Woree Highlights - Mid Term 4 Newsletter - November 2024

From the Principal

Principal's Report - Term 4

I would like to thank everyone in the community including students, staff and parents for welcoming me to our fantastic Woree SHS.  My time here has been very rewarding and will continue to be until my tenure finishes at the end of Week 7.  I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a vibrant school environment.

The warmth and professionalism shown to me by everyone at Woree State High School has made this period both productive and enjoyable.  The teaching staff at Woree show a dedication to the school and students which is amazing. The commitment shown to all students from Year 7 to 12 gives me great confidence that all Woree students are getting the best possible education available.

2025 School Captains

I would like to congratulate our 2025 Leadership group of students.  The students were amazing with exceptional leadership skills on camp, presenting articulate speeches and then showing poise and composure in the interview phase.  It was a rewarding time for the panel to see the students grow their leadership in the process.

Woree Captains for 2025

Meena Lor

Connor E

Amelia Giaimo

Rhett Singleton

Student Ambassadors for 2025

Amalie Richards

Virginia Xiong

ARTS/IT Showcase

Congratulations to the entire Arts and IT team for a fantastic evening.  I have been to some events like this at other schools, but, WOW, what a great show of student work and talent.  The building was transformed into a magical arts wonderland.

The community were out in force to see the fabulous work of our talented students.  They all worked hard honing their skills, in and out of class, and the night was a celebration of all the hard work they have put in.

Thanks to all staff who attended to support our Woree SHS community.  It means a lot to staff and students to see you there.

Congratulations to Mary Provan and the entire faculty for putting on a fantastic display of student artworks, the IT was next level, drama performances, dance routines and the amazing music.  The hospitality students did a great job serving the crowd with tasty treats.  Thank you to Chantal Bennett and team for their time and effort.  Everyone working together made it the evening it was.

I take my hat off to the Curator, Sabrina Paterson.

Year 12 Cohort reaching the end.

After 13 years of schooling the Year 12 cohort of 2024 will graduate on the 15 November.  More information will come out regarding the Graduation ceremony.  The Senior class have excelled in study, sport and growing into fine young people ready to take on new challenges. 

The Year 12 students are currently in the middle of a four (4) week external exam block.  This is a stressful time, and we are pleased to say they are doing well with the support of staff, parents and caregivers.  The final stages of secondary schooling are almost over, and we wish the Year 12 students all the best in the upcoming exams.

Leaving Woree

We said goodbye to our Business Manager of 3 years, Kelly Metcalf.  Kelly has taken up a new challenge as Business Manager at Redlynch State College.  We wish her all the best in her new role.

2025 Timetable

All year levels are currently in subject selection mode.  Mrs Krause is working tirelessly to produce the 2025 timetable to accommodate the expected 800 students at Woree State High School. 

Coming up in Term 4

Term 4 is always busy with many things going on:

Sports Presentation: We celebrate the Woree sports awards on the morning of Thursday 14 November in the sports hall.

Academic Presentation Night: Our annual academic Presentation Night will be held on Wednesday 13 November.  This will showcase all our fantastic students that have done well in their studies.

Welcome back Principal Kathryn Todd: Principal Kathryn Todd will return to Woree after her secondment as acting Executive Principal of Bentley Park College in Week 8, starting 18 November.

Year 10 & 11 students: November 22 is the last day for all Year 10 and 11 students.  We wish them well for the holiday period so they can return refreshed for the 2025 school year.

As we head into the busy assessment period, we wish all the students the best in their studies.  Students need to adjust and prioritise their time to ensure they cope with the vigour of the study ahead of them.

We hope everyone continues to respect each other and get on with learning at the best school in Cairns.

Regards

Maurice Andrejic

Acting Principal

Good News Stories

BLA - Right at Home Far North Queensland Business Planning Competition!

I’m thrilled to announce that Woree has had 4 students win a prize in the BLA Right at Home Far North Queensland Business Planning Competition!

The Junior category: Years 7 – 10, involved writing an original business plan, our prize-winning recipients were:

1^st Lucky:  Received $400

2^nd Isabella: Received $300

Encouragement Award: Steffan: Received $100

The Senior Category: Years 11-12 involved writing a feasibility report about an existing business.

Finalist: Mena, who still has to complete a 10-minute presentation to a panel to see where she places.  Mena will win between $100 to $500.

All students will attend a presentation night at the BLA Annual Awards Presentation Night at Pullman Hotel, Cairns on November 28.

Well done students for committing your time and energy to participate in the 2024 Right at Home Business Planning competition.

What great students we have!

Michael Stephens

Humanities / Business / Economics Teacher

Family of Champions

On the last weekend of the school holidays, Fa'asega (Year 12) and Amosa (Year 10) represented their club at the North Queensland Athletics Championships held in Townsville.
Fa'asega placed 3rd in both javelin and discus whilst Amosa placed 1st in shotput, 2nd in discus and 3rd in javelin. Amosa has qualified for the Athletics North Queensland team and will compete in the Australian All Schools Championships in December for shotput and discus. Congratulations to both of these young athletes.

A Winning Experience on the Rugby Field

Jayden, Year 8 was recently selected to participate in a Rugby Union Representative game held in Brisbane and was the only person in Cairns selected to play in this side. Although Jayden only played in one game, they got the win! Congratulations Jayden, Woree SHS is proud of you.

Jayden’s mother forwarded us some photos of him on the field.

Doug Ryan

HOD, Junior Secondary

Woree Highlights caught up with the softly spoken Jayden to hear first-hand of his experience.

1.  What was involved in the selection process and what were your thoughts on being selected?

"I first had to play for FNQ Rugby team, then Qld Country where I then had to trial for QLD Reds Gold. I was surprised as I did not think I had made it."

2.  What were your personal highlights of the game?

"Scrumming and rucks, which were challenging."

3.  As you ran onto the field what was going through your mind?

"I felt excited and couldn't believe that I had made it."

4.  Are you keen to pursue a career in professional football, and who would you most like to play for?

"Yes, any team that contracts me however, I would really like to play for the Warriors."

Jayden added that he gives full credit to the FNQ Rugby boys and Coach Graham for their support and teaching him how to play.

Sabrina Paterson

Editor, TA/ Arts

Year Coordinator Reports

Year 9

Year 9 Pizza Rewards

In Week 4, the best of the best Year 9 students were rewarded with pizza for lunch. These guys earnt the privilege by having more than 90% attendance for the year as well as 0-1 behaviour incidents on One School. Well done to all students involved.

Lauren Maxwell

HPE Teacher / Year 9 Coordinator

Year 11 - A Student Reports on...

Year 11 Camp at Quinola Lakes: A memorable experience

The Year 11 students embarked on an exciting journey to Quinola Lakes for their much-anticipated leadership camp, and it turned out to be an unforgettable experience filled with fun, personal growth and teamwork. Set against the backdrop of the stunning natural surroundings at Quinola Lakes, the camp provided the perfect environment for students to unwind and hone their leadership skills.

From the moment the students arrived, a feeling of camaraderie and enthusiasm was evident. The leadership camp not only challenged the students but also forged stronger relationships with their peers. Through various team-building exercises, students were able to step out of their comfort zones and engage with classmates they may not have interacted with before. Whether it was working together to solve problem-solving tasks or cheering each other during physical challenges, the group spirit soared.

The camp featured a wide range of activities from memorable hilarious skits to a variety of outdoor activities that kept everyone energised and engaged. At the heart of the camp was the focus on leadership development. Throughout the camp the Year 11 students participated in various activities that revealed their leadership skills.

By the end of the camp, it was clear that the Year 11 students had both grown individually and as a cohort. The experience helped strengthen their leadership capabilities while deepening their bonds as a group.

The leadership camp was more than just a few days of fun and adventure; it was a transformative experience that allowed them to step up, support each other, and develop valuable life skills. As they returned to school, they carried with them a renewed sense of unity and leadership that will undoubtedly influence their final year and beyond. For us students, Quinola Lakes will remain a place where we not only pushed our limits and conquered challenges but also shared moments of joy and connection with each other. The camp has left a lasting impact on all who attended, making it a highlight of our high school journey.

Fa’asega

Year 11 student 

Year 12

Year 12 in Review

What a year 2024 has been! It has flown by and yet feels like it has taken forever.

At the time of writing this, the Year 12s are well into their 1^st week of external exams. We wish them the very best of luck over the coming 3 weeks, while they are put through their academic paces.

Right back at the start of the year we took our leaders on a GRIP leadership day, followed by a team building day for ALL the leaders, which involved beating an escape room, collecting and writing mission statements for the year, an inspirational talk by Cairns Council Lifestyle and Community Director, Mr. Destry Puia, lunch and a tour of the council chambers where they got to sit in the Mayor’s chair. It was a very beneficial day and set the tone for a busy year of events.

We then moved onto our Senior Induction ceremony, where Amrita wrote an amazing pledge for the Year 12 cohort that was based around our 2024 themes of ‘Bigger and Better’ and ‘Share the Love’. It was a lovely ceremony and set the students up with a positive attitude and mindset for the year.

Next, we moved onto Valentines Day, which was our first real fundraiser for our legacy. The Year 12s embraced this wholeheartedly and honestly, hilariously and funny.

Our next fundraiser was the Lose Your Locks for Legacy. This one involved me and students either cutting or shaving their hair to raise money. It was a hugely successful event with Cooper and me walking out of Q3, with a very a different look to what we walked in with. This was the most lucrative fundraiser, with $1400 being raised.

Over the next 2 terms we ran raffles, with prizes being donated by our wonderful parents. These events were basically in house but effective, I mean who doesn’t want to win a Squishmallow?

Our last fundraiser was a car wash in Week 8, Term 3. We washed 25 cars, plus an extra that was just parked in the right place at the right time. Thank you to all the wonderful staff that allowed the Year 12s to wash their cars.

With the fundraising finished and the legacy decided upon and ready to be installed, it was just a matter of finishing assessment and studying for exams for the Year 12s. The legacy was installed into the Library over the September school holiday period and the big reveal will occur on November 12 after external exams are complete. The legacy, pictured below, is an artwork by accomplished local artist Brian Robinson, who has the unique ability to blend traditional culture with modern pop culture themes. Below is the design that the Year 12s chose. Please feel free to visit the library when you’re at school next and look up. It’s fabulous!

To celebrate their last day of school classes FOREVER, they voted to have a dress-up day with the theme ‘Rhyme Without Reason’. For the uninitiated, this basically means that you can come dressed as anything you like BUT you have to Rhyme with someone else. As an example, I came dressed as ‘the most valuable player’ and my colleague Mr Sultana, came as ‘John Mayer’. You get the idea. So rather than describe it all in words I will add some pics for you, and you can figure out the rhymes yourself.

Jodie Keirle

Year 12 Coordinator

A Student's Final Word

During the final Year 12 Art class for 2024, Sabnam decorated the white board with a colourful message for her fellow art students. When asked on her thoughts about the year Sabnam passionately stated, " I have loved being in this class where I felt a true sense of belonging. It has been really great as Ms Provan gave me guidance to help me with my art assignments."  

Sabrina Paterson

Editor, TA/ Arts

Events and Special Days

SchoolTech Graduation Evening

On Wednesday 23 October, the SchoolTech Seniors swapped out their work gear for a bit of glitz and glam for the SchoolTech Graduation Dinner. There were some very flash arrivals at the Doubletree Hilton where the Seniors outdid themselves with their stunning outfits and dress sense. Guests staying at the hotel were curious as to the event and shared many positive comments on how well the students presented themselves. The night was well attended, with the attendees being feted by their families, and thanking their families for their support in return. A great night was had by all.

Paul Anthony

Senior Teacher (SchoolTech Campus)

ARTS / IT - Showcase

SHOWCASE 2024

Do you like to see our students shine?

Well, the Arts/IT Showcase was such a night, featuring an array of spectacular exhibits and performances.

The 2024 Arts/IT Showcase was a night to celebrate and a highlight for students and staff alike. This event enables us to showcase the accomplishments of our remarkable Woree SHS Arts and IT students of whom we are extremely proud.

Exhibited across the gallery, courtyard and the E2 classroom were some of the extraordinary works, created by our very talented Visual Arts students ranging from Years 7 through to Year 12.

Mary Provan / Acting HOD, IT / The Arts

Showcase - IT / Media - The Arts IT Showcase saw the best of our tech side of the department on display. The Woree Warriors Esports Team had exhibition matches in Rocket League and Mario Kart 8, which then opened up for the general public to have a try, and a hall of fame set up for our representative teams in Mario Kart 8, Super Smash Bros.  Ultimate, and Rocket league! Not to be outdone, the PC Builders Club got to show off their impressive 2024 PC build, complete with RGB lights and a spectacular laser-etched engraving on the case (courtesy of the INTAD department). We also showed off the tech from in the classroom with a fun VR drone simulator, and our 3D printer set up to print designs modelled by our very own Digital Technologies students.

Heather Crothers / VR, Media / IT Coordinator

Showcase - Instrumental Music - Where would we be without Instrumental Music (I.M.) in our Schools!  The I.M. Musicians were everywhere for this year’s Arts/IT Showcase.  The Senior Class of the I.M. program aptly named, "The Paragon of SIM,” performed in the Art Gallery providing ambient joy to those perusing the collection.  The members of Woree High and senior members of Woree Primary I.M. then performed a Performance Art piece titled “Rainforest" by Brett Carvolth, in the Tuckshop area.  This piece is a percussive artwork with a backing soundscape of a rainforest involving Boomwhackers.  By hitting these Boomwhackers within a specific time and space, you are transformed into the rainforest and become the droplets of rain through a storm.  The members then reformed as the Woree SHS Concert Band to open the theatre performance of the Showcase.  The Concert Band performed four of their favourite songs out of their “Music of the Sphere” unit they have been studying.  "Wind Dances" by R.L. Saucedo, "Legend of the Irish Giant" by Edward Kennedy, "Diemos (Bringer of Terror)" by Brian Balmages and “Danza Africana” by Victor Lopez, gave the audience just a postcard snapshot of what we do in I.M.  A HUGE shout out must go to the senior members of the Woree Primary I.M. who have been involved in the Woree Concert Band since the start of the year.  Without them, we would not have been able to give our repertoire the justice it so righteously deserves.

Ms. Turner, Instrumental Teacher

 Showcase - Music - This year was another successful Showcase for the Music Department. To our parents and carers, thank you for all of your support behind the scenes: talking, imagining, sourcing costumes, without your help our students would not produce the calibre of work that they have.

To continue on our journey in the instrumental department, our string student Mary Patterson, has shown great determination and practice leading up to the showcase. This is her first performance, and she did a splendid job performing Ode to Joy. 

Our Choir took a break this year and as such we lost an opportunity for them however; Sophia still wanted to sing and approached me asking to sing at the showcase. Sophia performed All of Me by John Legend.

Our next performance was also a bittersweet performance. Miss Harrison has had the greatest opportunity to work with these Students for the last 3 Years! In Year 9 they formed a band named The Black Angles with the help of Mr Matthew Coxson, in Year 10 they refined their skills and did their first out of school gig. Since then, they have had many performances, and this was their final swan song under their new group name.

Our Final Music Performance for the evening was our Junior Rock Band. These students are in Year 9 and through their rock music unit wanted to start their own band. They performed 2 songs for the showcase and did an amazing job for their first time performing together.

I am very excited to see what we do next year! See you all then!

Morgan Harrison / Music Teacher

Showcase - Drama

Performance - Clowning: Michaela and Lily from Year 8 Drama, had the audience engaged and entertained with their clowning routine. Their costumes were colourful and contrasting, suiting their hilarious characters. Their audience participation made Ms Williams’ husband blush when they shone a light on his bald head. Juggling, tumbling, and giving everyone a big laugh. A fun time was had by all.

Performance - When I Was Little: The audience was treated to a sneak peek at this year’s school production, When I Was Little. The audience was treated to three scenes from this original work. They were colourful, vibrant, and full of child-like joy. Climbing the Pine Trees, The Hole, and The Cult all gave the audience a laugh as we explored stories of joy from a time of youth. These stories all came from our school community. I look forward to seeing the final product in Week Ten! Tickets are available on www.trybooking.com

Claire Williams / Senior Drama Teacher

ERGON - Energy Art Exhibition

Every year, the Energy Art Exhibition showcases the creative artistic talent of students within our region at the Tanks Art Centre. We are very proud of the five Woree SHS Visual Art students that featured their works in this exhibition. The opening night was a magnificent night for our students that attended to see their work curated and displayed in such a professional manner.

Students exhibiting artwork were:

Jasmin, Year 12

Elsh’Maya, Year 12

Will, Year 12

Chantel, Year 11

Sheng, Year 10

In addition, this year, our very own Woree SHS band, “Nova’s Element” performed on the night. They were a delightful accompaniment to this outstanding exhibition and contributed to the vibe very nicely.

Woree SHS Band: “Nova’s Element”

Elsh’Maya, Bulou, Savannah and Fa'asega

Both Elsh’Maya and Fa’asega received awards on the night.

Mary Provan

‘Acting HOD, Arts/IT

Engagement Programs

Engage, Empower, Learn (EEL)

This term, Year 8 students have been actively involved in an engaging OzHarvest food waste program, focusing on the question: How can the power of individual choice create a future without food waste?

Throughout this program, students have identified several key reasons for food waste, such as overbuying at the shops and failing to consume food before it spoils. They have discovered how this waste significantly contributes to climate change, highlighting the importance of making informed choices.

In addition to raising awareness, our students have been cooking with fresh produce from our school garden, along with food sourced from OzHarvest and the generous contributions of Woolworths. This hands-on experience not only helps reduce waste but also allows students to develop essential cooking skills and appreciate the value of every ingredient.

We are proud of our Year 8 students for their commitment to creating a sustainable future and look forward to seeing how they continue to apply these lessons in their daily lives!

Jodi Shepherd

Teacher | Engagement, Humanities and English

NOTE: Below is a paragraph written by student Bek on the importance of innovative ways to reduce food waste in the fight against climate change:

There are many ways to tackle food waste, which is often overlooked in the climate change debate. This wasteful activity adds to landfill and contributes to environmental problems. However, simple steps like reusing leftover ingredients and composting food scraps can make a significant difference. Addressing food waste at home is essential; not only does it reduce landfill, but it also helps lessen the climate crisis. - Bek (Year 8)

Containers for Change Program

Year 8 Engage Empower Learn: Containers for Change Program

The money raised from these collections goes directly into the Woree Youth Advisory Committee (WYAC) fund. This fund is dedicated to supporting school improvements and initiatives that benefit our school community. Thank you to all staff and students who contribute their containers – every little bit helps!

Jodi Shepherd

Teacher | Engagement, Humanities and English

The Stronga Sistas

This term, Year 7 Indigenous girls are completing the Blue Edge program with School Police Officer, Natasha Marshall. Each week the girls are completing team building challenges, fitness activities and have guest speakers from emergency services including police liaison officers, fire department and paramedics. The girls are also looking forward to their ‘Final Edge’ end of term Rewards Day at Fitzroy Island.

Year 8s this term are completing the Deadly Choices ‘Healthy Lifestyles’ program, with program officer and Traditional Owner Evie Evernden. Each week the girls are learning about ways to stay healthy and active as well as the impact of poor lifestyle choices like vaping and smoking.

Finally, Year 9s in the Stronga Sistas program are learning ‘Cultural Cooking’ with our school engagement officer, Ulu Tautu. In Week 5, the students learnt a traditional Cook Islander recipe of fried scones called ‘Pikini’. The aim is for the girls to learn life skills and sit together each week to yarn and build their connections with one another.

Elly Wone, Teacher

English Department

Year 9 English

Exploring Representations of Women in Media

Our Year 9 English students have been engaging in a thought-provoking unit on "Representations of Women in Media." In a recent lesson, students viewed two contrasting clips: one from the classic 1960s show I Dream of Jeannie and another from the 2000s film Mean Girls. After watching, students listed common male and female stereotypes depicted in each clip. This sparked insightful discussions on how these stereotypes have evolved over time. To deepen their understanding, students wrote comparative paragraphs analysing how societal views on gender roles have shifted, noting the progress made and the challenges that remain. This activity not only highlighted the power of media in shaping perceptions but also encouraged critical thinking about gender portrayals across generations.

Jodi Shepherd

English / Engagement Teacher

HPE / Sport

Bentley 7’s Netball

Our junior and senior netball teams competed in the Bentley 7’s netball competition earlier this term. The girls looked fabulous in the dresses they designed themselves. Unfortunately, the results didn’t go our way with both teams finishing in 3^rd place – the juniors only missing out on the final by 1 goal. As always, the girls were wonderful representatives for Woree.

Lauren Maxwell

HPE Teacher / Year 9 Coordinator

INTAD / Home Economics

Looking polished and professional, the Year 11 Hospitality students offered savoury treats to visitors at the Arts/IT Showcase event on 17 October. The students spent the day preparing the food under the guidance of Mrs Bennet, HOD INTAD/Hom Ec. A big thank you to Mrs Bennett and the hospitality students for supporting this event and there were many comments on how delicious the food was.

Sabrina Paterson

Editor

J Block Support Staff

Mental Health Week

In Week 2, Term 4, Woree SHS celebrated Mental Health Week for 2024! The week was filled with activities including visits from Headspace, Stride and Mission Australia. Students were invited to attend 'calming colouring in' which was a hit. The highlight of Mental Health Week 2024 was seeing the students enjoying close to 300 nourish bowls. Thank you to all of the staff and students that helped prepare food and serve on the day - we couldn't have done it without you! The line was massive, and students enjoyed engaging with staff and 'Stride' (an organisation that focuses on improving the wellbeing of kids and teens) - learning about mental health and how important it is to embrace our community. Staff were able to hand out affirmation cards with strong words to help boost the student's mental health.  The week was finished off with a hot breakfast of bacon and eggs as well as Woree's Got Talent - what a day!

Belinda Simpson

School Based Youth Health

Library / Resource Centre

2024 Textbook Return Dates

The end of the year is fast approaching. Please take note of these dates and ensure that your student has returned everything on their library account by this date.

All students have been emailed a list of their current loans. They should check their email to see what they need to return and then check that they have all of the items listed. Any items that are no longer needed can be returned [eg last term’s English novels].

Students will retain access to digital textbooks, providing they are SRS eligible, even when they have returned the print books.

Unreturned items will be invoiced by the end of the week that they are due.

Return Dates
Year 12: Monday 4 November [Invoicing will only occur after the last exam is complete]

Year 10-11: Monday 11 November

Year 7-9: Monday 2 December

Larraine Moseley

Teacher/Librarian

Link and Launch

Finishing Year 12 can be both scary and exciting. Our Link and Launch service can help you transition into study, training or work.

Call or text Ben Holt on 0436 684 280 to book an appointment after graduation. #linkandlaunch

SchoolTech

Year 11 and Year 12 SchoolTech students continue to flourish in the joint program between Woree SHS and TAFE North. Thank you to Community Liaison Officer, Tracey Bujora, for continuing to update us of SchoolTech students' progress.

Student Council

Woree's Got Talent

Yes, indeed Woree has Got Talent, as was seen by many students and staff in the theatre during lunchtime in Week 3. The 3 final acts were very exciting to watch and the high-spirited MC. Keiji, kept the crowd entertained with his own style of humour and beatboxing.

Amrita (Year 12) took out the trophy with a wicked and vibrant dance performance. In 2^nd place, the Year 12 Boy Band, accompanied on acoustic guitar by student music teacher Jared Berriman, performed an improvised piece, and in 3^rd place was Sabnam (Year 12), fully clad in resplendent cultural dress performed a divine cultural dance.

WGT was a fantastic event for students to showcase their talents to an enthusiastic audience. Well done to all participants, the MC, sound and lighting crew and judges, who did not have an easy task of selecting the overall WGT 2024 champion.

Sabrina Paterson

Editor

Woree's Youth Advisory Council

Introducing Our New WYAC Ambassadors: Amalie and Virginia

We are thrilled to introduce Amalie and Virginia as the new student ambassadors for the Woree Youth Advisory Committee (WYAC)! WYAC takes a two-pronged approach, with one meeting per term focusing on school issues and event planning, while the other addresses community concerns, such as reporting faulty playground equipment or proposing initiatives like a Woree Community Garden.

In their new roles, Amalie and Virginia will work closely with school administration, including Michael Starr, as well as elected councillors like Cathy Zeiger and state MPs. Together, they will ensure that student voices are represented in both school and community matters. We’re excited to see what WYAC 2025 will accomplish for the school and the broader Woree community! 

Jodi Shepherd

Teacher | Engagement / Humanities / English

WYAC Meeting Update

Our recent WYAC meeting was led by our new student ambassadors, Amalie and Virginia, who did a fantastic job guiding discussions and inspiring their peers. Students broke into small groups to brainstorm ideas on shaping WYAC’s vision for 2025, as well as proposing improvements for the school.

It was a productive session with lots of creative ideas to help make a positive impact. Our next meeting will be on Friday, November 8, where we’ll hold a focus group to dive into the school improvement data. Together, we’ll explore ways to enhance student experiences and outcomes across the school.

Pic 1- Student ambassadors Amarlie and Virginia team up with Ms. Jodi, Councillor Cathy Zeiger, and Cairns South Together coordinator Robbie – all working together to shape an exciting future for WYAC!

Jodi Shepherd

Teacher | Engagement / Humanities / English

From the Business Manager

School Fees and Financial Support Options 

We understand that some families may face financial difficulties, and we are here to help. If you are experiencing challenges with school fees, we may be able to offer support or arrange a flexible payment plan. Please don't hesitate to reach out for a confidential discussion. You can contact me directly at bm@woreeshs.eq.edu.au or call 4081 5210. Your situation will be handled with care and discretion, as we aim to ensure every student has access to the best education possible

General Information

Student Absences

When a student is absent from school, arrives late or departs early, parents/carers are required to supply information to document the absence and encouraged to contact the school in advance or on the same day via:

Late arrivals - When a student arrives late to school, parents/carers are required to supply information to document the reason. The student must report to the Student Attendance Office and will be provided with a LATE Note and then attend their scheduled lesson.

Early Departures – If your student needs to leave school early during the school day for an appointment prior notice for Parents/Carers is required. Students must come to the office to sign out before leaving the school grounds.  

Are Your Contact Details Up to date?

Communication between parents/carers and Woree State High School staff relies on your contact details/postal address, home/work/mobile phone numbers and email addresses) being up to date.

If you have changed your postal address, phone number/s, email address or emergency contacts recently, please log into QParents App and update or alternatively email enrolments@woreeshs.eq.edu.au with details to be updated. 

Safety Awareness and Electronic Sign 

Please continue to watch out for important news and messages on our electronic notice board at the front of the school.  The sign is a valuable asset to our school for advertising and communicating a variety of messages to our students, parents/carers and the wider school community. 

Important Times and Dates

Class Times, Semester 2 - 2024

Have you Downloaded the QParents App Yet?

Invitations to the App are emailed to the Primary and Secondary residential caregiver registered with the school. Please check your emails and follow the instructions. If you have not received an invite of wish to have one resent, please email BSM@woreeshs.eq.edu.au  

Tuckshop and Uniform Shop

The Tuckshop ladies would like to THANK all the wonderful people that use the Flexischool online ordering for their children’s lunch. What a great effort.

Just a reminder that the end of term isn’t far away and that the tuckshop run down on some products at this time of year. So, some items will not be available or stocked. We will try to keep the Flexi App up to date with these changes.

Many thanks for your patience as the Tuckshop staff have been doing their best to accommodate the demand of orders.

WELL DONE Tuckshop team.

We wish you all a safe holiday period and see you all back in 2025.

 Angela MacDonald and the Tuckshop ladies 

WARI JIGUUL TUCKSHOP – PROTOCOLS

ORDERING

• All students and staff are encouraged to order through the Flexischools app with ALL LUNCH ORDERS BEING PLACED BY 8:45am.
• To download the app please search Flexischools and then set up a login profile. You will need to link an eftpos card or set up the wallet where parents can control how much money is attached to their child’s account.
• The tuckshop will be available in the mornings from 8:00am - 8:45am for students to order their lunch via cash or Eftpos.
  

LUNCH

3 windows will be open 1^st and 2^nd  lunch where students will line up to receive their lunch orders

1. Years 7 to 10 Students who have pre ordered their lunch 
2. Years 11 & 12 Students and Staff who have pre ordered their lunch 
3. All Students and Staff who have not pre ordered (Cash and Eftpos sales, no phone payments please) 

• It is really important that all students line up in the correct line as the orders will be placed in year group baskets at the corresponding window and will allow for timely service.
• We will be using a traffic light system in that red lines indicate the boundary lines in which only students purchasing from the tuckshop should enter. Orange lines indicate where students are to line up and green squares are where students pick up or purchase their items. 
• Students MUST line up in single file. If a student who is not lined up and pushes in or asks a friend to purchase an item they will be asked to go to the back of the line. It is important that students do not gather in the tuckshop lines and keep the lines moving quickly and efficiently. STUDENTS NOT PURCHASING ITEMS MUST WAIT OUTSIDE THE RED LINES
• Students who line up in the wrong line they will be asked to go to the back of their correct line.
• Students MUST only pick up their own lunch order. If a student forgets to pick up their order it will be repacked for the 2^nd break, after that if the student still does not pick up their order, they will forfeit their lunch order. 
  
• Students are not to walk through the tuckshop area i.e. inside the red lines. Please walk around the outside of the red lines.
  

We Want Your Feedback: Tuckshop Opinion Survey

We are seeking input from our school community to help improve our tuckshop! Your feedback is valuable in ensuring that we provide a variety of healthy and appealing options for students. Please take a few minutes to complete our tuckshop opinion survey and share your thoughts on the current menu, service, and any suggestions for improvement. Your input will guide us in making positive changes.

To participate, please click on the link below and complete a quick 5 minute survey. Thank you for helping us create the best possible tuckshop experience for our students!

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop is open every Monday and Thursday  between 8:00 – 9:30 am.

Pre ordering for collection on these days can be ordered via the Flexi Schools app. 

Cash and Eftpos Facilities are available for purchases during open times. 

A limited range of second-hand uniforms are available for purchase. Any donations of good quality used uniforms are welcomed. 

Special Interest

Are you looking for some new things to try? Below are some activities that may be of interest to you..