1 April 2025

Our School Values

From the Principal

Dear Helensvale State High School Community

It has certainly been another busy and productive term with a few weather events to challenge us along the way.  I would like to thank you for your patience, understanding and co-operation as we recovered from ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.  Student learning is once again our major focus.  I am very proud of how our students coped with the flexibility we had to show with our units of work, assessments and excursions. 

One of the highlights of this term for me was our new-look swimming carnival.  Whilst our first attempts were washed out by wet weather, we eventually enjoyed our first House carnival.  Staff and students demonstrated enormous House spirit.  Re-imagining the carnivals meant that all students were able to participate in fun activities and earn points for their houses, even those who were not great swimmers.  All throughout this term, it has been great to see the students having so much fun and developing such a strong sense of belonging to their Houses in such a short period of time.

Parents and Citizens Association (P and C) Update

Wednesday 22 November 2023
A special meeting was called to discuss the future of the Parents and Citizens Association, as all Executive members had resigned, or were in the process of resigning.  The President at the time called for nominations from the floor to fill the Executive positions of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.  No nominations were forthcoming.

At this meeting a decision whether to dissolve the P and C or go into caretaker mode had to be made.  After much discussion, a motion was moved and carried to go into caretaker mode commencing 1 January 2024.  It was hoped at the time that there may be interest to reinvigorate the P and C at some time during this year.  Unfortunately, there was no interest.

17 January 2025

A Back-to-School letter was sent to all parents, with one of the agenda items calling for community interest in re-establishing the P and C this year, prior to an Annual General Meeting being called.  Thank you to the two parents who showed interest, however there was still not enough interest to operate a P and C. 

There was no Annual General Meeting as there was no Executive and only two parents who showed interest in becoming members.

This is my final attempt to call for parents and carers that may be interested in establishing a P and C Association.  If there is not enough interest in either becoming an Executive Officer or member of the P and C, then the P and C will dissolve. If you are interested in the position of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary or Treasurer, or would like to be a member of the P & C, please contact the school or email me at Principal@helensvaleshs.eq.edu.au

What does dissolution mean for the school?

• P and C and Student Council are the only two avenues for fundraising. Decisions on fundraising activities would be made in consultation with Student Council.  With the P and C in caretaker mode last year, this has already been occurring.
• All P&C property and funds remaining after the payment of expenses will be dealt with by the principal’s regional supervisor.
• Parent voice in school activities and operations will need to be heard via other communication methods such as forums convened by the school, surveys, emails etc.

School Council

Our School Council is another forum for parent input and feedback. The School Council has the following functions for guiding the broad strategic direction of the school:

• monitoring the school's strategic direction;
• approving plans and policies of the school of a strategic nature and other documents affecting strategic matters, including the annual estimate of revenue and expenditure for the school;
• monitoring the implementation of the plans, policies and other documents mentioned above; and
• advising the school's principal about strategic matters.

As per the School Council constitution, there is a maximum limit of 15 positions on the School Council.  There are two community members, two senior secondary students, and an equal number of staff and parents.  If you wish to learn more about the School Council, or would like to be a parent representative, please email me at Principal@helensvaleshs.eq.edu.au

I would like to thank parents and carers for preparing your children, our students, for learning each and every day by ensuring your child attends school on time, brings the necessary books and resources to school, is in 100% correct uniform and has access to food throughout the day. By doing this, we show our children how much we value their education.

With the recent interruption to learning, some students were out of their daily school routines.  Most notable was the use of mobile phones and not following the school’s Dress Code.

As 'One Community' we will continue to work together to uphold the high standards of academia, behaviour, attendance and dress that we are renowned for.

I look forward to welcoming the students on their return.  The first day of term 2 will be Tuesday 22 April as the Easter Monday public holiday is on Monday 21 April.  The first week of term 2 will be a 3-day week, with the ANZAC Day public holiday on Friday 25 April.

Once again I thank you for being a vital part of our school community and the role you play in ensuring your child is prepared for learning each day and wish you a happy and safe holiday.

Kind regards

Karen Lindsay
Principal
Helensvale State High School

Industry Liaison Officer

Alumni News

Our alumni program is thriving, with 100+ members reconnecting to inspire students and strengthen our school community.

Alumni Session

COUNCILLOR NAOMI FOWLER NEE’ CLASS OF 1977

Recently, Year 8 Excite English had the privilege of hearing from Division 2 Councillor Naomi Fowler (Class of 1977), who shared insights on leadership, communication, and the importance of giving back to the community. These sessions offer valuable perspectives on careers, education, and community engagement.

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, we’re excited to host an Alumni Panel for Year 10 & 11 Honours, with a special focus on community. Adam Wood (2012), Grace Hickey (2021), and Libby Ireland (2024) will share how their education, careers, and personal growth shaped their community contributions. Stay tuned!

Thank you

Thank you to our alumni—your support is making a real impact at Helensvale State High. If you know past students, invite them to join! More members mean more opportunities for our students.

Over six alumni have shared heartfelt video messages with study tips, career advice, and encouragement, highlighting our supportive alumni community – Thank you!!

We also launched a LinkedIn page to connect past students, share updates, and build a vibrant alumni network. If you're a former student, we’d love for you to join us!

UNIFORM SHOP NEWS

As the weather cools down, now is the perfect time to prepare for the cooler months ahead.

Our Uniform Shop has a range of Winter Options available.

 Sports Jacket $65.00

Trackpants $55.00 (can only be worn by Juniors on the days they have sport. For seniors they can only wear them during their sport class.)

Formal Uniforms are available for Junior and Senior Students.

Jumpers $60.00

Formal /Tailored Trousers $50.00

Uniform shop is open  Monday to Thursday 8am to 12pm (Eftpos or Student ID card payment only)

Online ordering via Flexischools is also available.

See you in store soon 😊

Next Step post-school destination surveys

The Next Step post-school destination surveys identify the study, work or other point-in-time destinations of students who leave or complete school in Queensland.

Longitudinal studies previously tracked the pathways of specific groups of school leavers over several years.

Year 12 Completers survey

This annual survey includes all students who complete Year 12 at a Queensland state, Catholic or independent school during the previous year. Results are summarised for statewide reporting.

The latest longitudinal study follows (through to 2018) a sample of young people who completed Year 12 in 2010. A previous longitudinal study of Year 12 completers from 2005 was completed in 2013.

Holiday Programs

Our alumni program is thriving, with 100+ members reconnecting to inspire students and strengthen

Rotary Exchange

Saverplus

Join Australia's longest running financial education and matched savings program. Build financial skills, develop life-long savings habits, and receive up to $500 to assist with education costs.

How it works

Step 1

Goal

If eligible for the program, set a savings goal with your Coordinator for your education related item(s). 

Step 2

Saving

Open an ANZ Progress Saver account and start to regularly save over 10 months.

Step 3

Education

Complete our fun, relaxed, MoneyMinded financial education workshops. There’s no pressure – just practical, realistic money talk that supports you and your savings goal.

Step 4

Matching

Reach savings goals and have your savings matched up to $500 by ANZ for education items for you or your children's education expenses.

Zonta

Qparents

Enjoy convenient and streamlined engagement with your child's school.

QParents offers a convenient, safe and private app to help parents & caregivers manage important details of their children's journey.

Cyberbullying Help

What would you do if your child was being cyberbullied?

According to research by the eSafety Commissioner, 1 in 5 young people experience cyberbullying and online abuse and 55% seek help from their parents/carers.

Our free training is available online and has been designed to be completed on a range of internet ready devices, including smart phones. 

Support Staff

As part of our Learning and Well-being framework, we have created a Well-being Hub for students and parents, which can be accessed through the Helensvale State High School webpage. The hub includes links to other websites and apps which can help to support student well-being, as well as provide information on career pathways. To access these ‘well-being hubs’ click on the icons below or go to the HSHS website below.

Acknowledgment of Country

Helensvale State High School as one community, acknowledges the Kombumerri Peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our school is built.  We respect their long history, ancestry and culture.  We pay our respects to the Elders, past, present and emerging for they carry the memories and traditions of past times. 

We would also like to extend our acknowledgment to other First Nations Peoples: those hailing from the Torres Strait Islands and those belonging to other Aboriginal Language Groups.

We acknowledge the strength and resilience of Kombumerri peoples.  We respect their enduring connection to the local wetlands and the cultural responsibility they uphold to preserve wildlife.  Together, we go forward, learning in the spirit of these values.