BNSHS Newsletter 31st January 2024

From the Principal's Office

Welcome to our first newsletter for 2024.  I would like to welcome our new and returning families to North and hope that you have had an enjoyable holiday period and that the first week of school for your child/children has gone well.

We have many events and opportunities planned for North in 2024.  Our school will undergo a School Review on March 12 -14.   School Reviews occur every four years and the affirmations and recommendations received from the review become the basis of our next 4 year Strategic Plan that sets the direction for our school.  A variety of students, staff, community representatives and parents will be involved in providing feedback for the review.

On June 1^st Bundaberg North High will be celebrating being open for 50 years.  Please place this date in your diary and come along to the open day or evening festivities.  If you have contact with past students or staff please share this date with them.  We hope to have many North students and staff returning.   

Each year schools focus in on one or two key priority areas for improvement.  In 2024 our Explicit Improvement Agenda is ‘Improving student outcomes and engagement.’ 

We aim to:

• Increase the percentage of students receiving an A or B achievement result in all subject areas, and
• Reduce the number of behaviour incidents within a day and improve the management of student behaviour.

This year all Queensland State schools implemented the ‘Away for the Day’ directive from the Department of Education.  Students must have their mobile phone away from 8.45 am – 3.00pm each day.  At North, all students have been issued with a mobile phone pouch for them to store their phone and wearable devices.  Students lock their pouch at 8.45am and unlock their pouches at the end of the day as they leave.  Week one of the new process has gone well.

Each year we hold a ‘Meet the teachers’ afternoon for all parents to attend and meet their child/children’s teachers for the year.  I invite all parents to our 2024 function on Thursday 15^th February at 4.45pm.  Please bring along a copy of your child/children’s timetable or list of teachers and RSVP using the form below.  I look forward to meeting you all at this event.

If you have any queries/concerns about school operations please do not hesitate to contact the office.  You will be directed to the relevant staff member who will be able to assist you.  We are here to help and look forward to your engagement with the school in 2024.

Robyn Kent, Principal

Meet the Teachers BBQ - 2024

Friday 5, Term 1 2024

Friday 5 - Students remaining at school until 3pm Term 1, 2024

The Watson Report

Welcome to a new school year! It has been a great start to the year and I have been excited to meet and chat with new and returning students. This year my focus will be supporting year 7 and 8 students, teaching and learning including Australian Curriculum year 7 – 10, and North Rewards. I welcome feedback from parents and carers and can be contacted on rwats34@eq.edu.au  We need to work together, home and school, supporting our students to reach their full potential.

Year 7 and 8

Being in year 7 and 8 is an exciting time for students. They are learning about high school, getting to know their teachers and building their subject knowledge and skills. During term 1 the focus for year 7 and 8 is establishing good routines and building positive relationships. This week is the year 7 orientation day and next week is the year 8 orientation day. The purpose of these days is for students to improve their cooperative learning skills with a focus on communication, teamwork and friendships within their cohort. If you have any questions about the days, please feel free to contact me. Look out for photos on our Facebook page!

North Rewards

New look Gotchas for a new year!

Gotchas are the free and frequent way that staff recognise the positive behaviour of students. Students can ‘cash in’ their Gotchas for prizes. Currently students can ‘cash in’ 10 Gotchas for a Zooper Dooper by visiting their Year Level Coordinator or Head Of Department. All Gotchas go into the year level Gotcha Box for the weekly Student of the Week draw to win a $5 tuckshop voucher.    

The North Rewards Program is built on feedback from students. This week all students in years 8 – 12 will be emailed a survey to complete. Students in year 7 will complete a survey with their RAS teacher. We want to know what students would like to receive as Gotcha prizes and activities for Reward Days. Parent and carer feedback is also welcome. Please feel free to call me or email me with questions or suggestions for the North Rewards Program. For more information about the how we recognise positive student behaviour, please see page 3 of the Student Diary. 

Student Diary                               

All students received the Student Diary on their first day. The Student Diary contains useful information for students (and parents/carers) about our school. It also contains wellbeing information and activities that students will complete during BIG RAS. Most importantly it contains a weekly planner section for students to record homework, assessment and important daily notes. Students are expected to bring their diary to school every day and take their diary to every lesson. Please encourage your student to use their diary, and regularly check it to see what work they are completing at school. Using their Student Diary appropriately supports students to be organised and successful learners.

Rebecca Watson, Deputy Principal

News from Senior Schooling

Welcome back – what a great start we have had!

Firstly, Welcome Back to Bundaberg North SHS for 2024! It has been a great start to the school year, over the past two weeks. The students have returned (or arrived for those new families amongst us), well rested and ready to learn. As this is my first ‘start of the year’ here at Bundaberg North, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the staff across the student free days to establish clear and consistent expectations and procedures which have contributed to our great start.

Senior Schooling Update

This year I will be working with the Senior Schooling team of:

• Mr Nigel Shield (HOD),
• Deb Coates and Jess Grogan (Year 12 and 11 Coordinators),
• Mrs Alisha Prince our Industry Liaison and VET Coordinator and
• Mrs Kylie Sauer, Link and Launch Officer.

This dedicated team will work with our current senior students to achieve well here at school whilst ensuring they are well equipped for the future pathway whether that be further study, employment or a trade whilst Kylie will also be in contact with the 2023 Seniors to assist them where needed into employment or training.

To enhance the support students receive across their senior years, this year we will be implementing Student Coaching for each of the year 11 and 12 students. This will entail them meeting with a Senior Leadership Team member or Year Level Coordinator a couple of times a year, usually after reporting, to discuss their academic progress but also to ensure they are on track and informed about their possible future pathways whilst also checking in on their general wellbeing.

In week 1, each of the senior students were asked to sign their Senior Agreement and to have their parent / carer also sign off on it. This agreement explicitly outlines the expectations of students in their post compulsory phase of schooling as well as possible consequences if they are not upholding this agreement. It is encouraging to see that most students had returned this agreement within the first week and are making a productive start to their classes.

This year to encourage senior students to be proud leaders of our school, we are implementing Formal Friday. As the name suggests, we are asking all Year 11 and 12 students to wear their full formal uniform each and every Friday. This includes the white shirt with tie as well as either formal shorts or long pants or the purple pleated skirt with black leather or vinyl shoes. If a student is having difficulty obtaining this, or their usual uniform, they are encouraged to discuss this with one of the Senior Schooling team.

The formal uniform MUST be worn by both cohorts, next Tuesday 6 February where Year 12 students who have returned their Senior Agreement will be presented with their Senior badge as well as on Photo Day, 6th March 2024.

Seniors of 2023

As you may have seen on our school social media – Facebook or Instagram – our 2023 Seniors finished strongly, with excellent results and goals for jobs, apprenticeships and university placements achieved!

Timetable Updates

For any students in years 9 to 11 wanting to change subjects, they must complete the Change of Subject form and return it to me in the office by Thursday of week 3 – 8 February - so all changes can be completed prior to the end of week 3. After this, no other changes will be occurring. Students will remain in their allocated subjects for the rest of the semester.

For year 12 students, no other changes to subjects will occur unless it is to a VET course or study lesson (with appropriate reason for this to occur) as Units 3 and 4 must be assessed, in full, across the year. This is different to year 11 where Units 1 and 2 contribute QCE points separately.

Year 10 Work Experience

Next week, the Year 10s will receive their Work Experience forms. We have moved the week of Work Experience to Term 3 Week 3 – 22-26 July. Students at Bundaberg North SHS are very fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in a week of work experience in Year 10, and as such, all students are expected to go on work experience.

We have Mrs Alisha Prince, our Industry Liaison Officer, here to assist with finding students placements. Students are able to go beyond the local area for example if you have friends / relatives in Brisbane or any other town who they could stay with, we can work with families to gain placements in those areas. Please talk with your Year 10 student about their preferences and have them return their forms asap to Mrs Prince.

Curriculum Review

This semester, we will be undertaking a review of our curriculum in preparation for the development of the 2025 timetable. This review includes looking at the subjects on offer as electives across the year levels as well as ensuring the time in subjects is meeting the guidelines from Qld Department of Education.

When undertaking this review, we will be looking at the skills students will need when they leave school, the subjects that best deliver these skills as well as the physical and human resources needed and available.

On the student free day we reflected on this by watching this 2min YouTube clip. Staff were asked to reflect on the significance of 2030 and the content of the clip.

In case you didn’t realise, 2030 is significant in our planning as it is the first year out of school for our newly arrived Year 7 students. Therefore we have 6 years to ensure we have prepared them for a world of work which has the potential to be very different to anything many of us experienced when we left school.

All members of staff will be invited to participate in the review whilst we will also gain insight and feedback from students and parents via the P&C.

Natalie Brandon, Deputy Principal 

School Photo Day 6th March, 2024

All students have been given a photo envelope to take home to parents.  Orders can be made online, therefore students do not need to return the order form.  If you choose to pay in cash, your student should bring the photo envelope back to school on the day of photos and give it directly to the Advanced Life staff along with the correct cash. 

If you would like sibling photos taken on photo day, please ask your student to collect a 'sibling photo form' from the office.

School Immunisation Program 2024

Student vaccinations will take place on 23rd and 24th May as part of the School Immunisation Program.  All consent forms must be returned to the school office by Friday, 2nd February.  Consent forms not returned by this date will need to be delivered directly to Ozcare in Woongarra Street.  

2024 North High Sport

BUNDABERG DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL SPORT (BDSSS): Provides students the opportunity to represent North and play sport against the other schools in the Bundaberg district. The competitions are held on Wednesday afternoons (usually from 4-5pm), at various schools and sporting venues.

Own transport is required but students often car pool if transport is proving difficult. Some sports incur a small fee, students will be invoiced throughout the season. The seasons are divided into the three terms and usually run for 6 weeks, culminating in an ALL-day FINALS day at the end of each term.

Playing kits will be provided and in some cases boots, shoes and shin pads can be borrowed.

TERM 1 Sports: Volleyball, Football, Surfing, Table Tennis, Ten Pin Bowling (Yr 10-12 only). Cricket will be offered at the GALA day only.

TERM2 Sports: Netball, Rugby League

TERM 3 Sports: Basketball, Touch Football, Tennis, Table Tennis, Ten Pin Bowling (Ys 7-9 only).

INTER-HOUSE CARNIVALS: These carnivals provide students opportunities to participate and compete in three fun sporting events throughout the year. The emphasis is on participation and enjoyment, however selection into the school team is also achievable. The carnivals will have a ‘theme’ for dressing up opportunities or students can dress in house colours.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL: Tuesday 26^th March, Norville pool. Buses provided

CROSS COUNTRY: Wednesday 16^th April, North High.

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL: Thursday 20^th June, North High

                                                   Friday 21^st June, Bundaberg Athletic Complex. Buses provided

INTER-SCHOOL CARNIVALS: These carnivals provide students opportunities to represent North and compete against other schools in the district and hopefully gain selection into Bundaberg teams.

SWIMMING: Tuesday 8^th March

Cross Country: Tuesday 23rd April. Bus provided

Athletics: Thursday 1^st & Friday 2^nd  August

BUNDABERG REP TEAM TRIALS: Throughout TERM 1 & TERM 2 students have the opportunity to attend trials to gain selection into Bundaberg teams. These trials take place on various afternoons and own transport will be required. Students must listen to notices and check emails for constant updates as to when these trials take place.

SPORT CALENDARS: These will be available via our website or the BDSSS website.

NORTH SPORT COORDINATOR: Mr Thatcher, L block staffroom, rthat1@eq.edu.au

Robert Thatcher, North Sport Coordinator 

Sports Performance Program

🏃‍♂️💪 Off to the races! Our Sports Performance Program is officially underway, and our students are diving headfirst into the action. This week, they got a sneak peek into the program's ins and outs, finishing off by setting the bar high with the 1.2km run test. 🏆🔥

Shoutout to our incredible students for bringing their A-game and showcasing the true spirit of our program. 🌟👏 For our Rugby League players, pre-season kicks off on Monday, January 29th, from 3:15 pm to 4:30 pm. 🏉✨ Attendance is a must for program participants, and hey, if you're a new face eager to join the rugby league family, you're more than welcome to jump in! 🤝 Let the pre-season journey begin! 🏈 #SportsPerformanceProgram #TeamSpirit #PreSeasonReady

Nicholas Moore, HPE & Recreation Teacher

Instrumental Music 2024

Instrumental Music lessons for concert band instruments will be starting for 2024 on Friday 2^nd Feb in Week 2 with our Band teacher Mrs Rebecca Helbig. All students are invited to apply for a place in the band program. If you played an instrument in primary school and want to continue, or want to pick it up again after a break, please fill out the attached enrolment/application form and hand it into the office or email directly to Mrs Helbig at rjhel0@eq.edu.au. Paper copies are available at the front office. New applications will be considered based on available instruments and balance of the ensemble. Students continuing in the program from last year should also return a form to confirm their place and need for a hire instrument.

P&C News

Our tuckshop is looking for volunteers. Please email Jacky our convenor if you are able to offer any help jburt144@eq.edu.au 

We are always looking for new Committee members. The P&C meets once each month to discuss matters of concern to the school and the school community.  If you would like to connect to the P&C but are not able to attend meetings in person, we are happy to have you join the meeting via Teams or phone.  Meetings are held on the second Thursday of every month in the conference room in A Block and commence at 6:00pm.  You will find meeting dates on the school websites event calendar. 

www.facebook.com/bundabergnorthhighpandc

pandc@bundabergnorthshs.eq.edu.au

Mrs Shelley Hansen, P&C President 

QParents in 2025 at BNSHS

QParents is all about making parents’ lives easier. QParents is a safe, private app to help parents and caregivers manage important details about their child’s education. Once you are registered, you can sign in securely and- Make payments online- Check your student’s timetable, assessment calendar and report cards- Inform the school of your student’s past or future absence- See upcoming events- View enrolment details- Update your contact details.

From 2025, the school will be asking all parents to submit their consent for excursions through QParents. Click the link below for more information or contact the school to arrange for your unique invitation code to start your registration process.

You can watch the introductory video at the link below to learn more about QParents and how it can work for you.

QPARENTS INTRODUCTORY VIDEO

Stymie - #saysomething

What does Stymie do for young people?

Of every 30 young people in Australia seven will be dealing with a mental health issue, yet only two will reach out for support. Stymie works with you to give the young people you are working with, the power to say something or ask for help. We are an early intervention initiative that changes and saves lives.

Stymie empowers young people to ask for help when they need support, or if they are seeing or experiencing harm.

Stymie provides online reporting for schools. Encrypted, anonymous notifications are delivered within seconds to authorised recipients, who respond according to their wellbeing framework. The notification provides the option to include screenshots or images that validate the notification.

Being able to anonymously report, relieves feelings of helplessness for those who want to help their peers but don’t quite know how. Our purpose is to support you in creating an environment where harm can be minimised and effective action can be maximised.

Stymie can be used by anybody. It does not have to be a student at our school. The link to make a notification is on the school website front page

2024 Relay for Life

Bundaberg North State High has registered a team for the 2024 Relay for Life.  Relay For Life brings communities together to celebrate cancer survivorship, remember loved ones lost and empower teams of families, friends and colleagues to raise money to fight back against cancer.  This year the event will be held on Saturday 20th July from 12pm to 9pm.  We are looking for some students to come on board and lead our team as well as make up our relay team.  Early bird registration costs only $5 (this will end early next year)! Students, Parents, Carers and Families can join our team!  If you are interested in joining our team the link to register is below and for more information  you can contact Mrs Hearn on 4130 0222. 

Important dates

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.

School Student Broadband Initiative

To boost education opportunities and narrow the digital divide, the Australian Government is providing up to 30,000 eligible families with no internet at home a free National Broadband Network (NBN) service.

Federal Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland has announced an extension of the Program. This means the nomination period will remain open until 31 December 2024 with free nbn broadband services for all new and existing families continuing until 31 December 2025.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the SSBI, a family must: 

Have a child living at home that is enrolled in an Australian school. 

Not have an active nbn® network internet service at home. Having a mobile internet service does not affect eligibility. 

Not have had an active nbn connection during the previous 14 days.  

Live in a premises that can access the nbn network through a standard connection.

National Referral Centre

Families can directly contact the SSBI National Referral Centre (NRC) to check their eligibility for the Initiative. After a family contacts the NRC, an operator will check their eligibility and support the family to get connected through a participating internet provider.  

Contact the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610 (Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm AEDT), www.anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet. Callback and webchat functions are also available via the website. SSBI promotional materials are also available via the weblink – scroll down to find resources materials.

Nbn is implementing the SSBI on behalf of the Federal Government and is currently working with more than 55 Nominating Organisations in the community services, non profit and education sectors to identify and support eligible families to get connected.

Further information is available at School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) | Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament - Nominations Now Open!

Nomination are now open for the 29^th YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament (‘QYP’).

QYP gives high school students, university students and young professionals first-hand experience of the role of Queensland’s Parliament, and the opportunity to engage in complex bill drafting, policy development and passionate debate in the Legislative Assembly. Youth Members have outstanding engagement opportunities with Members of Parliament, industry professionals, and community leaders to ask questions and gain a practical understanding of contemporary policy issues in Queensland.

Young people aged 15 – 25, with an interest in government, policy and community development are strongly encouraged to take up this opportunity.

Nominations can be submitted at https://bit.ly/qyp2024, and close on 9 February 2024.

School to Work - Free CRU Webinars and Workshops

AutInsight - Parent Support Program

Ready-Set-Connect Kids

UniSC Equip Program

Junior Table Tennis Come & Try Night

Bundaberg Junior Golf Club

Paint the Port Art Competition