22 September 2016

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Wellbeing and Academic Achievement – what’s the relationship?

In June this year, DECD released its findings on a preliminary analysis to determine if it was possible to measure the link between learner wellbeing and achievement.

The data analysed was from 2014 NAPLAN tests and the Middle Years Development Instrument (MDI). The MDI is a learner wellbeing survey conducted every two years – letters were sent home last week for this year’s survey. The results from this analysis indicated, “Eating breakfast every day, academic self-concept and perseverance are the three wellbeing factors most strongly related to young people’s achievement”.

Of these three factors, academic self-concept and perseverance are the two areas that as a school community, I believe we can impact.

The Pupil Free Day last week was focused on how we can incorporate a whole school approach to improving learner wellbeing. The Upper Mid North Partnership has a focus on “Growth Mindset” as a strategy to further develop a positive learner wellbeing identity; you may have read my article earlier this year about ‘Learning to Fail” (Term 2 Week 9 Newsletter)

Growth Mindset is one aspect of larger school of thought, Positive Psychology that embraces a holistic approach to developing a range of wellbeing characteristics or strengths in learners.

“… efforts to promote student wellbeing demand a whole-school … approach. This means a focus on the protective factors that schools can provide as well as the skills, knowledge and understanding schools can teach to enhance student wellbeing. It entails an integrated, comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach which links curriculum with the school ethos/environment and the community.”

The key elements that consistently impact on learner wellbeing can be broadly identified as;

• creating a safe environment
• ensuring connectedness
• engaging students in learning
• promoting social and emotional learning

These four elements all relate to improving academic self-concept and perseverance. As a school, our aim is to work with Students, Staff and Parents to create the conditions that will allow these four elements to flourish and for our learner wellbeing to soar.

Stay tuned as our program unfolds.

Kathleen Hoare
Principal

Attendance

Thank you to all the parents who are continuing to support our attendance processes by replying to SMS alerts and phoning in when students are away.

Knowing the reason why students are away is important, however, it doesn’t alter the fact that they are away! The important part of any attendance conversation is that EVERY SCHOOL DAY COUNTS.

What can parents do to support this? The best support is your active involvement.

1. Promote the importance of school
2. Go to school events
3. Read the school newsletter
4. Be organised at home
5. Supervise homework
6. Ask about the day
7. Volunteer to help at school
8. Communicate with your child’s teachers

ROYAL ADELAIDE SHOW - REPORT 2016

Congratulations to all students who participated in the Crystal Brook and Royal Adelaide Show this year. We had 7 students at Crystal Brook, 41 students in Adelaide with 5 of them attending twice over a period of 6 days.

Our Border Leicester sheep continue to improve in quality with wins recorded in the Novice sections at both shows. Our major improvement this year came when we entered the Open Class against stud breeders at the Adelaide Show. We finished with two 3rd placing’s, one for our pair of rams in a line-up of 4 pairs and our single ram also finished 3rd in a line-up of 9 rams, resulting in beating 6 stud breeders. Well done to the students who prepared and presented these animals so professionally at the shows.

Our goat team was quite successful again this year with a 4th and 6th place for the animals. The team also came 3rd in the Most Professional Show Team competition which runs over 2 days and is based on knowledge and the manner in which students look after, prepare and present their goats.

Our combined Merino wool and meat value was $490 with the winning team worth $550. We finished in the top 10 of this competition but did not win a ribbon. Our sheep were well presented and special thanks to Laura Hills Meats (Andrew Smith) and Moorundie Park (Tom Davidson) for supplying the sheep for this competition.

We had five students from Year 10 and 11 work at the DECD Learning Centre which gives our students the opportunity to teach younger students how to look after different farm animals. Some of the farm animals included chickens, puppies, piglets, lambs, goat kids as well as dairy cows and calves.

Our Steer Team however, had an extremely successful showing. In the on the hoof judging we placed 1st with our Shorthorn steer Bundaleer Buddy led by Jesse Philps, from the Ashbys’ at Gulnare and 4th with our Red Angus Anama Phoenix led by Matilda Zander, from Hawkers’ at Anama near Clare.

On Saturday the steers were then judged on the hook, and we won 9 awards with a total of over $2000 prize money. Some of the awards won included highest scoring Red Angus carcase, highest scoring Shorthorn carcase, highest scoring Charolais carcase, highest combined score for 3 school steers, Reserve Champion carcase for the Shorthorn and Grand Champion carcase for the Charolais.

Congratulations to all students involved and thank you to Michelle Baynes, Julia Murrie, Andrew Smith and Anne Humphries for helping look after the students at the show and preparing the animals. Special thanks also to Don Smallacombe for his effort and dedication to ensure that we are organised, our animals are well fed and that they are nicely groomed in readiness for showing.

Dean Humphries
Agriculture teacher

GLADSTONE HIGH SCHOOL - SHOW RESULTS 2016

Crystal Brook Show

Animals entered: 4 Border Leicester Sheep and 4 Steers

1st & 2nd Ram
1st & 2nd Ewe
3rd place Black Angus Steer

Royal Adelaide Show

Animals entered: 8 Border Leicester Sheep, 8 Boer Goats, 6 Merino Sheep and 4 Steers

Border Leicester Sheep

1st & 2nd Ram in Novice class
1st & 2nd Ewe in Novice class
3rd Pair of Rams (Out of 4 pairs) in the Open class
3rd Single Ram (Out of 9 rams) in the Open class
Equal 3rd in Meat Sheep Judging Competition (Jack Flavel)

Merino sheep

No awards

Boer goats

4th, 6th and 7th placed Goats
Two students progressed to the Handlers competition
3rd in the Most Professional show team in the shed (approx. 40 schools)

Led steers

On the Hoof

1st Bundaleer Buddy (Shorthorn in light domestic class) led by Jesse Philps
4th Anama Phoenix (Red Angus in heavy domestic class) led by Matilda Zander

On the Hook

S Kidman & Co Reserve Champion Light Domestic Carcase ($250) Bundaleer Buddy - Shorthorn
Thomas Foods Champion Heavy Domestic Carcase ($500) Yaccamoo Rocky - Charolais
Thomas Foods Grand Champion Heavy Domestic Carcase ($300) Yaccamoo Rocky - Charolais
Charolais society highest scoring Charolais School Carcase ($100) Yaccamoo Rocky
Anama highest scoring Red Angus School Carcase ($200) Anama Phoenix
John Gorey Memorial highest scoring Shorthorn on hook & hoof ($330) Bundaleer Buddy
Thomas Foods for the school exhibiting the highest combined score of 3 Carcases ($250)
Included: Bundaleer Buddy, Yaccamoo Rocky Charolais & Anama Phoenix
Charolais Society Trophy best Charolais carcase if it gains the Grand Champion award
The 2nd Charolais Society Challenge trophy
Shorthorn Society, Highest Scoring Shorthorn Carcase ($100) Bundaleer Buddy
Over $2000 prize money

$2030 Total Prize Money

GLADSTONE HIGH SCHOOL OLIVE OIL FOR SALE

New season Olive Oil in handy 500ml pouring bottles available for $10.00.

Beautifully presented and a great Christmas or anytime gift.

Call into the Front Office to purchase.

COMMUNITY NEWS

GLADSTONE TENNIS CLUB

If you are interested in playing Senior or Junior Tennis for the 2016/17 season please contact Jarrod Cunningham 0459 045 039 or Kaitlin Davidson 0456 113 823. Please notify by September 24th 2016 if intending to play.

GLADSTONE TENNIS CLUB FUNDRAISER

• Teams of 4 men and 4 women - 15 years and above
• It will consist of 6 weeks with 2 weeks of finals

For further details contact Kaitlin Davidson 0456 113 823

MIXED NETBALL

If you are interested in playing mixed netball please contact Kaitlin Davidson 0456 113 823. It will be held at the Gladstone Stadium every second Thursday night, opposite weeks to indoor cricket.

THE LIFE AND WORK OF CJ DENNIS

The History Council of South Australia proudly presents their 2016 Annual Country Lecture in association with Gladstone History Group and Rocky River Historic & Art Society of Laura

Sunday 25 September at 1.30pm
Yanga Room, Gladstone Town Hall
Free Admission, Donation for afternoon tea

OPAL

The OPAL MidNorth network are running a holiday activity Passport Program in the Mid North; District Council of Mount Remarkable, District Council of Peterborough, Northern Areas Council, Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council and Wakefield Regional Council. The OPAL Mid North network will promote free outside activities for children to complete over the holidays. Children will be encouraged to complete as many activities as they can to go in the draw for one of four spring Adelaide Zoo Experiences.

JUNIOR PARLIAMENT

What is Junior Parliament?

YMCA SA Junior Parliament is an apolitical program that gives young people an opportunity to learn about Democracy, Parliament, Team Building, Public Speaking and Leadership in a fun and supportive environment. Junior Parliament is run by young people for young people. It’s a chance for young people to have their say on issues they care about, meet some new friends & develop their leadership skills. Participants take part in a 3 day / two night camp which involve skills and leadership training and some fun recreational activities.

About the program

• WHEN: Monday 10th - Wednesday 12th October 2016 (the second week of the school holidays)
• WHERE: Rostrevor College & Parliament House Adelaide
• WHO CAN APPLY? Junior Parliament is open to anyone in South Australia aged 12 - 15 years old.
• COST: There is a participant fee of $200 per person which covers meals, accommodation and transport while on camp.

Apply now!

Applications are now open. Apply here:

Questions?

Please email Alana James at alana.james@ymca.org.au or call 8200 2514. Our website also has more information.

CRYSTAL BROOK JUNIOR BASKETBALL CLUB

Registration Night:

Seniors, A grade, B grade and mini's

Monday 17th October

At the basketball clubrooms - 3.30pm-6.00pm
Subs 17+ $60 9-16yrs $45 5-8yrs $30
Remember to bring in your ‘Sports Voucher’ for any primary school aged child that has not already used one this year.

First game is Thursday 27th October
Contact: email cbjbc@outlook.com.au