Head of Year 9 & 10 News

Welcome Back Year 9 and 10 Students!

It’s been a busy start to the term, and I’d like to take this opportunity to set the tone for a successful Term 3. Below are three key areas that will help us all achieve great results together.

1. Attendance Matters

Strong attendance is the foundation for success. We were pleased to see excellent attendance rates in Semester 1, and we want to keep that momentum going. Every day at school counts, regular attendance helps students stay connected with learning, build strong friendships and avoid falling behind. If, for any reason your child is unable to attend, please communicate with us as soon as possible.

2. Let Teachers Teach

Classroom time is precious, and disruptions can make a big difference to everyone’s learning experience. A calm and focused classroom allows teachers to teach and students to achieve. By respecting learning time, we create an environment where every student has the opportunity to do their best.

3. Effort, Behaviour and Assessment

We are fortunate to have a strong cohort of students who are capable of amazing things. As we move through this term, the focus on assessment becomes even more important. High levels of effort and positive behaviour are key ingredients for success, not only do they lead to better results, but they are also recognised in our school’s behaviour rewards system. Keep up the great work, strive for your best and remember that good behaviour always pays off!

Lifelines and Level 2 Behaviour

Students on Level 2 who receive their first lifeline are required to meet with their teachers during Feedback Week. This conversation is designed to be positive and constructive, helping students understand areas for improvement and how they can turn things around.

For those on their final lifeline, letters have been sent home with students. This stage is very important, our behaviour reward system aims to support students and give every opportunity for success, but if a student receives “Satisfactory” across consecutive

terms, they will move to Level 3. Parent-Teacher Interviews are the perfect time to discuss your child’s effort and behaviour and explore strategies for improvement.

Key Dates to Remember

• Year 9 Camp: Letters have been sent home for our Year 9 Camp in Week 6 (August 20–22). The camp has been heavily subsidised to encourage all students to attend. It’s a fantastic opportunity for building resilience, teamwork and life skills. Experiences that will last a lifetime.
• Rite Journey Walk: Our final day of Term 3, September 19, will feature the Rite Journey Walk from Esk to Toogoolawah. This is a major milestone in our Rite Journey program and a chance for students to raise awareness for an important issue. In future newsletters, we’ll share the cause our students choose to support.
• Year 10 ADF Long Tan Leadership & STEM Awards: Nominations are due next Friday to Mr Moloney via email. The ADF Long Tan Award recognises leadership, teamwork and community service, while the STEM Award celebrates innovation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. We encourage all eligible students to apply.

Any Questions?

If you have any questions or need clarification about anything in this newsletter, please contact Mr Moloney at wmolo2@eq.edu.au. There’s no such thing as a silly question unless it’s, “Can we extend the holidays?” (We’ve already asked, and the answer is still no!)