25 January to 11 February 2011 - Roma State College - Education ...

25 th January to 11 February 2011
Welcome back to school for 2011
My name is Karen McKinnon and I am the new Principal of
Roma State College. I am very happy to be here and am
looking forward to working with the Roma community and
district.
We expect all our students to achieve success and to this end,
as a college, we have identified a clear 2011 improvement
agenda, with a focus on Literacy, Numeracy and Student
Outcomes.
Some of our recent successes include 35% of students who
obtained a School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship in
2010, and 75% of the OP eligible students achieved an OP of 1
– 15, which is a very good result.
While we have not received all details from QSA, I would also
like to congratulate some of our past Year 12 students on being
offered the following places –
Dannielle Arnold - Bach Vet Science - James
Cook
Peter Green - Phys Ed Teaching - USQ
Lisa Gallagher - Bachelor of Business - USQ
Kim Kerslake - Business/Law - USQ
Alex Woodcroft - Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics) -
QUT
Brendan Neal - Bachelor of Mathematics - QUT
Dimity Walsh - Bachelor of Environmental & Wildlife
Science UQ Gatton
Sarah Packer - Bachelor of Rural Science, UQ Gatton
Congratulations must also go to the following students who
have been successful in obtaining a place in the Early Start
Programs at the University of Queensland and the University of
Southern Queensland while completing Years 11 and 12.
Year 11 Year 12
Sarah Brindley Sam Herring
Christopher Green Billie-Jo Hurle
Rachel Lyons Hayden Laycock
Kristy Russell
We look forward to meeting you at our “Meet and Greet” events
at either Junior Campus on the 8 th at 5:30 pm followed by the P
& C meeting at 7:00pm or the Middle Campus on the 9 th at 5:30
pm.
Karen McKinnon
PRINCIPAL
ACROSS THE COLLEGE
Thanks
We are very appreciative of the effort that everyone has made
in getting us operational for another year. In particular, thanks
to our cleaners and admin staff across the three campuses.
Toni and Jessica have been “hard at it” across the college in
order to have everything ready for the return of other staff and
students.
Our Schools Officers have been busy with the grounds and
facilities issues and ensuring classrooms are set up for day
one. They have done an outstanding job in very hot, humid, wet
conditions, to ensure our grounds are looking beautiful again!
During the week prior to the beginning of school and during the
pupil free days, the teaching staff at the college have been
working hard to ensure that everything was ready for our
students. This included a strong emphasis on curriculum,
teaching strategies and individual programs, setting up
classrooms and organising resources. We certainly appreciate
all the extra hours they give! We are very lucky to have such a
committed team who are willing to come in early from their
holidays and hit the ground running.

New Staff
We sincerely welcome the following new appointments:
Karen McKinnon Principal
Meagan O’Farrell HOD – Early Phase of Learning
Dehaan Everaardt Prep
Jenny McKenzie Year 2
Dannielle Knayer Year 2
Amanda Jackwitz Year 3
April Maybury Year 3
Leesa Waldron Literacy Support
Anna Williams Teacher Aide
Amy Seawright SEP Teacher Aide
Lisa Freeman Year 5
Tina Cameron Year 5
Leesa Waldron Internal Relief (0.2)
Rogan Clancy Instrumental Music Teacher
Kate Van Der Meulen HOC – Senior Campus
Craig Nebe HOD – Senior Phase of Learning
(0.8)
Melinda Seawright HOD – Senior Phase of Learning
(0.2)
Business/BCT/IT/Maths (0.8)
Daniel Johnson HOD – VET
Andrew Worthington HOSES
Melissa Handley English/History
Julie Orton Maths/Science
David Storey Maths B/C
Casey Castles Special Needs Teacher
School Aid Floods Relief Appeal on Thursday
17 February
The flood events of recent weeks have devastated much of
Queensland and, for those of us not directly affected, have
been heart-wrenching to see.
Although many are doing it tough, the outpouring of community
support and generosity is remarkable.
Our school has been overwhelmed by people wanting to help –
even our students have been asking how they can help children
in other schools.
We will be joining schools across Australia on Thursday 17
February to take part in the School Aid Floods Relief Appeal.
We ask all of our staff and students to dig deep and make a
gold-coin donation to this worthwhile cause.
More information about the day is available on the School Aid
website at www.schoolaid.org.au
Junior Campus
Welcome
Welcome back! I hope you had a great holiday, managed to
keep your feet dry and are looking forward to the excitement of
2011.
I would like to offer a very special welcome to our new students
(including 81 new Prep students) and families who have joined
us for the first time. I hope you enjoy your time with us and I
would encourage you to be as involved as you can be in this
very special school community. Not only would your support be
greatly appreciated, but we would love the opportunity to get to
know you and your family better. Please make a time to chat
with Meagan O’Farrell or myself through the office on
4620 1111, or ring our friendly P&C president, Danielle Knayer
on 4623 3363 who would be delighted to hear from you if you
can help in any way.
Rebecca Hutton
Head of Junior Campus
Middle Campus
Congratulations to all our students at Middle, who have made
an excellent start to the year. Uniforms look great, there is
commitment to learning and everyone has adjusted well to their
new year levels.
A special welcome to our Year 4 students, who have made a
successful transition from Junior.
During the holidays, our Summer School students, while small
in number, achieved great things and we were pleased to see
them featured in the local newspaper.
Australia Day Awards
Congratulations to Tom Taylor on being recognised in the
Maranoa Regional Council Awards!
Safety of Students during Building Works at our
Campus
A note was sent home outlining the arrangements for entry and
exit to the campus while the building works are in progress.
This is a safety strategy to support all 400 people at our
campus – students and staff.
Senior Campus bus students are the only students permitted
into the bus zones outside our fences and we have requested
that all other students exit the campus via the Miscamble Street
gates. These are located at the bike racks near the supervised
crossing and further west near the main oval.
The traffic gates near the Administration block are out of
bounds for students and no exit is allowed through there. We
appreciate the support and patience by parents and students
during this building program.
Marg Mawn
Head of Middle Campus
Senior Campus
Firstly, I would like to welcome all students to the 2011 school
year and an extra special welcome to our Year 9 and new
students. The year has started off well and students are
looking great in their college uniforms.
I thought I would use this first newsletter to tell you a little about
myself as I am one of the “new” faces the students are seeing
at the campus.

I was excited to be offered the opportunity to come to Roma
just before the pupil free days,…needless to say the last week
has been a whirlwind, with packing and moving and starting
work on Monday – just three days after I accepted the offer.
I have lived in Warwick for all of my life so this is an exciting
adventure for me and my family. My husband was able to
secure a transfer with his workplace and my two children have
started at Roma State College.
In just over a week, I can already see the many opportunities
the college offers to students and I look forward to being an
integral part of these for the future. Please do not hesitate to
contact me should you have any concerns or queries in regards
to your student’s schooling and time at the college.
Kate Van Der Meulen
Head of Senior Campus
Student Personal Details
Parents and caregivers are reminded that if your personal
details have changed (e.g. address, contact details, emergency
contacts etc.) it is crucial that this information is forwarded to
the school office accordingly. Should an emergency arise, the
school relies on the accuracy of this information to make
contact with parents and caregivers.
Do you get enjoyment and satisfaction from reading?
Registrations are open for volunteers to take part in the 2011
‘Queensland Ready Readers’ program to read with children
in classrooms.
To be a successful Ready Reader you must be enthusiastic
about working closely with young children, and be confident
that you can demonstrate an enjoyment and satisfaction from
reading.
The program has been developed based on national and
international research that has proven that well-trained and
supported community volunteers can make a big difference to
children’s learning.
All volunteers will be trained in the “support a reader” process
and will be required to go through the standard checks for
working with children. Participants will be required to attend a
one day training session to be held at Roma State College
(Junior Campus) – 22 February 2011 from 8.30 am to
4.00 pm. Meals and resources will be provided.
Parents, carers and the wider community can register their
interest by completing an Expression of Interest Form available
from your local school. For further information please contact
Wendy Merrick 46201111 or Kate Cover (Education
Queensland) kate.cover@deta.qld.gov.au – Ph: 0427 574502
HELP! Footy Fans it’s a new season!
Our footy jerseys at the Junior Campus are aging and are too
big for most Preps and Year one students. We are calling for
some sponsorship for three new sets of jerseys for 2011.
The cost of the jerseys will be $1342 to produce and are also
supplied with a football and bag.
Sponsors will be able to choose colours and design of the
jerseys and can add logo and lettering for no extra cost. Any
support for footballs for training and match days would also be
very much appreciated.
The U 8’s football season begins April 9 with trials beginning
March 19.
Please contact Rebecca Hutton at Roma State College-Junior
Campus if you are able to contribute.
Thank you
Troy Condon
Special Education
My name is Andrew Worthington and I would like to introduce
myself as the new Head of Special Education for the College.
We also have a new teacher in Ms Casey Castles and she is
very excited by the challenges ahead.
I will give more details of where the rest of the team are
working in the next newsletter. This will follow the day 8 audit of
our student numbers which determines our staffing levels for
both teachers and teacher aides
As always our primary focus is on the education of our students
and I will be doing all I can to make sure that is of the highest
quality possible. If parents have any concerns they should
contact their teachers or I can be contacted on 0427729943. I
am based at the Middle campus. I am more than happy to

meet with you and discuss your child if you give me a call to
make a time.
Andrew Worthington
Head of Special Education
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club has once again started at both Middle Campus
and Junior Campus every Wednesday morning at 8:00 am.
Both Breakfast Clubs also have food for children who need
breakfast on other school days as well as basic food for
children who need the occasional lunch. If you are interested in
volunteering to help at either campus please contact the school.
This is a great social event for our students and we are
fortunate to have fabulous volunteers who enable this program
to operate each week. Breakfast Club is a free activity thanks to
the generosity of many local businesses. We look forward to
seeing you there!
Opal Room- explanation of what this is
The Opal Room at Middle Campus has been open to Year 4
students for the past two weeks. As of week 3 it will be open
each break for activities on a roster system.
Monday – Year 8
Tuesday – Year 7
Wednesday – Year 6
Thursday – Year 5
Friday – Year 4
Mental Health First Aid
At Roma State College we have 3 trained staff, Guidance
Officer, Narissa Jowett, Senior Campus Teacher Aide, Manda
Pollard, and myself, who can assist students with any concerns.
In addition , Rachel Graig is our School Based Youth Health
Nurse and she can be contacted at the Senior Campus via the
office.
Student Support & Intervention
2011 welcomes two teachers to the roles of Student Support
and Intervention. Mrs Karley McGoldrick will be supporting
students at Senior Campus while Mrs Martine Waldron will be
supporting students at Middle Campus. Both teachers also
have a teaching load.
Gundoo’s Playgroup
The Gundoo’s Playgroup will reopen in March at a new time.
More information is coming soon.
Debbie Flesser
Head of Department Student Services
PERFORMING ARTS – 2011
Welcome to 2011! It is shaping up to be an exciting year across
all areas of the College and Performing Arts is no exception!
Students will have a myriad (that’s right, a myriad!) of
opportunities to get involved in productions, performances and
other drama related activities throughout the year.
The Opti-minds Challenge is on again in August and the
Middle Campus will have the honour of hosting the Regional
Finals! This challenge is fun and creative way for students of all
ages to practice their team work skills.
The school production in 2011 will be a night of mystery,
intrigue and hilarity! Auditions will be held for Middle and Senior
Campus students in term 2. If you aren’t the performing type,
never fear! The production also needs sets, costumes, lighting
and sound! So in whatever way you can (Mums and Dads too!)
GET INVOLVED!!
Year 8’s have the opportunity to take part in elective drama
with Mr Gibney that looks at Improvisation and will surely help
them think on their feet!
Film, Television and new media students invite you to come
along and view their fabulous filmic efforts at the Premiere
Nights held at Jubilee Hall each Semester.
The College Fete will also showcase students as roving
characters!
Watch this space for official dates, times and updates as we
head further into the year!
Kim Rann
Drama/FTVnm Teacher
Chaplaincy 2011
Hi everyone,
My name is Karen Dawes and I am a chaplain at the college,
working mainly across Prep to Year 8. There is currently a
vacancy for a chaplain to work with the secondary students.

“A friend” is the best way to describe a chaplain and my role is
to provide pastoral care to the Roma State College community
including staff, students, parents and caregivers.
The programs that I will be running on a regular basis are
Breakfast Club and general lunchtime activities at Junior and
GIG (Growing In God, for students identifying with Christianity)
at Middle Campus. There will also be a prayer meeting for the
Roma State College community on Mondays at 3.15pm in the
Chaplaincy area in L Block.
I will also be helping out with general lunchtime activities in the
Opal Room at Middle Campus and plan to be involved in many
other activities and events at both campuses. The Lifeline Peer
Skills workshop and follow up for previous participants is also
high on my list of priorities.
Permission forms for ongoing 1:1 meetings and also for
chaplaincy activities with religious, spiritual and ethical content
are available from any campus office.
I am really looking forward to sharing the journey with you in
2011. If you have any questions please contact me at
karend@su-chaplain.com or phone 0429442286
Karen Dawes
Sports News
College Swimming Carnival
Roma State College Swimming Carnival was held on Friday 4 th
February and was a very successful day. Students came
dressed up in their house colours ready to swim and support
their teammates. A huge thank you to all staff involved in the
running of the day! At the completion of the carnival, Maranoa
House proved to be the strongest house taking out the overall
winner’s trophy with a convincing margin. The point results are
below.
1 st Maranoa 689
2 nd Balonne 529
3 rd Arcadia 439
4 th Carnarvon 272
Based on the results of the events on the day, we have quite a
number of students from the college who are eligible to go on to
represent the school at the upcoming Roma and Districts
carnival on Monday 14th February in Roma. A note with details
of this will be sent home to eligible students. As always, given
the talented athletes we have here at the College, there were
outstanding performers in each age group.
The Age Champions for the day were:
BOYS GIRLS
9 Years Jared Cook Gracie Titmarsh/
Jorja Wiedman
10 Years Claude Sypher Abbie Just/Shae Collins
11 Years Maverick Sypher Molly Cook
12 Years Anthony Passante Teal Ayers/Laura Lavelle
13 Years Danyon Waldron Teagan Cook
14 Years Jackson Woods Tameka Ward
15 Years Phillip Finn Shannon Wells
16 Years Jamie west Bree Taylor
Open Hayden Laycock Tricia Krienke
We even had 28 new records set on the day. These
are listed below.
Butterfly
Event Name Time
11yrs Girls 50m Molly Cook 39.06
13yrs Girls 50m Teagan Cook 34.90
9yrs Boys 25m Jared Cook 20.35
14yrs Boys 50m Jackson Woods 41.46
16yrs Boys 50m Jamie West 34.40
17-19yrs Boys 50m Hayden Laycock 39.88
Backstroke
Event Name Time
11yrs Girls 50m Molly Cook 42.95
13yrs Girls 50m Teagan Cook 37.99
16yrs Girls 50m Bree Taylor 43.36
Open Girls 100m Teagan Cook 1.21.47
9yrs Boys 25m Jared Cook 23.84
14yrs Boys 50m Jackson Woods 34.58
16yrs Boys 50m Jamie West 37.34
Open Boys 100m Jamie West 1.25.40
Breaststroke
Event Name Time
11yrs Girls 50m Molly Cook 52.68
13yrs Girls 50m Teagan Cook 44.64
9yrs Boys 25m Peter Body 29.90
13yrs Boys 50m Danyon Waldron 51.05
14yrs Boys 50m Jack Just 44.17
16yrs Boys 50m Aaron Walsh 39.93
Open Boys 100m Jamie West 1.35.89
Freestyle
Event Name Time
13yrs Girls 50m Teagan Cook 32.46
16yrs Girls 50m Bree Taylor 37.40
9yrs Boys 25m Jared Cook 19.90
13yrs Boys 50m Danyon Waldron 39.41
14yrs Boys 50m Jack Just 32.83
16yrs Boys 50m Jamie West 30.04
Open Boys 100m Jamie West 1.11.69

Martine Waldron
Sport Co Ordinator
Date Claimers for Term 1
FEBRUARY
Junior Campus Breakfast every Wednesday morning
11 th - Junior Campus Assembly - 2:30pm
14 th – Middle Campus Assembly
21 st – Junior Campus Homework Club - 3:00pm
MARCH
11 th - Student Leaders and Council Induction Yrs 7-12 at
Jubilee Hall
16 th - Arts Council in Jubilee Hall
APRIL
1 st RSC School Fete
15 th Pupil Free day
25 th Anzac Day
Roma and District Netball Association:
New in 2011!!!
Roma and District Netball Association are forming in 2011. We
are a community based organization that is affiliated with
Netball Queensland.
The benefits are:
• To develop players’ skills and expose them to a
higher level of representative competition at more
regular intervals.
• To enable players to access to a variety of
coaches and to be able to be play with a more
diverse range of players
• To gain access to Regional Academies and elite
sporting institutes
• To gain access to coaching and umpiring clinics
and camps for people of all skill levels
• Accreditation for coaches and umpires
• Comprehensive insurance coverage – Personal
Accident, Public Liability
As this is the first year, only three representative teams will be
selected. These teams will travel away to Netball carnivals
throughout the year. The three teams being selected are: 13
yrs (Born 1998), 15 yrs (Born 1997, 1996) and 17yrs (Born
1995, 1994). Training sessions will be held in Roma on
Wednesday afternoons from 4pm – 6pm.
Trials will be held Wednesday 16 th February at the Roma
Recreation Centre starting at 4:30 pm. Trials are open to
all girls of an eligible age.
If selected please be aware that it is expected that you are
available to attend all training sessions and that you are aware
that there will financials outlays for uniform and travel costs.
*17yrs team will be required to play in the Thursday night ladies
competition at the Roma Recreation Centre
The association is seeking sponsorships to assist with the
purchasing of equipment and uniforms in addition to helping
with travel costs.
For further information, please direct enquiries to:
roma_district_netball_assoc@hotmail.com
South West Netball Development Clinic
Coaching clinic run by experienced Intermediate and Advanced
Level Coaches
Open to all girls aged 13-19 years
Saturday 19th February: 12noon to 5pm
Sunday 20th February: 8:30am - 12noon
Cost: $5 per day
Collect a nomination form from Miss Shaw at the Senior
Campus or Mr Clarke at the Middle Campus.
Nominations due Friday 11th February.
Further enquires to Rebecca Shaw,
rshaw49@eq.edu.au or 4620 4212

Active After School Care
Starting next week, Active After School is back! Send your
students along to get them involved in sport in a friendly and
non-competitive environment.
Day: Thursday afternoons starting 17 th February
Time: 3:15pm – 4:15pm
Venue: Roma Rec Centre
Sport: Netball
Cost: Nil
Afternoon tea is provided.
Any questions to Rebecca Shaw rshaw49@eq.edu.au
P&C - FEBRUARY 2011
Tuckshop
Tuckshop has commenced again this year.
Tuckshop days are:
Junior Campus – Monday & Wednesday;
Middle Campus – Tuesday & Thursday;
Senior Campus – Every day.
Tuckshop is prepared at the Senior Campus and delivered to
the other campuses. If you are able to help out for 2 hours once
a term or more often (approx 9.30am to 11.30am), please
telephone our Tuckshop Convenors Chris Beling or Susan
Rowbotham on 4620 4216. Mums, Dads & Grandparents are all
welcome at Tuckshop. Our Dads often take on the role of
counting the money and enjoying leftovers!
Our P&C
P & C membership is open to all parents & caregivers of
students attending the College.
Our AGM will be held in early March. Keep a look out in school
notices for details. Our committee meetings are held on the
second Tuesday of each month at 7pm at the Junior Campus
staff room. Meetings are normally finished by 8.30pm. New
members are most welcome. As Harry S Truman is quoted as
saying “Decisions are made by those who show up”.
If you would like more information please email Danielle at
knayers@bigpond.com
Roma & District Eisteddfod
Committee Inc will be holding its
AGM on Thursday 3 rd March 2011
at 5pm in the Roma Library,
Hawthorne St., Roma. All are most
welcome to attend.
Roma junior touch is starting on Monday 14.2.2011,
so come join the fun. All age groups are welcome to
have fun, learn the rules and play the game from
under 8’s to under12’s. It’s located along at the
Eastern end of Bungil Street. Starts each Monday at
5:00pm and ends at 6:00pm. So come along be active
have fun and you might even find some new friends.
Remember to bring some water & slip, slop, slap.
Any parents that have some skills in touch are most
welcome to attend and assist. Older kids wishing to
play need to contact Shane FERRY about joining a
team.
PAT PAT PAT THE THE THE GARDNER
GARDNER
If you want Green Waste Removed,
Wipper Snipping and General Gardening
Maintenance
Call Pat on 0429 150 306