30 March 2017

Newsletter Articles

Message from the Principal

National Commonwealth Bank Teaching Fellow

Last Thursday and Friday, I had the incredible privilege of travelling to Sydney to be part of the process by which our Deputy Principal, Ms Angel, became a Commonwealth Bank Teaching Fellow.

Ms Angel’s Fellowship award was presented by David Gonski, author of the Gonski Report, and Ian Narev, CEO of Commonwealth Bank. The total prize package is worth more than $45 000 and includes a trip to Singapore and more than $30 000 for an educational project to improve our school.

The real stars of the event, however, were Ms Angel and her 12 fellow award winners who have all made a powerful difference in their communities. These included:

• Wilbur (Charlie) Klein who leads a community in remote Western Australia displaced by the Maralinga bombings
• Eddie Woo who stars in his own youtube channel he calls “Wootube” – all students of Maths are advised to tune in when they need assistance
• Belinda Wall who leads a school like ours in NSW – determined to make a difference and determined to change the lives of its students

Ms Angel’s success is Shailer Park High’s success as it was built from the school’s significantly improved results. As a school community, I think we can all be proud of this award as a wonderful recognition of our journey, which reflects the community’s commitment to continued educational improvement.

Stability for our School

As a result of Shailer Park High becoming an IPS, a number of our school staff leaders who have been acting in their positions have had the opportunity to compete for and win these positions permanently. This adds greatly to the stability of our school and allows us to “lock in” some wonderfully talented educators. We congratulate on becoming permanent:

• Ms Megan Switzer (Head of Special Education Services)
• Ms Anita Winkeler (Head of Department – Senior Schooling)
• Mr Andrew Pirie (Head of Department – Science)

Good luck for Exams

This week, we wish all the very best to our Yr 11 and 12 students as they engage in their exam block. These students have prepared thoroughly for their exams and have the full support of our school. Best wishes to all!

End of Term Celebrations

During this last week of term, we look forward with much anticipation to our Harmony Day activities on Friday. Harmony Day celebrates the many backgrounds and talents of our students. It celebrates every student’s individual sense of identity, while recognising we have a collective singular identity as members of the Shailer Park High community. It also helps to flesh out the amazing talent that exists in our school and is an incredibly entertaining and engaging event. At Shailer Park High, Harmony Day has become a much-loved feature of our school calendar. Can’t wait!

During the last week, we also look forward to our Rewards Day, a celebration for students who have attended school consistently and behaved cooperatively each and every day. Congratulations to all students involved with Rewards Day for your unrelenting commitment to upholding our standards!

Clubs, Academies and Societies

As Term 1 draws to a close, I would like to celebrate all students who have taken up the challenge of being involved in our Clubs, Academies and Societies. From Chess Club to Volleyball Superstars, from Science Ambassadors to Strength and Conditioning athletes, from Instrumental Music to Robotics and to the many others not mentioned, I would like to thank and congratulate all students and staff involved with these opportunities. You are all helping to make our great school even better!

To all our families, have a safe and happy holiday and we will see you again in term two.

Deputy Principal Senior Secondary

The first quarter of the year has gone really well for the Senior School. We are certainly seeing a marked improvement in the behaviour, attendance rates and level of engagement of our senior students. Well done!

This would not be possible without the support of our parents and carers who truly believe in the value of their children’s education and make a concerted effort in ensuring they arrive to school daily and on time.

Senior students had their exam block this week. This would be an ongoing feature of Senior assessment process. Please note that during an exam block:

• Students who are absent on a scheduled exam date must contact the office before 8.30am and provide a medical certificate to sit the exam on another date.
• Students are only required to attend their examination sessions during the Exam Block.
• Full school uniform is expected on all days
• If there are exam clashes, it is the responsibility of the student to see the HOD to organise an alternative sitting.

On Friday, we will end the Term with the school cross-country and Harmony Day celebrations to acknowledge and value the lovely diversity of our school community. Attendance on this day is compulsory.

I wish you all a good break Easter break and look forward to seeing our students rejuvenated in Term 2!

NEXUS News

Griffith Red Zone Visit

Our Junior and Senior NEXUS Academy students were honoured to attend the Nathan Campus of Griffith University in Week 8 this term.

Twelve of our most keen senior students explored the Red Zone and then spent time engaged in learning in the engineering labs. We also had 2 full classes of Year 7 and 8 NEXUS Academy students attend separate spectacular days at Griffith’s Red Zone and Toohey Forest.

A fantastic opportunity for our NEXUS SPSHS Students.

Nexus Academy visit Griffith Red Zone

SENIOR SCHOOLING

Getting Organised

Prior planning prevents poor performance. Being organised, using a calendar and diary to help plan when assessment is due and organising time every day to do school work – little and often – really are strategies that can help you achieve. Exam week is Week 10 for our Senior Students.

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

A reminder to students and parents that the School Calendars can also be found on our website:

Important dates for your diary include Parent Teacher Interview Evening on Wednesday 3rd May 2017 from 4pm.

2016 Year 12 Graduates – We Need You!

We need our 2016 Year 12s to celebrate their successes with us, and the community. The Next Steps Survey helps us do this.

Between March and June, all our students who completed Year 12 last year can expect to receive instructions to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office to complete the survey.

Year 12 students from 2016 are encouraged to answer some questions about employment, study and life after year 12. This helps to track local trends with state-wide and regional trends. More information can be found below or on toll free telephone 1800 068 587.

If you know of a 2016 graduate, please encourage them to participate in the survey and share their successes!

Mentoring Conversations

Students, do you know what you want to do once you leave school? The greatest way of achieving your goal is to HAVE a goal!

Teachers and guidance/industry staff will be working with students throughout the year to ensure you have identified your goal and have a clear strategy of achieving it.

• Year 12 students - Term 1 and 2
• Year 10 students – Term 2 in preparation for SET Plan (and subject selection)
• Year 11 students – Term 2 and 3

Senior Students should be thinking of their goals and pathway options in preparation for these meetings!

QCS Session – Year 12 Students

QCS Sessions will resume in Week 1 of Term 2 – EVERY Tuesday afternoon from 3.15pm – 4.15pm, in the Library for Year 12 students doing the QCS test later this year. All students are expected to attend. If you have other commitments then please see Ms Winkeler for resources. This term our focus is on the Short Response Questions and Written Task.

Evidence shows us that these is the areas that we need most practice with. We have guest presenters working through skills and topics with us, so it’s not all just practicing questions like last term – we are strengthening your skills and increasing the challenge.

Upcoming Events for the Senior School Calendar

Our Year 12 OP Eligible students will be hearing more about this exciting day at UQ for some inspiring insights and career guidance. Wednesday 19th April 2017

Year 10 Students will be attending the Careers and Employment Expo at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre at the beginning of June. More information to follow in Term 2

All senior students should keep Sat 15 and Sun 16 July in their minds to discover more bout careers and Tertiary Studies of all kinds – TAFE, Uni etc.

Year 9 News

It has been a good start to the year for our Year 9 cohort, with attendance being above 92% on average. According to our data, it is Monday that is letting our cohort down, so can we please ensure that students are getting a good rest on Sunday, so they are fresh and ready to go on Monday mornings!

Whilst our attendance has been high, we are not meeting the set targets for punctuality. It is absolutely crucial that we have every single student at school by 8.30am. This ensures a calm, focussed start to their learning day and prevents them from disrupting the learning of others with their late arrival. They will be expected to be on time at their chosen workplaces, so expecting punctuality now will ensure they have good habits and can become successful in the future.

As the term is winding down, we need to ensure our students are still putting their best foot forward. Accordingly, if you have any information concerning your child that you think I might need to know, please feel free to contact me at any time on mblew0@eq.edu.au.

Dance

Olivia (year 7) Dancer – Harvest Rain Theatre Company, Grease

We would like to acknowledge and congratulate Olivia, one of our Ensemble Two Dance Academy students, for her involvement in Harvest Rain Theatre Companies current production of Grease.

The electrifying ensemble of over 500 performers are set to take the stage, in six shows, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on the 7th, 8th and 9th of April.

Olivia will perform alongside some of Australia’s biggest stars including Dami Im, Megan O’Shea and Drew Weston. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketek.

Congratulations Olivia, we are all very proud of you and look forward to celebrating many more achievements like this in your future.

Shailer Shines

SO PROUD TO BE SHAILER – MS DUNBABIN

At the Logan Metro Volleyball regional tournament on Wednesday 8th March, I was so proud to be Shailer and a special tribute must go to Dale Hansen.

He carried out his referee duties with utmost professionalism, marshalling the teams and liaising with those much older than himself on and off the court. He was a role model for both the school and the community and I wanted to ensure that his input was not overlooked. It was a terrific day during which Shailer shined.

Clubs, Academies and Societies

Chess Team Victory

Hearty congratulations to our Chess team led by Mr Chan Thai. Our team scored a sensational victory at the ENABLE Chess Cup on Thursday 16th March – the second brilliant win for our team.

Chess keeps going from strength-to-strength and we look forward to great things from this amazing team.

Community News

Register now for the FREE 90-minute Teen Triple P Seminars to be held at Shailer Park State High School.

Teen Triple P Seminars

Your baby’s almost an adult, or at least that’s what he or she thinks. So life at home can be a little strained. Maybe your 13-year-old son grunts instead of speaking to you. Or your 14-year-old daughter wants to go to parties with people you don’t even know. It’s not that you’ve got a 'wild' kid. You’d just like to make sure things don’t get out of hand.

Register now for the FREE 90-minute Teen Triple P Seminars to be held at Shailer Park State High School.

Raising Responsible Teenagers (Thursday May 18th 6.30pm): Find out what makes teenagers tick! You’ll come away with new ideas to encourage your teenager to make good decisions, be respectful, considerate, reliable, and involved in family life.

Raising Competent Teenagers (Thursday June 1st 6.30pm): Set your teenager up for life with the strategies in this seminar which focuses on helping your child get the most out of their school years. Find out how to help them communicate well, develop self-discipline and good routines, follow rules and solve problems.

Getting Teenagers Connected (Thursday June 15th 6.30pm): Help your teenager develop good, supportive friendships. You’ll learn ways to build their confidence, encourage their social skills, help them to plan and meet commitments and encourage them to take care of others.

Seminars will be presented by Dr Leanne Winter from the University of Queensland, the home of Triple P. Come to just one or all three. While you’re at the seminar the kids/teens will be entertained onsite with a movie. For questions, please call Leanne Winter on 0412 846 042.

Vocational Education

“A” Standard Fabrication

This toolbox has been made by one of our Year 11 Students, Lance S in his Engineering Skills class this term.

Lance has done a top job with this task and presented a toolbox of the highest, “A” standard quality. Keep up the good work Lance!

Current School Based Traineeship / Apprenticeship Opportunities

Open to Year 10 and 11 Vocational Students not already doing a Certificate Course or out one day per week, who meet the Traffic Light System (fees paid or payment plan in place, 1 or less behaviour incidents, passing core subjects, over 90% attendance)*

Traineeships:

Zarraffa’s Coffee Slacks Creek and Loganlea Certificate III in Hospitality Monday - Friday

Opportunity to learn in one of Australia’s fastest growing, successful and popular cafes. Great team environment. Perfect for those new to hospitality wanting to learn about the industry. Must be customer focussed and possess a spring in your step. Career opportunities available to the right candidate. Must be able to work extra hours when required, evenings and/or weekends

Apprenticeships:

• Certificate III Landscape Construction
• Certificate III Concreting
• Certificate III Parks and Gardens

If you are interested, please put together a resume and see Ms Annette Lee the ILO.