Term 4, 28 October 2022

Principal's Welcome

Dear Parents and Carer/s,

Welcome to Term 4, week 4. Congratulations to Imogen Kelly – Future Aerospace Award and Luciana Edsen – Female Empowerment & Female Aerospace Scholarship state finalist for the Aerospace Industry Education Awards.  A huge thank you to Mr Jon Collins for nominating and supporting our students in these awards every year.  Atherton SHS students continue to shine at the highest level of awards in the state!

Behaviour Expectations

Atherton SHS uses Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) as a multi-tiered system of support for discipline in the school.  Our staff are committed to delivering a high quality of education for every student, and believe all adults in the school have a responsibility to enact the expectations for all students. 

All members of the school community need to work respectfully together and understand that there is no place for violence in our society and in particular at school!  For students to succeed at school and beyond, they MUST have a caring, safe and supportive learning environment. Therefore, when students are not able to comply or follow the reasonable directions of staff in our school there must be a consequence.  The consequences of physical violence in the school will not be tolerated and Qld Police involvement can occur. 

In response to a behaviour incident, an investigation is conducted and as a result, consequences will be issued to students.  The best way to move forward for all parties is to restore harm and to ensure that all students understand and work to our agreed expectations:

• We are Respectful
• We are Responsible and
• We are Successful

The most important factor is that we all must be safe! I want to reassure parents and the school community that a safe and supportive learning environment is at the core of a positive behaviour learning environment.

Please continue to work with our staff to ensure that we can deliver on our school purpose:

With our Atherton High Community, we provide EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION for ALL students!

Year 12 Exams

All the very best to the Year 12 students who are completing external exams at present.  The external exams are scheduled over a three-week period with the final exam on Tuesday 15 November.  The external exams are currently being held in the school library. 

Presentation Evening

Our Annual Presentation Evening is being held in the final week for Year 12 students on Tuesday 15 November.  This change has allowed the latest academic, cultural and sporting awards to be included in the evening.  The ceremony will commence at 6pm in the Community Hall.  Further information will be emailed to parents in the coming week.

Thank you P and C Association – World Teachers Day

A huge thank you to the P and C Association for donating $500 to the Atherton SHS Wellness Club to support the World Teacher/Staff Day celebrations on 1 November.  A Melbourne Cup luncheon is being planned by the wellness committee to thank our staff.

Atherton SHS has amazing teachers and staff and I urge parents, students and the school community to take time to thank our amazing talented, devoted team! 

Yours in learning,

Helen Carne

Principal

From the Deputy’s Desk - Senior School

From the desk of the Deputy Senior Secondary

Last week we celebrated the final days of timetabled classes of Year 12 classes. Students are now enthralled in exams for general subjects, and finalising assessment for applied and vocational subjects. Students have been committed in handing in assessments and catching up with teachers to ensure they will be successful in their learning as they end their 13 years of schooling.

Year 11s have now commenced their unit 3 learning. This means that they have essentially started their final year of learning, having finished exams and assessments for unit 2 over the last few weeks. Students have also undertaken SET plan reviews, meeting with teachers to reflect on their learning and updating their pathways and subjects choices to make sure that they will be successful. If you and your Year 11 child have not done a SET plan review, please contact the school to make an appointment as soon as possible.

Students are to be congratulated for maintaining their focus on learning as the term progresses. There are only a few weeks to go so being in attendance in classrooms every day is critical. We look forward to celebrating the learning of all students at our presentation night on Tuesday 15 November and hope that you will join us.

Cathy Campbell

Deputy Principal Senior

From the Deputy's Desk - Middle School

Firstly, I would like to thank the students, staff, P&C, and the wider community for the warm welcome. Atherton State High is an excellent school with many wonderful programs currently offered to students.

I am passionate about state education and every student succeeding.

Year 10 Love Bites Respectful Relationships program

Year 10 students will be participating in Love Bites Respectful Relationship program on 24^th November (Thursday, week 8). The program will be running from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

 This program is provided to Year 10s in high schools across the Tablelands region as a prevention education initiative aimed at changing behaviours and environments that result in relationship violence.

The education is focused on three critical areas for learning:

• Knowledge: youth-led collaborative learning
• Attitudes: critical thinking and decision-making and
• Behaviours: problem-solving and communication skills

The overall aim is to support young people to make the right choices for themselves and to enjoy relationships that are free from violence and abuse.

It is coordinated by Tablelands Sexual Assault Service (TSAS) and presented in partnership with Qld Health, School Based Nurses, Community Health, Qld Police Service, and School Based Police.

The school support staff will be present to support students throughout the day.

If you would like to withdraw your child from attending this program, please email HOD Senior School Ann Grimshaw at agrim14@eq.edu.au or Deputy Principal Year 10 Navdeep Singh at nsing55@eq.edu.au. Alternatively, please ring the school on 07 4030 5222.

Nav Singh

Deputy Principal Middle

From the Deputy's Desk - Junior School

From the desk of the Deputy Senior Secondary

It is the time of the year for ‘Barmy’ tropical weather and it is therefore important for student safety that students remain dry especially at lunch times. If inclement weather is imminent, and it is at lunch time, students may need to finish lunch early and head to their next classroom. Student safety is always put first.

With the tropical weather in mind, it is important that students are responsible with their uniform. Please ensure that all students are in the correct uniform or follow the process of advising the school via phone or a written note for a uniform pass to be issued.  

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)

As part of PBL last week, students participated in a lesson around ‘Kindness.’

What is KINDNESS?

Kindness is all the different ways — both big and small — we express care, concern, and consideration for ourselves and those with whom we share the world.

Kindness shows up as a supportive smile, a comforting embrace, and a helping hand when we need it the most — but may expect it the least.

It exists as heartfelt words of encouragement, thoughtful gestures of affection, and compassionate acts of generosity so many of us witness, perform, and receive as we move through life.

Students engaged with the topic and pictured below are some of the kindness trees they created.

Chris Keating

Deputy Principal Junior

Finance update

Dear Parents/Carers/Guardians,

Year 11

• Year 11 REC Golf has been invoiced and if students are attending please see this has been paid.
• Payments were due by Wednesday 26^th October for Senior Jerseys, shirts and hoodies for current year 11 students. The order for these will then go in so students receive these as early as possible in the new 2023 school year.
• Invoices have been sent out for current year 11 students for the Year 12 Leadership at Tinaroo Environmental Education Centre which will be held at the start of the school year 2023. Please pay by 18^th November in order to attend this camp. All outstanding fees must be paid or payment agreement in place before payments will be accepted for the camp.

Year 12

All Year 12 Student Fees that remain unpaid must be paid now and Year 12 Formal Payments are now also due. Please confirm attendee numbers ASAP for the formal and ensure amounts are paid accordingly to enable tickets to be issued when advised in the coming weeks.

All

All unpaid 2022 Student Resource Scheme levies are outstanding and are required to be paid now. 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 and participate in upcoming events. The school continues to follow up on outstanding payments and Statements and Payment Reminder Letters have been sent out for outstanding fees.

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 - For Term 4

Presentation Night - 15 November

The list of students who will receive an award will be published on the school noticeboard on Monday

Please remind students to check the notice board

Parents/Carers of students receiving awards will be emailed

Arts Dept - BLA Excellence in Visual Art Awards: CONGRATULATIONS Jemma Denigan

A huge congratulations to ASHS Year 12 student Jemma Denigan for being a successful recipient of an award in this year's Business Liaison Association Excellence in Visual Arts Awards.  The judges were extremely impressed with the calibre of Jemma’s work, as submitted in her folio.  She is one of 9 recipients in the region. Jemma will officially receive recognition of this wonderful achievement at a formal presentation evening in December at the Pullman International Hotel Cairns.

Again, congratulations and well done Jemma!

Science Dept -Update

Finalists for the 2022 Queensland Aerospace Industry Education Awards

Year 12 student, Lucy Edsen, and Year 11 student Imogen Kelly have just been announced as finalists for the Queensland Aerospace Industry Education Awards. These awards are an annual event organised by the Queensland Government’s Aerospace Gateways into School Program (AGISP). Atherton State High School is a gateway school.

Lucy is a finalist for two awards: The Female Empowerment Award and the Female Aerospace Scholarship. Imogen is a finalist for the Future Aerospace Award.

The winners of these awards will be announced at the Aerospace Awards Ceremony in Brisbane on Thursday 24^th November. We wish Lucy and Imogen all the best!

Aeronautical Dept - New Pilots!

Congratulations!  We now have 14 newly licenced RPA pilots! These students have just had two days of practical flying tests and theory exams. They have all passed and now have a CASA approved Remote Pilot Licence, Aeronautical Radio Operators Certificate and a Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Pilot). Well done!!

2023 STEM Girl Power Camp Applications Now Open

Student and teacher applications for the 2023 STEM Girl Power Camp are now open.

Principals can nominate one Year 9 (Year 10 in 2023) student and one teacher applicant from their school.

Students will experience innovative STEM activities, visit STEM research facilities, meet STEM role models and build their ambassadorial and leadership abilities at the camp on 15-19 May 2023 and during the year-long activities.

Teachers can build their professional networks and share information with their school colleagues. Five days of teacher relief payments are paid to a teacher’s school to cover their absence.

There are no participating costs to students, families, teachers or schools. Travel, accommodation and other costs are included in the program.

Applications close 5pm Friday 4 November

For further information contact stem@qed.qld.gov.au or visit the STEM Girl Power page on the STEM hub. https://learningplace.eq.edu.au/cx/resources/file/5da759ed-285d-4132-b8e8-58198109fb03/1/html/girl-power.html

FAQs for teachers and students are also attached.Teachers - https://cdn-au.mailsnd.com/08778/EsuYUZVnDiN3gvHS1hwcoxOqgteeP2pP52uxpFdMB1E/1666070688/3658159.pdf

Agriculture Dept - Alpacas have arrived!

The Atherton SHS Agriculture Department would like to introduce our alpacas HARBAK CHOCOLATE CHILLI PEPPER (Chocolate) and HARBAK HABAHERO CHILLI PEPPER (HABBY) our two new boys.

Thank you to Di and Neil for suppling the boys and to Nerimbera Alpacas (Cheryl and Bryon) for the care, advice and transport given to the alpacas over the last couple of months. We look forward to including them in to our agricultural programs.

ASHS Alpacas

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Agriculture Dept

Farewell to the Year 12 Agriculture and Animal Studies students.

The Year 12 Agriculture and Animal Studies students completed their ‘Rite of Passage’ ceremonial signing of the Ag water tank followed by scones, jam and cream as they move into External Exams and then their transition from school to big wide world.  The Agriculture department wishes the year 12 students all the very best as they prepare for exams and the end of year 12.

Sports Dept - Individual Commendations

Congratulations to Breanne Wadley for winning the Queensland Youth Sailor of the Year Award by Australian Sailing.

Breanne also recently won the Queensland Youth Championships over the September school holidays at Keppel Bay Sailing Club, sailing in the ILCA4.

In August, Breanne represented Australia at the ILCA4 World Championships in Portugal and placed 28^th in the Gold Fleet.  There were 450 sailors competing at the regatta, which is something you never see in Australia.

She now has Sail Brisbane and Sail Sydney regattas, before the Australian National Championships in Sydney in January. 

Student Council

The student council is working with Better Together and holding a Christmas fundraising drive to help local families in need around Christmas time.

We are asking the school and community to check their pantry for closed food items that are within expiry date, and to consider donating them to this cause. Items that could be used specifically for Christmas are preferred, however any donation is helpful and is greatly appreciated.

We are currently accepting donations in the international room each morning (room at the bottom of   C-block, closest to the library) from 8:00am to 8:45am, and until the end of Week 7, and the grade who donates the most items will receive a pizza party towards the end of the term. We look forward to helping this cause, and remember, any contribution is helpful. 

School Chaplain - Breakfast Club

Every Thursday and Friday of term, community volunteers and students, serve a warm breakfast of cheesy toast and pikelets to the students of Atherton State High. Between 60-80 students attend, eating and interacting before the start of their school day.

This allows students to attend class feeling full, ready to learn and ready to succeed!

We would like to thank Mabel St Bakery in Atherton, for their weekly supply of bread to feed our hungry students! And also, our amazing volunteers, from the community, who willingly come in at 7.30am to start cooking. We also have some wonderful students who help serve their peers and pack away the tables and chairs! What a wonderful and engaging community we live in!

Yum! Thanks

Intrumental Music

ATIM would like to thank Atherton Primary P and C for their kind financial donation towards the instrumental music department. Over the next couple of months ATIM will be putting all finances raised from the annual Brass and Concert band Spectacular towards upgrading the high school band uniforms.

We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome all grade 6 instrumental music students from Atherton, Kairi, Tolga and Yungaburra who will be rehearsing and performing with the high school ensemble for the rest of the year.

Lachlan Szery

Instrumental Music teacher

Become a Homestay host to an international student & be reimbursed.

Contact the school to register your interest and complete an application form.

School Based Youth Health Nurse

Fresh Street Market IGA University Scholarship

For our Year 12 students this is an amazing opportunity to apply for the Fresh Street Market IGA university scholarship.  This scholarship is $10 000 to support your university education.

Applications are open from the 15th of September and close on the 15th of November

For further details see our website or contact the P & C.

TRC - Get Career Ready

Please Take Note - Road Changes

LOUISE STREET ATHERTON WILL BE ONE-WAY  TRAFFIC ONLY BETWEEN COOK AND JACK STREETS FROM MONDAY 17 OCTOBER UNTIL EARLY DECEMBER.

TAFE Open Day

Atherton Performing Arts - Romantic Comedy

Atherton Performing Arts is delighted to present George Bernard Shaw’s ‘Arms and the Man’ – a romantic comedy. Opening at 7.30pm, Friday evening 21^st October at the APA Theatre, the season will continue until Sunday 30^th October. 

Arms and the Man is a period piece set in Bulgaria during and after war with Serbia in 1885. Shaw uses the play as a vehicle to send up European customs to do with class, marriage and war; and in the making, creates a hilarious web of misunderstandings, lies and truths, through which love must find its way…

The seven actors do a marvellous job of portraying aspects of 19^th century living in the Petkoff establishment, presenting themes that are just as relevant today as they were back then. We invite you to support our local theatre group and enjoy a night of fabulous theatre! Suitable for 10 years plus.

Atherton BMX Club Come and Try Day. Sunday 30th October 2022.

The Atherton Tablelands Agricultural Society is growing, and they are hosting more events throughout the year.