Harmony Day at Keebra

Harmony Day, which was held here at Keebra Park on 23rd March was instigated by the Council for Multicultural Australia which has a strong commitment to multiculturalism and sees Harmony Day as an opportunity for Australians to celebrate Australia’s success as a harmonious and culturally diverse nation.

With one student from each of the 38 different countries and cultural backgrounds represented at Keebra holding the name and flag of his or her country, it was clear to all that Keebra is the most multicultural school on the Gold Coast; something we are very proud of.

ANZAC DAY 2008

The Keebra Park State High School Anzac ceremony was held in the Activity Centre on 24th April. The ceremony is viewed as a very important part of the school year and is treated as an extremely solemn occasion. The seriousness with which the students responded was a credit to the young people involved. The school band, vocal group and school leaders were very polished in their roles and supported Scott Hewish’s moving rendition of “A Hard Rain is Gonna Fall”. The presentation of “We are Australian” was also a very special moment. I thank the group of young females who presented a touching performance of the New Zealand national anthem. Thanks must go to Mr Chris South for his poignant presentation of visual images from World War One and to Mr Pete Stevens for his technical support. Thanks also to Ms Carolyn Bourn for all of her hard work with the band and vocal group!
As co-coordinator of the ceremony, I was pleased to talk to many students the following week who had been inspired and attended Anzac services.

Emma South

KEEPING IT ON THE RAILS

With the celebrity status that today’s sportsmen and women enjoy, they have become the focus of increased media attention. Both on and off the field they are constantly under scrutiny and it is important that they are equipped to deal with this sometimes sudden status.
A man who has achieved at the highest levels in Rugby League for club, State and Country and who always presents himself impeccably is Origin legend Steve Renouf. In July this year and in conjunction with Queensland Rail, Keebra Park was lucky enough to host Steve as he spoke to out footballers about the demands and expectations that go along with belonging to an elite programme.

Steve told the boys that when he first joined the Brisbane Broncos, Wayne Bennet had told him that from now on he was representing the team whenever he was in public and not only when he was playing, and this was something he had worked on maintaining. He spoke of how being identifiable as a member of any team, whether it be The Broncos or Keebra Park, meant that the public form opinions about you and it was easy for those opinions to be negative. He also spoke of how bad behaviour in public is not a cultural thing it is a personal choice and that we as people are responsible for those choices.

Steve was well received and fielded questions from the boys on how to make sure that they presented a positive image of themselves and their school and also a few questions regarding his long career. After the session Steve took the squad down to the oval and imparted a few of the secrets that earned him his “Black Pearl” nickname.

The school would like to thank Steve for spending the time on what has become a very hot topic in a time of intense media scrutiny.

On April 29, Keebra hosted our first ever Primary Schools Dance Challenge. Our Dance Team ‘hit the road’ earlier in the year travelling to local schools to promote the competition, run workshops and showcase our talents. Teams from Southport, Ashmore and Benowa State Schools participated and enjoyed a fantastic day filled with workshops and lots of fun. Congratulations must go to our Dance Team members who conducted the Hip Hop and Contemporary workshops, helped with costumes and makeup and prepared their teams for the final performance and judging.
Mrs South and Robert Lipar were entertaining as judges and co-hosts and Ashmore State School were the proud trophy winners. The girls all enjoyed their taste of high school. Well done Miss Miller, Jaimi, Sharni, Kimberley, Hayley, Brittany and Larissa. We hope that this will become an annual event.

Twilight Concert

Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Mrs Emma South on her selection as the Keebra Park State High School Teacher of the Year nomination. We are all very proud of Emma's work.