15 October 2015

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parent

Welcome back to Term 4. It is hard to believe that we are over three quarters of the school year through and only 16 school days remain prior to the commencement of end of year examinations for Year 12 students, and 26 days remaining for Year 10 and Year 11 students.

Our focus at this stage is on preparing students for end of year assessments and planning for 2016. Last week I watched Year 11 applicants for 2016 Student Leader positions speak in front of peers and I was very pleased with the high calibre of students based on their public speaking skills and ideas.

I have again attached an article by Michael Grose, a parenting educator, titled ‘When Things Go Wrong at School’ as students and therefore parents, can experience high levels of stress associated with approaching exams, and for Year 12 students, the uncertainties associated with next year.

I encourage you to read the article and contact us if you believe we can be of assistance as your support will make a huge difference in developing your student’s resilience and coping skills.

I recommend the article as there are lessons for all of us.

Staff News

This Friday we farewell Gina Hemphill, Head of Department – Junior Secondary, who commences maternity leave and welcome Michelle Flynn who will act in her absence. I have every confidence in Michelle’s leadership and ability to lead this important department within our school.

I welcome the appointment of Liz Mahon as Head of Department – Literacy & Numeracy, for the remainder of 2015 and 2016. The position will oversee the school’s Literacy & Numeracy program with particular emphasis in skill development across Years 7 to 9 for students and staff. Lee Freeman will backfill Liz as Head of Department – Mathematics for the remainder of 2015.

Formation of School Council

A requirement of our school becoming an Independent Public School is the formation of a School Council to enable greater involvement of the school community and other stakeholders, such as industry, in setting the strategic direction of the school.

A draft constitution of the Miami State High School Council will be presented and discussed by the P & C at their meeting on Tuesday 24th November.

A copy of the draft constitution will be available for your perusal on the school website prior to then.

You are invited to read the document and come along to the meeting if you wish to have input.

The role of the school council is to:

• monitor the school's strategic direction
• approve plans and policies of the school of a strategic nature, including the annual estimate of revenue and expenditure for the school
• monitor the implementation of the plans, policies and other relevant documents
• advise the school's principal about strategic matters

The school council plays a role in monitoring and informing the school's strategic direction in a way that achieves the best learning outcomes for the school's students.

I look forward to your involvement.

Congratulations Georgia Leak

Congratulations to Georgia Leak, our Girls School Captain, who was just awarded the ‘Gold Coast Empowering Young Woman of the Year’ Award. This prestigious award is presented by the Gold Coast Women in Business Association and over 30 applicants from state and private secondary schools across the Gold Coast applied.

Well done Georgia.

School Uniform

As you are aware our school sets high standards in relation to student appearance and I urge parents to make sure you are aware of these standards as outlined in the Student Organiser or the school website.

From the start of 2016, all students will wear fully enclosed all black shoes. Parents of Year 10 and 11 students are reminded that all black shoes will be worn with both the senior sports and senior day uniform.

Regards

Jim Baker
Principal

Dates to Remember

15 October	Years 10,11 & 12 Excursion – Rugby Seven’s Gala Day
15 October	Y-Lead Primary School Student Leader In-Service
15 - 16 October	International Students Cairns Trip
16 - 19 October	Year 12 Cert 2 Sampling and Measurement Course
16 October	Year 7 – 12 Secondary Schools Surf Sport Cup
19 October	Student Free Day
20 October	Year 7 - 8 SEP Escape Program
20 October	Year 10 Construction – Try a Trade Bricklaying Course
20 October	P & C Meeting
21 October	Danc’eD in the Spotlight- Gold Coast Arts Centre
21 - 23 October	Year 12 ORE Camp
23 October	Year 11 Tourism – Castrol 600 Excursion
23 October	Year 7 – 12 Danc’eD in the Spotlight – Gold Coast Arts Centre
26 October	Chappy – Day Out Excursion
26 October	Year 11 & 12 International Marine Excursion – Tallebudgera Creek
27 October	Year 10 Legal Studies Excursion – Bond University Court Discovery Day
27 October	Year 7 - 8 SEP Escape Program
27 October	Sports Awards Night
28 - 30 October	Year 10 & 11 International Outdoor Recreation Surf Camp
28 October	Miami Sound Wave Concert
29 October	Year 8 & 10 Immunisations
30 October	World Teachers’ Day
1 – 13 November	Study Tour – ILBC Myanmar Study Tour
3 November	Year 10 & 11 Excursion Gold Coast Titans Rugby League Nines
3 November	Year 7 - 8 SEP Escape Program
3 November	Spelling Bee Final
5 – 6 November	Year 10 ORE Snorkelling
5 – 6 November	Year 11 ORE Byron Bay Excursion
9 – 13 November	Year 12 Exam Shutdown
10 November	Year 7 - 8 SEP Escape Program
12 – 13 November	Year 7 Miami Challenge Student Development Program
16 November	Academic Awards Night
17 November	Year 7 - 8 SEP Escape Program
17 November	Year 12 Formal
19 November	Year 12 Graduation
20 November	Last Day Year 12
20 – 26 November	Year 10 & 11 Shutdown
24 November	Year 7 - 8 SEP Escape Program
24 November	P & C Meeting
27 November	Last Day Year 10 & 11

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

Finance Office/Uniform Shop hours of operation

REMINDER: The finance counter DOES NOT operate on Fridays for receipting. This closure coincides with the current arrangements in place with the uniform/bookshop also closed each Friday. Hours of operation are 8.00am to 2.00pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week.

Kellie Johnston
Business Services Manager

Payments Via Internet Banking

Paying for Miami High School excursions and/or fees is possible using Internet Banking.

The traditional payment methods are still available (Cash/EFTPOS/Credit Cards), but some people find Internet Banking much quicker and easier – especially because you can make payments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from the comfort of your own home or office.

INTERNET BANKING DETAILS

Account Name: Miami State High School General A/c
Bank: Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Branch: Burleigh Heads
BSB: 064-404
Account Number: 00090020

PAYMENT REFERENCES

Each child has a unique Education Queensland Identification number (EQ ID). For all internet payments we will require you to use your child’s EQ ID number to identify your payment, e.g. 0011223344W.

Please ensure each payment sent through has the following details within the Payment Reference so that we can clearly identify your payment.

Excursions:

>>Student EQ ID Excursion>> e.g 0011223344W Seaworld

Please ensure only one payment per student per excursion – If you have multiple students/excursions to pay for, please put each one through individually, unless otherwise arranged with the school office. As internet banking payments are not instant, please ensure internet payments are done 48 hours prior to payment cut-off date.

School Fees:

<<Student EQ ID Fees>> e.g. 0011223344W 2013 Text

If you have any questions relating to payments, please contact the payment office on 07 55540333 or email Angie Johnson on ajohn543@eq.edu.au .

Kellie Johnston
Business Services Manager

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 requiring the school 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.

Tiffany Grant / Glenn Smits
Student Support Coordinators

SEP News

JELLYBABIES PLAYGROUP

Miami State High School’s ‘Jellybabies’ Playgroup, in conjunction with Playgroup Australia, welcomes parents/caregivers of young children to their playgroup every Wednesday morning (in school term) from 9:00-10:30am for fun-filled adventures with other young children while participating in educational games, craft, painting, water play table, dress-ups, sandpit, play dough, singing and other adventures whilst playing with other young children.

Students undertaking their Certificate III in Children’s Services assist with activities. Morning tea is provided. Cost is $4.00 per visit per family (no charge on your first visit). For further information please call Julieta Thomas at Miami High School direct 5554 0333 or email jthom843@eq.edu.au .

Matt Guild

Matt came in recently in his Australian Uniform …see photo below. He was so proud as were we!

Thanks Deb Kirwan and everyone!

Wendy Pearce
HOD Practical Arts

Matt Guild in his Australian Uniform

Year 7 Canteen Menu

Please find the link below for the Canteen Menu for Year 7’s Term 4

A canteen box will be located this term in the Grade 7 area for students to place their lunch orders in and a class monitor will deliver the orders to classes.

Could correct money be given for orders as no change will be issued.

Vicki Hefford
Canteen Convenor

Year 12 Newsletter

Please find important information regarding the Formal and Graduation for Year 12 Students in the link below.

Yates Creative Gardening Grant

From Little Things Big Things Grow

I am pleased to announce that Miami State High School was lucky enough to receive a Yates Creative Gardening Grant, intended to encourage environmental sustainability in schools and the community. Although we will be starting out quite small, using our funds to establish a teaching-garden of coastal plants and to purchase some new nursery materials and shelving, we too have big plans. The Gardening Grant is the small beginning of a joint effort between Miami Horticulture and BeachCare, which will eventually see our Horticulture nursery supply much needed seedlings and plants for dune regeneration projects all over the Gold Coast. The project will provide Year 11 Agricultural Practices students with hands-on propagation experience, while the Year 12 students, who are studying conservation and land management, will see the impact of their work in the local area. We are very pleased to be beginning our Yates Creative Gardening project this term and are very excited for its future growth. Keep an eye on the newsletter and yearbook for updates on our progress!

Rachael Lebeter
Science (Horticulture) Teacher

Year 10 & 11 Graphics

Years 10, 11 and 12 Graphics students have had a busy year exploring the ways designers use graphical communication to meet their client’s needs.

Early in the semester the Year 10 students created some original graphic designs for the façade of a café, displaying loads of flair and fantastic design ideas. Recently they were introduced to CAD software for their industrial design and built environment units. This class have been eager to learn and have picked up new skills with great speed.

Our Year 11 and 12 students are in their third or fourth year of Graphics and now have an extensive knowledge of the software needed. Year 11 have focused on light fitting throughout their industrial design unit and have generated impressive 3D models of these.

The Year 12 class who now have a deep understanding of the design process have taken part in a mock-up scenario to produce a website for a House and Land package. Students used 3D models of a residence they created using AutoCAD Revit in Year 11.

It has been a really exciting time to see students taking on new technologies and showing so much promise in all design units. I think we have some future architects and industrial designers in our midst.

Karissa Wortmann
Graphics Teacher

Example of student work

Taneesha-Brackley-Henry
at hard at work

Industry Liaison Officer - Update

The following positions are open for application, see the Senior Secondary board for flyers and details. Submit your Resume to Mrs. Legaspi.

FITNESS Cert3. - A Year 10 student is needed to work in a popular Surfers Paradise gym. This position can go quickly, apply ASAP.

TOURISM or HOSPITALITY WITH Warner Village Theme Parks and Sea World Resort Traineeships' expression of interest for 2016 is now open for submission and is available ONLINE. See the below link to apply

Interested applicants will need to attend the allocated Information Night: 13 or 22/10 for Sea World Park and Resort, 20/10 for Movie World

CHILDCARE: Kool Kids (DUE for application 16 Oct) and Imagine Education childcare centre in Southport are looking for brilliant students to do a traineeship in their childcare centres. Year 10/11 students submit Resume ASAP.

WAREHOUSING: Cert2 for Year 10/11 students. Reece Plumbing warehouse in Bundall, Actrol Parts (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning) in Southport.

HAIRDRESSING: Stefan Hairdressing is now accepting applications for school based traineeship and FULL-TIME positions. Interested students need to call Stefan’s Head Office on 07 3840 0000.

Cert III HOSPITALITY: Front of the House/Food Service and Kitchen positions: Numerous positions are available in various Cafes, Caterings, Restaurants in all areas of the Gold Coast. See Senior Secondary board.

Cert III BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION: Numerous positions available in this industry.

Cert III TOURISM: Burleigh Beach Tourist Park, Main Beach Tourist Park.

Cert III BUSINESS (Retail Specialisation) Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Retail, Prouds Helensvale, KFC Miami and Pacific Fair, Blooms Chemist The Pines, Down 2Earth Organics, City Beach Surfers/Broadbeach/Australia Fair and MORE..

COMMERCIAL COOKERY/Chef: Positions are available in various locations.

COMMUNITY SERVICES: Interested students need to submit resumes for potential employers. This is a growing industry and employers are keen to meet students for traineeship opportunities.

Miami High Dance Excellence News

Girls’ Crews Battle it Out!

On the final few assemblies of Term 3, the Miami Senior and Junior Girls’ Crews took to the stage to battle it out and perform their 2015 Dance Excel Showcase routines. Both performances were thoroughly enjoyed by staff and students and all dancers can be very proud of their commitment to rehearsing and performing throughout the year. A special congratulations is extended to the crew leaders, Amber Wemyss (Senior Crew) and Jazmin O’Hare (Junior Crew) and Casey O’Leary (Junior Crew) for their unwavering dedication to meeting deadlines, creating choreography and costumes and editing the music for their performances.

Miami Senior and Junior Dance Crews

Miranda van’t Hof
Experienced Senior Dance Excellence Teacher

Senior Science

Recently in our Science Department some Senior Science students as well as their teachers have had the opportunity to participate in a Certificate II Course in Sampling and Measurement. In total the participants will complete 5 days of course work and gain valuable experience using state of the art equipment similar to that used by agencies performing environmental analysis. So far in the Certificate II Course students have completed theory work and also practical activities including; the use of GPS to locate positions on the oval and around the school and data loggers to determine the conductivity, pH, and temperature of various water samples. Students and staff have enjoyed their time so far participating in the Course and look forward to completing their final days and signing off on their Certificate.

Kasey Hardman
Maths/Science Teacher

Mitch Sinton, Jake Hirakawa, Wayne Brown, Josh Nugent

Group Photo of Sampling and Measuring Students

Miami High Year 12 Formal Fundraiser Winner

Congratulations to Taryn - Miami SHS Administration staff member who won the Miami SHS Year 12 Formal Fundraiser prize of two Magic VIP passes to MovieWorld/SeaWorld and Wet N Wild. Thank you to all who supported the Year 12 fundraising venture.

Thanks

Pippa McGinniskin
Health and Physical Education Teacher

International Home Stay Applications

Host Parent Application for Study Tour

Are you are interested in becoming a host parent to take 2 students on the Senri Homestay Programme which will be from 5/12 to 7/12/15 ?

Payment per student is $30.00 per night per student for 2 nights

$10.00 for pickup on arrival and $10.00 per student for drop off on departure so per student $20.00

Number of students per home is 2 so $160.00 for the 2 nights with 3 meals a day for 2 students.

The link to apply as a host is

Kind regards
Sandra Rollinson
Homestay Australia
National Homestay Placement Manager
03 9395 7046
sandra@homestay-australia.com

Community News

Love it or loathe it, technology is here to stay with more and more young people turning to the internet and smart phones to seek help. The following is a compilation of the many available apps, websites and online programmes that address the emotional health and well-being of adults, teenagers and children

(Emotional Health And Well Being Applications And Websites).

Gold Coast TAFE Open Day

Gold Coast TAFE Coomera Campus are having an Open Day and Launch of Bachelor Programs on 17th October.

Gold Coast Oral Health Services

Gold Coast Oral Health Services are offering free dental check-ups to children in years 7, 8, 9, 10

This service will be provided off-site by either Broadbeach or Burleigh Dental Clinic. Hours of operation for this clinic are Monday to Friday, 8 – 4pm.

To arrange an appointment for your child telephone:

The Oral Health Client Service Centre
1300 300 850
Monday – Friday 8.00 am – 4.30 pm
Excluding Public Holidays

Child Dental Benefit Schedule Vouchers are accepted. When your child’s $1000 cap is reached, there will be no out-of-pocket expenses provided your child meets *eligibility criteria.

* Eligibility – All Queensland resident children aged four years or older who have not completed year 10 of secondary school.

Further information on public funded oral health services can be accessed via URL: