| Aldridge Newsletter - Edition 03 - 27 February 2008 |
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From the Principal
While our swimming carnival may have had a little more water than would generally be desired it was still a great day!
.jpg) Cameron Poppi and Tyler McKenna
 Jacqueline Bygrave, Teale Burroughs and Morgan Krome (all dressed up for the occasion)
We moved through our events quickly and found time for some novelty events which gave our students some extra opportunities to further enjoy the day. Numbers were of course a little down with the rain however those that came certainly had a great day. Well done to our HPE staff, general staff and House Captains.
We have just gained a great deal of data on the performance of our school during 2007. It has been another very strong year for us in terms of outcomes, with numbers of Certificates and OP results rising sharply again, student satisfaction with the school being very high and continued very strong enrolments. I look forward to sharing these results shortly.
ED MANLEY
Principal
Helping Adolescents Combat Peer Pressure
Young people generally want to fit in to their various social groups so peer approval is a significant driver for their behaviour. For a young person, resisting peer influence can mean isolation or instant ostracism so it takes great strength of will to refuse to follow the crowd.
It is important for parents to understand the value of peer groups for young people and also remember that peers can be positive influences.
While the increased influence of peers is a normal part of a young person’s development they sometimes need help to resist the pressure to conform that is placed on them.
The following ideas may assist you to help young people resist unwanted peer pressure:
1. Talk about peer influence with young people. Be open and frank about the subject. Let them know that while much of the influence of their friends is positive, some is not in their best interests.
2. Help young people say no—and save face and status among their friends. Allow them to blame you for not letting them do something they don’t feel comfortable with.
3. Encourage them to think through the consequences of their decisions. When young people are put on the spot they should think about the risk factors involved. Encourage them to think, ‘Is this behaviour smart? Is it in my best interests?’
4. Avoid making your young person reliant on the approval of others, including you, as the basis of their self-esteem. Allow them to feel comfortable holding opinions and views that are different to yours.
5. Avoid criticising your teenager’s friends, as he or she may take it personally. Talk about behaviours rather than personalities when you discuss their choice of friends.
Talking Point
An issue for parents to ponder and discuss:
We all experience peer pressure. A reporter asked a lady celebrating her 104th birthday what was the best part about being 104. She replied, ’That’s easy. No peer pressure.’
Talk to your young person about how peer pressure affects you and how you cope with it.
Bright Idea
Give them a line of resistance.
Encourage your young person to gain some thinking time when placed under pressure to conform or behave in unsafe ways. If they feel uncomfortable with a peer’s insistent request, but find it difficult to refuse, then encourage them to gain some thinking time. They can say something like, ‘No, not now. I’ll do it later.’
Did You Know
One way young people learn how to mix is by observing how significant adults in their lives mix with each other.
Do the young people in your life see you…
· Mixing with others outside your home?
· Speak to adults you don’t know well?
· Make decisions about how you spend your time?
Quiz & Quote
Boys in Year 12 (17-18 year olds) are at least five times more likely to be happy with their body than girls of the same age.
True or False.
Solution: True
10 per cent of girls at this age are happy with their body compared to 61 per cent of boys.
_______________________
‘The imagination of a child is healthy and the mature imagination of an adult is healthy, but there is a space of life between, when the soul is in ferment, the character undecided, the way of life uncertain and the ambition thick-sighted.’ Keats
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.
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.
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.
Meals on Wheels Art Project
Meals on Wheels are planning to run an art project that involves local Maryborough school students. The proposal is for the students to be involved in the painting of a very large mural in the foyer of the Meals of Wheels building. The project will give students the opportunity to explore their creativity, work with a professional artist-in-residence, and to gain a greater knowledge of their local community. The project will involve students working for several hours on a Saturday morning over a 15 week period, from June until December. If you are interested in participating in this exciting occasion please contact Arlia Raymond (Visual Art Teacher at Aldridge State High School) on 4120 8432.
Sports News
Volleyball 2007
2007 was a fantastic year for Aldridge in the relatively new sport of volleyball. Mr Thiele has worked tirelessly to get things off the ground and has had willing support from Mr Tassotti, Mr Young and Mr Gunn in the coaching.
Following the incredible success at the Queensland Schools cup (1st, 2nd, and 4th) the teams travelled to Melbourne to compete in the Australian Championships – a first for Aldridge in any sport!
In was a tremendous effort just to get there and was only made possible by the amazing amount of fund raising. Mr Tassotti was the leader in this and had great support by all coaches, team members and parents.
The final results were 6th for the Year 8 Girls, 6th for the Year 9 Boys and 9th for the Year 10 Boys. They should be extremely proud of their efforts and we look forward to further success in 2008.
Thank you to all involved for the amount of time and effort you have given and special mention to Mrs Robertson, Mrs James, Mrs McKenna and Jess McCall for travelling with the teams as managers.
Year 8 Girls – Coach—Mr Tassotti
Jodie Zagami, Brooke Robertson, Ashleigh James, Hayley Hinchliff, Tessa Burroughs, Teale Burroughs, Karla Simpson and Emily Cantrill.
Year 9 Boys – Coach—Mr Young
Nathan Brake, Alec Higgins, Tyler McKenna, Darren McPhee, Brad Chapman, Jett Nickson, Brenton Watterson, Frank Richmond and Joe Schulz.
Year 10 Boys – Coach—Mr Thiele
Brett Einam, Kyle Massicks, Sam Manley, Daniel O’Brien, Sam Nagl, Gavin Soper, Daniel Gillen, Dylan Hodges and Isaac Sanderson.
Looking for a Job
A large Maryborough supermarket is offering School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships in:
· Retail
· Bakery
· Butchery
Interested people please contact Sarah Glover from TESS on 4122 4444.
SARAH GLOVER
Work Placement Officer
Fraser Coast TESS
Mobile: 0407 737 622
Dates for your Diary
More important dates for your diary:
Ø Friday, 29 February—Chess Competition at St Mary’s College. 9.00 am—2.30 pm. Mrs Higgins.
Ø Tuesday, 04 March—Senior Leader Induction Ceremony in Hall—9.00 am—11.00 am.
Ø Tuesday, 11 March—P&C AGM in Common room, Aldridge SHS.
Ø Tuesday, 18 March—Fraser District Winter Trials—various venues.
Ø Friday, 21 March—GOOD FRIDAY HOLIDAY.
Ø Monday, 24 March—EASTER MONDAY HOLIDAY.
Ø Wednesday, 26 March—Year 11/12 exams in Hall.
Ø Thursday, 27 March—Year 11/12 exams in Hall.
Ø Friday, 28 March—Year 11/12 exams in Hall.
Swimming Carnival Results
The annual Interhouse Swimming Carnival was held on Thursday 14th February. It wasn’t a great day weather wise with a number of showers and I think this may have affected our attendance. Participation rates from those who attended was pretty good and huge effort was put into costumes to make the carnival colourful and eventful.
I would especially like to congratulate the House Captains for their efforts, both in the lead-up to the carnival and on the day. They worked hard and should feel proud of the way they carried out their duties – cross country, athletics and sports awards to go!
In the all important points race, it was extremely close for the whole day between Chappell and Gould. Unfortunately for Goolagong and Langlands they were well out of it right from the outset with their numbers seeming to be the most affected by the weather. There was only 9 points between Chappell and Gould going into the relays but superior performance in these double points events meant that Chappell were the ultimate winners. They finished with 699 points, Gould were second on 623 points, Goolagong got 410 while Langlands managed only 348 points.
Age Champions on the day were as follows:
13 Years Rylee Hough, Curtis Edwards
14 Years Courtney Prove, Matt Cunningham
15 Years Kate Greentree, Tyler McKenna
16 Years Brooke Santoro, Jay McCarthy
17 Years Casey McMillan, Daniel Poppi
Six records were broken on the day and they are as follows:
Name Age Group Event Old Record Year New Record
Tyler McKenna 15 Boys Butterfly 33.00 1993 32.10
Tyler McKenna 15 Boys Ind Medley 2:41.81 1993 2:41.02
Daniel Poppi 17 Boys Backstroke 40.07 2006 34.70
Name Age Group Event Old Record Year New Record
Tom Einam 17 Boys Breastroke 42.00 2005 41.22
Chappell 16 Boys Relay 2:17.18 1990 2:15.54
Goolagong 17 Boys Relay 2:06.01 1995 2:02.43
Congratulations again to all students and staff who allowed the carnival to run so efficiently despite the conditions.
JIM McKEE
Sportsmaster
Swimming Carnival
Please enjoy some swimming carnival pictures below:
 Mr Manley—sitting down on the job (what rain!!!).
 Some Gould Fish—Rebecca and Mikaela
 Mass participation—a good time was had by all.
 Eliza, Stacey and Kiarney—dressed up in all their Thursday best.
Community Notices
v St Helens Bus Committee meeting will be held next Thursday, 28 February at 5.30 pm. All parents of students who travel on the bus are invited to attend.
v Maryborough Bears AFL Club— Junior players for the 2008 wanted. New players are invited to come and join the Maryborough Bears to play in the Bundaberg Wide Bay AFL competition. The Bears home ground is at Ocean Reef Park, Granville (cnr Ross and Cardigan Streets). For more information and to register please contact Anthony ‘Benda’ Strothard on 4129 7116 or Graeme McFarlane on 0418 574 100. Training starts 4.00 pm, Tuesday, 26 February.
v Wallaroos Rugby League. Come and play the greatest game of all. New players required in all age groups especially Under 14. Season starting soon. For information ring Scott Robertson (h) 41 234531 (mob) 0428 164585.
v Maryborough West Soccer Club requires players for all age groups U6- U15. New U16 players receive a free ball and water bottle. Training for all ages is on Thursday’s at 4.00 pm at the West grounds, Sydney Street (behind Maryborough Sports Club). Inquiries to Stan on 4121 3045.
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(c)2007 Aldridge State High School
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