23 August 2019

Newsletter Articles

Our School Values –

Reminder what’s coming up

August

• 24 - 25 Girls Volleyball tour
• 26 - 29 SETP Interviews
• 29 STEM Griffith Uni Engineering
• 29 AIME Program
• 30 Gold Coast Show Holiday – Public holiday no school

September

• 2 Sept HSHS vs Taupo (NZ) Football Comp

From the Principal

Dear Helensvale State High School Community

In the previous newsletter I spoke about our Aspiring Thinkers Program and links to the University of Queensland and the IMPACT centre. IMPACT is the school’s pedagogical framework and is depicted in the below graphic.

At a recent assembly, Head of School, Ms Roderick, spoke to the students about learning, and provided students with a few simple strategies which will support with retaining and transferring knowledge and skills, essential to performing well in assessments.

I have attached the PowerPoint which Ms Roderick spoke to at the assemblies so you too can support your child’s learning. If your child is saying they do not have any homework, perhaps suggest they do some revision based on these strategies. Cramming for assessments is not the way to go.

Yours truly

Karen Lindsay
Executive Principal

Chappy's Goodbye

It is with much sadness that I officially announce that it is time for me to move onto a new season.

I have thoroughly enjoyed and will cherish the 1.5 years I have spent here and the relationships built with students, staff and parents.

Whilst I knew there was a possibility this could happen, I guess both my husband and myself just always assumed that an employment opportunity would happen up here. After 8 years though of living apart doing FIFO, (but especially the last two years in a regular job away in another state,) it was time to step out and see what doors may open for me. Of course, it all happened very quickly. So I will be off to be a School Chaplain for a small high school in a place called Packenham, about 1hr south-east of Melbourne city. There is a lot of new development like Coomera there.

Though it’s not necessarily where I would choose to go, apparently that’s where I am meant to be for my next season. Now that my kids are all adults, it makes sense to go where my husband is. I guess I’ll be investing in a new wardrobe too- with lots of warm clothes!

It’s been a privilege to be part of this special community. Friday is my last day. Feel free to send me an email samijbond@gmail.com

I’d like to encourage parents to make use of the great resources and services we have on the Gold Coast to support families. Paradise Kids for grief and anxiety. Griffith Uni for anxiety and emotional / mental health issues. CYC Camps at Burleigh for fun and learning resilience and making new friends- or even just a friend. Parent Helpline, Kids Helpline, Headspace. There are so many youth groups and sporting clubs and plugging in somewhere is a great way to build relationships of mutual support for both you and your teen/children.

There should be another Chappy to take my place very shortly to share the role with Long or Mr Bradley as some call him. Long has been here for 18 years and I know that he will be there for those who have been spending time with me whilst we are waiting for the new Chappy to start.

As I will be back regularly to catch up with my children and grandchild, there's every chance I could bump into any one of you, if so , please don't be shy.

Thank you for the great memories.

All the very best,

Chappy Sam.

Spotlight on A Cappella Singing

Vocalescence is a local group of Gold Coast women of all ages and backgrounds that love to sing acapella, in the Barbershop 4-part harmony style. We are a non-profit community group that achieves great pleasure in performing in our local community, nationally and internationally.

Two of Helensvale High School’s Year 8 students are a part of the Vocalescence family.

Jess joined 9 months ago and sings in the Lead section. She has already competed in a regional competition in Hobart, where Vocalescence were placed 6th in Australia. Jess came to Vocalescence because she loved to sing and she wanted to learn a different and unique way of singing. She was surprised when she heard the amazing, magical sounds that unaccompanied voices can produce. Jess has learned so much about music, the voice and performance through singing with Vocalescence. ‘They are like an extension of my family’ Jess says, ‘I did not think I could get up on stage and perform but they have given me the confidence to do just that’.

Charlotte joined just under 2 years ago and has competed at the regional competition in Hobart twice, singing in the Tenor section. Singing with Vocalescence has opened up many performance and travel opportunities for Charlotte, and her fellow members have enjoyed watching her confidence grow and her technical ability to sing in the Barbershop style develop. Charlotte also has a love and a talent for applying makeup, and will be putting her skills to good use as part of the chorus’ Makeup Team.

We are committed to the growth and evolution of the musical craft of Barbershop harmony through education, participating in competitions and community performances. It's a creative and rewarding hobby that builds and expands lifelong friendships and before you know it you’re hooked and we become your Barbershop family.

Come along and see the girls sing in Vocalescence’s annual show at The Nerang Bicentennial Centre on Saturday 24th August. For special discounted tickets for Helensvale High School email Gill marketing@vocalescence.com and quote HSHSDISCOUNT

Rehearsals: Wednesday 6:30pm @ Helensvale Cultural Centre (Auditorium)

Contact Jenifer Howson, Team Co-ordinator 0421 706 828

Sports

Helensvale SHS has long been known for its success in the sporting realm. While the students are the ones producing these performances on the track, court, pitch and field, a lot of hard work is put in by their dedicated and talented coaches prior to competition. At the ‘Vale, we are lucky to have many talented coaches and teachers and it’s important to recognise their achievements. This brief article will acknowledge just a few of the recent personal achievements of some of our talented HPE staff.

• Brett Green has recently returned from coaching the Papua New Guinean Track and Field athletes in a training camp in Cairns, before heading with the team to the Pacific Games in Samoa. He was made Head Coach for the team, giving him the huge responsibility of overseeing all of the Athletics coaches and athletes. In 2018, Brett has also travelled to Madeira, Portugal coaching the only Australian athlete to compete in the Inclusive Games.

• Selina Priest (one of the inaugural AFLW Brisbane Lions players) has worked hard to earn representation in the Brisbane Lions side for the AFLW Winter series. This side flew to Perth and won against the West Australian team. As a result of strong performances, she was named in the AFL Queensland Emerging Talent Team. Selina has also recently coached the U16 Girls South Coast AFL team, which finished Runners Up at the State Carnival.

• Jo Morgan (a former Australian Diamonds and Queensland Firebirds player) coached the Queensland Under 15s Netball side at the National Schoolgirls Championships on the Sunshine Coast from the 20th - 26th July and has coached the Queensland Under 19’s to a Bronze medal at the National Championships. Due to these achievements, she has earned the role of Elite Talent Selector for Netball Queensland. Jo was also selected to be the Assistant Coach to Tonga, who attained Silver at the Pacific Games in Samoa.

With the talent our amazing coaches possess, it’s no wonder that our students are able to achieve such success!

Spotlight on Reading

My name is Melanie Garibaldi and I am Helensvale State High Schools Key Teacher of Reading. My job is to work with teachers to extend our students to think through reading. As you may be aware, Year 8 students have started their new unit in English ‘We are what we read’. We have taken this opportunity to have students set reading goals in this unit using both their results from their practise NAPLAN reading exam in conjunction with their LOA (level of achievement) for English in Semester 1. Students will continue to set new goals next term and into next year.

Below are some students with their reading goals sheet:

We encourage you to support us in ensuring your child achieves their goals by assisting them where possible at home. I challenge you all to ask your child, ‘What is your reading goal for Term 3?’

Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.

Miss Garibaldi

Readathon

Shiraoka High School our Sister School Visit 2019

During the last week of July, Helensvale High played host to fourteen 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: Aussie BBQ Picnic at Main Beach, African Drumming, Aboriginal Art & Music, Cooking Class, Sports Class, and Cultural Exchange Classes with Helensvale 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, Narelle Gibson, Tony Gordon, Cass Radecki, Rachel Vickers, Briony Payne and Kirsty Mills. 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.

2019 MLTAQ Gold Coast Languages Speech Contest

On Sunday 18th August, 8 students from our Japanese Academy classes took part in the annual MLTAQ Gold Coast Speech Contest for languages other than English. It is a fierce competition, with student entries from a broad range of schools, both state and independent.

All of our entrants displayed our core values of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience on the day and represented Helensvale High with pride and striving to do their best. This year we had some fantastic results with several students receiving places in their divisions. Congratulations go out to all contestants; however, special congratulations must go to the following students:

Year 9 Division

2nd Place – Alicia Hemmings
3rd Place – Griffin Reid

Junior Background Speaker (Yr7-10) Division

3rd Place – Erica Rowlinson Yr. 7

Highly Commended

Lauren McDonald Yr. 7
Emma Frankis Yr. 9
Kirraley McDonald Yr. 9
Aaron Taplin Yr. 12

Schools Premier League Semi Final Winners!

The Helensvale Football Academy’s Junior Girls squad defeated Palm Beach Currumbin SHS 5-1 in their SPL Semi Final at Redlands UTD FC. A hat trick from Charlize Ellems and goals from Jasmine Hewitson and Alysha Palasty saw our side qualify for next week’s Grand Final against Chancellor SC. A complete team performance today across the park. Go the mighty VALE!

Uniform Shop

Current school jumpers sizes 8, 9, 10, 12, 20, 22 & 24 NOW $20.00 each

Spartan Sun Smart hat sizes Sml, Med & Lrg $8.00 each

Formal boys shorts old style limited sizes $10.00 each

Weareco sports polo sizes 8, Sml, Med, 3XL, 4XL NOW $10.00 each

AFL old Style shorts perfect for training in only $10.00 each

AFL old Style socks perfect for training only $5.00 each

Dance stirrup flesh tights ALL sizes $10.00 a pair

Old Style Dance shirt Sml and Lrg $5.00 each

Dance ¾ black tights ALL sizes available from XXS to Lrg $5.00 a pair

Old style black Band shirts men’s and women’s limited sizes $5.00 each

Short sleeve Hi Vis shirts variety of sizes $5.00

From the Guidance Officers

Screen time for your child – 7 tips

There is a lot of conflicting advice and emerging research around screen time. But, the right amount of screen time can depend on a range of factors like your child’s age and maturity, the kind of content they are consuming, their learning needs and your family routine. It can be easy to focus only on the clock and how long your child is spending in front of the screen, but the quality and nature of what they are doing online, and your involvement are just as important.

Consider your child’s screen use in the context of their overall health and wellbeing – for example, is online time getting in the way of their sleep and exercise? Is it impacting on their face-to-face connections with family and friends? The answers to these questions will guide you and help strike the right balance of online and offline activities for your child.

1. Be involved

Sharing screen time and online activities like gaming with your child helps you gauge the appropriateness of what they are doing and manage potential risks. It’s also a great way to start conversations with your child about their online experiences.

2. Work with your child to set boundaries for screen use

If you decide that setting screen time limits is right for you and your child, discuss these new rules with your child. Older children are more likely to co-operate if they have been part of the decision making process. Colourful pictures or charts of daily limits and other important activities is a fun way to get younger children on board.

3. Be clear about the consequences of not switching off

Part of our role as parents is to set clear limitations and boundaries. The same applies to technology limitations so, being clear and consistent about the consequences for your child if they do not stick to these rules is paramount. The Raising Children Network provides some useful tools and advice.

4. Set device-free zones and times at home

Device-free zones can help you manage your family’s digital use. Here are some ideas for setting digital boundaries within your home:

• No devices in the bedroom for younger children
• All screens off in bedrooms after a certain time for older children
• All screens off at least one hour before planned bedtime
• All family members switch off at dinner time
• Charge devices overnight in a place your child cannot access

5. Ask your child to explain their screen use

Get your child in to the habit of explaining why they want to be in front of a screen or online. It’s a great way to get them thinking about their own digital habits and balancing screen time with other activities.

6. Use tech tools to help manage access

There are robust products and device functions which allow you to see which apps are being used in your home and for how long. But try not to use these tools to secretly monitor your child. Instead, be open about the process and check the whole family’s usage, including your own. Start with Google Family Link for Android devices or parental controls and Screen Time for iPhone/iPad.

7. Lead by example

Your behaviour is one of the most effective ways to help your child develop a positive digital mindset. Show your child you can put down your device too. This information was taken from the eSafety Commissioner website at the link below.

Tina Meni
Guidance Officer

Helensvale Scouts

Parent Tools for Cyberbullying

Please see the Australia Government eSafety Commissioner website for tips and tools to assist your child.

Support Staff

As part of our Learning and Well-being framework, we have created a Well-being Hub for students and parents, which can accessed through the Helensvale State High School webpage. The hub includes links to other websites and apps which can help to support student well-being, as well as provide information on career pathways. To access these ‘well-being hubs’, click on the icons below, or, go to the HSHS website in the link below, scroll down the page and click on the relevant icon.