2 February 2022

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Note

Welcome back to 2022! Even though it has been a very unusual beginning to the school year we are looking forward to having the children return to on site learning next week and also to starting remote lessons with our year 11 and 12 students. We are also looking forward to working through this period and setting the foundation for another successful year with a clear focus on continuing to improve student learning outcomes through quality teaching and learning practices.

To do this we need be aware of the revised conditions for school operations for at least the first few weeks. The following information has been sent home via email and is included here to provide a variety of communication options.

As announced by the Premier on Sunday 30 January 2022, the Queensland Government has released the COVID-safe back to school plan. These conditions are to be in place until at least March 4th with ongoing reviews to determine when they can be lifted.

Covid-safe arrangements

From Monday 7 February, key features of the plan and implications for CSHS include:

• The suspension of school camps, excursions, assemblies, and large gatherings. We are currently still planning for the Year 7 camp to go ahead, this may of course change and as soon as we have further updates will advise parents.
• School representative sport will continue as usual. The school swimming carnival is considered to be an excursion so will be cancelled for Term 1. We are seeking confirmation that we can nominate swimmers for the Regional team based on club times
• The Student Leader Investiture ceremony will be postponed to later in Term 1. Currently aiming for week 8 and this will depend on updates provided regarding operating conditions
• limiting visitors on site, with exceptions for parents and carers of students experiencing vulnerability
• mask wearing for all high school students and all staff
• rapid antigen tests (RATs) available in school for students and staff who develop symptoms while on site
• priority access to RATs for students and staff at Queensland Health testing clinics
• a range of ventilation measures including air purifiers as required

You can access the Back to School plan here, and further information and FAQs on the Department of Education COVID-19 website.

Essential to the success of these measures is that if your child is unwell or displaying any COVID-19 symptoms, they must not attend school. I cannot emphasise this message strongly enough – it is critical to keeping our school community safe.

Rapid antigen tests (RATs)

Our school is scheduled to receive a supply of RATs this week which will be provided to any staff or students who, while attending school, develop COVID-19 symptoms. Please note if your child has COVID-19 symptoms while at home they must not attend school.

Your child, if they have COVID-19 symptoms, can visit your local Queensland health testing clinic and will be given priority access to a free RAT.

Limiting access for visitors

At our school, limitations on parent and visitor access are now in place. Please minimise entry to the school as much as possible. There may be times e.g. uniforms, payments when you do need to attend and the aim is to minimise this as much as reasonably possible.

Excursions and camps

Excursions scheduled between now and 4th of March are cancelled, including the school swimming carnival. Leadership investiture will be postponed to later in Term 1, further details will be provided once operating conditions for Queensland schools are updated.

This week

For the current week, our school remains open for children of essential workers and vulnerable children, in the same way we were last week. If you need to send your child to school you must ensure your child is well and not displaying any signs of illness. School staff will supervise any students who attend school.

From Monday 31 January, Year 11 and 12 students are undertaking remote learning for one week, until the revised formal start of the school year on 7 February. Senior students should be engaging in classes as per the timetable. Staff have contacted their classes and are tracking student engagement in the lessons, contact home will be made if students are noted as not participating. Please contact the class teacher or the school office (4656 8888) if you have any concerns or questions.

I encourage you to stay informed of the latest developments relating to COVID-19 by regularly visiting the Queensland Government website.

Thank you for your understanding as we continue to work together during this challenging time.

Some reflections on Senior outcomes for 2021

2021 was another highly successful year for our Senior students with all graduating students achieving the 20 points required for their Queensland Certificate of Education, a fantastic effort! Due to additional requirements required to formally receive the QCE it does appear we will not quite hit 100% in this category, more likely to be around 96% for the cohort which is still a very positive result.

One of the key indicators that I most closely monitor is the post-school transition. Once again the 2021 cohort of Year 12’s appears to be well on track in this regard. Very pleasing to hear about the many students who have already moved into the workforce including those who have begun or continued apprenticeships. It is indicative of the strength of the community that so many of our students are able to move into positions within Charleville, providing great opportunities to begin their working lives after school.

For our ATAR students all have been successful in receiving offers for University courses in 2022, which is such great news. Well done to all the students on this journey as the hard work and dedication paid off. A special mention to Cassie (90.70), William (89.80) and Zoe (85.60) for their impressive ATAR scores, great work!

The staff and I take great satisfaction in watching these young people move into the next phase of their lives and join with parents and loved ones in wishing them all the best. We look forward to hearing about their successes as they continue their academic studies.

Staffing for 2022

The majority of our teaching staff have returned for 2022 with three teachers departing (Jackson Benstead, Nicole Capper, Jake Clarke). We also have two current class teachers on maternity leave (Olivia Taylor and Liz Ramsdale) with both expected to return for the start of Semester 2 this year.

We do extend a warm welcome to our new teaching staff for 2022:

• Shane Needer (Information Technology and Design)
• Jonathon Alexander (Mathematics and Health and Physical Education)
• Blake Lucas (English and Humanities)
• Abi Richards (Drama and English, commencing in week 7)
• Colin Schiemer (District Relieving Teacher)

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 tuckshop. We would love to see a few more faces at these meetings to ensure a shared workload and provide a variety of viewpoints and feedback about our school.

A date and time for the P&C Annual General Meeting, followed by a general meeting, will be confirmed in the next week or so as we navigate the changed operating conditions. 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)

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) continues to underpin the approach taken at Charleville State High School to support good behavioural choices both within and outside the classroom. During the Student Free Days we focused on PBL, reviewing our systems and processes and consolidating our shared understanding of what this looks like at our school.

Students engage with specific lessons based on aspects of PBL to ensure they have a clear understanding of expectations as well. Some of the most visible aspects are our 4 B’s and 4 V’s (values):

These provide a distinct and easily recognisable framework to guide student choices and behaviours at Charleville SHS. One of the key elements in their use is to recognise positive behaviours to ensure students are provided with concrete examples and feedback of the expected way to interact with fellow students, staff and members of the community.

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 (usually at whole-school assemblies, will likely take place in smaller groups for the first few weeks) 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.

In closing

Despite the challenges of a somewhat disjointed beginning I remain confident we are well prepared to continue building on the progress achieved in 2021 and provide a positive learning environment for continued success. One of the cornerstones of this is the relationship between home and school and I cannot overstate how important and valued this is.

The most important aspect of this is the relationship with your child’s teachers and I encourage everyone to take every opportunity to contact teachers with questions or concerns at the earliest possible moment. We are also still intending to have information sessions and Parent/Teacher interviews as soon as we have the green light so watch out for more information in the coming weeks.

All the best,

Barry Wallett

Deputy Principal Senior Schooling

Welcome back to our students for 2022. While this probably wasn’t the way most of us planned to begin 2022 with a week of remote learning for year 11 and 12 students, it has been pleasing to note the number of students who have been engaging with teachers throughout the week and are making a positive start to their senior studies.

Students are encouraged to organise with their teachers opportunities to attend study club throughout the term to assist them and ensure that they are caught up with work particularly as assessment begins to be handed out or exams are coming up.

Senior students should receive an assessment calendar by the end of week 3 so that they can begin planning their study for the year. This will be available on the school website and will be emailed to students and parents. If parents require a printed copy, please contact the office.

2021 Successes

Many of our year 12 students have had opportunities to celebrate as they have moved from school to work or training with many positive stories. Our ATAR students performed well and all of our year 12 students who have applied for university have received an offer. While some of these students will not be attending university this year, it is excellent that they have the opportunity to do so if they wish.

I hope all of our students who departed in 2021 are well and it would be lovely if they could send the school an update on how they have travelled in their first year after high 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) will continue in her role as HOD (Head of Department) of Senior School and the HOD of English and VET. Students in year 11 and 12 should work closely with Miss Andriolo over the year as she assists them in finding their pathway through senior and transition from high school.

Nathan Bailey (njbai0@eq.edu.au) will take on the role of HOD of year 10 and will also be the Head of Department for Technologies and Humanities. He will be assisting our year 10’s with SET Planning and looking at their future pathways as well as organising work experience and other opportunities throughout the year.

At the moment we do not have an Industry Liaison Officer. Hopefully the position will be filled, however students who are engaged in school-based traineeships and apprenticeships can speak with Cassandra Kohli if they are needing assistance.

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.

Subject Changes

Year 12 students will not have the opportunity for further subject changes as units 3 and 4 need to be completed together in order for students to earn QCE points. All subject changes should have been made at the end of last year.

Year 11 students who begin this year and feel they are in the wrong subject still will have an opportunity after the first assessment piece to move subjects and again at the end of semester one. It is very important that students work to achieve a satisfactory standard in the subject they are enrolled in even if they intend to leave that subject in the future as any unsatisfactory result may impact the student’s ability to earn their QCE.

Forms

Over the last few weeks a number of forms have gone out to senior students and will need to be returned to the school.

Students should have received:

• Laptop hire form. After remote learning, students will need to return their laptop to the school if they have not completed the laptop hire form and completed payment at the office. They will still have access to this device during class time but will not be able to take it home.
• Study period form. Students in year 11 and 12 who have a study period in period 1 or 4 may sign out to study at home. The conditions are explained on the form including arrival at school prior to form (10:00am) and maintaining 85% attendance. This form must be returned to the office or students will not be permitted to sign out for study. If students do not meet the conditions, the school will revoke their permission and will inform parents.
• Student driver form and passenger form. Students who drive to school will need to complete and return this form to the office. If they drive siblings or other students to school, there is space to include their information on the form. Students should not be accessing their cars during school hours.

SET (Senior Education and Training) Planning

Year 10 SET Planning will occur during term 2 and more information will come out about this closer to the time.

School Photo’s

School Photo’s will occur on Thursday the 24th 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 2022

I would like to extend to you a very warm welcome to the Junior Schooling and Student Services page for 2022. 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.

WEEKS 1 & 2

The COVID Pandemic/Epidemic has already brought extreme changes to the 2022 school year. With the first two weeks dedicated to supervision only of the children of essential workers at school, the delivery of curriculum will begin in week 3, 7 February to all students. Staff have been working hard to ensure students are not disadvantaged in their academic education due to the delay. Keeping this in mind, I would like to ensure all families that teaching and learning will continue until the very last day of term 1, Friday 1 April 2022. On occasion, families choose to begin the Easter school holidays a few days early. I urge everyone to ensure attendance at school continues until the end of the term.

Year 7 School Camp

The announcement on Sunday 30th January of the cancellation of school excursions and camps refers to the first four weeks of the school term, until March 4th. Therefore, at this stage the school camp for year 7 students will be held in week 10 as scheduled. Students will participate in many team building activities including resilience building. Letters will be sent out to all year seven students early in the start of the school year.

Timetable

The timetable for 2022 is finalized and most students in years 9 and 10 were placed in their first-choice elective classes. 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 each year.

STUDENT SERVICES Team - 2022

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 YLCs - Jesse Razbeau (year 8), Rachel Dwyer (year 7), Laura Bissell (year 9)
HOD of DIVERSE LEARNING (HOSES) – Katherine Neucom
PBL TEAM LEADER - Amiee Dolman
YOUTH SUPPORT COORDINATOR - Katie McLeod
SCHOOL BASED YOUTH HEALTH NURSE - Kirsty Rowland
CEC – Natasha Burns
BEYOND BRONCOS ACADEMY – TBC
INDUSTRY LIASON OFFICER - TBC
CHAPLAIN - Michael Holt

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 Katherine Neucom 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 will receive 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. Please note: These are the standard immunisations, not Covid.

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 2022 case manager. If you have not received contact by the end of week three please contact the school.

INDIGENOUS STUDENTS

We are very fortunate to have a dedicated CEC at Charleville State High School. The CEC 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. The CEC 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.

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 in place 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

School Communication

Student Absences:

0428 220 673 – text student name, reason for absence and date/s of absence.

If unable to text, please phone office on 4656 8888 or email admin@charlevilleshs.eq.edu.au regarding your student’s absence.

Charleville SHS Facebook:

For all news, events etc. - www.facebook.com/CharlevilleSHS

Website:

To check on news, policies, documents and contacts - Charlevilleshs.eq.edu.au

Newsletters:

To subscribe - charlevilleshs.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe

Contact office for assistance, if needed.

Please advise the office of any contact detail changes:

This must be in writing or email - admin@charlevilleshs.eq.edu.au

It is vital that your contact details are up to date.

YSC NOTICE: Girls’ Group and Tradies’ Club

Hello all, and welcome back to the 2022 school year! In light of the current restrictions on school excursions and limiting visitors to the school, the decision has been made to postpone the start of Girls’ Group and Tradies’ Club until Term Two. However, I will be posting a weekly challenge on student notices for keen Girls’ Group and Tradies’ Club enthusiasts to complete, so please encourage students to keep an ear out for these! (There are prizes involved!)

For those unsure what Girls’ Group and Tradies’ Club are all about, more information will be provided closer to the start of Term Two when these groups are back up and running.

Thank you,
Katie McLeod
Youth Support Coordinator

The National NAIDOC Committee invites Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists (aged 13yrs and over) to submit their artwork for the 2022 National NAIDOC Poster Competition.

The winning artist will receive a $10,000 cash price (tax free) and their artwork will be used as the official 2022 National NAIDOC Week Poster. Additionally, they will receive a ticket for themselves and one guest to the National NAIDOC Awards ceremony.

The artwork must reflect this year’s National NAIDOC theme: Get up! Stand up! Show up!

The Poster Competition closes Monday 14 March 2022

Looking for inspiration? Take a look at previous National NAIDOC week posters in the poster gallery.