18 October 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s News

After only a few days back this week it is easy to see this term fast vanishing before we have had time to think. Our Year 12’s are rapidly approaching the end of their formal lessons as they finalise assessment tasks and prepare for exams. We wish them well as this part of their schooling comes to an end and they embark on the next stage of their life. We look forward to the many celebrations and recognitions of achievement that are still to occur. We will also be very interested in what our students go onto in the future so we hope they will keep in touch and let us know.

At this stage we are actively planning staffing and classes for 2019. If there is a change in school likely for your child for next year please keep the school informed, if you haven’t already, so that we can include this in our calculations.

Next Monday Kate Cameron has organised for Encounter Youth to provide a drug and alcohol education program to our students, focussing on harm minimisation. They are also keen to provide a parent seminar. For parents of young people, the topics of alcohol, other drugs and parties can bring anxiety and fear. The parent seminars aim to equip parents with evidence-based information and strategies around:

• Talking to their young person about alcohol
• Legalities and duty-of-care when hosting a party
• Preparing for events like the Schoolies Festival
• Parenting strategies for alcohol and parties
• Positively influencing young people’s choices

We encourage as many parents as possible to attend to hear this valuable information. See later in the newsletter for specific times and details.

At the end of last term reports went home and some interviews were requested where the teacher would like to discuss a student’s progress. This was indicated on your student’s report and if you haven’t already contacted the teachers please do so as soon as possible so that we can all support the students to achieve. Next week will be a chance for teachers to again review students’ progress so far through traffic light data and contact will be made home where there are concerns.

ENCOUNTER YOUTH EDUCATION

On Monday 22nd of October, GHS will be holding Alcohol and Drug Education Seminars for students from Year 10-12 and there will also be a parent session after school in the Learning Hub.

The program aims to reduce and prevent alcohol and other drug-related harm among young people. This is particularly relevant for our Year 12 students who are about to attend Schoolies celebrations.

The sessions will be as follows:

Year 12 – Safety at Schoolies seminar
Year 11 – Alert Not Alarmed seminar
Year 10 – Who’s Calling Your Shots seminar
3.30pm – 5.00pm – Parent Seminar

For more information on Encounter Youth and their programs visit

If you are interested in attending the parent seminar please contact the school to register your interest.

MATERIALS & SERVICES CHARGES 2019

Please find attached to the electronic version of the newsletter the Materials & Services Fees charge for 2019. If you have any queries please contact Sue Foulis – Finance Officer or alternatively in writing to Governing Council Chairperson Kathryn Hansen.

They will be presented for approval at Governing Council meeting on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 at 7.00pm.

Layer Hens For Sale

14 Hens are still available for purchase. First in first serve. $15 per hen. Please contact Front Office to order. Pick up from November 5.

Immunisations

Nurses from Southern Flinders Health will be attending Gladstone High School on Tuesday October 23rd at 0900 to provide school based immunisations. These include:

Gardasil (Human Papillomavirus) – Year 8 students

Catch-up immunisations for students absent at previous visits

It is important that students have breakfast on the morning of immunisations.

Since it has been some months since the previous visit, please contact Dymph Catford on 86622158 or dymphna.catford@sa.gov.au if there have been changes to details previously provided on the immunisation consent form.

A Note from the Student Counsellor

The linked article has some crucial points to get across to our students who will soon be facing exams.

Governing Council

Gladstone High School Governing Council will be selling Fruit Salad and Strawberries and Cream/Ice-Cream, at the Gladstone Fair, October 20, 2018.

We’d love for you to help out by donating a punnet of strawberries. Punnets of fresh, good condition strawberries or apples, bananas, oranges, kiwi fruit or grapes can be taken to the front office on Friday. All funds raised will be used to improve school facilities!

For further Information please contact Kate on 0428 890 349

Canteen News

Governing Council would like to express their thanks to everyone who cooked food, donated food, or offered their time at the catering event in Week 8 last term. Lyn Russell our Canteen Manager was overwhelmed and very grateful for the support.

The Gladstone High School Canteen is managed by the Gladstone High School Governing Council and relies on the support of the school community.

How we need your help

Time—if every family could help for just one day a term, (only 3 hours per shift), this would positively impact the efficiency of the canteen.

Our busiest days are Monday, Wednesday and Friday when Lyn also provides lunches for the Gladstone Primary School.

If you think you can help and would like to put your name on the roster, please phone the Front Office on 08 8662 2171.

Thank you

Governing Council

SACE News

Included with the electronic version of the newsletter students will find a document Succeed, from Australian Government, Department of Education and Training. The booklet includes:

• What is VET?
  The Facts
• Real life success stories
• Qualification pathways
• Industry Insights
• Apprenticeships & Traineeships

Is your child considering a career in Medicine/Dentistry/Clinical Science, there are important changes to the Admission Test. More information regarding the 2019 changes are available with the electronic version of the newsletter.

New books in the Resource Centre

The Finder: by Kate Henrick – Lower to Mid Secondary

Lindsay and Elias couldn't be more different. She is a grungy introvert in a large and chaotic family whose identical twin disappeared eight years ago. He is a sensitive and outgoing fashionista on a mission to find his birth mother. When this odd couple team up, they discover that their differences may be the thing that helps them both in the end.

Time Warper: by Cheree Peters

The time catcher is on the run. After discovering that she is a Variant, Thea and her friends continue their escape from the Cardiff armament. Her memories continue to return and her Ability grows stronger. Will they be enough to protect her friends and family from the old enemy?

Book Two of The Variants series

The Time Vortex: by Laurie S. Sutton – Lower Secondary

The super-powered soldiers of Bug Team Alpha are engaged in intense combat when an explosion activates an ancient alien time-travelling device. Now half the team has been transported to 1600s Japan, Earth - right into the middle of a samurai battle. Can the special ops men and women find their way back home, without changing history forever?

Between the blade and the heart: by Amanda Hocking

Malin is a Valkyrie-in-training. It's her responsibility to slay immortals, returning them to the afterlife to maintain balance in the world. She also struggles to maintain balance in her own life - between her studies, her duties as a Valkyrie and her conflicting feelings for her ex-girlfriend. When a beguiling stranger breaks into her home on a quest for vengeance, Malin's carefully balanced life falls apart. Asher is hunting the rogue immortal who murdered his mother, and he thinks Malin may have information. Her loyalties are tested, as she uncovers a betrayal that unravels everything she thought she knew. And she must decide if helping the mysterious Asher enact his revenge is worth the risk - to the world, and to her heart.

Multiculturalism and the Australian Identity: by Justin Healey – Non Fiction

Contemporary Australian society is a patchwork of cultural and ethnic diversity. Australians are largely embracing of multiculturalism and welcoming of those born overseas, however being ‘Australian’ can describe a broad range of characteristics, behaviours and attitudes. National identity and pride in being Australian regularly influence public debate in Australia, but they are not always clearly defined. How do Australians living in a multicultural society identify with their national identity, and how do they view themselves as citizens? This book examines Australia’s cultural diversity and the issue of social cohesion in light of its longstanding policy of multiculturalism. It also discusses a range of symbols and attitudes which define what it means to be Australian. Are multiculturalism and nationalism necessarily at odds?

2018 School Magazine

Order your 2018 school magazine now. Orders to be placed and paid for by Friday October 26th. The magazine is currently being produced by the Year 10 Media Class. Cost $15.00. Orders can be made through Qkr or by contacting Front Office.

Community News

Gladstone Swimming Pool

Working Bee
Sunday Oct 28th 9-11am
Come and help get the pool ready for the opening on Nov 11th.

Coming Events in Laura

Laura Caravan Park will be holding a Free Sausage Sizzle, Saturday November 3, from 10.00am-3.00pm. An opportunity to view the future plans on display for the improvements of the park. All Welcome.

Laura Civic Centre 50 Years Celebration.

Laura Civic Centre Saturday, November 3, 8.30pm – 12.30am. Laura Dance Returns. Admission $20 children under 16 Free. Tickets available from Lorraine Griffin 8663 2412 or Laura Hair Affair 8663 2462.

Laura Civic Centre and Surrounds, Sunday November 4 Laura Market 9.00am start. Featuring Produce Stalls

Belalie Art Gallery at Jamestown presents

My Southern Flinders, The Nature of Home

Photographs by Dr Annette Marner

October 19 – November 18

Official opening Friday October 19th, Meal 6pm exhibition opening 7pm

For catering purposes please rsvp to Yvonne 0457826607

Gallery opening times Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sun 1-4pm