Issue No. 257 - 3 February 2017

Newsletter Articles

Great start to the year with our annual Battle of the Sexes Swimming Competition

From the Executive Principal

We are looking to build strength and depth in each of these areas. We have elected to maintain the same focus areas in order to build momentum.

Welcome

A very warm welcome to the 2017 school year and our first newsletter for 2017. It has been good to welcome our students, both new and returning. We hope that every family has had an enjoyable time through the Christmas break. We extend a warm State High welcome to the new families who have joined us and we look forward to building our work with all of our students over the coming year.

Our Parent Information Handbook is available on our website and contains information about the organisation of Brisbane State High. Please take the time to read through the handbook and keep it for your reference. In the handbook you will find information about the day-to-day operations of the school, together with contact information for key personnel.

Every student is important to us. We have a few more than last year, with 3,182 counted last week.

We have around 539 Year 7 students joining us this year. We have had quite a few new students in other year levels too.

After our four year review last year, we have some planning to complete for the next four years. What the review confirmed was the strong footing we have for our work. As a result, this year, we will continue with our three school priorities. We are looking to build strength and depth in each of these areas. We have elected to maintain the same focus areas in order to build momentum. To focus our work for maximum impact, we have identified six specific items:

Class of 2016

I am very pleased for our graduating students of 2016. There were some very excited students as they received results and news of their offers for this year. For the first time, we had 100% of students complete the requirements for a QCE. We are committed to ensuring that every student achieves this qualification. We had 379 students complete a vocational qualification, including the first 23 students to complete a Diploma course at school. 99.4% of our students achieve a Queensland Certificate of Education.

In terms of OP results, we had more students in each of the upper results than any other school in Queensland. This gives you an idea of the quality of the work of our students. They worked very hard. We had 51 students achieve an OP1. In addition, we had 49 students achieve an OP2, that’s a total of 100. This is the first of the centuries we celebrate in our results. We had 203 (46%) of our students achieve an OP between 1 and 5. There were 325 (73%) with OPs between 1 and 10. We had 401 (90%) students achieve an OP1-15.

For the purpose of tertiary entrance, though, there were 98 students who obtained an equivalent of a 1 and 131 the equivalent of an OP2, as they had scored bonus ranks for particular studies.

Our students had another exceptional year. I’d like to congratulate them on their hard work over an extended period of time, while acknowledging that they had excellent support from classroom teachers and their mentors.

State High Roof Top Ball

The P&C is pleased to announce that the State High Rooftop Ball tickets are now available to purchase via the link below.

Tickets are $90.00 each or $80.00 per ticket for groups of 10 or more. Pre-purchase drink packages are available to buy with your ticket, buy nine drinks and get one free. Click on the above link for more information.

The event aims to bring together our school community for a night of entertainment. If you didn’t attend last year and would like to know more, there is plenty of information at the link below. Tickets are selling fast, I would love to see you at this exciting school community event, please purchase your tickets today!

Staff

This year, we have a large number of new staff members and welcome to our school the following new teaching staff:

The following staff members have returned after taking some time on Maternity Leave. We welcome back:

• Ms Natalie Coleman – Head of Learning & Enrichment
• Ms Bec Johnson – Head of Year - Transitions
• Ms Bec Nicholas – Pedagogy Coach

With some of our Heads of Department taking leave at the start of the year, the following staff will be replacing these roles:

• Ms Anna Dollman – Head of Languages (Semester 1)
• Ms Aimee Gust – Head of The Arts (Semester 1)
• Ms Jacky Hodges – Head of Business (Term 1)

Extra-Curricular Department

We have put some additional support into the Extra-Curricular program. The following staff join Ms Jo Duffy, our Head of Extra-Curricular:

• Ms Laura Craig – Director of Cultural Activities (Semester 1)
• Ms Anita Woodward – Director of QGSSSA & Girls’ Activities
• Mr Graham Noon continues in the role of Director of GPS & Boys’ Activities

We have implemented new roles (and titles) for our Extra-Curricular Support Officers (ECSOs). Ms Jenny O’Sullivan continues with QGSSSA and Girls’ Activities, Ms Karen Matheson continues with GPS and Boys’ Activities and Mr Alex Kucharski will be our Cultural Activities ECSO.

Support Staff

We welcome to the following support staff who join us this year:

• Ms Belinda Blaho – Accounts Receivable
• Mr Mark Gray – IT Manager
• Ms Sue Jennings – Governance & Development Manager
• Mr Tony Jongenburger – IT Technician
• Ms Chris Kontoudious – A Block Receptionist (Tue/Wed/Fri)
• Ms Jill Madden – H Block Receptionist (mornings)
• Ms Karen Topp-Condon – Accounts Payable

Key Dates – Semester 1

Please note the following key days during Semester 1. These events are all listed in our 2017 Student Diary. I encourage you to keep checking our website for these details.

Academic Competitions

OAM

I’d like to add my congratulations to Charlotte Caslick, our Olympian and 2012 Graduate, who was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM). We’re very proud of Charlotte, she is inspirational and humble.

We’re looking forward to another great year as we enjoy the opportunity to work with you and our students.

Mr Wade Haynes, Executive Principal

State High Foundation

State High Connect

The State High Foundation was established to ensure sustained excellence in the educational and extra-curricular programs offered by the school. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors of prominent past students working with the school, independent of the Education Department.

The State High Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of our online community website, State High Connect. To register go to the State High Connect website.

State High Connect enables past students and staff of Brisbane State High School to connect to the school, alumni and the various associations connected to our school.

As a member of the State High Connect community, past students and staff can log into the site where they can:

• connect with friends who previously attended Brisbane State High School
• read about and register for upcoming reunions and events
• keep up-to-date with important information via newsletters, news and alerts
• post and share photos and announcements
• add business details and post or look for a job within our Directory
• purchase State High merchandise/memorabilia

The site also offers current students and parents of the school the ability to connect to the State High Foundation, P&C Association and Past Students’ Association. Current students and parents can also access State High Connect to read about and register for upcoming school events and be able to purchase State High merchandise online.

We look forward to welcoming you to State High Connect!

Mrs Kim Turner, Foundation Development Officer

Dean of Students

We have had another successful beginning to the year:

• 546 Year 7 students have commenced their high school learning, beginning that transition from primary to high school;
• Over 50 new students from Year 8 to 12 have transitioned into State High from other schools and other states or countries;
• 2,594 of our students have returned for another year of State High.

My congratulations go out to all of our students for such a positive beginning to this new year and I look forward to seeing this commitment to our school values continue in how you challenge yourself with your learning, show tolerance of one another and wear our school uniform – including a hat – with pride. For all students, the beginning of the year allows them to reflect on their achievements – strong learning behaviours to be continued, as well as those that require further improvement – with targeted goal setting activities undertaken across all of our year levels. This activity forms the foundation for the rest of the year and is a plan for success that our students will be revisiting at key junctures throughout the year.

Year Level Information Evenings

I also welcome our wider community of parents and partners who are beginning their connections to the State High family, as well as our returning families; I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible throughout this year. I’d like to remind you of the upcoming Year Level Information Evenings which will begin in Week 3. These sessions are a key opportunity for parents and partners to engage with the Heads of Year, primarily, and hear about specific focus and details of key events that will impact the students throughout the year. They are also an opportunity to meet with the key personnel who will be working with your students this year, as well as create connections and renew friendships with other parents and partners within our State High community. More details are available on our website calendar –

Uniforms

As always, we will be focusing on students wearing the correct uniform and student behaviour. For the first, our school Uniform Policy clearly outlines the community expectations and dress standards for our students and the wearing of the uniform. As a quick reminder, all students are expected to dress in full school uniform at all times unless otherwise directed (with Sports/HPE uniform to not be worn to and from school). Especially with temperatures and blazing sunshine at the moment, all students are to wear their Formal School Hat when travelling to and from school, during lunch breaks and when moving between classes.

Student Behaviour

At our assembly on Monday, I spoke to the students about expected behaviour on public transport. For our students who use train, bus and citycat services, can I please ask you to remember:

• Ensure that you are not filling a seat when full fare paying adults are standing around you;
• Be considerate of the tone, volume and subject matter of your conversations (and remember that if we can hear your music through your ear buds, it might be too loud!);

I set you all the challenge around seeing praise from the public in how we act outside of the school grounds – I maintain this as an opportunity for students to be acknowledged for the embodiment of the State High value of respect.

We feel very proud when we receive messages advising of our students’ great behaviour, such as this email we received recently:

“… I think students from Brisbane State High, generally speaking, are one of the best behaved groups of school students I regularly encounter on the trains. I do try to avoid the crowds at school times but sometimes this is not possible. Each time I have caught the train this week, I have been in crowded carriages of mostly young adults (not school students) and not once have I been offered a seat until this morning. This morning, as soon as I stepped up into the carriage, a young girl rose and pointed to her now vacant seat. State High Students, along with St Laurence’s boys, are the best at clearing doorways and aisles to let others through. They are also respectful of the ‘Quiet Carriage’.

Please pass on my comments re their good behaviour.”

Campus Officers

I’d like to take the opportunity to remind our State High community about our Campus Officers and the role they play to support our students with good decision making. Both Mrs Dora Sewell and Mr Ilsoni Waqa work closely with myself, the Heads of School and the Heads of Year to ensure that our students are acting responsibly and appropriately in relation to:

• Their own safety and the well-being of others;
• Appropriate behaviour on public transport;
• Regular attendance at school, in class, and for all additional events;
• Pride in their appearance and manner towards others;
• Respect for their environment.

Our Campus Officers are a visible presence for all of our students to assist in a positive experience here a State High.

Ms Joanna (Jo) Bennett, Dean of Students

Student Achievements

This fortnight we have a number of outstanding student achievements to celebrate, recognise and congratulate. We are proud of the diverse range of achievements of our students and are excited to celebrate with them. BLUE-RED-BLUE!

We endeavour to recognise all our students’ achievements. If you are aware of any other student accomplishments that we should celebrate, please do not hesitate to advise us via email – newsletter@brisbaneshs.eq.edu.au.

Past Students’ Achievements

University of Cambridge

We are extremely proud to hear about the success of two of our students from the Class of 2016 who have been accepted into the University of Cambridge. Miss Clare Francis was accepted into Trinity College to study Human, Social and Political Science and Miss Joy Jia was accepted into Queens College where she will study Law. We wish them every success!

Clare Francis

Joy Jia

University of New England

Another successful student is Mr Thanikeshan Murugananthan, Class of 2016, who has been accepted into the University of New England to study Medicine. We wish him the best in his future endeavours.

Student Voice

Senior Leadership Group

Bleed the Blue-Red-Blue

When I first came to State High, in 2013, I had just moved interstate, so I knew no one. I walked into this big, marvellous, incredibly intimidating mystery with absolutely no idea what it would contain. My first day was a little scary, but within only a couple of hours, I began to feel like I was genuinely valued and part of the school.

Throughout the next few years, I gathered my friends to go to every event I could, Battle of the Sexes, Interhouse and Interschool Athletics and Swimming Carnivals, Debating Finals, Fanfare, the list goes on. I would always, without fail, end up leaving the venue with no voice (even once the day before the musical audition - that was a bit awkward). I particularly remember last year I war-cried so hard that my throat actually bled. When I found out I started laughing so hard that my friends were concerned I couldn’t breathe, before I turned to them, tears in my eyes, and whispered, “I literally bleed the Blue-Red-Blue”, before continuing to laugh in immense pain.

The thing is, I very rarely actually knew any of the people competing, and the moment I realised this, I finally understood why State High was the stupendously unique and amazing school it is. Other schools may have very tight-knit 120-person year levels, but at State High, you don’t need to know everyone, because within a year you automatically gain a profound respect for the rest of the school. When I am at an out-of-school event and find someone from State High, whether they be a current or past student, we automatically connect and chat – almost like when you find another Australian in a different country. Being at State High makes you a part of the biggest, most valuable and most powerful family you could ever hope to belong to, and you may not know your distant cousins, but you can rest assured that if you ever need them, you can rely on them and they know they can rely on you.

I’ve loved this family since early 2013 and despite the fact that next year I won’t be here five days a week, I know that I will always be there for State High and State High will always be there for me.

M. Rowland, 2017 School Captain

Our Community

We would like to introduce you to a few of our new key staff members.

Ms Karla Shaw – Guidance Officer Senior School

Greetings Brisbane State High School community. My name is Karla Shaw, your new Guidance Officer in the Senior School. I have been working in Education Queensland for 12 years. After obtaining my Bachelor in Arts (History/Psychology) and Bachelor in Education (Humanities/Special Education) from the University of Queensland, I worked for six years in the Ipswich Region teaching Senior History, Learning Support and as a behaviour advisory teacher. Once completing my Masters in Educational Studies (Guidance and Counselling), I worked in a range of schools across the Scenic Rim and Logan.

Aside from my passion of working with young people, my life is consumed by family (including my energetic three year old son), travel and yoga. I love to talk about all of the above!

I am excited to be part of the BSHS community. Already after my first few weeks, I have experienced the vigour, enthusiasm and warmth of the young people and school community. I look forward to working with you and your young person.

Mr Andrew Walmsley – Head of Year 10

Hi Brisbane State High School community. My name is Andrew Walmsley and I am the new Head of Year 10. My role is to monitor student welfare for the cohort. A big part of this job is preparing Year 10 students for their subject selections for Year 11 and 12 and working with them to develop pathways for their preferred futures after school.

Previous to Brisbane State High, I worked for the Information Technology Branch of DET. My team was responsible for researching, trailing and troubleshooting new educational technology, although my bosses were adamant that all we did was play with robots.

I have also worked at Hervey Bay State High School where I taught English, Science and Marine Studies. Although I do miss taking students out on the water for boating lessons, I am excited for the challenges ahead at Brisbane State High and look forward to working with you all.

Out and About

2017 Swim Camp

The annual State High Swim Camp was held at the Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre from Sunday 15 to Tuesday 17 of January. There were 61 girls, 50 boys, four past co-captains and eight teachers who endured three days of training and ‘get to know you’ activities. The first training session on the Sunday morning was a shock wake up call for many students to get prepared for the many early mornings ahead. The camp gave the new wave of Year 7 students and other students who were interested in Swimming a fun and warm welcome into the State High Swimming community. The students not only found themselves diving into the pool at 5:30am, but also enjoying many other activities including beach games, spin bike classes, evening indoor games, beach flags, creating war cry routines, building sand castles, yoga and many more. One of the highlights of the camp was completing the AquaSplash Inflatable Park in Southport. The team gave their all in every activity and demonstrated the determination that every State High swimmer possesses. Everyone was exhausted after the three days however still grateful for a wonderful camp away. Thank you to all teachers and past captains who made the 2017 Swim Camp possible.

D. Ashcroft and J. Herman, Boys’ Swimming Co-Captains

P&C Association

Auction Donations

Once again, we are looking for donations to auction as part of the fundraising goal of this exciting annual event. Money raised will assist the redevelopment of State High’s sporting complex, Carina. We received some very generous and wonderful donations for last year’s ball from past students, families, school staff and individual parents, and raised more than $11,000 at the auction.

Thank you to those who donated generously last year, and if you can donate again for 2017, we would appreciate your ongoing support. If you missed the event last year, here’s your chance to support it in 2017. For all donation enquiries, please contact the P&C Office on 3291 4173 or pandc@brisbaneshs.eq.edu.au.

The School Locker – Fundraising Partnership

See the below flyer, for more information regarding our fundraising partnership with The School Locker. Parents use the Student Advantage Card to purchase school items such as iPads, computers, shoes, bags, stationery, sporting equipment and music requirements. Every purchase from The School Locker gives State High families special pricing. The School Locker then donates 2.5% of all sales to the P&C, to help improve resources at our school for all students. Please support this partnership when purchasing items for your student.

Employment Vacancy 2017

The P&C Association at Brisbane State High School has a vacancy for a casual canteen assistant for our canteen at our Fursden Road Sporting Complex at Carina. The position commences in March 2017. The role involves assisting with the Canteen operations, organising stock with the Canteen Manager at school, preparing food - including meals for principals and senior staff of visiting schools, as well as working with volunteers in the Canteen. You will also liaise with the relevant sub-committees for each sport. BSHS is part of the GPS (Great Public Schools Association of Queensland) and QGSSSA (Queensland Girls’ Secondary Schools Sports Association) and as such, a high standard of canteen operations is expected.

Mr Scott Slade, P&C President

Faculty News

The Arts

Welcome to 2017!

This year is going to be an incredible year in The Arts at Brisbane State High School. Not only do we welcome four new staff – Ms Laura Craig (Dance and Drama Teacher and Director of Cultural Activities), Ms Georgia Nothling (Dance and Drama), Ms Marika Steward (Dance and Media Arts), and Ms Chloe Sormez (Film and TV (FTV) and Media Arts) - but we have a year jam-packed with excitement to look forward to. We're hugely excited to be working with Brisbane playwright Ms Maxine Mellor on our school musical, 'Streets of Brisbane', a cabaret that tells the story of Brisbane through the music scene during the cloudland era. The musical will feature - amongst many - the talents of our amazing Big Band. Once again, the CREATE Arts Festival will take place on Friday 17 June and will showcase the spectacular work of The Arts curriculum students - Dance, Drama, Visual Art, Media, FTV and Music - in Semester 1.

Watch this space – there are many exciting updates to come!

Ms Aimee Gust, Acting Head of The Arts

Learning Innovation

IT Services

An exciting start to this year with the whole student and staff population using iPads in classrooms throughout the school. We pride ourselves in being a leading high school and we continue to support students, staff and parents in accessing first class learning experiences within the classroom. I would like to outline below a few of the services we will continue to deliver this term and identify ways in which you may assist your student.

Student Services

Classroom Tips and Routines

Students with iPads by now should have set up the following apps and services:

• BSHS Diary App (App4) – for homework and school policy information
• MIS Email – to access daily notices, teacher emails, etc.
• Downloaded digital textbooks and apps – iTunes U course for apps: EHA-MTC-JXH
• Goodreader – to access the school network drives and personal folder
• Papercut – to access the school printers.

For further support to help students access these services, please refer to our help guides available on the school website.

Just a reminder of the established routines around our digital learning culture for students at State High:

• Come to class prepared (i.e. with correct materials, homework done, batteries charged, resources downloaded)
• Be organised (e.g. able to connect to our network, maintain structures for organising work)
• Use iPads appropriately in the school environment (e.g. ensure content such as screen savers and software are appropriate)
• Receive the same consequences for failure to comply with the Responsible Behaviour Plan, through the faculty HOD.

App4 Digital Diary

All students have received an email with a personal username and password to access their eDiary (App4). This allows students to access and record homework tasks set by their teachers; correspond, where required, with parents and access key information such as school policies, school dates and the School Writing Guide.

If students have forgotten their password, it can be reset here.

Our school identifier is: brisbaneshs

IT Services Support Desk

This resource is available to students in lower D Block before school, at lunch breaks and after school for assistance. We have three IT technicians available to assist most days.

School Website

Our school website contains many helpful documents and guides for students and parents regarding our BYOD iPad Program. For further information, support and details on mandatory student apps, visit the link below.

State High Genius Bar

State High Genius Bar is a resource ‘powered by students to help students’ in Year 7–12 with their iPad issues. It is available in lower D Block before school and lunch times Monday to Friday. Students can access this support network to address any iPad issues they may encounter when trying to use their device in class. They can also be contacted directly via email at geniusbar@brisbaneshs.eq.edu.au.

Digital Textbook Support

Over the past week we have had Campion Education on site to assist students in the setup of their digital resources. Mr Matthew Solley has been working with students and parents to resolve digital textbook concerns as well as other issues in relation to accessing student resources. This has been very helpful in addressing many issues and we have appreciated Mr Solley’s and Campion’s support in making this a much smoother experience for our students, parents and teachers.

If students still have ongoing challenges accessing these resources, please contact Mr Solley on 0412 440 908 or via email - msolley@campion.com.au, or Campion Education directly via the customer support email - qldsupport@campion.com.au.

Mr Paul Hodges, Head of Learning Innovation

Science

Science at Brisbane State High School can happen both inside and outside the classroom, with the wonderful opportunities to use facilities that are close to our school. One of these is the World Science Festival (WSF). The engagement with science both inside and outside the classroom provides students with unique opportunities to deepen their involvement in science and to interact with local and world experts.

The opportunities to enhance classroom learning is important to the overall development of students in science and it allows them to experience a broad range of learning opportunities that deepen the range and use of science in interpreting our world.

The World Science Festival Brisbane 2017 is upon us. The WSF 2017 is committed to creating engaging experiences for students of all ages, grounded in curriculum and supporting a culture of lifelong learning. This commitment parallels our own philosophy of science and we are privileged to have this world event on our doorstep.

The WSF Brisbane Program has been planned for Thursday 23 and Friday 24 March. We are calling students who wish to make an expression of interest for the programs listed below which occur during school times.

The following selections are on offer for students to be part of the event:

Apprentice Program (Cost $10.00)

The Apprentice Program is an immersive experience for students in Year 10 to 12 who are keen to get a taste of real science in action. The Apprentice Programs are small, hands-on workshops in which scientists, technologists and innovators educate curious minds on the workings and wonder of the field of choice. On offer are:

• Microbiologist’s Apprentice
• Cancer Crusader’s Apprentice
• Museum Curator’s Apprentice
• Geneticist’s Apprentice
• Roboticist’s Apprentice

Cool Jobs (Cost $10.00)

Join Biomedical Illustrator Ms Madeleine Kersting Flynn and Marine Biologist Dr Tom Bridges to share what it takes to do some of the coolest jobs on earth and how these people inspire learning and excitement about science.

Recommended for students in Year 7-12.

Pioneers in Science (Cost $10.00)

Special guest Professor Ian Frazer, who pioneered the development of the cervical cancer vaccine, shares some personal stories, life challenges and career highlights.

Recommended for students in Year 9-12.

Expressions of Interest

Students who are interested in attending any of the above offerings, should give their name to the receptionist in A Block before Wednesday 8 February. There are limited places on offer from WSF, so please be prompt in getting expressions of interest in as it will be first in, first served.

Intern Applications at Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

Applications are now open for the QUT 2017 High School Research Internships Program.

High-achieving Year 12 students are invited to apply for a rare one week work placement under the guidance of leading QUT scientists within a real-world research project.

Internships take place over the Easter break at QUT’s partner institutes in Brisbane and are available in areas such as cancer and ageing, molecular science, infectious diseases, burns trauma, medical engineering and electron microscopy.

To be accepted into this program, students must:

• Be a current Queensland Year 12 student
• Be studying and receiving two or more VHAs in at least one of:
• A science (physics, chemistry, earth and environmental, or biology)
• Mathematics B or C
• Engineering technology
• Obtain parental/guardian permission
• Obtain a teacher, Head of Department or Principal recommendation
• Be able to attend the all dates in the program.

Please see Ms Amanda Nuell, in A Block, before Wednesday 8 February if you are interested in the Intern Application.

Ms Amanda Nuell, Head of Senior Science and
Mr Peter Cocks, Head of Junior Mathematics and Science

Extra-Curricular

Boys’ Cross Country

The 2017 Boys’ Cross Country Season commences in Week 4, on Monday 13 February, with training conducted on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. The sessions cater for the all types of runners with a variety of different running speeds catered for.

Training Information

Days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Time: 7:30am
Location: Meet at F201
Dress: State High Sports Uniform

If you have any further questions please contact me, Mr Matthew Langmack, via email mlang7@eq.edu.au.

Mr Matthew Langmack, MIC Boys' Cross Country

Brisbane Chinese Lions Club Youth of the Year Event

Details are available at the following link for students who may be interested in becoming a participant in the 2017 Lions Youth of the Year, see the link provided below.

Contemporary Music Program

Positions are open for tuition in the Contemporary Music Program which runs after school. Places are available for guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, vocals and DJ, subject to group requirements. Lessons are $25.00 per week and occur in 45 minute group sessions. Solo tuition is available for advanced students. If you have any queries or would like further information, please email Mr Alex Kucharski at akuch11@eq.edu.au.

Ms Laura Craig, Director of Cultural Activities

Girls’ Cross Country

Our Cross Country sign-on for the QGSSSA season was a great success last week. We had our largest number of running girls in the history of BSHS. To swell the numbers, many teachers, parents and past students were present to lend their support and assistance. It was a real show of team culture and a real sense of community. Our motto is ‘We are all in this together’.

It promises to be an awesome year as we work together to achieve our individual and team goals. It is never too late for girls to sign on for Girls’ Cross Country. To join, contact Mr John Davis, Girls’ Cross Country MIC, at jdavi118@eq.edu.au r attend any of the training sessions in Room C104 - Mondays 7:30am, Tuesdays 7:30am, Wednesdays 3:00pm and Fridays 7:30am.

Mr John Davis, Girls’ Cross Country MIC

GPS Football

The opportunity to register to trial for Boys’ GPS Football teams is now upon us. If your student is interested in becoming a part of the Football family at State High, please get them to complete the following survey.

Unfortunately, the opportunity to play GPS Football only extends to our male students; however any female students who are interested in playing QGSSSA are encouraged to contact Miss Emily Packer, Girls’ Football MIC, at ehpac0@eq.edu.au or details.

For those who register to trial, dates and times for the trial process will be emailed directly to applicants and will also be published in the student notices.

Mr Phil Canham, Boys’ Football MIC

House Colours

Throughout the year, we have a number of different Interhouse Carnivals where students are invited to wear their house colours. The House System was created during the 1940s. In the patriotic times of the Second World War, the Houses were named after Australian Generals of the First World War. See below for the house colours. House selection is determined by students’ last names.

Extra-Curricular Activities Office

Track and Field/Cross Country Sub-Committee Meeting

The first meeting for the sub-committee will be held on Monday 6 February in the State High Sports Complex (Room F201) commencing at 7:00pm. The committee plays an important role in supporting the students throughout the season in a variety of ways, from fundraising for gifts/equipment to assisting with training/competitions. Over the last few years, the committee has raised funds for athletes’ travel, tents, flags, water bottles and hats. It is a great way to be an active member of the sport in which your child participates. New members are always welcome.

Mr Matthew Langmack, Boys’ Cross Country MIC

The Tennis Pre-Season Development Program

BSHS Tennis and the Lifetime Coaching Team are providing our aspiring school representatives with an extensive pre-season training program from Week 2, in preparation for the Term 2 GPS and Term 3 QGSSSA seasons. Players work in small groups, similar to the in-season team environment, based on standard of play and physical development. Participants will be pushed hard to develop technical and tactical aspects of their games. The two focus groups are:

1. ‘Development’ (Boys’ GPS teams – All Year 7-8, 9B-D and 10B-D and Girls’ QGSSSA teams - Junior B-C and Senior B-C) – for players who require more focus on fundamental techniques to enable consistent point play and enable game strategy. ‘Development’ classes run Mondays 3:00pm-4:15pm and/or Thursdays 7:30am-8:45am.
2. ‘Performance’ (Boys’ GPS teams – 9A, 10A, Year 11 and Open and Girls’ QGSSSA teams – Junior A, Senior A and Open) – for ‘A’ team school representative players desiring to develop advanced technique and tactical application. ‘Performance’ classes run Tuesday and/or Friday mornings from 7:30am-8:45am.

Spaces are limited due to demands on courts so sign-on as soon as possible. Enquiries and bookings can be made at the D Block Sports Office, in person, or via 3291 4243.

Mr Jay Pike, Boys’ and Girls’ Tennis MIC

Young Athletes Travel Subsidy

The Young Athletes Travel Subsidy was developed to assist athletes and officials under 18 years of age with travel and accommodation costs associated with competing at nominated state, national and international sporting competitions.

Successful applicants may receive up to $200.00 for state, $400.00 for national and $600.00 for international events.

Applications are reimbursed after travelling to the event. For information, visit the link below.

Extra-Curricular Activities Office

School Events

School Leaders’ Induction Ceremony

Our School Leaders’ Induction Ceremony will be held on Monday 6 February at the South Bank Piazza, South Bank.

This prestigious annual school event celebrates and acknowledges our new School Leaders including School Captains, Prefects, Student Representative Council Leaders, House Leaders and Junior School Leaders for 2017.

A reminder that this is a whole school event and students must wear their formal uniform. Boys are to wear their white shirts and the school tie. Year 12 students being inducted are expected to wear their school blazer.

Mrs Susan McGinley, Marketing Manager

Student Support

Student Services

Welcome from Student Services 2017!

On behalf of Student Services, I would like to welcome students and the wider community to the start of the 2017 year. A special welcome to our new Year 7 students and all other new students.

The Student Services are located in lower B Block and provide students and staff services that aim to enhance student learning and develop self-reliance in our students.

Our Student Services staff for 2017 are:

• Dean of Students - Ms Jo(anna) Bennett
• Head of Student Services - Mr Troy Gorman
• Head of Learning and Enrichment - Ms Natalie Coleman
• Guidance Officer (Senior students) - Ms Karla Shaw (We welcome Ms Shaw to BSHS this year!)
• Guidance Officer (Junior students) - Mr Michael Graves
• Chaplain - Mr Andrew Foley
• School Based Youth Health Nurse - Ms Kim McKernan
• School Based Police Officer - Acting Senior Constable Nicola Harrison.

Other Student Services staff include admin, attendance and finance matters.

This facility reflects the importance the school places on supporting students in their academic and social wellbeing journey at State High by providing all their student needs in one place for them to access throughout the year.

We wish all students a great start to 2017.

Remember ‘attitude determines destiny’.

Mr Troy Gorman, Head of Student Services

Chaplain

Explore Faith

‘Explore Faith’ is the name of the program in place of Religious Instruction at Brisbane State High School. This optional program is available for students of all year levels and includes three streams at present - Buddhist, Christian (Catholic) and Christian (Inter-Church).

‘Explore Faith’ occurs on Monday afternoons (2:30pm-3:00pm) in A Block. Students in Year 7 can choose to go to ‘Explore Faith’ or the Monday Peer Mentor Program. Students who are interested need to bring a signed note from home. Please pick up a consent form from the Chaplain’s Office (Room B1.2) or contact the Chaplain on (07) 3291 4238 (afole26@eq.edu.au) or more information.

Mr Andrew Foley, School Chaplain

Community News

G’Day USA – January 2018

Educational World Travel (EWT) are organising a chance for students to live with an American family and explore America in January 2018. For more information, please contact Ms Jenny Jackson, Business & Legal Studies Teacher, at JacksonJ@eq.edu.au, or Mr Shane Albertson, Head of Senior Humanities, at salbe7@eq.edu.au, or go to the link below.

Ms Jenny Jackson, Business & Legal Studies Teacher, and
Mr Shane Albertson, Head of Senior Humanities

Free Dental Treatment

Metro South Oral Health provides free dental treatment to all school students up to Year 10 as well as to those 0-4 year olds and Year 11 and 12 students who hold a Health Care Card. Please call 1300 300 850 to organise an appointment.

For more about Metro South Oral Health and services, please visit our website

or contact us via email: metrosouthoralhealth@health.qld.gov.au.

Metro South Oral Health

Greater Brisbane Junior Tennis Association

Greater Brisbane Junior Tennis (GBJT) offers juniors up to and including Year 12 Tennis fixtures on a Saturday afternoon at the Queensland Tennis Centre and the University of Queensland during school terms. For more information, please visit our website or phone Mrs Peta Davis, Secretary, on 3374 0516.

Mrs Peta Davis, Secretary GBJT

Yeronga Girl Guides

Yeronga Girl Guides is a safe place to help girls and young women grow into confident, self-respecting and responsible members of the community. It is a great way to meet new people and have fun!

Girls can attend from ages 5-18. There are also many opportunities for adults to be involved. If you think your daughter, cousin or niece would like to participate in some fun outdoor activities, camping, canoeing, abseiling and camp cooking, to be active in the community and make lifelong friends with other girls, then, Yeronga Girl Guides would like to welcome them. Girls are welcome to try for four weeks before making a commitment.

When: Every Tuesday night
Time: 5:30pm–7:00pm (for 8 years and under) 6:00pm–8:00pm (for 9 years+)
Where: Yeronga Girl Guide Hut – Villa Street, Yeronga
Contact: Ms Glenys Tredoux – 0402 201 429
Email: yerongaguides@hotmail.com

Yeronga Girl Guides