12 June 2020

Newsletter Articles

Our School Values –

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers

One Community

Although face-to-face learning has resumed, parents and carers continue to be integral partners in student learning. I would like to encourage you to talk with your child about how they are settling back into routines at school, their progress with their classwork and how they are re-establishing study routines at home. Students who are self-reflective and have a belief that they are able to improve and achieve are more successful than those who don’t believe this. You can support this reflection by talking with your child about their aspirations and dreams and supporting them to be accountable and responsible for the actions that they take to aspire for success in all they do.

Vale Voice – School Mascot

As we are still unable to have assemblies, Vale Voice continues to be one of the main platforms for delivering our weekly key messages to students. Not only does Vale Voice showcase student talent, because it is online it is able to be shared with our wider community.

The most recent Vale Voice introduced the notion of a School Mascot. Mr Bimrose pitched his idea of the hammerhead shark as a possible mascot, sharing his reasons behind his thinking. In the true spirit of student voice, students have an opportunity to put forward their mascot ideas. Intrigued? Visit our school website or click on the link below to hear about the mascot.

Perhaps you have some ideas you could share with your child, or alternatively, email Mrs Paterson (alpat0@eq.edu.au) with some suggestions.

The weekly Vale Voice videos are accessible via our website, and I strongly encourage you to take the time to view the very entertaining and informative videos.

Cyber Security

When students are accessing the Internet on campus, they are protected by Education Queensland’s cyber security filtering system, whereby students can only access approved sites, thus keeping them safe from the multitude of inappropriate sites on the World Wide Web. Unfortunately, some students are bypassing the school network by hot-spotting their laptops to their phone, thus redirecting Internet searches through the phone service provider rather than through the school network as required. Students who are doing this are in breach of their signed Acceptable Use Policy, which is co-signed by a parent/carer.

As your child’s safety is of paramount importance, I would ask you to revisit the topic of online safety, at school and at home, with your child.

See the links on our website https://helensvaleshs.eq.edu.au/support-and-resources/cybersafety

Continue to take care and do not hesitate to contact the school if you are concerned about your child’s learning or wellbeing.

Kind regards
Karen Lindsay Executive Principal

Mental Wellbeing

Some people may still be struggling with COVID and the Isolation situations. Here’s some resources some people have found helpful.

Smiling Minds

Introducing Mindful Month with Smiling Mind

“We know things have been a little strange lately with all that's going on in the world. Every day is different so everything feels a little uncertain, that's why we created a mindful movement.”

Kids Help Line

I'm not ready for things to go back to normal!

Your guide to managing re-entry anxiety after COVID-19 isolation

Last week, we asked you on Insta whether you were ready to return to 'normal' yet. 39% of you said you weren't ready to go back to normal, for lots of different reasons.

The pressure to return to 'normal' can be pretty overwhelming. Check out our guide to coping with these expectations.

Have a look at our Wellbeing Padlet – so much information!

School-Based Youth Health Nurse

From the Guidance Officers

Griffith University Parent and Student Information Webinar - back by popular demand

Our Parent and Student Information Webinar is back by popular demand – join us to get the information you need to make informed decisions about your future.

Designed for students in years 11 and 12 and their families, we'll cover topics like the change from OP to ATAR, VET pathways and how to find a university degree that's right for you. Chat with our expert study advisers and get a great start to your university journey.

Event Details

Tuesday 16 June
5 pm – 7 pm

For more information and to register visit at the link below.

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Links

• START QUT: qut.edu.au/study/options/start-qut
• Match My Skills Quiz: match-my-skills.qut.edu.au/
• QUT Brochures: qut.edu.au/study/brochures
• QUT Welcome Guide (for Year 12’s)
• QUT Scholarships brochure
• Travel and exchange opportunities: qut.edu.au/study/options/study-abroad-and-exchange
• QUT Assumed Knowledge: qut.edu.au/study/applying/assumed-knowledge

QUT Information Webinar

Are you in Year 10 and need advice on course and career decisions? Join QUT for a dedicated Year 10 information webinar, a quick guide to QUT: tools to help Year 10 students with course and career decisions, being held on Wednesday 17 June at 5.30pm.

The session will cover:

• Career planning tips
• Differences between school and university
• On campus at QUT - including courses and admission pathways
• Your next steps
• Q&A with our student ambassadors

QUT looks forward to chatting with any interested students.

Tutorials at school

Do you know that Helensvale SHS offers after school tutorials?

Science - Tuesday 3-4pm CB04
English - Wednesday 3-4pm SWELL
Maths - Thursday 3-4pm S306 & S307

We also offer:

Chat & Chill (homework club), run by school staff, Mon - Thurs 3-4pm in SWELL

Growing Up in Queensland

Welcome to Growing Up in Queensland 2020. This is your opportunity to step up, speak out and make your voice heard. Every two years, the Queensland Family and Child Commission asks children and young people across our state about what it’s like to grow up in Queensland. We want to know about what’s important to you, what your communities are like, and what your hopes and dreams are.”

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 scroll down the page and click on the relevant icon.