5 April 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Welcome to the final newsletter of term 1 – a term that welcomed new families into the Miami High Community and focused on transitioning all students into our school culture.

We have had a number of school events during March and the dedication and commitment by both staff and students has been nothing but extraordinary. One of the events was our Year 7 2020 Enrolment Information Evening which was held on Tuesday 5 March. The evening commenced at 5:00pm with presentations and demonstrations from each of our Departments followed by an information session. This Information Evening saw almost 400 people in attendance with approximately 200 families taking away enrolment packs. It is clear that the community is looking to Miami High School as their future High School of choice. During the evening I received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from parents keen to share with me how impressed they were with the schools progression, emerging opportunities and passionate teachers. A very big thank you to key staff who helped to coordinate this important event to showcase our school community as a quality Independent Public School.

At the start of March our school was given the opportunity to host the filming of a significant movie. This opportunity aligns with our mission statement – ‘To generate innovative opportunities to excite, engage and empower everyone every day’. This was an exciting day for the Miami Community knowing that scenes for this predicted international blockbuster were filmed on our school campus. Through the process of allowing this movie to be filmed on our site we were able to negotiate that our Media and Drama students participate in the filming which no doubt for them was a once in a lifetime experience. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the whole school community for adapting to the change in routine for this day at such short notice.

In the February newsletter I was unable to announce the Year 7 Representatives as the selection process was still in progress however this is now complete and it’s with great pleasure that I announce the two Year 7 students who have been selected to be Respect Portfolio Leaders are Cassius Prema and Ellie-Dee Etherington. Congratulations and I look forward to watching these students grow significantly in their confidence and leadership capability. There has been a particular focus within the schools strategic planning to strengthen the student voice in 2019 and beyond, so I look forward to all of our student leaders who represent the student body having the platform to provide feedback and influence decision making when necessary.

Bus Pick Up/ Drop Off Zone

With over two years of lobbying and numerous meetings with Gold Coast City Council and Main Roads I am delighted to announce that the school has been successful in getting a fully funded Bus Pick Up/ Drop Off Zone. The positioning of this new zone will replace the current southern car parking area and will proceed further south inside the school grounds to ensure a safer zone off the highway for our students away from the main intersection that is without doubt a high risk area. Trees of cultural significance will not be removed. As you may have seen Main Roads have already fenced off this area and construction has commenced. The anticipated completion date is late August/ early September 2019, and as with all construction the completion date is dependent on the weather and unforeseen delays. Your patience and understanding over the next few months whilst construction is taking place is appreciated. No doubt the end result is an absolute bonus for the safety of our students who travel by bus and/or are transported by car by having the new zone away from the highway and inside school grounds.

CCTV

Earlier this year the Department of Education asked schools to submit a bid for CCTV camera’s to protect school assets and enhance student, staff and community member safety during and outside of school hours. Recently I was delighted to be notified that my submission was successful and we will receive approximately $60,000 worth of cameras funded by the government to place around the school. Last month I met with a representative from Protective Services regarding the installation and placement of the 20 cameras which will be installed in areas subjected to vandalism outside of school hours as well as areas of high traffic during school hours. The installation and placement of these cameras will meet all legal requirements. With the Nobby Beach and Miami precinct becoming more vibrant and populated outside of school hours this is a proactive measure to ensure our school and its members are protected at all times.

Winter Uniform

As the cooler months approach it is fitting that the new Winter Uniform (jacket and tracksuit pants) will be available for purchase at the commencement of term 2. The early feedback on this tracksuit has been incredibly positive with overwhelming agreement that it is impressive and a positive and much needed addition to our school uniform. Earlier this week correspondence was sent via our digital platform with specific details surrounding the purchasing of the winter uniform and the new hours of operation for the Uniform Shop.

Reporting and Assessment

As we come to an end of a term it is that time where we assess student progress in order to report to parents/carers on the progress of their child in each of their subjects. Parents of Year 7, 8, 9 10 and 12 students should expect to receive interim reports at the end of Week 2, Term 2. In Term 1 there is no reporting period for Year 11 students so Parents of Year 11 students will receive their first students report in Week 7, Term 2. Again reports will be sent electronically. This enables teachers to maximise teaching and learning time for the whole of term 1 with their students to ensure they have deep learning outcomes. Parent and teacher relationships are critical in a child’s education and I encourage everyone to make contact with their child’s teacher should they have any concerns.

I would like to wish all staff and student families, and friends of our school community a very happy and safe Easter. I look forward to working with everyone again when school resumes on Tuesday 23 April 2019 as Monday 22 April 2019 is a Public Holiday.

Mrs Sue Dalton
Principal

Dates to Remember

MSHS Excellence Programs 2020

2020 Excellence Program Applications are NOW OPEN

It is with great pleasure that I announce Excellence Program Applications for 2020 are now open. Our Excellence Programs continue to go from strength to strength and we look forward to having students from both in and out of catchment apply for these select entry courses. Please be advised that the majority of Excellence Programs are opening applications to all year levels so please encourage your student to step outside of their comfort zone and secure their position.

The application deadline is strictly the 3rd May, 2019. No late applications will be accepted

Academic

• Stellar Academic Excellence - Applications Open for Year 7 2020

Cultural

• Contemporary Instrumental Music Excellence - Applications Open for Year 7 – Year 9 2020
• Dance Excellence – Applications Open for Year 7 – Year 9 2020

Sporting

• Athlete Excellence – Applications Open for Year 7 2020
• Touch Football Excellence - Applications Open for Year 7 – Year 12 2020
• Tennis Excellence - Applications Open for Year 7 – Year 12 2020
• Surfing Excellence - Applications Open for Year 7 – Year 12 2020
• Girls Rugby 7s Excellence - Applications Open for Year 7 – Year 12 2020

Please refer to our school website for a detailed outline of all the Excellence Programs and also the application process and important information.

Mr Rob Petersen
Dean of Enrichment

Year 7 Vaccinations

Year 7 school vaccinations happening soon!

The Gold Coast Public Health’s immunisation team will be providing vaccinations to all year 7 students on 17th May 2019.

You should have received an email from admin.immunisegc@health.qld.gov.au.

If you haven’t received this email you can complete a consent form to enrol your child here:

YEAR 7

Alternatively, you can contact Gold Coast Public Health’s immunisation team on 1800 940 750 or drop into the school office to complete a hard copy form.

You will need to complete a consent form even if you do not wish to have your child vaccinated.

Portfolio Updates

Respect

We have been working hard in the Respect Portfolio this term, with a focus upon recycling. With the issue of the protection of our environment the hot topic in society, we decided to look into incorporating the Envirobank bins and running the Containers for Change program at our school. Keep your eyes out next term for the orange bags to recycle all of your cans and bottles. Alongside this, we organised the ‘Bullying No Way Day’ were we held an interactive assembly to get students thinking about the impact of bullying. Promoting the ‘Choose Kind’ moto, we encouraged students to write a kind message to a fellow peer or teacher.

Sophie Chilvers (Respect Portfolio Leader)

Inspire

This term Miami’s Inspire Portfolio has initiated the ‘Speak Up Miami’ program. We have introduced a suggestion box, where students can give feedback on changes around the school and suggest ideas for fundraisers and activities. An ‘Inspiring Teacher Award’ has also begun with students being able to make nominations for the award. Inspire has also assisted with the organisation of the Swimming Carnival and Cross Country Carnival.

Ryan Cook (Inspire Portfolio Leader)

Connect

Connect Portfolio has been busy this term with the organisation of a winter supplies drive for the non-profit Gold Coast Organisation, ‘Walk With Us’. We have been promoting the organisation and looking for donations of items such as socks, sleeping bags and anything warm! Receiving heaps of vital supplies, we would like to thank the Miami community again for showing such amazing support. Next term we are looking at raising money for the Animal Welfare League and organising a book drive to donate items to remote Indigenous Communities.

Boston Jackson (Connect Portfolio Leader)

Student Council

Our Student Council meets once a fortnight to work towards increasing student voice and growing the culture of our Miami community. Through our BBQs at swimming carnival and cross country we have made a great start to the funds put towards our end of year gift. Alongside this we held our annual Valentine’s Day sales of roses and lollipops, spreading the love around Miami. We are supporting “Relay for Life” this year with 3 different teams registered to raise money towards Cancer Research. If you would like to donate please visit the Cancer Council Relay for Life Southern Gold Coast page and all 3 of our teams start with Miami High. With a numerous number of events in the works for rest of the year, remember to keep a look out on our Facebook page and the Miami app!

Mady Hall (Student Council President) and Danielle Moffitt (Student Council Vice President)

International Report

International students attended Excursion to Tangalooma Resort, Moreton Island 27 Feb to 1 March.

Activities included, snorkelling, feeding dolphins, southern safari and desert safari

Internationals attended Jellurgal Aboriginal Centre on 11 March to learn more about Indigenous local culture.

Our international cohort get the opportunity to have 3 Learn to Surf lessons with Surfing Services Australia. Here is a group photo:

STUDY TOUR GROUP

International hosted Jiyokan Boys School Study group on March 6.

A large 1 day study tour of 80 male students from Jiyokan Boys High School in Japan. A big thank you to our buddies for welcoming all of these students!

Picture of Teachers exchanging gifts with Head of International Studies, Melissa Wilson and Language Teacher Jodie De Roos.

Supportive Education Update

The Supportive Education Program (SEP) supports students who have a verified disability, as well as some students who have previously met departmental criteria. Students within our program are well-supported by a team of specialist teachers and support staff who target individual learning needs. Miami’s SEP provides a range of subjects which are engaging, innovative, and that meet curriculum targets to ensure best possible student outcomes.

The SEP offers small intensive classes that target specific individualised learning goals, providing in-depth explicit teaching across most of the Key Learning Areas. Recently, Miami has introduced new inclusive classes in a slightly larger setting. These classes are designed to provide opportunities for teachers to work more closely with students who may require additional support or explanation.

Miami State High School is an Inclusive School and we closely align with the Inclusion Policy. We value each diverse learner and their individual way of learning.

Students within our program receive a Case Manager whose role is to:

• oversee students’ learning needs,
• promote clear communication between school and home,
• support other teachers and support staff within the school,
• compile Personalised Learning Plans which capture academic, communication, social-emotional, safety, or pathway goals for each student, and to
• work with the school community to ensure an individualised approach to learning occurs within an environment where every student succeeds.

Ms Julieta Thomas
Head of Special Education Services

QCIA – Community, Citizenship and Environment

As part of students’ Queensland Individual Certificate or Achievement studies, they are undertaking projects in their Community, Citizenship and Environment class which show how they can connect to the community, and the world around them, by being actively engaged. We have discussed how to show good citizenship and ways we can help others, and that they have already shown in their own lives, by doing selfless acts for other people.

Over this year we endeavour to involve the students in a number of programs where they act to make a difference to others in their immediate environment.

Some projects we envisage undertaking are visits to the Tri-Care Aged Care facility at Mermaid Beach, helping the environment with paper recycling at school, washing cars and the school buses, picking up litter in the school and local area in parks and along the foreshore. There are other activities which demonstrate to the students how they can connect in their community, such as creating the teacher birthday wall, cleaning classroom whiteboards and growing plants for distribution into various areas of the school, and setting up and packing away our SEP outdoor learning area.

Mr Craig Gallagher
SEP Teacher

Year 10 Drama and Drama in Practice

The Year 10 Drama & Drama in Practice students have immersed themselves in the hilarity of Italian masked theatre throughout term 1. Commedia dell’ Arte is a form of improvisational theatre that began in Italy in the 16th century. Through various activities and workshops, students have successfully embodied the physicality and the characteristics of the Commedia characters culminating in a directing assessment task. Students worked in role as a director to present their directorial vision by physically manipulating a group of actors and providing clear instructions to construct their own Commedia productions.

Ms Miranda van’t Hof
Teacher – Drama

7, 8 & 9 Dance Excellence

The Year 7 Dance Excellence class has been immersed in learning about the elements of dance as part of their term 1 unit titled, The Emerging Dancer and in practical lessons they have studied Irish dance as part of their development in world dance. The class recently debuted on stage for the Harmony Day Assembly performing an Irish jazz routine, titled Luck of the Irish. This is a teacher choreographed routine combining the study of ritual/social dance with jazz dance to create an artistic performance piece.

The Year 8 Dance Excellence class were excited to kick start the year with a performance of their teacher choreographed musical theatre routine, Gotta Be Me at the Investiture Assembly. They have since been busy in theory lessons demonstrating their knowledge and understanding of the elements of dance and an ability to identify these in a dance performance through writing a modern jazz feature article. In addition to the theoretical aspects of this unit, the students have also been thoroughly engaged in the development of their modern jazz technique through workshops with RAW Company and a challenging teacher choreographed performance task titled, Sweet Dreams.

The Year 9 Dance Excellence students have delved in the importance of emotional delivery to convey choreographic intention through contemporary dance. With a focus on advocating anti-bullying through resilience, acceptance and tolerance, the students have been empowered as young artists with the knowledge, compassion and understanding necessary to perform dance that conveys the most pressing issues of today’s youth. The students are excited to present their teacher choreographed performance, Be Kind to future audiences.

Ms Miranda van’t Hof
Teacher - Dance

Sports Report

What a massive term in sport it’s been. Starting in Week 2 with the Swimming Carnival it has only gotten bigger and better each week!

The Miami SHS Swimming carnival was another big day of fun, colour and laughter. Students embraced the warm weather and took to the pool with some of the largest age groups of students gaining house points in recent years.

Congratulations to the following students who were named age champions:

12 Yrs: Lachie Hackett and Jada Miller/ Lacy Church
13 Yrs: Taj Payne and Samantha Hubbard
14 Yrs: Cai Roberts and Keoni Muller
15 Yrs: Jackson Freitas and Mia Bella Penfold
16 Yrs: Kaiden Hubbard and Abbie Street
Open boys: Luke Canning and Amy Emerton

From the school carnival student then went on to represent the school at the Oceanic District Championships. Congratulations to Kaiden Hubbard who was named the 16 Yrs Boys Oceanic Age Champion, in an extremely competitive field.

At the end of last week, six students represented South Coast at the Queensland School Sport Swimming championships at Chandler. Congratulations to Kaiden Hubbard, Ruben Rees, Abbie Street, Max Kennedy, James Freitas and international exchange student Mortiz Spary.

In Week 6 we then moved onto the Annual Inter house Cross Country. Age champions will be named at the next full school assembly in week 1 of term 2.

The first six students in the 12yrs age groups and the top 8 students in all other age groups have qualified for the Miami SHS Cross Country team. Permission forms for the Oceanic Cross Country are due back to Miss Gardiner in D block staffroom by Thursday the 4th of April. The Oceanic trials will be held on Thursday the 9th of May at Pizzey Park. More details regarding the course will be released as they come to hand. Please continue to check the school’s Facebook page as well as students Day Map notices regarding team meetings and other vital information.

Oceanic District Team trials are well underway for lots of sports. All notifications regarding these trials are published to students on Day Map notices, on the sport notice boards outside D block staffroom and weekly on the school Facebook page. Students need to see Miss Gardiner in D block staffroom for a permission form and information regarding the completion of necessary paperwork. In order for your student to be nominated for trial, all completed paperwork needs to be returned to D block staffroom by the Friday PRIOR to trial.

Ms Danielle Gardiner
Sports Coordinator

State Swimming Championships

Congratulations to the following students who proudly represented Miami SHS and South Coast Region at the QSS State Swimming Championships at the end of last week:

Max Kennedy
Ruben Rees
Kaiden Hubbard
James Freitas
Moritz Spary
Abbie Street

Fantastic results for Max Kennedy who received 4 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals and was named as the Multi Class Swimmer of the Championships.

Also on the dias was Kaiden Hubbard who placed 2nd 400 Individual Medley, 2nd 200 Backstroke, 3rd 400 Freestyle, 7th 200 Freestyle, 5th 200 Butterfly, 5th 50 Backstroke.

Ruben Rees was also in the medal mix with 2nd 800 Freestyle, 3rd 200 Freestyle and 2nd 400 Freestyle.

International student Moritz Spary made the final of the 50m Breaststroke and placed 10th in the state.

Congratulations to all students who competed, the Miami SHS community is so very proud of all your efforts!

Ms Danielle Gardiner
Sports Coordinator

Boys Rugby Union

Throughout term 1, boys from Grade 8,9 and 10 have been involved in The Gold Coast Rugby Super Schools Cup*. This is the first year of the completion, and involves 6 schools from across the GC. This is the story of our first game.

What’s In a Number?

After putting the call out for boys to play Rugby, we started training in week 2 of first term. At the first session we had a collection of boys from grades 8, 9 and 10, some big, some not so big, some boys who played Rugby and some who did not. That didn’t matter because we had a team. Before we started that day Coach Chapman mentioned that it had been a long, long time since Miami had fielded a boys team in 15 a side Rugby union. Sure, we had entered a couple of boys 7’s teams over recent years at the “All Saints tournament” but no one could remember when we had last played 15 a side. Someone else wanted to know the exact time frame, so Coach Maitland plucked a number and said “It’s been 26 years”. With no guarantee of accuracy, this number stuck, and so we kept mentioning 26 years at our next three training sessions.

Game day finally arrived, in Week 5, and the boys all marched up to Pizzey Park for the big clash with Hillcrest. The air was heavy with nerves, and a few laughs. The team was confident, but we really didn’t know how we would go. Our brand new kits had arrived and everyone looked awesome in their Blue and Gold Hoops. Head Coach Roberts (yep – we have 3 coaches!) called the boys together for one last chat and let the boys know that this was a special time, it had “been 26 years since anyone had run out to represent that Miami Logo on a Rugby Field. So let’s get out there and make up for lost time”

The boys played really well, and controlled the ball throughout the game scoring 4 tries. Hillcrest gave everything they had, but Miami dominated the game. With a minute to go, Miami scored a final try in the far corner. No one expected our kicker to convert but he did… and guess what the final score ended up being? You guessed it, 26 – 0.

Now who would have thought that?

*Our final game for season 2019 is on Wednesday 3rd of March at Bond University RC. It is the “Bowl Final” once again our opponents are Hillcrest College. The game is scheduled for 4.30pm, so we would love to have as many Miami supporters there as possible.

*A big thankyou to Head Coach Ryan Roberts from the Southern GC Rugby Academy for all the knowledge and time he has offered to our Miami boys team this year.

Mr John Maitland
Rugby Coach

GCCC Junior Council

In 2019 Miami State High School is continuing our long established commitment to Gold Coast City Junior Council. Junior Council is a student leadership and civic program for young people in grades 10 and 11 attending high schools within the Gold Coast region. The two year program provides students with the opportunity to develop skills in communication, public speaking, leadership, and learn about local government and community issues. The school is proud to announce that our delegates for this year are Nola Getova (Year 11), Sakhi Tidyman and Narii Hammill-Salmon (Year 10).

At the years first meeting in March our Year 11 delegate, Nola Getova gave a nomination speech for Mayor and the Council Executive. Nola did an excellent job of preparing and delivering her campaign pitch, and is waiting nervously to find out at the next meeting if she has been successful. Nola, Sakhi and Narii follow in a very rich tradition for Miami State High School at Junior Council, with 2 of the last 5 Junior Mayors being from our school.

Mr John Maitland
Junior Council Liaison Teacher

Australian Geography Competition

On Monday 1st of April Miami High Grade 10 Geography students took part in the 25th Annual Australian Geography Competition. They joined over 71000 students from across the country in taking part in this elite academic exam which is a joint initiative of the Royal Geographical Society of Qld and the Australian Geography Teachers Association. Last year Miami State High produced excellent results in this competition including several High Distinctions, and with the renewed emphasis on Geography in junior school, there are many reasons to be confident that we can “Reach for The Stars” this year.

The importance of Geography as an academic subject is succinctly described by Competition Coordinator, Bernard Fitzpatrick “Given current international affairs, geography is a vital subject that all young people should study. Understanding place and people, and the socio-economic and environmental interactions at local, regional, national and international scales is important to the economic and environmental future of Australia”.

With more than 50 year 10 students choosing to study Geography this year, and the new senior curriculum in place it is an exciting time to the involved in our subject.

Mr John Maitland and Mrs Terri Barton Thomas
Teachers – Geography

Mathematics Report

Term one has drawn to a close with plenty of hard work and quality results from our students. The Mathematics Department staff have High Expectations in terms of effort in the classroom and exam preparation at home. Students are actively encouraged to strive to put in their best effort at all times. We are creating a culture in our Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 classes that will be necessary for success in the new SATE (Senior Assessment and Tertiary Entrance) subjects. Another aspect of High Expectations is being prepared for class – and ensuring every student has their own calculator.

It has been a big start to the year for our Year 11 SATE students in Essential Mathematics, General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics as they all come to grips with the increased academic rigour of these courses. Our Year 11 Teaching Team has been working hard with these students giving plenty of support and feedback through diagnostic testing.

NAPLAN testing occurs next term – with the Numeracy test on Thursday 16 March. Our Year 7 and 9 Teachers have delved deeply into data sources and understand clearly the numeracy needs of each student in their classes. The Teachers will deliver differentiated courses to increase their numeracy capacity. Our moral purpose is important – all junior students will need to have strong numeracy skills as they enter the senior years and study challenging subjects.

Maths Club is still on every Tuesday afternoon 2:30 – 3:30pm in room D18/19. We were very popular in the last few weeks with numbers reaching 55 students across Year 7 to 12 attending. A big thank you to the many Mathematics Teachers who assist with homework and study support, and to the students who give up their own time to attend. Make sure your student comes along and tries out Maths Club next term!

Have a relaxing and well deserved break.

Mr Todd Campbell
Head of Department – Mathematics

Legal Studies 2019

It has been a very jam packed start to the year for our Miami Legal Studies students. Year 10 students Narii and Tadgh Hamill-Salmon, Sakhi Tidyman, Lani Gibson, Holly Mokohar, Lachlan Bond, Sam Van Diemen, Zaylan Moscow have been busy preparing their position papers with Miss Robinson for the Bond University Model United Nations Conference to be held in week 3 next Term. The conference will see them acting in the role of UN delegate or journalist over the course of the 2 day competition.

Year 11 have started the new ATAR content and with this they have had two excursions. First was to the Queensland Police Museum where they were led through the investigation process of a crime scene and then they had their own murder mystery to solve. This involved them finding evidence, identifying it in regards to which suspect it belonged and then coming to a conclusion at the end of who had committed the offence. It was a great experience. The second excursion involved a visit to the Southport Courthouse where they were able to see what occurs during the trial process. They were lucky enough to have a chat to one of the judges, the bailiff and to experience the holding cell. We enjoyed observing civil and criminal trials, drawing diagrams and even had the chance to interview a judge after a serious criminal sentencing. We even ran into Mr John Campbell, from Miami SHS School Council, on the steps of the courthouse off to begin his day as a legal professional. All students left with a greater appreciation of our legal system and the intricacies of the courts.

Year 12 have been studying Human Rights and International Law and have spent a day at the Brisbane Supreme Court where they were able to speak to a Supreme Court judge and witness the judicial process in action, including a murder trial. Our year 12 Mooting team consisting of Sophie Chilvers, Amira Abakoura and Chumani Brooks, are busy preparing their submissions with coach Miss Robinson for the Bond National High School Mooting Competition which will be held in week 4 of Term 2. This is a highly prestigious competition in which the girls will be testing their advocacy skills against students from around the country in a formal court setting and with real presiding judges.

Mrs Mandy Schnitzerling, Miss Naomi Robinson & Mr Matt Smith

Teachers – Legal Studies

English Report by student Lani Gibson

This term saw the exploration of Gothic Literature in Year 10 English; where students were encouraged to adopt themes of horror and the use of byronic heroes, gothic concepts and ideas into their narrative writing. Gothic Literature is the style of writing expressed by authors such as Edgar Allen Poe, in titles such as “The Raven” and the work of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”. It challenges both the reader and writer in that Gothic Literature is intended to scare and entice at once – including decrepit settings, character angst and torment, supernatural themes and of course, the manifestation of one’s most harrowing fears.

Throughout this unit, we immersed ourselves in the editing process and now understand what it takes a novice writer to find their voice with readers. Our books will be launched next term. For a glimpse of the Gothic, read some lines from student work.

It was too silent I tell you. The ill-blowing wind blew awhirl and distant creaks echoed in my mine but yet, nothingness.

The Silent Manor by Daniel New

The leaves in autumn change colour; and so, do the bodies secreted beneath the circus marquees.

Inside the Fabric Walls by Lani Gibson

Wind whistled down the corridor creating noises in the dark. I lit my lantern. Candlelight cast a shadowy glow on the decrepit walls that time had decayed.

Behind the Blood Red Door by Jamie Legg

Sleep would be pleasant. In fact, such a luxury under a thick duvet layer would permit me to cast out such hostile thoughts.

Devil’s Slumber by Narii Hamill Salmon

My bare soled feet stuck to the grimy, linoleum floor as I stole my way through the kitchen.

Who’s Hungry by Brooke O’Brien

Hinges cringed as I pushed the old wooden door open

When Blood Runs in the Black Forest by Shanay McKinnon

I tore at their stomach, pulling out their intestines in a mess of slimy tubes that squelched when they hit the floor.

Lone Path by Hana Gomibuchi

As I lay awake, the noises of the city make their way to my ears. The rhythmic banging of nearby factories, the people of the night stealing and selling, my watch, ticking away. The noises and smells of the city are much louder now.

The Beast of London by Lachlan Bond

Sitting down with some bread and earl grey, I admired my handy work. Blood oozed over the floor – it was the most gorgeous scarlet and it had a wonderful consistency, somewhere between honey and double cream – perfect for my masterpiece!

Tell-Tale Shades by Sakhi Tidyman

Raw flesh burned and an acrid scent caused my gut to heave.

The Unreliable Train by Sarah Bartsch

2019 Next Step Survey

The Queensland Government is conducting its annual state-wide survey of all students who completed Year 12 in 2018. The Next Step survey is a brief, confidential survey that gains a comprehensive picture of the employment, study and life choices made by Queensland school completers in the year after they finish Year 12.

Between March and June, all our students who completed Year 12 last year can expect to receive instructions to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office. Please encourage them to take part. If their contact details have changed, please assist the interviewer with their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate.

Thank you for your support of the Next Step survey in 2019.

Further information on Next Step is available online via the link below or on toll free telephone 1800 068 587.

MSHS Early Departure Policy

We, at Miami State High School, value the education of your students and believe that every lesson is crucial to the academic success of our students. As a result, we wish to remind parents and students of our Early Departure Policy as outlined on page 6 of our Student Planner (see below).

If a student requires an early departure from school, they must:

• Present a note from their parent/carer requesting permission to leave school to their Dean of Students for approval prior to 8:45am
• Once the note is signed, the student takes it to the Student Services office to collect a leave pass
• Please be aware that any other early departure from school needs to be approved by a Deputy Principal

Student Absentee Line

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

Leaving Forms

Parents, please note: If you are planning on leaving the school at the end of the year, please contact Christine Nowicki at Student Services on email cnowi1@eq.edu.au or 5554-0333 for the leaving form before the close of term.

Finance Office 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

Translink suggests using 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.

Kellie Johnston
Business Manager