Term three ends with a special delivery from Pixie, who calved recently. Mum and bub are both doing well and adjusting to the change. As I am writing this newsletter on ‘R U OK?’ day, it is appropriate to highlight the effects of change on our wellbeing and that sometimes adjustment to new things can be difficult. At Miles State High School, there is always someone to talk to about any issue that is of concern. The supports at our school are led by our Guidance Officer, Sarah Perry and Care Teachers or the Flexi-Centre are also able to guide students toward help. Our Switch4Schools check-in program assists students build their emotional intelligence by recognising and tracking their moods.
As you and your student review their interim report for Term 3, it is timely to remind parents to view it as a progress report. This report is an indication of the likely result for your child at the end of Semester Two, if they do not change their academic behaviours. Two of the most powerful strategies for improvement are feedback and reflection. Take the report as feedback on how your student is travelling and ask them to reflect on what they have learned. It is always helpful to use a strength-based approach and highlight any improvements and positive results. It could be Effort and Behaviour results for example.
Miles State High School is a busy place with so many opportunities for our students. We received a welcome grant from the Department of Education to support our Breakfast Club and Homework Club and Origin Energy is about to announce investment in our school through 20 point-of-lay chickens, three pineapple towers and feed. Students have had firsthand experience with fencing from Austral Wire and Wood Ag. Blue Edge has continued with nearly 100% attendance from students who have enjoyed the hearty breakfast and the physical challenges provided by Jodie, our PT. Our Year 12 students have been working hard completing their mock exams in preparation for their last ever assessments at school next term.
I would like to finish this newsletter article by officially recognising the senior school leaders for 2025. Students undertook a rigorous process of written applications, panel interviews and speeches in front of the entire school. The character and courage of the students who stepped up has been outstanding. The school has selected an impressive leadership team and I have no doubt that the students in 2025 are in good hands.
Congratulations to:
School Captain Ingrid Young
School Captain Zoe York
School Vice-Captain Riley Harrison
Wellbeing Captain Rahnee Little
Binbian House Captain Daniel Igiraneza
Cameby House Captain Leah Forsythe
I would like to take this opportunity to wish the Miles school community a restful and safe September break. There is a lot to look forward to in Term Four!
David Armstrong
As we farewell Term 3 2024, we celebrate the successes and efforts our students and school community have achieved and look forward to supporting student learning, wellbeing, and school events in Term 4.
2025 Enrolments for Year 7
It has been a very busy term for enrolments and visiting our cluster schools. If you have not enrolled your student for 2025, please do so earlier in Term 4. We are having our transition days on Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th December, and if your student has not formally completed the necessary paperwork, then they will not be able to participate with the 2-day transition program. Please contact the admin office to make an appointment – 4628 5111.
Set Plan for our Future Year 11 students 2025
Thank you to parent/carer and students that have completed their SETP for entry into Senior schooling for 2025. It is important to review your students’ Term 3 results and reflect on the subjects chosen for Senior schooling. There will be discussions occurring in the first few weeks of Term 4 to re-evaluate senior subjects to support success in 2025-26.
Year 10 Leadership camp Week 2 Term 4
As part of building resilience and respectful relationships, it is important for our Yr 10 students to participate in their 2024 Leadership camp. It is a time to experience the importance of working as a team and preparing the students for the rigour of Senior Schooling. If students do not participate in the three-day camp (Wednesday – Friday Week 2), they will be expected to be at school.
Senior Secondary
Year 12 Mock Exams and External Exam Timetable
Students enrolled in General subjects in Year 12 will participate in a variety of Mock exams to help them prepare for the external exams in Week 4 – 6 Term 4. On return to school on Monday 30th October, Yr 12 students will be completing Mock Exams during Week 1 and 2.
All external exams will be held at school in the MPA Conference Room. Students will sign in and out at Student Services each day. A letter will be sent out in Week 1, addressing the attendance of your student and requesting information on transport to and from school during the three-week block will require parents / caregiver to complete and return before the end of Week 3 Term 4.
Students are only required to be in attendance on the day of their exam or school event, unless specified by HOD Curriculum or Deputy Principal.
In the mail out to parent / caregiver, we have included the following:
Finally, congratulations to our newly elected School leaders for 2025. You should be very proud of your effort and modelling of our school values. To the outgoing 2024 Leaders – thank you for being role models to our students, your teamwork and inspiration to others.
To all of our families, wishing you a safe and enjoyable term break and I look forward to seeing you all in Term 4.
Raelene Bates
Term 3 has now drawn to a close and what a term it was. There have been many different events and celebrations that need to be acknowledged. First of all, congratulations to our students in the sporting arena. There have been some great successes in sport for the year. Well done to Nathan Maag for all his hard work in this area to make sure the sporting year ran smoothly. I know this is really appreciated by our school community. I also would like to say congratulations and good luck to the students competing in state titles early next term. I look forward to hearing how you all go.
Blue Edge
The Blue edge program is now halfway completed and it is great to see so many students still turning up for the program early in the morning. Thanks to Daniel Daveson, Kiara Bond, Raelene Bates, David Armstrong, Michael Holt, Nicki Steen, police service, and our trainer Jodie for all the efforts in organising and running the event. It has been great talking to the students who are involved in the event about how it is going. I am excited to see the level of commitment and engagement which was the main purpose of the program. I look forward to seeing this finished in week 4 of next term.
Student Leaders
I would like to express my excitement this year over the candidates for student leadership for the rest of this year and next. It was a fantastic experience hearing from our students and I am really grateful for the students who put themselves out there to run for these positions. I was overwhelmed with the level of care that the students had for each other and their peers. I was very excited when they ended their speeches expressing their well wishes to their running mates and confirming that if they did not get a position then they would work alongside the others to make the next year the best one possible. I would like to congratulate the student leadership team that will be working over the next 12 months. I think this is a strong team that will see a positive impact. Good luck and well done. Also, thanks to George Major for being our community representative through the process and Ian Perry as the year 11 care teacher who has supported the student through the process.
Formal Uniform
With the weather warming-up again it is time to reintroduce our formal uniform. From the first Monday back at school students will be expected to be in full formal uniform including black polishable shoes and white socks. For full detail see below or the student diary.
It’s hard to believe that the end of term is finally here! It’s been another busy term with a wide range of activities occurring around the school and the assessment phase of the term has now come to an end! We have seen some amazing results from students who have actively engaged in their learning and applied feedback provided from their teachers.
We have our school awards evening coming up in November where we will celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students. There is a clear theme that has emerged from Term 3 results – if students have attended school regularly, engaged in their learning by actively participating in class activities and, applied feedback provided by teachers, then students have experienced success through their results. On the other hand, students with low attendance, who have chosen not to engage in their learning either through their behaviour or refusal to complete work, then these students have not achieved success. Very few students who have attended, engaged and submitted work have received less than a passing grade. Consequently, the priority in Term 4 is to follow up on students who are not attending school regularly (greater than 95%), and not engaging with their work. For students who are not attending school, or who are making poor behaviour choices and not engaging with their work, we will be contacting families to work with them to improve their child’s engagement with learning and success with it.
Our Year 12 students will be completing their last few weeks of learning before moving into external exams. We wish them every success with their final exams, and hope that their hard work pays off. It is a timely reminder that students who are in VET subjects – either business, construction or engineering – that in order for students to have study time during the external exams, all VET work – both theory and practical – must be completed to a standard deemed competent, in order for this to occur. Students who have not completed all of their course requirements will be required to attend school every day until those requirements have been met.
Lastly, I wish all of our students and their families a safe and restful holiday period. I look forward to seeing all students back and ready to learn at the start of next term.
Leigh Williams
R U OK? Day 2024: "Ask R U OK? Any Day"
R U OK? Day is held every year on the second Thursday of September, encouraging all Australians to ask, "Are you OK?" This year’s theme, "Ask R U OK? Any Day," reminds us that starting a conversation about mental health is not limited to one day. Instead, it is a continuous practice, emphasising the importance of regularly checking in with our loved ones, including our children, to ensure they feel supported and heard.
Why Start the Conversation with Your Child?
Children and young people often face various emotional and psychological challenges and may not always know how to express their feelings. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2022) reports that mental health conditions affect one in seven children aged 4 to 17. As a parent or guardian, regularly initiating conversations can be crucial in helping your child feel comfortable discussing their emotions, which is essential for their overall well-being.
How to Start the Conversation: Tips for Parents and Guardians
Having regular, open conversations with your child can help them feel supported and understood. Here are some practical ways to start and maintain those conversations:
1. Choose the Right Moment: Select a time when your child feels relaxed and comfortable, such as during a walk, car ride, or while doing an activity they enjoy. Avoid starting the conversation when either of you feels stressed or hurried.
2. Ask Open-Ended Questions: Move beyond "Are you OK?" to questions like, “How are you feeling today?” or “Can you tell me about something good or challenging that happened recently?” This encourages your child to open up about their thoughts and emotions.
3. Listen Without Judgement: It’s vital to listen carefully without interrupting or immediately offering solutions. Acknowledge your child's feelings and reassure them that it’s OK to feel however they feel.
4. Share Your Own Feelings: Talking about your own emotions can help normalise these discussions and show your child that everyone has feelings that need to be expressed and understood.
5. Provide Reassurance and Support: Let your child know that they are not alone and that support is always available. Encourage them to talk to a trusted adult, such as a teacher or counsellor, if they find it difficult to talk to you.
6. Follow Up Regularly: Regularly check in with your child to show that you genuinely care about their well-being and that your interest in their feelings is ongoing. One practical strategy to help children manage their worries is to set aside dedicated "worry time." This technique involves allocating a specific time each day for your child to express their concerns, thoughts, or fears. By setting boundaries around when worries are discussed, it helps children feel heard while also limiting the amount of time spent dwelling on their concerns.
Supporting Resources and Getting Help
If your child or someone you know needs extra support, consider reaching out to resources like Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) or Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636). Remember, early intervention can make a significant difference in addressing mental health concerns.
R U OK? Day 2024, with its theme "Ask R U OK? Any Day," encourages us to create a culture of care and connection every day. By making regular check-ins a habit, we can build a community where everyone feels safe, heard, and supported.
References
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2022). ‘Mental health services in Australia: Children and young people’. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mental-health-services/mental-health-services-in-australia/report-contents/children-and-young-people
R U OK? (2024). ‘Ask R U OK? Any Day: 2024 Theme and Resources’. https://www.ruok.org.au
Sarah Perry
The Education Minister, Di Farmer, announced recently that Miles State High School will receive funding through the Department’s School Food Program.
This will help support our Breakfast and Homework Clubs. The school would like to thank the Minister as well as the long term supporter of our food program; Ruth Lindsay’s Kup of Kindness.
All students are welcome to grab a hot or cold Milo and toast or fruit before school.
More new life on Thursday morning at the Ag Farm with Pixie giving birth to nice healthy calf. Bull or heifer - yet to be determined.
This strength and fitness class is a fun filled journey where young minds and bodies thrive. This class is designed to develop physical health and mental well being for teens. Through engaging exercises and games, participants develop not only physical strength and coordination, but also essential life skills such as team work and discipline.
This program is a FUN & EASY way to get your kids moving. We get the kids exercising without even realising they are doing it. This program is run by qualified Personal Trainer Jodie Prigg (who has been doing the Blue Edge sessions here at the school). Jodie holds a current blue card, first aid certificate & have been coaching kids sports and running teen fitness programs for over 10 years. (Including pre season fitness training for sports teams)
The class focuses on age-appropriate activities that enhance motor skills, foster confidence, and instil a love for an active lifestyle. Ages 12-17 - FIRST SESSION IS FREE!
*Classes will run through the school holidays.
Contact Jodie for bookings 0431 679 911
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
