20 September 2018

Newsletter Articles

Sheridan, Taylor and Chloe with local Zumba fitness instructor, Mischelle Camillo

From Our Principal

MOBILE PHONES – HOW DO THEY IMPACT ON WELL-BEING?

Twenty five years ago, I taught in London for a year as a Commonwealth Exchange teacher and during the European summer holidays travelled to Egypt, Jordan and Israel – only weeks after there had been some terrorist activity in the area. In fact, 1106 persons were killed or wounded in Egypt during that year.

As a young person at the time, I was away from my family for a year, travelling to places where tourists were being targeted – and I did it all without having a mobile phone or having access to social media!

Yet earlier this year when I went into Adelaide on a Sunday and accidentally left my phone at home, I felt somehow ‘incomplete’ and somewhat anxious. What if my mother tried to contact me and couldn’t? What if there was an urgent email from a member of the school community?

While I love my phone and find it enormously useful for daily work and life, I also know that, at times, it does not help my well-being. The nature of being connected 24/7 makes it difficult to ‘switch off’ from my job but also can be a great ‘time-waster’ as I check social media, new stories, live tennis scores, etc.

As an educator, my interest in this topic is broader, however.

There is a body of evidence that has emerged in recent years that throws a disturbing light on the relationship between ‘screen-time’ and the sharp rise in mental ill-health – most particularly teenage anxiety.

Current research suggests that 40% of secondary students have anxiety. I don’t find this statistic surprising.

While the jury is still out on the exact causes for this, research shows that teens who spend more time on smart phones and social media report more mental health issues, whereas those who spent more time on non-screen interactions and sport, report fewer.

Psychologists also say that because so much social connection is through digital devices, teens do not always develop abilities that build emotional resilience, like emotional regulation, coping and social-emotional regulation. They lose opportunities to develop grit and determination.

To give an example, it is now more common place to ‘ring Mum’ if there is a problem at school. Rather than having to work the issue through, draw on your own coping strategies or seek support from friends or adults on site, parents are routinely being called at recess or lunch.

What can we as adults do?

• Role model using our phones in moderation. As parents, we are our children’s first and most influential teachers. If we interrupt our conversations to respond to a message, then what message are we sending?
• Have discussions about healthy ways to use our phones and other devices. What family guidelines can be set? (no phones after 9pm? Phones charging overnight in a common area [eg kitchen]? Phone free Sunday?)
• If your child rings you during the day, requiring constant reassurance, look to reduce this dependence over time - it’s probably not good for your mental health either! Encourage them to seek support at school or to wait until after school to discuss.
• Look for opportunities to involve your children in non-screen activities – after school or on weekends. Board games are making a resurgence, for instance.

And on a similar topic, a colleague recommended the following video to me recently. It’s definitely provides some food for thought about the impact of mobile phones on teenagers’ wellbeing. Check it out.

YEAR 9 NAPLAN RESULTS

Parents/caregivers of Year 9 students will have results mailed to them over the next week. NAPLAN provides a ‘snapshot’ of student achievement and progress from Year 7.

In South Australia, we have a strong focus on the components of Reading and Numeracy, believing that they are good indicators of how well students can ‘access’ the curriculum.

We were pleased with students’ progress in Reading with the vast majority of students showing appropriate levels of growth from Year 7. Just over 71% of students provided evidence of reading skills at Year 9 level or above.

In Numeracy we were particularly pleased to see an increased proportion of students in the high bands (Bands 9 and 10) but concerned that some students did not make the appropriate level of growth at the lower levels. Approximately 63% of students provided evidence of numeracy skills at Year 9 level or above. (unfortunately, eight students were absent and for the purposes of school data are counted as ‘not’ meeting the standard of educational achievement).

REMINDER – PUPIL FREE DAY ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

Our Governing Council has approved a pupil free day for Friday, September 28 for the purpose of staff professional learning related to our Career Development Strategy.

Thursday, September 27 will be the final day of the term. Lessons will largely run as usual ahead of an end of day assembly. Reports will be issued at 3.15pm.

Please note: there will not be an early dismissal on this day.

STAFFING NEWS:

I am pleased to announce that I have been re-appointed as Principal of Kapunda High School for the next five years.

Kristen Masters
Principal

Student Achievements

Year 9 student, Austin Poulton was recently awarded the Barossa Light & Gawler Football Association U15 Best and Fairest in a three-way tie. Photo below shows Austin with trophy sponsor, Mr Des Shannahan. Congratulations, Austin.

Mr Des Shannahan & Austin Poultin Poulton

Year 11 student, Hayden Bubner has been awarded the under 17s Senior Colts Best and Fairest award with the Adelaide Plains Football Association.

Hayden Bubner

Year 10 student, Darcie Brown was also a member of the BLG Netball Team, winning Team of the Year and Year 8 student, Brielle Bliss, the State Champion award for Rhythmic Gymnastics. Congratulations, girls.

Year 12 Term 3 Round Up

Reminders

Centenary Foundation Applications closing 10:00pm Sunday, 30 September.

KHS Year 12 Major Prize Applications closing 11:00pm Friday, 28 September. Online via DayMap to Tracy Warner.

Formal payments are due to the Reception office by Thursday, 27 September

A Year 12 Final Assembly will take place on Friday, 26 October. Families are welcome to attend. Starting time 2:00pm. Please reserve a seat with the Reception office.

A copy of the KHS holiday sessions will be sent home to parents in the end of term newsletter.

2018 Examination Timetable

Tertiary Applications

For university entrance, applications are still open through SATAC at cost of $40 until September 28. A late application fee of $175 applies after this date.

There is a video link which explains to students and families how to register online with SATAC and enter course preferences if they would like to enrol from home.

September 28: Final Closing Dates for Creative Arts (Drama) Flinders University, Medicine /Surgery, Dental Surgery, Oral Health and Veterinary Bioscience at the University of Adelaide. No late applications accepted.

Using a STAT test for university entry.

Students who do not qualify for an ATAR and would like to apply for a university course can take a STAT test. This is through an adult entry pathway. Please check with SATAC before considering this option as not all courses allow a STAT entry.

Applying for a STAT test between August 6 and October 31 will cost $150.

Applying for a STAT test between November 1 and March 31 will cost $235.

Families have many questions and considerations around sending their young person to further education. Now the Open Days have been held, contact each institution for specific information about the entry requirements as they can vary between universities.

Applying for TAFESA award courses is still available through SATAC. There are no application fees when applying for a TAFESA course.

Friday, 30 November will be an early round offer date for some courses for first preferences only. CSPA tests will need to be completed by Tuesday, 27 November to be considered in the early round.

Students will need to submit their application by Friday, 14 December for equal consideration into competitive courses in the January offer round. CSPA tests will need to be completed by Friday, 14 December to be considered in the early round.

Universities and TAFESA have flexible pathways into courses that can be used by students if they do not gain the required ATAR or CSPA test score. This could be enrolling in SAIBIT, applying for a foundation or college course or in the case of TAFESA entering study at a lower level and following the pathway forward.

Each University has website pages with links to all the information you will need including Courses, Accommodation, Fees and Scholarships.

For further information visit the SATAC, University and TAFESA

Tracy Warner
Assistant Principal
Senior School

Art

Year 10

This term the Year 10 Art class have been working on a project combining Science and Art within a STEAM based learning project. The students needed to research and experiment with growing crystals onto a ‘seed.’ This seed could be a found item such as a watch or eggshell or could be created by the student. To such a different and experimental take to creating art, the students found challenges after the first session of crystal growing didn’t lead to much results. With discussions and further thinking, a second attempt was made and more success was had. Due to the nature of such a task, not all students were able to grow a crystal sculpture, however enough experiments were successful. This included crystals grown on sea shells, perfume bottles, animal bones and more. In order to document the artwork, photography was a focus and the students particularly enjoyed using the macro lenses to capture the intricate details of the crystals. Those that didn’t have crystals grow were able to fulfil their creative needs through still life photography.

Charlie McConville

As a part of this project the Year 10 Art classes visited the South Australian Museum to see the mineral collection where the collection manager, Ben McHenry discussed the importance of minerals to Kapunda with the connection of copper, as well as how the molecular structure causes the type of formations that crystals grow in. The students then viewed the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize where science and art combine as a lens for viewing our complex world around us.

Kaileigh Hoerisch, April Ford, Jemma Hollis & Ella Fiegert

The Art department would like to thank the help and assistance that the Science department gave the project, especially Laboratory Assistant, Alex Kitchen, who supported us along the whole journey.

I particularly enjoyed this unit on photography as it allowed us to experiment with different editing techniques to reach the images' full potential. Ella Fiegert

Year 8

The Year 8 Art class this term has once again responded well to creating artworks inspired by Aboriginal culture. The task is to draw an Australian native animal, choose a clear colour scheme and use Aboriginal techniques learnt in class in their own way. The students have also responded well to homework tasks with some creative artworks to the theme of the art elements each week including colour, line, form, tone, texture, shape and space.

Artwork by Phoenix Dobbs

Jennifer Ahrens
Art Teacher

Sleep Deprivation

As part of our Stage 2 Society and Culture assignment, we have investigated the affects of sleep deprivation for teenagers.

Isaac, Emilee, Dillon & Patrick
Stage 2 Society and Culture Social Action students

Zumba Fun!

Year 12 Society and Culture students, Taylor Turner, Chloe Rowe and Sheridan McMahon arranged for a Zumba session last Friday as part of their social action assignment. A large number of students enjoyed the lunch time session.

At the morning assembly, the students arranged for a ‘dance off’ between staff and students to promote the activity. Check the videos below to see who won!

Coles Cash for Schools equipment arrives!

Thank you for all who have supported Kapunda High School with this program.

PE students with just some of the equipment received.

Sacred Stone Perform

Students enjoyed a performance by Christian Music group, Sacred Stone this week.

Knockout Netball

On Monday, 27 August, the Year 10 KHS Netball Team headed down to Priceline Stadium for the Knockout Netball Finals.

The KHS team played against Gladstone in their first round and came away with the win after leading in the first half. Unity put up a tough fight in the next round, but it wasn’t enough to shake the KHS team who got another win on the board. The KHS team finished top of their pool after the first two games, then it was off the finals round where they played Bordertown. Unfortunately, the girls couldn’t quite get over the line and went down by 11 goals to the strong Bordertown side. Our team finished third overall after another win against Unity to secure that third spot out of all six teams. This team was the first Year 10 Knockout team to make it to the finals at Priceline Stadium in over 10 years, which they should be very proud of. Overall, it was a good day out for netball and the team played cohesively together, considering they have only played together once before.

Thank you to Sharyn Brooks for umpiring and driving the students.

Kerry Brown, Megan Samain & Mackenzie Arbon
Knockout Netball Coaches

New uniform dress is now available!

We are pleased to announce that the new KHS school dress is now available from Devon Clothing:

Adelaide Show Camp

Adelaide Show camp is now ‘done and dusted’ for another year. Lots of students gave up their lunchtimes in terms 2 & 3 to work with steers, sheep and goats, getting them prepared to be shown at the Royal Adelaide Show. Only 20 students, ranging from Years 8-11 were chosen to participate this year and as usual, were an awesome group.

With steers, we had a Haze, a Murray Grey from Silver Pty Ltd and Bentley, a Poll Hereford from Morganvale Pastoral Pty Ltd. Lucy Oldfield and Neve Knowler were their handlers. They did a fantastic job from breaking the steers in to having them ready to showing standards. Bentley came fourth in his weight class. Ashly Cocks, Abbey Trotta and Shania Chenoweth put a lot of effort getting Axel and Nitro ready; two boer goats from Kapunda Chevon. Axel came fourth in the Capretto class and Nitro came third in the Chevon class. This year saw a large number of students working with the two pens of merino wether sheep that came from Hilton Heath. At the end of the competition, we placed seventh in most valued skins, and fifth in best pen of three.

I would personally like to thank everyone who helped and/or supported the Ag Club and show camp. A special thanks goes to the students, breeders of the animals, Steve O’Donnell and the Jones Family. Without their support, the school wouldn’t be able to participate as well as we do in the Royal Adelaide Show.

Karen Bromley
Agriculture teacher

Ed. Thank you to Karen for your efforts and support of the Ag Club!

Reminder: PUPIL FREE DAY

Friday, 28 September

Friday Activities

Winners of the football long kicking competition were: Will Glen for the boys (55 meters) and Darcie Brown for the girls (42 meters). Mr Brady had the longest kick for the staff – 48 metres.

Winners were:

At lunchtime on Friday of Week 8, half a dozen staff and nearly fifty students enjoyed the warm, sunny conditions and went on a Mystery Money Walk.

At the start of lunch the group gathered at the school gates not knowing where the walk would take them.

Two coins were tossed in the air, two heads meant go right, two tails meant go left, and a head and a tail meant go straight ahead. If a T junction - only one coin tossed - heads right, tails left.

Two heads was the first call and the gathering headed down West Terrace to Clare Road and after many more coin tosses ended up on Fuller Street, Tilbrook Street and then into the back of the school from Hawke Street.

Many students were keen to do it again sometime, or else a walk around 'The Pines' or 'The Mines'.

You might enjoy a mystery money walk (or a mystery money ride) around town with family or friends.

Community Notices

Boat Licence

Boat licence session Tuesday, 25 September at 6:45pm Freeling Community Clubrooms

Cost is $60 per person, 12-15 year olds are able to sit for a special permit that requires a practical assessment within six months. Photo ID required on the night (Birth Certificate is ok as well)

Bookings: please contact James M 0417 568 760

Accredited Training Courses for Young People – October School Holidays

Responsible Service of Alcohol

Information and bookings:

Apply First Aid

Information and bookings:

National Certificate 1 in Barista Basics (2 separate workshops)

Information and bookings:

National White Card

Information and bookings:

The Youth Portal on the Town of Gawler website also has information about the training including age limits and booking requirements:

Transport can be provided if required – please contact Lorinda, Light Regional Council on 0428947479 for more details.