7 February 2025

PRINCIPAL’S ADDRESS

Official acknowledgement – as this is the first whole school correspondence for 2025, I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the traditional custodians on the land that our school is built, as well as the surrounding areas where our kids grow and play. I pay our collective respects to elders past and present and look forward to our young people being the elders of tomorrow.

I would also like to acknowledge all members of our school community and highlight the richness of culture that exists at Gladstone State High School, with 34 different language and cultural backgrounds represented at our school.

Welcome and Welcome Back

The start of a school is always exciting, with new staff and students attending for the first time. We welcome all returning and new staff and students for the start of 2025.

Our new teachers; Darren Whyte, Kiall Rudder, Zayden McDougall, Ashleigh Gleeson, Aiden Huff and Erin Ball have transitioned in incredibly smoothly, with connections with staff and students already obvious. We also welcome back Laura Coleman to Gladstone State High School; she is a wonderful teacher and an asset to our students and school. Additionally, we welcome Belinda Miller, Alicia Hickson and Brandy Alexander into our teacher aide team.

Celebrating the Senior Class of 2024

We could not be prouder of our graduating class of 2024! The achievements of this group showed an absolute focus on doing their best and getting themselves ready for a successful step out of formalised schooling and into their life beyond.

Just some of their achievements:

• Our school DUX, Ananya achieving an ATAR of 99.25; an amazing result. Ananya is set to study a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Bachelor of Commerce at The University of Queensland
• 99.5% of our students achieved a QCE or QCIA with all students setting themselves up for future success through successful completion of schooling
• 8 of our students achieved an ATAR above 95
• 25% of our students who applied through QTAC for university entry achieved an ATAR above 95; with 62% achieving a score of 80 or above
• From information gathered so far from 114 of the 175 students from year 12 last year:
  • 23 apprenticeships
  • 6 traineeships
  • 33 students accepted into university

2024 Recap and Recognition

Our key focus will continue to be about ensuring that our students are achieving outcomes that they are capable of and proud of.  2024 saw a range of noteworthy achievements.

• Agreed curriculum development approaches for 2025
• School Opinion Survey improvement; staff, parents and students (improvement in all questions except one from our students)
• Improvement in measures for Year 7 – 9 English and Mathematics (part of the reflection from the department)
  • Above similar school measures for both A-B and A-C results
• 40% decrease in suspensions across 2024
• 50% reductions in cancellations and exclusions
• Over 25% reduction in lunch time behaviour incidents
• Significant increase in students eligible for PBL Rewards Events
• Over 3500 certificates of student recognition handed out for academic, behaviour/effort and attendance achievements

2025 Focus

Over the past two years our work on standards, expectations, processes have supported the focus on the development of a clear, effective curriculum. Effectively we have worked on ensuring that our classrooms environment enable quality learning and that what we are teaching is correct and appropriate.

For 2025 our focus is:

• Development of a Whole School Approach to Pedagogy – What approaches and strategies we are using to deliver the curriculum effectively
• Collegial Engagement Plan - Providing targeted feedback to our teachers and school in general about our teaching approaches

Facilities Progress

It is getting very exciting in the facilities area with:

• Library upgrade reaching completion with its re-opening to students in the next week or so
• O-Block toilet upgrade opening in week 7 or 8
• Our new ID&T building at interior fit-out with a handover looking likely early next term

These three projects will make a significant difference to Gladstone State High School and I would like to personally thank our Business Manager, Nadine Crawford for the outstanding work that she continues to do for these projects and our school.

Attendance Matters – Every Day counts (We need your kids at school!)

At Gladstone State High School, we value having our students at school each and every day. We know the impact of students missing a single day, let alone multiple days across a week, term or year. We understand that there may be a day here or there where a student is unwell or a significant issue occurs with the family, however anything more than this will have a significant impact on a student’s learning. We need your kids at school, it really is a simple as that. Please make contact with the school if there are challenges with your child’s ability to make it to school.

First School Parade Messages

At our fist whole school parade in week one we addressed a number of areas as reminders for our students (as well as outlining the amazing outcomes and improvements in 2024). Some of these are outlined below:

Uniform school – we are a uniform school and expect you in your uniform each and every day

Mobile Phones – students did an excellent job with this last year so this is just a reminder. First bell means phones away; not to be used until the last bell of the day

Student Planner/Diary – brought with you every day, and brought into every class

Night Owl Centre – we have a strong relationship with centre management and will continue to follow up behaviour of our students over. We will continue to work with this complex and address any behaviour concerns involving our students

Crossing roads – bikes, scooters or walking; be sensible, follow road rules, cross at the lights

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)

The PBL approach has provided our school with a very clear framework for building expectations, teaching behaviour expectations and, in turn, rewarding these positive behaviours from our students.

This fortnight’s focus is:

Be responsible – Be in line on time!

Mr Garry Goltz
Principal
Gladstone State High School

SCIENCE EXPERIENCE

The Science Experience is a three-day program where students visit QUT, UQ and Griffith Universities to experience their science facilities. A group of year 11 students gave up the last few days of their holiday to fly to Brisbane to attend. Over the three days students heard from some of Queensland’s leading scientists, participated in hands-on workshops, explored science-based careers and toured science facilities. Areas covered included forensic and biological science, chemistry, physics, mathematics, astronomy, computer science, environmental science and engineering.

Students also had the opportunity to stay at St Leo’s College at UQ and enjoyed playing pool and the grand piano in the common room. The students are to be congratulated for their excellent behaviour and engagement in all of the activities.

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SPORT NEWS

TONKA NEWS

2025 ROTARY LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE OPPORTUNITY

For more information about this amazing opportunity, click on this link

GUIDANCE OFFICER NEWS

Introducing the GSHS Student Wellbeing Team

Guidance Officers

In 2025 Gladstone State High School has three Guidance Officers servicing our Junior and Senior schools. All Guidance Officers are available at Gladstone State High School from Monday to Friday and can be contacted using the details below:

Katrina Dalton – Ph. 49766169 Email kdalt14@eq.edu.au Years 7 and 10

Elicia Harvey – Ph. 49766150 Email eharv42@eq.edu.au Years 8 and 11

Luke Jackson – Ph. 49766113 Email ljack140@eq.edu.au Year 9 and 12

Students are able to make appointments to see the Guidance Officers through the front office, or by sending an email. They may also request that their parent or teacher organise an appointment for them. Guidance Officers are generally available for students to drop in to their offices before school and at lunch breaks.

The Guidance Officers can help students with personal concerns such as bullying, anxiety, depression, family and peer relationships, self-esteem, stress, transition to a new school, referral to specialists, family concerns, anger, study skills, conflicts, coping strategies, grief and loss and more.  There are many issues students and parents/carers might wish to seek assistance with and if you’re not sure if they can help, they welcome your enquiry.

Career counselling is also available which can help students with subject selections, exploring career options and alternative career pathways, providing current course and career information and preparing students for post-school career management.

SBYHN NEWS

Hello, my name is Susan Buckeridge and I am your School-Based Nurse at Gladstone State High School. I’d like to take this opportunity to warmly welcome you to the 2025 school year.  I look forward to working with both students and their parents/carers throughout the school year, supporting any health and wellbeing concerns that may arise for your young people.

My best contact is via email at sbuck168@eq.edu.au or phone 4976 6171. My days at GSHS for 2025 are: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7.45 am to 2.15 pm. Please feel free to contact me with any health-related questions or concerns you may have for you & your young person.

Below is some information about how the school-Based Youth Health Nurse (SBYHN) service works within Queensland state high schools.

SBYHNs focus on preventative health for young people and provide:

• A confidential health service
• Health information for students, teachers, and the school community
• Intervention and links to other services as required

Some of the common issues young people access the SBYHN service for include:

• Mental health, low mood, anxiety, (including social and emotional wellbeing)
• Relationships
• Stress
• Nutrition or eating issues
  
• Sexual and reproductive health
  
• Drugs or substance use (including vaping, smoking, and alcohol)
  
• Growth and development, puberty, and periods

Other Nursing Services in Queensland state schools include the State Schools Registered Nurses (SSRN).  SSRN’s assess student health needs, develop health plans, and provide training for school staff to support student health needs at school. SSRN’s work with students, their families, school staff, and treating health teams to help minimise the impact of the student’s health needs on their learning.

Nursing services are available to support a range of health conditions such as:

• Diabetes support
  
• Seizure support
  
• Asthma, allergy, and anaphylaxis
  
• Medication administration
  
• Enteral feeding, catheterisation, respiratory support

If your young person has a new diagnosis or a change to their health regime, please let the school know, and we will work with the SSRN to manage their healthcare needs at school.

If you have any questions or would like to access either of the nursing services, please contact me on sbuck168@eq.edu.au or 4976 6171.

I would like to take the opportunity to welcome all of our new Year 7 Students to GSHS.  It is important we as a Whole School Community help all students feel Included, Safe, Respected and Protected.  If YOU see a student who is lost or alone, please take the time to ask, R U OK! and offer assistance.

Yours in Health,
Susan Buckeridge
School-Based Youth Health Nurse

NURSE PRACTITIONER NEWS

QPARENTS

Click on the below link for more information on how to join:

EXEMPTION PROCESS

Did you know that you can apply for an exemption for your student if they are needing to take leave from school for a period of more than 10 consecutive school days?

Please read the attached information sheet below for more information relating to this.  The exemption form is also attached.   These forms are also printed and available from the office.

If you are wanting to apply for an exemption, you will need to complete the form and organise a meeting with the Deputy Principal of the year level your student is in.  You can do this by phoning the school office.  They will then discuss the exemption with you and make the decision as to whether the exemption will be approved or not.

COMPASS APP NEWS

How do I Access Compass?

The Compass Home Screen

Compass SMS Link

Compass Attendance

Compass Student Profile

Compass Summary

ZERO TOLERANCE IN OUR SCHOOL

UNIFORM DONATIONS

We are in need of uniform donations.  If you have any uniforms at home no longer in use, feel free to drop them into the front office.  Any size or item would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

BREAKFAST CLUB

SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS FOR PARENTS

Navigating the online world with our kids can be super tough for parents. Knowing what apps are appropriate, managing screen time, and addressing the issues that come with social media use can be complex to say the least. Schools and families play a collaborative role in ensuring that kids can access the internet in a safe and healthy way. Below are some top tips from Rebecca Sparrow, who works with students, schools and is a member of the Queensland Government’s Anti-Bullying Taskforce.

BEFORE YOU HIT SEND – SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS FOR PARENTS

By: Rebecca Sparrow

STEP 1.  BASIC ONLINE DO’S & DONT’S

1. Don’t use your child’s photo or real name when setting up apps or certain social media accounts.
2. Don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know in real life.
3. Don’t agree to meet up with people you don’t know in real life.
4. Don’t chat to randoms online – even if you think they’re kids. Social media and gaming apps are stalked by adult predators looking for children to groom. 
5. Don’t give out your address, school or phone number online to anyone. And don’t share your passwords!
6. Most importantly – check the privacy settingson the platform or app you are using (see tips below)
7. Follow Susan McLean– Cyber Safety Expert,  Dr Kirsty Goodwin – Cyber Safety Expert and Code9 Parent on Facebook to get regular updates on the latest dangerous and dodgy apps and safety tips for your tech devices. 
   

STEP 2. SECURE YOUR DEVICES

1. You want to stop strangers from finding out where you live, work or go to school which they can easily do from the photos and videos you post.  Turn off Geo-Tagging on your camera.  Otherwise, geographical information is added in the form of metadata to photos, videos, SMS, websites. Go to LOCATION SERVICES and turn it off for your camera and any apps that don’t need it.
2. TURN OFF Frequent Locationswhich can tell anyone who picks up your phone where you live.  
3. If your device gets stolen or your friends decide to play a prank by hacking your account you want to be able to stop them from accessing your device!  Have a pin number on all your devices. And don’t tell your friends your pin numbers or log in details.
4. Again to stop people accessing your accounts – set up Two-Step Verification On Accounts: Facebook:  Account > Settings > Security > Login Approvals          Apple         Google          Twitter
5. Set up restricted viewing on Google, YouTube, your Mac or PC. 
6. For younger kids (10 and under) Use YouTube Kids, Kiddleor Safe Search Kids (powered by Google). Remember: no amount of net filtering replaces parent supervision!

USEFUL LINKS

Social Media Platform Safety Centres: FULL LIST of contacts

FACEBOOK: Basic Privacy Settings  and  How Can I See What My Facebook Profile Looks Like To Other People?   YOUTUBE TUTORIAL

INSTAGRAM:  Privacy & Safety Tips for Instagram

SAFE SEARCH ENGINES FOR KIDS:  YouTube Kids, Kiddle, Safe Search Kids 

Who’s Chatting to Your Kids?: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/policelink-reporting/reporting-cybercrime/children-and-the-internet/whos-chatting-to-your-kids

The advantages of helping kids navigate the digital world – The Atlantic 

15 Useful  iPhone Hacks including setting ‘Do Not Disturb’ on your phone so you can’t receive messages while you’re studying 

More iPhone hacks including getting more storage

How to save data on your iPhone: the small hack that can make a difference to your data use.

USEFUL APPS

HELP ME The Denise and Bruce Morcombe Safety App.  Download this app for 99cents and any person can call for help at the push of a button.   “The ‘Help Me’ button sounds a warning and allows you to send off an SMS text to two (2) nominated ‘safety’ numbers, as part of your Trusted Safety Network. Included in the text are GPS co-ordinates from where the text was sent, so the sender can be located or a last known place of contact is indicated.”

OurPact  Free parental control app that limits screen time and access to apps and sites.

Colour Therapy Popular free colouring-in app

Canvsly: a clever app to help you digitally store your children’s artwork 

YOUR DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

Set up a Google Alert for your name and email address so you can keep track about what’s said about you on-line. 

The resume is dead: your next click might determine your next job – The Guardian

Your digital footprint matters – Huffington Post

 CYBERBULLYING

The most important thing to remember if you are being cyberbullied is that you’re not alone and there are adults who can help you.

Keep evidence of the bullying (save emails, take screenshots of messages or posts), delete and block the bully and report the problem to the Safety Centre of the platform or app (you can find a full list here).  And most importantly tell an adult you trust. And keep telling adults until someone does something to help you. 

Office of the eSafety Commissioner 

How To Take A Screenshot On Any Device 

Report Cyberbullying: Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner

Legal Aid Queensland: Laws surrounding cyber-bullying and what to do about it. 

The National Children’s and Youth Law Centre, can provide free legal advice for anyone under 18, or anyone acting on their behalf.

Bullying No Way website for kids, teens, parents and teachers

HOUSEHOLD INTERNET AGREEMENT / PARENTAL CONTROL APPS

FREE OurPact parental control app that limits screen time by blocking internet and app access.

How To Find Hidden Apps on Your Child’s Phone

CONSENT/PORN/NAKED SELFIES

Avalanche of Violent Porn Affecting Our Young

The National Children’s and Youth Law Centre, are experts in sexting and the law, and can provide free legal advice for anyone under 18, or anyone acting on their behalf. If you find naked images on your child’s device, take a breath and ring these guys first to get some clear, calm advice on how to proceed.

Legal Aid Queensland: The law surrounding sexting and sharing naked images

It’s No Coincidence A Vile Instagram Account Was Set Up By Boys From An Elite Private School by Catherine Lumby

A Letter To My Son About Porn by Harriet Pawson

RECOMMENDED READING

Porn is not the worst thing on Musical.ly

The advantages of helping kids navigate the digital world

Noise levels dialled up as ban on mobile phones gets kids talking

Parenting the Fortnite addict – New York Times

Are you following the same digital rules you set your kids? – The Washington Post

Sexts, Texts and Selfies by Susan McLean (Australian)

Keeping Kids Safe Online by the Leonie Smith, the Cyber Safety Lady (Australian)  

Raising your child in a digital world – Dr Kristy Goodwin

RECOMMENDED SITES
The Cyber Safety Lady  (Australian)

RESOURCES FOR YOUR TEEN WHEN THEY NEED HELP

ReachOut 

Headspace: National youth mental health foundation 

Youth Beyond Blue

Kids Helpline or call 1800 551 800

Parentline: 1300 30 1300 www.parentline.com.au

Lifeline: 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au

Relationships Australia: 130 364 277 www.relationships.org.au

1800Respect Online: 1800 737 732 www.1800respect.org.au

Child Safety Services (Qld): 1800 177 135

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GSHS Calendar Term 1 2025

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