3 February 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Note

A very warm welcome to 2021! This of course includes our returning students and families as well as the new members of our school community, particularly our Year 7’s. I have been very impressed with the manner in which the children have returned to school with a great tone being set for the school year. This is evident through the behaviour and efforts being displayed as well as the excellent uniform standards to start the year. Well done to all the staff parents and students for making such positive efforts.

Some reflections on 2020

There were many highlights achieved across 2020 despite the significant challenges that we all faced. As a school we improved significantly in terms of behaviour (91.1% A-C in Semester 2 reports) data as well as having our best attendance percentage for the last 3 years (85%). One of the most pleasing aspects of our performance in 2020 came from our graduating year 12’s who achieved some notable outcomes.

All graduating students were successful in completing their Queensland Certificate of Education, a fantastic effort! We are very pleased that so many of our students have already moved forward with apprenticeships or entered the workforce. Additionally, every student who pursued an academic pathway by seeking entry into tertiary studies was successful in receiving, and accepting, an offer into one of their preferred courses of study.

In fact, our ATAR students performed exceptionally well! Three students achieved ranking scores in the 90’s which equates to an OP score 1-5 in the previous system. One student, Amber Hinz, achieved a score of 99.25, which correlates with an OP1, an amazing effort and one which Amber, her family and the school community can take great pride in.

I am very proud of the efforts of all our graduating students in 2020, particularly given the extra challenges they faced not only last year but across their educational journey, well done. Additional details outlining these great outcomes are available in the Senior School section

Staffing for 2021

The majority of our teaching staff have returned for 2021 with only one formal transfer in 2020 (Sarah O’Brien). We do welcome three new staff to the team for 2021:

• Stefanie Andriolo – Head of Department Senior Schooling
• Saskia Vlug – Teacher (English/Humanities)
• Donald O’Neill – Teacher (Students with Disabilities and support programs)

Congratulations to all three who have hit the ground running, quickly learning the “Charleville Way” and establishing positive teaching and learning relationships with students.

2021 Student Leadership Team Investiture

In the next couple of weeks we will be conducting our Student Leadership Investiture ceremony to formally recognise our 2021 cohort of leaders. The date is still being confirmed as we work around conflicting events such as sport and immunisations, this will be confirmed and advertised as soon as possible.

P&C Membership and Meetings

One of the most important and valuable groups in supporting our school is the P&C. We have a dedicated group who work to provide vital aspects such as parental voice, promoting the school and conducting essential support services like the school canteen and uniform shop. We would love to see a few more faces at these meetings to ensure a shared workload and even more importantly that we hear a variety of viewpoints and feedback about our school.

The P&C Annual General Meeting, followed by a general meeting, will be held on Wednesday the 10th of February at the school Administration block, starting at 5.00pm. Please consider adding this to your calendar and come along, I very much value the opportunity to hear your voice.

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)

We continue to have a clear focus on embedding the principles of a PBL school. Our fortnightly focus areas are selected through data analysis aimed at providing a positive learning environment to maximise student outcomes. Each fortnight a new focus is identified and communicated through newsletters, Facebook, school signage, staff meetings and assemblies.

Positive behaviours within the school day are noted through our Starbucks system, which allow students to accrue points for a variety of rewards. There are also initiatives such as “Milkshake Monday” to recognise positive behaviours at each whole-school assembly and planning is underway for end of term events to further encourage the behaviours that we want our students to display on a consistent basis.

Swimming Carnival

The school swimming carnival is scheduled for Friday the 12th of February. Carnivals provide an important opportunity for students to connect with the school as a member of their House and to enjoy the experience of competing and participating as part of the team. I look forward to a far less complicated year in 2021 where we can run our events without the constant concern of having to cancel and also to have a swimming carnival without the fear of storms (fingers crossed) that was the case in 2020. Have to add – “Go Kokoda”, not that I am biased at all …….

Deputy Principal Senior Schooling Report

I’m very excited to welcome back our students for another year at Charleville State High School. While 2020 was a bit of a disrupted year, we learned a lot and our senior students demonstrated excellent resilience and our year 12 students have had much to celebrate as the first round of ATAR’s and university offers have been released and many other students have moved into trades, traineeships and work.

2020 Successes

I was very proud of our students when ATAR results were released. Despite the challenges of the year, 3 students received an ATAR score of 90 or above and all of our students who applied for a university place have been given a place and have accepted an offer. They are going on to study a range of areas including Engineering, Communication, Science and Criminology.

We wish all of our graduating students success in their endeavours in 2021 and hope that they will let us know how they are travelling now that they have left school.

The Senior Team

The Senior Schooling team has changed a little this year however students have a range of staff who are here to support them through their final years of high school.

Cassandra Kohli (ckohl4@eq.edu.au) remains in the role of Deputy Principal for the Senior School and will continue to work with students in planning their pathway through senior and into further study or the workforce.

Stefanie Andriolo (sxand9@eq.edu.au) has joined us this year and has taken on the role of Head of Department for Senior School as well as a range of subject areas. She’s hit the ground running and is very excited to work with our students and to support them with their senior studies.

Elizabeth Ramsdale (egram10@eq.edu.au) steps into the role of Year Level Coordinator and is very excited to work with our students as they prepare for a range of events throughout the year and will be focussed on improving student attendance in the senior school.

Brittany Pawley (bpawl0@eq.edu.au) has returned as the Industry Liaison Officer and will continue to work with students around career plans, work experience and school-based traineeships and apprenticeships. Students can make an appointment with her for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday through the front office.

As always, if a student is struggling with a particular class, their classroom teacher will be available to help. Students who need help with other concerns can make an appointment to see the Guidance Officer or are welcome to speak with any of our support staff or year level coordinators.

Subject Changes

Students should have organised subject changes during week 1. While there will be some students still finalising work placements and arrangements for traineeships that will impact on their timetable, senior students should now be set in their subjects and assessment will begin very soon for a number of subjects.

For year 11 students, their subjects will be reviewed after the first round of assessment and some students may need to make an appointment with me (Senior Deputy) to discuss options.

SET (Senior Education and Training) Planning

We are hoping to run a parent information evening for year 10 and 11 parents in the next few weeks (date to be advised) around the new QCE and senior schooling. After this we will be asking year 11 parents to come to the school for a review of their student’s SET Plan.

Later in the term, year 10 parents will also be asked to make an appointment to begin the process of creating a SET Plan. This will include discussing the student’s intentions after year 10 and beyond. This process is designed to help students set goals for themselves and to give them something to work towards.

School Photo’s

School Photo’s will occur on Thursday the 25th of February. Senior students are required to wear their formal shirts, with black long pants or black skirts. Photo order packs will be sent home in the next few weeks.

Cassandra Kohli

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL JUNIOR SCHOOLING AND STUDENT SERVICES NEWS

WELCOME TO 2021

I would like to extend to you a very warm welcome to the Junior Schooling and Student Services page for 2021. My name is Narelle Webb. I first started at Charleville State High School in 1995 as a Head of Department. I left to raise my family for several years during which time I worked at a Band Five School near my home. I returned to Charleville State High School in 2011 and since then have had a range of positions including Behaviour Support Teacher and Master Teacher. In 2017, I was very pleased to have taken on the role of Deputy Principal, Junior Schooling which includes Student Welfare and services.

The 4 B’s

Timetable

The timetable for 2021 is finalised and most students in years 9 and 10 were placed in their first choice elective classes. Due to small class numbers some electives will not be offered this year. It is unfortunate that this difficult decision had to be made. From time to time students request to change their electives. This can only be done in the first 2 weeks of the semester and only with written permission from home. Students must show responsibility and collect the official form and follow the correct procedures.

School Uniforms

It is wonderful to see almost every student in school uniform for the start of the school year.

Junior Uniform and Senior Uniform

STUDENT SERVICES Team - 2021

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - Junior Schooling and Student Welfare - Narelle Webb
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - Senior Schooling and Human Resources – Cassandra Kohli
GUIDANCE OFFICER - Sharon Grosskopf
JUNIOR SCHOOLING HOD – Amy Roughan
SENIOR SCHOOL HOD – Stefanie Andriolo
JUNIOR SCHOOL YLC’s - Jesse Razbeau (year 7), Ashleigh Harding (year 8), Amiee Dolman (year 9)
SENIOR SCHOOL YLC – Elizabeth Ramsdale
HOD of DIVERSE LEARNING (HOSES) – Nathan Bailey
PBL TEAM LEADER - Amiee Dolman
YOUTH SUPPORT COORDINATOR - Katie McLeod
SCHOOL BASED YOUTH HEALTH NURSE - Jen Frazer
CEC – Jolene Russell
BEYOND BRONCOS ACADEMY – TBC
INDUSTRY LIASON OFFICER - Brittany Pawley
CHAPLAIN - Les Penrose
ADOPT AN ELDER - TBC

Tradies Club

STUDENT SERVICES- VISITING SPECIALISTS FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF

Student services have a number of specialist individuals and organisations visit the school. Most of these services are for students with a disability and/or medical condition. If you wish for your child to access a specialist through the school please contact Mr Nathan Bailey or Sharon Grosskopf

Immunisation Clinics for Years 7 and 10

These will commence in Term 1 and there will be two more clinics over the year. Year 7 and 10 students received during week 1 an envelope with information and forms to complete for their first vaccinations. Please return the envelope to the office as soon as possible. If your child missed the vaccination, please make sure you visit the community clinic held at the Town Hall on Thursdays to catch them up.

READING PROGRAMS SET TO COMMENCE- LEVELLED LITERACY INTERVENTION (LLI) and MULTILIT

At Charleville SHS we teach reading through a multi-tiered approach. The teaching of reading is for all students and is expected of all teachers. For students who have been tested and fall below the Regional Benchmarks, they may be included in our second level of intervention - Levelled Literacy Intervention (LLI). This is a commercial program we have purchased and will be led by Sue McDermott. The third level of intervention is another commercial program known as MultiLit (Making Up for Lost Time in Literacy). Some parents may be familiar with this program as it is run at many Primary Schools.

If your child is going to be a part of LLI and/or MultiLit you will be notified.

STUDENTS WITH MEDICAL NEEDS

A reminder to parents/carers to notify the school about your child’s health. If they require an action Plan please supply a yearly update.

If you receive a referral form from the school with regard to your child’s medical needs please return them as soon as possible.

SWD STUDENTS

SWD students will have been contacted by their 2021 case manager. If you have not received contact by the end of week three please contact the school.

Equality vs Equity

INDIGENOUS STUDENTS

We are very fortunate to have a dedicated Community Education Counsellor at Charleville State High School. Jolene Russell supports our Indigenous students academically, socially and emotionally as well as ensures that they are engaged at school following the 4 B’s and 4 V’s. Jolene is very proactive and often will make home visits to ensure our students can reach their potential at Charleville State High School.

This year again, our goal is to ensure we continue to close the gap further for all of our Indigenous Students. My aim is to ensure every student is valued and feels valued at school and I want to work closely with CWAATSICH, Community Partnership staff and parents so we can have happy, enthusiastic young adults at Charleville State High School.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY

A huge thank you to all the families who have been positive in their support of the mobile phone policy. To review the policy, students in years 7, 8 and 9 (Junior School) are not permitted to have a phone at school. Students in years 10 to 12 may have a phone in their possession however may not use it between the hours of 8:50 and 2:55pm. Since the introduction of the mobile device policy, we have noticed a difference in the students and their social interactions during break time.

INTERNET USE INCLUDING SOCIAL MEDIA

Over the year I will be addressing the very important topic of supervising your teenager especially when it involves social media and the internet. Unfortunately, over the summer break a number of students accessed social media to send inappropriate content to others. This includes using inappropriate language and making threats to others. The school is not responsible for the teenagers’ behaviour over the summer break, however the consequences of such inappropriate behaviour does have a flow on effect to the social interactions that occur at school. I remind all parents/guardians that you are responsible for the teenagers’ use of mobile devices. Teenagers cannot sign contracts until they reach the age of eighteen. Therefore, whoever signs the contract is responsible. Parents and guardians must be able to access all mobile devices. Know the passwords and monitor daily the teenagers’ use of the internet and mobile devices. Experts recommend that mobile devices should be switched off an hour before bedtime and placed outside of the bedroom to ensure that the teenager receives the important sleep they require.

Is it Bullying?

Experts also recommend that young people do not use apps such as “SNAPCHAT”. This app leads to a large number of cases of bullying. The user believes that the message disappears after a short period of time. However, there are always ways around accessing such information. The online game of “FORTNITE” has led to an increased number of ‘out of character’ and aggressive behaviours among teenagers.

JUNIOR CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION

In the near future all year 8 & 9 students will be issued with a brochure explaining the Junior Certificate of Education issued at Charleville SHS. It will also be placed on the school’s website, as well as the Facebook page. This brochure is to inform families and the community of the successful strategy we have placed to ensure students in the junior school become more responsible for their learning.

I want to ensure all parents that they are very welcome at the school and feel free to contact me at any time if you have concerns regarding your child and their learning. Together we will make a difference!

Until next time,

Narelle Webb
Deputy Principal

2020 Year 12…

After 13 years of schooling and about 6 years of hard work, I have come to the end of my pre-tertiary schooling. Over the Christmas holidays I received my ATAR of 99.25 (OP 1) and an early offer for the dual degree course Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Master of Engineering, at the University of Queensland (UQ). In a few weeks I will be travelling to Brisbane to start my tertiary journey with Orientation Week at UQ. Over my time in this course, I will be specialising in Chemical Engineering, hoping I can combine my love of chemistry and helping people to change the world for the better.

Thanks go to all the teachers I have had throughout my schooling career so far, especially in grade 11 and 12. I also wish to acknowledge the broader Charleville State High School campus and management for establishing and maintaining a welcoming learning community and providing extra-curricular activities such as STEM and the University of Qld Young Achievers Program. The biggest thanks need to go to my parents who unconditionally helped, encouraged, and supported me for my whole life.

Amber Hinz

Waking up early on the 19th of December in anticipation of the release of ATAR results, I was not disappointed when I found I had achieved a result of 92.85. Shortly afterwards I received confirmation from the University of Queensland that I have been accepted into my first preference of study as Bachelor of Computer Science. Results such as these are not just from self-ability, but from a combined team effort of teachers, support staff, school administration, and family.

I thank Charleville State High School for the great learning environment and experience.

Matthew Hinz

Diverse Learners- Nathan Bailey

First and foremost I would like to say how excited I am to have the opportunity to step up into the role of HOSES/Head of Diverse Learners in 2021 at Charleville State High School. This year there has been a few staffing changes within the department and we welcome Donald O’Neil who will taking on the role as a Case Manager. SWD students and parents will be contacted by their 2021 case manager in due course and if they have not received contact by the end of week three please contact me.

A number of services have contacted the school in recent weeks, to provide support to students and families. The first of these is the Targeted Outreach Project team. This Target Outreach Project aims to provide free help to apply for the NDIS by connecting them with the Assessment and Referral Teams (ART), a small multidisciplinary team in the Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors who provide intensive case management to support people with disability through the NDIS access process from start to finish (including collecting and preparing information, filling out and sending NDIS forms, providing functional assessments where needed etc).

The second service is the Community Resource Unit. This unit is running a free workshop at the RSL at the beginning of March, titled Inclusive Education: Working effectively with your child’s school. Please see the flyer below. Travel assistance is provide if you live outside of the Charleville Region. Please contacts school for more information.

Grade 7 Humanities: ‘Get to know you’ activity

News from the Guidance Officer - Introducing the Support Team

Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser was right when he said: “Life wasn’t meant to be easy.” At Charleville State High School, we understand that young people can arrive at school with issues which may temporarily impact their learning. Our wellbeing staff are here to talk to students, offer other perspectives and provide support to remove educational barriers so they may get on with the business of learning and shaping their futures. Please take a moment to peruse the list of our wellbeing staff available at Charleville, so you and your child can access appropriate support when and if the need arises. Please call the office on 4656 8888 to make an appointment with any member of the team.

Guidance Officer: Sharon Grosskopf

Guidance Officers are experienced teachers who have unique expertise to work in schools and help all students in the areas of academic achievement, social, personal and career development.

Community Educational Counsellor: Jolene Russell

Community Educational Counsellor provides educational counselling and support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to equip them for the development of learning and participation at school.

Youth Support Coordinator: Katie McLeod

The Youth Support Coordinator works predominantly with students in Years 10-12 who may be struggling to stay at school. The Youth Support Coordinator will work with students and their families identifying barriers to young people achieving outcomes and referral to appropriate support services.

School Based Youth Health Nurse: Jen Frazer

The School Based Youth Health Nurse is employed by Queensland Health and works with the school community on issues that may affect the health and wellbeing of students, and the school community as a whole.

Chaplain: Chappy

The Chaplain is employed by Scripture Union and may work with students and parents around social and emotional support; spiritual support; mentoring; community development; educational support; and extracurricular activities.

Girls’ Group & Tradies’ Club 2021:

GREAT NEWS!!! Girls’ Group & Tradies’ Club are baaaack from week 3!

This term the Support Team are partnering with the Deadly Choices team and a range of other community support organisations to provide a range of after school activities for our students in a safe, positive and healthy environment. Our Girls’ Group & Tradies’ Club (Boys’ Group) encourage teamwork, social and emotional skills development and perhaps most importantly, nurture the development of students’ self-confidence.

Girls’ Group is open to all girls, and we meet each Tuesday afternoon at C Block after school from 3-4pm. Afternoon tea is provided, and we do a wide variety of activities throughout the year, including cooking, craft, art, dance, and other games. In 2020, a total of 28 girls attended from year 7-9, with an average of about 11 students attending each week.

Tradies’ Club meets each Wednesday afternoon in C Block after school from 3-4pm, and is open to all boys (plus Katie and Jolene!). We share afternoon tea, then get stuck into our activity for the arvo. In the past, Tradies’ club activities were led in the ITD Workshop by the wonderful Mr John Bursle from RESQ (who is also our CSHS P&C President), however this year we are taking a new angle with Tradies’ Club, and will have different activities on offer each week. Thank you very much John for your time and efforts at Tradies’ Club over the last few years, you are surely appreciated!

During 2020, nine students in years 7-10 participated in Tradies’ Club throughout the year. The boys completed many great projects, and learnt the importance of researching, planning and “always measuring twice” (quote Mr Bursle!).

Please enjoy some of the photos below from the year that was 2020 at Girls’ Group & Tradies’ Club!

If you would like more information, or would like to come along in 2021 please chat with Youth Support Coordinator, Katie McLeod, or grab a permission form from the ladies at the Office. A weekly schedule of activities will be posted outside C Block from week 3 – get excited!!!

We look forward to welcoming many new faces to our Girls’ Group & Tradies’ Club crew in 2021!

Katie McLeod, Youth Support Coordinator.

Girls Group & Tradies Club