​The last few weeks have seen Blackwater State High continue important traditions which allow us to recognise the wonderful achievements of our students. Awards Night, along with farewells to the Year 12 cohort of 2018 through Graduation and Formal are key moments in the life of our school each year. As you receive this Newsletter, our Year 12s have concluded their schooling and are commencing the next chapter of their young lives. Another graduating class were celebrated and farewelled on Friday 16th November 2018. Forty-eight Year 12 students, each qualifying with a QCE or QCIA, commence the next stage in their pathway to a successful future. Several of these young people commenced full-time positions in the workplace this week while others will commence at workplaces in January. Many have QTAC applications to enter TAFE or University to enhance their education.

Blackwater State High Schools’ recent Awards Night was a wonderful celebration of our students’ many and varied achievements across the 2018 school year. Seeing the remarkable accomplishments and performances of our students compressed into a few hours provided a powerful summary of students’ remarkable talents and successes. Congratulations again to all of our award recipients, in particular, Harley Wornum, who was awarded the School Dux. Our 2019 School Captains were also announced on the night and I would like to congratulate Mikaela Bannan and Elissa Russell.

2019 School Captains: Mikaela Bannan and Elissa Russell with Principal Mr Frank Brunetto.

The Parents and Citizens Association and Blackwater State High School offered five (5) scholarships, for Year 6 students attending this quality secondary education institution in 2019.  Scholarships were awarded in the following categories academic, cultural and sporting.

I wish to congratulate the following students who were awarded scholarships: 

Academic

Mathew Ash - Blackwater North State School

Amity Jackson - Blackwater State School

Ella Turner - Blackwater State School

Cultural

Ghupedinie Moore - Blackwater North State School

Sport

Callum Denman - Blackwater North State School

Academic Scholarship Recipient: Matthew Ash with P&C President Antonia Mathewson and Principal Mr Frank Brunetto.

Academic Scholarship Recipient: Amity Jackson with Principal Mr Frank Brunetto and  P&C President Antonia Mathewson.

Academic Scholarship Recipient: Ella Turner with Principal Mr Frank Brunetto and  P&C President Antonia Mathewson.

Cultural Scholarship Recipient: Ghupedinie Moore with P&C President Antonia Mathewson and Principal Mr Frank Brunetto.  

Sporting Scholarship Recipient: Callum Denman with P&C President Antonia Mathewson and Principal Mr Frank Brunetto.

Finishing Dates

A reminder that students are required to be in full time attendance at school according to the following schedule:

• Year 10 and 11:  Including Block Exams and finishing Friday 30 November
• Year 7, 8 and 9:  Friday 14 December

As the weeks continue to fly by, with assessment tasks being finalised and report cards being written, I would like to remind staff and students to continue to be mindful of each other and yourselves. With 14 school days to go, pace yourselves for the last leg of the marathon – make sure it’s successful by continuing to do your best and attending school every day to ensure you make the most of your learning opportunities.

Mr Frank Brunetto

Principal

November has been a very busy month in the senior school. It has been wonderful to see our Year 12s complete their final year of schooling, with 100% of our students again graduating with either their Queensland Certificate of Education, or the Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement. Our Graduation Ceremony and Walkout has become a wonderful tradition in our school, and it was great to see so many family and friends come along to celebrate their final school event. In addition, the Senior Formal was an enjoyable event, where the seniors could celebrate the end of their High School years together. I wish all of them the best for the future, and look forward to hearing what they are all doing as they enter the workforce or further training.

During the next few weeks, we will be putting together the timetable for 2019. A reminder that the structure of our timetable will change next year. All students will begin school at 9am and finish school at 3pm, with four 70 minute lessons during the day. If you know you are not returning to Blackwater State High School in 2019, please contact the school office to let us know so we can organise classes, and begin the departure process. In the next 2 weeks, Year 8 and 9 students will choose their elective subjects for 2019. These will come home in a note which will need to be signed by a Parent/Carer and returned to the office.

During Week 10, report cards will be given out to all students that are present at school. The remainder of reports that have not been collected will be sent out towards the end of the week. Included  with the report cards will be the material list requirements for 2018. Alternatively, you can access the materials lists on our school website. Remember that shopping local will keep our community alive.

Earlier in the term we sent home a note expressing interest to order the school magazine. Unfortunately we did not get enough interest to run a printed school magazine this year. We will be putting together an electronic version which will be available on the school website early in 2019.

Mrs Rebecca Godfrey

Deputy Principal

Attendance:

Transition Program - Year 6 students enrolling in 2019.

Our final Transition Days will be held in Week 9 on Thursday 6^th and Friday the 7^th December.  Students will have an opportunity to experience high school life and participate in subjects throughout the two days while becoming more familiar with high school processes.

Due to the structure and ‘real life’ focus of our Transition Days this year, we kindly ask students who are not attending Blackwater State High School to remain at their primary school.  An opportunity to attend the first ‘Taster’ day in Term 3 was provided to allow them to experience life as a student at Blackwater State High.

Students who are planning to attend Blackwater State High School next year but have not yet completed their enrolment paperwork will not be able to experience the transition days until their paperwork has been finalised and submitted. If you are needing to complete your paperwork or require assistance then please contact Admin at Blackwater State High School.

Friday Afternoon Activities

Mr Paterson has introduced Grid Iron to our students and it is amusing to watch our students participate in this foreign sport. Mr Hickey, Mr Paterson and Mr Mackay took to the field to show off their skills. There were many long balls thrown with some very skilful catches. I think the students may have had it over them.

Last week we grabbed our skipping ropes and skipped away to music. Hopefully we can continue to nail ‘double dutch’ and beat the amount of students continually skipping in one rope.

League tag will also be out to challenge the agility of our students. This was a popular activity on display during our Footy Colours day.

The weather is definitely warming up and it is pleasing to see students wearing their school hat and drinking plenty of water. Please ensure that your child has a water bottle with them at school to hydrate throughout the day.

What does Respect look like at Blackwater State High School?

A major focus in which we have been talking to all students about this term is using respectful language. During parades and through PBL lessons we have been discussing the importance of using respectful language with both peers and teachers. There are a number of instances when inappropriate language and swearing is used in the playground and most disappointingly in the classroom.

We would appreciate your support in discussing this with your child/children at home as using inappropriate language may have a greater impact as our students leave school and transition into the workforce.

Until next time,

Mrs Terri Weatherley

Deputy Principal

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Dux of School 2018

Hayley Wornum

BMA Values Award

Tameera Guivarra

Coronado Curragh STEM Bursary

Piper Triggs

Community Spirit Award

Ryleigh Godfrey

School Service Award

Jordan Jackson

CQ University/Caltex All Round Achievement

Savannah McBeth-Cooper

Ross Lancaster Memorial Awards

Lachlan Hardy & Cameron Jackson

Sally Urquhart Memorial Award

Jack Pidgeon

Year 7 Educational Excellence Award

Ryleigh Godfrey

Year 8 Educational Excellence Award

Olivia Allen

Year 9 Educational Excellence Award

Jordan Jackson

Sarah McGregor Memorial Vocational Award

Michellie Muller

School Based Traineeship Award

Shanae Hudson

ADF Leadership & Teamwork Long Tan Awards

Savannah McBeth-Cooper & Jack Pidgeon

Tobane Award

Keisha Byrne

Attendance Excellence Award

Olivia Allen, Alexis Claven, Ryleigh Godfrey, Dylan Petty, Cheyenne Toomey

Vivo Award

Sarah Seeman, Alistar Head (overall top vivo student), Deegan Cashman, Holly Green, Mikaela Bannan, Ty Muller

QMEA Professional Ambassador

Mikaela Bannan

Year 7 Overall Highest Achiever

Summerlyn Clark

Distinction

Tahlia Brown, Summerlyn Clark, Ryleigh Godfrey, Brooke Hodby, Emily Kelly

Merit

Logan Claven, Jaxon Diplock, Amelia Green, Madeline Hansen, Alex Hodgson, Kayleene Knapman, Skye McKean, Cate Plant, Shayla Powell, Kyle Russell, Kristy-Rae Ryan, Mia Spencer, Bella Vipen, Indianna Watts, Charley West, Tjabadungah Yanner

Year 8 Overall Highest Achiever

Cheyenne Hall

Distinction

Cheyenne Hall, Ninekupoyieh Moore, Lily Wornum

 Merit 

Boe Albina, Olivia Allen, Hayden Elms, Chloe Hodgson, Lara Lloyd-Jones, Lincoln McKie, Dylan Petty,             Matilda Pidgeon, Max Power, Tennika Rogers, Henry Sherwell, Rowdy Smith

Year 9 Overall Highest Achiever

Christian Hall

Distinction

Taliyah Beckett, Christian Hall, Jordan Jackson, Telea Kelly

Merit

Wyatt Collins, Jazmin Edson, Jessica Hamey, Cadence Hansen, Tessa Hardy, Charli Muller, Rory Muller, Tenille Rennie, Kayla Roberts, Ethan Starkey, Maddison Toomey, Tamika Tranberg, Dylan Trevethan, Bethany Ward,   Greer Webley, Brad West, Delaney Window

Year 10 Overall Highest Achiever

Finn Cowan

Distinction

Finn Cowan, Keearna Lane, Sam Sheere, Piper Triggs

 Merit

Bree Atkinson, Chloe Batten, Memphis Beazley, Saige Buckingham, Marvin Bucsit, Holly Green, Caitlin Hunt,  Marcus Jackson, Sara Jackson, Kyle Lloyd-Jones, Jack Pidgeon, Jacob Pulleine, Jayden Sims, Hayley West,    Sierra Willmott

Year 11 Overall Highest Achiever

Miriam Javati

Merit with VET

Miriam Javati, Amelia Knapman, Hope Knapman, Elissa Russell

Year 12 Overall Highest Achiever

Hayley Wornum

Distinction

Tameera Guivarra, Savannah McBeth-Cooper, Ben Stockwell, Hayley Wornum

Distinction with VET

Michellie Muller

Merit

Keisha Byrne, Riley Cowan, Tahlia Sims, Rebecca Wheeler, Tara Wilson

Merit with VET

Makaylah McBeth-Cooper, Ty Muller, Aleethia Row Row, Petria Savage, Savannah Simpson, Kallen Taylor

EXTRA CURRICULAR AWARDS

Sporting

Senior Sportsman

Jack Pidgeon

Junior Sportsman

Blake McDonald

Senior Sportswoman

Tara Wilson

Junior Sportswoman

Jordan Jackson

True Spirit Award

Kiralea Wilson

Band

Junior Musician

Maddison Toomey

Senior Musician

Holly Green

We sincerely appreciate the continued support of the Blackwater Community in recognising student participation and achievement by supporting our Awards Evening. In particular we thank the Blackwater State High School Parents’ & Citizens’ Association and our sponsors:

Australian Defence Force

BMA Blackwater Mine

Caltex

Central Highlands Regional Council

Coronado Curragh

CQ University

Jellinbah Mine Pty Ltd

Kleen Filter Service

Lachlan Millar MP

Lancaster Family

Lioness Club Blackwater

Lions Club Blackwater

McGregor Family

Rotary Club Blackwater

T&J Whitehouse Investments

Yancoal Yarrabee Coal Company

On the 15th of November Blackwater State High School farewelled our Year 12 senior students of 2018. The Graduation breakfast and ceremony was a resounding success and we are very proud of our graduates. It was fantastic to see so many parents, family and caregivers there to celebrate their student’s success. We appreciate you taking the time to attend, and to support your student.

This was followed by the Blackwater tradition, the ‘walkout’. There were tears and excitement as our seniors left our school saying goodbye to their teachers and friends as they went. After this, students participated in a congratulatory bus tour around town which was topped off with a complimentary frozen coke.

The Year 12 senior students have definitely left a mark on our school and they will not be forgotten by students and teachers. All achieved success in their respective pathways with all attaining their QCE, and at least one Certificate II. As their Head of Senior Schooling I am very proud of them and can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.

Congratulations to the class of 2018. We wish their respective futures to be bright whatever path they choose.

Ms Pamela Henderson

HOD Senior Schooling

On Friday the 16^th of November, teachers, parents and invited guests gathered at the Civic Centre to celebrate the graduation of the seniors of 2018.

Arriving in style, students were then taken back in time as they celebrated with the theme of The Great Gatsby. Students entertained the crowd with a dance to some old school hits, which had everyone watching fall into fits of laughter. Students were then entertained by staff, in an array of media presentations reminding them of the wonderful time they spent at Blackwater State High School. Students, parents, and staff celebrated and enjoyed one final hurrah with the departing students. We wish them all the best.

Special thanks must go to all the staff and parents who helped out in the lead up to formal, and helped out on the night of the formal. It was a wonderful showcase of some of the great things that occur at Blackwater State High School.

Miss Abbey Jeffery

Years 11 & 12 Coordinator

Library News

Over the past 2 months our Library has been closed for use while undergoing some changes. All carpeted areas have been replaced and this has been complemented by a new layout. A new projector and whiteboard were also purchased and mounted in the annex. Thanks to June Huxley, Beth Dyer and Chris Campbell for their hard work making these changes and a number of other non-teaching staff at times. The place looks fantastic.

School Fees

FEES ARE DUE NOW!! Outstanding invoices were posted last week. Thank you to all families who have paid all their fees and to those who have an agreed payment plan in place and are actively paying. Our preferred method of payment is Bpoint or visiting the office. The Department no longer accepts payment via phone calls to the school.  Failing to pay fees can result in the school engaging debt collectors along with not being accepted to participate in the student resource scheme next year.

WHAT IF:

Your student is feeling sick or hurt

• They must report to their teacher who will direct them to the sick bay. If required the school will contact you.

Your student needs to call home

• Student can report to the front office only during lunch time and office staff will make the call to parents. These calls are only emergency calls. Calling home to see if they can go to a friend’s place is not acceptable and should be sorted prior to or after school hours.

(Student’s mobile phone use is prohibited on school grounds)

Your student is absent from school

• You call the office and talk to office staff or use the message bank
• You can provide a note or medical certificate when the student returns
• You can use Qparent
• You can reply to the absent text on that day.

Remember everyday counts.

You need to give your student a message

• Contact the school office on 4986 9555 and a message will be delivered to your student.

You need to drop off lunch or bring your child an item

• You need to drop item to the office and office staff will pass it on.

(no students to receive items over the fence or out of cars)

Mrs Rebecca James

Business Manager

It is an offence to be on state school premises without a lawful authority or a reasonable excuse for being there. A current maximum fine of $2523 applies, section 334 Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 (Qld) (Education Act).

This means that school grounds (such as the playing fields) are not available for general use out of school hours without permission, even just walking through school grounds as a shortcut.

Police keep schools under surveillance out of hours and are keen to apprehend trespassers in an attempt to reduce vandalism and wilful damage of school property.

Parents are asked to emphasise the above with students so that they do not enter school grounds after school, at weekends or during school holidays.

Our school is a part of the School Watch program.  If you see anything suspicious occurring in the school after hours, please phone School Watch on 13 17 88.

The 2018 Blackwater State High School Swimming Carnival was another great hit this year. With the soaring heat of Spring the carnival was a nice retreat for everyone who attended. The Swimming Carnival being the last Inter House Carnival on the school calendar, marked it the last major school sporting event for the Year Twelves.

This year there were a number of standout performers such as Indi Watts who broke numerous records for the Under 12 Girls. Grace Hill also broke multiple records for the Under 14 Girls.

Age Champions:

12 Years Girl  - Indi Watts

12 Years Boy - Lewis Malone-McInnerney

13 Years Girl - Mia Clarke

13 Years Boy - Rhys Matthews

14 Years Girl - Grace Hill

14 Years Boy - Jayden Sanderson

15 Years Girl - Leah Lilley

15 Years Boy - Kaydon Matthews

16 Years Girl - Kiralea Wilson

16 Years Boy - Aiden Leishman

Open Girl - Tara Wilson

Open Boy - Mitchell Brown

The overall house championship came down to just a 52 point difference, one of the more closely contested battles in recent years. Third place was awarded to Eden, second place awarded to Tartrus, which left Bedford the overall 2018 Blackwater State High School Swimming House Champions.

Mr Nick Hickey

Sports Coordinator

PB4L lessons are focusing on students being Responsible and showing Respect, both in and out of the classroom.  Each week until the end of the term, students will have a lesson delivered during their Monday form classes that focus on responding respectfully to others, minimising disruptive behaviour in classes and transitioning appropriately between classes.

As the PB4L team continues to work towards improving positive behaviours within our school, we would like to invite some parents to join our team.  The PB4L team meets once a month to look at behaviour data, discuss behaviour trends and things that we can implement in the school.  We would love to have some parents join our team to add some fresh eyes and ideas to our data and to our approaches to positive behaviour.  If you are interested in being a part of the PB4L team or would like some more information, please contact the school and ask to speak to someone on our PB4L team.

Mrs Stacey Sheather

Student Services Team

Semester 2 Maths and Science tutoring continues to grow in size which is great to see.  It is free to attend and all maths and science teachers are there to assist anyone who wants any help.

Miss Ashleigh Trace

Maths Coordinator

Maths

Thursday afternoons 2.30pm - 4.00pm

Science

Thursday afternoons 2.30pm - 4.00pm

English

Tutoring by request

Monday afternoons 3.10pm - 4.00pm

All tutoring held in the library