Bundaberg North State High School eNewsletter

From the Principal's office

This week we celebrated the outstanding achievements of our students at our Presentation Parade and Presentation Night ceremonies on Tuesday 12^th October. Congratulations to all the students who received academic, sporting, cultural and service awards. Thank you to the parents and members of the community who attended the ceremonies to share in the celebrations. I would like to thank Mrs Arnold and Mrs Sellers for their excellent organisation of the evening and to the many staff and students who helped or were involved in the ceremonies.

My Principal report can be accessed at this link.

Term 3 reports were issued in the last week of term. Parents and students have access to the mid semester progress report for Term 3. Parents are always welcome to contact teachers if you wish to discuss any results or progress. It was very pleasing to see improvement in students receiving A – C results in Year 7 in Math, English and Humanities. During Friday 5 time teachers have been focussed on Year 7 curriculum delivery and assessment which has led to improved student outcomes. Well done to the Year 7 team and students.

Our Year 12 students are completing their final preparations before their external exam block which starts on October 26th and runs for 17 days. The exam block is conducted in all Queensland schools during this time period. Year 12s will be emailed their exam schedule and instructions. We will be providing some tutorials and catch up sessions for students during the exam block to support them in ensuring they complete all their assessment. Any students who have questions should see Mr Wright (Deputy Principal) or Mr Shield (Senior schooling Head of Department). We wish all our Year 12 the very best as they complete their final assessments.

Support for students transitioning to work past Year 12.

Bundaberg North SHS has been successful in gaining funding to participate in the 'Link and Launch' program designed to support Year 12 completers who are not in empolyment, education or training by assisting their transition to study or work. Students will be assisted to navigate options available to them to make a successful transition to training or employment.

Robyn Kent, PRINCIPAL

GPs in school program

Bundaberg North SHS is one of fifty schools chosen to participate in the GPs in schools pilot program, which is to provide students access to a GP one day per week, to be bulk-billed through Medicare. For many students it is difficult or expensive to get access to healthcare and this service will give them the access they need at no cost to the student or their family. This will have a positive impact on students' physical and mental health and their preparedness to engage in their studies.

We are very excited about this opportunity and more information will be available as we plan the delivery of this program.

Robyn Kent, Principal

Ministerial STATEMENT

Yr 7 vaccinations - 22nd October

As per Wide Bay Public Health advice – there should be a (7) day timeframe between vaccinations. We are asking students on the clinic day if they have received a COVID-19 vaccination in the last (7) days – if they answer yes they will be turned away at the school clinic and parents will be contacted re booking an appointment at our Catch Up on 26/10/2021. Where students advise they are booked for a COVID-19 vaccination within the (7) days after the school clinic, we will contact their parents and tell them to move their COVID appointment to at least (7) days after the school clinic date as their students will be vaccinated at the School.

Ozcare Administration

Colour Blast

Colour Blast will be held on our school oval on Friday 22nd October starting at 1.10pm and will be a great activity for all students. Information/permission forms have been given to all students in RAS and can also be downloaded at the link below.

Colour_Blast_Permission_Letter_2021.pdf

Senior School news

External exams

External exams will be held for all General Subjects in weeks 4 - 7 (26^th October – 20^th November) of term 4. Year 12 students are only required to attend the relevant scheduled events, such as exams and tutorial sessions. There will be no regular classes for year 12s during the external exam block. All students have been emailed their exam schedule.

The external exams will occur during two sessions each day:

AM session: exams commence at 9:00am

PM session: exams commence at 12:15pm

Transport and arrival

Students should ensure they have reliable transport and can arrive 30 minutes before their exam commences. After an exam session, students are expected to leave the school grounds promptly. If they do not have access to transport, they should contact Mr Wright via email ASAP to arrange supervision for any sessions they will be at school.

Equipment

Students have also received an equipment list via email. Please help your student to arrange the correct equipment for each exam session. You can view the equipment list here:

https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/downloads/senior/snr_ea_equipment_list.pdf

Protocols and conduct

Students have been sent the directions for students document. All students will need to comply with all aspect of the exam procedures. You can view the directions for students here:

https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/downloads/senior/snr_ea_directions_students.pdf

Uniforms

Students are required to wear full school uniform for all attendance, including exams, tutorials, catch-up sessions and prom/graduation preparation sessions.

Tutorial sessions for General Subjects

Tutorial sessions have been scheduled for most General subjects, to ensure students are able to receive feedback and support from their teachers during the exam block. Students should ensure they arrive promptly for tutorial sessions, and note that tutorial sessions may not be scheduled during their normal timetabled periods.

Catch-up sessions for Applied and VET subjects

Unless the subject teacher confirms that a student has completed all assessment and VET modules, students are expected to attend all scheduled catch-up sessions. Teachers will inform students if they are required for catch-up sessions.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding external exams, please email or call the school.

Mr Wright, Deputy Principal

Presentation Ceremonies 2021

Yesterday we held our 49th annual awards ceremonies. Presentation Parade celebrated students who have received 'Reach for the Sky' awards and certificate awards for their contribution to the school in sport, culture or academia. Last night the Presentation Night ceremony celebrated academic excellence for each year level, half and full colour awards for sport, culture and service to the school, and of course our major awards were announced. It was a wonderful evening and we warmly congratulate all students who were recognised for their outstanding achievements. We would also like to sincerely thank the sponsors whose continued support of our school make some of these awards possible.

Thank you Australian Defence Force, Bundaberg Regional Council, Brothers Sports Club, BUSY At Work, Bundaberg Canegrowers Association, AMPOL, Central Queensland University, EPIC Assist and Gladstone Ports Corporation.

Presentation Night

Expressions of interests are invited for a casual Teacher Aide in Student Services for the 2022 school year.

The ideal applicant must be highly reliable, have effective time management and attention to detail skills. This role will require an individual with strong communication skills to assist and engage with students and parents in a friendly & professional manner. The main duties of the position will include working with and supporting teachers in classrooms to help improve student outcomes.

To apply for this position please provide a written statement (maximum one page) with details of your knowledge, skills and abilities, outlining your suitability to the role along with a resume to admin@bundabergnorthshs.eq.edu.au

Please ensure your resume includes the contact details for 2 referees, one being your current supervisor. Please refer to the Role Description below.

Applications close: Friday 5th November 2021 at 3pm.

If you require any information on the position please email Business Manager - Calvin Boon at cboon11@eq.equ.au

Additional information

A criminal history check will be initiated on the successful applicant.
In accordance with the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000  , successful applicant must hold a current Working with Children Check  clearance (blue card).

All applications will remain current for 12 months and may be used for future vacancies.

Role Description - Teacher Aide

Early entry for Amba

Congratulations to Year 12 student Amba Lindsay-Martyn. Amba received an early entry offer to James Cook University and will be studying a Bachelor of Marine Science. Well done Amba!

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Name: Jade Duncan

Graduating year: 2008

Best memories from high school: Having the opportunity to be involved in the arts in high school are amongst my fondest memories. During my time at BNSHS I was fortunate to have my work included in exhibits at the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery and was involved in community art projects including painting a mural at the public pool for children to enjoy. I was also involved in Rock Eisteddfod as a makeup artist. I still continue to be engaged in creative practice and love to champion the arts.

What did you do after high school: Following high school I worked for a year locally and then completed a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts majoring in journalism at Griffith University. I then completed practical legal training with the College of Law and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland as a solicitor.

What are you doing now: I am now a practicing succession and estate planning solicitor based in Brisbane. I continue to indulge creatively through sewing and dressmaking.

Words of wisdom:

It is normal at all stages of life to feel as though you aren’t where you’d like to be. In those moments, I invite you to reflect on where you were this time last year, or further back , to acknowledge how far you have come and what challenges you have met in that time. If you stay true to yourself, and check in often, it is likely you will achieve far more than you expected to over the long term.

Set a little time aside as often as you can to do the things you love. Practicing this will become very important as you grow older and take on more in life.

Lastly, keep friends that inspire and support you. You don’t need the others.

School Savvy is back for 2022

Bundaberg regional residents can once again look forward to the School Savvy CQ pop-up shops returning in 2022, with Childers and Gin Gin getting savvy shops of their very own.
From January 10, students from families facing financial struggles will be able to access second-hand uniforms and essential stationery supplies to prepare them for the new school year.
Uniform donations are now being accepted, with many convenient locations available. For a current list of donation points in your area, visit www.centacarecq.com/donationpoints.
Support your local community and make a difference in a school student’s life. The School Savvy CQ team is looking forward to seeing you!

Relationship & Self

This term WALC RAS class have undertaken to really get to know each other in a more in-depth way. We have agreed to interact with students of other age-groups from within our class. As a soft launch of this new ideal, we all undertook to create domino chains for a fun activity. There was much laughter; concentration on faces; (even a tongue or two from the corner of mouths to aid the concentration), and of course, falling dominoes. As is often the way though, there were unintended consequences! The response that probably summed up the whole experience came from one of our wise Year 12 students who said “I think this ends up causing more frustration than fun Ms”.

We look forward to the next challenge…

Ms Hall, Teacher Librarian

From the sports desk

Mackay SHS visit

On Tuesday 26^th October, Mackay SHS Year 7 & 8 students, will once again visit North as part of their SEQ tour. This inter-school relationship is in its 3^rd year and hopes to be just a successful.

Mackay bring a team of Netball, Rugby League and Football. They will play our North students on our oval starting at lunch to maximise exposure and the increase of spectators will improve the atmosphere. North teams have begun training and are looking forward to the opportunity. This is another great experience for North students as it fosters good sportsmanship and friendship.

Good luck teams

Rowing State Championships

On the first weekend of the holidays, from the 17th to the 20th of September, was the Qld Schools Rowing State Championships. The regatta was held in Rockhampton with 700 athletes competing.
Sarah Wake, gr 8 student, has been training hard all year for the championships. She blitzed the competition in her single heats and semi-finals, scoring herself a ace in the final of the Year 8 Girls Championship Single Scull, where she placed 2nd!

Senior rower, Jayne Wake