31 October 2022

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

World Teachers, Support Staff and Volunteers Day 28 October

Sincere thanks to our P&C, RACQ and JCU for assisting in sponsoring our event to celebrate the contribution of all to this fine school!

Traditionally we acknowledge the work of our Outstanding Volunteers who have given invaluable support to our students. This year we acknowledged parent and former RSHS student Brett Ruff, and our outgoing RSHS school Chaplain, Damien Clements.

Brett has been working with the school since we introduced the Human Powered Vehicle program in 2017. He was instrumental in the design and build of Spotto – our school-built bike. He performs upgrades to the vehicles and in 2022 implemented a new gear system into Rampage. He has donated materials (cycling shoes and trailer) maintained vehicles (often in the middle of the night) and attended all of the competitions (usually outside Rockhampton). He has on occasion driven the trailer with the bikes to the locations.

Damien Clements (Chappy) began at RSHS in October 2012. In this time, despite his busy portfolio, Chappy has given up his own time to attend camps, excursions and sporting events. For example, he has run breakfast club, implemented and run the Mentor program, managed girls’ soccer and Futsal. He has attended countless school excursions, worked hard to assist all students… and has cooked more that 30 000 sausages at additional school events organised by our support team (such as at Wear It Purple Day, Are You Ok Day). We wish Damien all the best in his new endeavours.

Well done Brett and Damien!

Cert III Rural Operations

Congratulations to our 15 students currently undergoing this certificate. They have not missed a day and their application and behaviour in the course has been exemplary. Great work boys, and to our senior schooling team.

Term 4 Events

As usual we have significant events this term to acknowledge the hard work and achievements of our students; at the Sports Awards (2 Nov) Awards Night (10 Nov) and the Arts Gala (11 Nov). We farewell our 12s with their Formal (16 Nov), Valedictory (18 Nov) and our 10s with their Dinner dance (25 Nov).

During this busy and exciting time we are also preparing year 7s, 8s and 9s for their final assessment and reporting for the year. In the last week of school (5-8 Dec) they will be completing important skilling sessions (literacy, numeracy, keyboarding and physical activity). All this hard work will culminate in a pool day (paid for by the school) on 9 Dec Please visit the school’s Facebook page for information as we approach the end of the 2022 school year.

Kirsten Dwyer
Principal

Work Inspiration

Rockhampton State High School works closely with The Smith Family on the Growing Careers Project. One of these valuable programs is Work Inspiration. This is an employer-led initiative that provides young people with opportunities to experience the world of work first hand in a meaningful and inspiring way.

Year 10 and 11 students participated in Work Inspiration during Term 3. They visited Hartecs Group (Civil Engineers), Headricks Lane and JBS Meatworks to tour their facilities and speak to current employees about careers in these industries.

Trudy Crow
HOD – Senior Schooling

Work Experience Appreciation – Term 3, 2022

Senior students at Rockhampton State High School had the opportunity to participate in work experience during Term 3 and in the school holidays. Students undertook a variety of placements in areas such as mechanical, veterinary, engineering, butchery, electrical, hospitality, aviation, childcare 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 3:

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 4920 4318.

Danielle Barnes
FEET First Program - Work Experience Coordinator

Short Courses Open the Door to Industry

Students at Rockhampton State High School engage in a range of short vocational courses through our FEET First program. During Term 3, students completed First Aid, White Card (Construction Safety), Responsible Services of Alcohol (RSA) and Responsible Gambling Services (RGS).

Completion of these courses will enable our students to work in any industries that require accreditation in these areas.

Rockhampton State High School would like to thank CQUniversity and SDS Training for facilitating these courses on our school campus.

Ellie Dallow
FEET First Coordinator

QMCA Youth Parliament team visits Rockhampton State High School

The Year 11 Legal Studies class and a group of Year 10 Civics and Citizenship students worked with the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament team to strengthen their understanding of the Queensland Parliament and the legislative process.

The students debated a fictional proposed law (Community Protection “Pen Licence” Youth Bill 2022) and shared their feedback on the appropriateness of this bill with the class in a mock parliament session. This activity focussed on the students’ ability to speak in front of the group and highlighted the theatre of parliamentary debate.

The students were encouraged to apply for the 2023 program of the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament. This is a great opportunity for young people to engage with public speaking, write a Bill, shadow their local Member of Parliament and meet young people from across the state. The young people who visited the school were former members of the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament program.

Mrs Trudy Crow
Legal Studies Teacher

JCU HEROS in HEALTH

Year 11 students, Alex and Jasmin spent two days participating in the James Cook University (JCU) “Heroes in Health” program, a joint collaboration between JCU and the Rockhampton Mater Hospital.

During the program, the students toured the hospital including the operating theatres and the maternity ward. They also participated in a pharmacy activity, suturing and practiced CPR. A visit to the physiotherapy and occupational therapy wards involved hands on activities to understand these professions.

Alex and Jasmin listened to a wide range of health professionals talk about their roles in the hospital as well as their career journeys.

Rockhampton State High School would like to thank the Mater Hospital and JCU for offering this opportunity to our students.

Penny Peers
Youth Support Coordinator

Year 7 Cybersecurity Talks

All of our Year 7 classes were lucky enough to spend one lesson with IBM and BOP Industries presenters, Maddie and Elliott, talking all things cybersecurity. Students spoke about their online footprint and how to keep themselves safe online, as well as how to spot a scam.

The continued rapid growth of the Cyber world and the easy of accessibility has the potential to put everyone in a venerable position. Cyber safety talks are important to have both at school and at home. There are a lot of resources that parents can utilise to assist with the monitoring and continued safety of their children.

The School Based Police Officer, Officer Marshall has also been talking to the year 7 students about Cyber Safety and delivering the “Think you Know” program to all year levels.

If you have any concerns or wish to speak to Officer Marshall please feel free to contact her at the school or at the Child Protection Investigation Unit of Rockhampton Police station PH 49323570.

Cyber safety resources and how/what to report:

What you can report to eSafety | eSafety Commissioner

Lunchtime Warriors

This term the year 7 students are diligently working on a sustainability unit in English. Throughout the year, a group of three junior school boys, Tyler, Tylor and Bryan, have lived the ‘sustainability ethos’ by cleaning up the rubbish around the school grounds each day. To date they have collected a significant amount of refuse from the school yards.

The boys are committed to ensuring the grounds are in pristine condition. One of the key foci has been cleaning out the waterways around the school. Given the current unpredictable, inclement weather, cleaning the drains ensures that when it rains, the water easily runs away. This means that water spreading over surface areas is kept to a minimum, reducing slip hazards.

This sustainability initiative is a great community service which benefits the whole Rockhampton State High School learning community.

Well done Tyler, Bryan and Tylor.

Sharon Dekkers

Oz-Tag Competition

On Saturday 15th October Rockhampton State High School entered seven teams in the CQ All Schools Oz-Tag competition. Six of the seven teams played in the semi-finals, with the 9/10 Girls team coming runners up in their competition, and our Open Boys and Open Mixed teams winning their divisions! It was a fantastic day for all students and staff involved and we are so proud of the effort of our participants and how they represented our school.

Mrs Sinnamon

Gala Night @ RSHS

The Arts department will be hosting our annual Gala Night @ RSHS. Bring the whole family along for a night of Music, Drama and Visual Art. We will be beginning the night in I block, to celebrate the successes of our Visual Art students and the fantastic work they have produced. We then move to the Performing Arts block to watch performances from our Instrumental Music, Drama and Music students!

Friday, 11th November (Week 6)
5:30 - 7:00pm
Free event.

Keep an eye out for invitations that went home to students in Week 3.

Paige Hennessey
HOD - Arts

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