2 December 2016

Principal’s Message

GOODBYE AND GOOD LUCK! At the conclusion of the Year 12 Graduation Ceremony, two Fridays ago I announced to those in attendance that after 19 years in a leadership position at Isis High as a Deputy Principal or Principal, this would be my last year at this great school.

This school is a fantastic school and I have been privileged to be able to work in this wonderful school community. The students are genuinely interested in learning; the parents are amazingly supportive of both their children and the school; and the staff, most particularly the teachers, have been the most consistently,

highly committed professional and co-operative of any group of teachers with whom I have ever worked.

Isis High is in a very good position . The performance and achievement data of the school is high and the School Opinion Survey data from staff, parents and students is very strong. I am both pleased and proud that my leadership and staff commitment have influenced the culture of the school that underlies everything we do and strongly reflects our three school values: Respect, Responsibility and Learning.

Our school has also worked hard in the last year to prepare a positive direction for the next four years of school life with the development and endorsement of a new Strategic Plan and several other associated school plans. While these plans will and should evolve as circumstances change, the school has a positive framework in place for continuing improvement .

So all things considered, it seems now is the time to welcome the next phase of effective Principal leadership to continue the exciting times ahead for the school. I intend to take leave in the first part of 2017 before I work on a Department of Education pilot project introducing Highly Accomplished Teachers and Lead Teachers, with a likely retirement sometime in 2018.

The Principal position will be filled on a temporary basis in the first instance, and I am very pleased to announce that after a Queensland-wide selection process, our current Deputy Principal, Mr Chris Gill has been appointed as Principal . Chris led the school community effectively in my absence in Term 3 of this year and I have great confidence that he will provide strong and sensible leadership for the school.

I want to thank all members of this tremendous scho ol community for the support and respect afforded me during my time at this school. I have enjoyed working with the Parents and Citizens’ Association over the years and the guidance provided by each of their Presidents I worked with.

While regretful to be leaving, I do so at the right time and on my own terms and reflect happily and proudly on the privilege of having enjoyed working in ‘ the Isis’ .

Thank you. Goodbye and Good luck! Allan Cook PRINCIPAL

FORTHCOMING EVENTS: 05 - 09 Dec Enrichment Week 16 Jan School Office re-opens 07 Dec Year 7-9 Semester reports distributed 23 Jan First day for Year 7, 9 and 11 07 Dec Final 2016 P&C Meeting - Isis Club 6:00pm 24 Jan All students in attendance at school 09 Dec Final day of school 27 Jan School Newsletter

Year 6 to 7 Transition Program

WHY CAN’T TRANSITION BE FOR A WEEK?

That was just one response from a Year 6 student who attended our two-day Transition Program on Monday and Tuesday this week. Over 90 students attended the program from our local primary schools and even from as far afield as Birkdale (near Brisbane). They all participated enthusiastically in a busy programme of lessons and activities.

Students were told to treat the two days as a ‘smorgasbord’, where they would get a ‘taste’ of what Isis High would be like next year. They were treated to two elective lessons, such as Art, Agriculture, Home Economics or Computer Education, as well as an English lesson and a Maths lesson. They were well supported by CARE teachers and Senior Leader students , who all did a wonderful job of encouraging the students to participate and make friends. The social aspect of Transition was also evident during recesses, when students engaged in a wide variety of sports such as volleyball, bocce, putt-putt, and table-tennis.

All ‘transition’ students have gone home with happy memories and an information folder to help get them ready for their big step when we welcome them to high school next year!

Meryl McCulloch, Year 7 Coordinator

2017 House Captains

The school continues to prepare for the 2017 school year, with the recent election of more important student leadership positions, House Captains, Vice House Captains and Junior House Captains.

These important positions will see students assist the Sports Coordinator in organising a range of sporting activities in the school, particularly students for inter-house sporting carnivals. Students nominate for these leadership positions and elections were conducted by each of the Houses. Elected representatives for 2017 include:

(front l-r) Kylah, Chi, Siobhan, Mitchell, Laura, Silas, Jamilee (back l-r) Zane, Nicole, Brent, Brooke, Joshua, Martyn, Samuel, Christopher, Jackie, Ben, Jacob, Charlotte Absent: Andrew, Courtney, Maicey, Emmanuel, Savannah

2017 Uniforms

Parents and carers may be starting to consider the purchase of uniforms for the 2017 school year. The P&C Uniform Shop is open every Thursday morning between 8:00am and 12 noon. At the beginning of next year, uniforms will be sold at the Stadium on Thursday, 1 9 January and Friday, 20 January (8:00am to 1:00pm).

Leigh-Ann Fredriksen, P&C Uniform Convenor

2017 School Starting Dates

The School Office will be open from Monday, 16 January and Administration staff will be available during that week for enrolments and/or enquiries.

Uniforms will be sold at the Stadium on Thursday, 21 January and Friday, 22 January (8:00am to 1:00pm).

The 2017 school year commences on Monday 23 January for Year 07, 09 and 11 students only . Students in these year levels will be commencing new courses and there may be some clarification required.

Tuesday 24 January will see ALL students (Years 07 to 12) in attendance. Both days will commence with a school assembly in the Stadium.

Payments for the Student Resource Scheme will commence on Friday (29/1) for Yr 12 & 11 and continue on Monday Yr 10 & 9 and Tuesday Yr 8 & 7.

Natalie Brandon, Deputy Principal

North Burnett Sportspersons

The North Burnett District Secondary Sports Association award an annual Sportsperson of the Year Award. In 2016, the Association saw fit to replicate the awards to the two students already awarded our school Senior and Junior Sportsperson of the year to Angel (AFL) and Caleb (swimming) for their outstanding representative honours Both students have achieved outstanding sports honours this year. They were presented with their North Burnett awards by Principal, Mr Cook at a recent School Assembly (pictured below).

Congratulations and well done to Angel and Caleb!

Analee Clewes, Representative Sports Coordinator

Staff Changes

The end of each year invariably sees staff changes .

Mrs Kaitlin Redgard has been teaching Dance and English at our school since 2013, though her association extends beyond that in supporting our students in Rock Eisteddfod. I thank Kaitlin for her committed support of Isis High students.

I acknowledge the excellent work of Ms Megan Gilsenan who has not only effectively led our Performing Arts (Drama) faculty, but whose enthusiastic leadership of the Arts Gala productions have been instrumental to their success. Megan is taking leave to teach overseas in 2017.

We also say farewell to a teacher who has given enormously of herself to the school and broader community. Mrs Cathy Schouten (previously Christsen) has worked at our school as the Agriculture Coordinator since 2010. Since then, the numbers of students doing Agriculture subjects has grown and she has enhanced ‘Ag’ as a key part of our curriculum. Cath has also provided for a very strong Cattle Club and her passion has seen her support these students, not only at school, but in travelling to a variety of district agricultural shows. Her involvement in the Childers District Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association and facilitating our school partnership with that organisation has been outstanding. We are sad to lose Cathy, but thank her for her work and wish her and her family well as they pursue new opportunities on the Sunshine Coast.

I extend my thanks to each of these teachers and best wishes for the future.

Allan Cook, Principal

A great year and holiday wishes

Another school year is almost over with just five days remaining. 2016 has been another year of great achievement for the students of our school as we strive to continue to provide a high quality education for the young people of this district. There have been many wonderful moments and great achievements by a huge number of students throughout the year, as recognised at our recent Awards Evening. The school and staff, with the ongoing support of this tremendous community, will continue to work hard in 2017 to ensure students are provided with a broad range of experiences in academic, cultural and sporting areas.

As this is the last newsletter for the year, I want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of teaching and no n-teaching staff at Isis High and also thank parents for their support. The school looks forward to continuing this partnership next year to ensure our young people receive the very best education for this school community.

I take this opportunity to wish all families and sc hool supporters a very, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and I trust that the festive holiday season wi ll be a safe and enjoyable time for all.

Allan Cook, Principal

TENNIS HOLIDAY CLINIC

Where: Rotary Park Tennis complex

69b George Street, Bundaberg

When: Monday 9th & Tuesday 10th January 2017

Times: 8:30am - 10am or 10am – 11:30am (Junior Beginners

5-12 years), 8:30am – 11:30am (Beginners/Intermediate

Beginners), 2:00pm – 4:30pm (High

School/Intermediate/Advanced).

Conducted by Bundaberg Tennis Academy coaches:

Murray Whitbread and Kevin Banner

Bookings essential

Phone Kevin: 4152 0753 or 0409 520 753.