Term 2 Week 2 Tues
20th April 2010
Reporting of Absences:
All Junior, Middle & Senior School absences can now be reported to 9430 5299 (answering service).
Please advise:- name of child, year level, reason for absence and length of absence.
Student Achievement
You may recall that in an earlier edition of the Newsletter I spoke about Emily Deague‑Hall who had been successful in gaining a scholarship in the ‘Talkback Classroom Program’ through the Australia/Malaysia Institute. The scholarship was one of the initiatives of the Institute to support Australian/Malaysian relationships and provide an opportunity for two students from Australia to travel to Malaysia and this occurred during the last term break. Emily was one of the two students and through her involvement she not only represented Eltham High School and the State of Victoria, but also our country. Emily returned from her experience last Wednesday and I met with her yesterday to have a conversation around what she found to be most valuable from opportunities provided to her. Emily spoke about a total 12 day tour of Malaysia where she spent the first five days in Kuala Lumpur and then flew to Alor Setar, a regional area surrounded by a number of small towns. During her time in Alor Setar she was hosted by a family and spent a couple of nights in a homestay arrangement. Emily travelled to a range of schools across the country and met with their student representatives and student leadership teams, as well as the school leaders and community leaders. Emily visited our sister school, Malacca High School, and has started the process of building firm relationships between our schools. She was fortunate enough to have had a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and to engage in a conversation around education. One of the areas that Emily explored was the difference in education policy and implementation of our two nations. Emily has written a brief report of her experience, published in this edition of the Newsletter. I recommend that you go to the website that Emily speaks of where there is a more detailed outline of her experiences in the format of a journal that she wrote across the 12 days. I wish to thank the Australia/Malaysia Institute for the opportunities that it provided for Emily and we look forward to the visit of the two students from Malaysia that have been selected into this initiative.
Furthermore, I wish to thank Pompa Brady and Diane Parry for their encouragement and support of Emily in submitting her application for this outstanding opportunity and experience and for the support provided by The Institute.
State Swimming Competition
I wish to congratulate the nine students who represented our school and our State in the State Schools’ Swimming Championships. The State final took place on 15 April and our students achieved success in their individual events. A report of their performance is outlined in this edition of the Newsletter but I do wish to particularly congratulate Scott van Gemert who placed first in backstroke and the Under 13s
girls’ relay team, Neesha Nurmohamed, Ellis Evans, Rhyannon Perkins and Jordan Bayliss who also came first in
their event. I wish to thank and congratulate their coaches and Peter Nicholson, sports coordinator, who supported the students throughout this competition.
Building Futures Initiative
It has been a little while since I have reported on where we are at with the Building Futures Project. A number of discussions have taken place between the School and the Department of Education & Early Childhood Development in relation to the design components of our Project. We have just completed our Cost Plan B and over the next week or so we are hoping to sign off on this so that the Project can move to the next phase of design and development. I wish to acknowledge the work of Bruce Martyn, our Project Manager, for his ongoing commitment, hard work and advice in relation to moving this project forward. I also wish to thank and acknowledge the work of Trevor Jenkins, who has been involved in the discussions with the Department and the architects. The Building Futures Focus Group also needs to be commended for its work in providing the opportunity for ongoing discussions in relation to not just the Project, but also other areas of the school that have been identified as being in need of refurbishment and renovation to ensure that students have access to all areas of the school through learning environments that continue to support their learning. I will keep you informed of the progress of the Project as we move through the additional stages.
Anzac Day Ceremony
A reminder that the Anzac Day Memorial Ceremony will take place this Friday, 23 April at 2:20pm in the central school courtyard. Any members of our school community who would like to part of this ceremony are most welcome, but I do ask that you contact Kate Scalzo on 9430 5111 so that we are aware of your attendance.
I congratulate all our student leaders who will be running the ceremony and I know that their organisation and commitment will once again make us proud.
Year 7 2011 Information Night and Open Morning
A reminder to our school community that the Eltham High School Information evening will take place this Thursday evening, 22 April beginning at 7:30pm in the School Hall. I ask that if you are aware of any families that are interested in enrolling their children in Year 7 in 2011 that you encourage them to attend either the Information Evening and/or the Open Morning which will take place on Friday, 23 April from 9:30am. I look forward to welcoming prospective parents and students into our dynamic learning community.
Vincent Sicari, Principal
Canteen Roster |
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April 2010 |
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Wed 21 |
Alison Jones, Christine Muscat |
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Thurs 22 |
Sue Ball, Carol Stewart |
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Fri 23 |
Sally Bowen, Nicole Hassell, Suzie Gerrard |
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Mon 26 |
ANZAC DAY HOLIDAY |
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Tues 27 |
Anne Hawting, Karen Smith |
Canteen volunteers Gael Carter, Manager 9430 5122
ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS are now available from the General Office. These books represent great value for not only dining but also for movie vouchers, activities around Melbourne, accommodation and also a discount opportunity for Coles supermarkets (see page F1 in the book). Purchase price is $65.
MUSICAL
NOTES Exciting times ahead for the Intermediate Band ... it's off to Ballarat for them on Tuesday morning, staying overnight at Sovereign Hill Lodge and returning Wednesday afternoon.
All music students should now have returned their permission forms and made their first payment with exception of the Training Band ... their first fee payment is due 30th April.
URGENT: Second Hand Band Uniform - have you got a blouse, skirt, shirt or pants that you've been meaning to bring to the music office for selling? Well, we urgently need these items - make sure they are CLEAN [grey blouses will not be accepted!] and tagged with your name and phone number.
If you have any queries about the music program, please contact the music office on 9430 5127.
Jill Browne, Music Administration
Volleyball
Program Payments
At training over the next week all players will be given a volleyball payment form. In our lead up to the Victorian schools cup all players will need to be registered, pay entry fees and pay for a uniform if they need one. Please contact Mr Thomas if the charge on your form is not correct. Check your team training time on the volleyball notice board and get training.
Thursday night Volleyball
A draw is on the volleyball notice board. Teams playing at 4.10 this week are JCA and Rangas. All other teams play at 3.25pm.
Congratulations also to Hannah Williams who has been selected in the Australian Youth Volleyball team.
Northern Zone Volleyball
The northern Zone volleyball competition for senior and intermediate students will be held Thursday the 22nd April at the Darebin Community Sports Stadium, Plenty Road, Reservoir. We will be leaving from the Ely St bus bay at 9.00am and returning to school at 3.00pm. Draw details and permission forms have been distributed at training. Please see Mr Thomas if you require more information or forms. Teams lists have been posted on the volleyball information board.
Important Dates
22nd April – Senior and Inter Northern Zone Volleyball
13th May – Senior VSSSA final
20th May – Inter VSSSA final
6th , 7th and 8th August - Victorian Schools Volleyball Cup
5th – 10th December – Australian volleyball schools cup
If your child is selected in a state team or has a significant ‘sporting moment’ please contact me so that we can share the good news on the parent newsletter.
Greg Thomas- Volleyball Coordinator
VSSSA SWIMMING (15 APRIL 2010)
Congratulations to the nine Eltham High students who competed at the state schools’ swim championships on Thursday 15th April. As you would expect from a state final, the level of competition was fierce but each Eltham swimmer performed extremely well.
Results :
Scott Van Gemmert – 1st in backstroke / 4th in freestyle
Emily Voss – 3rd in 50 breastroke / 5th in 100 breastroke
Neesha Nurmohamed – 7th in breastroke
Jordan Bayliss – 3rd in freestyle
Under 13 girls relay – 1st (Neesha Nurmohamed / Ellis Evans / Ryannon Perkins / Jordan Bayliss)
Under 15 girls relay – 4th (Emily Voss / Paige Goodwin / Maddi O’Toole / India Heys)
Peter Nicholson - Sport Co-ordinator
Students from all year levels are invited to be part of this year’s Australian Mathematics Competition.
Cost: $5 to the cashier
Due: by the end of April
Competition date: Thursday 5th August
Venue: The Library
Mathematics staff will provide practice papers and support preparation.
Ms Lyn Ivory, KLA Co-ordinator Mathematics
EHS is running a tour to the National Parks of Kenya & Tanzania during the Term 2 school holidays in 2011. Please see Brendan Monigatti, Ms. Brady or Ms. Parry for a more detailed itinerary.
The tour is open to students, staff, past students and their extended family with preference being given to currently enrolled students.
Junior School Homework Club will begin in the first Week in May. This revamped program will run for one hour straight after school, one night a week, and will be supported by the Middle School Peer Mentor Program. Further details will be provided soon.
Mr Pringle on behalf of Junior School
Middle School Homework Club sessions take place on Wednesday at 3:15pm until 4pm in Room 105. Each session will be fully supervised by a Middle School Coordinator and caters for students who volunteer to come along for extra assistance or simply a set time to work quietly on school tasks.
Mr McCrystal on behalf of Middle School
Attention: Parents of Yr 11 Students,
We are very fortunate to have Richard Frankland coming to speak to all Year 11 students on Thursday the 29th of April, during periods 5 and 6.
He is an award winning film-maker, songwriter and musician.
Yr 11 English and VCAL students study two of his films “No Way to Forget” and
“Harry’s War”. However, his experience as an investigator in the Royal
Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and role as a spokesperson on
indigenous affairs makes him an invaluable speaker for all our students,
engaging them with social justices and community issues.
The cost for this event is $ 12 and should be paid to the cashier by the 23rd
of April.
Diane Parry
The Grounds Committee has scheduled 2 working bees for Term 2 on Sunday 3rd May and Sunday 6th June. Both events kick off at 9.00am and conclude with a barbeque lunch at 12.30pm. Morning tea is provided around 10.30am. Parents who have nominated for the above dates will be contacted by telephone around 2 weeks prior to the event and if at all possible will be allocated a task so they can properly prepare and organise themselves for the day. More details of planned tasks will be highlighted in the next newsletter for the 3rd May event.
John Coates – Environment Coordinator for the Grounds Committee
At first, being handed the pressure of representing Australia overseas felt pretty daunting. The pressure really mounts when all 3,000 hijab-covered school students parade your entrance with a procession deserving of royalty.
But after ten minutes of talking together about our learning experiences, our opinions and our ambitions, it was impossible not to feel real friendships starting to form, as we shared not only desire to discover each other's lives, but also a very similar sense of humour! As my group travelled from city to country, schoolkid to education official, we learnt more and more about the issues that are important in shaping education in Malaysia, and searched ourselves for ways that we could help Australia help Malaysia. The most active role that we as a school can take, is to support our participation in the Sister School program. We can provide a real learning base for these students, and there is so much that we can learn from them too. Please join the Talkback Classroom Facebook page to connect with Malacca High School, or any of the students who are now my best friends!
I am so grateful to everyone who supported me in this amazing luck that has found me. I embraced every new opportunity that I was presented with, and Malaysia embraced me! For a detailed journal of my learning journey each day, please see www.talkbackclassroom.com.au or just come and have a talk. No shortage of stories!
Kevin Rudd’s Education Tax Refund – Parents hold onto your receipts!
Eligible parents can now claim a 50% tax refund on: laptops, home computers, Home internet connections, printers, education software, trade tools, text books stationery (max refund $375 per primary school child or $750 per high school child.)
Career Expo’s
Two of these are coming up:
• The Age VCE and Careers Expo: 23 – 25 April, Caulfield Racecourse.
• The National Careers and Employment Expo: May 21 & 22 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
We currently have a large volume of lost property, including sports shorts and shirts. If your son/daughter has recently lost any clothing please either have your child see Michelle in the Sick Bay, or you are welcome to come into the General Office to look in lost property.”
SCHOOL CALENDAR |
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April 2010 |
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Thurs 22 |
Transition Yr 7 2011 Information Night 7:30 in hall |
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Fri 23 |
Transition Open Morning – information & tours 9:30am-11:30am from the Library |
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Mon 26 |
Public Holiday for Anzac Day |
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Tue 27 |
Arts – Yr 11&12 Design AGIdeas Conference |
Netball – 17/Under players needed.
Eltham Netball Club is currently seeking 17/under players for the current Autumn season. Games played on a Saturday afternoon at 1.10pm or 2.00pm. Immediate start available. Please contact Julie on 0433 786 506 or email elthamnetballclub@live.com.au
Surviving Your Adolescents
When: Thurs 13 & Thurs 20 May 2010 from 6.30-9.30pm
Where: Year 12 Study Centre – Montmorency Sec College
To register please contact Heather Douglas on 9422 1500
Does your child have learning difficulties?
(Free Seminar held by learneasily.com.au)
Eltham Community and Reception Centre (opposite Eltham Hotel) – Hall 2, 801 Main Road, Eltham
Thursday 29th April 7.30-9.00pm
Registration please call 9439 7594
ELTHAM HIGH SCHOOL COOPERATIVE
ABN 56 079 715 735
400s BLOCK & LIBRARY UPGRADE
FORMS AVAILABLE AT THE General Office.
Thank you
Please notify Ms Cathy Cukier of any changes you have made ASAP Contact 9430 5113 or cuk@elthamhs.vic.edu.au
Register to receive an email version of this newsletter – this is a guarantee your copy reaches home – simply go to the web site – www.elthamhs.vic.edu.au click on the newsletter link choose subscribe and follow the prompts. Thank you for helping save paper & considering the environment.
Simply use the biller code and reference number listed on your statement.
It can sometimes be difficult to identify what items your payment relates to, so please provide us with details at the time of your payment so it can be allocated in accordance with your request. Email your payment details to accounts@elthamhs.vic.edu.au otherwise it will be allocated as follows:
1. Essential education items
2. Optional extras
3. Voluntary financial contributions.
Please note that biller code 87361 will show DEECD (Department of Education and Early Childhood Development) NOT Eltham High School. The Department initially receives the payment and then distributes to schools the next day so there is a processing delay of two days.
If you require any further information, please call the office on 9430 5111 Kathleen Hannan, Business Manager
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