The saying ‘May you live in interesting times’ seems applicable to Semester 1. Our year started like any other by welcoming new teachers and for the first time greeting more than 1000 students to our school.

Our first official ceremony was held at the Civic Centre to recognise Spinifex Student Leaders and the Class of 2020 (Year 7 Leaders were acknowledged in Term 2). Parents met their children’s teachers at the Meet the Teachers Evening and Seleena Blackley was the successful applicant for the role of Youth Minster for Traeger 2020.

Before the world of social distancing took hold, we all had fun at the annual Canoe Regatta at Lake Moondarra and the Year 7/12 Day at the Basketball Centre and Hockey Grounds. Student Leaders enthusiastically raised much needed funds for Shave for a Cure Foundation and donated supplies to Paw, Hoofs and Claws.

From the Principal

CampusLink Wednesday, 24 June 2020

Volume 18, Issue 10

I M P O R T A N T D A T E S

2 6 J U N E 2 0 2 0 Last day of Term 2

2 7 J U N E - 1 2 J U L Y 2 0 2 0 School Holidays

1 3 J U L Y 2 0 2 0 First day of Term 3

P&C M E E T I N G Our next P & C Meeting will be held

in the Junior Campus Library at:

7pm on Wednesday the 15th of July, 2020.

All parents and community members are welcome and encouraged to

attend.

Principal Mr Philip Sweeney

Head of Senior Campus Mr Chris Pocock

Head of Residential Campus Mrs Cath McGrath-Jeffrey

From the Principal

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From the Principal Continued…

International Women’s Day reached new heights this year with so many of our students engaging in events such as ZONTA - Young Women of Achievement Award and IWD PCYC breakfast event. Jessika Russell and Jessica Knight attened the QRC/WIMARQ Girls in Resources Mentoring Program in Brisbane.

The impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic hit home and challenged our school community to respond with commitment and purpose. Online learning programs were created in the final week of Term 1 and over the holiday break. In the first five weeks of Term 2, students and parents adjusted to learning from home and teachers tried their best to support students online, over the phone and through paper based materials. We adapted to our new situation by recognising ANZAC Day on our driveways dressed in school uniform. On a positive note, students learnt resilience and experienced learning success throughout this time. Sophie Donnelly and Alyssa Moro were accepted into university, and they will begin next semester while studying their regular Year 11 subjects. Seleena, with the support of family and friends, provided us all with a meaningful and thought provoking Sorry Day recognition. We continue to celebrate our students’ success together and keep our eyes firmly focused on preparing our students for future achievement. I thank parents and carers for your support, commitment and patience so far this year.

Semester 1 Report Cards

After a busy semester of learning, student’s Semester 1 report cards will be posted home to parents and carers in Week 2 of Term 3. Please ensure your postal address is current and correct with the school offices. It is pleasing to see that so many students are working hard to achieve their learning goals and targets.

Parent Teacher Interviews will proceed in Week 3 of Term 3. Additional safeguards will be implemented for interviews to be conducted safely. Further information regarding this will be sent with report cards.

School Holidays

June to July school holidays will take place from the 27th June to the 12th July. Remember that school starts for all students on Monday 13th July. It is important that all students return to school on this day, as teachers will be starting their teaching for Term 3 from the very first lesson of the day.

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High Achievers

Congratulations to our Year 12 students who received very high achievements for their first assessment pieces in Biology, Earth & Environmental Science and Physics. This is an excellent result! Well done students.

Biology – Alfin Kallerikunnel Thomas, Jose Pena Araya, Mr Ward, Jasmine Connelly and Charlotte Leech (absent: Madison George-Sloan)

Earth & Environmental Science – Carli Richter, Jayda Kling, Mr O’Donnell and Charlotte Leech (absent: Cassandra Cedeno)

Physics – Tyson Hales and Mr Lewis

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End of Term 2

As Term 2 ends, students have been working towards completing their final assessments before the holiday break begins. Below are some of the things that students have been doing in class at Spinifex over the past week:

Year 12 English completed practice questions for their exam based on the novel called 1984 with Ms Mitchell.

Year 12 General Maths learnt how to calculate compounding interest with Mr O’Donnell.

Year 11 Chemistry learnt about gas laws and measuring gas with Mr Verwimp.

Year 10 Hospitality baked cookies and goodies typically found at the Mount Isa Show for their final assessment with Ms Simpson and Mrs Cherian.

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Year 10 Business completed their assignments on organisational structures and leadership with Mrs Stephens.

Year 9 Design Technology Woodwork students have been making electronic device stands in the workshop with Ms Waddell

Gifted and Talented Program

Available to all year 6 students. Spinifex is now taking applications for our Gifted and Talented Program in the following subject areas:

Science

Health and Physical Education

Art

Design Technology

Gastronomy

Nomination forms are available on our website: https://spinifexsc.eq.edu.au/curriculum/excellence-programs or from the Junior Campus Administration Office. Forms are due back before 3pm, Friday 26 June 2020. Our Gifted and Talented program has been made possible thanks to the generosity and support of Mount Isa Mines.

Year 12 Virtual University Experience for Parents and Carers

Parents and students are able to take a virtual tour of James Cook University together at home. If you are interested register by following the link: https://jcu.online-event.co/invitation/jcu-year-12-university-experience-parent

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The School Opinion Survey

The Department of Education (DoE) is requesting parents complete a modified School Opinion Survey this year.

Please click on the following link to complete the 10-minute survey: https://survey.qed.qld.gov.au/form/Parents-

HaveYourSay.aspx Staff and students will also complete the School Opinion Survey to provide our school and the

DoE with valuable feedback.

P&C Meeting

The next P&C meeting will be held on Wednesday 15th July, in the Junior Campus Library, commencing at 7pm. All parents, carers and community members are welcome to attend.

Visit our school website Regards,

Mr Philip Sweeney Principal

Find us on Facebook

In and Around School

Year 12 Earth Science

Year 12 Earth Science students have been studying the “Causes and impacts of Earth hazards” as a component of their Unit 4 content. A practical element of this unit requires students to use their knowledge of Earth hazards and a little bit of ‘outside the box thinking’ to design a building that could withstand an earthquake.

To make it a little more interesting, students competed with each other to see who could build the strongest building. Competition day was intense, and the earthquake simulators were put to the test. Ultimately, our winners were Alysia and Cassandra who incorporated counterbalances, cross braces and shock absorbers into their victorious design.

Mr Nathan O’Donnell

Teacher Science/Maths

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Year 8 Science Rocks

The Year 8s have been doing a range of pracs last week in Science as part of the “Rock My World” Geology Unit. There are 3 different pracs they have completed these include:

Growing crystals – Involved the use of a Bunsen burner and was to help students understand the formation of igneous rocks. Students were looking at how different temperature conditions effect the size of crystal growth.

Making rocks – Students were combining different ingredients to form sedimentary rocks. Students will leave the rocks to solidify then examine how weathering and erosion may affect sedimentary rocks.

Choc rocks – Students were looking at how heat and pressure effect the formation of metamorphic rocks. They had one chocolate that was the control (nothing done to it) and a chocolate that had been placed under heat and pressure. Students had to compare the appearance and texture of the different chocolate.

Miss Jade Hourigan-Scammell Teacher Maths/Science

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Senior Art

Art at the Senior Campus has seen an eclectic mix of work with Year 11s and 12s creating photographic works and Year 10s creating a mix of collage, collagraphs and dry point etch prints. Considering the interruption to learning, the results have been incredible.

A reminder to parents that students undertaking Art have a separate subject fee to cover the cost of art supplies used by students taking this subject. These fees need to be paid as soon as possible to ensure that your child is able to bring home any works created for their assessment. Payment can be made at the Senior Campus office.

“Cultural Marking” Media: Digital Photography Artist: Ally Rae Norway

“Friendship” Media: Digital Photography Artist: Jayda Pita

Media: Collagraph Artist: Rhinuschka Nel

Media: Dry Point Etch Artist: Josh Gillies

“Moonlight” Media: Digital Photography Artist: Layla Jackson

“In Spinifex We Lay” Media: Digital Photography Artist: Jade King

Mis

Ms Melissa Lutton Teacher Art

Media: Dry Point Etch Artist: Letitia Rankine

Media: Collage Artist: Lachlan Fietz

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Positions Vacant at Spinifex State College

Teacher Aides x 2 Temporary Position 20-25hrs per week

Spinifex State College – Senior Campus are seeking skilled, committed and enthusiastic Teacher Aides. The successful applicants must be capable of providing quality learning support to staff and students at the Senior Campus. You will undertake tasks including:-

Assisting in the supervision of education activities, in and out of the classroom under the direction of a teacher

Assisting teaching staff with playground supervision

Displaying confidentiality, tact, reliability and sensitivity to students and their families

Communicating effectively and displaying high level of interpersonal skills to function as an effective team member

Applicants are required to submit a resume, contact details for 2 referees and a cover letter expressing your suitability to the role. A Role Description is available at the school or by emailing as per below.

Business Manager – Senior Campus Spinifex State College – Mount Isa

PO Box 1729 Mount Isa QLD 4825

or email: vacancies@spinifexsc.eq.edu.au The successful applicant will be subject to a Working with Children Check.

Applications close:5pm Friday 26th June 2020

Teacher Aide – Special Education Unit Permanent Position 24 hours per week

We are seeking a skilled, committed and enthusiastic Teacher Aide to join our Special Education Unit Team. The successful applicant must be capable of providing quality learning support to staff and students at the Junior Campus. You will undertake tasks including:-

Assist students with special needs

Assisting in the supervision of education activities, under the direction of a teacher

Assisting teaching staff with playground supervision

Displaying confidentiality, tact, reliability and sensitivity to students and their families

Communicating effectively and displaying high level of interpersonal skills to function as an effective team member

Applicants are required to submit a resume, contact details for 2 referees and a maximum 2 page written response to the “How you will be assessed” section of role description. Role Description available on our website.

Business Manager – Junior Campus Spinifex State College – Mount Isa

PO Box 1355 Mount Isa QLD 4825

or email vacancies@spinifexsc.eq.edu.au The successful applicant will be subject to a Working with Children Check.

Applications close: 5pm Friday 17th July 2020

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For more information or to register your interest email: Rhygan.werrett@glencore.com.auRegistration for Webinar Sessions Close 8:00am, 19 June 2020

Mount Isa Mines 2021 Apprentice Information

Webinar Sessions

Register your interest now!

Apprentice Information Sessions

starting soon

Electrician

Auto Electrician

Boilermaker

Fitter Welder

Radio Technician

Diesel Fitter Mechanic

Light Vehicle Mechanic

Fitter Turner

Glencore representatives will present information sessions about the range of apprenticeships on offer, provide an overview of the selection process, and give you tips to assist with your application.

Applications for Mount Isa Mines’ 2021 Apprenticeship Program open 1 July 2020.