5 December 2016

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

There have been a number of significant events since the last newsletter particularly for the Year 12 cohort who have now left us. Our Awards Night was the acknowledgement of those students who have excelled in the Academic, Cultural, Sport and Community fields at Beerwah State High and it was great to see that over 230 students received over 350 awards.

We celebrated the culmination of schooling through the Formal and Clap Out for the Year 12’s and it was great to see the opportunity for our parents to share in these events with their children.

QCS

The provisional ratings for the QCS test were published on Friday. This year 6 students received an “A” whilst 11 were awarded “B’s” and 16 awarded “C” and 7 received a D and no E’s. This is the highest percentage of A’s since 2009. I am looking forward to the release of the OP scores later this month.

School Improvement Unit Review

The team from the School Improvement Unit (SIU) conducted their 12 month review on November 17. The members of the team acknowledged and congratulated all staff for the commitment to the development of literacy strategies in faculty areas. They also noted the improved results that have resulted from the focus on Reading, in particular the year 9 results and encouraged us to continue the work we have started in this area. They made comment on the focus that we have also had in Numeracy and felt that this was also tracking in the right direction.

Whilst Literacy and Numeracy will continue to be a key focus for all, student engagement in classroom activities will become central to the discussions around the delivery of a quality curriculum particularly in the Junior Secondary years.

BYOD

Get ready for 2017 BOYS @Beerwah

As part of the schools ICT plan, 2017 will see a significant increase in the opportunity for all students to Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). This is directly in response to the end of the National Secondary Schools Computer fund in schools. With an ever increasing emphasis on Digital Technologies we see students bringing a device for use at school as an essential part of their learning. When considering a device over the school vacation, please consider the specifications that we recommend. These can be found on the school website.

With this newsletter being the last for the year it is a time to reflect on what has been a very successful and rewarding year. One only needs to look at the schools Facebook page to see the wide ranging opportunities that have been provided to the students of Beerwah State High School this year. However without the teachers running these activities they would not happen. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those teachers who committed many hours of involvement outside of school hours in these activities.

To all have a safe and enjoyable holiday and I look forward to working with our community and its families in 2017.

Glen Robinson
Principal

Report Cards

Report cards will be printed and posted at the year of the end. They will also be emailed.

Important Dates for Year 12 graduates:

8 Dec 2016 – Last date to apply to QTAC for university courses in January offer round.
16 Dec 2016 – Year 12 results, including your OP and QCE, posted to you by mail.
17 Dec 2016 - Year 12 results and OPs available in your Learning Account on the Student Connect website at http://www.studentconnect.qcaa.qld.edu.au/
9 Jan 2017 – Final changes to your QTAC university preferences due before 9.59am.
16 Jan 2017 – QTAC offers sent to your email.

Payments

A reminder that all student fees are now due. If you are experiencing financial difficulty please phone administration to discuss payment options. Payments can still be made over the school holidays as direct payments:

If you are depositing money to be used for more than one student and/or more than one item, please send an email with exact details of the break-up of payment.

Thank you

Linda Alberts
Accounts Receivable

Experience USC Day – Year 7 and 8

On the 2nd of November, a group of pinnacle students where given the opportunity to visit the university of the Sunshine Coast. Students participated in a range of activities throughout the day, some included hands on activities and other activities were mostly listening to the inspirational words or logical suggestions of Uni students.

First of all just a big thanks to all the teachers and the university that made the day possible. The day started off with all schools combining in the big auditorium, and given a speech by an ambassador from the Uni, and a quick discussion about what it means to be at Uni. Afterwards, all schools went their separate ways to attend activities planned for them.

Highlights included a room for Uni students training to be nurses, which had hospital equipment and life-like dummies that were programmed to groan, cough and more! My grade had particular fun roaming from dummy to dummy listening to their heart beat, wrapping them in bandages and making them cough. We were also shown the importance of washing your hands.

I also enjoyed an origami lesson, where we made a few cool things. Visiting the pretend but life-like court room was cool too! I loved learning about different studying methods off some Uni students, I liked discussing briefly architecture and design, and I loved the variety of food in the university's tuck shop!

Overall, I think the day was a blast. I think most student and teachers would agree, I know I loved it!

Submitted by Taya Berndt.

Football Federation Australia is hoping to unearth upcoming Indigenous Excellence in the sport of Soccer.

In November a tournament was held in Shoalhaven, NSW.

The tournament was expected to attract up to 1000 participants, in its first year and will include a “Johnny Warren Football Foundation” celebrity match featuring the likes of Anthony Mundine, George Rose and Nathan Blacklock.

This is a great opportunity for Indigenous students to showcase their talents and be recognised on a larger scale.

Graduating year 12 student, Matt Alberts has lead the way and taken up this opportunity. We would like to congratulate him on this massive achievement. Matt plans on representing as part of the South East QLD Indigenous team again next year. We wish him well on his future achievements.

Aleccia Franks-Smith
Indigenous Community Advisor

School based traineeships/apprenticeships (SATs)

2016 SAT PATHWAYS

School based traineeships and apprenticeships give students the opportunity to combine training with working in a real job; gain QCE points while learning the practical workplace skills and continue full time school studies while earning a part time wage.

There have been approx. 40 Beerwah High students participating in SATs during 2016. Students have balanced their school studies with training and work in their chosen industry. Most students attend work release on their non-timetabled day. Traineeships are completed over the two years of senior schooling and on graduation trainees have gained a Certificate III qualification. Apprentices participate part time over senior and on graduation usually convert to full time, 2nd year apprentices with having completed approximately a third of their studies. Training is competency based with an emphasis on work place application of attained knowledge.

We have trainees in hospitality, retail operations, business, information, digital media and technology, sport and recreation, community pharmacy and automotive mechanics. Our apprentices work in the industries of hairdressing, plumbing, roof plumbing, electro technology, bricklaying, cabinet making, civil construction, automotive electrical technology and painting and decorating.

Students are employed by businesses in our local area and across the Sunshine Coast. Beerwah High appreciates and thanks these businesses for creating these employment opportunities and for their continuing support of alternative pathways for our young people.

There are many benefits for school based trainees and apprentices making SATs highly sort after arrangements. Students are able to undertake training in a qualification whilst completing the Qld Certificate of Education with the qualification giving QCE points. Students are earning while learning, participating in valuable work experience and gaining real world skills. SATs can lead students into further study or can kick start a career. We see students developing their confidence, self-esteem and maturity as they progress through their traineeship or apprenticeship. There have been fantastic outcomes for our 2016 graduating trainees and apprentices with school based apprentices employed as in part time and full time positions. Our school based trainees have completed their qualifications and are now ready to embark on the next stage of further study or work.

Every year at Beerwah High’s annual award night we recognise a school based trainee or apprentice who has effectively developed workplace skills, knowledge and confidence in their chosen industry. The 2016 recipient of Trainee/Apprentice of the year was Year 12 student Yvan Slore. Yvan has been employed as a school based apprentice Painter and Decorator since May 2014 and has successfully balanced two work release days each week, qualification studies and school subject commitments. Yvan’s employer, Ruben from Assured Finish Painting Services states that Yvan has become an indispensable member of their team and is a diligent, hardworking you man who they are happy to take on as a full time apprentice after graduation.

Congratulations to Yvan and to all our trainees and apprentices on a successful and rewarding 2016.

PROPOSED COURSES FOR 2017

We are offering Year 11 and 12 students the opportunity to study one of three different courses in 2017. The courses are:

Dual - SHB20216 Certificate II in Salon assistant & SHB20116 Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics
AHC20410 Certificate I Horticulture
HLT21212 Certificate II Health Support Services

Information regarding this study opportunity was presented to current year 10 and 11 students by VET Coordinator Irene Lucke on 7/11/16 and enrolment expressions of interest will continue to be accepted until the last week of school. If the minimum number of VETiS eligible students required is reached then delivery of the courses will go ahead in early 2017.

Program details:

• Delivered at school and available to year 11 and 12 students who are eligible for VETiS funding.
• Students have accessed VETiS funding if they are studying Tourism or Hospitality at school, or courses through the trade training centre, TAFE or other external providers. (Early Childhood, Fitness, Business and IDMT are not VETiS funded courses)
• Trainers from Registered Training Organisations will deliver the courses which are proposed to run one day per week for a semester.
• Courses will be run on student’s timetabled day off – studying this qualification is in addition to normal school timetable.
• Minimum numbers for class sizes need to be met to enable the courses to be run.
• Proposed that courses will begin week 2, term 1 2017
• This is an opportunity to gain QCE points and complete a certificate qualification.

Please also see the attached flyer. If you would like further information or a copy of the enrolment form please contact Helen Skerman (hsker5@eq.edu.au).

Helen Skerman
Industrial Liaison Officer

News from the Resource Centre

Knot along Club

We would like to thank all participants who have participated in the Knot Along Club this year. It has been a very productive year and we wish you all a Merry Christmas.

We look forward to seeing more beautiful art in 2017.

Ms Read, Mrs Thomas, Mrs Hall.
Happy Reading
Mrs Read
Teacher Librarian

BSHS Arts in Focus

Year 6 students involved in the CEEP program enjoying some mask making in Visual art.

HPE News

Congratulations to Year 7 student, Ethan Munro, who last week represented Queensland at the Australian School Softball Championships in Werribee, Victoria. Ethan and his team mates fought hard in the final match against NSW and made an amazing comeback to win the gold medal in the dying minutes of the game. Well done, Ethan!

We would also like to congratulate Tyler Pearce , who broke the 13/14 years Australian Record for the 500m event at the Australian Indoor Rowing Championships at Core Strength Fitness at Maroochydore. His time was 1:34.7. The previous record was held by a boy from Tasmania and was 1:36.4. Tyler was really thrilled, excited and pleased. He has been after that record since the QLD Championships in May. Well done Tyler

Steve Jeffery
HOD Health and Physical Eduacation

Beerwah State High School is selling Entertainment™ Memberships and with your support, the funds we raise will be used to our fundraising. If you haven’t already purchased your Membership this year, this is your chance to support us and be rewarded with over $20,000 of valuable offers!

1. You will be supporting Beerwah State High School fundraising! We receive 20% of the purchase price for every Entertainment™ Membership sold.
2. You can enjoy hundreds of up to 50% OFF and 2-for-1 offers from some of the best fine dining restaurants, popular cafés and family restaurants in your area.
3. You’ll be ‘entertained’ all year long with valuable cinema, activities and theme park offers.
4. Treat yourself to discounted eGift Cards from national retailers like David Jones, Woolworths, rebel and much more.
5. Discover new places with more than 2,000 hotels and resorts, with exclusive accommodation offers.

The more Entertainment™ Memberships we sell, the more funds we raise.

Please contact us for more information about our fundraising, or how to get your Entertainment™ Membership.

Beerwah State High School
35 Roberts Road
BEERWAH QLD 4519
0412644684
sam@eeles.id.au

Thank you for your kind support.