21 February 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

2019 reprise. 2019 was the best year EVER at Cav in senior outcomes. Five OP1, 94% of our students OP 1-15, 35% OP 1-5. The numbers are terrific – but they aren’t just ‘numbers’. The students matter. Your children matter. Our best year EVER, is to be celebrated.

The Courier-Mail article post-Christmas ‘ranking’ schools was based on schools responding to and voluntarily providing some senior outcomes data that is made public by QCAA in March each year anyway. Many schools did not respond for various reasons. A follow up story of the year 12 results from 355 schools was run again this week.

“Ranking” schools on this data alone is questionable. I took the view that though media seems compelled to create a league table, we ‘have skin in the game’, that our senior results in 2019 were so good, and we are very proud of this cohort of wonderful young people, it should be acknowledged.

Our school is featured in the on-line Courier-Mail on Monday this week and I understand there may be follow up stories in the local print and on-line media as a result of last year’s great successes. It’s great to be acknowledged as a top performing school. Photo courtesy of The Courier-Mail.

Cav is a great school, achieving outcomes for our students amongst the very ‘best’ by any measure of State and Non-State schools.

The ‘best’ schools I have taught in and led in my career are those that have a heart and work on distance travelled for young people, particularly schools educating young people in disadvantaged communities and have challenges where “ranking” in such a way doesn’t favour them. What a shame that learning growth is not ranked.

Distance travelled matters, as does learning to learn, building esteem to achieve and improving one’s circumstance. State schools do the heavy lifting. I suspect however, that thinking people already know this. Their children are at Cav and schools like Cav “down the road”.

Culture matters. I note in the earlier post-Xmas report that a non-State school Principal was quoted as the reasons for their ‘rank’ was (crudely quoted) “excellent teachers and teaching, innovative teaching thinking skills, great resources and facilities, and opportunities”. He may well have been speaking of Cav.

But school choice is built into our system of education and choice exercised for many reasons. Cav is well sought after for its reputation. Articles like this can’t hurt. More so our reputation is growing as a caring as well as high performing school.

What’s the secret to success? Parents regularly confirm and affirm what our school offers and what John Hattie, celebrated and prolific contemporary educator and researcher in his publication, “Visible Learning for Teachers: Maximizing Impact on Learning”, 2012, that “overly concentrating on achievement can miss much about what students know, can do, and care about. Many love the learning aspect and can devote hours to non-school related achievement outcomes and love the thrill of the chase in the learning.” Looks and sounds like Cav. Opportunities in our school are exceptional.

It is gratifying to see the excellent teaching and innovation and opportunity and care at our school for the results speak for themselves. I also take the view that if our school and students are doing well we should celebrate it and make it known.

The mantra at Cav since 2018 is that touting our school as being ‘elite’ or the ‘best’ is not the ethos to pursue - leave that to others - but to see the best progression for every child to their potential.

This is a ‘mind shift’ I expect from all of our school’s senior and middle leaders to adopt and most without needing to convince – simply because it is what every great teacher does in their classroom: to do their best to coax, coach and instruct for optimal success and invest in every child for their potential. That is how we achieve excellence.

I urge parents to read our 2020-2023 School Plan that can be found on our website. When parents understand the purpose and priorities for our school, the actions, and strategies to be employed to realise our goals and the measures and success indicators, the better the schooling experience. We are emphasising things that matter: Culture, Impactful Teaching, and Learning Growth for every child. Outcomes ‘data’ will take care of itself as a result.

2020 start up. Due to the professional efforts of the executive and administrative teams we had a great and smooth start to the year with 150 more students reported in our official enrolment census compared to last year. At 1957 students our school is at capacity. We welcome 22 new staff this year; quality teachers.

Our annual swimming carnival was a success this year with very high attendance. School photos and catch up sessions went smoothly and our new student leaders have been “all in” in their assumption of leadership portfolios.

The State Government 2020 Ready project of our new Performing Arts Centre was delivered on time and on budget for classroom use and the Marjorie Godfrey Theatre opened by the Premier and Minister for Education last week, is undergoing final ‘tweaks’ in sound and lighting.

I am very pleased that Mr John Godfrey, son of Mrs Godfrey was able to attend. It truly is a world class facility. Mrs Godfrey was highly regarded at Cav as a teacher from 1956 and retired as Principal (Senior) Mistress in 1981. One of very few women in her time as a graduate of Uni. of Queensland in 1939 she was in many respects a pioneering woman, an outstanding teacher and a connection to the ‘Cavroadian’ tradition that her contribution helped create. ‘Cavroadians’ across the generations I believe would give a nod to this acknowledgment. Mrs Godfrey passed away late last year at the grand age of 103 years.

Three extra classrooms/art and media rooms provisioned space on the ground level of the PAC will accommodate further in-catchment enrolment growth in 2021 where I expect our school will head close to the 2000 mark. This takes capital investment in our school since 2015 to about $28 million.

The P&C Uniform Shop I congratulate for their stepping up to high demand situation as a result of unprecedented enrolment this year and outfitting students. Great job.

In parent orientation. This year I stressed that parents can choose to have either a solely transactional relationship with the school of service for fee like any commodity, or as well as, a relationship and partnership.

Relationships are imbued with certain traits including being approachable, responsive, responsible, respectful. In 99% of the interactions with parents this is the case. This was visibly apparent to see our Year 7s look fabulous from day 1, the happy faces and interested and interesting conversations with families who could make it on the day and since.

Feedback. Last year I ‘celebrated’ 40 years as a State educator. Time flies. I am well aware of the costs to parents to send a child to school, and more than one child, and a new start at high school adds another dimension to the money parents need to part with. Last year I reviewed the School Resource Scheme and we reduced the fees to families. A review will take place again this year.

At the end of the day, 98% of parents understand that costs of schooling have to be met and do so with grace, co-operation and timely payment. We assist, and I have personally assisted families each year who find it tough. Where I know of such a family circumstance to relieve the financial pressure I will consider on a case by case basis. I just need to know.

Professional client service and communications I have made an administrative priority in the past 2 years with much training, employment of extra staff and Business Manager getting on top of past custom and practice that needed to improve. Let’s be frank. Many matters we have taken steps to improve and with great result and credit. There are many stories to share of the thanks from families to staff for their efficiency and help and they appreciate being appreciated: far outweighing those who wished to voice their disappointment of the client service they expected.

Issues with finance arrangements, return and processing of resource scheme forms, payment plans, laptop connectivity in particular may have been frustrating for some, but a very small proportion of the start-up procedures difficulties affected a small portion of parents. I make a point that support staff work hard, are client oriented and as humans they may make mistakes when under pressure. Things go well when interactions are courteous. No worker at this school deserves anything less than cordial communications and any view other than they are dedicated and client focussed is simply untrue.

In my analysis issues tended to have intersecting causes including school clerical error, parents/carers not reading communications from late last year to return documentation, payment of fees, past fees due holding up school resource allocations, and the volume of late returns causing a back log to student BYOD connections. Necessarily this means some matters not progressed and going to the end of the queue which isn’t a nice feeling especially as the school year is underway causing some angst.

Laptops were issued on a roll out schedule, and it is impossible to issue 350 at one time, and connect another 350 in the BYOD scheme at the same time. Classroom learning in this period takes account of this. The vast majority of issues were cleared up within 48 hours of first contact.

No student was, or ever would be disadvantaged, in access to learning as a result of any finance issue between school and parents or held up due to ‘paper work’ or issues over fees where learning access is jeopardised. The business team is keen for this not to occur.

I am conducting a review with the Business Manager and Head of IT to ensure that where we can streamline systems, find efficiencies in the documentation and lodging and hence client service.

Our first 3 weeks were full of activities, peer support and the new regime of school and year assemblies have kicked off well. Now at week 4, we are picking up pace for the goals ahead.

Novel Corona virus. A world event of proportion we also dealt with this issue at such a busy time. All protocols were and are stringently adhered to at our school and will continue according to health advice and directives. Information will continue to come out to families immediately as we receive any updates.

Richard Usher BA LLB Dip Teach
Executive Principal

Associate Principal

Darren Beebe

OP Celebration Parade

Congratulations deservedly go to our 2019 Year 12 students on achieving the best year EVER at Cav in senior outcomes. Students, teachers and parents are to be congratulated on these outcomes with not only excellent OP achievement but a wide range of vocational outcomes achieved for students will all eligible students achieving the Queensland Certificate of Education.

On Monday 10 February, with what we expect to become a new “Tradition” at Cav, we welcomed back the OP 1-5 students to a whole school parade to congratulate them on their achievements and to wish them well as they move onto further education.

Each past student received personal acknowledgement for their achievements whilst the Senior Prefects shared with the audience the 2019 successes of the past Year 12s as well as 2020 plans for university. It was great for the 2020 Cavroadians and teaching staff to hear about the wide range of University courses being taken this year, with Health Science careers being a popular option.

We look forward to continuing this new “Tradition” in 2021 with our first group of students exiting Year 12 with the New QCE and ATAR result.

Lions Youth of the Year

The 2020 School Captain, Jess M, was recently crowned the Holland Park branch Lions Youth of the Year. Congratulations Jess! Jess competed against seven other school leaders from local high schools in this first round event. On Saturday 7 February, Jess participated in an interview in the morning followed by delivering a prepared speech in the afternoon. Participants are also given a very challenging task of responding to two additional “impromptu” questions to the audience without time to prepare a response. The two questions were

1. “Would you say volunteering is important”?
2. “What is the greatest challenge of your generation?”

Think about this for a moment. How would you respond to the audience with no planning time and then two minutes to respond? Very challenging indeed for all participants.

In all categories, Jess excelled and will now move onto the second round of the event in March. Good luck Jess.

Associate Principal

Catherine McCarthy

Welcome to 2020

I’d like to extend a warm welcome to all new families who have joined the Cav Rd community in 2020 and a welcome back to all those who have returned. I would also like to welcome new staff. With enrolment growth and the targeted focus that you will see in our 2020-2023 Strategic Plan, we continue to see the addition of highly skilled staff to the Cav Rd team. This year we have welcomed a number of new Heads of Department including:

Mr Nick Faulkner – Student Wellbeing HOD
Ms Jo Cuba – Acting English HOD
Ms Helen Fisher – Acting Humanities & Business HOD
Ms Nicola Larmore – Acting Junior Secondary HOD

The Wellbeing Team has also welcomed Aaron Fleming in the role of Youth Support Coordinator. Aaron will be at Cav Rd on Monday, Thursday and Friday. Welcome also to Jodie Hale, our new Wellbeing teacher aide.

I would encourage you to build relationships with your student’s teachers and support staff in this early part of the year. Parents and carers will have received a welcome email from each class teacher. If you ever have questions, need clarification, or are unsure of who to speak to, please reach out to the relevant Dean of Year Level and they will be able to assist you.

Parents and Citizens’ (P and C) Association

Parent and Citizens’ Association

Welcome back to the new school year and a very special welcome to all our new families.

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. Our next meeting will include the AGM and will be on Tuesday 17 March.

2019 Highlights

Last year was very busy and successful for the P&C. Some of the many highlights were:

• Being awarded the 2019 Tuckshop of the Year at the Queensland Association of School Tuckshops awards
• Implementation of online ordering for the uniform shop
• Donated senior tie to every 2020 Year 12 student
• Funding year 7 parents first day morning tea and inflatables and sausages for orientation week
• Providing funding to the school’s Kokoda Challenge teams, New Zealand Ski Trip, USA Opportunity Tour and Mountain Bike team
• Holding Family Movie Night on the Oval
• Running a Cyber Safety presentation from Think U Know and two Triple P Seminars for Parents of Teenagers
• Donating $100,000 to the new sports hall for fit-out and equipment

AGM

Our AGM is on Tuesday 17 March at 7pm in the Resource Centre. All executive positions are spilled at the AGM so anyone can nominate to join the committee. While we welcome nominations for any position, we are especially looking to fill the following positions for which the incumbent is not re-nominating:

• President
• Vice-President Canteen
• Vice-President Uniform Shop
• Secretary

The P&C cannot operate without these positions. Please let us know at Pandcsecretary.cavrd@gmail.com if you are interested and we’ll provide more information. There will be lots of support from the outgoing executive members, the rest of the committee and the paid staff including our wonderful administration support officer/bookkeeper, uniform shop convenor and canteen co-convenors. For a full list of executive positions please email pandcsecretary.cavrd@gmail.com.

Uniform Shop News

• A huge thank you to all our uniform shop staff and volunteers who put in long hours and served over 1000 customers during the back to school period
• The new My Student Account (MSA) online ordering system is now up and running. Thank you to all our families who have pre-ordered using MSA – this allows orders to be prepared and processed through the cash register outside of shop hours which saves a lot of staff and customer time.
• While some items are still out of stock, we do now have stocks available of most items through local suppliers where necessary and the orders placed at the end of last year will be arriving soon.

Other P&C News

• Our first meeting for 2020 was held on Tuesday 18 February. It was great to see everyone there. Thank you to Mr Nick Faulkner, Head of Student Wellbeing, for telling us more about the department and programs for this year
• Entertainment Books are now fully digital and valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. Don’t worry if you missed out on buying your book in July, you can now get one in time to save money on lots of school holiday activities and still have 12 months to use all the great offers. Purchase at this link to support the P&C with your purchase - https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/2252w50
• The Cav Rd P&C is now registered for the Containers for Change program. This means that you can choose to donate the proceeds from recycling your eligible bottles and containers to the P&C by quoting number C10147170. More details on the program can be found on the Containers for Change website - https://www.containersforchange.com.au/

How to participate:

1. Attend Meetings
   7pm on the third Tuesday of the month in the Resource Centre – next meeting is Tuesday 17 March commencing with the AGM.
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.cavrd@gmail.com
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.cavrd@gmail.com
   or the uniform shop - uniformshop.cavrd@gmail.com

We are always looking for new members for working groups or to assist at events – if you are interested please contact pandcsecretary.cavrd@gmail.com

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

Canteen News

The Summer menu is in full swing, don’t forget to pre order at breakfast from 8am-8.45am to guarantee your first choice.

We are open daily for Breakfast from 8am. Menu items include Toasties, Granola & Yoghurt, Chia pots with Coulis, Raisin Toast, and Bacon & Egg Muffins.

New volunteers are still required on Tuesdays and Fridays if you have some free time. Even an hour in the morning before you go to work is a great help. No money handling is involved. It could be as easy as folding boxes or putting labels on bags for us. No previous experience necessary. A huge thanks to the 9 new volunteers who have started already…. It’s a lovely way to meet other parents in the school community. Our current volunteers have told us the canteen is a fun place to work. We are a very social bunch, holding dinner celebrations every term.

The canteen is already busy with all the new students coming in to see what we have to offer. We have also had a lot of in-school catering for various functions such as the PAC opening.

Reminder to Students to bring their own cutlery if possible, to save on plastic waste. Please don’t give us foreign coins and if you’re paying by EFTPOS please wait until the machine has approved your payment before walking out.

Roberta & Madonna - Canteen Convenors (Ph: 3394 0723)

Finance

Cavendish Road State High School is a cashless school.

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 1.30pm on school days.

Payment can be made by EFTPOS. American Express not accepted.

CentrePay Deductions

Please contact our Finance Team to discuss this option.

Senior Schooling

I would like to take the opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Karyn Trapp and I am the Senior Schooling Head of Department.

I look forward to working with you and your student this year to ensure they achieve success in their senior programs.

We have started the year by making some changes to students’ programs to ensure that they are on a successful pathway to achieving their QCE (Queensland Certification of Education) which is the certificate that Year 12 students receive on exit to state that they have successfully completed their senior studies.

Year 12 students have commenced their summative assessment for many of their General subjects this term. Students need to ensure that they have organised a workable study schedule for this year and have that in place by now.

Year 11 students have also been making many changes to their programs this year. It is important that the students are studying subjects that they enjoy, are good at and know that they will be able to achieve good results in.

The opportunity to change subjects has now ceased for Term 1 and students wishing to make any further changes must speak to myself or one of the Guidance Officers.

I encourage all Year 11 and 12 students to consider taking up the opportunity to have a teacher mentor this year to assist them with managing their school program and outside commitments this year. Many students are already involved in the program. Students are invited to contact me to link with a suitable teacher to work with in 2020.

Tutoring Sessions 2020

This year, many of our faculties are offering free tutorial sessions after school. We strongly encourage students to attend the tutoring sessions for the relevant subjects. It is an excellent opportunity for students to receive extra assistance from our staff to help them with their homework or assignment work or prepare for exams.

The schedule is attached for your convenience and can also be located on our school website.

Karyn Trapp - HOD Senior Schooling

Year 7 News

The start to the New Year and amazing world of high school has been a thrilling and challenging time for our wonderful new cohort of year 7 students.

During their first week the students had a jam-packed Orientation week. On their first day of school they were welcomed into our new sports centre, and School Captains Jess M. and Brandon C. gave an inspirational speech about their fond memories of their first day at Cav Rd many years ago. Thank you to the P&C who hosted a morning tea for new parents at the canteen.

Also in Orientation week the students were treated to a BBQ cooked by our Wellbeing Team and an inflatable activity; sponsored by the P&C. The students had a wonderful time racing their new classmates through the inflatable course and enjoying a sausage sizzle with their new peer support teacher. I was also very proud to see so many Year 7 students getting into the Cav Rd spirit and racing at the swimming carnival in the first week.

Week two brought further excitement with the students receiving their laptops. The students have been very busy at lunchtimes customising screen wallpapers and figuring out all their favourite sites are blocked at school.

The students are to be commended for their appearance and pride wearing the Cav Rd uniform. Thank you so much for your efforts at home getting them ready and organised. At our year level parade on Monday I praised the students for their efforts in wearing their uniforms correctly and reinforced the importance of being a positive representative of the school while wearing their uniforms. We have a uniform correction room at school. If your child has lost an item they must borrow the correct item from the uniform correction room before school. We support all students to be in the correct uniform at all times.

Students and staff are now preparing for Year 7 camp in week 5. If you child is not attending camp, they are expected to attend school. Classes A,B,C,D,E,F will attend camp Monday to Wednesday and classes G,H,I,J,K,L,M will attend Wednesday to Friday. Students must be at school at 8am on the day of their departure and assemble on the basketball courts on Elgar Street. If it is raining, we will assemble at the canteen. Students will return at approximately 2:30pm on the day of their return. Parents/carers are welcome to collect your children when we return from the Elgar Street entrance. Please supply a note if you have arranged for another adult to collect your child. The weather has been unsettled, so please remember to pack a raincoat for your child, as many camp activities will still be held if it is raining.

Remember if your child has lost anything at school, all lost property is stored at Student Services and students should check there for any lost items. Found laptops are always returned to D10 and normally reunited with their owners within the same day.

Thank you for your emails and communication in the past few weeks about your children. Your communication has been invaluable to us. Your children’s teachers and I are eager to work collaboratively with you to build a community of learning and support that nurtures each child to reach their potential.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns,

Tracy Laidlaw - Year 7 Dean
talai0@eq.edu.au
Direct staffroom phone: 3394 0731

The Arts

Music Update – CAV RD HEADLINE AT THE TRIFFID!

On Tuesday 17 December, Cav Rd’s contemporary band, The Hollands, headlined the stage at The Triffid for a sold-out show!

Following on from their success at Battle of The Rock Bands in September, winning Overall Runners-Up, Best Song Runners-Up and Most Outstanding Vocalist, this amazingly talented group of 15, 16 and 17-yr-old students opened the night with a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” for a diverse set to a packed audience.

Despite some technical difficulties, the band let nothing stop them, delivering an energetic show, as true professionals. Featuring Faith (lead vocals and guitar), Ben (lead guitar), Hayden (bass), Josh (drums), Jesse (guitar) and Annaliese (backing vocals and keys), The Hollands impressed as they lit up the stage with The Beatles, Pat Benatar, Lifehouse, Guns n Roses, Stevie Wonder and AC/DC.

The event was a great achievement for the band, whose recent formation in mid-2019 stemmed from Mr Gillingwater’s vision to continue the school's Jazz Combo with new group members. After realising the enormous talent from each individual member, the band explored different musical genres and have taken an unexpected direction into contemporary music creating a unique and original style of their own.

The students worked hard in the weeks leading up to the night, juggling exams, part time jobs, individual gigs and travelling to studio rehearsals on their school holidays. This invaluable experience has set the foundation for more performances ahead. Watch this space!

Rachel - (Voluntary Band Manager/Assistant)

DRAMA

Happy New Year everyone!! Drama at Cavendish Road has never looked so good as we move into our new Performing Arts Centre. This amazing facility was opened on 7 February by the Premier, Education Minister and our two local members.

2020 sees the introduction of the Creative Industries combining Drama, Music and Art to provide extension opportunities to students who see a pathway within the Arts in their future. We most certainly have the facilities and staff to offer our students the best immersion programs on offer. The Creative Arts Drama students will be participating in their first professional workshop during the incursion on 6 March. Drama students will be working with Brendan Glanville from the Australian Acting Academy on mask and movement work culminating in a performance piece to be showcased at Arts on the Green in July.

For all of our wonderful students new and returning we have many opportunities for to attend live theatre at QPAC, view live theatre incursions held at school and in-class workshops to develop and immerse student learning. We are working with new curriculum this year in both junior and senior so our students are learning a variety of dramatic conventions and applying dramatic language from year 7-12.

I would like to welcome Miss Holly Banks to the Drama Department teaching junior drama this year. I know Holly is enjoying the new facility and the very talented students within her classroom.

We have two wonderful Arts Prefects – Lara and Bella this year and they will be informing the school during assemblies of all the wonderful incursions, excursions, lunch time activities, productions and performances occurring within the school. I look forward to working with these students throughout the year.

The Official Opening

The new Performing Arts Centre has officially been opened by the honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk, honourable Grace Grace Minister for Education and our local members Joe Kelly and Corrine McMillian. The theatre within the performing Arts Centre will be called the Marjorie Godfrey Theatre.

Mrs Godfrey was a well-liked/loved legend at Cavendish Road State High school. She taught at Cav Rd from 1956 and Principal Mistress/Senior Mistress from 1966 until her retirement in the early 80s. She recently passed away at the age of 103. Mrs Godfrey was a pioneer of women in the teaching profession and will proudly have the Performing Arts Theatre named in her honour.

Arts Prefects

Hi, my name's Lara, and I work mostly with the incredible music department at our school! I play piano for Jazz ensemble and Stage band, and I'm a first violin in our string orchestra. I'm currently studying music, and I hope that I get to continue with this amazing subject after I graduate. This year, I really want to encourage everyone to get involved with the arts at Cav - whether music, art, or drama is your passion, or whether it's just something you do to have fun, that arts have a place in everyone's life!

Hi, I’m Bella, and I’m involved with the art department here at Cav. I study Visual Art as one of my electives, and recently completed a Certificate II in Visual Arts. I’ve always been inspired by the amazing work of students that line the walls of our art classrooms, and this year I’d love to have a part in extending that scope of inspiration into all aspects of Cav life. I think the arts play such an important role in creating an engaging and vibrant learning environment, and I’m excited to contribute to such a diverse and dynamic area.

INCURSION – Performance by Shake and Stir Theatre Company titled BLOCKED

Our very first professional theatre visit for the year and in our beautiful new space was with the amazing Shake and Stir Theatre Company. I have booked this company for the last 8 years and they have never disappointed. This new performance BLOCKED was set in the future looking at how social media advances have changed our lives and how we use social media forever. The humour was in characters from the future visiting the WAYBACKWHEN app to see how young people behaved on vintage social media sites such as; Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube. Yes they called them vintage.

Drama students have finally a wonderful performance space to not only explore themselves but watch how professionals use the space in a minimalistic way to demonstrate such rich and important information. This was an outstanding production. Thank you parents for returning your permission slips so promptly, I really do appreciate your support.

Our junior and senior students are preparing for assessment on this production, so I wish them all the best of luck.

DRAMA CLASSROOM ASSESSMENT CLOTHING

Drama students will be required to wear PERFORMANCE BLACKS for all PRESENTING assessment.

PRESENTING REQUIREMENTS –Students MUST wear black performance clothing. As the picture demonstrates round neck t-shirt or high V neck t-shirt, long tights, ¾ tights, track suit pants or long shorts. Students are to wear black socks or bare feet. If a student does not own black clothing, please wear navy blue or dark green. Do not go and buy anything for your student. I am sure they have something suitable at home already. Any issues, concerns, questions please email me.

EVENING EXCURSIONS TO QUEENSLAND PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE – QPAC

Senior students will have the opportunity to view four evening performances this year. These are outstanding productions yet not compulsory excursions. Senior students are encouraged to view as much live theatre as possible to assist with the new curriculum and embed in class learning. We will be seeing the following as per Date Claimer attached.

• Emerald City – Playhouse Theatre
• Medea – Cremorne Theatre
• Othello
• The Holiday
• Boy Swallows Universe – Playhouse Theatre

QPAC – EMERALD CITY

On Monday night 17 February thirty senior students viewed the new production by the wonderful Australian playwright David Williamson at the Playhouse Theatre titled EMERALD CITY.

A sparkling revival of David Williamson’s finest comedy.

Fade in. Sydney in the 1980s. The Emerald City of Oz, luring unsuspecting idealists with the promise of fulfilled fantasies, and leaving them with their dreams shattered on the pavement. Colin is a one-time gun screenwriter who is off his game these days, and his wife Kate is a publisher with a penchant for taking risks. Seduced by the scent of success, they move their family to the Emerald City in pursuit of a share of its fame and fortune. Colin teams with a hack writer to work on his pet project screenplay, but soon finds himself faced with a stark choice: make art or make a motza? Decades after it was written, David Williamson’s 1987 classic is as sharp as ever; a satirical skewering of the extravagance of yesterday that could have been written today.

2020 is David Williamson’s 50th anniversary as a playwright.

Ms Toni Ryan – Drama Teacher

English

Welcome back! What a warm and welcoming community Cavendish Rd SHS is. From the fantastic staff and students who are friendly and ready to learn and who always have time for a smile and a chat, you have certainly made me feel a part of the team. Hello, my name is Jo Cuba and I am currently in the Acting Head of Department – English.

This term, the English Department has been one full of innovation, development and progress. All students have been immersed in a wide range of units. As a team the English department is dedicated to providing your student with a quality education.

Students learn about the study and use of the English language in its various textual forms. These encompass spoken, written and visual texts through which meaning is shaped, conveyed, interpreted and reflected. Complexity increases as students progress through their schooling.

Developing proficiency in English enables students to take their place as confident communicators; critical and imaginative thinkers; lifelong learners; and informed, active participants in Australian society. Their understanding of English through knowledge and skills acquisition is essential to their intellectual, social and emotional development.

The study of English should develop a love of literature and learning and be challenging and enjoyable. It develops skills to enable students to experiment with ideas and expression, to become active, independent and lifelong learners, to work with each other and to reflect on their learning. Students develop their language skills through activities involving speaking and listening, reading and writing, and viewing and representing. They learn about language and literature through working with a wide range of print, spoken, visual, media, multimedia and digital texts.

Should you have any concerns or questions, feel free to contact me, jcuba1@eq.edu.au

Ms Jo Cuba – Acting Head of Department, English

International and Languages

Chu Pei High School Visit

From 30 January until 7 February, 18 students and two teachers from Chu Pei High School in Taiwan visited Cav. While they were at our school they were able to participate in a variety of school related events and truly immerse themselves in both Cavendish Road and Australian culture.

On their second day here, they were able to experience the yearly Cav tradition, the Swimming Carnival. Even though the students weren’t able to participate in the events, they were able to view the spectacle from the grandstands. In their second week, the students were able to participate in a variety of classes with their student buddies, ranging from Mathematics to the Sciences, the Arts and Humanities.

The students also spent many lessons with Ms Masselos, refining their English skills and preparing for their final goal of their study trip: a mock interview. They were tasked with creating a resume, and endeavouring to achieve a spot in the work force. The mock interviews were a great success, with every student getting great results. The students learnt new skills to help them prepare for the world of work.

The Chu Pei High Study Tour was an amazing success, and assisted students from both Cavendish Road and Chu Pei in gaining valuable cultural insights, new friends, and maybe even a new perspective on the world around them.

Ashley H. - International/Cultural Prefect

Japanese Report

It was wonderful to hear that a number of students travelled to Japan with their families over the summer break. Interest in Japanese language and culture remains strong with many Australians choosing Japan as a travel destination.

Sister School Experience

Two students, Lucia B and Bethany C, took part in our sister school exchange program. Please enjoy their report:

In August 2019, for four weeks we hosted two students from Omiya Koryo SHS in Saitama, Japan. We then had the opportunity to visit their school and stay with their families during the 2019/2020 summer holidays. During our trip, we experienced Japanese school life and winter vacation. 

Attending their school allowed us to better understand the differences between the lives of students in Japan and Australia. We participated in club activities, such as dancing and calligraphy club, and various other after-school activities, including cram school and school cleaning. During class, we were able to learn more Japanese by listening to the teachers and studying our textbooks. The trip improved our Japanese language skills immensely, especially because we had the chance to practise speaking every day.

In winter vacation, we were able to experience Japanese culture and many of their traditions, in particular their New Year’s traditions. We both stayed at our host grandparents' house for New Year's and travelled to various shrines and temples. These shrines and temples were beautiful, and we even had the opportunity to wear kimonos! During the New Year's period, we also ate many traditional Japanese foods, including sukiyaki and osechi ryoori, which were unbelievably delicious. It was amazing to see how Japan's New Year's celebrations are so different to the typical Australian celebrations. We are so glad that we had the chance to experience them.

One of the highlights of our trip was speaking with our host families and our new friends. We made so many memories with them and learnt so much about Japan, while also improving our Japanese. Overall, our trip was incredibly enjoyable, eye-opening, and beneficial to our Japanese study. If you are interested, we would strongly recommend participating in the exchange program with Omiya Koryo SHS, especially the long-term program.

Queensland Guest Teacher Program to Osaka

Ms Balfour also met teachers from Omiya Koryo SHS when visiting Omiya in January. She discussed future exchange opportunities between the two schools. Ms Balfour and four other EQ teachers were selected to take part in the guest teacher program run by the Japan Foundation Kansai Institute. They visited elementary and high schools, teaching students about their schools in Queensland. They explored Osaka in order to visit the city on future study tours and collected various new resources to enhance learning opportunities for their students. Although it was work for EQ, it was a great way to spend the summer holidays.

Japanese Language Proficiency Test Results

Two Year 12 students completed the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT, Nooryoku Shiken) held at Griffith University in December. We congratulate Taran P. on passing Level N3 and Jenny O. on passing Level N5. The test is held in July and December each year. We recommend all senior students to sit for this test. Students who pass Levels 4 and 5 are awarded points towards their QCE and gain an internationally recognised qualification in Japanese.

Scholarship Opportunities for Students of Japanese

Education Queensland offers a number of scholarship opportunities to students of Japanese in Years 10 -12. Cavendish Road students have been successful in winning these scholarships in 2018 and 2019. Students should talk to their class teachers for advice and prepare application forms well in advance of the due dates.

Year 12 - Iwasaki Sangyo Prize

Year 11 -Saitama Global Student Program

Year 10 - Tokyo Global Citizens of the Future Student Program

Japanese Immersion #Tokyo Global Student Program

STEM Japan Global Student Program (Hiroshima and Kyoto)

Ms Balfour – Japanese Teacher

Sport @ Cav Road

What a start to the year we’ve had. In only just a few weeks Cavroadians have been making the most of their opportunities to show their achievements in sport. They wear the Cav green with pride and chase those dreams with great determination. Here are some of our students’ sporting achievements so far this year.

Head of House

New in 2020 is the establishment of key staff taking up the role of Head of House. These staff will support the Sports Coordinators, HPE staff and Student Leaders in building house spirit and in making our house carnivals a success for all.

Head of House Harpur – Ms Stebbings
Head of House Harrop – Ms Brazier
Head of House Johnson – Mr Evans
Head of House Page – Ms Mcdonald

Interhouse Swimming Carnival

The 2020 Cavroadians put their house spirit to the test at the Sleeman Pool. It was a fantastic day, with many students giving their efforts in both the competitive swimming races or in the novelty events. The final points for the day were:

4th Place 474 points – HARROP HOUSE
3rd Place 509 points – JOHNSON HOUSE
2nd Place 555 points – HARPUR HOUSE
1st Place 747 points – PAGE HOUSE

Congratulations Champion Swimming House 2020:

PAGE HOUSE

Swimming Age – Champions

Congratulations to these students on their achievement of Swimming Age-Champion for 2020.

Mt Gravatt Primary District Sport

It was a very strong presence at the recent Mt Gravatt Primary District Swimming Trials, with the following students representing Cav Road for the first time; Rebecca R, Jerry T, Shasha W and Georgia D. Some of our swimmers will have the opportunity to compete at the Metropolitan East Regional Swimming Trials in early March. Well done to all our swimmers and welcome to Cav!

South District Secondary Sport

Congratulations to the 31 students that represented the Green Machine Cav Road at the recent South District Swimming Trials. Well done Cav! What a great day!

Interschool Sport – Summer Season

Sport is compulsory for all students at Cavendish Road State High School. Students from Years 7-12 participate in either Recreational sport or Interschool sport (Selection Process only). Interschool and Recreational sport is offered on both Tuesday and Wednesday across all grades. The Summer Season progresses through until mid-April, including Metropolitan Final Series for some sports. Students are expected to communicate with their coaches regularly, listen to notices and check their emails for any weekly organisation details about interschool sport.

Ms Bairstow – Sport Director

Netball Academy

Last Thursday was the first opportunity this year that the whole Netball Academy could come together as one large group. We got the chance to welcome on board our new Year 7 students, we introduced our new Academy staff member to all the girls, Mrs Southwell and our captains for 2020, Emily and Lily addressed the girls and reiterated our vision for the year and our expectations of each of them.

We then mixed up all the year levels and the girls spent the afternoon getting to know some new faces as well as working through a range of challenges that were designed to develop an important skill that is essential on the netball court, but just as useful off the court – their communication skills. It was great watching them in action. The Year 10 girls did a fabulous job of leading their teams throughout the afternoon and already the support and respect that the girls have for one another is clearly visible. We are all looking forward to a brilliant year ahead and are excited to hit the court soon as a group at the first Southside Super 7’s tournament in Week 7.

We finished our afternoon welcoming the parents of our students and we all enjoyed some delicious food and drink together, kindly catered for by our Year 9 and 10 girls. Big thanks to Mrs Southwell for all of your help and your unwavering enthusiasm, and to Shelley and Janine for lending a huge hand around the kitchen and with the afternoon tea. It was lovely to have the opportunity to put some faces to names and I’m sure the connections between students, parents and teachers will continue to build throughout the year.

Belinda Stickney – Netball Academy Director

Student Services

Lost Property

Please remember to write your child’s name on all their personal items. There are many unnamed lost property items awaiting collection at Student Services, (B Block). If you lose any personal belongings please go to Student Services as this is a collection point for Lost Property.

Immunisations

All Year 7 students will have received an immunisation form from Student Services. If you have not collected one please go to Student Services who will give you one.

School Based Youth Health Nurse

A big welcome to all the new Cavroadian students and parents. The School Nurse works with students, school staff and parents to:

• Address concerns or problems about health and wellbeing
• Help create a more supportive, healthy school environment
• Connect people to other support services outside the school

You can talk with your youth health nurse about a range of health and wellbeing issues, such as:

• Feeling sad, worried or angry
• Relationships
• Personal or family problems
• Healthy eating, exercise and sleep
• Sexual health
• Smoking, alcohol and other drugs
• Grow and development

Students and Parents can refer to the nurse through Student Services or by directly contacting the nurse.

Sandra Chesney - School Based Youth Health Nurse
Ph: 3394 8839 (Every Thursday and Friday in L Block)

Beyond the Broncos

Welcomes new students at Cav Road in 2020!

The Beyond the Broncos would like to welcome back all students and staff back to school for 2020! In 2020, the Beyond the Broncos will be expanding delivery of it program to all young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Years 7 – 12 at Cavendish Road SHS.

This term Taneshia Atkinson, Scott Prince and Justin Hodges have delivered the Program Launch to students. The launch is the opportunity for all Indigenous students to come together to get to know one another and hear about the program for 2020. Students were engaged in a number of icebreaker activities, heard about this year’s workshops themes and introduced to this year’s term goals and rewards. All students received a permission form that must be completed and returned to participate in the Beyond the Broncos Program.

Term 1 Goal’s:

1. 90% Physical attendance
2. Positive class participation
3. Good behaviour

This term Students who achieve 90% physical attendance this term will be rewarded with a Beyond the Broncos Hoodie.

Later this term students will be invited to attend the BtB Workshop hosted by Broncos Ambassadors. The workshop theme for Term 1 is Goal Setting. Students will get a unique insight into how the formal internationals set goals in life and their careers. Cav Rd’s workshop will be held on 2 March at 1.40pm.

Further ahead, the Beyond the Broncos will hold its annual Leadership Camp in Brisbane during the July school holidays. Students will be involved in a number of leadership and cultural activities, meet prominent Indigenous leaders and Broncos players. Beyond the Broncos students who have achieved benchmarks in attendance, effort and behaviour will be invited to apply.

The Beyond the Broncos would like to thank the staff and students at Cavendish Road SHS for their ongoing support.

Hamish McLoughlin – Youth Employment Coordinator, Brisbane Broncos

Community News

Open Day – Tuesday 10th March 4pm to 7pm

Enrolments 2021

Enrolments are now open for 2021. If you have a child who is entering Year 7 for 2021 please make contact with our Enrolments Officer on 3394 0777 / enrolments@cavendishroadshs.eq.edu.au to register now. First round interviews will be held for In-Catchment Applicants at the end of Term 1. Submit your Expression of Interest now!

School Photos

Student photos have been taken by My School Days Photography in week 1 and week 2 of this term. If your child missed having their photo taken due to absence, please contact the office on 3394 0777 to arrange a catch up photo. If you are wishing to place an order you still can, please see below how to order online.

Network for Past Students

Cavendish Road State High School is one of Brisbane’s oldest public high schools and was established in 1952. We are now a school of more than 1800 students with a strong reputation for high quality education. Our School has a long tradition of past students and prominent Australians who proudly refer to themselves as “Cavroadians”.

The network allows past students to stay in touch and maintain a connection with past friends whilst staying connected with Cavendish Road State High and keeping updated with school events.

If you are interesting in applying for Past Student membership, please download the application form and send to Cavendish Road State High School, PO Box 695, Holland Park Q 4121 or email to admin@cavendishroadshs.eq.edu.au