28 March 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

As this term draws to a close it is timely to remind all families of the need to keep your contact details up to date. Interim Reports will be emailed to all families on the last day of this term, March 31. Please contact the office if you wish to change your contact details.

The end of term one is also the date that the school asks that all families have either paid or have established a payment plan for the School Resource Scheme and Subject fees. Letters have been sent to all families outlining the procedures for the payment of these fees and we ask that you commit to these as soon as possible. Without these funds the school and subject areas become restricted in what can be offered to students. If you have concerns or any questions please contact the school administration.

Last Friday saw three significant events happening in the school aside from exams, assignments and reporting. The annual Shave for a Cure day was held and the school raised over $400 through students and staff being shaved, waxed and coloured. It was great to see the commitment to the fight against Leukaemia continue in the school.

Friday March 17 was also the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. Throughout the week leading up to this day students were involved in discussions focussed on “What is Bullying” , “ What can you do about Bullying in an appropriate way?” the clear message that came from these discussions was that the students themselves are the key. As witnesses and by standers they need to “STAND UP” and “SPEAK UP” to ensure that our school is safe and enjoyable for all. As such all students in the school were asked to sign a pledge board to act against Bullying and Violence.

Can I remind all parents that we offer an anonymous reporting process through STYMIE. Students in all year levels have been involved in presentations at school. We also have a parent presentation on MONDAY 27 MARCH at 5.30pm looking at “HOW TO MANAGE TECHNOLOGY WITH A TEENAGER IN THE HOUSE”. Please contact the office on 54365333 to RSVP.

March 17 was also a very successful and enjoyable afternoon of sport with the Glasshouse Christian College. Teams from the junior school played Netball, Touch, Basketball while our senior students assisted by refereeing and umpiring the respective events. With the success of the afternoon, further dates are already in the planning.

I ask all parents to support the school in maintaining a high standard of uniform now and in the coming months. Please ensure that you child adheres to the dress code ( particularly socks, jewellery and make up) that was agreed to on enrolment at the school, particularly in the coming months with regards school jumpers which are now available from the uniform shop.

We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable vacation and remind everyone that school resumes on Tuesday 18 April.

Glen Robinson
Principal

2017 Next Step Survey

The Queensland Government is conducting its annual state-wide survey of all students who completed Year 12 in 2016. The Next Step survey is a brief, confidential survey that gains a comprehensive picture of the employment, study and life choices made by Queensland school completers in the year after they finish Year 12.

Between March and June, all our students who completed Year 12 last year can expect to receive instructions to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office to complete the survey. Please encourage them to take part. If their contact details have changed, please assist the interviewer with their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate.

Thank you for your support of the Next Step survey in 2017.

Further information on Next Step is available online below or on toll free telephone 1800 068 587.

Parent Teacher Meetings

Term 1 interim report cards have been distributed to parents during the last week of Term 1 via email or through the mail. These reports provide information on student achievement, classroom effort and behaviour. It is an important time to reflect on student progress and assess how we can work together to achieve better outcomes for our students.

What: Parent Teacher Meetings
When: Monday 24th April
Where: Student Centre
Time: 3:30pm – 7.00pm

To book a parent teacher meeting please log on to Schools Interview Website and enter the Beerwah SHS event code vp9jg (the number 9 is the only number) in the green box. Enter your details and your student details and click GO. Select the subjects and teacher you wish to meet with and click GO. Please only make a booking with your child’s teacher/s. Select times that suit with each teacher and click GO. Print your timetable or just click finish and you will have an email sent to you confirming your times. Parent teacher meetings are 10 minutes in length.

Bookings will open on Thursday 30th March and will be closed at 12 noon on Thursday 20th April. As teachers get booked for the evening it may become difficult to get your desired booking times, so please log on at your earliest convenience to select your bookings.

Unfortunately we have some staff absent due to leave and other commitments. If you wish to make contact with any of the teachers not listed on the school Interviews website, you may call the school administration office after the 24th April to organise a time to discuss any issues.

If you are unable to access the internet and would like to make a booking please contact the school administration office on 5436 5333 and our staff will assist in making a booking for you.

Anzac Day March

It is a tradition at Beerwah State High School that we participate in the annual Beerwah Community ANZAC Day March and Ceremony.

The parade forms up on Tuesday 25 April at Coochin Co-Op, Simpson Street Beerwah at 9.15am

Drop off only. Car parking at shopping centre.
Only vintage cars carrying veterans will be allowed into Form up area.

March Off: 09.30am

Proceed down Peachester Road, left wheel into Turner Street, Eyes Right Salute opposite Post Office. Turn right into Park entrance Pathway

Main Service Commences at 10.00 am

Students who are marching with the Beerwah High contingent must be in full formal uniform – blue shirts / blouses, black shoes and hats (Formal hats for student leaders will be provided where possible). Students should also bring a water bottle. A member of the Administration team will be particpating in the March. I look forward to as many of our students as possible joining in on this important occasion.

Dawn Service: To be held at Turner Park, Turner Street Beerwah (Park behind library)

Form up Toilet Block - 04.15am March to Cenotaph - 04.20am
Service starts - 04.28am (Gallipoli Landing time)

If your child is intending to march please complete the form given to students and return by Thursday April 20. Please contact the school on 54365333 if you have any queries.

Regards

Tanya Hayden
Deputy Principal

Student Services update

Bullying National Day of Action – Beerwah

Throughout the week, students at Beerwah State High School have been participating in focused learning activities around Bullying. These lessons are a part of the “Bullying. No Way!” program that has been put together by the Government. They have discussed types of bullying, strategies to deal with bullying, bystander behaviour and how bystanders can help to show that bullying is not acceptable. Students have also had the opportunity to make a pledge to say NO to bullying at Beerwah SHS. Students signed a pledge board that will be proudly displayed in the school, to remind them of their commitment to eliminate bullying in our school. Students were given the option to wear “Bullying. No Way!” wristbands, to visibly demonstrate their commitment to end bullying.

Brainstorm Productions

On the 3rd March, Year 7 students were given the opportunity to view a performance by Brainstorm Productions called Verbal Combat. The presentation focussed on Cyber Bullying in Schools and was addressed through an educational theatre performance. The performance covered the following topics:

When cyber bullying is anonymous and undercover:

WHO’S responsible?
WHAT drives cyber bullies to send that nasty message, post that hurtful comment or embarrassing photo on Facebook or Snapchat?
WHY are some people more likely to be a target and why is it hard for victims to be assertive or resilient?
WHERE can they go if or when they are being cyber bullied?
HOW can we stop cyber bullying from happening?

A cleverly crafted narrative allows students to examine these questions and their own behaviour.

Each year level will have the opportunity to view a Brainstorm Production performance this year.

Year 8 – Sticks & Stones – 14/7
Year 9 & 10 – Cyberia – 21/4
Year 11 - Wired – 4/9
Year 12 – Cheap Thrills – 20/10

You can view further information for each of the presentations on their website.

Immunisations (Year 7 & 10)

The first round of Year 7 Immunisations were conducted on the 22nd March. The students were very brave on the day; a few nervous students but minimal tears. I think the second round will be much easier for the students. If your child was absent for the first round of injections, a letter will be sent home form the nurses with information about the catch up clinic.

The next two rounds of immunisations will be held on 14th June & 1st November.

Year 10 Immunisations will be held on 1st November. Forms should be out to students during Term 2.

Gold Card

The Gold Card program is a way for Beerwah SHS to reward students who come to school and put in outstanding effort and demonstrate exemplary behaviour in all their classes. The criteria for the Gold Card requires students to receive an ‘Excellent’ result for Behaviour and Effort across all subjects. The criteria does allow for a total of only two ‘Very Good’ results across the student’s subjects. All core subjects are used when checking a student’s eligibility.

The Gold Card is highly supported by our local businesses. They have generously donated either vouchers or discounts at their business to reward students for their fantastic achievement. Students must show their card at the business to receive their reward. It also enables the students to attend a few school based activities.

Gold Cards were issued to students who successfully made the criteria with their 2016 Semester 2 Report Card at the start of this month. Year 7s will be able to qualify for the program once they have completed their first semester. All students’ eligibility is reviewed after each semester.

The Gold Card Program would not be possible without the support of Local Businesses. I would like to acknowledge the following businesses who are currently supporting our Gold Card Program:

BEERWAH

NEDDY’S NOSE BAG
BEERWAH FLOWERS & GIFTS
SMOKEY’S CHAR GRILL
MRS BROWNS
DOMINOS PIZZA
BEERWAH NEWSAGENCY
BEERWAH CYCLES
BARGAIN MAX
BEERWAH COFFEE CLUB
CJ’s PASTRIES
HINTERLAND SEAFOOD

GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAINS

CJs PASTRIES
FRANKIE J’S PIZZA
GLASSHOUSE COUNTRY KITCHEN

LANDSBOROUGH

ELECTRIC DREAMS
BUCKS BAKERY
LANDSBOROUGH NEWS

Thank you all for your support of Beerwah SHS!

Nick Stead
HoD Student Services

Communications

This term the Year 8 English students have been writing short stories featuring teenage protagonists. Zoey Budd (8B English) has created a very moving account of a teenager dealing with loss and unexpectedly finding that life does go on. She has experimented with sentence structure and figurative language and has used a symbolic dream to bring her story together.

Grey Soil

I’m walking along the grassy fields, the long green stalks tickling my legs as it blows in a breeze I can’t feel, dancing to silent music. The sea of green stretches out for miles in every way, completely flat with one exception. A small hill rises above the grass, where an ancient tree with rich brown bark stands tall. I smile to myself, but my expression falls as a dark green leaf droops, then another one, then another. More and more leaves droop, until every leaf is drying up, colour fading. Life fading. I sprint towards the dying tree as its branches break and fall. I need to save it. But no matter how fast or far I run, I don’t get any closer, and in the end, all I can do is stand and watch it turn into a pile of rotting timber.

--0--

A high-pitched ring fills my ears, waking me from my nightmare, I blindly feel around for the sleep button, pushing it and slinking back under my covers.

  “Lucy! Honey, you need to get ready for school. The bus will be here soon,” says Mum, poking her head through my bedroom door, eyebrows creased in worry.

  “But Mum, I don’t want to!” I whine loudly. “It’s not like I learn anything useful.” But Mum is already downstairs, loud clanging noises coming from the kitchen. Throwing off my bed covers, I get up, stumbling downstairs like a coffee deprived zombie, rubbing my eyes. I get ready for school, then sit next to Mum at the breakfast table, staring at my sugar packed cereal. Mum faces me.

  “Lucy, I know it has only been two months since… she passed away, but you need to continue life. All your teachers are worried about your grades, and I am worried about your future. You’re only in year 8 and if this goes much longer you are going to fail your classes. You have to move on, that’s what Chelsea would want.”

My breathing quickens, and I lash out at Mum.

  “You don’t have any right to say what Chelsea would have wanted! You hardly knew her! She was my best friend!” I spit, tears blurring my vision as I grab my bag and run out the front door.

I walk onto the school bus with my shoes scraping along the ground. I keep my face down, hiding the wet streaks on my cheeks. A few girls look at me with worried expressions, but I ignore them. They used to be my friends, but I shut them out because they didn’t understand what I was going through; I didn’t need them. Yet they still care, but I don’t know why. Ever since Chelsea passed away in hospital I have tried to scare everyone away. I was rude and selfish and I don’t deserve their looks of pity, I just wish they would leave me alone. I sit down at the back of the bus and put in my earphones, blocking the world with music, momentarily forgetting who I am.

The cramped bus arrives at school, shoving me back into reality. I grumpily walk to class, ignoring the groups of students laughing, playing and joking around. The bell rings and Ms Lanson lets us in for roll class. As she exchanges greetings with the class I continue to stay silent. Ms Lanson asks a student with short blond hair and freckles to come up front, but I have never seen her before. She must be new.

  “This is Rihanna, she is a new student. Please make her feel welcome and help her find her way around the school”

The teacher turns to Rihanna, pointing to the only empty seat. “Please sit next to Lucy.”

The girl pulls out the chair and sits down, giving me a curious glance but looking away when she realises she’s staring. The teacher marks the roll and lets us out when the bell rings. Rihanna approaches me.

  “Um, hi. Nice to- I mean hello...” She takes a deep breath, “Sorry, I am nervous because I don’t know anyone here. Do you know where C11 is?”

  “I am heading there myself; you can follow, I guess,” I reply, shrugging. She quietly thanks me as we head off to class.

Two lessons later the lunch bell rings and I sit under a small tree to eat by myself, putting my earphones in again, only to be disturbed by the new girl.

  “Hi. Sorry if I am bothering you, but you are the only person I know here, could I sit with you?”

  “Sure, if you want.” I reply trying to give her my best ‘please go away’ look, but she completely misses it and joins me under the tree anyways.

It starts off awkward at first, and I try to get her to leave me alone, but no matter how depressing I try to be, or how boring I act, she keeps sitting with me, every break, determined to break through my defences.

And over the next couple of days we talk more, smile more and even laugh a little. It is then I realise that the empty space inside of me that used to be Chelsea’s place, the hole that makes me cry at night, the hole that made me push everyone away, is a little smaller, and is being filled slowly but surely. For the first time in two months, a hole has opened in the wall that I built to keep the world at bay.

After weeks of uneasy rest, I sleep soundly.

--0--

My eyes are greeted by green fields, swaying side to side, peacefully. I see the hill again, but the tree is no longer there. I slowly walk up to the dead soil, grey and lifeless, scattered with dull grey bark and leaves, like stone. I quietly cry but no tears fall, as if my body has run out of tears to shed. I pick up a large piece of the tree’s lifeless wood to confirm my fears, to make myself accept the truth. And somehow, underneath is a small green sprout. Not a surviving part of the old tree but a new one instead. A new sapling, growing in dead dirt, where nothing can grow. Yet here it is, bursting with newfound life…

New life growing in grey soil.

-By Zoey Budd-

Maths news

CAT Competition

On the 21st of March 27 students from Year 7,8,9 and 10 competed in the Australian Maths Trust CAT competition. This tests students Computational and Alogorithmic Thinking. We eagerly await their results in a few weeks time.

Manga High online tutoring for Year 7-10:

We are excited to announce that our school is using Mangahigh as an online mathematics program in 2017. Mangahigh helps children consolidate what has been learnt in class in a fun and rewarding online environment.

As students will have access to this program both at school and at home, we encourage parents to support their children by understanding how they can log in from home and where to find activities to complete. Instructions are below;

1. Go to www.mangahigh.com
2. Click on “Login”
3. Enter login details that were given to student in class.

Students will have a number of lists available to them on the left hand side of their account once logged in.

1. Assigned – Contains activities that have been set by your child’s teacher that will need to be completed. It is important that students consider re-attempting each activity a number of times to ensure they have understood the concept well and improve their final score.
2. Recommended – Contains activities that the program recommends the student works on once all assigned activities are complete.
3. Browse – Contains all activities available through the Mangahigh program for students who wish to choose an activity for themselves once assigned activities have been completed.
4. Games – A number of challenging math games are available in this list.

If there are any questions, or your child needs their password, please feel free to contact your child’s classroom teacher.

Paul Schneider
Head of Mathematics (Acting)

The Arts

Robin the Hood Theatre Restaurant

2016 saw Beerwah High have such success with our entertaining musical, Popstars (We took out Platinum and the Overall Best Performance Award at the Sunshine Coast Schools’ Drama Festival) that we decided to do another show this year.

Rehearsals have been in full swing for most of this term with just over forty talented students learning lines, practising moves and trying on tights and corsets! And that’s just the boys! Yes, this year’s musical is Robin The Hood, a show set in medieval times. Well, sometimes it is, but strangely Batman and Robin, a bunch of hippies and a ladies bowling team crash the stage!

There are some great songs: Twisted Sister’s We’re Not Gonna Take It, Elvis’ Blue Suede Shoes, Alice Cooper’s Poison and of course, Men In Tights from the movie of the same name. There’s something for everybody!

This year, the show takes the form of a theatre restaurant. Seats will be around tables where a three course meal will be served. So set aside Wednesday 31 May or Thursday 1 June for a rollicking good time with lots of laughs and just a little audience participation!!! More information will follow regarding tickets, times and cost.

Debbie Holland
Teacher

Drama

Year 9 Drama class exploring stylised movement and emotion

Notice from Beerwah Police

Beerwah Police are reminding residents and business owners to lock up after a recent spate of break and enters, unlawful use of motor vehicles and stealing from vehicles.

Most of these incidents could have been avoided vehicles and houses had been locked and secured.

Incidents occurred across Beerwah and Glasshouse Mountains with the opportunistic offenders trying multiple vehicles and houses and taking items from any that were not secured.

Residents are reminded to contact police immediately if they observe anything suspicious. In an emergency, call Tripe Zero (000).

Student Council Update

World’s Greatest Shave

On Friday 17/03/17, the Student Centre at Beerwah State High School was full of spectators for this year’s World’s Greatest Shave. The centre was a hive of activity with legs being waxed, heads being shaved and hair being coloured.

Donations, hair colouring and the profits from the Student Council sausage sizzle will see over $400 being donated to the Leukaemia Foundation this year. Thank you to all students who participated in the event. A special thank you to our staff and parent volunteers – it couldn’t happen without you.

Ms Leanne Young
Head of Department: Senior Secondary

Legal Studies Excursion

On Monday 19 February, Mrs Richter and Mrs Ballard and 19 Year 11 students boarded the train to Roma Street, armed with a general understanding of the courts, open minds and discreet snacks. On arriving at the courts we spent an hour with a Supreme Court judge discussing reasons for appeals and the details of some of his more harrowing cases.

After the meeting, students witnessed various aspects of court room procedures. They saw a jury empanelled in a murder trial; a young mother sentenced for drug trafficking; and the cross-examination of witnesses. Seeing first-hand how their theory has been applied in real life was a valuable experience.

Braving torrential rain to reach Macdonalds, there was time for a quick lunch before a close look at the artefacts on display at the Police Museum. Students were able to read about cold cases, look at various aspects of the police service and quickly examine a crime scene. The students were a credit to the school on this excursion in terms of their interaction and excellent behaviour.

Sharlene Ballard
HOY 12

Design Technology update

Term 1 has been very productive for those students enrolled in Design Technology subjects. Students have engaged in activities that range from completing muffins in year 9 FID through to large projects such as constructing a number of Adirondack Chairs in year 12 Furnishings. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those families that have paid fees, enabling students to take their projects home as they are completed. Payment of subject fees in Design Technology is critical in order for students to be able to effectively engage in the various courses as this enables the purchase of consumable materials that students can then access. Unfortunately if fees have not been paid or a payment plan organised with the school for the start of term 2 some students may not be able to access consumable materials and alternative tasks will be provided for them. If you are having difficulties making payments please make an appointment with admin to discuss a payment plan.

We look forward to students extending their knowledge and skills and producing some great work in term 2.

Cassandra Clark
HOD Technology

School based traineeships/apprenticeships (SATs)

In recent weeks there have been several exciting opportunities advertised for traineeships and an apprenticeship with local businesses. Students have completed resumes, participated in interviews and attended work trials before being offered positions. With signups completed students have now begun on a pathway that will provide them with real workplace experience and skills and a qualification. Students are also committed to their school studies and continuing progress towards gaining their QCE. Beerwah High thanks the local business community for their continuing support of alternative pathways for our students.

Congratulations to –

Karri Siddons – Cert III Dental Assistant, Toothkind, Beerwah
Shontae Lunow – Cert III Hairdressing, The Edge Salon, Beerwah
Jesse Kelly – Cert III Tourism, Landsborough Pines Caravan Park
Finty McCullough – Cert III Tourism, Landsborough Pines Caravan Park
Jac Robins – Cert II Retail, Joyce Mayne, Sippy Downs

Vacancies for school based traineeships and apprenticeships are advertised on the ILC noticeboard and on student notices. For further details see Ms Skerman in the ILC.

Sunshine Coast Technical Trade Training Centre

As the end of term 1 draws to a close students attending the Trade Training Centre are looking towards securing placements for structured workplace learning. SWL provides students with an opportunity to observe a range of work performed in the various trades, learn duties, roles and responsibilities and undertake supervised work appropriate to their skill level. Students are assisted with resume preparation and use their initiative to find placements suitable to their trade interest area.

A reminder that 2018 enrolment opportunities will be offered to our current year 10 and 11 students in Term 3, 2017. Courses at TTC are VETiS funded – students are only allowed one allocation of VETiS funding and so the choice of where this is used must be considered very carefully. Students interested in Trade Training Centre enrolment in 2018 will be able to access TTTC staff at our Careers Pathway event to be held on 7th June, 2017.

Certificate Courses

This week Certificate II Health Support Services students have completed the first aid component of their course. This hands on day included scenario training and CPR procedures with mannequins. All resources for the course are supplied by our external trainers from Axiom College.

Dual Cert II Salon Assistant & Cert II Retail Cosmetics

Enrolments for the dual course are due NOW with the course commencing on Wednesday 19th April 2017. This course is VETiS funded for eligible students or fee for service $500. (Payment plans available). Training will take place in the ILC and PA block every Wednesday through to the end of term 3. This is a great opportunity for year 11 and 12 students to gain foundation skills in salon industry and 8 QCE points. Interested students must return their forms asap to secure a place. See Ms Skerman for more information.

External Courses

School to work transition program

With their TAFE component completed Year 12 students Sarah, Isaac and Jackson have commenced their structured workplace learning programs which will run for 20 weeks. Students are excited to start their placements with Dicky Beach Aged Care, TNT Express and Lindsay Rural and gain some hands on experience in their respective workplaces. Best wishes students - we look forward to hearing about your experiences over the coming weeks.

Helen Skerman
Industry Liaison Officer
Beerwah State High School

Well done Brent

Brent Strong year 11 student working at his first job. Brent started a horticultural traineeship this term with Plant Biotech at Palmview. He’s working hard and achieving great results in the nursery.

Tessa Craig
Teacher
Beerwah State High School

Where are they now? – Tyson Blair Class of 2011

Former Beerwah High student Tyson Blair has launched into the world of big business after graduating from USC, landing a role with multinational insurance broker Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT).

Following his completion of a combined Business and Science degree last year, the 23-year-old Beerwah resident was offered one of just five graduate positions Australia-wide with JLT, which has offices in more than 40 countries.