In Very Many Ways, 2014 Has Been a Great Year

From the Principal

1/12/14

In very many ways, 2014 has been a great year.

·  Our school’s co- and extra-curricular program continues to be second to none, as evidenced by:

o  Mulan – our school musical

o  Senior Debating winners yet again, and Junior Debating runners-up (again)

o  Beauy’s Got Talent

o  Our Dance Troupe

o  Creative Generations – the 9th year of our elite musicians performing at the highest level.

o  Our Show Team

o  Trips to Japan, Perisher and Herron Island

o  Our inaugural HPV [human powered vehicle] Team

o  Bangarra Rekindling Youth Project.

·  We provide an extensive range of academic, vocational, and practical subjects – unrivalled in the local area.

·  Sporting opportunities abound - for both individuals and teams, including but definitely not restricted to basketball, soccer, touch football, rugby league, AFL, and triathlon.

·  Inspiring, and highly effective, teaching occurs in every classroom every day.

·  In the classroom, our students have shone:

Academic / Behaviour / Effort
2014 Actual Results / 87% / 96% / 90%
Goal / 85% / 95% / 90%

(% of ALL students gaining a rating of A, B or C on end-of-semester reports)

·  Recently-released School Opinion Survey reports provides very positive feedback from parents, staff, and random selections of Year 8 and Year 11 students. For example:

Category / Aspect / Agreement
School result / State result
Parents / This is a good school / 95% / 94%
Students / This is a good school / 95% / 92%
Staff / This is a good school / 96% / 95%

The quality of the education on offer at Beaudesert State High School, as well as the opportunities provided, allows all students to create wonderful futures for themselves.

UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND YOUNG ACHIEVERS PROGRAM

Three students from our school have been selected to participate in the UQ Young Achievers Program for 2015 and beyond. Congratulations to Joshua Nielsen, Chelsi Bunkell, and Lilli Stevenson.

2014 AWARDS NIGHT

I extend sincere thanks to students, staff, parents and families who attended and supported our school at the annual Awards Night. It was indeed a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the dedication, commitment and successes achieved by our students. Congratulations to all students on your outstanding achievements in 2014. Major award winners:

University of Southern Queensland Dux of BSHS 2014 / Michael Dunne & Sophie Newton
School Spirit Award / Coleen McKay
Jim Enright Memorial Trophy and the Caltex Award for all-round performance / Brady Grindrod
Dr Peter Landsberg Award / Mikayla Coonan
St Mary’s Community Award / Dominique Hagan
Emma Dent Memorial Award / Monica Stephan
University of Queensland Prize (Year 11) / Jayme Arandale
Long Tan Leadership Award (Year 12) / Chloe Henare
Long Tan Leadership Award (Year 10) / Harrison Parker
USQ Community Engagement Award (Year 11) / Libby O’Brien
USQ Community Engagement Award (Year 10) / Sophie Laegel
Smart Employment Vocational Education Award 2014 / Rueben Gregory-Nicholson
Julia Lane Memorial Trophy & Senior Arts Bursary / Chloe Henare
Fleur Enright Memorial Award for Drama / Kathryn Stephan
W.G. Day Memorial Trophy for Sportsman of the Year, / Raymond Cordingley
Beaudesert Times Trophy for Sportswoman of the Year / Natasha Kirchner
Daniel Daw Memorial Award for School Sportsmanship / Joel Nilon
Scenic Rim Junior Sports Excellence Mayoral Award / Caitlyn Hester
Les Dahtler Memorial Trophy for Junior Sports Star of the Year / Mathew Stockham
Member for Wright Commendation Award. / Harry Tommerup
Cr Jennifer Sanders ‘Eagle Spirit’ Award / Maverick Crocker
Pierre deCoubertin Award / Natasha Kirchner
Learning Diversity - Community Service Award / Holly Snowdon
Learning Diversity Academic Engagement Award (Senior) / Sam Fillery
Learning Diversity Academic Engagement Awards (Junior) / Jordan Cooper
Learning Diversity – Sports Excellence Award / Elijah Farrugia
Cattle Handling Award / Georgia Rogers
Senior Instrumental Music Award (Senior) / Damon Robinson
Instrumental Music Award (Junior) / Letia Cash
Debating Award (Senior) / Libby O’Brien
Debating Award (Junior) / Madeleine Johnston
SAT Encouragement Award / Nathan Adams
SAT Commendation Award / Sam Fillery & Sheneyre Harris
School-Based Apprentice of the Year / Gina Rogers
School Based Trainee of the year / Taylor Matheson
Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander Academic Achievement (Senior) / Chloe Mathers
Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander Academic Achievement (Junior) / Amber Holgate

STAFFING

I take great pleasure in congratulating our staff members who will take up permanent, and well-earned, promotional positions on 21/1/15:

·  Peter Linnehan – Principal at Mornington Island State School

·  Helen Philp – Head of Department (Home Economics & LOTE) at our school

·  Sandy Kinsella – Head of Special Education Services at our school

I would also like to recognize those staff members who will be leaving Beaudesert State High School at the end of this year:

·  Tony Cox has been transferred to Mansfield SHS.

·  Peta Ritson will be teaching Instrumental Music at nearby schools in 2015.

·  Fiona Scarth has been seconded to Central Office for the first part of 2015 to undertake curriculum writing duties.

·  Hilary Atthow and Robyn Hunter are taking Long Service Leave before retiring.

·  Andrew Ericksen, Rachael Cuthbert, Steve Kimber, Gaye Silk, and Metin Ficcici have finished their temporary teaching contracts at our school.

In addition, a number of teachers will be taking extended leave from the start of 2015, including Katie Palmer, Neil Krieger, and Mandy Creedy.

Two of our valued cleaning staff are retiring. I extend best wishes to Bev Locke and Judy O’Neill.

Finally, it would be remiss of me not to mention the pending retirement of Mr Geoff Mathison. Over a teaching career spanning 37 years at Beaudesert State High School alone, Mr Mathison has proven himself to be incredibly dedicated, organised, resilient and compassionate. He will leave many legacies in our school and I wish him all the best in retirement.

PARENTS’ CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION

I thank the P&C for its tireless work and great support in 2014, particularly the office bearers: Kitty Hall (President), Sharon Haack (Secretary), and Karen Healy (Treasurer). An open invitation is extended to any parents – new or not-so-new – to be part of the activities of our P&C Association. Meeting dates for 2015 are as follows:

Term 1 / Term 2 / Term 3 / Term 4
9/2/15 (AGM)
9/3/15 / 4/5/15
15/6/15 / 3/8/15
7/9/15 / 12/10/15
9/11/15

BACK-TO-SCHOOL IN JANUARY 2015

Arrangements for the start of next year are as follows:

o  Only Year 7 and Year 8 students are required to attend on Tuesday 27 January 2015.

o  All students are required on Wednesday 28 January 2015.

The school office will re-open on Monday 19 January 2015

In addition, the Uniform Shop will open from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm daily, from Monday 19 January 2015.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

A new polo shirt will be introduced at the start of 2015 for students in Years 10, 11 and 12. The current polo shirt will be worn by students in Years 7, 8 and 9. A transition period of 12 months for the phasing-in of new uniform items for senior school students will apply.

Please take the time to familiarise yourselves with the duly-endorsed school uniform requirements of our school for 2015. A full copy of the school’s Dress Code is available from the school’s website, www.beaudeseshs.eq.edu.au.

Standard Uniform
Junior (Year 7, 8 & 9) / Senior (Year 10, 11 & 12)
·  BSHS paneled polo shirt in navy, jade and gold – embossed with school logo
·  EITHER navy cargo-style shorts – embossed with BSHS OR navy taslon/microfibre shorts – embroidered with BSHS OR long navy trousers
·  Girls may opt to wear a navy skirt (elastic back, box pleats front and back) – embroidered with BSHS / ·  New BSHS panelled polo shirt in navy, jade and gold – embroidered with school logo
·  EITHER navy cargo-style shorts – embossed with BSHS OR navy taslon/microfibre shorts – embroidered with BSHS OR long navy trousers
·  Girls may opt to wear a navy skirt (elastic back, box pleats front and back) – embroidered with BSHS
Formal Uniform
Girls / Boys
·  White poly-cotton over-blouse with jade and navy on sleeves
·  EITHER Pleated navy skirt with back kick pleat OR navy long trousers
·  BSHS navy and jade tie / ·  White poly-cotton shirt with jade and navy trim on pocket
·  Navy trousers
·  BSHS navy and jade tie
Footwear - For both Standard and Formal Uniforms
·  White ankle socks
·  Leather or vinyl – lace-up shoes or work boots are COMPULSORY
·  Joggers are permitted, but must have leather or vinyl uppers. Colours should be black, navy or white (or combinations thereof)
·  Canvas or slip-on shoes are NOT acceptable

SCHOOL SAFETY

During the upcoming vacation, I seek your support in protecting our school. Please:

·  DO be observant when walking or driving past our school

·  DO observe anything our of the ordinary and make notes about what is happening

·  DO phone 131788 (or the local police) if you are at all suspicious

·  DON’T enter the school grounds out of hours unless you have the authority to do so

·  DON’T place yourself in any form of danger

Many thanks for your support throughout 2014. Best wishes for the festive season.

Alan Smith

Principal

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