RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 August 2020 © The Rockhampton Grammar School, Term 3 2020

RGS News

LAST CHANCE: Year 12 Krispy Kreme Fundraiser The Year 12 cohort will be holding their annual Krispy Kreme fundraiser to raise funds for future Formal and Valedictory events. Orders can be placed online through our Eventbrite store (https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-rockhampton-grammar-school-year-12-krispy-kreme-fundraiser-tickets-113428533798?ref=estw) or at the Middle School Library or Secondary School Office. Orders are due by 3:00pm Thursday 6 August 2020. Delivery date is Friday 21 August.

Traffic Notice: Parking Around Schools Rockhampton Regional Council has contacted schools in the region to advise of traffic requirements around schools. Please find the below information attached at the end of this newsletter.

Helping younger students: Thank you to the RGS Year 11 students who are assisting with the Primary Before School Reading Programme on a Wednesday morning.

RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 August 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au

Musical and Music Festival Originally, we were to perform Wicked in May and then we changed the date to September 4th hoping restrictions would lift and we could perform our three shows. The Music Festival was also scheduled for Semester 2. Both shows were to be performed at the Pilbeam Theatre.

However, with no further movement of restrictions in sight, we have made the very difficult decision to cancel our booking with the Pilbeam Theatre for this year.

So, considering further COVID-19 cases are appearing throughout Australia now, we feel our best option is to provide the students with the opportunity to continue to learn and experience live theatre (in a restricted and safe way) here on campus, at RGS.

The Wicked production team have been working closely with the Headmaster Dr Phillip Moulds, Music Head of Department Mrs Jessica Marrinan, AV Co-ordinator Tony Kennedy and back stage manager Stephen Brady, to find a way for our students to use our own theatre space here at School to present selected numbers from Wicked the musical and items normally showcased at our annual Music Festival.

We are striving to put a detailed plan in place where over the weekend of the 21 - 22 August our students will come together at nominated times to perform the selected items chosen by Mrs K (Wicked) and Ms Marrinan (RGS Music Festival).

The selected scenes/songs from Wicked will be filmed on Sunday 23 August and updates regarding this will be available soon. The students will still perform in their costumes with full make-up and hair/wigs just as they would have at the Pilbeam Theatre during production week.

Mathemathics Quiz RGS students competed in the Participation Round of the QAMT Yr 7/8 Quiz, entering 5 teams. Each team consists of two Year 8 students and 1 Year 7 student.

The winning team on the day was Team Fibonacci (named after the Italian Middle Ages mathematician) consisting of Abenaya Suntharavadivel, Prateek Poudel and Daniel Spiryagin, closely followed by Lachlan Wilson, Tristan Tausz and Toby Rowland (Team Newton, named after Isaac Newton). All of the scores were very close.

RGS teams are now waiting for scores from other schools to come in and see if the scores from our top two teams were high enough to progress to the Regional Round.

More than just Drama for RGS Students RGS English and Drama teacher Ms Kathryn Gilmore asked her Year 11/12 Drama students to respond to this question – “How has Senior Drama changed my life?” Here are their responses:

“Drama has helped me develop a better understanding of the way I view the world as it gives you the opportunity to discuss social issues in an engaging way.” – Charlotte, Year 11

“Drama has helped me find my love for acting, which has led me to explore the professional realm in the film industry. It truly opens doors for everyone. This has given me opportunities to audition and create professional commercials, TV series and film work. I highly recommend for anyone to give it a shot.” – Najwa, Year 12

RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 August 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au

“Drama is my safe space. A place where I can go without being afraid of people’s opinions. The only thing to be afraid of in this class is the extreme enthusiasm that fills the Islay Lee every time the drama students enter the building.” – Mollie, Year 11

“Drama assisted me in developing a voice within the cohort and allowed me to associate with people who inspire me to express my opinion and channel my creativity.” – Madeline, Year 12

“Drama has given me strategies to cope with my learning and reading difficulties. It has really extended my ability to memorise terms and concepts within my other studies.” – Roxy, Year 12

“Drama has shaped me as a person by building my confidence and encouraging me to question the world around me. The skills I have learnt in drama I will carry with me for life, particularly how it has improved my ability as an effective communicator.” – Olivia, Year 12

“Drama has helped me overcome many challenges big and small. It has granted me the ability to develop a better understanding of who I am and the world around me. Drama has encouraged me to have the confidence to be who I want to be. It provides lifelong skills, which I will carry with me for the rest of my life. The class creates a safe, judgement free zone which allows students to be unapologetically authentic… Overall, choosing drama was the best decision of my life!” – Alex, Year 11

“Drama has helped shaped me into the person I am today. Drama has given me endless opportunities to be creative, build my confidence and explore different aspects of the human experience.” – Danielle, Year 12

Marine Studies Boat Making Skills Year 9 Marine Operations students tested their boat building skills, constructing balsa wood boats during their Term 3 boat design project.

Head of Secondary School - Academics

Coursing – Year 7 to 8, Year 8 to 9, Year 9 to 10 and Year 10 to 11

Emails have been sent to parents and students currently in Year 9 and Year 10 regarding subject selection for 2021. Students are reminded that selections are due by the end of Monday 3 August. Submitting on time is appreciated as it better allows the School to ensure all student requests can be met

Coursing information for current Year 8 students has also been sent via an email from me. The email contained a video link and I encourage parents to watch it.

Information for current Year 7 students will be sent early this week as they are due to commence their selection process. The material sent to all parents and students will include a video link regarding subjects on offer for Year 8 in 2021.

Year 12 Assessment Update Mock Assessment Timetable

All Year 12 students have been given a copy of the RGS Mock assessment timetable. As a reminder, these assessment items will occur during the two week period, commencing Monday 7 September and concluding Friday 18 September.

Year 12 Results

QTAC confirmed this week that end of year results are on track to be published in each student’s learning account on Saturday 19 December.

As a reminder, if you have any questions or concerns relating to the academic domain at RGS please call me (49 360 609) or email me (rcarter@rgs.qld.edu.au).

RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 August 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au

Head of Year Reports Year 7

We have certainly had a busy couple of weeks already this term. Our focus in Form at present is on TEAMWORK. Over the next 5 weeks, starting last week, we are rotating through a variety of activities which explore this topic and allow the students to engage in scenarios where they can identify their teamwork qualities. Last week was a lot of fun with a great variety of activities taking place. We are all looking forward to having the upcoming opportunity to work with other form teachers in Year 7.

Our Tutorial focus on Subject Selection is going well with lots of positive and productive conversations happening. The Year 7 students are lucky to have the opportunity to hear the Heads of Departments explain their subject areas and are offered the chance to ask important questions. We are discussing all relevant topics, subjects and coursing pathways in our lessons which will allow the students to make informed decisions about their subjects for Year 8, later in the term.

I am very happy to let you know that our camps will proceed this term and next but will be two consecutive day trips with no overnight stay. Our first of these camps will be in Week 6 this term and all dates and classes are listed below. Please expect a letter outlining the camp programme and times a fortnight prior to your child’s camp.

Term 3

7A – 17th & 18th August 7B – 20th & 21st August

Term 4

7C – 12th & 13th October 7D – 15th & 16th October 7E – 19th & 20th October 7F – 22nd & 23rd October

Year 8

The past 2 weeks have been very busy for our Year 8s. The 2 day Form Camps have been in full swing and, for the most part, the weather has been very kind to us. Team building activities, high ropes course, surfing, sailing and kayaking have all featured on the programme. The smiles on the students faces have been wonderful to see. We are blessed to have a facility such as Ritamada and Mr Boicos and Ms Price-Rees run a fantastic programme of activities. This week sees our final 2 Year 8 classes head down for their Form Camp at Ritamada.

Year 9 coursing for 2021 has commenced with students completing an initial expression of interest selection this week. This initial subject selection gives the School some valuable information about student intentions for 2021 and it is used as part of our planning for 2021. In week 5 of this Term, Students will be required to select their subjects for 2021. You would have received an email with a link to the Year 9 coursing video and I would encourage you to watch that video. I would also ask that you speak to your child about their subject selections for 2021. The Curriculum Handbook, containing information about subjects on offer, can be found on Parent Lounge. Please feel free to contact me with any questions about Year 9 coursing.

RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 August 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au

Year 9

Last week saw the students begin the What About Me programme during Wednesday form period. This programme will run for the rest of the term and each week the students will take part in a different activity, all of which are designed to encourage students to inspect their perceptions about what they can achieve with application and to challenge them to get out of their comfort zone. This programme will culminate with a week of activities in the last week of school that will take the place of the traditional form camp. Due to ongoing restrictions the students will not have an overnight camp as such, but day activities will occur at Ritamada and other venues that will prove to be both educational and entertaining. Students are also reminded to complete round two of their subject selection through the online process that was emailed to them, by Monday 3 August. I have encouraged those students who are yet to make a decision to converse with their parents and teachers as a matter of urgency. We are about the begin week 4 of Term 3 and August is upon us. I want to thank the Year 9 cohort for the hard work they have continued to display in class this term and ask them to actively seek to maintain their concentration and efforts each and every week.

Year 10

This has certainly been a tough year. Impacts on health and safety have been a set of stressors we all consider on a new level. Events in Southern States have amplified awareness yet again. But so too are the emotional stressors. Now more than ever we must all think about the decisions and think through the consequences of any decisions that we all make. This is just as relevant for our students as it is for adults. It is challenging to be prepared to consider any action before we execute that action and think about any potential consequences. Often in this extreme context we can choose irrational pathways. We all must guard against it and this takes work in a new-normal world. Students should be well into their second round of

RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 August 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au

subject selections and the final day to register subject choice is by next Monday. Once this stage has been completed, the Senior Education and Training plan commences for all Year 10s. A SET Plan document will be distributed next week. In addition, an RGS Folio will accompany that process. This is such a useful document holder that most past students are still using it long after they have left RGS. Every Year 10 student will be allocated an appointment time this term where they will come in for a SET Plan interview. This is part of the process that prepares Year 10s for the future.

Year 11

Week 4 already! Year 11’s are currently winding up for assessment submissions and exam preparation. With many assessment items due in the coming weeks it is important for students to manage their time well. It is equally important, given the pressure of exams and assignments, students are staying healthy, both in mind and body. A reminder that we looked at ways to decrease anxiety in Term 1. The Smiling Mind app is a handy tool, providing tips and ideas for students. Please also remember that students are welcome to see me if they need assistance managing time or are becoming anxious. I have been keeping an eye on uniform over this term and I must say I am very impressed with the majority of students’ dress. A big congratulations to students on taking such pride in their appearance and lifting their uniform standards. It is also a pleasure to see how smart students look in their formal uniforms each Wednesday. Keep up the good work! With exams coming up in week 7 and 8, I have emailed the exam timetable to parents. This is also available on Student Café. Students should have already looked at this timetable and noted in their diary when their exams are. If there are any concerns, please contact me.

Year 12

The Year 12 cohort is busy preparing for their respective Mathematics exams, scheduled over the next two weeks. Curriculum Preparation sessions have been heavily study orientated with an emphasis on both study time and study skills. From a pastoral standpoint, we had a visit from Queensland Police’s Inspector David Peff to provide the Year 12’s with important information regarding the choices they have in front of them as they near the pointy end of their school year. Of particular significance was the fact that for the first time, many of our students are 18 and therefore, adults in the eyes of the law. The intent of the session was to inform our students of the potential implications of poor choices, some of which, even I had never considered. Overall, an exceptionally positive experience and we are very grateful to Inspector Peff for his presentation. Finally, I wish the Year 12’s the best of luck in their upcoming exams which will lead into a well-earned long weekend.

Careers Information

This term is a very busy one career wise for our Secondary cohorts. It was pleasing to catch up with quite a number of parents during the parent teacher interviews in Week 1 to talk about the career plans for our Year 7 to 12’s. The Years 7’s to 9’s are selecting their elective subjects for 2021; the Year 10’s are selecting their senior subjects; our Year 11’s are checking they are on the right path and the Year 12’s are planning their post-school options.

For the Years 7 to 9’s, the Career Targets and Course Seeker information on the School’s Careers Website will be useful.

Our Year 10’s should be accessing the following information among others:

RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 August 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au

• CQUni Year 10 Toolkit: CQUni Year 10 Toolkit• JCU Year 10 Guide: available here• UQ Senior Subject Selection Guide: available here• QTAC: My Path https://www.qtac.edu.au/student-

resources/year-10

The Year 11’s can be assisted with their planning through the Open Days and information sessions that are available this term – including a webinar offered by The Australian Apprenticeship Pathways Group on Job Hunting for an Australian Apprenticeship in a Post COVID 19 World on Thursday 27 August.

Post School Options for our Year 12’s includes job applications; gap years and tertiary applications. Apprenticeship and casual job information is forwarded to the students as it comes to hand. Tertiary applications can be started now with preferences for QTAC added from 4 August. An information session on Tertiary Application processes (QTAC, VTAC and UAC) was held last Thursday 23 July for the Year 12’s and around 50 students attended the session. The PowerPoint presentation for this session has been added to Student Café/Leadership/Careers for the Year 12’s.

Edition 2 of the Careers Newsletter (https://rgscareers.com/newsletter ) will include the following information and more: • Information sessions• Open Days• Apprenticeships• TELG Engineering Workshops• Early Entry/ Guaranteed Entry Schemes• QTAC Updates• VTAC Updates• JCU Updates• Melbourne Uni Updates• Monash Uni Updates

Mrs Pam Hadwen Careers Advisor

Co-Curricular

Basketball The School has entered two teams in the Rockhampton District School Sport Open Boys Basketball Competition. Matches are on a Tuesday afternoon in the Duggan Hall or away at other schools. It’s great to see students back playing sport this term.

Chess The School will host the Regional Chess Championships on Thursday, 13 August in Duggan Hall. Students from the Primary and Secondary school will be selected to compete in the competition.

Cross Country The School has announced that we will run the 2020 cross country on Wednesday 19 August. This event will be held at School with individual age groups coming out of class to run their respective distance and then returning to class. A decision about spectators at the cross country will be determined closer to the date. For specific details of the schedule for the day and the course please see the attached document.

Netball The RNA Social Netball season started last week, and it was great to see students and families back at Jardine Park enjoying netball this year. A reminder for parents and spectators to use the EVA Check In at Netball which assists RNA in tracking people at the courts each night.

RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 August 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au

Rowing The RGS Rowing Club is working with local council to run the first regatta for this season on Sunday, 23 August on the Fitzroy River. All students in training as the rowing season moves towards competitions with this local regatta and then hopefully some travelling regattas in September.

Rugby League The Rockhampton District School Sport modified Open Boys season started last week with Firsts, Seconds and Thirds all playing matches against SBC. This week we will start out Inter-House 9s on a Wednesday afternoon for all Year 7 - 10 students and we have organised matches for Year 7 - 10 vs SBC this Friday afternoon. The Year 7 - 8 game is at SBC and the Year 9 - 10 game at RGS. Great to see our Rugby League community doing what we can to provide students with a rugby league experience in 2020.

Show Cattle Around 20 students enjoyed activities down at the Port Curtis Farm as a part of our Show Cattle team for 2020. All students were able to compete in a judging competition with Megan Ingham winning the senior division and Grace Paine and Greta Smith sharing the Junior division but most importantly all students benefited from the experience and the knowledge they acquired from competing.

Tennis Our Open Boys and Girls Tennis teams played in the regional qualifier for the State Championships. While both teams didn’t manage to qualify all players represented the School well and enjoyed the opportunity to play tennis, despite the rainy weather and changed format of the event.

A number of secondary students have taken up the opportunity to play and be coached down at Tennis Rockhampton. Students are transported down to Victoria Park on a Thursday afternoon for training and games.

Rebel Sport Community Kickbacks Programme Any time RGS students/families spend money in the store and notify the staff of what school they are associated with, the School receives 5% of every purchase you make through the Kickback Programme. If the opportunity arises, please support Rebel who in turn support the School.

Intersport – Become a member Rockhampton Grammar School students simply need to bring their existing CLUB INTERSPORT card into the store and present it to our counter staff. Alternatively, if you are not already a member our staff will sign you up to the program and enable you to benefit from the rewards when you are next instore. You just need to advise our staff you are a student of Rockhampton Grammar School to unlock the program.

HOW DOES IT WORK? EARN POINTS - Every time you shop at Intersport, mention you are a member at the counter and your points will automatically accumulate. You receive 2 points for every $1 you spend. POINTS VALUE - Receive $10 for every 500 points accumulated REDEEMING POINTS - Total Dollar discount cannot exceed more than half of your total purchase POINTS EXPIRE - Points expire after 8 months but if you haven’t shopped at Intersport for 12 months your membership will be cancelled. If you return to the store after this period, we can reopen your membership.

RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 August 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au

YOUR BENEFITS Exclusive 10% off RRP for RGS students and their families Club member only offers Rockhampton Grammar School loyalty pricing Invitation to member only events Birthday gifts and much more Club member events will be communicated via email.

Attachments:

• RGS Cross Country• Parking Around Schools• Stop the spread of COVID-19

RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 August 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au

RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 August 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au

RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 August 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au