| Aldridge Newsletter - Edition 02 - 13 February 2008 |
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From the Principal
Pictured are some of the 320 people who responded to our Year 8 Meet and Greet last Thursday afternoon. These are wonderful times when staff, parents and students can get to know each other. Are you organised for the Year 8 Camp yet?
.jpg) The storm last Friday did plenty of damage to our grounds and caused some flooding in the Science block. Our school services staff did a fantastic job to make the grounds usable by first class on Monday morning. Well done to Peter, Col, Kev and our cleaning staff. Pictured is one of two trees that came down narrowly missing our Manual Arts Block.
 Our numbers have stabilised at very close to last year at about 1015. We gained about 222 Year 8’s which is almost identical to last year. We regard it as a great vote of confidence in our school that we gain such numbers.
Swimming Carnival this Thursday - see information in this newsletter. Try to encourage your children to attend, to dress up and be sun safe.
ED MANLEY
Principal
Coping with the Final Years of Schooling
For many young people the final years of schooling mean one thing—PRESSURE!
While some of the pressure can be self-induced it usually comes as a result of a host of influences, including parents.
Your attitude to a student’s final years can help make them bearable or just add to the stress that he or she may already feel. To help your student get through their final year with his or her sanity in tact it is essential to keep things in perspective. It will not be the end of the free world as you know it, if your young person doesn’t perform as well as you or they wish.
You may have to change how you help your young person. It is time to change your role from one of a coaxer to being a supporter. The responsibility for the final years of schooling needs to be given over to students. As frustrating as it may be from a parent’s perspective it is up to them how hard they work. You can’t study for them.
Help your student keep a balance between work and outside interests. Also remind him or her that the maintenance of good health and a reasonable level of physical fitness are effective success strategies at this level.
One practical way to help is in the area of personal organization. Assist them to work out a study timetable that suits their social and academic obligations. Be flexible with your own expectations regarding chores and general tidiness. How much they help should be a reflection of their schedules.
Sometimes the best way you can help students is to be available, but in the background. Talk to your student about his or her studies but without focusing on the need to study harder or the importance of good results. They have probably been reminded about these issues often enough.
It is important to remember that there is life after the final year of school and that it is young people’s attitude as much as their aptitude that will determine their altitude once they have left school.
______________________
Talking Point
A question to ask young people at the start of each term:
How can you best help them during the coming period?
______________________
Bright Idea
Set yourself goals for the final years
Work out what you want to gain as a parent from your students’ final years. What will you learn about yourself, and your teenager? How will your family grow as a result of these years? If your goals are greater than merely to survive you will help make these years productive both for you and your young person.
_______________________
Did You Know?
Carbohydrates are like brain food. A regular diet that includes plenty of carbohydrates will help your brain perform at its best.
Stress can help you to perform. Too much stress, however, hinders performance and harms your health.
Five minutes sitting doing nothing can do wonders for a student’s stress levels.
______________________
Quiz & Quote
Teenagers are more likely to talk about friendships and peer problems with their parents than their friends.
True or False.
Answer: True—According to the recently released Australian Temperament Project young people are more likely to confide in their parents than friends if they have issues with peers.
‘There are two educations. One should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live.” John Adams
Guidance News
The Undergraduate Medicine and Health Services Admission Test Information (UMAT)
Students interested in pursuing a career in medicine, dental surgery, optometry and other health science careers may need to sit the UMAT on 20 July 2008.
To get more information please visit the website www.MedEntry.edu.au or contact them on (03) 9359 9960 or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
MedEntry are offering a discount of over 55% to one student who is financially and/or socially disadvantaged.
Please contact Mr Amarandos for more details.
2008 University of Queensland Events
UQ Open Days
Sunday, 03 August 2008—St Lucia Campus.
Wednesday, 20 August 2008—Ipswich Campus.
Sunday, 24 August 2008—Gatton Campus.
Tertiary Information Events
Friday, 23 May and Saturday 24 May 2008—Brisbane Careers and employment Expo.
Saturday, 19 and Sunday, 20 July 2008—TSXPO.
STAVROS AMARANDOS
Guidance Officer
Insurance cover for students undertaking physical activities
Physical activity and physical education, particularly contact sports, carry inherent risks of injury.
Parents are advised that the Department of Education Training and the Arts does not have Personal Accident Insurance cover for students.
Education Queensland has public liability cover for all approved school activities and provides compensation for students injured at school only when the Department is negligent. If this is not the case, then all costs associated with the injury are the responsibility of the parent or caregiver.
It is a personal decision for parents as to the type and level of private insurance they arrange to cover students for any accidental injury that may occur.
Living Away From Home Allowances Scheme (LAFHAS)
The Department of Education, Training and the Arts provides assistance to eligible Queensland parents whose children must board away from home to attend school on a daily basis because:
Ø their homes are geographically isolated; and
Ø they do not have reasonable daily access to a government school with the appropriate level of primary, secondary or special schooling.
Of particular interest to regional families is the scheme’s Remote Area Travel Allowance. The allowance is available for eligible students to reduce travelling expenses; provided the distance travelled to the boarding location is at least 50 kilometres. Assistance will range from $109 to $1355 a year and will be determined by the kilometric distance from the home location to the location of the boarding residence.
Application forms and further information concerning conditions of eligibility and benefit levels payable are available from the School Financial Services Unit, Department of Education, Training and the Arts, PO Box 15033, City East Qld 4002, freecall 1800 248 997.
Further information on this scheme is available through the department’s web site at:
ED MANLEY
Principal
Fraser Coast TESS
 Is your young person not sure of their career path?
Struggling to find something they may be interested in doing as a career?
Is your student in Year 10,11 or 12?
Does work experience sound like a good idea?
Mrs Glover from Fraser Coat TESS is at your student’s school at these times:
Wednesday & Thursday 10:50 – 11:45
Mrs Glover is also available to parents by making an appointment through the school office.
Bakers Delight—$5000 Schools Grant
Every time you purchase something from Bakers Delight, by nominating Aldridge State High School we could be eligible for a $5000 Grant.
Remember the more times you nominate your school, the more changes you have to win the $5000 Grant.
JIM McKEE
Tuckshop News
Thank you to those parents who have volunteered to work in the Tuckshop. The roster has been completed and reserves would be appreciated.
JENNY WHITAKER
Tuckshop Convenor
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.
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
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.
Dates for your Diary
More important dates for your diary.
Ø Wednesday, 20 February—Fraser District Summer Trials (various venues)
Ø Monday, 25 February—Fraser District Swimming Carnival (PM) (venue TBA).
Ø Thursday, 28 February—Wide Bay Summer Trials (various venues).
Ø Friday, 29 February—Chess Competition at St Mary’s College, 9.00 am—2.30 pm.
Ø Tuesday, 04 March—Senior Leader Induction Ceremony in Hall from 9.00 am—11.00 am.
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.
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) 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.
For Sale
Uniforms
1 new shirt size small—$20.00
1 new skirt size 6-8 $20.00
1 new grey shorts size XS—$20.00
1 near new shirt (worn twice) size small—$15.00
1 near new skirt (worn twice) size 6-8 $15.00
Please call Paula on 0438 185 933 or 4129 0209
1 Size 20 Aldridge polo shirt worn once $18.00.
Please phone Andrea on 4123 2019.
Community Notices
vBidwill Magnolia School Bus Run— All parents/carers of children who use the Bidwill Magnollia Primary School Bus and High School bus are invited to attend the annual meeting on Tuesday, 26 February at 7.30 pm at the Bidwill Hall, Bidwill Road. All are welcome.
v Sunbury Soccer Club—U13, U14 and U15 players need to assemble at the Maryborough Cricket grounds on Tuesday,19 February at 5.00 pm for information and light training session. Attendance requested regardless of weather. For more enquiries please phone Judy on 4122 3428, Mark on 0488 001 267 or Josh on 0419 736 888.
v Maryborough Sub-Junior Golf sign- up, Sunday, 17 February to be held at the Maryborough Golf Club (Queen Street). New players most welcome. Must be at least 5 years of age. Registration times A & B Grades 12.15 pm, C Grade and Sharks 1.00 pm.
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(c)2007 Aldridge State High School
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