Principal’s Piece — Justin Harrison
As the 2022 school year is drawing to an end, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all parents/carers and the wider community for your ongoing support of Toolooa State High School. Like previous years, 2022 has been an extremely positive one for the school and our students, and this would not be possible without the incredible support and commitment by the teaching and non-teaching staff and the positive connection the school has with all families. Our students are very lucky that they have such a supportive network around them, one that optimises success.
With the arrival of 2023 and the importance of having a clear strategic direction for the year ahead, I am excited to inform you that Toolooa’s key school improvement priority that will be a focus moving forward is:
Improvement Priority - Toolooa’s Signature Teaching Practices:
- Teachers deeply know and understand their students
- Enacted planned differentiation for students
- Shared understanding of pedagogical practices
- Instructional feedback to students
- Relational skills
- Performance development of staff
In addition to the above priority, teachers will continue to deliver a quality assured curriculum in years 7 – 12 and maintain our current practices within the senior phase, making sure our students are well equipped to transition to further education, training and/or employment. Finally, having a safe and supportive environment whereby our students are attending school every day, will continue to be an area of focus.
As always, I welcome your feedback and thoughts on the above and look forward to providing updates on our progress throughout the year.
Finally, I wish everyone a happy and safe holiday period and look forward to an exciting and engaging 2023 at Toolooa State High School.
2022 School Opinion Survey
On behalf of Toolooa SHS, I would like to thank all students, staff and parents/carers who completed this year’s School Opinion Survey. The information received is important to the school as it provides us with an opportunity to celebrate succusses and identify any areas that we as a school can focus on, which will ultimately improve student outcomes. Below is a brief summary of some of Toolooa’s highlights compared to other Queensland Secondary Schools that were identified by our parents/caregivers, staff and students:
Year 7s for 2023
Last week on Monday and Tuesday, Toolooa State High School held its Year 6 into 7 transition days to allow incoming students an opportunity to experience Toolooa which will support their transition into High School next year. From all reports, the two days were a huge success with over 200 students engaging in the two-day program. Having an opportunity to experience our daily routines, bell times, getting use to the layout of the school, where the tuckshop is and what is on the menu, meet some of our teachers and support staff only helps with students having a transition that is smooth as possible. Students took home a pack with further transition information, including their booklist, school fees, and a flyer to pop on the fridge at home with the first day procedures.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Jess Batey and her team; year 7 coordinator, Mrs Libby Small, along with our Junior Secondary Head of Department, Mr Gerard Clark, Mr Dave Roby, HOSES, and Mrs Anne-Maree Gehle, who have done such an amazing job working with our feeder schools and formulating such a professional transition program at Toolooa State High School. We are looking forward to welcoming our next cohort into the Toolooa community, and continuing to see our school grow from strength to strength.
School Resumes
Just a reminder that there is a slight change with 2023 start dates and what year levels are required to attend. Years 7,11 & 12 will commence school on Monday the 23rd of January and on Tuesday the 24th of January, all year levels will be expected to attend. There will be a school parade on both days.
2023 Student Timetables
The 2023 Timetable is taking shape with some finishing touches being completed this week, including the addition of teachers and classrooms. 2022 Year 10 cohort (transitioning to Year 11 in 2023) have already received an initial copy of their senior timetables (minus teacher/rooms) for them to double check their subject selections. External program variations will be added once day of course delivery is confirmed by the external RTOs. ALL students (7-12) will receive a copy of their timetables on their first day back next year. It is imperative that ALL students check their classes/subject selections, and for all applicable Senior Students (10-12) to double check allocation of Senior Study Spare (given for completion of VET Programs or in-lieu of Offline classes/School of Distance Education subjects and External Programs). If Senior students have a Senior Study Spare in Period 1 or 4 on any day, they can apply for a Variation to Routine which allows them to sign in late/sign out early during those particular spares. If students wish to change an elective subject, they need to do so within the first two weeks of each semester/Unit (excluding Unit 4).
Leaving Staff
As you are all aware, Toolooa has had another successful year academically, culturally and on the sporting field. This is not possible if it was not for the professionalism and commitment of the teaching and non-teaching staff. I would like to formally thank all staff for the work that they have performed which has had a positive impact on all students. A special mention must go to the following teaching and non-teaching staff who are leaving Toolooa at the end of the year; Kylie Burns, Alicia Rice, Emma Beaton, Darin Aburn, Tom Journeaux, Matt Drovandi, Rachel Donovan, Leigh Williams, Chris Allen, Julie-Anne Clarke, Ann Mallie, and Jenny Reah and best wishes to Ellen Rothe, Alex Dearugo and Renee Dwyer who are going on maternity leave. We wish teacher aide Patricia Patzwald all the best in her next chapter and recognise the hard work and dedication she has demonstrated keeping our Resource Centre operating in 2022.
Office Hours – Administration Opening Times for 2023
The opening times for the Administration Office for 2023 are as follows (please note that Administration will be closed at certain times for staff to complete mandatory training):
16/01/2023 Monday 8.00am to 3.30pm
17/01/2023 Tuesday 8.00am to 3.30pm
18/01/2023 Wednesday Closed
19/01/2023 Thursday 10.30am to 3.30pm
20/01/2023 Friday 8.00am to 11.30am and 1.30pm to 3.30pm
Uniform Shop Times - Opening Hours for 2023
16/01/2023 Monday 8am-12pm & 2.00pm—6.00pm
17/01/2023 Tuesday 8am-12pm & 2.00pm—6.00pm
18/01/2023 Wednesday Closed
19/01/2023 Thursday 10.30am—5.00pm
20/01/2023 Friday 8.00am–12.00pm
We will be situated in the room across from the Shelter shed.
Alternatively, orders can be emailed directly to the uniform shop at: uniformshop@toolooashs.eq.edu.au
Keep a Watch on Our School These Holidays
With the holidays fast approaching, we need you to look out for after-hours crime in our school.
If you see anything suspicious, please don’t attempt to intervene.
Call the School Watch number — 13 17 88.
The School Watch Program is a partnership between Education Queensland, the Queensland Police Service and the State Government Protective Security Service. It aims to reduce vandalism, theft and arson in Queensland schools.
Keep the number handy — 13 17 88 — and let’s work together to help create a safer school community.
For more about the School Watch Program contact Education Queensland’s School Security Section on (07) 3237 0874.
Have a Fantastic and Rewarding Break