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This week is SSO week and I would like to publicly acknowledge and thank all of the SSO’s in our school who care so much about our students and school. We appreciate the extra time and care they take, from maintaining our grounds and the farm, providing administration and finance support to working with our students in the classrooms. Thank you!
Last week we welcomed the year 6 students from our feeder schools for their first transition visit and from the positive comments we had from students and staff the activities were very enjoyable and provided an excellent opportunity for them to meet students from the other schools and get some hands on experiences at high school. We are looking forward to having the year 7’s visit next Thursday for a similar day of activities.
Currently there are an extraordinarily large number of excursions, camps, activities happening that have been organised previously and have been shuffled around due to changing restrictions. We are aware students may be feeling overwhelmed with various commitments but we do ask that students inform teachers well in advance if they are no longer able to commit to voluntary activities. This is especially important when withdrawals can impact the feasibility of an event.
This Sunday our show team are heading to Kadina Show with the cattle and goats. Despite the Royal Adelaide Show being cancelled the Merino Wether competition is still going ahead. We wish them all the best and appreciate the support of parents in transporting students.
Parent survey
You’re invited to complete the 2021 annual parent survey, which is now open.
On Monday 2 August you would have received an email or SMS from the Parent Survey Team with a unique link to participate in the survey. If you did not receive an email or SMS with your unique survey link, please contact education.ParentSurvey@sa.gov.au and include our school’s name in your email.
The survey takes less than 10 minutes and will help us understand:
- what we’re doing well
- where we can improve
- what’s important to you.
It has been coordinated centrally so that added administration workload isn't placed on the school.
Your answers will not identify you or your child. Only collated feedback will be provided to our school. Information collected will inform school improvement planning and activities at the school.
The survey closes 5pm Sunday 29 August.
Principal - Tyler Hogan
Congratulations to the following students for their Term 2 awards.
Overall Academic Achievement GPA
STUDENT | YEAR | STUDENT | YEAR |
Elisabeth Court-Demell | 8 | Isaac Smart | 8 |
Sataya Spencer | 8 | Hanna Woodlands | 8 |
Liam Coe | 8 | Max Pedler | 8 |
Aisa Brand | 8 | Laura Rackham | 8 |
Caryn Yaba | 9 | Chloe Crawford | 9 |
Cooper Seidel | 9 | Francis Venning | 8 |
Jaxon Brand | 10 | Luke Hansen | 10 |
Lillie Shepherdson | 11 | Luke Hombsch | 11 |
Tealia Spencer | 11 | Bella Zwar | 11 |
Baiden Wilsdon | 12 | Casey Cleggett | 12 |
Chelsea Hombsch | 12 | Ethan Hogan | 12 |
Jackson Barberien | 12 | Tanisha-Jaye Wakefield | 12 |
Outstanding Academic Awards - Subjects Year 8
Elisabeth Court-Demell | Aleesha Nitschke | Isaac Smart |
Sataya Spencer | Hanna Woodlands | Jonah Amey |
Liam Coe | Eliza Heinrich | Haylee Magnay |
Max Pedler | Chloe Raffen | Nicki Zander |
Outstanding Academic Awards - Subjects Year 9
Bridie Anderson | Asia Brand | Max Pedler |
Ryan Fountain | Will Griffin | Tate Nettle |
Laura Rackham | Caryn Yaba | Benjamin Whitehorn |
Chloe Crawford | Lily Emms | Hailey Hodgson |
Cooper Seidel | Francis Venning | Layla Willsmore |
Outstanding Academic Awards - Subjects Year 10
Jaxon Brand | Alana Bunting | Ammelia Chapman |
Connor Cowin | Luke Hansen | Matilda Heinrich |
Oscar Pedler | Mark Richards | Lillie Shepherdson |
Max Smart | Samuel Steele |
Angus Gilby | Luke Hombsch | Mackenzie Myers |
Samuel Shepherdson | Tealia Spencer | Lara Zanker |
Bella Zwar |
Tanisha- Jay Wakefield | Chelsea Hombsch | Ethan Hogan |
Casey Cleggett | Jackson Barberien | Charlie Heinrich |
Jesse Harslett | Caleb Chapman-McInerney | Baiden Wilsdon |
Elisabeth Court-Demell | Hayden Laird |
Thomas Redden | Liam Coe |
Haylee Magnay | Amelia Barberien |
John Brock | Hailey Hodgson |
Cooper Seidel | Will Crawford |
Jackson Barberien | Casey Cleggett |
Ashley Hodgson | Kaden Magnay |
Tanisha-Jaye Wakefield | Isaac Willsmore |
Baiden Wilsdon |
- Year 12 - Jackson Barberien
- Year 11 - Samuel Shepherson
- Year 10 - Mark Richards
- Year 9 - John Brock
- Year 8 - Isaac Smart
Middle School Coordinator - Kate Seidel
One of the Year 10 Science classes has just begun studying the topic "The Universe". Throughout this topic the class will look at concepts related to stars, the cosmos and the theories that outline the origin of the universe. Focus items include, how a star’s brightness can be measured from Earth (apparent magnitude) and also measured to compare stars and account for the varying distance from Earth (absolute magnitude) which is measured in light-years. The different stages and features of a star’s life-cycle and a number of nebulae (star nurseries). Students will look at emission spectra from distant galaxies and using the amount of red shift observed, form a model to predict the approximate age of the universe.
An introductory activity that was completed in class recently was a Developments in Astronomy timeline. Students were provided with 15 different images and 15 different event descriptions, ranging from 5000 years ago to 1991. Events needed to be matched to the corresponding image and a timeline constructed, the extension task featured eight additional brief event descriptions (without a date) which needed to be placed within the existing events of the timeline. Some notable events that featured in the timeline were;
4000 years ago – Stonehenge may have been designed as an astronomical instrument. It lines up roughly with the position of the rising sun on the longest day of the year (summer solstice)
1054 AD Chinese and Arab astronomers recorded the explosion of a supernova. It was so bright that it shone five times more brightly than Venus and could even be seen in the daytime! The remains of that explosion have formed the Crab nebula.
1543 AD – Nikolai Copernicus proved that the Sun is at the centre of the universe.
1925 AD – Edwin Hubble used the 100 inch (2.5m) telescope to show that there are numerous galaxies beyond the Milky Way and that the universe is expanding; leading to the ‘Big Bang’ theory of how the universe was created.
1969 AD – Armstrong & Aldrin walked on the moon. A year later a robotic Soviet space probe returned from the moon. This was one of the first of many probes to be sent to explore the solar system.
1990 AD – The first detailed images of distant galaxies were seen. We can now see 14 billion light years into the universe.
Science Teacher - Emma Kerr
Last week our Transition Program started with the current Year 6 students from Gladstone Primary School, Laura Primary School, Crystal Brook Primary School and St Joseph’s Parish School visiting us on Wednesday.
The students remained mostly with their current classes and were supported by their primary school teachers. They participated in an Agriculture lesson with Miss Wright, getting to know the ag block and brushing the goats in preparation for the show. Miss McAllister ran a colourful Art/Science lesson exploring paint splatter. All Year 6 students came to together for a PE session in the Gym with Mr Norton, Mr Hussle and Mr Gillard – the teachers were as active and passionate at the students in a full-court indoor soccer match!
The weather wasn’t terribly kind to us with rain at break times changing our plans a little, but it was lovely to see the Year 6 students catching up with past students from their primary schools… and even some older siblings or cousins!
We have received some lovely phone calls and emails from the Primary Schools involved and I would like to thank the Gladstone High School teachers who planned and ran these sessions with so much enthusiasm for our school. We can’t wait to do it all again next week with the current Year 7s.
Kate Seidel – Middle School Coordinator
Year 8
In Design and Technology this term Year 8 students are developing their basic skills by building a mini toolbox from plywood. Students learn how to accurately measure and cut pieces so that they fit together accurately. They also use CAD software to create a 3Dmodel of their project.
Year 9
Students are taking on a tricky challenge to construct a Storage Stool. The stool has many parts all of which need to be very carefully cut and fitted together to ensure that the stool is strong enough to sit on. Students follow a design but can be creative by using timber off cuts to design their own top. They also will be modelling their products using CAD.
Year 11
Students complete skills tasks as part of their SACE assessment before beginning their major product. Woodwork students have made small boxes with complex joints and their own design of lid while Metalwork students have made “Rocket Stoves” which are mini portable cookers. Have each made their own modifications to the basic design.
Year 12
Students are at the critical stage of their SACE with only a few weeks remaining to complete their projects and folios. There are some very challenging and unique designs taking shape and while none are quite finished as yet we look forward to seeing the completed products over the next few weeks. Only Austin has completed his arbor which he will give to his grandmother as a gift. The design incorporates images of Dutch windmills and tulips which reflect her home country Holland.
Design & Technology Teacher - Toby Cocks
On Tuesday 17 August, we were lucky enough to have Ash Manuel from Growing with Gratitude join us to run a session with Year 8, 9 and 10’s. After school, Ash also went through a session with the staff at GHS. We are all looking forward to engaging more in this program.
The Growing with Gratitude session was an amazing experience and was a fun lesson. -Sataya
During Growing with Gratitude we played volley ball with a blanket as a team building activity. We also talked through who you can talk to, how you can be happy and how to make people feel included. I really enjoyed this lesson because of volleyball. -Elisabeth
In Growing with Gratitude we learnt about making people feel part of a community and how we can do that ourself. We learnt to put ourselves into others shoes and how we would feel if it was us that was getting excluded or being bullied. We did a team building exercise with a blanket and one person holds a corner each and they had to throw and catch a ball using the blanket. It was a great experience and we all had fun. -Isaac
In Growing with Gratitude we got to play a game called blanket volleyball it was good I wish it was a double lesson.-Skye
Wellbeing Coordinator - Kate Cameron
Last week the Stage 1 and 2 Outdoor Education class undertook an outdoor bushwalk from Mambray Creek to Melrose. The camp required us to successfully walk through a variety of different environments and terrains under indirect supervision. We applied our planning, leadership skills, risk and safety management and environmentally sustainable strategies suitable for the location. The camp allowed us to put our navigational skills to practise when walking on and off-track and challenged our physical and mental capability when travelling long distances and during up-hill trails. The trip was successful as we were able to work collaboratively as a team and further explore the outdoor environment. Special thank you to Mr Bartlett, Mrs Hogan, Mrs Gaunt and Steve for organising and participating in the journey.
Casey Cleggett
On Thursday, August 12th, 12 students made their way to Kadina to play Knockout Hockey. The team was filled with a combination of experienced hockey players and some newbies with the hopes of recruitment to our local hockey club. Our first game we played against the YP team, where we saw Francis Venning and Bodi Freer score 2 amazing goals, our first game unfortunately ended 4-2 down. Our second game started off quick, playing against Kadina, we put up a good fight and had a lot of strong attacks and held a strong defence but unfortunately went down 9-0. Despite being a mixed team, everybody played amazingly and worked as a team extremely well.
Big special thank you to Nicola for her assistance with transport and Mr Bosch and Ali Gulin for the amazing coaching and umpiring.
Emily Samuel - Year 12
On Thursday the 12th of August, the years 8 and 9 students participated in the 5-aside soccer tournament accommodated by Booleroo. Throughout the day, students competed against the schools within the MNSEC district. The two out of our three boys’ teams prevailed against the rest of the competitors and reached the Grand Final, GHS 2 coming out on top. Although the girls’ teams did not claim victory, each team reached a final, competing with their greatest efforts. All students had great spirits during the day, and would like to recognise thanks to all organisers, including the appreciated volunteering year 10 coaches.
Caryn Yaba, Asia Brand & Laura Rackham
FINAL REMINDER
Material & Services charge for 2021 were due for payment by end of Term 1. Final date for payment is FRIDAY 26th AUGUST 2021.
Thank you to those families who have already paid.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you wish to discuss a payment plan.
Attached is information regarding School Card eligibility.
Finance Officer - Sue Foulis
We are still looking for volunteers to lend a hand in the canteen. If you are able to spend a few hours on a Thursdays or Friday on Week 9 - 17/9/2021 and Week 10 - 24/9/2021.
We appreciate any help to keep our canteen open to our students at GHS, Gladstone ans Laura Primary. Please contact the front office on 8662 2171.
NOTICEBOARD