Mirani State High School

J U N E , 2 0 2 1 I S S U E 6 , 2 0 2 1

A B S E N T E E S

P H O N E : 4 9 6 6 7 1 6 0

T E X T : 0 4 2 9 6 9 9 1 2 0

P: 07 4966 7111 | F: 07 4966 7100 | E: principal@miranishs.eq.edu.au www.miranishs.com.au | Augusta Street Mirani | PO Box 58 Mirani Queensland 4754

Principal’s Update

June

23 Athletics Carnival

24 Athletics Carnival

25 Year 7—12 reports issued

26 Dance Aussie Gold Comp

July

13-14 UniX Senior—Townsville at JCU

15 Whitsunday Voices

Date

Claimers Principal’s Report

This is my first newsletter as Acting Principal at Mirani State High School. I will be

filling in behind Scott Cage for next term as well. It was also a pleasure to follow

on from Bruce Heggie’s leadership of the school from the start of the term –

Bruce is highly respected for his leadership of a number of schools in the region.

I last worked at Mirani SHS as Deputy Principal in 2015. It’s been a nice welcome

back seeing so many familiar faces among staff and parents. In my time at Mirani

during Term 3, I will be supporting staff and students through a number of key

events including: Year 10 SET Planning, Year 6 into 7 enrolment interviews, the

Year 12 Formal, our inaugural Camp for a Cure (this sounds like an amazing event)

and preparing our Year 12 ATAR students for their external exams.

Staffing changes

At the end of this term, we bid goodbye to three key staff. In truth I could not

summarise their work here in this report, but they have each made unique,

longstanding and significant contributions to Mirani SHS and our school’s culture.

Julie Van Der Veen (Guidance Officer) and Wendy Sievers (Head of Department,

English). Julie is retiring at the end of Semester 1, but will continue to work in the

community support industry up in North Queensland. Wendy will be taking leave

and then returning for the last week of the year to finalise her retirement. She

intends to stay connected to the school next year, hoping to come in and do some

supply teaching and working at the tuckshop.

J U N E , 2 0 2 1 I S S U E 6 , 2 0 2 1

P: 07 4966 7111 | F: 07 4966 7100 | E: principal@miranishs.eq.edu.au www.miranishs.com.au | Augusta Street Mirani | PO Box 58 Mirani Queensland 4754

New appointments Starting in Term 3 in substantive leadership roles are:

Stacey Skipper: Head of Department, Performing Arts Scarlett Adams: Head of Department, Social Sciences Ethan Ross: Head of Department, English

Stacey joins Mirani with a background in both dance and drama. Stacey’s worked with me at Pioneer SHS and most recently has worked as Acting Head of Department, Performing Arts at Mackay Northern Beaches.

Scarlett and Ethan have been long term teachers at Mirani SHS since 2013 and 2015 respectively. Both have been backfilling as acting Heads of Department over the past couple of years, ensuring that there is a smooth transition from one leader to the next in each department.

Shaun Hutchinson will be acting Guidance Officer for Semester 2. This past semester Shaun has been the Guidance Officer looking after Years 7 and 9, and now he takes over the care and support of all year levels.

We wish all of our appointments the best of success in their new leadership positions.

Left to right: Matthew Horton (Acting Principal), Stacey Skipper (Head of Department, Performing Arts), Shaun Hutchinson (Acting Guidance Officer), Scarlett Adams (Head of Department, Social Scienc-es), Ethan Ross (Head of Department, English). Own-ing brown shoes and sharing similar heights were not pre-requisites for these positions, by the way

Left to right: Julie Van Der Veen (Guidance Officer),

Wendy Sievers (Head of Department, English). Julie

and Wendy first met when they were studying to be-

come teachers at university, and now finish their ca-

reers at the same school.

Also bidding us goodbye at the end of this term is

Judy Bull Judy’s work in the office has been critical

to our admin operations, particularly in the area of

monitoring daily attendance and touching base with

parents when their children are sick or their education is

affected in some other way.

Right: Judy Bull, middle right, with some of

our office staff Mel, Rhonda and Annette.

Judy, you’ll really be missed.

J U N E , 2 0 2 1 I S S U E 6 , 2 0 2 1

P: 074966 7111 | F: 07 4966 7100 | E: principal@miranishs.eq.edu.au www.miranishs.com.au | Augusta Street Mirani | PO Box 58 Mirani Queensland 4754

Communications to the school Your opinion genuinely matters. One way that we can get a sense of the school’s standing in the communi-

ty is through the annual School Opinion Survey. This year, parents will receive an email from the Depart-

ment of Education that will have a link to this year’s survey questions. The survey will run from 15 July to

30 July, i.e. the first three weeks of Term 3. We will send out reminders to parents about this at the start of

next term.

If you don’t receive an email from the department, it could be because the email we have on your son or

daughter’s records is out of date. Let the school know so we can see if we can resend the invite to your

current address.

Acting Principal - Matt Horton

Communications from the school We publish this newsletter every month. This means that the newsletter isn’t the best medium to get in-

formation about school events in a timely fashion. To keep families better informed about coming events

involving our school, every week we will be publishing a “What’s happening each week” summary on our

Facebook page. The events listed in this summary will reflect what is listed on our whole-school calendar,

i.e. events that typically affect all of the school, a whole year level or a large cohort of students. It won’t

be possible to provide precision here, regarding what every class is doing. An example of the summary is

provided below, covering the events of the last week of term and the first week back. We’ll be publishing

two consecutive week’s of events so students and their families can have sufficient prior notice.

P A G E 4

Administration

M I R A N I S T A T E H I G H S C H O O L

“We seek

to

develop

students

who are

curious

and

creative

and

aspire to

excellence”

PRINCIPAL: Mr Scott Cage SENIOR SECONDARY DEPUTY : Mr Scott Cage

MIDDLE SECONDARY DEPUTY: Mr Michael Post JUNIOR SECONDARY DEPUTY : Mrs Shellie Laidlaw

ADDRESS: P.O. Box 58 Mirani QLD 4754 PHONE: 49667111 FAX: 49667100

WEBSITE: www.miranishs.com.au EMAIL: principal@miranishs.eq.edu.au

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/miranishs TWITTER: www.twitter.com/miranishs

Just a reminder that the designated drop zones for bus drop off / pick up

need to be kept clear on school days during the hours of:

8.15am - 8.45am

2.45pm - 3.15pm

If your student is required to leave class early for an appointment could you

please send a permission note on the day with your student. This will en-

sure that your student is released from class on time and allow you to at-

tend your appointment as scheduled.

A Lost Property bin is located in the administration building and can be

checked by students. At the end of each term unclaimed items will be do-

nated to charity. Please mark clothing and personal items so they can be

returned to your student.

Notices

Students Feeling Sick Whilst at School

We have recently had a number of incidents where parents have arrived at the

school office looking for their child who has messaged them that they are sick

and want to go home. The office staff had no knowledge of the student being

sick nor was the student in sick bay under the care of a staff member.

In accordance with Education Department Duty of Care Policy for all students,

we remind you to please instruct your child that if they are sick they MUST

come to the school office and the office staff will phone and make ar-

rangements with you for your child to be collected.

J U N E , 2 0 2 1 I S S U E 6 , 2 0 2 1

P: 07 4966 7111 | F: 07 4966 7100 | E: principal@miranishs.eq.edu.au www.miranishs.com.au | Augusta Street Mirani | PO Box 58 Mirani Queensland 4754

Term 2 has seen a group of indigenous Year 8 students undertake the Deadly Choices Healthy Life-

style Education Program delivered by Queensland Health’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Health Unit. We hope your student gained knowledge about how to have a healthy body and mind by

making positive choices about things lsuch as what to eat, the benefits of exercise and healthy rela-

ATSIAP Challenge

Big round of applause to Annie Skuse, Lacey Bloye, Charley Wilson, Michael Tones, Terese Gorey and

Matisse Bloye for participating in the 2021 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aspirations Program

(ATSIAP) Challenge. This is the first year we have had a team participate but not only one, there were

two. Alongside the students were mentor teacher, Scarlett Adams and me. The program challenged

and enhanced the creative and critical thinking of each student individually and as team members.

Four challenges were undertaken where their academic, social, cultural and artistic talents created

works they were very proud of. We have some developing leaders who will shine in their future.

Education is our passport to the future,

For tomorrow belongs to people who prepare for it today.

(Malcom X)

P A G E 6 M I R A N I S T A T E H I G H S C H O O L

We are so proud of you Semester 1 is almost finished; exams or assignments have been commenced or could be completed then Report Cards will be home soon. Academic outcomes can be affected by absences, student’s commit-ment to subject responsibilities or your child just can’t grasp what is required of them and is too shamed to ask their teacher for help. High attendance is vital to gain full knowledge of subject areas. Is your stu-dent completing homework, doing assessments when at home to make deadlines set by subject teachers? If your student is too shy to ask teachers for help, please get them to come and talk to me or you can email me and then I will touch base with your student as well as teachers to develop a solution. As a time management skill – get your student to set reminders on their phone and write it in their stu-dent diary, usually one or two weeks before due dates. If your child develops this habit earlier in their secondary education, it will be very helpful, as we know this is a life skill to take on board. I encourage each family to support their high school student to be a positive engaged student. If you wish to share an outstanding achievement on behalf of your student please don’t hesitate to email me with details and a photo. Deb Francis Youth and Indigenous Support Officer

P A G E 7 M I R A N I S T A T E H I G H S C H O O L

Finance Information Internet Banking

Mirani State High School

Reference - Invoice # or

Student Name

BSB 064—707

Account No 0009 0191

Commonwealth Bank

Payments can be made

directly to our bank

account or bpoint.

Payment plans are also

available.

P A G E 8 M I R A N I S T A T E H I G H S C H O O L

EPILEPSY AWARENESS Mirani High School celebrated Purple Day on 26th March to raise awareness and much needed funds for Epi-

lepsy QLD. Grade 12 student, Madison Fisher of Grade 12 organised the day as part of her QCIA goals. Madi-

son liased with Epilepsy QLD, displayed posters around the school and sold purple merchandise.

Madison raised $410. Each donation, every dollar raised will help over 30,000 Queenslanders living with Epi-

lepsy. Money raised will go towards phone calls with epilepsy educators, contribute to Epilepsy training for

education providers so a child can safely attend childcare or school, and provide personalised epilepsy man-

agement plans to reduce seizure activity.

Bella Davies made purple ribbons to hand out on the day. Thanks to both of these students for their efforts

within the school community.

P A G E 9 M I R A N I S T A T E H I G H S C H O O L

September 10 – 11 Camp for a Cure will be held at Mirani SHS. Year 11 and 12 students who are participating

in the event should have returned their note and $10 payment in Week 9.

Reflecting Mirani’s long history of supporting events like Relay for Life, Camp for a Cure will maintain our stu-

dents’ passion and enthusiasm for supporting cancer research in the Valley. Camp for a Cure is a local school-

only fundraising event, and will be held at our awesome hall and surrounding oval. Fundraising will include

gaining sponsors for the walkathon portion of the event, as well as several school-based events in the lead-up!

Our incredibly talented Year 12 student Bree’anna Page has designed our logo for Camp for a Cure, we thank

Bree’anna for sharing her talents and time!

In Week 8 we held a very successful pyjama free dress day, raising just shy of $400.00 towards our goal. Thank

you to all staff and students who wore their pjs – and to parents who made mad dashes for wintery attire for

their kids!

We are now raising funds for the two main events of 2021! Students have collected sponsor booklets and

should be out looking for sponsors to nominate a one off, or per lap, donation for our walkathon. Students will

need to collect all funds before the end of term 3, to ensure that all monies are banked before the holidays.

The second event which is raising a lot of attention is the Chop for a Cure – students Ethan Zarb, Jayce Gorman,

Conor Farnham, and Shakira Horder will be shaving their heads, along with Ms Adams in Week 9 of Term 3.

Right now, staff and students are able to nominate and donate (a minimum of $5) to snip a ponytail off one of

the participant’s heads prior to the shave! Along with these students, India Sayles, Bianca Peckett and Aubrey

Fontelera will be lopping off their ponytails! Aubrey will be donating her locks to the Ponytail Project, an organi-

sation which makes wigs for kids undergoing treatment. We are very grateful to our volunteers and commend

them on their bravery and commitment.

Finally, get your teams together – TRIVIA is back! In week 3 term 3, the battle for top place and the wooden

spoon is on. Teams of 6-8 can nominate now, with a $10 entry fee per person and nibbles on the table, what

more could you ask for? Prizes, fun, and fundraising are the name of the game, and the elusive coin toss game

may just make another appearance…

We hope to see you at trivia, and thank you for your ongoing support of our students in their passion and drive

to make a difference in the lives of patients and families dealing with cancer.

Thank you,

Ms Adams

P A G E 1 0 M I R A N I S T A T E H I G H S C H O O L

News from Chappie Rex

Did you enjoy the last week in May? The ‘cool’ is here, winter is rolling in. We are so blessed with beautiful

weather. AND a Chappie in 6 Pioneer Valley schools!

Chappy Week this year ran from May 23-30 and it celebrated the role chaplains play in helping school com-

munities guide students successfully through their Primary and Secondary school years. In each school with a

Chappie, their flavour will be unique but there are common elements.

Chaplains are present in schools at the invitation of the Principal, in consultation with the local community,

and with the support of the Parents and Citizens (P&C) Association. So thank you Pioneer Valley for valuing

our contribution.

Chappies can be found running games, activities, Breakfast Clubs, SU-pa Clubs, Chat sessions and being avail-

able to listen, care and encourage with a message of hope. Along with the Student Support service inour

schools we are about fostering a supportive, caring school community here in the Valley.

Local churches, businesses and community organisations, are a wonderful support network for the schools

and the Chappies. We would love your input into the service as members, representatives, volunteers and

potential FUTURE Chappies!

Parents, staff and students in the school community regardless of their religious beliefs, are welcome to uti-

lise our service. Some activities for students do require Parental consent and all my activities are voluntary.

Our next P.V.C.C. meeting is Wednesday, Term 3, Week 4, 4th August 2021. If you like, save the date and

come along to Mirani High at 4pm. We’d love to have you contribute too.

The 2021 QLD Chaplaincy Snapshot is available at: www.suchaplaincy.org.au/snapshot2021 .

Some Interesting Facts

Every year Chappies have over 169,680 formal conversations and 448,450 informal chats with students.

The top 5 issues for students were; Friendships and peers, Harassment, Mental health, School behaviour and

Family breakdowns. These 5 make up 56% of Chappie’s chats.

Thanks for helping Chappies in the Pioneer Valley have a role in the wellbeing of your school communities.

Cheers in Christ,

Rex

P A G E 1 1 M I R A N I S T A T E H I G H S C H O O L

Netball has been back in action at Mirani High and, after 10 weeks of competition, last week marked the grand

final of the interschool netball season for 2021. Throughout the season, our Mirani High netball girls represent-

ed their school with pride, no matter the result on the score board. Our school entered five teams into this

year’s competition and it was refreshing to see our girls hitting the court at a variety of levels, after the competi-

tion was unable to run last year due to COVID-19.

A massive congratulations goes out to all of our Mirani teams who played with pride this year, but a special

mention must go to our year 7 Mirani Mermaids and year 8 Mirani Musketeers who both finished second on

their ladders and qualified for the semi finals in week 7. Both teams played exceptionally well, winning their

semis, which meant Mirani High had two teams to cheer on in the grand final in week 8. Playing their hearts out

in a tough game against Mercy, our year 7 team displayed commendable Valley Pride, but went down 21-11.

Congratulations, however, must go to our superstar year 8 team, coached by Mrs Osborne, who displayed beau-

tiful skill and teamwork on the court against North Mackay High, to come out on top as 8B premiers! Well done,

girls! Valley pride! It was not only the players, however, who represented our school with pride at the grand

final; a huge shout out also goes to Stevie Williams and Keira Brown who represented Mirani High with pride,

umpiring grand final games. Lovely work, girls!

Our 2021 netball season has been one to remember, with fun to be had by all. Thank you to all who took part.

A special mention must go to our coaches: Mr Munchow (Mirani Meteors – open social), Miss Smith (Mirani

Magic – open social), Miss Bickerton (Mirani Meerkats – 9/10 B), Mrs Osborne (8B) and Miss Hardwick (7B), as

well as to Ms Bushell for organising netball dresses and making the trip into town to take photos.

If you’re a student interested in participating in interschool netball next year, make sure you listen to notices at

the beginning of term 1, 2022. The interschool netball season runs from half way through term 1 to halfway

through term 2. Can’t wait to see our Mirani High girls on the court again next year!

Baylee Hardwick

Netball Coordinator

Netball Report

P A G E 1 2 M I R A N I S T A T E H I G H S C H O O L

Winter Uniforms

Legal Studies Excursion On Monday, 14 June 2021 Legal Studies students in Years 10, 11 and 12 attended the Mackay Magistrates

Court. The aims of the activity were to foster a better understanding of the role law and justice plays in our

society. Students participated in a mock trial based on the Oscar Pistorius case. Thank you to Ashley Ward

and Chloe Paul who participated as witnesses in the case.

This uniform is acceptable everyday wear:

• A school jacket – navy & light blue microfibre fabric with zip front & school logo.

• A school uniform, warmer fleecy ‘jersey style ’pullover may be worn. This pullover has our school crest

on the pocket and school name woven into the collar.

• The winter uniform is purchased from Uniform Solutions.

• A plain navy blue jumper or pullover maybe worn without logos/stripes . NO jumpers with hoods.

• Year 11 and 12 students can wear the nominated senior jersey.

• Year 12 can wear the Year 12 shirt jersey.

• Plain navy track pants (no stripes or logos).

PLEASE NOTE - These items are the only jumpers and pants that are permitted.

No jeans (black or denim colour).

P A G E 1 3 M I R A N I S T A T E H I G H S C H O O L

Year 12 Hospitality Students delivering a high tea Mirani SHS P & C meeting at the Canefields Café

The Canefields Café and Commercial Kitchen are now fully

operational with high tea functions being catered for by the

Year 12 Hospitality students. Year 11 Hospitality students

are also in the development stages of their first function,

being a coffee shop. Thank you to the Mirani SHS P&C for

funding vital equipment to allow the kitchen to operate in a

commercial capacity and

train students in hospitality

industry practice and skills.

Items purchased included a

deep fryer, toaster, hand

mixers, tables, platters,

sustainable produce

equipment, pots, pans and

utensils. This has helped

resource the kitchen to a

commercial standard.

New Commercial

Kitchen

P A G E 1 4

Community Notices

M I R A N I S T A T E H I G H S C H O O L

P A G E 1 5 M I R A N I S T A T E H I G H S C H O O L