26 June 2020

Newsletter Articles

Our School Values –

From the Principal

Dear Helensvale State High School Community

Term 2, 2020 will be remembered for the way our school community came together as one — staff and families adapting and responding to the COVID-19 crisis, with a shared focus on continuity of student learning so together we can deliver on our vision of each and every student succeeding. Last week, the Department of Education took a further step in the deliberate and measured approach towards a return to normal school life with a plan for the resumption of 2020 Queensland state school sport. A staged introduction of inter-school and representative school sport will recommence next term. Not all sporting events will return, and those that do return may be in a different format as the COVID-19 restrictions must be considered.

I will communicate further lifting of restrictions for schools when this information is available. As we head into the winter break I thank you once again for your ongoing support during what has been a term like no other. I hope you have a well-deserved break — resting, recuperating and catching up with family and friends.

Helensvale State High School Survey Results

Thank you to the 385 families who completed the recent survey seeking feedback on our response to COVID-19. This feedback is invaluable as we learn from and continue to respond to the COVID-19 situation. Your feedback will also help inform our responses in managing other critical incidences that we may face as a community in the future. The results of the survey are provided in the following link:

Department of Education School Opinion Survey

During August each year, the Department of Education conducts School Opinion Surveys, seeking feedback from parents, students and staff from all state schools across Queensland. Whilst these surveys are administered by each individual school, the surveys are designed and collated by the Department, with each school receiving their individual responses.

This year the Department of Education is conducting shorter, sharper School Opinion Surveys for parents, students and staff. The surveys comprise of a short number of questions about learning arrangements in Term 2, as well as a small number of the regular School Opinion Survey questions that more broadly reflect the entire year.

Schools have until Friday 17 July to conduct the surveys. Rather than ask you to complete another survey prior to the end of this term, we will send home the survey towards the end of the school holidays. It will remain open until the Friday of week 1 of term 3.

The survey is expected to take less than 5 minutes and has been designed so that it can easily be completed on a computer or smartphone.

Vale Voice

Please view our last Vale Voice for the year by visiting our website or clicking on the link below.

Look out for yourselves and others’ wellbeing and let’s hope we have a more normal start to the Term 3.

Kind Regards
Karen Lindsay.

Year 7 Garden

This term, the Year 7 Students are developing a huge garden near Discovery Place. During lock-down, the few students of essential workers started the garden by spreading soil and mulch in the area. Last week was time to plant the first round of plants. Digging the holes was difficult, as the space contained a lot more rocks than we realised. With great resilience, and with the help of Mr Forsyth, we managed to dig holes deep enough for the plants (donated by our horticulture department). For all of us, it was the first time using water crystals too! The keen students have been watering the plants and looking after the space. Our next round of plants are going in shortly.

The inspiration for the garden was to signify the growth that our young students will undertake, as they go from children, to teens, to young adults. As 2020 is not only a new decade, and the celebration of the school’s 30th year, it will also mark the year that schools closed across the world during a pandemic. Because of this, were also hoping to create a time capsule to remember this very different year.

Thank you to all of the amazing staff and students who made this possible.

Holiday Programs

From the Guidance Officers

Introduction to Griffith University for Year 11 & 12 students

Tutorials at school

Do you know that Helensvale SHS offers after school tutorials?

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.