Withers
Way, Eltham 3095 Telephone (03) 9439
5111 Facsimile (03) 9431 0448
Parent
Newsletter
Wednesday, 8th November, 2000 Term 4 Week 6
Principal’s Report
Last Thursday our Masterplan was approved. The Masterplan proposal can now considered for funding in the next State Budget. The Approved Masterplan would see the removal of eight old portables and their replacement with a new classroom block at the western and southern sides of the library and a new Personal Development classroom block on the Ely Street entrance to the school.
I would like to thank the member of the School Council, Eltham High School staff, SRC members, Mr Joe Scully from Henderson & Lodge Architects and especially Business Manager Peter Gurney for a great effort in having the Masterplan approved.
Last Monday was a very successful curriculum day with good work completed by all Key Learning Areas. Issues surrounding the development of the 2001-2003 School Charter were also on the agenda, especially the results of the 2000 Staff Survey. Thanks to Glennis Pitches and Trevor Jenkins for their leadership of the curriculum day.
One of the key areas examined in the parent survey is “Academic Rigour”. This area covers parents views on meeting children’s needs, the perceived academic standards of the school, the balance between academic and social needs and whether or not the school is seen to be challenging students. Parents were asked to express their opinions on a 1 to 7 scale in each area and written comments were welcomed.
The overall result was quite high with a weighted score of 5.79. This means that in the main parents are happy with the level of academic rigour at Eltham High School but that there is room for improvement. The result compares very well to the general results across all government schools. The individual score for the area of “provides sufficient challenge” was 6.26. This is a very high result and reflects strong parent support for the school program.
There were 22 individual written responses that related to the standard of work expected. As you would expect, parents comment on the need for high standards and that aiming for a pass is not a satisfactory goal. Parents also noted that expectations differed between teachers and that sometimes this becomes a problem for students. Parent comments supported improved use of the student diary and greater communication between the school and home. One parent noted that VCE was a very burdensome time for students with high workloads and potential “burn-out”.
In summary, Eltham High School parents feel that we are doing a very good job in the area of academic rigour but that with better communication, improved monitoring of student performance and more consistent and higher expectations of students across the school we can do even better than at present. This is a great challenge for the school to take on. Paul Rose, Principal
SPORT NEWS
Thank
you to all the families that are currently selling/eating a box of Freddos
or Koalas.
Just a reminder that they sell for $1.00 each and that $40 is due
back to our cashier Ms Wallis by the end of November.
I
finally have a draw. 10th Nov. (this week):
Eltham
Yr 7 girls vs MLC at 5.15pm
Eltham
Yr 7 boys vs Kew Yr9 girls at 6.20pm
Eltham
Yr 8 girls vs Kew Yr 9 boys at 6.20pm
Eltham
Yr 8 boys vs Balwyn Boys at 6.20pm.
A
copy of the draw is on the noticeboard in the stadium or available from Mr Thomas.
Kew Tournament – Sunday 12th
Nov.
We
have six teams entered in the U15 State titles at Kew on 12th Nov.
Two x U14 girls, two x U14 boys, U15 girls and U15 boys. This will be a great
pre-practice day for the VSSSA finals on 27th/28th
November and the Australian Schools Cup (3rd-8th
December). All players will need to arrive at Kew by 7.45am for an 8.00am
start. I will distribute draw and details when they become available.
YR 11 AND YR 12 SECONDHAND BOOK SALE
Year 11
and Year 12 students and families are reminded that a large range of text books
used this year may be sold on to students for next year. Year 11 students may
hand in their books for sale to the office any time during the Year 11 exams
which finish on Tuesday 21st November. Year 12 students may hand in
their books up until their exams end on 16th November. The second hand
book sale for next year’s Year 11 and Year 12 students is Wednesday 22nd
November, 3.30 pm – 7.00 pm in Room 503.
Second
hand book details have been posted home to current Year 12 students.
Re-enrolment and second hand book information will to Year 11 students shortly.
Year 10 students (Year 11, 2001) will receive their information in class by 17th
November.
Parents please note, we will need
help to staff the second hand book sales. If you can volunteer a couple of
hours to help, particularly between 3.30 pm and 5.30 pm, please contact Peter
Gurney by phoning the school.
CANTEEN
A special plea for this week – due to illness of regular worker in the
canteen we urgently require a volunteer to work from 8.30am. Bev would be glad
of this extra assistance.
The operation of the canteen has been made very difficult recently when
no notice is received of unavailability of rostered volunteers. One morning
no-one turned up! A phone call to Bev would help 9439 5111.
ROSTER
THIS WEEK
THURS S.Pearman,
M.Schlotterlein, J.Davey
FRI. H.Devlin,
K.Nelsen,V.Knowles,M.Parsons
MON J.Adamson,
W.Brown, D.McCorkill, H.Hunter
TUES L.Wheeler,
R.Gaiser, K.Daniel, L.Arnaud
Thank you to all the workers who so willingly help with the canteen
during the year. We appreciate the help and want to recognise your
contribution. We hope you’ll attend the Christmas Party to be held on Tuesday,
5th December at 2pm.
LOTE NEWS
I
apologise for a mistake made in last week’s newsletter. It should have read
congratulations to Melanie Faour who has scored High
Distinction in the Statewide Indonesian Writing Competition 2000. Thanks. P.Brady.
ENGLISH NEWS
Student writers should check the noticeboard
outside 303 for writing competitions to enter, especially the FAW national
awards. See Ms Burns for entry forms for this
competition
FROM THE
CAREERS ROOM
Parents of Year 9 students
There
are still a large number
of students who have not submitted their Work Experience Arrangement forms.
Work Experience is a compulsory school activity and students must undertake
this for two weeks from Monday, 27th November till Friday, 8th
December. Extra forms are available from the careers room. For any problems or
further information please contact me at school on 9439 5111. Julie
Buckland.
Term dates for 2001:
Teachers
resume on Tuesday 30th January
Students
begin on Wednesday 31st January
Easter:
Friday
13th April – Monday 16th April
Term 2
Monday
23rd April – Friday 29th June
Term 3
Monday
16th July – Friday 21st September
Term 4
Monday
8th October – Friday 21st December
Di Parry, Grounds Committee.
For Sale: One Eltham High School jacket
size small. Good cond. $40; one Eltham High School sport T shirt size small
$10; Two pr fleecy lined dark blue tracksuit pants size 10 $8 each. Ph.9439
1103.
Fruitbowl Productions
Fruitbowl,
FreeZA & Nillumbik present
FRUITBOWL
Friday,
10th November featuring Sunk Loto, another Race, H-Block 101 and
Slyboots. All ages 7.30-11.30pm. $12 pre-sold, $15 at the door. Eltham Roller
City, 27 Susan St Eltham. Tickets available Rolling Thunder Greensborough,
Missing Link Records, City, Eltham Roller City & Fruitbowl Productions 9439
0222. This is a fully supervised drug and alcohol free event.
YMCA Adventure Holiday Camps
The school
holidays are sneaking up on us again! If you’ve been looking for an active,
challenging and safe alternative where kids can discover a whole new world,
make great friends, learn new skills and have heaps of fun, then we have the
answer. They can take part on the ropes course, tell stories by campfire, go
canoeing and raft building, flying fox, arts & crafts, bushwalking,
yabbying, overnight hikes, theme days and many other adventurous activities at
..
Lady
Northcote (outside of Bacchus Marsh $220)
15th-19th January 2001
Camp
Manyung (Mt Eliza $195)
22nd-25th
January 2001
Camp
Wyuna (Queenscliffe $195)
22nd-25th
January 2001
Catering
for 12 – 15’s (senior camp).
Payment
options are available. Information or brochure contact Nathan or Ang 9480 1177.
Transport can be provided if needed. Last date for enrolments – 5th
January.
This Sunday12th November 10.00am till 5.00pm. Tickets and refreshments from the Arthurs Creek hall. $10 for seven gardens.
Greenhills Neighbourhood Centre
Summer School
Applications are now open for the annual holiday tuition program for students from prep. To VCE. Subjects available include English, Reading, Spelling, Comprehension, all Maths, Physics and Chemistry.Personal lessons for an hour and commence from Wednesday 3rd January 2001 until school starts. Cost is $25 per hour inc. GST. Information and enrolment Michael Kennedy 98832197. www.nct@start.com.au
Warrandyte Primary School
The school is holding a reunion with its fete on 18th November. A highlight of this day will be a performance by the largest Warrandyte Bushband ever assembled. The performance will be at about 2pm. For more information telephone the school on 9844 3537 or Judy Finger on 9844 3150.
School Calendar
November |
|
Fri. 10th |
Year 12 exams conclude |
Fri.24th |
Year 11 exams conclude |
December |
|
Tues.5th |
Year 7 2001 Orientation
Day |
Tues.5th |
Canteen luncheon |
Fri.8th |
Year 10 last day |
Tues.19th |
Years 7,8 and 9 last day |
Buskers
required for market 8am-1pm 9.30-11.30am. November 12 and December 10.
Craft stalls only. $10 charge; Christmas stalls (10th) $15 charge. Telephone Lee 9432 1535.
Interested in classic cars?
The school has been fortunate to have been given access to the FOX CLASSIC CAR MUSEUM at Docklands for a fundraising event on Sunday, 12th November between 10am and 3pm. The opportunity to view this collection is not often afforded to the public. Cost of tickets $25 family; $10 adult; $8 concession; $5 child. Send cheque payable to P.V.M.S. together with your return address to 315 Aqueduct Rd., Diamond Creek, 3089. Your tickets will then be forwarded by return post. Ph. 9438 3202 for further information.
Cnr High St & Murray Rd Preston.
Featuring TheVictorian Chamber Musicians presenting a program of popular classical music and songs.Afternoon tea. Admission $10.
Bookings and inquiries Ph. 9583 8516.
Panton Hill Pre-School Inc
25th Annual MUD BRICK HOUSE TOUR
Sunday,
12th November.
$8.50
per person (children under 15 free).
Professional
builders and other mudbrick experts on hand for advice. Lunch and refreshments
available to purchase during the tour. Tickets and maps available from Panton
Hill Pre-School, Main Road, Panton Hill between 9.00am and 12 noon on the day.
Enquiries: Belinda
Dowel on 9710 1571 or 0415 949 207.
The
Nillumbik Shire Council in association with Focus Force, announced the
finalists of the children’s photographic project ‘Nillumbik Naturally’ at
Eltham Library Monday 16th October. Eltham High School student Ben Plant
was selected as a finalist. The school congratulates Ben and to celebrate his
achievement postcards were distributed to all students last week with the
parent newsletter.
Well
done Ben.
Any student who did not receive a postcard can collect one from outside the
main office.
FRANKLY
SPEAKING
Presented by NEODAS and CAH in partnership with Nillumbik Shire Council, Eltham Community Health Centre and Approach Magazine
About alcohol and
cannabis
A Forum for Young People and Families
Sponsored by Yarra Valley – School Focused Youth Service
“Encouraging youth participation”
16th
November 2000 Doors open at 6.00pm; Speakers start at 6.30pm.
Eltham Community
& Receptions Centre, Cnr Main Rd & Pitt St Eltham 3095
Guests include
Vito
Doquile, pharmacist and naturopath with over 30 years experience in
the drug and alcohol field; Dr Colin Riess -–Director of Bouverie
Centre and consultant psychiatrist specialising in children and adolescents
with 20 years experience working with families.
Ø Free drug and
alcohol information
Ø Health
promotion stalls
Ø Poster
competition
Ø Refreshments
Ø Plenty of
parking available
Ø Poster comp
winners announced on the night.