Term 4 Week 3
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
BEST WISHES TO THE YEAR 12 CLASS OF 2022
Final exams commence on Monday with this week being our final week of timetabled lessons for our Year 12 students.
Over 100 students have taken on the challenge of a complete Year 12 programme this year. Due to COVID-19 – particularly in the first half of the year – it has provided some additional challenges but we are pleased that the last few months have been largely uninterrupted.
Some students have been very focussed throughout the year, 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, a sense of urgency has only ‘kicked in’ over the past few weeks.
Within the class of 2022 there are a range of abilities, passions 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 a strong aptitude 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 – either in mainstream classes or through our Salisbury East Alternative Learning (SEAL) sub-school.
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 VET courses or a school-based apprenticeship.
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 South Australia who gain ‘perfect’ marks. 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 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.
WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY – OCTOBER 28
Across the western world we are experiencing unprecedented levels of teacher shortages. Less young people are looking at teaching as a career to aspire to, fewer are completing education degrees and more are leaving the profession early or mid-career.
The pandemic has exacerbated these trends and like other schools we have struggled replacing teachers who have taken leave across the year – due to system shortages.
As an educator of over thirty years, there is no doubt that the expectations and demands of being a teacher have increased significantly. The world itself has become more complex and teachers are at the frontline in responding to this.
We are fortunate at Salisbury East High School to have a team of teachers who overwhelmingly care passionately about their students and work hard to establish strong relationships. I see them working in teams to develop engaging and meaningful learning activities and to challenge all students with high expectations.
Last week we celebrated World Teachers’ Day at Salisbury East High School with a morning tea.
BUDGET 2023
At this time of the year we review our financial position and make decisions about how we spend our available income to best support our students as learners.
At Salisbury East High School, our major source of funding is from the State Government. This came to over $14 million in 2022. However, this is largely tied to staff salaries, utilities (cleaning, telephone, waste removal) and building maintenance.
Beyond that, the next largest source of income is through Materials and Services charges. It is through the contributions of our families that we can update the equipment and textbooks that students use for their learning, provide consumables to support student learning – whether it be foodstuffs in Home Economics, paints in Art, chemicals in Science, materials in Design and Technology, etc. It also means that we can fund programs such as Youth Opportunities, support Year 12 students to attend holiday tuition sessions, organise for a range of guest speakers into the school and continue to subsidise a range of excursions and sporting activities.
Our Governing Council has recently reviewed our anticipated revenue and expenditure and has set the Materials and Services Charge for 2023 at $470 – the same as this year. Additionally, the State Government has announced that they will once more provide a rebate of $100 – meaning the amount that parents will need to pay is $370. Governing Council has also decided to once again poll parents to gain approval to make the fee legally enforceable. You will receive more information about this in the coming weeks.
Kristen Masters, Principal
SAASTA CONNECT POWER CARNIVAL
On Friday of Week 2, the Salisbury East SAASTA Connect students from years 7 – 9 competed in the final task of the SAASTA Connect Power Carnival – playing 9 a side AFL against teams of SAASTA Connect students from across the state. The rain in the morning cleared and the sun shone on a fun day of activities, catching up with family and friends from other schools and some awesome playing of football by everyone!
The lead up to the carnival included designing a shirt that embraced the NAIDOC theme “Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!” and working as a team to design a mural that represents us as individuals and as a community of Aboriginal learners in the Salisbury East High School Community. Through the learning process student identified the attributes they need to be successful learners and shared how their Aboriginal culture is an important part of their identity.
Although we won all our games at the carnival on the day, we didn’t make the grand final, which was played at Alberton Oval on Sunday 30th October before the AFLW Port Vs Essendon game.
The students played really well and it was great to see their team work on display and the bonds they are building.
A big congratulations to Jackson Coaby, who through great leadership, teamwork and impressive football skills, won one of the MVP awards for the day.
The Aboriginal Education Team
Emily Faulkner, Di Hutchings and Chrystal Sumner
SCHOOL CARD APPLICATIONS
Applications for school card close soon
Please ensure you have your applications to the front office no later than
MONDAY 21st NOVEMBER 2022.
Online applications: https://www.sa.gov.au/
A hardcopy of the form can be requested from Front Office.
MORE ROBOTICS SUCCESS
With three teams already qualified for the national VEX championships in Sydney in December, members of our Robotics Club are busily refining their robots and improving their teamwork and collaboration.
On Monday, our middle school teams won four out of the five available awards at the region IQ championships. This is an outstanding achievement given they were competing in a field of 34 school teams – both public and private. ‘Capturoos’ won the design award while ‘Alpha Entity’ scored the skills champion, teamwork champion and excellence award.
Also this week, our senior robotics team competed strongly, falling just short to the strong teams from Pembroke School.
It is fantastic to see how well our teams are competing – thanks to our leaders, Jamie Broadhurst and Pete Phillips.
