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The Heights School NEWSLETTER
The Heights School Brunel Drv, Modbury Heights SA 5092 Ph: (08) 8263 6244 Fax: (08) 8263 6072 E: [email protected] www.theheights.sa.edu.au
/heightsschool
CONTACT
ISSUE 5 | 5 April 2018
The Heights School has received $3.5 million to upgrade student facilities to provide vital new learning spaces and opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).Additionally, The Heights School has received a further $10 Million to develop state of the art new buildings and facilities.
> Educating young minds > Serving our community
> Instilling values and embracing our future
A Fair Go Have a Go, Go Hard, Keep Going! Go Together
DIARY DATES
• STEM Works 2018• The Heights 40th Anniversary Reunion Luncheon• VISTA Athletics
ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS:
Click here to view our online calendar
See next page for Upcoming Dates
5/4 Primary Years Assembly 9.00am - CG6 & 7029/4 Year 10 PLP Excursion - Tertiary Studies & Career Expo11/4 Performance Incursion - Aladdin Year 11 Excursion - Street Smart High Year 8 Immunisations 1st Visit (HPV 1 & Boostrix) School Volunteer Partnership Meeting 2.00pm Year 10 HPE Excursion - Latitude13/4 Last Day Term 1 (2.05pm Dismissal)30/4 First Day Term 22/5 R-12 Parent/Teacher Interviews (2.05pm Dismissal)8/5 ICAS Digital Technology Competition SAPSASA Soccer
(Pictured: VISTA Athletics - see article on page 9)
Preschool - Year 12
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGEI hope everyone enjoyed the Easter long weekend.
2018 Site Improvement Plan Within the following three broad areas the 2018 focus is:
• Literacy and Numeracy – this year’s focus is Literacy and
student writing.
• Curriculum and Pedagogy – this year’s focus is improving
learning and engagement in Years 7-9.
• Building Reputation – this year’s focus is within STEM and Ignite.
Open Day and Night We were very pleased with this event, held Wednesday 28th March and well attended by many families.
The school presented well and the families who were able to visit in the morning benefited by viewing the
school in operation. An even larger group of approximately a hundred people attended in the evening.
Many staff and students supported the event, proud of their school and were very pleased to hear lots
of positive comments from visiting families about The Heights P-12 School.
Harmony Day and Anti Bullying ‘Imagine a World Free from Bullying’ was the theme we coincided with Harmony Day. Students from
CF2 and CF3; Ms McCabe and Ms Bleasdale’s classes facilitated our Primary Years Harmony Day
Assembly. Some students came in their cultural dress. As well as the children speaking and singing a
highlight was the Kindness short video clip that all students enjoyed. If you are interested the link to it is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwAYpLVyeFU
2017 Annual Report Our 2017 Annual Report was tabled and discussed at our Annual General Meeting earlier this term. It
can be accessed from our school website if you would like to have a look through it.
End of Term I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable end of Term 1 school break.
Thank you to the staff for their effort and hard work throughout a very busy term. Many activities have
taken place during the past eleven weeks and the settling of students into regular learning routines has
been excellent.
Students return to school after the holidays on Monday 30th April.
Nigel Gill Principal
Reminder:Last Day of Term 1
Friday 13 April2.05pm Dismissal
First Day of Term 2Monday 30 April
CONTENTS2 Upcoming Dates
3-4 STEM Works 2018
5-8 Around Our School
9 Sports News
10 Community Notices
2
R-12 PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWSWednesday 2 May 20182.05pm Dismissal
SCHOOL TOURS 2018School tours are held on Wednesdays mornings from 9.00am-10.15am as listed below. Bookings are required via our website.16 May Term 2, Week 323 May Term 2, Week 415 August Term 3, Week 412 September Term 3, Week 87 November Term 4, Week 4
UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER
AROUND OUR SCHOOL
PUPIL FREE DAYS 2018Friday 1 June Term 2, Week 5Friday 31 August Term 3, Week 6
SCHOOL CLOSURE DAYMonday 3 September Term 3, Week 7
3
STEM WORKS 2018• SCIENCE & STEM LEARNING• DESIGN TECHNOLOGY & CREATIVITY HUB• INNOVATIVE SECONDARY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The STEM program is designed to challenge and inspire students by the application of knowledge to real issues and situations.Links to related industries and organisations - SAAB, Engineering Australia, Jumbo Vision, DSDO, Universities of Adelaide and SA - provide partnerships with related career mentors, cutting edge projects and research. Students are able to access multi-function spaces designed specifically for integrated programs using the latest technology and equipment.
Incorporating STEM throughout our School (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths)
• Complete refurbishment to all secondary science laboratories
• Modern facilities with a strong focus on providing an engaging environment
• Additional digital technology throughout
• Designated outdoor learning spaces
• Junior Primary pathway to creative technology zone and specially designed science laboratory to accommodate our younger learners
SCIENCE & STEM LEARNING
Our major STEM Works has started!The school is buzzing, with construction fencing up, workman on site, and renovations already taking shape. This project has been over a year in the planning, so to see the work on paper finally coming to life is exciting for everybody.
The student’s needs have been at the heart of every decision made over every inch of this project, these include the architecture, space, interior design, materials and colour just to name a few.
Works are due to finish in November and we can’t wait to unveil these newly fitted out learning spaces to our students, containing brand new furniture throughout and further enhanced digital equipment.
We would like to thank our families in advance, for your patience and understanding during this time, as some disruption may occur to entry points and access in and around our school buildings.
I look forward to updating you on further progress.
Kindest Regards Vicki Cook, Business Manager
4
• Flexible learning spaces have been created to cater for individual learning styles
• Sleek architecture & interior design that appeals to young enthusiastic learners
• Open spaces that encourage innovation & creativity
• State of the art digital technology & equipment to support STEM philosophy & project based learning
• New technology zones equipped with 3D printers• Learning hubs for smaller groups of students to
encourage collaboration• Flexible learning & individual study spaces• Cutting edge audio visual equipment will expand across
the open secondary area
DESIGN TECHNOLOGY & CREATIVITY HUB
INNOVATIVE SECONDARY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
5
ONLINE REPORTSDuring Term 1 2018, The Heights School is running a trial to publish Student Reports for Years 7-12 electronically through our web-based parent portal, Daymap Connect. This will provide parents/caregivers the ability to securely access their child’s Student Report online.
The Parent Portal is available by visiting The Heights School website: http://www.theheights.sa.edu.au Then from the top menu select: Home Access > Daymap
For parents/caregivers that haven’t logged into the parent portal before, a letter was sent home this week for students in Years 7-12 providing the information needed to login to Daymap Connect for the first time. If you have any questions or problems logging in, please contact the ICT Office.
Student Reports will be published to the parent portal from 3pm on Friday 13th April.
Student Reports can be printed on request by contacting Student Services via telephone or email: [email protected]
David Williams ICT & Services Manager
AROUND OUR SCHOOL
THE HEIGHTS 40TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION LUNCHEONOn March 11th 2018, former students and teachers attended a reunion luncheon to celebrate The Heights 40th Anniversary at Sfera’s in Modbury. A large number attended so we had to move to a bigger room. A little over half were former students and the rest being former teachers. This included Mary Jackson who was the first Vice Principal under two Principals, Ted Mueller and John Lyons. John Halsey an earlier Principal attended, and several teachers from the early years as well as later years of the school. The former students generally were from the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s period. Nigel Gill the present Principal, also attended the function and found it interesting to meet so many former teachers and students. Frances Bedford, the local member of Parliament and whose children were former students at The Heights, also came and she gave a donation to the school.
During the event a former student Craig Dawson played the bagpipes and in the following week was going to perform in Dublin for St Patricks Day. The room resonated with excitement as many caught up with people they hadn’t seen for a number of years. The cake was homemade and designed with the school colours and old logo on the top. The display table was crowded with people looking up old photographs and previous school magazines. As a result of this event a group are planning to have more regular activities to maintain contact with former students and a reunion dinner every five years so contact with former students and the school can be maintained.
Bev Hall, Governing Council
6
AROUND OUR SCHOOL
SCHOOL VOLUNTEER PARTNERSHIP (SVP) Mother’s Day Stall Our dedicated School Volunteer Partnership (SVP) members have been working behind the scenes to prepare over 1000 gifts for our annual Mother’s Day Stall. This fundraiser not only supports our school but also provides an opportunity for all children to purchase a low cost gift for the special people in their lives. Our stall will be running on Thursday the 10th until Friday the 11th of May. Each junior primary class will be given the opportunity to visit the stall during class time with older students invited to visit during recess and lunch. Gifts will range in price from 50c to $6. Free gift wrapping will be provided.
Date: Thursday the 10th & Friday the 11th of May (Week 2, Term 2) Location: MG3 Contact: Kellye Rowe, Community Liaison Officer. 8263 6244 [email protected]
School Volunteer Partnership Meeting At this term’s informal meeting we will hear from our new Deputy Principal, Robyn McLachlan, and our new Primary Sub-school Leader Rebekah Goodall as they share with us their experience and fresh prospective of The Heights Schools. We encourage you all to come along and meet these wonderful women, whose leadership, enthusiasm and passion are at work in the background, maintaining the school’s quality teaching and learning.
Our Principal, Nigel Gill, and other members of the school’s Leadership team will also be available for you to meet.
As always, a generous afternoon tea will be provided, our way of thanking you for all you do. We would appreciate your RSVPs by Monday the 9th of April to assist with catering.
Date: Wednesday, 11th of April (Week 11) Time: 2.00pm – 3.00pm Location: MG3 (follow the signs from the Reception area) Contact: Kellye Rowe, Community Liaison Officer. 8263 6244 [email protected]
Do you love to sew? Our drama department are looking for creative men and women who are handy with a sewing machine. Does that sound like someone you may know?
The items that require sewing are simple, pre-cut pants, skirts and shirts with all the instructions, materials and thread provided. So if you think you may find a spare hour or so over the school holidays let us know and we’ll send an item home with you.
Contact: Kellye Rowe, Community Liaison Officer. 8263 6244 [email protected]
ENTERTAINMENT BOOK
The Heights School is raising funds. Here's how you can help...We are working hard to support our fundraising and we need your help! Order your NEW 2018 | 2019 Entertainment Book now to be ready for collection on Friday, 13 April onwards! You'll receive hundreds of valuable offers for everything you love to do, and help our fundraising at the same time!
If you wish to pre-order a hard copy of the Entertainment Book you can contact Sonja Hahn, Finance Officer on [email protected] or call 8263 6244.
PLUS, order now to receive over $150 of bonus Early Bird Offers (hurry, these sell out quickly).
Purchases for hard copies can also be made on our website through BPOINT. If you would like a hard copy book, please order from the school, not the Entertainment Book website.
"The Entertainment Book is great value for such a low price. There are a lot of savings I get back instantly. It more than outweighs the original price. There is something for everyone casual, fine dining, adventure and family. I couldn't live without it.” – Susan L
2018 YEAR 12 TERM 1 HOLIDAY SEMINARS Below is a copy of the holiday timetable, which includes room allocation.
All students must enter and exit the senior building via the glass door by link stairs for security reasons. All students must sign in and out in the visitor register located in front of Mrs Davis’ office, any messages about last minute classroom changes will be left with the visitor register.
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THAI STUDENTS VISIT
THE HEIGHTS STEPHANIE ALEXANDER KITCHEN GARDEN
RESOURCE CENTRE
From 4th to the 24th of March, 14 students and a teacher from Assumption College, Thailand were hosted by our school and our fabulous homestay families for an Australian study program. Our guests from Thailand undertook a range of in-class activities including STEM Science, Aboriginal perspectives and a literacy workshop with a Reception class. The students also undertook excursions to places like the Gorge Wildlife park, SA Museum and the Adelaide Central Market. The Thai students personalities made them interact well with their school buddies who really enjoyed the two weeks they had together.
It is a wonderful experience for the school and especially the homestay families who take a student into their home. If you are interested in hosting a homestay student, please contact Lynn Mackenzie or Robin Parsons at the school for more information.
Robin Parsons Wellbeing Teacher/International Program Manager
Term 1 has flown past and it has been a busy, challenging and fun term in The Heights Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program.
Gail, our Kitchen Specialist, has been using all of our Summer harvest and our Year 3 – 6 classes have created some amazing meals with the eggplants, tomatoes, basil, mint, thyme, chives, lettuces, garlic, eggs, figs, grapes, tarragon, zucchinis and more. Some of the most popular dishes have been the Baba Ganoush, Grilled Figs with spiced yoghurt, Out of the Garden Pancakes and the Eggplant Parmigiana.
Amanda, our Garden Specialist, has been focussing on garden skills such as care of our resident Chickens, composting and sustainable gardening, worm farms, use of garden tools, and garden bed preparation before planting seeds and seedlings. The classes have also had plenty of weeding practice!
We have had several exciting visits to our garden. The Thai students from Assumption College enjoyed a lesson in the garden and shared stories of their own gardens; and students from Ms Hatchard and Ms Simmons classes have come and explored the garden and learnt all about our chooks. Ms Arnold and Ms Golotta's classes had fun searching for eggs on the Thursday before Easter.
We have been very happy to have some new volunteers in our program this year. We really appreciate their support and skills in both the kitchen and garden. Please feel free to call in and see us if you have a spare hour or more and are interested in volunteering. No experience necessary!
Amanda Pryor (Garden Specialist) and Gail van Ryswyk (Kitchen Specialist)
Winter Olympics comes to The Heights SchoolDuring this term some of the students in the Primary years had an opportunity to become involved with the Winter Olympics. We were fascinated by the unusual sports because there aren’t many of them that we can do in Adelaide. The students loved dressing up in the ice hockey gear and working out the differences in hockey skates and figure skates with Hockey Bear and Skating Bear. We also learned where South Korea was and some of the students from that country were able to tell us stories about their culture.
Joan Sullivan Resource Centre
AROUND OUR SCHOOL
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WIND IN THE WILLOWS – The Heights Players Production 2018
This year we are delighted to be presenting our version of the classic tale of Kenneth Graeme’s, Wind in the Willows. There are thirty plus students are involved mainly in the performance, but others are responsible for the photographs and video, assisting backstage with lights, sound, stage-management and wardrobe. They are a fabulous group of students from Year 6 to Year 11 in age and happily turn up on Thursdays after school, Saturday mornings and during the holidays for rehearsals.
Our production is set in the Fifties as the world recovers from the aftermath of World War II. The wide world beyond the riverbank and wild wood is undergoing rapid changes and these changes are affecting the residents of the countryside.
This play is full of wonderful characters, some of whom you have probably met in real life. Mole is the shy but inquisitive and hard-working land girl. Badger, is the deeply conservative, ex-military man who loves his country and is highly suspicious of change. Toad is the impulsive, even reckless young man, who craves an adrenaline rush in the form of fast cars. And then there are the Wild Wooders who live on the edges of the law, and deliberately to try to shock and stir up the establishment.
I am having great fun designing the costumes, and would like to encourage sewers to offer their talent and make one or many costumes. I am making up packages with the already cut fabric, copies of the pattern instructions and necessary zips etc. There is nothing too complicated in the sewing as it is mainly girls trousers, shirts and skirts and dresses.
Sally Putnam, Coordinator of Performance Arts
AROUND OUR SCHOOL
ARTS NEWS
Art Club 2018Art Club has been hugely popular again this year. In the two weeks since we started meeting (on Wednesday lunch times), more than twenty students have joined, from Year 6 to 12. We are working towards an exhibition, which will open on Wednesday 28th March (Week 9); this will coincide with Open Night. Here is a sample, which shows the variety of media and techniques our group are using to create artworks. This week we are going to explore using digital technologies to create stop motion animation and photomontages.
Ms Bourn and the Art Club Team
SACE Art Show Excursion 20th MarchAs part of the Stage 1 and 2 teaching program, students visited the Light Square Gallery in the Adelaide TAFE building, to view the annual SACE Art Show. Every year the gallery exhibits Visual Art and Design Stage 2 student work from around the State, highlighting student use of media, themes and technical skills which have been developed over the course of their schooling.
The Stage 1 and 2 students were amazed at the range of media used by other students and the quality of the work that was on display. Students spent two hours investigating media, techniques and folios to better understand the course requirements and possibilities for their own practical work.
It was invigorating to hear students ask how they themselves could have their work chosen for the exhibition and to see the excitement that the artworks generated.
The SACE Art Show is open weekdays from 9am – 4pm, 10am – 4pm on weekends, and runs until the 24th of April.
Ms Catherine Bourn and Ms Kylie Sims
GENERATIONS OF CHANGE EXCURSIONOn Wednesday the 21st of March all of The Heights School’s secondary Aboriginal students participated in the Generations of Change Conference conducted by Reconciliation SA. The purpose of the excursion was to further educate students on methods to counter racism. The Act Now Theatre Group performed a play with the main theme of racism carefully interwoven into the script. Students were asked to create their own role plays, so they were
prepared for future altercations in a safe learning environment. The day concluded with all students participating in creating a Reconciliation Action Plan for their school. The Heights students suggested an assembly for Reconciliation Week with a guest speaker would be an ideal starting point.
Stephen Miles, Aboriginal Education Teacher
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SPORTS NEWS
VISTA ATHLETICS
VISTA SENIOR BOYS EUROPEAN HANDBALL
CROWS CUP FOOTBALL – Years 5, 6 and 7
2018 Year 8-12 VISTA North and North Eastern Zone Athletics Championships On Wednesday the 28th of March, 60 students from Years 8-12 represented The Heights School with resilience, determination and respect at the annual VISTA North/ North Eastern Zone Athletics Championships. Our students displayed some amazing talent in sprints and long distance runs, jumps and throws. Several students placed in events throughout the day and many achieved personal bests in their chosen events. A huge congratulations to our Year 9 Girls team who won the Champion Trophy for their year level.
As one of the supervising teachers, the most pleasing aspect of the day was the way our students showed the utmost respect for our school, for each other and towards other schools. Students were eager to participate in additional events and support their peers in their events.
I am extremely grateful for the Year 11 students who came along to the carnival to assist with timing during the day. Several staff members from various schools as well as Athletics SA Officials commented on how impressed they were with the professionalism and initiative displayed by our students. Thank you Justin May, Juha Kinnunen, Keaton Bond, Adam Collings, Tiahne Marriott, Jarred Watson and Ainsley Arnold.
Congratulations to all students who represent The Heights School at the North/North Eastern Zone Athletics Carnival and a huge congratulations to our Year 9 Girls Team for winning the Champion Trophy.
Eulaly Allen, Sports Coordinator
Our trip to VISTA European Handball at Parafield Gardens Recreation Centre on Wednesday the 21st of March was great, even though neither our Year 10 nor Year 11 teams made it into the finals. Everyone had fun and participated. We represented The Heights School by giving things a go and going hard.
Senior Boys European Handball Team
Congratulations to all the girls who went to St Ignatius College on Monday March 26th to participate in the Crows Cup football carnival. Thank you to Nick Schild and Phil Jones who attended the carnival and coached the teams. Thank you also to Tayla Simons who attended as a goal umpire for the day.
Well done to the following who participated:
Zoe Hatchard, Maddison Hartley, Meg Kerin, Tabitha Gilliam, Amberlee Bryant, Charlee Coleman, Stefany Grimaldi, Soriya Khiev, Taneil Harley, Reign Aquino, Jazmin Clough, Laela Ebert, Jazmyn Couzner, Shae Hodgetts, Naomi Benfield, Sharla Martin, Abby Marie Bosworth, Sienna Willetts and Saskia De Vries.
Cherie Rothery
www.theheights.sa.edu.au 10
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Gemini Netball Club Inc. Gemini Netball Club wishes to advise that registrations are now open for NET SET GO program we are conducting.
Gemini Netball Club are also a SPORTS VOUCHER registered club so $50 for participants can be claimed. Answer yes to claiming sports voucher and answer all the questions relevant to claiming and the club will make claims.
NET SET GO Program on the following dates:
Commencing Thursday 3rd May and each following Thursday night for
10 weeks ending Thursday July 5th 20187
NET program for 5-8 yrs of age
SET program for 8-10yrs of age
Time: 5.30pm to 6.30pm Fee: $110
Registration link:
https://netball.resultsvault.com/common/pages/reg/welcome.aspx fl=1&type=6&id=41624&entityid=44079
Payment gateway is available at time of online registration. You can indicate offline payment of fees. The fees can also be transferred directly into club bank account.
GEMINI NETBALL CLUB INC. CBA ST AGNES
BSB: 065 149 A/C 1027 8034 USE SURNAME & NSG FEES
CLUB WEBSITE: www.gemini.sa.netball.com.au For any assistance please ring Margaret 0414641063
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