25 July 2025

PRINCIPAL’S ADDRESS

Student Leadership Induction

We had the privilege this morning to induct our new senior student leaders for 2025/2026. The induction provided us the opportunity to welcome Kayden, Stevi, Lewis and Tamsin into their captain positions as well as acknowledging the outstanding work of our previous captains, Matthew, Will, Vashti and Jolene. Both groups of leaders are well supported by equally impressive Indigenous Captains, Inclusion Captains, Instrumental Music Captains, House Captains and Senior Council members.

This morning also enabled us the opportunity to induct 29 year 7 leaders, each starting their journey of leadership at Gladstone State High School. It really was a wonderful recognition of quality student leadership.

NAIDOC Week

The theme for NAIDOC Week 2025, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy” emphasizes the importance of empowering young leaders and recognising the contributions of past generations.

This is a powerful purpose and one that sits comfortably with the expectations and standards at Gladstone State High School. This week we have had the privilege of holding a range of cultural events to build understanding and to recognise and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. It really has been an exceptional week. I would like to respectfully acknowledge our local elders as well as our parents who have attended our school this week to share their knowledge and experience and provide our students and staff with a truly inspirational week. I would also like to recognise our staff that have organised and overseen activities over the course of the week.

Queensland State Budget Student Experience

Late last term, our school captains Matthew and Will had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Queensland State Budget Student Experience, hosted by the Premier of Queensland at Parliament House in Brisbane.

This exclusive program welcomed 47 student leaders from across the state to step into the world of government finance and policymaking. Will and Matthew enjoyed the opportunity to take part in interactive workshops, behind-the-scenes tours, and observe the delivery of the State Budget in Parliament.

The day provided a hands-on understanding of economics, fiscal policy and the role of media in shaping public perception. Students also engaged directly with Members of Parliament, government decision-makers and the Premier, gaining valuable insights into how the State Budget impacts everyday life in Queensland.

We are incredibly proud of Matthew and Will for representing our school with enthusiasm and curiosity, and we look forward to seeing how this experience inspires future endeavours!

School Opinion Survey

Information has been sent home to our families in relation to the 2025 School Opinion Survey. Each year, this process provides our staff, parents and students from years 8 and 11 with the opportunity to give their perspective in a range of different areas. Our year 8 and 11 students will access the surveys at school and complete them over the next couple of weeks, with our staff already starting to complete them.

Last year we had close to 200 parent responses, a solid response rate however we would appreciate the support of more of our parents to complete the survey. As a school, we take the opinions of our parents, students and staff very seriously, with our future actions and direction often influenced by the views provided.

Parent information evening: Year 9 into 10 and Year 10 into 11 – Monday July 28

When:  Monday July 28 5:15pm for a 5:30 start
Where: Gladstone SHS Hall
What:    Information session from 5:30pm until 6:00pm
              Subject displays in the hall from 6:00pm until 7:00pm

• allowing parents and students the chance to talk to subject experts to get a better understanding of senior subjects they can choose.

Robotics Club - Drone Challenge

Five teams, a second place finish, two awards and some very excited students! As always, our students that competed in the recent Drone Challenge represented Gladstone State High School with distinction. From very experienced competitors to first-timers, our students competed hard and had some wonderful experiences. I need to call out the commitment and organisation of Ms Julie Hunt for her leadership of these teams.

Volleyball trip to Aldridge State High School

Our Senior Girls and Senior Boys teams travelled to Aldridge SHS to take part in the Wide Bay competition. Both teams played 4 games during the day only dropping one set! An outstanding result. This event provided a great warm-up for the upcoming Senior Schools Cup at the Gold Coast. Congratulations to our players and good luck for the Gold Coast. Thank you to the Volleyball Program staff for your ongoing support of our students.

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) Focus

Carry my ‘Out of Class Pass’ or signed planner with me when out of class.

On those rare occasions where our students need to be out of class, they are required to take with them evidence that the teacher has supported them to step out of class for those moments. We are working with a number of students who are choosing to be out of class rather than having permission, so being able to differentiate between those that have permission and those that don’t is important.

SOE VOLLEYBALL NEWS

Last Friday, our Senior Girls & Senior Boys teams travelled to Aldridge SHS to participate in the Wide Bay competition. Both teams played approximately 4 games during the day and only dropped one set throughout the whole competition!

These teams are now in their final preparations before heading to the Gold Coast for the Senior Schools Cup in a few weeks’ time.

Thanks to Aldridge SHS for hosting this event. Well done to all players & coaches involved.

Go Sharks!

TEACH QLD REGIONAL ROADSHOW

We’re heading to the Teach Queensland Regional Roadshow!

On 31 July, representatives from Gladstone State High School will be attending the Teach Queensland Regional Roadshow in Gladstone to meet with teachers interested in working in Queensland state schools.

We’re looking forward to sharing what makes our school a great place to work, from our supportive community to the rewarding teaching opportunities we offer.

📅 Thursday 31 July 2025
🕠 5.30 pm – 7.30 pm
📍 Gladstone State High School

LOVE BITES PROGRAM

During Week 4 of this term all our Year 9 students will participate in the LOVEBiTES program. It is a one-day program with Year 9 HPE classes attending on either the 4^th or 7^th August.  This year it is being run alongside our Year 9 HPE unit Respectful Relationships in order to consolidate student learning.  Below is an outline of what LOVEBiTES is about.  For more information or to discuss your child’s involvement please contact the Head of Health and Physical Education Vanessa Randazzo on (07) 49 766 118 or at vrand2@eq.edu.au

LOVE BITES is an extremely successful school-based Domestic and Family Violence and Sexual Assault prevention program that evolved on the Mid North Coast of NSW. Love Bites is based on best practice standards for education programs as recommended by the Federal Government funded Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearing House and other leading academics in the area of violence against women.

Over 100,000 high school students throughout Australia have participated in this interactive and innovative program aimed at 14-16yr olds.

LOVE BITES promotes an integrated partnership approach to prevention and generates local ownership of the program. Local service providers facilitate the Love Bites program. Professionals such as sexual assault workers, domestic violence workers, youth workers and police can facilitate the program.

The LOVE BITES program consists of two interactive education workshops on Domestic and Family Violence and Sexual Assault followed by creative workshops that consolidate the information from the morning.

Male and female facilitators present the program as a team and LOVE BITES consistently models respectful relationships between male and female students, teachers and workers. The artworks and other work created in the creative sessions are the basis for local campaigns to challenge Violence against Women in their community. This campaign is led by and delivered by young people.

PUSH UP CHALLENGE

Well done to the Gladstone SHS push up team for 2025. Great effort from all those who gave it a go. Some very sore arms for the month of June. Keep training to get ready for 2026….Jeff

PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Parent Teacher interviews will be held on Tuesday 5 August from 3:30pm-6:00pm.  Please see the letter below for more information about the interviews and how you can book.

GUIDANCE OFFICER NEWS

CQUniversity Open Day Gladstone

Help your children take control of their future at CQU’s Gladstone Open Day. Connect with CQU's teaching staff, discover our huge range of TAFE and university courses, and learn more about CQU’s outstanding range of student support services.

Register online and you’ll be kept up to date with the latest event info and you’ll automatically enter the draw to WIN one of three prizes: Macbook Air M2, Apple Watch SE or Apple AirPods ANC.*

*Terms and conditions apply. Available at cqu.edu.au/competitions.

Choosing the Right Course and Institution for Tertiary Study

Choosing the right course and institution can be hard, especially when there are so many options available.

Here are some things to consider when helping your child choose a course and/or institution:

• Does your child want to study close to home, or are they willing to travel? What costs are involved with travel?
• If the institution your child is interested in isn't close to home, are they willing to live on campus? If so, what accommodation options does the institution have?
• What student support services does the institution offer? 
• Is the course your child is interested in offered at multiple institutions, or just one or two? This may be a factor in deciding where to study.
• Does the course match your child's skills and interests?
• Do the career opportunities offered by the course match your child's career aspirations?
• Would your child need to do further study after completing a course to reach their career goals?
• Does your child want to study full-time or part-time, on campus or externally? Some institutions offer flexible study options, while others require students to complete all their studies full-time, on campus. 

Online resources

Here are some online resources that can assist you and your child in choosing the right course and institution:

The Good Universities Guide (formerly Hobson's Course Finder)

The Good Universities Guide can help you find courses at Australian tertiary institutions, compare university ratings, and explore careers.

myfuture

myfuture is a free career information service that assists career planning, career pathways and work transitions. It gives details of education and training providers, scholarships and courses Australia-wide.

Institution websites

Institution websites give information on courses, entry requirements, campuses and facilities, fees, scholarships, student support services and more.

QTAC Course Search

The QTAC Course Search lets you search for tertiary courses offered by institutions in Queensland and Northern New South Wales.

University Open Days

With QTAC applications opening shortly, open day season is now in full swing.  

The following is an update of the 2025 Open Days:

SENIOR SCHOOLING NEWS

YOUTH HEALTH NURSE NEWS

Fuelling Your Brain: Food for Thought

Did you know that what you eat directly affects how well your brain works? During the teenage years, your brain is still growing and changing. Eating the right foods helps you focus better in school, improves your memory, and supports your emotional wellbeing.

What counts as brain food?

Foods rich in:

• Omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish like salmon)
• Whole grains (such as brown rice, breads and oats)
• Fruits and vegetables (for vitamins and antioxidants)
• Protein (eggs, nuts, beans)

Eating balanced meals gives your brain the energy it needs to think clearly, solve problems, and stay alert throughout the day.

The Breakfast Boost

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Skipping breakfast can lead to poor concentration, irritability, and feeling unnecessarily tired. It’s also linked to unhealthy snacking later in the day and potential weight gain.

Why Do Teens Skip Breakfast?

It’s common for teens to skip breakfast, often related to:

• Lack of time in the morning
• Not feeling hungry right after waking up
• Trying to lose weight or body image concerns

Parents/Carers can support their teens by:

• Planning and offering quick and easy breakfast options
• Encouraging teens to eat within an hour of waking
• Avoiding pressure — instead, make breakfast inviting and stress-free

Balanced Eating for Teens

As teens grow, their nutritional needs increase. teenagers should aim for:

• Plenty of fruits and veggies (at least 5 servings per day)
• Whole grains (like bread, pasta, and cereals)
• Proteins (meat, fish, eggs, tofu, legumes)
• Limited sugary snacks and drinks
• Drinking water regularly throughout the day

Tips for Parents and Teens

• Plan ahead: Have easy breakfast options easily available, consider it when you are doing the groceries
• Eat together: Family meals encourage healthy habits and better communication.
• Be a role model: Show your own commitment to having breakfast, not skipping meals and healthy eating.
• Encouraging teens: to eat within an hour of waking, even bringing breakfast to have on their arrival at school. 

Final Thought

Good nutrition is one of the most important gifts you can give your growing body and brain. Your teenage years are a critical time for growth and development, and supporting this with nutritious food helps you reach your full potential. Whether you’re a teen or a parent, making healthy food choices now lays the foundation for a stronger, happier, and healthier future.

If you have questions about nutrition or your teen’s eating habits, please contact the school nurse or visit:

QPARENTS

TONKA NEWS

NURSE PRACTITIONER NEWS

BREAKFAST CLUB

TUCKSHOP MENU

UNIFORM SHOP

Uniform Shop Hours

TERM 3 CALENDAR

COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS