2 August 2019

Newsletter Articles

A message from the Principal

As teenagers, the vast majority of our parents will remember health campaigns focused on the word ‘no’. “Say no to drugs,” “No means No” and similar slogans were common as society, twenty years ago, began to protect its children. Perhaps because of these campaigns and education, research has shown that today these ‘typical’ addictions are on the decline amongst our current adolescents, which is simply fantastic for bold ambitions and bright futures. The bad news is that a raft of addictions has taken their place.

Whereas the dopamine-hungry brain of a teenager once got its fix from smoking or consuming alcohol, it is now turning to electronic devices for the pleasure jolt that comes from playing online games and engaging with social media What is even more troubling is that unlike drugs, alcohol and cigarettes, electronic devices are not illicit. Quite the contrary: they are available readily and are acceptable everywhere with few restrictions placed on their use. This in itself is a major roadblock in ensuring our teenagers use technology safely: being online and the use of screens has become a part of our daily lives but just like drugs and alcohol, becoming addicted to gaming and social media will and does have serious and devastating results on our young people’s health.

Teenagers are particularly susceptible to addiction simply because of the way in which their brains are developing at this stage of growth with addiction often leading to depression and anxiety. We recently held Cyber Safety sessions with the Queensland Police, who shared that whilst the number of cyber bullying incidents occurring during school hours is steadily decreasing, these behaviours are now most likely to occur at home with the follow on from this flowing over into the school day. Their research also confirmed the greatest cyber safety concern is focussed on what teenagers are doing online and with whom whilst at home. Technology at school is monitored and supervised, whilst it is not unusual for children to have unrestricted screen access and digital time during the rest of their day.

Importantly, the research tells us that setting clear, reasonable and effective rules will help to manage a child’s use of screens at this critical point in their lives successfully. As always, Shailer Park State High School seeks to do this in partnership with parents in the interests of our students, your children.

At school we do this by:

• Requiring mobile phones to be switched off and out of sight during lesson times so that learning is the focus.
• Actively encouraging students to minimise screen time during breaks in favour of social interactions with their peers.
• Providing cyber safety education to all students.
• Setting clear parameters for the use of technology at school.
• Engaging active teacher and digital supervision of all devices required for learning, such as being able to view what is on a student’s iPad screen during lessons.

At home parents can do this by:

• Setting clear parameters and supervision for the use of technology at home such as NO digital access after 9pm and NO technology in bedrooms or behind closed doors.
• Minimising text messaging your child during school times and only doing so outside of lesson times.
• Participating in Shailer Park SHS parent information sessions and education on how to monitor the use of technology required for learning.
• Attending cyber safety sessions conducted by the police and other regulatory bodies.

With ‘cyber’ addiction at the forefront of our children’s health, developing their skills to move safely between the digital and ‘real’ world needs to be a joint effort between both home and school. Shailer Park’s philosophy of ‘check and connect’ aims to help them understand the importance of relationships to their wellbeing and learning and that the development of prosocial behaviours is a significant indicator of success. For parents, I particularly found David Gillespie’s book, ‘Teen Brain’ as a great starting point for further reading on not only understanding how addiction affects our teens, but how to help them make healthy choices. Big plans, bold ambitions and bright futures are accessible for every student because of our combined approach to issues such as these.

On that note, the issue of absences has come under state wide scrutiny, with the new QCE system making major changes to the requirements for student attendance and submission of assessment. This will impact all students from Years 7 to 12. Decisions to take your child on holiday during term or have the day off because ‘it was their birthday’ will have implications on that student’s eligibility to gain credit for their learning. Our message ‘Every Day Counts’ is even more important in this new education system. Parents must ensure students are at school every day unless they are legitimately ill.

Finally, I’d like to thank the IPS council for their strategic leadership and specifically in the facilitation of parent, student and staff forums throughout Term 3 to gather feedback and concerns in relation to how we maximise the student experience to improve student outcomes in learning, positive behaviour and well-being.

After listening to all stakeholder feedback, the IPS council have made the following recommendations to the school:

RECOMMENDATONS

• That the school continue the development of the Care Class program.
• That the school consider investing in a new set for water bubblers and/or rehabilitate current bubblers.
• That the school consider investing in rehabilitating the toilet block opposite the MPS.
• That the school continue to invest in professional development in Positive Psychology to build the knowledge and capacity of teachers/staff within the classroom/school.
• That the school develop routine opportunities for teacher collaboration that support professional learning related to subject work leading to enhanced student outcomes in well-being, academics and positive behaviour.
• That the school consider that if there are changes to start and end times, such changes should prioritise the safety and accessibility of all students.
• Responding to these recommendations will require us to examine the timings of the school day including start, finish and our daily schedule.

The school looks forward to collectively generating solutions to these recommendations and responding to our community’s feedback to improve the student experience leading to improved outcomes socially, emotionally and cognitively.

Calendar

Please click the link to our School Calendar for up to date information on all our events.

A message from our Senior Schooling Deputy Principal

Senior subject selection for 2020

Week 3

Ignite Careers Expo was a huge success with most of our Year 9, 10, 11 and 12 students attending! We are hoping that this experience has got their brains buzzing with the possibilities for their future careers.

Week 4

SPEED CAREERING! Thursday 8 August, 5-7pm

Calling all Year 9 and 10 parents and students.

Come along and get the latest information from our Senior School Deputy Principal regarding subject selection for 2020. Hear from a range of industry professionals about the changing world of industry and some exciting options available. Hear about our amazing Vocational Packages and what’s on offer in our ATAR pathway.

Week 5

SET Planning- ALL CURRENT YEAR 10s

No classes on Thursday 15 Aug. Parents to book a 15 minute interview through PT Online (information to be sent out regarding this)

Here you will have a conversation about how you are currently going in your classes and learning and ensure that you are on the right pathway moving into your Year 11 studies.

Week 6

JET Planning- ALL CURRENT YEAR 9s

No classes on Thursday 22 Aug. Parents to book a 15 minute interview through PT Online (information to be sent out regarding this)

Here you will have a conversation about how you are currently going in your classes and learning and select your pathway for moving into our Year 10 foundational studies.

A message from our Junior Schooling Deputy Principal

Semester 1 Reporting

It is hard believe that we are more than mid-way through our school year. I was impressed to see so many students achieve their academic, learning behaviour and effort goals when I reviewed our most recent reporting results. We know that engaging in our learning and acting on our accountability for our learning helps us to stay focused on doing our very best and finding ways to improve. I would like to congratulate, particularly, those students who demonstrated consistent Excellent or Very Good Behaviour for Effort and Behaviour for all of their subjects. Please continue to open up conversations with your child about what they are learning, how they are learning, and what they will do next to improve. You are always welcome to contact your child’s teachers for more assistance with supporting your child in their learning.

Academic Review and Coaching Conversations

Students who were not successful in one or more subject will have the opportunity to speak with and be coached by their class teacher, a Head of Department, the Dean of Students or the Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning - Junior School. The purpose of these conversations is to provide students and their teachers/coach with an opportunity to address the relevant barriers to their learning by exploring and developing helpful strategies to overcome them. Please engage with your child about what they have learned as well as the strategies they will implement as a result of this coaching conversation.

The 4Rs - Being a Resilient, Reflective, Resourceful and Relational Learner

We encourage students to be responsible for learning by:

• having a book for each subject and bringing the relevant textbook/s
• bringing the required additional equipment such as pens, calculator and other stationery
• keeping resources accessible and organised by storing them in a folder or similar
• completing all tasks on time, including homework and assessment work
• accessing other helpful support (e.g. feedback from teachers, tutorials, peer study groups, additional reading or research)
• showing initiative (e.g. engaging in a program of revision across the term; using homework time to review, preview/read ahead, research and so on when designated homework is not stipulated)
• allowing other students to learn and the teacher to teach by being respectful and responsible learners.

Year 7 Enrolments 2020

Enrolment applications for Year 7 2020 are now due. If you have not enrolled your child, please access the application forms via our website or visit our School Administration Office to collect an Application Package. Families will receive a letter by the end of August regarding the next step in the Enrolment Process – the Interview. Please ensure you update the school regarding any changes to your contact details.

A message from our Engagement Deputy Principal

Empowered Engagement News

Welcome to Term 3. The Student Services Team hopes that your family was able to rest and recharge over the holidays and we look forward to supporting our students to be Empowered and Engaged learners in Semester 2.

As the year progresses, please take the time to reflect with your students on their achievements thus far. Have they stepped across The Line of Opportunity here at Shailer Park SHS, and engaged with all of the options presented to them? How is their attendance tracking – have they participated in Green Club by hitting our 95% + attendance target? Have they joined in a CAST activity, or attended a House activity? Have they taken the time to get to know another student in their House Care Group – a student from another year level, or with a different set of subjects to them? Have they engaged in a Student Voice interview to give us feedback on their experiences? Have they attended a homework club to support their progress, or asked their Head of House or a member of the Student Services Team for support?

School is a great formative experience in our lives, and we are all committed to Shailer Park SHS students learning in a school that supports them as a whole person, in the classroom and beyond. Mr Tickle, our Guidance Officer, and I recently had the privilege of working with a small group of students to consider how we can strengthen our school and the way in which we learn and work together. The message from them was resounding – relationships is key. To strengthen our culture and support one another, these students identified that we need to build on the great start we have made in developing House spirit and strengthening the bonds we have forged in our multi-age House Care Groups. These students are working with us on lots of great ideas to build on this work. In addition, student House Leaders are developing a range of lunchtime activities to support students to check and connect, as well as to earn participation points for their houses. Make sure you encourage your students to cross the Line of Opportunity and get involved in every way they can.

The Student Services Team is always keen to hear your feedback and ideas. Please feel free to contact your Head of House or me via email office@shailerparkshs.eq.edu.au if you would like to discuss Empowered Engagement at Shailer Park SHS.

Have a great August!

A message from our Dean of Studies

Year 11 Brain Camp

In Week 1, our Year 11s embarked on their first ‘Brain Camp.’ The focus of the ‘Brain Camp’ was to support students learning in all of their subject areas, by explicitly focussing on the teaching of six key cognitive verbs and are a crucial part of the senior curriculum. Students will continue to develop their knowledge and application of the cognitions in both the ACE program and their curriculum classes.

What an exciting and engaging experience for them to learn from our Lead Teachers of the cognitions embedded across all senior subjects and assessment. This is certainly setting them up for success in Semester 2 and their Year 12 studies.

IGNITE Careers Expo

Over 300 SPSHS students had the privilege to attend the IGNITE Careers Expo hosted by Logan City Council. Our students had the opportunity to visit with Universities and various pathway organisations to assist in their upcoming career planning.

A message from the Heads of House

Wow, term three already and we have hit the ground running!

Our student leaders have been busily collaborating on ideas for inter-house challenges. One area that they have initiated is lunch time competition – the first being a ‘Capture the Flag’. Friday lunch times have been dedicated to each house hosting the event, practicing and strategizing as to how they are going to work as a team. This will then lead into the houses competing against each other in a round robin style format. The top two houses will then compete for the title of champion. This most proficient team will then have the opportunity to challenge a teacher team. Watch this space!

With the success of Shailer Sleep out last term, the students are keen to support the community with another fund-raising venture. They are busy exploring options relevant to our local community. While it will be a whole school event, the aim is to involve every Care Group in every house. This is important in fostering a strong sense of belonging, one of Shailer Park’s significant priorities. Having this positive interaction within the school fosters empowered engagement.

It is refreshing to see how well the students and community have embraced our new House system and the willingness to work toward its continual growth and development. We are very pleased with the great deal of spirit and participation from both students and staff over the past semester and we are looking forward to what lies ahead.

Social Media Educational Session

Social media is a vital aspect of a teenager’s social life. They use social media to have fun, make and maintain friendships, share interests, explore identities and develop relationships with family. However, many of our students are not aware of the implications that some of their usage and interactions can have in regards to the law and their safety. Therefore, the school organised an educational session for our students run by the Queensland Police who informed students on many topics. This included safety on the internet and all social media sites, reading the terms and conditions of contracts, taking photos and videos without a person’s consent, cyber bullying, the importance of keeping your information safe and the law.

This was a great session and our students were very interested and benefited from this session.

Message from our Student Leadership Team

FUN FRIDAYS!

Friday last week there was a capture the flag game held on the top oval just for FRANCIS students. It was a great fun and all the FRANCIS students involved enjoyed the lunchtime challenge. Each week there will be a different house participating. This is all in preparation for the end of term House Challenge where there will be a round robin tournament between our four houses, with the winning house facing off against the teachers.

Students do not need to be really sporty or athletic to participate, they can guard the flags or the jail. It’s all about having fun and working together with students in your house. We also have recently bought brand new marquees that have our house colours and name on them to indicate who is playing that day. This Friday we have Bilin Bilin taking up the challenge.

Corey Palmer
FRANCIS House Leader

Messages from our Student Services Team

Health Nurse

The other impact of digital devices-

It is well documented about the impact of digital devices and small screens on our young people:

• online illegal content
• sharing images
• overnight texts and message from friends
• cyber bullying
• FOMO- fear of missing out

But what about the other less known effects, the impact of devices on our eyes, limbs and posture.

EYES: Constantly focusing on small screens and computers puts extra demands on your eye muscles. Some people may notice some symptoms like blurred vision, headaches or difficulty adjusting their vision to far away objects. For some they will end up requiring corrective lenses (glasses) as their short and/ or long vision are impacted.

Tips to prevent eyestrain include:

• Positioning of the screen to reduce glare or sunlight on the screen.
• Position the screen so it is not too close to your face and is at eye level or slightly lower
• Reduce brightness and contrast
• Frequently look away from the screen at objects far away
• Have regular eye exams to monitor your eye health.

POSTURE: Common computer related posture problems include back, neck, shoulder and arm pain. This can be from the setup of your computer station or from constantly leaning down to watch your hand-held device. When we sit still for a long period of time our muscles, joints, bones receive a reduced blood supply, and this leads to stiffness and pain.

Tips to prevent posture problems.

• If using a computer- have the station set up
• Monitor et eye level
• Keyboard positioned so elbows sit comfortably at your side
• Chair adjusted so your feet are on the floor
• Take regular breaks, do some stretches
• When using a hand-held device- notice your posture
• Correct your neck so you are looking forward and hold the device up to your face.

HAND and ARM INJURIES: Due to constant use of our arms and hands on handheld devices or computers we can get a overuse injury or repetitive strain. The muscles and tendons become painful and we can experience symptoms such as pain, swelling, weakness or numbness and stiffness in the joints.

Tips for reducing the impact of this

• On Computers
• Have mouse at same level as keyboard
• Use whole arm and not just wrist when using the mouse
• Type lightly and gently
• Mix up your tasks, and take regular breaks
• Allow your arms to relax when reading from the screen
• For Hand held devices
• Use a stand to hold the device
• Take regular breaks

References

Excellence Academies

Welcome back to Term 3! I can’t believe half the year has passed already. I trust you had an enjoyable holiday break and that you’re excited to read about some of the amazing experiences our Academy students have and will continue to have the opportunity to be involved in this term.

Before each of the Academy Directors share information about events and student success, I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you that all Academy students will participate in the Academic Review process. Throughout the review, students will meet with their Academy Director, then later with their classroom teachers, to discuss academic results from semester one, their engagement in classes, weekly time management strategies and goal setting. As this valuable process takes a considerable amount of time to complete, parents and carers are asked to awaken students thinking by having a detailed conversation with them around their Academics and goal setting.

As part of the Academic review, data regarding attendance, levies and uniform will also be evaluated. Please read the Academies Code of Conduct with your student to ensure they are upholding their agreement in order to maintain their place within their chosen Academy. All relevant Academy documents can be found on our school website under the Curriculum and Excellence Programs tabs

There are a number of whole school fundraising opportunities coming up. The Academies department will take the lead on the Cadbury Chocolate Drive which will see much needed funds raised then allocated to Academy programs for the remainder of the year and into 2020. Our combined fundraising efforts will also contribute significantly to the P&C air-conditioning fund. If you or someone you know is interested in working with the Academies team to roll out the Chocolate Drive, please email your students Academy Director directly to express interest.

Thank you for your continued support of and engagement with the Academies at Shailer Park State High School.

Shae Westerveld
Head of Academies

Nexus

Reading

In our English Extension class, the focus of this term is all about reading, with all classes participating in a novel study! Following on from their Term 2 Unit on Fractured Fairy tales, the Year 7 English Extension class were lucky enough to participate in a writing workshop with published author Natasa Xerri. Natasa shared her own writing process with the students and facilitated a number of activities to help students develop their own writing skills. Natasa commented that she was extremely impressed with not only the engagement of the students, but by their writing ability. We look forward to Natasa continuing to work with our Academic Excellence students. Thank you to Miss Keys for organising such an enriching and authentic learning experience for our students!

Our Year 9 students are developing their collaborative inquiry skills by using Literature Circles to analyse the class novel. Students take on a role in their group, to participate in discussion to deepen their understanding of the text. We will continue to strengthen this learning throughout the term, whilst focussing on the key skill of analysis.

ENABLE STEAM into STEM

All of our NEXUS students are currently participating in the ENABLE STEAM into STEM competition. This competition sees students coming up with solutions to local problems. Students will have the opportunity to engage with industry experts to deepen their understanding of not only their topic, but scientific inquiry and investigation. Six teams will then have the opportunity to compete against other ENABLE schools. Thank you to Ms Mullen for coordinating this competition and experience for the students.

Thank you to all of our dedicated Academic Excellence staff who have made all of the above possible. Term 3 is already looking to be another big term of opportunities for our students!

This term, all Academic Excellence students will be going to Queensland University of Technology to participate in an Immersion Day that focuses on the exceptional facilities and programs that the University has to offer. This will be on Monday 16th September, with letters being sent home in the coming weeks.

We had our final Academic Excellence Trial for 2020 on Monday 29 July. We wish all students the best of luck and will be advising successful candidates for the 2020 Academic Excellence classes by 2 September 2019.

Please access the below for more information.

Should you have any questions related to Academic Excellence, please do not hesitate to contact Emily Dunleavy eddun0@eq.edu.au

Many Thanks,
Ms Dunleavy and the NEXUS teaching team.

Ignite Dance Academy

It’s been a busy start to term three for the Ignite Dance Academy; staff and students are excited at the fact that it does not look like it is going to slow down anytime soon!

CREATIVE GENERATION 2019

On Friday the 19th and Saturday the 20th of July, eight Ignite Dance Academy students took part in the annual Creative Generation: State Schools Onstage production. This show highlights the talent of students from state schools across Queensland. The Shailer Park SHS students who were involved committed to a combined total of more than 500 hours of dance rehearsals and workshops with some of Queensland’s most in-demand industry professionals. This meant giving up most weekends (or for some students, every weekend) during term 2, as well as balancing the demands of school work and extra-curricular activities. In the end it was all worth it, as our students were absolute stand-outs on stage and had a fantastic time being a part of the Creative Generation experience. They were excellent ambassadors for our school, and showed exceptional resilience during the gruelling rehearsals leading up to the final shows.

A condensed version of the 2019 Creative Generation production will be broadcast on Network 10 (Saturday 28 September at 12pm) and 10 Peach (Sunday 29 September at 11am). Tune in to see the following students light up the stage: Liana Crouch, Amber Doherty, Maddison McLeish, Kaitlyn Smith, and Shantelle Woodford (Massed Dance), Ashley Dyer and Emma McDonald (Featured Dance), and Emily Spinks (Dance Company).

The Ignite Dance Academy kicked off the term with four performances of Creative Generation State Schools on Stage at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday the 19th and Saturday the 20th of July. Congratulations to Emma, Amber, Ashley, Emily, Kaity, Liana, Shantelle and Maddison for their outstanding performances in Our Time. If you couldn’t make it to the live show, keep an eye and an ear out later in the year for information regarding the Channel Ten broadcast.

Choreography Challenge

The second Dance Academy event of the term was Choreography Challenge; Choreography Challenge was held in the MPS last Friday night, 26th July.

Choreography Challenge provides a platform for students to extend and further develop their skills as a performer, whilst providing an opportunity for students to experience the role of a choreographer in a real-life context.

Students apply the knowledge and skills obtained throughout their involvement in the Dance Academy program, as well as in intensive choreographic workshops, to create and perform innovative and creative artworks which they are truly proud of.

Students were responsible for all aspects of their choreography; this included nominating their item for the challenge; planning, choreographing and when relevant teaching their dance to group members; selecting and editing music; designing, sourcing and making their costumes; rehearsing their piece to performance standard and writing the blurbs which introduced each item throughout the evening. The works presented on the night were devised solely by the students performing each piece. There was no teacher input throughout the process whatsoever.

The special guest adjudicator for the evening was Demi Jenkins from RAW Dance Company. Thank you Demi for providing valuable feedback to our Dance Academy students! It’s exciting to see how they will apply your feedback in future choreographic endeavours.

Congratulations to the two adjudicator’s choice recipients, Emma for her piece Everybody Wants to Rule the World and Paige and Hayley for their piece Bruises. Congratulations also to the first set of nominees for 2019 Young Choreographer of the Year; Liana for her piece Someone Like You and Abbey, Jade, Kaity and Bella for their piece I Found.

Looking forward, Ignite Dance Academy students will compete at the Beenleigh Quota Dance Competition in week 4 and the Gold Coast Dance Eisteddfod in week 5 before shifting their focus to begin learning new items for Showcase.

Sting Futsal Academy

At the start of the term, the grade 7 Gold team took part in the last stage of the QSS Futsal Cup. It is with great pride that I announce that through this pathway, the team secured their place as the 2nd best team in Queensland. Congratulations students – we’re all very proud of you!

In week 2, the Sting Futsal Academy competed in the AFA Queensland Champion of Champions competition in Oxley. This was an invitation only, state wide tournament, for teams who finished top 4 in regional school titles. We had three teams qualify for entry: 14 girls, 15 boys Gold and the 13 boys Gold.

This competition was without a doubt the most difficult competition these teams have entered all year, as they went up against regional champions from all over the state. With places in the Australasian Champion of Champions (Nationals) up for grabs, the stakes were high. Unfortunately, the 15s missed out by 1 point, and after playing one of the hardest team I have seen in their age group, the 13 boys also didn’t make it through. The 14 girls however held their own in their group and managed to progress to the quarter finals. Although they fought hard, they eventually went down to the eventual competition winners Helensvale.

I would like to thank all Futsal students who have competed this term already; you have showed great heart and you should be proud of yourselves! A special mention to girls coach Jessie Swatton and coach Chappy (Brendan Hackles) for all of your hard work with the teams. Thank you to Eric Perez for coming along and showing your support for the boys, and lastly, to the parents who constantly come down and support the students – thank you.

I am looking forward to the upcoming competitions in week 6 which will see multiple teams entered into each event.

Sting Volleyball

On Sunday 28 July, many of our Volleyball Academy students travelled to Caloundra where they competed in the Super 5 Volleyball Tournament! This is a senior school tournament, where students in years 10, 11 & 12 compete in their year levels against some of the best Volleyball schools in the state. Shailer Park SHS was able to send four Volleyball teams to this event, and we are all very proud of our teams and their results. A special mention to our Year 9 Girls team who were brave enough to all play up a division against top-level Year 10 students and to our Open Boys team who placed 2nd overall!

Looking to the future, the Sting Volleyball Academy has entered four teams into the Senior Schools Cup, which will take place on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of week 4. We wish these teams all the best for one of their biggest tournaments of the year!

Well done to all of our Volleyball Academy students, and best of luck for all of your term three endeavours!

SCIENCE

Year 7

Our Year 7 students have been learning about forces as part of their Physics component in science. They appreciated the effects of electrostatic forces using the Van der Graaf generator.

It really was a "hair raising experience" which gave Mrs Chula quite a shock!

Year 8

Our Year 8 students are investigating cells and working hard to master the use of the microscope. Students are enjoying observing different substances under various magnifications but also viewing the difference between animal and plant cells.

Year 9

Our Year 9 students are exploring Chemistry basics and have been busy creating ionic substances and observing ions. Students have completed flame tests to observe the colours produce by different cations.

Seniors

Our year 12 Chemistry students have started an 8 week unit on the derivatives of hydrocarbons. In order to create better connections to the content, the students are engaging in a scientific inquiry investigation in the making, refining and burning of biodiesel. Making real life links between content and application to allow for deeper understanding.

Health and Physical Education

Juniors

Our Junior Physical Education students are investigating the role of equity and equality as well as concepts including fair play and barriers to engagement in sports. The year 7s are exploring these concepts through net and court games while the Year 8s are doing large ball sports. Our Year 9 students are exploring transferable movement skills like agility and the use of space in an invasion game context. These classes are getting competitive as they master their new skills.

Creative Industries

2019 SPSHS BAND & STRING CAMP

From Thursday July 25 to Sunday July 28, 84 instrumental music students (including 26 from our feeder primary schools) went to Kindilan Outdoor Education & Conference Centre at Redland Bay for the 2019 SPSHS Band and Strings Camp. Our fabulous instrumental students form two concert bands (the Symphonic Winds and Wind Ensemble), two string orchestras (the Capriccio Strings and the Allegretto Strings) and the Jazz Band.

The ensembles are rehearsing for upcoming performances with the Brisbane Regional Youth Orchestra and the Queensland Youth Orchestra as well as performances at the Logan Art Gallery, St Marks Anglican Church, the Shailer Park State School Market Night and their relevant sections at the Prestige Music Fest in Term 4.

The camp culminated in a concert for parents on Sunday afternoon, which was well received by all. Evening activities included movie nights and a games night with the dress up theme for this year being Disney/Pixar.

Many thanks to our professional team of instrumental music teachers, Glen Court, Diane Alley, Erin Thomson, Rosey Dorney, Petrece McNichol from SPSS, Ashleigh Abul from UQ and 2018 Music Captain Beth Huggins. We are very proud of how our students have worked together to develop such incredible programs.

Technology

Food Studies

Last term the year 8 food studies class updated the garden facilities with a vegetable and herb garden as part of their sustainable foods’ unit. Students looked after seedlings and planted fresh produce including spinach, silver beet, capsicum, cucumber, sweet potato and citrus trees! We are so excited to take advantage of the fresh produce in food studies.

Library

WELCOME TRISTAN BANCKS TO SHAILER HIGH!

Semester Two is definitely in full swing with a vibrant atmosphere in the library as well as many exciting events scheduled during the term. Foremost and with extreme anticipation, we have invited the highly accredited Australian and international author, Tristan Bancks, to visit our school to speak to the year 7 and 8 students on Friday 16 August. Tristan was a visiting author some years ago, and from that experience, I can assure you that he thoroughly engages with his student audience, speaking about his books, the ideas that have generated them, and writing experiences. This is an exciting and rare opportunity for students (and teachers), and I know that Tristan will inspire many to read and write with greater passion. I would encourage students to borrow one (or more) of his many books as this will help stimulate discussion and interaction.

THE READING CLUB

The Reading Club is another opportunity to expand the students’ reading horizon, by sharing titles and reviews with peers. We meet in a non-competitive environment, once per fortnight on Mondays, Lunch 2 in the library. As the saying goes, the more, the merrier!

READ, REVIEW, RECOMMEND

Speaking about reviews, The Reading Tree in one corner of the library is slowly being populated with brief peer reviews of books. The concept behind this is to provide recommendations to others of books they have read. Students are encouraged to add their comments and after five reviews, they are eligible to be in a draw for a $20 JB-HI voucher. Obviously, you have to in it to win it!

Queensland Ready Reading

Reading is an enduring power that shapes and develops minds in and outside the classroom. At Shailer Park, our focus is “Learning through Reading” and our staff are committed to ensuring that your child is engaged in wide reading routinely across all subjects.

Queensland Ready Reading is a statewide volunteer program to support reading improvement for Queensland students. If you believe in the power of reading, and have time to assist us in empowering our students at Shailer Park, you might like to register your interest in becoming a Ready Reading Volunteer.

The Ready Reading program invites parents and community members to make a difference in their local community by volunteering in schools to support children’s reading.

Reading is a powerful tool to help children grow their vocabulary, language skills and imagination. It helps them to develop life-long skills that will support their future growth and learning.

The Department of Education’s Reading Centre and Volunteering Queensland are working together to help improve literacy for children in Queensland by training up to 3000 volunteers to share their knowledge and time to foster a love of reading.

Premier’s Reading Challenge 2019

Reading plays an important part in students’ lives during their school years and beyond.

It allows children to actively engage their imagination and opens up a world of educational opportunities.

Last year, an outstanding 181,000 students from 1012 schools took part in the challenge reading a total of 2.46 million books.

The reading period for the 2019 Premier's Reading Challenge commences on Monday 13 May and closes Friday 23 August.

Sports

On Tuesday the 23rd of July, a strong team of 43 Shailer Park SHS students competed at the 2019 Pacific District Track and Field Championship. The enthusiasm and sportsmanship demonstrated by our students was simply outstanding and has been widely commented on by various staff and parents from schools in the Pacific District.

From the District Trials, 5 students will progress to the 2019 South Coast trials.

Immense congratulations to the students listed below; their results at districts were as follows:

• Malia Tuatai (13 years girls)
  3rd in Discus with a throw of 18.94 metres
• Jamie Hampf (13 years boys)
  2nd in Shotput with a put of 10.24 metres
• Samuel Tersteeg (13 years boys)
  1st in the 400m with a time of 63 seconds
  1st in the 800 metres with a time of 2 minutes 26 seconds and
  1st in the 1500 metres with a time of 5 minutes and 9 seconds
• Oscar Timms (15 years boys)
  3rd in Triple Jump with a distance jumped of 10.76 metres
• Chivorn Nim (18 years boys)
  2nd in the 100 metres with a time of 13 seconds
  2nd in Long Jump with a jump of 4.74 metres and
  3rd in Triple Jump with a jump of 10.07metres.

A special mention to Corey Palmer and Jai Deahm who officiated the entire day. Your efforts were a valuable contribution to the success of the carnival.

Many thanks also goes to Mr Martineau and Ms Oxley who ensured Shailer Park had participants in as many events as possible. Your efforts and professionalism are simply outstanding and I thank you once again for your support.

I look forward to sharing the results from the 2019 South Coast Trials in the next newsletter.

CAST

Please access our website for the latest version of our Clubs, Academies, Societies and Tutorials timetable. With various sports, games, languages, tutorials and more on offer, there is sure to be a CAST activity for all students to get involved.

Vocational Education

Vocational Success

Combining helping others with a potential health pathway!

Kiera is undertaking work experience with AVEO Freedom Tanah Merah – an amazing Aged Care facility that allows residents to live in their own homes while accessing the care they need. This follows on from Kiera’s successful completion of a Cert II Health Support Services at school and provides practical experience so she can evaluate a Health industry career pathway.

Nursing Traineeship Program

The 2019/20 Logan Bayside Health Network, School-based Assistant in Nursing Traineeship Program commenced its 5th intake with Orientation Day at Logan Hospital.

15 school-based AIN Trainees from 14 Logan and Redland are commencing their nursing career pathway with a 12 month traineeship placed within Medical, Surgical, Rehab and Dialysis units at Logan and Redland Hospitals.

Included in this intake is our very own student, Paris! (another successful completer of our Cert II Health Support Services program). Pictured here helping a mock patient in one of the beds in the wards and with the rest of the trainees.

We look forward to hearing more of Paris’ journey over the next 12 months.

Opportunities and Vacancies

Year 12 Students – Hastings Deering CAT have opened their 2020 Apprenticeship Intake seeking first year apprentices.

Working with world-class Caterpillar machinery, apprentices learn about the repair, servicing and maintenance of a massive range of equipment, engines and power systems. At the completion of their apprenticeship, apprentices receive a nationally recognised trade qualification.

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, Annette Lee in A02, main administration building, on 3451 2782 or alee296@eq.edu.au

A message from the Business Manager

BPOINT PAYMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE NOW

Payment of student invoices can now be made using BPoint as the Department of Education’s preferred payment method. BPoint is a secure online payment system. EFT payments will now be phased out as a payment option.

BPoint payment methods are listed on the invoices. Invoices will be issued by email. Paper invoices can also be issued if no email address is available. Please email office@shailerparkshs.eq.edu.au to provide your email address if you have not previously provided it to the School. For assistance with these new options, please ring the Office on 3451 2777.

BPOINT - SINGLE PAYMENTS USING A COMPUTER OR PHONE APP

• Emailed invoice - click on link on bottom left hand side to auto populate fields on BPOINT screen OR
• Paper invoice - go to the website below and enter CRN, invoice number, student name and amount paying.
• Visa or MasterCard (debit or credit card) accepted.

BPOINT – SINGLE PAYMENTS USING PHONE OPTION

• Call the Queensland State School Bill Payment Service 24/7 on 1300 631 073.
• Enter CRN, invoice number and amount paying.
• VISA and MasterCard (debit or credit card) accepted.

BPOINT - REGULAR DEDUCTIONS

• Contact the Office on 3380 6333 to set up regular weekly or fortnightly deductions.
• BPOINT - transfer from bank account or pay by Visa or MasterCard (debit or credit card).
• Centrepay will remain available – deducted from benefit.

Please note – payments can be made in full or by instalment. If you are making instalments and wish to check your remaining balance, please email office@shailerparkshs.eq.edu.au or phone the Office 3451 2777.

QKR MOBILE APP COMING SOON

The School will shortly be introducing Qkr by Mastercard. This easy-to-use mobile app for iPhones and Android smartphones makes school payments a breeze. Qkr will provide a flexible option to pay for non-invoiced items such as canteen lunch orders and activities including breakfast and lunch specials through our restaurant, Sapphires. Payments for P&C fundraising activities and events such as pie drives, raffles, and sausage sizzles will also be processed through the Qkr app. Further announcements will be made when the Qkr set up is finalised and available for use.

REDUCTION OF CASH RECEIPTING DAYS

In line with the move to a cashless system, the receipting days will be reduced to two days a week and phased out completely in 2020. Cash and EFTPOS payments can be made Tuesday and Friday from 8am – 3.30pm.

STUDENT RESOURCE SCHEME (SRS) FEES NOW DUE

All SRS fees including term 3 instalments are now due in full. If you have not retained your invoice, please click on the link at the bottom of the emailed Debtor Statement to pay fees by BPOINT. Please note the link on the statement does not auto populate the fields, and the invoice number, student name and amount will need to be manually inserted. The auto populate feature is only available on issued invoices. It is therefore important to save the invoice if you are intending on paying invoices by instalment rather than in full. Please contact the Office on 3451 2777 if you require a copy of an invoice or statement.

Thank you for processing these payments promptly to ensure the timely provision of student resources.

Business Manager

Messages from our Parents and Citizens

Meetings

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

Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is Tuesday 20 August 2019, at 6pm in the library. We welcome all new members. Please go to the P&C section of our School website for more information.

Below is our membership form and 2019 meeting dates for your calendar.

20 August
17 September
15 October
19 November

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.

We envision this raising more funds to be directed to benefit all students.

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.

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

School Opinion Surveys

The annual suite of School Opinion Surveys will be conducted 29 July to 23 August 2019. All families, school staff and a random sample of students will be invited to participate. We encourage you to take this opportunity to have your say about what our school does well, and how we can improve. More information about the surveys is available at:

2019 ABCN Scholarships

ABCN are delighted to announce that applications for the 2019 ABCN Scholarships are now open!

The ABCN Scholarship Foundation provides mentoring and financial scholarships to exceptional students facing economic, family or social challenges which impact on their study or capacity to pursue their desired tertiary pathways. ABCN is seeking students who demonstrate significant promise to succeed in their aspirations and to become a leader in their respective field.

For more information, please visit:

or contact Rachel Walker, Foundation Manager on Rachel.walker@abcn.com.au

To apply, download the Application Guidelines and click on the application link to make your submission.

Track pants available

The new microfiber track pants, approved for wear with both formal and sports uniforms, are now available for purchase at The School Locker.

We encourage families to make their purchases early so that another batch can be ordered before the winter chill.

Pilates Fusion

Pilates and Boxing Group Classes at affordable prices, no upfront payments no locked in contracts. Transform your body, mind and spirit with Pilates Fusion.

• burn calories
• build long lean muscle
• tone your entire body
• increase your flexibility
• improve your overall health.
• Suitable for all fitness levels.
• Classes $10-$15
• Held at Shailer Park High School

For more information visit the below website or contact Ellyse 0404 404 102