25 February 2022

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Congratulations to our 2021 Year 12 academic awardees!

Due to the new QCAA and ATAR methodology our students’ results are not finalised until the following year.

Unfortunately due to the pandemic we had to offer a very scaled-back function to acknowledge our top 5 students.

Particular congratulations to Cooper Clark, Holly Hayes, Tess Hill, Jasmine Ireland and Ethan Malcolmson.

The Year 12 awardees are:

YEAR 12 TOP FIVE AWARDS

Cooper Clark, Holly Hayes, Tess Hill, Jasmine Ireland, Ethan Malcomson

YEAR 12 SUBJECT AWARDS

Special Awards

We wish all our students every future success!

Jasmine Ireland receiving her awards

Masks

Please note that as per government advice masks are no longer required to be worn in schools from 6 pm Friday 4 March.

This will be a welcome relief for many! Of course some students and staff may still elect to wear a mask for safety reasons.

Kind regards

Kirsten Dwyer
Principal

Senior Schooling

Senior Schooling Program 2022

Students in the senior phase of learning will work towards the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). This qualification requires students to demonstrate a significant amount of learning at a set standard. Furthermore, some students are working towards a Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA).

Several initiatives have been developed to assist students achieve the goal of ‘earning or learning’ after Year 10. Rockhampton State High School students will work with the “Widening Participation” team from CQUniversity to ensure they are fully aware of their post-school tertiary options. Furthermore, senior students are expected to fully participate in the learning and support programs provided by the school. Their academic performance, behaviour, attendance and participation will be monitored throughout each term.

Year 11 students completed a Senior Education and Training Plan (SET Plan) last year detailing their goals for senior schooling and beyond. They will revisit this document throughout the senior phase of learning to ensure they are on track to achieve their career goals.

Year 10 students have commenced the Short Course in Career Education. This Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) course will contribute towards their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and prepare them for making decisions about post-school pathways including subjects, careers and courses.

Once again, students in Year 10, 11 and 12 can participate in the work experience program. Our work experience program is extremely successful in providing employment opportunities to our students. Parents/caregivers are reminded of the Industry Placement Fee of $10.00 which is charged to each student participating in the work experience program. This fee is necessary to cover the ever-increasing costs of running such a successful program.

Currently, Rockhampton State High School boasts over 15 school-based apprentices/trainees in various industry settings. Students wishing to gain employment as a school-based apprentice or trainee should register their interest at the FEET First office. Throughout the coming year, we are aiming to increase this number. In addition, more than 40 students are currently engaged in vocational education and training at external RTOs in industries identified as priority skill areas by the Queensland government. The skills and experience gained from this study will contribute to the employability of our students.

Short courses such as Financial Literacy, Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways, White Card, First Aid, Responsible Service of Alcohol and Responsible Gaming Services will be organised for our students to participate in this year. Students need to register their interest with the FEET First staff. Furthermore, Rockhampton State High School will continue to liaise with The Smith Family (Growing Careers), CQUniversity, James Cook University, the Australian Defence Force and other local organisations. It is hoped that these initiatives will ensure that students are successful in their senior schooling and beyond.

I look forward to working with the senior students and their families in 2022.

Trudy Crow
HOD – Senior Schooling

Students Schooled in Parliamentary Processes

Former Rocky High student and Member of state parliament, Mr Robert Schwarten, recently worked with Year 12 legal studies students to enhance their understanding of the unicameral (one house) parliamentary system for their upcoming Unit 3 exam.

Mr Schwarten, a long serving member of the Queensland State parliament, shared his experience as a member and senior cabinet minister from 1989 - 2012.

He addressed the uniqueness of the Queensland system with the upper house abolished 100 years ago on 23 March 1922. The students learned of the strengths of Queensland’s committee system, of which he played a major role during his extensive career.

The students are evaluating whether a unicameral or bicameral legislature is more effective for law making in Australia. They are very fortunate to have such a valuable resource to enhance their learning.

Mrs Trudy Crow
Legal Studies Teacher

Lachlan’s USA Experience Begins

2021 Year 12 graduate, Lachlan Vickery, has touched down in Hattiesburg, Mississippi to begin his dream of living, studying and playing tennis in the United States of America.

Lachlan was offered a sporting scholarship at the William Carey University back in August 2021. His journey started with an application with the sporting agency College Sports USA (CSUSA). This organisation was able to match Lachlan with a coach or college to suit his needs. Lachlan was offered a place at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) due to his successful attainment of a Queensland Certificate of Education and achieving the required GPA. He is about to commence his study of HPE majoring in Coaching – much like a Bachelor of Exercise Science in Australia.

His family reports that he is loving his new hometown and especially shopping at Walmart. The Americans love his accent although have trouble understanding Australian slang. He is currently preparing for his first tennis match.

We congratulate Lachlan on his efforts to accomplish this opportunity and wish him all the best to achieve his sporting and academic goals. Hopefully Lachlan’s story will inspire other young Rockhampton athletes to consider this pathway to pursue a sporting career.

Mrs Trudy Crow

FEET First Program 2022

In 2022, the FEET First program will continue to provide senior students with information and programs to assist them to transition into Full Education, Employment or Training once they complete their schooling.

FEET First staff are available to help students who are seeking casual employment outside of school hours, school-based apprenticeships or traineeships, vocational education & training, as well as those seeking to transition into full time employment or training. We assist students with the preparation of resumes, cover letters, applications for employment, how to prepare for job interviews and career and transition information. Work experience and training opportunities are also sourced by the FEET First staff. Students wishing to access the FEET First staff are asked to see FEET First during lunch breaks to book an appointment.

Employment and training vacancies as well as training opportunities such as short courses are advertised through the student notices and the Rockhampton State High School - FEET First Facebook page. FEET First also email opportunities to student’s school email accounts. A list of significant dates has been published below. Further opportunities will be advertised through the school notices, FEET First Facebook page and newsletters.

WORK EXPERIENCE DATES:

Year 10 students can choose to participate in work experience during the last week of Term 3 (12 – 16 September 2022).
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 a work experience placement. Year 10 students will receive their work experience application forms in Term 2.

Year 11 and 12 ATAR eligible students are able to participate in work experience during a school holiday break to avoid impact on their studies.

Year 11 and 12 ATAR ineligible students are able to participate in work experience for a weeklong block as negotiated with FEET First staff and the students’ current teachers.

Short Course Dates:

• White Card – Monday 28 March 2022 - One day Construction Induction Safety course.
• RSA - Tuesday 21 June 2022 - One day Responsible Service of Alcohol course.
• RGS – Thursday 23 June 2022 - One day Responsible Gaming Service course.
• First Aid Course – Wednesday 14 September 2022

All short course dates are subject to change, depending on student participation numbers.

Vocational Education and training Courses:

Many senior students have enrolled in vocational education and training courses at CQUniversity and other external providers. There are vacancies for senior students who are ATAR ineligible in the following courses/programs.

• Cert II in Resources and Infrastructure – SDS Training
• Cert II in Health Support or Tourism– College Australia
• Cert II in Food and Beverage – CQUniversity
• Cert II in Kitchen Operations – CQUniversity
• Cert II in Community Services (online) – CQUniversity+

We recommend that parents and carers encourage their students to participate fully in the programs available. Please do not hesitate to contact the FEET First staff on 49204391 for further information. We look forward to working with students to help them achieve their career goals.

Alana Fisher
FEET First Program Co-ordinator

Girls Rugby League

Term 1

Nominations called for girls interested in playing rugby league in Term 2.
Depending on coach availability, training will commence for all teams around Week 7.

Term 2    April - June

Rockhampton District Secondary Schools weekly fixtures - Rockhampton High will nominate three teams:

Requirements

To play, students must:

• Up-to-date with school fees
• have parental consent to play rugby league,
• have correct school uniform playing gear – shorts & socks,
• wear a suitable mouthguard during game play
• maintain a satisfactory standard of classroom behaviour, (NB no lower than Behaviour Level 3)
• pay a compulsory RDSSRL registration levy - $25.

Training

Rugby league training will be held after school on weekdays. All teams will train on the school’s sports fields.

Games

All teams will play Wednesday afternoons/ evenings.

Most games will be played in Rockhampton, however some games will be played at Yeppoon and Mt Morgan.

To cover the costs of ground hire an entry fee ($2 adult / $1 school students) will be charged for games played at Browne Park.

Mrs M Findlater
Rugby League Co-ordinator (Girls)

Boys Rugby League

Term 2   April - June

Term 3    July - September

Rockhampton District Secondary Schools weekly fixtures - Rockhampton High will nominate teams in all age divisions.

Requirements

To play, students must:

• Up-to-date with school fees
• have parental consent to play rugby league,
• have correct school uniform playing gear – shorts & socks,
• wear a suitable mouthguard during game play
• maintain a satisfactory standard of classroom behaviour, (NB no lower than Behaviour Level 3)
• pay a compulsory RDSSRL registration levy - $25.

Training

Rugby league training will be held after school on weekdays. Years 7 – 9 will train on the school’s sports fields. The Yr 10 and Open teams will train at the Saleyards Park ( Fitzroys RLFC ).

Games

• Yrs 7, 8 and 9 on Wednesday afternoons,
• Yr 10 and Open on Friday evenings

Most games will be played in Rockhampton, however some games will be played at Yeppoon and Mt Morgan

To cover the costs of ground hire an entry fee ($2 adult / $1 school students) will be charged for games played at Browne Park.

Mr R Brodie
Rugby League Co-ordinator (Boys)

Instrumental Music

Firstly, I'd like to extend a welcome to our students who are new to the Instrumental Music Program at Rockhampton State High School and welcome back our continuing students. For those of you who are not yet aware, I am currently running both the Band and Strings programs while Miss Dalglish is on leave for the year. Please read the information below to ensure you know which day/s your child has rehearsals and/or lessons this term and that you know what paperwork is required.

Year 7 students - Expressions of Interest for Instrumental Music

Several families completed an 'Expression of Interest' form for their child to be enrolled in our Instrumental Music Program - either through their enrolment paperwork or this year when forms were made available to students in their first week back at school.

If your child is a continuing student (meaning they learnt an instrument in primary school) and submitted an Expression of Interest form, they should have received an Instrumental Music enrolment package. Please have this completed and returned to the school by Monday 28 February. Their lessons will commence this week so please ensure your child comes to school prepared with their instrument and tutor book and/or black folder as outlined on the enrolment paperwork.

Students who completed an 'Expression of Interest' form to commence learning an instrument, were given an appointment slip to come and see me for instrument suitability testing last week. While a few students have come to see me to undertake this, several of the students I have sent appointment slips to for instrument suitability testing have not yet come to see me. I realise that Year 7 swimming and school photos may have made it difficult for students to attend but this week is the last opportunity students will have the option to enrol in the program as our timetable and staffing time must be finalised soon. If you would still like your child to have this opportunity, please email me by Monday 28 February so that I can organise a time to see them for instrument suitability testing and, if accepted, send home an enrolment package to complete and return.

Instrumental Music is a very cost-effective way for your child to learn a musical instrument. We offer tuition on most instruments through our program - excluding guitar and piano. Dependent upon availability, we have school instruments available to loan for the first year of tuition.

Lessons and Rehearsals - all students

Rehearsals have commenced for all students in Years 8-12 who were involved in ensembles last year. Year 7 students who are continuing their instruments from primary school will start rehearsal in a few weeks once they have had a little more time to settle into their high school routine. I will advise them the week prior when they need to begin attending rehearsals.

Rehearsal times are as follows:

String Ensemble - Thursday 3:00-4:15pm
Concert Band - Wednesday 3:00-415pm

Instrumental Music lessons will run for all students this week. A timetable will go up on the noticeboard in the Music Block foyer and will be placed on the Music Block window for students to check their lesson times. We are unable to send home the general timetable with all student names due to privacy of information. Once the timetable is finalised, students will instead receive a timetable with their name and group to put in their planner. Please check this weekly to assist your child with organisation if needed as we operate a rotating timetable at the school. Personal timetables will go out to students once the timetable is finalised.

The Music Block is open from approximately 8:00am on Instrumental Music days to allow students to store their instruments in the block for the day. Instruments can then remain there after students have their lesson and I will have the block open at the end of the school day for them to come and collect their instrument to take home. Music lessons are held in MU07.

Lesson days are as follows:

Brass/woodwind/percussion lessons - Wednesday
Strings lessons - Friday

If your child is a continuing student, they should have received an enrolment package. This is due by Monday 28 February to allow me to finalise our timetable. Should you still require an enrolment package, please email me as soon as possible and I will have this sent home to you.

I do communicate changes and reminders for students via Student Notices so it is very important that they listen to these at the start of the day in their form class to ensure they don't miss important information.

While we usually hold an information evening for parents regarding the program, this was unable to occur this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding the Instrumental Music Program at cholb6@eq.edu.au

I look forward to working with you this year.

Carly Holbeck
Instrumental Music Teacher

Traineeships and Apprenticeships

Get a head start in your career A school-based apprenticeship or traineeship can give you a head start in your career. Students, in years 10, 11 or 12, can work for an employer and train towards a recognised qualification, while completing your secondary schooling and studying for their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and/or Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). Find out how you can get a head start in your career at the below link:

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