| Aldridge Newsletter - Edition 09 - 04 June |
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The Aldridge School Annual Report is now available at http://aldridgeshs.eq.edu.au/wcmss/ and press the School Annual Report button. Hard copies are available from the school by request.
Extra curricular activities are often a core issue as to why students enjoy school.
Today I would like to sing the praises of Luned Higgins and the large groups of students that she works with in relation to academic competitions.
Our Junior Debaters (Tayla McGrath, Georgina Gott, Rachel Vandersteen and Amanda Milzewski [sub]) last weekend competed in the State Finals against three other teams. Winning through to this round is an astounding achievement given the number of schools (state and independent) in the state. They ultimately came third at the State finals. Great work!
Kristina Ree was also in the state schools Apex finals last weekend. Kristina won the State Final and is now through to the National Final in July in Toowoomba. Once again what a wonderful achievement. Results like this say a great deal about our students, the dedication of our staff and our school.
Further results include:
Ø Our chess team being ranked first in Wide Bay South and looking forward to finals for Wide Bay in August
Ø Taylor McGrath coming second in the Regional Rostrum finals.
Ø 10 Students currently preparing to compete in the Speech Making section of the Eisteddfod in August.
Ø Three teams of students once again preparing to do battle in the regional OPTI Minds competition (we have come first and second in the last two years).
Go the Ridge!
Don’t forget the P & C Meeting next Tuesday, 10 June 7.00 pm
ED MANLEY
Principal
Developing Friendship Skills in Children
Research into children’s friendships shows that those children who are able to form friendships at school are far happier and also learn better. More significantly, a positive beginning to friendships has long-term implications for social and academic success.
Studies also indicate that children can be taught friendship skills. The strategies are simple and revolve around teaching children a range of friendly behaviours, such as:
Ø Talking with others while playing.
Ø Showing an interest in others.
Ø Smiling.
Ø Offering help and encouragement when needed.
Ø A willingness to share.
Ø Learning how to enter a game or social situation.
It is also useful to teach children alternatives to fighting and arguing when there is disagreement and conflict within groups.
Gender impacts on the ability to make friends. Recent research has found that girls are further advanced along the stages of friendship than boys.
Gifted children are further advanced along the continuum of friendship behaviours than their peers. They look for more intimate friendships at a far younger age then their peers. This challenges the perception that gifted children have poor social skills. It seems that they have a different concept of friendships than those around them.
It is healthy for children to form friendships inside and outside of school and their regular day settings. It seems that having friends outside school can be quite an insulating factor to teasing and bullying that can occur within the school gate.
Parents often become concerned about an apparent lack of friends that a child has, compared to a sibling or a friend. One research project indicated that children on average have only two significant friendships at any one time. Anecdotal evidence suggests that second born children frequently have more friends than first borns and only children prefer one-on-one friendships to group relationships.
Generally, parents need to do little more than teach children sociable behaviours, such as manners and sharing, and provide social situations for children to build and maintain friendships. However, some coaching on how to make and keep friends maybe useful when children have difficulty in this area.
What’s Your Child Like?
Does your child behave like a good friend?
Does He/She
1. Usually hold confidences that others may give? Yes—2 No—0
2. Move on easily if conflict occurs rather than sulk or hold grudges? Yes—2 No—0
3. Usually have a positive outlook and show enthusiasm about most things? Yes—2 No—0
4. Know how to share his/her time, space and possessions with others? Yes—2 No—0
5. Give and receive compliments easily? Yes—2 No—0
Score
10: A friendly child. Probably very popular with peers.
6-8: Knows how good friends act but may need to work on skills or attitude.
0-4: Maybe a little self-centered. May need more exposure to a variety of social situations and help with basic friendship skills.
Try This . . .
Putting it into practice
To promote friendship skills in children try the following four strategies:
1. Help them start up a conversation. Give them some good conversation starters. Make sure they don’t talk about themselves but focus on what interests others.
2. Play games with children and make sure they learn to be gracious winners and good losers.
3. Have one friend at a time over to your home so that they can form friendships one at a time.
4. Show children how to resolve conflict with others by compromising rather than refusing to give some ground.
Quote
‘Do not protect yourself by a fence, but rather by your friends.’
Czech proverb
Guidance News
James Cook University Health Careers
James Cook University is holding an information session on Thursday, 19 June from 5.15 pm—7.30 pm at Maryborough RSL Club, Lennox Street for those students interested in becoming health professionals. JCU staff will host this session and provide the opportunity for face to face questions and information sharing. For further information contact JCU on 1800 246 446.
Fraser Coast Careers Market—12 June 2008
This year the Fraser Coast Careers Market will be held on Thursday, 12 June at the Maryborough Showgrounds. Year 10’s who have returned their signed permission forms will be going during school time. Any other students and their families can attend the Careers Market from 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm.
There will be about 50 exhibitors—the main Universities, Defence Force, Police, Ag College, TAFE and numerous Colleges and employer groups will be there offering good advice and information. Make sure you go!
STAVROS AMARANDOS
Guidance Officer
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 8440.
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 Business Services Manager or Management Support Officer, prior to enrolment in the new year.
INSM News
Congratulations to the Concert and Stage Bands for receiving a Silver Award at the Fanfare Heats held on Tuesday, 27 May.
A Melbourne Concert Band is visiting Maryborough on Wednesday, 25 June. Concert Band Workshop is from 1.30 pm—3.00 pm at the Maryborough West Hall and the Concert starts at 7.00 pm. There is no cost involved for either workshop or Concert. Aldridge Concert Band members to return their completed yellow medical/permission notes to Ms Young in K Block.
GAYLE YOUNG
INSM Teacher
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.
Wide Bay Cross Country
On Tuesday, 27 May, 12 students from Aldridge State High School travelled to Gin Gin to compete for the Fraser District Cross Country team at the Wide Bay Cross Country carnival.
The results for Aldridge students is as follows:
13 Years—Lauren Dixon—1st
14 Years—Dylan Newberry—4th
15 Years—Tyler McKenna—2nd
16 Years—Jay McCarthy—2nd
17 Years—Melissa Walker—1st
17 Years—Daniel Poppi—2nd
17 Years—Jared Gaskell—6th
19 Years—Bryan McKenna—6th
Runners who placed in the top 6 in their age group have been selected in the Wide Bay team to compete at the State Cross Country which will be held at Rockhampton.
Congratulations and good luck.
JAMES McKEE
Sportsmaster
Dates For Your Diary
More important dates for your diary.
Ø Wednesday, 11 June—Year 10 Legal Studies excursion to Court House. Depart 9.10 am return 11.10 am.
Ø Wednesday, 11 June—Physical Theatre Workshop by ‘Zen Zen Zo’ Years 10, 11 and 12 at Aldridge SHS. 9.00 am—4.00 pm.
Ø Thursday, 12 June—2008 Fraser Coast Regional Careers Options Expo for Year 10’s at Maryborough Showgrounds. Depart 9.00 am return by 11.15 am.
Ø Wednesday, 25 June— Instrumental Music Concert Band Workshop, Maryborough West Activities Hall. Depart 11.00 am return by 3.00 pm. Concert at 7.00 pm at West Activities Hall.
Ø Monday, 21 July—Wednesday, 23 July—Year 11 Leadership Camp to Garapine. Depart Aldridge SHS approx 9.00 am Monday, 21 July and return Wednesday, 23 July by 2.30 pm.
Ø Thursday, 31 July—Aldridge SHS Athletics Carnival.
Ø Monday, 11 August—Fraser District Athletics Carnival.
Ø Monday, 20 June—Friday, 11 July—WINTER VACATION.
Ø Monday, 14 July—Student Free Day.
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.
! Netball—Vicki Wilson Cup, Netball Courts, Maryborough. 8.00 am—3.00 pm
! Tuesday, 10 June— P&C Meeting in Admin Building at 7.00 pm.
Tuesday, 17 June— Thursday, 19 June— Year 11 and 12 exams in the Hall.
Community Notices
v For Sale—Formal suit black, light weight, dry cleaned, very good condition, 38R $60. 4123 5515.
v For Sale—Aldridge Uniforms— One size 14 Boys Shirt $12.00, One size 12 Boys Shorts $16.00. For more info please phone 4129 7014.
2008 Heritage City Art Festival Workshops. Saturday, 05 July— Thursday, 10 July. For more information please phone. Audrey on 4123 0618 or Kayleen on 4123 6541 or go to Website— maryborougharts.org.au.
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(c)2007 Aldridge State High School
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