8 February 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Message

Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome to Longreach State High School and what has begun as a very wet and welcome start to the school year. I trust your Christmas holiday was both restful and rewarding as you spent time with friends and family. On behalf of the school community I would like to welcome our new students and their families who are commencing their educational journey with us in 2019. It is pleasing to see our new grade 7 students, Longreach Pastoral College boarders and several other new students join our school this year. Last year was another great year with our best ever NAPLAN results in years 7 & 9 and once again a high proportion of our senior students achieving an OP 1-5 (over 80%) at the conclusion of their senior years of schooling. This year will be the final year of the OP rating system with the introduction of the ATAR in 2020. As a school we have been planning and preparing for this system wide change since late 2017 and are once again in a strong position to deliver great results for senior students into the years to come.

Throughout this newsletter you will hear of some important dates and information and I trust you enjoy reading about your child’s success at Longreach State High school.

Welcome new staff

This year our school welcomes a number of new staff to our community: Mrs Toni Adams (Deputy Principal), Mr Trenton Gill-Shaw (Maths/Science), Mr Alfio Gangemi (Industrial Skills), Ms April Holman (Home Economics/Hospitality), Mr Joel Lenihan (English/Humanities) Mr Douglas Brown (Student Support), Mr Rob Cutting (Groundsman), Mrs Kelley Krueger (Inclusive Education part time), Ms Liza Cameron (Youth Support Co-Ordinator), Mr Alex Cluff (IT Support) and Mrs Sarah Heatley (Teacher Aide). We wish all our new and existing staff a great start to the school year and encourage parents/carers to contact their teachers if they have any questions or concerns they wish to discuss.

1 Million Dollar Science Centre Upgrade

At the end of last year works commenced on the refurbishment and upgrade of our existing Science building. The science centre is progressing well and works are due to be completed no later than the end of March. A number of photos are included below and we look forward to opening this state of the art facility after the Easter holidays.

Australia Day Student Success

Congratulations to three students from Longreach SHS who received Australia Day awards for their contribution to the sporting, cultural and community of Longreach in 2018. Our successful recipients were Jackarra (Yr 8), Téa (Yr 9) and Melanie (Yr 11). Congratulations and well deserved recognition from all the staff and students at Longreach SHS.

School Uniform

As we start the school year it is important to ensure that your child is in the correct school uniform. In particular, students in years 10 to 12 need to make sure they have purchased/ordered the formal senior uniform which will be worn every Wednesday. At this stage, there has been a delay with the senior uniform order and the manufacturers have indicated they will arrive in mid-February. Student uniform requirements are listed/shown in the student diary and for orders or further information please contact Sue Egan in the uniform shop on 4652 8315 or via email at segan42@eq.edu.au.

Queensland Agricultural Training College (QATC) Update

Late last year the state government announced the future closure of the Longreach Pastoral College at the end of 2019. This decision was made after the review findings of the Coldrake Review conducted earlier in 2018. While this news is disappointing throughout 2019 our school’s goal is to work with a number of key stakeholders and interested parties to see how this great training facility may continue to be utilized by the Longreach and wider community. Preliminary discussions have already occurred with a number of key stakeholders to help forge a positive future for these facilities and staff post 2019. Although QATC will cease operating as a training organisation in 2020, another provider may take up this space and all currently enrolled students in years 11/12 are guaranteed to graduate if they have already commenced studies with them in 2018. In further good news, the Longreach Pastoral College has opened its doors to school-aged boarders this year and so far 3 students have commenced boarding at LPC and studying at LSHS in 2019 with more to follow. A facts sheet has been provided in this newsletter for those wishing to find out more about the government’s QATC decision and direction.

P & C Association

The first general P & C meeting for 2018 will be held on Monday the 18th February at 7pm in the school library. All parents are welcome to attend. I would encourage all parents to join or attend to have your say in the shape and future of our great school. If you would like further information or wish to attend our next meeting please contact our P & C Secretary at pandcsecretary@longreachshs.eq.edu.au.

Brendan Krueger
Principal

Deputy Principal’s Message

Welcome to 2019! A year that sees the beginning of some of the biggest changes in Education in Queensland for 40 years! This is an exciting time to be involved in Senior Education. This year marks the beginning of the new QCE system which will provide students with 21st Century skills that will allow them to be better prepared for their future. Our Year 11 students will be the first group to be involved in this system.

Key features of the new system include:

• new and redeveloped QCAA senior syllabuses
• external assessment
• new quality assurance processes
• changes to QCE eligibility requirements
• the introduction of the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR)

If you wish to find out more about the new QCE please follow this link

Students are catered for via the myQCE site below that allows them to plan their pathway to achieve a QCE and to explore further study and career options.

For our Year 12s, 2019 will be a culmination of their school career and the finishing of the OP system in Queensland. To recognise the importance of this year for these students, we will be presenting them with their senior badge at the Investiture Ceremony to be held on Tuesday 12th February.

This will also be an opportunity to acknowledge our Year 7s who are at the beginning of their High School career. They will be welcomed to the school and presented with a badge to identify them as a member of our school.

Also at this event we will be presenting badges to our student leaders – School captains, Sport Captains and Student Council Representatives. We would love to have our wider community attend and participate in this special ceremony for our students.

Finally some housekeeping for our families. Timetables should now be finalised for our students and they will be receiving their assessment calendars for Semester 1. This is an important document to help ensure they are on track to complete all assignments, competencies or projects and are prepared for their exams. Please discuss these with your student and assist them to mark important dates in their diaries and on your family calendar.

I am looking forward to meeting you throughout the year. If you have any concerns or I can be of assistance in supporting your student, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school.

Toni Adams
Deputy Principal

Finance

Student Resource Scheme invoices have now been issued. The cost for all students attending Longreach State High School in 2019 is $185 per student. Students involved with Home Economics will incur extra costs to cover cooking ingredients. Students taking Industrial Design in Years 11 and 12 will also incur extra costs to cover materials for projects.

If you are having trouble paying these school fees please come and see me and a payment plan can be organised.

Senior formal shirts and blouses ordered last year have still not arrived. Teachers are aware that students have a few weeks’ grace in wearing their senior uniform on Wednesdays, however if you already own a senior uniform the expectation is that you wear it.

This year we have a limited number of laptops available for student’s to hire. Please fill out the attached form and present to office with payment if you require a student laptop. Laptops will be loaned out on a first in, first paid basis.

Brenda Eyre
Business Manager

Student Services Head of Department’s Message

Welcome to 2019! What a year this shapes to be. It is great to see all of our students returning back and we welcome all new students. We have a lot to be excited about this year. We have a brand new leadership group of students as well as some nervous and excited Year 7s, who we will celebrate at our school investiture in Week 3. Something else exciting is our science block is not far from completion and will offer our students a state of the art facility to assist in achieving fantastic results. We also have the new learning centre to look forward to in Term 2.

The school terms are always busy with Term 1 full of representative sport opportunities. The swimming carnival went off with great success last week – well done Mr Ebdon, Mr Emslie and Mr Cutting for all your hard work. Rugby League, Netball and Touch are coming up in the next couple of weeks. The Athletics Carnival is also being held earlier this year, at the end of this term!

The Behaviour focus for students in the first two weeks has been to “arrive on time to class, prepared and ready to learn” – and from conversations with teachers 99% of students are doing this for every lesson, every day. Well done students! The focus for Week 3 and 4 is to “Respect school expectations”. This will involve a discussion of the school expectations set out in the diary covering attendance, uniform, jewellery, mobile phones and other electronic devices. This is a great opportunity for students to discuss the expectations with teachers to clarify the rules and then also have this discussion with their parents.

This year a new staff member, Mrs Liza Cameron, will be working with students in regards to work experience, traineeships and apprenticeships. I will work closely with Mrs Cameron to ensure students who are interested in work opportunities don’t miss out. Please make Mrs Cameron feel welcome as she’s doing a fantastic job!

Finally, it is important for parents to take an active role in student learning. It may be difficult to assist or communicate whilst adolescents are growing and maturing – however it is important for students to realise they have support in their journey. We have a fantastic student support service group here at LSHS which includes the Year Level Coordinators, Youth Pathways Coordinator, Guidance Officer, School Chaplain, Indigenous Support Coordinator, myself, the Deputy Principal, Principal and the Senior Inclusion Teacher. If you or your student need any support – feel free to contact our school.

Dave Scutt
Curriculum HOD

Guidance Officer’s Message

Internet Addiction or Video Gaming Addiction

The 5 tell-tale signs of online gaming addiction

1. Pre-occupation with gaming and hiding gaming use
2. Social withdrawal or isolation
3. Disengagement from school life
4. Loss of interest in other activities
5. Defensiveness and anger

Tips on how to help teens with a gaming addiction

1. Parent tag team: it is important that both parents take the addiction seriously and back each other up. They must approach their child together so that the child knows they cannot divide and conquer their parents by playing one off against the other in an effort to cover up their addiction. Appealing to the weaker parent for support only enables the child to continue and to some extent hide their game playing from the other parent.

2. Encourage educational games: there are plenty of games that have an education base, encourage a child to play these instead of violent online games. There are also websites that engage players with other players from around the world to see who can complete educational tasks, like maths problems, the quickest. The participants are given points and can progress to different levels. It can give the player the same sense of empowerment, satisfaction and achievement as online commercial games.

3. Set time limits: parents need to establish clear time limits with a child. Enter into a contract if necessary. Sit down with the child and discuss what is a reasonable amount of time to play a game. By involving the teenager in the decision making process, they are more likely to adhere to the boundaries set.

4. Look for the school connection: is a child turning to online games because they are not doing well at school? It is hard to tell what comes first: the poor marks or the online games. Not performing well at school impacts a child’s self-esteem. They may retreat more into the game to cope with negative feelings about themselves. At least in the virtual world they can control things. Try to encourage their studies and find out if they are finding any areas difficult.

*Pew Internet & American Life Project. USA

Writer Helen Splarn. Editor Dr Ramesh Manocha. The American Journal of Family Therapy.

Andrew Ruzicka
Guidance Officer

Chappy’s Corner

Hi Everyone,

Welcome back to a new year of school life. I’m excited about the year ahead and being involved with students across the school. Chappy brekky will run again this year starting next week (week 3). For those who are new and not familiar with School Chaplaincy, below is an acrostic poem that paints a picture of what it is about:

Care for students, families and staff
Hope when life is tough
Advocacy when it is needed
Programs to build strength, resilience and purpose
Living life as part of the community, engaging in regular school life and extra-
curricular activities
Affirming that every young person matters, has value and potential
Inspiration for young people to think beyond themselves in order to positively impact their world
Nurture for the whole person including the deeper, spiritual, questioning aspects of life
Connecting the school community members with each other and the wider community
Young lives matter!!!

My door is always open, so if you would like to chat with me about any aspect of school life please contact the school office and they will connect you with me or come and find me in the A Block Hub on Wednesdays or Fridays.

Til next time

Chappy

Rev. Susan Liersch
Chaplain

P & C President Message:

The first meeting for the Longreach High P&C Association will be on Monday, February 18 from 7 pm in the School library. This will be the Association’s Annual General Meeting.

Please contact the Principal, Mr Krueger or one of the current executives, (Nikki Heslin, Jocelyn Jones and Leesa Hoolihan) if you are interested in holding a position on the Association for 2018 or to seek further information.

The AGM is the only meeting of the year where membership can be requested without being present at the meeting. A membership form is attached to this newsletter and can be handed in to the School office prior to the meeting.

If you would like further information or wish to attend our next meeting please contact our P & C Secretary at pandcsecretary@longreachshs.eq.edu.au.

Leesa Hoolihan
P & C President

Instrumental Music

I would like to remind everyone that the 1 RAR Band (Australian Army Band from Townsville) will be visiting Longreach Thursday 21st - Friday 22nd February. I have organised instrumental music workshops for students of both the high school and primary school starting at 8:30am on Friday 22nd February at the LSS Retreat area. On completion of the instrumental workshop with the 1 RAR Band, there will be a concert performance by their Rock Band. Friday 22nd February at 6:00pm there is a Combined Schools concert with the 1RAR Band at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame. There will be food and drinks available and a great night out for the Longreach community.

Bill Vincent
Instrumental Music

Stymie Anti Bullying Campaign

Year 7 Day Camp

Last Thursday, 31st January, Year 7 students participated in a day camp at LSODE, where they worked on their communication and leadership skills, as well as learnt about each other, and some of their teachers/support staff.

Throughout the day, students participated in a number of engaging activities such as Birthday Line-up (with no verbal communication), the Spider Web challenge (above), Robbing the Nest, Human Knot, Blind Retriever (below), Loop-de-Loop (hula-hoop passed from one student to another with linked arms), and All-Aboard.

The day ended with two activities: Human Shapes (below) and then a water sponge fight, where all students had the opportunity to throw sponges at Mr Gill-Shaw and myself. Overall, a great day was had by all students and staff.

As well as this, we had a number of students interested in becoming a Student Council Representative, which is great to see. Students will nominate themselves this week (Week 2), and voting occurred on Thursday.

Tim Barclay
Junior Year Level Co-Ordinator/STEM Teacher

Swimming Carnival

Our annual Inter-House Swimming Carnival took place earlier this month. Students arrived early and keen for the day of swimming and competing ahead. I’d like to thank everyone involved who helped the day run smoothly and finish a little early. The Under 12 age group saw some fierce competition with Harry L coming out as age champion. The Under 12 girls age group saw both Jozette and Felicity battle it out all day with Felicity coming out as age champion. The Under 13 boys and girls saw the largest group of athletes. Cormaac proved a little too strong for the competition coming out as age champion. In the under 13 girls group, Sophie powered through all her events to come away with the age champion title. Nicholas proved a little too fast in the water pipping Sean to take home the under 14 Age champion, and Olivia had a stellar day in the pool taking home the under 14 girls age champion. In the under 15 group, Drew and Aiyahna took home age champions. Caleb and Hannah glided through the water taking home the under 16 age champions. Rangi won both the open age group and came out with the largest points tally of any swimmer, which is a magnificent feat. Jackarra may not have won the under 13 girls age champion but she came away with the Open girls age group champion, which is a great feat for someone who is 3-4 years younger than the rest of the completion in that age group.

Our student athletes will be traveling to Barcaldine this Friday to compete in the Central West Swimming Trials. I have no doubt that our student athletes will perform admirably and will represent the school and Longreach region very well.

Thank you to all who helped out and I wish your student the best at our Central West Swimming Carnival this Friday.

Mitch Ebdon
Sports Co-Ordinator/HPE Teacher

Drum Corps

The drum corps is up and running. The school has purchased several snare drums, bass drums and some tenor quads (four smaller drums bolted together). Several students have already expressed their interest and practice will begin during first break, this Friday. Practices will be held every week and take place during first break on Mondays and Fridays in the Music room.

Apart from learning coordinated drumming, students will also learn how to care for and tune drums. Students who are involved in the drum corps will be given a set of drum sticks to use for practice at home. An old block of wood is suitable for them to practice on. Any enquiries can be made to Mr Harper-Green.

Paul Harper-Green
Performing Arts Teacher

Australia Day Awards

Three of our Longreach High students were successful in receiving recognition for their efforts in this year’s Awards Ceremony.

Téa Rumsey received the Junior Cultural Award. Téa is involved in a range of cultural activities in Longreach - playing trombone in the Longreach Town Band, Combined Schools Band and High School Band; studying various genres of dance at the Longreach School of Dance; Patrol Leader of Guides; taking part in numerous other arts, music, dance, and theatre activities. She has represented Longreach at the Queensland Youth Brass Band Summer School for the last three years in addition to travelling to SHEP (State Honours Ensemble Program) to represent the Longreach State High School. Téa always inspires her peers to think outside of themselves, encouraging them to participate in community activities.

Jackarra Jones received the Junior Sporting Achievement Award. Jackarra has achieved notable success in the sporting field - including swimming, athletics, triathlon, netball, golf, and school sporting teams. She has played representative netball and athletics, for the North Western school region. In 2018, Jackarra was presented with the Longreach State High School Junior Sportswoman of the Year Award and the Outstanding Achiever Award at the Longreach Athletics Club.

Melanie Kilili received the Young Citizen of the Year Award. Mel was one of only ten students in Queensland who participated in a High School work experience program with the Queensland Ballet for a week in December 2018. She dances for up to 15 hours every week, and is completing a Certificate III in Assistant Dance Teaching through distance education mode with the Australian Teachers of Dance (ATOD). She volunteers her time to teach younger students and enjoys a range of dance genres including tap, ballet, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop.

Choir

The LSHS Choir has doubled its numbers for 2019. New members are joining every day so it seems that we will keep growing for a little while.

The extra members mean that we can expand our repertoire and performance capabilities. Obviously, the good work that the choir did last year has attracted people to be part of the quality ensemble.

Choir practice is after school on Thursdays in the Drama room from 3:00 until 4:30. If your student has other commitments on that afternoon, they are welcome to attend for the first hour only.

For further information contact Mr Harper-Green or Mr Barclay at the school.

Paul Harper-Green
Performing Arts Teacher

Creative Generation and Drama Club

We have nominated over twelve students to participate in Creative Generation this year. Creative Generation is an annual show spectacular staged in Brisbane in July. Schools nominate students in all areas of the performing arts and students are then auditioned to be part of the show. Last year over 5000 students from across Queensland participated.

Once accepted, students will be sent material to learn at school. Dance students will work on this with LSOD, instrumental students will be able to work with Mr Vincent and singers will be able to work with Mr Barclay or Mr Harper-Green.

It is proposed to set aside time on Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 until 4:30 for students to focus on their CGen commitments.

This time will also be available for any other students who would like to learn or improve their acting/performance skills, much like a drama club. A notice will be sent home with interested students next week in order to gain parents’ permission to attend. Numbers will be limited. If you’d like to discuss this or want more information, please contact Mr Harper-Green at the school.

Paul Harper-Green
Performing Arts Teacher

Coming Events

Investiture Ceremony

Tuesday 12 February, 9am in the MPS.

P & C Meetings

P & C AGM & General Meeting Monday 18 February 2019 at 7pm in the library. Everyone is welcome to come along.

P & C General meeting Monday 25 March 2019 at 7pm in the library.

Athletics Carnival

Friday 5 April on LSHS athletics track.

Last day of Term 1

Friday 5 April 2019

Term 2

School resumes Term 2 Tuesday 23 April 2019

Important Notices:

Is your student interested in becoming a teacher?

Do you know a Year 11 or 12 student who is interested in becoming a teacher? Senior students can commence a teaching qualification while they complete their secondary schooling.

They may also be eligible for financial assistance for related study costs through the Future Teacher Bursary.

Applications close Friday 15 February, students can apply now:

Bullying. No Way!

Join us to say Bullying. No Way! Take action every day on Friday 15 March 2019

Help end bullying and violence. Join all Queensland state schools to stand together on the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA), Friday 15 March. The NDA is Australia’s key anti-bullying event for schools. It is a positive day of action that strengthens schools’ everyday message that bullying and violence have no place in their community. The NDA gives us an opportunity to put our programs in the spotlight and work together as a community (parents, teachers, staff and students) to talk about bullying and finding solutions together to address it. Parents and carers are encouraged to visit the Bullying. No Way! website for advice and useful information.

We say Bullying. No Way! Our school will stand united on Friday 15 March for the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. Find helpful resources at the link below #NDA2019 #BullyingNoWay

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