7 December 2018

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

At this time of the year, Maleny High is busy reviewing 2018 and preparing for 2019. This year has been another huge one with our students and teachers enjoying success in many areas. There has been a lot of academic success, but this does not necessarily mean that a student achieves straight A results. I have seen students improve their results from Ds or C’s, to Cs and Bs. This is definitely success that is worth celebrating.

The school introduced a social/emotional wellbeing program called ‘Reboot’ this year. There were also many extracurricular activities that students could get involved in such as the school musical, humanitarian trip to Nepal, the ski trip, and leadership camps such as Emu Gully. The interschool sport competition for Year 7s and 8s was another highlight. Also, our school’s Interact Club has enjoyed another highly successful year. As well, our P&C organised its first Monster Mash, which saw students getting involved and creating many of the items on display.

Next year promises to be another big year as the new QCE Senior Schooling System is implemented. The school’s commitment to our ‘signature pedagogies’ (Reading to Learn, Gradual Release of Responsibility, New Pedagogies for Deep Learning) will continue, and we will also implement the second year of our wellbeing program. Our Arts department will being putting on another musical in 2019 and auditions and casting have already started! Our STEaM program is expanding and is going to produce some wonderful results. There’s a lot going on in 2019 and we haven’t even started yet!

There will be changes to our canteen as a result of an external audit. One of the first changes will be the menu. I would ask all parents to support what we are trying to do, which is provide more nutritious home-cooked meals. Please, we are looking for parents/caregivers that can spare a few hours to help out with cooking some biscuits, slices and meals. If we get enough helpers we could create a roster so that the same people are not called upon every week. Please contact the school and ask for Karen Price if you are able to help out.

Our P&C is certainly looking into the CRS (Container Refund Scheme) where people can receive 10c per bottle when they drop them off at a recycling centre. Many parents have said that they can’t afford a monetary donation, but would be able to provide one or two bags and donate the funds to Maleny High’s P&C throughout the year. If every family could donate a bag every term this would be a great way to raise funds for school and student improvements, and also contribute to environmental sustainability. Next year, the P&C will decide on what facilities will be improved. Please consider becoming involved in the P&C if you would like to contribute to these discussions. My experience and observations are that students like their parents’ involvement in the P&C, tuckshop and volunteering. No matter how many times they roll their eyes or protest, when I speak to the students they have a real sense of pride that their family is involved. So, please think about getting involved - no matter how small or big, just be part of your child’s life!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish every family a great summer vacation. I hope this time brings your families and friends together. David, my partner, and I will be taking a road trip. Not sure where we are going yet, but we will be driving around this great country of ours. Wherever you end up, have a safe and wonderful break!

Merry Christmas!
Deb

2019 Student Leaders

At the Year 12 Clap Out Ceremony, the Leadership groups for 2019 were presented with their badges.

These are the 2019 leaders selected.

School Captains

Maisey Brouet
Evana Bundesen
Sean Cauley
Zephyr Goodrich-Lawrance
Dylan Johnson
Danae Mundt

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Absence Line: Ph: 5499 8101

Please leave a message before 8am if your student will be absent from school on that day.

Collection of Students during school hours:

If you wish to collect your student(s) during school hours, please ensure that all arrangements are made prior to the student attending school, as we do not have phones in classrooms. Please provide a note or a phone call to the school detailing/outlining the departure time, reason and who will be collecting the student.

Presentation Night

On Tuesday 30th October, Maleny High held its 32nd Presentation Night. Below is the list of winners who were presented with awards throughout the night.

YEAR SEVEN

YEAR EIGHT

YEAR NINE

YEAR TEN

YEAR ELEVEN

YEAR TWELVE

CANTEEN AND UNIFORM SHOP

Canteen

You may be aware that the school took over operation of the canteen from the P&C in May of this year.

To date we haven’t implemented a lot of changes as we have been going through the process of transferring staff and daily operations to the school itself. We consulted with staff and parents, via surveys, to get some feedback, and our student Environment Committee gave us some great suggestions for making our canteen “greener”, which we’ve taken on board for next year.

Recently we engaged the services of an external agent who conducted a thorough review of canteen operations. We are currently working on their recommendations, so expect big changes next year. The main change will be to the canteen menu itself, with a cutting back of so many time-consuming varieties, and the introduction of more healthy and home-cooked options. We ask that parents support us with this transition as some of the less-healthy items disappear.

The FlexiSchools online ordering system will remain, but there will be changes such as weekly “meal deals” etc. If your student doesn’t enjoy standing in line and grabbing whatever’s left, this is the perfect way to “jump the queue” just like at the cinema. There is no cash/cards involved, they get what you’ve ordered for them, and there’s no waiting in line!

Online ordering is a convenient way to place orders, providing a 24/7 payment and ordering system that can be accessed from home, work or a mobile device.

Online ordering is faster and more accurate, giving parents peace of mind that their order and payment is received accurately at the school.

This service is available for canteen and uniform orders for Maleny State High School.

Go to:

Step 1: Click the REGISTER button below.
Step 2: Enter your email.
Step 3: You will be emailed a link to an online form - follow the link.
Step 4: Choose a username and password and complete the form.
Step 5: Add each student and their class.
Step 6: Top-up the account - VISA, Mastercard or Direct Deposit.

We will also be introducing EFTPOS for canteen purchases, not just uniforms as it has been in the past. Minimum spend will be $5.

Please note that the Canteen does not extend credit to students. In the case of genuine hardship or a forgotten lunch, please contact the Student Services office so that arrangements can be made through our Chaplaincy proram.

Important information for the last week of school –

FLEXISCHOOLS app will be CLOSED from 9am, Friday 7th December, and will re-open for ordering on Monday 21st January, 2019.

The canteen will continue to sell limited food and drinks until Wednesday 12th December. BOTH THE CANTEEN AND UNIFORM SHOP WILL BE CLOSED ON THURSDAY 13TH AND FRIDAY 14TH DECEMBER, 2018

Uniform Shop

From next year, there won’t be specific days for uniform purchases as we’ve had this year. Instead, parents can drop in each day between 8.00 and 9.00am. Students can call in before school starts at 8.45am, or during the second lunch break. Uniforms can be purchased via the FlexiSchools app as above. Please allow 48 hours notice before your student collects the purchased item/s. Students are able to collect the order in second break, try uniforms on and exchange if the wrong size was ordered online.

The Uniform Shop will also be open the week before school resumes, 21st – 25th January 2019, from 8.30am until 12.30pm.

Volunteers

One thing sadly lacking in our canteen is volunteers! If you think you could offer even an hour or two to bake some cakes/muffins/bikkies, or cook up a bulk supply of yummy healthy meals for freezing, or help out in any other way, please contact me. You won’t be pressured into locking into a regular service, just give me a day’s notice whenever you think you could pop in, and you will be welcomed with open arms. Our canteen ladies do an amazing job for our kids, but could certainly do with some help.

If you think you may be able to spare some time to help out next year, of if you have any other queries, please contact me at the school on 54998161. Alternatively, complete the box below and return via email to kpric80@eq.edu.au or have your student drop it into the school’s canteen.

VOLUNTEERING IN THE SCHOOL CANTEEN

Thanks

Karen
Canteen Operations Manager

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

This term we announced Maleny High’s inaugural International Student Ambassadors: Paul, Sean, Conor and Miranda. These four students have been chosen to assist the International Student Program with such duties as assisting with Study Tours and helping long-term students settle in by spending lunch breaks with them and introducing them to other students in their respective year levels.

Due to the calibre of keen applicants for positions, we decided to create an International Student Committee, and we have already had our first meeting. We look forward to working with these students and value their input into the International Program next year.

Our four lovely girls, Gini from Argentina, and Sakura, Minnie and Honoka from Japan, all finished school last week. None of the girls wanted to leave. What a lovely complement to our teachers, students and host families! Thank you for all the support you have given these girls this year.

Girls, I will miss your happy faces at my window! Safe travels and all the best for a wonderful future.

Next week a group of 14 Japanese students and 2 teachers from Sapporo will visit the school for two days as part of a week-long educational tour of the Sunshine Coast. Sapporo was here for one day at the same time last year, and we hope that next year they will return again for a full Study Tour at our school.

Homestay was arranged by the agent, not our school, and we’d like to say a big thank you to our school’s host families who offered their services to the agency to provide homestay.

The students will be doing mainly Science-based activities with Ms Curley’s Year 9 STEAM students, who will be the students’ “buddies” during their time at the school. The students have been communicating with each other this year using the CISCO video link system, and discussing such topics as "The effects of plastics on our marine ecosystems”. Students have met via Cisco on a monthly basis to discuss their local findings and to propose strategies for the future.

I’m sure this will be an invaluable experience for everyone involved, and we are very appreciative of Ms Curley for coordinating both the ongoing connection with this group of students, and the itinerary during their time with us.

In 2019, we already have two Study Tours confirmed, both from China, one in February and one in August. I have already been overwhelmed with responses from host families for the Study Tour in February. Thank you all! This is a small group of only 8 girls and we’re already in the planning process to ensure they have an amazing time.

Our long-term applicants for 2019 are still in the processing phase, so stay tuned to see some new faces in the first newsletter next year!

I was excited to receive notification from EQI (Education Queensland International) that host families for regional schools such as Maleny will finally be paid the same as metropolitan schools starting in 2019. This means an increase of almost $50 a week for host families, and is long overdue!

If you are a new family to our school and/or are interested in hosting an International student, please contact me on 54998161 or mobile 0417738699 during school hours. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.

As we wrap up a crazy International year with planning and preparation right up until the last day of school, can I thank all the staff, students, and host families who have assisted us to ensure all of our international visitors have had an amazing experience.

Karen Price
HOMESTAY COORDINATOR

ART DEPARTMENT NEWS

Year 9 Art

What a fabulous class of Year 9 art students we had this year! Here are some of their wonderful creations. Term Threesaw the students focus on parody and appropriation. By studying the painting techniques of some of our great artists they constructed compositions of their own. Term Four focussed on the popular Mexican celebration ‘Dia de Los Muertos’ (Day of the dead). The students constructed ‘day of the dead dolls’ using several different art techniques. The heads of the dolls are made of clay and painted, the fabric features their own lino printed design, and the skeleton torso is painted on black fabric. The dolls look scary, but so lovely at the same time.

ENTERPRISE

'A Hinterland Christmas' run by the Year 10 Introduction to Enterprise Classes and the Year 7 Enterprise Studies Class with the help of teachers, went off without a hitch. The event attracted many Maleny locals as well as friends and families. Customers enjoyed the endless array of stalls, from a Hinterland Farm all the way to Take a Photo with the Grinch, along with entertainment from the school’s bands and dancers. 'A Hinterland Christmas' will become an annual event, so we hope to see you all next year!

Hannah Page, Year 10

ENVIRONMENT NEWS

Recycling Week: 12th to 18th November

Recycling Week is a program run by Keep Queensland Beautiful, a volunteer group powered by donations and corporate sponsorships, as part of their cleaner, greener school’s initiative. This event was celebrated within Maleny and across the nation by all primary and secondary schools.

Now you may ask what we essentially did; well, with simple recycled objects found within one’s household we turned it into a fun and creative activity for all ages. In particular, sculpting objects, as the Library was opened up at second break to be a part of an Art Sculpture/Object competition run by the Environment Committee with Mrs Edwards. Pizza and cereal boxes, party supplies, bottle caps, string and bread clips were just some of the simple objects recycled.

Thanks to Keep Australia Beautiful for additional prizes at stake for student entries, a chance of winning Coles Myer gift cards for: 1st place $200, 2nd place $100 and 3rd place $50 Thanks to the Environment Committee for a week to remember.

By Clae Webster

MALENY SHS RECYCLING PROGRAMS:

Student Services and our Library are collection points for the following recyclable products that our P&C and Environment Sub-Committee manage in a bid to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle our waste:

• Personal Care and Cosmetics – skin, hair and cosmetics packaging (see pics for more details of accepted waste)
• Dental Care - (see pics for more details of accepted waste)
• Dish and Air Care – new (see pics for more details of accepted waste)
• Batteries - (see pics for more details of accepted waste)
• Mobile Phones and Accessories
• Aluminium Cans

BARUNG LANDCARE

Peter Oliver Memorial BURSARY

Since 2017 Barung Landcare Association Inc. and Maleny State High School have been in partnership with this agreement. Barung Landcare has donated $1500 over three years from 2017, which will continue through to 2019 inclusive, for the purposes of funding one bursary each year, valued at $500.

The Barung Landcare Peter Oliver Memorial Bursary is awarded to one student recipient each year, who is enrolled at Maleny State High School and can demonstrate passion and leadership, and an interest in pursuing future studies or projects in the field of the environment and sustainability.

The bursary recipient is invited to undertake volunteer work experience with the Barung Landcare Association. The details of these arrangements are negotiated directly between the Barung Landcare Association and the student recipient.

The bursary is awarded to a student at Maleny State High School, as outlined below:

• student enrolled in Year 12 and who is a member of the Maleny High Student Environment Committee;
• demonstrated passion for the field and interest in pursuing future studies or projects in sustainable socio-ecological systems;
• demonstrated active community engagement;
• demonstrated financial need.

This year, there were 3 students who made the final decision difficult as they were all worthy applicants, but in the end, there can only be one, and that was Mikki Doonan.

Mikki accepted her award at the Barung Landcare Association Management Committee meeting on Wednesday 28th November, where she gave a brief overview of what study/activity she intended to use the bursary for, and received the $500 cheque from the Barung Landcare President, Ian McMaster.

An extract from Mikki’s application about her intentions for the future:

In the future, my goal is to further pursue my passion for people and the environment. By doing this, I intend to study Medicine at university next year, and eventually save up enough to go back to Nepal to do more humanitarian, and hopefully, environmental conservation work. I’ll continue to volunteer at community events as a student ambassador and participate in both Oaktree and Sea Shepherd. However, there are many things still to be discovered! Whilst I know my interests, and I’m not entirely sure where I’ll end up – I’m excited to find out.

Congratulations on behalf of the Environment Committee Mikki, and all the best for your future endeavours!

RESOURCE CENTRE

This week saw the Resource Centre transformed into Libraryland Christmas Village. Students have come along to get photos with Santa. Teacher Aide, Desley Newsham, was the inspiration behind the transformation.

FROM THE P & C

This is the Final Newsletter of 2018. I can't believe how fast this school year has flown by. I would like to start by congratulating all of the 2018 Maleny State High School graduates. We are extremely proud of each and every one of them, and wish them nothing but the best in this next exciting chapter of their lives.

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined.”
- Henry David Thoreau

Maleny Monster Mash Student Committee:

I want to take this opportunity to thank the AMAZING students that joined the Maleny Monster Mash over four months ago. These students have met weekly to brainstorm ideas, make decisions and work together as a team, and have spent many long hours hand making decorations and props for our event. As if all of that wasn't impressive enough, two of our talented students Aveli Cook-Wilkinson and Igor Ejmont also created the art work for the event that was PROUDLY displayed around the school and via social media. Harry Secomb created beautiful artwork that was included in each of the 100 Free showbags that we gave out to the first 100 guests. On behalf of the entire P&C, I want to thank each and every one of the students who have been a part of this event. Without them this could never have happened. We are very lucky to have students who want to be involved in events and who show such passion and dedication to events such as these. Thank You.

Maleny Monster Mash:

The Maleny Monster Mash was a huge success. We had a few hundred people through the door which was wonderful. Thank you so much to all the volunteers who helped plan, prep, organise and run the Monster Mash. Without you it would never have happened and been the success that it was. A lot of time and hard work went into this event and we are so grateful to each and every single person who gave their time, energy and efforts to make the Maleny Monster Mash a reality. And a HUGE Thank You to everyone who came to the Maleny Monster Mash and supported this event. It was so wonderful to see all the costumes and looks on the kids’ faces when they walked in and saw everything.

Primary School Support:

We'd like to extend a special Thank You to Conondale Primary, Maleny Primary, Montville Primary and Palmwoods Primary schools for allowing two of our Maleny State High School Students to come and speak during a parade. Our students were so excited to be able to talk to all the primary school children about our Monster Mash and invite them to all come along. We are very fortunate to have some pretty amazing primary schools that we can network with. Thank you so much for allowing our students that opportunity.

Year 7 Welcome Event:

The Year 7 Welcome Event for all 2019 Year Seven students and their parents/guardians is Wednesday, 6th February, from 5-7pm. At this event we will be providing each family with a small, but handy, kit that we have created. It is called the “High School Survival Kit for Parents” and we hope each family find the contents as important and useful as we believe they are. We encourage every Year 7 family to come to the Welcome Event, and we hope to see you there.

Thank You to ALL of our 2018 Sponsors!

R. O Dillon Accountant *Major Sponsor
Star Discount Chemist Maleny *Major Sponsor
Maleny Supa IGA *Major Sponsor
Bank of QLD Maleny
Mountain Mowers
Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World
Coral St. Automotive
RHEE TAEKWON-DO
Maleny Yoga Centre
Six String Studio
Maple Street Meats
Indigo Counselling Services
Maleny Dairies
Maleny Water Deliveries
Spicers Tamarind Retreat
Landsborough Screens & Security
Barung Landcare Association
Shotgun Espresso
Total Water Solutions
Majestic Cinemas Nambour
Bargain Max Maleny
Dimmeys – Nambour
Maleny Credit Union (MCU)
The Bunker – Beerwah
Dr. Tracy Mcnab - Acupuncture & Oriental Therapies
Hinterland Tyres & Automotive Services
Maleny Apex Club
Gone Bonkers Discounts
Australia Zoo
Woolworths - Maleny
Tamara Maree

Recycle Recycle Recycle

The P&C is trying to do our part for the environment. We have been participating in the Beauty Products Recycling Program through TerraCycle. It costs the P&C and the school absolutely nothing to participate in this program. TerraCycle provides points for every package of acceptable recyclables that we ship to them. Each unit of personal care and beauty product packaging that we send to TerraCycle can be redeemed for a payment of AU$0.02 to our school. However, this isn't about the TerraCycle points, it's about being part of the solution and helping to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in our landfill. We want our children to inherit a beautiful planet and good recycling skills, and this is a simple and responsible way to help that cause. The drop off location is the main administration building of the school. We are asking everyone to get behind this recycling program.

Here is a list of the accepted items.

Beauty Products Recycling Program accepted waste:

1. Cosmetics packaging such as used lipstick and lip gloss, mascara, eye shadow, bronzer, foundation, eyeliner, eye shadow, lip liner, and concealer packaging.
2. Hair care packaging such as used shampoo and conditioner bottles and caps, hair gel tubes and caps, hair spray and hair treatment packaging.
3. Skin care packaging such as lip balm, face moisturiser, face and body wash soap dispensers and tubes, body and hand lotion dispensers and tubes and shaving foam packaging.

We wish EVERYONE a happy and safe holiday season. Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!
Enjoy the summer break and make loads of memories.

Danielle Watt
P&C President

COMMUNITY NOTICES

World Education Program Australia Limited

World Education Program (WEP) Australia is a not-for-profit student exchange organisation. WEP offers high schoolers the opportunity to complement their secondary studies with time overseas, attending school and living with a volunteer host family. Students return with second language abilities, enhanced maturity and skills for life.

Application deadlines for student exchange programs departing in January 2019 are now open. If interested enquire about your options now, so you don’t miss out.

Maleny Players

Maleny Players present: “Jack and the Magic Beans”

Maleny Makers

Maleny Makers is a community Makerspace offering access to workshops and STEM resources. The following workshops are running over the school holidays. See the link below for more details (time, cost, recommended age group etc...) and booking information.

Saturday 15 December, 2018
Lights, Action .... Microbits!
A gentle introduction to a coding interactive electronics for kids using the BBC Micro:bit

Tuesday 18 December, 2018
Intro to Laser Cutting
Design and make a lantern using a laser cutter

Tuesday 8 January, 2019
Intro to 3D Design and Printing
Design and print a personalised name tag

Thursday 10 January, 2019
Intro to Soldering
Learn proper soldering technique and build an LED light kit

Tuesday 22 January, 2019
Cardboard Creations
For younger kids interested in crafting masks and other props

Thursday 24 January, 2019
Build your own weather station
Build a small kit to measure temperature, pressure and humidity

Australia Day Maleny

Come along and enjoy the free Aussie Day Expo being held at the Maleny Showgrounds on Saturday, 26 January 2019

UQ - Parenting Teens Survey

The University of Queensland Parenting and Youth Mental Health Survey
(How Do Parent-Adolescent Relationships Influence Youth Mental Health?)

Mental health problems in young people can have negative long-term effects, such as a higher risk of lower educational attainment, joblessness, poor physical health, problematic substance use, and self-injury. Past research has indicated that the parent-child relationship plays an important role in outcomes for young people with mental health problems. Teenagers’ relationships with their parents are important in helping teenagers become more resilient and better able to cope with strong emotions.

This study looks at how teenagers and their parents get along with one another, how parents raise their teenagers, and how this affects teenagers’ wellbeing. Results from this study will tell us more about how positive parent-adolescent relationships can buffer the associations between mental health problems and poor outcomes for young people, and lead to improved self-worth and positive adolescent well-being. It will also help us consider improvements in how parents can be better involved in supporting young people facing mental health difficulties.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for parents of teenagers who:

1. are aged between 11 and 17 years old; and
2. live in Australia.

We are interested in the perspectives of parents of teenagers with anxiety or severe behavioural difficulties, as well as those who are doing well. Teenagers are also invited to participate in the online survey if their parents agree for them to take part.

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