Dear Parent and Carers,
It is so hard to believe that I’m writing this newsletter on the last day of Term 1. Time just goes too quickly.
Many thanks to students, staff, parents/carers and our wider community for your contribution to a productive Term 1. Daily throughout the term our newsletter, Facebook and website have recorded countless engaging events across all curriculum and extra-curricular areas. These records create for students and their families’ lifelong memorable moments.
I am pleased to report that our Year 7’s, new students to the school and our new staff have transitioned well into our school. Many thanks to the warm and welcoming culture of our school and community.
Goodbye and Thank You
It’s always sad to say goodbye. Many thanks and a fond farewell to Teacher: Vanaja Arakkal and Head of Engagement Teaching and Learning Sarah Rush. You both, in such a short time, have made an impact on our school community and were embraced immediately by our students. Sarah your work creating streamlined processes to manage our students when their choices were a little misguided has created a supportive environment that supports the teaching of expected behaviours for life and good citizenship. I know, I speak for our whole community when we say farewell to both of you and all the best in your new adventures.
Junior Secondary- Building Strong Foundations
Miles SHS continues to pursue our three-school model of Junior Secondary, Middle Secondary and Senior Secondary. The attached illustration outlines our ongoing commitment to ensure our students are future ready and develop the skills they require to succeed at every stage of their high school experience.
In Junior Secondary our students are entering adolescence and this is a challenging time socially, physically and emotionally. In Years 7 and 8 when starting high school, they are presented with new organisational, learning and personal challenges.
At this age, the curriculum focuses on developing students’ abilities to maintain personal health and wellbeing, build social emotional capabilities. These lifelong skills along with the subject areas in the Australian Curriculum: -English, Maths, Science, Humanities, HPE, Languages, Technologies and the Arts all prepare our Junior Secondary with the foundations they need.
Junior Secondary teachers planning has specific focus on building strong foundations through: -
In Term 1 this year all, Junior Secondary Students engaged in an Arts program under the creative and watchful eye of teacher Mrs Moore and her team of teachers. When watching the development of their performances for the end of Term 2 performance it is so evident Junior Secondary students work best with their adolescent peers and the combining of the two-year levels provide benefits for both year levels. I for one am looking forward to the end of Term 2 performance for our student and parent/carer school community.
In Term 2 Teachers of Junior Secondary will expand our combined program by uniting the two-year levels in the core classes of Maths, English, History and Science (History will commence Week 4 Term 2). Teachers will collaboratively develop a learning environment that meets the needs of adolescent learners while focusing on building of the necessary foundation skills that will support our students to realise their potential.
Junior Secondary students will be divided into three groups with each group having a specified teacher. However, throughout the unit of work all three teachers will work together to develop programs that support students to access and achieve the curriculum expectations. Students may experience different learning activities which include: - group work, working independently, working online, working in pairs etc.
Our teaching team is excited as it allows them to focus their teaching on building our students much needed foundations for their learning and future pathways. Parent/Carers will receive an Introduction to Junior Secondary Core Subject Letter which will provide valuable information with regards to subject information and the subject teaching teams early Term 2.
Taking Leave
As many of you are aware I have been working part-time for most of Term 1 in preparation for a full-time leave period in Term 2. During my leave as planned Raelene Bates will be stepping into the principal role full-time and Caleb Kuhl will be stepping into the full time Deputy role. I am so happy that Miles SHS will be in the hands of such highly experienced leaders. Please refer to the Term 2 Communication Flowchart to assist you in contacting the best person for any information you require.
Have a safe and well-earned holiday.
Take care,
Josette Moffatt
Year 7-12 Interim Reporting
Term 1 Interim Reporting will be finalised and distributed to parents on Friday, 19th of April. This interim report is an opportunity for families to gain an insight and understanding into the progress that their child is making against the taught content. If you have any questions, queries, and/or concerns please make contact with the relevant teacher.
Parent Teacher Interviews
Once you receive your child’s report card, please remember that our Parent Teacher Interviews are scheduled for Wednesday 1st May. The interviews allow parent/s, student and teacher to have an open and honest discussion on how well your child has gone in the subject and to collaboratively plan out the next steps required to achieve in the following unit of work.
Inclusive Education for All
The Queensland Department of Education recently released their strategic plan – Equity & Excellence, a plan that sets a clear vision for a progressive, high performing education system. The diversity of our staff, students and school community is our greatest strength. By valuing culture and creating inclusive teaching and learning environments, we are driving equity and excellence across all aspects of our school. To enable this, specific considerations and adjustments are made to ensure that all students experience education, as per their peers. Students experience inclusive education when they can access and fully participate in learning, alongside their similar-aged peers, supported by reasonable adjustments and teaching strategies tailored to meet their individual needs. Inclusion is embedded in all aspects of school life, and is supported by culture, policies and every day practices.
Evidently, our school is committed to maintaining an inclusive environment for all. Our commitment means that children and young people across Queensland, from all social, cultural, community and family backgrounds, and of all identities and all abilities are able to:
Term 2 uniform
As we welcome the cooler temperature and rain, I need to remind parents/carers of our uniform policy. We have school jumpers available for students at our Uniform Exchange to keep your student warm, if they do not have the correct colour. Royal blue (old uniform that will be phased out by the end of this year) or navy (new uniform) are the two colours that can be worn. If your student comes to school in any other colour than the two mentioned, then they will be requested to follow our uniform policy and change at the uniform exchange. If you have any questions or concerns about the school uniform, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Finally, wishing all our students and their families a restful and enjoyable Term break and I look forward to seeing you all on Monday 15th April, when school resumes.
Ms Raelene Bates
With school holidays approaching, it is a great time to connect as a family. Follow the link below of things to do in the Western Downs.
Getting your teenager to return to school after the holidays can also be difficult. A good reminder of ways to encourage your student to attend school can be found below. Please reach out to us at school if you have any concerns.
https://education.qld.gov.au/initiativesstrategies/Documents/get-teenager-to-school.pdf
Sarah Rush
It has been a busy last two weeks, but we have finally reached the end of Term 1. We have 34 Year 7 students who have now successfully navigated their transition to high school. It has been a pleasure to work with all of them and see them settle into the high school environment. NAPLAN is complete for another year, with almost all students successfully completing all four tests. I congratulate all of our students for giving their best during NAPLAN. Reports will be made available and provided to parents later in the year.
On the other end of things, our Year 12 students have now finished their last ever Term 1 at high school. Students have been engaging in their lessons and doing their best in their assessments and ensuring that they are working towards completing competencies in their vocational subjects. It will continue to be a year of ‘lasts’ but the positive attitude they have around their school and towards their studies is to be commended.
Report cards for Term 1 will be sent home to parents at the beginning of Term 2. We look forward to seeing how students are progressing towards their Junior, Middle or Senior Certificate which are recognised at the end of Semester 1. There is still plenty of time for students to put their best foot forward and engage in their studies to improve results for Term 2.
I wish all of our families a safe and restful break over the holidays and look forward to seeing our students return safely in Term 2.
Leigh Williams
Why are we doing the survey?
We know that wellbeing and engagement are important parts of your child's life at school. The department and your school are looking at ways to collect information on these topics so we can support our students in the best way possible.
The Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing (QEW) Survey is designed to measure how state school students view their wellbeing and engagement.
Results from this survey will tell us about students’ levels of wellbeing and engagement. This information will allow us to better support our students and meet their needs.
When will the survey take place?The QEW Survey is run in Weeks 1 to 4 of Term 2 each year. Miles State High School will choose a date within this period.
What is the survey about?The survey measures many aspects of students’ wellbeing, engagement, and experience at school.
The M&D Orienteering trials will be held on Monday 15th April at Columboola. Please note this is the first day back after the Easter School holidays.
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
