RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 February 2020 © The Rockhampton Grammar School, Term 1 2020

1 August)

From the Headmaster Welcome to the 2020 school year. Whether you are a new family to our School this year, or you are returning once again, we are excited to have you as part of the Grammar family. Over the next few weeks, the School will settle into every day school life, with students engaged in learning and the co-curricular programme coming into full swing. Semester 1 is a particularly busy time on the School calendar in 2020. As always, I encourage all our students to find their passion both inside and outside the classroom. I offer my congratulations to the School Leaders for 2020 and look forward to working with them over the school year. Nicholas Storey and Natalie Marks are our School Captains and Sansuka De Silva and Lillie Bain are our Vice Captains.2020 marks a significant year as our Year 12 cohort will be the first to graduate through the ATAR system. Our final OP cohort, the graduating Class of 2019, achieved impressive academic results over the summer break. Congratulations to the seven OP1 recipients – James Vandeleur (Dux), Antonio Vega Garcia, Harrison Hooper, William Etherington, Abhinav Singh, Renee Sweeney and Paige Baker. Our students, once again, recorded results well above State averages. These excellent results are a collaborative effort between the students, their parents and the School. Several members of the Leadership Team are looking forward to catching up with many parents and past students at the RGS Race Day on Saturday 15 February. I encourage our school community to support this event which raises funds for the School’s 1881 Endowment. Dr Phillip Moulds, Headmaster

(up to 23 August 2019)

BACK TO SCHOOL: The start of Secondary School for our Year 7 students.

RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 February 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au

Back to School for 2020 Welcome to all students joining the RGS Secondary School in 2020. The Year 7 students are getting their heads around new routines which include timetables, lockers, different teachers, changing into the PE uniforms and meeting lots of new friends. We also welcome new students from Year 8 to Year 11, and their families, who are now adjusting to their new school. The start of a new school year also provides an opportunity to welcome back continuing students. We hope you enjoyed your summer holiday break and are ready for a happy, successful and busy 2020! Don’t forget to check the School Calendar on Parent Lounge to find out all the events that are on throughout the year. You also have the opportunity to refine your calendar searches by selecting specific year levels or activities. Log into RGS Parent Lounge to find out more.

Monday 3 February Red & Black Shop trading times (8am – 10am and midday – 5pm) DMTA Term 1 classes commence RGS Years 7-9 Cricket T20 trials (RGS nets) RDSS 13-19 years tennis trials RDSS Water Polo & Flippa Ball commences Tuesday 4 February Cricket: First XI Trials (RGS nets). 3.30pm start. Netball: Storm (Year 7-9) trials from 3.30pm in Duggan Hall Rugby: RGS Rugby AGM from 6pm (Long Room) Wednesday 5 February Elevate Workshops (Students (Years 7, 9, 11, 12), Staff, Parents) Co-Curricular Expo (2.30pm start) Thursday 6 February Elevate Workshops continue (Years 8, 10, 11) Netball: Storm (Year 7-9) trials from 3.30pm in Duggan Hall Music: RGS Music Council Meeting (7.30pm in Music Rooms) Friday 7 February RDSS Touch Trials (13-15/ 16-18 years) Swimming: Intra-house swimming trials from 3.30pm Saturday 8 February Rowing: Year 7 Try Rowing at Fitzroy River (8am – 10am) Netball Specialty Teams Camp (Magic, Meteors, Storm) Sunday 9 February Netball: Senior Teams Trials in Duggan Hall from 3.30pm – 5pm Monday 10 February RDSS AFL Trials (13-14 years boys and girls) Cricket: T20 trials (Year 7-9) RGS nets from 3.30pm RDSS AFL Trials (10-12 years boys/girls) Cricket: RGS Cricket Club AGM (from 5.30pm in Seminar Room) Tuesday 11 February Year 12 Biology Field Trip RDSS Girls Basketball competition starts RDSS Girls Rugby League trials RDSS Squash Trials (10-15/16-19 years) Wednesday 12 February Outdoor Recreation Block 1 RDSS Boys Futsal competition starts RDSS Netball Trials (13-15/ 16-19 years) Netball: Year 9 trials in Duggan Hall from 3.30pm Friday 14 February RDSS Volleyball trials (12-15/16/19 years) Netball: Year 8 Trials in Duggan Hall from 3.30pm Saturday 15 February RGS Race Day at Callaghan Park Dates could be subject to change

Upcoming Events (up to 15 February 2020)

In the Picture

RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 February 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au

RGS News Health Update – Novel Coronavirus The School is continuing to monitor Queensland Government advice regarding Novel coronavirus and will provide updates as necessary. Please refer to the Headmaster’s email updates which have been sent to all families regarding the School’s response to the virus and steps that must be taken by families who have recently returned by China and/or Hong Kong. RGS Calendar – What’s on in 2020? RGS has over 700 activities, events and key date entries that are listed on its calendar each year. To assist in managing this important information, and to ensure that the School community has a central point of truth for dates, from Term 1, 2020 the official School calendar will be managed in TASS. This will also enable use of central calendar information to the RGS website. Calendar entries that users can see will vary, with calendar events able to be “tagged” in a range of ways including for students in a specific year level. Access to the calendar will be via Parent Lounge; Teacher Kiosk and Student Cafe. A public version of the calendar will be available on the RGS web site. RGS Pocket Calendar While the Pocket Calendar has been highly valued by some, a frequent issue has occurred with dates and activities listed in the calendar often changing, leading to the calendar becoming out of date very quickly in the term. With the move to the central School calendar in TASS, the Pocket Calendar has now been phased out and will not be printed in 2020. Assessment Schedules Assessment schedules for Years 7 to 12 will this year be available on RGS Parent Lounge. School TV

RGS is proud to once again offer SchoolTV to its parents and students in 2020. SchoolTV is a world first, digital wellbeing platform designed to assist parents with navigating their way through the challenges of modern-day parenting. It aims to inform and empower parents in dealing with the issues being faced by today’s youth. There are a number of topics relevant to the new school year such as School Transitions, Moving to a New School and Surviving the Final Year that we encourage our parents to read. RGS SchoolTV can be accessed at any time via the RGS website or via https://rgs.qld.schooltv.me/

The Red & Black Shop’s term time hours are 8am – 10am and midday – 5pm.

Events – Term 1 RGS Race Day The 2020 RGS Race Day is fast approaching and will be held at Callaghan Park on Saturday, 15 February. Tickets are available online at trybooking.com/BFVOJ Thank you to Coopers Rockhampton for sponsoring the Fashions on the Field. (see attachment at the end of this newsletter)

RGS Parent Association Ball The RGS Parent Association presents the “Roaring Twenties Ball” on Saturday 28 March, 2020, at the RGS Rowing Club. Tickets are available at http://www.trybooking.com/bgtyq (see attachment at the end of this newsletter)

RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 February 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au

Head of Secondary School - Academics and Students

As you would be aware, the School restructured the Secondary School with the new structure commencing Term 1, 2020. There is now a Head of Secondary School (Academics), Ms Reniece Carter and a Head of Secondary School (Students), Mrs Alison Wright. Alison and Reniece will be working closely in order to ensure the best for all students attending RGS in Years 7-12.

To assist parents understand the new roles, the Head of Secondary School (Academics) is responsible for the teaching and learning programme of the School and the administration of the educational programme of the Secondary School. Key duties include:

• Leadership of the Heads of Department, • Management of student assessment, including

Queensland Curriculum Assessment Authority (QCAA) requirements such as endorsement, confirmation, external assessment, General and Applied subject syllabi, external assessment and the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) system,

• Oversight of the planning and implementation of the School’s Academic Plan and ongoing pedagogical development,

• Direction of school policies relating to the Queensland College of Teachers and teaching standards,

• Management of subject departments in the preparation of Marzano Planners and Study Plans,

• Collation and analysis of Secondary School academic results, and

• Oversight of the timetable, academic administration and staffing of the School.

The Head of Secondary School (Academics), is supported by the Dean of Academic Administration and Staffing (DAAS), Mr Julien Wright, who has responsibility for providing administrative support for the academic programmes, broader activities and staff of the School and the Dean of Studies (DoS), Ms Debbie Moulds, who has responsibility for the management of the School’s curriculum and pedagogical development.

The Head of Secondary School (Students), is responsible for the well-being of students in Years 7 to 12 and student leadership. The Head of Secondary School (Students) also leads and oversees the pastoral care duties attended to by the Heads of Year 7-12. Key duties include:

• interviewing prospective students and their parents,

• organising Orientation and Enrolment Day procedures and Coursing,

• disciplining and management of student conduct,

• implementing the Pastoral Care programme (tutorials, Form class and camps),

• administrating and reviewing assessment schedules, semester reports and prize nominations,

• establishing and maintaining a close liaison with parents, and

• co-ordinating visits to the School by relevant external providers.

Year 7 Year 7 Orientation Week Welcome to all our new Year 7 students and their families. It has been such a joy to see the enthusiasm and confidence of the group during their first week of Secondary School. The students have been finding their way around, managing their locks and lockers and trying their best to get on top of all the new routines and procedures. Thank you to parents/guardians for your work and encouragement in preparing the children for the transition, supporting them through the week and completing all the required paperwork. If you have not returned forms for Ritamada,

RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 February 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au

Immunisations and laptops, please do so as soon as possible. We look forward to the co-curricular expo on Wednesday 5 February from 2.30 pm in the space frame and our trip to Ritamada next Friday, 7 February, leaving by 8:30 am and returning to School by 3 pm. Year 7 Immunisations Thank you to those parents who have returned the Immunisation forms directly to the Health Centre. Please ensure your forms are in and correct. All immunisations will be given during the tutorial period led by Mrs Rundle. This ensures the students are not missing curriculum-based work and the nurses are only attending to one class at a time making for a smoother and calmer process. The proposed date for our first clinic: Term 1 – Week 6 – during normal Tutorial period Your son/daughter will come home with a note the day of Immunisation for your records. Please if you have any questions contact the Health Centre.

Year 8

The 2020 Year 8s have started the year well. New classes and the seeing of old friends has made for an energetic start to the year. Classes and learning have started in earnest and homework and assessments have already commenced. It is important that the Year 8s get themselves into a comfortable routine of study, sleep and leisure. There are many things that the Year 8s will cover this year in addition to their classroom subjects. These include an emphasis on writing and their handwriting, the development of Information Technology skills and a Personal Development programme based around values, character strengths, mindset and mindfulness.

Year 9

The start of Year 9 has been met with enthusiasm from the cohort of students. In many ways it has felt like a reunion as friendships are re-established and for those students

that are new to the school, it signifies the beginning of another chapter in their lives. The students have become accustomed to their new timetables, subjects and establishing effective learning and study routines. Much of what we will focus on in Tutorial classes this year will centre around recognising the characteristics that make each person unique, special and worthwhile – with a voice that needs to be heard. As part of our programme to enhance how we learn, all Year 9 students next week during form will be involved in a development session on Wednesday, facilitated by Elevate. The students will be introduced to the concept of time management to establish effective habits now in order to make their future learning easier.

Year 10

Year 10s have made a positive start to 2020 with students busy receiving their new laptops and meeting their subject teachers for the first time. We welcomed eighteen new Year 10 students this term. Year 10s will commence their Certificate I in Information, Digital Media and Technology soon. This is a course all Year 10 students will complete in order to gain a Certificate I. As Year 10 students they are now able to access the Senior Resource Centre on the top floor of the Islay Lee building for the first time.

Year 11

Welcome to the 2020 School Year! I hope all students have had a relaxing and re-energising break and are ready for a wonderful year. It was wonderful seeing the majority of Year 11 students happy and raring to go on Orientation Day last Tuesday. Whilst plenty of information was imparted over this and subsequent days, much of this will be elaborated on over the coming weeks. Many students are also considering their subject choice. Please be aware that all subject changes must be made by Wednesday 12th February. Here’s to an amazing 2020!

RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 February 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au

Year 12

The Year 12s have hit the ground running in preparation for their first summative internal assessments of 2020. Curriculum Preparation lessons targeted planning and time management to ensure that students are aware of and prepared for all of their Term 1 commitments. To further support these preparations, The School has again engaged Elevate workshops. On the horizon, the ever popular Valentine’s Day celebrations are scheduled for the 12 February. The Committee is hard at work making preparations for what is always an enjoyable school event.

Careers Information

ADF Careers Information Session for Parents • Wednesday: 12 February • 6pm – 7pm • The Rockhampton Leagues Club • Registration at cpttownsville@dfr.com.au

Year 12 Career Planning In 2020 The following gives a brief overview of the events and details Year 12 students need to be organise throughout 2020 • PLANNING INTERVIEWS – Term 3. Year 12’s are

most welcome to visit me to chat about careers at any time in the interim.

• RESUMES – continuously updated • UCAT – registrations will open 2 March and close 11

May; • UNIVERSITY OPEN DAYS - Terms 2 & 3. Very dates

are available at the current time. The following link on the QTAC website will shortly list details of the 2020 Queensland Open Days: http://www.qtac.edu.au/courses---institutions/open-days-expos.

• RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE APPLICATIONS – students are advised to begin these in Term 2 and complete in Term 3

• QTAC APPLICATIONS – completed Term 3 • SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS – begun in Term 3,

completed in Term 4 • COVER LETTERS/RESUMES –completed for

apprenticeship / job applications that are usually advertised in Terms 3 & 4

• QTAC APPLICATION INTERVIEWS - Term 4 • SIGN UP FOR JOB ALERTS e.g.: Indeed, Seek and

Jora

ADF Education Award Year 12 students are still able to apply for the ADF Education Award – closing date is Friday 28 February. The award is presented annually to Year 12 students in recognition of leadership potential, and academic and sporting achievements exhibited during Year 11. More information is available at https://www.defencejobs.gov.au/students-and-education/australian-defence-force-academy/how-to-apply UCAT: 2020 A reminder to Year 12 students wishing to enter Medicine and other Health Science in 2021, they are required to sit UCAT in July. Registration will open on 2 March and close on 11 May 2020. Free Practice material is available at: • http://practice.ukcat.ac.uk/pages/menu.aspx?pack=1

9e59fe9-92d7-4b39-a7b9-dcd017733181 • http://questions.ukcat.ac.uk/pages/menu.aspx?pack=f

3cb1d58-a7fb-4d44-a7a3-4d217e987fe0ble

More information is available from Mrs Hadwen. 2020 Tertiary Expo The Tertiary Expo will be held over the first weekend of Term 3 school holidays – 18/19 July at the RNA Showgrounds. As this is the largest tertiary expo held in Australia with over 200 exhibitors (both private providers and universities), Years 10, 11 and 12 students and their parents are encouraged to attend. More information is available from http://www.careersevent.com/tsxpo/ and Mrs Hadwen. 2021 GAP Year Programmes Most positions fill very quickly in the programmes. Students should start their application process as soon as possible. The following programs are available to students:

• www.lattitude.org.au – the most popular placements closing date is early March with the early bird closing mid-June.

• www.tutorsworldwide.org – applications close early April

RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 February 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au

• www.letzlive.org – applications close early April NOTE: TutorsWorldwide and LetzLive work in conjunction to place students in UK boarding schools.

• www.antipodeans.com.au • www.campamerica.com.au / www.ccusa.com • www.interexchange.org - Career training USA • www.owh.com.au – overseas working holidays • www.volunteeringaustralia.org • www.conservationvolunteers.com.au

The following companies also organise student exchange programmes:

• Southern Cross Cultural Exchange – SCCE – www.scce.com.au

• American Field Service – AFS – www.afs.org.au • World Education Program Australia – WEP –

http://wep.org.au/info/ • STS High School Foundation – STS – www.sts-

education.com.au • Rotary Exchange -

http://www.ryea.org.au/exchange-program.html

Work Experience Students in Years 10 to 12 are encouraged to participate in as many work experience placements as possible during their senior years of study. Work experience details are available from Mr Stephen Brady (Head of Vocational Education and Training) and the administration team in the Senior School Office. Year 11 Careers Information Career Planning • Career Planning interviews: begin this Wednesday 5

February. • Tax File Number Applications: collect from Post

Office • Resumes: to be continually updated • Work Experience: available on specified dates • Career Investigation Task: completed in Form

classes in Term 1. • QLD University Open Days: Term 3 • Careers Expo (Rockhampton): date tbc • Sign up for job alerts e.g.: Indeed, Seek, Jora

Year 10 Careers Information Career Planning • Resumes: Continually update • Work Experience: available at specific times

throughout the year • Career Fasttrack report completed: Term 2 with

Career Planning Interviews held during Term 2. • Year 11 subjects selected: Terms 2 & 3 • Senior Education and Training Plan (SET Plan):

completed Semester 2 • SET Plan interviews: Term 4

• Careers Expo (Rockhampton): date tbc • Tax File Number Applications: collect from Post

Office

The Year 10 students will begin the Year 11 subject selection process during Term 2 with the completion of the Career Fasttrack programme during their Leadership sessions. All students will receive a detailed personal learning and career pathway plan that suggests career options, learning styles, employability and personal traits information. This information is designed to assist the subject selection process during Term 2. Work experience is an extremely valuable resource for students to ensure they have relevant information regarding the career option/s they are considering. Feast Program at UQ (Gatton Campus) Registrations for expressions of interest to attend the FEAST (Future Experiences in Agriculture, Science and Technology) are now open for interested Year 11 and 12 students. FEAST is a residential program and will be held at the UQ Gatton campus from 28 June – 1st July 2020 and is designed to inspire and inform students of the range of science careers in the agricultural, animal, plant and food sectors. Expressions of interest can be registered online at http://www.science.uq.edu.au/feast Bursaries are available to assist with the cost of the programme. Mrs Pam Hadwen Careers Advisor

RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 February 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au

Co-Curricular

Co-Curricular Expo All new students to the RGS Secondary School can attend the annual RGS Co-Curricular Expo in the Spaceframe on Wednesday this week. The afternoon event showcases the wide variety of sports and activities on offer at the School throughout the year. Thank you to the Senior students and Teachers-In-Charge of their respective sports and activities for coordinating their display stands. Rowing The RGS squad for the 2020 National Championships has been finalised. Congratulations to the following students on their selection: Reece Byrne, Riley Godwin, Will Howland, Lachlan Johnson, Jack Koerner (cox), Josh O’Regan, Nick Storey, Chad Willett, Laura Sypher, Olivia Cook. Chad, Laura and Olivia will travel to the NSW Championships this weekend. In other upcoming rowing news, the Year 7 Try Rowing programme starts this weekend at the Fitzroy River from 8am to 10am. The programme provides a great introduction to rowing and a great opportunity to try a different sport. The 2020 Queensland Club Rowing Championships at Lake Wyaralong in south-east Queensland. RGS won 5 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze medals. Results were: Gold (U17M1x) Chad Willett (U16M1x) Chad Willett (U19M4x) Nick Storey, Riley Godwin, Reece Byrne, Will Howland (U17W4+) Bridgette Williams, Sophia Lloyd, Eliza Mactaggart, Emelia Stanke, cox: Gabby Sypher (U16M2x) Chad Willett, Liam Germann Silver (U17M2x) Chad Willett, Liam German (U19W1x) Laura Sypher (U19W2x) Laura Sypher, Olivia Cook (U19M2x) Nick Storey, Riley Godwin Bronze (U16W1x) Bridgette Williams (U19W2-) Laura Sypher, Olivia Cook (U16M1x) Liam Germann

Rugby Union RGS Senior rugby players attended a two-day pre-season camp at Ritamada over the weekend. RGS rugby players will have a hit out against Emerald’s Marist College in Emerald next Saturday from 3.30pm. The local season starts on Monday, 17 February.

Swimming Carnival The RGS Swimming Carnival will be held at the RGS Pool on 20-21 February. Thursday’s Twilight carnival includes individual medley, butterfly and medley relays. Remaining events will be held on the Friday with the carnival finishing around lunch time. This will be the end of the school day for RGS Secondary School students leading into the long weekend. (nb: RGS Primary students will have normal classes on Monday, 24 February)

RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 February 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au

Student Achievements Hockey: Year 9 students Shanelle James and Cooper Mackenzie competed in the U13 National Indoor Hockey Championships in Wollongong from 18-21 January. Shanelle’s Qld Fire team won the national championship while the Qld Spurs boys team, which Cooper captained, placed third. Both Qld teams won the “Play the Whistle Award” which is for the team that plays by the rules, shows good sportsmanship on and off the pitch and plays as a team. Shanelle and Cooper are now both preparing for the Queensland U15 field hockey trials in Brisbane this month.

Sailing: Lucas Johnson, Year 12, competed in the Arrow National Championships (sailing) in Townsville. Lucas won the Junior division and was named the Arrow National Junior Champion for 2019/2020. Ten races were sailed over 6 days from 28/12/19 to 4/1/20. The juniors and adult sailors raced together (32 boats in total), sailing the same course. Lucas won every race in his division and finished 9th overall including the senior fleet.

Rodeo: Nash Mellers, Year 9, is representing Australia in the Trans Tasman Rodeo Series in New Zealand. The competition started with the Southland Rodeo over the weekend and the next round is on Wednesday. Mr Todd Wells Director of Co-Curricular Next Newsletter – Monday, 17 February

Attachments

• RGS Race Day 2020 • RGS Parent Association Ball 2020

RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 February 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au

RGS Newsletter Monday, 3 February 2020 www.rgs.qld.edu.au