Dear Yeronga Community,

Thank you to the Yeronga community for your calm, responsive, and supportive approach throughout the uncertainty of Cyclone Alfred this past week. It has been a challenging time for many communities around South-East Queensland. After completing the safety assessments at Yeronga SHS, it was wonderful to welcome our students back on Wednesday after being closed for four school days.

We were fortunate that our buildings and grounds did not sustain significant damage, though some repairs are still needed to ensure we are operating at full capacity. We are pleased to see a fantastic student attendance of 93% following the cyclone. It's heartwarming to witness our young people reconnecting with their learning and friends after such an event.

If your student was absent due to cyclone-related circumstances, please respond to the daily SMS with "post-cyclone circumstance" as the reason, and we will record a non-penalty absence.

Regarding assessments, all measures are being taken to reschedule student assessments to accommodate the four days of closure. Parents of Years 7 and 9 students will be informed that NAPLAN has been postponed to Monday, 17 March.
Thank you also to parents and carers for helping ensure our students continued to present themselves well in uniform, demonstrating resilience during these challenging times.

As we look ahead, we are excited about the opportunities to reconnect with our community and beyond in the coming weeks. Please join us for our first Family Link Morning Tea on 31 March, our Taste of Harmony Celebration on 1 April, and our Open Day on 3 April. These events will offer wonderful opportunities to come together, celebrate, and share in the positive momentum at Yeronga SHS.

NAPLAN UPDATE:

Due to the unforeseen nature of recent weather, NAPLAN has been rescheduled. Please see the attached for the testing schedule. A reminder, corded headphones are essential.

YEAR 7 CAMP:

Limited places remain for our 2025 Year 7 Camp at Kindilan early next term. If you have any queries, please contact Jordan Plumridge - jplum49@eq.edu.au

OPEN DAY 2025:

A reminder that the school will finish officially at 1:05pm on Thursday 3rd April for our Annual Open Day. We are excited to showcase our school to the wider community and prospective families. Please see Open Day program below. The full program/booklet will be available on our socials and website.

WHAT TO DO WHEN:

My child/student is absent from school…

Ÿ A parent/carer must advise the school of the absence before 8.30am via Submit Attendance note in Compass.

Ÿ If a student is marked as an Unexplained Absence and have not signed in late, parents/carers will be informed by Short Message Service (SMS). You must reply or call the school to explain the absence.

Ÿ Alternatively, students must bring an absentee note to Student Services when they return to school. Students may miss classes due to illness, excursions, sport and camps. It is expected that students make up any work missed in their own time.

My child/student is late to school…

If a student arrives after the first bell, they must report to Student Hub with a note stating the reason for lateness. A phone call from home is also sufficient.

Ÿ If they do not have a note, they must use their planner or ID card to sign in at the Hub where they will be issued a first break detention. Public transport is not an excuse for lateness.

Ÿ Senior students who consistently arrive late to school could place their enrolment in jeopardy. 

My child/student feels sick or is injured…

Ÿ They must report to their class teacher who will give you a note to go to Sick Bay (Student Hub)

Ÿ If it is breaktime, report immediately to Student Hub and sign in to Sick Bay.

Ÿ Students must not contact parents/carers via mobile phones directly. These calls will be made by office staff once they are admitted to Sick Bay.

I need to leave school early…

Ÿ It is parent or guardian's responsibility to ensure their student signs out and leaves at the right time. Staff will only look for students in the event of an emergency

Ÿ A signed note from a parent/carer specifying the leave request must be brought to Student Hub before school begins.

Ÿ Permission will only be granted for urgent personal or medical reasons. Other matters and appointments should be made out of school hours.

Ÿ Students must sign out at the Student Hub immediately before leaving school.

Ÿ Students are not to leave the school grounds prior to the final bell without a leave pass. Leaving the school grounds without permission will be treated as truancy and dealt with under the school’s Behaviour Management Policy.

Ÿ In the case of urgent, unexpected events, parents must contact the office. Parents/Carers are kindly requested not to contact students on their mobile phone during school hours.

I have a planned or long absence…

Ÿ Parents/carers need to contact the school in advance if they know you are going to be absent.

Ÿ Any absence of three or more days must have a medical certificate.

Ÿ Any absence of more than 10 days, an Exemption Form must be completed. These are available at Student Hub.

Thank you for a terrific term to date!

As Term One comes to an end I am looking forward to reviewing results and congratulating our outstanding achievers and hardworking students.  It is also an important time for students to reflect on their learning and work on strategies to improve in Term 2.

As students, parents and carers review Term 1 reports, Effort and Behaviour grades tell a story as important as Achievement grades.  Reflecting on effort and the work that students put in to achieve their results as well as behaviour grades give an insight into the processes students employ in the classroom and at home.  Reflecting on consistent work practices highlights the importance of our school value of Sustainability.  Sustainable work practices are those that we can maintain over a long period of time and it is crucial that students (and adults) can maintain a balance in their work / leisure time so that we can all maintain a strong work ethic, whilst looking after our well being.

Parent Teacher Interviews – Term 2 Week 4

An email will arrive in inboxes in Week 10 with the instructions on how to book Parent – Teacher interviews which are scheduled for Wednesday 14 May in the Cultural Centre.  We look forward to productive conversations to help shape goals for improving academic outcomes.

Year 10

Last week Year 10 students started working through resources from Ponder Education to assist in developing career pathways and therefore their Senior Education and Training Plans.  Career Clusters is a way of exploring career choices and a quick you tube clip explains these.

Students will also complete a survey which will show them the clusters that most apply to them.

Below is a report that I got when completing the survey.  Students will continue to unpack their results in their Ethics and Choices lessons over the coming weeks.

Year 10 Vaccinations

Thank you to all families who have submitted vaccination forms.  Vaccinations will occur next Wednesday 19 March in the Cultural Centre at the start of Second Break.  As year 10 students have completed classes for the day, students will be expected to stay until they have be observed for the time period required to monitor for signs of adverse reactions to vaccinations before they can depart for the day.  If students do not remain, parents will need to make appointments to have their children’s vaccinations done through clinics or their GP.

AARA

A reminder regarding assessments in the senior school. An AARA application form is required for all adjustments including extensions. The form can be downloaded from the QCAA website. If students need to apply for AARA, they must please complete and return the form, including signatures (parent/carer and student) and relevant supporting documentation via email or in person to either Ms Truong (email: ptruo7@eq.edu.au) or Ms Taschke, Guidance Officer (ntas1@eq.edu.au).

If students are ill and require an extension for an assignment, a medical certificate or medical report must be completed by your doctor and submitted to Ms Truong or Ms Taschke along with an AARA application form for an extension to be granted. Please note the medical certificate must be specific regarding the type of illness. It cannot simply state, ‘unfit for school purpose’ as this does not provide suffice evidence of the illness.

More information regarding AARA can be found on the QCAA website here: https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/senior/assessment/aara/faqs

Application for Exemption

Students must apply for an application for exemption from compulsory schooling or compulsory participation phase when they cannot attend, or it would be unreasonable in all the circumstances to require them to attend school or participate in an eligible option for a period of more than 10 consecutive school days.

An exemption excuses parents from their legal obligation to ensure that their child:

<! ·         of compulsory school age is enrolled at or attends a school; or

<! ·         in the compulsory participation phase is participating full-time in an eligible option or a combination of eligible options.

Please see Student Services for the application form. The form and any travel documents (where applicable) then need to be submitted to the Principal for approval.

Attendance and Uniform Expectations

Students must learn the importance of taking responsibility for themselves, this includes wearing the school uniform according to the Student Dress Code Procedures. For seniors this includes wearing the black tie, black belt, dress shirt, short/slack/skirt, black leather or PU leather shoes, school cap or bucket hat on formal uniform days – Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Or the sports uniform, shirt and short, sports shoes and school cap or bucket hat on sports uniform days – Wednesday and Friday. Hair colour, makeup and nail polish must appear natural. The school bag must be used at all times. The school bag is mandatory and acts as a warranty to protect the school laptop. Not using the school bag will void the warranty. Please refer back to the Student Dress Code Procedures on the school website for clarification.

In relation to attendance, students must be attending every day. If there are extenuating circumstances, it is important for students and parents/carers to communicate with the school so that support can be placed around our young people. It is expected that students in the senior school are at school every day, unless they are away sick and other extenuating circumstances. When students are absent from school it does impact upon their ability to learn and this is evident in their academic results, effort and behaviour.

The Arts have had an exciting start to the year, hosting workshops and masterclasses, providing students with amazing opportunities like work experience at the ABC and performance opportunities with local companies. But Cyclone Alfred put a spanner in our GOMA excursion for Arts Academy…which slowed us down a little. Students will still visit the Asia Pacific Triennial Exhibition later in the Term.

CREATIVE GENERATION

Students from Years 7 to 11 have been successful in joining the 2025 Creative Generation Mass Choir. Our students will travel to Mount Cotton to rehearse with their peers in preparation for this state wide Arts Showcase.

MUSIC

Tuesday 4 March saw @UQTAIKO coming to our school to host a Taiko Drumming workshop with our Instrumental Music Students from across all year levels. Students learnt a traditional Taiko piece and then performed at morning tea for students and teachers. 

VISUAL ART

Jamie Brown from Crush City, Annerley, hosted an Aerosol Art masterclass for our Year 10 Art students and 7&8 Arts Academy students. This amazing workshop culminated in a brilliant new mural in G9, one of our Art rooms.

DRAMA

Clint Bolster of Homunculus Theatre came out to work with our Year 8 and 9 Drama students, exploring Commedia Del ‘Arte and scripted works. Homunculus considers the ability to laugh and perceive the humorous aspects of life a vital life skill. Comedy, in its various forms, serves as a medium that conceals, grants permission to play, facilitates expression, liberates inhibitions, and reveals untapped facets of individuals. The company highlights that students and audiences alike are consistently amazed by the transformations that unfold during performances. Our students gained so much from these workshops.

This term students in Screen and Media are developing their photography knowledge and skills through a photo essay project.

Students chose a topic, theme or idea and are producing a photo essay of images based around that theme. Some students are exploring Brisbane’s Graffiti art, others are documenting the city skyline. Here are three students excelling in their creativity and creative agency in this project showcasing their diverse styles and themes:

Sophia Candaten:

‘The theme for the photo essay is trains and train stations. The aim of the folio is to depict the beauty in a seemingly boring aspect of urban life and to capture moments of everyday life through the lens of trains in Brisbane.’

Campbell Shearer:

'The theme of my photo essay folio is to capture the beauty of the nature of Assembly Street park. A park that is otherwise known for its unappealing and insignificant look. The purpose of these photos is finding the beauty in not so beautiful things.'

Jed Bloomfield:

‘I chose skate photography as my theme, as it is something that has taken over my life for the past few years. I love to capture the pure talent and dedication of skaters as they constantly push through the pain of being knocked down, to eventually land the trick.’

I am so proud of the Certificate III in Screen Media students and their creativity and dedication to their creative work.

As part of their unit on Chemistry the year 8 science students are looking at the difference between Physical and Chemical Change. Physical changes involve the matter changing form but not creating new substances and melting, boiling and sublimation (phase changes) are good examples of this phenomena.

Students where able to investigate dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide) and its properties by looking at some interesting demonstrations including handling dry ice pellets (carefully!), adding the pellets to water and looking at the effect of water vapour forming and the escaping gas being heavier than air and sinking to the floor. A large carbon dioxide bubble was also formed and students could experience foam formed from the gas bubbled into a mixture of water and detergent.

A chemical change reaction was also demonstrated as the dry ice was added to a basic
solution with universal indicator and there was a series of spectacular colour changes as the substance turned into an acid.

Eastern Taipans and Met West teams

Congratulations to the following students who were successful when trialling for Eastern Taipans teams so far this term:

The following students have successfully gone to the next level and made it into Met West teams, well done to all!

Junior Summer Gala Day

Teams are training hard for our next Junior Gala Day on Wednesday 2 April. Consent and payment are due Friday 28 March. The girls will be competing in volleyball, futsal, basketball and touch football, and the boys in basketball, touch and futsal at various venues in our district.

Students are required to meet their coaches at 7.45 for roll marking near the bus stop at the front of the school in Villa Street. Buses will aim to return to school by 3.00pm at the end of the day but are subject to games finishing on time.

Senior Summer Gala Day

Trials will be held this week and teams will be chosen for the Senior Summer Gala Day on Thursday 1 May next term. Sports offered are Touch, Volleyball and Futsal for both boys and girls, Basketball for girls and Cricket for boys.

Cross Country

Our annual cross country will be held during period 4 on Friday 28 March (date changed from 26 March due to a clash with other school activities). Only students who have consent to attend will be able to participate.

The 3.2km course starts in the school grounds, crosses over to Yeronga Park and finishes back in the school grounds. The first six students in each age group who cross the finish line will be invited to attend the Eastern Taipans Cross Country trials early next term. Points will also be allocated to the sports houses.

The Senior HUB

Senior students have a study space they can access before school and at lunch breaks. The HUB has a laptop charging station and a photocopier for student use. For those needing a break, there are also books and games.

In addition to being a gathering space, students also have access to career information, career conversations and can check in to discuss any issues related to their senior journey. This includes support planning their: Post-School pathway, Work Experience in Years 10-12, Resume writing and Job applications (part-time jobs included), School-based Apprenticeship and Traineeship applications.

From the start of Year 11, students SET Plans are reviewed at regular intervals and their results are reviewed to ensure students are on track for their QCE. If students are not on track or if they have changed their mind about their pathway, they can come to the Senior HUB to discuss this. Where students are required to change their SET Plan, parents are advised through phone call, email, meeting or the subject change green form.

YSHS Careers and Employment Padlet

Check out our Padlet here: YSHS Careers and Employment Padlet

The Padlet is a place where parents and students can access information about careers, employment and apprenticeship opportunities, upcoming events and opportunities from work experience and university connections.

Whilst we also endeavour to send out information via email, we recommend students and parents check the Padlet regularly to review new opportunities.

VET News

School-based Trainees

One of our Year 12 students – Jaida Curran has been successful in securing a traineeship at the Prince Charles Hospital completing a Certificate III in Pathology Assistance. Jaida will work in the hospital whilst completing her training.These positions are highly sought after and we are proud of Jaida’s achievement and wish her all the best with her studies.

WHAT IS VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (VET)

Vocational Education and Training (VET) is a pathway option that students may choose as part of their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). Students working towards a Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA) may also undertake VET.

VET in Queensland state schools contributes to the department’s strategic vision—Equity and Excellence: realising the potential of every student — the commitment to lift the performance of every student, preparing them with the knowledge, skills and confidence to participate successfully in higher education, the economy and the broader community.

VET is study and training that enables students to acquire workplace skills, through nationally recognised training, described within an industry-developed training package. VET supports students to gain qualifications for employment and is designed to help them develop the skills they need to enter and succeed in the workplace.

VET qualifications can be undertaken in Years 10, 11 and 12 and may provide credit towards the QCE.

VET courses provide students with opportunities to:

• establish direct pathways to employment and further study

• engage in practical, jobs-focused training in nationally recognised qualifications

• experience an introduction to entry-level work in a specific industry

• build employability skills and community partnerships

• undertake structured work placement to develop understanding of how classroom learning is applied in the workplace.

Students can undertake VET at school:

• as part of their school studies – delivered and resourced by a school RTO (Registered Training Organisation)

• by enrolling in a qualification with TAFE Queensland (TAFEQ) or another external RTO

• as a school-based apprentice or trainee, whereby students combine school study, work and training as a part of their school timetable.

Some schools choose to enter into third party arrangements with TAFE QLD or external RTOs. Qualifications taught under these arrangements can be delivered in a number of ways, including:

• course material delivered by TAFEQ/external RTO trainers on school grounds

• course material delivered by school teachers (with appropriate VET qualifications) on school grounds.

Schools make decisions about the VET to be delivered by considering if the qualification:

• supports the strengths, aspirations and goals of their students

• provides a firm foundation to further training and/or education

• supports skills development in a future skills shortage area

• leads to employment outcomes

• enables students to develop 21st century skills to support work readiness

• includes opportunities for students to participate in work experience, structured work placement or industry visits.

Sign-In and Sign-Out Procedures

At Yeronga SHS, the safety and wellbeing of our students is our top priority. To maintain a secure and organised environment, it is essential that all students and parents adhere to the correct procedures for signing in and out of school.

For Late Arrivals

Students arriving late to school must sign in at the Student Hub. This ensures that their attendance is recorded accurately.

For Early Departures

If a student needs to leave early, they must sign out at the Student Hub before departing. Parents must also notify the school in advance to facilitate this process.

As students are not allowed to use their mobile phones during school hours, parents can arrange an early departure by:

• Sending a written note with their child.
• Contacting the school via Compass, email, or phone

Why These Procedures Matter

These steps are critical to ensure the safety of all students. Accurate records allow us to account for every child on campus, especially in emergency situations, and prevent any unauthorised departures.

We appreciate your cooperation in following these guidelines to maintain a safe and secure school environment. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the school office: 3249 1400.

Thank you for your support

In order to prepare the Year 10 cohort for the Year 11 and 12 QCAA expectations around assessment we will begin to use the Access arrangements and reasonable adjustments (AARA) form to identify barriers to completing assessment. Please note that the QCAA Senior Syllabus is managed by a different education organisation than the Australian Curriculum. Therefore, it's important to understand the system before starting Year 11 and 12. Please visit QCAA to read more on this: https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/senior/assessment/aara.

If Year 10 students need access arrangements or adjustments for assessment, they will need to fill in this form e.g. an extension due to illness. This is the same form used in Year 11 and 12. There will be more information about other steps that need to be taken for the QCAA later in the year. But for now, we want students to get used to using this form.

Yeronga SHS's Languages Department celebrated Spanish culture in style this term. Students engaged in the traditional food and games of Carnival - thanks to Ms Dominguez Garcia. Meanwhile Ms Ochoa and Ms Gibbons arranged mask painting and costume making to celebrate the fun, colour and self-expression of this holiday.

Coming up in Term 2, we have another Spanish celebration, Dia del Libro on Tuesday, 22 April and on Monday, 5 May we will celebrate the Japanese Children's Day - Komodo no Hi. 

We would love parents to be involved in sharing culture with students. If you would like to participate, help organise or run an activity for either of our upcoming events, please email HoD Languages Jessica Corsbie.

Cyclone Information Sessions

Cyclone Alfred certainly gave us a scare for a few days! Hopefully everyone is safe and well and recovering after a stressful week at home. In the days before we closed, we realised that students may need additional information about what was happening, particularly young people from families who have arrived in Australia recently and are still learning English. In response to this, we ran sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday to give some details about what to expect and how to prepare for the cyclone. We had a number of students attend and ask important questions about which websites to check, how to shelter comfortably in their bathrooms and where to get sandbags for their families. We hope these sessions were useful, and encourage students who would like additional support to meet with a member of our Wellbeing team.

Lexis Education Certified School - Teaching in English in Multilingual Classrooms (TEMC)

Did you know that our teachers have their own lessons too? Every year at Yeronga SHS we train teachers in a course designed to give them the skills to explicitly teach language across the curriculum: Teaching in English in Multilingual Classrooms (TEMC). This course is a globally-recognised program focusing on the needs of EAL/multilingual students and ways to ensure their success in learning. In recognition of this commitment, we are proud to announce that we have received accreditation as a Lexis Education Certified School, demonstrating our commitment to Quality Pathways to Success for our linguistically diverse student cohort.

Discover Global Flavours – Taste of Harmony!

We are thrilled to share Global Flavours – Taste of Harmony, a special cookbook created by Yeronga State High School. Since its launch, this beautifully curated collection has showcased a diverse array of recipes from our multicultural school community, celebrating the rich culinary traditions of our students and families. From savoury delights to sweet treats, Global Flavours offers something for everyone to enjoy!

This cookbook is more than just a collection of recipes - it’s a reflection of the vibrant and inclusive spirit of Yeronga State High. Whether you’re looking to try a new dish or revisit a favourite family recipe, Global Flavours brings people together through the universal love of food.

You can purchase your copy of Global Flavours – Taste of Harmony conveniently through the Qkr! app. Additionally, the cookbook will be available for sale at our Open Day on 3 April. Be sure to grab your copy and embark on a delicious culinary journey while supporting our school community. All proceeds from the cookbook sales will go towards student welfare, helping to support and enhance the wellbeing of our students.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to celebrate cultural diversity through food. Get your copy today!

My thoughts and prayers are with you as we travel together to recover following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. After the many weather events across the last 14 years, I have witnessed first-hand the resilience and courage of our community, particularly through the support and assistance given by kind and generous people, as well as great local agencies and organisations. 

However, it is possible that you might feel alone or forgotten, or haven’t been able to connect to find the right resources and support needed to recover well. Please be in touch if your family has experienced difficulties through this time. I can, along with other support staff direct you to external supports if required. Please also reach out to ask for help with getting your students school ready. I can also help through listening and encouraging you, if you need someone to talk to. Sometimes it’s important to have a space to share about what has happened or is happening, allowing the conversation to lead towards finding hope and a way forward.

Blessings, Chappy

jennifer.bennett@suchaplaincy.org.au

Facebook and Instagram – Community_Chaplain

Interview with International Student Sanae Aurelia.

Q1. When did you arrive in Australia, and how long will you study here?

I arrived in Australia at the beginning of July and planned to stay for a full year. Now, I have just four months left of my time here.

Q2. Please tell me about your time with your host family.

I live with a classmate from school and her family. I have two host sisters and a host mother, as well as a host brother who has already moved out, though the family stays in close contact with him over the phone. We also have three adorable dogs and a cat. From the moment I arrived, they welcomed me warmly and made me feel like part of the family.

We love spending time together, whether it’s going to the beach or exploring new cafés. They’ve introduced me to Australian traditions and foods, like Vegemite toast and meat pies. One of my favourite memories is when my host sister took me trick-or-treating around the neighborhood soon after I arrived—we even brought one of the dogs along!

I also attended a semi-formal event with my host sister and our friend. It was an unforgettable night, and we had an amazing time together. The three of us often go to the beach, which is always a lot of fun.

One of the highlights of my stay was watching Cirque du Soleil in Brisbane, which was truly breathtaking. We also visited the beautiful Enchanted Garden and, during Christmas, admired the festive lights at a nearby church.

Over the summer holidays, we spent Christmas with family on the Sunshine Coast. My host sister and I also took trips to the Gold Coast, where we loved tanning by the pool and enjoying the summer sun.

I’m having an incredible time with my host family, and I know I will cherish the remaining months of my stay in Australia.

 

Dear Yeronga Students, Staff, and Parents,

In celebration of Harmony Week, we are excited to invite all students, parents, and staff to contribute to our upcoming Taste of Harmony event, taking place on Tuesday, April 1st (Week 10). If you’re passionate about sharing your cultural heritage through food, we’d love for you to participate by preparing a cultural dish or donating delicious treats.

Your generosity will not only enrich our event but also support a wonderful cause. All proceeds from the event will be donated to Doctors Without Borders, an organisation that provides life-saving emergency medical aid worldwide.

How to Participate:

If you're interested in donating a dish or food, please complete the form using the link below:

Submit Your Contribution Here https://forms.office.com/r/gQJvWnu0pm

By filling out the form, you agree to participate in the Taste of Harmony event and provide details that will help us co-ordinate the event smoothly. Rest assured, all private information will remain confidential and handled appropriately by our school staff.

What’s New This Year:

We are introducing a fresh, exciting layout for the Taste of Harmony event! Students and staff will have the chance to explore a variety of food stalls, featuring diverse culinary delights from around the world.

Event Details:

• Date: Tuesday, April 1st, 2025
• Time: 11:15 AM to 11:55 PM (First Break)

Your food donations will help showcase the rich cultural diversity of our school community, while also supporting Doctors Without Borders. Whether it's a beloved family recipe or a dish that’s special to you, your contribution will make a meaningful impact.

Important Information:

• Deadline for Form Submission: Submissions will close on Thursday 27th March, at 11:59 pm.
• Food Collection: After completing the form, you can collect containers from the administration office. Containers will be available in two sizes, so feel free to be as generous as you like! Larger containers are perfect for bigger portions, and smaller containers are ideal for smaller servings or individual servings.
• Food Drop-off: Please drop off your donations at the administration office by 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 1st. Our student leaders will assist with collection situated outside the administration doors.
• No food can be prepared or cooked on-site at the school.

Let’s come together to celebrate our diverse cultures and raise funds for a great cause! Thank you for your support and enthusiasm – we can’t wait to see the incredible dishes you bring to the event.

Please email our Enrolment Officer at enrolments@yerongashs.eq.edu.au if you have any questions.

For enrolment interviews, please bring:

• Your child that is being enrolled
• Birth certificate/passport/travel documents
• Most recent school report card/NAPLAN reports
• Enrolment application documents

To watch the Yeronga State High Video, please click the link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxI0tsaM6Ss&t=2s

To watch Y Yeronga (Why Yeronga Video) please click on the link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYNam89UzIY

Thank you.

 

Legal Aid Queensland has a free Disaster Legal Help service.

Any Queenslander affected by a disaster – like the NQ floods or ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred – can call us on 1300 527 700 for help with legal problems stemming from the disaster. This might include:

• insurance claim issues or refusals
• temporary housing issues
• financial hardship
• family law issues
• other legal problems caused by a disaster.

There’s also a range of disaster legal help resources on our website.

 

Sharks Camp 2025 - April. GET IN QUICK LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE!! Sharks Camp is a four-day volleyball camp designed to cater to athletes of all skill levels. With elite development opportunities available and pathways into club and state-level volleyball, this camp has something for everyone!

The Dates:

8th April | 9th April | 10th April | 11th April

We usually hit capacity pretty quickly, so if you're interested sign up today to secure your spot!!

YEAHHHH SHARKS!!

Embrace Kids film screening

5pm Friday 21 March

Bulimba State School Hall

Embrace Kids is a funny and heartwarming documentary targeting children aged 9-14 years and their parents. It shows kids how to feel good about who they are and what their bodies can do. It helps them navigate social media, understand stereotypes in the media, say 'no' to bullying and body shaming, and much more!

The film will be screened free of charge at Bulimba State School next Friday. Families, people who work with children, and members of the general public are very welcome to attend. 

More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1295574245065157

Tickets: https://embracekidsfilmscreening2.eventbrite.com.au

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhQr2FjEeSM

Dear, students, families & carers,  I hope everyone is safe and getting back to normal after Cyclone Alfred, if support is required for your student please reach out to the Guidance Team & Well Being Team.  

Please see these excellent resources developed by Queensland Children’s Health in supporting our young people and families grow through natural disasters and disruptive events. There is a collection of picture books, videos, guides and information sheets to suit most audiences, and it comes in a range of languages. These may be useful to share with your school teams -

https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/our-work/birdies-tree-natural-disaster-recovery

• Story books (specific weather events) - https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/our-work/birdies-tree-natural-disaster-recovery/birdies-tree-storybooks
• Resources to build resilience - https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/our-work/birdies-tree-natural-disaster-recovery/birdies-tree-natural-disaster-resilience-resources
• Fun with Birdie Activity Book - https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0031/165919/fun-with-birdie.pdf
• Relaxation with Birdie - https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/our-work/birdies-tree-natural-disaster-recovery/relaxing-with-birdie

Online Games - https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/our-work/birdies-tree-natural-disaster-recovery/birdies-tree-games

Careers/Study

Australian Defence Force (ADFA) –

The Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) offers world-class degrees in Business, Arts, Science, Engineering, Computing and Cyber.

Based in Canberra, students who join ADFA have a unique opportunity to receive advanced military and leadership training whilst studying a range of degrees from the University of New South Wales (UNSW). ADFA also offers students a salary while they study, allowing them to focus throughout their degrees and enjoy a range of sporting and extra-curricular activities without the need to get a part-time job.

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Flinders University Student Access Scholarships

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I am often asked about anxiety and panic attacks, I have found an article that may be of interest I thought I would share.

Article – I Think My Child is Having a Panic Attack

In the movie Inside Out 2, 13-year-old Riley, who has recently started puberty, has a panic attack during a hockey game timeout.

Anxiety (the emotion responsible for the panic attack) becomes completely frenzied and there is a sense Riley is losing control. After a while, Anxiety calms down and Riley’s panic attack subsides.

The movie does a great job of conveying the experience of having a panic attack. But panic attacks (and anxiety) don’t just arise in teenagers – younger children can also have them.

Being aware of what to look out for and how to respond to anxiety or panic is important to help you and your child better manage these scary symptoms.

What does a panic attack look like in a child?

It can feel like something terrible is happening.
Rivelino/Pexels

A panic attack is a sudden, intense feeling of fear or discomfort associated with four or more of the following:

• feeling very hot or cold
• racing heart
• shortness of breath
• tightness in the throat or chest
• sweating
• tingling sensations
• light-headedness.

Panic attacks in children can last from a few minutes to 30 minutes.

Some children describe a panic attack as feeling like they are trapped or in danger, that something terrible is happening to them, they are losing control of their body, having a heart attack, or even dying.

Often, a child is unaware their symptoms are related to anxiety. This experience can be very scary for children and others around them who don’t know what is happening.

How common are panic attacks and at what age might they start?

There is a common myth that panic attacks only occur in teenagers or adults, but research shows this is not the case.

Although less frequent than in teenagers, panic attacks also occur in children. Studies indicate around 3–5% of children experience panic attacks.

They can begin at any age, although they typically first occur in children and adolescents between the ages of five and 18.

What causes a panic attack?

For some children, panic attacks can happen unexpectedly and without cause. These are known as “uncued” panic attacks.

For other children, panic attacks may be cued. This means they occur in specific situations that are anxiety-provoking, such as separating from a caregiver or doing a speech in class.

Cued panic attacks tend to be more common in children than uncued panic attacks.

Sometimes a panic attack can occur when a child’s physical symptoms (from feeling anxious) become the centre of their attention. For example, if a child notices a physical symptom (such as shortness of breath) and becomes worried about it, this can make them feel anxious, leading to more anxiety or a panic attack.

If children realise their physical symptoms are signs of anxiety and not a serious physical health problem, they might learn to not give too much attention to these symptoms and stop a vicious cycle occurring.

What can parents do in the moment to support their child?

If your child is breathing very quickly or hyperventilating, try to remain calm and encourage them to breathe normally.

Tell your child these feelings are temporary and not dangerous. Focusing your child’s attention on their rapid breathing or other symptoms can sometimes make things worse.

Try to help your child focus on something else, using the 3-3-3 rule: “Tell me three things you can hear, three things you can see, and three things you can touch”. Ask them to say these out loud.

During an attack, try the 3-3-3 rule.
Kindel Media/Pexels

If your child complains about bodily symptoms – but is not experiencing a full-blown panic attack – try to understand and acknowledge the symptoms they are experiencing.

Once you are satisfied their symptoms are not a physical health problem, tell them it will be okay and then move on to something else. This will help to shift their attention to something else and stop the anxiety and symptoms from escalating.

What about afterwards?

When your child’s panic attack is over, you can teach them about panic attacks. Explain that panic attacks are common and aren’t dangerous, even though they can feel scary and uncomfortable, and are a temporary sensation.

An effective strategy for panic attacks is a technique from cognitive behavioural therapy called “exposure”, which encourages children to face their fears. For panic attacks, this could be facing certain situations or objects that trigger the panic attack, or exposure to the actual physical symptoms.

Exposure is typically done with the support of a therapist, but increasingly there are programs available which support parents to deliver exposure-based treatment with their child.

Does having a panic attack mean my child has an anxiety disorder?

If your child has a panic attack, it does not mean they have an anxiety disorder. Panic attacks can occur in all children with or without anxiety disorders or mental health conditions.

However, panic attacks often occur in children with anxiety disorders or other mental disorders, such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Panic disorder is a particular type of anxiety disorder in which panic attacks are a core feature. Panic disorder is not common in children, and occurs in less than 1% pre-adolescent children. It typically emerges in adolescence or adulthood.

If your child is having panic attacks often and unexpectedly, has persistent worry (for at least a month) about additional panic attacks, or avoids situations that may trigger panic attacks, it may indicate they have panic disorder.

If your child is having panic attacks in response to specific situations or fears, such as separating from a caregiver, and their fears are interfering in everyday life, it may indicate an anxiety disorder.

Where can I look for help?

If you are concerned your child has an anxiety disorder, speak to your GP or a psychologist about it.

You don’t need a GP referral to see a psychologist, but a GP can create a mental health treatment plan which allows you to claim a Medicare rebate for up to ten sessions.

There are also a range of online resources.

Gemma Sicouri, Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Clinical Psychologist, Black Dog Institute, UNSW Sydney; Annabel Songco, Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Child Mental Health, Black Dog Institute, UNSW Sydney; Chloe Lim, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Child Mental Health, Black Dog Institute, UNSW Sydney, and Jennie Hudson, Professor of Clinical Psychology, UNSW Sydney

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.