It has been a privilege to begin my time as Principal of Miles State High School this week. I met with the whole staff on Monday morning before the first bell and spoke to the student body on assembly in the afternoon. When I wrote to staff later in the day, the overwhelming observation I mentioned was one of welcome. The Miles High culture of inclusion, acceptance as well as pride in the school are some one of the many positive observations of the week. As someone new to the community I am able to reflect on the aspects of the school which make Miles State High School a great school.
We have great staff and students at our school, and it is clear that some great work has been done by the community since opening in 1979. I am conscious of the legacy of the work that has already occurred that has brought about some exceptional programs and outcomes for our students.
Some examples of this work and the culture of our school to celebrate are:
In exciting news, the education minister, Ms Di Farmer, announced this week that Miles State High School would receive funding to develop a Flexi Space. This opportunity affords us the resources to refurbish one of our spaces, including the purchase of high-quality modular furniture to allow for innovative ways of teaching our students. I have included a couple of images from the Clontarf SHS Flexi Space. A timeline will be published in the next newsletter.
Wednesday afternoon was our P&C meeting where I invited parents and the community to provide feedback to the school. We are interested in your ideas about what we are doing well, what we can do better and what you would like to see us start or do more of at Miles State High School. We will run a similar process with a Student Voice event this term.
I have finished my first week at Miles actually not in Miles. Sarah Perry (GO) and I have spent two days at a Senior Schooling Network event in Toowoomba. Industry partners and regional support teams presented the latest programs, and we engaged in networking opportunities that will ensure Miles State High School students have a variety of pathways after they leave our school.
In the next few weeks, I look forward to visiting more classes, meeting the community and engaging with our local primary schools. Our students will be approaching their term 3 assessment phase and teachers will be engaging in feedback through the drafting process. Term 3 is the “championship quarter” for our senior students, so attendance and engagement in their learning is critical.
Lastly, congratulations the high number of our students who have qualified for the South West regional qualifiers. These students are certainly living the motto Strive to Achieve.
David Armstrong
Welcome to the end of Week 4. I have been away this week but will be back come Monday. Lots of exciting events are to occur over the next few weeks. Mrs Perry and I will be visiting our cluster schools to meet the current Year 6 students and to hand out the 2025 Enrolment packs. We will also be heading to Wandoan, to meet the current Year 10 students and provide information and subject selection forms for Year 11 in 2025.
In Week 7, Mrs Perry and I will start conducting the SET Plan interviews for our current Year 10 students and their parent/carers. A survey of which subjects’ students are interested in has been completed by students in Year 10 and Mrs Perry has been working with the students to gauge their career pathways for after school, whether that is finishing at the end of this year or graduating Year 12 in 2026. It is important that both student and carers discuss possible pathways and consider several options. During the SET Plan, we create a learning pathway that meets the needs of the student and ensure all stakeholders are aware of the expectations that apply as senior students at Miles SHS.
In Week 9, Mrs Perry and I will then follow up on the enrolment of our future Year 7 students for 2025. A similar process will occur with individual enrolment meetings to ensure all stakeholders receive information on our school, expectations and pathways for their child.
Our current Year 12 students are busy preparing for their IA4 and with only 10 weeks of school left for them, it is a hectic time. Miss Turner and her students are preparing for their formal and also completing any outstanding assessment to ensure they are eligible to attend their Year 12 Graduation.
Thank you to the parents/carers and students that attended the Parent/Student/Teacher Interview evening and also attended the Information evening for Year 8 into Middle Secondary and our Year 10s into Senior Secondary.
Raelene Bates
Another fortnight has rolled by and we have had quite a few events but mostly we have been getting down to regular school work. One of the major focuses over the last few weeks have been respectful relationships. This week we focused on keeping our hands, feet and other objects to ourselves. During our steps lesson we talked about different ways that we can deal with frustration rather than taking this out on others. We also examined 10 different strategies that we can utilise to help us lower our frustration levels without getting into trouble. Next week we will be looking at meeting checkpoints and due dates.
Also, thanks to the support of our P&C who will be continuing to offer $5 tuckshop vouchers as a prize draw for students that have attended school 100% of the time in a week, with students gaining two entries if they have done this for the two weeks of the prize draw. To be eligible for one entry draw your student must be at school 100% for one week. This prize will be drawn each fortnight. Our big-ticket RISE reward, the long table even, will be delayed until the start of Term 4. This avoids clashes with other events.
We have been noticing an increase in the number of students out of uniform. This results in a negative interaction with their teachers at the beginning of a day and does not allow the school day to get off on the best foot for those students. Please remember that students should not be wearing rings, excessive jewellery, caps or hoodies, nor should they be chewing gum which is following the policies of the school which are located in the student diary. I’d also like to issue a timely reminder that students should not have phones on their person at any point in the school day as this is a state wide requirements. They should either be in their bag, switched off or in a locker or handed into the office. The policy in more detail is located in the student diary.
Caleb Kuhl
It is hard to believe that another two weeks have passed since our last newsletter! This term is absolutely flying by!
Teacher changes
As we have moved into the colder months of the year, both our teaching staff and our students have been hit hard with illness. We have had some extended staff absences due to this, as well as some staffing changes as people backfill various positions for other reasons. While we try our best to ensure continuity of teachers in front of classes, sometimes teacher changes are unavoidable. Any time that changes are made, students are provided with an updated timetable which they should be keeping in their school diary. Contact details for our teaching staff can be found at the front of their diary, as well as in their address book in their email. We value strong relationships between our teachers and our parents/caregivers, as the positive impact this has on student engagement, behaviour and learning is proven. Please reach out if there are any concerns, and if you are unable to identify which teacher to contact, please contact either our administration staff or myself so that we can connect you with your child’s subject teacher.
Assessment
Students who have assignments for a particular subject should have received a copy of their assessment task by this stage. We set checkpoints and draft due dates for students to ensure that they are on track to pass each of their subjects and realise their full potential. These dates are provided to families through the Planners which were emailed home earlier this term. If you have not received a copy of the Placemat and Planner for your child, please contact the school and we will ensure one is sent to you.
A key aspect to student success is the provision of feedback. This happens in classrooms in a variety of ways, from warm ups, to quizzes, to more formal feedback on drafts and checkpoints. The effectiveness of this feedback is dependent upon the quality of the responses provided by students. Where students are not engaging with set work and the support that is offered in class, we provide students with further opportunities to get support through task completion at lunch times, and in situations where engagement does not improve, this support may be provided during Friday afternoon sport time, or by attending homework club after school. Our teaching team are working hard to ensure each student succeeds, and where students are not engaging with their learning opportunities, this is the process that is followed. You will be contacted by your child’s classroom teacher if engagement is proving to be problematic.
Upcoming events
The coming weeks are looking a bit quieter as students knuckle down with their learning and assessment work. If students are absent, please ensure they reach out to their teacher to catch up any missed learning.
Leigh Williams
The Importance of Career Education in Secondary Schools
Career education in secondary schools plays a pivotal role in shaping students' futures, but its significance extends far beyond merely helping students choose a career path. Supported by comprehensive frameworks like the Australian Blueprint for Career Development, effective career education equips students with essential skills, knowledge, and attitudes that are vital for their overall development and lifelong success.
1. Developing Self-Awareness
One of the core elements of career education is fostering self-awareness among students. Through various activities and assessments, students gain a deeper understanding of their interests, strengths, values, and aspirations. This self-awareness is crucial, not only for making informed career choices but also for personal growth and confidence building.
2. Enhancing Decision-Making Skills
Career education programs emphasise critical thinking and decision-making skills. Students learn to evaluate different career options, consider potential outcomes, and make informed choices. These skills are transferable and beneficial in numerous aspects of life, helping students navigate complex situations with greater ease and assurance.
3. Building Resilience and Adaptability
In a rapidly changing world, resilience and adaptability are key traits for success. Career education encourages students to embrace change, view challenges as opportunities, and develop a growth mindset. This prepares them to cope with uncertainties and setbacks, both in their careers and personal lives.
4. Understanding the World of Work
Through career education, students gain insights into the evolving nature of work and the skills needed to thrive in various industries. They learn about different career pathways, job market trends, and the impact of technological advancements. This knowledge helps them make strategic decisions and stay adaptable in a dynamic job market.
5. Developing Employability Skills
Career education programs focus on cultivating essential employability skills, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management. These skills are highly valued by employers and are crucial for students’ success in any career. By mastering these competencies, students enhance their employability and are better prepared for the workforce.
6. Encouraging Lifelong Learning
A key objective of career education is to instil a love for lifelong learning. Students are encouraged to continuously seek knowledge, upgrade their skills, and remain curious about new opportunities. This mindset is essential for personal and professional growth in a world where continuous learning is the norm.
7. Promoting Social and Emotional Development
Career education also contributes to students' social and emotional development. It fosters positive relationships, empathy, and effective communication. By engaging in group activities and discussions, students learn to collaborate, respect diverse perspectives, and develop emotional intelligence. The Department of Education's Career Education Program
The Department of Education’s career education program provides a structured approach to help students explore and plan their career pathways. This program emphasises real-world learning experiences, industry partnerships, and access to career guidance resources. It aims to ensure that every student has the opportunity to achieve their full potential and make informed decisions about their future.
Miles State High School's Collaborative Approach
At Miles State High School, we are committed to working closely with our families and the wider community to future-proof our students. Our approach includes:
The Australian Blueprint for Career Development and the Department of Education’s career education program highlight the comprehensive nature of career education and its importance in secondary schools. By addressing various aspects of students' development and engaging with families and the community, Miles State High School is committed to preparing students not only for the workforce but also for a fulfilling and successful life. Investing in robust career education programs is essential for nurturing well-rounded, adaptable, and confident individuals ready to take on the challenges of the future.
Sarah Perry
Eligible Year 11 and 12 students in 2025, will be able to apply for this initiative that enables students to undertake UEE22020 Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start) whilst attending work experience at a designated Ergon Energy Network or Energex depot.
Applications open Monday 15 July 2024, at 9am and close on 30 August 2024.
How to applyInformation about the program, the regional locations, eligibility and workload is available at the TAFE Queensland's Ergon Energy Network and Energex Pre-apprenticeship Program webpage.
To submit an application, students will need to ensure they understand the requirements and expectations and are willing to fully commit to this program in 2025.
The application portal link will be made available via the website on Monday 15 July at 9am.
What happens next?The application round closes at 5pm on Friday 30 August 2024. After the application round has closed, only complete submissions will be considered for shortlisting. The shortlisting will be conducted by a panel of staff from Ergon Energy Network and Energex and TAFE Queensland. Students will be notified of their application outcome directly via the Ergon Energy Network and Energex portal.
If you have any questions about this program, please email GOTAFE.Southwest@tafeqld.edu.au.
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
