Newsletter June 2017

24 Pages·2017·6.88 MB·English

Home Hill State High School

LEARNING – PERFORMANCE – CITIZENSHIP

First Street Home Hill Qld 4806

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.homehillshs.eq.edu.au

Newsletter June 2017

Principal’s Report
We are now into the tail end of Semester 1, and hopefully the upcoming
holidays will allow us to take a big breath and recover from the frenetic pace
so far. Next term we head into the business end of the school year for
students exiting, or moving to the next phase of learning. With certification,
subject selection and QCS not too far off Term 3 will be very busy for our
seniors.
To finish off the first half of the school year you will receive your students’
report cards for Semester 1. This provides the definitive information on how
your student(s) are progressing with their studies in 2017, and the
associated parent-teacher interviews provides a great opportunity to
discuss how you can support your student to achieve further success in their
Next P&C Meeting - AGM education.
The June meeting of the During the past couple of weeks I have had the joy (well, mostly joy anyway)
P&C will be held on Tuesday, of spending significant time with our Year 7 cohort. Firstly at the Charters
13 June at 7.45 pm in the
Towers overnight stay – What were the odds of it being wet for the whole
Staff Common Room.
All are welcome to attend. time we were there? – Mind you, considering the conditions the students were
awesome in their cooperation and participation with a much improvised agenda.
Dates to Remember
Last week I had the pleasure to accompany them on the Agri-business
 Tuesday 13 June
excursion to explore technological innovation at Mr Aaron Linton’s farm. With
– P&C Meeting
the support of Farmacist and their drone, and Mr Steve Attard from
 25 June – 9 July
AgriTech Solutions the students got a great overview of the role technology
– School Holidays
is beginning to play in agriculture across the Burdekin. For Home Hill SHS
 Monday 10 July
this is an area we aim to develop far greater curriculum links to in the near
– School commences
future.
– NAIDOC Week begins
– Raffle tickets/money

due back
– Writers Workshop and

Movie night

Since last newsletter there has also been significant progress on our push
for a comprehensive Multi-Purpose Shelter at Home Hill State High School,
with a significant additional financial contribution from the Queensland

State Government which now takes our total funding for the project from

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June 2017

$ 670,000 to $1.32 Million. This ensures that our MPS project will be able to deliver a ‘meaningful’
building of a full under-cover basketball court with additional storage, stage and kitchenette areas.

This is an excellent outcome, and besides recognising the additional $650,000 contribution from the
State Government, I have to acknowledge the significant advocacy by our local member (Dale Last),
and the school P&C and parent bodies over a long period of time in support of this priority. I also have
to acknowledge our regional facilities staff for the ongoing support and advice re: this matter. The
support and financial contributions of many individuals associated with the Home Hill State High School
community over a great many years is finally coming to fruition.

The new Multi-Purpose Shelter will allow the school to provide great learning and extra-curricular
opportunities for students in a wide variety of contexts well beyond those that align to the Physical
Education and sporting subjects in the school. It will also provide the school with a suitable location
for multiple events such as school assemblies and special events.
To add to a huge Term 2, we are currently also undertaking the Full School Review, an external check
to review our processes, and define the priorities for the next few years. We look forward to the
information that it provides us, with regard to how we are tracking, and what areas need additional
strategic focus. However, by the time semester 1 comes to a close in a couple of weeks, the holiday
break will be very much appreciated by staff and students alike.

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June 2017

As an Agribusiness Gateway School, we are continually looking for opportunities for our students to learn about
sustainable farming practices and the vast range of careers available in the agricultural industry. Our year 7 students
experienced one such opportunity last Thursday, the 1st of June, when they visited the cane farm owned by Mr
Aaron Linton.
For a number of years, Aaron has been involved in trials that compare furrow or flood irrigation with a subsurface
drip tape irrigation system. This system makes use of computerisation to gather data, which is used to manage the
crop. It also allows for analysis of different irrigation sets and the introduction of nutrients directly to the root base
of the plant. In this way the plant is only getting what it actually needs. The information can be accessed anywhere
in the world, through the use of an iPhone or computer, so the crop’s needs can be met no matter where the farmer
is.
Mr Steve Attard, from Agritech Solutions, was also on hand to explain the process to our students and show them
examples of how the data is displayed for the farmer to analyse and act on. Aaron was able to show them how
different machinery could be started and stopped through a simple touch on his iPhone.
Whilst one group was being shown this process, the other group of students was being shown how drones can
overfly a crop, recording images, which can then be used by the farmer to ascertain its requirements. Alice Warner
and Billie White from Farmacist explained some of the duties they perform as agronomists. They were able to tell
the students, from first-hand experience, how much demand there is for people in their field and those developing
the technologies being used in agriculture. They also detailed how sensors can be used to gather data, to help
farmers make decisions about how to manage their crops.
The morning also served to highlight how water usage efficiency can minimise nutrient runoff into waterways and
ultimately the Great Barrier Reef. This not only helps the environment, the farmer benefits as well, by knowing
exactly how much water and fertiliser to apply to the crop – reducing energy usage and costs.
Living in a farming region, this was a valuable educational activity for our students, generously provided by members
of our local community. Huge thanks must go to Aaron Linton; Steve Attard; and Alice Warner, Billie White and
Jayson Dowie of Farmacist; for their time and effort in providing this informative experience for our year 7 students.

Adele Armstrong
Agribusiness Co-ordinator

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June 2017

Early Thursday morning, on the 18th of May, the grade 7 cohort woke up to come to
school. It was pouring with rain and freezing cold. Fifty eager grade 7 students piled
into the bus with Chappy Jennie, Miss Shackell, Mr East and Mr Lane. It was a two
hour journey all the way to Charters Towers, with a movie.
As it was raining in Charters Towers, we could not go to the Texas Long Horn Ranch.
Instead, we did team building activities with Chappy Jennie. We did bingo, human
knot and we had to try and place our group’s eight feet on a piece of newspaper! Each time we succeeded, we had to
fold it in half and try again – and again – and again! Our efforts were rewarded with lollies.
Then it was lunch time and we had delicious sausages cooked on the barbecue by Mr Kingma. While our dinner was
settling, we watched a movie or we could write warm fuzzies. Warm fuzzies are when you write a compliment or
something nice about someone and put it in an envelope with their name on it. We all tried hard to write a message
for everyone, including the teachers.
Later we got to challenge each other by competing in a ‘Mini Olympics’ activity. We split into four groups and did
multiple events inside. The first activity was shot put with cotton balls. Next was javelin with straws, where three
people from each team were nominated to throw a straw - and if you hit Mr Kingma, you got two extra points! (Nobody
did manage to hit him though). This was followed by a relay – but not the usual way with batons – we had to put a
balloon between our legs. This activity involved everyone and was so much fun. Balloons were popping and there
was lots of cheering by all the teams. The last activity was discus throwing with paper plates. Two people were
nominated to throw a plate and if you got it in the hoop you received the allocated number of points for your team.
Then it was time to have our baths. We had a Subway dinner and off we went in the bus. We couldn’t go to the Drive-
In, as it was still wet and windy, so we went to the PCYC instead. We could watch the ‘Lego Batman’ movie or play
some games on the basketball court. Mrs Armstrong and Chappy Jennie provided chips and popcorn for everyone.
After hours of fun at the PCYC it was time to get back to the School of Distance Education for some sleep.
Next morning, we all woke up to rain again. We got ready for the day only to find out that high ropes had been
cancelled - but other plans were underway. We got a home-cooked breakfast of bacon and toast, with cereal and
juice also on offer. Then it was time to pack up, load the bus and head to the PCYC again. This time we could do some
roller-skating or Singstar (karaoke). We also got to spend our money at the candy bar. After skating and pretending
to be pop stars, it was time to head home. We watched movies and sang songs all the way home.
A huge thank you to Mrs Armstrong for organising the camp and finding impromptu activities for us to do. Thanks too
to Mr Cheyne and Mr Lane for helping to get things ready for the camp. Another big thank you to Chappy Jennie, Miss
Shackell, Mrs Armstrong, Mr East, Mr Lane and Mr Kingma for coming with us to Charters Towers.

By Caitlyn Swinney

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June 2017

THE QCS TEST
What is it?
 QCS stands for the Queensland Core Skills:
 The QCS test is a common state-wide test for year 12 students.
 It is an achievement test, not an intelligence test nor an aptitude test.
 It is grounded in the Queensland senior curriculum.
 It is accessible to all year 12 students, regardless of individual differences in subject patterns.
What does it test?
 It tests the 49 common curriculum elements (CCE’s) of the Queensland senior curriculum.
What is the purpose of the test?
 It provides individual results reported on a five point scale (A-E)
 It provides group results for comparing the achievement of students in different subject groups and
different schools in order to calculate Overall Positions (OP score)
 It provides group results for calculating Field Positions (FP scores) – up to 5 per student, depending
on subject choice.
Who sits the test?
 All year 12 students may sit the test.
 If eligible for an OP score, students must sit the test.
 If are not eligible for an OP score, students may sit the test but their result will not contribute to the
calculation of Ops for eligible students. The test result will be recorded on the student’s Senior
Statement.
When is it held?
 Tuesday August 29th & Wednesday August 30th 2017
What is in the test?
 There are 4 papers: Writing Task, Short Response, and two Multiple Choice papers.
What preparation is useful?
 Work being done every day in every subject helps prepare students for the QCS Test because the
common curriculum elements are generic skills.
 At Home Hill SHS Year 12 students will participate in a special program designed to assist them to
be as prepared for QCS as possible.
 The program begins at the end of Term 2 and continues weekly until the QCS test in late August.
 The in-school preparation will include practice tests using past QCS test papers which will be marked
by teachers at the school using answers supplied by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment
Authority.
S. Buttsworth
Deputy Principal

HELP NEEDED

If anyone is in a position to take a 15 year old male Japanese student as part of
an exchange program can you please contact the school and ask to speak to Mr

Hung. The student would need accommodation during the month of August.

More details to come.

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June 2017

On the 30th of May, a transition disco was held at the Greek hall for students from years 5 – 9. The night was a great
success with over 120 students gathering to enjoy the games and dancing. The ‘Beach Party’ theme was well received
by both primary and junior secondary students, with many brightly coloured clothes and grass skirts on show for the
‘best-dressed’ category.
The disco was a great chance for students from the primary school to bond with the high school students and also
meet some of the staff. A huge thank you must go to all the teachers and parents from both Home Hill State Primary
and Home Hill State High Schools, for supervising during the night. Thanks also to Mrs Armstrong and the year nine
Disco Committee for all their hard work in organising this worth-while event.
By Laura Loizou

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June 2017

The Burdekin Grower’s Race Day is a day filled with joy, laughter,
beautiful dresses and stunning fascinators but this all turned into the
opposite the day after as the students, parents, teachers and local
community rocked up to see the aftermath…. We struggled slightly
cleaning up with the massive amounts of mud around (which I’m sure
was a nightmare for the ladies in their gorgeous heels). It was
definitely rewarding at the end of the morning to sit and relax with
friends and have a sandwich, wearing a fascinator that was stranded
in the mud. Plus all the things that ended up being found,
which was way too much. Let’s just say if you need a new
pair of heeled boots or flats, you know where to come
looking.

G1 every Thursday 3-4pm

Maths, Science, HPE

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June 2017

On the 12th of May, 2017 the year 12’s went to Townsville for a Driver Awareness Program sponsored by The Home
Hill Community Bank. It was an early morning start but when we got to the 1300 Smiles stadium where it was held,
we were split into two activity groups. One went out to the car park and were split into smaller groups to learn about
different aspects of car safety whilst the others joined specialist-in-his-field Colin Ugarte and participated in an
interactive seminar. Throughout the day students, along with their instructors (some amazingly skilled drivers) checked
out an engine for a new 2017 Nissan Narvara 4 wheel drive, tested the skills of reverse parking and compared what
happens when you text and drive, practiced focus steering around obstacles in a timed team event and learnt how to
change a tyre – Miss Horan would have won if there was 4 of her in a team but I think Tully’s team won. We all got to
test our driving skills with a driving instructor which was a great experience.
In the “Focus Driving group”, you had to drive a manual through a driving course and in the course you had to parallel
park, however in the second lap you had to hold a phone in front of you and text your mate so you know just how
hard it is to drive with a distraction. In the seminar group we watched videos of people being distracted while driving
and the effects of micro sleeping (seeing a taxi driver fall asleep whilst at the wheel). I think Mr Cheyne liked the
“opposite bike” which tests your cognitive skills – reteaching the brain to do the opposite of what it knows. The group
that was inside also learnt about ‘ABS’ by experiencing the effects of tailgating and braking distances at different
speeds. Students got into the car three at a time and the instructor would speed at 40kms/h, then 60kms/h and then
80kms/h to demonstrate what happens when you speed and need to suddenly brake – “every Km is a killer.”
Lunch was a feed of Subway and after lunch we rotated groups. I found the day very interesting. Thanks to Mr Cheyne
and Miss Horan for coming along and to Home Hill Community Bank for sponsoring the day.
By Lachlan Murison

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June 2017

Interschool Junior Volleyball Team

Back Row: Liam Cannavan, Kirra Simpson,

Deegan Woods, Laura Loizou

Front Row: Liam Todeschino, William Jones,
Flynn McKaig, Sarah Richardson, Holly Law.

Interschool Senior Volleyball Team

Back Row: Imijen Cazzulino, Erin

Grimbaldeston, Rory Heatley, Paul Marano,

Aaron Styles.

Front Row: Elisha Ball, Brodie Dwyer, Mitchell
Price-Wilson, Jared Thorley, Lucas
Sunderland, Zachery Stockwell

On 1st March a number of our students attended NQ Netball trials in Townsville.
Keely Warcon and Erin Grimbaldeston were both selected in the open NQ team.
The girls travelled with the team in May to the state netball championships where
the NQ team were placed 10th.
Keely and Erin equipped themselves very capably in this team and showed
outstanding sportsmanship.

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June 2017

Reef HQ Excursion
On the 10th of May, a group of Yr. 11 and Yr. 12 Chemistry students travelled to Townsville to visit Reef HQ. Here we
got to experience behind the scenes of Australia’s largest living coral reef aquarium and how they maintain their water
systems and aquatic life. Students were lectured throughout the day about the importance of maintaining a reef on
land which coincided with both year levels assignment task for this term. We got to see different animals i.e. a leopard
shark, the turtle hospital and those in quarantine. Also, we were fortunate enough to see an intern do a titration to
test the water quality currently in the tanks. We also got to help calculate the amount of calcium chloride and sodium
bicarbonate that was needed to be added to maintain their water quality. Although we were up there for specifically
educational reasons, it was also an eye-opener to see the amount of different job opportunities there are in the
industry. A huge thanks must go to the staff at Reef HQ for specifically designing the program for our school each year
and to Doctor Young for organising the trip and taking us up.

Agriculture – Ag Inspirations Course
This year, in conjunction with the work experience program, we plan to run a Ag Inspirations program, aimed at
students who are interested in working in an agricultural career. On Thursday 18 May, students from years 10, 11 and
12 were invited to attend a presentation by two locals who work in agricultural industries. Steve Attard and Aaron
Linton provided students with insight into how they use technology to improve the way we go about farming. We are
hoping to get a number of our students engaged in the Ag Inspirations program which aims to show students the
diversity of careers available in agriculture and to introduce them to some of the projects various farms in the Burdekin
are working in conjunction with universities on. Students will also be given the opportunity to spend some days
working in the agricultural field of their choice.

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