14 March 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s News

It feels like it has been a very hectic past few weeks and the calendar certainly reflects it too. Furthermore the weeks ahead seem to be very busy with MNSEC athletics, a SACE Aquatics camp and Parent Teacher Interviews still to come.

Last week ended with a very successful Sports Day with a very big thank you to Daniel Seidel and his sports committee, planning the day and ensuring it all went smoothly. It was pleasing to see so many students competing in a variety of events and to witness the team spirit and encouragement. It was certainly a fantastic win by Sullivan.

Last week, 7 students swam in Adelaide representing MNSEC. Whilst it is often a daunting prospect to swim against so many large schools in such an amazing venue our students did very well. Thank you to Julia Murrie for attending on behalf of our school.

On Tuesday all of our staff were involved in a whole of Partnership training day, “A framework for understanding poverty.” With over 120 participants it was a great opportunity for our school community to cater as a fundraiser for our school canteen. A very big thank you to all of the parents who donated items for the day and in particular thank you to Kate Flowers, Kathryn Hansen, Lyn Russell, our Canteen Manager and to our Student Leaders Lachlan Hansen and Sophie Crouch for volunteering their time on the day to prepare and help serve the food. There were very positive comments heard from all participants about both the training and the food.

Our Student Leaders have continued to lead by example, raising money to support one of our Year 8 students, Amelia Coe, in her quest to raise money for the World’s Greatest Shave. Last week they sold ‘guesses for the numbers of lollies in a jar’, invited donations from students for Crazy Sock day and then sold cupcakes at recess and lunchtime. Thanks to Miss Roberts and her Home Economics classes. Congratulations to the leaders for organising the fundraising efforts. If anybody would like to personally support Amelia as she prepares to shave her head on 24th March please head to:

For Term 2 we will welcome Leigh Wade to the staff to teach Year 8 and 9 Technology Studies and Science.

Tyler Hogan
Principal

Year 8 Aquatics Camp

In Week 5, 29 Year 8 students and 4 staff loaded onto the buses destined for the Port Augusta Aquatics Centre. With the temperature forecast in the low 40s it was great news to hear that the air conditioners had recently been upgraded. Students learnt skills in canoeing, kayaking, sailing, snorkelling and sail boarding. Students were well behaved and enjoyed the activities both on the water and back at the Aquatics Centre. Part of the team bonding activities was the nomination and election of our Year 8 Student Leaders. Congratulations to Jaxon Brand and Amelia Coe.

Some of the comments from the students are listed below:

• “The best part of camp was sailing the catamarans on the expedition.”
• “My favourite part of the camp was kayaking but it was difficult not tipping over.”
• “Our group was pretty good at the catamarans and it was fun when the wind got stronger.”
• “I liked sailing because you had to work together with 3 other students.”
• “When we on the pontoon relaxing after activities we had some excellent sightings of a dolphin.”
• “I really enjoyed being out on the water even though it was really hot.”
• “I loved camp because I got to learn new skills.”

Stephen Bosch
Year 8 Coordinator

Vintage 2019

Vintage 2019 was conducted over Wednesday and Thursday last week. The birds had had more than their fair share and the dry conditions further reduced the harvest but overall we picked a tonne of some very good quality Shiraz grapes. The whole school picked after lunch on Wednesday and Agriculture classes finished off on Thursday. Students were exceptional in their ability to select and pick the good quality grapes and enjoyed the experience of working together as a whole school. Many thanks to the well behaved and motivated students. Grapes have been delivered to our vigneron partners Stonebridge Wines of Clare. We look forward to the educational opportunities that the growing of grapes and wine making will continue to have for our students in 2019.

Stephen Bosch

SA School Sport Swimming

On Tuesday 5th of March 8 students from Gladstone High School attended the SA School Sport Swimming at the Aquatic Centre in Marion. The MNSEC Team consisted of swimmers from Booleroo Centre DS, Quorn, Orroroo, Jamestown and Gladstone. The swimmers competed in Division B, and were swimming against Rostrevor, Scotch College, St Michaels, Henley, Mercedes, Pulteney, Walford, and Blackfriars.

Our swimmers were competitive again this year. Everyone swam well against the Adelaide schools that have facilities to train all year round.

Overall the girls came 5th and the boys were 8th this placed us 4th overall. The Gladstone High School students results were as follows;

Hannah Watson – 6th in 50m Butterfly, 3rd in Backstroke, 4th in Freestyle, 5th in 100m Freestyle
Emily Samuel – 4th in Freestyle
Max Smart – 6th in 50m Backstroke, 6th in 50m Breaststroke, 7th in 50m Freestyle
Casey Cleggett- 4th in 50m Backstroke, 2nd in 50m Breaststroke,3rd in 50m Freestyle
George Klemm - 7th in 50m Backstroke, 7th in 50m Breaststroke, 7th in 50m Freestyle
Jaxon Brand - 4th in 50m Backstroke, 6th in 50m Breaststroke, 8th in 50m Freestyle
Lara Zanker – 6th in 50m Backstroke, 5th in 50m Breaststroke, and 5th in Freestyle.

Thanks to Vanessa Watson for time keeping on the night.

Congratulations to all the Swimmers.

Julia Murrie

Year 8 Science Visitor

During Week 4 the Year 8 Science classes were privileged to receive a presentation from Caitlin Selway, a PhD student from The University of Adelaide. Caitlin studies Microbiology and in particular researches how bacteria and microbes interact with our bodies. During her presentation, Caitlin prompted our students to think about hygiene, good bacteria, potentially dangerous bacteria, the laboratory environment, how scientists work together, and how we can look about our own Microbiome (all the bacteria that live on and in our bodies). Our students listened to Caitlin talk, partook in experiments, and even used giant plush microbes to assist them in conducting their own research. The photo of our petri dishes shows how the microbes on our hands changed before and after we washed our hands! Thank you to Caitlin and to the Year 8’s who participated.

Jackie McAllister
Year 8 Science Teacher

BISCUIT STALL LAURA FOLK FAIR 6th - 7th APRIL 2019

Well it's that time of the year again to pop the apron on and get baking to support Gladstone High School with one of its major fund raising events.

For new parents/caregivers we hold a fundraiser at the Laura Folk Fair selling biscuits. As we have fewer students this year your support in this event is essential to make it a success.

We would appreciate donations of biscuits or cash by Thursday 4th April to the GHS Front Office. Biscuits quantities are to fill approximately 2x large ice cream containers (or biscuits made up of 2kg of flour). The more colourful the better but we appreciate and are grateful for any sort of biscuit.

Importantly we require people to volunteer their time for packing the biscuits on Friday 5th April from 1.30 pm in the school hall. Please let us know if you are available.

A roster for the Folk Fair Stall will be available next newsletter please be sure to put your name down. We do appreciate your help.

For further information please contact:

• Kylie Sawley 0429 029 561
• Jodie Zwar 0457 745 586

Are you looking for an Apprentice?

Are you an employer or know an employer who hires school aged students or would like to? Have you considered hiring a school based apprentice but not sure what the benefits are for you? John Parker is a school based apprenticeships broker from Business SA and is prepared to come to GHS to run an information session for local business people. He will provide some general information, discuss how it can benefit the business and will be available for questions. At this stage we are calling for expressions of interest for a session and then we will organise a time to run this. If this is something you would like to attend, please email our Senior School Coordinator, Jacqui Edge, at Jacqui.Edge475@schools.sa.edu.au by the 29th of March, 2019.

Community News

SOUTHERN FLINDERS NETBALL CLUB:

Junior Grades will start Netball training on March 14th at the Gladstone Stadium:

All Primary school aged in years 2 to 7 for I, J, Minis and Subbies will start at 4:30 p.m.

High School players, G and H grade will start at 5:30 pm

All Senior players- squad training will start at 6:30pm sharp.

Any queries contact Kelly on 0412 189 883 or Bern 0439 864 330

Jamestown Strike

Registrations for the Futsal Season 2019 are now open.

Junior Players – born 2001 – 2013, Friday night competition
Adults players – born 2003 or before. Monday night competition

Please go to the link below for more information and full instructions on how to register.

Rangers Soccer Club

Rangers Soccer Club Registration, Tuesday March 26 at 4.00pm, at Gladstone High School.

Rangers Soccer Club was formed to service all school age children who live in & around the areas of Crystal Brook, Gladstone, Laura, Georgetown, Jamestown, Booleroo, Peterborough etc,

Games are played Saturday mornings in Port Pirie.

Age Groups

Under 6’s: training drills on Saturday mornings for 45 minutes.
Under 8’s: a fun start to the game on a small pitch. (5 a side).
Under 10’s: where they start to learn the rules.

Primary Age

High School (generally up to Year 12)

If you cannot make it but would like to be involved with the club, please call After 3pm Tracey :0428 314 596 or Lisa: 0409 289 486

E: conynghamcottage@bigpond.com

lisa.reynolds2@bigpond.com