9 August 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents

Welcome to our August edition of the Miami SHS newsletter. The month of August certainly has been a busy month for all staff and students as we reach the halfway mark of Term 3.

Thank you to everyone who participated in several of our key events in July/August and so far this month including: Careers Evening, Track and Field Championships, Academic Awards Ceremony, Year 9 into 10 and Year 10 into 11 Subject Selection Information Evening, Dance Excel Showcase and our M’Oscars Lip Sync Battle. I would like to congratulate the Primary Links students for their performances at our Dance Excel Showcase last week as well. It is always a pleasure to have the primary students join us for events to assist with their transition to high school. This year we had students from Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads, Caningeraba, Currumbin and Miami State School perform on stage. It is through these working partnerships that we can understand more about the needs and wants of prospective students and their families.

Early this week we held Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews in the Great Hall and it was encouraging to see the number of parents attending the interviews so that together with teachers, we can ensure every child is on track for success. We have also received positive feedback from the Subject Selection Information Evening where students were given personalised and practical guidance regarding their future pathways. I encourage all students to think carefully about their subject choice to ensure they choose the right pathway to meet their needs and skills.

Last week our school underwent a Full School Review where an external panel of reviewers in education reviewed our school in 9 key domains that contribute to school performance. The experience was a positive one for our school community, as was the initial feedback from the review panel. The executive summary of the review is due for completion from the School Improvement Unit in the next few weeks and will be published on our schools website once received.

Last week the nations NAPLAN results were released to all schools. It is with pride that I report that Miami SHS has achieved above national average in every literacy and numeracy domain for the national minimum standard percentage and every Year 9 student achieving above national minimum standard in numeracy. Well done to all of students in Years 7 and 9 who sat these tests as well as the Liz Mahon (HoD Literacy and Numeracy) and our teachers for their commitment to teaching excellence. Below is a summary of our results.

Year 7

Year 9

Lastly, I remind all parents and extended friends to submit your enrolment applications for Year 7 commencing in 2018. We are receiving a high number of out-of-catchment applications. The sooner we can confirm enrolment applications for 2018, the sooner we can plan class sizes, orientation programs and consider applications in waiting.

Thank you to all our parents and friends for your continued support. If you would like to be active members of our school community, please do join our upcoming P & C Meeting on Tuesday 15 August starting at 7pm in our Administration Building.

Sue Dalton
Principal

Dates to Remember

NEW Student Absentee Line

For all student absences please call our direct number on 5554 0334 or email absences@miamishs.eq.edu.au.

2018 Subject Selection Timelines (Years 10 AND 11)

As a reminder in preparation for your student’s journey at Miami State High School in 2018, please see important dates below in regards to the subject selection process. As each important date approaches further information will be disseminated to students, parents and the wider community through our website and Facebook page.

As this cohort of students is entering into a new phase of senior assessment and we have created subject offerings to best prepare our students, we have encountered some technical problems. All of these technical problems have been solved today and students can now select their subjects online by following the instructions located on our website via the link below.

Please be reminded that students must choose their subjects online prior to the upcoming subject selection interviews.

Jason Cross
Deputy Principal

Teacher of the Year Nominations

Congratulations to our Teacher of the Year nominations, Todd Campbell (Head of Mathematics) and Karis Hill-Milnes (Indigenous Officer), who have been recognised for their excellence in teaching. The Gold Coast winner will be announced at the Teachers Ball on 2 September at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. We wish our nominees all the very best.

Manomai Tirumalasetti Wins Inaugural Annual Miami Chess Club Championship

At the end of July during lunch breaks, 26 players battled out six rounds of chess to sort out the Miami Chess Club Champion for 2017. At the end of the tournament three talented students, namely Manomai Tirumalasetti, Joey Thomas and Michael Goodman, were tied on five wins each. The final placings had to be sorted on tie breaks which saw Manomai crowned king of Miami Chess for 2017! Well done to all players who participated in preparation for the Gold Coast Schools Championships to be held on Wednesday, 16 August at St Stephens College. Good luck to our six Miami teams representing the school in various divisions at this event!

Miami Chess players participated in the inaugural annual Miami Chess Championships

Legal Students Visit Supreme Court

On Thursday July 20, the Year 12 Legal Studies class made their way to Brisbane to undertake research at the Supreme Court Library. Term 3, for the Year 12s, is all about their independent inquiry task. This is a research assignment that they have been hearing about since Year 10. It involves each student selecting their own topic – something that poses a current controversy in the legal system. This year our class has been particularly thoughtful about choosing their topics and have chosen a very diverse and interesting array of issues. Some of these include: problems with our current parole system, the operation of Sharia law in Australia, issues relating to transgender children, protecting the Great Barrier Reef and copyright protection of indigenous art (sorry for not listing them all).

Our trip to the library allowed students the opportunity to access databases and texts that we cannot here at school. They undertook a research seminar with one of the librarians and then were let loose to find endless sources of information that they have collated and brought back to wade through in class. By the end of the session several students couldn’t even be dragged away to come and see a sentencing hearing – they were determined to get as much research in as they could. It was great to see them all so excited and into their topics, and I’m sure that their hard work on that day and in the weeks ahead, will result in some excellent results.

It was a fantastic day that we all enjoyed, and was particularly special as we got to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Beatrice on the train trip home. Happy 18th Birthday, Beatrice. Thank you to the Year 12s for being so awesome – on the day and every day. They are a wonderful class and I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching them over the last few years.

On August 10, our Year 11 Legal Studies classes will also have the chance to visit the courts in Brisbane. They will be watching court cases in action – see our next newsletter item to find out exactly what they saw on the day.

Rebecca Churchouse
Legal Studies Teacher

2017 ‘I Want It!’ Miami State High School Dance Excel Showcase

“The dance is over, the applause subsided but the joy and feeling will stay with you forever.”
W. M. Tory.

The 2017 Dance Excel Showcase held on the 2 August was a dance spectacular, full of energy, showcasing everything that is Miami Dance Excellence! Involving over 120 students and performing for a full house, it was the culmination of many months of work from students in Dance Excellence, Senior Dance, Dance Xtreme and the many extra-curricular crews that rehearse every lunch break. The evening included the ever popular Miami High Dance Excellence Primary Links performance where 39 students from a number of State Schools danced alongside our Dance Xtreme students. The Grand Finale was also a huge hit concluding the night with all of the performers taking the stage with their Teacher and Director, Ms Miranda van’t Hof for their final bows. Congratulations to all involved especially, the performers for their dedication and commitment. A special thank you must go to the Arts Staff, Miami’s Technical Production Crew, the Supportive Education Program staff and students and the many Miami staff who supported and assisted with the showcase. Finally, thank you to everyone who came on the night to support Miami Dance Excellence!

Miranda van’t Hof
Dance Excel Showcase Director

Netball News

Miami SHS Senior Netball Team represented the school at the Vicki Wilson Cup. This is the first time that Miami has entered a team in the tournament. Run by Netball Queensland and endorsed by Queensland School Sport, Vicki Wilson Cup is the premier netball competition for high schools across Queensland.

Our girls played so well, winning three of their seven games, in a tough draw.

The team was made up of Kayla McFadyen, Boston Jackson, Campbell Keogh, Lucinda Emerton, Rylee Fog, Belinda Maher, Alysha Davies, Paris Mohr, Emily Campbell, Sophie Chilvers and Madeleine Mitchell.

Well done to all the girls in the team.

Lisa Johanson
Teacher

Miami’s netball representatives at the Vicki Wilson Cup

Compassionate Cities Film Screening

Back in March our Year 11 students, Kobi Rankin, Brendan Organ and Ryah Charteris, took part in the Compassionate Cities Forum at Griffith University with many other High Schools. The chance to learn about the Charter for Compassion and the importance of making the community a more compassionate place was the theme of the forum. Students then had to embark on a journey to develop a school project with the theme of Compassion. The Miami Movement for Compassion was born. This short film competition was open to all schools on the coast with the films to focus on a compassionate theme. After many months of preparation the films will be screened during assembly on 14 September.

COME ALONG AND SUPPORT THE MIAMI MOVEMENT FOR COMPASSION ON 14 SEPTEMBER!

Supportive Education Program (SEP)

Dear Miami SHS Parents and Carers of Students with Disabilities

I would like to announce to our Miami State High School community a change to how the SEP will be known in the future, from Semester 2 this year.

In moving with trends being observed in other Education Queensland school sites, we are moving away from the traditional name of ‘Special Education’ to identify the services provided to students who have a verified disability.

After consultation with SEP staff members and our School Principal Sue Dalton, and with overwhelming support, the decision has been made to change our department name.

We will be keeping the acronym SEP, however, these letters now represent the name ‘Supportive Education Program’.

Our SEP teachers, teacher aides, teacher aide educational interpreters (TAEIs) and Auslan Language Models (ALMs) will still be working under the same framework, providing the same teaching and support services.

Thank you and we look forward to moving forward with our new title.

Craig Gallagher
HOSES

Shooters Video Club - Lip Sync Battle

The Shooters Video Club and Film Department would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all who attending and participated in this year’s Lip Sync Battle. We raised a whopping $500 to go towards the hiring of our outdoor screen for this year's M'Oscars Film Festival. Not only were the performances top notch, but we finally revealed our theme for this year’s M’Oscars Film Festival – 1950s Drive In. Stay tuned for more info as October draws closer.

Lucy Carr
Film and Television Teacher

Photographs from the extremely funny Lip Sync Battle 2017 held in the Great Hall on Thursday 3 August.

Year 12 Geography Field Trip 2017

At the start of Term 3, Year 12 Geography students attended a field trip around the Gold Coast Hinterland. The theme for the day was "Paddock to Plate" and students had a series of fantastic, hands on experiences. These included, eating fully organic produce and "happy gut healthy" soil on Freemans Organic farm in Tomewin, milking cows and goats and enjoying real milk at Providence Farm on the Beechmont Plateau, and then dressing a side of Beef in the cold room at Morton’s Quality Meats in Nerang.

Students were given full access to the methods of production, distribution and sale of food on the Gold Coast. Students, described the trip as "awesomely edible" and "automatically, organically tasty."

Mr John Maitland
Geography Teacher

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability

Collecting data on school students with disability helps teachers, principals and education authorities support the participation of students with disability in schooling on the same basis as students without disability.

All Australian Governments have agreed to work together on the annual collection of data on school students with disability.

All Australian schools participate in this annual data collection.

The data provided to the Australian Government is aggregated data only. Please be reassured that the Department will not provide on to another organisation any data that can identify an individual student. The only data being collected at the school level to be reported nationally is the:

• number of students in the school who are provided with an adjustment to address a disability;
• level of adjustments we provide for those students; and
• broad category of disability.

Consultation with parents is important not only for the data collection but also to ensure you are aware of the adjustments being provided to support your child. We will therefore continue to consult with you.

While only data that cannot identify your child will be submitted outside of the Department, if you do not wish for your child’s details to be included, please let me know.

Information and fact sheets are available to help you make a decision from the:

Alternatively, if you have any queries about the collection or use of this data I encourage you to contact me.

Craig Gallagher
Acting Head of Special Education Services

Year 8 Miami Challenge Camp

Sixteen Year 8 students participated in the Miami Challenge student development program on 19 and 20 August aimed to promote self-confidence, teamwork, goal setting and motivation. Students started with the challenge of indoor climbing where they got to work together and help each other reach their goals. In the early afternoon we travelled to Mt Nimmel campground to set up camp for the night. Camping in tents proved to be one the greatest challenges with most students indicating on their evaluation that the most difficult thing about the program for them was getting comfortable, staying warm and sleeping – a night to remember. On day two after an early rise and pack up we headed to Mt Tamborine and did two walks enjoying the beautiful rainforests and waterfalls and, in some cases, new friendships. A common response from students to the question, “What did you learn about yourself through this experience?” was that they can do more than they thought possible if they put their mind to it. This is a great lesson to learn and one of the goals of this program. A special thanks to Mrs Grant who assisted with the camp and managed to stay warm with her hot water bottles and also to our school P&C who subsidise this program. It was a great success.

The Term 4 Miami Challenge will be for Year 7 students who will be given the opportunity to nominate themselves to participate. If parents have any queries please contact me at school or by email at shanes@chappy.org.au.

Shane Scott
Chaplain

NEED FOR FEED

There are a group of 18 interested students who are staying back after school each Thursday to hone their skills in the kitchen. This is supported by Diabetes Australia who has set up the program to help young people learn healthy, wholesome cooking.

During each lesson they are gaining skills using knives and general kitchen equipment at the same time as learning healthy eating guidelines and serving sizes. So far they have made pizza, burritos, apple-berry crumble, fruit scones, pineapple stir-fry and some salads. This is just the beginning for these budding new cooks in the making.

Ms Purdy is looking forward to what they will be creating next.

QLD TAFE Gold Coast Trade Training Centre Visit

Miami State High students visited the QLD TAFE Gold Coast’s Trade Training Centre last Friday, 4 August 2017. More than 40 students from Years 9 to 12 attended the event at Ashmore TAFE campus and learned about the vocational courses available. They toured the facilities and spoke to the trade experts about a variety of trades. Trades covered on the day were Automotive, Bricklaying, Carpentry, High Level Building and Construction, Electrical, Tiling, Plumbing, Engineering, Horticulture, Painting, Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy and Cookery.

Activities on the day included Interactive displays, ‘Try Your Hand at a Trade’, career and course advice and industry exhibitors. The group was also treated with free BBQ, coffee and delicious cakes prepared by the TAFE Hospitality students. Thank you to Ms Schnitzerling, Ms Hamilton and Ms McCauley for accompanying the students on the day.

The following students shared their trade day experience:

Morgan Preston, Year 10: “I tried the Carpentry, Bricklaying, Plumbing activities and I used the drill, nail gun and assembled a hot water pipe. I enjoyed the Carpentry area most as this is my area of interest and hope to continue in this trade after school’.

Alexandra Esposito and Marissa Goldstone-Holgate, Year 9s: “We are particularly looking at the Beauty Therapy course. We can enrol in the Cert II Retail Cosmetics school program in Year 10 and will do the Diploma of Beauty when we turn 18. The day was amazing and we tried all the other activities such as painting, scaffolding, horticulture and we even decorated some cupcakes.”

Logan Edwards, Year 10: “I went to the Electrical area and did their motor activity, it is very interesting. I took the course information and will hope to do this trade in the future.”

Quentin McMillan, Year 10: “I am not looking at any particular trade, I want to see what is available and learn about them. I tried the Plumbing activity where we installed hot water piping and that was interesting”.

Floribel Legaspi
Industry Liaison Officer

Miami students participated in a variety of activities at the QLD Tafe Gold Coast Open Day.

Mathematics Department News

We have been celebrating success in the Mathematics Department in recent times.

Miami State High School NAPLAN Numeracy data for Years 7 and 9 has been outstanding. We have exceeded State averages and School targets in many aspects. We look forward to sharing further information as more detailed student performance reports become available. I congratulate the students for their efforts during the very busy NAPLAN week and our valued Mathematics Teaching Team for their individualised approach in their preparation of students for the event.

Our Year 11 Mathematics B students participated in the External Assessment Trial held by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) at the end of Semester one. This event involved trial schools around the State sitting the same exam under the same conditions. I am very proud to share our outstanding results. Students in Senior Mathematics are assessed in three criteria: Knowledge and Procedures, Modelling and Problem Solving, and Communication and Justification. The following students achieved a rare triple AAA in these criteria from the 59 students participating: Grace Cachia, Cody Clark, Emily Gov, Mia Hori, Hannah Hu, Adam Puetter, Jimmy Ting.

Congratulations to all students who participated with our school A-C data well above State averages. Wendy Harrison as subject coordinator along with fellow Mathematics B teachers, Andrew Farrugia and Kasey Hardman did an outstanding job preparing the students for the assessment. Thank you.

A reminder that Maths Club is on every Tuesday afternoon from 3:00 – 4:00pm in the Library. I would invite all students to come along and be part of this strong academic culture. There were 37 students present last week. The students always appreciate the many Mathematics Teachers who attend and offer assistance with study, homework, exam preparation and assessment items.

Todd Campbell
Mathematics Head of Department

Wellbeing Update

On 25 July we celebrated the Year 11 Good Vibes Day with 90% of students rating the day as 10 out of 10. The guest speakers spoke very highly of our student’s behaviour and engagement. Topics included Relationships, Body Image, Finance, Hip Hop and Resilience; there was something there for everyone.

Our next Good Vibes Day is 15 August for Year 8. These are exciting days full of important information for all students with topics such as Cyber safety, Drugs and Alcohol, Self-defence, and Happy Smiles.

Wellbeing Tip

What is Compassion?

Compassion can be defined as ‘sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings of others”

We all feel that we are compassionate people and understand the importance of showing compassion to people in our community. However, with homelessness, domestic violence, bullying and poverty at times we may see a lack of compassion.

How can this change? Just small random acts of kindness can make a difference in people’s lives and are an example of a compassionate act. Listening to someone who may need to talk, offering to help someone in need and even a smile as you pass can show you care.

Think about ways that you can make this community a more compassionate place. If you don’t think that one small act can make a difference think what it is like trying to sleep with a mosquito in the room!

The Parenting Teenagers Course

The Parenting Teenagers course will be held at Miami State High School for 5 consecutive Wednesday evenings commencing Wednesday 16 August from 7 – 9 pm.

This course will equip parents and carers of children aged 11 to 18 years old with strategies to build a healthy relationship with their teenager while guiding them into adulthood. Whether you consider you have strong parenting skills and all is going well, or if you are facing challenges, you will benefit from the five sessions in which you will learn practical ways to help support your teenager, communicate effectively, discover how your teenager feels loved, set appropriate boundaries and let them go gradually so that they can take on increasing responsibility for their own behaviour.

The five session topics are:

1. Keeping the end in mind,
2. Meeting our teenager’s needs,
3. Setting boundaries,
4. Developing emotional health,
5. Helping them make good choices

The format of each session:

1. Viewing a DVD presentation including input from the hosts Nicky and Sila Lee as they share from their experience of parenting four children, advice from parenting experts, and interviews with parents and teenagers.
2. Guided small group discussion to give a chance to talk about the topics presented. Each guest is given a manual with exercises and questions for these discussion times.

The Parenting Teenagers Course is based on Christian principles but these principles apply to every parent. It is not a Christian/religious presentation and you do not need to be Christian/religious to benefit from the course. The course in run successfully in many countries throughout the world.

The cost of the course:

An optional investment to help cover costs of guest manual and refreshments (suggested only - $10).

Please note that places are limited. To confirm your attendance or if you have any queries please feel free to contact me at shanes@chappy.org.au or on 0424473790 by Friday 11 August.

Shane Scott
Chaplain
Miami State High School and Miami State School

Hints for Creating Resilient Families

Love Kids for their differences

When families function well people are allowed to be different and to be loved for those differences.

We all know that children take on different roles. A father of three once said, “It’s as if they have a planning meeting once a year and say “You be the good kid, I’ll be the sick kid and the other one can be the trouble-make!” And then just when you think you’ve got it figured out they change roles again.”

Having children who are strongly individual and who have a sense of who they are, is a sign of good parenting. The problem may, of course, be that they will then express their independent spirit in ways that you don’t like. The ideal is a mix between someone who preserves their own uniqueness and is able to work with others without becoming dictated to by them. Someone who has their own independent nature, but is comfortable enough with themselves to allow inter-dependence.

Who is in charge?

Families do not work well as democracies. In fact they seem to work best as benevolent dictatorships in which the parent or parents consult a lot with their children but at the end of the day, the parent has the final say.

Some parents fear that if they take charge that they will lose the friendship of their children, but often the reverse is true. In families where parents fail to take their own role seriously, children may feel that to express their independence they need to engage in risk taking behaviour and avoid responsibility.

Authoritative parenting allows children to feel safe, have clear boundaries and flourish.

Information supplied by Andrew Fuller.

Want to join Kurrawa Surf Club?

Nipper sign on days and membership drive at Kurrawa Surf Club takes place on Sunday 27 August and 10 September from 9.00 to 11.00 am at the Miami Aquatic Centre. Membership prices are $40 per adult or $60 for two adults. For more information email nippers@kurrawasurf.com.au.

Finance Office New Trading Hours and Payment Options

Opening Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 8.00am to 12.00pm (closed Friday).

Student Payment Times: Before school or during first break

INTERNET PAYMENT

IN PERSON

BY PHONE

BPOINT

Receipts will always be given for payments made over the counter and will always be available on request for payments made by Internet Banking or Credit Card over the phone

Kellie Johnston
Business Services Manager

Important Information from TransLink

From January, use TransLink’s online journey planner to find the best travel options for your child to travel to and from school. Our helpful tips for journey planning for school services makes planning your child’s school journey even easier.

Alternatively, you can also use the school timetables search if you already know your bus route number.

Travel to school with go card

When your child travels to and from school on public transport with go card, they can save at least 30% compared to the cost of a single paper ticket. That’s in addition to the 50% discount that school students pay compared to adults. These savings quickly add up!

Grab a go card for your child online or at selected retailers today.

Visit the TransLink website for full details on school transport, tickets and fares.

Is your child eligible for STAS?

The Queensland Government provides eligible school students travelling to and from primary and secondary schools with assistance via the School Transport Assistance Scheme (STAS).

Find out if your child is eligible and beat the rush – apply now and pick up your child’s travel pass from your local operator today!

Kind regards
TransLink Customer Relations

Update your Contact Details

ARE YOUR CONTACT DETAILS UP TO DATE – INCLUDING EMERGENCY CONTACTS?

We have been experiencing a number of students presenting to sick bay with serious illnesses/injuries to warrant the school needing to urgently contact a parent/guardian or an emergency contact but with no success. Could you please make sure that your contact details are up to date and ensure your emergency contacts are available if you’re not able to be contacted. This is especially important for when parents are travelling away during the school term and leaving students with guardians. Please feel free to contact the school either by email admin@miamishs.eq.edu.au or telephoning 5554 0333 to confirm your current details.

Parent Contact

NOTE TO PARENTS/CARERS

The school database program can only allocate ONE address per student. If a student is residing equally between two addresses, the parents/carers must decide which address will be allocated as the main address for the student. The second address can be noted on the student’s hardcopy personal file.

If a second report is required to be emailed, please contact the school in order for us to record this.

Helen O’Brien
Human Resources Manager

RTC SMS Text – Home Communication

To improve the communication between parents and the school, Responsible Thinking Classroom (RTC) SMS text messages will be sent daily for all students referred to the RTC. This will provide immediate feedback for parents allowing them to discuss issues with their student, and if they have any concerns, contact the school for clarification. The following texts will be used:

SMS text for daily RTC referral.

Dear parent, please be advised your student was referred to RTC today. Please discuss with your student and contact Miami SHS 55540333 if concerned.

SMS text for student reaching RTC Level 3.

Dear parent, your student has reached Level 3 on RTC. Please support by discussing this with your student. Thank you from Miami SHS.

SMS text for student reaching RTC Level 5.

Dear parent, your student has reached Level 5 on RTC. Please contact Miami SHS on 5554 0333 to arrange an intervention meeting time asap. Thank you.

SMS text for student reaching RTC Level 7.

Dear parent, your student has reached Level 7 on RTC. One more referral may result in suspension. Your urgent support is appreciated. Thanks Miami SHS 5554 0333.

Please take the opportunity to discuss this with your student, should you receive a text message regarding RTC. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Glenn Smits
Positive Behaviour Coach