30 August 2017

Newsletter Articles

Executive Principals Report

Dear Parents and Friends

This week our year 12 students undertook their QCS test and approached the two days in a very positive frame of mind. They were well and truly ready to exceed expectations. Our year 12 students are to be congratulated on how they presented for the test – positive and prepared with a strong team culture. I felt very proud.

Suzhou Study Tour

Last week we farewelled our students and staff from the Chinese Study Tour. Our students really enjoyed the opportunity to interact and share, whilst developing new friendships. As a school, we value this partnership with Suzhou and I know our students make the most of this unique cultural experience. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our host families who welcomed our visitors into your homes and made them feel part of an Australian family. We are truly grateful for your generosity and willingness to share a very unique experience with our guests.

Congratulations and thank you also to our students who volunteered as buddies supporting the students while here and for making their stay so special.

Mooting Champions

And the winner is…...Corinda High! A big thank you and congratulations to Jack Gilroy and Aimee Heymer who have worked with our Mooting Team over the past weeks. Last Sunday evening our team competed in the finals against St Patricks College at the Supreme and District Courts and we took out the winning place. What an achievement being one of two finalists, coming in ahead of Brisbane State High, The Gap State High, Somerville House, Brisbane Grammar School, Brisbane Boys College, Nudgee College, Mansfield State High School and Hillbrook Anglican College. What a great team we had. Made me very proud. Our students exceeded expectations at all levels. They were simply amazing in the way they stayed so calm and could respond to the challenges of the judges.

Congratulations to Didi Mulligan, Imogene Davidson and Saron Libanos – what an achievement! Exceeded Expectations at all levels.

Busy times ahead for our students with mid-term assessment. Our year 12 students are at a critical point and are working very hard making sure their last pieces count. Thank you to all our parents out there who have been there supporting our students. Sometimes it’s just the little things you do for them that helps them get through.

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.

Year 7 Parent Information Evening

We are 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!

Positions Vacant

Cleaner

We are currently seeking cleaners to be part of our casual / on call team.

Please submit a resume which details experience, and list a current referee and contact details. The ability to obtain a Suitability (Blue) Card is a requirement of the position.

Address your enquiries and applications to: Corinda SHS on 3379 0222 or via email at: hr@corindashs.eq.edu.au.

Temporary Administrative Officer – Administration / Accounts Payable

Expressions of interest are invited for the temporary, full-time position of Administrative Officer – Administration / Accounts Payable - at Corinda State High School.

As an Accounts Payable Officer you will contribute to the effective and efficient management and administration of the school by providing a high level of financial and administrative support to the Principal and Business Manager.

Role Purpose

As a key member of the school support staff this position participates within a team to ensure a high quality service is achieved for students and parents enrolled at Corinda State High School.

Major Accountabilities

• First point of contact for all visitors, parents and staff
• Finance
• Reception including attending to telephone and counter enquiries and messages
• General office duties including email, filing, photocopying and mail
• Administrative support

Suitability Assessment Criteria

• Must have extensive knowledge of One School Finance
• Customer Service
• Working knowledge, or the ability to rapidly acquire a working knowledge, of computer systems and applications used in schools (One School and ID Attend) and the ability to participate in the development, implementation, maintenance and review of systems, policies and procedures
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Has strong interpersonal communication skills and time management skills
• Is able to work collaboratively as part of a team and can build strong working relationships and rapport with a diverse range of people including parents, students and external providers

How to Apply

Please submit an expression of interest, maximum 2 A4 pages, addressing your experience and suitability for this role. Include 2 referees, one of whom is your current supervisor.

Applications should be emailed to hr@corindashs.eq.edu.au by the close of business 8 September 2017.

Student Services

QTAC Information for Parents

This term, 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. 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 where 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 3 August. 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 submit their initial QTAC preferences (review is required when they receive their OP in December). QTAC applications cost $42.00

Stymie

Get Your Techno Power Back!

Are your Kids Safe Online at Home? Rachel Downie, Director of the below website will be presenting important information about your child’s use of technology.

Corinda State High School Stymie Presentation / Program
Date: Tuesday 3 October 2017
Parent Presentation 6 pm to 7 pm in the Assembly Hall

Having trouble managing technology?
Want to know what they’re really doing?

Rachel will give you tips on how to manage kids’ devices and which apps can potentially create problems in the lives of students and parents everywhere.

See what other parents are saying.

QParents

Have you joined QParents?

Parents will have received an invitation email or letter by now and it’s great to see that so many parents have registered already. If you have not received an invitation, please advise us immediately by emailing info@corindashs.eq.edu.au. Over time, QParents will become an integral part of how we communicate with parents. Get on board to enjoy the ease and convenience that QParents offers.

Graduation Ball

A group of dedicated year 12 students are currently planning the Graduation Ball. This group meet every Thursday, and last week they visited the venue to discuss details with the event coordinator. They picked tablecloths, the dinner menu and the centrepieces. They also discussed the order of procedures for the night.

The Graduation Ball will be a fun night of dancing, photos and speeches. Students will also enjoy a two course meal. Next week students will receive an information letter to take home with more details.

Who: Year 12 students
Date: Monday 13 November 2017
Location: The Greek Club - 29 Edmondstone St, West End QLD 4101
Time: 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Dress code: Formal (No street shoes – eg Vans, Converse etc)

Students will leave school at 11:10 am on the day to allow plenty of time to get ready.

Tips and Hints:

• Be comfortable in what you wear, avoid attire that isn't practical.
• Wear shoes you can walk in. You will want to move a lot during the night (dancing, talking with friends, getting photos). If you’re wearing new shoes, bring band aids and spend some time walking in them before the event.
• Don't spend too much money! It’s only one night. Work within your own budget. Costs can really add up, so PLAN before you spend.
• Look into hiring costs as an option for dresses and suits (get in early if you can).
• If you do decide to buy, set aside a few days to look so you can find a good deal. Don't leave it last minute.
• If buying online, make sure there is a return option that doesn't cost too much. Online can be a great way to save money, but getting a correct size can sometimes be hard. The quality also might not be what you expected.

Ms Faith Wild Year 12 Coordinator

Science

ICAS Science

The 2017 results are in, and the 107 students who participated in this year’s competition did a brilliant job! The student achievements were; 19 merits, 37 credits, 17 distinctions and 1 high distinction. Equally outstanding was the individual growth of so many students. For some of the students, this was the third time they had completed an ICAS Science test, and their results show an outstanding upward trend. This year we also opened the competition to the entire student body, and we had representation from years 7, 8, 9 and 12. Thank you and well done to all students who participated.

Year 7 StarLab Cosmodome Incursion

150 students from across Year 7 entered a ‘Cosmodome Science Theatre & Planetarium.’ This five-metre-high dome surrounded our students in extraordinary imagery of planets and our solar system as part of our earth and space science unit.

Students took a journey through the solar system and gazed at planets, their orbits and satellites. With spectacular visual effects, our Year 7’s were inspired to draw their own conclusions about orbiting bodies in our solar system.

The students got to hear from an esteemed Astronomer throughout the lesson and ask their many questions about the great unknown. The incursion was a great success and proved to be a very rewarding experience for all the students involved.

Year 8 - Toohey Forest Incursion

On Wednesday 13 September, Toohey Forest Environmental Education Centre will be at Corinda State High School running an exciting science immersion day for our year 8 students. The program they have planned is linked to the current unit of study - Energy.

The aims of the activity are to immerse students in laboratory investigation style work that extends beyond a routine classroom lesson. Students will have the opportunity to work with their peers during the day. They will also be able to meet with industry specialists from Toohey Forest and use some specialised scientific testing equipment.

Three Toohey Forest workshops will run, and the students will be rotated through the workshops during periods 1, 2 and 3 during the day. The workshops include; Wind Turbine Investigation, Green Energy Lab + PowerMates and Electrical Circuits.

Please return permission and payment should you wish your student to participate in this opportunity.

STEM: Year 9 Science Excellence

What an exciting day for some of our Year 9 Science Excellence students!

A visit to Toohey Forest Environmental Education Centre gave them the opportunity to be botanists for the morning, identifying various Australian native species. After morning tea they became wildlife spotters out in Toohey forest. Spotting a powerful owl feeding on a fruit bat was a very special highlight. After lunch they became fresh water ecologists; finding as many species of invertebrates as possible. Just before heading back to school, students got to pet a frill neck lizard and a spotted python. The hands-on activities throughout the day gave the students a deeper appreciation for ecology. Thank you to Ms. Rose for facilitating this experience for our keen students.

Amy Scott-Preimonas Head of Department – Science (Junior)

Agriculture

GREENgineering

Saturday 9 September

After last years’ sold out event at our urban farm with Costa Georgiadis, we would like to invite you back again to experience the enthusiasm and ideas of Roman Spur (Spurtopia) as he demonstrates practical and clever ways to live sustainably under the 5 Rs – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle & Repair.

The community workshop will be followed by a Zero-Waste lunch, with Roman in conversation with Robert Pekin from Foodconnect. These two gentlemen will bring different understandings and approaches to sustainable living into perspective while the audience enjoys a local lunch. Bring your own cutlery, plate and bowl for a free ticket into the lucky door prize draw.

For more information and to book tickets to the event please visit:

The Applied Studies

Year 12 Certificate II Tourism

On Tuesday 15 August, Ashleigh Taylor, a young tourism l eader came to speak to the year 12 Certificate II Tourism students.

Ashleigh started out in hospitality management straight out of school but eventually looked for a different opportunity. She found a traineeship with Greyhound Australia, was named the metropolitan regional and Queensland trainee of the year and was offered a position in human resources with Greyhound following her traineeship.

It was a very informative talk which has helped our year 12 students, as they approach the end of their studies, gain further insight into an industry which can offer them many exciting opportunities after school.

Kylie Barnett

Resource Centre

Charging Station

The Library now has a Laptop Charging Station. And students are making good use of it! If your Laptop looks like it won’t last the day make sure you drop into the Library at break time to recharge.

Alice Pung Author Visit

We had a great end to Book Week with an author visit by Alice Pung. Students were entertained by stories of Alice’s experiences of growing up as an Asian in Australia. Her books are on display in the Library so drop in and grab a good read.

Science Week

Last week was national science week and students were entertaining themselves with some activities in the Library.

Teacher Spotlight

Lisa Thompson - Head of Languages and International Students

• What is the best thing about Corinda High? The diverse range of students
• What is your favourite colour? Red. Red goes faster
• What TV show do you love? Not TV but favourite movie is “Life is Beautiful”
• What is your Junk food of choice? Salt and vinegar chips
• Do you have a Hobby? Reading and travelling
• Who is the best band/singer of all time? INXS

• What sport do you love to watch? Waterpolo
• If you could only travel to one more destination in the world, where would you go? Japan of course
• What do you love about teaching? No day is ever the same
• What is your favourite life quote? “Without change we would not have butterflies!”

School Parking

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

The Smith Family

Community Notices

Green Heart Fair

The Brisbane City Council’s Green Heart Fair is Brisbane’s biggest free bi-annual community and sustainability festival, promoting innovative green living in a fun, family-friendly environment for all residents to come and enjoy.

Paw Patrol Live Stage Show, Live Music, Eco Activities, Little Kickers, Brisbane Billycart Championships, workshops and more – all for free!

Our World

We want to share with Corinda SHS the news of an exciting event which will be held in the Graceville Uniting Church:

On Friday September 1 and Saturday September 2 please come along to see a special exhibition of over 100 artworks from the students of the Milpera State High School.

'Our World' will give you insights into the students' personal world and the wider world around them through their vibrant, colourful and powerful artwork.

Our aim is to better connect with our community and support the valuable work of this unique school which helps refugee students transition to their new lives in our world. A gold coin donation will go to the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre.

Rev. Aaron Moad

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 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm, Saturday 2 September at Jack Cook Park Clubhouse, Taringa (collecting your rego, uniform etc.). For more information go to the link below:

Choose how to add this event to your calendar:

Apple Calendar iPhone, iPad, Mac - Download .ics file

Outlook Desktop Outlook - Download .ics file

Android Calendar Android devices - Download .ics file

Other Calendar Google Calendar, Yahoo, etc. - Download .ics file

Download Event