31 July 2017
Newsletter Articles
From the Principal
Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority Professional Development
Parents of current year 9 students will be aware of the new Senior Assessment and Tertiary Entrance System that will affect Queensland students in the future! Staff at Rockhampton High School have commenced training in implementation of this curriculum. RSHS will combine with all Rockhampton secondary schools (public and private) on 31 July in a special combined schools’ professional development opportunity.
Parents and Caregivers
Parents and caregivers make a critical difference in the learning of their children. The following is adapted from the Newsletter “Parental Engagement’ (July 2017):
Common elements of parental engagement that have an effect on student achievement and well-being can be summarized as six strategies, adapted from Janet Goodall’s (2013) six-point model.
1. Authoritative parenting underpins all six strategies (Goodall, 2013). Families are critical to the work of educating young people and the style of parenting they choose affects their child’s development. Authoritative parenting style has a good balance between love and warmth and setting boundaries. “At home good parenting” (Desforges & Abouchaar, 2003) has a substantial influence on children’s achievement compared to other factors and is a good predictor of the intellectual and social and emotional outcomes that a child will experience even having a greater effect than early childhood education (Weiss & Stephen, 2009; Emerson, et al., 2012).
2. Know the value of education
Researchers have stressed the importance of parents’ actions and attitudes in conveying to their children the important role education can play in their future success (Hattie, 2009; Emerson, et al., 2012). Parental engagement is effective when parents model behaviors of successful lifelong learners to their children (Perkins, 2014) so that they develop the beliefs, attitudes, skills, and routines required to become an autonomous learner with a sense of self-efficacy and academic competence and hence become an autonomous adult (Fox & Olsen, 2014). Parental engagement has an indirect effect on “influencing children’s orientation towards learning” (Fox & Olsen, 2014, p17) particularly their motivation and engagement to learn.
3. Have high expectations and aspirations
The major area where the home makes a difference is in the expectations and encouragement they give their child (Clinton & Hattie, 2013; Fran & Chen, 2001; Jeynes, 2005). Parental engagement in learning is effective when parents hold high expectations for their children, communicate a belief in their potential to achieve and discuss their child’s educational and career aspirations (Clinton & Hattie, 2013; Goodall, 2013; Perkins, 2014). These same high expectations by teachers and schools are crucial to the success of students particularly from low socio economic backgrounds (Parrett & Budge, 2012).
4. Family led learning in the home
Research suggests that the greatest effect that parents can have is in the home and not the school as the learning environment and attitudes to learning in the home more consistently promotes children’s academic achievement (Desforges & Abouchaar, 2003; Harris & Goodall, 2008; Henderson & Mapp, 2002). It does not involve a significant amount of time nor specialized skills and instead involves reading to and talking to children about everyday activities (Emerson et al., 2012). It is particularly important for their social and emotional learning (Fox & Olsen, 2014). “Academic socialization” is an important aspect of family led learning which goes further than setting the environment for learning in the home. It involves linking school work with current events, discussing learning strategies with the child and making connections between the current effort they are putting in and achieving their future goals of employment or further study (Emerson et al., 2012).
5. Become engaged and stay engaged throughout their schooling.
Early interaction can have long-term effects, as “vocabulary at 3 years of age has been found to be predictive of language skills at 10 years of age” (Hart & Risley, 2003 as cited in Goodall, 2013, p. 140). It is important to remain engaged (Goodall, 2013) throughout their schooling particularly at transition points. Talk regularly about school and the value of learning (Clinton & Hattie, 2013; Fran & Chen, 2001).
6. Family school communication.
While the home learning environment remains critical to a child’s education, dialogue between parents and school is crucial to the child’s success. Schools are based on relationships and require quality two-way communication and meaningful dialogues between home and school (Elliott, 2003; Harris et al., 2009). Schools that successfully engage parents in learning tend to communicate with them openly, clearly and frequently and offer a wide range of opportunities for parents to learn more about the schools and for staff to learn more about parents (Elliott, 2003).
Swap Meet Car parking
This will be held on Saturday 5th August. Many thanks in advance to students, staff, parents and community members who support this fundraising! See information attached to this newsletter. Many thanks to Claire Morrison, P & C Treasurer, for her organization of the event.
Regards
Kirsten Dwyer
Year 7 - 2018
Enrolment interviews are being held on Wednesday 9 August from 3.30pm to 6.15pm. Please contact the General office on 49204333 to make a booking.
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Important Dates Aug 2 ― P & C
Meeting 7.30pm |
Students Experience Rural Health
In Week 10 of last term Monique McLeod and Kaitlyn Bellamy participated in the University of Queensland Rural Clinical School’s (UQRCS), “Experience Medicine at UQ” Program.
The students spent the day rotating through five different clinical stations supervised by UQRCS Staff these areas included airways management, suturing, performing basic life support, surgical scrubbing, gowning and gloving, checking vital signs and glitter bugs. Students were also provided with an information session on the Doctor of Medicine Program at UQ and were able to discuss careers in Medicine with current UQRCS students and staff.
The students found the program was a great experience and exposed them to new ideas, information and work place practices.
The University of Queensland Rural Clinical School was established in 2002 and is the largest rural clinical school in Australia. The UQRCS and is an initiative with the Australian Government through the Department of Health to improve health outcomes for rural, regional remote communities.
UQ has a commitment to building a strong and sustainable rural workforce and believes this starts at the secondary school level. UQ have a quota that over a quarter of the Doctor of Medicine Program must be filled by students from a rural background.
If you would like information on participating in the Experience Medicine at UQ Program or would like more information on the UQRCS please see Samantha Sinclair in FEET First.
Samantha Sinclair
FEET First Coordinator
Share the Dream
Last week some of our senior music students travelled to Brisbane to participate in Creative Generation. The theme of the show this year was ‘Share the Dream’ and celebrated the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Creative Generation involves around 1800 State School students from Kindy to High School participating in a variety of performing arts including dance, drama, orchestra and choir. Rockhampton State High School was represented within both the massed choir and core choir learning over 25 songs for the performances. Well done to these students for their hard work and dedication over the past few months. Be sure to tune into Network 10 on October 14th at 1:30pm to watch this highly energetic performance.
Natalie Stubbs
Music Teacher Yr 12 Coordinator
Law Students Triumph in Interschool Debate
Last week, Rockhampton State High School Year 12 Legal Studies students Ashlee Barnett, Tom Byrne and David West participated in the Interschool Law Debate organised by the Central Queensland Law Association and Central Queensland University. The debates were judged by Her Honour Justice Catherine Homes who is the Chief Justice of Queensland as well as our local Supreme Court judge, Justice Duncan McMeekin and Regional Coordinating Magistrate, Cameron Press.
In the Rockhampton Supreme Court, the students successfully argued that “Beyond reasonable doubt in criminal matters is not too high a burden of proof”. Their opposition on the night was Emmaus College.
The Interschool Law Debate is aimed at developing the students’ legal research and advocacy skills. The students were assisted by legal mentor, Lauren Gabriel, who is an Associate Partner at Rees R and Sydney Jones Lawyers. Lauren is a family lawyer and past student at Rockhampton State High School. Lauren competed in the same competition in 2006 as a Legal Studies student.
The students certainly deserved this win. They worked extremely hard and were thoroughly prepared for this debate. Their advocacy skills were exceptional on the night.
Mrs Trudy Crow
Legal Studies Teacher
2017 Ski Trip
Twenty-seven bright and enthusiastic year 12 students arrived at the airport at 6.30am on Tuesday 27th June to embark on their ski trip adventure. Five long hours later we left! Fog had descended upon Rockhampton that day.
Thankfully, the trip got much better and all students thoroughly enjoyed the experience of Mt Hotham. There were no trips to the emergency room and all students became quite good at skiing and snowboarding. Staff at the Snowbird Inn complemented us on the fantastic behaviour of our students.
Planning for 2018 has already begun!
Students Learn the Law of Sentencing
Year 11 Legal Studies students are currently studying Criminal Law including the causes and consequences of offending behaviour. As part of their study of sentencing options, the students met with Custodial Officer Mr David Mills from the Capricornia Corrections Centre.
Mr Mills explained prison processes including daily routines, security, staff roles and rehabilitation programs. Mr Mills talk was very informative and the students enjoyed his visit.
Guest speakers such as Mr Mills allow our students to learn about the legal system first hand. We appreciate Mr Mills giving up his time to speak to our students.
Mrs Trudy Crow
Legal Studies Teacher
Woolworths Earn & Learn
Rockhampton State High School will again take part in the Woolworths Earn & Learn program. For every $10 spent at Woolworths, families will earn one sticker. Stickers can be returned to the collection box at Student Services, Rockhampton State High School. This program allows the school to build our collection of resources for students and in the past has been a worthwhile undertaking. We thank you in advance for your support. 26 July – 19 September
Amanda O’Beirne
A/HOD Learning Engagement
Year 10 into 11 Subject Selection Process
Year 10 is a critical time for students to make informed decisions about the next phase of their learning. To assist with this process, a number of key activities have been arranged for Year 10 students to ensure they have access to sufficient information to make informed subject choices for the senior phase of learning.
On 17 July, Year 10 students received the Senior Curriculum Guide, a subject selection form and a QTAC “Year 10 Guide”. Please ensure your student has carefully read this material before making any final decisions about subjects for Year 11 and 12. In particular, ensure students are familiar with any prerequisite subjects that must be satisfied in order to select Authority (OP) subjects. Subject selection forms must be submitted to the office by Monday 31 July.
On 21 July, Year 10 students heard from our subject Heads of Department who told them what to expect if they choose subjects from their faculty. Students were told the sorts of learning experiences and assessment they can expect and the attributes needed to succeed in their subjects.
From 24 – 28 July students can visit the Guidance Officer (Ms Kate Miles) and our FEET First team (Ms Samantha Sinclair and Mr Demetrius Lynch) in the library during lunch breaks for one-on-one talks about senior subjects, school-based apprenticeships, CQUniversity courses and university programs such as the Start Uni Now (SUN) program. Representatives from CQ University and local training organisations will visit the school over coming months to supply information about their courses for 2018. Some of these representatives will be available at the SET Plan Evening.
The most significant activity is the formation of the Senior Education and Training Plan (SET Plan). Students will formally record their career and subject choices in Week 4 when they complete their electronic Senior Education and Training Plan (SET Plan). To ensure parents and carers are involved in the SET Plan process, a 10 – 15 minute SET Plan Interview will take place on Wednesday 23 August from 4 – 7pm in the Library. Information on how to book this interview will be provided to Year 10 students in the coming weeks.
For more information about your student’s options for the senior phase of learning, please do not hesitate to contact the school on 49204333.
Mrs Trudy Crow
HOD – Senior Schooling
Students on Track to Civil Construction
A group of Year 11 students are acquiring skills for a career the resources and infrastructure sector through the study of Certificate II in Resources and Infrastructure Work Preparation through SDS Training. This course is a pathway qualification that will prepare students for a career in the resource, construction, civil construction, drilling and mining sectors.
This course has a focus on the civil construction industry by introducing students to competencies such as occupational health and safety, conduct local risk control, environmental work practices, safely disposing of non-toxic materials, plan and organise work and carry out measurements and calculations, all in the context of the civil construction industry. This course contributes four credits towards their senior schooling qualification, the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).
Last week the students completed the practical project which consisted of the concreting of slabs and the erection of pre-fabricated seating at various points on the walk up to Mount Archer. The students learnt the skills of concreting, working at heights, working in confined spaces, assembly of prefabricated products and the importance of teamwork in the work environment. They worked hard for the duration of the week and were extremely proud of the work they produced and the skills they learnt.
We would encourage any students that are interested in this course in 2018 to contact the FEET First office.
Sam Sinclair
FEET First Coordinator
