Filter Content
Our first exam for the year 12’s will be on Monday and we wish all of our students the very best for these as they finish these final tasks over the next few weeks. The staff thoroughly enjoyed the breakfast provided by the students last Friday and it was a lovely opportunity to exchange tokens of appreciation between students and staff.
Next Thursday (4th November) we will have our final Student Free Day for the year. The focus of the day will be the development of the Site Improvement Plan for 2022-2024. Thank you to the parents who have responded to the survey to help in the development of the school vision.
We can confirm Ali Gulin will be returning in 2022 to continue in the front office. We are continuing to finalise our staffing for next year and have started the process of organising class structures and subject offerings for 2022. With the Year 7’s joining us next year there has certainly been some extra planning underway with new furniture and equipment ordered. Over the last couple of weeks Kate Seidel and I have had a chance to visit most of the feeder schools and chat to the students who will be starting here next year. Their level of excitement and the questions they have asked have been very insightful and exciting. We look forward to their last formal visits on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd December. We will also be hosting a transition evening on Wednesday 24th November for parents of Year 6 and 7’s to come in and meet staff and have a tour if they haven’t already.
The canteen is still seeking volunteers for the remainder of the year. Even if you can only come in for one day please let us know.
Tyler Hogan - Principal
'What feels like the end is often the beginning'
What a year it has been!
A wonderful morning of celebrations for staff with our year 12 school leavers on Friday of week 2. An amazing spread put on by the students with the works from bacon and eggs to pancakes and fruit platters and of course coffee.
GHS's class of 2021 have achieved many great things this year and overcome so many obstacles. All of the hard work and the countless hours of study and the sleepless nights have paid off.
This is just the beginning, and we wish all our year 12's the best of luck with exams and their final assessments in the coming weeks and all their future endeavours.
We look forward to seeing you all at the year 12 formal on the 3rd of December and at the 2021 presentation night on the 6th December.
Tamisha Roberts - Yr. 12 Homegroup Teacher
On the 13th of October the year 10 outdoor Ed class went on a 2-day sailing trip to Port Augusta aquatics centre to learn how to sail and apply our planning and preparation skills (Mr. Bartlett forgot the Trangia’s). We had strong winds throughout both days and rain on the second day. When we arrived at the grounds we were greeted by Simon, Steve and Emily the instructors that would teach us everything we need to know to be able to set sailing. After we were taught about all the parts to the sail boat and what to do and what not to do, we went out to the shoreline and were showed how to set up the sailing boat. Due to the weather throughout both days when we were to set up the sail boat before going out we reefed the mainsail and shortened the jib because the wind was to strong we would’ve capsized.
The most enjoyable part of the trip was being on the water and catching speed and towards the end of the trip we did a single file line of all the boats where we sailed to the bridge and back. The most challenging part of the trip was when there was no wind meaning we wouldn’t move and was also traveling into the wind. Overall the experience was educational and fun.
Max Smart Yr. 10
MIDDLE SCHOOL PASTORAL CARE & GROWING WITH GRATITUDE
Every morning we have a dedicated 20 minute Home Group session where the focus is on Pastoral Care, including the Growing with Gratitude program. For our two Year 8 classes, Term 3 saw a focus on kindness, respect and consent. The two classes participated in some teamwork activities together and had our school captains Casey and Max speak with them about kindness and teamwork. We then consolidated the most important messages into a visual display called the “Kindness Tree”.
Made up of leaves containing examples of kindness students have experienced or have committed to try, the tree is on display in the Ag classroom as it is a space both classes use. We then added to the tree with examples of what consent and respect look like, sound like and feel like.
Why consent?
Usually thought of in connection to romantic relationships, consent is also closely linked to respectful friendships. We talked about how to ask a friend if they like their nickname, think a joke is funny or were happy to be tackled or tripped as part of game. Some great suggestions from students were:
“Is it ok?” “Was that funny?” “Do you mind when?” “Do you care if?”
Reporting vs dobbing
We have spoken with a number of students and parents about the little incidents that start off as jokes but become upsetting for the person involved. We have a strong culture of viewing these incidents as learning experiences and starting with a conversation, not a punishment. If we don’t know about them, we can’t do this. Reporting something or seeking help from an adult, myself or Mrs Cameron on how to talk to the other person about it is NOT dobbing. We would love to be able support students in maintaining their friendships and developing positive communication.
How can parents help?
Try these conversation starters about your child’s day:
- Who was kind to you today?
- How did you show kindness today?
- What was hard about today?
- Were you worried about anything today?
Your child might talk about other students, their teachers or their learning… but will hopefully share some of their feelings about their day!
Visit https://parents.au.reachout.com/ for some great information about the most common concerns parents have for their teens. And please – call or email the school if we can help!
Kate Seidel – Middle School Coordinator
Last week both Year 8 English classes teamed up to practice the debating techniques that we have been learning. Topics covered included:
- Zoo's should be banned
- The death penalty should be legal
- Everyone should be vegetarian
The students were judged by Mrs Cameron, Mr Hussell and Mr Gillard. We were all impressed with the passion that the students put into their debates, as well as their willingness to have a go at persuading the audience.
As English teachers, we were all so proud of the way our students used their new persuasive skills to convince the audience. It was lovely to see every single student participate.
We were all entertained!
Kate Cameron / Ben Hussell - English Teachers
Every year on the last day of term 3 as a school we hold a Fun Run. This year we went for a walk in the morning at Bundaleer Forest and then returned to school for a BBQ and then a Crazy Colour Day Fun Run to raise money to improve the school grounds including new sports equipment.
Students and teachers dressed in white and all gathered on the school oval for a run and to get sprayed in colour powder.
We had set a fundraising target as a school, in the end we didn’t quite reach our target raising a total of $1,776. Congratulations to Tahlia Hatswell who individually raised $548 and Shay Yates who raised a total of $223 and to Miss McAllister and Mr Cocks’ homegroup 8A who collectively raised $958.
Anyone who raised at least $10 gets to choose a prize. The more money raised, the better the prizes! Prizes have been ordered and will hopefully be here before we know it.
We would like to congratulate everyone who participated in this event, by fundraising, running in the colour run, taking photos or supporting their peers, it really is a great way to finish the term whilst also raising money to purchase some new sports equipment to begin the New Year.
Tamisha Roberts
MATERIAL & SERVICES CHARGES 2022
REMINDER NOTICE – GOVERNING COUNCIL MEETING 02/11/2021
The Materials & Services Charge 2022 has been proposed as follows;
Year 7 – Year 12 - $400.00
The charges will be tabled for approval at Governing Council meeting 02/11/2021 @ 7:00pm in the Gladstone High School Staffroom.
All parents/caregivers are invited (as per email sent 21/10/21) to attend if you wish to discuss the proposed fee. In lieu of attendance you are invited to express your views in writing to Governing Council Chairperson, Mrs Kathryn Hansen prior to meeting.
Please RSVP for attendance to meeting by Monday 01/11/2021.
Sue Foulis - Finance Officer
SOUTHERN FLINDERS NETBALL CLUB AGM
Monday 8th November 2021
At the Gladstone Stadium at 7:30p.m
All welcome to attend to start the 2022 season.
NOTICEBOARD