Term 3 - Week 6 - August 2024

From The Principal

Dear Parent and Carers,

Congratulations to Year 12 Outdoor Recreational Studies class who have just completed a two-night hike up through the Barron Gorge.  A massive thank-you to Mr Paton, Mr Zahn and Miss Munson for leading this hike.

Moderation Day

Once again, a massive thank-you to our school community for providing the opportunity for teachers to undertake the ‘before’ phase of moderation planning today.  Tully SHS staff are extremely grateful to our community for supporting our teachers with this vital planning day. 

NAIDOC Activities

Tully SHS will celebrate NAIDOC activities next week, with three days of significant events occurring.  We will start the week off with a Welcome by one the traditional owners on our Full School Assembly with an Elder as guest speaker.    

On Wednesday, we will conducting a Local Community Education Body (LCEB) meeting at 4.30 pm in the MPC. 

Instrumental Music Concert

Tully SHS Instrumental Music students together with the Cluster schools will present the annual Tutti Frutti concert next Tuesday at 6 pm in the MPC.  The whole community is invited to come along and watch our wonderfully talented students.

Student Education Training Plan (SETP) Year 10

Congratulations to all the Year 10 students who participated in Student Education Training Plan meetings with school staff.  This vital interview provides support and direction to students to plan their Senior Schooling and Beyond pathway.

Thank you to Mrs Paton and the SET planning team for leading this process with our students.

Student Free Day

Friday 30 August will be a student-free day for all Queensland State Schools.  Teachers have worked these additional hours throughout the year and will not be at school on this day.  There will be a small number of office staff available on this day.  The purpose of this student-free day is to allow the QCAA confirmers to review Year 12 student assessments. 

With so much going on in our school community, we thank our staff, students and parents for ensuring we are focussed on safe, respectful relationships at all times.  Please keep up to date by visiting the school website and social media pages. Enjoy this wonderful sunshine.

Yours in learning,

Ms Helen Carne
Principal

From The English Faculty

Exam prep after school workshop,

Each year, in preparation for the external exam in English, we purchase and access the English Teachers Association (ETAQ) suite of resources for our students.

A key part of this is a live discussion forum and expert tutorial sessions on Tuesday (3^rd September) in the school library from 3 - 5.  The teachers provide teen friendly snacks, and tea/ coffee/ milo to keep them going through a packed program:

3 – 3.40 Know your text – Macbeth with Jason Klarwein

3.40 – 4.30 – expert English teachers delivering 5 – 7 minute modules:
Exploring knowledge application, applying knowledge, your purpose is to analyse, getting into the shoes of the examiner, unpacking the question, synthesising info to answer the question, an ideal plan, chains of evidence, write like you mean it, and notes on quotes.

4.30 – 5.00 live Q & A forum for any questions about the exam, the text, writing analytical essays.

English progress

The Year 12 Essential English students are gearing up for their final task – creating a short story based on a film.  The Year 12 General students are deep in Scotland familiarising themselves with the reign of Macbeth in preparation for their final exam in week 4 next term.  Year 11 Essentials are responding to and making personal reflective connections with William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, while General students are exploring first contact through Kate Grenville’s novel, A Secret River.  Most of the Year 10 classes are discovering the joy and relevance of Shakespeare with one class looking at how poetry makes contributions to discussion of issues.  In the junior school, the Year 9s are covering a variety of units from parody to novel study, to issues of relevance now arising from the exploration of 12 Angry Men.  Year 8s are engaged with creating monologues based on a character from a set novel or exploring the connections between poetry and place.  Last but not least, the Year 7 students are expanding their repertoire of writing skills through the creation of a film review.  If you have any queries about your child’s progress, feel free to email their teacher.

  Thanks

Kathleen Macdonald M Ed
Head of English

Free Home Internet

To qualify for this offer: 

You must - be caring for a school age student at your home

                  - not have an active NBN connection at your home now or in the past 14 days. (Having a mobile internet service does not affect eligibility)

                  -  live in property that can access the NBN network through a standard connection.      

Apply for the offer by 31 December 2024 to get free home internet until the end of December 2025  

Contact the National Referral Centre to apply on 1800 954 610 Monday - Friday, 10am - 6pm (AEDT) or visit:

What’s included in the offer?  

• Free home internet until December 2025  
• Free WI-FI router (you can keep it)  
• Unlimited data  
• 50 / 20 plan (this is a typical household plan)  
• No lock-in contracts  
• Choice of participating Internet Providers  
• Ongoing support from the National Referral Centre to apply – call-back, webchat, and interpreting services available.

TSHS Sports News

Congratulations and Good Luck!

• 13-19 District results – Congratulations to all team members on great performances at the District Trials. Overall school results and Age Champions will be announced at Assembly in Week 7. Fifty-six TSHS students have been selected in the Cassowary Coast Athletics Team to attend Peninsula Trials in Cairns on August 18 & 19. 
• Congratulations to Peter Solien, who played in the Cassowary Coast Barbarians Team at the FNQ schools Rugby Union competition in Cairns. The team were undefeated and took out the title on the day.  Congratulations also to Amelia Solien, who played in the Girls Carnival.
• Good luck to Ayla Di Mauro at the 13-15 Girls Cricket Trials in Townsville next week.
• Congratulations to the 2024 Beep Test winners: Junior Girls - Kendra Long, Junior Boys - Tobias Watson, Senior Girls - Ellie Jenkins & Senior Boys - Kaiden Roberts.

Sport Messages

• The TSHS Fowlers Cup Netball teams are training every Wednesday First Break in the MPC. The teams will compete in the Cairns carnival on Thursday August 29.  Parents are reminded that private transport is required to and from the carnival.
• Students wishing to nominate for the following District Sports, see Mrs Parkes in the HPE staffroom for further information:
  Futsal – 13-14 years & 15-16 years – Boys & Girls
  Cricket – 13-15 Boys
  Cricket – 13-15 & 10-12 Girls

Peninsula Track and Field Trials

Peninsula Track & Field Trials are on Sunday 18 and Monday 19 August, at Barlow Park in Cairns.

Students must carefully check their event times on the schedule, and let the Sports Coordinator know in person or via email, if they cannot attend an event. 

Tully SHS Percussion Band Camp

Tully SHS percussionists had an awesome time working with Ms Keryn Turner this week improving their musicianship and performance skills in preparation for next week’s Tutti Frutti Cluster Concert. Students worked on their repertoire and a new ensemble piece called Junk which will certainly be a hit on the night. The concert is open to members of the community to attend:

                       Tully SHS MPC Tuesday 20 August at 6pm – gold coin donation on entry

P & C News

Thank you for those who completed our Parent/ Guardian P&C Feedback Survey earlier in the year.  It was pleasing to know that respondents felt that the P&C, Uniform Shop, and Tuckshop are together doing a good job of supporting your child at school.

We have listened to your feedback regarding meeting start time, and have changed this to 5.30 pm.  We will continue to alternate between the Mill Side Café and locations in the community to make meetings more accessible.

Our next meeting will be at the Euramo Hotel on 17 October at 5.30pm - new faces and viewpoints are always welcome. Meetings will be advertised on the school’s notice board, Newsletter, and Facebook page.

We have been working with the SLT team and staff and are excited to bring two additions to the uniform ensemble: the blue shirt is now also available in a long-sleeved version, made from the same navy fabric, as well as a navy hoodie jumper featuring the ‘T’ found on our shorts. 

The long-steeved shirt retails at $40, the hoodie at $35.  While purchasing these items is not mandatory, the enforcement of the uniform policy has the full support of the P&C. 

Unfortunately, due to increases in purchasing costs, the coloured sports shirts will be sold at $35 from the start of Term 4.

Our Tuckshop is one of two business we run to fund improvements to our students’ high school experience.  During the Telstra 5G upgrade, we had no internet and thus student couldn’t use EFTPOS facilities.  For three days we issued students and staff with IOUs rather than go hungry.  This equated to over $1500 in debts, including a few where aliases were used.  We thank everyone we who has paid their debt but there are still some outstanding. Fortunately, the aliases have been tracked down but if your child still has a debt payment can be made over the phone or in person.  For any future network outages, we will require student IDs to be produced before accepting IOUs.

Another major item in the P&C’s future projects is the upgrading to our tuckshop and uniform shops.  The existing facilities have seen too many wet seasons and are only just fit-for-purpose.  Over the next twelve to eighteen months, a few restrictions will be necessary during renovations, requiring you and your child’s patience.

As our business has expanded and government reporting has become more complex, we have chosen to hire a bookkeeping service. This has taken some of the record-keeping activities away from the treasurer’s role.  We hope that this may ease some concerns potential members may have of being delegated an executive role they were not anticipating.

While a lot of our work in the P&C evolves around the running of the P&C’s Tuckshop and Uniform Shop, there is also a great deal of discussion in our meetings around the running of the school.  If you would like to be involved, our meetings are scheduled for the third Thursday of the month at 5.30 pm, usually lasting for one hour. 

Future meeting dates for 2024:

                                                    17 October at Euramo Hotel

                                                     21 November Tully

Regards
Katie McLaughlin
2024 Tully State High School President

How to Become an Engineer

Engineers are professionals who invent, design, analyse, build, and test machines, systems, structures, data systems, and materials to fulfil a variety of objectives. You could be finding solutions to problems, developing new products, or building and fixing things.

If you are great at seeing the bigger picture, curious, and love the challenges of solving problems, then this could be the field for you.

What skills do I need as an engineer?

• Strong maths skills
• Good communicator
• Inquisitive & practical
• Analytical & methodical
• Creative thinker
• Can prioritise & manage time
• Adaptable & flexible
• Great team worker

What tasks can I expect to do?

• Meet with clients
• Prepare proposals
• Work on designs
• Prepare estimates & budgets
• Experiment & write reports
• Present detailed instructions
• Oversee & direct workers on site
• Meet deadlines & deliver solutions

What industries do engineers typically work in?

• Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
• Electricity, Gas, Water & Waste Services
• Manufacturing

What kind of lifestyle can I expect?

Most engineers work full-time. Your job might require you to travel or work overtime or outside of normal business hours. There are also opportunities for remote work.

There are lots of different areas you could specialise in, including civil, mechanical, chemical, medical, electrical, biological, geospatial, telecommunications, maritime, industrial, and more.

Most engineers earn an above average wage.

How to become an engineer

You must typically earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field, complete relevant work experience, and pass other additional testing and licensing requirements. Additionally, many engineers pursue a master’s degree or other advanced training to specialise in a particular area.

Ongoing professional development and continuing education are also important for staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in the industry.

If you’re in high school now and are thinking of this career in the future, here are some steps you could take:

• Consider taking workshops or short courses for coding or other important skills, or volunteer or try to get work experience within the industry.
• Research different disciplines, narrow down your area of interest, and take subjects at school that will get you into your preferred degree.
• Engage your problem-solving skills and find a solution for a problem around your home, school, or community.

Find out more here:

• Engineers Australia
• Te Ao Rangahau | Engineering New Zealand
• Engineering Council UK
• Engineers Ireland
• National Society of Professional Engineers(US)
• Engineers Canada | Ingénieurs Canada
• The Institution of Engineers Singapore

Similar careers and industries

If you’re interested in technology or mechanical systems, there are lots of other job areas you might like to consider as well, such as:

• Robotics
• Transport
• Construction
• Architecture
• Aerospace
• Mining
• Manufacturing
• Automotive

Find out more information about a variety of careers here:

What is an Apprenticeship

An Australian Apprenticeship, also known as an apprenticeship or traineeship, is a learning pathway that integrates paid on-the-job training with formal study through a Registered Training Organisation. This approach provides a nationally recognized qualification while allowing you to earn as you learn.

As an apprentice or trainee, you’ll complete your education with both practical skills and formal knowledge. This blend of theoretical learning and hands-on experience is highly valued by employers across various industries and professions. Additionally, the Australian Government may offer funding and other benefits to help cover training costs.

With over 500 occupations offering apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities—from Certificate II to Advanced Diploma levels—there are options available in traditional trades as well as many emerging fields in business and industry.

More information on a school-based apprenticeship

How do you start an apprenticeship?

Difference between a Cadetship and an Apprenticeship

A cadetship is similar to an apprenticeship, but it's geared towards university students. In a cadetship, you work with an employer in your field while you study, and you get paid for it. The main difference is that cadetships are usually available for university students rather than high school students.

Here are some benefits of a cadetship:

• You get paid a salary while you study.
• You gain real work experience with an employer.
• You may earn credit toward your degree.
• You might receive extra allowances to help with your studies.
• You could have a job lined up for you once you finish your degree.

When Can I Do a Cadetship?

Cadetships are usually for students who are already in university, but sometimes you can apply during your last year of high school (Year 12). Some cadetships are for students just starting their degree, while others are for those in their third, fourth, or even fifth year of university.

Differences between Cadetships & Degree Apprenticeships

You might also hear about degree apprenticeships, which are similar to cadetships. Both involve paid work while studying at university. The main difference is that a degree apprenticeship often covers your tuition fees, whereas cadets usually have to pay their own fees unless the employer covers them.

With degree apprenticeships, your study might be more specialized, or you might get employer-specific training instead of attending university for certain subjects. Cadetships generally require you to complete a full degree alongside your work.

Currently, there are two programs in Australia: Deloitte’s Cyber Academy and BAE Systems and AI Group’s Systems Engineering Program.

Is a Cadetship Right for Me?

Balancing work and study requires dedication and good time management skills. If you’re sure about your career path, a cadetship can be a great way to secure a job before you even finish your degree.

Understanding and Supporting Adolescents with Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating

 A Guide for High School Parents

As adolescents navigate the challenging terrain of high school, they face a myriad of pressures that can impact their physical and emotional well-being. Among these pressures, issues related to body image and eating habits are particularly prevalent. Eating disorders and disordered eating are significant concerns that can affect young people’s health, self-esteem, and overall quality of life. This article aims to provide high school parents with a comprehensive overview of these issues, including how to recognize the signs, strategies for support, and ways to help adolescents who may be struggling.

What Are Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating?

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions characterised by persistent and severe disturbances in eating behaviour. The most common eating disorders include:

Anorexia Nervosa: Characterised by an intense fear of gaining weight, a distorted body image, and severe restriction of food intake. Individuals with anorexia may have an extremely low body weight and a preoccupation with being thin.

Bulimia Nervosa: Involves episodes of binge eating (consuming large quantities of food in a short period) followed by compensatory behaviours such as vomiting, excessive exercise, or misuse of laxatives to prevent weight gain.

Binge Eating Disorder: Marked by frequent episodes of eating large amounts of food without the subsequent purging behaviours seen in bulimia. Individuals may feel a lack of control during these episodes and experience distress or guilt afterward.

Disordered Eating: This term encompasses a range of irregular eating behaviours and attitudes that may not meet the criteria for a formal eating disorder but still pose risks to health and well-being. Examples include chronic dieting, extreme calorie restriction, excessive exercising, or unhealthy preoccupation with food and body image.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): Children with ARFID tend to limit the amount or variety of foods they eat, which can result in significant weight loss, nutrient deficiencies, and difficulties in social and psychological functioning. They may avoid eating certain foods due to a lack of interest, past negative experiences with the food, or heightened sensitivity to its sensory qualities, such as taste, texture, smell, or appearance. Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID is not driven by a distorted body image or fear of gaining weight.

How to Recognise Signs and Symptoms

Identifying eating disorders or disordered eating in adolescents can be challenging, as symptoms may be subtle or masked by typical teenage behaviours. However, parents should be alert to the following signs:

Physical Symptoms: Noticeable weight loss or gain, changes in clothing size, frequent complaints of feeling cold, dizziness, or gastrointestinal issues.

Behavioural Changes: Secretive behaviour around food, sudden changes in eating habits (e.g., skipping meals, avoiding certain foods), or obsessive focus on food, calories, and exercise.

Emotional Indicators: Signs of depression, anxiety, irritability, or low self-esteem. Adolescents may express feelings of worthlessness or perfectionism related to their appearance or eating habits.

Social Withdrawal: A decrease in social interactions, particularly those involving food, or increased isolation from friends and family.

Characteristics of Disordered Eating

In contrast, disordered eating often presents with several symptoms:

• A distorted body image
• Using body shape or weight as a primary measure of self-worth
• Strict and rigid rules around eating and exercise
• Restricting numerous foods or eliminating entire food groups
• Unhealthy weight control methods, such as skipping meals, fasting, using diet pills, vomiting, or abusing laxatives
• Using steroids or creatine to change appearance or improve exercise performance
• Attempting multiple diets to lose weight
• Frequent weight fluctuations
• Over-exercising to burn calories or lose weight
• Experiencing guilt and shame over food and exercise habits
• Limited social interactions due to conflicts with food or exercise routines
• Feeling a lack of control while eating
• Eating large amounts of food late at night
• Using food for comfort rather than hunger
• A diminished quality of life due to excessive focus on food, exercise, and body image

**Note that dieting to lose weight is included in this list because it can be a form of disordered eating.

What Does Non-Disordered Eating Look Like?

To understand disordered eating, it’s helpful to first recognize what non-disordered eating looks like. It generally includes four key components: regularity, variety, flexibility, and enjoyment.

Regularity: This means eating snacks and meals consistently throughout the day. Ideally, this includes having meals every 3 hours, with 3 main meals and 2–3 snacks daily.

Variety: Non-disordered eating involves a diverse range of foods from all food groups, including occasional “treat” foods for pleasure. This variety ensures your child receives all the essential nutrients needed for healthy functioning.

Flexibility: This refers to the ability to adapt eating habits to changes in routine, similar to being flexible with social plans and spontaneously adjusting to new situations.

Enjoyment: Eating should be pleasurable and include celebrating special occasions with food. It’s important that your child finds enjoyment in their eating experiences.

The Impact of Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating

Eating disorders can have significant health consequences, affecting various systems in your child’s body, including the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems, as well as hormones, skin, hair, kidneys, and blood cells. Even though disordered eating behaviours may not meet the criteria for a clinical eating disorder, they can still severely impact your child’s health.

Such behaviours can lead to problems like bone loss, gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, headaches, a low heart rate and blood pressure, difficulty concentrating, and heightened anxiety, depression, or social isolation. Disordered eating has the potential to develop into a full-blown eating disorder, so recognising early signs and seeking help promptly is crucial.

Strategies for Supporting Your Adolescent

Supporting a teenager with an eating disorder or disordered eating requires sensitivity, understanding, and effective communication. Here are some strategies to consider:

1. Foster Open Communication: Create a supportive environment where your child feels safe discussing their feelings and concerns. Avoid making judgmental comments about their weight or appearance. Instead, focus on their well-being and express your support.
2. Encourage Professional Help: Eating disorders and disordered eating are complex conditions that often require professional intervention. Encourage your child to seek help from a healthcare provider, such as a paediatrician, psychologist, or dietitian who specialises in eating disorders.
3. Promote Healthy Eating Habits: Encourage balanced, nutritious eating without placing undue emphasis on weight or appearance. Model healthy eating behaviours and involve your child in meal planning and preparation to foster positive associations with food.
4. Support Their Emotional Needs: Provide emotional support and understanding. Be patient and empathetic, recognizing that recovery is a gradual process. Offer to participate in family therapy or counselling if it is recommended.
5. Educate Yourself: Learn about eating disorders and disordered eating to better understand what your child is experiencing. Knowledge about these conditions can help you provide informed support and advocate effectively for your child’s needs.
6. Monitor and Manage Stress: High school can be a stressful time for adolescents. Help your child develop healthy coping strategies for managing stress, such as engaging in hobbies, exercising, or practicing mindfulness.

    7. Promote Body Positivity: Encourage a healthy body image by focusing on what the body can do rather than            its appearance. Celebrate achievements and qualities unrelated to appearance to build self-esteem.

When to Seek Immediate Help

If you suspect that your adolescent is experiencing severe symptoms of an eating disorder, such as significant weight loss, frequent purging, or self-harm, seek immediate professional help. Contact a mental health specialist or a medical professional who can provide a thorough assessment and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Eating disorders and disordered eating are serious issues that can profoundly affect an adolescent’s life. As a parent, your role in providing support and encouragement is crucial. By recognising the signs, offering compassionate support, and seeking professional help when necessary, you can play a pivotal role in your child’s journey towards recovery and well-being.

Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Many resources and support networks are available to assist both you and your adolescent. Taking proactive steps to address these concerns can lead to a healthier and more positive future for your child.

*For further information on disordered eating or eating disorders, and supporting children with disordered eating or eating disorders, 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 disordered eating or eating disorders. Alternatively, please click on the link below. This will take you directly to a variety of resources and information relating to disordered eating and eating disorders.

Please reach out and seek support if you, or someone you know is having difficulties with disordered eating or an eating disorder. #Itaintweaktospeak.

Next Step - State School Leavers Survey

Innisfail Master Class

Cricket For All Ages

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)

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.

Mobile Womens Health

Careers Day

Tropical Art Deco Festival

Crossfit Tully

Uniforms Wanted!