11 August 2016

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Have you ever seen or heard sayings like

"you have to be in it to win it"
"80% of success is showing up"
"attend today: achieve tomorrow"
"you can't have million dollar dream with a minimum wage work ethic"
"I want to hire employees who arrive late" – "said no boss ever"?

If you have, I am certain you would agree the common thread here is attendance and effort. Attendance at school is no different, in fact in many ways it is more important, because this is where we lay the foundations for future patterns of behaviour.

It is vital that as an educational community we agree that EVERY SCHOOL DAY MATTERS and we do our absolute best to ensure that every day our students come to school prepared and willing to learn and be involved.

The attendance at Gladstone High School has been identified as an area requiring improving. The state target is 95%; in 2015 we averaged 87%! This is concerning.

To meet the state minimum attendance, students would need to have less than 2 ½ days absent each term. The 87% average meant that last year students were absent approximately 6 ½ days per term, in a year that is 26 school days or 5 weeks of school!

The data and research related to attendance and achievement is startling, but mostly common sense. In order to learn, students need to be at school.

Over the coming weeks we will trial a change to our attendance process that may mean you will receive a phone call from me or another member of staff asking why your student is away.

We understand that sometimes there are legitimate and unavoidable reasons for absence, including illness, medical appointments or unforseen family emergencies.

The reasons we are asking parents to re-think involve the social or non-urgent activities that we sometimes let slide.

The big picture needs to be considered and the significance of the impact of absence across a school year on overall achievement needs to be first and foremost in our thoughts when considering to go or not to go.

Kathleen Hoare
Principal

NATIONAL SCHOOL BOARDS (GOVERNING COUNCILS) WEEK

Week one was National School Boards Week – a time to acknowledge the significant contribution our Governing Council members – past and present – have made and continue to make to our community.

Our Governing Council

• Does make a difference to student achievement
• Is an integral part of the school community
• Undertakes a leadership role within our school
• Works in partnership with the Principal
• Are gatekeepers of the school's values
• Contributes skills and knowledge to decision making processes
• Provides overall governance to our wonderful school

For that we said THANKYOU at a HIGH TEA on Tuesday 2nd August, proudly prepared by our Year 11 Food and Hospitality students.

High Tea

THINK U KNOW TOPIC 6

Self-incrimination

Did you know that even if you post something under a screen name or a nickname, police may be able to figure out your identity by contacting the website or your internet service provider (ISP)? How posts on line can be used as evidence against you by reading the fact sheet below.

Remember nothing is ever completely private online, even after you have deleted it!

STAGE 1 AND STAGE 2 SUBJECT COUNSELLING

Last term, Year 10 and 11 students started the process of subject selection by completing an expression of interest in Year 11 and 12 subjects for 2017. We have used that information to narrow the list of subjects that we will offer and students will make their final selections from that list. This list will be sent home with students on Monday 22nd August.

In Week 5 of this term, students will make their final selections for their 2017 subjects. On Thursday 25th August, students and their parent/s will attend a 15-minute subject counselling interview with a panel consisting of two members of the Leadership Team. During the interview, students will discuss their intended education/career pathway beyond 2017 and show how the subjects that they have selected will help them to achieve this.

Subject Counselling Interviews will run from 9:00am until 6:00pm for 15 minutes. Please book your interview times online by using the (Book your appointment now) button or accessing:

Bookings will cease by COB on Tuesday 23rd August.

Normal lessons will run on Thursday 25th August and students will only come out of class for the time that is required to attend their interview.

Key Dates in Week 5:

• Monday 22nd August: Final 2017 subject line pattern sent home with students
• Tuesday 23rd August: Last day to book Subject Counselling Interviews
• Wednesday 24th August: SACE Information Evening (5 – 6pm)
• Thursday 25th August: Subject Counselling Interviews

CHANGE TO BAG LIMIT ON SCHOOL BUSES

There are restrictions on the size and nature of items that students can take on school buses due to DECD Transport Policy regulations. Large and/or heavy items cannot safely be transported by the bus. The Bus Code of Conduct that we sent home earlier this year stated that students were permitted to travel with only one school bag.

We have had a number of enquiries about whether this bag limit prevents students from bringing a separate bag with a change of clothes for PE or Ag lessons. Following clarification from the Transport Department, we are changing the bag limit to: Students are limited to travelling with items that are directly related to curriculum purposes and that fit under their bus seat.

This means that students can bring an extra bag with a change of clothes for PE or Ag lessons, if needed. Unfortunately, overnight bags, musical instruments and other large or bulky items continue to be items that cannot be transported on the bus. If students need to transport extra luggage to or from school for camps, or knockout sport, they will need to find a method other than the bus.

If you have any questions about buses, please feel free to contact me through the Front Office. I will be happy to make a time to speak with you about it.

Lisa Key - Deputy Principal

YEAR 8 IMMUNISATIONS – 3RD ROUND

The Year 8's will be receiving their 3rd dose of HPV & any missed vaccinations on Thursday September 15th.

SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION PRESENTATIONS

Aimee Goode from Country & Outback Health will be delivering a short Presentation 'Suicide Awareness & Prevention' to our Year 10, 11 and 12 students on Tuesday 23rd August. The presentation covers:

• Why Suicide happens
• Statistics
• Warning signs
• Risk Factors
• Protective Factors
• Key actions to help someone
• Help available

Presentations will occur as follows

• Year 12 at 1.10pm
• Year 11 at 1.50pm
• Year 10 at 2.30pm

As Student Counsellor I will be in attendance at all of these sessions. There will also be a Staff/Parent presentation occurring from 3.30-4pm on that day and I invite parents to attend this very informative and important Presentation by ringing the Front Office of the school to book in.

Kerrilyn Elmer - Student Counsellor

SWAT FOOTY COLOURS DAY

The SWAT team requests donations of premade cupcakes or cupcake packet mixture. Cakes will be sold on the 26th August on "Footy Colours Day" to raise money for the "Fight Cancer Foundation". All donations are appreciated.

SWAT Team

YEAR 10 CAREERS CAMP REPORT

The Year 10 career camp for 2016 began on the 26th July with students leaving on a Hanley's bus in the morning. We arrived at Adelaide and went to the train station to put $10 on our metro cards. We then went to Rundle Mall to decide our meeting area for the week. After some quick shopping we went to the train station to go to our first session which was MTA training centre. After learning for the first time how move on public transport we finally managed to get to MTA on time. It was a good session and it cleared things up about the automotive industry that I didn't have much idea about before. We learnt about all the opportunities and how we can get into the industry. We then made our way back to Rundle Mall then got back on the Hanley's bus to go back to Warradale camp. That night we went to Fresh Choice for tea.

The next day we caught a train back to the city and walked to GHD engineering in Victoria Square. Sadly the guide that was going to take us was called out to site so we went back to Rundle Mall and shopped for a few hours. After that we went out to ATEC (Adelaide Training and Employment Centre) for a tour of their training centre. I learnt a lot and was interested in some of the things they did there and considered them as careers. After that we made our way back to Rundle Mall then back to Warradale on the train. That night we had a BBQ for tea and Mrs Davis made some chocolate pudding for dessert.

On Thursday we went to Tonsley Tafe first. The complex there was pretty impressive and we all had a good time touring through it. After that we made our way to Adelaide Oval for our tour there. I really enjoyed that and especially liked kicking the footy in the change rooms and touring the scoreboard. After our tour it was time to do the "Amazing Race". And after a lot of "Amazing Race" and some over the phone directions from the teachers to a lost group we all ended up in the last checkpoint in Victoria square. That night we walked to Marion shopping centre and got tea in the food court, and then we had a few hours of shopping before catching a bus back to camp.

On our last day we went and had a very long tour of Flinders University. We walked around the campus and had a look at the opportunities available and the accommodation. We also did an engineering session where we made filters and a PE lesson where we made a game and played it. The tour was topped of with Subway supplied by the University. After that we made our way to the bus and got comfy for the trip home.

Jake Clements

JEANS FOR GENES DAY

On Friday the 5th of August, Gladstone High School took part in Jeans for Genes Day, raising a total of $145.80. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part. The money raised will go towards to Children's Medical Research Institute whose aim is to envisage a future without childhood disease. We as a school should be proud to have contributed to such a great cause.

Thank you,
The Student Leadership Team

ROAD AWARENESS PROGRAM

On Tuesday the 2nd of August, along with Jamestown Community School, the Year 11's attended the Road Awareness Program (RAP) held by the MFS. The program described the right and wrong ways to be safe on and around our roads, with quite graphic images and videos accompanying the road rules. Guest speaker Yani told us about his experience when he was struck by a drunk driver whilst riding his motorbike. He told us about his $6 million medical bill and his permanent vocal cord damage. The session was very shocking and informative and has inspired many of our students to be safer on and around our roads.

Phoebe Brice

Hi Peter,

Great to present to your well behaved students on Tuesday. The evaluation forms have been developed to help identify changes in attitude that can lead to changes in behaviours in the students as road users. The students nominate on the evaluation form what type of driver/road user they believe they are prior to the RAP presentation and then indicate the type of driver/road user they intend to be after witnessing RAP.

Of your group of 34 students 19 students nominated that they were RISK TAKERS as drivers/road users prior to seeing RAP. All 34 students checked the box indicating they choose to be a RESPONSIBLE DRIVER/ROAD USER after experiencing the RAP presentation. In response to the question, "Following the program will you adopt safer road behaviours?" 34 students out of 34 said yes. Brilliant result and the written comments were fantastic from the students. I have attached a sample of the evaluation forms for your perusal. Reading the feedback highlighted and reinforced that your students have a strong understanding of the content presented.

We look forward to presenting again next year as discussed:

Kind regards,

Brad
Brad Ryan, Station Officer
Road Awareness Program (RAP) Co-ordinator
Community Safety and Resilience Department
SA Metropolitan Fire Service

CANTEEN CATERING FUNDRAISING

The Gladstone High School Canteen Committee is catering for an event on Friday August 26th at the Southern Flinders Sporting Complex.

The committee would appreciate any donations of fruit for fruit platters, cake or biscuits for Morning / Afternoon tea.

If you are able to help out with any of the items we are seeking, please contact the school via phone, note or GHS virtual text (0427 708 443) so we are mindful of what is being donated.

Items can be dropped into the school on the Wednesday and Thursday before Friday 26th August.

Thank you for your continued support of our Canteen.

GHS Canteen Committee

COMMUNITY NEWS

CLARE COMMUNITY FORUM ON DRUG – BREAKING THE ICE

Clare Town Hall
Thursday 11th August from 6:30 to 9:00pm
Open to all Community members

TAFE PORT PIRIE OPEN DAY

Thursday 25th August 2016 from 1:00pm to 7:00pm at Port Pirie Campus

AUTOMOTIVE CAREER EXPO

MTA Training & Employment Centre
3 Frederick Road Royal Park
Friday 2nd September 2016

WIRRABARA TENNIS CLUB AGM

Monday 22nd August 7.30pm
WIRRABARA SPORTING COMPLEX
NEW PLAYERS WELCOME

GREEN ARMY CLARE VALLEY PROJECT

We currently have an exciting opportunity for those aged between 17 and 24 to gain paid employment while making a difference to the environment in the Clare Valley region. See attached is a general flyer about the Green Army opportunity, as well as a specific flyer for the upcoming project starting on the 5th of September.