26 October 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Thoughts

A Successful Full School Review

As you are aware, the full school review was conducted from 9 – 12 October, with 5 reviewers external to the school meeting with students, staff, parents and community members and observing school life. The reviewers were very impressed with many aspects of the school and made the following parting comments:

• The school has a clear explicit improvement agenda as demonstrated by the Big 5 (Curriculum, Pedagogy, Assessment, Response to Intervention Extension, and Response to Intervention Support). This improvement agenda then articulates into the Annual Implementation Plan and 2017 spotlight strategy. Significant resources are provided to support the improvement agenda. We do need to continue to narrow and sharpen our focus each year.
• Professional Learning Teams (PLTs) were a strong theme throughout the reviewers’ discussions and comments. They were very impressed by the quality and depth of student data analysis and focussed conversations that were part of the PLT process. Very comprehensive.
• There is a strong sense of pride in the school at all levels – students, staff and community. There is a strong desire to be successful.
• Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) is focussed on promoting young adults and is working, as demonstrated through the students who were approachable, polite and respectful. There is a strong culture of high expectations. A few of the reviewers commented how the students actually approached them and wanted to talk to them. They enjoyed the engagement of students.
• The school conducts reviews to ensure resourcing is targeted and focussed on student learning. The reviewers encouraged us to continue with these reviews.
• Building teacher capacity and developing expert teaching teams was clearly evident through the work of effective instruction, mentoring beginning teacher program, pre-service teacher program, PLTs and a wide range of other professional learning.
• The reviewers were impressed with the extent of curriculum documentation and the processes to ensure the curriculum was clearly mapped out across the whole school. A high standard and alignment of documentation translated into what the reviewers saw happening in classrooms.
• PLTs ensured discussions of differentiation. Programs such as LLI, FLIP and Academy programs are differentiated.
• There are effective pedagogical practices in the school such as IMPACT (Inspire-Model-Act-Connect-Transform). We need to continue to align our work to these frameworks.
• School partnerships – they were blown away by the extent and strength of our partnerships. The community really supports our school.

This is just a small taste to give you a flavour of what might be in the final report.

Over the next few weeks, the review team will produce two reports. A summary report which is to go on our website and a full report which will provide detailed affirmations and recommendations for the school. These recommendations are not intended to be implemented all at once. They will be recommendations that we consider for inclusion in our 4 year strategic plan.

I really look forward to the next 4 years and continuing with the amazing journey of Helensvale State High.

I also look forward to celebrating with you the amazing achievements of our students at the many celebrations this term including academic awards night, sports awards night, graduation, formal and the various Arts and Hospitality events that occur throughout the term.

Important Dates

• Academic Awards – Wednesday 1 Nov
• Sports Awards - Wednesday 8 Nov
• Year 12 Graduation – Tuesday 14 November
• Year 12 Farewell Parade - Wednesday 15 November
• Formal – Friday 17 November
• Year 12 last day - Friday 17 November

Education Perfect – QLD Language Championships 2017

Last month, Education Perfect hosted the annual QLD Language Perfect Championships. This event runs for just one week and this year 171 schools took part, with over 11,000 students entered. This is a massive competition for Queensland.

Students must actively participate by answering as many questions as they can correctly from randomly generated word lists and other assessments. They more they answer correctly, the more points they earn. As they progress, students are greatly improving their vocabulary and knowledge of a wide variety of languages available.

Helensvale SHS did extremely well in this competition, placing 5th out of 123 other schools in QLD, in the Japanese Language category. Our best result to date! This success can be attributed to the hard work of several hard working students: Jessie Foumakis, Amber Hemmings, Phoenix Belcher, Leo Matsuzaki, Keigo Seki, Lisa Matsuzaki and Julian Rogers. Well done guys!!

Special mention must be made of Julian Rogers’ effort. His total score accounted for 60% of the total points earned at Helensvale SHS. This monumental performance earnt Julian the number one ranking in the state, as well as the top prize of a $100 iTunes gift card. Well done Julian!! We are all very proud of your dedication to improving your Japanese language skills.

NRL School to Work Program

Helensvale SHS students Felicity Best, Holly Rawlinson, Zoe McConville and Zayden Thompson recently attended the Bond University Headstart day as part of the NRL School to Work Program, with Melissa Lightburn, an NRL School to Work Officer.

The Headstart Day is an opportunity for Year 10 and 11 students to gain information about the university’s faculties, what courses are available and learn about university life.

Something from SWELL Space

As we are in the last term of 2017, and senior students have entered the final phase of schooling, SWeLL has begun to focus on being a dedicated work and safe space at break and for senior study periods. The staff are actively encouraging productive work practices at break times to assist with the workload students have.

In addition to the workspace in breaks, we have started a homework club/study hall on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 3pm until 4pm. Students are welcome to come along to SWeLL, get assistance with work from our friendly staff and focus on getting their assignments and homework completed. We look forward to seeing students utilise this fantastic opportunity.

From The Arts Department

Under the Northern Stars - Arts Awards Night

Not even the overcast sky could dim the stars that shone on Tuesday night! Whether it be the fairy lights that covered our northern campus or the students who displayed copious amounts of talent, our Annual Arts Awards night displayed the creativity that our Helensvale students have to offer.

Our Northern Campus of the school transformed into a performance stage, art exhibition and mini festival. We had the pleasure of listening to music performed by Sidney Rae and the Maples, the school choir and even our Visual art student Libby Hoe took to the mic to blow us away. We heard the clarinet ensemble and the saxophones echoing throughout. We saw performances from our Actors and Actresses at Helensvale who took to the stage inside the PAC. The exhibition displayed outstanding work from our Visual Art, photography and media art students. We also had a viewing room which played short films from our talented directors in the making.

Overall, the rain could not dim the stars we have here at Helensvale High and our Arts Awards night displayed a collaboration from across all the Creative Art students. We would like to thank the efforts, hard work and dedication shown from our students and, of course, the parents and caregivers who constantly support our students and school by coming to these events and helping our students achieve incredible things (whilst having fun!).

From all of the Arts Staff, we thank everyone involved and look forward to next year.

ENERGIES 2017

It is that time of year again when our ENERGIES art showcase is presented.

Energies is a regional exhibition where all Gold Coast Schools are invited to showcase their senior Visual Art talent in this annual event. A non-competitive, teacher-organised exhibition that promotes the place and importance of Visual Art in the curriculum and to present diverse examples of excellence standard visual artworks to the public.

This year, Maddison Murphy, Kimberly Wong, Sofia Palladino, Yuanyan Teng, Thomas Isakson and Tayla Muller are our exhibiting students. A huge congratulations to them for their efforts and talent. You will not want to miss this one.

Opening night is Friday 27th October 6-7.30pm in the gallery 1 space in Bundall Gold Coast Arts Centre. The show will be on display to the public until 12th November. So get your visual art juices flowing and come and be inspired by the amazing works of 116 students from across 27 schools on the Gold Coast.

ISKA World Titles

Tom Isakson is currently in preparations for the ISKA World Titles being held in Sydney last weekend. Tom has been entering competitions including the ISKA QLD state Titles a few weeks ago where Tom placed in the event.

Tom has been training extremely well over the past few months preparing for last weekend. The ISKA World Titles had over 2500 competitors from all over the world and was held in Sydney for 2017.

Tom is also preparing for the Australian Titles which are coming up in the next few weeks, this tournament will not only select the top competitors in the country but will also select the Australian team for the 2018 ISKA World Titles which are held at Disneyland biannually. This event is the biggest Martial Arts Tournament in the world and Tom is looking very good to being selected into the Australian team.

Kyoshi Bill Wakefield, Combined Martial Arts Academy’s Director and Chief Instructor, feels that Tom is in great shape at the moment and is very confident to see how they do at both the Australian Titles and World Titles.

Tom has been working extremely well and has improved in a lot of areas. This is not only due to the work he is doing at Karate but also the amazing work he is doing at school and the support given at school.

Congratulations to Tom who won - 16-17 yr black belt team sparring, 16-17 yr black belt Traditional Form (kata), 2nd in 16-17 yr Continuous Sparring. He was then awarded Grand Champion of Traditional Kata from the Grand finals.

AFL Juniors State Champs for 4th Consecutive Title.

On a very wet Sunday, on the “Sunshine Coast”, Helensvale’s junior AFL team won the AFLQ Schools Cup for the 4th consecutive year. In a very hard fought physical game, our boys overcame a strong Palm Beach team containing 3 state players to win 4 - 7 - 31 to 1 – 5 - 11.

Both teams entered the Grand Final with a win each from our clashes, and the game proved to be the two best teams slugging it out. Helensvale started well and kicked 2 crucial goals in the first term with Aidan Fyfe and Sam Hilton-Joyce proving dangerous up forward.

During the second quarter the rain came and stayed for the remainder of the match, and our boys adjusted to the conditions quickly and put their bodies on the line and heads over the footy. Helensvale’s tackling and defensive pressure particularly after half time was a catalyst for our victory especially with a Palm Beach side, who would not stop trying. The on ball group of Elder Tutu, Rhys Nicholls, Mackenzie Riddle and Finn Brown led the charge at every stoppage. Our backline worked overtime for 4 quarters and were instrumental in holding Palm Beach to one goal for the game.

Taking out the state title is just rewards for the hard work the boys have put in and their willingness to place team football before individual needs. Well done to all junior boys involved this year.

Goal Kickers: Aidan Fyfe 2, Sam Hilton-Joyce 1, Joel Croft 1.
Best Players: Aidan Fyfe, Rhys Nicholls, Finn Brown, Jared Eckersley, Sam Hilton-Joyce, Mackenzie Riddle & Ethan White.

Coach Tindall

AFL Seniors Runner Ups in State Champs 2017

Torrential rain was a major factor in determining the Senior AFL State Schools Champions on Sunday the 15th of October 2017. In character testing conditions, our Senior Helensvale AFL side fought tooth and nail and threw everything but the kitchen sink at Palm Beach Currumbin to go down 5.6.36 to 1.1.7 in the state Grand Final. In what was a wet and physically tough grand final, with the ball best described as a wet bar of soap, Palm Beach were a little more clean with the footy, however our Helensvale boys intensity and pressure could not be questioned. The boys were professional and focused all throughout the game and very disciplined even when Palm Beach were resorting to hitting late off the ball and niggling at every opportunity -a trait which will hold them in good stead throughout life and something as a coach, I myself, was very proud of.

Both teams entered the Grand Final with many wins during the season, however, Palm Beach had won our previous two clashes and the game proved to be the two best teams hitting it out. Helensvale started well with a very evenly matched first half. Palm Beach kicked a few quick goals just before conditions worsened and the rain really came down making it very difficult for Helensvale to make any in roads on the score board.

Throughout the match Helensvale maintained fierce tackling pressure and were led well by year 12 players, Jasper Graham, Cooper Portelli, Terry Giacoumis and Jarrod Mills. These boys dominated stoppages to get the ball moving in our direction and were relentless with their pressure.

Overall, it was an exciting and fast paced contest with Palm Beach Currumbin earning their title as State Champions. Helensvale SH can hold their heads very high as deserving runners up in the Queensland competition.

Goal Kickers: Dylan Lewis
Best Players: Jasper Graham, Terry Giacoumis, Jarrod Mills, Cooper Portelli

Coach Dwyer

Queensland All Schools Touch football tournament

Helensvale State High recently competed in the Queensland All Schools Touch football tournament. QLD All Schools is the biggest schools Touch Football tournament in the world and has teams not only from all regions of Queensland but also from New South Wales, Victoria, New Zealand and Singapore. Over the five days of the competition over 450 teams competed across 7 divisions in over 1600 games of Touch Football.

Helensvale was well represented in all seven divisions and won 31 of their 38 pool games. We had four of our teams go through the pool stage undefeated and progress to the finals. The 13’s boys and 15’s boys teams both won their way through to semi-finals. Both these semi-finals had to be decided in overtime and unfortunately both teams narrowly lost, however finishing an amazing top four in their divisions.

Helensvale’s 15 girls and 18 mixed made it all the way through to the Grand Final and were both victorious, been crowned state championships.

Due to the strength of our Helensvale SHS teams across all of the divisions Helensvale received the prestigious honour of being awarded the Overall Champion School from this year’s QLD All Schools Touch Football Championships and claim the honour of best Touch Football school in Queensland.

All Schools Video highlights-

Excursion Permission Forms

In attempt to make accessing information easier for parents and carers, the school has begun uploading a copy of excursion information and permission forms to the school website. There is a link on the front website page and they can be found at:

Gab of the Guidos

Beating Exam Stress

A helpful video on beating exam stress from the Today Show last weekend.

The Importance of Sleep

We all know how sleep affects our life – a good night sleep makes life’s dilemmas easier to cope with while a bad night’s sleep (or limited sleep) makes us grumpy, lethargic and mostly no fun to be around. Sleep problems in kids don't just drive parents batty, they also affect children's health and development, including academic performance, growth and even immunity.

Sleep researcher and psychologist Dr Sarah Blunden, from the Centre for Sleep Research at the University of South Australia, Melbourne (2010), stated that sleep problems – which can be medical or behavioural – can affect memory, attention, thinking ability and behaviour including mental health issues. For children there are also studies that link bed wetting with sleep problems.

The most common cause of medical sleep problems is snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea (holding the breath), but sleep walking or night terrors, periodic limb movement disorder or restless leg syndrome and other conditions, such as asthma and eczema, can also affect sleep.

Behavioural sleep problems can include difficulty falling or staying asleep, resisting going to bed, changing sleep hours (like teenagers do), and getting out of bed during the night.

So what is enough sleep?

• Toddlers need 12 to 14 hours sleep daily
• Primary school kids 10 to12 hours.
• Adolescents need about 8½ to 9½ hours of sleep per night

Research suggests without this amount of sleep, children don't function as well. They're more irritable, aggressive, hyperactive, fidgety, and can't concentrate or remember information, compromising learning, and exhibiting delayed response time. They get sick more and have an increased risk of accidents. We as adults can also relate to these symptoms.

DID YOU KNOW?

More than half of "asleep-at-the-wheel" car accidents are caused by tired teens.

Poor sleep can affect all of us at some time. Sleep experts recommend the following tips. Whether you be young or old or in the middle:

• Get into a routine - go to bed around the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. Encourage teenagers not to take `catnaps’ during the day so they can sleep at night
• Investigate if there are any fears or anxieties that might be keeping you/them awake
• Before bed, do relaxation, breathing or visualisation exercises (imagine a happy place such as the beach or park)
• Do relaxing activities such as reading, drawing, listening to quiet music in the hour before bed to help wind down.
• Turn off the television (keep TV out of the bedroom), computer, electronic games and other activities in the hour before bed.
• Avoid strenuous exercise in the few hours before bed but make sure you/ your child gets plenty of exercise during the day.
• Avoid caffeine (soft drinks and coffee) and limit spicy or salty food which can cause thirst – and wake you/ your child during the night
• Encourage your child to fall asleep on their own (even from age six months - put babies down when drowsy rather when already asleep)
• Use reward systems (star charts culminating in a lucky dip or favourite outing) to motivate preschool and school-age kids, especially if they are getting out of bed or coming into your bed at night
• Install a hall or night light if your child is scared of the dark
• If work is affecting your sleep seek help to manage stress

If all else fails see a GP who can refer you/your child to a medical specialist, sleep physician or psychologist to investigate why you or your child struggles with sleep.

Adapted from:
ABC Health and Well Being – Kids Need a Good Night’s Sleep by Helen Carter
KidsHealth

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