2 Dutton Street, Murgon Qld 4605 T: (07) 4169 9222 F: (07) 4169 9200 E: principal@murgonshs.eq.edu.au Murgon State High School www.murgonshs.eq.edu.au

Principal: Simon Cotton Tania Hawthorne (Senior School), Barb Etherington (Acting Deputy Student Engagement and Wellbeing), Morgan Suchoronczak (Junior School)

Murgon State High School acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land, the Wakka Wakka people, of the country on which the school is located and pays respect to their Elders past and present.

Diary Dates

Wunjuada, Welcome! Term 3, Week 4 • 6th August 2021

Murgon State High SchoolBelieve • Challenge • Strive

We will Participate – We are Respectful and Responsible – We are Safe

From the Principal’s desk

Murgon State High School

We are about to start Week 5 of Term 3. This means our Year 12 students only have 9 weeks remaining of their schooling years. I encourage families to support your Year 12 student to stay on task, complete and submit assignments on time and seek feedback.

Many of our Year 12 students turn 18 during their last year at school. The ramifications of turning 18 is that they are now adults in the eyes of the law. Recently there has been a change to Child Protection Legislation which impacts on anyone who is 18 years and over. There are two new additions to the legislation - failure to report and failure to protect a child. We will be providing a workshop to our senior years students so that they are fully aware of their obligations under the Child Protection Act.

The Murgon State High School explicit focus on school uniforms and truanting class is having a positive effect on the number of students who make a poor decision in wearing inappropriate clothing or who choose to skip class. Thank you for your support to ensure your child experiences success at Murgon State High School.

Preparations are well underway for the Year 5/6 STEM Gala Day to be held on the 19th of August. This year we will host 133 students from the surrounding primary schools. This is 33 students more that previous years. This day is a part of the school’s enhanced transition to high school strategy to support students to successfully transition to Murgon State High School. In Term 1 we held the Arts Gala Day followed in Term 2 by the Health and Physical Education Gala Day. Further transition days will be held for students with disabilities, Year 10 /11 Day for students from Proston State School and Goomeri State School. The Year 10 to Year 11 transition day will be held on the Thursday 26th of August followed by an information evening from 5:00pm.

All Year 10 students will have the opportunity to participate in Work Experience in Week 10 of this term, September 13th - 17th. We expect all Year 10 students to be involved in this important pathway to their future careers. Ms Liebke is able to provide further information to students and parents/care givers.

Monday the 9th of August is the Barambah Show Day holiday. We expect all students to return to school Tuesday the 10th of August.

Regards

Simon Cotton Principal

Monday 9th August Barambah Show Day Holiday

Thursday 19th August STEM Gala Day

Saturday 21st - Friday 27th August Book Week 2021

Wednesday 25th August Wimberley & Co Bookstore excursion

Book Week Dress Up Parade

Thursday 26th August Year 10 to Year 11 Transition Day and Subject Selection Evening

Wednesday 1st September Year 7 2022 Transition Day

Monday 13th - Friday 17th September Year 10 Work Experience

Friday 17th September Last day of Term 3

Pictured top of page: HMAS Paluma (IV) Excursion Tour

Deputy Principal - Junior SchoolParent Teacher Interviews Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions we were required to move our face to face Parent Teacher Interviews to phone interviews. We thank all parents and staff for their cooperation with this late change. If you did not make a booking and would like to speak with your child/ren’s teacher please do not hesitate to call the school and arrange an appointment. At present this will be via phone.

Book Week 2021 Book Week is only a few weeks away!! I encourage students to start planning and preparing their costumes if they have not already. There are a number of events that will take place for Book Week 2021.

• Book Week Excursion: Wimberley & Co. Bookstore

(Wednesday 25th August)

We are very privileged to have our friends at the newly opened bookstore in Goomeri offer to host 20 Murgon State High School students for a Book Week excursion. A copy of the letter regarding this excursion is featured in this newsletter however places are limited to 20 students (all year levels). Medical and permission forms will be numbered as they are returned and a waiting list generated for additional students. Whilst at Goomeri, we will have time to peruse the store, purchase a book or hot drink and undertake a book reading across in the park. Students are strongly encouraged to wear Book Week costumes to add to the fun of the excursion!

• Book Week Dress-up Parade (Wednesday 25th August)

There are many prizes on offer for our Dress-up Parade. Categories are being confirmed however we encourage students and staff to dress up! Organise a group of friends and come together as the characters of a book or be an individual, stand out and select your own character! We have had some very creative entries in the past, I look forward to seeing the results again this year!

• Book Week Form Class Door Decorations

Form classes are encouraged to decorate their form classroom doors to the Book Week 2021 theme ‘Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds’. A prize is on offer!

Staff rooms will also be taking part in this but judged in a separate category.

• Games & Activities

I won’t reveal all in this newsletter, however, there will be many activities and games available throughout the week of Book Week for students to participate. We are finalising our schedule at present and I will publish this in the next edition ready for Week 7!

Thank you, Mrs Leskiewicz, for being my partner in crime and organising Book Week this year!

Yours in Education

Morgan Suchoronczak Deputy Principal - Junior School

They asked her: “How did you

persuade your child to read instead

of playing with smart devices?!”

She said: “Children don’t hear us,

they imitate us”.

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Term 3, Week 4 • 6th August 2021Page 2

Exciting News - Book Week ExcursionThanks to our great friends at Wimberley & Co Bookstore in Goomeri we are able to offer students the opportunity to attend a Book Week excursion. All year levels are eligible to attend however there are only 20 places available. Permission and medical forms will be numbered as they are returned to the school office and a waiting list generated. Students are encouraged to be in Book Week costume as this is also the day of our dress up parade.

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Deputy Principal - Student Engagement and WellbeingUnfortunately, there is still uncertainty in Queensland regarding COVID 19, with many areas in lockdown and children affected for the first time in this pandemic. Staff and students who were in the locked down Local Government Areas after 1.00am last Saturday are wearing masks at school to protect our community. Vaccination Clinics set up locally have been well-supported with a number of staff rolling up their sleeves to get their jab. I received my second dose this morning. The news this week has led to increased anxiety in a number of our students and their families. Dr Michael Carr-Greg has a special report on SchoolTV. Please take the time to watch the video and access fact sheets to support the mental health and wellbeing of your children and family.

SPECIAL REPORT: Riding the Corona Coaster “The Coronavirus has turned our lives upside down and asked us all to navigate a ton of uncertainty about

what happens next. These changes are confronting, creating a perfect storm for a rise in anxiety, depression

and substance abuse problems amongst young people.”

https://murgonshs.eq.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news

Gamba Hub Gamba means safe in Wakka Wakka. Our Gamba Hub is a safe space that supports the wellbeing of our students during break times and for targeted programs during class time. We have two Youth Support Coordinators and a Social Work Intern there to interact with students through a range of activities, including artwork. Pictured are YSC Aunty Emma, Social Worker Miss Lisa and YSC Miss Kelly. Behind them is some of the artwork created by our students.

Bronze and Silver Awards Congratulations to our students receiving Bronze and Silver Awards. Students are awarded a Bronze Award when they are in top 20% of students meeting the Murgon State High School Universal Expectations. Silver Awards are given to students who have previously received a Bronze Award and continue to be in the top 20% of students meeting our expectations at school. Gold Awards will be presented at our Awards Night early in Term 4.

Congratulations to Ziggy, Dallas, Jack,

Kate and Ashlyn (pictured with YLC

Becky McDonnell)

Congratulations to Darius, Krystle, Ashlee, Jennakye, Darcy,

Harrison, Nate, Riley, Hayden and Harry (pictured with

YLC Conor Ehlerth)

Congratulations to Bridey, Maddie, Pharrell and

Jareece for being such excellent role models!

Blessed be the Cheesemakers I was very excited this week to see our Scientific Operations Officer Jenna Marschall, HOD and Chemistry Guru Jodie Sippel and our beloved recently retired Jenny Boue in the kitchen preparing to make cheese. The students and staff made Monaro Blue, Cheezy Camembert and Great Northern White Camembert. I look forward to the unveiling and taste test in six weeks’ time.

Welcome home Sylvia! A surprise visit from one of our many success stories at Murgon SHS! Mr Cotton and I were very happy to get a surprise visit from Sylvia Watson-Compton, who is home on holidays visiting family and friends. I taught Sylvia Mathematics in her senior years and was always impressed by her positive attitude and her determination to always give her best effort. Sylvia graduated from Murgon State High School in 2019 and entered the Royal Australian Navy. She is currently serving as a Bosun’s Mate based in Darwin. We immediately asked for a favour from Sylvia – please come and talk to our Year 12s about your experiences after graduating and about the exciting opportunities available in our Armed Forces. Thanks for dropping in Sylvia. We look forward to hearing about your future successes.

Kind regards,

Barbara Etherington A/Deputy Principal Student Engagement and Wellbeing

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QPAC West Side Story Cancellation and Alternatives

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Did you know? Unfortunately, due to the recent COVID-19 lockdowns a number of sporting events have been postponed. These include:

• South Burnett Rugby League finals day – date TBA • BP Shield, Years 7-10 – date TBA in Term 4

Some good news on the sporting front, this year Murgon State High School have entered U13s and U15s teams into a Rugby League 9’s competition. We will play against other South Burnett high schools, at the Murgon Showgrounds on Friday 10th September. More information to come.

Did you know? Students, it is essential that we look after our wellbeing on a daily basis. Have you been getting 8 hours sleep at night? Or have you had at least 30 minutes of exercise today? These routines are essential for our brain to function properly. Like a flower without sunlight, we are unable to function and develop without keeping physically and mentally healthy. If you would like to get some health tips, come and see one of the HPE staff – we might be able to help!

Did You Know?

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Bunya to the BayWe recently received some fantastic feedback on our students who have been completing Bunya to the Bay as River Ambassadors. This feedback is in particular reference to Michael, Girra, Bridey, Amy, Aquilla and Lucy.

“The Leg 1 boys are great students, well-mannered and cooperative, and very mature in their language

and communication. At times, these students faced very testing conditions of cold days and nights and hills

to climb, both students pushed through. Well done.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with these young men, who shared good stories

around the fire. Hopefully these students can continue to develop some of these

traits back at school and in the community. I also spent some time with the girls

on Leg 2 who also demonstrated great resilience in the face of some challenging

conditions on Day 1 of their journey. Well done Murgon State High School!”

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) Fortnightly FocusThe current Murgon State High School Fortnightly Focus from the Universal Expectations matrix is “Following School Safety Procedures”- Wearing the Correct Uniform. When students are in full school uniform it enables Murgon State High School staff to ensure you are safe at school. If something happens at school, and you are not in uniform, it makes it difficult for the teachers to be able to identify you as a Murgon State High School student. When students wear the full school uniform during excursions, teachers and the general public are able to easily identify you as a Murgon State High School student. Please ensure you are in full school uniform every school day.

Full school uniform for boys and girls consists of the following:

• Murgon SHS royal blue polo shirt• Murgon SHS royal blue shorts• Murgon SHS royal blue jumper (Sloppy Joe)• Murgon SHS royal blue tracksuit pants• Murgon SHS royal blue parachute/spray jacket • Murgon SHS senior jersey (senior students only).

Ag PracticesYear 11 Ag Practices student, Wyatt, runs the first steer through the Ag Farm’s new cattle crush. While the Hoof and Hook steers play a game of who is king of the castle!

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Music

U16 Rugby LeagueThe U16 Rugby League team defeated Xavier Catholic College at the end of Term 2 to become Wide Bay Rugby League champions, this moved us onto Round 16 to face the winner of Sunshine Coast Broncos Challenge. We travelled to Gympie to verse Morayfield State High School who showed up for a well contested match. The Murgon State High School boys played incredibly well, leading for a majority of the game with some great tries and conversions. Unfortunately we conceded a try toward the end of the second half and ended the game in a 20-16 loss. All 17 boys who travelled played and represented our school to a high level and never backed down - they all should be very proud of their efforts and achievements. We awarded a few ‘Players of the Match’ including Manager’s Player which went to Harry Sippell, Trainer’s Player to Nathan Roderick, Players’ Player to Jamal Makie and the Coach’s player went to both Tarell Leedie and Charlie Sippell.

Miss Dennien (Coach)

Week 3 was a busy week for our Music students!

The Year 11s and 12s were practicing setting up for our school Arts Night. The Year 12s worked extremely well as a team helping each other to make sure everything was correct and safe.

The Year 9s learnt a traditional song and dance from the Torres Strait Islands “Sesere Eeye”. They did a great job of learning both the dance and the song, but it was a little tricky to put both together!

We ended the week with some of our top Music and Wakka Wakka students participating in our second song writing session with QUT. Another productive session with the students creating more music and lyrics.

STEM Girl PowerLast week, our STEM Girl Power representative Ashlee Beddows got the opportunity to attend another STEM camp in Toowoomba. Ashlee got to experience some real-world based practicals and put her STEM skills and knowledge to the test. She represented our school with absolute integrity, and most importantly had a great time! Congratulations Ashlee!

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HMAS Paluma (IV) Excursion TourOn Friday 23rd July, a group of very lucky Murgon State High School students attended an excursion to tour the HMAS Paluma (IV). The HMAS Paluma is a custom built survey vessel, designed for surveying in the shallow coastal waters of the Great Barrier Reef and Northern Australia. She was commissioned in February 1989 and will be decommissioned in September 2021 after 32 years of duty.

Lieutenant Commander Craig Hamilton assumed Command of HMAS Paluma in December 2019 and led the tour on Friday. Students split into groups and spent time looking at varying parts of the vessel including the differing cabins (based on rank), storage and other areas used by the crew (e.g. the ‘Mess’ (eating location) and upper decks). Students were given the opportunity to use try the fire hose on board, climb the ladder down into the engine room for a closer look at the how the vessel runs and see the many computers and survey equipment on board.

Lieutenant Commander Hamilton is a 1999 Murgon State High School graduate. Thank you Lieutenant Commander Hamilton, HMAS Paluma crew and the Royal Australian Navy for an experience our students will not forget.

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Community Notices

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Little Athletics offers programs for children aged 3-16 years in a wide range of running, jumping and throwing events.

Phone Kaylene 0438 625551

Find us on Facebook

or go to

laq.org.au to register

What’s new this season? • Bring a friend that was not registered in season 1 2021 and

both of you register via mysideline by the 1st of September and you will both receive a FREE Kingaroy Redbacks Touch Football Cap. (Forms available from clubhouse)

• 5-week player development program prior to the School Holidays commencing 16th August.

• Season 2 fixtures commence Term 4 on the 11th of October.

When does it start? • Sign on afternoon Monday 2nd August from 3:15pm – 6:00pm at the club house. • Sign on afternoon Monday 9th August 4:00pm – 5:00pm at club house. • Player development 4:30pm – 5:05pm followed by game at 5:10pm – 5:45pm

commencing 16th Aug for 5 weeks until school holidays. • Player development 4:30pm – 5:05pm followed by fixture at 5:10pm – 5:45pm

commencing 11th October for 8 weeks. • Grand final and presentations on the 6th of December. • Note: Tiny Touchies will recommence in Term 4 (4 – 7 years)

How much does it cost? • $60 per child registration, payable via mysideline at time of

registration. • Ages 8 -13

How do I register? • Register via mysideline www.profile.mysideline.com.au • If you do not have an NRL account you will be required to make one for

registration, you will be prompted to do this during registration. • If you do not receive an email confirming your registration, your registration has

not been successful.

How can I help? • If you would like to volunteer some time to help our current volunteers, please

send an email to Kingaroy Touch kingaroytouch@hotmail.com or come and have a chat with us at the club house and let us know how you would like to get involved.

I need more information! • Find us on Facebook at Kingaroy Touch and send us a message • Email us at kingaroytouch@hotmail.com • Drop in and see us at the sign on days on the 2nd and 9th of August.

Follow us on Facebook & Instagram.

Kingaroy Touch

Chappy ChatHello there! We are at the end of Week 4 already! Can you believe it?

Our girls group, Petite Sisterhood, started back in Week 1 and we have lots happening. We tie-dyed our white shirts the second week and last week we collaborated with several staff discussing ideas for our in-school R U OK? Day event later this term.

Last week the Year 7s started their first of five sessions about online safety through a program called #GameOn. The topic we discussed was Your Online Presence. This week we had our second session with guest, Constable Jemma Smedes of the local police station, discussing the topic of Online Security.

Year 12s have been learning about different topics affecting young people. Last week’s topics were Mental Health and Unwanted Contact. We were blessed to have Psychologist Anita Smith attend and help present this topic to our Year 12 students.

Have a great weekend!

As part of our School’s wellbeing program, we have a Chaplaincy service.

Part of the role of the School Chaplain is to provide spiritual support for any students or families who request this.

If you value accessing this service in the season we find ourselves in, or you would like our Chaplain to pray for you or

your family, you can email Chappy Deb on: deborahh1@chappy.org.au

Chappy Deb

School Chaplain

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