Our school

Parent Partners

There are many ways in which parents may assist their students.

Including the particular instances listed below, the administration and staff of Pioneer State High School value highly the interest parents and guardians take in their children's school life - the programs they follow, the work they do, the friends they make, the teachers who teach them and the extra-curricular activities in which they take part.

 

We urge and most sincerely invite you to take a keen interest in your student(s).  It will help them and us tremendously as we all continue to encourage good habits such as punctuality, neat appearance, appropriate language, completing effective homework, good study habits and responsibility for equipment.

 

Parent Assistance.

Parents are encouraged to visit the school to discuss a student's progress or any problems that may arise.  We request parents telephone the school office on 4955 9222 to make an appointment to see any of the following staff:

·      Principal or Deputy Principals

·      Individual teachers

·      Care Teachers

·      Year Co-ordinators

·      Guidance Officer

·      Other personnel

It is advisable to arrange an interview in advance so that information can be gathered relating to the particular student.

 

Communication With Parents.

Parents are given an insight into the day to day operation of the school every second Friday through our fortnightly newsletter, "Pioneering". Parent interview evenings are held following the issue of reports early in Terms 2 and 4.       

 

Voluntary Assistance.

Many parents of Pioneer High have enjoyed joining teachers to improve the opportunities offered to our students.  There are several areas where voluntary help would be much appreciated.  Please contact the school if you are able to give a small amount of your time to any of the following areas:

·  Canteen (weekly, monthly or on call).  Phone convenor, Linda Lamont on 4955 9249 from 9.00am – 2.00pm.;

·  Library - cataloguing, putting books away, covering new books;

·  Subject Areas - filing, collating, preparing charts, typing (at home or school);

·  Assisting with sporting activities;

·  Providing help with lunchtime activities or after school;

·  Assisting with school musical, bands, and choir;

·  Tutoring during class time or after school.

 

We are eager to access the wide variety of skills which exist amongst our parents. If you can give us any time to help with our students' education, please phone 4955 9222.

 

Membership of Parents’ & Citizens’ Association.

All parents are encouraged to attend these meetings.  They are held in the Administration Block’s Common Room on the second Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm. We welcome parental participation in all P&C activities – these are advertised via the school’s fortnightly newsletter. 

 

The P&C operates the school’s Canteen, five days per week.  P&C fundraising has previously been centred on providing air-conditioning under the Cooler Schools program.

 

School Council.

The School Council is comprised of four parents, four staff and four students.  It meets each term to

            (a)     approve the school’s strategic plans and accountability documents;

            (b)     monitor the progress of the school’s strategic directions

and       (c)     advise the Principal on strategic matters.

 

The Council is the chief decision-making body in determining the strategic directions of the school, and a key element in the school's democratic processes.

 

Provision of Resources.

All subject area booklets, handouts/worksheets, audio visual materials, textbooks, class sets, most Manual Arts, Home Economics, Computing, Science, Film and Television and Art materials required will be provided by the Resource Scheme for students participating in the scheme.  Full details are available in a separate brochure attainable from the General Office.

 

The cost of entry to the scheme from 2007 will be $150 per student, for all year levels.

 

No textbooks are supplied to secondary school students by Education Queensland.  However, the government does provide a Textbook Allowance.  The allowance in 2005 is:

                                      Years 8 - 10:           $92.00

                                      Years 11 & 12:       $203.00                          

                                     

Under arrangements, the school, with the approval of the P&C, has requested bulk payment of this allowance directly to the school.  This, together with the Resource Scheme payment of $150 per student will enable the school to provide many resources.  This represents a substantial saving to parents, both in dollars and in time purchasing resources.

 

Financial Assistance.

Some students may be eligible to apply for Youth Allowance.  Details are available from the school’s:

·    Guidance Officer

·    Community Education Counsellor for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

 

Forms are available from any Centrelink Office.  You may also get assistance from the Community Education Counsellor based at the school. 

 

Additionally students may obtain information and applications from the Centrelink Office, Government Centre Corner (156) Victoria and Gregory Streets, Mackay, 4740.  Telephone 132 317.

 

DEST requirements for absences are as follows:

 

If you are absent from school for more than five (5) days in a term and these absences have not been approved by your school, you will not receive Youth Allowance for any unapproved absence after the first five days.  In addition, a penalty period of 14 days, (for which you lose benefits) applies each term to students with unapproved absences of more than five days in a term.

 

Homework.

Parents should encourage students to try to do homework in this order:

1. Do one easy subject first.

2. Do the difficult subjects next.

3. Finish all other homework.

Homework study sessions should consist of:

1. Reading through the day's notes and re-doing exercises completed in class to ensure understanding.  Make note of any problems and ask teachers for assistance.

2. Completing set homework.

3. Spending some time on assignments.

4. Extra study for tests.

If students organise themselves and effectively use homework times there will be no need to cram for examinations or to stress out under assignment pressure.

 

How Parents Can Help ...

Children, like adults, will ask for help with difficult problems.  Many parents find it rewarding to share some homework problems, but they must resist the temptation to do it all for the child.   Here are some  suggestions about how much to help at home.

• Show interest in what your student is learning.  Talk about it, ask questions.

• Provide a place and time for homework/study each night.

• Accentuate the positive.  A child who is well thought of will often live up to expectations.  Do not have unreal expectations.  Many talents take time to appear.

• See that your student has sufficient sleep.

• Keep homework in perspective - as only one activity among others, including some physical.

• Don't pressure your child's teacher for the same kinds of homework you remember from your school days.  Valuable learning can take place by experiences other than performing repeated textbook exercises.