14 June 2019

Newsletter Articles

ADF Officers, Rhys McIntee and Aaron Donnelly with students, Tanisha Rundle, Abigail Law, Jack Meldrum, Keegan Rigney, Andrew Prior and Liam Opitz. (see Career Strategy article)

From Our Principal

Using Student Voice to Improve Teaching and Learning

Over a two-week window in late May and early June, all students were asked to complete a 5-10 minute online survey in the majority of their classes. This is commonly known as the PIVOT survey.

Aligned to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, individual teachers receive feedback that identifies both their strengths and areas for growth. They also have access to a range of resources that can assist them moving forward.

We also have access to collated data that looks at trends within learning areas and also year levels.

With almost 130 classes surveyed, the highest individual questions scores across the school were:

This teacher is knowledgeable about the topics in this subject

• This teacher treats me with respect
• This teacher cares about students’ point of view

The lowest individual question scores were:

• At the end of each lesson, this teacher reviews what we have just learned
• This class keeps my attention – I don’t get bored
• Our class is busy learning and doesn’t waste time

This is the second year that we have undertaken the PIVOT survey broadly across the school and it is pleasing to see that we are showing improvement in some areas.

Students will complete the survey again early in Term 4.

Staff Development Day – Collaborative Moderation

Last week, our teaching staff combined with colleagues at Nuriootpa High School and Eudunda Area School to engage in collaborative moderation activities. The purpose of moderation is to ensure consistency of standards, reflect on the quality of assessment tasks and ultimately to discuss ‘how’ to best teach units of learning.

Most teachers reported that the samples of student learning from Kapunda High School ‘stood up’ very well through that process.

Some Uniform Reminders

Now that we are into winter, it has become apparent that a small number of students have been caught ‘short’ – perhaps no longer fitting into last year’s uniform.

Key reminders include:

• Pants must be plain navy or plain grey – not black and no stripes or large logos
• Non-uniform ‘hoodies’ are not permissible – even when worn under the school polo shirt.

See below for clarification re uniform items:

If your child does not have a school jacket or ‘hoodie’, please order through Devon Clothing.

Semester Changeover

Semester 1 will end on Friday, June 21 with Semester 2 commencing on Monday, June 24.

All students will get a new timetable for Semester 2.

For full year subjects, most students will have the same teacher in Semester 2 as they have had in Semester 1.

Kristen Masters
Principal

Career Strategy – Guest Speakers

ADF Careers

This week, we had guest speakers from the Australian Defence Forces address our Year 10 students and interested Year 11 and 12 students as part of the Career Development Whole School Strategy. Students are being exposed to a broader range of guest speakers, across their school years so that they can consider a broad range of pathways as they complete their school education and explore employment and educational pathways from school.

Officers Aaron Donnelly and Rhys McIntee shared with our students that:

There are over 250 roles within the Defence Forces.

• Some have formal training (Vocational Training or University Degrees) which is all paid for by the ADF.
• Other supportive training can be funded by the forces also – such as Rhys has undertaken a Cert IV in Fitness, funded by ADF so that he can coach fitness teams within the ADF – something he is very passionate about.
• Rhys and Aaron shared photos of the roles they undertake within the forces but also of their families, as evidence that they have lives beyond their roles within their workplace.
• They shared the travelling opportunities and growth and leadership opportunities they have experienced through their service within the forces.
• The GAP Year Program was explained – students learned how they can make a shorter commitment to the ADF for just one year so that they can explore if it is something they would like to consider as a longer term option.
• ADF offers excellent remuneration packages, with Superannuation being at 24%, university degrees being paid for, and staff being paid excellent, above average wages whilst they are learning their role or trade.

If students have further questions they can access handouts from Mrs Chancellor or ADF have websites and social media access too. There are many explanatory videos on YouTube which can help those considering a career in the ADF in more detail.

SA Police Careers

Senior Constable, Randal Murch with Abbey Menzel & Toby Woods

The Year 9 students were addressed by Senior Constable Randal Murch, who presented some information about alcohol and the risks of consumption. Our goal is to arm students with information, so that they can make informed decisions as they move into their senior teens and beyond school. There were some strong messages for students to consider about their responsibilities and the connection between actions and consequences.

We thank Senior Constable Murch for his time to share with our students.

Penny Chancellor
Assistant Principal (VET, FLO, Careers)

STEM Ambassadors Final Presentation

On Monday, 3 June, the two STEM Ambassadors, Mitchell and Jed along with Noah (who was our pilot) went to the final presentation day at the Adelaide Oval. The team gave a video presentation of their research and Drone competition outcome.

If you have been keeping up with our progress during the past year, you will know that we didn’t do very well in the competition, because we kept losing the WiFi connection between the drone and the controller. We think the high voltage cables at SA Power networks and their external WiFi system caused interference. We set about testing our theory at school and found other strange behaviour with the drone - where we couldn’t detect a signal at all, however, the drone was still flying.

We ran out of time to go further with our testing as now our STEM Ambassador year has come to an end. However, our drone use at school hasn’t ended. PE are using it to record lessons on the oval, so that students can watch their performance. We also aim to use it to record changes to our grounds and buildings over time.

Mr Lehmann and the STEM team, Mitchell, Jed, Noah and Adam.

Click here to view STEM Ambassador video

MFS Road Awareness Program

This week, our Year 11 students were involved in the MFS Road Awareness Program, Looking after our Mates - highly valuable, powerful and engaging.

Year 12s at the halfway mark

Music Evening

Last Wednesday evening, the annual Music Evening was held in the Drama room. There were great performances by the KHS Concert Band, Year 12 student, Ashly Cocks, Year 11 Ensemble and more. The cast from Spotlight! The Musical, also gave us a sneak-peak of the musical by performing It’s all about me! The musical will be performed in Term 3.

Community Notices

Vintage Cellar Hand Short Course – School Holidays

An opportunity for students to complete the Vintage Cellar Hand short course is available in the Term 2 school holiday period.

• This short course will provide you with introductory training in the wine industry, including an overview of the requirements and fundamentals for vintage cellar hand work.
• The course includes both theory and practical activities, along with winery site tours, and will focus on cellar hand basics of the wine production process, such as cleaning, transfers, additions and finings, as well as work health and safety (WHS) and food safety.

Course: Identify key operations in wine production (FDFWIN1001)

Click on the link below for course information and student registration page.

Tuesday, 9 July and Wednesday, 10 July
9:00am to 3:30pm
Cost: $300 per person

*Must be 16 years and over and have arrange own transport

For further information, contact: Brett Ancell, Business Development Account Manager (08) 7210 3089 or M 0472 808 191

School Holiday Courses

Gawler, Light Regional and Barossa Councils are offering entry level skill attainment opportunities for young people during the July school holidays.

Bookings are now open – completed TAFE SA registration forms and ID must be returned by Friday 28 June. Gawler, Barossa and Light Regional Councils are offering subsidised pricing to our youth residents. Barossa Council and Light Regional Council are also offering free transport. Lunch is included in the cost. For all the details including costs and age limits follow the links on the Gawler Youth portal. All courses will be delivered in Gawler.

If you require further information about these short courses, please contact Ebony at Town of Gawler on M 0488 991 765 between 11:00am – 1:00pm Tuesday & Thursdays, or email youth@gawler.sa.gov.au