Term 3 has got off to a busy yet exciting start with a magnitude of activities occurring across our school calendar.

NAIDOC Week celebrations

I firstly commend our staff and students for their engagement with our NAIDOC Week celebrations. It was great to see such a range of opportunities for students to experience and share knowledge of First Nations stories and traditions. Celebrating NAIDOC Week acknowledges and honours the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our activities provided an opportunity for understanding and respect, fostering a strong sense of community within our school.

I would like to thank in particular Mr Gabey, Mrs McDonald and Mrs O’Keefe for their organisation and coordination of the week-long program. I would also like to extend my appreciation to Mr Kapitz for his organisation of our AFL House Challenge. 

Alumni welcomed back to school

We recently had the privilege of welcoming back former graduates to speak with our Year 11 and 12 students. These alumni shared their diverse pathways from school to tertiary studies and into the workforce, which was not only inspiring but also incredibly informative. Our senior students engaged with the speakers, asking insightful questions and taking on the feedback and advice provided.

This interaction gave our students a valuable opportunity to gain first-hand insights into various career and study options, helping them to navigate their future choices more confidently. Our thanks extend to the following alumni for their time and ongoing commitment to our school – Imogen Tulk, Jack Handley, Grace McDonald and Sam Rogers. Thank you also to Mrs Porter for organising the event.

• Imogen Tulk – Bachelor of Arts (Criminology), now a youth social worker in a youth detention centre.
• Jack Handley – Bachelor of Education, now teaching in Townsville.
• Grace McDonald – Double Degree in Agricultural Science (Animal Science major) and Agribusiness, now a Graduate Agronomist with Elders.
• Sam Rogers – Started studying Space and Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Sydney, which he has put on hold to pursue an exciting entrepreneurship venture.

Behaviour and Effort Awards

At Proserpine State High School, we are proud to recognise and celebrate our students who demonstrate a strong commitment to learning through our Behaviour and Effort Awards. These awards highlight not only academic dedication but also positive attitudes, perseverance, and the drive to achieve personal bests.

Gold Behaviour and Effort Awards were presented during whole school parade, with Silver to be presented at Year Level Parade and Bronze awardees recognised in Care Group. These recognitions reflect our school’s focus on encouraging students to engage fully in their learning and to strive towards their potential.

Our recent Behaviour and Effort Awards have placed particular emphasis on recognising outstanding attitudes to learning in the classroom and students who have demonstrated a genuine commitment to improvement. We believe that effort and attitude are key priorities of success, and we are proud to present certificates of recognition to those who model these values daily.

Congratulations to all Gold, Silver, and Bronze recipients. Their achievements are a reflection of hard work and focus on reaching their potential. They are positive role models that may inspire others across our school to make the most of every learning opportunity and continue working towards their goals.

We look forward to acknowledging more excellence as the year progresses. A full gallery of awardees and list of names appears in our Year Level Coordinator section below.

Japanese sister school visitors have arrived

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of our international visitors from Asaka Nishi High School. Hosting students from our sister school is a great honour, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to Miss Macnamara and Mrs Raiteri for organising this enriching opportunity. We also want to express our gratitude to our host students and their families for their generosity in making this experience possible.

Cultural exchanges provide numerous benefits for everyone involved. By sharing our diverse backgrounds, we gain greater understanding and appreciation of different cultures, creating a more inclusive and connected community. These interactions allow our students to broaden their perspectives, enhance their global awareness, and respect for others. As well, engaging with peers from different countries builds life-lasting friendships, and creates memorable experiences that contribute to personal growth.

Athletics Carnival

Athletics Carnival success for Kennedy!!!! Congratulations to Kennedy House who were clear winners and to our Age Champions and annual Best All-rounder winner on the day. Great work to those students who broke school records in many of our athletics events. A full report is listed below in our Heads of Department section of this Newsletter.

On an overall note, I congratulate all students in attendance for their conduct and spirit on the day. Well done!

School Opinion Survey now open

This year’s School Opinion Survey runs from 28 July to 22 August. Parents, carers, students in selected year levels, and staff have been emailed a link to participate.

Parent engagement

It was wonderful to see so many parents and students attend our recent Subject Selection Evening for our current Year 9 and Year 10 students. This time of year is crucial for these students as they navigate important decisions regarding their senior schooling. If any families need further advice on our wide selection of subjects or pathways beyond school, our Senior Schooling Team is here to assist.

Two important events for our Year 9 and Year 10 students are fast approaching: the Year 9 Success Into Senior (JET Planning) and Year 10 SET Planning sessions. These meetings are student-centered and designed to promote a smooth transition from Junior to Senior School.

Engaging in JET planning is a crucial process. It’s important that decisions regarding student subject choices are well-informed decisions when heading into Year 10. The foundation set in Year 10 will be crucial for selecting the right subjects in Year 11, leading to greater student success in the future.

Our Year 10 SET Plan meetings are a key point of communication between students, parents/caregivers, and our school. These meetings assist in selecting successful pathways for Years 11 and 12, and explore additional options such as external courses, TAFE, and School-Based Traineeships and Apprenticeships.

Important Dates:

• Year 9 JET Plan Interviews - Friday 29th August
• Year 10 SET Plan Interviews - Tuesday 2nd September

Students excel in extracurricular Activities

Congratulations to all of our junior and senior students who competed in the first round of Inter-school Debating last Tuesday. You all did a fantastic job representing our school. A special congratulations to the teams who made it to the semi-finals and won overall. Thank you to Ms Foot and staff for coordinating this great event for our local youth.

Finally, I wish our Seagrass Theatre and Music Company students the best of luck for their Musical Theatre Night next Friday 15th August in our Performing Arts Centre. We know you have been rehearsing for many months, and we look forward to watching you perform on stage. Students and staff are encouraged to support this terrific cultural event.

Thank you to everyone who continues to make Proserpine State High School an exciting and supportive school community.