2023 Term 1 Week 1

FROM OUR PRINCIPAL

Welcome to 2023 – what a difference a year makes!

After such a challenging start to last year with a staggered start due to COVID restrictions, it has been fabulous to have our students all back and meeting their teachers this week – rather than trying to navigate online learning. 

While we are delighted to welcome a small number of new staff, overall, we have a very stable staff team in 2023 which means that many of the relationships that underpin good classroom experiences are already in place.

On Wednesday we came together for a whole school assembly and there was a great vibe as students welcomed all year levels back to school, learnt about events planned for Term 1, heard key messages and expectations and engaged in a whole school game of True and False about SEHS.  We are keen to have some regular whole school assemblies after having to forego these for much of the last three years.

Thank you for your support

UNIFORM

We have been delighted with the way that students have returned to school with 95% of them in complete uniform and thus being part of the SEHS ‘team’.  We are working with the remaining 5% to improve this even further.

If your child does not already have a school jacket (there are two versions available), please endeavour to organise this.  Already this week, we have experienced some cooler weather and it is then that we see the non-uniform items appearing.  If you require some support with this, please contact our Well-Being Leaders (Amelia Molnar – Middle School) and Sarah Afshin-Pour (Senior School) as we have some pre-loved and loan jackets available.

A summary of our uniform requirements is attached:

MOBILE PHONES

We have also been pleased with the way that students have responded to the new mobile phones and personal devices policy being rolled out in all South Australian government schools this year.

From the moment students are on school grounds until they leave, phones or smart watches must be ‘off and away’.

In terms of change to policy, the most significant impact on students has been in the yard and movement between classes where phones are no longer permitted.

We have seen students interacting and socialising more at break times which has been terrific to see.  As recess and lunchtime activities commence next week, we look forward to students getting involved and connecting with a broader range of students.

Where staff have seen phones, they have requested the phone to be put away and have had a conversation about the transition to automatic confiscation from the beginning of Week 3.

Staff have also noticed the positive impact on learning – particularly in Year 7 and 8 where students have traditionally struggled with having a phone with them.  Having to store them in their lockers each day has enabled them to avoid distractions in class.  In the weeks to come, we will be surveying students and parents about whether we should extend this requirement to all students or embrace other strategies such as the much-publicized YONDR pouches.

One of the most common questions students have asked about is, ‘what if my parent wants to ring me’?  If there is an emergency situation, please ring the Front Office on 82582070 and we will ensure that your student is able to speak with you in private area.  If your child brings a phone to school, they can access messages after they leave the school grounds at the end of the day. 

We are currently working through a very small number of requests for exemptions – largely on medical grounds – eg diabetes monitoring. 

Materials and Services Charges

As advised in the last newsletter of 2022, the SEHS Governing Council polled parents to gain approval to make the Materials and Services Charge of $470 compulsory.  The results were as follows:

As such, the Materials and Services Charge of $470 is legally recoverable.  However, due to the State Government’s rebate of $100, the amount payable for this year is $370.  Invoices have been mailed out earlier this week.

Class of 2022 news

We have been delighted in recent weeks to learn that the majority of our students have gained offers into their first preferences for university.  We have students accepted into Health and Medical Science, Physiotherapy, Paramedic Science, Law, Architecture, Visual and Creative Arts, Education/teaching, Aviation (pilot), Digital Technology, Occupational Therapy, Medical Radiology, Pharmaceutical Science, Engineering, Arts (History), Nursing, Business, Psychology and Foundation Studies.

We also know that a number of students have gained an apprenticeship beginning this year.

With our DUX, Sonthari Dilen Keam, scoring in the top 1.2% of South Australia and gaining a Governor’s Commendation, the clear message is that the sky is the limit for students at Salisbury East High School!

Harding Miller Scholarships

What a thrill it was to congratulate three of our Year 9 students who are recipients of Harding Miller Education Foundation Scholarships. Nedra Safdari, Pai Tin Tuep and Sharni Fairman have recently been awarded platinum scholarships following a rigorous application process in the latter part of last year.

Targeted at high achieving girls attending public schools across Australia, there were a total of 159 new platinum scholarships awarded from a total of 701 applications - with three being awarded to SEHS students!

They join four older SEHS students - Alessandra (Year 12) Razwana (Year 11) Hannah ( Year 11) and Elizabeth (Year 10) - who gained Harding Miller Scholarships over the past four years.

The students received a new high quality laptop and will have access to personal tutoring, online homework help, funding to support educational expenses, wi-fi access and access to enrichment activities. Thank you also to Miss Molnar for supporting the students to put their applications together

Welcome to new staff

• This year we have ten new staff (out of a total of 117 teaching and support staff)

• Ms Steph Noske – English/HASS teacher

• Ms Kay Chand – Maths/Science teacher

• Mr Cameron Strain – Home Economics teacher

• Mr Josh Nolte – Design and Technology teacher

• Ms Madie Heller – HASS teacher

• Mr Dylan Boller – Music Teacher

• Mr Sam Steer – Maths/Science

• Mr Keiren McGarrigan – Year 7/8 Youth Worker

• Ms Donna Dias – SEAL Youth Worker

• Mr Cliff Walkington – Aboriginal Transition Officer

• Ms Jennifer Scholefield – Classroom Support

• Ms Valerie Mukaboneko - BSSO

Kristen Masters, Principal

CLASS OF 2023

Our new Year 12 cohort, 'The Class of 2023', started out on the final leg of their high school journey at SEHS this week.

Pictured here in their traditional Day 1 photograph, there has been a lot of optimism amongst the students for the year ahead.

They will be aiming to achieve the SACE, attain ATAR scores for university entrance, complete VET training courses and set themselves up for future post-school pathways.

We have very high hopes for all of our amazing students, and the Senior School Team, Year 12 subject teachers and mentors are very much looking forward to working with these young adults throughout the next 10 months and supporting them to achieve their full potential.
Good luck for the year ahead! 

Jules Peck, Head of Senior School

LOST PROPERTY

Over 2022, the Front Office accumulated a large amount of lost property. Items include school jackets, glasses, drink bottles, jewellery, headphones etc. If your student is missing anything please ask them to pop down to the office and check if it there.

Any items left at the end of the term will be disposed of.

FirstGEN COMMUNITY SERVICES

FirstGEN is available to Year 12 Students to develop their understanding of the SATAC process, learn essential university knowledge, and prepare for life after high school. With 1:1 support integrated throughout the program, FirstGEN will broaden students' awareness, understanding and confidence as they thake the next step in their education journey.

Please scan the QR code to register for the upcoming community information sessions.

CALCULATOR ORDERS

A scientific calculator is a significant tool used in mathematics and some other learning areas at Salisbury East High School. You can now order calculators at SEHS for a better price than most stores (Based on the recommended Casio Fx-82AU). Please submit orders by the 12^th of February. If you need any support to get your child a calculator this year, please speak to Matthew Scherwitzel, the Mathematics and Numeracy Coordinator at SEHS.

NOTE: There is also a free online emulator that can be downloaded by students through the software centre. For more support, please get your student to speak to their maths teachers.

SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES

In 2023, the School of Languages (SoL) is offering at Adelaide High School:

• Yrs 7-10 Arabic program on Mondays / Stage 1 & 2 Arabic Program on Tuesdays
• Yrs 7-12 Polish program on Mondays
• Yrs 7-12 Hindi program on Thursdays
• Stage 1 & 2 Continuers Italian program on Thursdays
• Yrs 7-12 Korean program on Thursdays / Stage 1 & 2 Continuers Korean program on Tuesdays
• Stage 1 & 2 Continuers Persian program on Mondays

SoL is a government school established 37 years ago to provide access, choice and continuity in language education to students from all schooling sectors. We currently offer 22 languages after hours in 25 different locations.

COMMUNITY NEWS