2025 Newsletter - March Edition

Important Notes

From the Principal

Dr. Robyn Burton-Ree

This term has been packed with memorable and enriching experiences for our students. Year 9 students had the opportunity to attend the PSA Student Leadership Conference, where they were inspired and equipped with leadership skills, helping them develop confidence, creativity, and purpose for their future roles as leaders. Megan, a Year 9 student, was selected for the prestigious Ministerial Student Advisory Council, where she will join other students from Queensland to discuss important issues like mental health, bullying, and respectful relationships education, making a real impact on education policy. Congratulations, Megan. 

Wellington Point State High School had the pleasure of welcoming two groups of bright students from Tama Meguro Junior High and Wakayama Naga High, all the way from Japan! The students were introduced to their Aussie buddies. They were able to experience the life of a WPSHS student, joining in on classes with their buddies, taking part in exciting lunchtime activities, and making unforgettable memories. It’s been an amazing cultural exchange filled with laughter, learning, and a whole lot of fun!

Senior students attended the Redlands Coast Futures Forum, an event featuring industry leaders such as Minister Amanda Stoker, CSIRO, and Toyota, where they learned about cutting-edge innovations in science, AI, and sustainability. They were also given a tour of the Redlands Research Facility and Fly Farm, which showcased sustainability solutions in action, sparking ideas for future career pathways.

The Year 11 Tourism class had an unforgettable trip to Minjerribah, where they investigated tourism trends firsthand. They visited the local museum, listened to informative talks on indigenous tours, and experienced hands-on activities like sandboarding in the dunes and enjoying gelato at Point Lookout while taking in the breathtaking views.

For International Women’s Day, Year 10 Pastoral Care students created a set of 15 trading cards, each highlighting a significant Australian woman and her achievements. These cards are now on display in the library for others to collect and learn from.

The Encore Art students had a fantastic afternoon at the Redlands Art Gallery, where they explored current exhibitions on a guided tour, participated in creative activities, and found inspiration for their own artwork. It’s exciting to see the creative sparks this experience will ignite!

The Year 7 HPE classes have been analysing how stereotypes, respect, empathy and valuing diversity influence relationships. They have investigated modifications to equipment, rules and scoring systems that support fair play and inclusive participation; and have proposed actions they can take to promote inclusion in their communities. As part of this unit, the students had a visit from para-athletes Wendy and Jacob from Sporting Wheelies who gave students an insight into living with disabilities and gave them the opportunity to experience wheelchair sport.

Finally, the Grade of Origin series kicked off with a thrilling basketball match, where the Year 12s triumphed 26-22. The event created a vibrant atmosphere, and we’re all looking forward to seeing how the student-teacher match later in the term plays out.

It’s been a term full of growth, creativity, and adventure, with students immersing themselves in new learning experiences!

From the Business Manager

Glenys Brown - Business Manager

Responsibilities:

• Human Resources
• Finance Management
• Facilities Management
• Infrastructure

Student Resource Scheme

Thank you to all the parents who have paid the SRS Fees, we are currently at 70% who have paid in full or commenced instalment plans.   The 5% discount, if paid in full, has now been credited to your account.  If you have not made the decision as yet as to whether or not to join the scheme, please contact me to discuss options.  Participation in the SRS is optional. Parents who opt out of the SRS are responsible for supplying the necessary resources for their child including the textbooks, both hard copy and digital. For further information about what is included in the Resource Scheme and a breakdown of fees, please visit our website.

Facilities Update

CCTV cameras are being installed within the school grounds and will be operational in Term 2.  These cameras will monitor areas where ongoing damage and vandalism incidents are occurring, including toilet blocks, bike/scooter park as well as students gaining entry to areas that are out of bounds, and causing damage to the area.  All cameras are on the exterior of buildings.  A Notice of Intention to use CCTV in a school was approved by the P&C on 19 June 2024.  Signage will be displayed in relevant locations.

QParents

QParents is a free online application that enables Queensland state school parents to conveniently access and view a range of their child's school data and efficiently complete school-related administrative processes. 

Benefits of using QParents - provides parents with 24/7 online access to:

• receiving and responding to consent requests (Excursions) and automated reminders
• receiving and paying invoices
• viewing attendance records and providing absentee notifications
• academic reporting data
• timetables
• assessment planners
• limited behaviour records
• schedules of upcoming events.

Coming soon - View Access to QLearn.

From the Deputy Principal - Years 11 & 12

Deanne Wallwork - Deputy Principal - Senior School

Responsibilities:

• Year 11 and 12 Performance, Tracking, Attendance & Behaviour
  
• Timetabling and Academic Reporting
• Curriculum, Teaching & Learning

As Term One rapidly comes to an end, I would like to recognize a few of the many highlights including Arts and Humanities excursions, lunchtime Trivia and Karaoke, Bayside Swimming and Interschool Sport/Gala Days, International Inbound Study Tours and Induction and Harmony Day assemblies. The end of the term will culminate with Senior Performance Interviews, the School Cross Country and Rewards Day activities. Every event we plan is designed to enrich the school experience for students.

The “Every minute of every day’ message is one that we will continue to promote so students can immerse themselves in all aspects of school life. We appreciate how our students and the community rallied to bring a sense of normality to school life post the interruption from Cyclone Alfred.  Despite weather challenges, attendance data for 2025 is 2% higher than 2024.

Our school values are Respectful, Dynamic, Determined, United and Selfless and considerable effort is placed on teaching students about how to apply these values to their everyday lives. Lunch time events like the ‘Grade of Origin’ (Year 11 competing with Year 12s and Students versus Teachers) is a perfect example of how students come together to cheer each other on and help create a sense of comradery and school spirit.

STYMIE is an online platform where students can report their concerns/issues confidentially. Each week STYMIE provides a simple but thought-provoking message that is shared with students about self-belief, speaking up when ‘things are not right’ and making decisions with integrity and care for others. For instance:

It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends (Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone).

Don't be a bystander, be a changemaker! We're making a difference!

At the end of Term One, Interim Reports will be emailed to parents, and PTO will be opened for parents to book interviews with teachers. Senior Reports will be distributed on 25th March and Junior Reports will be distributed on 3rd April. Parent Teacher Interviews are planned for 1^st May. During this heavy assessment period, I would encourage you to discuss with your child their goals for the Semester 1 Academic Report and to set routines for the completion of assessments so they can achieve their best results. Attendance is key to student performance and employers are keen to see high attendance rates on Report Cards. Maintaining good communication allows parents to partner with teachers in support of students and we thank you for support.

From the Deputy Principal - Years 9 & 10

Penny Westcott - Deputy Principal - Middle Phase

Responsibilities:

• Year 9 and 10 Performance, Tracking, Attendance & Behaviour
• New & Beginning Teachers
• Differentiation and Inclusion
• NAPLAN

Our Year 7 and 9 students wrapped up NAPLAN. Students tackled their final paper, bringing an end to this assessment period. NAPLAN plays a vital role in tracking student progress and shaping our teaching strategies, but what truly matters is the 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓, 𝐄𝐅𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓 and 𝐀+ 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞 our students show every step of the way! A huge well done to our incredible Year 7s and 9s - you’ve made us all proud! 

From the Deputy Principal - Years 7 & 8

Anton Lombardo - Deputy Principal - Junior Phase

Responsibilities:

• Year 7 and 8 Performance, Tracking, Attendance & Behaviour
• School Community Partnerships
• Student Support Services
• Positive Culture for Learning

And just like that, we are almost at the end of Term one. This term, all teachers and staff have been working hard on building strong and productive relationships with our students. These relationships build the foundation of a strong connection that promotes learning. It is important to note that whilst the teacher and student relationship is crucial, parent/carer engagement is the other vital piece.

Research consistently shows that students whose parents/carers are actively involved in their education perform better academically, exhibit stronger emotional resilience, and have a more positive attitude toward school. Your engagement in your child's learning journey, whether through regular communication, attending school events, or simply showing interest in their day-to-day experiences, reinforces their sense of self and motivation. When parents/carers and schools work together as partners, students thrive, feeling supported both at home and at school. By staying connected with your child, you are laying the foundation for their success, both inside and outside the classroom.

Thank you for your ongoing support with your student this term and we look forward to celebrating their learning at the end of this term.

From the Years 7 & 8 Coordinator

Kath Fraser - Years 7 & 8 Coordinator

Marching to the end of term: Year 7 & 8 student update

How can it be Week 8 already?! It has been a busy week for our Year 7s in particular, who have navigated their first high school NAPLAN experience. In our leadership space, a number of our entrepreneurial junior students participated in the Academy for Enterprising Girls workshop, where they were able to explore social entrepreneurship opportunities within our school alongside senior female leaders.

We have our first whole-school assembly on Monday for Harmony Day. Students are reminded that they must be in full formal uniform (including all-black leather shoes).

In addition to celebrating diversity at our school, the Student Council representatives from each Home Group will be receiving their badges. As always, we encourage all students to maintain high standards of behaviour and respect.

Important events on the horizon are as follows:

• Week 9 - Harmony Day Assembly, School Cross Country, Red Day
• Week 10: Y8 Living History incursion, Y7 Beach Day, Rewards Day

If you ever have any questions or concerns, please get in contact with Dean of Year 7 & 8 Students: Ms Kath Fraser (kmfra3@eq.edu.au)

From the Years 9 & 10 Coordinator

Stephanie Griffin - Years 9 & 10 Coordinator

A quick reminder to submit your child's Camp Expression of Interest forms as soon as possible. This is an exciting opportunity, and we want to ensure all students who wish to attend don’t miss out. If you haven’t yet handed in the form, please do so at your earliest convenience or email sgrif190@eq.edu.au.

We also want to take a moment to thank you for your ongoing support, particularly as we approach the busy assessment period. Encouraging students to stay on top of their assessment deadlines is key to reducing stress and ensuring success. To help with this, we invite students to attend BASE, where they can receive additional guidance and support with their work. Keeping track of due dates and assisting with study planning can make a huge difference in your child’s learning journey.

Last week, we had the privilege of welcoming LEUT ANC Adam Regnart from TS Norfolk to our Year 9 assembly. He spoke to our students about the Australian Navy Cadets and the unique opportunities available through this program. If your child is interested in learning more about the Navy Cadets, please visit TS Norfolk Navy Cadets for more information. Thank you to Year 10 student, Yazmin for sharing her experience with the Navy Cadets at assembly.

Two weeks ago, four of our Year 9 students had the incredible opportunity to attend the PSA Student Leadership Conference! Developed by QUT and the Public Schools Alliance, this conference was designed to inspire and equip emerging Year 9 leaders with the skills and mindset needed to lead with confidence, creativity, and purpose.

On Wednesday, students were given the opportunity to participate in the Discovery Program, a day to engage in design thinking and social entrepreneurship. Teams mapped and identified problems within their communities, then ideated, validated, created prototypes and pitched a social enterprise idea. Thank you to the Academy for Enterprising Girls and to Change Agents for facilitating the fast paced and interactive day. Thank you to the Academy for Enterprising Girls and to Change Agents for facilitating the fast paced and interactive day.

“Today was not just about the people that attended it, but the school community as a whole. We were asked to put forward the vision of our school.  We believe in an inclusive school.  We believe that it is not acceptable for anyone to feel like don’t they fit in at our school.  Today was about brainstorming the root causes and implementing plans to tackle this problem.  It was not just a leadership conference it was a session to make every single person in this school feel welcome. It has been an honour to represent our school at QUT today to learn how to address and tackle problems as a leader.” - Megan Louw – Year 9 Representative, Student Council. 

Thank you again for your continued support. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

From the Years 11 & 12 Coordinator

Kirsty Townshend - Years 11 & 12 Coordinator

A Busy Start to the Year!

The school year is well underway, and what a start it has been! From exciting excursions to major school events, students across Year 11 and 12 have been making the most of every opportunity by “Being Brave” and “Living in the Moment”.

This term has been packed with hands-on learning experiences, including the Film/Media excursion to Bluey’s World, the Tourism trip to Movie World, the Art excursion to GoMA & Qld Art Gallery, and the Early Childhood class lending a hand at a local daycare, celebrating Valentine’s Day with the Roses fundraiser, and the opportunity to attend the Redlands Coast Futures Forum Sustainable Future Day. Students also put their energy to good use on the Retreat Day at Bounce and showed their skills at the Basketball Grade of Origin and Sport Gala Day.

Despite the challenges of a tropical cyclone, students pushed through, completing their Block Exams and we look forward to chatting with students and parents when we conduct Performance Interviews to track their progress in Week 10 (more information/details to come out soon). Year 11 Peer Mentors are also building rapport and stepping up to assist in the playground and at the Year 7 Beach Day in Week 10, and with leadership in focus, they can now look forward to their Leadership Camp at Emu Gully next term (18-20 June).

Looking ahead, we have plenty more to be excited about, including Harmony Day activities this week and next and the Year 12 Rewards Day (last day of school)—a well-earned celebration for our seniors.

Well done to all students for their efforts so far. Let’s keep the momentum going for the rest of the term and then enjoy a break at the end!

From the English Department

Year 7 English 

Adventures Through History: Year 7 English students have been working hard on their historical fiction. They are at the drafting stage and are about to get feedback from their teachers with advice to improve their work. Students have become experts on their chosen historical event, completing independent research as well as planning their ideas. English classes have also completed PAT-R (reading) testing to help inform teachers of the literacy skills to focus on this year. The last 7 weeks have been busy but productive and the newest students to our school have been demonstrating they have good control of the narrative writing genre!

Reminder: Final narratives are due on Monday, 24 March.

Year 8 English 

Musings on Mythology: Year 8 English students are currently in the drafting stages of their creation myth or legend. Students have shown a great amount of skill in not only planning an interesting and engaging narrative but also creativity in how they write and ‘show not tell.’ A reminder that a full draft being submitted allows teachers to provide feedback on the entire piece of work a student has submitted.

Drafts due: Thursday, 20 March

Finals due: Tuesday, 1 April

Year 9 English 

Year 9 students are heading into their exam preparation phase of the unit.

Key dates/reminders:

• Task sheet hand out date: Week 8, L1.
• Students plan and prepare throughout week 8.
• Exam dates: Week 9, across 2 lessons.

Exam conditions:

• 10 mins planning + 90 mins writing.
• Students can bring in their completed narrative story graph
• Students can bring in 100 individual words (in a grid format).

Students will also be sitting NAPLAN testing throughout week 8. Ms Cuthbert, Ms Case, Ms Bannan, Ms Pratt and Ms Govind wish all the Year 9 students well in their NAPLAN and English exams.

Year 10 English 

Year 10 English is sweeping to the end of their unit on short fiction. After weathering one rough draught in Cyclone Alfred, the students are almost ready to submit their own work on Wednesday. I’m sure that all of the Year 10 English teachers are ready to be blown away by the short stories that have been created. After a whirlwind of edits, the students will be ready to submit some eye-catching work when the final is due. Speaking of which, the final submission of this assessment has been pushed back a week due to the time we have lost. It is now due on Wednesday, 26 March.

Year 11 English 

Year 11 Essential English Students Show Resilience in Exam Preparation

Year 11 Essential English students recently participated in a dedicated tutorial designed to help them prepare for their upcoming exam. Students from all three classes engaged in practice sessions, refining their skills in responding to stimuli using a range of techniques learned throughout the term.

Although their exam was postponed due to Cyclone Alfred, these students demonstrated remarkable resilience by sitting the assessment on the very first day back at school—despite many still being without power at home. Their dedication and perseverance in the face of challenges are truly commendable.

A huge well done to our Year 11 Essential English students, as well as their teachers, Ms. Dallas, Ms. Bannan, and Ms. Griffin, for their ongoing support and commitment!

Year 11 General English 

Term 1 assessment date reminders:

• Unit 2.1 (topic 1: Analytical essay on a novel) begins in week 9. Students expected to be in classes through week 9 & 10 to begin prep/context work on the text.
• Novel must be read with associated tasks completed over Easter break. Teachers will communicate with parents/students expectations & date reminders before end of term.

11 General English students have been working hard on their persuasive speeches, editing their scripts and rehearsing before their presentations.

Year 12 Essential English 

Reality television has become a significant part of Australian pop culture, with shows like Married at First Sight attracting around three million viewers per episode, making it one of the most popular programs on Australian television (The Australian 2024).

Year 12 students studying Essential English, have been inspired by facts like above, and from seeing multi-modal reality television exemplars created from our past students.  They have been recently busy drafting but were unfortunately interrupted by the effects of power outages caused from Cyclone Alfred.

Students are now motivated by this relevant assessment task and have been busy powering through as they edit, rehearse and create their ‘Reality Television Multimodal Review’. We are encouraging students to put on their creative caps on, and draw in their readers, as they persuade them to hold the same views they do, on their chosen Reality Television program.

We look forward to seeing the diverse viewpoints our students will present and the discussions that will emerge from their work. This task fosters critical media literacy and empowers students to thoughtfully engage with contemporary cultural phenomena.

The Australian 2024, Married at First Sight is one of Nine’s most profitable assets, says interim CEO Matt Stanton, The Australian, viewed 12 March 2025, https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/married-at-first-sight-is-one-of-nines-most-profitable-assets-says-interim-ceo-matt-stanton/news-story/5b8d3ade49f0544e79b6e4ab7ef960d5.

Below is a photo of students rehearsing key gestures they will aim to use in their IA3 task.    

Year 12 General English 

The Crucible Film Evening

On Thursday 20 February, the Year 12 General English students attended a film viewing of The Crucible. Students enjoyed snacks and drinks while they watched the 1996 adaptation of Arthur Miller’s iconic play. This text is central to their IA1 study which goes towards students’ ATAR results, so being able to incorporate it in a fun way is always appreciated by the students. Everyone was united and respectful – it great to see their engagement with and commitment to their studies in English.

Thank you to Mr Sunerton, Ms Dallas, and Ms Govind for supervising. Also, a big thank you to Glenys Brown (BSM) and Julian for setting up the room for us. 😊

From the HPE Department

Student Achievements

Congratulations to the following students who have recently been selected into representative teams:

Bayside Swimming – Thomas Calver and Henry Hughes

Bayside Australian Football – Harry Bergman, Clayton Brereton, Zane Phair, Leo Synnott, Jordi Gilder, Mia Crawford

Met East Softball – Alex Duncalfe, Eva Watkins, Takiyah Neale

Queensland Triathlon – Claudia Spicer.  We wish Claudia the best of luck when she competes at the National Championships in Perth! 

Interhouse Cross Country

The annual Interhouse Cross Country run will be held on during Lesson 1 on Friday 28 March.  This is an important whole school event, and as such all students are expected to attend.  We use the day as a trial for students to represent the Wellington Pt SHS team at the Bayside Cross Country Carnival which is run on Wednesday 7^th May.  All students, irrelevant of age and fitness levels are encouraged to get in and have a go at completing the 4km course in and around WPSHS. 

Arrangements for the day:

Students will go to Home Group classes as normal at the start of the day for roll marking, to secure bags and to be inducted on safety procedures for the race. 

Students will complete the Cross Country course during Lesson 1 (8:50am – 10am).  We are running the event early to avoid the hottest time during the day.  The remainder of the day will be normal curriculum classes.

Students are able to wear their normal sports uniform for the entire day. 

Other information:

• Students should bring a hat, sunscreen, water bottle.
• Students competing should wear appropriate footwear for running.
• All students will have the opportunity to participate in the race and are expected to compete at whatever level their fitness allows.
• The school ‘Switch off to Switch on’ policy will apply during the race.

 If your child is not able to participate in the race, please supply them with a note.    

Sporting Wheelies Incursion for Year 7 HPE

The Year 7 HPE classes have been analysing how stereotypes, respect, empathy and valuing diversity influence relationships.  They have investigated modifications to equipment, rules and scoring systems that support fair play and inclusive participation; and have proposed actions they can take to promote inclusion in their communities.  As part of this unit, the students had a visit from para-athletes Wendy and Jacob from Sporting Wheelies who gave students an insight into living with disabilities and gave them the opportunity to experience wheelchair sport. 

Bayside Senior Sport Summer Gala Day

Our school entered Boys and Girls Volleyball, Boys and Girls Touch, Boys Cricket and Girls Futsal teams into the Summer Gala Day competition for Year 11 and 12 students.  All teams represented our school with pride.  Our Boys Touch team were the second placed school behind Cleveland District SHS.  Girls Volleyball placed 3^rd overall.  Our Boys Volleyball team narrowly missed the final; likewise, the Girls Futsal team narrowly missed the final, going down to Cleveland 2-1 in the round games.

From the Resource Centre

Chess Competition 

On Tuesday 18 February, Ms Grist and Ms Parks-Lewis took a group of students to Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie) to participate in an Interschool Chess Competition, organised by Gardiner Chess.  Our students, as always, represented Wellington Point SHS’s values well.  Each person played seven games, with a year 10 student, who has been participating since year 7 in these competitions, winning the most. 

 We are very proud of all students who attended and appreciate their determination to win, united front they displayed, respect they showed for teachers and fellow students, their dynamic attitude and selfless nature to assist one another where possible.   Looking forward to our next competition. 

Valentine's Day Trivia 

Students attended a Valentine’s Day Trivia, and the vibe was electric.  Fun was had by all, and a shout out to the students who helped us set up and pack down.  Once again wonderful Ms Grist helped us present the trivia questions and award students their lucky door prizes. Ms Niewdach was so keen to support us by taking photos and footage and awarding treats, that she had organised a playground duty swap! Like always, she was a real bundle of endless energy. Thanks to Dr Burton-Ree who regularly and happily joins us and supports our events. 

Taking home the win, in first place we had a year 11 Team, the ‘Mermaids’, and in second and third place we had seniors also!  There were a number of juniors involved in the trivia, so hoping next time they make it on to the podium; something to strive towards.  

Karaoke and Just Dance

It is just wonderful the way our students involve themselves in our Resource Centre activities.   The support they show one another and the smiles on their faces makes it always a worthwhile event to hold.  It would not be possible without Ms Wagner and Ms Morely advertising on the loudspeaker for us.  Also, a massive shout out to Ms Wallwork who continually helps to promote our events and regularly attend. I took the perfect photo, but it was super blurry as she was dancing up a storm.  Next time I will try and get a non-blurry photo!!!  Once again Ms Niewdach and Dr Burton-Ree helped support our karaoke.  Without the support of staff and students, this would not be possible.

Thank you to all of the students for turning up to Karaoke and Just Dance. If you are yet to join us, please come and see what all of the fun and excitement is about. 

Reading for Pleasure!

Students are able to borrow our eBooks! 

If a student is unable to access the books, then they can see or email us in the library for assistance. We are more than happy to help, especially if it means students will be reading more often, as it is super beneficial for them.  They will need to access Library Oliver on the Student Intranet page: https://qedu.sharepoint.com/sites/2178/Student/. This intranet web address should be saved on all school devices, as it allows for easy access to so many important sites, such as: QLearn, One School, Printing, Webmail, Papercut etc.

Below are the instructions explaining how students can access eBooks:

Year 12 Social and Community Studies

Students have been learning about the effects social media and technology have on adolescents and their wellbeing.  A part of their assessment is to create 3-6 media posts that teach and make their target audience aware of the legalities, negatives and positives surrounding safe use of social media. 

During one of our lessons, students experienced firsthand whether typed instructions are easier to understand or a one-to-one explanation. In both instances, they were following instructions on how to draw animals. Most students agreed that face to face communication is easier to understand, less misinterpreted and more enjoyable.

Another learning experience saw students having to analyse key articles about both the positive and negative impact social media plays in society. From that, students had to participate in different activities based on each article.  The activities ranged from diary entries, cartoons, to creating something out of playdough and explaining the relevance of it. Students seemed to love this one the most!  I mean, who doesn’t love playdough?

Year 12 Early Childhood Studies

Our students have been super busy and working on their literacy or numeracy project that they will implement at the beginning of next term.  The aim of the visits to the Early Childhood Centre and Wellington Point State school is for students to observe, plan, justify, evaluate and implement a play-based learning experience for 3-5 year olds that promotes literacy or numeracy.   These visits are the perfect opportunity for students to work in an Early Childhood environment and put into practise their knowledge and skills when working with children aged 3-5 years. As a part of the project our students have been lucky enough to work with the wonderful educators and children/prep students from both Educare on Anson and Wellington Point State School.

Students who have attended these excursions always work wonderfully with the children at the Childcare Centre and the Prep students. I am always extremely proud of the way they interact and help to educate the children and their positive attitude to imparting knowledge.  I’m looking forward to seeing them revisit the same centre and classes to help build rapport with the children and how well they will successfully implement their projects.  

From the Arts Department

DRAWING COMPETITION

Keep on submitting your entries to the “Heart of Summer” art competition.  Here is one of the fantastic entries we have received from Kathryn Daniels in Year 10!  Entries can be submitted at the library and the Deans’ office in J Block.  You have until the end of Week 9 to enter.  All ages, all mediums, any size (2D work only).

Expression of Interest - VIBE 2025!

We are very excited to invite students, parents, businesses and community groups and clubs to take part in Wellington Point State High’s 3^rd annual Vibe Market afternoon on Friday 6 June 2025. Please save the date so you can come along or email vibe@wellingtonpointshs.eq.edu.au for more information or to request an Expression of Interest form.

Senior Schooling

Apprenticeship and Traineeship Preparation Checklist 

Australian Apprenticeships has put together a preparation check list to help you organise and prepare to apply for an apprenticeship or traineeship. Use the list to make sure you're prepared to start an Australian Apprenticeship. Click here to find out more about the value of the checklist and how to use it.

Apprenticeships and Traineeships

The term ‘Australian Apprenticeships’ covers both apprenticeships and traineeships. They start when an employer creates a job and decides to use this pathway for employing and training staff. 

• They are available to anyone of working age with eligibility to work in Australia. 
• There are no specific school levels, certificates or other qualifications needed to start one. 
• They offer opportunities for you to train, study and earn an income at a variety of Vocational Education and Training qualification levels in many occupations and can be full-time, part-time or school based.

Click here to find out more from Australian Apprenticeships.

What is School Based Apprenticeship?

A school-based apprenticeship or traineeship allows you to start your training while you are still at school and will contribute credit towards your Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). When you finish school you and the employer usually agree to continue on with you taking up a full time apprenticeship contract. You can find out about school-based apprenticeships and traineeships on the Apprenticeships Info website

ADF GAP Year Opportunities 

You can apply for the 2026 Australian Defence Force (ADF) Gap Year and experience life in the Navy, Army or Air Force without committing to a longer period by 'signing up'. An ADF Gap Year is a way to have an adventurous year, gain valuable skills and work experience and get paid for it. There are many roles to choose from for your 2026 Gap year experience including administration, cabin crew, artillery operator, driver, engineer and more. You must be an Australian citizen, aged between 18 and 24 years on admission and have completed Year 12 (required passes vary by job). Click here (click refresh if the page doesn't open) to find out what jobs are available, how to apply and answers to frequently asked questions.

How to join the ADF

There are several ways to join the Navy, Army or Air Force, with many roles offering more than one entry method. To help you choose the right path for you, the ADF have broken down the different requirements for ‘General Entry’ and ‘Officer Entry’ below. Click here to find out more about:

• General Entry   
• General non-technical positions
• Technical and trade apprenticeships
• Qualified positions
• Officer Entry   
• Navy Officer training
• Army Officer training
• Air Force Officer training
• Tertiary education options   
• Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA)
• Undergraduate entry
• Tertiary Aviation Reimbursement scheme (TARS)
• Graduate medical program
• Graduate entry

Find out about occupations and jobs

On the Queensland Skills Gateway you can look up occupations and jobs that you are interested in and find out:

• Skills required in this occupation/job
• Tasks undertaken in this occupation/job
• Specialisations in this occupation/job
• Related occupations 
• Training pathways for this occupation/job

Click here to check it out.

Good Universities Guide Upgrade

Good Universities are upgrading the Good Universities Guide. This comes with a brand-new beta version of their site which is now live and available to explore. The new beta site features a fresh design, improved navigation and increased functionality. You'll find that accessing study information and career advice has never been easier. Take a tour of the new site and test out its enhanced features. You can explore all Uni, TAFE and training courses in Australia. Click here to check it out.

Some principles of career decision making

The High Five Principles of Career Development are wise concepts to consider when researching career options and making career decisions. Read the information below and consider discussing them with someone for more insight.

1. Change is constant - The world of work is always changing. You also change as you develop personally and experience life. Don’t be afraid of change; accept it and use it as an opportunity.
2. Know yourself and follow your heart - A most important skill in career management is self-awareness – knowing your interests, abilities, values, aspirations and the things/people that influence you. Start your job ideas list with jobs you would most like (dream jobs) even if they are currently unrealistic. This can get you started and lead to other jobs you hadn’t thought of.
3. Focus on the journey - It's good to have goals, both short and long term. However, you should not be so focused on them that you miss opportunities that may emerge along the way.
4. Learning is ongoing - Learning doesn’t stop just because you finish your course and get a job. Just as change is constant so is the need to keep up to speed with new technologies, new methods of practice and emerging trends in your career field.
5. Access your allies - These are the people who can help and support you during your career journey, your school guidance officer/counsellor, teachers, your family and friends, sport coaches and others within your social network. You can learn much from other people’s experiences.

University mightn't be the right pathway for your career dreams

Research, recently published in the journal Educational Review, reveals that young people report "that university was explicitly pushed as the only post-school pathway worth pursuing during their schooling. Other pathways were often deemed to be “not good enough”. This is why Options Career Information provides a wide breadth of career and pathway information so you can do your homework and make the best career decision based on your and not others, ideas and opinions. 

Click here to read the article outlining the research project's findings. Please note that Options Career Information is not ‘pushing’ any one post school pathway over another and encourages you to find out about all your options before making your decision. This will see you happier and more successful in the long run.

Want to help people?

Helpers are caring, dependable, kind and nurturing. They provide support and often lots of advice. Helpers support us in the best and worst of times, they care for us when we're sick, they educate us and they protect us. Helpers aren't just restricted to the health, education and community services industries though. There are helpers in every industry. Without helpful retail workers, safety inspectors, human resources managers or sport coaches, the world would be a very different place.

Helpers always have time for someone in need, friends come to you for advice, and you're happy to help when needed. There are a lot of career options for helpers and plenty of people who need support and guidance. Click here to read about Helping areas including:

• Beauty and Hairdressing
• Tourism and Events
• Technology, Information and Networking
• Business, Justice and Management
• Sports and Fitness
• Animal Care
• Child care
• Community services
• General education and training
• Nursing and health
  

Where to next?

Visit the CareersEvent.com website and check out the Welcome to Your Webinar Hub. You can click on a category that best suits your dream career, select from a series of video seminars and downloadable information from Universities, Colleges and more. It will help with your research! Categories include:
• Information technology
• Creative Arts
• Science
• Defence
• Tourism and Travel
• Universities
• Health
• Skills-based
• Teaching
• Student Accommodation
• Application process
• Private Colleges

A job for life ... not anymore!

In a rapidly changing world, the concept of a job for life has become as rare as a dial-up internet connection. This shift from stable, long-term employment and single-employer careers to a world where frequent job changes are the norm comes directly from globalisation, rapid technological advancements and the changing ideas about work. Click here to read more of The Conversation's article including:

• Why such rapid change now?
• Workers’ priorities have been changed by the pandemic
• Does moving jobs equal disloyalty?
• How are employers coping with this shift?

ABS Labour Force Data - January 2025

The Australian Bureau of Statistics have released the Labour Force Data for January 2025: 

• unemployment rate remained at 4.0%. 
• participation rate remained at 67.2%.
• employment increased to 14,616,400. 
• employment to population ratio increased to 64.5%.
• underemployment remained at 6.0%.
• monthly hours worked increased to 1,976 million.

Being work ready: A guide to what employers want

The Business Council has developed Being Work Ready: A Guide to What Employers Want to assist senior high school students along with people, family, teachers and career counsellors, to better understand what ‘work readiness’ means from a business perspective. The guide outlines the minimum expectations a business has of someone’s work readiness when they apply for a job. These expectations are classified as values, behaviours and skills. Download the guide on the Business Council of Australia website as well as a video where they explain the key concepts in the guide and why work readiness is important to business.

Interview tips: How to prepare for a pre-screening phone call

If and when you are job searching, are you prepared to sell yourself on a phone pre-screening call? Hiring managers may prefer to chat with you by phone before moving forward in the interviewing process. Employers can use these types of phone calls to pre-screen applicants prior to inviting them to a formal interview. These calls can range in length from 15 to 30 minutes and generally include similar questions as job interviews (e.g., “tell me about yourself”, “what attracted you to this role”, “what are your strengths” etc.). Click here to read the tips that can help you be professional at the first stage of the interview process:

1. Collect your materials
2. Do your research
3. Prepare questions
4. Find the right environment
5. Treat it like an interview
6. Send a follow-up email
7. Final thoughts

Link and Launch to further education and work

Link and Launch is a free service designed to support Year 12 graduates in taking the next step on their post-school journey. With so many opportunities available in study, work and training, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. If you're looking for guidance in exploring your options after school, reach out to Link and Launch for support. Click here for more information and contact details.

Not going to Uni? Where to next?

Scott Riches has written a short article where he simply outlines three main opportunities after school for people who are not wanting to start university. He says that ‘the last year or two of school can be an anxious time not least because our system of education places such importance on a final tertiary ranking score which may determine much of a student’s immediate and even long-term future. Does it have to matter that much?’ Click here to read his article where he identifies three very valid post school pathways. 

What is a Blue Card and do I need one?

The Blue Card system in Queensland is used to monitor those who work with young people. Its aim is to reduce the risks of harm to young people by creating a safe and non-threatening environment. So yes, you will need a blue card if you are paid for your work or are a student enrolled in a tertiary course (including certificate, TAFE and university courses) and need to do a practical placement. Students studying a VET (Vocational Education and Training) course such as Certificate III or Diploma, in which they are required to do a work placement involving young people (under 18 years of age) are required, by law, to have a Blue Card.  The Registered Training Organisation (RTO) conducting the VET course (a school or outside organisation) is responsible for applying for Blue Cards on behalf of the students doing a course. You can read more about Blue Cards on the Blue Card Services website.

ACU 2025 Open Day 

Open Day is your chance to find out everything you need to know about studying at ACU before you enrol. You’ll be able to check out the campus, meet staff and students, discuss entry pathways and talk to experts about your study options and career goals. On 9 April (during the holidays) Australian Catholic University will be holding their Brisbane Open Day. Click here to find out more about the events that you will be able to participate in and register details.

Join a LEO Club

Leo clubs are sponsored by Lions Clubs International. They encourage young men and women, 12 – 30 years of age, to serve others in their community and around the world. By joining a Leo Club you will gain:

• Leadership Experience
• Teamwork and Social Skills
• Self Esteem
• Problem Solving and Decision Making Skills
• Career Possibilities
• Fun

Typical Leo projects include Environment, Citizenship, Drug Awareness, Public Service, Youth Welfare, Youth Exchange, Health, School Support, Save Sight and Spotlight on Children. Find out more on the Leo Clubs website.

ATAR/Selection ranks for 2025 entry into tertiary courses

Want to know what the 2025 minimum selection rank/ATAR was for the course/s you are interested in for next year? Knowing what you are aiming for gives you purpose for all the hard work. Click here then click on Application Requirements (scroll down to the university or institution you are interested in), click on Minimum Selection Thresholds and you will be able to look up course selection ranks/ATAR by institution. 

Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR)

All states in Australia call their Year 12 tertiary entry score an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR). The ATAR is a number between 0 and 99.95 (highest) with increments of 0.05. 

The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) provides all Tertiary Entrance data (your Year 12 final results) to QTAC who then calculates individual ATARs.

 If you are applying for interstate courses, through the relevant Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC), the relevant TAC can get your ATAR directly from QTAC. You can learn more about ATARs and how to obtain an ATAR statement from the MyQCE portal. 

You will need to register with QTAC in August, requesting them to calculate your ATAR as it's not an automatic process. This is a SEPARATE registration from your QTAC course application.

myQCE gateway for students and parents

myQCE will help you plan your pathway to achieving a QCE by the end of Year 12 and help you to explore further study, training and career options. Year 12 students must register through Student Portal Learning Account in order to access their Year 12 results. The webpage provides information on:

• Tips to organise your study
• Staying healthy and happy
• You’re not alone
• Registered for the Student Portal Yet?
• Career Pathways
• Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) requirements

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Become a Host Family

Free Driving Lessons

If you have not yet got your Drivers License and would like to do some FREE driving lessons then this Link and Launch offer is for you!

Available to all current Yr 12 students and all students (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) that have graduated yr 12 in the past 3 years at a Redlands school  

Complete an EOI https://forms.office.com/r/nFdzQeH190

Free Driving Lesson Contact Person:

Gemma Nevin - Link and Launch Coordinator 

Cleveland District State High School

Department of Education

PO Box 808 | Russell Street | Cleveland Qld 4163 
T 3824 9222 | M 0455 559 897| gnevi17@eq.edu.au |www.qld.gov.au/linkandlaunch

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