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 March 2020

Newsletter Articles

Newsletter – Principal’s Note

Term 1 Week 8 March 18, 2020

The Term is flying past and we are now moving through a key assessment period for the students. Staff have been working hard, as have the children, to prepare for these assessments and we really appreciate your support as we navigate this time. Elements such as ensuring students arrive on time and are prepared for learning with all the materials like pens, books, notes, laptops (for our Seniors), etc. makes such a positive difference.

COVID-19 Update – A message from the Principal for Parents and Caregivers

The following information has been provided to me by the Department of Education and I am including this with the newsletter to ensure that our school community has as much clarity as possible regarding the evolving situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Queensland Health and the Australian Department of Health are working tirelessly to manage and contain the impact of this virus for Australians and Queenslanders alike. They are regularly updating travel advice at the link below as new information emerges.

https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

The Department of Education continues to work closely with Queensland Health to monitor the situation and identify and manage any impacts on schools and early childhood centres. You can be assured that we have been preparing and stand ready to act should the need arise.

I wanted to also provide you with some more information about the approach that our school might need to take if a COVID-19 case is identified in our school.

If a case is identified in our school, the Department of Education and Queensland Health will work closely with us in managing our response and our actions will be taken with community health at the centre of our decision making.

If there is a confirmed case at our school, it is likely our school will need to close for a period to allow Queensland Health to assess the situation and to perform contact tracing as required to identify people and students who may have come in contact with the COVID-19 case. You may have already seen this happening in other states where confirmed cases have been identified.

The Department of Education will then work with our school to conduct any specialised cleaning of our facilities as required to ensure our school is safe for students and staff to return when clearance is given. A closure is likely to include any on-site services such as outside school hours care (OSHC) and other facility hirers.

Continuity of learning is extremely important to us and, as in other disaster and emergency events, the department has online learning materials and virtual classroom capability that can be used by teachers to support your child’s learning. The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) also has procedures in place to support senior secondary students.

If your child develops flu-like symptoms, please:

  • keep your child at home;
  • avoid close contact with others such as touching, kissing or hugging, or any mass gatherings, especially those involving other children;
  • see a doctor or contact 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) immediately;
  • seek medical advice if your child has other underlying medical conditions; and
  • call ahead to the medical centre or doctor’s surgery, advising of your child’s symptoms and the closure of the school.

It is also important to continue to encourage your children to:

  • wash their hands regularly with soap and water, particularly before and after eating, and after going to the toilet
  • we are currently sourcing soap dispensers to install in the amenities block and regularly checking soap availability until they are installed;
  • use alcohol-based hand sanitiser if soap is unavailable;
  • cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of their elbow; and
  • dispose of tissues in the bin immediately.

Further advice and information about the coronavirus is available on the Queensland Health website below.

http://conditions.health.qld.gov.au/HealthCondition/condition/14/217/838/novel-coronavirus

As a community, during this preparation phase, it may be timely for families to consider their own family and care arrangements should school closure be necessary.

Again, while you can be reassured that the Department of Education and Department of Health are taking all necessary measures to contain COVID-19, it is important for me to keep information flowing to parents and caregivers to ensure we are all informed and prepared as a community, should this public health issue come into our school.

I thank you for your support in managing this event and supporting student awareness of the additional need for strong health and hygiene practices.

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)

One key aspect of providing supportive environments is our PBL Focus of the week, which for weeks 7 and 8 is to “Be a Learner – Behave in a way that allows others to learn”. This is not always as simple as it sounds for our students as they work through adolescence and we support development with this by continually modelling the expected behaviours and explicitly teaching what this looks like during our PBL focus lessons every Tuesday.

School Review – information for parents and the community

During week 7 the school completed the four year review process, conducted by a team of three specialist staff from the Department of Education. They met with almost every staff member, including support staff, as well as a large number of students, parents and community members.

On behalf of the school I would like to express my thanks to everyone who participated in this process and for the open feedback we have received. This will be used to create a report that incudes key recommendations for the school to focus on and plan for over the next four years. The Executive Summary version of this will be uploaded to the school website as soon as it is received and I will advise the P&C and school community when this has occurred, expectation is to receive this report prior to the end of Term 1.

Assemblies

On our whole of school assemblies we review our progress over the past weeks as well as delivering key messages and this week (8) we will be continuing our focus on PBL (Behave in a way that allows others to learn) as well as reinforcing the need for excellent personal hygiene practices.

All the best,

Barry Wallett

Senior School

Term 1 has been flying by and our year 12 students in General Subjects are now having their results for task 1 entered to begin the Confirmation process. Soon the school will be submitting requested student work samples to confirm the results for these students as we move forward through their year 12 year. While this might seem like a stressful time, the best advice for students is as always to manage their time, look ahead using the assessment calendar, ensure they are attending classes and completing work. If due to illness a student is unable to attend classes (please read the COVID-19 Update) students can continue to access class work and teacher support through email to ensure that they can be successful in their senior year.

Assessment and Due Dates

With students completing a range of assessment tasks it is important that they remember that with the new senior system a number of changes have been made to the assessment policy. Particularly in regards to due dates as teachers cannot accept work submitted after the due date unless there is an approved extension which for senior students requires supporting documentation to be provided. In the case of year 12, any change to an assessment task or date must be reported by the school to the QCAA and these adjustments must be supported by evidence.

Students cannot have an extension for events such as family holidays or computer issues. Parents should access the assessment calendar to ensure students are either at school for assessment, able to electronically submit assignments if they are absent from school, or have students submit work prior to leaving on a family trip. Students need to ensure they are backing their work up on their computer, USB, and emailing themselves or their teacher regularly so that their work is not lost.

Should students or family members unfortunately become ill or other circumstances occur that are beyond the students’ control (such as the recent flood event) that prevent them from completing and submitting assessment by the due date, parents should try to contact the school as soon as possible and organise a medical certificate or other appropriate documentation.

Easter Raffle

Finally, I’d like to thank our year 12 students and their families for their donations to the Easter raffle. The students, with the support of Nathan Bailey (YLC for Senior School) and Sue McDermott (HOD for Senior School), will soon be selling tickets for two lovely Easter baskets in order to raise money toward their formal. Fantastic to see our students and their families working together with staff in order to ensure that they have a very special night.

Thanks,
Cassandra Kohli

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL JUNIOR SCHOOLING
AND STUDENT SERVICES NEWS

WELCOME TO WEEK 8

Learning

How can you help your student at home?

As adults and parents, we want to ensure our children arrive at the ‘right conclusion’. It is tempting to explain everything rather than allowing our children to explore their own thoughts about the topic and putting their ‘Thinking Cap’ on. The simplest ways in which parents can assist in developing a child’s Higher Order Thinking skills, and encourage them to put on their ‘Thinking Cap’, can be as simple as encouraging our children to think about ‘why’, ‘how’ and ‘therefore this means that…..’. For many parents who already do this it is important to understand just how vital it really is to have your student put on their ‘Thinking Cap’ regularly.

At Charleville State High School, we often direct the following questions to students.

What are you learning?
How are you doing?
How do you know?
How can you improve?
Where do you go for help?

Parents could use the same questions to start conversations with their students when enquiring on their school progress.

Assessment

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

As a parent:

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’;
Discuss the four learning objectives they have written for the four lessons they have each day;
Ensure that regular homework/study 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; and
Contact the school if you have any concerns.

Who can support your student at CSHS?

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

Class Teachers

Know who your student’s teachers are. Have a list of emails to be able to contact staff or ring the school to have a chat or organise a meeting. For curriculum matters contact the Heads’ of Department.

Head of Departments:

Diverse Learning (including HOSES)

Mrs Katherine Neucom

Junior Secondary

Ms Amy Roughan

Middle School

Mr Brad Lines

Senior School

Ms Sue McDermott

Guidance Officer

Ms Sharon Groskopf

Youth Support Coordinator

Mrs Katie McLeod

CEC

Jolene Russell

School Based Youth Health Nurse

Jen Frazer

Chaplain

Mr Les Penrose (Chappy)

Deputy Principals:

Senior Schooling

Mrs Cassandra Kohli

Junior Schooling and Students Services

Mrs Narelle Webb

Principal

Mr Barry Wallett

Junior Certificate of Education

Students in years 8 and 9 need to be responsible for their own learning and be aware of how they need to earn the points to gain their Junior Certificate of Education (JCE). Brochures are available in the front office if students or parents wish to know more information.

School Uniforms

It is wonderful to see almost every student in school uniform for the start of the school year. We are currently taking orders for the black hoodies that are very popular with the students. Payment of $35 must be made with the order before the end of term 1. This is just a one off opportunity to order the hoodies. School jerseys and jackets are available year round at the uniform shop, which is open every Tuesday morning.

Attendance

Currently the attendance of most students in the junior school is excellent. However, there are a few individuals that need support in ensuring that they attend school on a regular basis. At Charleville State High School, our goal is for all students to attend school 92%. Every term letters are sent to individual families whose child’s actual attendance in the junior school was less than 80%. If you ever receive a letter, please ensure that your child attends school every day unless there is a valid reason. If attendance does not improve then the next step in the process of reaching the goal of 92% is to send an official Education Queensland letter requesting an interview to discuss why attendance is at such a level. These letters will be sent out before the end of term.

Reading Program

If your child is part of the LLI program you will receive a letter from the school in the near future. At this stage we are focusing on students significantly under the Regional reading benchmark. It is essential that if your child is part of this program that they fulfil all the criteria of the program - otherwise their progress will not be reflective of what could be achieved.

The criteria include 100% attendance (except for extenuating circumstances) and the completion of the set homework. If you have any concerns or questions regarding the program please don’t hesitate to contact Ms Sue McDermott at the school. There is a waiting list to enter the program and therefore students who fail to meet the criteria will be exited so as to ensure the best results for all students who want to improve.

Another level of reading intervention is a commercial program known as MultiLit (Making Up for Lost Time in Literacy). If your child is part of LLI and/or MultiLit you will be notified.

Student Services

Bullying is an ongoing misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that causes physical and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power over one or more persons. Bullying can happen in person or online, and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert).

Bullying of any form or for any reason can have long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying. However, these conflicts still need to be addressed and resolved. Online bullying (sometimes referred to as cyberbullying) is bullying carried out through the internet or mobile devices. Not all online issues are bullying, you can learn more about cybersafety issues, including online bullying.

I would like to remind our school community that students are able to make anonymous reports via the stymie website at the link below to report any such issues.

http://www.stymie.com.au/

Currently Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) staff are planning explicit lessons/activities to address the RESPECT aspect of the Learning Expectations at Charleville State High School in term 2.

MOBILE PHONES

We have a very positive and supportive response from the community regarding the changes to the Charleville SHS mobile phone policy. Year seven, eight and nine students are not allowed to have a phone at school. Years 10 to 12 students are allowed to have a phone in their possession but not use it in school hours. A Teacher may give permission for a student to use their phone within the teachers’ supervision. Strictly no social media is allowed during school hours.

The inappropriate use of mobile phones is occasionally reported to the school. As the mobile phone is used outside of school hours we recommend that you contact the police if you have concerns.

As responsible adults, 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/electronic devices, what they receive and what they send. There are some very useful apps that can be used to assist parents in monitoring their child’s data.

Internet Use

At Charleville State High School students are to use the school’s internet for educational needs only. Games, even at break times are not allowed. I also encourage parents and carers to actively supervise their child’s internet use at home. The excessive use of online gaming is not supporting students to become Learners who are resourceful, flexible, creative, mindful and intercultural competent global citizens. There is numerous research on the amount of screen time a young person should have before it affects their welling. Parents need to monitor carefully their teenager especially when they are in contact with others online. Phones and ipads etc. should not be in the bedroom prior to sleeping. It is evident that a number of students have disturbed sleep patterns and this consequently affects their ability to concentrate at school.

Immunisation

Immunisation Clinics for Years 7

Most year seven students received their first immunisations on 13th February. Our School Based Youth Health Nurse, Jen Sellin did an excellent job in organising this essential service for our students. I would like to congratulate all of the year seven students on their behaviour whilst the immunisations took place. The Queensland Health workers said they were one of the best groups they had ever immunised.

Immunisation for Meningococcal (Year Ten students)

On February 13th, the majority of year ten students received their immunisations for meningococcal.

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.

Students should not carry medication in their bags unless the school is aware of it and it is for immediate action. Eg Epipen, Ventolin.

Until next time,

Narelle Webb
Deputy Principal
Junior Schooling/Student Servicesg

Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak

Beyond Blue recognises and understands the feelings of anxiety, distress and concern many people may be experiencing in relation to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and offers the following wellbeing advice.

Try to maintain perspective

While it is reasonable for people to be concerned about the outbreak of coronavirus, try to remember that medical, scientific and public health experts around the world are working hard to contain the virus, treat those affected and develop a vaccine as quickly as possible.

Find a healthy balance in relation to media coverage

Being exposed to large volumes of negative information can heighten feelings of anxiety. While it’s important to stay informed, you may find it useful to limit your media intake if it is upsetting you or your family.

Access good quality information

It’s important to get accurate information from credible sources such as those listed below. This will also help you maintain perspective and feel more in control.

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert

https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/coronavirus-covid-19

Conversations with children and young people

Families and caregivers of children and young people should discuss news of the virus with those in their care in an open and honest way. Try to relate the facts without causing alarm, and in a way that is appropriate for their age and temperament. It is important to listen to any questions they may have, to let them know that they are safe and that it’s normal to feel concerned. If the media or the news is getting too much for them, encourage them to limit their exposure.

Try to maintain a practical and calm approach

Widespread panic can complicate efforts to manage the outbreak effectively. Do your best to stay calm and follow official advice, particularly around observing good hygiene habits.

The Australian Psychological Society has advice about maintaining positive mental health during the outbreak.

Try not to make assumptions

To contribute to a sense of community wellbeing, try to remember that the coronavirus can affect anyone regardless of their nationality or ethnicity.

Seek support

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by news of the outbreak, particularly if you have experienced mental health issues before.

Where possible, it can help to maintain normal routines. It can also help to stay in touch with friends and family, eat a balanced diet and stay physically active.

Acknowledge feelings of distress and seek further professional support if required.

Beyond Blue has fact sheets about anxiety and offers other practical advice and resources at the link below.

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

The Beyond Blue Support Service offers short term counselling and referrals by phone and webchat on 1300 22 4636.