Term 3, 5 August 2022

Principal's Update

Dear Parents and Carer/s,

Welcome to Term 3, week 4.  Thank you to all parents/carers who attended the parent teacher interviews last Tuesday.

Great work to the students who attended the District Athletics on Thursday and Friday in Mareeba.  The students were extremely well behaved and displayed outstanding sportsmanship and support for their fellow students.  A huge thank you to the staff who assisted.  A special thank you to Mr Simpson for the organisation. 

Thank you to a very generous community member who donated three brand new clarinets to our school for use in the Atherton Cluster Instrumental Music program.  The instruments were extremely well received and greatly appreciated by the students.  A very special thank you to Dr Diana House for coordinating this gift.

Staff Update

Welcome to the following staff:

• Nathan Hinze – returning to Atherton State High School – ITD teacher
• Mikaela Fox – Head of Department Humanities
• Luke Herring – Maths/Science Teacher
• Jennifer White – English Teacher

Atherton State High School is actively recruiting teachers!  Please share this message with friends and family who are teachers – come and work at our great school!

Expectations

Atherton State High School has a long and proud tradition of providing extremely high-quality education to students from the Atherton Tablelands communities and beyond.  We believe strong, positive relationships between all members of our school are the foundation to support successful outcomes for all students.  Atherton State High School has three core focus areas linked to Positive Behaviour for Learning: Respect, Responsibility and Success.   

• Respect - for self and others 
• Responsibility - be accountable for your actions, resolve differences in constructive, non-violent and peaceful ways, contribute to society and civic life and take care of the environment 
• Success - modelling and observing positive behaviours results in successful outcomes for all students and staff.  

These areas have been used in the development of our Student Code of Conduct, with the aim of helping shape and build the skills of all our students to be confident, self-disciplined and kind young people.  Our school staff believe that communication and positive connections with other people are the most valuable skills our communities need now and in the future.  

Therefore, for our students to be successful, they need to be at school every day, bringing the right equipment and completing their school work!  Parents are encouraged to contact class teachers if you are unsure what work is required of your child in each subject.

Further to our behaviour expectations, all students are expected to be in full school uniform every day!  This is a safety issue!  We need to be able to identify our students.  If students are not in uniform, the school will supply a clean uniform item which must be returned.  Please ensure your child is wearing the correct school uniform every day they walk out to door to head to school. 

Cyberbullying 

Cyberbullying is treated at Atherton State High School with the same level of seriousness as in-person bullying.  The major difference with cyberbullying however, is that unlike in-person bulling, cyberbullying follows students into their community, their homes and their bedrooms, giving them no opportunity to escape the harassment or abuse during the evening, weekends or holidays.    

In the first instance, students or parents who wish to make a report about cyberbullying should approach the Positive Behaviour teacher – Mrs Huth, who can be approached directly by students, parents or staff for assistance in preventing and responding to cyberbullying. 

It is important for students, parents and staff to know that state school principals have the authority to take disciplinary action to address student behaviours that occur outside of school hours or school grounds.  This includes cyberbullying.  Parents and students who have concerns about cyberbullying incidents occurring during school holidays should immediately seek assistance through the Office of the e-Safety Commissioner or the Queensland Police Service. 

I highly recommend that boundaries with personal devices are established for school and home use.

Have a great fortnight and please remember all students need to be at school, in class and learning every school day!

Yours in learning,

Helen Carne

Principal

From the Deputy’s Desk - Senior School

We’ve had a busy few weeks in the senior schooling space. Year 10 subject selection and SET planning preparation is well underway with students having presentations from subject Heads of Department, the transition pathways officer, VET coordinator and Head of Senior Schooling, as well as exploring the MYQCE website. All of this information will help them to make informed and appropriate decisions about their future pathways and senior subjects and courses. SET planning day is Thursday 18 August and information will be given out early next week about how to book interviews and prepare for the day.

Also coming up next week is our curriculum information meeting. Student and families of current Year 7 students going into Year 8 in 2023 and from Year 8 into Year 9 are invited to attend at 6pm and Year 10 into 11 at 7pm. This is an opportunity for parents and students to learn more about subject selection options and to talk to teachers and Heads of Department about subject focus and requirements. This event will be held in the school library on Tuesday 9 August.

Year 11 and 12 off campus classes have now been finalised. This has been a major change for our students and staff and I thank parents for their quick support of this change. A reminder that students leaving campus must have their timetable available to show any staff member who requests to see this. Students returning to school from must be back in time to commence their next lesson.

Congratulations to the Year 11 students who have applied for leadership roles in 2023. This is a courageous step and we wish you luck with your applications. Interviews will take place in week 8 with leaders announced in the full school handover parade in week 10.

Wishing you all the best over the coming weeks.

Cathy Campbell

From the Deputy’s Desk - Junior School

It is the time of the year for subject selection for years 7 and 8, and over the last couple of weeks students have heard what elective subjects are on offer, and what they entail. I encourage you to engage in conversation about subject preferences and to attend the information evening on Tuesday August 9 to ensure students make informed choices.

Over the last couple of days, I have had the pleasure of witnessing our students participate at District Athletics. I have been impressed by our school spirit and our students’ attitude who help in any way possible. Well done to the Health Department and all staff helpers who gave another couple of days in the sun to ensure this event happens.

Enrolment at Atherton State High School 2023 Year 7

If you are wanting to enrol a student at Atherton State High School in year 7 for 2023 then please complete an enrolment pack. Packs can be arranged by contacting the school office and were distributed to Primary Schools earlier in the year.  

Once your enrolment paperwork is filled in, you will need to complete an enrolment session at the school. We are conducting these as group interviews on Thursday afternoons. Please contact the school office to book into one of these sessions or to book an appointment outside of these times.

All students need to have completed their enrolment paperwork and interview to be able to participate in the term 4 transition day.

Attendance

Our process around explaining Unexplained Absences is highly effective in ensuring student absences are explained and recorded. Attendance at school is a serious legal obligation and as such we have adopted a rigorous process around ensuring the accuracy of our records. If your student is away please be in touch before or on the day of the absence. If your child is absent after period 1 or missing during a lesson without explanation, you will receive a text message. Please help us with replying with an explanation wherever possible.

Mr Chris Keating.

Transition Pathways Officer

My name is Lisa Combe and I am the Transition Pathways Officer at Atherton High School. My role within the school is to assist students who are considering leaving school to find employment or training opportunities.

I can assist your child in:

• Job Searching
• Resume and Cover Letter writing
• Job applications
• Enrolments into short course training
• Enrolments into training Certificate Courses (TAFE, CQU, MiHaven, Civil Safety etc)
• Assistance with applying for Tax File Numbers, Birth Certificates, Medicare Cards.
• Assistance to enrol in Prep L for Learner Licence.
• Registering with Apprenticeship Support Networks

I am in Atherton on a Wednesday and Thursday and every second Monday. Students can email me for an appointment or see the ladies in Student Services (A Block.)

I have also created a Facebook group where I advertise local employment, apprenticeships and training opportunities in the Atherton, Mareeba and Cairns regions. Students, parents and potential employers are encouraged to join to assist youth who are job searching.

The name of the group is Tableland Youth Pathways. If you are interested in joining, please follow the security questions. (There is only a couple)

Lisa Combe

Positive Behaviour for Learning Update

PBL – Value of the week

Each week, the PBL team identifies a value of the week to focus. Next week, week 5, our student and staff focus is Be respectful: Respect the schools personal electronic devices policy, ensuring devices are keep out of mind and out of sight. Only take or share images or recordings of others with permission or under staff decision. Our week 6 focus is: Be responsible: use personal and school equipment as intended. Report damaged equipment to staff

Finance update

School Watch! Please Keep Watch on our school!  Contact School Watch if you see anything that is out of the normal around our school in particular in school holidays! Call School Watch on 131788

Dear Parents/Carers/Guardians,

Student Resource Scheme 2022 Payments Now Overdue

All 2022 Student Resource Scheme levies including subject fees were due to be paid at end of term 1 and if unpaid are outstanding. Please ensure all fees are paid in full or a payment agreement is in place with the school in order for students to continue to receive resources. We are following up on outstanding payments and Payment Reminder Letters are being sent out for outstanding fees. Thank you to all those who have paid and to those who have arranged payment plans.

Please update Contact details

If any details have changed either address, email or other contacts, please update these with the school.

For further information email bsm@athertonshs.eq.edu.au

Paying School Fees:

You can pay your child’s school fees in one of the following ways :

• BPOINT to pay by credit and debit card
• BPOINT IVR (Over the Phone Payment) Call - 1300 631 073
• Direct Deposit into the school Bank Account BSB: 064-800 Account: 00090137
• EFTPOS at L Block Reception.
• Arrange payment plans and centrepay payments at Reception
• Payment can also be accessed online via your QParents account.

We are now a Cashless School and would prefer payments be made by one of the above methods. 

P & C Update

P & C Meeting and Scholarship News

1. The P&C meeting is postponed until the 16^th of August to allow for the Curriculum Information evening to use the venue – all welcome on the 16th
2. The Fresh St Market IGA University Scholarship will be open for applications from the 15^th of September and due 15^th November Annually. Application Guidelines will be available by the end of August

School Opinion Survey - Student Surveys Needed - Year 8 & Year 11

SOS 2022 CLOSES ON THE 12^TH OF AUGUST AND WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU IF YOU HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED IT.  IF YOU OR YOUR YEAR 8 OR YEAR 11 STUDENTS HAVEN'T PARTICIPATED YET WE URGE YOUR STUDENT TO REGISTER THEIR OPINION.  

THE INFORMATION BELOW IS PROVIDED BY EDUCATION QUEENSLAND. 

OUR SCHOOL VALUES THE INFORMATION AND FEEDBACK WE ARE PROVIDED THROUGH THE ANNUAL SCHOOL OPINION SURVEY AND ASK THAT EVERY FAMILY RESPOND WHEN  YOU RECEIVE THE EMAIL  PLEASE.

The annual suite of School Opinion Surveys will be conducted in Term 3 and will close on 12 August 2022. All families and school staff will be invited to participate along with any students in target year levels (8 and 11). We encourage you to take this opportunity to have your say about what our school does well, and how we can improve.

An invitation to complete the Parent/Caregiver Survey was emailed to one parent/caregiver per family in the week beginning 11 July.  A Reminder email will also be sent to the students.   The invitation will be sent from the Department of Education, not the school, and it will have the subject line School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2022.  Check your junk email folders if you can’t find it.  The survey can be completed as soon as the invitation is received and will take approximately 5 minutes using a computer, tablet or smart phone. 

Parents/caregivers who do not have access to the internet at home please contact the school office to organise a time to complete this at school.

Sports Update

Two of our girls were successful in being selected for the 11-12 yrs Peninsula Girls Rugby League team. Well Done Alivia and Angie 

Sports and District Athletics

Great weather and conditions for our 2 days of District Athletics.  Multiple records were broken!

Here's a snap shot of some photos and we will have more information and photos in our next newsletter 19 August.  Go Atherton!

Snap shots of the day

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EXCITING NEWS FROM THE HUB

Huge Congratulations! .....  Huge! 

This is the first time ever that students with disabilities have participated in the District Athletics.  Our students Anthony, Riley and Marianna are now off to Peninsula Trials.  Big round of applause to our students who did so well.  Special thanks to our staff members Nicole Turner and Duncan McGregor who worked tirelessly with the great assistance of Therese Watson (District Sports) for enabling students of all abilities to access District Athletics.  

Athletics Fun

More Exciting News from the HUB

OUR THERAPY CLASS has been super active this year and we’ve got goals to kick.  In fact, one of our crew has just kicked one amazing goal.

First, let’s talk about why it is so important for children with disabilities to be active. 

Did you know children with disabilities (CWD) are far less active than their typically-developed peers mainly because CWD have fewer opportunities to be active.  Think about how many after school sports are available for CWD. 

Our Hub students need the same amount of exercise as mainstream students – 60 mins per day of moderate to intense physical activity.  Since CWD are not as active as mainstream kids, they are at higher risk of health problems later in life like high blood pressure and obesity.  That’s bad news.

Here’s the good news.  The focus is now on schools as places where CWD can meet the exercise guidelines and get moving more.

That’s exactly what we’ve been doing in our Therapy classes.  In terms 1 and 2 we focused on building cardio fitness and coordination through ball and game skills.  Plus having lots of fun.

This term we put our goal into action – riding balance bikes with a view to riding independently.  This is important because kids who learn to ride bikes stay healthier through life than kids who don’t learn to ride.

AND DRUM ROLL FOR THE MOST EXCITING NEWS … Tyler Hibbert, who was unable to ride independently, is the first of our crew who rode on his own from last week and he hasn’t stopped. Tyler is a perfect example of a student, who given the opportunity and support, can develop and nail an important developmental skill that typically-developed peer do routinely.

Go Tyler!

Nico and Jaxson are our ace basketballers.  Harrison loves tennis.   Savannah is a speedster runner.  LeBron can walk and walk and walk.  Cruz is shining in our basketball games.  No one can catch Kelsi on the balance bike.

Stay tuned for more exciting news from the Hub crew.

Having Fun and Being Active

Agriculture Department

CONGRATULATIONS to Cameron Colless on achieving overall Runner-up in the National Hermitage Research Facility Schools Plant Science Competition. The theme this year was Native Foods and Cameron conducted research into wild and commercial sorghum varieties. Well done.

Studying Pet Ownership

The Year 9 Agriculture students studying Pet Ownership interacted with horses as part of their practical activity this week. Thanks to Ruby Collins, we had Pumpkin the paint and Bug, (short for Bugatti) the bay visit. Ruby educated the class on various aspects of horse husbandry including anatomy, feeding, training, tack and show jumping. Students had the chance to brush the horses, measure and ask lots of horsey questions.

Bug was popular with the girls…

Visual Arts @ Atherton High

MASK MAKING

This term the year 8 visual art students are mask making.  This unit of work, in our junior curriculum, is always a hit with our budding artists.  Working with plaster and mixed media materials, students will construct decorative sculptural works which reflect their inner identities.  As always, we are looking very forward to seeing what they can create.  Artworks and works in progress will be on display at our Arts Open Night in term 4.

High Tea for our Year 9 TFF Students

Year 9 Textiles Food & Fibre students have been working hard on creating High Tea platters that cater to various special dietary needs of customers. This week we trialled towers of sandwiches with a variety of delicious breads and fillings.  These included Chicken, Apple & Poppyseed Mayo, Chicken with a Trio of Fresh Herbs, Creamy Mustard Egg & Lettuce and Tuna & Greek Yoghurt Tempters. 

Stay tuned for our next round of trials – delicious desserts up next!

Aerospace Industry Education Awards

The 2022 Aerospace Industry Education Award student applications are now open! 

With 12 student award categories currently available there really is something for everyone! Did you know that not all student categories require students to be studying an aviation subject such as Aerospace Systems?  The minimum requirement for each award is to be a student enrolled at an Aerospace Gateway to Industry Program (AGISP) School and Atherton State High School is an AGISP school! 

Below is a snapshot of who can apply for each student award.  Please read the criteria sheets for more detailed information.  These are available at https://aerospacegatewayschools.com.au/2022-aerospace-industry-education-award-criteria/

HOW TO APPLY?

Applications are through the Aerospace Gateways website above.

Student submissions close on Friday 7^th October.

Atherton State High School Concert Band

Our High School Concert Band recently competed at Fanfare Competition and received a platinum award.  They rehearse as a full band once a week and are currently practicing for the Brass and Concert Band Spectacular that will take place in the Atherton State High School Community Hall on Saturday the 3^rd of September.  Remember the date!

Library - Book Week - August 20 - 26th

GET CREATIVE!  - Thursday 25 August - Recess 1 - In the Library 

READERS' CUP 2022

BRITANNICA SCHOOL

Atherton State High School has free use of Britannica School until the end of Term 3.

Atherton State High School has free use of Britannica School until the end of Term 3. Britannica School is a safe and up-to-date age-appropriate information resource for all  school students. With Britannica School, you will discover encyclopedia articles, journals and periodicals, multimedia, primary sources, games, and other learning resources that are curriculum aligned and support your research with tasks and assessment.

It's simple to use.  Just click on the URL below and type in the Username and Password. 

Username: athertonshs

Password: trial

URL: https://school.eb.com.au

This site is accessible anywhere - anytime.  You can bookmark the URL to your personal computer or device and log in outside of school!

You may find the following links helpful when you first get started:

- Short Video tutorials - Using Britannica School

- Training Session - Britannica School (27 mins)

- Student Research Guide

At the end of this trial (end of Term 3), we will have a snapshot of how many students use this resource.  This data will help determine if we would like to continue with Britannica School.

You are welcome to contact me with any questions or queries. 

Mrs Stevens – Library Manager, DE Coordinator and Dig Tech Teacher

Youth Advisory Committee

Action for Happiness Calendar - AUGUST

* Happier *  Kinder  * Together * 

School Nurse - Christina Silva - Free Webinar Re- Popular Apps Children Use

Mobile Women's Health Clinic

Tuesday 16 August - Atherton Community Health - Phone for appointment

Youth & Careers Expo - Cairns 25 August

*Year 10 - 12 Students*   The BLA (Business Liaison Association) are very excited about the number of exhibitors we have this year at the Careers Expo as well as the diversity of opportunities available for your students. Come along to ask all the questions you need and have them answered by a Careers/Industry professional.