1 March 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Uniform

It was great to see the way our students looked in their formal uniforms at the recent school photo day. With nearly every student in the school in their formal uniform, it sends a message that it is alright to have high standards around how our students look when they attend school. Can I remind all students and parents that the formal uniform is to be worn on all Mondays and days when your child’s year level has their year level parade. Year level parade days are -

School Priorities for 2019

The message of “stay the course” is particularly true when looking at our school priorities for 2019.

Whilst the areas of the School priorities for 2019 are Literacy, Numeracy, Student Engagement and the Implementation of the Senior Assessment and Tertiary entrance, there are two specific areas that will be targeted – Writing and Attendance.

A program of “On Demand” writing will be implemented in the core subjects in years seven, eight and nine in the coming weeks.

Student attendance will be monitored and families will be notified on a regular basis should the child’s attendance all below 85%. As a school, we have a target of 90% attendance for all students.

Feedback

As part of the process for gathering feedback, we will asking parents to respond to one or two questions in newsletters at various times throughout the year to gain information about various areas of the school. Responses are anonymous and will be similar to the School Opinion Survey completed later in the year. Again please take the opportunity to respond to these questions so that we are able to identify areas of school improvement.

This month’s statement that we are seeking comment on is

“My child is in year”

Glen Robinson
Principal

Reboot

Tanya Hayden
Deputy Principal

School Fees

Just a quick reminder that payment of Student Resource was due Friday, February 8, 2019 or by the end of Term 3 once a Payment Plan had been discussed and signed off by Administration. Subject fee payments are due by end of Term 1 Friday, April 5, 2019 unless special arrangement has been granted by Administration.

Linda Alberts
Accounts Receivable Officer

Workplace, Health and Safety

Workplace, Health and Safety - personal aerosol and pump sprays are banned at BSHS

It is important to remember that our school is actually a worksite. As such we must comply with all WHS regulations as well as Department of Education and Training policy and procedures.

DET has prohibited the use of forty nine chemicals in school because they are considered too dangerous or produce harmful effects such as carcinogens. Unfortunately five of these banned substances can be used in aerosols. Deodorant companies select their fragrances from a list of three thousand chemicals and because of the Trade Practices Act, are not required to disclose the exact chemical formula’s used in their products. Interestingly, twenty nine of these harmful chemicals are also on the prohibited chemicals for school list. This means that we do not know what chemicals are released into the air when an aerosol or pump spray is used in the workplace.

This is a reminder that in our school the use of personal aerosol and pump sprays is not permitted. Disciplinary action may result if students intentionally use these items.

Peter Muchow
Workplace, Health and Safety Officer

Year 7 Update

Year seven students have had a great start at Beerwah State High School learning all about our rules and expectations, how to get around the school and find their classrooms and generally settling in to an exciting, new school environment. They look fantastic in their new school uniform and it was wonderful to see their photo on the front cover of the Glass House Maleny magazine.

The first week provided an opportunity for students to get to know their teachers and each other and build positive relationships. Students started looking at setting goals for academic and personal success as well as learning about how we have to ‘feed’ our 3 brains – the Wild, the Emotional and the Smart brain in order to have balance and be better able to self - regulate our own behaviours. Students also looked at checking processes to ensure they are ready to learn.

Many of these activities are taken from the REBOOT program where teachers encourage students to develop a positive Growth Mindset and develop their willingness and capacity to engage in learning. Ensuring that you are attending school each and every day, unless you are sick is critical to staying on top of your learning. It is very pleasing to see that year 7 attendance rate is 95.1% - AWESOME

As with any change there are some challenges and in the early days of high school much of this can revolve around friendship issues. This is expected and something that we will work through with individual students and in our LIFESKILLS program on healthy relationships. One thing we would ask is that if your child is coming home and saying they are having difficulties please contact us immediately so we can help them work through their concerns.

Each month in our newsletter we would like to acknowledge year seven students for their awesome participation in both school and community events.

Congratulations to the following students

Leyland - regional championships for athletics representing USC Athletics - 2nd in shot put and a 3rd in discus and qualifying for State Championships.

Students who represented the school at District Swimming:

Lachlan; Zacharie; Mischa, Taivis; Emilia and Bailey.

Tanya Hayden – Deputy Principal
Karen Sharp – Head of Year 7

Senior School News

Senior School News

Unique Student Identifier (USI)

Students in years ten, eleven and twelve should now have a USI number. This number will remain with students through their VET learning pathways both in school and beyond. If a student loses their paper certificate of their qualification, they can use their USI to access their transcript online.

If your child does not possess a USI number – please visit the website below with a form of ID with your child’s name on it (a medicare card), select ‘Student Login’, ‘Create USI’ and follow the steps to create the USI. Once the USI has been completed, please notify the school by providing the created USI.

Year Ten - Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways

Year 10 students are completing the Certificate II in their VFK lessons twice a week. Successful completion of this course this year will result in four QCE points being banked towards their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). Students must achieve twenty points, twelve of these points must come from complete Core courses. The Certificate II course contributes four points of completed Core and meets the literacy and numeracy requirements of the QCE.

Year Eleven - New QCE

The year eleven students are now in week five of the new Senior School system. Efforts have been made in the first weeks of term to make sure your child is enrolled in the subjects/courses that will assist them with their intended career pathways. It is imperative that all students in year eleven are making every effort to successfully participate in their courses of study. Students enrolled in General and Applied Subjects receive one QCE point for each successfully completed unit of work in year eleven. (Unit 1 & Unit 2) This is a change from the previous QCE requirements. Students enrolled in VET qualifications are required to successfully complete the qualification to receive the full QCE points attached to them.

Student Council

The Student Council have participated in two events so far this term. The council cooked a BBQ at the Swimming Carnival on Monday, February 11 to the delight of supervising teachers and students and provided students with the opportunity of purchasing roses for Valentine’s Day. Council members delivered pre-purchased roses to students in classes on Valentine’s Day and to senior school students on Friday, February 15.

The council is currently organising an event for the World’s Greatest Shave on Friday, March 15. Volunteers for leg waxing and head shaving have been called for from students in years eleven and twelve. Students wishing to participate must gain parental consent before signing up. The team name for 2019 is Beerwah SHS 19 should you wish to sponsor the school event online or sponsor an individual student participating.

Leanne Young
HOD Senior Schooling

Future Pathways

Welcome back to 2019 and another busy term one. Many students have been busy over the holidays seeking opportunities, commencing traineeships and progressing with qualification study. It’s shaping up to be another successful and busy year with students engaged in many alternative pathway options including school based traineeships and apprenticeships, Distance Education, Sunshine Coast Technical Trade Training Centre, TAFE courses and other certificate studies.

In term one I will be working five days out of the Industry Liaison office located inside the Resource Centre (next door to the computer tech’s office). Students are welcome to call in before school and at lunch breaks. Information including current vacancies will continued to be displayed on the Performing Arts noticeboard and outside the ILO office as well as through student daily notices, school Facebook page and newsletters.

School based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs)

SATs give students an opportunity to combine training with working in a real job; gaining QCE points, learning the practical workplace skills and continuing full time school studies while earning a part time wage.

We have trainees in hospitality, retail operations, business, information, digital media and technology, sport and recreation, early childhood, horticulture and engineering. Trainees complete their qualification over senior years, graduating with a Certificate II or III. School based apprentices can work in the trade industries such as hairdressing, plumbing, roof plumbing, electro technology, bricklaying, cabinet making, civil construction, automotive electrical technology and painting and decorating. Apprentices complete around 33% of the qualification while at school and then convert to full time apprentices upon graduation.

While new SAT opportunities are advertised, students are encouraged to also seek their own opportunities by talking with their current employers. Please see me for details and helpful information. We place high expectations on all of our trainees and apprentices and students wanting to participate in school based arrangements should be willing to effectively balance school, work, qualification study and in some cases, travel.

As at February 11, 2019 the Education Department has clarified the number of paid days of employment required for school based trainees to be eligible for successful completion. This is based on the nominal term. For example –

Twenty four months full time nominal term = 100 days minimum and
Twelve months full time nominal term = 50 days minimum.

Generally this would be to work a minimum of one day a week with extra days worked on the weekend and school holidays. The SAT must impact on the school timetable and this is achieved with trainees and apprentices using their flexible learning day for work release. There also needs to be clear progress made in the qualification study, with all training plan deadlines met.

New Trainees:

Congratulations to the following new trainees –

Jessica – Cert III Tourism, Landsborough Pines Caravan Park
Rachael – Cert III Hospitality, Glass House Country Kitchen

SUNSHINE COAST TECHNICAL TRADE TRAINING CENTRE

In 2019 we have eleven students participating in programs with the SCTTTC. These students participated in an application and interview process before securing placements. Congratulations students and best wishes for an enjoyable and successful year.

Every year the Beerwah SHS P&C Association provides a scholarship to one student attending the SCTTTC. This year’s recipient is Jai. Congratulations Jai and have a great year.

CERTIFICATE COURSES AND ETERNAL STUDY

Many students have enrolled in courses and programs and are ready to begin study in their chosen area.

Certificate IV Crime & Justice Studies – Several students are continuing with their study in 2019 and there have been a few new enrolments. Amanda Paton from Unity College will be presenting to year eleven Legal Studies students in the near future to outline the course and opportunities. This course, which is fee for service, is studied on line outside of the school timetable and generally studied over year eleven and twelve.

2019 TAFE at School students include -

Noah - Cert III Live Production & Services
Anita - Cert III Visual Arts Photography
Mac – Cert III Music Industry (Performance)

With another year eleven student studying Cert II Health Support Services.

TAFE will have mid-year enrolments open from around April. Interest is registered online through the TAFE apply portal.

Jayden has commenced a Certificate III in Aviation Remote Pilot program with Caloundra SHS.

Aida, Laura, and another year eleven student commenced the collaborative Health Program through Kawana Waters State College in week one.

Banjo has enrolled in the school to work transition programs GenR8 and will study Cert II Logistics and complete work experience with a suitable employer. Marissa has enrolled in the AllevE8 program and will complete a Cert II Health Support Services and work experience. These are great programs that provide valuable qualifications, earn QCE points and can kick start a student’s career. In 2019 students in year eleven were able to enrol for the first time in both the GenR8 and AllevE8 programs

Distance Education

A number of students have elected to begin study a subject through Brisbane School of Distance Education in 2019. Subjects include French, Design, Ancient History, Modern History, Psychology, Physics and Business. Best wishes for a great year ahead to all new and continuing students.

Dual Salon Assistant/Retail Cosmetics

We have been working with 2 Study to have the dual course SHB20216 Cert II Salon assistant & SHB20116 Cert II Retail Cosmetics up and running late in term one. A minimum enrolment needs to be met before training can begin and at this stage could be delayed until term two. Once commenced, training will take place in the Resource Centre on Thursdays over approximately the twenty weeks. This course is for VETiS eligible year eleven and twelve students and provides QCE points. This is a foundation course giving students skills in basic hairdressing tasks, communication techniques and product knowledge. Potential career outcomes include salon assistant, sales person, mark-up artist and a lead into apprenticeships. Late enquiries should be directed to Mrs Forrest asap.

Note on funding:

This is a VETiS funded course – that is no cost to eligible students who have not previously accessed VETiS funding through certificate course study such as Hospitality or FIT at school or other programs such as the Trade Training Centre.

Academic & Cultural Cup

‘Beginnings of the Maroon Dynasty’

Congratulations team Tunbubudla on your 2018 victory in the fourth annual BSHS Academic & Cultural Cup. That makes it three out of four for this very dominant team in Maroon! This really is mirroring ‘State of Origin’ and turning into a dynasty for Tunbubudla. Their team spirit is the envy of many teachers and students.

The resplendent maroon mortarboard now takes pride of place on top of the Academic & Cultural Cup until we award our winning house for 2019 in term four. The points tally currently has the two teams in blue hot on the heels of the leading team. Could this be a breakthrough year for either Miketeebumulgrai or Tibberoowuccum? Both teams have already tasted success in the Cheer Cup and Swimming Carnival respectively. Can they keep the momentum rumbling in the academic and cultural arenas and take out the Academic & Cultural Cup for the first time?

So how can you influence which house colour sits atop our beautiful Academic & Cultural Cup at the end of the year?

• Strive for your personal best; all As, Bs and Cs attained for subject achievement earn ten, five and one points respectively.
• Join one of our school teams: Vocal Group, Dance Company, Stage Band, Concert Band, and Tech Crew (each participant earns twenty five points for a team High Distinction, fifteen points for a team Distinction and five points for a team Credit).
• Enter an organised competition such as The Australian Mathematics competition or The Big Science competition and earn an automatic two points for representing our school. Attain a High Distinction, Distinction or Credit and receive fifty, thirty and ten points respectively.
• Take part in one of our in-school annual events such as the Spelling Bee Tennis Tournament, Mathematics NBA Tournament, Water Polo Trivia Battle, Music Night and Dance Showcase.
• Represent our school academically or culturally at events such as Sunshine Coast Debating Competition, Leadership Conferences, Anzac Day Dawn Service and Voices on the Coast.

As with all of Beerwah High’s Cups, the house that claims victory ultimately possesses the largest percentage of students who participate and strive to deliver their personal best. In particular, success in the Academic & Cultural Cup requires the courage to embrace new endeavours. The champion house needs students that thrive within a team environment as well as those who shine as individuals.

The 2019 celebrations in October will see our fifth group of age champion names added to the Beerwah State High School Scholastic Almanac. These names will join those of the previous forty nine winners! Medallions will once again be presented to the highest scoring male and female in each year level, and prizes sponsored by local businesses will be awarded to the lucky recipients.

So dust off those drumsticks, slip on your leotard; squeeze some paint onto a fresh new palette; polish your rebuttal skills; replace that broken high e string on the guitar; break through that writer’s block and create a literary gem; don an apron and cook up a storm; break open that calculator; warm up those vocal chords; find the star within and let it shine on centre stage, The Academic and Cultural Cup is all about challenging yourself, showcasing your special talents, trying new things and - most importantly - having some fun whilst taking part. 2019 will be full of opportunities to discover hidden talents and interests. “If you don’t try, you forfeit the opportunity.” ― Frank Sonnenberg, Soul Food: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life

Peter Voight
Academic and Cultural Cup Coordinator/Teacher Aide –Learning Support

HPE Update

This year’s swimming carnival took place amidst some unpredictable weather however, what a fantastic day! Even though the temperature was extreme, the high spirits of our students weren’t diminished in the slightest. The students rose to the occasion with a number of students swimming close to or breaking their personal best times. Congratulations to our winning house Tibberoowuccum and all our Age Champions. Special thanks to all the parents who cheered and celebrated the success of their students.

Age Champions:

Steve Jeffery
HOD HPE

Instrumental Music Update

On Tuesday, February 5, five Beerwah State High School Instrumental Music students had the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Creating Leaders through Music Day at Chancellor State College. The day was led by Dr Peter Morris, who is the Senior Lecturer in Conducting and Head of Ensembles at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.

Alongside students from Chancellor State College and Coolum State High School, the students explored the qualities of a leader and were asked to think about some of the situations encountered in rehearsals, then considering how they could respond to them as the leaders within the group. Students were also asked to create a coat of arms and motto for their school Instrumental Music program. Our new Beerwah SHS Instrumental Music motto is ‘Together as One Sound’. We look forward to working together to bring the school community some engaging and entertaining performances this year.

Claire Deady
Instrumental Music Teacher

Road Safety

Are you teaching someone how to drive? Want some advice on how best to prepare your learner and keep them safe on the road?

If you’re interested in learning the important first steps in how to teach your learner driver and ensure they are safe and proficient drivers, book into the next workshop (details provided below) or contact Helenea for more information on 0417 733 906.

Planning for Success: Workshop details (bookings are essential)

Date: Thursday, February 21, 2019
Time: 4pm – 6pm
Location: Maroochydore area – venue and address details provided at time of booking
Bookings: To book, contact Helenea from the Road Safety team on 0417 733 906