Aldridge State High School - Aldridge Newsletter - Edition 06

Aldridge Newsletter - Edition 06 - 23 April 2008

From the Principal

Wonderful student outcomes for Aldridge - did you catch the report of local schools in the paper?

Our Wide Bay Burnett independent and state schools were compared against student outcomes. 2007 Results for Aldridge were very strong.

Our percentage of OP’s 1 - 15 was only equalled by one other school - Xavier. 73% of our students gained an OP of 1 to 15 - an excellent result for staff and students. This places Aldridge in the top quarter for the state.

The number of students who leave us with no OP and no VET qualification is very small (under 10%). Our expanding VET certification courses mean that students are not trapped in academic subjects but are able to gain vocational certificates while still at school.

These are great results for our school and we should be very pleased for our students and staff. Go the Ridge!

ED MANLEY

Principal

Teach Children to Persist

The ability to persist at a task and see it through to the end is one of the most important success skills that you can teach a child.

There are numerous times everyday when children must persist rather than give in. A toddler learning to tie shoelaces must persist. A primary aged student must show determination to finish tasks and a secondary student needs to work through difficulties, particularly those he doesn’t understand or complete right away.

They need to be able to persist when work gets hard or life gets tough. They need the ‘stickability’ to work through difficulties and hand in there when things don‘t go their way.

Some children are more naturally predisposed to persist than others. They have a determined, even competitive streak in their temperament that doesn’t allow them to give in. these children and young people can drive themselves very hard to succeed.

Parents and teachers can develop persistence in children. Research suggests that persistence is a temperamental factor that can be improved over time.

Just as adults can promote persistence they can also impede its development by making life too easy for children so that they don’t have opportunities to persist or hand in there.

Parents who allow children to stop work when it gets too hard, stay home from school for a minor reason or give up on a sport because they are not succeeding straight away are not doing their children any favours. They are depriving children of opportunities to develop persistence.

Parents can promote persistence by encouraging their children to keep going and not give in at the slightest hurdle or difficulty.

Parents can be a sounding board for children’s gripes but they should show confidence in their ability to cope and get through their difficulties. ‘You can do it’ is far more powerful in terms of promoting an attitude of persistence than ‘If it is a little too hard then try something else.’

Let children know that there is a correlation between effort and success. In fact, they need to learn that by GIVING EFFORT they will more than likely experience more success.

The ability to persist in the face of difficulties may be an old-fashioned quality but it is one of the best success attributes that children will ever develop.

What’s Your Child Like?

How persistent is your child:

Does He

1. Stick at a task until it is completed, no matter what? Yes-2 No-0

2. Become easily distracted by others when he has a task to complete?

Yes-0 No-2

3. Complete lengthy assignments on time? Yes-2 No-0

4. Make excuses for difficult situations rather than face challenges? Yes-0 No-2

5. Never give in when playing a game or sport? Yes-0 No-2

SCORE

10: A tough type. You have a terrier on your hands. Can be hard on himself.

6-8 Hang in there. Maybe he has a balanced attitude.

0-4 Gives in easily. Needs to be reminded to hang in there.

TRY THIS . . .

Putting it into practice

To promote persistence in your children try the following four strategies:

1. Develop a vocabulary for persistence. Terms like ‘Hang Tough’, ‘Work Hard’ and ‘Hang in There’ need to be part of their everyday vocabulary.

2. Point out to children when they stick at a task. Let them see when they have been persistent and that persistence generally pays off.

3. Help children to remember times when they experienced success by HANGING IN when they were younger.

4. Talk about HARD WORK with your children. They need to understand that to be successful they need to do things that are NOT fun or easy. While it would be good if all work and learning was fun, in reality, this is not always the case.

ACTION PLAN

First Step . . .

Next Step . . .

QUOTE

‘Persistence and patience have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish’

John Quincy Adams

Chaplaincy News

Hey Everyone, my name is Tricea Brady and as most of you know I am the new High School Chaplain.

A bit about me—I love the beach and watching sunsets, I love the smell of rain, enjoy watching movies, listening to music, singing and playing the piano. I also like spending my free time with friends and family—just chillin. I am getting married in May and I now have a new found love in Jet Skiing.

I am really looking forward to getting to know you all. If you need to chat or just hang out, I am located in Jill’s old office in C2. Something to look forward to is we have a band called ‘Not Without’ coming to the school to play at Recess 1 on Wednesday, 30 April. Come along and have some great fun. Hope to see you there!!

TRICEA BRADY

Chaplain

INSM News

Congratulations to Lucas Belz and Jared Gaskell for selection for the 2008 Fraser Coast Show Band. These students will be performing with other students from Hervey Bay and Maryborough High Schools at the Fraser coast Show.

Dates for Term 2

Ø Thursday, 08 and Friday, 09 May—Music Tour (all $20 deposits should have been paid by now).

Ø Wednesday, 21 May— Instrumental Music Concert in the Aldridge Hall at 6.30 pm.

Ø Tuesday, 27 May—Fanfare Heats at Maryborough West State School Hall starting at 8.15 am.

Ø Wednesday, 25 June—Eltham (From Melbourne), Concert Band Workshop (1.30 – 3.00 pm) and Concert (7.00 pm).

Fraser Coast Show “Biggest Choir Ever”

If you are going to the Show on People’s Day (Friday, 23 May) and you can sing “Life Is A Song” by John Foreman (from Australian Idol) come and join us for the “Biggest Choir Ever” at 1.00 pm near the Grandstand where the Education Queensland Marquee is. Music provided by the Fraser Coast Show Band and Singers. Please assemble by 12.45 pm.

Please note – Students will still need to pay normal entry fee into the Show

KEN HODGKINSON

Wide Bay Burnett Regional Music Coordinator

Pay Your School Fees by Centrelink Deduction

We have negotiated with Centrelink an arrangement to assist families with the payment of their school fees. Centrelink, with your permission, deduct a fortnightly amount from your payment, and forward it to the school. When the amount has been paid in full, the deduction will automatically cease. If you would like more information on this option or would like to sign up, please contact the Business Services Manager (Cynthia Read) on 4120 8444.

Resource Scheme

Invoices have been issued for all students for the 2008 Resource Scheme. The invoices included a form for your completion to indicate whether you wish to participate in the scheme or wish to purchase the textbooks yourself. The form also allows for carers to indicate if they wish to pay in instalments. If you have already paid your account, please disregard these invoices, but could you please complete the purple form that was enclosed and return to the school. Parents are also reminded that we have EFTPOS facilities, so payments can be made at the office or over the phone.

If parents would like more information on the resource scheme, please contact the school to discuss the issue.

Consequence of Non-Payment

Participation in the scheme is voluntary. However, if parents choose to join the scheme a fee will be charged.

Before a student can be considered for activities such as excursions, camps, the Formal, purchase of Senior Jerseys and shirts, a parent who has joined the scheme is expected to have:

¨ Fully paid the resource fees; or

¨ Paid the resource fee up to and including the term in which the school activity takes place; or

¨ Have made regular on-going payments towards the resource fees, as previously arranged with the school principal.

A parent who does not wish to contribute to the scheme is responsible for providing the student with necessary items and covers the cost of activities for engaging in the curriculum.

A student may be refused admission to the scheme if there are payments outstanding by a family from the previous year and debt recovery action may be commenced. Parents of effected students will be required to have an interview with the Principal or Business Services Manager, prior to enrolment in the new year.

Possible Job Placements Available

New Horizons—Free Training for eligible participants 17-24 years.

Accredited Training in -

Ø Constructions

Ø Engineering

Ø Rural (at TESS farm)

Ø Business

Ø Plus Employability Skills

Contact Fraser Coast TESS on (07) 4122 4444, Tuesday to Friday from 8.30 am—3.00 pm or call into the office at 255 Kent Street, Maryborough.

Missed Opportunities

Have you ever felt that you would like a University education but wouldn’t be accepted? Have you thought of applying but decided that you wouldn’t have the skills to be successful at University even if you were accepted? If so, STEPS could be for you. STEPS is a program designed to give mature age applicants (aged over 18 years) the skills and confidence to tackle further study. There are available places in the STEPS program beginning 07 July 2008. Areas of study include basic mathematics, academic writing, computing, oral presentation skills, time management, stress management and other tertiary preparation skills.

For more information, contact Therese O’Donnell, the STEPS Administrative Officer on 07 4150 7149.

Dates for your Diary

More important dates for your diary:

Ø Friday, 25 April—ANZAC Day Holiday.

Ø Tuesday, 29 April—Rock the Schools Tour—Aldridge Hall 10.00 am—3.00 pm. Ms Emma Clarke.

Ø Monday, 05 May—Labour Day Holiday.

Ø Wednesday, 07 May—Fraser District Cross Country.

Ø Thursday, 08 May—Instrumental Music Tour—Depart 8.00 am Aldridge SHS. Mrs Gayle Young.

Ø Friday, 09 May—Instrumental Music Tour—Return by 3.00 pm. Mrs Gayle Young.

Ø Tuesday, 13 May—National Literacy Test for all Year 9 Students, 9.00 am—11.00 am.

Ø Wednesday, 14 May—National Reading Test for all Year 9 Students, 9.00 am—11.00 am.

Ø Thursday, 15 May—National Numeracy Test for all Year 9 Students, 9.00 am—11.00 am.

Ø Tuesday, 20 May—Thursday, 22 May—Year 11 Biology excursion to Mon Repos—Depart Aldridge SHS Tuesday, 20 May at 8.00 am and return Thursday, 22 May approx 2.30 pm. Mrs Hamill, Mr Ethell, Ms Dittman.

Ø Friday, 23 May—Maryborough Show Holiday.

Change of Family Details

If you have moved recently, could you please advise the school of your new mailing address details and new telephone number. If there has been a change in family circumstances ie. Change of emergency contacts, Family separation. It is very important that the school be aware of all family situations and that we have your current contact details, especially in emergency situations, when your student may require medical attention.

Use of School Phone

It would be greatly appreciated if parents could remind their student that the office phone is only to be used for emergency situations. All telephone calls cost 50 cents.

Parents are also advised that when their student phones home to obtain permission to leave the school grounds, a member of the office staff MUST speak to either that student’s parent or legal guardian. If the office staff have not obtained verbal permission from a parent or legal guardian, we cannot allow the student to leave the grounds under our Duty of Care requirements.

Student Absences

It is a requirement for parents to inform the school that all absences are in fact legitimate. This can be done by note or on the student absentee line—4120 8460.

Late Arrival

If students are arriving late to school, they are required to have a signed note or phone call from their parent or guardian explaining their lateness. If students do not have a note or phone call upon signing in late, they will be required to complete a 15 minute lunch time detention in C3.

Early Departure

If students are going to leave school early, they are required to have a signed note or phone call from their parent or guardian explaining their leaving the school. If students do not have a note upon leaving early they will be required to phone a parent or guardian for approval.

As you are no doubt aware, Kasukabe is the city in Japan with which Maryborough has developed a “Friendship Agreement”.

Kasukabe is also the city where Aldridge’s Sister School is located. This year they shall be hosting and entertaining our Aldridge students on their trip to Japan.

At present, the exciting news in LOTE in Maryborough is that a group of students and adults from Kasukabe City will be visiting our city in July and August this year. Naturally we want to afford them the same warm and generous level of hospitality as they will give to us.

At this stage, the students shall be arriving in Maryborough on Monday, 28 July and will be leaving Maryborough on Tuesday, 05 August. We are now seeking families who would be willing to host a student at their home during this period.

Please note that your child does not have to be studying Japanese, nor does the visiting student need their own bedroom – sharing a room with your child is fine! Becoming a home stay family is very rewarding – once the initial nervousness is overcome, families have a wonderful time!

Should you be interested in becoming a home stay family, please complete and return the form below to the school office. Please note: this is merely an expression of interest and is not binding in any way.

Thanking you in advance,

Sue Buck

Japanese Teacher.

-----------------------------------------------

Expression of Interest

The _________________ Family would be interested in hosting a Japanese student and/or adult from Kasukabe from Monday 28 July – Tuesday, 05 August 2008.

Students currently attending Aldridge State High & year level:

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signed: ________________ (Parent/Guardian)

Community Notices

v Rhee Tae Kwon Do Self Defence Classes for children, Teenagers and Parents. Training cultivates improvement of self-confidence, concentration and learning skills as well as developing Fitness and Coordination. Beginners Welcome. Classes held at Aldridge SHS Hall. For more info please phone 4124 7835 or 0404 747 413.

v For Sale—Uniforms—Two size 12 Skirts $5.00 each. 1 Size 12 Shirt $5.00. One Grey Fleecy jumper Size M $10.00. One Spray jacket Size M $15.00, One Spray Jacket Size XL $15.00. Phone 4121 2708.

v Maryborough Bears AFL Club still require Junior Players for the 2008 Season. For more information and to register your interest contact Anthony Stothard on 4129 7116 or Graeme McFarlane on 0418 574 100.

v Maryborough Junior Chess Players—If you are interested in playing Chess please contact Doug Walker on 4121 6121 for more information.