6 March 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

The year has started extremely well with a very smooth first day having all students quickly settled into learning. They received their timetables and induction information quickly. The Year 7s – what a wonderful group they are! – were welcomed into their new house groups by the older students in a very positive and caring way.

This year you will notice that we are doing newsletters monthly now. This is because we are moving most of the important information out through a few means – the website, our Facebook site, and through messaging via “IDAttend” and email.

Communication between home and school is critical. Often stories can get somewhat distorted and the best way to resolve these misunderstandings is through direct and respectful communication. If you need to find out what is going on, please contact us directly – if there is a problem, we will fix it. At any time you have an issue, please talk with your child’s teacher, the Head of Department or the Deputy Principal assigned to your child’s year level.

I am so pleased that our parents and carers have been so organised and having their children well prepared for this year – their uniforms look great and we have almost everyone up to date with the Student Resource Scheme. My only request is that parents and carers attend to these things – please make sure your children come to school having had a good breakfast, that they bring their laptops and all their school needs each day, AND that they get a good number of hours asleep (not playing with their phones!).

This year, our school is focussed on several key priorities. We say that at Wynnum State High School, we:

• Have High Expectations
• Have Quality Teachers and Learning
• Track Students for Success

As a school community, we believe these priorities are aimed clearly at developing young people through our core values of Respect, Integrity, Honesty, Resilience, Tolerance, Pride and Lifelong Learning.

Three of our key targets this year are:

• 90% C or better results in Junior
• 100% Senior students on track for their QCE
• 93% Attendance

The attendance issue is critical and we ask all parents and carers to ensure their children attend each and every day unless there is a major concern. It is clear – students who attend school more often, do better. The new Senior system is also very tough on students who miss assessment or assessment preparation; there are extremely strong rules on extensions or catch-ups and in fact, holidays are no excuse and results for any missed assessment do not count. This is very serious, so we do need a community wide mindset shift on missing school without reason.

This year is going to be a very good one indeed. I am absolutely confident that this is the best school for your children. The very positive learning environment here with the highly skilled teachers we have, is the reason our school has and will continue to do so well. We believe strongly in “Every Student Succeeding” and that means helping every child, whether they are going to university, vocational training or directly into the workforce.

Our community should be aware that our staff spend much time involved in sharpening their pedagogical skills. Our school is a “New Art and Science of Teaching” school which provides the pedagogical framework which we adopt – it is a research based, practical methodology that works. We also devote time to watching each other teach and providing feedback, just proving that we are also learners.

Already this year, we have had the brilliant swimming carnival and our students were fantastic. Their effort, engagement and spirit was commendable with Cunningham coming out on top. Well done! I am pleased that our students kept cool throughout the day with the many activities on offer – it was a great day.

Kind regards,
Cath

2019 Next Step survey

The Queensland Government is conducting its annual statewide survey of all students who completed Year 12 in 2018. The Next Step survey is a brief, confidential survey that gains a comprehensive picture of the employment, study and life choices made by Queensland school completers in the year after they finish Year 12.

Between March and June, all our students who completed Year 12 last year can expect to receive instructions to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office.

Thank you for your support of the Next Step survey in 2019.

Further information on Next Step is available online or on toll free telephone 1800 068 587.

Deputy Principals’ Report

Student Council Investiture

On the morning of 15 February, we held our annual Student Leadership Investiture Ceremony. In front of invited guests, parents, carers, family, friends, teachers and fellow students, 24 students pledged their Oath of Leadership for 2019. Wynnum State High School proudly introduces our 2019 Student Leaders:

SCHOOL CAPTAINS:

Lauren Hazel
Nadia Paranihi
Liam Penman
Ailbhe Sweeney

JUNIOR SECONDARY CAPTAINS:

Tiana Collins
Poppy Harcourt-Cooze
Danica McAvoy-Crone

HOUSE LEADERS:

Cunningham

Kalani Birchall
Alex Croft
Olivia Dallwitz
Meyka Dalzell

Kennedy

Isabella Filipowicz
Charles Forster
Jemima Gordon
Kelly Harte
Holly Kelk

Mitchell

Kynan Lumsdale
Brooke Maltby
Jennifer Millington
Cassidy Newell

Oxley

Richard Ravu
Shiran Singh
Josie Wills
Alexi Younie-Thurtell

School Attendance

Student wellbeing and attendance are critical to academic success and allow students to achieve their full potential. Johnathan Thurston is a strong advocate of students attending school and says, “If there is one key message I’d like to send to all students it’s this: believe in yourself and keep turning up to school. Both are incredibly important to achieve your goals.”

While we ideally would love each student to attend school 100% of the time, we do understand that situations, such as genuine illness, arise and this is not always possible. Therefore, we have set our attendance goal to 95% for each and every student. At Wynnum SHS, we track students’ attendance rates and allocate a colour to each student as per the attendance thermometer below.

EVERY DAY COUNTS…

EVERY MINUTE COUNTS…

If a student arrives late to school every day, it can easily add up to a large amount of lost learning time over a whole school year.

WHAT IS THE SCHOOL’S OVERALL ATTENDANCE RATE?

Each edition of the Wire from hereon in will advertise how the school’s attendance is tracking overall. Remember, our goal is 95% minimum.

Senior School News

Students in Years 10, 11 and 12 have certainly hit the ground running! At the half-way point of Term One, they are busy drafting assignments and preparing for exams.

I would like to thank those students, parents and carers who were able to attend the Elevate Education parent information evening in Week 4. It was a record turnout and the tips and information passed on to us were extremely helpful and insightful. I will be emailing out a summary of the information in the near future, however you can access the detailed information below and entering the password rondo.

Career Employment Australia recently visited our school to tell students about the benefits of studying a Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation. The units in this course will give students the confidence in many aspects of automotive assembly by building a replica Porsche 356-SK Speedster. If any students in Years 10, 11 or 12 are interested, please see Tanya Moore in F24.

Year 10

Through Access classes Year 10 students are already starting to plan for their future by setting short-term goals in order to have success this year. They are also learning more about the new QCE and ATAR system. We are hosting a student and parent information evening presented by QTAC on Wednesday 13 March from 7.00 pm - 8.30 pm in the Star Theatre. This will be a very informative presentation and I highly recommend it in order for you to understand the new system.

Year 11

Year 11 students are now fully immersed into the new QCE and ATAR system and are working through Unit 1 across their subjects. Students and parents are also welcome to attend the QTAC information evening on Wednesday 13 March from 7.00 pm - 8.30 pm in the Star Theatre. This will be a very informative presentation and one that is highly recommended.

Students have engaged in their first Elevate Education workshop as a part of their weekly Access class. Here the students were given effective note-taking techniques in order to prepare for exams. Block exams for Year 11 will be in Week 9, but more information will be released in the near future.

Year 12

On Wednesday 13 February, Year 12 students participated in their SET Plan interviews. This is an important event in the life of our senior students as it enables them to reflect on their academic achievements so far and to ensure they have strategies in place so that they achieve to the best of their ability in Year 12, gain a QCE and have a successful life beyond Wynnum State High School when they graduate in November.

If any student was unable to attend the evening, please contact Tenielle Lumsdale on 3906 7349 or tlums1@eq.edu.au to make an appointment time.

Those Year 12 students who are sitting the QCS test are participating in weekly QCS preparation classes on numeracy, short response and the writing task. In addition to these weekly lessons, QCS workshops run by external providers will occur throughout Terms 1, 2 and 3. The first workshop will be on Tuesday 12th March with a focus on the writing task.

Students who are intending on studying Medicine, Dentistry or Clinical Services in 2020 may be required to sit the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) in 2019. The UCAT is a mandatory admissions test for a number of university courses but students need to register to sit this test. Registrations are now open and will close in mid-May. For details of the test and how to register please go to:

It has been a great start to 2019 in the senior school and I look forward to working with the students throughout the year.

Please do not hesitate to call me on 3906 7439 or email tlums1@eq.edu.au if you have any questions or would like to discuss your student’s schooling further.

Tenielle Lumsdale
A/HOD Senior Schooling

Year 7 Camp

Week 4 of this term saw our Year 7 students head off on their camp to Emu Gully. First up were the boys – they headed off full of excitement for what laid ahead. Once at camp they got straight into setting up their tents and then into the first of many activities where they showed great determination and enthusiasm. At the end of the day they were rewarded with a very relaxing dam swim.

Wednesday saw the girls arrive at camp full of anticipation for the days to come. They also jumped straight into the activities which included buggy driving, Templeton’s Crossing (mud, so much mud), flour bomb fights and so much more.

Overall, all students who attended the camp thoroughly enjoyed it!

Creative Arts News

Popstars. The 90’s Musical

It’s full steam ahead in preparation for our musical for this year - Popstars. The 90’s Musical. Featuring over 100 students and 20 teachers this musical will have you tapping your toes to all those 90’s hits from the Spice Girls, Boys to Men and Cher, just to name a few.

Tickets are $12 each or $38 for a family of four (2 adults and 2 children) and can be purchased from Student Services. Cash or EFT is accepted. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

Performances are:

• Thursday 9 May @ 7:30 pm
• Friday 10 May @ 7:30 pm
• Saturday 11 May @ 2 pm and 7:30 pm

Come along and support all those dancers, singers, actors, musicians, technical, backstage and hair and make-up crews who have been working really hard to put together a fun filled, action packed production for you. They would love to see you there.

Musical Rehearsal day

We had a great rehearsal day on Friday 8 February at school learning dances and songs, selecting costumes and learning lines. Thanks to all those students and teachers who are giving up their spare time to be part of this exciting and fun school community event.

Live theatre experience coming to us this month…

On the Tuesday 12 March, the esteemed theatre company Grin and Tonic, will perform their original production of Romeo and Juliet Can’t Die for Creative Arts students in the junior school. This will be a great opportunity for them to see a professional theatre company, to build on their experience and appreciation of the Arts. Permission forms need to be back to the office by Friday 8 March.

Instrumental Music

The Instrumental Music Parents’ Support Committee meetings have moved to the second Thursday of every month (the same day at the P&C meetings) from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm in the Library. Everyone is welcome to come along.

We had a great Beginners’ Camp on Sunday 17 February for the Concert, Symphonic and Big Bands. Thanks to Mrs Anderson and Mr Cosic for giving up their Sunday to work through all the new repertoire that the students will be learning this year.

Band Camp

From 15 - 17 March, Instrumental Music students are travelling to Alexandra Headlands to take part in an intensive 3-day music-making workshop. The weekend activities include rehearsals, tutorials, a trivia night, a movie night and relaxing walks on the beach. Thanks to Mrs Anderson and Mr Cosic for organising the Band Camp activities that will help the students develop their skills and knowledge of their instrument and ensemble playing.

Instrumental Music welcome evening

The Instrumental Music Parents’ Support (IMPS) group are hosting a welcome and information night on Tuesday 19 March for current and new families whose child participates in the Instrumental Music Program. The evening will start at 6:30 pm in the Star Theatre and all three ensembles will perform. There will be a light supper hosted by the IMPS Committee after the performances and the evening will conclude by 7:30 pm. Please come along to this friendly and relaxed evening of music making where you will meet some of the other instrumental music families.

Instrumental Music Performance dates Term 1

Maths Department News

Mathematics Tutorials 2019

In addition to Maths tutorials, students are also welcome to attend Homework Club in the Library on Monday and Wednesday at 3.15 pm – 4.00 pm.

Science News

Year 10 General Science – Investigating Genetics with Ms. Kelly and Miss Gaunt

The Year 10 General Science classes have begun their year studying Genetics. Last week they made what can be a theoretical topic concrete by investigating genotypes and phenotypes using “lolly animals”. All students had the same parents and then randomly choose chromosomes from each parent to determine the alleles in their child. Finally, the interpreted each genotype to determine the phenotype of their child, which they then built from the component lollies.

Eight characteristics were investigated; gender as shown by the colour of the marshmallow for the head, body components being number of marshmallow, eyes from liquorice bullets, tails, length of legs, noses and antennae. Before exploring further generations, the lolly children were examined where it became clear that the primary role of sexual selection is genetic variation. They then used Punnett squares to determine the results of a second generation cross. A great time was had by all (except the “lolly children” who were devoured!) and the concepts are now more clearly understood.

Sport News

2019 Swimming Carnival

The sporting year started with a bang with the Swimming Carnival being held at the end of Week 2 at Manly Pool. After a scorching start to the year, students were keen to get in the pool. The day kicked off with students swimming over 400 laps to earn early points in the House Swim. The program featured a range of competitive and participation races and some cracking times were swum. Novelty events were the highlight of the day again this year and the pool was packed with staff and students having a great time in a range of fun events, including the now infamous Inflatable Relay. We will look to build on our novelty events in 2020 to ensure our students have the best day possible.

After all was done and dusted, the Champion House was crowned, with Cunningham holding on to a narrow lead to win the carnival for the second year in a row. A number of strong individual performances in the championship events resulted in very worthy students being awarded Age Champions. Well done to all students who attended the carnival and participated. It was great to see Wynnum High students well behaved and displaying out PROUD Mantra in the community.

Hospitality News – Railway Cafe

Come along and visit our Railway Café for breakfast every Tuesday to Friday. The Café is run by the Hospitality students.

Help support Chappy Greg!

Special Education Program

The Special Education Program (SEP) is PROUD to share that 2018 saw every student with a Verified disability achieve their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). 100% attainment of the QCE is one of the ways in which we measure our success in alignment with the Department’s commitment to Every student with disability succeeding. With the QCE in hand, students have moved onto work or study, none of which was by chance. Students had been planning for this moment intently with their Case Manager and Senior Transition Officer. One of the graduating students is completing an open traineeship in Early Childhood Education. Thanks to completing the Certificate II in Sampling and Measurement whilst at school, another student was granted direct entry into a Certificate III Lab Techniques (full-time at TAFE). It was good to see students move into part-time work and another working with their Disability Employment Service (DES) to find full-time work. We look forward to hearing of their future achievements. Well done students and well done Wynnum High team!

Earlier this term, SEP teaching staff made themselves available to meet with parents and carers of students who are with a Verified disability, in our annual SEP Meet and Greet. This is a wonderful chance for parents to meet with their teen’s Case Manager face-to-face. It’s also an opportunity for SEP teaching staff to clarify the role of a Case Manager and provide general information about SEP support. The SEP embraces a holistic approach towards learning and is committed to on-going collaboration with families as we work towards successful teaching and learning for all students.

From the school nurse

Welcome Back 2019

My name is Gabrielle Nolan, your School Based Youth Health Nurse (SBYHN) at Wynnum State High School

I am employed by Children’s Health Qld, and I am based in the school two days a week so that staff, parents and students can access me easily, and confidentially, where needed.

The Youth Health Nurse works with students, school staff and parents to address concerns or problems about health and wellbeing, help our school to build a supportive and healthy environment, and provide liaison and referral to other support services outside the school as needed.

In my consultation role I am able to support young people with making healthy choices to improve their physical and emotional health. I am able to see young people in private to talk about, for example; health issues, nutrition, relationships, smoking, puberty and sexual health, pregnancy risk, alcohol or drug use, feeling unhappy or stressed and to assist young people and their families to connect with specialist services.

When a young person engages with the service, I am required to keep this information confidential (not talking to others) unless the young person poses a risk to themselves or others, or if the young person agrees I can do otherwise. Family support is essential for young people, and my advice often includes encouraging and supporting the young person to discuss the issue with a trusted family member for additional support.

Please feel free to contact me if you would like more information on my role, to talk over an issue, or if you wish to book an appointment. I am available at WSHS on Tuesday and Thursdays.

If the young person you care for has concerns impacting on their health and wellbeing please encourage them to contact me, if you feel I may be of assistance.

Gabrielle Nolan
Youth Health Nurse