Term 4 Week 9

STOP PRESS - SOME VERY IMPRESSIVE SACE RESULTS

We were delighted to learn this morning that 100% of our Year 12 students were successful in completing their South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) this year.

The Dux for 2021 is Myah Shepherd with an ATAR of 98.95 (adjusted). Other students who acheived highly were Jessica McPherson, Ayla Sakra, Mahdi Khawari, Aiden Wood, Zoriel Davis, Malvika Parshad, Megan Woodward and Durga Bajgai.

99.5% of results were A, B or C grade which is outstanding.

There were Seven A+grades with Evelline Nkombera gaining a Merit in Health and Well Being.

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

THE BEGINNING OF 2022

We will have a staggered start at the beginning of 2022.

Year 7, 8 and 12 students will commence on Monday, January 31.  Year 9, 10 and 11 students will resume on Wednesday, February 2, 2022.

This will enable us to intensively support our Year 7 and 8 students as they continue their transition and orientation program.

BUILDING UPDATE

We have been advised that due to structural steel shortages, our new modular buildings (new Design and Technology workshop, Kitchen and several serviced learning areas) will now not be delivered until mid-March. 

Our refurbishment of Wing 2 classrooms into Science laboratories is on schedule and is expected to be completed as school commences.

Neither of these timelines are ideal and clearly there are also concerns that COVID-19 outbreaks could impact on this further.

The good news is that all classes can be accommodated on site from the beginning of the year.  Our priority is to ensure consistency and stability for our middle school students.  In doing so, it will be necessary to schedule some senior classes in a variety of learning areas.  We will also be making greater use of the STEM Centre – both the maker spaces and open area until the new modular are delivered.

SCHOOL UNIFORM IN 2022

The majority of our students come to school dressed in accordance with our school uniform policy – day in day out.  However, a small but noticeable number are less compliant.

Being able to identify students as belonging to our school community is very important for safety reasons and wearing a polo shirt under a non-uniform jumper or jacket doesn’t really ‘cut it’.

School uniform is also our ‘face’ to the wider world.  Like it or not, appearances matter and when our students are applying for jobs, employers’ perceptions of our school make a difference.

Students do not need to be dressed in blazers and ties to make a good impression but:

• Non-uniform hoodies under/over polo shirts
• Ripped pants
• Figure hugging leggings
• Non-uniform trackpants with large logos or stripes

certainly do not reflect well on students or our school.

From the beginning of next year, there will be a greater focus on responding to students who are out of uniform.  We will have more items of clothing that students can change into if they come to school out of uniform.  Look out for an email over the next week where I will outline this process in more detail.

In that context, I encourage you to ensure that your children have sufficient uniform from the beginning of 2022.  Key items are:

• SEHS Polo shirt
• SEHS Jacket
• SEHS or plain navy or black pants/shorts
• Predominantly black shoes
• Optional - school dress/skirt

MATERIALS AND SERVICES CHARGES FOR 2022

Following the recent online poll of parents, the Governing Council Chairperson, Mr Adam Duncan, has advised me that there was a majority support at all year levels for making the materials and services charge of $470 legally recoverable in 2022.

• In the poll of Year 7 to 9 parents, there were 88 for and 40 against.
• In the poll of Year 10 to 12 parents, there were 56 for and 47 against.
• In the poll of SEAL parents, there were 2 for and 0 against.

YEAR 12 GRADUATION

We celebrated the achievements of our Year 12 students several weeks ago at the Golden Grove Arts Centre.

In the presence of the Premier of South Australia, Steven Marshall other invited guests, family, friends and staff, all students had the opportunity to be congratulated on completing their formal secondary education.

The award winners were just a fraction of the many students who have been dedicated and committed to their studies this year and I congratulate all students on their perseverance and endeavour in a particularly difficult year.

For our departing Year 12 students we wish them well as they await their SACE results.  We have been advised that these will be released on Monday, December 13.

YEAR 12 FORMAL

It was a pleasure to attend the formal at the Intercontinental Hotel in Mid-November.

Students looked wonderful in their fine dresses and suits. Everyone got into the spirit of the evening and students and staff ‘hit’ the dance floor and really let their ‘hair’ down.

I’d like to acknowledge the work of Senior School, Learning and Achievement Co-ordinator, Megan Patman, for working with students to organise the evening.

THANK YOU

Thank you to everyone who has supported our school in any way during 2021.

I wish you all a special time with your families over this holiday period.

To families who are ending their association with our school – thank you for all your contributions over the years.

Kristen Masters, Principal

VET AWARD WINNERS

Congratulations to the following students who were acknowledged at the NASSSA Vocational Education and Pathways Awards night on Tuesday the 7^th of December. These students have excelled in their course areas to be awarded with their class medals. Amber has also been acknowledged by being awarded with a paid scholarship to continue her VET studies through the Australian Institute of Fitness.

YEAR 7 & 8 TO HIGH SCHOOL

What a whirlwind of a term! It has been brilliant to meet so many of our new students for next year and their families. Throughout our transition days, students were engaged and excited in the activities that they have to look forward to at high school next year. Our interviews with families were insightful and allowed us to get to know the students, and for them to get to know a familiar face.

Over the last term we have:

• hosted transition for 352 students across year 6 and 7 to high school
• run extra transition visits for 46 students
• sent just under 1000 emails about high school to new parents
• worked with 34 different schools to collect academic and wellbeing data about new students.

While the year might be finishing, there is still much transition work to look forward to. Year 7, 8 and 12 Students return to school on the 31^st of January. When they return they will spend the first two days in their home groups working to make the space their own, and build a sense of community in their classes.

I hope all families have a relaxing break and I will see everyone on day one ready for the new year! As always, if you have any issues or concerns,  please feel free to contact me via the email below

Kate.Mckinna122@schools.sa.edu.au

Kate Mckinna, Learning & Transition Coordinator

SCHOOL SPORT REVIEW

SEHS enjoyed another successful year in the sporting arena. Students competed in a range of sports, including: Handball, Football, Soccer, Futsal, Basketball, Netball, Volleyball, Cricket, Ultimate Frisbee, Badminton, Athletics, and many more!

SEHS competed fiercely and fairly in all competitions, and came home with trophies, certificates, pennants, and an abundance of personal growth, as they worked independently and in teams to achieve success.

As in previous years, SEHS finished atop the rankings in the Northern Zone, and are predicted to finish well-ranked in the State-wide overall results also (revealed in 2022).

I would like to congratulate all students and teachers who were involved in sporting competitions this year. School Sport is a very important component of our school community, and I’m incredibly proud of what we are achieving in this area. I look forward to another successful year in 2022.

Corey Ottey, HPE/Sports Coordinator

ALTERNATIVE LEARNING REVIEW

This year has been a very productive time in our Alternative Learning space with students working on teamwork and their employability skills in preparation for their future pathways.  Students engaged in Music for the first time in SEAL. Many of them having never played an instrument previously,  learnt a variety of songs which will help them as they move towards stage 1 music in SEAL next year.  Build a Bike was also a new curriculum focus this year where students worked closely to rebuild, paint, and decorate push bikes which were donated to Swallowcliffe Primary School for young students in need.  Barista students developed their skills throughout the year as they supplied staff with a weekly coffee. Students also provided hot drinks for staff and families on Arts nights and added milkshakes to the usual menu for sports day.  Barista was wrapped up with our annual Championship,  which was a close finish with Allison Lynch being our winner, closely followed by Domenic Pitt with last year's winner, Deacon Agars judging their technique whilst various staff judged beverages. Thirteen year 12's successfully gained their SACE in SEAL with some gaining employment in plumbing and childcare!

Kylie Gray, Alternative Learning Coordinator