20 May 2016

Newsletter Articles

What's happening in Week Six and Seven – Term 2:

Week 6

16/05/16

• Year 12 Elevate Workshop – for invited OP students.
• Year 10 Geography Excursion – Students will be travelling to Surfers Paradise to collect primary data surveying current land use patterns and compare them with past land patterns.

17/05/16

• Year 11 Geography Excursion – Students will participate in marine craft safety and navigational marker familiarisation and marine craft preparation and operation in order to investigate potential development in the Gold Coast Broadwater. Students will assess human impacts, perform an ecological assessment and evaluate mangroves.
• Year 12 Studio Lighting Workshop
• Years 7-8 Student Learning Improvement Conversations (SLIC) – 3.15pm to 7.30pm
• Years 7 and 9 Art Excellence Students – Mixed Media Workshop.
• Drama Festival Rehearsals

18/05/16

• AFL Round 4, Helensvale V Palm Beach
• Year 12 Marine Excursion – as a compulsory part of the Aquatic Practices program for Commercial and Recreational Applications of the Sea, the students will have the opportunity to experience boating activities on the Broadwater.
• Dance Troupe Rehearsals
• QCS Masterclass – for invited OP students

19/05/16

• Year 10 Science and Engineering Challenge – competition run by Griffith University Gold Coast Campus.
• Touch Football Academy Round Robin – trial games against Ormeau SHS.
• Broadwater District Cross Country Trials – held at Runaway Bay.
• Year 11 Marine Excursion – as a compulsory part of the Aquatic Practices program for Commercial and Recreational Applications of the Sea, the students will have the opportunity to experience boating activities on the Broadwater.
• Year 12 Tourism overnight Camp – opportunity for students to receive a Certificate II in Tourism and expand their industry knowledge.

20/05/16

• Volleyball Cup
• Football Bill Turner Cup
• Deadly Choices

Week 7

23/05/16

24/05/16

• Year 11 Cert III in Fitness Excursion, Runaway Bay.
• Instrumental Music Fanfare Band Competition – students will participate in specific ensemble performances in a competition environment.
• Drama Festival Rehearsals

25/05/16

• Dance Troupe Rehearsals
• Year 9/10, 3 day Sydney Touch Football Trip – NSW all schools finals.

26/05/16

• Football friendly match – HSHS V Pacific Pines SHS
• INFQ Indoor Netball Carnival – 2 full days

27/05/16

• Deadly Choices

Helensvale Highlights – Industry Pathways

On Thursday 5th May approximately 70 Helensvale SHS year 11 and 12 non OP students attended the Gold Coast Careers Expo at RACV Royal Pines Resort. The students were presented with the fantastic opportunity to talk to over 70 exhibitors, all there to help them discover their study and career pathway.

Helensvale Highlights – Academic Performance

The current Year 12 QCS cohort have undergone two intensive days of testing to replicate the state-wide testing they will do in term 3. The purpose of these test days is for them to practice the skills they have developed in the QCS Futures Program. Attendance at these days was exceptional and the students put in a fantastic effort. The results from these tests will be used to inform the term 3 preparation program and provide crucial feedback to individual students.

Helensvale Highlights – Special Education

Art@vale is a new in school work experience program for our senior SEP students. Students are creating art for the consumer, manufacturing handmade art products as a team. Yes you will have an opportunity to purchase all handmade art objects, while the students experience all aspects of work/life skills from design, concept, housekeeping to sales and marketing. Our first class started last week with the creation of designer sushi plates.

Ceramics and Surface Pattern Making

Students participating in the SEP Senior Art classes have been spending time creating beautiful surface patterns in water colour and applying those patterns onto their own clay bowls. These photos are of the painted bowls after their first Bisque firing. Currently their bowls are in the kiln waiting a final glaze firing, we are expecting spectacular results.

Our talented junior SEP Students were inspired to create paintings of Ned Kelly reflecting their own judgements of this iconic man. The artworks reflect the students opinions of Kelly as a hero or villain.

It was a busy day in the SEP as we focused our understanding of our schools Anzac Day ceremony. Students created ink and collage artworks showing their respect for the fallen soldiers.

Helensvale Highlights – Arts Department

This year is an exciting time for the Instrumental Music Program and students involved at Helensvale SHS. The Wind Symphony, Stage Band and Drum line will be touring to Townsville on Monday 25th July for a week to perform and participate in workshops with other schools in what will be an exciting opportunity for everyone involved.

Creative Generation

Some of our very talented music students auditioned and were successful in gaining a place in the Creative Generation Orchestra and Drum line. They have commenced rehearsals in preparation for a phenomenal show involving musicians, dancers and singers that will culminate in to four performances at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Anzac Performance

The Wind Symphony performed at both the Senior and Junior Anzac Day Ceremonies and did a fine job. Bugler Chris Regtien performed the Last Post with dignity and refinement that made everyone involved very proud.

Senior Photography

The year 12 photography students have their work on display at the Runaway Bay Library for the month of April. The display always gets great praise from the staff and public.

On Tuesday 8th March, the Year 12 photography students along with Mrs Caughley, Mr Karsten and Ms Hancox, caught the train to South Bank in Brisbane and spent the day on location. Most students had a 35mm SLR camera with zoom lenses as well as digital cameras. This enabled them to walk around and shoot a variety of subjects experimenting with photographic styles and techniques like perspective, motion, wildlife and portraiture.

On Wednesday 20th April Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 students were treated to a performance from Shake and Stir Theatre Company. The production, 'Terrortorial' told the story of three Year 7 students transitioning from primary to high school. The play was both highly entertaining as well as reflective as it dealt with themes of bullying and finding one's place in a new world.

The students of the Year 7 Drama Academy Class have had a busy start to the term with many exciting things happening and about to happen. In Week 1 they were treated to an Artist in Residence running professional workshops in their lesson time. Homunculus Theatre Company Artistic Director was so impressed with the group of 28 students commenting they were working at a Year 10 Level making and creating drama.

THANK YOU

On behalf of the all the students going on the Band Tour we would like to THANK all the families, friends and staff who participated in our Mother's Day Raffle. All the money raised will be going towards the cost of the Band tour.

1st prize a basket of Mother's Day goodies was won by Mrs. Gayle Edwards
2nd prize a box Mother's Day goodies was won by Mrs. Julia Hodges
3rd prize another box of Mother's Day goodies was won by Mrs. Ramona O'Rouke

We hope all of our Mother's had a relaxing and stress free day and that our winners enjoyed their prizes.

Helensvale Highlights – Industry Liaison Officer

This time last Year Night Quarter approached Helensvale State High School to become involved in the NEW outdoor venue they were opening later in the year. From these initial talks to now, we have 4 Year 12 students working every weekend at the Helensvale Night Quarter venue. They are completing a School Based Traineeship in Certificate III in Hospitality and participate in a variety of areas and have gained valuable Hospitality and Event experience. Recently I had the privilege of attending the opening of their new function area overlooking The Paddock stage. I was able to see our students in action and felt very proud of them and this community partnership between the Night Quarter and Helensvale SHS.