Principal’s Piece — Justin Harrison
Term 3 Assessment
With assessment upon everyone, it is critical that all students are fully aware of their assessment requirements and seek clarification if needed. I encourage all parents to check with their child to make sure they are on track, support them in any way, visually check their piece and take a vested interest in their work. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns.
Student Free Day – Friday 1 September
This is an important reminder to our community that tomorrow is a Student Free Day. While students are using the time wisely to prepare for upcoming assessment, staff who are not involved in the Confirmation process with the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority on that day will be completing Professional Development and collaboratively planning for upcoming units.
Digital Consent Management
Toolooa is transitioning to a new digital consent management system. This means your student will no longer be bringing home paper forms to obtain your permission to participate in an excursion or camp. Instead, you will be able to provide consent with the click of a button through the Departments QParents app. In the coming weeks, parents who are not already active on QParents will receive a link from the school which will guide them through the QParents registration process. Once you are up and running on QParents hardcopy forms will be a thing of the past! (Please see more information on page 2).
Thank You to Our Teacher Aides
2023 Teacher Aide Appreciation Week is on this week.
Our teacher aides are an essential part of our school community and play a vital role in supporting our students, staff and families. Without their valued contribution, many students would not reach their full potential and the school would not be one that is safe, engaging and an overall positive learning environment.
There are so many staff, students and families who have, at some stage, been supported by these wonderful staff, and I would like to recognise them for their continued efforts and let them know they are immensely appreciated. Their dedication, professionalism and support is greatly appreciated by our students, staff and parents alike.
If you have not already done so, please take the time to thank them for their continued efforts.
Attendance Monitoring
School attendance and the monitoring of absences has two main purposes:
All absences MUST be explained by parents. This communication ensures parents and school are aware of the explanation for the absence thus ensuring legal obligations and ‘duty of care’ requirements are fulfilled by both parties. It is also expected that this communication occurs within three days.
Actual percentage attendance is important for learning of all students in every year level. High attendance enables students to form the foundation knowledge and skills required to have success at school. Research has shown learning is consolidated and refined through ongoing repetition to make the knowledge or skill automatic and so it becomes routine and easy.
Consequently, to get the best results for our students, every day is a learning day at Toolooa. Your support in reinforcing the importance of attendance is greatly appreciated.
Vietnam Veterans Day
Year 12 School Captains paid their respect. On 18 August, we commemorate Vietnam Veterans' Day on the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan in 1966. We remember the sacrifices of those who died and say thank you to almost 60,000 Australians who served during the 10 years of our involvement in the Vietnam War.
NAPLAN
Parents/Caregivers will shortly receive via mail their child's individual student reports (ISRs). NAPLAN is not a pass or fail type of test. Individual student performance is measured using 4 proficiency levels for each assessment area and year level: Exceeding, Strong, Developing and Needs Additional Support. For detailed information on how NAPLAN results are measured and reported, visit Results and reports tab on the NAPLAN website
NAPLAN is a valuable tool that can give useful insights into a student’s performance, but individual reports should be interpreted with care as they reflect the student’s performance on the day of testing. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s NAPLAN results, discuss them with your child’s teacher, who will have the best insight into your child’s educational progress.
R U OK? Day 2023
R U OK? Inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them and start a conversation with those in their world who may be struggling with life. You don’t need to be an expert to reach out – just a good friend and a great listener. Thursday, 14th September is R U OK? Day. At Toolooa we will be raising awareness by running activities 1st break and encouraging students to wear yellow accessories, not T-Shirts.
Use these four steps and have a conversation that could change a life:
1.Ask R U OK?
2.Listen
3.Encourage action
4.Check in
Rail Safety
Last Friday we were lucky enough to host David Milward, a representative from Queensland Rail, who spoke to all students about keeping ourselves and others safe on and around railway lines. He shared some interesting facts, personal stories and reminded us about the importance of being rail smart. He encourages all students and family members to visit https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/campaigns/stay-level-headed for more information. Congratulations to all your levels, David spoke extremely highly about Toolooa State High School students and their impressive level of engagement and attentiveness. Well done everyone.
PREQIP Event – Term 3
This term for PREQIP, our year 10 Indigenous students have the opportunity to attain their First Aid Certificate and White Card. Both qualification which will be invaluable for future career prospects will take part on site at Toolooa SHS on Tuesday the 12th and Wednesday the 13th of September. If you would like more information please see our amazing Community Education Counsellor (CEC); Tracy, in the Indigenous Room.