2023 KINGAROY HIGHLIGHTS #11

Principal's Message

Senior Schooling News

Our Year 12s have entered their final semester of school, but it’s certainly not the time for students to relax and make an early start to the next chapter of their lives.  There are obviously some very important assessment tasks to complete leading up to and including the External Exam period in late October and November and students need to ensure they give themselves the best opportunity to succeed.

Term 3 is also very important for the Year 11 cohort who are working towards a successful conclusion to Unit 2, which culminates in a Blocked Exam period between 8 and 15 September.

Some reminders:

• Students should not be involved in family holidays when there are exams.  The QCAA has strict guidelines regarding what constitutes a legitimate absence from scheduled exams.
• While it should be clear by now, Mr Freeman’s catch-phrase, “A due date is a due date is a due date” needs to be strictly adhered to if students don’t want to be disappointed with how the school treats the late or non-submission of their work.
• The assessment work that a student submits MUST be their own. Kingaroy SHS has always reinforced to students that plagiarism is unacceptable and can result in significant adverse consequences for their academic achievement.

Additionally, with the rapid development of AI, there is a temptation to use this technology to assist in the writing of assignments.  Students need to realise that the technology to detect the use of AI is also developing rapidly and they are taking an enormous risk if they choose this pathway.  

I’m sure that students, teachers and parents / caregivers will work together to make this semester a successful one.

Paul Hutton
Acting Deputy Principal, Educational Achievement - Senior Secondary

From the FLAIR Crew

The school captains are currently working hard in preparation for FLAIR 2023. As mentioned in previous FLAIR trailers, the theme for this year is 'TOP SECRET', where the mysteries of the school will be uncovered.
You can see all four videos on YouTube now!
The show will be on Friday 15^th of September, the last day of this term! A midday show for the students and an evening show at 7pm that will be open to the community. We are very excited to see all the talent at auditions in Week 7!

From the Student Council

On Monday this week, the Student Council met to discuss many things, including the Kingaroy Merit Point reward for this term. Last term, students who consistently displayed Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience were rewarded with a pizza upon achieving 90 KMP’s.

At the student council meeting, form captains were given a form to take to their class, so the class can vote on their favourite option. These forms need to be back to the office by Monday the 24^th of July, and from there, the votes will be counted by the student leaders. The winning option will be announced on parade. Which incentive will the students choose?

Health News

Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, happens when the glucose in your blood stays high. Everybody has glucose in their blood. It’s in the food we eat. Food provides energy and glucose for our muscles, organs and brain to work, think and play. 

When you have diabetes, the glucose needs help to move out of your blood and into the cells of your body (those found in your muscles, organs and brain). For the glucose to get into your cells, it needs insulin.

Insulin is made in an organ called the pancreas, which is found behind your stomach. People with diabetes either cannot make insulin or the insulin made does not work properly. Insulin is like a key. It ‘unlocks’ the doors of your cells, allowing glucose to get in. Glucose gives your cells the energy they need to do their job. 

High levels of glucose in your blood every day can make you feel unwell. If not treated, over time the glucose can also cause damage to your eyes, feet, kidney, heart and brain.

Type 1 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes affecting school aged people.  Type 1 diabetes is an auto immune disease where the body does not produce insulin.  This is why insulin is required to be given through an injection.

The early warning signs of Type 1 diabetes, the 4t’s, include going to the toilet more often, being more tired than usual, being unable to relieve thirst and becoming thinner without any reason. If you or someone you know are experiencing the 4t’s go and seek medical attention.

If you would like to find out more information on diabetes and how to manage it, especially while at school, a good place to start is Diabetes in Schools training modules.  The modules are quick and easy to follow and provide basic information in regard to diabetes and how to manage the changes in blood sugar levels.  The training is aimed at students, parents and carers, school staff and health professionals.

For further information and resources:

Kids and teens living with diabetes - Diabetes Australia

Diabetes in Schools - Diabetes Australia

Diabetes Australia | Support for people living with diabetes

Selena Stevens 
School Based Youth Health Nurse

Celebrating Our CGEN Students

Imagine the energy of eighteen hundred students all celebrating the arts, in a massive performance arena with lively music.  Add to this a multitude of arts industry professionals with access to all of the technical equipment and know-how required to put on a performance rivalling that of Hamilton the Musical or even Pink.  This is Creative Generation State Schools On-Stage, Queensland’s premier State Schools Arts celebration. The 2023 performance was so slick and well-polished that audience members had to continually remind themselves that the performers were indeed school students, not professional adult performers.

Fourteen of our talented students were involved in this year’s four performances held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.  The journey started in late November 2022 when students had to complete expression of interest forms and audition videos to be sent in to the organisers in Brisbane.  This was followed up by castings and additional auditions in Brisbane until placements were decided and casting notices sent out.  By April of this year all of our students knew where they had been placed and where ready to start rehearsing.  Rehearsals took place both in Kingaroy and Brisbane.  With students travelling down to Brisbane numerous times throughout Term 2.  This year, our students participated in the following categories: First Nations Ensemble, Featured Dance, Massed Dance, Regional Dance, Musical Theatre, Featured Choir and Massed Choir. 

The weekends of rehearsals culminate in what is called “Show Week”.  This is the week where all of the students from all over Queensland finally bring the different parts of the show together.  From Saturday through to Wednesday evening it is all systems go.  Tech crews arrive and set up the arena.  The empty BCEC halls become a hive of activity.  The students stream in with their instruments, costumes, make-up and music, flanked by incredible teachers who go above and beyond for their students.  The Convention Centre is all abuzz.  Performers are martialled into tunnels under the audience seats and the show is run until everyone knows all of their cues and are ready for the four massive performances.  From Thursday through to Saturday, the students are involved in four performances which truly celebrate all aspects of the arts.  The level of excitement from back stage crews, performers, technical teams and the audience is equal to none.  CGEN is something you just have to experience in person to truly understand. 

Involving our students isn’t possible without dedicated teachers and parents who are willing to support our students throughout the full process, which includes organising auditions, running rehearsals in Kingaroy, driving students to Brisbane for rehearsals weekend after weekend and being there during Show Week to organise meals, wash and repair costumes, help out with costume changes and help martial students to name a few.  Thank you to all of the parents involved, in particular our supervisor parents Mrs Tracey Schloss, Mrs Jacqui Campbell and Mrs Melissia Slatter.  A massive thank you also to our teachers Mrs Sue Dowideit-Reiger, Mr David Dunn and Ms Kathryn Radunz for all of the time that you have invested in this event.    

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