Ormeau Woods State High School eNewsletter

From the Principal's Desk

Dear Ormeau Woods Community,

As we reach the end of Semester 1, I am filled with pride and gratitude for the remarkable efforts and achievements of our students, and support from our community.

Throughout this term, overall, our students have demonstrated incredible dedication and perseverance in their academic efforts. Their enthusiasm for learning and commitment to excellence has been evident in the classroom and beyond. It has been fantastic to see many students embrace challenges with a positive attitude and strive for their personal best in their learning and extra curricular opportunities.

We are also thrilled to share the outstanding achievements of three of our students, Nicola, Seanna, and Emmanuel, who were recently recognized at the South East Region NAIDOC Awards. Their exceptional academic performance earned them prestigious awards, highlighting their hard work, talent, and determination. Nicola, Seanna, and Emmanuel have set a shining example for their peers, and we are immensely proud of their accomplishments.

Our collective success as a school community is also testament to the incredible support we receive from our amazing P & C, parents, guardians, and community members. Your active involvement in our school life, whether through attending events, volunteering, expertise, funding or providing valuable feedback, has significantly contributed to improving student and school outcomes. Thank you for being our dedicated partners in education. Together we are striving to fulfil our vision of linking learning with life and our purpose of inspiring minds to shape a positive future.

Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable break. I’m looking forward to witnessing further successes and growth in the coming semester.

Warm Regards,

Dan Murtas

Principal

Head of School Update

Dear Parents, Students, and Staff,

As we approach the midpoint of the year, I would like to reflect on our accomplishments in Semester 1. Our school community has shown dedication and enthusiasm, setting a solid foundation for the months ahead.

Semester 1 Highlights

Enrolment Evening

We began Term 1 with a successful Enrolment Evening. This event was well attended by prospective students and their families, showcasing the opportunities our school offers.

Careers Expo

Recently in Term 2, we hosted our Careers Expo, which saw a good turnout. The Expo provided students with valuable insights into various career paths and the skills required to pursue them, helping them make informed decisions about their future.

Strengthening Partnerships

Our ongoing collaboration with primary partners Norfolk Village SS, Ormeau SS, and Woongoolba SS has continued to develop. These partnerships are essential in ensuring a smooth transition for students and fostering a sense of community from primary through secondary education.

New Academy Programs

We are pleased to introduce new academy programs in Rugby League and Soccer. The enthusiasm from our students has been encouraging, with many trialists demonstrating their skills and passion. These programs enhance our sports offerings and promote teamwork and school spirit.

Looking Ahead to Semester 2

Improving Attendance

As we move into the second half of the year, our focus will be on improving attendance. Last week, I communicated with parents about the importance of five full days of weekly attendance. It is crucial for students to be present every day, and our "Fridays Matter" initiative highlights the importance of ending the week strong.

Subject Selections for Years 8, 9, and 10

Students in Years 8, 9, and 10 will soon be making subject selections for the next academic year. This is an important time for students to explore their interests and align their studies with future aspirations. We encourage parents to be involved in this process to help guide their children in making informed decisions.

Student Progress and Class Changes

Following our Semester 1 reporting, we will be checking student progress to ensure everyone is on track. For Year 7 and 8 students, we will be implementing some class changes to better meet their needs. These adjustments will include new programs and targeted interventions for students requiring additional support.

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to our school community. Let's continue to work together to make the remainder of the year successful.

Best Regards,

Matt Silcock

Head of School

Meet the Staff

Michael Norris | Maths and Science

I have been at OWSHS for 7 years teaching Maths and Science. I am originally from England and taught for 12 years there, before teaching for 14 years in wonderful New Zealand – up the Wahs! In total, I have now been teaching for 33 years, before that I was a pilot in the British Royal Air Force. On the weekends I am obsessed with lawn bowls at Helensvale Bowls Club, reading and having a drink or two!

Rebecca Wallace | Maths and Science

I am one of the Senior Biology, STEM and Junior Science/Maths teachers at Ormeau Woods SHS. I completed my second last university placement at Ormeau Woods back in 2019 and came back after graduating to start teaching here full time the following year, and am now in my 5^th year of teaching and loving it. When I am not at work I love to spend time engaging in outdoor adventure activities. You can often find me down at the beach or on the water taking my kayak or stand-up paddle board out on a nice day. I also enjoy quieter activities like reading, baking sweet treats, painting or playing strategy board games.

Nicole Ulcoq | Maths and Science

I have been a Math and Science teacher at OWSHS for 1.5 years. Prior to Ormeau, I taught at Gordonvale SHS, in Far North Queensland, for 4 years. Since starting at OWSHS, I have had the opportunity to be involved in the PB4L Committee, the Running Club, as well as coaching Touch Football and Netball. Last year, I led a team in the Gold Coast Kokoda Challenge and am excited to be participating in this event again this year. In my spare time, I enjoy going to the gym, running, mountain bike riding, relaxing at the beach, travelling, and hanging out with my friends and family (especially my little niece, Parker!).

Hannah Bridgeford | Maths and Science

I got married last year so most students and parents know me as Miss Smith. I have been at Ormeau teaching Math and Science since 2020, however I was also lucky enough to do a teaching prac here in 2019! This year is special for me as (if you have done the math already) I will be seeing my first cohort of little year 7’s graduate.

Some fun facts about me according to my year 12’s: I’m a proud dog mother to Kyna, recently ran a full marathon, my favourite colour is yellow (go Tintara) and I drive manual.

Some of my favourite memories at Ormeau include participating in camps, completing the Kokoda challenge, and enjoying the Year 12 Formal.

Year 10 Immunisations

In the Woods

𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗦

Students in Year 7 Science have been busy building and testing balloon powered cars as part of their assessment for the term. Tasked with constructing a car that travels as far as possible, students have to build an original basic design and then modify it by considering how forces act on the car’s movement to improve how far it travels, before writing a report communicating their scientific findings. Students have had a lot of enjoyment with the construction of their cars already.

𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗦...

Congratulations to Isabella K, the lucky winner of the signed Broncos jersey!

Thank you to everyone who submitted their enrolment paperwork to receive 5 entries and also to those who purchased tickets to participate in the draw. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Enjoy your prize Isabella!

𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝟴'𝘀 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗙𝗨𝗡

We had an absolute blast visiting our local feeder schools to join in the fun of their Under 8's Days!

Our Academy of Fine Arts students had a fantastic time face painting at Norfolk Village State School, while our Tu Tangata cultural group played games and offered colouring activities for the junior warriors.

The following day was another fantastic day of face painting fun at Ormeau State School with our Academy of Fine Arts students. It was wonderful seeing so many happy faces.

A big thank you to both schools for allowing us to be a part of your Under 8's Day celebrations. It was a joy to share these moments with you!

Its my favourite time of the assessment cycle when students take all they have learnt and turn it into practice. The room is buzzing, its busy and its loud at times, but it’s exciting. We are also fortunate to have Kim Bailey for 6 weeks as she undergoes her final prac for her teaching degree. Kim comes with a world of fashion knowledge as she has worked in the industry and owns her own business.

Ms Brashaw

𝗙𝗟𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

Year 9 Science are currently completing a biology unit. At the moment their focus is on the reproductive system where they have been looking at how plants can reproduce. Students completed a flower dissection to try and identify the various male and female parts of a flower to further their understanding of pollination. Students were surprised to see that these structures varied in looks and location across different types of plants, but all flowers had the same structures present.

𝗦𝗨𝗕𝗝𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗢

We hosted our annual Subject and Careers Expo at Ormeau Woods State High School this term, and it was a fantastic evening! We were thrilled to see so many students and families engaging with tertiary education & training providers, employers, and more.

It was also a great opportunity for students to discuss subject choices with our staff as they transition into their senior years. We hope everyone left with plenty of valuable information.

A huge thank you to our amazing staff for organising this wonderful event!

Our Academy of Dance Excellence and Senior Music students had an incredible day in Brisbane at the QPAC Theatre, where they watched "Beauty & the Beast" the Musical. This fantastic trip provided a wonderful opportunity for our students to connect their current studies with real-world experiences.

𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗠𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗥 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗟𝗦

A huge thank you to all the students who came out to trial for the 2025 Academy of Soccer Excellence, it was a great morning.

Mr Thomas and Mr Sheldon are thrilled to be part of developing a strong soccer culture at Ormeau Woods SHS.

Exciting times ahead!

After a big morning of soccer, our focus shifted to the Academy of Rugby League Excellence trials. Students arrived ready to impress our coaching team, led by NRL legend Ben Hannant, who was thrilled by the turnout.

We can't wait to get started on the 2025 sessions!

We were thrilled to again host the Principal's Honours Breakfast for students who achieved straight A's across all subjects on their Term 1 report card. Students, along with their parents and key staff, enjoyed a lovely breakfast catered by the school canteen before being recognised for their outstanding achievements.

Congratulations to all our high achievers—keep up the great work!

We are thrilled to welcome back Nara Gakuen High School from Japan! It's always a pleasure to have our international friends visit Ormeau Woods State High School.

A huge thank you to our amazing student buddies and homestay families for making our guests feel so welcome. Your support makes these visits possible and memorable.

𝗦𝗔𝗠𝗢𝗔𝗡 𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗨𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗖𝗛 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

Janessa V in Year 11 travelled to Griffith University to represent Ormeau Woods SHS at the inaugural Samoan Language Speech Competition. It was an amazing opportunity for students to embrace their culture, speaking in front of elders in what is a very complex language.

Janessa took to the stage, discussing her move to Australia and the importance of embracing culture, language, God, and family. We are proud to announce that Janessa placed 2nd in the competition! She is inspired to apply again next year and plans to mentor younger students to also take part in the competition.

Well done, Janessa!

𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗨𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦

Congratulations to Sapphire in Year 11 for being selected for the 17 - 19 South Coast team traveling to Townsville to compete in basketball!

She is also an amazing referee and will be traveling to Cairns to referee games during the upcoming holidays.

Well done, Sapphire - keep up the amazing effort!

𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝟭𝟮 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 & 𝗥𝗘𝗖 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

Our fantastic Year 12 Sport & Rec students organised an exhilarating hike to the Springbrook Twin Falls Circuit as part of their expedition unit. The hike offered breathtaking views, challenging terrain, great camaraderie, and an overall awesome curriculum experience.

𝗢𝗪𝗦𝗛𝗦 𝘃 𝗞𝗘𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗔 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗞 - 𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗞𝗘𝗧𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟

Yesterday, Ormeau Woods SHS hosted Keebra Park SHS for an afternoon of basketball. Our boys represented the school with pride and came away undefeated across the afternoon:

Junior Boys WIN: 33-28

Sophomore Boys WIN: 54-44

Open Boys DRAW: 49-49

It was a pleasure to see so many teachers, students and family members come down to support our athletes. A huge thank you to those students who volunteered to score and set up across the afternoon.

Our Opens boys are halfway through their season so there is plenty more basketball to be played. Games are every Thursday afternoon (some fixtures away at hosting schools) with the Junior and Sophomore teams featuring again next term.

𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗦

Students in Year 11 Biology are currently studying homeostasis in various organisms. As part of this, they investigated osmoregulation in plants and how different plants vary in the number of stomata they have on their leaves to conserve water depending on the environments they exist in. Students had fun making imprints of various leaves to view under the microscope to compare stomatal densities in addition to viewing other organisms they found.

𝗚𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗢𝗥 𝗡𝗘𝗧𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

Ormeau Woods SHS participated in the 2-day INFQ Gold Coast Indoor Netball Competition in Ashmore on the 29th and 30th of May. We had five teams compete, with four making it to the finals. Our Year 9 mixed team triumphed in the 9/10 mixed division, defeating Pimpama in a nail-biting final that was neck and neck in the first half.

A special congratulations to Ava B, who was awarded Player of the Match!

Community Pillar Challenge

Our Community Pillar group came together this term to raise money for the Cancer Council. It was fantastic to see students and staff in their crazy socks and splash of yellow, and the crowd that joined the Big Shave at Lunch 1 was incredible. A big thank you to everyone who donated to this great cause either by purchasing a raffle ticket or giving a gold coin donation.

Special shout out to Tyler M in Year 12, his barber skills made Mr Ulcoq look sharp after students took to his head with scissors and clippers. And to the man himself, Mr Ulcoq, thank you for donating your hair to make a wig and for helping us raise money for the Cancer Council.

Well done to Ruth and Harry, our Community Pillar Leaders, and the entire SLC group for putting a great day together and raising just under $500, Well Done Team!

Memphis in Year 10 was selected by his TAFE Ashmore teachers to personally meet and greet Minister Scanlon during his Trade Taster class. He was asked to complete a short questionnaire for the Minister, so she had some background on the students. The story made the 7 Gold Coast News, where Memphis showcased his enthusiasm for the Trade Taster course. He did a fine job in representing TAFE Queensland and Ormeau Woods SHS providing an insight into the wonderful opportunities our students can undertake while deciding their future pathway.

There is also an amazing write up on the TAFE Queensland page about Memphis's experience.

https://tafeqld.edu.au/news-and-events/news/2024/trade-taster-program-launches-memphis-and-isabelle-s-careers

Keep up the great work Memphis!

P&C

The Next P&C Meeting will be held on Tuesday 18 June, 5.30pm in the Administration Building, OWSHS

The 2024 Ormeau Woods P&C has a new Executive team:

* President: Neil Keen,

* Vice President: Matt Smith,

* Treasurer: Ellen Cox,

* Secretary: Rob Newton,

Neil, Matt, Ellen and Rob would really appreciate and welcome any input from parents of the school on ideas for fundraising and how to distribute funds raised within the school.

Already in 2024, the P&C has funded the following:

* 2024 Interschool STEM Competition - up to $5,000

* Digital Cameras for Visual Arts Department - up to $20,000

* 2024 Kokoda Challenge - up to $6,000

* Chaplaincy Breakfast Club - $1,150

A big shout out to the Canteen Team lead by Mel. They do a fantastic job for our school community.

If you can't make it to the June meeting, the next one will be in Term 3, Week 2, Tuesday 16 July at 5.30pm. We hope to see you there.

Kind Regards,

Rob

𝘗&𝘊 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺

Ormeaulympics - Sports Carnival

Finance News

Important Dates to Note for Extra-Curricular Events

Year 7 Camp – Tallebudgera Monday 22 to Wednesday 24 July - $225 – Balance in full Due by Monday 8 July

Soccer Fixture vs. Pacific Pines Wednesday 17 July - $15 Due by Wednesday 10 July

AoDI ADF Tour (Australian Dance Festival in Sydney) Thursday 19 to Monday 23 September - $800 for Academy of Dance Industries invited students only – Balance in full Due by Friday 12 July

Volleyball Senior Schools Cup Friday 9 to Sunday 11 August - $72 Due by Friday 26 July

Reminder: Student Resource Scheme, iPad Purchase Program, Subject Levy and other invoices from the school can all be paid using any of the following methods:

Struggling to pay those school invoices? Need a payment plan? Please reach out via: finance@ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au

Health Hub

Hello everyone,

The school’s Health Hub is located in the Resource Centre. We have a School Chaplain, School Support Officer, Indigenous Support Officer, two Guidance Officers, visiting School Based Youth Health Nurse, Service from Mission Australia, Health Hub Teacher Aide, and Administrative Officer.

Part of the service offered to students include:

Conversations about concerns or issues.
Subject discussion and career counselling
Support and development of Personalised Learning Plans
Support if feeling anxious about attending school
Exploration of other supports if needed
Adjustments and extensions for senior students

If you are unsure or in doubt about something, please contact the main office and ask for the Health Hub.

Looking forward to meeting and working together.

If you find yourself in need of extra support, there are lots of places you can contact for assistance. Please also reach out for support from the Health Hub team here at Ormeau Woods SHS at any time.

Phillippa Proctor \| Guidance Officer (Yrs 7, 9, 12)	Alan Fraser \| Guidance Officer (Yrs 8, 10, 11)
Simon Pyle \| School Support Officer	Kim Griffiths \| Indigenous Support Officer
Haley Radu \| School Chaplain	Morgan Buzzell \| School Psychologist
Sally Young \| Health Hub Administration Officer	Evan da Costa \| Health Hub Teacher Aide
Nathania Wingett \| Mission Australia – Youth worker	Rad Pamiloza \| School Based Youth Health Nurse

Contact information can be found on the school website - https://ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au/our-school/contact-us

International Homestays

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED FOR UPCOMING STUDY TOURS

Our school has four international study tours arriving in Term Three and we need families to host our visitors or your son/daughter to be a buddy at school.

Additour Fukien Secondary School from Hong Kong – two-day school visit; no host families required, buddies only

Sister School – Kobe Koryo High School from Japan – 10 host families needed including a family to host two chaperones.

Arriving 24 July; departing 9 August. Payment is $420 per student

Showa Daiichi High School from Japan – 12 host families needed.

Arriving 11 August; departing 24 August. Payment to be advised

MEM SMP Labschool Kebayoran from Indonesia – four-day school visit; no host families required, buddies only.

If you would like further information on hosting our international visitors, get in touch with International Student Coordinator Jules Carson on jcars66@eq.edu.au or mobile 0455 898 066.

IT Department

Important Message: Student VPN Usage

We have detected a large number of students using an app called “SkyVPN” that bypasses the Department of Education’s website filtering and security systems. Students are currently using this app on their iPads to access blocked apps and websites during school hours. This is a breach of the OWSHS ICT/BYOD Agreement and the Education Department’s secure operating environment as the network is for educational use only.

VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) route all of a user’s online activity through to their servers to bypass any firewalls or filters. In this instance, SkyVPN offers a free service in exchange for data being collected for real-time analysis as well as being stored. This software is created by an overseas company and any data collected will be stored overseas and subject to the rules and regulations of the country where it is stored. It is also been reviewed as untrustworthy as it logs your IP address and fails to encrypt web traffic. This is a major security and privacy risk to students as their personal data is being processed by a third party while using this app. It is possible that this app may also be used by students to circumvent parental controls and filters.

As per the ICT Agreement, seeking access to any blocked applications or attempting to bypass websites by bypassing the Department of Education’s Proxy Filtering system by using hotspots or VPNs is prohibited. As a result of this, any students detected using SkyVPN on the school network will lose access to all ICT resources, including school emails, WiFi, and computer logons. The incident will be logged on their OneSchool record, and the student and a parent/carer must complete and return the ICT Agreement again to regain access to the school network and ICT resources.

We are constantly monitoring the school network to ensure the security and safety of students and the learning environment. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at IT@ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au. Thank you for your co-operation.

For more information on the iPad Purchase program please visit:

https://ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au/curriculum/bring-your-own-device

Every Day Counts

Tutorials

Ormeau Links - Community Business Alliance

Netball Clinic

Netball Queensland & the Queensland Firebirds will be hosting a Woolworths NetSetGO Clinic & Jump to Juniors Clinic on the Gold Coast in the upcoming School Holidays!

Jump to Juniors Clinic

WHEN: Thursday 4 July, 9am to 12pm

WHERE: Gold Coast Sports & Leisure Centre (296 Nerang Broadbeach Rd, Carrara QLD 4211)

AGES: 9-12 years

COST: $60 p/person

REGISTER TODAY!: Humanitix | Jump to Juniors (9-12 years) | Carrara, Queensland

Woolworths NetSetGO Clinic

WHEN: Friday 4 July, 9am to 12pm

WHERE: Gold Coast Sports & Leisure Centre (296 Nerang Broadbeach Rd, Carrara QLD 4211)

AGES: 5-10 years

COST: $60 p/person

REGISTER TODAY!: Humanitix | Woolworths NetSetGO (5-10 years) | Carrara, Queensland

Holiday Photography Workshop

𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝟭𝟭 & 𝟭𝟮 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦

Torrens University Australia are running school holiday photography workshops in Brisbane for students interested in Design or Photography.The dates are:• Thursday 27 June• Friday 28 June• Thursday 4 July• Friday 5 JulyThe workshop runs from 10.00am - 4.00pm and are free of charge.Places are limited so don't miss out on your chance to attend.

OFFSIDE TAG - FREE SCHOOL HOLIDAY CLINIC

OFFSIDE TAG is hosting a FREE SCHOOL HOLIDAY CLINIC for students. Is this something you can share with your students / School / Friends / Socials?

Date - Saturday 29th June

Location - Helensvale Hornets - Robert Dalley Park, 3 Dalley Park Drive, Helensvale

Time - Between 8am to 1:30pm (1.5 clinics with age group times TBC)

Link to Register - https://offsidetag.com.au/free-school-holiday-clinic/

Note: Attached is a printable flyer which registrations can take place via Offside Tag’s Website

Teacher Testimonials

- Sonia Donnelly (Nerang SHS) - "Best thing seen in a school"

- Ryan Pollack (PBC SHS) - "Fast, Open, Fun, the girls love it, they want to play more, it’s just a fantastic game"

- Daniel Schwass (Keebra Park SHS) - “The kids can’t stop talking about it"

- Grant Ebbers (Kingston State College) “I highly recommend Offside Tag and as many schools to get involved”

This is a great way for your students to sample the game (outside of school hours), keep them active during the holidays, provide a free activity and also prepare them for Offside Tag Cross-Code School Champs held at Robina Raptors on 31 November & 1 October (depending year group). If your school hasn’t registered, there are still spots available.

There is also availability for qualified Offside Tag members to attend your school for FREE clinics next term and host sessions throughout the day.

Don’t be shy, we would love to hear from you.

Phillippa Proctor \| Guidance Officer (Yrs 7, 9, 12)	Alan Fraser \| Guidance Officer (Yrs 8, 10, 11)
Simon Pyle \| School Support Officer	Kim Griffiths \| Indigenous Support Officer
Haley Radu \| School Chaplain	Morgan Buzzell \| School Psychologist
Sally Young \| Health Hub Administration Officer	Evan da Costa \| Health Hub Teacher Aide
Nathania Wingett \| Mission Australia – Youth worker	Rad Pamiloza \| School Based Youth Health Nurse

O-News 14 June 2024