2 March 2018

Newsletter Articles

A successful year of swimming

From Our Principal

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SWIM TEAM

In recent weeks our school swimming team participated in the Lower North carnival at Balaklava. Coming second overall to the strong Clare team, we were particularly pleased to see Year 9 student, Tara Hayward, achieve success as the Girls Under-15 Champion.

Earlier this week, our team participated in the School Sport swimming championships at Marion. We were delighted to emerge overall winners of our grade with some strong individual performances. As a result, we will be in a higher division in 2019.

Lower North Interschool Swimming Team

Tara Hayward

BUILDING A BETTER SCHOOL

Preliminary plans are under way for significant improvements to our school. Last August we learnt that we had been allocated $2m for a new building and our excitement grew with the further allocation of $10 under the State Government’s Building Better Schools programme.

Preliminary work has been done with an architect and currently the proposal is to build additional facilities for increasing student numbers. Plans include building new general learning areas and specialist facilities for STEM, performing arts, home economics, learning support and a Year 12 centre. Check out the brochure below which includes an artistic impression of a new learning area with breakout spaces.

IMPROVING ATTENDANCE

Last year our student attendance rate for the year was 90%. It sounds quite healthy but when you realise that on average every student missed twenty days from school, it is somewhat concerning.

Good attendance is the foundation of school success. It doesn’t guarantee success but without it success is so much harder to achieve.

Students who are regularly absent from school:

• miss valuable instruction from their teachers and are more likely to have difficulty understanding important concepts. Over time, ‘gaps’ appear in their learning.
• often shut off options for higher level maths and science subjects.
• are less likely to gain A or B grades.
• are more likely to leave school without finishing their SACE.
• are a risk for a prospective employer.
• struggle to maintain relationships with their peers.

DECD has identified 95% attendance as the goal for every student – ten or less days absence for student. (Please note, attendance at TAFE or other VET courses through the Trade Training Centre or other school activities is not counted as an absence).

There are occasions where students are ill or there is a family bereavement and obviously we have a small number of students with chronic health issues. In such circumstances, absences are perfectly acceptable but do consider the wisdom in:

• staying away to celebrate a birthday
• staying away to go shopping
• staying away after an argument with a friend
• staying away to catch up on school work – it’s a double-edged sword (think what explicit teaching your child is missing)
• staying away on the last day of term (just because…)
• senior students staying away on days when they have a number of study lessons (what about the lessons they are missing?)
• staying away on Sports Day (even if you are not an athlete, it’s a great day to get involved in novelty events and cheer on fellow students)

Attached is a copy of the flow-chart we use to follow up absences at Kapunda High School.

If you are struggling to get your child to school, please seek support earlier, rather than later. Year Level Managers, along with our Leader of Well-Being, Lee-Anne Cummins are first points of contact.

STUDENT AND PARENT VOICE – 2018

Over the last week our students and parent leaders for 2018 have been elected.

Several weeks ago I had the privilege of meeting with the students who had nominated for the positions of Head Prefect. I was inspired by their ‘can do’ attitude and ideas to involve other students in the decision-making process. Amongst other things, they spoke about being role models for younger students, contributing to the ethos and culture of the school and leading initiatives that could contribute to the positive well-being of others. Following this process, all members of our SRC and staff were involved in the election process.

Congratulations to:

• Jack Mace and Abigail Lemar (Head Prefects)
• Josh Pasfield and Courtney Loffler (Deputy Head Prefects)

On Monday evening, a small number of parents attended our Annual General Meeting of parents. Main items were the presentation of the Annual Report and the election of parent representatives.

Thank you to the following parents who are on our Governing Council for 2018:

• Andrew Hayward (Chairperson)
• Stephen Ruediger
• Tracy Wilson
• Sue Woods
• Caroline Barter
• Rosi Wendt

There are still three parent positions on Governing Council. Please contact our principal, Kristen Masters or our Chairperson, Andrew Hayward, if interested.

Coles Sports for Schools is back!

Spend and Collect for KHS

Every $10 spent at Coles during the program, will earn a Coles Sports for Schools voucher. The more vouchers our school collects, the more gear we may receive. Please bring your vouchers to school reception.

Interschool Swimming Results

SSSSA Championships

On Monday, 26 February, 32 swimmers competed in a total of 78 events at Marion Swimming Centre. I was hoping we would have some success; however I was continually surprised by the results. We had a total of

• 10 first place
• 20 second place
• 16 third place

We filled every race, no one missed their race and some didn't even get a chance to come back to their seat before their next race. It was a true team atmosphere!

The final results

Boys: Kapunda High 689 points (winner by over 200 points)

Girls: Kapunda High 597.50 (2nd place by 65 points)

Overall: Kapunda High School 1286 - 1st place by 400 points!

A huge thank you to the team - your performance, attitude and willingness to participate was fantastic. It's a big pool, but you all took it on and smashed it! The continued support of swimmers’ parents, in allowing your children to participate and also in helping with timing duties, when required is much appreciated.

Megan Samain
Sports Co-ordinator

Materials & Services Charges 2018

Options for payments

Payment may be made by cash, cheque, EFTPOS, Visa, MasterCard or by Direct Bank Deposit (see details below) Students are to make payments prior to the start of the school day (8:50am) to avoid carrying around large sums of money through the day. Parents/caregivers may make payments anytime from 8:30am to 3:30pm.

Have you considered scheduling payments using online banking to meet this financial obligation? Some families have found that being able to set the amount and regularity suits their needs well.

Instalment options - suggested payment dates:

SCHOOL CARD SCHEME

If you think you may be eligible for School Card please complete the application form and return it to the office prior to Friday, 9 March, 2018 or go online (see link below) and complete the application.

Be SunSmart!

Year 8 Camp

In week three, year eight students had three amazing days on the Illawonga camp. Students had fun jumping, flipping and playing hide and seek in the foam pit of the gymnasium where they stayed, used kayaks and pedal boats, and really enjoyed finding fossils and paths through the caves followed by a splashing boat tour.

It was a fantastic and adventurous experience.
Maddison McMahon

We were able to try new things like caving. It was good fun and we were able to make new friends.
Kate Tomney, Shanaye Taylor, Tanisha Sullivan.

I met a lot of new people and created more friendships.
Mackenzie Butler

I really liked knee-boarding.
Corey Brook

The maze and archery were cool.
Konna Slager

Year 8 Immunisation Information Session

Information Session

In an effort to provide information and alleviate anxiety that some students may feel, a representative from Health and Immunisation Management Services (conducting the Immunisation Program at our school), is providing an Information Session for Year 8 students on Friday, 2 March (Week 5) at 9:10am. Parents/caregivers are also welcome to attend (please register your attendance at the school Reception office). The session will offer information about the immunisations and the procedure on the day; and aims to answer any questions our students may have. With the information given and the opportunity to ask questions, it is hoped that students will feel more comfortable about what to expect during the sessions.

STUDENTS CONTRIBUTING TO COMMUNITY

A number of our students are involved in community organisations and events. Participating in these opportunities broadens their own personal experience and also supports their community in numerous ways.

Olivia and James volunteered as stewards at the Freeling RSL’s official opening of ANZAC Park in Freeling in October, last year. Olivia Muster and James Spaan’s efforts were acknowledged at a recent assembly when presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by a representative of the Freeling RSL.

Olivia Muster and James Spaan

Visual Arts

Year 12 student, Gemma Brett is looking at fashion through silk painting. Rachel Porter visited KHS recently to give a demonstration of silk painting to Gemma and the Year 11 Visual Arts class. Some of the Year 11 students are now looking at ways to incorporate this method into their own work over the semester course.

Year 10 PLP Introduction

Year 10 students have begun learning in preparation for their Work Experience placements which will occur later this year. Students will undertake a minimum of 5 hours of training so that they are aware of their rights and responsibilities under the Work, Health and Safety Act, the Equal Opportunity Act and the Child Protection Act.

Some Year 11 students shared their experiences about undertaking the same training last year, how it applied when they undertook work experience and what opportunities have arisen since their placements. They explained what a valuable process work experience is and the importance of organising the required paperwork in a timely fashion to ensure that insurance to protect the student and the employer is in place.

The Year 10 students are now full steam ahead for their Workplace Preparation training during Extended Home Group Periods.

Cameron Schmidt, Dom Wendelborn, James Soar, Lauren Fawcett and Jessica Isgar

Friday Activities

Staff versus Student Tennis Tournament

The Staff team were relentless in their attack on the Student team, in the recent recess and lunchtime tennis tournament.

The sets were short, so that more people got the opportunity to play, with winners being the first to win two games.

In the end the set score was Staff: 7 to Students: 0. Results were:

Students played for their Sport Houses in the Zooper Dooper Challenge at recess time, last Friday. Kidman just beat Hawke, with Hughes close behind!

By lunch time, the conditions were hot with gusty winds making a cool, but challenging Organised Water Fight on the basketball court.