26 February 2016

Newsletter Articles

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have.

Vince Lombardi

The re-emergence of Shailer Park High is now unmistakably in full swing. We were advised recently that Shailer Park High has been identified by Education Queensland as one of a small group of schools to be celebrated for its improvement in QCE outcomes. The list identifies Shailer Park High as a school that has at least 95% of Yr 12 leavers achieve a QCE and has improved by either 10 percentage points since 2014, and/or a 20 percentage point improvement since 2013. The seniors of 2015 have certainly led the way in setting the highest of standards for our school.

It was wonderful to see the return of members of our 2015 alumni at a recent assembly, showcasing the range of exciting courses and careers they have embarked upon. A few examples of our 2015 role-models include:

Prentice Down – Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) The University of Queensland
Caitlyn Flanders – Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) The University of Queensland
Ryan Williamson – Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Bachelor of Science The University of Queensland
Brigitte Ferguson – Bachelor of Journalism/Bachelor of Arts The University of Queensland
Braydon Collie – Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Science Queensland University of Technology

This is obviously just a sample of our 2015 graduating senior class and their long list of achievements. A longer list of tertiary study entrants appears at the end of this article.

We have had a phenomenal response recently to the posting of our school promotional video on Facebook, with over 17 000 views made within days of the post being made. The video showcases the positive environment and opportunities available at Shailer Park High. It highlights the excellent work being done by so many people around the school. If you haven’t seen it yet, the video is now on our Facebook page. www.facebook.com/shailerparkshs/

One of the highlights of our school has always been our Instrumental Music program. Our teachers, Mr Glen Court and Ms Di Alley, approach their work with a great deal of dedication. Recently, we received confirmation that our Symphonic Winds will be performing again with the Queensland Youth Orchestra Wind Ensemble on Sunday August 28. Last year, our performance with the Queensland Youth Orchestra was an absolute highlight of the year and it is a privilege to have again been invited to perform with these outstanding young performers. Congratulations must go to Mr Court, Ms Alley and all of our talented young musicians!

Last but not least, I would like to return to one of our very narrow, sharp and clear agendas for our school this year – attendance. Studies of student achievement repeatedly show the link between high attendance and high achievement. Our school’s goal is to have all students attend as close as possible to 100% of school days this year. Your support of this goal and of ensuring that your student attends school each and every day is invaluable and is an extremely important part of each student’s success. Together, we will continually work to improve our school attendance as part of our strategy to ensure the success of all our students.

Shailer Park High students with the QYO 2015

Alumni Students

Troy Ascott
Principal

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL:

YEARS 7, 8 & 9

From the Deputy Principal- Junior Secondary

Thank you to those parents who attended the Meet and Greet last week. It was great to put faces to names and get to know families better. We look forward to communicating with you on a regular basis.

Below is a copy of our anti-bullying process. We are passionate about ensuring that our school provides a safe and secure learning environment for your child. Please ensure that you are familiar with this document and encourage your child to report any 'repeated targeted behaviours' as per the flowchart.

Sharyn Angel
Deputy Principal
Junior School

HEAD OF YEAR 12

Year 12 Head of Year Report

I am very pleased to report that the attendance levels for Year 12 are continually improving and are where they need to be. This now needs to be maintained. I would like to thank all parents and guardians that are working with the school to ensure that we give our students the best possible chance of succeeding. This can only happen with maximum levels of attendance.

Our first fundraising venture was our fabulous Valentine’s Day candy hearts. Students spread the love by ordering a very delicious hand-made candy heart that was then delivered to the chosen recipient. Shailer Park was very sweet indeed! This was a great success and has kick started our student funds.

The arrival of our senior jackets and jerseys was a highly anticipated event. Students were very excited to receive these and displayed this enthusiasm by wearing them, despite our 36 degree temperatures! While we love that they are so excited to have them, it is simply not healthy to wear them at this time of year. A directive has been made that students are not to wear them until after our Easter break when the weather actually cools down. Your co-operation in making sure this is the case is greatly appreciated.

Don’t they look great!

Anne-Maree King
Head of Year 12

HEAD OF YEAR 10

Welcome to Senior Secondary!

My name is Melanie King and I am the Head of Year 10 for 2016. I would like to start by welcoming Year 10 students to the senior phase of learning. Year 10 is a critical year as it provides the foundation for further senior studies in years 11 and 12. Year 10 is the time when students need to develop good study habits and work with their teachers to achieve strong outcomes, so that their desired pathway is available to them when it comes time for career planning.

Term one has started well and students are settling into their classes nicely. Our focus as a whole school is reading, writing, attendance and improving senior school outcomes. To this end, classes have been working hard to prepare for midterm assessment, providing students with early intervention measures and opportunities to celebrate success. Across the year 10 classes, students are engaging in interesting and challenging activities that bring real-world meaning to their learning. To this end, I encourage parents to become involved in their son/daughter’s learning so that a strong partnership may be formed between school and home.

This year the year 10 ACE program will provide an opportunity for students to learn more about themselves and develop a range of vital skills. Topics to be covered include career preparation, personal wellbeing, mental health awareness, time management and goal setting and will involve workshops, guest speakers, discussions and class activities. I know students will find this program useful in helping them to prepare for the rigours of senior school.

If there are ever any concerns or questions regarding your son or daughter, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will either offer assistance myself, or I will put you in contact with the relevant person.

We look forward to a productive and successful year in 2016.

Melanie King
Head of Year 10

HEALTH, PHYSICAL EDUCATION & SPORTS

Swimming Carnival

During week 3 we held our annual swimming carnival at Cleveland Aquatic Center. Over 540 students attended the day, which represented 80% of our student population. The swimming carnival had 85% attendance by the Year 7’s and 8’s. Next year the Year 9, 10, 11, 12’s will need to increase their attendance levels.

Everyone had a great day, lots of colour, fun and competition – hopefully next year will be even better!! I cannot give you the final Swimming points until the next FULL School Assembly, but I can give you the Interhouse (FUN) Trophy Points :

4th place 146 - VIKINGS
3rd 161 - TROJANS
2nd 173 - SPARTANS
1st 214 – GLADIATORS

(Well done Gladiators!!!)

These points included the costumes, house colours, tennis ball catch, floatie swim and the salmon race.

For our next carnival, which is Cross-country (the last Wednesday of this term) lets have even more colours and costumes; and FUN points!!

Championship Days – District Sport

This year our school will be involved in the District Round Robin days. These are now be called Pacific Rivers Championship days. There will be 5 separate competition days. All of our teams will have qualified and enthusiastic teachers coaching. The coaches will ONLY take away teams that are of a high level, attending training days; bringing back permission slips and money ON TIME!!

Each coach will have a sign up day for each sport, you will need to listen to your morning notices. Also, all sign up dates and anything else to do with sport will be posted on our notice board at the back of the MPS.

Our first sign up for the ‘Championships’ days will be for Boys Volleyball (years 7-12) and you should see Miss King.

Sign up for Girl’s Touch Football (years 7-12) is with Miss Campbell.

Any students that are interested in trialling for a district sport; you also need to check the sport notice board in the back of MPS. See Mr Lee to pick up a letter with information about when to pay and where the trials are.

The next round of district trials that may be of interest include : Basketball u/19 Boys and Girls; and Football U/19 Boys and Girls – nominations close next Wednesday (2/3/16).

On the 23rd of February, the Shailer Chess Team went to Churchie to represent our school at the first interschool chess tournament for 2016. And we represented ourselves well! Coming in second by half a point against 24 other teams from different schools around Brisbane. So well done to our students.

Chess Competition

Chess at Shailer not only is an engaging activity for students but also helps to develop for those students, a diversity of skill extending beyond the obvious cognitive and mental discipline but also seeds and refines within students deductive reasoning, purposeful thinking, psychology and sensory awareness, task focused awareness, emotional centering as well as the social skills in dealing and blending with strangers and people they may be uncomfortable with.

Well adjusted, happy students who can engage meaningfully with a school program outside of classroom academia are more likely to develop the cognitive maturity to understand their journey here at Shailer Park and the clarity of perception to be both self-driven and self- accountable for their own learning.

Chess here at Shailer Park allows students who don’t engage in a sport or music program to still have the opportunity of being part of other extra curricular activities where they can develop more holistically.

Hopefully we can continue to develop Chess here at Shailer Park to be an integrated part of our school community.

Anneline Oberholzer
Head of Department

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/SENIOR SCHOOLING

SENIOR SCHOOLING

The Senior Students are right in the thick of things at the moment here at Shailer. Learning is occurring at a consistent and steady pace, and assessment task sheets from all subjects are being given out in preparation for a busy end to the term. Attendance and behaviour is most important in ensuring students are able and ready to learn and grow as individuals.

Students are reminded that their diaries can assist them with collating and organising their work to meet deadlines. A Term Calendar with all assessment dates written on it is also a perfect way for students to ensure that they come along to school prepared to submit assessment on due dates. Working consistently, in class and at home, is also a contributing factor to success in school.

We are working with students to ensure they are achieving their best in all subjects at all times, and tracking their performance and potential. I’m looking forward to some excellent work and results in the coming weeks.

Our congratulations go to SHANNEN BAULDERSTONE, BRYCE CHRISTOFFEL, JAYDA POWER and REEGAN THOMAS-MEREDITH who graduated their School Based Traineeship at Hyperdome Event Cinemas, gaining a:

BSB30115 Certificate III in Business focusing on retail customer service with hospitality skill set including:

(SITHFAB201) Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol
(SITHFAB204) Prepare and Serve Espresso Coffee
(SITXFSA101) Use Hygienic Practices for Food Safety
(HLTAID003) Provide First Aid

These skills will open doors to many opportunities in the business, retail and hospitality industries.

The Graduation ceremony was attended by the students their families and friends and the SPSHS Industry Liaison Officer, on Monday the 22nd of February.

Congratulations to Shannen, Bryce, Jayda and Reegan!!

Anita Winkeler
Head of Department

P & C NEWS

We extend a warm welcome to new students and families to Shailer Park SHS.

We have seen a number of staff changes this year, with some long term staff moving on from the school. On behalf of the P&C I would like to we wish them all the best with their new pursuits and extend a welcome the new teachers and trust that they soon settle into the school.

Our first meeting for the year was held last week (16th February). Items discussed included uniforms, MPS ventilation, fundraising, parent/teacher/school communication, P&C & School website, Grants and facilities upgrades, sub-committees and loyalty programs.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) AND FEBRUARY GENERAL P&C MEETING

The SPSHS P&C Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 15th March at 6:00pm in the Staff Common Room in the Administration Block. Existing and new members are welcome to attend.

At this meeting all membership lapses and all Executive Positions become vacant. Nomination forms for Executive positions and membership application forms are available on the website.

Please note that the AGM is the only meeting at which membership forms are able to be accepted without attending the meeting in person. If you would like to join the P&C, but are unable to attend this meeting, please download and complete the membership form (available on the school website) and return to the P&C Secretary, give to a friend who will be attending the meeting or drop it to the school office.

The Agenda for the AGM includes:-

• Presentation and acceptance of minutes of the previous AGM & any Business arising
• Presentation and acceptance of the Audit of Financial Statements & Various Reports
• Confirmation of continuance or creation of sub-committees
• Nominations and Election of Executive Positions
• Adoption of New P&C Constitution
• Presentation and acceptance of Student Protection Risk Management Policy

Following the AGM, the February General Meeting will take place. Apart from the usual business & reports, the main topic of General Business will be a discussion regarding fundraising/grants. There has been a suggestion to focus on holding a Mega/Celebrity Auction either late 2016 or early 2017. Logistics of this will be discussed at this meeting. If anyone is interested in leading or becoming involved in this endeavour, please come along to the meeting or contact one of the Executive.

SHAILER PARK SHS IS A POLLING BOOTH FOR THE LOGAN CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON 19TH MARCH.

This is an excellent opportunity for the P&C to run a fundraising BBQ. We will have bacon & egg burgers and a sausage sizzle plus drinks for sale. If you have an hour or more to spare, and can give a hand to help out during the day, or with planning and sourcing of products prior to the event, it would be much appreciated. Please contact Andrew, our Treasurer who is coordinating the BBQ, at andrew.huggins@bigpond.com

Assistance will be required for:

• Set up
• Serving and cooking throughout the day
• Packing up at the end of the day.

The Pacific District Swimming Carnival was held last week and congratulations go to all the students who attended this event as well as the parents who supported the swimmers and the staff who organised our students to be there. Undoubtedly it is a difficult situation to hold our own school swimming carnival only six days prior to the District event, and still provide the opportunity for a team of students to compete. While there were many other schools present with professional swim squads, our students represented our school well and gave their best efforts.

In an effort to increase communication between the school and parents, the P&C is liaising with the school to provide information for families on the school website. While this is still a work in progress, we encourage you to keep checking the website regularly for updates. If there is anything else that you feel could be included, please let a member of the Executive know. One of the next things to be included will be details of loyalty programs with local retailers. If you shop at any of these outlets, please sign up, as this is a simple way for families in our community to fundraise for the school.

If you require any further information or wish to contact a member of the P&C Executive, please email pandc@shaiparkshs.eq.edu.au or phone the school office and leave a message.

Joanne Quelch
P&C Association President

SOME WAYS YOU CAN HELP OUR SCHOOL:

Foodworks Loganholme: Shop & Save club .Register in store by completing the Shop & save membership application form and nominate Shailer Park High School as your local school. As a shopper you receive one point for every dollar you spend at Foodworks Loganholme and the school receives half a point also. Once these points have accumulated you can redeem prizes from the in-store showcase and so can the school. If you are not a member ask for a form next time you are shopping! If your child previously attended anther school in the area please remember to advise Foodworks to update your information

Amart sports Loganholme: Community Kickbacks program By joining the Team Amart loyalty program, members will receive awesome benefits throughout the year, like member only sales, exclusive competitions and special events. For every member purchase, Amart will assist our school by allocating 5% of that transaction in the form of an in-store credit to be used by the school & the P&C. Simply register in store & nominate Shailer Park High School as your r registered organisation.

Ritchie’s IGA Daisy Hill: Community Benefits Fund (#99436) Ask for a Ritchie’s CB card at the School office. These are pre-set with the Shailer Park High CB number. For every $ you spend, IGA will donate 0.5% to our school. There are also hundreds of weekly specials that have extra discounts for Ritchie’s Community Benefits card holders.

Kevin Thomas
Vice President
Shailer Park High School P&C

Andrew Huggins
Chairperson, Music Support Group
andrew.huggins@bigpond.com
Jo Quelch
P & C Assn President

GUIDANCE

With only five weeks to go until the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence, we have released great new materials to help you and your school get the community talking.

Each year, Bullying. No Way! creates lesson plans and discussion starters for teachers and parents to use with students for the National Day. So make sure you check out the new short activity ‘Talking about bullying' discussion starters. A new series of whiteboard animations have also just been released which support teachers to explore the national definition of bullying for Australian schools.

Parent tips

The Parent Information Cards provide tips for parents to help them talk with their child about bullying. You can download the tips as a poster or as pocket cards and promote this information to your school community.

We have prepared an article that expands on the six key tips for parents to use in your school newsletter or to send home to parents.

Nicky Stone
Guidance Officer

SCHOOL-BASED YOUTH HEALTH NURSE

Moving from primary to high school, is a big transition. It can be a time full of fun, excitement and new experiences, but can also be challenging or worrying for some children. You can help by making sure your child is prepared and feels supported.

Children often have mixed feelings about starting high school. They might be:

• Excited about new friends, subjects and teachers
• Nervous about learning new routines, making new friends or even wearing a new uniform
• Worried about handling an increased workload or being bullied.

You might also worry about these issues, and about whether your child will have the confidence and skills to handle them.

These worries are all normal. Secondary school also means a move from the familiar to the unknown, and a whole new way of doing things.

Relationships: Your child will need to meet new peers and make new friends, and establish or re-establish her position within a peer group.

Schoolwork: Your child will need to adapt to new teaching and assessment styles, cope with a wide range of subjects, adjust to having different teachers in different classrooms, become more responsible for his own learning, manage a heavier study and homework load, and learn a new and more complex timetable.

When children are making the move to high school, parents have the biggest influence on how smooth the transition is. Your child’s friends do influence how your child feels about the move, but your support has longer-lasting effects.

For information around changing friendships, worries, ups and downs of the new school and changes for you as a parent click on the link below.

Here are some ideas to help with the practical side of the transition to high school:

• Try to arrange for a parent, grandparent or other close adult to be home before and after school for the first few weeks of transition.
• Find out the name of the teacher responsible for your child’s overall care, attendance and social and academic progress. It could be a pastoral care teacher, year level coordinator. Make sure you have an email or contact if issues arise or you need to pass on information.
• Try to make your home as comfortable for study time as possible. For example, make sure your child has a quiet place to study, away from distractions such as the TV or a mobile phone, iPad or X-Box. When the internet is necessary for study, you might want to keep an eye on the websites your child is using with the Parental Controls

Source: Raising Children Network http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/secondary_school.html

For more information on talking with teens

Good Health

Michelle
School-based Youth Health Nurse

SCIENCE

Last Friday was Science Clubs first free activity for the year. Our Science Ambassadors have been tirelessly making roses and other flowers to decorate the Ambassadors’ garden and pass on to our amazing staff. A special thanks goes to Tiffany and her outstanding origami skills- thanks Tiff!! Lunch 1 included a bunch of free activities for the students with a Valentine’s Day theme. Students were able to write messages for the wall in the garden, test their love rating using proven scientific methods and write secret messages using invisible ink. Top fun!!

If you are interested in joining Science club and having a laugh with a crazy bunch of budding scientists, pop along to our meetings every Thursday, Lunch 1 in N01.

Andrew Pirie
Head of Department

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Shailer Park is a wonderfully diverse school! To celebrate this, we will be participating in HARMONY DAY. Shailer is inviting parents and families to come along on March 24th, from 1-3pm, where there will be crafts and treats from our different cultural groups. There will also be live performances by our students, so come along and help us celebrate our cultural diversity as a school as well as a community.