19 February 2018

Newsletter Articles

Executive Principals Report

Dear Parents and Friends

This past week has proven to be very challenging for our staff and students and I must commend the way in which our school community has come together to support each other as we come to terms with the loss of one of our students. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our parents who have supported students and followed up at home. Our students will continue to need your support over the coming months as they try to process this very sad loss.

On Thursday, we conducted a special service to celebrate the contribution that Aadam made to our lives. I congratulate our students and staff for the way in which this was organised. The service concluded with a special symbolic gesture of a poem, which accompanied the release of two pure white doves. This was a special form of closure for our staff and students.

I would like to acknowledge and thank the kind generosity of one of our Corinda families – The Higgins family who donated funds to support our service. This donation funded the release of the doves as part of the service and it was very special. It was also very special to have Aadam’s family attend and participate in this part of the service as they released the doves while we gathered together as one school community.

Our students are in the process of compiling a memory book for Aadam’s family and they have signed a special Corinda Soccer ball. Our students have all been encouraged to submit a piece of writing, photograph or special recount of a memory for the book. These items will be presented to the family.

Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you need to discuss any concerns relating to your student’s wellbeing. Our Guidance Officers, Chaplain, Health Nurse and Youth Support Coordinator are able to work with students individually as the need arises.

Positive Education

Our school has begun the journey of embedding positive education as a whole school strategic priority. This will take some time to fully embed, and we have done a lot of research around how this is best implemented in a secondary setting. Our staff has visited and worked closely with experts from Geelong Grammar school – which is an example of best practice. They are supporting us with staff training and the implementation of this approach. This will form the foundations for our pastoral care program, our student leadership program and our overall growth mindset language with students in all classes. Research from this work has proven that a focus on student and staff wellbeing and mindset has a positive impact on student outcomes.

What is Positive Education?

Positive education in schools is about combining positive emotions, engagement, positive relationships, meaning and accomplishment within traditional education modes.

Martin Seligman believes the need for positive education is growing with the worldwide prevalence of depression among young people, so he developed his PERMA model – the five elements of well-being – with the ultimate goal of helping students flourish (you will hear a lot about the term ‘flourish’ in the following months).

1. (P) Positive Emotions – Feeling positive emotions such as joy, gratitude, interest and hope
2. (E) Engagement – Being fully absorbed in activities that use your skills yet challenge you
3. (R) Relationships – Having positive relationships
4. (M) Meaning – Belonging to and serving something you believe is bigger than yourself
5. (A) Accomplishment – Pursuing success, winning achievement and mastery

Engagement includes a passion such as a hobby, a technique or a skill, and commitment to achieving a great outcome in something you enjoy. Engagement can be a choice to reach out to others – to change another person’s mood or brighten their day.

Often the things we love to ‘engage in’ are the first things we lose in our busy lives. As stated, when students begin at Corinda, it is important for students to engage in the activities of the school – even just simple and everyday experiences such as those activities for love week are opportunities for engagement – to make one minute of our day, an experience that enriches or enhances not only our own lives, but also that of someone else’s as well. The action part of engagement is not something we have to have a definite plan for, but need to be open and willing to initiate and participate in.

Positive relationships are essential to well-being and this begins with reinforcing the importance of interacting on personal levels as opposed to the use of social media. In this age of smartphones and technology, it is important to ensure that a conversation is genuine and that you give that person your uninterrupted time – strengthening the sense of commitment and connectedness with that person.

This is something that we feel very strongly about at Corinda and hence the reason for our mobile device policy while in the school grounds. Parental support with our philosophy around this would reinforce the importance of positive relationship that will help our students flourish.

Helen Jamieson
Executive Principal

Coming Events

Student Services

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.

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.

Parent Information Night Years 11 and 12

School base apprenticeship/ traineeship & external vet courses

Wednesday 21 February
6.30 pm - 7.30 pm
Drama room
Corinda State High School

This information session is for parents and students who are waiting to find out more about the following:

• What school base apprenticeships & traineeships (SATs) are
• How to apply for a SAT
• Work experience
• External vet courses

The senior schooling department of Corinda State High School is running this information session.

For more information or to RSVP please contact sat@corindashs.eq.edu.au

Enrolments for Year 7 2019

Enrolments for Year 7 2019 are open from the first day of term 2, after the Easter break.

We will be handing out enrolment packs at our Open Day on Saturday 24 March 2018 You will also be able to pick up an enrolment form in our office or print one from our website.

House Masters

This week year 12’s have coordinated to celebrate “love” - friends, family and loved ones. A fundraising venture will be occurring every lunch break until Tuesday 13 February, the selling of roses for $4 to be delivered to HGRs on Valentine’s Day. Break events have included a ‘Love Wall’ where students have written messages of love for the community, student performances, a flash mob, and a photo booth in front of a ‘Flower Wall’.

Bunar

Bunar juniors captained by Josie Christensen show house spirit at the junior swimming carnival held on 30 January.

Our war cry:

WHO FUELS FIRE? BUNAR FUELS FIRE
WHO STANDS TALL? BUNAR STANDS TALL
WHO WORKS TOGETHER? BUNAR GROWS TOGETHER

FUELLING FIRE, STANDING TALL, UNITED BUNAR HEAR OUR CALL

WE HAVE STRENGTH, WE HAVE GRACE
MIGHTY, MIGHTY BUNAR’S AHEAD OF THE RACE
GO BUNAR

Moori

We thump our tail
We stomp our feet
We are the team that can’t be beat!
We have kindness
We have grace
We won’t rub it in your face
When we
WIN WIN WIN!

Yarraman

To all the Yarra-men and women
Stand up proud and listen
We are here to beat the rest
We won’t settle for 2nd best
Don’t challenge us, we smash the course
You other houses can’t beat the horse
Whether it’s in the pool or on the track
We are Yarraman, so just step back
Yarraman! Yarraman! Midnight black
Gallop with speed, finish the track
YARRAMAN

Humanities

Power of Peace Gandhi Memorial Day

On 30 January, senior modern history students Isabel Dow, Megan Hinterreiter, Tatiana Rabai, Sophie Veprek and Shanae Russo, along with their teachers Miss Stanton and Miss Lee, attended the 70th Power of Peace Gandhi Memorial Day at the Mahatma Gandhi Statue, Roma Street Parklands, Brisbane. This significant community event celebrated the life and sacrifice of Gandhi and promoted peace, nonviolence and inclusiveness within the wider community. An excellent array of people attended and included key dignitaries, diplomatic representatives, the community, students of Corinda SHS and other organisations from all cultures, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Mahatma Gandhi was a politician with irreproachable ethical principles; personal integrity and non-violence were the main beliefs of his struggle for social justice. He challenged India’s British colonial rulers and finally led his country to independence.

Boer War Commemorative Service

On 1 February, senior history students Sophie Veprek, Amelia Richardson-McHugh and Anh-Thu Tran attended and participated in the Sherwood RSL’s Boer War commemorative service. This significant community event commemorated the War that occurred from 1899 – 1902 between the British and the Dutch-Afrikaners (Boers) in South Africa. In alliance with the British military forces, Australia also became involved in the conflict, resulting in the deployment of approximately 1600 Australians. Eleven Queenslanders were casualties of this conflict, and two local servicemen, Sgt Robert Berry and Acting Corporal John Macfarlane were paid special tribute during the service by their surviving family members and members of the local community.

Anh-Thu Tran had the privilege of investigating the Boer War and the circumstances of the servicemen during the conflict, particularly during the Battle of Onverwacht in 1902. Her research essay was highly commended by the RSL, and Anh-Thu was awarded the Boer War Essay Prize. Anh-Thu was awarded a medal, and a $100 cheque for her success.

The RSL has also assisted Corinda State High School to foster a partnership with Ermelo High School in South Africa. During the service, students Amelia Richardson-McHugh and Sophie Veprek had the honour of reading a personal letter from the students of Ermelo to Corinda and laying of the wreath. The reciprocal partnership between the Sherwood RSL and Corinda State High School has enabled the students to understand the ongoing significance of the Boer War in our modern society.

International

Homestay Families Required

Homestay families are required for an upcoming Japanese study tour. Students will be here from Monday 5 March – Sunday 11 March. Students are required to be in double placements, they can share a room but must have their own bed.

Please contact Janelle Peacock if interested. jpeac99@eq.edu.au

Languages

Welcome to all of our new and continuing students in languages. For parents of year 7, we look forward to teaching your students for at least the next three years. After this time, many students choose to continue their language journey. The language department would like to keep you up to date with cultural events that are happening at Corinda and around Brisbane. Here are just a few of these events.

Chinese

Chinese week is taking place in week 4 of this term and this is to coincide with Chinese New Year. Please keep a look out for some cultural activities, Chinese food and the languages department will host some sporting events that are popular in China. On Monday this week we had a fantastic start to the celebrations. The Lion Dance was performed by a local group and our students enjoyed the display!

Japanese

Japanese Festival at Roma Street Parklands on Saturday 24 February from 5:00 pm

Kisaragi-Sai Festival returns to Roma Street Parkland for its 4th year. Experience the many facets of Japanese culture and society with a range of Japanese music and dance with performances across two stages. There will also be martial arts, Bonsai, Ikebana (the Japanese art of flower arrangement), market stalls, artist demonstrations, exhibitions and children's activities.

Let your taste buds run wild as you experience the flavours of Japan with a range of pop-up food stalls, plus much more all in the one summer night-time festival. The activities listed above will be on Celebration Lawn from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm, but it does not end there! Head over the Amphitheatre at 8:30 pm to catch the free screening of Ancient and the Magic Tablet - which will be in Japanese with English subtitles (110 minutes).

German

On Saturday 24 February The German Club will be hosting “Karneval”. On this night, there will be German cuisine and entertainment. Please contact The German Club in Brisbane to get your tickets.

French

Language Teachers and Professional Development

Jane Muil (Senior French teacher) and Lisa Thompson (Senior Japanese teacher) spent part of their summer holidays overseas brushing up on their language skills. Jane spent 2 weeks on tour in France focusing on technology to support French studies and developing engaging activities to use in the classroom. Lisa spent 2 weeks in Shinjuku, Japan working on new ways to teach grammar and improve conversation in the classroom. In both instances, the teachers were fully immersed in the language and they look forward to sharing their experiences with their students and the school community.

Resource Centre

Corinda’s Library is open from 7:30 am until 4:30 pm Monday to Friday.

There are free tutoring sessions each afternoon from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm for the students. Please see above for details.

Community News

Positive Parenting

It is time to talk bullying and autism…

What comes to mind when you think about bullying? Is it consistent physical punches to the back when a child walks past a stronger child? Is it the nasty whispers of those who critique everything from hair to the way a girl walks or talks, isolating her? Is it the posting of horrible online rants that mean a person can’t escape the taunts they receive, even when at home? Or the teasing about things that a person can’t control, such as sensory overload, stimming (repetitive movements) or needing extra assistance to complete their work?

Bullying is all of these things and more – especially when it comes to children with autism. The likelihood of a child on the autism spectrum experiencing bullying is far greater than it is for a child without autism. And as with any child, the impact of bullying can have devastating, lasting effects. In children with autism, bullying can heighten anxiety, cause school refusal, disturb sleep, damage confidence and mental health and cause extreme regression.

Educate to empower

Often, children will pick on things that are different and that they don’t understand. Autism gives them plenty of ammunition. However, by equipping siblings, friends and classmates of children with autism with knowledge, and having an open forum for discussion, you may find that the hearts of many enlarge. What they found different or confusing they will now find different and cool.

Instead of being scared of the body language of a child with autism, kids may become more aware of what he or she is saying through body language and offer to help. A great way to do this is to watch the ‘Amazing Things Happen’ YouTube clip below. Watch it together as a family, perhaps including friends of your children.

You can start by introducing the clip and positively framing it so the children understand that they are learning about the amazing ways our bodies process information and how we are all unique in this regard. Afterwards, encourage some discussion amongst the children present. Many will ask great questions or share about someone they know who has autism. In one school where I ran this discussion, a child who had been relentlessly bullying a child on the spectrum raised his hand and asked whether Joshua (not his real name) would be able to forgive a bully, as the bully understood more now and thought Joshua’s brain was cool.

When we equip communities of children, we are empowering the bystanders. This can potentially limit the likelihood of bullying as what was allowed before is no longer tolerated by a broader range of people in that community. This is community and culture building.

Step up the anti-bullying strategies

If you have a child with autism, what tools do you have within your family to help that child communicate when they feel unsafe? Often, children on the autism spectrum may not be able to articulate that someone is bullying them. However, their behaviour will communicate it for them. All behaviour is communication and we need to ask the question “Why are they behaving this way?” as opposed to punishing the negative behaviour. Here are some great ways to equip children with strategies to communicate:

• Social stories about what bullying can feel like and what it can look like.
• Social stories on what to do if you feel unsafe.
• Picture books on body parts and where people are not allowed to touch.
• Communication about who the safe and trusted people are that a child with autism can go to when they feel uncertain or hurt.
• Encourage those around your child to watch for changes in behaviour, regression, aggression or increased anxiety and to let you know immediately if something arises, not waiting for the ‘right time’ to pick up the phone.
• Access social skills groups that allow for a small group learning approach, explicitly laying out what bullying is, effective communication strategies, and time to practice these in a safe and encouraging environment.

What if we take this as a different way of empowering our children by disempowering a bully through kindness and agreement, instead of anger and reaction, when it comes to verbal bullying? Could we as communities build on this and equip children on the spectrum with key phrases they can use to reject the rubbish a bully is speaking over them, and instead walk away, winning that battle? How could we do that? There is a great clip on YouTube called ‘How to Stop a Bully’ by Brooks Gibbs where he plays a role with a girl who is being feisty and mean to him. You can view it here:

• You could watch the video as a family and discuss it with your children.
• Encourage your child’s teacher to watch the video with their class, then pull it apart and reflect on the lessons.
• Develop a social script that your child on the autism spectrum could use if they felt like someone was bullying them, including a checklist to help them recognise if they are being bullied.
• Celebrate every attempt to rebuff negativity, highlighting your child’s strengths.

It is time for a rethink on bullying, and especially the bullying of kids who are ‘different’ such as those with autism. We are all a part of this within our communities and schools. When we work as a community to tackle this big issue, we will see amazing things happen in the lives of children with autism and across our communities as compassion, leadership and resilience increase.

The Smith Family

With increasing financial pressure on families, the Saver Plus Program has proven to be a great way to help by providing $500 towards back to school costs.

The aim of the program is for participants to achieve a savings goal of $500, which is then matched by a further $500 per family, which must be spent on educational expenses, with parents and carers taking part in free financial literacy workshops. The program has now been running for over 13 years.

Many of our successful families have received $500 in matched savings to assist with costs such as:

• School uniforms and shoes
• Text books and stationary needs
• School camps and excursions
• Sporting, art, dance or music fees
• Laptops or IPad

UQ Research Study

We are currently seeking parents and their teenagers aged 11 to 17, to participate in this study. Parents of participating families will be offered a free 2-hour parenting discussion group called “Coping with Teenagers’ Emotions” which is based on the successful Teen Triple P (Positive Parenting Program).

Girl Guides

Girl Guides “Come and Try” Day
Many activities, new friends to be made and lots of fun and adventures.
Meet our Girl Guide State Commissioner and enjoy a sausage sizzle!
18 February 2018 Goggs Rd, Jindalee
Contact: Region manager, Natasha Montesalvo – 0421806227

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