30 July 2021

Newsletter Articles

A message from the Principal

I hope that all our wonderful Shailer Park families enjoyed a restful break and despite the lockdown period and restrictions, there was an opportunity to refuel and return to Term 3 feeling refreshed. I enjoyed time with my family: we love staying active and enjoy sports together, in particular cycling. My son recently competed in track and road cycling competitions and at these events I was fortunate to meet our National Team for Track Cycling as they trained and prepared for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. I initially experienced an overwhelming sense of being impressed with their skills and the sheer level of speed they are able to achieve. Matt Glaetzier clocked over 80km an hour cycling on the velodrome during a training session: it’s hard not to be impressed! However, I quickly realised that this was not just talent, however was the result of a necessary and huge amount of effort and strategy.

I observed the ‘data analyst’ tracking their every move and providing feedback. I watched them as they hooked up their monitors and other devices, practising pedalling backwards and then forwards and back again to improve their starts. And then I remembered: this wasn’t just the effort of today. This was years of sustained effort and the refining of strategy each and every step of the way. I’ve mentioned previously that we sometimes look at an achievement like representing a sport at the Olympics, but don’t really recognise the time and effort that has gone on behind the scenes, sometimes for years! The Tokyo Olympics and the athletes competing there is an excellent, real life example of how a combined approach of effort plus strategy leads to performance. And remember, all our students are participating in their very own personal Olympics, whether that is for a place at university in their preferred course, an apprenticeship in their dream trade, a job they’re after, a place on the team or mastering a musical instrument or dance routine. How can we take this excellent Olympic example and help our students apply it to the classroom?

Successful learners know how they learn best and are deliberate in the strategies they use to do that. This is something we’ve been explicitly teaching Shailer Park students how to do, with our Learning Quadrants providing a helpful framework for students and staff to reflect on learning. In order to cross the Line of Opportunity and move into the Learning or Mastery Zone students need deliberate and focussed effort in collaboration with the right strategy. This is exactly what I observed over the holidays at the Velodrome, and I know it is the same for quality learning. That old saying ‘practice makes perfect’ is not completely true in this sense: ‘practice makes concrete’ is a more accurate statement. Practising those cycling starts over and again was combined with other strategies like data analysis to work out where each rider could improve and solidify that into habit. If we practice using the wrong strategy, we master incorrectly and eventually need to reverse the habits we’ve built. Rather, if we practice repeatedly (effort) using the correct strategy, we move into Learning and Mastery zones.

However, for those Olympian athletes who have combined outstanding effort with excellent strategy and have made huge sacrifices for the opportunity to compete, they’re still not guaranteed a gold medal. How do we make this a positive message for our young people about effort? Do we tell them that university is an option? Or do we tell them that it’s ‘too hard’, just ‘do what’s easiest’? Are we sending them the unintended message that effort is unimportant? Helping our young people understand that hard work is part of the equation for success is vital to raising fulfilled, happy adults. We need to show up and work hard. This combined with the right strategy is the recipe for success.

The work of Carol Dweck who introduced us to Growth Mindset, clearly shows in her research that effort and strategy are necessary for achievement:

Then there’s Angela Duckworth’s scientific insights which help show that ‘grit’ is a key ingredient for thriving children. This points to the fact that we need to help young people understand that learning is hard, messy and requires sustained effort. But it is also how big plans and bold ambition are realised.

My son may never be an Olympic athlete, but watching him improve his riding capabilities through asking his team mates and coaches how (strategy) to get better and practicing that (effort), I know he is rolling around in gold right there. Applying this to learning in the classroom is absolutely achievable and from there, I know every Shailer Park SHS student is on the way to winning their place on the podium.

Calendar

Please access our school calendar for upcoming events.

A message from our Junior Schooling Deputy Principal

2022 ENROLMENTS –

Making the transition from primary school to high school

The transition from primary school to high school is an important time in every young person’s life. Many things change and this may be exciting and possibly even daunting. We like to work with students and families to make the enrolment application and interview process as seamless as possible.

Thank you to the many families who have already submitted the required Enrolment Pack. We have been inundated with enrolment applications and it is pleasing to see so many applications so early in the year. If you have not yet done so, please return your Enrolment Pack to the Administration Building as soon as you can. All students intending to start Year 7 in 2022 need to have completed the Enrolment Pack, additional Academy Trials (if applicable) and their enrolment interview before they can attend our Orientation Days in Term 4. We are now getting to the ‘pointy end’ of the enrolment process.

Enrolment interviews have begun for in-catchment enrolment applications. For students who have trialled Altum and Nexus, outcomes will be emailed to parents by Friday 30 July 2021. Mrs Thompson (Head of Department Teaching & Learning) will make enrolment interview bookings for successful applicants in coming weeks. Furthermore, a 2022 Enrolment Interview Day is scheduled for Friday 3 September. Families will be contacted directly by the Enrolments Officer with their scheduled enrolment interview.

Trials for the Cultural and Sport Academies – Ignite Dance, Sting Futsal and Sting Volleyball– are scheduled to start in Week 4 Term 3. Details regarding the different trials can be found on our website and will be emailed directly to interested students, closer to the date.

Building Reflective Learners through Academic Review

Our school community works together to ensure each student has a big plan and bold ambition for a bright future.

At Shailer Park State High School, we are relentless in our focus on developing students who are Resilient, Resourceful, Relational and Reflective. A Reflective Learner is ready, willing and able to become strategic about their learning. This encompasses their ability to reflect about what they did, what outcomes they achieved and what they would like to do differently next time. This level of reflective ability is a learnt skill that we are building through an Academic Review process. By engaging in an Academic Review process, our Year 7, 8 & 9 students are building their learning behaviours and capabilities to review, reflect and plan on how they can achieve their big plans.

In this Academic Review process, students use a range of tools including their Track Ed Report, reflective questions and SMART goals. Our Year 7, 8 & 9 students are being introduced to these tools and the Academic Review process in a range of different classes.

During a recent UPLIFT lesson, our Year 7 students have been introduced to their individual Track Ed Report. This is the first time Year 7 students have seen this report so it was carefully explained to them. Students were then shown how to write personalised SMART goals based on their reflections. Students have taken these Track Ed documents home and parents have been encouraged to check-in with their child. A similar process will occur with our Year 8 students in coming weeks though we are trialling the use of a more detailed reflection tool.

Year 9 students are involved in a more complex reflection activity that is layered into their Term 3 LIFT unit of work. By the end of this term, Year 9 students will have reflected upon their latest Track Ed Report before they complete the Junior Education and Training planning process. The JET Planning process marks the end of Junior Secondary School and prepares students for students their subject selections for Year 10, 11 & 12. The JET Planning process is led by Ms Davies (Senior School DP) and Mr Albertson (Dean of Studies). Parents will receive further details regarding JET Planning interview times in coming weeks.

Messages from our Student Services Team

Student services team members can be contacted via email or 07 3451 2745. Email addresses can be found on our website

• Deputy Principal of Engagement
• our four Heads of House
• Student Services Officer
• Guidance Officer
• Attendance Officer
• School Nurse
• School Chaplain and
• Youth Support Coordinator.

Please contact Student Services Officer on 07 3451 2745 directly for

• lost property
• sickbay
• uniform issues
• appointments with members of student services team

Please contact Attendance Officer on 07 3451 2739 directly for

• student absences
• late arrivals
• early departures

Messages from the Heads of House

Hands on Learning

HoL is made up of four fundamental elements, encompassed by specialised reflective practice, that build a platform for young people to grow in confidence, engage and achieve at school. Last term the Hands-on Learning class attended Bunnings to further resource their projects for this year.

Here are some of our HoL students with their recently completed project of a trolley for our school. It is already being utilised by our CAST Book Club for transporting reading materials around the school and collecting donations for NAIDOC week

The HoL teams focus is on real and meaningful projects with possible projects ranging from upcycling redundant materials, landscaping, and pizza oven construction to mosaics. This term the students are planning on constructing a pizza oven for the whole community to enjoy. Stay tuned for progress updates.

Messages from our Student Leader Team

Meet our School Leaders

What is your role?

I am the community captain at the school

What house and year level are you in?

I am in year 12 and I’m in Bilin Bilin

Why did you choose to become a school leader?

I wanted to try something different and help in any way I can

What is your best Shailer Park SHS memory?

Definitely the sleepout!

What is your favourite food?

Lasagne and Pizza

What are you passionate about and why?

I love music, I love listening to it, I love composing it. It keeps me relaxed and it’s a lot of fun

What leadership duties are you currently working on?

NAIDOC week is definitely something I am working on with my fellow leadership team members.

Who do you admire most and why?

Louie Lara, a leadership member from last year. He had this energy when it came to everything and it always made people smile and feel comfortable. He was also a musician like me, so we would always talk and laugh at rehearsals and lessons.

A message from our CAST Ambassador

Recently I had the pleasure to go around to some different CAST activities in our school. This week I wanted to shine a light on ART CLUB!

During art club your creativity is almost limitless! I observed students participating in drawing digitally, painting symbols and pictures, as well as modelling with clay.

ART CLUB is really fun and worth giving a go! Come visit on a Wednesday Afternoon 3pm - 4pm in A01, run by Ms Murtha.

Access our CAST timetable and get involved

Kruz Pearce
CAST Ambassador

Parliament House Trip:

The school Captains of Shailer Park State High School had the opportunity to visit Brisbane Parliament house.

I, Aisha Barry, went on a historical tour of the legislative chambers and the River Deck of the parliament building alongside my fellow captains Sebastian, Yevin and Dakotah. We participated in a mock parliamentary debate with our neighbouring schools and observed a heated ‘question time’ session of the MPs. We were honoured to have lunch on the River Deck of Parliament House with Mick de Brenni MP, where we discussed his portfolio and discovered that there have chickens on the lower decks.

Science, Health and Physical Education

Outdoor Education

During Week 10 of Term 2, the Year 9 Outdoor Education A Class consolidated their learning for the Semester by attending a challenging 3-day camp at Mt Barney.

Students had to carry everything that they would need to make bush camp (clothes, food, sleeping gear, tents and cooking gear) in the backpacks and hike through the bushland to make camp. All our students rose to the challenge and participated in learning experiences including rock climbing in natural environments, navigating using topographical maps and compasses, cooking with trangias, purifying drinking water and even swimming in the creek.

Our last evening was spent by the campfire enjoying the beautiful surroundings. An excellent adventure for all involved!

Vocational Education

Traineeship Success

Erin Walsh received her 2021 Queensland Training Awards Finalist Certificate for South East Region School Based Apprentice or Trainee.

Erin made it to the top 3 for the South East Region. Congratulations Erin!

Opportunities and Vacancies

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 Demosthenous in A02, main administration building, on 3451 2782 or ilo@shailerparkshs.eq.edu.au

Messages from our Parents and Citizens

Anyone interested in joining our association is invited to request a membership application by emailing pandc@shailerparkshs.eq.edu.au or attending a meeting.

Please note applicants are required to attend a general meeting to have their application accepted.

Please keep an eye on Facebook for further details including our zoom link.

Fundraising update:

Round 3 of the Chocolate Drive is on now!

Thank you to all who have been supporting this fundraiser. This is the 3rd & final round and therefore your last chance to sell Chocolates & Lolly bags and have your chance to win one of the prizes up for grabs.

Selections for Round 3 are reduced due to being the final round.

If wanting to pay by cash for your box/es, please email pandc@shailerparkshs.eq.edu.au to arrange.

Father’s Day Raffle

Tickets available now via QKR.

You may also request a ticket book to sell among family, friends & work colleagues by emailing pandc@shailerparkshs.eq.edu.au

Lucky Numbers

Ongoing Fundraisers

We’re very fortunate to have several opportunities for our school community to contribute to fundraising efforts without costing any more than your family’s usual spend.

Together these provide thousands of dollars each year that go towards our fundraising targets. Please share these details with family & friends to help make the most of these opportunities!

Mel Blankley
P&C President

Announcements

Facebook

Please follow us on Facebook to keep up with student successes and reminders.

Partnering with us

Shailer Park SHS values partnering with our community to ‘Lift Aspirations through Big Plans and Bold Ambitions for a Bright Future’. Working with parents and families of students is essential in strengthening educational outcomes. We respect that parents and families have different needs and therefore engagement with families is based on individual circumstances.

Please access our Partnership document on our website for detailed information

If your enquiry relates to the classroom, your first point of call should always be the classroom teacher. You can contact them via email

If your enquiry relates to the playground or is in relation to a pattern perhaps across several classes or it is an inquiry relating to behaviour, attendance, uniform or your child’s well-being, your first point of call should always be the Head of House or Case Manager.

If the staff member is unavailable, they will contact you within a reasonable and appropriate time frame (2 business days).

Contact details

There are times when we may need to contact parents and carers. Do we have your most up to date contact details? If not, please contact the school on office@shailerparkshs.eq.edu.au so we can update our records. These details include parent/carer’s name, address, phone numbers, email address and emergency contact details. Please remember to contact the school if any of these details change.

Student Absences

Keeping our students safe is our priority. One important way families can partner to keep our children safe is to notify the school prior to 8:50am if your child will be absent via studentabsences@shailerparkshs.eq.edu.au or (07) 3451 2766.

If your child is away from school and you have not let us know, parents will receive a text message requesting that you respond with a reason for the absence. It is extremely important that you respond to this text message promptly to enable us to follow up any possible issues.

The safety of students is of paramount importance to us and we take this responsibility very seriously. If you do not respond to this text message a second text message, email or phone call will be made to you. Thank you for partnering with us so that we know our students are safe.