O-News 5th May 2023

From the Principal's Desk

Hello Everyone,

It has been an exceptional start to the term by our students as we end week 3. Students overall attitude and drive for excellence in their learning has been pleasing, picking up from where they left off at the end of term 1. The data below evidences early success for our students in comparison to how our students performed at the end of the first semester last year:

The data above indicates that we have hit the 2022 Semester 1 results early and leaves this term to further improve and reach the school set targets. A big congratulations to Year 12 for smashing the school target of 92% for all students achieving a C grade or better and over 65% of Year 12 sudents achieving a B grade or better. A special mention to Year 8 students who were the biggest overall improvers compared to 2022.

Term 2 has a full schedule of school and community events. Already we have held our Year 12 Formal, which was a great success and a night to remember for our participating students, families, and staff. Thank you to all staff involved in planning this prestigious event.

On Wednesday evening we hosted our Parent/Teacher interviews. It was great to see huge parent numbers making the time to communicate with their child’s teachers regarding the progress of their child’s learning. Feedback regarding this event has been very positive and I welcome further feedback regarding successes or improvements so we can meet the needs of our parent body.

Next Thursday our school will showcase our enrolment information evening for 2024 Year 7 students. This event will highlight to potential families, the amazing opportunities our students have at this school, as well as the outstanding teachers, staff and facilities Ormeau Woods State High School have to create success for our students.

Have a great week

Dan Murtas,
Principal

Junior School Update

Last term, I shared with our staff a visual representation of all the things that contributed to positive student outcomes in Term 1. We are so lucky to have a staff body who are dedicated to providing the highest quality teaching and learning experiences for our students: 

It has been a productive start to Term 2 with all Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 classes engaged in their learning.

As a Junior School Leadership Team, we meet regularly to ensure alignment to the strategic direction of the school. For your perusal, below are the key strategic priorities for Term 2.

Term 2 - Key Priorities for Junior School Leaders:

I’m looking forward to meeting many of our 2024 Year 7 students and celebrating all our wonderful school has to offer at the Enrolment Information Evening next Thursday 11 May.

Megan Herbert,
Junior School Principal -  Years 7 to 10

Senior Spotlight

Hello and welcome to the Senior School section.

During my term one editions, I introduced the team of leaders responsible for supporting students through their senior years of education.

Commencing term two, I am able to confirm that there have been no changes to the team. Therefore, Ms.Michelle Rivadeneyra continues to oversee senior school systems and processes as Deputy Principal. Mr.Andrew Jenner and Ms.Kirsty Ashe support the Year 12 students and Ms.Tracy Kenny and Ms.Bec Schultz support the Year 11 students.

I also shared last term, historical senior school outcomes, observing academic achievement, effort and behaviour since 2019.

In this edition, I aim to provide an interim snapshot of progress made thus far.

Firstly, as seen in the table below, students of Year 11 and 12 continue to progress in their academic, effort and behaviour performance, as evidenced through the 2023 Senior School Report Card for term one. Though this is an interim measure, it provides an insight into projected attainment for the remainder of the year.

More students are achieving a grade A across their subjects. In 2020, the new senior curriculum was introduced across Queensland. Progressively, teachers have developed and refined their teaching practice of senior curriculum and have increased their capability to differentiate and extend learning to support students in achieving the highest achievement grades. The term 1 interim result of (21.5%) exceeds the school target of (20%) grade A.

Another positive trend is that more students are increasingly succeeding across all levels of academic achievement. Since 2022, the A-C pass rate has growth (10.7%). As a result, we continue to be recognised as a leading school in supporting 100% students to achieve their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).

Underpinning the improvement in academic achievement are the self-disciplined qualities of effort and behaviour. Effort and academic achievement certainly go hand in hand. As seen above when effort is at it’s highest the academic achievement is matched. Student behaviour continues to remain high (99.1% satisfactory to excellent behaviour), exceeding the school target of (95%).

As individual year levels, progress has been made.

As a year 10 cohort, our current year 11 students recorded academic achievement A-C% results of (82%) during semester 1, 2022. This year they have made good progress, recording (89.1%) A-C. In addition, attendance has also improved from (84.8%) to (87.3%).

As a year 11 cohort, our current year 12 students recorded academic achievement A-C% results of (88%) during semester 1, 2022. This year they have made good progress, recording (94.6%) A-C. In addition, attendance has also improved from (87.2.8%) to (89.2%).

On the whole a great start by students, staff and supporting parents. I look forward to reporting further success in my future editions.

Matt Silcock,
Senior School Principal - Years 11 & 12

PB4L

Effective Classroom Management

Classroom organisation

The way the classroom space is structured has an effect on student behaviour. The physical arrangement of the classroom will vary based on the age of the students and the content being taught. In addition, special events or activities may require the teacher to review the physical seating arrangements throughout the school year. The orderly arrangement of furniture, resources and equipment sets the scene for student engagement with learning.

A well set up classroom takes into consideration teacher and student movement patterns, access to materials and the ability for students to see presentations and important information. It also ensures that students can see the teacher and that the teacher can see all of the students. Classrooms that are well designed are attractive, but are also set up to minimise distractions.

What do OWSHS teachers consider when setting up the classroom?

• Placement of the teacher’s desk – ideally this should be out of the way
• Placement of student desks
• Configuration/desk arrangement based on activity
• Individualised class seating plans to assist with behaviour and academic differentiation
• Ensure that there is enough room to walk between desks and to activity stations for easy student and teacher access
• Display and use a visual schedule (e.g. weekly lesson schedule, assessment key dates)
• Relevant posters and displays which change according to current curriculum focus – avoid    over-stimulation by use of too many visuals and displays.
• Classroom expectations and routines posted on walls as visual cues for staff and students

Common configurations at OWSHS

Schoolwide expectations in all classrooms at OWSHS

Example of individual classroom expectations at OWSHS

Example of a visual schedule at OWSHS

Health Hub

Tips to manage your Anxiety

Focus On Your Breathing 

By stopping and focusing on breathing, we can feel more connected to the present moment, and not get as easily swept away by past or future concerns. When we place our attention on the breath, we give ourselves the chance to gain some perspective on anxious thoughts rather than be automatically overtaken by them. 

• Place your hands on your belly (to feel the rise and fall of breathing)
• Inhale for 3 seconds through your nose- INHALATION ENERGISES
• Hold
• Exhale for 6 seconds from mouth- EXHALATION RELAXES
• The key is to make EXHALATION TWICE as long as the inhalation

Listen To Music 

Music can heavily affect our mood, so it makes sense that the right tunes can help with anxiety. Listening to music or relaxing soundscapes is a gentle form of self-care that can help calm your anxious thoughts.

• Find a relaxing song/ playlist and make yourself comfortable
• Try and focus fully on the sound. If your mind wanders, just bring yourself back to the music
• Empty your mind of any thoughts, set a timer for 5 -10minutes
• TIP- listen to music where the beat is 60–80 beats per minute - this rhythm is similar to resting heat rate (Spotify has a whole playlist dedicated to this)

Be Aware Of Your Senses

Next time you’re beginning to feel anxious, guide yourself back to a more soothed state with this simple exercise that you can do anywhere. Start by taking a few deep breaths, where you focus on exhaling, and then begin to name:

• 5 things you can see
• 4 things you can hear
• 3 things you can feel
• 2 things you can smell
• 1 thing you can taste
  

Try A Guided Meditation

Whether you are an experienced or beginner meditator, meditation can be a calming exercise no matter the level of your anxiety, and doing a guided meditation makes it easy. Calm’s app is full of guided meditations, including the ten-minute Daily Calm, which has been designed to help keep your anxiety at bay no matter where your anxiety levels are. Changing themes every day, it will guide you through a range of mindfulness and meditation practices. 

Move Around

Don’t sit and stew - go outside, close your eyes and listen to the sounds of nature, even if it’s just for ten minutes. Walk slowly and focus on how each step feels. You don’t need to have a destination in mind as having no place to go makes it easier to be exactly where you are and tuned into what’s around you.

Squeeze Your Little Finger

• Look at your little finger
• Gently squeeze the side of the finger nail with your thumb and second finger
• Breathe
• Hold for 20 seconds
• Change hands
• Notice the effect on your body
• Repeat if necessary

The body has many acupressure points, some in your little finger - with this technique it may relieve stress and boost optimism.

Remembering Resilience

• Remember a time in the past when you coped with a feeling of anxiety
• Remember what you did to cope
• Remember how you managed to be in control
• Remember who supported you at the time
• What else do you Remember that would be helpful?
• What ideas can you use from past experiences right now?
  

Challenge your thinking

• Identify your worrying thoughts - write them down if helpful
• Ask yourself some of the following questions:
  • What is the evidence that my worries are true?
  • What is the evidence that my worries at not true?
  • How will I feel about this situation in one day, one week, one month, one year from now?
  • Am I sure this is really going to happen?
  • How else could I look at this situation?
    

If you require further help with Anxiety and want to talk more about strategies, please visit the  Health Hub and make an appointment to see your Guidance Officer.

Finance News

Curriculum related school fees are payable prior to extra-curricular activities being paid for and attended.  Now is the time to sort a payment plan for fees if unable to pay them in full at this time.  Please contact finance@ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au for clarification.

IT Department

The IT Department have been receiving multiple reports of students being locked out of their Office apps.  Students only have one school account per iPad.   Students will be locked out if logging into multiple accounts on a device. Please do not let others sign in to Office apps on your iPad. If you do let someone sign-in, the worst case scenario is that we may have to wipe your iPad. Please don’t let this happen.

SCHOOL WIFI AND INTERNET NOT WORKING?

1. Restart your iPad

Enrolment Information Evening

2024 Enrolment Information Evening  |  Thursday 11 May

Spaces are filling up fast for the 2024 Enrolment Information Evening. Please book your tickets to one of the 2 sessions listed below so you don't miss out.

The evening will be split into 2 sessions:

Session 1 - 5.00pm to 6.00pm

Session 2 - 6.00pm to 7.00pm

Each session will begin with information and displays presented by staff and students before heading off on a guided tour of the school facilities. This is a fantastic opportunity for families to visit the school, speak with staff and students and hear all about the exciting opportunities on offer in 2024.

Bookings for each session can be made via Eventbrite: HERE  You are also welcome to download the Ormeau Woods SHS Enrolment Pack from our website and return at any time to the Administration Building at Ormeau Woods SHS or email to enrolments@ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au https://ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au/enrolments

ANZAC Day Assembly

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Sports News

SOCCER

On Wednesday 26 April, Ormeau Woods SHS participated in the Championship Day Soccer at Jimboomba Soccer Club as part of the Pacific District titles. We normally play futsal (5-a-side indoor) but were able to rally enough students to put together a senior and junior team for soccer (11-a-side outdoor). Both futsal and soccer have very similar rules and so players are able to adapt their skills fairly easily from one sport to the other.

Our Senior squad was made up of Year 11 and 12 students who are basically one big friend group and so this was an opportunity to get out of school work and go away to have fun and laughs as opposed to being strictly competitive. Nevertheless, the boys were able to both have a great time together cheering on each other with amazing team spirit but also punched above their weight given some players had not had as much experience as others. The Senior squad also provided good role models for our junior team by demonstrating camaraderie (even singing in sync on the bus trip home) as well as displaying excellent effort and behaviour while representing the school.

Senior Results:

0-0 draw vs Trinity College

2-2 draw vs Windaroo SHS

OVERALL DISTRICT PLACE = 2^nd

SENIOR PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT: Cameron B

The Junior squad, composed predominately of Year 7 and 8 students with the odd Year 9 in the mix, are starting to find their groove on the pitch and have been developing their teamwork, positional play and skills. These boys are learning a lot and have followed in the footsteps of the senior squad when it comes to effort, behaviour, team spirit and being a “good sport”. All students gave their best on the field and carried out their “job” as part of the team depending on the position they were playing. The defence held strong, not letting in a single goal all day to keep a “clean sheet”. While the midfield ran their backsides off, up and down the field all game helping set up the attackers to score some quality goals. When the dust settled at the end of the day, their efforts were good enough to secure themselves a place at the Gold Coast Finals becoming the Pacific District Champions!

Junior Results:

3-0 win vs Windaroo SHS

2-0 win vs Lords College

0-0 draw vs Trinity College

OVERALL DISTRICT PLACE: 1^st (CHAMPIONS)

JUNIOR PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT: Oliver A

Special thanks to Mr Tham (teacher and assistant coach) who drove his own vehicle all the way out to Jimboomba to support myself and the students in the tournament. Also Mr Hamilton, the school sports coordinator, who helps organise a lot of the behind the scenes paperwork and event details such as bus bookings.

Well done to all involved and looking forward to our next tournament in a few weeks time.

Mr McFarlane (Futsal/Soccer Coach)

CELEBRATING STUDENT SUCCESS

Congratulations to Robert B in Year 8 who competed in the South Coast 12-14 years baseball tournament in Cairns from April 20 to April 23. Due to weather the team was unable to play the finals and were awarded overall Silver for the tournament based on seeding leading into the Grand Final. Congratulations team!

The second game of the tournament saw Robert named MVP of the match by the opposing team due to his strong defensive performance. Robert played every game at either third base or second base and took the mound in one of the definitive matches, and his overall contribution to the tournament saw him named in the school selection representative team.

Robert also competed in the State Titles baseball tournament over the 14-16 April period and his team was awarded silver after taking out Brisbane Metro to face the stronger Metro North team in the Grand Final. Robert was consistent throughout this tournament in the shortstop position.

What a fantastic achievement. Thank you to Robert’s mum for sharing Robert’s success with the school.

If you have a student success story or something you would like to share with the Ormeau Woods community, please email media@ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au 

ORMEAU LINKS BUSINESS ALLIANCE GOLD MEMBER | Ray White Jacobs Well

We want to give a massive shout out to Ray White Jacobs Well for joining with Ormeau Woods SHS's Ormeau Links program to support student success. With their support our sporting teams are now looking extra sharp this year with the addition of new shorts to the kit. These will be used across various sporting teams in the school including Champs days competitions. Thank you Ray White Jacobs Well for your amazing support.

International Homestay

The Department of Education trading as: Education Queensland International (EQI) CRICOS Provider Code: 00608A

Will you consider opening your home to two upcoming study tours from Taiwan and Japan, for students aged between 13 and 17 years old and become a homestay provider? 

Approved families will receive a payment of $585 for one student or $1170 for two students.  Double placements are preferred however, single placements are available.

Some questions about Homestay include:

Q. Can the students speak English? 

A. This may vary but yes, they will speak basic English when they arrive. The goal is to improve by having conversations with you!

Q. Can visiting students use public transport to get to and from school? 

A. Yes, they can, so long as they are accompanied by their homestay brother or sister!

Q. Does a Blue Card cost me money? 

A. A volunteer Blue Card is entirely free and should be held by every member in the household, over the age of 18 years old.

Q. Do I need to have a child at your school? 

A. While it can help with buddying up our international students, members of the community are welcome to apply to become homestay providers.

 If you would like further information about being a host family, please get in contact with Julie-Ann Carson, our school Homestay Coordinator on mobile 0434 916 155 or email jcars66@eq.edu.au

Community Pillar Challenge

The 2023 Community Pillar Challenge kicks off this week and runs through to week 7.  The Community Pillar leaders will be collecting bottle caps.  This time the donations will be used by the year 12 Arts in Practice class to create an art piece, due to be displayed at Arts in the Woods at the end of the year.

Please note that all bottle caps must be washed before being donated. Donations will be collected by future's teachers, and as always donations will be supported by house points with additional prizes for the top donors and the classes with the highest donation numbers. 

Winter Uniforms

With the weather starting to get cooler, this is a friendly reminder of our Winter Uniform policy. All school uniform items can be purchased at School Locker either instore or via their website.

Any student in incorrect uniform are to report before school to the Student Advisor’s office in Innovate building.

3878 Pacific Highway, Loganholme Qld
Phone: 07 3440 9710
www.theschoollocker.com.au

Tutorials

Academic Excellence - XL

Applications for 2024 are NOW OPEN

Please visit the Academic Excellence page on our school website for more information on how to apply

Ormeau Links - Community Business Alliance

Social Media & Community Online

Key Contacts

QParents

As new features become available within the QParents app, OWSHS are asking families to please signup to the app if you are yet to do so.

To start the process you will require a school generated invitation. This would have been sent to you when you first enrolled at Ormeau Woods SHS. If you no longer have access to the invitation you can send an email to qparents@ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au and request a new invitation. (𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭, 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴)

Within the QParents app you have quick access at your fingertips to information like -

- student and attendance details,

- behaviour information,

- report cards and assessment planners,

- student timetables and upcoming events,

- invoices and payment history,

- and online consent forms.

QSchools is also a fantastic app to have at your fingertips.  Here you can access school calendar events, newsletters, staff contact and receive important notifications from the school.   You can download QSchools at anytime, this app does not need an invitation to join.

General School Information

EARLY PICKUP REMINDER

Please ensure that if you know in advance you need to pick your child up early, that you send notice through so we can issue a leave request to your child to minimise interruptions and delays. 

Leave Request’s can be arranged at the office by both students and parents.  Information needed is; the reason for the early pickup and the time the student/s are needed at the office for collection. We can then issue a ‘Leave Request’ pass. Students can then show their teacher the pass, and at the nominated time come and wait at the office for your arrival.  

If the pick up is unplanned we ask if you can please phone ahead so we can have your child ready and waiting for your arrival.

You are still required to sign your child out before they can leave school grounds. 

Please call (07) 5540 9222 or 
Email info@ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au

STUDENT DRIVERS

Any student of legal driving age that holds a current drivers licence who intends to drive to school, either on a regular basis or occasionally must comply with school policy, read and complete the Student Driver Agreement Form including parent/caregiver permission and return to the school Administration Office.

CARPARK REMINDER

Please use the designated drop off and pick up areas and parent car parking zones for the safety of all staff and students.  
Please be reminded to follow road rules at all times.  Do not enter the bus lane at any time, perform illegal    U-turn’s at the bus lane entry, or unsafe U-turn’s in Minka Lane.  We appreciate your support in making our roads and school safe for everyone.

Safety is more important than convenience.

QUEENSLAND SCHOOL CALENDAR

Stay up to date with all the term dates, public holidays and student free days across the year by printing a copy of the 2023 Department of Educations State School Calendar.

Volunteering