26 August 2022

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Dear Parents, Carers and Community

Term 3 can be a long term, given the wet and cold weather and the increase in sickness with COVID/colds/flu/sickness. We are seeing a pattern of decline in student’s attendance, their resilience and their motivation. This is not just due to Term 3, but this is a result of the ongoing impact of COVID as well as societal pressures such as mobile phones and social media as well as other local and global issues. We are seeing a rise in poverty and displacement in the Beerwah and surrounding areas and this is causing an increase in stress and pressure for our families. We all need to work together to reclaim our spark for education, our motivation to be positive and to set goals for future success. I want students and families to feel supported at Beerwah SHS. We have the most amazing group of staff who are totally committed to your children and I would encourage you all to let us know if you or your families need a helping hand.

Support for Beerwah Youth

There are a number of community organisations that are joining together to support our youth who are at risk. Some of these young people may display some behaviours which we would categorise as high risk or inappropriate, however we try to look beyond their behaviours to identify the underlying reasons that they may behave in this way. Often trauma, medical diagnosis, mental health or possibly drug dependency issues may be present. IFYS, Other support agencies, the State government, Council and local businesses are banding together to discuss a range of services that can be offered to these young people. Last week, IFYS started an outreach service at the skatepark to link in with young people who may be experiencing some challenges. This will be happening each Tuesday. I encourage any community member or business owner to contact myself personally if you are concerned or are having issues. We visit our local businesses to offer support and we encourage our students to be upstanding members of the community on all occasions.

Year 7 Camp

Working with teenagers gives us many moments of entertainment and pride for our young people. For myself, the Yr 7 camp was one of those experiences. I spent time with students on the Tuesday at camp and learnt many more names. I enjoyed the giant possum pull swing and archery but most of all enjoyed hearing stories and seeing how students were building relationships and participating in the activities. Fantastic work to the staff for building a positive culture with the students on camp and for your excellent organisation. If you have any feedback on the camp please let us know.

School Opinion Survey

Beerwah SHS's vision is to constantly improve opportunities for our staff and students. We know that Beerwah SHS is a wonderful school, our staff and students tell me this all of the time. However, there is always room for improvement. Thank you to those parents and carers who took the time to complete the School Opinion survey. At last count, over 120 parents had completed the survey. This is a considerable increase over previous years. I will release the results once we are able to access the data.

P & C

Thank you to our P & C who are just the loveliest group of people who are supporting our school and staff. It is a delight to catch up with you each month and your positive energy is infectious. I would encourage any new parents from our Yr 7 group or students new to the school to join in on this group. The P & C raise funds for the school through uniform and tuckshop sales and they are currently raising funds by raffling a large screen TV that was kindly donated by MP, Jason Hunt State member for Caloundra.

Year 6 Enrolment Interviews

Yr 6 enrolment interviews were conducted in the Resource Centre on three consecutive Tuesdays after school and it was fabulous to see the number of parents and students who participated in this event. The afternoons are informative and aim to transition both parents and students to a secondary school environment. Thank you to our staff for your comprehensive work getting these afternoons organised. The feedback from our coalition primary schools and our incoming parents has been very positive. I look forward to seeing our Yr 6s visit us again later in the year.

Student Investiture

Student investiture ceremonies are one of my favourite events each year. To recognise our student leaders in the presence of our community, including parents, is wonderful. The recent ceremony was fantastic and I would like to thank Mr Siddell DP and his large team of staff for their organisation, speeches, catering, musical entertainment and all round help. At this ceremony, I spoke to the students about my expectations for them as leaders and I encourage them to have a voice to champion their causes. Congratulations to our new leaders, we are very proud of you.

30th Year celebrated in the Glass House Country News

Student free day

Just a reminder that Friday 2nd September is a student free day. The school will be closed on this day.

District Athletics success

Congratulations to the staff and students who competed in the District Athletics recently. There were some phenomenal success stories and their participation and commitment is inspiring. See our Facebook page for updates.

Our Staff

We recognised our cleaners on Thursday 18/8/2022 by giving them all a token of our appreciation. Thank you to our wonderful group of staff who keep the school clean and safe each and every day and who still manage to smile and enjoy their work even when faced with challenges. Please take the time this week to say a special thank you to our cleaning staff. THANK YOU TEAM!

Security

We have been allocated nightly patrols by a Security company. Community members are being reminded to stay out of the school after hours.

LATE TO CLASS SWEEPS

Due to some issues with students getting to class on time we will be conducting LATE TO CLASS SWEEPS.

Wk 6 - Heads of Year will be informing students of upcoming LATE to class SWEEPS and this will also be on notices.

Wk 7 - We will implement a timetable involving our Leadership group who will be out at end of L1 and L2, issuing on the spot detentions to students who are late to class.

• 1st bell - staff and students are to start moving to class.
• 2nd bell - staff are to be expected to be at the class and the lesson commences.

Upcoming date claimers

Awards Night – Tues 15 November in the evening, Term 4

Good luck to our students participating in the Dance Night, Crocs Basketball teams, Surge Spectacular Musical performances, amongst so many other events. So much going on and so much success for all.

Kind regards,

Lyn McDonald
B. Bus, M. of Ed. Research

Academic & Cultural Cup

BSHS visited by Willy Wonka on the eve of eight annual Academic & Cultural Cup Ceremony

By Peter Voigt (Academic & Cultural Cup Coordinator/Teacher Aide – Learning Support)

Many Beerwah High students were ‘gobsmacked’ when they were addressed by an incredibly special guest at their recent assembly. Most thought Willy Wonka had disappeared on an everlasting holiday in Loompaland with his beloved Oompa Loompas, after handing over his world-famous chocolate factory in 2005. But let's face it, only a handful of students in attendance were even born when Mr Wonka disappeared!

Last year while Loompaland was in lockdown, Mr Wonka had been playing with a new TV invention, and happened upon a digital broadcast of the 2021 BSHS Academic & Cultural Cup Ceremony. He was captivated and wanted a taste of the real thing when he found out that the 2022 edition would once again return to a live stage after two years in the digital landscape. “The performances in their ceremony reminded me of my dear, dear Oompa Loompas - so very in time, dressed for success, highly entertaining, and well, just delectable, really! But that trophy – divine; superbly sensational!” he said. “The only thing missing from it is the chocolate churning out of the top. Simply the best fondue I have ever seen! I am hoping they will allow me to make some modifications!”

Mr Wonka promised the students at Beerwah High some special highlights during this year’s ceremony. According to Mr Wonka, form teachers will very soon be visited by ‘Oompa Mail,’ each receiving a bundle of specially made golden tickets for the event. As well as granting VIP seating at the ceremony, he promised that some lucky ticket holders may even be fortunate enough to taste some of the leftover candy from his days in the chocolate factory.

With an absolute flood of points pouring in from the many amazing efforts and achievements by our outstanding students, there was some frantic allocating and tallying, as we drew nearer to the ceremony for our BSHS 8th Annual Academic & Cultural Cup ceremony, which was held on Monday, 22nd August.

Which of our houses will claim supremacy in the field of academia and culture for 2022? Will Ngungun retain the crown and take the cup out for the third time? Will Tunbubudla make a return to claim their fifth cup in eight attempts? Can Tibberoowuccum claim their second title? Or will Miketeebumulgrai emerge from the shadows to finally see what their dark-blue mortarboard looks like perched atop of the coveted cup.

The end-of-year ceremony is shaping up as a magnificent showcase of the exceptional talents possessed by Beerwah High students. Excitement is at fever pitch with the return of our school’s calendar highlight, after spending the last two years castaway and adrift in the digital world of Cyberland. Many of Beerwah High’s outstanding performance groups are feverishly polishing their acts to entertain and impress at the live ceremony.

Once again, our school is blessed to have the support of many local businesses that have sponsored the year level male and female age champions who will be announced at the ceremony. A huge thanks to Vianta Espresso & Wine Bar, Australia Zoo, Aussie World, Blast Aqua Park Coolum, Laserzone, The Coffee Club, Beerwah Flowers & Gifts, Beerwah Newsagency, Baan Thai Restaurant, Spinners Tenpin Bar & Bowl Caloundra, and Beerwah P & C Association, who have provided some amazing prizes. The medallions are ready, and the prizes are wrapped! The pen is freshly inked and ready for our 2022 champions to add their signatures to the Beerwah High Scholastic Almanac. Good luck to all our talented students - and may the brightest, most gifted, and enthusiastic house win!

Digital Technologies Update

Head of Department Update – Digital Technologies and Humanities BYOD and Laptop Hire

Thank you to our parents and carers who ensure that students are bringing a device every day to school to support their learning in our 21st Century classrooms. We are continuing to expand the use of digital tools in our classrooms and require each student to have a device everyday across all year levels and subject areas. Throughout the year, I make regular contact with parents and carers of students who are showing as not having a device on our records. I am commonly told in replies that the students do have a device so your support in making sure that these devices make it to our classrooms each day is appreciated.

We will continue to ensure students are supported to be connected with a device for the remainder of the year and beyond.

If you are still looking to purchase a BYOD device, it is strongly recommended that you refer to our purchasing letter and provide this to your preferred retailer to ensure that any device purchased will be compatible with the school network environment. Google Chromebooks are not compatible with our network.

This document is available from the link below.

We also have a range of Laptop Hire Options where we can supply a device to your child for a fee with payment plan options available.

If you aren’t able to commit finically to a device option for your child to, please contact us to discuss your circumstances. We want to work with you to connect your child at Beerwah SHS. Students are required to access a range of digital textbooks and other online resources in class on a daily basis.

Onboarding Support

Students are encouraged to on-board their own devices at home by following the instructions available on our website. Alternatively, Mr Woolner, our Technical Officer is available to assist at the following times via the IT Support Office in the Resource Centre.

Please visit our website to learn more about options currently available to support you in getting your student Connected @ Beerwah.

If you wish to discuss your BYOD needs further, please contact our IT Department via itsupport@beerwahshs.eq.edu.au or encourage your student to pop in and see us at the Resource Centre. We will work with you to ensure that your child can be connected @ Beerwah.

Website Risk Review – Updated Consent

Recently, parents and carers (one per student) have been e-mailed to request updated consent to use a range of web-services for educational purposes. Please look out for this e-mail in your inbox and respond as soon as possible. If you have any questions about this process, please contact me.

What’s happening in Digital Technologies & Humanities classrooms?

Year 9 Economics and Business Guest Presenter

In year 9 Economics and Business we are studying how particular markets in Australia operate, highlighting the way people, and society interact, and how governments assist businesses where there are issues of global significance.

The Caloundra Music Festival (CMF) and COVID provides a unique and local case study. It links globally as the festival responds to COVID, and no industry have been hit harder lately by the pandemic. Covid has impacted our current generation of young people significantly, and continues to do so. It has had important economic and business effects on the country, and here locally businesses individually respond to the social impacts of the current business environment.

Recently our year 9 Economics and Business welcomed Mr Josh Moore (artistic director) and event coordinator from CMF, to discuss with them the issues music festivals face in dealing with, and adjusting to, the current global business conditions, and the role government plays in supporting the event.

After a few minor technical difficulties, and with the support of our HOD Mr Walden, we were able to interrogate Mr Moore on everything to do with the running of the festival. Students asked questions from the floor and Mr Moore provided invaluable insight on what it might be like to work at the festival. We also learnt some more unexpected things about the strong links the festival has to council and the local community, and how the festival has managed to keep going. Location is key for the festival (residential precinct), and a lot of work is undertaken by volunteers who love music.

Josh also mentioned the community involvement, and the benefit to the local business community the festival provides. Mr Moore highlighted international acts that have attended the festival like the ‘Prince’ band who have performed and brought their entire entourage. Equally locally the festival has close links with the Gubby Gubby people and this year has the ‘Baker Boys’ a successful indigenous band performing and embracing first nations culture.

Bringing international touring acts, supporting touring crews, and the current travel constraints and constraints like allocated seating has all impacted the bottom line and the festivals profit. The extra costs in running these types of events, and how much is at stake, given the huge flow on effect through the supply chain on local regional and international businesses the festival works within

The Zoom meeting provided students with a real insight into how the music is run, and what it would be like to work in an industry where music, and emerging talent is fostered in the local community and provides people the opportunity to see their favourite music live. To top it off, it’s a great reference for students to identify the issues in the Australian market currently, and identify the pressures businesses face in today’s market. A great reference for their upcoming Music Festival case-study assessment.

Take a moment to check-in with your child and ask them about what they are learning in class this term.

Our senior classes are working on Unit 2 for Year 11 and Unit 4 assessment for Year 12 or working towards competency completion in our VET courses.

Should you have any other queries about our programs, please do not hesitate to contact me directly via pwald9@eq.edu.au or 5436 5326. I look forward to connecting with you.

Patrick Walden
Head of Department – Digital Technologies & Humanities

Science Department News

Big Science Competition

Congratulations to the 40 students from Year 7,8,9 who participated in the 2022 Big Science competition.

They completed a series of 30 questions which ranked them against students across Australia.

We had some excellent results:
Credits: Sophie, Aimee, Elleanor, Archie, Abby and Ben.
Distinctions: Khan and Kai
High Distinction: Kai

Well done to all, especially Kai for achieving the highest award possible and being in the very top percentage of students in Australia.

Paul Schneider
Head of Department – Science

Year 8 Readers Cup Competition

Late last term 4 avid readers from year 8 represented our school at the Annual Sunshine Coast Region Readers Cup Competition. The competition was held Good Samaritan Catholic College at Bli Bli on a Thursday Evening. Grace, Lachlan, Kirsten and Caitlin read 5 books in the lead up to the competition to enable them to answer the quiz questions presented on the night. Our team competed with confidence and enjoyment and were rewarded for their efforts, finishing 7th from a total of 15 schools from private and state high schools across the region. Huge thanks to the students and their parents for transporting them to Bli Bli to compete and for the excellent way they represented our school.

Sports Update

All Schools Oztag Tournament

On the last weekend of July, 3 school teams attended the All Schools Oztag Tournament held at the Sunshine Coast Stadium. These teams consisted of players from year 9 to 12. Most of the players from the Year 9/10 Mixed team filled in for the senior teams, so they played up to 12 games over the weekend! All students still played with heart, not giving up during games, with many fantastic tries scored. All teams and students achieved success, with each team showing their improvement of their skills across each game. This led to the Year 12 Boys team narrowly missed out on the finals as well.

To top off the weekend, one student made the Queensland All Stars Development Squad. Tyler Turvey, in year 11, playing up in the Year 12 Boys team, was one of the consistent players of the team, directing his side to scoring their many tries. It is a great achievement for Tyler. Congratulations!

And thank you to the teachers who put their hand up to help train these students at school, and over the weekend!

District Athletics

On Friday the 5th of August and Monday the 8th of August, Beerwah sent a strong team of athletes to compete at the Coastal District Track and Field trials, held at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Students displayed the Beerwah spirit through their positive participation, with many students taking on additional events. It was great to see so many outstanding performances and excellent results. We are eagerly awaiting final results to see how many of our students have qualified to compete at the Sunshine Coast Regional Trials. Beerwah claimed the “Percentage Trophy” which means that we achieved the greatest number of points per student enrolled at our school. This shows the strength of our team, despite coming up against many much larger schools. Congratulations to Sophie who was awarded age champion for the Under 12 girls.

Thank you to all students who contributed to making Beerwah’s involvement in the district carnival a great success!

National Tree Day

National Tree Day was celebrated the 31st July. Beerwah State High was lucky to receive a donation of 50 plants from the Sunshine Coast Council. The staff and students from the Education Services Nursery program and the school Environment Club had a busy day planting these plants at the front of the school.

Thank you to the Sunshine Coast Council and the staff and students are looking forward to watching these plants grow and flower.

Helen DeVries
Education Services Teacher Aide

Future Pathways

There have been some valuable opportunities for students over the past few weeks allowing them to further research careers and potential pathways.

Monday 15 August, Tony Martin from CSQ delivered two virtual reality try a trade sessions to a group of year 10 students. Wearing headsets students were able to participate in an activity where they were engaging with tradies whilst on a work site. They were able to ask question and perform tasks. The experience is designed to have students start to think seriously about careers in construction and is an engaging way to gain some awareness without being in a workshop or work site. The students and our Deputy Principals all loved the experience. A big thank you to Tony for bringing the sessions to our school.

Tuesday 16 August, a group of year 11 and 12 students attended the CSQ & WorldSkills Try a Trade Day at Nambour TAFE. This was a hands-on event giving students an opportunity to practice skills, trying out a few different trades to find the right one for them. As Tony from CSQ explains the program is designed for those senior students who are still undecided on a career pathway. It is hoped that this event could be a springboard into the construction industry. Photos will be included in the next newsletter.

Thursday 18 August saw a large group of students participate in the Level Up virtual career event hosted by Sunshine Coast Hospital & Health. Linking through Teams students were led through a series of sessions relating to health career pathways which included Beginning the Quest, Hidden Bonus, Tips from the Experts and a breakout session. Students were able to consider and pose questions to a panel of newly employed staff members consisting of an Anaesthetic Nurse, Medical Intern, Psychologist or New Grad Enrolled Nurse. This was an informative and exciting opportunity which was well received by our students.

2022 CAREER PATHWAYS EXPO

Our annual Career Pathways Expo event took place on Tuesday 26 July providing Year 10 - 12 students and families with exposure to industry and business opportunities and career pathways through training and education options.

The expo included nearly 40 displays this year including universities, TAFE Qld, training organisations, Australian Apprenticeship Network Providers, Australian Defence Force, Qld Police, our Link & Launch Officer, the National Careers Institute and community career and industry representatives including MTAQ, Gateway Community Services and BOQ. At 4pm Year 10 students and families had the opportunity to attend presentations on the QCE and ATAR or a break away session delivered by disability support agencies.

It was great to see many students attend from 2.50pm taking the opportunity to ask questions and seeking information to support either their subject choices for senior or post-graduation opportunities. Feedback from our providers was also very positive.

On Thursday 11 August our year 12s were given a presentation by Jacqui McBride our Link & Launch officer. Jacqui explained about her role and the services she can offer. Once they have graduated our Year 12s become eligible for support and assistance in study, work and training. Jacqui can help graduates with career exploration, resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation, applications to employment including ADF, QPS and the mines. There is assistance available to direct students to funded with short courses and licences including driving lessons and test, White Card, RSA and RSG, barista skills and security licences. Jacqui can also assist with enrolment into tertiary studies. Quite a number of our 2021 graduates have worked with Jacqui and there have been some amazing outcomes. Students were provided with some “freebies” which included the QR code used to register name and personal contact details. See Mrs Forrest if you have questions.

SET Planning

In the lead up to SET Plan interviews for all year 10s the following opportunities for “6th subjects” may be of interest:

Note on funding:

Many certificate II level courses are VETiS funded – that is no cost to eligible students. To be VETiS eligible, students must not have previously accessed or be currently enrolled in another VETiS funded certificate course including Certificate II in Hospitality or FIT at school or other programs such as the Trade Training Centre or Kawana Waters Health Program. Students utilising VETiS in Year 10 need to consider all options and any further study interest areas.

Helen Forrest
Industry & Vocational Training Officer

Future Pathways

Link and Launch

Year 12 final exams are fast approaching and it can be a very stressful time. Many students feel pressured to do well so they get into certain courses. The first step to reducing exam stress for your child is to make sure they are looking after themselves. Eating well, sleeping well and taking time to exercise and relax from study is vital. A balanced approach will give them the best chance of doing well.

For those students who are planning for university, QTAC applications opened on Tuesday 2 August 2022. Their School Guidance Officer has copies of the 2023 QTAC Guide to Further Study and is providing support for currently enrolled year 12 students with their applications for 2023 Semester 1 start and Early Offers.

For year 12s who are planning a gap year, or perhaps a Semester 2 start, they are eligible to access application support from their Link and Launch Officer post‐graduation. If their ATAR falls short of the minimum threshold for a particular course, don’t be deterred, I can assist with finding an alternate pathway like TPP or TAFE. Furthermore, if students have been impacted by financial or personal challenges, they may be eligible to receive adjustments to their QTAC selection rank. I can assist with the application process for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS). This can help to compete for tertiary study on a more equal basis. If they are eligible for the Financial Hardship category, they may also get financial assistance from institutions, such as scholarships or bursaries.

For more information about university applications and what support is available, please contact me. And remember, there are plenty of non‐university pathways that will also ensure financial success for our young people. I’m here to help work out all the options!

From the Resource Centre

Did you know….

• Our school library has access to a range of eBooks that can be accessed by all students and staff on portable devices. See Mrs Mullins or Mrs Dutton in the Resource Centre if you would like to access the eBook library and are not sure how.
• Families and siblings of Beerwah State High Students are welcome to access our collection of fiction, picture books and graphic novels as well as our non-fiction section. Contact one of our library staff through our email resource.centre@beerwahshs.eq.edu.au to organise your loan account, or drop in and see Mrs Barb Mullins or Ms Glenis Dutton between 8am and 3.30pm on school days.

Upcoming events…

• Retro Week – for 3 weeks in each term the Resource Centre goes Retro… no phones or other devices in use unless for the purpose of assessment. We offer board games, card games, puzzles, an enormous and broad range of reading material, as well as a comfortable friendly space for students to simply sit and chat with their friends. Our next Retro week is the week beginning August 15. We also promote Technology Free Fridays with the same opportunities.

• Book Week 2022 is almost here. We celebrate reading and literature all year, but specifically during book week – August 20-26. The theme for this year is ‘Dreaming with eyes open.’
  Staff and students have the opportunity to dress up as their favourite book character, for a gold coin donation, with prizes for the best dressed individual or group. This year Dress up Day will be Wednesday August 24.

Upcoming Calendar Events

P and C News

P & C Raffle

Jason Hunt, our State Member has donated a large flat screen to the P & C for us to raffle and raise money. We appreciate Jason’s generous gift!

Tickets will be on sale through the canteen at $5 each or 5 for $20.

P & C Meeting

The P & C general meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month - commencing at 6.00pm in the School Resource Centre. All are welcome to attend.

If you would like to know more about the P & C, you can contact members of the executive through the school administration, or email the President, Ms Justine Baker, at pandc@beerwahshs.eq.edu.au.

Beerwah SS Car Boot Sale

Broncos Program Employment Opportunity