2023 KINGAROY HIGHLIGHTS #18
Principal's Message
Clontarf News
The Kingaroy Lions spent last Thursday in Brisbane, where they were divided into teams for the Battle of Brisbane. The teams were tasked with moving around the area using various modes of transportation, such as the ferry, train, and walking. Their objective was to solve puzzles, visit Woolworths and Big W, and complete assigned tasks.
On Friday, we received an invitation from Coates to spend the day in their corporate box at the Gold Coast 500. The Kingaroy boys were treated to a pit tour, providing them with an up-close and personal view of Chaz Mortert's car. Coates generously provided food and drinks as we enjoyed watching the races in full swing.
Michael Brown
Director - Kingaroy Clontarf Academy
Health News
Several Kingaroy State High School Staff are participating in Movember. These ‘Mo Bros’ and supporters are committed to this health promotion by growing a moustache for the month of November or by pledging to run or walk 60km over the month (to represent the 60 men suicides globally per hour).
Movember raises awareness about men’s health, including testicular cancer, prostate cancer, men’s mental health and suicide prevention.
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer isn’t very common. Globally, it makes up less than 1% of all male tumours. But, it’s the most common cancer in young men. Fortunately, testicular cancer is highly curable when it’s found and treated early. That’s why it’s so important to know what’s normal (and what’s not) for you, and head to the doctor if something’s not quite right.
In 3 easy steps you can feel for your normal and if something doesn’t feel right then get it checked by a doctor.
Your testicles should feel smooth and firm. Sensitive, but not painful. Get familiar with them so you have a baseline. Then look for unusual changes over time. Stuff like swelling, a lump on your testicle or changes in size, shape or consistency. It’s important to note that unusual swelling or soreness doesn’t automatically mean something's wrong.
Common signs and symptoms of testicular cancer include a hard lump on your testicle or unusual soreness, the feeling of heaviness in your scrotum or a dull ache or ongoing pain in your testicles, groin or lower back.
Found unexpected roughness or a lump on your testicle? Noticed a change in the size or shape of your testicles? Are they sore to touch? Time to visit the doctor. When caught early, testicular cancer is highly curable.
https://au.movember.com/men-s-health/testicular-cancer
Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer in men over 45 years old. Early detection is key, as prostate cancer survival rates are good when detected and treated early.
In Australia, about 1 in 5 men will get prostate cancer at some point in their lives.
The prostate is a gland that sits below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It surrounds the urethra (that’s the tube that carries urine from the bladder) and is about the size of a walnut.
If you have a prostate, then your risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age. However, that doesn't mean prostate cancer is limited to the older generation. So if you’re 50 or older, start talking to your doctor about your risk.
Prostate cancer is more common in Black men and men with African ancestry. The reasons still aren’t fully understood, but it’s likely due to a bunch of different genetic and biological factors. So if you’re Black or have African ancestry, start talking to your doctor about prostate cancer when you’re 40.
The genes from our parents and relatives play a part in prostate cancer risk. Your risk is higher if there’s a father, brother or uncle who had prostate cancer. It’s also higher if there’s a mother or sister who had breast or ovarian cancer. So if there’s a family history like this, start talking to your doctor about prostate cancer when you’re 40.
Often, early prostate cancer causes no issues or symptoms – so it’s important to check in with your doctor even if you’re feeling fine. In many cases, prostate cancer grows slowly and many men don’t notice any signs at all. It’s why early detection is key – especially for those at risk.
Men’s Mental Health
Men sometimes aren’t comfortable reaching out and opening up about life’s challenges – or they think they’ll be burdening their friends if they do.
If someone you care about seems to be going through a tough time, they might not talk about it even if they want to. The first step in looking out for them is reaching out.
You can’t fix someone else’s problems, but you can be there for them. Sometimes listening is the most helpful thing you can do. You won’t make things worse by asking someone how they’re doing. Keep in mind that it’s always worth preparing yourself before you start the conversation.
Check in with yourself:
- Are you in a good state of mind?
- Do you have time to listen?
- If they’re not ready to talk or don’t want to talk to you, are you OK with that?
- If you ask them how they’re doing, are you prepared for the answer to be ‘not good’? Be yourself. You don’t have to be a counsellor or a doctor prescribing solutions – just be you.
To help navigate a conversation with someone who might be doing it tough. Use these 4 simple steps, “ALEC”:
https://au.movember.com/mens-health/give-support
Selena Stevens
School Based Youth Health Nurse
Invitation: UniSC High Performance Sport Talk
During their teenage years, athletes undergo significant physical, mental, and social development. This critical period also brings an opportunity to instil positive behaviours and mindsets to steer young athletes on a path to reach their full potential.
This Sport Talk brings together three of Australia’s top practitioners to discuss the complexities of youth athlete development from their areas of expertise – physical performance development, sports dietetics, and coaching.
This combined perspective aims to support young athletes, their parents, and coaches in developing high performance behaviours that will make a difference in young athletes' careers.
EVENT DETAILS
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RSVP to tstevens@usc.edu.au
Jocelyn Elliott
USC - Sport for Thought Program Manager
2024 Enrolments for New Students
Have you completed your enrolment paperwork for 2024?
If your student’s enrolment is not completed by 1st December 2023, your student may not be able to start on the first day of school in 2024.
Please access enrolment forms from our website: https://kingaroyshs.eq.edu.au/enr.../enrolling-at-our-school
You will receive an email confirmation from our enrolments officer when your paperwork has been received. If you believe you have submitted paperwork but have not heard from us, please get in touch with our Enrolments Officer on 4160 0666 or at enrolments@kingaroyshs.eq.edu.au
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