BNSHS Newsletter 2nd February 2022

From the Principal's office

Welcome to our first newsletter for 2022.  I would like to extend a very warm welcome to families who are new to North High and to those families returning to our school.  It has certainly been an interesting summer vacation with many twists and turns with COVID restrictions.

Last week we saw the return of students of essential workers and this week we have begun remote learning with our year 11 and 12 students.

Next week we look forward to welcoming back all students on Monday February 7.  We will be following the COVID guidelines to promote the safety and wellbeing of students and staff. 

Key features of the plan from 7 February to 4 March 2022 include:

• priority access to Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) at Queensland Health testing clinics for students and staff who have COVID-19 symptoms
• RATs available in schools for students and staff who develop symptoms while on site
• mandatory mask wearing for staff in all schools, and all high school students 
• suspension of school camps, excursions, assemblies and large gatherings
• limiting visitors on school sites, with exceptions for parents and carers of students experiencing vulnerability, and all students attending Early Childhood Development Programs, Kindergarten, Prep or Year 1
• limiting face-to-face staff meetings, professional development, and face-to-face parent-teacher interviews
  

As new information is released from Qld Health and the Department of Education, we will keep you informed in a variety of ways – using Facebook, email, SMS, and our school website. 

Present COVID guidelines indicate that students of high school age bring and wear a mask to school.  Students should be washing their hands regularly and where possible maintaining 1.5m apart.  If students are unwell they should stay at home, if they become unwell during the school day we will be contacting parents to collect students.

If your student tests positive to COVID 19 please inform the school immediately so that we are able to follow Qld Health guidelines.  Please see attached for the latest COVID guidelines.

As we have lost 2 weeks of schooling, teachers have been working on adjusting curriculum plans to ensure that students are able to complete set work and assessment requirements.  It is important for students to quickly settle into school and study routines.  Students can contact their teachers via email or in person if they have any concerns.  Parents are encouraged to contact teachers also with any queries about curriculum work or contact the office with any operational queries.  We are happy to assist.

Our Year 12s completed their final year in 2021 with 94% of Year 12s receiving a QCE (Queensland Certificate of Education), QCIA (Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement) or a Certificate qualification.  Congratulations to all our year 12 students.  

This year we welcome Mrs Rebecca Watson to our Administration staff – Rebecca is our new Deputy Principal replacing Belinda Arnold.  Rebecca has come from Kingaroy SHS and we are delighted to have her on our team.

In January, we welcomed a new team member to North – a Link and Launch officer – Chris Kettle who will be working with our year 12 completers checking in with them and assisting them to engage with employment, training or tertiary studies.  Year 12s provided their contact details to the Link and Launch program last year.  If any student is in need of assistance please call the office and we can put you in touch with the Link and Launch officers.

In 2022, our school will be focussing on the introduction of a new North Support Structure – with new behaviour management processes and the provision of a RAS (Relationships and Self) support structure for each student.  Students will have a RAS teacher, RAS Head of Department and RAS Coordinator all working with them to support them and monitor their academic, social/emotional, attendance and behavioural progress.  Students will be learning about the new support structure when they arrive on February 7^th.

This year we will also be continuing to work on lifting the performance of our A-C results across all year levels and particularly focussing attention on our Year 7 & 8 English and Maths students.   The Friday 5 structure will continue with students finishing face to face learning at 1.10pm on Fridays and the option of going home to complete homework or students have the option to remain at school to receive assistance with their homework.  Students who remain at school will be supervised by teacher aides and support staff.  We ask that parents register their child/children if they intend to stay for Friday 5 so that we can have an accurate record of those remaining at school.  Please follow this link to register ONLY if your student WILL be staying for Friday 5.

Over the holidays we have had C Block painted externally and internally and are replacing whiteboards in many classrooms.  This term I will be sharing with you the details about the GP in school program in the newsletter.  Please note that the GP in schools program is being introduced in 50 Qld State High Schools this year following consistent guidelines as per a GP Clinic.  We are in the process of establishing a room for our GP.  More details will follow throughout the term before we open the service.

Our newsletter will be released each fortnight along with regular Facebook posts and emails.  We aim to keep you informed of school events and progress as often as possible.  I encourage you all to contact us if you have any queries/concerns. 

We are here to help and want to make 2022 a great year.

Robyn Kent

Principal.

Friday 5 in term 2, 2022

If your student WILL be staying until 3.00pm on any Friday in term 2, we ask that you complete and submit the form below. 

YOU DO NOT NEED TO COMPLETE THE FORM IF YOUR STUDENT WILL BE LEAVING SCHOOL AT 1.10PM ON A FRIDAY.

Friday 5 - Students remaining at school until 3pm Term 2, 2022

GOTCHA! - North Rewards

As part of the new 'North Support Structure' at Bundaberg North SHS, students will be recognised for demonstrating the school values of respect, responsibility and safety. Students can earn individual rewards as well as points towards their RAS Group and RAS House. The North rewards program acknowledges appropriate behaviour and celebrates achievement.

Each newsletter will include information about the rewards program. This week: GOTCHAS. Gotchas are the free and frequent way that staff recognise the positive behaviour of students. For every 10 Gotchas, students can ‘cash’ them in for a 'zooper dooper'. They also go in the random draw for RAS Student of the Week, with a chance to win a $5 tuckshop voucher. Each Gotcha also earns points for students’ RAS Groups and RAS Houses. There are twelve different Gotcha quotes to collect. Look out for Gotchas!

Mrs Rebecca Watson, Deputy Principal

School immunisation program

Ozcare is providing free vaccinations for all Year 7 and Year 10 students, on Friday 18th March (Year 10) and Friday 25th March (Year 7), as part of Queensland Health’s annual School Immunisation Program. All Year 7 and Year 10 students are being offered free vaccinations as recommended on the National Immunisation Program to protect against vaccine preventable diseases. Year 7 students will be offered human papillomavirus (HPV) and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination. Year 10 students will be offered meningococcal ACWY vaccination. 

This is NOT a COVID vaccine. COVID vaccines are not part of the school immunisation program.

The vaccinations will be conducted by a team of authorised registered nurses.

Parents, legal guardians or authorised persons are encouraged to ensure their children have breakfast on the morning of vaccination.

For more information about diseases, vaccines or School Immunisation Program, visit www.health.qld.gov.au/immunisation or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).

North High Swimming Carnival 2022

​The North High Swimming Carnival 2022 will be held on Tuesday, March 29th at the Norville Pool on Enterprise Street.  This event is a whole school event which means all staff and students will be at the Norville Pool for the day and there will be no classes at school.  All students are expected to attend, but participation in competitive events is not compulsory.  Students will travel by bus together to and from the pool at a cost of $2 which will be collected as they board the bus.  

Students should bring their own water bottle, hat, sun safe clothing, sunscreen and lunch.  A canteen will be operating at the pool.  Students need to be sun safe throughout the day.

Students are encouraged to participate and dress in either the themed costume or their house colours.  

All students will require PARENTAL CONSENT which can be supplied by following the link below which should be completed by 12 noon on Monday 28th March.  Please read the PARENT INFORMATION LETTER before completing the consent.  Thank you to those parents who have already submitted their consent.

Swimming Carnival Consent Form

BNSHS School Council - parent rep.

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 once 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.  Please find the 2022 Nomination Form at the link below.  In the case of multiple nominations, voting will occur at the P&C meeting scheduled for Thursday 10 February.  If you have any queries, please contact Robyn Kent principal@bundabergnorthshs.eq.edu.au or 4130 0222.

Containers for Change program

Bundaberg North SHS supports the Containers for Change program and raises money for student resources.  If you have empty bottles or cans and would like to donate them to North High we would be very grateful.   You can either bring them to school office and staff will give them to the Tuckshop or you can take them to one of the recycling depots and quote our school code – C10002160.  

Thank you for helping our school and the environment.

Year 7 Camp

We are very excited to be preparing for Year 7 camp. This camp will give students an opportunity to build their independence, year 7 community and resilience. It will be over 3 days and 2 nights in early May (Term 2). More details about this exciting opportunity for our Year 7 students will be shared in coming weeks.

Mrs Gray, Head of Junior School

Planeteers

The North High Planeteers is a group of environmentally-minded students, wanting to make a positive difference to the environment of our school, our community and the world. As a Reef Guardian School, the Planeteers connect with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and other Reef Guardian Schools and businesses to participate in activities such as the Future Leaders Eco Challenge (FLEC) and the Milbi Festival. We also organise events for students for environmental days such as Clean Up Australia Day and National Tree Day. All students from all year levels are invited to join Planeteers. We meet each Thursday in the library at second break. 

Mrs Roberts, Planeteers Coordinator

School photo day

School Photography Date: 22/02/2022

Dear Parents,

School photography day is coming up soon. Group and portrait photographs can be purchased by following the link below or by returning the order envelope with your payment to our photographer on school photo day.

NEW
advancedlife now offers Latitude Pay! To take advantage of LatitudePay and split the cost of your order into 10 small easy payments, simply order your school photos online as usual, set up a Latitude Pay account in just a few clicks and pay no interest or fees when you pay according to your payment schedule; it’s that easy.

3 easy ways to purchase:

1. LatitudePay – Click on the link below, set up an account during the online order process and split your payments across 10 weeks with no interest or fees, if you pay on time
2. Visa, MasterCard or PayPal
3. Cash – complete the envelope supplied and return it to our photographer on photo day

Or visit: www.advancedlife.com.au
And enter online order code: XRE VMX 8E2

School photography information:

• Online orders - do not require an envelope returned to your school
• Sibling Photos - Don’t forget to pre-order your sibling photos online up to 24 hours before photo day. We provide your school with a list of sibling orders right up to the day of photography, so no one misses out. If you miss the online order deadline, you can submit a completed sibling order envelope first thing in the morning of the day of photography, so your school is aware you want the photo taken and can bring your children together in time for it. Sibling photographs only apply to children enrolled at your school. Please note not all schools offer sibling photos
• Late fees - a late fee will be applied to each package purchased after photo day due to the additional cost of producing these packages separately
• Package delivery - photographic packages will be returned to your school for distribution approximately six weeks after photos are taken
• Previous Years’ photos - Past years’ photographs including sports, co-curricular and representative groups are also available to order under the “previous years or group photo” tabs at your school’s advancedorder site when you click on the “Order School Photos Here” button above. You can also order past packages, portrait images and gifts from your child’s unique, individual and secure advancedyou image archive site using the unique 9 digit image code found on packages you have ordered in the past

advancedlife would like to express our appreciation to Bundaberg North State High School for placing your trust in us. Please remember we offer a 100% money back guarantee on our products to ensure your peace of mind. We would also love to receive your feedback or resolve any issues you may experience as fast as possible, to ensure your satisfaction. If you have any questions, comments or feedback relating to your advancedlife experience please contact us at: www.advancedlife.com.au/contact

Parent Liaison Officer - Susie

The Parent Liaison Officer role at North High exists to better support our parent community.   Our Parent Liaison Officer (PLO), Susie Mant is on hand to help with any queries, concerns, questions or suggestions you may have.  She will be very happy to help you in any way she can or will direct your communication to the most suitable person to assist with your enquiry.   If your student/s are new to Bundaberg North High you will receive a welcome call from Susie to see how your young person has transitioned.  You can contact Susie by email on  smant31@eq.edu.au or by calling  4130 0272. 

Susie is passionate about ensuring that our school families are supported throughout their enrolment at North High.  In doing so, she would welcome your feedback or ideas for improvement.  You can do this either by joining us at a P&C meeting (the next one is scheduled for Thursday 10th February) or by submitting your suggestion online on our website or using the link below.   Your thoughts, feedback and opinions are valued and will be forwarded to our Principal, Robyn Kent for her response.

"Little Shop of Horrors" coming to North

The staff at Bundaberg North State High School are proud to bring back the school musical despite Covid19. We have a team of staff and parents who have volunteered to assist, to put on the musical “Little Shop of Horrors”.

“Meek flower shop assistant Seymour pines for co-worker Audrey. During a total eclipse, he discovers an unusual plant he names Audrey II, which feeds only on human flesh and blood. The growing plant attracts a great deal of business for the previously struggling store. After Seymour feeds Audrey's boyfriend, Orin, to the plant after Orin's accidental death, he must come up with more bodies for the increasingly bloodthirsty plant.”

We are looking forward to see our students shine as we put on this musical. Performances will be on the 13^th and 14^th May in the school hall.

We would also like to thank the Playhouse Theatre and the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre for their support in putting this musical on.

Most of all we would like to thank all of the parents of the students that participate in the musical, be it be onstage or backstage, for their support. Without the support of families of those involved events like these would not happen, so for that I thank you in advance.

Mr Paul Burrell, Head of Department 

Stymie!

#stymie #saysomething #healtheharm #wegotyou #youvegotthis #educationforall 

2022 Representative Sport Information

Throughout the year students will have the opportunity to trial for Bundaberg representative sporting teams.

Dates, times and venues can be accessed in a number of ways.

1. Student Notices during RAS classes
2. Year Parades and Assemblies
3. Student emails
4. North High Facebook, Newsletters and Website
5. BDSSS Website http://www.bundyschoolsport.com
6. BDSSS Facebook

Sports trials information will include both 10-12yrs and 13 -19yrs age groups.

To attend trials students must collect a BDSSS trial medical/ permission form from L block staffroom. This form goes to the trials and is given to the Bundaberg coach. No cost for trials.

Own transport is required to and from the venues. Students must trial in school sport uniform.

Should the student be successful in the trial, the ‘Rep’ coach will pass on further information regarding Wide Bay trials. Please do not attend Bundaberg trials if you do not wish to be considered for the Wide Bay team.

Mr Thatcher, Sports Coordinator

Dolly's Dream support line 0488 881 033

Having access to support at the right time can make all the difference.  Dolly's Dream free and confidential support line reduces barriers for families living in rural and remote Australia so that they can more easily access the support they need.  

If you’re in need of support call or text the Dolly’s Dream Support Line on 0488 881 033 6am-10pm Monday to Friday

News from the tuckshop

Tuckshop Square Integration

It’s no surprise to anyone that Jacky provides excellent food to the children at our school. Over the summer holidays, our P and C invested in two new point of sale register systems, which run the Square Point of Sales App. The revised start of the school year will assist our staff to also train in this new system. So why did we do this?

Reasons for implementing Square System:

• Faster Service - Two EFTPOS lines instead of 1 – 50% less waiting time for your child
• Valuing our Volunteers – our volunteers are important to us – they deserve to know we are committed to giving them the best equipment possible
• Contactless – payment on both EFTPOS lines with Square contactless chip – students can still tap & go, insert, or swipe both chip & non-chip cards
• Transparency – better tracking & monitoring of sales, and improved cash management, as well as better compliance with the Department’s Accounting Manual
• Training – opportunity for our staff & volunteers to train using a leading point of sales system. Sometimes we hire school-based traineeships and this supports them with an opportunity to complete more of their competencies at school.

Do I still order through the QKR App? (Yes!)

• Yes, our QKR App is still the way to order online. Our Square Point of Sales system improves the customer experience inside the tuckshop for students

New Year. New Backpack!

Have you considered investing in a durable backpack with a lifetime warranty, so your child can have 1 backpack for life? It only costs $70 and are very ergonomic to support your child’s back.

If you would like to purchase a bag, please make contact with our office and/or tuckshop.

Important dates