4 September 2020

Newsletter Articles

Our School Values –

For more info please see:

From the Principal

Dear Helensvale State High School Community

As a Helensvale State High School community we live our learning values of respect, responsibility and resilience and our students live these values both inside and outside of the classroom.

As we near the end of term 3 our students are continuing to show their academic resilience as they prepare for end of term assignments and exams. As parents and carers who are hugely influential in the learning of your children, we encourage you to discuss with them their upcoming assessments and how they are using their time to study and revise their work. We know that when students revise for short periods of time frequently they are more likely to retain learning than if they ‘cram’ their study at the last minute.

Congratulations to Trenae Jia for achieving highly commended in the Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Awards. Trenae received this award as a result of her work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. She has inspired and motivated students to attend school, resulting in increased achievement of grades, and a 100% turn-a-round in recorded behaviour incidences. We are so grateful to have Trenae as part of our staff.

COVID-19 Update

As you would be aware COVID-19 continues to present challenges within our community. At Helensvale State High School we are continuing to work to safeguard the health, safety and learning of our students. With some schools needing to close for short periods of time around the country due to confirmed cases, we are prepared to manage this situation should it arise. In the instance of a school closure, please check email communication for full information.

It is important that we remain vigilant in terms of our health and safety and as a result we ask students to remain home if unwell. As per government advice, we encourage all members of our community to get tested if they have any COVID-19 symptoms. The school continues to provide hand sanitiser and we encourage students to use this regularly.

Thank you for your continued support of the learning, safety and wellbeing of our students. Our One Community plays a vital part in achieving our goal of each and every student succeeding.

Yours truly
Karen Lindsay
Executive Principal
Helensvale State High School

Year 9 Business Entrepreneurial Studies

The Year 9 Entrepreneurial students have participated in a program to broaden their minds, and test their innovative skills, whilst working in small groups to participate in a wide range of activities designed to deepen their learning. Students have had to collaborate, plan and then action their designs.

Well done, keep up the great work.

Mrs Perry, Ms Elms & Mr McKague

Horticulture

The Horticulture department are going to be having weekly specials of their plants for sale. These plants can be ordered from Mr Paech, spaec2@eq.edu.au. They will need to be ordered, paid for through the Finance department, and they can also be collected at Finance.

Plant of the Week

Only $5.50 each in 180mm or 200mm pots or more advanced pots for $11.00 each in 300mm pots.

Viburnum odoratissimum -Sweet Viburnum

An evergreen shrub with rich green, matt foliage. Sweet viburnum has a dense growth habit with clusters of small white flowers. It is ideal for screening, hedges and feature planting in tropical and subtropical gardens. Relatively maintenance free, prune twice yearly to promote new growth and encourage compact growth habit. Establishes quickly, fast growing. Sunny to part shade. Grows 2 - 4m high x 3m wide.

Enrolments

Would your child like a keepsake of their 2020 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 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 are 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 Friday 23 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 2019 Year Book to help your decision making).

From the Deans

This week’s Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) Focus is ‘have an attitude of gratitude’. During the Futures lessons, students learned what gratitude is and were then encouraged to write a postcard to a teacher or staff member, who has:

• Inspired
• Helped
• Supported
• Cared
• Believed
• Motivated
• Engaged

ARTICLE: Psychology Today – 7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude.

Chat ‘N Chill

From the Guidance Officers

Body Confident Children & Teens Free Webinars

Supporting Body Confidence and Healthy Relationships with Food and Exercise in Young People

Need more? You can find lots of resources to help create a body confident home environment by joining Love Your Body Week for Families

Topics Covered Include:

• Overview of body image and the importance of prevention
• The spectrum of body and eating issues from healthy to unhealthy, to disordered and clinical diagnosis
• Key influences on body image, including social media and the importance of positive following
• Diet culture and weight stigma
• Busting common myths around eating disorders
• Reducing appearance based talk and how to respond when a child expresses negativity towards themselves or others
• The power of role modelling positive body image and healthy behaviours
• Understanding early warning signs and the importance of early intervention
• Referral and support information, including Butterfly's National Helpline

Support Staff

As part of our Learning and Well-being framework, we have created a Well-being Hub for students and parents, which can be 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.