29 March 2022

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Term 1 has been extremely productive and busy, with lots of successes and celebrations despite the disruptions of the pandemic! I would like to thank all members of our school community for their ongoing patience and understanding.

Like most areas of the state Rockhampton schools have experienced student and staff absence. Our staff have worked hard to ensure that students are able to continue learning. Students should follow instructions sent out in previous emails and newsletters:

WORK FOR ABSENT STUDENTS

Students are also encouraged to access online learning platforms during their vacation.

CANTEEN

As we head to the end of term, culminating in the Cross Country on Friday, our canteen is running down its stock. Students are encouraged to use the Qkr! app to pre-order and pay for food this week. The Student Representative Council will be selling drinks and snacks at second lunch near the drink taps at the Sports Centre.

Please note that the canteen will be closed for clean and stocktake second lunch on Friday 1 April.

CROSS COUNTRY

Ages:

All events are based on the age the student is turning in 2022 (12,13,14,15,16, Opens (17,18).

Cross Country Course:

The course will be displayed using coloured markers. To assist with direction, green markers are on the left, red on the right of the course laneway.

Students will need to run a set number of laps to complete the course for their age group.

1 Lap Is passing the white board at the end of the rugby league field (20m line). Once they have completed their designated laps (with number of marks for each lap), they turn under the rugby league goal posts (teacher directing) to the finish line and recording tents.

12years -2 laps
13 years- 2 laps
14 years- 3 laps
15 years- 3 laps
16 years girls- 3 laps
Opens girls- 3 laps
16 years boys- 4 laps
Open boys- 4 laps.

AFL Queensland will be hosting skill sessions throughout the afternoon.

AMENITIES & STUDENT SERVICES – Student ID Cards

In a large busy school it is important that students be able to access facilities, the library and Student Services in a timely manner, without queuing.

For this reason the school has been providing the means for students to scan in and out, which saves time for both them and our administrative officers.

At the start of term students will be issued with both an ID card and barcode (for their planners) at school expense.

Students are to present their barcode to scan in and out of Student Services, the library (and amenities during class time). If they do not have their ID card they will present their school-purchased planners (which must be taken to every class). The planners should have the student barcode sticker inside, when issued.

We trust that parents will understand the need for this, and assist by reminding students of their obligation in this process.

REPORTING

While Rockhampton SHS is only required to report twice a year (semester 1 and 2), we have elected to report termly on a 15-point scale to provide timely feedback to students and parents.

Students will receive a copy of their term 1 report on Friday of week 2 (29 April 2022) and parents will be emailed this report.

Please note that given the current situation with the COVID 19 pandemic, you may believe that a comment needs to be amended. If so please email Deputy Principal James Zimmer directly (jzimm7@eq.edu.au) with explanation and a report can be readily re-issued.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Easter vacation,

Kind regards
Kirsten Dwyer

Cross Country

The 2022 Rockhampton High School Cross Country Carnival is fast approaching. On the 1st of April, The Laver Crocodiles, Tucker Kangaroos, Meares Dingos and Armstrong Sharks will all compete for cross country glory as they take to the course and race on the newly developed track on the bottom ovals.

The 1.5km track travels from the rugby league field, around the AFL field and past the RSHS Sports Centre. The distance and number of laps ran by students is determined on the age they are turning in 2022.

Students who are: 12 and 13 years will be completing 2 laps of the course, 14 and 15 year boys and girls and 16 years girls will be completing 3 laps. The 16 years and Opens boys will be completing 4 laps.

On the day, students will attend a short, “morale building” house assembly at designated areas at the end of first lunch. All students will then make their way to the house tents located between the touch field and the rugby league oval for the optimal viewing of the cross-country competitors.

Students will have the opportunity to gain points for their house, through running and placing in the cross-country race, participating in ball games (being run out the front of N-wing) and participating in the cross-country race.

Please note the canteen will be closed during second lunch. The Student Representative Council will be selling snacks and drinks during second lunch.

Grant Burchmann
Acting HOD - Health and Physical Education

Early departure from school

Parents are reminded that the procedure for releasing your student early is as follows:

• Send a note with your student requesting an early departure from school.
• In an emergency a student can be located but depending on the whereabouts of your students this cannot always be achieved in a short time.

Important Dates

NAPLAN online 2022

Rockhampton State High School students in Years 7 & 9 will participate in NAPLAN Online from 10/5/22-13/5/22.

Parents can access the Public Demonstration site for further information.

If you have questions or would like to discuss your child’s participation please contact Amanda O’Beirne, HOD Student Support on 49204333.

FEET First - Careers Update

A number of career activities have taken place in Term 1, 2022 including the Ergon Energy Girl Power Seminar, Weld Australia VR welder program, QMEA International Women’s Day breakfast, and the Year 12 CQUniversity Experience.

Eighteen students commenced study in Start Uni Now or Start TAFE Now courses through CQUniversity. Another 29 students commenced enrolment with other external RTOs. The number of school-based apprentices and trainees has now reached 11.

Year 10 students commenced their study of the Short Course in Career Education. The Short Course in Career Education focuses on the development of knowledge, processes, skills, attributes and attitudes that will assist students to make informed decisions about their options to enable effective participation in their future study, working life and career. Successful completion of the course contributes 1 credit to the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and will appear on the students’ Senior Statement along with their other senior schooling learning and results. Students will spend one lesson per week on this course for the duration of 2022. Some of the topics covered include personality types, learning styles, employer expectations, conduct in the workplace, the job application and recruitment process as well as diversity in the workplace and work-life balance. The course will provide students with the possibility to explore career pathways and will assist to determine the senior school subjects they need to study in order to achieve their career goals.

All Year 10 students will be invited to participate in a tour of CQUniversity through the Campus Connect program in Term 2. Consent forms will be sent home before the end of this term. Also in Term 2, students will hear from a variety of local employers to learn about their expectations in terms of Core Skills for Work and 21st century skills. Support will be provided by the Smith Family Growing Careers Project coordinator, Joanne Terry. Students will require parent/carer consent for these activities and an online consent form will be emailed home for this purpose.

Senior school subject pre-requisites were distributed to Year 10 students in Week 5 so they are fully aware of the entry requirements for senior General subjects. To finalise the senior subject selection process, all Year 10 students will prepare their Senior Education and Training Plan (SET Plan) in Term 3 which will be signed off by parents in Week 7 at a SET Plan interview.

During week 10, our senior students have the option of participating in work experience or a number of vocational courses such as Certificate II in Health Support, Certificate II in Tourism, Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways and Certificate II in Resources and Infrastructure.

Students from Years 10 – 12 can complete a White Card course on Monday 28 March. A White Card course is a requirement to work in the construction industry. It will cover the basic WHS knowledge required for commencing work tasks within any of the building sectors. This course requires the ability to demonstrate personal awareness of Work Health & Safety (WHS) legislative requirements. A second White Card course will be held at Rockhampton State High School in Term 3 – prior to the Year 10 work experience block.

Students who require career support are encouraged to visit the FEET First program staff in the Senior Learning Centre.

Trudy Crow
HOD – Senior Schooling

2022 Agriculture Program

Our Agriculture program is currently undertaking an overhaul, which includes new teaching staff, upgraded facilities and new and improved programs for 2022. Our farm now boasts our premium cattle yards and paddocks. The aquaculture facility houses over 200 red claw, a horizontal and vertical aquaponics set up and new green house with raised garden beds. It is an exciting time for agriculture at our school, with students being exposed to all facets of the curriculum and taking a hands-on approach to building a better farm that they can utilise for their studies.

While our classes have been busy upgrading the farm, our Show Cattle Program has started for 2022. A very successful program in 2021 will now be led by new Agriculture teacher Andrew Murray, who has started working with the new group in 2022. The program will be run at school, one afternoon a week for the duration of the year. A select team will attend various local shows, with all students gaining valuable experience, working with cattle on our school farm.

Digital Technologies

Our Digital Technologies program enjoyed a visit from Weld Australia last week, where we used augmented reality welders to test our skills in welding. These welders were great for our students and were extremely realistic, just without the sparks and heat! Senior students spent the day practicing on the machines while classes came in to view and receive information on the welding industry and the skills required.

During International Women’s Week, our school participated in a number of activities to continue to promote women in trades and continue to develop partnerships with local companies to benefit our girls wanting to work in various industries. The events continue to demonstrate to students what is available post schooling and were well receive.

Lachlan Wells
A/HOD – Agriculture, Materials and Technology

Year 11 & 12 Visual Art Student Visit RMOA

On Monday, Year 11 and 12 Visual Art students visited the new Rockhampton Museum of Art (RMOA) to explore the exhibitions 'Welcome Home', 'Here We Meet', and 'The Gold Award 2022'. Students had the opportunity to be the first school group through the space, engaging with the diverse collection of artworks owned by RMOA. They then went on to meet with local artist Sharon Kirk who is currently undertaking an artist in residency. She discussed with students about how she starts making a body of work to a professional standard and how her career has evolved in the arts over time. We finished the excursion with students going back through each exhibition, selecting their favourite artworks, and drawing and recording key information.

Thank you to RMOA for hosting us!

Paige Hennessey
A/HOD - The Arts

Swimming Carnival

On Friday 11th March, Rockhampton State High School held their annual Inter-house swimming carnival at the Southside pool. Students arrived wearing their house colours with pride, and eagerly participated in both the competitive and novelty events throughout the day. It was a great day for both staff and students, with many members of staff jumping in and earning valuable points for their houses.

The Swimming Age Champions for 2022 are

12 years

Girls: Kiah McQuillan – Meares
Boys: Dean Rogers – Laver

13 years

Boys: Hunter Wyvill – Laver

14 years

Girls: Maddison Anderson – Armstrong
Boys: Luke Smith – Laver

15 years

Girls: Hannah Ryan – Laver
Boys: Seth Machin – Meares

16 years

Girls: Tegan Kelly – Tucker
Boys: Declan James - Tucker

17 years and Over

Girls: Isabelle Fletcher – Tucker
Boys: Lachlan Balmain – Armstrong

The final house tally saw the Tucker Kangaroos defend their crown to go back to back following their victory at the swimming carnival in 2021.

1st – Tucker Kangaroos
2nd – Armstrong Sharks
3rd – Laver Crocodiles
4th – Meares Dingos

Congratulations to the Tucker Kangaroos, and to all the Rockhampton State High School students who represented their houses with pride!

Tom Lorette
Year 8 Co-ordinator

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