24 June 2016

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Our Fabulous P & C!

Sincere thanks to our hardworking, fun and collegial P & C who have once again made a great contribution to our school! Over the past couple of months the P & C has given tens of thousands of dollars to enhance our facilities and grounds. This includes turfing, concreting, outdoor artwork and pebbletex pathways and surrounds.

Show Parking 2016

Thanks once again to the P & C, staff, community members, chaplaincy support and students who volunteered their time to park cars on our oval during the Rockhampton Show! This is an important fundraising event for the school. Well done to P & C Treasurer Claire Morrision for organising the event, and to all who assisted her.

Principal Leave

Melanie Brown, Deputy Principal, will be Acting Principal while I am away overseas on family holiday until the fourth week of Term 3. Good luck to students in their Semester 1 results - I look forward to reading on my return. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all members of our school community a happy, safe and enjoyable winter break!

Kind Regards
Kirsten Dwyer

Important Dates

24 June - Last day Term 2
11 July - First day Term 3 All year levels
13 – 20 July - All year levels Report Card emailed out
15 & 16 July - School Production "Queen Bees & Wannabes"
16 July - Old Boys Rugby League Carnival
29 July - School Opinion Survey

Year 10 Information

Year 10 is a critical time for students to make informed decisions about the next phase of their learning. The attached letter explains the subject selection process at Rockhampton State High School for students wishing to transition from Year 10 to Year 11.

Girls Get Active Gala Week

Year 12 Health Education students successfully planned and implemented the 'Girls Get Active Gala Week' in week 9 as part of their assessment task this term. The health promotion initiative was designed to enhance girls' participation in physical activity as research suggests that female participation declines in the teenage years, which can result in both short and long-term health concerns.

Three sessions were held during lunch breaks; volleyball, 'Just Dance' & a Team Challenge; and through involvement in each of these activities, participants learnt new skills, made new friends and received relevant and useful information and tips to assist them incorporating physical activity into their everyday lives. Feedback obtained from students and staff involved will be used to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the initiative, with Health Education students using this evidence to propose future 'girls only' physical activity sessions later this year.

Julie Granville
Health Education teacher

School of Excellence in Creative Writing

It's been a busy Term 2 for writers at Rocky High. We were very fortunate to have local author Mark Svendsen work with us for four days. We had two days of workshops in our library at school - one day with our Year 7, 8 & 9 students and one day with students in Years 5 & 6 from Waraburra, The Hall, Allenstown and Gracemere State Schools. All students enjoyed hearing about where authors get ideas for their stories and were then motivated to write stories of their own. We look forward to reading those stories later this year.

Writers' Camp - An Island Adventure

Two teachers, an author and twenty-nine very excited students set out on a boat late one afternoon . . . . . (Sounds like the start of an adventure story.)

Students from Years 7, 8 & 9 had their own island adventure which inspired them to write stories which will be published in our first eBook at the end of this year. Under the guidance of staff at the North Keppel Island Environmental Education Centre and local author, Mark Svendsen, students learned about the history of the island, its beautiful and unique environment and how to use that setting to create an engaging orientation to their stories and as inspiration for poetry.

We explored the beachfront at Maize Bay and middens left by the Kanomi people and met an "old fisherman" at his hut who regaled students with stories of the old days. In spite of the cold, rainy weather, we built rafts and then braved the chilly water to test them and paddle them to the end of the beach. Thankfully, they all floated and carried their crews to safety.

Many students claimed that the highlight of the camp was turning off their mobile phones and iPods and discovering the beauty of nature such as the sounds of the waves and wind in the trees, the little creatures inside the snail shells on the beach at low tide and the brightness of the stars while enjoying damper toasted on the campfire. Again, we look forward to reading the stories that students write later this year.

Cindy Mills & Jarrod Harward
Teachers

Rockhampton SHS Rugby League 2016

The 2016 Rockhampton District Secondary Schools Rugby League competition will be played during Term 3 this year. The school season will commence on 13th July and conclude on 14th September.

Trial games will be played in Term 2 at the conclusion of Junior Club fixtures.

Team coaches and managers for the 2016 season will be:

7A - Mr Webley & Mr Burchmann
8A - Mr Sinnamon & Mr Holloway
9A - Mr Smith & Mr Brodie
10A - Mr Clair and Mr Wells
10C - Mr Martin & Mr Brodie
Open - Mr Granville & Miss Brown

To play, students must:

• have parental consent to play rugby league,
• have correct school uniform playing gear – shorts & socks, (NB school rugby league shorts and socks – not others),
• maintain a good standard of classroom behaviour, (NB no lower than Behaviour Level 4) and
• pay a compulsory RDSSRL registration levy - $25

Rugby league training will be held after school on weekdays.

Games will be played at the following times:

• 7A, 8B and 10B on Wednesday afternoons
• 8A, 9A, 10A and Open 1sts on Friday afternoons / evenings

Most games will be played in Rockhampton; however, some games will be played at Yeppoon and Mount Morgan. Students will need to arrange their own transport to and from all games.

Dan Petersen
Deputy Principal
Rugby League Co-ordinator

Performing Arts Showcase During Term 2

The Performing Arts department have been active over the past term with various playouts, performances and competitions.

The instrumental music students successfully competed at the annual Rockhampton Eisteddfod with the String Chamber group taking out their section for the second year in a row. The school's concert band was also successful and attained a highly commended in their event.

Both of these groups also went on to compete at the bi annual Fanfare event and were awarded Silver in their respective categories.

The dance and drama students were involved in workshops with professional theatre companies Shake & Stir and the Sydney Dance Company.

Recently our dance troupe, concert band and chamber group made their annual appearance at the Rockhampton Show. The dance troupe have also made several appearances on school assemblies promoting the school production in July.

All groups should be commended for their commitment to the school and their subjects. More exciting performance opportunities are being planned for Semester 2.

Jodie Foale
HOD Performing Arts

Senior schooling

Senior students invited to sharpen their interview skills

This year Rockhampton State High School students have the opportunity to participate in "Communication 2 Careers", a mock interview event where students get to meet local business people to improve their communication and interview skills. The event is organised by RING (Rockhampton Innovative Networking Group) and the purpose is to provide the students with the opportunity to practice their face-to-face communication skills to better prepare them for future job interviews.

Last year thirteen local businesses participated in the event including Brown and Hurley Trucks, Suncorp Bank, the Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton Regional Council, Manpower and CT Harris Accountants. Students and employers discussed the students' plans after leaving school, how to improve their resume and how to perform well at an interview. They also received career advice and information on further education/training.

This year's C2C Mock Interviews will be held on Tuesday 9 August at Hegvold Stadium. We encourage all senior students to take part in this opportunity. Permissions forms are available from the FEET First office. For further information FEET First staff can be contacted on 07 49 204 323 or via email ktren11@eq.edu.au .

Kate Ingram (Trenerry)
FEET First Program Coordinator
(Further Education Employment and Training)

Jump Start into Health Career for RSHS Student

Rockhampton State High School student Renae Mitchell is jump-starting her career in health care through a Certificate III Allied Health school-based traineeship. Renae was one of two successful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to secure a school based position with Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service. In line with CQHHS's commitment to encouraging a strong representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people in the workforce, this program aims to further engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders into healthcare careers.

Renae will be undertaking the course in conjunction with her senior studies and will have the opportunity to work one day a week with CQHHS across a number of allied health disciplines. She is excited by this opportunity to gain nationally recognised qualifications while working in the allied health industry.

The students were welcomed at a ceremony at the Rockhampton Community Health Building on the 30 May by Ross Atu (CQHHS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Development Team), Alan Bird (Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships), Shareen McMillam (Director of Workforce Services CQHHS) and Nikki Spinks (Apprenticeship Support Australia).

For further information on school-based apprenticeships and traineeships please contact Mrs Kate Ingram at FEET First on 49204396.

Students Engage in Rural Fire Services Program

Some of Rockhampton State High School's Year 12 students are enrolled in an exciting program offered by Queensland Rural Fire Services. The program is delivered by trainers from the Rural Fire Services who visit the school every fortnight. Upon successful completion of the program, the students will be awarded a nationally recognised Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations) which will contribute 4 QCE credits. They can also join a Rural Fire Brigade and become an active firefighter.

To date the students have visited the Queensland Fire Service's communications centre; observed and participated in a controlled burn as well as many other exciting activities. This program is an excellent opportunity to boost the student's community involvement and will provide valuable skills to transfer to future employment situations such as teamwork, communication and safety. It will provide valuable networks for our young people. We wish these students all the best as they enter the final weeks of this program.

RSA & RGS Courses

Students from Rockhampton State high School are ready for work in the Hospitality industry with 25 students successfully completing their Responsible Services of Alcohol training, and a further 8 students attaining their Responsible Gaming Service Certificates. These courses were held at Rockhampton State High School by Natasha Many from Macville Holdings Pty Ltd.

RSA and RGS training is vital for students wishing to pursue work in the Hospitality field where alcohol or gaming services are present. Students have to role play various scenarios on how to deal with difficult situations. These courses equip our students not only with the legislative knowledge but also the skills and confidence to communicate responsibly with the patrons of these venues.

Congratulations to these students on this achievement. Students wishing to participate in one of these courses in the future need to register their interest with Samantha Sinclair at the FEET First office on 07 49204 323.

Students Learn the Rule of Law

Recently, our Year 11 and 12 Legal Studies students received a visit from Jackie Charles from the Rule of Law Institute of Australia based in Sydney. The Rule of Law Institute is a not-for-profit organisation, which seeks to promote and protect the rule of law in Australia.

The rule of law is an overarching principle which ensures that all Australian citizens are governed by laws which are made by their elected representatives and which reflect the principles of fairness and equity.

The students discussed numerous issues relating to Human Rights including racial discrimination and anti-terrorism measures. The students are preparing for a major assessment task based on Human Rights issues.

According to Jackie Charles, the best way to ensure rule of law principles are protected is by encouraging young people to learn about the practical value of equality before the law, the presumption of innocence, free speech and the need for access to justice for all.

Students Commit to Full Education, Employment and Training

Rockhampton State High School recently held its annual FEET First Commitment Ceremony. This ceremony represented a public pledge by our current Year 12 students, in the presence of parents and community members, to make every effort to gain further education, employment or training on completion of school. Students and community members were invited to sign the FEET First Commitment banner to symbolise their personal pledge of commitment to the program.

During the ceremony school principal, Mrs Kirsten Dwyer, spoke of the importance of the program in assisting students to find the right pathway to achieve their career goals. During the ceremony past students Bayden Moy and Rani Banks reflected on their experience of transitioning from school to Further Education, Employment and Training.

Bayden spoke about the importance of work experience in gaining his full time plumbing apprenticeship with Ausplumb and the commitment to a strong work ethic. Rani spoke of her journey from Year 12 to university and making the leap from studying law to psychology at CQ University. Rani also expressed the importance of accessing assistance when you are unsure about your career path and being open to different opportunities. Both Bayden and Rani strongly encouraged current Year 12 students to make the most of the opportunities presented to them and to seek support from teachers and school support staff.

This year's ceremony also featured a special presentation by Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, to School Captain Isobel Ward. Isobel was presented with a photo of herself and Speaker of the House, the Honourable Tony Smith, taken when Isobel presented a speech at a function recently.

During the ceremony students, teachers, families, employers and community members, including the Michelle Landry MP, Mayor Margaret Strelow and Cr Rose Swaddling, signed the banner to their pledge to support students. The FEET First Commitment Ceremony banner will be prominently displayed in the Rockhampton State High School Assembly Hall as a reminder of this pledge.

As a follow up to the ceremony, students will be provided with information and advice to assist them to meet their goal by the end of the year. Parents and students requiring information about the FEET First Program and the opportunities available are encouraged to contact Ms Kate Ingram, our FEET First Coordinator.

Trudy Crow
HOD – Senior Schooling and Legal Studies teacher

Outdoor Gallery Stage Two

Rocky High now has even more stunning student artworks on display in our outdoor gallery. Five new artworks have been printed on large panels and added to our buildings. Current Year 10 student Ammalie Dessent's drawing adorns D Block while Year 12 2015 student Jacob Christensen has two works on display, one on E Block and the other on the Science Block. Year 12 2015 students Tamara Shone and Cassandra Woodley have their drawings on display on E and D Blocks.

All students will be invited to submit artworks for the annual art exhibition which will be held on our awards night on 9 November. From that exhibition, up to ten artworks will be selected for stage three of the outdoor gallery next year.

Cindy Mills
Head of Department Visual Arts

Sports Spot

Congratulations

Tara Daniels will be representing Australia in Inline Hockey at the Junior Olympics being held in Hawaii next month.

Summer Irons & Macy Kammholz were selected in the Australian Baton Twirling team to compete at the Pan Pacific Games in California USA in January 2017. For more information on the team contact Robert Oliver on 0473063502.

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