Mr Justin Kuskie Principal	Mrs Chandell Pole Deputy Principal Senior School	Mr Daniel Ward Deputy Principal Junior School

As this is our first newsletter of the term, welcome to Semester 2!

I hope everyone had a great break and with this being the end of week three, the September holidays will be upon us before we know. Being busy is said to pass the time quickly, this is very true for us. I encourage everyone to follow our Facebook page and Schoolzine app to both stay informed of all the great things that are occurring daily, along with making sure any specific targeted messages are received.

In the senior school, Year 10 students are currently undertaking their SET Planning interviews and preparing for subject selection. Year 12 students enrolled in general subjects are completing their Unit 3 work, with mock exams starting on Thursday 4th September. This is an important opportunity for students to prepare for external exams which will occur in Term 4. Seniors engaged in vocational courses have begun to finalise their courses, with the outcomes to produced a credit to all involved. For our Year 11 students, an important aspect of this term is to participate in the process to select our student leaders for 2026. Congratulations to all the candidates for their willingness to serve the school community.

Fitzroy Pascoe - School Captain

Coming into Term 3 in Year 12 and seeing how different it is compared to every other term in school really makes you feel strange; going from Year 7 where everything feels stressful, to now when everything is stressful leaves a strange but fulfilling taste in your mouth. But we have all made it this far in the year. 

A wise man once told me to 'Do something,'  words of advice that I believe everyone should listen to. The most impactful time of your schooling life is Year 12, and going into it, I believe everyone should do something. Apply for a leadership position, whether it be House/School Captain, Prefect or student council, do something. You'll do something at school in a way that feels fulfilling to you. Every year level has the opportunity to step up and 'Do something' no matter how big or small. 

You'll leave a legacy in the school, for future and current students.  You did something, you put your hand up and now you are involved and making an impact. I recommend it.

Mrs Tanya Hamilton & Ms Stephanie Stevens

Welcome back to our Year 7 Stanthorpe State High School families. Term 3 is well underway and it is great to see the Year 7s back after their winter break. Last days of Term 2 was a great 2 days of athletics and our Year 7s did a remarkable job participating in athletic field events.

Thanks to all the Year 7s that attended Year 7 Focus day, the day was especially planned for the Year 7s and focused on building new skills and strategies to help students achieve their best. Students engaged in sessions building resilience, self-confidence, managing their physical, mental health and wellbeing,  as well as learning to set goals and achieving their academic best for their next 100 days of Year 7.

1. Students are reminded to bring all required equipment, this includes fully charged iPad, books, pens, calculators and school hat.
2. Be on time for class and complete set task when required. Not having what you need and being late to class results in students always having to catch up.
3. Correct Uniform. Given we are still in our winter months, a reminder to our Year 7 parents/carers that students out of uniform need to be issued with a uniform slip at the beginning of each day, this includes wearing the correct Stanthorpe State High School jumper & jacket.
4. Winter flu is here. If your student is away, a reminder to families to notify our office staff of the absence. If you feel your student is missing too much class time due to sickness, please don’t hesitate to contact myself or your child’s teachers so we can continue to support your child's wellbeing and learning.

Finally, if you are having any trouble accessing the full correct uniform and equipment for your child, please don’t hesitate to contact myself or Stephanie Stevens. 

Tanya Hamilton Email: thami105@eq.edu.au

Stephanie Steven Email: sstev255@eq.edu.au

Ph: 4681 5888

Ms Leigh Cusack 

A warm welcome back to Term 3.

Reports and Parent Teacher Evening

All students should have received their reports via email, at the end of Week 1. Take a moment to check how your child feels they are progressing. Are they where they thought they would be? What results are they aiming for by the end of the year?  Look at how you can support them if they need it and contact the school if you have questions or concerns.

The Parent Teacher Evening is second week of August (TBC), 3.30-7.00pm. contact the school for further details.

Words Have Impact

Bullying No Way Day - In the lead up to the National Day of Action Against Bullying (Friday Week 5), students are reminded that they can seek help from staff at any time. Stanthorpe State High School also encourages students to report troubling behaviour or concerns via the ‘Stymie’ app, (available on all platforms and devices). All reports are anonymous and are followed up promptly.

A big thank you to parents and guardians who are getting in contact for absences.  If you are taking a break or illness is keeping people away from school for more than a couple of days, letting the school know means we can make allowances for any assessment which is occurring.  Simply contact the main office, and they will pass on the details to relevant staff.

Regards,

Leigh Cusack

As always, if you have any issues or concerns please make contact:

Email: lcusa9@eq.edu.au     Ph: 07 4681 5888

Mr James Killer

Welcome Back – Term 3

A very warm welcome back to all our students and families as we begin Term 3. It has been wonderful to see everyone return with a positive attitude and a readiness to learn. Despite the absence of public holidays in the early part of this term, students have shown great resilience and adaptability in reacclimating to the routines of school life. Engagement levels in classes have been strong, and it is clear that students are settling back into their studies with focus and enthusiasm.

Uniform Reminder

As a reminder, it is important that all students have a complete and correctly fitting formal uniform. The formal uniform is required regularly for whole school assemblies and a range of school events throughout the term. We kindly ask families to check that uniforms are still appropriate and up to date. Should any family require support in acquiring formal uniform items, please do not hesitate to contact me directly via email or reach out through the school office. We are more than happy to assist in any way we can.

Form Focus

This term, our Form program will centre on exploring future pathways for students. In preparation for our upcoming Junior Subject Selection Evening and the Subject Selection Day taking place early in Term 4, we will be providing students with the tools and information they need to make informed decisions about their academic futures. This process is an important step in their educational journey, and we look forward to supporting students as they begin to shape their goals and aspirations.

If you have any issues or concerns please make contact.

Ms Kate Dearden

Year 10s have made a hectic start to Term 3 with SET Planning (Senior Education and Training) taking place in Week 2. Students were enthusiastic participants in the three days, engaging with Subject talks, Senior and Past students panel, the Speed-date your Career event and the Careers Market as well as researching potential careers and making preliminary subject choices for Year 11. I congratulate students on their focus and effort during the process and feel that they have made informed decisions about their future.

The process does not end here though and next Thursday 7 August students and their parents are invited to the Year 11 Subject Selection evening to discuss their choices and options directly with teachers.

Students will then be submtting their Subject Selection form for Year 11 and participating in an interview with a staff member to confirm that the choices meet their planned pathway. Please note, parents are welcome to participate in this interview to ensure the best outcome.

Border District Athletics

Congratulations to those students who completed at Border District Athletics, putting in strong performances and representing the school with distrinction: Hannah Hill, Ethan Kent, and Poppy Stewart. Darling Downs Athletics will take place in a few weeks time on 21-22 August in Toowomba. Good luck to participating athletes.

Volunteering

Over the next three weeks, Year 10 Volunteering students will participate in Meals on Wheels, Primary School Athletics Carnivals and run the ESports Interhouse Competition.

Year 10s should also be looking out for other opprtunities over the next few weeks.

As always, if you have any issues or concerns please make contact:

Email: kdear13@eq.edu.au     Ph: 07 4681 5888

Mrs Jo Rogers

Semester 2

Year 11 students are back into the swing of learning, assessment and the requirements of successful school attendance. Students are encouraged to reflect on their efforts over Semester 1, identify their strengths, and consider carefully how to make the most of their time at school.

2026 Student Leaders

This term, students will apply for 2026 School Captain, House Captain, Student Council and Prefect positions. Last term, the application processes were explained to students and this term, students have been provided with relevant documentation, including timelines and requirements. I look forward to guiding all potential school leaders through the process and encourage all willing students to give school leadership a go.

Year 11 Future Pathways Excursion

It is fantastic to see students signing up to experience all the upcoming trip has to offer.

The excursion aims are for Year 11 students to explore their potential future pathways in a metropolitan setting. In visiting an array of tertiary and industry centres, students will develop a firsthand understanding of future careers that will assist them in making informed choices for further education and training post Year 11/12.

Students will be staying at the QCCC Brookfield campus, and the camp includes all meals and entries.

We look forward to as many students as possible attending the excursion and the cost has been subsided. Students are to return the permission form to the office and then invoicing will occur. 

Photos from last year's trip - 

Road Attitudes and Action Planning Presentation

Year 11s have attended a local Emergency Services crews presentation that emphasised the importance of road safety, as they get their Learner’s Permits and Provisional Licences. The Road Attitudes and Action Planning (RAAP) presentation is a free road safety awareness and education program delivered by firefighters in Queensland schools.

Athletics Carnival

Another successful Athletics Carnival was held at the end of Term 2, and it was pleasing to see so many Year 11s in attendance and enthusiastically participating and supporting their house and house captains.

Senior Student Expectations

Students and carers are reminded of the eligibility criteria for Co-Curricular Activities and Privileges.

Please refer to the document attached.

Email: jroge3@eq.edu.au Ph: 4681 5888

Miss Meghann Wear

Welcome back to Term 3! We are well and truly on the downhill run to the end of the year.

Students in General subjects are winding up their final internal assessments and Vocational students are working hard to meet the needs of their courses before the end of the year. 

Key events for this term including mock exams and ski trip. It is important that students maintain their attendance during this time as there will be minimal impact to classes, particularly vocational and applied pathways. More information about these events will be provided as they get closer. 

Mock Exams

Week 8 and 9 students who study a General subject will be sitting mock external exams to support their learning around sitting the external exams and the processes which need to be followed to meet the requirements of QCAA. This is an opportunity to test their knowledge and skills that they have developed over the course of study and during their own study and preparation. A timetable will be provided as well as some tips in form classes in the coming weeks.

Ski Trip

Students are reminded that the final payment for ski trip is due this month and all payments need to be made in advance to the trip. Final packing lists and information has been provided.

QTAC Applications

Those students eligible for an ATAR will be provided with support and information during form lessons in relation to QTAC applications for university entrance in 2026. The portal opens on the 5th of August. 

Form Classes

This term each class will be focusing on preparing to exit school. This will include the importance of exercise, nutrition and sleep to be the best you can be as well as ensuring students have access to the QCE portal and other information to support this transition. Students are reminded to have their laptop for these sessions as they will be provided with links which they can use at home as well as at school as they explore options.

If you have any queries please don't hesitate to get in contact via email or phone.

Email: mwear8@eq.edu.au Ph: 4681 5888  

The last two days of Term 2 brought our Track and Field Carnival to Stanthorpe State High School. The clouds parted and the sun shone for a fantastic 2 days of events.

Students showed their house spirit by dressing as some iconic Superheros or just rocked their house colours in creative ways such as inflatable blue parrots or sharks.

Overall, it was a fantastic two days of competition with a number of records being broken. Congratulations to all students who set new athletic benchmarks at our school. There were some tight results when it came to Age Champions with only a few points being the difference in a number of age groups. Big shout out and thank you to Mrs Kuskie and the HPE staff for yet another successful carnival. 

The Fun and Friends

The Races

The Games

The Champions 

Results for age Champions

The Record Breakers

House Results

Mrs Jenny McCarthy - Behaviour Support Teacher (Learning and Engagement)

PRIDE MONTH – In Week 10 last term, LGBTQI+ FLAG Scavenger Hunt winners were announced and students had fun participating in ‘Just Dance’ in the Wellbeing – Groove and Chill space. Thanks to all students that were involved and a big thank you to Vanilia who organised the Pride Flag Scavenger Hunt. Congratulations to the winners below.

Term 3 EVENTS

Student Council kicked off with our first meeting last week to discuss events: Bully No Way Day in Week 5, Ponytail Project & World's Greatest Shave in Week 7 and RUOK Day in Week 9.

Bully No Way Day: 

Ponytail Project / World’s Greatest Shave: Students and Staff are stepping up to make a difference!

Students and staff are bravely shaving their heads and cutting their ponytails to support the Leukaemia Foundation and Sustainable Salons, helping raise vital funds for cancer research, support services, and the creation of wigs for those in need. We need your help!
Every donation, big or small, brings us closer to a future free of blood cancer and gives hope to families across Australia.

Click the links below to donate and support our school’s courageous participants. Together, let’s make a real impact!

https://www.ponytailproject.com.au/fundraisers/StanthorpeStateHighSchool

https://www.worldsgreatestshave.com/fundraisers/StanthorpeStateHighSchool1810

RUOK Day:  11^th September – Stay tuned for more information.

PROJECT – Water Coolers:

The Student Council have also moved forward on the purchase and installation of Water Cooler bubblers in the school. The Stanthorpe State High School P&C have offered to help support the project and we are currently sourcing quotes.  We look forward to seeing cold water available to students when weather gets warmer.

The Student Council also discussed ideas for next year's Stanthorpe Show Fruit and Vegetable display theme, which will be "Past, Present and Future", celebrating the shows 150 years. If students have any ideas or would like to be part of the design team, please keep an eye out on student notices as invitations to be part of the team will be advertised.

Positive Behaviour Records: Once REP cards are used in the canteen or on REP swap days, all cards are being recording into students OneSchool records. REP expectations are both acknowledged in class and in OneSchool records.

REP Card Banking: Students are also encouraged to bank their completed cards in at the Library, where they are able to save up to $50.00 (25 double sided REP Cards) for their end of year excursions for Year 7-10, Senior Jackets for Year 11 & Graduation tickets for Year 12.

REP Behaviour Focus:

This week and the next two weeks students will discuss the below behaviour focusses. Please check out the daily questions used to discuss focusses in our Student Notices and use the same language at home to support your teenager.

Week 3 – ENGAGED: Act in a SAFE Manner

Week 4 – RESPECTFUL: Take Ownership of Your Actions.

Week 5 – ENGAGED: Report Unsafe Behaviours

email:  jmcca398@eq.edu.au Phone: 4681 5888

Samuel Park – UQ Science Ambassador

Proffessor Stan Thorpe, is an ecologist, paleobiologist and pharmacist who studies the various creatures from the past and present, to see whether they can provide cures for human diseases. Though he is also well versed in other science like physics which has allowed him to become a time traveller.

The photo below showcases Professor Stan Thorpe, on one of his trips to study the ecosystems of late cretaceous Australia. On this specific trip he is observing Galleonosaurus’ effect on its primeval ecosystem, and he wonders whether the modern world has any analogues to such a unique creature. Just prior to this photo, he found proteins in its saliva that may be of use to people with digestive problems.