Newsletter

Welcome back to Term 2,

A warm welcome to our new students and their families to not only Miles SHS but our Miles community. 

Engagement - What I have seen? What they have told me

This week I have been spending many hours moving around the school talking to students, staff and observing student engagement in classrooms and at lunchtimes. Many thanks to all for the quick chats and honest feedback  

This is what I have seen, heard and felt this week.

• Students quick to give a wave and a good morning as I walk past. Many volunteering to share their school holiday activities with me. (Many thanks to our families who have raised friendly polite young people)
• Teachers meeting students at the front door of their classroom providing a warm welcome to each individual child.
• Students arriving to class on time, being prepared (books, diary, pens, PPE gear if required, dressed neatly in the Miles SHS uniform) Saw lots of students at the class after the first bell ready for class. 😊
• A few students deciding that when the 2nd bell to go to class rings is the time to go to the toilet ☹ (We are onto it 😊- the first 5 minutes of class is the time to reset and commence learning)
• Teacher prepared for teaching having their Learning Intentions, Success Criteria and Behaviour for Learning (BFL) on the white board. (BFL - Behaviours expected in the lesson to engage and achieve)
• The majority of students responding positively the first time to redirection and directions by staff if not positively engaged, getting over-excited or a contemplating a poor choice (We are working with adolescents and ongoing explicit teaching of expected behaviour is essential 😊)
• Lunchtime and before school activities:-the breakfast club, Chaplain E sports, students playing board games chess etc. in the flexi- centre and of course lots of handball and basketball 😊
• An increasing sense of belonging and happy to be at school along with telling me, if things are a worry they know who and where to go for a chat. (Creating a culture of belonging has been a priority this year for staff, students, and our families)
• Hats on in the playground (Very pleased with that – a consistent push has paid off well done, students, families, and staff) 😊
• At the end of the day goodbyes to staff on duty as they leave the grounds 😊
• Meeting with our collaboratively with families have felt like a well-oiled team working to support the development and achievement of our young people 😊 

Miles SHS Strategic Plan

This year we continue to pursue improvement in the focus areas of Culture and Capability

Please peruse the visual attachment of our Strategic Plan.

If you have any thoughts, ideas or feedback for improvement please email me on principal@milesshs.eq.edu.au I’d love to hear from you. 

Attendance

In the view of my week’s observations and discussions the key to continuing the sense of belonging and engagement our students are expressing is to consistently attend school. We all know if we have been away for a while and return to work or school, we feel that we are not part of what is going on. This feeling for our students leads to a sense of not wanting to return as they have missed the sequence of lessons and most importantly for them conversations and time with friends. The relations and certainty in their days feels a bit disjointed due to their absence, the result them hounding you not to go to school.

Please work with us if your child is not wanting to come to school. We have a wonderful, experienced wellbeing team who are keen to work with students and their families to support students’ attendance and positive engagement in school. 

Student/Parent/Teacher Meeting Wednesday 6 May

A reminder that these meetings will occur on between 3:30pm and 6:30pm.

Our teachers are prepared and looking forward to meeting as many parent/carers as possible. These discussions with our teachers allow time for face to face feedback that assist both students and parent/carers to jointly set Term 2 goals in Achievement, Effort and Behaviour in each class. 

Tuckshop Convenor

Many thanks to Mgahl Eather who has kept the tuckshop up and running throughout Term 1 and supported the transition of our new Tuckshop Convenor Deanna Perrin, Welcome. 

Staff on Leave 

Please be aware that Ms Raelene Bates, Deputy Principal we will be on leave from Tuesday 5 May through to Tuesday 12 May. Thank you to  Mr Caleb Kuhl who will be Acting Deputy Principal and Miss Al Turner will be acting Head of Department Curriculum, Teaching and Learning.  

See many of you on Wednesday

Take care,

Josette Moffatt 

Welcome to Term 2 everyone

It has been a busy Term so far, ANZAC Day last week allowed students and staff to acknowledge past and present defence personnel (men and women) and civilians involved with conflict.  Acknowledging the great work of our students with running the ceremony, delivering poems or assisting with the flag raising here at school.  We then had students represent at both the Dawn service and Community march.

It was a credit to all students, when the feedback we receive from invited guests was positive.  The facilities were perfect for our school ceremony and thank you to all staff involved.

This week, some of our Senior students have been required to have meetings with me to discuss their Term 1 results and the importance of the effort and attendance.  As we are governing by QCAA (Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority), it is important for families to understand how attendance can impact on results and the student’s effort and behaviour.  From Year 11 onwards, students may have apprenticeships or traineeships and if their results are not consistent, their career pathways could be at risk.  Term reviews are conducted to support both student and their family, so there are no surprises come the end of their schooling in Year 12.

Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on Wednesday 6th May and it is a perfect opportunity for parent/carers to work with their students’ teachers in supporting a pathway that is attainable and supported to ensure a successful year at Miles SHS.  Let us continue to work together to achieve a positive outcome for every student.

Enjoy the photos.

Raelene Bates

Parent Teacher Interviews

We strongly encourage all families to attend our upcoming Parent-Teacher Interview Night, as even short conversations can make a meaningful difference to your child’s success. Meeting with teachers helps build a strong partnership between home and school, creating consistency and support for students. It provides a clear understanding of your child’s progress, including strengths and areas for improvement, while allowing early identification of any concerns before they become bigger challenges. Teachers can also share practical strategies to support learning at home. When students see their parents engaged, it boosts their confidence and motivation. These conversations also focus on wellbeing, effort, and overall engagement, helping to build a strong sense of connection, belonging, and community for every student. Its finally a great way to celebrate growth and success.

Simon Wilson

Welcome back to term 2. We are already off and racing with learning, events and sports all happening. I hope you and your family have had a wonderful break away from school. Report cards are now out, and we have been crunching the data. We would like to congratulate students on their hard work last term. There have been some fantastic results in the electives with many of them indicating 100% of students passing. Also, last term was the term of reading, and we have had our best overall Term 1 English results on record. Well done to students, teachers and families alike. The efforts you have all been putting in are paying dividends. 

With this result we are keen to keep the momentum going into Term 2. We encourage families to keep their students reading not only at school but at home as well. Reading really is a fundamental skill to all subjects. When there are great results and reasons to celebrate there are also areas that we can improve. On this reporting period it has become clear that we need to continue to develop skills within the area of Mathematics. This is another of the key areas that the department is focusing on for improvement. This will be an area that we will be focusing on this term. We are very hopeful that there will be excellence semester reports coming your way. 

This week has seen all students engaging with goal setting for their own individual aims for the coming term. Please have a conversation around what they are wanting to achieve this term. This helps them stay accountable for the goals that they have set. Finally, an important part of achieving these goals is attending school and participating lessons. Well done for last terms results and keep up the hard work. 

Looking forward to seeing you all at parent teacher interviews.

Caleb Kuhl

At Miles State High School, we know that the teenage years are a critical time for learning, growth, and connection. One of the most important factors in helping high school students thrive—both academically and personally—is regular school attendance. Every day truly counts, and we want to share why being present at school is so important for your teenager’s well-being, social connections, and mental health. 

Why Attendance Matters in High School

High school is a time when students are not only building their academic knowledge but also developing the skills and relationships that will shape their future. Regular attendance ensures that students:

• Stay on Track with Learning: Missing classes can create gaps in understanding, making it harder for students to keep up with coursework and prepare for assessments.
• Build Social Connections: School is where friendships are formed and strengthened. Attending regularly helps students feel included and connected to their peers.
• Prepare for the Future: Good attendance habits in high school set the tone for success in further education, training, and the workforce. 

The Link Between Attendance and Well-Being

Low attendance doesn’t just affect academic performance—it can also have a significant impact on your teenager’s mental health and overall well-being. Here’s how:

• Social Isolation: Missing school can lead to feelings of disconnection from friends and classmates, which can affect self-esteem and confidence.
• Increased Stress: Falling behind in schoolwork can create unnecessary stress and anxiety, which can be overwhelming for students.
• Disrupted Routine: Regular attendance provides structure and stability, which are essential for maintaining good mental health during the often-challenging teenage years. 

How You Can Support Your Teenager

As parents and caregivers, you play a key role in helping your teenager maintain regular attendance. Here are some ways you can support them:

School-Based Support

Local and Community Services

• Website: www.headspace.org.au
• Phone: 1800 650 890

• Website: CYMHS Information 

Online Resources for Parents

• Website: www.raisingchildren.net.au

• Website: parents.au.reachout.com

• Website: education.qld.gov.au 

Our Commitment to Your Teenager’s Success

At Miles High we’re committed to creating a supportive environment where every student feels valued and connected. We understand that life can sometimes be challenging, and we’re here to work with you to ensure your teenager has the support they need to succeed. 

Let’s work together to make every school day count. By prioritising attendance, we can help your teenager build a strong foundation for their future—academically, socially, and emotionally.

Sarah Perry

You can speak with a trained professional by phone or webchat (6am-midnight), seven days a week.

An online bullying support forum is also available. This is a safe, moderated space to connect with others, ask questions, and share experiences.

📞 Call 1300 30 1300

💬 Visit parentline.com.au

Because parenting doesn’t come with a manual—but help is here when you need it.

Sarah Perry

In term 2, English 7 and 8 are focused on developing their reading skills through exploration of short stories and visual texts such as comics and children's books. We are learning about the different parts of a story and how to analyse and explain the elements of the story. We are also focusing on the skills needed to be a good reader.  

Each week, we focus on one story and explain it through different lenses. This week we are focused on setting and character. Next week, we will look at how visuals can influence our understanding of the words on the page.  

This term we will have two different assessments in English 7/8. In week 5, students will be given a visual text and will be asked to explain (year 7) or analyse (year 8) the elements of the given story.  

Students will then get the opportunity to show their creativity as they will create their own visual text using everything we have learned in the term. Their storybooks will be due in week 10. 

Miss Kenkel

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.

https://eq.sobs.com.au/pt3/parent.php?schoolid=70139