• From the Principal's Desk
• Bushfire Relief Appeal
• Date Claimers
• Canteen News
• Office Houskeeping
• School Photos
• From the HPE Department
• Yr 9's Take to the Streets
• We Need Your Beauty Equipment
• Media Release
• School Nurse
• Community News

From the Principal's Desk

Exciting news received this week was the success of our school's submission to the National Secondary Schools Computer Funds with funding to purchase and install 200 new desktop /laptop computers targeted at student use in classrooms. This will certainly be very significant in developing student access to computers in a wider range of curriculum areas, in addition to the computer labs currently used in every lesson.

For our students to reach their best outcomes, it is vital that they are at school every day possible. Not surprisingly research shows a direct link between student attendance and their achievement. Every Day Counts is promoted by Education Queensland to encourage ALL students to attend school and actively participate in their opportunities at school.

We still have a few students who are coming to school in clothing that is not part of our school uniform. If there is an odd occasion that students are unable to have uniform on, they must have a note from their parents explaining this for that day. There are also some girls whose black skirts/shorts are too brief to be acceptable for school wear. From Monday 9th Feb, students not in uniform and without a note from parent/carer will have a detention at lunch break.

Congratulations to the vast majority of families whose students attend everyday possible and present daily in our school uniform.

Our students are commencing preparation already for the 2009 musical, FAME, with auditions commencing this week. If your children are interested in being involved, encourage them to get involved in some way, as the experience and camaraderie over the preparation is something they will benefit from in many ways.

Last week I spoke of the excellent OP achievement of some 2008 Seniors. However, not all students seek this tertiary pathway. A key strength of Yeppoon SHS offering are the varied pathways and we congratulate the 37% of students who graduated with a Certificate 1, 2 or 3 qualification, and the staff who worked hard to assist this learning.

Steve Paulger
Acting Principal

Bushfire Relief Appeal

As a result of the devastation caused by the bushfires in Victoria, Yeppoon High students would like to take an active part in raising funds for the victims of the fire.

A total of 83 schools have been closed down, some due to safety hazards whilst others have been totally burnt to the ground. We would like to help students affected by these closures.

In the following month we will be asking for cash donations which will be sent to the Victorian bushfire relief appeal.

Date Claimers

Canteen News

Thank you to all our volunteers for their time and enthusiasm. We greatly appreciate your work.

Next Week's Roster

Mon 16th Feb -	Carol Wall, Liz Rose
Tues 17th Feb -	Sandi Groves, Lesley Hudson
Wed 18th Feb -	Laurellie Ogilvie, Michelle Stroud
Thurs 19th Feb -	Tancie Kaye, Help Needed
Fri 20th Feb -	Laurene Lewington, Karen Osborne, Alisa Gordon

If you cannot come on your day please let Janet know on 49251316. Thank you

Uniform Shop

Mon-Thurs	8am to 9am
Fri	8am to 12 noon

A full range of polos, shirts, shorts & skirts are now available. We supply all uniform needs. Please call us on 4925-1316 to make an appointment outside of these hours.

Please note uniform shop is not available between 12.30 - 1.00pm.

Office Houskeeping

TEXT HIRE AGREEMENT FORMS
Statements will be posted home Friday 13th February. Thanks to those parents who have already paid their fees.

A friendly reminder as per the text hire agreement. 25% of fees is due to be paid by Friday 20th February. For those parents who have indicated on their Text hire agreement form that they wish to pay by credit card, this payment will be put through on this day (unless another date was stated on the form). If you are having difficulties meeting your commitment, please contact the office to arrange a payment plan.

Please note that textbooks cannot be issued to students until they have returned a signed 2009 text hire agreement to the office and returned last year's texts.

PAYMENT OPTIONS - (as listed on the Text Hire Agreement Form)

1. I will pay the amount in full by 20th February, 2009.
2. I will pay 25% by 20th February, 2009 and regular fortnightly payments of $..........

School Photos

Pixi Foto School Photography will be taking our school photographs on Wednesday, 25th February.

Students will receive a FREE ID card. To get this card, students must get their photographs taken on the school photo day (regardless of whether photos are being purchased.

Pixi Foto envelopes are enclosed with this newsletter.

Please DO NOT RETURN THE ENVELOPE TO THE OFFICE. Students must hand their envelope to the photographer on the day - Wednesday 25th February.

From the HPE Department

The recent weather hasn't dampened the spirits of the HPE department, with all classes getting off to a flying start. Year 8 have begun a 'Team Building' unit focusing on meeting many of the new faces they are encountering at the moment. Year 9 classes will be analysing their eating and physical activity habits this term as well as looking at the contents of various fast food meals. Year 10 students will be undertaking a Sex Education unit this term, along with developing their volleyball skills.

Senior PE classes have also hit the ground running this term, with both Year 11 Rec classes and a Yr 12 class about to begin Surf Lifesaving units. Year 11 students will have the opportunity to earn their Bronze Medallion upon completion of the unit and earn a further 4 points towards their QCE. Many students in Year 11 PE have seemingly picked up a golf club for the first time this week. However, under the tutelage of Mrs Kelso and the Rydges Golf Pro, we're sure handicaps will be slashed very quickly. Year 12 Recreation students will be organising and promoting a range of events this term including a staff versus student Oztag match and dodgeball and futsal tournaments. Students will need to pay close attention to notices for more details.

It is important to remind students that even though the weather is a little overcast, sun safety is very important and all HPE students are expected to bring a hat and water bottle to all outside classes.

Several sports have also started or are about to start this term. Girls' touch football, boys' basketball, boys' rugby union, boys' AFL and sailing will all be in offer on what will be an extremely busy term. Sign-on days will be held for each of these sports in the next week or two - students will need to keep an eye on the morning notices so that they don't miss out!

Stay active!

Yr 9's Take to the Streets

All Year 9 Humanities' students are currently examining a range of issues in relation to life on our glorious coastline. The overarching theme of this study is to investigate the sort of future citizens of this area are making for themselves. In this unit entitled Capricorn 2040, there is a major focus on the impacts of development on the natural and human environments. Students will also examine some of the environmental factors that can affect life at the coast and conduct a range of environmental impact studies to determine the future sustainability of this lovely area.

Fieldwork is a major component of this unit and our social scientists will be participating in at least 1 excursion either to: Seaspray Resort, Rosslyn Bay Harbour, the Great Barrier Reef Resort or to Yeppoon Central where various groups of students will make observations, ask relevant questions, draw conclusions and compile reports that may be of interest to the Rockhampton Regional Council planning division.

One of the issues in which I am particularly interested, is the current state of the bikeways in Yeppoon and Emu Park. In times when we hear lots of discussion concerning the size of our carbon footprint on the planet, it seems a bit sad that cyclists in countries such as Holland have beautiful bikeways (that can only be used for 3 months of the year due to weather) and cyclists, with our near perfect bike weather here on the coast, have to brave the road edges and overtaking traffic daily! The state government has decreed that all children in state schools partake in a Smart Moves program each week. Wouldn't it be a smart move for the federal, state and local governments to encourage more of us to become '2 wheelies'?

I'm looking forward to reading these investigative reports and may publish some the recommendations in future newsletters!

Linda McLuskie
(HOD English )

We Need Your Beauty Equipment

The Hair & Beauty course is about to begin at Yeppoon High. Students will be paying a teacher a wage for 3 hours a week but there are no resources.

We are looking for donations. If you have any straightening irons, blow dryers, hot tongs, setting rollers, brushes, combs, clips, make-up, shampoo & conditioner or other related items please leave them at the MLC at Yeppoon High or contact Edwina Mullany on 49251363. All items will be checked for safety. Thank you in anticipation.

Media Release

Council Declares War on Dengue Mosquitoes
ROCKHAMPTON Regional Council has declared war...on a mosquito.

In the interests of public health, and with North Queensland communities such as Cairns under attack, Council is launching an all-out assault on the Aedes aegypti mosquito - the notorious insect that carries dengue fever.

Council is asking residents to take an active role in combating the potential spread of the disease - We desperately need people to identify breeding containers where they live. These containers could be anything from old tyres, pot plant bases, blocked roof gutters, buckets, boats and old ice-cream containers to a simple palm frond sitting in the garden."

"Our message is Identify any containers which are a haven for the Aedes aegypti and tip them out. It's a simple request that can make all the difference," Cr Williams said.

"Another precaution people can take is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes by using insect spray to kill any mosquitoes found inside the house. People can also use mosquito coils or plug-in insecticide mats.

"It is also important that people wear insect repellent if there are mosquitoes around, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon.

Symptoms of dengue fever include fever, pain in muscles and bones, skin rash, headache (especially behind the eyes), diarrhoea and vomiting.

"It is absolutely vital that anyone with symptoms of dengue fever consult their doctor immediately," Cr Williams concluded.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jason Costigan 0419 736 000

School Nurse

Please find enclosed with this newsletter a note from the school nurse, which includes the results of the parents' survey that was conducted as part of the school health audit in 2008.

Community News

Cap Coast Football Club will be holding a sign-on day this Saturday February 14th between 9am and 1pm. We will also be holding a sign-day on Saturday 21st February during the same time periods.
New players must be 5yo before they can be registered to play. Ages range from under 6 boys and girls, up to and including under 14 girls only. Eftpos available.
Under 14 and 15 boys will be notified shortly of training and sign-on dates.
Please note that to arrange team squads there will be limited registrations taken after February 21st.
If you leave it too late your child may miss out on playing soccer this year.

Outlaws Softball Club - the newest club in town!! Looking for players of all ages and skill levels. Ages from 6 to 60+. Come and meet new friends in family-friendly atmosphere. Quality accredited coaches. Information brochures and pricing pack available - For more details phone Sheryl 0400 361 600 or Ricki-lee 0432 124 238.

WARNING:
Tap Dancing causes Hysterical Laughter, Satisfaction & Great Legs.

Women's Tap Classes
Beginners to Advanced
Challenge Your Mind and Your Muscles
Call Deb 0406510900