Issue No : 15 Date : 8th September 2017

we strive for the best

ADDRESS

Valley Street / PO Box 8333

MT PLEASANT QLD 4740

PHONE 07 4963 1666

STUDENT ABSENCES 07 4963 1666 (opt 1)

FAX 07 4963 1600

EMAIL

princi-pal@macknortshs.eq.edu.au

WEBSITE

www.macknortshs.eq.edu.au

FACEBOOK

https://www.facebook.com/Mackay.North.SHS

TWITTER

@macknortshs

STYMIE

www.stymie.com.au

The North High

Newsletter is

posted to the

school website

fortnightly and

may be accessed

through

QSchools as

well.

Cubist Style Hand Carved and

Printed Relief Blocks

Year 10

Malena Calderson

Skye Plumley

Emma Cameron

Ally Baxter

The last few weeks of Term 3 are a particularly busy time across

our school. Firstly thank you to the parents who attended the SET

(Senior Education and Training) Plan interviews with our Heads of

Department and Leadership team. This group of Year 10s are our

half cohort of students and we have made every effort to ensure

that we structure our 2018 timetable to accommodate the subject

choices of these students. SET plans are an important part of the

transition from Year 10 into Year 11 and subject selection is one

of the final steps in the process. If you are the parent of a Year 10

student and have not scheduled an interview, please contact the

front office.

Last Tuesday and Wednesday, our Year 12 OP students sat

the Queensland Core Skills (QCS) test. The students have

worked hard preparing for this test and have shown

improvements between each practice. Their performance so

far indicates that there is the potential for some excellent

results from this group of students. Thanks to the efforts of

our senior secondary staff, our students enjoyed a cooked

breakfast each morning to get them going! The pancakes and

hash browns were very popular!

On Monday 28th August, former detective Brett Lee spoke to

our students, staff and parents about internet safety. Brett’s

message wasn’t about avoiding the internet or social media,

but about understanding what information we provide online and how we interact with others. It’s important for us

all to consider how we can use social media appropriately and safely.

Last weekend we once again hosted the State Honours

Ensemble Program run by the Queensland

Conservatorium Griffith University. This events gathers

together instrumental students from Mackay and regional

schools. Our students worked hard all weekend to perform

an impressive range of pieces at the finale concert on

Sunday. This is a fantastic this opportunity for our

students – thank you to everyone involved.

Congratulations to our talented Opti-Minds students who

won the Mackay competition! These students are now

heading to Brisbane. They are keen to fund raise as much

as possible before they go, so please assist them if you

can.

This week, we recognised our amazing support staff. This group includes our teacher aides, administration

officers, facilities officers and student services officers. These staff allow our teachers and students to work

effectively in the classroom in order to achieve the best possible outcomes. Thank you support staff!

Jane Grieger Principal

FFFROMROMROM TTTHEHEHE PPPRINCIPALRINCIPALRINCIPAL

Respect Respect Respect ResilienceResilienceResilience ConfidenceConfidenceConfidence

Wear it Purple Day

A day to celebrate diversity and promote acceptance of all students, no matter their gender or sexuality.

CULTURAL CALENDAR

Oct 2-22 Eisteddfod

Oct 24 Showcase Concert

Nov 1 Awards Night

Nov 2 Year 6 String Orientation

(Ice-cream Party)

SENIOR NEWS One week to go in Term 3 and the pressure has been tremendously high for our senior students. The last few weeks have

seen an extremely heavy assessment period, particularly for our Year 12 students as they worked towards verification.

Verification processes require the school to send substantial samples of student work from all authority subjects for panels

to verify school placements. It is great to see so many of our seniors extremely focussed and striving to achieve their very

best!

Our Year 12 OP eligible students sat the QCS (Queensland Core Skills test) exam last week. These examinations were

conducted in the Senior Centre. Their performance will determine our school’s scaling parameters for 2017. These scaling

parameters will make a significant contribution to determining our student’s OPs. We were enormously impressed with the

commitment that these students exhibited both with their preparation and amazing enthusiasm and perseverance with

doing their absolute best last Tuesday and Wednesday. We wish them the very best for impressive results.

Senior Exam Block (Years 11 and 12) commenced on Thursday 7th September and will run through until the end of term,

Friday 15th September. Students have received their exam timetables and a copy of the exam timetable was included in

the last newsletter. Students who have exams are only to be expected at school for their exams. Students who do not

have exams will not have regular classes and will not be at school unless they have work to catch up on. Students who

need to catch up on either competencies and/or assessments will be expected to be at school to complete their tasks.

Computer Room 2510 will be supervised and open for every lesson next week so that students can complete work that

they need to catch up on.

The final 2 days of term (Thursday 14th and Friday 15

th September) will see our Year 11 students who are OP eligible sit

their first QCS practice. It is essential all OP eligible students complete this test practice because it sets the context for our

training sessions. Students who are unable to complete the practice on Thursday 14th and Friday 15

th September should

see Mr Beanland ASAP to arrange for rescheduling.

There will be an information evening for any senior students and parent of senior students interested in understanding the

calculations of OPs. This will be held on Wednesday 11th October in the Senior Centre Auditorium starting at 7:00pm. If

you are attending, please bring a calculator and something to write with. There will be a work booklet provided.

It is critical that our senior students, particularly our Year 12s, are well rested and ready to put in their very best efforts in

Term 4. The September holidays offer an excellent opportunity for students to freshen up ready for the final term of their

secondary schooling. Small movements made in the final term can make all the difference to students who are vying for

highly sort after university places. We wish all senior students a restful and relaxing break and we very much look forward

to working with them again in Term 4.

JUNIOR NEWS Year 8 Focus Day

Next Wednesday 13th September

Week 10

A day of activities planned just for

Year 8 students (drama, sport, thinking skills & sustainability)

BBQ lunch provided

No cost

Students must wear sports uniform

Year 7 Camp Eager students ready to start.

Story & more photos in a newsletter next term.

McDonalds Work Inspirations Program Recently some North High students attended two fantastic days where they gained invaluable knowledge about themselves and their personalities and how to use this information when considering what type of work they would be good at and enjoy in the future. The workshop was facilitated by the Smith Family of Mackay.

We have received some lovely feedback from the McDonalds facilitators: “The students were fantastic. They were all interactive, respectful and well behaved. Kate and I thoroughly enjoyed our time in Mackay.”

Thank you to the parents who attended the Internet Safety Education talks on August 30th. Brett Lee, an ex-

undercover detective, informed us of predatory practices of paedophiles and how to keep our children safe

while online.

For more information on keeping children safe while online please check out the federal government’s

eSafety website. This website gives a lot of information for parents as well as support for children with Kids

Helpline. Also, the website has facilities to make complaints about inappropriate websites and cyberbullying.

This agency has the power to remove content and shut down social media accounts. They have investigated

over 8000 cases since 2015.

For more information please visit the eSafety website …

https://www.esafety.gov.au/

Speaking of online safety, a number of students, especially in the Junior Secondary,

have downloaded a free app called x-VPN onto their iPads. (See the image to the left.)

This app allows the student to bypass the school’s network and filter system. This

allows the students to access any content online whether it be appropriate or

inappropriate while at school.

It is very important that students are safe when online. Therefore, please check your student’s iPad and ask

them to remove the app, if installed. Beside the Wi-Fi icon in the upper left hand corner of the iPad you will

be able to see a small rectangle and the letters VPN written beside the rectangle. That means your student

has the app.

To set up parental control on an iPad please visit the following website …

https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT201304

Technology Department

Percy the Penguin and the Year 11 Tourism Class

On Tuesday 29th August, we visited Cape Hillsborough and Finch Hatton. At 7:30 am Tuesday morning Mrs Batterham’s tourism team and their beloved mascot, Percy the penguin, set off with Reeforest Tours’ best tour guide, Col.

Whilst on our journey we stopped at Cape Hillsborough and learnt so much about Bush Tucker, our regions history and tips on how to successfully run a tourism business. Tuesday was filled with lots of fun experiences. We were all very famished after our bush walks at Cape Hillsborough and stopped at the Finch Hatton pub where the original Pinnacle pie owners now reside.

After our scrumptious meal, we were off forest flying. We got to enjoy all of Finch Hatton’s beautiful scenery and wildlife while 25 ft. in the air! Even though most of us were terrified to give it a go our team all stuck together and supported each other and we all ended up zip lining to victory with our tourism teacher Mrs Batterham leading the way.

These opportunities showed us a good view of the Tourism world and job offers. For example, Col told us his experience of driving a coach (not a bus), and what opportunities we may like in the future. The excursion gave us experiences we haven’t had before and Mrs Batterham helped us through these opportunities. Our class had a long day and it drew us closer as a team rather than a class.

Tabitha Sterling in Year 11 was

presented with her ASDAN Bronze

certificate by Mrs Grieger at a

celebration morning tea. She completed

six modules of work and developed a

portfolio of evidence which passed

moderation.

Congratulations, Tabitha

Book week doors

TERM 4 CULTURAL EVENTS

As there are numerous performances and rehearsals

planned for the first five weeks of the 4th term, I thought

you may find a summary helpful. It is vital that all students

are at ALL rehearsals and performances.

MACKAY EISTEDDFOD

Junior Secondary Concert Band – Tuesday evening, October

10 – students to be at the Mackay Entertainment Centre by

5.30pm.

String Orchestra – late Tuesday morning, October 10 –

students to be at the MECC by 10.30am (bus provided by

school; leaves school at 10.20am/signed permission form needed

– parents collect students from MECC after the event).

Senior Secondary Concert Band/Stage Band – Tuesday afternoon,

October 10 – students to be at the MECC by 12.15pm (bus

provided by school; leaves school at 12 noon/signed permission

form needed – parents collect students from MECC).

Folk Group – Thursday afternoon, October 19 – students meet in

the foyer at 2.00pm.

Vocal Group – Thursday evening, October 19 – students to be at

the MECC at 6.45pm.

Show Choir – Tuesday evening, October 17 – students meet in the

foyer at 6.30pm. (Extra rehearsals 10.00am – 12.00 noon on

Sunday, October 8 and 15).

SHOWCASE CONCERT – TUESDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 24 – 7.00pm

All instrumental and vocal ensembles performing plus Rock Pop

Mime groups and cheer squad. MARCHING BAND MEMBERS will

be opening the concert – mandatory rehearsals on Friday

afternoon, October 20 from 3.00pm – 4.30pm. and Tuesday

afternoon, October 24:3.00 – 4.00pm.

AWARDS EVENING – WEDNESDAY,

NOVEMBER 1 – 7.00pm

Marching band members open the evening. Also, the

drumline ensemble and vocal ensemble are performing.

Mandatory marching band rehearsal on the Wednesday

afternoon from 3.00 – 4.00pm. Hope this helps – after

Awards Evening we can all take a deep breath and relax a

little!

SENIOR PRODUCTION

A big congratulations to all members of the Senior Drama

class on their great performance of “All Animals are

Equal…” last Tuesday evening. This was their last piece of

performance assessment for the senior drama course and the

students were in charge of all aspects of the production from

developing the script to the actual performance. All props,

backstage, costumes, lighting and sound effects were designed or

developed by the students. Sincere thanks to Mrs Power for all her

hard work in facilitating this performance and to everyone who

came along and supported the students on their “big night”.

MARCHING BAND

As you will see from the information above, the FULL marching

band will be opening both the Showcase Concert on Tuesday

evening, October 24 and Awards Night on Wednesday evening,

November 1. This means that all instrumentalists and flagbearers

will be needed for three rehearsals to prepare for these events:

Friday, October 20 from 3.00 – 4.30pm; Tuesday, October 24 from

3.00 – 4.00pm and Wednesday, November 1 from 3.00 – 4.00pm.

Full cultural uniform is required for all marching band

performances and all brass/woodwind instrumentalists will need a

lyre.

Kathy GEORGE

HOD – Performing Arts

PERFORMING ARTS NEWS

Winners on the day. The A team is heading to Brisbane in: Khang,Mike,Luke and Jayden.

Daniel and William in pensive mood to determine their next move.

Merit awards for Callum, Luke, Jayden and Hayden

Chess Victory North High recently won the Mackay/ Whitsunday Secondary Chess Tournament for the third year. Coach Earl McCann is happy that the North High A team will be representing our region at the State Finals in Brisbane in October 2017.

Leading board - MNSHS VS Pioneer

Mike Teylen - 2nd place out of 57 players. The winning team of the day beating our rivals Pioneer by half a point.

NORTH HIGH HOCKEY FINALS It was a very successful weekend for North, participating in three Grand Finals. The U13 Fitz/North girls won in

thrilling fashion with penalty shoot outs. It was a great heart-starter to start everyone’s Saturday morning. Libby

Surha received Player of the Final. It was a great job for the U15 girls to get into the Grand Final but they went

down to a very strong Mercy team. The U15 boys then defeated HSC, capping off a dominant season. Kye

Wicks received Player of the Final. Some of our players received special recognition at the presentation cere-

mony, including Eddie Westcott for Most Promising Umpire and another one for his all-round contribution to

school hockey, including umpiring, coaching and other volunteer work. Noah Gauci received an award for most

valuable player for the season. Finally, Caitlin Orth (assisted by Hannah McWhinney) did a wonderful job once

again as the U15 girls’ coach.

Mrs S Savage

Noah Gauci received the Male Player of the Year Award

North High P&C

Supporting Student Achievement

Meeting dates for 2017:

P&C Meetings are held in the school library from 6:30pm

every 3rd Monday of the month. (Except Sept)

All are welcome to attend and participate in decision

making for our school.

For more information contact:

Trina Saunders 0414 480 737 kerry.trina@gmail.com

Sherri Savage Phone 49631666

11 September* 16 October 20 November

Opti Victory for North North High competed in the Regional Opti-Minds competition

recently. This annual competition requires out of the box thinking,

creativity and the ability to work as a cohesive team to solve a

long term problem and a spontaneous challenge. Both teams

were successful.

Our Year 8 team (Zane Cavaliere, Chloe Hammer, Cameron

Hollis, Dylan Johnston, John Young) was awarded honours in

Division 2 Science Engineering for their challenging solution of

flat pack portable housing.

Our Year 9 team (Grace Alexander, Jana Bassan, Lily Daniel,

Ella Herring, Jaida Lee, Ella Sippel, Gemma Steenhauer) was

awarded first place in Division 2 Language Literature and is off to

Brisbane for the State Finals in October.

Both teams displayed exemplary behaviour and were a credit to

their parents and our school community.

Opti-MINDS, for the uninitiated, combines problem solving with

dramatic presentation and the ability to work in groups to achieve

a common goal. Teams are given a problem to solve which they

must unravel and then present the solution in dramatic form using

all team members. Help from teachers and parents is forbidden

so the ideas, planning and execution are the team’s responsibility.

While this sounds like a recipe for disaster and the ruination of

friendships, it worked well.

The challenge for us now is to raise funds to help get our team to

Brisbane to represent North High in the Opti-Minds State Finals.

Any monetary donations of any size will be welcomed.

Tamaryn - It was a great

opportunity for me to get out of

my comfort zone and I got to try

new tools and to discuss with

others what I have to do to get a

job or apprenticeship.

Mikielly—I liked Try Trades

because it was a good eye

opener for what’s out there,

plus all of the things I learnt

about were very interesting.

Ebony—Overall, I liked pretty

much everything about the

program and it opened up new

possible job types and

Stephanie—I liked talking

to different people about

their jobs.

Ebony—It was good to see

how to go about getting an

apprenticeship and to have

new experiences.

Nate—I liked how we got to see

around places and try different

trades. This program lives up to

its name.

Mitchell—It was good to

see all of the trade options

and the people I met were

all easy to talk to.

Riley—The practicals were

good as it was hands on and

the tours helped show me

what it was like in a work-

place environment.

Riley—I enjoyed the experi-

ence and learning about the

different trades. I liked see-

ing what I’d like to do for a

job.

Danny—The practicals were

really good and helpful and

the tours helped me know

what a workshop was like.

2017 TRY TRADE

STUDENT FEEDBACK

During the 6 week program students visited and had

some practical sessions at the following businesses:

DGH Engineering, Haynes Mechanical, All Metal

Solutions, EHS Manufacturing, Oxy Equipment Repairs

Australian Reading Hour is Australian Reading Hour is Australian Reading Hour is on 14on 14on 14ththth September and students and teachers September and students and teachers September and students and teachers

throughout North High will be spending throughout North High will be spending throughout North High will be spending some time in the company of a good book.some time in the company of a good book.some time in the company of a good book.

Free Sausage

Sizzle