14 August 2024

From the Principal

Dear students, parents and families

I am thrilled to be back at Bellbird Park State Secondary College after spending the first half of 2024 assisting at another school. I am truly excited to be back with our incredible staff, the students, and the amazing community. Throughout my absence, I have been keeping up with all of the wonderful achievements of our staff and students, and I am incredibly proud of everything BPSSC has accomplished this year.

Semester 1 Academic Data

2023 was a remarkable year filled with many achievements for both staff and students. As we stepped into 2024, our vision was to build on this great work and to increase the proportion of our students receiving a C or better in all their subjects. And the semester one data speaks for itself – in fact, we have exceeded expectations. Our student results across all year levels are simply outstanding and are a testament to the dedication and perseverance of our teachers and staff. We couldn't have achieved this without the unwavering support of our entire school community – parents, guardians, and support staff. Congratulations to everyone on a fantastic semester one!

Australian Education Awards

Congratulations to Ms Carla Pantano who won Australian Deputy Principal of the Year at the Australian Education Awards in Sydney last Friday night. This is a fantastic recognition for her outstanding leadership at Bellbird Park State Secondary College since 2019. Ms Pantano is very much looking forward to returning in 2025 to build on this work. Congratulations also to Mr Paul Terechow for being recognised as an Excellence Awardee for Head of Department of the year and Ms Liz McNulty as a Rising Star Excellence Awardee. Bellbird Park SSC was also formally named as an Excellence Awardee for Australian School of the Year.  What an incredible achievement for our school community! Thank you to everyone who continues to make Bellbird Park SSC a place of excellence.

Student Leadership

The selection of our student leaders for 2024/25 has commenced with applicants presenting to their peers. Our student leaders are custodians of our student voice, culture and have an important role in our school community as they build on the legacy of those before them. We have been particularly impressed with our student leadership group from years 7-12 this year and have great confidence that we will find a strong group of student leaders to build on this success. Our student leadership induction ceremony will occur in the final week of this term. Our future at BPSSC is in great hands.

School Opinion Survey

We have a lot to celebrate at Bellbird Park SSC and are always looking to capture our successes and areas of improvement. If you haven’t yet filled out our online School Opinion Survey, please check your emails or contact the school. Your voice matters. Thank you all for your ongoing support and partnership as we work together to empower student success each and every day at BPSSC.

Student Free Day - Friday 30 August

A student free day is scheduled in Week 8 of this term on Friday 30 August. On this day across the College, staff will participate in professional development, QCE meetings and planning for 2025.

We have a busy and exciting final half of term 3 with so many key student events. As always, we encourage you to follow us on Facebook for important announcements and celebrations of success.

Michael West
Executive Principal

Deputies Corner

Travel Overseas

It’s great to be back after being away for the last 2 weeks overseas. I was fortunate to be able to visit some schools in Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu and give some donations we had collected to the teachers. It was great to see the local culture and the welcoming hospitality of the teachers and happy students (tackle footy at breaks was also the norm and teachers didn’t do playground duty!!) This respect and passion for culture from our amazing diverse multicultural community is what I also love and see regularly welcomed and celebrated at Bellbird Park.

Congratulations Year 7s

Hard to believe we are already half way through term 3. It is scary how quickly the year goes by especially when I see the year 12’s with only 8 weeks of school left and some shops starting to sell Christmas decorations!! It was great to see how well our Junior Secondary students did in their semester academic reports this year. Especially pleasing was the year 7’s who gained a collective 94% pass rate which is a college year 7 record!! Effort and Behaviour were also great. Having passionate teachers and great supports for our students has also contributed to this success. Attendance continues to be the main obstacle to growth unfortunately.

Term 3 Junior Secondary Assessment Calendars

Assessment calendars for Year 7- 9 can be found on our website. These give a great quick snapshot of assessment coming up this term.

Mr Gavin Grant
Deputy Principal Year 7

Welcome to Term 3

We are pleased to welcome Ms Menjivar as the new Head of year 9 for Term 3. Her experience and enthusiasm are sure to bring fresh energy and perspectives to our year 9 cohort. A huge thank you goes out to Mr Stanley and Mr Cheung for their outstanding support and dedication to our year 9 students throughout the year. Their hard work has been invaluable in guiding our students towards success.

Year 9 Subject Selection

Term 3 marks an exciting period for our year 9 students as they embark on their Sub Senior Studies Plans, preparing for their transition into Year 10. This is a pivotal time for our students to reflect on their achievements in Junior Secondary, set new academic goals, and explore their career aspirations. The subject selection process is a fantastic opportunity for students to take ownership of their educational journey and to make informed decisions about their future pathways.

Leadership in the Diversity Hub

We are delighted to welcome Ms Holt into the role of Head of Department Diverse Learners for Term 3. Her expertise and commitment to inclusive education will undoubtedly enhance the support we provide to our diverse learners. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ms Downie for her exceptional leadership over the past three terms in Ms Parish's absence. Ms Holt, alongside the dedicated team in the Diversity Hub, will continue to implement our programs and tailored supports for a wide range of students across the college.

Transition Program for Year 7 Students

This term also brings an exciting opportunity to welcome our new students who will be joining Year 7 in 2025. The transition program, facilitated by the Diversity Hub, aims to provide these students who have additional needs, with a smooth and supportive introduction to secondary school life. We look forward to helping them settle in and start their educational journey at Bellbird Park SSC with confidence and enthusiasm.

Looking Ahead

As we navigate through Term 3, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and dynamic learning environment for all our students. We encourage our year 9 students to make the most of this term's opportunities, to reflect on their achievements. Together, we will continue to strive for excellence and to support each student's path to success.

Here's to a fantastic term 3 filled with growth and learning.

Ms Melissa Fields
Deputy Principal Year 9

I am sure the entire community are currently enjoying the Olympic success of our Australian athletes. As our students move into our assessment period of term 3, it would be pertinent to relate qualities demonstrated from our athletes, such as dedication, hard work and resilience to their upcoming exams and assignments. 

I would like to further share lessons from the Olympics for our students:

Resilience: Just as athletes overcome setbacks and injuries, students must navigate challenges and stay committed to their goals. The road to success is often paved with obstacles, but perseverance pays off.

Dedication: Olympians train tirelessly for years to reach peak performance. Similarly, consistent effort and diligent study habits are crucial for academic success. It’s important to develop a study schedule that allows for regular review and practice.

Goal Setting: Athletes set clear, measurable goals to track their progress. Students should set specific targets for each subject, breaking down their study material into manageable chunks and setting milestones to measure their improvement.

Support Systems: Behind every Olympian is a team of coaches, family, and friends providing support. Students should also seek support from teachers, peers, and family members. Forming study groups and attending extra help sessions can provide valuable assistance and encouragement.

Mental Health: The mental aspect of performance is crucial, whether in sports or academics. Taking breaks, practicing mindfulness, and maintaining a healthy balance between study and relaxation can help manage stress and maintain mental well-being.

Jason English
Deputy Principal Year 11

Administration Matters

Food for Thought

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Order online at www.munchmonitor.com

From the Head of Department – Teaching and Learning

24 Hour Access to Learning Resources for Students!

As part of the increasingly Digital nature of Teaching and Learning at Bellbird Park, most classes in most year levels are now using Microsoft’s OneNote program as a platform for lessons. This presents opportunities for students to take increasing levels of responsibility for their learning, by allowing them to access content and activities from home, or anywhere with an internet connection.

Each class that has laptops in years 7, 10, 11 and 12 has access to a Class OneNote Page, with subfolders for resources, such as lesson PowerPoints, worksheets, stimulus and revision resources, as well as spaces for collaboration, online discussion with classmates and the teacher and posing questions.

What this means is that if a student is away, or wanting to drive through learning at their own pace, they can access all the class resources from home via their web-browser, with their school login through the DoE ‘s Managed Internet Service website.

As a parent; if your student is off sick for an extended period of time, or if you’re concerned about their grades in a particular subject, it might be worth asking them or their teacher if they have access to these resources.

In addition to improving grades and outcomes, facilitating our students to take responsibility for their own learning is one of the ways that we work to help develop them into mature, responsible young adults, ready for the challenges the wider world will present them with. 

Benjamin Turnour
Head of Teaching and Learning

From the Head Department - The Arts

Talented Students Shine at Creative Generations State Schools Onstage

On 18 to 20 July, four of our exceptionally talented students took the stage at the prestigious Creative Generations State Schools Onstage performance. This annual showcase celebrates the incredible talents of students from across the state, and our representatives certainly made their mark.

The event, held at the Brisbane Exhibition and Conventions Centre in Brisbane, was a spectacular display of creativity and skill, highlighting the diverse talents of young performers. Our students, Amelhia, Mia, Mackenzie and Hannah each brought their unique flair to the stage, captivating the audience with their outstanding performances.

The Creative Generations State Schools Onstage event not only provided a platform for these talented individuals to showcase their abilities but also celebrated the 20^th anniversary of this annual showcase performance. The show featured a number of professional artists who all performed in Creative Generation while they were at school. The hard work, dedication, and talent of our students are a testament to the supportive environment fostered by our dedicated teachers and mentors.

To all our students and staff, your support and encouragement are what make these achievements possible. Let's celebrate the incredible talent within our school and continue to nurture the creative spirit that defines us.

For any students interested in performing at this event in 2025, please listen out for notices in term 4 to find out how you can get involved.

From the Head of Department – Diverse Learners

It has been a busy term in the Diverse Learners department. We have said farewell to our A/HODDL Danni Downie. We wish her all the best with her new role as a Deputy Principal. We have welcomed Carolyn Holt into the role for term 3. Phoebe Parish will return as HODDL in term 4, 2024 after a period of maternity leave.

In the senior space, students have been busy with delivering Fruit and Vegetable boxes to staff each week on a Monday, a range of fresh produce is selected and sorted into boxes for staff to eat and enjoy each week. Our students have also been managing our school recycling program, volunteering in the school canteen. A highlight of our term has seen one of our year 12 students engage in a trade taster day this term – sampling tiling, rendering and other wet trades tasks throughout the day. Senior students are connecting with our wider community this term with excursions to the maritime museum, state library and Gallery of Modern Art and attending the Ipswich Fresh futures expo where they will connect with workplaces and services in the Ipswich area to plan for their transition from year 12 to the wider world of work or study.

In week 8 of this term, we are hosting our transition day for students with disabilities from year 6 to 7. If you are planning on enrolling your year six student at Bellbird Park State Secondary College, please register to attend on 30 August 2024 from 9am until 11am. Please see the below flyer for registration details. 

Carolyn Holt
Head of Diverse Learners

Head of Year Report

Ms West – Year 8

Semester 2 is off to a busy start for our year 8 students. School reports have been sent and Parent/Teacher interviews held. Our year 8 teachers have been very pleased with the commitment to learning shown by students and are looking forward to guiding them in the achievement of their term 3 goals.

During this semester, students will be studying their different electives. Here they will be exposed to a wealth of different learning challenges, knowledge, experiences, peer grouping and teaching styles. With the continued splendid efforts displayed in Semester 1, our year 8 students will again be rewarded with success! Work diligently and reap the rewards throughout term 3!

Year 8 into Year 9 Subject Selections

In week 5, year 8 students will be asked to make their subject selection choices for 2025. This is a very important step for our year 8 students. Parents are asked to discuss, and carefully consider, subject selections with their child to ensure the most appropriate and rewarding choices are made. Thank you for supporting and guiding your child in this important step.

Our Olympic Dream

Oi! Oi! Oi! Go Bellbirds Go!

Gold medal performances could be seen everywhere on Friday, 2 August. Our year 8 students displayed the Olympic Values of “encouraging effort, preserving, human dignity and developing harmony” when they came together for a lunch break of fun games, singing and dancing.

How proud the teachers were of not only the positivity and commitment shown by students, but the inclusiveness and friendship between peers and, best of all, the laugher and joy that filled the playground! Congratulations to all, students and teachers, on your gold winning connections, interactions and performances! A joy to hear and see! Through embracing our R.I.S.E. expectations every day, we will continue to nurture and display these important Olympic values!

Junior School College Captains 

Tuesday morning, August 6, was a nervous but exciting time for eight of our year 8 students.  In their bid to become the year 9 College Captains for 2025, they stood before a packed audience of their peers and guests to deliver their individual policy speeches. They are all to be congratulated on their fine efforts and sincerely thanked for their nominations to this important position.

Ms Scull – Year 11 & 12

Student Leadership – Year 11

Congratulations to the shortlisted 2025 College Captain candidates who presented their speeches to their peers in week 5. Both staff and year 10 & 11 students have the opportunity to vote for their preferred College Captains. This vote will impact our decision to shortlist students for the final round: an interview with a panel. Two 2025 College Captains will be selected based on this interview. Prefects and House Captains will be decided by a panel of staff in the coming weeks. All 2025 student leadership positions will be announced at the Leadership Induction Ceremony on Monday, 9 September (Week 10) – all student leaders will find out their position at this ceremony!

Year 11: Senior Jersey Update

In week 6 all year 11 students received a Clearance Form for their 2025 Senior Jersey. Students are required to get their teachers and HOY to sign their Clearance Form if they meet the pre-requisites below.

• 90%+ yearly attendance rate
• On track to receive QCE (Queensland Certificate of Education)
• Up to date with VET (Vocational Education and Training) competencies and work placements
• Satisfactory effort and behaviour as a minimum in all classes
• Positive behaviour in and around college grounds (if you receive two RISE referrals or an external suspension in Term 3 you may be ineligible to order a jersey)
• Evidence of ongoing compliance with the College Uniform Policy
• Evidence of ongoing compliance with the Personal Technology Device Policy
• No outstanding late or admin detentions
• All school fee payments are up to date (i.e. payment plans to be set up in advance and payments made in accordance with the plan).

Once the clearance form is returned to Student Services, and all signed off, their HOY will give the student an Order Form. This Order Form also needs to be returned to Student Services, then parents/carers will be invoiced for the jersey. 

More information will be provided to both students and parents/guardians in the following weeks. Students are encouraged to order a jersey in the first order as they arrive at the beginning of 2025. The second order made in Term 1, arrives at the end of Term 2.

Year 12: Graduation Week

As per the letter emailed to students and parents in May, see below for information regarding Graduation Week.

In 2024, the final week of events for Year 12 Students has been given the title ‘Graduation Week’. This exciting opportunity recognises the efforts and achievements of our graduating senior students. The events scheduled for the week include:

Clearance Forms will be going out in the coming weeks for the Senior Formal / Mystery Bus Tour. Here is a reminder of the pre-requisites:

• 90%+ yearly attendance rate
• On track to receive QCE (Queensland Certificate of Education)
• VET (Vocational Education and Training) competencies and work placements complete
• Satisfactory effort and behaviour as a minimum in all classes
• Positive behaviour in and around college grounds (if you receive two RISE referrals or an external suspension in Term 3 you may be ineligible to attend these events)
• Evidence of ongoing compliance with the College Uniform Policy
• Evidence of ongoing compliance with the Personal Technology Device Policy
• No outstanding late or admin detentions
• All school fee payments are up to date (i.e. payment plans to be set up in advance and payments made in accordance with the plan).

NAIDOC WEEK 2024

Bellbird Park State Secondary College proudly celebrated NAIDOC Week 2024 with two incredible events that brought our community together to honour and showcase the rich cultural heritage of First Nations peoples. This year's theme, Keep the Fire Burning, Blak, Loud, and Proud, resonated throughout our celebrations, emphasising the importance of unity, pride, and cultural appreciation.

Our NAIDOC celebrations on 22 July, began with a spectacular performance by our own First Nations Dance Troupe. The troupe delivered a mesmerising traditional dance that highlighted the diversity and vibrancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. We were honoured to have special guests, including the Honourable Milton Dick MP and Mayor Teresa Harding, join us for this event. The event was a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the incredible talents of our students. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated and helped make this event a success.

On 29 July, we were honoured to host the Wagga Torres Strait Islander Dance Company, a traditional dance group originating from Saint Paul's Village, Moa Island. This event featured an assembly for our students, along with families and special guests, including Bellbird Park State School Principal Katie Stubbings, Jarjums, and Student Leaders. The performance was a vibrant display of traditional Torres Strait Islander culture, captivating the audience with its beauty and energy.

Following each assembly, our Student Leaders and Ms. Sharman hosted a morning tea, providing a wonderful opportunity for our community to connect and reflect on the significance of NAIDOC Week. Both events were a testament to the strength and unity of our community. We are grateful to all who joined us in these celebrations and to those who contributed to their success. A special thank you to Bellbird Park State School, special guests and families for their support.

Adding to the excitement of our NAIDOC Week celebrations, our jarjums attended and performed at Bellbird Park State School. Their participation showcased the next generation's connection to and pride in their cultural heritage. The jarjums' performances were heartfelt and inspiring, highlighting the importance of passing down traditions and stories. We are incredibly proud of our young performers for their dedication and talent, and we extend our gratitude to Bellbird Park State School for providing a platform for our jarjums to shine. This collaboration further strengthened the bond within our community and emphasized the significance of cultural education for all ages.

As we reflect on these celebrations, let's continue to work together to create an environment that honours and celebrates First Nations contributions, keeping the spirit of unity and pride alive.

The UQ Year 11 Queensland Biology Winter School

Archer is a Year 11 student in Ms Shumacks BIOLOGY class where Ms Shumack notified students of an opportunity to attend “The UQ Year 11 Queensland Biology Winter School” run by Dr Gurion Ang. This is a program that provides a deep dive into contemporary topics in biodiversity, cell, animal and plant physiology, biophysics, and how these biological disciplines are interconnected.

Archer was successful in their application to attend the winter school over the holidays, on 1 & 2 July at the University of Queensland St. Lucia Campus. Archer is interested in exploring future study after finishing year 12 in wildlife management, conservation and genetics at university and enjoyed attending the experience.

Archer detailed their experience at the workshop:

On day 1- “The first thing we did after introductions was built Lego models to reflect on what challenges Biology will address. My group ended up making a model on ‘the effect of population density on the spread of infectious disease’ as it related to the work we are doing in school. Next, we had a lecture with guess speaker Dr Shelley Keating, on exercise physiology. During this lecture Dr Shelley talked about Cardiorespiratory Fitness and about how unreliable the Body Mass Index (BMI) is when determining an individual's risk of developing cardiometabolic disease. Then we had a practical on marine organism dissection and compound microscopy, during which we dissected a mussel and talked about its different structures as well as what their functions were. Afterwards was a workshop in biophysics with Dr Evelyne Deplazes where we talked about movement, specifically the movement of microorganisms. Our next practical was on forensic entomology and palynology- where we dissected maggots and examined their posterior spiracular plates under the microscopes to determine their life cycle stage. Finally, we did an interactive workshop on animal and plant defences in a co-evolutionary context where we designed a plant and gave it physical and chemical defences to defend against a suite of attackers. We also got the honour of listening to Dr G talk about his favourite thing in the whole world… Brassicas.”

Day 2- “To begin day two, we did a data literacy workshop with guest speaker Assoc. Professor Jessica Mar where we learnt how to interpret graphs as well as having the opportunity to coming up with a title for a graph. My group had a graph on the age of prime ministers and presidents from the start of their serves to the end, the graph showed an average decrease in the age prime ministers and presidents over time. After some discussion we had titled ours- ‘Look Out Retirement Homes, World Leaders Coming In!’ After that we had workshop by guest Suresh Krishnasamy where he talked about the extinct mammoth. Then we designed a creature following a set of criteria we were given such as it’s diet, habitat, size, whether it had natural predators etc. Then we did a practical on plant pathology- taking soil samples to work out why a lettuce was dying; the cause was Nematodes. And practical where we explored major groups of marine vertebrates and their evolutionary divergence from one another. During this we got to touch some rare specimens from UQ’s zoological collection. We had a workshop on intercranial kinesis where we made bird skulls out of cardboard. The last session involved information on career advice and university courses that were offered at UQ.”

“While I enjoyed everything we did, my favourite part of the program was definitely Dr Gurion Ang, he was funny, silly, relatable and surprisingly charismatic.” 

Community News

Next Step State School Leavers Survey

The Queensland Government is following up on year 10, 11 and 12 students who left school in 2023, before completing Year 12. Students will receive a letter with a personalised link to complete a 5-minute survey regarding their activities since leaving school. Students may also be contacted by email or phone and have the chance to win an iPad for participating. Please encourage them to take part. If their contact details have changed, please update with the interviewer or forward the instructions so they can participate. For more information, visit www.qld.gov.au/nextstep/ or telephone toll free on 1800 068 587.

School Dental Service

The School Dental Service would like to extend an offer of free dental care to Bellbird Park State Secondary College.

Please see below flyer for further details.