July 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Ponderings

I can’t believe that it is the end of my six week stint as Acting Principal. The time just flew. I have enjoyed my time in this role and want to thank the entire school community for their support.

A few weeks ago, I attended the Careers Expo at Charleville State High School with Renae Hubbard and Kristy Hansen. I am so pleased that because of the visit, Renee has work experience with the view to a traineeship with the Charleville Bilbies Experience. Thank you, girls, for coming along and I hope your freebies did not load down your cars too much for the trip home.

We farewelled Mrs Katie Allen, our 4A and 4B Maths teacher who is on long service leave for next term. In her place is Mrs Camille Traynor. Welcome Camille.

Sports Muster was the largest that we have had in a few years. Thankyou Trish Nolan and her Sports Muster Committee and all the hardworking parents who made it possible. A special mention to the Arts and Craft committee headed by Leonie Herwig, Di & Doug Hansen and Eunice Campbell for the displays and sale of P&C goods in the pavilion. A special thank you to the Student Council for organising the entertainment, the raffle, movie and the stall. Also thank you to all staff who were at risk of frostbite setting up the fields on both mornings in sub zero temperatures.

Camp deposits ($50) and forms received for both camps are a concern. On last day of term, (the deposit due date) only 10 deposits have been received out of 22 Expressions of Interest for Charleville SDE students to attend the WA camp. Longreach SDE (approx. 10 students) have booked a 48 seater bus and will pick up our students along the way. More details to come of the bus itinerary. The size of the bus has been booked based on the Expressions of Interest received from families.

A similar number of deposits have been received for the primary camp. I have booked the primary camp venue based on numbers from last year – 45. Primary camp bus arrangements have not been made. Last year a 48 seater had been booked, however with only 11 students currently attending, this seems unwarranted. If your child/ren will be attending, please pay the $50 deposit and submit the forms by Monday 16th July as the size of the bus booked will be based on numbers at the COB on this day.

The on-air leadership program commences at 1.00pm Tuesday 17th July for any Year 5 and 9 student that would like to participate. The aim of the leadership program is to support the nomination process for leadership positions for 2019. I encourage students to attend even if they do not aspire to these positions as I consider everyone in Years 6 and 10 to be role models in this school, regardless of any official position they hold.

A reminder that Cluster Musters are on in Week 2 with Charleville, Mitchell and Quilpie on Tuesday 24th July and St George on Thursday 26th July. We look forward to seeing as many students as possible as well as a good turnout for the home tutor sessions.

PLO Prattle

Congratulations NARUNGI, we did it, we won! Sorry Kanyanna, better luck next time. Also, some other sad news, NSW has won the State of Origin.

Having fun with mates, opponents and peers.

Some information about getting a second phone line.

A MULTI-AGED CLASSROOM which requires two phone lines - Telstra have made a commitment to install a second phone line in a Distance Ed classroom for no extra cost, other than a connection fee, which you would pay for the original service. This was an ICPA motion at last year’s conference.

I was advised if Telstra cannot do this then I was able to inform Lou Martin, who is the Communications portfolio leader of QLD ICPA and she could escalate the job with Telstra. It is very worthwhile to be an ICPA member.

A second school phone is able to be accessed from CSDE for this connection.

If you are drought declared and would like assistance to have either your last Ergon or Telephone account paid contact myself (Helen Cook) and I will be able to get you on to the correct people for this to happen.

I would like to acknowledge the support from organizations that I am able to pass onto some of our families through vouchers in this tough time. These organizations are Rotary, Red Cross, CWA, Rural Financial Counsellors, Murweh Shire Council, Paroo Shire Council, Bulloo Shire Council, Maranoa Shire Council, Balonne Shire Council and Quilpie Shire Council.

Keep warm, keep safe and enjoy your break.

Cheers
Helen Cook
Parent Liaison Officer

Digital Discoveries

App of the Month: Stop Motion App

Create stop motion animation movies using your iPad. Great for Year 5 English unit involving animations. Use your iPad to take lots of photos of characters, with slight movements between each photo, then put them together to make an animation. Use the free app for the basics or pay for the add-ons to allow for music and other extended features.

Check out examples of this year’s Grade 5 animations

Need to Change Your Password?

When accessing eLearn and other Education Queensland sites you may find your password needs to be changed (usually about every 90 days). It is advised that you use the Webmail website to change your password rather than eLearn or the Learning Place. Many users are finding that when they change their password on eLearn it doesn’t ‘stick’, whereas when changing at Webmail it works better and changes for all Education Queensland sites, including eLearn.

Making the Most of your MiStick (USB)

Each student receives a MiStick USB with all the units of work for Maths, English, Science, History, Geography and eTeach. This is a digital version of the paper booklets also sent out and allows students to complete and return work digitally.

In order to maintain the integrity of the MiStick USB Home Tutors and students are asked to copy the contents of the required units to their computer to work from on a daily basis rather than use the USB continuously.

To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1 – Plug your MiStick USB into your computer
Step 2 – Open Start - Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen
Step 3 – Open File Explorer - Click the folder-shaped icon in the lower-left side of the Start Menu
Step 4 – Click ‘This PC’ – It is a computer shaped icon on the left side of the File Explorer window. This will open a list of your computer’s attached drives, including the USB.
Step 5 – Open the USB – double click on the name of your USB (usually identified by ‘Removable Disk’)
Step 6 – Select the folders and files you want to copy (for example English Unit 4) – You can click an individual folder or hold down CTRL key on your keyboard to select a range
Step 7 – Select ‘Copy To’ at the top of the window, and select where you would like to make a copy of the folders and files.

Safely eject the USB by using the Remove Hardware icon in the bottom right of your screen.

Store the USB in a safe clean, dry area and remember to return your MiStick USB to the school on completion of all units or upon cancellation of your enrolment.

Microsoft Office 2016 Free

Students of Charleville SDE are able to access a free copy of Microsoft Office 2016 via Education Queensland. This provided students with the latest version of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, OneNote and Outlook. To access your copy contact the school technicians for a copy on CD or visit the link below.

Headsets

Please note that if your foam Earpads, Voice Tube or Push to Talk switch need replacing let our Technician Mr Bill Grant (wjgra0@eq.edu.au) know and he will send replacements.

Student Work

The Year 8 Technologies class has been working on designing and making a website for a customer, a local DJ.

Meanwhile, the Year 9 Technologies class have been working on creating their own apps.

What kind of gamer are you?

Check out the latest blog posts:

Visiting the School? Did you know . . .

When you visit the school’s campus in Charleville students are able to bring their own device (eg. tablet or laptop) and connect to the school’s Wifi Internet using their school username and password. This will allow students to connect to on-air lessons, access eLearn and use their emails while on campus. Students may also use a dedicated room (‘The Green Room’) to do lessons from using a phone, however this must be booked in advance and a home tutor must be present at all times. Please contact the school if you wish to use this resource next time you are visiting the school.

From the Technician’s Table: Need More Help?

If you are having trouble with log on details, access problems, computer or headset issues or just want some advice we are here to help you. . .

School Technician – Bill Grant: wjgra0@eq.edu.au or 07 4656 8909

For all phone and headset issues and problems with computers.

Digital Learning Facilitator – Sam Owczarek: sowcz1@eq.edu.au or 07 4656 8915

For advice or help with using programs or tools on the Learning Place (including eLearn, Student Space and Blogging).

Give us a call or send an email.

P & C News

The P&C still have a President position vacant. If anyone is interested, please contact Brie Boyle. The P&C is a great group to work with, you will never feel alone. It is also a great chance to get involved in the school and work together to make anything possible.

Sports Muster

CONGRATULATIONS TO NARUNGI!

Hope everyone enjoyed their time at Sports Muster. It was a great event. A huge thank you to the Sports Muster committee for organising it all!

Thank you to The Blue Gum Café for the Student Lunches and to the Mitchell/Tomoo – Dunkeld ICPA for providing the canteen.

I would like to thank everyone for all your help towards the cent sale and all the jobs that people helped out with over the couple of days.

To Bec McKeering…….. Thankyou! Thank you everyone for all the donations to make the cent sale a success. The prizes were great, hope most of you had a win!

Thank you to Eunice & Di for again organising the S&U stall and the Pie Drive. Your help each year is greatly appreciated!

Thank you to all the P&C members for all of your help and support. Many hands make light work and gives a chance for everyone to get involved.

Battery Drive

This is constantly ongoing. If you have any old batteries lying around at home, contact Anne-Marie and Greg - gfcolamba@gmail.com. A lot of money has been raised for the P and C through the battery drive.

Grants

We are always looking out for ways to fund money to assist our students, families and the school. If you hear of any grants, please contact Christy Bredhauer - lambertstud@skymesh.com.au.

REMINDER……

Memberships

If you have not been receiving the documents for the meetings, your membership is not current for 2018. Membership is free. Please complete the form and send to the secretary.

Girl Guides

Did you know that Charleville School of Distance Education has its own Girl Guide Unit? The 2nd Charleville (Lone) Guides is an official part of Girl Guides Queensland. Our weekly sessions (subject to leader availablility during field events) are run as an on-air session using Web Conferencing. The girls learn about the World of Guides, they strive for badges, help out in their community, have fun and fellowship, and meet during Field Events if possible.

2018 Annual Promise Ceremony

2nd Charleville Lone Guides joined the 1st Charleville Guides for the District’s annual Promise Ceremony. It has become tradition that the two units get together once a year allowing all the Guides to either renew their Promise or make their Promise for the first time showing their commitment to Girl Guides. This year, we also had the pleasure of having a Mum, Mrs Usher, renew her Promise – once a Guide always a Guide!

Alison ‘Seagull’ Simmons was also presented with her 5 years adult membership bar at the ceremony acknowledging the great work and commitment to our Guide unit.

Email Mrs Sam O on sowcz1@eq.edu.au if you would like to join our fabulous Girl Guide unit and application forms and information will be forwarded to you.

Sports Muster

Sport Stars

Tennis Star

Alex, a Charleville SDE Year 10 student, recently went to Grafton NSW for the 91st North Coast Tennis Championships. In his first ever Australian Money Tournaments (AMT) singles main draw match Alex had a win, plus success with a good win in the AMT doubles with his partner Alexey. In the junior event, Alex finished the long weekend strong by winning the 16U Boys singles championships.

The Tennis Centre where Alex trains, and does his on-air lessons from, recently had a visit from Channel 10 and was filmed for the TV Show ‘Totally Wild’.

Alex is in the background playing during the filming for ‘Totally Wild’

The Storey Players

Calling all BRB KIDS and TEENS – Performing opportunity at Big Red Bash!!

The Storey Players are a not-for-profit theatre company based in Melbourne and we have created a performance for this year’s BRB which will take place in the main stage area. It is written in the style of a Dreamtime Story (with full co-operation and approval of the Indigenous people in the area) called ‘Rainbow Serpent and the Story of Creation’ and we need kids to perform with us!

This is a fantastic opportunity for a bunch of enthusiastic kids to be part of an amazing show at Australia’s most remote music festival. The performance is between Busby Marou and Adam Brand on opening night, so the kids will be guaranteed a full house!

If you have kids who might be interested, then please carefully read the message below:

To operate our 10-meter Rainbow Serpent we need young people between the ages of 13-15. The requirements are:

You definitely need to be available for rehearsals at the festival site on Big Red for Monday 9th July, so you have to be part of the early camping crew.

You’ll need to commit yourself to the rehearsals and the performance and be ready to work with, and listen to, the director to ensure it is the best it can be.

Some performance experience would be an advantage, but it is not necessary. We are theatre professionals and will give you all the help you need to take part in this fantastic opportunity.

Serpent performers will need black leggings and a long-sleeved black shirt as part of your costume.

We also need kids between the ages of 9 – 12 to form two animal groups which will be costumed and an essential part of our production.

Please note this a voluntary event only – there is no payment involved – but you will be a part of this amazing production at this extraordinary festival, and every family who takes part will receive a copy of the final film of the performance. (All participants will have to sign a media permission form to enable The Storey Players to use the material for marketing purposes in the future.)

This is going to be an awesome event, so if you want to get involved, please message us at thestoreyplayers@gmail.com.au with the following information:

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact me,
Regards,
Simon

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