14 May 2021

Newsletter Articles

Executive Principal’s Report

Farewell Mrs Diana McFadzean takes first spot in this newsletter. Mrs McFadzean is a wonderful human being, a great English Head of Department and a stalwart ‘Cavroadian’. Mrs McFadzean began her career in ACT schools in the early 80’s and came to Queensland in 1985 teaching at Camp Hill State High School (now Whites Hill State College). With a break in service Mrs McFadzean taught at The Gap SHS and in 1990 transferred to Cavendish Road serving as Head of Department until her retirement a few weeks ago after 21 years of solid service. Mrs McFadzean has taught hundreds of young people in that time, always sought the best for them, mentored many young teachers to be professional and expert, and was a hard task master, hardworking and authentic. Soon to be ‘Nana Di’, we at Cav and State education to which she is passionate, owe her debt of gratitude and wish her many years of happy and fulfilling retirement. I know I will miss her and her colleagues will also.

Success is a matter of attitude as it is aptitude. In our school’s strategic plan I set out for Cav to deliberately not seek to be an “exclusive” or “elite” school but to be an “exemplary” school of the best of the purpose of State education. Every child, every day succeeds. I messaged parents and carers recently with regard to particularly impressive student results recorded in term 1 report cards. The bench mark has gone up a few notches of what our young people can achieve. Not only at Cav do we not shy from high expectations but we have excellent people and support mechanisms, and above all excellent, impactful teaching occurs in every classroom every day. It is tough to be consistent and no doubt your child reports some days are better than others. The number of parents who have commented to me in the to and fro of parent teacher interviews is the recognition of teaching staff, getting the ‘business’ of learning done and school experience as a whole for their child is a joy. Appreciation and recognition spurs people to excel.

Good cause and reason for that praise. As an addendum to my earlier communication in this regard, once moderation had been fully completed in junior school a clearer picture emerged. The reported results for Years 7 to 12 showed that students achieving an A to C rating exceeded 99% and greater than 70% of students achieving A’s and B’s. Meeting and beating aspirational ‘targets’ for learning growth articulated in our school plans. The same pattern for Years 7 to 10 except where effort “dropped” to 97%. (Now if we can just work on those shirts being tucked in too!)

The academic successes reported for Term 1, to be maintained, students need to maintain their gaze and attention on the business at hand. Curriculum does become more rigorous for every year level: this is the point of progression year on year, and the goal of teachers to do their best for every student to progress year on year – at least one year’s growth for one year’s instruction.

‘Nil sine pulvere’. Supporting the will to one’s best are the mechanisms in our school for that to occur. Broadly defined as “culture”, Term 1 and into Term 2 our students of all year levels have grasped whole of school, year level, academic, sporting and cultural and individual events and opportunities with real enthusiasm. Teachers lead these opportunities. This is most apparent in the flow on effect into classrooms where teachers reported for Term 1 these exceptionally high levels of student co-operation and behaviour and effort.

NAPLAN has come and gone for the year. Parents and carers will note the only messaging with regard to the national testing program was to inform of it being conducted. Parents and carers are well versed in the tests with no perceptible difference in school attendance on those days. Whatever one’s personal or professional or political opinion lay in regard to national testing the program is currently an agreement between States and Commonwealth that Queensland schools participate. The form of standard testing in the future is being reviewed in Queensland and some other States.

Important enough to know that assessment of any kind is a part of learning to be useful at all. NAPLAN can give us at Cav some indicators and affirmations. It assists us in safety netting approximately 200 of our students and providing targeted support. It works. Skills acquired because of the work of a great team of learning support staff.

Fun facts 1. At Cav we do not ‘select’ students on their NAPLAN results and we do not “teach” NAPLAN because literacy and numeracy, are just part of the learning discourse in classrooms. We prepare students for NAPLAN only as far as ‘test wise-ness’ as much of the testing is in multiple choice format. This format is minimally used in the repertoire of curriculum assessment instruments in secondary schools where a basic principle of sound assessment is to match how the content is taught with the expectations of the assessment instrument. Sure we all need to be able to spell, form good sentences to articulate comprehension and have better than a basic grasp of language and mathematical and computational abilities. Good learning is engaging, infused with intellectual rigour, and fosters creativity and problem solving where these skills are developed as a matter of course. NAPLAN is the thinnest cross-section of a point in time.

Fun facts 2. Students from homes where reading, language, and communication, is stimulating, real and engaging will always have advantage translating into success in classroom learning where teachers have a superior skills base to work with. Students and schools’ results of any school are not defining of the students, how they have grown, or of the quality of the teacher, or their teaching or of the school for that matter for these reasons. I have been a principal in low socio-economic settings where quality teaching delivered double the anticipated mean scores achieved in the State or Nation and were still reported in the ‘red’. Great progress and student growth matter. Learning is a journey.

This indicates the need for support and resourcing for those young people and not a means to be compared with a more advantaged group, demoralising for those students, teachers and parents and making fodder for school comparisons. At Cav our ‘results’ will be green again, no doubt, and I would be very surprised if it were otherwise. I look to see how we progressed and particularly for those students who came to us needing support to acquire those skills. For those students at the top end of the spectrum, for at Cav we meet and exceed 40% of our students in the top 2 bands of nearly all domains of the testing each year, is to ensure their academic performance correlates with their literacy and numeracy abilities. The question under review is whether we need a national standard test regime to do that.

On another note. I much prefer to tell of “good news” stories in this space, of which there are always many, and poor behaviour of Cav students is remarkably low and student management in our school is engineered to be that way. In fact on Year 11 assembly this week I was proud and pleased to address the group for their assumption to expectations as senior students.

The world is entwined in the necessity of technology and is mesmerising for children and teenagers and perhaps even some adults of note. The downside being the pernicious use of social media on those mobile phones we seem not to be able to live without. I am sure I am not naïve with regard to this corner of the teenage world and has not raised its head as being endemic in our school. All the more reason for it to be shocking when it becomes evident. The age group most likely to offend are the 13 to 15 years, Years 8 to 10.

The 5 C’s at Cav matter and In other aspects of the curriculum whether a life skill taught or a topic of social or ethical enquiry in the curriculum, the misuse and abuse of social media to mislead, lie, bait, entrap, demean, ridicule, “bully”, is all too easy to perpetrate. It is disturbing that entertainment value is sought and more so when perpetrators ‘network’ without concern for the impact of their behaviours and believing perhaps safety in numbers from consequence. A freedom to communicate doesn’t extend to freedom to vilify or cause or participate in the causing of harm to another.

Not at Cav. I know parents and carers agree by the support rendered in recent disciplinary decisions I have had to make for a number of students in this age group and I expect they learn from this experience. Parents and carers need to know that I take such matters very seriously and that students identified in or part of a network who contribute in any way of seeking to cause distress to another student can and will be dealt with according to their level of involvement under the school’s Code of Conduct for Students. Such behaviour offends our principles and identifies those who simply do not want to be or deserve to be ‘Cavroadians’.

Our school wellbeing program has just been updated on our school website of how we actively teach and provide opportunity for our young people to practice these virtues that are dear to our school.

I ask parents and carers to take note, inspect, filter, and do whatever good parenting it takes to ensure your child is neither a perpetrator nor a victim. At Cav we pride ourselves in community, being one of four pillars of learning. Communities look out for and care about others and is indelible in our school’s 5 C’s.

Richard Usher BA LLB Dip Teach
Executive Principal

Head of School

Darren Beebe

Student Pathway and Subject Selection preparation is in full swing to commence working with Year 8, 9 & 10 students and parents in Term 3. The Deputy Principals and Guidance Officers are developing a suite of information and guidance to help support students in selecting their subjects. This information will be sent to parents in Term 3. We are currently refining our subject selection information and the subjects we will offer for 2022. Going into 2022:

• In Year 9 students study 6 subjects per semester: English, Mathematics and Science are included in both semesters, History and HPE for 1 semester with up to 4 more selections from a range of subject areas also for 1 semester each. This allows students to experience a wide range of subjects that they may be considering pursuing in future years.
• In Year 10 students study 6 subjects per semester: English and one of the Mathematics choices for both semesters, Science, History and HPE for 1 semester each with up to 5 more selections from a range of subject areas also for 1 semester each. Again this allows students to learn in the subjects they are considering for Years 11 and 12.
• In Year 11 and 12 students also study up to 6 “subjects”, with the range of options being more diverse depending on the pathways students are considering. Students select English and Mathematics options as well as 4 more “subjects” ranging from QCAA General subjects, QCAA Applied subjects, certificate courses and then courses offered externally such as TAFE or school based apprenticeships/traineeships.

This program of subject selection as well as consideration of future pathways will commence in Term 3.

The enrolment process for Year 7 2022 is progressing. Thank you to all of the families who have submitted their expressions of interest and academy applications. The second afternoon of enrolment interviews is occurring on Tuesday 18 May with one more afternoon available on Tuesday 8 June. In the meantime, trials for the sporting academies and auditions for iMEX are progressing.

We plan to make our enrolment offers to “catchment” students, including to academies where applicable, at the end of Term 2 with the “out-of-catchment” offers to follow early/mid Term 3.

If you have a child to enrol for Year 7 2022, where you are yet to express interest, please contact Barbara Anders, our Enrolments Officer on 3394 0777, as soon as possible.

Head of School

Catherine McCarthy

It was one short year ago that I wrote an article for the newsletter about staff and students managing online learning and how we were looking forward to all students returning to face to face learning. As a school, we have done a lot of reflecting on that period of time and what it is we as a school value when it comes to teaching and learning. Morgan Stebbings our HOD of Innovation and Practice has been leading the development and refinement of the Cav Rd pedagogical framework; or as we are calling it “Learning@Cav”. Learning@Cav will provide a common language for our teaching and learning practices across the school and allow us to systematically build professional learning and resources to maximise outcomes for students.

We also continue to reflect on the social-emotional impacts of our time of online learning. Our guidance team continues to provide ongoing support for students in a time of ongoing uncertainty. Just the short lockdown before Easter shows us that the impact is still great for our community. I would encourage you to connect with our guidance team if you are concerned about your student’s engagement and wellbeing at school.

Last year we saw the dedication of our Reconciliation Room and the unveiling of a beautiful piece of artwork created by MA Deadly Art. The artwork was created based on a yarn held with our Cav Rd Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. We are excited to hear that the 2021 piece of artwork will start to be created in the coming weeks with the initial yarn to be held next week.

The Term 2 excitement is building through PS classes as the annual Canned Food Drive approaches. It’s hard to believe that the Cav Rd community continues to break previous year records. I know the student council and peer support leaders are keen to beat last year’s record of 24 646 cans.

I want to take this opportunity to thank the Cav Rd community for your support and communication around student absences. We thank you for keeping students home when they are sick and communicating with us about your circumstances. If you receive a letter in the mail in relation to unexplained absence, please sign the letter and ask your student to return it as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can contact the school directly with explanation of absences on attendance@cavendishroadshs.eq.edu.au.

Parents and Citizens’ (P and C) Association

Meetings

Our next meeting is Tuesday 18 May at 7pm in the Resource Centre. There will be an option to join meetings online via Teams. If you wish to become a member, you only need to attend once (online or in person) during the year, to then join our mailing list and receive copies of agenda and minutes. For membership queries please contact the pandcsecretary.cavrd@gmail.com.

Community Fundraising & Events

We are recommencing community events this year, and busy ensuring we are COVID safe. Events to be discussed at May’s meeting include indoor movie night (Sports Hall) and a trivia night. Come along to add your voice. Updates will be posted on Facebook at Cav Rd P&C .

How can I help?

The P&C are run by volunteers so any time you can offer is greatly appreciated. We always need help setting up or packing away chairs for events, serving drinks, or you may have a special skill to offer. Find out more via the form on the school website under “Community” in the menus - Registration of Interest, or email us.

Another way to help could be to purchase an Entertainment App, which raises money for the school while providing your family with a year of unlimited offers & savings. Amazing 2-for-1 offers, discounts and savings AND a bonus $10 or $20 eGift Card. Click here to purchase:

Canteen

Our new winter menu can be viewed online, and a reminder that lunches can be pre-ordered before school to save time during breaks.

In the last 12 months, our Canteen have struggled with a drop in volunteers. If you’re curious about what this involves, see details below.

• Volunteers won’t be required to handle money, as paid staff take on that responsibility completely.
• You can drop in from 9am and stay till wither 12 or 2pm. Lunch is on us if you’re staying.
• Duties include folding pizza boxes, labelling containers/packaging, wrapping bread rolls, making sandwiches and assisting us with food preparation. Also, handing out pre-orders during main lunch break at 11.15am-11.45am may also be required.
• You must wear enclosed shoes and have hair tied back. If you are a parent of a student, a Bluecard is not required (but if you have one you are required to advise us).

It’s a fun environment with a great group of ladies. Even if you only have a few hours in the morning to label some boxes for us, we would really appreciate it. Contact the Canteen Convenor if you’d like to sign up canteen.cavrd@gmail.com

Uniform Shop

If you still need to collect your Winter Orders, please remind students that Monday’s have extended opening hours into 1st break for student collection.

Students are encouraged to try on winter items before they leave as many will wear them that day. Items purchased and taken home can be exchanged for another size. Please refer to the uniform shop T&C document on our page of the school website.

We currently have a well-stocked supply of second hand uniforms. These can be purchased in store. Please note there are no exchanges or refunds on second hand items.

Uniform Shop hours: Monday 8am to 11.30am (open at 1st break); Wednesday 8am to 9am & Friday 8am to 9am.

Look out for updates on opening hours and stock arrivals via our FB page, which also manages the 2nd hand uniform shop group. To apply for membership go to the Cav Rd P&C Facebook page, look for 2nd Hand Uniform group under “groups”, click “join group” and answer the questions. An administrator will approve as soon as possible

Laena Trueman
Vice-President Communications
Cav Road SHS P&C Association

Finance

Cavendish 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.

Guidance Support Team

Year 10/11/12 students will have the opportunity to interact on school site with a range of organisations to support with gaining knowledge around future pathways and providing general career development information. These organisations include, but not limited to, a range of Universities, TAFE pathways, and Defence. These different organisations will be having separate sessions commencing Week 5 this Term occurring every Tuesday during 2nd break between 1-1:30pm at the school Auditorium (See Careers Lunchbox Sessions PDF).

These sessions will provide an on-site opportunity for students to liaise with particular organisations potentially supplementing a range of off-site open days and career expos that occur during the remainder of 2021. The Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC) provides a good overview of some of those open days/expos, where students/families can gain greater insight into potential course choices and general opportunities moving into 2022. (see the following link for more information -).

At Cavendish Road SHS the career development program is incorporated during all PSC classes with certain lessons dedicated to focussing on students gaining the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours to manage their life, learning and work in self-directed ways (varies per year level). A culminating aspect of this program is that a member of the Guidance Team will aim to meet individually with each Year 12 student during Term 3 to support with post school pathways and explain QTAC application processes.

Below is a student link to information around the program and a range of career and wellbeing information including access to regular Career Bulletin newsletters that further supports with career development.

Guidance Team – Jane Larson, Michael Lynch, Rob Stewart and Alycia Wilkinson

Senior Schooling

Year 11 Work Experience

During the second week of Term 2, our Year 11 students who did not attend the Year 11 Camp completed 4 days of work experience. These students were provided with the opportunity to work in a wide variety of industry areas such as retail, various trades (electrical, plumbing, engineering and mechanics), childcare, allied health services, education and dog grooming. We were extremely fortunate to have the support of the Queensland Police Service who hosted 7 of our students over the four day period. These students gained an insight into the many divisions within the police force such as water police, bomb squad, dog squad and forensics.

Feedback from the students varied but the general consensus was that they were grateful for the experience as it helped them decided whether or not this career was something they want to pursue or perhaps work in while attending university, or helped them decide to go in a different direction. All the students reported learning new skills and their employer and co-workers being friendly and helpful.

Some quotes from the students:

AH: “The part of the placement I enjoyed the most was observing, applying, using, and understanding the Mathematical and physical knowledge I had learned at school. I highly recommend the work experience program to other students as it demonstrates how important the knowledge you learn is at school, and how it is applied in the workplace.

ML: “The work experience placement increased my drive to achieve a place within the industry as I got to learn more about the profession and actually understand what an exercise physiologist does”.

TC: “The part of the placement I enjoyed the most was getting to know the foundations of what makes a police officer and how you can achieve so much within QPS”.

JE: “My work experience placement was with an Architect. The part of the placement I enjoyed the most was the drawing and planning, as well as selecting finishes. Something I learnt about the position I didn’t know before was how there is a lot of teamwork and area overlap in working in a small office which is the environment I want to be in”.

One of our students, SZ was offered a casual position during her work experience! She was working at the Alternative Format Library assisting with transcribing materials into braille for use with school students and visually impaired members of the community. The feedback from her employer was incredibly positive and she reported that the people at her workplace were friendly and treated her as one of their own.

SZ: “The work experience was really interesting and really enjoyable. I mostly enjoyed was being treated like an adult. The tasks that I was assigned to were easy and accessible for me which made me feel comfortable and relaxed in the workplace environment”.

Three of our students were offered school-based apprenticeships from their work experience placements – EC in Electrical and AS and PN in Plumbing. These students will be commencing their apprenticeships within the next few weeks.

Congratulations SZ, EC, AS and PN. We are certainly proud of your achievements. Well done to the students who participated and for your commitment towards your work experience whilst keeping up with your school studies.

TAFE Applications – 2022

Applications for TAFE in 2022 will be opening soon. Any students interested in applying for TAFE are to see Mrs Anderson in K16 from this week onwards. Students can collect a 2022 TAFE in Schools guide and a pre-application form from us in K16.

Traineeship/Apprenticeship Opportunities

Students are reminded to check their school emails regularly as there are many opportunities coming our way in various industries that our students are able to apply for.

QCAA Internal and External Assessment Resources for students

Students in Years 10, 11 and 12 have access to a wide range of assessment resources on the QCAA website. These resources include:

• Samples of internal assessment instruments (including IA1, IA2 and IA3 assignments/exams)
• Annotated sample responses – both high and mid-level for IA1, IA2 and IA3 assessment tasks
• External assessment resources – (including marking guides and question books) and sample assessment items
• A factsheet for students/parents regarding the sample external assessment items

I have provided a ‘step by step’ guide as to how to access the above resources to all students in Years 10, 11 and 12 via their school email and have attached a copy here for parents to access.

I strongly encourage you to view the resources publicly available on the QCAA website. Students are able to use these resources to assist them with exam preparation and to enable them to understand how the evidence they provide in their written scripts align with the individual subject ISMG (Instrument-specific marking guide).

Karyn Trapp - HOD Senior Schooling

Year 11 News

It has been a fantastic start to 2021 for Year 11. Term 1 saw students start their senior schooling pathways and face the inevitable challenges of the ‘big step up’ from Year 10. Over the last 12 weeks, the cohort has significantly matured, embraced the challenges and experienced considerable success in our first wave of assessment. The students have also engaged in a new pastoral care program entitled ‘Leader-shift’. The program examines what it means to be a leader and asks students to change the ideology of leadership from grand gestures to every day small moments of positive influence. They analysed the personal traits of great leaders such as Vincent Lingiari, Dylan Alcott and Turia Pitt to identify their strengths and develop an understanding that leadership within a community cannot occur without a sense of ‘togetherness’ and the ‘me’ should never be separated from the ‘we’.

Term 2 started with a bang. Three hundred and fifty students either attended leadership camp or engaged in a work experience placement. The positive stories and energy resonating in the cohort since week 2 has been awesome and it is my hope that the students can use it as a springboard to dive back into their senior pathways and finish the term strongly. Congratulations to the cohort on a great start to 2021, bring on the rest of the year!

Paul Batchler – Year 11 Dean

Rosies Community Outreach

So far this year we have had two student groups attend an evening of community outreach with Rosies. The students had the opportunity to learn about the nature of homelessness, the challenges facing people who are socially excluded, and also contribute to social justice activities. The students volunteered four hours of their Thursday week night to work in the Rosies food van and engage with the homeless community in West End. I was so incredibly proud to see the maturity of our students and the positive impact they had on the patrons.

Year 11 Camp

Last week, half the Year 11 cohort travelled to Maroon Dam south of Boonah, to participate in Leadership Camp. The camp aims to build on student leadership skills and promote personal awareness and development.

There were multiple levels of challenge built into the program and students were grouped according to their preference for challenge. Some groups trekked around Mt Barney for four days while others were able to participate in activities within the camp itself, including the high ropes and the challenging “giant swing” & “leap of faith”. Though some of us were a little reluctant to engage in these activities at first, almost everybody eventually overcame their fear and challenged themselves to go beyond their comfort zone!

All groups involved some ‘camp out’ where they were required to trek, canoe and spend at least one night surviving from their backpack with classmates and teachers. At camp out, we were tasked with setting up our own campsite and cooking our own meals as well as tending the fire and engaging in group discussions. Though most meals turned out delicious, there was one particularly interesting serving of soap-flavoured bean burritos!!

Overall, camp was an incredibly memorable experience! It brought us together as a cohort and I highly recommend it to future Year 11 students. A huge thanks to Mr Batchler for organising the week and all the teachers who gave up their normal lives for a week to join us there.

Eva S. – Year 11 Student

Year 11 Camp Reflection

Last week, we had the fantastic opportunity to experience the Year 11 camp. We got to participate in enthralling activities, such as canoeing over freezing waters and enduring the dangers of high ropes and rock climbing, terrifying giant swings, and the leap of faith. The long days were filled with fun and laughter, as we toasted marshmallows on the campfire, slept under the stars and hiked up ridgelines to amazing views of Mt Barney. Along with cooking our own meals, and sleeping in tents, days and nights were spent getting to know some amazing new people in our year level.

I believe many would say that one of the hardest challenges was in fact the washing up. The general responsibilities and requirements that camping brought included cooking, cleaning and setting up the campsite and these perceived tedious tasks became a source of entertainment and enjoyment. Whether it was cooking a delicious meal with our Trangia’s or washing and scrubbing our cooking pots, we always had fun. Another aspect of camp included teamwork and group management, where we learnt to be responsible for each other. We learnt many valuable life lessons throughout this camp, and many of which, we have taken with us and applied to everyday life and school. Whether it was organizing who was on wash up and cooking duty or who would carry the team’s fuel for cooking, the lessons that we learnt and the fun that we had will stay with us forever.

I personally made some great friends who I normally would not interact with at school. The connections our group members and teachers made was really strong and we worked well together for the four days. We did a lot of team challenges tasked by our wonderful camp leader, and they were really eye opening in terms of what can be done when a team truly works together. The amount of support and encouragement that every single member gave and received was heartwarming. Our teachers were really helpful and encouraging and were valuable members of our team. We had a campfire on every night of the camp out. It was refreshing hearing people’s experiences and stories as they shared around the campfire. During that time it really felt like I had known my group members forever and we were a team ready to tackle the challenges of senior school and life. I’m so grateful I meet such a wonderful group of people and share the amazing experience with them.

Bonita N. – Year 11 Student

Year 7 News

Last Term saw our Year 7 Basketball competition finish with a bang. Over the course of several weeks, the Year 7 PSC classes competed against one another in order to see which class would become the basketball champion for term 1.

During this time, I witnessed our students becoming well acquainted with one another and develop outstanding team spirit. Members of 7A created posters and war cries – and even a dance with some maracas being played too! Students from other year levels attended the Grand Final too. The Cav Road Spirit well and truly on display!

The spirit and support that our Year 7s have demonstrated in the short time they have been here is to be commended and it’s something that every teacher loves to see. This is a truly a great cohort of students and it is excellent to see that they are willing to help others and have fun along the way.

It is a real privilege to be the Dean of such a great group pf young people.

Jessica Roberts - Year 7 Dean
jcrob0@eq.edu.au

Year 7 AEP – Nature of Science

Last term, a group of Year 7 students in the Academic Explorers Program attended an after-school series of sessions called “Nature of Science” in our school science labs. In these sessions, we were able to explore the way the heart and lungs of an animal worked.

We were then shown a very important chemical reaction, the use of an enzyme from potatoes to break down peroxide. We were given lots of time to design the experiment and figured out a way to trap the gas made by the reaction. We changed variables to understand how they would affect the amount of oxygen produced. AEP Nature of Science was a fun way to learn and practice important skills that will help us develop into thoughtful scientists.

Tyler and Jason – Year 7 AEP Students

The Arts

Drama

Welcome to a very busy Term 2 where Creative Industries had their first incursion run by the Australian Acting Academy director Brendan Glanville, we have a performance incursion from Shake and Stir theatre company, Drama Club is preparing work for Arts on the Green in July.

Senior students are viewing two productions at QPAC, Taming of the Shrew and White Pearl. Students are presently completing assessment and senior students complete IA2. WOW! I am exhausted. Drama is living the best life!! You should come and join us.

Senior Students

At the end of last term senior students visited La Boite theatre to view a Cabaret production by Stephen Oliver. This was an extremely unique production based on Stephen’s aboriginal heritage and merged with dance, drama and stand-up comedy. What a unique and creative production it is.

IA2 assessment in the Theatre

Year 12 students are completing IA2 assessment involving devising and creating their own concept for a production. Students have been directing an ensemble of their peers in order to bring their contemporary social issue to life. The new Performing Arts Theatre is an outstanding venue and the resources available to students are second to none. Some images of student’s assessment ideas all created in our new theatre.

Theatre Sports

Summer rec sport may be coming to a close, but the memories made in Junior Theatre Sports will be remembered for years to come. Seven teams were vying for the coveted ‘Theatre Sports Crown’, but “Give Us Your Credit Card Information” managed to snag the win after scoring a perfect ten in the classic game, “Evil Twin.” Congratulations to all teams involved, and I hope to see you back in the PAC for round 2!

Above: The winning team, Give Us Your Credit Card Information

Below: Theatre Sports Crew

Creative Industries Incursion - DRAMA

Drama recently welcomed Brendan Glanville from the Australian Acting Academy to work with our Creative Industries students in years 7, 8 and 9. This was an exciting morning filled with new learning and exploring opportunities in ‘STORYTELLING’.

All students participated and created outstanding work, the ideas, the laughter and the relaxed environment certainly assisted their confidence to work amongst students they normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to work with. This is the joy of the arts, like minded creative and enthusiastic young people working towards achieving a goal. We worked all day creating and devising, and the outcomes were truly remarkable. This is extremely mature material the students produced.

Well done everyone!

Creative Industries Incursion – VISUAL ART

The wonderfully talented artist Sarah Hickey joined our Creative Industries Visual Art students to capture and create images and forms using unique editing and rendering. Within the workshop students used art forms such as drawing, painting, printmaking, etching, collage, sketching and so much more.

The students have produced some outstandingly individual art works which we will display both in the classroom and at ARTS ON THE GREEN.

Well done everyone and thanks Sarah for your energy, talent and enthusiasm when working with CAV students.

Community Link in Art with Coorparoo State School

Mrs Vicki Schafer (Art Teacher) visited and worked with students from Coorparoo State School with their recent art auction, creating artwork around cultural diversity.

Arts on The Green

SAVE THE DATE

Friday 23 July - Week 2 of Term 3

This is the Performing Arts Departments major event for the year. Let’s celebrate our talented students within Dance, Drama, Music, Art and Media.

The evening will be filled with outstanding opportunities to view and listen to your students, socialise with friends, family and staff. Enjoy dining with various food vans, liquid refreshments and Musical 2022 teasers….. OH what a night it is going to be!! Put the date in your diary, email it to your friends, pack your picnic blanket and fold out chairs it’s going to be awesome.

Dance Sport

Tuesday afternoon sport is now offering DANCE and the students are embracing the new theatre, the state-of-the-art sprung floor and large mirrored wall to produce their best work. The outcomes have been outstanding with students embracing a range of dance genres to challenge and express themselves.

Thank you to our wonderful WAAPA graduate in Dance Lily Lejeune for her skills and expertise. The students are loving the classes.

If you are in Years 7, 8 or 9 you can select DANCE as a sport option.

We are looking forward to seeing the class perform at Arts on the Green in term 3.

Dance Club – Friday First Break in the PAC

Dance club has been running since Term 1 and anyone interested in exploring dance are welcome to coming along. Students have been taught by senior students who participate in dance outside of school. Thank you so much for your time and talent seniors.

This term Ms Lily Lejeune has been introducing Dance Club to some specific genres and challenging choreography. The work being completed during break is just fantastic. Thank you to all students for utilising the opportunity and working so hard to enjoy our wonderful new facilities.

Dance is a wonderfully creative way for our students to challenge and express themselves in the arts.

Drama Incursion Date Change

PRANKSTER by Shake & Stir performance DATE CHANGE.

The above performance has now changed from Wednesday 12 May [week 4] due to NAPLAN. The new date will be Tuesday 22 June, performance time will be the same - 9am in the Performing Arts Centre.

Toni Ryan - Drama & Creative Industries Drama Coordinator

IMEX - Lights! Camera! Excursion!

Week 2 this term brought a long-awaited chance for our IMEX students to visit QPAC for the first time since the beginning of COVID. The students enjoyed a morning filled with some of the world’s most famous movie themes – both old and new – performed live the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. The show gave students the opportunity to not just see professional instrumentalists in action but also learn the background behind some well-known classics; John William’s ‘Star Wars Theme’, and Edvard Grieg’s ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King’ among some of the most popular numbers. The IMEX students are commended on their fabulous behaviour and compliance with mask safety protocols.

Soiree

On Wednesday 5 May, we had our first music concert in the PAC. The Soiree presented an opportunity for students in Year 12 Extension Music along with many other students to perform a solo on stage in front of an audience under real performance conditions.

There were many amazing performances showcasing what great music talent we have at Cavendish Road.

A big thanks to the CRIMS parents for helping organise the event and running the canteen on the night.

Our next big concert is “Night of Music”, featuring all of our school music ensembles. Wednesday 2 June @ 7:00pm in the PAC.

Tony Lashmar – IMEX Program Director / Instrumental Music Teacher

English

This week students in Years 7 and 9 completed the NAPLAN test. The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

NAPLAN is a point-in-time assessment that allows parents/guardians to see how their child is progressing against national standards in literacy and numeracy and over time. The results can assist teachers by providing additional information to support their professional judgement about students’ levels of literacy and numeracy attainment and progress.

The tests cover skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy. On Tuesday the students completed the Language Conventions Test and Writing Test, and on Wednesday students completed the Reading Comprehension test.

In the English curriculum at Cav Rd SHS students study language conventions, reading comprehension and creative and persuasive writing, so students are easily able to transfer this knowledge to complete the NAPLAN tests. Additionally in the lead-up to NAPLAN, students examined practise English questions to improve their test awareness. It was wonderful to see the students rise to the challenge and attack the tests with vigour.

NAPLAN results are reported nationally through summary results released in August and a full national report is released in December.

Joanna Cuba – Head of Department, English

Sport @ Cav Road

What a crazy few weeks in sport here at Cav. Our students continue to impress and represent themselves exceptionally well day in, day out.

Summer Interschool Season Results

Congratulations to our Cav Road Interschool Sports teams on their final placings for the recent Summer Interschool Sport Season. Well done to all. Students in winning teams across Touch Football and Basketball will progress through to Metropolitan Finals in the coming weeks.

• Junior Handball CAV lost to Rochedale 16-9
• 8 Girls Volleyball CAV lost to Mansfield 2-0
• 9 Girls Volleyball CAV lost to Mansfield 2-0
• 9 Boys Touch CAV lost to Mansfield 5-2
• Year 8 Girls Touch CAV lost to Rochedale 5-1
• Year 9 Girls Touch CAV defeated Rochedale 4-0
• 7 Boys Touch CAV defeated Mansfield 4
• Year 7 Touch Girls CAV defeated Mansfield 4-1
• 7 Girls Basketball CAV lost 20 - 31 to Mansfield
• 9 Girls Basketball CAV defeated BAC 32-16
• 8/9 Boys Futsal CAV LOST to Mansfield 3-2
• 10 Girls Touch CAV defeated Rochedale 6-0
• Open Girls Touch CAV LOST to Mansfield 3-1
• 10 Boys Touch CAV defeated Mansfield 9-0
• Open Boys Touch CAV defeated BAC 4-3
• Y10 Boys Futsal CAV defeated Mansfield 7-4
• Open Boys Futsal CAV defeated Citipointe 9-6
• 10 Girls futsal vs Mt G LOST 7-4
• Open Girls futsal defeated Citipointe 10-4
• Year 10 Boys Handball defeated Mt Gravatt 16-15

2021 Cav Road Cross Country

COVID tried to stop it, but the Cav Road Community was keen to have a run and get a Cross Country for 2021. Yes, we had to re-schedule, but in Week 1 of Term 2, it arrived…

The sun was out… it was a great day! There was much creativity in both colour and textiles in the choices of attire for our students, as they wore their House colours with pride. There were two courses on the day – a CHAMPIONSHIP course and a PARTICIPATION course. Great work Cav!

Overall House Points

4th Johnson House 1586 points
3rd Harrop House 1678 points
2nd Page House 1869 points
1st Harpur House 1950 points

Cross Country Age Champions

South District Cross Country CHAMPIONS!

On Thursday we had 49 Cav Rd students descend onto Citipointe College in the hopes of claiming our third consecutive South District X-Country Championship… and didn’t the students deliver in spades. 29 of our 49 students placed in the top 10 which is an incredible effort and ultimately the reason we won by 154 points over second place BAC. Congratulations to all of the students involved for your efforts and persistent determination throughout the day to achieve such a great result. Great work to Mr Rutter for gathering the troops and keeping the roar of the crowd throughout the day, which certainly pushed the Green Machine across the line! We will now start planning again for 4 in a row next year.

Representative Sports Trials

Across a range of sports, students performing at a high ability level may nominate to trial at district / regional representative levels. Students must collect official paperwork from Ms Nikki Bairstow (Sports Director) in W Block. Approaching trials are advertised through student emails and daily notices.

Winter Interschool Sport (Trimester 2 Sport)

In Week 4, Winter Interschool Sport trials were held. Students may have opted to trial for any of the sports below.

Those students that were unsuccessful at trial or would prefer not to trial are to participate in a Recreational Sport. More information will become available on the options to students shortly. We acknowledge sport is essential to the social and physical development of our young people, hence so, this is why we dedicate time into our weekly students’ timetable. Sport is compulsory at Cavendish Road SHS for all students across Year 7 to 12.

Sport Dates

High level sporting success

If your child has represented Queensland, Australia or Senior age State League Competition in the past 18 months to 2 years in any sport, please contact Ms Bairstow (Sport Director). We are exploring how we can better support all high-level athletes across our school. Thank you to those that have already made contact on this matter.

Junior Sport Trimester One – Digital Photography

A number of students have participated in Digital Photography during Tuesday afternoon sport. The following students have volunteered to have their photos from Trimester 1 Junior Digital Photography included in this newsletter. Thanks to Georgia C., Violet N, of Year 7 and Giovanna A. of Year 8.

Financial Sport Funding

Financial assistance information is available through the Metropolitan East Regional School Sport website. Be sure to check your child’s eligibility using the criteria provided before beginning the application process. Click on the link-

Cav Road Sport Team

Should you have any questions about our weekly Recreational or Interschool Sport Programs, please contact the appropriate coordinator.

Junior Recreational Sport Coordinator – Mr Michael Kalpakidis

• Year 7, 8 & 9 Recreational Sport

Senior Recreational Sport Coordinator – Mr Mitchell Baker

• Year 10, 11 & 12 Recreational Sport

Sport Director – Ms Nikki Bairstow

• Interschool Sport, South District, Mt Gravatt District & Met East Trials

Ms Bairstow – Sport Director (nbair4@eq.edu.au)

AFL

Open Girls

On Friday 7 May our Open girls finally got to show off their months and months of training, and didn’t they do it with a bang! Running over the top of St John Fisher College 26 to 8 in a really promising showing of what’s to come.

The girls knew upon their arrival to Zillmere AFL ground that they were going to be in for a fight, it was all going to come down to how well they started and if they could get the upper hand early. With our senior leaders in the middle of the ground they set the example allowing the girls to start exactly as planned with a 2 goal to 0 first quarter. Unfortunately, we had some girls have to play another game that night so that is where their night ended, allowing for some of our junior superstars to step and take the reins, and they never let them go.

Of our three goal kickers on the night, two of them had never played an AFL game before and you wouldn’t have known the way they played. All the girls involved did an incredible job and did the entire school community proud. A big thank you goes to all those helped out and assisted on the day, as well as all those who came down and supported the girls. In would be amazing to get an even bigger crowd down to the game in two weeks on 21 May against St Rita’s, for what is sure to be an even tougher game.

Open Boys

The boys have been through a rollercoaster of emotions in the past week, originally slated to play Ambrose Treacy on Wednesday 5 May the game had to be postponed until Friday 14 May due to the rain event that occurred. This is not all bad news as it allows our boys to play on a Friday afternoon in front of what is sure to be a big crowd, with various reports that Ambrose Treacy are bringing a lot of supporters down.

So, come on ‘Green Machine’ get on down, and get around what is sure to be a great afternoon. Boys will be playing at Chelmer Park 4:30pm.

Matthew Rutter – AFL Coach

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.

School Based Youth Health Nurse

Information for Parents and Carers

Young people can go through many different changes as they grow up. Raising sensitive issues and working to resolve problems that arise along the way can be challenging. It can often be hard as a parent to know the difference between normal behaviour, such as moodiness, irritability and withdrawal and an emerging mental health problem.

If a young person develops a mental health problem it is important that they get help early.

The information in this factsheet is designed to help you better understand mental health and illness and what you can do to support young people who might be having a rough time.

Difference between mental health and mental illness

Mental health refers to a person’s emotional and social wellbeing. When someone’s mental health declines it can affect their feelings, thoughts and actions. This can then affect their day to day life and participation in activities such as school, work and relationships.

Mental health problems are common. Mental health problems are usually understandable reactions to personal and social issues. Mental health problems are usually not too severe or long lasting.

Press here for tips on helping your teenager on managing stress.

When mental health problems last for long periods of time and severely affect someone’s everyday life, it may be that the problem is becoming an illness. Mental illness refers to a range of issues which may affect someone’s thoughts, feelings, actions and/or memory. These issues are often longer lasting than mental health problems and cause more distress and disruption to life. Although mental illness can occur at any age, anxiety disorders and depression are quite common problems for young people, and it is important to recognise these are illnesses and not something the young person is making up. Most parents know when something is not OK with their child, but here are some signs that suggest a young person might be experiencing serious problems:

• Behaviour: changes in sleep and appetite, avoiding school or work. Poor motivation.
• Feelings: unhappiness or anger and irritability. Increased fear
• Thinking: trouble focusing/ concentration. Easily distracted. Worry thoughts.

For more information on “What is Mental Health” press here.

What affects a young person’s mental health?

Most mental illnesses don’t have a single cause. It’s much more common for a person to have some sort of vulnerability, and for a problem to be triggered when they meet stresses in their day-to-day life, and that stress can be often school work related.

For More tips on a healthy headspace press here.

How to become Mentally Health

Wellbeing is a state where we can work productively, realise our own potential and cope with every day stressors. We are happy, healthy and prosperous. When we have mentally healthy young people, they are connected, active, they take notice and learn.

For tips on helping your young person develop skills and become more Mentally Healthy press here.

How to find help

If you are worried about the health and safety of a young person:

• Talk openly and honestly with them, listen and let them know that you are concerned and that they are not alone.
• Let them know that there is lots of help available. They will be able to talk to health professionals in private if this is what they prefer.
• Look after yourself as well. Get some support by talking to people, and seek professional help for yourself if you need it.

For more information on how to access help, press here.

Some important things to remember about parenting young people

Young people need a sense of belonging, connectedness --to their family (whatever they say!), friends and community, and to make a meaningful contribution.

Firm and consistent limits are essential, but try to involve --the young person in negotiating acceptable ‘rules’- including screen time!

A balance between self-responsibility and support helps --a ‘child’ grow to an ‘adult’.

Teenagers and young adults often question everything their families say and do. Try to stay confident in yourself, but also be open to learning.

Mistakes happen. Use mistakes whether by you or the young person; to learn and keep moving forward.

Emergency Contacts:

Lifeline: 13 11 14
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
In the event of an emergency always call: 000

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

References: https://headspace.org.au and https://parents.au.reachout.com/

Community News

ANZAC Day (1915-2021)

Our first whole school ANZAC day service in living memory was held in the Sports Centre to commemorate the 105th anniversary of ANZAC Day. Over 2200 students and staff experienced our special guest and ex CavRoadian - Retired Air Commodore Peter Growder present a special and moving tribute as part of the service. The Last Post was confidently performed by Harrison Newton (Year 7). Our service was reflective, meaningful and moving. Our school community displayed the utmost respect and gratitude for all service people and their sacrifice.

Our school leaders proudly led the school service but also embraced the opportunity to represent Cavendish Road SHS at several other ANZAC services. Our leaders participation included marches, laying of wreathes and formal attendance at a range of venues including: State Schools Service in ANZAC Square; Brisbane City Service; Holland Park; Coorparoo and a variety of local Marches and Dawn Services.

Lest We Forget.

Paul Cox – Deputy Principal Years 11 and 12

Duke of Edinburgh Award Leader Report

Term 2 is packed full of Duke of Edinburgh news and events! It is fantastic to see and hear about all of the wonderful activities that students are doing to achieve their awards.

Silver Practice and Qualifying Adventurous Journeys –

Congratulations to the 15 students who took on the task of completing a three-day hike in the Springbrook National Park through the Numinbah Valley Environmental Education Centre. Both myself Ms Vincent and Mrs Evans (Moran) witnessed courage, determination, and teamwork over the three days. A special shout out to the couple of Year 11s who not only completed the Silver Practice AJ on the 22-24 April, but also went on Year 11 camp in week 2, plus are doing the Kokoda practice walks in weeks 3 and 5. Considering their Qualifying Adventurous Journey is in Week 4, they will have walked their fair share of the earth this term.

On that note, good luck to the 15 students on your Qualifying AJ in week 4. You are all going to do absolutely amazing. There is no place better than Binna Burra to walk 20km per day with packs!

Bronze Qualifying Adventurous Journey –

Unfortunately, this was cancelled due to the COVID lockdown last term. The fantastic news is that the Moreton Bay Environmental Education Centre have agreed to complete this in week 6 this term. The students will embark on an overnight exploration on Stradbroke Island and learn about the Indigenous culture and history of the island, as well as work as a team to navigate it. Good luck!

Keri Vincent - Cav Rd Award Leader

Containers for Change

On Thursday 22 April, our new refundable container collection was launched to coincide with Earth Day.

With the support of P&C and Student Council, a group of Year 10 students helped make this happen, having chosen to do environmental work as their Year 10 Rite of Passage. One of their goals is to "turn plastic into plants" by using funds raised from refundable 10 cent containers to purchase plants that will be added to gardens around the school.

While the focus is on students recycling containers used at school, any donations of 10 cent containers from home are also appreciated, and can be placed in purple recycling bins before or after school hours on school days.

Recycling bins will initially be located at Y Block, school canteen and in the garden in front of D10. If the program is successful, with plenty of clean containers collected, it will be expanded to other areas of the school.

Fynn Stark – Humanities Teacher

Check In Qld App

We’re using the new Check In Qld app to help keep you COVID safe the next time you visit. All you need to do is:

• download the app at www.covid19.qld.gov.au/check-in-qld
• enter your details once
• open the app when you next visit us
• select ‘Check in Now’ and hover your smartphone over our QR code

You’re done!

Using this digital check-in means your details are stored securely by the Queensland Government for fast COVID-19 contact tracing if needed. #CheckInQld