17 March 2023

Newsletter Articles

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From the Principal

Dear Helensvale State High School Community

One of the key actions in our 2023 Annual Improvement Plan is the co-construction (students and teachers together) of learning walls to drive connections between assessment, learning and progress for students. Our goal is for all teachers to implement a learning wall with at least one class in Semester 1, building to at least two classes in Semester 2. It is inspiring to see the number of learning walls being implemented in classrooms already; the depth and detail in these walls is evident.

What is a learning wall and why is it also referred to as the third teacher?

The first teacher is the parent/carer, the second teacher is the classroom teacher and the third teacher is the classroom environment that is created for students. This is reflected in our One Community philosophy, where we promote healthy relationships between all three ‘teachers’ which contributes to student wellbeing and success.

The third teacher, ie the learning environment, allows students to take ownership of their learning spaces, creating a classroom culture where all students feel safe to learn together, collaborate together and learn from each other. As students co-construct and interact with the learning walls, they are improving their own learning. Learning walls are unique for every class.

Please click on the link below to have a look at inside a classroom where Ms Warne’s Year 10 Literature students explain the various elements of their learning walls.

Kind regards

Karen Lindsay
Executive Principal
Helensvale State High School

Link and Launch

Some students finish Year 12 and just seem to know what’s next. They’re getting a job or apprenticeship, going to TAFE, or heading straight into uni. But after 13 years of making your way through school, sometimes it’s hard to make the next step. And guess what? That’s totally ok. And even better, there is help available to get you started.

Link and Launch is a free service designed to help you identify the options that can work for you after school. You’ll be guided through a range of post-school study, training and work options – and if you don’t have any idea what you want to do next, the program can help you with that too.

Here are just some of the options you might explore:

• free TAFE for under 25s
• apprenticeships and traineeships
• Skilling Queenslanders for Work programs
• alternative entry to university
• employment
• assistance with job applications, resume writing and interview prep
• career guidance

And there’s no right or wrong pathway – just options and opportunities!

Where can I access Link and Launch?

The Link and Launch program is offered via selected Queensland High schools, Helensvale State High School is one of them! Your Link and Launch contact at HSHS is Elaine Braniff.

Elaine can meet you off site, at a local library or coffee shop - whatever suits you!

Contact her on: Mobile/SMS: 0401 127 905 Email: ebran61@eq.edu.au

Our Vale Community Alliance Breakfast was a Huge Success!!!

The first Vale Community Alliance Breakfast was held on Friday 3rd of March. Many of the 2023 partners and sponsors attended to support and network with our school and the local community. This year has been very successful with many local businesses coming on board for the first time.

Our Alliance continues to thrive, giving our students the extra opportunity to participate and excel in many diverse activities. If your business is interested in this wonderful opportunity, please contact Lisa Campbell on lcamp36@eq.edu.au

Attention all Year 10, 11 & 12 Students

Konnichi wa Minasan!!

Have you ever thought about going on an overseas adventure? Have you ever dreamt of a journey to the land of samurai, ninja, anime, J-pop?

I invite you to consider a trip of a lifetime to Japan! Be guided around this awesome and safe travel destination by experienced Japanese teachers, and make memories and friendships that you will never forget.

This will be our first trip post-covid and we are very excited to provide this opportunity once again. Don’t miss out! Please check your student email and show the EOI letter to your parents/guardians and have them sign and return to me asap.

Any questions? Please email Mr Middleton, bmidd32@eq.edu.au

School Nurse

Hi, my name is Ness and I am the new School Based Youth Health Nurse at Helensvale State High School. I am usually at school Tuesday’s and Thursday’s. My office is located in SWELL and young people can access the SBYHN for a variety of reasons.

This is a confidential service for young people provided by QLD Health in collaboration with Education Queensland.

I can be contacted through teachers, guidance officers, staff or self-referral. There are QR posters around the school that students can access or you may wish to contact the school directly and they can pass on your information to Ness.

News from Industry Pathways:

There are some fantastic traineeship opportunities currently available for Year 11’s at the moment. Click on the links below to see the employers. Year 10 students can start applying for traineeships and apprenticeships in Semester 2.

Get paid while gaining a qualification, doing a school-based traineeship, and earn up to 8 QCE points!!

School based vacancies links:

Ignite Education:

Aurora Training Institute:

Year 12 School Leavers should check the following links for full time/part time employment opportunities:

Year 11 students – external courses:

Even though TAFE enrolments are closed until Semester 2, Gold Coast Trades College are accepting enrolments every term. If you are interested in doing one of the below courses please come and see me:

• Cert 1 Construction
• Cert II Automotive
• Cert II Electrotechnology
• Cert II Plumbing

Year 10 students – Try a Trade course – Term 3:

Year 10 students will be given the opportunity to take part in a ‘Skills Taster/Trade Taster’ course at TAFE, these courses will run one day per week for 9 weeks in Term 3. You do not receive a qualification for this course, as only a few units are covered during the course.

Students participate in units aligned to a specific area over the course of a school term, gaining a deeper understanding of a qualification that assists them in making an informed decision when choosing a TAFE at School Program or continuing with further studies in the future.

Tasters available will be:

Automotive (Ashmore)
Community Services (Southport)
Construction (Ashmore)
Electrotechnology (Ashmore)
Engineering (Ashmore)
Health (Nursing – Southport)
Marine (Coomera)
Plumbing (Ashmore)

Please students check your emails regularly otherwise you will miss important information.

Ms Bellamy
Industry Liaison Officer

Holiday Programs Available

Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing Survey

In Term 2, students will be asked to take part in the Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing (QEW) Survey on the following dates:

Wednesday 19th April - Years 7, 9 & 11
Wednesday 26th April – Years 8, 10 & 12

We know that wellbeing and engagement are important parts of your child’s life at school. The QEW Survey is designed to measure how students view their wellbeing and engagement across different topics. The information we get from the survey helps us better understand and support our students.

An information letter will be sent out to parents and carers closer to the time. If you have any questions, please contact the school. More information, including FAQs, can be found on the Education website:

2023 Next Step Year 12 Completers Survey

All our students who completed Year 12 last year will soon receive an invitation to do the Next Step survey. The short five-minute survey asks graduates about the study and work they have been doing since finishing school. The results from the survey help our school improve our senior programs and prepare students for work and further study.

We ask parents, siblings and friends to encourage our graduates to complete the survey. If their contact details have changed, please assist survey interviewers with their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate. Graduates may receive an invitation by mail, email or phone. The survey can be completed online or by phone.

For more information about Next Step, including previous results, visit the link below:

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, 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.