2022 Term 1 Week 3

WELCOME

I would like to extend a very warm welcome back to our entire school community. As Principal, I consider it an absolute honour and privilege to work with the kind and compassionate young people of Bracken Ridge High School. Excited for the 2022 academic school year, our team is committed to creating an environment of opportunity and aspiration for all.

It was with great anticipation that we welcomed our community back to school on Monday. While our first day was somewhat adjusted from our traditional start, our students started the new school year confidently, with great enthusiasm for the year ahead. It was very pleasing to see our students return so strongly, and settle quickly into good learning habits and routines.

As a school community we congratulate our Year 12 cohort from 2021. While some of the individual accomplishments of our 2021 seniors have been celebrated by the school over the last few months, it is pleasing to see the legacy of cultural change that our 2021 students were part of throughout their time at our school. Our 2021 seniors engaged passionately with our pathways process, and their efforts were rewarded, with almost twice as many students receiving QTAC offers for further study. We celebrate some outstanding results across the school, with significant improvements in student academic performance.

In 2022 we will continue our work in ensuring our students receive the very best in a well-rounded education, that involves the challenge of critical and creative thinking, passionate participation in sport, immersion in new and emerging technologies, and a deep connection with the Arts. This year we also introduce a new personal development program Strive to Accomplish, that aims to foster lifelong learners who are able to find practical solutions to challenges, and be active contributors to a respectful and responsive learning community.

Bracken Ridge High School is in a strong position because of our people, our students, our staff, our parents and our supporters. Our team has the privilege of working with outstanding young people each day. Thank you to our parent community for everything that you have done to set your child up for success at the start of the year. I thank you for placing your trust in our school.

Strive to Accomplish

Ross Bailey Principal ……/continued on Page 2

FAREWELLS

Mrs Flockhart has headed north to enjoy the tropical life. We thank her very much for her contribution to BRSHS, most specifically her work in the ESS Department of our school, as well as delivering our Childcare Cert III program and running the Duke of Edinburgh program.

WELCOME NEW STAFF

Our school has continued to grow into 2022. We are very pleased to welcome some new teachers to the Bracken Ridge family for the 2022 academic year:

Welcome to Bracken Ridge SHS:

New Staff: Elyse Gilbert – Guidance Officer Annie Binyon – I4S Intervention Belinda Edwards – Maths/Science Breanna De Sensi – Maths/Physics Wendy Porter – Junior Secondary (English/Social Science) Ben Littleton – HPE/Social Science Kirra Turton - Head of Maths and Science Karl White – English/Social Science Jodie Adamantine – English/Social Science Francisc Donders – Maths/Science/Business Kym Bailey – English/Social Science/ESS Juliana Kim—Instrumental Music Bradley Mather – Marine Science

Returning Staff: Gaye Hallam – Senior School Deputy Principal Beth Steedman – Guidance Officer Melissa Horn – Maths/Science Kyle Jones—Junior School Deputy Principal

WELCOME YEAR 7

Welcome to our Year 7 students and families. During Term 4, our Junior School team visited all of our major feeder schools to gather information about our incoming Year 7 students, to assist with their smooth transition to high school. This information has allowed our newest students to settle in nicely over the first few weeks. Over the first few weeks of the year, we are able to notice the impact of this work, as we ensure that students are well placed to establish friendships, and have their expectations met around their learning.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

By the time you read this, the swimming carnival will have been swum and won. The swimming carnival is our first major whole school event and a chance to set the tone for the upcoming events in our sporting calendar. Congratulations to Mrs Price and the HPE team for their great work in coordinating this event. Carnivals at Bracken Ridge are always great fun for the whole school community, so please encourage your child to be a part of all of our events this year.

FROM THE PRINCIPAL (Continued)

SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS—YEAR 11 AND 12

Welcome back year 12’s to 2022 and welcome to the senior phase of learning year 11’s. This year will see a range of wonderful opportunities. The senior team are already arranging guest speakers from RACQ, universities, TAFE, Defence and other providers around the rental market, electoral rolls and taxation. We have re-written the PAT program to allow all year 12’s to complete RSA, First Aid, Espresso Coffee and a Cert I in Workplace Skills which adds two QCE points to the learning accounts. An academic audit has been taking place and senior students will be receiving their TrackEd data on their return to school. This data covers not only their subject results but attendance, behaviour and QCE point tracking. There are some students not on track and we will be supporting them into making the changes required to be successful. Diane is currently advertising TAFE vacancies that you may want to consider and a reminder in Childcare students need to do the mandatory placement hours and get a blue card to attend a childcare centre. Ms Flockhart transferred at the end of the year and Ms Moody has become the trainer and assessor of childcare. Ms Jennings, Mrs Davies and I remain in the year level coordinator hub .

Mrs Huff, Head of Department

Senior School

The 2022 Senior School year has certainly commenced in a very different way. Learning from home has been embraced well by our senior students. The Senior school teaching staff have been really impressed with the level of enthusiasm and engagement of our students. We enjoyed having students back at school from Monday 7 February. Over the past two years we have learnt many ways of doing things differently in order to maximise the journey for year 11 and 12 students in their final years at BRSHS. This year is going to again present our small community with lots of opportunities to be creative in how we navigate through all the experiences that make the senior years special for our students, parents and staff. This year we have a number of new staff engaging with senior school students. Mrs Huff continues as the Senior School Head of Department, Ms Jennings has enthusiastically undertaken the role of year 12 Coordinator, as Mr Jack has taken on the role of Technologies Head of Department. The year 11 Coordinator role has been filled by Mrs Davies in Ms Mare’s absence. Ms Simons is steering the student leadership team with the assistance of Ms Ellwood. Our school Guidance Officers Beth Steedman and Elyse Gilbert are also integral member of the team. In addition, our eight senior school form teachers will continue to mentor and coach students every day. It is always a privilege to be a part of the journey of the senior school students as they navigate their final steps into adulthood and the next chapter of life. The 2021-year 12 graduating students were an impressive group of young people who have achieved so well in all areas of school life. This year’s senior students are shaping up to be equally impressive.

Mrs Hallam, Deputy Principal Senior School

SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS—YEAR 11 AND 12 (cont’d)

Welcome to 2022, parents and carers of our wonderful year 12 students! For those who are not yet aware, current year 12 coordinator Mr Jack has moved onto a new role here at Bracken Ridge; he is now the Head of Department of Technologies. We thank him for the hard work he put into supporting the class of 2022 during year 10 and year 11 and we know he will do a fantastic job as HoD. With that being said, I am taking on the class of 2022 for their final year and am very much looking forward to the job. This year is a big one – the one where 13 years of schooling culminates in three letters, QCE. Our goal in the senior school team is to support your learner, however necessary, to achieve their QCE and keep them healthy and well and enjoying their time here at Bracken Ridge State High School. Year 12 has a lot of special moments – senior jerseys and badges, last athletics carnivals, the school formal and graduation. My role is to help facilitate all those wonderful things – updates will be coming your way when those things trickle down. We will be contacting you soon with a survey to give you a chance to tell us how we can best communicate with you during your learner’s senior school journey. We are very keen to keep you up to date and informed, so please share your thoughts. Although we have had an uncertain start, I am confident that the class of 2022 will have a great year.

Miss Jennings Year Level Coordinator

Junior School Team

Deputy Principal – Mr Kyle Jones

Head of Department – Mrs Kylie Price

Year Level Coordinator Year 7 – Ms Clarissa Moody

Year Level Coordinator Year 8 – Mr Bob Paton

Middle School Team

Deputy Principal – Mrs Regina Garrick

Head of Department – Mrs Linda Rooney

Year Level Coordinator Year 9 – Ms Melissa Horn

Year Level Coordinator Year 10 – Mrs Belinda Edwards

Senior School Team

Deputy Principal – Mrs Gaye Hallam

Head of Department – Mrs Karen Huff

Year Level Coordinator Year 11 – Mrs Sharon Davies

Year Level Coordinator Year 12 – Ms Belinda Jennings

SUPPORT TEAM

TERM 1 WEEK 4

Monday 14 Feb - School Photographs - Year 7 Laptops issued Tuesday 15 Feb - Junior Interschool Sport Wednesday 16 Feb - Senior Interschool Sport Thursday 17 Feb - Drama demos 1st break Friday 18 Feb - BRSHS Valentine’s Day - last day for subject changes

TERM 1 WEEK 5

Tuesday 22 Feb - Yr 10 Drama Film Workshop - Homework Club starts Wednesday 23 Feb - Metro Nth Swimming Thursday 24 Feb - Metro Nth Swimming Friday 25 Feb - Red Food Day/Free Dress - Senior Drama Night

SCHOOL BASED YOUTH HEALTH NURSE

Karen School Based Youth Health Nurse

THE EVENTS LISTED ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE PLEASE CHECK THE LATEST INFORMATION ON THE SCHOOL WEBSITE

CALENDAR EVENTS—TERM 1, WEEK 4 AND 5

MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS

How exciting it was to see all our young people back on site this week; schools are incredibly lonely places without them. From my interactions with students this week it was also obvious that they are glad to be back too. Many stories have been shared, nervousness evident with some but overall a keenness to be back and ready for the new school year. A special welcome to new families joining us this year; I am confident your student will settle in and quickly feel part of our school community. Should any students need support as they transition back to school remember that we have a fabulous Middle School and Wellbeing team who are on hand to provide that support. There are always so many messages conveyed to students at the start of a new year. The Middle School team took the opportunity to meet with our year 9 and 10 students this week to convey and reinforce some key messages. I have outlined these below and ask that parents/carers help the school by regularly reinforcing these messages at home: • Establishing routines is a priority and the key to success; following

routines avoids conflict and allows us all to focus on teaching and learning

• 100% attendance ensures students are able to fully engage in their learning and achieve their best possible results

• Come fully prepared each day: well stocked pencil case, relevant subject books, Student Planner, school hat/cap, fully charged laptop

• Be at the right place at the right time • Wear the correct school uniform [head to toe] every day • No electronic devices [exception: school laptops] between 8:40am

and 2:50pm; this also mean no ear phones. This helps ensure the focus is on learning throughout the day.

Our year 9 students have taken on the role as ‘leaders’ in the junior secondary area of the school [years 7, 8 and 9] and it is expected that they will fulfil this role admirably by continually role modelling school expectations. Our year 10 students have now started their senior secondary journey and their commitment to their studies will impact significantly on their future success. This commitment needs to evident straight away. Each school term will be busy and I invite our middle school community to take every opportunity to be actively involved – regularly check our school calendar on the website to keep informed of all the events relevant to your student. I look forward to maintaining positive connections with students and their parents/carers as we progress into the year. I also would like to encourage parents/carers to develop and maintain communication with the school, most particularly with the teachers who are working directly with your student’s day to day. My final message to our year 9 and 10 students was this: We cannot predict what lies ahead in these uncertain times; reach out for help if you need it. Be kind and considerate of each other …… if this is our focus we will have a great year. I am looking forward to 2022 being a great year for all of us.

Mrs Regina Garrick Deputy Principal

Middle School

While there are restrictions for us around whole school assemblies, we were still able to welcome all students to our Year level breifings on the first morning of the school year. Our buddies ensured our Year 7 students were welcomed with open arms and eased their anxieties as their High School experience began. There are lots of new faces and friendships to be formed, and keep your eyes out for lots of information going home including consent forms, timetables and information about upcoming events.

DAY 1 OF 2022

YEAR 7 IMMUNISATION PROGRAM

Ozcare is the Service Provider for the QLD Health School Immunisation Program. Students were handed immunisation envelopes on their first day of school. Parents are asked to read this information, complete and sign “Yes” or “No” on the consent form and return to the school as soon as possible. You MUST provide your child’s Medicare card details. If the Medicare number is not provided, your child’s vaccination history on Medicare will not be updated. It is requested that ALL parents/legal guardians complete a consent form even if they do not want their child vaccinated at school as this allows us to confirm that the immunisation offer was received. The returned consent form will be collected and held by Ozcare until the school immunisation day. If you wish to change your consent decision or have questions, you must contact Ozcare directly. Please do not contact the school. Email: SIP.Brisbane@ozcare.org.au Phone: 3451 2060

Tips for Immunisation Day:

• Talk to your child about the importance of

immunisation

• Ensure your child has a good breakfast

• Wear a loose fitting top/shirt

• Make sure your child tells the nurse or a

teacher knows if they are unwell or nervous

• It is important that your child is feeling well

on the day.

MARVELLOUS MISS MEIKLE

Our very own Miss Meikle (aka Ms M-J,) recently had a dramatic change.........and we're big fans of her work! Miss Meikle's mum is going through a health battle and she thought this would be a great way to show her support, and we think she tells the story best in her own words....... "I haven't seen my mum in person since she was diagnosed because of Covid......I've listened to her, watched her pick a wig and worry about how she'd look...She was so anxious about losing her hair and I know that in some ways it was the only thing she was prepared to let me hear about....So, I made the decision a while ago (to donate my hair,) and they took enough that I'm hoping it will make two wigs....I did this for one of the toughest women I've ever had the privilege to love and for all the other wonderful people I know have been down her path....No courage, just a way to say I love you. " Bravo Miss Meikle, we are all very proud of you

CHAPPY NEWS

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thefatheringproject.org

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HOMEWORK CLUB AT BRSHS

RESOURCE CENTRE 2022

On Tuesday 15 February, 2022 we will be starting the after-school Homework Club. The club commenced in 2018 to provide students with a supervised place to complete homework and assessment whilst accessing school resources. At the start of each term students and parents/carers will be advised about the weeks the club will operate during that term. In term 1 2022 Homework Club will operate from week 4 through to week 10. Please be aware private tuition is not available through Homework Club. The aim of the activity is to increase student engagement with their studies. Students can complete homework or assignments with friends or in a quiet area. Students will be provided with a light afternoon tea. When: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons Venue: Resource Centre (students can access computers, books and printers) Time: 3pm - 5pm (students sign in and out throughout the afternoon) Transport: Students find their own way to the Resource Centre and then home Dress code: School uniform (formal or sport) Items to bring: Homework/study materials Staff involvement: Two teacher aides will supervise and run the activity If you wish for your child/student to participate in the activity, please complete a consent form (available from the office or Resource Centre,) and return this to the school office. For further information about the activity, please contact Linda Rooney on 3869 7245 or lroon5@eq.edu.au.

The philosophy for the Resource Centre is ‘a place where every student can go’. The overall aim is to create a consistent space in the school where students know they can go at lunch times, before school or after school to engage in activities, meet new friends or work on a project. The Resource Centre is a thriving hub for student engagement and home to many students at lunch time. A diverse range of students are present and seen engaging in a wide variety of activities. These activities range from quiet study, completing homework or assessment on the computers, playing chess, UNO, making puzzles or participating in the weekly activi-ties that are run at lunch times. Activities from last year consisted of:

creating a mural for harmony week designated study area for senior students during external exams Bracken Ridge UNO competitions movie viewings (during off-peak assessment time) making decorations for the school disco painting boomerangs making cards for special occasions.

Each month a new calendar will be released to students with upcoming activities that will run at lunch times and after school in the Resource Centre. Students will also receive a synopsis on assembly every Monday in regards to upcoming activities that week. We have some exciting things coming up linked to Harmony week and Easter so be sure to keep a look-out for this on Facebook. If you ever have any questions or queries feel free to contact Miss Chloe Tarr via email: ctarr25@eq.edu.au or phone 07 3869 7255.

MUSICAL NOTES

What a whirlwind way to start the year! Instrumental Music will be up and running as per normal this year! Lessons and band rehearsals will begin promptly, starting the week beginning 14 February. I would like to welcome our new families who are joining the program this year and also our existing families back. It will be an exciting year with many challenges ahead.

For our new families, my name is Tyson Clancy-Jones, the kids call me Mr C-J. I have been an Instrumental Music teacher for 16 years this year and I’m still loving it! I currently have a circuit of schools Bracken Ridge SHS, Bracken Ridge SS, Nashville SS and Norris Road SS. This means five days of work at four fantastic schools. Please feel free to contact me at tclan16@eq.edu.au We are starting band and lessons on 14 February. This will give our students plenty of time to settle into the term and won’t disrupt them in the first week back Monday – Bracken Ridge SHS – Concert Band rehearsal 7:30am in D7 (Be at school no later than 7:15am) Tuesday – Bracken Ridge SS Wednesday – Nashville SS Thursday – Norris Rd SS Friday – Bracken Ridge SHS – Stage Band rehearsal 7:30am in D7 (Be at school no later than 7:15am)

This year will see the return of performance nights, open mics, Backyard Bonanza, Zillmere Fest, Fanfare and a short Performing Arts tour in Term 3 (Location TBC). We will also start to see our new facilities taking shape!

STRINGS I would like to introduce our new strings teacher Ms Julianna Kim. Julianna is a fantastic player, having recently completed a Masters in Performance on Violin. She has spent the last ten years performing and teaching at some of Queensland’s most prestigious venues and schools. Ms Kim will be a very valuable member of our program and we are looking forward to having her on the team. You can reach her via email jkim270@eq.edu.au. Strings lessons and ensemble rehearsals will be held on Friday mornings in D7. There will be very minimal impact on IM lessons. String ensemble will rehearse Friday 1st break in D7.

CHOIR Choir will run this year without any changes. Rehearsals will be in D3 as usual from 7:30am. If you have any friends who might be interested, be sure to catch up with Ms Simons (D block staffroom). There is always room for more fantastic voices! It is such a fulfilling experience to sing with other people and really lock into that ‘goosebump’ feeling when the harmonies all lock into place!

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

At Bracken Ridge SHS school is not just about what happens in the classroom. Enrichment Thursday, is an after school program that allows students to get involved in activities from 3pm to 4pm. Each term a new list of activities will be published to both students and parents. If your student has returned a permission form for Homework club they can participate. Some of the workshops for Term 1 are:

• Book Club • IT skills • Resume writing • Cricut Creations • Bush Tucker Cooking

Some workshops have limited numbers and may require a separate permission form. Please encourage your student to get involved.

BACK TO SCHOOL PLAN

NEWS FROM THE YOUTH HEALTH NURSE

Social Distancing and Mask Wearing during Omicron

As school resumes back for 2022, it is important to follow current health and school guidelines around mask wearing, hand washing and social distancing. This will help limit the spread of infection and assist the school in running smoothly. When/where required, please remember to wear your mask over your nose and mouth as shown in the photo below. If you wear glasses and struggle with glasses fog, try using a blue surgical mask and putting it on first, making a seal at your nose. Then put the glasses on afterwards. For more information visit: http://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/ https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19 https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/protect-yourself-others/face-masks Source: Queensland Health Instagram

Back to school plan in place Special arrangements are in place between 7 February to

4 March for all Queensland state schools. The plan outlines the current and additional COVID safe measures to protect

school communities. Important notices:

Masks must be worn indoors across Queensland, unless exempt.

COVID-19 vaccinations are mandatory for all workers or volunteers delivering a service at a school or early

childhood education and care setting. For more information or to answer any of your questions

or concerns, search the Department of Education FAQ page

SCHOOL

PHOTOGRAPHS

WERE TAKEN

THIS WEEK

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