Monday 28th June 2021

Principal's Welcome

As we end semester one it is a great time to reflect on the achievements of our staff, students and community at Atherton SHS this year. 

Across the range of academic, cultural and sporting areas we have once again seen members of our school community participate in a wide variety of activities and achieve success.

Over the past month we have experienced some fantastic arts performances, especially in the music field.  Our chaplaincy committee delivered an outstanding community event with the car show and swap meet.  Our senior chemistry students and reader’s cup participants have participated in academic events and experienced success.  Our ag students and show teams have taken up the opportunity to put their months of training to great effect and are participating in the local shows.  Our staff have been trialling the moderation days to improve their practice and a number of them are presenting at state conferences to share their excellent practices.

Well done to all members of our community who have taken advantage of the opportunities that have presented themselves over the past six months.  As the saying goes…you only get out of life what you put in to it… so well done on getting the most out of the past semester of schooling.

As mentioned last newsletter, in Term 3 I will be Principal of Trinity Bay SHS in Cairns whilst their leader is on leave.  I have not yet been informed of who the ASHS Principal will be during this time but I will advise the community of who this will be once I have been notified.  I look forward to re-joining you all in Term 4.

Wishing you all the best for a fantastic term ahead!

Tony Whybird

News in Brief

End of Semester 1, start of Semester 2:

As school finishes for semester 1 and students and staff break for a well earned rest, we remind everyone that all students return on Monday July 12.  Report cards for Semester 1 will be distributed on Wednesday July 14 and parent- teacher interviews are scheduled for Tuesday July 20.

Interhouse and District Athletics:

With the wet weather on the final day of term 2, we were unable to complete the full schedule of events for our school athletics carnival.  When we return in July we will complete the final jumping events then announce the age champions and champion house at the parade on July 15.  Selected students will then be invited to represent the school at the district athletics carnival that will be run at Atherton SHS (weather permitting) on July 29 and 30

Education Improvement Branch Review report

Recently we had three external reviewers come to Atherton SHS to complete a review of the school relative to the National School Improvement Tool.  The reviewers spoke to over 140 students, staff, parents and community members to get feedback about the school relative to the domains of the tool.  The reviewers have released their report to the school and members of the community can download a copy of the executive summary from the Atherton SHS website. We will use this feedback, as well as feedback from leaders at the upcoming Internal School Review and audit to assist us in the construction of our 2022-25 strategic plan.

Community news:

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 30^th June                          Ph:  4096 5339

Postive Behaviour for Learning

Congratulations to all members of the Atherton High community for supporting the implementation of Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) this year.  In the last week of term, we celebrated our ‘High Flyers’ by awarding $30 vouchers to one student from every year level.  High Flyers are awarded to students when staff observe them displaying positive behaviours at school.  We also celebrated the large numbers of students that achieved over 95% attendance by throwing a pizza party on the deck.  Well done students and staff - we look forward to further developing our school's positive culture through the ongoing implementation of PBL.

Athletics Carnival

Despite some wet weather on the last two days of term 2, we managed to complete the majority of track and field events at our annual athletics carnival. Age champions and the winning house will be announced at the first parade in term 3 on July 15.  We will also invite selected students to represent the school at the district carnival, which is scheduled for July 29-30 at Atherton SHS.  Thanks to the staff who organised and co-ordinated the carnival and good luck to all the competitors at the district carnival.

Yr 8 Humanities research warriors

This term, Year 8 Humanities classes have been researching their chosen warrior culture. Their task was to produce a digital booklet for the purpose of being a library resource that detailed not only the emergence of the culture but looked at how the culture’s beliefs and values were reflected in their training, conduct and dress. Students also constructed an artwork to support this. Class displays are now open to viewing in the library. Voting for the best display by using the slips and box provided will enable one class to a lesson watching a movie with popcorn.

Car and Bike Swap meet

A glorious day saw the largest ever turnout for the 9^th annual Car and Bike Swap meet and show at Atherton SHS.  Over 250 cars and many motorbikes came and lined up around the school’s oval, showing their magnificent vehicles to members of our community.  Exhibitors took advantage of the picture-perfect day with cars coming from as far away as Townsville and many from Cairns and surrounds. Thanks to the chaplaincy committee for organising this event, which is used to raise funds for chaplaincy programs within the school.

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Agistment Wanted

Atherton SHS Agriculture department is in search of agistment land for its expanding stud cattle herd to provide opportunities for expansion of our agriculture program.  We are looking to be able to cater for a mixed age group of animals of around 20+ head and would prefer to be in close proximity to Atherton.  If you can assist us with this request, please contact Cameron Harris on 40 305 222.

Maths in the Community

Year 7/8 Maths have been studying money, and what better way to learn than by spending it on a class picnic in the community?  The aim of the excursion was to get the best value for money for the picnic whilst ensuring that only healthy food was purchased.

Armed with $10 each and enthusiasm, we headed to Woolworths on Thursday, 17 June. 

Trios of students had to find particular products for the picnic.  They then needed to explain to Ms Catherine, Ms Mattea and Ms Ashlea what the weight of the product was, what the price was, what the price per kilo was and which item was the best value.   And they learnt that a smaller product is not necessarily the best value.

Nathaniel said he learnt about price per kilo and how that is a great way of working out what is the best price to pay.

Tyler found the best deal, some roast brisket, down from $17 to $5.50.  While that wasn’t on the list, everyone agreed that roast brisket trumped roast chook!

By the time we finished, we had a picnic that fed 10 to the brim (with leftovers) for $37.25.  The students thought that this was possibly the cheapest feed for a picnic ever. 

After our picnic, students feasted on Ms Catherine’s chocolate muffins and played on the playground.  Before we knew it, more than two hours had flown by and we had to hoof it back quick smart to school for the last bell.

Mia said, “It was a lot of fun.” 

Well, Mia, we are doing Maths Community Access again next term in week 1 for fractions and that means sharing pizza and cake and anything that can be divided evenly.  All healthy of course!

2021 UQ Science Ambassadors

Billie Cummings, Marni Dennis, Chloe Robertson and Cooper Mickan have been appointed as the 2021 UQ Science Ambassadors for our school.  All four students are committed to promoting science throughout the school and across the wider community as well.  The Science Ambassadors will work closely with staff from the science faculty, together with a range of regional personnel, to run a range of exciting activities during National Science Week in August.  The theme this year is Food:  Different by Design.  Participating in the UQ Science Ambassador program is just one way for Year 11 students to demonstrate their dedication to extra-curricular STEM activities.

NAIDOC Parade invite

Finance Information

Dear Parents/Carers/Guardians,

Student Resource Scheme 2021 Payments Now Overdue

All 2021 Student Resource Scheme levies including subject fees were due to be paid at end of term 1 and if unpaid are now 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 Dunning Payment Reminder Letters will be sent out for outstanding fees next Term. Parents experiencing financial hardship who are currently participating in or wish to participate in the SRS should contact the school to discuss options. Statements are sent out at the end of each month.

Thank you to all those who have paid and to those who have arranged payment plans.

2021 Year 12 Fees and Formal Invoice payment

Please ensure ALL school fees are paid before paying for and attending the Formal. All fees and Formal payments are to be made by end of Term 3 to ensure your place at the formal.

Ski Trip Payments

Please make ski trip payments to the schedule provided but also please ensure all school fees for the year are paid before students attend this optional activity.

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

Expression of Interest - Relief Positions

Schoolzine Newsletters

We are now producing our eNewsletters with Schoolzine. The move to this new format  enables us to communicate with our school community across multiple channels. It promotes and enhances our engagement with parents, students and the wider community.

We hope you find the eNewsletters highly engaging, it provides an efficient and effective means of connecting with you. The new format  allows the inclusion of video, photo galleries, online bookings, mobile apps, 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