1 November 2019

Newsletter Articles

Our School Values –

Reminder what’s coming up

November

1 AFL Schools Cup 7s Gala Day
1-8 Year 12 Block Exams
5 – 6 Year 7 2020 Enrolment Interview
7 Twilight Tunes End of Year Recital
7 Sports Awards
8-10 South East Qld Futsal Titles
12 Year 12 Graduation
13 Year 12 Farewell
15 Year 12 Formal

For more info please see this link:

From the Principal

One Student. One Community. Many Futures.

Dear Helensvale State High School Community

Celebrating State Education

Last week was not only State Education Week, but Friday was the official celebration of World Teachers Day.

So firstly, let’s reflect on State Education Week. Schools right across the State enjoy an action-packed calendar of events and activities specifically designed to celebrate education. Here at Helensvale State High School, every week is a celebration of State education. Below is just a snapshot of the many programs and opportunities that happened during State Education Week. This is a reflection of what happens every week here at the ‘Vale, and this is what makes our school so great.

• Friday 18th October we had Encore, showcasing our talented dance students and exceptional dance staff.

• Then the weekend of the 19th and 20th October, our Senior AFL boys became State champions. Congratulations to the team, who have had expert coaches to support them to succeed.

• On Tuesday 22nd October Year 12 Dean, Ash Hinds, had a live feed interview with ABC radio, promoting the formal wear donations which has become bigger than one might have initially expected. Our community is really supporting this initiative, ensuring finances are not a barrier to every student enjoying their formal.

• Wednesday 23rd October was the fifteenth year of Degustation. This event has become so popular that we no longer advertise it. Once again, our exceptional students and dedicated staff put a spotlight on our hospitality program.

• Friday 24th October we announced our newly elected School Leaders – we have amazing students at this school and their leadership has an enormous impact on the school’s culture and positive image.

• What else? During State Education Week we had music rehearsals, students attending the AIME program at Griffith University, students attending the Japanese Film Festival and Danc’Ed was in the Spotlight at HOTA. Over the weekend students attended the Good Food and Wine festival and participated in the Relay for Life.

• And now, we launch into a few weeks of our whole school celebrations.

At the ‘Vale, it is State Education Week every week! We don’t need to plan activities to celebrate, we do this in style every day, night and weekend.

Celebrating our Staff

So onto World Teachers Day, which was celebrated last Friday. World Teachers Day celebrates our amazing teachers, who are at the heart of learning. Every day staff at Helensvale State High School are making a positive difference - creating opportunities for students, empowering their minds and proudly teaching our state's future leaders, innovators and influencers.

However, here at the ‘Vale, we understand that every staff member, teaching and non-teaching, contributes significantly and positively to the learning and well-being of our students. The old saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’, is so true. So in ‘Vale style, we roll all of our staff celebrations into this one day, Staff Appreciation Day, as we are all as important as each other in living and breathing our learning purpose of One Student. One Community. Many Futures.

I look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming celebration evenings.

Yours truly
Karen Lindsay.

Leadership Parade

Last Friday, the 25th of October, the Leadership Parade was held to announce the successful applicants for positions of Leaders in 2020. Congratulations to all the successful candidates!

Encore 2019

It was another fantastic showcase for the Helensvale SH Dance students at ENCORE 2019 on Friday 18th October. Students presented their assessment work, which included, teacher, student and guest artists’ choreography in a professional 2-hour performance. Many thanks to the Dance teachers, Mr Kook, Miss Kelly and Mrs Riches who were supported by Administration, Mr Burnim (Film) and Nick from Platinum AV. Special thanks also to our pre-service teachers Miss Menita Overton and Miss Tianna Campbell for their work and choreography.

Danc’Ed in the Spotlight

Held at HOTA on Friday 28th October, the Senior Dance students participated in a wonderful day of various genres of workshops and performances of class work, all in the name of celebrating Dance in Education. This annual event saw both primary and secondary schools from the Gold Coast collaborate in a non-competitive platform. The HSH students were a pleasure to supervise, representing the school with pride. Many thanks to the students and parents for their time and effort in attending this event.

Art Showcase

Japan Trip 2020

Helensvale State High School would like to make available to students of Years 10, 11 and 12 the opportunity to visit Japan. This optional cultural experience is offered on an annual basis at Helensvale High. The tour includes a home stay experience with our sister school as well as a week of travel visiting many places of interest including famous temples and shrines, as well as Disneyland and Universal Studios.

It is estimated that the trip will cost each student approximately $3000, not including spending money, which is generally about $600 to cover the cost of meals while travelling, incidental travel tickets and some souvenirs. Students who wish to purchase more expensive souvenirs will need to bring more and budget accordingly.

The trip will depart within the 2020 September holidays on Monday 21st September, returning during the second week of the holidays on the morning of Sunday 4th October.

If you are interested in signing up for the 2020 trip, please contact Mr Middleton by email ASAP. There will be a meeting held at the school this term to present more detailed plans for the trip and to allow interested families a chance to ask questions in an open forum.

Year 12 Next Step Survey

2020 Senior Jersey

Grade 11s can now order their 2020 senior jersey.

To order a senior jersey please ensure your 2019 SRS fees, subject levies and excursions are paid in full. Payment can be made at finance during opening hours the cost for the jersey is $75.00. Once payment has been paid please proceed to the uniform shop for sizing. Last day for payment will be Thursday November 14th 2019. There will be an opportunity to place in the second order however, they will not be expected until late May.

If you have any questions please ask at the uniform shop.

Uniform Shop News

With Back to School 2020 fast approaching it is a hectic time for parents and carers.

To make this easier for everyone we have Flexischools online ordering in place. Flexischools also provides updates on what stock is available and stock we are waiting on. The link to Flexischools is at the link below:

Flexischools is a convenient way of ordering uniforms without having to come into the school.

To help you with your order your child is welcome to come into the Uniform Shop and be fitted by our friendly staff. We will then provide your child with a slip detailing the required sizes you need to place an order with Flexischools. The order can be collected from the Uniform Shop 2 working days after it has been placed.

We can exchange sizes however, packaging and tags must be in place and the receipt must be presented.

We look forward to helping you with your uniform requirements for next year.

If you have any questions please contact the uniform shop on 5573 8571.

Finance and Uniform Shop Extended Trading hours

Parent Tools for Cyberbullying

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

From the Guidance Officers

Some links for year 12 students that may be useful in looking for future options.

Sound Scouts

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 below, scroll down the page and click on the relevant icon.