28 July 2017

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Inside the Adolescent Brain (part one)…..

As secondary school teachers, we know that our students are experiencing a staggering amount of change during their adolescent years… particularly in their brain. In fact, they are experiencing the second greatest brain growth of their lifetime.

I believe the more we know about HOW students learn, the better we can TEACH them.

As a parent I wish I had known more when my own kids were adolescents!

Here is part one of what I wish I knew then.

Stop yelling at me!

Have you ever had an interaction with your child when he or she said you were “yelling at them” when you were speaking in a normal tone?

I’ve definitely been there. Sometimes adolescents are just plain confused.

In a recent neurological study, a group of adolescents and adults were shown images of faces clearly expressing fear. All adults were able to identify the emotion being expressed; about half of the adolescents misinterpreted the expressions. In fact, some research suggests that teenagers are struggling to correctly interpret emotions and instructions up to 40% of the time.

So, what can we do…

• Offer frequent praise and positive reward for desired behaviours
• Tell them how you’re feeling when you’re discussing something with them
• Ask them to repeat back what they heard, and give guidance if they’re off the mark.

That’s not what you said!

How many times do you finish telling your child something you want them to do, explaining in detail with what you thought were clear instructions, only to check back and finding them doing something completely different? In Pat Wolfe’s book, Brain Matters: Translating the Research to Classroom Practice, she shares that students can retain 5-7 bits of information in their working memory at a time.

Of course memory is complex and can be impacted by the duration and the difficulty of the topic as well, so I like to use this fact as a reminder to not overload students with a ton of information at once.

If retention of information can be limited, then it’s especially important to…

• Chunk information into small bits and review after each activity
• Relate information to prior experiences
• Practice routines and expectations
• Create checklists with graphics for easy reference

How much Sleep?

How many mornings do you spend dragging your child from their bed or repeatedly telling them to get out of bed because they will be late? So many of our students are just plain tired. That’s because despite their developmental need for at least 9 hours of sleep a night (according to a wide body of global research), most are averaging much less.

It’s vital for continued normal growth and development that adolescents get the right amount of sleep.

It’s not possible to catch it up on the weekend or skip a few hours each night and still fire on all cylinders. Sleep provides the rejuvenation time required to function properly; there is NO substitute for this!

There are simple things we can do…

• Talk about the need for sleep
• Create a plan to turn off the electronic devices at bedtime that typically keep them up all night with rings and buzzes
• Encourage reading a book before bedtime, not on a screen – limit the use of screens that emit light telling the brain it’s daytime.

Kathleen Hoare
Principal

NEWS FLASH!!! NEW SCHOOL WINDCHEATERS HAVE ARRIVED

Our new jumpers have finally arrived. The cost is approximately $55.00 (waiting on final cost from supplier). They will be available for purchase from Monday 31st July. This jumper is the replacement for our polar fleece jumper (no longer available from the stockist). There are still some sizes of the polar fleece for purchase.

MNSEC FORMAL PHOTOS

MNSEC Formal photos are on our website.

select event galleries on the right side

choose MNSEC Formal

Prices will be on the website.

If students do not have access to a computer, they can order from our shop at 64 Ayr Street Jamestown by appointment.

10x15cm $10
13x18cm $15
20x25cm $20

Plus postage

Parents and students contact us on 8664 1363 if they have any queries.

Sarena Palmer
Clive Palmer Photography

64 Ayr St Jamestown, SA 5491
PH: 08 8664 1363
FAX: 08 8664 0084
MOB: 0427 550 003

NEW BOOKS IN THE RESOURCE CENTRE

FICTION

Goodbye, Mr Hitler by Jackie French – recommended lower secondary

This is the third novel of Jackie French’s set during and in the aftermath of World War 2 in Germany. The novel begins in 1943 and takes the characters to 1951 in Australia, and then to 1972.

Ballad for a mad girl by Vikki Wakefield – recommended mid to upper secondary (mystery/thriller)

Everyone knows 17 year old Grace is a bit mad, a prankster and a risk taker and she’s not afraid of anything. As part of a long –running feud between two local schools grace accepts the challenge to walk the pipe. That night she experiences something she can’t explain and the funny girl isn’t laughing anymore. She experiences voices and vision and she is drawn into the twenty year mystery surrounding missing girl Hannah Holt.

The Fall by Tristan Bancks – recommended lower to mid secondary (mystery/crime)

Sam is staying with his dad for a week resting after an operation on his leg. He wakes one night to hear an argument for the apartment above; when he goes to the window he sees a body fall from the balcony above. He goes to wake his dad but he is not in his bed , he returns to the window to see a man standing over the body, he looks up and sees that Sam has witnessed the crime. Other books in Resource Centre by Tristan Bancks are Two Wolves and My life and other stuff that went wrong.

A Cardboard Palace by Allayne Webster – recommended lower secondary

Jorge lives in a shanty town on the outskirts of Paris. Bill, a controller, has an army of child thieves at his command and Jorge is one of them. But Jorge faces an even bigger threat, his home is soon to be bulldozed, then where will he sleep. A harrowing humbling story about one boys desperation to escape a life of crippling poverty. Other books by same author – Our little secret and Paper Planes

My life as a hashtag by Gabrielle Williams – recommended upper secondary (social media/relationships)

When MC discovers she can use celebs and more to vent against one of her best friends, who has blocked her and isn’t speaking to her , she thinks she’s discovered the perfect anonymous way to get things off her chest. But when things go viral, it’s only a matter of time before the world turns it’s attention to MC. And when it does, things go from bad to worse. Other books by this author – The guy, the girl , artist and his ex

Living on Hope Street by Demet Divaroren - recommended mid to upper secondary (Australian stories/ relationships

Living on Hope Street follows the struggles, clashes and connections of seven residents who face the harsh challenges of life in working –class Melbourne. The novel delves beyond stereotypes to explore themes of intergenerational violence, cross-cultural friendships, class and multiculturalism.

NON FICTION

The DC Comics Encyclopaedia

Packed with fascinating facts and dynamic comic book art, this encyclopaedia shows more than 1000 comic characters

THREE-WAY CONFERENCE

The Year 8 and 9 students were involved in the Three Way Conference on Tuesday 4th of July. This was highly valued and successful with students able to articulate their learning and set goals for the future. Overwhelmingly parent and student feedback was positive, some examples are below;

“It challenged my daughters comfort zone but she came away with positive feedback and strategies to improve her learning.”

“I learnt that what they learn now is a lot different to when I went to school.”

“I like that the kids learn to critique their own work, giving them a good guide for future assessments, great for public speaking confidence.”

“Staying in contact with the teachers is important in his development through the school years.”

“I learnt that I should put effort into all my subjects not just the ones I like the most.”

“I like the format as it allows the student to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses which is a valuable learning tool.”

Stephen Bosch Year 8/9 Coordinator

STEM EXPO 28th JUNE

On Wednesday the 28th of June Crystal Brook Primary school, Wirrabara Primary school, Laura Primary school and Gladstone Primary school participated in a Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) Expo that bought together a terms work on answering the question ‘How do we keep SA out of the dark?’

For the STEM project Samuel and Isaac worked on a project answering the question where and when was the best place to have a wind turbine? The best part of STEM Expo was building a wind turbine. Baiden and Coen’s stall was interesting because you had to go outside and watch the cars.

For the STEM project Joseph and Dusty worked on a project answering the question “Is there geothermal energy in Australia?.”

The best part of the expo was seeing all of the other student’s questions and projects and that there were other schools to be part of the STEM Expo.

Cody and Tyrell’s stall was interesting because they did hydro power which can overpower all of the other energy’s combined, according to them.

For the STEM project Jessie and Casey worked on a project answering the question “Should wind power be produced more than solar power? “

The best part of the STEM Expo was seeing everybody’s projects and all the different creations. It was a really great experience.

We thought all the stalls were interesting as they were all unique and different; none of them were like ours or anyone else’s.

For the STEM project Phoebe, Aurora and Emily worked on a project answering the question “How do solar panels work”?

The best part of the STEM Expo was working with the Primary Schools to produce an excellent display.

Taya’s display was interesting because they had little moving wind turbines as well as a really good model and lots of information.

For the STEM project Delira Neil and Ella Witty worked on a project answering the question ‘How does the water get to the city?’

The best part of the Expo was seeing our friends’ projects and learning about different stalls.

The best stall was Eliza Stubbs, Matilda Wilson, Mabel Arbon and Holly Gulin because it was really interesting about solar power.

For the STEM project Tyrell and Cody worked on a project answering the question ‘Can hydro power be powered by solar power when there is no water?

The best part of the STEM Expo was looking at all the other student’s pieces of work and what they had succeeded with as their task.

The Gladstone Primary School’s projects were looking pretty cool and they put a lot of effort and time in to do doing this task.

OPEN MIXED KNOCK-OUT HOCKEY

On Friday 30th of June 14 students travelled to Kadina to participate in Mixed Open Knockout Hockey. The team included; Alice Jackson, Adam Jackson, Aynsley Samuel, Teneal Malycha, Emily Smart, Bree Matthews, Chloe Smart, Elyce Malycha, Nic Palmer, Jake Couzner, Joel Ambjerg Pedersen, Dylan Davenport, Henry Woodlands, Emily Samuel, and Tilly Brock. It was a perfect day to play Hockey, the other teams provided excellent competition and one of the games was tightly contested. The first game was against Moonta which had some inexperienced players which allowed us to move the ball around freely the final score was 8-1, the goals were scored by Adam Jackson who scored 3, Joel 2, Henry 1, Emily Samuel 1, and Emily Smart 1. The second game was against Clare everyone played well but unfortunately their team consisted of some very talented older boys and we went down 2-0. Best Players for the games were Tilly Brock as goalie, Alice Jackson, Adam Jackson and Emily Smart. Well done to Nic, Dylan, Joel, Jake and Henry who filled in even though they don’t normally play Hockey. A big thank you to Barry Martin for driving the bus and Monika Jackson for volunteering her time to coach on the day.

SENIOR BIOLOGY EXCURSION

On Tuesday the 20th of June the Year 11 Biology class attended an excursion to Adelaide. In the morning the Biology students participated in an experiment that involved looking at wine samples that had been contaminated with a particular enzyme and they tested the samples using specialised equipment to find the contaminated samples. The students were also able to use equipment that is not readily available at school and is commonly used at University for looking at DNA profiles. In the afternoon the students had an opportunity to observe a variety of animals in different habitats at the Adelaide Zoo. Thank you to Hanley’s for providing the transport to Adelaide and back.

MNSEC SHOWCASE

COMMUNITY NEWS

EMBRACE

The Dietetics Department at community health service have requested a special screening to be held for the community.

When Body Image Activist Taryn Brumfitt (from Adelaide) posted an unconventional before-and-after photo in 2013 it was seen by more than 100 million people worldwide and sparked international media frenzy. She quickly realised the issue needed a louder voice on a bigger platform so the idea of creating the documentary EMBRACE was born. EMBRACE follows Taryn’s crusade as she explores the global issue of body loathing, inspiring us to change the way we feel about ourselves and think about our bodies.

Tuesday 1st August 7pm
Northern Festival Centre
Rated M
Pre-Purchase Tickets Now

A trailer for the documentary can be viewed on YouTube, and I have also attached a poster if it can be useful for promotions around the school.

Alli Pollard

Dietetics Assistant | Patient Journey Team (Mon/Thur) | Ext: 81118

Community Engagement & Development Officer | Aboriginal Health Team (Tues/Wed) | Ext: 84744

Country Health SA Local Health Network | Port Pirie Regional Health Service