Term 3, 19 August 2022
- Principal's Welcome
- From the Deputy’s Desk - Senior School
- From the Deputy’s Desk - Junior School
- Student Support Officer - Mr Pearsall
- School Support Staff Recognition Week
- Finance update
- Upcoming Events
- Sports Update -OUR GIRLS ARE WINNERS
- District Athletics - Wrap up
- Science Dept - Year 7
- Humanities Dept
- ART EXHIBITION - Well Done Jemma
- @ The Library
- CHESS NEWS
- Wear it Purple Day Fundraiser 26 August
- School Disco - Be There or Be......
- School Based Youth Health Nurse
- Certificate II Tourism Scholarship
- Support for Parents of Children with Autism
- Brass & Concert Band Spectacular
- Tablelands Underwater Hockey
Principal's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carer/s,
Welcome to Term 3, week 6.
Amazing Student Achievement
Congratulations to Billie Cummings who is the 2022 Outstanding Rural and Remote Senior STEM Student Award recipient. This is a very esteemed award and wonderful accomplishment. Atherton State High School students have been recognised in this category over a number of years! Great work Billie!
Congratulations to our T20 Senior Girls cricket team – Regional FNQ Winners 2022!
Congratulations to our students who participated, won events and broke records in the 2022 Tablelands District Athletics Carnival. All the very best to our students participating at the Peninsula Carnival.
Our Atherton High has a long and proud tradition in student success and it was wonderful to celebrate these achievements on our full school parade last week.
Great work to our Year 10 students who completed their student education training plans this week! Thank you to the staff who conducted interviews!
Staff News
Welcome to Mikaela Foot (Head of Department Humanities), Luke Herring (Maths Teacher) and Nathan Hinze (ITD Teacher).
Welcome to Sharon Caulfield-Anning (Community Education Counsellor)
Teacher Moderation Day
The teacher moderation day is planned for Thursday 1 September. The purpose of this day is for teachers to plan and develop unit plans for Term 4. Moderation will allow teachers to plan and work collaboratively to plan their units of work for term 4. Students of essential workers and ‘vulnerable’ students are able to attend school. A text message will be sent to all students working from home confirming that ‘attendance is not required’.
Your support is greatly appreciated with this moderation day!
Student Free Day
Friday 2 September is the Student Free Day. Students do not attend school at all on this day. Teachers not involved in the senior confirmation processes will be participating in professional development.
Attendance
Atherton State High School has developed new processes for the monitoring and tracking of student attendance. Parents/carers will now receive a text message for every lesson if your child/ren are not at school or in their scheduled class. All parents/carers are strongly encouraged to reply to the first text message of the day advising of reason for absence. If you respond to this text, you will not receive any further text messages for the day!
COVID Update
Please continue to stay up to date with the Queensland Health advice in regards to COVID. Students who test positive to COVID are required to isolate for 7 days and wear a mask when they return to school. Thank you for your ongoing support in keeping our community safe!
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
It is a busy time in senior schooling at the moment, with SET planning and student leadership processes in full swing. Last Thursday over 100 SET plan interviews were conducted, with 26 staff members meeting with Year 10 students and their parents to discuss career and learning goals and select subjects to support these. We will be reviewing subject selections and continuing SET planning discussions over the next week. Subject selections must be completed by the end of this week.
We have now finalised off campus arrangements for forty-nine students in Year 11 and 12. A reminder that students who have off campus lessons must have their timetables with them when they leave and arrive back at school, and present this to any staff member who requests to see it. Students must also be at school and attending their timetabled classes on time.
In the classroom, our Year 11 and 12 students are working on their final topics for the year. The Year 11 exam block is scheduled for week 3 of term 4, while the Year 12 external examinations for General subjects begin in week 4. Year 12s studying general subjects are undertaking specific in-class preparations for these exams, including learning of new content, completing and deconstructing past external exams and QCAA mock exams, and completing revision and practice. These students will be completing an external examination familiarisation session in week 2 next term.
Prospective Year 12 student leaders will present speeches on the full school parade this week. We wish these nine students luck as they embark on the interview and selection process.
Cathy Campbell
Deputy Principal, Senior School
From the Deputy’s Desk - Junior School
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 and as individual interviews at enrolment days at each feeder Primary school. Information regarding the feeder primary school days will be published soon.
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.
Uniform
This term a number of families have asked questions regarding the Atherton State High School uniform. The Dress Code was one of the documents that was included in your enrolment agreement and was signed off on.
See the table at the bottom of post for everyday uniform definition
Jewellery/Accessories
Students are discouraged from wearing jewellery, visible make up and accessories.
Jewellery permitted is:
- Gold or silver plain sleepers or studs in ears (maximum of 2 per ear),
- A watch
- A flat gold or silver ring
- A chain with religious symbols worn below the collar line.
No other visible piercings allowed at school or whilst representing the school at events.
Hair Ties:
Plain maroon, white and/or gold hair ties, ribbons and clips. (No decorative hair accessories).
Make up and Nail Polish:
Visible make up or coloured nail polish is not permitted.
Uniform Variations:
- Year 12 students are allowed a senior jersey and senior shirt with the year on the back and can only be worn in that year.
- Regional (e.g. Peninsula) representatives are permitted to wear their travel uniform (travel shirt, jackets and track suit pants) in place of the everyday uniform. Every day and representative sporting uniform cannot be mixed. All other articles of regional clothing are not permitted.
- State representatives from school sports are permitted to wear their travelling uniform only.
- Workplace Health and Safety requirements of high risk subjects (e.g. engineering) require specific safety equipment to be worn. These are articulated in learning guides published yearly.
If a student is out of uniform, two options exist. Students can borrow a uniform item from Student Services or a parent/carer can write a note explaining why a uniform item is not correct. The process for borrowing an item is that the Atherton High uniform item is exchanged for the uniform item that is not correct. This is then returned and exchanged back at the end of the day or the next day. When a student is not in uniform and arrives at class the teacher will send them to Student Services. A Deputy Principal may contact home to communicate the non-uniform breach and to coordinate a supportive approach moving forward.
The school is currently allowing a hat exemption due to supply chain issues. Orders of school bucket hats have been placed and will once again be for sale from the school tuckshop from 2023. This year, students in year 7 received a school bucket hat as part of their Student Resource Fees. This will continue into the future.
Uniform Donations
Currently the school is attempting to source extra uniform items to support students with the dress code. If you have any items that are no longer used, and would be willing to donate these, then please bring them in to the Student Services reception counter. We appreciate you support.
Chris Keating
Deputy Principal Junior School
Student Support Officer - Mr Pearsall
Welcome to our new Student Support Officer - Mr Jimmy Pearsall. This new role is to liaise and provide support to students and families at the school and liaise with the wider community, it also promotes the benefits of education to improve outcomes for students and families.
The role liaises with families and conducts home visits to encourage school attendance and to motivate students. It liaises with students and families to recognise any educational, social, emotional or behavioural issues and works within a team based management approach as a contact for students, families or community members regarding any concerns.
Jimmy's a very important member of our Atherton State High School team
School Support Staff Recognition Week
Where would be be without our School Support Staff?! Support staff are being recognised nationally from 5 - 9th September. QSuper, as part of Australian Retirement Trust, is celebrating the efforts of a special group of members as part of School Support Staff Recognition Week.
Let your school support staff know you appreciate them by entering the QSuper’s competition. Win one of 7 prize packs valued at $600. To enter, share a moment when a school support worker made education happen.
Please nominate a school support staff member and let them know how wonderful they are - link: https://qsuper.qld.gov.au/misc/schoolsupport
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 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. Parents experiencing financial hardship who are currently participating in or wish to participate in the SRS should contact the school to discuss options. Statements will be sent out at the end of each month.
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 currently transitioning to a Cashless School and would prefer payments be made by one of the above methods
Upcoming Events
- 23 August - Titration Competition - Finals
- 24 - 26th August - Year 9 Maths Camp
- 25 August - Full School Parade - Leadership Speeches – Period 4, 12.30 to 1.30pm
- 25 August - CBCA Book Week - Dress up and Blind Date with a Book launch in the Library
- 26 August - Wear it Purple Fundraising Day
- 26 August - Music Workshop in the Auditorium
- 27 August - Saturday - ASHS Yearbook Disco - 7pm to 9pm
- 30 August - Baldy Hike - Sport and Rec Students
- 31 August - Japanese Speaking Competition - Malanda - 3.30pm
- 31 August - Allan Rockley Interschool Touch – International Club - 4.00 – 6.00pm
- 2 September - Staff Professional Day - Student Free Day
- 2 September - Teacher Aide Day
- 3 September - Brass and Concert Band - ATIM Concert
Sports Update -OUR GIRLS ARE WINNERS
Regional Champions! Congratulations to our Girls T20 Cricket team on being crowned the regional champions in the final of Street Smart T20 cricket competition. The girls played Saint Andrews Catholic College in the final and won by 9 wickets, well done ladies! The team will now travel to Mackay later in the year to play in the North Queensland Final, good luck ladies!
Great job to our junior boys team that unfortunately fell to Saint Augustine’s college. The boys played valiantly, batting out the 20 overs, unfortunately though, falling short to Saint Augustine’s total by 75 runs.
A great effort by both our teams, thankyou to all staff, students, and parents for your commitment to cricket at ASHS.
District Athletics - Wrap up
Thank you to all staff, students and parents that assisted with the District Athletics Carnival on Thursday and Friday last week. The carnival could not have happened without your support and subsequently, our students could not have done as well as they did without your encouragement.
A special thankyou goes out to Amanda Linwood and the HUB team for supporting our students competing in classified events. In my opinion, it was the best part of the carnival seeing our staff and students; along with the majority of other schools and students, cheer on these athletes as they ran the 100m and 20m events, well done to all who supported these athletes!
Throughout the carnival the comradery of students is to be commended, the manner in which each student cheered on and supported their peers was outstanding, it was so great to see, it really was the Atherton High Way!
In terms of results, we ended the carnival overall with two champion age champions; in the Open girls and 16 years Boys divisions, as well as four runners up in the 14 years Boys, 15 years Boys, and 17 years Boys divisions.
We had two overall third places in the 13 years Girls and 17 years Girls divisions. On top of this great feat of 9 students overall placing in the top 3 for their respective age groups, we also had 6 records broken by ASHS students which is outstanding. Many of our students walked away with multiple ribbons for a variety of their events, a true testament to the education and support provided here at ASHS; so much so that some even placed in the top 2 for every event they completed in!
Lastly, with 70 students attending the carnival, we finished 3rd overall for champion school in the Senior division, falling short of champion school, St Stephens. This however, again shows the great level of passion our staff and students have for sport here at ASHS, well done everyone!
Harry Simpson
Sports Coordinator
District Athletics Fun
Science Dept - Year 7
On Wednesday this week we were very fortunate to have James Geary, an agronomist, come in as a guest speaker to address 3 of our Year 7 Science classes about Agronomy.
Humanities Dept
Ancient Egypt in year 7 A and 7E !
Year 7 have been transported back in time to the 15th century BCE to experience what life was like for the Ancient people then. Their beliefs, lifestyles, conflicts and environment ….and eye makeup not only for decoration but protection from the intense elements. Men and women wore eye makeup. Some of the students were trained up to decorate many willing participants . Some great up and coming makeup artists in the making .
Having Fun Learning with Makeup
ART EXHIBITION - Well Done Jemma
Our very own Jemma Denigan, is having her first solo art exhibition. Jemma, who is currently completing her Year 12 studies, has also been incredibly busy creating a beautiful folio of works for the exhibit. We are so very proud of her efforts, talent and bravery as an artist. Please show your support for Jemma and drop in for a look if you are nearby. Mareeba Arts Society, 345B Byrnes St Mareeba. 1st to 30th September. Open 7days from 10am-2pm. Entry is free
@ The Library
FROM THE CIRCULATION DESK
The old English idiom, “Don’t judge a book by its cover” is our motivation to get readers to look beyond their covers and give books a chance!
The Library is delighted to announce the return of Blind Date with a Book which will launch in Week 7, Thursday 25th August, Recess 1 in line with Book Week. This event will aim to please all those who love bookish conversations, tea, scones, dress up and the surprise of a new and exciting read, without the judgement of appearance!
We will have over 100 book titles wrapped carefully in brown paper, each package labelled with a few vague words and hints about the contents within. Once intrigued, borrowers may take their package/s home and have a date with their new book.
Along with the delight of surprise, all staff and students are invited to Dress UP! This year’s Book Week theme, “Dreaming with eyes open,” encourages all to fossick through wardrobes, open the craft box or start up the sewing machine and transform into a favourite book character. We have staff and students already in full swing hinting their possibilities of wonder. We cannot wait to see who turns up to the party!
HOUSEKEEPING:
Look out for overdue emails sent to students every Wednesday. Please return any overdue loans back to the Circulation desk or alternatively send an email and/or call in to arrange an extension.
Happy Reading everyone!! Mrs Stevens and Ms Stack
BOOK WEEK
Share in the glorious week of celebrating books and Australian authors and illustrators. We are running a Free Dress day Thursday, 25th August ‘Dress up in your favourite book character’, and Blind Date with a Book party. See you all there, Recess 1 for scones, tea, parades and bookish belly laughs.
CHESS NEWS
The game of strategy, chess, is a very popular lunch time activity for a large group of players in our Library.
The FNQ Inter School Chess Tournament is held each term inviting students the opportunity to test their skills against other chess players within the region. On 11th of August, Atherton State High School was represented by Bianca Le Gear (Yr.11), Sara Banks (Yr. 11), Toby Wode (Yr.12) and Neo Domagala (Yr.8). They were accompanied by Mr Schafer.
About 300 players attended the tournament and it was very competitive. Atherton players fought hard and were involved in exciting battles. Bianca Le Gear was Atherton High’s best preforming student with 4 wins from 7 matches.
A special thank you goes out to Mr Ebden and Mr Schafer for supporting students over the year and for accompanying and aiding students during days of tournaments.
Chess can be played in the Library during both breaks and beginners are welcome to join.
Mrs Stevens – Library Manager, DE Coordinator and Dig Tech Teacher
Wear it Purple Day Fundraiser 26 August
As a day of significance for many Australians, ‘Wear it Purple’ day focuses on our LGBTQIA+ youth and the issues they face, whilst showing them they have the right to be proud of who they are and who they are becoming.
At the Library we have curated a collection of LGBTQIA+ books and resources. Come in and peruse our collection and show your support
The Diversity Committee and Student Council are celebrating respect! On Friday, 26th August we ask you all to wear purple and bring along a gold coin to help fundraise for Wear it Purple Day.
Every year thousands of schools, community organisations, universities and workplaces hold events across Australia for Wear It Purple Day. As a day of significance for many Australians, it focuses on our LGBTQIA+ youth and the issues they face, whilst showing them they have the right to be proud of who they are and who they are becoming.
Wear it Purple Day is now an international movement of expression, celebration and support. By wearing purple on the last Friday of August, you will demonstrate to hundreds of thousands of rainbow young people across Australia that you see them, you support them, and you respect them.
School Disco - Be There or Be......
School Based Youth Health Nurse
Is there a right way to apologise?
Certificate II Tourism Scholarship
MiHaven Training is seeking 10 high school students to undertake a Certificate II in Tourism Scholarship.
Please see attached poster/flyer to promote to students at your school. Please ensure students understand the information below How To Apply & Key Dates
Scholarships are open to current Year 10 & 11 students and will provide up to 4 QCE Credits.
Support for Parents of Children with Autism
Our next event for Parents of Children with Autism (including undiagnosed) is in Malanda on 19th August. Details can be found on our website listing and the attached flyer https://vpginc.com.au/tablelands-support-for-parents-of-children-with-autism/
Brass & Concert Band Spectacular
Tablelands Underwater Hockey
Tablelands Underwater Hockey is coming to Atherton Aquatic Centre on Mondays 17:30 to 18:30.
What is Underwater Hockey? It is a great family sport for ages 12 to 60+. And a sport accredited for the Duke of Edinburgh Award as well.
Try it yourself or talk to your mates to make a team
