27 November 2020

Newsletter Articles

Our School Values –

For information on upcoming events please see the school calendar

From the Principal

Dear Helensvale State High School Community

This year, the year of our 30th Anniversary, we came together as ‘One Community’ to formally recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students throughout the year through various events including Awards Night, Graduation, Formal, Diploma of Business Graduation and the Year 12 Clap Out.

We also reflected on the past 30 extraordinary years at the ‘Vale, taking a trip down memory lane.

Awards Night

Whilst it was not possible for all parents and carers to attend in person, live streaming provided the opportunity for a much broader audience to celebrate the achievements of the students. So we were able to welcome grandparents, aunts, uncles, extended family members, friends, those living in other parts of our state, our nation and the world, and those who would normally be unable to attend due to work commitments or family responsibilities. As one community, focussing on the positives and opportunities, being optimistic and prioritising our health demonstrates to our students the growth mindset that we espouse.

We celebrated many, many outstanding achievements in the fields of academia, the arts and sport. The sheer number of awards that were presented sent a very clear message to the community that our students have a great work ethic, are committed to their education and make a positive contribution to our school and the community.

A special mention to our Dux of the Year, Jacob Ingles. What an extraordinary achievement.

Graduation

Whilst graduation was initially restricted to one adult per child, at the last minute COVID restrictions were eased and we were so pleased that each student graduating was able to have 3 adults in attendance. Graduation was made all the more special because of this and we thank parents and carers for their patience and understanding during the short window of opportunity to purchase more tickets and organise face masks.

This cohort of Year 12s graduated in the same year as the school’s 30th Anniversary, graduated as the first cohort in Queensland to undertake external exams as part of the new senior assessment and tertiary entrance system and graduated in the year of a global pandemic. I would like to acknowledge the extraordinary resilience shown by this Year 12 cohort as they overcame the challenges that came their way. Every student is graduating with at least one qualification in the form of Vocational Education Certificates, completion of TAFE courses, School Based Traineeships and Apprenticeships, Diplomas and an ATAR.

Whilst it is the final chapter of their education at Helensvale State High School, it is the start of a new journey filled with promises, opportunity and adventure for our Year 12s. We wish you all the best for a very bright future.

Awards Night Photos

Broadwater Trials

Student Hub Information

Early departures

Students should not leave school grounds without first signing out through the Administration office. In the case of an emergency, we need to know the whereabouts of ALL students.

• Please be advised that there are no phones in classrooms to contact teachers and/or students so the only way a student will be permitted to leave class early is by prior arrangement with the Student Hub.
• If you know your child has an appointment, please send him/her to school with a note. This should be brought to the Student Hub before school or during break times to receive a leave request. Students will not be allowed to leave class, without a leave request
• Students are unable to leave class, unless previously organised, due to the impact these interruptions have on individual and class learning time. If unforeseen circumstances occur, we are happy to attempt to contact students during break times to issue a pass, enabling them to be released from class.
• The student must be collected from the Administration office by a parent/carer or someone listed as an emergency contact.
• Please note we are unable to do “call outs” for students when Block Exams are taking place.
• Students unwell during school time:
• If a student feels unwell during lesson time, they MUST NOT contact their parent/guardian directly. They must report it to their teacher who will then send them to Sick Bay in Student Hub
• If a student feels unwell during break time they must go to Sick Bay.
• The student will be assessed and if necessary, the parent/carer will be contacted to collect their child. If we are unable to make contact with the parent/carer, the student will be allowed to rest for 15 minutes before returning to class.
• It is vitally important that your contact details are up to date and you check your phone for messages.
• If a parent/carer is asked to collect their student that is unwell they must be collected from the Administration office.

2021 LAPTOP PROGRAM

Please be aware that every enrolled student for the 2021 school year must have had their parent/carer complete our laptop program survey. This survey has already been emailed to the parent community and each Thursday we are sending reminders with the survey link to those who have not as yet completed the survey.

This document is also important, as it also contains an agreement called the Acceptable Use Policy that must be understood and accepted by parents, carers and students in order for your child to gain Internet and network access on campus.

We no longer issue printed forms for completion – just this survey to gather all the required information we need for the laptop program.

Contact scarr25@eq.edu.au if you require further clarification or have related questions.

Needing a laptop for your child for the 2021 school year? We recommend our:

BYOD – VENDOR PORTAL

• Below you will find links to the BYOD portals of the two vendors who have partnered with Helensvale for many years in our BYOD program.
• Whilst it is not mandatory, we STRONGLY ENCOURAGE purchasing your child’s laptop from one of these vendors, as:
  - They have for many years manufactured robust laptops for the education environment.
  - It takes the stress out of finding the right laptop to meeting the minimum requirements and network compatibility of the school.
  - It eliminates sales pressure.
  - Every laptop on each site includes 3 years onsite warranty as well as 3 years accidental damage protection insurance (ADP) in their pricing.
  - Any warranty, accidental damage or non-warranty repairs can be logged and processed by HSHS school techs, and conducted by vendors on the school site, thus taking the hassle out of purchaser/vendor communication, delivery and pickup.
• Upon entry to each site, you will note that both vendors have categorised their laptop products as basic, standard and premium (or words to that effect).
• Every laptop meets the minimum standards required by Helensvale SHS.
• Typically, unless a student is studying senior subjects such as: Graphic, Film & TV or Cert III Media, they would not require a premium model.
• Note below the website entry points of each vendor in the 2nd column and other relevant information in the final column.

Holiday Programs

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.

From the Guidance Officers

How to increase your motivation.

Feeling motivated hasn’t got much to do with motivation; actually Fear + Worry = Loss of Motivation. Motivation is about overcoming fear. It feels easier to avoid than risk failure but fears become larger with avoidance. So let’s get motivated.

Set small goals and one large one.

Set a small goal each week per subject. Write it down and tick when complete. Make your favourite subject the “go for broke subject”. In this subject your aim is to top the class. See how you go.

Get organised; take things step by step.

Get yourself up to date. Ask for help, start taking notes. If you have been embarrassed about asking questions, just try asking one question or ask the teacher after class. If you’ve missed notes, get copies. Write a revision summary.

Give up believing that you know how smart you are.

It is highly likely that you are more intelligent than you realise. It is also highly likely that most of the people around you are not quite as clever as they appear to be. Give them a run for their money.

Build on your strengths

Use your time in school well.

Be honest with yourself.

The world is full of excuses. Be tough on yourself; do the work before the other stuff

Change your routine.

If you’ve been finding motivation difficult, change your set pattern. For example, study in a local library rather than at home

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