2024 Week 4 Term 4

BEST WISHES TO THE CLASS OF 2024

For the Year 12 students at our school, Thursday, October 31st was the last ‘official’ day of lessons prior to the final examination and assessment period.   

For most, their formal educational journey commenced back in 2012 as five-year-olds at a wide range of schools – both public and private, local and in some cases overseas. 

Through their schooling they have been involved in a range of activities including student voice, representative sport, music, debating, excursions, as well as class-based learning.   

Within the class of 2024 there are a range of abilities, aptitudes and aspirations.  Some students have talents in areas demanding advanced literacy skills, a number demonstrate high-level skills in practical subjects while others display aptitudes in mathematics/science.  Some students have enjoyed the chance to debate and discuss ideas while others have preferred more skill-based subjects.  Some students have worked very hard to get the very most from their ability while others have been less driven and found the going tough – only putting their ‘foot’ down in recent weeks.  Put simply, they are a microcosm of our society. 

With such diversity, students have taken the opportunity to embark on 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.  

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

After beginning school as five-year-olds, many of our Year 12 leave as adults, having celebrated their 18th birthdays during the year.  Most have their licences, many have part-time jobs, while some live independently. 

Next year they will go their own way.  Some will head to university or TAFE, others will have a ‘gap’ year before resuming study in 2026, some will gain jobs locally while others will move to other places to take up employment or other training. 

I’m sure for their families it must seem that it has all happened overnight. 

On behalf of the whole school community, I would like to wish the class of 2024 the very best for the examinations and also for their future endeavours – wherever that may be.  May you have the luck you deserve. 

To the families that end their association with our school, I also thank you for your support and contribution over the years. 

Kristen Masters, Principal

2025 ENROLMENTS

We are in the process of ‘firming up’ classes and teachers for 2025.  Our staffing is linked to enrolments and thus it is important that we have accurate numbers about who will be attending our school in 2025. 

If your child is not going to be attending Salisbury East High School in 2025, please advise us as soon as possible.  If you are aware of new enrolments, please also let us know as that information comes to hand.   

STUDENT FREE DAY - ADVANCED NOTICE

Term 4 proving to be a very busy term.  Please see the full calendar below. 

Friday, November 29th is a student free day.  Staff will be engaged in professional learning and working in teams to review and update curriculum and assessment tasks. 

GOVERNOR'S CIVICS AWARDS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

We are very excited to announce that River Asikainen has been selected as an individual winner for the Governor's Civics Awards across South Australia. River created a speech that was designed to persuade peers about a societal challenge for South Australia. She selected the Parafield Airport Land as a location that could have many more benefits for the local communities around the area. River considered the history of the space and what has happened with large amounts of land in other areas of suburban South Australia.

We are very proud of River as there was a maximum of 5 winners in Years 9 and 10 across the state. River has been invited to a special awards ceremony at Government House where she will presented with her certificate and medallion from the Governor General. 

Mairead Hayes, English and HASS Teacher

UN YOUTH AUSTRALIA NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Brisbane Trip to Remember: Exploring Leadership at the UnYouth Australia National Conference

During the Term 2 school holidays, I was honoured to be selected to attend the 2024 UNYouth National Conference in Brisbane. It brought students together across all states of Australia and including New Zealand to explore global issues, develop leadership skills and connect with other young people.

UN Youth Australia is a national, youth-led organisation that encourages young people to engage with global issues and create a positive impact within their communities. UN Youth aims to promote diplomacy, and international relations and highlight the significance of human rights.

This year’s theme was “Critical Technologies in a Critical Time,” which focused on the use of technology for the future development of developing countries. Throughout the week, we had four main UN model debates, which were hosted at the University of Queensland and the Parliament of Queensland. 

It was an amazing opportunity to meet other young people from different states and create friendships that will last a lifetime. One speaker who stood out to me the most was Mr Brendan Downing a UN ambassador and foreign officer. He mentioned how new technology can be used for good purposes but the majority of the time it's often used for malicious use and AI, which can take advantage of poorer countries and their civilians. I thought that was a very interesting perspective from an individual who works in that sector.

We were lucky enough to head to Southbank by ferry for dinner with the crew. We experienced the fireworks for the commencement of the 2024 Paris Olympics. I couldn't believe that a whole week was already over and it was time to say goodbye.

I would like to thank the school and Hon Zoe Bettison for supporting me and allowing me to have this opportunity. I hope this can be a source of motivation for other students who want to make a positive impact in their community. This trip has given me the confidence to do even more in the future and excel in my future studies.

Fahari Ruhekenya Matabaro, Year 12 Student

VEX ROBOTICS

On Monday, October 28th, at UniSA’s Mawson Lakes campus, all five of our VEX robotics teams – two from VIQC and three from V5RC – competed in the South Australian VEX State Championships, students competed alongside 300 other students from all over the state.

The event was a fantastic showcase of skill, teamwork, and innovation, as each team tackled Teamwork challenges and Driver Skills challenges.

The support from other students and the crowd added to the excitement, making it a memorable day for everyone involved. For 4 of our teams this was a great finish to their season.

For our Middle School VRC team, "Circuit Breakers" the season continues as they have qualified for the VEX Nationals in Sydney in December!

Pete Phillips, Senior Leader

YEAR 11 ANCIENT STUDIES

What does a sporting stadium, heated flooring and concrete have in common?

They were all invented by the ancient Romans more than 2,000 years ago!

These are just some of the things that the Year 11 Ancient Studies class have been learning about in their recent studies. Not just this, but how Roman influences can still be seen today in modern times, particularly in our technology and architecture.

With this in mind, students attended an excursion to the Adelaide CBD to visit a number of sites to look for Roman influences, particularly columns, arches and domes. Students also had a tour of Adelaide Oval, where our guide was able to draw several parallels with the Colosseum. They also had the opportunity to go up into the old scoreboard and walkout onto the oval through the underground tunnel, and perhaps even more exclusively, stand around in the members area.

We also had some time to drop by the South Australia Museum, where students got the opportunity to look at what makes a successful and engaging collection. They spent some time looking at the small and cramped Ancient Egypt room and then visited the expertly curated, world class Indigenous Australian Collection, noting many key differences between the two.

Shari Bray, Humanities Coordinator

YEAR 9 GEOGRAPHY AND BUSINESS EXCURSIONS

In Week 2 this term, five of the Year 9 Geography and Business classes had the opportunity to visit the Adelaide Zoo and Botanic Gardens as part of their studies. Despite the hot weather the students were excellent ambassadors for Salisbury East High School, and several went home with a new furry friend from the gift shop!

Learning tasks varied but included exploring how the Zoo and the Botanic Gardens market themselves and bring in money through special events, exhibitions and functions, and fundraising opportunities; studying Zoo enclosures as examples of biomes from around the world; and Ms Cook talked the Tuesday classes through Dale Chihuly's glass artworks currently exhibited for the first time in the southern hemisphere in the Gardens. 

Many thanks to the teachers and SSOs who volunteered to accompany the excursions on the two days.

Rachael Young, Teacher  

SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS AT RISK DISENGAGING FROM SCHOOL.

Some students have varied needs and can be at risk of disengagement from school.

The previous model for supporting these students was known as Flexible Learning Options, or FLO. The Department for Education has redesigned FLO to make sure the program offers the best support to prepare young people for life and pathways after school, with a focus on their goals and aspirations.

The new program is called Tailored Learning and will start across South Australian government schools in 2025.

Tailored Learning takes a student-centred approach with a focus on connection, safety and belonging, positive relationships, and student agency in identifying areas of learning and aspirations. It provides a consistent approach for schools to identify students suitable for supports and recommends the learning program most suitable for the student.

Please don’t hesitate to contact our principal or the central Program Redesign team via Education.tailoredlearning@sa.gov.au with any questions.

For more information about Tailored Learning, visit the department’s website.

FINANCE REMINDERS

• Reminder to get your School Card Applications in before the cut off date 29^th of November 2024
• Vet Commitment payments for 2025 are due by the 25th November 2024

ARTS SHOWCASE