11 March 2016

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

It’s hard to believe that we are close to the end of term! The start of our year has been really positive, and this is reflected in our attendance, achievement and behavioural data. Highlights of this term include ongoing lunchtime activities for 7s and 8s, Valentine’s Day gifts, the Swimming Carnival and a Free Dress Day (11 March) where we will also run ‘Shave for a Cure’ events.

One of our key focus areas this year has been on developing student writing skills. As well as offering our Writing School of Excellence (for advanced writers) we have been focussing on enhancing all our students’ capabilities. Students have been preparing for the upcoming NAPLAN tests (years 7 and 9, May 10-12). We look forward to seeing the results of their hard work!

Preparations are underway for our 2019 Centenary! We are currently seeking input from all members of our school community. If you have any ideas including possible events, functions or ceremonies, please contact Kath Rumpf by email krump3@eq.edu.au .

Farewell John Krueger

Sadly on 5 March we farewelled long-standing staff member John Krueger, who is greatly missed, especially by the Special Education and Manual Arts Departments.

Our thoughts are with his daughters Jacquie and Sarah and son-in-law Shaun, and John’s extended family and friends, at this difficult time. John was a hard-working and conscientious gentleman who gave great service to our students and staff and built terrific relationships. Thanks to all for their generosity in providing support to his family.

Sport Recreation Centre

The construction of the new Sports Centre was completed on 30 October 2015. Rockhampton State High School is very appreciative of the grant from the Smart Schools Subsidy Scheme (SSS) and the RHS Parents and Citizens’ Association contribution which made this build possible. We would also like to thank the Community Gambling Fund for their grant to assist in the building of the amenities area in the sports centre. This construction has had a significant impact on sporting opportunities that are now available to our students and the community.

Kirsten Dwyer
Principal

Start Smart

We recently welcomed “Start Smart” to deliver their free, financial education workshops to over 200 students in Years 7-12 who are studying Economics & Business, Maths, Computer Education, BCT and Accounting. A facilitator delivered interesting sessions (on Start Smart, Smart Business and Smart Investing) which changes the way young people learn about money. By making money management interactive, engaging and fun, our students were equipped with the confidence and competence they need to make smart decisions about money.

Our school is proud to join the Start Smart Program in its mission to improve the financial literacy of Australia’s young people. Overall, the program proved to be a highly beneficial experience for students and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. For more information on the program and each of the workshops, we encourage you to visit www.startsmart.com.au .

Shirley Buchholz
HOD Business and IT

Making Genetics Fun!

Year 10 Science students have been combining fun with their learning of Genetics! Students in the class used Oreos and sprinkles to show the phases of mitosis (cell reproduction).

Breeha Sinnamon
HPE & Science Teacher

CQUniversity ‘Dream Big Event’

Four year 12 students, Isobel Ward, Mikayla Willie, Julie Orr and Brooke Hanrahan attended the ‘Dream Big Event’ at CQUniversity Rockhampton. Its purpose was to promote engineering to year 10 – 12 female students and to give them the opportunity to develop their understanding of being an engineer and job prospects available in the profession. They were able to meet with and receive advice from current engineering students and engineers in the industry.

Throughout the day the students’ were able to design and build a Pasco trebuchet, engineer a structure in the Marshmallow Challenge, program Lego robots in RobotC software, build and test a floating house in the Engineers Without Borders Humanitarian activity. The feedback from the students afterwards was that it was an interesting, hands-on and valuable experience.

Stephen Ladley
HOD - Science

Rocky High students choose SUN for a head start to university

Six Rockhampton State High School students have successfully gained entry into the CQUniversity SUN Program for 2016. This is the largest cohort of SUN students from Rockhampton high schools.

SUN stands for “Start Uni Now” and is a CQUniversity initiative that allows senior students the opportunity to study CQUniversity courses whilst still in Years 11 and 12 at high school. SUN allows students to enrol in a range of CQUniversity courses (subjects) either on-campus or by distance education, which they can combine with their regular high school work.

The courses our students have chosen to study are Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety, Introduction to Law, Biological Foundations into Psychology, Introduction to Medical Science and Study and Research Skills. An orientation day was held at CQUniversity to welcome our students to the program and to expose them to life on a university campus.

There are many benefits of studying a CQUniversity SUN course. These include:

Sneak peek: SUN provides students with an insight into university life and the expectations of studying at tertiary level. They will also be better prepared for the transition to university study once they complete high school.

Direct entry: Students may be eligible to apply for direct entry into an undergraduate degree at CQUniversity, meaning they will not need to apply and wait for an offer through a tertiary admissions centre, for example the Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC).

Affordable: SUN courses are offered at a reduced price which is less than a third of the cost a regular university student pays. A SUN student can save anywhere between $900 – $2752 per course.

Credit transfers: If students enrol as a CQUniversity student after Year 12, they will be eligible to receive a credit transfer for each SUN course they have passed (providing these SUN courses are part of their degree). This will count towards their degree, reducing the number of courses they need to study when they start university and may reduce the duration of their university program.

Students interested in further information about the SUN program can contact CQUniversity on 13 27 86 or email sun@cqu.edu.au . Students who wish to apply for the program should make an appointment with the school’s Guidance Officer, Ms Catherine Spencer.

Trudy Crow
HOD – Senior Schooling

2016 Next Step survey

The Queensland Government is conducting its annual statewide survey of all students who completed Year 12 in the previous year. 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 to complete the survey. 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 2016.

Further information on Next Step is available online at www.education.qld.gov.au/nextstep/ or on toll free telephone 1800 068 587.

Year 10 Work Experience

Work Experience Applications Forms will be sent home with interested Year 10 students next Monday 14th March 2016.

The Year 10 Work Experience Block is optional and is aimed at giving interested students the chance to undertake a placement in an industry they would like to pursue a career in.

Year 10 students will be undertaking work experience in Week 11 of Term 2 – Monday 20th June to Friday 24th June 2016.

The work experience application forms are due back by Thursday 24th March 2016. This date needs to be strictly adhered to allow sufficient time for placements to be arranged.

Please be aware that there may be limited opportunities for work experience in some industries due to the high number of students engaged at the same time. To increase opportunities for students we ask that parents speak with family or friends who may have businesses that would be suitable for your child’s work experience placement.

Samantha Sinclair
A/FEET First Program Coordinator

Year 9 History: Archer Station Excursion

As part of their Year 9 History unit, The Industrial Revolution, students recently participated in an excursion to the Archer Park Steam Tram Museum. Students were able to assess the impact of steam on early Rockhampton and Central Queensland lifestyle as part of their assignment on steam. Students were fascinated to find that Rockhampton has the only working Purrey Steam Tram in the world and when in operation it enabled people to get to and from work and even return home after the theatre. The volunteers also showed students many other aspects of the impact of steam and students enjoyed the “hands on” approach.

Thank you to parents and guardians for supporting this valuable learning experience.

Greg Bishop
HOD Social Science/LOTE

Sports Spot

All Sporting information relating to School Sport, Representative Sports, RSHS Sports Calendar, Information Letters and Permission Forms can now be accessed through the RSHS Website. The website is easy to navigate, user-friendly and all information can be downloaded and printed. To access this site log onto Rockhampton State High School: Extra-Curricular: Sport.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Congratulations to Cook Pirates who won the 2016 RSHS Swimming Carnival accumulating a total of 1033 points against Griffith’s 790, Wentworth amassing 752 followed by Phillip with 515. House Masters Miss Collier and Mr Taylor encouraged their Pirates throughout the day and were strongly supported by their Cook House Captains Rhiannon Bellamy and Cody Barnicoat. The event was filled with comradeship, great sportsmanship and an excited atmosphere with students banding together to cheer and support their teammates. Many students enjoyed the opportunity to jump in the pool and participate in 3 novelty races held throughout the day which were facilitated by all the House Captains. Many thanks to our fabulous staff who contributed to the annual event to ensure the Carnival was a success for all students attending.

Congratulations to the Age Champions:

Congratulations to both the Girls Basketballers and the Boys Futsal players who had the pleasure of hosting Junior and Senior home games this season in our new Sports Centre. This week sees the end of the season for both sports and unfortunately no teams qualified for the Finals.

Boys AFL have had their games washed out. Hopefully we will be able to arrange a few games for the Seniors during the Juniors Gala Day Term 2.

Term 2 School Sports includes Netball, Senior Girls AFL, Boys Basketball, Boys Football and an AFL Gala Day for Junior Boys and Girls

SPORTS STAR

This month’s Sports Star report recognises the achievements of our year 10 Cyclist Danielle Ruff. Danielle won 3 Silver medals at the recent State Titles and was selected to represent Qld at Nationals in Launceston at end of last month. Whilst in Tasmania Danielle managed to break two (2) Personal Best times and helped Queensland achieve a second place overall.

Janelle Scobie
HPE Teacher / Sports Master

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