29 March 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Comment

GHS Principal Position

After a thorough selection process, I am able to announce that Tyler Hogan has been the successful applicant for the position of Principal at Gladstone High School for the next six years starting next term. Tyler is currently the Principal of Port Broughton Area School and before that worked at Jamestown Community School and we look forward to the stability this appointment will provide our school community.

School Uniform

As the cooler weather is now arriving, I have noticed some of the uniforms in the schoolyard are not meeting our agreed school uniform expectations. The question is often asked as to why we have a uniform and I offer the following as some of the reasons why a school uniform is important:

• Sense of belonging – a uniform allows all students to feel they belong at school and they are equal to everyone else. If students were able to wear clothing of their choice it may cause an uneven social distinction between those who can afford name brand clothing and those who cannot
• Sense of pride – we are proud of our students at Gladstone High School and they also have pride in their school. Members of the public can instantly recognise which school a student is from by their clothing and it sends a positive message to the community if our students look smart and are all dressed the same
• Provide a safe learning environment – we can easily identify our students in the yard, on an excursion or in a crowd through their uniform. A staff member can scan our school yard or classroom and instantly see who belongs and who shouldn’t be there
• Saves arguments – when there’s a uniform in place it saves arguments in the morning about what a student is going to wear and parents don’t need to feel the pressure to provide a variety of different outfits for their child for each day of the week.

Students are expected to wear a navy school polo top ($30), windcheater ($55) or rugby top ($75), which are all available for purchase at the GHS front office, as are GHS caps and bucket hats for $10 each. Shorts and track pants are to be navy (1-3 white stripes on the side are acceptable) and families are reminded that black pants and tops are not part of our uniform and leggings, jeggings and jeans are also not acceptable for school. If meeting the uniform expectations is a concern for families, I ask them to contact the relevant year level coordinator to discuss this.

Reporting

Teachers are currently working through the reporting process by finalising assessments and grades and writing comments to send home to families. Written reports will be coming home with students on Wednesday, April 4 and Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on Tuesday. April 10 at the Function Room of the Southern Flinders Stadium. Information on how to book interviews will be included with reports, however, as always, I urge families to contact subject teachers or a member of the leadership team at any time to discuss their child’s progress, share concerns or celebrate successes.

Sonia Pringle
Principal

PARENT- TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Year 8 to Year 12 Parent – Teacher Interviews will be held from 3.30pm to 7.00pm on Tuesday April 10.

You can now book interviews at times that suit your family best by accessing the link displayed or by accessing the website. This year because of ongoing building works, we will be holding all interviews in the “Southern Flinders Sporting Complex” at the town oval.

For parents that don’t have access to the internet at home, at work, at a friend’s house or on their phones, parents may send a note to school with the approximate times they require, or phone the school on 8662 2171. Interviews are strictly 15 minutes and spaces are limited. If you require more time, please contact your teacher direct to make alternative arrangements.

Parents can change their interview bookings, any time prior to the closing date, by re-visiting the enewsletter link or the website. Remember to use the same name and email address you used when you made your original booking. Parents wishing to change their interview times after the closing date should contact the school direct on: 8662 2171.

SACE Art Excursion

On Monday March 26, Year 11 and 12 students travelled to Adelaide and discovered that Art can be beautiful, bizarre, amazing, weird, thought provoking, dramatic, and so much more. The exhibition, Divided Worlds, for the Australian Biennale of Art, delivered all of these with an eclectic display of how Artists view our world.

The exhibition is seen as a reflection of what’s happening in the world with the curator, Erica Green acknowledging, “There is a recognition we are living in troubled times.” She feels artists are on the pulse of what’s happening or what’s about to happen.

Artist, Roy Ananda spoke to students about his artistic process and what inspired him to create ‘Thin walls between dimensions’. A purpose built sculpture which celebrates the game Dungeons and Dragons and creates a space where Ananda welcomes us to his underworld and to the unexpected. Hearing a living artist talk about their concept and process is a privilege and we were extremely grateful for his time, with many student asking highly engaging questions.

There was evidence of the states emerging young artists also reflecting on our world at the annual SACE Art show. Here, students were able to see what is required at Stage 2 Visual Art and Design.

The day was a valuable learning experience and gave students crucial insight into the development work as well as final products, behind resolved works of art.

Michael Manson
Creative Arts Teacher

LAURA FOLK FAIR BISCUITS

Please deliver biscuits to GHS Friday March 30, biscuit packing at Gladstone High School Hall 1.30 to 4.00pm.

Coordinators:

Jodie Zwar - 0457 745 586
Kylie Sawley - 0429 029 561
Merrilyn Smith - 0427 632 354

Feed Supplies Needed

Agriculture Faculty are searching for supplies or donations of the following feed:

• Oaten Hay
• Vetch Hay
• Barley (Feed)
• Oats
• Lupins

If you are able to support the school please contact Kim, Dean or Molly on 8662 2171.

Community News

Jamestown Futsal

Registrations for players for the 2018 season are now open. Details on the website or enquires to jamestownfutsal@gmail.com. Registrations close April 3rd.