3 March 2017

Newsletter Articles

Message from the Principal

Awards and Scholarships

The news of our wonderful Deputy Principal, Sharyn Angel, winning a Commonwealth Bank Teaching Fellow Award, one of only 12 presented nationally and worth more than $45 000, has already travelled widely. I would like to add my congratulations to Ms Angel who is an incredibly dedicated, committed, passionate and talented educator. Ms Angel has made a huge contribution to the success of our school over the past two years and the award recognises Ms Angel’s contribution and our school’s journey of improvement. Ms Angel wins a trip to Singapore and is hoping to take a group of educators to Harlem, in New York, to study the celebrated Harlem Children’s Zone established by the legendary Geoffrey Canada. Congratulations from all of us, Ms Angel!

On top of Ms Angel’s extraordinary achievement, I can add that our other Deputy Principal, Mr Kartik Menon, has recently finished his Doctorate to become Dr Menon. Dr Menon’s achievement comes at the end of nine years of persistence and demonstrates a keen intellect and thirst for knowledge. What a wonderful role-model for our students!

ENABLE Dux Dinner

Recently, I had the good fortune to attend the annual ENABLE Dux Dinner, where each of the highest performing academic students from all of Logan’s public high schools are celebrated in front of a high-powered audience that included Logan’s Mayor, Luke Smith. Our very own Stefan Radosavljevic was the guest speaker and spoke to the audience about his school experience and encouraged all of the gathered students to reach for the stars. Also, Yr 12 graduate Jontae King-Rangi played keyboards and sang at the event. It was an honour for Shailer Park High to have both the guest speaker and one of two guest performers!

NEXUS

Our NEXUS partnership is beginning to pay dividends, with Reece and Zac, from the Griffith Racing Team, recently attending the school to show off the car they built with their team and raced in the university challenge. This opportunity allowed our students to see just some of the many opportunities that university study allows!

Student Council

This year, we have a very active Student Council ready for action. The students recently elected Devlyn Roberts as the President of the Student Council, with Nikhil Deo the secretary and Kath Huggins elected treasurer. These students are determined to make a difference to our school!

Cyber-Safety

It was great to see all of the parents in attendance for Brett Lee’s recent presentation on cyber-safety. Mr Lee taught us all that nothing on the internet is private and encouraged parents to ask for students’ phones to be handed in at night. As Mr Lee explained, as parents we are in the first generation where our children are connected to potentially three billion people at once. It’s a challenge for all of us and by talking about the issues with our children we provide them with the best chance of being cyber-safe.

We have enjoyed the start to the school year and are looking forward to the exciting initiatives ahead of us!

Junior Secondary News

Year 7

Immunisations

Thank you to those families who have returned their immunisation forms to the school administration office. Logan City Council will be coming to Shailer Park State High School for the first round of immunisations on Tuesday 7 March. All students who have returned forms will be immunised. It is recommended that students eat a healthy breakfast in the morning.

Year 7 and 9 NAPLAN

On 9-11 May, year 7 and 9 students will be sitting NAPLAN tests.

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual national assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. All students in these year levels are expected to participate in tests in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. All government and non-government education authorities have contributed to the development of NAPLAN materials. NAPLAN tests the sorts of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. It is important to remember that NAPLAN tests are not pass/fail tests. If you have concerns about your child sitting the NAPLAN test, please contact the school on 3451 2777.

Attendance: Make Every Moment Count

It is important that your student attends school every day. At Shailer Park State High School, your child is expected to attend a minimum of 95% of the time. This equates to a maximum of 10 school days off in a school year. Research proves that there is a direct link between attending school and improved academic success and social adjustment.

At Shailer Park State High School, the school day begins at 8.45am. It is important to instil the value of punctuality in your student. Please ensure your student is at school by at least 8.30am to ensure their learning can begin at 8.45am (as per student diary). If your student is late or absent it is ESSENTIAL that you leave a message on the schools absence line on 34512766.

We look forward to working together with families to ensure that every student can get access to the best education. You may think that being just a little bit late or having just a few days off every now and then doesn’t make that much difference – but it really does. If you are having trouble getting your child to school consistently on time, please contact the school for assistance.

Message from Acting Deputy Principal, Senior Schooling

I have had a great start to the year in Shailer Park State High School. I have previously had the experience of working in nearly 20 other schools in Logan, Brisbane and the Gold Coast and I can confidently state that Shailer Park SHS is rising to new heights and is on the path to achieving unprecedented results. How exciting!

As the Deputy Principal responsible for Senior Schooling, my job is to ensure that 100% of students achieve a QCE or a QCIA in addition to one of the following:

• an OP/select rank and pursue a tertiary pathway
• a clear VET pathway to employment or
• paid employment of 25+ hours a week

We have bold ambitions, high standards and are absolutely committed in supporting every student achieve a quality outcome and a bright future.

Thank you to everyone for their warmth in welcoming me to the school community, I look forward to meeting many more of you over the next few weeks.

Senior Schooling

Strategies For Success

Due dates for assignments and exams are fast approaching. Here’s what you can do to help your children (or yourself!) to succeed:

• Start your revision as soon as possible. Read around your subject.
• Revise regularly and test yourself regularly.

• Use a revision timetable or allocate time each day for studying each lesson you take during that day.
• Revise subjects you're less keen on at least as much as those you like.
• Revise in an atmosphere conducive to study.
• Compile revision summaries and use them to help you answer exam questions or assignment tasks.
• Practice answering questions with and then without your notes, then to time.
• Take an active approach to learning. Use whatever memory tricks work for you.
• Lots of short sessions are much better than few marathon ones! Research shows that about 40-45 minutes is optimal, after which you should take a break before starting the next session.
• Get enough sleep (8-10 hours each night)
• Ensure you have balance in your life – that means as much time studying as socialising or working.

A reminder to parents that Term Assessment Calendars and Tutorial Timetables are distributed to students each term and can also be found on our website:

NEXUS News

Griffith Race Team

Excitement reigned at Shailer Park High this week when Mechanical Engineering students, Reece and Zac (pictured here), from the Griffith University Racing Team (GRT), brought out the racing car they have designed and raced as part of their university studies.

This exciting visit was made possible by our NEXUS partnership.

The racing car itself, fully designed and built by students, came first in acceleration for all of Australia at the university challenge.

Students involved in the Griffith Racing Team have graduated to exciting careers in motor sport, vehicle design, mining and aeronautical pursuits. Makayla, our school captain, is seen here with the GRT car – fast moving and focussed!

Women and Girls in Science

Women and Girls in Science Day is celebrated in February. Science at Shailer always considers and celebrates equal inclusion and opportunity.

Science and gender equality are both vital for achievements that including sustainable development, medicine and research.

We encourage all students to actively participate in Science! Here are some of our girls and women at work

Year 10

I am very pleased with the efforts of our Year 10 cohort during the beginning weeks of term one. Attendance rates are of a very high level and continuing to grow which is wonderful to see. It is great to see many students changing their habits and working toward being at school on time every day. While many are doing this very well, we unfortunately still have too many students arriving late in the mornings. I would appreciate your assistance in helping your student to arrive on time every day.

On a positive note, we are all now looking forward to a planned wonderful day out on the last day of term two. This event is open to all students and I do hope that we can get everyone to participate. While I do realise this is some time away, it is always good to plan ahead and have something to look forward to. I will send out information and details of this event as it gets closer. As there will be a payment involved, I would encourage you all to make sure that you are an active participant of our payment scheme so that your child may be able to be included in this exciting day out.

If you have any concerns at all, or feel that you need to pass on valuable information regarding your child, please do not hesitate to contact me. My email is aking45@eq.edu.au and I can always be reached by telephone 3451 2739.

Senior Humanities

Social and Community Studies and Tourism

Student numbers in our Year 11 Tourism classes continue to be steady with two classes running again this year. The introduction of the new syllabus last year sees the first round of students progressing into Year 12.

Numbers in our Year 11 Social and Community Studies are also very pleasing, having grown so much that a new class has had to be formed.

We look forward to working closely with these students as many do both subjects. Teachers are confident that this year’s intake will follow last year’s Year 12s that graduated with 100% of students passing both subjects.

Janis Calder
Senior Humanities Teacher

Creative Industries

Art

As mentioned in the previous newsletter, the Year 7 Visual Art students are studying the work of the incredible artist Friedensriech Hundertwasser. Their creative drawings are clearly showing the influence Hundertwasser has had on them and they are developing some amazing skills in blending and manipulating coloured pencil and fine point pen. Just a snippet of some of the works in progress, keep an eye out for the final products!

Year 11 VAP are continuing to explore the notion of Zen Tangles. Using this concept of stylised design and intricate pattern making, they are producing a ‘flip-book’ showcasing their drawing and design skills. I am excited to give you a glimpse of their progress so far

Students are busily gridding up their paper and using their collages to develop their ability to observe and record shape and tone in Year 10. Students have written a draft of their introduction to the work of George Gittoes have started to analyse one artwork for homework. We look forward to posting examples of their progress in the next newsletter.

This image is the background of a Year 12 Art student’s first pieces in the Body of Work with a Focus of “Attitudes” and Concept of “Reaction”. Reaction to what? This will be communicated in the next edition. Year 12 Art are busily working on their practical projects and have started their extended written assignment.

Year 12 VAP are constructing an installation which although is a group project has individual components. Their response is to the concept of “Timeless Wanderers”

Ignite Dance Academy

Dance Academy has had yet another successful week. All students have settled in nicely and we have learned a large chunk of all our dances. We’ve been fitted for our costumes and cannot wait until they arrive. New students have also been fitted for their Academy uniforms and are more than excited to begin rehearsing in them.

We have our first Dance Support meeting this Thursday the 2nd of March, starting at 5:30pm, in the PA dance room. We encourage all parents, guardians, friends and alumni of Dance Academy to attend.

We aim is to have all our dances mostly finished by the end of the term so we can begin polishing them and be the best we can be!

We can’t wait to share our dances with you all!

Senior Dance Captains are Jess Beattie and Jess Spence.

Dance

Congratulations to our year 12 dancers who recently completed their first performance task of the year. Students worked tirelessly to build the stamina and technical skill required to perform the dance; your efforts paid off! Well done.

Our year 7 dancers will be assessed on their performance dance this Friday. Miss Westerveld has been blown away by the students’ commitment to their learning and ability to adapt to changing situations so effortlessly. Students have conducted themselves in a very professional manner and should be very proud of themselves.

Our year 9 dancers had their first taste of tap this fortnight. Students experimented with making one, two and three beat sounds with their feet; they were also challenged to perform movement sequences producing clear and crisp sounds. Next week, students will begin learning the class dance they will be assessed on.

Yr7

Students have nearly completed their first drama script ready for performances later this term. We have developed our knowledge of the elements of drama in theory and practical activities. Well done to all students for their fantastic work and engagement in all activities!

Yr 9

Students have used their knowledge of the design elements and their creativity to develop imaginative design folios of costumes and set designs for a proposed musical version of The Hunger Games. Well done to those students for their impressive and bold designs!

Yr10

Students have been time travelling this week, or at least adapting their scripts to a more modern time! Their transformations of scenes from Romeo and Juliet are being designed to be used as if they were community theatre projects to help vulnerable groups make social connections and develop personal skills.

Yr 11

Students are giving a voice to extraordinary Australians who have experienced hardship. The students selected to write a verbatim script about either the Port Arthur massacre or the story of Sally Faulkner. The scripts are currently in development before the students will perform one of the student devised scripts.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC - Music under the Stars Concert

This was a great opportunity for parents of our many new students to come along and meet the teachers, as well as the other members of the various bands and ensembles. Families were advised to bring cushions and rugs to sit on. New lights were purchased thanks to Mr Deo and stands organised, thanks to Mr Farrington and the Beenleigh Theatre Company. As luck would have it after so many days of clear nights and near drought conditions, the prediction for the week of our outdoor event christening the revamped auditorium, was rain and lots of it.

Although students wore their formal school uniform for the concert parents are reminded that students will need their band/orchestra attire for other upcoming performances.

Mr Court will be on leave from Tuesday March 7 until the end of term, we wish him a speedy recovery from knee surgery. We welcome his replacement, Mr Tony Rea on Wednesday 8th.

Upcoming events are:

• The Badging Ceremony” for Symphonic Winds and “Anzac Day” in Term 2.
• The Logan Secondary Band Workshop at Browns Plains SHS on March 27 & 28 is level 3; Symphonic Winds students are eligible to attend. All string students at SPSHS are eligible to attend the string workshop on March 29 & 30 at Mabel Park SHS.

Excursion:

Congratulations to those students who have already paid for their QSO Concert Ticket, it is going to be a fabulous concert, an event impossible to replicate other than in an auditorium with our wonderful Queensland Orchestra.

Health & Physical Education

Senior Recreation Dodgeball Competition

As part of their ‘Tournament Organisation’ unit, our Year 12 Recreation class has developed and implemented a lunchtime dodgeball competition for all Junior Secondary students throughout Week 7 of Term 1. The organisation has been outstanding and we have been regularly attracting numbers in excess of 60 students each lunchtime to ‘Dodge, Duck, Dive and Weave’. A huge THANK YOU to the Year 12 Recreation class and their teacher Miss Angela King for all the work they have put in to make this such a successful event.

Strength and Conditioning Program

Our lunchtime program has kicked off with lots of keen participants taking up the challenge of our strength and conditioning programs. Students have the opportunity to develop their fitness levels in a fun, safe and supportive environment. We are pleased to announce the arrival of our first squat rack for our Academy and Senior students to use during lunchtime programs as well as Senior Physical Education classes. Dale (Sports Captain) and Norman (School Captain) were only too happy to model the new equipment for us.

Strength and Conditioning Program Timetable

ICT and ITN

Information Communication Technologies

Year 10 Information Communication Technologies students have recently conducted research into aspects of life for teenagers in years 10 to 12, at Shailer Park State High School. Most of the questions are based around use of time, healthy living, money and technology access. The students have designed survey questions and are in the process of analysing results from the surveys in Excel in order to create Infographics.

Information Technology Systems

For their first assessment of 2017, Year 12 Information Technology Systems students have been investigating issues of Accessibility. They have discovered how many disabled Internet users access websites, and some of the assistive technologies available to these groups. Their focus has been on visual impairments and how website developers can improve access to websites for these groups. They have written an in-depth analysis and synthesised their findings to make recommendations to website developers. From this information, they will produce Fact Sheets to communicate key ideas quickly to potential web developers.

Christel Wilkie
ICT and ITN Teacher

Clubs, Academies, Societies and Tutorials

2017 CAST Timetable

Shailer Park High offers many extra-curricular programs to support and enrich student engagement in school including Clubs, Academies, Societies and Tutorials (CAST).

Humanities Club

The first “gathering” of the Humanities Club took place last week with interested students attending to discuss ideas about activities they might engage in as a group. Some suggestions included film days, excursions, educational online and board games, treasure hunts and more.

The aim is to create a venue and casual forum for like-minded people to discuss areas of mutual interest in the Humanities so as to promote History and Geography in the school and community.

Meetings will take place every two weeks on a Friday in the Library (Lunch 2) and all year levels are welcome. The next one is scheduled for Friday 3rd March.

As President Theodore Roosevelt stated, “I believe that the more you know about the past, the better you are prepared for the future”.

Trish Scott

Chess Club

On Wednesday 23rd February we took to quads to the first interschool chess tournament and yes, we won!!

Out of thirty teams playing at the competition we came out first, with Josh Wilson placing first in both cross tables and individual standings.

Congratulations to the students on a stellar performance.

Chan Thai

Debate Club

The Shailer Park debaters had a mixed start to the debating season.

On Tuesday, 21 February both the junior and senior debating teams attended Browns Plains State High School for the first round.

The junior team, comprised of Nickalis McKenna, Isabella Mander and Sharn Smith were unfortunately unsuccessful against an experienced Beaudesert junior team.

Our seniors comprised of Nikhil Deo, Alisha Macklin and Anna-Lise Evans (C), along with the guidance of Ms Tiainen and Mr Smith, were a credit to the school, winning a heated debate against Browns Plains 2.

Stephen Young represented our school as chairperson, along with Paul Thomas who attended in support.

We look forward to the next debate, taking place on Tuesday, 21 March at our home ground, Shailer Park State High School. Our junior team will be debating for the affirmative, ‘That wild animals should not be kept in captivity’. Our senior team face a bye.

Jordan Smith

Running Club

Cheyenne Campbell

Futsal Sub Committee

Futsal is a fantastic team sport and as a parent and new coach I have seen the potential and the sky is the limit.

As a team sport, our kids need a team behind them – fund raising and providing direct support to help attend championships and provide new gear.

If you’d like to be part of a Futsal Sub-Committee please contact Eric on 0417 631 353

Library

With only one month into the new school year, an observer could only describe the library as alive and buzzing! It attracts on average, 70-80 students each lunch break and that accounts for approximately 10% of the school population.

Students are engaged in all sorts of activities, such as reading, board games, jigsaw puzzles, and more and virtually every chess set is lent out to enthusiasts during these times.

The Seniors have learnt to withdraw to the air-conditioned comfort of the annexes to work on projects, homework and the like and need no prompting!

It is extremely pleasing to see the borrowing rates have rocketed so far this term, especially from our junior school and the monthly draw for a lucky borrower will occur next week, receiving a $20 iTunes, Google Play or tuckshop voucher.

Another exciting competition has been launched and that is to design a uniquely Shailer Park Library bookmark with the choice of prizes for the lucky creator of $50 book voucher or iTunes voucher. Entries close early Term 2 and details are available from library staff.

All in all, it has been a fabulous start to 2017 and the library is definitely the place to be.

Trish Scott
Vicki Seymour

SURVEY – Better Training for Learner Drivers

A survey is being conducted by the University of the Sunshine Coast to help develop better training for learner drivers. The project is exploring the current state of professional driving instruction for learner drivers in Queensland. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.

If you are a learner driver or have just got your red P-plates, they want to hear from you.

All survey participants will be eligible to go into a draw to win an iPhone7.

For further information please contact the PhD Researcher, Natalie Watson-Brown (natalie.watson-brown@research.usc.edu.au) at the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience – Thompson Institute, 12 Innovation Parkway, Birtinya 4575 or call 07 5456 3561.

The survey closes on 30th April 2017.

Guidance

Keeping our Family Safe on the Internet

One of the many highlights at Shailer Park this term was the presentations given to student, staff and parents by Brett Lee from Internet Safe Education on February 15. A former detective, Brett Lee has worked as a Queensland Police Officer for 22 years, 16 of which as a detective in the field of Child Exploitation. Brett has been personally involved with the interview, location, arrest and prosecution of hundreds of online criminals and predators. His experience means he is well placed to deliver messages about keeping safe on the internet.

Brett stressed that he does not want to ‘ban young people’ from the internet and he does not believe that it is a bad force on our children’s lives. However he does believe that we all need information about how to operate safely in this relatively new space. As with anything the Internet come with rights and responsibilities of the user. ‘Every good choice you make in life will result in you being rewarded yourself for the rest of your life’.

His message to parents was to take control and not to believe the catch cry from young people that bad behaviour is just what happens on the internet. The internet space is no different from the ‘real world and the same rules apply. There are certain laws and expectations on how we behave in the ‘real world’ and this is the same for the Internet. In the eyes of the law in Queensland you are an adult at 17 years of age. Children 10 years and over can be arrested for cyber-bullying.

Brett continually repeated these key points about the internet:

• The internet creates the illusion that it is private and it is NOT PRIVATE. It is the most public space you can be in.
• The internet creates the illusion that you can be anonymous and YOU CANNOT
• The internet creates the illusion that you are not in the ‘real world’ but you MOST DEFINITELY ARE
• The internet is permanent so no matter what various sites say everything stays on the internet it cannot be deleted.

The most important tip he gave to parents was to have a rule that all devices (phone, tablets, computers, etc.) are locked away overnight so there is no access. By doing this you can reduce the potential risk of harm to your child by 32%. For more information on how to keep your family safe please check out the following websites.

Brett will be coming back to visit us next year so I would strongly encourage you to come to his presentation.

P & C News

2017 Annual General Meeting

The 2017 AGM including election of Officers will be held on Tuesday 14th March 2017 at 6:00pm in the Staff Common Room, Administration Block, Shailer Park State High.

All existing P&C Memberships lapse at this time and new P&C Membership Forms will be required for 2017. Click on this link to access the P&C 2017-2018 Membership Form, complete and return to the P&C Secretary.

March 2017 General Meeting

The March 2017 General Meeting will be held at 6:30pm Tuesday 14th March 2017 in the Staff Common Room, immediately after the AGM

Feel free to share this information with other parents. The more the merrier.

If you have any questions for the P&C Executive, please email us at pandc@shaiparkshs.eq.edu.au.

Sonja Kalbaugh (President) and Kevin Thomas (Vice President)
Shailer Park High P&C