25 August 2016

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Gladstone is one busy school!

Already this term we have had 9 excursions, 3 camps, a NAPLAN trial, a week of work experience, Open Night, SACE Information Night and 2017 Subject Counselling Panels.

Why do we do all of this 'extra' stuff? There are many aspects of learning that a well-rounded young person needs and some of these cannot happen in a classroom setting.

The Australian Curriculum and the SACE Curriculum are based around 7 Capabilities that together generate a complete learner profile. They are:

• literacy
• numeracy
• information and communication technology capability
• creative and critical thinking
• personal and social capability
• ethical understanding, and
• intercultural understanding

The first three are 'easily' delivered in school every day and the remaining four are incorporated in learning activities wherever possible, but often the best place for this learning is beyond the four walls of our classrooms.

There are mountains of research that says we learn best by doing research that dates back to Confucius and Socrates!

Abstract concepts and problem solving, as well as the personal and social capabilities that we value in others are, best learnt when experienced in person.

Theories of the 'Experiential Learning Cycle' can be summarised by three simple questions

WHAT?
SO WHAT?
NOW WHAT?

The two important elements are the 'SO WHAT?' and the 'NOW WHAT?' as this is where the learning occurs. When decisions are required, when evidence needs to be gathered, when creativity is needed, when reflection and evaluation occur, the WHAT moves forward.

Engaging our students in activities like Aquatics Camp, Careers Camp, Duke of Ed, Operation Flinders, Ski Trip and the Royal Show are not only social activities but are times when our young people are required to stretch themselves, to solve issues on their own, to engage in unknown territory, to interact with people and things they may not know or understand, to navigate challenging activities without the comforts of home.

In short they're required to learn to think creatively and critically, they make choices and judgements and find solutions to issues and learn to act ethically by experiencing dilemmas and solutions.

As adults we don't often stretch ourselves willingly, engage in activities that are 'uncomfortable' or push ourselves into unknown territory. Yet every day, we ask and expect our students and children to do this. This term I have stretched myself through extra study, Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership and have put myself into the 'uncomfortable ' situations of public speaking and public promotion - the SA Principals Association Conference last week and the Crystal Brook Show. I am often quite introverted and don't enjoy being in the spotlight and I find it difficult and uncomfortable when meeting new people or speaking to large groups. In my professional life I am constantly required to do both of these things and as such I have tried to embrace the anxiety and fear that can often occur prior to public appearances. Most importantly, I have learnt to learn every time I have to do something uncomfortable so the fear lessens and I develop greater resilience and hopefully, skill.

Every time we send our students out of the classroom we look for the stretch moments, we encourage them to push themselves personally and socially, we ask them to put themselves in another's shoes and develop empathy and we hope all these experiences will make them more aware and encourage ethical actions.

Kathleen

2016 PARENTS IN EDUCATION WEEK – BOOK YOUR SPOT!

You are invited to attend a series of free evening information sessions delivered by renowned international and national child development and learning experts.

Information sessions will run from Monday 12 September to Thursday 15 September across 4 key locations within the State that can be viewed online or attended in person.

Information sessions will provide practical tips and easy ways for parents to support children's learning at every age and stage.

THINK U KNOW TOPIC 7

The story in the media this past week about the appalling behaviour of boys tracking down naked photos of girls in their schools and communities through an international website is sending shockwaves through many homes and schools.

The article below, '20 ways parents can raise wise teens in a sexualised world' at www.essentialkids.com.au, is a quick and easy read with some useful tips on keeping our girls and boys safe while encouraging and teaching respectful behaviours.

ATTENDANCE

Thank you to all our parents who are replying to our text message trial for attendance follow up.

We are still smoothing out some issues and really appreciate both your patience and support.

Remember - Every School Day Counts!

Kathleen

YEAR 9 ALTERNATE PROGRAM

Last week an alternate program was offered for students while Year 9 classes were suspended in Week 4. There were 8 students at school and participated in a variety of sessions such as cooking, a treasure hunt, time on the computers, watching a film, orienteering and playing board games. During the week students went on an excursion on Tuesday to Port Pirie with Mr Manson where they went Ten Pin Bowling, visited the RSL War Memorial, the Bridge to Nowhere and the Airport and on Thursday they went with Miss Kerr to the Blyth Cinema to watch Independence Day Resurgence, with lunch and an opportunity to tour Clare after. Overall, students enjoyed the variety of the week and would like to thank all staff involved, including Mr Martin who drove the bus for the two excursions.

Sonia Pringle - Year 9 Coordinator

YEAR 10 SCIENCE WEEK EXCURSION

On Wednesday the 17th of August the Year 10 Science class travelled to Port Pirie to participate in a series of activities as part of Science Week 2016. Students attended a number of seminars/workshops put on by the University of South Australia, South Australian Museum and CSIRO. The workshop provided by CSIRO titled Ozbots, involved coding small robots with coloured sections on a designated path, given that specific colours and arrangements coded for specific movements. The workshop provided by UniSA demonstrated how sensors can be used in the field of Science and how the information they provide is useful feedback on sporting performance. The SA Museum seminar presented information and specimens regarding arachnids and reptiles. Several groups also took part in a variety of construction challenges throughout the day. These included a straw tower at least 40cm tall and holding 2 kg of weight; balloon powered cars to travel a particular distance; catapults that were assessed on accuracy and total distance. Lastly, a Rube Goldberg machine which is a device that is founded on the concepts of a chain reaction. Gladstone High School was successful in the challenges throughout the day. We would also like to thank Mr Martin for driving the bus.

Year 10 Science

Science Week

YEAR 10 SCIENCE: BALLOON POWERED CAR

As part of the Year 10 Science, Motion & Energy unit the students have been involved in a project the features the construction of balloon powered vehicles. They investigated properties of motion such as average speed, acceleration, displacement and Newton's laws of Motion. Students were required to construct a prototype of a vehicle and make refinements to increase the performance of the vehicle. A class race was held for two different aspects, fastest acceleration and total distance travelled, with the winning designs being quite diverse. Students were able to investigate how force, mass and acceleration share a relationship, (Newton's second Law) and how every action has an equal and opposite reaction (Newton's third law).

Emma Kerr – Science Teacher

Balloon Racing

ERRAPPA CAMP

On Wednesday the 3rd of August a group of us undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh award went to the Errappa Blue Light camp in Iron Knob. The camp is a place to test your limits and get out of your comfort zone. It felt like an episode of Bear Grylls.

Team building skills started us off for the afternoon and that helped us to work together as a group and start communicating effectively. The activities were held at the old institute and now unused swimming complex.

After a roast for tea we chilled out with a movie and got to bed early, ready for a big day ahead.

Thursday morning tested our orienteering skills. As two teams we had to gather the most points to win. We learnt to use a GPS to navigate 15 locations around Iron Knob, one which involved running 3 kms out of town to a dam.

The high ropes were our next activity, after lunch. We first learnt how to Belay and secure a harness ourselves. With a lot of nerves we then challenged ourselves and got well out of our comfort zone up in the treetops on four different high rope challenges. We all had a go and felt pretty proud of ourselves.

These activities were quite strenuous so a bit of a break was needed until after tea when we played three rounds of Laser Tag which tested our night vision and got us pretty warmed up. The nights were freezing!

We packed up early on Friday morning as we had to be back out on the high ropes to the biggest challenge of all, "The Leap of Faith!!!!" Two brave contenders completed the Leap of Faith with one pulling it off completely. All others had success on the climbing wall and then had heaps of fun on the Flying Fox.

It was a very enjoyable and invigorating experience! Thanks to the instructors and teachers that supervised us.

Olivia, Tilly, Brendan, Izaac, Dylan, Nigel, Brayden, Robert, Cody and Digger

Tilly committing to the Leap of Faith

YEAR 8 PASTORAL CARE

In Pastoral Care, the Year 8's have been organising their own "Sport Education in Physical Education Program" (SEPEP) style tournament. The tournament will go for the rest of Term 3 and include two sports and a quiz. As a class, we have voted and chosen which sports we are going to compete in. We have also nominated two students to join our Student Leaders who formed a team's committee; they are responsible for selecting fair teams. Students selected committees that they were interested in joining.

The scheduling committee have been responsible for organising what sports they will complete each week, length of individual games, planning finals, creating and publishing a schedule for which teams play at which time.

The set up / pack up committee have planned individual roles to help streamline the organising of activities. They have checked with Miss Thamm to ensure we have all the equipment we need and booked the stadium for use.

The rules committee have created documents to ensure that everyone knows the rules for each sport. They have also liaised with the scheduling committee to make sure there are correct team sizes to ensure that student umpires are available for each game.

The publicity committee has been creating posters to advertise the tournament and will also be responsible for creating fortnightly newsletter articles. In upcoming articles, we will share score updates, highlights and progress reports as our tournament progresses.

Mr Richardson, Miss Murrie and student teacher Miss Hoepner have enjoyed taking a back seat and guiding students to organise and plan for themselves. Students are cooperating and communicating well with their peers and the teachers are looking forward to seeing their efforts come together.

The four teams have all created their own name, logo, motto and cheer. Our teams are:

The Red Hawks, Golden Warriors,
Blue Benchwarmers & The Green Hornets

Motto: 'We're the mighty fighting hawks'

Motto: One team. One dream.'

Motto: 'We're the amazing benchwarmers
and we are going to win every game.'

Motto: 'Sting is our middle name'

YEAR 8 IMMUNISATIONS

Nurses from Southern Flinders Health will be attending Gladstone High School on Thursday September 15th at 9:00am to provide the next series of school based immunisations. These include:

Gardasil (Human Papillomavirus) – Year 8 students
Catch-up immunisations for students absent at previous visits

It is important that students have breakfast on the morning of immunisations.

Since it has been some months since the previous visit, please contact Dymph Catford on 86622158 or dymphna.catford@health.sa.gov.au if there have been changes to details previously provided on the immunisation consent form.

GLADSTONE HIGH SCHOOL CHAIRS – GIVE AWAY

110 Gladstone High School chairs to give away, contact Barry Martin on 8662 2171 for further details or collection arrangements.

COMMUNITY NEWS

SOUTHERN FLINDERS JUNIOR FOOTBALL AND NETBALL WIND-UP

The Junior Football & Netball windup will be held on Sunday the 11th September at Gladstone (the day after the grand final) it will be starting at 11:30am.

All families of footballers & netballers are asked to bring a salad & sweet please with a gold coin donation to pay for the great BBQ lunch. All tiger players, members and supporters are invited to attend.

GEORGETOWN PRIMARY SCHOOL FAMILY FUN DAY

Sunday 25th September, Georgetown Primary School grounds from 11:00am to 4:00pm

GLADSTONE SWIMMING POOL AGM

Tuesday 13th September
7.30pm at the Gilbert White Community Centre
(formally the RSL rooms) Fifth Street, Gladstone

FOOTBALL CLINICS

Experience AFL training facilities and specialist coaching from SANFL players for children aged 8 to 15 years of age.

BOYS NETBALL CLINIC

Sunday, 29 August
Priceline Stadium
The clinic is available for boys aged between 5-16 years old.

2016 GET COURT CARNIVAL

Friday, 18 November

Boys, girls and mixed teams welcome! Join us in celebrating P.E. Week by taking part in this full day Primary School carnival.

KELLY ENGINEERING - APPRENTICESHIP IN METAL FABRICATION

We are seeking to consolidate our workforce by training and investing in a number of new apprentices from January 2017

To be considered for an apprenticeship, you will need to;

• be a highly motivated individual, with a positive attitude to learning and working;
• have successfully completed Year 11, and preferably Year 12;
• have a commitment to a company that will continue to expand in the future

AUTOMOTIVE OPEN DAY TAFESA

Wednesday 31 August I 10.00am – 2.00pm
137 Days Road, Regency Park, SA

AUTOMOTIVE CAREER EXPO

MTA Training & Employment Centre

3 Frederick Road Royal Park
Friday 2nd September 2016