28 June 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s News

As the term rapidly comes to an end it is exciting to announce that external painting around the school will commence next week and continue for up to 4 weeks. Again we have had a very busy couple of weeks and will continue to do so in the lead up to the holidays. By all accounts students thoroughly enjoyed the Stage 1 and 2 Biology camp last week.

It was a pleasure for me to witness the collaborative efforts of our Year 8 students with Gladstone, Laura and Crystal Brook Primary School students as part of the presentation to Golden North for their STEM projects. Some very creative and well – researched proposals were presented for their consideration.

On Monday we started the Semester 2 timetable with some changes to teachers and subjects for most students. Next week Year 9 and 10 students will be involved in the Science and Engineering Challenge in Port Pirie.

This week, reports will go home for all students. We strongly encourage you to contact the appropriate teachers if you would like to discuss your child’s progress. Year 12’s parent teacher interviews are next Tuesday and Year 8 and 9 students are involved in 3-way learning conferences. These will provide an excellent opportunity for students to talk about their learning so far this year.

Next Friday we farewell Siobhan Curtis as her contract with us is completed. Thank you Siobhan for your commitment and support to our students.

A reminder that the first Monday of next term is a Student Free Day. This is the case for all schools in our partnership as staff work together on the next steps in collaborative moderation. Next Friday 6th July will be an early dismissal at 2.15pm as the last day of term.

Tyler Hogan
Principal

STEM Expo

On Tuesday of week 8, the Upper Mid North Partnership schools for STEM all came together in Gladstone for the Expo with our industry partner, Golden North.

Year 7/8 students from Gladstone High, Burra Community School, Laura Primary, Crystal Brook Primary and Gladstone Primary collaborated to create a ‘new Golden North product for a particular demographic’. The students were in groups of 3 or 4 from various schools and over the term had to work together to produce this product. They had some face-to-face planning days but mostly their contact was via email. Each person in the group was responsible for some part of the project, including product design, packaging, marketing, etc. They used Science, Math and Technology lessons to produce their work and gain a better understanding of how STEM links to real industries.

During the expo all of their hard work was put together and presented to representatives of Golden North, STEM representatives from Department for Education, parents, grandparents and the teachers. They all did an amazing job and a lot of effort was put in throughout the project.

The expo finished with a sausage sizzle (a big thank you to Mr Martin, Miss Roberts and Mrs Davis for cooking this) and, of course, a giant twin supplied by Golden North.

Golden North were so impressed that they have taken 3-5 ideas back to trial and will send it to the schools to taste first!

STEM this year was made easier when we got given our partners. I had two of my primary school friends. We put a lot of work into it. In the end we made Mint and Oreo giant twins. The STEM expo was really fun. - Mahalah

At the STEM Expo this year we got to create a new product for Golden North, we worked with some primary school and other high school students to create these products. The overall experience was alright, I enjoyed working with my partners and learning more about how much money they made, their different types of ice cream, etc. - Bella

I loved the STEM expo it was amazing. I loved learning about how long it takes for ice cream to melt and also I enjoyed working with the other schools. It was an amazing experience to look at what the other groups had come up with. - Mahli

My STEM Experiences were quiet fascinating and fun. Some positives about doing STEM would be, being able to do a project, meeting new people and being able to come together to share some work. - Ryan

The STEM Expo was interesting and challenging as we didn't see our partners very often. We had to make some decisions without our partners. It was also challenging as we didn't always agree with our partners’ decision. - Tealia

For STEM over the past term we were working on a new product for Golden North. At the expo there were a lot different products designed and made by a large group of students. Everyone put in a large amount of effort and we all enjoyed the project. My product was a Jaffa Giant Twin. I think it all worked out well! - Finn

My group’s idea was Chunky Marshmallow Chocolate and Caramel Ice Cream. I walked around the room to see what other people had made and the ice cream available for people to taste test. Some taste tests were nice but some on the other hand weren’t that nice. I really liked one that had popping candy and cookies and cream. - Charlotte

My group chose Mango Crush-lactose free ice-cream. While I worked on the poster, my partners from Crystal Brook made ice-cream, packaging and found extra information. I researched for information on lactose free milk and ice-cream and put that information onto the poster. - Lara

The ice cream flavour was supposed to imitate a S’more. We used Cookies and Cream ice cream with marshmallows to give it a S’more like texture. Our ice cream was very popular it tasted delicious. - Shavana

At the STEM Expo we got to taste many different types of ice cream some of these ice creams were Chilli ice cream, Soda Flavoured ice cream and Mint Ice cream. I thought our ice cream was the best because it tasted so good. - Brogan-Lee

The items we designed was called Uber ice-cream that was a delivery service inspired by Uber eats. We had an hour and a half to display our idea to teachers, parents/caregivers and also some workers from Golden North whose names were Matthew and Rick. - Bodi

Year 11-12 Biology Camp

As part of Stage 1 and 2 Biology students had the opportunity to participate in a camp to Victor Harbour and Adelaide on the 21st and 22nd of June.

We first went to Victor Harbour where we attended the Sea Experience at Oceanic Victor to swim with tuna, sharks and other types of fish. We participated in two DNA practicals one at University of Adelaide Waite campus and the other at Flinders University. While at Flinders Uni we went through the anatomy museum and looked at cross-sections of body parts. A highlight of the camp was swimming with tuna, sharks and other species.

Taylor and Maggie.

The best part of camp was our visit to Oceanic Victor. We got to swim and hand feed the tuna, as well as hold and feed the Port Jackson sharks. We were also able to hold various species of starfish and sea urchins afterwards. On our way back to Granite Island, we were fortunate enough to see a rare Sunfish that the crew members had never seen before.

Chelsea and Sophie

For this Biology camp we found that we were able to further improve our knowledge on the human body and the DNA of different species by participating in DNA experiments and looking at human body parts at the anatomy museum. We were also given a wonderful opportunity to swim with tuna and Port Jackson sharks at Victor Harbour which was the highlight of the whole camp.

Rachael and Deanna

Thank you to Hanley’s for providing the transport to Victor Harbour and around Adelaide. Thank you to Oceanic Victor, Adelaide University Waite Campus and Flinders University for running all of the activities. Thank you to Meredith Kleinig for helping with supervision.

Julia Murrie
Biology Teacher

Year 8 and 9 Three-Way Conferencing

A reminder that the Three Way Conferences for Year 8 and 9 students are being held next Tuesday 3rd of July from 3.30 to 7.00pm in the Function Room of the Southern Flinders Regional Sports Complex. Students have been preparing to show case their work to you in Pastoral Care lessons for most of this term. This is an important part of their learning and also shows your interest in their learning. Please ensure you book as soon as possible using the link below. Book your appointment now by accessing the website below

Please book using the drop down box on the right hand side and select “3 Way Learning Conference” on the website. There are six panels available in each time slot and teachers will be allocated to the panels based on their availability. If you do not have internet at home please contact the school directly on 86622171

Stephen Bosch
Three Way Conference Coordinator

Year 12 Parent Interviews

Year 12 Parent Interviews will be held next Tuesday, July 3 from 3.30 to 7.00pm at the Southern Flinders Regional Sports Complex. Interviews can be booked now by accessing the link displayed. Book your appointment now by accessing the website.

Please book using the drop down box on the right hand side and select “Parent Teacher Interviews” on the website. If you do not have internet access at home please contact the school on 8662 2171.

Year 10 Careers Camp

In Week 2 of next term the Year 10 students will head to Adelaide for our annual Careers Camp. The camp is an opportunity for students to gather information, about the careers they explored as part of their Personal Learning Plan, from industry providers. It also allows students to experience what life is like for those who move to Adelaide, for work or study, as we navigate our way around via public transport. If you have any questions regarding the camp please don’t hesitate to contact me at the school.

Daniel Seidel
Year 10 Coordinator

Vine Pruning

Last week our Shiraz grape vines were pruned. After instruction by teachers the students then pruned all of the vines over a period of several days. Stage 1 students undertake this as part of their SACE Agriculture course while students in Year 10 Agriculture also participated as part of a horticulture module of work. All Year 9 students spent a double lesson on Wednesday pruning and then after recess volunteers stayed on to complete the task. Thank you to all those involved.

Dean Humphries
Ag Teacher

HOW PARENTS CAN SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE’S MENTAL HEALTH

Parents play a key role in helping children develop good mental health. It is important that parents support and encourage positive mental health habits in children from an early age, and continue encouraging positive mental health behaviours during adolescence. These positive habits will support young people’s health and wellbeing in all life domains into the future.

Build a strong foundation

Parents can help children and young people build good mental health habits by supporting them to:

• Eat well, get plenty of sleep and be active
• Discover activities they enjoy
• Find ways to express their feelings
• Develop healthy ways to relax and unwind
• Understand that drinking or taking drugs doesn’t solve problems
• Deal with problems as they arise rather than let things build up
• Be aware of their ‘self-talk’
• Set appropriate limits and understand about risks
• Find accurate information that can help them make good decisions
• Have realistic goals

Help young people be connected

Parents can support young people by helping them:

• Be involved in social and family activities
• Establish friendship and peer groups
• Have more than one group of people to talk to, e.g. family, friends, sport teams, hobby groups
• Find safe adult mentors who can assist them to work out what is important, bring new experiences into their life and help them pursue their interests and passions

Talk with your young person

Some young people find it hard to talk with parents about difficult things. It can help for parents to:

• Spend regular one-on-one tie with their young person to build the relationship
• Tell them they care and will always be there for them
• Show they’ve notices how their young person is feeling, e.g. ‘You seem really upset lately’
• Acknowledge their young person’s emotions and show empathy by making comments like ‘I can see how that would upset you’, or ‘That must have been hard’
• Encourage them to talk with other safe adults who can support them

More information on parenting young people and mental health is available through the link below

Community News

Laura Memorial Civic Centre Management Committee

The Laura Civic Centre, this year celebrates its 50 year Anniversary. The Committee proposes to use the weekend of 3rd & 4th November 2018 to celebrate.

We are asking for help regarding a photographic display. Do you have photographs (or copies), invitations, booklets of an event held at the Civic Centre during the past 50 years - Weddings, 21st, Concerts, Receptions, Dances etc. that we may borrow for display? We shall take great care with them.

Please contact Co-ordinators Val Thomson 8663 2472 or Lorraine Griffin 8663 2412

Magpie Warblers

Magpie Warblers is an amateur theatre company based in Port Pirie. This year’s production is “Little Shop of Horrors”. 2018 performances are at the Wallaroo Town Hall 20-21 July and Northern Festival Centre, Port Pirie 27-28 July. Tickets can be purchased by visiting their respective websites

Next Step Program

SANFL Next Step Program is a clinic open to:

5-8 year olds - $90

Tuesday 2 October, Alberton Oval from 9am – 12pm or 1pm – 4pm

Restricted to 120 registrations per session

9-14 year olds - $200

Wednesday 3 October and Thursday 4 October, Alberton Oval from 9am – 2pm each day

Maximum 125 Registrations

Each participant will receive:

Personalised Guernsey, football, SANFL Macca’s League Grand Final Family Pass and other awesome goodies.

Register before 1 August, for your chance to be one of the 2018 Grand Final Medal Presenters. Register at the link below registrations close on Tuesday 28 August.

New DACO Dog registration system

The new Dogs & Cats Online (DACO) registration will begin from 1st July 2018.

New dog registrations can be entered online from the 1st July but renewals cannot be processed until a renewal notice is received in the post towards the end of July.

Once the renewal notice is received, owners complete the registration renewal online at the link below by entering the unique renewal code from the notice.

Council is encouraging as many dog owners as possible to complete registrations themselves online with payment by credit card or BPAY, however cash payments will be accepted at Council offices if necessary.

Council will be extending the deadline for renewals to September 30th this year to assist with the changes to the process.

Microchipping of Dogs & Cats

Dog and cat owners are encouraged to have their pets microchipped to meet the new Dog & Cat Management Act legislation requirements.

A $10 microchipping day will be conducted in Gladstone by CHIPBLITZ on 14th July with bookings via their website only.