Term 4 - Week 10 - November 2022

From The Principal

Welcome to our final Newsletter for the year. 

Thank you for your commitment and involvement with your child’s education, and I look forward to working with you again in 2023.  For those who are leaving us, I wish you the best for future endeavours. For our continuing students and families, I wish you a safe and festive vacation period.

2023

The first day of school in 2023 will commence on Monday 23 January. All students will attend school on this day. The school office will be open from Monday 16 January. Uniforms can be purchased from the MPC building on the following days:

Wednesday 18 January: 9-1:00 pm
Thursday 19 January: 9-1:00 pm
Friday 20 January: 9-1:00 pm

Appointments are to be made on the booking system link below

Leaving staff

I wish to acknowledge the efforts and commitment of staff who will be leaving Tully SHS at the end of this year and wish you all the best in the future. I know our students and the school community will miss you.

Transferring to other schools:

Mr Kavic                                               Mr Townson                                      Ms Paine

Mr Jackson                                         Mr Smith                                             Ms Walker

Ms Sidhu

Retiring:

Mr Hutchinson                                  Ms Appelgren                                   Ms Holmes        

Ms Vecchio (Tuckshop Convenor)

Business Liaison Association (BLA)

Congratulations to three of our Year 12 students who were recognised at the regional BLA Awards Evening recently.  Abby Walton was an award recipient in the Excellence in Health & Physical Education Award while both Charlotte Mackay and Melody Smith were recipients of awards in the Agricultural Futures Awards section. A great result for the exceptional work from these three students.

Formal 2022

Time can be a slippery commodity. Thirteen years of schooling sounds like a substantial weight of classes, teachers, schoolwork and friends of varying heights. And so it is.  But it can also manifest itself as something far more ephemeral – one moment you’re in Year 8, somewhat awed by those superior beings, the Seniors, who are rumoured to be able to write 1,000-word essays, and the next you are sitting in a Year 12 classroom, counting down the days to those final landmarks that signal the end of school years.

The Formal is the shiny rite-of-passage that is always anticipated with mounting excitement, underpinned by meticulous planning and a sense of the surreal until yes, you have actually arrived.  There you are, glamourous in the dress you chose months ago, or so sharp in that suit that transforms you into the man you will become. Your hair is styled, your face glows with youth and health and elation. You step out of the coach that you conjured up – maybe that low-slung sports car, that Jaguar, the Kombi or the Stretch Hummer loaded with your mates. There you are, finally on the red carpet, dazzled by the lights, the cheers, and laughing with the joy of what feels like freedom and endless possibility.

Inside the MPC, time has reverted to that momentary era of glamour and glitz, the early 1920s, where wealth and excess were embodied by Gatsby and his cronies. Black and gleaming gold, plumed centre pieces, sparkling lights, the stage banner – you know this is It. Names are announced, there’s clapping and more cheers, and at last you and your peers have taken centre stage, class of 2022! And now you can really relax, and lap up the moment.

You pose in the photo booth, enthroned; you dance as soon as the teachers strike up their band; you pile your plate with food ‘cuisined’ by Chef Dan Townson and his Year 11 sous-chefs.

Ms Walker is the one who has been with you all through the thick and thin of high school, from Year 8 till this, a turning point in your life. She addresses the gathering – your parents, teachers and friends – describing that journey. This year she made sure that the memories would be positive, adding a distinctive Senior polo shirt to the traditional jersey, bussing you to the Cairns Career Expo, and organising a trip to the Gold Coast which will endure as a highlight of your school days. Ms Walker is careful to hide her emotions, anticipating more ceremonial goodbyes to come.

The clock doesn’t actually strike the midnight hour, but all of you young Gatsbies do eventually leave these festivities in your honour. Some of you gather elsewhere, buoyed by the thought of being able to sleep in, not having to say goodbye quite yet. Informally, it is still your Formal.

Speech Night 2022

On Tuesday, 15 November, our annual Speech Night took place in the Multi-Purpose Centre with huge numbers of students receiving awards.  This year, Subject Awards were handed out in all year levels. recognising the top student achievers. In addition, we had many students receiving Merit and Excellence Academic Awards in recognition of their outstanding results achieved in all of their subjects for the year. It should be noted that the criteria for Merit and Excellence impose a very high standard, so congratulations must go to those successful students.

Many parents were on hand to witness students also receive Special Awards and Bursaries generously donated by supporters of our school.  The night culminated in the announcement of the winners of the prestigious Junior and Senior Dux awards.  This year, there was a high calibre of Year 9 students to choose from; however, it was Stephanie Van Tonder who received Junior Dux, with Ryan Hurst taking out Senior Dux. 

Congratulations to all students receiving awards, and a huge thankyou to those who have supported us through a difficult year. Recognition must also go to the teachers and families of these students, as student success is in no small measure a product of your hard work and perseverance. 

Mrs Rebekah Bidois

Deputy Principal

Warren Giffin Honoured

Teacher Warren Giffin, who has been in charge of the Agriculture Department for over thirty years, and instrumental in establishing our widely esteemed Droughtmaster stud, has now been officially recognised for his achievements. 

To mark its 60^th Anniversary, the Droughtmaster Stud Breeders’ Society of Australia has initiated two new awards, one of which, the President’s Award, has been bestowed on Mr Giffin for his outstanding leadership and contribution to the Droughtmaster Breed.  

Warren is humbled by this honour and grateful to have the opportunity to work with the students and these fine animals.  

High Distinctions

Huge Congratulations to Ryan Grainger and Ryan Hurst on completing a university subject in the START QUT Program. Both boys received High Distinctions in the subject Calculus and Differential Equations (MXB105). A marvellous effort by them both whilst completing their Year 12 studies.

Year 12 ATAR Students SPIRIT WEEK

In Week 3, the Year 12 ATAR students had their last formal classes. To commemorate this auspicious week and celebrate their achievement of survival, we had a dress-up theme each day of that week. Monday was BBQ Dads and Soccer Mums, Tuesday was Tiara Tuesday, followed by On Wednesdays We Wear Pink and Throwback Thursday. And on Friday, they could Dress as Your Favourite Teacher.

Sport Awards

The annual Southern Zone Sport Awards celebrated student achievements for the 2022 Representative Sport year.  Students from Tully SHS and local primary schools attended.  This year saw the return to full representative opportunities for all sports, which was a welcomed change from a disrupted 2020-21 season. 

The guest speaker, Michael Smith – Pro Bull Rider - gave students an insight into competitive bull riding, incorporating a great message to continue involvement in the activities they enjoy and excel at rather than worry about what their friends are or are not doing.  Michael is a former Tully SHS student and shared fond memories of his school sporting achievements and time at our school. 

Tully SHS was well represented this year at Regional and State sporting trials, with an increased number of students achieving both Peninsula and Queensland representation this year.  Congratulations to all award recipients, with a special mention to some of our Special Award winners:

• Hayley Johnston - Senior Sport Person of the Year
• Chloe Johnston - Contribution to Sport Award
• Phillip Mooner - House Sport Participation Award
• Mackay - House Spirit Cup
• Qld Representatives 2022

           Ezekiel Ivey

           Hayley Johnston

           Charlize Liddle

YouFor2032 Olympic Talent Identification

Congratulations to Shekinah Goddard (year 8) on her selection into the Queensland Academy of Sport YouFor2032 testing day for diving. Shekinah was selected in the program based on her testing results at the Cairns testing day last term.  A group of TSHS students attended to put themselves through sport testing for talent Identification for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic games. 

Shekinah attend the testing day at the world class facility based in the Sleeman Sports Centre (Chandler, Brisbane) which is home to the Diving Australia High Performance Program.  Shekinah is a top level dancer and gymnast which gave her an ideal skillset for diving.  We wish her well as she awaits news on progressing to the next level. 

GRADUATION

Wednesday 16 November marked the end of schooling for our 78 Year 12 students: the whole school gathered in the MPC to say goodbye and good luck to our Seniors.

The ceremony began with Mr Graham congratulating the graduating Class of 2022 and their parents, many of whom were in the audience with siblings and other relatives. The Year-level Co-ordinator, Ms Walker, addressed her cohort for the last time, reflecting on the many memories over the past six years, having started her time at Tully SHS teaching them as Year 7s, and having been their Coordinator for each year since then. Over that formative stretch of time, Ms Walker has grown close to them both as individuals and a group, guiding them in out of school. Holding back her emotions, she gave them advice on life after school, urging them to stay positive and open to new opportunities. With hardly a dry eye in the crowd, the Year 12’s exited the MPC through the traditional Year 11 guard of honour, and left the school grounds for the last time.

Goodbye and Good Luck Seniors of 2022.

The Arts Faculty

Last term, Jackson Simpson, Mikayla Waina, Tilly Tuland, Jasmin Gallagher, Luke Sorbello, Jasmine Pitman and Rai Robson attended the Griffith University’s Creative State Excellence Program in Mackay.  These students were nominated by Ms Willis or Mrs Holmes, and all were successful in being chosen to attend.  In this Visual Arts & Design program students took part in numerous workshops, planning and creating together with students from other schools in Queensland.  The three days culminated in an exhibition of work, curated by the students and University lecturers. 

All students have come back from this experience with a newfound confidence in themselves as well as confidence in applying themselves creatively. Being exposed to this level of artistic direction has opened up pathways for those who attended and brought about a new level of excitement for their creative futures. 

Ms Willis

Art Teacher

 HoD Junior Secondary

Congratulations Layla

Year 8 student, Layla Ivey, entered her beautiful artwork into the 2022 QATSIF Creative Arts Competition and took out first place in the printmaking section.  Her artwork features a fish in the style of Aboriginal X-ray Art as well three Aboriginal art symbols, which together tell a story…

“The weary mob sat around the waterhole, having a yarn, under the starry night sky.  They watched in awe as one particular fish made its way into the connected waterhole and illuminated the night sky, brighter than the stars did.  The modest fish, made itself known for being just who it was.  It just needed the mob to notice him in a different light.  Get up! Stand up! Show up!”

From the Maths Department

Maths Methods
Year 11 Mathematical Methods students have been taking measurements in order to best approximate the area of grass enclosed by C Block, the Tuckshop and the Administration building. This problem-solving task is their first piece of assessment that will contribute to their final ATAR results. Students displayed a great deal of maturity whilst approaching this task and showed an impressive level of understanding, given that the content involved is still very new to them. Well done students and Mrs McKnight.

Indigenous Boxing

Year 12 student and 2022 Indigenous Leader at TSHS, Jonas Gumbleton, travelled to Sydney on the 4 November for the Indigenous All Stars V The World boxing tournament in Yagoona NSW.

Unfortunately, Jonas didn’t the win on the night but came away with a great experience and got to meet other boxers form around Australia.

Jonas is now training very hard for his fights in Melbourne on December 3, 4 & 5 at the National Amateur Boxing Titles.

SLT - Mental as Anything

Mental Health Week was marked by the new SLT in Week 6, each day providing their peers with uplifting activities, events, and tips for robust mental health.

 Karaoke Monday demonstrated how seeped in song our teenagers are and how unabashedly they prove their musical mastery over melody and lyrics, even some of the golden oldies. Just Dance Tuesday could have been called Just Dance and Sing At The Same Time Everyone – a joyful in-the-moment half hour, regardless of the heat. Something cool for Wednesday – free Super Doopers! Then on Thursday, in honour of the Dolly’s Dream, we sold SnoCones and donated $200 to that organisation to help counter cyber bullying. To top off the week, the team scrubbed down the BBQ and sizzled hundreds of sausages, which disappeared in about 10 minutes, thanks to their superb organizational flow-chart-in-action.

 The absolute success of that week was actually no surprise – key leaders in the Team had earlier made a spontaneous decision to acknowledge Loud Shirt Day with loud socks instead, peruading enough students to join their cause to raise $250, which Eli Waddell was proud to receive on the stage at the penultimate Assembly for the year.

 It was with their inaugural event, however, that the new 2022=2023 SLT really showed their abilities to conceive and deliver. The Breast Cancer cause has garnered a deal of publicity and donations in the last decade, but not so that of Ovarian Cancer, a more intractable disease, killing over 1,000 Australian women each year. So the Team baked a lot of cupcakes, iced pink and teal, sold them to students and staff, and was proud to send a donation of $300 to each of the charities.

The SLT met for the last time in Week 7, abrim with plans for 2023. As their guiding teachers, Glenda (Tenni) and I look forward to encourage their innovations, initiatives and inquiries.

Thierrine Bromley

Year 9 Food Studies

This semester, the Year 9 classes have been learning about food preservation techniques to minimise food wastage. They have practiced dehydrating fruit and jerky, made relishes, jams and pickles, the incorporating them in meals and snacks like ‘bliss balls’ and ANZAC biscuits. For their assessment, they worked in groups to make a preserved food for sale to Staff. Students had to research a recipe, cost it, make, package and label the food. Then they did a brilliant job of selling it to Staff with confidence and a smile. Well done Year 9!

Year 10 Food studies

Year 10s have completed a unit on non-alcoholic drinks this term, and considered the concept of supply and demand in the Hospitality Industry. This culminated in a project where they had to sell drinks to students. First they had to collect data in the form of a student survey, analyse the results and choose their drink accordingly to ensure they met consumer demand. They then had to cost, market, produce and sell their drinks to their fellow students. All drinks sold out each day and the students did an incredible job managing time and tasks. Well done Year 10!

Multicultural Week

In Week 3, our fabulous students came together as one to help celebrate Multicultural Week. They began with performances of their beautiful cultural dances during Assembly on Monday. A sunny Tuesday allowed for the Girringun Rangers from Cardwell to visit and teach spear throwing on the oval. On Wednesday in the undercover area, students showcased their creative cultural displays and hit the runway in their traditional dress. On Thursday, students and staff came together to learn the craft of Cook Island board printing with shirts and pillowcases that were donated by family members of Miss Ford. There was double fun this day, with Indigenous Art painting also happening, using mini animal wood and boomerangs as well as learning how to make Māori Poi. To celebrate the hard work and end a great week, students who helped make Multicultural Week a success shared a traditional feast together in the Café area.    

Orientation Day

On Monday 5 December, Tully High opened its doors to the Year 6s of the nine primary schools in our Ulysses Cluster for our annual Orientation Day. All students experienced a full day of normal high school routine, and what it would be like for them in Year 7 when they begin their secondary phase of education. Approximately 150 students attended the Orientation Day. There were many emotions during the day such as nervous excitement, eagerness, and enthusiasm. By all accounts, students thoroughly enjoyed the day, and on first impressions sounded very keen to start this phase of their schooling by beginning to form bonds with their peers, teachers and support staff. Tully High looks forward to 2023 when all of our Year 6s return as keen Year 7s, who are fully prepared to learn and mirror the values of our school.

BLA Awards - Melody Smith, Charlotte MacKay, Abbey Walton

On December 1, newly graduated students, Melody Smith and Charlotte MacKay, attended the Business Liaison Awards for the category AgriFutures conducted at the International Pullman Hotel in Cairns. Both girls were selected from five candidates to receive awards on the night. It was quite a lengthy process: firstly selected by Agricultural Science teacher Mr Giffin, then a written application, followed by interviews with four Agricultural enterprises from North Queensland. Melody received the CBWC Encouragement Award and Charlotte also received an Encouragement Award.

Another 2022 graduate present at the award ceremony was Abbey Walton, who also had completed the application and interview process. For her efforts towards a career in Health, Abbey achieved third place from five candidates across North Queensland in the Tong Sing Excellence in Health and Physical Education (sponsored by Right at Home FNQ).

Mr Graham also attended the evening.

Congratulations to all three girls – a well-deserved result after two years of study and application in their chosen pathways.

Goodbye Nancy

After 14 years of dedicated service to our school, Nancy Vecchio,  (Master)Tuckshop Convenor, has decided to hang up her apron, and turn her abundant energies and organizational skills to a new phase of her life. All those years of innovative menu planning and impeccable delivery, always with health, hygiene and cost efficiency at the forefront, have left an indelible legacy, with the school community the beneficiaries. Thousands of students surely have a fond food memory of their school days, thanks to Nancy.                                                                                                                                          We wish her a wonderful retirement, filled with her own foodie adventures as she and her husband explore the world beyond the Tuckshop. 

Popular Culture

The final unit that the Year 10 History classes were engaged in was an investigation into one of the elements of Popular Culture, either Movies, Music, Television, Information Technology, Fashion or Sport. The period of time covered was post World War 2, 1945 to the present day. Having completed research on their chosen topic, the students created a multi-modal display item to demonstrate their findings.

Items featured in the students’ Interactive Display located in the Library during Week 8 included posters, concertinas, dioramas, models, books and flip-top items.

The students had to consider key aspects of their topic which showed change over time, and assess the impact popular culture has had and continues to have on society.

Specific Australian examples had to be included.

Chaplaincy News

Over the last four weeks, I have been running A2B, an action-based learning program for eight Year 8 boys and eight Year 8 girls each Wednesday for one hour. The A2B program promotes important personal development concepts such as identity, self-esteem, problem solving, self-expression and building positive relationships.

During each session, students participate in a variety of group-building and problem-solving activities which requires teamwork and good communication.  At the conclusion of each activity, either I or my co-facilitator helps the students reflect on how the group went and what they would do differently next time.  In addition, we help them connect the activity and skills required to their learning at school and being successful members in the wider community.

When asked what the benefits of participating in A2B are, students stated they are learning what it means to work as a team; being able to trust people more; how to encourage others; the importance of communication; being able to listen more; getting to know other students and making new friends; being patient with peers; coping better in class; learning how to solve problems; and having fun!

Below are some photos of two activities we recently completed.  A big thank you to Ms Bevan and Mr Jonnie who have helped me facilitate the two groups.  I look forward to running A2B next year and introducing another social/emotional learning program – Drumbeat.

Take care,

Chappy Steve

TSHS Uniform Dress Standard

Casual Cleaners Wanted

Uniforms Wanted!

Tully Multipurpose Centre