BNSHS Newsletter October 28th

From the Principal's office

Last week we released information about our new timetable proposal for 2021.  Thank you to the many parents and students who have provided feedback.  We are collating answers to questions that have asked and will have them available on our website.   Thank you to parents who attended the information session on Tuesday evening to clarify any queries.   The students and staff are excited about the new changes.  Our next step is to guage the number of students who would be most likely staying at school for Friday 5.  There is a Friday 5 attendance survey later in this newsletter.  We would appreciate you completing the survey, which is not a registration form but intended to provide approximate numbers for planning purposes.  We understand that there are challenges with transport and we are still waiting to hear from Translink around the buses.  We will keep you informed. 

The external exams for year 12s continue and many students have now completed all or most of their final assessments.  Our year 12s have their final week next week.  It is an exciting time for all year 12s and their families.  There will be a Graduation ceremony held on the oval on Wednesday afternoon at 5.30 – 6.15pm for parents and family of year 12 students.  Due to COVID restrictions we are unable to use the hall as it would not hold enough people.  We do ask that only family of year 12 students attend so that we can ensure we follow COVID guidelines.  All attendees must be registered and we ask that you complete the registration RSVP later in this newsletter or contact the school office for assistance on 4130 0222. Families attending please arrive at 5.15pm for a 5.30pm start and enter via the Administration car park.  We are relying on good weather for the evening and we look forward to celebrating the graduation for our amazing Year 12 students who have faced continual changes this year.  We wish them all well for their future.  

Robyn Kent, PRINCIPAL

Proposed timetable changes for 2021

On Wednesday 4^th November we released to students and parents our proposed 2021 changes to the timetable and day structure. 

We are invested in delivering quality teaching and learning practices to all students and these new proposed changes aim to provide our students with enhanced opportunities for success through improved delivery of curriculum programs.  We appreciate the feedback of parents and carers and in order for us to gauge how many students may be staying at school for Friday 5 in 2021, please complete the survey below by Friday 27th November.  Thank you to those parents who have already completed the survey.  We are still waiting on information from Translink (re bus transport) and know that this may alter people’s decisions but please complete the survey at this stage knowing that the bus transport is as normal.  If students are unable to be collected at 1.10pm or be able to walk/ride home etc please indicate that your student/s would remain at school.

Friday 5 attendance survey

Junior subject selection for 2021

Over the remainder of this week Mrs Arnold, Deputy Principal Junior School, will be speaking with students in years 8 and 9 about subject selections for 2021. Year 9 and especially 10 are important and exciting years that help to transition students from the junior school to the senior phase of schooling. It is the first time in a student's schooling that students can choose electives. Students elect four of their subjects, two per semester. Parents and caregivers are advised to discuss thoughtfully the choices to be made. A subject selection booklet for each year level is located on our website and has been uploaded to our school’s Student SharePoint. An email will go home at the beginning of next week reminding parents about subject selections and with a copy of the subject selection form. On Friday, 6^th November, all students are to bring their subject selection form complete with their guardian’s signature. On this Friday students will make their subject selections online via the OneSchool portal with the support of their classroom teacher and Mrs Arnold.

If you or your student has questions that arise from the subject selection booklet, please consult subject teachers, heads of department or the school's Guidance Officer. Students are encouraged to explore the options available and to consider what subject areas they want to experience in readiness for future study in the senior school. In particular, consider what they enjoy and what they are good at. All students in year 9 and 10 will study: English, mathematics, science, history and HPE. In addition, students choose four electives (two in semester 1 and two in semester 2) which provide opportunities to develop their talents or try new skills. Careful and planned choices will enable a smooth start to year 9 or 10.

North High School Council

Dear parents/caregivers,

As an independent public school, Bundaberg North State High School has established a School Council which is charged with overseeing the strategic direction of the school.  The School Council consists of the Principal, teaching and non-teaching staff, representatives from the P&C, the vice-chancellor of CQUniversity Bundaberg and a representative from East Coast Apprenticeships.

The School Council meets twice per term usually on Wednesdays from 5:30-7PM at the school administration block.

We are currently seeking a parent representative on the School Council to start in 2021.  Nominations forms can be accessed using the link below and must be returned by Thursday 12th November.  In the case of multiple nominations, voting will occur at the P&C meeting scheduled for Thursday 12 November.

Please consider joining our School Council. 

If you have any queries, please contact Robyn Kent principal@bundabergnorthshs.eq.edu.au or 4130 0222.

Mr Duncan, School Council Chair

Year 7 enrolment in 2021

Lock in the date!  We are looking forward to meeting our 2021 Year 7 cohort and want to make them welcome on Orientation Day, Wednesday 2nd December.  Enrolled students will come along a and spend the day at North High.  This is an important day for your student to experience high school, learn a little about the school and the staff and will assist them with their transition to high school next year.  If you haven't enrolled your student with us yet, please contact the school office to obtain an enrolment package.  To ensure a class placement, please return your completed paperwork to us by November 20th.  

Year 10 Business class supports free dress day

Every year, the Year 10 Business class are able to participate in a business venture. This year, we were lucky enough to have two Year 10 Business classes, and therefore two business ventures.

The first Business class in Term 2 decided to sell an assortment of sweet treats, such as chocolate log cake and mixed lollies, also selling chocolate ripple cake to the teachers. The second business venture in Term 3 went with an Australian theme and sold delicacies like fairy bread, beef jerky and chocolate cake. Delicious pavlova nests were sold to teachers. Due to the sweet treats on offer, administration granted us a red food day in Term 2 and 3. There was a lot of organising behind the scenes to produce these goods. Both ventures were hugely successful and we thank students and teachers for their incredible support. Whether it was buying, preparing or selling, their contribution was appreciated.

Combining the profits of both ventures, we were able to raise a total of $250. Business students have decided to donate to two charity initiatives. $100 of the profits, in conjunction with our free dress day for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, will be donated to the McGrath Foundation along with all money raised from the free dress day today. The other half of the profit will be used to create two hampers that will be added to the rest of the RAS hampers being donated at the end of the term to the annual Salvation Army appeal.

Our 2021 school captains Alison Quinn and Braydan Bielefeld and two Year 11 representatives from the Student Council, Alexander White and Zoe Parker accepted a $100 cheque for the McGrath Foundation on behalf of Bundaberg North State High School today.

Well done Year 10 Business students!  

Byron, Year 10 Business Student

Bronze for Olivia

Year 11 student Olivia achieved two personal bests over the weekend when she competed at Queensland athletics last weekend.  Her hard work and persistence payed off and she received a bronze medal and a personal best for triple jump, and was fourth in long jump with another personal best.  Congralutions Olivia!

2020 Emerge Exhibition

Every year the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery showcases student art works from our region. This year our school was represented by year 12 students Lace, Alice and Zenaya, year 11 students Savannah and Rachelle, year 10 students Shae and Lakeeta, year 8 students April, Emily, Umairah, Tayla, Ebony and Ariana, and year 7 students Shyan and Niklas. Later this year even more students will have their works shown around Bundaberg as part of the Emerge Arts Festival, taking the works out into the streets. Congratulations to all students involved, and especially to Savannah and Shae who were awarded two of the four Emerging Artist Awards during opening night. The exhibition continues until the 7^th of February so be sure to head down to 1 Barolin Street to see the work on display.

Gold for Wide Bay hockey team

Year 12 student Ryan represented Wide Bay at the Qld Hockey State Championships in Rockhampton in Term 3.  As the only keeper to travel with the team, Ryan had an outstanding carnival playing an integral part in helping his team to win the Gold medal.  In 2019 the Wide Bay team had a narrow loss against Met East in the grand final.  This year the team were determine to win gold in their re-match taking out the game with a score of 2 nil.  Wide Bay only lost one game for the carnival against the regional powerhouse team of Capricornia. In the semi-final, against Met North, the fulltime score was a 3 all draw, leading into penalty shoot-outs to win a place in the grand final game.  Shoot-outs consists of 5 individual players going one on one with the keeper. Ryan saved 3 out the 5 shoot-outs, giving the Wide Bay team the win.  To top off his last Wide Bay representative year, Ryan was also awarded the “In the Trenches” trophy by the Wide Bay coach and manager.  This is a trophy in memory of Robin Wust, who was the Wide Bay boy’s hockey coach for numerous years.   Congratulations Ryan.

Mr Thatcher, Sports Coordinator

Netball 2020

North High have a history of shining at interschool netball finals and this year was no different. 

The Year 9 and 10 team who played in the social division did not lose a game all season. They made it to the finals in 1^st place.  This team has played together every year and this is the 3rd year they have won their division, beating Gin Gin 26-18.  Fantastic result for the girls.  Year 9 student Lara  was named  'Player of the Finals' (for that Division).

The Open Girls team, also in the social division made it to the finals but sadly lost to Kepnock SHS but still coming a very respectable 2nd place overall.  Kaitlyn was the 'Player of the Finals' for their division.  

The Year 7/8 team played in the Year 9 competitive division as the North team had a Year 9 girl play in the first game of the season and therefore had to remain in that division.  They made it to finals day in 4th place which was an excellent effort.  In the grand final they played St Lukes and won 14-13 to make them 3^rd overall.

Congratulations for a successful Netball year of good sportsmanship and dedication.

Miss Richardt, netball coordinator

Assistance for families & students in 2021

St Vincent de Paul Society's Children's Education Fund (CEF).

CEF provides funding for various school materials including (but not limited to):
• Uniforms
• Stationery
• Text books & book lists
• Bags, lunchboxes etc.
• Technology requirements (iPads, laptops etc)
• School resource levies (but not school fees)

Applications are open from 1 August to 30 September 2020 for the 2021 school year (This is open to all families/students can apply on their own behalf).

To apply- An interview is required to determine eligibility.  At the interview an application form will be completed with the Vinnies support staff.   
Parents/Guardians/Students need to telephone and arrange an interview with the SVDP Bundaberg Support Office on 4151 5819  Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings 9am-11:30am. (If you telephone outside of these hours and leave a message one of our staff will be in contact with you) alternatively you can email us on bundaberg.office@svdpqld.org.au 
If eligible and approved, families/students will receive the assistance in January 2021 for their school needs.  

Student free days - December 10 & 11

Your patience and flexibility during this pandemic have been extraordinary. This year will be remembered for many things, not least a year of challenge, uncertainty and great complexity. Everyone has been affected by COVID-19. While many in our communities across the state have contributed to ensuring Queensland families remain healthy and safe, I think we all would agree our state school teachers and school staff have done an incredible job at leading our children’s education. In recognition of their outstanding efforts during the pandemic, the Queensland Government has declared the last two days of Term 4, 2020, Thursday 10 December and Friday 11 December, 2020 be allocated as student free days. Schools will be closed on these days. This will come as great news for those who are keen to begin their school holidays early. For some families, alternative arrangements will need to be made for the care of children on these two days. You can view the updated school holiday and term dates and download the calendar at https://education.qld.gov.au/about-us/calendar/term-dates.

Educating our children is a team effort. On behalf of our teaching and school staff, I would like to thank you for your support and cooperation during this year.  
 

Important dates