Student Free Dress Day – Friday 19 June Friday 19 June is a free dress day for students in the Secondary School. A gold coin donation to the Salvation Army is requested so RGS can continue the School’s long tradition of support. This donation will be collected during Friday form. Normal free dress day rules apply; RGS collared shirt, denim bottoms and appropriate closed in shoes. Trial Uniform Changes - Term 3 2020 Year 7 to 12 students will wear Formal Uniform every Wednesday for the duration of Term 3. Students will not be expected to wear their blazer. However, as per the School’s uniform policy, students are not to wear the zip up sports jacket, they can only wear the school vest, jumper or blazer can be worn with the formal uniform. Girls may also trial wearing pearl earrings, in addition to the option of the plain silver or gold stud or sleeper in the lower
Under the Microscope: 11 Biology investigate the effect of different antimicrobial substances (such as spray and wipe, hand sanitiser and dishwashing liquid) on the growth of two different species of bacteria in comparison to antibiotics by measuring the ‘zone of inhibition’ in the bacterial ‘lawn’.
RGS Newsletter Monday, 15 June 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au
part of each ear. No other visible jewellery is allowed. Girls, please adhere to the strict 5 mm diameter earring size. Earrings larger than 5 mm in diameter will be confiscated as per the School’s Uniform Policy. Both trials will be reviewed at the end of Term 3 for the possible implementation in 2021. Red & Black Shop The Red & Black Shop returned to normal trading hours from Monday, 8 June. The Shop is now open from Monday to Friday from 8am – 10am and Midday to 5pm. RGS Remembers Mackay Plane Crash RGS School Captains Natalie Marks, Nicholas Storey and Vice Captains Lillie Bain and Sansuka De Silva joined Headmaster Dr Phillip Moulds and RGS past student Mr Alan Lawrie (RGS 1960) in remembering the 1960 Mackay plane crash which tragically killed nine RGS boarders returning home to Mackay. Further reflections on that tragic event can be found on the RGS website - http://www.rgs.qld.edu.au/news/view/445
Bri wins JCU Remote Learning Competition RGS Year 10 student Bri Mauger won the statewide JCU competition – This is Learning…but not as you know it. Bri recorded her video during remote learning at her property in the Biloela district. Bri won a Go Pro Hero 8 Black Bundle for her effort. Fellow RGS students also received JCU promotional packs for their entries: Jessica Bate (Year 8), Lachlan Donoghue (Year 8), Oliver Muir (Year 9), Mahinour Albarbary (Year 10) and Bradley Taylor (Year 10). Bri is pictured with Larissa Burnett, from JCU’s Australian Future Students Team.
Certificate II in Outdoor Recreation Abseil off the Birkbeck building! After covering much theory and ground-based practice through COVID-19 it was time for Year 11 Outdoor Recreation students to make inroads into their qualification by being assessed on their abseiling practical skills. Abseiling is but one of the units covered in the course. Students also travel in our region to spectacular places to develop their bushwalking and navigation skills, partake in rock climbing, sea kayaking and snorkelling. They also develop group leadership and delivery skills, cover workplace health and safety and gain a first aid qualification. The course is geared toward building abilities to potentially get part time work and with assistant activity businesses. Cert II in Outdoor Recreation has many pathways beyond to tertiary and post graduate studies and Australia and Worldwide experiences.
RGS Newsletter Monday, 15 June 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au
Year 11s take on teaching role Year 11 students studying their Certificate II in Sport and Recreation and Certificate III Fitness with Mr Glenn Hansen took time out of their lunchtime to practice their coaching skills. Working in a simulated community fitness session with RGS Primary school students last week, the Secondary School students ran some touch football games and will be helping run further games on the oval, Duggan Hall and Tennis Courts during Primary lunch times until the end of Term 2 and into the start of Term 3. It was great to see the primary school students having a lot of fun playing and it is a great learning opportunity for our Year 11 students, completing these tasks as practice for a work environment.
Year 11 and Year 12 Agriculture Studies Senior students are busy analysing agricultural samples in preparation for their external exam at the end of the year. This hands-on practice will put students in a good position to achieve their personal best in the external exam. Citrus this year will be donated to the Rockhampton Food Bank again this year and students are making sure that the produce is the best quality it can be prior to donating it to the community
Head of Secondary School - Academics
Year 12 Assessment
As previously reported, in regards to Year 12, the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) announced at the end of Term 1 that one of the three internal assessment items would be removed for each subject. This was to help alleviate the emotional strain experienced by students, teachers and families during the current pandemic. The School is very pleased with this decision as it will help ease the pressure on 2020 Grammar graduates.
At this stage unfortunately, QCAA still have not provided specific advice as to how the reduced assessment will impact the percentage contributions of the internal and external assessment components. As soon as these details are known they will be communicated to students and to you, as parents.
Year 12 Confirmation
The Rockhampton Grammar School, along with all other Queensland schools, were required to submit all Year 12 Internal Assessment (IA1) results at the end of Term 1. The School was then required to upload student work to QCAA for review by trained confirmers during the first week of Term 2. This review has occurred over the last month with results recently released. At this stage, the School is waiting for two sets of subject results. Classroom teachers will update students as to confirmed result. QCAA will publish subject results in each student Learning Account on Friday 19 June. If any results are unconfirmed they will not appear in the student account.
As a reminder, if you have any questions or concerns relating to the academic domain at RGS please call (49 360 609) or email me ([email protected])
RGS Newsletter Monday, 15 June 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au
Head of Secondary School - Students
Term 2 2020 will go down in history as the time the world was almost stopped in its tracks. What a different and on occasion, challenging time. Ms Carter and I would again like to congratulate and thank our students, their parents and guardians on the way they rose to the challenge and in many ways successfully navigated all that was placed in front of them. Again, we would like to thank our dedicated band of teachers for providing and enabling all students of The Rockhampton Grammar School to continue their academic learning, participate in the many physical challenges, and grow emotionally and personally. Ms Carter and I know a number of students, parents and guardians thoroughly enjoyed the Head of Year daily check-in and many requested that these, at times, funny and others enlightening communications continue - us included. Hopefully Term Three will start with more clarity. We anticipate, but cannot guarantee, relaxation of current government restrictions will allow RGS students to participate in not only sporting fixtures but excursions and school camps. We wish you a very relaxing break and hope you are able to visit family and friends, now we can travel further. Please stay safe and we look forward to seeing everyone next term.
Head of Year Reports Year 7
It is hard to believe we are nearing the end of Semester 1. What a different semester it has been for us in 2020. I am extremely proud of the way in which the Year 7’s have handled themselves during this exam and assessment period given that half of the term was completed through remote learning. We are continuing with new work and skills based learning for the next few weeks which is incredibly important in our first year of high school. We have continued our journey on Growth Mindset in both Form and Tutorial this week and it has been fantastic to hear the students’ positive mindsets. We have been unpacking the meaning of the word ‘YET’ and how powerful it can be when added to a sentence where we have told ourselves we can’t do something. Adding YET gives us hope and with an action plan, it gives us direction for how we actually CAN do something. In fact, we CAN do anything! Take the time this week to ask your son or daughter about what they are hoping to work on and in what area they want to develop a positive mindset. Please take the time over the holidays to attend to restocking pencil cases and other equipment and addressing any uniform issues such as length of dresses or pants and uniforms that just generally no longer fit. I wish you all a relaxing break in the coming weeks and hope you can venture a little further than our last holiday period.
RGS Newsletter Monday, 15 June 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au
Year 8
With Semester 1 assessments over, the Year 8s now turn their heads towards new learning for Semester 2. All subjects are commencing new work now. Semester reports are being finalised and will be distributed soon. I have been very proud of the Year 8s in the way they have approached and managed this disrupted Term. As we approach the end of term, there are some positive behaviours that I have reminded the Year 8s about. These include being well-mannered, not depriving anyone of the opportunity to learn, no put-downs and being proud to be a Grammarian. I am always pleased about how the Year 8s receive these messages. Term 3 form class activities includes completing the eSmart Digital Licence created by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation (https://www.digitallicence.com.au/. The licence covers 8 topics:
• Digital devices • Searching and researching • Social networking and gaming • Credits, coins and tokens • Protecting privacy • Creating and sharing • Communicating safely online • Relationships and reputations
Tutorials in Term 3 will focus on values, character strengths and mindfulness. Coursing for Year 9 commences in Term 3 and there will be more information on this distributed early next Term. I wish everyone a safe and relaxing holiday.
Year 9
The students in Year 9 completed exams this week and their teachers will be busy marking and reporting over the next week. I commend the Year 9 cohort for the resilience they have displayed over this term and for their ability to get back into a routine and complete work as required. It
has been an enormous effort from them and I am incredibly proud. During tutorials this week we commenced discussions around subject selection for Year 10. Although the number of elective choices students need to make does not change much from what they do in Year 9, the subjects offered as choices in Year 10 start to look more like what the students will be doing in years 11 and 12. That is most of the electives for year 10 are considered introductions to senior studies or are designed to provide exposure to what senior subjects entail. I encourage all families to start having conversations regarding what electives might be best for their children in 2021. I am happy to provide assistance if anyone would like to know more about the elective choices or I am happy to organise a meeting with Mrs Pam Hadwen (Careers Advisor), who can help with providing detailed information about future pathways and career planning, if that is required. During Term 3 the students will participate in the What About Me programme for form and tutorials that had to be cancelled this term. It will focus on each individual gaining a greater understanding of self as well as appreciating and celebrating our many similarities and indeed differences. It is hoped that by the end of next term we are able to provide the students with the opportunity to be involved in large, outdoor and overnight camp activities as things further return to a form of normality. Thanks again for all the support you have given both the School and your children during this difficult term.
Year 10
Although there has been an air of relief amongst the Year 10s that the examination and the assignment period has come to an end, the conversation continues regarding coursing and choices for 2021. Information for options has been sent out this week and Heads of Department have commenced attending Leadership meetings to explain what various senior subject entail. For example, what is Mathematical Methods, what is Specialist Mathematics? Mr Wright has sent the email link for the first round of the subject selection process. At this stage this does not lock students into any choice. However, it is an important step. This gives the school an indication for probable subject preferences and subject class sizes. Hence, it is important that students try to give their best regarding any possible coursing choices. The experience will also assist students in their quest to work out which way they may want to go next year. There is a realistic threshold for class sizes to
RGS Newsletter Monday, 15 June 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au
facilitate the allocation of resources and timetabling, reinforcing the need for students to give their best guess. The My Path Year 10 document can be found at https://www.qtac.edu.au/student-resources/year-10?c=the-year-10-guide-to-career-pathways-and-2023-tertiary-prerequisites&page=1 and can be printed. This may be of assistance for coursing choices stage one next week.
Year 11
Although the term may be winding down, Year 11 students have started stepping up, applying for positions of Leadership for Year 12. Applications for the Senior Jersey Committee and Formal Committees have been distributed with the due date for applications on 15 June. Students have also eagerly put their names down to assist with the Primary Reading Programme, commencing at the beginning of Term 3. I am very impressed with students’ enthusiasm and interest in all three endeavours and I believe there is also a touch of relief for students that some of these co-curricular aspects of their Schooling life are coming back. Students have now reached the end of their Unit 1 studies and should be extremely proud of their efforts. There is a lot of learning, not just inside the classroom, that students need to get their heads around in the first few months of their Year 11 and 12 schooling while still ensuring they are keeping healthy and happy. This was made more difficult with remote learning and the lack of co-curricular activities. Students have shown amazing resilience that has impressed me no end. Unit 2 has commenced and results for final Unit 1 tasks should be provided to students either already or in the near future. Due to restrictions, we have pushed back the usual Leadership activities run by Y-Lead that we would like students to participate in prior to applying for significant positions of Leadership. As such the dates outlined in the calendar for Leadership applications and associated events in Term 3 will be pushed back to Term 4. Updated timeframes will be provided once these dates have been confirmed. Finally, parents and students will have received an email from me regarding the Year 11 Health curriculum survey. Please take the time to read through this email and contact me if you have any questions.
As this is the final word from me prior to the holidays, I wish all students an amazing and restful holiday and, given how different and busy Term 2 was, look forward to seeing many refreshed faces come Term 3. Take care.
Year 12
Over the past couple of weeks, the Year 12’s have transitioned out of an exceptionally busy assessment period. It has been a pleasure to see the pressure fall away and be replaced by carefree smiling faces once again. From a pastoral standpoint boys and girls have been separated in Leadership sessions to explore a variety of topics. The boys have been exploring concepts such as authentic men, toxic masculinity, healthy relationships and positive support of one another with myself and Mr. Rod Peckett. They are to be commended on their positive approach and uptake of lessons learned. The girls have been led through sessions by Miss. Amy Davies and Mrs. Kathryn Gilmore covering topics such as sisterhood, values and healthy relationships. Once again, the girls are to be applauded for their contributions in these sessions. From an academic standpoint we now begin our journey towards mock assessments in September to be followed by the external examinations in Term 4. It is important for all of our Year 12’s that they continue to work consistently through this assessment free period to ensure that they are adequately prepared for September.
RGS Newsletter Monday, 15 June 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au
Careers Information
Selecting Career Pathways Before anyone can choose the right career, they must learn about themselves. Their values, interests, soft skills, and aptitudes, in combination with personality type, make some occupations a good fit and others completely inappropriate. The Year 10 students are currently working through a series of quizzes/activities and tests designed to give them information regarding the above. These activities can be utilized by any student at the School on the RGS Career Website. Using the yellow student area tab at the bottom of the homepage, students register and indicate their year level. They can then access a wide variety of career planning activities. Information Sessions QTAC and JCU Online session Year 12’s
Tuesday 16 June. 4pm Register here
CQU Year 12 Parent Webinar
Tuesday 16 June. 4pm Register here
Griffith Uni. Year 11 – 12 student and parent Webinar
Tuesday 16 June 5pm – 7pm Register here
QCE and Beyond Online Sessions. Years 10 to 12 students and parents
Wednesday 17 June – Saturday 21 June. More information and registration details here
CQUni TAFE Online Information Session
Wednesday 24 June. 3.30pm – 5pm Register here
Tertiary Application Session
Monday 20 July 7pm. Auditorium
JCU Application Based Programs
Tuesday 28 July 4pm. Register here
Early Offer / Direct Entry Information UNE. Applications now open Program information USC. Applications will open 4 August.
Program Information
SCU. Applications now open Program Information CQU: Principal’s Recommendation Scheme. Applications now open
Program Information CQU Website Information
JCU: Applications now open Program Information USQ: Applications open 13 July
Program Information
Apprenticeship Positions. • Glencore Applications close 21 June. • Brown and Hurley: Applications close 30 June • Hastings Deering: Applications close 5 July
Australian Apprenticeship Pathways A reminder, resume and cover letter templates are available here and more apprenticeship career planning resources available here Qtac Update: Year 12 Students • QTAC Guides available late June from the SSO • The new QTAC website will be available in July. Once
online, Year 12’s can create their QTAC account • QTAC preferences can be added to QTAC accounts
from 4 August • ATAR accounts will be created from 4 August on the
QTAC website through the ATAR Portal
More information regarding the EAS, Early Offer, Direct Entry, Adjustment Factors, ATAR Guarantee and VET Qualification options for 2021 entry will be in Edition 5 of the Careers Newsletter. Edition 5 of the Term 2 Career Newsletter is available on the Careers Website: https://www.rgscareers.com/?page=newsletter
If seeking information from earlier in the term, please also check the newsletter link above. A reminder that appointments can be booked using the link at the top LH side on www.rgscareers.com Mrs Pam Hadwen Careers Advisor
RGS Newsletter Monday, 15 June 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au
Co-Curricular
With two weeks remaining this term there is certainly still a lot of uncertainty around what Term 3 will look like for the co-curricular programme. We are all hopeful that we will move into Stage 3 restrictions soon, but we must be conscious of the fact that even in Stage 3 there are some challenges that may impact directly on what we can achieve next term. From a cultural point of view, we are working with Rockhampton Regional Council and the Pilbeam Theatre to assess weekly what our options might be for the Secondary and Primary Musical and the Music Festival. Many other activities are on hold as we assess what opportunities are available within specific activities. For sport, Queensland School Sport released a basic roadmap for the return to sport last week, but we are waiting for sport-specific information this week. At all levels, from the Rockhampton District Secondary Principals Association, Rockhampton District School Sport and management committees under that, significant work is investigating procedures and policies to allow sport to return next term. If you have any specific enquiries about a co-curricular activity or sport please contact the Teacher in Charge or myself for more clarity or information. Student Achievements Ryan Martin (Year 10) was selected as an online qualifier in March this year for the 2020 CrossFit games where he competed in 6 events over 4 days. He placed 2nd overall in Australia in the 14/15 years boys division and 14th overall in the world rankings. Mr Todd Wells Director of Co-Curricular
RGS Newsletter Monday, 15 June 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au
