Term 4 - Week 6 - November 2021

From The Principal

Welcome to our Term 4 Newsletter.  As usual, the school has been a hive of activity and the September holidays seem a long time ago. A large number of our students across all grades have undertaken a range of school, career and goal setting activities as part of their Wellbeing programs.  These activities will support students in making informed decisions when choosing subjects for their 2022 timetables and getting the best start in their new Year level in 2022.

Upcoming Events

We have a busy week ahead of all of us next week.  Starting off on Monday 15, we have our Cluster Sports Awards to be held in the MPC.  After a COVID break in 2020, it will be wonderful to get our Cluster schools together to celebrate our sporting successes throughout the year. The next evening, we have our very prestigious Awards Evening. This event recognises the many achievements of our students both in the classroom and in everyday school life.  Finally, Wednesday is our Graduation Day, where we celebrate our Class of 2021 as they venture onto the next step of their education journey.  I look forward to catching up with you over these three days.

Year 12 External Exams

Our year 12 students have been diligently attending tutorial sessions and emailing teachers with questions as they undertake external assessment.  This is a busy time for our students and while they are very experienced in taking assessment, it is a very stressful time as well and we wish them all the best. 

Staff Celebrations

The school celebrated World Teachers Day recently with all of our teachers receiving a coffee mug with a heart-warming quote on the side.  Knowing that teachers consume a lot of coffee, I think this will be a well-used gift!  While the job of a teacher is time-consuming and stressful at times, it is also a highly rewarding vocation.  

A couple of weeks prior, the school also celebrated the work carried out by our cleaning staff on World Cleaners’ Day.  A small but busy band of cleaners every day ensures that our school is the cleanest and most hygienic it can be for students and staff the next day. 

Containers for Change

A big shout out to the Student Leadership Team and their work with the Containers for Change program. After a very humble beginning with several different garbage bins, they have designed a very effective mesh container which is highly utilised by both staff and students. With close to 40 of the mesh bins around the school designed to collect recyclable containers, students are making a difference to our school environment.  The fringe benefit for students is that any monies raised goes straight back to students in a variety of ways.  Congratulations also to the very willing band of volunteers who every week empty and collect the containers for pick – up.

2021 Tutti Frutti Custer Band Concert

Instrumental Music students from Tully SHS combined with Instrumental students from the Cluster to create a Mega Band at Tully SHS with rave reviews! The band consisted of 105 students from Tully SS, Tully SHS, Cardwell SS, Lower Tully SS, Feluga SS and Mission Beach SS. The audience was treated with a diverse program of repertoire from Beethoven to Fleetwood Mac, Pirates of the Caribbean to Queen. The concert was a fabulous showcase event highlighting the talents of our wonderful Instrumental programs that we have here within the Ulysses cluster.

In preparation for this event, students attended two day camps where they were put through their paces, enabling them to wow the crowd with ease on the night. Huge thanks go out to all involved who helped put this show together. It would not have happened without the support from all schools involved and, of course, the families who encourage their students to practice and perform. Bravo!

Mrs Karen Stewart

Instrumental Music Teacher

Ulysses Cluster

Year 12 Formal

Retro was the theme for the Year 12 Formal. The spectacular evening started with arrivals at the MPC with the surprise of Sparkle Jets. A range of vehicles delivered students to a welcoming crowd. Students looked amazing as they strutted the red carpet on their entrance.

The MPC was transformed with elements of retro diner, rock ‘n roll band and carnival concept. Students and guests were entertained by a live band (predominately teachers) with Elvis making a special appearance for Blue Suede Shoes.

Barney rises to the Design Challenge

When the Queensland Art Gallery/ Gallery of Modern Art presented the inaugural Creative Generation: Design program, Barney Brook was one of sixteen Senior students who were selected from across the State to respond to a series of design challenges across eight online workshops. As designers in residence, they worked with professional designers to co-design a gallery experience for visitors of all abilities and ages.

The gallery consisted of multiple areas: an area to view the design inspired art; one to learn about the student designers; one to interact and connect with the art by drawing items and objects; a folding station where the drawings become 3D origami, and an area to share the drawings.

The program required commitment and collaboration by innovative students, and with this experience we wish Barney all the best in his future design endeavours.

Year 9 Ecology Unit

As part of the Year 9 Ecology unit, students spent some time investigating the amazing process of photosynthesis.  They started with identifying the plant structures responsible for converting the carbon dioxide to oxygen, and then went on to reviewing results indicating the presence of oxygen or carbon dioxide in water using a water plant, guppies and a chemical indicator. 

Mental as Anything...

By now most of you have realised that October is designated as Mental Health Month, with the third week being especially targeted.

To focus students’ attention in the most positive way, the SLT organized special events to lift spirits: a free BBQ with enough sausages for a second round for the very hungry; icy cold Soopadoopers on another day; and one of the favourites - a Just Dance in the UCA. Posters around the school promoted messages of care and kindness to self and others.

Of course, this is not the only time we organize freebies – the monies we raise from our Containers for Change initiative always benefits students directly.

During this month we also fostered staff mental health with weekly staffroom tips for improving wellbeing, small gifts and random chocolates.                                      

Old People Bustin’ Moves

The last Social for the year was held on Thursday of Week 3, with the chosen theme being Old People. Photos on this page show how that youthful glow is a giveaway – the actual old people serving in the canteen still looked decades older.

Numbers were lower than usual, as many Senior students are already out in the world or swotting for their external exams.

 Socials attract a minority of students, which is rather puzzling, as they are unique opportunities for parents to be assured that their offspring is having a great time dancing and socializing in the safest of contexts. Teacher-student ratios are always high, and supervision covers all segments of the MPC. Members of the SLT keep the evening lively with just dance segments, games and prizes. Drinks and chocolates keep energies high.

It’s two and a half hours of what used to be called good clean fun!

Certificate II in Engineering

Tully State High School provides a diverse curriculum to suit student needs. Senior students value curriculum options to support vocational pathways.  TAFE Qld supports the TAFE & Secondary schools’ program by delivering a Cert II in Engineering at Tully SHS.  Students have a variation to their timetable every Monday to undertake the qualification.  2021 has provided another group of students to complete this qualification.

QSPA Vice President (Deputy Principal)

Mark McLoughlin of Tully State High School has been selected as one of nine Principals and Deputy Principals Queensland-wide who collectively form the Executive of QSPA (Queensland Secondary Principals Association). The QSPA is primarily the voice for and supports the 600 odd leaders in over 280 State Secondary Schools in Queensland. This is a huge accolade for Mark and an honour that Tully State High School is incredibly proud of.

Mark’s career began with working for the Department in 2004, in the Darling Downs Southwest Region. Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of working across multiple sites and regions within our State, from the smallest high school in Central Queensland to the most northern high school in the Torres Strait. At these schools, he has worked in a variety of positions including Curriculum and Student Services Head of Department roles, Junior & Senior Deputy roles and acting Principal roles. He is currently located at Tully State High School as the Junior Secondary Deputy Principal.

Mark joined the QSPA in 2014 upon his appointment as a Deputy Principal at Innisfail State College. As branch leader of the FNQ Deputy Principals since 2019, he has represented school leaders in FNQ at QSPA State Council. Given his career development and experience, Mark is a passionate advocate for regional, rural and remote schools and the great outcomes that can be provided to students within these settings. Mark firmly believes that all students across our State need to have the best possible educational experience provided to them and this requires strong leadership values that build on a positive school and departmental culture. It also involves ensuring that all key stakeholders who influence the secondary schools are aware of the complexities encountered on a daily basis.

To balance his workload and recharge his batteries for his busy roles, Mark is an avid sports fan, enjoying wood working and experimenting with various forms of international BBQ to the delight of his family.

Marlin Coast Challenge 2021

Saturday October 16 marked the 14^th Marlin Coast Challenge, where paddlers can either compete as an Iron Individual, Iron Team or as a Relay Team in one-, two- or six-man outrigger canoes.

The race starts at Yorkeys Knob, with the first stop for nutrition and rest for the Iron competitors or a team change for the relay teams being Ellis Beach. Once the last canoe arrives, after a short break the second leg of the race starts to Wangetti Beach. The same program continues to Oak Beach, with the finish being at Five Mile Beach, Port Douglas. The total distance of the event is 43km.

This year, Tully State High School students who are members of the Mission Beach Outrigger Canoe Club, bravely stood up for the challenge. Hayden Tamblyn, Jed Campbell, Max Rowe, Jack Watson, Eli Kraushaar and Mathew Gough competed Iron in a six-man outrigger canoe; Korey Roberts, Kane Rowe and Cooper Steinke in a two-man outrigger canoe, the three of them sharing the load of what is normally a team of four, and Charlotte Sharpe in another two-man outrigger canoe also sharing the load with her other two team members.

When Charlotte was asked about the event she said, It was a great event and I would love to do it again.

To witness these students compete on the day is very humbling; their strength, determination and comradery is something to be truly proud of as a school and community.

Well done to all!

Year 8 Art

This term in 8 Art, students are creating a clay pot that displays the designs features of a chosen culture.  Students have discussed, researched and chosen a culture that exists in our community, then designed a vessel that incorporates elements of that culture or nationality.  Each student has chosen to use either a pinch, coil or slab pot hand-building technique while taking an individual approach to the design aspects.   So far, these are looking amazing!

Sunset Jazz in the Garden – Luke O’Neil

With a stunning sunset filtering through the back drop of a tropical garden, the mood was set for Sunset Jazz in the Garden. Tully State High School student, Luke O’Neil, took all who attended on a jazz journey with his support act on saxophone being our very own Principal, Richard Graham. Luke is an accomplished pianist and, without a sheet of music in sight, entertained impeccably throughout the sets.

Luke, so early in his music career, has grasped various mentoring and performing opportunities and already has some outstanding achievements, including being selected from a pool of Queensland artists to perform on stage with the James Morrison Big Band. Luke and Mr Graham’s undeniable love of Jazz oozed from their performances; their joy infectiously absorbed by all.

Sports News

Sports Awards

The annual Cassowary Coast Southern Zone Sports Awards Night will be held at Tully SHS on Monday 15 November.  Invitations will be given to students this week; it is essential students RSVP by Wednesday 10 November.  A reminder that students must wear formal uniform for this occasion.  If students need to hire a uniform, please ensure this is done in Week 6. 

Walker Memorial Trophy

Congratulations to all players in the annual Year 11 v 12, Walker Memorial Trophy Rugby League game in Week 8 of Term 3.  The match first started in 1998, and is a celebrated and much anticipated yearly event at the school.  Commiserations to the Year 12s for the second year running, with the Year 11s winning the match 30 points to 4.  The Man of the Match was selected by special guest, ex-Tully SHS student and politician, Andrew Cripps.  Congratulations to Year 11 student, Jason Hallie, this year’s recipient.   

Touch Football Queensland Merit Team

Congratulations to Kassidy Dore on her recent selection in the 12 Years Touch Football Queensland Merit Team.  Kassidy was one of five TSHS students representing the Cassowary Coast in the team.  Kassidy was the only Peninsula player selected for the team. Well done, Kassidy – you can be very proud of this fantastic achievement.   

Ex-Students Visit

A big thank you to Romy Teitzel, Jack Campagnolo and Jake Clifford for talking to the Year 7 and 8 students about mental health.  These ex-students spoke about their journeys and strategies they have used to help them look after their own mental health.  Thank you so much for giving back to your high school community.

Multicultural day

Kia Orana,

Year 10 Wellbeing

This year in Wellbeing, the Year 10 students have been learning about topics such as goal setting, personal strengths, values, benefits of failure, mindfulness and gratitude.  It has been rewarding to see the Wellbeing classes flourish throughout the year.

It’s important to have the skills and confidence to face life’s barriers.  Knowing you are able to overcome something you thought was insurmountable helps build confidence and reinforce independence.

Students in Sally’s class, on November 1, decided to challenge themselves by climbing Mt Tyson.  For some, just getting out of bed at 5am was a feat in itself.  The students are to be commended on their persistence and grit required to complete the task.  A huge shout out to Dakota Franich who completed the climb in her own time when she had previous commitments that prevented her from doing the climb with the class. 

Thank you to the parents for getting up early to deliver their children to Mt Tyson for the 6am start. Also, a huge thanks to Kathy White for accompanying us.

The smiles at the end say it all 😊

Year 9 Art

This term in 9 Art, students have been learning about the artist, Henry Moore, and using his abstract sculptures of the human figure as inspiration for their assessment.  Students will create a clay sculpture that will be a stylized version of the human figure in a pose that they have developed themselves.  They have made some experimental pieces in the lead up to their assessment and are now using those to identify issues and how to make improvements.  I can’t wait for the final pieces!

Yr 10 Earth Art Excursion

As part of our interrogation of Earth Art, we spent a glorious Friday on North Mission Beach, translating what we had learnt about site -specific land art. The photos below show the wonderful possibilities of this ephemeral art form, and the imaginative approach of the Year 10 Art students.

Waltykima

The tradition lives on  . . . another edition of the school magazine is published. A range of stories and photos capture 2021 at Tully State High School. Congratulations to Angie Andreson for her winning entry for the front cover, the Golden Gumboot features proudly amongst famous iconic buildings.

Opening of the Grandstand Covered Area

Tully State High School Parents and Citizens Association, Tully Netball Association and Tully State High School celebrated the opening of the Grandstand Covered Area on November 8, 2021. The structure, a joint venture between the above listed, has been seven years in the making and is a welcome asset to Tully State High School, its students and the Netball community as a covered area facility.

The proceedings were commendably officiated by Tully State High School’s incoming 2022 School Captains, Jack Watson and Toko Tuatai, beginning with a Welcome to Country by our Indigenous Leader, Jonas Gumbleton.

The Honourable Shane Knuth MP officially opened the structure with Councillors Barry Barnes and Trudy Tschui in attendance; P & C Committee members Trish Ryan, Helen Lauridson and Wendy Finlayson, with employees Nancy Vecchio and Jan Irwin; Principal Richard Graham and Business Manager Emmy Sommerfeld; Tully Netball Association’s committee members Nadine O’Farrell and Katie-Anne Flegler, and Joel Govan from Black and More.

Mr Knuth commented that over the past 18 years in politics, he had opened countless facilities and noted that while this might be a small facility on a city scale, it’s a big facility for a smaller town, making it all the more valuable. He also noted the remarkable growth of the Tully Netball Association over the years, on both a local and representative level.

Mr Graham commended the collaboration and tireless work of the Tully State High School P & C, the Tully Netball Association, Emmy Sommerfeld and the previous and current students who participated in the discussions over the years, culminating in the Grandstand Covered Area.

It is great, once again, to see the product of our community working together for a common cause to ensure the growth and development of the younger generation.

Behind the Scenes at the Opening of the Grandstand Covered Area

The smiling faces of these Year 11 girls and their teacher, Dan Townsend, belie the fact that they’d all been working hard to put on the delicious spread for the guests at Monday’s official opening. Phoebe Crowe, Darcie Griffen, Madison Delotyn, Fiona Giblin and Hunter Richtsfeld were the talented cooks of the tasty sweet and savoury morsels, beautifully presented to the local MP, Shane Knuth, Council representatives and school personnel instrumental in the realisation of this essential structure. Well done girls!

TSHS UNIFORM POLICY

Pfizer Pop-up Clinic - Tully

Casual Cleaners Wanted

Well Women’s Clinics

(these clinics are available to Medicare eligible clients)

Service includes Cervical Screening Tests (Pap Smears), Sexual Health Screening, Breast Awareness, also info on Contraception, Continence, Menopause, Lifestyle Issues, Domestic Violence, etc.  All services are provided by a specially trained Women’s Health Nurse.

Mission Beach CHC:              Tuesdays 2^nd Nov & 7^th December               Ph 4016 1447

Tully Hospital:                        Thursdays 4^th Nov &  9^th December             Ph 4226 4812