The Fusion Years and Senior Schooling - Student-led Conferences

On Tuesday 7 March 2023, we will conduct our first round of student-led conferences. Running parallel will be an information session for Year 10 families. These sessions will focus on understanding the Queensland Certificate of Education and our vision for senior schooling at Foxwell. To support you in attending the conferences as well as this session, we will repeat the information sesssion. Please keep up-to-date with communication regarding these events; we will confirm times and locations closer to the event.

From my last bulletin, in case you missed it! We are currently working in our leadership teams to finalise our plans for Year 11 and 12, while also consulting with local, regional and state-wide educators and schools to glean what is currently best practice in schools. Over the coming weeks, you will receive invitations to participate in surveys, consultative groups and discussions regarding Senior Schooling in 2024 and beyond. It is truly a time for thinking innovatively, deeply and with the bravery to determine our own path. I look forward to sharing with you the announcement of our new Industry Liaison Officer who will form part of the team working on our planning and partnerships. We always welcome your feedback, so, if you have a great idea about what Senior Schooling could include, please do participate in the sessions and events as they arise, or email me – dnico0@eq.edu.au While we must adhere to the requirements of the Queensland Government Department of Education and associated bodies, including the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority, we certainly can ensure that our Community is able to influence our delivery of senior schooling at Foxwell State Secondary College.

Please ensure that you are keeping abreast of information regarding these key events:

Thank you to students and families who continue to support our effective management of our College by adhering to all College processes and rules. Some reminders I would like to reiterate:

• Students are to be at school at 8.35am. The first lesson begins at 8.45am. Students who arrive after 9.00am must bring with them a signed note of explanation or a parent/guardian should have contacted the College to validate the late arrival of the student. Similarly, students should be present in class until 3.00pm; parents are encouraged to organise appointments and other commitment for after 3.00pm wherever possible and avoid removing their child from learning during the day;
• Formal uniform is worn every day unless a student is engaged in Physical Education lessons. Students must wear black leather shoes every day to ensure that workplace health and safety requirements have been met. Shoes are to be of typical style and structure, that is, not a boot or high-top or street shoe. This is clearly outlined in the Code of Conduct for Students. Socks must always be of a length that they sit above the ankle and are not hidden within the shoe;
• Facial piercings, other than those stipulated as being acceptable in the Code of Conduct for Students, are not permitted. Students wishing to be exempt from receiving a consequence due to being in breach of the Code must provide a written application for a Variation to the Dress Code. This form can be collected from the office. For example, if a student has a new nose piercing and cannot remove it due to the required healing process, the student can submit their application for the 6-week healing period, after which they will replace the jewellery with a clear, flat nose piercing. Applications can also be submitted wear a student is wearing a piece of jewellery for religious or cultural reasons;
• Hats are to be worn at all times when a student is outside the classroom: formal hats must be worn with the formal uniform and the sports hat with the sports uniform;
• Students who absent themselves (truant) from class for any period of time, without the explicit permission of their teacher or other staff member, will receive consequences proportionate to the amount of learning time lost;
• Chewing gum is not permitted;
• Failing to participate in the program of study (that is, not completing class work as best you can) may lead to consequences including a Saturday detention or suspension;
• Students who are not participating in learning may not have the privilege of representing the College at events and competitions, such as sporting events
• The College will not tolerate the disrespect of any staff member or student. If we know about the concerning behaviour, we can act on it and so students are encourage to please submit a report straight away;
• During the first and last breaks, students should be transitioning to class – not moving down to the ground floor or ovals etc. to play sport. The warning bell at 12.25pm signals the end of the lunch break and time to move to class. Students have ample time to access bathrooms and bubblers in the hour-long lunch break;
• Possessing and accessing MOBILE PHONES IS NOT PERMITTED between 8.35am and 3.00pm. Technology violations, such as having a VPN on their iPad or using social media in class is not permitted and will attract consequences for the student. Students ought to be conscious of what they post on social media - often "drama" is created and can find it's way in to and out of school, making it seemingly impossible to get away from those who are causing stressful situations or "creating drama". Students are reminded that their behaviour toward one another, including on social media, says a lot about them, their values and their beliefs. Students should avoid engaging with anyone on-line or face-to-face if interactions with them are not helpful and/or are harmful. 

Ms Di Nicolas, Deputy Principal - Compass Years, Year 10