12 March 2021

Newsletter Articles

For more info please see the school calendar

From the Principal

Dear Helensvale State High School Community

A few weeks ago our School Council met to endorse this year’s Annual Implementation Plan (AIP), as well as the school budget. Our 2021 Spotlight, seen below, is a visual representation of the AIP. Each term the School Council monitors the progress of our AIP’s three improvement priorities to ensure we are on track to meet our targets. Let me unpack the 2021 spotlight for you, providing a brief overview of our three improvement priorities for this year.

If you would like further detail on any of our three improvement priorities and our targets, our complete Annual Implementation Plan is able to be accessed via our website.

Kind regards
Karen Lindsay

Holocaust Memorial Display

Inspiration for learning is of utmost importance at Helensvale State High School. When the opportunity to immerse Year 9 English students in the powerful history of World War Two arose, we seized the opportunity.

With the intention to cultivate students text to world connections in their study of The Book Thief, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and Once, Samantha White and Kirsty Scott partnered with Jason Steinberg from the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies to create a rich learning environment.

The museum-quality exhibition* certainly delivered on its promise to “promote dialogue about the Holocaust, to impart its universal lessons and to foster a connection to its relevance to daily life in the 21st Century”. Students gained a deep understanding of the historical context surrounding the fictional texts and were able to not only develop empathy but were able to transform their learning to create emotive and moving narratives that showcased their deep understanding of what it truly means to see the world through another’s eyes.

“The Historical context walkthrough was incredibly useful in helping students understand more about the Holocaust and Nazi Party. This is as it related directly to the Book Thief and used historically accurate events and terminology that allowed us to make world to text connections between the two texts. Seeing the images as well as reading the information, we were able to make direct links to scenes in the Book Thief and match related themes, such as grief, pity, abuse of power and terror from multiple perspectives, such as the Jews, Nazis, and the Germans. Seeing the informative side of the Death Marches and the narrative side, we were able to link the two to get multiple perspectives and viewpoints to help with our understanding of the events and therefore make it easier to write from the character’s perspectives. Therefore, the walkthrough was both incredibly informative and useful in helping to understand the historical context and different perspectives of Nazi Germany as it was able to be directly linked to The Book Thief.” – Jessica Bunker, Year 9 Excite English student

*The exhibitions have been developed by Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center based in Israel, and produced by the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies, the roof body of Queensland Jewry, with assistance from the Queensland Government’s Gambling Community

Benefit Fund.

Celebration of Success

From the Chaplains

An integral aspect of our services is providing one on one pastoral care for students & staff of the HSHS community. It is a joy to be alongside people on their journeys. One of the strategies used to support young people is by helping them deconstruct pre-existing thought patterns that often hinder healthy interpretation of situations. Often people react and form their subjective truths, which lead to negative interactions. Exploring these help people to regain their sense of objectivity and responsive power. The most common issues that students are being supported for this term have been grief & loss, anxiety, self-esteem, social-friendship and home/student-parent issues.

RADIANCE Girls Group - This program is aimed to boost self confidence & social skills for our young girls. The young girls in Radiance this term have formed great solidarity. Although all very different, they find commonality when sharing their stories of personal struggles. One can sense that the girls are realising they are not alone in their challenges –others too have similar fears & struggles. Though each is unique, the adolescent experience is relatable. The topics that we have covered so far;

• Healthy media use
• Nutrition & Hygiene
• Emotions
• Self-Identity
• Healthy Life Balance
• Body Image & Accepting Me

Northern Collegiate Badge Ceremony

The Northern Collegiate Badge Ceremony was held at Helensvale SHS last Friday. These are 10 of our 11 NC Leaders from Helensvale receiving their badges. We had previous school captain and Northern Collegiate member, Jaidyn Gibbs, as our guest speaker at the event. Also in attendance were Deputy Principals from the other 5 Northern Collegiate schools, Sharyn Stubbs and Karen Lindsay. After the ceremony the students got together in their groups to plan out some of their fundraising and volunteering that they intend on participating in this year. Our students were wonderful hosts for the day.

Junior School

Dear Parents/Caregivers does your Year, 7, 8 or 9 child tell you they have no homework? Well they might not have any ‘set’ homework on a particular day but at this stage of the term they should be using homework time to revise the work they have been doing in class, working on written assignments, or doing revision in preparation for exams.

We ALL know how students feel about homework.

The mere utterance of this word causes them to grimace and writhe in disgust. They hate it. We all know that. But, we all know that it's essential to their academic success.

Here are some homework tips for Parents and Students from Harris Cooper, a professor of psychology at Duke University -

Homework Tips for Parents

1. Be a Stage Manager.

Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework. Make sure the needed materials (paper, pencils, and dictionary) are available. Unless the homework assignment involves using a computer, power down electronics and remove other unnecessary distractions.

2. Be a Motivator.

Homework provides a great opportunity for you to tell your child how important school is. Be positive about homework. The attitude you express about homework will be the attitude your child acquires.

3. Be a Role Model.

When your child does homework, don’t sit and watch TV. If your child is reading, you read too. If your child is doing maths, work on your family budget. Help your child see that the skills they are practicing are related to things you do as an adult.

4. Be a Monitor.

Watch your child for signs of failure and frustration. If your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers. If frustration sets in, suggest a short break.

Homework Tips for Students

1. Pick a good time to do homework.

Try to do your homework at the same time everyday--right after school, just before dinner, or right after dinner. Try not to leave homework until just before you have to go to bed.

2. Find a place that makes studying easy.

Collect up all the books and supplies you’ll need (and your snack) before you begin to work. Do your homework in the same place every day.

3. Spend more time on hard homework than easy homework.

If you know what’s easy and what's hard, do the hard work first. Take a short break if you are having trouble keeping your mind on an assignment.

4. If homework gets too hard, ask for help.

If your parents are busy and you have an older brother or sister, ask them for help, or get your parents to ask them. Only ask for help if you really need it.

5. Remember to make time for long-term projects.

Think about using a weekend morning or afternoon for working on big projects, especially if the project involves getting together with classmates. If you need special stuff for a project, make sure to tell your parents to get it for you well in advance.

A good homework routine established in Junior Secondary will help set up your child up for success in Senior Schooling. If you would like to know what your child should be working on at home check with your child’s class teachers- it’s as easy as sending an email.

Wendy Chambers
Junior Secondary Transitions

BROADWATER SCHOOL SPORT TRIALS 2021 – TERM 2

Please be aware that the following Broadwater School Sport 2021 nominations are due in the first three weeks of Term 2, 2021.

Please be aware some of the nominations close this term.

Students are required to come to the Sport (SAC Staffroom) to nominate, collect the relevant permission forms and receive any additional information.

Please be aware the Broadwater School Sport Policy states you must have experience in the sport you are nominating for.

Academy Programs of Excellence

Applications are now open for our selective entry Academy Programs of Excellence for Year 7 2022.

Our Academy Programs of Excellence offer students a unique opportunity to pursue their passion in the areas of Academia, Sport, Japanese, Education for Entrepreneurs and the Arts. As members of the Helensvale Academy, students engage in challenging learning experiences that foster elite skill development, critical and creative thinking, quality collaboration and effective communication skills. Our expert teaching team are committed to nurturing each and every student to realise their full potential and achieve success in their chosen field. Applications for our Academy Programs are considered in three parts including the written application, academic effort and behaviour and the exam or trial. Trials will take place between Monday 22 March and Saturday 27 March.

We invite applications from both within and outside our catchment. Further information and application forms can be found at:

Sports Academy – Netball, AFL, Football

Arts Academy – Visual Art, Dance, Drama

Academic Academy – EXCITE, Education 4 Entrepreneurs, Japanese

NOTE: Round 1 Applications close Friday 12 March.

Senior Leaders

World’s Greatest Shave:

Celebrating 23 years of World's Greatest Shave!

In 2021, the Leukaemia Foundation will celebrate 23 years of the World’s Greatest Shave campaign, making it one of Australia’s longest running and most loved fundraising events.

People of all ages channel their inner superhero and shave, colour, or wax the hair – supported all the way by proud family, friends, colleagues and classmates.

Some will have a personal connection to blood cancer, while others take part simply to have fun, tick a bucket list box and raise money for a good cause.

More than 2 million Aussies have taken part over the past two decades, with an estimated 37,500 kilograms of hair removed!

This year we already have students growing their locks in preparation for the shave on March 15th, but we are always looking for more volunteers! Anyone interested can see Ms Rauchle in the science staff room (CSR1).

If you would like to sponsor one of our brave shavers, please visit our team page at the link below.

Uniform Shop

Year 7 school vaccinations happening soon!

The Gold Coast Public Health’s immunisation team will be providing vaccinations to all year 7 students on Tuesday 30 March.

You should have received an email from admin.immunisegc@health.qld.gov.au to the address you have nominated with the school (please check your junk mail folder).

If you haven’t received this email you can contact Gold Coast Public Health’s immunisation team on 1800 940 750 or drop into the school office to collect a hard copy form.

News from Industry Pathways:

A variety of new traineeships are on offer with a focus on business and hospitality. To see if your child is eligible to apply please have them email their resume to lbell138@eq.edu.au stating which position they are interested in. Only students on a Vocational Pathway and in Year 11/12 can apply.

Positions available:

Coffee Major Café – Parkwood (inside Griffith Uni)
Degani Bakery Café – Hope Island
Quay Street Café – Sanctuary Cove
RACV The Royal Pines Resort
Subway (various locations)
Three Kings Pizza – Parkwood & Upper Coomera
The Beach Café – Surfers Paradise
Tree Top Challenge – Mount Tamborine
Zarrafas – Helensvale, Oxenford, Runaway Bay

More school based vacancies are available in these links:

Ignite Education:

Please visit their vacancy page:

Prestige Staffing Solution vacancies: please visit this link for more opportunities:

If your child needs help to create a resume please have them see Ms Bellamy in KS10 or email lbell138@eq.edu.au

External Courses, Years 11 & 12:

Semester 2 courses will start taking enrolments soon for external providers such as TAFE etc, parents please ask your students to check their school emails regularly for information on registering interest for these courses.

Ms Bellamy
Industry Liaison Officer
Karangbah Building – Office KS10

Humanities Tutorials and Homework Help club.

• Do you have an assignment or exam coming up and need a little extra help to understand the content?
• Have you been away and would like to catch up on what you missed?
• Would you would like to improve your skills in analysing sources or constructing a clear paragraph?

Open to all students who are studying humanities in year 7-8 or History and Geography from year 9-12. Our amazing Humanities staff will be available to help and give you extra support.

Humanities tutorials will start in week 3 on Thursday the 11th of February. Come find us in DG33.

Maths Tutorials

Science Tutorials

Chat n Chill

STUDENT SERVICES INFORMATION

Notification of Student absences

Helensvale State High School has a dedicated line to receive messages regarding student absences and late arrivals.

Please note this line is for SMS only, not voice messages.

Please send an SMS to 0457 478 277 in the following format:

• Students full name.
• Date & duration of absence, or expected time of arrival.
• Reason for absence/lateness.

Please use this as your preferred method of notification and add this number to your contacts. The School will continue to request advice from parents/carers for unexplained absences if you have not notified us. Notifying the School will minimise the need for these investigations.

Alternatively, you can advise us by email: 2184_studentabsences@eq.edu.au

Late arrivals

Parents/guardians should advise the school prior to arrival if their child is going to be late by sending an SMS to 0457 478 277 or by giving them a note. The students MUST sign in at the Student Hub upon school arrival or they will be marked absent. If accompanied by a parent/carer they must sign in at Administration.

Please note: If the student does not have a note, or we have not received notification of their late arrival, they will automatically receive a lunch time detention.

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. The only way a student will be permitted to leave class early is by prior arrangement with the Student Hub.

• If 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 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 Services. 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 from the Administration office.
• 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.

General Information

• Please collect lost items and report any missing items at the Student Hub.
• If your child has forgotten something and you are required to bring it to school, please take it to the Administration office and advise your student to collect it from the Student Hub.
• The Student Hub can hold medication only if it is prescribed by a G.P and is in the original packaging showing the pharmacists label. Medication should be brought to the Administration office and the relevant paperwork must be completed, signed by the parent/carer before the medication can be held.

Administration Office Hours

Monday – Friday 8:00 – 3:30

Finance Hours

Monday – Thursday 8:00 – 12:45

Uniform Shop Hours

Monday – Thursday 8:00 – 12:00

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.