31 March 2023

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

As we approach the end of the term, I would like to thank you for your cooperation with the recent NAPLAN testing for our 7s and 9s. Naplan testing is an important tool for measuring the academic progress of students in Australia. It is a standardized test that is administered to all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9, and covers reading, writing, language conventions, and numeracy.

One of the main benefits of Naplan testing is that it provides a snapshot of how well students are performing in these key areas, and helps identify areas where students may need additional support or intervention. This information is not only helpful for individual students and their families, but also for teachers and schools in identifying areas where they may need to focus their efforts to improve educational outcomes. Another important aspect of Naplan testing is that it provides a consistent measure of student achievement across different schools and regions. This allows for comparisons to be made not only between students within a given school, but also between schools, regions, and states. This information can be used to identify patterns and trends in student performance, and to develop targeted strategies for improvement.

While Naplan testing is not the only measure of student achievement or school performance, it is an important tool in the overall assessment of educational outcomes.

However, Naplan testing should not be viewed as the sole measure of a student's academic progress or potential. Students are complex individuals with unique talents, interests, and learning styles, and there are many important aspects of a student's education that cannot be measured by a standardized test. It is important to view Naplan testing as one tool among many in the ongoing assessment and evaluation of student progress and success. Students will be issued with their term 1 report early in term 2. Please contact your child's teacher in the first instance if you would like to discuss their progress.

We would like to wish you and your family a safe and relaxing vacation, and look forward to welcoming your child back to school after the holiday break!

Kind regards
Kirsten Dwyer

Date Claimers - 2023

These dates are subject to change. To stay up to date with what is happening around the school follow us on our Facebook page.

Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing Survey

In Term 2, students in Years 7 to 9 will be asked to take part in the Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing (QEW) Survey.

We know that wellbeing and engagement are important parts of your child’s life at school. The QEW Survey is designed to measure how students view their wellbeing and engagement across different topics. The information we get from the survey helps us better understand and support our students.

An information letter will be to students closer to the time. If you have any questions, please contact the school. More information, including FAQs, can be found on the Education website:

Senior Schooling

2023 Next Step Year 12 Completers Survey – A message for 2022 graduates

Students who completed Year 12 in 2022 will soon receive an invitation to do the Next Step survey. The short five-minute survey asks graduates about the study and work they have been doing since finishing school. The results from the survey help our school improve our senior programs and prepare students for work and further study.

We ask parents, siblings and friends to encourage our graduates to complete the survey. If their contact details have changed, please assist survey interviewers with their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate. Graduates may receive an invitation by mail, email or phone. The survey can be completed online or by phone.

This survey is in addition to the contact made by the school’s FEET First program staff offering assistance to graduates who are yet to find a meaningful post-school pathway.

For more information about Next Step, including previous results, visit the link below:

For more information on how the FEET First program can help your young person, please contact the Program Coordinator, Ellie Dallow, on 49204391 or email edall32@eq.edu.au .

Trudy Crow
HOD – Senior Schooling

Officer Brady visits our Legal Studies class

Officer in Charge – SBPO, Brendan Brady, recently visited the Year 11 Legal Studies class to strengthen the students understanding of police powers and responsibilities and the various laws that governs the work performed by police officers on a daily basis. This information is relevant to their understanding of Unit 1 of the Legal Studies syllabus – Beyond Reasonable Doubt.

As well as sharing his extensive policing experience, Officer Brady explained the procedures to conduct street checks, property searches (with and without warrants), search of persons, questioning processes and processes to deal with juvenile offenders. The students now have a clear understanding of these everyday police processes.

The class sincerely appreciates Officer Brady for giving up his time to visit our school.

Trudy Crow
Legal Studies Teacher

Students experience university life

Year 12 students got a taste of student life during the CQU University Experience. They had a great day participating in classes, meeting current university students and learning about course entry pathways and support services. They also explored the campus and networked with students from other secondary schools in the area.

The teachers who accompanied the students reported that they were engaged in the sessions and were excellent representatives for the school.

CQUniversity will visit Rockhampton State High School in Term 2 to deliver their CQUni Connect Program to Year 12 students. This program contains aspiration-building and career-focused content and is run by current CQUniversity degree students.

For more information, please contact the Senior Schooling office.

Trudy Crow
HOD – Senior Schooling

Girls Work on their Trade Skills

It’s been a busy term for young women interested in manufacturing and engineering! In February, four of our Year 10 students participated in the QMEA “GETT in Resources” Trade and Technology Workshop. The workshop, held at the Rockhampton City CQUniversity campus, showcased the many opportunities that exist for determined young women in the engineering, electrical, and mining sectors. Students were led in five different trade activities which highlighted the different jobs you can do if you decide to become an apprentice in areas such as boiler-making, electrical, and more. What’s more, each activity was led by a current female apprentice, so students could get real firsthand knowledge about the industry and what it’s like to pursue a career in such a male dominated field.

Some of the activities included wiring up a model lighting harness for a car, following written schematics to power up pneumatic pistons, disassembling and assembling a small engine casing, and using computer technology to write code for an LED circuit. The cherry on top however, had to be the VR welding rig that students got to try their hand at. With all of the difficulty and none of the risk factor, students got to see what welding can be like in the comfort of an air-conditioned classroom!

Just when you think it couldn’t get better, in March, five Year 10 girls participated in the Queensland Manufacturing Industry’s “Women Who Weld” program, where they spent the day exploring trade skills (including MIG welding) and the many possible pathways into the advancing manufacturing sector. Students got to try their hand at two different types of weld, and put together their very own metal tree as a keepsake. If there was ever any doubt that welding was for girls, then surely these young ladies have proven it wrong.

Ellie Dallow and Tiarni Nichols
FEET First Program

Year 7 Students Visit Fitzroy River Water Treatment Plant

During Term 1, Year 7 students have been completing the science unit “Water – Waste not, Want Not”. While studying the unit students learnt about the water cycle and the importance of preserving this natural resource. On the 9th of March the Year 7 EXCEL class were lucky enough to embark upon a tour of Rockhampton’s water treatment facility. The students were able to observe the procedures water goes through during the treatment process. This included the intake point from the Fitzroy River, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection and storage of the potable water. They also observed the control room and attended the conference room for a PowerPoint presentation. The excursion consolidated what the students have been learning in class and was overall a valuable experience for those involved.

Jessica Scanlan
Teacher - Science

Successful Scholastic Book Fair 2023

In Week Eight, the Year Ten Economics and Business class coordinated the Annual Scholastic Book Fair. This year’s event was pirate themed, Bookaneer – where books are the real treasure. It provided an opportunity for our students to gain experience in operating a business venture. The students creatively marketed the event with posters, a photo booth and a lucky duck treasure hunt. This resulted in our school exceeding our targeted sales of $1000.00. Scholastic Australia then generously allowed students to choose $375 worth of new titles for our school library. We sincerely thank staff and students who attended our fair as customers and contributed towards our new library books. The Year Ten class performed well and are to be congratulated on their success! We look forward to offering the Book Fair again in 2024!

Rachael Simpkins
Teacher - Year Ten Economics and Business

Girls Rugby League – Term 2, 2023

The season is set to kick off in Week 2 of Term 2 – Wednesday the 26th of April.

With some 60+ sign-ons RSHS are fielding three teams this year, one each in the year 7 and 8 division, 9 and 10s, and the 11 and 12s. Training has started for the seniors on Wednesday afternoons, however this will move to Monday’s in Term 2. Training for other divisions will begin after the Easter break. Some of the girls in the senior division are grand final winners from 2021 and they are keen to regain their title this year! There is a lot of energy and enthusiasm amongst the players.

Permission forms have been sent out and are due back, with payment to the Cash Collection Window by Friday, 21 April 2023.

Players will need appropriate football boots and a mouthguard. Jersey’s will be provided by the school.

Megan Findlater
Girls’ Rugby League Coordinator

Reminder - School Fees Are Due

Statements have been mailed out to families with outstanding school fees.

Please be advised we have the following options available for parents/guardians to pay for their child/ren’s school fees:-

• QKR! App - Online with Mastercard or Visa
• BPOINT – Details are included on the Statement
• Credit Card over the phone – Contact the office
• Payment Plans - Please contact the office to arrange
• In person at the Rockhampton High School Office (Cash or EFTPOS)
• Direct Deposit – Contact the office for bank account details

If you have any queries regarding your statements, please contact the Accounts Dept on 4920 4330.

School Photos

School photos have been issued to students in form class for those who purchased them from MSP Photography. If your child[ren] did not receive them they are now awaiting collection from Student Services.

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