5 February 2018

Newsletter Articles

A message from the Principal

I’d like to extend a warm welcome to the 2018 school year to our Shailer Park State High School students and staff. Hopefully you all feel recharged and energised for what will be another incredibly busy and inspiring year. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching all those fresh-from-holiday faces march through our gates over the last week: even over the first few days of the term, there has been a real sense of determination throughout the campus, with our students looking smart in their full uniforms and ready to get down to the business of learning. Our teachers are also revitalised after a few weeks of rest and are determined as ever to do what Shailer Park SHS does best: lift the aspirations of our students through big plans and bold ambitions for a bright future.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our 2017 dual Dux recipients Makayla and Tegan for both achieving an OP1 result.

Our success is not going unnoticed with the wider community taking notice and joining our wonderful team. Our Year 7 intake for 2018 was the largest in more than a decade with 250 enrolled at the start of the term and counting. I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome all of our new students and their families to our community, along with the new staff members joining our professional team. They are:

Over the Student Free Days our teachers used their time effectively in not only preparing for a demanding year ahead, but engaging in professional development to further enhance the excellent delivery of education to Shailer Park SHS students. Some of the sessions included engaging with findings on how the brain works and using this research to improve our teaching practices. Another involved the University of Queensland’s Science of Learning and Research Centre working with staff to explore resilience and in particular learning from challenging or difficult situations. On a school based level, we revisited the very effective RED-P Agenda, a researched based plan of high yield strategies aimed at facilitating the best possible education for each student. With our students continuing to experience success within and outside the schooling community, our improvement plan will focus on strengthening the RED-P agenda throughout the year.

Underpinning our focus on helping students’ realise their big plans, bold ambitions and bright futures, Shailer Park State High School values what it means to be a successful learner. This year students will become familiar with the 4Rs, where being Resilient, Resourceful, Reflective and Relational will lead to greater educational success. Put simply, it is important students learn new skills and knowledge, but we also want them to learn to be better at learning itself. This can then be applied across the curriculum, not simply to subjects they feel they are ‘good at’. This follows on from our shift toward a growth mindset in 2017 and signals an exciting time in the way teaching and learning will happen at Shailer Park in 2018.

Unfortunately, our year has also begun on an incredibly sad note with the news of one of our own students passing away last week: our thoughts and sincere sympathies go out to the student’s family, friends and loved ones during this most difficult of times. Ongoing support will be provided to students and staff, with our guidance counsellors on hand to help in any way for as long as they are needed.

The amazing spirit of the Shailer Park community has truly been on display to start the year, and I look forward to seeing all our students continuing to maintain the high expectations of dress, behaviour and attendance displayed in the first few days of term over the coming weeks and wish them well in the first few steps of our journey into 2018!

Senior Schooling

Students will receive their assessment calendars in the next week. This provides important information that supports students to be strategic learners; planning, drafting, applying feedback. We recommend putting these in student study areas or up on the fridge at home to ensure you are tracking the progress of your child/children. School diaries are an invaluable tool for assisting in the collation and organising of their work to meet deadlines.

We are working with students to ensure they are achieving their best in all subjects at all times, and tracking their performance and potential by being RESOURCEFUL and demonstrating REFLECTION on their behaviours to ensure all outcomes are considered. I’m looking forward to some excellent work and results in the coming weeks.

Strategies for success in Senior School

• Start your revision as soon as possible. Read about 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.

QCS Preparation

We are working hard to support Year 12 students to prepare for the Queensland Core Skills Test QCS. QCS Sessions are specialised classes to prepare students for the rigours of the external exam. They help students to understand the format and style of questions, as well as provide useful strategies on how to answer the tests; Multiple Choice, Short Response and Written Task to a stimulus.

Parent and Student Information Event

Thursday 15th February 2018, 5pm-6pm

The Senior Schooling team at Shailer Park High is committed to all students achieving their big plans and bold ambitions for a bright future! Our experienced Senior School Team are hosting an information evening to support both you and your child through their senior years and beyond.

To ensure your child is best placed for success in their future, we are providing information regarding the changes to senior schooling in Queensland, subjects and the requirements to achieve the Queensland Certificate of Education. We will also be having pathway discussions for vocational and university entry with support from our Industry Liaison Officer and Head of Year.

We believe that forming a strong partnership between parents and the school will set students up for the greatest success in their chosen pathway; employment, training or further education through TAFE or University. We look forward to welcoming you and your child/children to Shailer Park SHS on Thursday 15th February for a chance to connect with as they enter into the senior phase of their education.

Celebrating Student Success

BIG PLANS and BOLD AMBITIONS –
Shailer Park SHS achieves 2 x OP1 results in 2017!

Congratulations to Makayla and Tegan for achieving an OP1 result last year! Their hard work, persistence and resilience to achieve their goals makes us very proud! We wish them the best as they continue to strive for excellence in all they do!

Makayla was also awarded a UQ Academic Merit Scholarship for $6000. This will help her financially so much over her first year at uni. What a beautiful surprise for all her hard work and dedication. She is so thankful for all her teachers and staff that supported her during her time at Shailer High school. Thank you all so much.

Effective Thinking and Writing

During the holidays 6 of our Year 12 students – Josh, Deena-Jean, Jesicca, Beth, Rowan and Kyrah - attended a WRIT1999 programme at UQ. Four of that group are pictured here.

The WRIT1999 course is offered as part of the Enhanced Studies Program (ESP), and is funded through the Australian Government Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP). The goal of the course is to assist students from specific backgrounds to improve their Year 12 performance and gain access to university. The course was offered over a five-day intensive block from 8-12 January, 2018 at UQ’s St Lucia campus.

Benefits for students:

• Enhanced prospects for success in their Year 12 studies.
• Improved skills in gathering and assessing evidence, constructing arguments or interpretations and presenting findings in an effective way.
• Students who successfully complete WRIT1999 will receive one bonus rank to improve their competitiveness for entry to their preferred university program.
• Students may be eligible to apply for a credit transfer of WRIT1999 if offered a place in a relevant UQ program.

Students who attended indicated that completion of this course made them think about their writing in a different way, to make their arguments more logical and strong. They also learnt to collaborate with other people in forming their arguments and seeing things from other people’s perspective to strengthen their case.

Junior Schooling

It has been a very smooth and busy start to the year, especially for those of us new to Shailer Park SHS. I have appreciated the warm welcome I have received, and I have certainly enjoyed getting to know the staff and students a little over the last couple of weeks. Firstly, allow me to introduce myself. I am Mrs Dianne Goggi, Deputy Principal – Junior Secondary. This year, I celebrate 21 years working in Education in Queensland. I have been fortunate enough to work across a number of different schools – rural, regional and city; Preparatory to Year 12, Year 10 to 12 and traditional high schools; and in schools which deliver different systems of education, including the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and schools managed under the Anglican Diocese.

When the opportunity arose to join the team at Shailer Park SHS, I jumped at it. I know that we are a school on the move and that our students and staff are doing wonderful things; that we have a strong past and a bright future! I also know that our community works together to ensure our students have a big plan and bold ambition: a bright future based on strong foundations of teaching and learning which focus on developing students who are Resilient, Resourceful, Relational and Reflective.

These four dispositions or attributes, what we have termed “The 4 Rs”, will serve our young people well as they pave their way forward beyond their lives at school. Our students will be hearing all about the 4Rs, why it is important to develop their learning behaviours and the ways these behaviours can support them in striving for progress across time. Below is a quick snapshot of The 4Rs so that you can engage in discussions at home:

Year 7 Meet & Greet

I welcome all year 7 parents and guardians to attend our Meet & Greet on 12th February, 4.30-5.20pm. We will start at 4.30pm in the MPS with a sausage sizzle and drinks. At 5pm we will move to student classrooms for a quick information session with their English/Humanities teacher, and their Math/Science teacher. This is a great opportunity to get to meet the teachers, learn about the curriculum and classroom expectations, and gain contact information for future communications.

Please stay after the ‘Meet & Greet’ for an Internet Safe Education session in the MSP.

Internet Safe Education

Established in 2008, Internet Safe Education delivers training, speaking and consultancy worldwide in the field of digital compliance including internet safety and cyberbullying. The programs lead in the field of internet education and awareness.

Shailer Park High School has secured a day in Week 4 of information sessions which will be delivered by former undercover internet detective, Brett Lee. The sessions will run during school times for all year groups and be catered for our various age groups. An evening session will also be available for parents and guardians – 12th February, 5.30-6.30pm in the MPS.

Internet Safe Education provides a community where parents, careers and those interested in the health, safety and well-being of children in an online environment can access the most credible, up to date resources available worldwide. The simple yet powerful advice will have a positive impact on how your family lives within the digital world and we warmly welcome all our parents and guardians to attend this invaluable information night.

I look forward to meeting you during the year and developing strong partnerships in working with your children.

Dianne Goggi
Deputy Principal
Junior School

Student Services Team

2018 is well and truly underway and is already promising to be a very successful year. I look forward to leading the student services team in my role as Dean of Students.

It gives me great pleasure to announce the student services team for 2018 and highlight for parents the key aspects of their roll which is focussed on student support.

Heads of Year:

The Heads of Years key roles include:

• Student Support and Engagement
• Communication with parents
• New Student Orientation
• School Responsible Behaviour processes
• Attendance processes
• Uniform processes
• Year Level programs (Form Classes, ACE program)
• Year Level events
• Building ‘Resourcefulness’ in students

At Shailer Park SHS, we strive to support students in becoming successful learners throughout their lives through development of the 4 Rs; Resilience, Relational, Reflective and Resourceful.

A key ingredient in building student capacity in ‘resourcefulness’ is the effective use of the school diary. Students will be working through a variety of short activities within their daily form classes to learn the skills necessary to plan their time effectively, prioritise assessment items and develop an effective ‘work-life’ balance which is crucial for sustainability.

Below is some key procedures which students will be demonstrating on a daily basis with their school diary:

• The School Diary is the be clearly visible on the desk in every lesson
• Students are to record homework and revision tasks in their school diary for all classes
• Daily messages/notices and important information to be added daily in form classes

To support in the successful use of the school diary, parents are encouraged to also monitor student use of the school diary.

I look forward to working all students to support them in their academic endeavours throughout the year.

Head of Year 11 and 12

This year I have taken on the position of Head of Year for Years 11 and 12. I have learned a lot about the Year 11 cohort from being their HOY last year and I am looking forward to getting to know the Year 12s a little better. My intention is to work together with both groups in order to foster and develop leadership and mentoring opportunities where we can learn from each other. If you should have any concerns about your son/daughter, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am looking forward to what should be a busy, productive and memorable year.

Head of Year 9 and 10

2018 is shaping up to be an exciting and challenging year for our students. I’m looking forward to working closely with our students and school community to ensure each student has the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to reach their full potential and exceed their academic, and extracurricular aspirations.

Should you have any concerns about your son/daughter, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am looking forward to an exciting, and productive year.

Head of Year 7 and 8

I am happy to be the Head of Year 7 and 8 again this year and I look forward to getting to know all of our wonderful new students and welcoming them to our excellent school. We have a lot of sensational plans for the year ahead! I would like to focus on creating a positive and nurturing school community for our younger students, where students are eager and excited to be coming to one of the best schools. This will ensure we can focus on quality learning and setting them up for success in their high school career and beyond. I’m always happy to chat to parents about their student’s progress and our great school, so feel free to contact me by phone or email.

Vocational Education

Childcare Traineeships Completed!

Congratulations to Tamika, Phoebe and Tasmyne who completed their Childcare traineeships and received their Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Childcare qualification in December 2017 after school finished. All three students put in a tremendous amount of effort to complete the practical and theoretical work as well as their school studies. Here they all are accepting their qualifications at the prestigious Charlton Brown Graduation Ceremony :

Even More Success!!

Congratulations also go to Tasmyne for winning Charlton Brown’s prestigious “School Based Student of the Year” award. Tasmyne won the award for her outstanding qualities of exceptional assessment work, high attention to detail, independence and persistence.

Here’s Tasmyne accepting her award and pictured with her trainer, Tanya.

Well done Tasmyne!

TAFE at School

Senior students interested in enrolling in a TAFE school (vocational or rank students only), must have had their applications into TAFE already.

Some more courses may be released mid-year.

For further information contact Industry Liaison Officer (Annette Lee). Traffic Light criteria and conditions apply.

C.A.S.T: Clubs, Academics, Societies and Tutorials

At Shailer Park State High School we have a vast array of extra curricula activities for students to participate in. These activities are offered before school, at lunch times and after school. The activities allow students to develop 21st Century skills:

• Connectedness: C.A.S.T activities give students a place where they can catch up with friends, build respectful relationships with teachers and meet like-minded individuals in a safe and structured environment
• Collaboration: C.A.S.T activities allow students to work with others, share new knowledge and solve problems in groups.
• Creativity: C.A.S.T activities give students the time and space to let their creative juices flow so that when they are stuck with something they have never seen before they choose to ‘think’ rather than just ‘remember’.

Please keep a look out on our Website and Facebook for finalised C.A.S.T activities timetable for 2018 in the coming week.

Parents and Citizens

A big hello to all our returning students and their families, as well as our new students and families... Welcome to an exciting year for Shailer Park High!

Our P&C is an active body of Parents and Community members who all work together for the common goal of improving our School. We also have active subcommittees for Instrumental Music and Dance, as well as Volleyball and Futsal Sporting Academies. Being involved in the P&C is a fantastic way to contribute and have a say in projects to improve Shailer High and support the school and students.

We play a vital role in discussing and endorsing the innovative programs in the School, contributing to decisions made by the Principal, and we help to raise money for various school activities and projects. The biggest project of 2017 was to ventilate the MPS hall.

P&C Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month and I would like to extend a warm invitation for all to come along to our first P&C meeting this year, on Tuesday 20th February. We start at 6pm and hold the meetings in the administration block common room. The Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 20th March. Please come along so that you can have some input into your School while building relationships within the school and its wider community. You can also contact us via email pandc@shaiparkshs.eq.edu.au .

Below is our membership form and meeting dates for your calendar.

20 February
20 March - AGM
17 April
15 May
19 June
17 July
21 August
18 September
16 October
20 November

Welcome once again and we are look forward to working with the community and school for 2018.

Kind Regards

Kevin Thomas
P&C President

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 another 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.

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 and 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 and 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 .

Andrew Huggins
P&C Treasurer

School Calendar