BNSHS Newsletter 15th September 2021

From the Principal's office

The final two weeks of Term 3 have been filled with many activities at North High.  Students have completed their final assessments and Term 3 reports will be issued at the end of this week. 

We conducted our Arts Night on Wednesday 8^th September.  After the disappointment of having to cancel Arts Night last year due to COVID it was great to see students able to perform for and entertain our school community.  Congratulations to the students and staff who performed and thank you to those who attended or helped out behind the scenes.  It was a very enjoyable evening.

This week we have 92 Year 10 students doing work experience in a wide variety of industries across Bundaberg.  Thank you to Mrs Prince and Mrs Nichols (work experience coordinators)  for organising the placements and thank you to the parents and staff who have been supporting the students with travel and getting prepared.

This week we also competed in Cooper Cup over 3 days.  We had 13 teams participating with 6 touch football teams, 4 volleyball teams and 3 basketball teams.   Congratulations and thank you to all students and staff who were part of the North teams.  They all did very well in representing North High.

We held Progress Conferences on Tuesday afternoon to allow parents and students to meet with teachers to discuss semester 2 progress.  Thank you to the many parents who attended.   Remember that parents are welcome to contact teachers throughout the terms to discuss the progress of their student.

Our Annual Presentation Parade and Presentation Night ceremonies will be held on Tuesday 12 October.  Lists of the names of award recipients will be available to students via Sharepoint and emailed to parents during the school holidays. If your student will be receiving an award, please note which ceremony they will be participating in - Presentation Parade or Presentation Night.  I want to congratulate all our students who are winning awards this year.  Stay tuned for more details about this.

Once again, we are planning ahead for those students who need to remain at school during Friday 5.  For Term 4, we ask that you complete the registration ONLY if your student will be remaining at school on any Friday in term 4.  

I wish you and your family a safe and enjoyable holiday break. 

Robyn Kent, Principal

Friday 5 - Students remaining at school until 3pm Term 4, 2021

Presentation Night

We have been busy bathing in the excellence of student nominations for our annual Presentation Parade and Presentation Night and the excitement is palpable.

COVID19 guidelines will again dictate how we run both of these events and we will keep parents abreast of any changes that may have to occur as soon as information comes to hand. The Presentation Parade will occur in school time and is limited to student attendance only; however, we will be taking photographs of students to share via our communication platforms.  Parents and family members are invited to the evening ceremony which will include presentations for Dux and Runner up Dux of each year level, half and full colour awards, and all of our special and major awards.  Lists of the students to receive awards will be published during the holidays and available to all parents via email, newsletter and facebook.   At this point in time we will able to have maximum capacity in our hall for guests to attend Presentation Night ceremony with adherence to check-in and sanitisation protocols.

Please encourage your students to check the lists when they are published to ensure that they are aware that they are receiving an award and which ceremony their award will be presented at. It is also important that students check that the details we have recorded are correct.  Please ask your student to contact Mrs Sellers in the school office if changes need to be made.

Mrs Arnold, Deputy Principal

Day of Excellence

On Friday 27^th August, we hosted students from local primary schools in collaboration with CQUni’s amazing aeronautical team for an amazing day of planes, rockets and drones. The Day of Excellence event was part of our LEAP program an enrichment program focused on students’ Leadership, Enrichment, Aspiration and Passions connected with the Australian Curriculum General Capabilities.

The day was an epic day introducing the principles of flight, exploring the world of drones, learning the skills of navigation and launching rockets.

A HUGE thanks to the CQUni team for sharing their passion with us and a massive congratulations to all of the students who participated. North High, can’t wait to see you all again soon! #BNSHSDayofExcellence #BNSHSLEAP

Mrs Gray, Head of Department, Junior School

Subject selection Year 8 and 9 students

All students entering Year 9 and 10 in 2022 will take part in selecting their subjects in week one next term on Thursday 7^th October. Students in Year 9 and 10 will study a total of eight subjects. Five of these subjects will be core subjects studied throughout the year and four will be elective subjects studied for one semester each.

Core Subjects

Core subjects are compulsory for all students in Years 9 and 10. The core subjects are:

• Mathematics (2 semesters)
• Science (2 Semesters)
• English (2 Semesters)
• History (1 Semesters)
• Health and Physical Education (1 Semester)

Elective Subject Areas

The elective subject areas proposed for 2022 are:

• Digital Technologies (DIG)
• Drama (DRA)
• Economics and Business (ECB)
• Engineering Principles and Systems – Metalwork (TES)
• Food Specialisations – Cooking (TFD)
• Japanese (JAP) – Year 9 only
• Materials and Technologies Specialisations – Woodwork (TMT)
• Media Arts (MED)
• Music (MUS)
• Visual Arts (ART)

Descriptions of each subject are provided in the subject selection booklets that are found on Student SharePoint. An email will be sent to all students and parents with the subject selection booklet and a copy of the subject selection form for students to discuss with parents. A copy of the form will be provided to all students and must be presented at school on the Thursday, 7^th October, completed with a parent/caregivers signature.

Mrs Arnold, Deputy Principal

CO2 Dragster Challenge - State finals

BUNDABERG NORTH STATE HIGH SCHOOL - TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGE

​Bundaberg North State High School came alive on the 9^th September 2021 with the Queensland State Finals CO2 Dragsters. Due to COVID the Fraser Coast Technology Challenge at Maryborough had to be cancelled. It was sad to see that some of the regulars in the Technology Challenge could not meet the entry deadlines due to school lockdowns.

For the schools that entered this year it must have been a beehive with students designing, making and testing prototypes, selecting the best materials and manufacturing. Then the best part, racing their designs in the Queensland State Finals. The speeds of CO2 Dragsters were on average as previous years but I was still impressed with the great designs. This was confirmed by the Design and Construction Judges. This year the CO2 Dragsters were judged by the Coral Coast Men's Shed, Bargara.

Special thanks to Shanae, Ariana, Ruby, Declan, Jesse, and Toby: students of Bundaberg North for their support in the setting up of the track and displaying & racing the dragsters. The competition was a great success.

The winners from the State finals will represent Queensland in the National Finals to be held at Warwick State High School on the 7^th and 8^th October 2021. I would like to wish all competitors the best of luck for the next race.

Mr Holledge, Technology Teacher

Business 'Remedy'

Year 11 Business students have a lot of fun in class. This week focused on how a small to medium sized business like “Remedy Kombucha” can achieve operational efficiency and positive financial outcomes along with sustainable and socially conscious practices  in a rapidly developing market. Naturally it required  sampling some of the healthy, organic and sugar free kombucha to enhance the educational experience. We gave the Peach one a big thumbs up!

Mrs Jensen, Business Teacher

Do It In A Dress!

You may have seen Mrs Keri Jensen and I wearing a school dress.  We are wearing them for Do It In A Dress to raise awareness and funds for girls' education: 

Did you know that 130 million girls around the world are out of school? But when you educate a girl, everything changes.

One Girl is the organisation that runs Do It In A Dress! They’re a non-profit organisation that believes that EVERY girl on the planet has the right to an education. No matter where she is born, how much her family earns, what religion she adheres to or what her culture says – EVERY GIRL deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and be the best she can be. We believe when you educate a girl, she can change her world.

In Sierra Leone, almost half of all female youth (15 - 24 years old) are illiterate and 3 in 5 girls don’t attend school. On top of that, up to 40% of girls in Sierra Leone and Uganda are married before they’re 18.

But when a girl is educated, she’ll get married later and have fewer but healthier children. For every year she stays in school she’ll increase her income by at least 10 -25%. With the money she earns, she’ll invest 90% of it back into her family. An educated girl becomes an educated woman. A woman who makes sure her children will go to school, just like she did. Educating a girl improves the local economy more than any other type of investment. Read more about why educating girls is so powerful!

The 2021 Do It In A Dress campaign officially runs for one month, from September 8th (International Day of Literacy) to October 11th (International Day of the Girl).   If you would like to donate to the cause you can do so at this link:  https://www.onegirl.org.au/s/1989/4317/e.

The funds raised through Do It In A Dress fund our girl-focused programs in Sierra Leone and Uganda.

Mrs Burrell, Success Coach

Oishii Okonomoyaki

Year 7s enjoyed making and eating the savoury pancakes that are common at summer festivals in Japan. It was a reward for successfully completing their written assignment of five diaries for an imaginary homestay. Great work with using the Japanese script!

Miss Rayner, Head of Department LOTE

North talent on display

Year 12 Visual Art General students currently have work on display at the Bundaberg Art Prize Exhibition. Displayed alongside 450 artworks from some of the best local and regional artists, the 2021 exhibition has found a unique home in the Bundaberg CBD, taking over vacant shopfront and car workshop spaces on the corner of Bourbong and Tantitha Streets. The artworks can be viewed up until Saturday 25 September. They include painting, photography, interactive sculpture and film and are all offered for sale. Go and grab yourself a bargain before these artists become famous! Congratulations Sam, Joshua, Savannah, Rachelle and Alex.

Mrs McDonald, Art Teacher

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Name:                                                             Lachlan Jensen

Graduating Year:                                           2015

Best memories from high school:           

Lots of great memories – the Thredbo ski trip, geography excursions, maths team challenges, falling over at the basketball courts and having my lunch packed for me!

What did you do after school?                 

I studied a Bachelor of Mining Engineering (Hons) at the University of Queensland straight out of high school and graduated in 2020. Whilst studying, I travelled to China and America where I had the opportunity to work and explore different cultures. I also travelled a lot within Australia working at several mine sites - a highlight being working at Australia’s largest underground mine automating their truck fleet. This involved lots of maths, problem solving, technology and coding.

What are you doing now?                         

I am currently a Mining Engineer for Evolution Mining based at Mt Rawdon Gold Mine. My role is as a drill and blast engineer – where I get to use explosives to blow up rocks! There are lots of considerations that come with this role – such as safety, environmental impacts, and cost. We do this as it is the only economical way to extract the gold out of the ground before it is transported to the mill and processed.

Words of wisdom:                                        

Keep challenging yourself and continue learning new skills.

Junior Indigenous Capricorn Caves Camp

One of the biggest highlights for Term 3 was the Junior Indigenous Camp to the Capricorn Caves.  

It was a unique experience for all who attended. The students had a load of fun exploring the caves and were all challenged to fit through tiny spaces in total darkness which gave them the opportunity to build closer relationships with their fellow peers and staff.  

It was a great time sitting around the fire, telling stories with their friends and the Indigenous staff. The best part about the experience was not having any mobile reception! 

On behalf of the Indigenous Support Staff, we would like to thank the Junior Indigenous students who attended the camp, and we really look forward to returning to Capricorn Caves next year! 

Carley Long, Community Education Counsellor   

Breakfast Club is a winner.

Thanks to a fabulous team of support staff, teacher aides, P&C and student volunteers North High runs a 'Breakfast Club' every day.  All students are welcome to attend the 'Breakfast Club' held in the Q block complex.  We appreciate everyone involved in making this service available to our students.  

From the Sport's desk

It has been a great start to our Cooper Cup campaign for the North High Open Touch Girls team.  The team played very well and under the guidance of coach Mr Peach, managed to place 3rd in the Bundaberg term 3 competition.  

The Senior boys basketball team improved with every game they played and it was a really good experience for the team.  The day finished with a very exciting grand final where Kepnock beat Bundy High by 1 point in the last 5 seconds of the game!

COOPER CUP SO FAR…  

This week students have been involved in Term 3 Cooper Cup sport. We have competed in Volleyball, Basketball and Touch Football. Teams have travelled to Bundaberg from Gladstone, Maryborough and Hervey Bay. North students have had a great time with mixed results. Monday saw our seniors play, Tuesday is the Y9/10’s and Wednesday is the Y7/8’s.

Results so far are:

Y11/12 Boys Touch – 3^rd

Y11/12 Girls Touch – 3^rd

Y11/12 Boys Volleyball – 5^th

Y11/12 Boys Basketball – 6^th

A great day was had by the 9/10 Girls Coopers Cup touch team.  They played 5 hard-fought games against extremely tough competition.  As the day progressed improvement was seen by all the players.  The girls managed to score in every game except one.  They came away from the day with a draw against Gladstone who were the third placed team.

Mr Hogan, team coach

Important dates

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