9 December 2022

Newsletter Articles

Executive Principal’s Report

Dear Parent and Friends

Time to farewell the 2022 school year and what a year of interesting challenges it has been. Navigating the COVID waves, supply chain impacts on school resources, enduring floods and recovering from such a devastating event just seemed to be our norm and we managed to remain focussed on our students and our programs. Our staff and students are to be congratulated for their resilience and determination without looking back.

We are excited for the year ahead as we begin our work with the Architects in designing our new STEM centre and Administration building. All going well we hope that construction will begin in the second half of next year. Our staff have been busy researching contemporary learning spaces and how this generation of learners respond to these environments. We are determined to future proof our school for the next generation of learners.

Our new world-class tennis courts are now complete and we look forward to value adding to our unique tennis program here at Corinda. These courts will also be available for community use and hire.

As I write this passage our students and staff are currently on their return from Heron Island at the University of Queensland Research Station. This is a long held tradition for Corinda which has been happening for approximately 40 years. Each year students work with researchers to collect data for long term research into the coral health and engage in studies relating to the natural habitat on the island. The students always comment that this is one of the most amazing and unique experiences in their life – and the teachers also agree with them. We look forward to their presentations following their return early in the new year.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our school community for supporting our school and for working with us in partnership. I am immensely proud to be part of such an innovative and progressive school and to be able to influence the amazing potential our young people have.

Despite the setbacks endured through COVID waves, flooding, supply chain issues and staffing shortages our staff and students still continued to Exceed Expectations on many levels. We have many reasons to celebrate the wonderful achievements on the sporting fields, on the stage and in our classrooms. Corinda is very much alive and there are so many opportunities for our students to engage in the total student experience at high school.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my appreciation to all parents and carers for your ongoing support and commitment to our school values. Being a parent or carer is always unpredictable and requires organisation, patience, resilience and dedication. For this I am very grateful for the way in which you support your students to ensure they are able to make the most of their opportunities to learn and grow.

Wishing you all an enjoyable and relaxing Festive Season and I look forward to seeing you in 2023. It is an honour and a privilege to be a part of this amazing school community.

Best wishes,

Helen Jamieson
Executive Principal

Coming Events

Some of our best

Artists impress with pet portraits

Last week, Corinda State High School staff were presented with commissioned paintings of their beloved pets, with the talented artists being our Year 8 Visual Art Excellence class.

With guidance and tuition from local artist Kim Wooley, students were given the brief to paint a staff member’s pet, and we think they have captured the likeness and personality brilliantly. Well done students, and thank you to those staff who participated in this annual project. This is often the first commissioned work our art students have accepted and so means a great deal to them.

Student drummer earns national recognition

Earlier this week, our one-of-a-kind drummer Vini (Year 8 Music Excellence, Junior Percussion Captain and Drumline Tenor player) received first place in the Schools Category for the Just Percussion YouTube Drumoff 2022. This is a nationally recognised competition in which Vini entered a video submission. His entry has since received more than 4000 views on YouTube! As well as the prestige of winning this competition, Vini will now also receive a 12-month endorsement from Just Percussion as one of their featured drum kit players. Fantastic work Vini.

You can view Vini’s YouTube submission below.

Junior leaders announced

Congratulations to the remainder of our 2023 Student Council, who have now been announced. We have no doubt they will set an outstanding example for our students across all areas, and will light the way for our community in the new school year.

Exhibition showcases Year 9 talent

Our Year 9 Visual Art Excellence students had their graduating exhibition in the Station Master's House last week. Students immersed themselves in curating the gallery space so they could display the diverse array of artworks created over the excellence program. A wonderful opportunity for the students and their family and friends to celebrate. Well done to all.

Grand final victory for Year 8 futsal players

Congratulations to Year 8 students Rani and Alex for representing the Girls U14 Metropolitan West Futsal side at Nissan Arena. Their team went nearly undefeated for the entire tournament, only losing their last round-robin game to the Sunshine Coast team. They faced the team again in the semi-finals, resulting in a 4-1 win and a place in the Grand Final. The students secured victory after going to penalties (4-1) when the game ended 2-2 at full time. Well done to both girls for being selected for the team and for your success. A fantastic achievement.

Performance honour for Corinda dancer

Congratulations to Year 9 dancer Teagan for being selected as one of 36 students from across Queensland to be part of the Brisbane Performing Arts Challenge Collective early next year. Teagan will work alongside professionals to put on their inaugural show ‘Behind the Curtain’ in January 2023. The performances will be held at Brisbane State High School’s Performing Arts Centre and tickets are on sale now. We wish you all the best in your preparations Tegan and hope you enjoy this special experience.

Music Excellence performances hit high note

Our talented Year 8 Music Excellence students performed for our House Parades over the past few weeks as part of their end-of-year performance assessments, while also bringing some extra joy for their teachers and peers. These students have worked tremendously hard this year to improve their skills and confidence in performing to large audiences and we commend them for their courage. Well done Corinda musicians.

Festive creations showcase design talent

With all their 2022 assessment complete, students in our Year 8 Design Technology Fashion class finished off the school year making teddy bears or Christmas decorations. We are very impressed by the finished result and love the fabrics choices. Class teacher Ms Thederan commended the students on their excellent work all year.

School News

Koondoo showcases Corinda’s spirit

The school’s 2022 Koondoo magazine will be distributed to students in Week 1 2023. A sincere thank you to the small but dedicated Yearbook Committee made up of Senior Leaders, who juggled competing priorities to produce such an eye-catching and uplifting 62nd edition.

Students not returning to school in 2023 can contact our Administration team to collect a copy from Marketing, however students are asked to do this at the end of school on Friday 9 December.

Dr Coulson returns for parent event

It is our great pleasure to invite parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson back to Corinda State High School in January to run a parent session about the transition to high school. We invite all current and future Corinda parents to join us on the night. Please use the QR code or link below to book your seat.

Are you missing something?

With the end of the year upon us, our lost property is beginning to overflow. As you prepare for 2023, please make sure all clothing and personal items are clearly named so misplaced items be easily reclaimed. Do you recognise who the below items belong to?

Community News

E-scooter safety top priority

Did you know new rules and increased fines have been introduced for riders of Personal Mobility Devices such as e-scooters and e-skateboards? It's important that riders follow the rules to keep themselves and other path users safe. Get the full details of the rules below.

Look out for each other after the floods

The start of 2022 was very tough for many of our families. If you know of someone who you think is still struggling with their mental wellbeing after the floods, please encourage them to reach out to the below free service.

Nature event to kick off the holidays

Families for the Forests is a family fun day event on Mt Roberts at Binna Burra Lodge on 10 December from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The day is designed to encourage families to spend time together in nature and there will be a number of activities including bush tucker and damper making workshops, tug of war, a reptile show, and activities tent with national park-based activities.

Holiday workshops for Year 7 – 10 students

GERRIC is offering student programs for gifted students during the January school holidays. They offer both face-to-face and online options so they are available for interstate students. For more details, please see the flyer below.

Study support available

ABSTUDY can help support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through study and training after high school. If you are a student starting higher education study or an apprenticeship next year, claim ABSTUDY now. Find out more by calling 1800 132 317, or visit the website below.

Orienteering events over the festive season

Orienteering Queensland would like to invite the community to take part in the free “Santa 6-days Orienteering Series”. They hope to see many families active together, enjoying the local parks and surrounds during the Christmas – New Year period.

Holiday activities at PCYC

The Inala PCYC has a full calendar of school holiday events throughout December and January. Please see below for more details.

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