14 October 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Note

Welcome back to Term 4! The final term of a school year is always exciting and more than a little busy, particularly so for our Year 12’s who enter into their last phase of school based learning. For each student the core purpose is to finish the year positively and to maximise their learning outcomes to provide a springboard for success; for the Year 12’s this means transitioning to post-school life and I am confident that this cohort has done the work to be successful in this transition.

Celebrations of Success

There are a number of special events coming up that will be important occasions for students and families. In week 3 (Wednesday, 21 October) we have our Awards Night which is a great opportunity to celebrate the great academic work produced by so many students. The Year 11 Leadership Camp will begin on the 1st of November, our Junior Certificate of Education presentation is scheduled for the 30th of November and the ceremony for our graduating Year 12’s is on the 20th of November. I look forward with great pleasure to being involved with these events and enjoying the opportunity to formally acknowledge the excellent outcomes that have been achieved.

Formal

What an amazing evening! Our students were an absolute credit to themselves and their families and many beautiful photos were taken, quite a few ending up on the school Facebook page. There were hundreds of views for the posts and many lovely comments. The themes of my speech revolved around resilience and “having a go” and I look forward with confidence to hearing about the exciting journeys that are undertaken as they move into the next phase of their lives.

Melbourne Cup Day – school day finishing early (12.00pm November 3rd)

After consultation with staff and parents (P&C) I have made the decision to finish school early for Melbourne Cup Day. The time lost on this day was made up in Term 1 through the timetable arrangements that were then in place. Charleville SS, Charleville SDE and Augathella SS will join us in closing school at 12.00pm on Tuesday, November 3 to facilitate engagement with this important community event.

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)

Our continued focus on providing a positive learning environment is providing ongoing improvements in behaviour. One key element of this is for students to understand that behavioural choices have logical consequences and we actively work with students on this through our PPP lessons as well as each fortnight on whole school assemblies.

Each student is encouraged to know where they sit on the PBL triangle (Green, Yellow or Red), why they are in this particular zone and how they maintain or improve if they are in the Yellow or Red zone. Over 80% of our students were identified as being in the Green zone for Term 3, meaning that they had no more than one significant behaviour concern for the term. This is a fantastic result and a credit to the effort so many of our students are making alongside the work done every day by the staff. Our target for Term 4 is to exceed 85% of students in the Green zone and your support is vitally important to helping our students understand that we are all working together to achieve this goal.

New Student Free Days added to Term 4, 2020

As you are probably aware there has been a change to the end of school year date. The addition of 2 Student Free Days at the end of the school year now mean the final date for school attendance for Year 7, 8 and 9 students is Wednesday, December 2.

In closing

As we finish the school year it remains incredibly important to have our students at school every day they possibly can. Our target remains 89% for attendance and currently we are running at approximately 86%. Your assistance in getting our young people to school, ready for learning, is so important and valuable.

So much to look forward to and to enjoy and celebrate from Term 3. I am currently reviewing the academic results from last term and will give an update in the next newsletter.

All the best,

Barry Wallett

Senior School

Leadership Speeches

I was incredibly proud of the eight Year 11 students who participated in the leadership process and presented a speech to the senior cohort in week 1. These speeches demonstrated the passion these students have and were both inspiring and inventive show-casing the unique personalities of each of the students.

Week 2 will see these students participate in an interview process with the successful candidates being announced at Award’s Night in week 3. All of the candidates have put forward a strong case and I wish all of them the best.

For those students who are not successful, or who did not submit a nomination, there are many other opportunities within the school to demonstrate their leadership and to be involved. Whether it is helping to organise one of the school events, a fundraiser for a charity, or putting forward a proposal for a lunch time activity, I encourage all of our senior students to put themselves out there and leave their mark on the school in their final year.

Exam Timetables

Term 4 is an incredibly busy term and one that is very important, particularly for our year 12 students. Over the next few weeks, there will be a number of assessment blocks and changes occurring.

A reminder to parents that if students are absent during assessment due to illness, the school must be contacted as soon as possible and the student will need a medical certificate when they return to school.

For year 10 and 11 students, if students are aware that they will be away for an assessment in advance (for a reason other than illness), they must organise to complete the assessment before the due date.

Year 12 students who have an external exam must notify the school immediately if they will miss the assessment due to illness or accident. Documentation will need to be submitted to the school as soon as possible.

Year 10 Students:

Week 4: Exam Block. Normal classes running when there are no exams. All students expected to be at school for the week.

Week 5: Work Experience. Students without a work placement to be supervised at school to work on certificates.
Week 6: New timetable commences.

Year 11 Students:

Week 4: Exam Block. Students who have no exams and have completed their passport form (including parent signature) do not need to attend school. Students must attend school for all timetabled exams. Students who attend school will be supervised in a study room.

Week 5: Year 11 Camp. Students not involved in camp are expected to attend school where they will be supervised.
Week 6: New timetable commences.

Year 12 Students:

From Monday the 26th of October to November 16: Block exams. Students are required to be present for all timetabled exams. Students who do not have exams, and have not been notified that they are needed to complete certificate work, are not required to be at school.

All year 12 exams will be based in E Block.

Tuesday the 17th of November – All year 12 students to return to school.
Friday the 20th of November – Year 12 Graduation.

Cassandra Kohli
Deputy Principal

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL JUNIOR SCHOOLING
AND STUDENT SERVICES NEWS

Junior School

Welcome to Term 4, week 1. I hope everyone has a well-deserved break.

Report Cards

During the last week of term 3, every student should have been sent their report card. The majority of families had these reports sent to the recorded email address on One School.

Are your contact details up to date at the school? Please call Sue at the office or send a note if you have had a change in address or phone number. It is important that we are able to contact you at all times.

If you did not receive your student’s report please contact Sue Swords by email, so she is able to send it to you. Sue’s email address is: sswor2@eq.edu.au

Year Six Transition Day

The second transition day is in Term 4, Week 5, November 5th. We look forward to having all the year six students continue on their transition from primary schooling to high school. The transition days are only part of our program to connect with our potential students. We liaise with the Principals of our other feeder schools and students are visited to have an information session in their own environment. Parents are also invited to the information sessions we have in preparation for their child coming to Charleville State High School. Information and enrolment packs are now available at the High School’s office. An appointment must be made for an enrolment interview prior to commencing at Charleville SHS.

Timetables

Term 4: All students received their new timetable that will be current for the first 5 weeks of the term. In week 6, students will receive an entirely new timetable. Whilst the changes to students in years 7, 8 & 9 will be minor, students in years 10 & 11 shall have significant changes. This will give the senior students in 2021 the opportunity to experience introductory work specific to the subjects they have selected. The final three weeks in term 4, 2020 are vital for all students and it is expected that the attendance of all students is 100%.

Junior Certificate of Education (JCE)

Save the date: Monday 30th November, 2020. From 1:30 pm to 2:55 pm.

On the last Monday of Term 4, year nine students who have achieved their Junior Certificate of Education will be presented at a formal ceremony at the school. At this formal event, students in the junior school shall also be presented with their active learner certificates. The junior Leaders for 2021 will also be announced.

Junior Leaders 2021

In 2021 there will be two Junior Leaders and 3 junior House Captains. These students currently in years 7 & 8 will have the opportunity to apply for a leadership position. Information will be given over the next few weeks as to how they can apply.

Uniforms

It is pleasing to see the majority of our students wear the correct uniform. You may refer to the back page of the student diary for details on the correct school uniform. Please support the P&C and us by ensuring your student has correct uniform every day. If your student comes to school out of uniform, more than three times you will be contacted.

Who can support your student at CSHS?

Parents are the most important educators in their child’s life. Know their timetable. Make regular positive contact with Teachers. Know their assessment calendar. Encourage them to go to Homework Club every Thursday afternoon.

Many people at school can help your student if they need it. Have a list of emails to be able to contact staff or ring the school to have a chat or organise a meeting.

Reading

Reading is our focus! At Charleville State High School, we have an excellent three-tiered reading plan/focus.

1. In all subjects and classrooms, reading is taught with Directed Reading and Thinking Activities (DRTA).
2. For those students whose reading age is not within 6 months of their chronological age we have a program called Levelled Literacy Intervention - Ms Sue McDermott.
3. Multilit reading program, which is a one:one reading and sight words program.

The above three levels of reading at school must have students attendance above 90%. Too often students have difficulties with reading because they have interrupted attendance at school.

As parents, you can help your students in many aspects:

1. Model reading to them. Read interesting articles to them and take the time to discuss and value each other’s opinions.
2. Encourage students regardless of age to read for at least 20 minutes every day.

Teenagers and the use of Electronic devices

I read an interesting article urging parents to be aware of how and the amount of time teenagers are using electronic devices. I encourage all parents and carers to do their own research on this topic, as it is important for several reasons:

1. Are the students communicating with people you do not know?
2. Are students getting enough sleep?
3. Is the use of electronic devices replacing valuable reading time?

Attendance

At Charleville State High School, our goal is for all students to attend school 92%. Letters are sent to individual families whose child’s attendance in the junior school is less than 80%. If you 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. If this process is not successful then we have no other option than to start the prosecution process.

Mobile Phones at Charleville SHS

Our Mobile phone policy is very clearly written in the Student diaries. Year seven to nine students are not permitted to have a mobile phone at school. If there is evidence that a student in years 10 to 12 has used their phone inappropriately at school, then the student will be prevented from bringing their phone to school. It is the parents and/or carers’ responsibility to ensure that the student is receiving and sending legal and only age appropriate material.

There is currently a lot of political and media attention on the use of mobile phones at school. Since bringing our policy into effect at the beginning of 2018 the misuse of phones has dropped dramatically. The policy will expand next year to address the increasingly advancing technology including other smart devices including Smart watches.

Outside of School Hours on School Grounds

Dedicated staff are often at school outside of school hours. It is concerning the number of students on school grounds out of school hours. It is essential that children be adequately supervised at all times.

Stymie

Our school uses the services of the Stymie team. This organisation allows students to report anonymously any harm/bullying that they may witness or may be occurring to them. The process the school takes is as follows:

1. A stymie notification is received.
2. Investigation occurs immediately to confirm validity.
3. Parents of the accused are contacted within 24 hours and asked to work as a team to address the situation with their student.
4. Upon the advice of the parent, the accused student is given an explanation of the concern that is reported and they are given the right of reply.
5. Continued monitoring to assure that both the accused and receiver of harm is supported.

Please note that this process does not apply to physical harm. Physical harm or intent, is taken extremely seriously at Charleville State High School and will not be tolerated.

Narelle Webb
Deputy Principal
Junior Schooling/Student Services

Year 12 Formal

On Thursday, 17 September our Year 12’s held a very special evening to celebrate their final year of schooling:

2020 Year 12 Formal

English / HPE / REC

7 English class has been reading a novel as part of the unit. Students are practicing summarising and answering comprehension based questions about ‘Shark Attack’ by Jackie French. This is in preparation for an article they are required to write for their in class essay.

Yr9 English are closely looking at a variety of different genre music video to understand the purpose and usefulness a music video has on further developing meaning in a song. Students have submitted their favourite songs to analyse over the course of the term.

8 HPE are engaged in understanding all things sexual education from puberty to fertilization as well as survival strokes at the pool.

9 HPE developing their knowledge about respectful relationships and how people should be acting around and treating others. These students are also learning the rules to water polo.

Finally, 11/12 Rec are currently revising for their exam on fitness programs.

Miss Ramsdale’s Classes

It has been a busy year despite the restrictions reducing our fun. Here is a small update from my classes and the exciting year we have had so far.

Firstly, I am extremely excited to see what the year 11 Art students submit this term. We decided to try something new, to incorporate environmental issues and waste materials. The students have the challenge to create a sculpture that communicates current environmental issues in Charleville. They are only allowed to use waste materials to recycle and rebuild. There are some interesting ideas, watch this space!!!

Year 7 Art had a wonderful term last term. The class engrossed themselves into communicating through colour, line, shape, texture and tone. They combined this with world history of tribal masks to take on the challenge of making their own mask. We had some very visual communicators. (First Molly Toms, Second Tully Allen, Third Bo Gattera)

This term the other year 7 class are giving the same task a good go. It is already the sunshine to my day with such a wonderful group to work with.

Social and Community Year 11 & 12 have had an intense 10 weeks of the World of Work from the classroom. They have been busy taking on the role of advisors, creating brochures and presentations to help and support people to get a job, and keep it! Look out employment agencies; they could certainly be a helping hand.

I had the wonderful job of taking photographs at the Year 12 Formal this year. It was my first formal, other than my own, and let me just say, it was exceptionally heart-warming. What a great community we live in to support and nurture such fabulous students. Here are some of my favourite photos from the night.

Thank you for a wonderful year so far,
Miss Ramsdale.

Interschool Equestrian Team

The newly formed Charleville State High Equestrian Team competed at the Prydes Interschool State Championships in Toowoomba over the holidays. It was great for the team to meet up with old friends and make new ones. The atmosphere of States is always contagious with riders competing at their very best and horses presented beautifully.

Laine Dennis and her Horse Leo competed in the Novice and Elementary dressage, Laine has been training many extra hours to advance to the Elementary Level Dressage and she rode beautifully against some of the States’ best.

Gabby Egan and her two horses Hughina and Beatle competed in the Show Hunter hack and Novice dressage, Gabby received 4th, 6th and a 6th Overall in the hunter classes.

Showjumper Riley Thureson and her two horses Beau and Shiloh competed against 40 other riders in each jump class and received a placing in every one. Her final overall results 2nd Overall on her Horse Beau In the 90cm and 2nd overall with Shiloh in the 70cm. This is the first time Riley has competed at the Interschool Championships and in a ‘Covid free world’ she would be off to Nationals to represent Qld.

The girls are grateful for the opportunity to compete for the High School and thankful for their parents for taking them.

Beyond Broncos Leadership Camp 2020

I can’t even begin to describe the experiences that I got to take part in at the Beyond Broncos leadership camp 2020. This camp was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I am so grateful my SSO encouraged me to attend. The Beyond Broncos staff along with numerous guest speakers and elders taught us the skills of weaving, the skills of song writing and gave us the opportunity to share our stories.

The feeling of getting up in front of everyone and being able to laugh and share my voice was the most incredible feeling and I may of only spent three days with all the other students but I have gained so many more friends I will have for my entire life. I feel as if I have gained a whole family among this Beyond Broncos camp that I appreciate more than thought I could. This leadership camp has given me the courage to be myself and has taught me so much about my culture, for that I want to thank the Beyond Broncos staff. Nikita Chadderton

The top three things that I enjoyed on the Beyond Broncos Leadership Camp were the weaving with Aunty Karen and getting to know her story. Number two was the Grin and Tonic with Kellie and Aunty Paula and the both of them made the whole group laugh like they’ve never before. Number three was the performances when everyone got together and performed and shared their story; it was an emotional night for all of the girls and boys. Peta Russell

Western League NRL League Stars Tour

The NRL Game Development Team in partnership with the Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation for Health and Deadly Choices, will be touring the Western League to deliver a variety of programs including coaching clinics and the NRL League Star Program.

Tour Timetable:

• Cunnamulla – Monday 26 October
  (League Stars 6-12yrs 3.30-6.30pm / Coaching Clinic 13-16yrs 6.30-7.30pm)
• Charleville – Tuesday 27 October
  (League Stars 6-12yrs 3.30-6.30pm / Coaching Clinic 13-16yrs 6.30-7.30pm)
• Quilpie – Wednesday 28 October
  (League Stars 6-12yrs 3.30-6.30pm / Coaching Clinic 13-16yrs 6.30-7.30pm)
• Augathella – Thursday 29 October
  (League Stars 6-12yrs 3.30-6.30pm / Coaching Clinic 13-16yrs 6.30-7.30pm)

For further details contact:

Ethan Capewell
Health Promotion Officer
Cunnamulla Primary Health Care Centre
Mob: 0484 243 075 Ph: 4655 8800 Fax: 4655 8801 Email: ecapewell@cphcc.com.au

Social Bowls in Charleville