2024 Term 1 Week 7
FROM OUR PRINCIPAL
PUBLIC EDUCATION STRATEGY
The Strategy for Public Education in South Australia has four areas of impact that describe what is being sought for every child and young person in our state.
The four areas work together to support learners to thrive and prosper as well as learn and achieve. They are:
- Wellbeing
- Learner Agency
- Effective Learners
- Equity and Excellence
WELLBEING AREA OF IMPACT
As someone who has worked in public education for many years, it is very clear that there is a strong connection between wellbeing and learning. Feeling safe, included, connected, and valued, supports learners to be resilient and persevere with new or complex learning situations. It means that they can ask questions, engage actively in learning, and persist when challenged in their learning.
There is a clear link between student wellbeing and academic achievement. Promoting wellbeing and focusing on academic achievement are not mutually exclusive; both are crucial for learner success.
In recent years at Salisbury East High School, we have had a focus on building belonging and safety – the foundation for wellbeing – and we will be continuing to strengthen our work in this area. Some of our recent most initiatives includes:
- Trauma informed training for staff (Berry Street)
- Increasing the range of opportunities for students to connect with others with similar interests and develop a sense of school belonging through extra-curricular activities (eg Robotics, Schools Challenge); recess and lunchtime activities
- Extension of the House system – range of other competitions beyond Sports Day; rewarding other contributions to the school community; academic/attendance, etc.
- Enhanced leadership opportunities through our association with ABCN (Australian Business and Community Network) and the Australian Refugee Association (Youth Ambassadors)
- Range of partnerships with external providers – Healthy Minds, Youth Opportunities, Raise Mentoring, Sammy D Foundation
- Individual/Group support – School Mental Health Service, Social groups, Learning Support Centre in M03 and provision of support into senior school, extended mentor time for 709, etc
- Rituals, traditions and recognition – extra transition day, transition into Senior School, positive postcards, middle school celebration assembly
- Policies and processes – SMS and follow-up for students absent from individual classes
- Enhanced student feedback – introduction of the PIVOT platform for students to provide teachers with feedback about their learning experience; new uniform options
While these are all important steps, we know that there is still work to be done to ensure that all students feel like they belong in every classroom.
Across Australia, the data suggests that 70% of school students feel like they belong at school. Closer to home, 75% of our students reported high or medium school belonging in last year’s Wellbeing and Engagement collection. (up 4% from 2022).
School belonging comes from students feeling socially valued, having confidence in their abilities, and feeling as though the learning connects to their future pathways.
SPORTS DAY – THREE-PEAT FOR LAURENCE!
Despite the warm weather, Sports Day proved to be a great occasion with a strong sense of school belonging and house camaraderie in evidence.
The day was conducted in good spirits with high levels of participation and strong competition – but ultimately Laurence was victorious – making it three wins in a row!
A special thanks to our Health and Physical Education Co-ordinator, Mr Corey Ottey, for his outstanding organisation. Events like this do not just happen and many extra hours were put in to make it a highly successful day. Due to the weather, there needed to be quite a number of adjustments to ensure that we were completed and students were on their way home by 1pm.
Thank you also to our Physical Education staff for their considerable work in supporting Corey with the ‘set up’ at Bridgestone Athletics Park – both the night before and early on Friday morning.
I’d also like to acknowledge our Year 12 students who led the way with fantastic levels of participation throughout the day.
Congratulations to all age division winners – there were some very tight fought tussles through the day and there were several ‘ties’ across several divisions.
BUILDING WORKS
Work is continuing with the Smith Road Car Park – an election commitment by our current South Australian Government. Once completed, it will be a one-way configuration – in off Smith Road and out onto Fern Grove Boulevard.
Funding from the City of Salisbury is being used to improved the drop zone on Smith Road. Work will commence on this towards the end of March or early April. The expectation is that all work will be complete by early in May.
GOVERNING COUNCIL AGM
Please consider attending the Governing Council AGM on Tuesday, March 26 at 6.30pm in the staffroom.
At this meeting, the new Governing Council will be elected, and the 2023 Annual Report will be presented, along with the end of year financial statements.
Our Governing Council usually meets twice per term and for approximately two hours. It is comprised of parents, students, and staff. It oversees the strategic directions of the school, approves and monitors the annual budget, provides input into a range of policies and processes and at times, advocates for the school with local and state government.
In recent times, the Governing Council has approved our new uniform items, had input into the Smith Road Carpark, determined the ‘start’ date for introducing the new mobile phone policy and provided a range of suggestions around improving our student bathrooms.
If you are interested in learning more about what Governing Council does and how it operates, please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss – or simply come along to the meeting!
Nomination forms will be emailed to parents today.
Kristen Masters, Principal
AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY NETWORK
In Week 6, 21 females from Years 10-12 embarked on session 1 of 3 of ‘Focus’, an exciting program delivered by ABCN (The Australian Business and Community Network). This program is designed to provide young women with the essential leadership skills they need to engage in a successful, meaningful career. The initiative addresses the underrepresentation of women in senior roles in Australia and is designed to support young women to develop skills, aspire to these roles in business and the community, and foster a sense of self-belief that will encourage them to aim high.
Focus involves female students working in small groups with female executives who act as role models and mentors. These females share their own career journeys and challenges, which can make an enormous impact as students consider their options for the future.
The three fully facilitated sessions include an introduction to leadership styles, realising strengths, and creating a leadership picture. The program is typically for young women who already demonstrate leadership potential.
There was high engagement and an extremely positive attitude throughout session 1, where students identified women in their lives that inspire them (family, school/teachers, celebrities etc.), began looking at goals they hope to achieve, and then were introduced to the 6 leadership styles (coaching, affiliative, democratic, commanding, pacesetting, and visionary). The girls are all looking forward to what session 2 will bring them, in Week 8 this term (21st March).
Chloe Lyons, Student Voice Mentor
RAAF Base Edinburgh Open Day
An Air Force base is an environment like no other, with teams of people working together to achieve extraordinary things. Your students/job seekers are invited to attend the RAAF Base Edinburgh Open Day, West Ave, Edinburgh, SA.
An experience not usually open to the general public, students/job seekers have the opportunity to:
• Go inside the base, and see first-hand the different functions
• Chat to various serving Air Force personnel
• Get up close or hands on with the latest aviation technology including P8 and PC21 aircrafts, military vehicle displays, medical triage displays.
This is a valuable learning experience, particularly for those who are interested in an aviation career but may not be aware of the wide range of opportunities available.
When:
8am- 12pm, 23rd March 2024
Where:
RAAF Base Edinburgh, West Avenue, Edinburgh
click the link below to register your interest
GRIP Leadership Conference
On February 27th, The school captains participated in the Grip Leadership Conference. This event provided us with valuable insights into the nature of leadership and we gained knowledge from the seasoned leaders who shared their expertise. The conference blended informative sessions with moments of fun thanks to the engaging and witty humour of the speakers. Many speakers shared their practical strategies, inspirational anecdotes, and thought-provoking discussions which will leave a lasting impression on how we approach leadership. Overall, it was a fun day filled with learning, laughter and the development of skills vital for our roles as leaders within our school community.
Charjar Rolfe, School Captain
TERM 1 KEY DATES
SCHOOL CLOSURE DATES 2024
