| Aldridge Newsletter - Edition 01 - 30 January 2008 |
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Principal’s Report
.jpg) A warm welcome to our new Year 8 families and new families to our school. Welcome back to our existing families. Our school has had very strong enrolments again this year and continues to grow rapidly. We expect to finish at over 1000 students with a Year 8 intake of around 220 students. It is only through the interaction and support of our school community that our school can continue to provide the very best it can.
Settling into a new school and specifically a high school, can be an issue for some.
Here are some hints to assist you when talking with your High School student:
Ø Have a quiet chat at the end of each day - class work, friends, lunch etc.
Ø Keep the amount of time spent on homework reasonable - 1 to 1½ hours.
Ø Reinforce that, “yes it is different - high school is a change, a juncture in your life, like getting married or your first pay cheque - enjoy it!”
Ø Work through issues calmly, encourage your child to sort it out themselves if they can, with your gentle support. If it will not go away, contact the school for ideas and support before the problem gets out of control - (see diary for who can supply the support - eg. Mr Dodd the Year 8 Coordinator, Mr Amarandos the Guidance Officer and Mrs Trudy Hawkins the School Nurse).
Ø Monitor what’s happening through the Student Diary - homework, assignments etc. Don’t forget to have a good look at the Assignment Dates Sheet about Week 2.
Ø Fit in - be in perfect uniform, observe the uniform and school rules.
I have included (see below) a “hints” article “Making a Smooth Start to Secondary School” that may be useful in assisting our new students to settle into our school as smoothly as possible.
Calmly push through the problems - grab the opportunities firmly and run hard.
Regards
Ed Manley
PRINCIPAL
Making a Smooth Start to Secondary School
Starting secondary school presents new experiences, which place many demands on children. It is potentially an unsettling time.
Being at the bottom of the pecking order where you are unsure of the rules of the playground is just one adjustment to make. Changing classrooms, reading a timetable, altering eating habits and carrying a load of books around is difficult enough without the added task of making friends. Some young people take these new experiences in their stride but many have difficulty making the transition from primary to secondary school. It is no coincidence children’s learning levels out in Year 7, presumably as social tasks take precedence over academic performance.
This transition signals a period of supportive parenting. Talk to your child about change and reassure them that it is normal to feel unsure and anxious in new circumstances. Let him or her know that any difficulties faced will only be temporary. Some kids may brush you off with a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude but don’t be fooled by the bravado. Most will be feeling fairly unsure of themselves.
Share some of your own memories of starting secondary school—but steer away from any horror first day stories. It can be reassuring for a child to know that you went through similar experiences and survived. Talking in this way shows that you understand how they feel.
Listen to young people in the first few weeks of school. Ask about new subjects or interesting activities they are doing, and shift their focus to the positive aspects of school. Children often take their cues from their parents to show confidence in their ability to cope.
Make contact with your child’s Year Level Coordinator if you have problems or concerns about how they are settling in. Don’t wait for a Parent/Teacher night to state any genuine concerns.
If it is your eldest child who is starting, then secondary school will be relatively new for you too. It will take some time for you to adjust to the school’s culture and communication methods. You can learn a great deal about the school by talking with your young person and encouraging him or her to share their experiences.
Talking Point
Ask your young person:
How is secondary school different to primary school? What’s better and what’s not so good?
___________________________
Bright Idea
Talk while doing something
If your teenager is a conversational clam and just won’t talk about school, or any other matter, then become involved in an activity with him or her. Boys, in particular, tend to talk more when their hands are busy and the focus is taken off them.
Did you Know?
Young people’s first friendship group in secondary school is not necessarily permanent. They have a number of attempts in the first years to establish their friendship groups.
Teasing and bullying can increase around this transition period.
Early maturing girls and late developing boys can be a risk during transiting to secondary school.
Quiz & Quote
Girls reach puberty approximately eighteen months earlier than boys.
True or False
True
________________________
“Setting a good example for children does nothing but increase their embarrassment.”
Our Admin Team
.jpg) Mr George McCallan
Deputy Principal
.jpg) Mr Craig Tewes
Deputy Principal
.jpg) Mr Jackson Dodd
HOD—Effective Teaching & Learning and Year 8 Coordinator
.jpg) Mr Mark Smith
HOD—Effective Teaching & Learning and Year 9 Coordinator
.jpg) Mr Stavros Amarandos
Guidance Officer
.jpg) Mrs Lynette Manley—HOD Senior Schooling
Vaccinations
Maryborough City Council will be providing free vaccinations for all Year 8, 9 and 10 students as part of Queensland Health’s School Based Vaccination Program.
Year 8 students will be offered two doses of Hepatitis B vaccine (four to six months apart) and one dose of Varicella-Zoster (chicken pox) and Year 8 female students will be offered the HPV vaccination this year.
Year 9 female students are being offered three doses of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination (given at zero, one and three months).
Year 10 students will be offered one dose of adult/adolescent formulation Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (whooping cough) (dTpa) vaccine.
Year 10 female students will be offered three doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (given at zero, one and three moths).
The vaccinations will be conducted by a team of specially trained registered nurses and/or a medical practitioner.
A consent form will be given to your child to bring home shortly. Please read the information carefully, sign the consent form irrespective of whether you wish your child to be vaccinated or not and return the consent form to the school.
All vaccination forms need to be returned to the school office no later than FRIDAY, 08 FEBRUARY 2008. Any late forms need to be taken to the Maryborough City Council.
For more information about diseases, vaccines or the School Based Vaccination Program, visit www.health.qld.gov.au.
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.
Distribution of Panadol
Parents are reminded that, under law, office staff cannot distribute Panadol or any other medication to students without permission from their parents.
If your child requires Panadol, it would be appreciated if you could supply your child with some. If you cannot do this, the office staff will need to contact you every time your child requires Panadol or any other type of medication.
Assignment Box
Students handing in late assignments are required to place them in the Assignment Box which is located on the wall outside Mr Tewes’ office.
The Assignment Box is checked twice a day for assignments—At the start of each day at 8.00 am and at the end of the day at 4.00 pm. All assignments are date stamped with the current days date each time the Assignment Box is cleared.
Assignments must have on the front cover the name of the student the assignment belongs to,the teacher who it is to be given to and the subject.
A copy of the late assignment guidelines are on the Assignment Box for student’s perusal.
Assignments
Assignments are set to reinforce work and to develop cognitive skills. They are also a valuable method to assess student learning and understanding. We are currently working to improve assignment completion rates and standards. Assessment planners for all students will be posted home shortly, this will occur at the start of each term, and will outline the approximate weeks that assessments are due. Attached to this planner is a copy of the ‘Assignment Policy’ containing information on managing the assignment process and assignment extensions.
Please contact the school if you have any questions or would like another copy of the assessment planner.
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.
Student Medication Procedures
In accordance with Education Queensland requirements and regulations, Aldridge State High School has put into place the following procedure for the administration of medication to students:
X All medication given to the school MUST be in a container labelled with the original Pharmacist’s instructions. These instructions should include the student’s name, dosage and time of administration. Medication not labelled in this way will not be accepted.
X Medication MUST be delivered by parents or guadians only and the necessary paperwork completed. A count of the medication will be completed and recorded. Parents or guardians only can collect any unused medication.
X Parents or guardians will receive a copy of the above paperwork.
X Panadol cannot be administered to students without parent or guardian consent. If your student requires panadol, every effort will be made to contact you.
If you have any queries in relation to the administration of medication, please contact the office administration staff.
Tuckshop News
Wanted Urgently—Volunteers for Tuckshop.
Please phone Jenny on 4120 8444.
School Office Hours
The School Office will be open from 8.00 am—4.00pm Monday to Thursday and 8.00 am—3.30 pm Friday. We are closed over the vacation periods.
.jpg) 2008 Swimming Carnival
The Annual Interhouse Swimming Carnival will be held on Thursday, 14 February, at Maryborough Town Pool. The carnival is typically a fun day, and students are encouraged to dress in house colours and participate in as many events as possible.
One of the highlights of the day is the Junior and Senior Mass Participation events. This involves as many students as possible attempting to complete as many laps of the pool as possible in a five minute time period. Each lap completed scores the house one (1) point.
The carnival begins at 9.00 am with a roll call for all students. It is considered a normal school day in terms of attendance, and if a student is absent on the day, the school expects a phone call or a note to explain the absence. The carnival will finish by 2.45 pm and no student will be allowed to leave the pool grounds before that time.
Buses between the school and the town pool will be in operation for bus students in both morning and afternoon. They will leave school at 8.40 am and return to school by 3.00 pm. All non-bus students are to make their own way to the pool.
Water pistols and water bombs are strictly banned, as well as portable CD players.
We hope that all students attend the carnival and enjoy the day. See you there!
School House Colours
Chappell—Red
Goolagong—Green
Gould—Yellow
Langlands—Blue
JIM McKEE
HOD-HPE, and SPORTSMASTER
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
Maryborough Relay for Life
Become part of an exciting local event to raise vital funds for cancer research and support programs. ‘Relay for Life’ is not just a fundraiser but also an opportunity to educate the community on early detection and prevention and get our life-saving message out.
‘Relay for Life’ is an overnight team event where groups of 10-15 people camp out and take turns to walk or run around the track relay style for 18 hours.
But it is not all hard work! ‘Relay for Life’ is a fun, carnival-style event, with a non stop entertainment program to keep people going through the night. Teams are invited to dress-up, play games and make the event as sociable as they like!
The moving and inspirational Survivor’s lap of honour opens the event. After sunset, hundreds of candles are lit at the Candle Light Ceremony to celebrate cancer survival, provide opportunities for remembrance and create hope for the future.
There are not many families untouched by cancer. We are hoping to make the first Relay in Maryborough a huge event. Committee members would be happy to visit your club or school to let you know how to become involved.
If you would like to find out more about this fantastic event, check our www.relayforlife.org.au.
The local contacts are committee chairman Cr Barbara Hovard 41905807 (w), 41231048 (h) or Team Coordinator, Trevor Franklin on 0419667269. Cancer Council Queensland 1300 65 65 85.
Student Newsletter Advertising
The Communication Sub Committee of the Student Representative Committee, produces a newsletter just for students. This newsletter is produced twice a term. We are asking for expressions of interest from Businesses wishing to advertise through this medium. The newsletter is circulated amongst 1000 students and the advertising will help us to lower the cost of producing this newsletter. Please contact Mr Jackson Dodd on 4120 8444 to express an interest in this opportunity.
Dates for your Diary
More important dates for your diary.
Ø Thursday, 14 February—Aldridge SHS Swimming Carnival at town pool.
Ø Monday, 25 February—Fraser District Swimming Carnival (venue TBA).
Ø Thursday, 28 February—Wide Bay Summer Trials (various venues).
Ø Tuesday, 18 March—Fraser District Winter Trials—various venues.
Ø Friday, 21 March—Good Friday.
Ø Monday, 24 March—Easter Monday.
Ø Wednesday, 26 March—Year 11/12 exams.
Ø Thursday, 27 March—Year 11/12 exams.
Ø Friday, 28 March—Year 11/12 exams.
Community Notices
v Brothers Hockey Club will be holding two sign on days—one at Station Square on Saturday, 09 February and one on at the Post Office Hotel on Sunday, 17 February starting at 3.00 pm until 5.00 pm.
v Tennis Players Wanted—Social Tennis every Wednesday night at Association courts. No joining fee—pay as you go. 7.00 pm until 10.00 pm. Interested players please phone Linda on 4129 2663 or Robert on 4121 7687.
v Maryborough Netball Association sign on for 2008 season will be held on Wednesday, 06 February from 4.30 pm—6.30 pm at the Netball Courts in Cheapside Street. For further enquiries please phone Sarah Walsh on 4123 1062, Julieann Sutcliffe on 4122 2107 or Heather Jocumsen on 4129 2084.
v Football Referees Maryborough 2008 Introductory Course on Sunday, 03 February, 10 February and 17 February at Cricket Club Hall, Ariadne Street, Maryborough. Start 9.00 am sharp. Cost $45/person (includes law book, cd and work papers). For more info please phone Mel or Joanne Downes on 4121 3898 or email:
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(c)2007 Aldridge State High School
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