18 August 2017

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal’s Comments

No one will argue that being a parent isn’t easy. There are many challenges along the way, but there is always one common element; we all want the best for our kids.

Sometimes as parents, we have to make tough decisions. This includes decisions about our children’s education. Too often recently, teachers have seen parents who are either deliberately neglectful of their child’s education, neglectful of their responsibilities or obligations as a tutor, or those that just give up because it seems that being a parent is all too hard.

While this might seem harsh, this is something we see in the school every day.

When a parent, in response to a child’s continued disengagement with school, tells you that they just don’t have time for their child’s education due to work and family commitments, this raises a red flag immediately that perhaps distance education is not the appropriate option for their child.

So too, when a parent tells a teacher ‘but they must be doing their school work because they are in their room on the computer all day’. While they may be in their room and on the computer, perhaps the parent needs to check what they have done by insisting that they be shown the school work and the emails that show where the work was sent to their teacher.

In other instances, sometimes a parent will tell us that they just can’t get their child to do their school work. When probed further, sometimes the same parent has refused offers of support from Guidance Officers and others, and does not seem willing to be a parent and exhaust options to secure an appropriate education for their child.

Too many times we have heard ‘but I have tried that and it didn’t work’. It seems that for some parents, being a parent and persisting with your child in the face of difficulties is just too hard. Sometimes these same parents seem to believe that there is a magic potion out there somewhere that just makes it all better.

Unfortunately, these scenarios are all too real and we see them too regularly in our school community.

Perhaps these same parents need to reflect on what it means to be a parent. Perhaps, if they are not willing or able to fulfil their role by ensuring that their child receives an appropriate education at this school, they need to find an alternative education environment where their child has a better chance at an education.

Sometimes these decisions may mean being a responsible parent and trying other options. If this means dragging them kicking and screaming to a mainstream school then so be it. After all, if you are not prepared to be a parent, not prepared to fulfil your role as a home tutor, or if this school is not working for your personal circumstances, then look for an option that might.

As a parent, I cannot understand this attitude. Yes being a parent can be difficult at times. At the end of the day though, if options for your child are not working, perhaps you have to be a parent and try something else.

Andrew Smith
Deputy Principal

What Works in Your Home Classroom

Some weeks ago we started to look at what evidence based strategies provided the “best learning pathway” for students. The source of these strategies were thousands of research activities conducted over several decades and compiled through a meta-analysis by Professor John Hattie. The strategies were all tested by evidence and rated as to their success in supporting student learning.

This article looks at another strategy in the “top ten” initiatives.

Formative evaluation of your own efforts at teaching. A very challenging option as it means you, the tutor, has to have the courage to seek, listen and act on external feedback to how you work in your home classroom. This approach is used with our teachers, and they to need to demonstrate courage so that their lessons are observed, critical analysis undertaken reflection on their own teaching practice carried out.

As a tutor how can you do this and still retain your purpose of surviving each day?

Well the research states that asking yourself the question of “How am I going?” is the first step. Unless you challenge yourself, change for the better learning outcomes for your child are not possible

The next stage is to ask: “Why is my student not doing well?” Then to seek ways to overcome this: Throughout this process, the person must be open to external feedback from others (e.g. the student’s teacher, other tutors, perhaps even the student!)

While this all sounds simple it is rarely done. We get consumed by old habits, time limitations, other roles and duties and perhaps even boredom or resentment of what we are doing (teachers also suffer these….) But, the effect on learning of using formative evaluation of our own teaching practice is powerful. The evidence across many studies show it is in the top three of impact on student learning; it is effective across all student ages, learning need status and circumstances.

Perhaps it is worth making some time to reflect on the teaching process in your home, seeking feedback from students, other tutors you feel comfortable with and your teacher. Getting comments that are not “critical” is important (we do not want our egos to suffer too much…) but unless we listen actively and then act in ways that may enhance what we do the initiative goes nowhere.

Perhaps it is worth making some time to reflect on the teaching process in your home, seeking feedback from students, of the tutors you feel comfortable with and your teachers.

Young Endeavour Youth Scheme

Apply now to sail on the STS Young Endeavour in 2017!

Apply now for your chance to set sail on the voyage of a lifetime!!

Are you 16 - 23 years old? Apply now to join the Young Endeavour crew. Eligible young Australians can apply for Youth Development voyages sailing through to December 2017.

A Voyage on Young Endeavour is an exciting experience and a unique opportunity for youth to develop skills for life. The internationally recognised development program builds self awareness, develops teamwork and leadership skills, and fosters a strong sense of community responsibility.

24 youth from across Australia will join each eleven day voyage during the 2017 program. As members of the crew you will keep watch and take the helm, handle lines on deck, cook in the galley, navigate using the ship’s charts, and climb the 30 metre mast to set and furl the sails.

Applications are open via the link below. Voyage fees and conditions will apply to successful applicants who must be aged 16 – 23 years on the day of departure of their selected voyage/s.

Queensland Representation

Congratulations to CTSDE student Amber Hamilton for selection into the Queensland Interschool Equestrian Team. Amber will be riding in the Eventing on Anakie Saint Nick and in the Dressage on Grey Skates. The Australia Interschool Championships will be held at the Toowoomba Showgrounds, QLD from 25th – 29th September 2017.

We wish her well.

Year 1 News

In Year 1 English lessons, we have been looking at a lovely series of books by Anthony Browne. These books have included Willy the Wimp, Willy & Hugh and Willy the Champ. Each of these stories carries a special message for the readers. Students did a fabulous job answering questions about these stories.

Why might the gorilla gang go back to bullying Willy?

Why do you think some people are bullies?

At the end of the unit, we practised writing letters to Willy. Here are some of the fabulous letters Willy received:

Charters Towers Show Results

Handwriting

Posters/Art

FLIQ (Flexible Learning Initiatives Queensland)

SNAPSHOT of INTERCEPT (Moreton Bay - Caboolture)

INTERCEPT is one of 25 centres across Queensland who work in conjunction with FLIQ to deliver an educational program catering for some of the most disengaged and disadvantaged young people in the Moreton Bay area. INTERCEPT runs in partnership with YJET (Youth Justice Education and Training), operating a 3-day program with an average of 12 – 15 young people attending each day. INTERCEPT has a strong belief that every young person deserves an education and they strive to provide this opportunity in a flexible, supportive and youth-friendly environment. The program plays a vital role in crime prevention, diverting young people into healthier activities to keep them engaged and inspire them to a brighter future.

INTERCEPT places priority on improving student literacy and numeracy standards, along with the development of necessary life skills. The FLIQ program allows students to engage in a learning pathway suited to their individual needs within a flexible educational environment. FLIQ students have access to subjects including Foundation Literacy and Numeracy, as well as English and Maths Core subjects across Year 8, 9 and 10. Afternoon sessions at INTERCEPT focus on life skills and offer students a broad range of activities including cooking, employment skills and sessions with inspiring guest speakers. A pool table, ping-pong table, kitchen and computers situated in the ‘program room’ help to create a youth-friendly environment where students can feel safe and comfortable.

INTERCEPT students have achieved success in many areas of their educational pursuit whether it is simply completing a level in a Foundation subject or finishing an entire course. “Success is a journey, not a destination.” Every success, small or big leads to increased self-confidence and the motivation to achieve more. The dedicated team at INTERCEPT implement various engagement strategies to improve attendance and participation at the centre. Incentive programs, ‘Student of the Week’ and motivational team building games are just some of the approaches which have produced positive outcomes. Students are also recognised for their accomplishments at an annual awards ceremony.

INTERCEPT values every student and aims to tap into their unique gifts and talents; to build on their strengths and support them in their endeavours to transition into future pathways; such as further training courses, employment or returning to school. In 2016, INTERCEPT (YJET) received a Bronze award at the Australian Violence and Crime Prevention Awards for their vital education and crime prevention program.

Tracy Burke
FLIQ Program

Program Room

JUNIOR SECONDARY NEWS

Literacy Planet Certificate

As part of our Literacy Program, our students are all enrolled in the online program Literacy Planet.

Over the past few weeks, Literacy Planet has conducted a competition called Word Mania. Our Year 7 students have been awarded second place on the Participation Leaderboard for Round One. Congratulations, Year Seven students!

Barb Stower
Head of Department, Junior Secondary

Year 7 lunar phenomenon!

In Science this term, Year 7 students have been studying the unit “heavenly bodies”. In this unit, we have examined a number of topics including: how tides work, the solar system, lunar eclipses and solar eclipses.

Year 9 Creating a Collage to Represent Home.

The unit that the Year 9 Art class is focusing on this term is “Where have you been?” Students have just submitted their first assessment piece for this unit. Students were instructed to represent their homes/families in a visual form. The class investigated photography, mixed media, representation and composition. Mixed media was then combined, to create collages. What a variety of creativity! Some of their work is displayed below.

Ms Fuller
Year 9 Art Teacher

Taylah’s college

Prep

Term 3 has seen the Prep students working very hard on their first English Retell. Students were asked to choose their own story to retell, they then created props such as puppets, storyboard, costume or masks to use for the sharing of their retell. Students then organised a special family celebration to share their retell with their families. A huge effort was made by all and Mrs Luxton and Mrs Shepherd have thoroughly enjoyed watching all the recordings.

Outreach is always a favourite time of year for our prep students, with the opportunity to catch up with friends and spend some time with their teachers. Term 3 Outreaches have seen the prep students learning about Colour, Shape and Number at Clermont and a Pirate theme at Hughenden. The Prep Students are also working this term on a Science Assessment where they are creating a Wind Chime looking at materials and their properties.

Di Luxton and Leean Shepherd
Prep Teachers

Learning Tips – PRODUCTIVE Use of Technology in Learning

During school hours it is best that technology is used productively rather than simply consuming material (social media, games, surfing etc) via technology. This means that ideally the students’ use of technology has a purpose (an end goal). In other words, students are producers rather than simply consumers.

In our school a productive use of technology involves accessing web lessons, using their school email in order to communicate with the school, accessing the Blackboard and using the internet for research and the completion of tasks.

A productive use of technology also means that time is used more effectively. Students are more likely to stay focused when their use of resources has a purpose.

By thinking of technology use as either consumptive of productive; decisions can be made about the best use of resources and time to further your student’s education.

Year 2 Following PROCEDURES!

Year 2 have just completed Unit 5 of their English Curriculum. They have thoroughly enjoyed laughing along with Roald Dahl’s George’s Marvellous Medicine. Each student wanted to help George in his search to find something…ANYTHING… that would make his grouchy Grandma happy.

All children made a list of Grandma’s likes even though some were truly gross! There were delicious treats like cabbage with caterpillars, live slugs on lettuce, raw celery with earwigs and crunchy beetles. Her habits included sitting in an armchair, feet on her stool, drinking a cup of tea with sugar. George wanted to create a new medicine that it would cure her crankies. All our students put on their thinking caps and came up with astounding things to make with the goal to help Grandma stop her rants and be nice!

We completed our unit with a class Collaborate party when the students were asked to dress like someone who would follow a procedure. For example a doctor, soldier, chef, teacher, police officer and so many more! In costume and as enthusiastic participants, the Year 2 students sent in a photo of themselves ready for audio and explained why they selected that particular procedure-following occupation for Collaborate that day. Here are their photos and responses…

Henry the Scientist

Hope you enjoyed our Procedure Class Party Photos!

Smiles,
Ms Simatis
Year 2 Teacher

Microsoft Office 2016 for Students

Just a reminder that Microsoft Office 2016 for Students is FREE to download if you are enrolled in a Queensland Government State School. You will require your @eq.edu.au email address to access and download the link and you do not require a CD-key or serial number.

Microsoft Office 2016 for Students can be installed on up to 5 personal devices (Devices = Apple Mac or Microsoft Windows Computers).

Please click here for Microsoft Office 2016 for Students download instructions:

Premier’s Reading Challenge 2017

A reminder that the Premiers Reading Challenge finishes on 25 August 2017. Please fill out and return your forms to your teacher by the due date.

Click here to download the Premiers Reading Challenge individual reader record form:

Central Queensland University Open Day

Central Queensland University will be holding an Open Day in Townsville on Sunday 10th September, 9 am – 1 pm.

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