2023 Term 4 Week 8

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

ANOTHER YEAR OVER…NEARLY!

It was gratifying to see the Golden Grove Recreation and Arts Centre filled to capacity several weeks ago to celebrate and acknowledge the many achievements of our graduating Year 12 students.  Thank you to all families and community members who made the effort to come along to Year 12 Graduation.  Your support was greatly appreciated.

Congratulations to all award winners – you can feel very proud of your achievements this year.

This followed a very successful Formal at the Playford Hotel in the city the week prior where students had the opportunity to celebrate the end of their secondary schooling in a very special way.

For our departing Year 12 students we wish them well as they await their SACE results.  For some students they have already commenced employment while others will be hoping that their results are strong enough to get an offer into a university course of their choice.

On Wednesday, December 13 we have the Middle School Celebration Assembly at school in the gymnasium.  Approximately 100 students across Year 7 to 9 will be recognised for their achievements this year in a variety of spheres.  There will also be a focus on acknowledging all Year 9 students as they transition to Senior School.

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL VEX ROBOTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

It was fantastic to see our students compete strongly at the national championships, held recently at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

With five teams qualifying in different age divisions, we were quietly hopeful that one team would qualify for the world championships in Dallas, Texas, but it was not to be on this occasion.

Students demonstrated a range of skills and abilities over the two-day competition and worked effectively together – even when there were setbacks.

Thank you to staff members, Mr Jamie Broadhurst and Mr Pete Phillips for their outstanding commitment to our Robotics Club and students.

2024 START OF THE YEAR INFORMATION

We will have a staggered start to the 2024 school year.

Year 7 and 12 students will commence on Monday, January 29.  This will support our Year 7 students to familiarise themselves with the school and spend some quality time with their mentor teachers and peers.  The day will have a strong focus on developing a sense of belonging.  Our Year 12 students will engage in some targeted information sessions.

Year 8, 9, 10 and 11 students will commence on Tuesday, January 30 with some year-level assemblies and information sessions.

Salisbury East Alternative Learning (SEAL) students will also commence on Tuesday, January 31.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY – REFLECTIONS ON THE FIRST YEAR

Under the new policy, all students have been required to keep their personal devices ‘off and away’ between the start and end of each school day and while they are attending off-site activities such as camps and excursions.

Student have only been able to access their personal devices during these times if they have received an approved exemption to use the device for a specific, agreed reason.

Overall, our students have adapted well to the new policy and across the year we have seen a decline in the number of phones that have had to be ‘confiscated’.  We have also seen students more engaged in physical activity, games or conversation during break times.

MATERIALS AND SERVICES CHARGES FOR 2024

Thank you to the families took the opportunity to vote in the recent Materials and Services Charges poll.

The poll was successful which means that the 2023 Materials and Services Charge of $470 is compulsory and legally recoverable for all year levels.

All families will be invoiced in the new year.

This year, almost 40% of our families successfully applied for School Card assistance.  If you were eligible this year, we encourage you to apply earlier, rather than later.

UPGRADE TO SMITH ROAD CARPARK & DROP ZONE

During the holidays, work will commence on upgrading the Smith Road Carpark (State Government Election Commitment)).

This will result in some inconvenience to families until early March.

Further information will be provided several weeks before school resumes, however, please be aware that there will be no onsite parking available for students until the carpark is completed. Students are encouraged to take public transport whenever possible.

THANK YOU

Thank you to everyone who has supported our school in any way during 2023.  I wish you all the best over this holiday period and look forward to working with you again in 2024.

To families who are ending their association with our school – thank you for all your contributions over the years.

Kristen Masters, Principal

YEAR 12 GRADUATION

Congratulations to all the award winners!

Subject Awards

YEAR 9 TO 10 TRANSITION DAY

Our Year 9s engaged in a series of rituals and traditions this week as they ‘officially’ transitioned into the SEHS Senior School.

To be known as the Class of 2026 when they eventually reach Year 12, the students met the Senior School Team and learned about key expectations, future opportunities, the SACE, and strategies to ensure they can all achieve positive outcomes.

They also got involved in a team building exercise at Bowland and took part in a prize quiz about the leaders and staff who will be supporting them throughout the next three years.

Then it was time to put bygones in the past, writing unseen statements about, for example, things that have not been helpful, bad habits and barriers to success, before tearing them up, placing them in a container, and symbolically ‘leaving them behind’.

Finally, our soon-to-be Year 10s wrote a note to their future self, listing hopes, dreams, goals, challenges, accomplishments, and areas for development, and locked them away in a time capsule to be reviewed in years to come.

The Senior School Team was very impressed by the respect and responsibility demonstrated by all throughout the day and is very excited to be working with this group of students from 2024 onwards.

Jules Peck, Head of Senior School

PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT

Year 10 and 11 students from our Supported Learning Class have been developing their employability skills through work experience tasks at school and in the community this year.

We would like to say a huge thank you to Quench Café, Pathways Community Centre and the Salvos Warehouse and Thrift Shop, Pooraka for supporting our group work experience program in 2024.

Michelle Sboro, Supported Learning Class Teacher

CLASS OF 2023

As another year reaches its conclusion at SEHS, we say a fond farewell to the ‘Class of 2023’.

The final leg of the Year 12s’ high school journey began on Monday, January 30^th, and ended on Wednesday, November 22^nd, with their Graduation and Awards Ceremony … with so much taking place in between!

Term 4, however, was possibly the busiest of all as our students completed important assessment tasks before their deadline days, undertook examinations, and finalised VET courses in preparation of SACE results being released later this month, on Monday, December 18^th.

Lessons officially concluded on Thursday, November 2^nd, and the students enjoyed a special buffet lunch before taking part in the traditional ‘leavers day’ whole-school assembly.

Then, on Friday, the second annual ‘Day in the Park’ took place at Carisbrooke Park when the 12s enjoyed a fun day of ‘archery tag’, games, and socialising.

Probably the most anticipated event of 2023, the Year 12 Formal, was held at The Playford Hotel on Friday the 17^th, and it turned out to be an exceptional evening. The young adults of SEHS looked resplendent in their stunning ballgowns and sharp suits as they partied the night away and celebrated in style.

Their graduation on the 22^nd, the final-ever event for the Class of 2023, was a fitting occasion that celebrated academic achievement and several other success stories, with many families and special guests in attendance. It marked a significant occasion in the lives of our students – the end of high school education and their transition into future pathways.

Congratulations to all the Year 12 students for reaching this milestone - we hope that the journey that follows will be filled with success, fulfillment, and happiness!

Jules Peck, Head of Senior School

YEAR 10 ENGLISH

On Thursday, 16th November, the Year 10 cohort attended a private screening of the newly released 'Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes' film at Salisbury Hoyts for their final English assignment of the year. The Year 10s were lucky enough to have the candy bar, extreme screen and recliners all to themselves, whilst enjoying not only the film but each other's company. A great day was had by all!

Nicole Gigg, English Teacher

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Ms Gigg's Year 7 class have been getting into the spirit decorating their classroom for all to enjoy.

LOOK AFTER YOUR WELLBEING OVER THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS

As the school year comes to an end and the Christmas holidays approach, there are some proactive ways to ensure we look after our wellbeing. Self-care strategies are an important reminder of how to do this.

Connect with others

Social relationships are an important aspect of young people’s general wellbeing. Friends can provide both play and support, and spending time with friends is also important for keeping and building existing friendships.

Stay involved

Whether it is work, hobbies, clubs or sports – involvement with these can help a young person feel connected to their wider community.  Consider volunteering with any range of age groups, communities, animal shelters or charities. Volunteering can reduce loneliness and increase your sense of connectedness. 

Exercise

Spend time in nature by going for a walk, visit the local swimming pool or shooting hoops with a friend can boost your mood and improve physical and mental health.

More information can be found here: How To Stay Healthy Over The Holidays | headspace

Help-seeking & support:

Online tools and resources could be helpful when a professional is unavailable. Support is available via Headspace’s phone and online counselling service seven days a week between. The number is 1800 650 890.

If you’re looking for someone to talk to immediately, Lifeline (13 11 14) and Kids Helpline (1800 551 800) are available to talk 24/7.

We wish our school community a safe and happy break during the Christmas holidays!

Amelia Molnar & Sarah Afshin Pour

(Middle School and Senior School Wellbeing leaders)

BILLY G's GOURMET COOKIE DOUGH

2024 STATIONERY LISTS