community news

www.elthamhs.vic.edu.au

TERM 4 WEEK 4

TUESDAY 29 OCTOBER 2013

30-60 WITHERS WAY ELTHAM VICTORIA 3095

PHONE (03)9430 5111 – FACSIMILE (03)9431 0448 – EMAIL: eltham.hs@edumail.vic.gov.au

Absences:  9430 5299

Principal’s Report

Closure of Secondary Schooling for the Class of 2013

I congratulate all the Year 12 students, both VCE and VCAL, for a very positive closure to their secondary school education. Their behaviour and approach to the end of their schooling needs to be commended. The positive vibe allowed the staff and the rest of the school to join in the celebrations whole–heartedly and be part of the fun.

I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised when I arrived to work last Wednesday morning to find my office filled with balloons that provided a variety of colour and which were accompanied by a simple note that said a great deal. I remember thinking that this is the sort of thing that makes it all worth it. I know that individual teachers have also been made to feel the same way, very much appreciated, and collectively the staff were acknowledged and thanked by the simple collage created on the glass wall of the Year 12 Study Centre out of coloured post-it notes that said “Thank You Eltham High”.

The weather was not in our favour but the “Traditional Countdown” on Wednesday afternoon went without a hitch and the breakfast on Thursday morning was extremely well organised and very much appreciated by the students. I don’t think that I have served so much bacon and eggs in my life but it was very satisfying watching the students really engage with each other, with the staff and the spirit of the occasion, eat and have fun.

The Formal on the same evening saw a miraculous transformation in our young people: cheer leaders in the morning transformed into suave and very elegant young men for the evening event; Alice in Wonderland in the morning transformed into a mature, sophisticated and elegantly dressed young woman and so on. The venue “Leonda” was ideal for this celebration and a group of students took advantage of its unique location and made their grand entrance arriving by boat.

Our students demonstrated just what a credit they are to themselves, their parents and our school. The evening was cohesive, full of fun and entertainment and everyone enjoyed the experience.

Whilst each of the Senior School Team was acknowledged by the students on the night, I would like to congratulate the Senior School Team under the leadership of Mrs Anna Panas for their hard work in supporting the various student committees in the organisation and preparation for the range of events. Amongst all this was the day-to-day work that needed to be done including planning for 2014, and it goes without saying that each of the coordinators managed to keep on top of their responsibilities in a professional manner. I also wish to acknowledge the work of or VCAL Coordinator, Mrs Terri Wood, who has worked tirelessly through the year in support of the Year 11 and Year 12 VCAL students to ensure that they are all well on their way to achieving their goals. Finally I wish to thank Mrs Jan Baddeley who works in the Senior School Office in support of the Senior School Team. She also has worked well beyond the call of duty and this is very much appreciated.

I take this opportunity to wish all of our Year 12 students all the very best with their upcoming exams and remind them that the quiet of the Study Centre is available to them should they wish to take advantage of this resource.

Year 12 Countdown

Student Achievement

I congratulate Nathan Thompson (Year 10, Andrew House) and Dougal James (Year 10, Rutter House) who, being part of the Band “Pinball Machine”, recently released their new song ‘Unreachable’, which was recorded at the Refinery Studio.

The song came about through a collaborative effort amongst all band members and the final product is something that they are all very proud of.

Nathan has put together the band’s HD video clip for Unreachable which can be viewed at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyBQe59IXhk

This is a great effort for two young musicians. I look forward to hearing many more great things about Nathan and Dougal, and Pinball Machine, as they move their music into its next stage of development. They need to be commended for taking the opportunity, embracing the risk and challenging themselves to work to being the best that they can be.  Well done!

School Sport Victoria State Track and Field Championships:

I congratulate all the students that competed in the School Sports Victoria State Track and Field Championships. Once again our students have performed admirably and I take this opportunity to commend them for their efforts. The specific results appear in a further section of this Newsletter but I do wish to make particular mention of Maddison Coates (Year 10, Andrew House); Isis Lowery (Year 11, Andrew House); Lachlan Dalgleish (Year 11, Andrew House) and Sam Richards (Year 11, Everard House) for their outstanding effort. 

Overall, Eltham High School has brought home a total of 8 medals and finished 13^th out of the 242 Secondary Schools that were represented at the Championships.

I take this opportunity to also thank the team’s coach, Mr Max Balchin, and once again to communicate to him our appreciation for his continued support of our students.

Working Bee

A big thank you to all the parents, students, staff and friends that attended last Sunday’s Working Bee. It was a great success and a great deal was accomplished on the day. A big thank you is also extended to the Grounds Committee for their planning and organisation of the work.

If you missed out don’t be too alarmed there is another Working Bee coming up on Sunday, 17 November. Be sure to mark this on your calendar immediately so that you too can experience a sense of community as well as a sense of achievement. I look forward to seeing you all there.

Day before Melbourne Cup Day

In addition to the notices in the weekly Community Newsletter that have appeared since the start of Term 4, I write to you in relation to the Melbourne Cup period, in particular the day before the Melbourne Cup holiday, Monday 4 November.

Historically the day before the Melbourne Cup holiday has had very poor student attendance.  As a consequence, and as a way of causing the least disruption to the educational program of the school, the last few years have seen this day used as time-in-lieu for teachers. As clearly expressed in the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2013 and supported by the Department of Early Childhood Development, this compensates teachers for the time they allocate beyond work hours throughout the year to student progress interviews involving students, parents and staff.

In the past, irrespective of the time-in-lieu arrangement, the school has remained open on the Monday before Melbourne Cup Day as Year 12 exams were on during that time, and the school is an examination centre.  This will also be the case this year. However, while this day would seem to be the most appropriate in terms of minimising disruption to the educational program of the school in the provision of time-in-lieu, I am writing to ascertain your intention as to your child’s/children’s’ attendance on Monday, 4 November in order for us to plan effectively. The school will be open on this day and based on previous experience, due to poor student attendance, it is most likely that an alternative educational program will be in place.  Your information will be valuable in ascertaining staffing requirements for this day.

I ask you to confirm with us only if your child will be attending on Monday, 4 November 2013 by contacting the appropriate Sub-School Office either by telephone on 9430 5111 or by email through each of the Sub-School Team Leaders before Friday, 1 November:

Senior Sub-School: Anna Panas – pan@elthamhs.vic.edu.au

Middle Sub-School:  Jodie Sutton – sut@elthamhs.vic.edu.au

Junior Sub-School:  Ross McKinnon – mki@elthamhs.vic.edu.au.

Vincent Sicari

Principal

Assistant Principal’s Report

Exams

Exams begin today for the majority of our Year 12 students with the three hour English assessment. This marks the culmination of students’ coursework and revision for the year and the beginning of the final stage of their VCE. Teachers of Year 12 classes are made available to consult with students and are not given replacement classes or ‘extras’ in the lead up to these exams. I would like to thank all Year 12 teachers for the extra efforts that they go to during this very busy period, as a significant amount of time is put in to support students, often well outside of normal working hours.

Hopefully all students feel confident and well prepared when they commence their examinations. Eltham High School runs formal examination periods for students in Middle school and Year 11, and a key aim of this is to ensure that they are aware of the expectations and have strategies for preparations and study by the time they reach Year 12.

With this in mind I would encourage all students to make themselves aware of the expectations and procedures for the upcoming Year Eleven and Middle school exams. Students have set high benchmarks or expectations for themselves in previous exam periods and the more consistent message we can give to students between home and school, the better.

If you have any queries regarding upcoming exams I would encourage you to contact the relevant Sub-School. If your son or daughter is anxious about exams, please reassure them: They are not a final hurdle which determines whether or not you have passed or failed a subject. Instead they are an important assessment task for students. We expect that they will also find them to be an important and useful learning experience.

Tim Natoli

Assistant Principal

Senior School News

Year 11 Written and Performance Examination Timetable – Semester 2, 2103

Starting Times: Each examination commences with a 5 minute reading period which is included in the times shown in the timetable.

Examination Length: English - 2 hours; General Maths Methods & Maths Methods - 2 examinations: 1x 1 hour and 1 x 2 periods.

Drama Performance examination (Individual timetable to students of Performance timeslot).

All other examinations are two periods in length.

Venues: The Performance Centre; Drama Performance exam - Drama Room 111; Music - Room 321; VET IDM- Room 418; Rooms 402-404.

End of examination period

Year 11 - 12 HEADSTART Orientation Program:

Monday 18 November- Friday 29 November, 2013 (Year 12, 2014 classes commence)

Year 12 Study Camp:

Wednesday 19 February – Thursday 20 February, 2014

Anna Panas

Senior School Leader

Junior School News

Class Requests Year 8 2014

Can Year 7 parents please note that all Year 7 students recently received the following message on their Compass Newsfeed: 

'Dear Year 7 students, we will soon be creating Year 8 class lists for next year. All Year 7 students are invited to collect a form from the Junior School Office which allows you to submit your requests for next year. This form needs to be signed by a parent and returned to the Junior School by the end of October. Late submissions will not be accepted.'

Student requests provide one part of the information used to create our Year 8 classes. Details of the mechanics and the philosophy of this process are provided on the form itself. Parents are required to countersign this form, ensuring that the topic has been discussed and that you are aware and informed of the process. If you have any questions about, or would like to discuss this process, please contact Ross McKinnon or Peter Seymour in the Junior School Office. 

Ross McKinnon

Junior Team Leader

EHS Art and Technology Exhibition: Friday, 8 - Saturday, 9 November

The EHS Art and Technology Exhibition will be open on the following dates:

Date:                Friday, 8 November

Time:              6.00pm -8.30pm

     (Official Opening at 7pm)

Date:                Saturday, 9 November

Time:               1.00pm – 3.00pm

Location:          Eltham High School

Please call in while you are at the Eltham Town Festival.  Bring some friends or past students along as well; it's a great opportunity to show them the new buildings, with artworks in all the rooms and corridors.

To the Top

Musical Notes

Intention Form

Students have been given an Intention Form for next year.  Can parents please complete their form, sign and return to the Music Office by Friday, 1 November.  If your child has misplaced their copy, please email Jill in the Music Office, and she will forward you a replacement form. 

Eltham Town Festival

This year's 'old' Jazz Band is going to perform at the Eltham Town Festival:

Date:               Saturday, 9 November

Time:               12 noon -1.00pm

Location:        Eltham Town Square

The group will have a rehearsal on Thursday 7th November 3.30pm - 5.30pm in preparation for the performance. 

Information regarding this event has been emailed to students' families. 

Upcoming Performance for This Year's Training Band

Victorian School Music Festival:

Date:               Tuesday, 12 November

Time:               Students to arrive at school by 8.30am

Location:        Iwaki Auditorium, ABC Southbank Centre

Return Time:  Students returning to school by 1.00pm

Students taking part have been given a flyer regarding this event.

Twilight Evening Concert: 2, December

The Twilight Concert, involving all Large Ensembles, will be taking place:

Date:               Monday, 2 December

Time:               6.30pm (students to arrive at 6.00pm)

Location:        Eltham High School

This event is a great opportunity to invite family and friends.

After School Voice Lessons

A couple of vacancies exist for after school voice lessons.  For further information, please contact Jill in the Music Office.

If you have any queries regarding the Music Program, please contact the Music Office on 9430 5127 or email Jill at bro@elthamhs.vic.edu.au.

Rick Plummer
Director of Music

Working Bee Update

40 volunteers, comprising parents, past parents, students and teachers turned out on Sunday, in very pleasant spring weather, to complete a range of tasks for the October Working Bee.  Thanks to all our volunteers who arrived promptly at 9.00am, ready to start work.  Special thanks to the Grounds Committee members who supervised the tasks and oversaw the provision of food and drinks on the day.  Without exception, all tasks planned for the day were executed and completed with aplomb.

The following tasks were completed on Sunday:

·         27 sleepers were cut and slotted into position around the ironbark trees on the west side of the new building complex.

·         Another 4m³ of soil was wheelbarrowed in and around the ironbark trees on the west side of the new building complex.

·         8m³ of soil was placed in the raised box gardens on the south side of the Stadium complex.

·         Pruning and weeding was completed on the eastern side of the school buildings, from the cricket nets in the south, to the tennis courts in the north.

·         Pruning and weeding was also completed on both the north and south side of the 400s block.

·         4 remaining bollards in the Courtyard complex were stained twice during the day.

·         The wire fence on the western boundary of the back oval was removed and made safe.

·         A huge amount of brush cutting and mowing was completed in a range of locations across the campus complex.

·         Paving around the edges of the raised box garden adjacent to the canteen was completed on one side.

·         A 20m section of the western boundary fence line was weeded and made tidy.

Special thanks to the following volunteers who gave up their Sunday morning to make a difference to the environment of the school.

Mick Alderton, Marian Birkett, John Coates, Veronica Curmi, Ivan Dickinson, Shane Frenich, Suzie Gerrard, Anne and Barry Gration, Pete Green, Sue Harvey, Mal Heys, Leanne Ipsen, Joi Xin, David Kirkpatrick, Marie and Sarah Krause Kamilla and Zofia Laxton, Matt Lester, Simon MacDonald, Bruce Martin, Simon Maurdev, Frank Medcalf, Deb Milne, Jang Momas, Evan Mutimer, Lisa Norden, Vincent Sicaria, Mal Sinclair, Jeremy Taylor, Jamal Trotter, Trevor Trotter, Sue Washington, Tess Williver, Rhiannon Xin, John Zitu.

The final Working Bee this year will take place on Sunday, 17 November from 9.00am until 12.30pm.  I look forward to your anticipated support.

John Coates

For the Grounds Committee

Sport

Australian Volleyball Schools’ Cup: 8 -13 December

Team lists are displayed on the volleyball information board in the Stadium, and on the volleyball page on the Eltham High web page. If you are not able to take part please let Mr Thomas know this week at tho@elthamhs.vic.edu.au

The final payment is due on or before Friday the 15^th of November.

Important Volleyball Dates for 2013:

30 October                   Year 7 Northern Zone Volleyball

30 October (2014)       Intermediate Round Robin (Year 8 and 9 students)

26 November               Year 7and 8 State Volleyball Final

8- 13 December          Australian Volleyball Schools’ Cup

If your child has a unique sporting moment, or is selected in a State or National Team, please let us know so we can share the good news. (I have copies of the Nillumbik Sporting Achievement Grant application form if you require one).

Greg Thomas

Volleyball/Elite Sports Coordinator

tho@elthamhs.vic.edu.au

Athletics

School Sport Victoria State Track and Field Championships:

Eltham High School has had its most successful competition at the School Sport Victoria State Track and Field Championships. The EHS team of 10 students won a total of 8 medals and finished 13^th out of the 242 Secondary Schools that were represented at the Championships.

Maddison Coates had an exceptional meet, winning the Girl’s U17 100m and 200m by decisive margins. In the Long Jump, Maddison won Silver with a leap of 5.22m.

Lachlan Dalgleish produced personal best performances in the Shot Put and the 100m. Lachlan was placed 2nd in the Shot Put and 3rd in the 100m.

Isis Lowery won a Gold medal when she was the only athlete to clear 1.50m in the Girl’s U17 High Jump.

Sam Richards produced a personal best effort in the Long Jump with a leap of 6.13m; this gave him the Silver medal.

Nicholas Phillips’ strong finish over the final 50m was enough to catch several of the Boy’s 17 400m field and grab the Bronze medal.

Tim Logan lowered his time for the 1500m by 19 seconds to finish in a time of 4:21.26. He was placed 4^th in a high quality field.

Gabby Seymour ran strongly in the Girl’s 18-20 1500m to finish in 6^th place in a time of 5:42.02.

Michaela Prunotto, Year 9, ran in the Open Girls 3000m and lowered her time to 11:42.76.

Nicholas Phillips, Billy Marshall, Sam Richards and Jack Bowkett combined well in the 17 Years 4x100m Relay to finish 4^th in 47.38.

Eltham High School results:

 
Diamond Valley Athletic Club:

The 2013/2014 Track & Field season has started with Round 1 of the Athletics Victoria Shield season at the Doncaster venue on Saturday, 19 October.

The following EHS students took part:

Maddison Coates:       (U18): 100m and 400m          

Danielle Blake:           (U16): 100m   

Freya Neil :                 (U16): 100m   

Nicholas Phillips:       (U18): 1500m and 400m

The season of athletics continues until March 2014. DVAC holds training sessions on Tuesday & Thursday afternoons at Willinda Park, Greensborough from 5:00pm onwards.

For further information on training and competition, contact Max Balchin (Secretary, DVAC) on 0409 350 280.

Max Balchin

Secretary DVAC

Parents and Carers

Second Hand Book Sales For 2013

Coming Soon!

Please note these dates

·         2013 Year 12 students will be able to collect a list of suitable titles for sale from the general office on Wednesday, 30 October.  Students may leave their books for sale at the second hand book room operating in the Y12 Study Centre for early collection of VCE books only on Wednesday, 13 November and Friday, 15 November from 1:00pm - 3:00pm.

·         2013 Year 11 students will receive their booklists for 2013 shortly and may now view 2013 titles suitable for sale on the list in the Common room. They may also leave their 2013 books for sale and their 2014 second hand book order at the book room operating in the Y12 Study Centre for early collection of VCE books only on Wednesday, 13 November and Friday, 15 November from 1:00pm - 3:00pm.

VCE students – to ensure your books are available for sale don’t miss out on these dates as orders for 2014 texts will be filled firstly with texts made available on these dates.  If you are unable to leave your texts on these early collection dates, the Book room will be open for general collection and orders from Wednesday, 20 November at 8.30 – 10.30am

·         2013 Year 7, 8, 9 & 10 students will also be receiving their 2014 booklists shortly with a list of 2013 texts suitable for resale.

·         As from Wednesday, 20 November the second hand book room will operate from the Y12 Study Centre from 8.30 – 10.30am and families wanting to sell 2013 texts or order 2014 texts may do so until Tuesday, 3 December.

·         2013 Year 9 & 10 students can bring their books for sale to the Y12 Study Centre during the above times.

·         2013 Year 7 & 8 classes will be given the opportunity during classes commencing Wednesday, 27 November to take their books for sale to the book room.

Please organise with your child which books (if any) are to be taken to the book room for sale.

Place your ORDER EARLY….leave your Second Hand Book order forms at the General Office before Friday, 29 November (remember orders are filled on ‘first in’ basis).

All booklists will be available shortly at www.elthamhs.vic.gov.au

Kathleen Hannan

Finance Manager

Dates of Interest for Diamond Valley College Bus Network

Diamond Valley Bus Network - Term Dates for the Remainder of 2013:

Pease note the following Term dates for the remainder of 2013.  Bus times will alter for END of terms.  Term dates are:

Term 4:            Last day for buses 19 December at 3.00pm

Careers

Year 9 Work Experience:

Monday, 2 December – Friday, 13 December 2013

All Year 9 students, who will be 15 years of age at the time of the work experience, are eligible to participate. For students who will not yet be 15 years old, there is still the opportunity to work at a pre-school or primary school.  The normal ‘Work Experience Arrangement Forms’ are used in both instances.

If your child is not going to participate, a written note must be handed into the Careers Office, or an email sent, detailing alternative arrangements.  Please note there will be no alternative school program provided during this period for students who are not participating in the Work Experience Program.

Now is the time to get something organised, whether it be with one or two employers for the period.  Please contact Ross Pringle on 9430 5133 or email pri@elthamhs.vic.edu.au for further information.

Ross Pringle

Careers Coordinator

Student Wellbeing

Teenagers Are Still Developing Empathy Skills

The teen years are often fraught with door-slamming, eye-rolling and seeming insensitivity, even by kids who behaved kindly before. Some parents worry that they’re doing something wrong, or that their children will never think of anyone but themselves. New research shows that biology, not parenting, is to blame. In adolescence, critical social skills that are needed to feel concern for other people and understand how they think are undergoing major changes. Adolescence has long been known as prime time for developing cognitive skills for self-control, or executive function. “Cognitive empathy,” or the mental ability to take others’ perspective, begins rising steadily in girls at age 13, according to a six-year study published recently in Developmental Psychology. But boys don’t begin until age 15 to show gains in perspective-taking, which helps in problem-solving and avoiding conflict.

Adolescent males actually show a temporary decline, between ages 13 and 16, in a related skill—affective empathy, or the ability to recognize and respond to others’ feelings, according to the study, co-authored by Jolien van der Graaff, a doctoral candidate in the Research Centre Adolescent Development at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Fortunately, the boys’ sensitivity recovers in the late teens. Girls’ affective empathy remains relatively high and stable through adolescence.

The riptides are often noticeable to parents. Susan Burkinshaw has tried to cultivate empathy in her two teenage sons, 16 and 18, since they were toddlers, encouraging them to think about others’ feelings. Yet one “went through a period in eighth grade where he was just a bear to deal with. He always had an attitude,” says Ms. Burkinshaw, of Germantown, Md. “Then as quickly as it came on, it turned back off again.”

The findings reflect a major expansion in researchers’ understanding of cognitive growth during adolescence, according to a 2012 research review co-authored by Ronald Dahl, a professor of public health at the University of California at Berkeley. Researchers used to believe that both forms of empathy were fully formed during childhood.

Now, it’s clear that “the brain regions that support social cognition, which helps us understand and interact with others successfully, continue to change dramatically” in the teens, says Jennifer Pfeifer, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Oregon in Eugene. Preliminary research in her lab also suggests cognitive empathy rises in teens. The discoveries serve as a new lens for exploring such teen behaviors as bullying and drug abuse.

Kids who develop affective and cognitive empathy form healthy relationships and argue less with their parents, research shows. Perspective-taking continues to be central for adults on the job, helping in designing and selling products and services, building user-friendly devices, and working smoothly with others with diverse viewpoints and backgrounds.

Affective empathy is grounded in the limbic region of the brain, which regulates emotions. This capacity begins developing in infancy when parents respond sensitively to babies’ emotions. Children learn to practice empathy by watching their parents and by experiencing it themselves—being treated well by adults who respond warmly to their feelings, says Anthony Wolf, a Longmeadow, Mass., psychologist, author and speaker.

Cognitive empathy arises from a different part of the brain, the medial prefrontal cortex, which continues developing later, through adolescence. But the two are linked; children’s affective empathy predicts their level of cognitive empathy as teens, says a forthcoming study by Caspar Van Lissa, a doctoral candidate at Utrecht’s adolescent-research center.

Parents can help instill affective empathy by encouraging children to walk in others’ shoes. If Ms. Burkinshaw’s kids saw a child being teased or treated badly, she asked them, “If that had been you, what would you have wanted your friends to do to help?”

Her 12-year-old daughter Alexandra recently told her that several classmates had hurt another girl’s feelings by blocking her from following them on Instagram. “I said, ‘What could you do to help her?’ ” Ms. Burkinshaw says. Alexandra talked with her friends, and another mother also intervened. The girls apologized and invited the victim back into the group.

Adolescents’ brains work particularly hard on perspective-taking; teens make heavier use than adults of the medial prefrontal cortex, says Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at University College London. That may be because understanding others’ viewpoints takes more conscious effort for teens, while it becomes automatic for adults, Dr. Blakemore says. Perspective-taking continues to develop through age 21.

The decline in affective empathy among young teenage boys may spring at least partly from a spurt during puberty in testosterone, sparking a desire for dominance and power, says the study in Developmental Psychology. Boys who were more mature physically showed less empathy than others.

Boys also feel pressure from peers and some adults to “act like a man,” which they often define as being detached, tough, funny and strong, says Rosalind Wiseman, Boulder, Colo., author of “Masterminds and Wingmen,” a new book about teen boys. They may suppress feelings of empathy so they can join in joking and teasing with peers, she says. “Humor is the social glue among boys, and empathy would be a brake on what they can and cannot joke about.” So some kids “stop listening to their gut.”

Also, some teens may appear insensitive because they’re actually struggling to avoid being overwhelmed by their own feelings of empathy, says Brad Sachs, Columbia, Md., a psychologist, author and speaker. “Teens who seem aloof, hard-hearted or unkind may in reality be quite the opposite.”

Fathers seem to play a special role. Teens whose fathers are supportive, who say they feel better after talking over their worries with their dads, are more skilled at perspective-taking, says a 2011 study of 15- to 18-year-old boys in Developmental Psychology.

Yu Oen of Princeton Junction, N.J., encourages his sons Grant, 19, and Sean, 15, to take others’ perspective by discussing current events with them—including how the people involved must have felt. After the Boston Marathon bombing, they talked about how a runner who lost her legs must have felt when entering a restaurant where everyone else was wearing shorts.

“You can see their reaction: ‘Wow, that is really tough,’ ” Mr. Oen says. “They feel it: ‘What if that had been me?’ ” Mr. Oen and his wife Shirley “feel it too,” he says. “And we take time to talk about these things.”

via Teenagers Are Still Developing Empathy Skills – WSJ.com.

Calling all students who are part of and care about our LGBTI community.

The annual pride march is a celebration of the Melbourne LGBTI community and our allies, and a great way to demonstrate our commitment to supporting gender and sexual diversity at EHS. 

Safe Schools Coalition Victoria will have a place in the parade where all students, staff and families from any schools in Victoria can join.  

I would love to have some student leadership on this, please contact me at school, in person or via email if you would like to be part of leading a group, and drumming up support for this event, holding the EHS banner high!

Next year the march will be held at 1pm on Sunday 2^nd February in St Kilda, so we need to sort out plans before the end of term 4.

Find out more? Follow the links below:

http://www.pridemarch.com.au/

http://www.sscv.org.au/

Any questions, as always feel free to get in touch.

Louise Heathcote

Student Services Leader

hea@elthamhs.vic.edu.au

Do you or your family and friends have a favourite uniquely Australian Christmas recipe that you are proud of?  If so, send it in to me and fame and praise in our local community could be yours.

Previous competitions have included best pudding, cake and shortbread.

This year, I am calling on residents to enter their favourite Aussie Christmas recipe in a competition to find Eltham’s most uniquely Australian festive season celebration.  Examples could include kangaroo roast and smoked salmon terrine.

The winner will be chosen by a select panel of Christmas experts, with the winning recipe to be printed on my annual Christmas card and distributed throughout Eltham.

Many local families will have great stories to tell about how they celebrate Christmas, especially given how Australians celebrate Christmas so differently to the rest of the world!

I encourage you or your family and friends to enter their favourite Aussie Christmas recipe along with any unique Christmas stories they may have.

People can enter the Christmas card competition before Wednesday, 6 November by:

·         Posting their recipe to Steve Herbert MP, State Member for Eltham, 718 Main Road, Eltham 3095

·         Emailing steven.herbert@parliament.vic.gov.au,

·         Dropping into the office with their recipe

Help spread some Christmas cheer in our community, by sharing the unique stories that makes Australia such a special place to live.

Steve Herbert MP

Member for Eltham

Shadow Minister for Higher Education and Skills

Shadow Minister for the Teaching Profession

To the Top

Warhammer

Recommended Age Level: 12 – 16 years

Get together, to work on your scenery, paint your figurines or have a game.  Ben and Hayden will be here to lend a helping hand.

Date:   Wednesday, 30 October

Time:   4.00 – 5.30pm

Location:        Diamond Valley Library, Civic Drive, Greensborough

For more information contact:

Marlies Irvine-Tammes

Reading Coordinator

Yarra Plenty Regional Library

Telephone: 9435 6430

Like to try slalom canoeing? This might be the opportunity for you. Please read information below and contact Warwick Draper, Melbourne Canoe Club, on warwickdraper@yahoo.com.au.

National Slalom Development (NSD) Camp

Goulburn River, Eildon

Friday, 15 November – Sunday, 17 November

NSD Camp is an ‘all levels’ slalom development camp to benefit beginner to elite paddlers, with coaching sessions, video review, training workshops, race preparation and feedback. It will run in conjunction with Country Series Final Race on the Goulburn River, and whether you’ve never paddled before, are a parent or racing on a National Team, this camp will cater for you!

NSD Camp features:

·         High level technical coaching in small groups

·         Video feedback

·         Race preparation and feedback

·         Workshops on training

Cost will be $135 per paddler, and includes:

·         4 coached sessions + video review

·         Race entry

·         Race prep/feedback

·         BBQ on Saturday night

Note: Accommodation and all other meals are not provided.  Camping and cabins are available at Blue Gums Caravan Park.

Registration closes Friday, 1 November.  Contact: warwickdraper@yahoo.com.au

 Southern Cross Cultural Exchange

Learn About Yourself!

As Marcel Proust, a late 19^th century novelist wrote: “the real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes”. Volunteer to host an international high school student in 2014 through Southern Cross Cultural Exchange and prepare to be amazed at the way this unique and rewarding opportunity helps your family to become closer, to understand themselves better and to see the world in a new light.

Carefully selected students will arrive in:

February for one term, one or two semesters from France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Finland, Canada, the U.S.A, Columbia, Mexico and Japan.

July for one term, one or two semesters from France, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Spain.

They will attend a local secondary school, arrive with their own spending money and comprehensive insurance cover – all arranged by Southern Cross Cultural Exchange. Visit us at our website www.scce.com.au, email scceaust@scce.com.au or call us toll free on 1800 500 501; request our international student profiles, and capture the spirit of family and friendship.

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Victorian School of Languages

Is your child interested in learning another language?

At Doncaster Secondary College on Thursdays after school in 2014, the Victorian School of Languages will be offering:

                                Japanese

                                Greek

                                Chinese (Cantonese & Mandarin)    

These classes are available to any Victorian school student.*  

                                Grade 1 to Year 10 students:           $70 per year

                                Year 11 & 12 VCE students:              $85 per year

*  Note:  Overseas (non-permanent resident) students:please contact Area Manager

The Victorian School of Languages is a government language school within the Department of Education, consistently producing exceptionally high results in VCE languages every year.   There are currently 55 languages offered through the Victorian School of Languages at 40 different schools around the state.  Most classes run on Saturdays, but some run after school during the week.  VSL also offers a range of Distance Education language programmes, through to VCE.

If you are interested in enrolling your child in one of the VSL languages offered on Thursdays at

VSL at Doncaster Secondary College, please contact us at:

Email:     east1@vsl.vic.edu.au

Phone:   9840-0082

Information regarding other languages and other VSL centres can be found on the VSL website: http://www.vsl.vic.edu.au/

Or contact the VSL Head Office directly:

                                                                Email:     vsl@vsl.vic.edu.au

Phone:   9474-0500

Register your interest now for classes in

2014

limited places available

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Contents

Principal’s Report  1

Assistant Principal’s Report  4

Senior School News  4

Junior School News  6

EHS Art and Technology Exhibition: Friday, 8 - Saturday, 9 November  6

Musical Notes  7

Working Bee Update  7

Sport  8

Parents and Carers  10

Second Hand Book Sales For 2013   10

Careers  11

Student Wellbeing  11

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS  14

School Calendar  2

Canteen Roster  4

Upcoming Canteen Menu   4

School Term Dates: 6

School Absences  6

Smart not Scattered   7

Extra Maths Help   7

Homework Club   7

Japanese Language Classes  7

Why Not Get Involved! 8

Chess Club   8

Drama  8

Drawing Club   8

Eltham High School Swimming Club   8

Interschool Debating Team    8

Manga and Anime Club   8

Topline Tennis Coaching  9

Final Notebook Instalment  9

Yoga at Eltham High School 10

Upcoming Canteen Menu

Wed: Chicken Salad

Thu: Hamburgers

Fri: Lasagne

Mon: Nachos

Tue: Wedges

Year 12 Breakfast

Log into Compass Parent Portal for Information on:

ARAFEMI Mental Health – Family Service Program

Pride March Victoria

School Term Dates

Mudbrick Tour Music Performance

Smart not Scattered

After school support group to assist students with time management and organisation skills.

When: Tuesday

Location: Room 136

Time: 3.15pm – 3.45pm

Melissa Hughes

Coach: Whole School Professional Growth

Extra Maths Help

When: Tuesday

Location: Room 706

Time: 3.10pm – 4.00pm

Mrs Milner

Maths KLA Coordinator

Homework Club

When: Tuesday

Location: Room 908

Time: 3.15pm – 4.00pm

Julia List

Junior School Coordinator

Japanese Language Classes

Japanese Language Classes are available:

When: Friday

Location: Room 136

Time: 8.10am – 8.45am

Melissa Hughes

Coach: Whole School Professional Growth

Why Not Get Involved!

Chess Club

When: Wednesday

Location: Library

Time: Lunchtime

Ben McLeay

English/Drama Teacher

Drama

When: Tuesday/Thursday

Location: 111 Drama Space

Time: 3.30pm – 5.00pm

George Franklin

Art/Technology KLA Coordinator

Drawing Club

When: Friday

Location: Room 168

Time: Lunchtime

Melissa Hughes

Coach: Whole School Professional Growth

Eltham High School Swimming Club

When: Thursday

Location: Eltham Leisure Centre

Time: 7.00am – 8.00am

Phil Boyd

Junior School Coordinator

Interschool Debating Team

When: Wednesday

Location: Room 166

Time: Lunchtime

Leanne Ipsen

Debating Coordinator

Manga and Anime Club

When: Friday

Location: Room 156

Time: Lunchtime

Melissa Hughes

Coach: Whole School Professional Growth

Topline Tennis Coaching

Be one of the first 20 players to sign up for lessons at Eltham High School and receive a FREE Racquet values at $40.00!

Topline Tennis has been the Diamond Valley’s No. 1 tennis coaching business for over 20 years.

We specialise in lessons for beginners with affordable lesson pricing.

We focus on our students learning in a fun, social environment and at the same time developing their tennis skills.

For more information please call 9432 3706

Web: www.toplinetennis.com

Email: info@toplinetennis.com

Yoga at Eltham High School

Yoga focuses and calms the mind.  It develops strength and flexibility.

Relaxation fosters contentment and replenishes energy.

Term 4, 2013

Wednesdays 4:45pm

All teachers, students, parents and friends welcome.

·         Dynamic Yoga for flexibility in hips, shoulders and spine;

·         Standing poses for strength and balance;

·         Pilates for core strength and tone;

·         Deep relaxation.

10 Week Course Commences  Wednesday 9 October

1 hour sessions.  No experience required.  All equipment provided.

Where: Room 408

Cost: $120  (students: $108)

Come and Try: $12

Instructor: Gillian Lazenby

Phone: 9444 0700

Bookings essential. Register and pay at: www.geniuswellbeing.com.au/elthamhigh.html

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