17 March 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Note

Welcome to week 8 of Term 1, as always when the Term moves into the final few weeks I wonder how time has moved by so quickly! There have been a number of noteworthy events and activities occurring over the past couple of weeks, as usual I am most proud of the work taking place every day in classrooms.

I regularly see highly engaging activities in classrooms, one recent example being Year 7 Humanities with Mr Bailey (more photos are included later in the newsletter), hands on learning in the Agricultural plot, academic games to support learning, positive feedback through Starbucks and postcards home and so much more. Another strategy that we often use to support learning and engagement centres on Directed Reading and Thinking activities (DRTA) which is another element of our Top 5 strategies.

DRTA focuses on reading and comprehension of the text to support student understanding of the information and the learning objectives. This may look like guided reading, re-reading of the text to ensure understanding, vocabulary walls, independent reading and making predictions about what the text may mean. The process is designed to encourage students to be active and thoughtful readers, enhancing their comprehension. By utilising DRTA as our Tier 1, or whole of school, strategy underpinning classroom practice we again look for consistency of approach to minimise the challenges of learning across a variety of subjects and teachers.

Our Top 5 practices to support student learning are:

1. Learning Objectives and Success Criteria
2. Learning Walls
3. Positive Behaviour for Learning
4. Directed Reading and Thinking Activities
5. Essential Skills in Classroom Management

12 month visit for our School Review

On Tuesday March 16 (Week 8), the review team (Stephen Bobby and Vicki Caldow – Education Improvement Branch and Reid Thompson – Assistant Regional Director) visited the school for our 12-month check in. During the day they met with many members of staff and students as well to determine how we are progressing with our key improvement strategies to support consistent improvement in our teaching practices and student behaviour and engagement.

I am very pleased to say that the initial feedback was extremely positive, indicating we have met or exceeded expectations for this phase of the improvement journey. It will likely be a few weeks before I receive the final report and once that comes through I will share the key outcomes and any recommendations moving forward.

P&C news

Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to our newly elected P&C committee members for 2021. I am very pleased to report that, with the exception of the Treasurers’ position, all of the executive will again be in their roles for 2021. John Bursle is the President, Kelly Shearwin is Vice-President, Lesley MacDonald is Secretary and new to the team is Harry Mulhall who is stepping in to the Treasurers’ position. These people put many hours of work into helping our school community achieve our goals and they are vital to the successes we are enjoying.

Will also take this opportunity to thank Nathan Bailey for his work as treasurer in 2020. His efforts in negotiating the many challenges associated with Job Keeper payments made an enormous difference to the operation of the canteen, enabling them to stay open and support our students, well done with this and all the work you did as Treasurer!

In closing

As we move closer to end of Term I encourage you to continue to have conversations with your child/children about how they are progressing with their learning. Often the older students are less forthcoming with information to their parents around schooling and making some time to have a chat about the learning they are undertaking or upcoming assessments can be very valuable to both the student and the parents.

I am fortunate in being able to observe classes in action every day and talk to students about what they are learning, how are they doing, if they know where to go for help if they need some. It is quite amazing how much they can tell you when you ask a few carefully directed questions and one of the favourite parts of my day are the opportunities to have these conversations with our students.

All the best,

Barry Wallett

Senior School

2021, Term 1 has been incredibly busy 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, and ensure they are attending classes and completing work.

Students and parents are reminded that if students are absent due to illness, a medical certificate is needed in order to organise potential extensions or other adjustments to assessment. Please read the next section for further information.

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. For senior students there must be supporting documentation provided to the school in order to support the approval of an extension. 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 weather events or pandemics) 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.

Assessment Extension Guidelines

Reporting

Parents are also reminded that report cards will be emailed out at the end of term 1. Please ensure that the school has an up-to-date email address for you. Where parents cannot access email, a printed copy will be mailed home. Students and parents may also request a printed copy from the front desk.

Term 1 reports are an interim report providing feedback to parents on how students are travelling. A final semester result will be issued at the end of term 2.

Parent-teacher interviews will be conducted in week 2 of term 2 and while some students will have requested interviews, all parents are welcome to attend. Information regarding booking appointments will be available with the reports.

Thanks,

Cassandra Kohli
Senior Deputy Principal

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 Charleville SHS?

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 (in Student Diary) 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 Departments.

Head of Departments

NAPLAN

Charleville State High School will have year 7 and year 9 students participate in Naplan Online in May, 2021. There is a two week window where students will sit the tests. Taking the tests online gives the students the opportunity to have the tests catered for every individual student. It is a great diagnostic tool which allows schools more data to analyse programs offered to students. Please see the attached documents for more details.

Harmony Week

From Monday 15th-Friday 19th March, Charleville SHS will be celebrating Harmony Week – a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, and the successful integration of migrants from countries all around the world into our community. The message of Harmony Week is “everyone belongs” – inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background.

Stay tuned for more information and photos from our Harmony Week Celebrations in the next newsletter!

Beyond Broncos

Friday 12 March saw our first workshop with the Beyond Broncos team. Leona Collins, Ali Briggenshaw, Beryl Friday and Justin Hodges took our Beyond Broncos Academy girls for a great inspiring workshop for period 1. They then provided morning tea for the girls. Next term they are planning to host a breakfast for the community before the second workshop.

School Incursions

In week ten, the Staff from Emu Gully are travelling to Charleville to run two workshops(incursions) for our year 7 and year 8 students. Letters will be sent home soon with details.

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. The uniform shop is open every Tuesday morning before school.

CSHS School Uniforms

Attendance

Currently the attendance of many students in the junior school is excellent, with quite a few attaining 100% for the year. 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 should have been contacted. 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 the Literacy coach, 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 (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 cybersafe issues, including online bullying.

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

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 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 wellbeing. 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 consequently affects their ability to concentrate at school.

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

Year 10 Work Experience

Year 10 students from Charleville State High School will be participating in a Work Experience week in Term 2, Week 10 (Monday, 21 June - Friday, 25 June 2021).

A reminder that Work Experience Preference forms are to be returned to the office by Friday, Week 9 of Term 1 (26 March 2021) with the confirmed business placement details listed.

Please also note, Western Meat Exporters have placements available during the work experience week. Students who wish to attend work experience at Western Meat Exporter's should express their interest directly to the school Industry Liaison Officer to have their placement organised. Western Meat Exporters requires a Q Fever Vaccination prior to work experience commencement, the Murweh Shire Council is offering this vaccination free of charge.

Any students who require assistance with finding a placement should book an appointment with the Industry Liaison Officer through the front office.

Brittany Pawley, Industry Liaison Officer
ilo@charlevilleSHS.eq.edu.au

Coping with Exams

As we approach exams, I know a few students are getting stressed. Below are some strategies to help cope with exams.

5 Steps to Study Success

1. Not All Stress Is Bad

While it’s often given a bad rap, the right amount of stress can actually motivate you to get stuff done. The key thing is to recognise when stress has tipped over from being a motivating force to an overwhelming emotion.

2. 20-Minute Study Rule

No one can study for six hours straight and be effective. Break up your time into 20-minute chunks for the most effective use of your brain.

3. Say It Out Loud

The best way to really remember and learn is to talk about what you’re learning out loud, without using any notes.

4. Breaks = Good, Constant Distraction = Bad

Taking planned and timed breaks will help you remain on task, but checking your social every 5 minutes is a sure-fire study fail. Research shows that it can take up to twenty minutes to refocus on your task once you’ve been distracted.

5. Sleep Is Your Friend

If you get a good night’s sleep before your exam, you are scientifically proven to retain more of what you studied the day before than if you stay up crazy late.

Sharon Grosskopf, Guidance Officer
sgros15@eq.edu.au

Year 7 Humanities

Year 7 Humanities

From Monday 15th to Friday 19th March, Charleville State High School will be celebrating Harmony Week – a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, and the successful integration of migrants from countries all around the world into our community.

The message of Harmony Week is “everyone belongs” – inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background. Student Leaders have nominated five nationalities represented within the school community to feature throughout the week:

Monday: Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tuesday: Vietnamese, Wednesday: Filipino / South Pacific Islander, Thursday: Ukrainian / European, and Friday: Australian.

A range of community service providers will be visiting the school throughout the week to join in on the celebrations, and provide information and activities relevant to their services and the featured culture of that day. Stay tuned for more information and photos from our Harmony Week Celebrations in the next newsletter!

Many thanks,
Katie McLeod

Charleville State High School Equestrian Team

Deadly Choices South West Netball Tour