22 May 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for the warm reception I have received upon commencement as Acting Principal of Wynnum State High School for Term 2. I am proud to be able to lead this school on its continued journey of improvement and look forward to working with stakeholders as we continue to partner together to support the achievement of positive outcomes for our students.

Wynnum SHS provides an abundance of opportunities to foster and nourish the diverse skills, talents and capabilities of its students, with this term providing several signature events that have allowed students to engage positively with the school community, including the very successful and entertaining school musical Popstars, Spin- Off Challenge for Chaplaincy, Anzac Ceremony, and inter-house futsal challenge. Such endeavours support the creation of a dynamic and inclusive learning environment supporting students to thrive.

Learning: Partnering for Students Success

Our mission for Wynnum State High School is Tradition, Community, and Excellence - Proudly Building Futures Together. As a school-community of parents, carers, teachers, support staff and teacher aides, we unite in a common commitment to support the learning, improvement and achievement of each of our students. It was wonderful to see this in action at our recent Parent Teacher interview evenings. We had an exceptional number of families meeting with teachers partnering together to engage in supported reflection about learning, goal setting and strategies to accelerate improvement and ultimately support student success.

There are many ways we can empower our students to succeed. Here are some great strategies:

• Encouraging students to attend Homework Club after school in the Library Monday and Wednesday until 4:00 pm.
• Encouraging your child to ask questions in class or seek teacher assistance if they want topics or learning explained in more detail.
• Setting aside a quiet space and dedicated time at home for your child to complete their homework, revise key points from their classes, and undertake assignments and study.
• Routinely checking your child’s diary to check their homework.
• Talking to your child about their assessment calendar and upcoming assessment preparation.
• Establishing routines so that your child is alert, focussed and ready for each lesson. These may include: encouraging regular sleep patterns, suggested ‘rest times’ from IOS devices/mobiles, computers and gaming consoles.
• Regulating a healthy balance between your child’s school work and other jobs (such as paid work).

ANZAC Services

On Wednesday 24 April, our school’s formal ANZAC Commemorative Service took place. The service was led by our school captains, supported by a team of dedicated staff including Mrs K. Schwede, Mrs E Williams, Ms M Williams, Ms Kim Hutchinson, Mr Dickson and Ms Carolyn Anderson. Manly-Lota RSL dignitary, Harry Pregnall, addressed the school, speaking of important themes such as comradery, mateship, honour and respect. He also presented the school with a book for the Library. Mr Pregnall remarked positively on the exceptional respect shown by our students during this service.

On Tuesday 25 March, staff and students paid honour to those who have served our country by taking part in the local Manly Lota ANZAC Service. We marched as a school and attended the service at the Richard Russell Park. It was wonderful to see many members of our school and wider community join together to pay respect and honour the ANZACs.

Attendance: Everyday Counts

Attendance is a key priority of the school. Every child must attend school every lesson of every day in order to invest wisely in their education. Studies show learning gaps when a child misses even just one day per fortnight – see the table below to note the impact it has on learning.

1 or 2 days a week doesn’t seem much however…..

Every day counts!

Please ensure you encourage and support your child to routinely attend school – every lesson, every day counts. We ask that you communicate any attendance issues, including reasons for absences, to the school in a timely fashion. Student Absentee Line (24hrs) - (07) 3906 7366.

P&C

I invite you to our next P&C meeting, Thursday 13 June, 6:30 pm in the school Library.

Acting Principal
Julie Strong

Creative Arts News

Musical wrap-up

Thanks to all the parents, families and friends that came along to support this year’s musical Popstars, The 90’s Musical. We presented six performances from 8 – 11 May. Two of these performances were to our local aged care facilities and local primary schools. Over 1,000 people came to our other four performances.

Well done to all the cast and crew! 70 students from Years 7 – 12 and 20 teachers were involved in preparing and presenting the musical this year. A great team of people, all working towards presenting the best performances possible. It was a terrific musical season that celebrated the wonderful young people of Wynnum SHS, who are bursting with talent, from the dancers and singers through to the actors, technical crew and musicians in the band. A sterling job was done by all.

This experience will be one of the most important memories they will take away from their schooling. They have made new friends, worked as a team, pushed themselves and had a heap of fun and laughs along the way. As parents and carers of these wonderful students, we thank you for supporting them in their Creative Arts endeavours. Thank you for all your support.

Queensland Youth Music Awards

The Concert Band and Symphonic Band are participating in the Queensland Youth Music Awards on 22 and 23 May. Thanks to Mrs Anderson for preparing the bands for this competition. They have a great repertoire to play – it is exciting! We wish them all the best of luck!

Rotary Fun Day

On Sunday 26 May the Concert, Symphonic and Big Bands are performing at the Rotary Fun Day. They are first up in the morning so come on down to Bandstand Park, Gordon Parade on the Wynnum Esplanade, Wynnum to hear them play and support a good cause at the same time.

Unplugged

Unplugged is a night of acoustic music presented by our senior Music students, with some guest stars from Year 9.

When: Wednesday 29 May
Time: 6 pm
Where: Star Theatre

Everyone is welcome. There is no cost at the door.

End of Semester Showcases

Music, Dance and Drama students from Years 7 to 12 will be presenting performances as part of our end of semester Creative Arts celebrations.

Dance and Drama Showcase

When: Tuesday 11 June
Where: Star Theatre
Time: 5.30 pm

Music Showcase

When: Thursday 13 June
Where: Star Theatre
Time: 5.30 pm

Both Showcases are free events.

Instrumental Music Calendar for Term 2 (May – June)

Special Education Program

SEP Update - Specialists

It’s terribly cliché to say this here, but the proverb really is true; it takes a village to raise a child.

Over the first half of this year, the Special Education Program has accessed a range of services to support the education of students with disability (SWD).

In additional to classroom teachers, SWD, have a Case Manager. This teacher is often the first point of contact for both the student and the family. On a day-to-day basis, Case Managers support classroom teachers and students to access the curriculum. However, there a times where the student needs more. In such instances, staff have referred students to the Guidance Officer, Youth Support Worker, Chaplain, School Nurse, Head of Junior School and the Head of Senior School. The reasons for such referrals are varied but ultimately they are about ensuring the student is in the best position to reach their academic potential.

On a termly basis (at a minimum), eligible students meet with an Advisory Visiting Teacher (AVT). AVTs are Department of Education Queensland specialists. Students have met with the following AVTs: Physical Impairment, Hearing Impairment, Vision Impairment, ASD and Inclusion. These specialists work with SEP staff, students and families to ensure students with disability access the full range of the school curriculum. Senior students have on-going meetings with the AVT - Senior Transitions Officer to plan their post school pathway to the workforce, study or a combination of both.

Students were also referred to the Department Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist and Speech Language Pathologist. These services are so valuable. Beginning with a 1:1 assessment, students are then provided with, as necessary, a program to improve identified areas. And then as required, follow-up sessions are provided either in the short or long term.

The SEP enjoys regular, frequent contact with parents and carers as part of the team. It’s a big one!

2019 Premier’s Reading Challenge

I am delighted to invite all Wynnum SHS students to be part of the 2019 Premier’s Reading Challenge.

Reading plays an important part in students’ lives during their school years and beyond. It allows children to actively engage their imagination and opens up a world of educational opportunities.

Last year, an outstanding 181,000 students from 1012 schools took part in the challenge reading a total of 2.46 million books.

The reading period for the 2019 Premier's Reading Challenge commences on Monday 13 May and closes Friday 23 August.

This year we are challenging our high school students to read the following number of books:

• Years 7 to 9 should read at least 15 books
• Years 10 to 12 should read at least 7 books.

The requirement for Year 7 through to Year 9 students to read 15 books acknowledges that older students are likely to select longer, more complex books that may take them longer to read.

The aim for the 2019 challenge is to engage more students reading more books than ever before. The following literature forms can be counted towards the challenge:

• printed books
• e-books, virtual books and digital publications
• graphic novels and comic books
• audio and braille books
• newspapers, magazines and recipe books
• books in additional languages (other than English).

You can play a big part in your children’s future by encouraging them to be part of this positive initiative.

I look forward to seeing as many of our students as possible embrace the 2019 Premier’s Reading Challenge.

Mrs Redsell
Teacher Librarian

Spin Off

This year’s Spin Off Challenge was a huge success. Between two teams, one teacher and one student, we were able to raise $1600 to go towards chaplaincy at the school. The student team even won their category! A huge thank you to all who participated and all who showed their support by donating to the cause.

From the school nurse

Achoo…. flu season is approaching

Influenza or ‘flu’ is a viral illness that mainly affects the upper airways and lungs. It is not the same as a common cold and can lead to serious complications.

Signs and Symptoms: usually appear 1 to 3 days after becoming infected.

• fever
• sore throat
• dry cough
• headache
• muscle and joint pain
• tiredness or extreme exhaustion

Children are more likely to have gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea).

If you are concerned see your doctor or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)

Transmission: Flu can spread from person to person by:

• droplets spreading from an infected person when they cough, sneeze or talk
• touching surfaces contaminated by infected droplets (including hands, remote controls, phones, keyboards and door handles) and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

People with flu can be infectious to others from 24 hours before symptoms start until a week after the start of symptoms. The flu is spread easily, mainly through sneezing and coughing.

Quick Quiz……. Answers at the end.

True or False- The Flu virus can live outside the human body for several hours……

Which is cleaner? A toilet seat or computer screen…….

How far can a sneeze travel-? 1 meter, 4 meters…….

Prevention:

• using a tissue when you cough or sneeze
• staying at home if you have flu-like symptoms
• disposing of tissues in the bin and washing your hands immediately after use
• washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 15 seconds.

However, the best way to protect yourself and others from the flu is to get vaccinated

Vaccination- 2019 seasonal flu vaccine

Vaccination is the best way to reduce the risk of getting flu. Being vaccinated gives you protection against flu by building immunity to the virus and preventing transmission of the virus to other people.

Vaccination is required annually, as immunity from the vaccine decreases over time and the vaccine can change each year to cover the current virus strains. Vaccination usually takes up to 2 weeks to be effective.

The vaccine does not contain live flu viruses and cannot cause flu. However, some people may experience mild flu-like symptoms for up to 48 hours as their immune system responds to the vaccine.

Vaccination is recommended for anyone aged 6 months and older who wishes to protect themselves from influenza and its complications.

Where to get vaccinated:

• Your doctor or local immunisation provider
• Community pharmacies may offer a flu vaccination service for adults
• Some local councils may run immunisation clinics

Quiz Answers

True - The Flu virus can live outside the human body for several hours……This is why coughing and sneezing into tissues that are discarded and hand hygiene is very important

Which is cleaner? A toilet seat. A toilet seat can be cleaned or sanitised, unlike computer keyboards. Hand hygiene and cough and cold etiquette is your best defence.

How far can a sneeze travel-?

4 meters. Sneezing and coughing into a tissue reduces the spread of the germs.

References

Gabrielle Nolan
Youth Health Nurse

Community News