1 June 2018

Newsletter Articles

Marisha, Sheridan, Mia and Liam, excited about their performances at next week’s Music Evening (see flyer below)

From Our Principal

FOCUSSING ON LEARNING AHEAD OF THE END OF SEMESTER

In three weeks’ time we will have reached the half-way mark of the year. For many of our students it has been a particularly busy term with a range of learning outside of the school as well as involvement in extra-curricular activities.

In that context, it is very important that in these final weeks of the semester, there is a concerted effort to complete all outstanding assessment tasks.

For our Year 12 students, the immediate focus is on completing their compulsory Research Project. In several weeks’ time, teachers will be uploading the Research Evaluation for external assessment and shortly after the Folio and Research Outcome will be sent off for moderation.

While these are important deadlines, it is essential that students do not ‘drop the ball’ with their other subjects but keep a balanced approach to their learning – putting in the necessary hours both in and outside of school.

Our Year 11 students also have a busy final three weeks of the semester with satisfactory completion of SACE Stage 1 subjects heavily emphasised. Of particular importance is the need to complete the compulsory Literacy and Numeracy subjects at ‘C’ or better.

Year 10 students will have a combination of PROGRESSIVE (English, Mathematics and Science) and final grades for semester subjects. Year 10 is an important foundation for senior school success and as such, achieving ‘C’ or better in all areas is something that we want all students to be striving for. A sound work ethic, completion of all homework and meeting deadlines goes a long way to making good grades a reality. Next semester, Year 10’s commence the compulsory SACE subject – Personal Learning Plan (PLP).

Year 9 students will have a combination of PROGRESSIVE (English, Mathematics, Science and Physical Education) and FINAL GRADES (all other subjects) at the end of this semester. At this level, one of the main reasons some students underachieve is incomplete assessment tasks. If you are concerned with your child’s progress in any subject and want to check they are ‘on track’ please call, email or ‘Daymap’ the relevant teacher, sooner, rather than later.

Year 8 students will have a combination of PROGRESSIVE (English, Mathematics and Science) and FINAL GRADES (all other subjects) at the end of this semester. It was great to see so many Year 8 parents in for the recent interviews but again, if you are ever concerned, please do not hesitate to get in touch with subject teachers.

‘Hard copy’ reports for all students will be issued on the final day of the term at the conclusion of the assembly.

MUSIC EVENING COMING UP

One of the highlights of the school year is the annual music evening, this year scheduled for Wednesday, June 6.

Commencing at 7:00pm, at the Kapunda High School Drama Room, the evening is a tremendous opportunity for students to showcase their talents and to gain confidence in performing in front of an audience. For Year 12 Music students it is particularly important as they work on refining their repertoire for end of year moderation.

While I know that the event will be well supported by families of students who are performing, I particularly invite all members of our school community to come along and enjoy what is a great celebration of the Arts.

REMINDER: PUPIL FREE DAY, 8 JUNE, 2018

All schools across the Goyder and Light Partnership will have a pupil free day for the purpose of furthering our work with the implementation of the Australian Curriculum and learning design, assessment and moderation.

In the morning, secondary teachers from Kapunda High School and Eudunda Area School will be meeting for collaborative moderation of student work samples. This will be followed by a review of assessment tasks to ensure that they give all students the best change of showing what they know, understand and can do.

In the afternoon, one of our Assistant Principals, Liz Gary-Smith, will be leading all secondary teachers through a workshop on formative assessment. Formative assessment is the term given to the strategies teachers use to ascertain where students are ‘at’ with their learning and to make adjustments to the learning programme to ensure that all students are catered for.

REMINDER: ENERGY DRINKS ARE NOT PERMITTED AT SCHOOL

Energy drinks, young people and learning are a bad combination and for that reason they are not permitted at school.

Some facts:

• Excessive consumption of caffeine is linked with weakened cognition – reduced focus, poorer problem-solving skills, memory and reaction times
• The large amount of caffeine they include often induces anxiety
• The average energy drink contains 10-12 teaspoons of sugar
• Consuming energy drinks can keep you awake and sleep deprived
• They might seem thirst quenching but can leave the body dehydrated – contributing to headaches
• They can contribute to heart problems

Students who bring energy drinks to school or on the bus can expect to have them confiscated.

Kristen Masters
Principal

Fundraiser - Entertainment Books

Get your Entertainment Membership to support Kapunda High School - $13 of every membership goes to the school.

Pay online at the link below.

The serious business of breathing

Spray deodorants and perfumes are banned at KHS as they pose significant danger to people who have asthma. Statistics show that across Australia, on average, one person dies each day as a consequence of asthma.

Unfortunately, some members of our community are still bringing sprays to school - perhaps under-estimating the impact that they can have on the health and well-being of others. When spray deodorants and perfumes are applied in confined places such as classrooms, change rooms and hallways it can be difficult or impossible for people to avoid.

Show consideration – use alternatives!

A Busy Time for Year 11 Students

Reminders

• Work experience paperwork – should have been completed already, are you prepared for work experience?
• ABW – payments due by the end of Week 6.
• Camp – payments due by the end of Week 6.
• Subjects for Semester 2 have been given out; subject changes need to be finalized by the end of Week 6.

Australian Business Week – Community Mentors needed

ABW is a week-long business simulation involving Year 11 students working in groups of ten, competing against other groups and schools. For Kapunda High, it runs for the week of Monday, 25 June to Friday, 29 June. It helps students get a taste of 'real world' business and enables them to develop confidence and an enterprising attitude. Students take on the responsibility of running a virtual business for the week where they make a range of important decisions and manage the results.

Where you can make a difference

Each group of students will have a staff mentor supporting them through the process of the week's learning. However, students gain so much more from having a community mentor to advise them. They can ask questions of someone who has ‘real life’ experience in one or more of the roles the students will undertake – such as finance, marketing and general management.

How much time would I need to commit?

You won't need to be involved for the entire week - but you can if you want to! The necessary times will be:

Monday, 25 June – 9:30 am to 2:00pm at Eudunda Area School.

All ABW students, staff mentors and community mentors attend this session in for a run-down of the requirements for each part of ABW week, and have an opportunity to ask questions. Lunch is generally provided.

Friday, 29 June - approximately 9:30 am to 12 noon at Eudunda Area School.

The final part of the week involves the students running a trade display and presenting their reports. This is also when the winners of each section are announced, as well as the overall winner. Whilst it won’t be necessary to attend as a community mentor, it is an opportunity to see the final outcome of your team's hard work.

Any additional commitment of time you can give throughout the week.

This might be an hour of your time to mentor the students about a certain part of the program, such as the company report or marketing strategy.

If you are able to help, please email megan.samain991@schools.sa.edu.au or call the school.

Community Blitz

During recent weeks, two year 8 maths classes have been working on a 'Community Blitz' STEM based project.

They were tasked to design and pitch a product/structure that would add value to the community in which they live. The project has involved justifying ideas, thinking about ourselves as civil citizens, using measurement in an authentic way as well as planning a budget for their designs.

On Monday, students showcased their projects in an exhibition style event for other students. Students were eager to explain the thinking behind their projects.

Ashleigh Callins & Jess Cocks
Year 8 Mathematics teachers

Community Blitz

Materials & Services Charges – does this concern you?

Are your fees still outstanding?

Have you been waiting for School Card acceptance and now you've found out that you're not eligible?

Are you worried about how you will ever manage to pay your child/ren's Material and Services Charges?

Haven't yet applied for School Card this year - you've been eligible in the past, but have you checked the criteria - have your circumstances changed?

Are you sure you are still eligible?

Are you receiving invoices from the school each month and you're ignoring them, because they're just way too scary - your vision blurs and you get heart palpitations when you so much as glance at them?

KHS understands that families sometimes have difficulties in meeting their financial obligations. If you have not yet completed this year's payments, please make contact with our Administration/Finance Officer, Sue Coppin and she will assist you in setting up a manageable payment plan to avoid an inevitable referral to the Debt Recovery Unit as required by DECD process.

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 – remaining due payment dates:

Learning Support Centre

We welcome another newcomer to the Learning Support Centre - Leanne Reed.

I live in Tanunda with my two teenage children, who keep me very busy with their various sports. I have been hairdressing and doing remedial massage for many years and have a salon that I operate from my home. I enjoy travelling and I hope that in the future I will get to have many more adventures.

It has been a long time since I have been in high school and I must say that it has changed quite a lot! I am finding Kapunda High to be a great school and I am enjoying being part of the SSO team.

Achieving success

We are very proud of 2017 graduate, Georgie Tsouris who gained an apprenticeship with Lexus of Adelaide at the end of last year.

Georgie was always proactive and passionate about her career pathway; she completed her Certificate I in Automotive at Nuriootpa High School through KENTTC as a Year 11 student, and then went on to undertake her Cert II in Automotive Studies through Nuriootpa TafeSA as a Year 12 student. She undertook several work experience placements in her school holiday time to ensure she continually developed her employability skills and workplace experience. This set her in good stead to gain employment with a reputable company. Georgie is even featuring in photos on their updated website!

Georgie is having a very positive experience in her workplace and her employers also really value her as an employee. She is on track to achieve goals she identified at school through her PLP and sets a good example to others about how to set and achieve milestones.

Well done Georgie! We are proud of you and look forward to hearing more about your journey.

Penny Chancellor
Flexible Pathways Coordinator (VET, FLO and Careers)

Duke of Edinburgh activity

Duke of Ed students made damper and learned to cook over an open fire this fortnight, in preparation for their Adventurous Journeys. In developing their cooking skills and survival techniques, they are also learning valuable life skills such as teamwork, communication, self-management and planning and organisation skills. We appreciate the Case Managers, Jake Smedley and Kelly Johnson who manage the Duke of Ed Program at Kapunda High School and the fun and engaging activities they plan for our Duke of Ed students.

Friday Activities

The school was a-buzz with activities at lunch time of week 4. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon with a home group basketball game on the outside court, an indoor soccer competition in the gym and Drew running a Survivor Challenge on the asphalt area. Some of the Survivor activities included Poison Ball, Stack the Groceries and Three, Five, Seven with bamboo sticks. The sole survivor was Kate Tomney.

Survivor Challenge

At morning assembly, staff and students took part in a true or false quiz with Cayse Dew being the last person standing.

Recess time saw students enjoying time spent toasting marshmallows over the warm coals of two portable fire pits.

The previous Friday activities involved potatoes. Spud Basketball at recess time and Spud Cards at lunch time.

Spud Basketball

Spud cards