6 September 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Thoughts

Dear Helensvale State High community,

One Student, One Community, Many Futures – Career Planning

Our world is changing. It is now a world of automation, globalisation and flexibility. Up to 47% of current jobs may be automated in the near future. 60% of new jobs require skills held by 20% of the workforce. Students of today will generally have up to 7 careers and 20 jobs. Demand for bilingual and multilingual employees is growing rapidly. And that is what we currently know. So how are we preparing students of tomorrow, today?

This term we have been busy with the subject selection processes in preparation for 2019. We have had subject selection talks on assemblies and during Futures lessons, subject selection evenings for parents and carers and now we are preparing for our individualised Senior Education and Training (SET) planning interviews with Year 10 students. With the new QCE commencing with Year 11s in 2019, the SET planning process is the first step in ensuring our students are on track and prepared for their futures beyond secondary school.

During SET planning interviews our school will work with students and their parents/carers to develop a SET plan which will help students:

• structure your learning in Years 11 and 12 around your abilities, interests and ambitions
• think about your education, training and career options after Year 12
• set and achieve your learning goals in Years 11 and 12, and beyond
• include flexible and coordinated pathway options in your course of senior study

Our teachers are ensuring our students are 21st Century learners, having the skills and knowledge to succeed in our rapidly changing world. The skills we are teaching on a daily basis will support our students in becoming critical and creative thinkers, successful communicators and have the necessary Information and Communication Technology skills to thrive in our connected world. Our Positive Behaviour for Learning philosophy is part of our overall well-being framework which teaches students the personal and social skills which will allow them to collaborate and work effectively in teams.

One Community – School Council

Thank you to Tanya Appleford who has been a valued parent representative on the School Council this year. Unfortunately, Tanya has relocated and is no longer able to serve on the School Council. If you would like to be a parent representative on the School Council, or would like to know more about the function of a School Council, please contact the school and request to speak with the Principal.

At the most recent School Council meeting we conducted a mid-year review of the school’s budget and learnt more of the governance structures within the school. We also reviewed the school’s Strategic Plan 2018 – 2021 to determine what areas in particular the School Council could support the school’s strategic direction.

There was agreement that the School Council has a particular interest and role in Improvement Priority 4: Community Partnerships and Reputation. The School Council wishes to further explore how the school’s positive reputation in the community is further strengthened through such strategies as:

• Exploring formal recognition through external accreditation processes and recognition programs
• Developing and implementing a marketing plan
• Increasing collaboration and continuing to build partnerships with the local community.

If you have any expertise or interest in these three areas please do not hesitate to contact myself or School Council Chair, Ms Nerise Moore. We would love your input and advice.

One Community – Parents and Citizens Association Meetings

There are two P & C meetings remaining for the rest of this year.

Tuesday 23 October, 7pm in CB04
Tuesday 27 November, 7pm in CB04

Parent input and feedback is extremely valuable. At the next two meetings we will be discussing, amongst other things, subject levies and excursions for 2019. I invite you all to come along and value-add to your child’s education.

One Community – Volunteers welcome

One community is about our school as a hub of learning in our community, where community members can make positive contributions to the school and our students.

By being a volunteer you can get involved at your child’s school – it will help you keep up-to-date with what is going on at the school, and help build positive relationships within the school community.

Volunteers are always welcome to help with canteen, uniform shop, in-class support, administrative support and generally helping out in whatever way they can.

If you are interested in volunteering at the school please contact the front office to get the process started. We look forward to hearing from you.

Junior Drama Festival Success!

Congratulations to the talented Year 7 Drama Academy students who competed at the Gold Coast Secondary Schools’ Drama Festival in August at Trinity Lutheran College.

• Helensvale SHS Juniors took out the award for Best Devised Performance (original work).
• The entire cast were recognised for the “the concept” which was, #thisisme!, receiving a High Commended Certificate.
• Highly Commended certificates were also awarded to individual performers, including Kaitlin Gander, Alex Livingstone, Hannah Field, Tahlia Gibson and Evie Phelan.
• And Alex Livingstone (who is in both the Drama and Excite Academies) won a Best Actor Trophy!

This is an excellent effort from a team of 22 hardworking students. We had the largest cast of any school...an achievement in its self. The Drama Academy students worked with focus, determination and energy to bring to life their original exploration of the theme, This is Me! Their work was polished, thought-provoking and challenging. The audience reaction to their performance was very strong. The students' aim was to entertain and to educate, and empower their audience to claim who they are and celebrate their uniqueness! A job well done!

Congratulations Year 9 Dance Academy Eisteddfod Team!

For the first time, the Year 9 Dance Academy class competed in the Gold Coast Eisteddfod at Home of the Arts (HOTA) in the Lyrical/Contemporary section and the Jazz/Musical Theatre section and gained Honours in both areas. The students were lucky to take their “Anzac Day” routine, choreographed by Zakk Beasley to the stage and demonstrated a totally different energy with their up-tempo Jazz to “Proud Mary” choreographed by Mrs Riches. The students showed great focus and team work; an experience that has brought the class together.

But there has been no stopping this class; week six saw them jump straight into an intensive 2.5 hour Hip Hop workshop with the fabulous Jasmine Meakin from Mega Jam. The students are looking forward to presenting this awesome new routine at Encore on Friday, October 19th (Term 4, Week 2).

Big Success for Year 10 Drama Academy Students

Our year 10 Drama Academy students recently embarked on a journey to bring to life the classic Greek text of Medea for a performance in the Gold Coast Secondary School's Drama Festival.

Students worked collaboratively with Ms Wilson to transform the traditional text and to bring it to life using their skills in physical theatre.

Students were awarded many Highly Commended awards on the night by the Gold Coast Secondary School's Drama Festival adjudicator for their maturity and dynamic use of symbolism, movement and soundtrack. Kyra Maroske and Keeley Pejovic were also awarded Highly Commended awards for their standout performances within the ensemble.

At the end of the festival, students went on to win the Adjudicator's award trophy and Keeley Pejovic was also honoured with an Outstanding Actor's trophy.

Ms Wilson is so incredibly proud of the students and their commitment to this project. Their performance was outstanding and left a lasting impression on judges and audiences alike.

The Gold Coast Titans Deadly Futures

It was an amazing opportunity being involved in an excursion to Dreamworld with some very special students, and being witness to the educational and inspirational discussions by the staff of the Preston Campbell Foundation, including the charismatic Preston Campbell himself, as well as staff from Corroboree at Dreamworld.

Students from HSHS and other local Gold Coast high schools were selected to participate in THE GOLD COAST TITANS DEADLY FUTURES program based on a nomination process, which runs for three days over three weeks. Wednesday the 22nd was the first day completed of the program which was simply amazing. It is an experience for high school Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students that covers Indigenous Timelines, Cultural Identity and Career Aspirations.

Delivered in partnership with the Preston Campbell Foundation, students are guided on a pathway to a greater understanding and sense of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture. Students are encouraged to discover more about their own identity to inspire them to choose a pathway to lead them to success but to also help them deal with setbacks and empower them to find their feet and continue on their journey, all such important knowledge and skills to our HSHS students.

Established in 2016, the Preston Campbell Foundation is an endeavour of passion by Preston Campbell and the team he inspires and supports; his vision of developing programs and opportunities which inspire and mentor participants to achieve their aspirations and dreams by connecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with their culture, sense of place and wellbeing.

Preston shared his journey with the students to inspire all of them to ‘live above the line’. A delicious lunch was enjoyed and cooked on site at ‘Presto’s Training Cafe’ which was established in March 2016 by the Preston Campbell Foundation. The cafe is a social venture which provides training and employment opportunities to individuals from all walks of life.

Dreamworld was the first theme park in Australia to adopt a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which resulted in the partnership with Yugambeh Museum. Through this partnership and with the vision and support of the Directors of Ardent Leisure Group, the owner of Dreamworld, the concept for Australia’s first Indigenous inspired attraction within a major theme park was given life.

The project was officially declared open in February 2014, at a ceremony attended by Directors of Ardent Leisure Group and representatives from both the Queensland and Australian Federal Governments.

Our own year 12 students Billy Birch and Abbey Peterson along with year 9 student Aidan Peterson had the wonderful opportunity to participate in work experience at Dreamworld Corroboree which is Dreamworld’s newest precinct. It is an interactive celebration of Indigenous culture and native Australian wildlife. They did an amazing job and showed some great leadership skills throughout the day.

The creation of Dreamworld Corroboree took more than three years of collaboration between Yugambeh Museum and Dreamworld to collate and present the stories, as told by Elders and community storytellers, of 22 different Indigenous peoples from across Australia. Rory O’Connor, Director of Yugambeh Museum says, “The Dreamworld Corroboree project is aspirational and inspirational. It has created 17 Indigenous jobs and a pathway for future generations. Ardent Leisure and the Dreamworld Corroboree team have been a game changer for our community.”

MS Schrader

Mayor's Telstra Technology Awards

Congratulations to Yr12 Business Management students and school captains, Jaidyn Gibbs, Deon Hunt and Armani Hollindale for winning the People’s Choice Award at the 2018 Mayor’s Telstra Technology awards. These awards give students the opportunity to develop an idea that addresses a community problem or need, then present and sell that idea. Jaidyn, Armani and Deon developed an innovative app based solution to the difficulties faced by students in finding work experience and the challenges faced by teachers who have to manage the work experience process. The students were widely applauded for their energetic, entertaining and polished pitch, and managed to achieve 3rd place overall, narrowly missing out on the overall win by a mere 2%. These students can be very proud of their efforts and we look forward to seeing their app ‘Go Find’ in the marketplace in the future.

Student Hub - Study Gold Coast

Helensvale State High has been involved with the ISSCC, International Secondary School Culinary Competition, since 2005 and has been represented in Taipei in 2007, 2011 and 2017. This year Ronan and Jenna will represent Australia and will compete against International students from Japan, Taiwan, New Zealand, Tahiti, New Caledonia and Fiji here on the Gold Coast from 23 – 30 September, 2018. This competition will be held at Southport TAFE and will provide a great opportunity to showcase the Gold Coast. All participating countries will experience the wonderful lifestyle, wildlife, theme parks, beaches and educational study options whilst staying on the Gold Coast. The students will form friendships and a unique experience they will truly remember. This event would not be possible without support from our community.

International Secondary School Culinary Competition 2018

Helensvale would like to thank Study Gold Coast for their kind contribution of $3000 and for their collaboration in showcasing this International competition. We wish Ronan and Jenna all the best as they represent Australia. It’s through these competitions and support from our neighbouring communities that students have the opportunity to ‘move forward’ in their career pathway and travel internationally to work in the Hospitality Industry.

Helensvale State High and the Australian Culinary Federation Queensland (ACFQ) would like to sincerely thank the following companies for their kind support and sponsorship for the International Secondary Schools Culinary Competition which is being held on the Gold Coast during 23 – 30 September, 2018.

We look forward to our visiting schools from Japan, Taiwan, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Tahiti and Fiji competing against Australia in this culinary competition. We wish Ronan Bacon and Jenna Sundstrom all the best as they represent Queensland, Australia in this International Competition.

Stephanie Wright
Acting Head of Department – Home Economics / Senior Business

Helensvale Choir

The Helensvale Choir have been busy this year rehearsing for multiple performances, including the Gold Coast Eisteddfod held in August. This is the first time the choir has competed at the Eisteddfod. They performed incredibly on the night and received Honours for their efforts. They have also recently been working as a team with past student and vocal specialist, Amela, to compose an original song and are now working toward end of year performances including Academic Awards Night.

Would your child like a keepsake of their 2018 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 Wednesday 31 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.

BANKING DETAILS:

BSB: 064430
Account Number: 00091174
Account Name: Helensvale State High School

THERE IS ONLY 1 PRINT RUN – so please make the deadline!

(More than happy for you to drop in and I can show you or your child our 2017 Year Book to help your decision making).

Mrs Carr – IT Manager

Uniform Shop update

Grade 11 Students, Exciting News For you.

Grade 11 students will be able to order the Canterbury jersey as their senior option in 2019.

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 only can 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 2019 Student Resource Scheme form
• Have no outstanding fees
• Paid the first instalment of the 2019 Student Resource Scheme fee

Cost is $70.00 each including GST

Student Services Information

Notification of Student absences

Helensvale State High School has a dedicated line to receive messages regarding student absences and late arrivals.

Please note this line is for SMS only, not voice messages.

Please send an SMS to 0400 191 917 in the following format:

• Students full name.
• Date & duration of absence, or expected time of arrival.
• Reason for absence/lateness.

Please use this as your preferred method of notification and add this number to your contacts. The School will continue to request advice from parents/carers for unexplained absences if you have not notified us. Notifying the School will minimise the need for these investigations.

Alternatively you can advise us by email: 2184_studentabsences@eq.edu.au

Late arrivals:

Parents/guardians should advise the school if their student is going to be late, prior to their arrival, by sending an SMS to 0457 478 277 or by giving them a note. The students MUST sign in at student services upon arrival at school or they will be marked absent.

Please note: If the student does not have a note, or we have not received a phone call, they will automatically receive a lunch time detention.

Early departures:

Students should not leave school grounds without first signing out through the Student Services Counter. In the case of an emergency, we need to know the whereabouts of ALL students.

• If you know your student has an appointment, please send him/her to school with a note. This should be brought to student services before school or during break times to receive a leave request. Students will not be allowed to leave class, without a leave request
• Students are unable to leave class, unless previously organised, due to the impact these interruptions have on individual and class learning time. If unforeseen circumstances occur, we are happy to contact students during break times to issue a pass, enabling them to be released from class.
• The student must be collected from student services by a parent/guardian or someone listed as an emergency contact, from the student services office only

For your information, we can attempt to contact students during the following break times:

Monday

• 10.05am – 10.20am

Tuesday – Friday

• 11.20am – 12.05pm
• 1.15pm – 1.45pm

Students unwell during school time:

• If a student feels unwell during lesson time, they MUST NOT contact their parent/guardian directly. They must report it to their teacher who will then send them to sick bay.
• The parent/guardian will be contacted to collect their child as a matter of urgency. If we are unable to make contact with the parent/guardian the student will be allowed to rest for 15 MINUTES before returning to class.
• It is vitally important that your contact details are up to date and you check your phone for messages. Please be aware our number appears as a private number if you miss our call, but we will leave a voice message where ever possible.

General Information

• Please collect lost items and report any missing items at Student Services.
• If your child has forgotten something and you are required to bring it to school, please take it to Student Services and advise your student to collect it from there.
• Medication can be held by Student Services, only if it is prescribed by a G.P. Student Services have paperwork that also must be completed, signed by the parent, and returned to Student Services before the medication can be administered.

Important ILO Info

Riviera are still accepting applications for the 2019 School Based Apprenticeship Program, please see attached flyer for details on apprenticeships available and the recruitment process and timelines.

Please note only students currently on or planning a NON OP PATHWAY can apply for a school based apprenticeship.

Please see Mrs Dearden in CB.08 for details on how to apply.

Advertising

We are pleased and excited to inform you that we’ll be producing a new eNewsletter with Schoolzine. The move to this new format will enable us to communicate with the school community across multiple channels. It will promote and enhance our engagement with parents, students and the wider community.

We believe you’ll find the eNewsletter highly engaging, as it will provide us with a more efficient and effective means of connecting with you. The new format will allow the inclusion of video, photo galleries, online bookings, mobile app, feedback forms, calendars and so much more.

The newsletter also has a sponsorship section which provides a great opportunity for local businesses to engage with our parent community. If you would like to be a part of this, please contact Schoolzine.

1300 795 503
http://www.schoolzine.com.au/advertisers.html