The Rewards of Students Engaging with Community
The last two weeks have seen our students not only show case their immense skills and talents at both the Miles Show and our very own Inaugural Miles SHS AgriFutures Program. More importantly many students have stepped-up to support our wider community as they prepare for and undertake community events. Throughout the year this newsletter has shared our students engaging in our community ANZAC Ceremonies, The Biggest Morning Tea, clean up at Miles Races to name a few.
It is so important that parent/carers and our school continue to encourage students to experience community engagement. Adolescents engaging in community events plays a crucial role in fostering respectful relationships and cultivating good citizenship. One day engaged in these events is worth a week of lessons on citizenship.
Many thanks to our parent/carers and members of the Miles Show volunteers and members for specifically approaching me at the show and beyond regarding the very large group of students who volunteered to assist in the setting up. They offered congratulations to all our students for their respectfulness, work ethic and all-round willingness to support their community. Yes, this is real life education, and it counts in supporting the development of young people in so many ways.
Here are a few reasons why it matters:
1. Promotes Empathy and Respect
When adolescents participate in community events, such as charity drives, clean-up initiatives, or cultural festivals, they encounter diverse individuals and perspectives. This exposure helps them build empathy, understand social dynamics, and develop mutual respect—cornerstones of healthy and respectful relationships.
2. Builds a Sense of Responsibility
Active involvement in their community instils a sense of duty and ownership. Adolescents begin to see themselves as stakeholders in their environment, learning that their actions impact others. This nurtures accountability, a vital trait for responsible citizens.
3. Encourages Civic Engagement
Community events often relate to societal issues like poverty, the environment, or education. Adolescents involved in such causes learn about the importance of civic duties—voting, volunteering, advocacy—and how their voices can influence change.
4. Develops Social and Communication Skills
Participating in events where teamwork and public interaction are key helps adolescents improve communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution skills. These are essential not only for building respectful relationships but also for participating in civic life.
5. Strengthens Community Bonds
When young people are active in their communities, they contribute to a shared sense of identity and solidarity. This strengthens local networks and fosters mutual trust, helping create safer, more cohesive societies.
6. Encourages Positive Role Modelling
Adolescents who engage in community service set examples for peers and younger generations. Their involvement shows that making a positive difference is both achievable and valuable, reinforcing communal values.
In short, community involvement helps adolescents grow into empathetic, informed, and responsible adults, with key attributes of respectful individuals and a deeper understanding of good citizenship.
I know we all want this for our young people as they are the future of our communities.
Take care
Josette Moffatt
What a full-on fortnight for our students and school.
Our students assisting in the set up of the Miles Show, participating in different events and showcasing our cattle. Students completing senior exams over the two weeks. This week, three main events – The Ag Showcase, Wearable Art and the Hospitality luncheon.
There is much to celebrate from across all year levels and a huge thank you to the staff, students and families involved in promoting this wonderful school.
Next week, our Yr 12 students will be completing their CIA external exam for Essential Maths and Essential English on Thursday 5th June and Friday 6th June. If your child studies these subjects, they will be required to be in attendance for the exam. If your child is sick, a medical certificate will be required and immediate notification to the school will be required.
Over the next few weeks, our junior and middle secondary classes will also be completing assessment and exams in readiness for their Semester report card. These will be emailed on the last day of Term.
Finally, as the temperature begins to drop, it is important for students to be in the correct winter uniform and we ask parents to provide a written note, if their child is not in the correct uniform.
Enjoy the next two weeks until our next newsletter update.
Raelene Bates
We are now in the middle of the busiest part of the school term. Students are completing assignments and studying for exams. This part of the term is one of the most important, as students are learning how to apply the concepts that they have learnt, to the different contexts that they will be using for their assessment. This will be paired with scaffolding and specific details that the teacher will be looking for in their completed task. During these periods students need to listen and link their knowledge to the assessment item.
It is possible during this time to support your student during this phase by helping them go through their learning. This could be as simple as having a conversation about what they learnt today and asking how they are progressing on their assignments. To keep a track of what your student should be completing you can use the assessment planner that was sent out with the last newsletter. This will have the draft and due dates for your information.
One the major stresses that students face around assessment are exams. Exams tend to cause more anxiety than their assignment counterparts, as students worry about the element of the unknown. This stress can then cause the student to forget things that they have learnt before or make it hard to apply knowledge to different situations. When taking exams one of the critical elements is to remain calm and allow your brain to operate normally. I am sure you have had times when you are stressed that has caused to find simple tasks difficult.
To help reduce the worry and stress around exams, students need to be practicing in exam like environments. There are many resources out there to help students face the stress of exams. The school as access to the study skills handbook and this this something student access during their STEPs lessons every Monday. Last week they looked at reducing procrastination. There are also websites like head space that are designed to help young people navigate the issues that they face. On this website the give the following tips for preparing for exams:
1: Take the time to plan (think about things like when, where and what you will study).
2: Prioritise (make sure that you are studying the areas that you need to study not just your favourite subject.)
3: Study with peers/friends (make it a bit more interesting and supportive when the times get harder this is also a place where social media might be very useful – if not a distraction).
4: Stay focused (follow your plan don’t go and do something else when you have planned to study)
5: Ask for help (when you are studying you should keep a record of questions that you want to ask your teacher. They are not expected to figure out ever aspect of their assignment by themselves.)
6: Be prepared (when you have set aside time for study make sure that you have everything you need. This is a way to help them stay focused)
7: Keep your normal routine (don’t stay up late, eat breakfast, exercise, etc.)
Have a great few weeks and good luck to all students on their assessment. I know that the effort that you put in will pay off.
Caleb Kuhl
I’m very excited to announce that for our Wellbeing Day we have secured Seamus Evans. Seamus is a highly sort after guest speaker in the corporate world and in schools across Australia. He works with students to turn adversities into Superpowers. He will be running 3 sessions on the day, Drive Leadership for Junior School and Drive Leadership for senior school and a Keynote address to the whole school. Parents and Community are welcome to attend the Keynote address. Having seen Seamus in action before I am very excited to have him coming to Miles. I know our students will get so much out of his presentation.
Simon Wilson
Head of Student Engagement
🛡️ Keeping Our Kids Safe
The Importance of Helmets for the Ride to School
At Miles State High School, your child’s safety—on and off school grounds—is our shared priority. If your teen rides a bike or scooter to school, one of the simplest ways to keep them safe is by ensuring they wear a helmet every time.
🚴 Why Helmets Matter
It only takes a second for an accident to happen. Helmets can reduce the risk of serious head injuries by up to 70%. Teenagers are still developing physically and cognitively, making head protection even more critical. While they may feel invincible, the reality is that a helmet can be the difference between a minor fall and a life-altering injury.
⚖️ The Law in Queensland
Wearing a helmet isn’t just a good idea—it’s the law. In Queensland, all bike and scooter riders—regardless of age—must wear an approved, properly fitted helmet. Not doing so can result in:
👨👩👧👦 How You Can Encourage Helmet Use
We understand that teenagers may resist helmet use due to peer pressure or personal preferences. Here are a few ways to help make it a habit:
📚 Learn More
For more information on Queensland’s helmet laws and road safety guidelines, visit:
Queensland Government – Bicycle road rules and safety
Queensland Government – Scooter safety
StreetSmarts – Bike and scooter rider safety
Let’s work together to help our young people make safe, responsible choices. A helmet may seem like a small thing—but it protects what matters most.
🔋 Exploring Energy Careers: Origin Visits MSHS
Last week, our Year 10, 11, and 12 students at Miles State High School had the valuable opportunity to hear directly from representatives of Origin Energy, who visited to share insights into the exciting and evolving world of energy careers in the local region.
The session highlighted the breadth and depth of employment opportunities available across the energy sector, including both traditional and emerging roles. With a strong presence in the Miles and Chinchilla area, Origin showcased just how many career pathways are available—right here in our own backyard.
Students learned about roles in:
The visit was particularly valuable for students considering future study, training, or employment opportunities. It also helped students connect classroom learning with real-world applications in a rapidly evolving industry.
🔧 Upcoming Opportunity: MIGAS Traineeships and Trades Info Session
To build on this momentum, students will have another valuable opportunity in Week 9. On Monday, 16 June, representatives from MIGAS will visit MSHS to speak with students about traineeships and trade opportunities in the energy and resources sectors.
MIGAS specialises in placing young people into apprenticeship and traineeship pathways and works closely with major employers in our region. This session will provide insights into:
We are encouraging all interested students in Years 11–12 to attend and make the most of this opportunity to explore hands-on career pathways.
These industry partnerships are an important part of how we support students in future-proofing their careers and building connections with real employers. If you'd like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact the Guidance Officer Sarah Perry at sperr64@eq.edu.au.
Sarah Perry
Congratulations to Summa who received the MVP award for the South West Netball 13 - 15 team. At the end of each game the opposing coach selects and MVP player and the player who receives the most nominations throughout the championship is awarded MVP.
Homework Centre is up and running, 3pm to 4.30pm every Monday and Wednesday afternoon. Parents will need to complete a permission form from the Main Office and book on Sobs. If unable to book on SOBS, please ring the office to confirm student attendance.
Miles State High School is proud to be part of a community that embraces PARTNERS IN LEARNING together our students, their families, our wider community and our staff are committed to working together to ensure that every student succeeds.
Respect | Integrity | Safety | Engagement
