14 September 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Thoughts

Executive Principal Appointment

I am absolutely honoured, humbled and privileged to have been appointed to the permanent position of Executive Principal at Helensvale State High School, a school that is great in many, many aspects. I am truly committed to working with the school community in achieving our mission of One Student, One Community, Many Futures.

With a newly appointed Principal, a newly formed School Council and the development of a new four year strategic plan, it certainly is the ‘dawn of a new era’ for Helensvale SHS.

Thank you for all of your support in the eight weeks I have been acting in the Principal position and I look forward to continuing working with our school community in a more permanent capacity.

Our school review – an opportunity to have your say

Every school in the state undergoes a school review at least every four years. Key findings from this review help form the school’s four year strategic planning process. Our review is occurring from 9 –12 October.

Last week I spoke with the Chair of our school review, Valerie Hadgelias. There will be five review team members, which are still to be confirmed.

The review team would like to hear from our school community and I encourage anyone who is interested to have their say. Your feedback is important and will help us continue to deliver a great education for our students.

Feedback can be provided to the review team by phone or in person. All feedback is confidential.

Please email Cindy Hahn (chahn13@eq.edu.au) if you are interested in speaking to a reviewer. Alternatively, you can register your interest by emailing SIUMB@det.qld.gov.au. More information about the review process is available from the Department of Education and Training website:

Wearing our uniform with pride – being responsible for upholding our high standards

The uniform advisory committee was formed earlier this year in response to feedback from students and the community regarding a possibility of an additional option to the current jumper for winter. The advisory committee has worked very hard this term to determine what that option might look like. Jacket options were presented at our last P & C meeting for feedback. A ‘mock’ jacket is currently being designed by one of the suppliers with the features that the uniform advisory committee and P & C agreed to.

We have listened to the voice of our students and community and have responded.

The Helensvale State High School community prides itself on its reputation of having very high standards in every aspect of school life, including academia, behaviour and the wearing of uniform. This is one of the major reasons we are a school of high demand.

As this is the last newsletter for the term, I would like to wish families a safe, relaxing holiday. I look forward to seeing our students walk through the school gates on the first day of term 4 recharged for what is a term full of recognition and celebration.

Public Holiday & Student Free Day

Mon 2/10 is a Public holiday. School is closed.

Mon 16/10 is a Student Free Day. The Administration Office will only be open from 8.000am – 12.00pm on that day. All other areas of the school will be closed for the whole day.

Japanese Academy Cultural Incursion

Taiko Workshop

On Tuesday 29 August, students from our Japanese Academy Program participated in an entertaining Taiko Workshop, provided by ‘EZ Japanese’. The word ‘taiko’ means ‘big drum’ and during this workshop, students learnt the basics techniques of Taiko drumming as well as some of its history and culture.

They were instructed by a strict team leader, Kiyomi Sensei, whose firm approach ensured that everyone was working well as a team by the end of their fifty minute workshop. All students sounded like they had an enjoyable time and I was most impressed by how quickly they were able to learn the techniques. Even Kiyomi Sensei commented on how great a team our students were.

Mr Middleton.

QCS 2017

Term 3 in the senior school is an extremely hectic time. Recently, 94 Helensvale State High School senior students sat the Queensland Core Skills Test. Following a year of preparation with an expert teaching team, practice tests and explicit feedback the students were confident walking into the room.

The focus, commitment and comradeship demonstrated by the students over these two days was commendable. Though tiring and challenging, all students ‘kept their head in the game’ and worked up until the last. It has been an absolute delight working with these students and I look forward to continue working with them leading up to their graduation. As they launch themselves into the world of tertiary study or work, I am sure they will do amazing things.

Nicole Brazeau

Project Samoa

The Northern Collegiate is a leadership and citizenship program offered to year 11 students across 6 local high schools. Entry into the program is via application and merit; all students are welcome to apply at the end of year 10. Due to their phenomenal leadership skills, a number of the 2016 students from the Helensvale State High School Northern Collegiate cohort will be travelling to Samoa on the 16th of September to put their learning into practice. Accompanied by myself and Mr Hinds, they will be building a school next to an existing orphanage in Apia, the capital of Samoa. Whilst there, they will be immersed in a completely different culture and will experience leadership from a whole different perspective. We are so proud to be able to offer this opportunity to budding leaders, to watch them grow into fantastic young adult citizens through participation in this program. Stay tuned for more photos after the expedition!

Nahdia Graham
Student Leadership Coordinator.

Equestrian Representative

Congratulations to Taylah Drews, who has been chosen to represent Queensland schools at the 2017 Marcus Oldham Australian Interschool Championships in Toowoomba these September holidays! She represents Helensvale SHS against schools from around Australia. With over 100 riders representing 72 schools, she will be in good company. Good Luck Taylah!!!

Industry Liaison Update

In the last month we have celebrated excellence in Training - Schools Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship Awards. Zoe Bowler represented the South East Region as a finalist for Qld Training Awards and Edith Chee, Reilly Wardrope and Jaram Brown were finalists at the South East Regional SATS Awards. These awards highlight the achievements of our students in the workplace. Well done to all. These are a great achievement as there are over 1000 School Based Trainees and Apprentices in this region. These awards are something for your child to strive for.

The Industry Pathways offices have been very busy this term.

Year 10s went out into our local community to sample different careers, jobs and industry opportunities. Some of them will gain School Based Apprenticeships (SATS) from these experiences. If you had this conversation with your host employer please ensure you see the Industry Liaison Officer (ILO) in Term 4 to assist you with this.

In the past week all Years 10 students should have had their SETP interview, where they were assisted by Nicola Brandis - HOD Industry Pathways, and a team of knowledgeable Senior Schooling staff, with Year 11 Subject Selection. (If you haven't already done this, ensure you contact the school to organise a meeting). Many of these students have decided to follow a Vocational or Personalised Pathway which makes them eligible to participate in SATS or External Courses that align with their chosen career or study pathway. If you are thinking of a trade pathway an External Course through TAFE may be your best option as this qualification will give you valuable Industry experience and knowledge before starting an Apprenticeship. Please see the ILO as soon as possible to secure your spot.

School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships are designed to give the student the opportunity to start their chosen career while at school. There is no rush to get this organised and best for Year 10s to talk to the ILO in 2018. There are funding implications if a student chooses too soon and changes their mind.

Year 11s can still talk to the ILO about SAT and External Course opportunities- make a booking today in CB08.

Year 12s should be finishing up their Traineeships in the next month and need to complete a minimum of 375 hours and complete all their theory. If you are worried about this timeline, speak to the ILO, your trainer for holiday theory catch up and your employer for more hours over the school holidays.

Over the past 8 years in this position I have assisted over 1700 senior students with their most appropriate and viable career pathway. Meeting ex-graduates and hearing their life journeys so far makes me proud of the job an ILO does in our school community. This has been a very rewarding profession and I look forward to hearing about your student's successes one day.

SPORT AWARDS INFORMATION

The annual Helensvale SHS Sport Awards Evening will be held on Wednesday 8 November. If you think your son or daughter should be recognised on the night for their sporting achievements, please see the nomination forms emailed last week (also available on the school website) for both school-based competition and club-based competition sports. Please ensure you follow the instructions detailed on each form and are aware of the strict timelines for submission and level of representation to qualify for nomination. The closing date for nominations is Friday 13 October.

All students who have achieved at a high level in their chosen sport will be recognised on the night. However, eligibility for Sportsperson of the Year is based on success in QLD Secondary School Sports only.

Any queries please contact acting Head of Department, Jo Morgan or Sport/HPE Teacher Aide, Mona Williams.

NOMINATION FORMS CAN ALSO BE COLLECTED FROM MONA WILLIAMS IN THE SPORT OFFICE BY THE SPORTS ACTIVITY CENTRE (SAC).

Northern Schools Basketball Competition

Last Thursday 31 August, our Open basketball team played in the Finals of the Northern School Basketball Competition. Helensvale faced off against Southport and won convincingly to become the champions of the Northern Schools Comp! It was a fast paced, edge of your seat game. Southport stayed close to the Vale team for the entire game, but Helensvale proved to be too strong, and the crowd that turned out to see the team play – led by Executive Principal, Ms Lindsay- were not disappointed. An exciting game and talented team all made for a great afternoon of sports!! Well done team!

The Arts

Creative Generation

Congratulations to Year 11 Senior Art student Thomas Isakson for his regional win at the Gold Coast Creative Generation regional Art Exhibition at Griffith University’s White box gallery.

Tom is one of five Gold Coast school students who has the prestigious honour of exhibiting his work ‘Perception’ at the Gallery of Modern Art next year. Tom’s work features hundreds of straws meticulously cut and arranged to create undulating form of memorising distortion of space and scale within a the sculpture ‘Perception’. Please enjoy reading the below artist statement.

“By examining the subjectivity of the human visual process, ‘Perception’ investigates the complex relationship between visual stimuli and a person’s understanding of it. Conditioned by the context from which the sculpture is observed and our own preconceptions, the image becomes open for interpretation. My mission was to create something that communicated more than what it seemed. Using a humble drinking straw to render a large three dimensional multifaceted perceptual sculpture is aimed to challenge my audience to use their personal opinions, knowledge and beliefs to establish their own evaluation” (Thomas Iskason 2017).

Encore 2017

Friday October 6th is ENCORE, a chance for our Dance students to showcase their curriculum work as well as highlight student choreography. Throughout the year students have been expanding their skills and techniques in the genres of Contemporary, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Sports Aerobics, World Dance and Hip Hop. This is a celebration of their efforts and a great night of entertainment. Tickets can be purchased for $5 at Finance. Please note, no tickets will be sold at the door. The event begins at 6pm in the SAC.

Under The Northern Stars

Helensvale Arts students take great pride in their submissions; whether it be a portrait, an individual choreographic work, a musical presentation, a dramatic improvisation, a short film or an advertising poster. The Arts Department wish to recognise the extra hours students dedicate to their assessment work, as well as the time being involved in extra-curricular activities, such as the school Musical, Creative Generation, Drama Festivals, Encore and Musical Ensembles. Under the Northern Stars is an Arts Awards night that allows the Arts Staff to acknowledge student contributions to our department beyond the curriculum. On Tuesday 17th October, the Arts Department invites you to Under the Northern Stars in the Northern Campus of HSH from 5:30pm to 6:45pm where student talent will be showcased along with yummy food and desserts. A formal awards ceremony will follow in the Performing Arts for nominated students and their families. We thank the parents and carers for supporting our students as they pursue their love of the Arts.

Year 6 Helensvale State High “High School Experience Day”

On Thursday 31 August we welcomed our newest enrolees to the school for the day. Approximately 360 Year 6 students, who will be joining us in 2018, spent the day on campus finding out more about our school.

Students attended classes, participated in lunch time activities, such as drumming and indigenous painting, and were able to speak to students and staff about our school.

Thank you to the staff and our student helpers on the day who gave the 2018 Year 7s a rich and valuable learning experience on the day!

NightQuarter

Supporter student band – Sydney Rae and the Maples at Night Quarter

R U OK? Day

R U OK?'s vision is a world where we're all connected and are protected from suicide.

Our mission is to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with people around them and support anyone struggling with life.

Our goals are to:

1. Boost our confidence to meaningfully connect and ask about life's ups and downs
2. Nurture our sense of responsibility to regularly connect and support others
3. Strengthen our sense of belonging because we know people are there for us
4. Be relevant, strong and dynamic

Who can I talk to if my friend or I am not ok?

• Teacher, counsellor or principal
• Youth support services:
• ReachOut.com (au.reachout.com)
• headspace (eheadspace.org.au)
• Youth beyondblue (youthbeyondblue.com)
• Kids Helpline (kidshelp.com.au)
• Place posters in your classroom from youth mental health organisations and R U OK?
• ReachOut.com (au.reachout.com)
• headspace (eheadspace.org.au)
• Youth beyondblue (youthbeyondblue.com)
• Kids Helpline (kidshelp.com.au)
• Local Youth Services run by your local Council

Would your child like a keepsake of their 2017 year at Helensvale High?

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 extra-curricular 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/further action required!

The cost for students in all other year levels is $15.00

The deadline for Year Book orders and payments MUST be finalised by close of business Friday 13 October!

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

The following Monday (16 October) is the day we notify the Printing Company of our numbers – THERE IS ONLY 1 PRINT RUN – so please make the deadline!

UNIFORM SHOP UPDATE

Grade 11 Students, Exciting News For you.

Grade 11 students will soon be able to order the Canterbury jersey for their 2018 senior option.

Students will be able to visit the uniform shop from week 3, Term 4, for sizing options and ordering. A first name or last name are the only options to be added to the back of the jersey.

School Policy is that students wishing to order a senior jersey must have:

• returned the completed signed 2018 Student Resource Scheme form
• no outstanding fees
• paid the first instalment of the 2018 Student Resource Scheme fee.

Cost is $67.00 each including GST