BNSHS Newsletter 22nd May 2024

From the Principal's Office

North’s 50^th Anniversary is fast approaching on June 1^st.  We are looking forward to welcoming back past students and staff to the school.  The school will be open from 10am – 3pm with displays, tours, entertainment and the opening of the time capsule.  If you have contact with past students or staff please let them know about the anniversary.  All details can be found on our school website including a schedule of events.  Our night event at the Brothers Club is fully booked out.  It is sure to be a great evening of reminiscing about North High.  Listen out on the local radio stations as we approach June 1^st.  There has definitely been a lot of interest shown in the upcoming anniversary celebrations and it will be a wonderful part of the history of North High.  I hope to see you there.

We have recently received our School Review Report.  A copy of the Executive summary has been posted on our school website.  Often reports are explained in terms that use education terminology that may or may not be clearly understood to all who read them.  The following is a summary of the 6 main recommendations that we received that will help us drive the development of our next Strategic Plan.

1. To collaboratively create a clear vision for the next four years.
2. To promote a school-wide culture of learning with high expectations –that all students can succeed.
3. To document our pedagogies (ways of teaching) and their effectiveness.
4. Sharpen our processes for providing observations and feedback to teachers about their teaching and for them to reflect on their teaching in order to continually improve practice.
5. Review and refine the vision for inclusive education. Align to the Department of Education policy and build a shared understanding of inclusion at North.
6. Sharpen our monitoring processes of our yearly Explicit Improvement Agenda and celebrate the impact on student learning and engagement.

In Semester 2, we will be unpacking the findings of our School Review Report and using the recommendations to guide the development of the 2025 – 2028 Strategic Plan.

Robyn Kent, Principal 

The Watson Report

Classroom Expectations

All classrooms at Bundaberg North SHS display our Classroom Expectations. This set of five expectations is built on our school values of respect, responsibility and safety. The aim of displaying these expectations in every classroom is to improve consistency for students and staff across the school. Teachers unpack how these expectations look in their room and all students must follow these expectations. Students will receive positive reinforcement for demonstrating the expectations and consequences when they do not follow the expectations.

North Rewards

NEW Gotcha voucher now available! Year 12 students can ‘cash in’ Gotchas for discounts off their Prom ticket. For every 200 Gotchas they can get $5 voucher off their formal ticket. So, start collecting now!

Reminder: GOTCHA CASH IN DAY is confirmed for Thursday 13 June. Students will need to pre-order with vouchers through their year level team: YLC / HOD. Items available include hot pies, sausage rolls and cans of soft drink. The hot pies will be especially ordered for the event from a local bakery!

Is your student using their BYOD?

Bundaberg North SHS is a Bring Your Own Device school. Sometimes students do not bring their device for a variety of reasons, including issues with access and ‘onboarding’ to the network. Students and parents/guardians should be onboarding at home following the instructions applicable to their type of device on the school website. If they have problems onboarding at home the student can ask their teacher for help or Mr L’Green, our School Technical Officer, located at upper B Block.

Rebecca Watson, Deputy Principal 

Senior Schooling Report

Career Development

Wednesday 15^th May, our year 10, 11 and 12 students had the opportunity to attend the Bundaberg Careers Expo in the Multiplex. Our students were able to interact with a broad range of exhibitors from universities to Registered Training Organisations as well as some of the regions’ largest employers. Feedback from students was positive in that they found out information relevant to their career paths and made connections.

We also have received multiple positive comments back from the exhibitors impressed with our students, their questions and engagement. So congratulations to those North High students who represented our school in such a positive manner whilst in our in our community!

Attendance at this expo compliment the ongoing Industry sessions which are occurring across this semester in years 9 to 12. Recently we hosted another two Industry Talks coordinated by Steffi from Bundaberg Regional Council. On 14^th May, the Year 10 students heard about careers both in these organisations and in their fields. The organisations were: YourTown, Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers; Bundaberg Regional Council Human Resources.

Whilst this week, on Tuesday 21^st May, the Year 9 students, joined by the boys from years 10-12, heard about career pathways at: Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service; Stahmann Webster (https://stahmannwebster.com.au/contact/about/); Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water.

Trivia Night

Thursday 16^th May saw Year 12 students: Violet and Frankie’s organisation and drive pay off as we hosted a very successful Trivia Night. With 14 teams testing their knowledge of 5 categories of questions which were developed by Ms Knight and Mr Davis. The girls and their team of helpers were able to raise over $850 with a donation of $700 going to Edon Place to assist their work with domestic violence awareness. The remaining money is going to the Senior Formal fund.

Year 9 and 10 Electives for Semester 2

With this term flying past, we are starting to finalise the Semester 2 timetable over the coming weeks. This includes reminding the year 9 and 10 students of their Semester 2 electives which were allocated at the end of last year and ensuring those choices are still suitable. All students in year 9 and 10 will receive a letter next week outlining their current subjects and their two new subjects for next semester. If they would like to request a change to these subjects, they will need to submit a Subject Change Form to the office by Monday of Week 10 of this term (17^th June) to ensure timetables can be set ready for the start of the new term.

Excitingly, we have worked very hard this semester and been able to secure an additional Industrial Technology and Design teacher this term which will enable us to offer one Technology Engineering and Systems (TES = Metal work) class for Year 9 students. This subject was collapsed at the end of last year due to staffing restrictions. For students who are interested in changing from their allocated subject to TES, it will be first in basis with a Change of Subject form being submitted to the office.

Natalie Brandon, Deputy Principal 

School Council Representatives

As Bundaberg North High is an Independent Public School we have a School Council that meets at least 4 times per year that provides advice and helps direct the strategic vision and plan for the school.  The School Council consists of 2 parents, 2 staff, 2 community representatives, 2 students, the P&C President and the Principal.  Council members in general serve 2 years on the Council and then nominations are called for new members.  In 2025, we will have several positions vacant and are looking at calling for interested members now to shadow the existing council members in semester 2 and then take their roles in 2025.

We are looking for 2 parents to nominate for the school council.  If interested, please complete the below form and return.  We look forward to receiving nominations from interested parents.  We will be conducting a vote at a parent meeting to determine the new parent representatives.

Robyn Kent, Principal

Friday 5, Term 2 2024

Friday 5 - Students remaining at school until 3pm Term 2, 2024

Amazing result at Fanfare !

On Wednesday 15 June 2024 the Bundaberg North State High School Concert Band gave their first performance of the year at the biennial Fanfare State Schools Festival of Bands and Orchestras. Primary and high schools in the Bundaberg region were represented and performed in several divisions and given a rating of Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum based on their ensemble performance. Our band performed four pieces and were given a Gold rating for the criteria of Programming and Overall Presentation selection, with special mention regarding the variety and level of difficulty of our repertoire, and Silver for the remaining criteria, which gave us a Silver award overall. The students and their conductor, Mrs Rebecca Helbig, were ecstatic with the result, which was an improvement on their previous Fanfare performance in 2022. It was a great opportunity to push ourselves to be better musicians, encourage one another, be inspired by bands from other schools and have a sense of school pride for our achievement.

Anyone who used to play an instrument and has been “on a break” is welcome to come and see Mrs Helbig any Friday in the Music room (second door) about possibly joining the band this year or next. Donations of unused instruments  in good playing condition are also welcome, as well as any monetary gifts to further the Instrumental Music program at Bundaberg North SHS.

Rebecca Helbig, Instrumental Music Teacher 

2024 Careers Expo

Year 10, 11 and 12 students from Bundaberg North High recently attended the 2024 Careers Expo.  It was a great event showcasing what our region has to offer whether it be university options, other pathways post school, employment opportunities as well as support agencies within Bundaberg.  Students were able to ask lots of questions and gain a better insight towards the career path they are thinking of undertaking.

Kylie Sauer, Link and Launch Officer

Important Update: Change of Assessment Dates for Aquatic Practice

Due to unexpected circumstances, including the unavailability of a teacher due to illness, we have had to make adjustments to the assessment schedule. The Aquatic Practice assessment, originally scheduled for 10^th May, will now take place on Friday, May 28th. We kindly request that you mark this new date on your calendars.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this change, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. 

James Peach, HOD Science 

Blurred Minds

On Tuesday, years 8, 9 and 10 students will be involved in workshops around vaping. Students will get to know the facts and risks involved in vaping.

Students will attend the workshops at the following times

• Year 8 – Period 4
• Year 9 – Period 2
• Year 10 – Period 3
  

Shelley Thornthon, HOD Junior School

Reef Guardian Eco-Challenge, 2024

Students are invited to compete in the 2024 Global Reef Guardian Eco-Challenge. Entry is free, there are prizes to be won, and students can work individually or as a group. This year’s challenge is to “use gamification to design a product that will encourage your audience to adopt pro-environmental behaviours that will aid the survival of Earth’s aquatic species.”

The 2024 eco-challenge is linked to this year's Australian National Science Week theme of 'Species Survival - More than just sustainability’. The challenge is suited to students in grades 4 –12. The final product to be submitted for the competition is a short video (less than 5 minutes) to present your ideas and game. Entries are due on the 8^th of November, so this gives students plenty of time to put their entry together.

Students interested in completing the Eco-Challenge should contact Mrs Tracy Roberts, the Planeteers coordinator at school, trobe176@eq.edu.au so they can be registered. The Planeteers group will be working through the resources provided during our regular Tuesday second break meetings in E03 over this time, so coming along to Planeteers meetings will assist students to create a quality entry, however it is not a requirement.

Tracy Roberts, Planeteers Coordinator 

School Immunisation Program 2024

Round 1 dates for the 2024 School Immunistation clincs have been set. Ozcare will be visiting Bundaberg North SHS on the following dates to provide this service as part of the National Immunisation Program and is free to all consenting families.  If you have not provided consent for your student to be immunised, they will not recieve vaccination on this day.  

Please ensure your student has a nutritious breakfast on the morning of the immunisation and they are well hydrated.

• Year 7 - Thursday 23rd May 2024
• Year 10 - Friday 24th May 2024 

Year 10 Knife skills - Thank you to Greensill Farming

Our year 10’s have been cooking up a storm, learning knife skills and techniques to help them take food presentation to the next level.  They have been julienning, cubing and baton cutting sweet potatoes, carrots and potatoes.  They will be learning more skills as the term goes on but the classes wanted to take this opportunity to thank Greensill Farming for their generous donation of Sweet Potatoes to help us learn these skills.  Thank you for your ongoing support of students in the Bundaberg region. 

Year 10 Legal Studies

Tuesday morning, 17 year 10 students used their problem solving skills and attention to detail to solve a fictional murder. This gave the students a little insight as to what the senior Legal Studies subject has to offer. 

Amy Wilson, Teacher 

PPEP Talk

Kate Tomsett, Clinical Educator - PPEP Talk - Period, Pain and Endometriosis Programme from the Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia recently visited our school.  She spoke to all female and assigned female at birth students in years 10-12.  The PPEP Talks are funded by the Federal Government and Queensland Health.  

Significantly, 46% of students with periods reported missing school every single period, ranging from part to full days. (Armour et al.,2020)

Endometriosis is more common than Diabetes and Asthma, affecting one in nine Australian girls and women (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019).

The following link is a 13-minute video to cover basic period information and pelvic anatomy.  

More information is available from www.pelvicpain.org.au or you can contact our School Based Youth Health Nurse, Robyn Kirby on (07) 4130 0222.

Robyn Kirby, School Based Youth Health Nurse

CQU - Year 12s, Parent and Supporters Webinar

Graduating high school and starting university is an exciting time for Year 12 students and 
we understand there is a lot of information needed to navigate this transition.  
Whether you're a parent or a student in Year 12, CQU is there to help you get all the 
answers you need. 
CQU’s Year 12s, Parents, and Supporters Webinar talks through what options students can 
pursue after Year 12, and making a career choice. Guests will also learn where to look for 
information on courses, entry requirements as well as detailed information about how to 
apply. 
Register now to attend!

Japanese students to visit North

Japanese Homestay EOI

Anthony Holt, HOD English/LOTE

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 

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 

Positive Partnerships Workshop

Important dates

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.

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