10 December 2020 Volume 22 Number 11

NEWSLETTER ARTICLES

PRINCIPAL

News from the Principal

The Retrospective

As the 2020 school year nears its end, it is timely to reflect upon the successes and challenges of the last 12 months. Centenary SHS has been committed to a very real improvement agenda with the priority of improving the quality of learning and schooling experience for each and every student in the school. Significant milestones include:

• Our 2020 Seniors successfully met the challenges of the new world of ATAR
• As a school we exhibited flexibility and innovation in navigating the uncertainty of a world changed forever by COVID-19.
• The quality of our on line delivery during lockdown
• In the absence of NAPLAN our internal testing using eWrite indicates above mean growth in student writing in Year 7-9.
• Winner of the Regional Showcase Award for Excellence in Global Engagement
• The development of our Positive Education Program in Years 7-9 and with plans to extend into Year 10 in 2021… wellbeing matters to us
• The growth of our co-teaching program and the recognition as a leading school in Inclusion in the region
• The growth in our digital learning program with virtually all students using a device as a core component of their daily learning
• The support of our Early Career Teachers and the quality contributions they have made to the school - highlighted by Matalena Daniels being recently named as one of the five state finalist in the Teacher X awards for Beginning Teachers
• The growth of our facilities with the new Senior Learning Centre, refurbished court area and car park all adding enormous value to our school
• A successful trip to Vietnam in December 2019 involving a community action project
• Our sporting achievements – we are the 2021 Brisbane West Interschool Sport Champions - an award built not on talent but on participation and commitment
• Our unrelenting focus on academic achievement and pathway progression – evidence through our Senior Outcomes from 2019

I take this opportunity to thank all members of the Centenary SHS community for their support throughout the year. I also wish to acknowledge the contributions of parents who have directly involved themselves in the life of the school although I recognise the COVID restrictions have limited opportunity.

Graduating Year 12 Cohort

The signature events for the Year 12 Cohort held in their last week of school formed a fitting tribute to the group. One of the pleasures of teaching is to witness the growth and maturing of students across their secondary education. A stand out feature of the 2020 graduates was their ability to make the best of a year disrupted by COVID. The resilience they have exhibited throughout will hold them in good stead as they face the challenges of life beyond Centenary.

Staffing

On behalf of the Centenary Community I thank our departing staff for their contributions to our school.

2021 Plans

We are currently working on our 2021 strategic plans with Writing, Thinking, Inclusion and Curriculum having been identified as whole school priorities. These areas will receive significant focus and resourcing as we endeavour to improve student learning in 2021.

On behalf of the Centenary SHS staff - may you and your family enjoy a safe and relaxing holiday.

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

2021 Start Dates and Release of Student Timetables

Similar to previous years, the 2021 school year will see a staggered return for our students. The start dates for each year level are listed below:

• Wednesday January 27 2021 Year 7, Year 11, Year 12 and International Students
• Thursday January 28 2021 Years 8 – 10

Supporting our students throughout the school year will be our Home Group (HG) teachers working with our Year Level Coordinators (YLCs). Our 2021 YLCs are:

Student timetables will be released electronically in OneSchool from January 15 2021. Hard copies provided on the first day of school. Parents who are registered for QParents will also be able to access this timetable from January 15 2021.

Information about subjects will not be released before this date as subject class compositions are still occurring across the remainder of Term 4 2020.

Please note that subject changes will only take place in the designated subject change windows across Term 4 2020 and the first two (2) weeks of Term 1 for Semester 1 2021.

Should you have any further questions or queries, please contact the school Administration Office on 07 3373 4555.

Semester 2 Reports

All Year 7 to 10 students can expect to receive a Semester 2 Report Card at the end of this term. There are no Report Cards issued for students in Year 11, as they are continuing to progress through their studies in Unit 3 and will be reported early next year. Year 12 students will receive their final Senior Statement, and hopefully their QCE, through their QCAA Student Portal account on Saturday 19/12/20. It is important that all contact details are correct, especially your e-mail address, so that you receive this valuable feedback about your son/daughter’s progress. Please contact the office staff to update any details that may have changed.

Christmas Holidays

With the year coming to an end, it is a good time to reflect on your highlights and lowlights of the past year. It has surely been a most unusual year and certainly a year in which you would have learnt many new skills and discovered new opportunities. Upon reflection, you can then set yourself new targets and ambitions for next year. Once you have done this, please take the time to relax and enjoy your holiday break and come back to school in 2021 refreshed and fully charged.

Wishing all families a safe holiday period

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

School Watch 131 788

Centenary SHS’s last day of the school year will be Wednesday, 9 December. Please report any suspicious activity to School Watch on 131 788 during the vacation break. School resumes on Wednesday, 27 January 2021.

Clearance Forms

This checklist has been given to all students. This is a process that ensures all books and equipment are returned to the Resource Centre before the end of the year. All outstanding fees should be finalised and absentee notes handed into the office. Each section is to be completed and signed by the appropriate officer then returned to the office on completion.

2021 Fee - Student Resource Scheme

The parent/carer contribution for 2021 has been set at $280 for Year 7 students and $300 for all other year levels. The scheme enhances and maximises student learning and provides a cost effective alternative to parents/carers for the use of curriculum textbooks/e-books, resources, consumables and other essential materials for students use. The scheme is endorsed by the P&C Association and is approved by the Department of Education, Queensland.

The 2021 Student Resource Scheme has an early bird discount payment option. A $20 discount will apply if fees are paid in full by 28 January, 2020. Alternatively, parents/carers have the opportunity to finalise these fees by 31 July 2021.

Payment of Accounts over the Vacation Break

The office has closed for ‘over the counter’ payments and will re-open on Tuesday, 19 January 2021. Should you wish to make payments during the closed period, please make these payments via BPoint or QParents.

The BPoint option is accessed through an internet web link which appears on all invoices and statements. This link can also be located in the Quicklinks section of our school’s website homepage. You will need the Customer Reference Number (CRN) which is printed on the bottom of your invoice/statement before payment can be processed.

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

2020 has certainly been a year like no other, but despite its many challenges, the student forum has run an array of projects throughout this challenging period. So, to positively engage our school community for a final time this year, the student forum ran the Wishing Tree project, which saw an amazing response from the students and staff. To give to those who are less fortunate in our community, we asked the staff and students to bring in books, toys and clothing for children of all ages. It was overwhelming to see the school’s response and after collecting all the items, we managed to donate over 60 gifts to give to the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

While this year has been challenging for everyone, Learning@Home was a big struggle for many people. Luckily, the amazing teachers at Centenary State High School have done a terrific job ensuring even a global pandemic and five weeks lockdown, couldn’t stop our education. To show our appreciation and gratitude to these awesome teachers, the Junior and Senior Captains have teamed up with the ABC to film, ‘Ode to Teachers’, which will showcase just how much we appreciate our CSHS teachers for their continual effort in these tough times.

What a year it has been. With all its ups and downs, the student Forum has loved organising and running a spectacular display of projects for our community and look forward to continuing our work next year. On behalf of the Student Forum, we wish you a safe and happy holiday, and we will see you in 2021.

Holly Brain, Student Leadership Coordinator
Email: hfbra0@eq.edu.au

WELL BEING HUB

News from the Well Being Hub

Peer Skills

In Week 10 of Term 4, 7-8 December, approximately 10 students will be participating in a Uniting Care/Lifeline 2-day Peer Skills Workshop facilitated by our own Janet Ingram (Guidance Officer) and Kirsten Anstey (School Based Youth Heath Nurse).

The workshops aim is to provide our students with the confidence and skills they need to respond in the best possible way when a friend turns to them with a concern and/or problem.

Peer Skills is based on research that suggests that while many young people share their problems with their parents, often they turn first to their peers and friends. Research supports the idea that young people view their peers as an approachable and credible source of support, and that young people can successfully help each other. Help seeking and help giving skills are also significantly increased through training.

The Peer Skills Workshop will train students in support skills, communication and problem-solving skills and provide them with information about helping roles within the school and services in the wider community.

These students will be our school Student Wellbeing Ambassadors in 2021 and supported by our Wellbeing Staff: Janet Ingram (Guidance Officer); Kirsten Anstey (Youth Health Nurse); Juanita Oberle (Guidance Officer); Bernie McMullen (Chaplain) and Dina Shaw (Youth Support Coordinator). We are looking forward to supporting them in their role as Student Wellbeing

Ambassadors and their initiatives in building on our positive and supportive school environment.

Janet Ingram jingr34@eq.edu.au
Kirsten Anstey nurse.centenary@health.qld.gov.au

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

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

Kirsten Anstey, School Based Youth Health
Email: nurse.centenary@health.qld.gov.au

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

CHAPLAIN

News from the Chaplain

A message from Chappy Bernie

Merry Christmas to all Centenary Community,

This year has been challenging for everybody, it was a brave new world. I am proud how resilient the whole school community has been. We look forward to a better 2021. It has been an honour to be part of these young people’s lives, walking with them in the highs and lows of their high school journey. It has been a privilege to work with the most professional team of people in this education environment. Each sharing, providing guidance to the students.

I have been reflecting on the year past and looking with excitement on the new incoming year. I am proud to be part of at Centenary State High School though out this challenging year. I have enjoyed working with all year levels and the best teachers around.

I have discovered there are many different people who go that little bit further to help the students at this school. Our school is guided by the Senior Leadership team who lead, encourage the best from all. We have fantastic, caring and supportive teachers. There also the great student support staff and all the grounds men, cleaners and Admin staff, whose work is to provide a good caring supportive environment for the student and parents of Centenary State High School.

At this time of Christmas, I hope everybody will relax and enjoy the festive season. We are all allowed to relax and share the celebration with the ones we love. I take this opportunity to wish all the Centenary State High School community a Very Holy Christmas and a safe Happy New Year. I am looking forward to an exciting year in 2021.

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

SPORTS DIRECTOR

Sports Director Report

We are now drawing to a close after a very interesting year of sport. COVID-19 definitely had a negative impact on the sporting calendar but Centenary SHS sports department was happy to be able to still run carnivals and a few gala days.

Northern District and Regional Trials

I understand that students specialise in sports and would like to attend District/Regional/State trials so I want to ensure that no one misses trialling for their sport. If your student would like to trial for any of District Sports then they must follow the following procedures:

1. Listen to the notices and constantly check the HPE noticeboard for trial notices
2. See Mrs Nasalio in Staffroom 4 and attend a trial at school
3. If successful at the school trial the student will be given a permission form and information letter about the District Trial
4. Bring the forms back to Mrs Nasalio signed to receive the school stamp and to be nominated
5. You will only be nominated to attend the trial once Mrs Nasalio has nominated you and stamped the paperwork

It is a very busy start to the Term in 2021. The sporting calendar has been emailed home and is published below as well for your information. If your child specialises in a sport, please be aware of when the trials occur for Northern District. If you miss the Northern trial you cannot access the Met West, QLD and Australian representative pathway. Please note that this is a representative pathway and it is not a participation pathway. Therefore, it is expected that we only nominate students of a high skill level and playing experience.

The following sports nominations are in the first 3 weeks of Term 1. Please note some of these sport nominations are due Day 1, Term 1. If your child plays at a high level and would like to nominate could you please email me before Day 1. Your child will then need to see me on the first day of term to follow the process above.

Early Term 1 Sports

• 10 – 19 years Golf for Boys and Girls (please note to nominate you must have a Golf Link Number and there are handicap standards that must be met)
• 16 – 19 years Boys Cricket
• 14 – 18 Years Baseball
• 12 – 14 years Baseball
• 13 – 19 Years Boys/Girls Softball
• 13 – 17 Years Water Polo
• Swimming Nominations – Please note that nomination times have not yet been released for 2021. I will hold a meeting on day 1 with all club swimmers or swimmers of a high standard.
• A swimming trial will be held on Friday 29 January at 7.00am at the Jindalee pool for any student that needs to obtain a qualifying time. Please see Mrs Nasalio on the first day back if this option is required. I do recommend that students use their club swimming times in order to nominate as these times are used to seed swimmers.

Swimming Time Trial Information

Please be aware that if your child is a club swimmer then they it would be better to submit their club times for the events that they wish to nominate for at the District level rather than attend the school trials. The events that we are holding time trials for are;

• 50m Freestyle, Breastroke, Backstroke and Butterfly for Years 7, 11 and 12 students (Year 8, 9 and 10 students registered their swimming times in 2019 for four strokes)
• 200m Individual medley – trials only if required
• 200m freestyle (Girls) and 400m Freestyle (Boys) Open age events

Students that meet qualifying standards will then go onto compete at the Northern District Trials.

Northern District Swimming Trials 2021

The Northern District Swimming Trials will be held on Monday 9 February at St Peters Lutheran College. Students that would like to attend the District Trials must achieve a qualifying time that is set by the District. The qualifying times have not yet been received. Times must be verified through the school trials or through a club meet.

School trials will be held on Friday 29 January at the Jindalee Pool from 7 – 8.30am. Students that would like to attend the time trial need to see Mrs Nasalio in week 1 to collect permission forms.

To nominate for Trials

1. Attend a meeting in Week 1. This will be advertised in the student notices.
2. Collect a nomination form at the meeting
3. Complete the nomination form
4. Return it to Mrs Nasalio by 3pm Tuesday 2 February, 2021 to Staffroom 4.

I hope that everyone has a fantastic break and I look forward to supporting the students of Centenary SHS in 2020 in their sporting endeavours.

Yours in sport,

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

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

SKI TRIP 2021

Ski Trip 2021

We are currently in the process of planning the 2021 Ski Trip. It will be at a domestic venue (Perisher or Thredbo) and will be in the June/July holidays. The Ski Trip has been an outstanding success the past few years and it is definitely a highlight of many student’s school experience. It will be open to students in Years 9-12.

We are waiting on supplier quotes and subsequently a number of other administrative requirements prior to full information packs being available.

Students will have the option to either Ski or Snow Board and will have compulsory lessons each day.

Inclusions:

• Return transport to the resort (we are costing potential flying options as well as coach)
• 5 ½ Day Skiing/Boarding
• Potential night skiing and fireworks.
• 4 and 6 berth multi-share accommodation
• Breakfasts and dinners at accommodation
• 5 Day skis, boots and poles hire / or snowboard hire
• Helmet Hire
• 5 Day All Mountain Lift Tickets
• Nightly recreational/entertainment options
• Travel Insurance
• Group Photo

To be added to the mailing list, please email rhain0@eq.edu.au

Richard Haines, Ski Trip Co-ordinator
Email: rhain0@eq.edu.au

JUNIOR SECONDARY

Junior Secondary News

2020 hasn’t been an easy year for anyone. The 7s missed their camp. The Leaders had an eternity without assemblies. We couldn’t celebrate all the successes we normally would…

But the show must go on and Orientation Day 2020 was a resounding success. On Monday 30 November we welcomed our 2021 cohort along for an opportunity to tour the school, meet their classmates and HG teacher, and have an absolute hoot with their energetic and fun mentors. Thanks to our Year 7 2021 Coordinator for her work behind-the-scenes, along with support staff Amy Pierce and Lynette Neuendorff, Mentor trainee Claire Masters, IP staff Hannah Young, Emma Pearce and Di Huber, and everyone else who played a role in the lead-up.

Last month I had the pleasure of escorting 8 of our Year 7s back to Darra State School to assist with their Under 8s Day and run a Painting stall and ball games. The boys even got into some of the dancing with the younger students and made everyone laugh.

Looking forward to a fantastic 2021!

Brock Germain, HOD Junior Secondary
Email: bgerm1@eq.edu.au

FACULTIES

APPLIED TECHNOLOGY

Senior Programmes

The majority of Year 11 students have recently commenced Year 12 units of work to ensure that sufficient time is allocated to satisfy all Senior Assessment and Tertiary Entrance Systems (SATE), requirements. Students have been advised Year 12 assessment in “Food and Nutrition”, “Engineering” and “Design” are summative and will be used to calculate their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).

Additionally, teachers are in the process of writing the final Year 12 assessment piece in each General subject, to submit to the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) for endorsement. Essentially, the QCAA must approve assessment instruments before they can be administered.

Presentation Event

The traditional Presentation Evening was very different this year as a consequence of complying with COVID requirements for public gatherings. Importantly, however, student achievement received the recognition it deserved. I was pleased to be directly involved in presenting the subject awards to those students who, despite the atypical nature of 2020, were able to produce work of an impressive standard.

Congratulations to the award recipients, a genuinely impressive effort!

Australian Curriculum

Teachers of Year 9 and 10 subjects are finalising the review and development of the units within each subject. This year, 2020, was identified as the year the Australian Curriculum was fully implemented into schools, therefore its progress is being reviewed and refinements considered. Thinking skills and writing strategies are receiving particular attention.

Practical Projects

Students have been advised to collect their practical projects and take them home. The school is unable to store projects over the summer vacation because cleaners use the opportunity to conduct a thorough clean of classrooms and workshops. Projects which are not collected, will be disassembled and repurposed.

Reports

Reports will be arriving soon. Please spend some time reviewing the results. If there is room for improvement, it is important to establish what has inhibited a greater degree of success and then decide what changes need to occur. The “subject” tends to be an easy excuse and is often offered conveniently as the cause of the problem. I ask that the student’s commitment to the course requirements be considered, in addition to their general routine regarding time assigned to homework, assignment tasks, part-time work and social interests.

Congratulations to those students who are satisfied with their results and I look forward to an improvement from those who acknowledge that they are capable of producing better outcomes.

Enjoy a restful and safe summer vacation and I trust you experience memorable times with family and friends.

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

ELEARNING

Considering purchasing a new school laptop over the holidays?

For parents and carers considering a giving a laptop this Christmas that would also serve as a school device, we’d recommend keeping the following in mind:

• Chromebooks and Android devices are not supported and will not function as a learning device at CSHS
• We recommend a laptop, preferably Windows 10, over tablets, as they are most compatible with the technology use across the school
• Ensure the Wi-Fi has dual-band or 5Ghz support (might also be listed as ac, or ax wireless)
• Size and weight are important considerations. 11 - 13 inch screens are usually more portable, and the batteries last longer.
• Look for battery life of 8 hours or more
• A Solid-State Drive (SSD) is faster and is more likely to withstand knocks.
• Gorilla Glass, or other design features to make devices more durable are highly recommended.
• Extended warranties and insurance (especially Accidental Damage Protection (ADP)) options are well worth considering if they are on offer.
• Always factor in a padded case with any new device. Something that will protect the laptop and will be used.

Please see our BYOD Brochure at the link below for more detailed specifications and recommendations. We’d also recommend the devices on offer from the LWT vendor portal.

We thank parents are carers for their support of our technology program in 2020. It has been a big year, with the roll out of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) into every year level, and of course the Learning for Home period in Term 2.

James Whittle, eLearning HOD
Email: jwhit732@eq.edu.au

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Staff recognition

Congratulations to HPE teacher Richard Haines who was acknowledged recently by Metropolitan West Region for 25 years of outstanding service. Richard has contributed immensely as a tennis coach and manager for over two decades and is the driving force being Centenary’s excellence in athletics.

Lachie Gibbs, HPE HOD
Email: lgibb23@eq.edu.au

YEAR LEVEL COORDINATORS

Year 11 Report

Year 11 Coordinator Newsletter Article 1st December

What a year! The Year 11 cohort of 2020 have done an exceptional job over the past 12-months in rising to the challenge of becoming QCE and ATAR students. Some of the key highlights of the year include:

• Completing formative Units 1 and 2 of the QCE
• Selection of leadership teams for 2021 including School Captains, House Captains, Arts Captains and International Student Leaders
• Year 11 Celebration Night (in lieu of Semi-formal)

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Year 11 Leaders and Student Council for all of their efforts throughout the year, particularly at, and leading up to, our Year 11 Celebration Night. The maturity and commitment demonstrated by this group of amazing students has been inspiring.

When the Year 11s of 2020 return to school next year, they will be the Year 12 leaders of the student body at Centenary. With this title comes an expectation that students will act as mature and responsible members of the school community. Term 4 of this year has demonstrated that the cohort is ready to take on this responsibility, and I have no doubt that they will make us all proud in 12-months’ time, when they depart as 2021 graduates.

Wishing you all a safe and relaxing holiday.

Matt Redman, Year 11 Coordinator
Email: mredm23@eq.edu.au

P&C

News from our P&C

The Uniform shop will be open the week before school commences for your uniform needs. As the week before school is a busy time, we encourage you to pre-purchase your uniforms via Flexischools if possible. We will have a designated line for pick up only to save time standing in line.

We need volunteers for the week before and first week back to assist with any students requiring to try on uniforms and to assist with the collection of pre-orders. If you can spare any time on any of the days below, please contact Mel via email on uniformsales@centenaryshs.eq.edu.au. We would appreciate many hands!

January 2021 Opening Hours:

WEEK BEFORE SCHOOL COMMENCES

Tuesday, 19 January – 9am to 2pm
Wednesday, 20 January – 9am to 2pm
Thursday 21 January – 9am to 2pm
Friday, 22 January – 9am to 2pm

WEEK 1

Wednesday, 27 January - 8am to 12 noon
Thursday, 28 January – 8am to 12 noon
Friday, 29 January – 8am to 12 noon

WEEK 2

Monday, 1 February - 8am to 12 noon
Tuesday, 2 February – 8am to 12 noon
Wednesday, 3 February – 8am to 12 noon

WEEK 3 – Back to Normal opening hours

Monday, 8 February – 8am to 12 noon
Tuesday, 9 February – 8am to 12 noon

P&C meetings will continue to be held on the third Wednesday of each month. The first meeting back will be on the 17 February 2020 with our annual AGM being held on the 17 March 2021.

We have some exciting fundraising plans for 2021 and look forward to providing more information early in the New Year.

Have a wonderful Christmas and relaxing break and we will see you all in 2021!

Sarah McDermott, P&C President Centenary SHS
Email: pandc@centenaryshs.eq.edu.au

COMMUNITY NOTICES