Dear Parents, On Tuesday, 7 February I was delighted to host both the President of the Queensland Teachers’ Union: Mr Kevin Bates and the President of the Australian Education Union: Mr Angelo

Gavrielatos as part of the campaign to achieve better funding for our public education system. The upcoming release of the Gonski Review into education funding makes this campaign worthy of our community’s support and I encourage you to read more: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/ReviewofFunding/Pages/default.aspx For the last two decades the public education system has been eroded through the lack of Federal Government funding, poor policy and has suffered unfair and biased media attack. The openness and strong accountability of public schools evidenced by the release of a range of data including audit results, attendance and behaviour data, by government, has been used against public schools in the media. In contrast the private schooling sector does not have performance scrutinized in this way despite the large amounts of funding received from the government. Let’s have a level playing field. All schools who receive government funding must be required to have their data exposed for the public to compare – including full financial disclosure. Wavell State High School is a proud example of quality public education. Parents do not need to mortgage their house to pay exorbitant private school fees in order for their child to receive a great education. It is vital that our community argues strongly for a fair deal for public schools so that the quality of our educational programs can be maintained, improved and strengthened. The first three weeks of school have seen an impressive start to the academic year. Our students are focused and appear very ready for the year ahead. Last Friday, academic goal setting was completed online in the Wavell Development Program (WDP) lesson - aided by our newly acquired computers. This process gives students the opportunity to reflect on their progress and to set some challenging but realistic targets for their studies this semester – these are to be reviewed by students throughout the year. Please ask your child to log on and share their academic targets with you. While study in all year levels is important, it is the Year 12 students whom I especially urge to lift their efforts in order to ensure they finish their schooling with the best possible outcome. The vast array of co-curricular activities complements the high quality educational experiences provided to each Wavell student. Over the first few weeks we have seen auditions for this year’s Talent Quest; a great level of participation in the Inter-House Swimming Carnival which included the pre-carnival races; badges presented to our Year 9

Leaders and House Captains at last week’s Assembly; and today, Swimming Age Champions were awarded their medallions and Student Representative Council badges were presented. Prefects have also been busy in preparation for the Valentine’s Day activities next Tuesday. Most importantly, however, I have been impressed by the active engagement in learning that I have witnessed during my daily classroom visits. Learning is our number one task at Wavell - all of the other artistic, cultural and sporting activities add to the richness and depth of student development but must always come second to the subjects students study each day. Some slight adjustment to a small number of classes will occur early next week. This will ensure our classes are within the required class sizes of twenty-five for Years 11 and 12 and twenty-eight for Years 8, 9 and 10. An additional staff appointment will also be made to assist this process. Our day eight enrolment is above our school cap, with 1,345 students enrolled. On Friday, 17 February we will celebrate the induction of our Prefects and School Captains at the Senior Assembly, to be held at 8:50a.m. I look forward to sharing the morning with the parents of these students and our community guests. I also look forward to meeting many new parents on Wednesday, 15 February at the Year 8 Parent Evening 7:00p.m in the school Assembly Hall. The following week our first P&C meeting and AGM will be held on Tuesday 21, February at 7:00pm in A –Block. This is an excellent way to get involved and to provide the vital, much needed support to ensure our school continues to develop and prosper. Come along and join in; remember that all executive positions have received nominations.

JJ Major, Principal

Newsletter Issue No.2 10 February 2012

P & C AGM - Tuesday 21 February 2012, at 7:00pm, General Meeting at 7:30pm in the Admin Building

Telopia Avenue, Wavell Heights, PO Box 384, Nundah 4012 Ph: 07 3350 0333 Fax: 07 3350 0300 www.wavellshs.eq.edu.au

From the Principal

“Try and reach for the stars or try and achieve the unreachable.”

Cathy Freeman

The 2011 student leadership team jointly funded new block signage and classroom numbers. These have been very useful and have helped with our start to the new year.

Student Representative Council

Year 12 student, Taylah Oliver, has been elected President of our Student Representative Council for 2012. Members of the Student Council were presented with their badges during a special ceremony today. We wish them well with their projects this year.

Year 9 Leaders for 2012

2011 Student Gift

P & C Meetings Tuesday 21 February 2012

AGM at 7:00pm-General Meeting at 7:30pm Administration Block -All Welcome

On Friday, 3 February our Year 9 Leaders were presented with their badges. An induction and planning session will take place on Thursday, 9 February when students will sign their Leader Contracts. These leaders serve as role models for Years 8 & 9. They speak on assembly, participate in school events, represent our school and set a high standard in behaviour, uniform and attendance. Year 9 Leaders 2012: Jason Bowker, Kaitlin Cameron, Milly Chen, Lucy Chen, Alison Clarin, Brockton Cowen, Bailey Davy-Ellevsen, Lachlan Fuller, Emily Giacomantonio, Emma Goding, Rhiannon Hassett, Cassandra Iseppi, Michael Johnson, Luke Mathiesen, Sharni Morcom, Joshua O’Brien, Brendan Oswin, Bailey Palk, Giselle Pickering, Kyle Pratap, Savannah Vasilakis, Hayley Wood, Selene Wootton, Ellie Young.

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS: President: Taylah Oliver Vice President: Lauren Dawson Secretary: Ashley Singh Treasurer: Annette Mannion P & C Representative: Dannielle Stewart COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Community Service: Sarah Sheppard Grounds: Alicia Gunton Promotions: Rein Kleidon Social: Christy Wright

Wavell Study Support Program Monday Afternoons

• Held at our School Library • Teachers and Tutors available • Starts this Monday, 13 February • See Mrs Hughes or Mrs Tone for parental permission forms

Diary DatesDiary DatesDiary DatesDiary Dates

Monday 13 February �Year s 11 and 12 Rugby League Camp “Harry’s Hut �National Apology-Community Gathering 2:00pm �SRC Meeting 1:10pm G2 � Combined Shops Committee AGM 7.30pm Tuesday 14 February �.Prefects to deliver Valentine Grams Wednesday 15 February �Years 11 & 12 Netball Camp Harry’s Hut �Years 11 & 12 Rugby League Camp returns �Year 8 Parent Evening 7:00pm in Assembly Hall Thursday 16February �Years 11 & 12 Netball Camp returns Friday 17 February �Prefect Investiture Ceremony 8:50am (Lesson 1 & 2 swapped) �Years 11 & 12 Hospitality Practices students assisting with Investiture in Lesson 1 & 2 �Year 9 Rugby League Excursion Mountain Run �Chaplaincy committee meeting 2:15pm Monday 20 February �Year 9 Netball Mountain Run Excursion �Year 9 Business ‘Money Savvy’ presentation �Year 12 Drama Zen Zen Zo Rehearsals in Hall 3:30-6:30pm Tuesday 21 February �P&C AGM 7:00pm and General Meeting 7:30pm �Year 9 Literacy & Numeracy Test Trial 1 Day 1 in Hall Wednesday 22 February �Year 9 Literacy & Numeracy Test Trial 1 Day 2 in Hall �Year 12 Drama Zen Zen Zo Rehearsal in Hall 1:00 to 6:30pm Thursday 23 February �Senior Pathways Evening for Students and Parents in Hall 6:00pm �Met North Swimming nominations due Friday 24 February �Year 12 QCS and Certificate 1 Work Education Workshop Lesson 1 & 2 �Band Tour departs for Theodore

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Stationery & Clothing Shop Hours - Each Monday and Thursday 8:15am - 9:15am

Australia Day Concert

STUDENTS ACCIDENT INSURANCE COVER Some school activities and physical education, particularly contact sports, carry inherent risks of injury. Parents are advised that the Department of Education and Training does not have Student Accident Insurance cover for students. Therefore, if your child is injured at school as a result of an accident or incident, all costs associated with the injury, including medical costs, are the responsibility of the child, parent or caregiver. Some incidental medical costs may be covered by Medicare. If parents have private health insurance, some costs may also be covered through the private health insurance. Any other costs would be borne by the parents. Student Accident Insurance is an insurance policy that pays certain benefits in certain circumstances should your child have an accident. It is a personal decision for parents as to the types and levels of private insurance they arrange to cover their child for any accidental injury that may occur. Parents should contact their insurer or an approved Australian insurance broker if they choose to take out student personal accident insurance cover for their child.

Immunisation Reminder Years 8 and 10

Forms Due 16 February to Form Teacher

Alamein Wins the Swimming

The Inter-House Swimming Championships were held on Monday, 6 February at the Fortitude Valley Swimming Complex. The use of this venue enabled all students to be comfortably accommodated for the entire carnival, despite the hot weather. Thank you to both swimmers and spectators for your enthusiastic participation. Thanks also to our parents who came as spectators. It was great to see an invigorating whole-school event which maximised student participation, attendance and house spirit. The final results are as follows:

Wavell State High School proudly announced the Sports and House Captains for 2012. Sports Captains: (pictured below) ; Vincent Rennie (front left) and Christle Cash. (front far right), House Captains: (from left) Alamein – Paige Crossingham,(front) Brett Deadman (back). Burma – Karla Ingua, (front) James Hunt (back). Keren – Courtney Moffatt, (front) Tony Pinder (back). Tobruk – Alyce Scanlan, (front) Sam Turnbull (back).

IMPORTANT Please remember to notify the school of

any change of address or contact phone numbers for your

student.

YEAR 8 PARENT EVENING Wednesday 15 February 2012

Wavell Assembly Hall – 7:00pm •Meet your student’s Form Teacher •Hear about opportunities and expectations. •Help your student adjust to life at high school.

Evening concludes by 8:15pm

HOUSE POINTS

AGE PLACINGS

GIRLS First Second Third

13 Georgia Cloudsley Mikaela Ridge Brooke Hafner

14 Savannah Vasilakis Selene Wootton Emma Goding

15 Rose Foster Bauer Tahlena McInerney Claudia Abbott

16 Katelyn Darlington Anna McGregor Gem Bryce

Open Sophie Farruggio Emma Dale Christle Cash

BOYS First Second Third

13 Jack Meincke Jayden Bishop Thomas Meincke

14 Nathan Watts Eddy Morea Jacob Chambers

15 Samuel Cloudsley Nathan Davis Matthew Radel

16 Cameron Joyes Damon Weir Daniel Dale

Open Brett Deadman Toby Pinder Declan Askew

Alamein 1056 Keren 876 Burma 658 Tobruk 539

CHANGES TO WEDNESDAY TIMES

Commencing Wednesday, 15 February 2012 to facilitate interschool sports. Starting time: 8.45am Finishing time: 3:00pm

Volunteer Tutors Needed

Can you spare around an hour each school week? Help our Year 8 students by providing one-to-one learning support. Choose a session that suits you from several available throughout the week. Tutors work in an air-conditioned room under the direction of a teacher/teacher aide, with all resources and answers provided. Tea, coffee and biscuits are available at all times. Blue cards are required and are free for volunteers. Please come to our orientation session and morning tea to be held in Room H3 from 9:00am until 11:30am on Wednesday, 15 February. For more information, please contact Mrs Ritchie on 3350 0334 or writc2@eq.edu.au

New Records were set by: Georgia Cloudsley: F13yrs 100m Backstroke Jack Meincke: M13yrs: 50m Backstroke, Butterfly and100m Butterfly. Samuel Cloudsley: M15yrs 100m Freestyle Rose Foster Bauer: F15yrs 50m Backstroke and100m Backstroke, Breaststroke, Freestyle Tahlena McInerney: F15yrs 50m Freestyle and Butterfly Cameron Joyes: M16yrs 100m Butterfly and Backstroke Brett Deadman: M19yrs 100m Breaststroke

Thanks to the HPE staff who took on the major responsibilities for the championships. The District Swimming Carnival will be held on Thursday 1 March at the Valley pool.

House Captains 2012

Australia Day at the Kedron-Wavell RSL featured the Mon Che Vocal Quartet in their final performance for Wavell. Also featured were Thomas Holsworth and Lauren Dawson from the new vocal group, Rapport.

The Queensland Government provided $155,220 to Wavell State High School and Northern Suburbs RLFC for the installation of Oval Lighting to get more Queenslanders active through sport and recreation. Wavell would also like to acknowledge the contribution to this project made by our P&C association.

Oval Lighting

Absentee Phone Line 3350 0303