16 November 2018

Newsletter Articles

A message from the Principal

What a whirlwind of events, ceremonies and goodbyes we’ve had at Shailer Park State High over the first half of Term 4. I think everyone is beginning to smell the hint of holidays on the horizon but there is still much to do over the next few weeks! I would encourage everyone in our schooling community to remember that everyday counts in regards to attendance and that every lesson is an important opportunity to learn and develop. Over the following weeks assessment and unit finalisation will continue with the very same importance it had in every other term and I remind all our students to finish strong, ready for their new and exciting opportunities that 2019 will bring.

Finishing the term’s work strong is also incredibly significant as we ready our students for the Step-Up Program in the final week of Term 4, where all student in Years 7-11 will have an opportunity to ‘step up’ to the following year level. This week provides students with experience in next year’s subjects, familiarity with those teachers and an understanding of the kinds of responsibilities and workload expected of them. Overall, the Step-Up Program is designed to support students to be well prepared with a head start for 2019.

On the subject of next year, Day 1 will commence on the 29th of January for our Year 7 and Year 12 students only, with the other year levels commencing on January 30. In an effort to ensure our new fresh-faced Year 7 cohort will have a successful and smooth transition into high school, our Year 12 buddies will mentor and help them navigate Shailer Park’s campus and routines. The first day of high school can be one of excitement and anxiety especially for our youngest students. As part of our focus on well-being, creating a strong mentoring program between our Year 12 and Year 7 students is a valuable way of creating a sense of belonging and familiarity with high school life. Combined with our new multi-aged care classes, where the Year 7s in particular will be given a chance to connect with other Shailer Park students from across the year levels, it is hoped the transition from primary into secondary school will be one with much less trepidation and a lot more confidence.

As we begin our preparations to welcome the Year 7s in 2019, at the other end of the spectrum we have spent the past week farewelling our 2018 Year 12s. The Formal last Friday was an absolutely amazing celebration and displayed just how sophisticated and mature our Seniors truly are. I was very proud, not only in the level of care and pride they had taken in their (very glamourous) appearance, but in the outstanding maturity with which they conducted themselves throughout the evening. This in itself tells volumes about the readiness of our Year 12s for life beyond Shailer Park SHS. I know many of our parents and teachers are feeling a mixture of pride, sadness and excitement for these young adults as we approach Graduation just around the corner and the beginning of a whole new set of bold ambitions, big plans and of course, very bright futures. These events have provided our entire Shailer Park community with a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the educational journey of these fantastic students, to acknowledge their hard work and countless accomplishments. Farewell Year 12s and good luck!

On a final note, congratulations to our Year 12 students who sat the Queensland core skills test -The data has been released, pointing to some significant improvements for our students and school.

We surpassed many of our targets and improved our student’s results from 2017 by more than double! 97% of students passed the test with 54% receiving As and Bs

We are certainly celebrating with our students, and are proud of their efforts. They have worked at being resourceful, resilient, relational and reflective to improve their results.

Thank you to Emily Dunleavy who has led the QCS prep program this year, and to all staff who have worked with, supported and encouraged our year 12 students to help them achieve Bright Futures.

A message from our Senior Schooling Deputy Principal

To our Year 12 Students

It fills me with a great deal of pride, as Senior Deputy Principal, wishing you well as you all step into the next phase of your lives as we celebrate and reflect on the past six years, looking excitedly towards the future.

Year 12s, this final week for you has been a wonderful achievement that in time you will look back on with pride as you think about the lessons that you have learnt, the friends you have made, the battles you have both won and lost, the experiences you have enjoyed and the success you have achieved.

At Shailer Park State High we have a very clear idea of the type of student we hope to graduate from school and move into the world. There is nothing accidental about the skills and attributes our students will be leaving school with. Parenting skills including love, discipline and time are probably the key influence on the type of person students are today. Shailer Park State High School however, has also very deliberately tried to create young adults who will not only thrive in an exciting and ever changing world, but who will be able to make a significant and positive contribution to that world.

Success in the coming months may be measured by qualifying for university, getting into a TAFE course or traineeship, getting into paid employment or even embarking on some form of travel.

Regardless of what your endeavours may be, the future is yours to take advantage of, to make a difference and to understand what great opportunities there are for the taking.

I believe that there are three types of people in this world:

1. Those that make things happen
2. Those who watch things happen
3. And those who wonder what happened.

Be that person who makes things happen. What an exciting world you are contributing to!

Year 12’s –you have been surrounded by your friends, teachers and school support staff, who have worked tirelessly in helping you achieve. Think about the times a teacher has allowed you to do a catch-up test, stay back after school or at break for some extra guidance or help and the number of activities and excursions you have attended. Or the many times the office ladies have re printed your timetable or helped you find where you class had moved to or just offered a supportive, listening ear.

Remember to thank them.

My heartfelt thanks goes to the Senior School Leadership Team -Ms Winkleler, Mr Ahrens, Mrs Lee and Mrs King, and all of the HODs who just never stop in trying to do the absolute most that they can do to get the best outcomes for students. Thank you to the teachers that generously give so much of themselves each and every day, and sometimes much of the night.

Year 12 teachers, like parents, can now only look on as you move ahead on your own two feet, striding into the wonderful future that is the rest of your life.

Year 12s I wish you every success in life. I hope that you all work hard, plan well and have lots of fun. Ensure that you surround yourselves with good friends and always take care of your family.

I encourage you all to live your life with purpose and determination and to enjoy the journey of wanting, knowing and claiming all the wonderful things that you deserve.

Please consider your direction, your quest for learning and success, and not only become inspired by others but create your own definition of success.

I would like to end with the unforgettable words from Dr. Seuss as you step towards your brave new world:

Kid, you’ll move mountains!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!

A message from our Dean of Studies

SENIOR SCHOOLING

Year 12 – Tertiary Applications Open

The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) is now open for students to apply to study Certificate courses and Diplomas at TAFE and Bachelor Degrees at University. If you are considering TAFE or University in 2019, then go to the link below for more information and key dates. This application process is for students wanting to study all post-secondary (Cert III and above) and tertiary level courses (Diploma and above).

There is an abundance of information about upcoming key dates, courses and common application questions on the site.

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 are working with students throughout the year to ensure they have identified their goal and have a clear strategy of achieving it.

Senior Students are encouraged to be thinking about their goals and pathway options in preparation for these meetings!

Students can see the following staff for support and advice

Ms Winkeler (Dean of Studies) in G Block
Mrs Lee (Industry Liaison Officer) in F Block
Mrs Fleming or Mr Tickle (Guidance Officers) in Administration

ATAR Information

A message from our Junior Schooling Deputy Principal

HAVE YOU ENROLLED YOUR CHILD FOR YEAR 7 2019?

Orientation Days (for students who have enrolled for 2019) week 9 Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 December, 9.00am (please arrive at 8.30am)-2.30pm. Parents/carers are welcome to attend a short parent session until 9.30am on Monday 3 December.

Enrolment Interviews will continue over the next two weeks. Please phone 3451 2777 to book your interview if you have not already scheduled a time with our administration staff. We have enjoyed getting to know our new students and their families and look forward to welcoming our new Year 7s on our Orientation Days. More information about the Orientation Days will be sent out via email in the coming weeks.

Messages from our Student Services Team

Year 11 & 12 Head of Year

To our departing Year 12 students

It has been a very, very long time since I was in your shoes, or in your eyes, a lifetime. No matter how many times someone told me ‘time flies’, ‘life is short’, or some other fortune cookie piece of wisdom, it went in one ear and out the other. I am not so naïve to think you’re any different than what I was. So I’ll take a different path. If you only remember one thing from this message, remember this: don’t live your life for anyone else. Don’t waste your limited time on earth following someone else’s dreams.

Everyone gets breaks, and you’re no different. You don’t know when they’ll come: all you can do is be prepared for them when they show up. And when your opportunities do show up, grab them firmly with both hands and don’t let go until you’ve wrung everything you can out of them. Now is the time to take risks and make memories. Love who you are and enjoy the ride.

It has been a privilege getting to know each and every one of you and being able to share some of what I hope are wonderful memories of your time at Shailer Park State High School.

Creative Industries

Showcase

Congratulations to all our staff and students who were involved in Showcase. It was a fabulous evening of extremely talented performers.

Your resilience and persistence throughout the year really showed and Shailer High is very proud to be represented by such wonderful groups of students.

Well done!

Awards Night

What a fabulous celebration of success!

Thank you to everyone who came to the 2018 Academic Awards night to help celebrate success. We acknowledged achievement and participation in a range of school activities and were happy to have the support of family, school staff, peers and community members at such an important event.

Congratulations to all students who received Merit Awards, First in subject and Excellence Awards. Shailer High also introduced Lifting Aspirations Awards, which recognised student efforts to improve their learning behaviours, and the success that has come from that.

This year we also acknowledged excellence in staff.

Excellence in Support Staff: Annette Lee
Excellence in Early Careers Teaching: Paul Andoniadis
Excellence in Teaching: Felicity Keys
Excellence in Leadership of Teaching and Learning: Emily Dunleavy
Outstanding Contribution to the School Community: Anne-Maree King

During Academic Awards Evening, we also had the pleasure of announcing our student leadership team for 2019. The student leadership program has been restructured to reflect our core values, and create a sense of belonging and community for every student at Shailer Park SHS. All of our student leaders have consistently demonstrated the 4Rs whilst undergoing the rigorous selection process. Congratulations 2019 student leadership team!

School Captains:

Kathleen Huggins
Sam Fairbrother
Rachael Amery
Robyn Pitcairn

House Captains:

Elizabeth Franz
Emma Duggan
Emily Spinks
Jai Deahm
Karina Green
Keenan Waldron
Aisha Barry
Corey Palmer

Ambassadors:

Flynn Armstrong-Cook
Louie Lara
Abbey Barnes
Corey Palmer
Ethan Gray
Jake Rickert

Year Level Representatives:

Charly Daniels
Drew Bell
Felicity McNichol
Morgan Armstrong
Yevin Samararatne
Jesse Warwick
Talula Van Keimpema

Well done to all involved on a fabulous event and celebration of hard work and achievement.

Vocational Education

Career Expo

The Career Expo for Year 12s was fantastic. We had 16 exhibitors from different industries, Universities, training organisations and apprenticeship centres, as well as representatives from Queensland Police and the Defence Forces.

All the exhibitors commented on how polite and respectful our students were. They also were very impressed that our students asked lots of questions and not just any questions, but the right questions.

What great feedback for our school and our students!

Mock interviews

Mock Interviews assist in preparing students for their first real job interview and the world of work. It provides them with an opportunity to practice their interview skills with members of the business community and receive feedback.

During their final week of schooling, Year 12 students dressed for an interview and were given the opportunity to practice one-on- one interview techniques in 15-20 minute sessions with Business Guests who coached them through the process and answers wherever necessary.

Students were provided feedback on first impressions, eye contact and how well they answered questions. They also received copies of their evaluations that can be reflected on and used to improve their interview technique. For some students this was the first time they have attended an interview. This was a positive and invaluable learning experience for all Year 12 students.

Opportunities and Vacancies

Year 10 student interested in Logistics and Warehousing - The "BE LOGISTICS READY" stream subject package for 2019 is closing!

Here’s your opportunity to get skills to enter a pathway for jobs that are in demand!

Numbers are limited!

Interested students to see Mr Ahrens in T Block ASAP.

Are you a Year 10 student interested in Health - The "BE HEALTH READY" stream subject package for 2019 is closing!

Act fast so you don’t miss out! Numbers are limited!

Interested students to see Mr Ahrens in T Block ASAP.

Enter a pathway to a career in Health today!!

Access to School Based Traineeships / Apprenticeships, TAFE courses and work experience for Vocational Students in Year 10, 11 and 12 is subject to the Traffic Light System.

The school reserves the right to refuse participation in an activity if any of the criteria falls within the Red Zone. The Student will be given a period of time (evaluated on a case-by-case basis) to adjust the criteria into the Amber or Green Zone.

Please access the Shailer High website for current opportunities and vacancies, including apprenticeships, traineeships, TAFE trades and courses. Visit our Vocational Education page for further information and vacancies.

Assistance is available. Please contact our Industry Liaison Officer, Ms Annette Lee in F5, on 3451 2782 or alee296@eq.edu.au

A message from the Business Manager

Dear Parents/Caregivers, here at SPSHS we operate a Student Resource Scheme that enables parents to enter into an agreement with the school, that for an annual participation fee we provide the temporary use of prescribed textbooks and/or other resources, and/or the purchase of consumables and materials for students to use in class. In accordance with the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006, the cost of providing instruction, administration and facilities for the education of students enrolled at State schools is met by the state. Parents/Caregivers are directly responsible for providing textbooks and other personal resources for their children. Below is our schools chart of outstanding school fees.

As you can clearly see from the below chart we have many families who have still not paid their agreed participation fee and therefore we have not been able to supply all students with all the resources required for effective learning. Please note that unpaid fees from previous years need to be promptly paid.

There are numerous ways to make payments including

• Direct Deposit BSB 064 170 Acc# 00090123
• In person at our finance window with cash or card between 8.00am – 3.30pm, Monday to Friday
• Credit card payment can be accepted via BPOINT on 1300 631 073 by quoting your CRN and invoice number as this is listed as an option on the invoices.

Thank you to all those families who are up to date with their payments.

Excursion Fees

NO late payments will be accepted for excursions after the due date (generally 1 week prior to excursion). All school fees and other payments must be up to date, paid in full, or payment plan in place; otherwise students risk losing excursion and/or academy privileges.

Business Manager

Messages from our Parents and Citizens

Meetings

Thank you to all those who attended our October Meeting. Our executive team can be contacted via email pandc@shaiparkshs.eq.edu.au.

Our next meeting is Tuesday 20 November 2018, at 6pm in the common room.

We welcome all new members. Please go to the P&C section of our School website for more information.

Following the success of the fundraising meeting in October, we have formed a fundraising committee. Additional committee members can be nominated at our next fundraising meeting on Tuesday 27 November 2018, at 6pm in the common room.

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

20 November
27 November – fundraising committee

Kevin Thomas
P&C President

World Teachers’ Day

World Teachers’ Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the difference that our teachers make.

Every day, Shailer High’s amazing teachers are making a positive difference – creating opportunities for our students, empowering minds of young people and proudly teaching our future leaders, innovators and influencers.

Thank you to all our eachers for your ongoing contribution to every student! Happy World Teachers’ Day! From our P&C, staff and students.

Building Fund

The main purpose of the P&C is to support the school for the benefit of all students. 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. We continue to raise funds via our tax-deductable Building Fund and by making grant applications. Funds are directed towards our major common goal, which is to air-condition all teaching spaces in the school.

If you are interested in making a Tax Deductable donation or have some other building type works contribution please contact pandc@shaiparkshs.eq.edu.au or attend a meeting, held on the 3rd Tuesday each month at 6pm. We would love to hear from you.

Andrew Huggins
P&C Treasurer

Community Support Program

Collaboration with local business to provide more resources for our students...thank you to all those who mentioned Shailer Park State High School when making purchases from Stellarossa. Our P&C will be receiving the kickback donations at the end of each month to assist our students.

Shailer High is now collaborating with local coffee business, Stellarossa Hyperdome. The support program is providing the school with vouchers that will be used as incentives and rewards for staff and students. The program also involves a kickback scheme when our community makes purchases in store. We envision this raising more funds to be directed to benefit all students.

I am pleased to announce that the team at Stellarossa Loganholme Hyperdome have offered Shailer Park High this opportunity to participate in a Community Support Program.

When paying for meals or drinks at Stellarossa, please mention that you are from Shailer Park High. Your invoice details will be recorded and Shailer Park High P&C will then receive a donation. The donated amounts will be totalled and sent monthly for P&C to use the funds to assist our school community.

All students involved were informed via notices to attend a meeting with HPE staff

Stellarossa is located near Bakers Delight at the Aldi/Coles end of the Hyperdome shopping centre and is open from

7-5pm Monday to Friday,
7- 4.30pm Saturday &
7.30-4pm Sunday.

Come on down and try their tasty breakfasts, salads, pizza, burgers, sandwiches, coffee and drinks.

Support a Local Retailer who is supporting your Local School

Announcements

Principal Tours

The next Principal Tour date is Tuesday 20 November. A presentation from the Principal will be held in our library followed by a tour around the school with some key staff members.

Please consult our Facebook events page for more information.

Alternatively, email us enrolment@shaiparkshs.qu.edu.au

Register for our Principal Tour event at Eventbrite

School Calendar