2023 Term2 Week 2

FROM OUR PRINCIPAL

CELEBRATING SUCCESS – ON THE WORLD STAGE

Last term, a television crew spent the entire day waiting outside of our school trying to get comments from parents about a threat to our school that had appeared on social media.  As it turned out, the person involved was not a member of our school community – but still it was our school that ‘featured’.

Unfortunately, bad news sells.

Last week, a team of three Year 9 students from our school represented Australia in the VEX Robotics World Championships and despite the best efforts of the Education Department’s Media Unit, there was limited interest from the wider media community.

Good news does not sell.

We are enormously proud of Amelia Downes, Bryce Loughhead and Daniel Lythgoe who made it through regional competitions and then the national championships in Sydney to qualify for the World Championships in Dallas, Texas - finishing the competition a credible 34th out of 80 teams.

If you got to see the video with an excerpt of the Opening Ceremony (on our Facebook Page), you will have seen that this is definitely a ‘big deal’.  I felt like I was watching the Olympic Games and one of our teachers told me that she shed a tear when she saw our students walk out under the Australian flag.

To get to this point, the students put in many hours after school and at breaktimes to design, develop, test, trial and modify their robot – as well as document their processes.  They had to work collaboratively and co-operatively over an extended period of time – no mean feat!

As our STEM and Innovative Technologies Leader, Jamie Broadhurst, said at the end of competition, ‘What these students have achieved in the last 12 months is nothing short of incredible.  Their robot has more than doubled its scores and they have had a great time doing it!  We are so proud of them!”

Behind the scenes, our staff members (Jamie and Pete Phillips) have put in an amazing effort to not only support the students but also to organise the logistics of an overseas excursion (on top of an interstate competition last year where three teams participated).  This has included applying for funding from both the state and federal education departments as well as sourcing local sponsors and donors.  It’s been a mighty effort!

Thank you also to the families involved for their support in a whole range of ways - it's been greatly appreciated.

CELEBRATING SUCCESS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL

Year levels are in the midst of Award Assemblies to acknowledge students who have performed well in Term 1.

We recognise students who achieve high Grade Point Averages (GPAs) and also those who demonstrate a consistently excellent attitude towards their learning.

Not everyone is going to be able gain A and B grades in all their subjects but all students can give of their personal best.

This means:

• Being on time to all classes
• Giving all learning a ‘go’ – even when it is tricky or difficult – showing resilience
• Participating in all learning activities
• Showing pride in your work
• Asking questions
• Responding to feedback or suggestions about how you might improve
• Meeting deadlines

NEW MOBILE PHONE POLICY – UPDATE FROM TERM 1

Thank you so much for your support with the new mobile phone policy that was introduced at the beginning of the year as part of the South Australian Government’s commitment to improve the educational performance and wellbeing of our students.

In a recent staff survey, teachers commented on the positive impact of the new policy:

“Mobile phones are rarely seen in the yard”

“It’s definitely less of an issue in classes as students are not willing to get their phones confiscated”

“Increased social interaction”

“Most students are compliant and understand the process.  Less issues with phones”

As you know, students who have their phones out need to hand their phones in for the remainder of the day.  They are kept safe and secure at the Front Office and parents are notified via an SMS.

On average, nine phones had to be handed in per day across the term. 

Approximately 80% of students did not have to hand their phone in at all during the term and of those who did, most were a ‘one off’.

Those students who have three phone infringements in a term are required to hand their phone in for five complete school days. 

A small number of students have been sent home following their refusal to hand their phone over.

NEW BUILDING PROGRESS

Things are taking shape in the area next to the gym.  A new Supported Learning Centre (SLC) and new Alternative Learning classrooms will come ‘on line’ at the beginning of next term.

While these are modular buildings, staff at SEHS have had a good deal of input into the design of them and have visited the AUSCO factory at Edinburgh North to see progress.  The first building arrived (in bits!) during the holidays and the team on site have been working on both internal and external components.

This week will see the next building arrive on trucks on Thursday (also in modules) and with the help of a huge crane will be put into position across the course of the day.  This will have an impact on Fern Grove Boulevard from 9.20 am until 4.30 pm with limited access to vehicles during this time.

Kristen Masters, Principal

WELLBEING MATTERS

Wellbeing is an important aspect of overall health and happiness, and middle school can be a challenging time for many students. There are many different areas that contribute to wellbeing, including physical health, emotional health, social connections, and a sense of purpose and meaning in life. This term the middle school will be focusing on wellbeing during mentoring. 

Year 7 Mentoring

Why Decode? Decode is a high-quality, evidence-based program for students and teachers. It is the only engaging, curriculum-aligned program of its type offering entertainment-led learning, powered by research from Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

With 50% of all adult mental health problems beginning before the age of 14 years old, Decode aims to tackle this by supporting early intervention and prevention. If left untreated, mental health issues can have a direct impact on children’s learning outcomes, school attendance and behavioural issues.

Year 8 Mentoring

Why Healthy Minds? To provide life skills that will ensure their child’s happy future, not just good grades. Taught by specially trained facilitators plus SEHS mentor teachers, the 8-week program involves two lessons per week, and fits into the mentor time Wednesday and Friday.

Students will learn:

• The thinking skills that prevent or reduce risk for depression, anxiety, eating disorders & body image problems (without specifically focusing on any particular psychological disorder)
• How 'unhelpful perfectionism' plays a troublesome role in mental health, achievement, and general quality of life. Contrary to popular belief, some types of perfectionism actually inhibit achievement.
• The keys to understanding the function of emotions, and the most helpful ways of navigating their emotional lives
• Psychological flexibility
• Realistic thinking (this is the key skill of modern cognitive behaviour therapy)
• Self-compassion as an antidote to self-criticism (and why this is far more important than self-esteem)
• Ways to understand and deal with procrastination - these work for school, work and life
• To challenge the unrealistic media ideals that promote body-image dissatisfaction, which can lead to disordered eating and depression
• The cultivation of gratitude as an everyday perspective (it has been shown to improve sleep, immune system function, and happiness)
• The motivational techniques that change problem behaviours into helpful, healthy, and high-performance behaviours.

Year 9 Mentoring

Why The Resilience Project? The Resilience Project program inspires and engages the whole school community – students, staff, parents & carers – through the evidence-based GEM (Gratitude, Empathy & Mindfulness) principles. GEM is embedded through a combination of accessible resources, engaging lesson plans and inspiring digital presentations.

The University of Adelaide study of 160,000 students during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019-2021), found that The Resilience Project participants maintained consistent emotional wellbeing and improved life satisfaction, in contrast to those that did not participate in the program.

The Middle School Team are excited to work with your children and enhance their wellbeing outcomes. 

Thank you.

Amelia Molnar, Middle School Wellbeing Coordinator

NUNGA TAG CARNIVAL

On Thursday 25^th May (Term 2 Week 4) twenty three of our Nunga students will be attending the North-Eastern Nunga Tag Carnival at Avenues College. The carnival is a day for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and families from the North-Eastern and Northern suburbs, and this year even Western suburbs, to connect with each other and with service providers from the health, social services, education, employment, and defence sectors. Last year we had around 200 students from nine schools, this year we have close to 400 students from sixteen schools

Students play a round robin schedule of NRL OzTag games run by the team from NRL SA. The game is great fun, non-contact (velcro waist strips) and very easy to pick up. Last year was a great success and the mixed up adult and student games at the end were a real highlight. With the NRL State of Origin game happening at Adelaide Oval the next week we are also working on getting an NRL Ambassador to come on the day to join in and meet all of the students and families.

There will once again be a free BBQ lunch provided by the Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council and a coffee van provided by Taoundi and The Workabout Centre and all participants will receive a free T-Shirt to commemorate the day. The T-Shirt has been designed by local Aboriginal artist Amy Walley-Stack and looks amazing.

While the games are going on there will be a number of service providers set up where students and their families can connect with health, social services, employment and education providers, the defence forces and police. Last year there were a number of competitions run by the providers and many goodie bags given out with students making great connections and recieving helpful information relating to their futures. This year we’d love to see more families coming along to support their children and to connect with each other and the various service providers.

The carnival is happening with the generous support of our fantastic sponsors; The Kirsten Charity Trust, The Hands of Hope Foundation, NRL SA, Lutheran Care and Elcies, The Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council, Maali Yorga Arts and Devon Clothing.

Di Hutchings , Aboriginal Education Teacher

SLC STAGE 2 PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT

Senior years students in our Pathways to Employment course have been exploring volunteering as a pathway to employment. Northern Volunteering SA have supported this course through arranging site visits to volunteer organisations and providing some free training for students. Throughout the term we have completed First Aid training and an Introduction to retail course. Next term we are hoping to negotiate regular group volunteer work to build students employability skills.

Michelle Sboro, Supported Learning Centre Teacher

INTERNATIONAL HOMESTAY FAMILIES WANTED

Host an international student and give your family a cultural experience without leaving home!

What will your family learn by hosting a student from overseas?

Every family gets something different from the experience. There is no doubt you will all learn a lot about a new culture, food, language, customs and traditions but you will also have the chance to:

• participate in activities and meet other host families
• be a tourist in your own town and State as you show them around
• make lifelong friendships with your student and their family

You’ll care for them and we’ll support you.

When you host an international student, they will become a member of your family. Your student will be a long way from home and in your care so you will be expected to provide them with a safe, supportive and welcoming home environment.

As a homestay, you will be required to provide your student with:

• a furnished bedroom inside the family home (not a separate dwelling)
• all meals
• use of utilities (i.e. water, electricity and gas)
• use of facilities (e.g. access to TV, iron, laundry)

You will also be expected to:

• support your student in their studies
• monitor your student’s health and well-being
• accept duty of care for your student outside of school hours

Whilst it’s undoubtedly a responsibility looking after someone else’s son or daughter, it’s one you won’t have to face alone.

You will be provided with:

• a personalised home visit and information session
• a homestay allowance
• support from our school Study Tour coordinator
• 24 hour emergency telephone support service

All families must be cleared with a Working with Children Check (can be organised through the school), Complete Responding to Risks and Harm, Abuse and Neglect - Education and Care Training (can be organised through the school) and have a Home Visit and Interview.

For more information and a Homestay Application pack, please contact Kelly Bond via the Front Office 8258 2070 to discuss the opportunity to join our International Program.

Kelly Bond, International Student Program Coordinator