Welcome to the start of term 4 which for QACI is the start of a new annual cycle as I outlined in my last news update of last term.
This week has been very uplifting for us as a community as our graduating class presented their final visual arts exhibition and film showing. To put it succinctly the works were amazing. Please take the opportunity to spend some time in our gallery and you will understand. Below I have included the raw thoughts of a current student and also that of a graduate from last year which not only reinforces my very biased opinion but also gives an insight into the culture of collaboration and mutual support at QACI.
“To all of the grade 12 art students,
Thank you so much for the amazing art show last night. Your talent and creativity was inspiring to myself and I am sure to the whole school. I am grateful to you for sharing a little bit about yourselves through the art form in which you are passionate for and work so hard at. The skill and technique that you all put into your art blew me away and i envy your creative spark and originality.
Last nights display was very inspiring for me, as it was obvious from the speeches and the little presentation of flowers for Mrs. Hobdell that you are a tight bunch of artists who work incredibly hard and are passionate about what you do. I wish I could do what you guys do it is so cool.
Hope you all achieve the grades that you want, you deserve them. “
“First of all I'd like to say that Cinematica 09 was brilliant tonight, I thought everyone did an amazing job, it really made me miss the inspiring atmosphere QACI always had for me. I was in tears during your reflection and I hardly know why, probably something to do with the fact that most people in the real world aren't as amazing as QACI people, and don't think the same way, and I miss that alot.”
For our year 12 Cohort the film showing is quite symbolic as it is the last of their involvement in the creative and performance components of their time at QACI and their IB course. What remains now are only exams.
Whether it has been music recitals, independent theatre productions, visual arts or film the consistent theme that has run across all fields is the ability of students, under the dedicated mentorship of their teachers, to explore new ground and push boundaries by taking risks with their knowledge and skills. I cannot underestimate the dedication and absolute commitment that both student and teacher have put into their endeavour. The message I have repeatedly heard at every single culminating, creative group 6 subject event is how much the student has grown not only as a creative practioner but as a young adult. A young adult ready to make their path in the world. When I reflect on our vision for this community and our graduate attributes this makes me very proud. Our year 10 and 11 students do not have to look far for inspiration or reason why the challenge is worthwhile.
Credit to year 11
Sometimes the middle child of a family may be perceived to not necessarily be the focus. The same could possibly be said of year 11. Much attention is given to the entering cohort and equally so the graduating cohort. I would like to take a few lines to sing the praises of my year 11. Within a very busy and demanding environment they are continuing to be totally reliable and focussed. They are also delivering some great outcomes. Last term I spoke of their results on the English ICAS test. In the mathematics version, which is not necessarily the strong point of our students, this cohort still managed to achieve above the Queensland all schools mean. On Thursday they were required to submit their extended essay proposals. There was a 99% positive response and the quality and precision with which they did this was something that made me incredibly proud. Some of the topics are so interesting it will be great to see them unfold.
It was also noticeable that over the last two nights of exhibitions it was the year 11 who were out in force supporting their year 12 peers so they are really exemplifying the sense of the goose .
This group are providing a fantastic role model to their year 10 colleagues.
Does education in the arts transfer to seemingly unrelated cognitive abilities?
Researchers are finding evidence that it does. Michael Posner argues that when children find an art form that sustains their interest, the subsequent strengthening of their brains’ attention networks can improve cognition more broadly. Read more http://www.dana.org/news/cerebrum/detail.aspx?id=23206
National Assessment Program - Civics and Citizenship Trial in October 2009.
On the 22 October two of our year 10 classes will participate in a trial of the assessment items and procedures that will be used for the assessment of Civics and Citizenship in October 2010. The assessment will include multiple choice, short response and extended response items. It will also include a short survey collecting information about attitudes and beliefs, as well as participation in civics and citizenship activities. In total, the assessment and survey will take no more than two hours. No prior study of civics and citizenship is required. The assessment will focus on civics knowledge and understanding and the skills and values needed for active citizenship. Active citizenship promotes students as active and informed citizens with an understanding and appreciation of Australia’s system of government and civic life.
Fees for 2010
As you may be aware the Annual academies fee is set to CPI. Under the Education and Training Legislation Amendment regulation (no.1) 2009 the Annual program fee for 2010 will be $1681. As per the P&C meeting for August the text hire and resource scheme fee for 2010 will be $275.Information and the relevant documents will be sent home with all existing students later in the term.
Term 4 Fees are now due.
Please note that payments for Term 4 fees are now due.
Payment may be made via Cash / Cheque / Credit Card or Direct Credit:
Account Name Queensland Academy for Creative Industries
Account No 1035 4466
BSB 064 102
Bank and Branch Commonwealth Bank, 230 Waterworks Road, Ashgrove.
If you pay directly into the account please make sure that there is a very clear message attached to it.
If you are unsure of the amount still owing or you wish to pay by Credit Card please contact Client Services on 3552 9333.
If you have already paid the fees please disregard this notice. Thank you to those who have paid their fees and you should have received your receipts already. It would be appreciated if all amounts owing could be finalised by Friday 23rd October 2009.
Thank you in anticipation,
The Client Services Staff.
Last chance for 2010
Students interested in entering Year 10 in 2010 at either the Queensland Academy for Health Sciences or the Queensland Academy for Creative Industries have until 19 October to register for the entry test. Visit the Queensland Academies website @ www.qldacademies.eq.edu.au to register for the QAHS Open Day on 13 October, or ring Lindy Warhurst on 3377 9335 for more information.
Oh yes we can!
Blissfullife on Youtube says we can’t get 3000 viewings by 19 October, but I think we can. Have you and yours seen the Queensland Academies pop video clip? Click ‘Queensland Academies’ on YouTube and pass it on.
WOULD YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER BENEFIT FROM THE INFLUENCE OF A SMART ‘BROTHER OR SISTER?’
Academy families are the best place families for understanding and supporting the high achieving Queensland Academies’ students. Could you give another student who does not live in Brisbane the opportunity to achieve their potential by attending the academy?
The Queensland Academies are looking for home stay families to place their students in 2010. The Year 10 to 12 students are either from regional areas and need a home for 7 days-a-week during school terms, or they live outside of
Brisbane or the Gold Coast and need a home from Monday afternoon to Friday morning. Each home stay is a paid arrangement.
All you need to participate is a spare single, secure room with storage space, a bed, desk, chair and a secure bathroom. You will need to provide access to laundry facilities and three nutritious meals per day. Home stay families are required to apply for a Blue Card with the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (Queensland Academies will assist with this application).
Please phone Lindy on 3377 9335 or email: lindy.warhurst@deta.qld.gov.au
Email advice for students leaving school at the end of Term 4
At the end of Term 4, all school-provided email accounts will close for Year 12 students and other students who are leaving the state school system.
Please ensure your child is aware that their school-provided email account will not work beyond the end of the school year and that they should ensure that they provide a personal email address to prospective employers or educational institutions.
This is especially important for students enrolling in further education or training using the QTAC, TAFE or other online system.
Emails will bounce if sent to a student’s school-provided account after the end of term and students may miss out on confirming their enrolment into their chosen course of study.
Upcoming Events
14/10 Term 3 reports issued to year 10 and 11
17/10 Year 11 YES (semi-formal ) benefit
17/10 Queensland Music festival choral competition
19 /10 Pupil free day
23 October – ASPIRE – QACI awards night
26 October – Free dress Pink Day for cancer
26 October – year 12 SWOTVAC week commences
29 October – year 10 Theatre performance 7.00pm
30 October – year 10 Theatre performance 7.00pm
3 November – year 12 Formal IB exams commence (run until 20 October)
