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Over the past weeks we have continued to be impressed by the resilience and perseverance of our students, parents and staff.
Never before has our country and community experienced such uncertainty and lack of control over our present and future decisions. For many people this has been difficult and various emotions would certainly have surfaced.
Added to this, many families have faced unexpected financial hardship which can bring another layer of complexity and emotion. With all of this in mind, I have been very proud of the sense of community, engagement, and compassion that has been demonstrated and I wish to publicly acknowledge this and thank you.
Our focus for our students during this time is on their wellbeing, however we never lose sight of their educational needs. We know that learning and wellbeing are interconnected and that our students are unable to effectively learn and develop if they are not emotionally well. As we continue with our Continuity of Learning Program, and as we move towards our return to school, we will continue this focus and work towards supporting the unique needs of each of our students.
Our plans will be outlined further in this newsletter by members of our school Leadership Team.
Permission to Feel
This week our staff worked through some professional learning and personal reflection and collectively explored evidence based practices from around the world in relation to emotional intelligence and the importance of unlocking the power of emotions to help our students, ourselves and our community.
We were inspired by the work of Marc Brackett, a Professor at Yale University’s Centre for Emotional Intelligence and his book and videos, Permission to Feel. In these he provides a system for understanding our emotions and using them wisely so they help, rather than hinder our success and well-being.
Our biggest takeaways from our professional learning included his MoodMeter and the need to effectively label our emotions, and the RULER approach to accurately identifying, understanding and mastering emotions.
Our parents, carers and community members are able to find out more about these approaches from the Permission to Feel resources but I have included the images that outline both the MoodMeter and the RULER approach below. Having engaged in this professional learning our staff will be in a stronger place to support our students and parents as we work from home, and when we come back together, hopefully from the 25th May 2020.
Staffing Update and Teacher Changes
After the completion of a rigorous recruitment and selection process, I am excited to announce that Ms Dianne Nicolas has accepted the role of Deputy Principal at our school. Ms Nicolas has held the role of A/Deputy Principal at Shailer Park State High School since January 2018.
Her strengths are in her engagement with students, parents, staff and the community. She has strong relational and strategic leadership qualities and has lead many successful school improvement priorities in her previous roles.
Ms Nicolas has held Senior Leadership roles at Brisbane State High School and Whites Hill State College and was the Head of Academic Success at Queensland Academies (Science, Mathematics, Technology Campus).
She is a passionate and positive leader and we are very fortunate to have her joining our Executive Leadership Team.
Ms Nicolas commenced on Monday 11th May and has already begun to establish strong relationships with staff and our students who are site. I am sure you will all make Ms Nicolas feel very welcome, in the normal Foxwell SPIRIT, when your get the opportunity to meet her face to face soon.
It is common practice in Secondary Education for students to have different teachers across the year as they move to different learning areas in their studies. We had intended for these changes to occur in Semester 2, however to reduce the amount of change that our students will experience across this already complex year, we have made the decision to make the changes from May 25th. These teacher/subject changes will stay in place for the remainder of the school year (unless in extraordinary circumstances). Your child will be well supported as we make these small changes to their timetable and the transition plans for each student will be shared between teachers to ensure continuity of personalised learning for our students.
Enrolment for 2021
Parent and Community Engagement
We have many ways for our parents and community members to engage in our school community. One great way is to get involved in our Parents and Citizens committee.
This group meets monthly to provide valuable input in to the strategic and operational decisions affecting our students and our school.
They also look for opportunities to build our school community and to provide enhanced resources for our students. In each newsletter there will be a section from our P & C Executive so all families can be kept up to date on what is happening. Remember, together we are great.
COVID – 19 Implications
As you are aware the Premier announced that from Monday 11 May, 2020, students in Kindy, Prep, Year 1, Year 11 and Year 12 could return to their school and community kindergarten.
Children of essential workers and vulnerable children continue to be able to attend school for supervision. For students in Years 2 – 10, which includes our Year 7 students, the current home-based learning arrangements will remain in place. If low COVID-19 transmission rates continue, students in Years 2 – 10 will be able to return to school from Monday 25 May, 2020.
It is recognised that some parents may choose to keep your child at home due to concerns about COVID-19 and this is respected. If parents choose to do this, I ask that you notify the school to discuss how we can support you as you continue to home school your child.
Our staff have greatly appreciated all the positive feedback that has been provided to them over the last few weeks. My sincere thanks goes to all parents and carers for your support and understanding during these challenging times.
Until next week
Kym Amor
At Foxwell State Secondary College we use the SharePoint application to communicate the Assessment and Learning Calendar with parents, carers and students.
Through SharePoint, the Assessment and Learning Calendar can be:
- Downloaded as a printable version (schedule or calendar view)
- Synced with personal native calendars
- Checked regularly in real time.
When we refer to a native calendar, we are referencing any electronic calendar tool or applications used by an individual for the purpose of scheduling. For example, a native calendar may be Outlook, Apple Mail or Google Calendar.
SharePoint can be accessed as a webpage, or as a downloaded application. Parents, carers and students use student’s school email address to log in and access their notices. This is also known as a student’s school MIS ID. The following video provides instructions on how to sign in to SharePoint.
We are now in the second cycle of our updated Continuity or Learning Plan where the subjects of Digital Technology and Healthy World have been set aside and do not appear as an upload of work to Seesaw on Wednesdays. We trust that this has provided ample opportunity for students to more fully engage and concentrate on the subjects of Physical World – Humanities and Science, Social World English and Maths. However, should students wish to continue to engage in similar learning experiences, Flourish and Smart Moves activities are made available on Wednesdays through House Groups and work can continue, should students wish, on the Flappy Bird App – this will not be assessed in any way.
Assessment and Reporting
At this stage students should have submitted a number of assessable portfolio tasks. These tasks have been indicated on the Assessment Calendar which was attached to our bulletin last week as well as on the Lesson Overview sheet for the relevant lesson. If your child has had difficulty completing these, please encourage them to seek the support of their classroom teacher.
Our Semester 1 reporting will be in line with our Continuity of Learning Plan and students will receive a report for four subjects - Physical World – Humanities and Science, Social World English and Maths only. Be assured that we will be using a range of evidence from both Term 1 and Term 2 to provide students with an indicative, ‘on-balance’ result for each of the four subjects. We have made these reporting decisions, in what we believe to be in the best interests of our students and in keeping with the advice from the Department of Education.
Return to school
Upon returning to school in Week 6, should health advice permit, students will participate in all timetabled subjects and there will be a deliberate focus on wellbeing and connection. Curriculum delivery will continue to be modified for the remainder of Term 2. During this time we will be seeking to understand the complexities and challenges that many of our students have faced during COVID-19 and then make informed decisions about our most appropriate actions moving forward in order to best support positive relationships, positive emotions, positive engagement, positive health, positive purpose and positive accomplishment. We are mindful of prioritising actions, as a school and as a community, at this time, that support our students to Flourish.
Connections Day
On Monday 25th May, given favourable health advice, all students will return to school. On this day we will be hosting a Connections Day for our students and no regular timetabled classes will run. It will be a ‘device free’ day and all iPads must remain at home. Students will participate in a range of activities to help transition them back to the school environment, help them rebuild relationships and create new ones with their peers and their teachers and help us to gain an insight into where our students are at and the supports they may need as they re-engage with our school community and classroom learning.
Students will be required to wear their Sports Uniform including their hat and will need to bring a water bottle.
During the first session of the day, we intend to complete a school tour, including a walk through the bushland area leading to Oakey Creek. This area does have some longer grass and could put students at risk of insect bites such as mosquitoes or midgies. If a bushwalk, in this type of environment, poses a risk for your child, please let Zana Schroeder, Deputy Principal know via email , zschr2@eq.edu.au , so an alternate activity can be arranged.
More information will be provided about the Connections Day schedule as we move closer to our students return.
I am delighted and excited to join the team at Foxwell State Secondary College as one of your Deputy Principals. The opportunity to lead a dynamic and innovative learning community in its foundation year is both humbling and life changing. The warm welcome I have received from students, staff and families together with my interactions this week have affirmed for me that I am now part of a warm and supportive community in which we all play an important role.
My recent role as Deputy Principal in leading a school in undertaking significant change in its learning culture, organisational structure and strategic approach to teaching and learning has been invaluable experience in preparing me for this next challenge in my career.
I graduated from university with honours and, as was typical at the time, appointed to a rural school. My intention was to return after 3 years; however, I went on to spend 14 years in the Wide Bay region. I started as a beginning teacher in a rural school of approximately 450 students where I fulfilled a number of leadership roles including Head of Year 12, Head of House and Assistant to the Principal. It was here that I realised I was passionate about leading learning which was authentic, rigorous and relevant for all students.
After 8 years, I joined an independent school where I was Head of Faculty – English. Six years later I returned to Brisbane and was successful in applying for a Head of Department role, which included the role of Head of Academic Success, at Queensland Academies based at Toowong. After three years, I secured the role as one of two inaugural Heads of Year at Brisbane State High School and developed the Junior School in preparation for the introduction of Year 7 to high schools.
My work in this role lead to my successful application for the role of Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning – Junior School in a growing school in the Logan region. The opportunity to join Foxwell after two years in that role was irresistible and I am proud to be appointed to the College as one of three foundation Deputy Principals.
My experience in leadership across more than 20 years has afforded me the opportunity to lead learning communities where the educational outcomes of every learner is our collective focus. I have been highly impressed by the engagement of all students in their learning both at home and on site, and encouraged by the resilience and positivity of the school community in working through this unique experience. I look forward to meeting each of you in the coming weeks.
Winter Uniform
Our beautiful grounds provide students with pleasant spaces in which to enjoy the autumn sun as the weather and those fresh breezes become noticeably cooler.
Our uniform has been designed with various cold-weather options for families to consider, and we have appreciated the commitment families have made to adhering to our Dress Code.
The clothing options available complement either the formal uniform or the sports uniform so please ensure that you continue to follow the Dress Code when selecting each item. As per the Code:
During the colder months the following items are acceptable:
- Foxwell SSC Wattle coloured knitted jumper (with school logo) – to be worn with Formal Uniform
- Foxwell SSC Ink blue jacket (with school logo) – to be worn with Sports Uniform
- Foxwell SSC Ink blue track-pants (with school logo) – to be worn with Sports Uniform
- Ink blue stockings/tights
- Foxwell SSC Ink blue scarf (with school logo)
Beanies, balaclavas, knit caps with ear flaps or other similar headwear are not permitted. Undershirts must be not be visible outside/through the uniform (e.g. T Shirts, Tank Tops or singlets).
Families are able to order uniform items through the UMS website and are able to collect from the Administration Office the following business day.
If you would prefer to book a private fitting time in the uniform shop, please secure a booking with UMS on their website below.
Please be advised that there will be changes to the front entrance access for students, parents and visitors to the School for all of next week (Monday 18th May to Friday 22nd May), due to works being completed within the front entracnce area.
Students are to access the School by using the gate at the Lecture Theatre on Ground Floor of E Block. This is through the bottom carpark. The carpark gate will be open during this time.
There will be no access to the School using the front gates. There will be signage in place to direct students. If Parents or Carers need to visit the School during next week, please call Administration on 07 5555 3333 for directions for access. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the School.
Attention Students, Parents and Carers,With our community starting to come out of isolation restrictions and our students returning to school, the Foxwell State Secondary College Parents and Citizens Association would like to put together a video presentation for the teachers, parents and caregivers from the students to say “Thankyou” for all that they have done and continue to do.
It has been unprecedented times and all the adjustments and changes that have been made at school, in the home and the community have affected everyone in many different ways.
The Foxwell P&C would love it if students got involved and recorded a short video message expressing their thanks to the teachers, parents and caregivers for all they have done during these past weeks.
This could be in the form of holding up signs, notes, cards, drawings, photos or anything that you can think of that says, Thank you! This will be put to music so there is no need to speak.
The teachers have really missed being able to do what they do best. To help, to teach, to guide and to inspire the students to be the best possible version of themselves that they can be. Many families have had to make significant lifestyle changes. Let’s put a smile on their faces and show them how much they are appreciated.
The plan is to have this done for the return to school, which is anticipated to be 25th May 2020, so can I please ask that you send through your recording or images by 9pm on the 20th May 2020 to: michelledigby@mac.com
Please label your recordings or images with SURNAME First name and number
eg: DIGBY Keira 1.
Thank you for considering to be part of this welcome back “Thank you “ video celebration.
Michelle Digby
(President of the Foxwell State Secondary College P&C)
Positive Partnerships webinars
Positive Partnerships are offering a number of webinars. Please see attached flyers on the following topics below:
- Returning to School – Preparing for change.
- Health and Hygiene
- Technology Online Learning
Please share Positive Partnership webinars with interested families.
Community Resource Unit (CRU) parent webinar
The attached flyer invites families to join a free webinar on Communication with school – Building a Foundation for Partnerships. This will be hosted by the Community Resource Unit (CRU) as part of their partnership with the Department of Education to strengthen parental advocacy and build valuable partnerships between parents and families of students with disability and their child’s school. The focus of the webinar is:
Effective parent and school partnerships may be more important now than ever. This webinar will give parents an opportunity to refocus their vision and goals for their son or daughter, and to explore effective communication and collaboration skills that can lead to achieving the best outcomes for their child. Effective advocacy strategies will be explored, including tips specific to email and phone communication.
The webinar will be held on Monday 18 May 2020 from 7.30pm-8.30pm. Registrations closed on Friday 8 May 2020, however please contact CRU if the invitation is received after this date.
Families can also access the previous CRU webinar recording and other resources on CRU’s Families for inclusive education web pages.
Upon enrolment, all families were asked to complete a Third Party Consent form for a range of web-based service provider/s accessed by the school for curriculum purposes. On the 24th April we sent to families an updated Third Party Consent form requesting approval to introduce additional web based educational resources. Next week we will be making contact with all families that have not yet had an opportunity to return the original, or updated Third Party Consent form. If you are aware that you have not yet returned either of these forms, please take a moment to complete the attached Third Party Consent form and return via email to admin@foxwellssc.eq.edu.au.
Please note that the form attached to this bulletin is a collated version of both the original form completed on enrolment and the updated version issued on the 24th April.
Our school and teachers make decisions about the best technology to meet the needs of our students. Sometimes it is beneficial for students to utilise services provided by third party web-based providers. For your child to use the service, the teacher will need to register them as a user. Registering with these providers requires student personal information to be disclosed to the provider of the service. In the case of the services outlined below they are private companies that are hosted onshore in Australia and outside of Australia.
Please take a moment to read the attached document and if you agree to provide third party consent, tick each checkbox and complete your details and sign on the third page and then return to the school, ideally by email to admin@foxwellssc.eq.edu.au.