Newsletter

On Wednesday Mr Duncan and Mr Moffatt joined me as we attended the first Western Downs Regional Council Manufacturing Conference. “Accelerate Manufacturing”. This conference was timely and pertinent with regard to how our whole school community prepares our young adults for the future that lays ahead of all of us.

Conference Overview:

We look forward to providing more detailed information for students, their parent carers and our local communities at our ‘Accelerate your Future’ sessions in Term 3.

Please click on the link to view the Director General's latest state wide video recognising the wonderful work of our community providing opportunities for our students.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruo2XqTR2b0

Our school and our community provide so many authentic learning opportunities both inside and outside our classroom. For our students to participate fully in their learning journey, towards the future they dream of, it takes student, parent/carer and school staff commitment to support student’s engagement in both their physical presence at school along with a willingness to positively engaged in learning when at school. Our current student attendance data is well below Regional and State student attendance benchmarks. Though we are aware Covid and flooding etc. has impacted student attendance, we urge you to fully support students to attend when they are able. We all play a role in increasing each and every students’ attendance at school. I urge you all to peruse the information below that outlines some hints to support increased student attendance. Please do not hesitate to contact Mr Josh Moore if you require support to ensure your child’s attendance at school.

The Future of Education in Queensland

Mrs Moffatt and I have recently attended the annual Queensland Secondary Principals’ Association Conference with other Principals and Deputy Principals from across Queensland. The delivery of education in Queensland is changing and the way that schools reacted to COVID has shown that we are agile and can adopt different modes to deliver high quality education.

Director General of Education, Michael De’ath, reiterated that “school systems have the privilege to influence and lift the health, justice and welfare outcomes for the students in our care.” Broadly speaking, by lifting the education of our students we lift their opportunities in life.

Our school is part of a broader system of education across Queensland. Along with our community, we collectively play an important part in educating our students. “The aggregate of the parts makes the whole.” Our schools, parents and the broader community work together to grow education in our schools. 

Opportunities for Everyone

The Conference was a wonderful way to link with colleagues from other schools and education service providers who deliver a range of programs, products and services. There are some exciting opportunities for Miles SHS to link with these providers and extend the programs that we offer to schools. I am looking forward to further investigating these opportunities and determining how we can implement these with our students. 

Introducing Kelli Buchbach

I am pleased to introduce Mrs Kelli Buchbach – our new HOD of Inclusion (Teaching and Learning). Mrs Buchbach starts at Miles SHS next week and will be working with our students who need additional support with their learning. Similarly, she will work with our teachers to assist them in differentiating work for the diverse group of students we have in our school. I know that our community joins me in welcoming Kelli. 

Barry Duncan

Mrs Moffatt and Mr Duncan meeting with the Minister for Education, Grace Grace MP and the Director General, Michael De'Ath and other Principals at the Queensland Secondary Principals' Conference.

Welcome to week 7 and the back end of Term 2. The past 2 weeks have been very busy here at Miles SHS with assessments, curriculum activities and sports. During Week 5 and 6 we have seen a big drop in behaviour incidents in comparison to the previous fortnight. Across all year levels, our main behaviour categories were still "disruptive" and "non-compliant with routine". These two categories have seen a drop in unacceptable behaviour, however there is still plenty of room for improvement.  

Over the last 2 weeks the teachers here at Miles SHS have been explicitly teaching the classroom entry procedures and expected behaviours within the classroom. This has shown a positive impact on overall behaviour and we would like to also thank parents/carers for the ongoing support.  

Just a reminder that even though it is getting cold that school uniform is required at Miles SHS. Students are starting to wear different coloured track pants and hoodies, which are not allowed in the uniform policy. Can parents/carers please keep an eye on the uniforms that students are wearing, otherwise they will be provided with a temporary uniform when they arrive at school. If your student does not have the suitable uniform, please contact any member of the Wellbeing team (Head of Department, Guidance Officer, Deputy Principal or Student Support Officer) so suitable arrangements can be made.  (please see Uniform Policy below)

As we get closer to the end of the Term, assessments are in full swing. Please make sure that students are attending school so they do not miss out on valuable learning experiences.  

Have a great two weeks and you will hear from me in Week 8 🙂

Josh Moore

NAPLAN

Congratulations to the students in Yr 7 and 9 that participated in the NAPLAN online testing for 2022. The students did their best and followed teacher’s instructions throughout the process. Well done students, and a big thank you to Miss Turner and her involvement with the process. 

Essential English and Mathematics

Week 7 will see our Yr 12 Essential English and Essential Mathematics students completing their QCAA Common Internal Assessment (CIA) on Monday and Tuesday. It is imperative your student attends these exams and completes them to the best of their ability. Thank you to their teachers who have been working closely with the students in preparation for the exams. 

Every day counts

The reporting for Semester One will provide parents / carers with a result for Academic Achievement, Effort and Behaviour. With this in mind, it is important for your student to attend each day and complete the necessary work assigned to the subject. We understand illness and misadventure can affect the attendance, but it is important for you, as the parent, to advise the main office if your student will not be in attendance. 

Wonder of Science

Thank you to Miss Jenko for organising some students from Yr 7 to 9 prepare for the upcoming Wonder of Science (WOS) conference which will be held next term. The students enjoyed working with University members on their chosen topic for the event on Thursday. We wish Miss Jenko and her students all the best for the upcoming event.

Raelene Bates

If you wish to register your student for the Homework Centre please collect a registration form from the Front office or Student Services. Once the form is returned you will then be provided with a SOBS link to book online. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact the school office on 4628 5111. 

Please keep your eye out for a Homework Centre Survey to ascertain preferred days and times for Homework Centre. 

It’s important we all understand everyone has the right to be safe in our schools and workplaces. The department does not condone occupational violence and aggression (OVA) where a student or staff member is threatened, harmed or injured by another person in any form. 

Effective Communication is important and we encourage all partners to take an active role in communicating with Miles State High School. To assist in this process we have attached our Miles State High School Parent/Carers Communication Flowchart for Term 2. Please follow the steps below to contact your child's Curriculum Teacher or Care Class Teacher.

If unsuccessful in attempts to contact teachers of staff, please contact the office on 4628 5111. 

Our new banner can be found in each classroom displaying the expectation of our students in allowing others to teach and learn.  As part of Positive Behaviour, we illustrate the benefits of following our school expectations and the logical consequences when we don't.

A BIG WELCOME to Mrs Marion Mitchell who joins us as our Beyond Broncos Student Support Officer. Marion will be here every second Thursday. Welcome!

On Thursday 26 May, 14 students in year 7, 8 and 9 participated in a Wonder of Science incursion. The students participated in a 70-minute session on a chosen topic, which was led by two University Graduate students from UQ and Griffith. During each session students participated in conversations about their topic and completed an experiment testing a prediction that the students created. Using the information students learnt today, they will design and complete their own experiment to present at the Wonder of Science Conference. Thank you, Pankaj and Pam, for your visit to Miles State High School and working with each group.

Miss Jenko 

M&D Orienteering (10 -19 Years) 

Talia, Mylah, Ingrid, Lily, Ben, Luke, Connor, Chris

SW Cross Country (10 - 19 Years)

Talia, Timothy, Marques, Mylah, Nash, Tristan, Izaya,