S P I N I F E X S T A T E C O L L E G E
M O U N T
I S A
CampusLink
Volume 14 Issue 11
3 August 2016
“Sharing Knowledge, Creating our Future”
Principal/Junior Campus
Mrs Denise Kostowski
Head of Senior Campus
Mr Philip Sweeney
Head of Residential Campus
Mrs Catherine McGrath-Jeffrey
Upcoming Events
4 August 2016
Senior Campus Lip Sync Battle
5-6 August 2016
QCS Year 12 Forum
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
POPSTARS - The Musical
What a FANTASTIC show. I was so pleased to see such a good crowd
in the audience, particularly on Saturday night, to enjoy the musical. The
staff and students who took the stage certainly entertained the audience!
I am always amazed and proud of the talent that our students have, and
pleased that our school gives our students the opportunity to share this
talent with our community.
Many staff members have invested hours to ensure that the show was
the professional presentation that it was. Particular thanks must go to
Lauren Brown, Pat Coe, Katie Hoffmann and Nikita Millard for their
leadership in this project.
Having recently had the opportunity of seeing some shows on Broadway
in New York, I did reflect on the weekend that those actors probably
started their journey in a school musical show. Who knows which of our
students might end up as a professional onstage?
11 August 2016
Cross Country
12 August 2016
Student Free Day
18 August 2016
Spinifex Has Got Talent
22-26 August 2016
Book Week
23 August 2016
Book Week Dress Up Day
23 August 2016
Gifted and Talented Culminating
Night
P&C Meeting
Our next P&C Meeting
will be held at Junior Campus
7pm on the 17th of August, 2016.
All parents and community members
are welcome and encouraged to
attend.
JUNIOR CAMPUS
(Office Hrs: 7.30am-3.30pm Mon- Fri)
RESIDENTIAL CAMPUS
(Office Hrs: 8.00am-4.30pm Mon- Fri)
SENIOR CAMPUS
(Office Hrs: 7.30am-3.30pm Mon- Fri)
Ph: 07 4740 1111
Fax: 07 4743 9102
Email: dkost2@eq.edu.au
Ph: 07 4745 4333
Fax: 07 4743 5066
Email: cmcgr53@eq.edu.au
Ph: 07 4744 7222
Fax: 07 4744 7200
Email: pswee5@eq.edu.au
Junior Student Absences
Absences Phone Line: 07 4740 1148
INTERSCHOOL ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
MEETING – P&C
At the recent interschool athletics carnival we had
many students demonstrating their athletic skills.
While Spinifex did not win the trophy on the day, it was
a competitive day with many close events.
Congratulations to the following students for taking out
the Age Champion on the day:
The next meeting of our P&C will be held at the Junior
Campus at 7pm on August 17. At this meeting, we will
have discussions around the Resource and Materials
Scheme (RAMS) for 2016, as well as confirming our
Student Dress Policy and Complaints Management
Policy. All parents are welcome to attend our P&C
meetings.
Under 12 Girls: Leila Kingal
Under 13 Girls: Keili Eggmolesse
Under 13 Boys: Nathaniel Dempsey
Under 14 Girls: Raylyn Lita
Under 15 Girls: Shauniece Ah Wing
The following students also performed well and were
awarded runner-up for Age Champion:
Under 12 Boys: Tremaine Body
Under 13 Boys: Malachi Orcher
Under 14 Boys: Otto Tweedie
Under 15 Boys: Scott Doyle
Under 16 Girls: Shanika Saltmere
Congratulations to all our competitors for representing
our school so well, and a special thanks to Mr Krosch
and the HPE staff for running the carnival.
REPORTS/INTERVIEWS
Last week, many parents took the opportunity to meet
with teachers to discuss their child’s semester one
results and how we can work together to ensure that
students maximize their success in semester two. I
thank these parents for making the interview process a
priority. Parents who were unable to attend are
encouraged to contact their teachers via the school
office if they have any questions or concerns.
To assist students to get great results in semester two,
they have been provided with an Assessment
Calendar and Know/Able to Do Charts for each
subject. I encourage parents to ask their child if they
have received these and, if they have not, to contact
the school office so that we can ensure that this
happens. Both documents will help students track and
manage their learning in term three.
CROSS COUNTRY
Our Interhouse Cross Country will be held on
Thursday August 11. All students participate by either
running or walking the course. The event starts and
finishes at the Tony White oval. Junior Campus
students will walk with staff to the venue while Senior
Campus students will be bussed to the venue. All
students will be dismissed from the oval at the end of
the day.
Different age groups have different courses and
students will be informed of these during the lead-up to
the event and the maps will be shared on our
Facebook page. Parents are welcome to join us on
the day of the Cross Country at Tony White Oval.
RODEO STUDENT FREE DAY
This year, all state schools in Mount Isa have elected
to hold a Student Free Day on August 12 instead of
the state-gazetted day of October 17. This means that
all students will have this day off while our staff
undertake professional development on this day.
Regards,
Denise Kostowski
Principal
In and Around Our School
The Amazing Race
Last Friday saw the top stamp earners from both
Senior and Junior Campus attend The Amazing Race.
Students began their race at the Outback at Isa and
concluded at Junior Campus. Activities included
carrying sandbags, eating questionable foods whilst
blindfolded, a selection of fun physical activities at
PCYC and mental challenges such as brainteasers
and some puzzles at Head Space. All staff and
students involved thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon
running around town and completing challenges at
various locations. Congratulations to our top stamp
earners and Mr Pat Coe for organising such a
successful event.
Cross Country
A Word from our Guidance Officer
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Cross Country will be held on Thursday the 11 of
August. Students will attend periods one and two as
per a normal school day before making their way to
Tony White Oval. Senior Campus students will be
transported there by bus/coach while Junior Campus
students will walk with staff along Railway Avenue to
the oval.
Worries and Anxieties: Helping Children to Cope
All students will participate in the Cross Country,
whether running the specified distance with their age
group or walking the 3km course. The course will be
run on the area across the road from the oval, and
teachers will be placed along the track to supervise
students.
If you have any concerns regarding your child, please
contact the front office to make an appointment to see
me:
Students will receive coloured wrist bands to indicate
their age group and the distance they are competing
in, before heading to the oval.
Distances run per age group will be as follows:
•
•
•
•
Walkers – 3km (NO wrist band)
12 & 13 Years Boys & Girls, 14 Years Girls –
3km (green wrist bands)
14 Years Boys, 15 Years Boys & Girls, 16 &
17 Years Girls – 4km (yellow wrist bands)
16 & 17 Years Boys ONLY – 6km (blue wrist
bands)
Age Champion medallions are up for grabs, as well as
the opportunity for students to earn house points.
Moondarra has dominated the carnivals so far this
year and it would be great to see the other houses rival
them at the Cross Country.
Hats and a water bottle are a must as it will be a hot
afternoon. Soft drinks and water will be available for $2
each after the races.
All students will be dismissed from the oval at 2:15pm.
Term 3 Work Experience
Work experience is fast approaching, with placement
dates for the Year 12 English Communication students
th
th
taking place from the 12 – 16 of September.
In week five, students will be given two forms. The first
form will be a work experience preference form, and
the second an application to participate in the
Glencore work experience program.
The Glencore work experience program offers two
opportunities for students with a five day block
th
th
placement in week 10 (12 – 16 of September) or to
attend in the first week of the September holidays. The
holiday opportunity is available to both Year 11 and
Year 12 students.
Please note that this is also the last opportunity for the
Year 12 students to participate in the work experience
program.
Children, like adults, have all sorts of strong feelings
about what is happening to them. At times, the world
can seem frightening or uncertain, which may create
fearfulness, worry or anxiety.
Please see attached item for more information.
•
•
Junior Campus – Monday, Wednesday and
Friday
Ph: (07) 4740 1111
Senior Campus – Tuesday and Thursday
Ph: (07) 4744 7222
Joy Wagstaff
Guidance Officer
Worries and Anxieties: Helping Children to Cope
Children, like adults, have all sorts of strong feelings about what is happening to them. At
times, the world can seem frightening or uncertain, which may create fearfulness, worry or
anxiety.
Different Types of Anxiety
Fears and Phobias
Very young children often develop fears and phobias. These can be triggered by changes
(going to childcare, separating from a parent), or particular things (spiders, snakes, monsters
etc). Fears like these are common but with encouragement and support most children learn to
overcome their anxiety.
General Anxiety
Some youngsters feel anxious most of the time for no apparent reason – it may be their
temperament or may be a pattern of behaviour that is shared by other members of the family.
School-Related Anxiety
School refusal can be caused by anxiety – separating from parents, fear of bullying, problems
with friendships, trouble with school work or teachers are worth investigating
Home Related Anxiety
Family problems (money issues, squabbling, separation/divorce), death of a family member
or friend, harsh discipline or a traumatic experience eg burglary can be a cause of anxiety (as
well as depression).
What are the Signs
• Feeling sick – stomach aches, headaches. Not being able to stomach food.
• Feeling tense, fidgety, needing to go to the toilet often
• Feeling fearful or panicky, breathless, sweaty
• Being irritable, tearful, clingy or having sleeping difficulties
• Withdrawing from social contact
Anxiety can limit a person’s experiences in life. It can contribute to lack of confidence,
loneliness, health problems and learning difficulties. The emotional effects if not
remedied can be long lasting.
What to do
• Talk to your child –show your child that you care and want to understand the reasons
for their anxiety
• Give comfort, reassurance and practical help with how to cope eg. encourage helpful
thoughts rather than focussing on unhelpful thoughts. (There are children’s books to
help children cope with divorce, death, anxieties.
• Prepare your child for changes. If possible give sufficient warning – talk to them
about what might happen and why, as well as ways to manage the changes
• For children with school/ separation anxiety, regular routines and consistency around
sleep, and getting ready for school, having breakfast etc will generally improve the
outcome
• Be aware of school or family situations that may be creating worries for your child
• Be aware of your own anxiety and protect your child from taking on your woes
• Use relaxation techniques eg controlling your breathing, listening to peaceful music,
doing something you enjoy
• Encourage daily exercise, healthy eating , drinking plenty of water, and most
importantly getting enough sleep – children need at least 8 to 9 hours – Healthy body
helps keep us on top of difficult situations
If your child is so anxious that they can’t cope, more specialist help may be needed. Have a
chat with your guidance officer, and/ or see your doctor.
Adapted from Mental Health and Growing Up, 3rd Edition – Factsheets
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/info/mhgu/index.htm