Reconciliation Week / Sorry Day

The theme for Reconciliation Week 2021 is, “More than a word”. I like this theme. It asks us to consider how we as a school enhance the goal of reconciliation practically each day.

Fundamentally, reconciliation is about empowerment, understanding and relationships. The Sorry Day and LCEB photos indicate our partnership with community members to enhance our students’ future opportunities.

However, it is the work that we do in every lesson that makes the real difference. Thank you to everyone for making the goal of reconciliation more than a word at Spinifex State College.

CampusLink Friday, 28th May 2021

Volume 19, Issue 8

U P C O M I N G E V E N T S 2 8 M A Y 2 0 2 1

Interschool Netball - Spinifex vs GSCC

3 1 M A Y 2 0 2 1 800m & Javelin

2 - 1 8 A P R I L 2 0 2 1 Easter School Holidays

1 J U N E 2 0 2 1 1500m & Discus

3 J U N E 2 0 2 1 Masquerade Disco

4 J U N E 2 0 2 1 Year 8 Survivor Day

8 J U N E 2 0 2 1 Multicultural Day – Senior Campus

P & C M E E T I N G

Our next P & C Meeting will be held in the Senior Campus Library at:

7pm on Wednesday the 16th of June, 2021.

All parents and community members are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Principal Mr Philip Sweeney

Head of Senior Campus Mr Chris Pocock

Head of Residential Campus Mrs Cath McGrath-Jeffrey

CampusLink

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Local Community Education Body

I was very pleased to have signed Terms of Reference to guide the work of the Local Community Education Body (LCEB) over the next few years. The exciting initiative aims to empower the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community through a co-design methodology to enrich our school culture and improve outcomes for all students.

The members of the LCEB are Valarie Craigie, William Blackley, Melissa Eggmolesse, Christine Riley, Stephanie King, Lynette Bambrick, Esmeralda Rankine, Isaiah Milne, Janice Irvine, Chely Burke, Chris Pocock, Phil Sweeney and Justin Butler.

Gifted and Talent Program

The Gifted and Talented Year 6 program kicked off this week with 129 students participating this year. This tremendous program engages students in five learning areas, including: Science, Geography, Music, Gastronomy and Health and Physical Education. The program seeks to energise our students’ love for learning and provide them with a taste of learning within a high school setting. We appreciate Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines ongoing financial support for this worthwhile community program.

CampusLink

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STEM Girl’s Power Camp

Spinifex State College student Kaitlin Cummings recently attended the STEM Girl’s Camp. Kaitlin is the first on the left sitting down in the photo.

STEM Camp Ambassador – Wendy Bode said, “The girls enthusiastically embraced every opportunity to learn from STEM mentors (UQ, Griffith Uni, Transformational Research Institute and QUT) and to reflect upon their own career pathways.

I was very proud of all of the girls throughout the entire camp experience. Not only did they ask thoughtful and in-depth questions of the mentors, but they were also considerate and caring students. Most importantly, the girls supported each other and formed a wonderful friendship that will hopefully continue through school and into their chosen careers.”

Red Bench Project

The North West Hospital (NWHHS), in partnership with Spinifex State College Mount Isa, the Rotary Club of Mount Isa and the Red Rose Foundation, launched its Red Bench Project as part of National Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month. The Rotary Club of Mount Isa generously donated towards the construction of the Red Bench after being contacted by students from the Spinifex State College Leadership Team. Mrs Rosenthal said, “Domestic and family violence directly impacts children, and to see this group of amazing young people, initiating this Red Bench, speaks volumes that children in our community actively support putting an end to domestic and family violence.” With a simple message, ‘Change The Ending: Let’s Stop Domestic Violence’, it is hoped the Red Bench will highlight the importance of speaking out against abuse.

Chess Tournament

This term Senior Campus students have been participating in a lunch time Chess Tournament.

A Chess champion will be announced at the end of term. Chess participants are able to earn points for their house.

The Chess Tournament has proven popular and interested students can register for next term with Mrs Murphy in the Library.

CampusLink

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Under 8S' Day!

Thank you to Barkly Highway State School for inviting our Year 9 students to help out with activities at the Under 8S' Day! Spinifex students were provided with the opportunity to develop leadership, communication, problem solving skills, and promote our school value Empower Community.

Legends of League

We had a visit from Legends of League players Craig Teevan, John Doyle and Leo Dynevor to tell us about their individual stories. They are hosting a free Rugby League training session from 4pm to 5pm at Alec Inch Oval for any students interested. If you are interested in attending the Legends of League event will be at Alec Inch Oval, Thomson Road, on Saturday, May 29, 2021 from 1pm.

CampusLink

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2021 Glencore Girls for Mining Mentoring Program

On the 29th of April 2021 the Girls for Mining Program was launched with a Commencement Ceremony at the John Middlin Centre. Students and their mentees were formally introduced and also had a chance to get to know each other and discuss the program for this year.

This is the 6th year that our students have been participating in the G4M program and it is wonderful to see some of our past students who also participated in the program, now employed at Glencore and are now mentors.

Visit our school website

Regards, Mr Philip Sweeney

Principal

Find us on Facebook

Sports News

Interschool Netball Competition – Spinifex vs GSCC

The draw has been updated, 15’s are now 2 x 10 min halves. Friday 28 May at the Basketball stadium Spinifex players to arrive no later than 3:30pm. We strongly encourage family and friends to attend and support in the spirit of the game.

CampusLink

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Cross Country

The results from the MISSA Cross country event for our students were the following:

12 Years Girls 1st place Mahlie-Shae Kupfer 13 Years Boys 1st place

2nd place 3rd place

Riley Stewart Luke Bartolo William Donovan

14 Years Boys 2nd place Darrin Andrews 15 Years Girls 2nd place Halle Donovan 16 Years Girls 1st place Madison Clauson 16 Years Boys 1st place Kyle Bartolo 17 Years Girls 1st place Kathleen Farrelly

In and around school

Masquerade School Disco

Spinifex State College will be holding a whole school Masquerade themed disco at the Irish Club on Thursday the 3rd of June from 6-8pm. The event will be held in the downstairs nightclub area.

Students will need to be dropped off and picked up at the front of the Irish club - there will be teacher supervision for the entire event. Entry into the event will cost $5 and there will be soft drink and water for sale. There will also be prizes for best dressed from Junior Campus and Senior Campus. Please see flyer attached to this newsletter.

Mr Nicholas Farnsworth Teacher

Year 12 Sport and Recreation

This term in Year 12 Sport and Recreation, students have had the opportunity to engage in various athletic events such as discus, shot put, javelin, long jump and triple jump. As part of their assessment task, they have developed the knowledge and skills required to complete a 15-minute coaching segment on their chosen athletics event and perform this in front of their class mates.

Throughout their practical lessons, they have recorded their performance and are working towards developing a highlight reel, showcasing their skills. It has been great to see students working together well as a team to help each other achieve success in Sport and Recreation.

Ms Kayla Sharp Year 12 Recreation Subject Coordinator

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NGAWA Leadership Team

Ngawa students are continuing to work on their useable art in preparation for the auction in term 4.

Students are raising funds and awareness for the great job Indigenous agencies do in our community to support our First Nations People. This year’s agency is yet to be decided.

Year 9 Geography

Year 9 Geography were busy collecting primary data to determine the consumer patterns of their peers.

They found that customers found it hard to change their patterns even when they found out that multinational companies exploit their workers and their environments.

Year 9’s next step is to design a strategy to manage these issues so that consumers can continue enjoying multinational products guilt free.

Mrs Jodie Lobegeiger Teacher

Interschool Minecraft Tournament

This year Spinifex State College will enter the Interschool Minecraft Tournament where they will work collaboratively to create a representation of an ancient civilisation through an in-depth study. The tournament is for students in years 7 only. Students can work in pairs (up to a maximum of 5 pairs per school).

In order for students to participate they must provide the school a signed parental consent form available from Miss Waddell (HOD Technologies and The Arts). A panel of teachers will decide the final 5 pairs for the tournament. Girls will be strongly encouraged to participate.

Ms Georgina Waddell Head of Department Technology/The Arts

Year 12 Science in Practice

Year 12 Science in Practice are brewing beer as a fun practical activity this term. Our focus is the process of fermentation and the role microorganisms play in the process. This ties in closely with the beer brewing process which has all the students engaged and really understanding the key concepts.

By completing this activity, the students have had the opportunity to both practice writing up a scientific report which they will need to be adept at for their actual assessment piece and they are also putting theory into a practical context to really reinforce their content knowledge.

I have attached some photos of the students measuring the specific gravity of the beer, looking for a stable reading in order to move to the next stage of the brewing/fermentation process.

Ms Joanna Dee Teacher

CampusLink

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Year 10 Opportunities

University Experience

Year 10 students looking at a university pathway have the opportunity to participate in the JCU/CQU University Experience at the beginning of term 3. The University Experience aims to provide Year 10 students with the opportunity to explore and participate in preferred areas of study, assisting them to make sound decisions about applying to university in future years. The group will leave for Townville by bus on the morning of Sunday 11 July (please note this is the last day of the school holidays) and will return on the evening of Wednesday 14 July. The cost of the trip is estimated to be up to approximately $300 but this will depend on the number of students that attend. We have been very lucky to have Glencore and JCU provide sponsorship towards this activity but this will only cover the transport costs. As such, the $300 will cover meals, accommodation at JCU and one night time activity, for example, bowling or the movies. Students will be required to purchase their own food and drink during the bus trip each way. Expression of Interest forms and an information letter were distributed to interested students last Friday. A $50 deposit and the Expression of Interest form is due back this Friday (28 May). If there are spots remaining after this date, the same opportunity will be given to year 11 students that did not participate last year. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Carla Patch on 4744 7222 or cpatc3@eq.edu.au .

Work Experience

Due to changes in the requirements to attain a QCE by the end of Year 12, it is becoming more important for students to start studying the appropriate subjects from the start of Year 11, and as such, there is less flexibility in the changing of subjects and a higher need for students to attain satisfactory results from the beginning of Year 11. To assist in having students choose the appropriate subjects from the start of Year 11, Spinifex State College would like to offer the opportunity for Year 10 students to get a ‘taste’ of the workforce in an area that they may be interested in, so they can make more informed decisions for the start of Year 11. Spinifex State College will be working with employers to place students from year 10 out on work experience for 5 days from 9-13 August or 16-20 August – this will depend on industry availability. Transport to and from workplaces will be the responsibility of the student and/or parent/guardian and students will work ‘real’ days with the employer, not just school hours. An information letter and application form were distributed to students last Friday and are due back by Friday 11 June. Students who are meeting the school’s attendance target of 90% will be considered first, followed by those with over 85% attendance, before considering others. If you have any questions or concerns about this opportunity, please contact the school on 4744 7244 and ask to speak with Carla Patch or email her on cpatc3@eq.edu.au .

Year graduated: 2013

Current location: Brisbane, QLD

Career path: Veterinary Medicine

Current role: Executive Veterinary Officer

What does this job involve?

High level technical and medical work within the claims team, proving veterinary

knowledge and skill to the business. Liasing with key stakeholders across

veterinary and pet insurance industry to help our customers help their pets.

What post schooling education did you complete?

Bachelor of Veterinary Science

Master of Business Administration (General Management) - currently completing

Advice to current students?

Don’t let living in a small town hamper your ambitions. The world is at your feet,

literally. You don’t realise the opportunities that are available until you put yourself

out there and go for them. Education I has been the key successor in allowing my

career to grow this rapidly.

SPINIFEX STATE COLLEGE ALUMNI W H E R E A R E T H E Y N O W ?

inspire success | create opportunities | build resilience | empower community

Then Now

Sharing Knowledge - Creating Our Future

Jaxon Anderson

REGISTERNOW

TUESDAY4:30-5:30PM

HEALY SSMUSIC ROOM

H T T P S : / / M I C E 4 8 2 5 . W I X S I T E . C O M / H O M E /

Our NEW MICE FlexiBand provides participantswith an experience like no other! In each

session, participants bring their voice, ears andinstrument to weave melodies and harmonies

together . There is no minimium level,however participants must be a member of

MICE to attend this rehearsal. For moreinformation please visit our website.

FlexiBand