25 November 2022

Newsletter Articles

Executive Principal’s Report

Jubilation filled the air last week as our Year 12 students finished their final external exams and closed the book on their journey as the Seniors of ‘22 at Corinda State High School. The celebrations at their Graduation Ball followed by their official Graduation Ceremony were very special and I am sure some lasting memories have been captured. Once again it was wonderful to be able to celebrate this very special milestone as a whole school event, embracing our Six Houses, One Family culture.

To our families who have finished their time with us as Corinda parents, I thank you for your support and contribution made over the past six years and I extend my very best wishes to you all. As a Year 12 parent myself, I completely understand the behind the scenes work and support that is required as our young people navigate the complexities and expectations of this new system. It was a huge sigh of relief for me when that final exam was completed. Now we wait for that ATAR score.

And so, it all began again this week…as our Year 11 students undertook their first Internal Assessment which contributes to their ATAR calculations.

It was wonderful to celebrate the amazing talent of our Visual Arts and Instrumental Music Excellence students this week at the opening of their gallery, Evolve on Monday evening. The quality of the work and the deep thought that was evidenced in the student artwork really impressed me. This comment was continually made throughout the evening by the large number of people in attendance. We have some very talented students in our midst and I am sure some very proud family members. Congratulations to all students and special thanks to our amazing teachers who go above and beyond to bring out these amazing talents.

Helen Jamieson
Executive Principal

Coming Events

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School leaders shine at graduation and beyond

Last Friday we celebrated our Year 12 cohort, who officially concluded more than a decade of schooling at their graduation ceremony at Nissan Arena. It was a fantastic send-off led by outgoing School Captains Micaela Anstey and Jayden Lavatai, featuring lots of laughs, nostalgic moments, and heartfelt interactions. Congratulations to all students who received awards on the day, including the following students:

• Ampol All Rounder Award: Shashi Kubsad
• Principal’s Award for Service to School Award: Jayden Lavatai
• RSL Citizenship Award: Micaela Anstey
• Australian Defence Force Long Tan Youth Leadership Award: Madeleine McCabe
• USQ Excellence Award: Rachiel Geu
• Outreach Student Achiever Award: Anjeli Suprianto
• UQ Achievement Award: Anthony Ngo
• CQU Academic Excellence Award: Jonas Le
• QATSIF Young Indigenous Leader Award: Emelia Stacy
• Rotary VET Award: Scarlett Watkins
• QUT Faculty of Engineering Dean’s Award: Jordan Holmes and Tyson Luu
• Gold Attendance Award: Jessica Murphy and Pha Son

A round of applause also to all Year 12 students who received early university offers on the day of their graduation. Their years of dedication have paid off, and they can go into the Christmas break assured they will enter 2023 studying the degree of their choice at their preferred university.

Mathematics excellence at Corinda

Congratulations to each of our high-achieving students in Years 7 – 10 who received the grade of Distinction in the recent Australian Maths Competition (AMC). They were awarded their certificates by the Head of Department for Mathematics Mr Helmore, alongside AMC coordinator Ms Qiu, who both commended the students on achieving mathematics excellence at such a young age, and for their commitment to their studies. Well done!

Economics students shine in competition

The introduction of a Year 10 Economics program in 2022 has been met with huge success, with our students receiving excellent results in the recent Queensland Economics Teachers Association’s (QETA) annual online competition. A number of candidates did particularly well and were awarded certificates by the QETA for their results.

Year 10 Economics prepares students for the Year 11 and 12 Economics syllabus and provides a number of extracurricular opportunities such as field trips and participation in the ASX Schools Share Market Game. Interested students are encouraged to select Economics as their elective for Year 10 Humanities.

RIC receives architectural accolades for innovative design

Corinda State High School’s state-of-the-art Research and Innovation Centre (RIC) was celebrated at the Association for Learning Environments Queensland Awards where it won the New Facility, Large category. Designed by architect Gray Puksand, the RIC was awarded for its agility, fluidity, limitless opportunities, and access to multi-disciplinary and high-tech learning spaces.

The RIC is a welcome addition to our campus, and we thank everyone who worked on the project that has not only achieved its educational outcomes but has added a new sense of identity for both the students and the wider Corinda community.

In addition, Gray Puksand also recently paid a special visit to our Year 8 Platinum students. The visit coincided with the students’ current cross-curricular English and Geography unit of work exploring experiences of urbanisation. Students are studying literary depictions of urbanisation in English while investigating sustainable design and the challenges of urbanisation in Geography. On the day, architect Kevin Myles (pictured) assisted the students to embody and enact sustainable design practices by first planning and then modelling a sustainable city.

Farewell to long-serving team member

We had a very sad farewell this month. Our Schools Officer Moala ‘Mo’ Faingataa finished with Corinda State High School after 10 years of dedicated service. At his farewell gathering Mo gave a humble and heartfelt farewell speech, and was recognised by Executive Principal Helen Jamieson for his tireless work. We are sure you will join us to wish Mo all the best in his future personal and professional endeavours.

Dancer selected for inaugural performance

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 (BPAC) 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.

Culinary students treated to city experience

Our Year 8 Culinary Excellence students recently enjoyed an excursion to Brisbane’s famous South Bank precinct, spending time in the Epicurious Garden, as well as Southbank TAFE, specifically The College of Tourism and Hospitality. The students visited their state-of-the-art kitchens and then relished a fabulous lunch at the “First Course” training restaurant. What a treat for our students and we hope they came away with plenty of inspiration.

School News

P&C social event to celebrate end of year

Our 2023 incoming families are invited to attend a social dinner in place of the last P&C meeting for the year on Wednesday 30 November from 7:00 PM at Hotel Monier. 

This will be a great occasion for you to meet other families sharing your children’s high school journey with you. Parents will also be able to learn from P&C representatives about what we have done and what we can do in the future to better support our school community.

Our P&C does not run the uniform shop or the tuckshop and therefore the focus is on fundraising and organising events of interest to parents.

Come along, meet some other new parents, ask us about the P&C and enjoy a night out.

Please RSVP to pandccorindashs@gmail.com by Friday 25 November. Dinner will be PYO.

2023 Next Step Year 12 Survey

A reminder our Year 12 students will soon be invited to participate in the Next Step Year 12 Completers Survey starting in March 2023. The short confidential survey will ask questions about graduates’ activities since finishing school, like study and work.

Graduates can expect to be invited to the survey via a letter from the Minister for Education or an email or phone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office on behalf of the department. Please check your contact details are correct with your school and your learning account by logging into the student portal from the link below.

We appreciate your participation in this important survey as it helps our school improve our senior services for future students. For more info visit the link below.

This month on SchoolTV: Bullying

Bullying is an ongoing or repeated misuse of power in relationships, with the intention to cause deliberate psychological harm. Bullying behaviours can be verbal, physical or social. It can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious or hidden. Bullying in any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders.

Despite the efforts made to reduce bullying behaviours, research tells us that one in four students still report being bullied every few weeks. However, not all negative behaviour should be considered bullying. The key difference is that bullying does not stop on its own. It’s important young people learn how to identify behaviours that are rude, behaviours that are mean, and behaviours that are related to bullying.

Often the reasons for bullying can be complex. Some young people do it to get approval from others, some do it to regain control, whilst others may do it because it makes them feel safe. Supporting young people as they work through their emotions will help them unpack the motivation and reason behind the behaviour.

In this edition of SchoolTV, caregivers can better understand why some young people engage in bullying behaviours and what to do to support a child experiencing it. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition, and we always welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to this month's edition

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

Casual positions at School Locker

School Locker is looking for Christmas casual staff in their retail store at Oxley.

They are seeking people with availability on Saturdays and back-to-school weekdays from December to the end of January 2023, plus the opportunity for extra work after this period.

Award wages and staff polo will be supplied, and full training is given. There is a minimum requirement for basic computer skills.

Successful applicants will be helping customers with their uniform requirements for various schools, putting stock away, and generally keeping the store tidy.

School Locker prides themselves on service and appearance to customers, so a neat and tidy appearance and attitude to customers and other staff members is a must.

If you want to earn some extra money for holidays and gain retail experience, please send a one-page resume to: naomi.henry@theschoollocker.com.au.

Cyber Safety webinar for parents

We encourage parents to access the following webinar hosted by Internet Safe Education, to help devise successful strategies to manage young people and devices over the Christmas break. The session is facilitated by former child exploitation detective Brett Lee and is free for families. Registrations can be made online here:

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