Atherton State High School eNewsletter

Principal's Welcome

Dear Parents, Guardians and Community members,

Exciting 2024 Timetable Update: Enhancing Learning with Longer Lessons!

We're thrilled to announce a positive change in our school timetable for 2024, that is designed to further enrich the learning experience for our students. Next year we move from a daily schedule of 5x55 minute lessons per day to a more considered arrangement of 4x70 minute lessons per day. This adjustment reflects our commitment to promoting effective and efficient learning for every student. This new timetable structure is well supported by our staff, there has been considerable collaboration around the best option for our students, this is a summary of why we will move to a streamlined timetable delivery at the start of next year.

Benefits of the New Timetable:

Deeper Understanding: With longer lesson periods, students will have more time to delve into topics, engage in meaningful discussions, and ask insightful questions. This extended duration allows teachers to explore subjects in greater detail, fostering a deeper understanding of the material.
Reduced Cognitive Load: Longer lessons mean fewer transitions between subjects. This adjustment aims to alleviate the cognitive load on students, allowing them to focus more deeply on each subject without the strain of frequent context switching.
Collaborative Learning: Longer lessons enable more interactive activities, group projects, and collaborative learning experiences. Students will have the opportunity to work together on complex tasks, enhancing their teamwork and communication skills.
Reduced Transition Time: Fewer transitions between classes mean more time spent on actual learning. Students will spend less time moving from one classroom to another and more time engaged in productive academic activities.
In-Depth Exploration: Teachers can incorporate more hands-on activities, experiments, and real-world applications into their lessons. This empowers students to explore subjects beyond the theoretical, making learning more engaging and relevant.
Improved Retention: With extended lesson periods, students can engage in activities that encourage active learning, such as discussions, problem-solving tasks, and reflective exercises. This active engagement aids in better retention and understanding of the material.

We are confident that this adjustment will contribute to a more effective learning experience for our students. Our dedicated teaching team is excited about tailoring their lessons to align with these longer periods, fostering a conducive atmosphere for in-depth exploration.

We value your feedback and support as we make this transition. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out via email or phone.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in nurturing the academic growth and success of our students.

Celebrating Student Success –

Principal Honours Breakfast – one of the many highlights of this term for me was hosting our Inaugural Principal Honours event, we celebrated the exceptional results of our students from years 7 to 12 and invited them and their parents to a formal breakfast event. Students were presented with a special gift and certificate of commendation, congratulations again to these students, we are so very proud of you!

Principal Honours 2023

Year 7
Alissa
Rebecca
Asha
Ben

Year 8
Isla
Holly
Chloe
Lara

Year 9
Billie
Ava
Rebel
Charlotte
Melinda
Sophia
Lily
Jack

Year 10
Matilda
Reika
Jordan
Ella
Kye
Tylah
Andrew
Midori
Rebecca
Asha
Polly
Piper

Year 11
Samuel
Ben
Charlotte
Jean
Troy

Year 12
Bethany
Cameron
Grace
Bianca
Emily
Ryanne
Kaylan

Most improved Students – Our staff were asked to nominate a student for a most improved award for improvement over semester one. Staff nominated 178 of our students for this award, students were presented with a certificate and Mr Keating and I cooked up a sausage sizzle for them. Striving to improve is so very important and we wanted to acknowledge these wonderful young people who are working so hard towards gaining successful outcomes, another extremely proud moment for our students and school community.

Student Leadership Nominations Ceremony - This week the full school community gathered for a moment of great significance – the 2024 Student Leadership Nominations Ceremony. It is a time when we come together to celebrate the spirit of leadership and the potential within each and every one of us to make a positive impact on our school and its community.

Our year 11 candidates for leadership positions presented their speeches to the school community on why they wanted to hold leadership positions for 2024. The calibre of each of these speeches was sensational. I applaud the courage and commitment shown by these students. Their willingness to take on this responsibility shows that they care deeply about our school community and want to make a difference. The successful candidates will be announced during term 4, I look forward to the next stage of the process whereby each student will participate in an interview and the school community will also vote on their preferred candidates.

Facilities – Exciting news for our school community. We are dedicated to improving the facilities at this school as our kids deserve the very best and I will do everything possible to ensure we keep improving these. We now have a fully upgraded AV system in our hall including retractable projector screen, av equipment and speaker system, our staff and students are extremely excited about this! Two of our buildings will be repainted over the September holidays in a new modernised colour palette, we will send photos in an upcoming update.

Facebook – please like our school on Facebook so you can receive our regular updates and celebration of our students and staff, our goal is to continue improving our communication with our parents and community members.

Warm regards,

Leanne Knight-Smith

From the Deputy's Desk - Senior School

What an exciting time it is in senior schooling at the moment. We had a massive turnout at our Year 11 curriculum information evening last week. It was great to see so many parents and students talking with Heads of Department, teachers and Deputies about their subject options and pathways. This ensures that students are able to make informed choices now rather than changing subjects later on in their senior course.

SET planning is on the 6 September. Year 10s are not required to attend on this day, except for their half hour interview, accompanied by a parent. All parents have been emailed information about this day, including booking details. If you have not received this information, the link is: https://bookings.parentteacheronline.com.au/Logon2.aspx?ReturnUrl—%2f%3fschool%3dashxa)&school=ashxa. This link works best in Chrome. Students should complete the tabs in the SET planning module, including subject selection, before their interview. If you are not able to make an interview on that day, please contact Cheyenne Trevor, Senior Student Support Teacher at ctrev28@eq.edu.au, as soon as possible to make an alternative time.

I would also like to remind all Year 11 and 12 students and parents that it is expected that students have a minimum of 85% attendance. While it may be convenient to ‘learn from home’ using class notes, QLearn or Sharepoint, these courses are designed to support teaching not to replace it. Face-to-face learning, with peers in the classroom is critical to students learning and achieving.

Congratulations to all of our senior students who have been acknowledged at the Principal’s Honours breakfast and the Most Improved Students sausage sizzles. We are really proud of you and the effort you make not just with your own learning but also in modelling success and persistence for others.

Cathy Campbell

Deputy Principal Senior Secondary

School Student Broadband Initiative

or more information please see https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/.../school-student...

From the Deputy's Desk - Junior School

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

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

If you are wanting to enrol a student at Atherton State High School for 2024 then please complete an enrolment pack. These were handed to all students who attended the transition day. Alternatively, they are on our school website or a copy can be arranged via our school office.

Once your enrolment paperwork is filled in, you will need to complete an enrolment session at the school. We are conducting these throughout term 3. Please contact the school office to book into one of these sessions or to book an appointment outside of these times.

PBL Update

The Positive Behaviour for Learning Team continue to meet every fortnight. The past fortnight they have determined that the following values be a whole school focus:

Week 7: We are Responsible: Take ownership of every behaviour and accept consequences/ outcomes.

Week 8: We are Responsible: Move between learning areas efficiently and follow all directions from supervising teachers.

As members of our school community, we encourage you to have a conversation about what these values look like.

Chris Keating

Deputy Principal Junior Secondary

Finance update

Dear Parents/Carers/Guardians,

Outstanding Accounts Reminder:

Our records indicate that we currently have a number of outstanding student accounts.

As we are at the Commencement of Semester 2, we ask that you please finalise or make a plan to finalise your child’s account as soon as possible.

Statements are sent home on a monthly basis.

We now offer EFTPOS in both Reception – L block and Student Services – A block.

If you would like to make a payment plan or re-instate a previous payment plan, please feel free to contact L Block Reception on 4030 5248 – we would be only too happy to assist.

If you have recently made payment, thank you and please disregard this message.

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 available
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

Student Contact details

To ensure effective communication and maintaining accurate records, we kindly request your assistance in updating your contact details.

It is crucial for us to have the most up-to-date information to keep you informed about important school announcements, upcoming events, and any emergencies that may arise.

If you have recently moved to a new address, have a new email address or have changed your phone number, please take a few moments to update your information by following the instructions below:

Email principal@athertonshs.eq.edu.au with your new details

or

Update on QParents

Alternatively, there is a contact update form available from the front office.

Ensuring we have the correct contact information helps us better serve you and your child, allowing us to quickly reach you in case of emergencies and keep you informed about all school-related matters.

Faculty update – Science faculty

Science and Agricultural Science

It’s always busy, whether in the labs or out in the field. A taste of what’s been happening this term in our Department.

Ag roundup:

The show breakup has just occurred and students enjoyed a sausage sizzle and some other treats as a reward for their hard effort and dedication at the recent shows. The show team will now focus their efforts on preparation for the 2024 show circuit – poultry, goats and cattle
Yr 8s have been getting into poultry breeding, learning the ins and outs of incubation, hatching and chick raising
Yr 9s have been looking at responsible pet ownership – students have been bringing their horses to school and now it is time for student dog lovers to come in with their furry companions.
Yr 10s have been tantalising their tastebuds with meat (and not meat) tasting – looking at different cuts of meat, offal and alternatives to meat
Our Animal Care certificate students have been investigating enrichment toys, washing and grooming and health checks – all essential elements of caring for animals.
We have two entrants in the Agrifutures competition – Cameron Colless and Grace Duckheard. To be eligible to enter this, students must be getting high grades (As or Bs) and be striving to get into a career pathway involving Ag and Stem. We wish them all the best.
Speaking again of these two, Cameron recently received a highly commended for The Heritage Plant Competition and Grace has just received a $150 donation in her efforts to become the next Maize Queen.
At the recent Ekka, two of our students competed at a state level against other students from all over Queensland. Kira Micola showed her prowess in commercial cattle judging and Tylah Harris in poultry judging, where she was awarded 3^rd place! Well done girls.

Science roundup:

National Science Week happened in week 6 and we had a variety of events to allow students to get involved in things science. The theme for this year was Innovation: Powering future industries. Innovation means to apply ideas, to improve a product or service to create more value. This is in contrast to Invention, which is creating something new.

Senior science students had the opportunity to attend a lecture from a visiting Griffith University lecturer, Dr Gee. Made possible with the assistance of RACI and the BLA, and learnt about his work in the field of forensic science – looking at real cases of ‘whodunnit’.

Atherton State Primary School, Tolga State School, Kairi State School and St Joseph sent some of their keenest and brightest year 6 students to participate in a range of laboratory and hands-on practical activities up at the high school, a yearly event for us, themed around innovation. A big thank you to the supporting staff from all schools who assisted.

The high school students and the primary students got to mix at a lunchtime event to innovate a better paper plane (had to be made from at least 25% paper by mass). Some very interesting and certainly innovative designs ensured, not all which were successful but provided a good laugh for the crowd as they ploughed into the ground a step away from the launch point.

We recently had a visit from Australian Research Council - national Quantum & Dark Matter Road Trip

Year 11 & 12 science students had the opportunity to come face-to-face with Australian researchers at the forefront of scientific exploration when the National Quantum & Dark Matter Road Trip visited our school for National Science Week.

The aim of the National Quantum & Dark Matter Road Trip is to introduce students and communities in regional and rural Australia to quantum and dark matter science, and to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers in Australia.

Our school was one of only five selected in FNQ for a visit by the team, mainly due to the influence of one of our own, Dr Grace Lawrence, who has been working with the research team. Unfortunately, Grace could not make the visit as she is preparing to make the move to study dark matter in the UK! Grace graduated from Atherton SHS in 2014 to study Astrophysics at Swinburne University.

Yr 7s have been currently studying forces and have been making marshmallow catapults and paper helicopters to test their understanding
Yr 8s are currently looking at human body systems and have been getting their hands into hearts, pluck and kidney dissections
Yr 9s are completing a chemistry unit at the moment, with a current focus on nuclear chemistry where they have been performing flame tests as an analytical tool to determine possible elemental composition based on emitted flame colour
Yr 10s are deep into the Physics in motion unit and recent practical highlights have been bottle rocket launching, parachute drops and balloon cars (which apparently were a bit of a flop – even failure is a learning opportunity!)
Senior students have just finished up their FA3s/IA3 and are approaching the pointy end of unit 2/4, ramping up their preparations for their upcoming FA4/EA – the 50% exam. Teachers have been working hard alongside them to ensure they are well prepared for this, and we wish them all the very best. They are still getting the opportunity to do some interesting practicals, for example Yr 12 Biology students will be performing some genetic modification of bacteria later this term, Yr 11 Biology students have just completed an osmoregulation and seed germination practical, Year 11 Chemistry students investigated acid and base strengths, 12 Chemistry students will be making their own Biodiesel, 11 Physics students will be moving into working with lights and lasers and 11 and 12 Agricultural Science are still getting the chance to be out in the paddock as well as in front of their books.

Mr Pluschke, Head of Department - Science

Bell Shakespeare

Hi, my name’s Tenae, how great was Bell Shakespeare Company in Week 2?! While these highly esteemed actors were entertaining our school, Ethan and I were anxiously preparing for the John Bell Shakespeare Scholarship. This program supports aspiring young actors over the age of 16, to immerse themselves in a week of masterclasses and networking with some of the top artists in the industry held in Sydney, with all expenses paid! This audition involved a 15 minute, one–on–one workshop with ‘The Players’ of whom acted in the performances presented to our school. Last year 2022 Year 12 graduate Cate was lucky enough to receive this prestigious award, amongst 3 other students from across Australia. Without the invaluable help of one of our incredible drama teachers Ms Toner, our auditions would not have gone as well as they did. Ethan performed Act 2 Scene 1 from Macbeth, while I auditioned Act 1 Scene 1 from A Midsummer Night’s Dream as Helena. We now wait for the shortlist which will be posted in November. For anyone interested in this incredible opportunity please don’t hesitate to email either myself at tghel2@eq.edu.au or Ethan at elang73@eq.edu.au for anyone interested in applying next year.

John Bell Scholarship | Bell Shakespeare

Tenae , Year 12, Prefect.

7/8 Math Quiz

On Thursday night, August 10 2023, the Atherton SHS Math Quiz team participated against four other schools in our district for round one of the 7/8 Math Quiz for 2023. This is a state wide competition. There were 5 sections consisting of estimation, speed drill, problem solving, individual short answer and general knowledge. All are timed sections and the students operate under pressure.

Atherton State High School’s Team consisting of Mark (Year8) (Captain), Holly (Year 7) and Ben (Year 7) performed admirably on the night in finishing second from 7 teams participating. The team did very well on the speed drill where they had 2 minutes to solve 12 questions.

A big congratulations to this team as they had spent a number of lunch hours practicing with Ms Millerd, the coordinator of this team.

This team will now head down to Cairns on Tuesday 3 October for Round 2 at Redlynch State College.

Winter Week

Kindness

In Week 4, students from Atherton State High School Hub were very excited to visit First Steps Early Childhood Learning Centre as part of our Community Access Program. The Manager, Samuel, greeted us and took us through the Centre. Children who are not old enough to go to school can come here for a day of fun activities and learning through play, while their parents/carers are at work. The building was a very welcoming place with lovely pictures and photographs on the walls and it looked well equipped with toys and games and even little beds/cots. There were two rooms with some very young children who were having a nap; another room where there were some 2-3 year olds having lunch; and there were another couple of rooms where some older children were playing. Outside, we saw bicycles and play cars and cubby houses and other exciting equipment for the children to use. There were plenty of staff supervising and looking after the children who were having a lot of fun. We really enjoyed our visit. Thank you to Samuel for giving us such an informative tour and to Kayleigh for organising this.

Sport update

Ella cooks up a storm!

Last week Year 10 TFF student Ella represented Atherton SHS at the School’s Culinary Challenge held at Smithfield SHS. Sponsored by The Business Liaison Association and Piccolo Cucina restaurant in Cairns, Ella competed against other year 10 and 11 students from Far North Qld high schools to make a two-course Italian inspired meal. Ella created a delicious meal of a Garlic & Chilli Pasta entrée with a main of Mozzarella & Sundried Tomato Stuffed Chicken in Prosciutto. Judges from Piccolo Cucina and the BLA were impressed with her pasta-making and food presentation skills, and Ella was chosen as one of the lucky winners to attend the BLA Awards Ceremony in November this year! Well done Ella, what an amazing effort and a superb meal!!!

Tom's School Based Apprenticeship

In 2022, at the beginning of Year 10, Tom was fortunate to secure a School Based Apprenticeship with Shed Fab (previously known as Atherton Metaland). Tom’s weekly schedule involves attending school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays while he works at Shed Fab every Thursday and Friday. Shed Fab’s owner, Murray shared an interesting piece of history – he had previously taken Tom’s father, Kurt, as his apprentice back in 1997. This serves as an excellent example of a local family business supporting and nurturing local students. Many thanks to Murray for his continued support!

QParents

Parents are invited to sign up for QParents. QParents is an app that gives parents access to their child’s information online and helps you stay connected with the school. If parents have not yet registered for QParents and would like to, please email admin@athertonshs.eq.edu.au

Liam's School Based Apprenticeship

Liam Cole, pictured with business owner Tracey Coutts, proud mum Bec, and Bronwyn from Busy at Work was officially signed up as a School Based Apprentice Glazier with Peninsula Windows & Doors last week. Liam is extremely grateful to be given this opportunity after completing Work Experience in the recent school holidays. Congratulations Liam, we are super happy for you and wish you all the best in your chosen career. A special acknowledgement goes out to the proprietors of the business, Dean & Tracey Coutts for their invaluable support of our program.

International News

Homestay

Earn up to $1400 a month welcoming an international high school student into your home.Of course, you’ll have access to our school support services and resources to help you plan for your student’s visit, and throughout their stay. Contact Ainsley on astibb6@eq.edu.au or 40305232

2023 Early School Leavers survey

The Queensland Government is seeking the support of the school community for the annual follow up of Year 10, 11 and 12 students who left a state school in 2022, before completing Year 12. This short questionnaire collects information about what young people are doing the year after leaving state school. The results inform strategies for improving the learning experience and transition supports available to future school leavers.

Between August and September, early leavers from 2022 can expect to receive instructions to complete a few web-based questions or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office. Please encourage them to take part. If their contact details have changed, please assist the interviewer with their updated details or forward the instructions to their new address so they can participate.

Thank you for your support in 2023.

For more information, please visit www.qld.gov.au/nextstep/ or telephone toll free on 1800 068 587.

Chris’ Spot on Health

Hello Atherton High Community

We are starting Thankful Thursday every week during recess times. Our awesome wellbeing team are excited to make this happen.

We will have a different activity each week that is guaranteed to boost your wellbeing. Thankful Thursday is about this great school giving thanks to all the students that turn up every day. And we wish to celebrate this by having a range of activities that are thoughtful, that are fun and sometimes a little different.

Our lives are full of reasons to feel thankful. And we hope that Thankful Thursday will be one of those reasons. Feeling thankful has soooo many benefits. It can improve sleep, mood and immunity. It feels good, decreases depression, anxiety, and pain and keeps you healthy for years to come. Remember to keep practising though!!!

Keep your ears pierced to the morning notices for what’s coming up each week.

Warmest,

Chris

School Nurse

Upcoming Events - For 2023

The upcoming events for Atherton SHS can be found on our website

School Events

Library News

P&C Association - All welcome

The P&C meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at 5.30pm. These are held in the school library. Everyone and encouraged to attend! If you have any questions please contact the P&C directly on pandc@athertonshs.eq.edu.au

You can find a membership form here