BNSHS Newsletter 23rd October 2024

From the Principal's Office

Presentation Evening

Two weeks ago, our high school celebrated our Annual Presentation Evening, a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students and staff across the year. The evening recognised the outstanding achievements of our students in academics, sports, and cultural contributions to the school. It was heart-warming to see the smiles on the faces of our award recipients and their families, who have supported them every step of the way. The event also highlighted the collaborative spirit of our school, with teachers and staff working tirelessly to ensure everything ran smoothly. The evening also provided opportunity to acknowledge several long serving staff members of BNSHS as they head into retirement. In addition to Miss Robyn Kent, who returned to present some of the awards including the newly named “Miss Robyn Kent Cultural Excellence Award”; we also acknowledged:

• Mr David Orpin – Facilities Officer who retired in August
• Mrs Sue Richardt – Teacher who will retire at the end of this year
• Mrs Jacky Burtt – Tuckshop Convenor who will also retire at the end of this year.

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2025 School Captains

A highly anticipated component of the Annual Presentation Evening is the announcement of the next year’s School Captains. The 2025 Captains: Zahlia W and Niklas R have already stepped into the role, hosting their first whole school parade this week. Congratulations to Zahlia and Niklas!

First Nations Celebration

Last Thursday I had the pleasure of attending the annual First Nations Year 12 Celebration which was held at the CQU Bundaberg Campus. At this celebration we acknowledge each of the graduating Year 12 students as well as announcing the 2024 First Nations Student of the Year as Teanna W and the 2024 Top Attending student as Lewis S.

Student Council Break Up

With the Year 12 finishing up last week, the Student Council met to hold their final full meeting and celebrate their achievements across the year. As a result of several years’ efforts, this year the Student Council was able to install a new chilled water station at the far end of D block, thus giving a 3^rd drinking and bottle filling stations of chilled water to the students. It is definitely appreciated by the students as the weather warms up!

Year 12 Last Day of Classes

Friday 18 October marked the 2024 Senior cohort’s last day of timetabled classes. Thankfully the students participated in a range of fun themed days across their last week, which were harmless fun including ‘Bring anything but a bag’ Day, to wearing the opposite genders’ formal uniform. To mark the end of their final day, all the year 12 students gathered under B/C covered area to count down to their final bell, cheered on by many students from other grades. There was lots of excitement and cheering as well as the emotional tears as their schooling years concluded.

Year 12 Graduation and Prom

Once the Year 12 students make it through their External Exams, they will be required at school for a preparation day on Tuesday 12 November. This gives us preparation time for their Graduation Ceremony, which is the following day, Wednesday 13 November at 5.30pm. All members of the community are invited to this ceremony to celebrate the cohort’s completion of 12 years of schooling.

Following that ceremony, on the evening of the 14^th November, is the highly anticipated Senior Prom, being held again at the Brothers Club. Family, Friends and community members are able to watch the arrival of all students to their Prom at the back of the Brothers Club from 5pm. Only current students and staff are able to make their way into the venue for the evening. Students who are eligible to attend the Prom need to pay for their tickets ASAP at the office and ensure their arrival time and table seating plans have been submitted to Mrs Prince in G block.

Employment Opportunities

This week advertisements for the permanent positions of our Facilities Officer and one of our Scientific Technical Officer are closing. The permanent position of Library Teacher Aide is also currently advertised and will close on 5 November. If you are interested, details of the position are posted on Smart Job 

Natalie Brandon, Principal 

The Watson Report

NORTH REWARDS

North Rewards is the way we recognise the positive behaviour of students. This week the North Rewards team have been reviewing feedback from the survey completed last term by staff, students and parents/carers. With over 140 responses we have used this feedback to make adjustments and update the program for 2025. We are excited to share and promote the opportunities for students to be rewarded for demonstrating school values. Look out details coming soon! 

REWARD DAYS

Coming up soon are the reward days for term 4. This term we have two days, one for years 10 – 11 on Friday 22 November to Bundy Bowl and one tor years 7 – 9 to Norville Pool on Tuesday 3 December. Invitations to students will be sent to students and caregivers within the next week. Look out for the electronic permission form to complete, and pay the $5 co-payment, by the due date.

LEAP: Leadership, Enrichment, Aspiration, Passion

With several LEAP events this term, we are looking forward to the first one next week. Invitations were emailed last week to year 8 students for ‘The Pitch’ and we look forward to seeing what the students produce. LEAP events:

• English ‘The Pitch’ session for invited year 8 students: Tuesday 22 October
• Science sessions with Professor Derek for selected year 9 and 10 students, and year 11 Biology students: Tuesday 5 November
• Arts session: focus and date to be determined – more details to be shared in the coming weeks.

Each day of the week there are LEAP clubs to join and participate in at North! Clubs are a great way to become interested in something new or extend your experiences, while mixing with students who have similar interests.

Rebecca Watson, Deputy Principal

Young Achievers Program

On the 14^th of October The University of Queensland, Young Achievers Program welcomed the new scholarship recipients. The successful applicants in cohort 16 will begin the Young Acheivers program in 2025.  For the incoming students in cohort 16, the event was an opportunity to connect with fellow Young Achievers and to gain valuable insights into the program from those who have walked this path before them. 

A past Bundaberg North State High student and YAP scholar, Vanessa, spoke at the event. Vanessa is studying Business with the University of Queensland and will be a YAP mentor to the new 2025 scholarship students.

Congratulations to Phu, Kim and Shanna who were the successful applicants from Bundaberg North State High School.

The evening congratulated the graduating Year 12 students - Ariana, Tayla and Sophie. 

For these three students, it's a moment of reflection, a chance to look back on their Young Achievers journey and celebrate their outstanding accomplishments. 

Congratulations also goes to Sophie who was presented the Bowness Family Foundation Year 12 Award. The award is in recognition of Sophie's outstanding academic achievements, service leadership, and commitment to upholding the program’s values.

Congratulations to all students.

Helen Coulton, Guidance Officer

Sport at North

2024 Swimming Carnival

On the 13th of September, Bundaberg North High inter-house swimming carnival was held at Norville pool. This year’s theme was all out for house colours. Our House and Sport Captains along with some teachers arrived early at the pool to set up tents and house flags in preparation for the students to arrive. It was decided to return to the original layout where all students attended and participated for ribbons and points for their house.

The day was formatted to have students aged 12 years through to opens participating in strokes in the order of freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly. While students were competing, water polo was also being held in a separate pool for houses to compete and gain extra points for the final tally.

The 2024 Swimming Carnival House Results:

1^st Monduran 442

2^nd Mabbro 318

3^rd Tirroan 310

4^th Walla 191

As a bonus this year it was decided to have an ice bucket challenge for fun and to raise money for the year 12 prom. As well as a the ‘change of shirt’ relay, where house captains selected the most consistent swimmers of their house to compete in the relay team.

To conclude the day the year 12 student vs teachers, relay tradition was conducted where of course, the teachers came out on top.

This year’s swimming carnival was agreed to be a fun and successful day filled with friendly competition, smiles and memories.

Robert Thatcher, Sport Coordinator

Visit from Black Lab Finance

Year 12 Essential Maths students were fortunate to have a visit from Jacob Arden from Black Lab Finance on Wednesday 16 October.  Students were provided with an overview of the mortgage brokerage industry, along with some common pitfalls people in their early 20s fall into with credit cards and personal loans which can significantly affect their financial futures.  Jacob also discussed government incentives that may allow students to buy their first home possibly in their mid 20s!  We are very appreciative of the time spent engaging with our students.

Andrew Duncan, HOD 

Aussie Bird Count at North

October 14-20 was the Aussie Bird Count week. Our Planeteers spent 20 minutes of second break on Wednesday walking around the school grounds, identifying and counting birds. We submitted our count to the Aussie Bird Count website to be included in their total. We spotted 8 ibises, 9 magpies, 22 rainbow lorikeets, 3 butcher birds, 3 noisy miners, 1 crow, 2 masked lapwings, 1 willy wagtail, 1 egret, 2 magpie larks and 1 female Australasian figbird. The total count for all participants in Australia was 4,251,235 birds.

Link and Launch Opportunities

GPs in State School Program at North

North is participating in the GPs in State Schools Program.

Our Nurse Practitioner Claire Bayliss is available to support students physical and mental health wellbeing. Seeing Claire is free, students just need to bring their Medicare card to their appointment.

Claire is available for student appointments on Tuesday and Thursday between 8.30am and 3.00pm. Appointments can be made through the school office. 

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

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 

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.

Friday 5, Term 4 2024

Friday 5 - Students remaining at school until 3pm Term 4, 2024