7 December 2018

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, Sporting and Community fields at Beerwah State High and it was great to see that over two hundred and thirty students received over three hundred and fifty awards.

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

School Opinion Survey

Earlier this year, students, parents and teachers were asked to complete a School Opinion Survey. These results have been returned to the school and a number of actions will come effect in 2019. This survey however didn’t allow the opportunity for a comment to be part of the response. In each newsletter next year, we will take one question from the survey that we as a school would like to further investigate. Our first statement that we are seeking comment on is

“The school encourages me to participate in school activities”

Please click on the below link to complete a short survey

Vacation

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 again in 2019.

Glen Robinson
Principal

Senior School Update

2019 brings in a new era of Senior Schooling for Queensland students. Year 11 students in 2019 will begin studies in rewritten general and applied subjects. These subjects have been rewritten to assist students in gaining skills for the 21st Century workforce.

Students in Year 12 general subjects in 2020 will complete external exams in a three week block in October/November. The external exams can provide 50% of their grade for their summative assessment in Maths and Science subjects. All general subjects will have three QCAA (Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority) endorsed assessment items and one external exam for Units three and four. Year 12 marked assessment will go through a QCAA confirmation process before final subject results are released for general subjects.

In 2020 students studying Essential Mathematics and Essential English in Year 12 will complete a Common Internal Assessment in Unit three. This assessment item will be written by the QCAA and will be completed by all Year 12 students in Queensland studying the two essential subjects.

Students will be prepared for summative assessments in Units 3 and 4 through their studies and formative assessment in Units 1 and 2.

Tertiary Entrance

Students wishing to gain access to tertiary study from 2021 will be issued with an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR). Students wishing to be ATAR eligible are required to study and pass an English subject and are required to study five general subjects or four general subjects and an applied subject. QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre) will be responsible for calculating ATARs in 2020. There are also other alternative pathways to tertiary study available other than the ATAR and these can be discussed with the Guidance Officer.

QCE

The rules around gaining points for the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) have also changed. Students must gain a passing grade in both Unit 1 and Unit 2 to gain to two points towards their QCE and must gain an overall passing grade in Units 3 and 4 to gain the further two points. Students must successfully pass a subject (Unit 1, Unit 2 and Unit 3 and 4) to gain core credits towards their QCE. Students must gain a total of twelve core credits and another eight points to gain the twenty points required to be issued with a QCE.

Expectations

It is imperative that students are self-motivated and mature in their approach to their Senior School studies. It is an expectation that all senior students, no matter their chosen pathway, fully engage in their program of study. Students are expected to be fully prepared for their classes and maintain an attendance rate of over 90% for timetabled classes. All school absences must be explained by a parent/guardian. Students who arrive late to school at the start of the day must sign in via the main office.

Preparation

Students are encouraged to bring their own device (BYOD) to school. Teachers are able to make subject content available via OneNote and more assessment items will need to be submitted electronically. Students should have an A4 notebook for each subject and the required materials as outlined on their stationary list. Students in mathematics should have the suggested calculator for their chosen mathematical subject.

More Information

For more information on the new senior assessment and tertiary entrance system beginning in 2019, please visit the following websites:

QCAA

DoE

Leanne Young
Head of Department: Senior Schooling

Lost Property

If you are missing items of clothing, please look through the lost property in the Tuckshop undercover area. If you are missing smaller items such as electronic devices and jewellery, please contact the front office.

Any unclaimed items will be donated to charity at the end of the school year.

Student Resource Scheme and Subject Fees 2019

Hellen Nolen
Business Manager

Future Pathways

2018 IN REVIEW

School based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs)

A number of our Year 12 graduates have participated in traineeships and apprenticeships over the past two to three years. The long term outcomes of these arrangements are proof that participating in school based traineeships or apprenticeships can provide a young person with a valuable headstart of a chosen career pathway.

Congratulations to the following Year 12 graduates who have successfully participated and completed school based traineeships, have secured permanent roles with their employers or are continuing on with full time apprenticeships:

Congratulations also to Kayla and Harrison who were recently awarded as our Trainee of the Year and VET Student of the Year. Both Kayla and Harrison have consistently displayed excellent work ethics and their employers cannot speak highly enough of them. Best wishes to both students as they commence their careers.

Dual Course

During 2018 we had a trainer from 2 Study deliver a dual qualification Certificate II Salon Assistant/Certificate II Retail Cosmetics to a group of senior students. This course contained both theory and practical components providing foundation salon industry skills and knowledge. Students thoroughly enjoyed all hands on sessions as they worked through units including design and application of makeup, nail services, hair shampooing and styling and recommending products and services. Our trainees were hosted by local business, Beerwah Hair & Beauty who provided an opportunity to experience a real work environment placement, practising and being assessed on their salon basin and chair skills.

Sunshine Coast Technical Trade Training Centre

2018 was a successful year for two of our Year 11s at the Trade Training Centre in Caloundra. Students successfully completed their Certificate I Construction qualification, including White Card and 80 hours of structured workplace learning. Bohdey and Tane both received great feedback from host employers and established contacts for future pathways. Bohdey already has secured an Engineering traineeship with a local employer.

Bohdey with trainer Rob at the TTC

Distance Education-

November 2018 sees the graduation of two of our seniors who have completed an additional subject through the Brisbane School of Distance Education. Thomas and Aimee have both consistently displayed a high standard of dedication to their studies and have achieved excellent results. Thomas has studied French (which he commenced in Year 10) and also Economics while Aimee has completed studies in Modern History. Congratulations on all your achievements Thomas and Aimee.

New school based trainees

Well done to the following students who recently secured school based traineeships:

Tahnee – Cert II Retail, Steve Wynder Hair
Anita – Cert III Hospitality, Glass House Country Kitchen
Ryan – Cert III IDMT, Beerwah SHS

CERTIFICATE COURSES 2019

Beerwah High is committed to assisting students with options for alternative pathways. We offer study options such as Distance Education, TAFE at School programs, external provider courses, Sunshine Coast Technical Trade Training Centre enrolment and other programs that all provide students with successful outcomes.

Expressions of interest and enrolments have been taken for a number of programs since Term 3 and students are encouraged to ensure that they register their names as soon as possible to secure a place in any program. This can be done by seeing Ms Skerman or our school Guidance Officer.

Options on offer in 2019:

• 10283NAT Cert IV Crime & Justice, RTO Unity College, 2 year program Year 11s
• Dual SHB20216 Salon Assistant and SHB20116 Retail Cosmetics, RTO 2 Study/CSaT, Year 11s & 12s
• AllevE8 (HLT23215 Cert II Health Support Services) + 14 days structured workplace learning (Year 11 & 12s)
• Kawana Waters State College Health Program (HLT23215 Health Support Services & HLT31215 Cert III Basic Health Care), 2 year program, Year 11s
• Sunshine Coast Technical Trade Training Centre – courses in Automotive Servicing, Construction, Electro-technology, Plumbing, Aviation Studies (CQ Uni) and Built Environment & Design program (CQ Uni) Year 11 or 12s
• TAFE at School programs, Mooloolaba, Nambour and Caboolture campus – a range of study areas
• TLI21815 Certificate II in Logistics + 20 days structured workplace learning (Year 11 & 12s)

Courses can be VETiS funded or fee for service.

WHAT IS VETiS?

Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETiS) is delivery of nationally recognised qualifications to school students, providing them with the skills and knowledge required for employment in specific industries. VETiS qualifications can be undertaken in years 10, 11 and 12, and can count towards the Queensland Certificate of Education.

The VET investment budget provides funding for students to complete one VETiS qualification listed on the Queensland Training Subsidies List while at school.

Best wishes to students and their families for Christmas and New Year. I’m sure next year will be just as busy and rewarding as the last twelve months. See you in 2019.

Helen Skerman
Industry Liaison Officer

Academic & Cultural Cup 2018

As another year draws to a close, the Tunbubudla mortar board once again sits atop the Academic & Cultural Cup for its third festive season.

Points earned by students during term four have been allocated towards next year’s cup. So far 744 points have been earned, with Miketeebumulgrai and Tibberoowuccum hot on the heels of the leading team. Can 2019 finally be the breakthrough year for one of our teams in blue?

Several students have made a speedy start towards a 2019 age champion award. Below are the records that they will be hoping to surpass in the coming year. Good luck to all! Make sure you keep your eyes open for opportunities to earn points for your house in 2019.

Year 12

Year 11

Year 10

Year 9

Year 8

Year 7

HPE Update

Athletics

Congratulations to Amali for topping off her already awesome sporting year with an Australian silver medal. Amali has just returned from competing at the Australian School Track and Field Championships in Melbourne where she made finals in both the individual 100m and 200m sprints.

Amali also competed in the 4 x 100m relay, making a valuable contribution towards her team winning the silver medal. We are super proud of Amali and can’t wait to see what she can achieve in 2019.

Coles Sports for Schools

A huge thank you to our wonderful parents, students, community members and staff who helped collect Coles Sports for School vouchers. As you can see our students were ‘jumping for joy’ when they saw the amount of new sports gear that arrived.

Swimming during the last week of school

On Wednesday December 12, students in Years 7, 8 and 9 will have the opportunity to participate in a swimming activity session at the Beerwah Pool. These swimming sessions will be held during periods one and two. To avoid your student missing out please have them return their permission form to the Student Centre Office by Monday, December 10 and bring $3.20 cash on the day for entry.

On a closing note I would like to say congratulations to the parents who have supported our outstanding young sports people and to the staff who have worked hard, given up time with their families, and inspired students throughout 2018 to achieve success. To one and all, have a fantastic and relaxing Christmas, be safe and we look forward to working with you all in 2019.