murgon state high school · 2020. 9. 4. · chance to improve their final grade. as mentioned, we...

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

Principal: Simon Cotton Tania Hawthorne (Senior School), Barb Etherington (Acting Deputy Middle School), 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 8 • 4th September 2020

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

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Our senior years students have begun the process of sitting Mock Exams in preparation for their final External Exams. Mock Exams are particularly important this year as this is the first time Queensland students have experienced the new QCAA External Exams for each subject area. The two weeks remaining of Term 3 and the first three weeks of Term 4 are vitally important to our students’ success in gaining an appropriate ATAR score for university entrance. The coming school term break is also a very important time to be used well by our students in drafting final assessment items due early Term 4. It always amazes me how much a student can lift their final result with the final five weeks plus the September holidays of applied study. This is our students’ last chance to improve their final grade.

As mentioned, we have two weeks remaining of Term 3. It is very important that students attend school every day. The last day of the term will be a modified Athletics Carnival. Due to COVID-19 restrictions we are not able to offer all events. Unfortunately parents and caregivers will not be able to attend on the day.

Last week Mr Knight organised the Year 10 – 11 transition day and information evening for students and parents enrolling at Murgon State High School in 2021. The day and evening were very successful with students engaging in mainstream classes and over fifty parents attending the evening information session. Feedback from Goomeri and Proston State Schools has been very positive.

The Year 6 – 7 transition day was held last Wednesday with 73 students attending for the day experiencing high school curriculum for the first time. The students were very well behaved and thoroughly enjoyed their day. That evening we held a parent/caregiver information evening which was very well attended. Mrs Morgan Suchoronczak spent many hours preparing for the day as did our teaching staff who delivered the lessons. Mrs Suchoronczak’s presentation to the parents in the evening was comprehensive, covering all aspects of enrolment at Murgon State High School.

Congratulations need to go to James Hadley who has gained early entry to USC on the Sunshine Coast. James will study a double degree majoring in a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) and Bachelor of Criminology and

Justice. We are very proud of James’s achievement.

Kind regards,

Simon Cotton, Principal

Friday 11th September

RU OK? Day event at MSHS

Friday 18th September

Athletics Carnival

Last day of Term 3

Monday 5th October

Queen’s Birthday

Public Holiday

Tuesday 6th October

First day of Term 4

Monday 26th October -

Tuesday 17th November

QCAA External Exams

Year 7 Transition Day Year 10-11 Transition Day

https://www.facebook.com/MurgonStateHighSchool/

https://murgonshs.eq.edu.au/

https://www.facebook.com/MurgonStateHighSchool/

Deputy Principal: Student Engagement and Wellbeing Exams are looming for our students, with the Year 12 Mock Block Exams started this week.

To address this issue, we have organised for Ms Anita Smith to attend our school on Monday 19 October and Wednesday 21 October. Ms Smith is the Rural Ed LinQ Coordinator and a Senior Psychologist with the Child and Youth Mental Health Service She will be available for 30 minutes appointments with our students, with Year 12 students getting priority. The focus of these sessions will be dealing with anxiety and/or stress. A letter with more information will be sent home with students closer to the dates. Many of our students will already know Ms Smith as she has being delivering the “Building Healthy Minds program” with Aunty Patti Bond to the Year 10-12 female students.

The following advice is from Queensland Health and is available at:

https://www.qld.gov.au/youth/health-looking-after-yourself/mental-health-support-counselling/managing-your-thoughts/exam-stress

Sometimes the pressure of exams may cause you stress. Stress is your response to pressure and, while a small amount of pressure can be useful to keep you focused during exam time, if it becomes too much study can seem impossible. If you’re experiencing exam stress, it’s important to remind yourself that this is only a small part of your life, even though it might not feel like it at the time.

Symptoms of exam stress may include:

• feeling moody, low or overwhelmed• losing your appetite or over eating• sleeping poorly and struggling to get out of bed• tense muscles or headaches• clammyhandsorfeelingbutterfliesinyourstomach• a racing heartbeat or feeling sick• fidgeting,nailbitingorteethgrinding

These symptoms can interfere with how much you enjoy life, especially around exam times. Practical ideas to help with study:

• Go to bed at a reasonable time• Make time to have fun and exercise.• Cut back on energy drinks, coffee or any other stimulants as these can make you feel

agitated, drink water instead.• When you eat, relax and allow yourself time rather than carrying on with work.• Eat a well-balanced diet.• Reward yourself when you achieve your study goals, such as watching an episode of your

favourite TV show or going for a run.• Allow yourself time to rest.

If you have any concerns about your student/s during this time, please call me and/or make an appointment to discuss your concerns.

Kind regards,

Barbara Etherington A/Deputy Principal - Student Engagement and Wellbeing

Deputy Principal: Senior School

Year 12 Mock Exam Block

Year 12 General Subject students are currently undertaking their Mock Exam Block.

The Mock Exams are produced by Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) and replicate the exam question style and conditions that students will face in their External Exams. Class teachers will be marking these exams, and in Week 10, giving feedback to students on their results. It is important that all Year 12 students continue to concentrate on their studies and improving their grades.

The 2020 Year 12 General Subject students will be the first to participate in the QCAA External Exams from Monday 26 October to Tuesday 17 November. Year 12 Essential Mathematics and English students will participate in a Common Internal Assessment piece in the week beginning 26 October. Information regarding these exams, including student’s attendance at school, is currently being finalised and will be available before the end of term.

We wish all Year 12 students the best in their exams.

Tania Hawthorne Deputy Principal Senior School


Term 3, Week 8 • 4th September 2020

https://www.qld.gov.au/youth/health-looking-after-yourself/mental-health-support-counselling/managing-your-thoughts/exam-stress

Deputy Principal: Junior SchoolYear 6 into 7 Transition On Wednesday 2 September we welcomed 73 Year 6 students from 9 different primary schools to Murgon State High School. Students were separated into four different groups and very eagerly participated in a number of different activities across the day. Some of these activities included making phone/book stands in ITD, pizzas in Food & Textiles, painting in Art, learning about mummies and Ancient Egyptian practices in History and meeting our animals at the Ag Farm. As always the Ag Farm was very popular amongst students, even with spitting alpacas. I commend all students on their behaviours and attitude throughout the day. All Year 6 students were very keen to take part in all aspects of Murgon State High School life and we look forward to having them join us in 2021. Students were very respectful both in and out of the classroom. It was great to see students already feeling comfortable in the playground at break times in what is a larger environment than they are accustomed to.Thank you to the parents who attended the Parent Information Evening. If you were unable to make the event and would like to discuss your child or the information that was provided at the evening please don’t hesitate to contact me at the school. I must thank the staff at Murgon SHS for all of their hard work and dedication to making days like our transition days and parent evenings such a success.Enrolment Packs for Year 7 2021 can be collected from the Murgon SHS office. Please book an enrolment interview time through our administration staff on 07 4169 9222 or via email.Transitioning to secondary school can be tough, it is a huge leap for the entire family. It is in many respects the toughest of all transitions for students and parents (heading to prep, moving to secondary school and leaving school following graduation). Every child is different and at Murgon SHS we value this diversity. Every child will respond to things in their own way but what must be remembered is that attitude affects outcomes. Having a positive outlook and attitude about transition and secondary school helps children to settle in, set goals and take control of this new adventure. Be excited for and with your child.Regardless of your personal experiences at secondary school, now is the time to express confidence about this next phase for your child. Research supports the notion that parents who show an interest in what is happening at school greatly increases their child’s success and confidence at school. I encourage all parents and caregivers to be involved in the transition phase for your child, express confidence when speaking about the change ahead, and become familiar with the school and staff. Please; don’t be shy, I encourage open communication between home and school. My door is always open and I am always willing to address any concerns parents have regarding their child.

Great Readers Believe, Challenge & Strive Through the term our Year 7, 8 and 9 students have undertaken diagnostic assessments. Mr Michael Flood, Lead Principal, Darling Downs South West visited Murgon SHS earlier this week and was pleased to hear the responses and examples from students about their confidence in reading as he visited classrooms. Students expressed to Mr Flood that they believed their reading levels were improving as a result of the strong focus of reading, reading comprehension and vocabulary that is being placed in classrooms across the school. It is strongly encouraged that all students read every day. Encourage your child to read for homework every night. Reading not only improves students’ knowledge but provides mental stimulation, increasing creativity and imagination. Reading is relaxing, it expands a student’s vocabulary where they can become more articulate in their communication and overall memory retention improves. As students reading levels progress, so does their writing. When students are exposed to a vast number of books, empathy and emotional intelligence also increases as they become more aware of what characters in books go through and how they deal with situations, exposing them to a number of worlds and making students more accepting in life.Book Week is fast approaching… a Book Week dress up parade will be held early next term. Have you decided on your character yet?

Yours in Education,

Morgan Suchoronczak Deputy Principal – Junior School [email protected]

Year 7 2021 Enrolment Packs are now available for collection from the Murgon SHS office.



mailto:msuch6%40eq.edu.au?subject=

Year 7 2021 Transition Day



Hoof & Hook 2020

Meat will be available mid

September.

• Largest carcass 275kg

• $9.00 per kg cut up and

packed

• 1/4, 1/2 and whole beast

available

Please contact the Business

Manager on 41699222 to reserve.

Brisbane Broncos visit

Congratulations James Zen Garden

Not only did we have Year 6 into 7 Transition this week, our senior students commenced Mock Exams ready for the real thing next term and we were also privileged to have a visit from 5 former Brisbane Broncos. David Stagg, Jack Reid, Michael Hancock, Matt Gillett and Paul Dyer spent second break with students playing a game of footy on the top oval before working with our Year 11s in last period. Thank you gentlemen and QRL for organising the visit.

Please join us in congratulating James Hadley who has gained early entry at USC to study a double degree majoring in a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) and Bachelor of Criminology and Justice.

Adam Skrzypinski, Guidance Officer

Hi everyone,

I want to say a big thank you to the ITD team and a group of students for working on this beautiful Zen Garden for the Wellbeing Hub.

A group of Year 7s brought it down and set it up. It is the perfect addition to the space.

Kind Regards,

Brianna Park, Youth Support Coordinator



Year 10-11 TransitionThis week our Year 10s were joined by students from Goomeri SS and Proston SS for our annual Year 10-11 Transition Day. After a senior schooling introductory session in the Library, students engaged in subject-specific informative sessions of their interest. In these sessions, students gained an understanding of the subjects that are available in 2021; learning about the units involved in the course, assessment demands and career opportunities. After lunch, students took the opportunity to join a current senior class to experience what Year 11 and 12 felt like first hand. From welding in the workshop to experiments in the science lab, student feedback was positive from all.

After school, parents/guardians and students were invited to attend the Transition Evening. During the evening Mr Knight and Ms Hawthorne had the opportunity to explain senior processes alongside University, TAFE and vocational pathway requirements. At the end of the night, students received their Enrolment Package, which included subject selection forms and important interview process information.

If students have not yet received their 2021 Year 11 Enrolment Package, they are encouraged to visit the office as soon as possible to collect it. Once the subject selection form is complete and returned to the office, we ask that parents/guardians contact the school to book an interview time to discuss subject selections and potential career pathways.

If parents/guardians have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Mr Knight on 4169 9222.

Regards,

Hayden Knight

Head of Department

(HPE & Senior Schooling)



Work Placement Officer News School-Based Traineeships A big congratulations to three of our students, Josh, Destiny and Traevonnah, who all commenced School Based Traineeships in August.Destiny and Traevonnah joined to the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council team. Both students will undertake a Certificate II in Business Administration. Well done girls!Josh signed up to start his Cert III in Fitness with Prue Collard at Body Fuel & Fitness Studio. Well done Josh, we wish you all the best!If you are interested in a school-based or a full time apprenticeship or traineeship, please see Ms Liebke.

Rural Support Training TAFE Qld are offering fully funded short courses at the TAFE Qld Nuruderi Campus to Murgon SHS students in Week 10 of this term. This mix of accredited and non-accredited units will provide students with the skills and knowledge to:• Serve alcohol legally and responsibly in a licensed venue in Queensland• Prepare and serve a range espresso coffees• Handle or serve food safely in any type of food outlet• Utilise Microsoft Work and ExcelEligibility criteria applies for these course, please see Ms Liebke for more information.

Introduction to Electricity Supply Industry Training Program As part of Energy Queensland’s “Connection with the Community” plan, Ergon are focussing on continuing to support the growth of Queensland, remaining an active employer and developing skills in local communities.

Ergon are working with the Murgon community, schools and service providers to hold an Introduction to the Electricity Supply Industry Training Program in Murgon for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male and female Year 10-12 students in September this year. The purpose of the program is to be used a recruitment tool for their Apprentice Program and to form broader industry awareness. Ergon is aware that participants are not always interested in a position with Energy Queensland once they complete the training; however, the skills they gain are transferable to other industries therefore, not wasted.The five day program will consist of the following training: • HLTAID001 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation • HLTAID003 Provide First Aid • Working at Heights • Manual Handling • Work to a Permit/Gas Test Atmosphere • Confined Space Entry • Low Voltage Rescue All participants will receive a toolkit and personal protective equipment and catering will be provided.Dates of the program are (School Holidays) – Monday 21 September to Friday 25 September at Murgon State High School.

Please see Ms Liebke to apply.

TAFE at School

On Tuesday this week I was invited to Nurunderi campus as a client for students in the Certificate II in Salon Assistant course. As in previous years, the course has proved popular with eight students continuing through the course. 2020 has proven to be a challenging year, with our students adapting to online learning for much of their theoretical studies due to COVID-19. Students are now able to move onto the practical components, such as scalp massage, washing hair, braiding, blow drying, customer service and cash handling. The Nuruderi TAFE Campus has an excellent facility set up to replicate a real salon so students can simulate real-life customer interactions. Kyla Steinhardt, Teacher in Hairdressing, has noted potential with students from this class and we wish our 2020 Salon Assistant students success as they complete their final units before the end of the course. (continued over)



Work Placement Officer News (continued)The Cert II in Salon Assistant Course is on offer again in 2021. The Course is funded through the TAFE at School program and any interested students should see Ms Liebke to complete an expression of interest by 26 October 2020. Proposed/Planned Certificate III in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education

Registered Training Provider: TAFE Queensland

Information

RATEP is a community-based teacher education program which enables Indigenous people to become qualified teaching aides and/or registered teachers through the partnership between TAFE Queensland, Education Queensland (State Schools) and James Cook University. This course will be open to young people who identify as Indigenous. It would be preferable for applicants to have a certificate of identity. This is a two-year course, which enables students to exit the course as a qualified Teacher Aide in the early years of schooling. The opportunity exists for students after Year 12 to continue studying to the point of achieving a teaching qualification through James Cook University, while living in the Barambah area.Students undertaking this course are supported by a full-time teacher who attends Murgon State High School for the two years of study. The course involves students choosing RATEP as one of their senior subjects. Students work through theory units of competency at the RATEP Room at Murgon SHS, with some time spent completing Work Experience in local early years/primary school settings.There is no cost for senior school students studying the current course through the VET in Schools program thanks to support from the Queensland Government. As part of the application process, students will complete Literacy and Numeracy Assessments to attain minimum benchmarks or have attained a sound result of C or above in Year 10 English and Maths. A Letter of Recommendation from school is also required as an element of the application process.The points arrangement with the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) towards a student’s Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) at the end of Year 12 is yet to be finalised, but in 2020 the current course was awarded 8 QCE points upon completion.For further information please contact Roslyn Sharp, RATEP Teacher Co-ordinator Barambah District, on 0436 692 766 or see Ms Liebke, Work Placement Officer at Murgon SHS.

Notices:

Students who have not returned their permission slips for the TAFE White Card course – these are well overdue, please hand in ASAP to Ms Liebke.Year 10 students who want to participate in work experience for Week 10 need to have their paperwork returned by Tuesday 8th September.

Carmen Liebke Work Placement Officer

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST SCHOOL-BASED TRAINEESHIP OPPORTUNITY - INDIGENOUS IDENTIFIED

An exciting opportunity exists for an Indigenous student in Year 11 or 12 (2021) to do a School-Based Traineeship with CRAICCHS.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to undertake one of the following qualifications:

Cert III in Business Administration (Medical) Cert III Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health

Cert III in Fitness

For further details and please see Ms Liebke in A10



School Nurse

Murgon SHS Immunisation ProgramPublic Health have advised it is now fine to proceed with the immunisation program.

The plan so far is to immunise the Year 7s for the first round (HPV dose 1 and DTPA) on Thursday the 12th of November 2020 (this was the original date for the second round of immunisations) and then the second round will take place in Year 8 (date to be advised). We will also be immunising the Year 10s on this date as they missed their vaccination session back in May.

In the meantime, if any Year 7 students have visited the GP to receive the first round of vaccinations, or any Year 10 students have had the Meningococcal vaccine at their GP, could their parents kindly advise our office on 4639 7888 and we will make a note of this on the student’s consent form.

If anything changes or we hear anything from Queensland Health we will advise you straight away. Please do not hesitate to phone our office on 4639 7888 if you have any questions.

Jennifer Stephens, Ozcare



Paddock to Plate

Chappy ChatHello there parents, carers, families and students!

Currently we are planning for the RU OK? Day event to be held on Friday September 11 to avoid clashing with other school commitments. There will be lots of FREE fun, merchandise and music at this free in-school event for our students and staff.

R U OK? Day is our national day of action when we remind Australians that every day is the day to ask, “Are you OK?” if someone in your world is struggling with life’s ups and downs.

2020 has been a challenging year for everyone and circumstances have made it even more important for us all to stay connected and, for those who are able, to be willing to support those around us. In the lead up to RUOK? Day we’ll help staff and students know what to say when someone says they’re not OK and guide them through how they can continue a conversation that could change a life.

Along with the donations of food items from The South Burnett Pantry through Foodbank, Murgon State High School provides some healthy options to add to the Lunch Program that I run four days each week. This allows me to make toasties, spaghetti bolognaise and offer some other fruits on top of the bananas we get from the Foodbank. While we may pack a good, healthy lunch, sometimes our children still get hungry towards the end of the school day. Not only the students, but also our teachers can run out of fuel to get to the end of the day. The lunchtime program provides food to help keep them going if they have no fuel left for their energy tank. This helps them settle, not be cranky, and have a clearer mind ready to learn and teach, not thinking about how hungry they are.

You can find The South Burnett Pantry on Facebook to see what they have in stock or just rock up. They also have a thrift shop. There are no joining fees or income requirements. You can also purchase more than one hamper. They even take your shopping out to your car and unload it for you.

Chappy Deb, School ChaplainAs 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.

Ifyouvalueaccessingthisserviceintheseasonwefindourselvesin,oryouwouldlike our chaplain to pray for you or your family, you can email Chappy Deb on: [email protected]



murgon state high school · 2020. 9. 4. · chance to improve their final grade. as mentioned, we...

Documents