Issue 20 Term 4
At Moranbah State
High School we value:
Contact our school
Mills Avenue,Moranbah, Q, 4744
PO Box 63
Moranbah, Q, 4744
Ph: (07) 4949 2111
Fax: (07) 4949 2100
Email: the.principal
@moranbahshs.eq.edu.au
Web:
www.moranbahshs.eq.edu.au
Our Sponsors
Please click on any advertisement to email the affiliated business or view further details such as company brochures, flyers or promotions
 I’m getting to the stage now, where a lot of what I do is for the last time. After four years in
Moranbah I am moving on in 2010, back to North Queensland, where I grew up (kind of) and
started my teaching career. I have tried really hard to make these editorials lack self indulgence
over the past few years, but I am going to let that slide this time. I hope you won’t mind too much. I
don’t get much feedback about these editorials, but I would never assume that means nobody
reads them. Scurrilous notion.
So, to acknowledgements:
My wife Angela came here for me. She had never been to Moranbah, but that didn’t stop her. We
had two kids under 5. She is a brave, resilient woman who I love dearly. And of course, she made
a better fist of being here than I did. Kily, Matilda and Cadoc have loved the town and will miss it.
Thanks also to their teachers who have given them the best start to academic life possible.
Moranbah East is a great school and Liz Blinco as Kily’s preschool teacher was wonderful.
I have been lucky to have never worked for a dud principal, and MSHS has been no exception.
James Sloman was a great leader. I was really sad to see him go, but how lucky were we to get
Joseba Larrazabal? He is one of the good guys in the finest sense possible. I just wish his work
ethic could be pruned a bit so he didn’t spend as much time at his desk.
To the DPs I have worked with: Peter Davidson, you gave me false hope; Felicity Roberts,
Thanks for putting up with my idiosyncratic ways.
To the DPs I worked for: Thanks Dean, you will be running the world by tea time; Pick, you always
showed the way when it came to tenacity.
Kelly Crispin, you know my thoughts.
To all the office staff, led in a past life by Janet, Leah, Janine, Victoria, Maryanne, and
Christine - I would be lost without you. You have protected me from myself and others with
passion and dedication. Thank you.
Delany Nugent for listening; Mel Wescott for her patience and doing my job many times over.
Same can be said for Sharlene Briggs. Gee, we have some assets at this place!
The Kids: a few things particularly stand out - The looks of horror on the faces on my year 12
English class in 2006 as I delivered the Mark Antony speech in full toga, on top of the desk. I’d
recently had a couple of games in reserve grade for the Miners and went ok, but any credibility
gained from that act of manliness was destroyed thanks to Shakespeare and too much skin. I
wouldn’t have it any other way; Brayden Smith and his “Jack” monologue; The many kids who,
though under fire, came into my office and told the truth; My 11 and 12 English Com classes.
Thanks Reece, it was a pleasure.
The footy teams I have been involved with, the recent CH U15 premiership. Footy and Frank
Baker go hand in hand, so this is as good a spot as any to mention Frank.
 He surely means a lot to many sectors of this town, whether they be brother and sister unionists or
the footy family. Thanks Frank, you showed me what community service really means, comrade.
It has been an honour to work with these fine people and the many I have left out. This includes so
many teachers, but if I was to start naming the names of the young, not so young and definitely not
young, who have given their heart, souls and minds to the students of this town, I would surely fail.
Moranbah is a long way from the end of the world but people don’t know that ‘til they get here. I’m
sure the next person to earn the title of Deputy at this school will carry on the fine tradition I
inherited and hopefully continued.
Danny Keenan
Between the 16th and 22nd Nov 2009, a Campaign,
conjointly organised by Queensland Police Service and
Crime Stoppers, to promote the reporting of drug related
matters is being held within your area. The community is
encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 to
report any activities considered suspicious.
Presents can be left at the Moranbah Police Station, Moranbah Courthouse, and the Moranbah
Ambulance Station, during office hours.
The presents must be wrapped in paper, with your child’s NAME AND ADDRESS clearly visible.
The presents MUST be able to fit into one of the bags displayed with the signs around town.
Presents should not be fragile or valuable, and must be in
before 3pm on Wednesday the 23rd of December 2009.
Delivery will take place on Christmas Eve, between
2.30pm and 9pm. Each child will receive a free bag of lollies. Please remember that this is a free
event and is open to all residents of Moranbah and their families, and is made available through
local sponsorship and support.
For more details please contact Janelle Wilkinson at the Moranbah Police Station on 4941 6200.
“Merry Christmas”
from all of the Emergency Services Personnel
 This year the Award Ceremony was held at the Community Centre on the 27th of October. This
event showcased some of the many talents the students of Moranbah State High School possess.
Over 180 awards were awarded on the night showing the amazing academic talent and diversity
within the school.
During the night, Mr Larrazabal gave an entertaining and insightful speech about each student’s
strengths and weaknesses, drawing on his own personal experience to encourage students to not
only extend upon their already known talents, but to also develop other areas of themselves. Mr
John Wessel (our guest speaker for the evening) discussed the concept of passion with the
audience and encouraged students to find their own unique passion in order to achieve personal
success. Performances were given by the Combined Schools Concert band, conducted by Ms
Louise Tully; Moranbah SHS’s Vocal group, led by Mrs Jenny Shipson and a piano solo by Caitlin
Moloney.
The most prestigious awards for the night went to:
Rotary Club Student of the Year - Rebecca Kerr
Rotary Club DUX Award - Caitlin Moloney
Rotary Club Senior Encouragement award - Chloe Woods
Year 12 QMEA Award - Rhiannon Martin
Year 12 Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award - Rebecca Kerr
BMA Safe Work Practices Award - Robert Burt
A huge thank you goes to all the business who generously supported the event this year, as well
as teachers, students and community members involved with the preparation and organisation of
the event, including Miss Paula Springer who organised the Art display, Mrs Jo Andrews and
Mrs Kellie Bryan who coordinated the hospitality department to arrange the nibblies, and Miss
Majella Wessel who assisted with managing students.
Congratulations again to all recipients!
Tanya Brooker
 In week 2 of this term, the Year 10 Social and
Community Studies class and the Year 10 Geography
class went on a school excursion to Airlie Beach, along
with Miss Brady-Nixon and Miss Green.
The trip went for 3 days. We left on the Wednesday
morning at 7am and returned to Moranbah at 3pm on
the Friday.
When we arrived at Airlie Beach, we were able to walk
around the main street to have lunch, do some
shopping and research tourism. Some of the students
even went for a swim in the Lagoon. After everyone
was finished looking around, we boarded the bus and
went to the lookout at Shute Harbour. Along the way,
we had to fill in our activity booklets. There was also a
stop at Cannonvale to go shopping. At the end of the
day we went to our motel where we were assigned
rooms and we settled in. Dinner that night was a
beautiful roast cooked on an open spit. After dinner, we
went back to our rooms, and we had free time to talk to
our friends or swim in the pool, which had a waterslide.
On Thursday morning we had to get up early to board the boat
to take us out to Reef World, Fantasea Whitsundays reef
pontoon. Once we arrived there, we observed the sea life
through an underwater viewing chamber and one of the staff
told us a lot of different information. Everyone then boarded a
semi-submersible boat and we were shown around the edge of
the reef to look at all the types of fishes and corals. We
returned to the pontoon for lunch, and then got into our
stinger suits and went snorkelling around the reef. Once the
tour was over, we boarded the boat back to Shute Harbour and
went straight back to the motel to get ready for dinner.
After we woke on Friday, we had to put all of our
belongings on the bus, and then we went across the
road for a ranger talk. The ranger spoke to us about
the environment and what is happening to it. Following
the talk, we went back to the main street of Airlie
Beach for lunch and when everyone was finished we
boarded the bus for the trip home.
It was a great trip and everyone had so much fun.
Shaunna Wiggins, Yr10.
More than 30 students were inducted into the inaugural gifted and talented “Exceed Program” at
a special ceremony last term, with the second phase of the program about to kick in.
 Mentors for the students who are in the top 10% of their cohort are currently being sourced from an
array of interests, ranging from golf and business to architecture and engineering.
Each Exceed member will soon receive a name and contact number of a professional in their
nominated field, to act as a mentor and guide for their future progress.
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION:
• BMA’s 2010 First Year Uni Scholarships. Viewable via:
• $40,000 CQUniversity-QRC Scholarships still open too:
• $40,000 James Cook Uni-QRC Scholarships to come soon.
QUT-QRC Scholarships also coming soon.
QRC Scholarship information is kept up to date here:
• Engineering and Science Scholarships Facebook Group
Remember that QRC’s Engineering and Science Scholarships Facebook Group is a
comprehensive resource and is viewable even if you aren’t registered with Facebook.
Barbara Nicholls
Guidance Officer
As the year draws to an end, I would like to congratulate all the Japanese students on their efforts
throughout the year. The year 8’s took to the subject well, and often surprised me with their
enthusiasm and willingness to have a go. The year 9’s have also impressed me with their skills,
and I look forward to teaching them again next year. Unfortunately, I must say good-bye to my
small year 10 class, whom will undertake other subjects in senior, and also to my year 11 class,
whom will continue their Japanese studies through Virtual Schooling.
Yet, this is definitely not the demise of Languages at MSHS. It is hoped that next year, we can
incorporate more digital learning in order to keep up with technological times, and instil an interest
in a subject which our students are, unfortunately, not exposed to in their primary school years.
Learning using computers, headsets and other Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) is
said to be a real winner as far as Language teaching/learning is concerned.
During the Christmas holidays, I look forward to the opportunity of participating in a two-week
language course in Japan, which I obtained through a teacher grant from the University of
Queensland.
If you would like to be a part of the mentor program
or need any further information, contact
Danny Keenan on 4949 2111.
 I know it will refresh my knowledge and see me back in the classroom with added excitement for
teaching such a fantastic and interesting subject.
Miss Alderton
Thanks to the graduating class of 2009
for a very productive and creative year.
Well done and good luck with your creative futures.
Below are samples of work created by our class of 2009.
Lastly, I would like to make a special mention of
the students who participated in the ‘Making of
1000 Cranes Project’. The final product was
given as a symbol of good health to an
appreciative member of the community. Some
very dedicated students would have folded over
100 cranes - all on their own!!!
 Web Cameras (web cams) can be connected to almost any home
computer. These cameras are regularly used to capture and send
images or live video stream whilst chatting to other internet users.
Children who have a web cam connected to a computer in their bedroom are often targeted by
internet sex predators. Images or video from a child’s web cam can be used to identify the child on
the street or literally obtain a window into their bedroom and family life. Predators seek out and
chat to children with web cams and can place enormous pressure on them to transmit indecent
images of themselves.
Parents should carefully consider the possible implications of allowing their children to have
unsupervised access to web cameras.
Is your child at risk?
Your child may be at risk and you should watch out for the following:-
You find pornography on your child’s computer.
Your child is receiving phone calls from people you don’t know or is calling numbers you
don’t recognize.
Your child is spending a large amount of time on the internet.
Your child is receiving gifts or mail from people you don’t know.
When you enter the room your child changes the screen or turns the computer off.
Your child is becoming withdrawn or displaying behavioural problems.
What should you do?
Be aware of the programs and files that are on your computer. If you don’t feel you have
the knowledge or technical ability to do this, get some help.
If you believe your child may be at risk, consider talking to them about the dangers
associated with on-line conversations.
Spend time exploring the internet with your children.
Keep your computer in a room the whole family accesses.
Consider the possible implications of allowing your children unsupervised access to web
cameras.
Consider installing filtering and/or computer blocking software.
Ensure you are able to access your child’s email and randomly check the contents.
Best Wishes for your future
endeavours, Miss Springer
  Your child could encounter an on-line sexual predator at a place outside your
supervision. Make enquiries about safety measures that have been put in place at any
other areas your child may access a computer.
Tell your children not to send pictures of themselves to anyone they don’t know, never to
give out personal information and never to arrange a face-to-face meeting with anyone they
have met on the internet.
Immediately contact the police if your child or anyone in your household has received
child pornography, your child has been sexually solicited, or your child has received
sexually explicit images.
Barbara Nicholls
Guidance Officer
Monday, 30 November
Tuesday, 01 December
Wednesday, 02 December
Thursday, 03 December
Friday, 04 December
Narelle Cork
Leonie Martin
Raeley Head
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers Needed
Monday, 07 December
Tuesday, 08 December
Wednesday, 09 December
Thursday, 10 December
Friday, 11 December
Narelle Cork
Leanne Connolly
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers Needed
Thank you!!
Sharon Dempster, Tuckshop Convener - 4941 7746
Friday, 27 November - 5.30pm
BBQ Ham Wheel Bar Huge Multi-draw Cakes/Sweets Jumping
Castle Lucky Boxes
Asian Food and
Lots more!
Santa arrives at 6.15pm
Moranbah Catholic Church
Belyando Avenue
** Great Family Night **
 The 2010 Queensland state school calendar is now available at:
Parents and carers are reminded that all state schools will re-open for students on Wednesday, 27
January - following the Australia Day public holiday on Tuesday, 26 January.
For student attendance, the 2010 term and holiday dates are:
Term 1 commences Wednesday, 27 January and ends Thursday, 1 April
Term 2 commences Tuesday, 13 April and ends Friday, 25 June
Term 3 commences Tuesday, 13 July and ends Friday, 17 September
Term 4 commences Monday, 4 October and ends Friday, 10 December*.
Year 12 state school students will finish school on Friday 19 November, while Year 10 and 11
students complete their year on Friday, 26 November.
State school teachers will have professional development opportunities on the following student-
free days:
Friday, 22 January,
Monday, 25 January,
Monday, 12 April,
Monday, 12 July,
Monday, 18 October.
*Parents of students in rural and remote areas are reminded that the school year finishes one
week earlier in these schools than in other state schools. Please check with your local state school
for details.
Queensland State school term dates are available by telephoning Education Queensland on (07)
3237 1363 or via the Department’s website at:
“SANTA RUN” VOLUNTEERS WANTED
Once again, we are requesting assistance from any year 10, 11 or 12 students who may be
able to help from Thursday, 17 December to Wednesday, 23 December 2009.
This position involves receiving presents from members of the public and recording their
details. We require volunteers to work from 9am–12pm or from 1pm-4pm. It is not necessary
for any volunteer to work a full day.
We require 2 volunteers for each morning and afternoon.
If you are able to provide assistance or know of someone
who could, please contact JANELLE WILKINSON at the
Police Station on 4941 6200.
 Donation of a Salvageable
RIDE-ON MOWER.
The Manual Arts Department is looking for a Ride-On Mower to use next year (2010).
It is anticipated that we will use it to tow our new construction trailer.
This will enable the students to work on projects around the school grounds as a part of their
course of study.
ALL offers will be considered and greatly appreciated.
Please contact the school on 4949 2111.
Warren Campbell
Conditions of Entry
Theme
The theme for the competition is ‘Be Safe For Me’. Students and teachers are encouraged to
make a video incorporating their idea of safety and why they want their parents, siblings and
friends to be safe on amine site and make it home safe from work each day.
Entry to Competition
Entry is open to all children/groups/classes from Moranbah State School, Moranbah East State
School and Moranbah State High School. Entries can be entered as a team or as an individual.
Please Note: The winning entries will become property of BMA Goonyella Riverside Mine and will
not be returned. Please ensure you keep a copy of the video and do not sent in your original.
Specification
Videos need to be burnt to a CD and provided in WMV or MPEG format. Videos are to go for no
more than 3 minutes and require the sound to be audible and vision to be clear.
All entries should include the following details with the CD:
Team Name
Students Names
School
Prizes
There will be three major prizes of $1000 awarded to the best video from each school, as judged
by a Goonyella Riverside Mine judging panel. The money will be issued to the school and will be
required to be used for projects within the school – it can not be used for personal or individual
use.
Winning entries will be used in safety presentations at Goonyella Riverside which will be shown to
all employees.
Closing Date – 4 December 2009
Entries will be collected from your school office. You may enter as many times as you wish.
Please ensure that any writing used in the video is free of spelling errors, entries with spelling
mistakes cannot be judged.
 Raymont Lodge Residential College provides fully furnished accommodation for students
undertaking tertiary study in Brisbane within a supportive Christian environment.
The College is located 4km from the heart of Brisbane and in close proximity to the University of
Queensland and the Queensland University of Technology and other places of study close to the
city. All public transport is within easy access to the College.
Raymont Lodge provides modern and comfortable single room accommodation for up to 120
students in a safe and friendly atmosphere. All meals are provided as well as a number of other
services that include: internet access, individual telephones, common room and swimming pool.
Additional information is available on the internet aw www.raymont.com.au or by contacting the
College on 07) 3377 9903.
Raymont Lodge is a ministry of the
Uniting Church in Australia, Qld Synod.
Nominations for Volunteer Coaches / Managers 2010 Season
Nominations for Volunteer Coaches and Managers for the 2010 season are open.
Grades will be Under 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12,13,14, 15, 16, 17
At this stage it is unknown what specific grades the Club will have until Registration Day and a
finalisation of numbers. However, could you please specify which grade/s you would be interested
in coaching/managing.
All applicants must have a current Positive Blue Card and League-Safe Card. Coaches must
have a minimum of Level 1 Coaching Accreditation.
Applications close 30 November 2009. Please send application letters to:
PO Box 543, Moranbah Qld 4744
Or email Club Secretary, Amanda Oconnell at:
If you are new and are interested and do not hold a Level 1 coaching accreditation, there are
courses being run. Please let me know and I can advise further details.
Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is a unique project of Samaritan’s Purse
that brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world
through gift-filled shoe boxes.
It provides an opportunity for people of all ages to be involved in a simple but
hands-on project that has the power to transform children’s lives.
In 2008, our teams in Australia and New Zealand collected over 300,000 gift-filled shoe boxes that
were delivered to South East Asia and the South Pacific. Globally, Samaritan’s Purse distributed
an estimated 7.6 million shoe boxes to Samaritan children in 105 countries.
What part will you play in making a child’s Christmas one to remember this year?
For more information or enquiries, you can visit www.samaritanspurse.org.au or phone
Ps Trevor Arandale from Oasis Life on 4941 8866.
  YOU COULD LEARN
A LOT FROM AN
INTERNATIONAL
BROTHER OR
SISTER !
Climate Change? Further Education?
Cultural differences? Language?
Study habits? Careers?
AND WHAT FUN TEACHING HIM/HER ABOUT AUSTRALIAN CULTURE.
Carefully selected students will arrive in February 2010 for 5 months from Europe, Japan
and the U.S.A. They will attend local secondary school, are fully insured and have their own
spending money.
CONTACT :
1800 500 501
Email:
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