17 August 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Thoughts

Celebration of Success

Over the last fortnight we have held our ACE Awards ceremonies, where we come together as a community to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students. One thousand awards were received by over 700 students - a phenomenal achievement and a true measure of success in our pursuit of excellence.

The ACE Awards recognise and celebrate students who are excelling academically and / or have shown the high levels of dedication, self-belief, determination and willingness to improve through upholding our values of respect, responsibility and resilience.

A special mention to our 500 family members and carers who were able to attend the ceremonies. Together as a community we demonstrate how we value education, have very high expectations of our students’ learning and behaviours and wish to celebrate their successes.

We Value Your Opinion – School Opinion Surveys

The annual suite of School Opinion Surveys are being conducted between 31 July and 25 August 2017. All families, school staff and a random sample of students are invited to participate. We encourage you to take this opportunity to have your say about what this school does well, and how this school can improve.

Access details for the Parent/Caregiver Survey have been issued to your eldest child to take home to parents.

Planning for the Future

The Department of Education and Training regularly reviews Queensland state schools to ensure they’re delivering quality education to students. The reviews are conducted by the department’s School Improvement Unit at least every four years. Helensvale State High School is scheduled for a full school review from 9 to 12 October this year.

The full school review coincides with the school’s Quadrennial School Review. The recommendations of the full school review and the outcomes of the Quadrennial School Review inform the development of the school’s 4 year strategic plan.

The opinions and input of parents and carers is highly valued. The community will have an opportunity to contribute and provide feedback as part of the Full School Review and Quadrennial School Review processes.

More information will be provided on how parents and carers can contribute to both reviews closer to the time of the reviews.

Senior and Junior ACE Parades

The Helensvale SHS ACE Parades are held to recognise, acknowledge and celebrate Academic Excellence and our three learning values: Resilient, Respectful and Responsible.

The Academic Gold Award is based on a student achieving at least an A level in 6 subjects for Semester One 2017. They have also exhibited outstanding application and diligence to personal academic performance.

Academic Awards are based on students achieving As & Bs in their subjects for Semester One 2017. They have worked hard and made every effort to achieve at a high level.

The other 3 Awards centre on our learning values.

Since their last full academic report students receiving the Resilient Learner Award have shown personal drive and motivation to improve their overall academic performance and grade point average.

The Respectful Learner Award is presented to students who have displayed exemplary behaviour and effort during Semester One.

Students awarded the Responsible Learner Award actively demonstrate “It Is Not OK to be Away” and have fully committed themselves to attending class, participating in Camps, excursions, representative sport performances, School Based Traineeships and a host of other enrichment and leadership programs.

Shiraoka High School Sister School Visit 2017

During the last week of July, Helensvale High played host to thirteen students from our long-time Sister School in Japan, Shiraoka High. While their visit was brief, a wonderful time was had by all involved.

The students were hosted by kind families of Helensvale High students, all of whom reported that they really enjoyed their guests and agreed that they have made new friendships that will last a lifetime. All of the Japanese students also reported they had amazing experiences with their hosts and were all very sad when it came time to say goodbye. Highlights of the week included: Sports Carnival Day; Aussie BBQ Picnic at Main Beach; Drumming with Mr Bradley; Aboriginal Art & Music with Mr Gordon; Cooking Class with Mr Whitehouse; and, Cultural Exchange Classes with some of our own students.

A tremendous thank you must go out to all of the host families for giving up their homes and their time. In addition, thank you to all of the staff that assisted in looking after their visit: Long Bradley, Roger De Hoop, Narelle Gibson, Tony Gordon, Marnie Griffiths, Cass Radecki, Rachel Vickers and Peter Whitehouse. Due to your support, we have had yet another successful Sister School Visit. Without your generosity this program would not be possible.

Domo arigatou gozaimasu! Thank you very much! Brett Middleton.

Gab of the Guidos

Kindness

Kindness is not an everyday word these days. We use words like `respect’ readily but even this does not contain most of the attributes that `kindness’ does. Religions highlight the importance of kindness and love as virtues we must strive to achieve, and if these virtues were universally practiced, we could guarantee a world free of crime and violence, and everyone looking after each other. It seems hard to imagine.

So what is kindness? Kindness has been defined as:

• the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane, sympathetic
• tendency to be kind and forgiving
• a kind act - marked by charitable behaviour, marked by mild disposition , pleasantness, tenderness and concern for others; a recognised value in many cultures and religions

Research has shown that acts of kindness do not only benefit receivers of the kind act, but also the giver. This is the result of the release of neurotransmitters, which are responsible for feelings of contentment and relaxation, when such acts are committed.

How to teach kindness to our children

• Be a good role model - Children observe our behavior and are likely to copy the ways we treat others (and ourselves)
• Use the word `kindness’ to describe acts of compassion, care, empathy, forgiveness
• Provide simple, clear explanations about how other people feel when they are sad or hurt. Give examples of how kindness can be used in these situations to uplift a person’s moods.
• From an early age praise early acts of kindness - When your toddler gives up his favourite toy to a younger sibling who's crying, make sure he knows you acknowledge his action
• Encourage your child to help others – at home and in the community. For older children encourage participation in social justice programs, like helping feed the homeless. Not only will this act of kindness feel good but also will give an understanding of what others have to endure to survive.
• Say you're sorry – Admitting that you are wrong, or did not act appropriately can be very hard, but often the act of humility is a show of kindness in itself.

If we all practiced doing a few acts of kindness every day the results would be twofold – not only would others be uplifted, but also we would receive the health benefits that come with doing good deeds.

In giving we receive.

Programs Available

My name is Tania and I am a Youth Worker at the Pacific Pines Community Hub.

We run a program for 12-17 year old from 2.30pm - 5.30pm on both a Tuesday and Friday afternoon.

It is a safe space for youth to come and hang out after school.

If you would like to speak further in relation to this, I may be contacted on 0407 824 888.

VICKI WILSON CUP

2017 YEAR BOOK

We are taking orders for our annual Year Book Discovery, which is a full colour pictorial and text record of the events that shape this year both within the curriculum and covering all extracurricular events. It also includes year level photos of our students. Here are the details:

• Year 12 graduating students receive a complimentary copy of the year book (providing all outstanding fees are paid and exit requirements met). No payment required!
• The cost for students in all other year levels is $15.00
• The deadline for Year Book orders to be finalised is Friday 13 October (reminders will come closer to time)
• If paying electronically you must put the following in the reference field – your child’s student ID (found on their ID card and school timetable) as well as the letters YB so we know what you are paying for.

Our banking details are: BSB: 064430 – Account Number: 00091174 – Account Name: Helensvale State High School

Term 3 Finance News

Many thanks to families who have finalised their 2017 Student Resource fees. Resource fee payments provide students with a wide range of up to date resources and assist in maintaining a high level of technology across the school learning environment.

All Student Resource Scheme fees and subject fees for 2017 are now overdue for payment. A Statement of your school account will be emailed home shortly. If you have yet to finalise your account, to discuss particulars of your account or to arrange a payment plan please contact the school finance office as soon as possible.

It is important to remember when making payment via internet banking that you use your student’s ID number, this can be located on your invoice. With over 2500 students it is important that your student’s ID number is used as a reference so we can match the payment to your student’s account.

2017 Year books are now available to order. The cost of the yearbook is $15.00 and can be ordered and paid for through the finance office. Yearbook distribution is in December.

There are still a number Student ID cards that are awaiting collection from the school finance office. If your student is yet to receive their ID card please contact the finance office on 5573 8569.

UNIFORM SHOP UPDATE

We would like to inform you of the uniform shops new operating hours, effective from Monday the 14th of August 2017.

Please note new hours for Monday are 8am to 12pm.

Monday 8am to 12pm
Tuesday 8am to 12pm
Wednesday 8am to 12pm
Thursday 8am to 12pm
Friday - CLOSED

SCHOOL ZONES, PARKING AND PICK-UP

Parking rules apply around school during school time. This is a NO STOPPING AREA.

2 Minute loading (Kiss and Go) rules apply between 7.00am – 9.00am & 2.00pm – 4.00pm to drop off and pick up only – not to park or wait.

These signs mean that you have a MAXIMUM of 2 minutes to drop off or collect students. This creates a safe environment for our students and keeps traffic moving. You must use this area like a quick moving taxi rank.

Learning Alliance

Helensvale State High is excited to announce that Villawood Properties have come on board as a ‘Proud Partner’ to our school. Sustainable, creative and innovative, Villawood Properties has grown to be one of Australia’s most awarded developers, because they put the community first. Effective urban design is paramount in creating the overall masterplan of a community, which is why Villawood places emphasis on seamlessly connecting a new development to the existing community. Villawood Properties creates industry-leading communities with heart and soul; places where residents feel proud to call home and make meaningful connections within their community. We look forward to the great times ahead. For more information on our Vale Learning Alliance check out our website or contact Lisa Campbell on lcamp36@eq.edu.au.