20 July 2022

Newsletter Articles

Welcome to week 2 of term 2. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first week as acting Principal at Charleville State High School. I have been overwhelmed by the support the staff have shown me and the frequent offers of assistance have been greatly welcomed. I have also enjoyed getting to know the students, particularly during break times, and look forward to an increased presence in the classroom as the term progresses. Thank you to the parents and community members who have dropped in for a chat. I look forward to getting know you all over the coming months.

NAIDOC week was a great way to start the term. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff who organised events throughout the week and also the students who participated in them. Two of the events that were real highlights for me were the unveiling of the mural painted by Alara Cameron Geebung and the NAIDOC march and closing ceremony. What impressed me greatly during both of these events was the leadership of our students on display. I would like to particularly acknowledge Peta Russell, Charleville State High School Indigenous Ambassador for the work she did throughout NAIDOC week.

Parent teacher interviews were to be held on Wednesday 20 July, however, these have had to be postponed due to significant staff illness and associated absences. A new date will be advertised early next week with current booking in SOBs cancelled and bookings reopened when new date is advertised.

I encourage as many people as possible to attend this event as it is through working in partnership that we can achieve the best possible outcomes for students. During the interviews I hope to get the opportunity to meet many more of you all.

You would have received an email in regard to the school opinion survey. The school opinion survey provides you with an opportunity to have your say on a number of aspects of the school. I would encourage as many of you as possible to complete this before the closing date of Friday August 12. Students in year 8 and 11 will be completing their survey during lesson three on Thursday this week if they haven’t completed it already.

In closing I would encourage everyone in the school community to promote regular attendance at school. Whilst I acknowledge the difficult time at present with COVID and flu, students should seek to maximise their attendance at school when they are feeling healthy and well.

Dan

School Opinion Survey

Thank you to all of those who have already completed the Parent/Caregiver Survey. If you have not had a chance to complete the survey yet, please note that the online surveys will remain open until Friday, 12 August 2022. This is your opportunity to provide feedback about what our school does well and how we can improve.

To have your say, check your email for an invitation from the Department of Education titled School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2022.

Can’t find your invitation? If your family has more than one parent/caregiver, check that they haven’t received the invitation and/or check your junk email folder.

Senior School News

Welcome back to semester 2

Welcome back to the start of term 3, and the beginning of a new school semester. I hope you all had a nice, relaxing break ready for what will be another busy semester 2. This term, I will be sitting in the acting deputy principal – senior schooling chair whilst Cassandra Kohli is on leave. I have big shoes to fill and thank Cassandra for her tireless work put in to support our senior students.

I look forward to working closely with the seniors in navigating their chosen pathways, whether it be our year 12s who will be moving towards external examinations, formal and graduation, our year 11s completing their first year of internal formative senior assessment or our year 10s who are navigating their way towards their senior pathway for 2023.

Over the next fortnight, I will be contacting some year 12 parents and students to discuss options as we continue to take a proactive approach in supporting student success. My door is always open to students and parents who would like to discuss student pathways and academic progress, particularly year 12 students and parents in this final semester. Please contact the school if you’d like to make an appointment to see me or by emailing myself on sxand9@eq.edu.au

My final message for the fortnight and one that I will continue to reiterate with students is the mantra of starting off strong! What this looks like is up to each individual student, however students, particularly our year 12 students, should reflect on what worked and what didn’t in semester one to make a more informed choice on how they tackle semester 2. These decisions made through reflection could mean the difference between having the ATAR score to be accepted into a particular university subject or completing a certificate course – all having impacts on the future. I encourage students to reflect and decide what they can do in semester 2 to ensure their success, not just whilst studying and in-class but for their futures.

NAIDOC Week

Last week, we recognised and celebrated the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people here at Charleville State High School. As a school community we attended the Forgotten Warrior Performance at the Race Course on Monday, unveiled our new mural commissioned by Alara Cameron (Geebung) on the Wednesday and participated in the NAIDOC March through town and closing ceremony at St. Mary’s. At lunchtimes, NAIDOC week was led by our brilliant CEC, Bina and Beyond Broncos, Deb, where activities such as sunglasses, rock and leaf painting, creating a 2022 NAIDOC banner for the front of the school and taking photos with our NAIDOC week photo frame were organised for our students. A huge thank you is extended to Bina and Deb for all that you did in ensuring NAIDOC week at Charleville SHS was a success.

Another special thank you goes to our school Indigenous Ambassador, Peta Russell who led by example and represented both our school, her family and culture proudly with her leadership during NAIDOC week along with Emmerson Mitchell, Eva White, Thomas Russell, Latrell Lawton and Quaide Williams who supported in contributing towards our mural unveiling on Wednesday.

NAIDOC Week Activities

Deadly Recruits

During our last week of term 2, four of our year 9 & 10 students Emmerson M, Rory W, Talen G and Thomas R had the privilege to attend the Deadly Recruits Camp at Tinnenburra Station. A special mention to Thomas R for getting the Award for most resilient male for the camp. All students showed great Strength, Resilience, Courage and Leadership and should be very proud of their efforts and the support they showed for one another throughout a very challenging week. CEC Lavina Martin couldn't be more pleased, for she too found it challenging, but the respect and mateship they showed each other, made it very clear to Lavina that the team would pull through.

Our Deadly Recruits

Shearing Camp

Also occurring during week 10 of last term, 16 students from Charleville, St George, Quilpie, Augathella State High Schools attended the Blue Light Shearing Camp at Nelyambo Station at Dirranbandi. Students learnt to crutch, shear a whole sheep on their own, drafting, pressing, weighing lambs. A great week had by all. Thank you to all who had made this camp possible. Shearing camp will again run in week 10 this term for students who just attended this camp (to continue to complete their Rural Ops certificate – attached to this camp) as well as any new year 10 students interested in attending. Please see myself, Miss Andriolo to express your interest.

Stefanie Andriolo
A/Deputy Principal
Senior Schooling

State Cross Country

Jordyn and Will competed well at the State Cross Country