Principal’s Piece — Justin Harrison
As the 2023 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, 2023 has been an extremely positive one for the school and our students. 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 2024 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 priorities that will be a focus moving forward are:
1). Quality-Assured Curriculum
2). Improved Pedagogy
3). Promoting a Culture of Learning
In addition to the above priorities, teachers and the executive will continue to maintain our current practices within the senior phase, making sure our students are well equipped to transition to further education, training and/or employment.
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 2024 at Toolooa State High School.
2023 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 7's for 2024
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 just under 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, BYOD, uniform shop 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 Mr Greg Hage and his team; year 7 coordinator, Mrs Libby Small, along with our Junior Secondary Head of Department, Mr Gerard Clark, Mr Dave Roby (HOSES), Mrs Tara Grayer 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 2024 start dates and what year levels are required to attend. Years 7,11 & 12 will commence school on Monday the 22nd of January and on Tuesday the 23rd of January, all year levels will be expected to attend. There will be a school parade on both days.
2024 Student Timetables
The 2024 Timetable is taking shape with some finishing touches being completed this week, including the addition of teachers and classrooms. 2023 Year 10 cohort (transitioning to Year 11 in 2024) 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 the day of course delivery is confirmed by the external Registered Training Organisations (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; Georgia Nicol, Wes Beelders, Jade Blake, Cindy Gibbings and Emily Field and best wishes to Isabeau Smith and Amandeep Kaur who are going on maternity leave. We wish the following non-teaching staff; Anthony Magner, Narelle Harvey and Natarsha Frost all the best in their next chapter and recognise the hard work and dedication they have demonstrated.
Reporting
Congratulations to those students who have achieved great results during this reporting period. It is also wonderful to see such a large number of students who have achieved fantastic results for their effort and behaviour.
All student reports have been emailed to families this week. If you have not yet received this email, please contact the school office on 49714333.
On behalf of Toolooa SHS, congratulations to all students who have continued to improve on their results across this year.
A special mention to all students who received an A or B for their effort and behaviour. As you can see from the tables above, the majority of our students are achieving A's or B's for their effort and behaviour.
Looking forward to seeing the fantastic results continue into 2024.
Office Hours – Administration Opening Times for 2024
The opening times for the Administration Office for 2024 are as follows (please note that Administration will be closed at certain times for staff to complete mandatory training):
15/01/2024 Monday 9.00am to 3.30pm
16/01/2024 Tuesday 9.00am to 3.30pm
17/01/2024 Wednesday Closed
18/01/2024 Thursday 1.00pm to 3.30pm
19/01/2024 Friday 9.00am to 3.30pm
Uniform Shop Times - Opening Hours for 2024
15/01/2024 Monday 8.00am to 12pm & 2.00pm to 6.00pm
16/01/2024 Tuesday 8.00am to 12pm & 2.00pm to 6.00pm
17/01/2024 Wednesday 1.00pm to 6.00pm
18/01/2024 Thursday 8.00am to 1.00pm
19/01/2024 Friday 8.00am to 12.00pm
The Uniform Shop 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.