2 August 2017

Newsletter Articles

Executive Principals Report

Dear Parents and Friends,
On Friday 21 July, I had the honour of attending The Duke of Edinburgh International Gold Awards Presentation Ceremony at City Hall. Corinda had its very first student presented with this award and I felt a great sense of pride as our Year 12 student Amber Moore was presented with this award by His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland. I would like to congratulate Amber on this outstanding achievement. She has been so dedicated to completing all the requirements of this award and has put in many hours in order to meet the criteria. Thanks also to Stephen Thrum who supported Amber throughout the process.

Amber you have Exceeded your Expectations!

Multicultural Night

Congratulations to our Student Leaders who, under the guidance of our Deputy Principal Jake Gallagher, organised a very successful and enjoyable multicultural evening. There was a wonderful sense of community between our various cultural groups.

Corinda in the Community

Our staff and students have been very busy over the past weekend performing in the school community. Last weekend the students involved in Big Band and the String Ensemble performed at Corinda State School Festival of Nations and made us very proud.

Our Agricultural Students also participated with our sheep at the Mt Gravatt show and were true professionals in their animal handling and presentation while competing. A fantastic effort by our staff and students and certainly some valuable skills learnt. Congratulations and well done.

Our students Exceeding Expectations beyond the school!

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.

Catwalk Models Wanted

The business classes are hosting a fashion gala in October, any students who are interested in modelling the clothing, please come to the old hall at first break, Monday the 7th of August. We are looking for models of all grades, looks and sizes, both male and female.

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. Click here for more information.

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.

Queensland Academies

Year 7

From Little Things Big Things Grow

In Term 2 our Year 7 students participated in the yLead program. The program began with a perplexing question. Would you take a million dollars right now, or 50 cents, with the value being doubled every day? As you can imagine 90% of the Year 7’s said, “give me 1 Million dollars right now!” For the 10% that choose the 50 cents, well they were able to see their seemingly small investment grow.

Day 1: 50c, Day 2: $1, Day 3: $2, Day 4: $4 …………………. all the way up until Day 30 where their investment had grown into a staggering $268,435,456. Sometimes when we do the small things well, the big things take care of themselves. This question challenged the student’s perceptions, setting the scene for the day.

Throughout the day, students rotated through various activities that promoted GRIT, steps to success, teamwork, problem solving, respectful relationships and the importance of challenging yourself. Our Year 7 students particularly enjoyed the physical nature of these activities, as well as the real stories that where shared by the yLead staff. Whether it was jumping across the hall in a group to reach the other side, guiding their peers through a maze or having a meaningful conversation about what it looks like to be respectful to yourself and your peers, the message was the same, everyone is capable of making a positive difference. I look forward to seeing our amazing cohort of Year 7’s continue to grow into confident, motivated and skilled young leaders.

Troy Olsen Head of Year 7

Year 9

Term 3 SLP (Student Learning Program) will see the Year 9’s planning, implementing and reviewing a Volunteering Project within their Form classes. This Project will complement the mission and vision of CSHS by demonstrating leadership to the peers and to their community.

Each Year 9 student will be tasked to participate in an enterprising project as a member of a team. Each team will deliver a service, product or event that will make a difference in their local community.

Why volunteer? There are five great reasons for teenagers to Volunteer: 1. To make a difference. It is a rewarding and fulfilling experience when you know that you have made a positive difference in your local community. 2. Develop Job Skills. Volunteering allows opportunities for hands-on learning that can be used as experience when future job hunting. 3. Think outside the square. Volunteering allows students to pursue plans, ideas and interests that vary from their everyday routine. 4. Work with new people. Meet new friends. Collaborate. Volunteering is very much a group effort and working with others can be a rewarding experience. 5. Have Fun. Instead of bookwork and homework and routine school study, this project will give students a chance to volunteer within an area of interest, creating opportunities to have fun while learning.

Have a regular chat with your student about their project, plans and implementation. In the coming weeks we will showcase in this space the progress being made.

Chip Barnes Head of Year 9

Humanities

Humanities Excellence – Gold Coast Excursion

In week 2, students in the year 8 and 9 Humanities Excellence Program travelled to the Gold Coast as part of their studies for Geography. Students observed and sketched the landforms and biomes of the coastal environment. As part of the excursion, students went to the observation deck on the 77th floor of the Q1 tower. From this vantage point, students were able to clearly observe and sketch the surrounding landforms of the Gold Coast. Students will continue to investigate landforms and biomes for the remainder of term 3 Geography.

Geography

The Year 8’s are currently learning about patterns of change in our landscapes. In a great experiment that involved using sand, dirt, paper buildings, vegetation and even rocks made of crackers and crumpets, students were able to observe how events such as acid rain, flooding, waves, and even an erupting volcano change our landscapes in significant ways. As you can see, the students loved visualising and recording what will be key concepts for their assessment this term!

Jacob Hicks English and Humanities Teacher

Science

Junior Science

Semester 2 overviews were emailed to parents and students last week. Please check your inbox for these, or ask your students classroom teacher if you didn’t receive an email.

Kids’ STEM Convention 2017

On Friday 14th July the Year 8 Science Excellence class attended the Kids STEM convention at the University of Queensland. The convention’s theme was “Future Earth” and was the first session of a term long research project that students will be conducting in class and at home. During the day students listened to inspirational talks from Taj Pabari (founder of edutech company 56 Creations) and Dr Rob Bell (former presenter of the Science entertainment show SCOPE). Students then participated in several interesting and engaging workshops which ranged in topic from “Super-Algebra” to “Dancing with brain cells”. In between workshops students enjoyed the surroundings of UQ and warmed up while eating lunch next to the lake.

Over the next few weeks, students will be conducting research and collecting data about their chosen topic, led and mentored by their teacher Mr Liam Pilkington. At the end of this term students will be presenting their research and project results to parents and judges at the Queensland Academy for Science, Maths and Technology.

Thank you to Mr Andrew Grevell for his behind the scenes work to ensure this engaging and inspiring experience could be possible for our students. Thanks to Mr Liam Pilkington who has taken over as the science classroom teacher of these year 8s. A big thank you to Ms Erin Collins who attended the day as a presenter, and ran a workshop on Biodiversity. Students were engaged in determining ecological viability of an area. They gained experience with transects, quadrants and sampling species that they can take back to their schools with them as they embark on their own research projects!

Wildlife Whisperers

Mr Chris Butcher’s Wildlife Whisperers had another fun filled week! The pressure was on last week as three groups were pitted against each other in the bird spotters challenge. Groups were driven to three different locations at Oxley Creek Common where they had to identify as many species as birds as possible. Points were deducted for each incorrect answer. Scores were overseen by expert judges, members of Birds QLD and Birdlife Southern QLD. Competition was fierce with Scarlett, David and Daniel being declared the winners! Bird photos courtesy of Greg Nye.

Amy Scott-Preimonas Head of Department – Junior Secondary Science

Resource Centre

Author Visit

Corinda State High School welcomed author Belinda Jeffrey on Friday 21 July 2017. She was working with our students who entered the Corinda short story competition and spent lunch time in the library to talk to other students.

Harry Potter

The Library was abuzz celebrating 20 years of Harry Potter with displays, movie, trivia quiz and competitions. #harrypotter#celebratinggreatbooks#welovereading

Teacher Spotlight

Melanie Mace - Support teacher: literacy & numeracy

1. What is the best thing about Corinda High? The fantastic students and our amazing staff
2. What is your favourite colour? Blue
3. What TV show do you love? Big Bang Theory
4. What is your Junk food of choice? Hot chips, hot chips and more hot chips!
5. Do you have a Hobby? Love trivia – go weekly to a trivia night which I have been doing for over 10 years
6. Who is the best band/singer of all time? This is a tough one – tie between Lady Gaga and Katy Perry
7. What sport do you love to watch? Cricket, rugby union, swimming, karate and athletics
8. If you could only travel to one more destination in the world, where would you go? Definitely New York!
9. What do you love about teaching? Love helping students realise they CAN do something
10. What is your favourite life quote? The harder you work at something the ‘luckier’ you get

Community Notices

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.

Oxley Futsal Club

Futsal (5-a-side Indoor Soccer) summers season registrations are now open for Oxley Futsal. The new season starts in September for boys and girls all ages, from 3 years. Adult leagues are also available. For more information go to the link below, contact oxley@australianfutsal.com or phone 0448 170 710

School Parking

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

The Smith Family

Little Athletics

Run, Jump and Throw

Toowong Harriers Little Athletics Centre, affiliated with Little Athletics Queensland, invites members of your school (ages 5 to 17) to sign on for the new season – September to March. There is one competition meet each week, and coaching is offered at competition meets and on Tuesdays. Sign on online, from home, or between 2pm and 4.00pm, Saturday 2 September at Jack Cook Park Clubhouse, Taringa (collecting your rego, uniform etc.). For more information go to:

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