Term 3 - Week 4 - August 2024

From The Principal

Dear Parent and Carers,

Congratulations to Donte Fitzsimmons and Miki McMullen who led a group of 80 cadets from all over FNQ at an Army Cadet Camp last weekend on the Atherton Tablelands. Donte and Miki headed activities such as bushwalking and drills with exceptional leadership skills. 

School Events

Open Night

Thank you to all the parents and carers in our community who attended Open Night last week. The classroom displays were outstanding: a massive thank you to all our staff who were in attendance to meet with parents and students. If you missed this evening and wish to make contact with class teachers, please email the teacher directly.

Transition Day

Thank you to all the Year 6 students (150 in total) who attended our Transition Day this week. This day was outstanding and provided a wonderful opportunity for students to spend a day at high school. A huge thank you to Mark McLoughlin and Brad Dennis and our teaching staff for taking on extra lessons. The feedback from so many of the students was that they wanted to start high school the next day! 

Mr McLoughlin and Mr Dennis will be visiting the primary schools for enrolment interviews. We strongly encourage all students of our local schools to attend our wonderful community high school next year!

Cassowary Coast Southern Zone Athletics Carnival

The Cassowary Coast Southern Zone 13 – 19 years Athletics Carnival has been postponed to next Wednesday, due to the wet weather. All the very best to our students competing. Go for Gold!

Tully Show

Congratulations to our students, staff and stud animals that represented our school at the Tully Show.  It was wonderful to see the students competing in the cattle parading with other schools from around the area. Thank you to Mr Warren Giffin and Mrs Michelle Baldwin for supporting our students to attend. 

Did you see the Tully SHS display, Then and Now? Thank you to Mrs Lyn McDonald, Ms Thierrine Bromley and Mrs Glenda Tenni for setting up the display. Thank you to the past TSHS students who loaned old uniforms, books, etc.  The Parent Craft book was a treasure!

Tully’s Got Talent

Congratulations to our students who got up on stage this week for the annual Tully’s Got Talent!  It takes a lot of courage and for the students who performed, great job in having a go!  Thank you to the Student Leadership Team for organising.

School Opinion Survey

All parents and carers are strongly encouraged to complete the School Opinion Survey as soon as possible. Approximately 510 emails were sent to Tully SHS families: to date only 60 parents have completed the survey.  It’s important that as many parents/caregivers as possible complete the survey, so we would appreciate if members of our community would raise awareness of this survey with other parents and caregivers.

Can’t find your invitation? If your family has more than one parent/caregiver, check if they have received the invitation and/or check your junk email folder.

Moderation Day

The next Moderation Day is planned for Friday 16 August.  As per information previously shared with the school community, this day allows teachers to plan together in teaching teams to develop Term 4 units of work. 

All students of essential workers are able to attend school on this day; however, they will not have their scheduled teachers. All attending students will be provided revision work to complete from home or school on this day. Students who choose to work from home on the day will be marked as attendance not required.

We thank our community for supporting our teachers with this vital planning day. 

With so much going on in our school community, we thank our staff, students and parents for ensuring we are always focussed on safe, respectful relationships are all times!

Yours in learning,

Ms Helen Carne
Principal

Transition Day for Year 6 Students

On Wednesday this week, Year 6 students from our primary partner schools attended the first Transition Day in the process of getting ready for high school. It was a great day with heaps of positive comments from students as they participated in classes such as Food Studies, Design, HPE, Drama, Music and Visual Art.

Year 7 Student Mentors assisted throughout the day, making sure all of the visiting students felt comfortable in their first experience at Tully High.

We look forward to the next round of transition days, which will occur towards the end of Term 4.

TSHS Sports News

Congratulations 

Amelia Solien has been selected in the 16Years Girls Rugby Union Peninsula Merit Team. 

Sports News

The Cassowary Coast District Athletics Carnival has been moved to Wednesday August 7, Week 5, due to inclement weather. Competitors and helpers must meet at the MPC at 8.30am.  The top four finishers will be invited to attend Peninsula Trials in Cairns on August 18^th / 19^th. 

A program for the Cassowary Coast Carnival is below. 

Sport Trials

Students wishing to nominate for the following District Sports, see Mrs Parkes in the HPE staffroom for further information.

Futsal – 13-14years & 15-16years – boys & girls

Cricket – 13-15 boys

Memorial Game

The Year 11 and 12 boys battled for the annual Johnnie Walker Memorial Trophy in Week 3 – twenty-six years since the first game was played. 

The Year 12s were clear winners, 28 to 16.  It was a match the 12s were happy to enter as favourites, keen to get the second win in a row after being victorious as Year 11s last year.  The match was played in typical wet, muddy conditions, and was a high scoring affair. 

Special guests, Mr Bruce Walker and Mr Andrew Cripps, attended the game and presented the winning trophy and Player of the Match award.  Congratulations to Nicholas Muriata (Year 11) on being named Player of the Match.  Congratulations also to try scorers - Year 12: Jamie Muriata (2), Logan Deloryn (2), Rylee Congoo (2) & Shadrach Guligo (1), and Year 11: Peter Solien (1), Mitchell Davis (1), Nate Todd (1) and Phillip Mooner (1). 

Thank you to Mr Anthony Emmi for officiating the game and to coaches Mr Sachlikidis and Mr Rowcliffe.   

Open Night

The annual Open Night was held last Wednesday, with teachers and Heads of Departments in attendance. Classrooms representing our range of faculties showcased the differing aspects of the learning environment that students are immersed in at school.

Parents and students took the opportunity to learn more about the key learning areas and potential future subject selections as well as getting involved in the various activities staged across the school. There were also presentations for the families entering Senior school and one for families with children enrolling in Year 7 in 2025.

It was a highly successful night that was valued holistically by our school community. We look forward to holding the event again next year.

Tully’s Got Talent

We do this annually – invite students to showcase their particular talent. On the stage in the MPC, in front of a packed audience of their peers, their teachers and other staff, these brave individuals sing, dance, tell jokes, play a musical instrument, and otherwise put themselves in the spotlight, literally!

They overcome their nervousness, their performance anxieties, their mini panic attacks. What seems mastery in rehearsals can wobble in the moments on stage, in front of judges and a sea of faces. Yet each of them somehow find the strength in themselves to perform their item, buoyed by the enthusiasm of the audience.

TGT audiences are remarkable! Wildly appreciative, forgiving, and encouraging, they create such a joyful atmosphere that for this forty-minute interlude all cares are forgotten, stresses slip away, anticipation and delight take their place.

And while there are place-getters and prizes, each contestant brims with pride at the end, having achieved a personal best.

Understanding and Addressing School Refusal

It's not uncommon for young people to occasionally feel unmotivated or reluctant to go to school. These feelings are normal. However, for some, the mere thought of school can lead to significant distress and increased absenteeism, a condition known as school refusal.

School refusal is defined as difficulty attending/remaining at school due to emotional distress about attendance that occurs despite parental attempts to enforce school attendance (Chockalingam et al, 2023). It is characterised by a young person feeling ill or unhappy in the morning, expressing a strong desire to stay home, and sometimes having an emotional reaction at the prospect of going to school. Unlike truancy, where absences are often hidden, school refusal is typically known to family and friends, who struggle to encourage attendance despite their best efforts (headspace 2021).

Factors Contributing to School Refusal

Common factors found to be associated with school refusal included: parent psychopathology, family functioning and maternal overprotection (Chockalingam et al, 2023).

Parent psychopathology refers to mental health issues or disorders that a parent might have. This can include conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. When parents have these kinds of mental health challenges, it can affect their ability to care for and support their children, potentially impacting the child's emotional and psychological well-being.

Several factors can contribute to school refusal, including:

• Individual factors: Anxiety, transitioning from primary to secondary school, or peer challenges like bullying.
• Family factors: Parental separation, family conflict, or illness.
• School factors: Poor teacher-student relationships, learning difficulties, or anxiety about exams.
• Community factors: Changes in the social environment or community support.

Effects of School Refusal

School refusal can severely impact a young person’s academic performance and social development. Missing school can result in lost learning opportunities, strained friendships, and diminished social standing. The longer this issue persists, the harder it becomes for the young person to re-establish a regular school routine.

Signs of School Refusal

Parents and caregivers should be aware of the following signs:

• Distress or anxiety about going to school.
• Tearfulness or conflict with family members before school.
• Frequent complaints of physical illness such as headaches or stomach aches.
• Poor relationships with teachers.
• Refusal to get out of bed or leave the house for school.
• Difficulty attending school after breaks or changes in routine.
• Frequent tardiness or time spent in the sick bay.

Addressing School Refusal

Evidence indicates that improvements in school attendance occur for children and adolescents with school refusal who receive psychosocial treatment (Maynard et al, 2018). Psychosocial treatments are types of therapy that help people with mental health issues by focusing on both their psychological (mind and emotions) and social (relationships and environment) needs. These treatments aim to improve mental health by teaching coping skills, improving communication, and building healthy relationships. Examples include talking therapies like cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), group therapy, and family therapy.

To support a young person dealing with school refusal, early intervention is crucial. Here are some strategies (headspace, 2021):

1. Open Communication: Find a calm time to discuss their concerns. Ask direct questions about bullying, academic struggles, teacher relationships, or other worries.
2. Managing Worries: Help them explore ways to manage their anxieties, focusing on their strengths and positive engagement in daily activities.
3. Relaxation Techniques: Learn and practice relaxation methods like breathing exercises, spending time in nature/outdoors or some meditation together.
4. Planning Together: Develop a plan for managing the start of the school day, social situations, or school work. Tailor this plan to address the specific issues troubling your young person.
5. Collaborate with the School: Work with the school to create a clear, collaborative plan that includes input from the young person, parents, and school staff.
6. Professional Support: Consider seeking professional help if needed to provide strategies and understand the underlying reasons for school refusal.

Self-Care for Parents

Supporting a young person with school refusal can be stressful. It's important to take care of your own well-being, as this also sets a positive example for your young person. Remember, with the right strategies and support, school refusal can be managed, and your young person can return to a healthier school routine (headspace 2021).

*For further information on school refusal, supporting children with school refusal, visit the school website, click on the ‘Support and Resources,’ ‘Student services and Support

Programs.’ The second heading from the top of the page is our ‘School TV’ link that has some invaluable information around school refusal and anxieties associated with school refusal. Alternatively, please click on the link https://tullyshs.eq.schooltv.me/newsletter/school-refusal. This will take you directly to a variety of resources and information relating to school refusal.

Please reach out and seek support if you, or someone you know is having difficulties with school refusal. #Itaintweaktospeak.

Information gathered from:

Chockalingam, M., Skinner, K., Melvin, G., & Yap, M. B. H. (2023). Modifiable Parent Factors Associated with Child and Adolescent School Refusal: A Systematic Review. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 54(5), 1459–1475. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-022-01358-z

headspace (2021). Understanding school refusal | headspace. [online] headspace.org.au. Available at: https://headspace.org.au/explore-topics/supporting-a-young-person/school-refusal/.

Maynard, B. R., Heyne, D., Brendel, K. E., Bulanda, J. J., Thompson, A. M., & Pigott, T. D. (2018). Treatment for School Refusal Among Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Research on Social Work Practice, 28(1), 56–67. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731515598619

N Q Branch Surf Lifesaving Carnival

On the weekend of July 20-21, Mission Beach Surf Life Saving Club hosted the first North Queensland Branch carnival of the season.

Competitors from five clubs, ranging from Mission Beach to Port Douglas, came together and competed in a series of water- and land-based events. Three of those competitors were students from Tully High - Charlize Gee (Year 9), Kaiden Roberts (Year 10) and Matilda FoersFrank (Year 12). Each of them represented Mission Beach proudly, electing to compete in numerous events across the weekend, supporting our young competitors in the Nippers events and helping out wherever they could with clean-up.

A big congratulations and thank you to these students!

How to Become a Firefighter

Firefighters respond to emergency calls for a variety of disasters, including fires, chemical spills, gas leaks, rescue missions, and accidents. Their main job is to protect lives and property. They may also help by spreading awareness and education to the wider community about fire safety.

If you can work well under extreme pressure, are fit and healthy, and want to give back to your community, a career as a firefighter could be perfect for you.

What skills do I need as a firefighter?

• Resilient & confident
• Responsible & reliable
• Can work well under extreme pressure
• Very fit & healthy
• Team player
• Can remain calm in extremely stressful situations
• Great communicator & leader
• Prepared to work on-call & on holidays

What does the job involve?

• Attend fires & extinguish them
• Rescue & evacuate people in dangerous situations
• Operate pumps, hoses, ladders, oxygen tanks & other equipment
• Participate in search & rescue missions
• Work with other emergency services personnel
• Administer first aid
• Maintain tools & equipment
• Train recruits in procedures & practices
• Educate the community on fire safety
• Implement fire safety plans & procedures in offices, schools & other places

What industries do firefighters typically work in?

• Public Administration and Safety
• Transport, Postal and Warehousing
• Construction

What Career Cluster do firefighters belong to?

Firefighters are dedicated to protecting our safety and wellbeing.

What kind of lifestyle can I expect?

There are very few part-time opportunities available for firefighters, and you’ll need to be prepared to work on-call any time of the day or night, as well as on holidays and weekends. Expect to work an average of around 47 hours a week.

Working as a firefighter comes with a huge level of responsibility, and you may have to see confronting situations. You need to be prepared to jump into action at any time. You won’t be able to work from home or remotely as a firefighter, as you need to be on-site to perform all the required duties.

Most firefighters earn an average salary each year, but this can vary depending on experience and location.

How to become a firefighter

There are typically no educational requirements to become a firefighter, but you will likely need to go through a thorough recruitment and training process before you can start work.

The recruitment process usually involves a combination of fitness tests, personality and/or psychometric testing, interviews and background checks, and medical assessments. You will also need to hold a full driver’s license. If you make it through this process successfully, you will then undergo a rigorous course of training, which can take anywhere from a few weeks up to several months in length.

On successful completion of the recruit training course, you will then be able to work as a firefighter. In some cases, you may need to undergo a probationary period before you a offered a full-time contract.

If you’re in high school and you’d like to find out if a career as a firefighter is right for you, here are a few things you could do right now:

1. Work on your fitness, resilience and leadership skills. You can do this through volunteering in your local community, participating in team sports, and even through casual work.
2. See if you can find work experience or volunteer with your local fire station. Some even offer cadet and youth programs that can help you get a head-start on your training and experience.
3. Talk to a firefighter and see if it sounds like a job you could do. The job comes with a lot of responsibility and can be extremely stressful, but it can also be very rewarding.

Where can I find more information?

You can read detailed information on the recruitment and training process for firefighters in your location here:

Australia

• Fire and Rescue NSW
• Fire Rescue Victoria
• Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
• ACT Fire & Rescue
• South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service
• WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services
• Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service
• Tasmania Fire Service

Similar careers to firefighter

• Paramedic
• Police officer
• Emergency services worker
• Workplace health & safety officer
• Emergency nurse
• Security officer
• Disaster management officer
• Emergency call operator

Innisfail Master Class

School Student Broadband Initiative – Australian Government

To boost educational opportunities and narrow the digital divide, families without home internet are encouraged to apply for the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI). Access to internet at home can support children to build their digital skills and participate in a world that is more reliant on digital technology.

The Australian Government is supporting the National Broadband Network (NBN) to implement the SSBI to provide free home internet until 31 December 2025 for up to 30,000 unconnected families across Australia with school aged students.

To be eligible for SSBI, a family must:

To be eligible for the School Student Broadband Initiative, families self-nominating through the National Referral Centre, must:

• have a child living at home that is enrolled in a Queensland school (up to year 12 including from Prep).

• not have an active NBN® network internet service at home, AND not have had an active NBN connection during the previous 14 days. Having an existing ADSL and/or mobile internet service does not affect eligibility.

Note: Where an address has been disconnected from the NBN network in the previous 14 days, it will be found ineligible. To be eligible, a secondary check can be undertaken after the 14-day period has expired.

• Live in a premises that can access a standard NBN service.

• have their suitability determined via a questionnaire assessment conducted by the National Referral Centre.

How do you apply:

To apply contact the National Referral Centre directly at:

National Referral Centre

1800 954 610 (Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm AEDT)

or

www.anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet

Call-back and webchat functions are also available via the National Referral Centre website.

The NRC will ask some simple questions to establish your eligibility.

SCHOOL DECISION: You may wish to include the ‘SSBI – How to get connected’ flyer, available on the OnePortal SSBI page under Resources for Schools.

Careers Day

Employment Opportunity

Casual ITD Teacher Aide

TSHS is seeking to engage a Teacher Aide in the Industrial Technical Design (Manual Arts) faculty on a casual basis for 3 days per week. 

This casual position will commence during Term 3 2024.

Experience working in a School environment preferred, and a trade qualification or experience in woodwork, metalwork, engineering or construction would be desirable.  

This position would suit a person who would like to share their skills and knowledge in a learning environment.

Successful applicant must hold a current Blue Card and positive Criminal History Check .

Please send your Resume to humanresources@tullyshs.eq.edu.au

Please visit www.tullyshs.eq.edu.au

Role Description available on request.

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Uniforms Wanted!