Aldridge State High School - Aldridge Newsletter - Edition 10

Aldridge Newsletter - Edition 10 - 18 June 2008

From the Principal

These are exciting and changing times in education. State and National agendas are emerging quickly that will mean changes in our school:

· Smart Moves now operates in our school, which means that our junior students must participate in some school organised physical activity each week.

· Our school will receive an upgrade in our operating systems (MOE), that will improve computer access.

· Our teachers will receive a laptop to further develop their skills in order to apply them to student learning.

· National computer monies will begin to flow in the next year.

· Student Reporting changes have now been enacted.

· Numeracy, Literacy, Integrated Computer Technologies, Gifted and Indigenous initiatives are currently in an implementation stage in Queensland schools.

· Developing Performance Frameworks for staff.

As Principal, I will continue to ensure that change is managed in a way that ensures it is focused on student achievement.

ED MANLEY

Principal

When Life Doesn’t Go Their Way!

One of the keys to functioning socially and emotionally is the ability to deal with disappointment and rejection.

Most children experience some type of rejection from their peers throughout childhood. One study found that even popular children were rejected about one quarter of the time when they approached children in school.

Most children recover from such rejection. They move on and form constructive, worthwhile relationships but some children need help. They often take rejection personally and blame themselves. As a parent it is useful to challenge children’s unhelpful thinking and encourage them to look for new friendship opportunities. Parents can help children understand that rejection may happen for any number of reasons that are unrelated to them.

In the course of a school day children will meet with a number of challenges and even setbacks. They may struggle with some schoolwork. They may not do well in a test and they may not be picked for a game that they wanted to play. Children grow stronger when they overcome their difficulties. The challenge for parents is to build and maintain children’s confidence to help them get through the rough times.

One way to help children deal with rejection and disappointment is to talk through a problem or difficulty, recognising and accepting their feelings. Talk about various scenarios around the incident, discussing possible outcomes. The age of the child will determine the amount of detail. Keep things simple and avoid burdening a younger child with concepts he or she doesn’t understand.

Your attitude can make a huge difference to how a child reacts. If you see rejection or disappointments as problems then your child will be hamstrung by this view. See them as challenges then your child will, in all likelihood, pickup your upbeat view and deal with disappointments easily. After all, confidence is catching.

What’s Your Child Like?

How resilient is your child?

Does He/She:

1. Bounce back when things go wrong? Yes—2 No—0

2. Rationalise disappointment and rejection rather than take it personally? Yes—2 No—0

3. Take a positive view when challenges come his/her way?

Yes—2 No—0

4. Pat him/herself on the back when he/she does something well? Yes—2 No—0

5. Let little things spill over and spoil other parts of his/her life?

Yes—0 No—2

Score

10: A resilient child. He/She bounces back up when things don’t go his/her way.

6-8: A hardy soul.

0-4: Probably too hard on him/ herself. Needs some help to lighten the load.

Try This . . .

Putting it into practice

To help children handle rejection and disappointment try the following four strategies:

1. Model optimism. Watch how you present the world to children, as they will pickup your view.

2. Tell children how you handle disappointment and rejection. Not only is it reassuring for children to know that their parents understand how they feel but they can learn a great deal by how their parents handle situations.

3. Help children recognise times in the past when they bounced back from disappointment. Help them recognise those same strategies can be used again.

4. Laugh together. Humour is a great coping mechanism. It helps put disappointment in perspective. It helps them understand that things will get better. They always do.

Quote

‘Fall seven times, stand up eight.’

Japanese Proverb

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 Management Support Officer (Jenni Taylor) 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.

Sports News

Ten Pin Bowling

For the first time ever, Aldridge has entered in the interschool tenpin bowling challenge. We entered two teams consisting of five players each and they competed on a Sunday a few weeks ago.

At the local venue we were up against Maryborough High but were actually competing against all schools from Hervey Bay, Bundaberg and Gympie who bowled at their local venues.

I’m very pleased to say that our number 1 team has won the Wide Bay division and will now compete in the state finals in Beenleigh on August 23 and 24. Great work!

Number 1 Team: Duncan Fraser, Jason Moore, Candice Dennis, Adam Manski and Carissa Hadlow

Number 2 Team: Lara Thew, Liam Charlton, Tamara Muller and Gary Dennis.

Rugby Union

This term we have been playing a 10 a side rugby union competition against all schools in Maryborough and Hervey Bay. We fielded an under 15 team and an open team although we did have a Year 8 team for 1 game. I’m proud to say that Aldridge went through the entire competition undefeated in all divisions. Super effort boys.

JAMES McKEE

Sportsmaster

Volleyball

A big congratulations to our Volleyball players who have recently been involved in a number of tournaments.

Our 16 and 15 Year Boys recently competed in the ‘Gympie Country Cup’ for men. The Boys took sets off the Kingaroy Mens and Open Teams and pushed Gladstone and Gympie Mens Teams in three sets.

The Boys were playing teams with players more than twice their age.

Last Tuesday, Tin Can Bay travelled to Aldridge for an Interschool afternoon. The Open and 15 Years Boys won comfortably and the 15 Years Girls were narrowly defeated 3-2. Such experience puts our students in good steed for upcoming State Tournaments.

Congratulations to all involved.

Volleyball Raffle Winners

The winners of our first Volleyball Fundraiser were recently drawn and prizes received.

1st Prize—Louise Brain—Stereo System.

2nd Prize—June Jessen—$75 Meat Voucher.

3rd Prize—BP Ferry Street—$50 Bunnings Voucher.

Thank you to all those who supported our Teams.

The next ‘Fuel Vouchers’ Raffle is currently running at the school and will be drawn at the end of term.

ROB THIELE

Coach

Parent/Teacher Interviews

Parent/Teacher interviews will be held on Thursday,17 July 2008, in the school hall. The interviews will commence at 3.30 pm and will be in 10 minute blocks. Parents wishing to obtain an interview with any of their students’ teachers can do so by contacting Perri-Le in the school administration office on 4120 8444. Parents are asked to have a list of their students’ teachers on hand when phoning the school to make interview times

School Holiday Office Closure

The school administration office will be closed for the Winter vacation period from 3.30 pm Friday, 27 June 2008, until Friday, 11 July 2008. The school office will reopen at 8.00 am Monday, 14 July 2008. Students return to school on Tuesday, 15 July as Monday is a Student Free Day.

We apologise for any inconvenience that this closure may cause.

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.

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.

Storing of Student property during the School Day

Recently, the requests from students to store their property at the office during the course of the school day has increased. These items have included overnight bags for sleepovers, skateboards, helmets, sports equipment, musical instruments and other items. Due to the very limited space available at the office, we are unable to house any of these items at any time. Students who bring these or any other items to school that will require storage away from their school bags will need to make other arrangements. We ask that students and parents be mindful of this situation, and we thank you for your assistance.

CRAIG TEWES

Deputy Principal

Dates For Your Diary

More important dates for your diary:

Ø Monday, 30 June— Friday, 11 July—WINTER VACATION.

Ø Wednesday, 25 June— Instrumental Music Concert Band Workshop, Maryborough West Activities Hall. Depart at 11.00 am return by 3.00 pm. Concert at Maryborough West State School Activities Hall at 7.00 pm.

Ø Monday, 21 July—Wednesday, 23 July—Year 11 Leadership Camp at Garapine. Depart Aldridge SHS on Monday, 21 July at 9.00 am and return to Aldridge SHS on Wednesday, 23 July at approx 2.30 pm.

Ø Monday, 14 July—STUDENT FREE DAY.

Ø Thursday, 31 July—Aldridge State High School Athletics Carnival.

Ø Tuesday, 05 August—Year 10 subject selection day. Subject selection evening for Parents in the Hall at 7.00 pm.

Ø Monday, 11 August—Fraser District Athletics Carnival.

! Monday, 11 August— Friday, 22 August— Year 10 Set Planning Interviews at Aldridge SHS.

! Wednesday, 27 August—Friday, 29 August—SEU Camp Riverside Retreat. Depart Aldridge at 8.30 am return approx 2.30 pm.

Community Notices

v For Sale—Aldridge Uniforms—1 size 14 Boys Shirt $12.00. 1 size 12 Boys Shorts $16.00. Phone 4129 7014.

v Underage Dance party—Friday, 20 June at 84 Adelaide Street, Maryborough. 6.00 pm—8.00 pm Under 12 Years. 8.30 pm—11.00 pm 13-17 Years. $5.00 entry.

v Four day intensive Babysitting Course. Tom Gee Memorial Library and Community Centre, Tiaro. 22 September—25 September 2008 from 10.30 am— 3.30 pm. For further information please contact Patrice at the Fraser Coast Regional Council on 4190 5806 or 0448 100 070.

2008 Heritage City Art Festival Workshops on Saturday, 05 July until Thursday, 10 July. For further information please contact Audrey on 4123 0618 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or Kayleen on 4123 6541 or email black- This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .