Term 3 - Week 10 - September 2023

From The Principal

As usual, Term 3 has been a demanding time for the school community.  With several events occurring alongside significant assessment, subject selections and leadership nominations and elections, it certainly has been an exciting term. It is wonderful to see that the school has taken the term’s business in their stride.  I wish you all the best for the September holiday period and look forward to catching up again in the new term. As usual, we will commence the new term on Tuesday 3 October after the Monday public holiday. 

Student Leadership 

After a rigorous process of written applications, interviews and speeches, our leaders have been determined for 2023/24. Due to alterations in the timing of Year 12 assessment and attendance, we changed a couple of years ago to the current format, whereby student leaders take on their roles at the commencement of Term 4. The new Student Leadership Team is a great group of students who are excited to take on their roles next term. Congratulations to all our courageous students who nominated for leadership, and a special thanks to our outgoing students for the leadership shown over the past twelve months. 

Staff changes 

Our staffing remains almost the same for Term 4.  We have been able to overstaff during Term 3 and provide intervention for both students who find classwork difficult and those who benefit from extension material. We are looking to provide similar interventions in Term 4. 

Congratulations to Ms Furmage, our Mathematics & Manual Arts Head of Department, who recently was successful in attaining the Deputy Principal role at Cooktown State School. Her experience, innovative approaches and dedication to our students will be greatly missed.  She has not only worked towards making our students better at Mathematics, but she has also been highly active in primary schools within our Cluster, working closely with teachers and students.  We wish her the best. Ms McKnight will be acting in the Head of Department role during Term 4.

Mobile Phones 

As you would be aware, there will be a change in allowable mobile phone usage by students in 2024. Essentially, in all Queensland state schools, mobile phones will be ‘away for the day’. To ensure students are aware of the changes and prepared for 2024, we will introduce a soft launch in Term 4. We will email out the changes in our mobile phone policy shortly and begin the process of informing students of what this entails in Term 4 and reinforcing appropriate usage.

NAIDOC Celebration - For Our Elders  

As part of our commitment to fostering an inclusive and culturally diverse learning environment, we recently celebrated NAIDOC Week. The week was filled with engaging activities, presentations, and workshops that allowed our students to deepen their understanding of Indigenous culture, history, and contributions. It was heartening to see our students coming together for the full school parade to show respect for our Elders and appreciation for the First Nations people of Australia.  

Richard Graham 
Principal

Business with Binnacle

Business with Binnacle

Year 12 Online Course Using Binnacle

Certificate II in Workplace Skills

This year, the certificate course for Year 12 Business students comes to an end. Binnacle, the online provider of the Certificate II in Workplace Skills course, will issue certificates for students completing units in the course. This course replaced the Certificate II in Business, which was offered by the school prior to the current course.

Students have participated in a number of units that will improve their skills and abilities:

The class has worked well on these competencies and is on its way to completing all units. Well-done Business Class!

The Arts Faculty

Yr 10 Art

This term, 10 Art have been studying Earth Art and analysing the works and techniques of artists Andy Goldsworthy, Christo and Jeanne-Claude and Richard Shilling.  In order to create their own site specific, ephemeral artworks for assessment, we spent a day on the beautiful foreshore of North Mission Beach.  All students became immersed in their surroundings and evidently showed an appreciation for the smaller, overlooked elements in our stunning environment.  By paying closer attention to the finer details, all students were able to produce multiple artworks that they then photographed for their folio of work.   

Year 8 ART

Our Year 8 artists are on a ‘Zine Odyssey’ this term as they develop skills across the elements and principles of art and design. With a new focus each week, students develop their artistic skills but planning and practicing before moving onto creating a final page for their self-published zine. As the term draws to a close, the students are eagerly anticipating the crafting of their masterpiece cover pages, coupled with the exciting exploration of the concept of self-publishing.

Yr 9 Art

AP01 has been alive with landscapes as the Year 9’s work on their final contemporary landscape piece! The students have been experimenting with colour palettes, painting techniques and abstraction of landscapes, drawing inspiration from local landmark images.

Mrs Goodman and Ms Harper.   
Visual Art                                            

11/12 VAP 

Term three has been busy and bright for our Year 11 and 12 Visual Arts in Practice students. Working closely with disposed toys and novelty items, the students set out to share messages about consumerism through assemblage art in their unit “Novelty Nightmares”. A huge thank you to all that contributed by donating old toys and novelty items, these collective efforts made a huge impact, and the VAP team were extremely grateful. The 11/12 VAP work is on display in the library until end of term for anyone who would like to view the collection. 

Art Club

The introduction of Art Club on Wednesdays has bought a wave of positivity and enjoyment to many students. Each week students can come along and develop their artistic skills through a variety of activities or work on their assessment pieces. We extend a warm invitation to students of all grades, and the anticipation of encountering fresh faces in the upcoming Term 4 fills us with excitement. A huge shout out to all of those currently attending Art club – it’s so great to see you all expanding your creative skillset while having a hoot. 

This term welcomes a new rotation of Year 7 students into Music land. With a particular focus on performance, students have to demonstrate considerable grit and determination as they rehearse a chosen piece on their chosen instrument, ready to present to the whole class. With this, they are also demonstrating support and empathy as their peers get up on stage, one at a time, and present their works to the class. This can be a considerably daunting task, and I am very proud to say that each and every student now has the confidence and skills to overcome their stage-fright and present their assessment to the class. What a bunch of great life long skills to walk away with!

Our Year 10 students are well under way with their independent focus unit. Most of our students have chosen contemporary genres and are in the process of pulling together their creative responses to the tasks. Students have been using GarageBand on the Macs to create rock, pop, electronic, or RnB works. Some have also chosen to compile a score on our notation program or to perform their compositions on their chosen instruments. We have a whole range of solo and group performances coming along and I am very excited to see the end result after months of rehearsal. Our open-ended tasks allow students the flexibility to focus on a range of genres and styles that they are interested in.

Rachelle Paton
Music Teacher
Head of Department - Middle School

The Media Arts Department has been running full steam ahead as we conclude the third term of the year.

The Year 12 FTM class has completed their films for the year, and now must prepare for their final exams. Their last project was a culmination of all the Media skills, knowledge and understanding they have acquired, as they were tasked with producing a film representing the film makers they have become. They had to identify their own personal style and create a film which reflected this. The results were diverse, original and creative - true representations of each student. As a class, we watched a replay of these final films, and there was a strong sense of appreciation for each of them. It now leaves 12 FTM with an external exam prior to graduation.

12 Media Arts in Practice have also finished their work for the term, completing their stop motion film highlighting a current social issue. For those unaware of the process, stop motion animation is the act of taking a series of photos as you move your subject a tiny bit for each photo. Eventually, you end up with tens, even hundreds of individual photos which computer software can convert into a video. 

Finally, our Year 10 Media Arts class have completed their unit this term, focusing on advertising. Specifically, they were required to invent a new (and often comedic) product, and then produce a strictly 30 second commercial to advertise the product.  

Ike Ambrum
Digital Technology | Media Arts

Year 9 Term 3 News

Our Year 9 students have had an action-packed term around life skills. Each year, our Year 9 students participate in the renowned program from The Resilience Project. It focuses on developing students’ gratitude, empathy and mindfulness, three key strategies that can directly support us each and every day. It has been great to see students embrace these strategies.

Next term will be eventful as we head off on our camp to Magnetic Island. Students will participate in a range of individual and team development activities such as abseiling, bush walking, raft building and leadership development. It will be action-packed and we look forward to sharing our reflections with you!

Year 10 Term 3 News

Our Year 10 students have been busy deliberating on their future pathways. Students have been bustling around to Career Expos in Innisfail, Cairns and Townsville to talk with experts in their interest fields, engaging in specific career focused activities in their Wellbeing lessons, and participating in SET Plan interviews with their parents to choose subjects related to their intended pathways. It is a very exciting time. It is great to see our students engage in these opportunities in a mature and focused way. We can’t wait to see what you make of all this in the years to come.

2023 Tutti Frutti Cluster Gala Concert

The Tutti Frutti Cluster Gala Concert was a huge success this year with the combined Tully Cluster primary and high school Mega Band reaching its highest numbers in years. The show had a movie theme this year with the concert bands playing hits from movies such as Jurassic Park, Harry Potter and Shrek. The band comprised of 96 students from Tully SHS, Tully SS, Mission Beach SS, Feluga SS and Lower Tully SS. The band camp days and concert were a huge success and we thank everyone involved for their efforts and support for this wonderful musical event !

Grin’n’Tonic

Chelsea and Lachlan’s performance of Macbeth really helped build my understanding of the storyline and the characters. There are so many characters in this famous play by Shakespeare that is easy to be confused about their roles and how they fit into the plot. Now, after having watched the performance and observed how the actors projected the characters, I will be able to re-read the play and gain a better understanding of the story, leaving me feeling even more prepared for my exam. The games that we played after the performance were also helpful and fun: one of them made me more aware of the use of punctuation by having us slap the ground after each comma. Overall, I feel that the visit from Grin’n’Tonic has been very beneficial.

Layla Morton
Yr. 12

Naidoc Week 2023

NAIDOC was held in Week 5 this term, with this year’s theme being For Our Elders. The Opening Ceremony on our school Assembly showcased our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dances. Activities conducted throughout the week included Yarning with Elders and Painting. Girringun workers came out to do Spear and Boomerang Throwing, and we finished with a feast cooked by our students for all their peers involved in the dances and activities.  

Year 12 General English

Great to see so many of our Year 12 General English cohort staying back until 5pm for External Exam Preparation Q&A - wonderful effort! As the countdown begins to the EA4, our studious Year 12s came along to the informative analytical writing session set-up by ETAQ to help guide them to success.   

Many thanks to the students and staff who made it worthwhile. 

Wooroonooran National Park.

Recently the 12 Sport and Rec students completed a three-day hike through the Wooroonooran National Park.

This hike consisted of 20kms of walking, dozens of creek crossings and some rugged terrain. Students were challenged throughout the hike, with many showing great leadership by supporting those who were struggling the most, ensuring everyone involved could complete the hike. Students were rewarded when arriving to stunning campsites with untouched creeks where many swam, relaxed and fished in their spare time. During the later parts of the evening students cooked meals, played games and kept warm around the campfire as the nights became very cold quickly.

The experience and skills students have gained from this hike will not only be used for their assessment but may be utilised in many future outdoor activities. Congratulations to all involved for all completing the hike as one team and supporting each other throughout the experience. 

 Josh Zahn
Sport & Rec Teacher

Changing of the SLT Guard

Week 9 is here, and with it the SLT’s last meeting of the term. For many of our members, it has been their final meeting, as we farewell the Year 12s, who are at varying stages of ending their time at TSHS. Next term the SLT will be reconfigured, with newly-elected members taking up their positions and younger members moving up a notch.

The minutes of this last meeting reflected the depth and breadth of engagement that has been typical of this year’s team. One group reported on their interaction with the Cassowary Coast Regional Council’s August meeting, laying the ground work for upgrading parking access; and the President B’Elanna Timms confirmed that the team had raised a whopping $900 baking and selling ‘pupcakes’ for the animal shelter, Cassowary Coast Paws’n’Claws.

It was also noted that the recent acquisition of the two outdoor Ping Pong tables is proving to be immensely popular, with the Senior Precinct courtyard at last functioning as a gathering place for all levels.

The Principal, Mr Graham, took the opportunity to thank this year’s SLT for the vital role they have played as student leaders, representatives, advocates and social initiators.  He has been an encouraging, receptive guest at many of our meetings, often using the team as a sounding board for new directions the Executive is contemplating.

As I write, I can hear the music from the UCA, where SLT leaders are staging their last Just Dance, an uplifting goodbye to their schooldays.

Thierrine Bromley

Year 10 Food Studies

The Year 10 Food Studies classes were lucky enough to get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Tully Bakery on Monday the 4September. Bryn and April showed the class the way they use food science in the bakery. They got to see the different forms of technology in action and learn how this had made life easier as a baker. From industrial mixers to a fridge that pauses the proving of the bread overnight and then automatically turns on to start proving at 2am, it was interesting to see how the food science concepts we have been learning about in class are used in the ‘real world’. Thanks to Tully Bakery for having us! 

Year 11 Hospitality

The Year 11 Hospitality classes catered for a range of teacher lunches this term. They were required to find a recipe and cost the recipe to calculate the cost per serve and then work out a sale price, and present the teachers with a bill, taking the payment and giving change. This was a practical application of their learning for the unit Carry out basic workplace calculations. All students worked well and produced some high-quality, well-presented dishes for the teachers. 

From the Sports Department

Athletics Carnival

The Athletics carnival was held in week 10 of term 2.  Congratulations to Tyson on a very close win.  Second place went to Kirrama, third Walter Hill and in fourth place Mackay.  Congratulations to all students on a fantastic athletics carnival with excellent attendance and participation.  Thank you to all staff and helpers on the day who made the carnival a success.  Congratulations to Age Champions and new record holders.

New Records:

Brooke Johnston WH – 16 girls – Shot Put – 10.39m

Declan Slattery WH – 12 boys – Discus – 21.60m

Hayley Johnston WH – 16 girls – Triple Jump 9.80m

Liam Dunkerton WH – 12 boys – 400m 1:12.28

Shaniece Davis WH – Open girls – Javelin 31.60m

District Athletics  

13-19 district results – Congratulations to all team members on great performances at the district trials. Tully SHS finished 2^nd overall, only 256 points behind winners, Good Counsel College.  TSHS celebrated four students taking out carnival age champion honours this year - 13 Girls – Madeleine Jenkins, 13 Boys – Beau Westcott, 14 Girls – Tahkaya Huxley-Gosling, 14 Boys – Kaedyn Ketchell.  Congratulations to 47 students selected to represent the district at the Peninsula Track & Field trials.   

Annual Gift Race & Beep Test Champions

This term has been very busy with lunchtime events.  Both the annual gift race and beep test saw some excellent competition and Tully sporting spirit. 

Congratulations to 2023 Gift Race champions, Alex Greenwood and Elise Kleinhans.

Congratulations to beep test champions – Junior girls - Isabelle Matthews, Junior boys – Kaiden Roberts, Senior girls – Charlotte Sharpe, Senior boys – Harry Tamblyn.

Congratulations

The success for Tully SHS students has continued this term in District and Peninsula Sport representation.  Congratulations to those who have represented in Peninsula teams this term. 

Rugby League – Dontaiha Huxley 11/12 Girls

Rugby Union – Alexander Greenwood (emerging Reds U15s)    

Track & Field – Korey Roberts

Year 11 v 12 Rugby League Matches

Congratulations to the year 11s who took out both the boys Walker Memorial Trophy and girls Teitzel’s IGA matches this year.  The year 11 boys won 22 to 12 against the year 12s, and the year 11 girls won 20 to 8 against the year 12 girls.  Both matches were very exciting to watch and enjoyed by many past players and family who enjoy seeing the tradition continue. 

Congratulations to Jamie Muriata on winning the Andrew Cripps player of the match, and Ellie Jenkins named the Romy Teitzel player of the match. 

Cadets Can Do First Aid!

Among their many other skills, our young cadets apply First Aid 9n emergencies. Twelve of them qualified for First Aider Patches after completing the course provided by Tweak Trainers, and were presented with them by Councillor Trudie Tschui and RSL Treasurer Karl Adams on August 29. Congratulations Army Cadets of 152ACU Tully! 

From the Maths Department

Earlier this term eight of our talented students from grades 7 and 8 travelled to Cairns to participate in the annual QAMT Quiz. This quiz has students working in small groups to test their skills or estimation, mental mathematics and problem-solving skills. Groups from all around Cairns district participated. Our students spent endless hours during their lunch breaks preparing for this competition and so did Tully State High School proud on the night.

Students were also lucky enough to experience the virtual reality room at Bentley Park College on their way to Cairns. Students were able to explore ancient ruins and 3D models.

A massive thank you to Ms Watt for giving up all of her free time to prepare students and chaperoning students to the event.

Danielle Furmage
Head of Mathematics and Manual Arts

TSHS Uniform Dress Standard

TSHS Uniform Shop

The Uniform shop is open 8 - 9 every Wednesday morning during the school term. P & C are doing our best at keeping prices as low as possible in order to have affordable uniforms to all students. Unfortunately, the uniform suppliers for the Formal Uniform have increased prices quite a bit this year therefore we have had to raise the prices on these and the school jackets. We would like to remind parents that Formal Uniforms can be hired from the school if your child is requiring one for school representation or speech night.

P & C Meetings

Casual Cleaners Wanted

Uniforms Wanted!

Tully Multipurpose Centre