Term 4 - Week 2 - October 2024

From The Principal

Dear Parent and Carers,

Congratulations to our students who continue to excel in academic, cultural and sporting areas.  Tully SHS is an outstanding school with many exceptionally talented students!  It is wonderful to showcase our students throughout our newsletter.   

Imaginarium Arts Showcase

Congratulations to all students and staff involved in the Imaginarium Arts Showcase yesterday.  The event was a tremendous success and an absolute credit to our students and staff who created and exhibited works.   A massive thank you to the whole school community for coming along to support the event. 

People who bid the highest in the Silent Auction pieces will be contacted by the school. 

Congratulations to the following students who were presented with certificates of dedication at the end of evening recognising your outstanding work and time in your chosen areas:

School Opinion Survey

Thank you to our parents who took the time to complete the School Opinion Survey in August.  The Dept of Education released the data this week and we greatly appreciate your honest and frank feedback. This survey is only completed once a year so provides excellent data on how we are travelling as a school in certain areas.

How did we go?

   The most positive areas:

• 93.6% Agreement - Teachers at this school expect my child to do their best.
• 92.5% Agreement – Staff at this school are approachable.
• 92.4% Agreement – The school is well maintained.

   The least positive areas:

• 61.6% Agreement – This school takes parents’ opinions seriously.
• 62.4% Agreement – Student behaviour is well managed at this school.
• 66.3% Agreement – The school asks for my input.

Our greatest area of improvement in the parent area is: My child likes being at this school. This statement increased from 2023 to 2024 by 11.3%.

As a school, we will continue to reflect and review our systems and processes.  As parents and carers, I strongly encourage you to contact the school if you have any concerns and issues that you believe need to be addressed.  We must take all parents’ opinions seriously and work together to support our students to be successful in whatever their chosen pathway is. 

Year 12 External Exams

All the very best to our Year 12 students who will start external exams on Monday 21 October.  External exams will run for a three-week period. During this time, Year 12 students will only attend school for their scheduled exam.  If they are sick, they must contact the school and obtain medical documentation. Please ensure all students engage in exam preparation, are well rested and hydrated prior to the exam. Students are able to contact their class teachers for support leading up to their scheduled exam.

End of Year   

Term 4 in a high school is always very busy with the completion of Year Levels at varying times.

The following are key dates:

• Monday 21 October-Tuesday 12 November: Year 12 External Exams
• Monday 11 November - Sports Award Evening, 5 pm
• Tuesday 12 November Awards Night, 7 pm
• Wednesday 13 November Year 12 Graduation
• Friday 15 November - Final day Year 12
• Friday 22 November - Final day Year 10 and 11
• Friday 29 November - Year 7–9 Moderation Day
• Friday 13 December - Final day Year 7–9

Our expectations are that all students must be school every day, learning and completing their assessments to the best of their ability. If you plan for your child/ren to be away from school, please ensure you are contacting the school to advise.

Yours in learning,
Ms Helen Carne
Principal

Sports News

Congratulations

Congratulations to students competing at the State Track & Field Championships – good luck Mackenzie Law, Shaun Riley, Chase Frumento, Lance Ivey, Liam Dunkerton and Riley Berge.  Mackenzie was named as a captain for the 10-12 Peninsula Team.  Congratulations Shaun Riley, who has qualified for the Nationals in Discus, and to Liam Dunkerton who made the 400m finals!

District Sport

Students who would like to nominate for the following District Sport trials – see Mrs Parkes in HPE staffroom: Boys 16-19 Cricket, Girls 15-19 Cricket, Triathlon / Aquathlon, Baseball 15-18, 12-19 Tennis and 13-19 Water Polo.

NRL Referees

Any students Year 9 and above who are interested in obtaining NRL referee qualifications, please see Mr Paton – a course will be run at school. 

Sports Awards Night

The annual Cassowary Coast District Sport, Southern Zone Sports Awards Night will be held on Monday 11November.  Students must check the sport representative list outside the HPE staffroom to check that all of the sports they competed in this year are listed.  Please notify Mrs Parkes of any errors or omissions.  Students attending must wear full formal school uniform.  These are available to hire from the school. 

The Queensland Academy of Sport wants #YouFor2032.

Know a young Queenslander with the potential to be future champion?

The Queensland Academy of Sports (QAS) YouFor2032 Talent Search is scouring the State to find future champions.

The YouFor2032 team will hit the road in October and November for its Olympic sport talent search, looking for untapped talent from Brisbane to Cairns and everywhere in between.

We’re partnering with 15 Olympic sports including Athletics, Boxing, Sailing, Triathlon, Rowing and more, looking for Queenslanders aged 13-23 who love sport and have the drive to succeed.

If you have dreams of representing Australia at the highest level, YouFor2032 wants you!

Spaces are limited so apply today and register for a testing session near you: https://surveys.dtis.qld.gov.au/n/MNgunmL

Who are we looking for?

If you have raw athletic talent and elite aspirations, you could represent your country and be part of the next generation of sporting champions. No matter your sporting background, YouFor2032 can help you reach your full potential.

Want to find out more?

Visit the YouFor2032 website for dates and location of testing sessions. https://www.qasport.qld.gov.au/youfor2032 

Year 11 Biology Camp

From the 9–11 October, the Year 11 Biology students took part in the annual Biology Camp.

The trip kicked off with students travelling to Beaver Cay for a half-day of snorkelling with the Aquatic Practices class. Here, they used remote underwater videos to collect ecological data for further analysis regarding the diversity of the reef. They then travelled to Mamu Skywalk to battle the march flies and were rewarded with a canopy and viewing platform walk in addition to learning about the functioning of rainforest systems.

 On the second day of the trip, the group travelled to Millstream Falls, Mt Hypipamee, Bromfield Swamp, Lake Eacham and the Curtain Fig tree to collect ecological data and classify various systems as well as learn about biological interactions and the geological formation of the many ecosystems across the Atherton Tablelands.

 On the final day of the trip, students travelled to Millaa Millaa Falls and eventually to Bingil Bay to perform Rocky Shore studies, comparing diversity between two different sites using a random sampling method.

 The students were an absolute pleasure for the entirety of the trip and returned home tired but happy.

Adolescence

Adolescence: A time of potential and vulnerability

• Depression is the fourth leading cause of illness and disability among adolescents aged 15 to 19.
• Anxiety is the ninth leading cause for adolescents aged 15 to 19 years.
• Mental health conditions account for 16% of the global burden of disease and injury in people aged 10 to 19 years.
• Suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15- to 19-year-olds globally
• 90% of adolescent suicides take place in the world's low and middle-income countries.

Adolescence is a time of incredible potential but also significant vulnerability. This is due to the rapid brain development during this period, which lays the foundation for adult well-being. However, it is also the age when most mental health issues begin to emerge, a fact that can deeply impact not only the individual but future generations as well. Adolescence is a crucial stage for realising human potential, with brain development heavily influenced by social interactions. These interactions shape the skills and abilities that teens will carry into adulthood.

At the same time, it’s well known that adolescence is the peak period for the onset of mental health challenges. During this phase, teens gain the physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and economic skills that will determine their health and well-being later in life. These same skills also influence future generations, meaning that what happens to teens now will affect their own children and beyond. In fact, 50% of mental health conditions start by age 14, often going undetected and untreated.

Teens experience numerous physical, emotional, and social changes, which are further intensified by challenges such as bullying, violence, poverty, family dysfunction, and abuse. Adolescents are still developing crucial life skills like coping strategies, reasoning abilities, and emotional maturity, making them more vulnerable to mental health struggles. One of the biggest challenges is distinguishing between typical teenage behaviour and signs of a mental health issue. This is why it's important for parents, teachers, and caregivers to be aware of common mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, so they can recognise warning signs and take the appropriate steps to help.

What are the warning signs of depression in teenagers?

• A persistent low mood – sadness and hopelessness that do not go away and where the cause is unclear
• Sleep disturbances – insomnia or too much sleep
• Changes in eating habits – eating too much or too little
• Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness, worthlessness, self-blame
• Angry outbursts with irritability or frustration, anxiety or agitation, fatigue or lack of energy, general apathy around life and appearance
• Withdrawing socially; actively isolation from friends and family, decreased interest in things previously enjoyed
• Complaining of not feeling physically well, perhaps of headaches, stomach or other pain
• Problems at school, either grades affected, or teacher notices loss of focus and concentration
• General trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
• Substance abuse or other risky behaviours
• Talking about self-harm, death or suicide (immediately seek professional help)

Here are five ways to assist a depressed teenager:

1. Focus on listening, not lecturing: If you suspect that your teen is depressed, bring up your concerns in a loving, non-judgmental way. Resist any urge to criticise or pass judgment once your teenager begins to talk.
2. Be gentle but persistent: Don't give up if they shut you out at first.
3. Acknowledge their feelings: Don't try to talk your teen out of depression, even if their feelings or concerns appear silly or irrational to you.
4. Trust your gut: If your teen claims that nothing is wrong but has no explanation for what is causing the depressed behaviour, you should trust your instincts.
5. Combat social isolation: Do what you can to keep your teen connected to others. Encourage them to go out with friends or invite friends over.

For further information on adolescent mental health, anxiety or depression please see the school website. Click on the following link https://tullyshs.eq.schooltv.me/searcher?search_api_fulltext=mental+health or go to the school website and select the ‘Support and Resources’ tab, click on ‘Student Services and Support Programs’ in the drop-down menu. You should see a link to School TV that you can click on. School TV has many resources, interviews with leading specialists and informative articles, on relevant and current topics. If you notice any anxiety or depressive symptoms in your child or children, please reach out for support. #Itaintweaktospeak.

How to become a Shearer

Shearers are the backbone of the wool industry. Their job involves using special tools to remove wool from livestock such as sheep, goats, and alpacas. They need to be able to handle animals carefully to ensure a clean and efficient shearing process while looking after the wellbeing of the animals. If you’re physically fit, enjoy working with animals, and are prepared to live and work in a rural setting, a career in shearing might be perfect for you.

What skills do I need as a shearer?

• Physical fitness & stamina
• Good hand-eye coordination
• Ability to handle animals gently but firmly
• Effective communication skills
• Resilience & toughness
• Methodical & thorough

What does the job involve?

• Prepare animals for shearing by moving them from holding pens
• Select and use appropriate tools for shearing
• Shear wool from animals in one clean piece
• Keep animals calm and comfortable during the shearing process
• Inspect animals for cuts and treat them if needed
• Maintain and clean shearing tools and workspaces
• Use specialised equipment for high-quality shearing of stud animals

What kind of lifestyle can I expect?

Shearers usually work full-time, averaging around 43 hours per week. Part-time opportunities are less common, with only about 36% of shearers working part-time. The job involves significant physical labour and is typically based in rural or regional areas, so you’ll generally be on your feet all day due to the hands-on nature of the job. You also have to be confident and comfortable handling animals – a gentle but firm hand is essential for this role. Shearers also generally live where they work, so you’d be living and breathing a country lifestyle. If you’re outdoorsy, like farm work and don’t mind getting a little dirty, you’ll thrive in this role.

How to become a shearer

While no formal qualifications are required, you’ll need to gain relevant experience. This can be taught on the job, but completing courses or vocational qualifications can give you a head-start and make you a more competitive applicant. To become a shearer, start by completing at least Year 10, with a focus on English, Maths, Biology, and any agricultural subjects if available. Gaining work experience on a farm or in an agriculture-related setting is really important for getting hands-on exposure to animal handling. You might also like to obtain an introductory qualification in shearing or animal handling to make sure you have what it takes for the job. Once you have the foundational knowledge, you could then start a paid apprenticeship or begin working as an entry-level shearer to gain practical experience and refine your skills.

Have Your Say

Break-up with Vaping

‘Pathways to Cessation’

Tully State High School is participating in a pilot program to support adolescent tobacco and vaping cessation. The ‘Pathways to Cessation’ program is run by Queensland Health and will commence in Term 4, 2024.

Parents and carers of all secondary students are invited to attend a free online webinar about vaping in schools and learn more about the Pathways to Cessation pilot program.

The webinar will include a panel of four speakers:

• Dr John Gerrard, Queensland’s Chief Health Officer
• Mr Mark West, Executive Director, Prevention Strategy Branch, Queensland Health
• Mr Scott Zadravec, Acting Director, Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, Department of Education
• Joanne Isbel, Manager, Preventive Health, Health Contact Centre, Queensland Health

The panel will present information on:

• ​ What is currently known about tobacco and vaping use in Queensland adolescents
• ​The impact of nicotine on adolescent health 
• ​The Australian Government and Queensland Government approach to addressing tobacco smoking and vaping  
• ​An overview of the Pathways to Cessation pilot program
• Understanding how parents and carers can support their adolescent to quit smoking or vaping

The webinar will also include an opportunity to ask the panel questions. 

If you are interested in attending, please register on Humanitix via the link below.

Pathways to Cessation Pilot Program – Introduction Webinar

9 or 16 October 2024, 6:30pm – 7:30pm AEST

A link to join the webinar will be provided after you register.

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