22 April 2016, Volume 18 Number 4

News from the Principal

Welcome back to Term 2 and I trust all members of the Centenary Community enjoyed a relaxing break and are ready for the challenges of Term 2. We face a busy commencement to the term with plenty of events filling the school calendar.

By the time you receive this newsletter the parent teacher nights would have been completed. I hope that the forum gave you a good understanding of how your child is progressing. Your child's education is a partnership between home and school and good quality dialogue is essential between the two. I encourage all parents to follow up with any concerns or questions you may have regarding your child's education with staff through email, telephone call or a further interview.

Staff Appointments:

Angela Maguire has been appointed as English HOD replacing Jenny Ivett-Hawes who has retired. I take this opportunity to thank Jenny for her contribution to the school in several roles over the last decade.

Additional staff appointments:

Matt Redman replaces Russ Greaves for Term 2
Sonya Kokot replaces Alison Williams for Term 2

NAPLAN

The school is stepping up its preparation for the NAPLAN tests which is set for the 10-12 May. Students in Years Seven and Nine students sat a practice at the end of Term 1 which has provided some useful information on individuals and cohort's strengths and weaknesses. Feedback from this test will be invaluable in maximising student performance.

At a state level, Numeracy and Reading have again been identified as areas targeted for improvement. Traditionally our Numeracy results have been very strong using the proportion of students above National Minimum Standard as a barometer. In both Year 7 and 9 in 2015 we had over 30% of our students performing in the upper two bands. Our challenge in the Numeracy domain is to continue to improve the proportion of students performing in the top bands. A number of our Year 7 students have been working on a regional online numeracy program designed to improve capacity.

In respect to reading comprehension initial data indicates that our students are competent in recalling information from texts but are challenged with making inferential meaning. We will focus in class in the next few weeks in identifying inference cues.

Writing is the targeted improvement area for Centenary SHS in 2016. Hopefully our 2016 performance will vindicate our whole school strategies in this area.

DATA SNAPSHOT

School Attendance Term 1

There is a strong correlation between school attendance and achievement. The catch cry of "Every Day Counts" rings as true as ever. Kid need to be at school to maximise their potential. Overall the school's attendance figures are very good and indicate a slight increase in all Year levels from 2015. I urge parents to support the school in maximising student attendance.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Congratulations to our newly appointed Year 7 leaders. This selection process take place at the end of Term 1 which provides the school with a term to better get to know our entry cohort students. The leadership role is an affirmation of the regard the selected students are held by staff and students and carries the significant responsibility of representing the views of our 253 students in Year 7 and leading this cohort in our continual improvement agenda. Our Year 7 leaders for 2016 are:

Ryan Shepherd Ashby
Zac Ashton Norton
Elise Harmon
Peta Peachey

On the sporting front, congratulations to Grace Price who recently is attending the Australian Schools Karate Championships.

John Brew, Principal
Email: admin@centenaryshs.eq.edu.au

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Newsletter Articles

News from the Deputy Principals

PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

A big thank you to all parents and family members who attended the Parent Teacher Evenings in the first two weeks of this term. The research clearly shows that these vital networks which are established between parents and teachers have a very big influence on student achievement. Please feel comfortable to contact any teacher about your child's progress or concerns you may have at any time of the year, not just through Parent Teacher Interview nights.

The start of a new term is a good time for students to think about their results to date and to set targets and goals for the year ahead, especially after the distribution of mid-semester reports and the parent – teacher interviews. Good results do not come by chance; it requires planning, focus and determination over a long period of time and now is the ideal time to re-focus after the Easter break. There are a number of different staff who can help you with your assessment items. The first place to start is with your subject teacher. Have a conversation with them about what you can do to improve or maintain your results. You can also seek assistance from the Head of Department, Year Coordinator, Deputy Principals and Guidance Officer. A wide range of other support staff can also be located in the administration building.

Adam Richter, Deputy Principal (Years 9, 10 & International)
Email: arich60@eq.edu.au

ANZAC COMMEMORATIONS 2016

Centenary SHS leaders and students will this take part in three ANZAC Services in 2016, our own Assembly and as school representatives at two other services.

Our school ANZAC Assembly will have taken place in Lesson 1 on Thursday 21st April, when our School Captains, joined by special guests, will have lead our school community in reflecting on the service of so many Australians in times of War.

On the same day Ms Mansini and Ms Abraham will have accompanied a group of student leaders from across all year levels, to the Brisbane City Service for students at the Shrine in ANZAC Square. Several students will represent Centenary SHS in laying a wreath at the Shrine.

On ANZAC Day, Monday 25th April, our school will take part in the local Mt Ommaney ANZAC Service, organised by the local branch of the RSL. Our Symphonic Band, led by Mrs Fiona Harvey, will provide the music for this service. A group of our school leaders will take part , with Returned Service Men and Women and other local schools, in the 8am March from the Mt Ommaney Police Station to the Mt Ommaney Remembrance Gardens, opposite the Fire Station, before taking part in the service. We invite any students who would like to be involved, to meet the Centenary State High School group, in Loffs Road by 7.45am. Full school uniform is required to be part of the March.

During 2015, the centenary commemoration of the original landing at ANZAC Cove, saw many activities undertaken by the CLASS group of schools, an alliance of our high school and the three Centenary suburbs' primary schools. Many of you will remember with great pride, the Voices of ANZAC Concert with over 500 performers, held at City Hall in July. Later in November 2015, on Remembrance Day, we proudly released our CLASS ANZAC 100 Year Memorial iBook. Students from all schools wrote very powerful and moving historical or contemporary pieces of writing related to the ANZAC concept. This outstanding book can still be viewed by parents and friends, at no cost, via the Apple I Tunes store.

The 'CLASS ANZAC 100 Year Memorial' iBook can be downloaded using the link below:

CLASS ANZAC 100 Year Memorial (Apple ID: 1057047657):

Sallyann Griffith, Deputy Principal (Year 7, 8 & International)
Email: sgrif88@eq.edu.au

News from the Business Services Manager

STUDENT CARDS

Last week Student cards (Confidential information sheet) with details relevant to your student were mailed home. Can you please update and return it to the school office as soon as possible, as we need to ensure that all parents/carers contacts details are correct. Up-to-date and current school records enable us to send you messages, contact you when your student is ill or if there is an issue that needs resolving.

If you are moving house, changed jobs, emails or mobile phone numbers, please inform the school office via

• email to admin@centenaryshs.eq.edu.au or
• a note

STATE SCHOOL CONSENT FORMS

Also last week, State School Consent Forms were mailed home. This form has recently been updated to include the school's Facebook, YouTube and Twitter profiles. It is school policy to only use first names on any social media site. This form can also be downloaded from our website.

It is not compulsory for you to provide consent. If you decide not to provide consent, this will not adversely affect academic achievement, or any relationships with teachers or the school.

CHANGES TO PAYMENT OPTIONS

Payment of the participation fee may be made over the counter by cheque or cash or EFTPOS (Debit Card; MasterCard or Visa) or by direct deposit (internet banking), BPOINT. The direct deposit and BPOINT option allows parents the convenience of making payments from home and alleviates the need to pay over the counter transactions in person.

BPOINT

BPOINT is an additional payment method which is available to all parents/carers to pay school invoices. The internet web link enables you to authorise to have your credit or debit card in a secure environment. BPOINT offers several payment options including:

• Internet payment via web link
• Single direct debit
• Re-occurring direct debit

All future invoices and statements will display this payment option. You will need the Customer Reference Number (CRN) which is printed on the bottom of your invoice or statement before payment can be processed.

For more information and the link to BPOINT please see our website

INTERNET BANKING

For payments made by direct deposit (internet banking) use the details that are indicated on the front of the invoice or statement. The reference space provided for these payments is only 15 characters long. Please ensure that either the Debtor ID or Invoice number is recorded in this space.

BPAY

BPAY is no longer a payment option.

PARENTS EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES

A parent experiencing financial hardship is encouraged to contact the Business Services Manager to discuss how their financial obligations can be met throughout the school year, or to negotiate alternative arrangements that may be available to accommodate their individual circumstances. All discussions will be held in the strictest confidence.

Charmaine Macaulay
Email: cmaca5@eq.edu.au

Centenary SHS Open Day

On Saturday 28th May, Centenary SHS will open its doors to prospective parents and the community at large.

The afternoon will provide an opportunity for parents to speak to staff and students, enjoy performances, participate in workshops, view academic and co-curricular displays and enjoy guided tours around the school. Parents will learn more about Centenary SHS and the extensive range of learning experiences offered to students.

This event is open to current and prospective parents and we look forward to celebrating Centenary SHS's many success with families in is this informative and entertaining afternoon.

Open Day is on Saturday 28th May, 2016 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.

Anne-Marie Price
Resource Centre Manager / Promotions and Marketing Coordinator

Homestay Families needed for July & August

Centenary SHS has a 5 week Study Tour of Chinese Students from July 17th and a Japanese Study Tour of 9 days in August. Families are also needed for long term students arriving in July.

All family members over the age of 18 are required to obtain a Blue Card. The family is paid approx. $36.00 per night per student.

Please contact Jane Campbell for further details: jcamp362@eq.edu.au

Jane Campbell, Enrolments Officer
Email: jcamp362@eq.edu.au

News from the Chaplain

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Earlier in the year I heard a speaker talking about the year ahead. The audience were challenged to consider giving up two things in their lives that may be having a negative effect on them.

This made me think of a couple of things that almost all of us are guilty of doing – complaining and arguing. If you think that this doesn't apply to you, try to get through just one whole day without saying something negative either to someone or about someone. You'll be amazed at how hard that is.

If someone or something is upsetting you, make the decision to not keep talking about the issue – without fuel the fires of anger will subside.

Why not give it a try and give up – complaining and arguing.

A MESSAGE FROM CHAPPIE BERNIE

An interesting article from Andrew Fuller.

HOW TO BUILD CONFIDENCE

Andrew Fuller

Confidence is one of the most powerful, and one of the most elusive, qualities that creates success in life.

Building confidence means that we develop the courage to try out new things. Unless we are exceptionally talented, most of us approach new activities with a slight apprehension, which is usually followed, by bewilderment and confusion. Our first attempts may be feeble but if we persist we often gain a sense of mastery. If, however, someone rescues us when we are bewildered we learn that someone else can do what we cannot. This is why rescuing children when they are struggling with a new activity is toxic to confidence.

There are several steps to creating and building confidence. Trust your child- Nothing builds confidence more than trust. One of the best ways of communicating your trust is to ask your child for help. Requesting assistance communicates to a child that you regard them as capable and competent. Letting your children cook with you can be a good place to start. Live a bold and adventurous life-One of the best ways to develop confidence is to live an expansive life in which you do different things, eat new foods, go to strange places, see new shows or movies and try out things you wouldn't usually have a go at.

For parents this means encouraging adventure and teaching safety along with way. Kids are more durable than we give them credit for. Develop a yes bias – This means developing a personal motto that generally says "why not?" For example, if someone says let's go to France, you try to say sure let's find out a way we could do that. If a child says I want frog legs and ice cream for dinner. You say you find the frogs; I'll get the ice cream. Trust your own intuition. If you're full of self-doubt, your kids will be too. Practice trusting your intuition and hunches and follow them wisely. Don't fall into the avoidance trap.

When you avoid something you fear, your fear grows. What is avoided looms larger and appears more daunting, what is attempted lessens in size. While it might seem like a kindness to help people opt out of things they are fearful of doing, mostly it just makes them more fearful. "It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare. It is because we do not dare that things are difficult." – Seneca

Copyright Andrew Fuller www.andrewfuller.com.au

I hope this helps you to gain some self-confidence. If you need to talk about this or need to talk to someone, come and see me or contact me, detail below.

Bernie McMullen, Chaplain
Email: bmcmu27@eq.edu.au

Sports Director's Report

Welcome to Term Two. We have a number of sporting competitions and district finals day this term so I look forward to continually being able to share the results of our individual and team successes.

CROSS-COUNTRY

Thursday the 21st will be our annual school cross country. We have had an increase in nomination numbers and a spike in dedicated runners turning up to training each week with Mr Gibbs and Mrs Nasalio. We have a number of goals for 2016 and one of those is to take a full team of 80 runners to District Cross Country. We can make this happen if students get in and have a go!

DISTRICT CROSS-COUNTRY

If runners come in the top 8 places they have automatically qualified for the School X-Country Team to go to the District X-Country carnival to be held at Limestone Park on Friday 29th April.

Students will receive their letters and can return forms and money to the office. Please be aware of the dates when payment can be made from.

YEAR 7 AND 8/9 SPORTS DAY

The second gala day for summer was held on 18th April and coming up on the 14th June is the first winter gala day. This day provides competition for Yr7 and 8/9 teams in Volleyball, Netball, Basketball, Cricket and Soccer. Sign-ups will occur in the three weeks so please encourage students to listen to students notices and check the sports noticeboard.

The summer district premier teams who will be moving on to Metropolitan Finals are: Year 7 boys volleyball, year 8/9 girls softball, Year 10 boys volleyball, Open boys volleyball and Open girls softball. Good luck to the teams and I look forward to announcing results in the next edition.

WEST AKUNA CROSS COUNTRY

The West Akuna Cross Country is being held on the 5th May. This carnival is for 12year students only and students who make the team will be given permission forms at the School Cross Country.

UPCOMING DATES

REPORTING RESULTS

• To enable me to report on student results and to keep accurate records for sports awards, I need to know how participants went in their competitions. I encourage all students and parents to advise me of their results immediately after they have competed.
• Students can see me in Staffroom 4 or results can be emailed to: jport106@eq.edu.au

SPORTS CALENDAR

The latest version of the Centenary SHS Sport Calendar can now be downloaded from the download section of the school website. It contains all the latest sporting events and dates

STUDENT PROFILE: TORI SMITH

Tori has recently competed at the State Gymnastics Competition where she competed in 3 apparatuses Vault, Bean and Floor. This competition was over 2 days, Day 1 was the State Championships where Tori got 7th on Beam, 5th on Vault and 2nd on Floor. The second day was a combination of the first and second days to see who would be in the State team to go to Nationals in May. Despite Tori having a badly injured hand and not being able to do Uneven Bars for a couple of weeks she has won a spot on the team to compete at the National Championships during 22 May to the 27th May 2016.

Well done Tori and the school wishes you the best of luck. We look forward to reporting on future successes.

Jess Porter, Sports Director
Email: jport106@eq.edu.au

News from STEP

ADVENTURE HIKE – 2015 GROUP 1

Chatter and nerves fluttered and settled upon the students who were compacted together in the small bus that was skipping its way to Mount Barney. You could almost taste the excitement radiating around as the van stopped at the edge of the towering mountain. Barney peered down at the young adventurous and students and chuckled as the nervous faces peered right back. The weather was soft, clear and perfect for the long hike upwards. Of course, today was only an hour hike to the campsite, the real hike started tomorrow. Until then, anything could happen.

The explorers woke early the next morning. The sun was only just blinking its sleepy eyes at 4am, making this the ideal time to start the long journey. Equipped with only water, snacks and a hat, the children started the track. Barney was fully awake by the time they first stopped. He shook his head, sending the birds flying into the rising sun. This was the view that he gave all willing adventurers to take away. Picture the wind sending leaves and dandelions soaring into the sky, the birds circling the clouds and down below the little dots of trees swinging in the fresh morning breeze. He savoured the amazed expressions on the explorer's faces.

4.5 hours later, exhausted and sweaty, the adventurers collapsed into the Rum Jungle. The jungle was Barney's most prized spot. It was filled to the brim with luscious bushes, animals and life. The adventurers stopped here, most of them at their limit, but Barney could sense how happy they were to make it to the top. From here he could see the group splitting. Half of the little party continued up the last hill, the North Peak. The other party explored the jungle. It was peaceful, yet exciting. The young teenagers spread out along the small creeks and clearing, searching for memories. They will catch the memories and keep them in a jar at the back of their minds to be stored away and opened every so often for a smile and a laugh.

After the other party returned from their 2hr hike, up and down the North Peak the two groups re-joined and started the descent. The adventurers really savoured the view, knowing that the amazing time that they were having was restricted to the time they had left and would soon be over.

As the bus was regretfully being packed with bags, the students waved their farewell thoughts to Barney. He watched them go sadly, even though he had always known that they could not stay forever. He would miss them as they would, him. He could feel how much they had enjoyed the trip and how much they appreciated the experience that they had been given by their teachers. He willed them to never forget how much fun they had and urged them to return if they could.

All of us would like to thank Mr Gibbs and Miss Porter our amazing teachers, for this experience they have given us. We found it a thrilling adventure and hope to go back to Mount Barney later in life.

Written by Isabelle and Amy Lightbody
Edited by Aaron and Sam Berkeley

Sin Woo Thoon, STEP Coordinator
Email: sthoo2@eq.edu.au

Cultural News

GREAT TERM 1

I would like to say a big thank you to everybody who worked so hard in extra-curricular arts program at Centenary to have such a great first term. In particular thank you to the staff who put in so much energy and enthusiasm above and beyond what is needed.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC CAMP

Our annual music camp happened in week 1 of the term up at beautiful Mapleton. We had the senior ensembles (Symphonic Band, Stage Band and String Orchestra) from Monday to Wednesday, and the junior ensembles (Concert Band and String Ensemble) from Wednesday to Friday.

It was great having most of our instrumental teachers up at the camp with Fiona Harvey, Matthew Hoey and Madison Dedini and myself working across the five days. Additionally our HOD Daniel Philippe (who took the stage band with Mr Lougheed away) and Carly Manche split duties across the week to add to the high level of music making. Thank you also to Chappie Bernie for coming on the bus for the changeover, and our string tutors Katrina Hampson and Rachel Olsen for their additional support. As usual the camp was a lot of fun, with plenty of hard work, dedication and stamina displayed by students and teachers alike. We had a talent show on both camps with some very talented, funny, and at times disturbing acts. The work ethic of the students was outstanding, and barely a whisper of complaint was heard amongst them despite the lengthy rehearsals. I would also like to thank the students for the wonderful behaviour displayed throughout the camp. When we returned on Friday evening the two (very tired) junior groups performed for their parents with an exciting display of repertoire they have been working on.

DAMON LOUGHEED ON LEAVE

As you would have noticed about, Mr Lougheed was not on music camp and is on leave for the first two weeks of this term to prepare for the marriage of his eldest daughter! We would like to wish Damon and his wife Fiona all the best with this joyous event.

YEAR 7 INVESTITURE

A big thank you to Ms Alex Van den Broek and her year 8 and 9 singers Aria Daniels, Alex Hirst and Lara McGahan who performed at the year 7 Investiture Ceremony while most of us were away on camp! All reports were that you performed wonderfully!

STUDENT SUCCESSES

We are very lucky to have a number of students gain a place in this year's Creative Generation. A big congratulations to the following students:

• Sarah Olsen (Orchestra)
• Gianna O'Brien, Jakob Small, Jessica Williams (Backstage Crew)
• Zahir Ali, Nirav Joshi (Film Crew)

I would also like to acknowledge the achievement of one of year 9 students. Lara McGahan was successful in auditioning for Ballet Theatre of Queensland 2016/17 season and will be performing in Cinderella at QPAC Concert Hall in January 2017 as part of their 80th Anniversary. A wonderful accomplishment Lara, congratulations.

FERRIS BEULLER'S DAY OFF THE MUSICAL

Early preparations are well underway for our major production this year, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, with lead role auditions held just before the Easter break. We have been working hard in the STEP time with our workshops and will be holding a general sign up in the next couple of weeks for people to be involved in the show.

UPCOMING TERM 2 DATES

Until next time, keep cultural!!

Mark Watkins, Cultural Director
Email: mwatk16@eq.edu.au

Junior Secondary News

FUN LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES OVER THE HOLIDAYS – STUDENT REPORTS

Day 1

Last year some of the Year 7 students did a BRAINWAYS course, here at school, where we did activities on History and it was heaps of fun and interesting.

Over the last holidays they ran four courses over two days. I did just one day and again, it was great fun.

The first course was "The Heat is On", a science course where we got to do some science experiments and learnt about thermodynamics and how it works. Two of the experiments we did, involved seeing what types of materials absorb more heat, what type of materials let more heat in.

On the second course "Ready, Set, Go" we did a mathematics topic and learnt about Set Theory and what different symbols mean in Set Theory.

Written by Nathan Renger Year 8

Day 2

Another moderately early morning to head off to Griffith University today was another two Brainways courses, "Propaganda from Russia with Love" and "Patterns in Musical Composition".

In "Propaganda from Russia with Love" we discussed what Propaganda was and what are Propaganda techniques. After the quick morning tea we analysed some posters from America during WW1. We then were introduced to another type of Propaganda called Agitprop Theatre. We wrote down some notes on what Agitprop Theatre was and then brainstormed some ideas for an Agitprop show and we all made our own plays. Unfortunately we ran out of time to perform them.

'What is a pattern?' Is the first question we were asked. In this second course we listened to musical pieces and analysed them to see what we heard individually. Our final task for the day was to listen to a piece of music and write a story line for what we heard.

Written by Jade Preston Year 8

News from Applied Technology

JUNIOR CLASS SWAP

Contrary to a previous announcement, the term 1 year 7 ITD students will remain within the ITD faculty for term 2. Rather than concentrate on workshop-type activities, students will be introduced to Computer Aided Design (CAD) graphics programmes.

The term 1 year 7 Home Economics class will swap with the students who studied Business Technology during term 1.

The term 1 year 8 Home Economics class will swap with the students who studied Industrial Technology and Design during term 1.

PARENT TEACHER CONSULTATIONS

The Applied Technology staff thank those parents who recently met with their child's respective teachers to discuss term 1 progress and improvement strategies for term 2. For parents who were unable to attend either of the two evenings, you are encouraged to contact your child's teacher directly to discuss how your son/daughter might satisfy their potential during term 2.

DUE DATES

Applied Technology staff have expressed a general concern about the significant number of students who fail to comply to due dates. Both parents and students can access the school's assessment calendar to confirm when assessment tasks are due. Additionally, due dates are recorded on the specific assessment task. If, for legitimate reasons, students are unable to submit a piece of assessment by a due date, a formal request for an extension must be submitted, prior to the due date. Page 129 of the Senior Student Diary documents the process.

CERTIFICATE II ENGINEERING PATHWAYS

Both year 11 Engineering Pathways classes were recently visited by Mr Tim Newton, a Blue Dog Training Vocational Education and Training is schools (VETiS) Trainer. The purpose of such regular and scheduled visits is to review the progress of each student and to provide strategies/suggestions for those who might be experiencing some difficulties with aspects of the course. Students are generally displaying satisfactory hand skills and the competent operation of machinery to produce practical projects to an acceptable standard, however the associated theoretical units tend to be ignored.

Students are aware that they need to complete approximately six theoretical units each week if they are to finish the course work within the designated timeframe. Each theoretical unit requires the student to peruse an audio/visual presentation and then respond to a number of associated questions. Each unit should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. The course is web-based, therefore all of the theoretical units can be accessed from any computer, provided the student enters their password. Mr Newton emphasised to students the benefit of establishing a routine and allocating set periods of time throughout the week to address the theoretical units.

Michael Tobin, Applied Technology HOD
Email: mtobi6@eq.edu.au

News from Science

WORLD SCIENCE FESTIVAL – 2016

BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL GREEN HEART FUTURE CHALLENGE

On Friday 11 March 2016 ten Centenary State High School Year 7 EXCEL students participated in the World Science Festival by attending events hosted by the State Library of Queensland and Brisbane City Council. In partnership with Queensland Museum the Green Heart Schools Future BNE Challenge, as part of World Science Festival Brisbane was held in King George Square and engaged 400 year 7 students in an immersive, interactive and future-thinking learning challenge. The event was opened by the Lord Mayor and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki and an exciting science performance by Street Science. The following students were chosen to attend:

PIONEERS IN SCIENCE

Five students, Joshua Ahmad & Jayden Hobbs from Year 8; Samantha McKay & Francesca Hellmuth from Year 9 and Alexis Csanyi-Vo from Year 10 EXCEL classes were selected to attend a special event called Pioneers in Science, at the Queensland Museum. This was a series of talks given by famous Australian scientists. Our group went to a talk given by Dr Andy Thomas the first Australian Astronaut.

Dr Thomas has had an illustrious career at NASA, going on many space missions throughout his time there. During the talk he spoke about the amazing feeling of weightlessness in micro gravity, and about the way micro gravity effects the human body.

Did you know that for the first few days in space astronauts get swollen heads and stuffed sinuses? This is because our bodies have evolved to operate effectively in Earth's gravity. A lot of our blood sits low in our bodies in large storage units called legs! When we become weightless a lot of that blood moves into the rest of our body causing swelling.

Dr Thomas' final message was that if you have a dream then goal setting and careful planning is the way to go.

Mark Limmage and Patrick Griffin, Maths / Science
Email: malim0@eq.edu.au / pgrif19@eq.edu.au

SCIENCE STUDENTS ACHIEVING AT A HIGH LEVEL

We are proud of a number of students who have nominated for challenging projects and have been selected from a large field of candidates across the State. Some of the achievements are outlined below.

2016 STEM GIRL POWER

Holly Wilson in Year 10 was selected from a very strong field to progress through to the 2016 STEM Girl Power Camp and had this to say:

"I have recently taken part in the 2016 STEM Girl Power Camp and have become a camp ambassador for the school. I am currently liaising with my mentor and coordinator, David Willis, to plan some activities for science week in August. We discussed going around and creating a STEM workshop for nearby primary school as well as being able to create a display for our Annual Science Showcase Extravaganza. I will be working closely with students from the Year 10 Extended Science Investigation (ESI) and Year 7 – 10 EXCEL classes to support and be a part of an event/activity based on our STEM subjects. I am keen to run and start planning these events soon.

STUDENT ENVIRONMENT LEADERSHIP NETWORK (SELN)

In March, Brisbane City Council selected two of our innovative year 10 students to be part of a Student Environmental Leadership Network (SELN) of schools across Brisbane interested in championing environmental projects within a school context. Conan Hellmuth and Callum Preston have attended one meeting in the City and have proposed a simplified aquaculture project to Mr Brew our Principal. Conan has since withdrawn and his place taken by the able Holly Wilson. They will travel again into Brisbane City on Monday, 18th April to work with experts to assist in the planning stages. We will soon be trialling locations around the school and would like to engage any interested students to assist with the Research and Development. Callum and Holly will be able to use this project as work toward a CSIRO CREST award in their ESI projects in term 3.

Sarah Howes, Science
Email: showe20@eq.edu.au

STEM HORIZONS FOR HIGH ACHIEVERS

Four year 7 Students, Jasmine Wood, Stirling Peters, Caitlin Randerson and Jade Wong recently undertook the first two of four days of specialist activities at a range of locations including the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Griffith University and the waters of Moreton Bay. These activities are designed to be 'hands on' and provide opportunities to actively engage in higher order thinking and problem solving. Links to authentic 'real world' science further enhance engagement and connection with possible future careers.

The first of these was "The Water We Drink." This activity at the Brisbane Urban Environmental Education Centre explored some of the processes used to provide clean, safe drinking water at both the large scale utilities level and the smaller family or personal water supply level.

Here is Stirling Peters talking about some of the tests his group carried out:

These are all photos of my water sample check to collect data on what the water from the tank had in it and what it did not. We also did some filtration activities and my group used very small glass balls and sand to filter dirty water. We took a normal video of the glass balls because it went so fast. For the sand I took a time lapse because it filtered the water very slowly:

During the Energy at the Bottom of the Bay activity, the vessel Inspiration was the classroom on Moreton Bay for students to conduct seagrass surveys using underwater video gliders, investigating the seagrass meadows that are an integral part of the Bay.

Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUVs) were deployed to record the presence of larger species that inhabit the Bay. The links between water quality, seagrass beds and fish, sharks and crabs will be investigated. Students will have unique opportunities to engage in authentic science alongside scientists and post graduate students from the University of Queensland

Jade Wong describes the day as

Jasmine, Caitlin, Stirling and I, did our first (out of 4) STEM horizons excursions at the bay. We were looking at fish, seagrass and the light spectrum available underwater by doing a few really fantastic (fish pun) experiments. We boarded the boat after the really fun car trip in Jasmine's dad's car. We got to preview a few of creatures that other schools had found using the BRUV. First we had to measure all the environmental factors such as; the wind speed, wind direction, Secchi distance (visibility), the depth and the solidity of the water. After that we got together and prepared the BRUV by getting ready the bait. This involved crushing pilchards in our hands, making sure that all of their guts and blood oozed out, which I decided to try. Once we finished bating the BRUV we anchored it and set sail to the next site. We anchored the second BRUV device and left it.

The next experiment we did was about the colour spectrum available underwater. This involved placing a GoPro facing a board of colours (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet) and dropping it into the ocean. We anchored the GoPro into the water, reeling it down until we were at the floor of the ocean. The first colour that faded slightly was violet that appeared to turn to indigo about half way down. The next change was the green that turned completely white. Because of the shallow depth and the limited amount of time that we had, there weren't any noticeable changes.

The last experiment was about viewing the seagrass that lay beneath us. We went to 3 different sites and dropped the GoPro that was attached to a rope, and anchored while the boat was moving, to see what plants were living there. Our experiments got a little out of hand because all the ropes became tangled and the GoPro almost got sucked into the engine. As soon as we noticed what had happened we immediately stopped the boat and one of the staff had to jump into the water to save the GoPro. While he was untangling he ropes we had lunch, then soon headed to St Helena Island, where we ran around (on land) for a bit.

Our day was almost over but we still had to observe the video of the BRUV. First on the camera, we spotted a sand crab that had grabbed hold of the bait, this sand crab was very persistent and kept falling off, but re-joining really quick until he had, had enough. Later a few HUGE catfish were eating the bait. Than we spotted 2 snappers, that were scared away by the catfish. After the video, we headed back to land, and got picked up for a long trip back home.

The next activities include "Who Killed Stan the Strawberry," where students use chemistry to isolate the DNA from a sample of each fruit, and use electrophoresis and genetics/biology to find 'THE' answer to: Who killed Stan the Strawberry?

In the final activity, Freshwater CSI, Dr Adam Kerezsy, fisheries ecologist, will guide students through the collection of primary data from 2 sites. Sampling techniques will cover biotic data collection, including aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish species, both native and introduced. Data loggers will be used to collect a range of abiotic data (e.g. dissolved oxygen, turbidity, salinity etc.) with the aim of interpreting and comparing with secondary data sources to establish trends.

Mark Limmage, Maths / Science
Email: malim0@eq.edu.au

Business Students Mean BUSINESS!

QUT Business School offers high school students the opportunity to compete in a national business case study competition. Students are required to solve a real-world business case faced by real businesses. Representing Centenary SHS are four Year 11 Business Management students:

Team Leader: Mandii Tran
Team Members: Darly Ngwe, Phuong Ly, Shyanne Phung

The students will compete against other students from across Australia and will develop problem-solving and business skills and find out what it is really like to work in the exciting world of business.

I am thrilled to be mentoring these students in this competition and will keep you posted on their progress.

Berenice Furlong, Year 9 Coordinator
Email: bfurl1@eq.edu.au

Senior Schooling News

CONNECT, REFLECT AND REDIRECT

Please continue to check the Senior Schooling Bulletin and Career Options Bulletin for information relating to students in the senior phase, including school-based traineeships, job opportunities, QTAC and University & TAFE Open Days as well as loads of other useful material. Both documents are available from the school Intranet and School website. They are also emailed home.

With Interim reporting and Parent Teacher Interviews complete, the start of term is a good time to reflect upon performance in term 1. We encourage students to reflect upon their progress so far, planning any necessary changes to either their learning program at school, and/or adjusting their home study timetable. This may mean making contact with the relevant people from school, or changing some study habits at home.

Students in Years 11 & 12 are encouraged to check the status of the banked learning through other providers, by logging onto their Student Connect Account, using their LUI and Password to enter the secure site.

Year 10

This term students will begin exploring vocational and career education during their HG program. Engagement in the program is pivotal to choosing the right pathway for senior, as well as ultimate QCE success. We also begin planning work experience with students, and ask that you read carefully the information that will be sent home regarding this. A few date claimers:

• QTAC Talk: Tuesday 21st June (6pm)
• Parent Talk 2: Tuesday 19th July (6pm)
• SET Plan Day: Thursday 25th August
• Work Experience Week: 12th – 16th September

YEAR 11

Congratulations to those students who have been working diligently every Wednesday afternoon completing the Certificate II in Skills for Work and Training. Completed students have been advised via a letter home (that must be signed and returned to school) if they are eligible to 'flex-off' on a Wednesday during Lesson 4. Those students with any outstanding work will be expected to remain at school every Wednesday until the course is completed. Students are notified by Mr McDonald when they are completed.

YEAR 12

Congratulations also to the Year 12 cohort on a wonderful end to Term 1. Both the QCS and Transition programs were well received by students and feedback has been very positive. Presenters from Mighty Minds and Elevate Education reported back that our students were 'respectful' and 'wonderful to work with'. A very big thank you to Mr Homer and Mrs Coull who accompanied the transition students to USQ Springfield and Southbank TAFE on the final day of term, noting the tremendous student enthusiasm and engagement. Wonderful Centenary SHS Ambassadors! Remember that the Term 2 Wednesday afternoon program continues until the end of August.

Successfully navigating the term will mean students developing good habits around 'self-care', important to helping them stay at the top of their physical, emotional and mental and well-being. Reachout.com have some wonderful resources to help young people develop good self-care routines.

Angela Raven, Senior Schooling
Email: arave7@eq.edu.au

Year 11 Report

A warm CSHS welcome back to all our students, as we begin Term 2. I hope the holidays have provided you all with a chance to relax and also celebrate the successes and goals achieved throughout Term 1. I hope report cards emailed home, gave a chance to reflect on the start to Senior Schooling, and how appropriate the pathways chosen last year in the SET planning process have been.

This term sees the signature social event of the Year 11 calendar – our Semi Formal! It's coming up on the Friday 27th May. Permission forms have already been sent home with students detailing the cost, $80 and full payment is due by Friday the 2nd May to confirm numbers with the venue. In keeping with Centenary tradition, it's again a fun fancy dress/costume event, and we will host the fashion parade for the parents at school in CPAC from 5pm before we all depart for a night cruising the river on one of the Kookaburra River Queens. I look forward to seeing many of your faces there!

This term in our Home Groups, we are running a program around Healthy Relationships. The ultimate reason for this is to tackle the alarming statistics in Australian society around domestic violence. We can't as a society accept the death of family members in violent relationships, or the multiple mental health issues that affect men after breakdown of relationships. We hope that our students will be exposed to discussions around what are healthy and respectful behaviours in friendships and relationships. I'd like to thank Dy Moxham, our YHN, Mark Voigt, our GO, Paul Emr, School Liaison Officer and Bernie McMullen, Chaplain for their help and support of our students in this program.

It's barely a week into the term, and students are already realising the relentless temperament of Senior Schooling assessment. I ask that you find some time to sit down with your student and help to organise an updated study timetable at home this term, and use the school's assessment calendar to remind them of draft and due dates. As always, if you have any concerns about your child's progress and how they're going, don't hesitate to contact me via email at dhube1@eq.edu.au .

Di Huber, Year 11 Coordinator
Email: dhube1@eq.edu.au

Year 9 Report

WELCOME

A warm welcome to all the new Year 9 students and parents who recently joined us. We trust your experiences at Centenary will be rewarding and that you will make many long-term friends and acquaintances.

TERM 1 REPORTS

Many of our students did exceptionally well during Term 1 in all areas of assessment - congratulations. It was also extremely pleasing to see those hardworking students who received excellent results for effort and behaviour. Well done Year 9s. During HG, students have completed their GOAL setting for Term 2 in their school diaries and will be monitoring their own progress.

PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS

I am always encouraged to see the interest our parents take in their child's academic (and other) progress. This was again evident at the recent parent-teacher interviews. Thank you to all those who made a special effort to come and meet the teachers at Centenary State High School.

NAPLAN

This term will see the Year 9s participating in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) conducted in all Queensland schools on 10, 11, 12 May. The tests will assess students in the areas of literacy (including reading, writing, spelling, punctuation and grammar) and numeracy (number, measurement, chance and data, space, working mathematically, algebra function and pattern).

RESILIENCE PROGRAM

This term during HG lesson on Monday, the Year 9s will be completing the FRIENDS program they began in Year 8. This is a resilience program designed to assist children in developing life skills and to learn important skills and techniques to cope with and manage situations they may encounter. To conclude this program, the Guidance Officer – Mr Mark Voigt and the School-based Health Nurse – Mrs Dyanne Moxham, will speak to the students about strategies they may use.

FINALLY…

If you have any concerns or issues regarding your child, please don't hesitate to email or phone me.

Berenice Furlong, Year 9 Coordinator
Email: bfurl1@eq.edu.au

Year 7 Report

Welcome back to Term 2! It is amazing to me how quickly the year travels, and our once wide-eyed transitioning Year 6 students are now well and truly embedded into the culture of high school as Year 7 students. The students have enjoyed Orientation Week, Year 7 Clubs, a visit from the local Police Buddy, Leadership Ballot ….. Not to mention the odd Maths, Science, English History, Language, Health and many other classes! This term is shaping up to be just as busy.

Excitingly, we had our Year 7 Investiture Ceremony on the first day back at school. Compliments to all students who applied for this role. I was so pleased to hear the following comment come up over and over again: "Mr Brew said 'Get Involved' and that is exactly what I plan to do!" The calibre of the applications was incredible and Mrs McKay and I interviewed over 30 students for the roles. A very big congratulations goes out to Zac Ashton Norton, Ryan Sheppard Ashby, Peta Peachey and Elise Harmon who are our four successful student leaders. These students will now join the rest of the student leaders and school captains as members of the student leadership forum.

This term proves to be equally exciting with cross country next week, a number of public holidays and our three day Year 7 camp in Week 8. This camp forms an important part of the Orientation program for our Year 7 students and staff. The purpose of this camp is the establishment of quality relationships amongst students, and between students and staff. Another important objective is to challenge the students and develop a sense of independence. A reminder that the camp will be from 1-3 June at Tallebudgera. I am aware that camps are items that need to be carefully budgeted for and you will receive the information about this camp in Week 2.

The interim reports were emailed out this week and coincide with our parent teacher interview evenings. Congratulations to all students who received Excellent against their behaviour, effort and homework grades. The results were overall very pleasing and this was certainly a fantastic start to the year. The reports also serve the purpose of identifying issues that can now be addressed in the classroom. On this note, I would like thank all of the teachers and classes for their huge effort in preparing for the Parent – Teacher evenings in Weeks 1 & 2. Thanks also to all the parents who attended. These are highly productive evenings and we see it as an integral part of the success of our students that the connection between home and school is strong and that they (and you too) can see that we are all working towards the best possible results for all students.

At Centenary, we have a strong tradition of celebrating and acknowledging ANZAC Day. The school ANZAC Day service will be held on Thursday of Week 2, and I would like to remind students of behaviour to ensure that it is in keeping with the importance and solemnity of the occasion.

Also coming up next Thursday is our Cross Country. This will be the first "house event" for students and I encourage the students to where house colours in Lessons 3 and 4 of that day. This is a time for the students to make conga lines, shake pom-poms and come up with their own house chants. It is an exciting day and students have brought home information regarding the event on Thursday 14/4.

In House Group Meetings (or HG for short) this term, we will be drawing upon the research done by Brisbane-based Dr Paula Barrett to deliver a program called "My Friends: Youth Skills for Life." Our lessons began with work on confidence and body image and we will have a photo competition starting Monday for the best portraits of students showing themselves to be 'strong' – I am looking forward to seeing the creativity of these!

The program has enjoyed much success and we are confident that this resource will effectively supplement the fantastic work of the Year 7 HG teachers, a dedicated and wonderful team.

Karen Abraham, Year 7 Coordinator
Email: kabra21@eq.edu.au

News from our P&C

PRESIDENT'S REPORT – APRIL 2016

It has been a quiet month with most of it spent on holidays since our last meeting.

WANTED – VICE PRESIDENT

I would like to make an appeal for someone who is willing to take on the role of Vice President of the P&C. We were unable to fill that vacancy at our recent AGM. Please contact me at pandc@centenaryshs.eq.edu.au if you feel this is something you can offer our school community. I am happy to outline the duties of this role or answer any questions you may have.

We have been updating our P&C Information pack to go out with the 2017 Enrolment packs. We also renewed our contract with our main uniform supplier, Tudor Uniforms and due to their price increases across the board, the Executive agreed to increase the price of 6 of our uniform items. These changes are $1 or $2 on the blouses, shirts and skirts and the hats. We have not had a price increase, despite increasing costs for stock and wages over the past several years.

The Annual P&C Levy letter will go home shortly. We look forward to your support with this.

FACEBOOK page – The P&C have started a Facebook page called Centenary SHS Parent Group. You can do a search in Facebook and it will come up. Please send a request to join and Lucinda or Jenny (our administrators and P&C Executive members) will check that you have a current or future student at the school. It's a forum where parents of children attending CSHS can seek and share information regarding local school events, daily general information, reminders about events coming up within the school, uniform sales, lost property at school etc. Updates to our Trivia night will be posted here as well. No negative posts at all will be tolerated.

SECONDHAND UNIFORMS

Secondhand uniforms can be donated to the uniform shop or you can advertise what you have to sell or would like to buy on our Facebook page (see details above). We are no longer operating the secondhand site on the school website.

The next P&C meeting: Wednesday 18th May at 7pm Resource Centre
Everyone is welcome to attend.

Helen Shogren, P&C President CSHS
Email: pandc@centenaryshs.eq.edu.au

News from our Canteen

Term 1 was busy and we are expecting an even busier Term 2, especially when the cold weather hits us. The Canteen will be offering a lot more hot meals and soups to keep everyone warm.

A reminder that we serve breakfast from 8.00am every morning. Pre-paid orders are always welcome to avoid standing in the line.

If anyone has any questions regarding the Canteen, the staff can be contacted on 33734527.

Cheryl Mulcahy, Canteen & Uniform Shop Convenor
Email: cmulc11@eq.edu.au

World Education Program Australia

WEP Australia is an independent, not-for-profit, student exchange organisation registered/approved by the education departments/regulatory authorities in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.

We'd like to welcome you back to school and wish you all the best for term 2.

We are holding student exchange information sessions in Brisbane this month. We would appreciate you taking a moment to share this information with your students, teachers and parents:

Attend a student exchange Info Session this April and realise your dreams!

This April WEP Australia is holding student exchange Info Sessions in Brisbane! If you've ever dreamt of living and studying abroad, learning another language or boosting your CV with international experiences, now is the time to find out more as applications for exchange programs commencing in late 2016 are closing soon! WEP guarantees country of choice and offers more than 100 programs that fit into the Australian academic schedule. Let us provide you with all the information you need to make your dreams come true! RSVP now at wep.org.au/lets-talk/sessions or request a free information pack at wep.org.au/resources/free-information-pack/ to find out more!

We are urgently seeking volunteer host families for overseas exchange students arriving in Australia this July, we would very much appreciate you sharing the attached PDF document with your school community. Volunteer hosting is a wonderful experience. All our students are chosen on their academic and personal merit and become role models for their host siblings, inspiring them to learn more about our world.

Southern Cross Cultural Exchange

You're invited to….An Irish Afternoon Tea

COME & ENJOY...AN IRISH AFTERNOON TEA

GREAT IRISH SINGING - BOB MCDOWELL & FRIENDS
TALENTED IRISH DANCERS - CROCKER SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE
APPLE PIE & CREAM AFTERNOON TEA!
SATURDAY 7TH MAY
12.45PM for a 1.00PM START
AT "12 APOSTLES" JINDALEE CATHOLIC CHURCH HALL
111 YALAMBEE RD
JINDALEE

THIS FUNCTION IS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR…

CHRISTIAN BLIND MISSION & MISSIONARIES OF THE POOR

PHONE OR EMAIL FOR TICKETS
$20 each (Pensioners $15, Child $5)
MARY 3278 7889 OR ELLENIE 3376 5730 / 0405061299
peterellenie16@gmail.com

QLD Street Smart Handbook

The Street Smart Handbook is an initiative by the AUSPOL - Police Welfare Foundation that is a practical life guide for 16 and 17 year old school leavers that is designed to help prepare today's youth for life after school.

The handbook covers important topics from sexual health and the effects of drug and alcohol abuse to legal rights and applying for a loan. It offers information specific to the school leaver, providing invaluable assistance for those who are considering buying their first car or living away from home. The handbook is also a handy guide for teens that are pondering their future career choices and supplies them with advice on apprenticeships, university and TAFE. It provides teens with straightforward, factual information about issues that they will face.

The information contained in the Street Smart Handbook is written by a collection of topical experts, such as the Australian Drug Foundation, Beyond Blue and Quit, who are working together to address the information needs of teens. Content in the handbook is also localised to reflect the unique laws of each State and Territory in Australia.

We have provided you with a link to an online edition of the Street Smart Handbook, you can utilise the Street Smart Handbook on your computers, smart phones and tablet devices.