Mr Matthew Langmack Head of Extra-Curricular Activities

Congratulations to all students who have taken up the challenge by trialling and auditioning for teams and ensembles over the first few weeks of the school year. Fixtures and performances have already commenced in a range of activities. With several events cancelled due to the weather, students have flocked to see the exciting indoor sport of Volleyball. Last weekend, the stands of Churchie were filled with State High students proudly supporting their peers. The teams appreciate your support, which gives them that extra bit of motivation to perform.

I encourage all students to try to attend something new each weekend as a way of showing your support for the Blue-Red-Blue. A reminder that all students supporting State High teams and players are to wear their day uniform when attending extra-curricular events. We wish all teams the best of luck this coming week!

Whether or not students achieve selection in a team or activity, it is important that they take some time to reflect on their performance and re-evaluate their goals. I encourage students to seek feedback throughout this process. Obtaining feedback on your performance forms an integral part of the reflective process. It also links nicely with the habit of mind known as persistence, which underpins success. There are countless stories of athletes and performers missing out on selection early in their career and going on to be world leaders in their particular activity.

A reminder that there are some activities that allow for mass participation for students. These include the championship QGSSSA and GPS sports of Athletics, Cross Country and Swimming. They provide an opportunity for every student at State High to be involved in an extra-curricular activity throughout the year.

Uniforms

A reminder to all students that they should only be dressed in a sport uniform whilst attending training or competitions. Students are expected to arrive at school in their day uniform and change back into their day uniform immediately following the completion of the activity.

Levies

All non-curriculum activities conducted at the school have a ‘user pays’ structure. A levy to participate in an activity is payable to cover the cost of that year’s delivery of the activity. If you have any questions relating to levies, please contact the MIC of the activity or B Block Finance Counter.

Cultural Activities

Ms Karen Hadfield Director of Cultural Activities

Volunteers in Cultural Activities

As we settle into the new school year, Cultural Activities rehearsals have commenced and students are preparing for forthcoming events and competitions.

State High’s Instrumental Music and Dance Troupes programs are each supported by

 their own P&C Association sub-committee. These sub-committees play an integral role in our programs’ success. They support our students and volunteer staff through raising much needed funds which go towards resources and increase the overall quality and affordability of our programs for students.

In 2020, we are seeking parents, guardians and supporters of our Instrumental Music and Dance Troupes programs to get involved in the relevant sub-committee, or help out wherever it is needed. Our Instrumental Music Sub-Committee initiates a variety of fundraising efforts, including the highly successful Music and International Food Festival (MIFF), which is held annually in September. The Dance Troupes Sub-Committee has successfully provided catering for annual school events such as The Arts curriculum showcase, CREATE (June) and Dance Showcase (September). Without parent/guardian support, these sub-committees are not able to function effectively and provide the much-needed financial support for these programs.

For further information regarding joining the Instrumental Music and Dance Troupe P&C sub-committees, please email culturalevents@brisbaneshs.eq.ed.au or email enquiries@bshspandc.org. You can also visit the P&C Association’s page on the school website.

QGSSSA & Girls’ Activities

Ms Anita Woodward Director of QGSSSA & Girls’ Activities

The wet weather has unfortunately been against us with no QGSSSA Cricket or Softball played last week. It has been great to see the creativity of our coaches who conducted some fitness and skills sessions undercover.

Whilst practising skills is very important for sport performance, so is stretching. We do encourage students to maintain their flexibility through stretching which can improve circulation, muscle flexibility, range of motion, and consequently, help athletes perform better in training and in competition. Joint range of motion can be improved with stretching as well. The resulting increased range of motion enables athletes to perform more dynamic tasks and improve technique in sport-specific areas.

QGSSSA Swimming Co-Captains Ava Brieschke and Matilda Elliott have provided some insights about Swimming:

QGSSSA Swimming Update

The best aspect of the Swimming season so far has to be the School Spirit and culture that constantly flows throughout the team. During our early morning training sessions, you can see the determined swimmers all trying their best. Loud War Cries can be heard a kilometre away and that is what State High is all about. Being a Swimming Co-Captain is important to us because we have always seen the potential in our State High QGSSSA Swimming Team. It is important that the team works together to achieve everyone’s goals and recognise the successes of others. As Co-Captains, our main goal is to make sure every girl has a fun season in and out of the pool. We want our team to appreciate how much fun the swimming season is, and also learn some new things. We are privileged to have an Australian Swim Team Coach, Mr David Lush, volunteer to guide us through the season, alongside Swimming Coach Alisha. The girls have already learnt ways to prepare for races, both physically and mentally. So far, it has been a privilege to Co-Captain our QGSSSA Swimming team and pass on knowledge to the younger students.

QGSSSA Swimming Co-Captains Ava Brieschke and Matilda Elliott with Swimming Coach Alysha (centre)

Ava Brieschke and Matilda Elliott QGSSSA Swimming Co-Captains