11 May 2023

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Message

Welcome back to another edition of our Longreach SHS newsletter. As we embrace the cooler snap this week, I hope you find some time to sit and reflect on the many positive things that have happened so far this year. Last week, a number of parents and students attended the parent teacher interviews in the library, and we were grateful for the number of families who were able to join us that afternoon. I would encourage all parents to contact the school or their child’s teacher if they have any concerns regarding their child’s learning, progress or even assessment task. Teacher email contacts are available in the student diary or alternatively parents can contact the school office. Your interest in your child’s education and communication with the school has a dramatic impact on their learning and we appreciate you partnering with the school in this manner.

Certificate II Rural Operations

The expansion in the delivery of the Certificate II Rural Operations course in 2023 has taken off thanks to the amazing networking of our Rural Operations teacher, Ms Courtney Horan and the wonderful support from the pastoralists in our Longreach Region. Our students have visited over 10 stations engaging in a wide range of industry skills including mustering, crutching, maintenance. Students have also visited local agricultural businesses including butchery, rural supplies and the saleyards. We are grateful for the ongoing support of our students and the immersion with which they have been provided. Our goal is to provide students with meaningful pathways beyond schooling and for employers to have their employees entering the workforce with confidence and skills that will help them be safe and resourceful. As part of our Rural Operations program we are partnering with the Queensland Police Service and the Bluelight organisation for students to access a week long camp each term focusing on mentorship, shearing skills and industry placement. Our students will be heading to Evesham Station in Week 10 this term as part of their learning program. Longreach SHS as a Registered Training Organisation coordinates the Certificate II Rural Operations program for delivery by teachers at Barcaldine P-12 SS, Winton P-12 SS and Blackall P-12 SS. We are excited to be able to provide this vital rural education to our community and the wider Central West.

Winter uniform

With the onset of cold weather students and parents are reminded of the winter uniform. Jumpers are to be plain maroon in colour with no brands/logos and students can wear plain black tracksuit pants/slacks. North West sport attire and Senior Jerseys are part of the school uniform. Jumpers can be purchased through the school tuckshop and they have a range of sizes recently delivered. Students out of uniform are asked to collect a slip from the office - parents will be sent a text message in regards to their students being out of uniform. Students are provided with a jumper where possible.

E-Scooters

We ask students and their families to be aware of the road rules in regards to Electric Scooters. Students must travel to and from school with a helmet and observe the road rules including speed limits on paths of 12km/hr, riding in bike lanes, and not holding or being in possession of a mobile phone while in motion. We are reminding students to travel safe to and from school.

Attendance

This year Longreach State High School has set a whole school attendance target of 90%. It may come as no surprise that research shows that in Queensland, higher student attendance at school is associated, on average, with higher student achievement. Regular school attendance is important as it will mean that your child gets access to an increased range of opportunities as they move beyond schooling as they have had increased access to education. Your child will achieve more consistently when they go to school all day, every school day.

Students who fall below 85% attendance may not have access to extra curriculum activities in order to maximise their learning days. Students whose attendance falls below the 85% threshold are case managed, and families are informed at regular junctions of who is supporting their child to increase their learning days and close gaps in learning from absences.

Why must I send my child to school?

Under Queensland law, you must make sure your child of school age is enrolled and attends school all day, every school day unless they have a reasonable excuse. Illness, doing organised work experience, competing in a school sporting event or going on a school excursion are reasonable excuses for being absent from school. Avoid keeping your child away from school for: birthdays, shopping, visiting family and friends, if they sleep in, or looking after other children. Routine medical or other health appointments should preferably be made either before or after school where reasonably possible. While it is a last resort, it is important to understand that you may be prosecuted if your child is not attending school regularly. The school will make ongoing contact and support before this process is considered.

What should you do if your family is going on a holiday in school time?

You are encouraged not to schedule holidays during school time. If your family holiday is during school time, let the school know in advance and discuss what impact the absence may have on your student’s learning, including assessment. In exceptional circumstances the school may be able to provide educational alternatives for your child to complete while they are absent or assist you to organise an exemption from schooling.

Do I need to let the school know if my child has been away from school?

Yes, you must let the school know the reason why your child is absent from school, if not beforehand, then within two school days of their return to school. The school will at times send home a letter requesting a reasonable excuse for unexplained absences.

If you are having problems getting your child to school, please contact us on 4652 8333 or principal@longreachshs.eq.edu.au

Kate Van Dorssen
Principal

Deputy Principal’s Message

Senior Education and Training Plan

This term our Year 10 students will be participating in further SET Planning with Mr Crawford (HOD Faculty), the Year 10 Triple R teachers (Mrs Birchall, Mrs Rumsey and Mr Lucas) and Miss Ferrara (Deputy Principal) during Triple R lessons as a Year 10 cohort. The SET Planning process supports students working towards their QCE (Queensland Certificate of Education), VET (Vocational and Education Training) qualifications and/or work options.

Our SET Planning Parent Information Evening will be held on Monday 22nd May, 2023 at 6:00pm in our Learning Centre (Library). Our Year 10 parents/carers and students are invited to attend this information evening. Mr Crawford (HOD Faculty) and Miss Ferrara (Deputy Principal) will be discussing the importance of our SET Planning process for our Year 10 students and providing information about the Parents/Carers and Students SET Planning Meetings process with a respective HOD Faculty (Mr Crawford or Mrs Deane) or with Miss Ferrara (Deputy Principal).

The SET Planning Meetings will take place from the middle of Week 6 to the end of this term. Year 10 parents/carers will receive an email about the SET Planning meeting time booking details process at the start of Week 5, week beginning Monday 15th May, 2023.

If you have any questions about SET Planning, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Crawford (HOD Faculty) or Miss Ferrara (Deputy Principal).

Senior Learning

Our Year 12 students are now completing their learning for their next internal assessment item which is due by the end of Week 5. Our Year 11 students are also completing their learning for their formative internal assessment item which is due by the end of Week 5. If a student needs support, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Deane (Years 11 and 12) or Miss Ferrara (Deputy Principal).

Exam Participation

If a student is absent on the day of an examination, students in Years 10-12 are required to have a medical certificate or other evidence to support absence. Please contact the school to discuss further on the day. Students in Years 7-9 are strongly encouraged to follow the same process in preparation for senior studies expectations. Senior students who fail to attend an examination without reason/evidence may be given a non-rating. This can impact on a student’s QCE and ATAR.

Assessment Calendars

The Assessment Calendars have been distributed to students. If you would prefer an individualised copy, students and parents can access these in One School. Please go to the link below www.oslp.eq.edu.au to access Assessment Calendars, timetables and career planning.

Lucy Ferrara
Deputy Principal

Positive Behaviour for Learning

PBL

The PBL framework is an initiative that aims to improve academic, behaviour, and wellbeing outcomes for all students and staff. Every week students, staff and community choose an expectation and/or value and this is explicitly taught to students. During week 3 our focus was Be Responsible: We arrive on time and are prepared with all necessary equipment. In the PBL lesson students learned essential time management skills required for school and workplace situations. Students also understood how being punctual and prepared can demonstrate respect and responsibility.

During week 4 our PBL focus is centred around Do It For Dolly which is dedicated to bringing the community together, spreading kindness and uniting in helping break the silence around bullying. A big thank you to Mr Lars Hansen and the SRC for creating this week’s PBL lesson. You have done an amazing job. The SRC also ask students to wear blue and bring in a gold coin donation on Thursday 11/05/23 to raise funds for the Do It For Dolly charity.

PBL Prize Update

In addition to school water bottles and handballs, the PBL team are looking to introduce a school trucker cap as part of a PBL rewards revamp. Students receive PBL points for demonstrating respect, responsibility and resilience at school. Students are able to receive a maximum of 50 points per day, which equates to 50c! In week 2, students designed and submitted their entries for our new school trucker cap, the PBL team then drafted four designs using common features and colours from the student entries. If you would like to vote on your favourite style, or have any feedback please email Mr Gerard Comerford Gcame44@eq.edu.au .

Students of the Week – Week 3

At Longreach State High School students who display outstanding achievement and/or the week’s PBL focus are nominated for their respective year level’s student of the week award. Students of the week are read out on year level parade, where the winners receive 100 PBL points and an invitation to the end of term pizza party on PBL rewards day.

Year 7: Megan S
Year 8: Abbey D
Year 9: Postponed until Wk 4
Year 10: Postponed until Wk 4
Year 11: Tamzyn A
Year 12: Jack B

Gerard Comerford
PBL Coach

The Resilience Project

Longreach State High School proudly utilises The Resilience Project (TRP) in our school to support our students through lessons on Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness (G.E.M.) and Emotional Literacy. Students have been interacting with this through their 3R sessions throughout the year. Recently, the school has introduced a position of TRP Ambassador to support the students, staff and parents and carers with communication, activities and information. I am very excited to be taking on this position as I am very passionate about wellbeing and I look forward to facilitating activities within the school community. Keep an eye out for Facebook posts from the school page with more information, strategies and monthly activities to engage with so you too can practice G.E.M!

To start you off, the challenge for the month of May is to make an effort to connect with someone, or a group, you haven’t connected with in a while.

Happy connecting!

Antje DeKruyf
TRL Ambassador

P&C President Message:

Uniform Orders

If you ordered and paid for uniforms, they are at the tuckshop waiting for collection. If you ordered uniforms and need to pay; they too are at the tuckshop. You can pay by direct debit or with eftpos at the tuckshop. We would appreciate outstanding payments to be made or a payment plan arranged with our treasurer.

There are plenty of polos on hand now – finally - and plenty of winter jumpers and trackpants available too.

Tuckshop Pre-ordering

We request that students pre-order their food before the first bell each day. With the cooler weather, it ensures everyone gets what they are wanting. Shout out to Jamie Kinivan in the tuckshop. The P&C have been receiving some positive feedback from students about the tuckshop options and what a great job Mr Kinivan – Jamie – is doing. 😊

Containers for Change

If you are feeling generous, please use the LSHS number when donating your containers. The P&C receive requests for financial assistance and every little bit helps; especially the small change. Our number is C10187807.

Date Change

Our next general meeting will be held on the 29th of May – this is a week later than it would normally fall but needed to be changed due to executive member commitments on the 22nd. We hope the change does not inconvenience anyone and hope to see you come along at 5.15pm on Monday the 29th. We’ll be in the library – the Learning Centre.

As always, any communication can be directed through the email PandCSecretary@longreachshs.eq.edu.au or to me directly - Leesa Hoolihan 0428583171.

Leesa Hoolihan
P & C President

Recognising P&C members in state schools on 19 May

On P&C Day, 19 May, we celebrate our P&C volunteer superstars for their support and the hard work they do in school communities 🌟 🏫 📚.

We recognise our P&C members who offer invaluable help improving educational facilities, resources and student outcomes. Visit the Education website for more information. #PandCDay

URL/Link for more information:

Stymie Anti Bullying Campaign

International Nurses Day – 12 May

Our state schools’ registered nurses and school-based youth health nurses offer invaluable health and wellbeing support for students with health needs. On International Nurses Day we take the opportunity to highlight the assistance they provide to enable all our students to realise their potential. Listen to the Department of Education’s podcast on Nursing in Queensland State Schools or visit the Education website for more information. #IND2023 #OurNursesOurFuture

Our school thanks Nikki, Gemma and Michelle for their work with our students.

Out & About:

State Netball Championships

On Thursday the 27th of April, the North West Netball team commenced games at Nissan Arena in Brisbane for the State Netball Championships. The competition was spread over four days and required the girls to compete in up to four games a day against 11 other regions in Queensland. The other regions put up a good fight, but our North West girls never dropped their chins. From only having met some of their other team mates on day one, the girls improved immensely over the short duration of the Championship. To say I am proud is an understatement. Congratulations to Laylah, Sophie, Maggie, Jozette and Jackarra for representing Longreach in the North West team for 2023.

Antje DeKruyf

Coming Events

Central West Career Expo 2023

Permission Forms are now due

P & C Meetings

The next P & C meeting will be held on Monday 29 May 2023 at 5:15pm in the Learning Centre. Everyone is welcome to come along.

Important Notices:

Domestic and Family Violence Prevention

May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month . Our school joins with all Queenslanders in working to prevent domestic and family violence in all its forms. The Department of Education provides students with quality respectful relationships education to help them establish relationships based on gender equity and respect. Visit the Respectful Relationships Education Hub to learn more. The Queensland Government’s Domestic and family violence website has downloadable resources available in 32 languages.

Links:

ABSTUDY Payments

Aboriginal students and Torres Strait Islander students can claim ABSTUDY payments to help with the cost of attending high school, or completing tertiary studies or apprenticeships. These costs may include:

• school fees 📚
• boarding fees 🏘
• living costs 🍎
• travel expenses 🚌
• buying school or study material ✏️

Students over 18 may be able to apply for ABSTUDY Incidentals Allowance.

These payments can help families with children living at home or away from home . Eligible families or children over 16 can claim ABSTUDY until 31 December of the school year.

Visit Services Australia for more information.