News
Highlights from the current edition of the newsletter
March 2008
The Primary Youth Leadership Forum will be held in Brisbane on Wednesday, 5th March. I would like to congratulate all students from Years Six and Seven who submitted an application. It was very difficult to choose as there were far more applications than usual this year. We congratulate two Year 6 and two Year 7 students on their selection to represent Glenden State School. I am looking forward to working with these students and all of Year Six and Seven on developing leadership capacity.
United Nations Youth Association Summit: Three of our secondary students, will be part of only seventy-five students in Queensland taking part in a student version of the United Nations General Assembly. Each student will be allocated a country that they are to represent in simulations of the discussions and decision making that occurs in real General Assembly. They will also be involved in “Youth Speak”. This is an exciting and energising challenge for our students and will yield very rich learning opportunities. We wish them well as they depart this afternoon for this three day event.
Clean Up Australia Day: I would like to wholeheartedly endorse the participation in this event at school and around town on Friday, 29th February and encourage all to continue the sentiment at all times.
Year Twelve Mocktail Mackay: I have been able to arrange last minute tickets for our students to attend this event that will be held at the Mackay Entertainment Centre at 8:00pm on Friday, 7th March. Over 800 students from various High Schools in the district attend this function each year.
Shave for a Cure: We will be partnering Xstrata’s Newlands Mine in this challenge on Friday, 14th March. I have been told that I need a haircut so I will participate in some way and I encourage you to support the challenge. Letters will be sent home to explain the details and those who are interested will seek sponsorship. I believe that there are a number of options for involvement such as hair colouring, buzz cuts and shaving.
School Based Youth Drive Alive: The Road Accident Action Group supported by Xstrata Coal will partner with a number of High schools in the District to offer a Road Safety Program which we hope will save young lives. We will be working with representatives to construct a program that will include a driving component (with fully qualified instructors) that will be presented over a number of weeks to our Year Eleven students later in the year. There will also be a different program for Year Twelve.
Queensland Certificate of Education sets new standard- Year 11 and 12.
This year we will rollout for the first time the Queensland Certificate of Education to Year 12.
The Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) – the new qualification that replaces the traditional Senior Certificate – has now been officially launched by the Department of Education, Training and the Arts.
For students of Year 11 and 12, the QCE opens exciting and flexible pathways from school to work, or to further education or training, including university. It will record achievement in academic subjects, and workplace, vocational training, university and community endeavours.
In addition to the allocation of credit points for each of these achievements, the QCE will also set new standards for literacy and numeracy. This means all students must received a SA in both mathematics and English to be eligible for the QCE.
The Queensland Studies Authority (QSA) has developed this new qualification which retains what is good from the past and strengthens the Year 12 certificate's flexibility to allow new and different learning. It also provides greater links between industry and schools, as well as ensuring greater recognition of individual student achievements.
Parents and students can find more information on the QCE by visiting the Queensland Studies Authority website. www.qsa.qld.edu.au
Later this term it is endeavoured that we will hold an information evening about the QCE and discuss how we are tracking students progress and how parents and students can assist.
School Vaccination Program for 2008
The proposed dates for the school vaccination program are as follows:
Thursday, 6th March:
Year 8 receive a Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine. This is only if the student has not had the chicken pox disease itself. All female students in Years 8, 9 and 10 will receive the first of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) or cervical cancer vaccine. This will be the first of 3 injections. The second dose will be given 6 weeks later and the third approximately 6 months after the first dose.
Friday, 18th April:
All Year 8 students will receive the first of a 2 dose Hepatitis-B vaccine. All female students in Years 8, 9 and 10 will receive the second dose of the HPV vaccine.
Friday, 6th June:
All students in Year 10 will receive a booster dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (whooping cough).
Thursday, 21st August:
Year 8 students will receive the second dose of Hepatitis-B and female students in Years 8, 9 and 10 will receive the third and final dose of the HPV vaccine.
(Please note-vaccinations will not be given without a parent or guardians. signed approval). Please contact Maree on 4958 9821 for further information.
