Cleveland District State High School eNewsletter

From the Principal's Desk

Dear Families

Official Opening of V Block

On Thursday 27 August, we had a very memorable opening of our newest block, with Kim Richards, Member for Redlands, representing the Minister of Education. It was a pleasure to showcase V Block to our visitors and celebrate this remarkable building, which provides world-class educational facilities for students, including the STEM laboratory and the Dance Studio. These classrooms create innovative learning spaces that enhance learning.

Senior Education and Training (SET) Planning

One of our major goals for Term 3, is to ensure that our Year 9 students are on a meaningful and relevant pathway for the start of Senior School, through the ‘Senior Education and Training (SET) planning’ process. The SET Plan maps out a plan of action to put students on track for success in senior secondary, post-school education and work. At our school, students start Senior in Year 10, which advantages them with three years of study. This allows students to have more opportunities in the selection of subjects and scope of learning.

The SET Plan process is always a challenge for a school the size of Cleveland District with over 350 students in the cohort. However, this year added another layer of complexity.

Staff adapted to this in a number of innovative ways, including, recording a series of subject selection videos which were posted on our website; creating lists of frequently asked questions; and utilising online tools to help students and families with their decisions.

I want to acknowledge the leadership of our Guidance Officers for coordinating this process and Heads of Department for their communication and support of students and families.

I thank families for their patience in working with us through the SET Plan process.

This newsletter highlights many additional achievements in our school. I encourage you to take the time to read it in order to celebrate the successes of our students and the professional commitment of staff.

Leonard

Leonard McKeown

DipT BEd GradDipMgt MEd(Res) MBA MACEL MAICD

Acting Executive Principal

Cleveland District State High School

Languages Department News

French Food Experience

On Wednesday, 9 September, 130 French studying students enjoyed delicious French pastries with a choice of chocolate eclairs, millefeuille, pain au chocolat, 3 petit fours and 3 mini pastries provided by Le Caprice, Bulimba. The students loved their pastries and thought they were absolutely delicious. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to experience authentic French delicacies. Thank you very much to both teachers and students who assisted with the organisation of this incursion.

On the 7^th of September we welcomed three wonderful performers from QUT Confucius Institute who demonstrated the Chinese Xin Jiang Dance and Wing Chun Kungfu to our students studying Chinese in Years 7, 8 and 9. Mrs Noble’s Year 7 Creative Arts class also joined us as they are currently studying international dances.

Xin Jiang Dance, originated from north-west of China with emphasis on the movements of all body parts. It is usually carried out by a male and female dancer and each has their unique dance movements. Females are to be graceful and nimble and males to be vigorous and unrestrained. Our students had a fun go at Xin Jiang Dance and discovered many differences when comparing it to Western dance. This enriches their cultural understanding and might provide some inspiration to their future art projects!

The second half of the performance was dedicated to Master Ken and his Kungfu skills. Master Ken is a successor of the great Kung Fu Master Ip Man. He demonstrated some classic Kungfu techniques and the students enjoyed immersing themselves into the world of finding inner strength. Overall, it was a great cultural experience for all.

Chinese Takeaway Lunch

On Wednesday, 2 September, 140 Chinese studying students enjoyed a delicious Chinese takeaway lunch with a choice of honey chicken, beef black bean, crispy fish fillet with sweet and sour sauce and mixed vegetables kindly prepared by Cleveland Chinese Restaurant. The students thoroughly enjoyed their lunch and this was a wonderful opportunity for students to experience an authentic Chinese meal. Thank you to both teachers and students who assisted with this incursion.

R U Ok? Day

On Thursday, 10^th September, the students were involved in R U Ok? Day. The purpose of this day is to encourage the mindset of checking in on each other’s well-being by empowering students with the skills of how to start a conversation. By starting a conversation and commenting on the changes they've noticed, a student could help that family member, friend or workmate open up. If the person they ask says they are not ok, students are encouraged to follow the conversation steps shown to them, knowing that they’re supported, and providing them with strategies to better manage the load. And, if the person they ask is ok, that person will know they have someone who cares enough to ask.

There's more to say after you ask, “Are you ok?” For further information, the R U Ok? website has a range of resources available for parents and students: https://www.ruok.org.au/

A conversation could change a life | R U OK?

R U OK? is a suicide prevention charity in Australia, reminding people that having meaningful conversations with loved ones, friends and colleagues could change lives.

www.ruok.org.au

The Schools Premier League has been taken to new heights with a new partnership with Brisbane Roar FC! This year, the SPLs partnership with Brisbane Roar has provided access and opportunity to elite pathways through public education. BRFC has provided the SPL with coach education, player experiences and new opportunities for talent identification.

Through this partnership, Brisbane Roar FC (boys) and Queensland Academy of Sport (girls) will support the SPL through an inaugural Senior SPL Select Team. The SPL Select Team will include players from across all SPL schools which have been acknowledged for their performances this year. These games are set to play in Week 2 of Term 4 and will be streamed live online through the Courier Mail.

Brisbane Roar School Holiday Clinics

Before School Playground Duties

After careful review of the two before school playground duties, (corner of Smith & Russell Streets and under M Block), the School’s Local Consultative Committee has concluded these duty times could be used more effectively by increasing supervision of the playground during first and second breaks.

This change will take effect at the beginning of Term 4.

Year 12 Expo for Tourism Class

The Year 12 Tourism students recently held an expo based on an international theme. Eleven groups, each representing a country, took part promoting their product to clients. The students invited other classes and teachers to look at their promotion and in the end vote for them. The winner was Mexico with group members: Darcie Llyod and Arishma Chandra.

Science Department News

Skills & Assessment workbooks ready to purchase for 2021 Year 11 and 12 Biology, Chemistry and Physics
In term 4, students in Year 10 will be getting a head start on the first unit of their QCAA Senior Syllabuses. Likewise, Year 11 students will be commencing Unit 3, which contributes to their final Year 12 grade in the Sciences. To support their learning in senior Biology, Chemistry and Physics, students will gain access to the relevant Pearson digital textbooks at the start of Term 4. We have also placed a bulk order of the Pearson Skills & Assessment workbooks for these subjects, ready for purchase via Flexischools at the discounted price of $25 per book. The workbook contains class and homework activities, sample assessment tasks, practice exam-style questions and concise summaries of subject matter tailored to address the Queensland senior syllabus, and is used extensively by Year 11 and 12 classes in these subjects. Our senior students have found the workbook to be an invaluable resource for their learning and assessment preparation.

Testimonials from current Year 12 students:

“The Skills & Assessment has good summaries of information, and is great for consolidation of the work that we’ve done and for exam revision.”

“The book has quite a good breakdown of the different mandatory practicals, and gives a different view to what the textbook offers.”

“The data analysis and interpretation activities in the book are really helpful to prepare for the data test.”

“When you’ve finished a topic, the unit summaries and practice questions mean you can go back and check your understanding of all the unit concepts.”

Students currently in Year 10 or 11 Biology, Chemistry or Physics are urged to collect their books as soon as possible, so that they can start using them in Term 4. To purchase, please go to Flexischools and select “Science Skills & Assessment Book” and follow the prompts to pay for the required book/s. We will receive daily updates of payments received and students will be able to collect their books from H-block at break time on the following day.

Creative Arts News

Creative Arts Update

Year 10 Visual Art IB students working on their Sense of Self 3D sculptures. These artworks are the second resolved piece in their Experimental Portfolios this semester. Working with clay, students were asked to consider symbolic meaning about who they are, combined with portraiture skills, to complete a small ceramic sculpture.

On Saturday, 19 September at 12pm, Creative Generation will be broadcasting this year’s very different show, called Creative Generation: The Show Goes On. CDSHS is proud to have a number of students involved in this project, so tune in and watch them participate in this amazing event!

FAMED is an annual event featuring work from Film, Art, Media and Drama. While this year’s event is, by necessity, a little different to normal, our Arts teachers are extremely proud of the talent on show. Keep an eye out for the launch of this online showcase!

On the 11^th and 12^th of October, the Creatives Arts Department is proud to present our Music Showcase and Dance Fusion. These events will also run a little differently, but we can’t wait to show you what we’ve put together! This will be broadcast at some stage in the future, so keep an eye on our social media pages.

P & C News

The P&C Executive and staff wish all students, their families, school staff and the community, a safe and enjoyable break as we look to the final term of 2020 and all it brings in these unprecedented times.

Uniform Shop

Flexischools orders: Please ensure your student picks up their order. There are still many orders waiting for pick up instore.

Second-hand items: A reminder, we cannot accept second-hand items that are not freshly washed, or have any rips, stains, or holes.

Second-hand item buy-back: With bank card fraud on the rise, our Merchant supplier has advised us of new restrictions we MUST adhere to. With this, we will no longer be able to do larger second-hand returns (over $75) direct to a bank/credit card. Instead your name and bank account will be required, and a weekly (Monday) payment run will be conducted.

Layby payment option: If you have a student starting in 2021, you can always order items before the end of year using our layby system. The terms are as follows: 15% deposit for a period of up to 90 days, with a $5 non-refundable service fee. This is a great way to help with spreading the cost out.

Covid-19 requirements: With the ongoing Covid-19 situation, we encourage everyone to use our hand sanitiser upon entry and exit of the store and register with the Uniform Shop Covid Tracer code. ALL parents will need to register and show their check-in to a staff member before leaving. Please be advised, NO stock is to be handled except by staff prior to purchase. We thank you in advance and appreciate your extra effort.

Our next general meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 24^th November @7pm subject to restrictions being eased. We will keep you updated closer to the time.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander News

It has been a jam-packed term with many successes celebrated. Congratulations to all students who celebrated their good attendance with a pizza party and a certificate.

Beyond Broncos Girls Academy members participated well in the Culture and Identity Term 3 workshop. There was great discussion and lots of shared learning. Congratulations to the students who received their sports bag as a reward for their good attendance.

Four students have participated in the Traction Program this term. Traction provides the opportunity for young people to get hands on experience in bicycle building, repair, restoration and maintenance. Participants create their own custom bike designs and keep the bicycles they build. Participants build self-esteem, confidence, and practical and job ready skills working in teams. Thanks go to Jason Kitchener for his wise mentoring during this program.

Year 8 and 9 students have enjoyed improving their cooking skills in the Good Quick Tukka program facilitated by Grayson from Deadly Choices. Who knows? We may have some budding chefs amongst these students.

We wish our students a well deserved relaxing and fun holiday. Check out https://www.visitredlandscoast.com.au/ for some fun activities on Quandamooka country.

Student Council News

Term 3 has been busy for Student Council. It was fantastic having regular meetings and supporting some fantastic causes. Today, we held our Aussie BBQ during the Track & Field Carnival. Some of the causes we supported in Term 3 were: Share the Dignity; Shave for a Cure; and our school leaders represented Cleveland at a ceremony honouring the veterans of World War II and Vietnam.

Once again, Student Council would like to thank everyone who has supported us this term.

Upcoming Events

22 October – Junior and Senior Student Council

Business Studies Department News

In week 8, Ms Edwards’ Year 9 Business class ran their Spiders and Sundaes ventures. Students had to plan, prepare and run a venture. It was a huge success. There were three sundaes stalls (Panda, Paradise and Smores Sundaes) and three spiders stalls (Cloud 9, Sponge Bob, Mean Girls).