BNSHS Newsletter 14 August 2024

From the Principal's Office

Last week, marked the completion of half of Term 3. It has been an extremely busy term for students and staff with so many opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. Over the past few weeks, students have had the opportunity to be part of:

• Japanese Homestay
• Relay for Life Music Trivia Evening
• Primary Schools League Tag tournament
• Relay for Life – and won a team award
• Year 10s on Work Experience
• BDSSS sport
• Quota Dinner (4 Year 12 students entering Quota Student of the Year, with Ruru awarded an Encouragement award)
• Subject selection evening
• Chess Competition – awarded third in Division A
• BDSSS Athletics – A large team competed with 15 students making it into the Bundaberg team
• QATSIF graduation
• Student Council Non-Uniform Day Tues - PJ's Day
• Community day at Kolan South SS - Strings ensemble, First nations Dancers and Sport & Recreation students attending
• Bangarra Dance excursion to Brisbane
• North Rewards Junior trip – Inflatable World

As you can see, there are a multitude of opportunities for students to be involved. We, here at Bundaberg North SHS, are indeed very lucky to have such committed staff who are willing to go that extra mile to provide these experiences for our students. Involvement in these activities by students helps them to feel part of the BNSHS community and allows them to build on their relationships with each other as well as staff.

Part of our Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) which details goals and strategies we are striving for across this year, is our goal to reduce Behaviour incidents. Staff have been working diligently around consistency of expectations supported by our new support structure in Sector Teams. This work has seen a reduction in daily behaviour entries with our average number of entries trending downward since February. I thank the staff and parents for working together to ensure educational opportunities are afforded to all our students.

This week to support the Bullying No Way! Campaign and remind students that all students are welcome here at BNSHS, Buddy Bear has made daily appearances during the breaks!

• Monday lunch:  Dance Party with Buddy Bear
• Tuesday lunch: Helping Hand Activity with Buddy Bear
• Wednesday lunch: Lunch with Buddy Bear
• Thursday lunch: Dodgeball with Buddy Bear

Well done to the year 12 Better Buddy students for their organisation of these activities.

Laptops

We are currently finding many students who have previously registered a device are not bringing them to school. This is putting strain on our equity pool of laptops available here at school. If your student has access to a laptop from home, can you please remind students to bring the device to school. Teachers are giving students early notice of when they need a device (with many also emailing parents as well) so it would be helpful for students to bring those devices along. If your student doesn’t want to carry it around all day, there are new lockers outside the office where they can store it safely for the other part of the day when they don’t need it.

Planning for 2025

New subjects on offer

Planning for the 2025 school year is well underway with the timetable development already started. As released at the Subject Selection Evening, it is with much excitement we are bringing on Agricultural Practices as a year 11 subject next year as well as changing to the Certificate I and II in Construction instead of the applied subject thus allowing students the opportunity to leave school with trade recognised qualifications in this highly competitive employment space.

We are also altering the timetable structure across years 7-10 to ensure we are meeting the Australian Curriculum requirements. This means we will be offering a wider range of electives to students across years 9 and 10 from next year.

Subject Selections for 2025

Students in year levels 8 to 10 will have access to subject description booklets which outline the subjects they can select for 2025. It is important that families take some time to review these descriptions and ensure the subjects their student opts into are suited to their student. For example, reviewing the assessment types to ensure students are going to willing participate in them is imperative.

Subject selections will be open for all students in these three grades next week and will close at the end of August. Students will be required to make their selections via OneSchool. Families should read the information sent to them when the Subject Selections Open to ensure they are complying with the requirements.

Students will receive notification in Term 4 as to the subjects they have been allocated for 2025.

EAGLES Extension Program

In response to community feedback, we have also launched an Extension program for students in years 7 to 10 for 2025 called EAGLES Extension Program. Students who are high achieving academically are encouraged to apply for this program. For more information, please read the information flyer below.

Year 6 Scholarships close end of August

Do you know a Year 6 student who excels Academically; Culturally e.g. plays instrument or performs, or is a high achieving Sports person? We are offering 10 scholarships across these 3 fields for current year 6 students across Bundaberg. Applications close August 31, 2024. More information can be found via the link below.

Natalie Brandon, Principal 

The Watson Report

Reminder: Nominations for Major Awards at Presentation Night 2024

Year 12 students have the opportunity to nominate for our major awards. These awards include:

• Mayor’s Medal
• AMPOL Best All Rounder
• Burnie Johnson Citizenship Award
• Gladstone Ports Corporation Student of the Year Bursary
• Senior Cultural Award
• Gold Award
• Sportsperson of the Year.

Nominations are now open for year 12 students to complete the application booklet. A copy of this booklet has been emailed to students, and it is also available for students through SharePoint. Paper copies are available from the office. Students are encouraged to apply providing as much information as possible. Please note all applications must be submitted to the office Friday 16 August.

North Rewards

Last Friday forty students from year 7 – 9 attended Inflatable World as their chosen reward for Reward Day term 3. Students enjoyed their session and displayed excellent behaviour. Please see some photos below. This Friday students in year 10 – 12 will be travelling to Dreamworld as their Reward Day choice. Students are now working towards Reward Days for term 4. Well done to all students who qualified, keep up the good work!

As I speak with students around the school, I know they are saving their Gotchas for the upcoming Gotcha ‘cash in’ day on Thursday 5 September. There are several options that students can choose from. Please see the slide below. Keep collecting Gotchas!

Community Day at Kolan South SS

Last Wednesday over 30 of our students attended the Community Day held at Kolan South State School.  Year 11 Sport and Recreation students played games with the primary school students, while the talented String Ensemble performed five songs. Our First Nations dancers where centre stage to share the Brolga dance. It was a great day and we enjoyed working with the primary school students and meeting community members. Thank you to North students for engaging with the primary students and community members. Please see some photos below.

CQU Survey

Year 7 students have the opportunity to participate in a survey being conducted by Central Queensland University. The aim of this survey is to identify the strengths and challenges young people in the Bundaberg region experience when entering secondary education. It also aims to identify how these factors influence their engagement and disengagement from education. Students will be given class time during period 4 on Friday 16 August, with access to a computer lab. The anonymous online survey will take no more than 25 minutes. A permission note to participate has been sent home with all year 7 students. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me on rwat34@eq.edu.au or 4130 0222.

Rebecca Watson, Deputy Principal 

Senior Schooling News

SETP

Week 8: Year 10 SET Plan Meetings and Important Information

As we approach Week 8, starting on the 26th of August, we would like to inform you about the upcoming SET Plan meetings that are crucial for your child’s educational journey.

What is a Year 10 SET Plan?

The Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan is an important document that helps your child map out their intended pathway through senior schooling and beyond. It outlines their goals, subject selections, and future aspirations, ensuring they are on track to achieve their educational and career objectives.

What Will Happen During the SET Plan Meeting?

During Week 8, your child will meet with their study coach to review and finalize their SET Plan. The meeting will focus on:

• Reviewing your child’s pathway portfolio.
• Checking for any inconsistencies in their plan.
• Providing advice and suggestions to refine their pathway.
• Reviewing and confirming subject selections.
• Finalising the SET Plan Review.

To support this process, TAFE and QTAC booklets will be available, offering valuable resources to guide your child in making informed decisions about their future pathways.

What is Required?

Prior to the meeting, your child’s SET Plan should be completed in One School under the Intended Pathway and Pathway Portfolio tabs. After the meeting, the SET Plan report will need to be printed and signed by your child, you as the parent/guardian, and the study coach.

Important: The signed SET Plan report must be returned to your child’s study coach.

Meeting Availability

SET Plan meetings can be scheduled at any time during Week 8, including before and after school. An email and letter will be sent to you with the details and an available time for a study coach to meet with you and your child. Please keep an eye out for this communication and ensure that the signed SET Plan report is returned promptly after the meeting.

Next Steps

Once you receive this communication, if you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for your ongoing support in helping your child achieve their educational goals.

Year 12: The Final Stretch and Celebrations Ahead

As the end of their schooling journey approaches, our Year 12 students are entering an exciting and pivotal time. With the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, their achievements will be celebrated in several significant events:

• Presentation Night: October 10th
• Graduation Evening: November 13th
• Formal Dinner/Prom: November 14th

These events mark important milestones in our students’ lives, but they also serve as a reminder that the journey isn’t over yet.

Staying Focused: While it’s natural to feel a sense of relief and anticipation as these celebrations draw near, it’s crucial for our Year 12 cohort to remain focused on their academic responsibilities. This is a critical period where the effort students put in can make all the difference in achieving their goals, including securing their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).

We’ve noticed that some students may begin to lose focus during this time, risking the success they’ve worked so hard to achieve. We strongly encourage all Year 12 students to stay committed to their studies, put maximum effort into their exams, and ensure that all projects and certificates are completed to the best of their ability.

Supporting Our Students: Parents and guardians play a vital role in this final stage. We ask that you continue to support your child by discussing the importance of staying strong and focused during these last few months. Your encouragement can help them maintain their momentum and achieve the success they deserve. The following link is a report of upcoming Assessments for Year 12. 

Formal Dinner Requirements: As a reminder, participation in the Formal Dinner/Prom is contingent upon meeting the standards set out in the senior commitment. Students must:

• Maintain a 90% attendance rate
• Achieve a "Satisfactory" or better rating for effort and behaviour in all subjects
• Complete all subject requirements
• Have no suspensions or re-engagements on their behaviour record

We want all students to enjoy the Formal Dinner as a celebration of their hard work, and adhering to these requirements is key to ensuring that everyone can participate.

As we look forward to the upcoming celebrations, let’s also ensure that our Year 12 students finish their schooling journey on a high note. Thank you for your continued support in helping them achieve their best.

Year 12 Practice Exam Block: Term 3, Weeks 9 and 10

As we approach the end of Term 3, our Year 12 students will participate in the Practice Exam Block (refer to timetable on right) for their General subjects. This is a crucial opportunity for all students to experience the External exam protocols and understand what will be expected of them during the final exams.

What to Expect: During Weeks 9 and 10, students will sit their practice exams under strict exam conditions, which include:

• Allocated seating arrangements
• The exam blurb being read aloud
• Equipment checks

This experience is designed to mirror the real exam environment, helping students become familiar with the process and reduce any potential anxiety.

Important Note: If a student misses their scheduled practice exam, there will not be an opportunity to reschedule it under the same exam conditions. However, all students will have access to the practice exams after the holidays. We encourage those who missed their exams to take them home and use them for self-study.

Maximising Your Preparation: We strongly encourage all students to give their best effort during these practice exams. The feedback provided by teachers after the holidays will be invaluable for final preparations. This is an excellent opportunity to identify strengths and areas for improvement before the official exams.

If You Don’t Have an Exam: Students who do not have an exam during this period will attend their usual classes, where they will have a 'double' lesson. This time is especially valuable for practical-based subjects, providing an opportunity to finalise projects and complete essential hands-on work.

Approved Equipment: For all assessments, students are allowed to bring the following items:

• Black or blue pens
• 2B pencils, sharpener, and eraser (Note: 2B pencils are only necessary for multiple choice questions, graphs, or diagrams. All other responses should be written with black or blue non-erasable pens)
• Highlighters (Students may highlight stimulus or questions when permitted but should not highlight their responses)
• Clear plastic ruler
• Water in a clear, unlabelled bottle
• Asthma inhaler

Students may use a clear plastic container or Ziplock bag to carry their equipment if needed. Specialised equipment for certain exams may be required, and teachers of these subjects will communicate the approved items to their students.

This practice exam block is a critical step in ensuring our Year 12 students are fully prepared for their final exams. We ask for your support in encouraging them to take full advantage of this opportunity.

Best of luck to all our Year 12s!

Aaron Ross, Deputy Principal 

Sport at North

North's Athletics Carnival 

On the 20th and the 21st of June, the school participated in yet another amazing Athletics carnival. We are so proud of everyone who came down and participated in not just the competitive events but also the social events. It’s the social events that really bring everyone together at North.

We are so proud of the amount of support that was shown by the whole school. The theme ‘1970’s’ was a massive hit, with so many creative costume ideas ranging from ‘Alien abducting a human’ characters to ‘Sesame Street’ and many other inspiring ideas. We would like to say a big thank you to Mr. Thatcher for another successful year of making athletics carnival work. A huge thank you to Mr. Holt, without him we couldn’t have had a more entertaining day, I am sure his voice was hurting after that one. And a massive thank you to all teachers, teacher aids and parent helpers who helped on the two days to make 2024 athletics carnival amazing for the grade 12s to finish on.

Now we would like to announce the winning house for 2024, in fourth place Mabbro on 1236 points, in third place Walla with 1238 points, in second place Tirroan on 1481 points and winning the 2024 athletics carnival with a whopping 1719 points MONDURAN. Thank you so much to all the students that participated on the day to go towards their house spirit, it was amazing to see the number of students participating. Each year there is a special group of people who take away age champions for their age group, we would now like to like to recognize and congratulate all Age champion winners.

Celebrating Success at the Bundaberg District Athletics Carnival

The recent Bundaberg District Athletics Carnival was a spectacular event, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication of our young athletes. North students competed in a range of events against other schools in the region, with a number of students achieving 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and most importantly, personal bests.  Among the many highlights, one of the most outstanding achievements was by Rama, who was awarded the 16 Boys Age Champion. Rama's exceptional performance across multiple events was a testament to his hard work, skill, and determination.  Students Mark, Davey, Bridie, Hayden, Talitha and Kaleb also in closely in contention for age champion.

We are thrilled to announce that 15 of our students have qualified for the prestigious Bundaberg Athletics team. This accomplishment is a significant milestone, as these students will now compete for the chance to join the Wide Bay Athletics team. This next level of competition will be an exciting opportunity for our athletes to further demonstrate their abilities and represent our district with pride.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all athletes that competed with North pride, showed sportsmanship and good behaviour throughout the competition. Their achievements are a source of great pride for our school community, and we look forward to supporting them as they continue their athletic journeys. Let's rally behind our students and cheer them on as they aim for new heights and strive to bring more accolades to our district.

Japanese Visit with Hakuo High School Tokyo

During July and August 20 students 2 teachers and a translator came to Bundaberg North State High School to enjoy an education cultural visit. Students were paired up with both students and community members to experience what Australia has to offer. Through the school and in partnership with Central Queensland University, students were able to participate in some activities to show not only our cultural heritage but also what our school and University have to offer students who want to come to Australia.

Many of the students were entertained by the education on offer and they were able to experience some classical Australian activities like feeding a kangaroo, seeing a koala, and tasting Vegemite. Not to mention the joy of dissecting a toad, led by Mr Peach not all students were fascinated with this but they will surely remember it.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this an amazing event that will not be forgotten by either their or our students. A special mention goes to Miss Katrine Rayner who came out of her retirement leave to help out. I also would like to thank all of the parents who were part of the homestay and all of the students who were Japanese buddies. Without any of you this would not have been possible.   

Anthony Holt, HOD English 

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QUT Moot Competition

Congratulations to Year 12 Legal Studies students, Sophie and Violet, on their massive effort at the QUT Moot Competition in Brisbane over the weekend. The competition saw 32 teams compete in both written and oral submissions over the two days, with BNSHS placing 13th.

Special mention to Sophie who presented her argument with such finesse that she scored the second highest individual score for the entire weekend (out of more than 64 competitors). She received 93.5 marks out of 100, with the highest individual score only being 0.5 a mark above.

Amy Wilson, Teacher

Term 3 Chess Success!

Bundaberg North State High School attended the Term 3 Wide Bay North Gardiner Chess Tournament hosted at Avoca State School. 160 students from the regions primary and high schools attended the event. BNSHS was represented by Team 1 players: Henry, Cameron, Ben, and Jenson, and Team 2 players: Allend, Monroe, Reid and Dylan. There were many lengthy and tough games played throughout the day. Henry won 6 out of 7 games and placed first individually. Ben also put in a solid effort winning 5 of his 7 games. BNSHS Team 1 placed third overall, narrowly behind second place. All students are to be commended on their conduct throughout the day and the support they displayed for each other.

Stuart Ross, Guidance Officer and Chess Coordinator 

National Tree Day

A group of three student volunteers participated in a tree planting activity at school for National Tree Day this year. We planted 6 trees altogether, including 5 natives and a lime tree, along the edge of the oval. Our groundsman, Mr Mark, was impressed with the planting skills of the students. Thank you Mr Mark for organising the trees and pre-digging the holes for us. We look forward to seeing these trees grow in the future to provide shade, habitat, and food.

Tracy Roberts, Teacher 

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 

Important dates

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