1. education
2. school

214 Parklands Boulevard,
Meridan Plains QLD 4551
Website: http://meridansc.eq.edu.au/
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (07) 5490 2666
Fax: (07) 5490 2600
Subscribe to Online Newsletter! http://meridansc.schoolzinenewsletters.com/subscribe
19 February 2015
College Report
A MESSAGE FROM THE COLLEGE
DIRECTOR & PRINCIPALS
Dear Parents and Carers
Dear Meridan College Community, in Julie’s absence until
Monday the 23 February, I will continue as Acting College
Director. Mark Seijbel will continue as Acting Junior Secondary
Principal and Barry Wallett Acting Deputy Principal. It is a
pleasure to experience College life from a different perspective
and see what it is like to lead the diversity of a Prep – Year 12
context.
PARENT PARTNERSHIP AFTERNOONS AND
NIGHT
Thank you to all of our wonderful parents who were able to
attend our Parent Partnership afternoons in the Primary school
and the night time event on the Secondary campus. Please
continue to keep in touch with your children’s teachers
throughout the year and share in the joy of learning.
normal on Wednesday mornings at 9.00am and the evening
meetings will be on Wednesday evenings at 7.00pm, also in the
Rainforest Retreat. These meetings are informative, enjoyable
and short (usually not much more than an hour) so please come
along, learn the latest of what’s happening at your children’s
school and meet other parents. We are hoping many parents
are able to attend and look forward to welcoming new families
to the school.
ANNUAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (AIP)
Our AIP for 2015 will be submitted before the end of the month
and subsequently up loaded onto or website. In summary our
four goals include:
1. Improve student learning outcomes
2. Enhance parent,
engagement.
community
partnerships
and
3. Alignment of curriculum Prep – Year 12.
4. Enact pedagogical framework to enhance quality of
teaching.
Regards
Fiona & the Exec Team
COLLEGE TOURS
We would love to show you around our awesome campus
and showcase the facilities your children enjoy every day. If
you would like to book a College Tour please contact our
Executive Office staff. Tours are conducted once a month on a
Wednesday at 10.00am.
SWIMMING CARNIVALS
Each year our talented Health and Physical Education staff
and our dedicated classroom teacher’s work together to run
fantastic swimming carnivals for our students. Well done to all
involved. February is an exciting month for our swimming stars
at Meridan!
P&C MEETING
As Julie mentioned in the last newsletter, this year we are
trialling a new schedule and while the P&C meetings will still
be held on the second Wednesday of each month, we will
alternate morning and evening meetings to allow all parents the
opportunity to attend. The morning meetings will be held as
Sue Esposito
Julie
Kornmann Principal –
Primary
College
School
Director
Fiona Free
Principal –
Junior
Secondary
School
214 Parklands Boulevard
Meridan Plains Qld 4551
Postal: PO Box 3908
Caloundra DC Qld 4551
Ph.: 07 5490 2666
Fax: 07 5490 2600
Junior Secondary School Fax: 5490 2667
Leasa Smith
Principal –
Senior
Secondary
School
Senior Secondary School Fax: 5490 2788
Client Services Fax: 5490 2602
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.meridansc.eq.edu.au
pm
Tuesday Year 4 – Year 6 Week 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 (Term 1) 2.00
pm
Friday Year 7 – 9 (Mentor – Junior Secondary School) 8:45 am
College Director: Julie Kornmann
Primary School Principal: Susan Esposito
Junior Secondary School Principal: Fiona Free
Senior Secondary School Principal: Leasa Smith
Primary School Deputy Principal: Lisa Cutter, Amanda White,
Charmaine Cowling & Jenny Fietz (Acting Deputy)
Junior Secondary/Senior Secondary
School Deputy Principal: Glenn McIntosh, Mark Seijbel &
Natasha Wicks
Business Service Managers: Shannan Gniel & Di Hurst
STUDENT ABSENCE LINES
P&C ASSOCIATION
I trust you’ve settled into the rhythm of school life well. It is
certainly a busy College.
President: Tim Burns
Vice President: Rebecca Young
Secretary: Kendall Morton
Treasurer: Alex Cottrell
The P&C meets the second Wednesday of each month at
9.00am in the Rainforest Retreat.
EXECUTIVE CENTRE OFFICE HOURS
Monday to Friday 8.00am – 3.30pm
CLIENT SERVICES
Primary School Prep – Year 6 5490 2660
Junior & Senior Secondary School Year 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12
5490 2799
Primary, Junior Secondary and Senior Secondary
– Absences via text message 0427 177 067
(Note that this number is capable of texts only, you are unable
to phone in absences on this number.)
P&C NEWS
Thanks so much to all the parents who turned up for last night’s
P&C meeting. It was great having your voices as part of the
process. I look forward to more of that this year.
One area that we are working on getting organised is that of
the school festival. The twilight festival will be held on Friday
4 September. We think it will be a great night. BUT we need
as much support and help as possible to make it so. Please
seriously consider how you can be involved in what promises to
be a great event.
Monday to Friday 8.00am – 3.15pm
Lastly, please remember that the AGM for our P&C will be held
on Wednesday 11 March at 7.00pm in the Rainforest Retreat.
JUNIOR SECONDARY AND SENIOR
SECONDARY SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS
You
can
contact
the
[email protected]
Monday to Friday 8.15am – 3.15pm
CASHIER OFFICE HOURS
P&C
anytime
on
Who we are and how we act and react is what will continue to
make Meridan great. Thanks for playing your part.
Monday – Friday 8.00am –12.00pm
Please Note: The minimum amount for a credit card transaction
is $10.00
UNIFORM SHOP HOURS
Monday, Wednesday & Friday 8.00am – 10.30am
PRE-LOVED UNIFORM SHOP
Thursday: 2.00pm – 3.30pm
Friday: 8.30am – 10.00am
Situated in the Old Tuckshop in the large primary undercover
area
Tim Burns
P&C President
Meridan State College
WHOLE COLLEGE NEWS
FINANCE NEWS
RAINFOREST CAFÉ
STUDENT RESOURCE SCHEME
Open Monday – Friday
Overseen by the P&C Executive Committee
Thank you to all parents who have made payment or instalment
payments towards the Student Resource Scheme in 2015.
Ph: 5490 2668
Fax: 5490 2669
By now parents will have made the second instalment payment
for the Student Resource Scheme for students in Years Prep to
12. Subject user pays fees for Year 9 to 12 are being invoiced
this week with the due date for payment being Friday 20 March.
ASSEMBLY
Monday Year 7 – 9 (Community – Junior Secondary) 8.45 am
Monday Year 10 - 12 (Senior Secondary School) 8.45 am
Tuesday Prep – Year 3 Week 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 (Term 1) 2.00
2
The final instalment due date for the Student Resource Scheme
for students in Prep to Year 12 is Friday 1 May.
Families in financial difficulty can negotiate an Individual
Payment Plan in writing with the College, with final
payment due by the end of Term 3 2015.
Taylor on Fridays also in the Senior Music Centre. Mrs Taylor
will also continue to teach all Secondary string students on
Thursdays.
For new students enrolling during the school year, payment
is required upon enrolment.
All lessons for Term 1 started last week and rehearsals will
commence next week for all performance groups.
RECEIPTS
String Rehearsal Times for 2015 are as follows –
Students and parents paying fees at the Cashier window are
issued with a receipt at the time of payment.
• Corelli Strings (Senior School students) Thursday 26/
2/2015 7.30am
For those parents paying via online bank deposit or credit card
over the phone, if a receipt is required please email our cashier
at [email protected] with details of the
payment you have just made.
• Vivaldi Strings (Junior School students) Friday 27/2/
2015 7.50am
2015 PARENT PARTNERSHIPS EVENING
Thank you to all parents and guardians who attended the
Parent Partnerships Evening on Tuesday 10 February. It was a
great success. From a Community Leaders perspective it was
great to meet so many parents and have the opportunity to
discuss individual students. 2015 will be even more successful
knowing that relationships between parents, community
leaders, teachers and students are that much stronger after the
event. It really is positive to have so many supportive parents
and guardians show their interest in their student’s education.
As we all share a common goal for your child’s success I know
that 2015 will be a great year.
If you have any queries please feel free to contact your child’s
teacher at the school by phone or email Mrs Kate Taylor
[email protected] or Mr Scullett-Dean [email protected] .
If you are new to our College and your child already plays a
stringed instrument, please let us know and we will be happy to
include them in the program.
Kate Taylor
Senior Music Teacher – Strings
PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWS
MESSAGE FROM THE PRIMARY
SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents and Carers
Hayley Sinclair
Rafter Community Leader
CROSSING SAFETY
Since the new lights have been installed at the corner of Sunset
and Parklands Boulevards, the Crossing Supervisors have been
concerned with the number of school parents who are cueing
over the crossing.
To assist with the safety of our students, please read the
attached documents.
To ensure the safety of our students, the College expectation is
that students walk their bikes/scooters across all crossings.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC - STRINGS
It has been a very busy start so far for the College with
approximately 90 students now participating in the string
program in 2015, which is fabulous!
We welcome new string teacher Mr Stuart Scullett–Dean to
the College, he will be teaching all this year and last year’s
Primary beginners. First and second year students will have
their lessons on Fridays in the Senior Music Centre. All other
Primary string students will continue their lessons with Mrs Kate
SWIMMING CARNIVAL
The Year 4-6 students had a brilliant successful Swimming
Carnival. The students’ sportsmanship and behaviour was
magnificent. Thank you to Shane Will and his team for a
smoothly run event. It is so nice to have parent’s feedback and
it was very positive.
On assembly last week students were presented with ribbons
and medals for the different age events. This Tuesday 17
February we had several Meridan students representing the
College at the District competition. They came back with plenty
of stories and memories.
PARENT PARTNERSHIP AFTERNOON
These have been run over the last two weeks and have been
extremely well attended. The information that was imparted was
to assist you in helping you to support your child at home with
Literacy and Numeracy. It also provided an overview of the
concepts teachers will cover with your child from the Australian
curriculum this term. A power point that covers these points
will be available soon on the College website. A handout was
provided to all students regardless whether parents attended or
not.
3
STUDENT RESOURCE SCHEME (SRS)
Stars of the Week
Please contact Client Services Finance department if you still
have to set up a plan for the SRS. If this hasn’t been finalised it
will affect your child’s access to Reading Eggs and Mathletics
online programs, Athletic and Cross Country Carnivals as well
as home readers. You will also be required to purchase a
number of items from a list they can access via the website or
by requesting the list from the Finance department.
Another wonderful week of students
demonstrating amazing skills, whether it is
academically, socially or physically. As
teachers, it is always difficult to pick just
one…. CONGRATULATIONS!!
HEALTH
If your child is anaphylactic, diabetic or has severe epilepsy they
will require a health plan that outlines for staff what to do in
case of emergency. If you haven’t provided a plan, medication
or Epipen to Client Services please contact them as a matter of
urgency. Students who are identified as asthmatic will receive
a letter soon that requests they gain a signed form from their
doctor to allow their child to use a puffer at school. It will also
ask you to identify whether you wish your child to still be on
our chronic, complex asthmatic list. We are trying to update our
records and ensure they have only current chronic, complex
asthma.
Week 3 – Tuesday 10 February
2015
Year 4 – Year 6
Year 5 – Connor W. 5N, Briarnn F. 5N, Madison L. 5P, Haylee
J. 5B, Jack H. 5MC, Jacob C. 5S, Ella S. 5MK, Anna N. 5MK,
Varsh S. 5P, Max M. 5B, Carly O. 5MC, Caitlyn W. 5S, Jaitely
J. 5MK
Year 6 – Alivia R. 6SB, Clayton V. 6SB, Emma R. 6MK, Callan
C. 6B, Harrison G. 6MK, Tye J. 6M, Caitlin R. 6C, Lilliana F. 6B,
Chloe-Tyler. G, 6W, Fletcher Q. 6L, Lateisha A. 6MC, Patrick S.
6MC, Katia R. 6L
Week 4 – Tuesday 17 February 2015
LATE ARRIVALS
Prep – Year 3
There are students who are arriving at Client services without a
parent or a note explaining why they are late.
Prep – Chloe W. PC, Bailey J. PC, Chayse M. PF, Paige B. PF,
Flynn S. PB, Sophia L. PB, Ethan T. PA, Clayton S. PA, Jasper
E. PH, Kyannah C. PH, Jack M. PS, Hannah S. PS
Could you please provide a reason face to face to Sandy Carr
at Client Services or via a note or email to [email protected]
.
Thank you for supporting us in our drive to promote “Everyday
Counts”. If a student is regularly late for school (15 mins daily)
this could add up to nearly two weeks of important learning time
lost over the year.
BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL
Students who are meeting their siblings from the Secondary
campus need to walk over the rainforest boardwalk and wait
at the end of the boardwalk near the toilet block at the front
of the Secondary Campus. All Primary students who catch a
bus must do this from the Primary campus. There should be no
Primary students catching buses from the Secondary campus.
Please support us in giving your child this message.
Also it has concerned me on the number of Primary students at
the skate park in the morning around 7am and in the evening
at 6pm unsupervised. It is so important to know where your
child is as we also had reports of very young students playing in
the drains at the new development recently before school. This
could be extremely dangerous if we have extreme rainfall.
Year 1 – Leo B. 1MJ, Kecua H. 1M, Indigo H. 1R, Zafirah B.
1KP, Khan N. 1KP, Lilly-Anne C. 1P, Chase B. 1P, Austin E.
1PG, Lily R. 1PG
Year 2 – Summer M. 2HL, Kane B. 2HL, Sammy B. 2LM, Luca
G. 2LM, Charli G. 2G, Ella M. 2G, Maya C. 2LS, Kaiden W.
2HR, Isable T. 2HK, Connor J. 2LS, Evie R. 2B, Harrison M, 2B
Year 3 – Emily M. 3NJ, Sophie B. 3N, Tommy B. 3B, Akynlah
B. 3B, Mia J. 3P, Charlotte B. 3C, Aidan S. 3G, Elle C. 3H,
Daniel S. 3H, Lachlan A. 3L, Jasmine M. 3L
SCHOOL BANKING
A representative from the Commonwealth Bank will be coming
to the College for a sign on outside Client Services on Thursday
26 February and Friday 27 February from 8.00am to 9.15am.
By signing on and joining school banking, you also help raise
money for the school. Rewards are given for every 10th bank
(you can choose from 2 or 3 options). Your child will also receive
a certificate once 10 bank deposits have been made.
WONDERING ABOUT WEES AND
PONDERING POOS - FREE PARENT
INFORMATION WORKSHOPS
These community-based information workshops are aimed at
parents or carers with children aged 5 or over who are having
bowel or bladder difficulties.
Sue Esposito
Principal – Primary School
4
JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL NEWS
MESSAGE FROM THE JUNIOR
SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents and Carers
PARENT PARTNERSHIP EVENING
It was wonderful to see so many parents in attendance at
our Junior Secondary Parent Partnership Evening last Tuesday
10 February. This event gave parents of our Year 7, 8 and 9
students the opportunity to meet our Heads of Department and
to learn a little more about the subjects students will study this
year. Our Community Leaders were also introduced and they
discussed our organisational structure and outlined the support
provided to student within the Junior Secondary School. Class
teachers were also introduced and in most cases were on hand
to meet parents and answer questions about our curriculum.
If you were unable to attend the Parent Partnership Evening I
encourage you to make contact with your child’s Community
Leader and/or Core Teachers as soon as possible to introduce
yourself and discuss how your child has settled for the year.
SECONDARY SCHOOL SWIMMING CARNIVAL
Congratulations to all students who attended and participated
in our 2015 Swimming Carnival. Junior (and Senior) Secondary
students were extremely well represented! It was wonderful to
see so many students joining in and showing Community Spirit
through their participation in competitive and novelty events on
the day. Congratulations to our winning Community O’Neill. We
proudly awarded our Age Champions at a Secondary Campus
Assembly this week.
SECONDARY CAMPUS SCHOOL PHOTOS
Our Secondary Campus School Photos for 2014 were held on
Monday 9 February. All students had an individual photo taken
which will be used for the ID Cards and to generate a class
composite photo, which is available for purchase. Any students
who were absent on this day will be able to have their photos
taken on our Catch-Up Day which is scheduled for Wednesday
18 February. Once students have received their ID Cards they
are expected to keep these with them while at school to assist
with signing in and out should they arrive late or depart early
during the school day. This year we are trailing an ID Card
that will also act as a Photocopy and Printing card on our
college photocopiers. Only participants in the SRS will receive
ID Cards, as they are provided as part of this scheme. Please
see Claudia in Client Services if you would like to join the SRS.
ASSESSMENT SCHEDULES
Our Junior Secondary Assessment Schedule are being finalised
and will be emailed to parents this week.
Students can access their Assessment Schedules anytime
(once active) from OneSchool at: https://oslp.eq.edu.au/OSLP/
welcome.aspx . Please contact our main office at the Executive
Centre to update your email address if required. These
Assessment Schedules show when the Summative pieces of
assessment are due and should be used to help students plan
their study timetable.
UNIFORM
Increasingly, most of the Junior Secondary uniform items are
now in stock. Boy’s formal shirts for Junior Secondary are
still out of stock in size 14 and an interim solution has been
established for boy’s formal shorts. Please check with the
Uniform Shop for details. We have also purchased some more
uniform items ourselves, including black leather shoes, to assist
students in meeting the agreed College Dress Code.
Remember that if a Junior Secondary student is unable to wear
the correct uniform to school they need to go to ML04 Teacher
Aide Office before school to borrow the necessary items and
change into these clothes to meet our code. Please provide
your child with a note outlining the circumstances when in this
situation.
CURRICULUM NEWS – DATA: PREVENTION,
INTERVENTION AND EXTENSION
Since the first day back this year class teachers and leaders
have been busy analysing student and class data. Never before
have educators had so much data available to them, about
each of their students learning needs. At Meridan State College
we have chosen to arrange our students in community classes,
rather than ability groups, as this model has proven to be the
best way to address students’ social and emotional wellbeing,
in our educational setting. This year we are using differentiation,
flexi learning, learning enhancement and master classes to
address the different learning needs and abilities of our
students. We have significantly restructured and refined our
Steps to Success (STS) Program, and are gradually bringing
in a strong focus of the General Capabilities from the National
Curriculum across subjects that are centred on developing
higher order thinking skills, as well as creating opportunities to
extend our students literacy and numeracy understandings.
Some key initiatives and programs that sit alongside our core
curriculum subjects are identified below:
• Turbo Days – These days (two per term - identified
on the College calendar throughout the year) focus on
helping students target specific literacy and numeracy
weaknesses they have previously demonstrated.
Previous NAPLAN, PAT-M and PAT-R are typically
used to identify these weaknesses. Students will be
attending their normal timetable, with their usual
teachers and the only difference is that they will be
participating in specialised, targeted learning
activities.
• Test Wiseness – Junior Secondary students will be
honing their test taking skills by undertaking NAPLAN
practice testing which will help better prepare
students not only for NAPLAN, but other formal
testing routines they will experience as they move
toward Senior Secondary. This year the Test
Wiseness program will run from Tuesday 28 April –
Thursday 30 April.
• PAT R (reading) and PAT M (maths) – Students will
also be using these test materials to help teachers
identify students learning needs, gaps and extension
opportunities.
5
• FLEXI learning and learning enhancement – Flexi
learning has developed into one of our “Signature
Pedagogies” at Meridan. This process typically occurs
in Maths, English and Science (at the moment) and
varies in frequency and volume throughout the year.
Flexi means students are grouped in different flexible
arrangement based on a variety of needs. Needs used
to design activities and groups include learning goal
and skill weaknesses, learning styles and interest
areas. Typically a flexi block might go for several
weeks, where students go to these flexi sessions for
one of their lessons in that subject each week.
Varicella – (chickenpox)
• ASOT – The Art and Science of Teaching. At Meridan
State College our teachers are undertaking
professional development around ASOT which we
refer to as our Pedagogical Framework. Currently we
are re-visiting our focus on classroom routines and
learning goals as well as examining ‘introducing new
knowledge’s’. Teachers will be using reflective scales
to hone their teaching practices and improve
outcomes for students. Teachers are also consistently
asking students to reflect on their own reflective
scales and rubrics, how they are achieving in relation
to their learning goals. Ask your child to explain and
show you an example.
Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (whooping cough)
• Tutoring and Additional Support - Each of our core
faculties will be commencing their tutorial programs
for the year over the coming fortnight. Typically these
occur one morning or afternoon per week, often with
several different staff working together to meet
students’ needs. These sessions are available for any
student who want to get some extra support in that
subject. Please email your child’s class teacher or the
subject area’s Head of Department to check tutorial
options for this year.
• Monday 2 November 2015 (HPV dose 3 + VZV)
Students are eligible to receive one dose of varicella
(chickenpox) vaccine if they have not previously had varicella
(chickenpox) or been vaccinated against it. If you do not have
a reliable history of your child having had varicella (chickenpox)
or you are unsure, then it is advisable to have the vaccination.
If you child is aged 14 years and in Year 8, please read the
consent form for further information. If you are uncertain if you
child has had chickenpox or has been vaccinated previously,
we would recommend you consent to vaccination for this
disease.
Year 8 students are being offered a free booster dose of adult/
adolescent diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough).
It is important that you read the information in the consent
forms.
The vaccinations will be conducted by a team of specially
trained registered nurses and/or a medical practitioner. The
vaccination team will be visiting the school to give the free
vaccinations on the following date/s:
• Monday 30 March 2015 (HPV dose 1)
• Tuesday 9 June 2015 (HPV dose 2 + dTpa)
Only students who have a completed and signed consent
form/s will be vaccinated. If you would like your child to be
vaccinated, please fill in the consent form/s and return the
form/s to the Secondary Campus Office by Wednesday 18
February 2015.
If you do not wish your child to be vaccinated, or your child has
already been vaccinated with the offered vaccines, you do not
need to return the consent form.
Parents are encouraged to ensure their children have breakfast
on the morning of vaccination.
Further information is available on the Queensland Health’s
Immunisation website: www.health.qld.gov.au/immunisation
SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL NEWS
Mark Seijbel
Acting Principal – Junior Secondary School
MESSAGE FROM THE SENIOR
SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
IMMUNISATION PROGRAM 2015 FOR
YEAR 8 STUDENTS
Dear Parents and Carers
Our school is participating in the Queensland Health’s annual
School Based Immunisation Program. Students will be offered
free human papillomavirus (HPV), varicella (chickenpox) and
diphtheria- tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough) vaccinations.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
All students are being offered free vaccination against HPV. This
involves three doses of vaccine given over six months.
6
PARENT PARTNERSHIP NIGHT
Thank-you to all parents/carers who were able to attend our
Parent Partnership Meeting last week. This was a wonderful
opportunity for parents/carers to find out more about the
curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular programs offered
to our Senior School students, as well as meet class teachers,
Community Leaders, Year Level Mentors, Heads of Department
and Administration Staff. It was wonderful to see so many of
our new families in attendance and to have the opportunity to
share more about the flexible learning opportunities and flexible
pathways that are on offer to our students.
For those of you who were unable to attend, some information
from the night is attached. This includes information about key
staff contacts, as well as the different curriculum options for
Senior students.
This year we were able to have representatives from Careers
Australia on board to discuss the certificate programs they are
providing for some of our students. One of the great strengths
of our Senior School is the breadth and depth of our curriculum
offerings. We have a vast array of students who are not only
undertaking school studies, but are engaged in alternate
pathways. These options include traineeships, apprenticeships,
certificate courses, TAFE courses, Sunshine Coast Trade
Training Centre studies and University studies.
Accessing these outside providers such as Careers Australia
has allowed us to extend the range of subject offerings for
students and allowed us flexibility in the timing and delivery of
programs. Having access to external trained staff with extensive
industry experience able to come into our College to deliver
programs to our students has proven to be engaging and
rewarding for our students and we look forward to exploring
similar partnerships to continue to expand the vocational and
training options for our students. The individualised nature of
the educational opportunities offered to students in the senior
phase of learning reflects a significant commitment by our
school to engaging each student.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP AND STUDENT VOICE
The past two weeks have been an important time of recognition
and celebration for our Senior School students.
Our Senior School and College Leaders were acknowledged as
part of our Student Leaders Investiture in Week 2, and our Year
12 students have also been recognised with the presentation
of their Senior Badges at this week’s Secondary Campus
Assembly. These young people will play a vital role in continuing
to grow the positive culture of our college and respond to the
voice of our students. While our recognised leaders are seen
as the face of our student body and College, it is important
that all Senior School students acknowledge and respond to
the high expectations that come with being the natural leaders
of our College. This involves role modelling commitment to
the consistent, high standards of performance, attendance,
engagement, behaviour and dress at all times when
participating in all aspects of school life. It is a pleasure to see
so many of our students rising to meet these standards, and
recognising that school is an important part of preparation for
work and life. Congratulations to all of our recognised leaders
and the many students who I know will play a key role in
continuing to build our college culture and reputation.
Our current Senior School student leadership team have
identified three key projects for 2015 as well as a range of
school and community fundraisers. This year’s key projects
include supporting the RSPCA (community support),
redesigning the Senior Learning Precinct for Year 12 students
focusing on positive, mature, independent learning (legacy/
school project) and providing a range of programs to support
student mental health and wellbeing (student project). We look
forward to seeing how these projects develop across the year.
In the next few weeks, many of our elected and prospective
student leaders will participate in a range of leadership
development and challenge activities to support their work
across 2015. Congratulations to the following students:
• Adam, Lottie, Ryan and Briannan who will represent
Meridan at the Regional Schools Constitutional
Convention on 20 February 2015.
• Lucy, Adam, Portia and Owen who will participate in
the QUT Young Ambassadors Program on 5 March
2015.
• Lexi and Rhiannan who will represent Meridan at the
Annual International Women’s Day Leadership Forum
on 5 March 2015.
• Our Senior School leadership team will participate in
the “Grip Leadership” Conference held in Brisbane on
6 March 2015.
• Sam and Sarah will attend the Rotary Youth Challenge
Camp on 7-8 March 2015.
FOCUS ON HIGH PERFORMANCE
As part of our commitment to supporting all students to achieve
to their potential, we will begin our first round of individual
interviews with senior school students next week. To begin,
interviews were conducted by members of our administration
team with our Year 12 students across Wednesday and
Thursday this week. These interviews focused on each
student’s current performance, engagement and achievement
level based on Year 11 data. Students who were not meeting
performance goals had the opportunity to review their options
and pathways to ensure they are best placed to attain the
QCE and be prepared for their pathway beyond school. This
aligns with the current work students are undertaking as part
of the Pathways to Success (PTS) program. We encourage all
parents to have conversations with their students after these
interviews and to continue to support each young person to be
responsible and engaged learners. Interviews with our Year 11
students will occur in the final week of this term.
An essential element of students achieving high levels of
performance involves consistent attendance at school. Our
Community Leaders and Year Level Mentors are constantly
tracking and supporting students to ensure their attendance
is maximised with our target being 95% attendance for all
students. Our Attendance Club program has proved very
valuable to encouraging students to meet the attendance
standard and ensure they have completed the relevant hours of
student required to achieve credit for their subjects. For families
wishing to take their student out of school for an extended
length of time (in excess of 10 school days), an application
for an Exemption from Schooling must be completed and
approved by the Principal. The disruptive nature of time away
from school can impact directly on student achievement levels
and therefore it is not recommended that parents plan
vacations or extended times away during the school term.
In particular Year 11 and 12 students must ensure that they
can still meet the assessment expectations across all of their
subjects to ensure they can achieve credit for each by meeting
and negotiating with their teachers to ensure a plan is in place
for all learning requirements to be met prior to the absences.
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OP PREPARATION COURSE
Our Year 12 OP eligible students participated in a one day
intensive workshop coordinated by College staff as well as
staff from the Mighty Minds organisation. The program was
developed in response to the students’ performance in the
QCS Practice Test conducted at the end of 2014, and was
tailored specifically to extend student knowledge around the
core curriculum elements that extend across the Senior
curriculum. These elements encompass the processes and
skills which students use to demonstrate their thinking including
analysing, synthesising, creating, judging and justifying. These
elements are taught explicitly and implicitly across the
curriculum and form the basis of the skills and processes
examined through the QCS test. Students in Year 12 also
participate in weekly Test Wiseness and test preparation
lessons and are currently working through analysis their data
from the practice test. If you would like more information about
the QCS test or our preparation program please contact our
Deputy Principal Mr McIntosh, our Year 12 Senior School HOD
Ms Weber or our QCS Test Coordinator Ms Acres. Some
general parent information is also attached.
CURRICULUM
A number of our subjects require students to engage in learning
outside of the school environment. Examples include field
studies, industry experiences and practical learning
experiences. Should students miss any classes as a result of
their involvement in these programs, it is their responsibility to
ensure that they see their teachers and arrange to catch up on
the work that has been missed. As responsible, independent
learners, our Senior Secondary student needs to ensure they
are organised and have met their learning expectations.
COMMUNICATION
As we continue to move into the digital age, much of our
communication between home and schools now takes an
electronic form. You may have received text messages or
emails from the schools about your student’s attendance,
progress or school events. Recently introductory letters from
each of our year level Heads of Department and Mentors were
emailed to your student and your email addresses. Please
remember to check your email for these and other
correspondence from the school and if you did not receive
these, please contact the school office to ensure we have your
correct details. And please do not hesitate to contact our staff
should you wish to discuss any issue relating to your student.
SENIOR SCHOOL FOCUS – BOOK WORK
POLICY
Bookwork refers to the record of the daily learning activities/
class work whether it is paper or electronic (e.g. OneNote).
It provides a reference for ongoing study and review.
Well-presented and organised notes and diagrams allow for
effective review of material and personal study. The intention
of structured bookwork is to assist students to reach their
potential by encouraging them to take pride in their work,
develop the skills for effective presentation of learning tasks and
by obtaining the skills to organise and present information in a
useable and efficient manner that allows reflection and personal
study as required.
The key purposes of bookwork set for students in Senior
Secondary School include:
• Recording and consolidating studies conducted in
class.
• Providing examples and scaffolding to support the
completion of assessment tasks/assignments.
• Recording research for use in completing assessment
tasks/assignments.
• Practising and extending learning through completion
of activities and examples.
• Magnifying the communicable link between home and
school; and
• Providing a resource to support students in personal
study and reflection.
Complete and accurately presented bookwork is an expected
requirement of all students at Meridan State College. Bookwork
will form a regular part of classes and lessons on a daily basis.
The use of this Handbook is part of the Senior Secondary
School Bookwork Policy and will be checked regularly by class
and mentor teachers.
Please note that pen and paper resources must still be bought
to all classes for all students even those who have taken up the
lap top program.
FISH PHILOSOPHY FOCUS
This week’s FISH focus is Be There; Be Prepared. For
students this means:
• Ensuring they have their handbook for each class.
• Completing homework and assignment work by due
dates and bringing these to class as required; and
• Bringing all required equipment to the classroom for
each lesson.
Please ensure you support your student to meet these
expectations.
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Leasa Smith
Principal – Senior Secondary School
CONNICO PHILLIPS SCIENCE
EXPERIENCE
The world is a place that remains never fully discovered. The
knowledge we contain is only the tip of the iceberg when
in reality, much more waits. To this day, science is used to
determine what once was and what can be with a variety
of categories ranging from Palaeontology or future medical
miracles created from Biology to Chemistry. In the 2015,
January school holidays a group of students (Lucy K, Kyra,
Josh, Tyson and Jake) were given the opportunity to attend the
ConocoPhillips Science Experience to learn just what was yet
to be accomplished and how to execute it to the best, with
the resources on hand, as well as an array of workshops which
incorporated such techniques. This experience included 3 days
in fully equipped university labs and workplaces alongside
qualified instructors, participating in a range of interactive
activities varying from group challenges to individual thinking.
A fourth day was used as an innovation day, handing the
reigns over to the student participants in order for them to
create an invention that would be of use to today’s society.
This also provided the experience on how to run a successful
business, involving hiring employees, material and factory place
purchases and the advertisement of such. Highlights for this
event included the end of celebration disco known as the
‘Super Nova’, an insight to solving Forensic Cases, a chemistry
course working on copper poisoned sports drinks and the
astrophysicist lecture. Combined with stupid yet fun and
entertaining games, dances and songs provided and taught by
the staff, this science experience was not one that is easily
going to be forgotten nor regretted.
Lucy K
Secondary Student
Year 12 OP-eligible Mentor Groups will assemble in the Senior
Precinct Theatre by 9.00am for a brief introduction by our
Senior Secondary Guidance Officer, Joe Hannan, whilst
Showcase representatives set up their market booths in the
Senior Precinct Courtyard nearby. Students will then participate
in a 30 minute presentation in the theatre, about all aspects of
going to university, including entry pathways, costs, applying;
accommodation, lifestyle and transition. They will then move
into the Courtyard for about half-an-hour of engagement with
reps in a careers market/expo environment.
Joe Hannan
Guidance Officer (Senior Secondary)
IMMUNISATION PROGRAM 2015 FOR
YEAR 10 STUDENTS
Our school is participating in the Queensland Health’s annual
School Immunisation Program. The program provides a free
booster dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough)
vaccine for Year 10 students.
The vaccinations will be conducted by a team of specially
trained registered nurses and /or a medical practitioner. The
vaccination team will be visiting the school to give the free
vaccination on the following date:
• Monday 30 March 2015 (dTpa)
It is important that you read the information in the consent form.
SUNSHINE COAST UNIVERSITY
SHOWCASE (FOR YEAR 12
TERTIARY-BOUND STUDENTS)
Each year, the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC)
coordinates the “University Showcase” for the Sunshine Coast
Region. It is a travelling roadshow of representatives from
Queensland universities, TAFE and the Defence Force, who visit
schools to deliver course information, answer student questions
and provide a career market experience.
At Meridan SC, the event will be held in the SP Precinct on
Monday, 2 March, from 9.00am till 10.20am, using Mentor
Session and Session One.
Only students who have a completed and signed consent
form will be vaccinated. If you would like your child to
be vaccinated, please fill in the consent form and return
the form to the Secondary Campus Office by Friday 13
February 2015.
Parents are encouraged to ensure their children have breakfast
on the morning of vaccination.
Further information is available on the Queensland Health’s
Immunisation website: www.health.qld.gov.au/immunisation
SCU CHEMISTRY IN ACTION
The Year 11 Chemistry class were lucky enough to have a
guest Chemistry guru Sarah from the Sunshine Coast University
visit in the last two weeks. The students conducted two
experiments: an apple juice titration and boiling a variety of
alcohols. Sarah collected their data and will analyse it for a
University report. Our Chemistry students learnt lots during the
two lessons.
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If students are not able to attend the camp, an alternate
program will be arranged at school to ensure student
attendance levels at school are maintained.
Dan Ward
Lorraine Lehmann
(Chemistry teacher) (Head of Science)
Alison Cox
HOD – Senior Student Support Services
COMMUNITY LEADERS/YEAR LEVEL
MENTORS
ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCES
Attendance Rate: Students will be expected to attend school
and/or school approved activities (School based traineeships,
Headstart, Trade Training Centre, TAFE) at a rate of 90%.
All absences must be explained by a medical certificate or
notification by a parent/caregiver.
PLANNING FOR CAMP
The planning for the Year 11 Challenge Camp is well underway.
The camp will be held at Maroon Outdoor Education Centre
near Boonah and Beaudesert.
The deposit for this week long camp was due in November.
There are still a few places for new students and people who
would still like to attend. There will be a waiting list established
when the positions are filled.
Students have received a follow up letter this week with
parental information, packing list, medical and consent forms
from Maroon OEC this week. These forms need to be fully
completed and returned to school promptly.
We are encouraging all our Year 11 students to attend this
camp and choose a level of challenge that will encourage them
to strive and work as an effective team. Effective teams will
develop trust, respect, participation and cooperation. As the
team succeeds, students will feel a strong sense of
accomplishment in their personal growth.
During the camp, students will experience a wide range of
outdoor activities including rock climbing, abseiling, high and
low ropes courses, team challenges and canoeing as well as
going on a 3 day and 2 night hike. This camp and the activities
included every day and evening will encourage students to
develop their own their leadership skills including good
communication,
responsibility,
self-confidence
and
resourcefulness. These lifelong skills will enhance the remainder
of their formal education at Meridan State College as well as
their life beyond school.
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95%+ Attendance Club: The calculations to monitor our
student’s attendance will be done in early March. Rewards
for students who achieve 95%+ attendance and conversations
with students with low attendance rates will take place in the
following fortnight.
School starts at 9.00am each day: If students are late they
need to sign in at the office. If students sign in at the office
without a note to explain why they are late they will be issued
with a lunch time detention. If a student arrives late to school,
ID Attend (the attendance software) records it as a half day
absence and so it is important that students arrive before the
9.00am commencement time.
Students who need to leave school early: If students need to
leave school early, the student needs to bring a note with them
in the morning and take it to the Secondary Office prior to
8.55am. They will be issued a printed slip from ID Attend. When
it is the time to leave, the student shows the slip to their teacher
and then proceeds to the Secondary Office to sign out. In most
cases, ID Attend records it as a half day absence.
DRIVING TO SCHOOL AND GETTING LIFTS
The Community placings are as follows:
When a student has a provisional licence and is driving to
school, they are able to park in the car park at the front of the
Secondary campus. Students who decide to drive to school
must complete a Student Driver Agreement and hand the
paperwork in to their YLM. As a part of that agreement,
students are not to drive any other student to/from school until
parents of the driver and passenger have given approval.
1st : Freeman
2nd : Rafter
3rd: Bradman
4th: O’Neil
The Age Champions are as follows:
9 Years Boys: Trae L, runner up Harrison L
9 Years Girls: Amber T, runner up Chloe B
10 Years Boys: Ben E, runner up Charlie J
10 Years Girls: Katie H, runner up Kelsey B
11 Years Boys: Jae B, runner up Jacob C
11 Years Girls: Hannah C, runner up Mia V
Coralie Williamson
Community Leaders & Year 12 Mentors
JUNIOR SECONDARY FISH AWARDS
Each and every day we are acknowledging the hard work and
dedication of our students based on their use of the FISH
philosophy. Although it is only week four Community Leaders
have been inundated with students handing in their community
FISH Merit cards. These cards then go into a lucky draw for the
chance to win a $5 Rainforest Café voucher presented on the
Secondary assembly.
This assembly we saw eight very deserving students received
their vouchers.
Rafter: Kara H and Grace G
O’Neill: Ciel S and Ethan C
Bradman: Amelia T and Kyra-Lacey F
Freeman: Beth B and Kailah R
Congratulations Junior Secondary Students it’s your shout at
the café.
Hayley Sinclair
Rafter Community Leader
12 Years Boys: Angus H and Darcy H
12 Years Girls: Erin T, runner up Keanie W and Abby Y
Sixteen of our students represented Meridan State College at
the Coastal District Swimming Carnival at Cotton Tree Pool on
Tuesday 17 February. Congratulations to these children on their
efforts at the titles.
COMMUNITY NEWS
4TH SUNSHINE COAST GIRLS’ BRIGADE
COMPANY
Girls’ Brigade is part of an international
Christian youth organisation. We meet at
the Uniting Church hall on Tuesday
evenings from 6.15pm to 8.00pm (6.00pm
to 7.30pm for Cadets) for a nightly program
of singing, games and activities. The girls
work towards awards (badges) including
craft, camping, bush walking, canoeing,
health, community service, cooking, swimming and lots more.
Activities are all presented in an enjoyable hands-on learning
environment suited to their age groups:
CADETS
JUNIORS
SENIORS
PIONEERS
Prep – Year
2
Year 3 – Year Year 6 – Year Year 9 – Year
5
8
12
For enrolment enquires phone Helen Hilton (Captain) on
54927179.
SPORT ACROSS THE COLLEGE
YEAR 4- 6 SWIMMING CARNIVAL
On Thursday 5 February, the Year 4 - 6 Junior Swimming
Carnival was undertaken. The weather was not kind to us at the
start, but as the day went along the weather became pleasant.
The children competed in a number of events across the day.
The children need to be applauded for their efforts over the day
and thank-you to the teachers who performed their roles well.
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