Issue No: 16 Date : 7th October 2016

we strive for the best

ADDRESS

Valley Street

PO Box 8333

MT PLEASANT QLD 4740

PHONE 07 4963 1666

STUDENT ABSENCES 07 4963 1660

FAX 07 4963 1600

EMAIL

principal@macknortshs.eq.edu.au

WEBSITE

www.macknortshs.eq.edu.au

FACEBOOK

https://www.facebook.com/

Mackay.North.SHS

TWITTER

@macknortshs

STYMIE

Www.stymie.com.au

New building signs

and COLAs at North

School Map at the Hall/Art

Block end of the Administration

Building

The Library COLA is between 800 & 1500 blocks and the Tuckshop

COLA which will become an outdoor eating area for students is between

100 to 300 blocks.

Welcome to Term Four! Our Year 12s are very close to completing their last pieces of assessment as they

head into the last few weeks of their secondary schooling. Our message to the Year 12s is to keep their

heads down and keeping working hard – it’s certainly no time be complacent. There are a number of students

at risk of not attaining their QCE (Queensland Certificate of Education). For these students, it is has never

been more important to attend school all day, every day and commit to their studies.

We ended Term Three with some very sad news. Bronwen Jeffree, one of our Special Education Program

teachers, sadly passed away after a long battle with a terminal illness. Bron was a passionate and dedicated

teacher who will be greatly missed. Our thoughts go out to Bronwen’s family.

Over the school holidays two new covered learning areas (COLAs) were constructed over the tuckshop area

and outside the Junior Secondary Precinct. The construction of these COLAs was made possible through the

efforts of our P & C. Thank you to our P & C and for all our parents who support our school. The COLAs look

fantastic and we are looking forward to phase two commencing during the term, which will see a cover

constructed over the basketball courts.

Many students now own a Mackay North SHS day uniform. Please encourage your

students to wear this uniform, particularly on excursion days or for special events.

Students will be required to wear their school uniform to Awards Night on 2nd

November and those who own a day uniform will be encouraged to wear it on the

night. For more information on the phase-in of the day uniform and the senior polo,

please go to our website.

The 2016 Commemorative ANZAC Tour left Australian

soil in the last week of Term Three. The group have

now arrived safely home after touring Turkey, Greece,

France and finally Singapore. Our school Ski Trip also

enjoyed another successful trip during the holidays. A

huge thank you to our staff who give students these

opportunities.

Next week is Mental Health Week. There are a range of

activities for students to participate in so please support

the cause.

Students taking responsibility for their own attendance has certainly been a key focus for us this year. Thanks

to the talented Mr Vickery, we now have a fantastic program that allows students to scan their own student ID

card to check their attendance. Knowing and acknowledging how much time students spend away from

school is a key step in improving attendance. Students should be able to tell you their attendance as a

percentage if you ask them. Everyday counts!

Jane Grieger

Principal

FFFROMROMROM TTTHEHEHE PPPRINCIPALRINCIPALRINCIPAL

RespectRespectRespect ResilienceResilienceResilience ConfidenceConfidenceConfidence

2016 Commemorative ANZAC Tour

From the Deputy Principal

STYMIE LAUNCHES NEXT WEEK

Wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it. Right is right even if no one is doing it."~ AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO

Our school, along with the four other state high schools in Mackay, has recently signed up for

STYMIE. STYMIE is a website through which students can send anonymous notifications about

someone who they believe is being bullied or harmed. The site allows them, as bystanders, to

remain anonymous and gives them the courage to overcome fears and social pressures that prevent

them from speaking up. It also relieves feelings of helplessness for students who want to help

their peers but don’t quite know how.

Our official launch for STYMIE is October 10 and 11. I encourage parents to have a look at the

STYMIE website and discuss it with your children. www.stymie.com.au

Mackay North High Centenary of Anzac 2016 The Mackay North High Centenary of Anzac 2016 tour group returned from its overseas pilgrimage yesterday after 3 weeks walking the Australian battlefields and cemeteries of Gallipoli, France, Belgium and Singapore. The tour was a great success and the group was able to visit and honour 45 soldiers in 23 separate cemeteries and memorials.

The students were fantastic ambassadors for the school and their country and they had many memorable interactions with people from all over the world.

Sarah Nixon honouring an Australian soldier at

Bellicourt British Cemetery on the Somme

The group at Gallipoli overlooking the famous

Sphinx and Ari Burnu

At the famous sign at the Victoria Primary

School in Villers Bretonneux in France

At the Menin Gate in Ypres in Belgium

Year 7s Marvellous

Medicine

This term we have been reading George’s Marvellous Medicine by Rhold Dahl. We have been

writing procedural texts and making pikelets, cookies and smoothies. Our task was to create a

‘Marvellous Medicine’ to publish in the newsletter for everyone to enjoy. We researched smoothie

recipes, wrote a list of ingredients and organised excursions to gather the food needed. We taste

tested smoothies at Boost Juice and bought fruit from the Farmer Markets. We travelled to

Ballantyne’s Strawberry Farm where we picked strawberries to add to our smoothies. When we got

back to school, we experimented with the ingredients and came up with the following ‘Marvellous

Medicine’ recipes.

Berry Delicious

1 scoop of berry sorbet

1 handful of frozen raspberries

1 handful of frozen blueberries

1 punnet of strawberries

A dash of milk

1 scoop of plain yogurt

1 scoop of ice

Put all the ingredients into a blender until smooth. Enjoy

Mango Pash

1 scoop of passionfruit sorbet

1 handful of pineapple

1 handful of frozen mango

1 scoop of ice

1 dash of water

Put all the ingredients into a blender until smooth. Enjoy

North High P&C

Supporting Student Achievement

Remaining meeting dates for 2016: 17 October 21 November

P&C Meetings are held in the school library from 6:30pm every 3rd Monday of the month. All are welcome.

For more information contact: Trina Saunders 0414 480 737 kerry.trina@gmail.com Sherri Savage Phone 49631666

CULTURAL CALENDAR

Oct 3-23 Eisteddfod

Oct 25 Showcase Concert

Nov 2 Awards Night

Nov 3 Year 6 String Orientation

Nov 15 Junior Drama Production

(Tech Run 14 Nov)

OPEN BOYS SOCCER WIN GRAND FINAL!! During the last week of Term 3, our Open Boys Soccer team

played in the Grand Final of the Mackay School Soccer

competition against Mackay SHS. After an undefeated season,

the boys were keen to go on and regain the title that was lost in

2015. A slow start nearly saw them go behind early, however

after some spirited defence and a determined attack, the team

went in to the half-time break 2-0 with goals to Jacob Sheehan

and Kharim Grant. Early in the 2nd

half, Mackay SHS looked

more hungry to win the match and scored to make the score 2-

1. After this goal however, the North spirit shone and the team

looked to lift and not waste their hard work they had done during

the season. With goals to Benjamin Mandall, Sam Johnson-

Kanu and Josh Wilson, the final score ended up 5-1 and the North team victorious!

Well done to all of the boys who represented the school in this competition – you all played very well and showed great

sportsmanship in all matches.

Half-time pep-talk with Mr Smith

WESLEY DYER – Australian U15 Boys Squash champion

Wesley Dyer took part in the Australian Junior Squash Championships in Sydney during the school holidays.

Wesley won the Boys U15 and was crowned the Australian U15 Boys champion. He had an extremely tough draw and had to work hard for every single point and is now ranked No. 1 in Australia in his age group.

In July he won the Queensland Junior Championship and was also chosen for the Australian Schools Test Team whilst over in New Zealand recently.

Well done , Wesley

SPORTS NEWS

SNOWI ES

Helps us to

Value mental health: Our own mental health and wellbeing, our loved ones, friends and colleagues, at home, at work and at play.

To celebrate Mental Health Week,

October 9 to 15, Mackay North SHS will

be running lunchtime activities every day

next week. Students and teachers are

all invited to get involved and have some

fun… There will be pop-up performances

throughout the grounds, dodgeball

competitions, drama workshops, STYMIE

launch, a “Chill n Grill” sausage sizzle

hosted by Headspace Mackay and lots

more. Music, physical activity, sharing a

meal…So many different ways to look

after your mental health!

There is lots of help available to

you at school if you are struggling

with something or worried about a

friend. Come and chat with your

Guidance Officer, Chaplain or

Nurse – we are here for you.

Rachel (School-Based Youth

Health Nurse)

North High Seniors have been giving lifesaving blood donations again this year. Giving blood is a donation

more powerful than money — because saving a life is something you can’t put a price on.

Want to know how many lives our group has saved so far? Check our results below.

Year to date – 56 donations Number of lives saved –168

Don’t forget, group members don’t have to be new donors or donate at the same time. We encourage

any current blood donors from our North High community to tell the Red Cross Blood Bank staff that you

are with Mackay North State High School — your donations will count towards North High’s tally!

NORTH HIGH BLOOD DONORS

O ver the first week of the school holidays, a group of 29 students and 4 teachers headed off on the annual Mackay

North SHS Snowies Tour. This tour saw the Year 11 & 12 students shred the slopes of Perisher Ski Resort for 5

days on their skis or snowboards.

On the journey into our accommodation at Jindabyne, we stopped at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra to learn more

about Australia’s past, particularly the military history, and to also learn more about the soldiers who sacrificed their lives 100

years ago on the Western Front. It was quite a moving experience for the group moving throughout the memorial, and also

some of them had their minds on their friends who were attending the school’s ANZAC Commemorative Tour at the time on

the Gallipoli battlefields.

Upon seeing the slopes and snow for the first time, the group enthusiastically went to their lessons and were able to gain the

basic skills to negotiate Front Valley. After being drenched and snowed on for the first day, the students were still excited,

however were tired and returned to the accommodation to dry off and warm up.

The remainder of the week saw the weather turn for the good for the group and were able to explore more of the ski resort

(including a trip up to Blue Cow and looking at Mt Kosciuszko - Australia’s highest point) following more lessons with their

instructors. Night skiing on the Tuesday night was a new and thrilling experience for the group as the slid down Front Valley

under lights – this was interrupted very briefly for a spectacular fireworks display.

Saying goodbye to Jindabyne and Perisher was hard for everyone, however it was time to move on to our time in Sydney.

Shortly after arriving at our accommodation, the group was quickly back out on the road – this time heading to the NRL Semi

-Final between the Cowboys & Sharks at Allianz Stadium. Whilst the result wasn’t what we were hoping for, the atmosphere

was amazing and a worthwhile experience (including the group meeting Wendell Sailor!). The next day saw the group

explore Sydney in their own ways – some went to Bondi, while others saw Sydney from above in the Sydney Tower, and

others went shopping. To finish off our time in Sydney, and the tour, we headed to a restaurant in Darling Harbour, and then

took a ferry across to Luna Park.

Overall, a wonderful time was had by all and many lifelong friends and memories were made. Thank you to the students who

attended the tour, you were exceptional and received very positive feedback from many members of the public. Thank you to

the parents for your support and allowing your child to be a part of this tour – I hope that in the future your child returns the

favour! One final thank you goes to the teachers who attended the tour – Ms Potgieter, Mrs Taylor & Mr Wilson – your

presence and easy going nature made the trip so easy for everyone.

Planning has commenced for the Snowies 2017 Tour – students in Year 11 & 10 interested in attending have been asked to

express their interest to Mr Smith before the end of 2nd

break on Tuesday 11th October. Students who do not express their

interest by this time will not be considered for the tour.

Mr Smith – Snowies Tour Coordinator

SNOWIES SNOWIES SNOWIES

TOUR TOUR TOUR

201620162016

PERFORMING ARTS NEWS

As there are numerous performances and rehearsals planned for the first five weeks of the term,

I thought you may find a summary helpful. It is vital that all students are at ALL rehearsals and

performances.

MACKAY EISTEDDFOD

Junior Secondary Concert Band – Tuesday evening, October 11 – students to be at the MECC by

5.30pm.

Senior Secondary Concert Band, Stage Band, String Orchestra – Tuesday afternoon, October 11

– students to be at the MECC by 12.30pm (bus provided by school; leaves school at 12 noon/signed

permission form needed – parents collect students from MECC).

Folk Group – Monday evening, October 17 – students meet in the foyer at 7.00pm.

Vocal Group – Tuesday afternoon, October 18 – students to be at the MECC by 12.30pm (bus provided by

school; leaves school 12 noon/signed permission form needed - parents collect students from MECC).

Mandatory extra rehearsal on Sunday, October 16 from 2.00 – 4.00pm.

Show Choir – Tuesday evening, October 18 – students meet in the foyer at 6.30pm. (Extra rehearsals

10.00am – 2.00pm on Sunday, October 9 and 16).

SHOWCASE CONCERT – TUESDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 25 – 7.00pm

All instrumental and vocal ensembles performing plus Rock Pop Mime groups and cheer squad. MARCHING

BAND MEMBERS will be opening the concert - mandatory rehearsal on Tuesday afternoon, October 25

from 3.00pm – 4.30pm.

AWARDS EVENING – WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2

Marching band members open the evening. Also, the drumline ensemble and vocal ensemble are performing.

Mandatory marching band rehearsal on the Wednesday afternoon from 3.00 – 4.30pm.

Hope this helps – after Awards Evening we can all take a deep breath and relax a little!

Kathy GEORGE

HOD – Performing Arts

SEP SUPPORT STAFF

APPRECIATION

Recently during Support Staff Week

the Special Education Program

teaching staff held a morning tea to

show appreciation of their support

staff.

From the Business Services Manager

Please pay all outstanding fees now. Students whose fees are

outstanding may not be permitted to be involved in end of year activities.

SURF SAFE APPEAL 2016 Monday 24 October – Sunday 30 October.

Mackay West Rotary Club Annual Christmas Fair Friday 28th & Saturday 29th October Col Story Rotary Park, City Gates 6 pm.

First Fair of the Christmas season and a fun night out for the whole family. (for over 40 years)

Ham Wheel, Meat Tray Wheel, Cent Sale, Pick of the Shelf, Bottle stall, Lucky Dip and lots more.

Merry-go-round Steam Train Ride Jumping Castle Animal Petting Farm Giant Slide and Face Painting. Santa will give away a bike each night to some lucky child. Entry forms available at the Fair or in The Daily Mercury on Friday and Saturday.

Food and drinks available and a Cake Stall as well. The Mercy College Band will perform on Friday night and The Mackay City Band on Saturday night.

Artwork of the Month

Architectural Imaginings

Jaymie Lee Marshall

Year 10