Withers Way, Eltham 3095    Telephone (03) 9439 5111   Facsimile (03) 9431 0448

www.elthamhs.vic.edu.au

 Eltham High School

 

Parent Newsletter

 

Tuesday, 6th June 2000                                                                                     Term 2 Week 7

 

Principal’s Report

 

Public Education Discussions Continue.

Two weeks ago I spoke about the school’s response to the Public Education: The Next Generation discussion paper. Since that time a lot of discussion and exploration has occurred. The Curriculum Committee has been looking at issues of excellence and innovation, the SRC has been looking at questions about mentoring, student leadership and participation and the role of technology in education, the school’s administrative committee has been considering how we ensure high quality staff are available to the school. There are two more public discussions in the process and I wish to invite you to attend those if you have the time.

 

The first is a discussion tomorrow (Wednesday) evening at 7:30 pm which will focus on how schools can better meet the welfare needs of students and provide for their range of abilities and needs. I think that this will be a most important discussion.

 

On the morning of Wednesday, 14th June at 8:00 am (yes, am) the Finance Committee will be looking at issues to do with school funding and you are most welcome to join in that discussion too.

 

Science Success

Last year our current Year 8A students were involved in a significant Science project. The project involved the creation of a multimedia production entitled “Science, Slime and You”. I am very pleased to announce that the project has won the Best Secondary Education Resource Award at the Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM) National Awards. Congratulations to all the students for an outstanding effort. Congratulations to the Eltham High School Science Department on yet another outstanding scientific effort.

 

Paul Rose, Principal

 

Semester 2 Course Payments

 

Families with children in the music program, VCE Dance and VCE Outdoor Education will soon be receiving requests to pay the second semester charges for these courses. Payment is due on Friday 16th June unless other arrangements are made in advance by contacting the Business Manager, Peter Gurney. 

The music and dance course charges provide the income with which to pay the contracted dance and music teachers, and the outdoor education charges pay for the range of activities that the students undertake as part of their course. The Music Program Handbook and the VCE Handbook contain details. Questions on course content should be directed to the teacher concerned. Questions or further information regarding payment should be directed to Peter Gurney.

Year 9 and Year 10 elective programs that attract additional charges will be due for payment very early in term 3. Parents should consult the Middle School Handbook before signing their child’s middle school elective course selections for semester 2 to ensure that they understand the course content and any charges that apply.

 

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FROM THE CAREERS ROOM

Information Gathering

During Term 3 students in Years 10 & 11 will be completing VCE subject selection for 2001.

It is not uncommon for students to be unsure of what they want to do career-wise after they leave secondary school.

As part of that process students need to become as informed as possible as to the options before them.

Something to think about. “If you don’t know what you don’t know, then you can’t do anything about it”.

Students who have considered and explored options are more likely to make appropriate choices.

Students will be given information during class time as to some ways to gather information so as to make informed subject selections, eg OZJAC and VTAC Career Easy.  Students should also be considering some of the following:  Work Experience, reading education supplements in the newspapers, talking to teachers of subjects they particularly enjoy, talking to family friends who are in occupations that you find interesting, attending University and TAFE Open Days (students can collect a calendar of dates from the Careers Room).

Psychometric testing is another method for students to explore their vocational options.  These tests help to clarify options and suggest career paths, but they do not make the decisions for them.  Psychometric testing is another tool to be used in information gathering and should not be used as a sole measure of interest or career suitability.

Therefore, in response to parent inquiries about psychometric testing, the school has contacted CAREER-WISE, a well-respected (having tested over 35,000 students throughout Australia since 1981) vocational guidance and career counselling company specialising in psychometric testing.

Students have an Assessment Session where they complete a battery of tests focusing on verbal and numeric and interest aptitude.

Then a Feedback Session with parents, where students will receive a comprehensive written report on occupational options based on the Assessment Session.

The total cost of the service is $55.00 (if you went as a private individual, to a similar company the cost may rise to over $250.00).

Eltham High School has no commercial interest in this venture and are only responding to parent inquiries.

The school will be the facilitator, putting students in contact with Career-Wise and providing the venue for testing and feedback.

Parents who wish their children to participate in this program are asked to contact the Career Co-ordinator and collect an application sheet.

It is anticipated that the Assessment Sessions would begin early Term 3.  A minimum of 30 students are required for the program to operate.

 

Tafe Taster Programs

As you may be aware the ‘Let’s Look At Work’ Program through NMIT Tafe is drawing to a close and fifteen of our students participated in this program.  I have been advised that there could be another program operating in Semester 2.  Courses will be offered in:  Agriculture, Electrical, Office Administration, Engineering, Furniture Making, Joinery and Shopfitting, Hospitality and Tourism and Sound.  The cost of the ‘Let’s Look At Work’ Program is approx. $65.00.

Box Hill Tafe are also running a similar program called the “Growth and Pathway’ Program.  This program is definitely running with some courses beginning early July.  Courses are being offered in: Hairdressing, Hospitality, Engineering Graphics, Computer Aided Drafting, Building, Fashion and Welding.  The cost of these programs vary and will be included on all information sheets.

The aim of both these programs is to provide an experiential learning environment in which students can successfully explore a vocational area.

Students enrolling in these programs will attend Eltham High School four days per week and Tafe only one day.  The actual day that the students will attend Tafe will depend on the study they choose.

Students will receive a certificate of participation as well as Tafe Credit for any modules they may achieve during the course.  Students are responsible for their own travel arrangements.

If you wish your son/daughter to be involved in either of these programs, please contact the careers co-ordinator to register their interest as soon as possible as places are limited.

                                                                Julie Buckland

 

JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS

 

Information Evening

Thank you to all the staff and students involved in the organisation and presentation of our information night for 2000 which was attended by well over 500 interested Grade 6 parents and children.

Our student speakers, Kate Dorrington (yr 7), James Alexander (yr 8), Freya Corboy (yr 11), and John Doyle (yr 12) provided a sincere and honest account of their experiences to date.

A special mention to Ria Hearse (yr 8) who enthusiastically took on the role of MC for the night and did a great job.  Thanks to George Franklin for his organisation of audio-visual needs and hall preparation, the junior school co-ordination team and other staff for efforts in providing displays and help with supper.

Thanks again to all involved!! 

Ross Pringe – Head of Junior School

 

 

SPORT SPORT SPORT

 

Year 8 Football

Strong come from behind wins were the highlight of the recent Year 8 local schools football round robin held at Hurstbridge.

The conditions were surprisingly good despite the wet weather, but matches had to be reduced because the main ground had been closed by the council.  This resulted in a lightning carnival type competition so the pressure for quick scores was on from the first bounce.

St Helena opened with the wind and managed to lead by 2 goals at the break.  To the credit of the boys they dug deep and with confidence growing and some key players finding the footy, the team kicked four straight to run out winners by 9 points – Eltham 5.3 def St Helena 4.0

This put Eltham into the final against Montmorency.  Eltham won the toss and kicked with the wind but Monty got the jump and kicked a valuable early goal.  Again the Eltham boys had to fight hard and they managed to grab a 7 point lead at the break.  Was it enough against a 2 goal breeze?  The team decided to attack rather than defend the lead and courageous play by all team members saw 2 goals scored against the wind.  Monty kept coming but Eltham hung on to win 4.2 to 2.1.

I was pleased with all the boys efforts and especially the way they conducted themselves between games.  Hopefully with some training and continued enthusiasm we can be competitive in the next round.

                                                                Mr McCrystal – Coach

 

Eltham HS Cross Country

The Eltham HS Cross Country was held on Wednesday 24th May.  Starting and finishing from the front oval at the school, the course for the Junior boys and all of the girls went through Wingrove Park to the front of Lower Eltham Park and back, while the Intermediate and Senior boys did a loop of the Lower Eltham Park as well.  The Northern Zone Cross Country will be held in Bendigo on Monday 19th June.

Top five placegetters in each division of the school cross country were as follows:

Girls U14: Laura Johnstone(17:12) Nina Barwald(17:15) Kate Dorrington(17:25) Lane Schotterlein(17:30) Tessa Byrne(17:35)

Girls U16: Brooke Palmer(16:12) Kerryn Kirby(17:25) Adrianne Walters(18:35) Carolyn Deller(19:13) Emily Buffham-Friedricksen(23:16)

Girls U21: Kathy Young(15:21) Karen Bell(21:23) Sarah Tenkaten(27:55)

Boys U14: Stefan Courtot(15:22) Adrian Horsman(15:59) David Crowden(16:24) Adrian Franklin(16:35) Ben Phillips(16:49)

Boys U16: Nicholas Laurence(21:21) Tristan Hopkin(24:12) Dylan Cresp(24:23) Sam Horsman(24:35) Nathan Burke(25:05)

Boys U21: Scott Wheeler(22:06) Cameron Laurence(23:09) Daniel Pobjoy(26:07) Scott Weddell(34:10) Ian Matthew(41:28)

 

EHS Swim Squad

You’re invited!  Come along on a Thursday morning at 7:00am to the Eltham Leisure Centre and share 1 hour of fun and fitness in the pool under the guidance of coach Neroli Nixon.  Cost - $5.00 per session, payable to the school cashier.  The improvement of some of our junior members has been evident as well as the way all who come along seem to be enjoying the sessions.

                                                                                Max Balchin

Fun Run

Wednesday 7th June (tomorrow) is the deadline for return of sponsorship books and money raised.  Please return these tomorrow to the cashier so that the “thank you” prizes can be ordered this week.

Make sure you fill in the back page of the sponsorhsip book with Name, Class, the amount you raised and the prize you have chosen.

Thank you for your support of the run.

 

Kevin Sheedy Football Camp – 17th Year – June 26, 27, 28.

ASC Netball Camp– 5th Year – June 28, 29, 30.

The camps are for players aged 6 to 17 of all standards and are based at International House in Parkville with live in or day places available.

Brochures are available from Mr Nicholson.

 

GEOGRAPHY NEWS


 


Last Monday, June 5th, Emily Darling-Filby, Ashleigh Feore, Shae Hart and Carly Whittemore participated in a World Wide Globe Weather Chat on the net.  For those who are not aware, Monday was World Environment Day.  We chatted to Scientists on the official Globe Website.  We each had to come up with 3 questions to ask the Scientists.  The assignment turned out to be very successful, as we learnt lots. By Emily Darling-Filby and Ashleigh Feore.

Here are some of our questions and the Scientists answers.

Emily Darling-Filby asked ‘Does the amount of rain in Australia differ to the amount of rain you get”.

Michael from Globe replied, ‘Hi, I live in Washington D.C. USA and the amount of rain that you have received in the past two weeks is much more than the amount we have received.  It has rained hard a couple of days here for short periods of time, but that is it.  What is the rain pattern like there?’

Emily Darling-Filby answered, ‘The rain pattern here has been fairly constant lately.

Ashleigh Feore asked, ‘Why do you need the information, and what do you do with it?’

Michael from Globe replied,’Did you know that in some places of the world, GLOBE data is the only systematic environmental data being collected.  I would say there is a great need for this kind of information.  For example, there is very little soil data available to scientists, even in some of the most populated and developed areas of the world.  That is why the data you collect about soil, hydrology, atmosphere and land cover is so valuable’.

                                                                J.Cousins, Sose KLA

 

 

 

 

 

Calendar

                June

                Mon      5                1st Semester Assessment

                                                Yr 11 Exams

                Wed      7               Yr 7 Round Robin

                Mon    12               Queens B’Day Holiday

                                                Yr12 Exams

Thurs. 15              Report writing day

Fri       23               Last day of Term 2

                                Junior & Senior School

Reports Distributed

 

MUSIC NEWS

 

MID YEAR CONCERTS 2000

Concert 1

Date:      Friday 16th June  at  7:30pm

Venue:   George Wood Performing Arts Centre

                Yarra Valley Anglican School

                Kalinda Road,  Ringwood

Groups Performing:

Training Band,  Intermediate Band,  Jazz Band,  Guitar Ensemble,  All String Ensembles,  VCE Soloists

 

Concert 2

Date:       Monday 19th June at  7:30pm

Venue:   Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School

                Performing Arts Centre

                Upper Heidelberg Rd, Ivanhoe

Groups Performing:

Stage Band,  Clarinet Choir,  Concert Band,  Symphonic Band,  VCE Soloists,  Saxophone Ensemble,  Flute Ensemble.

 

TICKETS:             $10.00 Adult,  $7.00 Child/Concession

                                $30.00 Family (2 Adults plus children)

                                Tickets sold at the door

 

 

FIRST AID CLASSES

 

 

A Work Place Level 2 First Aid Course will be held at the school next term.  Starting on Monday 10th July and running for 8 weeks it will end on 28th August.

                Time:  4pm – 7pm

Students over 15, or any parent who is interested in doing the course should contact Ms Joy Snow at the school.

 

DANCE NEWS

 

On Tuesday 13th June the students of EHS’s dance program will present:

Dance 2000 – An exploration of movement from the past, present and into the future.

All students involved in EHS’s dance program will be performing on the night and it should be a wonderful evening.

Any friends and family of performers are welcome

When:    Tuesday 13th June, 7:30 pm

Where:   Eltham High School Hall

Cost:       Adults $4, Children $2, Family $10

 

CANTEEN ROSTER

WED.         K.Batty, C.Snow

THURS      L.Burleigh,J.Samphier,S.Pearman,S.Smith,J.Lock

FRI.            H.Devlin,J & D.Kennedy,M.Young,Di

MON.        Public Holiday

TUES        D.Kelly,R.Gaiser,C.Tilley,L.Poulton

 

 

LOYOLA COLLEGE

 

ART & FINE CRAFT SHOW

 

Performing Arts Centre

325 Grimshaw St, Watsonia

(enter via Bungay St, due to groundworks)

Opening Night Friday June 16th

7:30pm – 10:30pm – light refreshments

Saturday 17th June 1 – 7 pm

Sunday 18th June 11am – 4pm

For tickets contact: Community Liaison 9433 0228

 

Developing Skills for Re-entry to the Workforce

A course in Planning for Employment and Training that increases motivation, confidence and job search skills which is nationally accredited with a certificate.


Dates of next course are: 8th,15th, 22nd,26th,29th June from 9:30am – 3:30pm..  To be conducted at Watsonia Neighborhood House, 47 Lambourne Rd, Watsonia. Numbers limited, book with Lisa Webster at Results Training on 9870 4000.

 


WINTER STUDY BLITZ

Term 2 Vacation Workshops

Held at: MLC Community Centre, Kew

·         Advanced Reading Skills – Year 10 to 12

·         Essay Writing Skills – Years 10 to 12

·         Study Skills – from year 8 upwards

Class sizes are limited and bookings are taken in strict order of receipt.

For more information and enrolment forms, Contact John Surlano at Improved Communication Skills on Phone 9818 3888.