3 June 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Over the last past month a number of our students have demonstrated excellence in their chosen fields. We wish to acknowledge them and wish them all the best in their upcoming events.

Indy Munro She has recently been selected as one of fourteen girls from QLD to form a squad for the 2019 Kochi City Tour in Japan in August. Japan are number one in the world in softball. She will get the opportunity to train and play with the best in the world. They will also visit local schools and do some sightseeing. It’s a huge achievement being the youngest on the team.

Another of our successful students has been Sharnte Wilson. Sharnte recently came away with four National titles with her Quarter horses at National Show Down Under in Tamworth and was selected in the in the Australian team for the Trans-Tasman Championship against New Zealand in September.

Mitchell Jennings has been selected in the Queensland Fifteen Years Rugby League (White Team). They will participate in the National Championships at Redcliffe against teams from all across Australia including teams from Queensland Maroons, NSW Catholic, Independent and Public Schools.

The Beerwah Dance Company has been involved a number of competitions over the last couple of weeks. At the Sunshine Coast Eisteddfod the students produced excellence performances with two first places – Contemporary and Hip Hop as well as a 3rd place for Jazz, 4th for Lyrical performance and was Highly Commended for a Musical Theatre performance.

Then last weekend the Beerwah Dance Company performed at the Brisbane Eisteddfod. We are very proud of the students as they were placed in four out of six routines. This is a HUGE achievement, in quite possibly the toughest competition in South East Queensland where performances could be compared to professional youth dance companies.

They placed 2nd in the Contemporary section, 5th Place – Lyrical (out of twenty three entrants) and were Highly Commended in both their Jazz and Hip Hop performances. Congratulations to all students involved but also to Miss Rossberg for the hours that she has invested in the BDC. The results are indicative of your passion and talent.

Congratulations to all students involved but also to Miss Rossberg for the hours that she has invested in the BDC. The results are indicative of your passion and talent.

School Review

Every three years, school undertake a Full School Review. Representatives from the School Improvement Unit (SIU) will visit the school speaking with students, staff, parents and Community members to acknowledge our successes over the past 4 years and to provide feedback for the school to use in setting our strategic plan for the next 4 years. The Review will be conducted on July 15-17.

As you would be aware our EXPLICIT IMPROVEMENT AGENDA this year is to improve the results of our students by targeting WRITING and ATTENDANCE.

Students in years seven to nine have been given a notebook in the core subjects (English, Mathematics, Science and Humanities) for them to work on their “On Demand” writing.

The other area of our Explicit Improvement agenda – Attendance has a target of 90% for all students. All families were sent a Performance Profile that gave families not only academic achievement data but also provided attendance rates for the year to date. We are asking all students and their families to be aware of their rate of attendance and consider how this might be improved if it is below our target rate of 90%.

Uniform

Can I thank all those parents and students supporting the school’s dress code. Unfortunately, there are a number of students who are not adhering to the agreed standards. Key areas that parents can follow up with their children are around jumpers, black socks, high cut boots and nose rings. Your assistance in ensuring that your child adheres to the enrolment expectations they agreed to, will be greatly appreciated.

Finance

We are now over half way through Term Two and unfortunately there are significant number accounts that are outstanding. The end of Term One was the date that the school asks that all families to have either paid or have established a payment plan for the School Resource Scheme and Subject fees. Letters have been sent to all families earlier this term outlining the procedures for the payment of these fees. Without these funds the school and subject areas can become restricted in what can be offered to students. If you have concerns or any questions please contact the school administration.

Thanks to all the parents who replied to the survey question in the last newsletter. This newsletter question is again focussed on parent involvement. In 2018, “63.9% of parents felt that the school encourages them to participate in school activities.”

Survey Question – What school activities would you be willing to participate in?

Glen Robinson
Principal

Deputy Principal’s Update

A warm greeting to all our families at Beerwah State High School. Term Two has been an exciting and busy term so far. The administration team is committed to all of our students achieving success in a multitude of differing pathways. Our explicit improvement agenda is attendance and writing. We are targeting student attendance and an improvement in the process of writing.

ANZAC DAY – April 25

Thank you to all the students and staff who were involved in our school ANZAC DAY parade and to the students who attended the community dawn and main service. Lest we forget.

PARENT AND STUDENT EVENING - May 7

Thank you to all the parents and carers for attending parent teacher interviews. It was wonderful to see so many parents having student performance discussions with teachers. Receiving feedback is such an important part of improving outcomes, identifying targets and learning goals and ensuring that we all know how are students are travelling at school. Can I also thank our dedicated teaching staff for putting aside an evening of family time.

NAPLAN – May 14, 15, 16

Thank you to all our year seven and nine students who sat Naplan tests in week four. These standardised tests give students, parents and the school community an opportunity to identify where students are sitting against national standards. This data can be used in a variety of ways to support student learning. Thank you to all staff who assisted with the administration of these tests. We appreciated your work.

YEAR EIGHT AFTERNOON OF AWESOME

Our Year Eight students and their teachers had an afternoon of awesome on the May 17. Students were involved in a range of activities around thinking, problem solving and physical challenges. Students had Domino’s pizza for lunch and enjoyed an afternoon different to their normal routine. Thank you to Steve Jefferies and Val Lane for organising the afternoon.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

Thank you to all the Year Eight and Eleven students who submitted applications for student leadership. Student leaders will be announced on the June 21. Some of our student leaders went to Beerwah Primary school on Friday, May 24 to run activities for their Under 8s Day. It was great to see the older students working with children under eight and secretly love playing with slime! Who doesn’t love slime? Thank you to the following students-

SORRY DAY – June 4

Sorry Day is coming up and will be on Tuesday, June 4. Year Seven to Ten students will be involved in a special parade.

SUCCESS INTEGRATED – June 5

Our Year Ten students will be involved in a Success Integrated session on ‘Shaping your Destiny’. This will run from 9.00am to 12.30pm. Students will then go back to normal classes for the day. Success Integrated is an interactive presentation and the presenters are inspiring and motivating.

MUSICAL PERFORMANCE June 6 and 7– ROME SWEET ROME

Something exciting to look forward to is our theatre restaurant and school musical performance on Thursday and Friday nights. A huge thanks in advance to the entire team of staff who work collaboratively to make these events happen and provide our students with the opportunity to showcase their talents on stage and in the kitchen.

BLOCK EXAMS June 17 to 21– Year Ten and Twelve students

The Block exam timetable will be published in week seven. Students MUST attend school when they have an exam/assessment or catch up session. Where students are NOT timetabled on for a session, their attendance is not required. Please ensure that you and your students plan for this variation to school routine.

CYBERSAFETY WORKSHOPS – June 12

Our Year Seven, Eight and Nine students will be involved in cyber safety workshops on the June 13. At Beerwah SHS we want all of our students to be safe online and to be educated about making appropriate choices online. This workshop educates students and gives them tools to use to navigate their way around the on line world.

ATHLETICS DAY – June 25 and 26

We are looking forward to our two athletics days coming up in week ten. Please come on down to the ovals and watch the students participate. These days are a great opportunity to connect with other families, staff and celebrate student success.

As we move into winter and the weather is cooler, can all parents please ensure that students are wearing the correct school uniform and are looking after their health. Whilst we have a focus on attendance, we don’t expect students to come to school when they are unwell. We want them at home recuperating and recovering.

Beerwah State High School is a good school, with great kids and great staff. Our PBL (positive behaviour for learning) community makes us great. If you would like to be involved in our PBL community, please let me know. We encourage parent voice in this process. Thank you to you all for being a part of the BSHS community and for making it a great school.

Samantha Burchall
Acting Deputy Principal

Camp Borneo Jungle School Expedition

Borneo here we come – Easter 2020

“The opportunity to travel overseas is here! We have teamed up with Camps International to give our students an amazing experience on the wonderful island of Borneo, in South East Asia.

Camps International operates across four continents and shares a common goal: solving global problems on a local scale. They have embedded themselves at the heart of local communities. They are part of their culture, and as a result, get to work with some of the most interesting, exciting and innovative people, cultures and environments. Above all, they are impact. With Camps International, you can rest assure that a school trip benefits more than just your child. Join us and together we can be part of the solution, in Borneo.

This will be an amazing experience for you combining travel with meaningful impact, volunteering project work and cultural exchange. Whilst on expedition, you’ll take an impressive commute to life-changing project work as you jump on board a boat and set off down the Kinabatangan River, spotting wildlife along the banks, assist at local schools, reading books or playing sports and simply getting involved with the local communities. It’s not just project work either, an adventure awaits!

You’ll embark on a 4-5 day trek through the jungle, surrounded by exotic wildlife, sleeping in hammocks beneath a jungle canopy, sleeping in one of the world’s most stunning natural gardens. An expedition to Borneo wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the world-renowned Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary where you’ll be introduced to orphaned and injured Orangutans before they’re released back into the wild. This will certainly be an experience you will never forget.

Students can collect information from the school front office.

Sheriece Kamp
Expedition Coordinator – Queensland
Camps International Group

Finance Update

Student Resource Scheme and Subject Fees

All SRS and Subject Fees should now be paid in full for the 2019 year unless you are participating in an active payment plan; thank you to those who have paid thus far. If you have not paid your students account in full and currently do not have the means to do so in one lump sum payment please contact our cashier to organise a payment plan. Active participation in a payment plan will allow your student to continue to participate in extra-curricular activities and can spread the cost over the remaining year making payments more manageable.

Statements will be mailed home over the coming week. Please contact the office if you believe there is a mistake on your invoice.

If you are experiencing financial hardship please contact the office and we will organise an appointment with our Administration team to see where we are able to offer assistance.

Student Resource Scheme Participation Forms

We currently have a large number of participation forms that have not been signed off by parents/guardians and returned to admin for processing. Over the coming weeks your students may bring home a form to be signed and returned. This form is required to be signed for each year your student is enrolled at Beerwah State High School. If your student brings home a form please ensure its speedy return to the office for recording and filing.

Cashier Opening Hours

Student Access to Cash Collection Window

Monday to Friday
8.00am to 8.50am
11.20am to 11.55am

Parent Access to Cash Collection Window

Monday to Friday
8.00am to 2.30pm

Please be aware that payments made outside the above hours will need to occur by Bpoint or QParents. Any concerns can be directed to our cashier by phone between 8am and 3.00pm.

Hellen Nolen
Business Manager

Messages from the Front Office

Updating Contact Details

Ae your contact details correct? Have you moved houses recently, changed mobile phone numbers OR need to make changes to your listed emergency contacts?

All these details and more can be updated via QParents or by contacting the office on 5436 5333.

QParents

Have you signed up for QParents yet? Did you know you are able to change contact details, pay invoices, update absence information, see your student’s current timetable and retrieve report cards via QParents?

For information on signing up to QParents please contact the office on 5436 5333.

Hellen Nolen
Business Manager

Senior Update

The new QCE system

The QCAA have produced new hard copy resources for school communities and these will be distributed to all Year Ten and Eleven students in week six. Students will receive a myQCE postcard, a brochure about the new QCE system and a letter from the Minister for Education and Minister for Industrial Relations, Grace Grace MP

Learning Accounts for Students

Learning accounts for Years Ten and Eleven students in the new QCE system will be available via the myQCE website from term three.

Current Year Twelve students can still access their learning accounts via the Student Connect website.

Senior Formal

The Senior Formal for the 2019 cohort will be on Monday, November 11 at the Caloundra Events Centre. More details will follow in the coming weeks.

Block Exams

Block Exams for Year Ten and Twelve students will be in week nine of this term. Students will be issued an examination timetable later in the term.

OP-eligible Year Twelve students will be completing three practice QCS Tests at the end of scheduled subject exams. These will be the Writing Task, Short Response and a Multiple Choice Paper. OP-eligible students are required to complete these practice tests as part of their QCS Test preparation.

Year Eleven students completing General, Applied Essential and Applied Subjects will have a Block Exam at the end of Term Three, at the conclusion of Unit two work.

Leanne Young
Senior School HOD

Future Pathways

School based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs)

SATs provide students with an opportunity to combine training with paid work. As well as gaining QCE points trainees and apprentices learn practical workplace skills and develop valuable employability skills. The formal qualification training is delivered by a registered training organisation and this is funded under User Choice – so not cost to the trainee. There are minimum work release hours to be completed as well as the units of competency in the relevant qualification. Students interested in SATs need to be able to balance all of their school, study and work commitments.

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, 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.

New SAT opportunities for senior students are advertised via school notices, on year level parades and on the noticeboards. Often these come via a registered training organisation. The best way to apply is by submitting a resume for an advertised position through the school.

Information relating to school based traineeships and apprenticeships will be available at our upcoming Career Pathways expo on Tuesday, June 11.

Metro North Hospital & Health traineeships

A number of interested Year Ten students attended an information session conducted by Kylie Boccuzzi from Youth Engagement regarding health traineeships in 2020/2021. Traineeships on offer at Caboolture (and Redcliffe) hospital include nursing, business administration, aged care, allied health assistance and dental assisting. These students will receive application packs in due course.

CERTIFICATE COURSES

Dual Cert II Salon assistant & Cert II Retail Cosmetics

Dual course trainees have continued to enjoy practical placement days at host salon Beerwah Hair and Beauty as well as continue to study the theory components. Balancing all school and study commitments is necessary to ensure that students are successful and will be qualified in the certificate II at the end of the course.

Kawana Waters State College Collaborative Health Program

Kawana Waters State College recently announced a Term Three intake into the Collaborative Health Program. This was open to current year eleven students interested in the eighteen month program which will run one day per week at their college. The new intake will commence in term three and with Expression of Interests due May 24 it was expected that places would fill quickly. The program includes both a Certificate II Health Support Services, Certificate II Community Services and Certificate III Health Services Assistant.

A representative from Kawana Waters State College will be attending our Career Pathways expo on June 11 and current year tem students who may be considering a health pathway should ensure that they visit this display.

SAVE THE DATE – CAREER PATHWAYS & SUBJECT EXPO

Year Ten, Eleven and Twelve students and their families are invited to attend Beerwah High’s annual Career Pathways and Subject Information Expo on Tuesday, June 11 from 3.30pm to 6.00pm in the school Student Centre.

This is an opportunity for year tens to:

• Meet face to face with HODs and subject teachers
• Consider training and apprenticeship/traineeship options in the lead up to SET Planning.
• Attend a presentation on the new QCE and ATAR.
• Education Services students will have the opportunity to attend presentations from disability support agencies.

For year eleven and twelves, they can:

• Explore post school study options with universities, TAFE and other training providers
• Find out about career pathways in apprenticeships, traineeships, Defence and Police services

The career, study and subject displays will include:

• Universities and TAFE Qld
• Sunshine Coast Technical Trade Training Centre
• Registered Training Organisations offering qualifications in health, community services, hair and beauty, childcare, fitness, hospitality, crime and justice studies and music, sound production and performance.
• Qld Police Service
• Australian Defence Force
• Industry and business representatives in childcare, health, retail, business, trades, hospitality and tourism
• Subject information – Learning Technologies & Business, The Arts, Industrial Technology & Design, Science, The Humanities, Communications, Mathematics and Education Services

Helen Forrest
Industry Liason Officer

Staff versus Student Frisbee Game

Being the fourth Staff versus Student game of Ultimate Frisbee here at Beerwah High, it was a make or break moment for the student team - after all, the teachers had wiped the floor with them every single game previously. The students had no choice. They had to bring their very best if they had any chance of winning against the teachers. And did they ever. I think this year they pretty much had the best student players in the school – Declan, Samson, Jaren, Noah, Brayden, Deegan, Bayley and Riley. They were going to be tough to beat.

Some of our esteemed colleagues had last minute commitments which meant they couldn’t line up to take on this student dream team but Nick Stead, Will Audley, Leigh-Anne Fraser, Justin Mayes and I believed we had what it would take to take down this team. Thankfully a few students jumped in to give us a hand.

Straight off the bat, the student team came out firing on all cylinders with a quick succession of goals within the first ten minutes. Unfortunately the champion teacher side seemed to be on the back foot for the rest of the game. One of the high lights of the game from the teacher’s perspective was Nick Stead’s beautiful arcing pass around about three student players to the hands of (teacher sub) Shannon who was waiting in the end-zone. The final score was eight to two in favour of the students. The students finally got their team name on the trophy.

Mike Turner
School Chaplain

Dance Team Update

Beerwah Dance Team, our new community performance dance troupe, are getting ready for their first performance at Maleny Show on May 31. They have learnt two routines, a contemporary and a hip-hop dance. Dancers are also working with over one hundred dancers from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast to learn another routine to participate in “Corpus Linea” a youth dance work. This will be choreographed by Melissa Lanham, and will debut at the new Maroochydore Cultural Centre in August.

Dancers of all ages are in Dance Team; working together, choreographing, learning new skills and having fun collaborating. Ms Peters is super proud of their efforts and their commitment to the group. Good luck for Friday at Maleny Show!

Michelle Peters
Dance Teacher

HPE Update

Congratulations to our Triathlon Age Champions

Congratulations to the Tiberoowuccum House and our Cross Country Age Champions!

Steve Jeffery
HPE HOD

Year 12 Biology Camp

On the morning of the May 13, a sleepy bunch of Year Twelve girls boarded the bus for a trip to Stradbroke Island for three days of Biology field testing. While on the island, the students were surrounded by a variety of different ecosystems, which housed a variety of organisms, both plants and animals. At each different site, the girls completed various tests, including pH, temperature, salinity, as well as many others. Their drawing skills were also put to the test, sketching the vast plant life. As well as visiting the mangroves, a rocky shore, and a sand dune needed for their assessment, the students also completed the North Gorge Board Walk, around Pt Lookout. The girls were amazed at the views that could be seen, as well as spotting a few sea creatures, including some turtles. Even though it was a school camp, the camp site consisted of cabins that overlooked Moreton Bay. It was spectacular viewing at sunrise and sunset, and you could also see a pod of dolphins playing in the bay, close to the jetty and beach. Cylinder Beach was also a perfect rest spot, with many of the girls choosing to brave the cold water to go for a swim. A few girls also conquered a massive sand dune to reach the top and view the remarkable sights around Stradbroke Island. Other sights were visited as well, including Brown Lake and Myora Springs, where more testing was conducted. These tests were all discussed and compared to each other at the various sights. It was a long tree days, with the girls busily recording data and answering questions, to the point where almost everyone was still writing on the barge home. A big thank you to Ms Thomas, Mr Schneider and Miss Liesegang for their knowledge of Ecology!

Emma Liesegang
Biology Teacher

Theatre Restaurant Update

All Roads Lead To Rome

Beerwah High’s musical this year is the theatre restaurant, “Rome Sweet Rome”, a show full of comedy, well-chosen songs and dance routines. Directors, Rebecca Stephenson and Debbie Holland are thrilled with the progress the students are making in developing their whacky roles. There’s Nero who’s a real mummy’s boy, Cassandra, the highly dramatic soothsayer and Boadecia, the fierce man hating warrior queen. Throw in some goofy gladiators, some feisty temple maidens and the crazy Dr Twitch and you have a recipe for a very silly but entertaining storyline.

Dinner is an Italian inspired menu catered by the Year Eleven and twelve Hospitality classes under the capable guidance of Irene Lucke and Kate Johnston. Choices include favourites such as beef ragu with pasta, chicken cacciatore, vegetarian lasagne, lemon ricotta dessert cake and tiramisu.

Debbie Holland
Senior Teacher

Communications Update

Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards

Students - would you like to win $500 PLUS a wonderful collection of books from a number of publishing houses? Create a poem on any subject or use the optional theme: "Is There Anybody There?" You may enter up to three poems. Poems must not be longer than eighty lines. Please email all entries to Mrs Morton by Friday, June 21 (jmort157@eq.edu.au). For more information check out the website:

The 2019 Sunshine Coast Schools Debating Competition

The 2019 Sunshine Coast Schools Debating Competition aims to promote debating as an activity for all students and provide a supportive, fun yet competitive environment.

The 2019 tournament features four preliminary rounds:

• Round 1 - Wednesday July 24
• Round 2 - Wednesday July 31
• Round 3 - Wednesday August 7
• Round 4 - Wednesday August 14

The competition is free for students and takes place at a host school in the evening. Interested students must see Mrs. Morton in Staffroom D ASAP.

Julie Morton
Communications Teacher

Academic & Cultural Cup

Beerwah High 2019 Spelling Bee

‘Years Eight and Nine experience thrills and excitement as they exercise their spelling prowess on our centre court!’

After a few weeks rest over the school holidays, our MU06 centre court was fresh, rejuvenated, and in prime condition as our year eight and nine cohorts brought an onslaught of laughter, competitive edge, spirit and tactical gameplay to their respective tournaments.

The fifth annual BSHS Spelling Bee Tennis Championships have been another hugely successful event with Beerwah High students revelling in the one-of-a-kind spelling bee tennis format that is one of the fabulous ingredients that makes our school unique. This is an event that always attracts more than 20% of the school’s student body, and amazes both teachers and students alike with the way that it excites competitors about what in essence is the spelling of varying difficulties of words. Who knew spelling could lead to so much excited shouting, nail biting, tension, team spirit and pure joy. The tennis rally format and tactical gameplay certainly spices up the competition and levels the playing field so that students of all abilities can compete and taste success. Congratulations to our 2019 champions and well done to all competitors for a hugely successful event.

BSHS 2019 Spelling Bee Champion Teams

BSHS 2019 Year 9 Spelling Bee Grand Champions

Miketeebumulgrai

Harrison, Joshua, Tamara, Jessie

BSHS 2019 Year 8 Spelling Bee Grand Champions

Tunbubudla

Lexie, Riley, Jessamy, Charlotte

For more photos and the tournament results for year 8 and 9, please click on the below links.

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

Youth Support Coordinator

Hello, my name is Marie Kelleher. I am the Youth Support Coordinator (YSC) at Beerwah State High School.

I work with students who are either disengaged; or at risk of disengaging. The YSC Initiative aims to: increase participation; support attainment of Year Twelve or an equivalent qualification; improve successful transitions; promote social inclusion; and reduce educational disadvantage.

I am currently working with The Smith Family to support the parents of Beerwah State High School; where you can learn about saving and budgeting. Please see below:

You will find me in Student Services every Monday and Tuesday. Aside from one-to-one case management; I facilitate a restorative yoga session which runs for three weeks each term. The restorative yoga supports students who experience worry, sadness, and relationship/friendship and family issues. In addition, I run a weekly lunch time drop-in session where students will find board games, Uno, and more.

Marie Kelleher
Youth Support Coordinator (YSC)

Items Offered for Sale by Beerwah State High School – Trailer, Drill Press, Chisel, Guillotine

For more details and photos please click on the link.

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