11 November 2015

Newsletter Articles

Principal's Report

Dear Parents

Staffing for 2016 is well underway and I am pleased to advise that all vacant positions have been filled except for a few. Subject offerings across all year levels for 2016 are nearly finalised and this enables our focus to move to teacher preferences and subject allocations for next year. Many thanks to Allison Fahlbusch, Deputy Principal – Capability Development, for advancing our progress in this regard.

Congratulations to Grant Webster who has been promoted to the permanent position of Head Of Department - Senior Secondary at Miami High School. I have every confidence that Mr Webster will continue to deliver the high standard of academic performance and senior learning outcomes that our school has achieved in previous years. Congratulations to Mr Webster.

Melinda Jackson will continue in her role as Deputy Principal – Junior Secondary for 2016 in the absence of Mary-Ellen Klem. Ms Jackson's leadership in this area throughout the year has been excellent and I look forward to seeing her plans for 2016 come to fruition across Year Levels 7 and 8.

2016 School 'Start-Up' Arrangements

As you may be aware, the Honourable Kate Jones - Minister of Education, recently declared that Monday 25th January will be a Pupil Free Day. This change alters our previously advertised 'start up' arrangements to the following:

• Monday 25th January – Pupil Free Day
• Tuesday 26th January – Australia Day Public Holiday
• Wednesday 27th January – Year Levels 7, 9 and 11 only commence school
• Thursday 28th January – Whole school attends.

Responsible Driving Expo

On Wednesday 25th October, more than 200 Year 11 and 12 English Communication students launched a Responsible Driving Expo in the Great Hall.

Students presented information about many areas of driver safety including texting, drink driving and speeding. Students designed posters, brochures, dioramas and other forms of multimedia to promote their cause.

All Year 10 students visited the expo, which was well received by all.

Manual Arts Building Upgrade

Recently I was advised that our school was successful in obtaining $800,000.00 to upgrade the Manual Arts Building. This is wonderful news as we will now be in a position to redesign learning spaces to better position our school's delivery of Industrial Design and Technology program including robotics and computer coding.

It is anticipated that this work will be completed before 30th June 2016 which means another very busy building phase.

Our plans will endeavour to minimise disruption to the delivery and teaching throughout this period.

2015 Sports Awards Evening

At our recent annual Sports Awards Evening, the following major award winners were announced:

Ian Murphy 'Best all-rounder' award - Briley Bradfield
Coach of the Year - Karen Purdy (Open Table Tennis)
Team of the Year - Titans Rugby League
Above & Beyond Award - Rebecca Buchannan
Junior Sportsperson of the Year - Blade Rose
Senior Sportsperson of the Year - Andrew Ryan
Champion House - Bindana

Alinta House Captains for 2016:

Senior Boys: Oliver Merrick, Senior Girls: Shay Hennessey
Junior: Bianca Perry & Sarah Gibbons

Bindana House Captains for 2016:

Senior Boys: Andrew Ryan Senior Girls: Maisie Shore
Junior: Maddison Levi and Jesse Stephenson

Iluka House Captains for 2016:

Senior Boys: Latrell Howe, Senior Girls: Anchalee King
Junior: Jake Thoms & Nikita Rowe

Rakumba House Captains for 2016:

Senior Boys: Josh Somerville, Senior Girls: Jai Savage-Morton
Junior: Waide Carson & Liv Stephenson

Congratulations to our award recipients.

Junior Spelling Bee

Last Tuesday, our school held the inaugural Junior Secondary Spelling Bee. It was a huge success, attended by many parents and students and congratulations to our winner Indiana Murphy-Stevens.

Thank you to our wonderful teachers, Jenny McCarthy and Danielle Stewart, who planned and prepared this event. They did a marvellous job with their organisation and given its success, our plan is to extend participation to students in our neighbouring primary schools in 2016.

Year 7 Market Day

The Year 7 Market Day was held on Friday 6th November and highlighted a comprehensive range of designs and products manufactured by students as part of their business studies.

It was evident that enormous planning and organisation went into this event to make it such a successful day. It was great to see the whole school get behind this endeavour and many parents and students purchased products.

Thank you to Jill Pead for coordinating this activity.

This newsletter is the last edition for 2015 so I take this opportunity to wish all families a relaxing and safe Christmas vacation.

Regards

Jim Baker
Principal

Dates to Remember

19 November	Year 12 Graduation
20 November	Last Day Year 12
20 – 26 November	Year 11 Shutdown
24 November	Year 7 - 8 SEP Escape Program
24 November	P & C Meeting
27 November	Last Day Year 10 & 11
30 November	Year 8 PEX Excursion – Marriott Resort & Southport Pool
1 December	Year 7 - 8 SEP Escape Program
2 December	Year 7 PEX Air Factory Excursion
3 December	Year 9 PEX Excursion – Dreamworld Flowrider
8 December	Year 7 - 8 SEP Escape Program
8 December	Study Tour – Osaka Senri High
11 December	Last Day of School

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 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 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.

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.

Year 7 Enrolments for 2016

If you have a Year 6 child coming to Miami High in 2016, please have your enrolment paperwork handed in to the office staff by Friday 13th November.

2015 Academic Awards Evening

The 2015 Academic Awards Ceremony will be held in the Great Hall on Monday 16th November.

If you would like to attend, please confirm your attendance via email to admin@miamishs.eq.edu.au or phoning the office staff on 5540333.

Humanities Department

Tourism Excursion to GC 600

Recently, Year 11 students studying TOURISM participated in a full day excursion to GC 600. This three-day event is jam-packed with fast food, loud music and of course what we all came to see — racing!

We attended as part of the "Students on Track" program. Our school was invited to be part of one of Australia's most exhilarating sports – V8 Supercars. This is an incredible opportunity to see how the things you learn in class translate to life on and around the race track. Our On Track tickets included entry to the circuit and V8 Supercars paddock, getting you close to the excitement of the Team Transporters and the action of the garages. Plus we got to enjoy the thrills of V8 Supercars practice sessions. Teachers Ms. Barton Thomas and Mr. Schulz also received a teacher handbook and student workbook to assist us as students to get the most out of an excursion to a V8 Supercars event.

Some interesting 'fast facts':

A V8 Supercar can reach a speed of 300kph.
A V8 Supercar costs around $320,000 + to build.

During a race it can be up to 30°C hotter in a V8 Supercar than the outside temperature. On a hot race day, V8 Supercar drivers may face searing temperatures of up to 60°C in their race car.

A pit stop with two tyres being changed can be conducted in 3 – 5 seconds. Four tyres can be changed in 8 – 11 seconds.

It takes 16 – 19 seconds to re-fuel a V8 Supercar.

Holly Williamson
Year 11 Tourism Student

Marine Science

On the 12th September 2015, myself, Mr Hardman and Ms Kistemaker departed with 28 excited senior students on a whale watching and snorkelling adventure. This trip was designed to engage senior science students in the wonderful marine environment that the Gold Coast has to offer.

Departing early from Tweed Heads, the group headed offshore with Cooly Dive in search of whales. Students and staff were lucky to see both adult and juvenile humpback whales playing joyfully in the ocean. Students were amazed by both their size and playfulness.

After whale watching the group headed for Cook Island, a marine park off the coast from Fingal Head. Here the students entered the water and were delighted to see: a variety of fish, turtles, wobbegong sharks, tawny nurse sharks, jellyfish, squid, sea stars and a variety of corals.

A fantastic day was had by all and I hope that these students continue to get out and explore the wonderful marine life of the Gold Coast.

Mrs Lauren Coleman
Senior Marine Science Teacher

Film and Television at Miami

'Murder at the M'Oscars'

On Tuesday 13th October Miami High celebrated our 6th annual film festival, 'Murder at the M'Oscars'. It was a fantastic evening filled with exceptional films, mystery, murder and mayhem. Every year we ask the audience to vote for their favourite junior and senior films from the evening for our People's Choice Awards. This year our Junior People's Choice Award went to Chris Henley and Jay Coppen for their delightfully funny music video clip 'Fresh Prince of Belair'. The runners up were Adam Puetter and Sukhmanjeet Singh for their creative advertising campaign 'Grocolate' (green healthy chocolate).

The Senior People's Choice Award was so close this year with the winner, Rio Zouzoulas-Cabello with his most hilarious and insightful mocumentary 'Through the Cosmos', only taking the pie by one vote. Matt Carlson and Simon Claridades' 'Sugar Rush' and Ashers Jones' 'Danger Zone' tied for runner up.

I would like to personally congratulate all of the People's Choice winners along with the Shooters Video Club for all of their efforts prior to and on the evening of the M'Oscars. This year was hands down our BEST FESTIVAL YET!

Lucy Carr
Film and Television Teacher

Danc'eD in the Spotlight 2015

On the 23rd October, 27 students participated in "Danc'eD in the Spotlight 2015" at the Gold Coast Arts Centre. Danc'eD is a showcase of dance from primary and secondary students of the Gold Coast. It is organised by Gold Coast Dance Teachers and held annually as a non-competitive event, bringing students and teachers who share a passion for dance together for a day of entertainment. This year Miami High was represented by two performances - our all male Miami Dance Crew, choreographed by crew leaders, Matt Carlson and Dane Shaw and a group of 21 junior students who danced a contemporary routine titled, Radioactive, choreographed by Ms Miranda van't Hof. Both groups performed in Act 2 of the show with a rousing applause. The evening finished with a combined schools Finale which filled the theatre with dance students. Well done to all of the students involved!

Ms Miranda van't Hof
Experienced Senior Dance Excellence Teacher

Danc'eD in the Spotlight 2015 Performers

Bookshop/Uniform Shop Opening Hours

BOOKSHOP NEWS

ORIENTATION DAY

DECEMBER 3RD 2015

For all new Year 7 students enrolling in 2016, there will be extra staff on this day in the Bookshop so parents can purchase uniforms. If you are going away or simply don't want to deal with the queues next year, this is a good option. If your student grows over the holidays you can just exchange for a bigger size, quick and easy.

BOOK RETURNS

All students need to start finding their textbooks and novels and return the ones they no longer need to the Bookshop.

Year 11 & 12's will have to return their texts as soon as exams are over. Year 12 students will not be able to go to their Formal or receive the school magazine unless all resources are returned to the Bookshop prior to this event.

All other year levels returning in 2016 will not be able to receive textbooks and novels with outstanding resources. If your student thinks they have lost or misplaced their book send them to me asap. Sometimes books are returned by teachers or other students.

BOOKSHOP OPENING HOURS FOR BACK TO SCHOOL 2016

The Bookshop will be open from Monday 18th – Friday 22nd January 2016

8.30am – 1pm

For staffing purposes we have dedicated Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th for Years 7, 8 & 9. The senior classes we've dedicated Wednesday 20th, Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd. The fitting of the senior uniform is more time intensive and waiting for a change room takes much longer than the junior uniform so we have allowed three days. However, if you have a junior and a senior student you may choose your own preferred day as we don't expect you to have to come back.

Please contact me on the following if you have any questions:

Ph: 5554 0335
Email: carch27@eq.edu.au
Have a safe and Happy Christmas, see you in the New Year

MONDAY 18th JANUARY: 8.30am – 1.00pm *Year 7, 8 & 9
TUESDAY 19th JANUARY: 8.30am – 1.00pm *Year 7, 8 & 9
WEDNESDAY 20th JANUARY: 8.30am -1.00pm *Year 10, 11 & 12
THURSDAY 21st JANUARY: 8.30am – 1.00pm *Year 10, 11 & 12
FRIDAY 22nd JANUARY: 8.30am – 1.00pm *Year 10, 11 & 12

*These are preferred days for bookshop staffing purposes but if you are unable to make that day or if you have students in different year levels you can choose your own preferred day.

Three days have been dedicated to senior students as they require both formal and sports uniforms and generally take longer in the change room.

Chriss Archibald
Uniform and Textbook Coordinator

VET Celebration Evening

Our third annual VET celebration evening last Thursday celebrated the achievements of all VET students, but in particular our School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship students, Certificate III and the Diploma of Business graduates and the Indigenous Chef Starz program at Miami. The strong support we have from RTO's and parents was greatly appreciated and the 30 partner RTO's were recognised on the evening. Congratulations to all students and parents on their qualifications and especially TAFE Queensland Gold Coast Direct Entry recipients, Christopher Goodman – Diploma of Graphic Design and Samantha Oddy – Diploma of Business and Events Management, and the Aurora Training Institute Scholarship awardee Soffia Ribotta. The overall VET student of the Year was Christopher Goodman.

Grant Webster
HOD Senior Schooling

Community News

Surfside Bus Passes for 2016

School Vaccine Program

SOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITY - INFORMATION DAYS 2015

Southern Cross University is pleased to extend an invitation to attend one of our Information Days at the campus of your choice. SCU Info Day will provide the opportunity to find out more about our courses, university life and the types of services and support SCU offers to help students achieve their potential. You are welcome to bring along friends and family to explore our beautiful campuses and facilities, meet our staff and student ambassadors.

Coffs Harbour Campus - December 7,
Lismore Campus - December 9
Gold Coast Campus -December 11.

More information is available on the SCU webpage: http://scu.edu.au/scuinfoday

Kind regards
Jenni Lyons
Marketing Officer

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: