29 July 2016
Newsletter Articles
From the Principal
Congratulations to our Year 7 and 9 students and their teachers, for their NAPLAN performance this year. Our preliminary data indicates that results have improved in writing and numeracy.
Rockhampton SHS staff are about to visit our feeder primary schools to discuss 2017 with Year 6 students. Information will be provided about our EXCEL program. EXCEL is about extending students in all areas of the curriculum with a particular focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Enrolment interviews for 2017 will be happening during between the 15th and 26th August. If you have a younger student coming to Rockhampton SHS next year, please phone the General Office for an interview time.
Congratulations to the Preforming Arts Department for the highly successful production “Queen Bees and Wannabees”. Staff and students have worked tirelessly over the last semester to produce this great show.
Subject Selection
Year 10 students have started the subject selection process for Year 11 2017. All year 10 students and their parents/guardians will have the opportunity to meet with a member of staff to discuss selections and pathways through Senior School. It is a great opportunity for you to participate in this very important process and we encourage all to attend. Further information will be distributed closer to the meeting date (24th August).
Year 8 and 9 students will receive their subject selection information this week as well.
Rugby League
Rugby league season is well underway at Rockhampton SHS. Most games are held on a Wednesday or Friday night. A weekly draw is available on our Facebook site.
Swap Meeting Car Parking
Our P & C is always interested in having new families volunteer for car parking. The swap meet is Saturday 6th August. If you can help, please contact Clare Morrison 0426122851, email 2011_pandc@eq.edu.au or contact the General Office.
On Monday 29th July we welcome Kirsten Dwyer back from her holiday.
Regards
Melanie Brown
A/Principal
Important Dates
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3 Aug |
P & C Meeting 7.30pm |
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4 Aug |
Parent Teacher Interviews – 3.30-6.30pm |
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24 Aug |
SET Planning Evening |
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30-31 Aug |
QCS Test |
Debating
Tuesday evening, the 26th July saw another round of the region’s debating competition. Our opposition was the Rockhampton Grammar School. The junior team debated the topic that ‘outer-space should be left to itself’ and the judges were very impressed with our arguments and presentation. Unfortunately, our junior team was defeated by an extremely small margin. During feedback, we were told that our third speaker, Kate Coleman, was one of the best she had seen in the competition. If you see Ashley Carberry, Cooper Clark or Kate Coleman around the school today, please congratulate them.
Our senior team also presented their case last night. They were debating that the ‘Olympic tradition is dead’. The senior team had a resounding success over the Rockhampton Grammar School. If you do see Thomas Byrne, David West or Jessica Beanland around the school, please congratulate them, along with Belinda Hooper, their coach.
The next debate will be held at North Rockhampton SHS on August 16.
Troy Edwards
English and History Teacher
Legal Eagles Experience Tradition
Rockhampton State High School Legal Studies students recently attended a service at St Joseph’s Cathedral to mark the commencement of the law year. The annual service was well attended by the local legal fraternity including the recently appointed Chief Justice of Queensland, the Honorable Catherine Holmes.
At this service, local legal practitioners gathered together to formally recognise the important work of the people in this field to achieve justice in the community. There was a procession of judges and barristers wearing their ceremonial wigs and gowns, which was a rare sight for our students. It was an interesting service.
One highlight for the students was meeting the Honorable Catherine Jones who spoke to the students about her role as top judge in Queensland. The students also heard from Father Frank Brennan, once referred to as the ‘meddling priest’ who shared his experiences as Jesuit priest and human rights lawyer.
It was an honour for our students to receive an invitation from the Rockhampton Bar Association to attend this longstanding tradition.
Trudy Crow
Legal Studies Teacher
Senior Schooling
Cert II in Self Awareness and Development
Rockhampton State High School is offering Year 11 and 12 students the opportunity to participate in a Certificate II in Self Awareness and Development in Term 4 this year. This course is run over 9 days and is all about individuals reaching their full potential through self-awareness and using their understanding to prepare themselves for success – in every sense of the word.
This comprehensive program integrates socio-cultural learning with practical exercises, coaching and problem solving. It enables participants to overcome significant barriers to develop personal commitment and confidence. Participants can expect to be surprised, challenged and occasionally confronted as their prevailing personal beliefs and behaviours are re-aligned with the hallmarks of success.
On successful completion of this program, students will be awarded the nationally accredited Certificate II Self Awareness and Development. They will also bank 4 credits towards their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) if successful in completing the program.
Whilst the cost of this course is $270.00, parents/carers have the option of paying this off in instalments between now and the commencement of the course in Term 4.
To register your interest, or for further information, please contact Mrs Kate Ingram on 49204396.
Queensland Core Skills Test 2016
This term will see our Year 12 students complete the Queensland Core Skills (QCS) Test on 30 and 31 August. Year 12 OP eligible students must sit this statewide test if they wish to receive an Overall Position (OP).
The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) provide a helpful guide for parents and carers which explains the three components of the test and suggests how parents and carers might support their students during this time.
Year 10 students Experience the World of Work
Year 10 students at Rockhampton State High School had the opportunity to participate in a week of work experience at the end of Term 2. Students undertook a variety of placements in areas such as speech pathology, retail, hospitality, child care and a variety of occupations with the Rockhampton Regional Council.
For Georgia Bretherton, her placement allowed her to work alongside Chappy Wayne at the Mt Morgan State High School and the Mt Morgan Central State School, giving her an opportunity to experience the role of a School Chaplain. Chappy Wayne said, “It's an absolute pleasure working with young people who are concerned with other people’s welfare and it's good to see students wanting to explore this career.” He said he would encourage others like Georgia to consider a career path as a chaplain.
Rockhampton State High School would like to thank all of the host employers for their generous support of our work experience program. Congratulations must also go to the students who took up this opportunity. The feedback from all host employers was very positive and one student was even successful in gaining a school-based apprenticeship with their host employer.
For further information about work experience please contact Samantha Sinclair on 49204323. If your business is able to assist our students with work experience placements please don’t hesitate to contact FEET First on 0749204323.
Scholarships
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further his or her education in some way. Year 12 students considering tertiary studies in 2017 should refer to the link below which outlines a number of Australian university scholarship options. Students should also visit their preferred university’s website for further information.
Year 12 students with queries about scholarships should make an appointment with the school’s Guidance Officer, Ms Catherine Spencer.
http://www.australianuniversities.com.au/scholarships/
Top Student Offers Study Advice
2015 graduate and OP1 student, Vincent Doan, visited Rocky High to give the Year 12 OP eligible students some very useful study tips. Vincent is studying a Bachelor of Genetics at the Australian National University in Canberra. He achieved exceptionally high results in Year 11 and 12, placing him in the top 2.75% of the state.
Vincent encouraged the students to make wise choices over the next four months as they work towards their final exams. He pointed out the importance of avoiding procrastination and to use every available minute to study – making sacrifices where necessary.
He also urged students to form positive relationships with teachers who are there to help them. He said it was the good relationships with his teachers that enabled him to improve in all of his subjects – especially with a language barrier. Vincent could not speak English when he arrived at Rockhampton State High School in Year 8. Without a good working relationship with his teachers, Vincent said he would not have achieved the success he did in the senior years.
We wish Vincent all the best as he continues his study at the Australian National University.
Trudy Crow
HOD Senior Schooling | VET Coordinator
2016 Early School Leavers survey
The Queensland Government is conducting its annual statewide survey of students who left school in Years 10, 11 and prior to completing Year 12 during 2015. The Early School Leavers survey is a short, confidential survey that collects information about what young people are doing the year after leaving school. The information from the survey helps our schools to understand the pathways young people follow after leaving school and to plan services to support transitions into study or employment for our students.
Between July and August 2016, our students who left school in Years 10, 11 and prior to completing Year 12 last year, can expect to receive an invitation to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office to complete the survey. Please encourage early school leavers to take part.
For more information, visit the Next Step website or telephone toll free on 1800 068 587.
http://www.education.qld.gov.au/nextstep/
Students Debate the Law
Legal Studies students Rhiannon Bellamy, Jordan Clark and Thomas Byrne recently competed in an interschool law debate organised by the Central Queensland Law Association. The debate was adjudicated by the Honourable Justice McMeekin of the Supreme Court, Justice Smith of the District Court and Magistrate Cameron Press.
In the formal setting of the Supreme Court, our students argued that “the criminal jury system is not ineffective in delivering justice”. Their opposition on the night was Emmaus College. While the students were narrowly beaten in a very close contest, they were brilliant advocates on the night.
The annual Interschool Law Debate is aimed at developing the students’ formal debating skills as well as their legal research and persuasive speaking skills. The students were mentored by solicitor and ex-Rockhampton State High School student, Lauren Gabriel, who works for Rees R and Sydney Jones Lawyers. The students were also assisted by Grant Cagney from McGowran Lawyers.
The students worked extremely hard to prepare for this debate and should be congratulated for their efforts.
Trudy Crow
Legal Studies Teacher
NCCD (Nationally Consistent Collect of Data on Disabilities)
It is that time of the year when schools collect certain data on students with a disability. This data is released to the National database in August and consists of number data only and not anything that identifies a student. The information collected is based on the adjustments provided for students; namely whether adjustments are within quality differentiated teaching practices, supplementary, substantial or extensive. There is an option available to parents who wish to ‘opt out’ of this collection, please contact the general office.
Joy Wheeler
Head of Special Education Services
