2024 Term 2 Week 6

FROM OUR PRINCIPAL

CELEBRATION TIME!

The Dance Studio was brimming with very proud families and school staff as we came together on Tuesday evening to celebrate the achievements of our Arts’ students across this first semester.

The Arts Showcase profiled the incredible creativity and efforts of our students and staff. From stunning prints, paintings, and photos to engaging dance performances and lively musical pieces, it was terrific to see the diverse artistic abilities within our school community and throughout both our sub-schools.

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated teachers who have guided and supported our students every step of the way.  Parents and other family members - your encouragement and support has also been instrumental in helping our students reach their full potential.

Philosopher, Plato said that, “music is the medicine of the soul” while artist, Pablo Picasso spoke about the purpose of art being to “wash the dust of daily life off our souls”.  Certainly, this week’s Arts Showcase was good for the soul!

USING STUDENT VOICE TO SUPPORT CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Over the past few years, we have been using the PIVOT feedback tool to capture students’ perspective on their classroom experience.  This survey encompasses various dimensions of teaching, such as instructional methods, classroom management, engagement strategies and overall effectiveness.

Teachers value the PIVOT survey as it provides actionable insights that can support their professional development and improvement. The feedback helps educators to identify their strengths and areas for improvement, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Moreover, the PIVOT survey promotes an environment where students feel heard and respected.

While each teacher receives their own individual data, we also receive whole school data which provides an overview of what is working well and areas that may require further attention.

Earlier this term, students completed the PIVOT survey for the first time this year and the results are in. Overwhelmingly, students are very satisfied with the quality of teaching at our school.

On a 6-point scale, the three highest scoring questions are on the left-hand side of the table below. Areas requiring further exploration are listed on the right-hand side.

SOME REMINDERS:

• Student Free Day tomorrow – Friday, June 7

Teachers and classroom support staff will be undertaking the third day of the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) training after two earlier days in 2022.  The focus of this day is on supporting students to build stamina and resilience in learning – keeping going even when learning is tough. We know that students who have experienced trauma in their lives often find this challenging and we are excited to build our capacity to better support all learners.

• School Uniform

The overwhelming majority of our students come to school dressed in accordance with our dress code. Almost 100% of our students wear the school polo shirt everyday but now that we have hit winter, we are finding a small but significant number of students wearing non-uniform jackets or hoodies over their polo shirts.

One of the major reasons for having a uniform is student safety and security – both at school and on excursions.  Being able to clearly identify SEHS students and potential intruders is very important and therefore it is crucial that students are wearing a visible SEHS rugby jumper, ‘hoodie’ or jacket or polo shirt.

LOWES at the Ingle Farm Shopping Centre is our uniform provider.  Items can be purchased in store or online.  See the link below.

If you need support in accessing uniform items, please reach out to one of our Well-Being Leaders (Miss Molnar (Middle School) or Ms Afshin-Pour (Senior School)) or Youth Workers (Kieran (Year 7/8); Luke (Year 9/10) or Kara (Year 11/12).  We have a small number of items available for needy families.

• Getting to school on time

School commences each day at 8.40 am with the first bell going at 8.35 am.  Each morning commences with Mentoring which is where students find out about school activities and opportunities, connect with their mentor teacher and peers and get organised for the day ahead.  Our data shows that students who get to school on time overall are more likely to have productive relationships with their peers and are ready to learn and achieve. 

Kristen Masters, Principal

CAREERS EXPO

Coming up next week, on Wednesday the 12^th of June, Salisbury East High School is hosting our annual Careers Expo. We have over 50 stallholders attending the school from a wide range of industries, businesses and tertiary education providers. All students from Year 7 - 12 will have an opportunity to come through the expo to engage with the stallholders and ask questions about their individual career pathways. 

Michele Malonagos, VET/Careers Coordinator

ROBOTICS UPDATE

The 2024/25 robotics season has well and truly kicked off with around 30 students from year 7 - 12 currently signed up to be part of the competitive teams this year! This years games are called Rapid Relay and High Stakes. See the link for more info on this years games. Competition - VEX Robotics. 

It isn't too late for students to join, all are welcome! 

We would also like to thank local company Cable Makers for the generous donation of $1000 to help support our program. The money will be used to buy new materials and allow students to have access to more high tech parts for their robot designs.  

Look out for more information throughout the year to see how our students go this season!  

Jamie Broadhurst, STEM Coordinator

VOLUNTEERS FOR SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Salisbury East High School is looking for Volunteers to accompany staff and students on School Excursions, Sport and other school activities.

To be eligible for this you must:

• complete a volunteer application form that includes signing a declaration
• complete the volunteer screening and suitability requirements
• complete the Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect – Education and Care (RRHAN-EC) training (this can be organised through the school)
• complete the volunteer induction, including work health and safety
• be given a role description
• sign a volunteer agreement.

If the activity includes the following a Working with Children’s Check will also be required.

• school sleep over
• overnight camp
• child care centre
• close personal contact with children, that involves toileting or changing clothes
• hosting billets
• hosting homestay students
• working with children with disabilities.

If this is something that interests you, please contact Kelly Bond at the school for more information and a volunteer application form.

Kelly Bond, Executive Assistant

M&S CHARGES 2024

Have you paid your Material and Service charge?

Do you need to organise an Agreement to Pay?

Have you completed your School Card Application?

Please see the front office or call finance on 8258 2070 (Option 2) for any assistance

Mandy Racz, Finance

STAYING CONNECTED WITH PRE-TEENS AND TEENAGERS

Key points

• As pre-teens and teenagers gain independence, they often spend less time with their families.
• Connecting is about building, strengthening and maintaining relationships in the pre-teen and teenage years.
• You can stay connected through everyday interactions and planned time together.
  
  

Positive relationships and staying connected

In adolescence, parents and children often begin to spend more time apart. It’s natural for teenagers to want to spend time by themselves, as well as time with friends and other people outside their families.

But teenagers still need strong relationships with parents to feel safe and secure as they meet the challenges of adolescence. Knowing that you’re there to love and support them gives your child confidence to try new things and explore new ideas, interests and relationships.

Staying connected with your teenage child is about building emotional closeness by being available and responsive to your child. It’s more than just spending time around each other.

Connecting can be:

• casual, which is when you use everyday interactions to build closeness
• planned, which is when you schedule time to do things together that you both enjoy.

It’s great to have both kinds of connecting in your relationship with your child.

If you stay connected with your child, you’ll be in a good position to pick up on any problems that your child might be having. Your child is also more likely to come to you with problems. This is important for your child’s wellbeing and mental health.

Casual connecting with pre-teens and teenagers

Casual connecting is a way of using everyday interactions to build positive relationships. The best opportunities for casual connecting are when your child starts a conversation with you. This generally means they’re in the mood to talk.

Tips for casual connecting

• Stop what you’re doing and focus on the moment. For example, put down your phone or shut your computer screen. Even for just a few seconds, give your child your full attention. Connecting works best when you send the message that right now, your child is the most important thing to you.
• Look at your child while they’re talking to you. Really listen to what they’re saying. This sends the message that what your child has to say is important to you.
• Show interest. Encourage your child to expand on what they’re saying, and explore their views, opinions, feelings, expectations or plans.
• Listenwithout interrupting, judging or correcting. Your aim is to be with your child, not to give advice or help unless they ask for it.
• Just be there. For example, you might be in the kitchen when your child is studying at the table. Teenagers benefit just from knowing that you’re available.
• Keep in touch. For example, send daily text messages if you don’t live with your child full time or you’re away from home for a while. But try not to ask too many questions, because this might feel intrusive to your child.

You can also actively try to create opportunities for casual connecting. For example, some teenagers find it easier to talk while you’re doing something together, like cooking, going for a walk or tidying up. But if your child doesn’t want to talk, don’t force the conversation. Just wait for another opportunity instead.

Planned connecting with pre-teens and teenagers

Planned connecting shows your child you want to spend time with them.

Busy lives and more time apart can make it difficult to spend fun time together. That’s why you need to plan it. Teenagers aren’t always enthusiastic about spending time with their parents, but it’s worth insisting that they do, at least sometimes.

Tips for planned connecting

• Schedule time together. You need to find a time that suits you both. Initially, it can help to keep the time short.
• Let your child choose what you’ll do, and follow their lead. This will motivate your child to want to spend time with you. It’s also fun to try activities where your child is the expert – teaching you a new skill can boost your child’s confidence.
• Concentrate on enjoying your child’s company. Try to be an enthusiastic partner and actively cooperate with what your child is doing. The activity itself is less important than shared fun and talking with your child.
• Be interested and accepting, rather than correcting your child or giving advice. It’s not easy to give up the teaching and coaching role, but this is a time for building and improving your relationship. So if you see a mistake or an easier way to do something, let it go without comment.
• Keep trying and stay positive. At first, your child might not be as keen as you to take part in these activities. Keep planned times brief to begin with, and your child will come to enjoy this time with you.

Teenagers who have stable, warm, trusting and open relationships with their parents are better equipped to develop independence and grow into responsible adults. They’re also more likely to be successful at handling risky situations like smoking or vaping, alcohol or other drug use, sexual activity, and excessive social media use or video gaming.

Overcoming obstacles to connecting

Your child avoids spending time with you
Making the most of everyday opportunities to connect – like chatting while you’re driving – can help you get over this obstacle.

If your child is reluctant to spend time with you, you could try the following:

• Keep it brief to begin with. For example, try a cup of coffee at a favourite café after school.
• Find spontaneous ways to spend quality time rather than booking it in advance.
• Ask your child to come up with things they’d like to do with you and work through their list.
• Use technology to connect with your child. Sending funny memes or text messages can help you stay connected, but don’t overdo it.
• Don’t give up. It might take a little while but the more time you spend together, the more you can both relax into it.

Your child refuses to talk with you about what they’re doing
You and your child might feel closer if you make the most of casual conversations during the day. Every little chat is an opportunity to listen and talk in a relaxed, positive way.

You feel you’re the only one who’s trying
If you’re kind and considerate with your child, this can help create goodwill and positive feelings. Often, simple things make a big difference – for example, saying please, giving hugs, pats on the back, knocking before entering a bedroom, cooking a favourite meal or planning surprise fun activities.

This approach creates a more positive environment, even if your child isn’t joining in. Make a point of doing kind things, even when you don’t feel like it. This sets a great example for your child and also helps them see the value in spending time with you.

And when you feel like you’re the one doing all the work, try to remember that this phase will usually pass.

(Article from the Australian parenting website: raisingchildren.net.au)

AUSTRALIAN REFUGEE ASSOCIATION