Atherton State High School eNewsletter

Principal's Welcome

As we resume term 2 after breaking for the Easter vacation, it is a great time to reflect on our achievements over the first term of schooling and look forward to new opportunities this term.

In all areas we have continued to make progress with student successes, staff achievements and high levels of community engagement. Despite the ongoing impact on school operations of the global pandemic, we have seen outstanding results, such as the announcement of the Tablelands' highest Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) to Xaante Thomas and awarding of our first $10 000 Year 12 scholarship to Eliza Tolley. We have also continued to refine our teaching and learning practices, with the recent Teacher moderation day affording our teachers the opportunity to meet to refine their practices in the classroom.

This term we have some major events to look forward to. We start the term with our ANZAC parade and then celebrate the age champions and winning house from the recent cross country.

On Tuesday May 4, we encourage parents and students to book times with teachers to review student progress as we conduct Parent/Teacher interviews.

In May, we also have our first attempt at the online NAPLAN format, we will complete the postponed Septofest celebration for our Yr 7 students and welcome the Education Improvement Branch to complete our quadrennial school review.

In what is shaping to be a very full term, we look forward to working closely with parents and students to deliver the best possible educational opportunities for our students.

News in Brief

End of Term 1, start of Term 2:

We completed the last week of term 1, and after Thursday April 1st, we broke up for a two week period. There will be a couple of short weeks in term 2 with ANZAC day public holiday on Monday April 26 and May Day on Monday May 3.

Report Cards:

Student reports from term 1 will be distributed on Thursday April 29, with Parent Teacher interviews scheduled for after school on Tuesday May 4. More information about interviews will be published to parents with report cards.

ANZAC ceremony

The school’s 2021 ANZAC ceremony will be held in the hall at 12:40pm on Thursday April 22. All students, staff, parents and interested community members are invited to attend.

Parent Contact Details:

Communication with our parents and carers is important to us. It is imperative that your contact details (phone number, mobile number and email address) and the details of emergency contacts for your child are kept up to date on our system. If there have been any changes to the details for your child, please contact the school office by phone on 40305250 or email kharr302@eq.edu.au

Year 6 into 7 transition night:

For new students enrolling in 2022, a Year 6 into 7 transition evening will be held on Tuesday April 27 starting at 5.30 with a school tour. After the school tour, parents and prospective students will be given an information session. Enrolment packs will be distributed to Year 6 students at their own schools by Head of Junior Secondary Kirstie Whybird. The packages contain all information, including interview details and key dates.

Well Women’s Clinics

(These clinics are available to Medicare eligible clients)

Service includes Cervical Screening Tests (Pap Smears), Sexual Health Screening, Breast Awareness, also info on Contraception, Continence, Menopause, Lifestyle Issues, Bowel Health, Domestic Violence, etc.

All services are provided by a specially trained Women’s Health Nurse.

Malanda Health Centre Wednesday 5^th May Ph: 4096 5339

Atherton Health Centre Tuesday 25^th May Ph: 4091 0263

ASHS ANZAC Ceremony 2021

National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence

The National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence was an opportunity for students, staff, parents and the whole community to take a stand together against bullying and violence. As part of our day of commitment to this, students were encouraged to wear the symbolic orange theme colour for the day as part of their clothing, and make a gold coin donation to support the organisation devoted to the cause “Bullying, No Way”

Welcome McFluffy to the stud!

Shianne and Oreo have welcomed a new kid into the Atherton SHS Australian Minature Goat stud

Try a Trade day

Five of our year 10 students attended the "Try a Trade event" which was held at the new Atherton Hospital Site. Try a Trade is sponsored by Construction Skills Qld through World Skills Australia. Students were able to do 1 ½ hour sessions with a Builder, Plumber and an Electrician where they had hands on experience cutting out and setting up a small form work job, plumbing 3 taps to a wall and playing around with low voltage electrical switching. Lunch, drinks and a show bag of goodies were provided by CSQ and FKG (currently constructing the new Atherton Hospital facility). During lunch some of the leading managers of the construction site shared their career stories. Most of which started in a trade, then working their way up to management. In the afternoon FKG took us on a site tour and we saw where construction is currently up to. The overall cost of the new hospital will come in around Seventy Million dollars. The students really enjoyed the day and received valuable information as they look further into getting into a trade career. A big thank you goes to QSC for organising the day and FKG for allowing us to visit their building site as well as using their facilities.

Art Club

This term saw the birth of a new after school club at Atherton SHS. Held each Wednesday afternoon from 3 until 5, the Art Club represents a place for young people (and a few teachers too!) to hang out, share ideas about illustration, and engage in the creation of some fantastic pieces of art! Ranging from the serious artists, to those of us who just wanted to try out something new, this social club was a safe, welcoming and creative space. Thank you to Mrs Jaelene Durrand who supported this initiative with her time, resources, and knowledge.

“ I love that this club is just a nice place to hang out after school, doing something I really enjoy.”

“Making the skate deck has been really fun! I love sharing what I have done with others, but also seeing how other people are designing their work.”

“At first I was worried about making mistakes, but now I know it is okay because that is part of how you learn new things.”

Congratulations to our English teachers Cheyenne Trevor and Paula DeKroon – Winners of the 2021 Regional Teacher Mentorship program run by BELL SHAKESPEARE! Bell Shakespeare is a national theatre company specialising in the works of William Shakespeare, his contemporaries and other classics. Bell Shakespeare is committed to the following mission:

To use Shakespeare and classical works as a means by which we acknowledge our past, explore the present, and contemplate our future;

To perform and share Shakespeare’s works with audiences in theatres, schools and communities across the country;

To support a culturally rich society and to contribute to that with respect, integrity and passion;

To embody the strongest social values in everything we do

Competition was tight, with 30 places available each year: Only 5 Queensland teachers were selected, and Cheyenne and Paula won two of the prestigious positions. As part of their professional learning, they each travelled to Sydney to participate in intensive Shakespeare workshops. This will involve exploring performance, costume, the history and perspectives of all things Shakespeare.

We can’t wait to learn from Cheyenne and Paula, who are already working with our other regional winner from 2019 Moira Landford.

Year 9 and 10 Japanese Restaurant Excursion

Last term, the year 9 and 10 Japanese students had been learning a role-play for dining at a Japanese restaurant. The students had an opportunity to experience an authentic Japanese dining experience at a restaurant in Cairns. They were also required to order their meals in Japanese, engaging with Japanese restaurant staff. The students ordered a range of delicious Japanese meals such as sashimi, korokke, saamon, tonkatsu and soba and they all agreed the food was “oishii!”

Mrs Jackson

Teacher Moderation Day

In 2020 we ran consultations with P&C and the school council to get approval to trial teacher moderation days so that we can ensure that teachers are providing the best possible education for every student. By providing time for teachers to meet together to review, revise, monitor student progress and plan future student learning experiences, we will increase their ability to positively affect student outcomes (known as Collective Teacher Efficacy). This trial is being done this year to support teachers to ensure that every student is successful at Atherton SHS.

Our first day was held on Tuesday March 23, with teachers and regional office staff collaboratively meeting in teams to review student progress and prepare for future learning experiences for their classes. In previous years this had led to major disruptions to teaching and learning operations, the moderation days allow for staff to complete their work without removing them from their classes.

After months of planning and preparation for these days, we were thrilled with the outcomes of the first day and look forward to the next planned three days so that we can measure the benefits for both staff and students.

These days are scheduled for

Wednesday June 2
Thursday September 2
Friday November 26

Parents and staff have been invited to complete a survey to provide feedback on the moderation days and students will provide feedback this term.

Thank you for your ongoing support of this trial this year. We will give updates on the impact of the trials at P&C meetings, school council meetings and via the newsletter.

ADF Career Presentation to Years 10 to 12

Senior School Parade week 9 was specifically devoted to presenters from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) who shared information about the 200 plus jobs on offer over the three disciplines - Army, Navy and Air Force. The presenters specifically focused on how students can start the enrolment process for General and Officer Entry. General entry requires students to have passes in Year 10 Maths and English (plus Science if doing a trade). Officer entry, students are required to study at ADFA (Defence Force University) and must have completed a minimum of Year 12 English and three other Year 12 General subjects required for ATAR. ADF would like students to start their application process at the beginning of Year 11, even though they intend to continue working to complete Year 12. At the end of the parade, Interested students were able to stay behind and ask one on one questions with the presenters. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the team from ADF for sharing information about their Careers to our Seniors.

Bruce Dane

Senior School Support Teacher

Meals on wheels visit

In Week 7 a group of our students went to visit the Meals on Wheels kitchen in Louise St. Isacc is currently doing a Certificate course with them and he and David McKendry showed us first-hand how the kitchen operates. We really appreciated the time David spent with us explaining how Meals on Wheels works and how we could be involved. We also really enjoyed eating the delicious meal that we helped to prepare

Driver Safety

A message to senior students

As the year progresses, more and more of our senior students reach the milestone of obtaining their drivers licence. Our students and their safety on their way to, and from school, are of paramount importance to us, particularly on the road, and when travelling in a roadworthy vehicle. It is essential that parents are aware of any arrangement made by licenced drivers other than their own family, to transport students. A private Transport Permission form is available from the Student Services counter for parents who agree to the use of alternate arrangements. This is essential for students travelling in vehicles driven by licensed drivers other than their own immediate family. In the interest of safety, no student is to travel in a vehicle, other than with a family member, without written permission from their parent or guardian.

As a licenced student or adult driver, you should also complete a Permission to use a "Private Vehicle for Travel" form if you are transporting a student other than your child/ren to and/or from school or a school organised event. These are available from the Student Services office.

Positive Behaviour for Learning Update

Wow, what a whirl wind term 1 was. A huge thank you must go to the Atherton community, students, parents/carers and of course the staff at Atherton High for their support in implementing PBL during Term 1. Just remember, this is only the beginning and we have a long road ahead.

Congratulations to the latest winners for the $10 tuckshop voucher:

Jesire (Year 7)
Blake (Year 8)
Taya (Year 9)
Sarah (Year 10)
Emmi (Year 11)
Tahnee (Year 12)

The final week of Term 1 saw ASHS first 100% attendance Pizza Party.

Students who have achieved 100% (have zero explained or unexplained absence) received a certificate and an invitation to attend the pizza party on Thursday 1^st April. This party was held during the PBL lesson in lesson 4. Congratulations to the 117 students who achieved 100% attendance for Term 1.

From the PBL Team, we hope you have had a relaxing break, and look forward to seeing you in Term 2.

Chappy's Chat

Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club has been huge this term, with plenty of volunteers and plenty of hungry students!!

We would not be able to run without the amazing volunteers who arrive at 7.30am on Thursday and Friday mornings and cook up a storm! The volunteers include ASHS teacher Tippie Viljoen as well as Pastor Jeff Lawson and community members Bill and Gwen Furze (who have been serving at Breakfast Club for 9 years!), Jenny Smith, Liz Newman and Jane Lawson!

We have also had some very willing student volunteers this term, they include Micah Telford, Dylan King, Ryanne Telford, Bonnie Irvine, Dean Reeves, Tyla Lawson, Jesse Lawson, Bailey Muoio, Jacob Muoio, Leon Kreis and Jack Chaffey.

Thank you to the people listed above for making Breakfast Club such a success in Term 1!

Breakfast Club will start up again in week 1 next term.

Prayer Group

Each Thursday in recess 2 a group of students and staff have been gathering to pray for the school.

It is such an encouragement to meet and pray together for all aspects of school life.

If your child is interested in joining this group please email me for a consent form bfowl12@eq.edu.au.

Breakfast and Homework Club

Homework_club.pdf

Breakfast Club.jpg

Health and Sport Update

Interhouse Cross Country

On Friday the 26^th March, nominated ASHS students descended upon the Tinaburra foreshore in order to compete in the 2021 interhouse Cross Country carnival. Runners were greeted with glamorous conditions and competed over 3, 4, 6 or 8km races. It was fantastic to see so many students representing their sporting houses and getting into the spirit by dressing in red, blue, yellow and green. There were some very impressive times run, and a full list of age champion results can be found below:

AGE MALE/ FEMALE AGE CHAMPION

12 YEARS FEMALE Brooke Trentin

MALE Dane Ross

13 YEARS FEMALE Amber Kattenberg

MALE Lucas Kattenberg

14 YEARS MALE Nathaniel Ross

15 YEARS FEMALE Breanne Waldey

MALE Jack Benjamin

16 YEARS FEMALE Malikah Barton

MALE Jonathan Rosas

17 YEARS FEMALE Michelle Cuda

MALE Liam Madin

Open FEMALE Amity Williams

MALE Connor Stevenson

As always, there can only be one winner in each age group, and the champion house for 2021 Cross Country is the mighty Eacham Emus!! The other three sporting houses will need to lift their game if they are going to be a chance at the other carnivals throughout the year.

Please note that age champions and the winning house will be recognised at a special sports assembly in week 1 of term 2, after the ANZAC service has concluded.

Thank you to all of the staff and students who assisted in any way to help make this event possible. A special mention must go the senior Recreation students and teachers who assisted with the set-up, pack-up and running of the carnival as part of their assessment, and to the staff who covered key checkpoints throughout the day. It was really appreciated that the P&C stepped in to cover the cost of the buses, to ensure that this event was free for all students – thank you P&C, we really appreciate your support!!

With the success of the interhouse Cross Country event, we are now looking forward to an amazing Athletics Carnival in week 10 of Term 2!

During their current unit of work the year 10 students have been studying World War 2.

World War Two was declared on September 3rd 1939 after the invasion of Poland, thus marking the beginning of the largest war seen to date. The Pacific theatre was then initiated by the attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941. The devastation of WWII was much more severe compared to that of World War 1 (WWI) due to the global expanse of the different theatres of war, European and Pacific, along with the advancements in weaponry. This past term, Year 10 Humanities have been researching and critically analysing the impact of one of three of these events. The options given were the Holocaust, the U.S. decision to drop the Atomic bombs and the Kokoda Trail. For example, students studying the Holocaust were investigating how it impacted the Jewish population of Europe. This piece also helped students explore their own opinions, for example, some students believed that the “Japanese were victimised by the bombing,” but in trying to determine the truth in history, it has altered previously held beliefs such as these. Students realise that the reality is always far more complex. Furthermore, whilst the assessment was fairly demanding and challenging, taking students out of their comfort zone, it definitely gave students a new insight into varying perspectives. In previous years, students had to analyse or explain. However, the extra complexity of ‘critically’ analysing has been added. This equips students with extra necessary skills for senior. The choices given and the guidance in choosing our respective theses generated in us a greater independence in furthering our learning.

Dear Parents/Carers/Guardians,

Student Resource Scheme 2021 Payments Now Due

All 2021 Student Resource Scheme levies including subject fees have been invoiced and are due to be finalised and paid now at end of term 1. Please ensure these are paid in full, or a payment agreement is in place with the school to enable students to receive resources. Parents experiencing financial hardship who are currently participating in, or wish to participate in, the SRS should contact the school to discuss options.

2021 Year 12 Formal Invoicing

Invoices for attendance at the 2021 Year 12 Formal will be sent out Early Term 2. Please ensure all other school fees are paid before paying for the Formal.

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

We salute the Brave and the Bald!

The Year 11 Social and Community Studies class invited Ella Cooper, Year 10, to share what her motivation is to support the “Shave for a Cure” foundation.

She told us the sad truth about little Naomi, a girl from her mother’s day care who suffered from leukaemia. This personal experience was a driving force for her to commit herself to this project. To date Ella has raised $1475 with family, friends and her workplace who have supported her very brave and selfless act proudly. Her fundraising campaign is still ongoing.

You are a very brave bald girl – and we salute you! We all agreed that we are not as brave as Ella is!

Congratulations Ella, you are a very brave girl! We love(d) your hair!

Be Aware of the Lurking Danger in Social Media

“Social Media has become part of our DNA,” so to speak. Are we aware of its implicit negative influence on our lives?

Watch out for these Awareness posters on the notice boards around the school, they are reminders of the lurking danger in social media!

This poster was created by Jordyn, Year 11.

This poster was created by Ashly, Year 11.

False Facebook Faces

We are more and more aware that social media platforms, such as Facebook, can influence public opinion. As a school community it is important to be fully aware of the impact it can have, especially when it becomes a platform where unsolicited remarks can damage our public image and the offender may get a criminal record.

Mrs Jane Lawson, business owner of Ride North and volunteer at the Breakfast Club here at ASHS, says: “What is a keyboard warrior? Someone who sits behind a keyboard, disconnected from reality, protected from the walls of their own home. Social media platforms have been weaponised by these ‘warriors’ which gives strength to an odious “mob mentality”. The ‘disconnectedness’ of social media, gives the ability to these trolls to leave a hateful, detrimental comment on one post, and then just continue to scroll, allowing them to remain guilt and repercussion free.”

As responsible parents and business operators they were scrutinised by one onlooker who questioned their presence on the Daintree River, even though they carried the legal permits and their ventures were ecotourism conscious. The harsh reality is that in this line of attack, the innocent business does not have the ability to change reviews, as Google does not provide this option. This gives the cyberbully a false sense of achievement. Students must be made aware of this!

At ASHS, one of the behavioural issues that is frequently dealt with, is social media abuse of young adolescents. As a guest, Mr Tony Whybird taught our students a valuable lesson: “Cyberbullying can really affect someone’s life. Remember, once you post something online, it is there. You can never it back.” Cyberbullying should be dealt with in a responsible manner. What you post online may affect your future – it is a criminal offence to commit an act of character defamation and this may affect your future directly. As a result of this offence, you may find it difficult to find employment or do volunteer work, especially in government. You could also jeapordise your chances of being granted an entry visa for countries like the USA. Many students are unaware of potential consequences of poorly planned actions! “Take care of what you share. Be Kind!”

ASHS Free Online Library

Getting started with Sora

With Sora, you can get free ebooks and audiobooks from your school.

Step 1: Install the Sora app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or go to soraapp.com on your computer/laptop.

Step 2: In Sora, select “Education Queensland” and then sign in using your ASHS personal user name and password.

Step 3: Browse the tab and borrow a book. Your book will open so you can start reading right away.

Step 4: Close the book and go to to see all your books (including assignments). From there, you can:

Select Open bookor Open audiobook to read or listen to the book.
Select Optionsto renew or return the book, see your notes and highlights, and more.

Extra Curricular Activities

ATHERTON_SHS_EXTRA_CURRICULAR_RECESS_AFTER_SCHOOL_ACTIVITIES.pdf

How to report student absences

Absence_procedures.pdf

Does attendance really matter?

Come to Playgroup at Atherton High!

ASHS_Playgroup.jpg

Dentist is at Atherton High

Denitst_.jpg

NQCO concert flyer

NQCO_concert_flyer.jpg

Launch Tablelands Innovation Boot Camp 2021

Launch_Tablelands_Innovation_Boot_Camp_2021.pdf

YEA! Flyer

YEA_Flyer_for_schools.png

Schoolzine Newsletters

We are pleased and excited to inform you that we’ll be producing a new eNewsletter with Schoolzine. The move to this new format will enable us to communicate with the school community across multiple channels. It will promote and enhance our engagement with parents, students and the wider community.

We believe you’ll find the eNewsletter highly engaging, as it will provide us with a more efficient and effective means of connecting with you. The new format will allow the inclusion of video, photo galleries, online bookings, mobile app, feedback forms, calendars and so much more.

The newsletter also has a sponsorship section which provides a great opportunity for local businesses to engage with our parent community. If you would like to be a part of this, please contact Schoolzine.

Phone Jude 07 5414 2363
jude.dawson@schoolzine.com.au

TRC Sports Bursary

View the Sports Bursary Flyer

Youth Achievement Flyer

Yungaburra Triathlon

Event_Flyer.pdf

Volunteer_Flyer.pdf

PDF Details

Newsletter Sponsors

Monday 19th April 2021