30 October 2020

Newsletter Articles

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From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers

Newly Appointed Leaders

Before introducing our newly appointed School Captains and Vice Captains, I wish to recognise our outgoing Captains, Rayah, Connor, Mica and Georgia, and our outgoing Vice Captains, Alisha, Jack, Aaron and Jessica. Together with our prefects, these young adults have been a superb leadership team who have made a significant difference to our school in a year that has been like no other.

If there was one thing I had to choose that stood out to me about this group of leaders, I would have to say it was their strong moral stance on what they believe is right, and the fact that they were not afraid to lead their peers in the right direction.

On behalf of the school community I would like to thank our outgoing leaders for their commitment, dedication and action, all of whom have the potential to be our great leaders of the future.

It is with much pleasure that I introduce to the school community our newly appointed School Captains and Vice Captains.

I have already been impressed by the leadership of these students, their energy, their inspiration and their commitment to serve. These students deserve to be recognised as the leaders of this great school.

Final Weeks of Year 12

I would like to take this opportunity to thank staff for their dedication and commitment to the successful implementation of the new Queensland Certificate of Education system — the biggest change to senior schooling the state has seen in over 40 years.

Over the next few weeks all our Year 12 students will consolidate their studies in General and Applied subjects, Vocational Education and Training and/or individualised Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement curriculum plans. For these final weeks, our Year 12 students studying General subjects are undertaking external assessment for the first time under the new system. The impressive efforts of our students, staff and parents/carers, during a year like no other, have ensured our Year 12 students are well-placed for their next steps beyond school into employment, training and/or further study.

I wish our Year 12 students every success for their assessments and for their future.

Schoolies Week

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been especially hard for our graduating class of 2020. While restrictions have affected the traditional “Schoolies” ritual, we certainly do not want to prevent our students from enjoying the fun they deserve as long as they do so in a safe and responsible way.

That’s why we encourage this year’s class of 2020 to opt for a ‘Summer of Celebration’ for their end-of-year festivities. This means simply celebrating in smaller groups, spreading out their bookings over the warmer months and, where possible, booking accommodation close to home.

Limiting the number of people gathering at the one time helps to ensure our school leavers celebrate safely, not only for their sake, but for their families and the entire Queensland community.

To support the ‘Summer of Celebration’, the Queensland Government is working with the local tourism sector, and requesting their flexibility, patience and a COVID-Safe experience for our students.

New student free days added to Term 4! In recognition of the outstanding efforts of school staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, the last two days of the school year, Thursday 10 and Friday 11 December have been declared student free days. Our school will be closed on these days.

2021 Next Step Survey

The Queensland Government will conduct its annual state-wide survey of Year 12 completers in 2021. The Next Step survey is a brief, confidential survey that gains a comprehensive picture of the employment, study and life choices made by Queensland school completers in the year after they finish Year 12.

Between March and June next year, current Year 12 students will receive a letter from the Minister for Education or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office inviting them to complete the survey.

To help the survey team to reach you, Year 12 students are asked to ensure that their contact details are correct in their learning accounts by logging into the student portal at the link below.

Further information on Next Step and results from previous surveys are available online at the below.

Gold Coast Secondary Schools’ Drama Festival 2020

Congratulations to the Helensvale SHS Drama Students who represented our school in the recent Gold Coast Secondary Schools’ Drama Festival 2020!

We had major successes this year across all Divisions!

Congratulations to our Year 7 Drama Academy students and Miss Chambers on their production, LOOK UP - Your Mobile Phone is Stealing Your Life! They were awarded second best play of the Junior Drama Festival competition. The Adjudicator was impressed with the student created drama using Theatre of Social Comment and Collage Drama conventions to both entertain and educate.

The whole cast received High Commended Certificates for their concept, style and performance energy. Javan Barnard was awarded a Best Actor Trophy for his individual efforts.

The Year 9 Drama Academy and Mr Edwards also achieved very well this year, receiving a Best Actor Award for Tahlia Gibson for her outstanding performance in Where in the World is Frank Sparrow? This play also was Runner Up for Best Play of the Year!

Our Senior entry was also awarded in the major categories at the Drama Festival. A Town Named Warboy received Highly Commended certificates for the entire cast of six. The play was also awarded the Adjudicator’s Prize for outstanding performance. This production, based on the diary entries of ANZAC soldiers, was also Runners Up for Best Play in the Senior Section. The play was awarded Best Actor Trophies for Jacob Henderson and Zavier Irving for their powerful and sensitive portrayal of young men who are victims of the horrors of combat and its aftermath.

Year 12 External Exam Timetable

Parents of year 12 please ensure your students are aware of the exam timetable.

High School Experience Day

Horticulture's Plants of the Week for Sale

These plants can be ordered from Mr Paech, spaec2@eq.edu.au. After ordering, they need to be paid for through the Finance Department and they can be collected from Finance too.

Golden Cane Palm $5.50 each

Dypsis lutescens (Golden Cane Palm) $5.50 in 200mm pots

An elegant palm with clusters of slender, smooth stems with a head of downward arching fronds. Fronds turn yellow in the sun or remain a light green if grown in the shade. An excellent indoor palm which will grow outside in warmer climates. Their clump forming habit adds extra attraction as the palm matures and multiple trunks splay outwards.

Queensland Bottle Tree $9.90 each

Brachychiton rupestris (Queensland Bottle Tree) $9.90 in 300mm pots

Highly ornamental tree with a distinctive bulbous shaped trunk. Very adaptable, drought tolerant plant that will grow quicker if there is extra water available. Likes well drained soil. Culturally significant plant with indigenous people using the seeds, roots, stems and bark as food or materials. Bottle shaped trunk may start to be noticeable at around 5-8 years of age. It tolerates a range of soils. 15m high and 5m wide.

Opportunities from the Industry Liaison Officer

Traineeships

New exciting traineeship opportunities are available for Vocational Pathway students currently in Year 10 and Year 11. Positions are emailed to students and parents regularly. Get paid while gaining a qualification when doing a school based traineeship and earn up to 8 QCE points!! A variety of traineeships are on offer with a focus on business, hospitality and retail.

If you need help putting a resume together please email me on lbell138@eq.edu.au

Hospitality Traineeships:

Club Helensvale (Helensvale)
Subway (various locations)
Degani Bakery Café (Hope Island)
Guzman Y Gomez (Harbourtown)
Quay Street Café & Bar (Sanctuary Cove)
Zarraffas (various locations)
Plus many more…

Business/Retail Traineeships:

NewsExpress (Runaway Bay)
Chempro (various locations)
IGA (Coomera)
Pacific Pines Newsagency (Pacific Pines)
Style on Q (Event Planning - Biggera Waters)
Spar Express (Oxenford)
Jet Boat Extreme

External Courses

External Courses: Some external courses still have vacancies so if you would like to do a course one day per week please see me to complete the enrolment paperwork.

Attention Year 12

Year 12 school leavers should check the following links for full time job opportunities:

Year 12s if you would like to do a course through Gold Coast Trades College, they are offering a number of short courses in 2021 in Electrotechnology, Automotive and Construction.

Call 5669 9000 for more information.

On behalf of Ms Dearden and Ms Bellamy we would like to congratulate all the Year 12’s that have successfully completed their traineeships and their external courses, all the best for the future.

Lisa Bellamy
Industry Liaison Officer

2021 Storyfest Writing Competitions

The Somerset National Poetry Prize

The Somerset National Poetry Prize encourages young writers in their literary endeavours and is open to all Australian high school students. It is a wonderful opportunity for serious student writers, encouraging them in their literary growth. And there are also some fantastic prizes on offer!

Here's what the competition entails:

• Write a poem of no more than 50 lines
• The Somerset National Poetry Prize is open to ALL current secondary students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents attending school in Australia. Students receiving home schooling are eligible to enter. Entrants must be under 19 years of age as of the competition closing date
• The winner in each category will receive $300 plus flights to the Gold Coast to attend the Somerset Storyfest in March 2021
• Closing date Friday 4 December 2020

Storyfest National Novella Competition

The Storyfest National Novella Writing Competition is open to all Australian high school students. It is a wonderful opportunity for serious student writers, encouraging them in their literary growth, and as above there are some fantastic prizes on offer!

Here's what the competition entails:

• Write a novella of between 8,000 and 20,000 words
• Submit it by 4 December 2020
• Have it judged by an expert panel
• Winners from each State will be flown to the Gold Coast to enjoy Storyfest in March 2021 and will also receive a cash prize
• On top of the prize for being a State winner, the National winner also receives a first prize of $2,500, as well as a full editorial report from Penguin Random House (Australia)

Support with School Work

Do you know that Helensvale SHS offers after school tutorials?

We also offer:

Uniform Shop

Back to School 2021

As we head into the final term of the year we would like to advise that social distancing is a major factor during these busy times and we appreciate your patience.

Year 9s are encouraged to come in during break time to try on their uniforms for Year 10 2021. If you are not ready to purchase now, we can provide your student with a slip stating their sizes with which you can then place the order online through our Flexischool service at your convenience, it is generally a 24 hour turn around and uniforms can be collected from the uniform shop during our operating hours.

We do encourage all students that require new uniforms to come in during break times to be fitted and we will provide a slip for them to pass on to parents/carers for when they are ready to purchase.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact Kara at the Uniform Shop via email kneal49@eq.edu.au or phone: 5573 8571.

2021 LAPTOP PROGRAM OPTIONS

BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE (BYOD):

• This option is preferred by the school and taken up by approximately 75% of our students
• There is no longer any cost to connect a student’s privately owned device to the school network
• If you are intending to purchase a laptop, we highly recommend you purchase one from our BYOD Vendor Portal (see attached BYOD Vendor Portals.pdf), rather than purchasing from other retailers for these reasons:
  - Laptop prices all include 3 years manufacturer’s warranty + 3 years accidental damage protection insurance (ADP) – e.g. broken screens, liquid damage, etc – parts replaced free of charge
  - Every device on the portal meets school minimum specifications requirements
  - Takes all the hassles out of purchasing
  - Warranty and ADP repairs are facilitated with vendors (HP & Dell) by school technicians – logging, repair and return to student all handled by us
  - Quick turnaround for repairs – no need to take to shop or post away
  - Use the links and the information inside this attached document to help you with site entry and purchasing
• If I can’t convince you to buy from the portal, then you will need to ensure that the laptop you intend to buy meets our minimum requirements for components, especially the operating system so it is compatible with the BYOx network. (see attached Minimum Laptop Specifications.pdf)
• DO NOT purchase Microsoft Office when you buy a laptop. Education Qld provide a free download of Office for both Windows and Mac devices – no need to pay for it!

OR

ANNUAL SCHOOL HIRE LAPTOPS:

• We have a limited quantity of school owned laptops (all within warranty period – some brand new 2021) that can be hired for $200 per annum
• Priority will be given to senior students (years 10 to 12)
• Pro-rata refunds (if student leaves/opts out of program) will only be on a term basis – not weekly basis.
• If your child is already in our hire program, and this is chosen also for 2021, they will continue with the laptop that has been issued to them and you will be invoiced for the 2021 $200 hire fee – no need to hand it in.

OR

DAY HIRE LAPTOPS:

• We have a fleet of school laptops that students can access on campus only – no take home capacity, which means a lack of continuity from school to home to school and it is highly unlikely they would get the same laptop the next day.
• There is no cost for day hire, but strict borrowing rules do apply with penalties for non-return by the end of the school day.

DOCUMENTATION FOR 2021

• One parent/carer from each family and the student are required to be conversant with the information in the attached 2021 Laptop Program Charter.pdf
• For 2021 the IT Services Office is moving away from paper-based forms. Therefore, early next week, you will receive an email with a link to a very short survey to indicate:
  - Your acceptance of the use of Internet/computing resources at Helensvale SHS
  - Your intentions for your child with respect to the chosen laptop program option for 2021
• In completing this survey, you will be stating that you have read and understood the 2021 Laptop Program Charter (attached) as well as selecting your child’s 2021 option.
• You will receive a separate email for every child you have enrolled for 2021, as we need to have a separate record for each student in our system.
• Please note: No student will be allowed onto the school network or computers in 2021 unless this permission survey has been completed, as it forms the Acceptable Use Policy for Internet/computer access – a mandatory requirement.

TRANSITIONING FROM ONE PROGRAM TO ANOTHER – WHAT TO DO?

BYOD 2020 ANNUAL SCHOOL HIRE 2021: Just complete the emailed survey – that’s it.

ANNUAL SCHOOL HIRE 2020 BYOD or DAY HIRE 2021: Return school laptop, charger and case to the Finance office counter prior to the last day of attendance for your child this year. (No need to hand in if your child is continuing to hire in 2021)

All the attached documents can also be found on the school website: by:

• Clicking the 2021 Laptop Program quick link in the green section at bottom of the home page; or
• Navigating through the Support and resources tab to our documents

Any questions – just email me!
Sheryl Carr
IT Services Manager

From the Guidance Officers

Supporting study

Exams can create an enormous amount of stress for students. Year 12 in particular is considered by some to be the most important year of schooling. There are many ways parents can support their teenager’s study as they work through their education.

Balance

It’s important that you make sure your teenager has lots of opportunities to play sport or pursue an artistic activity like drama or music. Also, try to make sure that they spend time with family and friends.

Routine

Parents can do lots of things to help teenagers develop smart study habits. These skills do not develop automatically, and parents will need to be patient while new habits develop and old, unhelpful ones are discarded.

A study friendly home
Environment

It is important to make your home a place where it is easy for your teenager to think.

Help eliminate distractions such as television, radio, talking, noisy younger children, and cluttered work areas. It is impossible to watch TV and study. Show how important schoolwork is by keeping the TV off during study time.

Keep your conversation to a minimum and encourage younger children to use this time as their study or quiet time, too.

Provide physical conditions that help concentration, such as good lighting, cool temperatures and a table or desk with a supportive chair.

The work area should be neat and clutter free with enough space for reading and writing.

Remind your teenager to sit with good posture in a comfortable chair. Lying down may be so relaxing that it interferes with concentration.

Making time to study

You can support your teenager by helping him or her focus on their study.

• Schedule study time. Study times should be scheduled for whenever there are the fewest distractions or interruptions. If your teenager needs help with establishing a routine, have a chat about which times could be best used for studying. Set that time aside at least five days a week. Use the afternoon or early evening as study time, as this leaves time later in the evening for relaxing activities.
• Plan study in two 50-minute blocks with a 5-minute break. One 50-minute chunk of study time is better than several hours full of distractions and interruptions. Use a kitchen timer or an alarm clock to signal breaks and to indicate the end of study time.

At exam time

Year 12 exam results do not represent your teenager’s future. The end of secondary school is the start of the next – and usually more exciting time – in your teenager’s life. The moment the exams are over, celebrate. Such a celebration is crucial, as the message you will be reinforcing is that the final score is incidental. Getting through high school is a wonderful achievement in itself.

Managing stress

It’s important to maintain the balance and routine you’ve established throughout the year. The brain and body are closely connected – your teenager might say they’re too busy to exercise or sleep but looking after their body will have great benefits on their mind.

Keeping active
Sleep
Diet
Mindfulness
Seeking support

When the exam results arrive

This period can be even more uncomfortable than the exams. Everyone is likely to feel tense while waiting for the results to arrive. Your teenager might fall short of their predicted scores, which can result in the goal of achieving a place at their chosen university, TAFE or apprenticeship feeling unreachable. Everyone in the family is treading on eggshells, and when the results do finally arrive, quite often the family can be too emotionally drained to celebrate or regroup.

You need to recognise that feeling on edge or uneasy is a natural response. Talk to your teenager about the way he or she is feeling and the choices and options available. Let them know that both you and their school are supportive.

When the results are not what your teenager hoped for

Don’t be fooled if your teenager appears to be indifferent to their results.

Almost all students care deeply about their results and about what their family and friends think.

• Encourage your teenager to talk and reassure them, clarifying that failing an exam doesn’t mean they’re a failure, and that while you may all be disappointed in the results, you are definitely not disappointed in them.
• If your teenager was after a score that would gain them a place in a particular university course, reassure them that all is not lost. There are thousands of university places being offered through the preference process, so there are other options available.
• Put things into perspective. Reassure your teenager that everyone loses out at some time or other in life, and that failing an exam isn’t the end of the world. Remind them that they can re-sit their exams or decide to pursue a different route.
• Encourage your teenager to look for positive ways forward, consider all available options. They may want to consider completing Year 13, working or travelling for a year, or doing an internship. A career counsellor or university advisor may be able to help.
• Tell your teenager that whatever happens, you fully support them.

Do’s and don’ts

Do

• Guide, support and encourage your teenager
• Encourage healthy eating, regular exercise and plenty of sleep
• Take your teenager’s efforts seriously
• Create an effective workspace in the house if your teenager can’t study in their room
• Take a whole family approach to supporting your teenager
• Remind your teenager of their goals
• Give them positive feedback whenever possible
• Encourage them to take study breaks when necessary
• Remember, the final year is about your teenager, not you
• Help them put, and keep, the year in perspective
• Keep an eye on his or her emotional health – look for changes in sleeping or eating habits, and see your GP if you are worried about anything
• Let your teenager know that when they need you, you’ll always be there
• Encourage your teenager to believe in themselves

Don’t

• Nag
• Overload your teenager with domestic chores
• Tell your teenager to work harder or he or she will fail

The research

According to the Mission Australia Youth Survey in 2019, coping with stress and school or study problems remain major concerns for respondents.1 Research has shown that Year 12 can increase rates of depression, anxiety2, suicidal thoughts3 and even suicide.4 In particular, the fear of failure and the apparent lack of prospects as a result of poor results in Year 12 were identified as major stressors for many young people. As well as managing school, many young people were also trying to cope with work, family and social commitments. The cumulative effect of these demands appears to be leaving many young people feeling besieged and struggling to cope.

References

1. Mission Australia (2019) Youth Survey 2019; page 4.
2. Gough D, Edwards H (2006) Pressure takes big toll on students. The Age Newspaper, April 16 2006.
3. McGraw, K., Moore, S., Fuller, A. and Bates, G. (2008), Family, peer and school connectedness in final year secondary school students. Australian Psychologist, 43: 27–37.
4. Robotham, J. (2003), Suicide linked to pressure of HSC. Sydney Morning Herald Newspaper, January 23, 2003.

Parent Resources

The Reachout website has some amazing resources to help parents and their children work through any adversity that they may face.

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