10 November 2017

Newsletter Articles

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Term 4 is an incredibly important time where we have the opportunity to look back, reflect on and celebrate the achievements of our school community. This is where all those bold ambitions and big plans made at the beginning of the year can really be seen coming to fruition, with many students being recognised for their diligence in learning and their perseverance in keeping those goals in sight! Well done to all our award recipients: you are fantastic examples of how our school spirit shines so brightly.

In particular our Awards Night Ceremony was a great success. Our dual recipients of the prestigious DUX award went to two students who are also incredibly community minded: our School Captain Tegan Frei and Vice-Captain Makayla Henderson. These two students really embody our motto of Achieve with Dignity, having served their fellow students for the past year as part of the leadership team and committing to their studies and coursework as exemplary and adaptive learners. Well done Tegan and Makayla: Shailer Park SHS will be watching to see where your inevitable success takes you!

Ms Angela King was also recognised with a Teacher of the Year nomination for all her work, effort and dedication to cultivating our Volleyball Academy (this follows her Commonwealth Teaching Fellowship Award from earlier in the year). Ms King’s contribution to Shailer Park SHS and the Sports Academy students can not be underestimated. By enabling our students to taste sport at an elite level whilst developing important mindset skills, physical and mental disciplines, she has helped to shape a positive future for our students. Another great accolade for a fantastic member of staff!

During our Industry Dinner we thanked the industry and business partners who have helped make the education of Shailer Park students both meaningful, genuine and functional through apprenticeships and traineeships. So many of our students are graduating with qualifications allowing them to enter the work force or further education with not only greater confidence, but with tangible skills and, most importantly, maturity and a sense of responsibility. I would like to extend my warmest thanks to all our industry and business partners on behalf of my staff, our students and their parents: you really are enriching the education of Shailer Park’s young people.

We also celebrated the NEXUS program with a night of recognition for our participating students. This program is not simply about completing extra scientific experiments, but about developing a strong growth mindset those students can apply to all subjects and facets of life, not just science.

The timing of all these positive reflections couldn’t be better, with the holidays tantalisingly near and the very real end of schooling for our senior students. Yet November is a time when, as an entire school community, we begin to feel tiredness creeping in. We sprang out of the gate in January with vigour and energy, ready to tackle the year ahead, but now, in the last five weeks of our 35 week sprint, feelings of fatigue begin to creep in. Little problems become huge issues, things which were of no concern two terms ago are suddenly critically important and our ability to meet deadlines and due dates on time decreases. However, this is the time to remember all of our achievements and gather strength for the final half of the term. This is the time to square our shoulders, smile at and encourage each other whilst moving forward.

The race of 2017 is not over and there is still much to achieve!

I’d also like to congratulate our graduating Year 12 cohort who have some wonderful rites of passage to attend to in the coming weeks. The Year 12 Formal and Graduation Ceremony are the pinnacles of your schooling career and are two of the great markers of your journey from child to adult. I know and trust you will make Shailer Park State High School, your parents and all the students looking up to you during this time feel only admiration and pride by enjoying this formative time sensibly and wholeheartedly.

Finally, it is with great pleasure that I can advise I will continue in my role as Principal in term one, 2018. The appointment of the permanent principal will occur in term one, and it is my intention to apply for the position which will commence in term two.

SENIOR SCHOOLING

Term Assessment Calendars and Tutorial Timetables

A reminder to parents that Term Assessment Calendars are distributed to students each term.

This information, including Tutorial Timetables, can also be found on our website along with Exam Timetables and Career information and opportunities here :

Holidays and School Break Up Dates

School holidays are closer than you think.

Full attendance is expected from all students until their official holidays begin. Remember, every day counts!

Release of Year 12 results, OPs and FPs – Year 12

Students’ individual QCS Test grades will be released prior to senior certification in December.

QCS Test results will be available in student learning accounts from 15 November. Students will be able to access their individual QCS Test grade — from A to E — in their learning account on the Student Connect website:

Students are reminded to activate their account ahead of time.

Students’ QCS Test grades will be confirmed on the Senior Statement they receive as part of their Senior Education Profile sent to them in December.

Release of Year 12 QCEs

From 9 am on 16 December, all results contributing to the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), OPs and FPs will be available in student learning accounts on the Student Connect website:

Students will begin receiving their Senior Education Profiles in the mail following this. Depending on students’ individual circumstances, their profile will comprise one or more of the following documents:

• QCE - Queensland Certificate of Education
• Tertiary Entrance Statement
• Senior Statement
• Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement.

University of Queensland Young Achievers Program

The UQ Young Achievers Program aims to connect students to university pathways, engage them in studies, mentor them through their senior subjects and transition them into university. To be in the program also means students receive a scholarship. A wonderful opportunity!

Year 10 inductees (Caitlyn, Mia and Keenan) and Year 12 Young Achiever graduates (Tegan and Morgan) were invited to attend our Brisbane Welcome and Celebration event on campus at The University of Queensland in mid-October. Congratulations to all of these students, setting themselves up for success!

University of Queensland Making a Difference

Kyrah, Sophie, Beth, Deina-Jean, Roger and Joshua from Year 11 visited the Talbarra Bolton Clark Community Aged Care facility this term to interact with the residents there. Joshua, who organised the event, had this to say;

‘We met four residents named Gilbert, Bill, Neville and Mavis. We talked to them about the differences between our times and they told stories about their lives, like the time Gilbert was stuck just a meter away from a 5-meter-long black tiger snake! This was done to build a bond between our school, Talbarra Bolton Clark and the residents that live there.

This was a part of my UQ Young Achievers MAD challenge. MAD stands for ‘Making a Difference’ so the goal for this challenge was to volunteer our time to something we are passionate about. In this circumstance, I chose helping out the elderly. Next year I will be doing another MAD Challenge as well as the three Year 10 students who were accepted into next year’s cohort of Young Achievers.’

What a great effort Josh, and all involved! A wonderful way to care for our community and definitely Make A Difference!

Wishing everyone a wonderful rest of the term! May you all continue to shine!

A MESSAGE FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

JUNIOR SECONDARY (YEARS 7, 8 AND 9)

University of Queensland Visit for our Year 7 & 8 students

On Tuesday 5 December and Wednesday 6 December students from Shailer Park SHS will be participating in an excursion to the University of Queensland. The aim of the day is to give students the opportunity to see and experience some of what happens in a university. Regardless of the students future pathway all students are encouraged to take part in this day. The world of work is rapidly changing and whilst we do not necessarily know about the future jobs that will be on offer we do know that all of our students will need to be continually updating their skills to meet the needs and demands of future jobs. Students will be able to see the campus and participate in various faculty activities. This will give students the opportunity to experience what it is like to be on a university campus and to see what universities are offering. Students will participate in a campus tour.

Students will need to be at school by 8.25 am on the day of their excursion. A light lunch will be provided but students may need to bring along some extra snacks and a water bottle.

This will form part of our last week compulsory activities for students and all Year 7 and 8 students are expected to participate in this FREE visit to the university.

Tuesday 5 December – All Year 7 Students
Wednesday 6 December – All year 8 Students

Orientation Days for Year 6 students transitioning into year 7 in 2018

On Monday 27 November and Tuesday 28 November we will be conducting orientation days for our 2018 year 7 students. We would like to congratulate these families on making the great decision to send their child to this great public school. It is wonderful to welcome them as part of our valued community for 2018 and beyond. We look forward to transitioning the students into our great school and will work tirelessly with them to ensure that over the next 6 years, they are on a pathway to post schooling success.

The orientation days are intended to assist with transitioning students into our school seamlessly and alleviate any stress or anxiety the students have about starting high school. The orientation days will allow students to meet their teachers, their classmates and our senior leaders. Students will also have the opportunity to undertake learning in their classrooms. We will use this time as an opportunity to learn more about the children to ensure that we can tailor our lessons to their needs in 2018.

Permission and medical notes for these two days will be emailed home to enrolled students, and we request that these are returned via email: office@shaiparkshs.eq.edu.au, alternatively drop them in to our administration office.

If you know of any students who are not already enrolled at Shailer Park State High School for 2018, please encourage them to call 3451 2777 to make an enrolment interview time so that they can attend these valuable transition days.

JUNIOR SECONDARY

Congratulations to all our Junior Secondary students who have participated in a wide variety of activities over the past few weeks including; Showcase, Academic Awards Evening, String Ensembles, Choir excursions and many more. It is really pleasing to see our students involving themselves in all aspects of school life and making such positive contributions to our school.

Junior Secondary Leaders

I would like to publicly celebrate the fantastic work of our 2017 Junior Secondary captains; Kelly Sneddon, Kahil Evans, Kaleb Hunt and Nirav Nand. You have all made a significant contribution to the Junior Secondary school and now move into the senior aspect of your secondary schooling journey equipped with leadership skills and further opportunities to contribute towards our school.

It gives me great pleasure to announce our Junior Secondary captains for 2018:

• Captains: Yevin Samararatne and Aisha Barry
• Vice Captains: Rachel Palm and Dekoda Rowbottom

I’m sure you will build upon the fantastic legacy left by our 2017 Junior Secondary Captains.

Upcoming Junior School Events

• 27th and 28th November: Orientation Day for 2018, Year 7 students
• 5th December: Year 7 University of Queensland Excursion
• 6th December: Year 8 University of Queensland Excursion
• 7th December: Year 7, 8 and 9 End of Term Rewards Day at Wet and Wild (Please note that students must have an attendance rate of 92% and above and have one or less behaviour referrals for Term 4 to be eligible to attend)

All the best for the rest of Term 4

Vocational Education

Industry connections and Fine Dining - all done with a touch of class!

Our Hospitality students excelled themselves on Halloween night when they fully catered and served a high profile Industry Dinner at our very own Sapphires Restaurant.

The sounds of Shailer’s String Quartet led guests to the Al Fresco area where their culinary experience began.

Our very own Principal Dorothea Jensen spoke about the importance of schools and industries connecting and working together creating the next generation of workers. Mrs Jensen then handed over to the Federal Member for Forde, Mr Bert Van Manen who spoke about the value of all pathways and investment by industry in working with schools. This view very much supported by Logan City Councillor Mr Darren Power who then spoke on behalf of the City of Logan Mayor, Mr Luke Smith.

We were fortunate to also hear from Ashley Henkel from Lang’s Building Supplies. We’ve forged a relationship with Lang’s Building Supples this year, two of our students from the Cert III Engineering course (delivered at the school by Mr John Ahrens) have secured employment as cadet estimators and another student has gained employment in the timber and truss manufacturing yard.

The real stars of the night however were our students.

Each and every one of them put in a huge day and delivered four courses of such exquisite deliciousness, they had the guests asking for more.

Credit also to:

• Ms Maryann Lu – her hard work and dedication in training these students has certainly paid off
• The expertise of Chef Antonio from award winning restaurant Bucce – Antonio was here for a practice run for a whole day the week before and worked tirelessly alongside our team for the entire day and night for this event.
• Brandon the chaplain - his 6 years culinary experience with Q1 on the Gold Coast was so helpful for our students.

It was a magical night, with accolades given to the students and staff, topped off with a glittered walk back to the car.

YEAR 12 SCHOOL LEAVERS - Positions Vacant:

Office Administration Position

Langs Building Supplies are looking for an Office Administrator to provide administration support to the Sales Representative. Duties will include data entry, scheduling, and taking telephone calls. If you are interested, please forward your resume to lisa.dawson@langs.net.au. If you need assistance with your resume, please see Ms Annette Lee the ILO asap.

East Coast Apprenticeships

East Coast Apprenticeships have a number of “wet trade” positions available including plastering, tiling and painting, as well as bricklaying. Drivers Licence will be an essential. If you are interested, get your resume together and let Ms Annette Lee the ILO know asap. (East Coast Apprenticeships will be here Monday 13th November – see below).

Apprentice Cabinetmaker – Loganholme

Lease Interiors are looking for a Year 12 school leaver for their cabinetmaking business in Loganholme. Lease Interiors supply local schools with their furniture and other cabinetmaking needs. No experience is necessary as you will be trained on the job. Looking to employ straight after schoolies and work as a casual right through (with a short break between Xmas and New Year if work permits) until February 2018 when apprenticeship will be signed up.

If you are interested please let Ms Annette Lee the ILO know before end of school Tuesday 14th November.

Full Time Parts Interpreter

James Frizelle’s Landrover/Jaguar based in Springwood are looking for a full time Parts Interpreter. This is a great high profile client / brand and would be an amazing opportunity to set up someone’s career.

This role is ideal for someone that is great with people, phones and numbers. Technical capability is not critical. Applicants must have a drivers licence.

Interested students please see Ms Annette Lee the ILO ASAP.

Year 12 Last Chance Career Information

On Monday 13th November Shailer Park High is holding a “Last Chance” Career Information day. We will have representatives from many different industries including the Defence Forces, University of Queensland, Griffith University, TAFE Queensland, TAFE Skillstech, Department of Education, East Coast Apprenticeships, Apprenticeship Support, Strategix Training (logistics, health, community services), Oceania College of Technology (automotive), JMC Academy (media, film, TV, Arts), Axial Training (Meat Processing, Butchery) and TABMA (Timber Industry Association).

NEXUS News

Term 4 has been an extremely exciting term for students in the NEXUS program. On Tuesday Evening, we celebrated the successes of our Year 7 and 8 students whilst formally welcome a new cohort of Year 6 students into the Academy.

With over 160 people in attendance, the evening was a great success with parents and students getting the opportunity to engage with other members of the NEXUS community and Shailer Park SHS staff. The evening really focussed on Learning and Thinking and what that means for students in the Academy. We were lucky enough to have representatives from the Science of Learning Research Centre attend the evening and present an informative workshop on ways to maximise learning both in and out of the classroom.

The Year 7 and 8 Wonder of Science teams presented their award winning work in preparation for the final competition at the University of Queensland later this term.

Parents received key information about how the NEXUS academy will continue to grow and develop in 2018 and were given the opportunity to engage with the Learning Expectations Agreement that will be implemented in 2018.

Moving forward, the NEXUS students will continue to develop their learning throughout this term with an excursion to the Australian Catholic University to explore the campus and complete a workshop in biomechanics. Students will also have the opportunity to travel to Toohey Forest where they will explore renewable energy forces. An exciting end to the term for the students in the NEXUS Academy!

Year 10 Global Citizenship

For the past few months, a selected group of Year 10 students has been working with the company Ernst and Young who are located on the 51st floor of an office block in Eagle Street in the city. Travelling up in the glass lift is certainly one to marvel over! Over the course of our sessions, the students have developed a strong awareness of skills and attributes that employers are looking for in their employees. The students have been working with mentors to examine and develop their own personal strengths and put knowledge learnt into practical workshop sessions. We have now had our final session. Students have learned so much from the valuable, real life learning experiences. It’s amazing what is learned when you are having fun, and oh, the food was great too! In addition to this, the Ernst and Young employees also give back to the community by participating in a Community Care day. Approximately twenty staff worked on some gardening projects around the school, assisted by our Year 10 students. They have done a wonderful job and the gardens are looking so much better.

GLADIATORS EXCURSION

On Wednesday 11th October, a group of 22 senior students and two teachers, Ms Scott and Ms Hall, ventured into the city to visit the Queensland Museum’s special exhibit, “Gladiators : Heroes of the Colosseum.” This excursion directly aligns with the current theme of the Year 11 students who are learning about the everyday lives of the ancient Romans. Students were able to experience first-hand, artefacts dated nearly 2000 years old, with particular emphasis on items retrieved from the buried city of Pompeii following the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD79. The range and scope of the artefacts was astounding, from frescoes, graffiti, coins, weapons and armour, a surgical scalpel and a musical horn to personal objects as hairpins, combs and strigils (the ancient form of a body cleanser). Even a bear skull killed in the Colosseum was featured! Ms Scott and Ms Hall also indulged the student audience in a gladiatorial duel wearing replica helmets, swords and shields. Let’s just say that the outcome was a draw!

In all, it was a highly informative day with the rare opportunity to come face-to-face and up close and personal with artefacts many, many centuries old. The students’ behaviour could only be described as exceptional and they represented themselves and the school proudly.

Below are some testimonials by participating students:

“Last week, we visited the Southbank Museum for the Gladiators exhibition. It was amazing to see artefacts some thousands of years old, and hearing the origins behind them all. It was an extremely fun day with my teachers and class mates.”
Michayla Healey

“I wasn’t expecting such a fantastic display! There was so much to take in and I learnt how much of an input the gladiators had on Roman society. Highly recommend and definitely worth it!”
Nicole Tucker

“It was so exciting to have the opportunity to see authentic relics from the times of the ancient Romans. Would do it again!
Ovi Opris

“Being able to visit the Gladiators’ display at the Queensland Museum was an exhilarating experience, one that I would recommend to anyone.”
Matthew Benson

“It was amazing to see real artefacts, some even from Pompeii. The trip was a great chance to learn more about the topic we are currently studying in Ancient History, that is, the everyday lives of the Romans.”
Tiffany McCarthy

“For me, the excursion to the Gladiator exhibition was a thrilling and educational experience. The interactive setting allowed for a deeper understanding of the average ancient Roman lifestyle.”
Morghana Leonards

CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

The Creative Industry teachers started the term with our preparations for Showcase. The endurance of students and staff was put to the test with rehearsals, two shows, Awards Evening and a number of eisteddfods for the Instrumental Music and Vocal Ensembles.

Showcase was a great success demonstrating the amazing array of talents within our school. I have to thank all the Creative Industry Teachers who put in such a mammoth effort in working with students and staging the show. Special thanks to Brita Denton who came in especially for Friday’s rehearsal and the two shows to accompany the Vocal Group.

“Music Under the Stars” was a wonderful evening; we were very lucky with the weather. The breakup Christmas Party was a lot of fun; certificates of merit and appreciation were awarded at both events.

A special huge vote of thanks has to go out to the Music Support Team who are constantly working for the benefit of the Instrumental Music Students. Thanks to the effort of Andrew Huggins we now have Air Conditioning in P1 so band rehearsals will be more comfortable on those very hot summer afternoons.

Dance Auditions for entry into The Dance Academy are on Wed 22nd & Thurs 23rd November (week 8) between 3:00 – 5:15pm in the Performing Arts Dance room (P Block) for all interested students

Art and Media

Year 11 Visual Art students are busily working to complete their final pieces for the year based on their Reflections of a significant person. In the unit previous to this, they explored the notion of Belief and the impression it made on them. Enjoy some of the recently completed works below.

As their school year comes to an end Year 12 Art and Arts in Practice students are busily completing their final pieces to add to their “Body of Work”. Represented below is the work of Elisa who takes up a full wall in “Facets” (our gallery) with canvases that are usually larger than her. We are eagerly looking forward to seeing her final two paintings.

Music

Our Jazz Band competed at Calamvale on Saturday achieving a Bronze. Congratulations to Glen and the students who attended.

Vocal Ensemble competed at Iona College on Saturday and achieved a Gold Standard, their “Beat Boxer” got special recognition. Congratulations to Mrs Michelle, the vocalists and Kye.

Congratulations to our students who put so much dedication into their Instrumental and Vocal work.

Upcoming Music Events

Fri. Nov. 10 - Year 12 Formal, performance strings perform.
Wed. Nov. 15 - Loganholme SS Twilight Concert. All groups perform.

These are the posters created for the Jazz Concert held in the MPS on Thursday 9th November.

P&C News

World Teachers’ Day

On the last Friday in October, Queensland celebrates World Teacher’s Day.

As a show of thanks to our valuable teaching staff, the Shailer High P&C and the School Executive Team held a morning tea; with coffee supplied by a Local Shailer Business and yummy food supplied by our wonderful team in the school canteen.

The Student Council arranged a small gift of chocolates & a personal appreciation note for the teachers to find in their pigeon holes in the morning.

Shailer Park High P&C President Kevin Thomas spoke at the Morning team and an extract of his speech follows:

Every day, Queensland teachers are making a difference educating and inspiring young people across our state. World Teachers' Day is an opportunity to acknowledge our teachers and say thanks for the significant contributions they make in our classrooms and communities. Today we celebrate , World Teachers' Day.

On behalf of the Shailer Park High P&C, its members, families and their children, your students, I would like to dedicate this morning tea as a small token of our appreciation for you as teachers and the positive impact you make at our school and in the Shailer Park Community.

Having a positive influence in the form of a teacher can make a lasting impression years after we have left school. We remember the teachers that changed our lives. In most cases these may have been the first person from outside our immediate family that believed in us. That experience of having an authority figure believe that we can succeed is important & gives the student an internal strength that will sustain them and can leave an impression that will last forever.

I found some inspiration words on teaching that I would like to share with you-

A teachers purpose is not to create students in their own image but to develop students who can create their own image.

The best teachers are those that show you where to look, but don’t tell you what to see.

A teacher presents the past, reveals the present and creates the future.

Loyalty Programs to 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 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.

Next Meeting

Please note that the final P&C meeting of the year will be held on Tuesday 21st November at 6pm

Kind Regards

Building fund

The P&C has established a building fund, allowing members of the school community and general public to donate money to be used for the procurement, construction or maintenance of buildings at Shailer Park State High School. The fund is registered as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) meaning that any donations over $2.00 are tax deductible.

The initial purpose of the fund is to raise money towards fitting air-conditioning to all class rooms in the school. The P&C has already been successful in air-conditioning the main rehearsal area in the Performing Arts complex (P-Block), thanks to the fund raising efforts of the Music Support Group and grant monies provided by the federal government. Now we would like to roll this out across the whole school.

Keeping in mind that this can markedly increase the electricity consumption, and hence cost to the school, the P&C is also investigating ways to reduce the future impact on school budget such as insulation, building design or the installation of solar panels.

Donations held in the Building Fund can also go towards school improvements such as painting and other maintenance of buildings, or new construction as required by the school. The P&C maintains a close relationship with the school executive and will work with them to improve the experience of all students, teachers and staff at Shailer Park State High School.

For more information, or to discuss a donation, please contact the P&C Treasurer Andrew Huggins via email at pandc@shaiparkshs.eq.edu.au.

Uniform Committee

School Calendar