www.elthamhs.vic.edu.au

Tuesday, 29th February, 2000                                        Term 1 Week 6

By the time you read this newsletter, nominations for School Council will have closed. If an election is required (and that appears highly likely from the interest shown so far) you will have a ballot paper distributed to you next Monday - via students. Both parents are entitled to vote. If you need more than one ballot paper please contact the school so that one can be provided. The ballot (if required) will close at 4:00 p.m. March 14^th.

The 1999 student writing anthology, Thus the Absurd Nature, has won the Fellowship of Australian Writers, Mavis Thorpe Clarke Award for group school writing for the second year in a row. This is a fantastic achievement in a highly respected competition. As well, Brenna Henderson received an Honourable Mention in the John Morrison Award and Loretta Bartolini received an Honourable Mention in the individual section of the Mavis Thorpe Clarke Award.

Thus the Absurd Nature will be launched by Phillip Adams, OA, thinker, writer, broadcaster and former student of Eltham High School on 31^st March at 7:30 p.m. in the New Barn at Montsalvat. All students and parents are invited to attend. The 1999 Mercury Writers Awards will be presented on that evening so it promises to be a great event for the school.

All year 7 students will be treated to a performance by Jill Coath, Ross Mueller and Tiffany Eckhardt in the school hall on Monday, 6^th March periods 3 and 4. A selection of highly entertaining poems by living poets, adults and children, will be presented including a small selection of poems written by our own students. Students are encouraged to write, select and hand any pieces of work to their English teacher. There will be a demonstration and suggestions for multi-voice readings, exploration of the link between poetry and music, suggestions encouraging reading and writing of poetry and songs and an invitation to send further poems suitable for public performance, radio competitions or publication. Poet's Licences will be presented to students. Payment of $2 must be paid to the school cashier by Thurs., 2^nd March.

The buses will commence using the new bus parking bays in Ely St from next Monday 6^th March. Given the buses have further to travel from Ely St to the Eltham transport interchange, the school staff is considering whether it is possible to end the school day a few minutes earlier. An earlier finish time will greatly assist the bus drivers to safely make important train and bus links at the interchange at 3.30pm. If this is possible, the new finish time will also apply from next Monday. Students will be advised accordingly and next week's newsletter will contain all details.

As from next Monday all the parking spaces in front of the school in Withers Way will become available for car parking. This will provide much needed parking spaces for staff, visitor and student parking.

EHS is always on the lookout for new workplaces for our students. If you have your own business or the organization you work for may be interested in offering a position to our students, please fill in the reply slip below or e-mail me at school on careers@elthamhs.vic.edu.au

The house athletics carnival is at Doncaster

Athletics track on Wednesday 8^th March. This is a whole school activity with all students from Year 7 to 12 in attendance. A kiosk will operate

and there is plenty of shade available if it is a sunny day. Students have the opportunity to participate in track and field events for house points. Face painting in house colours on the day is available at no cost. Parents are most welcome to come along and join in the day.

1^st      Andrew     355 points

2^nd     Everard     333 points

3^rd     Stewart     259 points

4^th     Rutter          143 points

New Records:

Beth Girbau - Grls U/15 200 Ind Medley 2.45.45

Valley. And in the other game against Monty (who has a couple of boys who play at district level) were just too strong.

Nillumbik Council will make the new raised surface crossing in Withers Way an official school crossing, complete with school crossing flags. It is hoped that this work will be completed in the next few days. The crossing will not be an attended crossing and students should take extra care.

Tomorrow Wednesday 1^st March, Music Junction, Blackburn, will deliver to the school the instruments, music stands and books ordered by parents. These will be distributed during music classes. If you are just ordering a book and/or a music stand, you must bring on this day either cash or a cheque made out to Music Junction Blackburn. Yamaha Band Student Book $11.95 (Percussion book $17.95); Music stand $20. Should you have also ordered an instrument you will be issued with an invoice which will need to be paid directly to Music Junction.

First rehearsal Wednesday 8^th March at 7.30am. Students should arrive at school at 7.20am to be ready for the start of rehearsal. Please note that the Athletics Sports are on the same day.but all students are still expected to attend rehearsal before going to the sports. Instruments left in the music storeroom will be secured during the day and students can collect them at the end of the day.

EHS will be hosting this outstanding band from Wednesday 22^nd to Tuesday 28^th March. There are just a couple of students who still need billeting. Please contact Ken Waterworth if you can help.

Piano lessons have commenced in the After School Music Program. Some vacancies available. Contact music office.

Now overdue. Please return to the music office asap. First semester levies were due February 25 excluding new Year 7 students. If you have not received your handbook please contact Denise Frankenberg.

Those families who ordered a CD of last year's performances, should collect their CD from the music office.

There are many bow ties and sashes which have not been returned by students in 1999 bands and orchestras. Please return them immediately. Those not returned will be replaced at the family's expense ($10)

New Year 7 Training Band students are notified that there is a list of all secondhand instruments in the music office. Contact Chris Byrden on 9431 2194 Lost Musical instrument in small black case in telephone box outside Eltham Post Office. Reward. Call Chris9431 2194/ 9437 1421

National Award Winning Writing - Eltham High School has won the FAW National Award for group writing from a secondary school for the second year running. Congratulations to the twenty students whose work was selected from the main anthology Thus the Absurd Nature which has been set on the school booklist. The work of Glennis Pitches, Evonne Locke, and student editors Kate Mildenhall and Shannon Walker, should be especially acknowledged.

Phillip Adams for the Launch of The Student Writing Anthology - What a coup! Phillip Adams, ex-student, and national broadcaster will be in Melbourne to launch "Thus the Absurd Nature" on March 31^st at 7.30-9pm at Monsalvat in the New Barn. The Mercury Awards for 1999 will also be presented on this night. Entry fee $2. All students and their parents are invited.

1999 Mercury Writing Awards - These were published in Mercury, the school magazine. Congratulations to all award winners. All the students in the list below are invited to receive their awards at the New Barn, Monsalvat, on 31^st March, at 7.30pm.

The Phillip Adams Award (Senior School) - Kate Mildenhall, Brenna Henderson.

Distinctions:     Shobana Owen, Karolina Cutler,Erika Wells, Nina Collins, Katharine Throssell, KateLee, Katie Byrne, Jessie Young, Heinz Simpson, Zilla Bailey, Cassie Marsh

The Betty Wickham Award (Middle School) - Nic Taylor, Becky Chanock

Distinctions: Rhiannon Lane, Ruthanne Molloy, Madelaine Arch, Simon Child, Rebecca Trethowen

The Joyce Webb Award (Junior School) - Caitlyn Davey, James Sanders

Distinctions: Marc Heenan, Mark Gillham, Nina Bows, Angel Allen

Australian English Competition - The date for this competition is Tuesday June 13. The closing date for entries is Wednesday March 15^th. Students should pay $5 to the Cashier if they wish to participate in this competition. In the past, we have had students who have been placed top in the state at their level. Please return this slip below to the Cashier:

Name____________________________________________________Form______

English Teacher______________________________________________________