27 November 2018

Newsletter Articles

Visit by Minister for Education, the Honourable Grace Grace

Today, we hosted a visit from the Minister for Education, the Honourable Grace Grace. She, along with our local Member of Parliament, Joan Pease, came to inspect the progress of our 2020 Project Ready building. Minister Grace was greeted by our Junior Secondary Captains and Chris Fox, our P & C President, who proudly showed her through the building. We then enjoyed some refreshments together and answered Minister Grace’s questions about our school.

We were very pleased to be able to host this visit and we look forward to our new building, the Russell Building, being ready for the start of the 2019 school year.

Principal’s Report

Last week I had the privilege of being involved in the final activities of our Year 12 graduating class. Over my time with them these last two years I have seen enough to acknowledge that the Wynnum SHS Class of 2018 were a special group of people. As a group they were welcoming, polite, full of energy and positively motivated. The essence of this group of students was a characteristic not always seen. That characteristic was their sense of gratitude. This was a cohort who genuinely recognised and acknowledged everything that had been done for them by their parents, the staff and Wynnum SHS, as a whole.

It is easy to speak of humility. It is something we should all strive towards. But how easy is it to actually be humble? To put others before ourselves, to recognise our strengths and weaknesses but not be held back by either. To look at others and be able to say, “I am who I am today not just as a result of what I have done, but as a result of what you have contributed to my life”.

What a fantastic value. To acknowledge others before ourselves. To be truly humble allows us to be honest, decent and live of life of integrity. The challenge is now thrown out to all of us in our community. How grateful are we for what we have? My belief is that we must strive to be aware that we are indebted to those around us. In the case of all of our younger students as well as staff we must list the positives which Wynnum SHS has provided for us. Once we do this it reverts back to us to demonstrate our respect to everything that is good in our lives.

As I have spoken about before, one way of showing this respect is by complying with the great tradition of our school. Looking good and presenting ourselves well are important. People in the Wynnum community know who we are and from where we come. Every time we venture outside of our school gates we make a statement to the wider community. If we are well-presented, well-groomed and are wearing our uniform with pride we are inviting people to look at us, because we are from Wynnum SHS and we are PROUD of it.

This is why the school’s policy on uniform and grooming continues to be reinforced at school and supported by the parents and citizens of Wynnum SHS. The specifics of this are published, including on the school’s webpage, in student diaries and through correspondence that we will send home throughout the year.

To me, following a grooming policy makes a statement. It says that as a community we are grateful for our school. We are grateful for those who have gone before us and shaped the Wynnum SHS name. And we are grateful for each other and the wonderful place we hold as a school within our community.

This is the final newsletter of the year. I hope you all have a safe and enjoyable holiday period and that when we return in 2019 we are prepared to continue to strive for excellence bringing with us the determination and resources we need.

See you all in 2019.

Awards Night

2018 once again saw a high caliber of academic achievement by our students. Congratulations to the below students who received awards.

Year 7

Subject Prizes:

Awards of Excellence:

Seth Ash, Connor Austin, Samantha Bayliss, Annaliese Bohnstedt, Madison Bradford, Samuel Buchanan, Madeleine Burns, Bridie Cahill, Lara Callaghan, Emily Carlson, Jason Carney, Maddox Clay, William Colohan, Quaid Coote-Powter, Ewan Cowley, Matilda Deans, Amy Edwards, Grace Fullarton, Jemima Gordon, Rachel Gross, Emily Hale, Angus Herdegen, Laura Holmes, Evelyn Ignatius, Tilli Kermode, Julia Knowles, Annabel Lane, Sophie L’Barrow, Lana Lockhart, Annika Louie, Alice Love, Jazmin McGavin, Mia McLardy, Cassidy Newell, Abigail Nicolls, Sophie Noack, Eve O’Connor, Aidan Pearse, James Perkins, Brett Phillips, Charlotte Poynton, Tahlia Pringle, Felix Ridgers, Manaia Ruka-Anderson, Charlie Slawson, Leah Smith, Courtney Smith, Lucy Stephens, Emily Venn, Dylan Vickary, Elliot Wang, Carter Willis, Alexis Wright

Year 8

Subject Prizes:

Awards of Excellence:

Bonnie Arnel, Krysten Chapman, Tiana Collins, Alexis Cox, Olivia Dallwitz, Harrison Deamon, Byron Durovic, Teagan Forte, Ellie Franks, Sarah French, Daina Furness, Aiden Goddard, Nicholas Grapsas, Poppy Harcourt-Cooze, Hannah Hunter-Youngjohns, James Kirby, Callum Lavelle, Hamish Lavelle, Yasmin Marshall, Joey Masters, Danica McAvoy-Crone, Tamzyn McMullan, Cooper Miller, William Miller, Aedan Newlands, Kyan O’Neall, Nicholas Ottaviano, Alana Phinn, Rochelle Riekert, George Roberts, Kallin Rogers, Brianna Russell, Alina Seidel, Sophie St John, Daphne Twining, Phoenix Twining, Jack Williams

PROUD Awards:

Iorwyn Brose, Aiden Goddard, Rachel Gross, Emily Hale, Kynan Lumsdale, Sidney Penaherrera, Charlotte Poynton, Tahlia Pringle, Jack Williams

Year 9

Subject Prizes:

Awards of Excellence: Mekayla Anog, Mitchell Batchelor, Irene Bellas, Jed Brodie, Taylah Cahill, Daniel Calvet, Bethan Colohan, Cassidy Dryden, Isabella Filipowicz, Rachel Fitzgerald, Helaina Fulton, Hayley Geldart, Joshua Gillow, Bailey Gordon, Maya Harding, Jade Harris, Chloe Iakopo-Fairweather, Ella Johnson, Dylan Kevern, Akira Kranzl, Reetika Kumar, Aaron Lakeman, Katie Lane, Henry Love, Lucy Marriage, Cory O’Shea, Heath Parker-Webb, Georgie Pascoe, Emiliana Penaherrera, Shivani Reddy, Teneesha Roberts, Abbey Rogerson, Josie Sams, Alarni Scrutton, Shiran Singh, Jye Stewart, Katrielle Taylor, Megan Walker-Ely, Markus Zuegg

Year 10

Subject Prizes:

Awards of Excellence:

Elizabeth Burns, Madeline Colyer-Pooley, McKenzie Dryden, Katelyn French, Danika Godwin, Sophie Gould, Samantha Grapsas, Brandon Jackson, Holly Kelk-Jones, Tracey Lakeman, Ruby Lawler, Susannah Nuttall, Marianthi Panagopoulos, Kaitlyn Ritter, Ryan See-Kee, Zac Trevanion, Olivia Turner, Abbie Vang, Lauren Whitford

PROUD Awards:

Mekayla Anog, Toby Clark, Danny Calvet, James Donoghue, Riley Fox, Bailey Gordon, Fin Harding, Aaron Lakeman, Alarni Scrutton, Shiran Singh, Jye Stewart, Ava Tonkin, Lauren Whitford

Year 11

Subject Prizes:

Awards of Excellence:

Kalani Birchall, Bonnie Clelland, Victoria Fuentes, Lauren Hazel, Hannah McDonnell, Bridey McMillan-Tooth, Rebecca Owens, Priyanka Reddy, Ailbhe Sweeney, Declan Taylor, Josephine Wills

Year 12

Subject Prizes:

Awards of Excellence:

Alyssa Brett, Joseph Carney, Elise Carsburg, Jessica Chambers, Brianna Clarkson, Gavith De Silva, Erin Genrich, Chloe Goodman-Jones, Jack Gould, Laura Hall, Hayley Hodson, Meeka Ireland, Talita Jackson, Maddison O’Neill, Meghan Parker-Webb, Ashley Phillips, Rhiannon Ritter, Lily Safi, Nina Seychell, Erin Stephens, Minna Stephens, Paige Stockwell, Nicole Suarez, Khristine Valdellon

PROUD Awards:

Meyka Dalzell, Charlie Forster, Victoria Fuentes, Erin Genrich, Lauren Hazel, Finn Lumsdale, Amber Morris, Nadia Paranihi, Liam Penman

HONOURS AWARDS

Congratulations WSHS on the book launch: Endless Ripples

Add dedicated English teachers, an Environmental Education Centre committed to ‘inspiring champions for the bay’, a talented and awarded Australians children’s author, a passionate publisher, together with a remarkable group of students, and the results are outstanding.

Moreton Bay Environmental Education Centre (MBEEC) were proud to team up with Aleesah Darlison for a Young Writers Workshop with Years 7 and 8 students from Wynnum State High School. Designed as an extended activity over multiple days, students spent significant time out in the environment on beautiful Moreton Bay with Aleesah and MBEEC staff.

Budding student authors examined plot, participated in a range of stimulus activities, reviewed characters and choose a setting. They discussed covering one problem with the arc of the story, rising tension, climax, hints and twists to be being explored. Students spent time on Moreton Bay where sensory challenges enabled them to explore ways to describe sensory experiences. A discussion about the health of the Bay and wildlife along with a short break on St Helena’s jetty inspired further ideas and story lines. It was so exciting to see students’ faces at the launch when they were presented with their literacy masterpieces. Outstanding effort all round.

Senior School News

On 6 November , our Year 11 students participated in a presentation from Eric Bailey from RACQ Bank. ‘Turning Pro’ is RACQ’s newest education program. It is a school based program that helps students develop their social strengths pushing them to reach their full potential.

Thank you to Eric for coming out and presenting this program to our students.

Year 12 Formal

On Tuesday 13 November, we celebrated the Year 12 Formal at The Greek Club. The girls looked stunning and the boys looked so handsome! It was a fun evening with lots of big smiles, dancing, photos and of course selfies, selfies, selfies!

English Speaking Union Public Speaking Competition

On Monday 15 October Emilia Penaherrera, Audrey Williams and Toby Clark represented our school at the English Speaking Union Public Speaking Competition. Each student spoke for four minutes on the topic ‘Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people’. These young students took on this challenge and prepared thoughtful and persuasive speeches, representing our school in a proud manner. Not only did they prepare their speeches on top of their school workload, they also gave of their own time and demonstrated impressive organisational skills which we are sure they will use in the future. A huge thank you to the parents of these wonderful students who not only attended, but helped with transport to and from the venue on a rainy school evening. Well done again to Emilia, Audrey and Toby.

On Tuesday 23 October, Year 7 students Cassidy and Samantha represented our school at the English Speaking Union Public Speaking Competition. Students who chose to enter were required to speak for three minutes on the topic ‘Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference’. Cassidy and Samantha presented confidently on the evening and we are extremely proud of them both for their efforts and for representing our school in such a positive way. They prepared their speeches on top of their usual school workload, rehearsing and taking upon feedback to help them improve prior to the event. A huge thank you to the parents of Cassidy and Samantha who not only attended, but helped with transport to and from the venue late on a school evening. Well done Cassidy and Samantha.

Annette Kennedy

Creative Arts News

Senior Showcase

This semester saw the last of our showcases for the year. Both Senior and Junior students have excelled themselves with the quality of the work demonstrated and the commitment they have shown to present works of excellence throughout the year. We were sad to say goodbye to our senior Music, Dance, Drama, Media and Visual Arts students as this was the final senior showcase of their schooling. We wish them all the best and hope they continue to be engaged in the Creative Arts world outside school.

Junior Showcase

This semester Junior Showcase had a new format for presentations. On Tuesday 27 November the Years 8 and 9 Music students presented performances they had been working on this semester. What an incredibly talented group of musicians we have in Years 8 and 9. The standard of performance was excellent and the musicality of these young music makers is inspiring. Well done to all who performed!

The Drama and Dance students had their moment to shine on Wednesday 28 November. The Dance students performed a number of contemporary pieces that showcased their many talents. Many of the items were original works where the students choreographed their own dances.

Drama students also presented unique works, where they were responsible for the writing and directing of the pieces.

The Visual Arts students presented their works in the foyer of the Star Theatre over the two nights.

A big thank you to Mrs Hodgess, Mrs Hargreaves, Ms Loone, Mrs Georgiev, Ms Fitzhenry, Mrs Greenhill, Mrs Gribben and Mrs Michael for inspiring these young Creative Arts students to strive for excellence.

Musical in 2019

Next year we will be presenting Popstars – the 90’s Musical. It’s a boy band vs a girl band. The musical will be on from 8 – 11 May. It will be great fun and we are all looking forward to it. Keep a look out next year for further information regarding ticket sales.

Band Camp

Early next year Instrumental Music students will be invited to attend Band Camp at Alexandra Park Conference Centre. It will run from Friday 15 March – Sunday 17 March. Letters of interest will be going out early in 2019.

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and look forward to doing some more exciting things in the Creative Arts Department in 2019.

Maths Department News

Mathletics

Congratulations to the following students who received certificates for being “Super Mathletes”.

Peter Wilson
HOD Mathematics

Year 10 Maths Extension excursion to QUT

On Tuesday 13 November, eighteen Year 10 Maths Extension students attended a STEM workshop at QUT. The aim of the workshop was for students to develop an understanding of the basic principles behind aerodynamics and lift.

Students started off investigating these principles through practical experimentation with wind tunnels to measure the lift generated by various aerofoil designs. Students then used mathematical modelling using MATLAB to design their own aeroplane wing.

These methods were then applied to solve a design challenge where they were tasked with designing, modelling and analysing their solution for maximum efficiency.

Next on the agenda was a session on The Cube, one of the world's largest digital learning and display spaces providing an interactive experience of QUT's science and engineering research.

We all enjoyed a fantastic day at QUT and would like to thank Matt and Erin, the STEM ambassadors, for making the day fun and enjoyable and also Jenny Packer for making us so welcome at QUT.

Mrs Wyatt
Year 10 Maths Teacher

Chaplain News

Wynnum Wipeout is a holiday program run during the summer holidays and operates from 14 – 19 January. Wynnum wipeout is a fun and affordable program and has been running for over twenty years in our community. It is open to all students in Years 6 - 12 in 2019.

For more information or to register your child please visit the link below or contact myself

Sport News

Lifesaving Excursion - Alexandra Headlands Surf Life Saving Club

On a hot spring day with a one metre swell, students splashed on the sunscreen and headed to the Sunshine Coast aboard the big charter bus. After a safety briefing from the chief lifeguard, students plunged into activities which included surf survival, run swim run, surf board riding and boogie boarding. In beautiful conditions students smiled and laughed as they were challenged and in some cases, taken out of their comfort zone. Instructors especially applauded the efforts of students who were in large unfamiliar with the surf but persevered admirably. After a hearty Big Kahuna Burger for lunch, we played a game of beach touch. Ryan Hewitt won the ‘Kelly Slater’ award for best board ride of the day and Cooper Brook was ‘Dolphin of the Day’ for his active beach contribution.

You all should be PROUD of your collective effort and behaviour!

I hope the Yr 12 graduates enjoyed their last beach excursion reward!

Many thanks to Mr Bannerman, Ms Pearse, and Alex SLS trainers for their excellent work on the day. Enjoy the photos.

Mr Bekiros - Life Saving Coordinator

From the school nurse

Men, Living Happier, Healthier and Longer Lives

The Movember Foundation is the leading global organisation committed to changing the face of men’s health. They seek to make a global contribution to men living happier, healthier and longer lives.

Around the world, the statistics about men’s health tell us that more action is needed to tackle the specific issues that affect men’s health. There is an urgent need to make men’s health a priority issue, alongside the health and wellbeing of the women and children in our communities.

We know that on average across the world men die six years earlier than women. Men are significantly impacted by poor mental health, this is highlighted by the high rates of suicide amongst men, three out of four suicides are men.

The impact of prostate and testicular cancer on the lives of boys and men is substantial. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide, with the number of cases expected to almost double to 1.7 million cases by 2030. For men and boys aged between 15 and 40, testicular cancer is the most common cancer for all countries except Australia.

• Men are often reluctant to openly discuss their health or how they feel about the impact of significant life events;
• Men are more reluctant to act when they don’t feel physically or mentally well, and;
• Men engage in more risky activities that are harmful to their health.

These behaviours are strongly linked to some harmful aspects of traditional masculinity. Men often feel pressure to appear strong and stoic, and talking about feeling mentally or physically unwell can be perceived as weakness. By allowing negative and harmful aspects of masculinity to be considered the norm, men feel there’s only one way they can be considered “manly”.

Widespread lack of awareness, understanding, and stigma only create more silence around men’s health issues. The Movember Foundation is committed to making it the norm for men to be talking about their health and they want men to step forward, and understand that taking action for, and talking about their health isn’t a sign of weakness.

The Movember Foundation’s Executive Director, Programs, Paul Villanti, explains that, “tackling the challenges of improving men’s health through a “gendered lens” is fundamental. After all, gender is one of the strongest and most consistent predictor of health and life expectancy. At the Movember Foundation we pay attention to the differences between men and women whether it’s about mortality, physical inactivity or poor mental health. We also explore the potential to make a huge difference by encouraging an expanded definition of what it means to be a man.”

For more information, fantastic resources or to get involved in Movember visit the link below:

Or

Visit your local General Practitioner

And for more links for information on men’s health see these

Gabrielle Nolan
Youth Health Nurse