28 February 2018
Newsletter Articles
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
CHARLEVILLE STATE HIGH SCHOOL – NUMBER 1 IN THE STATE!
In an article in the Courier Mail last week, Charleville State High School was recognised for being the number one school in the state for helping students achieve results above their socio-economic expectations, as well as for the highest percentage of the Year 12 cohort completing an OP pathway course of study!
This was a much deserved acclamation for the hard work and dedication of the staff at our school and for encouraging our students that the “sky is the limit.” This has come about through teachers and other staff inspiring students, allowing students to take risks, and encouraging them to commence an OP pathway. Staff then track and support students throughout their senior years, to ensure they remain eligible for their QCE and are successful in their OP subjects.
The even more pleasing aspect of this information is that every OP student that applied to QTAC received an offer for a course at a tertiary institution, ensuring they have a positive option to commence after school.
As quoted in the Courier mail, in regards to student results, Charleville State High School is “hitting it out of the ballpark!”
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
Charleville State High School continually strives to provide opportunities for students to participate in a variety of extra-curricular activities and experiences. Last week many of our students had the chance to participate in a number of very exciting opportunities.
On Tuesday and Wednesday of week 5, students were given the opportunity to participate in a skills and drills session with former Australian netball captain, Vicki Wilson. Students nominated to work with Vicki, with groups of about 30-40 students working with her from each year level over the day.
The students really got into the sessions, learning skills, but also picking up lots of tips from the champion netballer about how to be successful – not just in sport, but also in life!
The Bangarra Dance Company attended the school on Tuesday 22 February to hold auditions with students to select a group of lucky students that they will work with in the coming months to develop a dance reflective of the local indigenous story.
The dance company normally select a group of 18 to work with, but because the group auditioning were so impressive, motivated and engaged, they have selected all students who were involved on the day. A congratulation and information letter will be given to the students this week to take home for parents.
I was very impressed and proud of the students who participated on the day and look forward to seeing how much they improve over the gathering days in the future. The first days will be the first week after the Easter holidays.
I also reminded all of the students involved that this opportunity before them is also about supporting their educational outcomes, and so involvement is still dependant on them achieving required attendance, engagement, behaviour and achievement levels at school. To work with the Bangarra Dance group is a privilege, not a right, and the students need to use this as motivation to stay focused on their schooling responsibilities. Students not meeting these expectations will unfortunately not be able to continue with the group. Further information regarding this will be included in the letter home this week.
Congratulations again to all students involved – I hope you all make the most of this amazing opportunity in front of you.
Our very sincere thanks to the HOPE foundation for their support and organisation in obtaining these amazing opportunities for our students.
FAREWELL
Courtney Burns, our amazing Beyond Broncos school ambassador, will unfortunately be leaving us at the end of this term.
Courtney has only been with us for a short time but has done an incredible job of supporting and motivating many of our students to improve their attendance and engagement at school.
This means that the Beyond Broncos team will be looking
for a replacement for Courtney and her role as Student Support Officer –
Indigenous Girls Academy Programs. If you may be interested or know of
someone who may be, for more information, please contact Gail Stephenson,
Program Manager – Indigenous Girls Academy via email at
gail.stephenson@broncos.com.au.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION EVENING
There are some very significant changes happening to Senior Schooling across Queensland in 2019. The QCE system and OP system as we know it know will be different as of next year. This will include things such as external exams for our students as they complete their senior studies as of 2019.
On Monday 5 March, the school will be holding a very important information night to inform parents of these changes and of what this will mean to students. I strongly urge all parents of our current year 10 students to come along on the evening to listen to the information, and to ask any questions that you might have around this new system.
This event will be held from 5.30pm - 6.30pm in the Professional Library in the school office. I look forward to seeing all of you there for this very important information session.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- New QCE and ATAR parent information night – Monday 5 March
- Brian Kerle, Darryl White, Kelly McKellar visit – Wed 7 and Thursday 8 March
Have a great fortnight everyone,
Matt Samson
Principal
Deputy Principal Senior Schooling Report
Indigenous Education Community Meetings
Charleville State High School holds an Indigenous Education Community Meeting once a month. This Committee provides a link for our indigenous community/family to share knowledge, celebrate and be involved in the education of the children enrolled at Charleville State High School. If you have a child/grandchild attending Charleville State High School who identifies as ATSI or you are interested in the education of ATSI children in our community then we welcome and encourage you to attend our meetings.
In 2018, these meetings will be held in the school Professional Library, situated in the school office, and will occur on the second Thursday of each month. If you wish to discuss a particular topic please forward your agenda item to jruss336@eq.edu.au prior to meeting day.
QCE Tracking
Mr Kohli and I are busy closely monitoring our senior students, to ensure they are on a pathway to successfully gain their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). We will also be organising parent/student interviews with those students who are ‘at risk’ of not gaining their QCE, so we can form an action plan.
Year 10 Work Experience
Beginning in 2018, all Year 10 students will be completing a week of Work Experience, to align with their Certificate II in Foundation Skills for Work (CERT II FSK), which they complete during their Pastoral Care classes. This course teaches students basic literacy and numeracy skills, as well as the skills required to study certificate courses. The course will also give students points toward their QCE.
Work Experience will occur in the last week of school in Term 2 (Week 11). It would involve sourcing over 50 positions for students for 5 days straight, for 6 hours each day. Working hours/times will be negotiated with the employer. These positions do not have to be in this town. Through negotiations with us, students could go anywhere in QLD. They might have relatives in Brisbane or a family property in Emerald that they could go to for a week of work experience.
Students will be allocated a prospective employer, according to their preferences and then be able to ‘apply’ for this job. They will have to write a letter of introduction and a resume (all done through the Cert II FSK in Pastoral Care), which will be sent to the business. Students will have to present to the business before the work experience for an interview, giving the employer an opportunity to outline their expectations.
If there are any employers who are interested in having a work experience student for a week, from Monday 25th June to Friday 29th June, please contact Ange Vetter at the school on 4656 8888.
The New QCE and ATAR – Parent Evening
On the 5th March, Ms Moller and Mr Kohli will be presenting information to Parents and Students about the New QCE and ATAR. The information session will begin at 5:30pm in the Professional Library inside the Administration Building.
VET News
We have a number of traineeships and apprenticeship opportunities coming up.
- Certificate III Retail (IGA)
- Certificate III Business Administration (RESQ)
- Certificate III Business Administration (BAS)
- Certificate III Tourism/Business Administration ( Cosmos Centre, full time, 2 positions)
If your student is looking for the opportunity to be involved, please contact Ange Vetter at the school on 4656 8888.
Thank you to all the businesses that support our students and our school. If you have an opportunity within your business to employ a school based trainee or apprentice, please contact Ange Vetter on 4656 8888.
Cheers
Vanessa Moller
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL JUNIOR SCHOOLING AND STUDENT SERVICES NEWS
WELCOME TO WEEK 6
JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS
As we enter the second half of Term 1 we are finding that our students are beginning to enter the assessment stage of the term. A Junior School assessment calendar has been given to all students in years 7 to 9. I encourage all parents to ask their student for a copy of this calendar and assist in planning and organizing the extra time they may need to study or complete assignments. The Homework club is a great opportunity for students to receive extra help from their teachers. The students merely need to ask their teacher the day before if they would help them at Homework Club. If the classroom teacher cannot be available then there is always another staff member only too willing to assist.
STUDENT SERVICES Team - 2018
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL Junior Schooling- Narelle Webb
GUIDANCE OFFICER- John Anderssen
JUNIOR SCHOOLING HOD – Sabrina Goodingham
JUNIOR SCHOOL YLCs- Kate Jackson and Daniel Baeck
HOSES – Katherine Neucom
MASTER TEACHER- Brooke Andrews
PBL TEAM LEADER- Sarah O’Brien
SWD TEACHER- Amiee Dolman
YOUTH SUPPORT COORDINATOR- Jenny Peacock
SCHOOL BASED YOUTH HEALTH NURSE- Jen Sellin
CEC – Jolene Russell
BEYOND BRONCOS ACADEMY – Courtney Burns
CAREERS OFFICER- Angelique Vetters
CHAPLAIN- Les Penrose
ADOPT AN ELDER- Robbie Geebung
ADOPT A COP- Liv Smith
CWAATSICH
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS OFFICER- Deb Csatlos
The Student Services team will oversee the following areas:
- Medical Needs and Plans
- Students with a Disability(SWD) and QCIA
- EAL/D students
- Indigenous students
- Students with additional needs e.g. dyslexia, ADHD, Auditory Processing, mental health
- Positive Behaviour for Learning
- Behaviour Support including support plans and flexible arrangements
STUDENT SERVICES- VISITING SPECIALISTS FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF
- Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)- Natalya Kajewski- based at Charleville State School. Natalya will be visiting this week (Week 6). Natalya has also been a frequent attendee at our fortnightly Student Support Committee (SSC) meetings.
- EAL/D Support- Anna Batsone has been working in this area to ensure our students who have English as a second language are well supported at our school.
- Immunization Clinics for Years 7. All year seven students received information and forms to be signed for the year seven immunization program which will commence in March. If you did not receive your form, please contact the main office for a new one. Every student in the school was handed an envelope. If the forms have not been returned our School Based Youth Health Nurse, Jen Sellin will be contacting home to ensure every student has the opportunity to be part of this program. Thank you to the majority of families who have already returned their forms.
- Immunization for Meningococcal (Year Ten students) With the recent increase in the number of meningococcal cases in Queensland all year ten students will be immunized. Forms have been sent out and immunizations will commence in March.
READING PROGRAMS
Ange Stirton and Wendy Porter are implementing the Tier 2 reading intervention program (LLI) in 2018. The third level of intervention is another commercial program known as MultiLit (Making Up for Lost Time in Literacy) commenced last week in week 5. If your child is part of LLI and/or MultiLit you will be notified. I am very pleased to announce that there will be a fourth tier of intervention commencing in Term 2.
STUDENTS WITH MEDICAL NEEDS
A reminder to parents/carers to notify the school about your child’s health. Students with ongoing medical needs should have an ACTION PLAN (eg asthma and anaphylaxis) supplied to the school.
SWD STUDENTS
SWD students will have received contact from their 2018 case manager. If you have not received contact, please notify the school. Individualised Learning Plans are currently being updated and Parents who have children placed on an ICP will need to come to the school for a formal interview.
STUDENT COUNCIL
Thanks to Jenny Peacock who has commenced the Student Council. The following students have been voted for and accepted leadership positions within the Council:
Student Council President- Sophie
Saffy
Treasurer- Latesha
Leleca
Secretary- Georgia Knight
Two of the initiatives that will be addressed by student council is The World’s Greatest Shave on March 15 and a KINDESS DAY on 27 March.
ZUMBA AND THE HOPE FOUNDATION
Thanks to the HOPE foundation we will be offering to all students a ZUMBA class every Tuesday afternoon from 3:15 to 4:00pm with plans to supply a healthy afternoon tea. Letters will be available to explain the process in the near future.
TRADIES’ CLUB
This is another of Jenny Peacock’s great initiatives to help engage students of our school in something positive. Once a week after school, students have the opportunity to gain valuable skills that they will have for life.
STUDENT SUPPORT HUB
Every Tuesday and Thursday in Break 1 & 2 the students are able to sign in to participate in games such as table tennis and board games in C Block. On Wednesdays the students will be able to participate in craft sessions.
PEER SKILLS
In week ten we are hoping to conduct a Peer Skills workshop for a number of our students. We are very fortunate to have trained personnel available that will assist us in delivering this worthwhile initiative. Students will be notified soon of the opportunity.
MOBILE PHONES
We have had a very positive and supportive response from the community regarding the changes to the Charleville SHS mobile phone policy. Year seven students are not allowed to have a phone at school. Years 8 to 12 students are allowed to have a phone in their possession but not use it in school hours. Almost all students have been very responsible and have not used their phones in school hours. Those students who use their phone irresponsibly are required to hand the phone into the office. A parent will be contacted and must make arrangements to collect the phone. There have been the occasional situation where a student needs to use their phone (contact employer etc). They ask permission from a teacher and within sight of the teacher uses the phone. The same situation applies on school events off campus. A Teacher may give permission for a student to use their phone within the teachers supervision (eg music on the bus). Strictly no social media is allowed. In 2017 the inappropriate use of a mobile phone was often reported to the school, however the majority of times the mobile phone is used outside of school hours. Please carefully consider your young persons’ best interest and the amount of time they use digital media. I urge all parents to know what your student has stored on their phone, what they receive and what they send.
Until next time,
Narelle Webb
Deputy Principal
Year 8 Humanities
It is hard to believe we have just passed the half way point of Term One. This year I have the pleasure of teaching three year 8 classes each for different subjects HPE, Science and Humanities which has allowed me to get to know my students very well. Throughout the term in Humanities we have focused our studies on Medieval Europe. Students have enjoyed learning the weird and wonderful facts of Medieval life which have created much discussion and debate. The class enjoyed creating their own family crest shield designs. Students now have their assessment and are learning and refining their research skills. At the completion of this assessment all students will have designed and made their own board game on the topic of The Crusades. I am looking forward to working to develop and improve research skills and seeing the creativity of the class!
Kate Jackson
Newsletter article – Monday 26th Feb 2018
Softball Update
Mrs Creedon
As some of you are aware, softball begins very early in the school year however, that does not stop Charleville State High School students. The school team travelled to St. George back in Week 2 and even through it rained, it still did not stop our girls from displaying their skill level.
Mary Williams, Mackenzie Ross, Ashtyn Shearwin & Matilda Vaggs were selected into the South West team which went to the Darling Downs trials in Toowoomba in Week 4. All four girls represented our school positively throughout the trial day. Even though the girls were unsuccessful with selection into the Darling Downs team, they should be very proud of themselves.
Well done girls!
What’s next with softball?
Softball will begin again during Term 3 this year with the South West trials being held in Term 4, rather than Term 1 of the following year. Students will be advised of trainings closer to the date.
Charleville State High School P&C
CSHS P&C would like to thank Mrs Lindsay and her band of student helpers for manning the P&C canteen at the pool for the SW Regional Swimming Carnival on Friday the 23rd of February. From all accounts the Hamburgers/Bacon & Egg McMuffins went down a treat and this was due to your great cooking abilities and customer service on the day. The P&C fundraiser has raised approximately $550 on the day and this money will be channelled back into the school and will benefit all students in one way or another.
The P&C also supplied workers to cook the breakfast on Saturday morning for the Adrian Vowel’s football competition and we thank those helpers as well for a job well done.
CLEANER – CASUAL
If you are interested in casual cleaning please contact Jillian Bussell on 4656 8888. You must have or be able to obtain a Suitability Card from Working with Children (Queensland’s Blue Card system).
KEY DUTIES: Contribute to the efficient and effective operation and environment of the school by providing a high level of cleaning support.
TEACHER AIDE POSITION – Temporary Part Time
Position end date: 7th December 2018
15 hours per week (minimum) 25 hours per week (maximum)
Salary $24.88/hour
KEY DUTIES: Contribute to the provision of a quality educational service by assisting and supporting teachers in the classroom with the preparation/enhancement of learning materials and associated activities.
Applications for this position will remain current for 12 months.
REQUIREMENT FOR POSITION: Prospective employees must make application for, and be able to obtain, a suitability card from the Working with Children Check (Queensland’s Blue Card system).
Application packages will be available from the School Office between 8am and 4pm.
Contact: Jillian Bussell
Ph: 4656 8888
Email: jbuss1@eq.edu.au
CLOSING DATE is Friday 16th March 2018