Atherton State High School eNewsletter

Principal's Welcome

Dear Parents and Carer/s,

Welcome to Term 3, week 8.

Thank you to our School Community

A huge thank you to our school community for your support with the teacher moderation day and student free day! Teachers working together to develop unit plans and assessment provides consistency of practice across year levels and within subjects at year level. The staff at Atherton State High School have worked extremely hard to ensure the highest quality of unit planning has been developed in preparation for term 4. Thank you for supporting this opportunity! We greatly appreciate your understanding and management of your children on these days. The P and C will provide the school with feedback regarding the dates for these days in 2023.

Staff News

Principal Role

The Principal role is still not yet determined. Therefore, I have been asked to remain in the Acting Principal role until the start of the 2023 school year. I look forward to continuing to work with the wonderful staff, students and community!

Welcome to Michelle Walker - Guidance Officer working at every Monday and Friday.

Welcome to Lisa Combe – Community Liaison Officer working four days a week.

Outstanding Work

Thank you to the amazing staff at Atherton State High School! Despite the teacher shortage and additional work load many teachers and staff are undertaking, I have been so impressed that despite this, Atherton State High School continues to provide amazing extra-curricular activities to our students. From Music to Agriculture, Discos on Saturday nights, T20 cricket to Mackay and back, every Wednesday touch football – just to name a few – our staff are there supporting our students!

Parents and students – please be extremely grateful for this time and commitment shown by our wonderful staff! Please take time to thank our staff!

Attendance

Do you own a business in Atherton? If so, we respectfully invite you to not serve Atherton State High School students in uniform during school hours! It takes a village to raise a child and we need your support by politely advising the student – we value your education and will serve outside of school hours! The Atherton High Way – in class and learning!

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 - Junior School

Words from the Deputy Desk Junior

Buddy Class

As part of a teacher’s classroom management, an option exists for a student to be sent to buddy class. This occurs when a student’s behaviour is no longer manageable in the classroom and they have created a Major disruption to teaching and learning environment.

The student will be sent to the office and then allocated to a buddy class with a contract and classwork. The student is to complete the contract and classwork and then negotiate a re-entry to their original class with their teacher in break time.

The teacher who sends the student to a buddy class will make home contact and outline the reasons for the buddy class. If a student refuses to negotiate with their class teacher then a Head of Department may intervene. The good order and management of all our classrooms is a priority, and we want to see all classrooms as productive teaching and learning environments.

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.

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. Please contact the school office to book an appointment.

All students need to have completed their enrolment paperwork and interview to be able to participate in the term 4 transition day on November 30.

Chris Keating

Deputy Principal Junior

Attendance Officer - Ms Sam Norris

Introducing our Attendance Officer, Sam Norris

Attendance Officer role is to support students learning environment by monitoring student attendance, producing absence reports for senior leaders, and liaising with parents/carers to verify student absences. The role also contributes to the effective and efficient operations of the school by providing a high level of administrative support to the Principal.

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

2 September - Girls Street Smart T20 cricket Northern Conference Final
3 September - Brass and Concert Band - ATIM Concert
3 September - Sport & Rec assessment Hike
7 September - Interschool Touch Football
7 September - ATIM Assessment in the hall
8 September - ATIM Assessment in the hall
8 September - RU OK? day - Library Recess 1 & 2
8 September - Visual Arts Excursion - 9.00am
8 September - Senior Parade - Defence - 12.30pm P.4
9 September - AG Dept Year 11 & 12 Excursion
9 September - Drama - Movie Club Night
13 September - PBL Rewards Celebration
16 September - Last day of term - Happy Holidays

Science Dept - Science Week

The National Science Week theme for 2022 was Glass: More than meets the eye. Our ASHS Science Ambassadors and Science club students worked hard to organise a fun week of events for our visiting cluster primary school students and high school students alike. Activities included:

A glassblower visit - the art he was able to make with glass was amazing – Thankyou Murray!
A murder mystery - using the refractive index of glass to find out ‘whodunnit’
Growing ‘liquid’ glass – making a crystal garden
Creating hologram displays
Making edible glass biscuits – the primary school students liked this one, no surprise
A Chemical glassware Library display
Lunchtime documentaries to watch - ‘Blown Away’
A trivia session to test the student’s (glass) knowledge against the teachers’

A big thankyou to those students and teachers who helped make this week a great one.

Science Week Activities

After an absolutely amazing result of first, second and champion titrator on the day in the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) Queensland Regional Titration Competition held on the 1^st June at JCU, our two teams were invited back to JCU for the finals on 23^rd August. Yet again our teams excelled with a result of 5 silvers and 1 gold. Well done – your selfless donation of many many lunchtimes to practice and hone your skills has paid off. Mr Pluschke.

A Visit from Queensland's Chief Scientist

Three of our students were fortunate to be invited to attend a meet & greet with Queensland’s Chief Scientist, Professor Hugh Possingham, organised by the Mayor of TRC, Rod Marti, at Halloran’s Hill on Tuesday 16^th August to represent ASHS. Here they had the chance to listen to the current issues that the Chief Scientist is dealing with, and how he deals with them, and ask their own questions as well as those from key stakeholders from local NRM Groups and other schools. A very informative session.

Aerospace Work Experience

Imogen is off to Brisbane for an Aircraft Maintenance Course

Aviation Australia’s Brisbane campus was offering an aircraft maintenance work experience program during the September school holidays. This program is highly sought after by those students wishing to become aircraft engineers and maintenance staff and there were limited positions available.

After a competitive process and careful consideration, the Aviation Australia team announced that Imogen Kelly from Atherton High was a successful candidate. Well done Imogen!

Maths Dept - Year 9 Maths Camp

Year 9 Maths Camp, where learning can be fun. Trigonometry in action, drones, cyborgs and High ropes. 24 - 26th August students had lots of activities and lots to learn at Tinaroo Environmental Education Centre Black Gully campus

Mathc Camp Activities

Sports Dept - Lawn Bowls Gold

State Secondary Schools Cup Challenge

Atherton State High School students Harry (Yr 11) and April Lawrence (Yr 7) received Gold in the regional lawn bowls play off against Tully State High School to make them the regional representatives in the State Finals Secondary Schools Cup Challenge held in Brisbane last week.

Harry and April, coached by local bowler Mal Mackney, played 9 lawn bowls games over the two day tournament. They played against other regional champions from all across Queensland. It was a great experience for them both to play against some of the state's best teenage players.

They celebrated a number of wins, including a win over Roma State High School who had yet to be defeated. The overall 2022 champions were Gympie's James Nash State High School who remained undefeated. Harry and April hope to make it to the Junior State Lawn Bowls Championships held in Bundaberg early next year. Well done April and Harry – a great achievement!!

Our Girls Street Smart T20 Cricket Northern Conference Final in Mackay

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 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.

The girls are now off to Mackay this weekend. * GOOD LUCK *

Our Girls Netball Team

Netball - Fowlers Cup - Our team performed well at the Marlin Coast Fowlers Cup school netball carnival, coming 3rd in a very strong pool. Very proud of these girls who have represented our school together for the past 5 years.

Ms Grimshaw, HOD Senior Secondary

Para Athletes Peninsula School Sport. Congratulations to Riley and Anthony!

From Bridget Greensill - Manager of Para Athletes for Peninsula School Sport.

I would like to introduce myself to your school. I am the current manager of Para Athletes for Peninsula School Sport.

It is with great pleasure that I let you know that two students from your school have been offered places in our 2022 Peninsula Team who will be competing in Brisbane at State Athletics.

Riley Beazley and Anthony Unger were both successful in making the next level of Track and Field to be selected for the Peninsula Team heading to Brisbane in Term 4.

Riley Beazley is also the first visual impaired student to make a Peninsula team which is fantastic news for your school as well as the Peninsula district.

I would like to thank Nicole Turner and Duncan for their tireless work in making sure that these students were included in their school sports day, district trials and finally Peninsula trials.

AG Dept - Growing success

The Year 7s planted crops themselves from a combination of seeds and seedlings of different vegetables in Week 1 this term. They have been in charge of crop care, weeding, fertilising, mulching and watering each week. We will be harvesting our produce at the end of the term and hope to have lots of healthy and delicious vegetables!

Leadership Speeches

Impressive speeches from our aspiring future leaders on school parade vying for Leadership roles next year. Good Luck everyone.

To quote Chloe "Well done to you all for your bravery. No matter whether you receive a position, you have shown fortitude and leadership in applying and making the effort to speak on parade. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours. And always remember, you do not need a title to be a leader". Leadership Handover Parade Thursday 15 September, 12.30pm

Year 12 Formal Dance Practice

Hall Not Available..... Let's practice on the oval!

Get Ready Queensland!

Students from Atherton State High School HUB recently completed a unit inspired by Get Ready Queensland during their Social Skills and Art classes.

Students were really excited and encouraged to learn about the risks of, preparations for and effects of natural disasters. A couple of the students were able to relate to the material, having personally experienced a Tropical Cyclone.

The Resource Unit on the Queensland Government’s Get Ready Queensland website generated a lot of class discussion and we were able to talk about the seriousness and importance of preparation for natural disasters, whilst eliminating fear and replacing it with a healthy respect.

We brainstormed all the different natural disasters throughout the world. Then we focussed on possible natural disasters in Australia; and finally concentrated on three natural disasters that we are susceptible to here in Far North Queensland: cyclones, floods and bushfires.

In the Art classes, students created a bushfire scene using crepe paper. They chose 'warm colours', then painted water over the crepe papers, let it dry and removed the paper to reveal a fire scene. Students then drew, line by line the outline of a burnt tree, then coloured it in. Our cyclone picture was created using oil pastels with students copying colour by colour and line by line. Our flood picture was a step by step guided drawing and colouring. At the end of the unit, we took time to review the importance of preparation for natural disasters.

For information about preparing for natural disasters go to https://www.getready.qld.gov.au/

Getting Ready & being prepared

It was Disco Time at ASHS

After lots of “It’s Disco Time” videos, lost lunch times selling tickets and competing with Alex’s 18^th Birthday, it was time for our last event to fundraise.

We arrived to help set-up….although it was basically done. This gave some of us time to scoff some curry while others tried to set-up the lights.

Students started entering to a fully lit hall and Cooper up some scaffolding trying to fix a disco ball……we had no disco ball. Eventually the music started (even if it was at “shopping centre” volume), the lights came on and MC Mickan took the mic. it was time to dance. Well, some people.

MC duties quickly changed to Mr Meekcoms who got the night rolling with the first game of Corners. The winning corner was George Michael. This set the mood with the lights going off, the smoke machine turning on and the music pumping.

Next up was the dancing competition with teachers and students all showing their skills to the classic songs like the macarena, the nut bush and the chicken dance. This led straight into the limbo with our “lightsabre-esque” limbo stick. The stick started at a height that Charlie could have walked under before being lowered to the height of a chair….which Sarah could have walked under.

The night ended with a hectic game of Musical chairs where it was down to Micah’s little sister (Ryanne) and The captain (Marni). After a hard-fought battle Marni Dennis walked away the winner showing that she is good at sitting down when music stops playing….

The major prize of the night was $100 KFC voucher which was taken away by year 8 student Neo.

When the Disco finished it was time to pack up, and by pack up, I mean start the Karaoke..... Singing and dancing to the best songs ever (Disney classics). By the end of the night we were all done and Jacob had Mastered the lights (so much so he made a chart).

Our overall disco-er was Neo! Well done Neo on winning the $100 voucher

Disco Dancing & our Photo Booth

It is pleasing to see the completion of the fencing project. The Construction students had to work from a drawing to construct a fence to specification.

The fence looks amazing and the gate works perfectly.

The project was aimed at having students learn about setting out a project, working in a team and completing a task to specification.

Many skills were learned and applied. The students demonstrated the skills necessary to building a fence. Students used a water level, power tools and hand tools to complete this task.

The fence is straight, level and uniform. Well done students.

Ruby & Caylen stand proud by their fence

**Students quality assure the fence. The all-good was given. Thank you students.**

@ The Library

FROM THE CIRCULATION DESK

Blind Date with a Book Success!

The Library doors opened and a swarm of favourite book character celebrities greeted the annual Blind Date with a Book event! Celebrating CBCA Book Week, the likes of Professor Trelawney (J K Rowling’s Harry Potter), Lady Macbeth (William Shakepeare), Where’s Wally and Alice from Alice in Wonderland (Lewis Carroll) - just to name a few - busted through the doors! Tea and scones were enjoyed over a sea of beautifully packaged books, mostly new and never read!

Over eighty brown paper packaged delights with vague hints of its contents within, enticed many attendees to take a blind date book home. Over 60 books walked out the door on the day, and we could not be more delighted!

A big thank you to Ms Stack who wrapped each and every book, and to Marianna Trnker and Haylee Lunn, Yr. 12 Work Experience students, who helped create signs and displays. We also want to say a big thank you to all who rose to the occasion and had fun in costume on the day.

Borrowers are encouraged to return their feedback ‘Rate your Date’ sheets, attached to each package. Simply return your review back to the Circulation desk.

Thank you dearly and happy reading to you all!

Mrs. Stevens (Library Manager/ Dig Tech Teacher) & Ms Stack (Library Teacher Aide)

BOOK WEEK - Blind Date with a Book

More Fun at Book Week

A big thank you to all who participated in Wear It Purple Day!

It was our very first Wear It Purple Day event and was a huge success. Students wore purple and other colours in sharing the message of humanity, honesty, integrity and authenticity supporting the LGBTQIA+ community.

Thank you to Mrs Toner who helped create the sign of support board and Mrs Stevens for her cupcakes and hosting the Wear It Purple Kahoot Quiz.

Brass & Concert Band Spectacular - 3 Sept.

R U OK? DAY - Thursday 8 September

R U OK? Day is our annual National Day of Action when we remind Australians to ask, ‘are you OK?’ and start a meaningful conversation whenever we see the signs that someone we care about might be struggling with life.

The Library will be hosting its third annual R U OK? Day open mic event, held on Thursday 8^th of September, Recess 1 and 2.

Students and staff are encouraged to come along and perform songs or a comedy act to help bring people together and share the R U OK? message.

Toolbox talk bookmarks, yellow ribbons, treats and conversations about mental health will be shared, along with uplifting performances, imparting the significance of a simple checking with those around us.

See you all there!

Mrs Stevens (Library Manager/Dig Tech Teacher)

ArTs OpEn NiGhT - 7 OcToBer 6.pm

Come & Celebrate the talent of our Creative Arts students and discover what goes on behind the scenes. The Open Night showcases the work of students from Film, TV and New Media, Instrumental Music and Visual Art. Also Music, Drama classes and Extracurricular Groups - Drama Club and Music Academy. It's Free, informal with food and a licenced bar!

Aerospace Gateway to Industry Schools Program

Aviation Australia is excited to be launching a one-day Introduction to Aerospace taster course for students to get a broad insight into the careers that are possible in the aerospace industry!

Please share the information attached with Year 9 and 10 students and parents/guardians, as we will be offering this one-day course on two separate dates (27 and 28 September) over the upcoming school holiday break.

This course is a new offering, and we are keen to get a diverse range of students who may be interested in aviation and aerospace, but may not have been exposed to the options out there. We will be asking for feedback from all of the student participants at the end of each day.

Mobile Women's Health Clinic

School Holidays - Team Momentum

School_Holidays_.pdf

School Based Youth Health Nurse

school_Nurse_Parent_series_online_sexual_harassment_and_IBA.pdf

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

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Term 3, 3 September