Foxwell State Secondary College eNewsletter

As a Principal there is nothing more important to me than the safety and wellbeing of our students. Each and every assembly and across every school day, I remind our students about the importance of making safe and respectful decisions.

Students are taught and reminded how to care for themselves and others. This could be as simple as not running on the stairs, or more significantly how to stay safe online, in the community, and in their interactions with others.

At Foxwell State Secondary College, we teach Respectful Relationships as part of Health and Wellbeing Education within our Healthy World lessons and across the curriculum. Students are provided with opportunities for social and emotional learning in self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationships, ethics, values, social norms, stereotypes, human rights, risk and responsible decision-making.

We agree that social and emotional learning in these areas is not solely the business of educators. We do not attempt to take on the important role that parents/carers hold in these areas. In partnership we can work together to best protect and prepare our young people at this vital time in their lives.

The pre- and early-teenage years can be a confusing time for our young people as they crave increased autonomy whilst learning to manage their emotions and stress. Parents most often know what their child needs most, but, at times, can use support and resources to help them to address the more complex challenges and questions.

Here are some links to resources and organisations that may provide you with the support you need.

Remember, if you ever need further support from our school, please contact our Guidance Officer, School Based Youth Health Nurse, School Chaplain, Heads of Year, Deputy Principal or teachers.

PROTECTIVE BEHAVIOURS

We need to teach our young people protective behaviours. There are many resources available for you to help you when speaking with your child.

The recent Queensland Police investigation in to a local sporting club volunteer reminds us of the need to ensure our young people know how to recognise signs of danger and to protect themselves by knowing what to do when something does not feel right.

QPS has made available the following information in relation to child protection. Child protection is everybody's business. You will find information about child/youth safety, children and the internet and 'who's chatting to your child' below.

https://www.police.qld.gov.au/units/victims-of-crime/child-protection

THE KEY TO SUCCESS IS GRIT

What is grit? Duckworth and colleagues define grit as "passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. It is unrelenting desire to drive to achieve, a 'hang in there' attitude that does not abandon when faced with obstacles".

Grit is a vital enabler for success because it involves identifying specific goals, eagerly seeking feedback on our performance towards meeting these goals and putting in deliberate practice to fix any mistakes and move to the next level of our abilities. It also involves finding a real interest and deeper meaning in our pursuits, and believing we can overcome obstacles in our way. Grit helps us to keep showing up every day no matter what.

So, what can we do as educators and parents to strenghten the level of grit within our young people? By fostering a growth mindset through helping them re-define what success is all about is critical. They need to know that success isn't all about achieving a flawless outcome, but is about moving outside of one's 'comfort zone', learning from the process of making mistakes, making small achievements through persistent effort and persevering until long-term goals are met.

As parents, it is so important for you to cultivate confidence and optimism in your children that will allow them to power through those low or difficult moments. Recognise that frustration, confusion and practice are par for the course. As parents, model that you can take calculated risks. Grit demands risk taking. Successful people are willing to risk failure in order to learn something new. Teach your children that failure is not the end. James Dyson had 5127 failed vacuum prototypes before he came out with the Dyson Dual Cyclone bagless vacuum cleaner that made him a billionaire. Yes 5127!!.

The most important thing you can do is to not let your protective instincts rob your children from first-hand experiences with hard-won victories. Don't jump straight in with their new maths problem or do their homework for them because they find it hard and frustrating the first time. As stated in Building Character, "as parents, we all want to see our children succeed, but as they search to find their footing on the pathway to success, it is important to show that that failure is part of the process, not an endpoint, but necessary crossing on the road to achievement".

Over the coming week/s, your child will be engaging in final assessment tasks. Be there to support and guide them, but most of all, be there to help them build GRIT.

P & C Association - Get involved

Each month at our P & C Association meetings, we have the opportunity to share the most up-to-date information about our school and to work strategically with parents about the next steps for our school. These meetings are the opportunity for all parents and members of our school community to have a say in a safe and supportive environment. If you haven't been to a P & C Association meeting yet, I recommend you come along next Tuesday, either in person or via Zoom. Your child's education counts on it.

Until next time

Kym Amor

At Foxwell, our students are fortunate to have staff available to assist them at WIN time, both before and after school. Our teachers also provide ample time in class to complete set work and assessment task. Many teachers provide opportunity during break times for students to access additional support. Unfortunately some students have not taken advantage of the many avenues of support on offer and are now not on track to complete their work to the best of their ability or/nor meet the deadlines provided.

Students are currently working on drafts and final copies of assessment in many subjects. You would have been notified by email if your student is not on track or has not submitted a draft yet. Included in this email would have been a request for them to attend a lunch time intervention/catch-up sesssion to support them to improve or complete their assessment drafts.

Over the next few weeks, Heads of Department will continue providing intervention/catch up sessions during lunch breaks from 11:30-12:00 in E2.27 for students to finish incomplete work in any of their subjects. Teachers will notify you via email if your student has not completed their work, requesting that they attend these sessions until work is completed. Students will also be notified of this by their teacher and will be reminded to attend these sessions.

We would appreciate your cooperation in encouraging your child to access the available support to ensure that they continue to flourish academically by producing work that demonstrates their best level of performance.

At Foxwell, we want our students to grow into independent learners who are responsible for their own learning. Thank you for working in partnership with us to ensure the best outcomes for your child.

It has come to our attention recently that a small number of Foxwell students are not demonstrating our SPIRIT values whilst traveling on buses. In particular, some students are behaving in a way that is both irresponsible and disrespectful. This includes, but not limited to, eating and drinking on the bus and leaving rubbish behind, smearing food onto glass and seats, damaging others' property and use of profanities. This kind of behaviour is unacceptable. Students who engage in these behaviours have had and will continue to have consequences applied in keeping with our Student Code of Conduct. At Foxwell, we have high expectations of student behaviour and are explicit in ensuring that all students know what is expected of them in all areas of our College and when traveling to and from school. Last week, Mrs Amor and Ms Schroeder travelled on the buses, with students, to remind them of the expectations and to manage any behaviours that were inappropriate. In addition to the College's high expectations of students, The Department of Transport and Main Roads publishes The Code of Conduct for School Students Travelling on Buses. If you have a child who travels to and/or from school on buses, please familiarise yourself with this document. Bus operators are within their rights to apply consequences for breaches of the Code of Conduct which could include: a written caution a period of refused bus travel and a behaviour agreement of other consequences as agreed to by stakeholders. Please be advised we continue to advocate with the bus operator and TransLink for additional bus services to reduce overcrowding on the bus to Coomera Waters and to provide a new service route to Upper Coomera.

All Excellence Program Fees are now OVERDUE.

Students who have not paid their Excellence Program Fee, or entered into a payment arrangement, will be removed from the program.

Please contact finance@foxwellssc.eq.edu.au if you require a copy of your invoice.

Do you receive Family Tax Benefit A or B from Centrelink? If so, you can nominate a fixed amount to be paid from your Family Tax Benefit directly to the College to cover your child's education costs. Please email finance@foxwellssc.eq.edu.au if you would like to set up a direct debit or CentrePay payment arrangement.

If you have, or are currently experiencing, financial difficulty please contact our Business Manager, Kimberley Knowles to establish a payment arrangement via email: kknow13@eq.edu.au

We are delighted to announce that award-winning journalist, commentator and author Madonna King will be coming to the Coomera Community, (as part of Project 4209), to speak with parents and interested community members about parenting and what she has learned through her extensive research for her best selling books, ‘Ten-Ager’ and ‘Being 14’.

Madonna will join us on Tuesday 22 June from 6pm in our Lecture Theatre at Foxwell State Secondary College.

Bookings are essential for this free event and can be made at the below link:

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/madonna-king-ten-ager-tickets-157902405345

BOOK NOW so as not to miss your opportunity to hear Madonna’s invaluable insights.

Our container for change challenge is ON!

1st Prize - TWO mega passes from Westfield Coomera. Each pass contains 1 X event cinema admission, 45 Mins IPlay adventure, 1 x game of bowling or mini golf and $10 lunch voucher. TWO to be given to the student who donates the most eligible recycling.

2nd Prize - Family pass for four for one game of bowling AND one game of mini golf, donated by The Park Coomera.

3rd prize - Family park arcade voucher - 2 hours of play for a family of four, donated by Iplay Coomera.

The class that donates the most will receive one Subway value sub per student, donated by Subway Pimpama.

Harbourvue & Shannon’s restaurant Coomera Waters are kindly donating bottles and cans for the duration of the event. Woolworth Coomera East are collecting recycling in their staff room. Any other businesses are welcome to join in!

The P&C Association also invited Foxwell staff to join the challenge with our students as to who can collect the most recycling!

All students have the opportunity to win fantastic prizes, simply by bringing into the College empty cans, bottles or containers compatible with the program. Information outlining which containers can be accepted is available at www.containersforchange.com.au/qld

Bags dropped off must be clearly labelled/tagged with the student’s name and roll class to ensure that points can be awarded accurately.

P&C Executive team will be available to collect bags/containers in the College carpark on:

Monday 7th June 7.30 – 9.00am

Thursday 10th June 7.30 – 9.00am

Monday 14th June 7.30 – 9.00am and 2:30 – 4.00pm

Thursday 17th June 7.30 – 9.00am and 2:30 – 4.00pm

Parents who wish to donate containers that contained alcohol can do so by bringing the containers to the collection times themselves or they can contact the P&C at PandC@foxwellssc.eq.edu.au to arrange collection. Students are not permitted to donate these containers.

Students are encouraged to collect containers from family members, neighbours and friends in order to gather as many containers for recycling as they can to win one of these amazing prizes and fundraise for our College.

Our next P&C meeting will be held on Tuesday the 8^th of June at 6pm in the learning Hub. Anybody wishing to attend via Zoom can do so please email us on PandC@foxwellssc.eq.edu.au to receive a zoom invitation. Please email your request by 5pm Monday the 7th of June.

Everyone welcome, please come along and be part of a dynamic team that will help shape the future for our students.

Broadwater Team Selection - Cross Country

On Tuesday this week, we had a number of students attend the South Coast Trial for Cross Country. Congratulations to all students who attended: Montana Atkinson, Jack West, Tom Deegan and Riley McMinn who represented Broadwater.

A special mention to Montana on coming first in her age group.

Montana will go on to the next level to represent South Coast.

Broadwater Team – 13 to 15 years Basketball

Sporting Minds student Ava Allan competed at Broadwater Districts basketball at Carrara Stadium last week.

She trialled for the South Coast 13 to 15 years girls team. Ava is still only 12 and is turning 13 later in the year so she has a few more years to trial at this level.

Unfortunately, Ava did not make the next round; however, she played and represented Foxwell SSC well.

This is such a great experience for her at this young age. Great effort, Ava!

South Coast Team selection - Rugby Union

Congratulations to Sporting Minds student Brigham Siteine on his successful trial for the 11 to 12 years Boys Rugby Union Team.

Brigham was selected for the South Coast School Sport team and will be heading to Brisbane to compete against against the other regions in the state for a spot on the Queensland Merit team.

Good luck, Bringham!

Inter-school Sport

A reminder to all students and parents that fees for interschool sport must be paid by the next round of games to be held next Tuesday 8 June. If your child has not paid by Tuesday, they will not be able to attend inter-school sport. Please check your email for your invoice. BPOINT payment details are listed on the invoice or statement. Contact finance@foxwellssc.eq.edu if you require a copy of your invoice.

Titans Cup Rugby League Team

The Foxwell Year 7/8 rugby league team played another game in the Titans Cup on Monday against Chisholm College.

Mr Way’s team put in another great effort, winning 48 - 8. Congratulations, team!

If you would like to highlight your child's sporting achievements, please email me at stayl328@eq.edu.au

Thank you

Mr Taylor

In Week 9 & 10 of this term, students will be asked to take part in the Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing (QEW) Survey. Students will be sent an email link to the survey, which they will complete during one of their Healthy World lessons.

We know that wellbeing and engagement are important to your child’s life at school. The Department and the College are looking at ways to collect information on these important areas so we can support our students in the best way possible.

The QEW Survey is designed to measure how state school students view their wellbeing and engagement.

Results from this survey will tell us about students’ levels of wellbeing and engagement. This information will allow us to better support our students and meet their needs.

Please refer to the attached document for further information. If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Victoria Leadbeatter, Head of Inclusion, on vlead1@eq.edu.au

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