3 April 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

I would like to commence by saying a massive thank you to all of the parents who have been so supportive of the staff of Beerwah State High School over the past few weeks. Your emails of support and understanding have been so appreciated by the staff and certainly has assisted in keeping staff motivated and energised to continue to adapt and work to support you and your students.

This has been unprecedented times, with continually changing situations and ways of working, and the staff of Beerwah State High School continue to strive to provide all students with quality learning activities and lessons.

This week of student free days has enabled staff to continue to develop resources and lessons that students will be able to access from home through a variety of ways, to assist students in continuing their learning and education over these turbulent times.

I have endeavoured to keep parents and carers up to date as the Coronavirus crisis continues to develop. Over the upcoming school break, I will continue to keep you informed through my updates which will be available on the school website, the school Facebook page and through emails to parents.

As things stand at the moment, there has been no decision on whether schools will re-open after the Easter break. I envision that these decisions will not occur until late in the break, as the powers that be see what the state of play is within our society regarding the virus at this time.

Currently, we are hoping for the best, but planning for the worst, with planning by staff geared towards the possibility that schools will remain shut for students after the break and students being required to access learning from home.

My previous emails, which are also accessible on the school website, detail the ways that students can access the work created by their teachers, and on how to contact their teachers for assistance.

Basically, if students are still unable to attend school after the Easter break, students will need to access their school emails on a daily basis. Teachers will email students instructions regarding how to access their learning for each subject at the beginning of the week. Students will then need to spend their time working through the learning materials provided for them, emailing teachers if they require any further support or explanations to help them understand the information or activities.

If this is our mode of operation for the start of Term Two, teachers will also email parents so that parents are aware of the work that is being provided for the students.

One suggestion for students and parents, is that students set up their days in a similar fashion to their regular timetable. For example, they may break their day up into 4 lessons – if in their timetable they would have Maths, English, Science, and History on Mondays, then they would be the subjects they worked on during that day so that they give themselves time to complete all the work for each subject each week.

New timetables will be sent out to students at the commencement of Term Two.

This will also make it easier for staff to respond to student questions and emails in a timely fashion if students send these through during the time that they would regularly have a lesson with that teacher.

In saying this, teachers can have up to six classes of twenty five students (up to one hundred and fifty students), so staff may not be able to respond immediately – they will endeavour to respond to any emails in a timely manner of within forty eight hours of receiving any emails.

As well as curriculum work for the students, there will also be a number of resources available to students regarding student well-being and support. This is still being developed and will be available for students to access from the first day of term two. Mr Stead, the Head of student support services, will send an email out to all students at the start of term two with information on how to access this important support information.

Currently there is some well-being information available on the school website, including phone numbers for support networks that students may require.

Reporting for Term One has been postponed until after the holidays. Students are still encouraged to complete assessment and email to staff so that they can receive feedback in regards to their learning. Students who do this will receive an interim result on their report next term. No student will be disadvantaged though due to the current situation; any student who has been unable to complete and provide assessment for whatever reason will receive an NR on the interim report for term one.

Year eleven and twelve students need to be in constant contact with their teachers in regards to their assessment as the rules and expectations regarding their requirements are changing constantly.

Parent/Teacher interviews set down for Term Two at this time will not go ahead due to the social distancing requirements in place across our society at the moment.

There are certainly interesting times ahead. Please rest assured that the staff of Beerwah State High School will be doing everything they can to ensure the continued education of your child during these very different times.

With all that has been going on, it feels like Easter has almost been forgotten – please have a safe and healthy Easter, celebrating this special time with family as best you can,

Please take care everyone,

Matt Samson
Acting Principal

Deputy Principals Report

Applications for positions of Junior and Senior Student Leaders

At the end of the Term Two interested year eight and year eleven students are able to collect a nomination package so they can start the process of nominating for official school leadership positions. A large number of year eight and eleven students have already expressed an interest in leadership and they attended workshops led by Darren Pereira from Success Integrated. The following table indicates what leadership positions may be on offer for 2019-20.

I would encourage students to think about nominating for a school leadership positon. It is a great way to develop your communication and teamwork skills and to make a difference within the school community. Application packages will be made available to students in the last few weeks of term.

Year Sevens

Term One has seen year seven students settle into high school. They have made new friends and started the learning process here at Beerwah State High School. The Head of Year, Mr Cavanagh, has been busy awarding over seventy Beerwah Best awards. These have been presented to students for displaying positive behaviours for learning. Students are actively engaged in learning across all curriculum areas. The teacher and community feedback is that the year sevens are an amazing bunch of young people who are very polite and friendly.

Sam Burchall
Deputy Principal

Future Pathways

It has been an extremely busy start to the term with many students starting alternative programs, putting together resumes and seeking information about pathway options including school based traineeships and apprenticeships, Distance Education, TAFE courses and other certificate studies.

School based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs)

A number of students have met with me this term to talk about traineeships and to find out how they work. It is great to see so much interest and such a high level of motivation. Our newest trainees have applied for advertised vacancies, found their own opportunities and even turned an existing part time job into a traineeship. They have all now commenced and are successfully combining training with paid work while continuing with full time school studies.

Congratulations to new trainees –

Ruby-Jane – Certificate III in Hospitality (Subway)
Tash – Certificate III in Hospitality (Glass House Mountains Tavern)
Willow – Certificate II in Horticulture (Waterworth’s Nursery)

It is also really pleasing to see that we have employers who contact us again when they are ready to sign up new trainees. Feedback from these businesses is always that Beerwah High trainees are great employees who work hard and are willing to learn. Well done to all our past and current trainees and apprentices.

New SAT opportunities for senior students are advertised via school notices, on year level parades and on the noticeboards. Recent opportunities include hospitality traineeships with local Subway stores and a school based apprenticeship in butchery for year eleven or twelve students. See Mrs Forrest with your resume.

CERTIFICATE COURSES

Dual Cert II Salon assistant & Cert II Retail Cosmetics

The dual course commenced on Thursday, March 5 and we welcomed six students who have joined us from Maleny. We have a total of eighteen trainees enrolled this year. All our trainees have been punctual, respectful and mature in their approach to studies and they also look professional in their salon wear.

Note on funding:

Like other Certificate II offerings, this is a VETiS funded course – that is no cost to eligible students. To be eligible for VETiS courses students are not currently enrolled in another VETiS course or have not previously accessed VETiS funding through certificate course study.

WHITE CARD INDUCTION DAY

Our White Card induction day took place on Thursday, March 19 and saw twenty four students successfully gain this important qualification. Instructed by Senior Construction teacher, Mr Josh Bell, students worked through the unit of competency CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to Work Safely in the Building & Construction Industry. Again students conducted themselves appropriately in what we consider is an adult learning environment. Students who have not already collected their laminated White Card and a Statement of Attainment can see Mrs Forrest.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Work experience is a great opportunity for students to learn about a job or industry first hand, where they can participate in on the job tasks and develop some valuable skills. It allows experience to be gained in a variety of work areas and can build on existing capabilities. It is often a great way to obtain references as well as enhance employability by showing motivation, reliability and a positive attitude.

School students are able to participate in up to 30 days work experience or structured workplace learning in any twelve months and a work placement agreement can be completed through the school for insurance cover. Employers may have special requirements, for example a dress code or WHS requirements. In construction and trades a White Card Construction is an industry requirement. Risk assessments made need to be completed depending on the industry, business or activities.

Work experience is student initiated and a good way to seek a placement is to put together a resume and start networking. Talking to family, friends and neighbours is a good place to start as is speaking to people met through sporting clubs and gyms.

Defence Force Work Experience

I recently attended a Coordinator’s Work Experience Day at Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane. This was a great day and an opportunity to sample some of the program students participate in when they attend the four day program at Enoggera. I was able to visit the Night Training Facility and experience walking through various simulated environments wearing night vison goggles. In the Battle Simulation Centre I watched soldiers complete training drills and was able to handle the weapons. In the Weapons Training Simulation System building I sat at a computer with multiple screens and ‘participated’ as a foot solider in a battle simulation. I require a lot more practice with that! These were just some of the amazing areas that students are able to access as part of the work experience programs.

Placements are available in specialist areas as well, including in the Malaria & Infectious Disease Institute and as a musician with the Army Band. A highlight of the day was a performance by members of the Australian Army Band Brisbane.

Students who are considering Defence careers or who would just like to participate in an exciting work experience placement should visit the website below and also come to see Mrs Forrest.

Future programs and events:

TAFE Qld Year Ten Trade Taster Program

On Monday, March 16 year ten students were given the opportunity to apply for the 2020 TAFE Trade Taster Programs. These were enormously popular and successful programs last year and allowed year ten students to try out a variety of trades as a potential pathways. Due to commence in Term Two, the students will attend TAFE one day a week over nine weeks and will try at least three different trades as well as have the opportunity to complete their White Card. Confirmation of places and commencement of the program should be communicated to all applicants next week.

Take care over the holiday period.

Helen Forrest
Industry & Vocational Training Officer

Clean Up Australia Day

Picking up rubbish is not something many people are excited to do and it is a shame it is at all necessary. Luckily, a group of twenty, wonderful Beerwah State High School students, a parent, a sibling, two community members and five motivated teachers were excited to pull on their yellow gloves, grab a bag and work together to help our environment. Our school sits within a beautiful setting and these selfless volunteers displayed respect, safety and responsibility by gathering litter (mostly toxic plastic – which can be recycled through the right systems) to reduce harm to our wildlife, soil and waterways.

Thank you, volunteers, for caring and being great role models in our society.

Ms Donna Grant
Teacher

Borneo Trip Raffle

Even though we can’t go to Borneo at this point in time we went ahead with the raffle and the winners were.

1st Prize – Paula
2nd Prize – Emma
3rd Prize – Jan

We have contacted all prize winners. Thank you for your support.

Mark Lightbody
Senior Teacher

P&C Shorts Survey

The P&C are proposing to add a unisex sport short as an additional uniform item. Please have your say by clicking on the below survey link.

Thank you
Justine Baker
P&C President

Inside Outside Dance Ensemble - Dance Classes for People With Disabilities

InsideOutside Dance Ensemble is Dance school for people with Disabilities, It is a charitable organisation based in Brisbane.

They work with all level of disabilities and provide them with the opportunities to learn a variety of dance styles and to receive on stage performance experiences.

Please click on the link for more information.

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