27 May 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Note

Week 6 has brought the long-awaited return to learning at school for all year levels and we are all very relieved, excited and a little “interested” to see how students settle back in after the extended period away from school. We have been busily preparing for this and the key messages from all school staff will be a warm welcome back to students and re-focusing on the educational relationships so essential to student learning outcomes. There will also be a clear focus on ensuring the children are aware of the school and class expectations to enable a productive learning environment for all students and staff.

The first day back was highly successful with students receiving updated timetables and then quickly getting organised for the day’s learning. We had a very pleasing attendance rate with nearly 92% of students back at school and very few unexplained absences, another great indicator of student’s willingness to return to onsite learning.

You can continue to assist the return to school process by helping your child/children to be prepared for their learning with simple strategies such as packing bags the night before, uniforms ready to go and a good night’s sleep. Once routines are fully re-established students, like adults, feel better prepared and ready for whatever the day brings. If you have any concerns or questions please contact class teachers or one of the leadership team and we will do our best to address matters.

Operational approach

To promote good hygiene we are encouraging students to have personal water bottles to fill during break times as well as providing hand sanitiser in all class rooms. Toilets and high use areas are cleaned during the day as well as the normal cleaning times and soap dispensers have been installed to further support regular hand washing.

Lunch breaks will continue according to the established timetable and protocols. Lines have been placed at the tuckshop to help with distancing practices and students will continue to have separate zones for the breaks with the Year 7 and 8’s in the undercover area between A and B blocks and the Year 9 and 10 students around D block. Year 11 and 12 students are predominantly located in the covered eating areas along the oval.

P&C Meeting

The next P&C Meeting is Wednesday the 27th of May at 5.00pm in the school library. This is a great forum to have input into school direction and to be informed of how things are progressing. We do need to be aware of the maximum numbers for indoor gatherings (currently 20) and would still love for parents/caregivers to come along so please contact the school if you are interested in attending.

In Closing

Once again I would like to say how much your support has meant to the staff and myself as we have worked together through this period. We are very much looking forward to continuing and consolidating this strong partnership as we move into the second half of Term 2.

All the best,

Barry Wallett

Year 10 SET Plans

The Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan maps out a plan of action for students as they transition to senior school, an apprenticeship, traineeship, or work and their plans post schooling. This process involves the student reflecting on which path they see themselves on and how they will achieve their goals.

Beginning in week 7, students will be able to begin reflecting on their pathway for next year completing an online survey of their intentions after completing year 10. They will also do their initial subject survey for year 11 should they intend to continue their education at Charleville State High School.

Parents should speak with their student around their future plans and discuss options with them at home. In week 8, information around the planning process, subject options and senior schooling will be made available for parents prior to an organised interview to discuss their student.

We look forward to engaging in these discussions around student pathways with parents in the near future.

Remote Learning Survey

Last week parents and students were sent a link to complete a survey about their experience during remote learning. If you haven’t had the chance to complete the survey, please use the link below to access. The school appreciates the feedback we have received from parents/carers and students regarding what went well for them and the challenges they faced during the unique learning situation.

For students in grades 7 – 10:

For students in grades 11 and 12:

For parents and carers:

The survey will only take a few minutes to complete and your feedback gives the school a chance to reflect on how students are feeling upon returning to school.

Cassandra Kohli
Deputy Principal

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL JUNIOR SCHOOLING AND STUDENT SERVICES NEWS

WELCOME TO WEEK 6

It is amazing how quickly term 2 has passed. This week marks the return of students to school based learning. I am certain that this a welcome move for staff, parents and especially the students. However, I would like to commend the students of essential workers who were supervised at the school for five weeks. The majority of the students showed vast amounts of responsibility and resilience in most difficult times. The bonds these students formed under strict conditions is life changing.

I would also like to commend the parents/carers of the students whose students were home based. Thank you for making the process run smoothly and for ensuring that learning continued during weeks 1 to 5.

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’ – some weeks may have more than others
• Discuss the four learning objectives they have written for the four lessons they have each day.
• 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 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
• Have a list of emails to be able to contact staff or ring the school to have a chat or organise a meeting.
• Head of Departments/Year Level Coordinators/Guidance Officer/Youth Support Coordinator /
• CEC /School Based Youth Health Nurse /Chaplain
• Deputy Principals
• Principal

Reading Program

At Charleville State High school one of our priorities is delivering the LLI program at the school. 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 the LLI teacher or HoD There is a long 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 the students.

The third level of intervention is another 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.

Timetable

There will minimal changes to the timetable in term 2. Students from time to time request changes to their timetable. This cannot occur this term.

Term 3

There will be significant changes to the students’ timetables in years 7, 8 and 9. All subjects will now be three classes per week with an extra lesson for the Charleville Literacy and Numeracy program. The other lesson will consist of a combination of Pastoral care, Parade and Positive Behaviour for Learning. Electives for years 7 & 8 will be set and each student will experience a range of electives over the two terms. Students in years 9 and 10 will be allocated two electives based on their previous choices in 2020. Due to a reduction in student numbers over the years not all electives will be offered.

Student Services

Adopt a Cop

Charleville SHS is very fortunate to have two proactive Adopt a Cops assigned to our school. They will be addressing the students throughout the year on a number of issues. Due to the current restrictions, these sessions will be in small groups. The first of these sessions will be held this week in relation to appropriate internet and phone use. If you wish to have more details please contact me by email nwebb10@eq.edu.au.

Mobile Phones at Charleville SHS

A reminder once again that students in Years 7, 8 & 9 are not to have phones at school.

The inappropriate use of a mobile phone at times is reported to the school, however the majority of times the mobile phone is used outside of school hours. If there is evidence that a student has used their phone inappropriately at school, then the student is not to have their phone at school. It is the parents and carers’ responsibility to ensure that the student is receiving and sending legal and only age appropriate material. Recently, it has been brought to our attention that the use of social media apps have been used as a form of targeting students. Apps such as “SNAPCHAT” are used with the participants believing that their comments are private and will disappear. However, some individuals are screen-shotting conversations and adjusting the comments to appear that the other participants is “out of line”. This has been reported to the school on many different occasions with students from a wide range of year levels. Once again I urge all parents to know what your student is sending and receiving on their mobile phone. It is not an invasion of privacy. It is good parenting. Until the student is legal age, the parent is responsible for all content on mobile phones.

STYMIE

Bullying in any form is not tolerated at school. However, it can be difficult to monitor as at times it is not reported until the “victim” has retaliated. Please urge your student to talk to a teacher, Year Level Coordinator or Head of Department should they feel they are being bullied in any form. I would also like to remind our school community that students are available to make anonymous reports via the stymie website to report any such issues.

Racist actions and comments will also not be tolerated. Please ensure that you have conversations with your student on treating every human with respect. Young people at times do not realise that their actions and or words may be viewed as offensive.

Immunisation Clinics for Years 7

Our School Based Youth Health Nurse, Jen Sellin does an excellent job in organising this essential service for our students. Round 2 for year sevens will take place later in the year.

Until next time,

Narelle Webb
Deputy Principal
Junior Schooling/Student Services

Supporting Students’ Mental Health and Wellbeing as They Return to School

With all students returning to school after remote learning, it is important to support students’ wellbeing and mental health as they transition back to school. Some students may be concerned about being back at school for reasons that are not related to COVID-19. Students may experience distress or overwhelm related to:

• Being separated from parents, carers or other immediate family members, especially those most vulnerable.
• School work – senior students may be particularly anxious that they have fallen behind in their learning and what this will mean for their upcoming assessment.
• Re-establishing social relationships with friends and peers.

Parents and carers can play a major role in helping their child successfully transition back to school by:

• Checking in with your child at the beginning and end of each day.
• Supporting your child to re-establish and maintain morning and afternoon routines.
• Encouraging your child to look after their own mental health and wellbeing. This may include speaking to the Guidance Officer, Deputy Principal’s or a trusted teacher.
• Contacting the school and seeking advice and/or support from the appropriate school member.
• Encouraging and supporting your child to visit sites such as eheadspace or call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.

Happy to be back at School