27 April 2016

Newsletter Articles

What’s happening in Week Three and Four – Term 2:

Week 3

25/04/16

• ANZAC day public holiday
• Dawn Service Helensvale Bowls Club -

26/04/16

• Tourism Excursion to Sea World – Year 12 students will observe WPHS and daily operations of a theme park.
• Hip Hop Crew (Years 8-12)
• Drama Festival Rehearsals

27/04/16

• School Cross Country – all students from Year 7-9 and Sport Academy students must participate in running the school cross country.
• Year 11 Business Ambassadors – Griffith University
• Dance Troupe Rehearsals

28/04/16

• Biology Anatomy Lab Excursion – Year 12 students will gain an understanding of anatomy and physiology of the human body via viewing cadavers and human body parts in an anatomy laboratory.
• Science 21 Excursion to Police Museum – Year 11 students will investigate a crime scene scenario to improve their understanding and skill analysis.
• Bill Turner Cup (football) Palm Beach Currumbin SHS – Under 15s competition
• Bond University Mooting Competition – students will participate in real life situations

29/04/16

• Deadly Choices (lesson 2)

Week 4

02/05/16

• Public Holiday

03/05/16

• Netball Round 1 Tri Series – selected Netball Academy students from Years 7-12 travel to Palm Beach Currumbin SHS.
• Years 9 – 12 Parent Teacher Interviews conducted in the SAC from 3.15pm to 7.30pm.
• Hip Hop Crew (Years 8-12)
• Drama Festival Rehearsals

04/05/16

• Dance Troupe Rehearsals
• Science 21 Water Testing Excursion – Year 12 students will collect samples from the water’s edge of carious canals and creeks.

05/05/16

• Track and Field Excursion – Year 7-9 Track and Field Academy students will visit the QLD Academy of Sport’s high performance and recovery venue.
• Careers Expo – interested Year 11 and 12 students to attend RACV Royal Pines Resort to talk to employers, participate in workshops and network.

Arts Department News

Year 8 Dance Academy

Our aspiring young dance student Bree Asbury is pictured here participating in the Queensland Ballet’s Junior Program. This program is designed to supplement the ballet training which talented young dance students receive from community dance schools and teachers. Participants are given the opportunity to further develop their skills by working with a group of their peers under the supervision of Queensland Ballet’s training staff, associate teachers and when possible, guest teachers. Ms Murray is thrilled to watch Bree’s technique further develop and complement her studies within the Dance Academy program here at Helensvale. Bree was lucky enough to meet and watch Queensland Ballet member and former Helensvale State High student Mia Thompson in Coppelia last year.

Year 8 Dance Academy Students had their final workshop with Ikin Dance choreographer Nicole Courtie. It was a great workshop they all worked up a sweat.

Creative Generation

Some of our Creative Generation 2016 dance girls took part in their first exhausting rehearsal over the weekend with Ms Murray. Their skills, endurance and stamina were put to the test in a gruelling warm-up and our Vale girls were fantastic. Tickets are available to purchase via Ticketek, performance dates are the 15th and 16th of July. This is going to be a spectacular event!

Dance Troupe 2016

This year Helensvale’s Elite Dance Troupe is working harder than ever. This year with the change of a junior squad we are striving to succeed in this year’s eisteddfods. We will be competing in the Gold Coast eisteddfod in the High School Sections. As a team, we are working tirelessly to prepare and be at our best for the upcoming competitions. Last year the Senior Dance Troupe did extremely well receiving two 3rds and a 1st place. This year we are hoping to blow everyone away with our outstanding performances. I would also really like to thank the Junior Dance Troupe for all of their hard work, effort and time they put into dance troupe.

Film, Television & New Media

Film, television and new media is well and truly underway as our Year12’s look to bring their A game for their final year. With the end of the year VAFA awards looming in Term 4, the students are hard at work creating masterpieces that they can be proud of.

Year 11 Diploma of Events – ‘Live-In’ Program

The year 11 Diploma of Events students had the opportunity to participate in the ‘Live-In’ Program at the Watermark Hotel & Spa this week. The program gives the students the opportunity to experience the industry first hand and gave them a realistic expectation of industry conditions. The students had a fabulous time at The Watermark and participated in non-alcoholic beverage making, espresso coffee making, Function set up as well as completing their Responsible Service of Alcohol. The students found this to be a very rewarding experience. Thanks to CTIA for providing our students with this opportunity.

Australian Hip Hop International Titles

Teneva Davis, a Year 9 student, along with six other girls represented Queensland in Sydney, at the Australian Hip Hop International Titles. They made it through to the end of very extensive rounds to be awarded second place and the opportunity to represent Australia in Las Vegas this August at the Hip Hop International contest.

Nominations for Community Representatives for the 2016 Queensland Core Skills (QCS) Test

We are seeking nomination of Community Representatives for the 2016 Queensland Core Skills (QCS) Test.

We invite community members to apply for the position of Community Representatives. On behalf of the QCAA, the chief supervisor of each test centre receives applications and selects an appropriate person for each available position at the test centre.

Position information is available at

Applications must be returned to Nicole Brazeau – Head of Department Academic Performance by 13th May to nbraz3@eq.edu.au

Under 13s girls Queensland Soccer

Year 7 student Holly Gray has been selected into the Under 13s girls Queensland Soccer team which will represent the state at the Westfield National Youth Championships in July. This is an awesome achievement, congratulations Holly!!

BMX Australia National Championships

Four Helensvale State High School students put their riding skills to the test at the BMX Australia National Championships held last month (March 1-6) at the newly constructed world-class BMX facility at Mount Panorama, NSW.

Caitlin Grigg (16), Riley Hicks (14), Nathan Vinnell (14) and Bailey Mitchell (12) battled against some of Australia’s finest riders as they chased their BMX dreams. Caitlin crossed the line in 3rd place for the National BMX titles, Bailey achieved 7th in the 13 year boys age group in the National titles and Riley came 8th in Australia. Unfortunately, Nathan was injured but put in a tremendous effort.

The BMX Australia National Championships provide an opportunity for aspiring BMX riders to compete at a national level at organised race meets throughout Australia.

Bailey Mitchel in action

We love celebrating our students’ achievements! Unfortunately we can’t keep track of all the awesome things they may be doing. Is your student participating in an extracurricular activity that you would like Helensvale SHS to acknowledge? Please feel free to send appropriate photos and the relevant information to media@helensvaleshs.eq.edu.au and we will contact you as soon as possible.