Filter Content
- Principal's Report
- Senior School Report
- Year 10 Report
- Year 9 Report
- Middle School Report
- Student Services Report
- Mental Health Week
- Music Update
- Maths Update
- Academic Excellence Program
- Science News
- Indonesian
- City of Kalamunda NAIDOC Week 2020
- WAAPA Summer School 2021
- Looking for a summer job?
- Elevate Education free seminars
- Murdoch University
- VacSwim 2021
- Walliston Primary School Golden Jubilee Reunion
- DivaLicious in Stirk Park
Last term we farewelled our Year 12s at their final school assembly. We wish those sitting their WACE exams currently all the best and look forward to seeing them at Valedictory on 20 November.
Year 12 Principal’s Award 2020
Each year at the final Year 12 assembly, I present a Principal’s Award to those students who consistently show outstanding attitude, effort and behaviour in every subject. They are not necessarily the ones who have achieved the top marks, but they are those who have given of their best and who are to be commended on these high standards. Congratulations to Quinn Armenti, Chamoda Idamgedara, Brennan Nairn, Shakaya Robertson, Olivia Spencer, Adrian Cowin, Kaiya Mouritz, Saskia Blake, Hannah Fallon –Ferguson, Jazmin Hogg, Louisa Sieczka.
Kalamunda Day celebrations
As with many of our plans this year our Kalamunda Day was rescheduled and we were delighted to be able to finally celebrate this during Week 2 of this term. We used the opportunity to acknowledge our 60 years as a school and provided a small badge for each student as a commemoration. The day involved our usual assembly, where we celebrate our diversity of cultures (represented by over 26 countries of birth) and our school values. Aboriginal Elder Neville Collard began with a Welcome to Country and provided great learning about our Kalamunda area and our guest speaker Teagen Reder spoke of her resilience in navigating life without sight and finding her passion for swimming and realising her dream to represent Australia in the Paralympics.
Thank you to Jenny Edmonds (our school psychologist), our Student Councillors and Student Services team for the activities they organised as part of Mental Health week. This was planned to coincide with our Kalmaunda Day celebrations.60th Anniversary celebration
On Sunday 25 October we held an open day to mark our 60th anniversary as a secondary school in Kalamunda. There was an amazing turn out of parents, community members, special guests, current and former students and staff and it was a wonderful day all round. We were treated with beautiful weather, and an array of activities - art exhibitions (current and former Gifted and Talented students), screenings of Judas Collar, music, food, archival displays and games. We unveiled a sculpture by local artist, designer and sculptor Gordon Mitchell and launched a new school song written by Marcus Roberts along with a sound scape by Michelle Vivian. Thank you in particular to all those on our 60th Anniversary Committee. Thank you also to our art staff and tutors, IMSS staff and all those who helped out on the day.
As part of the day the P&C held a thank you morning tea for our volunteers and honoured Pam Rowe for her many years of service to the canteen. We thank the P&C and in particular Helen Griffiths, Marlis Huelsmann and Maurice Cammack for making this such a special event.
Congratulations and thanks to all those who came and those who worked so hard to make the day such a success.Year 12 Student Leaders for 2021
At the end of last term, we undertook our selection process and announced at our final assembly, the Year 12 Student Leaders for 2021. Congratulations to all those who nominated for these positions. Our leaders for 2021 will be
Head Boy – Hayden Schwinkowski and Head Girl Charlotte McCullen
Joining this student leadership team are Sasha Saunderson, Amelie Jannetta, Kelsey Sieczka as prefects, and as House Prefects – Pheobe Boyd for Draco, Caleb Law for Orion, Lance Gabriel Ocampo for Pegasus Sylvia Veale for Phoenix.
In addition we have Talia Hobson and Sharlini Hollier as our Middle School Leaders for 2020.
Farewells and welcomes
We welcome back David Brady from leave and all those students who have joined us since our last News Review. We welcome the following students to our school Hasan Bility, Emily Brownley, Aaron Brownley-Flint, McKenna Carroll, Cody Clancy, Gemma Clancy, Bree Miller, Phillip Mogridge, Tyreece Mogridge, Kalia Parry, Merle Riley.
Best wishes for Term 4.
Our Year 12 Ball, which had a Gold and Black theme, was a magnificent night filled with style, sophistication, dancing, photos and entertainment. I would very much like to thank our Year 12 Student Leaders who planned the night, down to the very last detail and also to the staff who were able to come along on this most unforgettable night.
With the ATAR Practical exams and school mock exams during the last school holidays completed, the Year 12 students embarked on their final couple of weeks of school intent on completion of work, mock exam feedback and ATAR exam preparation. Our ATAR exam venues tour helped to make sure those students doing ATAR exams were better informed of where to go and the procedures for their exams. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our Year 12s, The Class of 2020, every success and happiness in whatever they pursue in their future.
The Year 11 students are keenly finishing off final assessments and preparing for their exams or work placements. We have also been making plans for their much anticipated leavers jacket. The present Years 11s are a keen and resolute group of young people and we all anticipate an amazing year ahead with many highpoints to come. Good luck to those students doing exams and work placements. We are looking forward to the year ending on a positive note, as for the first time for quite a few years our Year 11 students will have an end of year event. This will be a River Cruise which no doubt this will be a memorable night for all those fortunate to attend.
The Year 10 students are looking forward to Transition, where they get the opportunity to have a taster of what courses they have chosen for next year. This is always a time of much anticipation of what next year will hold for them. As customary, our Year 10 Dinner Dance will be held at the end of Transition and is always a delightful night enjoyed by all.
Sharon Andrews
Head of Senior School
During weeks 7-9, the Year 10s will be involved in three seminars on Teen Mental Health First Aid. It is a worthwhile program which will discuss general mental health problems, helping a friend in a crisis and the signs to watch out for. Further information regarding this program will be sent out directly to parents.
We also have the Year 10-11 Transition which will be held in Week 9 of this term. Transition is a great opportunity for students to get a taster of the courses they have chosen to study next year. Over the three days students will engage in subject lessons and seminars to help the Year 10s make a smooth transition into Year 11.
The Year 10 Dinner Dance is just over a month away and it is going to be a wonderful way to finish what has been a very difficult year. Invitations and permission forms will be coming out in the next few weeks for those students who have their good standing. It has been fantastic to see that many of Year 10s have taken it upon themselves to organise contracts and help them to improve. If you are unsure of the Good Standing Policy, please get in contact and I can help you.
Enjoy the rest of term!
Laura Morris
Year 10 Coordinator
What a term this has been so far. We have had a successful Kalamunda Day, Mental Health Week and Kalamunda Senior High School’s 60th birthday celebrations. All of this in the first three weeks of a new and final term of the year!
The Year 9 students have been busy helping or participating with all the aforementioned activities. One in particular, the bake sale, went extremely well. All students involved baked and coordinated this event to raise money for a mental health charity. There was an amazing and healthy cooperative approach throughout the day which demonstrated unity and positivity.
Kalamunda Day was a great day to demonstrate the pride we have for our school and the school community. I appreciated the Year 9s who helped on the day and those who attended some of the enriching events. Most of these events and activities were created by learning areas and cater for multiple learning and interest styles. It was a great day indeed.
The school’s 60th birthday celebrations provided a chance for current and former students and members of the community to meet and celebrate everything that is Kalamunda Senior High School. It was amazing to see Year 9 students walking around the school and interacting with the many spaces, meeting other members of the community and school staff. As this was on a Sunday and during their own time - it was very much appreciated.
Lastly, we have a Year 9 river cruise to be held on the final week of the school term (dates to be confirmed shortly). My goal is to make sure every Year 9 has a fair and equitable chance of attending and/or receiving an invitation. As this is an annual and popular event, all students must have their Good Standing to receive an invite. Due to the size of the boat and licensing regulations we have limited places.
If you are unsure of the Good Standing process, please contact myself and I am happy to discuss and provide some clarity.
In the meantime, enjoy the rest of the term!
Ashley Meaden
Year 9 Coordinator
“The very things that hold you down are going to lift you up” - Dumbo
Exams
I want to wish our Year 9s the best of luck as they will be sitting their first set of formal exams. It is a really important time for them as they look to set themselves up for Senior School.
Remember that preparation should have started by now, rather than leaving it to the night before. If a student is sick during exams then they will need a medical certificate so staff can factor this in to their final grades. When preparing for exams please ensure that you:
- Get a good night’s sleep.
- Make sure you have breakfast so you are ready to go in the morning.
- Pack your bag the night before so you know you have all the materials you require and what room you have your exam in.
End of Year Activities
As a part of the Good Standing Program we are offering students in Years 7, 8 and 9 the opportunity to participate in the end of year activities.
The Year 7s will be having a Big Day In, on Monday 14 December. This will comprise of water slides, bungee run and other rides.
Due to outrageous success of last year’s Year 8 Outdoor Cinema, Ms Richards is continuing with this and that will be held on Thursday 10 December.
The Year 9s will have their annual River Rock on Wednesday December 16. The cost for the night (which includes boat hire, a DJ, pizzas and soft drinks throughout the night) will be distributed shortly.
For a student to be eligible to attend any of the above activities they must meet the following criteria:
- Student to have Good Standing as at Year 7 – 3pm Friday Dec 11; Year 8 – 3pm Thursday Dec 10, Year 9 – 3pm Tuesday15 December.
- No more than 3 Letters of Concern home this term (including not submitting work).
- If staff identify students who have not been following our five values of Pride, Respect, Learning, Community and Resilience then students will need to negotiate their inclusion with the individual staff member.
- Payment for excursion by Wednesday 11 December.
Remember that if you have any questions then please contact the relevant Year Coordinator at school on 9293 6400 (Year 7 – Alana Stanbrook; Year 8 – Lea Richards and Year 9 – Ashley Meaden )
Mark Pettit
Head of Middle School
School Volunteer program
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Yvonne Huntley for volunteering this year. She has made a valuable connection to her student and we hope to see her again next year. I would like to also welcome Juliet Borromei a new volunteer this term helping out in Phys Ed with teacher Jess Cicchini.
School Vaccinations
The School Based Immunisation Program team were recently at the school for the second round of Year 7 vaccinations and were supported by the school's Community Health Nurse. Kalamunda Senior High School actively promotes and supports this important public health initiative.
Act Belong Commit Mental Health Week
I would like to thank the whole team for helping out with all the mental health activities over the week. Staff and student alike enjoyed being spoilt and the Mental health expo was a wonderful culmination on Kalamunda day.
Year 7 Lunchtime Activities
Our wonderful Chaplain Desi has finally been able to organise the Wildfire Youth group to come into the school to provide fun lunchtime activities for the Year 7 students once a week. The Year 7 students are loving the games and making new positive connections with the youth in the community who are giving up their time for this. Desi is planning to continue this next year with the hope of expanding it to other year groups.
Good Standing
The final Good Standing report has been generated for Students in Year 7-11. I hope that everyone is maintaining their attendance at above 90%, behaving in class, wearing full school uniform and trying hard with their academic studies. Year assemblies have been held to remind students of the criteria for the reward activities. Students who have lost Good Standing have all been given the opportunity to go on an improvement agreement with their Year Coordinators to get their Good Standing back. Please do not hesitate to contact me or the relevant Student Services team regarding this.
Amanda Morton
Manager Student Services
Kalamunda SHS celebrated Mental Health Week in Week 2 to coincide with Kalamunda Day and finished off with the 60th Year celebrations.
Over the week we had Zero2Hero in to give presentations to the Year 7s and Year 8s and Year 11s on ways to 'Love Yourself' and 'Talking about Resiliency'. Youth Focus also came in to talk to all Year 9 students about ‘Understanding Mental Health’. Additionally, on Monday evening we had Youth Focus come in a give a talk to parents about understanding mental health in adolescents and provide ways to help our teenagers access the support they need. It was wonderful to see such a large group of parents access this session and the comments at the end indicate it was well worth it.
Throughout the week the Student Leadership team put on lunch time activities to promote positive mental health. They ran mental health quizzes and a scavenger hunt, based on ways to stay mentally healthy. We had the Act Belong Commit pledge wall that students could pledge ways to stay mentally healthy, a yoga session, sheet volleyball and stress-ball making table. There was a bake stall and guess the number of lollies in the jar. Overall, the students seemed to enjoy the events and got involved with all the activities. Not only were the student catered for over the week but we also made sure the teachers were also provided with activities to help with mental health. We ran a Tai Chi class and had massages available all day Wednesday for staff to take advantage of. We also were able to provide free fruit to staff all week – “health eating – healthy minds”.
As part of the week and Kalamunda Day we also had the Mental Health Expo in the library which show-cased different organisations in the community that are available to help our students look after their mental health. Over the day we had many students come in and interact with the stall holders and the day was a great success for the students and the stallholders too.
Jenny Edmonds
School Psychologist
It has been fantastic for our musicians to get back into the creative and performance spirit over the last month. The premier Mark McGowan attended the school at the end of Term 3 and Annalise Stevens was privileged enough to perform at the special assembly and even received an honourable mention from Mark!
The school song recording and video were finally finished and launched at Kalamunda day in time for the 60th school celebrations. The project features over 100 music students and is a unique time capsule for future and current students to look back on.
Kalamunda day saw many musicians perform over the afternoon and also in the annual Kalamunda day assembly. Well done to Deja and Callie for their brilliant “We are one” musical performance!
The 60th celebrations day was a fantastic opportunity for our musicians to perform. The event featured several hours of music performances. Groups performing on the day included strings, guitars, choirs, rock bands, wind ensembles and concert bands. It was a hot day, however the feel of the day was casual and fun. It was fantastic to conclude the day with our new school song and Michelle Vivian’s new soundscape. I would like to thank all of our amazing IMSS music staff for making the day flow so brilliantly and a big thank you goes to Musikal our parent support group for all of the parent help. Musikal were responsible for setting up, packing down and sausage sizzling throughout the day. Thank you Alex Stevens for organising the day so efficiently!
It has been wonderful to get back into being able to showcase the talent that we have in abundance here at KSHS and I look forward to sharing more music news into the new year and beyond.
Many thanks
Marcus Roberts
Director of music
Term 4 is a time we start to celebrate the efforts of our students and farewell our upper school students and what a busy start to the term it has been. Here a few highlights:
The Year 12 ATAR students participated in subsidised revision sessions at the end of Term 3 in preparation for their final exams. Charlie’s insight gave them hints and tips on exam techniques and how to use the graphics calculator to best effect in their exams. Feedback from students was very positive and they all agreed it was worth the early mornings and coming in over the holidays. We wish them all the best for their WACE exams and future endeavours.
The activities around the Maths department on Kalamunda Day were very popular again this year, especially the marshmallow and spaghetti tower competition with our winning team building a tower to a height of 122cm tall. Students participated in some robot art, our infamous minty wrapper challenge and golf simulation during their break out afternoon.
Maths homework club continues to run on Wednesday afternoons from 3pm-4pm in A5. This allows a space for students to study, complete homework and also has access to computers to utilise Mathspace. Mathspace is a website designed for students to practice their skills in Mathematics. Whether this be mastering a topic being learnt in class, access reasoning and problem solving questions or preparing for assessments including NAPLAN and OLNA. Mathspace was created to give every student step-by-step learning and instantaneous feedback, making it just like a personal tutor. This technology can identify students’ strengths and learning gaps, giving completely personalised maths help with interactive practice questions, step-by-step feedback, and video lessons.
Please keep up to date on your child’s progress by checking results on Connect regularly. If you have any questions regarding your child’s progress within Mathematics or need access to login details for Mathspace, please contact their classroom teacher or the head of learning area directly, all contact information is available through Connect.
Jessica Millar
Head of Mathematics Learning Area
SEC in a Box
During Week 2 and 3 of this term, the Year 8, 9 and 10 Academic Excellence students participated in the Science and Engineering Challenge – in a Box! This is a new initiative presented by The University of Newcastle to challenge students to develop their STEM, teamwork, creative thinking and problem solving skills. The Year 8 students had 45 minutes to build a catapult, with the winning team launching their ball 6.2 metres. The Year 9 students had 100 minutes to create a fully functioning bionic hand and the Year 10 students had 2.5 hours to build a bridge. The winning team’s bridge held a load of 15.5kg and 1lb! The students could only use the materials supplied – which consisted of items such as elastic bands, popsticks, cotton wool balls and balsa wood – and worked in small teams to complete their projects. Our best entries have been submitted to the Science and Engineering Challenge National Competition. Good luck!
Orietta Stokes
Academic Excellence Program Coordinator
CERTIFICATE II CAMP 2020
The Certificate II Camp held at the Perth Hills Discovery Centre on the 13-14 August gave our students some experience of the joys and trials of real-world Scientific investigation.
Just a few details on what we did…
- Participated in a wildlife meet and greet of some local residents. Lulu the echidna was very excited to have her tummy tickled by all the students.
- Learnt the methods of trapping animals and set out Sheffield traps to monitor nocturnal marsupial numbers for the Western Shield Program.
- Assisted in phosphite stem injections of Marri and Jarrah trees to inoculate them for dieback.
Thank you to Ms Morris who organised the event, and also to Mr Millan who acted as assistant and part time Biology Expert.
Lindesay Pound
Science Teacher
Sepak takraw
Year 7 students studying Indonesian language had an opportunity to participate in a game of sepak takraw. As the topic learnt this term was about schools and subjects, this was a great reason for the students to know something about this popular sport played in Indonesia and in South East Asia. They managed to use their skills form other sport played for this activity.
Sepak takraw, or kick volleyball, is a sport native to Southeast Asia. Sepak takraw differs from the similar sport of footvolley in its use of a rattan ball and only allowing players to use their feet, knee, chest and head to touch the ball.
Sepak takraw (kick volleyball) is a competitive sport that involves 2 teams of 3 players, known as the left inside, right inside and back. The game takes place at a court that’s about the same size as a badminton court, with a 1.5 metre tall net. The grapefruit-sized balls are traditionally handwoven from bamboo or rattan, but modern ones are usually synthetic.
Rules of Sepak Takraw
Play begins when the server is thrown the ball by a teammate and must then kick the ball over the net whilst keeping one foot in the service circle. Players may only touch the ball with their feet, head, knees and chest.
Below are our students playing sepak takraw at the amphitheatre
Year 7 Indonesian Language
The topic covered in Term 3 was about schools and subjects in Indonesian schools. They learnt that students had to go to school six days a week and their uniforms were standardised through the Republic of Indonesia. All primary school students wore white and blue, Middle School students wore white and grey whilst the Senior School students wore white and grey. Subjects and extra–curricular activities were very similar to what our students are learning here.
Students later completed a role-play in pairs about the comparison of schools in Indonesian. Below are photos of some of our students participating in the role-play.
Indonesian Cultural Project
Students in Mentor Group 7.02 had about five weeks to complete a cultural project on Indonesia. They had to show their understanding and knowledge about Indonesia.
Learning Indonesian is not only about the language but it is important that they develop an intercultural understanding about the Republic of Indonesia itself. This would enable them to gain CULTURAL COMPETENCY.
It is so important for the students to have an intercultural understanding and awareness of the things which make Indonesia unique. Their task was to research and create a 3D “piece of Indonesia”.
They were required to think “outside the box” and design a 3D model of any cultural aspect of Indonesia. The students had to think about what interest them. Is it art? People? Inventions? Transport? Fashion? Sports/ Architecture? Food?…… They also had to include half a page of the description about their chosen piece. Their 3D model is now displayed in the school library. Below are photos of some the student’s pieces of work. Rajin and hebat sekali!
The main aim was to develop their understanding about what makes Indonesia unique and how Indonesia has contributed to the world. They had to be innovative and creative!
Their 3D model included: traditional dress, traditional houses, Indonesian masks, wayang kulit and others. Choose something about Indonesia that interests you. Remember, there are more than 12 thousand islands in Indonesia!
The students displayed their artistic talents and research skills well. Bagus sekali semua murid dari kelas 7.02!
Ibu Kaler
Guru Indonesia
City of Kalamunda NAIDOC Week 2020
The City of Kalamunda would like you to join us in Celebrating NAIDOC Week 2020.
NAIDOC storytelling is on at Kalamunda Library on Wednesday at 10am and at Forrestfield Library on Saturday at 10am.
We also have a bunch of activities from performances to art activities to local wildlife, at Hartfield Park for the close of NAIDOC week on Sunday
For more information on these events and more or to book visit: http://www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/NAIDOC-2020.
This summer WAAPA is thrilled to be able to offer an exciting school holiday program at our campus in Mount Lawley. There are classes for students from Year 1 to Year 12 in drama, acting, screen performance, film making, music theatre and of course Shakespeare. For information about the many courses on offer please visit waapa.ecu.edu.au/summer-school or contact Gabrielle Metcalf at explore.waapa@ecu.edu.au or 9370 6775.
Elevate Education free seminars
We’re excited to announce that parents of Kalamunda Senior High School have exclusive access to Elevate Education’s Parent Webinar Series: Empowering Parents to Reinforce Study Skills at Home.
Topics Covered:
Wednesday 21st October – Independent Learning: How to know that your child is focusing on the right kind of work that gets top marks.
- Wednesday 4th November – Stress & Wellbeing: Understanding your child’s stress triggers, symptoms, and a toolkit for stabilising during tough periods.
- Wednesday 18th November – Exam Preparation: Developing a pre-exam roadmap with your child to maximise their chances of success and keep overwhelm at bay.
- Wednesday 2nd December – Technology: Understanding the impact of technology on your child’s habits and how to develop techniques for responsible device use.
Webinar Format: The webinar will run online from 6pm – 7pm. The webinars are live, where the Presenter will share Elevate’s key research and skills, plus answer questions so parents can get the specific tools they need.
To contact Elevate directly you can: Call 1300 667 945, Email auscoaching@elevateeducation.com or head to https://au.elevateeducation.com
Enrolments are now open for VacSwim swimming lessons during the summer school holidays.
Not only is VacSwim a great school holiday activity, they teach valuable safety skills to help keep your child safe in the water.
There are programs for everyone, from beginners to advanced swimmers. Students 13 years and over can enrol in stages 13 – 16. Stage 16 enables them to achieve their Bronze Medallion.
Don’t wait! Enrol your children in VacSwim now.