BNSHS Newsletter 28 February 2024

From the Principal's Office

Welcome to our third newsletter.  We are mid term 1 and the time is flying by.  Since the last newsletter we have had our Meet the Teachers BBQ on February 15^th.  Thank you to the parents and students who attended.

The Sports development program for Rugby League and Athletics has begun with many eager students attending training sessions.

We have had several excursions taking place including students attending a District Chess competition where two of our senior boys took out the B Division in a pool of 15.  Well done Jack and Henry.

Congratulations Sophie Withington who is the recipient of a Harvard Book prize.  Students from Year 11 can be nominated each year to receive this prize and Sophie (then in year 11) was our successful recipient.  Well done Sophie.

On March 12-14 our school will undergo its four yearly School Review.  We will have 4 reviewers in our school over the three days interviewing students, staff, parents and community representatives.  The feedback received will help shape the affirmations and recommendations.

Our School Council met on Monday February 19^th and will play a role in the School Review. This year one of their aims is to assist the school in marketing and promotion.  We thank the School Council members for their continued support and advice.

We continue to progress toward our 50^th Anniversary celebrations on June 1^st.  We are looking for volunteers to help out with the preparations and also on the day.  If you would be willing to assist please call Trish in the office.  Many hands make light work and we do want to plan and create a great day of celebrations at school on June 1st.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The P&C AGM will be held on Thursday March 14^th – we are looking for P&C members and committee holders such as President and Secretary.  I would encourage you to consider joining the P&C.  We need members.  The P&C runs the school tuckshop and without the P&C we will no longer be able to run the tuckshop as it is.  The tuckshop provides a valuable service to the students and staff and would be sadly missed. Please consider coming along to the P&C meeting on March 14^th.  Your attendance would be appreciated.

Robyn Kent, Principal

The Watson Report

Fortnightly Focus

Each fortnight we have a Behaviour focus and a Teaching and Learning focus. This is for students, teachers and parents, so everyone can narrow in on something specific. For week 7 and 8, the focus is on students being at class on time ready to engage in the lesson warm up. To be successful students need to be ready for learning and engage right from the start of the lesson. Look out for the Fortnightly Focus on our Facebook page.

LEAP

This term junior Science students are being offered exciting LEAP opportunities to extend their love of science.  Year 9 students have been selected to attend an excursion to Moore Park Beach with an ecology focus. While students in year 7 and 8 will be nominated by their teachers to attend a Day of Excellence focused on forensic science. Students will complete forensic experiments to solve a mystery.

Looking for something to do at break time? There are so many LEAP opportunities each day at North. Clubs are a great way to become interested in something new or extend your experiences. At North we have everything from chess and yoga to drama and singing!

Reward Day Menu

Thank you to the students that completed the online survey. We are listening! The new 2024 Reward Day Menu looks a little different this year with only three reward days, but with new and exciting options. Check out the new ‘menu’ below or via our Facebook page.

Please note the updated criteria to qualify for attendance at each Reward Day. Criteria:

1. Demonstrate excellent behaviour and effort by receiving a Bronze, Silver or Gold ‘Reach for the Sky’ award during the previous term
2. Demonstrate excellent attendance by achieving at least 90% actual attendance at school with no unexplained absences or suspensions.

If you have any questions about North Rewards, please contact Mrs Watson via email (rwats34@eq.edu.au) or phone 4130 0222.

NEW Gotcha vouchers

Gotchas are the ‘free and frequent’ way we recognise positive student behaviour at North. NEW Gotcha vouchers are out and ready for students to ‘cash in’ with their level HOD or YLC. For 50 Gotchas students can get an ice cream cup or Cyclone ice block or small Slushie. Students can also get a stationery pack with North merch and glitter pencils for 50 Gotchas! There are also tuckshop vouchers: 200 Gotchas = $2 voucher, 500 Gotchas = $5 voucher.

BYO Device – Year 7

All students should have a laptop to use at school. If your student has not yet ‘onboarded’ for school access, please go to our school website for instructions. Click the link below.

If you have problems onboarding at home, your student can ask their teacher for help. Mr L’Green, our school Technical Officer, has been visiting classes and will continue to provide assistance as required.  If you require assistance, please call the school.

Rebecca Watston, Deputy Principal

Senior Schooling Report

Attendance

Attendance at school each and every day is something we talk to students regularly about. As we are half way through our term, it is an excellent time to check in on how we are going. For the first 5 weeks of the term, we have a school attendance rate of 83.9% which is well below our school goal of 95%. This is concerning as Term 1 is traditionally a high attendance term with illness eg colds / flus usually affecting the percentage in late Term 2 and 3. Therefore we need to ensure our students are attending each and every day now in order to lift this percentage.

Pleasingly 42% of our student population meeting our school target of 95%. Well Done!

Sadly, there are 35% or 263 students who have an attendance of less than 85%. Those students have at least 5 days or a whole week of school off in these first 5 weeks. Whilst sometimes, there is a reason (eg medical or bereavement) for these multiple absences, often it is students and families making this choice. We still find a number of families who have a ‘tradition’ of students having a day off for their birthday, shopping trips or for long weekends. As we try to prepare students for the ‘real world’ after school, the world of work, we don’t accept these explanations a valid reason not to attend school.

As you can see on the diagram below, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays are the lowest days for attendance.

If you are having difficulty in getting your student to school, please contact the year coordinator for them and chat through some support strategies we can put in place for them.

Alternatively, here are some articles and strategies that wellbeing organisation ReachOut suggest for parents.

Education and Teenagers:

Refusal and Teenagers:

Senior Uniforms on Photo Day 

In addition to Formal Friday each week, students in year 11 and 12 should be wearing their Formal Uniform for Photo Day next Wednesday, 6th March.  If Year 12 students don’t have a formal uniform, they need to see Reprographics by this Friday to arrange a loan uniform (as many of the them did for Senior Badge Ceremony). Year 11 students who don’t have a formal uniform will be able to change their shirt in time for photos.

Natalie Brandon, Deputy Principal

NAPLAN Online

NAPLAN testing for student in years 7 and 9 will occur from Wednesday 13^th March to Monday 25^th March. NAPLAN testing takes place exclusively online, for which students will practice using the online platform prior to the testing. Students are asked to bring headphones during the testing period. Headphones must be wired with a standard headphone plug. If students do not have headphones of their own, headphones will be provided by the school for the duration of the testing period.

A demonstration of the online testing, platform is available for parents at the public demonstration site.

If you have any questions about NAPLAN online, or wish to have your student withdrawn from the test, please contact the school and ask to speak the NAPLAN administrator, or download a withdrawal record from the link below. All withdrawal forms need to be completed and returned to the office by Friday 8^th March.

Mick Findlay, Deputy Principal

Friday 5, Term 1 2024

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

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.

CQU Experience Day

Interested Year 12 students are invited to attend the CQU Bundaberg University Experience on Friday, 15^th March.  Students should find their own way to and from the University, lunch and snacks will be provided.  You don’t have to have decided what your pathway is, but you do need to scan the QR code and pick your choice of study sessions.  Please return the form to Mr Ross, Guidance Officer by March 6^th.  

Stuart Ross, Guidance Officer

Year 7 Shake and Stir

On Thursday afternoon, the Shake and Stir Theatre Co visited Bundaberg North State High School and worked with all  year 7 students. The theatre presentation focused around some of the difficulties that students can experience when transitioning to high school.

The presentation centres around three characters Stephen, Craig and Sophie who are about to face the unimaginable as they move down the road to commence Year 7. Tackling this change with the advice of an assortment of quirky supporting characters including teachers, parents and older siblings. The trio learn that when embraced, change doesn’t have to be something to be scared of.

Shelley Thornton, HOD of  Junior School 

Young Change Makers Program

North High students have been given the opportunity to participate in the Young Change Makers program, partnering with Bundaberg Regional Council to support their Towards Net Zero policy. Students choose a theme—circular economy, social responsibility, energy, transport, or built environment—to address community challenges through design thinking in a dynamic 1-day workshop. Collaborating with industry experts, networking with peers, and gaining valuable skills.

James Peach, HOD Science

Clean Up Australia Day

This Sunday, March the 3^rd, is Clean Up Australia Day. Every year our North High Planeteers organise and participate in a school clean up in the week before Clean Up Australia Day, and a community clean up in our local area on the Sunday.

This year the lunch time clean up will be held on Thursday at second break. All students are invited to participate. Meet Mrs Roberts between B and C blocks at the start of the break to collect gloves or tongs and a bag or bucket to collect the rubbish. Students who participate will get a certificate and gotchas.

The community event will be at Federation Park (beside the IGA SUPA North Bundaberg complex) from 3pm to 4pm. All students are invited to participate. Students must wear full school uniform (not formal), including correct footwear to ensure safety. They need to bring a hat and water bottle and should apply sunscreen before coming. Gloves and bags will be supplied. Permission forms need to be completed for the community event. Students can get a form from Mrs Roberts in Upper C block staffroom before the weekend or parents/carers can complete a form at the park on the day. Meet at the park end of the IGA carpark. Parents/carers are welcome to join in and younger siblings with parental supervision, if they are wearing enclosed footwear and a hat. Participants will get a certificate and gotchas (for students).

We hope to see many students at both events.

The Planeteers

Tracy Roberts, Teacher

Sport at North

BDSSS Sport Update 

Girls Football  - Mr Peach / Mr Holt 

• Good north spirit and sportsmanship 
• Lost 2-1 to Bundy High
• Zara Allen was the stand out player
• Training improving 

Senior Girls volleyball - Mrs Hearn 

• Played hard
• Lost to Kepnock 
• Amazing north spirit and sportsmanship towards the players and umpires.
• Stayed for a duty 
• Improvement from everyone 
• Some of the players first games and played well 

Senior Boys Volleyball - Mr Moore 

• Results:  2 sets-Nill 
• Best player: Isaac Erfurth 
• Most Improved: Isaac Erfurth 
• North Spirit: Zion Cook

Table Tennis - Mrs Sudasinge  

•  Results: Won all - Both teams 
• Best Player: Senior/ Mylee Jude - Junior/ Lucinda Vaughan 
• Most Improved: Levi Thomas 
• North Spirit: Never Give Up 

Junior Girls Volleyball - Mrs Wahday 

• Results: 3 sets - Nill 
• Best Player: Tarni Whiteman 
• Most Improved: Jaz Martin 
• North Spirit: Skye Cross 

A huge thank-you goes to our teachers for giving up their own time to coach teams during lunch breaks and Wednesday afternoons.

Bundaberg Sport Trials 

Monday 19^th February was the Bundaberg Cluster 1 Sport Trials. Cluster 1 trials included Netball, Football, Volleyball, Softball, Rugby 7’s.

The following students were selected into the Bundaberg teams. Congratulations to

Nathan Pitt – Softball

Sienna Thomson – Softball

Zara Allen – Football

Sarah Wake – Football

Ashlee Evans – Football

Noah Todd – Volleyball

Friday 8^th March is the Cluster 2 trials which will include Rugby League, Hockey, Basketball and Golf. 

For permission forms and more information students can check emails or see Mr Thatcher.

Robert Thatcher, Sports Coordinator 

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 

Police Liaison Officer

This week we welcomed a Police Liaison Officer to our school Parade. He will be visiting schools periodically to provide support and we look forward to developing a positive partnership.

Important dates

P&C News

P&C ask for your uniform donations

My name is Shelly Hansen.  I am the President of the BNSHS P&C Association and I am seeking your help.  Sadly, there are students at our school whose families are not able to provide them with a uniform.  I would like to ask for your assistance by donating any items of North High uniform that your children no longer need.  The P&C try to support all requests for assistance but with your help we may be able to extend that support further.  

All uniform donations are greatly appreciated, and we thank you for the continued support of our school.  

Thank you for your help, Shelly Hansen, P&C President

Callout for volunteers

Can you volunteer some time either at home or in tuckshop?

We have some jobs for the tuckshop that could be completed at home such as cutting foil into squares, cutting burger paper (baking paper), putting labels on bags and more.

We also need assistance in our tuckshop. This can be a background position (not student facing). The jobs could include washing up, stocking fridges/ice cream freezer/spoons and helping with food preparation (cutting salads/fruit).

The main days needed are Tuesday and Thursday from 8am-12noon, but any amount of time from 1 to 4 hours would be extremely helpful.

We can also sign off on your Centrelink, work/volunteer forms.

If you think you could spare some time, please contact us via email – pandc@bundabergnorthshs.eq.edu.au

Shelly 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

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.

Vinnies Youth Ozanam Leadership Program 2024 Student Invitation

Bring Up Great Adolescents

Tuning in to Teeens - Online Parenting Program

Community Beach Day