them to get to know their way around the school campus so that they are ready to go at the start of 2017.

I had the pleasure of meeting the students on Friday morning, and although some were a little anxious about the move to high school, all were excited and participated enthusiastically on the day. Special thanks to Mrs Sabrina Goodingham, Head of Department Junior Secondary, for her organisation of the day, as well as Mr Sam Barrow, Mr Sebastian Kohli, and Mr Daniel Baeck for providing exciting activities for the students on Friday.

WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY

Friday 28th October was World Teachers’ Day. The school celebrated with a lunch for the teachers and a beautiful cake was presented by the P&C. Thank you to Julie Frousheger and the P &C team for this generous gesture. I am sure it helped greatly in making the day just that little bit more special for the teachers present.

Thanks also to Mrs Jenny Peacock, who with the help of a number of students, baked and then delivered muffins to staffrooms during morning tea break on the day – again a fantastic gesture to let the teachers know how much they are appreciated.

ATTENDANCE

Our attendance for Week 4 was better this week at 89.61%. Our school target is 92%, and it was pleasing to see that several of our form groups were well over this level. So many others were very close, and with only one or two students here for another day would have also achieved this level. Every single day counts in regards to a student’s education, and every day missed just makes continuity of learning that little bit harder. Although most students enjoy coming to school each day, there may be times where some struggle, but we have support options here at school for both students and families. Please contact us if there are any concerns or issues you are facing; we are here to assist. Your continued support in getting your students to school each and every day is greatly appreciated.

Congratulations to T1 who were the best attending Junior Secondary form class for both week 3 and 4, with K4 again reaching our target levels each week and being our best attending Senior Secondary form class for both weeks 3 and 4. Other classes are just behind them and just need a day or two more from form class members to receive this prize in the coming weeks.

Please also remember that if your child is absent from school for any reason that you phone the office to let us know.

YEAR 12 GRADUATION

With the year going so quickly, the end of their time here at Charleville State High School is coming fast for our Year 12 students; in fact by the time I sit to write the next newsletter in two weeks, their time at Charleville State High School will be over.

Preparation for their graduation, alternative week activities and Senior Formal are well under way. Special thanks to the teachers involved who have been frantically organising these activities along with dealing with their regular teaching and school duties.

The Senior Formal is being held on Saturday evening on the 12th of November at the Racecourse. Students and parents have been well informed over the previous weeks regarding this by our Senior Year Level Co-ordinators, Ms Jemma Day and Mr Leighton Webb. I look forward to seeing all of those involved there on the evening.

The Graduation for the Year 12s will take place in our school hall on Friday 18th of November. This will commence with a breakfast at 8.00am, followed by the ceremony from 9.00am until approximately 10.00am. Special thanks must go to Mr Sebastian Kohli for all of his work in preparing and organising everything for this very special occasion.

Again, I look forward to celebrating with you the end of your student’s time here at Charleville SHS, and the beginning of the next exciting chapter of their lives.

Matt Samson
Principal

Teaching and Learning News @ CSHS

While we are close to finishing the 2016 school year there is still much to happen. With the end in sight it is important to keep the goal of a successful education in focus, along with the basics.

All the best to the current cohort of Year 12 students as they complete their final assessment to end 12 years of schooling. While they move into the great unknown, they are hopefully going to take advantage of the endless possibilities that lay ahead of each of them.

For the rest of our student body, they are on notice regarding their attendance and engagement with their studies. Students, whose attendance and lack of effort and/or poor behaviour are continuing to cause concern regarding their progress, will be followed up with by a member of staff before the end of the term.

STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES @ CSHS

Certificate III in Hospitality

Congratulations to Year 12 students, Morgan Ward and Taylor Doneman, who recently completed their school-based traineeships at the RSL. This opportunity has provided both students with the Certificate III in Hospitality qualification, that they can now use for future employment opportunities. Thank you goes to the RSL for providing this opportunity for our students.

Certificate III in Business

Congratulations to Year 12 student Kim Sen, who recently completed their school-based traineeships at the Charleville branch of the Commonwealth Bank. Thank you goes to the CBA for providing this opportunity for our student.

I would like to thank the community for their support in helping our students achieve such success.

Key events ahead for the senior school

How can our students be successful?

ASSESSMENT – Expectations of students

• Assessment needs to be attempted on or before the due date (including exams and oral presentations)
• Assessment must be able to be 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.

What can students do to help themselves?

• Attend school and classes regularly

• Plan ahead - use the assessment dates and planner for Semester 2
• 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
• Apply for an extension if required due to extended illness or other exceptional circumstances. Evidence to support extensions is required.

How can you help your student through the stress of study 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

Regards
Donna Gilvarry
Deputy Principal

Info from the GO

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month which is a timely opportunity for us all to focus on the impact this disease has on our community. Last Thursday, Charleville SAS (Super Amazing Sisters) girls group held an afternoon tea in the Trade Training Centre to promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The girls organised and planned the ladies only afternoon for friends, family and staff members to raise much needed funds to support breast cancer research.

The afternoon was a huge success with over $300 being raised to support Cancer Council Queensland. Staff at Charleville State High School have also purchased pink ribbon polo shirts to raise awareness as there are many of us either know someone close or have been personally affected by breast cancer. Thank you to everyone who supported or contributed to this event and our thoughts are with those in our community who are currently receiving treatment.

Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers among Australian women. You can reduce your risk of cancer by eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active and limiting alcohol intake. People who are over forty years old should have their breast screen every two years. To make an appointment call Breast Screen Queensland on 13 20 50 or visit their website via the link below. For more information please contact Jennifer Sellin the SBYHN on 0427 697 214 or the Women’s Health Nurse Cheryl Hawkins on 0437 334 980.

Junior English and Humanities

Junior Humanities

Students in Junior Humanities have been engaged in a range of rich topics of study. This term year 7 Humanities are exploring the future of work and learning how technology will change the jobs of the future. Students have been particularly interested in the impact of drones on the workforce. Year 8 students have been exploring law and how laws are made. They have been tasked with proposing a new law for Australia. Year 9 students have continued to explore the events that have shaped Australian identity and after creating a presentation for a memorial are asked to participate in a panel to discuss the diverse nature of Australia. It has been great to see so many students engaged in meaningful learning in these classrooms.

Junior English

In Junior English students have been exploring a range of texts and learning to write in a range of genres. Year 7’s are exploring news media texts and working on writing a news article. Year 8 students are comparing novels and movies and analysing audience appeal in an essay. Finally, our year 9 students have been introduced to speculative fiction and are working on a story that makes people think. These classes have been hard at work during term 4.

Congratulations

A special congratulations to Amber Hinz for her participation in the IEUA 2016 Literary Competition. Amber submitted a short story earlier in the year and was awarded a certificate of participation on Junior Assembly last week. Thanks Amber for your efforts.

Reading Corner

Blogging has become one of the most important literacy skills of the 21st century. While few people are disillusioned enough to think that Facebook or Twitter could actually be valuable for social commentary or as serious discussion forums, blogs have become accepted as a democratic and ‘authorized’ space for digital knowledge production. The other important aspect of blogging and blog culture is that it allows people or groups to give others continuous updates on a variety of topics and receive feedback

Source:

Uploaded 16/08/2016

Break-ing words down

For many years, phonological and phonemic awareness, that is, learning to break words down into chunks for better understanding and sounding words out, was the standard practice in teaching reading.

For example un- der- stand- ing is one way understanding could be “broken down”. Then the “experts” decided to “re-invent the wheel.” All those skills were discarded, and students were being taught whole word recognition, So we have a whole generation of students who are not equipped with the strategies to decode words or break them into chunks they can understand. This is often linked to poorer spelling outcomes, too, as whole word recognition does not focus on this skill.

Special Education News

NDIS

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is coming to the Toowoomba area, and west to the borders, including the Murweh Shire Council, from 1 January 2017.

The NDIS is a new way of providing individualised support for people with an impairment or condition that is likely to be permanent, or a developmental delay that affects their ability to take part in everyday activities. The NDIS provides eligible people a flexible, whole-of-life approach to the support needed to pursue their goals and aspirations and participate in daily life.

If you currently receive disability services you should have been contacted by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) directly. If you haven’t received a phone call from the NDIA, we recommend you contact them immediately to establish eligibility. If you are not currently receiving services you will be able to apply to access the Scheme from 1 January 2017.

Check the information and resources available at the link below or phone 1800 800 110.

Communication

Good communication creates a shared understanding of your child’s needs and abilities. While you will have formal meetings with teaching staff and support staff, you may also have informal contact with each of these people on various issues. Working together means listening to all points of view but you should feel comfortable to question anything you are unsure about. It is good to have more than one way of communicating for the times when you can’t wait, or need to discuss something in private or in more detail.

Farwell Mrs Auchter

At the end of this year we farewell Mrs Cheryl Auchter, our very dedicated and passionate SWD teacher. Thank you for your contribution to the education of our students. Your hard work and commitment to the learning and wellbeing of our students has been greatly appreciated by the entire school community. Your presence at Charleville State High School will be greatly missed. We wish you all the very best for the future and hope they will carry with them fond memories of your time at Charleville State High School.

Charleville Junior Cricket

Charleville Junior cricket is into its third week of the season with the Under 10/12s and the Under 16s going strongly. Twelve Under 16s competed in a six-a-side game on Friday night under lights at the show grounds, while sixteen Under10/12s competed in an eight-a-side game on Saturday morning at the High school. Both games were very close, being decided by five and three runs respectively. Man-of- the-match, taking home the game ball in the Under 16s, was Jack Knight with sixteen runs and four wickets from three overs. Charlie Aitken also performed well, being the top run scorer with twenty. In the Under 10/12s Hugo Schmidt scored eight and Brock Carr scored fifteen not out, while Josh Breadhauer took four wickets and Jesse Short took three.

The Under 8s have had an interrupted start to the season as we are having trouble getting someone to run the sessions each week. As people would know, Andrew Short has been running Under 8s for the past few seasons, but is unable to commit every week due to work and family commitments. He needs someone who is prepared to help out on the weeks that he is unable to do it. Andrew is able to run the Under 8s this Friday night from 6pm at the high school hall. Last time he ran it (two weeks ago) he only had three cricketers. We are hoping to get more this Friday night, but if we have the same turn out we will have to cancel it. People do not need to have a lot of experience or knowledge of cricket, Andrew is happy to pass on his knowledge. It would be a shame to see one of our junior age groups fold.

Yr 9 Science Alternative Week

During the Yr 9 camp the students that did not attend participated in an alternate week for most subjects. In science classes students had the opportunity to participate in practical activities that used skills that have been developed throughout the year. This incorporated electrical circuits, making observations, chemical reactions and physical changes. Students hypothesised and participated in different experiments. The most enjoyed activities were ‘King Kong’s hand’ and creating electrical circuits. King Kong’s Hand looked into chemical reactions and how when things are added we see changes. This required students to place baking soda and vinegar into a plastic glove and close it tightly. When the reaction occurred the glove expanded due to the gases generated. The electrical circuit activity saw students given the equipment to create a circuit that powered as many light bulbs as possible using only one 9 volt battery, many students attempted this task but the winners were the boys who managed to light 9 light bulbs from one battery using a parallel circuit, a challenge even a senior class could not beat using the same equipment. The lessons were enjoyed by all that attended and allowed students to still have valued learning experience.