Deputy Principal - Culture and Engagement
Welcome Back!
Welcome back to the start of Term 2. I hope the break provided a chance for rest and renewal for your family. As we return to another busy and exciting term, I want to take a moment to commend our Year 7 and 8 students for their outstanding efforts throughout Term 1. Their dedication to learning and the impressive results they achieved are a testament to their hard work and resilience. I look forward to celebrating those students who have attained the highest levels of academic achievement at the Excellence Morning Tea, which will be held in Week 4 of the Term.
Already, we have hit the ground running with several key events this week, and many more are on the horizon. These include our College ANZAC Service, Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing (QEW) Survey, and our School Immunisation Program (SIP).
College ANZAC Service
On Thursday the 24th April the College held our annual ANZAC Service in the RaptorDome, marking the 110th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli. This important event gave our College community an opportunity to gather to pay our respects to those who have given so much for our Nation. As always, we were pleased to share this service with a range of special invited guests, including: our local politicians, representatives from the RSL, personnel from the Australian Defence Force, as well as Defence Families, and other friends of the College.
As part of this Service, the school unveiled our latest commemorative statue which has been designed to honour those Indigenous Australians who have served our Nation. The statue was created in consultation with our community Elders, and represents Private Niney McDonald, a First Nations Australian who served with the 11th Light Horse Regiment during World War I. In the coming days this statue will be added to other statues featured in ANZAC Place.
As in the past, there will also be a dawn service at ANZAC Place at the front of the College at 5am on the 25th April. All community members are welcome to attend this special event.
Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing (QEW) Survey
In keeping with our continued focus on student wellbeing, all students will be invited to complete the Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing (QEW) Survey in Week 2 of the Term. The purpose of this survey is to measure how students view their wellbeing and engagement so that we can meet their needs and support them in the best way possible.
The survey measures many aspects of students’ wellbeing, engagement, and experience at school. These aspects include: resilience, school climate, relationships, sense of belonging, motivation and perseverance, academic self-concept, personal social capabilities, future outlook and aspirations, general life satisfaction and general health.
The information collected through the survey will be kept confidential. No personal information will be shared with anyone outside of the Queensland Department of Education. The Queensland Department of Education will store the data according to strict guidelines. Student’s answers will be de-identified. They will only be reported back to the school as part of their year levels’ results. No one at your child’s school will be able to see their individual responses.
Participation in the survey is voluntary. Choosing not to participate will not affect your child’s education in any way. If you do not wish for your child to participate in the QEW Survey, please contact the school.
On the day, teachers will arrange for students to take part in the Survey online during class time. It will take about 30 minutes to complete. If your child requires additional assistance, teachers and/or support staff will be able to help them.
More information, including FAQs, can be found on the Education website: https://alt-qed.qed.qld.gov.au/publications/reports/statistics/schooling/students/queensland-engagement-wellbeing-survey
The QLD Engagement and Wellbeing Survey FAQs page for parents and carers can also be accessed here: https://alt-qed.qed.qld.gov.au/publications/reports/statistics/schooling/students/queensland-engagement-wellbeing-survey/faqs-for-parents-and-carers
You can also contact the QEW Survey team by email: QEWSurvey@qed.qld.gov.au
School Immunisation Program (SIP):
Information has already been sent to parent/carers of all students in Years 7 and 10 regarding the Queensland School Immunisation Program. The first Clinic visit to the school is planned for Thursday 29th May. Consent forms will be due back by the 15th May.
Only students with a completed and signed consent form on the day of the school immunisation clinic will be vaccinated. If you do not return a consent form or the form is incomplete, you may be contacted by the immunisation provider to check if you consent to have your child vaccinated.
Further information around this program can be found at: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/immunisation/adolescents#sip
Further information around this program can be found at: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/immunisation/adolescents#sip
I wish all students an enjoyable Term ahead and look forward to celebrating their successes as they meet the challenges before them.
Regards,
