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As the term quickly moves to an end we have some exciting school events to look forward to.
Quiz Night
Our annual Quiz Night is a popular event each year and we were disappointed that we were unable to hold it in 2020 due to the COVID restrictions. Fortunately, this year we are back again and looking forward to a wonderful night. As our only fundraiser for the year, I encourage you to get a table together and come along for a fun evening. There are wonderful prizes, fun games, raffles, puzzles and an amazing silent auction.
NAIDOC celebrations
We are looking forward to celebrating NAIDOC week in the last week of this term as the official week falls during the school holdiays. We will begin the week with an assembly during period 3 on the Monday. Special guests include local Aboriginal Elder Nick Abraham, Bevan O'Donnell Acting Sergent and Community Engagement Coordinator WA Police Force, the Moorditj Community College choir. We will also feature Year 12 Coen Fowler's music composition.
Each day there will be activities and events for students to be involved in.
Exams and Reports
Year 10 – 12 exams are now completed and students will be receiving their results during their class time. Senior School reports will be distributed at the end of this term, and reports for Years 7 to 9 will be sent home at the end of the first week of Term 3.
Parent Teacher Meetings
Week 2 next term will be our second parent teacher meeting for the year. It will be held on Wednesday 28 July and will run from 1.30pm till 6.30pm. Further information about booking appointments will be sent via email closer to the time.
Year 10 Course Counselling
Following the Course Counselling Information Webex on 16 June, Year 10 students will be receiving information about how to login in and select their courses for 2022. A recording of this session is available on Connect, along with a range of other information and resources. Students will receive their reports at the end of term, and information about courses available to them. All selections will be due in by 20 July to enable us to formulate a grid based on student choice.
Confirmation of course selections will occur on 11 Aug during parent meetings scheduled during the afternoon and early evening. Further information will be emailed directly to Year 10 parents. Please feel free to contact the school and speak with the Deputy Principal of Curriculum and Senior School (Timothy Bennet) if you wish to make an appointment to discuss this process, or receive assistance in selecting courses.
P&C news
Following the last P&C meeting which was an AGM, we have a new executive committee. They are Heidi Jannetta (President), Melanie Kowald (Secretary), Helen Griffiths (Treasurer). At this meeting we farewelled Maurice Cammack who has been president for the last 7 years and made a significant contribution to the school over his time in the role.
PSR
Our school recently underwent a Public School Review. This process involved preparing a written submission and then participating in a validation day where two reviewers met with a cross section of the school community. Thank you to all those involved in this process - it certainly was a great opportunity to share our story as a school community. I encourage you all to read the positive feedback we received in the report which is now located on our school website.
My Place
Congratulations to our Year 9 students who were recently involved in the Commissioner for Young People’s research into local areas. Our students presented information about their local area and presented these at the new museum Boola Bardip.
Sustainability committee
Our sustainability committee is continuing to make significant progress in its endeavours to ensure we minimise waste and undertake sustainable practices. This year we have introduced a new paper recycling program which has upgraded and improved our practices. We are also recycling drink containers sold through the canteen and we encourage all our families to consider donating their containers for change to our P&C to assist in supporting the canteen
Emerging Artist Exhibition
We are very excited to share this information with you about an exihibition at the Corrugated Gallery which is being run by and includes so many of our Gifted and Talented Visual Art student alumni. The exhibiton runs from 31 July to 1 August.
Helen Deacon
Principal
Term 2 is nearly complete and the year is moving along at quite a speed. As our Year 12 students progress into Semester 2, there is no better time to evaluate and re-assess how to most successfully conclude the year.
It was extremely pleasing to see the Senior School exams run smoothly, even though there was an unprecedented disruption to the beginning of Semester 1 due to COVID. I am impressed with the overall attitude of the Year 12 students, who presented punctually and were organised for each of their exams.
Upon receipt of Semester 1 reports students will need to apply themselves to the areas requiring improvement, as they work towards the achievement of their WACE. Please heed the advice that it is definitely not too late for every student to make the required change for the better.
Our Year 12 students need to be especially vigilant in these preceding weeks to get every mark they can, resulting in the best grades achievable. Please be reminded especially at this time that every student needs a good life balance, making sure health, study and extra curricula activities are given fair time allowance. It is never too late to make minor modifications to get a better overall result, ensure every assessment is completed and handed in, a particularly good place to start.
Sharon Andrews
Program Coordinator - Pathways
I would like to take the opportunity to recognise the Year 10s for their RESILIENCE leading up to and during the exam period this term. Their RESPECT during exams and how they have kept on top of their education and including attendance has been noted. I have been catching up with students regarding their uniform. Whilst many of our Year 10s are showing PRIDE in our school by wearing the appropriate uniform there has been an increase in inappropriate attire being worn which has affected some students Good Standing. If you have any questions regarding Good Standing or uniform, please contact me so we can work together to discuss any concern you may have. We would like to uphold the brilliant standard throughout the COMMUNITY and set by the majority of our students at Kalamunda SHS.
Semester 1 reports will be received soon and this is a good opportunity for students to reflect on how they have been progressing in their subjects. It is not too late for every student to make some changes to help improve their outcome in Semester 2. It is also a good time to be having conversations with your child about their future goals, and what they need to do to achieve them.
Additionally, we have Carl Stott who is the Careers Coordinator and Christine Hamilton who is the VET Coordinator. Both teachers can help and guide your child throughout the course selection process by taking into account their own dreams and aspirations.
I wish you all the best for the upcoming holidays and look forward to seeing our students back next term refreshed and ready for Semester 2. As ever should you have any questions or concerns regarding your student please do not hesitate to contact me.
Year 7: Gemma Laskey – Gemma.Laskey@education.wa.edu.au
Year 8: Alana Stanbrook – Alana.Stanbrook@education.wa.edu.au
Year 9: Lea Richards – Lea.Richards@education.wa.edu.au
Values Awards
There has been some amazing work going on in Middle School with many students displaying our School values. Some of these students were recognised at our last Middle School assembly which was held on National Sorry Day. Congratulations to the following students:
YEAR 7 |
|
Love of learning |
Ella Brooker, Max Brassington, Jaiden Coleman, Jonathan Cole, Emily Munninger |
Pride |
Sienna Busby, Elouise Crum, Zoe Tatnell |
Resilience |
Maeve Ehlers, Summer Park, Callum Rutherford |
Respect |
Jasmine Bradshaw, Logan Dickinson, Azura Mayall, Thomas Walters, Holly Wonnacott |
YEAR 8 |
|
Love of learning |
Ryker Edwards, Talay Hollier, Lee Ocampo, Maali Sampey-McKenzie, Fin Scobbie, Sarah Spratt, Annie Thom, Zailie Wilmot, Lilliana Wright |
Resilience |
Logan Patrick, Lilliana Wright |
YEAR 9 |
|
Love of learning |
Monique Beesley, Griffin Brincat, Jarvis Broadley, Axl Brown, Kieran Chesi, Joshua Hool, Joelle Jacques, Abigail Letts, Jake McMenamin, Dylan O’Connell, Tomas Powell, Joshua Rogers, Marc Rouillard, Bodhi Roy, Georgia Stidwell, Amelie Tuohy |
Resilience |
Lucy Brown, Hannah Macri |
Respect |
Caitlyn Balcombe, Phillip Blurton, Luis Dunne, Brooke Hobson |
A special congratulations to the following students who were the recipients of the movie tickets when there names were drawn at the assembly after receiving a Values Award.
Year 7 |
Audrey Franzi |
Pride |
Year 8 |
Kararaina Kouka-Braun |
Respect |
Year 9 |
Zoe Hopgood |
Love of Learning |
As we approach the end of the Semester, I would really encourage all our students in Middle School to take a look back at the last 18 months and think about how the world is changing. They will be making decisions about their future schooling in the next few years and if they can start planning and setting goals now, it will make these decisions a lot clearer and also more attainable. If you ever need any help with these sorts of “career planning” decisions we are really fortunate to have the services of an amazing Careers Coordinator in Carl Stott (Carl.Stott@education.wa.edu.au) and he is more than happy to help start the planning process with you and your student.
Mark Petitt
Deputy Principal - Student Services/Middle School
In Week 7 the Year 9 leaders attended Ylead’s Altitude Day at the Perth Convention centre to develop their leadership skills. The students involved had a fantastic day and were passionate about bringing what they learnt about goal setting and leadership back to share with their peers.
The Year 9 students have had a busy term with NAPLAN. Congratulations to all students who put their best effort in during the NAPLAN testing time.
Year 9 students with Good Standing will be enjoying an end of semester reward to celebrate their achievements.
I encourage each Year 9 student to read their end of semester report closely and find one success to celebrate, and choose one area to focus on next term. Recent research has demonstrated that students who set specific, self-competitive goals demonstrate significantly greater growth.
Have a safe and wonderful holidays!
Health, Outdoor and Physical Education
Netball Program
The Year 9 students participating in the Specialist Netball Program for the semester have been working extremely hard to deliver their coaching sessions. These sessions develop the students skills in leadership, teamwork, collaboration and evaluation. Students have chosen a specific netball skill, designed a session and drills, identifying key points for success, correcting errors, extending abilities and game umpiring.
Health Education
The Year 10 Health Education students have begun their learning about Road Safety. Students participated in an RAC incursion at school where the dangers of distraction, alcohol consumption, fatigue, speed and non-use of seatbelts were identified and discussed as the five main contrbutors to fatalities on WA roads. Students were also notified about the Keys2drive Program which is funded by the Federal Government. Keys2drive is a free driving lesson that helps new drivers and their parents or supervisors prepare for learning how to drive. This program can be accessed by students and parents.
Upcoming HOPE Events |
|
21 – 22 June |
Year 9 OAP Expedition |
23 – 25 June |
Year 10 OAP Expedition |
24 June |
Soccer Program - Year 8 and 9 Boys vs Southern River College at Kalamunda SHS |
29 June |
Year 7 Lightning Carnival |
Alice Hall
Health and Physical Education Teacher
It has been a busy month in English with senior school students completing their exams and the middle school students working diligently to complete their required assessments before Semester 1 reporting.
There are 11 students from the Year 9 academic extension class who are participating in creative writing workshops at the Fremantle Literature Centre. They attend one session a term with well-known Australian authors. This term the workshop was run by Holden Sheppard the author of Invisible Boys. He led the students through activities which focussed on character development, plot and setting. He shared with the students the importance of writing authentically and sharing ideas. He also shared the message that ‘it doesn’t have to be perfect’. The students loved hearing excerpts from his novel and had an opportunity to buy a signed copy. This is the fifth year our school has been involved in the program to develop a passion for creative writing.
Members from the Cotherstone Press recently had the opportunity to work with Mr Henry during their fortnightly meeting. Students read extracts from Tim Winton's Island Home and used this as inspiration to write about locations where they feel a sense of belonging. This activity looked at ways to describe the landscape in interesting ways by developing a detailed understanding of place. The Cotherstone Press is KSHS's writing group that meets every two weeks on Monday afternoons. New members from Year 7 through 12 are welcome. Interested students can speak to their English teacher or Mrs Adams in the English office to find out more about joining the group.
Nicolee McNally
English Teacher
KALAMUNDA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL ROBOTICS CLUB MEETINGS
Students are reminded that they are invited to join this club which meets Monday lunchtime and Tuesday before school in room B7.
Our mission is: Competitions, new skills, RoboCup Junior, fun and laughter!
See the Science Department for further information.
Lindesay Pound
Science Teacher
The Great Mochi Disaster of 2021
As part of our language programs, we like to create cultural experiences for the students. And students being teenagers, food-based cultural experiences are ALWAYS a winner.
I mentioned to my Year 7 classes that Mochi is an easy and delicious Japanese treat to prepare and consequently, at the start of every lesson since I mentioned it early in Term 1, the students have been asking “Are we making mochi today?” Of course, it is never nice to start a class by disappointing everyone, so finally, on Thursday 10 June, 2021- I decided the day had come.
Thursdays are great for me, because I have Year 7 classes in Period 4 and 5, with Japanese/Anime club in the middle at lunchtime. I thought preparing the mochi lesson on this Thursday was a particularly bright idea, because Mami sensei was also here (Mami sensei is our fabulous Languages Assistant, who spends one week at Kalamunda SHS, and the next at Applecross SHS). The idea was to get it all out of the way in one afternoon – a fun two and a half hours of making delicious and simple mochi. Signora Pennington saw me preparing all of the ingredients, and said “Don’t forget to get photos for the News Review and Echoes!”
The recipe for Mochi is as follows
1 and ½ cups of mochiko (glutinous rice flour) | ½ cup of potato starch (I used tapioca starch) |
1 cup of white sugar | ¼ cup of white sugar |
1 and ½ cups of water | ¼ teaspoon of salt |
2 drops distilled white vinegar |
Directions
In a medium bowl, mix together the mochiko, 1 cup of sugar and water until well blended. Mix in 2 drops of vinegar to soften (I forgot this bit). Pour into a microwave-safe dish, and loosely cover with plastic. Microwave for 8 to 10 minutes on HIGH. Remove, let cool until cool enough to handle.
In another small bowl, combine the potato starch, ¼ cup of sugar and salt. Turn the mochi out onto the plastic, and cut into pieces using a plastic or wooden knife. Metal knives tend to stick too much. Roll the pieces into the potato starch mixture.
You can see there are a couple of pressure points here when getting 30 12 year-olds to assist. First of all, the ingredients need to be very carefully measured, or else it throws out the cooking time. I only had one microwave, so I decided that doing four lots of the recipe would be just perfect – if we get them in and out of the microwave quickly. So, rushing the students, I got them measuring the mochiko, sugar and water. I was surprised at the amount of mochiko and sugar not making it into the bowl. Sue, one of our wonderful school cleaners, walked past and said how fun it all looked, but both her and I knew that someone’s workload was about to double. She brought me some paper towel, cleaning liquid and a rubbish bin.
Then it was time to get some of the mixtures into the microwave. The cooking times varied greatly as the measuring skills of some of our students were probably not at Japanese-precision cooking levels. It was also hard to tell how much longer the mixtures needed, but it was time sensitive and I was also hurrying to get everything done, so most of the mixtures were undercooked (also, I made this recipe once before and almost set a microwave on fire, so I was thinking that getting it out before that happened was a good idea).
Eventually I had one group of very impatient and excited students watching the microwave, and three other groups of students impatiently waiting for their mochi to cool – keen to stick their hands into the boiling mochi to get that bit closer to the final product. I have to be honest and say this was a particularly stressful time for me. The mochi itself, as I had missed a critical step in the process and undercooked it, had turned into very sticky gloop. All the students that touched the mochi had hands covered in an almost impossible to remove gloopy substance. Some of them decided to wash their hands in the drink fountain to avoid queues for the sinks, which ended up covering the whole fountain in sticky gloop, and blocking the drain, so then there was a bit of a flood in the walkway.
During the lunch break, the space we were working in was inundated with other students as the usual path they take was closed due to Year 11 and 12 exams. Suddenly the number of students interested in Japanese Club jumped from about 25 regulars to 100 students that happened to walk past and sense free sweets. And there was still 15 of my Year 7 students keen to finish making mochi. And there was mochiko, tapioca starch and sugar EVERYWHERE.
By the time Period 5 rolled around, I didn’t have the nerves to try it again with my other Year 7 class. There were just enough ingredients left for Mami Sensei to prepare and roll out 25 mochi balls for my students, and we watched a “How to Make Mochi” video on YouTube.
Sue asked me the next day if the students had had fun. I said that I am pretty sure they did have fun. She said “That’s the main thing!”
I won’t mention to her that now the students are all asking to make sushi.
Unfortunately, I forgot to take photos. Sorry, Signora Pennington.
Tori Maguire
Japanese Teacher
Congratulations to all our students who have completed assessments and exams over the past few weeks! Semester 2 content has already started and we are looking forward to a fun-packed and busy final semester for the year.
Setting aside time to effectively prepare for assessments will make the experience more positive and allow students to demonstrate what they truly understand about the concepts being assessed. Furthermore, students will not be disadvantaged through poor preparation and should be able to complete the assessment with confidence. Here are two key tips that all students can do when completing assessments:
- Bring all required equipment – including ruler and required calculators; and
- Write appropriate notes which include relevant definitions, examples and instructions about how to use the ClassPad (ATAR). Copying pre-prepared notes (or a friend’s notes) does not necessarily help you in an exam!
It has been great to see many students attending homework club on Wednesday afternoons, particularly in the lead up to exams. We will not be running a session next week, but look forward to seeing everyone back in Term 3.
Next week a group of Year 9 girls will be attending Curtin University for a Maths: Empowering Girls excursion. It will enlighten them to the possible range of careers where maths is used, and may even present a few surprises. I look forward to bringing you some highlights and photos in the next news review.
Alanna Webb
Head of Mathematics Learning Area
Congratulations to the record number of students who have now successfully completed their first round of workplace learning for the year.
This round has been a tremendous success and the feedback from our host employers has been incredibly positive and all of our attending students should feel very proud of the resilience, independence, fortitude and maturity they have shown over these past two weeks.
Please put the dates for the next available round of Workplace Learning (in Semester 2) in your diary. Students can start exploring opportunities for this next placement now and should be returning their workplace learning paperwork to the VET office as soon as possible.
Many employers are already booking students in for Semester 2, so act early to be sure you don’t miss out on your first preference!
WPL Semester 2 | |
Year 11 | 8 - 19 November 2021 |
Year 12 | 11 - 22 October 2021 |
Please contact Mrs Hamilton (VET Coordinator) or Mrs Rubery (Vet Assistant) in the VET office with any questions.
Christine Hamilton
VET Coordinator
From the Community Health Nurse
Influenza
Influenza, or the ‘flu’ is caused by an influenza virus. It is spread through the air when someone coughs, sneezes or talks. It is also spread by touching something that has the virus on it and then touching your nose, eyes or mouth. Common symptoms include sore throat, cough, fever, headache, chills, tiredness and muscle aches.
People with the flu should rest and drink plenty of fluid. Use paracetamol in recommended doses if necessary - but do not give children any medication containing aspirin.
Be sure to keep your child home from school while they are sick.
The best way to prevent flu from spreading is by washing your hands regularly and after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
Flu vaccines are available prior to winter starting. For more information, contact your GP or local Immunisation Clinic.
Why should I consider having my child vaccinated against the flu?
The National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia's peak body for health advice, recommends annual vaccination for anyone six months of age or older who wants to reduce their chances of becoming ill with the flu.
Annual flu vaccination is strongly recommended for anyone six months of age or older with a medical condition that places them at higher risk of severe illness from flu. Children and adults with heart, lung or kidney disease or a weakened immune system, are eligible for free flu vaccine through the National Immunisation Program.
Children without underlying medical conditions who become infected with flu can also develop serious illnesses. Flu can cause high fever and pneumonia, and make existing medical conditions worse. Flu can also cause convulsions and diarrhoea in young children.
Influenza viruses are always changing. Each year scientists try to match the strains of influenza viruses in the vaccine to those most likely to cause flu illnesses that year. It takes up to two weeks for protection to develop after vaccination against flu and protection lasts about a year.
The seasonal flu vaccine is available on prescription or via GP and immunisation clinics and is provided free for certain groups. Flu vaccines are available prior to winter starting. For more information visit healthywa.wa.gov.au/immunisation or contact your GP or Immunisation Clinic.
Louise Jonker
Community Health Nurse
Year 8 students Quienten, Cooper and Blake have been working towards improving recycling processes at KSHS. After visiting Mrs Deacon to speak to her about Containers for Change earlier in the term, they have been enthusiastically working with the Sustainability Committee to collect eligible drink containers across campus. The students have been actively promoting the project to the school community by displaying posters and speaking with mentor classes to encourage them to make sustainable choices. As a result of their efforts they have successfully recycled hundreds of eligible containers with funds going to support the KSHS P&C and initiatives at our school. Families who wish to support KSHS through Containers for Change can donate their refunds using our Scheme ID.
Sarah Adams
Teacher