15 June 2018

Newsletter Articles

Liam and Abigail with MFS officer, Mark Sutton and road trauma victim, Sam, after a RAP (Road Awareness Program) session for Year 11 students

From Our Principal

Moving forward with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

We have been very pleased with the response to the first year of being 100% BYOD with 97% of students arriving on Day 1 of the school year with a device – either purchased or organised through the school’s long-term loan scheme (for financially needy families).

In the first few weeks of the year we then worked with remaining families to ensure that all students had a device to support learning anywhere, anytime.

For the most part, things have worked well and there is no doubt that technology has been able to be embedded more seamlessly into learning than previous years.

However, there have been some ‘teething’ issues that we hope that you can support us with.

Students bringing uncharged devices to school seems to be the new ‘dog ate my homework’ excuse.

Students would never think of having an uncharged phone yet some have not got into the habit of charging their device every night. We ask parents to take the lead by reminding students to do so.

We also have a number of charging stations around the school to support students during the day. To enable that we have a test and tagging service operate every Tuesday at school.

Coming to school with an uncharged device is no different to coming to school without books or writing equipment and it is expected that teachers put consequences into place where this is a regular issue.

Students using devices with inadequate storage

We understand that in the ‘back to school’ rush, some families may not have checked the minimum specifications published last year. As such, we have a small number of students with inadequate storage. If that is the case, we ask that you begin to plan towards an ‘upgrade’ for 2019.

Students accessing games from their devices during learning time

We have also noticed that some students are accessing games that they have installed on their devices. This is detrimental to learning and being successful and once again, teachers will be putting consequences into place where this is a regular issue. Parents are encouraged to monitor what students have on their devices, recognising their primary purpose is for learning.

The link between well-being and learning – and how parents can assist

Students who don’t feel good about themselves find it difficult to engage with learning. Students who are undergoing difficult family journeys beyond the school find it difficult to engage with their learning. Students who have unrealistic expectations of themselves can sometimes become paralysed by a fear of failure.

Sometimes students do require specialist interventions beyond the school to assist them to get back on track. If you feel that your child is in this position and don’t know where to go for assistance, please contact our Leader of Well Being, Lee-Anne Cummins, who can provide you with options.

However, we should not under-estimate the positive impact that we as parents can have on our children’s learning and well-being. Support and encouragement is the most critical thing families can give.

Support does not mean allowing students to ‘opt out’ when the going gets tough. Support does not mean ‘tightening the screws’ when the going gets tough. Helping students to navigate and work through problems in a calm, logical and reassuring manner makes a difference. Promoting a growth mindset makes a difference. Simply listening and acknowledging concerns makes a difference.

Support and encouragement in evidence – Music Evening

On Wednesday evening it was great to see so many families attend the annual music evening. With solo performances from Year 12 students as well as performances from the Concert Band, Vocal Ensemble and Woodwind Ensemble, it was a night characterised by great variety and entertainment.

What was so obvious in the Drama Room was the high level of support and encouragement for all performers. Having the courage to perform in front of a crowd of approximately 80 takes some effort and members of the audience were certainly appreciative and fulsome in their praise and applause.

Many thanks to teachers, Carolyn Thorne and Victoria Newbold for their on-going work with our music programme. We’re also pleased to have the support of instrumental teachers who deliver weekly lessons to our students.

Vocal group practice

Drummer, Maisen McInerney

Concert band members, Georgia, Samuel & Toby

RAP Session

Last week, Mark Sutton of the Metropolitan Fire Service gave a RAP (Road Awareness Program) session to Year 11 students. RAP seeks to actively engage and empower drivers and other road users through positive peer pressure and its core message: ‘You get to choose the risk; but you don’t get to choose the consequences’. The students were given confronting and realistic insight into road crash trauma, including vision of real crashes and crash survivors. Real life crash survivor, Sam, now living with permanent disability shared her story as part of the presentation.

*Gasp

Statistics show that across Australia, on average, one person dies each day as a consequence of asthma.

In recent times, KHS has reminded everyone to be considerate of those who struggle to breathe when exposed to spray deodorants, perfumes and other fragrances. These aerosols pose significant danger to people who have asthma and we may not always be aware of those around us who have this condition. When applied in confined places such as classrooms, change rooms and hallways, it can be difficult or impossible for people to avoid the atomised product.

These sprays are banned and must not be brought to school. Please use alternatives!

Let’s Hygiene

With the winter season upon us, colds and Flu are becoming prevalent.

Wash, Wipe, Cover… don’t infect another!

What is cough etiquette?

Cough etiquette is a series of actions to take if you are coughing or sneezing, which are designed to reduce the spread of respiratory illness to others.

Why is cough etiquette so important?

Colds and flu have the ability to spread easily via the transmission of the germs through the air, carried on droplets. If dispersal of these droplets can be prevented then infection transmission can be reduced. Cough etiquette can help to contain infectious respiratory droplets at the source.

What do I need to do?

Sneeze, blow your nose or cough into a disposable tissue, and discard the tissue immediately into a bin. If tissues are not available cough/sneeze into your upper arm or sleeve; avoid using your hands.

• Turn away from other people when coughing/sneezing.
• Move away from other people who are coughing/sneezing.
• Always wash your hands after coughing/sneezing/blowing your nose.
• If there is no access to soap and water, an alcohol-based rub may be used.
• Try to keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.
• If you have a cold or the flu and visit a healthcare facility or Doctors rooms you may be asked to wait in a separate area and to wear a mask, in order to protect others.

What’s wrong with using a ‘hanky’?

Disposable tissues are preferred over cloth handkerchiefs for covering your coughs and sneezes when you have a cold or the flu. This is because a cloth handkerchief can act as a breeding ground for the germs that are causing the infection. Carrying a used handkerchief around when you are sick may spread your germs.

What if I can’t find a bin for my tissues?

If you have to go out when you have a cold or the flu, and you cannot get to a bin to dispose of your used tissues, try carrying a small plastic bag to collect them in until they can be disposed of properly.

I sneeze a lot from dust and when I have hay fever. Is this a problem too?

Although you may not have an infection at this time it is normal for the nose and mouth to contain some bacteria. Cough etiquette is still a good habit to continue at all times to prevent spreading germs.

REMEMBER: ‘WASH, WIPE, COVER – DON’T INFECT ANOTHER!’

Mission Australia Youth Survey

Each year, Mission Australia undertakes a survey of youth aged 15 – 19 across Australia. The survey provides valuable data and information about the concerns and ideas young people have as they transition from school into the world of work, what types of study or work they are involved in, and identifies young peoples’ values, concerns, support, wellbeing and opinions about community, drugs and alcohol. All up, the survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and students will remain anonymous. Information collected informs the development of programs to support youth.

Kapunda High School has requested a school survey code, so that our students can complete the survey and we can receive regionally relevant information to guide and inform decisions made regarding school support programs.

We are seeking your permission and support for your child’s involvement, so a letter has been sent home to all students 15 years and over. Please ensure the form is signed and returned so that we have permission for your child to participate in the survey. We only receive regionally specific information if we have more than 100 participants.

If you have any queries about the survey or would like to ask about the types of questions in the survey, please contact me on the school phone number or send an email to: Penny.Chancellor315@schools.sa.edu.au .

Penny Chancellor
Flexible Pathways Coordinator

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:

Uniform Sale

Don’t get left in the cold!

Halfway for Year 12s

Many of our Year 12 students gathered together to celebrate the halfway mark for their year. Many of the students have been together since Reception.

Students, Brad, Erin and Sheridan; together since Reception at Roseworthy Primary School

Students, Jack, Taylor and Josh; together since Reception at Freeling Primary School

Students, Anabelle and John; together since Reception at Wasleys Primary School

Students, Abigail, Zach, Jackson and Chloe; together since Reception at Hewett Primary School

Students, Amy, Patrick, Aaron, Patrick, Luke, Bailey, Liam, Mia, Madeline, Sheralee, Zoe, Jemma, Renae, Jacob, Gemma, Courtney and Cara; together since Reception at Kapunda Primary School

Students, Cody, Cassie, Michaela, Courtney, Amy, Maya, Isaac, Sarah, Marisha, Morgan, Lane, Brandon, Bailey and Chris; from many different places!

Friday Activities

On Friday of Week 5, Drew handed out some bottles of bubble blowing mixture at recess time.

At lunchtime, the activity was the ever popular The Price Is Right with Ruby and Maison correctly placing the groceries in order.

Last week, Putting for Chocolate saw some keen staff and students participating in the hopes of hitting the tin in two shots.

Putting for Chocolate