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

www.elthamhs.vic.edu.au

Eltham High School

Parent Newsletter

 

 

Wednesday 14th June, 2000                                        Term 2 Week 8

 

Principal’s Report

 

Year Level Coordinators Recognised

This morning I had the honour of representing the school at the launch of a wonderful booklet “Windows on Welfare”. The booklet is a collection of stories about how 34 schools undertake student welfare. Eltham High School is represented in the collection.

 

Education Minister, Mary Delahunty, was fulsome in her praise of the efforts of schools to find local solutions to local issues. Here at Eltham High School, under the leadership of Assistant Principal Helen Rix, we have focused very closely on the professional development and training of our Sub-school Coordinators. This training has included the development of high quality counselling skills, teamwork skills, leadership skills, parent communication skills and effective time management skills. Students and their parents are serviced by a highly skilled team of coordinators and I commend them for their commitment to the students that they support.

 

Public Education Discussions Come to a Close.

Extensive Eltham High School consultation regarding the school’s response to the Public Education: The Next Generation document is coming to a close. There will be further opportunity for community participation at the Finance Committee Meeting to be held this Wednesday at 8:00 am (yes- in the morning) where funding models for schools will be discussed. The school’s response will go to school council next week for adoption. A draft of the response will be available on the school website after Friday this week. Comments should be faxed or emailed to me by the afternoon of  Tuesday, 20th June. The e-mail address will be available on the website.

 

Paul Rose, Principal

 

Pupil Free Day

A reminder that students are not required at school on Thursday 15th June.  Teachers are using this day to finalize the writing of student reports.

 

ENGLISH NEWS

 

The Novella Writing Competition is open to all current secondary students. Writing should be no less than 10,000 words, and no longer than 20,000.  This is a great competition for our really serious writers out there in our student population.  Are you one of the budding writers of your generation?  If so, enter.  See Ms Burns for details and an entry form.

 

 

 

A Literary Challenge

A competition linked to illustrator Robert Ingpen's book Once Upon A Place is open to students.  You need to visit the website http://www.oldtreasurymuseum.org.au and view the paintings done for the book at Gold Treasury Museum, Old Treasury Building, Spring St from 9th June to 30 July.  Then, you nominate your own hero of all time (you can't nominate someone still living, though), giving reasons for your choice.

Closing date for nominations 1 July 2000.

 

Interschool Debating

EHS teams had good successes in this round.  In the Yr 7-9 section, debating the topic "That we should lower the voting age to 16, Simon Walsh, Abi Hodge and Ben Hanlon (awarded Best Speaker) won against Parade College.  Mark Gilham, Madelaine Goddard, Stephanie Howell (awarded Best Speaker) and Adele Neale won against Eltham College. Briana Barling,  (awarded Best Speaker)Kc Reynolds and Lily van Eeden won against St Helena.  Sarah Burt and Benn Poulton lost to the St Helena 2 team.

The Yr 10 section won by forfeit, and the Yr 11 section (B Grade) lost for the first time this year.  Eltham High School's highly successful participation in this competition is a fine example of teachers, particularly Mr Kibell, working with students, backed by the support of parents.  This year we also have the services of two ex-students, Jilly Charlwood and Tess Lethborg, who are working as coaches to four teams. Congratulations and thanks to all those involved.

Ms Burns -English Coordinator

 

 

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

 

 

SPORT SPORT SPORT

 

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

 

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.

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: ENVIRONMENT DAY

 

 

The MS Enviro class celebrated the World Environment Day (5th June) a day late (because that’s when we had our double).  We had a guest speaker, Mrs Carolyn Mellor, who spoke about playtpus in The Diamond Creek.  When they caught some and microchipped them, some were found with rubber bands around their neck and one had the ring from a plastic milk bottle cap around its foot.  Litter in the creek really does affect our wildlife!

We went for a walk to the creek and looked at parts that were good platypus habitat, with sheltered banks and those parts that were not so good (yet).  Mrs Mellor also explained how a system of ponds will be established to act as filters to the stormwater that runs off the new developments along the western side of Fawlkiner Street.

The Enviro class also contributed by planting some trees and grasses along the Bell St “nature strip” beside the oval.

Ebony, Emily & Amanda Prior, Mason McGibbon for the Enviro Class

 

 

WORKING BEE SUNDAY 18/6

9 – 12.30         BBQ LUNCH 12.30

 

 

The main areas to be worked on are:-

-          seats constructed & placed near bus stop area (power tools would be great!)

-          mulching and pruning (wheel barrows please)

-          some planting

-          clean up the bin area

-          start work on an area that needs to be paved.
Meet in the courtyard.  We would love to see you all here.

Di Parry for Grounds Committee

 

 

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.

 

 

FROM THE CAREERS ROOM

 

Parents of students in Yrs 10, 11 & 12.  Don’t forget!  If you wish your child to be psychometrically tested for career aptitude, you must collect a booking form from the Careers Room this week.  Cost: $55.00 – minimum of 30 students required.  See further details in last weeks newsletter 6/6/00 @ www.elthamhs.vic.edu.au.

 

DANCE NEWS

 

Performance

The dance concert is tonight (Tuesday 13th June).  The evening will begin at 7.30pm.  Tickets at the door – adults $4, Children $2 and families $10.

 

Fees

Semester 2 dance fees are now being sent out.  Semester 2 fees are due on the 16th June.  There are still some outstanding payments due for semester one.  Please finalise as soon as possible.

 

G.S.T.

Because the After Hours Dance classes are outside school hours they will be subject to a 10% increase, beginning in term three.  Please adjust payment accordingly.

 

 

CANTEEN ROSTER

WED.     L.Burleigh,G.Lane,G.Carter

THURS     Curriculum Day

FRI.     T.Goonan, J.Harris, K.Gatcum

MON.     K.O’Hara,R.Burke,V.Fitzgerald,H.Hunter,

        R.McMaster

TUES         B.Bensaude,G.Carter,B.Honeyman,A.Batten,

       R.Wembridge

 

 

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.

 

WARRNAMBOOL FUN 4 KIDS FESTIVAL 2000

Non-stop fun and laughter for both children and parents starts Sunday 25 June and runs through to Sunday 2 July.

Will be overflowing with performers and workshops.  For further enquiries, please contact Festival Information on 035564 7914.

 

Calendar

 

June

 

Mon 12

Queens B’Day Holiday

 

Yr12 Exams

Thurs 15

Report writing day

Fri 23

Last day of Term 2

 

Junior and Senior School Reports Distributed

 

 

 

FORUM FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS

ENCOURAGING DIET FREE, HEALTHY EATING BEHAVIOURS

FOR CHILDREN

 

Eltham Community Health Centre, in conjunction with Body Image and Health Inc. are running a forum to provide strategies for parents and teachers to help reduce the incidence of eating disorders and poor body image among children.

 

The following data comes from a fact sheet prepared by Body Image and Health Inc. for International No Diet Day 2000.  Poor body image, dieting and obesity now affect boys and girls at a very young age.

For example:  -

almost 10% of Melbourne primary school age children are dieting

50% of pre adolescent children in Sydney   

report wanting to weigh less

Approximately 20% of Australian children are overweight or obese

 

The average Australian child watches two to three hours of television a day.  TV viewing has been associated with:

·         Dramatically increased rates of childhood obesity with TV viewing times greater than two hours a day

·         Poorer body image amongst teenage girls who watch more movies, soaps and music videos

 

Body Image and Health Inc. have created an information kit of facts and strategies for schools and parents.  A copy will be given to all participants at the forum.  The forum will discuss how we, as adults in the community, can help to steer our children along the fine line between healthy eating an obsessive concern with diet.  The forum will also address ways of promoting positive body image.

 

Come along to find our more about this important community health issue.

Date:

Tuesday 20th June 2000

Time:

7 – 9 pm

Venue:

Eltham High School - Library

Cost:

$5.00 per person

 

Registration slip below or any other enquiries to:   Vinnie Gandolfo – Health Co-ordinator at Eltham High School

 

 

Tear off and return to school office by Friday 16th June 2000 (with payment)

 

Eltham Community Health Centre and Eltham High School

Present

Encouraging Diet Free Healthy Eating for Your Children

In the library at Eltham High School

On Tuesday 20th June 2000 from 7 – 9 pm with Sharyn Young – Dietitian (E.C.H.C.)

For parents of children of all ages

An information Kit prepared by Body Image and Health Inc. will be provided on the night

 

I will be attending “Encouraging Diet Free Healthy Eating for Your Children”

 

Name …………………………………………………………….No attending ………..

 

Amount Enclosed …………………………….