2 April 2020 Volume 22 Number 3

NEWSLETTER ARTICLES

PRINCIPAL

News from the Principal

From the Principal

We find ourselves in a very challenging time as we face the COVID-19 Pandemic. Our immediate concern is the physical and mental health of all in our school community and we appreciate that many of our families are going to experience financial stress in the months ahead. I stress that at the time of writing, no one in our immediate school community has tested positive to the virus. If you feel that the school can support you and your family further, please feel welcome to discuss your situation with us. We have attempted to fashion an environment of normality at school, proceeding with caution and not panic.

The school has essentially ceased all non-core operations as per government guidelines. Hence co-curricular activities have been curtailed until further notice. We are operating in a very changeable environment, which is making forward planning difficult. It is likely, although not certain that we may be facilitating some learning from home in Term 2. Staff are currently preparing for that eventuality. Whilst we are confident that we will be able to support our students and maintain continuity in learning, much of the fine detail around the how is yet to be finalised.

An early casualty of the COVID-19 Pandemic was the P&C AGM set for March 18. The executive have agreed to stay on, until a meeting can be rescheduled. As issues emerge here at school, impacting upon families, I am using the P&C Executive as a sounding board to ensure the school continues to align with community expectations.

At the time of writing, the state government has just announced that Week 10 of Term will be a Student Free Week although the children of “essential workers” may attend. We are working through the practicalities of this announcement.

Last week I shared the following more detailed update which was current as of the 25 March.

COVID-19 Update - March 25 2020

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

To read newsletter in full view, please click on the “Newsletter Print Version” button on the top left-hand corner of the screen.

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

News from the Deputy Principals

School Communication

In the current climate it is important that there is open communication between all members of our school community. We will continue to keep you updated as best we can and to keep the lines of communication open and transparent. We ask that you please be mindful and respectful when communicating with any school staff and understand that these are stressful times for everyone. The mood and feeling in the school from staff and students is very positive and we are keen to keep it this way.

If you have any concerns about any aspect of your child’s schooling can you please contact the relevant Deputy Principal. A reminder to also please contact the school administration office if you have any update or new information with regard to your child’s attendance at school.

We wish everyone the very best and would like you to know that we are working extremely hard to ensure that every student continues to have access to an education in whatever form that may be.

Reporting

We have made a decision to suspend the scheduled Term 1 Interim Reporting which was due to be released at the end of this term. With the current situation, including decreased student attendance at school and disruption to assessment, we felt it was only fair and equitable to suspend the current reporting period. Depending on what happens over the next month or so, we may be able to issue reports at a later stage.

Parent Teacher Night

The Parent Teacher Night scheduled for Wednesday 29 April, 2020 from 1pm to 7.30pm has been cancelled. We are looking at various alternative opportunities to provide feedback to parents about student progress, such as email or phone conversations. We will communicate these options at a later date. You will still be able to contact your child’s teacher directly if you would like any feedback or have any concerns.

Year 12

We are acutely aware of the significance of the new QCE System for Year 12 students and the compounding impact that the current situation is having upon them. We are attempting to make processes and practices as supportive and flexible as possible. The QCAA (Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority) is the governing body and they are also working on ways to support the accreditation of student learning. We understand that this is a stressful time but please understand that both the School and QCAA have the student’s best interest at the forefront of our decision making. If any changes are implemented, it will be to ensure fairness and equity to all students. We will keep all students and parents updated if anything changes.

Matt McDonald, Deputy Principal (Year 11)
Email: mmcdo156@eq.edu.au

Adam Richter, Deputy Principal (Year 12 & International)
Email: arich60@eq.edu.au

Deb McIntyre, Deputy Principal (Years 7 & 8, ATSI & EALD)
Email: dmcin49@eq.edu.au

Anna Petrie, Deputy Principal (Years 9 & 10)
Email: apetr0@eq.edu.au

Kelsey Oakes, Deputy Principal (Strategic Projects)
Email: koake10@eq.edu.au

BUSINESS MANAGER

News from the Business Manager

Parent/Carer contact details are very important to us. Up to date and current school records enable us to send you messages, contact you if your student becomes ill or if there is an issue that needs resolving.

Our process for sending home report cards and other correspondence is now by email. By keeping your email address current we can keep you updated and informed.

If you have moved or are moving house, changed jobs, emails or mobile phone numbers, please inform the school office via email to admin@centenaryshs.eq.edu.au.

If you wish to receive the school newsletter, please go to our school website’s Newsletter tab to subscribe, or go directly to the link below You will need to complete and submit the ‘subscribe’ form on the website

Parent/Carer Experiencing Financial Difficulties

A parent/carer wishing to participate in the Student Resource Scheme and experiencing financial hardship is encouraged to contact the Business 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, Business Manager
Email: cmaca5@eq.edu.au

STUDENT LEADERSHIP COORDINATOR

News from the Student Leadership Coordinator

In order to promote creativity, engage the CSHS student community, and reaffirm the meaning of harmony and its relevance in our society, the Year 11 student forum leaders held an arts and crafts session in AR10 on Monday AM break. The students were asked to sketch their hand on a blank piece of paper, decorate the hand with a variety of images and drawings, and select and write five words that represent what they believe Harmony Day means in our society.

These hands were then cut out and stuck to a poster, surrounding an anagram of the word ‘Harmony’ to show and demonstrate the creativity of the CSHS students and their thoughtful opinions on Harmony Day and its significance. The poster can be found on the noticeboard outside the library.

Through their amazingly artistic creations and deep involvement in the activity, the students produced creations that were both beautiful and meaningful, and made the first session of the five Harmony Day activities held by the student leaders a massive success.

Carly Manche, Student Leadership Coordinator
Email: ceman4@eq.edu.au

CATSIES COORDINATOR

News from our CATSIES Coordinator

The Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fund (QATSIF) offers merit scholarships to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students entering Years 11 and 12 to support them to complete their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). Each year they host celebrations for new recipients at a local university, so on Friday 6 of March, Centenary SHS’s round 11 QATSIF scholarship recipients were accompanied by Dr McIntyre (Deputy Principal) and Ms Duncombe (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Support Coordinator) along with some of their parents to the USQ Springfield campus. It was a lovely morning spent with fellow QATSIF students and dignitaries, followed by a light lunch. We are so proud of our scholarship recipients: Raymond Muller (Year 12), Isabella French (Year 11), Miah Angus-Broadwater (Year 11) and Deacon Ward (Year 11).

Angela Duncombe, CATSIES Coordinator
Email: adunc62@eq.edu.au

INCLUSIVE PRACTICES

News from Inclusive Practices

On Thursday the 12 March the students from our Inclusive Practices Unit welcomed the students from Kenmore State High School's Inclusive Practices Unit for our Futsal Challenge! This marks the fourth year of competition between the two schools and the competition is always played in the best of spirits, with students from both schools catching up for fun and plenty of laughs.

Our school, trained under the expert eyes of Mr David Freeland, Mr Will McKenna and Mr Andrew Pepper were ready to put what they had learned on the training ground onto the match pitch. However Kenmore provided stiff competition and the games were of a great standard, with both sides giving their all.

After a fantastic BBQ lunch provided by the staff of Inclusive Practices, the teams continued to try and gain the edge, but there was no splitting them. In the end, it cruelly came down to a penalty shoot out to find who would be the Term's Champions and on this occasion, Kenmore pipped us!

Our students all did a great job, with veterans and debutants putting their hand up to contribute; a fact that could be seen when Raymond Muller of Year 12 took out the Centenary Best Player award, while Year 7's Nikolas White took out the Best Team Player in his first Gala Day! The day finished off with the traditional staff vs students game- a hard fought contest where the staff emerged victorious 3-1

Thanks to all who made this day possible- including the enthusiasm of the students involved and we can't wait to get to Kenmore in Term 2 to take them on in touch!

Diana Huber, Head of Inclusive Practices
Email: dhube1@eq.edu.au

GUIDANCE

News from the Guidance Officers

Dear parents

At our school we aim to create a safe and supportive school community for everyone. This is why we celebrated National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence in the week of March 16-20 to raise awareness that bullying is unacceptable in any space – at school or while at home interacting online.

Sometimes, it can be difficult for parents or carers to know what to do when their teen talks to them about bullying. You are an important part of our work to prevent bullying and to respond effectively if it happens. Stopping bullying involves everyone playing their part. Unfortunately, not every parent will monitor their teen’s online activity so that is a good reason why you must do so with your child. The first page of this letter generally addresses what to do if your child raises a bullying issue with you. The second page reminds parents of their parental responsibilities when purchasing electronics as well as ways to mitigate risk.

We care for your children and we have a duty of care to keep them safe here at school. However, we are not able to monitor your child’s activity on privately owned devices. Only you can do this.

If your child talks to you about bullying:

1. Listen calmly and get the full story. Your calm response is important to allow your child to tell you all about the situation. After they have told you their story, ask questions to get more details if you need to: who, what, where, when. Although you may feel some strong emotions about your child’s experience, try to keep calm to avoid causing more distress to your child
2. Reassure your child they are not to blame. Many children blame themselves and this makes them feel worse. You could say things like ‘That sounds really hard to deal with. No one should have to put up with that.’ or ‘I am so glad you told me. You should be able to feel safe at school; that is not fair at all’
3. Ask your teen what they want to do and what they want you to do. A critical part of your response is to avoid jumping in to solve the problem. While it is natural to want to protect your child, helping them to find their own solution is a better option. It helps them feel they have some power in the situation
4. Visit www.bullyingnoway.gov.au to find some strategies. The website has tips and ideas for different bullying situations. One idea is to practise strategies at home to help your child feel more confident
5. Contact/call the school. Your teen may be reluctant for you to do this, so discuss the idea. Reassure them that the school would want to know and is able to help. Call your child’s teacher. There are practical steps which can be taken to separate students such as a change to seating plans. If you need to, ask to talk with the Deputy Principal. Contact the school immediately if you have any concern about your child’s safety
6. Check in regularly with your child. Keep the conversation going. It can take time to resolve issues, so check in regularly with your child about their experiences and their feelings. Your ongoing support is important

Juanita Oberle, Guidance Officer
Email: jober13@eq.edu.au

Janet Ingram, Guidance Officer
Email: jingr34@eq.edu.au

CHAPLAIN

News from the Chaplain

Food for Thought

Friends – The people you spend most of your time with will have quite a marked effect on the way you live and act as you will find yourself adopting a lot of their habits and hobbies.

Peer pressure is often referred to as being a bad thing, but that’s not always the case.

If you choose peers whose ways are good, then they will probably influence you to behave in the right way. On the other hand if you choose friends who are constantly getting themselves in some sort of strife, then it won’t be long before you find yourself being led into doing things you don’t really want to do.

Remember, it’s your choice. Think of the characteristics that you like most in people and then look for friends who display those characteristics.

A message from Chappy Bernie

Below is advice from Andrew Fuller on Building Resilience in Children:

Tips for building resilience in children*

1. Make connections
   Teach children how to make friends and develop empathy. Encourage them to be a friend in order to get friends. At school, watch to make sure that one child is not being isolated. Connecting with people provides social support and strengthens resilience
2. Teach children to help others
   Children who may feel helpless can be empowered by helping others. Ask for help with a task they can master. At school, brainstorm with children about ways they can help others
3. Daily routine
   Following a routine can be comforting to children, especially younger children who crave structure in their lives. Encourage children to develop their own routines
4. Take a break
   Although it is important to stick to routines, endlessly worrying can be counter-productive. Show children how to focus on something besides what’s worrying them
5. Self-care for children
   Teach children the importance of making time to eat properly, groom themselves, exercise and rest. Children need ‘down time’ to relax, so make sure that not all free time is filled with a scheduled activity
6. Goals
   Teach children to set reasonable goals and move toward them one step at a time. Moving toward that goal and receiving praise for doing so will focus children on what they have accomplished
7. Nurture a positive self-view
   Help children remember ways that they have successfully handled hardships in the past and how this can help them handle future challenges. Help children learn to trust themselves to solve problems and make appropriate decisions
8. Be optimistic
   Even when children are facing very painful events, help them look at the situation in a broader context. A positive outlook enables children to see the good things in life and keep going even in the hardest times
9. Self-discovery
   Change and tough times are often when children learn the most about themselves. Help children to see that this is a good time to find out “what they are made of.” Change can be scary for young people, help them to see that change is part of life
10. Make home a safe haven
    In High School, taunting and bullying can intensify – home should be a haven, especially as your teen encounters more freedoms and choices and looks to home to be a constant, safe and emotionally secure place in his or her life

Andrew Fuller is a clinical psychologist and chairperson of the Mental Health & Wellbeing of Young People not-for-profit educational seminars by Generation Next. He describes resilience as “the happy knack of being able to bungee jump through the pitfalls of life – to rise above adversity and obstacles.”

If you need to talk further in regarding your student at Centenary SHS, call or email myself,

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

SCHOOL BASED YOUTH HELP NURSE

How to protect yourself and your community.

How it’s spread

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the COVID-19 virus.

The virus can spread from person to person through:

• Close contact with an infectious person (including in the 24 hours before they started showing symptoms)
• Contact with droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze
• Touching objects or surfaces (like doorknobs or tables) that have cough or sneeze droplets from an infected person, and then touching your mouth or face
• COVID-19 is a new disease, so there is no existing immunity in our community. This means that COVID-19 could spread widely and quickly.

Common symptoms of COVID-19 coronavirus include:

• Fever
• A cough
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath.

See a doctor immediately if you have these symptoms and have travelled overseas in the past 14 days or have had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 coronavirus. Before your appointment, call ahead and advise of your symptoms and recent travel so necessary precautions can be taken.

Everyone must practise good hygiene to protect against infection and prevent the virus spreading.

Good hygiene includes:

• Covering your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
• Disposing of tissues properly
• Washing your hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating and after going to the toilet
• Using alcohol-based hand sanitisers
• Cleaning, disinfecting and drying surfaces
• If you are sick, avoiding contact with others and staying more than 1.5 metres away from people
• Cleaning and sanitising frequently used objects such as mobiles, keys and wallets

Social distancing

One way to slow the spread of viruses is social distancing. For example:

• Staying at home when you are unwell
• Avoiding large public gatherings if they’re not essential
• Keeping a distance of 1.5 metres between you and other people whenever possible
• Minimising physical contact, especially with people at higher risk such as older people and people with existing health conditions
• For information on COVID-19 coronavirus, contact 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or visit

Qld Health

Australian Government Department of Health

COVID-19 Campaign

Below is a link to a short video showing how to wash your hands using soap and water from Queensland Health.

Kirsten Anstey, Nurse
Email: kanst9@eq.edu.au

SPORTS DIRECTOR

Sports Director Report

It is definitely unchartered waters that we are trying to navigate with the COVID-19 and the direct impact on sport in 2020. I can report that Gala Days, Northern District, Regional and National sport pathways have been cancelled for the foreseeable future. Centenary SHS Sports Department will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation as it evolves. We shall keep everyone up to date to the status of sports being rescheduled or cancelled.

Met West 2020 - Success Stories

Matthew Osborne represented Met West for the 15 – 19 years Cricket at the recent State Trials. He has successfully represented Met West throughout his schooling years and this was his last opportunity as a Year 12 student. Gaining selection year after year, is a huge achievement and it is a testament to how hard he has worked in order to achieve at this high level in his chosen sport.

Before sporting trials were cancelled students from Centenary SHS were successful in gaining selection in a Met West team for their chosen sport. Congratulations to the following students:

Justin McCormack – Met West Golf
Alyssa Taylor – Met West Touch Football
Jacob Richter – Met West Touch Football
Kealan Chadburn – Met West Touch Football
Jackson Owen – Met West Swimming
Sean Kendrick – Met West Swimming
Neve Longmire – Met West Swimming
Peter Cradick – Met West Swimming
Jessica Ebzery – Met West Football
Carly Phillips – Met West Football

Unfortunately, the students listed above were not able to represent Met West despite their selection due to the State Championships being cancelled. Centenary SHS is very proud to have had so many students achieve sporting success in the first 8 weeks of the school year. It was looking to being another successful year in sport and I am sure when sporting resumes our success stories will continue.

Cross Country

The annual Cross Country carnival was held in Week 7 of this term. For the first time in many years, all students within the school were expected to participate in this event.

The atmosphere on the day was outstanding, with students participating in competitive or social races, and spending their time in between races participating in house spirit activities. Our House Captains did an exceptional job at getting students engaged in inter-house dancing, limbo and tug-o-war challenges. Congratulations to Moolanda House for winning the Spirit Shield for their participation in these activities.

A key theme of the event was the promotion of social physical activity as a way of improving personal wellbeing. Before leaving, students were challenged to find opportunities in their own lives to increase their participation in social physical activities. I sincerely hope that they have the desire and motivation to do so!

Congratulations to Jarup House – our Champion House – and the following students who won the competitive races for their age groups, earning the title of Age Champion:

Track and Field

Credit: Richard Haines

Prior to Sport shutdown, a number of students competed at the Queensland Track and Field Club Championships. Of these competitors, Year 10 Student, Olivia attained her best ever result, earning a Bronze medal, and Queensland Team selection in the 3km Steeplechase. Kya Horridge, current Year 8 student, also competed and placed 2nd in Long Jump and earnt a Silver medal. Unfortunately, due to current circumstances, Nationals have been cancelled but no doubt both girls will get opportunities in the future. Well done Olivia and Kya!

With regards to Track and Field, in 2019, it was Centenary’s top sport in terms of District and Regional success, with over 70 places earned at districts, as well as 14 students invited to compete at the Queensland Secondary Schools Titles with the Met West Team. We look forward to starting the 2020 season as soon as possible!

Tennis Success

Congratulations to Anja in Year 10 who after a recent successful Asian tour as part of the International Tennis Federation Circuit, has risen to 443 in the 18/U world rankings. Congratulations Anja!

Tamara Nasalio, Sports Director
Email: tnasa1@eq.edu.au

Matalena Daniels, Sports Director
Email: mxdan5@eq.edu.au

STEP

News from STEP

Term 1 STEP classes have provided students with a range of enriching activities. While it is disappointing that the sporting teams are unable to compete in the inter-school Gala day due to COVID-19 precautions, we hope that by the end of Term 2, Gala days will be back on.

In Term 2, the Year 7 and 9 students will be able to select from the full range of activities - an information letter will be sent to parents and students shortly. Sign on day will be Wednesday of Week 1, with classes commencing in Week 2.

Stephanie Corless, STEP Coordinator
Email: scorl10@eq.edu.au

THE ARTS

Already Term 1 is almost over (perhaps over by the time you read this), and it did end slightly differently to normal with everything going on in the world around us! It was business as usual in classrooms until the end, with assessment in all year levels occurring and new units of work commencing. If your child was absent during the last few weeks, they can catch up via the Class OneNotes. I hope you enjoy family time across the Easter break, and that we can return to school with some normality after the holiday break, ready to get back in to not only our learning, but also all of our extracurricular activities!

Instrumental Music News

It was disappointing to have to cancel both the Junior and Senior Instrumental Music Camps but please be assured we will be aiming to hold some sort of camp/event for both groups of students this year. The Junior Camp has been re-booked for August, and we are looking into possibilities for the Senior Camp. We understand how important this camp is, particularly to the Year 12 students in their final year. Whilst all ensemble rehearsals are currently on hold, lessons are continuing and it is vital that students are attending their lessons every week. The instrumental music teachers have a syllabus, which identifies the curriculum that must be taught, as well as assessment and reporting, just like all other subjects across the school. This all has to occur now in a 35-minute lesson per week, with no hour ensemble rehearsal to add to this. Unless students have an exam in their timetabled class, it is an expectation that they are attending their instrumental music lessons each week. If students know they are going to be absent for their IM lesson, please email the instrumental music teacher, come and talk to them before school, or if you cannot do either of those options, please talk to Mrs Manche or Ms Sleeman in Staffroom 4. Teacher emails are:

Mr Matthew Hoey (Monday and Tuesday – Strings) mhoey1@eq.edu.au
Mr Damon Lougheed (Monday and Friday – Brass) dloug4@eq.edu.au
Mrs Fiona Harvey (Tuesday and Thursday – Woodwind) fharv1@eq.edu.au
Ms Van Den Broek (Wednesday – Choir) avand194@eq.edu.au
Mr Josh Johnstone (Thursday – Percussion) jjohn869@eq.edu.au

Instrumental Music teachers use email as their main form of communication with students, so please remind your children to check their emails regularly.

All instrumental music students must take their instruments home after their lessons this week.

ANZAC DAY

The Centenary Suburbs are going to honour the veterans with a ‘Driveway Last Post’ followed by one minute’s silence and ending with the Reveille. Trumpet players will be on their driveways at 5.55am on 25 April to begin ‘The Last Post’ at 6.00am.

Trumpet players of Centenary SHS, here is your chance to lift the spirits of our community and be a part of this momentous event. We need as many players as possible to make this work. As there are no rehearsals at the moment, you will have plenty of time to practise.

Please see Mrs Harvey to register your interest in participating and for a copy of the music if you should need it.

LEST WE FORGET

Music News

In February, a group of Year 10 students known as the ‘’Cosmo Collective’ travelled to Stanthorpe to compete in the Australian Busking Championships. The boys were thrilled to be named "Best Band" at the Championships. Congratulations to Evan Longmire, Jack Bishop-White, Oscar Courtney, Matthew Dunne and Matthew Welch.

Creative Generation News

Congratulations to Holly McGuigan and Nathan Corrick on their selection in the Creative Generation – State Schools Onstage 2020 stage crew. Both Holly and Nathan have been invited to be involved in the Props team for the show, and we wish them well!

Angela Sleeman, The Arts HOD
Email: aslee4@eq.edu.au

YEAR LEVEL COORDINATORS

Year 12 Report

This report is being written at a time of great uncertainty. There is a heightened level of angst and anxiety throughout the cohort, as there is throughout our broader society, and so it’s obviously vital that we keep the wellbeing of our young people at the forefront of our minds. Please let me know if there are wellbeing issues with your student that I, or our amazing support staff, can assist with.

We have had to cancel several Year 12 presentations/events over the past three weeks due to the current restrictions around large gatherings. The PROUD PARENTS quiz that forty-three parents contributed to (mostly in the form of wonderfully embarrassing photos and trivia about their children) has been postponed for now. If you didn’t respond last time, please keep an eye on your email inboxes… I will soon be requesting another round of contributions.

A huge wave of Year 12 assessment has just finished, with most General and Applied subjects having tasks due or exams sat over the past two weeks. We are poised to upload the work of a selection of randomly selected students to the QCAA for Confirmation (the process wherein expert teachers from schools around Queensland check student work to ensure consistency of grading). Most students will now have a “breather” before the next round of assessment commences midway through Term 2. From where I sit, it seems that our students have performed brilliantly and adhered to our school policies around assessment submissions. It’s been smooth sailing.

Our second (and final) round of Senior jerseys has been ordered from Canterbury, and errors from the first order are being rectified. Factory closures due to COVID-19 have caused delays but we hope for delivery in May.

Our Year 12 Council now has three (!) co-Presidents. Thank you to Katie Lee Spresser, Jordan Simpson and Emily Gates for stepping up. The Council have been enthusiastically planning various forthcoming events, culminating in the Formal on the evening of November 18 at Hillstone, St Lucia.

I will continue to be the Acting Year 12 Coordinator throughout Term 2, as Debra Mansini’s tenure as Head of Department (Humanities) has been extended. Thanks as always for your support, and please contact me if you have any issues or would just like to have a chat.

Terry Oberg, Year 12 Coordinator
Email: tober11@eq.edu.au

Year 8 Report

Overall, the start of Year 8 has been awesome. It started with meeting our HG teacher and class that we will be with for the rest of our time at Centenary and we have spent time getting to know each other. We also met our new Year Level Coordinator, the amazing Miss Long, who helped us settle in to Year 8.

A variety of subjects, extra-curricular activities and fast approaching assessment and exams have been keeping us busy.

One of the good things about Year 8 is that we can explore different subjects for another year before making important decisions about what pathways we want to take in study.

Recently though, the COVID-19 has meant that some of the exciting activities we were looking forward to have been cancelled. These include the Instrumental Music Camp and sporting events. This has been disappointing but we need to stay safe!

So far this year we have celebrated Valentine’s Day and Harmony Day and have participated in Cross Country. We look forward to other events that are coming up in our calendar such as the Shake and Stir performance (COVID-19 permitting!).

By Elizabeth Pitt - Year 8 Student Leader

Our Year 8s have had a wonderful start to the year, leaping into our new Positive Education program. The Year 8s started by examining themselves on Orientation Day, looking at their character strengths. We have continued this conversation in our HG program where students have examined more about themselves and how they can contribute to their own wellbeing. Our program aligns with the student diary, where you are able to find information about our Positive Education focus for each week

The step between Year 7 and Year 8 is a large one, and I am proud of how well the students have been navigating their new circumstances. Handling multiple classes, teachers and assessments can be very tricky! The students have been doing a good job of taking responsibility for their actions and their learning.

Elizabeth Long, Year 8 Coordinator
Email: ejlon1@eq.edu.au