25 March 2022

Newsletter Articles

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From the Principal

Dear Helensvale State High School Community

Collegial Engagement is part of the school’s culture and is a key improvement strategy in the promotion of the professional, collaborative approach to school improvement to achieve our learning vision for each and every student to succeed. So what does Collegial Engagement at the ‘Vale look like?

At Helensvale State High School there are a number of different forms of Collegial Engagement including:

• Collaborative Teams
• Learning Walks
• Instructional Coaching (including modelling lessons)
• Observation and Feedback

This newsletter is devoted to unpacking the notion of Collaborative Teams.

The purpose of Collaborative Teams is for teachers to take collective responsibility for their work and for the success of their students. The primary focus of Collaborative Teams is to respond to student data (formative and summative) and to implement strategies which will result in an improvement in student outcomes. Collaborative Teams are one mechanism within the school where teachers collaboratively consider how they can differentiate for students. In high performing Collaborative Teams “staff members view it as the engine that drives school improvement” (DuFour, 2017, p 80).

Collaborative Team meetings occur every Monday, commencing 2.20pm. Teachers meet in Professional Learning Teams (PLTs). During PLTs teachers:

• focus on student data – pre, progress and post
• work within a cycle of inquiry
• collaborate about, and enact, the Big 5 Critical Questions – Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum, Assessment, IMPACT (pedagogical framework), and Response to Intervention (RTI).
• engage in professional learning as appropriate
• measure their impact.

The Education Improvement Branch Visiting Team that conducted a review of our school towards the end of term 4 last year commended the work of our collaborative teams by saying:

• “Professional Learning Teams (PLT) facilitate a collaborative culture and a collective effort to foster high expectations for driving improvement in student outcomes”.
• “Staff members indicate that professional collaboration meetings support them to build their capability to identify strategies and address the diverse range of student learning needs. Many opportunities for teachers to learn from each other occur through sharing and discussion during collaboration time or informally in staffrooms”.
• “Teachers spoke consistently of their appreciation and importance of the collegial work environment especially in their faculty work areas”.

Yours truly
Karen Lindsay
Executive Principal
Helensvale State High School

Youth Leadership Academy Australia

“How different would your life look if you lived every day without fear?” A question that will either fuel you with inspiration or fill you with regret, no matter your answer you will be met with an internal crossroads – how will you live the rest of your life, will it be in fear, or will it be in fulfilment? The Youth Leadership Academy Australia gave Helensvale State High School – and many other schools from across Southeast Queensland – the opportunity to attend their State Youth Leadership conference. Created by 19-year-old entrepreneur and CEO Wil Massara, the State Youth Leadership Conference was created to bring together young influential leaders and equip them with the skills and confidence to become change makers in their Schools and wider communities.

As we entered, we were met with music and an already electric atmosphere, but nothing prepared us for the valuable, genuine, and raw advice and mentoring that would follow. Whether it was Keynote speaker Heather addressing her passion for adventure and mission of spreading positivity, or Tari speaking out on creating intergenerational change and owning her quirks - in a room full of hundreds of people, not one was left unmoved.

The second half of the day saw us meeting the inspiring Wil Massara, founder of the program and voice of change for young people globally. He spoke on his life journey as well as how we should never let ourselves or others define our ability by age. This was then followed by a presentation from Daniel Flynn founder and Chief visionary of the social enterprise Thankyou, which has raised over $17 million to impact the lives of people across 22 countries. He shared with us his stories of not his story of success and triumphs, but of losses, heartache, and failure. His story prompted laughter and in some cases tears but overall, one message stuck out to us all, If you find something you are truly passionate about and you know that’s your purpose and your mission, you will get back up every time you fall.

But mostly of all we left not only inspired by the accomplished presenters, but most of all inspired by the peers surrounding us. Their bravery and courage to step out of the box and stay out of the box - the fall walls of comfort keeping us ‘safe’ from the fear of failure. We watched on enthralled by the leaders surrounding us, soaking in the spirit, and blossoming alongside them. I think I speak on behalf of not only the Leadership team of Helensvale state high school but also the many other captains, prefects, and student representatives present, that the courage of Our very own Vice-captain and captain Chloe Richards and Zendrix Castanares was beyond captivating! Whether it was Chloe starting a dance party on a stage in front of hundreds of reserved, nervous high schoolers or Zendrix standing alongside the presenters proving that age doesn’t determine one’s ability to hold the attention and respect of an audience. The event that was the State Youth Leadership Conference will be an experience that we will all hold so closely to use for the rest of our lives, with the messages and stories living in our head of a constant reminder of what it means to be a leader, what it means to fail but most importantly what it means to get rise above it. To rise above fear, to rise above thoughts of self-doubt and to rise above negatively - all of which hold you back from reaching your full potential, potential that lives within all of us and that will thrive if given the chance to flourish.

Lily Winters (Vice Captain):

“The kindness and positivity of their energy and discussions with us today really resonated with me and inspired me, it made me feel motivated and helps me adjust the way I see failure by turning it into an opportunity to flourish.”

Chloe Richards (Vice Captain):

“The kindness and upbeat energy that was expressed throughout the room and what was discussed moved me to be a better person and enjoy life. It helped me feel more confident and secure in myself and what I want to do next year and with my life.”

Briyana Rodger (Captain):

“I walked into the conference with an exact plan of how I thought my life should play out. However, something that resonated with me throughout this session was the concept of ‘presence’. Tari talked about how important it was to be present as a leader, within our everyday lives. Living in the moment and appreciating what we have and listening to other around us.”

Zendrix Castanares (Captain):

“I want to quote one the facilitators Tari, she said something that resonated personally. It was the quote, “Walking between worlds and finding that perfect balance is a dance I am still learning to do. What Tari is saying is that despite all that, it’s okay not to be able to step up to the plate. It’s okay to not be able separate your school and personal life… Knowing where to start is the best way in knowing where you can go; seeing where you are lacking, and improving on it as a leader. Then and only can you exist in your absolute truth.

Term 2 – GIPSA DATES

Round 1: Term 2, Week 2, Wednesday 27th April
Round 2: Term 2, Week 7, Wednesday 1st June
Round 3: Term 2, Week 8, Wednesday 8th June

GIPSA SPORT IS BACK IN 2022 - HSHS will be competing in the interschool GIPSA Sport program on the above dates during term two. GIPSA Sport is a great way for students to actively participate in their chosen sport, meet new people and friends in a safe environment, build relationships with teachers outside the classroom, all whilst being active, having fun and engaging in some healthy competition with students from participating schools.

The GIPSA competition will run on the above dates for the entire day.

GIPSA schools - Helensvale SHS, Miami SHS, Varsity College, Southport SHS.

Cost is $45.00 per student and covers transport, venue hire, referees etc.

For further information please contact Mr. Sherlock or Mrs. Williams in the sports office.

Media Arts

Year 10 and 12 are both exploring Media Art as a medium of social commentary.

Spaced Learning

As we head into exam season, remember to space out your study rather than cramming the night before. This way you will be more likely to remember and actually learn the content!

Student Council Fundraising

Purchasing an Entertainment Membership is a WIN-WIN!!

Not only will you receive limited time Bonus Offers and a Bonus eGift card with your purchase you will also support our student council fundraiser.

Winners are grinners so make sure you purchase your Membership TODAY!!

Hurry this promotion ends on the 21st of March.

HSHS Cross Country - Friday 1st April (Week 10)

Helensvale State High School will hold its annual Cross-Country event on the school grounds and surrounding neighbourhood as in previous years, on Friday 1st of April in week 10. Those students wishing to compete in the school cross country must nominate and complete the electronic nomination via the link that will be emailed to all students in week eight, nominations close Friday the 25th March at the end of week nine. It is an expectation and requirement for ALL Sports Academy students to compete. Students participating are required to be in full Helensvale sports uniform. Any questions can be directed to Mr. Sherlock or Mrs. Williams in the HPE staff room / Sports office.

HSHS Sports Coordinator Notices - Broadwater School Sport trials term two - April / May 2022.

The following Broadwater School Sport trials are occurring from the start of term two in April to the middle of May term two 2022. Please make sure you come to the Sports Office / SAC staffroom to sign up and nominate. Please note some of the trial nominations close in week one of term two.

Basketball Girls 13-15 Years
Basketball Boys 13-15 Years
Rugby Union Boys 11-12 Years
Football Boys 17-19 Years
Football Boys 13-16 Years
Surfing Boys & Girls 13-19 Years
Football Girls 10-12 Years
Football Girls 10-12 Years
Cross Country 10-19 Years

Holiday Programs

2022 Next Step survey

The Queensland Government is conducting its annual statewide survey of all students who completed Year 12 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, all our students who completed Year 12 last year can expect to receive instructions to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office. Please encourage them to take part. If their contact details have changed, please assist the interviewer with their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate.

Thank you for your support of the Next Step survey in 2022.

Further information on Next Step, including results from previous years, is available online at the link below or on toll free telephone 1800 068 587.

Helensvale SHS Farmers Markets

Don’t forget to support our local farmers.

Every Day Counts!

Cyberbullying Help

What would you do if your child was being cyberbullied?

According to research by the eSafety Commissioner , 1 in 5 young people experience cyberbullying and online abuse and 55% seek help from their parents/carers.

Our free training is available online and has been designed to be completed on a range of internet ready devices, including smart phones.

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.

Acknowledgment of Country

Helensvale State High School as one community, acknowledges the Kombumerri Peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our school is built. We respect their long history, ancestry and culture. We pay our respects to the Elders, past, present and emerging for they carry the memories and traditions of past times.

We would also like to extend our acknowledgment to other First Nations Peoples: those hailing from the Torres Strait Islands and those belonging to other Aboriginal Language Groups.

We acknowledge the strength and resilience of Kombumerri peoples. We respect their enduring connection to the local wetlands and the cultural responsibility they uphold to preserve wildlife. Together, we go forward, learning in the spirit of these values.