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We are now in the midst of the assessment period for the final term of the year and the majority of our students have been demonstrating the excellent qualities that we expect at Foxwell State Secondary College. In and outside of the classroom, students are taking the opportunties on offer to them across our broad range of programs and activities.
Before our final weeks are upon us, we will see students engaging in music and dance troupe performances, our Creative Voices Showcase, as well our Swimming Carnival and Beach Touch championships. Over the last two weeks students have competed in Science and Engineering challenges, Art competitions and continued their sports conditioning events. We find that students who are actively engaged in at least one extra-curricular activity are far more positive than those students who choose not to take advantage of these opportunities on offer here at Foxwell SSC. As your family prepares for the 2023 school year, I ask that you consider what extra-curriculuar opportutnies your student will take up.
I spoke in our last newsletter about the importance of reinforcing routines and habits with our students. This week I would like to talk to this in terms of student study and assessment routines. Mid-term is a time where students should be continuing on with the organisation, study and assessment routines that they have already established throughout the year. There are increased benefits where there is an adult at home that encourages their students to be prepared for their studies and assessment. I say again this week that this is not the time to slacken off and count down to the end of term. This is the time to show true grit and determination as assessment due dates are closing in for most subject areas.
Parents, please continue to be vigilant in ensuring your child is getting into a solid sleep routine and getting sufficient sleep. Gaming should be limited to 2 hours and social screen time after school monitored so as to limit the negative impact on brain and mental health. As the year draws on, supporing students with their nutrition continues to be a priority. We notice at this time of year students forgetting to bring their lunches, or not taking the time to prepare this at home or the night before. A healthy lunch box full of fresh food gives your child energy to place, concentrate and learn all day. It’s also a good idea to pack a bottle with tap water for your child to drink and refill. Soft drinks and energy drinks are high in sugar and aren’t recommended for children, particularly during the school day.
Getting to school and class on time continues to be the expectation at Foxwell SSC. Teenagers seek independence and think they know best. No matter how hard parents try, some students may be reluctant or refuse to go to or engage when at school.
What you can do...
- Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day, make that the expectation. Regular attendance at school sets up good behaviours for regular attendance at work.
- Help your teenager maintain daily routines such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep. On average, teenagers need 8-9 hours sleep to be healthy and alert. You may also need to monitor their use of the Internet, mobile phone and TV at night to ensure they are not staying up too late or being disturbed while sleeping.
- Try not to schedule hair, dental or medical appointments during school hours. Arrange family holidays during scheduled school holidays so that they are not missing out on classes and, therefore, will not have to struggle to make up for lost time.
- Don’t let your teenager stay home unless genuinely sick. Complaints of headaches or stomach aches may be signs of anxiety.
- If your teenager wants to stay home to finish an assignment, rather than letting them stay home, expect them to go to school – make attendance the number one priority. Later, you can discuss with them how they can improve their study habits or adjust their schedule.
- Access the school assessment calendar below, use this to help your teenager plan their study.
We are coming to the end of our 2023 Enrolment Interviews. If you are aware of a child that has not submitted their enrolment application for 2023, please ensure that this is provided to the school as soon as possible. Transition Day is not far away and class lists are being finalised.
Until next time...
Miss Kate Shepherd
Acting Principal
Foxwell State Secondary College
Year 8 Camp is around the corner.
Please find below the packing list. This is the same list which was sent in the Special Bulletin during the school holidays and which students can access in SharePoint. Students also received a paper version of this list yesterday.
Please be reminded that the Foxwell SSC Student Code of Conduct applies for the duration of camp and students must not bring any prohibited items. If students are found with a prohibited item, it will be confiscated and will be returned to them upon arrival back at school. This includes mobile phones, iPads and other items of technology.
Any student who will require medication on camp, even if this is pain relief, must have this organised and delivered to Student Services by Thursday 13th of October - please ensure your child's name is clearly labelled with the appropriate dosage by your doctor and that all paperwork is completed. Medication will NOT be accepted after this point, unless prior arrangements have been made.
We look forward to seeing all families at our camp information session after the proceedings of the Year 9 Information Night next Wednesday, 12th of October. During this time, we will deliver our final camp messages and step through some friendly reminders to ensure that we can have a fantastic camp experience together.
Attendance at this camp information session is incredibly important as final forms regarding medical information will be distributed with the intent of them being filled in, signed and handed in prior to leaving the information session.
Students will not be permitted to attend camp if ALL permission forms including the medical forms, which will be distributed at the information session, are not returned.
Lastly, final camp payments are due TODAY Friday 7th of October, 2022. If you have questions about the financial matters of camp, please direct them to Kimberley Knowles - kknow13@eq.edu.au
For camp general questions or enquires, please direct them to Bryce Berrell - bdber0@eq.edu.au
- Please ensure that your mobile phone is not on you at school. This should be left at home or in your mobile phone locker at school.
- Please bring exercise books and pens to school as well as your iPad.
- Please make sure you write down and keep track of all of your assessment due dates this term.
Congratulations to all Year 9 students who are participating in co curricular activities currently. I wish our All Schools Touch players the best of luck for the rest of the week and hope our G Stem and ALP students have an excellent time on their excursion today.
I look forward to seeing many of you at our Mental Health Marketta tonight as well.
As always, please email me on hfbra0@eq.edu.au if there is any further support I can offer.
Mrs Arndt
The Gold Coast Public Health’s immunisation team will be providing vaccinations to all Year 7 students whose parents have submitted a valid consent form, on the 13th October.
You should have received an email from admin.immunisegc@health.qld.gov.au to the address you have nominated with the school (please check your JUNK mail folder).
If you haven’t received this email you can contact Gold Coast Public Health’s immunisation team on 1800 940 750.
The finish line is in sight for 2022 and our Healthy World and Health & Physical Education classes will be digging deep, making one last effort to achieve their best in Term 4!
Year 7 Healthy World
In a digital world, it is important for students to be capable digital citizens and being tech-savvy is an expectation of the next generation. At the same time, while screen time increases, overall health and wellbeing seems to be at an all-time low. To effect change, students will investigate the impact of screen time and the accompanying sedentary behaviour on the health and wellbeing of adolescents.
Year 8 Healthy World
A significant aspect of ‘growing up’ is learning how to manage potentially risky and harmful situations. Many young people begin to use substances due to peer pressure and wanting to be accepted by others. These choices, and the actions around the use of drugs and alcohol as young people, can influence the health and wellbeing of ourselves and others. This term students will conduct an investigation into the health effects and the impact these substances can have on a person's wellbeing. Students will also learn the skills to communicate assertively and provide strategies to minimise risk and harm.
Year 9 Health and Physical Education
In term 4, students will critically analyse the impact of media and societal norms on the beliefs and behaviours of young people. Media in today's society is capable of being influential in both positive and negative ways. The level and type of representation of different and diverse groups of people can influence adolescent’s beliefs and attitudes towards the activities they participate in for their own health and wellbeing. By delving deeper into representations in media, students will develop their understanding of diversity, gender and culture.
Up & Atom G-STEM Fair
During the last week of term, all G-STEM students across Years 7-9 presented at the Up & Atom G-STEM Fair. We hosted students from Picnic Creek, Coomera Springs and Coomera Special School, who spent time engaging with the Fair and voting on the 'People's Choice' awards. The quality and rigour of the students' passion projects has to be seen to be believed, and our distinguished guests and academics from Griffith University and The University of Queensland were bvery impressed.
Flying Scientist, Melanie Roberts opened the Fair as our keynote speaker, and reinforced the moral statement of the G-STEM program; developing a love and aptitude for STEM lies in finding your passion and areas of interest, and pursuing these relentlessly. She also commented about the importance of developing yourself as an individual through pursuing self-improvement, showing resilience, and never giving up. We are proud to say that these values align with our program, and our students are growing and developing as confident, well-rounded individuals.
QUT Coding and Space Excursion
On Friday 7th October, Year 9 G-STEM students travelled to QUT, where they participated in 2 workshops: Workshop 1 was a NASA LittleBits workshop, and Workshop 2 allowed students to code the solar system. Following this, students visited The Cube, for a Physics Observatory session. Specifically, this allowed students to make connections between Physics and Engineering, as well as discover potential careers such as Aeronautical and Electrical Engineering.
Horizon Educational G-STEM Partnership
Last term, we received the exciting news that the G-STEM program has been successful in gaining sponsorship from the ABB technology company to compete in the Horizon Education H2GP Program. The sponsorship, which is valued at $23,000, means that our Year 9 G-STEM students will design, build, refine, and competitively drive hydrogen-powered RC cars at the Horizon Educational Grand Prix challenge held in Gladstone next year. Parents are invited to the media release event held next Tuesday 11th October, please see the email sent yesterday for more information. Please email Ms McClymont to RSVP to this event.
First Lego League
This term, Year 7 and 8 G-STEM students will participate in the First Lego League Challenge. Participants gain real-world problem-solving experiences through a guided, global robotics program. With the creation of the Regional Hub at Foxwell State Secondary College, we will host Northern Gold Coast schools at the Coomera Regional Conference on Saturday 12th November. Letters will go out for this next week, and all students are expected to attend on the day from 9am-3pm.
Dear Foxwell families,
Our first P&C meeting of the year will be held via zoom on Tuesday the 7th of February at 7PM. Should you wish to join us please email pandc@foxwellssc.eq.edu.au for the zoom link.
New members are welcome to attend, we encourage you to come along to be part of a dynamic group.
The next meeting will be the last one before our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the 14th of March.
At this meeting we welcome in a new executive team which may be returning or new members decided on by a committee vote. If you wish to be part of the executive team for 2023 all positions are open. We also hold a non-executive role of grants officer who looks after grant applications. All positions are voluntary, no former experience is necessary.
Applications will be available before the AGM, please email if you would like details of any executive roles.
Trusting everyone had a wonderful break over the festive season.
I look forward to welcoming you to our next meeting.
Warm wishes
Roz Rowe
P&C President
Recyling Scheme Details:
Our scheme ID is C10256140 for anyone wanting to donate recycling, or please contact us on pandc@foxwellssc.Eg.edu.au to arrange to drop off at school. Every bottle or can will help us.