23 August 2016

Newsletter Articles

Principal's Report

It is the time of the year where many members of our community give serious consideration to the future. Our year 12 students are acutely aware that the finish line looms quickly with only a few significant hurdles left to negotiate. I'm sure they are aware that you are supporting them as much as we are here at Wynnum High.

Our year 10 students are now preparing for the final part of their school journey as senior plans and subject selection takes place. Ask questions at every opportunity to ensure better decisions are made and exciting futures are prepared.

It is also a time to look back. It was my honour to join eight PROUD Wynnum High students as they assisted Vietnam Veterans and the Brisbane Lord Mayor Mr Graham Quirk to unveil a plaque to commemorate the Battle of Long Tan on 18 August 1966. A particularly poignant part of the service was the reading of the Ode by Allen May, Forward Scout, D Company 6th Battalion, a young Wynnum man who was the first soldier in the Battle of Long Tan and last one out. To be with him today was truly an honour. At the conclusion of the ceremony the Lord Mayor thanked me for the contribution of our students and remarked how proud I must be of Wynnum High.

I am and always will be!

Regards

Phil Campbell
Principal

Senior Secondary News

QCS TEST – YEAR 12

The QCS test for Year 12 students is fast approaching. We are currently finalising our preparations ready for two very large days of testing on Tuesday 30 August and Wednesday 31 August. The last of the three QCS seminar days will be held on Monday 23 August where students will work with QCS consultants who are experts on the test and have many years' experience as official markers.

On the testing week, it is really important that students get a good night's sleep, eat a filling and healthy breakfast and relax in the knowledge that they are well prepared for the QCS test. The P & C Association has kindly offered to provide lunches for the QCS students on both days of the test, meaning we can ensure they maintain their energy levels throughout plus continue to show our support for them as they put in 110%!

Next week, information regarding times and equipment will be sent home but the equipment list is also provided below. While we do have some equipment to loan in case students forget something or there is a breakage on the test days, we don't have enough for everyone so it is important that students bring their own equipment.

Equipment

IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YEAR 10 STUDENTS AND PARENTS/CAREGIVERS

It is getting close to the time for Year 10 students to select their subjects for Years 11 and 12. At school we have been preparing students through the Access classes and on Friday, 19 August we held a Senior Pathways Showcase morning (periods 1 & 2) where all Year 10 students will heard in detail about senior school certification and tertiary requirements. This is also an opportunity for students to attend subject area displays and speak to teachers about subject specific information.

It is very important that parents and caregivers also participate in this process with their students and therefore both parents/caregivers and students are invited to the following two events.

1. SENIOR SUBJECT INFORMATION EVENING (COMPULSORY)

When: Thursday 25 August
Where: Star Theatre
Times: 7.00 pm (we are endeavouring to finish by 8.15 pm)
Details: Information will be provided about the types of subjects offered in Years 11 and 12, certification received at the end of Year 12, the laws around continuing schooling beyond Year 10, alternative pathways etc. Importantly, students and parents will also receive their Senior Subject Information Handbook plus the lines for 2017. These lines dictate which combinations of subjects may be selected.

2. SET PLAN AFTERNOON/EVENING (COMPULSORY)

When: Thursday 1 September
Where: Library
Times: Appointment times (30 mins duration) start at 1.30 pm and the last appointment time is 7.30 pm.

Appointments can be made through the online booking system. Instructions on how to access this will be emailed to all Year 10 parents in the near future.

Details: It is compulsory for all Year 10 students in Queensland to prepare a Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan. Students have been working on these in their Access classes and at this appointment a senior member of staff will work through the SET Plan, subject selections etc to ensure students have a goal for the senior school and beyond.

Students must bring the following to their appointment:

• A printed copy of their completed SET Plan
• Subject Recommendations Form (completed) – this will be explained at the Senior Subject Information Evening

TAFE 2017

On Monday 22 August, TAFE applications for 2017 will be open to students. TAFE options for 2017 are made available to current Year 10 and 11 students. For Year 10 students in particular, this is an important time to consider TAFE options in conjunction with subject selections for Years 11 and 12.

Any student interested in TAFE courses is encouraged to look at the offerings outlined in the TAFE at Schools Guide:

There is also a summary in the Subject Handbook for 2017.

Year 12 Block Exams

Year 12 Students will have their block exams from Tuesday 6 September to Friday 9 September.

Requirements

1. School uniform is to worn.
2. Students only attend school when they have a timetabled exam.
3. MOBILE PHONES MUST BE SWITCHED OFF AND MUST BE PLACED ON THE TEACHERS' TABLE IN ALL VENUES
4. Medical certificates will need to be presented at Student Services if students are absent.

1. IP is the room code for the Imperial Playhouse while LIB is the room code for the Library
2. STUDENTS ARE TO REMAIN FOR THE DURATION OF THEIR SCHEDULED EXAM AND MAY NOT LEAVE EARLY
3. NO BAGS IN EXAM ROOMS. (In the Imperial Playhouse, students may be directed to leave their bags at the entry point inside the venue.)
4. MOBILE PHONES MUST BE SWITCHED OFF AND MUST BE PLACED ON THE TEACHERS' TABLE IN ALL VENUES.

Junior Secondary News

NAPLAN

You will, by now, have received your year 7 and 9 children's NAPLAN results in the mail. Please contact the school office if you have not received the parent report. We certainly have a lot to celebrate at Wynnum High. Year 7 and 9 students achieved some very pleasing results in all areas. These results will be added to the suit of data teachers use to inform their teaching. Students will also use this data to help set goals while working towards their Wynnum Certificate of Education.

Brisbane City Council – Warner Education Presentation

National Science Week.

As part of Wynnum High's celebration of National Science Week, Year 7 and 8 girls were involved in a STEM workshop to highlight the opportunities for women in science and engineering. Other exciting events during the week included a science treasure hunt and marshmallow catapult competition. All activities were very well attended and promoted the importance of science education at Wynnum High. Thanks to the Science department, in particular, Mrs Redsell and Erin Genrich from Year 10 for working so hard this week sharing their passion for science.

2016 Wynnum SHS Athletics Carnival

The first week of term ended with our successful and competitive Interhouse Athletics Carnival. For the second year in a row the students dressed up in their house colours and battled the elements, as ice cold temperatures fell upon Memorial Oval. Students turned up in droves with a huge increase in participation from previous years. The low temperature meant shade tents were not an option, so the teachers were armed with tubs of sunscreen to ensure Wynnum High was a sun safe school. The day began with the House Run as students set off around the track to ensure they would stay warm!

The participation and behaviour of our students throughout the day was representative of our PROUD mantra. This year, the students travelled around to their events as a whole year level. This not only resulted in significant increases in participation, but also helped build a positive atmosphere of support and encouragement at the events. Well done to our Year 7 students who experienced their first high school athletics carnival and some events for the first time. Participation was especially high amongst these students, which was great to see. Hopefully this is a trend that continues into their senior years.

In additional to the great efforts of all students and despite the extremely challenging weather conditions, we still managed to have a record breaker. Congratulations to Marcia Tatupu, who broke the U15 Girls Shot Put record. Marcia has now broken the record for Shot Put, three years in a row. Lily Talbot, also broke the U16 Girls Shot Put record, which has been held since 1995. A brilliant effort by both athletes! Congratulations must also go to the Age Champions for the day. These students were heavily involved in the events and their hard work was rewarded.

When all the results were tallied, Oxley stormed home with a decisive victory to be crowned Champion House for 2016. Oxley also managed to just hold off the other houses to win the percentage trophy. Thank you to all staff for also battling cold conditions and ensuring the day was a success. Congratulations to all students who participated in events. You did yourself and the Wynnum High PROUD.

Anthony Bannerman – Sports Coordinator

Champion House

Art Tour

After a great deal of planning and a lengthy countdown the day finally arrived when twenty-four students and three teachers left for the Sydney Art Trip to Sydney…. and what a great time we had!

Our trip began early on Tuesday morning with a 4.30am airport check in, when the students excitedly assembled; several of the girls having maxed out their luggage allowance with bulging suitcases of winter clothes whilst some of the boys appeared to be travelling with no more than a change of T-shirt! Alas all of those carefully coordinated winter outfits were not necessary as we were to enjoy four days of glorious warm Sydney sunshine!

Upon our arrival in Sydney we set out to take in the sights with a walk across the Harbour Bridge followed by a stroll to the Opera House and lots of photo opportunities. Students had been forewarned that the trip would involve a great deal of walking but I don't think anyone had prepared themselves for the amount of steps we were to climb over the four days as we made our way to and from our accommodation, at the Sydney Harbour YHA located in the beautiful historical are of The Rocks. Our accommodation may not have had luxurious frills of a top class hotel, but it certainly more than made up for that, with its million-dollar panoramic view reaching from the Harbour Bridge to the Opera House and beyond - the rooftop terrace was to become a favourite chill out area for all in the group!

With two iconic tourist attractions under our belt by lunchtime it was time to get down to the true purpose of our visit – the Art stuff - which began with a visit to the Gallery of Contemporary Modern Art. This visit exposed the students to the wonders of conceptual art through the surreal and beguiling works of the likes of Patricia Piccinini and the grotesque work of Stelarc (think 4.6kgs of body fat housed in a custom made industrial blender!). Nonetheless our wonderful gallery educators helped in our understanding and endeavoured to make sense of it all for us!

Day two focussed on our initial inspiration for the trip: The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prize Exhibition floor talk and viewing, followed by the Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera Exhibition – great favourites studied by our year 10 students and a wonderful experience for all.

The following day we set off on a lengthy trek to the Brett Whitely Studio at Surry Hills. This was to be an unexpected totally mind-blowing experience for many and the absolute highlight of the trip. Seeing Whiteley's works up close, as well as to stand in his personal living space and painting studio, had an impact on the students so great that it may stay with some forever – it was a very thrilling experience!

To top the day, we had a wonderfully fun night of entertainment with a guided ghost tour of The Rocks when some of the more gruesome and undesirable historical facts of the area were related, albeit with an added sense of drama. It was at this point, when I assisted the guide in creating the appropriate atmosphere with a blood curdling scream, that my true talents were revealed.... Hollywood look out …. your new scream queen is on her way!

With weariness really setting in by day four but still more to see, we set off early to the nearby S.H. Ervin Gallery where we were given a guided tour of the Salon des Refusés. This exhibition showcases some of the works which had just missed out on being selected as finalist for the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prize. As well as these outstanding works, the gallery was also exhibiting the highly commended works from the Young Archie, a portrait competition open to 5-18 year olds. This was a particularly special exhibition for us as it featured the work of one of our Year 11 students, Sissura Symonds-Manne. Sissura's entry was a highly detailed, tonal graphite drawing of her mother. It was wonderful for us all to share in the thrill of seeing her work on public display. Congratulations and well done Sissura on that great achievement!

Our time in Sydney was, by then, rapidly coming to an end and with just a few hours before we had to depart for the airport, we had just enough time to squeeze in a stroll through the wonderful sculptures displayed at the new Barangaroo Reserve, before heading to Circular Quay. From there we caught a ferry to Manly where we enjoyed a stroll in the sunshine and a delicious gelato to conclude a wonderful trip!

On behalf of Clair Georgiev, Elizabeth Forster and myself, I would like to thank the staff of Wynnum High for their support in allowing the trip to go ahead. No amount of teaching, text or images could replace what these students experienced over the four days, and it couldn't have happen without their team effort and support. Above all, I would like to thank the students whose company and behaviour was wonderful; they truly represented both the school and their families in a manner that can only be described as PROUD. Thank you!

Lorraine Buchan
Senior Visual Art teacher (and future Hollywood Scream Queen)

Music Tour

Band Tour to Cairns

Well this year's tour is over and what a wonderful experience it was for all involved. The students and teachers left Brisbane on Tuesday 9 August eager and excited and returned Saturday 13 August exhausted and glad to be home. There was no rest during the four days as students performed at Gordanvale SHS, Yarrabah State School (an indigenous community), Balaclava SS and Marchans Beach SS. They also undertook workshops with Cairns SHS ensembles, the Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Winds. The performances at schools consisted of a 50 minute show with the whole school and then the Junior and Senior Rock bands entertained the kids on their lunch break.

We did have some time for fun; a walk along the beautiful Cairns Esplanade, dinner out at an authentic Italian Pizzeria and a night at the theatre watching the play Always…Patsy Cline which was wonderful musical performance featuring many of Patsy Cline's No 1 hits.

Thanks to all the teachers who came on tour, Mr Nutley, Mrs Williams, Mrs Anderson and Mr Cosic but especially thanks to the wonderful Instrumental Music students we have here at Wynnum SHS.

A more respectful, dedicated and generous group of young people would be hard to find. Next tour 2018. Where will we go?

Musicians in the Spotlight:

Riley Fox and Brooke Maltby are two young musicians who were accepted into the Queensland Conservatorium of Music's Secondary Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) that runs in the September school holidays. Congratulations must go to Brook and Riley who were accepted from hundreds of applicants to attend this prestigious program. Well done to Riley and Brooke

Art Tour to Sydney

Ms Gillies, Ms Buchan and Mrs Forster took 26 students to Sydney for a Visual Arts Cultural tour where they visited the exhibitions of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera as well as Archibald prize winner, Tracy Moffatt. The highlight of the tour was the Brett Whitely studio where students participated in a workshop in the actual studio in which Brett Whitley worked.

Year 8 Creative Arts students

Year 8 Creative Arts students will be presented a mini-musical called Showdown at the Dry Reach Saloon on Monday 12 September in the Star Theatre at 6pm. Students from dance, drama and music will be presenting their work for parents and friends. We hope you can all come along to support these emerging artists.

Healing Music

Year 10 and Year 12 Classroom music students will be presenting a concert at the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital on Friday 2 September. Providing a community service as part of their performance program shows the students the power they have to contribute to other people's lives through the giving of their musical talents.

Great Partnership

The Queensland Youth Symphony has invited us back to join them in a combined performance as part of their Twilight Concert Series on Sunday 11 September. We had such a terrific experience the first time that we jumped at the chance to be part of this program again. The Wynnum SHS Symphonic Band will join with the QYO Wind Symphony to present a wonderful concert. More details will be sent home in the next couple of weeks

Maths

QAMT Year 7/8 Mathematics Quiz: Tuesday 2 August (at Redlands College)

Pictured after the competition are our 3 contestants - Marianthi Panagopoulos (Year 8), Katie Lane (Year 7) & Tracey Lakeman (Year 8).

Congratulations to our team who competed in this annual competition. Although we didn't win, our team performed very well and showed great confidence and application.

Peter Wilson & Rowan Wyatt

2016 Major Douglas Griffith MBE BURSARY

The aim of this Bursary is to assist and foster opportunities for a student of Wynnum State High School who exhibits or is exhibiting commendable leadership skills within the school and general community. The successful applicant will also have achieved scholastic, sporting and/or cultural achievements during their years at school.

Applications should be sent to the Principal, Wynnum State High School, Peel Street, Manly. The applications should be received by Tuesday 4 October, 2016.

Applications received after the due date will not be considered. Applications remain the property of the Bursary selection panel.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all necessary documentation, including references, are received prior to the specified closing date.

Oral health

As we have for many years, the School Dental Service still provides free dental treatment to all school students up to Yr 10, as well as those in Yr 11 &12 who are holders of Health Care Cards or recipients of the Child Dental Benefit Scheme. (We can also see children younger than school age where they are holders of Health Care Cards or recipients of the Child Dental Benefit Scheme.)

We have a large number of clinics in the local area and our clinics are open and available to all eligible children (we are open during the September school holidays).