Tag: The Gap SHS

The Gap SHS Alumn Shines as Next Origin Star

Did you know that Angus Hinchey, a graduate of The Gap SHS, is one of over two dozen shining young athletes being moulded as future Origin stars?

Read: The Gap SHS Student Among 2022 Creative Generation Excellence Award in Visual Art Recipients

Angus and 29 other athletes converged in Brisbane in early February 2023 to start their training with a new coach, former Maroons hooker Matt Ballin. The emerging Origin stars are going to prepare for their games with New South Wales. According to QRL, the dates and venues for these matches have yet to be announced. 

Angus, described as an understated but aggressive player who can play either back row, lock or centre, is the son of South Sydney’s James Hinchey, a former Redcliffe premiership winner. James is also the strategy chief of the NRL and was coaching his son when Angus was 12 years old. 

Now 19, Angus was part Wests Mitchelton and Wests Panthers in Bardon and grew up a fan of Roosters thunderbolt forward Victory Radley. He told QRL that he takes a lot of inspiration from the way Radley “moves the ball and uses his forwards.” The impressionable teen also loves his idol’s fun-loving personality.

The young athlete currently belongs to the Melbourne Storm Academy, playing Second Row/Lock. He played with the Norths Devils U18 in 2022 and clinched a spot for the 2022 QLD U18 Emerging Squad.  

The Gap State High School Cuts Maths & Science Classes

Despite the school administration’s best efforts, one of the largest high schools in Brisbane, The Gap State High School, had to cut its maths and sciences classes due to a shortage of teachers. 

Read: Snake Catcher Uses Hairdryer to Capture Python in The Gap

Parents of the students of the school on Waterworks Road were informed in late May 2021 that their children could attend before or after school tutorials in place of actual classes in maths and sciences as they’ve been experiencing an overwhelming number of teachers with “unforeseen medical and health conditions.” 

In 2021 alone, at least six science teachers took charge of the classes at The Gap State High School, which has been an unusual turnover. 

Principal Anne McLauchlan also informed the parents that they are “struggling to recruit suitable staff,” a problem that of late has not been unique to the school.

According to Queensland Teachers’ Union president Cresta Richardson, there has been a shortage of maths, science and specialised STEM teachers across the regional schools, especially for educational institutions with a large student body such as The Gap SHS.

Ms Richardson also explained that whilst school officials carefully carry out the planning, teaching and assessments every term, the schools will still need to be resourced appropriately. Sontract teachers are another challenge altogether, however, especially if they have to go on leaves because of a medical issue.

To help address the shortage, the State Government has launched paid internship program called Turn to Teaching. The program is open to professionals who want to change careers and consider getting their teaching qualifications. The program hopes to bring in 300 people, who could become permanently employed as teachers.  

Read: 20 Kinds of Beer at The Blind Tiger in The Gap