O-News 25 August 2023
From the Principal's Desk
Hello everyone,
Following our full school review earlier this term, I have now received the school review report. The report has been communicated by the reviewers as one of the most positive review reports developed in recent years. The report highlights many affirmations of initiatives the school has been doing very well and some key improvement strategies that relate to embedding and continuing the positive work. Since our review, a number of schools across the state have contacted our school to visit and work with staff to learn how they can adopt some of the great work we are doing in our school, into their contexts. Please see below the key affirmations and improvement strategies from our school review report. This information will guide our strategic planning process with staff, students, families and community stakeholders:
Key affirmations
The school motto, ‘Linking learning with Life’ is described by many staff as the catalyst for ensuring learning is meaningful for students.
The school promotes and maintains an environment reflective of its high expectations of a learning environment that is safe, respectful, tolerant, inclusive and that promotes intellectual rigour. School resources are used in a targeted manner across the school as the learning and wellbeing needs of students are prioritised. Staff and students refer to a culture of learning through sequenced curriculum, assessment and reporting and the provision of opportunities to meet diverse pathway needs.
Teachers and leaders indicate they have a sense of ownership and deep understanding of the school’s direction.
Leaders are student-focused and active in driving agendas for positive outcomes, which the principal describes as a culture of continuous improvement. Teachers express how a consultative process finessed the whole-school strategic documents to compose a Teaching Staff Improvement Plan. Leaders describe how this developed a shared, collegial understanding. Many staff express that their understanding of their role and their contribution to the improvement agenda is clear through this process.
A case-management process provides targeted individual student support.
Staff and parents express appreciation for the Whole School Intervention Model (WSIM) as multi- tiered systems of support for students through a case management process. Students, staff and parents are grateful for the wraparound intervention to support students at risk in the areas of academic progress, social/emotional wellbeing, attendance and behaviour. Staff speak of their commitment to student wellbeing, citing this approach as an example of best practice.
A culture of professional learning is apparent across the school as leaders focus their efforts on developing staff as expert teachers.
Teachers are identified as the crucial enablers of positive student outcomes by providing quality curriculum and expert pedagogical practice. A strong teams approach permeates this work and an ethos of collaboration and collegiality is apparent. A broad range of collegial engagement strategies are established or are being developed to support building staff expertise. Teachers describe an environment focused on excellence and improvement to further support their development as expert teachers.
Leaders and staff have established positive working relationships with families and developed strategic partnerships with local industries and the wider community to enhance students’ wellbeing, academic, and vocational needs.
Numerous formal agreements, alliances and networks contribute to and strengthen the broad range of opportunities available to students. Community partners convey confidence in the positive relationships, effective processes and shared goals that underpin partnership arrangements. A broad range of school events showcase student achievement, and strong sporting and cultural programs enhance the school’s reputation in the local area and promote parent engagement. Parents are recognised as valued partners in their child’s education.
Key improvement strategies
Domain 1: An explicit improvement agenda
Systematically enact Quality Assurance (QA) processes for all school processes and policies to ensure they are being implemented with fidelity and are achieving anticipated outcomes.
Domain 6: Systematic curriculum delivery
Refine moderation processes to target the student work that needs the most attention and ensure all teachers align their teaching and assessment to the Australian Curriculum (AC).
Domain 4: Targeted use of school resources
Review human resource allocations, including leadership positions, to determine their impact on students’ academic and wellbeing outcomes and teaching practice.
Domain 7: Differentiated teaching and learning
Broaden teachers’ confidence and capability to provide effective differentiation strategies to enable all students to access and progress through the curriculum.
Domain 6: Systematic curriculum delivery
Collaboratively establish processes for school and curriculum leaders to participate in planning and observing learning to monitor that the intended curriculum is enacted.
Finally, I have sent a letter via email to our families regarding an incident that occurred in our community this week. Please read this to stay informed and I will continue to communicate any further information if it is pertinent.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Dan Murtas - Principal
Finance News
Thank you to Families who have paid all required invoices up to date, and also Families who have registered payment plans in place.
For Families not up to date or on a registered payment plan, please note Curriculum Due Dates:
Student Resource Scheme Due 24 March 2023 Overdue - for payment asap
Subject Levies Due 24 March 2023 Overdue - for payment asap
iPad Purchase Program Due end March 2023 Overdue - for payment asap
Extra-Curricular Activities Due Dates:
Mamma Mia Music excursion $65 due by 1 September
Junior Japan Trip Balance due by 1 September
Kings Touch Comp $24 due by 4 September
2023 Annual Dance Showcase – BIONIC (Trybooking):
Friday 8 September doors open 5.30pm - $15 per seat
Saturday 9 September doors open 11am - $15 per seat
Video Orders - $30
Should you need any further clarification, please contact finance@ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au
Health Hub
If you find yourself in need of extra support there are lots of places you can contact for assistance, please see a following document with a list of places that can help. Please also reach out for support from the Guidance Officers and the Health Hub team here at Ormeau Woods SHS at any time.
Meet our new Chappy
Hi, my name is Haley Radu. I am your new school Chappy!
I’m on campus Tuesdays and Wednesdays and you can find me in the Health Hub.
This is my third year as a Chappy, prior to which I was a high-school based Community Development intern in Victoria. I hold a Diploma in Community Services and am accredited through Scripture Union Australia. As your Chappy, I’m here to support the social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of the school community. For the rest of the year, I’ll be focussing on CONNECTION through the facilitation of activities that are welcoming and fun for everyone. I love being a Chappy because I believe every young person is GOLD. I get to empower young people to discover that gold and go on to positively transform their lives and communities.
I’m very excited to be here at Ormeau Woods SHS and look forward to getting to know you all. 😊
Blessings,
Chappy Haley - hradu1@eq.edu.au
IT Department
Your iPad is a tool that empowers your education and creativity. To ensure it stays safe each day, we recommend considering these two essential lines of defence. If you are in the school's iPad Purchase Program, these can be purchased through the schools IT department, payable through Finance:
A Sturdy Case - $40 - These iPad cases are designed to withstand the rigors of school life. From crowded hallways to bustling classrooms, our cases offer a shield against accidental drops, knocks, and spills.
A Screen Protector - $20 - The screen of your iPad is your window to the digital world. Protect it with a Screen Protector.
Please visit the IT Department, located outside the Resource Centre to chat to the team about how you can protect your device or email: IT@ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au
Canteen Red Food Day
𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗡 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗪𝗗𝗔𝗬 | 𝗧𝗛𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟯𝟭 𝗔𝗨𝗚𝗨𝗦𝗧
Our incredible Canteen team have something exciting planned next week on Thursday 31 August - a Red Food Extravaganza to celebrate the Gold Coast Show! Pre-ordering will be available on the day, before school 8.00am to 8.30am. Simply swing by the Canteen, place your order, and then guess what? You can conveniently collect your orders from the new side window, located to the left of the entry door, from the start of Lunch 1. There will be an array of delightful options to choose from as well as your favourite regular canteen items. Please see the flyer below for all the extra tasty treats available on the day.
Bullying No Way
At Ormeau Woods State High School, we stand united against bullying. Let's continue to spread awareness, promote positivity, and foster a community where everyone feels valued. If you see something, say something – because kindness and compassion always triumphs over negativity. Join us in saying 'Bullying No Way!'
Enrolments 2024
𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗪𝗦𝗛𝗦 𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬 | 𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗢𝗟 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝟳 𝗜𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰
To maximise the opportunity for your child to have a smooth transition into Year 7 in 2024, please submit your enrolment paperwork by Wednesday 30 August 2023. To download your Enrolment paperwork or to learn more about our school, please visit our website at www.ormeauwoodsshs.qld.edu.au/enrolment
(𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘈𝘥𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘵 𝘖𝘞𝘚𝘏𝘚)
The enrolment process is simple, and our team is available to assist you every step of the way. Please don’t hesitate to contact us via phone 5540 9222 or email - enrolments@ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au
Choose Ormeau Woods State High School and link your child’s learning with life.
Dance Showcase - BIONIC
The Annual Dance Showcase tickets are on sale now via trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/CKMHH
Tickets will sell out fast, so if you want to come along and see the talented OWSHS dancers in action, you will need to be quick!
Show times:
Friday Evening 8 September – 6.00pm
Saturday Matinee 9 September – 11.30am
Videos are also available for $30
Don't miss out...
QParents
Ormeau Woods State High School is moving to online consent forms in 2024 and all families must be on QParents to access these forms. 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 State High School. 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 -
- online consent forms,
- student attendance details,
- behaviour information,
- report cards and assessment planners,
- student timetables and upcoming events,
- invoices and payment history.
QSchools is also a fantastic app to have at your fingertips. Here, you can access school calendar events, newsletters, staff contacts and receive important notifications from the school. You can download QSchools at anytime, this app does not need an invitation to join.
Tutorials
Ormeau Links - Community Business Alliance
Key Contacts
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.