24 November 2016

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal’s Comments

The school year is rapidly drawing to an end. Year 12 have already departed and Years 10 and 11 finish their school year this week. This does not mean that the work is ending; rather, a new chapter is unfolding in the lives of these young people.

The benchmark for any school at this time of year is whether their students achieve their personal goals. While there is talk of data and how students achieve in terms of OP scores, QCE attainment and so on, this does not address the key question – did these young people achieve what they desired to achieve?

For some students achievement cannot and should not be measured in terms of data. For some, simply finishing, despite the challenges that life has thrown their way, is a major milestone and so it should be. For others, progression to university, a job, further study or a myriad of other pathways in life is the measure of success.

The simple fact is that regardless of how each of us measures success, we should all celebrate the individual and collective achievements of our students.

I for one am tired of the talk of data. The data does not capture the student who has overcome major medical, family or personal issues despite the odds being stacked heavily against them. Nor does it capture the student who is dispossessed from their family or who has their life in turmoil, yet still manages to attend lessons.

The problem with the current use of such a blunt instrument as data to tell the story of a student, their challenges and achievements is nothing short of ludicrous. But measure we must because bureaucrats seem to take delight in collecting numbers. When did the focus move from providing opportunities for young people to manipulation of numbers to satisfy a bureaucratic need?

As teachers, parents and tutors our role is to nurture the goals and aspirations of young people. It is only through this that we can provide the best pathways to the future for them. This pathway will sometimes take a winding journey but at the end of the day, it is about the individual and how best to support them along the way.

To our Year 12 of 2016, I would like to congratulate you on your achievements. Stay true to yourself and to your goals. I wish you all the best for your future and trust that life’s journey will be rewarding.

Andrew Smith
Deputy Principal

Parent Liaison Officer

Hi Everyone,

A reminder that the Primary (Prep - Year 6) curriculum for next year is packed and ready for pick up. The Prep box that accompanies the Prep Curriculum cannot be posted due to its weight and therefore will need to be paid for before collecting from the Mailroom.

Alyson Rainbow
Acting Parent Liaison Officer

Please enjoy the following recipe found in our “Another Helping of Generations of Bush Cooking” Cookbook:

QSuper Premier’s Reading Challenge Winner – Charlize Appleton

We would like to congratulate Charlize Appleton on winning the QSuper Premier’s Reading Challenge for the Years 4-6 category in Queensland for 2016. Charlize wrote an insightful entry about the novel, “I Love a Sunburnt Country” by Jackie French. Charlize has won $500 worth of books for our school. Congratulations Charlize!

Mrs Melinda O’Connor
Head of Department - Primary

Year 1 are Dino-mite!

The Year 1 students had a very exciting time at Mini School finding out about dinosaurs. The students thoroughly enjoyed the up-beat song they listened to about dinosaurs and loved joining in to sing it. The students brought with them to Mini School, some interesting facts about dinosaurs that they shared with the rest of the class. This led too many discussions about all sorts of dinosaurs and how they lived and became extinct.

Year 1 Students discussing about dinosaurs with Mrs Price.

The Year 1 students also had the opportunity of experiencing a taste of Shakespeare as a result of a visit from Ms Giesel. The students took part in a short play and acted out a scene from ‘Much Ado about Nothing’. It was enjoyed by all and the students and we would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms Giesel again for giving up her time to work with the Year 1 students.

Year 1 Students performing their Shakespeare scene

NRL and dancing were other activities that the students were involved in during the course of the week. NRL provided the students with a range of activities to test their skill level, and the opportunity to build on cooperation and sportsmenship skills.

Miss Heath came to visit the Year 1 and 2 students to teach some funky dance moves. The students seem to really enjoy the dance and had a great time performing on under 8’s day. We would also like to thank Miss Heath for taking time out of her busy schedule to come up and teach the Year 1 students the dances.

Miss Heath showing the Year 1 Students some groovy dance moves.

We also had some other special visitors come into the classroom to teach the students about Fire Education. The students had the opportunity to learn what a safe fire was and how to act if there was a fire at their house. The students really enjoyed answering the questions and receiving the stickers from the Firemen. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the opportunity of using the fire hose on the fire engine, as the firemen were called away for an emergency. They did however, get to hear the siren which was extremely loud.

Looking back on the week, Year 1 students had a very busy time. Some students didn’t want to leave, while others were ready for bed. It was great to see so many of the students come in for Mini School. We hope that they all had a fantastic time.

The Year 1 Students visiting the Library.

Mrs Elizabeth Miller and Mrs Alanna Price
Year 1 Teachers

Languages

Students enjoyed a variety of activities at Mini School.

Secondary School Mini-School

CTSDE Mini School occurred during week five of this term. This year saw a change of venue with a return to the Goldfield Cricket Centre on York Street. Those that have been with the school for a while would recall that this centre has been used previously.

Monday

Nineteen students attended with teachers assisting on a rotational basis. The first day kicked off with, National Rugby League (NRL) conducted by a representative from NRL Townsville. Following that was a trip to the Venus Battery with the students delving into the history of gold production. Much fun was had by teachers and students at Drama Sports conducted by Mrs Coffison. Mrs Fuller challenged the group with an art activity using stipple dots to create portraits.

Drama Sports

Tuesday

Today the students were split into two groups. One group went canoeing on the Burdekin, with staff from PCYC teaching the group how to conduct a water rescue. The second group of students visited the PCYC and while there participated in activities such as archery and rock climbing. There was a fun afternoon activity with swimming at Columba’s pool .

Canoeing

Wednesday

The day started with an excursion to ‘Weeds and Seeds’. Scientists gave an insight into their roles and the methods being used to keep weeds under control. There was a tour around the facilities which allowed students to see and touch plants and the insects used to control them. Lissner Park was a nice setting to have morning tea before moving onto the ‘Miner’s Cottage’ to try out the gold panning. All of the students managed to find their very own piece of gold which they were able to keep. The evening was an exciting one with a ghost tour late into the night. The guide enlightened the group with lots of frightening and interesting facts.

Weeds and Seeds

Miners Cottage

Thursday

The students who had not been canoeing had their turn today while the rest enjoyed activities at the PCYC. The group gathered back the Cricket Centre to cook a sweet treat with Miss Passier. Constable Jayde Warren, the school’s Adopt a Cop, set up the evening activity, the blue light disco trailer. The Primary campers joined in to watch the movie ‘Mary Poppins.’

Friday

The final day of the camp began with Constable Jayde Warren discussing important matters such as underage drinking, drugs and car licences with the students. The rest of the time was devoted to packing and cleaning up. It seems that it was a successful camp with a great time had by all.

Police Visit

Student Council

Student Council at Celebration Day

The Student Council will have a home-made/home baked/home grown stall. We would gratefully appreciate any donations. These donations can be brought into the school the day before or on the morning of Celebration Day. The only requirement we do have, is that the ingredient list is clearly labelled on each item in case of allergies. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Ms Rachel Quigley.

In addition to this, we will have a photo booth, slushy machine, lolly bags and a range of glow products!

So, make sure you bring your small change along!

New House War Cries

Congratulations to the following Students for submitting their winning entries into the House, War Cries competition:

Rachel Quigley
Student Council

Maths is magical in Year 6

This month, Mrs Armit went searching for some students who could express the joy that has been Year 6 Maths this semester. Oh the fun our ‘maths team’ has had along the way! Students were asked to think about what they had learned either as individuals or as part of the group, or perhaps even how maths had somehow become the greatest joy in their life…

Mrs Armit and just a few of the ‘maths team’. This is how happy they look after every maths lesson. The year 6 maths motto: ‘We love maths!’

Charlie (6B): When Mrs Armit asked for someone to write about Math, I thought ‘Math is not about words, it is about Numbers’. So how do you put something that is so much fun into words? Mrs Armit has a great way of teaching Math. We have learnt long division, multiplication with decimals, fractions and most of all BODMAS. When we are learning new things, Mrs Armit has a great way of making things Fun and Exciting, while also making them easy to learn. I would say 2016 has been a great year for Maths and school in general. I have had loads of fun at CTSDE. The teachers are great, the kids are fantastic. Put those two things together and you have a great learning Experience.

Charlie, at the recent Year 6 Townsville camp, calculating the distance from the top of Castle Hill to the tip of Magnetic Island. An opportunity for maths is never missed in our team!

Mykenzie (6A): Year 6 maths has certainly been a different experience to normal! This year, I truly discovered how much fun it could be with my teacher, Mrs Armit. Maths has long been my least favourite subject, and I went into Year 6 expecting the same, only to discover it to be fun and interesting. We did activities in an exciting and thought-provoking way, and I soon found myself looking forward to my lessons at 11:00. I particularly liked working in private rooms with one or two other people. I want to thank Mrs Armit for being such a great teacher and making maths so much fun this year.

Mykenzie, at the recent Year 6 Townsville camp, deciding upon the best unit of measurement for the water contained in the Riverway lagoons.

Mrs Armit
Year 6 Teacher

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