28 March 2019

Newsletter Articles

Doorways 2 Construction Plus students, Ashley Jones, Jacob Marsden, Matthew McLean, Aaron Fryer, Lincoln Bishop, Ronan Dellar & Cooper Meaney, wearing their new shirts and personal protection equipment provided by CITB (Construction Industry Training Board)

From Our Acting Principal

I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to be in the acting role of Principal for the remainder of the term while Kristen replaces Kathryn Bruggemann as our Education Director. Elizabeth Gary-Smith is backfilling the Deputy Principal’s role. In other staffing news, this is Megan Samain’s final week at school before she begins her Maternity Leave. On behalf of the staff and wider school community, I would like to wish Megan all the best as the next stage of her family life begins.

End of Term Arrangements

Assessment and reporting

As the end of term approaches, there are several ways that as parents, you can track the progress of your child. The parent portal on DayMap provides access to assessments that have been marked and resulted by teachers with specific comments made at different stages about student achievement and areas for development.

Teachers have agreed to use DayMap to:

• report achievement in all summative assessment tasks
• provide a written comment for at least one substantial task each term – highlighting strengths and areas for improvement
• publish results to students/parents within three weeks of submission.

Parent-student-teacher interviews are scheduled for week 2 next term. I would encourage all families to plan for this, as it provides an opportunity to discuss in greater depth the progress of your children with individual class teachers. Interviews will be booked through the School Interviews website. Details will be provided in the final newsletter of this term and in a letter that will accompany the end of term reports. The key information will be accessible from week 11 on the school website.

Last Day of Term

The final day of term is Friday, April 13. Students will need to attend school on the last day of term to receive their report. If students are absent on the last day of term, the reports will be published on DayMap with paper copies available from the Reception office from Monday, April 15. Where students are absent with illness; parents are welcome to collect reports from the office following the early dismissal time of 2:30pm.

Felyka Leske has organised local church groups to come in and support the DIY Breakkie Program on the final day of term. They will be giving out hot cross buns provided fresh from Litl Mo’s Bakery between 8:30am and 8:50pm prior to the beginning of the school day, to students who wish to be involved. There will be no religious instruction associated with this and students are not obliged to participate.

NAPLAN Trial

A selection of year 9 students will undertake an online NAPLAN trial this week. This provides an opportunity for the school to assess our network and internet capabilities and to ensure our processes within the school provide the best opportunity for students to participate during the testing period beginning in week three next term. NAPLAN assessment will run between 14 and 24 May.

Tim Jones
Acting Principal

Uniform Sale Continues

The following uniform items will remain on sale from Devon Clothing until the end of this term:

KHS White Polo Shirts - $20 each
KHS Zip Jackets - $40 each
KHS Zip Windcheaters - $30 each

Wear it Blue Day

Tuesday, 2 April is the KHS Wear it Blue Day in recognition of, and having a focus on the strengths and abilities of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We encourage everyone to wear a blue accessory (hats, scarves, headbands etc) on this day to show support.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder most commonly involving problems with communication and social interactions. ASD is an umbrella term that covers classic Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDDNOS) and Asperger's Syndrome. Up until 2013, these conditions were considered separate, but they are now all grouped under the Autism Spectrum.

It is important to know that no two people with ASD are exactly the same, although they may have similar traits.

Many famous people are on the Autism Spectrum and have gone onto achieve many things.

Satoshi Tajiri

The creator of Pokemon, Satoshi Tajiri, has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. His colleagues have described him as ‘reclusive’ and ‘eccentric’ – but his unusual brain is the mastermind behind one of the highest-grossing franchises of all time.

As a child, Satoshi Tajiri was fascinated by insects and was even nicknamed ‘Dr. Bug’ by other children. As an adult, Tajiri turned that interest into the world-wide phenomenon that is Pokemon — which itself makes him an inspiration to millions of children (and adults!) around the world. But Satoshi Tajiri is also on the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum. Though he confirmed that he does indeed have Asperger’s Syndrome, Tajiri does not talk about it in public, choosing instead to let his many accomplishments speak for themselves.

Ladyhawke (Phillipa Margaret Brown)

Philippa Margaret Brown is also known as Ladyhawke. She has released three solo Indie Rock albums. She credits her knack for the guitar and love of music to her diagnosis with Asperger's Syndrome. Ladyhawke spent her childhood developing her musical talent, and it paid off for her big in 2009 when she took home six awards from the New Zealand Music Awards.

David Byrne

When asked about his condition, Talking Heads front man, David Byrne says that he just sees himself as ‘different’ – not defective. “We all don't have to be the same,” Byrne has said. “I used to get annoyed when folks placed value judgements on sociability — implying those who are not gregarious or social are somehow less — it's just different.”

Albert Einstein

(1879-1955)

Perhaps the most famous scientist and mathematician in history, Albert Einstein had a number of interesting and possibly telling characteristics. For one, he had trouble socializing, especially as an adult. As a child, he experienced severe speech delays and later echolalia, or the habit of repeating sentences to himself. And of course, there is the fact that Einstein was incredibly technical. Such characteristics have led many experts to conclude that he appeared somewhere on the autism spectrum.

Sources:

Community Support needed for our Literacy Intervention Program

We are looking for support from our community to provide time and funds for our literacy intervention program at Kapunda High School by way of becoming a volunteer or a sponsor.

Volunteers will listen to students read for approximately one hour per week. Reading half an hour a day can help close the gap of socio-economic disadvantaged. All volunteers will require a current Department of Human Services (DHS) child related employment screening (previously known as DCSI). The school can assist with this process.

Sponsors can make a cash donation to be put towards purchasing books that will be used in the MacqLit Intervention lessons and extra reading time. To help with recycling, many books are sourced from secondhand charity shops and book sales. The books are kept in the MacqLit room and will contribute to building the MacqLit library.

We look forward to building a support group within the community that will continue to help improve the literacy skills of our students here at KHS.

For further information regarding either of the above, please contact Elizabeth Gary-Smith by email: elizabeth.garysmith874@schools.sa.edu.au or phone 08 8566 2203.

Dazzlers Social Group

To assist with their transition into secondary school, we have two small interactive groups for year 8 students, led by SSOs, Keven Dooley and Meagan Menzel. A year 10 student is also participating in a mentoring role for the other students in one of the groups, having being a part of this group in the past.

Each fortnight, the groups undertake different activities, which are chosen by the group members. The activities focus on improving social skills, team work, getting along, as well as daily living skills.

One of the groups has now chosen the name, Dazzlers. On Thursday, 14 March, Dazzlers completed a photography shoot, learning about angles and light. They had an enjoyable time, moving around the school, capturing the beauty of Eringa and its surrounding gardens.

We are currently working on ideas for other activities for future sessions with the next one being cooking. On the menu will be pancakes and smoothies.

The other group is yet to choose a name, but are currently planning to keep a turtle, yabby or similar creature at school, which will include all that is necessary to do so.

Dazzlers members:

Gabby Payne, Bethany-Kate Phillips, Rhyleagh Kalemba, Paige Ryder, Demi Rogers and Melissa Jeffs-Pate

Learning Support

Entertainment Books – Available NOW!

SunSmart

With the cooler weather and some cloud cover this week, it’s easy to become complacent about being sun smart. The UV Indexes are still at the level of Very High and recommended sun protection is for the majority of each day. Students and staff are required to wear appropriate sun protection per our SunSmart policy throughout this term.

Hats – available now!

A variety of bucket and broad-brimmed hats are available from our Reception office. Plain navy bucket hats are available through Devon Clothing

Community Notices

School Holiday Training Opportunities

Light Regional Council, in collaboration with Town of Gawler and Barossa Council, are again offering subsidised accredited training courses for young people living in our Council regions

See the Youth Portal on the Town of Gawler website for more information, including age limits for each course (see the link below) - payment to be made at time of online booking. If a young person lives outside of the Light/Gawler/Barossa Council regions they are welcome to book, but full cost applies and no transport available.

Adelaide Careers & Employment Expo

May 10 - 9:00am – 3:00pm
May 11 – 10:00am – 4:00pm
Adelaide Showground
FREE event

The Interactive Skills Zones at the Careers Expo presented by Government of SA - Department for Industry & Skills

The Skills Zones will be filled with ‘hands on’ displays, allowing students to experience SA’s Future Apprenticeship and Training Opportunities.

There will be Eight Interactive Zones featuring careers in:

• Creative Industries & Digital
• Defence, It & Cyber Security
• Construction, Mining & Energy
• Health, Fitness, Community Services & Disability
• Food, Wine & Tourism
• Transport & Manufacturing
• Business, Education & Services
• Agribusiness

Applications for the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) are open!

There are so many fantastic benefits to studying a degree through ADFA, such as;

• learning management and leadership skills,
• earning a salary while studying for a degrees, and
• a guaranteed job on graduation.

What's life like at ADFA?

At ADFA your students will live in a lively and supportive team environment while completing a degree in arts, business, computing, engineering, science or technology. Their food and accommodation will be subsidised, they’ll enjoy a wide range of free sporting opportunities, and even their medical and dental will be paid for.

While they concentrate on their studies, a rewarding career as an Officer in the Navy, Army or Air Force will await them, with dozens of jobs to choose from. Then once they start work, the benefits keep growing - with travel, unique experiences, a fulfilling lifestyle and no help debt

Year 12 students wishing to apply for ADFA 2020 intake will need to attend the July officer selection board. The cut-off date to be booked to this board is June 6. Students should start their application now to ensure they meet the cut-off date. Find more information about the application process by clicking the link below or come long to our next ADFA information session.

ADFA Information Session

Monday MAR 25 at 6pm
L4 191 Pulteney St Adelaide