21 March 2025

Principal

The end of Term 1 is approaching very quickly, and we still have a very busy couple of weeks ahead.

We still have a lot of sport happening over the next two weeks, including our Cross Country on Friday 4^th April.

The P&C will be holding their AGM on Monday 31^st March at 530pm in the school resource centre. A general meeting will follow.

Student Attendance Matters – Everyday Counts

Regular attendance helps students to:

• develop a sense of belonging
• develop and maintain friendships
• be more engaged at school
• progress with their learning
• be more aware of carer and life options.

Missing just one day per fortnight can amount to four weeks of lost learning over a year. Imaging trying to catch up on that time, how difficult! Please contact the school if you or your child need support in getting to school.

Parent Teacher Interviews

On Tuesday 1^st April, face-to-face parent-teacher interviews will take place from 3.30pm – 6.00pm. Please refer to the instructions below to book an interview with your child’s teacher:

Parent-Teacher Conferences Directions

If you are unable to make the face-to-face interviews, a phone interview is able to be booked with your child’s teacher.

Bookings close on Friday 28^th March at 3pm. Should you have any issues with making your booking please contact the front office for assistance – 4992 8666.

NAPLAN

Congratulations to those students in Years 7 and 9 who have been completing NAPLAN over the last two weeks.

Lions Youth of the Year

On 5^th of March, seven students from our school participated in the Lions Youth of the Year to determine who would represent the Callide Valley at the regional competition.

The following students participated on the evening: Libby, Nicole, Ava, Emily, Alyssa, Isabelle and Pranav.

As always our students were amazing! Congratulations to Alyssa who won the Public Speaking Award, and Isabelle was the overall winner, who went on to represent Callide Valley at the regional level, at Tannum State High School.

A big thank-you to Cammi Donohue who worked very closely with our students in preparation for the competition.

Year 12 Formal

Next Friday, 28^th March, our Year 12 students have the Formal. Entries begin at 5pm, and we will have a live stream on Facebook.

Staff have been working hard to ensure a beautiful evening for our students.

If you’re going away over the school holidays, travel safe, and have a relaxing Easter break.

Important Dates

Term One              

Mar-24 Monday           NAPLAN 7-9

Mar-25 Tuesday           CAP Snr Boys Rugby Union Trials

Mar-26 Wednesday     JCU CQCRRH Health Career Expo

Mar-28 Friday              Year 12 Formal

Mar-31 Monday           CAP Touch Football Trials

Apr-01 Tuesday           CAP Girls Rugby 7s Trials
                                    Parent Teacher Interviews
                                    Grow Her Excursion 

Apr-02 Wednesday     PC 13-14yrs Girls Rugby League
                                    Touch Gala

Apr-04 Friday              BSHS Cross Country

Term Two              

Apr-21 Monday           Public Holiday -Easter Monday

Apr-22 Tuesday           School Commences

Apr-24 Thursday         House Cup Breakfast
                                    ANZAC Parade

Apr- 25 Friday             ANZAC DAY

Apr-28 Monday           PC Snr AFL Trials

Apr-29 Tuesday           CAP 13-14 Girls Rugby League

Apr-30 Wednesday     PC 14-15 Boys Rugby Union
                                    First Aid TBC

May-05 Monday          Public Holiday- Labour Day

May-07 Wednesday    PC Cross country Trials

May-12 Monday          Pre Athletics Carnival Events TBC
                                    Cap 14-15yrs Boys Rugby Union

May-13 Tuesday          Pre Athletics Carnival Events TBC
                                    CAP Snr AFL Trials

May-14 Wednesday    Pre Athletics Carnival Events TBC
                                    Rotary Careers Market

May-15 Thursday        Pre Athletics Carnival Events TBC

May-16 Friday             Public Holiday - Callide Valley Show

May-22 Thursday        Athletics Carnival

May-23 Friday             Athletics Carnival

May-26 Monday          Ski Trip Information Evening

May-27 Tuesday          CAP Cross Country Trials
                                     Immunisation Clinic

May-28 Wednesday    Immunisation Clinic

Jun- 02 Monday          Vicki Wilson

Jun-05 Thursday          Year 7 2026 Information Evening
                                    Roadcraft

Jun-06 Friday               Roadcraft
                                    Red Food Day

Jun-16  Monday           Year 10 into 11 Transition Day 1

Jun-19  Thursday         Senior Pathways Information Evening

Jun-23  ALL WEEK        NAIDOC Celebrations

Jun-27  Friday              PJ Dress up day

Jun-28  Sat – Fri           Year 12 Ski Trip

Term Three                      

Jul-18   Monday           House Cup Breakfast

Jul-28   Monday           Leadership Investiture Parade

Jul-29   Tuesday           PC Track and Field Trials

Jul-30   Wednesday     PC Track and Field Trials

Aug-06 Wednesday     Year 10 SET Planning
                                    Year 6-7 Transition Day 1

Aug- 08 Friday             Red Food Day

Aug-12 Tuesday           PC 13-14yrs Cricket Trials

Aug-13 Wednesday     PC Girls Futsal Trials

Aug-14 Thursday         PC Boys Futsal Trials

Aug-18 Monday           CAP Track and Field Trials
                                    Book Week Dress Up

Aug-19 Tuesday           CAP Track and Field Trials

Aug-20 Wednesday     White Card Training

Aug-26 Tuesday           CAP 13-14 Cricket Trials

Aug-27 Wednesday     CAP Girls Futsal Trials
                                    Year 7 2026 Enrolment Interviews

Aug-28 Thursday         CAP Boys Futsal Trials

Sep-01 Monday           Year 7 2026 Enrolment Interviews

Sep-03 Wednesday     Student First Aid Course

Sep-05 Friday              Student Free Day

Sep-10 Wednesday     Year 12 Mock Exams begin

Sep-11 Thursday         RUOK Day

Sep-15 Monday           Year 12 Mock Exams finish

Sep-16 Tuesday           Swimming Carnival

Sep-17 Wednesday     InterSchool Netball

Sep-18 Thursday         Parent Teacher Interviews
                                    Roadcraft 

Sep-19 Friday              Roadcraft

Term Four              

Oct-06 Monday           Public Holiday- Kings Birthday

Oct-07 Tuesday           Mental Health Week

Oct-08 Wednesday     Mental Health Week

Oct-09 Thursday         Mental Health Week

Oct-10 Friday              Mental Health Week
                                    House Cup Breakfast

Oct-23 Thursday         Year 7 2026 Information Evening 2

Oct-24 Friday              Year 12 Study Day

Oct-27 Monday           Year 12 External exams
                                     Halloween 

Oct-29 Wednesday     Year 10-11 Transition Day 2

Oct-31 Friday              Day for Daniel

Nov-17 Monday           Year 12 External exams
                                     Academic Awards Night

Nov-18 Tuesday           End of Year 12 External Exams

Nov-19 Wednesday     Year 12 Transition Program 

Nov-20 Thursday         Year 12 Transition Program 
                                    Leavers Ceremony
                                    Final Day Year 12

Nov-28 Friday              Year 10 & 11 Final Day

Dec-02 Tuesday           6-7 Transition Day

Dec-04 Thursday         Roll UP Timetable

Dec-08 Monday           Roll UP Timetable

Dec-09 Tuesday           Roll UP Timetable

Dec-10 Wednesday     Roll UP Timetable

Dec-11 Thursday         Year 7 to 9 Break Up day
                                     Christmas Holidays                             

School Resumes Tuesday 27th January 2026

* Please note these dates are subject to change without consultation.

Deputy Principal Years 7 and 8

As we have now completed the first 8 weeks of Term 1, all students will be engaged in assessment across their learning areas.   This year, all students will be accessing their assessment dates via Compass.  Parents and Carers are also able to access these dates via Compass.   We have developed separate guides: one for Students and one for Parents and Carers. Those can be accessed via Compass.   Parents and carers are able to print out these dates is an easy-to-follow calendar for each of your children.

At Biloela State High School, we have an Assessment Policy to guide process for assessment for all year levels. This policy is available via our school website.   If students if Years 7 and 8 miss assessment submission timelines, they are required to apply for Special Provisions.  Classroom teachers are the first point of call for students to begin this process.

Our Year 7 Leadership Program was held across Thursday and Friday of Week 5. Students and staff worked together on a range of leadership and interpersonal development tasks.  We look forward to continuing to support our Year 7 students to immerse themselves in life at Biloela State High School.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, our Year 7 Immunisation Clinic has now been rescheduled to Tuesday 27^th and 28^th May.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the families and carers who have contacted the school to share your concerns and queries across a wide range of topics.   I do understand that I am not always able to return your phone calls and emails straight away but rest assured that I do enjoy working with families and carers to work through concerns for our young people to find ways that we can work together.

Parent Teacher Interviews are coming up in Week 10 and I encourage families and carers to take this opportunity to check in with how your child is going at school.   If you cannot be available to come in for these interviews, please make contact with your childs’ teacher to arrange an alternative time for you to work with them.

Don’t forget that our Cross Country is on the final day of school this term and we welcome parents and carers to come along encourage student participants.

Deputy Principal Years 9 and 10

NAPLAN 2025

Our Year 7 and 9 student have completed their 2025 NAPLAN instruments. Our students behaved in a highly suitable manner and supported each other to do their best.

When results are published and sent to the school, a copy of your child’s NAPLAN results will be mailed home.

Resilience Project Diaries

Each week students have the opportunity to participate in positive growth mindset activities. Think of it as regular training to have a positive outlook and build credit in their emotional bank account to help deal with challenges and stress.

A great way to support the school in the importance of these activities would be to ask your child to look at their diary and discuss answers they have provided to various weekly challenges across Term 1. 

Year 10 – Holiday Work Experience – June / July

Should students wish to take up the opportunity in the June / July mid semester holidays they can now start applying.  Students need to go to the library to collect a form and return this to Miss Constable the application date for this holiday work experience closes on Friday of Week 4 of Term 2.

Year 10 – Emu Gully Leadership Camp

Our students are attending the Emu Gully Camp in Week 8.

We look forward to sharing photographs of our student’s experiences on camp which will be uploaded to the school Facebook page once these have been reviewed and vetted for social media permissions.

Prohibited Items Coming to School

We have had a number of students choosing to bring objects and items to school that are certainly not a part of learning process. When students bring items that cause a safety issue for that student or their peers, the students involved can face serious consequences which can includes suspension.

We have clear expectations outlined for the students in their diaries, weekly on parades and in frequent ongoing conversations with individual pupils about what they are allowed to bring to school. Please support the school at home by:

• Doing a check of your child’s bag from time to time (to review what they may be bringing to school – do they have all the resources purchased for learning at the start of the year.
• Talk with your child about items that are appropriate to have at school.
• If you have any information about students bringing items to school that may make the school unsafe, please contact the office so that we can follow up on these concerns.
  

Student Voice – Having a say

Students in all year levels have the opportunity to have their say in a range of topics relating to their school.

Each week students are emailed weekly news and the opportunity to participate in a survey. The survey seeks student input into school events, ideas for school improvement and focuses on exploring student wellbeing.

If you would like to take a look at this material please ask you child to show you the weekly survey. It is emailed to student email accounts every Friday.

Deputy Principal Years 11 and 12

Year 12 Formal

On Friday 28^th March we will see the Year 12 cohort gathering with parents and staff to celebrate their final year of schooling.  We will be live streaming the entry event on our Facebook page so you can watch from the comfort of your own lounge room.  Arrivals will begin at 5pm.

We are looking forward to seeing how fabulous the students look and seeing their dance practice pay off!  Thank you to Mrs Lynesha Green for choreographing this dance and the hours of practice.

Thank you to Mrs Tamara Moretti for the enormous amount of work that goes into organising this event.  This work began in semester 2 last year and is supported by many school staff along the way.

Parent / Teacher Interviews

Please take the opportunity to meet with your child’s teachers on Tuesday 1^st April. I encourage you to bring your child with you to these meetings to discuss their progress in Year 11 or 12. It is important to establish a relationship with your child’s teacher to ensure that we are all working together to foster success for your child.

Year 11 and 12 QCE requirements

Students working towards a QCE can choose from a wide range of learning options to suit their interests and career goals.

To be eligible for a QCE, students must:

• have an open learning account
• accrue at least one credit from the Core category of learning while enrolled at a Queensland school.

To receive a QCE, students must achieve the set amount of learning, in the set standard, in a set pattern, while meeting literacy and numeracy requirements.

1.    Set amount

• 20 credits from learning options, including:
• QCAA subjects or courses
• vocational education and training qualifications
• non-Queensland studies
• recognised studies.

2.    Set standard

• Satisfactory completion, grade of C or better, competency or qualification completion, pass or equivalent.

3.    Set pattern

• 12 credits from completed Core courses of study and
• 8 credits from any combination of:
• Core courses of study
• Preparatory courses of study (maximum 4)
• Complementary courses of study (maximum 8).

4.    Literacy and numeracy requirements

Students must meet literacy and numeracy requirements through one of the available learning options.  Students must also meet the QCE literacy and numeracy requirements.  This is achieved through receiving a satisfactory grade in any Mathematics or English subjects in either Unit 1 or Unit 2 or the Unit 3 & 4 pair.

I regularly meet with students who are at risk of not receiving their 20 credit points to assist them with support from teachers or additional options.

We aim for each year 12 student to complete their schooling with a QCE or QCIA.  The Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA) recognises the achievements of students who are on individualised learning programs and Ms Hayward (Head of Special Education Services) manages this process.

Please visit:  https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/ for more information.

If your child has any questions about their progress in any subject, please encourage them to speak to their class teacher.  The curriculum area Head of Department is available to assist as well.

Students are also able to meet with me to discuss their QCE pathway.

QCAA Student Portal

There are multiple resources available to students and parents / carers to assist with understanding the QCE (Queensland Certificate of Education).  I encourage you to visit the QCAA website to access these:  https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/

Maths

This year Biloela SHS will be competing in the 2025 Problem Solving Competition which will be 24th April. If students are interested, please email Mr Lightbody mligh7@eq.edu.au

Industry Engagement for Cert II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways

Thanks to Teys Australia, for allowing Mrs Zischke, Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Manager onsite to conduct our biannual Industry Engagement for our Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways. This course, conducted every lesson 1 and 2 on Wednesday provides real life workplace environments for our Year 10 into 11 students to gain certification in work based skills. 

Mrs Zischke met with Ms Wirangi, Recruitment Officer, to conduct the industry check to ensure our course met the standards and entry level skills for industry across the plant.  Ms Wirangi was impressed by the variety of skills and tasks our onsite trainers conducted with our students and stated that many of our tasks were aligned to how Teys Australia conducted their induction and WHS training. 

We are thankful to Teys Australia for consulting with Biloela State High School on how we can further implement training for our students to successfully enter the workforce.

In addition:

Teys Australia, formally Teys Brothers, has provided employment opportunities for Biloela residents for over 40 years.  The company is keen to find people in the local community to fill positions across the whole plant, offering the top of award wages and conditions.  Please chat to Peta Constable ILO for opportunities offered by Teys Australia.

SPORT

We have had a huge Term 1 in the sporting world and are very proud of our students and how they have demonstrated their talent, resilience and sportsmanship. We have had many students represent the school in Port Curtis and Capricornia trials over the last 2 months and still have more travelling to trials over the coming week. I would like to thank parents and carers for their cooperation in ensuring forms are completed and returned in a timely matter.

I’d like to use this space to remind everyone of our school process for nominating for Port Curtis sporting trials.

The Sports Coordinator (myself) alerts the students of upcoming trials via student notices on Compass.

Students write their names on the nomination sheet outside P Block Staffroom.

Students check they are extra-curricular/co-curricular eligible and email Ms Bunn for permission, if necessary. 

Students collect the trial information paperwork, which includes our school transport form, from the office and take this home for a parent/carer to sign. Parent/carer must download the Capricornia sport booklet from the link on the front page of trial information paperwork. This booklet can be completed electronically or printed as a hard copy.

Students return the completed Capricornia sport booklet and school transport form to the office for sports coordinator and Ms Bunn to sign.

Sports coordinator nominates students, who have returned their forms, by the Port Curtis sport nomination cut off date.

Sports coordinator liaises with the Marketing Officer to share the success of our students who make the Port Curtis team on social media. The timing of these posts are dependent on many different factors.

Thank you for supporting our students in their sporting endeavours and please feel free to send me an email at jaust153@eq.edu.au if you have any questions, queries, or concerns.

Yours in sport,

Science

Applications are now open for Year 9 STEM-tastic Girls Camp 2025!

Industry liaison Officer

Holiday Work Experience

There has been an overwhelming interest from students, especially in Year Ten, complete work experience during the upcoming school holidays. Please be aware, that placements rely on local businesses having the capacity to host students. There may be occasions, when placements are unable to be fulfilled.

June/July School Holiday Work Experience applications are now open. Please be aware that applications for this holiday block are due Term 2/Week 2, Thursday 8^th May 2025. Late forms will not be accepted. Students who are wishing to complete work experience within the greater Construction Industry, ie carpentry, plumbing, electrical, landscaping, cabinetry are required to hold a white card, CPCWHS1001- Prepare to work safely in the construction industry. The next course is scheduled in Term Three, although students can complete the course privately through any Recognised Training Organisation (RTO). Students who are wishing to do work experience in Child Care and Allied Health are required to have a Working with Children Blue Card. Applications can be completed online privately.

School-Based Apprenticeships

Congratulations to Sophie who has begun a school-based traineeship over the last few weeks. Thank you to Accounting and You Biloela for your continued support. Students are able to apply for school-based traineeships/apprenticeships from Semester Two in Year ten.

Training completed in Term One

Congratulations to the twenty-two students who completed their First Aid and CPR course, we received positive feedback for all students. Congratulations to the fifteen students who completed their White Card course, it was great to see the students supporting each other through this course, I look forward to hearing your feedback from your upcoming work experience. Students who completed the white card course through the school, have the opportunity to complete two additional complimentary modules including asbestos and silicas awareness training. I encourage these students to complete these modules in their private time.

Out and About

The JCU Health Career Expo is scheduled Wednesday 26^th March 2025 from 09:45AM-2:00PM. Students from Years 10,11 and 12 who have nominated to attend, will gain a hands-on informative insight into all aspects of Health, Allied Health and Veterinary Health Career and Study Pathways.

The Rotary Careers Market is fast approaching. Students from Years 9- 12 will attend the Careers Market at the Biloela Civic Centre on Wednesday 14^th May 2025. This is an amazing opportunity for students to speak to industry professionals, local employers and Recognised Training Organisations about Career and Study Pathways.

Stymie

Biloela State High School is proud to be working with ‘Stymie’ to foster and empower students to further our school’s culture of care. Any student can make a notification about someone they believe is being bullied or harmed via the link below. This notification is automatically forwarded to the school, and managed by the appropriate, nominated members of staff.

Click here to visit the Stymie Website https://stymie.com.au/.

We share the weekly Stymie focus each week, with teachers often referring to this in their lessons.

Tuckshop

Natasha Nelson
Tuckshop Convenor

Community