Term 3 Week 2
FROM OUR PRINCIPAL
CONGRATULATIONS!
Over the past week, results have been released for the Research Project – a compulsory subject in the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE). While a Stage 2 (Year 12) subject, our students generally complete this during Year 11. The skills that students develop in this subject set them up for much of the learning that they are required to complete in other Stage 2 subjects such as investigations, evaluations, etc.
I am very pleased to report that all 100 students who submitted in Semester 1 were successful in gaining a passing grade. A special congratulations to the ten students who achieved in the ‘A’ range - Ashlee Grobler, Chlose Wescombe, Alicia Brandon, Stas Kim, Hera Bajgai, Timmoney Cotton, Rhys Apolsen, Hajera Nazari and Vicky Kim and Aenisa Chhetri (Both A+'s). This is an outstanding achievement.
As a Stage 2 subject, samples of student work are submitted to the SACE Board for moderation to ensure that an ‘A’ at Salisbury East High School is the same as an ‘A’ at St Peter’s College and Ceduna Area School. I am pleased to report that there were no changes at moderation indicating that our teachers have a very good understanding of the standard.
Additionally, the review component (30%) is marked by an external assessor and once again the results for these were largely in line with what the teachers predicted.
Students who didn’t complete in the first semester are in a ‘catch up’ class with the intention of submitting in Semester 2.
LEARNING TO LIVE WITH CHANGE
In these COVID times, the world has become less predictable and we are all learning to live with greater uncertainty and change. This means that there are more days than previous when students do have relief staff working with them and more days when class numbers are down.
You may have also heard that across Australia we are encountering teacher shortages. Unfortunately, this has also had an impact on us here at Salisbury East and we are having to ‘juggle’ teachers and classes more than we would like.
Thank you to our students for showing resilience through these challenging times.
STAFFING CHANGES:
Goodbye for now:
- Our Senior School Well-Being Leader, Ms Sarah Afshin Pour, is taking leave from SEHS until the end of the year to work for Whiteline – a non-government organisation that supports students disengaged from mainstream schools and learning. Existing staff member, Ms Jess Abell will be taking on the Well-Being role in her absence. Jess has previous experience and enjoys excellent relationships with our students.
Welcome:
- Mr Damon Argy who is taking a range of Health and Physical Education classes during Semester 2.
- Ms Chrystal Sumner our new Aboriginal Secondary Education Transition Officer (ASETO). Chrystal has extensive experience working with Aboriginal families in a variety of different agencies and is very excited to be transitioning to the education sphere.
- Mr Rod McGuiness who is supporting 2 days a week in Student Services.
BUSY TIMES FOR OUR SENIOR STUDENTS AND STAFF
It is very much ‘full steam ahead’ for our Year 12 students as the ‘finish’ line approaches. External assessments, final assignments and exam preparation are very much on the agenda at the moment and we have noticed an increase in anxiety with some students feeling a little overwhelmed. Having worked in schools for over thirty years, I can assure you that this is reasonably common at this time of the year – particularly where students are aiming for high grades or have got a little behind. If you are concerned about your child, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Senior School Team – especially Jules Peck or Megan Patman.
As the term progresses, there will be an increased focus on supporting students to prepare for future pathways – meeting individually with each student and if relevant, supporting them with applications for university entrance.
Year 10 and 11 students are in the midst of considering pathways and subjects for 2023 through their mentoring sessions. Please read the article on page 3 for more information about this. All Year 10 students are also involved in individual 30 minute career ‘chats’ with UniSA Mentors as part of their Stage 1 Personal Learning Plan (PLP) and also in preparation for the subject selection process.
SCHOOL UNIFORM REMINDERS
For most of this year most students’ compliance with the school uniform has been sound. In fact, day to day, almost 100% of students are wearing the school polo top. However, in this cooler weather, we’ve seen increased number of non-uniform items. These are predominantly non-uniform'hooides' or jackets in a variety of colours, leggings and non-uniform trackpants with large logos
The benefits of students wearing uniform include:
- Safety and security – being able to identify intruders, identifying truants, being able to keep students together on school excursions.
- Creating a workplace/learning atmosphere, as distinct from a leisure or social atmosphere
- School identity – to encourage a sense of belonging
To support students’ safety, it is essential that the school polo shirt or school jacket is visible and therefore clearly identifies the student as belonging to SEHS.
Families can apply for an exemption on the basis of religious, cultural or ethnic, medical, financial hardship or new enrolment. These are normally granted for between two days and a month to give the family time to get ‘organized’.
We also know that it can sometimes be difficult to source items. Please contact one of our Well-Being leaders - Amelia Molnar (Middle School) or Jess Abell (Senior School) - if you need any assistance with this.
Alternatively, if you have any good quality uniform items that your child has grown out of and are happy to see go to a good home, then we’d be delighted to accept ‘pre-loved’ items.
Affordable pants or shorts in navy or black are available from most discount stores.
REMINDER: SCHOOL CLOSURE AND STUDENT FREE DAY
A reminder that there is a school closure on Monday, September 5 and a Student Free Day on Tuesday, September 6. Staff will be involved in the second of the Berry Street training – trauma informed practices.
Kristen Masters, Principal
2023 SENIOR SUBJECT HANDBOOK AND COURSE COUNSELLING
All students in Year 10 and 11 have started preparing for 2023 by engaging in a structured course counselling and planning process that will continue throughout Term 3.
To support them to make informed choices, a 64-page Senior Subject Handbook has been created that outlines every South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) Stage 1 (Year 11) and 2 (Year 12) course on offer at SEHS.
Detailed information includes the length of courses, any backgrounds and/or special requirements, and the various assessment tasks and their weightings. Flow charts also show how students can progress in an area of study from Year 7 to 12, while an explanation of how to complete the SACE (including compulsory subjects) is provided.
Students and parents/caregivers are encouraged to investigate the many options that are on offer and ensure that courses are chosen that students will engage and be successful in; will assist with pursuing post-school pathways; and complement future career aspirations.
Further information on the Stage 1 and 2 subjects is also included in a comprehensive Google Classroom covering all areas of study and their offerings. The access code has been provided to students, who can log-in and show you this online resource.
Meanwhile, additional guidance on choosing courses is delivered in our mentoring lessons through various planning activities, while students can also seek advice from curriculum leaders at an ‘expo’ in Week 6 (Year 11) and Week 7 (Year 10).
Details about how final selection forms can be signed off by parents/caregivers and subsequently submitted will be communicated in due course. Alternatively, there will be an opportunity to attend a consultation appointment with leaders towards the end of the term.
The Senior Subject Handbook can be easily navigated by clicking on the hyperlinks on the index page and returning there via the ‘index’ button on the bottom right of every double page.
It can be accessed on our school’s website here:
Jules Peck, Head of Senior School
FINALIST ALERT!
Salisbury East High School student Priscilla Muderhwa has been announced as a finalist in the School Based Traineeship category of the 2023 SA Training Awards!
As well as currently undertaking Year 11, Priscilla also balances completing a traineeship at KFC with a VET course – a Certificate III Health Service Assistant.
She hopes to study Midwifery at Flinders University once she graduates from SEHS.
“I just love working with children and I love newborns,” she said. “To see new life brings me joy!
“I genuinely want to be successful, work in a great hospital, create a nice environment, and build friendships. I know hospitals can be a bit scary sometimes, so I also want to provide the patients with a positive experience.
“I have got to where I am today by working hard, being consistent, growing in confidence and seizing all opportunities.
“I am very lucky to have been nominated for the Training Awards and I am so happy that I have had such an amazing opportunity.”
There is a ‘Voters’ Choice’ section where Priscilla could also win $1000. That, and more details about the awards, can be accessed here: https://skillscommission.sa.gov.au/.../school-apprentice...
Well done and good luck Priscilla!
Michele Malongos, VET/Pathways Coordinator
SEAL NEWS
Five students from Salisbury East Alternative Learning completed a 5 day Try-a-trade program with SYC during term 2. They successfully obtained their whitecards and learnt about various trades in the building industry. This has helped them to focus on their desired pathways for SACE completion and VET programs and for future career options
Several students have been undertaking ongoing work experience in a variety of industries with great success, including hairdressing, plumbing and vehicle mechanics. One of these opportunities has already led to the offer of an apprenticeship, and two others have the possibility of apprenticeships by the end of this year. Giving students the opportunity to demonstrate their employability skills and work ethic in a real life environment is an excellent way for them to build links with the wider community and gain valuable experience in the workforce.
Kylie Gray, one of our SEAL teachers, was clever enough to secure a grant to enable the SEAL students to work with a therapy dog once a week for all of term 3. Eddie visits us every Wednesday during lesson 3 and mentoring and brings smiles to lots of faces.
SEAL referrals for 2023 are now being taken. If you would like more information about the Salisbury East Alternative Learning program please speak to the Head of Senior School, Jules Peck or Head orf Middle School, Paul Dorian, or to myself
Adrienne Gorringe, Head of Alternative Learning
STUDENT VOICE UPDATE
On Thursday 7th July, Student Voice hosted our first students vs staff football match, in celebration of NAIDOC week. The atmosphere was electric as staff and students battled against each other on the half-field. The sidelines were crowded by vocal supporters – both staff and students. Despite the best efforts of all who participated but particularly a select group of Year 10 boys (who came with a game plan and full-kit of gear), the skill and stamina of the staff team was just too much for the students. The game ended with a resounding victory for the staff team who won 37-6. Thank you to all the staff who played and to all students who participated, including our umpires and referees. Best on Grounds for the game was awarded to Emma Baker (staff) for her fabulous non-contact tackling and kicking of goals. Watch this space for future staff vs student games!
Next week, (10/8) Student Voice are planning to run an event celebrating Black History Month. This will be held on Wednesday at lunch and will include a Fashion Show in the dance studio and music. This event is entirely run by students and is a free event. It will be supported by some information for students to share in mentoring.
You will also see student voice running activities on a Wednesday this term in the main part of the yard – this week we are running a paper plan throwing competition. Make and throw your best plane for the chance to win a chocolate! After hearing from teachers that they would like students to take ownership of the activities we run, Student Voice has stepped up to encourage more students to get involved. Check daymap for more advertising about each weeks events.
Kate Mckinna & Chloe Lyons, Student Voice Mentors
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (VET) FOR 2023?
WHAT IS VET?
VET is a way for year 11 & 12 students to experience the world of work in a range of occupations while still at school. Students will develop industry specific related skills through off the job learning at school or with another training provider and, on the job training. Credit for completion counts towards the VET Certificate and completing your SACE. Industry/course areas include: Construction, Animal Studies, Rural Operations, Automotive, Engineering, Electrotechnology, Hair & Beauty, Healthy and Community Services, Multimedia, Information Technology, Hospitality & Food Processing, Childcare and more.
HOW DO I APPLY?
See Mrs Malonagos for an information letter, NASSSA Brochure and expression of interest form to take home and complete. Students MUST Submit their Expression of interest form and application letter to Mrs Malonagos by 3:15pm Friday of week 4.
I encourage you to use the NASSSA VET brochure and visit the NASSSA website http://www.nasssa.com.au/ to find information about your interested VET area. Go to the Students - Career Pathways - VET tabs and you will find everything you need to know about courses including videos and course information.
Michele Malongos, VET/Pathways Coordinator
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT TERTIARY EXPO
On Tuesday the 2nd of August, our four Senior School International Students, Adhil, Josh, Meng and Vicky took a trip out to Flinders University for the annual International Student Tertiary Expo. The day was a great opportunity for the students to hear from each of the three South Australian Universities as well as TAFE SA. The students came away with a lot of important information to help with their preparation and planning for their further studies.
Michele Malongos, VET/Pathways Coordinator
SA YOUTH PARLIAMENT
Three students from Salisbury East High School participated in the YMCA, SA Youth Parliament program this year. Luke Skinner (Year 11), Brooke Duncan and Sharif Habibi (Year 12) enjoyed the program and hope to do it again in future. The non-partisan program empowers young people to be advocates for their community and all youth parliamentarians went on a six-day camp to develop their leadership skills and connect with politicians. Participants debated the bills they had created with their respective committees regarding issues that are important to young people. This year participants also had the opportunity of visiting the Governor’s house. A big shout out to Salisbury Council for sponsoring these students.
Sharif and Brooke were in the Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation committee. This committee introduced the Indigenous Foster Care Reform Bill 2022. The aim of this bill is to ensure to ensure there is indigenous cultural connectedness in the foster system, to reform current practices to prevent child removal and to bring indigenous voices to represent those in the foster system. After some passionate and important speeches, the bill passed in both the upper and lower house.
Luke was in the Climate, Environment and Energy Committee and this committee’s bill was to discharge the unsafe disposal of LI-batteries and facilitate the collection, disposal, and recycling of LI-batteries in South Australia. The object of this bill was to fund the development and research of LI-battery recycling methods, to expand existing e-waste services in South Australia and to spread public awareness of the dangers of unsafe LI-battery disposal. Luke’s Committee bill also passed in both the lower and upper house.
'Youth Parliament is a brilliant program for young people to improve their confidence and learn more about politics, policies, Acts and to make bills about the current issues that impact youth in South Australia. It was inspiring to see very diverse bills being debated in a diverse youth parliament. I was a third-year participant shows how much I enjoy this program and definitely recommend it to other young people to join next year.' Sharifullah Habibi
Being in Youth Parliament was a risk I’m so glad I took. Before signing up, I was terrified of speaking in parliament and didn’t want to apply but once I arrived at the camp it became one of the best experiences of my life. Being in the indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation Committee allowed me to debate on issues I’m most passionate about and being able to speak proudly in front of my fellow youth parliamentarians was a learning experience I’ll benefit from for many years to come! Brooke Duncan
COMMUNITY NEWS
