18 October 2019

Newsletter Articles

Together from Kapunda Kindergarten to year 12, students Zali Brook, Corey Wall, Ronan Dellar, Jordan Read, Abbey Trotta and Ava Teasdale

From Our Principal

Best Wishes to the Year 12 Class of 2019

Friday, October 25th is the final day of formal Year 12 lessons for many of our Year 12 students. After that there will be final assignments to be completed, assessments to be sent for moderation, preparation for exams and of course the exams themselves.

Completing the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) has become the norm for all students over the past twenty five years – a far cry from previous generations when only students aiming at a university pathway went on to Year 12.

Over sixty students have taken on the challenge of a complete Year 12 programme this year. Some have been very much focussed throughout, using their class and homework time effectively, seeking regular feedback from their teachers, attending holiday sessions here at school and the Adelaide Tuition Centre as they have continually strived to achieve their best. Others have warmed to the task, becoming increasingly focussed as they have matured across the year. For others, the heightened sense of urgency is just ‘kicking in’ at the business end of the year.

Within the class of 2019 there are a range of abilities, aptitudes and aspirations. Some students have skills in areas demanding advanced literacy and analytical skills, a number demonstrate high-level ability in practical subjects while others display aptitudes in mathematics/science. Some students have enjoyed the intellectual rigour of an intense academic programme while others have pursued learning that has been self-directed and geared more towards personal development.

With such diversity, students have taken the opportunity to pursue a variety of pathways during their final years at school.

Some have opted for a vocationally oriented course of study combining general education with a focus on workplace learning – undertaking TAFE courses or a school based apprenticeship.

Conversely, others have opted for subjects that will make them eligible for an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) and the possibility of acceptance into university.

This final assessment period can be very stressful for students and their families. For those looking to gain entry to a specific course, there are high stakes attached to everything they do. It’s a very competitive environment and unfortunately, not everyone can get ‘A’ grades, ATARs in the 90s or get into the course of their choice.

Unfortunately, it is not a level playing field. The results that appear on SACE certificates do not get there by accident. They are the culmination of thirteen years of education and reflect a myriad of factors including life and family experiences, and, of course, the individual student’s attendance at school, work ethic and application.

All students will have different measures of success. When results are released in December, the spotlight is generally on the handful of students across the South Australia who gain ‘perfect’ marks. Even locally, the focus is on the students who gain ATARs of 90+. While students who achieve these outstanding results deserve the accolades that come their way, it can sometimes lead many students who have worked very hard but not achieved such outstanding results to feel disappointed.

The fact is that all students who achieve their SACE are worthy of our congratulations and support.

On behalf of the whole school community I would like to wish our Year 12 students the very best as they approach the forthcoming examinations and final assessment period.

To the families who end their association with our school, I also thank you for your support and contribution over the years. It has been greatly appreciated.

Re-Development News

As previously advised, budget constraints have meant that the re-development project has had to be ‘trimmed down’. While this is disappointing, there is still a lot to be excited about.

Over the past term we have been working closely with the architects to finalise plans for the new buildings:

BUILDING A will be on the edge of the oval and will encompass three floors:

A lower ground floor which will include:

• The new music classroom area (and include rehearsal rooms, storage and teacher office). This room will have special acoustic treatment.
• A general learning classroom –most likely used for Physical Education
• An outdoor shaded area

A ground floor which will include:

• An Art/Design area
• Three STEM learning areas
• Breakout spaces/withdrawal spaces for collaborative learning
• Teacher preparation area – including a meeting space

An upper floor which will include:

• A new Year 12 senior study area
• One standard size general classroom and three smaller classrooms for senior classes
• Teacher preparation and Senior School Assistant Principal offices

BUILDING B will be located behind the Home Economics Classroom and take the place of Rooms 100, 105 and the Music Room.

It will include:

• Five general learning classrooms
• One Science learning classroom
• Teacher preparation area – including a meeting space
• Breakout spaces/withdrawal spaces for collaborative learning

There will also be significant re-development on the current gymnasium:

• New change rooms, toilets and storage will be built as part of an extensions to the West and South’. (Current change rooms, Room 260 and the sheds will be demolished)
• Air conditioning is also ‘flagged’ for the gym as is an upgrade to the old tennis court at the rear of the gym.

The current toilet block will also undergo a significant structural upgrade.

Materials and Services Charges for 2020

Our Governing Council is recommending that Materials and Services Charges be $460 – an increase of $10. A full schedule is attached.

All members of the school parent community are invited to attend the next Governing Council meeting on Monday, November 4 to contribute to the discussion re this. Alternatively, you can share your views on this matter by writing to the Chairperson, Mr Andrew Hayward (C/- KHS Reception).

Staffing News

• Congratulations to Mr Tim Jones who has been appointed as Deputy Principal for the next five years. This followed an external selection process. A major piece of Tim’s leadership role over the next few years will be to oversee the implementation of the Year 7 into High School project.
• Congratulations to Mrs Penelope Chancellor who has been appointed as Assistant Principal at Nuriootpa High School from the beginning of 2020. As much as we are sad to see Penny leave us, we are extremely thankful for the six years’ service she has given our school community and wish her well as she takes on this promotion position.
• As previously indicated, I am working out of the Gawler Education Office for the first two weeks of the term as Acting Education Director. Tim Jones is Acting Principal and Tracy Warner, Acting Deputy Principal.

Kristen Masters
Principal

Year 12 Information

Year 12 Remaining Events Calendar

Liam Ramsey Presentation

Recently, Mr Liam Ramsey, who is a young medical student from Flinders University; currently completing his placement at Kapunda Medical Practice, gave a presentation to year 12 students.

Student comments:

The talk was about the transition from year 12 to university and becoming an adult, mental health and sexual health. Out of all the presenters that we have listened to throughout our high school experience, this was by far the best. As the end of year 12 is fast approaching, it is becoming a highly stressful time for year 12s; knowing that after year 12 has finished, we have to go out into the big, wide world and 'adult'. Therefore, this was the perfect time for this presentation, as it has now settled our nerves. As Liam is young and has only graduated from high school a few years ago, the information he was giving had a greater impact on us, especially when he used his own life experiences as examples. Overall, this was a highly valuable presentation to have, and it occurred at the perfect time, as this is when we are really seeking guidance on the transition from a structured school life, to going on our own pathways into desired futures. I would strongly recommend this talk in in the future for other year 12s, as it was highly beneficial and settled a lot of end of year nerves. Shakira

We found having a young presenter to be more engaging than perhaps someone older, whom we might not be able to relate to as easily. A presentation by a medical student who shared his own personal stories was both relatable and yet credible. I found it to be very eye-opening and insightful as to personal growth and ways to strive for this. For this reason, I would recommend it to future year 12 students towards the end of the year to further develop the growth that has occurred throughout the year. Specifically, the focus of mental health within young people, opening up conversation about a taboo subject. This is imperative all throughout the year, but especially approaching exams. Zali

Chloe Dabrowski and Zane Petney with Mr Liam Ramsey

Presentation Evening 2019

Kapunda High School has again had a most successful and eventful year and it is now the time when we are looking to acknowledge the success of our students and their efforts throughout the past twelve months.

To do this we rely very much on the generosity of local businesses, community members, organisations, parents and staff of Kapunda High School, to support us. In the past we have been very pleased with the response to our invitations calling for donations to enable the whole community to be part of our school’s success.

We now have pleasure in inviting you to make a donation towards our evening in 2019. The school recognises students in years 8-11 with awards for Academic Achievement, Improvement, Consistency, All-rounder and School Citizenship. The top student of each year 12 subject is awarded a Subject Prize. Your contribution will go towards a $30 voucher for a selected student(s).

The prize will be awarded at our annual Presentation Evening on Monday, 9 December 2019. We cordially invite you to attend the evening at 7:00pm for a 7:30pm start. Your generosity will be acknowledged on the night as the student accepts the award, also in subsequent press releases, magazine and newsletter articles.

If you would like to take up this offer our bank details are:

BSB: 105006
Account No: 057125140
Ref: YOUR FIRST & LAST NAME PE

Or you can send a cheque or call into the school Reception Office.

So that we can finalise our prize list in good time, we would appreciate it if you could reply before Thursday 7 November 2019.

Kerry Brown
Presentation Evening Co-ordinator
Email: kerry.brown429@schools.sa.edu.au
Phone: 8566 2203

Career Pathways

If your child is a ‘hands on’, practically minded person who is seeking a career working outside, then the Information Evening featured below is a really great opportunity to explore careers that exist within the Viticulture industry. There are apprenticeships available and lots of opportunities for career advancement and substantial earning capacity.

This conference is an opportunity for parents, carers and students to hear from employers within the Grape Growing or Viticulture industry and to find out what different roles exist. Families can meet employers and employees and ask questions about pathways and opportunities that exist just around the corner in the Barossa Valley and surrounds.

I thoroughly enjoyed the conference last year, and will attend this year too. Let me know if you will be coming along!

Penny Chancellor
Assistant Principal (VET, FLO, Careers)

Sun Protection

The KHS Sun Protection Policy has been reviewed and updated. The full policy is available on the KHS website and a link also appears below.

As we head towards summer, the UV rating has already risen above level 3 to be consistently hovering around level 8.

The UV rays come through the cloud layers therefore even on a cloudy day, we need to be wearing broad brimmed or bucket style hats and sunscreen to safeguard damage against these rays.

It is great to see staff and many students following the policy; becoming independently responsible for their future health by wearing the described hats or sitting in solid shaded areas when learning or being active in the outdoors.

Hats can be brought from home in any colours provided they are broad brimmed or bucket style and comply with our policy regarding appropriate logos on clothing. Alternatively, the school has a range of hats at affordable prices that are available from the front office.

Change of Name?

At KHS, we try to accommodate those who wish to be known as a name other than the name that appears on their birth certificate. This may be achieved by adding a ‘preferred’ name to our school data base, which informs DayMap. However, there are some instances where the student’s legal name must be used. Forms of formal identification, such as ID cards and ID letters (used when applying for a driver’s licence) must show the legal name eg name that appears on the birth certificate or change of name change of name certificate.

If your child has had a change of name this year, you should contact the school, and provide a copy of the legal change of name certificate to ensure that school records are correct.

Uniform Fitting Session

This is the perfect opportunity for current Kapunda High School families, as well as future KHS parents, to bring their child/ren along to get fitted for uniforms for 2020. Devon Clothing will have some stock available, so you may be able to purchase and collect items that afternoon. Should your items be unavailable, you will still be able to order and have them either delivered to KHS before transition day or posted directly to your home.

Some discounted items available, too!

Wednesday, 13 November
3:00pm – 6:00pm
Room 50 (Home Economics room)

Important Immunisation Information

Parents and students 14.5 years and older are receiving reminder letters from Medicare Australia when immunisation records are showing as not up to date, on Australian Immunisation Register.

Students or parents may phone HAIMS 8152 0363 if they have any questions relating to this letter.

The Meningococcal ACWY and Meningococcal B vaccines are available for students who missed the opportunity at school in years 10 and 11 to access this free vaccine from their doctor or Nurse immunisation provider.

The year 11 program will cease December 31, 2019, however year 10 cohort will be offered both vaccines in an ongoing school program.

The free Meningococcal B catch-up program ends on December 31st 2019 for young people 17 to under 21 years of age so too the early childhood catch-up program for those from 12 months to 4 years of age.

180,000 doses of the government funded Meningococcal B vaccine have been distributed with the take up particularly strong for babies. There have been 22 cases of Meningococcal in SA so far this year with 15 of those cases being the B strain.

The links to articles demonstrates the devastating reality of this disease. It is unfortunate many more tragic examples exist of this vaccine preventable disease… let us put a stop to any more.

Living with Young People Workshops

Zoe’s Career Opportunity

Year 10 student, Zoe Perry has been selected to train with the Senior Women’s team at SANFLW Central Districts Club. Zoe’s long term goal is to play for the AFL and this is an important step in realising this goal. Zoe has been recovering from an injury earlier this year, and the Club will now be supporting this process with a view to train and play with the team in 2020.

Congratulations to Zoe!

Staff versus Student Basketball

In term 3, staff challenged the year 12 students to a basketball game

KHS Chug Off

The SRC hosted the annual chug off on the last day of term, which was also a casual day fundraiser.

Community Notices

Year 12 students - 2020 Hawker Scholarship

Applications for the 2020 Charles Hawker Scholarships open on 9 December, 2019 and close on 8 January, 2020. An application form and further information about C.A.S. Hawker and the scholarship is available from the below website or by contacting the secretary to the Trustees in Adelaide on 08 8127 1654.

Hawker Scholarships are valued at up to $60,000.00 over three years and are amongst the most generous privately funded residential scholarships available to Australian undergraduate and postgraduate students.

There are a number of scholarships awarded each year. The Trustees offer them to capable students of principle and character, who have demonstrated a committed to the wider community. Selection is based on personal qualities, as well as academic ability.

Since 1990, the Hawker Scholarship Trustees have awarded $6 million dollars to 126 Australian students, including a significant number from regional areas.

Considered a career in Policing?

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has a register for people interested in a policing or protection career. You may be more suited than you think! To find out more visit our Entry level recruit career page to review:

• candidate information
• understand the recruitment process
• fitness and eligibility requirements
• training at the AFP College and ;
• to gain a better understanding of Police and Protective Service Officer roles.

Register your interest today for programs commencing in 2020 or contact our helpful Recruitment team.

Females are particularly encouraged to apply!

LinkSA Fare Increase

Music Concert Band Workshop

Applications are open for the annual Instrumental Music Concert Band Workshop. The workshop will take place on Tuesday, 5 November and Wednesday, 6 November at the Royal Adelaide Show Grounds, Ridley Centre. Years 6, 7 and 8 students of Instrumental Music are eligible to apply if:

• They have been playing their instrument for a minimum of 1 year, or achieved an equivalent level of achievement.
• They play concert band instruments (brass, woodwind, percussion, electric bass)

*There are limited places left for percussion instruments. Please note that Instrumental Music do not provide transport to the event.

Please see application and consent forms below.