2023 Term 4 Week 5
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
LIVING OUR SCHOOL VALUES
This week, I’ve had the opportunity to see many of our students ‘step up’ and move out of their comfort zone – demonstrating our school values of respect, responsibility and resilience.
On Tuesday evening, it was fabulous to see large appreciative audiences gather in the Dance Studio for the Summer Arts Showcases. Those who attended the Middle School Showcase were treated to dance, drama, aerobics, music and visual arts while the Senior School Showcase highlighted the great work in Music, Visual Arts, Photography and Information Processing and Publishing.
On Wednesday, four teams of our middle school students participated in the Northern Adelaide Secondary State Schools’ Alliance (NASSSA) Maths Olympics at Central Districts Football Clubrooms. Across the evening they worked together to solve problems and puzzles that stretched their mathematical thinking.
All teams performed well but we were super excited that our Year 9 team won the Middle (8/9) competition and one of our Year 7 teams came third in the Junior competition.
I have also been involved in the selection process for our 2024 School Captains and was very impressed with all of the students who nominated and went through the interview process. They certainly exemplify our school values and care deeply about working with us to further improve aspects of our school.
Earlier this week we had a Youth Opportunities ‘Activate’ Graduation: This pilot program has involved a small group Year 9 students [as distinct from the Year 10 ‘Elevate’ program]. It was fabulous to see a large number of family members in attendance to celebrate the participation and achievements of the students across the semester.
The resilience of students, staff and families has also been tested this week with the announcement on Monday that all sea-based aquatics programs had been cancelled due to the recent shark attacks. With the Year 8 Camp scheduled for next week at Port Vincent, this was a huge disappointment. While DfE have now reversed their decision, it was too late for us to re-book contractors, transport, re-order food, etc. Next year!
IMPROVING OUR FACILITIES
You may have noticed that preliminary work has commenced on our Design and technology building. There has been a subsidence issue in the centre for quite a while, and work will be done on the underpinnings as well as significant stormwater remediation, painting etc. Over the summer holidays, the roof on the gym will also be replaced.
MATERIALS AND SERVICES CHARGES 2024
Governing Council has set the Materials and Services Charge at $470 for 2024. Mindful of cost of living pressures, this is the same as 2022 and 2023. With the South Australian Government rebate of $100, this becomes $370 – approximately $1.85 per day.
Currently families are being polled about making this legally enforceable – ensuring that everyone pays their fair share.
This does not impact on the families eligible for School Card.
While the funding from the Government covers the major items of expenditure, including salaries, building maintenance, cleaning costs, basic administration, etc, contributions from families are very important in balancing the budget and providing a range of programs and additional resources.
Below is the letter sent home to families with more detail about how the Materials and Services charges are used.
REMINDER: STUDENT FREE DAY – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1
Staff will be engaged in curriculum development on this day.
Kristen Masters, Principal
WELCOME SHANNON
Hi SEHS community – my name is Shannon and I am the School Mental Health Practitioner (SMHP) here at SEHS.
The School Mental Health Service (SMHS) sits within Student Support Services in the Department for Education. Mental health practitioners are based in schools to support young people with mild to moderate and emerging mental health concerns. I started in this program last year, though recently moved to SEHS this term.
The SMHS provides a confidential brief intervention service – I will work alongside students and families to identify difficulties and determine their goals which we can work towards, in the short term over a number of set scheduled sessions. There is often a large focus on assisting students and families to understand their current situation, supporting students with skill building and developing helpful coping strategies. The service is funded by the DfE and is offered with no out-of-pocket costs to families.
I have training in Psychology and Social Work, and have spent my career so far working in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health space within Health sectors both here in Australia and the UK. I have really enjoyed the transition to Education and working in schools. I really look forward to getting to know the students and broader SEHS community.
SEHS already has a fantastic range of strategies in place to support student mental health and wellbeing. If you / your child has mental health or wellbeing concerns, I would encourage that these be discussed with your /your child’s teacher or the school’s wellbeing staff in the first instance. The wellbeing team will consider the individual needs of the students alongside the SMHS eligibility to determine if they should be referred to the SMHS.
Shannon Isaacs, School Mental Health Practioner
REMEMBRANCE DAY
As this year’s Remembrance Day fell on a Saturday, SEHS did not have an assembly to mark the occasion. However, the significance of this day is too important to let pass without recognition.
On this special day, we gather to commemorate the moment when the guns fell silent, signaling the end of World War I. Since 1914, fellow Australians have courageously risked life and limb in service of our country. While it's customary on such occasions to reflect on the sacrifices of older veterans and those who never returned home, it is equally vital to remember and honor the resilience of those who did.
This day isn’t just about looking back on the past, it is also important to remember and acknowledge the thousands of current serving members who still to this day, are being deployed around the country and around the world on different peacekeeping and war operations. These brave individuals have sacrificed a lot - time with their family, their mental health, their safety and wellbeing and in some cases, their life.
The nature of war has changed a lot in 50 years. No longer do we see large number of troops killed in action like we did in the past. Instead, for a lot of veterans, their deaths come many years later - a consequence of the mental wounds sustained during deployment. This is the sad reality we are facing and it’s for this reason, that we need to collectively reach out to offer our gratitude and support to these individuals. In light of this, we take a moment to express our heartfelt appreciation to all current and former ADF members within our school community, as well as their families, recognising and thanking them for the profound sacrifices they have made.
Lest we forget.
Shari Bray, HASS Coordinator
2023 PREMIER'S ANZAC SPIRIT SCHOOL PRIZE
At the start of the year, the call was put out to all Year 9 and 10 students to participate in 2023 Premier’s Anzac Spirit School Prize. This is an annual, state-wide competition, which can earn the winners a fully funded study tour overseas to a significant site in Australia’s war history. After some initial interest from many students, only one year 9 student, stuck it out to the end. Over a period of close to 18 weeks, Neve O’Grady successfully researched the life of South Australian serviceman, Albert Spencer Nicks.
Albert was born and grew up in Adelaide with a number of siblings before leaving school in grade 5. He signed up to serve in the Australian Army Ambulance Service in February 1941 and was sent to Papua New Guinea to help our troops fighting in Kokoda. While away, he suffered from ongoing illnesses and received news that his wife had given birth to a son who had died shortly after. Albert survived the war and left the Army shortly after. After having another child who died shortly after birth, Albert split with his wife and eventually moved to Port Lincoln where he remarried and lived out the remainder of his life dying in 1983, aged 68.
For her efforts, Neve received a Certificate of Merit, which meant that she was among the small group of students who narrowly missed out on participating in the study to trip to Vietnam next year. Although disappointing, we are very proud of Neve and the effort she put into her research and application. Fortunately, Neve and all our other current Year 8 and 9 students will have the opportunity to participate in this competition next year. Keep an eye open for information early in 2024.
Congratulations Neve, and well done!
Shari Bray, HASS Coordinator
SCHOOL CARD APPLICATIONS
2023 School Card applications with close on 22nd November 2023.
Please ensure all applications are submitted via SA.GOV.AU - School Card scheme (www.sa.gov.au)
If you need support or have any queries please contact the school on 8258 2070.