16 February 2023

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal’s Desk

On behalf of our school, I welcome you to a new school year! We are thrilled to have your children in our care and we look forward to working with you to ensure that they have a successful and fulfilling academic experience.

We understand that as parents, you play a critical role in your child's education and we appreciate the trust you have placed in us. We are committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and academically rigorous environment that will help your child grow and develop.

Our qualified and dedicated staff is committed to ensuring that your child receives the best possible education. We strive to provide a comprehensive curriculum that challenges and inspires our students to achieve their full potential. We encourage our students to develop a love for learning and to become responsible and independent individuals.

We also believe in the importance of open communication between parents and educators. We encourage you to stay involved in your child's education and to communicate with us regularly. We value your input and welcome your feedback.

School Uniforms

As advised in Term 4 2022, the school is focussing on improving the way our students wear our school uniform. The uniform policy is located on the school website and outlines the purpose of our uniform, the required school uniform items, the costs and grooming standards.

School uniforms are important in schools for a variety of reasons. Firstly, a school uniform promotes a sense of pride, unity and belonging among students, as everyone is dressed similarly. This helps to reduce peer pressure and bullying related to clothing choices. Uniforms also create a more formal and professional learning environment, helping students to focus on their studies and behave more appropriately. Additionally, uniforms are also more cost-effective for families, as they eliminate the need to purchase expensive, trendy clothing. Finally, uniforms can help enhance school safety and security by making it easier to identify who belongs on campus and who does not.

The school is able to assist families who are experiencing financial difficulties by assisting with various repayment options and issuing free uniforms in certain circumstances. Families in this circumstance should contact the school to discuss your circumstances so that the school can find ways to assist you.

Accountability for Learning

Parents have a key role to play in ensuring that children arrive at school each day well prepared for learning. This includes bringing all necessary learning equipment, computer, lunch and water bottles to school.

Students who arrive prepared with the necessary materials are more likely to be engaged in classroom activities and able to participate fully in lessons. This also helps students to be organized, keep track of important class work, assignments and deadlines and show respect for the learning environment and the teacher. Being prepared develops important habits and skills, including time management, prioritization, and self-discipline, that will benefit them throughout their academic and professional careers.

Parents are encouraged to go through their child’s school bag to make sure that they are bringing all of the necessary equipment to school every day. Students and parents are encouraged to work with and seek assistance from the school to resolve any issues. This is particularly the case for your child’s laptop computer as it is an essential device to be bringing to and from school every day. Without it, learning becomes significantly more difficult.

QLEARN and STILE

Some parents may have heard their child come home from school and refer to a new software package QLEARN that they are using in class. QLEARN is a similar product to STILE however it has been provided free of charge late last year by the Department of Education to all Queensland State Schools.

Just like STILE, QLEARN allows teachers to package various types of information, learning materials and resources and set and submit learning and assessment tasks. While STILE and QLEARN are similar, each has their various strengths and advantages. QLEARN is integrated with our timetable and automatically populates when new students arrive or leave and when there are changes to teachers. This is a significant advantage of QLEARN over STILE

Over the next 2 years we will be phasing STILE out or our school and moving fully over to QLEARN. Some teaches and facilities are leading the way in our school and have already started using QLEARN with their classes. We have appointed Mrs Skillen to be our Digital Learning Coordinator to assist teacher with the transition.

Mr Michael Clarkson
Principal

Senior School Deputy Principal

A warm welcome to all students, staff and families of both returning and new students alike. In 2023, I have the pleasure of sharing with the Year 11 and 12 cohorts, staff, parent/guardians each individual student’s senior education journey. My goal is to ensure 2023 is a productive and successful year for all.

My focus for the senior cohort of Year 11 and 12 is learning engagement. It is essential that all students attend every day, every lesson prepared to learn. A student who is demonstrating preparedness to learn is a student who; arrives at every class on time, has all required equipment for their respective class (laptop, diary, stationery and completed homework tasks), arrives with an attitude conducive to learning (positive, willingness to have a go, desire to be the best version of themselves they can be). Historically, a student who demonstrates a consistent preparedness to learn is ensuring they are on a successful pathway to achieve their desired outcomes.

At this point, I encourage all students, parent/guardians to engage with and revisit the Laidley State High School assessment policy. It is critical to understand your responsibilities and obligations as both a student and or parent/guardian in relation to the assessment policy. The implications of missing an assessment are high stakes and thus it is important to know the process to follow as a student and or parent/guardian to ensure your pathway to success. The assessment policy and supporting documents are located on the school website and the students G: drive.

I have communicated to the Year 11 and 12 cohorts that they are now in a non-compulsory phase of their education and have made the choice to return to school and thus need to be focused on being the best student they can be. I have spoken about the cancellation of enrolment process. This process involves the careful monitoring of student attendance, learning engagement and completion of assessment. These key factors contribute to degree of success achieved by individuals. This process is a staged process which is designed to support students to stay at school and achieve their goals however if students are not willing to contribute can result in cancellation of enrolment.

I would like to remind all students, parent/guardians to engage with our uniform policy and ensure that if out of uniform the school processes are followed.

The Year 12 students have received their beloved senior jerseys that they are currently wearing with much pride. They do look very smart indeed.

I look forward to working with the current Year 12 students as they strive to achieve their QCE and or ATAR score. Mr Goltz (Head of Year), Mr Flanagan (Year 12 Co-ordinator), Ms Pitty (Year 11 Coordinator) and I would like to remind you that we are here to support you through your senior years of secondary schooling and wish you a very productive and enjoyable year.

Mrs Kym Crosby
Senior School Deputy Principal

Middle School Deputy Principal

Welcome to another exciting year and to first year in a while that appears to be ‘NORMAL. The start of this term has been about attendance, uniform and most of all learning.

This year the 9 cohort have been asked to focus on ‘Attitude not Gratitude’. The challenge is for them to think of what they can be grateful for instead of focussing on the negatives.

Our Year 10 cohort have certainly got off to a great start in their smart new senior uniforms. It is a very exciting time and I have been blessed with a cohort that have stepped up to the challenge and are off to a flying start.

The team supporting students this year for Year 9 and 10 is:

Deputy Principal – Mrs Kristie Podlich
Head of Year – Ms Jessica Lalic
Year 10 Year Coordinator – Ms Atlanta Jackson
Year 9 Year Coordinator – Ms Corrina McCorkell

All of us are here to help you and your student, please don’t hesitate in dropping us an email or call if you require assistance with attendance, behaviour, uniform, learning or have some great news to share (We love to celebrate our students’ successes both in and out of the school).

This year We are striving to improve in:

• Accountability for Learning – have all equipment each day (Laptop, water bottle, school uniform, stationery and lunch)
• Attendance (aiming for 92%),
• Behaviour (aiming for students to be on level 3)
• Gaining PBL points for Respect, Responsibility, Safety and Learning
• Academic (improve each term on the last)

To assist students in tracking their attendance and PBL points, all students can see their attendance and PBL on DAYMAP. DAYMAP is a learning platform, that allows students to see lesson information when staff are away, their timetable, their assessment calendar and all school notices daily. If your child hasn’t shown you this yet, please ask them. If your student is having difficulty accessing the platform, please ask them to see their Year Coordinator.

I am looking forward to catching up with students throughout the rest of the term and assisting them to progress positively through 2023. If I or the middle schooling team can assist in anyway, please don’t hesitate in contacting us.

Mrs Kristie Podlich
Middle School Deputy Principal

Junior School Deputy Principal

It is always a pleasure to welcome a new cohort of Year 7 students to Laidley High at the start of a new year and the start of this new, exciting adventure – High School! I am pleased to report that our new Year 7s appear to have settled in well. I’m seeing lots of smiley, happy faces and people doing a fine job of demonstrating our school’s behaviour principles: Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be Safe, and Be a Learner. A great start!

At the start of a year I’m always keen to see students approaching their education with the right frame of mind; working with their teachers, but working for themselves and their own futures.

Students, there are a few fundamental ways you can help yourself to make the most of your time at school and succeed:

1. Improve your attendance. Make every effort to be at school! If you miss class, you miss out on learning! (Harness some healthy FOMO!) You have an opportunity to equip yourself with knowledge and skills for life – YOUR life! Make the most of it!
2. Be prepared! Make sure you bring necessary equipment to class. Students who don’t bring their books, laptop, etc. are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to learning (not to mention having to face teachers who will wail and gnash their teeth).
3. Ask questions!!! What should you do when you don’t know what to do? ….Ask QUESTIONS!
   Clever people ask questions. Questions drive thinking. Questions clarify understanding. Asking questions of yourself and others will help you to build knowledge, develop skills, make good decisions, and achieve your goals. NEVER be afraid to ask a question!
4. Build great relationships with the people around you at school – your teachers and your peers. It is important to recognise that you are all part of the same team and you need to work together, supporting and helping each other. Everybody has a bad day from time to time, but if your goal is to be kind and helpful, and your aim is to make a situation better (not worse!), everybody benefits!

It was lovely to meet and chat with parents and carers who attended the Laidley SHS Welcome BBQ Breakfast for Year 7 students and their families. I look forward to working with all of you, to make 2023 is a fantastic year at Laidley High.

Every Student – Healthy, Happy and Capable!

Pictured from left to right: Andrew Tarvit - Junior Deputy, Samantha Skillen – Year 7 Coordinator, Michael Armstrong - Head of Year HOY 7/8

Mr Andrew Tarvit
Junior School Deputy Principal

Middle School HOY (Head of Year 9/10) Report

What a whirlwind start to 2023! It’s been wonderful to see our students settling back into the routine and familiarity of school.

This year will see the Year 10s looking toward their future pathways in a more meaningful way. We have begun the SET Plan process which will conclude in Term 2, where students will examine their strengths, weaknesses, and interests to consider their future careers. For some, that will mean selecting the right subjects and completing Year 11 and 12. For others, that will mean leaving school at the end of this year and moving into employment or vocational training. This is an exciting time for students and we often see improved engagement as the reality of their futures start to sink in.

For the Year 9s, 2022 sees them become the leaders of the junior school – a great honour and responsibility. They are role models for our Year 7s and 8s, and it’s really important that they demonstrate our school values of Respect, Responsibility, Learning and Safety. Students need to work hard now to ensure they have right foundations for moving into the senior school next year, and they will also start to think about their future pathways.

My role as the Head of Year is to support students’ social and emotional wellbeing, by looking at things like attendance, behaviour, uniform, interpersonal relationships, social-emotional learning, future pathways and connecting with you – the parents and carers. If you have any concerns or questions about how your child is engaging with their education across the board, please get in contact.

I’m really looking forward to another exciting year and helping the Year 9s and 10s navigate the challenging yet rewarding middle years of high school.

Miss Jessica Lalic
Year 9/10 HOY

Senior Schooling Focus…

Here we go again!

Between the introduction and revision of senior subject syllabus documents, the Year 11 Emu Gully Camp and the upcoming GRIP Leadership Conference for our Year 12 School Captains, 2023 has definitely proved to be a busy start for all involved. I am proud to say the Year 11 and 12 cohorts have come back to school in full swing, with positive attitudes, aspiring to demonstrate their personal leadership through our PBL principles of respect, responsibility, learning and safety.

“Keep going, keep growing” is a goal set by the Year 11 and 12 team this year and we are excited to work alongside our students, supporting them to be confident and capable community members in their chosen pathways.

Reminders to students to facilitate their success at school:

• A good night’s sleep and healthy breakfast can make all the difference to your day.
• Everyday matters (90% or higher attendance)!
• Bring a fully charged learning device to school.
• Read our assessment policy and be familiar with it! This is your bread and butter for senior school.
• Keep following our uniform policy and represent LSHS with pride!
• Stay hydrated.
• Keep active!

Lastly, I remind students that if they ever have any concerns, or need support, to meet with me in BW staffroom. Thank you, fabulous seniors, for an awesome start to 2023. I’m beyond excited for the year ahead and I hope you are too.

Mr Jarrod Goltz
Head of Department - Senior Schooling HOY

P&C News

Next P&C Meeting

The next P & C Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 21 February, 2023 in room C3 behind the Administration Building 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Parents and Carers are welcome to attend!

The P & C AGM meeting will be the 21st March, 2023 at 5.30 pm in room C3, all memberships for President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer will require renewal at this time.

Renewal and position nomination forms are available at the school administration office or via the website

The Laidley State High School P&C needs your help to keep our school Tuckshop, Uniform shop and the P & C Committee to continue to run efficiently.

Please consider volunteering for the P&C. You can express your interest either to the President of P & C Bruce Pocklington by phoning 0418 198 778 or emailing pandc@laidleyshs.eq.edu.au

Important Dates Term 1

A Message from the Business Manager

Accounts will be sent out for school fees very shortly. If you are experiencing financial hardship please make an appointment to discuss how we can assist you. School fees can be paid in full via payment plan or through Centrepay.

Please contact Karen Gough via email if you have concerns if you have any concerns with your school fees account. Klgou1@eq.edu.au

News from the School Nurse

Hi, I am Pam, the School Based Youth Health Nurse here at Laidley High School. I come to school and am available to all students on a Thursday and Friday. My room is located in M block.

I am happy to help and support all students at school with any health-related issues or concerns. I am also available to parents and caregivers who may have concerns about their young person.

This is a FREE and confidential service, however, on occasions there may be a need for me to break confidence to protect the safety of the young person. Please encourage your child to come and have a chat or feel free to contact me directly via email:

nurse.laidley@health.qld.gov.au.

Pam Owen
School Nurse

A Message from the Guidance Officer

We are now in the fourth week of the new school year and there are some young people and their families who are having difficulties re-engaging with school and learning. Below is a link to a resource from ‘Reach Out’ to support families with understanding why their child is refusing to come to school. There are great tips and ideas on how to have the conversation with your child, resources for both parents and young people as well as links to some support organisations.

Helen Wittman
Guidance Officer

HPE and SCIENCE

As we begin a new year, it is important to set goals for ourselves and work towards achieving them. Here are some tips to help you achieve success in these areas

Physical Education:

1. Set realistic goals: If you want to improve your fitness level, set goals that are achievable. Start small and work your way up
2. Stay motivated: Join a sports team, find a workout buddy or listen to music to keep yourself motivated.

Science:

1. Be curious: Science is all about asking questions and finding answers.
2. Read and Research: Read beyond the textbook and research topics that interest you. This will help you gain a deeper understanding of the subject.

Large projects in the HPE area this year include the resurfacing of our multipurpose courts and applying for a $5000 Go for Gold grant to buy new sports equipment for the HPE department.

Science projects include building a new chicken coop and working towards exciting activities during Science week to participate in. There is also an opportunity for year 10 female students to attend a STEM camp (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) at a hugely discounted rate. Please contact me for more information on this. Ahanl26@eq.edu.au

The key to having a productive year in physical education and science is setting realistic goals, staying motivated, being curious, participating in class, reading and researching, trying new activities and collaborating with others. By following these tips, we will not only achieve success in these areas, but also gain valuable life skills that will help your students throughout their academic and professional career. Here's to a successful and productive year!

Mrs Amy Moore
Head of Science and HPE

From the Science Lab

Exothermic Reaction

Burning Magnesium

“Year 9 science students are currently studying chemistry”. The students recently observed and carried out a range of reactions including combustion, precipitate formation (solid) and exothermic dehydration of sucrose (pictured). Students were fascinated by the carbon column formed in the latter experiment and the increase in product temperature of nearly 150 degrees Celsius.”

Dr Reece Wells
Science Teacher

HASS

It has been a busy start to the year in the Humanities faculty! We have welcomed our Year 7 cohort to school and they have been immersed in learning about ‘water in the world’. Students have been investigating the water cycle, uses and value of water and will soon move onto hydrological hazards and disasters. An exciting unit of work, with a direct link to our local community.

Our Year 8 students have started the year off looking at the Earth’s processes to create various landforms and landscapes. They have had a particular focus on Australian landforms and will be developing a proposal to help save an at-risk landform. We look forward to hearing their thoughts and suggestions!

Year 9 History students have been undertaking a unit of study titled ‘Making the Australian Nation’. Students have been engaged in learning about a variety of events that have shaped our country to be as it is today.

Year 10 students have been investigating ‘The Modern World and Australia’. They have been focussing on the change in nature of global conflict throughout the 20th century and the consequences of World War II.

Our senior students have been busily working towards their first assessment tasks of the year. They are congratulated for the fantastic start they have had to the year and are encouraged to keep up the fantastic work!

Technology

Students have hit the ground running in the Technology department! Students in Year 7 and 8 Food and Fibre Production have been busily designing and sewing their very own bag! It has been wonderful to see the students engaging in this new skill and even learning the art of ironing!

In Year 9 Food Specialisations students have undertaken the task of making their own pastry, to be used in various cooks throughout the term. They are working towards designing and creating a pie, using alternative ingredients. The talent continues in Year 10 Food Specialisations with students investigating ‘food trends’. We’ve seen ‘Instagram-able’ smoothie bowls and students focusing on the aesthetics of food. Year 10 students are working towards designing and creating a scrumptious ‘Freak Shake’.

Senior Hospitality students have been busily preparing for their first events of the year and running a staff coffee shop! As always, it has been wonderful to see these students working as a team to produce high quality food and beverages and work towards their competencies.

Senior Fashion students have been hard at work designing and creating an item, inspired by street art! Each student has undertaken a research process to learn about street art and has used various influences to shape their project.

Overall, we have seen a fantastic start to the year in Technology! We are excited to see the end products from the students towards the end of the term – keep your eyes peeled for photos!

Miss Sheovon Murray
Head of Department

Laidley SHS embarks on The Kokoda Challenge

The Kokoda Trail or Track is a single-file foot thoroughfare that runs 96 kilometres — 60 kilometres in a straight line — through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea.

The track is the most famous in Papua New Guinea and is renowned as the location of the World War II battle between Japanese and Australian forces in 1942.

The track crosses rugged and isolated terrain, which is only passable on foot, to the village of Kokoda. It reaches a height of 2,190 metres (7,185 ft) as it passes around the peak of Mount Bellamy.

Hot and humid days with intensely cold nights, torrential rainfall and the risk of endemic tropical diseases such as malaria, make it a challenge to walk. Locals have been known to hike the route in three days, but depending on fitness, may take 12 days.

The soldiers that triumphed over the Japanese troops did so because of four values:

Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice.

These values are still important today.

In 2004 the Kokoda Youth Foundation was formed and over the years it has developed programs around these values.

Laidley State High School has entered into an agreement with the Kokoda Foundation to deliver the “On the Right Track” program.

The program is intended for a small group (12 to 14) of Year 8 and 9 students. At the end of last year, the school identified 32 students who would benefit and approached these families with an expression of interest. A number of these families attended a session delivered by the Kokoda team.

The program consists of two aspects.

A hiking program (delivered weekly) which culminates in a 48 km Challenge in the Gold Coast hinterland, to be finished within 20 hours.

If students succeed at the Challenge, they have 7 sessions of community service. This is to say, “Thank You” to the community in which they live.

On the conclusion of the program, successful students can go to Cairns for an educational trip, including exploring turtle rookeries and “spear” fishing with local Indigenous people.

The school is totally committed and I’d like to acknowledge Mr Clarkson, Mrs Podlich Mr Tarvit, Mr Armstrong and Ms Lalic for their support, both financially and program wise, providing time and advice. The program is mostly financed by the Kokoda Foundation.

This program is a fantastic opportunity for the students and school. If you would like further information please contact, Steve Hallahan ( shall84@eq.edu.au ) or Kristie Podlich ( kpodl1@eq.edu.au )

Mr Steve Hallahan
Teacher

Touch Football Camp

Laidley Touch Football Academy Challenges Students to Excel

Last week, saw the Laidley State High School Touch Football Program take 48 students from Years 7 -12 for their annual Touch Football Academy Camp. After a number of years at the Gold Coast, this year saw a change of venue to Bribie Island.

Over the course of the three days, students were constantly challenged to fulfil the Academy's motto of "Never let good enough, be enough".

Day 1 was an early morning start followed by 6 hours under the tuition of Queensland Touch Association Development Officer, Dan Sarmiento. His session focused on getting the finer aspects of the sport in order from both an attacking and defensive perspective.

Day 2 was heavily focused on building a positive culture with activities looking at the history of the school and the program itself, goal setting, and team work. Year 11 and 12 students completing their Certificate III in Sports Coaching spent the afternoon coaching the junior students to reinforce the skills learned the day before prior to completing their own session.

The last day focussed on putting the skills and knowledge from the two days prior into action with games played in 4 divisions. Although the junior teams struggled with some of the concepts, it was clear from their games that there was talent to work with. The intermediate and senior teams both dominated their opposition, proving how much progression can be made with dedication.

With students constantly bouncing from one activity to the next and having very limited down time, there were plenty of very tired bodies on their return to school but they all thoroughly enjoyed their time. Academy coordinator Kristy Kreis said that "the camp was probably the best we have run yet. All of the students were 100% committed to everything that we asked of them. We want our players to be good at touch football, but more importantly we want them to be people with strong morals who are valued members of the community and this trip really did a great job of reinforcing that message".

Judging on this, 2023 looks like it will be another successful one for Laidley SHS in the sport of Touch Football.

Mr Michael Armstrong
Touch Coordinator

Year Coordinator News

Year 7 News…

Welcome to Laidley State High School

This term we have had the pleasure of welcoming a new group of year 7’s into high school. We have seen our newest students learn how to read their timetables, navigate themselves around the school, reconnect with old school friends and build new social connections.

Our students are participating in a range of core and elective subjects and have been excited to share their learning with each other. Our focus for term one in Career and Perosonal Development (CPD) is: transition to high school, resilience, rights and respectful relationships. Our program is focused on teaching social-emotional skills for success at high school and social situations. Their CPD teachers have also been teaching our year 7’s how to access and use Daymap, QLearn and STILE – our digital learning platforms. As such, it is important that students bring a fully charged laptop to school every day.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind Year 7 students and parents of the following:

Formal uniform is to be worn on Tuesday and Thursday.

If students cannot wear the correct uniform, they need to bring a note from home explaining why.

I know it seems like we have only just begun the term, but school holidays are coming quickly. Can I remind you that next term when the weather cools down, students are expected to wear the either the school jumper or the jacket. Please make sure that you have these items ready for you child. They are currently available in our school uniform shop.

I am looking forward to working with the Year 7 cohort this year.

Mrs Samantha Skillen
Year 7 Coordinator

Year 9 News

2023 is off to a busy and very hot start for the Year 9 cohort new junior school leaders with 2 heat waves within the first 4 weeks of school forcing once again a reschedule of the swim carnival and students attending the UQ Finding your Future program. This year was the first-year students were able to choose their elective subjects, this will give them the opportunity to attend subjects that are in line with their passions and interests. I am looking forward to seeing the Year 9s flourish and grow throughout the year.

Mrs Corinna McCorkell
Year 9 Coordinator

Year 11 Emu Gully Camp in Review

YEAR 11 EMU GULLY CAMP: SHAPING GREAT AUSTRALIANS

COURAGE – MATESHIP – SELF-SACRIFICE – PERSEVERANCE

Over three days, and through the ‘trauma’ of being without phones as Abby Smith put it, an outstanding group of 34 Year 11 students conquered “The Challenge” program at Emu Gully Adventure Education Group.

Students started the camp acknowledging each other as cobbers (mates) and setting goals for themselves which included having fun, developing a culture of trust and respect, and getting outside their comfort zones. Interestingly, this is also when students were inducted to safety instructions by Adam—the lead camp facilitator—explaining “we care about your physical safety... however, tomorrow we are going to shoot people”. Not to worry though as he was just referencing the paintball skirmish activity.

While it only took the camp facilitators all of 30 minutes to say “I’m onto you, Damon”, the first day was a monumental success pitting Goltzy’s Angels and Pitty’s Devils against each other in introductory and ice-breaker style activities. It was a contentious win by the Angels who borrowed some ideas and strategies from the Devils to snag the lead. The day ended with the ‘Escape from Colditz Castle’, an activity where students, in timed intervals, had to get every person to safety over a monster wall after going through an underground tunnel system. The students’ support of each other emulated Sergeant Simon Fraser’s own selfless courage as they “[didn’t] forget [their] cobbers” and with resilience and encouragement, succeeded in their first challenge. It was a win, to hear students tell it, because they were “surprising”, “determined”, “everyone knew their role” and they “planned ahead”. The night ended with “minute-to-win-it” games hosted by Miss Pitty and lots of laughs echoing around camp from a great bunch of students.

Highlights of the first day include:

• Adam asking students with long hair to tuck ponytails into their shirts to avoid being stood on and Hamish Lee asking him “does that happen a lot to you?” Adam was bald…
• Jackson Board asking the camp facilitators to use 24-hour time to really immerse students in the experience of the Anzacs.
• Zane Greep providing the completely unique response of “chucking the step on” as a good strategy for avoiding getting caught in an activity; the goal answer was geared more toward teamwork, Zane.
• Grace Regan explaining that the first day was great for students “getting outside their comfort zones and facing their fears” with the response from Adam being “Yeah and is that just Damon for everyone?”
• The students taking charge and organising their dining room into one long shared table.
• Madi Crack introducing her family tradition to the camp and inviting everyone to share what they’re grateful for and their highlight of the day.
• Jasmine Compton’s reflection of “school would be a lot better if people were open like they are here and willing to help out” with everyone’s murmur of agreement.

On day two, students were already taking the lead, knocking hastily on my door to ensure they were at the meeting point early to avoid doing gruelling planks or push-ups. Adam, Nina and Peter (the other camp facilitators) were all wildly impressed with their keen enthusiasm for the day’s events ahead. “Deeds not words” became the theme of the day as Adam told the story of Lennie Gwyther, the nine-year-old who rode a pony 1000km to Sydney and reflected on the Anzacs, who didn’t want to be regarded as heroes but who acknowledged themselves as ordinary Australians doing their job. “Deeds not words” was quickly put into practice as students engaged in core activities including the Siege of Tobruk, Bridge over the River Kwai, Tunnel Rats of Vietnam, the Kokoda Track and the Night Walk. These activities were split with a fun game of paintball skirmish where students—and teachers alike—wore the marks and scars to tell their story. The activities saw students trust each other, become comfortable with one and other, support each other, and lift a lot of weight in the spirit of being ordinary Australians doing their job. As we now know, ordinary Australians doing their job is pretty remarkable in itself.

Highlights of the second day include:

• Miss Pitty falling off the bridge 4 times only to conquer it to miraculous cheer.
• Student groups carrying someone on a stretcher through mud, over three hours, and even up hills and over vertical walls—sometimes in silence and sometimes in complete darkness.
• An affirmation activity run by Miss Pitty having student acknowledge strengths and kindness in each other to be handed out at the end of camp.
• The awesome food provided by the camp.
• Rope swing fun down at the dam after being covered to our necks in wet mud (I looked like a poodle out of place).
• The endless and completely authentic support and care each student showed for everyone they encountered on camp.

Day three crept up quickly and with waves of exhaustion. At 0615, in cosy pyjamas and with bed hair to match, we waved goodbye six of our students who were headed to touch camp. Adam challenged the remaining students on their final day to “take something with them” from camp. Although Damon stood up and pretended to take a physical sign with laughter, we all reflected on what we were demonstrating and how we can bring that back through the school and community. The students were then surprised with a 5-tonne truck pull over 2km. It is in exhaustion where you see what people are made of. I am proud to say that our students are made up of team work, grit, encouragement, humour, leadership, and kindness. As not only did they succeed in the truck pull but they flourished, running ahead of time, and were subsequently rewarded with a buggy driving experience by Adam and the team.

28 tired students then piled onto the bus at the end of camp with stories of challenges and triumphs that they will look back on with fondness. I am certain that these 34 leaders will embed the character qualities of courage, mateship, self-sacrifice, and perseverance throughout their cohort and embark on a successful senior schooling journey. We could not be prouder of them and hope they are proud of themselves. Thank you so much to all the amazing Emu Gully staff for the most memorable experience. We cannot express enough our gratitude. Thank you so much to the wonderful 34 students who accompanied Miss Pitty and I through the challenge. We are excited to work alongside you over the next two years. Well done!

Mr Jarrod Goltz
Senior HOY – Year 11 & 12

Catch Up

Who?

All students at Laidley State High School

What?

Catch Up is a time for students to catch up with classwork, homework and assignments.

Where?

In the library (then maybe off to the music room, art room etc)

ALL students are required to sign in at the library before they go to another area.

Why?

To give students extra time with physical resources and teachers to get that extra bit of assistance

When?

Every Wednesday afternoon until 4pm.

There is no cost as teachers volunteer their time. Students are thus expected to be prepared to work and act in a safe, responsible and respectful way at all times. Parents will be contacted and asked to collect students if there are any difficulties. Students need to have their own transport arrangements.

To assist us in tracking students who attend, please complete a permission form below and return to the school.

Any queries please contact Mrs Adams tadam37@eq.edu.au.

Mrs Toni Adams
Head of Mathematics

Community News and Events

We are seeking applicants for full time apprenticeships for students that finished Yr 12 last year. So year 13’s.

We have a position for an apprentice tiler in the Ipswich/Springfield area.

MUST have car and licence
MUST have white card
Junior position

We also have a position for an apprentice cabinet maker in the Salisbury area.

MUST have car and manual licence (or willingness to obtain a manual licence)
MUST have white card
Junior position

Lockyer Valley Netball Association.

Lockyer Valley Netball Association are super excited to be part of the nationwide "Come and Play Day" in partnership with Netball Queensland and Netball Australia!

This Saturday we will welcome children aged 5 - 13 years to come and give netball a go! We will be running two come and play sessions:

5 - 7 year olds (born 2016 - 2018): 10am - 10:30am
8 - 13 year olds (born 2010 - 2015): 10:45am - 11:30am

Please click on this link to register your child to attend a session:

All participants will receive a Come and Play Day Pack.

Updates can be found on the facebook event from the link below.