15 August 2022
Newsletter Articles
From the Principal
Huge thanks to the members of the P&C, Chaplaincy committee, students, staff and parents who parked cars for the Rocky Swap on Saturday 6 August. Particular thanks to our Car Parking Convenor Claire Morrison, assisted by former President Paula Ireland, for their time and expertise on the day. Thanks to P&C members and their families - Jeremy Bowen, Geoff Balmain, Jayne Cho - as well as numerous school staff and other volunteers. Funds raised by Swap Meet parking will be used for school enhancements for the benefit all students.
We look forward to seeing students and parents at our Year 10 SET Plan evening on Wed 24 August. Students have received information regarding booking for this important event. Should you have any questions, please contact our main office (49204333).
Wear It Purple Day will be celebrated on Friday 26 August. Wearing purple on this day symbolises support of diversity in our school community. Wear It Purple is a wellbeing initiative to support LGBTQIA+ youth. At Rockhampton State High School we accept our students for who they are, and believe all should feel a sense of belonging and respect. On this day students may wear purple ($1), free dress ($2) or school uniform. If wearing free dress/purple this is not to be combined with school uniform items, and usual standards apply (no makeup, jewellery, inappropriate clothing). Our Guidance Officers are planning events for our students at first lunch, including free food, displays and music. Funds raised will go to our Student Representative Council.
We wish our students and parents all the best in the remaining five weeks of term! Term 3 reports will be issued by mid-October.
Kind regards
Kirsten Dwyer
Important Dates
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24 AUG |
SET Plan evening Year 10 |
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2 SEPT |
Student Free Day |
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7 SEPT |
P & C Meeting 6.30pm |
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16 SEPT |
Last Day Term 3 |
Senior Schooling
JCU UniX Roadshow rolled into Rockhampton State High School
The James Cook University mobile centre arrived at the school this week with interactive activities for students to engage with. Our students could take a virtual reality tour and be transported to the Cairns and Townsville campuses or participate in interactive activities involving pharmacy, fitness and business.
There were Future Student Advisors along with current JCU students available to answer questions and share their university experiences with our students. The visitors reported that our students were responsive, respectful and very interested in their activities.
Year 10 students plan their future education and training
Year 10 is a critical time for students to make informed decisions about the next phase of their learning. The senior phase will present many opportunities in the form of academic study, school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, CQUniversity courses and work experience just to name a few.
In order to assist students to make meaningful decisions, a number of key activities have been organised. The most significant activity is the formation of the 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 24 August between 3.30 – 6.30pm in the Library. At this interview, each student’s SET Plan will be reviewed to ensure they have made sound decisions to achieve their career aspirations. This is the final stage of processing your student’s enrolment into Senior Schooling at Rockhampton State High School. This SET Plan review is essential to validate your student’s subjects for 2023. If you cannot attend this interview, please contact the school prior to 24 August.
The students have been given interview booking information. The School Online Booking System “SOBS” will be used to select the preferred time.
For more information about your student’s options for the senior phase of learning, please do not hesitate to contact the school on 49204333.
CQUniversity Open Day – 21 August 2022
Help your children take control of their future at CQU’s Rockhampton Open Day. Connect with CQU's teaching staff, discover their huge range of TAFE and university courses, and learn more about the outstanding range of student support services. Register online and you’ll be kept up to date with the latest event info and you’ll automatically enter the draw to WIN one of three prizes: Macbook Air, Apple Watch SE or Apple AirPods.* *Terms and condition apply. Available at cqu.edu.au/competitions
https://www.cqu.edu.au/open-days
Students Try Construction Trades
During Term 3, a group of Year 12 students attended the Construction Skills Queensland Try’a Trade Program at CQUniversity. The Try’a Trade program allows students to try different construction trades in one day, to potentially find the one that could be right for them. The activity is organised by WorldSkills Queensland and CQUniversity. It is delivered in an interactive setting that allows students to try their hand at various skill and trade areas. All of the students who attended were very good representatives for our school.
Students Experience the Law in Action
Mrs Crow’s Year 11 Legal Studies class visited the Rockhampton Court House to witness the justice system in action. The students observed hearings in the Magistrate’s Court which consisted of summary hearings for minor offences. They also visited the Supreme Court and observed the sentencing process for two serious drug offenders.
School-based police officer, Senior Constable Natasha Marshall, took the class on a tour of the Rockhampton Police Station where they learnt about the different roles fulfilled by our local officers.
To learn about the justice system first-hand was a valuable experience for the students and complements their learning of Legal Studies.
Sasha Gains Ergon Apprenticeship
Year 12 student Sasha Godfrey has successfully gained a school-based apprenticeship at Ergon Energy as a result of successful work experience placement in Term 1.
On completion of Year 12, Sasha will transition to a full-time apprenticeship completing a Certificate III in Electricity Supply Industry– Distribution Overhead.
Sasha reports that this was a pathway she wanted to follow due to family history in the electrical industry. Her supervisor reported that Sasha was punctual, a good communicator, team oriented and had great enthusiasm for someone of her age.
Sasha’s story proves that work experience is not only valuable to expose students to an industry but also for an employer to search for potential employees.
Please contact the FEET First program for more information about work experience and school-based apprenticeship.
Congratulations Sasha!
Work Experience Appreciation – Term 2, 2022
Senior students at Rockhampton State High School had the opportunity to participate in work experience during Term 2 and in the school holidays. Students undertook a variety of placements in areas such as mechanical, veterinary, engineering, real estate, electrical, heavy vehicle diesel fitting, animal care, automotive and various other trades.
Rockhampton State High School would like to thank the following businesses for their generous support of our work experience program during Term 2:
Wideland Trucks
Pierce Engineering
Elders Real Estate
Torenbeek Veterinary Clinic
Connors Welding
Ian Weigh Toyota
STT Electrical Services
FG Mechanical
Kevin Miller Racing
Briskey Lee Mechanical
Penti-M Engineering
Congratulations must also go to the students who took up this opportunity. The feedback from all host employers was very positive.
For further information about work experience placements or hosting a student, please do not hesitate to contact the FEET First program staff on 49204318.
FEET First Program welcomes new staff member
The FEET First Program provides students with information, programs and events to assist their 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 and Training in Schools (VETiS) courses, as well as those seeking to transition into full time employment or training. This can include assisting students with the preparation of resumes, cover letters and applications for employment, as well as how to prepare for job interviews.
The staff in the FEET First Program source work experience placements and vocational education and training opportunities. Students wishing to access the program can find the staff in the Senior Learning Centre.
The FEET First Program also provides a jobs vacancy list, which is updated on a weekly basis. These opportunities are advertised through the student notices, emails and the program’s Facebook page. Students and parents are encouraged to 'like' the Rockhampton State High School – FEET First Facebook page for the latest employment opportunities.
The program would like to extend a warm welcome Ms Danielle Barnes who will take up the position of Work Experience Coordinator from Monday 8 August. Students are encouraged to see Danielle regarding their next work experience placement which for Year 10 students is Week 10 of Term 3. Thank you to Dale Fouracre who fulfilled the role of Work Experience Coordinator with such professionalism and enthusiasm for the past 5 years.
Trudy Crow
HOD – Senior Schooling
Music
Fusion 2022 - Instrumental Music
Last weekend, 14 of our Instrumental Music students participated in Fusion - a community band project run by Capricornia Silver Band Inc. Students had the opportunity to workshop and rehearse more challenging music for a concert, participating in a massed band, with Capricornia Silver Academy Band and Glenmore State High School Instrumental Music students. The concert was entertaining and a great way to showcase the musical abilities of students in our community.
As thanks for participating in this project, the organisation donated one of the pieces we performed in the workshop to our school which was received with appreciation. Our students were well presented and, on several occasions throughout the weekend, people commented on the high standard of behaviour and respect they saw demonstrated.
Our thanks go to the committee of Capricornia Silver Band Inc, their Musical Director - Jacinta Delalande, and the members of the Capricornia Silver Academy Band for giving their time and effort to provide such a worthwhile opportunity for our students. Thanks must also go to families for taking the time on the weekend to transport students to and from the workshops and for supporting our students by attending the concert.
Instrumental Music Program – Additional places now available!
With the addition of our new Strings teacher this semester, Miss Madison Dyer, we are now able to offer additional places in our school Instrumental Music Program. Through small group tuition, we currently have school instrument availability on the following, through our Band or Strings programs:
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Band Program |
Strings Program |
Please contact our school Instrumental Music Coordinator, Mr Bean, via email at lbean8@eq.edu.au for an ‘Expression of Interest’ form. Forms are to be returned to the Student Payment window no later than Monday 22 August.
Carly Holbeck
Senior Instrumental Music Teacher
Japanese Drumming
This week our Junior Japanese students, along with some of our primary partner QVLA students from Crescent Lagoon Primary, enjoyed the opportunity to participate in an energetic and hands-on Japanese cultural experience led by Kiyomi Sensei, a professional Tyke-oh drummer.
The students were taught how to play the Tyke-oh drum using the correct techniques and the importance of respecting the traditional instrument, all while practicing their Japanese language skills.
Students very quickly learnt to play different rhythms on the drum and gained an appreciation for the authentic sound of a Tyke-oh drum.
Sally Dee
HOD - Social Science and Languages
Sport
What a busy start to term 3 it’s been for our sports teams! We have nominated three teams in the girls touch football competition – a Year 7/8 team, a Year 9/10 team and an opens team. Our 7/8 team opened the season with a disappointing loss to Emmaus College (14-0) but our 9/10 team worked hard to finish with a 1-1 draw against the Rockhampton Grammar School. Our open team didn’t have a game in Round 1. Huge thanks to our coaches, Miss Ali Birks (7/8), Miss Phoebe Hines (9/10) and Mr Daniel Gill (opens). Week 2 games will occur on July 26 with both junior teams playing at 4pm and our seniors having a bye.
Girls soccer started the season with a washout but our two teams are rearing to go for the week 2 games against The Cathedral College. Both games will be played at Kettle Park with the juniors playing at 4pm and the seniors at 4.45pm.
Our Human Powered Vehicle teams competed in Emerald over the July 23/24 weekend. Miss Rosie Murphy, Mr Nathan Snowdon and Mr Steve Martin had a big weekend supervising the 16-hour race in very cold conditions. Both the Junior Team (Spotto) and the Senior Team (Rampage) came away with wins!
Caydence Selected in QLD Team
Congratulations to Year 10 student Caydence Fouracre who has been selected in the QLD Secondary Schools Girls’ 15 Years Rugby League team. State selection was the icing on the cake for Caydence who, as captain of the Capricornia Region team, was given the honour of reading the Players’ Ode at the opening ceremony of the four-day state championships held in Gladstone. She was the only Capricornia girl selected in the team at the championships which were attended by around 200 of the state’s top players.
It has been a long time since the last Rockhampton High student was selected in a QLD rugby league. Mark Offord of Bajool captained the QLD 15s at the Australian Championships in 1994.
Volleyball
From the 4th to the 8th of August, our school volleyball teams competed at the Queensland Volleyball Senior Schools Cup on the Gold Coast. With over 257 teams from 115 schools competing, this was a great opportunity for our teams to showcase their talents to the rest of the state. The girls team played strongly, going down in some tight matches, finishing 9th overall. The boys team made it through to the top-4 play-offs, narrowly losing by 2 points in the deciding set. The won their last match, which resulted in them finishing 5th overall.
Both teams were complemented by numerous teams and coaches for their effort and behaviour both on and off the court throughout the competition, and represented the school proudly. Thank you to the coaches (Miss Blanch and Mr Lorette) for giving up their time to coach, train and travel with the teams.
Congratulations to all those involved!
Tom Lorette
Health and Physical Education Teacher/Year 8 Co-ordinator
EXCEL Update – Term 3
Our Year 8 EXCEL students started the second half of the year with a special invitation to be part of the Bionics Challenge 2022 launch at CQUniversity’s new Advanced Technology and Innovation Centre. The students participated in a live panel discussion.
The future of bionics is safe with our Year 8 EXCEL students on the case!
Photo 3: Our Year 8 Guests with the Bionics Challenge 2022 Panel, Stuart Harreveld – motorbike accident survivor; Professor Sabina Knight – Director, Central Queensland Centre for Rural and Remote Health JCU; Dr Vanesa Bochkezanian - Lecturer in Neurological Physiotherapy, School of Health medical and Applied Sciences, CQUni; Professor Michelle Bellingan, Dean Health Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUni; Dr Linda Pfeiffer – Senior Lecturer School of Education and the Arts, CQUni; Dr Robyn Stokes – Chief Executive Officer Bionics Queensland.
Students from across the EXCEL cohort were our special helpers for our annual Year 4/5 EXCEL Immersion Day, where we welcomed students from nine of our Primary Partners.
- The Hall State School
- Crescent Lagoon State School
- Allenstown State School
- Port Curtis Road State School
- Westwood State School
- Depot Hill State School
- Gracemere State School
- Waraburra State School
- Stanwell State School
Students immersed themselves in a world of problem solving as they worked as Detectives to solve a case of ‘Who-dunnit?’. They collaborated throughout the day as they worked with Rockhampton State High School teachers, Miss Sally DEE (HOD Humanities and Business), Miss Paige Hennessy (HOD The Arts), Mr Collis Holloway, Ms Clare Bielenberg, and Mrs Teri Garner (HOD English) to build specific Forensics Skills including unearthing evidence, drawing suspects, lifting fingerprints, chromatography and creative writing. We hope the visiting students enjoyed the day as much as we did!
Breeha Sinnamon
QVSA Central Queensland Coordinator | EXCEL Coordinator
Youth Entrepreneur Summit
Advance Queensland and the Office of the Queensland Chief Entrepreneur have offered scholarships for youth in Years 7 – 12 from disadvantaged backgrounds to attend the Youth Entrepreneur Summit (YES) held in Redland City in September (https://yesanz.com.au/redlands). Details about the event are in the attached flyer and information about the YES Scholarship Fund can be found here:
https://yesanz.com.au/sponsoredtickets
The scholarships will be available until the funds have been expended.