20 July 2017

Newsletter Articles

Executive Principals Report

Dear Parents and Friends

A very warm welcome back to our Corinda families.

We are heading into a very important time for our year 12 students this term as they finalise their Tertiary Admissions applications and prepare for their Queensland Core Skills (QCS) Test. We have been working closely with our students to ensure they perform at their optimum level in the QCS test and we have additional preparation classes planned to assist students with their identified areas. Please encourage your students to take up these opportunities, as their performance on QCS will have a big impact on subject contributions to their OP score.

Creative Generation State Schools on Stage

Last weekend I had the privilege of attending the annual Creative Generation State Schools on Stage.

Once again I was so impressed by the outstanding talent on show, but more importantly immensely proud of our students who were selected and performed at such a professional level. An enormous time commitment and a great example of teamwork on such a complex production. Congratulations to all students involved.

Exceeded your expectations!

Report Cards

By now, all families should have received their report cards. It is always great to see parents taking up the opportunity to come and meet with teachers to obtain some more detailed feedback on student progress. This sends a very strong message to students that their education is important to you and reinforces the partnership between home and school. If you were unable to attend these interviews due to other commitments, the school is always happy to make alternative times for interviews that are more suitable to your family routines. I totally understand how busy households can be during the school term with all the outside commitments to sport and other family routines. Please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Parents, did you know that you can view your student’s timetable at any time using the QParents portal? Get a quick snapshot of today’s classes on the student dashboard, or view and download a copy of the full schedule at any time.

Your Digital File Driving Support

Congratulations to Don Nguyen in year 12 who is the first student to achieve his 100 hours of driving through the support of Jamie Wilson’s program – Driving Students to Success. It is great to see our students taking up this wonderful opportunity that has been funded by Jamie. Well done Don!

Helen Jamieson
Executive Principal

Coming Events

Open Classrooms – After School Tutoring

Students can get expert help for assignments and assessment, every Monday to Thursday 3 - 4 pm in the air-conditioned comfort of the library. Each day offers a different tutor for each subject area:

Enrolments for 2018

We are now taking enrolments for 2018. Enrolment forms are available from our website or in person from our office. We look forward to receiving these as soon as possible! The closing date for our Gifted and Talented Excellence Programs is 25 August 2017.

Student Services

Student Resource Scheme Final Instalment

For those families paying their student resource scheme by instalment, please be advised that the final instalment for the 2017 school year will be processed on Friday 21st July as per the agreement form submitted at the beginning of the 2017 school year.

QTAC Information for Parents

Year 12 students wanting to pursue further study next year will be meeting with Ms Priest, Senior School Guidance Officer, to discuss their interests and QTAC application this term. QTAC is Queensland’s tertiary institution application portal for Diploma level and higher qualifications.

Year 12 students were provided with their QTAC books during the last week of term two. They were also provided guidelines to preference courses for their QTAC application. Students then discuss their preferences with Ms Priest prior to submitting their QTAC application.

QTAC has a parent portal whereby you can access information regarding the process of application as well as topics concerning tertiary study.

QTAC applications open on August 3. The aim is to have every student place their application by the end of September to ensure all necessary cut off dates are met. Some scholarship applications close at the end of September as well as applications for some courses, therefore it is pertinent students pursue their QTAC application this term. Students have three free changes after they initially submit their QTAC preferences (review is required when they receive their OP in December). QTAC applications cost $42.

2017 Early School Leavers Survey

The Queensland Government is conducting its annual statewide survey of students who left school in Years 10, 11 and prior to completing Year 12 during 2016. The Early School Leavers survey is a short, confidential survey that collects information about what young people are doing the year after leaving school.

Between July and August, students who left school in Years 10, 11 and prior to completing Year 12 last year can expect to receive an invitation to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office to complete the survey. Please encourage them to take part.

For more information, visit the link below or telephone toll free on 1800 068 587.

Mathematics

News from the Maths Department.

This week you will receive your child’s report card informing you of their Semester One progress. A child's report card can bring a mixture of feelings ranging from elation and pride, to worry and despair. In either case, the reporting period marks a new beginning, a juncture, to set new reasonable goals and reflect on past work habits, achievements, and hardships. Most importantly, it is a time for you to communicate with your children and determine a path for future academic enrichment and social-emotional growth.

The following are some tips that can help your child succeed in Mathematics this semester.

1. Maths is Cumulative.
   Almost everything you learn in a maths lesson will be built upon from what you have done in previous years and topics. The key is to stay on top of your work and not fall behind. Every afternoon in the school library, we offer ‘Open Classrooms’ where students can go to seek help and support. Every Wednesday and Thursday, we have Mathematics teachers at the library who are more than willing to help.
2. Practise, Practise, Practise.
   You cannot cram the night before an exam and expect to pass. Maths requires lots of practise. The most successful students are the ones that not only do the most practice, but also look at solving a wide variety of questions. There is no point in doing all the ‘easy’ questions at the beginning of each topic – you have to strive and persevere with the ‘harder’ or ‘challenging’ questions. Every student at Corinda has a Mathletics account. It is a highly valuable resource that not only has online activities to engage in more independent practice, but also media clips and tutorials to help student if they are needing extra help and support.
3. Maths is NOT a Spectators Sport – get involved!
   You won’t get too far by just watching the teacher explain something on the board, you need to an active learner by asking and answering questions in lessons and applying the learnt techniques straight away – you’ll be surprised at how quickly you will catch on just by trying it yourself. It will covert to memory much quicker than if you sat back and let your teacher do all the work. Your Maths teacher is always there to help. Don’t be frightened to ask your teacher questions to get more clarity. You can always approach your teacher in their staffroom, or via email if you are not confident to speak up in class.

Sport

Champion of Champions Futsal

Our Under 12, Under 13 and Under 14 Boys Futsal teams have been training hard for the upcoming QLD Champion of Champions tournament. The boys will compete in early Week 3, in the hope of gaining qualification for the Australasian Futsal Titles in November. All players have been provided with a permission form detailing the day, with a specific draw to come in Week 2. Go Corinda Futsal!

District Athletics

Week 3 is a massive week for Athletics, with the West Brisbane District Carnival (Monday 24 and Wednesday 26) and the West Taylor Bridge Carnival (Tuesday 25 and Thursday 27). Lists of students who have qualified for these days, and their respective events, have been posted on the sports centre noticeboards. Students are encouraged to check these lists as soon as possible, and inform Mr Vlaisavljevic (Head of Athletics) if they are unable to attend for any reason. We hope to field a large and competitive team at both carnivals, so will look to draft replacements if certain students are unable to attend. Good luck to all our athletes!

Recognising Student Sporting Success

Congratulations to Keirrah Andrews Young (Year 11) who has been selected in the Australian U/16 Futsal team to tour China in early August. This is a reward for years of work within our Football Excellence Program – great work Keirrah – we wish you all the best!

Another amazing achievement by one of our footballers – Christina Amajouyi (Year 9) – who is this week trialing for the New Zealand U17 Women’s team. An unbelievable achievement given Christina is only 15! We wish her all the best and hope to see her representing New Zealand in the very near future!

Good luck to Christina, as well as David Ishimwe and Harry Christie (all Year 9) who will travel to Cairns in Week 3, along with Mr Hogan and Mr Cameron, as part of Metropolitan West teams competing at the U15 QLD State Football Championships.

Upcoming and Important dates

Monday 24th July – Champion of Champions Futsal – U12 Boys
Monday 24th July – West Brisbane District Athletics (UQ Athletics Track)
Tuesday 25th July - Champion of Champions Futsal – U13 and U14 Boys
Tuesday 25th July – West Taylor Bridge (born 2005) District Athletics (UQ Athletics Track)
Wednesday 26th July - West Brisbane District Athletics (Indooroopilly SHS)
Thursday 27th July - West Taylor Bridge (born 2005) District Athletics (UQ Athletics Track)
Tuesday 8th August – Junior Winter Gala Day #2
Monday 14th - Tuesday 15th August – Metropolitan West Athletics Carnival

Teacher Spotlight

Tracey Hall – Head of Humanities

1. What is the best thing about Corinda High? The staff and students. It’s a school which has vision and is the best in Brisbane!
2. What is your favourite colour? Green (great because I work at Corinda High)
3. What TV show do you love? My Kitchen Rules
4. What is your Junk food of choice? Thai
5. Do you have a Hobby? Gardening
6. Who is the best band/singer of all time? Jon Bon Jovi and Jesus Rodriguez
7. What sport do you love to watch? Rugby and Tennis
8. If you could only travel to one more destination in the world, where would you go? Africa
9. What do you love about teaching? The joy I get working with young people.
10. What is your favourite life quote? “Life is like a box of chocolates” and “You get more flies with a spoonful of honey than 8 barrels of vinegar”.

Community Notices

Corinda State School - Festival of Nations

On Saturday 29 July 2017, Corinda State School is opening its door to celebrate the cultural diversity of our school and community.

We invite all CSH students, staff and families to come and enjoy a wonderful day of food, entertainment and market stalls.

CSH Big Band is the opening act. So please come along between 10am - 4pm and have fun. There are camels to ride, French snails to eat and a South Pacific Hangi to try.

If you are an ex-student of Corinda State School, you may be interested in coming back to say hi to your old teachers, you may even want to have a go at dunking them in the tank!!The Principal is even up for dunking!!!

CTK Fun Run

Registration is now OPEN for our annual CTK FUN RUN/WALK!

This is a family fun event taking place at Simpsons Playground, Graceville on 30 July. Our inaugural event was a SELL OUT so don't miss the opportunity to book your tickets.

Parent Education Event

Yeronga State School P & C is hosting a community parent education event on Wednesday 23 August. The seminar is entitled; Before You Hit Send: A Social Media SOS for Children & Parents and will be presented by local author and journalist, Rebecca Sparrow. The admission price is $25 per adult and $10 student. Due to content presentation, children must be 10 years old to attend.

School Parking

A friendly reminder, there is NO parking on the school grounds at any time.

The 2017 Schoolgirl Sporting Star Awards

Awards open! Are there girls at your school who deserve recognition for their sporting achievements over the last 12 months? This year, ACHPER offers the Junior Star and Senior Star Awards for outstanding sporting performance as well as the award for Service to Sport, which recognises students who have significantly contributed to school or club sport and/or the sporting pursuit of others.

The awards are a fantastic way to celebrate female sporting achievements and inspire the next generation to get active. Winners of these awards and the 2017 Queensland Schoolgirl Athlete of the Year will be announced at the Women in Sport breakfast held on the 25 October.

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