31 May 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Welcome to Mrs McCarthy, who joined the Executive Team at Cav last week. With Mr Beebe, our two Associate Principals will be assisting me in delivering the strategic school improvement agenda in our school and ensuring we stay ahead of the game as an innovative school of opportunity for all students. Both Associates will have updates each newsletter.

“Nil Sine Pulvere” (Nothing Without Effort) – or is it?

A year in review. More than a year has passed since I arrived to lead this wonderful school and what doesn’t fail to surprise is how one gradually immerses in the culture of a new place. I’ve also taken stock of what “truths” and perceptions are transmitted over time that filter the leadership work, especially in a school of such feted history and tradition and culture as at Cav.

Being schooled in the 60’s and 70’s, the teaching of traditional grammar, knowing Latin and Greek roots of words and their meaning was quite rigorous. Studying a European language was compulsory and there was from this diet of experience in language, an understanding of the origins of words, their application and communicating with intellect.

Language is the essence of culture and reasoning. It is one reason why we still teach some of the ‘classics’ in high school. In the study of English, we can trace the origin of vocabulary and syntax to Viking, Saxon and French and Latin and Greek origins. In the age of text messaging, Instagram and emojis as the contemporary means of culture transference we have our work cut out.

Hence when I arrived at Cav. our school motto was evident, and though only half of the motto makes its way into school coat of arms, and in print, I saw not so much reference to, but many signature behaviours in our school motto that rang true. Core values is what a school motto represents. A great motto. I’ve since found two things.

Firstly, that our school motto is given greater context and meaning by reading of the (yes, there are) two elements, with the full motto “Nil Sine Pulvere, Nil Praeter Optima”. Because we are critical thinkers, I asked “Who and why “they” or “who” decided to drop the latter half?”

Our school motto translated Nil Sine Pulvere” is actually, “Nothing Without Dust” (not Effort) and Nil Praeter Optima, translates to “Nothing (besides, beyond, except) best.”

Secondly, no one new to a place questions out loud. Not for a while anyway. No one wants to be “run out of Dodge” post haste. I ignored my school experience and what I knew to be correct. After all, I thought “effort” in Latin was labore (to exert, work). I accepted an inaccuracy because the motto was pervasive. In large print facing Cavendish Road.

“Pulvere”? Doesn’t that mean to break down or grind into fine particles? Into dust?

I was fascinated, not in a search of semantics, but in what character or credit we were missing, that the school had honoured since 1952 and we somehow “lost”? Time to “google whack” and search the archives that turned up the following, least of which I hate being “right”. Sometimes.

Below is an extract from the Principal’s foreword to the school magazine from 1969.

Nil Sine Pulvere

The school motto, “Nil Sine Pulvere” – nothing without dust – is taken from the works of the great Roman poet, Horace. The actual phrase, “sine pulvere”, appears in his “Epistles 1”, but the idea of dust originates from the ancient sport of chariot racing.

The winners of these races were regarded as heroes. The latin text:

“Sunt quos curriculo pulverum Olympicum
Collegisse iuvat metaque fedrvidus
Evitata rotis palaque nobilis
Terrarum dominos evehit ad deos. » Odes 1.i

Translated into English: “There are some who delight in having collected Olympic dust on the course. When, wheels glowing, they have passed the turn, the enobling palm of victory exalts them to the gods as masters of earth”.

“Nil Sine Pulvere then, means that there is no victory in the race without the dust raised by effort; that nothing fine and honourable can be achieved without courage and hard work.

One can see how the motto became abbreviated and meaning implied. I am not proposing a change to our motto or any or every bit of stationery or logo.

To me, the greater message is in the moral of the motto. One has to “get one’s hands dirty”. Where there is evidence of (dust) having earned the reward. Conversely, as often the case there is a question of moral character, that palm or honour is only deserving to those who exert such effort as to raise ‘dust’ from that effort. Work hard and succeed. A great work ethic and reward for effort are values that should prevail in our school.

The School Review will take place from June 13 to 18 this term. School reviews are conducted in every State school every 4 years. The purpose of the review is based on the concept that no matter how good or great a school, we can always make improvement and should seek to do so. A team of four, including a School Reviewer from EQ’s School Improvement Unit, an External Reviewer, and two Principal Peer Reviewers make up the team. I welcome the review as open ended this time around as our school will be reviewed with findings of exemplary work and recommendations to sharpen our school’s business in 9 domain areas that are looked at in the review. The review is not an “inspection” or to find gaps or faults but to provide an objective view of what areas we might focus attention over the next 4 years in our Strategic Plan 2020- 2023.

NAPLAN tests were administered to Years 7 and 9 students last week. Our students are prepared for NAPLAN every day of the week, by ensuring literacy and numeracy skills are explicitly taught within the curriculum program. These skills are fundamental and our students always compare favourably to like schools, across the State and Nation. Thresholds are not particularly rigorous but indicate the lower levels of language and numeracy proficiency for that grade/age level.

Segue to my opening piece; our challenge is not one of meeting or beating national standards. Our work is how we optimise student success in their curriculum studies and by helping them reach the goals they set themselves. Raising the dust from their efforts. Students need to do this essentially by working at their studies with zeal and passion and being articulate in the way they express their understanding and intellect and reap the reward from having done so.

Photo supplied by Brian Bennion, News Editor, QUEST Community Newspapers

P & C Donation. Last week P&C resolved to donate $100000 to the school to assist in fitting out the new Alan Sampson Sports Centre above and beyond the exceptional facility delivered by the State Government. The generous allocation of funds will be put towards seating, further sporting and other equipment and only for those purposes, with an acquittal to P&C later this year. I cannot express sufficiently the gratitude to our P&C for doing so.

Our new Performing Arts Centre is progressing well and on track with completion of works due at the end of the year.

Richard Usher BA LLB Dip Teach
Executive Principal

School Review

Our school review — an opportunity to have your say

Our school is scheduled for a review from 13 -18 June 2019.

The Department of Education regularly reviews the teaching and learning practices of Queensland state schools. The reviews are conducted by the department’s School Improvement Unit.

The reviews do not rate or compare schools, but provide us with independent feedback so we can continue to improve learning outcomes for students.

All schools have a review at least once every four years. Key findings from the review will be made available to parents and the community on our school website.

The review team would like to hear from the school community and I encourage anyone who is interested to have their say. Your feedback is important and will help us continue to deliver a great education for students.

Feedback can be provided to the review team by phone or in person. All feedback remains confidential.

Please contact the school office if you are interested in speaking to a reviewer. Alternatively, you can register your interest by emailing siumb@qed.qld.gov.au.

More information about the review process is available from the department’s website at the link below:

Associate Principal

Darren Beebe

It has been a pleasure joining the Cavendish Road community almost three weeks ago and beginning to learn about the students and staff at this wonderful school. I have begun by focussing on my “Cav Rd” education as I learn about the systems and support structures in place. It has been great to spend as much time as I have been able to in the playground during first and second break to engage with the students and to start to be a part of this community. Universally, the students have been welcoming and friendly.

My focus at Cavendish Road is about the systemic delivery of curriculum across years 7 – 12 and I look forward to working with the school teaching staff to assess the excellent progress made to-date and to identify key areas for further improvement in curriculum, innovation and partnerships. On my first day at the school I viewed the summaries of student achievement as shown in the Term 1 Interim Reports. The results were outstanding and are a reflection of the focussed commitment students have to achieve their best and of the clever and dedicated strategies and pedagogies that teachers employ in the classroom.

I have also been very impressed by the work done by the Heads of Department and teaching staff to implement the new QCE in Year 11. The students have moved into this new system seamlessly and are taking the key changes to assessment and structures in their stride and are well placed to continue to thrive. The students are living and breathing “Nil Sine Pulvere”.

Associate Principal

Catherine McCarthy

Thank you to the Cav Rd community for the wonderful welcome to the school in the past few weeks. It has been a pleasure to start getting to know the school by visiting staff rooms, meeting staff, participating in enrolment interviews, attending P & C meeting and talking with students in the playground. I am looking forward to working with the team in leading the teaching and learning, and wellbeing agenda across the school.

To ensure we maximise learning for every student, it is important for us to have consistent, high impact practices around the teaching and learning in our classrooms, as well has having clear ways to track and measure the progress for individual students. I am impressed by the range of systems already in place and am looking forward to refining and sharpening these processes to ensure we are maximising outcomes for each and every student.

Cav Rd is extremely fortunate to have such a strong wellbeing and support focus in the school. The Wellbeing team works to provide support for students to ensure they can engage and perform at their best. The range of lunchtime activities run by the Deans, the Pastoral Care program and the variety of other activities held throughout the school show what an integral part this is in the culture of Cav Rd.

Road Safety Message

Please remember to keep students safe when dropping off and picking up at school. In particular, do not use the Elgar St bus zone to drop off or pick up. Using the allocated drop off zone will keep students and drivers of cars and buses safe. Remind your students to use the controlled crossings on Cavendish and Holland Roads and be aware of cars and buses pulling in and out of the traffic.

Parents and Citizens’ (P and C) Association

Parent and Citizens’ Association

Parents and Citizens’ (P&C) meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month from 7pm in the Resource Centre (enter Gate 1), except during school holidays. The next meeting is on June 18.

P and C Events and News

• The long awaited, rescheduled movie night will now be Friday June 21. Please note the new time – the gate (Gate 6a on Elgar St) will open at 5pm for a 6pm movie start. Food and coffee vans and a bar will be operating. Bring your change for the raffle with lots of great prizes. Thank you to Cr Krista Adams and the Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor’s Suburban Initiative Fund for sponsoring the event and also our prize donors. Please book here - SOBS booking link
• We hosted Dr Karyn Healy from Triple P for an interesting seminar on Wednesday night. Raising Responsible Teenagers was well attended and the audience took away some helpful and practical information.
• Through our rewards partnership with The Athletes Foot, the P&C earned over $700 of sporting vouchers from the purchase of shoes by school families. These were used to donate a load of sporting equipment to the school for use during lunch time activities coordinated by the year level Deans.
• The P&C is also delighted to have presented the school with a $100,000 donation to fund fittings and equipment for the new Sports Hall. The school will shortly provide us with a list of items purchased with the donation.
• Once again the P&C is proudly supporting the school’s Kokoda Challenge teams with a contribution towards shirts, caps and the all-important post-training hike sausages. All the Brisbane and Gold Coast teams had a fantastic training hike on Saturday and we wish the Brisbane 30km and 48km teams all the best for this coming Saturday June 1, and the Gold Coast 48km and 96km teams all the best for July 20/21.
• Winter items – scarves, jackets, jumpers and long pants are all available now in the uniform shop ready for the cooler weather.
• The P&C is registered for container recycling. If you would like to donate your refund to the P&C please use the code C10147170 at the Containers for Change depot.
• Volunteers are always needed in the canteen and uniform shop. The canteen is particularly on the lookout for anyone who could help out. Please use the contact details below if you can help. Every little bit helps

Uniform Review Update

Many thanks to the parents, students and staff who took the time to participate in our request for feedback regarding proposed changes detailed in previous newsletters and Mr Usher’s email to families. Whilst student feedback was mixed, parent feedback supported all items.

The motion was passed at our meeting this week to proceed with the changes detailed in Parent brief 2 - 1 May:

Please note changes will be phased in starting in 2020 for the introduction of new senior school uniform options and 2021 for the remaining changes, but these changes are not compulsory for two years.

A special thank you to the wonderful working group volunteers and convenor for your time, opinions, research and ideas to reach these outcomes.

We will now work with suppliers to fine tune designs and the school to have student’s trial before production.

How to participate

1. Attend Meetings
   7pm on the third Tuesday of the month in the Resource Centre – next meeting is Tuesday May 21.
2. Parents and Citizens Facebook page
   https://www.facebook.com/Cavendish-Road-PC-1372922086101301
3. Email list
   If you would like to be added to our mailing list and receive reminders about future meetings and copies of our minutes and agenda please email pandcsecretary@cavendishroadshs.eq.edu.au
4. Volunteering
   The canteen and uniform shop are always looking for helpers. If you have a little time and would like to help, please feel welcome to pop in. Even coming along for a short time to assist on one of the days would be a huge help. For more information or to advise when you are available to assist please contact:
   the Canteen team on 3394 0723 or canteen@cavendishroadshs.eq.edu.au
   or the uniform shop - uniformshop@cavendishroadshs.eq.edu.au.

We are always looking for new members for working groups or to assist at events – if you are interested please contact pandcsecretary@cavendishroadshs.eq.edu.au

Melanie Rieger
Vice-President Communications
Cav Road SHS P&C Association

P&C Community Events

Finance

Cavendish Road State High School will be a cashless school from April 2019

How to Make Payment at Cavendish Road State High School
DET Preferred Payment Method - BPoint

Please use the CRN (Customer Reference Number) located on the bottom left hand side of your invoice. Payment can be made through the Payment Portal:

This is a secure site and receipts are issued immediately. Our records are updated within 24 hours.

Copies of invoices and receipts are available on your QParents Portal. Payments can also be made in QParents.

Payment Plan Via eDDR (Electronic Direct Debit Registration)

Contact finance@cavendishroadshs.eq.edu.au or phone 07-3394-0777 to speak to our Finance Team to discuss a payment plan.

By Phone with a Credit/Debit Card

Please phone 1300 BPoint – 1300-631-073.

When making a payment please have your invoice ready as you will need your CRN (Customer Reference Number) and Invoice Number.

In Person at Cavendish Road State High School

Office Hours are Monday to Friday 8.00am to 1.45pm on school days.

Payment can be made by EFTPOS.

CentrePay Deductions

Please contact our Finance Team to discuss this option.

Business

Year 10 Legal Studies Magistrates Court Excursion

The Year 10 Legal Studies Preparation students recently visited the Holland Park Magistrates Court as part of the unit of work on Law, Courts and Government. The excursion was a valuable learning experience that allowed students to see court processes firsthand. On arrival at the courthouse, students received an informative talk from Magistrate Young about laws and the role of magistrates. Students then observed a range of cases in the courtroom, involving traffic offences and public nuisance through to stealing. The Registrar allowed students to observe an empty courtroom, where many took the opportunity to sit in the Magistrate’s chair, at the bench and in the dock. One class were also lucky enough to explore the holding cells under the courthouse. Overall, the excursion was very interesting and enjoyed by all.

Laurenn Clarke
Business Teacher

International

STUDY TOUR FROM JUNTEN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Homestay families required for Japanese Students

A group of students from Junten Senior High School in Japan will be visiting our school from Thursday 25 July 2019 to Wednesday 7 August 2019.

We are looking for homestay families available between these dates who can provide 3 meals per day, a bed (the student can share a room with a student of the same sex) and transport to and from school (the student may travel on public transport with the Cav Road Student).

Families will be paid $560 per student to cover any expenses. Double placements are available for those families who wish to host two students.

If you are interested in hosting a student could you please contact:

The Homestay Co-ordinator – Lesley Huxley
Cavendish Road State High School
3394 0797 (school hours)
Email: international@cavroadshs.eq.edu.au

Lesley Huxley
International Homestay Co-ordinator

German

German News

Aufwiedersehen Frau Pettersen,

This week we bid farewell to Frau Pettersen who is expecting her second child. We wish her a happy and healthy new family member. Frau Pettersen will rejoin us mid 2019.

Restaurant visit

Students (and teachers) are looking forward to our annual trip to the German Club for Mittagessen (lunch). We will be enjoying some traditional favourites including: Schnitzel, Wurst, Sauerkraut, Apfelstuedel and black forest cake. Danke Frau Gav for organising the excursion.

Film Festival

Students studying German may be interested in taking a look at the program for the annual German Film festival at Palace Cinemas - Barracks and Palace Cinemas - New Farm. There is a wide variety of films on offer and many are family friendly.

Penpals

Year 9 German Students are currently exchanging penpal letters with students at a German high school, Gymnasium Nord, in Frankfurt. Some of our 53 students have already received letters and sent their replies off to Germany via snail mail, whilst the other half are currently awaiting their first letter in the post. It’s very exciting for all students involved in this partnership with Gymnasium Nord.

Katherine Gallagher | German Coordinator

German SAGSE

My Exchange to Germany

After three years of studying German, I decided to finally find out how much I’d learnt. On the first of December 2018, I left the hot Australian summer behind and flew to Germany. I was participating in a SAGSE-run exchange and would spend the next month and a half with a host family, as well as exploring Berlin, Potsdam, and Dresden for a week.

I spent most of my time in the tiny town of Melsungen, a two-hour drive from Frankfurt. Every morning I woke up in darkness to get ready for school. All the students were very welcoming, and I got to listen to an English listening test (complete with fake Australian accents!) and watch the school advent calendar be opened. In the evenings, my host sister and I would visit the Christmas markets, where we’d drink Glühwein while listening to crowds of elderly Germans sing ‘Take me home, county roads’. I also really enjoyed seeing Berlin and visiting places that I’d heard about in History textbooks or seen in movies. Visiting places like the Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Holocaust memorial was very surreal, and I feel like I learnt so much from the experience.

Throughout the whole trip, it was fun to be able to speak and understand the language. My host family was so wonderful and accommodating, and I really felt like I didn’t have to worry about making mistakes, so long as I gave it a shot. Leaving Germany and host family was truly sad. I’d come to love the country and its people and cried and cried when I had to say goodbye. This was definitely an experience I will never forget, and I’m already counting down the years until I can go back.

By Lara S
Year 11 student

Japanese

Japanese Cultural Activity

This week we begin our Tuesday afternoon Japanese cultural activity. We have a full group of 28 enthusiastic junior students. Ms McConnell looks forward to creating origami, watching anime, drawing manga, participating in a tea ceremony, making rice balls and much much more!

Natalie McConnell | Teacher – Japanese & Science

Duke of Edinburgh

Update

One year on from the commencement of the Duke of Edinburgh International Award here at Cav Road and award participants are thriving. With the amazing leadership of the wonderful Mr Mitchell Evans, 15 students took on the challenge of completing the Bronze Award, which celebrates their achievements in community service, physical recreation, skill building, and completing an adventurous journey. Dion Keenan has taken this further and has been completing his Silver Award, after finishing up his Bronze earlier last year.

Over the past year, we have seen students achieve in community service activities such as: taking up leadership roles within Scouts, volunteering at their local sporting clubs, joining fundraising events, and helping clean up environmental areas. In regard to their sporting achievements, students have chosen to improve their abilities in: horse riding, athletics, football, netball and mountain biking. Further, students have chosen to work hard to learn and improve in skill areas such as: guitar, macramé, art, languages, and cooking.

In term 1, many of the Bronze participants were lucky enough to participate in an Adventurous Journey, organised by Mr Evans and the students themselves. The group ventured over to North Stradbroke Island for a two day exploratory adventure and hike, under the supervision of the Moreton Bay Environmental Education Centre. It was here that students set the aim to learn about the environment whilst developing self-confidence and teamwork, use their knowledge and skills of camp craft, safety and first aid, food preparation, and appreciating the tools and techniques of daily life and survival of the local Aboriginal people, just to name a few. All students who completed the two day journey, successfully achieved satisfactory results from the assessors.

At time of writing, we have one student, Madeleine Niland-Speakman, who has had confirmation of completing the Bronze Award from the DoE Award Office, and other, Grace Carmody, having her Award sent off for approval. Further, many of our other participants are getting much closer to finalising their Awards, ready for the end of year Awards Night in term 4. The students currently completing this Bronze Award are: Billie Sanderson, Charlie Fewtrell, Conor Toia, Eva Skinner, Jack Rieger, Jakinta Hales, Jessica Burnett, Joe Shaw-Feather, Maggie Ramsay, Molly Kelly, Rhyan Bennett, Tom Bird, Tom Milling. As previously mentioned, Dion Keenan is currently working towards his Silver Award and is hoping to finalise this soon.

Moving Forward

In term 3, the Duke of Ed Award will be accepting new recruits to take on the challenge of completing their Bronze, Silver, or Gold Awards. It is here that I, Ms Keri Vincent, will be seeking students who want to be involved in this amazing program which provides young people the opportunity to accept challenges and explore their interests. Participants between the ages of 14-25 have the opportunity to tailor their individual plans to suit their circumstances and choices and will be able to build their confidence and resilience.

If you are someone, or you know someone within the Cav Rd community, who would love to take up this incredible opportunity, keep an eye out for notices at both school parades and in the student notices. It is here that announcements will be made about information sessions and sign ups.

We are hoping that we can get a further 15 new and eager recruits to join the current Award recipients in either your Bronze, Silver, or Gold Awards.

If you are after more information in regard to the award, please feel free to either contact myself at kvinc35@eq.edu.au or go to the Award’s website:

PCYC